She-Hulk #15

With last week being the final week of July, I decided that I'd forgo reading another trade and, instead, return to my pull list in order to finish off my July 2023 releases.

So, first up this week, I've read She-Hulk #15, the final issue of series.

Well, the final issue ... for now.

This instalment sees the sensational Jade Giantess continue to acquire the information behind the Scoundrel's nefarious actions over the last few issues. Meanwhile, the Punch Club (I guess 'Fight Club' had a copyright) gather for their most recent meeting. All of these events come together in a knock-down finale and explosive ending to Jen Walters' moat recent adventure.

Again ... for now.

I've gotta admit, I'm in two minds about this issue. First up (for a change), the art by Andreś Genolet continues to be phenomenal. Its a little more cartoon than a regular house style that I keep seeing in Jon Kent or what was happening at Marvel years back in, say, Thor. However, it's vibrant, kinetic and those finale pages really put the cherry on top of what, overall, has been a great series.

The writing, however, is a slightly different story. I mean, cards on the table, this issue is still great. Rainbow Rowell caps of this series with the same charm, heart and wit that every issue prior has offered and, again, the ending just just absolutely beautiful. However, I won't lie that I felt that the issue seemed a little rushed, as though they needed to wrap it up quickly and with no real conclusion.

That said, it's not enough to take away from those final few pages (Jack of Harts has really gone up in my estimations thanks to this series) and just the quality of this run as a whole. Also, given that a follow up series, the 'Sensational She-Hulk' will be picking up where this left off, I'm just going to say that this was a lovely end to this chapter.

I hope we just don't have to wait too long until the beginning of the next one.

Fantastic Four: The End

So, I've just finished reading Alan Davis' Fantastic Four The End.

I won't lie, I don't remember when I picked up this trade. I recall it was a Christmas gift but was it from 2021? 2022? I simply can't recall. I think it was the former but, either way, it's a title that's been on my to read list for some time, one I wanted because it felt like a missing chapter in the FF story but one I could never find the enthusiasm to get to ...

... until this week, anyway.

Anyway, the story goes that, in the far future, the Fantastic Four are no more. With the loss of Franklin and Valeria years prior the first family has gone it's separate ways. Johnny leads the Avengers, Ben is a family man, Sue travels the world as an archaeologist and Reed reclusive works to maintain an intergalactic treaty between Earth and the cosmic powers. However, when events and villains past conspire to destroy the treaty (and the Earth with it), this family must come back together for one last time.

Now, it certainly has an epic ring to it and certainly fitting (in my opinion) for a Fantastic Four story.

Unfortunately, despite attempting to keep an open mind throughout reading this series, The End really struggled to capture my interest or enjoyment.

I mean, I certainly enjoyed the ideas which were put in place, as well as the artwork in principle, with Alan Davis' style reminding me of Carlos Pacheco's Avengers Forever work.

Sadly, I found the book, both in story and general layout (both the panels and specific visuals) to be very cluttered and chaotic. I loved that we got to see almost the entire FF rogues gallery appear and have hefty parts of the story. However, these, along with all of the Avengers and Inhumans who appeared, really felt like they were all fighting each other for page space rather than the future of the Earth.

Then there is the Fantastic Four themselves who, despite being the eponymous characters, were barely altogether enough that it felt like their name should be on the cover. Also, this came across as another title where Reed Richards got short changed (it seems to be a more common theme these days).

At this point, I feel like I've trashed this book far more than I planned to and, to be fair, it' not all bad. With so many characters who were so connected to the team, it does feel like a love letter to the book as a whole. However, for all its good points, it just struggled to captivate me as I really think a longer issue run would have helped it breathe.

Of course, I can't say it's a bad book, because all opinions (even mine) are subjective. I've only read one other comic by Alan Davis (ironically an FF annual), but I know that he has built a career on tremendous works that many love. However, right here and right now, this one didn't capture me that way and kinda let me down.

Fortunately, however, with Ryan North's current run and Full Circle still to read, this isn't the end, just a bump in the road.

Re-reading ... J. Michael Straczynski's Thor

A little over a week ago, after having caught up on my pull list of Fantastic Four, She-Hulk, Ultimate Invasion and Adventures of Superman, I was trying to make a decision as to what to read next.

FF: Full Circle, These Savage Shores, Gideon Falls Vol. 2. These and more besides were amongst the pile of comic trades I had yet to read.

