Mini Reviews [27]

Daredevil (#1-4) by Chip Zdarsky, 

Marco Checchetto (Illustrator), 

Julian Tedesco (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): KNOW FEAR.

My husband loves Daredevil. I've lost track of how many times he's re-watched the series on Netflix, but I do know it's a ridiculous number. We watched the first two seasons together, and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't something I was itching to see again. However, when I discovered Chip Zdarsky was writing the new series, I was curious. I've really liked some of his other work, and wanted to see his version of the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. 

Zdarsky didn't disappoint! I'm already weirdly addicted to this darker version of Matt Murdock and what that means for future issues. Matt has been struggling with his identity and his place in the world for a while now, and I like that the author not-so-gently pushed him over an invisible line. Matt's going to face some hard truths, and who is more honest than Frank Castle? Honestly, I'm more partial to Frank's sense of justice, and I'm not sure what that says about me. It's hard to disagree with him when Matt fights the same enemies over and over again, and Frank only fights them once.

I'm curious what role Detective North will continue to play, since he seems to have issues with both Daredevil and Fisk. Also, Daredevil's attire at the end of the fourth issue was badass, and hopefully foreshadows an ever darker version of the Devil and what he's capable of. However, I disagree with his treatment of Frank after what Castle did for him. Jerk.

⳼

Spider-Man: Life Story (#1-2) by Chip

Zdarsky, Mark Bagley (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): In 1962, in AMAZING FANTASY #15, 15-year-old Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became the Amazing Spider-Man! Fifty-seven years have passed in the real world since that event — so what would have happened if the same amount of time passed for Peter as well? A special high-end limited series that’s a part of the celebration of Marvel’s 80th anniversary, SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY combines the talents of Chip Zdarsky (SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, MARVEL 2-IN-ONE) and Mark Bagley (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN) to tell the entire history of Spider-Man from beginning to end, set against the key events of the decades through which he lived! In this first oversized issue, when Flash Thompson is drafted to serve during the Vietnam War, Spidey must weigh the question of where his responsibility truly lies!

Clearly I'm on a Chip Zdarsky kick, and I'm totally okay with that! I've read the first two issues of Spider-Man: Life Story and really enjoyed them both. We get to see how Peter Parker would have reacted to problems over the span of a few decades. Does he join the war because he has powers and could really help, or does his involvement only perpetuate the problem? It was interesting to see Peter's moral dilemma as Spider-Man, and seeing him question himself made him even more relatable.

I've always liked Spider-Man, and I hate that his life has always been so hard and full of heartache. He's trying to live his life as Peter Parker, but also save people as Spider-Man, and sometimes one negatively impacts the other. I hate that happiness doesn't seem to last long for Peter, and Zdarsky makes that very apparent at the end of the second issue (this author likes to write dirty). Give Peter some love, Chip! You know he deserves it.

⳼

Miles Morales: Spider-Man (#1-5) by

Saladin Ahmed, Javier Garron Illustrator),

Brian Stelfreeze (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Balancing his normal life, school, parents, etc…and super-heroing has never been easy, but when the Rhino and a cadre of mysterious criminals start plaguing Brooklyn, things take a dark turn. And Miles doesn’t even know the half of it yet. Eisner Award-winner Saladin Ahmed (BLACK BOLT) and Young Gun Javier Garrón (ANT-MAN & THE WASP) bring you the latest incarnation of the coolest character in the Marvel Universe!

Saladin Ahmed is a new favorite! His writing is phenomenal, and he's made Miles Morales completely relatable. He even manages to address real world problems within the comic, and it makes you really think about the world we live in. I know some people like to read to escape, but Ahmed makes it clear that you cannot avoid the hard realities happening all around us.

Miles is an amazing character that's dealing with school, friends, and even a love interest. He also has two parents that love and accept him and his secrets. They just want him to be happy and responsible. I like that they're being supportive, even though their child is constantly putting himself in danger. He's Spider-Man, and that isn't an easy life to live. Also, Miles may be a different version of Spider-Man, but they're both sarcastic and like to be witty when fighting bad guys.

Miles is your typical teenager, but with superpowers, so it's interesting to see how he chooses to handle problems. I really love everything they're doing with this comic and cannot wait to see what happens next!

