Here are today's Guest Reviews by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre. Included are Marvel's; Young Avengers #5, Indestructible Hulk #8, and Savage Wolverine #5. I have also added my rating after each review. If you have any questions about my rating or want to discuss anything just leave me a comment.
Young Avengers #5 - The Art of Saving the World
The book where when a character says "I did it half an hour ago" normally means doing "it" half an hour ago reaches its first epic conclusion.
Why Did Loki Do It? No one kno... okay, we'll tell you...Well, part of it.
Miss America probably punches someone. She usually does.
Preview
Will Loki Return?
Although this series had a very poor start, last issue was very enjoyable, and shows that the series can become a decent series, and I seriously hope that this promise continues in the next few issues, and hopefully even beyond that.
Plot
With Loki betraying them, the Young Avengers are left to face their parents alone. Meanwhile Loki has a fight with his conscience over whether to return and help the Young Avengers.
Review
Following a very enjoyable last issue, the first story arc in the new Young Avengers series ended on a relative high note, and although the series is still a little of the level of quality that I'd hoped for, this along with the last issue has shown promise for the series. Kieron Gillen has certainly improved the quality of his work on this series, and although his Iron Man series is still slightly poor, he's starting to show that he's still the great writer that brought us the fabulous Journey into Mystery. Gillen did a brilliant job of showing that this series could be fun, and entertaining throughout this issue, and although it's still far from being perfect, it is a vast improvement, on the slow, and dull pacing the first few issues had. Gillen also did a fantastic job with the action in this issue, as it was very exciting, and entertaining, adding more drama, and suspense to the story, which was brilliant. I also liked how Gillen didn't add as much humor to this issue, and the humor that was added was very funny, and appropriate, whereas in the past it has felt slightly forced, and unnecessary. I also loved how despite all the fun, and excitement that went on in this issue, that Gillen still made room to continue developing the character's emotions, and it really added more depth to the issue, whilst also yet again adding more drama.
The art from Jamie McKelvie, and Mike Norton was once again brilliant, and their art on this issue has probably been their best in the series so far. To be honest the art has been what's impressed me the most about this series, as it's so unique, and different that it really grabs my attention, and even when the story's poor, the art always pleases, and just seems to get better, and better. One of the things that I love the most about McKelvie, and Norton's artwork is they layouts, which are spectacular, and really add another level of awesomeness to the series, whilst also making it much more dynamic. Besides that the character's are also drawn perfectly, and the style really suits the series, being very fun, and vibrant. The detail in the artwork was also brilliant, and the character's facial expressions were handled perfectly, with their emotions being easy to understand. The art on the action sequences was also nothing short of phenomenal, as it really made the sequences feel that much more dramatic, adding a lot more impact to them, as well as more excitement.
Now the rest of my review may not be as long as usual, as due to there being less happening in this issue, along with the fact that I don't want to give away any major spoilers makes it hard to write a review at the length I usually write. Anyway lets start with how the Young Avengers dealt with Loki's betrayal, and how Wiccan blamed himself for this. The betrayal by Loki in last issue was a shock, but not a surprise, as although I knew Loki was up to something I didn't think he'd blatantly betray them, although it is Loki after all. I did enjoy the way the Young Avengers reacted to this, seeing themselves as sitting ducks, but it was the depressing reaction Wiccan had that I enjoyed the most, as it was full of emotion, and made you feel for him, as although you could say that he shouldn't be so emotional, it's understandable considering the circumstances.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 3 - (Buy Young Avengers #5) SAVE 30%
Indestructible Hulk #8 - Gods and Monster, Part 3; Conclusion
THE STARTLING CONCLUSION OF "GODS AND MONSTER"!!! FEATURING THOR!
The Frost Giants prepare to invade Earth!
Not even Hulk and Thor can stand in their way--so they'll have to call in some help!
Plus--the secret of the Portal to Jotunheim is revealed!
Preview
To Midgard
This has easily been one of the best series in the Marvel NOW! concept, and it has to also be one of the best Hulk series' in years. The way Mark Waid has managed to give us something unique, but also phenomenal has been one of the best things about this series, and I'm sure that it will stay brilliant as long as Waid is still on the series.
Plot
Still trapped in Jotunheim, Bruce Banner, and his team have to find a way back to Midgard (Earth), whilst the Frost Giants have a spy in Banner's camp.
Review
This was a brilliant issue, and although not quite as good as the last issue, it was still amazing. Mark Waid's writing on this series has been outstanding, and his style has been one of the best Hulk has seen in a long time. The way that he's given us both Banner, and Hulk in equal portion has been fantastic, and this has been something that Waid as a writer has been good at over the last couple of years, with both Daredevil, and the more recent The Green Hornet have this same style, with both being amazing series'. With this issue however I felt that it went slightly too much towards Banner, as it did spend a lot of time with him, and although the emotion that was shown during this, was brilliant, along with the fact that it was probably necessary, for me it slightly took away from the pace of the story, making it slightly slow. Waid did however make up for this in abundance, as he continued to write this version of Thor brilliantly, and although I wasn't originally fond of this Thor, it's grown on me over the last two issues, and has been the key thing that has made this story what it is. Waid also did a good job of once again giving us drama, excitement, and suspense, as with the Frost Giants scheming, and the Hulk, and Thor fighting, it really made for a brilliant atmosphere.
