Archive for the ‘Maximus the Mad’ Category
June 5, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Miguel Sepulveda
January 2011
***
Thanos resurrects Death in a universe where Undying Gods have reigned. To stop his return to our ‘verse, Nova & Star-Lord (the leads in this era’s SF revival) halt the Mad Titan like Butch & Sundance. Tho’ this finale satisfies, it replaces the characters & twists of the lead-in mags w/ super-movie bombast.
last issue: The Thanos Imperative #5 of 6
continued in The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1 of 1
also indexed for Jan. ’11
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #3 of 9
The Fantastic Four #585
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Miguel Sepulveda
Posted in Araki, Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Cosmo, Crystal, Death, Dr. Hank Pym, Galactus, Gamora, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Inhumans, Iron Man, Karnak, Kree, Major Victory, Mantis, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Moondragon, Namorita, Nova (R. Rider), Nova Corps, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Quasar, Rigellians, Robert Rider, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Silver Surfer, Thanos, Thor, Triton, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
May 31, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Miguel Sepulveda
August 2010
***
Actually #2 of 8, if you incl. pro- & epilogues. DnA stage another extra-universal invasion—this time, the cancerverse (where Life “won”) metastasizes into the mainstream ‘verse. This means more tentacle monsters as well as evil reflections of the Avengers & Defenders. Solid, guilt-free space opera.
continued from The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1 of 1
next issue: The Thanos Imperative #2 of 6
also indexed for Aug. ’10
The Fantastic Four #580
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Miguel Sepulveda
Posted in Bug, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Cosmo, Crystal, Dr. Hank Pym, Dr. Strange, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Groot, Hulk, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Inhumans, Iron Man, Jack Flag, Karnak, Kree, Major Victory, Mantis, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Moondragon, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Namorita, Nighthawk, Nova (R. Rider), Nova Corps, Patsy Walker, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Quasar, Rigellians, Robert Rider, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Scarlet Witch, Shi'ar, Silver Surfer, Smasher, Thanos, Thor, Valkyrie, Warstar, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
May 17, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Pablo Raimondi & Tim Seeley
May 2010
**
The Inhuman queen w/ the prehensile hair has been manufacturing threats to consolidate her rule. It’s a cynical point about modern politics, not provocative so much as dismissable: the difference btw the Iraqi intelligence gambit &, say, 9/11-as-govt.-conspiracy. Raimondi = only 3 issues out of 5?
last issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4 of 5
continued in The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1 of 1
also indexed for May ’10
The Fantastic Four #577
Guardians of the Galaxy #24
Nova #35
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Pablo Raimondi, Tim Seeley
Posted in Crystal, Gorgon, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Kree Sentries, Lockjaw, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Ronan the Accuser, Triton | Leave a Comment »
May 16, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Pablo Raimondi
April 2010
***
I want to enjoy this Inhumans mini more, since it’s got fine art over a just-right story. But something about DnA’s work here feels mechanical by their standards of craft. There’s no danger when Crystal and co. defend themselves from a robot attack, & the final-page twist feels predictable.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #3 of 5
next issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #5 of 5
also indexed for Apr. ’10
The Fantastic Four #576
Guardians of the Galaxy #23
Nova #34
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Pablo Raimondi
Posted in Alpha Primitives, Crystal, Gorgon, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Kree Sentries, Lockjaw, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Triton | Leave a Comment »
May 15, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wellinton Alves
March 2010
***
The mano a mano fight to War of Kings forms solid echoes in space, almost (but not quite) a symbol of how the Inhumans can’t escape their past. To wit: the heroine Crystal learns that a revanchist insurgency is backed by her slightly mad in-law, Maximus. Lovely if flat art adds to the space romance.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #2 of 5
next issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4 of 5
also indexed for Mar. ’10
The Fantastic Four #575
Guardians of the Galaxy #22
Nova #33
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Wellinton Alves
Posted in Alpha Primitives, Crystal, Gorgon, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Triton, Zarek | Leave a Comment »
May 14, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Pablo Raimondi
February 2010
**
The Mighty Avengers (that is, the team not written by BM Bendis) visit the Inhumans for some heroics & soap operatics. Raimondi’s lines produce clean faces & strong settings, matching the clear, engaging dialogue; but there’s a sense of keeping time rather than engaging momentum with this mini.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1 of 5
next issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #2 of 5
also indexed for Feb. ’10
The Fantastic Four #574
Guardians of the Galaxy #21
Nova #32
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #2 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Pablo Raimondi
Posted in Alpha Primitives, Crystal, Dr. Hank Pym, Gorgon, Hercules, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Lockjaw, Luna, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Quicksilver, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Stature, Triton, US Agent, Vision, Zarek | Leave a Comment »
May 13, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Pablo Raimondi
January 2010
**
DnA open this mini w/ a review of the status quo: the Inhumans, Kirby super-aristos, rule the Kree space empire fairly responsibly, tho’ palace intrigues brew & skirmishes flare up along the interstellar borders. Raimondi (& inker Hennessy) has a lovely clean style, like an update of ’80s X-Men.
