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The Weekly Pile January 21, 2009: Astonishing X-Men #28, Authority #6, Dark Avengers #1, Mighty Avengers #21, Spawn #188

Jan 23, 2009 The Weekly Pile

This week’s pile is very “team themed” as 4 of the 5 comics involve a group of superheroes while a lone book  centers on a single character. 

Continue on for Reviews of:

Astonishing X-Men #28
Authority #6
Dark Avengers #1
Mighty Avengers
Spawn #188

Astonishing X-Men #28
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Simone Bianchi

This series continues to entertain as Warren Ellis has taken what Joss Whedon began and has kept the astonishing boat afloat.  We may not be going the same direction as when Whedon was writing the series, but the new course is just as compelling and the eventual destination should be pleasing upon arrival. 

Ellis has injected unique ideas in all previous issues and comes up with another one during the first few pages of #28 as Emma and Storm contemplate the possibility of a city being destroyed because of a mutant losing their abilities during M-day.  It really is a clever idea from the writer and expertly executed through the effortless conversation of the two X-Men.

Astonishing X-Men cannot be discussed without going into the insane detail seen in Simone Bianchi’s art.  The panel placements cannot be commented on enough, especially when Beast is involved.  There is a sequence that displays both Beast’s unique acrobatic skills as well as the unique pencils of Bianchi.  I’ve never seen Beast look better.

This issue continues the story of a seemingly long lost Asian mutant team that have disappeared and the X-Men are investigating why.  Various pairs of the X-Men find themselves fighting various single baddies include a great bit of action with Armor and Wolverine that reminded me of the classic Wolverine/Jubilee dynamic.  Things also start to come together on the last page when a mutant from the past appears to be the key to what comes next.  A well done final page that will get me to pick up the next issue for sure.

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- “Shaddap”.
- Scott and Hank’s talk about mutant physiology and “brain bladders”.
- Lazer Fingers.
- Simone Bianchi, Simone Bianchi, Simone Bianchi, Simone Bianchi…

 

Authority #6
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Simon Coleby

I nearly dropped this book, but I’m glad that it made it’s way into my pile this week.  The whole “World’s End” era of the Wildstorm universe didn’t grab me from the start, but the Authority has gotten more interesting during the last couple of issues.  A very interesting concept was brought forward in this issue as Stormwatch makes an appearance on the downed Carrier.  During a conversation between Stormwatch and Authority team leaders Jackson and Hawksmoor, the idea of a city being built on the Carrier and what that would mean for the wheel chair bound Jack Hawksmoor is brought to light.  Maybe a new city would give Jack new life and a reason to live that life again.  I’m excited to see how this plays out in future issues.

While the male leaders of these super groups are talking, the female leaders, Christine and Angie, run into a bit of a problem when Eidolon turns up.  But, it looks like the problem may be solved in short order as the final page reveals Angie looking the most like the Engineer she has since the world ended months ago.  This page looked perfect!  Yes, I will be buying issue #7.

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- The Stormwatch reveal.
- Jack’s deteriorating state of health and mind.
- Deathblow cameo.
- Angie as the Terminator!

 

Dark Avengers #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mike Deodato

This is a different Avengers comic.  A good different.  Dark Avengers does retains some hallmarks from the other Avengers book currently populating the comic shelves; snappy banter, a team of characters that don’t seem to fit, but still manages to find its own voice as well.  Bendis has peppered in plenty of plot points in this first issue that he will be able to expand upon in this current and upcoming story arcs.

One thing that did surprise me slightly is that every member’s identity was revealed in the first issue.  I thought there may be a bit more mystery as Bendis has been known to conceal an Avengers identity in the past (Ronin anyone?  Heck, he even hid that characters sex!).  For the record, the Dark Avengers are: The Sentry, Captain Marvel, Iron Patriot, Ares, Wolverine, Hawkeye, Spiderman and Ms. Marvel.  BUT, all things are not what they seem.  Pick up the issue to see who is actually behind these well know masks.  I’m pretty excited to see the fallout from these roster choices and how (or IF) they are going to remain concealed from the public.  Norman Osborn is certainly stirring the pot…

This is a great #1 comic and I recommend it to any Avengers fans.  With Bendis behind the wheel, there are plenty of surely shocks and surprises planned for these Dark Avengers.