However, my mood at the time pushed me in another direction, back to my shelf of already read trades and to the Thor run by J. Michael Straczynski, Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic.

This run, which took place in the immediate aftermath of Marvel's original Civil War, saw the God of Thunder return after a (I think) two year absence. Brought back from the void after the events of Raganarok by Donald Blake, Thor sets about restoring Asgard and its denizens on Earth.

It's been a long time since I last read this but, after reading again now, I can remember why it still remains on my shelves nearly 20 years later.

This was a tremendous series by JMS, who seamlessly picked up the classic vibe you'd expect from Thor and made it such a compelling read.

This is a story about rebuilding your life because, with the return of alter ego Donald Blake, it really becomes about two men finding themselves in this new world, both of whom had their lives taken in some form. However, I felt that the arc evolved as it progressed, with a focus on change and consequences as we saw Thor rebuild, but attempt to make it as it was but on his terms. This us what led to repercussions.

Now, I've named the title of this post as JMS' Thor, but that's only in the interests of shortness. Make no mistake, while JMS gave us the story, Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic brought it to life. Both these artists seemed to perfectly mesh modern aesthetic with a very 'medieval' look of Asgard, heightening the epic feel. Then there is Chris Eliopoulos' lettering who does a tremendous job as he gives the Asgardians an older looking font, while maintaining the usual for the modern day 'mortals'.

If there is one gripe I have about this run it is that my copy of the first volume had been cropped incorrectly, tilting to the left and cutting some of the speech bubbles. This is annoying to say the least, but not a deal breaker.

Being the entirety of JMS' run, I'm perplexed by the ending, which feels like there was more story to tell, making me wish I'd picked it up way back when. Nonetheless, this is still an incredible run, filled with heart(s), humour and high quality visuals. I look forward to reading it's greatness again (although, maybe a shorter time than 20 years).

Fantastic Four #9

After blitzing through my outstanding pull list comics, I've finally reached the end with Fantastic Four #9.

Bringing closure to the story Ryan North and Ivan Fiorelli started in issue 8, this instalment sees Sue, Alicia, Johnny and 'Flame-O' facing off against an enthralled Reed, Ben and many other townsfolk now serving the alien wood creature, Xargorr, who seeks to maintain her newly gained life on Earth.

Now, I was originally concerned when this issue opened that this was going to be yet another Ben-centric episode (something I felt kind of burned out on during the Slott run). However, North really turned the tables on me and produced yet another great issue which really resonated when I discovered that it was actually Alicia's time to shine.

I think that's what I loved most about this issue because, North really showed off Alicia's strengths and skills and kind of took the time to give anyone wondering (maybe myself included) why she was getting a main credit within the 'Fantastic Four' the reason behind her being a part of the team. This issue proves (even to me) that powers don't maketh the woman and she is a true member of the team, not a tag along.

Of course, that wasn't the only great part of this issue as North and Fiorelli also took the time to really showcase Johnny and Sue's power sets. While initially shown in the prior issue, I did like how Johnny really can go hardcore when the need arises with his Pyro-like powers. However, what I really loved was Sue's seemingly new power uses (I mean, I've never seen them in this book) which looks to be directly influenced by Mark Waid's Invisible Woman mini-series.

As for the art, Fiorelli's style continues to be one that I love and remains solid work, but I really enjoy the panels at the beginning which depict the FF's in-universe comic, as he not only provides the standard look throughout the issue, but also this 'fictional' look. These comics, while still looking amazing, are just different enough that it's easy to see they are the 'fiction' of the world.

While the issue was still slightly underwhelming compared to the first part (and given this was the same thought for the Pepose two-parter, making me wonder if this is a thing relating to two-parters?), this is still a 'fantastic' conclusion to a 'fantastic' story (and, yes, the puns were intended). I can't wait to see what happens next as we wait for the return of the kids.

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3

Getting into a groove, I've decided to keep trying to catch up on my unread pull list comics.

This morning's read has been Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3, where Tom Taylor and Clayton Henry continue the adventure of the Son of Kal-El in the Injustice Universe as he begins to make plans to unseat his father's counterpart from his iron grip of this world. However, these best laid plans might be for nought if the doppelganger of Jon's best friend, Damien Wayne, has anything to say about it.

