Spider-Man Reviews

Siege Review

2010-06-11T10:21:00.012+08:00

Siege, an event “seven years in the making” is where we supposedly say goodbye to the dark and gritty atmosphere that plagued the marvel universe lately (actually, the last seven years), and we go forward into the heroic age, where heroes are once again portrayed as heroes and nothing is wrong with the world… until the next crisis!

The Story

I don’t want to spend much time on the actual story, since it is pretty much known, and also cause this blog is about Spider-Man, so we mostly care about him during the event.

Anyway, in The Cabal one shot it was shown that Osborn wanted Taskmaster as the new member, but Doom considered this traitorous and left. Osborn seems generally ready to lose it, and Loki is telling him to invade Asgard, cause it’s not supposed to be on Earth. Osborn organizes the U-Foes to cause an accident, making people remember the Stanford incident that cause the Civil War.

Osborn with H.A.M.M.E.R., his Avengers and the Initiative attack Asgard, and Thor is down quickly. There are several great moments with Taskmaster, mostly in the Initiative tie – in, they worth your time. Steve Rogers sees this, gathers anyone he can find (basically the New and Young Avengers and the Secret Warriors) and go to Agard, though after a while the Hood’s gang also arrives. Ares realizes that Osborn tricked him and he is caught in a fight with Sentry, which concludes with the god of war in two pieces.

The fight lasts long but it’s obvious from the beginning who will be the winner. In Siege: Spider-Man we see a more detailed fight between our favorite hero and Venom, guest starring Ms. Marvel. The characterization in the issue is very good, with Spider-Man saying that he does not belong in the Avengers. Though I could live with only the conversations, cause the action scenes are predictable and are there only to fill in the dialogue. It is also heavily hinted that Ms. Marvel have some feelings towards Spidey (for which relationship I don’t care, personally), and she convinces him that he belongs in the super power people fighting gods. Bulletproofsponge has a more detailed review here.
Speed goes and finds Tony Stark and gives him the classic armor so he arrives at the last minute. He speaks a code and the Iron Patriot armor is falling down, and we see that freakish moment where Osborn has painted his face like the Green Goblin. The moment that most Spider-Man fans were waiting is happening, and Spidey punches Osborn in the face! But then his “secret weapon” the Sentry attack and he transforms into some weird cthulhu – like creature, and Osborn shouts the he is the angel of death!

Loki has a change of heart apparently and takes the power of the Norn stones from Hood and gives them to the heroes. Stark transforms the helicarrier into a bullet, Thor strikes with lightning, and Bob is dead. Then Thor takes the body and throws it into the sun, like leaving it to rest there. The end! After that, the president calls Steve Rogers telling him that he wants him top cop and throws the registration act. Steve says that there is no SHIELD, no HAMMER, only the Avengers.

Thoughts

There are many details I could go into but this is what happens and the tie ins help the story much. One of the arguments of the Bendis bashers is that he stretches his stories in more issues than it should be, though I think that here it seems a little rushed, and too much is happening. I think I would like another issue, but I also think that most people are happy to see this end as quick as possible, considering everyone knew how this would conclude.

I am not a big fan of Coipel’s art but I know many people are so who am I to ruin it for them. To be honest I liked him here, more than his Thor work. Maybe I would have preferred someone else for an event that stars virtually all the marvel universe.
As for the seven years in the making. With the announcement of the Heroic Age I got flashbacks from Quesada’s early days as editor in chief, where simple stories were produced for the characters and not major crisis were hanging over the heads of all the heroes. The marvel universe was very exciting the last seven years and I started reading books that I would normally not, like Avengers, and with some of them I stuck, and probably I’ll continue reading.
Quesada’s plot is very visible now, as to what he wants from the marvel properties to do: Every once in a while have the universe upside down to the point that it is not recognizable anymore, and then revert it back to its original form. This is also very much visible to characters like Iron Man and Spidey considering their latest storylines. What I love and hate at the same time is this: Quesada has made several comments about the job and how it works. He was not the guy who would give the answer a fanboy would want or waited, like many previous editors in chief. This I admire on him, though the internet has helped. But on the other hand, I sometimes prefer not to read so many interviews and not telling me specifics about how an editorial meeting is held, cause it kind of ruins the magic of reading a story and be surprised, not thinking “they obviously did this so to launch a new book, and have the character look more like the movie”. I hope I am making sense.

Anyway. Osborn was actually not the right man in the right place. Ultimately he was the one to pay for everything happened after Disassembled. The “big three” are together again, the only one who is left not changed back to the original is Captain America, and I am glad for this. For all those who really loved titles like Dark Avengers and Thunderbolts, the choices are very narrow as it seems. Considering everything, House of M, Civil War, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign etc, it was a very nice trip which I have many nice memories. The only sad thing for me was the falling of the registration act, a subplot which I really liked and I wanted to see more, but I understand it had to leave.

I wonder if Quesada is going to leave the status quo unchained from now on, or if in a few years he wants to make another trip like that.

