X-Men: Phoenix-Warsong #4

December 9, 2006

Quick Rating: Fair
Rating: T+

The Phoenix takes Celeste!

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Tyler Kirkham
Inks: Sal Regla & Jay Leisten
Colors: John Starr
Letters: Troy Peteri
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Marc Silvestri
Publisher: Marvel Comics

While not quite as good as the first X-Men: Phoenix miniseries by Greg Pak, this title has shown some interesting ideas. As the X-Men try to chase down the remaining Stepford Cuckoos, Celeste becomes engulfed in the power of the Phoenix, and only Emma Frost may hold the key to stopping her.

If there’s one thing about this comic that I’m particularly not fond of, it’s the idea that the Cuckoos are all, in essence, Emma clones. (Come on, Marvel, is more clones ever a good idea?) Once I manage to get past that little caveat, though, this is a pretty solid action issue. The mindscape battle of words between Emma, Celeste and the Phoenix itself works pretty well, and the Beast (my personal favorite X-character) gets a few chances to show off, which makes me happy. The last page is a nice setup to lead into the final issue as well.

Tyler Kirkham’s artwork is okay, but it still feels very much like he’s trying to mimic Marc Silvestri rather than trying to find a style of his own. I am happy to note, though, that he manages to give the Cuckoos relatively realistic bodies for girls their age. They aren’t bulging out like Playboy Playmates anywhere, and although some of their costuming is a little revealing, its not so much that it seems preposterous.

Overall, this has been an okay series that’s given a much-needed new direction to the whole Phoenix concept. The last issue, though, is what will determine how concretely that new direction sticks.

Rating: 6/10

The Heroic Age: Prince of Power #3

August 5, 2010

Title: Our Lady of Slaughter
Writer: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Penciler: Reilly Brown & Zach Howard
Inker: Terry Pallot & Zach Howard
Colorist: Val Staples
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Cover: Carlo Pagulayan, Paz & Peter Steigerwald
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The unlikely allies, Amadeus Cho and the mighty Thor, have undertaken a quest to find the artifacts of life that may help them find the lost Hercules, but the heroes will have to take on some of the most power gods of myth if they’re going to get the artifacts before the insidious Vali.

The Marvel Universe plays with the Asgardian gods all the time, and the Greeks have always been pretty well represented too, but it’s a lot of fun to see Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente delve into other mythologies. There’s a lot of great Egyptian stuff in here, and it’s not just the trappings either. These writers have done their homework, pulling in actual stories, myths, and concepts to craft this story of Hercules’ return. Much of the fun in the Incredible Hercules series was in seeing the growing friendship and partnership of Amadeus and Hercules. Thor makes for a good substitute in this story, not just in terms of power, but in giving Amadeus somebody to relate to. This is an odd pairing, where the God of Thunder is the character who has to help anchor a mere mortal to reality to keep him from going off the deep end.

The artwork is solid, but not really spectacular. Reilly Brown, Terry Pallot, and Zach Howard tell the story with good layouts and choreography, although their faces and body types are just okay. They’re getting the job done, though, which is more than can be said for some artists out there.

This miniseries, like the Hercules book that birthed it, has been a lot of fun. Marvel has already announced a follow-up to this series, but I really hope that Pak and Van Lente are allowed to continue the saga of Herc and Amadeus in an ongoing series rather than these “series of miniseries.”

Rating: 8/10

Incredible Hulk (2000 Series) #101

December 3, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Planet Hulk: Allegiance Part II
Rating: A

The sides are chosen and the battle lines drawn.

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan & Gary Frank
Inks: Jeffrey Huet & Jon Sibal
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Randy Gentile
Editor: Marc Paniccia
Cover Art: Ladronn
Publisher: Marvel Comics

I’ve never really been a huge Hulk fan. For me, he’s a character I’ve only gotten into when I was particularly fond of the writer at the time. I’ve heard a lot of buzz about how good this whole “Planet Hulk” storyline has been, but after sampling a few issues, I’m just finding it okay.

The Hulk and his allies are seeking out the Elders of the planet Sakaar in the hopes of enlisting them in their battle against the Emperor. He is taken away to relieve his history with this world and finds himself being tested. As he moves on, another battle lays in wait. The story is okay, and the continual question of whether the Hulk is or isn’t the prophesied “Sakaarson” is certainly reason to keep reading if you’re really into the story. The last battle scene works very well.

The shifting art teams aren’t too jarring, but the change-up from one artist to another is obvious in most cases. Both Pagulayan and Frank have a good handle on the character, as well as the varied, often bizarre aliens they encounter along the way.

It’s an okay issue, one you’ll enjoy more if you’re a true fan of the Hulk.

Rating: 7/10