Archive for the ‘Megan McLaren’ Category
July 15, 2014
Kurt Busiek & Joe Casey // Mark Bagley & Leonardo Manco
May 1999
****
Having earned a rest, Busiek & Bagley hand the reins over to Casey & Manco for a doozy of a fill-in. #26 goes into a super-prison, where Mach-1 quells a riot. Its approach is an homage to Astro City, w/ a realistic, hard-boiled perspective & gloomy style augmented nicely by echoes of Windsor-Smith.
last issue: Thunderbolts #25
next issue: Thunderbolts #27
also indexed for May ’99
Avengers #16
Avengers Forever #6 of 12
Tags:Joe Casey, Kurt Busiek, Leonardo Manco, Mark Bagley
Posted in Atlas (AKA Power Man), Beetle, Blizzard, Boomerang, Charcoal, Gen. Haywerth, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Henry Peter Gyrich, Human Cannonball, Jolt, Justin Hammer, Megan McLaren, Mentallo, Plantman, Rhino, Songbird, Val Cooper, Whirlwind | Leave a Comment »
July 4, 2014
Kurt Busiek // Mark Bagley
August 1998
****
A powerful Avengers foe is defeated when Moonstone convinces him to think through his vague plans for world domination. Meanwhile, Baron Z is bested by the “true” Citizen V! Busiek toys w/ & undercuts classic supervillainy, but he obv loves them, both in convention & (as w/ Moonstone) in the breach.
last issue: Thunderbolts #16
next issue: Thunderbolts #18
also indexed for Aug. ’98
Avengers #7
Quicksilver #10
Tags:Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley
Posted in Atlas (AKA Power Man), Baron Zemo (modern era), Beetle, Dallas Riordan, Fixer, Graviton, Great Lakes Avengers, Jolt, Megan McLaren, Moonstone, SHIELD, Songbird | Leave a Comment »
June 25, 2014
Kurt Busiek & Roger Stern // Mark Bagley
November 1997
****
The first T-bolts story to last more than one ish ends w/ the mag’s best since #1. The team fends off a set of monsters menacing NYC, winning adulation & SHIELD access. But what’s esp great is how it delves into the psyche of Songbird, codependent & unconfident till now, when she must act alone.
last issue: Thunderbolts #7
next issue: Thunderbolts #9
Tags:Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley, Roger Stern
Posted in Agent G.W. Bridge, Atlas (AKA Power Man), Baron Zemo (modern era), Beetle, Dallas Riordan, Daredevil, Darkhawk, Elements of Doom, Firestar, Fixer, Iron Fist, Jolt, Justice, Luke Cage, Magdalene, Megan McLaren, Moonstone, Night Thrasher, Nova (R. Rider), Rage, Songbird, Speedball, Spider-Man, Swordsman (P. Javert), White Tiger (New Men) | Leave a Comment »
June 15, 2014
Kurt Busiek // Mark Bagley
April 1997
*****
Lives up to its rep as a key issue of ’90s superheroics. W/ the “daylight” heroes dead & NYC in ruins after an inane X-Men/Avengers crossover, a new team of unknown superheroes become media darlings for their earnest, old-school approach to do-goodery. But their secret is, they’re really neferious villains! The brill twist on the superteam trope clarifies yet ironizes the era’s antihero morality.
next issue: Thunderbolts #2
Tags:Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley
Posted in Atlas (AKA Power Man), Baron Zemo (modern era), Beetle, Black Widow, Bulldozer, Dallas Riordan, Fixer, Jolt, Megan McLaren, Moonstone, Namorita, Night Thrasher, Nova (R. Rider), Piledriver, Songbird, Speedball, Spider-Man, Thunderball, Wrecker | 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 »
August 25, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
April 2000
****
Just two years in, KB shuffles his roster. He’s deliberately made the Avs less A-list & more motley, indirectly addressing issues of race & gender w/o taking sides politically. He also implies that the Triune cult is conspiring to weaken the Avengers, having planted their own superhero on the team.
last issue: Avengers #26
next issue: Avengers #28
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Ant-Man (S. Lang), Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (Genis-Vell), Dr. Hank Pym, Duane Freeman, Falcon, Firebird, Firestar, Iron Man, Jarvis, Jonathan Tremont, Justice, Living Lightning, Megan McLaren, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Silverclaw, Thor, Triathlon, Wasp, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
August 15, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
September 1999
*****
MIA for years, Ultron returns to commit mechanized genocide upon a Baltic country! The ampage of stakes is akin to contemporary Authority, refiguring supervillainy in more grimly realistic terms. The plot moves Pym centerstage, despite his absence, as his ex-wife reviews his pitiable mental history.
last issue: Avengers #19
next issue: Avengers #21
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Alice Nugent, Alkhema, Black Panther, Captain America, Dr. Hank Pym, Firestar, Grim Reaper, Iron Man, Jarvis, Justice, Megan McLaren, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Ultron, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
August 13, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
August 1999
****
#19 hits the beats we expect from this run: good team dynamics, a Roy Thomas revival (a sassy killer fembot from his WCA run), & Scarlet W. saving the day using her recent power-up; all drawn in high superhero style. Then the climax hits: Ultron slaughters an entire country! Finally—Avengers stakes.
