Posted by
Anthony Mango
- Wednesday, April 1, 2015
On episode 12 of the 4 Reel Movie Club podcast, Fanboys Anonymous members give their thoughts on all of the films in Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series.
Host: Chris Dace
Panelists: Tony Mango, Sam Lascio and Eddie Siqueira
THIS MONTH'S SET OF MOVIES:
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
Iron Man 2
Thor
Captain America: The First Avenger
The Avengers
You can watch the podcast below. Make sure to subscribe!
The Juggernaut is back. That great unstoppable force has been unleashed on the world once more; Cytorrak's call has been answered by one who is worthy.
What more can be done to stop this megalith? The X-Men have fought to contain or rid the world of such a destructive force numerous times. To them it must feel at least a little depressive. Given this, it must be a good time to sit down and talk about the situation. Wait, what? That is correct, writer Chris Yost has the audacity to get the X-Men around a campfire talking about their frustrations with this predicament. It makes for some great "out of left field" entertainment.
We continue to see the flavor of humor that has characterized Yost's time on Amazing X-Men. The witty banter between the heroes is great and constant. It is also nice to see the mending of the relationship between Colossus and Storm in this issue. This was a good setup in the first part of the story and to see it come full circle brings a sense of fulfillment. It is the dynamic between the X-Men that carries considerable weight in this series, with the focus on their relationship bringing out the best in the story.
For the climax there is a great twist by Yost. There is a Juggernaut, but it may not end up being who you expected, especially following from last issue. Without giving too much away, this issue gets a sense of completeness within the final few pages and a nice new carryover story for the next issue.
An idyllic setting for destruction
While the writing is complementary for the series, the art has steepened to meet the intention behind Amazing X-Men. The cover is quite eye-popping on this issue. Previous covers in this arc by Jorge Fornes and Rachelle Rosenberg have been fine but nothing spectacular. However, this issue's cover takes a simpler approach and ends up being very attention grabbing, which is a nice beginning to the end of this story.
The new Juggervnaut marches onward
The art by Fornes has grown on me over the whole arc. It is especially tight on this issue. Fornes's style now comes across more confidently, and the inking is cleaner. The choice of angle and shot is more direct, flowing well with the beats in the story. As with other X-Men titles, Rachelle Rosenberg's colors are dramatic and fitting. The opening pages showcase the talent she brings to the title.
Rockslide takes on the Juggernaut
With the pending final issue not far away for this series, due to "Secret Wars," it will be sad to see the title go. There have been some great moments so far; let's hope we get to see a few more before that all happens.
The Amazing X-Men must decide how to defeat the new Juggernaut
With that, we wrap up what has been a tantalizing story in Amazing X-Men, but we would like to hear what you thought about this issue and arc. Make sure you leave a comment below or on our Facebook orTwitter and come back next time for the next stage of X-Men mayhem. That's right; it ain't over just yet. In the next issue it's Colossus versus The Unstoppable Juggernaut!
We move into Nightcrawler #12 seamlessly from the previous issue without missing a beat in the story.
Nightcrawler, Bloody Bess, Rico, and Ziggy must make good on their intentions to free the slave children, defeat the Warwolves, and put down Voges's operation once and for all.
As it is the finale, writer Chris Claremont is wrapping up the last loose ends of the series, and it is satisfying to see so much resolved in this issue. Many of the ambiguous plot points discussed in our earlier reviews are either closed off or at least given some sort of explanation. There appears to have been careful consideration to planning the stories and executing them in a manner befitting a regularly delivered serial comic.
As always, the scripting comes from a classic Claremont approach. Aside from the silliness of the situation the main characters find themselves in, there is heart in the story. There always has been, and that is probably one thing that kept me coming back: the feel-good factor. It is an uncomplicated story that is fun and upbeat. It is easy to lose yourself for a few minutes in this issue and series without any real regret. It helps that the art also reflects this feeling so well.
Whether for right or wrong, however, I suppose I had held out for a little more. Maybe I thought the comic would become something it was never going to be. The book was fine, but it was always a safe bet; moreover, it was aimed at a younger audience and certainly delivered to them what was a fun adventure story with plenty of central A-list X-men and also allowed some minor ones to shine. Still, I felt the hangover from Nightcrawler's return under Jason Aaron in Amazing X-Men and wanted the same type of story from that arc. It never arrived, but hey, at least this was better than some other recent solo X-Men series, such as Cyclops.
Todd Nauck's art has been of consistently high quality throughout the series. It finishes with a final flurry in this issue. Together with Claremont, both men have given specific voices to the characters they played with for 12 issues. It is the consistency of the creative team that had been such a positive aspect of Nightcrawler. Add in colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and it is clear why the books could have had a nice wide appeal.
The final 'hurrah' for Nightcrawler
The series has had some awkward moments (both purposely and otherwise), some "oh really?" moments, and points of action as well as poignancy, such as the "Death of Wolverine" tie-in. There was a lot happening throughout the past 12 issues. This issue, however, does well to encapsulate the spirit of the series—a focus on Nightcrawler and especially his role at the Jean Grey School for the next generation of mutants. At the end of the run, it feels as though this focus has been achieved, and now the time has come to move on. With the arrival of "Secret Wars" in May, now is the time to wrap things up.
All good things must come to an end. Tell us, dear comic fans, what did you think about this issue? What were your thoughts about the whole series? Did Claremont, Nauck, and Rosenberg tell a convincing story with Nightcrawler? What was your favorite issue or artwork from the series? Tell us below or head over to the Fanboys Anonymous Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment.
It's been rumored for a long time now, but last week Fox finally confirmed that The X-Files will be returning for a 6-episode new season! Even though we know nothing about this other than that production will start this summer, it's still big news.
Sure, the series may have lost its way a bit in the later seasons, and The X-Files: I Want to Believe wasn't exactly the sequel film most fans were hoping for, there is still a lot of potential here. The fact that series creator Chris Carter and stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are all returning is really all I need to know to be on board. That being said, here are five things I'll be hoping for in the new season.
1. An appearance from Doggett and Reyes
The forgotten agents.
I'm getting what may be my most controversial point out of the way first. Let me be clear: I would like to see these characters again, but by no means should they overshadow Mulder and Scully. Like it or not, these characters were a huge part of the series in the last 2 seasons, and I thought the actors did a good job considering the state the series was in by season 8. With David Duchovny basically gone, I had a lot of sympathy for Robert Patrick in particular. I liked John Doggett, but I can understand why a lot of fans weren't crazy about him: he wasn't Mulder. Because I liked his character, I was disappointed that he and Reyes weren't even mentioned in I Want to Believe. Hopefully we can check in with the two of them just to know they're okay after they stuck their necks out to help free Mulder in the series finale, and then after that we'll stay solely with Mulder and Scully.
2. Mark Snow's Musical Score
I'm a sucker for musical scores, and The X-Files always had a great one. Mark Snow's theme was iconic, and he did a lot of excellent work throughout the series. Hopefully Fox springs for a full orchestra to bring that music to life, especially since the orchestral score was one of my favorite things in I Want to Believe. I would also be excited to hear how the score differs in the series now compared to the way it sounded 20 years (!) ago. The possibilities are endless.
3. A Revamped Mythology
I know the truth is out there, but things started getting a bit too out there.
Speaking of endless possibilities, the show's mythology is another area that could really shine in this new season. I love the series to death, but even I have to admit that one of its biggest flaws is how convoluted the mythology became in the last few seasons. Back in 2002 the series ended with the news that the final alien colonization would happen on December 22, 2012. Yes, in this universe the Mayans were right! Obviously we're a few years past that date, so this is where things could get interesting. The new episodes could pick up in 2012 and depict events leading up to the final colonization, or the show could resume in 2015 either after the colonization occurred or in a world in which the colonization didn't happen. These are just a few ideas, but I'm personally hoping that whatever happens, the show picks up in real time, 13 years after the series finale and 7 years after I Want to Believe.
3. "Monster of the Week" Episodes
Still one of the most unsettling episodes.
The new mythology will hopefully be great, but for me, where The X-Files really excelled was with its standalone episodes. So many other sci-fi shows have since used the format of an overarching plot with standalone episodes scattered throughout that it's easy to forget how unique it was at the time. Considering how much the world has changed since the series originally ended, there could be some excellent "Monster of the Week" ideas that wouldn't have worked during the original run. If Chris Carter and his writers choose to focus on the mythology, it would be difficult to also have many Monster of the Week episodes in a 6-episode run, but I'm really hoping for a nice balance between the two.
5. A Fitting Story for These Characters
I want to believe that this story will be handled well.
Let's be realistic. Mulder and Scully will have aged significantly since the original series finale. This could (and should) affect how the characters go about doing things. With how much the Internet and technology have grown since 2002, I'd love to see elements of the story showing how Mulder and Scully are adjusting to or have adjusted to these changes. I Want to Believe ended in such a way that Mulder and Scully could feasibly end up working for (or at least with) the FBI again, so things would definitely be different for them from an FBI perspective. Again, the possibilities are endless, but since this could be the last X-Files content we ever get to see, I'm just hoping that the story suits the characters and leaves them in a good place. I do not want a cliffhanger for that very reason. It would be much more satisfying for the ending to feel like an ending to this new story with the possibility for more stories to be told in the future.
So there you have it. Those are some of the things I'd like to see from these new episodes. What do you guys think? Are you excited that The X-Files is coming back, or are you dreading it? What would you like to see in these six episodes? Let us know in the comments!
Microsoft has been hinting at a new live action trailer for Halo 5: Guardians for the last week or so, and tonight that trailer finally premiered during the season finale of The Walking Dead. The trailer showed the new Spartan Locke confronting a badly injured Master Chief in the midst of some sort of widespread destruction and accusing him of failing as humanity's savior. Locke pointed his pistol at Master Chief and claimed he would have to step up and save humanity from Chief. Then the hashtag #HuntTheTruth appeared, followed by this image:
That's right. Halo 5: Guardians will be released on October 27! Many fans - myself included - expected the game to follow the typical Halo trend with a November release, so this is a bit of a surprise. Are you excited for Halo 5? What do you think the "truth" in that hashtag will be? Let us know in the comments!
Magneto is a mutant who defies a lot of labels, constantly being recast in a different light.
This latest re-imagining of the popular character by writer Cullen Bunn is proving both popular and enduring. In the fast-paced world of comic series, which are themselves quickly becoming flash-pan entertainment, this is something of a novelty.
Let's face it: we live in an on-demand modern society, and comics as a form of entertainment, especially from Marvel, are moving more and more toward this dynamic state of being. If an aspiring series takes too long to bring in the numbers, the corporate giant re-balances its position or pulls it from circulation altogether. I don't have problem with this business model for the most part; as a business they have turn a profit. But we also face the problem of fans who are stuck in the past and expect a series to endure through thick or thin, which isn't always the case. As far as Magneto is concerned, at the moment we need not worry.
If you haven't yet read this issue of Magneto or aren't currently following the series, it is a must-read for any fan of the X-Men franchises. In terms of consistency of writers, this thematically driven drama is so emotionally charged and satisfying that even if you don't read X-Men books, this is a worthwhile reading experience. Couple this with the fantastic art, which is so unique and spearheaded by some of the comics industry's heaviest hitters, such as Jordie Bellaire, and it is no surprise why this series continues to impress.
Wolverine and Magneto settle old scores
Magneto has taken some real twists and turns under the guiding hands of Bunn and editor Daniel Ketchum. It seems to be doing all right for the publisher also, as it is set to continue under the "Last Days" banner into opening phase of "Secret Wars." An aspect of the series that is paramount in issue #16 is the adaptability of the writer and the character to the dynamics constantly churning in the wider Marvel universe. We see Magneto constantly responding to influences of greater magnitude that are impressed by the wider publishing writ at Marvel. However, when he is able to do so, Bunn is masterful at exploring the unique characteristics of Magneto in isolation. This issue of Magneto is exemplary of this.
David Yardin has been producing some stellar work on the covers for some time now. The cover to issue #16 is forceful and powerful and representative of some of the inside content, unlike those of some other Marvel series. The interior art has a beauty all to its own. It isn't pretty in the same manner that All-New X-Men may be, but Magneto's art is full of grit, mood, and tone that suit the story being told.
Dirt is easier to clean off than blood.
What is more noticeable in this issue is how the colors swing with rhythm of the story, from a positive setting, through a down beat, back up to a more positive switch by the end. The colors from Bellaire tend to follow this pattern and switch with the flashbacks, which are used to maximum effect in the issue. Gabriel Hernandez Walta's art takes on a cleaner line style this time around. Walta is emphatically bringing a design to Magneto's world that is clearly delivered, thoughtful, and well designed. The combination of these artists talent is a real treat to see.
Walta and Bellaire's gritty Genosha
It is difficult to review a comic such as this and not want to reveal so much more about it. I anticipated giving more of a blow-by-blow account, but this is such a good comic, to do so would spoil the experience. Despite this, I hope I've made it clear just what a consistently good read this series provides. Despite other lackluster solo X-Men series, some of which are also reviewed on this site, Magneto delivers just what is promised with ample style.
So, comic fans, what did you think about this issue? How did you like Bunn's twists and turns? Tell us below or head over to the Fanboys Anonymous Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment. Make sure you come back for the continuation of Magneto in the "Last Days" as we head into "Secret Wars."
Greetings, Fanboys and Fangirls! This is Sam Lascio, reporting the latest news coming out about the new miniseries Heroes Reborn! Ready for this? Ready?! Say it with me now...
One...
Two...
Three...
YATTA!!!!!!!
That's right, everyone. Masi Oka has been confirmed to appear in the new 13 episode miniseries Heroes Reborn as Hiro Nakamura, our favorite bender of time and space. Masi Oka is now the second original cast member from the original NBC Heroes television show to appear in the new miniseries, along with fan favorite Jack Coleman, who played Noah Bennet (aka 'The Man in the Horn-Rimmed Glasses', aka 'HRG', aka the 'Company Man'). Other confirmed actors/actresses to appear in Heroes Reborn (although no other characters have been confirmed) include:
Zachary Levi (Chuck, Thor: The Dark World)
Robbie Kay (Once Upon a Time, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)
Danika Yarosh (Shameless, See Dad Run)
Judith Shekoni (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2)
Ryan Guzman (Step Up Revolution, Jem and the Holograms)
Henry Zebrowski (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Gatlin Green (Finding Cody)
Kiki Sukezane (The Yokai King)
The official synopsis for Heroes Reborn reads as follows:
The saga behind the 2006 breakout series Heroes will continue as creator Tim Kring returns to the fold and develops new layers to his original superhero concept. The highly anticipated 13-episode miniseries will reconnect with the basic elements of the show's first season where ordinary people were waking up to the fact that they had extraordinary abilities. The series will be preceded by a new digital series that will introduce audiences to the new characters and storylines that will take the Heroes phenomenon to new places.
In other words, "Don't worry guys, it'll be good this time, we promise!"
What do you think of Masi Oka returning as Hiro Nakamura? Does this make you more excited for Heroes Reborn? Are you disappointed at all? Are there any other Heroes characters you hope to see in the new miniseries? *coughSYLARcough* Let us know in the comments section! Thanks for reading, everyone. My name is Sam Lascio, and I am a Fanboy!
Greetings, Fanboys and Fangirls! This is Sam Lascio, bringing you the first official look at the costume from Fox's 2016 film Deadpool, in all of its infinite glory:
"Y'know...I find myself oddly aroused."
Mmm, sexy. The photo is meant to parody a photo of Burt Reynolds taken in a similar pose (though more…naked). Ryan Reynolds followed up his tweet of the suit with another tweet:
I don't believe there are any doubts that this is the right man to play Deadpool. So what do you think of the official Deadpool costume? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Is Ryan Reynolds the right guy for the job? Let us know in the comments section! Thanks for reading, everyone. My name is Sam Lascio, and I am a Fanboy!
Our first look at the 24th film in the James Bond franchise Spectre was released today. Watch the trailer below:
My initial reaction:
I'm very positive about this, but I'm also a bit worried about one aspect. I desperately want Christoph Waltz to be playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld in this film, but I don't like the idea that he was in any way related to Bond in the past. It appears as though they're attempting to tie them together as surrogate brothers of sorts and to me, that's just unnecessary. Blofeld didn't need a linked backstory with Bond to have an amazing rivalry with him. That was already accomplished purely by having them on opposite ends of the good and evil spectrum. This trailer keeps things very vague, so my opinion could change for the better or worse with the second one, but I'm going to remain optimistic with a slight fear that that aspect could be a detriment to the story.
Am I going to see it?
You bet your ass! The 007 series has been one of my top favorite franchises since I first got into it in 1997. Even if this looked terrible, there would be no way that I wouldn't be watching it opening night. Skyfall had some flaws, but it was a very cool addition to the series and I'm very interested
Of course. It's a comic book movie. I see them all, unless they are some non-entity like Super. But just because they've got my $10 already doesn't mean that I'm seeing it because I'm pumped for it. Look forward to my review, where I most likely end up ripping it to shreds, unfortunately. Chronicle was cool, but this is only slightly better off from what it was several days ago. It's still fighting an uphill battle against everything that a movie like this shouldn't be facing. Poor marketing (what marketing?), nothing but bad publicity, and reports that there are already plans for rebooting it should it fail are indicators of why you shouldn't spend your money on it and be a sap like myself.
A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
What do you think? Is this another welcome addition to the franchise like Skyfall or is this going to be a step in the wrong direction like Quantum of Solace?
Spectre will be released in theaters November 6, 2015.
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: John Logan (screenplay), Neal Purvis (rewrite), Robert Wade (rewrite), and Ian Fleming (characters)
It's been a crazy (optic eye) blast, but all good things come to an end.
The space-bound time-displaced pirate teenager who we have come to know is being pulled in other directions through the galaxies and into the final flurry of the crossover involving the All-New X-Men team.
In Cyclops #11 John Layman, Javier Garron, and Chris Sotomayer begin the wrapup for a book that has provided a mixture of heartfelt character moments and some awkward teenage angst.
As all things Marvel comics prepare to implode in "Secret Wars," we do a quick analysis of just what sort of comic series we experienced with Cyclops. With the conclusion all but upon us (this is the second-to-last issue), it is a fine time to wrap up the series. There was so much potential in the concept, and it was a surprise when announced, but after the ups and downs of nearly 12 issues, it is time to say goodbye.
It is great to see writer John Layman push to conclude everything within this issue. The fates of Cyclops, Corsair, and the Starjammers are resolved, the dreaded threat of Captain Malefect and his daughter Villeena comes to a dramatic close, and we head onward to the concluding issue ready for "The Black Vortex."The surprise twist for Vileena was a great turn by Layman, something that could be explored further down the line, with ramifications for Cyclops perhaps. However, Layman did admit in a recent interview for Comic Book Resourcesthat not everything could be brought to a satisfactory close.For instance, Corsair's need for medication to stay alive fell to the side as this issue focused on other aspects of the story that needed to be closed off.
Villena doesn't break-up easily
A standout for the entire series, and once again prevalent in this issue, are the colors of Chris Sotomayer. There is a real sense of cosmically inspired tone and feeling brought to bear by his artistic endeavors. The bright and snappy colors that balanced Javier Garron's style of pencils was always a welcome note in each issue.
Another great aspect of the series has been the cover art by Alexander Lozano. This will sorely be missed after the final issue. It has an artistic quality to it that is rarely seen on other Marvel publications. The art Lozano produces should be collated in its own manner, it's that good.
Malefect seals Cyclops fate
Ultimately, while we have one more issue in this series before "Secret Wars," this is the finale of the arc. Given this, I had hoped for more. The series never really felt as though it lived up to the potential it had. Layman and Garron's run was fine—in fact, it was just okay, nothing more. Greg Rucka and Russell Dauterman set up a great premise and executed it well for a few issues, but eventually both left the series, and it didn't really get the lift it needed by the new creative team to get it back on track. Perhaps this will remain a missed opportunity for Marvel and editor Katie Kubert.
There have been fun moments in this issue and others throughout the series, but this was not a "must have read." Given that the central character was on a timeframe very much dependent on the larger All-New X-Men plots and writer Brian Michael Bendis's need for Cyclops, we knew that the series was on limited time. As Bendis prepares to leave the X-Men franchise and take up something new at Marvel, it is time Cyclops rejoins his time-displaced team in "The Black Vortex" crossover.
So Fan-people, what did you really think about this issue? Did it do justice to the concept of the series for you? Does it meet your expectations of the talent on board for it? Tell us below or head over to the Fanboys Anonymous Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment. Make sure you come back for the very last issue of Cyclops as we enter into the closing of the "The Black Vortex" and his series.
With so many new shows debuting each season, it's hard to tell which ones to invest your time in. Here are 6 new and returning shows not to miss during the 2015 spring TV lineup.
12 Monkeys
Syfy Channel has done it again! Based on the 1995 film featuring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, Syfy has taken all the interesting storylines from the movie and packaged them together with better special effects and a more plausible plot. There's no comparison between the film and the show. In fact, the only thing that has stayed the same is the premise of a time traveler going back to save the world.
The show follows James Cole as he travels back and forth between his world, an apocalyptic 2058 where the struggling human race is plagued by a virus, and a pre-virus 2015. His mission is to find the source of the virus and eradicate it before millions of people die. This is my #1 must-see for the season. The execution is believable, the acting is up to par, and each episode leaves me completely unsatisfied and ready for the next one. 12 Monkeys airs on Friday nights at 9/8 central.
iZombie
The CW has really tapped into the business of revamping popular books and comics. Based on the DC comic series by the same name, iZombie follows medical student Liv Moore, who has been turned into a living-dead creature. Yes, she eats brains. Lucky for Liv, she works in a morgue. Unluckily, most of the brains she comes into contact with are murder victims. With each brain she eats, she inherits that person's traits and last memories, so she teams up with a detective to use her abilities to help solve the victims' murders. While fun and unique, there is a lack of believable authenticity to the show; the young coroner is suddenly an expert crime scene investigator with no other teammates while Liv and the detective go around disturbing crime scenes and tampering with evidence. Besides that, iZombie is a perfect mashup of the supernatural, new adult, and crime drama. iZombie airs on Tuesday nights at 8/7 central.
The Royals
E! doesn't usually go in the route of scripted television. They're mainly known for really bad and horribly addictive reality TV. I never planned to watch this show, but when I found out William Mosley (The Chronicles of Narnia) was playing a prince, I had to check out at least one episode. The Royals follows a spoof British royal family. We get to see the public scrutiny along with some of the more desirable parts of being rich and famous. A modern day royal show like this has never been done before, and with Elizabeth Hurley playing the queen, things are bound to get sexy and interesting. This is by far going to be my guilty pleasure of the season. The Royals airs on E! on Sundays nights at 10/9 central.
Returning Shows
Orphan Black
Orphan Black follows the lives of numerous clones as they fight to live outside the grasp of their creators. Played by Tatiana Maslany, each clone is has a brilliantly different personality. This is a binge-watch-worthy show that feels completely believable. You can definitely tell the producers paid their scientific consultants well. If you haven't tuned in yet, you can still catch up before the third season returns on April 18th on BBC America.
Game Of Thrones
It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since we've been introduced to the Stark family. It honestly feels like each season goes too fast; maybe it's because each season is only 10 episodes long. Will this be the year Daenerys makes it to the iron throne? If you haven't been watching this best-selling series-turned-TV-sensation, be sure to catch up before Game of Thrones airs on April 12 on HBO.
Bitten
This is another book-turned-TV series. Last year, we weren't sure if this show would even receive a second season. With lack of fan support and criticism from the book's author, Bitten barely made this list. [Bittenwas one of my favorite books.] The show follows Elena, the only female werewolf in existence, as she fights to protect her pack and establish her own identity in the real world. I was highly disappointed during the first season by Syfy's butchering of the book's characters, but I will tune in out of loyalty, if only just to see if they can salvage what is left of the pack. Bitten airs on April 17th on Syfy.
What new show are you addicted to this season? Which returning show are you most looking forward to? Leave a comment and let us know.
Storm is back at the Jean School and this can only mean one thing:
The riveting life of being a headmistress! Wait, what?
Enter Gambit, and an old-school thief challenge, to mix things up a little. [At least this premise this could be fun!]
Writer Greg Pak has wrapped up the recent arc in Storm and lets loose a little in issue #9. We get to see a playful and fun adventure with the two old-school X-Men, who go on a journey of rediscovery about their current roles and responsibilities.
Backing up the story with a balanced subplot, Pak has Beast conversing with Marisol throughout the issue: intertwining the dialogue over the top of panels focused on Storm and Gambit to drive home the message underscoring their mission. The approach is effective and straightforward, allowing the reader to enjoy the experience but still evoking a deeper meaning from the issue, which has been a hallmark of the series.
With Peter David's All-New X-Factor concluded, Gambit was a bit of a free agent as far as a Marvel character, so it is good to see him put to some use in this issue. Storm and Gambit have a camaraderie and history that complements them well for a story like this. Pak continues to deliver a series full of heart as it focuses on driving character central narratives and exploring diversity.
Who is lurking in the sewers?
What Pak does well is quickly establish a real voice for the characters in each issue and bring the individuality of each into play as he builds characterization in the story. This translates into the art also, with nuances of the characters being more readily developed in Storm in ways that might not be possible in the team-focused X-men books.
The art is hit and miss, unfortunately. The pencils from Al Barrionuevo and Neal Edwards were at jaunty angles in the opening pages; it took me a couple of reads to get past them and delve into the actual story. This effect of pulling the reader out of the experience should usually be avoided at all costs, and here it just felt off. In my opinion the shot selection and angle of poses for the characters seemed wrong; this does settle down over the course of the issue but still pops up in the odd panel.
Gambit is too cool to pass on
There are some great Indiana Jones–like action sequences in Storm #9 that add to the fun flavor of the book. There are also some absolutely cheesy moments, but it is more lighthearted and popcorn entertainment. The setup for the next issue, however, was interesting; it will be intriguing to see what comes next issue for Storm.
Ruth Redmond's colors are consistent in their feel and tone, which are now so well established for this series. This continuity carries a lot of weight in the transition from issue to issue as different artists rotate in on the penciling or ink duties.
Thieves (re)united
As always, we want to know what you thought about this issue. Do you like the direction in which Greg Pak has taken this series? Is it different enough for you compared to others? What did you think of the art this time round? Tell us below or head over to the Fanboys Anonymous Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment. Make sure you come back for the next issue as we may begin to see how Storm could be erected by the Marvel universe–spanning event "Secret Wars."
Hey, hey, hey, Dacetacular nation! Check out episode 92 of The Dace Man Show with hosts Dace, Gibby, Frank Ward, Nicholas Andrew, and Patty McTitties!
::SPORTS NEWS::
NHL rankings
Curling!
Spring training is coming!
Plus more
::WEIRD NEWS WITH GIBBY::
It was a Quickie
::FRANK'S CORNER::
Urban Dictionary
::ON CAPITAL HILL WITH NICK ANDREW::
He's just a Bill, sitting on Capital Hill.
::CELEB NEWS::
Dace brings you the hottest stories coming out of LA.
All that and more, only on The Dace Man Show.
As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a comfy seat in front of your computer—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!
Listen live to The Dace Man Show every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on Mega Powers Radio.
Hey, hey, hey, Dacetacular nation! Check out episode 91 of The Dace Man Show with hosts Dace, Gibby, Frank Ward, Nicholas Andrew, and Patty McTitties!
::SPORTS NEWS::
NHL rankings
Curling!
Spring training is coming!
Plus more
::WEIRD NEWS WITH GIBBY::
It was a Quickie
::FRANK'S CORNER::
Facts.
::ON CAPITAL HILL WITH NICK ANDREW::
He's back with the scoop!!
::CELEB NEWS::
Dace brings you the hottest stories coming out of LA.
::Who Said It::
VS
All that and more, only on The Dace Man Show.
As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a comfy seat in front of your computer—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!
Listen live to The Dace Man Show every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on Mega Powers Radio.
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