Kelly Sue DeConnick // David López
July 2014
****
Capt. M intervenes in a refugee crisis, and gets an enlightening lecture on power from a queen. This soft reboot starts to find its footing as KSDC plays to her artist’s strength, which is ‘acting’. Displays of strong leadership & female heroism, but a sense of light heart keeps the issue fun.
last issue: Captain Marvel #2
next issue: Captain Marvel #4
also indexed for Jul. ’14
Moon Knight #3
Kelly Sue DeConnick // David López
June 2014
**
López has a simple style, a cut-rate Dragotta, but he has trouble picking the angles to show his ‘staging’ spatially. So he blows a big chance to shine: a dogfight with space pirates. #2 guest-stars the Guardians of the Galaxy, now a generic corporate product, neither the movie rogues nor the DnA misfits.
last issue: Captain Marvel #1
next issue: Captain Marvel #3
also indexed for Jun. ’14
Moon Knight #2
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
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Miguel Sepulveda
December 2010
***
A busy issue, as Nova preps for a noble sacrifice. Meanwhile, surprise conversations juice the plot. First, the evil Scarlet Witch is really a mole, motivated by love for the Vision (nice to see someone gets her character this decade!). Then Thanos pulls a heel turn, literally begging for a final death.
last issue: The Thanos Imperative #4 of 6
next issue: The Thanos Imperative #6 of 6
also indexed for Dec. ’10
The Fantastic Four #584
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Miguel Sepulveda
November 2010
***
Thanos, Avatar of Death, cannot die, tho’ it’s all he wishes for; ironically, he must reintroduce Death to a mirror universe. Less compelling are the heroic aliens who fly thru a space station ripping monsters apart—standard super-stuff, w/o even the space-opera scope that most of TI offers.
last issue: The Thanos Imperative #3 of 6
next issue: The Thanos Imperative #5 of 6
also indexed for Nov. ’10
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #2 of 9
The Fantastic Four #583
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Miguel Sepulveda
October 2010
***
The fourth (?) space war in recent years gets a strong dose of metaphysics. In the parallel universe ruled by Cthulu gods, Captain Marvel became Life’s avatar rather than dying. Then, to extinguish Death utterly, he sacrificed his opposite, Thanos, in an arcane ritual that unbalanced his cosmos!
last issue: The Thanos Imperative #2 of 6
next issue: The Thanos Imperative #4 of 6
also indexed for Oct. ’10
The Fantastic Four #582
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Miguel Sepulveda
September 2010
**
The writers wage Marvel’s latest space opera on several fronts & still keep the subplots clear. To imply an epic scope, they even usher Kirby Gods in to defend the universe from an Eldritch incursion! But Sepulveda draws & inks cinema-aping art that some lovely digital coloring can’t save.
last issue: The Thanos Imperative #1 of 6
next issue: The Thanos Imperative #3 of 6
also indexed for Sept. ’10
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1 of 9
The Fantastic Four #581
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
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
July 2010
***
Having lost their two series in June, Ab & Lan segue into their space opera’s final act. This prolog is epic stuff, tho’ not newbee-friendly! Worlds explode (!) to shunt a Lovecraft-universe’s Cptn Marvel into the main ‘verse, setting up a confrontation w/ Death’s avatar, Thanos resurrected.