Spider-Man: the New Avenger

2010-03-03T11:25:00.001+08:00

Ladies and Gents,

I officially introduce to you Spider-Man: The New avenger. Thats right. As many have already expected, Spider-Man will be staying on the NA team after Siege is over. He is currently an avenger anyways, just that the Avengers team he is now on is not recognized by the government. Reason for that being is that Norman Osborn is leading the recognized team aka the Dark Avengers.

Anyway, heres the image.

See the original article

Norman Osborn's greatest fear?

2010-01-20T15:12:00.001+08:00

I was reading Dark Avengers 11 and 12 again today. A while back, I did an extremely short review on Dark Avengers 1-10, thinking that Dark Avengers 11 would have something about Spider-Man worth writing about. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and I never got about reviewing the issue.

With Dark Avengers 13 ( featuring Siege) set for release today, I thought it might be worth doing a short review on some interesting points I found in Dark Avengers 12.

For starters, the first page of the issue shows Norman Osborn, in an imagination created by the Molecule man, being haunted by an ugly Spider-Man as depicted below.

By the end of the issue, we find out that Sentry, the not so smart Superman of the Marvel Universe has a ability to control molecules as well. This essentially makes him a better molecule man now doesn't it? Once again it appears that the Sentry's powers are limitless.

Molecule man was tricked into bringing the Dark Avengers back to life. While doing so he mentions that Norman Osborn may not exactly be the same as he had rearranged a couple of molecules in his brain. It does not take a genius to realize that Norman will be going even more mental with his alter ego rising in control, thanks to the few rearranged molecules. Regardless, at the end of the issue, Sentry blows molecule man up in pieces as seen in the image.

We also see, even further at the end, Norman Osborn, going mental. Anyhow, this brings me to my title of the article.

What is Norman Osborn's greatest fear? Is it Spider-Man, or is it himself?

For more information about Norman Osborn, check out the Green Goblin's hideout.

New Avengers 55 -58 summary

2009-11-25T12:08:00.009+08:00

With the lack of good Amazing Spider-man stories of late, I have taken it upon myself to look for other good Spider-man involved stories with proper story line and art. With the release of New Avengers 59, sub-titled, Spider-showdown, later today. I thought it appropriate to let readers on this site get updated as to the latest developments in New Avengers.

Of late, Spider-man has been playing a more prominent role in the Avengers, as was planned by the Marvel team, as was already quoted here.

On Peter Parker's growth:

Bendis: "I also think that Spider-Man has become more and more comfortable with his role as an Avenger, and you'll see less and less of the nervous chatter and more of him as a voice of moral reason, being the man who exudes power and responsibility."

In New Avengers 55, we see that the Avengers are having some problems with the Hood, who is working for Osborn, and his gang. They have been on the run, using Capt America's (Bucky's) apartment to hide. In a desperate escape a battle, the Avengers left one of Tony Stark's broken power drainers behind. The crooks take it apart and study it, hoping to use it against the Avengers in their next meeting.

One important point to note in this issue is the disunity both in the Hood's gang and in the Avengers. Not everyone working under the Hood trusts him. Furthermore, he failed to appear at their meeting due to his powers being taken away. Even more people do not want to be working as puppets for Norman Osborn. A character called Dr Jonas Harrow rises to the occasion and explains his "plan."

Back at the Avengers, Captain America is extremely unimpressed with the condition the Avengers left his apartment in. Spider-man very much regrets revealing his secret identity to the team, and even more surprising is Ronin, who wants to kill Norman Osborn once and for all.

One of the highlights of this comic, in my opinion, was watching Spider-man stand up and argue his case and views during a lengthy discussion among his team members. Just like Bendis said he would.

The issue ends with the team entering a booby trap set by the Hood's thugs. Chemistro, who originally found the power drainer left by the Avengers in the beginning succeeded in copying it and using it on the Avengers, leaving them powerless.

New Avengers 56 reveals that it was never intended for these Avengers to appear. Instead the ruckus that attracted the good guys was intended to attract Norman's Avengers. Remember, many of the Hood's thugs did not like being puppets for Osborn. Dr Harrow then takes the opportunity to hack into the Iron Patriot suit and negotiate terms with Norman. When Norman disagrees, he and all his surrounding Avengers lose their powers, looking up to see the Hood's former gang, now under Dr Harrow. Else where the the Hood, is seen on a mystical quest, with Loki, to regain his powers.

Thank God for pictures that paint a thousand words. In this case, the panel below is enough to explain what exactly the Hood's former gang really wants.

New Avengers 57 continues as Norman Osborn agrees to make the deal stated above. As can be predicted, his first assignment for the gang of B class villains is to watch Venom eat Spider-man. Just in the nick of time, Mockingbird, whom I forgot to mention was not affected by the power drainer, appears with backup to evacuate the Avengers.

Before leaving, we see Spider-man taking an opportunity to kick Norman Osborn, who was about to tail their ship, in a very 'well done,' short, but complete fight scene.

The Hood is later shown to have regained his powers, with the help of some stones of Norn.