last issue: Avengers #18
next issue: Avengers #20
also indexed for Aug. ’99
Avengers Forever #9 of 12
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Alkhema, Black Panther, Captain America, Firestar, Iron Man, Jarvis, Justice, Megan McLaren, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Ultron, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
July 28, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
January 1999
****
Editorial jumps the gun on an anniversary issue (it’s #13 next month) so think of #12 (& contempo Av Forever) as Busiek’s victory lap post-Heroes Return. He once again pits his beloved A-listers against the Thunderbolts, his clever variation on the superteam recipe. The reformed villains help the A’s defeat a robot behemoth; it lets him contrast Cap’s alpha leadership w/ Hawkeye’s underdog approach.
last issue: Avengers #11
next issue: Avengers #13
also indexed for Jan. ’99
Avengers Forever #2 of 12
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Atlas (AKA Power Man), Beetle, Captain America, Dominus, Dr. Hank Pym, Firestar, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Iron Man, Jolt, Justice, Megan McLaren, Moonstone, Scarlet Witch, Songbird, Vision, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
July 26, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
December 1998
***
Schmaltz. A host of dead heroes turn good cuz they’re Avengers. Meanwhile, Wanda resurrects Wonder Man by adding the power of love to her magic. In turn, WM defeats his brother with filial affection. Pérez offers his trademarks: earthen columns of weirdness, gypsy outfits, & plenty of Kirby krackle.
last issue: Avengers #10
next issue: Avengers #12
also indexed for Dec. ’98
Avengers Forever #1 of 12
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Agatha Harkness, Captain America, Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Chili Storm, Daredevil, Dr. Druid, Dr. Hank Pym, Firestar, Grim Reaper, Human Torch (J. Storm), Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Jarvis, Justice, Megan McLaren, Mockingbird, Mr. Fantastic, Patsy Walker, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Stuntmaster, Swordsman (P. Javert), Thing, Thor, Thunderstrike, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
July 25, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
November 1998
***
Wanda gets in touch w/ her magic. More importantly, a parade for the team. It’s for 35 years of issues (& for the Heroes Return concept), yet it’s a throwback to Roy Thomas’ naïve adulation of superhero comics. Still, Busiek lurves them too, & his nuts-n-bolts approach is what The Avengers needs.
last issue: Avengers #9
next issue: Avengers #11
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Agatha Harkness, Captain America, Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Chili Storm, Colossus, Daredevil, Dr. Druid, Dr. Hank Pym, Firestar, Gambit, Grim Reaper, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Hulk, Human Torch (J. Storm), Imus Champion, Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Justice, Kitty Pryde, Marrow, Megan McLaren, Mockingbird, Mr. Fantastic, Nightcrawler, Patsy Walker, Rogue, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Storm, Stuntmaster, Swordsman (P. Javert), Thing, Thor, Thunderstrike, Ultron, Vision, Wasp, Wolverine, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
July 17, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
May 1998
****
The team’s charter members pick a line-up, a solipsistic scenario replayed often in the ’00s. Busiek, like Thomas & Stern before him, seems slightly awed by the title he’s writing. But his pleasure comes thru in his light touch, like Justice snagging a bank thief where the 40-member team failed.
last issue: Avengers #3
next issue: Avengers #5
also indexed for May ’98
Thunderbolts #14
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Beast, Black Knight (D. Whitman), Black Panther, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (M. Rambeau), Crystal, Darkhawk, Demolition Man, Dr. Hank Pym, Duane Freeman, Falcon, Firebird, Firestar, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Hercules, Iron Man, Jarvis, Justice, Machine Man, Magdalene, Megan McLaren, Moondragon, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Quasar, Quicksilver, Rage, Sandman, Scarlet Witch, Sersi, She-Hulk, Spider-Woman (J. Carpenter), Starfox, Stingray, Swordsman (P. Javert), Thor, Tigra, Vision, Wasp, Whirlwind, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »
July 14, 2013
Kurt Busiek // George Pérez
February 1998
****
Pérez returns to Marvel’s supergroup superteam, tapping Busiek (hot off Marvels & Astro City in ’95 & last year’s T-bolts) to help w/ the relaunch. They’re well-matched: neither conservative nor radical, dense w/ info yet clear at storytelling. Echoing the Lee/Kirby original, a mage manipulates Earth’s superheroes into teaming up. This time, it’s an Arthurian, Morgan le Fey, using Asgardian magic.
next issue: Avengers #2
also indexed for Feb. ’98
Thunderbolts #11
Tags:George Pérez, Kurt Busiek
Posted in Beast, Black Knight (D. Whitman), Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (M. Rambeau), Crystal, Darkhawk, Demolition Man, Dr. Hank Pym, Falcon, Firebird, Firestar, Hawkeye (C. Barton), Hercules, Hulk, Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Jarvis, Justice, Living Lightning, Luna, Machine Man, Magdalene, Megan McLaren, Moon Knight, Moondragon, Mordred, Morgan le Fey, Mr. Fantastic, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Quasar, Quicksilver, Rage, Rick Jones, Sandman, Scarlet Witch, Sersi, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (J. Carpenter), Starfox, Stingray, Strider, Swordsman (P. Javert), Thing, Thor, Tigra, US Agent, Vision, Wasp | Leave a Comment »