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The Weekly Pile February 4, 2009: Authority #7, Buffy the Vampire Slayer #22, Cable #11, Secret Warriors #1, Marvel: Your Universe #1

Feb 5, 2009 The Weekly Pile

This week’s pile of comics maintained the quality trend from last week as each issue was enjoyable in its own way.   I purchased 5 comics on Wednesday, but what I brought home was actually the equivalent of 9 single issues.  Sounds great, right?  It is and we’ll touch on that more in the reviews below.

Continue on for Reviews of:

The Authority #7
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #22
Cable #11
Secret Warriors #1
Marvel: Your Universe #1

The Authority #7
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Simon Coleby

This issue completely pays off the last page reveal cliffhanger from the previous issue.  With ultra-baddie Eidolon facing down a seemingly defenceless Angie, the dormant nanites inside her body suddenly return and allow her to turn into the Engineer to defend herself.  And when I say “defend herself”, I mean she is able to literally blow Eidolon’s head off…  Which he then proceeds to grow back, Wolverine style.  It is now time to rumble.  After a few rounds of the Engineer smacking Eidolon around, the nanites don’t stick around and a very un-Engineer Angie is back to where she started with an even angrier Eidolon looking to deliver the killing blow.  But, aid is actually delivered in the form of an unlikely source.

Simon Coleby’s art is really growing on me.  It fits the tone of this series (this issue in particular) very well and seems to be getting stronger with each passing month, just like the storytelling.  The final few pages of The Authority #7 set up the new story arc well as I’m excited to see what happend to cause the surprising events on the final page to occur and what the repercussions are going to be.  I’ve mentioned it before, but this book has come back from the edge for me.  It was THIS close to being removed my my Pull List, but the last couple of issues have saved it from the chopping block.

Quick Bits I liked about the issue:

- The Authority’s Monster Truck.
- Father Midnighter???
- ”He has his moments”.

 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #22
Writer: Steven S. DeKnight
Artist: Georges Jeanty

This comic did something that not many other series could accomplish; it told a completely entertaining story with nothing more than a cameo from its title character.  Buffy doesn’t make an appearance until the last few pages and by then, the very satisfying story is already wrapping up.  A story that contains a new edition to the Whedon-verse; “vampy cats”.  Think of them as a Hello Kitty gone bad… and with a mind of their own.  These vampy cats appear to have been released upon the world and its up to the slayers to stop them.  Luckily Kennedy and Satsu are up for the challenge as they team up to make the world safe from all fanged feline attackers.

Writer Steve S. DeKnight has captured the voice of these characters like a pro.  The dialogue from start to finish is snappy and clever, as evident by Satsu’s “…reviewing my ass” line referencing her unique relationship to Buffy.  When a writer can cause the reader to instantly recall something that happened more than 10 issues ago with a simple comment, they are definitely doing their job. 

This stand alone story contained more story than I have seen in full 6 issue arcs in other comics.  This was a fun read with lots of slayer action and quirky conversations.  Keep them coming.

Quick Bits I liked about the issue:

- vampy cat trying to climb into Kennedy’s mouth while another yells “Get in her mouth”.  Hilarious.
- The slayers have  a sub!
- Kennedy appearance!

 

Cable #11
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artists: Ariel Olivetti & Jamie McKelvie

This issue of Cable was very Hope/Nathan centric as the majority of pages were devoted to the pair of time traveling mutants (or “Moot-Ants” as Hope calls them) continuing to avoid Bishop while trying to simply survive in the wasteland their pursuer has created.  Newly named Hope has aged another 2 years since last issue which makes her 7 years old.  It’s true what they say; kids really do grow up fast…  The pseudo father and daughter attempt to jump ahead in the time stream to find a habitable area, but this proves to be difficult in more ways than one.

The interior art is handled by regular artist Ariel Olivetti and guest penciler Jamie McKelvie.  The difference in art is a bit jarring as both artists have their own unique styles.  McKelvie’s pages are very good, but they may suffer a bit in comparison if only because fans are used to Olivetti’s Cable after 1o issues.

The final page snuck up on me a bit and I was left wondering what exactly happened.  I’m sure Cable #12 will be able to enlighten me in 30 days.

Quick Bits I liked about the issue:

- 7 year old Hope attempting to pronounce words.
- The continuing Nathan and Hope dynamic and how it changes as Hope gets older.
- “It wasn’t a time travelling wolf”.

 

Secret Warriors #1
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis & Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Stefano Caselli

Finally, Marvel has given Nick Fury his own book again!  While his name may not be in HUGE letters on the cover, make no mistake, Nick Fury is steering this ship and we should all be thankful for that.  Fury is a character that needs to be front and center and the Marvel Universe is a better place with him in it. 

Overall, it was a decent first issue.  It would have been nice to see a bit more action, but that will come with future issues.  We do get a nice taste of Stefano Caselli’s action sequences (HYDRA SPLASH!!!) during the first few pages and I want more!  There was also plenty of exposition laid out in a conversation between Fury and the Warriors as well as a one on one chat between Nick and Daisy.  After reading this issue, you are able to get a pretty clear picture of what it’s like living under Fury’s roof and rule.  Tough doesn’t seem to cover it.  Daisy is fully on board as would be expected after the events in Secret War, but the rest of the team are still trying to adjust and those growing pains can be felt.

A last page reveal has me a bit perplexed and wondering why writers Brian Michael Bendis and Jonathan Hickman are going down that particular path.  I’m hopeful that issue #2 will explain this choice a bit better, although I am not sure how.  But, that’s why I’m a reader and they are writers.  I’ll be back next month to see what they present.

Quick Bits I liked about the issue:

- “We’re out of pop-tarts”.
- A legitimate President Obama appearance.  Well done.
- Solid extras including character sketches and a journal from Yo-Yo Rodriguez
- Fury laying down the law after the Recon mission.

 

Marvel: Your Universe #1
Writers: Various
Artists: Various

Marvel deserves a round of applause for this series (yes, series.  More on that in a minute).  This is an AMAZING idea.  This comic contains the first issues of 5 recent Marvel story arcs.  They include X-Men: Legacy, Ms. Marvel, Immortal Iron Fist, Ghost Rider and Nova.

Let me list a few of the blurbs from the cover that hooked me right away:

FIVE TITANIC STORIES FOR ONE MARVELOUS PRICE|
128 PAGES
$5.99 COVER PRICE

Yes, I understand that by selling these re-printed  issues for a cheap price, Marvel is trying to get fans hooked on the comics so that they will eventually buy the monthly issues or trade paperbacks.  So what?  That’s a great idea and exactly what I plan to do.  If I enjoy any of the issues in this comic enough, I will go and buy the collected editions to get more.  Or, I can wait and read them monthly in the future issues of Marvel: Your Universe.  It’s a win/win scenario. 

I’ve checked out the solicitations for the next two Marvel: Your Universe comics and they will be continuing the same five series in sequence.  So, it would seem that is would be possible to buy the first six issues of Marvel: Your Universe and be able to read an entire story arc from the five series contained within.  Not too shabby.  Of course, whose to say if this publishing technique will continue.  Marvel may only plan to publish the first half of the arcs in order and then switch to completely different series to vary things up, causing fans to seek out back issues or trade paperbacks to finish the initial stories.  If this is the case, I still don’t have a problem with this approach as I see this series as a “taste test”.  If you like what you sample, go out and get the rest.

I think this is a great idea and encourage everyone to pick this comic up.  How else can you try 5 Marvel series for the price of a couple of comics?  Well done, Marvel.

Quick Bits I liked about the issue:

- Everything.  Great idea.
- Easily affordable.
- Promotes trying new things with little risk.

 

Pick of the Pile this week goes to Marvel: Your Universe #1.  In a time when comics are getting more and more expensive, it’s refreshing to see a publisher offering a lower priced option.   I will be doing everything I can to support this series.

See you next week!

Tags: andy lanning, ariel olivetti, authority, brian michael bendis, buffy, cable, dan abnett, duane swierczynski, georges jeanty, jamie mckelvie, jonathan hickman, Marvel Your Universe, season eight, Secret Warriors, simon coleby, stefano caselli, steven deknight, vampire slayer