Archive for the ‘Centaurians’ Category
May 29, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
June 2010
***
Wish I could say that the final issue of GotG doesn’t disappoint, but it feels rushed and misshapen. The Guardians from the 31C worry that the timeline is frayed cuz Thanos has returned. But his resurrection—indeed, his malevolent genius—is lacking; he’s just a berserker who Star-Lord zaps down.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #24
continued in The Thanos Initiative: Ignition #1 of 1
also indexed for Jun. ’10
The Fantastic Four #578
Nova #36
Tags:Andy Lanning, Brad Walker, Dan Abnett
Posted in Bug, Charlie-27, Cosmo, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot, Jack Flag, Killraven, Major Victory, Mantis, Martinex, Moondragon, Nikki, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Starhawk, Thanos, Yondu | Leave a Comment »
May 5, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wes Craig
November 2009
***
Star-Lord’s team drifts from one alt-reality to another and aging, de-aging, or fading away at differing rates. It’s an indulgent pleasure to see a future Killraven & an aged Wonder Man fight Wellsian tripods in a ruined 31C NYC. Craig’s Immonen-like style offers plenty of setting, atmo, & color.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #17
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #19
also indexed for Nov. ’09
Dark Reign: The List – The Avengers #1 of 1
The Fantastic Four #571
Nova #29
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Wes Craig
Posted in Bug, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Charlie-27, Cosmo, Iron Man, Jack Flag, Killraven, Major Victory, Mantis, Martian Masters, Michael Korvac, Nikki, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Sentinels, Starhawk, Stark, Universal Church of Truth, Wonder Man, Yondu | Leave a Comment »
May 3, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wes Craig
September 2009
****
Tossed into the 31st century, the team meets Gerber’s Guardians—and learn that the War of Kings will rip a hole in time! This ish has awesome cosmic ideas, like a solar web of enslaved Celestials holding the ‘verse’s collapse at bay. Craig draws in a colorful style that uses trad rectangular panels.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #15
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #17
also indexed for Sept. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #5 of 5
Nova #27
War of Kings #5 of 6
War of Kings: Ascension #4 of 4
War of Kings: Warriors #1 of 2
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Wes Craig
Posted in Badoon, Bug, Celestials, Charlie-27, Cosmo, Jack Flag, Major Victory, Mantis, Martinex, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Starhawk, Yondu | Leave a Comment »
February 7, 2014
A-story: Christos Gage // Giuseppe Camuncoli
B-story: Stuart Moore // Mike McKone
April 2007
A-story: ** // B-story: **
A coda to the recent space opera (a sleeper success), these old-fashioned shorts are simple yet effective. A cosmic being, disgusted by the servility of a species he’s liberated, destroys their civilization. Another ancient scifi demigod extinguishes his own race to feed Galactus.
continued from Annihilation #6 of 6
next issue: Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #2 of 2
also indexed for Apr. ’07
The Immortal Iron Fist #4
Tags:Christos Gage, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Mike McKone, Stuart Moore
Posted in Annihilation Wave, Centaurians, Galactus, Paibok the Power-Skrull, Stardust, Terrax the Tamer | Leave a Comment »
February 3, 2014
Keith Giffen // Andrea DiVito
December 2006
***
W/ this mini, the creators aim to write a war comic in space, with this ish staging an intergalactic Dunkirk. They ought to focus on the mystical weirdness instead: Super-Skrull reborn, but also Thanos’ mad speech on cosmic energy, its effect on bio-auras, & its practical application as a weapon.
last issue: Annihilation #2 of 6
next issue: Annihilation #4 of 6
also indexed for Dec. ’06
Astonishing X-Men #18
Civil War #6 of 7
The Immortal Iron Fist #2
Nextwave, Agents of HATE #9
Tags:Andrea DiVito, Keith Giffen
Posted in Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Cammi, Centaurians, Drax the Destroyer, Firelord, Galactus, Gamora, Kree, Nova (R. Rider), Paibok the Power-Skrull, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ravenous, Red Shift, Ronan the Accuser, Skreet, Stardust, Super-Skrull, Terrax the Tamer, Thanos, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
January 15, 2014
Keith Giffen // Scott Kolins
May 2006
***
Using plenty of technobabble, Giffen designs a space-opera spectacle. A wave of insectoids from beyond the universe wipes out the Nova Corps (intergalactic cops). The grandiosity makes the cosmic scope plausible (you could easily miss a genocide in the ol’ Kree-Skrull War) while the art is clear yet full of detail & activity. This prologue intros a SF revival for Marvel.
