5. Thanos: The Infinity Finale

Written by Jim Starlin

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

Published by Marvel Comics (April 13, 2016)

Source:  Comixology

I have been following Jim Starlin's career since his early days at Marvel.  Some of my fondest memories of that work involved the war between Captain Mar-vell and Thanos.  At the time, my friends and I thought the scope was amazing.  Little did we know that it was just the beginning, the tip of the iceberg.  

Now, after so many pages that I lost track, Jim Starlin turns in what he is calling his swan song with the characters.  And what a swan song it is.  All the epic grandeur of a classic finale is present in this story.  Planets are destroyed.  Heroes die.  Races get annihilated.  Betrayals occur. And in the end, we get the Marvel cosmic universe re-established with some major changes.  I don't know who will take up the reins from the master but Jim Starlin will be a hard act to follow.  

For one of the best grand cosmic epics you will ever read in comics, go back and read Jim Starlin's epic from the beginning.  But be prepared.  You have not seen anything like this before.

My highest recommendation.

Avengers: Rage of Ultron

Author:  Rick Rememder

Artist:  Jerome Opena, Pepe Laraz, Mark Morales

Publication Date:  March 2015

Publisher:  Marvel

Graphic Novel Challenge #16

I enjoyed the latest Avengers movie (“Age of Ultron”).  This original graphic novel was a much better story.  The art of Jerome Opena was near perfect.  The Avengers have had many great artists and Opena deserves to be on that short list.  His art was a perfect fit for Rick Remender’s story.  Remender seems to be channeling the spirit of one of my favorite Avengers writers-Steve Englehart.  The characters seem to be similar to a team that Englehart would assemble.  And the ending was heartbreaking.  Great characterization, great plotting, and great art combine to make this original graphic novel a classic addition to Marvel’s line.  The downside to this is that I want to see where Remender would take the story next.  Unfortunately he is not doing any work for Marvel over the next 12 months.  

Highly recommended.

Ant-Man #1

Writer:  Nick Spenser

Artist:  Ramon Rosanas

First Publication:  January 2015

Source:  Comixology

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

Graphic Novel Challenge #3

With the trailers for this summer’s movie starting to show, it makes sense that Marvel would want to start a new series.  I am guessing the first collection will be available in time for the movie.

This story follows the efforts of Scott (Ant-Man) Lang to get a new job and a fresh start.  Writer Nick Spenser does a great job of capturing the voice and characterization of the main character (and the other characters).  The theme of this issue was new beginnings.  Scott’s ex-wife says that he cannot have their daughter stay overnight until he gets a better place.  The sequence of Scott competing against the other candidates for the Head of Security opening at Tony Stark’s company is a classic.  Once again showcasing his grasp of characterization, Spenser nails the personality of Tony Stark.  I would like to see him do a stint on the Iron Man title.  

Highly recommended. 

The Twelve

Writer:  J. Michael Straczynski

Artist:  Chris Weston

Source:  Comixology

First Publication:  Volume 1-February 2012, Volume 2-October 2012

Collects issues 1-12

Graphic Novel Challenge #s 60-61

This two volume story showcases the perfect marriage of storytelling and art.  In the Marvel universe, an excavation project uncovers a group of 12 heroes in suspended animation under a German building.  It turns out that they were captured by the Germans at the end of World War II.  

The creative team shows how the heroes try to adapt to the modern world.  It is not what they thought it would be.  A murder occurs that unveils a mystery that drives the story. What secrets are the Twelve hiding?  Are they as “good” as they appear to be?  Is one of the Twelve really a killer?  Will any of them survive to try to fit into the modern world?  This series is one of my favorite reads of the year.  

Highly recommended.

Cable and X-Force Vol. 1: Wanted

Author:  Dennis Hopeless

Artist:  Salvador Larroca

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Publication:  May 2013

Rating:  6

Source:  Comixology

Graphic Novel Challenge #49

Collectss:  Cable and X-Force #s 1-5

I was impressed with the art from this series.  It hit all the marks that I look for in illustration.  Unfortunately the story brought the rating down.  The author has written other books that impressed me.  I am not sure if it is his handling of these characters or if it is the characters themselves but I just could not connect with the story.  With the amount of books being sold today, I will be skipping future collections so I have time to read others that I enjoy.