continued from Guardians of the Galaxy #25
continued in The Thanos Imperative #1 of 6
also indexed for Jul. ’10
The Fantastic Four #579
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
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wes Craig
May 2010
***
An electrifying issue of space opera! While the captured Guardians fight thru an army of zealots, across the galaxy their allies restore a galactic senate. But the focus of #24 is Phyla-Vell, who failed to kill Adam Magus; now she either balances or compounds that error by resurrecting Thanos!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #23
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #25
also indexed for May ’10
The Fantastic Four #577
Nova #35
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #5 of 5
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wes Craig
April 2010
****
Adam Magus has tossed half the team in a dungeon & hopes to side w/ the Old Ones from the spacetime rift at the crux of Realm of Kings. Craig returns w/ his angular, colorful style—a bit like Immonen on Nextwave, tho’ he lays out a page w/ more complexity. A happy contrast to most Marvel art!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #22
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #24
also indexed for Apr. ’10
The Fantastic Four #576
Nova #34
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 of 5
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4 of 5
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
March 2010
***
The heroes team up w/ super-rivals to rescue Moondragon from intergalactic zealots. You’ll recall she’s “pregnant” w/ a malignant thing from the “Cancer-verse”, where “life has won.” As always, GotG offers fun space adventure w/ solid craftsmanship: characters, recaps, & a cliffhanger!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #21
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #23
also indexed for Mar. ’10
The Fantastic Four #575
Nova #33
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3 of 5
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #3 of 5
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
February 2010
****
Where the other Realm of Kings stories are riffing on Alien, this ish throws Rosemary’s Baby in too. Moondragon puts a transdimensional beast into her womb to keep it from killing everyone. A rival superteam wants to put it on trial (ridiculous enough), but the Universal Church esteems it as a god!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #20
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #22
also indexed for Feb. ’10
The Fantastic Four #574
Nova #32
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #2 of 5
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #2 of 5
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
January 2010
***
A gambit: the previous arc killed off half the team! Now the mournful gang explores that hole into a nightmare dimension (the common element to the linewide Realm of Kings series). Walker does good models—his clothing is esp good—which makes the character beats stronger than the action sequences.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #19
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #21
also indexed for Jan. ’10
The Fantastic Four #573
Nova #31
Realm of Kings #1 of 1
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1 of 5
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Mahmud Asrar & Leonardo Manco
January 2010
****
MU’s last cosmic metaseries was old-school space opera; this one kicks off a Lovecraftian weird tale. It’s also a Quasar adventure: the ’90s quantum hero slips into a mirror ‘verse where the Avengers bow to the Old Gods in life undying. Manco’s raw grit mimics Maleev’s, a realism that works here too.
continued from War of Kings: Who Will Rule #1 of 1
continued in Guardians of the Galaxy #20
continued in Nova #31
continued in Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1 of 5
continued in Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5
also indexed for Jan. ’10
The Fantastic Four #573
Guardians of the Galaxy #20
Nova #31
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1 of 5
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wes Craig
December 2009
****
Kang himself returns the time-tossed Guardians w/a Cosmic Cube to confront the Magus! A spectacular climax, much more satisfying than the finale to War of Kings. Partly that’s Craig’s highly cartooned style rather than the usual superhero hyper-realism. Full of suspense, drama, & mad invention!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #18
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #20
also indexed for Dec. ’09
The Fantastic Four #572
Nova #30
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
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
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
August 2009
***
You know who deserves plenty of credit for this mag & the entire Cosmic Marvel line? Editor Bill Roseman. He’s running a tight crossover! This issue, in which two alien superteams storm the Guardians’ space station while a prisoner escapes, could be confusing, but it’s completely clear & lotsa fun!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #14
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #16
also indexed for Aug. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #4 of 5
Nova #26
War of Kings #4 of 6
War of Kings: Ascension #3 of 4
War of Kings: Savage World of Skaar #1 of 1
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
July 2009
***
Walker lays out his pages clearly enough to overcome his overwrought ’90s line & rectilinear ’00s paneling. Good thing, cuz this is a busy arc. In a nice balance of comedy & action, Star-Lord, Warlock & their motley gang of SF heroes completely fail to broker peace in the second Kree-Shi’ar War.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #13
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #15
also indexed for Jul. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #3 of 5
Nova #25
War of Kings #3 of 6
War of Kings: Ascension #2 of 4
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
June 2009
