Avengers Academy #21

Composed By:

Writer: Christos Gage, Penciller: Sean Chen, Inker: Scott Hanna, Colorists: Jeromy Cox & Veronica Gandini, Letterer: Joe Caramanga, Cover Artist: Rodin Esquejo, Assistant Editors: John Denning & Jake Thomas, Editor: Bill Rosemann, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine.

Story:

The Avengers team settles into their new home at the abandoned base of the West Coast Avengers. The Avengers Academy group find themselves intimidated by new comers who are stealing their spotlight. A shocking incident puts everyone on edge and some speculate that it might signal the end to the Academy initiative.

Review:

Avengers Academy #21 is a tantalising issue that sees the team taken beyond their limits and left thinking they will be dismissed, as two new members, Lightspeed and White Tiger, are added to the roster. The Academy team explodes out at The Avengers and fists are thrown, but no one anticipates what happens next.

Sean Chens’ work on this issue is quite remarkable; I haven’t seen an issue look this way before with its obvious grainy appearance and attention to solid line forms. It is a little less organic than the artwork that has appeared in the series, it is more neatly formed and noticeably framed within certain panels, and this causes it to be a little more static than flowing at times. I liked it as it framed the work well and has a lot more structure to it, but conclusively, I felt it was not matched to the subject matter as it lacked the ability to handle the issue’s movement.

Ink work by Hanna, on the other hand, allows there to be a more fluid feel within the panels and gives it a more round feel to it than can be seen in Chen’s work. In the issue the ink work appears to have a keener ability to show the internal struggle of the team, it provides the illusion of movement in the panels and layers of feelings, unlike what can be seen in Chen’s pencil work, and has been particularly more expressive in the highlighting of stress and tension lines that can be seen in this issue. Hanna seems simply more able to convey the information to the reader in a more precise manner as the ink is eye grabbing and distinctive on the page, whereas with Chen and his penciling its appearance is subtle and can sometimes be lost on us, as I felt it was this issue.

Gage, in the writing for this issue, places the Avengers Academy team at boiling point and tips it over, letting it all come out. He brings in two new team players even as the team struggles to work cohesively as they are, and adds a new challenge for them as they bring some of their worries to a closure and find the support to deal with these.  Betrayal plagues the mind of all as one of their own is killed, and all are on high alert as things began to look optimistic. Gage is really in his element this issue; his portrayal of Luke Cage as brutal and honest is refreshing from how everyone usually deals with the Academy team, he gives us a sad but touching and very honest look at Hazmat and Mettle’s personal life, and he formulates a twist at the end that is purely sensational.

Verdict:

Avengers Academy #21 starts a new era with a terrific punch. Gloves are off now and anything can ensue. The Academy team has a new roster and a new attitude to boot, it’s the perfect time to jump on board, it can only get better.

Rating: 9.5/10

Legend of the Guardians

COMPOSED BY:

Directed: Zack Snyder, Produced: Zareh Nalbandian, Screenplay: John Orloff & John Collee, Books: “Guardians of Ga’Hoole”, Kathryn Lasky, Music: David Hirschfelder & Adam Young (Owl City), Editing: David Burrows, Distributed: Warner Bros. 

Story:

Soren, a young owl, is taken hostage by evil owls called Pure Ones, but escapes to seek help from the Guardians of Ga’Hoolee, an ancient band of winged warriors told in stories from his childhood. Soren and the Guardians must battle the Pure Ones to save the owl kingdom and to free those imprisoned by them.

Review:

Legend of the Guardians is a movie that is fun for all, it will definitely keep the kids entertained, but it offers a whole lot more than just that.

Magic is woven into this animated film from Zac Synder, more popularly known for 300 and Watchmen, and it has the delicate touch and the attention to detail that have made all these films so great. It is an action-packed and never a dull moment to be had. The animation has a fine visual lens that sees into all areas of this film, even the massive battle that takes place towards the end and you almost feel like you can touch feathers. It is simply astonishing.