This penultimate issue continues to be as quiet and slow burn as its previous instalments, although I do feel this entry to the series was a lot more cerebral than what's come before. Tom Taylor feels to have really focused on Jon here, looking at his choices and his views about both himself and the world he's currently trapped in. As such, I've really enjoyed how Taylor seems to have characterised Jon, with the issue kind of showing that his opinion of what Superman should be is more important to him than his 'father's' opinions and praise.

I'll be honest, I found that not only was Jon more fleshed out here, but the supporting cast were also. Both sides of the Injustice conflict, Damien, Batman, Batgirl and even Harley Quinn came across as a lot more 'human' compared to before. Now, I'm sure they are all fully rendered in Injustice. However, for a guy who's only read the first year (I really need to get back to that), I preferred it as a neophyte who knows next to nothing about that world (beyond the obvious, I guess).

That said, this issue is still much too slow compared to what I was expecting of this series. I do wonder if this mini is designed to be one of those 'read everything all together' kind of series, but at this point, I am hoping that the presumed final battle will still provide a satisfying conclusion within those final 30 pages.

She-Hulk #14

While the trip into work today allowed me to read Ultimate Invasion #1, I decided to use the trip home to read She-Hulk #14.

This issue, continued the story Rainbow Rowell was giving us the last few issues as the Sensational She-Hulk finds herself increasingly torn between boyfriend Jack of Hart and the attention of the villainous Scoundrel, even as she attempts to figure out the reason for the latter's spate of robberies.

This installment felt like a much quieter issue than the prior entries, which, of course, is most likely a 'calm before the storm' issue (especially as it is so near to the arc's end).

That said, I still thought this was a terrific issue, with Rowell finally giving Jen some much need answers and closure surrounding her torn affections in what felt like (for me anyway) a real fist pump moment.

I have to admit, while I haven't (admittedly) read many series of She-Hulk prior to this (Soule's run is kind of it), Rainbow Rowell really seems to get the character of Jen Walters. She has continued to feel like a strong and respectful character throughout this, regardless of her own internal turmoil, and has seldom (if ever) been turned away from this consistent personality in favour of some forced drama.

I could say the same about Andres Genolet's art, which feels equally respectful with Shulkie's appearance always being stylish and no gratuitous. In fact, this issue, nay, entire run has such an adorable and classy beauty to it.

During the day today, I listened to Talking Comics recent podcast episode and upon hearing the theory that this book may have been 'stealth cancelled', I have to admit that I'm gutted. This run of She-Hulk has been absolutely 'Sensational' from beginning to end and actually hope that this notion of cancellation is actually false so I can read it for a long time to come.

Ultimate Invasion #1

I decided to read Ultimate Invasion #1 on the bus into work this morning.

This was a comic I had planned on reading much sooner than I did. Unfortunately, life being what it is, I struggled to find the time beforehand.

Not, that this comic was something I was eager as anything to read. In fact, I had long ago made my peace with the Ultimate Universe, a collection of comics which lost me some time ago in favour of the regular 616 as well as (in my opinion) the bastardisation of certain characters (See Ultimate FF). However, the guys at my LCS, while maybe not forcing it into my hands, certainly did push it on me with words like 'Hickman' and 'Lots of Reed Richards'.

So the issue, from Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch, sees the Maker a.k.a. Maniacal Reed Richards from the ultimate universe, escape his confinement on Marvel Earth and set about making his escape back into the multiverse. However, on his heels are his 616 counterpart and the other members of the Illuminati who are (naturally) trying to stop him.

I have to say, though, by the time I reached the end of the issue, my initial opinion of this comic were WAY off base. Ultimate Invasion's opening issue was actually a really captivating and compelling read, one which felt just incredibly evolved compared to what I remember of Ultimate thanks to Hickman's writing (a reminder of why I like his work).

But it wasn't just the writing which won me over. Bryan Hitch's art style is one that I've grown out of in recent years in favour of others (see current FF and She-Hulk as recent examples). However, in this issue, it is truly gorgeous and incredibly fitting to the subject matter, which makes sense given that Hitch's art was the primary foundation when the Ultimate universe first came about.

As a result, reading Ultimate Invasion #1 left me absolutely hooked and eager to see more, especially after that ending which seriously intrigues me. Now, I would have preferred a cheaper comic (and would have been happy to lose the sketch page backmatter to get it) but I've got to say that I'm very glad that the boys at the shop placed this in my hands.