Archive for the ‘Starjammers’ Category
February 12, 2015
Fabien Nicieza // Salvador Larroca
May 1995
**
Gambit, of all characters, saves the multiverse, repairing its crystalline nexus by “sacrificing” his love for Rogue. Nicieza thus equates him w/ Claremont’s Phoenix—a ludicrous comparison! Larroca improves on Daniel, tho’ his art often foregoes environment, a key to good space-adventure comics.
last issue: Gambit and the X-Ternals #2 of 4
next issue: Gambit and the X-Ternals #4 of 4
also indexed for May ’95
The Amazing X-Men #3 of 4
The Astonishing X-Men #3 of 4
Factor X #3 of 4
Generation Next #3 of 4
Weapon X #3 of 4
X-Calibre #3 of 4
X-Man #3
X-Universe #1 of 2
Tags:Fabian Nicieza, Salvador Larroca
Posted in Ch'od, Cr'reeee, D'Ken, Deathbird, Gambit, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Hepzibah, Jahf, Jubilee, Lila Cheney, Raza Longknife, Rictor, Starjammers, Strong Guy, Sunspot | Leave a Comment »
February 11, 2015
Fabian Nicieza // Tony Daniel
April 1995
*
The M’Kraan Crystal, unrepaired by Phoenix in this timeline, threatens to obliterate existence! Like the whole series, this concept rests wholly on Claremont’s work; the ish itself is an exposition dump. Daniel’s Liefeld-like pencils, all posturing & grimacing, underscore the lack of incident.
last issue: Gambit and the X-Ternals #1 of 4
next issue: Gambit and the X-Ternals #3 of 4
also indexed for Apr. ’95
The Amazing X-Men #2 of 4
The Astonishing X-Men #2 of 4
Factor X #2 of 4
Generation Next #2 of 4
Weapon X #2 of 4
X-Calibre #2 of 4
X-Man #2
Tags:Fabian Nicieza, Tony Daniel
Posted in Ch'od, Deathbird, Fang, Gambit, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Hepzibah, Hobgoblin, Imperial Guard, Impulse, Jubilee, Lila Cheney, Mentor, Nightside, Oracle, Raza Longknife, Rictor, Scintilla, Smasher, Starbolt, Starjammers, Strong Guy, Sunspot, Titan, Warstar | Leave a Comment »
May 12, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Kev Walker
May 2010
***
DnA accomplish two clever goals in unshowy fashion. They make Realm of Kings‘ Lovecraft beasts into a fearful threat, & they establish the rich potential of the Imperial Guard as a team. Sadly, as Marvel scales back their Cosmic branch, the small satisfaction of a good mini must be its own reward.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #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: Inhumans #5 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Kev Walker
Posted in Araki, Arc, Black Light, Ch'od, Commando, Crystal, Cyclops, Electron, Fang, Flashfire, Fraternity of Raptors, G-Type, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Inhumans, Jahf, Kree, Manta, Medusa, Mentor, Moondancer, Neutron, Plutonia, Professor X, Quasar, Raza Longknife, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Smasher, Starjammers, Titan, Venom symbiote, Voyager, Warstar, White Noise, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
May 11, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Kev Walker
April 2010
***
The Realm of Kings maxiseries pays off, pitting the superteam of space voyageurs (clearly analogs for the Legion of Super-Heroes) against the pestiferous anti-universe’s X-Men as the Darkhawk conspiracy resurfaces. Kev Walker’s style, a mod sort of 2000AD look, gets a boost from colorist Fairbairn.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3 of 5
next issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5
also indexed for Apr. ’10
The Fantastic Four #576
Guardians of the Galaxy #23
Nova #34
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Kev Walker
Posted in Araki, Ch'od, Cyclops, Earthquake, Fang, Flashfire, Fraternity of Raptors, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Imperial Guard, Mentor, Neutron, Nightcrawler, Oracle, Plutonia, Professor X, Quasar, Raza Longknife, Shi'ar, Smasher, Starbolt, Starjammers, Storm, Warstar, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
May 10, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Kev Walker
March 2010
***
A fun issue of space gothic horror—Alien, ’70s Doctor Who, or (in Marvel terms) Claremont’s Brood Saga. The heroes flee the corpse of a large interstellar organism before it’s eaten by space-maggots. Yeesh! Appealing character beats help propel the team mechanics along & add to derring-do.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #2 of 5
next issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 of 5
also indexed for Mar. ’10
The Fantastic Four #575
Guardians of the Galaxy #22
Nova #33
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #3 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Kev Walker
Posted in Araki, Ch'od, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Hussar, Imperial Guard, Karnak, Kree, Lockjaw, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Oracle, Plutonia, Quasar, Raza Longknife, Rigellians, Shi'ar, Smasher, Starbolt, Starjammers, Warstar | Leave a Comment »
May 9, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Kev Walker
February 2010
***
An uneasy team of interstellar superheroes explore a rift in spacetime that has creeping horrors on its other side. Case in point: they’re outdueled by the corpse of an organic spaceship. Kev Walker, an Englishman, draws great environments, whether cramped starship, deep space, or strange planet.
last issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5
next issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3 of 5
also indexed for Feb. ’10
The Fantastic Four #574
Guardians of the Galaxy #21
Nova #32
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #2 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Kev Walker
Posted in Araki, Ch'od, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Gorgon, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Lockjaw, Mentor, Neutron, Oracle, Plutonia, Raza Longknife, Shi'ar, Smasher, Starbolt, Starjammers, Warstar | Leave a Comment »
May 8, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Kev Walker
January 2010
***
This superhero/space opera hybrid mini kicks off w/ a battle in orbit and on the ground, plenty of collateral damage by the ostensible heroes (a ’70s X-Men analog for DC’s Legion). Their Superman knock-off rules a galactic empire that’s splitting apart. DnA add scope w/ plenty of extra subplots.
continued from Realm of Kings #1 of 1
next issue: Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #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: Inhumans #1 of 5
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Kev Walker
Posted in Araki, Ch'od, Commando, Earthquake, Electron, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Hussar, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Oracle, Plutonia, Raza Longknife, Shi'ar, Smasher, Starbolt, Starjammers, Titan, Warstar | Leave a Comment »
April 30, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Brad Walker, Dan Abnett
Posted in Adam Warlock, Black Bolt, Bug, Ch'od, Cosmo, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Gorgon, Groot, Havok, Inhumans, Jack Flag, Karnak, Korvus, Kree, Major Victory, Mantis, Medusa, Moondragon, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Phyla-Vell, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Rocket Raccoon, Shi'ar, Starjammers, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
April 21, 2014
A-story: Jay Faerber // Adriana Melo
B-story: Jay Faerber // Ramon Perez
October 2009
A-story: * // B-story: *
Another anthology of tossed-out filler to supplement the latest Marvel space opera. Plot A, starring a former Avenger, offers an insultingly pat solution to topical US quandaries like terrorist attacks by civilians & occupation by “good guys”. Plot B is generic backstory of an already-dead empress.
last issue: War of Kings: Warriors #1 of 2
also indexed for Oct. ’09
Fantastic Four #570
Guardians of the Galaxy #17
Nova #28
War of Kings #6 of 6
Tags:Adriana Melo, Jay Faerber, Ramon Perez
Posted in Black Bolt, Brood, Ch'od, Crystal, Gorgon, Havok, Inhumans, Karnak, Korvus, Kree, Lilandra, Luna, Medusa, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Starjammers, Triton | Leave a Comment »
April 18, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wellinton Alves
September 2009
***
DnA revitalize a minor ’90s hero by intertwining his mini with their big WoK maxiseries. The mission is an echo of their fine revival of Nova: a young hero is the last member of an intergalactic force. But Darkhawk’s fellows were a malevolent conspiracy & he must clear his reputation w/ heroics.
last issue: War of Kings: Ascension #3 of 4
see also War of Kings #5 of 6
also indexed for Sept. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #5 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #16
Nova #27
War of Kings #5 of 6
War of Kings: Warriors #1 of 2
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Wellinton Alves
Posted in Black Bolt, Darkhawk, Fraternity of Raptors, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Havok, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Korvus, Polaris, Rachel Summers, Skrulls, Starjammers, Vulcan | Leave a Comment »
April 17, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Wellinton Alves
August 2009
***
Solid momentum & adequate art adds to the ’80s style retcon for Darkhawk. Sentient armor has trapped generic protag Chris Powell in a weird limbo while it assassinates the Shi’ar Empress over in WoK #4. Can Chris take control before he’s captured? Or will his armor lead the galaxy into tyranny?
last issue: War of Kings: Ascension #2 of 4
next issue: War of Kings: Ascension #4 of 4
see also War of Kings #4 of 6
also indexed for Aug. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #4 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #15
Nova #26
War of Kings #4 of 6
War of Kings: Savage World of Skaar #1 of 1
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Wellinton Alves
Posted in Blastaar, Darkhawk, Fraternity of Raptors, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Havok, Korvus, Lilandra, Polaris, Shi'ar, Skrulls, Starjammers | 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 9, 2014
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Paul Pelletier
August 2009
**
Civil unrest and factionalism tears apart the Shi’ar Empire, culminating in the assassination of its Empress, an old Claremont creation. As w/ many Marvel “events”, WoK is less coherent w/o its supplemental minis. The lack of time for character beats reinforces the bombast of space opera too.
last issue: War of Kings #3 of 6
next issue: War of Kings #5 of 6
see also War of Kings: Ascension #3 of 4
also indexed for Aug. ’09
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #4 of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #15
Nova #26
War of Kings: Ascension #3 of 4
War of Kings: The Savage World of Skaar #1 of 1
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Paul Pelletier
Posted in Araki, Blastaar, Crystal, Darkhawk, Fang, Fraternity of Raptors, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Havok, Hussar, Imperial Guard, Korvus, Kree, Kree Sentries, Mentor, Rachel Summers, Ronan the Accuser, Shi'ar, Shi'ar Death Commandos, Skrulls, Starjammers, Titan, 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 »
October 29, 2010
Gerard Jones // Jeff Johnson
April 1992
***
Part 11 of “Operation: Galactic Storm”
In deep space, WM & Vision convince a crew not to smuggle a sci-fi superbomb into enemy territory. Jones means well, but his attempt to moralize on the calculus of war is clumsy: his argument for conscientious objection lacks conviction, even as soap operatics muddy & trivialize the conversation.
[continued from Quasar #33]
[continued in The Avengers #346]
[last issue: Wonder Man #7]
[next issue: Wonder Man #9]
Tags:Gerard Jones, Jeff Johnson
Posted in Captain Marvel (M. Rambeau), Scarlet Witch, Shi'ar, Starfox, Starjammers, Thunderstrike, Vision, Wonder Man | Leave a Comment »