Archive for December, 2014
December 31, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
March 2005
****
Aside from the Reed/von Doom arcs, this run has focused almost entirely on Johnny—to character-defining effect. Here at its climax, the kid uses his heraldic power of cosmic insight to stop Galactus itself! #522 does dabble in Big G’s backstory, but the action sequence btw him & the team is golden.
last issue: Fantastic Four #521
next issue: Fantastic Four #523
also indexed for Mar. ’05
Astonishing X-Men #9
Daredevil #69
Iron Man #3
The Pulse #7
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Quasar, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 30, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
February 2005
*****
Aside from a gag opening, #521 is Human Torch, solo! He’s been zapped by Reed & then Big G, and now has the cosmic power to “see the unseen”(?). I can’t overpraise Waid’s Johnny Storm. It’s quintessential characterization, close to a Tom Sawyer, embodying heroic adolescence as a classic American type.
last issue: Fantastic Four #520
next issue: Fantastic Four #522
also indexed for Feb. ’05
Astonishing X-Men #8
Daredevil #68
Iron Man #2
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Quasar, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 29, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
January 2005
****
Part of a lark of an arc. Last ish, the Storm sibs swapped powers to save Sue from aliens. Now Galactus himself has anointed da Invisible Kid as his new herald! Tho’ he shafts Sue, I love Waid’s Johnny Storm, here seen wandering G’s ship & fighting a planet’s champion w/ cosmic forcefields.
last issue: Fantastic Four #519
next issue: Fantastic Four #521
also indexed for Jan. ’05
Astonishing X-Men #7
Daredevil #67
Iron Man #1
The Pulse #6
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Alicia Masters, Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Quasar, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 28, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
December 2004
****
The team stops alien invaders from hurling NYC into the sun! Back to basics, as they say, w/ expert creators showing why the FF are such fun. Sadly, Sue does get deployed as the ol’ damsel in distress, saved by Mr F’s widget. It swaps her powers w/ Johnny’s—a fun variant on the loss-of-powers trope.
last issue: Fantastic Four #518
next issue: Fantastic Four #520
also indexed for Dec. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #6
Daredevil #66
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 27, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
November 2004
****
Aliens have targeted Sue, the only thing in the universe that could penetrate their cloaking device. In a cool twist, they’re refugees who use the inviso-shield to protect planets from Galactus. Ringo draws A-1 monsters, but flubs an interstellar sequence by drawing dull planets, not cosmic psychedelia.
last issue: Fantastic Four #517
next issue: Fantastic Four #519
also indexed for Nov. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #5
Daredevil #64
Daredevil #65
The Pulse #5
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 26, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
October 2004
****
When mile-high pylons embed themselves in NYC bedrock, it looks like a job for the Fantastic Four! Waid’s FF has its flaws (mainly in its metaphysics), but when it’s executing classical superheroics it’s keen. Wieringo builds the scope & threat thru panel size & pacing while avoiding widescreen realism.
last issue: Fantastic Four #516
next issue: Fantastic Four #518
also indexed for Oct. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #4
Daredevil #63
Secret War #3 of 5
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Michael Bloomberg, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 24, 2014
Mark Waid with Karl Kesel // Paco Medina
August 2004
**
A new iteration of the Frightful 4 now mirrors the FF’s family dynamic—a warped image, as the Wizard conscripts an Asian ex-wife & love child. Their powers & personalities get obscured by Medina’s style (’90s American super-manga), which he does w/o much range or subtlety of emotion.
last issue: Fantastic Four #514
next issue: Fantastic Four #516
also indexed for Aug. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #2
Daredevil #61
Thanos #11
Tags:Karl Kesel, Mark Waid, Paco Medina
Posted in Human Torch (J. Storm), Hydro-Man, Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Paste-Pot Pete (AKA The Trapster), Thing, Wizard | Leave a Comment »
December 23, 2014
Mark Waid with Karl Kesel // Paco Medina
late July 2004
***
The unexpected focus on Johnny continues: his coffee date is an unsure accomplice of the Frightful Four. Yet another penciller, a hack in the dated Maduriera vein. The earnest style & bad backgrounds don’t sell Waid’s somewhat generic supervillain rants & heart-to-heart beats of unbuttoned emo.
