Archive for the ‘Valkyrie’ Category
December 23, 2015
Warren Ellis // Stuart Immonen
March 2012
****
Cap & co fight a horror beast in a skyscraper. Anyone hoping for a resolution to the mag’s Lovecraft conspiracy will be disappointed; so will Nextwave fans looking for a gonzo reunion for Ellis & Immonen. Still, the duo’s expertise makes for first-rate spy-fi & a fine capper to a fun, cynical run.
last issue: Secret Avengers #20
next issue: Secret Avengers #22
also indexed for Mar. ’12
Captain America #7
Captain America & Bucky #626
The Fantastic Four #602
FF #14
Tags:Stuart Immonen, Warren Ellis
Posted in Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, Moon Knight, Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie, War Machine | Leave a Comment »
October 27, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato & Will Conrad
April 2011
**
In this arc’s climax, Steve & co foil the resurrection of Fu Manchu. Somehow this manages to be a dull outcome. Avengers, Agents of SHIELD reads like it’s a chore for Brubaker to write. He’s fine with Bucky (& this John Steele), but maybe he has no more stories to tell about Steve Rogers.
last issue: Secret Avengers #9
next issue: Secret Avengers #11
also indexed for Apr. ’11
Captain America #615: Bucky Barnes
The Fantastic Four #588
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato, Will Conrad
Posted in Ant-Man (E. O'Grady), Black Widow, Captain America, Fu Manchu, John Steele, Luke Cage, Max Fury, Moon Knight, Prince of Orphans, Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie, War Machine | Leave a Comment »
October 25, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato & Will Conrad
March 2011
**
Hostage exchanges & nighttime meetings lead to a fight scene. Deo isn’t bad per se, but his ’90s testosterone & photoref settings gild the mag’s over-serious tone. Bru’s phoning it in, aside from his ‘original supersoldier.’ With Superman’s 1938 powers, John Steele functions as a father figure for Cap.
last issue: Secret Avengers #8
next issue: Secret Avengers #10
also indexed for Mar. ’11
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #4 of 9
Captain America #614: Bucky Barnes
The Fantastic Four #587
The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1 of 1
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato, Will Conrad
Posted in Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, Fu Manchu, John Steele, Max Fury, Moon Knight, Prince of Orphans, Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie, War Machine | Leave a Comment »
October 23, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato
February 2011
**
To resurrect Fu Manchu (who’s never called that, oddly), the cabal in the shadows must capture his son Shang-Chi. So they take Agent 13 hostage. Really, a damsel-in-distress plot? The widescreen art complements the ossified plotting; Brubaker must think poorly of Hollywood-style superheroics.
last issue: Secret Avengers #7
next issue: Secret Avengers #9
also indexed for Feb. ’11
Captain America #613: Bucky Barnes
The Fantastic Four #586
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato
Posted in Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, John Steele, Max Fury, Prince of Orphans, Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie | Leave a Comment »
October 21, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato
January 2011
**
Brubaker weaves dangling threads from his other mags into his Steve Rogers epic. He adds Marvel Project’s ‘original super-soldier’ and an Immortal Weapon from his Iron Fist collab. But all eyes are on Fu Manchu, right? Mostly tho, #7 is more told-not-shown characters & poses-as-panels.
last issue: Secret Avengers #6
next issue: Secret Avengers #8
also indexed for Jan. ’11
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #3 of 9
Captain America #612: Bucky Barnes
The Fantastic Four #585
The Thanos Imperative #6 of 6
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato
Posted in Ant-Man (E. O'Grady), Black Widow, Captain America, Fu Manchu, John Steele, Max Fury, Prince of Orphans, Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie | Leave a Comment »
October 12, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato
October 2010
*
There’s the germ of a cool Brubaker story here, with Cap & co investigating the Martian scheme of a Halliburton-type corp. But that’s lost as Deo draws the super-fisticuffs exceptionally poorly (when he’s not photo-reffing). Btw this & his X-run, should EB steer clear of super-team SF?