continued from Realm of Kings #1 of 1
next issue: Realm of Kings: Inhumans #2 of 5
also indexed for Jan. ’10
The Fantastic Four #573
Guardians of the Galaxy #20
Nova #31
Realm of Kings #1 of 1
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Pablo Raimondi
Posted in Ahura, Alpha Primitives, Crystal, Dr. Hank Pym, Gorgon, Hercules, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Lockjaw, Luna, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Quicksilver, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Stature, Triton, US Agent, Vision | Leave a Comment »
May 4, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
October 2009
****
A wonderful, imaginative climax to the WoK maxiseries. The Inhumans tore a hole in spacetime that the Guardians must patch. While the giant tree builds a pseudo-tech weapon to annihilate a Lovecraft beastie (!), Warlock stitches the ‘verse to an alternate future—the one where he’s the evil Magus!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #16
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #18
also indexed for Oct. ’09
The Fantastic Four #570
Nova #28
War of Kings #6 of 6
War of Kings: Warriors #2 of 2
Tags:Andy Lanning, Brad Walker, Dan Abnett
Posted in Adam Warlock, Crystal, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Gorgon, Groot, Inhumans, Karnak, Magus, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Moondragon, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Universal Church of Truth | Leave a Comment »
April 12, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
November 2009
****
The Kree-Shi’ar War has left a glowing tear in spacetime & a crisis of leadership in both empires. The former suggests a new plot direction for Marvel’s line of space epics; the latter adds much-needed dramatic thickener. But what leaps out from this epilogue is the chaos of an occupied territory.
continued from War of Kings #6 of 6
also indexed for Nov. ’09
Dark Reign: The List – The Avengers #1 of 1
The Fantastic Four #571
Guardians of the Galaxy #18
Nova #29
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Astra, Black Light, Ch'od, Crystal, Darkhawk, Earthquake, Fang, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Havok, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Impulse, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Lockjaw, Luna, Magus, Manta, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Plutonia, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Smasher, Squorm, Starbolt, Starjammers, Titan, Triton, Warstar | Leave a Comment »
April 11, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
October 2009
***
The mini, mostly a by-the-numbers space opera, ends in a disappointing bout of super-fisticuffs that tears a rift in spacetime. But Pelletier has done yeoman’s work: he tells a story okay, & the rubbery quality of his late ’90s superhero style undercuts the preposterous hypertrophied bodies.
last issue: War of Kings #5 of 6
continued in War of Kings: Who Will Rule #1 of 1
also indexed for Oct. ’09
The Fantastic Four #570
Guardians of the Galaxy #17
Nova #28
War of Kings: Warriors #2 of 2
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Black Bolt, Crystal, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Havok, Inhumans, Karnak, Lockjaw, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Polaris, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Starjammers, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
April 10, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
September 2009
****
The Shi’ar despot confronts the Kree monarch aboard a superweapon that will turn the galaxy Inhuman. This wooly space opera reaches its climax, but its best moments are in the hurly burly: a princess’s horror at the doomsday device, a super-alien’s war-fury, an X-Man’s hollow vengeance.
last issue: War of Kings #4 of 6
next issue: War of Kings #6 of 6
also indexed for Sept. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #5 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #16
Nova #27
War of Kings: Ascension #4 of 4
War of Kings: Warriors #1 of 2
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Araki, Black Bolt, Crystal, Darkhawk, Fraternity of Raptors, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Havok, Imperial Guard, Inhumans, Karnak, Korvus, Lockjaw, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Shi'ar Death Commandos, Starjammers, Triton, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
April 8, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
July 2009
***
Good storytellers like Abnett & Lanning know to plot for the endgame, not the opening. In #3, they start to twist this mini in interesting ways. Romance buds in an arranged marriage; the Inhuman aristocracy hatches sinister plans for their subjects; & that mohawked Shi’ar superman turns renegade.
last issue: War of Kings #2 of 6
next issue: War of Kings #4 of 6
also indexed for Jul. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #3 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #14
Nova #25
War of Kings: Ascension #2 of 4
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Black Bolt, Crystal, Drax the Destroyer, Electron, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Groot, Havok, Imperial Guard, Inhumans, Karnak, Korvus, Kree, Lilandra, Lockjaw, Major Victory, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mentor, Plutonia, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Smasher, Starjammers, Triton, Voyager, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
April 7, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
June 2009
**
As the title indicates, royal houses go to war: two galactic empires who fight with starships, zero-g shock-troops & planet-annihilating bombs. Yet, unlike this crew’s other current SF comics, WoK feels padded out. Only a show of compassion by a princess demos their typical richness of character.
last issue: War of Kings #1 of 6
next issue: War of Kings #3 of 6
also indexed for Jun. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #2 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #13
Nova #24
War of Kings: Ascension #1 of 4
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Black Bolt, Ch'od, Crystal, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Havok, Imperial Guard, Inhumans, Karnak, Korvus, Kree, Lilandra, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mentor, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Starjammers, Triton, Voyager, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
April 6, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
May 2009
***
Context is all. Taken alone, WoK works through the hoary plot of a thousand space operas: a clash of galactic empires. And this issue simply shows an alien army attack a wedding arranged to consolidate two races. But w/ Marvel’s cosmic line behind it, this colorful super-battle feels momentous.