The Avengers, take Luke Cage, who still has not recovered, to the Night Nurse. Unfortunately, due to Luke Cage's unbreakable skin, she is unable to help him.

Norman and his avengers appear not long later threatening the real Avengers to surrender. At this point Ms. Marvel concludes that they need Norman's help since he is the one who now obtains the Power Drainer needed to break Luke's unbreakable skin.

Luke takes it upon himself to surrender while the others make a run for it.

In New Avengers 58, the Hood Returns, extremely dissatisfied that his crew is now serving Norman Osborn. He is of course even more furious with Dr Harrow.

Norman Osborn is forced to perform his duty as a world hero, to give medical attention to Luke Cage immediately.

With enough distraction, the Avengers manage to get back to base and bring the sad news to Jessica Jones.

All in all, the New Avengers story is going uphill in my opinion. I like the direction this comic is going. Better yet, we see loads of Spider-man in the picture. New Avenger's 59 is coming out later today along with a whole lot of other comics. I can assure you that I, personally will have more fun reviewing New Avengers 59 than ASM 613.

Dark Avengers 1-10 quick summary

2009-10-30T11:52:00.015+08:00

So due to hype created about Mephisto appearing in Dark Avengers #10, I took it upon myself to find a preview for Dark Avengers # 11. I actually like what I saw. As such, I decided to catch up on all the Dark Avengers's comics from 1 -10. Reviewing Dark Avengers will not be a normal thing here though.

In my opinion, the story is really nothing to jump for joy about. I like the team that Norman Osborn has put together however - a bunch of crooks that are doing good, in a way.

I do have a slight problem understanding how Sentry is still standing in issue # 10, after his head was blown off in issue # 9.

Towards the end of what I have read so far, Norman is being haunted by his old Goblin self. Also, I have a feeling that the Void, Sentry's/Bob's alter ego has taken control.

I find it strange that Daken is tall when he is not in his wolverine costume, but is as short as his father when he is wearing the costume.

Here is the jist of what I got.

Norman is now Iron Patriot, trying to control his Goblin personality from taking over his mind

The Sentry has two personalities - like Norman, and is trying to keep in under control, with Norman's help

Ms. Marvel / former Moonstone is a slut - makes the personal lives of the Dark Avengers interesting though

Noh- Varr is the Dark Capt. Marvel, who quits the team when he learns it is made up of villians

Ares is of course a Greek god of war. He has a son that he does not know how to show love to. His son, with his fathers knowledge - unknown to the rest of the team, is working under Nick Fury

Daken (Wolverine's son) is Wolverine with a mow-hawk.

Hawkeye or bullseye, has an interesting personality, but is mostly not interesting

Venom - Macgargan/ former Scorpion, is now Spider-man. He needs some medication to stop him from eating everyone. Not to mention keep his Spider-man image. Of late, he has been taking too much medication and is behaving feminine

And here is of course the image that raised hopes for Spider-man fans around the world.

Sins Past addressed in Dark Avengers # 11?

2009-10-28T14:15:00.013+08:00

Okay,
So I do not usually, and have not been following the Dark Avengers. However, there has been some recent hype about Dark Avengers # 10 with the return of Mephisto. I have not yet read it, but I believe fans are hoping to see One More Day addresses in the next issue - Dark Avengers # 11

Here is a quick summary for what happened in Dark Avengers # 10 by Combustible Pumpkins on the Spider-man reviews discussion board.

To sum it up, folks were disappearing in a small town so Norman sent the Sentry over where he mysteriously disappears. Norman arrives shortly afterward with Hammer and the rest of the DA only for them to disappear as well. Last scene Norman's in front of five or six villains who were mostly cosmically or mystically powered, one of them being Mesphito. A lot of us were hoping the OMD deal would turn out a big event to straighten out BND's continuity since it's in quite a mess now.

Anyhow, I checked out the preview for Dark Avengers # 11 and saw this image

Although there is no dialogue in this preview, much like the previews for the Clone Saga, we can obviously tell that they will be addressing Gwen Stacy and her pregnancy from Norman, which as we know, resulted in the goblin twins being born. ( Sins Past )

For those of you who do not know, Sins Past was series before One more Day. In this series, it was revealed that Norman Osborn had sex with Gwen, who gave birth to two kids later. Obviously before she died.

These kids had abnormal growth due to the Goblin blood in them. They grew up faster than normal, were raised secretly by Norman to believe that Peter/ Spider-man and killed their mother. It was a very interesting, but controversial title.

As we know, since BND, no one, including Norman remembers Spider-man's identity. As such, there is no good reason why he would have killed Gwen Stacy. (Goblin killed Gwen as a way to get to Peter aka Spider-man).

Now that he no longer remembers, he must be confused as to the reason he killed her. The image above shows a floating pregnant Gwen, and Norman Osborn aka the green goblin aka leader of the Dark Avengers, in a Spider-man costume! How cool is that?

I will be getting this comic, and if it is worth reviewing, there will be a review up soon.