snap judgments

Okay, so these are the books we got ahead of time at work, cruised through on a couple breaks since last week I happened to take a vacation out Arizona way.  I was completely worried when I realized that my notes were kind of sparce, but than thankfully remembered that I named my site well:  SNAP Judgments.

So here we go!

Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1

One of my favorite things about Annihilation was that, while the story was truly epic in scope, they still had time to focus in on character defining moments that allowed the reader to connect to the larger story.  I had no idea who Starlord was going in but by the end, I had a pretty darn good idea.  And now, thanks to Heralds of Galactus here, I’m getting some strong points on the behind the scenes’ nature of the Heralds.  Or, two in this case: Terrax the Tamer and Stardust.  Again, my Marvel Cosmic Hero fu is very weak (silly me spent my younger years tracing out the Summers family tree…), but the strength of these stories artfully tells me everything I need to know.  Terrax finds himself on a planet under a fairly stock conundrum, and I will now buy anything with Stardust attached to it because not only do we get an explanation of true sci-fi fashion about Etherials, but learn a little something about the kind of devotion Galactus can inspire.

Daredevil #94

Now, I never liked Daredevil’s marriage to Milla Donovan; maybe I’m too used to the spectacle Marvel marriages can be and that one just slipped under the wire, maybe I have ‘Gwen Stacy Syndrome’ and still hold a torch for Karen Page.  I’ll admit my shortcomings.  But Brubaker takes some time to make sure she fits in nicely into Daredevil’s new world, showing her sit by the window with the same woes that have plagued Mary Jane all these years.  It’s also a nice recap book as well, giving people the lowdown of the last few arcs since the character showed up and her views on things as they’ve turned out.  Nothing shocking, just settling which in the wake of Civil War is a great idea.

Doctor Strange: the Oath #5

It is with a heavy heart I have to tell you that this is the last issue of Brian K. Vaughn’s fantastic run on wha will now be for me, the definitive Strange.  Sorry, JMS, your mini did nothing for me while this had everything I could have wanted and more.  Magic, mystery, philosophy and action and by the time Doctor Strange was shrugging off this cloak to settle this with some Wong taught martial arts on a roof in the rain, I really didn’t want this book to end.  But end it did, with Doctor Strange choosing between curing mankind (and possibly damning it as well) or saving Wong, his loyal friend.  For his choice, he gets the girl.  I still say 2007 might be the Year of the Night Nurse and from the end of the mini, it looks like she’s got a pretty good gig working out of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Heroes for Hire #7

Didn’t get a chance to read this one, but a co-worker did share the fact that Misty Knight gives Grim Reaper a swirly.

New Excalibur #17

Nocturne had a stroke (out of nowhere, last issue) and this issue is recovery. The team pulls together in the wake of this rather sudden tragedy, Nocturne kind of argues with herself to get the will to go on in the wake of her injuries and also, she takes Sage out for a ride via her possession powers.  What do we learn?  Having a stroke sucks, but at least you’ll get better one day at a time and there’s friends nearby.  Heart warming to be sure, but very out of place for what is this, Claremont’s first story returning to the book?

Runaways #24

Another sad departure from Brian K. Vaughn, this is the last issue of the book he helped create out of the failed Tsunami imprint Marvel tried awhile back to lure those manga kids.  The closer it has come to this issue, the less and less I can see Vaughn and Whedon having a Bendis-Brubaker kind of changing of the guard, where the story and tone went seamlessly from one author to the next.  And it’s a shame because this book hits a lot of the best points of the series, from self-referential comic quips (a surprise fastball special) to teen drama as Alex tries to sacrifice himself to bring back his girlfriend, to some real heart at the end of the battle between the characters as they take a moment to take in what’s just happened.  A lot of cool story has been left behind, no one rides into the sunset and there’s even a surprise twist; Vaughn left everything behind for Whedon to use.

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #15

Okay, if you can, find someone who hasn’t read this book yet and give this issue to them.  Believe it or not, with just a passing knowledge of Spider-Man, this is a fantastic read on the hardship of living a dua life and the stress it can put on everyone else around you.  Hands down, this is the best co-focus story on both MJ and Peter yet out of the series and the lynch pin of it all is Gwen Stacy.  No supporting cast member goes unturned in this one (okay, well… maybe Flash as I’m not remembering him in this one)  and everything works together like the best and finest crafted tale of heartache I have read yet in comics.

Wolverine #51

Okay, I started this one, but never got a chance to pick it back up.  Honestly?  I didn’t want to.  More werewolf flashes and flashbacks, more really pointless fighting between Sabretooth and Wolverine (at least in the first issue Creed was trying to tell Logan something about themselves) and the shocking revelation that after the cliffhanger ending of last issue’s stalemate, they’re now both in the Danger Room fighting through scenarios.  The moment a unicorn shows up in a Wolverine issue, I’m looking to flip through something else.  Storm shows up at the end, surprisingly without Black Panther attached at her hip.

Wonder Man: My Fair Superhero #3

Sorry, guys.  I just can’t get pass the artwork.  And I really want to see how Peter David’s taking a rather preachy storyline about reforming supervillains, too.  Well, maybe I’ll try harder.  Just reading the word balloons.  Something.

X-Factor #16

I’m really wondering about Rictor.  What’s he doing in this book again?  When will we see him?  What does he do for X-Factor Investigations anyway?  There’s an untapped story there, folks!  But until then, Siryn and Monet are hunted down in France as Monet takes a survivor of the mutant attacks they tried to stop home with her while they both run from the police since they broke out of prison and killed a guy.  I can see why they are not supposed to be the ‘Most Hated Mutant Team’ as Monet has no sense of public face.  Jamie Madrox finds a rogue dupe of his living a fine and comfortable family life as a preacher and does the fairly predictable thing when faced with the opportunity to reabsorb him.  It was told well, but we all pretty much knew going into it that Jamie wasn’t going to take a parent away from some kid, especially his own.

X-Men #196

This will read better in the trades, I’m sure of it.

Happy Wednesday!