It’s gonna be a somewhat lighter week for the written edition. If you haven’t already, make sure to watch our video review episode for July 16th on our youtube page:
To reiterate the episode: Robin Rises Omega is great and Teen Titans is awful. Moving on.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 (8/10 Lugos) -Sam
I don’t like the Rat King. Never have. Didn’t like the costume, didn’t like the character. So, when I heard that the Rat King was coming to the comic series, I was not looking forward to it. But the writers that have done such a good job of creating the last 35 issues basically showed me that I should never have doubted them.
At this point, the Turtles and co. are fighting a war on two fronts: against Shredder and the Foot and Krang and his army. This issue takes a step back from both of those wars for a conversation between Splinter and Leonardo. In light of everything that has happened to this point, and everything coming their way, a conversation would be enough… But that’s where Rat King enters… And fuck… The turtles have so much on their plate right now between two massive foes… And in one issue, the Rat King appears and makes those two look like nothing but Foot clan ninjas.
I’m serious. Rat King is a serious threat, and one I want to read more about. I never would have thought. If for nothing else, the book is worth it for that. It also happens to be a pretty good jumping on point. So, if you have been reading, keep going. If you haven’t but have any love for the Turtles, I highly recommend this book.
Secret Avengers #5 (10/10 Lugos) – Isaac
Secret Avengers is a fun book. It’s important you know that going in. But sometimes when people say a fun book they misunderstand, and assume it’s a comedy book, like the Justice League International series of the 80’s. And although it can be very funny, Secret Avengers is also a very serious spy book with high octane action, and very dangerous missions. This is the best mix of the feel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the Comic Book world, and not just because Agent Coulson is a big part of this book which he is. This feel like what an Avengers spin off TV show could be. Here’s something I thought I would never say, MODOK is now one of my favorite characters, and that’s largely due to the writing of Ales Kot.
When I heard that Ales Kot was going to be the new writer of Secret Avengers I had no idea who he was, but he made an impression very fast. He mixes high Octane action, with great character moments, and great witty banter. He made me care about MODOK. MODOK people! Joining him on art is another new name to me Michael Walsh. Walsh’s art style is the perfect match to Kot’s writing. He brings an animated feel to the world of The Avengers that feels like the Biggest Budget Avengers Cartoon that you could ever want. In a world where Marvel has so many high profile Avengers books hitting the shelves, it’s easy to miss this one. It could very well slip under your radar. Do yourself a favor, and don’t let it.
Avengers World #9 (8/10 Lugos) -Isaac
Avengers World might as well be called the book for characters Jonathan Hickman doesn’t really have time for. Not that that’s a bad thing. In fact it’s probably a necessary thing. As Hickman’s run barrels towards its, exciting conclusion some characters are going to get pushed to the sidelines. That’s where Avengers World comes in. This issue is a perfect example giving the spotlight to Cannonball and Sunspot. Two characters that were added to the team at the beginning of Hickman’s run, but due to the size of the cast have been regulated to background players in the main series. This book is written by Nick Spencer, and like Secret Avengers it’s a fun, fast paced read. Since the beginning of this book The Avengers have been facing a number of threats from around the world. This issue’s focus is on the threat of AIM. For reasons you’ll find out in the book Sam and Bobby have to travel to the Future to help stop AIM.
The trip into the future gives Spencer the opportunity to drop some hints at some interesting possible developments in the Avengers future. Nick Spenser really gets the friendship that Sam and Bobby have had since they’re New Mutant days, and writes them very well together. That relationship makes this issue as good as it is. This is Sam and Bobby’s book, and it made we want to see more of the focus on them down the line. I’ve been a fan of the art of Stefano Caselli since his start on Hickman’s Secret Warriors run, and it’s always nice to see his work. This book ends on a cliffhanger with a group of characters that haven’t been seen since Bendis’s run, and I’m very excited to see where Spencer takes things from here.
Magneto #7 Review (9/10 Lugos) -Jarryd
In every review I have read of Magneto, I keep seeing the same description – that this is Marvel’s “Breaking Bad.” Magneto, as we all know broke bad a long time ago, this is him going full on terminator. The master of magnetism that we see in Cullen Bunn’s Magneto is a man with only one goal: Eliminate any and all threats to mutantkind. In issue 7 we find Mags infiltrating a mutant slave death match based out of Hong Kong. Similar to Warren Ellis’ Moon Knight, this book has adopted the one and done format; a furious and succinct tale that hits the ground running and never slows down the action for a second, where this book differs is that each payoff at issues end is building towards a larger narrative(Marvel’s upcoming Axis event). Magneto’s abilities may be neutered but that somehow just makes him more dangerous, allowing him to get up close and personal with his enemies and relish in their pain and dread, even with his ability a fraction of what they once were he is feared.
There are some quiet moments within this issue; literally wedge in-between Magneto’s quest for vengeance, moments of him lamenting his lost prowess where he reassures the reader(and his prey) that it is not the power that makes the man. It is here we are given a glimpse to the once Mutant ruler at his peak, laying waste to his enemies often in a single panel. The impact of these quick flashbacks is attributed to the fantastic art created by Gabriel Hernandez Walta and Javier Fernandez, even more credit should be given to the Uncanny Jordie Belaire. She perfectly nails the mood of Bunn’s script with her coloring, and like Charles Soule she seems to be on more books then any human can possibly handle, the aforementioned Moon Knight included. This is just a great book filled with great character moments for the titular character, a beautiful one and done that any comic book reader can enjoy.