Nova (2007 Series) #5

August 7, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Together (An Annihilation: Conquest tie-in)
Rating: T+

Rich is down – can a new Nova fight off the Phalanx?

Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pencils: Sean Chen
Inks: Scott Hanna
Additional Art: Brian Denham
Colors: Guru EFX
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics

His battle with the Phalanx has left Richard Rider near death. Now, to protect Nova Prime, the Xandarian Worldmind has chosen the stranded Kree medic named Ko-Rel to possess the power of Nova and fight off the Phalanx.

It’s getting so hard to review this book, because as much as I love it, I simply can’t ignore how much it feels like another science fiction superhero title out there. I’ve said it before, but this issue more than ever it feels like you may as well give Ko-Rel a power ring and have her recite an oath before she charges up. This isn’t necessarily a fault of the writers – the Nova Corps concept has always felt derivative of the Green Lantern Corps, but good grief and Sufferin’ Shad – this is about as blatant as you can get.

So it’s probably a testament to Abnett and Lanning that, despite feeling like I’m reading a comic from the wrong publisher, I still think this book is exciting, entertaining and his all the right buttons. Chen and Hanna’s artwork is fantastic, and the story is as fast-paced and energetic as anything else on the stands. The conclusion of this issue actually had me whistling and muttering, “man, how’re they gonna get out of this one?” under my breath.

But still.

Abnett. Lanning. Loving this book. But can you please find some sort of new twist to make this concept its own?

Rating: 8/10

Annihilation: Conquest-Starlord #1

July 23, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Rating: T+

Starlord is sent to fight the Phalanx – but he isn’t alone.

Writer: Keith Giffen
Pencils: Timothy Green II
Inks: Victor Olazaba
Colors: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters: Rus Wooton
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Nic Klein
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Held in Kree custody, the man once called Starlord is offered a second chance to save the universe. The Phalanx – the living technological virus that is conquering the Kree Emire – is constructing a series of viral bombs to help expedite their conquest of the galaxy. Starlord is being outfitted with a crew for one express purpose – get down-and-dirty, without any electronics for the Phalanx to infiltrate – and take out the bomb system before it goes online.

One of the best things about Annihilation has been the way the writers have been allowed to revitalize defunct or stagnant cosmic characters. Although Starlord may be the star, this book is giving Giffen the chance to jumpstart an entire team of defunct cosmic (and semi-cosmic) characters. By the time we get to the last page, the team of C- and D-listers assembled… well, it’s almost like looking at the Great Lakes Initiative, except this book isn’t quite as tongue-in-cheek. There’s still a degree of humor to it, a few chances for the creators to wink at the camera and say, “Can you believe these are the bozos who are going to save the universe?”, but somehow, it works. Giffen is amazing that way.

The art team, including Green, Olazaba and Fairbairn, is pretty new to me, but for the most part they do a good job. The look of the issue reminds me of some of the European sci-fi comics I’ve seen — it doesn’t exactly have the look of a superhero title, but it does do a good job of telling the story in a science fiction context, and that’s more important to this book.

So with this, the final Conquest lead-in, underway, I think it’s safe to say this next cosmic event is off to a pretty good start.

Rating: 8/10

Nova (2007 Series) #4

July 10, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Alone (An Annihilation: Conquest crossover)
Rating: T+

As Nova heads into battle against the Phalanx, survivors of the Annihilation war make a startling discovery.

Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Sean Chen, Scott Hanna & Brian Denham
Colors: Guru EFX
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The latest distress call from Kree territory isn’t part of the Annihilation aftermath after all, but comes from an all-new threat. The techno-organic plague called the Phalanx has taken over the Kree Empire, and Nova is determined to rescue his allies from the plague. It may not be as easy as all that, though.

As I’ve come to expect from Abnett and Lanning, this story is put together really well. Nova’s desperation is palpable, and the threat not to himself, but to the Worldmind, is quite evident. The other Annihilation crossover from this week, Wraith, feels like a story using the Phalanx invasion as a backdrop. This issue feels much more like an actual continuation of the story that began in the prologue, and it’s all the stronger for it.