last issue: Fantastic Four #513
next issue: Fantastic Four #515
also indexed for Jul. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #1
Daredevil #60
Fantastic Four #513
The Pulse #3
Secret War #2 of 5
Thanos #10
Tags:Karl Kesel, Mark Waid, Paco Medina
Posted in Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Hydro-Man, Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards, Wizard | Leave a Comment »
December 22, 2014
A-story: Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
B-story: Mark Waid // Paul Smith
early July 2004
A-story: ***
B-story: ***
Spidey/Torch hijinks recalls the Silver Age years of rivalry (Waid shows a Lee influence, not a Kirby one). Ringo heightens this by homaging Ditko’s Sandman w/ a D-list aqua-baddie. In the back-up, Paul Smith draws bombshell bods for Sue’s catfight w/ one of Reed’s exes, a tomb raider-type adventurer.
last issue: Fantastic Four #512
next issue: Fantastic Four #514
also indexed for Jul. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #1
Daredevil #60
Fantastic Four #514
The Pulse #3
Secret War #2 of 5
Thanos #10
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo, Paul Smith
Posted in Alyssa Moy, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Hydro-Man, Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man, Thing, Valeria Richards, Wizard | Leave a Comment »
December 21, 2014
A-story: Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
B-story: Mark Waid // Paul Smith
June 2004
A-story: ****
B-story: ***
Hard-luck Johnny seeks advice from Spider-Man at a waterpark, in a superhero version of Friends or a Hollywood bromance. Cool—the run’s high point so far has been Waid’s early focus on Johnny Storm, maybe the trickiest of the four to write well. And hey, a three-page marriage gag for a back-up!
last issue: Fantastic Four #511
next issue: Fantastic Four #513
also indexed for Jun. ’04
Daredevil #59
Thanos #9
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo, Paul Smith
Posted in Alicia Masters, Alyssa Moy, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Hydro-Man, Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 20, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
May 2004
***
The explorers of heaven are invited to meet their maker, Jack Kirby. Waid lays the schmaltz on thick. It’s odd & a bit phony, since his M.O. on this mag isn’t very Kirby-esque. Waid’s more interested in emotional adversity than anything. Wieringo’s individual style, however, is its own homage to the king.
last issue: Fantastic Four #510
next issue: Fantastic Four #512
also indexed for May ’04
Daredevil #58
New X-Men #154
The Pulse #2
Thanos #7
Thanos #8
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Jack Kirby, Mr. Fantastic, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 18, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
March 2004
****
The mag still has its dark edge, thankfully dulled by Wieringo’s return. The team’s split, Reed’s brooding, & Johnny hallucinates Ben for company. A game of phone tag mobilizes the Fantastic Three for a rescue mission—to heaven! The Kirbytech is vintage: Doom’s flawed machine from college!
last issue: Fantastic Four #508
next issue: Fantastic Four #510
also indexed for Mar. ’04
Daredevil #56
New X-Men #151
New X-Men #152
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Alicia Masters, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD | Leave a Comment »
December 17, 2014
Mark Waid // Howard Porter
February 2004
**
Doc Doom psychically hops from hero to hero, forcing Mr. Fantastic to blast & kill the Thing. Sadly, in this arc Waid mirrors the ultraviolent sensationalism of ’90s super-comics, which he’d once refuted in Kingdom Come. The melee isn’t even memorable, due to Porter’s erratic, sometimes obscure art.
last issue: Fantastic Four #507
next issue: Fantastic Four #509
also indexed for Feb. ’04
Daredevil #55
New X-Men #150
Tags:Howard Porter, Mark Waid
Posted in Dr. Doom, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 16, 2014
Mark Waid // Howard Porter
late January 2004
***
Mr F renegotiates his eternal stalemate w/ Dr D by imprisoning them together in a locked dimension. Waid’s given the hero a clenched-jaw gloom that, like the art, is a depressing throwback to ’90s comics; similarly, Doom’s escape (a telepathic takeover of Sue) is extremely, tiresomely violent.
last issue: Fantastic Four #506
next issue: Fantastic Four #508
also indexed for Jan. ’04
Alias #28
Daredevil #54
Fantastic Four #506
New X-Men #149
Tags:Howard Porter, Mark Waid
Posted in Dr. Doom, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 14, 2014
Mark Waid // Howard Porter
late December 2003
****
The Richards use parental fear-mongering to justify their unilateral adventurism to a dubious Grimm. The latter is H. Porter’s strongest art element, having internalized the lessons of his scratchy school of ’90s superhero comics, w/ bad expressions, static panels, & problematic layouts.
last issue: Fantastic Four #504
next issue: Fantastic Four #506
also indexed for Dec. ’03
Alias #27
Avengers/JLA #4 of 4
Daredevil #53
Fantastic Four #504
New X-Men #148
Tags:Howard Porter, Mark Waid
Posted in Crystal, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 10, 2014
Mark Waid // Casey Jones
October 2003
****
Franklin has gone catatonic after his trip to hell, while his pop sulks in the dark. It’s a Claremont-like beat, to take an issue or two after a costly victory to deal with scars literal & figurative. Note that Waid tasks Johnny to deal with his bro-in-law’s funk, again nailing the character’s voice.