****
The huge cast reunites to play diplomat in the War of Kings maxiseries, sending a delegation to each side (an echo of Galactic Storm). To the writers’ credit, they pack a lot of action into one issue—starting w/ a bar brawl—and they give nearly every character a particular voice and perspective.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #12
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #14
also indexed for Jun. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #2 of 5
Nova #24
War of Kings #2 of 6
War of Kings: Ascension #1 of 4
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
April 2009
***
The mag concludes its 3-part excursion into the Negative Zone by adding yet another discarded Marvel hero (Jack Flag, a minor char from Gruenwald’s Cap run). The pace has picked back up, & so has the charm. Warlock fans can look forward to the resumption of his role as an intergalactic messiah.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #9
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #11
also indexed for Apr. ’09
Nova #22
War of Kings: Darkhawk #1 of 2
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker & Carlos Magno
March 2009
***
That Negative Zone prison from Civil War, abandoned by writers & in-story heroes both, offers easy entry into our ‘verse. Into that breach steps the Guardians! Tho’ Walker’s realism fits the SF adventure better than Pelletier did, a muddy palate atop busy pencils leaves the action a little confused.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #8
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #10
also indexed for Mar. ’09
Nova #21
Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1 of 1
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Brad Walker
February 2009
**
Peter Quill, Star-Lord, gets booted into the Negative Zone, where he must stop a Kirby Konqueror from invading Earth. The writers aim to add depth to the central character on their team title, but they’re better off when they focus on the SF adventure & let the characters take care of themselves.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #7
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #9
also indexed for Feb. ’09
Nova #20
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
January 2009
**
With its team split after only half a year, this mag has four plotlines in #7 alone! In the main thread, a flaw in spacetime threatens the 31st century Guardians (IE Steve Gerber’s ’70s SF team). Mostly it stages a fight w/ Frankenstein aliens, which doesn’t leave room for character or suspense.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #6
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #8
also indexed for Jan. ’09
Nova #19
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
December 2008
***
Cosmo the hyperintelligent dog teaches the Guardians & their super-rivals not to jump to conclusions about the Skrull invasion. DnA smartly invert the poorly-conceived idea of Skrull jihad, showing readers that not all “aliens” are terrorists. And set-up: oracular Mantis can’t see the team’s future!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #5
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #7
also indexed for Dec. ’08
Nova #18
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
November 2008
****
The further a mag is from Secret Invasion, the smarter it handles the conceit. At the universe’s edge, the cosmonaut canine protects a litter of Skrulls. The team, meanwhile, is torquing apart over distrust (look! it shows/not tells). Plus Guardians from the future are attacking the current roster!
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #4
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #6
also indexed for Nov. ’08
Nova #17
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
October 2008
***
Guardians gets into the Marvel-wide Skrull Invasion act. Despite the mag’s partition from the MU, it makes sense w/ the intergalactic operatics. The paranoia fits nicely w/in the team’s newness, & spreads to the civilians nearby (who don’t appreciate having a paramilitary org onsite!).
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #3
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #5
also indexed for Oct. ’08
Nova #16
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
September 2008
***
SF fun as the team faces a biomass of fused humans & an interstellar cult fueled by prayer-power—aboard a Dyson sphere! Meanwhile on their base at the edge of the universe, two members of the original ’70s Guardians tussle. Colorful literally as well as figuratively, this is comics at its sturdiest.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #2
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #4
also indexed for Sept. ’08
Nova #15
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
August 2008
***
High marks for the mag: engaging space adventure supported by clear, Maduriera-like art. GotG are a sort of cosmic Avengers, protecting the galaxy from crazy scifi threats. The parallel’s made explicit w/ the discover of Vance Astro, adrift in frozen spacetime like Cptn. America back in ’64.
last issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #1
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #3
also indexed for Aug. ’08
The Immortal Iron Fist #16
Nova #14
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
July 2008
***
One pleasure of DnA’s SF series has been their integration of Marvel’s patchwork cosmos into a seamless universe. GotG is now the spine to that work. #1 states the thesis: a team of cosmic heroes & alien misfits aim to protect all creation from, for instance, Starlin’s ’70s space zealots.
continued from Annihilation: Conquest #6 of 6
next issue: Guardians of the Galaxy #2
also indexed for Jul. ’08
Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1 of 1
The Immortal Iron Fist #15
Nova #13
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tom Raney
June 2008
****
A suitably epic finale. DnA weave their several plot strands into a taut rope, w/ everyone (except the ignominious Ronan) contributing to the defeat of Ultron. No deus ex machina, no forcing of twists or compromises of personality: read A:C to see how solid craft works. I’m sold on both spinoffs.