Iron Man vol. 5: Rings of the Mandarin

Author:  Kieron Gillen

Artist:  Luke Ross

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

Source:  Comixology

Rating:  8

Graphic Novel Challenge #48

Collects Iron Man #s 23-28

Kieron Gillen brings everything together from his time on the series to make for an epic end piece.  The Mandarin’s rings communicate through a virtual system and have recruited new hosts to wear them.  Iron Man sets a trap for them.  The mystery mainly focuses on who is wearing some of the rings.  Especially the one.  Gillen has written some great Marvel stories, such as his time on “Journey Into Mystery”, and his Iron Man run is one of his best.

All-New Invaders Vol. 1: Gods and Soldiers

Author:  James Robinson

Artist:  Steve Pugh

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Publication:  July 2014

Rating:  9

Source:  Comixology

Graphic Novel Challenge #47

Collects All-New Invaders #s 1-6



“All-New Invaders” quickly became one of my favorite titles.  The writing of James Robinson was some of his best.  The series has the feel of his classic “The Golden Age” series from DC.  The art perfectly complements the script.  It features a clean cut style that is also similar to Paul Smith’s art from “The Golden Age”.  Among the many stories that captured my interest includes updating the current status of the Jim (the Original Human Torch) Hammond as he tries to fit into small town life, events going on in the Kree empire, and the interaction of the former Invaders in modern time Marvel continuity.  Robinson builds the story with perfectly timed revelations that carry the story through to the end.


I will be anxiously following future chapters of this series.  

Highly recommended.

Thanos: The Infinity Revelation

Author/Artist:  Jim Starlin

Inker:  Andy Smith

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

Source:  Comixology

Graphic Novel Challenge #26

I could talk for hours about how much I like Jim Starlin’s work so I was very excited to see the publication of his Thanos graphic novel.  If I heard correctly, this is the first of three.  Starlin’s art is just as good, or better, than it was in his heyday of “Captain Marvel”, “Warlock”, “Metamorphosis Odyssey”, and “Dreadstar”.  The inker perfectly complements his line work without changing the style.

It was fun getting to revisit the cosmic corner of the Marvel universe.  Where else have we got to see Infinity, Eternity, and the others in recent years?  I was hoping to see them in Marvel’s big “Original Sin” crossover but it does not appear to be in the cards.  Starlin’s Steve Ditko inspired landscapes perfectly illustrate the big characters. 


If the story has a fault it is in the lack of a resolution.  Instead of a standalone novel, this seems like chapter one of a three part story.  Despite that reservation, I highly recommend you taking the plunge into the cosmic epic as depicted by Starlin.  Now I am going back just to stare at the pages.

The Infinity Gauntlet

Author:  Jim Starlin

Artists:  George Perez, Ron Lim

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Publication:  Sept., 2011

Source:  Kindle store

Graphic Novel Challenge Book #11

I remember picking up the early work of Jim Starlin off the spinner rack of a small local grocery store.  It was his famous “Captain Marvel/Warlock/Thanos” epic.  Starlin showed how Thanos used the Cosmic Cube to gain god-like powers.  It was a life and death, fate of the universe in the balance story that was amazing.  Starlin revisited Thanos in “The Infinity Gauntlet”.  

I am a big fan of his art and was disappointed to see that he did not do the art for this mini-series.  George Perez, one of my all-time favorites, started on the art and Ron Lim finished as the penciller.  Both do an excellent job.  

It was a fun chance to revisit characters we had not seen in a while.  The story was good but did not have the pathos of Starlin’s earlier work.  The Watcher appears which is interesting since his death is the driving force behind Marvel’s latest crossover, “Original Sin”.  The plot goes back and forth with Thanos gaining the upper hand only to lose it.  The later issues deal with a surprise move by Nebula.  Adam Warlock is guiding the heroes even though they do not know what he has planned.  

Highly recommended as a fun summer blockbuster type crossover.

Daredevil Vol. 3

Authors:  Mark Waid & Greg Rucka

Artists:  Marco Checchetto, Chris Samnee, Khoi Pham

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Publication:  April, 2013

Source:  Comixology

Collects Daredevil #s 11-15, Avenging Spider-Man #6, Punisher #10

Graphic Novel Challenge Book #10

This review will be a trip down memory lane.  Most of this collection revolves around the Omega Drive.  It is a disk that contains detailed information about the top five crime organizations in the Marvel Universe.  The disk was made out of a scrap from one of the Fantastic Four’s uniforms.  Their uniforms are made of unstable molecules so the disk will self-repair the firewall that keeps the information encoded.  Daredevil has the disk and sets up a meeting with all of the groups.  As his back ups he recruits Spider-Man, the Punisher, and a woman who seems to be a female version of the Punisher.  The first three chapters are all out action as the heroes try to keep the disk from the villains.  This reminded me of one of my favorite Spider-Man stories near the end of Stan Lee’s time on the title.  In Stan’s story, stone tablets were found that contain the formula for the Fountain of Youth.  The crime boss Silvermane tries to get it so he can restore his youth.  Kingpin is trying to get it for future use.  And Spidey was caught in the middle.  It also featured the debut of the hitman called Man Mountain Marko.  Stan had to like giving characters names that had the same initials (Peter Parker, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Matt Murdock, J. Jonah Jameson, etc.).  Waid and Rucka capture the excitement of that classic tale.  And it does not hurt that the art of Marco Checchetto is very good.  

Waid follows this up with a few issues showing the repercussions of the first story.  The final chapters deal with Daredevil captured and experimented on in a foreign country.  He is trying to escape as his powers are fading rapidly.  Waid channels another favorite from my youth in this story.  In an old “Worlds Finest” two part story, Clark Kent goes to another country to do an expose on the dictator in charge.  The plan falls apart and he changes into Superman to escape.  Suddenly he loses his powers, is captured, and thrown in a concentration camp.  Batman goes to rescue him.  Although Waid’s story is original, it captures the feel of that classic story.  And that is part of the appeal of Waid’s “Daredevil” run.  He is giving the reader the fun and excitement of the classic comics.  I will definitely be on board for more of this.

The First X-Men

Authors:  Neal Adams & Christos Gage

Artist:  Neal Adams

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Publication:  February, 2013

Source:  Comixology

Collects The First X-Men #s 1-5

Graphic Novel Challenge Book #9

Neal Adams was one of my favorite artists when I was growing up.  I remember the excitement of seeing an Adams cover on the spinner rack.  I have many fond memories of picking up an issue of “Batman” or “Brave and the Bold” with his art.  And the pleasant surprise of seeing an Adams’ page in the original run of “Justice League of America”.  One of my favorite series back then was the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams/Tom Palmer “X-Men”.  The stories were good and the visuals were stunning.  

Although Adams art is not the same as it was then, I still like to look at his work.  For this trip down memory lane, Adams is teaming with writer Christos Gage (one of the most underrated writers of recent times).  Is this a perfect comic?  No, but it is fun.  This takes place before Professor Xavier recruits the original team as we saw them in “X-Men #1”.  If you are looking for an enjoyable, fun adventure I would recommend this series. 

26. newuniversal: Everything Went White

Writer:  Warren Ellis

Artist:  Salvador Larroca

First Publication:  2008

Challenge:  Graphic Novels Challenge (#13)


I am one of the, apparently, few that had some fond memories of the original New Universe series from Marvel.  Some of the books I liked (Star Brand, D.P. 7, and Justice for example).  Others I did not (Spitfire and Kickers Inc).  I liked that Warren Ellis did not say the original stories never happened.  This is basically an alternate reality of the original.  The way Ellis set it up it helps to explain why the “White Event” that creates the heroes occurs.  For another take on the concept, pick up Jonathan Hickman’s current “Avengers” book.  It shows what happens when the “White Event” occurs in the regular Marvel Universe.  The only downside to this series was that Ellis did not get to finish it.  I was very interested in where he was planning on going with the storyline.  It is one of those series that will never get finished but it is worth reading what was published.  Highly recommended.