The B-plot this issue involves a few Kree survivors stranded on a dead world. The discovery here was probably inevitable, and actually works quite well, as it should help to progress Nova’s story in the next logical direction. (Although it doesn’t do much to help dispel perception of the Nova concept as being somewhat derivative of Green Lantern.)

Chen and Hanna handle most of the art this issue, with Brian Denham stepping in for a few pages. The transition is seamless – if the credits didn’t tell us which pages were Denahm’s, I never would have known the difference.

This series continues to impress the heck out of me. Abnett and Lanning are telling the best Nova stories ever.

Rating: 8/10

Annihilation Saga #1

May 6, 2007

Quick Rating: Fair
Rating: A

Catch up on the Annihilation story before the Conquest begins!

Writer: Michael Hoskin
Based on stories by: Keith Giffen, Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Simon Furman, Christos N. Gage & Stuart Moore
Art: Mitch Breitweiser, Scott Kolins, Ariel Olivetti, Kev Walker, Rick Magyar, Renato Arlem, Gregory Titus, Jorge Lucas, Andrea DiVito, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Mike McKone & Sean Chen
Book Desinger: Patrick McGrath
Editor: Jeff Youngquist
Cover Art: Andrea DiVito & Laura Villari
Publisher: Marvel Comics

In general, I think Marvel’s Saga specials are a really good idea – a quick primer on a series that’s about to relaunch or enter a new stage, providing new readers a chance to get up-to-speed before the new jumping-on point. In practice, this is rather weaker than most of the Saga titles.

Usually, these books contain some sort of framing sequence – Runaways was disguised as Molly’s diary, Spider-Girl as Mayday’s scrapbook and so on. The lack of a sequence actually makes the book a bit less readable, less conversational. This is a strict, by-the-numbers account of the various Annihilation-related series, beginning with the Drax miniseries that retroactively became something of a prologue, right up through the first issue of the new Nova ongoing. All the information is there, all of the story is available, it’s just not quite as much fun to read in this form as it could have been.

The artwork is all plucked from the related titles, and as such, it varies wildly. Some of it is fantastic, some of it is just so-so. The same pretty much goes for the text. If you want to read Annihilation: Conquest and haven’t read the preceding comics, this book will get you up to speed. It just won’t be quite as much fun as it could have been.

Rating: 6/10

Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #2

April 1, 2007

Quick Rating: Fair
Title: Afterburn & Brother’s Keeper
Rating: A

Interludes with Firelord and the Silver Surfer.

Writer: Keith Giffen
Art: Scott Kolins & Andrea DiVito
Colors: June Chung & Paul Mounts
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Gabrielle Dell’Otto
Publisher: Marvel Comics

I passed up on most of Annihilation because of how disappointing the prologue issue was. This turned out to be a mistake, as it was definitely the better of Marvel’s recent events. It’s a shame, then, that the epilogue, like the prologue, was somewhat underwhelming.

This miniseries, in essence, shows the current whereabouts of Galactus’ heralds – past and present – after the Annihilation war. Issue one (which was actually very good) featured Terrax and Stardust, while this issue we check in with Firelord and the Silver Surfer. Firelord is hunting down the former Centurions of Annihilus’s elite strike force, tracking them to the planets they were given as rewards for their loyalty and dispensing justice. It’s okay, I guess, but a little on-the-nose, and I really dislike Firelord’s redesign. The intent seems to be to make him look more “cosmic,” but it really just makes him look like a Human Torch that someone is attempting to make “kewl.”

“Brother’s Keeper,” the Silver Surfer story, is a little better, if for no other reason than because Andrea DiVito is doing the art. The Surfer is sent to do battle with some of the greater cosmic forces in an attempt to prove his renewed loyalty to Galactus, and the only way to defeat them may well result in his own destruction. The way the battle concludes is my real problem with this issue. Giffen seems to have taken the character’s name way too literally, resulting in an ending that’s… well, there’s no other way to say it: cheesy.

This miniseries is really just an interlude before the Annihilation sequel hits, but the second issue is really kind of disappointing.

Rating: 6/10

Annihilation: Conquest-Quasar #1

July 16, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Destiny
Rating: T+

Phyla carries two legacies – against the menace of the Super-Adaptoid!

Writer: Christos N. Gage
Pencils: Mike Lilly
Inks: Bob Almond
Colors: Stephane Peru
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Matt Wilson
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Phyla-Vell, daughter of Mar-Vell and new wearer of the Quantum Bands, carries with her the legacies of two fallen heroes. During the Phalanx invasion, a strange voice compelled her to seek out the “savior of the Kree.” That quest begins this issue, and she has already run into her first obstacle – the Super-Adaptoid.

The Annihilation crossover evidently isn’t only breathing new life into old heroes, it’s reinvigorating old villains too. I never thought I’d see the Super-Adaptoid again, but here he is, big as life and twice as threatening. Gage demonstrates good knowledge of Marvel history here, using the Adaptoid in an intelligent way and bringing back Moondragon’s history with Wendell Vaughan to reflect on her new relationship with Phyla. The big fight scene here is really very good, and the whole thing has a definite sense that it’s building towards something significant.

Mike Lilly and Bob Almond have a good style for this book. They go from spacescapes to a heavily forested planet to a scene that looks like it was ripped straight from hell. Plenty of different environments, but they handle them all really well.

Like most of Annihilation thus far, this book was quite impressive. Gage is quickly becoming one of those writers I’ll trust on just about any project – he’s really demonstrating that he can do it all.

Rating: 8/10

Nova (2007 Series) #2

May 6, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Alienation (An Initiative tie-in)
Rating: T+

Richard Rider returns home to find a very different world than the one he left.

Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pencils: Sean Chen
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Guru eFX
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Here’s a novelty for you, friends – an Initiative tie-in issue that actually has something to do with The Initiative. Hoping a little R&R on Earth will help him recover from the stress of the Annihilation War, Nova returns home… only to find that his friends have been killed and the world’s superheroes have been torn apart by a Civil War.

Abnett and Lanning do quite a good job tying together Marvel’s two recent events here. Nova has come home intending to warn Earth’s heroes about the Annihilation Wave, only to learn that things on Earth are just as bad. The reunion with one of his few remaining friends is great, and his interaction with his family is handled wonderfully. And although Marvel seems to have gone out of their way to turn most of their audience into Iron Man haters, the logic behind the proposal he makes to Rich this issue is perfectly sound. (That’s right, guys – those gearing up for an Iron Man/Nova fight based on the cover will be somewhat disappointed.)

The artwork by Sean Chen and Scott Hanna is really good too. I’m still not a huge fan of Nova’s new costume – the spikes and weird helmet shape make it a little too busy in my opinion – but they draw it very well, and everything else looks great too.

The original Nova series was before my time. I tried both attempts at giving him his own ongoing in the 90s, and quickly dropped both. I think I’m safe in saying, just two issues in, this is probably the best solo title Nova has ever had. In fact, at present, I’d say it’s one of the best books Marvel is publishing.

Rating: 8/10

Fantastic Four #550

October 9, 2007

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Should Eternity Perish (Reconstruction: Conclusion)
Rating: A

The Fantastic Four make one last play to save the universe.

Writer: Dwayne McDuffie
Pencils: Paul Pelletier
Inks: Rick Magyar
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Rus Wooton
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover Art: Michael Turner
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The Frightful Four defeated, the six members of the Fantastic Four are set against an invading force from Horologium Supercluster. The fate of the universe, as always, is in their hands – but perhaps they can do with a little help.

As much as I’ve enjoyed this storyline so far, I have to admit, this last issue was slightly disappointing on three counts. First: the group of guest-stars seems a bit deus ex machine. Second: the story feels rushed – for once I’m actually arguing in favor of lengthening a story. And third: the quick appearance this issue’s final guest-star – who made an appearance early in McDuffie’s run – makes me feel more certain than ever that he had big plans for this character that got derailed by editorial mandate, which (if it is the case) stinks.