continued in Annihilation: Nova #1 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Ronan #1 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Super-Skrull #1 of 4
also indexed for May ’06
Iron Man #6
Nextwave: Agents of HATE #3
The Pulse #14
Young Avengers #11
Tags:Keith Giffen, Scott Kolins
Posted in Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Cammi, Centaurians, Death, Drax the Destroyer, Fallen One, Kree, Nova (R. Rider), Paibok the Power-Skrull, Rigellians, Ronan the Accuser, Silver Surfer, Skreet, Super-Skrull, Thanos, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
December 31, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Nick Dragotta
October 2012
*****
The epitome of a Hickman FF issue, w/ smart nonlinear storytelling & epic SF political melodrama. The Kree & Inhumans broker a peace, built upon undoing a space-opera Romeo/Juliet romance! Check how Dragotta not only nails the Kirby costumes, he makes the title team’s b/w costumes look cool!
last issue: FF #20
next issue: FF #22
also indexed for Oct. ’12
The Fantastic Four #609
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta
Posted in Accuser Corps, Alex Power, Artie Maddicks, Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Centaurians, Crystal, Dragon Man, Franklin Richards, Gorgon, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Karnak, Kree, Kymellians, Leech, Light Brigade, Medusa, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mr. Fantastic, Onome, Ronan the Accuser, Spider-Man, Supreme Intelligence, Triton, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Vil & Wu | Leave a Comment »
December 25, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Nick Dragotta
July 2012
*****
Less manic than last ish but equally superb, #18 sees Johnny & the kids learn a lesson in foreign politics. The malevolent bug civ from the Neg Zone requests a free election, then writes votes in for the local Kirby tyrant! You don’t expect Marvel to deliver a sly commentary on American naïvity!
last issue: FF #17
next issue: FF #19
also indexed for Jul. 12
The Fantastic Four #605.1
The Fantastic Four #606
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta
Posted in Accuser Corps, Alex Power, Annihilation Wave, Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Centaurians, Dragon Man, Franklin Richards, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Kree, Kymellians, Lockjaw, Medusa, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mr. Fantastic, Supreme Intelligence, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Vil & Wu | Leave a Comment »
December 22, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Nick Dragotta
June 2012
*****
Spider-Man has been underused as a member of FF, a flaw that’s finally rectified by this A+ issue. The creative team write the nerdiest Parker since Ditko’s. Johnny Storm makes a terrible roommate (no surprise), then drags Pete out to party w/ MJ & his alien pals. The final straw is truly hilarious.
last issue: FF #16
next issue: FF #18
also indexed for Jun. ’12
The Fantastic Four #605
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta
Posted in Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Badoon, Bella Fischbach, Centaurians, Dire Wraiths, Grady Scraps, Human Torch (J. Storm), Kymellians, Light Brigade, Mary Jane Watson, Max Modell, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Spider-Man | Leave a Comment »
December 20, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Nick Dragotta & Steve Epting
May 2012
*****
If all of John H’s FF run had Nick D on art, it’d be second only to Kirby/Lee! See a heavenly moment of adult Franklin & Galactus viewing sunrise from orbit. This ish, post-grand finale, centers on Hick’s best char: supersmart toddler Val. Even her adult self mistrusts her! And in a coda, Doom.
continued from The Fantastic Four #604
last issue: FF #15
next issue: FF #17
also indexed for May ’12
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #9 of 9
The Fantastic Four #604
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta, Steve Epting
Posted in Alex Power, Artie Maddicks, Bentley 23, Captain America, Centaurians, Dr. Doom, Dragon Man, Franklin Richards, Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Kymellians, Leech, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mr. Fantastic, Nathaniel Richards, Red Hulk, Spider-Man, Thing, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Vil & Wu | Leave a Comment »
December 19, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Steve Epting
May 2012
*****
Hickman closes out his theme of fathers & sons, as Nat & Frank Richards save Reed from mad space-gods. Franklin, in the future, will turn cosmic & take Galactus as his sidekick! Sadly, he’s only given ’90s-style hand-zaps. Maybe #604 itself is only ****, but it’s a perfect climax to an ambitious run.