Quick bits I liked about this issue:

- Maria Hill’s bow.  That will pay off later, no doubt.
- Bullseye’s facial reaction to “Avengers Tower”.
- Feeding time for Venom.
- Daken saying who his Daddy is.
- Tony’s toy closet.

 

Mighty Avengers #21
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Khoi Pham

Dan Slott can write comics that are funny.  Mighty Avengers #21 has genuine laugh out loud moments while not being silly.  With Brian Michael Bendis departing the title last month, I was a bit worried that the voice of the book would change.  That fear was quickly put to rest after only a few pages.  While the voice of the book was altered, I believe it wasn’t a bad change at all.  This issue feels like a #1 issue as everything feels fresh and new.  There are new characters, new ideas, a new creative team and I feel like a new reader experiencing it all for the first time. 

The Mighty Avengers that are brought together in this issue are much different than those that were present only a few issues ago.  Scarlet Witch has returned and cleaned house.  Yup, the Scarlet Witch is back.  We’re not totally sure why yet, but she has returned and she is on a mission.  That mission is to apparently assemble the Avengers.  Her Avengers.  The group she has selected is nothing is not eclectic.  With members like the new Wasp (Hank Pym), the Hulk, Stature and Jarvis, I am staying on board to see where this book is headed and for the interaction between these individuals.  The conversations between Amadeus Cho and Hank Pym are worth more than the cover price alone (and that’s saying a lot for a $3.99 issue…).

Quick bits I liked about this issue:

- Scarlet Witch’s line: “You’ll have to do” when she selects  U.S. Agent instead of Captain America.
- The fly with the fingertip.
- Stature’s “petrified” line of dialogue.
- Vision and Stature flirting while talking about music.
- Say the magic words with me; “Avengers Assemble”.

 

Spawn #188
Writer: Brian Holguin & Todd McFarlane
Artist: Whilce Portacio

This is the fourth issue of the new Spawn direction from Image co-founders Todd McFarlane and While Portacio and I’m still trying to get into it.  It has had some intriguing moments but seems to be moving too slowly and not paying off quickly enough for me.  McFarlane can apparently read my mind as he actually addresses this point in the letters page at the end of this issue.  He asks readers to “hang in there” and states that “big things” are happening in the next few issues and then things will “start rocking and rolling”.  I appreciate that Todd is self aware when it comes to the slow pacing of the issues so far and that he is assuring us of imminent revelations, but it would still be nice to see some “big things” sooner rather than later.  It seems that I got my wish as the last page of this issue does seem like a “big thing”.

I will say that this issue held my interest the most of the first 4 parts of the “Endgame” storyline.  Things do feel like they are starting to come together and pay offs seem to be on the horizon for all the set ups so far.  Central character Jim Downing has been moved to a new hospital after his went up in flames at the end of the last issue.  Since waking from his coma and not knowing who he is or anything about his life, he has befriended Sara, a sweet woman who sat with him during his time in a coma state.  Jim finally leaves the hospital with some help from Sara and begins looking for answers.  But, a much needed reveal on the last page brings up more questions than answers.  This final page and what it  suggests is enough to get me to pick up issue #5.  Hopefully Spawn will continue this upward momentum.

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- Portacio’s art.  His character design is incredible.  Everyone looks unique which is rare in comics.
- The clown in the alley.
- The last page does deliver.

The Pick of the Pile this week is actually a tie.  I completely enjoyed both Astonishing X-Men #28 and Mighty Avengers #21.  Both books held my interest from start to finish and have me excited for their next issues.  Dark Avengers gets an honorable mention as it was a solid premier issue and I hope is continues its strong start.

See you next week!

Tags: astonishing x-men, authority, Comics, dark avengers, mighty avengers, spawn