My pull list this week is bigger than usual, so let’s just get right to it. The comics I picked up include the Gwenpool Special, The Ultimates 2, All-New Hawkeye 2, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Radioactive Spider-Gwen 3, Secret Wars 8, Monstress 2, We Stand On Guard 6, Starfire 7 and Batman 47. Here are my first impressions, and links to full reviews will be added when they’re posted.
Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is alright. It’s better than the previous issue, in that stuff actually happens, but there still isn’t that much story progress. The dialogue is still fun at times but there’s no character exploration, not for the Guardians or the villains. Unless you’ve consistently enjoyed Brian Michael Bendis’s Guardians of the Galaxy run I can’t recommend this. Even though I like Kitty Pryde and most of the Guardians characters, this might be my last issue.
All-New Hawkeye 2 is good. It continues where the last issue left off, with the modern Hawkeyes separated in a dispute, while the future Hawkeyes are trying to fix big mistakes they made in the past. The modern half of the story is dramatic while the future half feels like a thriller. I’m not sure whether I’ll keep reading this or not, but it’s a good series so far and worth looking into if you like either Hawkeye.
Radioactive Spider-Gwen 3 is good. This issue covers a whole bunch of storylines at once, while also letting Gwen meet up with Spider-Woman of 616 for a much needed pep talk. Most of these stories continue to be interesting, but I can’t help but worry there’s too much going on at once. Still, if you’ve enjoyed Spider-Gwen so far, you’ll enjoy this.
Monstress 2 is great. After a long and brutal first issue, Monstress 2 slows down to explain more about the monster living inside Maika. There’s also a lot of character development, and a few weird reveals with the villains. If you like Marjorie Liu’s writing, or a fantasy about a crippled girl with a monster living inside her sounds interesting, give this series a look.
We Stand On Guard 6 is good. The future war between Canada and the United States comes to an end in a rather brutal fashion. There are a few reveals, but the main focus is the final confrontation between Amber and the American fleet commander. I can’t say much more without spoiling this issue. If you’re interested in the premise, check this mini-series out, whether by picking up each issue or the trade whenever it releases.
Starfire 7 is fun. Starfire teaming up with Greyson makes for a fun side-story in the main series, where the two of them reunite after Greyson’s apparent death and take on a small team of criminals trying to take control of powerful weapons. There’s the same mix of humour and heart that makes this series fun. Before the team up though, this issue feels a bit scrambled with all the different plot lines it touches on for a page at a time. That aside, this is a fun comic and worth checking out if you’re looking for something that’s just fun.
healed1337 
Gwenpool Special was really fun. Lots of fun stuff.
Ultimates was great. Black Panther’s got balls.
Hawkeye was really good. Noh-Varr and America cameos! Woot! Love them. There’s a lot of tension and drama. Nice touch how the scenes in Clint’s apartment look a lot like the Aja/Hollingsworth art style. Very cute homage.
GotG was just . . . It was so damn Bendis. It’s everything wrong with Bendis. There’s snappy dialogue, and he gives artists plenty of great stuff to draw. But nothing happens. Just nothing happens.
Spider-Gwen was fine. Too many plot threads at this point. I’d love to see more focus put on the band, actually, but I doubt that’ll happen.
Secret Wars was entertainingly crazy and ridiculous.
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