continued from Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1 of 1
next issue: War of Kings #2 of 6
also indexed for May ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #11
Guardians of the Galaxy #12
Nova #23
War of Kings: Darkhawk #1 of 2
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Arc, Astra, Black Bolt, Black Light, Ch'od, Crystal, Earthquake, Electron, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Havok, Hobgoblin, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Impulse, Inhumans, Karnak, Korvus, Kree, Kree Sentries, Lilandra, Lockjaw, Luna, Magique, Manta, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Plutonia, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Ronan the Accuser, Schism, Scintilla, Shi'ar, Smasher, Squorm, Starbolt, Starjammers, Titan, Triton, Voyager, Vulcan, Warstar, White Noise | Leave a Comment »
April 5, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier & Bong Dazo
March 2009
***
Like DnA’s previous Marvel SF prologues, this one-shot is effectively #1 of an upcoming mini; the expectation is all. It serves as a bridge btw their own space operas, last year’s Skrull Invasion of Earth, & a coup in the alien empire from X-Men. After generations of seclusion, the Inhumans (a once-pacific Kirby clan) launch their futuristic lunar techno-city into space & conquer the Kree Empire.
continued in War of Kings #1 of 6
also indexed for Mar. ’09
Guardians of the Galaxy #9
Nova #21
Tags:Andy Lanning, Bong Dazo, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Ahura, Black Bolt, Crystal, Gorgon, Inhumans, Karnak, Kree, Lockjaw, Luna, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Skrulls, Triton, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
December 17, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Barry Kitson
April 2012
*****
Mad science-gods from an alt dimension arrive (via Hickman’s other FF mag) to pitch Galactus out of the heavens! Our heroes return fire via space-cannon powered by the sun & Kirby-energy! Visionary plotting, elaborate & epic in true SF style, tho’ Kitson doesn’t quite capture Hickman’s grandeur.
see also FF #15
last issue: The Fantastic Four #602
next issue: The Fantastic Four #604
also indexed for Apr. ’12
FF #15
Tags:Barry Kitson, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Celestials, Franklin Richards, Galactus, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Kree, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man, Supreme Intelligence, Thing, Valeria Richards | Leave a Comment »
December 15, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Barry Kitson
March 2012
*****
Hickman remixes Kirby’s original concepts into a grand work of SF, w/ novelistic complexity & cinematic scope. Alien armadas pause their orbital battle to apprehend the advent of rival cosmic gods. Kitson’s clarity, depth of focus, & attn to detail helps immensely in staging this space operatic ish.
see also FF #14
last issue: The Fantastic Four #601
next issue: The Fantastic Four #603
also indexed for Mar. ’12
FF #14
Tags:Barry Kitson, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Black Bolt, Captain America, Celestials, Gorgon, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Karnak, Kree, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mr. Fantastic, Red Hulk, Spider-Man, Supreme Intelligence, Thing, Triton | Leave a Comment »
December 13, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Steve Epting
February 2012
****
To counter an alien armada, Johnny S. leads his space-insect cavalry into the skies, reinforced by the Inhuman cityship! But can Earth survive a battle low in its orbit? Epting’s in his element, penciling okay widescreen action (if you want Hickman’s heftier, smarter work, read the partner mag).
see also FF #13
last issue: The Fantastic Four #600
next issue: The Fantastic Four #602
also indexed for Feb. ’12
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #8 of 9
FF #13
Tags:Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting
Posted in Alicia Masters, Annihilation Wave, Annihilus, Black Bolt, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Crystal, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Kree, Kree Sentries, Light Brigade, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mr. Fantastic, Ronan the Accuser, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Supreme Intelligence, Thing, Universal Inhumans | 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 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 4, 2013
Jonathan Hickman // Barry Kitson
August 2011
****
The prophesied war ignites! First the doppel-Reeds & Mole Man destroy Old Atlantis, then they face the Inhuman space-city at the strange Forever City. And kudos to Kitson: tho’ his Reed is bland, his Thing is expressive &, even rarer, his Sue is a strong presence, matching Hick’s portrayal.
last issue: FF #4
next issue: FF #6
also indexed for Aug. ’11
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #6 of 9
Tags:Barry Kitson, Jonathan Hickman
Posted in AIM, Alex Power, Alicia Masters, Artie Maddicks, Bentley 23, Black Bolt, Council of Reeds, Diablo, Dr. Doom, Dragon Man, Franklin Richards, High Evolutionary, Inhumans, Invisible Woman, Karnak, Leech, Lockjaw, Mad Thinker, Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Mik Korr Tong & Turg, Mole Man, Moloids, Mr. Fantastic, Nathaniel Richards, Old Atlanteans, Spider-Man, Thing, Triton, Valeria Richards, Vil & Wu, Wizard | Leave a Comment »