continued in FF #16
last issue: The Fantastic Four #603
next issue: The Fantastic Four #605
also indexed for May ’12
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #9 of 9
FF #16
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting
Posted in Alex Power, Badoon, Bentley 23, Captain America, Celestials, Centaurians, Council of Reeds, Crystal, Dire Wraiths, Dragon Man, Franklin Richards, Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Kristoff Vernard, Kymellians, Leech, Light Brigade, Luke Cage, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mr. Fantastic, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Nathaniel Richards, Ronan the Accuser, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Thing, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Vil & Wu | Leave a Comment »
December 11, 2013
A-story: Jonathan Hickman // Steve Epting
B-story: Jonathan Hickman // Carmine Di Giandomenico
C-story: Jonathan Hickman // Ming Doyle
D-story: Jonathan Hickman // Leinil Yu
E-story: Jonathan Hickman // Farel Dalrymple
January 2012
A-story: **** // B-story: ***** // C-story: *****
D-story: **** // E-story: *****
A king-size #600. The A-story picks up the threads of FF, pitting every NYC superhero against a pair of alien invasions; a surprise twist has the late Johnny Storm break the Annihilation Wave! Then Hickman shows that Torch did die in #587, only to be resurrected in a gladiator scenario. That piece has a Euro look that meshes w/ the bug-‘verse setting; like all the back-up pencilers, it puts Epting to shame. Much of the art is “ugly” yet lovely, accentuating how creative JH’s whole run is.
continued from FF #11
continued in FF #12
next issue: The Fantastic Four #601
also indexed for Jan’ 12
FF #12
Tags:Carmine Di Giandomenico, Farel Dalrymple, Jonathan Hickman, Leinel Yu, Ming Doyle, Steve Epting
Posted in Accuser Corps, Alex Power, Alicia Masters, Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Araña, Artie Maddicks, Badoon, Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Black Panther, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Centaurians, Council of Reeds, Crystal, Daredevil, Dire Wraiths, Dr. Doom, Dr. Hank Pym, Dr. Strange, Dragon Man, Emma Frost, Firestar, Franklin Richards, Galactus, Gorgon, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Human Torch (J. Storm), Inhumans, Invisible Woman, Iron Fist, Iron Man, Karnak, Kitty Pryde, Kree, Kree Sentries, Kristoff Vernard, Kymellians, Leech, Light Brigade, Lockjaw, Luke Cage, Marvel Boy (Noh-Varr), Medusa, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mr. Fantastic, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Nathaniel Richards, Red Hulk, Ronan the Accuser, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (J. Drew), Storm, Supreme Intelligence, Thing, Tigra, Triton, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Vil & Wu, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
December 8, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Steve Epting
November 2011
****
Epting’s in his element as he draws a massive, chaotic battle btw Inhumans & Moloids. On the field of combat, Hickman’s characters act like chesspieces, as Black Bolt captures a pair of Mr F’s duplicates (& Reed himself) while the fourth Richards takes Dr. Doom hostage & flees to Latveria! Awesome.
last issue: FF #8
next issue: FF #10
also indexed for Nov. ’11
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #7 of 9
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting
Posted in AIM, Badoon, Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Centaurians, Council of Reeds, Diablo, Dire Wraiths, Dr. Doom, Eldrac the Doorway, Gorgon, High Evolutionary, Inhumans, Karnak, Kymellians, Lockjaw, Mad Thinker, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mole Man, Moloids, Mr. Fantastic, Nathaniel Richards, Spider-Man, Triton, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Wizard | Leave a Comment »
December 7, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Steve Epting
October 2011
***
Back down to Earth, literally & figuratively, after the cool flashback of #6-7. Epting’s Hollywood realism can’t encompass Hickman’s imagination; it’s just bland, confusing—maybe rushed? Less plot than usual too, as the Future Foundation’s villain-allies fight the Reed-doubles & Inhumans in a melée.