Not to say that I didn’t like this issue – McDuffie’s still great with a space opera, and the story fits neatly between the pages of Annihilation, which really should be getting at least a little more notice from the Marvel Universe proper. Also, his characterization is still spot-on, with my favorite sequence being the equivalent of a friendly brain-measuring contest between Reed and T’challa, working together beautifully, but still self-aware enough to have a little competition.

Paul Pelletier’s art remains nearly flawless – he’s got one of the best styles in comics to combine old-school superheroes with high-flying science fiction, and I yet again bemoan the fact that while he’s doing beautiful interiors, we get yet another generic Michael Turner cover that tells us nothing about the issue and offers a sort of gratuitous shot of Sue’s posterior.

Kind of a weak way to end a good story arc.

Rating: 7/10

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #1

May 13, 2008

Quick Rating: Great
Title: Somebody’s Got To Do It
Rating: T+

In the wake of Annihilation, Star Lord decides it’s time for a new team of heroes!

Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pencils: Paul Pelletier
Inks: Rick Magyar
Colors: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Cover Art: Clint Langley
Publisher: Marvel Comics

In the wake of the first Annihilation, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning took Nova, a concept from the 70s that enjoyed brief popularity in the early 90s but has since stagnated, and made it one of the best books in Marvel’s stable. Now, following Annihilation: Conquest, lightning has struck twice.

Having saved the universe from the Annihilation Wave, then again from the Phalanx, Star Lord decides that perhaps what is needed is a group to head off that sort of disaster before it can happen. Rounding up many of the heroes involved in the destruction of Ultron, Nova leads the new team to the place called Knowhere, and their first mission.

In most team books these days, it seems like it takes six issues – or more – just to get the entire cast to show up. When you’ve got two major crossover events behind you, though, you don’t need to muck about like that. Not only do we get the entire team formation in this issue (complete with the decision to create the team, invitations, locating a headquarters and even one rejection), we get their entire first mission (spaceships, mondo explosions, and lots of funny dialogue), the promise of a link to the team’s legacy, and even a nasty little portent of things to come. I feel like I’ve read ten months of a comic book all in 22 action-packed pages.

And if some of the best storytelling in comics isn’t enough to entice you, how about some of the best art? Paul Pelletier does sci-fi superheroes better than just about anyone in the business. His style is deliciously old-school (by which I mean “straightforward, clean and energetic”), and combined with modern coloring techniques, it has never looked better.

After just one issue, I’m ready to ask Nova and Incredible Hercules to make over and room for this one on the “Marvel’s Best” list. I absolutely loved this comic.

Rating: 9/10

The Thanos Imperative #4

September 26, 2010
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Miguel Sepulveda
Colorist: Jay David Ramos & Wil Quintana
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover: Aleksi Briclot
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Lord Mar-Vell of the Cancerverse has captured Namorita, giving Nova and his squad even more to fight for than they had before. As he leads the Silver Surfer, Quasar, and the other powerhouses of Marvel’s cosmic corner against Mar-Vell, the Guardians of the Galaxy reel from Drax killing Thanos, the one being that could stop all this…

…or did he?

Yeah, It’s one of those stories. But it’s also a story that reveals something brand-new about the fundamental nature of a major character, and you’ll never hear me complaining about that sort of development. I was wary about bringing Thanos back from the death he suffered in Annihilation in the first place, but I also had faith in the writing team of Abnett and Lanning to deliver a good story and not just bring him back to set up a gimmick. There’s a reason, there’s a point, and it changes things for these characters in a big way.

Nice artwork, as well. Miguel Sepulveda and the color team do some wonderful pages – ugly moments, harsh battles waiting to be fought… it’s all to the good. I also love the twisted versions of the Avengers and the other heroes from “our” universe. Some of these visuals are really ugly and freaky. They’ll no doubt make for great action figures. Abnett and Lanning own this corner of the Marvel Universe. I don’t think anything has been announced about its future past this series, but I hope it has one. This series is really kicking ass.

Rating: 8/10