last issue: Secret Avengers #3
next issue: Secret Avengers #5
also indexed for Oct. ’10
Captain America #609: Bucky Barnes
The Fantastic Four #582
Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #2 of 4
The Thanos Imperative #3 of 6
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato
Posted in Ant-Man (E. O'Grady), Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, Max Fury, Moon Knight, Nova (R. Rider), Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie, War Machine, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
October 9, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato
September 2010
***
Those expecting more spy-fi from Brubaker will get wrongfooted by his b-mag. Instead he sends his ‘proactive Avengers’ to a Barsoom-like Mars, a onetime battleground to elder gods and Kirby bashers. The swerve could work except that Deodato, a ’90 veteran, can’t break from his cinematic style.
last issue: Secret Avengers #2
next issue: Secret Avengers #4
also indexed for Sept. ’10
Captain America #608: Bucky Barnes
Fantastic Four #581
Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #1 of 4
The Thanos Imperative #2 of 6
Young Avengers #1
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato
Posted in Ant-Man (E. O'Grady), Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, Max Fury, Moon Knight, Nova (R. Rider), Valkyrie, War Machine, Xandarian Worldmind | Leave a Comment »
October 7, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato
August 2010
**
Spelunking on Mars, the team uncover a dig excavated by mind-controlled humans & directed by Lovecraft aliens. Sadly, the fashionable creative team plays to their weaknesses: a cast of spandex physiques all speak in the same square-jawed monotone as they hustle around generic hi-tech bases.
last issue: Secret Avengers #1
next issue: Secret Avengers #3
also indexed for Aug. ’10
Captain America #607: Bucky Barnes
Fantastic Four #580
The Thanos Imperative #1 of 6
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato
Posted in Ant-Man (E. O'Grady), Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, Max Fury, Moon Knight, Nova (R. Rider), Sharon Carter, Agent 13, Valkyrie, War Machine, Xandarian Worldmind | 1 Comment »
October 5, 2015
Ed Brubaker // Mike Deodato
July 2010
***
Marvel effectively gives Brubaker a Cap team title. Steve Rogers, now head of SHIELD & in a Kirby-inspired uni, foils super-terrorism w/ a ’90s-style strikeforce. There’s just enough plot to bait the hook: the Roxxon Corp, owning the mining rights to Mars, has exhumed a Lovecraftian serpent crown!
continued from Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield #1 of 1
next issue: Secret Avengers #2
also indexed for Jul. ’10
Captain America #606
The Fantastic Four #579
Secret Avengers #1
The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1 of 1
Tags:Ed Brubaker, Mike Deodato
Posted in Ant-Man (E. O'Grady), Beast, Black Widow, Captain America, Max Fury, Moon Knight, Nova (R. Rider), Sharon Carter, Agent 13, SHIELD, Valkyrie, War Machine, Xandarian Worldmind | 2 Comments »
June 14, 2014
A-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tan Eng Huat
B-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Timothy Green II
February 2012
A-story: ** // B-story: **
Avengers & Annihilators (terrible name) foil an invasion of Earth by linking alien tech somehow. The vague plot & fumbling art brings to a sad end this v.g. six-year run. At least the ‘coon & the tree, holdovers from the run’s brighter era, get to blast off into the sunset.
last issue: Annihilation: Earthfall #3 of 4
also indexed for Feb. ’12
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #8 of 9
The Fantastic Four #601
FF #13
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tan Eng Huat, Timothy Green II
Posted in Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Cosmo, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Groot, Ikon, Iron Man, Kree Sentries, Magus, Major Domo, Quasar, Red Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spider-Man, SWORD, Thing, Universal Church of Truth, Valkyrie, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
June 13, 2014
A-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tan Eng Huat
B-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Timothy Green II
January 2012
A-story: *** // B-story: ***
A cosmic boy-antichrist has installed himself, Midwich Cuckoo-like, in millions of minds; among the heroes, only the Kirby tyrant has the balls to zap the innocent & save the galaxy! Meanwhile, DnA burlesque the editorial interference of the SF line via a monstrous, meddling TV exec from ’80s X-comics.