continued from Nova #12
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest #5 of 6
continued in Guardians of the Galaxy #1
continued in Nova #13
also indexed for Jun. ’08
The Immortal Iron Fist #14
Nova #12
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tom Raney
May 2008
***
The Big Bad’s motive is that old standby, megalomania; he aims to download himself into Adam Warlock’s superbody. The tide turns in the other plots (Ronan’s robot army; Mantis & co.). It’s essential set-up & exposition told zestily, giving breath to space operatic conventions; if only the art set it apart.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest #4 of 6
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest #6 of 6
also indexed for May ’08
The Immortal Iron Fist #13
Nova #11
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tom Raney
April 2008
****
Despite the widescreen paneling, A:C has more of a televisual feel. A lot of that’s the cycling from plot to plot, which keeps the momentum boiling & juggles the dozen or so major & minor characters deftly. Ronan finds an army, while in a nicely quiet beat, Adam Warlock counsels a grieving Quasar.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest #3 of 6
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest #5 of 6
also indexed for Apr. ’08
The Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall & the Green Mist of Death #1 of 1
Nova Annual #1
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tom Raney
March 2008
****
This galactic adventure is peripheral to the Marvel ‘verse, yet the stakes feel higher than, say, this month’s Avengers. For one thing, DnA can & do kill heroes—here Moondragon—as Phalanx-Ultron takes the upper hand. A nova can’t stop him! Can Kree Emperor Ronan’s secret weapon? What a thrill!
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest #2 of 6
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest #4 of 6
also indexed for Mar. ’08
Astonishing X-Men #24
Nova #10
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tom Raney
February 2008
****
A novelistic structure, elegantly stepping btw 3 plots. Two minor ones follow the resistance against the Phalanx (thrilling espionage) & a diplomatic alliance w/ the Annihilation bugs. The major plot has a grand cosmic conceit: a science god & his savior-son v. the robot devil Ultron & his hordes!
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest #1 of 6
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest #3 of 6
also indexed for Feb. ’08
The Immortal Iron Fist #12
Nova #9
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tom Raney
January 2008
***
Slick, breathless space melodrama with by-the-numbers hyper-heroic art. Atypically, A&L focus more on plot than personality and more on action than arc. To bring you up to speed: the technoviral Phalanx has annexed the Kree Galaxy under the leadership of… Ultron! Quasar & her dragon fly into the heart of a sun w/ Adam Warlock, cosmic savior!
continued from Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #4 of 4
continued from Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #4 of 4
continued from Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #4 of 4
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest #2 of 6
also indexed for Jan. ’08
Astonishing X-Men #23
The Immortal Iron Fist #11
Nova #8
Keith Giffen // Timothy Green II
December 2007
***
As if to make up for the slack pace of A:C:Star-Lord #2, Giffen cuts from scene to scene, showing the essential beats but not the combat. The plot’s a little hairy (why would a techno-organic species create an antidote to itself? Can the Uni-power function independently?) but the space opera works.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #3 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Conquest #1 of 6
also indexed for Dec. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #4 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #4 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #11
Nova #7
Keith Giffen // Timothy Green II
November 2007
***
Undercover on the Kree homeworld, Star-Lord learns the techno-aliens’ secret plan: infect the galaxy w/ a nano-virus that will convert organic life into “techno-organic” life. It’s spicy space opera w/ a fashionably hard-boiled edge. Green’s vivid mise en scene adds to the sense of place & tone.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #2 of 4
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #4 of 4
also indexed for Nov. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #3 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #3 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #9
The Immortal Iron Fist Annual #1
Nova #6
Keith Giffen // Timothy Green II
October 2007
**
Giffen’s script is soggy w/ American snark, but it’s two-fisted SF, w/ a war’s sense of scope & non-humanoid aliens: a Kirby monster, a hyperintelligent raccoon, Annihilation bugs, etc. The plot: our squad of antiheroes skulk thru occupied territory, drawing a death by friendly fire.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #1 of 4
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #3 of 4
also indexed for Oct. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #2 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #2 of 4
Astonishing X-Men #22
The Immortal Iron Fist #8
Nova #5
Keith Giffen // Timothy Green II
September 2007
***
Giff, demoted to support-staff in Marvel’s space dept., does a pro’s job of introing his cast. Star-Lord, a Flash Gordon type from Marvel’s cosmic heyday, will lead a Dirty Dozen platoon on a suicide mission. Colorful aliens, surly officers, clear stakes, & cynicism make the mini engaging.
