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The Weekly Pile January 28, 2009: Fantastic Four #563, New Avengers #49, Punisher: War Zone #6, Runaways #6, X-Force#11

Jan 29, 2009 The Weekly Pile

This week’s pile of 5 comics were entertaining from top to bottom.  A couple of issues surprised me by regaining my attention after it had started to wain with previous issues while another book continued its stellar run with its latest offering.  I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a pile of comics as much as I did with this week’s releases.

Continue on for Reviews of:

Fantastic Four # 563
New Avengers #49
Punisher: War Zone #6
Runaways #6
X-Force #11

Fantastic Four #563
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Bryan Hitch

This was easily my favourite issue of the Millar/Hitch Fantastic Four run to date.  I’ve liked what the pair of superstar creators have been coming up with on a monthly basis, but this issue actually touched me.  Everyone seemed like real people in this issue.  Real people with incredible super powers, but still REAL people.  Bryan Hitch deserves a lot of the credit for this as he has transformed the incredible script of Millar into a living, breathing universe.  There were 2 images in separate scenes where Ben’s eyes actually made me feel happy for The Thing.  Yup, I felt happy for something that does not exist in real life.  The pictures I am referring to are when Debbie is hugging Ben’s head after they have announced their engagement to Reed and Sue and again when Johnny writes the sky message in fire.  Both of those scenes prove that the eyes are indeed windows to the soul as you can see the different types of love Ben feels at those moments, one towards his future wife and the other towards one of his best friends.  Well played Mr. Hitch.  You have allowed a character that you drew on the page to truly emote.

I don’t even care that there is a strong chance that something is going to happen that will tear these two love birds apart (the playground scene between Sue and Debbie may actually have planted a seed for this).  But, hopefully Ben will get to live happily ever after with Debbie, although comics have a way of making things like that pretty tricky, especially for the ever-loving Thing…

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- Val’s Net Journal.  It was a nice twist on the typical ”previously on…” catch up method.
- “Storm” and “Scarlet Witch” cameo.
- Ben and Debbie’s Wakandan Wedding present.
- Bryan Hitch’s other dimension destruction spread.
- “You’ll see.”

 

New Avengers #49
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Billy Tan

Luke Cage wants his baby back.  This issue shows the results of Luke partnering up with Norman Osborn to track down the Skrull (posing as Jarvis) who escaped with Cage’s child after Jessica Jones left the baby in the care of ”Jarvis” to help fight during Secret Invasion.  Did that make sense?  I hope so because I’m not sure how else to explain it…  Anyway, the odd couple of Luke and Norman (along with a couple Thunderbolts) are able to get to the bottom of things pretty quickly with the help of a little “Good Cop/Bad Cop” in the form of Norman and Venom while interrogating a Skrull.  Although, you may think “Bad Cop/Badder Cop” is a more appropriate title once you read the issue…  But, it does get results.

This issue deals with the fact that Cage pretty much sold his soul to Osborn at the end of New Avengers #48 in order to secure his help in a way that completely surprised me.  It definitely isn’t the direction I thought Bendis would take with this.  I don’t want to ruin it, but after reading the last few pages, you certainly get the feeling that the events in this issue will have a ripple effect in the near future for Luke, Jessica, their baby and the New Avengers.

The last page sets up a potentially HUGE 50th issue in size and scope next month.  Which is a good thing as that issue is going to be a double-sized monster.  It would appear that the New Avengers will be meeting the Dark Avengers VERY soon!!!

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- Billy Tan’s reveal of the shooter.  Perfect.
- Luke Cage trying to get some credits from Jessica.
- “Guess who just made the list”
- Luke’s crater and subsequent apology.
- “Give me my baby.”

 

Punisher: War Zone #6
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Steve Dillon

Garth got me with this issue.  The first 5 issues of this mini-series were good, but this issue really felt like the Marvel Knights Punisher that Ennis used to write.  It was fun and outrageous (can’t believe they were allowed to include the image of Schitti in his basement…).  In looking back at the entire series, it feels like everything was building to this issue and I’m glad I stuck around for the ride. 

The first page of this final issue delivered exactly what a Punisher comic should; Frank wearing his standard stone cold face, gun barrel blazing.  But, a nice bit of business was added by having Lt. Molly Richthofen standing back to back with The Punisher with her gun firing as well.  There was no let down after the first page either.  Molly and Frank proceed to mow down the attacking mobsters from last issue with cold efficiency while exchanging minimal yet insightful conversation as we find out that the somewhat unlikely pair hold a mutual respect for each other. 