The art in this issue was good, and although I'm still not a fan of Walter Simonson's art, it has been quite good throughout this story. His retro style really suited the story, and although as I said it wasn't the type of art I'd normally prefer in comics, it was near perfect for this story. I especially liked how Simonson drew both Thor, and Hulk, as I liked the cheesy retro style to Thor's look, and I loved hoe powerful Hulk looked, even if he did look a bit awkward at times. The layout was also very interesting, and Simonson handled it very well, with it yet again helping to give the retro feel that I've loved about this story. So far I've said mostly positive things about Simonson's art, but it isn't all brilliant, and there are some negative things about his art. For starters the way he draws some of the other character's, like Banner, and Patricia Wolman wasn't brilliant, as they both looked very unrealistic, and slightly awkward, especially Patricia in that suit she' wearing. I did however like how Simonson drew Juggernaut, who appeared whilst Banner explained a theory about Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, as he looked exactly as he should do, and proved that power doesn't mean that you're worthy. The way Simonson drew the Frost Giants was also brilliant, and the way he handled the action that included them was amazing.
Near the start of the issue it is established that the Frost Giants have a spy in Banner's camp, with one of them replacing Randall Jessup. Now this really heated things up, as now the Frost Giants had a slight edge, with their inside man. Now I'm not the most knowledgeable person on Frost Giants, but I can never remember them being this smart. Don't get me wrong, I know that they are calculating, and cunning, and far from stupid, but I'd never have guessed that they'd come up with something like this. Anyway, taking that to one side, I thought this was a very interesting development, and the uniqueness of it really appealed to me. I also loved how it showed the determination, and drive that the Frost Giants have, and that they won't sit back and do nothing.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 2/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 2/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 2.6 - (Buy Indestructible Hulk #8) SAVE 10%
Savage Wolverine #5 - Savage Part 5
Dinosaurs aren't the only green giants roaming the Savage Land jungles!
As the dust settles, the secrets of the Forbidden Island stand revealed!
Preview
Funny Ending
Although this series didn't have the best start I've ever seen for a series, it has been amazing since, being one of the best Wolverine stories that I've read since Old Man Logan, and Frank Cho has really surpassed himself. With that said it will be a shame to see Cho leave the series, but hopefully Zeb Wells, and Joe Madureira will do just as good a job.
Plot
After Hulk's arrival on the Savage Land, Wolverine, Shanna, and Amadeus Cho have to prevent the Dark Walker from becoming free.
Review
This was unfortunately a disappointing issue, and although it wasn't terrible, I expected so much more. Frank Cho has done such a good job with this story, and although it has an average start, it's been amazing since, but this issue had to be the worst in the series. It's hard to tell what Cho was thinking when he wrote this issue, as besides some decent action, and witty humour it was a dull issue, that felt more like a beginning than an ending. This was annoying, as it felt half finished, and with Cho no longer working on the series (I don't know if he will return), and the next story by Zeb Wells taking a completely different direction, I question if the story will get finished, or if it was just a waste of time. Even Cho's dialogue was far from brilliant, as although Wolverine seemed like his usual self, the Hulk seemed way out of character, and Shanna didn't really do much, with Amadeus not doing much more. With all the negative's, and positives about the writing out of the way, I'll now talk about the best thing that Cho did for this issue, the artwork. It very rarely matters if the story's good or not with Cho, as his art always delivers, and although it's always nice to have a good story to go along with his art, I could easily enjoy his art on it's own. Although Cho didn't handle Hulk well in his writing, he didn't half do a good job of drawing him, making the big green monster look the intimidating creature that he's meant to be. Cho also once again did a fabulous job of drawing the rest of the character's, and especially Wolverine, and Shanna, as they both looked amazing. Besides that Cho also did perfect job of showing the character emotions, as you could easily tell what they were feeling, whether it was seriousness on Wolverine's part, or anger, shock, and awkwardness on Hulk's.
Last issue ended with Hulk making an appearance, and I couldn't wait to see him cause havoc on the Savage Land. We didn't however get this, as Hulk really seemed to be just one big punchline in this issue, being shown as nothing more than a joke, which although funny, wasn't very respectful to the character. First of we have Hulk being attacked by one of the gorilla's that Wolverine fought last issue, with said gorilla trying to bite Hulk's head off. When Hulk actually started fighting the gorilla it wasn't too bad, but it just felt a bit of a joke, as although I know that Hulk has been compared to a gorilla in the past, there isn't any need to make him look the equal of a gorilla, even if it is from the Savage Land.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4.1 - (Buy Savage Wolverine #5) SAVE 30%
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