24. Daredevil Vol. 1

Writer:  Mark Waid
Artists:  Paolo Rivera, Marcos Martin
First Publication:  2012
Challenge:  Graphic Novels Challenge (#11)


Waid starts this series with a bang by having Daredevil bust up a mob wedding while trying to stop a kidnapping.  It sets the tone for the latest Daredevil title.  Waid connects it to the many years of the darker, realistic take that dominated the series for many years but takes it in a different direction.  It reminds me more of the original stories where the character was a little more lighthearted and definitely more of a “daredevil”.  It is a fun take with innovative art.  The darker tone has dominated the title since the original Frank Miller stories.  The only exception I can remember was the short lived Karl Kessel stories where he brought back the feel of the early issues.  It is a title that reminds the reader that comics can be fun while telling serious stories.

22. Uncanny X-Force: The Dark Angel Saga Part 1

Writer:  Rick Remender
Artists:  Billy Tan,Richard Elson, Mark Brooks, Scot Eaton
First Publication:  2012
Challenge:  Graphic Novels Challenge (#9)


Rick Remender’s epic story continues with this collection.  The Dark Angel takes control of Warren (Angel) Worthington’s body.  The fall into darkness brings disaster to the team.  Rememder started with this title, continued storylines into “Secret Avengers” and now is following up on them in “Uncanny Avengers”.  “Uncanny X-Force” is another interesting Marvel series that draws on the past while building the future.

Fantastic Four #5

Writer:  Matt Fraction
Penciller:  Mark Bagley
Inker:  Mark Farmer

It did not take the Fraction/Bagley team long to settle in on this title.  Fraction started the series with the Four and Franklin and Valeria going exploring.  By taking them out of the Marvel Universe, it lets him focus on the family dynamics.  Fraction is doing a great job with the Reed-Sue relationship.  This issue had an interesting main story that centered about a trip through time to visit Rome during the final days of Julius Caesar.  Since this is the world of comics, it involves an alien explorer from the future and trying to prevent changes to the timeline.  It ends with a twist that appears to flow into the FF book.  Reading this reminds me, in spirit, of the John Byrne days of the Fantastic Four.  Byrne tried to make them more explorers and family oriented and less with the super-villains.  After Hickman’s epic run, I was afraid this title would not be as strong.  Fraction (with Bagley’s assistance) has kept the quality up without trying to imitate Hickman’s storytelling.  It is still a very good title.

Fantastic Four 1 2 3 4

Writer:  Grant Morrison
Artist:  Jae Lee





The art by Jae Lee was a disappointment. It was not in the same class as his work on "The Inhumans". At times it looked good but overall it was sloppy. Sometimes it was hard to tell who the characters were. A more consistent art job would have helped the story.
Grant Morrison's story had flashes of brilliance but was not his best work. The concept of Doctor Doom being the bad part of Reed Richard's mind brought to life was intriguing. In Doom's mind, this makes Reed the biggest villain in the world. It absolves him of blame. All of the atrocities performed by Doctor Doom are actually Reed's fault. It is an interesting look into a fantasy created by a madman.
Doctor Doom's plot fell apart too easily at the end. "1 2 3 4" is a decent Fantastic Four story but there are many that are much better.

Uncanny X-Men #1

Uncanny X-Men #1


Writer:  Kieron Gillen
Penciler:  Carlos Pacheo
Inker:  Cam Smith


The first X-Men story I read was back in the days before the New X-Men were introduce by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum.  Being a big Cockrum fan from his days on Legion of Super-Heroes I followed him to X-Men.  It quickly became a favorite of mine.  Under Claremont and Byrne, Uncanny X-Men was at the top of my reading stack.  Over the years it fell to being a title I would pick up but never got around to reading.  So with the announcement that the books were re-starting with issue number ones, I thought it would be a good time to try the titles again.


I found that the art by Pacheo and Smith was excellent.  Combined with the coloring of Frank D'Armata, the special effects pop off the page.  At times the backgrounds would be non-existent but D'Armata's coloring fills the gap.  They are definitely a team that needs to be on a flagship book.  I hope this team will stay together and not have to have fill-ins.


Gillen has been receiving critical acclaim for his work on "Journey into Mystery".  This is my first time to read one of his stories.  He has the unenviable task of balancing introducing new readers and updating existing readers to the cast of this title.  The story was a little weak and unmemorable until the battle scene.  What happens to Emma Frost in the battle will be interesting to follow up.