last issue: FF #7
next issue: FF #9
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting
Posted in AIM, Badoon, Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Centaurians, Council of Reeds, Diablo, Dire Wraiths, Dr. Doom, Gorgon, High Evolutionary, Inhumans, Invisible Woman, Karnak, Kymellians, Lockjaw, Mad Thinker, Medusa, Mole Man, Moloids, Mr. Fantastic, Nathaniel Richards, Spider-Man, Triton, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Wizard | Leave a Comment »
December 6, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Greg Tocchini
late September 2011
*****
Half a million years ago, the Kree AI-superbrain massacred its weaponized mutates, Herod-like, to prevent its own prophesied downfall. But he missed a few, which makes Black Bolt, Inhuman king, a cosmic messiah! So resurrection’ll be no problem. Tocchini’s lovely art is light-years from convention.
last issue: FF #6
next issue: FF #8
also indexed for Sept. ’11
FF #6
Tags:Greg Tocchini, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in Badoon, Black Bolt, Centaurians, Crystal, Dire Wraiths, Gorgon, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Kree Sentries, Krylorians, Lockjaw, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Ronan the Accuser, Supreme Intelligence, Triton, Universal Inhumans | Leave a Comment »
December 5, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Greg Tocchini
early September 2011
*****
Tocchini’s liquid style adds just the unconventional beauty that Hickman’s needed all along. Sadly, he’s only drawing this 2-issue arc, which showcases the grand scope of Hick’s run. He entwines the fate of the mag’s Kirby clan of superhumans w/ the Kree AI—by flashing back half a million years!
last issue: FF #5
next issue: FF #7
also indexed for Sept. ’11
FF #7
Tags:Greg Tocchini, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in Accuser Corps, Badoon, Black Bolt, Centaurians, Crystal, Dire Wraiths, Gorgon, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Kree Sentries, Krylorians, Lockjaw, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Ronan the Accuser, Supreme Intelligence, Triton | Leave a Comment »
December 2, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Steve Epting
July 2011
****
The first symposium of the Future Foundation, hosted by Dr. Doom, asks “How to defeat Mr. Fantastic?” The enemy: the Council of Reeds, trapped on Earth. Various foes pick one side or the other, as the Reeds devise an Earth-shattering gateway home using the fantastical cities of last year’s issues.
last issue: FF #2
next issue: FF #4
also indexed for Jul. ’11
FF #4
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting
Posted in AIM, Alex Power, Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Artie Maddicks, Badoon, Bentley 23, Celestials, Centaurians, Council of Reeds, Diablo, Dire Wraiths, Dr. Doom, Dragon Man, Franklin Richards, High Evolutionary, Invisible Woman, Kymellians, Leech, Mad Thinker, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mole Man, Moloids, Mr. Fantastic, Nathaniel Richards, Old Atlanteans, Spider-Man, Thing, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards, Watcher, Wizard | Leave a Comment »
November 19, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Dale Eaglesham
June 2010
****
The hot girl Johnny met at a nihilistic club bursts open w/ bugs & scurries into the Negative Zone! Then the New Inhumans send warriors into that dimension’s new city, igniting the war prophesied by future Franklin! Meaty plot, but the gravy is the slump in Storm’s shoulders as Reed chews him out.
last issue: The Fantastic Four #577
next issue: The Fantastic Four #579
also indexed for Jun. ’10
Tags:Dale Eaglesham, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in Andromeda, Annihilation Wave, Badoon, Centaurians, Dire Wraiths, Eldrac the Doorway, Human Torch (J. Storm), Inhumans, Invisible Woman, Kymellians, Light Brigade, Mr. Fantastic, Old Atlanteans, Universal Inhumans, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
November 18, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Dale Eaglesham
May 2010
****
An easy test of any FF penciler is his Mr. F; Eaglesham has Reed stretch & arc even when relaxing—good! Hickman, meanwhile, adds another fantastic concept to his run: a new city of Inhumans, engineered from other alien races, awaiting their king’s return to prepare an invasion of Earth.