last issue: Annihilators: Earthfall #2 of 4
next issue: Annihilators: Earthfall #4 of 4
also indexed for Jan. ’12
The Fantastic Four #600
FF #12
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tan Eng Huat, Timothy Green II
Posted in Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Groot, Ikon, Iron Man, Kree Sentries, Magus, Major Domo, Mojo, Quasar, Red Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spider-Man, Universal Church of Truth, Valkyrie, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
June 12, 2014
A-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tan Eng Huat
B-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Timothy Green II
December 2011
A-story: * // B-story: **
The dutiful Marvel misunderstanding, wherein our team of galactic heroes mix it w/ the Avengers. Huat detracts from that formula by staging combat as H’wood-style demolitions, w/o context or finesse. In the back-up, however, Green imaginatively & attractively offers Flash Gordon-type fun.
last issue: Annihilators: Earthfall #1 of 4
next issue: Annihilators: Earthfall #3 of 4
also indexed for Dec. ’11
FF #10
FF #11
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tan Eng Huat, Timothy Green II
Posted in Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Groot, Ikon, Iron Man, Magus, Major Domo, Minor Domo, Mojo, Quasar, Red Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spider-Man, Thing, Universal Church of Truth, Valkyrie, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
June 11, 2014
A-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Tan Eng Huat
B-story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning // Timothy Green II
September 2011
A-story: ** // B-story: ***
DnA phone in their swansong on Marvel’s SF renaissance. The galactic super-squad discovers a fundamentalist space-sect’s outpost on Earth. Huat draws an awkward, rubber-faced variation on Marvel house style. Worse, RR & Groot, demoted to true back-up status, get only a few pages for a bar brawl.
continued from Annihilators #4 of 4
next issue: Annihilators: Earthfall #2 of 4
also indexed for Sept. ’11
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #7 of 9
FF #9
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Tan Eng Huat, Timothy Green II
Posted in Badoon, Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Cosmo, Gladiator (Imperial Guard), Groot, Ikon, Iron Man, Major Domo, Mojo, Quasar, Red Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Ronan the Accuser, Spider-Man, SWORD, Thing, Universal Church of Truth, Valkyrie, Wolverine | Leave a Comment »
June 1, 2014
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
Tags:Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Miguel Sepulveda
Posted in Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Celestials, Cosmo, Dr. Strange, Drax the Destroyer, Galactus, Gamora, Hulk, Iron Man, Kree, Major Victory, Mantis, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Namorita, Nighthawk, Nova (R. Rider), Nova Corps, Patsy Walker, Peter Quill, Star-Lord, Proemial Gods, Rocket Raccoon, Shi'ar, Silver Surfer, Spartoi, Thanos, Triton, Valkyrie, Vision, 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 »
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 3, 2010
Brian Michael Bendis // Michael Gaydos & Mark Bagley
October 2003
*****
Covered by the MAX imprint, Alias pushes the comics taboo of heroine humiliation. Jones reveals her secret wound: she was once enslaved by a mind-control sicko. A metaphor for abusive love? Impossible to read it objectively or critically. For an extra jolt, flashbacks are in Bagley’s trad style.
last issue: Alias #24
next issue: Alias #26
also indexed in Oct. ’03
Avengers/JLA #2 of 4
New X-Men #145
Tags:Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Michael Gaydos
Posted in Captain America, Captain Marvel (C. Danvers), Dr. Strange, Hulk, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Scarlet Witch, Silver Surfer, Thor, Valkyrie, Vision | Leave a Comment »
July 30, 2010
Brian Michael Bendis // Michael Gaydos & Mark Bagley
June 2003
****
Bendis’ trafficking arc (kinda partners to his Owl arc in DD) wraps up w/ a burst of action—Speedball bubbles!—& Kid Spider-Woman’s rescue. It also teases at Jones’ traumatic history by alluding to a similar victimization & a dream-fight w/ the Defenders. Gaydos gets trad w/ a 3×3 grid on 1 page!
[last issue: Alias #20]
[next issue: Alias #22]
Tags:Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Michael Gaydos
Posted in Ant-Man (S. Lang), Dr. Strange, Hulk, Jessica Jones, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Nighthawk, Silver Surfer, Speedball, Spider-Woman (J. Drew), Spider-Woman (M. Franklin), Valkyrie | Leave a Comment »