last issue: Fantastic Four #500
next issue: Fantastic Four #502
also indexed for Oct. ’03
Alias #25
Avengers/JLA #2 of 4
Daredevil #50
New X-Men #145
Tags:Casey Jones, Mark Waid
Posted in Dr. Doom, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 9, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
September 2003
*****
An extra-long ish, given a false sheen by ‘unbooting’ the issue #. Tutored by Dr S, Mr F outwits Dr D by learning humility. He admits magic is beyond him & that he’s outclassed by both men, whereas Doom disrespects his demonic allies & gets dragged to hell! It’s an intense take on Doom that eschews nuance—he muses whose skin to wear on his mystic armor—that plays off the cartoon art.
last issue: Fantastic Four #70
next issue: Fantastic Four #501
also indexed for Sept. ’03
Alias #24
Daredevil #49
JLA/Avengers #1 of 4
New X-Men #144
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Dr. Doom, Dr. Strange, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mindless Ones, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 8, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
August 2003
****
Waid’s got a very dark take on the quintessential super-villain. His Dr. Doom has no aristo code, he’s an amoral megalomaniac whose Faustian deal gives him victory in his vendetta w/ Mr F. Are his scenes of triumph ill-served by the Disney-like art or does its clash of tones make for starker relief?
last issue: Fantastic Four #69
next issue: Fantastic Four #71
also indexed for Aug. ’03
Alias #23
Daredevil #48
New X-Men #142
New X-Men #143
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Dr. Doom, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mindless Ones, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 7, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
July 2003
****
Indebted to Claremont’s X-style (& much stronger than CC’s recent FF), Waid sends his science-heroes crashing to the ground, outclassed by Doc Doom’s sorcery. Ben argues that magic makes Reed feel inferior—a nice insight in a strong scene. But mostly, #69 give the adventure a real sense of stakes.
last issue: Fantastic Four #68
next issue: Fantastic Four #70
also indexed for Jul. ’03
Alias #22
Daredevil #47
New X-Men #141
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Dr. Doom, Dr. Strange, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 6, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
June 2003
****
Valeria says her first word: “Doom”! The Doc attacks the family thru the baby, having bound her to himself w/ arcane spells at her birth. I’m not sold yet on Waid’s focus on magic for the arch-villain, although the trait is well-established. Or maybe I preferred the earlier issues’ lighter tone.
last issue: Fantastic Four #67
next issue: Fantastic Four #69
also indexed for Jun. ’03
Alias #21
Daredevil #46
New X-Men #139
New X-Men #140
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Crystal, Dr. Doom, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Inhumans, Invisible Woman, Lockjaw, Medusa, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 5, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
May 2003
****
Dr. Doom hunts for his onetime GF, a gypsy who cut contact when he chose science (& a Western education) over the occult. Now he corrects that choice by sacrificing her to demons to gain mojo! Wieringo’s ebullient style shows its limits here, bringing little horror to a tale of Faustian villainy.
last issue: Fantastic Four #66
next issue: Fantastic Four #68
also indexed for May ’03
Alias #20
Daredevil #45
New X-Men #138
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Dr. Doom | Leave a Comment »
December 4, 2014
Mark Waid // Mark Buckingham
April 2003
*****
In this light, spritely two-parter, the Storm sibs stop a mad-science chain reaction. Waid nails Johnny’s char, a difficult feat, by casting him as a corporate douche who’s quick on his toes. Buckingham has near-perfect comic delivery, only missing the slapstick potential of a supersized Thing.
last issue: Fantastic Four #65
next issue: Fantastic Four #67
also indexed for Apr. ’03
Alias #19
Daredevil #43
Daredevil #44
New X-Men #137
Tags:Mark Buckingham, Mark Waid
Posted in Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing | Leave a Comment »
December 2, 2014
Mark Waid // Mike Wieringo
February 2003
****
Mr. Fantastic is often central to a great FF run, esp. on the artist’s side. Wieringo’s Stretcho is a marvel (no surprise, given his talent for body language), w/ a balloon-like body. Waid has the super-inventor face a data-based doppelgänger who wants to kill the family, esp. neglected son Franklin.
last issue: Fantastic Four #63
next issue: Fantastic Four #65
also indexed for Feb. ’03
Alias #17
Daredevil #40
New X-Men #135
Tags:Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo
Posted in Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »