Archive for the ‘Phalanx’ Category
March 12, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tom Raney
Posted in Adam Warlock, Badoon, Bug, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot, High Evolutionary, Kree, Kree Sentries, Mantis, Moondragon, Nova (R. Rider), Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Rigellians, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spaceknights, Spartoi, Super-Skrull, Technarchy, Ultron, Warlock, Wraith, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
March 11, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tom Raney
Posted in Adam Warlock, Annihilation Wave, Bug, Groot, High Evolutionary, Kree, Kree Sentries, Mantis, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ravenous, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spaceknights, Ultron, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
March 10, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tom Raney
Posted in Adam Warlock, Annihilation Wave, Blastaar, Bug, Groot, High Evolutionary, Kree, Kree Sentries, Mantis, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Ravenous, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spaceknights, Super-Skrull, Ultron, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
March 9, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tom Raney
Posted in Adam Warlock, Annihilation Wave, Bug, Groot, High Evolutionary, Kree, Mantis, Moondragon, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Ravenous, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Super-Skrull, Ultron, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
March 8, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tom Raney
Posted in Adam Warlock, Annihilation Wave, Blastaar, Bug, Groot, High Evolutionary, Kree, Mantis, Moondragon, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Super-Skrull, Ultron, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
March 7, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tom Raney
Posted in Adam Warlock, Blastaar, High Evolutionary, Korath the Pursuer, Kree, Moondragon, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Shatterax, Super-Skrull, Ultron, Wraith, Xemnu the Titan | Leave a Comment »
March 5, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
May 2008
****
Of course Warlock shows up! The erstwhile New Mutant’s homeworld is the source of the sentient technovirus consuming the Kree Galaxy; Nova arrives, hunting for a cure. It’s wondrous how, in a few brisk strokes, A&L fully revive a minor Claremont concept, w/ Pelletier doing a passable Sienkowicz.
continued from Nova Annual #1
last issue: Nova #10
next issue: Nova #12
also indexed for May ’08
Annihilation: Conquest #5 of 6
The Immortal Iron Fist #13
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Nova (R. Rider), Phalanx, Technarchy, Warlock, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
March 4, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Mahmud Asrar, Klubs, & Wellinton Alves
April 2008
***
Rider’s unstuck in time, hopping btw his first mission as Nova & his last (the restored Nova Corps battles the Phalanx technovirus in Earth orbit). Duplicating the plot of Nova #7, it’s all a psychomachia as his body fights the infection. The seams don’t show much btw the 3 artists (“Klubs”?). An okay issue to pick up if you’ve been following Annihilation: Conquest but not Nova.
continued from Nova #10
continued in Nova #11
also indexed for Apr. ’08
Annihilation: Conquest #4 of 6
The Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall & the Green Mist of Death #1 of 1
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Klubs, Mahmud Asrar, Wellinton Alves
Posted in Nova (R. Rider), Phalanx, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
February 28, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Sean Chen & Brian Denham
December 2007
****
Naturally, Rider shrugs off the sentient techno-virus’ infection; it’s how the turn is executed (an astral psychomachia) that works. His escape from the Phalanx dominion adds a dash of hard SF that, in a twist, shunts him away from the Annihilation: Conquest series.
last issue: Nova #6
next issue: Nova #8
also indexed for Dec. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #4 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #4 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #4 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #10
Tags:Andy Lanning, Brian Denham, Dan Abnett, Sean Chen
Posted in Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Kree, Kree Sentries, Nova (R. Rider), Phalanx, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
February 27, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Sean Chen & Brian Denham
November 2007
***
The centerpiece of this arc is an aerial battle btw Novas (Novae?), as the Kree rookie dogfights Richard Rider over control of the Worldmind AI. A dialog on individuality w/r/t the Phalanx hivemind offers food for thought. And a few overly boob-centric panels don’t detract from the action too much.
last issue: Nova #5
next issue: Nova #7
also indexed for Nov. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #3 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #3 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #3 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #9
The Immortal Iron Fist Annual #1
Tags:Andy Lanning, Brian Denham, Dan Abnett, Sean Chen
Posted in Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Kree, Nova (R. Rider), Nova Corps, Phalanx, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
February 26, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Sean Chen
October 2007
***
If Chen’s art were more than simply clear & readable, Nova would be fantastic. As it is the art’s serviceable, while the script springs surprises & draws new chars w/ a few deft strokes. A Kree medic is tasked by the Nova AI to protect her crew & Rider from the Phalanx techno-infection—& she fails!
last issue: Nova #4
next issue: Nova #6
also indexed for Oct. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #2 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #2 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #2 of 4
Astonishing X-Men #22
The Immortal Iron Fist #8
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Sean Chen
Posted in Kree, Nova (R. Rider), Nova Corps, Phalanx, Spaceknights, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
February 24, 2014
Javier Grillo-Marxauch // Kyle Hotz
December 2007
*
I think very poorly of JG-M’s writing, packed w/ bleating clichés about honor. The story’s confusing too: the antihero, manipulated by the Kree’s bio-AI deity, infects the Phalanx w/ his symbiotic aliens? As thru-out this mini, it’s Hotz’s art—horror atmo & ’90s post-Image style—that keeps me reading.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #3 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Conquest #1 of 6
also indexed for Dec. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #4 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #4 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #10
Nova #7
Tags:Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Kyle Hotz
Posted in Kree, Phalanx, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Super-Skrull, Supreme Intelligence, Wraith | 2 Comments »
February 23, 2014
Javier Grillo-Marxauch // Kyle Hotz
November 2007
**
The mini seesaws btw abject convention & the twists that make Marvel’s contempo SF line engaging. Its protag is firmly on the first side: a sulky Hamlet type w/ alien horror trappings. But the Annihilation plot revs up as the Phalanx plans to resurrect that green Kirby godhead, the Kree AI.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #2 of 4
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #4 of 4
also indexed for Nov. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #3 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #3 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #9
The Immortal Iron Fist Annual #1
Nova #6
Tags:Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Kyle Hotz
Posted in Kree, Phalanx, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Super-Skrull, Supreme Intelligence, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
February 22, 2014
Javier Grillo-Marxauch // Kyle Hotz
October 2007
**
Somehow, Hotz makes a ’90s junk style (rococo lines & manga eyes) work. JG-M riffs on Serio Leone’s schtick, inserting his antihero into a conflict he wants no part of—the Kree with No Name. But other than an eerie death/resurrection backstory, the protag’s undercooked & the dialogue’s clichéd.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #1 of 4
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #3 of 4
also indexed for Oct. 07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #2 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #2 of 4
Astonishing X-Men #22
The Immortal Iron Fist #8
Nova #5
Tags:Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Kyle Hotz
Posted in Kree, Phalanx, Praxagora, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Super-Skrull, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
February 21, 2014
Javier Grillo-Marxauch // Kyle Hotz
September 2007
*
Hey, an entirely new character! Wraith would’ve fit into Marvel’s ill-conceived ’90s horror line: a gloomy gothic badass w/ vague powers, an energy gun/knife/whip combo, & a rocket-cycle. Hotz brings a choppy, angular ’80s English vibe to the mini, part of the Annihilation: Conquest metaseries.
continued from Annihilation: Conquest: Prologue
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #2 of 4
also indexed for Sept. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #1 of 4
Nova #4
Tags:Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Kyle Hotz
Posted in Kree, Phalanx, Ra-Venn, Ronan the Accuser, Wraith | Leave a Comment »
February 20, 2014
Christos Gage // Mike Lilly
December 2007
**
A finale of dull, mechanical plotting. Phyla-Vell crashes & defeats her foe (a robot who copies superpowers) w/ Jim Kirk’s old trick: by having it mimic an illogical trait, imagination. Then P-V rescues the galactic savior, revealed as Adam Warlock (no surprise—he’s Marvel’s go-to cosmic messiah).
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #3 of 4
continued in Annihilation: Conquest #1 of 6
also indexed for Dec. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #4 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #4 of 4
The Immortal Iron Fist #10
Nova #7
Tags:Christos Gage, Mike Lilly
Posted in Adam Warlock, Moondragon, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Quasar, Super-Adaptoid, Supreme Intelligence | Leave a Comment »
February 18, 2014
Christos Gage // Mike Lilly
October 2007
**
Ostensibly, the plot involves a race to summon a galactic messiah. But mostly it’s a pretext for the heroine to swing an energy-sword at monsters. The mini’s only distinctive attribute is that its leads are lesbian lovers, but this simply offers the artist a chance to draw twice as many nipples.
last issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1 of 4
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #3 of 4
also indexed for Oct. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #2 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #2 of 4
Astonishing X-Men #22
The Immortal Iron Fist #8
Nova #5
Tags:Christos Gage, Mike Lilly
Posted in Brood, Kree, Moondragon, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Priests of Pama, Super-Adaptoid | Leave a Comment »
February 17, 2014
Christos Gage // Mike Lilly
September 2007
**
Seeking a messiah to save the galaxy from a techno-infection is that rare bird, a female superhero! Phyla-Vell’s a double-legacy: her dad was Captain Marvel (the ’60s Marvel one), & she wears a ’90s space-knight’s power bracers. But her book’s all plot, no personality (lesbianism doesn’t count).
continued from Annihilation: Conquest: Prologue #1 of 1
next issue: Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #2 of 4
also indexed for Sept. ’07
Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #1 of 4
Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #1 of 4
Nova #4
Tags:Christos Gage, Mike Lilly
Posted in Cotati, Moondragon, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Priests of Pama, Super-Adaptoid | Leave a Comment »
February 16, 2014
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
Tags:Keith Giffen, Timothy Green II
Posted in Bug, Captain Universe, Groot, Kree, Mantis, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Rocket Raccoon | Leave a Comment »
February 15, 2014
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
Tags:Keith Giffen, Timothy Green II
Posted in Bug, Captain Universe, Groot, Kree, Mantis, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Rocket Raccoon | Leave a Comment »
February 14, 2014
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
Tags:Keith Giffen, Timothy Green II
Posted in Annihilation Wave, Bug, Captain Universe, Deathcry, Groot, Mantis, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Rocket Raccoon | Leave a Comment »
February 12, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Mike Perkins
Posted in Kree, Kree Sentries, Moondragon, Nova (R. Rider), Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phalanx, Phyla-Vell, Priests of Pama, Ronan the Accuser, Spaceknights, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »