Bullet Reviews #110

Bullet Reviews: For those small weeks when you have the extra cash to try something different or weren’t sure about something. This week: Fearless Defenders #4AU, Uncanny Avengers #8AU, Avengers #12, A+X #8, Bounce #1, Deadpool #10, It Girl & The Atomics #10, Justice League #20, and Superior Spider-Man #10

FEARLESS DEFENDERS #4AU (Marvel NOW!)
I’ve talked a lot on how much I was disliking this series, but when proven wrong I ate crow and opted to give the series a fair shot, at least completing the first story arc. It would take a lot to impress me, and this offshoot of the main series managed to do it. First, it was focusing on Warrior Woman, a relatively new character (to me) who is actually Hippolyta. One of the reasons that I did not enjoy this character when Hela brought her into the Fearless Defenders team was that we already had one character on the team housed in mythology, but also because it appeared to be a direct opposite of Wonder Woman from the DC universe. How direct? This was Hippolyta of the Amazons… who (depending on which era of Wonder Woman you subscribe to) was either WW herself or the mother of Diana. That aside, we see more of the character of Warrior Woman in this issue (note: it’s also WW as the acronym – one would have hoped for something a tad more original) but here we also have Warrior Woman and Caroline Le Fay (the baddy – maybe? – from the first arc) team up to take on Latveria. We get more insight into both of these characters, including explaining exactly who Caroline is and dealing with her lineage, and we get a similar treatment for WW. We see the re-emergence of the Amazons within the Fearless Defenders and see WW actually wielding Mjolnir to lead the attack… Yes, Mjolnir. This is one of the few AoU tie-ins that have retained the original creative team as well, which actually helps in tying these revelations to the main series. It was a great way to give the spotlight to these characters whose histories may otherwise be overshadowed by the main story in the regular series. OK, Cullen Bunn… You have changed my mind. This little bit of deviancy has made me like this title more than I did before. Congratulations – now let’s see what else you have in mind when we return to our regular series. I have no problem with an all-female team here; if I come across that way I don’t mean to. I just want to make sure that we have a strong enough story to keep it going. If you keep up the story depth as we saw here, you will have me add this book to my pull list even after what I said before. -Kelly Cassidy

UNCANNY AVENGERS #8AU (Marvel NOW!)
This is one of the most interesting issues of the Age of Ultron series. Not just because it contains longtime Avengers enemy Kang the Conqueror, but because it shows that Kang actually DOES consider his actions when manipulating time. It shows a depth to Kang rarely displayed apart from a desire to rule the roost then and there. As an example, he explicitly explains why he never killed a young Reed Richards – “Galactus would devour the Earth, ending my own future.” It also shows how he is actually using the Apocalypse Twins to manipulate events as well, giving more detail towards where these characters originated from. Probably my favorite bit, though, is that Kang remembers the Marvel U before its change, meaning he is living outside of time completely (for Doctor Who fans, I think this would be the Void between dimensions). This time is co-written by Uncanny Avengers regular Rick Remender and he is joined by Gerry Dugan to complete the writing duties, and they did a hell of a job in giving us insight to these characters. Adam Kubert also did a great job on the art; I am continually reminded why I like his art. He does double duty as penciler and inker here, and is joined by Frank Martin on colors. This is definitely a solid team and I think visually it’s one of the best stories associated with AoU to date. We don’t see the Uncanny Avengers team in here, but instead see elements of the Defenders from the AoU timeline. Definitely a great read for readers of AoU or just for Avengers readers in general as it does give us some insight into Kang and the other villains in the Uncanny Avengers series. -Kelly Cassidy

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AVENGERS #12 (Marvel NOW!)
As I seem to be the only person who doesn’t absolutely adore Hickman’s run on Avengers, I do respect his take on bringing a fresh concept to the table. As we edge ever closer to Infinity we know that we will get our first taste in Avengers #14, only two issues away! As the Savage Land continues to be used more than a hooker in Vegas, this is the first time the Savage Land hasn’t taken a backseat by its environment. We are getting a taste of all the beasts that stir in the Savage Land, and even some from the great beyond! As I can’t wait for this arc to wrap up, I can’t deny my love for prehistoric animals. And I was so looking forward to Spider-Man being fired from the Avengers. Nuts. -Nick Furious

A+X #8 (Marvel NOW!)
This title just seems like it should just be… bad. Consistently, the concept is something that I think just shouldn’t work. 10-or-so page stories that showcase a up of an Avenger and an X-Man, is an encapsulated story, and is enough to complete a story? Somehow many writers and artists have risen to this challenge and they continually surprise me with how they succeed. This issue had 2 stories: Spider-Woman and Kitty Pryde (with Lockheed) is the first story, written by Gerry Duggan and art by Salvador Larroca. Spider-Woman recruits Kitty (through Lockheed who, it turns out, is an agent of S.W.O.R.D. – I gotta find out when THAT happened…) to help her retrieve a piece of alien metal that fell to Earth. Kitty is chosen by Lockheed, it seems, to help out since it is alien-based and Lockheed trusts Kitty. What they didn’t expect was to find AIM, Hydra, and the Absorbing Man all battling for it. Kitty does something that teams of Avengers have not been the most thorough in doing – stopping the Absorbing Man with a flick of her hand. Seriously. The story had great art and had a few fun one-liners which also seem to be a crux of A+X – the stories are simply fun and nothing too long-term or profound. The second story was much more amusing – Hawkeye and Deadpool as told by Christopher Hastings and Reilly Brown. This was – literally – a fun story. The insanity of Deadpool paired up with Hawkeye. Hawk is even surprised when Deadpool pulls out a bow and arrow and uses Hawk’s weapon of choice – Wade Wilson style. He even has a derivation of the Boxing Glove Arrow – you know, the kind with a big fist at the end that takes out your opponents… But this one is green and, when hitting its target, shouts “Hulk Smash” and then explodes. You know… Wade Wilson style. But it wouldn’t be a Deadpool story without SOME sort of limb severing… and so we get that too. Yes, this was a Deadpool story that was actually fun to read after so many making him out to be a complete loon or just being plain uninteresting. Yes, he’s a little nuts, but when it comes to battles he still makes do in his own indomitable way. And that’s what we get here. One of the most fun A+X stories I have read in all of the issues released to date. -Kelly Cassidy

BOUNCE #1 (Image)
Bounce isn’t your ordinary super hero comic book. I would define Bounce as the slacker’s comic book hero. Before reading Bounce #1 I knew nothing about this comic book series. Bounce is brought to us by writer Joe Casey and artist David Messina. They deliver us an unlikely hero with a familiar story. Now this comic book starts off in not the typical fashion for a superhero story. Our main character Jasper Jenkins is in his apartment just chilling with his Xbox, coffee and bong. That is right, our main character hits up the reefer and just lays back and relaxes. That is until he watches the news about all the bad things going on. We soon find out this young man is the hero named Bounce. Guess what his super power is? Still haven’t guessed? I will give you a hint…Bounce bounces around like a human pinball. Now that isn’t the most original idea but the twist to me is this laid back burnout is a superhero. Many stories will have the heroes throwing back a beer or some liquor; this might be the first time that I can remember a hero taking “Hits from the Bong.” Now Bounce is not for a younger audience. David Messina’s artwork is sleek with some great character designs. He brought these characters to life with very fine line work. But that still to me doesn’t draw me in enough to really enjoy this comic book. It was decent but not good. I feel like it may have more to offer once we get deeper into the series. So with that said I will lay back and wait to see what Casey and Messina deliver in the next couple of issues. I do know it won’t be ordinary but will it be extraordinary? I sure hope so. -Tony Calandra

DEADPOOL #10 (Marvel NOW!)
Now, I dropped this book after reading the mess that was the first issue. Arguably, it was the worst Deadpool book I’ve ever read. This is only the second issue I’ve purchased from this series and, honestly, the only reason I did was because the thought of Deadpool meeting the Superior Spider-Man, with Otto’s no-nonsense way of doing things, was too good to pass up and I’m glad I didn’t. It seems that the writers of this book (something I feel is a bad move, having two ‘comedy’ writers on one comic book) have finally figured out how to write this book (thought the mild sex jokes are less than impressive).
The story here is a fun installment in a larger story, done in a way that’s surprisingly easy for non-readers like me to follow. Deadpool is working for a demon, basically collecting the souls of the people who sold their souls to him in exchange for super powers. This issue he focuses on a rather weak representation of Donald Trump (because making a real world rich man a villain is such an original concept) who made a deal with a demon to be able to tell the future. He knows Deadpool is coming for him and hires a host of villains to protect him including Taskmaster and such feared evil doers as Paste Pot Pete, Batroc the Leaper, and Lady Stilt Man. Yeah, Lady Stilt Man. It’s pretty much all the material you need to make a great Deadpool story and even the two ‘funny guys’ who write this series were able to make it fun. But the best thing of all? Deadpool talking trash about Doctor Octopus to the Superior Spider-Man! -Skott Jimenez

IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #10 (Image)
Another fun and fantastic issue of what can arguably be called the only true super hero comic on the racks today! This time we have guest artist Natalie Nourigat who has done work for Oni, Dark Horse, and others but this is my first experience with her work. I have to say she is a perfect fit for this type of comic book. With a story featuring a gang of kids stealing the same device It Girl saved recently the light-hearted nature of Natalie’s art gives the story a perfect balance of childish fun without taking away from the action involved in getting the device back from the kids and finding out who’s behind all these shenanigans. It all boils down to a man who lived for thousands of years by using magic to keep himself alive and young. But with the modern age magic has pretty much stopped existing and that’s why he wants this device, it’s the next best thing to magic and will keep him young and alive for who knows how long. But the question now is will it do more? I’m also curious about his true goals. I mean he doesn’t seem like a bad guy but there must be more going on than meets the eye.
With only two more issues to go, it’s nice to see there is no slacking on the part of the creative team on this book. It’s still just as light-hearted and exciting as it’s been since it began, up to, and including, the great cover! This book is still on my list of books to recommend, especially if you like super hero stuff without all the grit and reboots. Fans of Thor, The Mighty Avenger might really dig this one! -Skott Jimenez

JUSTICE LEAGUE #20 (DC)
It is the return of Despero! My biggest problem with the New 52 is the lack of continuity. The New 52 was supposed to fix all those problems but within a year the errors were back in full force. This has nothing to do with Marvel being DECENT at continuity, it has to do with DC getting a fresh start and jacking it up within less than a year. But on the other hand I do like Firestorm and Atom being added to the Justice League roster. And how in the world is Atom going to convince Batman the worlds greatest detective that she alone took out Despero!? Justice League is a title that isn’t always great, but it really does put in the time and effort and for that it gets my respect. -Nick Furious

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #10 (Marvel NOW!)
Issue after issue Superior Spider-Man continues to peak my interest. I would even go so far as to argue Dan Slott has done more to make Spider-Man the best it has been in years. The thing with a guy like Parker is he is simple. He is a remarkably easy character to write yet some writers still couldn’t get it right. But writing Otto Octavius is a whole new ball game, yet Slott writes him as if he has been writing him since day one. Even though I know Superior Spider-Man can’t continue forever I sure hope it lasts for at least another year. With Carlie and Mary Jane noticing a change in Peter, Aunt May and J. Jonah respecting Peter in a whole new light, things are really heating up as far the Superior Spider-Man goes. As Peter was vanquished last issue (finally) we now can enjoy Otto in all his devious glory. -Nick Furious