Author Kathyrn Lasky has provided such a marvelous landscape and world that is quite breathtaking, and screenplay writers John Orloff and Emil Stern have adapted this and captured this so well for this film. Its story has a Lord-of-the-Rings-esque likeness with all these small elements at work under the main plot; some turn from good to bad, others find that courage at the last moment, and there are those that fall in battle to our dismay. But mostly, why I seem to find it similar is its world filled with regions that have so differing types of owls and characteristic personas relative to that. It has been made well known in the film and this gives it an extraordinary dynamic has been given apt opportunity to be played out in the film, and we learn a lot from this.

Surprisingly in Legend of the Guardians there is no censor to the brutality in war and the scars that one has to carry in a war, whether physical or psychological. It took me back to see something so honest and with a refreshing candor that we don’t often see exhibited in films, especially of this nature, tailored for a young adult and child audience it would seem.

Verdict:

Legend of the Guardians is a must see film, it is brilliantly executed and not a moment goes by in the film that you are not amazed at what you see. I was hesitant to see it from word of mouth, but I’m glad that I did.

Rating: 9/10

Uncanny X-Force #9

Composed By:

Writer: Rick Remender, Artist: Billy Tan, Color Art: Dean White, Cover: Esad Ribic, Letters: Cory Petit, Design: Jared K. Fletcher, Editor: Jody Leheup, Group Editor: Nick Lowe, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine.

Story:

The X-Force team head back to base for rest after their battle with the Shadow King only to be met there by Magneto who hires Wolverine to eliminate someone from his past. Wolverine is hesitant to comply.

Review:

Uncanny X-Force #9 is a surprisingly good issue that takes a really small amount of action and works into it a weave of mystery and suspense. It takes it’s time to reveal it’s form to us but then we sit anxiously anticipating what will ensue, and what the implications of this action will be.

Artist Billy Tan  does a bloody brilliant job in #9, its so hard not to give him some sort of accolade, cause he really deserves it. Finely drawn and well executed in a frame by frame views of the action, Tan plays around with the mystery of the package Magneto is given through long grainy lines and facial contours which is also seen in Wolverine’s journey to the man Magneto sends him to find. Billy Tan executes a moving series of heartfelt and heartbreaking action, felt entirely through the art.

Dean White, the colour artist, makes really beautiful and precise decisions with the art in this issue too, using a lot of bright tones to make it all stand out and  look a lot more stark and demanding. Vividly he shrouds the world in a dark veil, but it is these deep tones and bright colours that stand out against this world, brought out in the cohesive blending with Tan’s detailed work. White’s attentive feel for the work and ability to bring out fine lines in facial expressions highlights key elements that can go unbeknownst, and it assists in painting the portrait of this issue in a succinct manner.

For this issue Rick Remender takes a more delicate hand to the writing, articulating not just a moving and really evocative story, but one that is played out in really precise action and movement from within the frames. It indulges in going through a lot of carefully executed motions that have all these exact and distinct reactions and movements that follow. Even at the end it is played out meticulously and with scrupulous care, and this is what makes it so commanding.

Uncanny X-Force #9 is a haunting tale that is hand-crafted in an enchanting and moving way, well orchestrated and executed in all manner and arresting till that shocking end which finally comes to relieve us.

Verdict:

If you haven’t picked up an Uncanny X-Force comic book yet, now is the time. This issue exhibits all that is so extraordinary about this team, to be able to articulate such a moving story in such a beautiful and well-crafted manner. Thumbs up guys.

Rating: 9/10

X-Men Legacy #251

Composed By:

Writer: Mike Carey, Penciller: Khoi Pham, Ink: Tom Palmer & Craig Yeung with Nelson DeCastro, Color: Marte Gracia, Letterer: Cory Petit, Cover Art: Mico Suayan and Marte Gracia, Assistant Editor: Sebastian Girner, Editor: Daniel Ketchum, X-Men Group Editor: Nick Lowe, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine.