last issue: The Fantastic Four #576
next issue: The Fantastic Four #578
also indexed for May ’10
Tags:Dale Eaglesham, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in Badoon, Centaurians, Dire Wraiths, Eldrac the Doorway, Human Torch (J. Storm), Inhumans, Invisible Woman, Kymellians, Mr. Fantastic, Thing, Universal Inhumans | Leave a Comment »
October 7, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
December 2003
***
The crossover ends as it must: in an enormous brawl of punching & zapping. Still, the mag’s creative duo amazingly avoid even a whiff of the corporate avarice that must underpin this mini. The grand scope & casual confidence prove a good capstone to the super-teamwork dynamic that defines the Avengers run of Busiek & Pérez et al. Think of it as a victory lap AWA an impressive work of fan-service.
last issue: JLA/Avengers #3 of 4
also indexed for Dec. ’03
Alias #27
New X-Men #148
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Abomination, Absorbing Man, AIM, Aleta, Ant-Man (S. Lang), Ares, Atlanteans, Attuma, Awesome Android, Baron Zemo (WW2 era), Batroc the Leaper, Beast, Black Knight (D. Whitman), Black Panther, Black Widow, Blastaar, Blizzard, Blood Brothers, Boomerang, Bulldozer, Captain America, Captain Britain, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (M. Rambeau), Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Champion, Charlie-27, Constrictor, Controller, Count Nefaria, Crimson Dynamo, Crossbones, Crucible, Crystal, Daredevil, DC characters, Deathcry, Demolition Man, Destroyer, Dr. Druid, Dr. Hank Pym, Dragon Man, Eternity, Executioner, Exemplars, Falcon, Firebird, Firebrand, Firestar, Forgotten One, Galactus, Gargantua, Gargoyle, Gorilla Man (villain), Grandmaster, Great Lakes Avengers, Grim Reaper, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Henry Peter Gyrich, Hercules, Hobgoblin, Hulk, Human Torch (J. Storm), HYDRA, Hyperion, Iron Man, Jack O'Lantern, Jack of Hearts, Jocasta, Juggernaut, Justice, Klaw, Lava Men, Living Lightning, Machete, Machine Man, Madame Masque, Magdalene, Major Victory, Man-Ape, Marrina, Martinex, Master of the World, Megan McLaren, Melter, MODOK, Mole Man, Molecule Man, Moloids, Moon Knight, Moonstone, N'Astirh, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Nebula, Night Thrasher, Nighthawk, Nikki, Nova (R. Rider), Orka, Piledriver, Porcupine, Poundcakes, Psycho-Man, Quasar, Quicksilver, Radioactive Man, Rage, Razor-Fist, Red Guardian, Red Skull, Rhino, Ringer, Ronan the Accuser, Sabra, Sandman, Scarlet Witch, Scorpion, Sersi, Seth, She-Hulk, Shocker, Shockwave, Silverclaw, Solarr, Songbird, Speedball, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (J. Carpenter), Starfox, Starhawk, Stilt-Man, Stingray, Storm Giants, Surtur, Taskmaster, Thor, Thunderball, Thunderstrike, Tigra, Titania, Triathlon, Tumbler, Two-Gun Kid, Tyrak, US Agent, Valkyrie, Vibro, Vision, War Machine, Wasp, Whiplash, Whirlwind, Whizzer (R. Frank), Wizard, Wonder Man, Wrecker, X-Ray, Xemnu the Titan, Yellowjacket (R. DeMara), Yondu, Zaran, Zodiac LMDs | Leave a Comment »
July 27, 2013
Kurt Busiek // Carlos Pacheco
December 1998
****
Busiek spins a mini out of last summer’s Kree crossover assisted by Pacheco, whose style is a mod ’90s update of Pérez’ image density. A classic Kirby AI-monster conspires to hyper-evolve perennial sidekick Rick Jones, a gambit that gets noticed by a sinister time guardian & his younger self—Kang!
next issue: Avengers Forever #2 of 12
also indexed for Dec. ’98
Avengers #11
Tags:Carlos Pacheco, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Captain Marvel (Genis-Vell), Centaurians, Dr. Hank Pym, Firestar, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Immortus, Iron Man, Jonz Rickard, Justice, Kang the Conqueror, Libra, Rick Jones, Scarlet Witch, SHIELD, Songbird, Supreme Intelligence, Tempus, Time-Keepers, Wasp | Leave a Comment »