Dark Avengers/ Uncanny X-Men: Exodus - Review

Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus – Review

Written by: Matt Fraction Art by: Terry Dodson & Mike Deodato

Well the final chapter of Utopia arrived in an extra sized format for an extra sized showdown between the Dark Avengers & the X-Men, it’s the confrontation we have been waiting for in this whole story arc, but unfortunately this issue left out too many plot threads, the characterization was off and was pretty much all round poorly executed.

The issue starts with a flashback (I think) of Cyclops and Emma in their bedroom contemplating whether or not to reveal their individual secrets to each other about their recent shady actions (i.e. Scott forming X-Force and Emma meeting with Norman). But this is not resolved, this is basically a quick advert, and if we want to know the outcome on their discussion we have to pick up Dark X-Men: The Confession. How annoying!

We then switch to the Dark Avengers attacking the X-Men on their island; Utopia, and this pretty much occupies the remainder of the issue. While the action is enjoyable enough, we are let down on previous plot points, such as; we don’t find out what happens to Beast (he was recently depowered in previous issues and started loosing his blue fur, but we don’t yet know to what extent this has affected him), and we also don’t see anything of Mystique at all, who had been deceiving the public as Professor X.

Speaking of Professor X I felt Fraction really wrote him out of character. There was this one scene where Emma rescues Charles and he gives the impression that he and the X-Men must make sure Osborn pays for what he has done. That’s not the peace loving ‘All humans & Mutants need to learn to live together’ guy I know, that’s not the same guy who takes in feral killers like Wolverine & Sabertooth under his wing to try and rehabilitate them. And I’m pretty certain this was not Mystique in disguise as Charles’s telepathy powers were displayed.
One of the better scenes was the start of the confrontation between Angel & Hawkeye/ Bullseye. Warren flies the villain off the Island to keep him out off the way but just as they start to get into a great match up, annoyingly we cut away from the action. Then inexplicably at the end, Warren and Bullseye are seen back on the Island, with no explanation how they got there!

As for art duties, they were split between Terry Dodson & Mike Deodato. The two have very contrasting styles, but I didn’t mind so much as Deodato was used for the main story, and Dodson used for flashback/ side stories. While I think Deodato is a great penciler, I really didn’t like his panel lay outs on this, that really let him down.

All in all, this had sloppy execution, but quite an enjoyable big fight finale. It was just frustrating that a few plot points were still left dangling, but I suppose Marvel need to sell more X-Men books, right? They really do drag these stories out these days, and no last chapter is ever the last chapter. And likewise this story will continue next in Dark Reign: The List – X-Men & Dark X-Men: The Confession. I hope that those titles perform a bit better than this one.

Score: 2.5 out of 5.

Mega mini reviews!

I’m so behind on my comic books because there has been so many I’ve picked up in the last couple of weeks I haven’t got round to reading them all yet. Due to that some of these reviews might be for older comics (I’ve lost track to be honest), but I want to try and do as many mini reviews as I can from now on so here we go:

Batman and Robin #3 - Review

Really really great. The usual thick layering of Morrison’s Batman work continues. Like his run on Batman, Morrison’s comics don’t always read that great as single issues but read together they are fantastic. Pyg as a villain is insanely sick and brilliant and my fav Batman villain for a long time. Quitely also does great work here (and I’m not generally a fan). Stand out scene was when Pyg had Robin tied to the chair and danced provocatively in front of him before Damian responds by saying “You just redefined ‘Wrong’” – Fan-fucking-tastic. Damian rocks.

4 out of 5

Detective Comics #856 - Review

The great work here continues. This really is one of my favorite titles. It is just so beautiful. Rucka pulls no punches when it comes to Kate’s sexuality and I love that. The story is intriguing, but discussion with the supporting cast can be a little confusing, if like me you had never read any story with Kate Kane/Batwoman before. Like Pyg in the pages of Batman & Robin another great addition to the villains of Gotham is the haunting Alice.

Finally The Question back up should not be ignored, this is the best co-feature DC is producing, and like the books namesake is a great little detective story.

4.5 out of 5

Red Circle: The Shield #1 - Review

Ummmm…. It was okay, But I was expecting more after the last issue (The Web) that was pretty good.
So the story goes that the main character is injured in the army. The US government then save his life by attaching liquid armor to his skin that can be absorbed into his body. It allows for super strength and flight amongst about a hundred other things. It’s basically really ridiculous. The little story hook is that the Shield’s father is actually alive (when the Shield believes him dead) and appears to be connected in the background of the Shield project some how. An average read. I’ll try the first issue or so when the regular series hits but I’m not too excited.

2 out of 5

Dark Avengers #8 - Review

Cyclops as the new mutant Messiah! A bit hypocritical really, as at the end of this issue the X-Men raise their ‘Utopia’ island from the sea and declare they want mutants to be separate from humans on the main land, but isn’t that what Magneto did with Asteroid M and what the X-Men are meant to fight against? Anyway, I loved this issue, the best of the cross over so far. Emma and Namor show their true colors to Osborn, which will lead into the big fight finale one-shot between the Dark Avengers and X-Men. It was played well, and rocked. Fraction did a really good job on this issue. All I want to know is what happened to Beast? He sort of disappeared in the middle of the issue, I hope we find out in the next chapter, he looked so sad with his little cat eyes.