Story:

The X-Men Legacy team travel to France to chase  and capture Chain and Susan Sunshine that have evaded Legion in his search for them, in order to restore them to his mind. Styx succeeds in setting his trap for the X-Men and the team finds out they have been double crossed and lead straight into the hands of Styx himself.

Review:

X-Men Legacy #251 is an action-packed issue that serves its purpose; it wows and astonishes us, taking us along for a fun ride.

Notable for this issue is the ink work that Palmer, Yeung and Decastro perform, that I must say has suddenly shot up in standard, and conveys a lot better than it did in last issue.

Marte Gracia’s work is definitely worth commenting on, the colouring just seems so suited for the page, it seemingly appears both grainy and clear, and the execution of the dark and moody tones particularly play out well with the ominous and dark undertones that surface from within the story.

Penciller Khoi Pham mustn’t be forgotten too, his foundational work serves in cementing some of those important and often subtle transitions and moods, but as well, he articulates and set out outlines and guides that Palmer and the gang work from.

Writing-wise, Mike Carey masterfully takes the X-Men team into battle and yet again faces them off against a worthy adversary that almost stymies the team from getting closer to capturing Styx, Legion’s most dangerous and powerful personality to escape.

Carey lets emotion run a little rampant, Magneto acts in vicious malice towards Legion, Gambit plays games with Rogue and Frenzy lets loose the frustration and anger at being an outcast in the team. With Susan Sunshine on the loose Carey revs them all to breaking point then settles them back down, clearing some air but evidently heightening insecurities and rekindling others in them.

X-Men Legacy #251 takes the team into murky waters and in the end they come out more anxious and suspicious than ever. Legion comes that much closer to locating Styx but now the team finds themselves incapacitated and without direction.

Verdict:

X-Men Legacy is one of the most solid works I’ve seen produced at the moment, and this issue shows just how awesome it can be with its incredible fight sequences, its vivid but bleak portraits of the city, and ominous shadow forms.

Rating: 8.5/10

Thunderbolts #164

Composed By:

Writer: Jeff Parker, Penciller: Kev Walker, Inker: Terry Pallot, Colors: D’Auria & Martin, Letterer: Joe Caramagna, Cover Art: Joe Quinones, Editor: Tom Brennan, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine.

Story:

The Thunderbolts B-Squad find themselves struck in the 1940s, teaming with The Invaders to take down an old rival, Baron Zemo, in the likelihood they will help them get home. Baron Zemo in ally with Red Skull takes Human Torch hostage, and use him to give Nazi’s Torch-like abilities. The Thunderbolts must face this team of Nazi’s that threaten to extinguish The Invaders team.

Review:

Haven’t visited a Thunderbolts issue in a while but Thunderbolts #164 makes the wait worthwhile, almost seamless front to back.

Firstly off the bat D’Auria & Martin deserve a solid mention for their vibrant and meticulous work in coloring for this issue. It flows so majestically all the way through and it was so amazing to read and get involved with because it was so fresh and alive.

Walker and Pallot do not have lesser value, but their contributions have a more underlying effect on the work, bringing out the grittiness and somewhat reminiscent feel in the work of the 1940s with the soft contrast and tones rather than stark and bold strokes that have been noticeable.

Artwork in Thunderbolts #164 does a fine job to maintain a vintage and dated mood to it, it works well setting this in the mind of the reader and coordinates well within the timeline to the story, but as well, what has characterized this series so far.

Parker works some more magic into the Thunderbolts, producing a evocative issue the when pieced together questions the actions of all that must be taken to protect that one frame of existence they live in and whether to eradicate another.

Thunderbolts #164 joins in at a pivotal moment in that universe, and it tests what the team will do and must do to continue their journey and to start anew. Motivation to action seems based on necessity to get home but it might be fed too from a force of good that could take hold.