While not a favorite, it did enough to keep me interested for a few more issues.

Drax the Destroyer #1

Writer:  Keith Giffin


Artist:  Mitch Breitweiser


Marvel Comics


Cover Date:  November 2005


Drax the Destroyer was a character that I first encountered in the original Captain Marvel series.  He was brought in during the early days of Jim Starlin's epic battle between Captain Marvel and Thanos.


Drax was created as an unstoppable killing machine designed to take out Thanos.  In this issue, the first chapter of the Annihilation crossover, Drax is on board a prison ship.  Other inmates on the ship include Lunatik, Super Skrull and the Blood Brothers.  The ship crashes on Earth and the inmates escape.


The other storyline involves a young boy and girl who go to investigate the crash site.  The two stories meet at the end of this issue.


Giffin's story is light weight entertainment.  At this point, we are introduced to the various players but are not sure what this has to do with "Annihilation".  Every time I read a Marvel cosmic story, I end up comparing it to Starlin's magnum opus.  This story does not have the depth of the old classic.  Giffin does okay but it is very action oriented with little characterization.


The art by Mitch Breitweiser is another story.  Mitch does a great job with the kids.  The scenery is fantastic whether it is in space or on Earth.  I thought the     
inmates' faces were non-descript.  Overall I liked the artwork.  He does a solid, all around good job with the book.


I will be reading more issues in "Annihilation".  Keep an eye out for more work by this artist.

Hulk # 30

Writer:  Jeff Parker

Penciler:  Ed McGuinness


Inker:  Dexter Vines

Cover Date:  April 2011 

I am a big fan of the Jeff Parker and Gabe Hardman Hulk.  

This issue features the return of Ed McGuinness as the fill-in artist on the title that he launched with Jeff Loeb.  Ed still knocks it out of the park when it comes to action scenes filled with superhuman characters.  Unfortunately he struggles in this issue with drawing the normal people.  Knowing his strengths, Jeff Parker wrote a story that is mostly super powered high octane action.  


I understand why Parker wanted to do a chance of pace issue after the dramatic "Scorched Earth" storyline.  I read this book for the dramatic stories not for a light humor based tale like the one in this issue.  It is an okay story but it is not what I was looking for.  It was fun seeing all of the old Hulk villains (and Woodgod even makes an appearance) but I would recommend skipping this one and waiting for issue 31.  If you are looking for a humorous story, pick this one up.

The backup story has excellent art by Tim Seeley. The A-Bomb story was average but I would like to see more of Seeley's art in the future.  Some of his work reminds me of the art of John Byrne.  This is similar to what Paul Pellettier is doing on Incredible Hulks.

3 out of 5 stars. 

Hulk #29

Writer:  Jeff Parker
Artist:  Gabriel Hardman


After defeating the Intelligensia, Bruce Banner discovers that M.O.D.O.K. set off the "Scorched Earth" procedure.  Rick (A-Bomb) Jones ended up on Monster Island and fell under M.O.D.O.K.'s control.  Thunderbolt (Red Hulk) Ross went to rescue Rick and stop the villain's plan.  He freed Rick but reverted back to being Ross.  This issue begins with the other monsters on the island attacking them.

Hulk #29 shows how Bruce (Hulk) Banner comes to the rescue.  The three heroes take on the monsters, fight their way across the island, and end the threat of M.O.D.O.K.  Or do they?  A surprise happens at the end that puts things in a different light.

Parker has crafted another great Hulk story.  Banner's confession to Ross is great.  "Scorched Earth" was the perfect transition from the Jeff Loeb era to Parker's.  He has captured the personalities of all of the characters.  After this storyline, Parker has said that he will be building a new rogues gallery for the Red Hulk.  If the stories are as good as this one, we are in for a classic series.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gabe Hardman last year at the Super Show in Allentown (thanks Comic Geek Speak crew).  He was fantastic.  His sketches are very good.  If you get the chance to see him this convention season, do it.  But if you want a sketch put in your request early.  His mix of modern art with an almost pulp like feel is an ideal mix for this title.


The team was firing on all cylinders this month.  Highly recommended.  One of the best books on the market today.


4 out of 5 stars.