Marvel needs to spread out their titles better. Most of their X-Men team books seem to release on the same week, while All-New Wolverine and Old Man Logan always seem to release on the same week. Meanwhile only a few Marvel titles released today, and even fewer will release next week. My pull list for next Wednesday is looking like 1 definite pickup and one maybe, and I decided not to pick up either of this week’s maybes. Not that I’m complaining about cheap weeks though – it gives my wallet a break and extra time to re-read favourites.
The comics I picked up this week include Ultimates 8, The Mighty Thor 8, Ms. Marvel 8, Red Sonja 6, Bitch Planet 8, Pretty Deadly 10 and Detective Comics 935. That means all of my Marvel titles of the week are number 8’s. Anyway, here are my first impressions, and links to full reviews will be added when they’re posted.
Ultimates 8 is good. The whole issue reads as a supplement to Civil War II 1 and the free comic book day issue. It adds to a lot of the drama, while also featuring every member of the Ultimates team. Some parts of this comic almost feel like they should have been in Civil War II 1 this issue fits so well. That said, this issue doesn’t work that great unless you’re reading Civil War II. This is highly recommended if you are reading and enjoying Civil War II, but it’s skippable if you’re not.
Ms. Marvel 8 is good. It starts off with Ms. Marvel excited to help Captain Marvel’s efforts to stop disasters before they happen. Some of her supporting cast help put things into perspective, and this issue does a better job at questioning Ulysses’s predictions than any other comic I’ve read so far in Civil War II. The ending in particular is a bit of a shocker. Ms. Marvel fans should read this, whether you’re reading Civil War Ii or not.
Red Sonja 6 is ok. After the great build-up from the first five issues, this issue’s climax feels a bit underwhelming. Instead of showing off her combat skills, Sonja just kind of talks her way out of a situation, only to be stabbed in the gut by surprise, and then is healed a few pages later by the phoenix she was riding earlier. What could have been a great battle scene ended up being kind of lame.
Bitch Planet 8 is good. This issue doesn’t do a huge amount of story development. Instead, it takes a bit of time off to see what life is like in the prison, while giving both the main characters and some side characters some good development and drama. As such it’s not the best jumping on point, but regular readers should still pick this up.
Ultimates is odd, but really good. There’s some great stuff exploring who the Ultimates are and what they’re doing and how they all differ from each other. Also, there’s Xarggu.
Thor is good. I hope Jane and Roz become good friends.
Ms. Marvel is great. The tank is amazing, and there’s definitely so really good exploration of the issues with profiling and pre-crime going on.
Bitch Planet is excellent. This issue’s got a lot of powerful character moments.
Pretty Deadly is so gorgeous.
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