This issue actually wraps everything up very quickly, but not in a rushed manner.  By the last page, all the loose ends are pretty much tied up in a satisfying way.  Punisher: War Zone feels like the type of series that will read better as a whole rather than in single issues.  The most recent Previews catalog contains a solicit for a premier hardcover edition of this mini-series so people will get the chance for a single serving of War Zone in a couple of months.

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- Frank’s alternative to “Stop, Drop and Roll”.  Classic Ennis.
- “…the coolest footage of all time”.
- “Badge?”
- “Go”.

 

Runaways #6
Writer: Terry Moore
Artist: Humberto Ramos

This issue is another one I picked up this week that ended up surprising me by how much I enjoyed it.  Truthfully, I only bought it for the Humberto Ramos art as I was losing interest in the actual story.  BUT, Terry Moore crafted a nice little Runaways story with a very emotional ending.  This appears to be Ramos’ final issue on the title as the last few solicits for Runaways list Takeshi Miyazawa on interior art and Humberto seems to have taken over Avengers: The Initiative.  Unless this is just a break for Humberto, we may have seen the last of his renditions of Molly, Xavin, Nico and Chase.

The Majesdaniansare still trying to take Karolina back to their home world for crimes her father committed years ago in this last instalment of the first story arc.  All out action is on the menu as the Runaways obviously attempt to prevent one of their family from beingcaptured.  After some magic from Nico and some mayhem from Chase, the 2 opposing sides eventually meet in the middle to discuss what to ultimately do.  A slightly predictable resolution is agreed upon, but the execution by Moore and Ramos is what really makes this issue shine.  A very quick flashback scene is used to explain what has just occured and includes perfect dialogue along with the use of a ”scratchy” art technique similar to the flashbacks used during Ramos’ Wolverine run.  The conversation during the flashback is heavy stuff that works if you know the history of the characters or not.  This all adds up to a stand out Runaways comic and a fantastic way for Humberto to potentially finish his run.

Quick bits I liked about the issue:

- GREAT cover!  Doesn’t have a lot to do with the story, but its still a nice piece of art.
- “Flame On”.
- A flying VW Van.
- Spider-balloon.

 

X-Force #11
Writers: Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost
Artists: Alina Urusov & Clayton Crain

Alina Urusov can flat out draw pictures.  I must confess that I have actually seen some of her work before (NYX), but that it must not have really registered with me at that point because the art in X-Force #11 hit me right between the eyes.  I will not forget this artist again.  She has a very similar style to that of Joshua Middleton, but with touches and flair of her own.  While Clayton Crain is listed as an artist on this issue as well, he handles about 10% (the present) of the art while Alina tackles the remaining 90% (the past).  Kyle and Yost have used a cool flashback method as Warpath tells a story from the past involving the origin of Eli Bard.  What struck me as cool was that there were pages that includedpanels by both Urusov and Crain.  Usually, when flashbacks are drawn by a different artist than the main story, each artist gets their own pages.  Can’t say I have ever seen two artists each draw panels on the same page before this comic.  Either way, it worked very well.

So, as it asks on the cover; “Who is Eli Bard”?  X-Force #11 does answer that question as Warpath tells his story from many years ago.  Technically, it is a love story, though far from conventional.  This isn’t Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Isolde…  Eli Bard is a sad man who is looking for love in all the wrong places.  An especially wrong place turns out to be from Aurelia, his not so loyal lover.  Worse still, Selene, the next object of his affections turns out to not be all that she appears either.  Wolverine points this out quite effectively during story time…  Eli Bard ends up being tragically romantic.

The issue ends with a reveal that sets up some cool opportunities for the issues to come.  A certain character’s reemergence and what could come from this has me completely back on board with this series and eagerly awaiting X-Force #12 next month.

Quick bits I liked about this issue:

- Aurelia’s flippant attitude.
- Eli being both likable and unlikable at the same time.
- The black and white art resembling photographs.
- Last page reveal!!!

 

Pick of the Pile is an extremely difficult choice this week.  Every single comic made a case for itself with the quality of story it told.  But, I think I am going to go with Fantastic Four #563 for the simple fact that The Thing finally caught a break.  Here’s hoping it lasts!

See you next week!

Tags: alina urusov, billy tan, brian michael bendis, bryan hitch, christopher yost, clayton crain, craig kyle, Fantastic Four, garth ennis, humberto ramos, Mark Millar, new avengers, punisher, runaways, steve dillon, terry moore, war zone, xforce