Verdict:

Thunderbolts issues are those that I would easily go back and read again and again, as they have a really fluid story that can be enjoyed many times. Thunderbolts #164 has only just broken into what this new team is capable of, and it is certainly a good time for new readers to join in and experience this, having not missed too much to be left behind yet. Definitely worth a read.

Rating: 8.5/10

Avengers Academy #20

Story:

The Avengers Academy students have to come to terms with the abrupt departure by Veil from the team, which has show cracks in the team’s foundation. The Avengers Academy team is dealt a second blow, as two more set their sights elsewhere. Giant Man makes a startling revelation that will alter the course of the team.

Review:

Avengers Academy #20 gives us a bright new outlook and opens a new adventure to the reader, all amidst the sad departure of those that have bid farewell to the Avengers Academy team.

Raney, Hanna and Cox do an especially great job this issue, there is some fine lead work being done with the characters facial and body language and there is solid handling of the décor and scenery that is noticeably seen.

Hanna has a real feel for the emotional and sentimental value that is worth a great deal in Avengers Academy #20, the movement of the contours and lines reflect a considerable investment into detail, and that is certainly felt when reading and viewing it.

Cox paints it as always with a working knowledge and insight into what feed into the story best, taking us deeper into what the issue tries to put across to us.

Christos Gage got a well tearjerker into this issue guys, playing around with the sadness surrounding Infinite Mansion, but more directly, Veil’s quit from the Avengers Academy team, which has echoed down the line and taken hold on some who have followed her cue. Speedball and Justice have woken to find their paths have changed there is a new lease on life. Hank Pym/Giant-Man has now taken to rebuild his world after it was crushed by Titania and Absorbing Man, but this may be a start to new and better beginnings.

Avengers Academy #20 starts off from the startling end it had in #19, and takes a new juicy twist, just to play with us a bit more. Things are on the move now, so don’t miss the next issue, a new era is about to begin.

Rating: 9.5/10

DIG SOME FANGS INTO THESE!

X-Men Legacy #250

Story:

X-Men Legacy #250 turns things up a notch, as this issue has Legion and the X-Men battle one of Legion’s most powerful personalities, Time-Sink, in the attempt to return him to the rightful place in Legion’s mind.

Review:

Split into two chapters, Lost Legions: Part One and Flashback, are both written by Mike Carey but alternate teams work their magic in the artwork that is evocative in so many differing ways, but still so amazing in both.

Lost Legions: Part One follows the team tracking Time-Sink, a personality with an ability to warp time, drawn in these exceptionally grim and dull sequences. Pham, Palmer and Gracia do a fantastic job, especially their work with the action between Gambit and Time-Sink, and the flashback frames that end with Gambit laying fetal at the feet of Time-Sink defeated. Everything feels really sharp within the sequences, like it was trying to capture everything as exact as possible, which translates really well for the action particularly.

Flashback is noticeably different, they look less like caricatures of people and more so the people themselves. It is rendered as closely as one can get to imitating real people on page but Kurth Leisten and Reber make this work for the better in this instance because it can express a lot of the emotional layers within the story. Kurth and the team place the agony, the pain and sadness in facial expressions and disheveled appearances, made clearer by its almost picturesque rendering, and they do so with as much precision as Pham and the rest do.

X-Men Legacy #250 shows that Mike Carey can produces such fabulous stories that do not fail to impress. Carey weaves intricate moments, like Rogue with Rachel, and makes something so moving and heartbreaking, and then at other times he paints this landscape both beautiful but ultimately doomed, clashing against wants that one has but that aren’t shared by others. Frenzy, for one, wants one world whereas Cyclops wants the other; the real world. It shows just how almost all are unwilling to see how each has been transformed and ignore their experiences in Fortress X.

Carey and the team behind X-Men Legacy #250 prove that not all has been and can be left behind in Fortress X, and now the team must set out and embark on a new chapter in this now broadening book, as they will race to save Rachel from death.

Rating: 8.7/10