snap judgments

It feels good, folks. There’s just nothing in the world like lovin’ and hatin’ the funny books, let me tell you. Let’s just get to brass tacks, shall we?

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #20

So, I know that JMS promised some resolution on his big hippy The Other storyline about choosing between The Spider and The Man and the spider-stingers and all that jazz, but did he not have the time? Or the inspiration? Or did Peter David ask to have this fiasco handed to him? Because man, it’s like ou can see PAD with mop and bucket in hand as he cleans up the mysterious Other spider-shadow-chick and possibly where they were all going with that. Betty Brant comes to see Flash at his apartment and sees Peter Parker in his holographic disguise; she deduces he’s Peter in a matter of panels and gives the guy a hug, some forgiveness and a mystery. She tells him of Ms. Arrow’s crazy behavior and they do a little detective Googling on the words “Arrow” and “Spider” (Try it!). They of course, come up with plot results and find out that ’spider ero’ is the Pirate Spider, that feeds on other spiders, so Flash is in trouble. Meanwhile, Flash is leading the Midtown High bowling team to glory with a friend of his (a lady friend no less, being one of those jocular types that had a lot of rough and tumble gal pals, or so is my impression) and Ms. Arrow is telling a dark and spooky shadow her plans of mating and man eating. A big confrontation and reveal down at the bowling alley later, Ms. Arrow steals Flash and we’re left with the impression that all will be explained next issue. Or maybe that’s just me hoping a lot.

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #4 (of 6)

No matter what, I will always respect Clayton Craine after an interview in CSN where he declared he wanted the covers of the books he’s on to match the interiors. If you saw the first Ennis/Craine masterpiece, you know for a fact that this is something he can pull off in spades. After all, that’s what the cover is there for, to judge the book! The Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears mini series continues that tradition of cover matching and gives off this fantastic old West feel, the Eastwood style of Western storytelling that Garth Ennis can provide. In this issue, some spooky stuff happens that’s pretty chilling and exciting towards the main plot. Yes, I did lose my notes for this one.

Incredible Hulk #106

I get the sinking feeling that World War Hulk is going to suffer from the same ‘What order is this all supposed to be read in?’ that Civil War experienced. WARNING! This issue totally summarizes She-Hulk #18, due out at the end of this month. So, if you want some impact for the results of the story, don’t read this one. Without giving anything away, uhm… Jen meets up with Amadeus Cho, they discuss recent events and Leonard Samson shows up to throw things. Through being just as much as a natural savant as Layla Miller, Jen escapes, joins Cho’s side along with… wait for it… the Champions! Well, at least Hercules and Angel, the former getting just as much screen time as Cloak and Dagger and the latter who’s been missing since I believe last year. And yes, the last page is a big splash of static characters posing dramatically, just like Civil War loved to end. Now, I know I’m biased because I haven’t been all that thrilled by Planet Hulk but still… I’m wary.

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness #3 (of 5)

There’s a Nextwave cameo. They explode off screen. Also, there’s always been a Ash in the Marvel Universe. Next issue has a trip to Latveria. What, were you expecting a plot?

Runaways #26

It’s got Whedon all over it. The cover happens exactly how you expect and boy howdy, nothing gets under my skin like a major guest star in a book used only to take a cheap fall to the main characters of the book, making him look like a fool to make the main characters look cool. The Runaways are already suffering some personality adjustments, just like in Astonishing X-Men (you know, the book everyone loves that rarely sees the light of day?). Since when did Niko start openly disliking Davan? Why is Molly constantly begging for attention? And why are they always winning? They take down the Punisher AND escape the Kingpin (who takes a pause from his dramatic monologue to make a yummy sound over chocolate) and his army of ninjas (I know) in this issue. Well, next issue’s time travel.

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #18

And on the opposite side of the equasion we have one of the best depictions of teenagers I have the pleasure of reading. Spider-Man finds himself getting a little too serious with Firestar as she wants to move beyond the mask which honestly just creeps Peter Parker out. Things improve on the Gwen Stacy front, while Harry has been clamming up about his home life and Mary Jane wants to help. Getting into it all would break her ‘not getting serious’ rule she made when they started dating. Advice from friends, a bit of slugging at the recommendation of Flash Thompson, things wind up getting serious after all and the last page will drop your jaw. Two more issues left!

Sensational Spider Man Annual #1

Mr. Fraction? You had me at page 2, wherein Spider-Man smiles for the first time in recent comic memory for me. I could go on and on about this issue, how it hit every comic fan button I have, how I got a little choked up as I got to the end, how I want to marry this issue if it were a person, and I did over at today’s installment of The Fifth Color, but again, let me restate: if you at all have been let down by recent Spider-Man stories and long for something as simple and as solid as Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, go out and get this issue. Get two.

Thunderbolts Presents: Baron Zemo - Born Better #4 (of 4)

Okay, I’m sure this mini-series went under the radar, even by people who used to read Nicieza’s Thunderbolts, but just you wait. Someone’s going to turn around and realize that this is one of the best directions they’ve taken a old school villain in a long time. The past issues have taken us on a tour of what it means to be a Zemo through German history, and this issue wraps up everything we’ve learned in a mega lesson in redemption, the willingness to change and what it really means to be a ‘better’ man. The guy hunting down Zemo through the past issue turns out to be a relative, forcing Zemo back to the present from his magical history tor by killing all the descendants of Zemo and using the blood to bring him to him… all so he can kill him. Just as he’s about to do the deed, the boo opens up your brain an imparts wisdom. Read the whole thing and you will find yourself smarter than you were before.

World War Hulk Prologue #1

This issue, despite being a prologue, should be read AFTER this week’s Incredible Hulk (thankfully, there’s a lovely little editor’s box to let you know the same thing). Here, we have Jen and Leonard Samson parallel a story with Hulk in space (HUUUUUUUULK IIIIIIN SPAAAAAAAACE! God, I just got that.) wherein one of his gladiator buddies is able to help the Hulk contain his boundless rage for the ones who gave him this new life then destroyed it. Doc Samson goes through the internet argument of ‘No, really, the Hulk is totally dangerous and the Illuminati totally did the right thing! while Hulks’ fellow soldier does something that no one in the history of Hulk comics has done in in my memory: focused the Hulk’s anger so he’s not just living rage, but a very angry guy with a very angry purpose.

As a side note, the World War Hulk: Gamma Corps series is creating a whole new character to name him the Hulk.

Anyhoo, Jen’s uses the legal term for an event that justifies a war (Casus Belli), the Hulk’s crew decides they’re going after Black Bolt first, and there’s a backup story that dovetails into the issue of Hulk this week. On the whole, this is for new readers and isn’t exactly necessary for people who’ve been keeping up with things and are just waiting for Hulk to punch Iron Man’s head off. What this issue is worth, however, is the Chris Giarrusso’s Mini Marvels’s recap of the whole thing.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!