continued from Annihilation: Conquest: Prologue #1 of 1
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Starlord #1 of 4
also indexed for Sept. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #1 of 4
Nova #4
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Mike Perkins
August 2007
****
Following the pattern of the ’06 sleeper, Abnett & Lanning craft another space opera. If this one-shot’s indicative, it’ll improve on the first. Civilization’s in ruins, heroes buzz about rebuilding, & a species of sentient technovirus (the Phalanx) seizes the Kree Empire to assimilate & thus protect the galaxy. Happily, one protag’s a woman! The art’s a little grimy & claustrophobic but okay.
continued in Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Conquest: Star Lord #1 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #1 of 4
continued in Nova #4
also indexed for Aug. ’07
The Immortal Iron Fist #7
Nova #3
Keith Giffen // Andrea DiVito
March 2007
**
Galactus vaporizes the insectoid fleet, Nova goes mano a mano with the Big Bug, & Giffen delivers an epilogue. Annihil never quite delivered on its epic promise, mostly cuz it took itself too seriously. But more, the uninspired realism of DiVito’s art muffled the core mini’s sense of scope.
last issue: Annihilation #5 of 6
continued in Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1 of 2
also indexed for Mar. ’07
Nextwave, Agents of HATE #12
Keith Giffen // Andrea DiVito
February 2007
***
Ronan (a Kirby creation, one of several here) overturns a Kree-insect alliance & assumes control of an empire! Last ish’s killing of Thanos may’ve been Ann‘s climax; w/ Galactus now free, the heroes should clean up, no problem. I only wish it felt more fun—the realistic tone & art is kind of a drag.
last issue: Annihilation #4 of 6
next issue: Annihilation #6 of 6
also indexed for Feb. ’07
Astonishing X-Men #20
The Immortal Iron Fist #3
Nextwave, Agents of HATE #11
Keith Giffen // Andrea DiVito
January 2007
***
While Civil War hits delays, Annihilation keeps to its schedule. Thanos does a heel/face turn upon learning that the bug-invader plans to destroy all life; ironically, before he can save the ‘verse, he’s killed by his nemesis. Giffen engineered this whole series to give Thanos a death he deserves!
last issue: Annihilation #3 of 6
next issue: Annihilation #5 of 6
also indexed for Jan. ’07
Astonishing X-Men #19
Civil War #7 of 7
Nextwave, Agents of HATE #10
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
Keith Giffen // Andrea DiVito
November 2006
**
Pursuing his own agenda, antihero Thanos supports Annihilus, fells Galactus, & kidnaps babes. You need Wikipedia for some of these characters’ IDs, but it’s way better than Civil War. Giffen savors his intergalactic war, esp. the political machinations, but he doesn’t always share the pleasure w/ us.
last issue: Annihilation #1 of 6
next issue: Annihilation #3 of 6
also indexed for Nov. ’06
Astonishing X-Men #17
Civil War #5 of 7
The Immortal Iron Fist #1
Nextwave, Agents of HATE #8
Keith Giffen // Andrea DiVito
October 2006
***
Taxied into place by a one-shot & 5 minis, the flagship of this metaseries sets sail. A swarm of space locusts from beyond the universe has consumed the Skrull Empire. Nova, leading a loose alliance of galactic heroes (esoteric ’70s Starlin creations, mostly), reports on the grim calculus of war. It’s journeyman space opera in a realistic prosy style, heavily influenced by Starship Troopers.
continued from Annihilation: Nova #4 of 4
continued from Annihilation: Ronan #4 of 4
continued from Annihilation: Silver Surfer #4 of 4
continued from Annihilation: Super-Skrull #4 of 4
next issue: Annihilation #2 of 6
also indexed for Oct. ’06
Astonishing X-Men #16
Civil War #4 of 7
Keith Giffen // Ron Lim
September 2004
***
Thanos tames a Herald of Galactus by collapsing a Jovian-sized planet around it. Epic stuff, exactly what the Mad Titan should be doing. Tho unevenly paced & indifferently drawn (at best), this arc redeems itself by resurrecting the SF corner of Marvel continuity, which Giffen revisits in a year.
last issue: Thanos #11
also indexed for Sept. ’04
Astonishing X-Men #3
The Pulse #4
Index Indigo 