⳼

West Coast Avengers #10 by Kelly Thompson,

Gang Hyuk Lim (Illustrator), 

Moy R (Illustrator) *FT

Synopsis (via Goodreads): THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE BEAUTIFUL CONCLUDES! HAWKEYE and HAWKEYE lead the fight to save AMERICA CHAVEZ from a cult that believes she’s their prophesized chosen one who will lead them into the light — and also into victory — as they attempt a takeover of Los Angeles. But just as things look darkest, the team is joined by a mysterious and powerful new ally. Amid flying arrows and punching fists, relationships are both blossoming and being torn apart — what does it all mean for the future of the West Coast Avengers?!

Kelly Thompson is a goddess with brilliant ideas, and she knows how to tell a story. She weaves little threads that connect throughout a series, and now we'll never know what was going to happen with this one! I have so many questions about Kate's parents and Ramona's heritage. I wanted to see the relationships flourish or run their course. Despite the comic's untimely end, Thompson managed to leave this one on a high note with all the sarcasm and charm that I've come to love from these characters.

West Coast Avengers has been one of my all-time favorites, so I'm super bummed it was cancelled just like Thompson's All-New Hawkeye. Even though All-New Hawkeye ended in a positive place, there were still a lot of unanswered questions. However, the author managed to tie those loose ends into this new series, and things were going fantastically well! The team was growing, they had a place to call their own, and the characters were diverse and perfect. Gwenpool was back and as crazy as ever, both Hawkeyes were in this one (hell yes), and America was a fierce force to be reckoned with. I loved her relationship with Ramona. There were even siblings on the team! Seriously, this one had everything I wanted and I hate that it ended so soon after it started. Also, Jeff fighting vampires was the best! He was absolutely perfect for Gwen (and so was someone else...)!

The current arc was wrapped up, but it's clear Kate and crew had more adventures to go on. I look forward to seeing what Thompson does next, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that West Coast Avengers is brought back in the future (preferably the near future).

Final Thoughts [6] Marvel Two-In-One (#1-10) by Chip Zdarsky

Marvel Two-In-One (#1-10) by Chip Zdarsky, Jim Cheung (Illustrator)

THE FOUR ARE NO MORE, SO TWO MUST DO! Something is very wrong with THE HUMAN TORCH and only THE THING can help him! It's the Marvel Universe reunion you've all been waiting for (well, HALF of it, at least!). Plus: What monumental secret has DOOM been hiding since the end of SECRET WARS, and how will it completely change the lives of Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm? 

𑁋

There were times when I really enjoyed reading Marvel Two-In-One, and times when I almost gave up on the series. It dragged a little in the middle, but I enjoyed their adventures through the multiverse. Ben and Johnny encountered different versions of themselves, and it's always fun to see how things might have been.

I wish Ben had been honest from the beginning, but I can understand why he kept the truth from his friend. Johnny was in a dark place after his sister and Reed disappeared (also his niece and nephew), but I think he would have welcomed facts over hope.

Dr. Doom was in this at the beginning, but it was weird. There was also a woman, but I can't even remember her name. She was looking for something or someone, and then she disappears. Doom vanished with her, and those two characters were never mentioned again. It was weird since they seemed to be an integral part of the story (until they weren't). Ben and Johnny were also stranded without them, in a time and place they didn't belong.

If you've never encountered an evil version of Spider-Man, consider yourself lucky. The Peter Parker they stumbled across was nobody's hero, and he really creeped me out. I am curious how he became this particular version of himself, because the guy was insane.

I've always thought of Ben as a gentle giant, and love that he's comfortable with his rock form. He accepted his new appearance after the initial shock, and he's done a lot of good with his powers. Johnny still teases him, but they're practically family. I enjoyed watching the two of them together without Reed and Sue around to act as buffers. They had to rely solely on each other. 

In the end, I'm happy I kept reading this series. The middle was a little iffy, but the end really brought things together for the two main characters. I wish there hadn't been as many loose ends, and that more had been explained, but I believe they are setting up another comic (The new Fantastic Four, I think!). Everything in Marvel seems to be connected in one way or another.

After spending some time with Google: The "Next of Kin" concluded with issue 10, but I believe there are supposed to be two more issues in the overall series. I'm really not sure... comics can occasionally be really confusing. Maybe those loose ends will turn into a pretty little bow, and I'll get a few more explanations!