4 out of 5

Wolverine Origins #39 - Review

Romulus is here! Finally this is what I have been waiting for. This title was pretty shit form day one but ever since Dark Reign it’s been pretty good. This was a chapter where a couple of big X-Men villains die. Romulus, for those of you who haven’t been reading this book, is the mastermind behind every shitty event in Wolverines life, ever. How are connected? Why has Romulus been doing this to Wolverine? Not sure yet. But he looks like he could be Wolvie’s dad or granddad or something. GIVE ME THE ANSWERS NOW! Or at least next issue… please!!!!!

4 out of 5

Check back tomorrow for mini reviews of Blackest Night Superman #1, X-Men Legacy #227 and more!

Nate Grey returns! Plus all the other Marvel news from Chicago Comic Con!

Chicago Comic Con 2009– Marvel News Round Up!

So what did we learn this weekend from Chicago Comic Con 2009? Well there were a few Marvel announcements worth a mention. Read on for my quick round up:

- DARK AVENGER ANNUAL #1 was announced. Creative team will be writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Chris Bachalo, and the storyline will focus heavily on Dark Avenger Noh-Varr (Marvel Boy) and promises a Sentry versus Marvel Boy fight. Hmmm could be worth a look then.

- Iron Man’s troubles will continue from the “World’s Most Wanted” arc into a new story arc entitled "Stark Disassembled," beginning this November with issue #20. Series writer Matt Fraction states that the title character will be “making this ultimate sacrifice for the good of the many”!

- The writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning will continue their Marvel space opera by following “War of Kings” with “Realm of Kings”. Marvel says “In November, get ready to really explore the new Realm of Kings with the REALM OF KINGS one-shot with art by Leonardo Manco, which sets the landscape and tone for the event, two five-issue limited series with REALM OF KINGS: INHUMANS and REALM OF KINGS: IMPERIAL GUARD, as well as tie-in arcs in both GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and NOVA.”

- Beginning with November's issue #138, fan-favorite writer Jeff Parker takes charge of THUNDERBOLTS.

- ASSAULT ON NEW OLYMPUS PROLOGUE and INCREDIBLE HERCULES #138 will start a new and important story arc for the Prince of Power, both written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente. INCREDIBLE HERCULES #138 will also kick off a new series of Agents of Atlas back-up features, from writer Jeff Parker. So I take it this means the main series will be cancelled. Sorry AOA fans!

- Limited series DARK X-MEN will be hitting shelves this November, by writer Paul Cornell and artist Leonard Kirk, and will be bringing back one of my favorites from the great comic book shop in the sky, none other than X-Man Nate Grey! Can’t wait!

- S.W.O.R.D. was announced as a new Marvel ongoing series. Newsarama says” Spun out of the pages of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men, S.W.O.R.D. will follow Agent Brand, Beast, and Lockheed as they strike out for new territory unexplored thus far in the Marvel universe.” The creative team involved is writer Kieron Gillen and artist Steven Sanders.

- Lastly an almost pointless Spider-Man mini series was announced, “Writer Paul Tobin and artist Patrick Scherberger give readers a whole new perspective on the classic Secret Wars with SPIDER-MAN AND THE SECRET WARS, a four-issue limited series beginning this December. With each self-contained issue, Tobin returns to a different part of the Secret Wars saga”. I have no Idea why this mini series is needed at all.

So that’s the news round up guys. The big news for me here is the return of Nate Grey. I’m really excited for that. Anything here got your guys attention?

Matt’s Monday Mini Reviews

These are going to be mega mini reviews of some of last weeks comics that I’ve read. The rest of my stack will receive the mini review treatment tomorrow.

X-Factor #46 – Peter David is the man. This is just a great read every time. This issue included; time travel, cyborgs, Sentinels, men still kissing & women fighting (but no kissing). Another solid issue for X-Factor fans.

Dark Avengers #7 – Written by Matt Fraction, continues the Utopia story in good, if unremarkable fashion. One point of note though (Spoilers on!) – Beast possibly losing his blue fur!?!?!?!. Not sure how I feel about that. He has been the blue fur-ball for as long as I can remember, maybe he needs a change back. Guess we’ll find out next issue. Oh and Luke Ross is in on art unfortunately.

Blackest Night #1 – Awesome horror tale featuring all your fav DC characters back from the dead as super villain zombies! Hunting for flesh and all those capes who have escaped death’s clutches! Beautiful art by Ivan Ries (the coolest Elongated Man has ever looked!) and classic Geoff Johns goodness. Get it; this series is going to be huge!

Batman: Streets of Gotham # 2 – Best ‘Batman Reborn’ title so far (along with Detective Comics). Features a great cast of villains; Firefly (setting the city ablaze), Black Mask (new crime boss of Gotham) and Hush, who in this issue escapes from Batman’s prison and decides to give all of Bruce’s money away! This creative team is making exactly the type of Bat book I love. Highly recommended.

Wednesday Comics # 2 – Loving this series. Reads a bit quick but the huge newspaper format is so fun and every story is drawn beautifully. Highlights were; Kamandi, Strange Adventures & Hawkman. It is pricey at $3.99 but it’s def worth a look.

Action Comics # 879 – I’m still picking this up every month but it’s just ok. I decided to keep at it as I have faith in Rucka to produce the goods (and this issue was better) and I wanted to check out the Captain Atom back up feature which was strange but good. Basically it was Atom sent to take out load of Lord of the Rings extras! I’m intrigued. As for Nightwing & Flamebird they went up against General Lane’s goons in another action packed story. I’ll be back next month.