I didn’t enjoy the story as much as you but 100% agree with your opinion on the art and cover.
A fun issue here to wrap-up the two-issue D&D-esque story. I think I may be giving this as high as a rating as I am because I'm super into fantasy stuff, but I still found this to be a good read. I also think that, just like his Avengers series, MacKay has a really good grasp on all of the characters. Taskmaster is especially great. Hopefully Blood Hunt ends up being good, also.
A living game has taken root in Manhattan, transforming parts of the city into a dark fantasy world. Doctor Strange and his Secret Defenders have managed to insert themselves into the narrative, but they're not alone... Can Strange and company learn the rules and rescue those trapped within, or is it back to the Dark Ages for the Big Apple?
Another super solid issue that ties in with the current X-Men situation. With this issue, I feel very similarly to how I felt with the previous one. This was a nice, entertaining resolution of sorts to this smaller story. I'm really looking forward to seeing what MacKay does with Blood Hunt.
THE AVENGERS VERSUS THE STARK SENTINEL PROGRAM!
Orchis' counterstrike puts the Avengers on the back foot as the true extent of the Stark Sentinel program is revealed. Can Earth's Mightiest Heroes stand against impossible odds? Or will they fall against the metal onslaught?
Rated T+
I thought this was fun for what it was. The Avengers getting involved in the current X-Men situation is cool and I appreciate this stuff going past just the “X-books.” This wasn’t my favorite issue or anything, but I still think this was a fun read. MacKay seems to have a nice grasp on the characters and I also thought Mortarino did a super solid job on the art duties.
The FALL OF X comes for Earth's Mightiest heroes! The Avengers have hung in space over the Earth, a sword of Damocles over Orchis, for too long. But knowing they had only one chance to strike, they waited while Iron Man prepared. Now, on his signal, it is time, and the Avengers only know one way to strike: hard!
Rated T+
I think I would have liked this a lot more if it was on its own and not a part of the Symbiosis Necrosis crossover. I feel as though this started out continuing that storyline, but it ended up going in a different direction. I didn't dislike it on its own, but I was left a little confused as to how this was the end of a four-part story. The art was pretty good all throughout this, also.
"FLESH AND BLOOD" PART 4!
CARNAGE and CLETUS find they're not as close as they once were. Meanwhile, there's still one thing that can kill them...Anti-Venom.
Rated T+
Hi, Dan. I was hoping you could fix something concerning the current Venom series (2021). Issue 32 has Torunn Grønbekk listed as the writer, when it was actually Al Ewing. Thanks so much in advance and I hope all is well.
I wish this came together a little better, especially with Ewing writing this, but it was still good for what it was. Lashley's art was nice throughout and I saw it as a bit of an improvement over his work in Carnage #5. The story here was interesting as well and I'm genuinely interested to see how it wraps up. Hopefully Grønbekk sticks the landing over in Issue 6 of Carnage.
"FLESH AND BLOOD" PART 3! BACK TO THE FUTURE! In the greatest depths of space and at the end of existence, within the flowering fauna of the symbiotic GARDEN OF TIME, some carnivorous new species has blossomed. Something bloodred, with thorns...and an appetite!
Rated T+
Another pretty solid issue for the series here that follows up on the previous one fairly well. Nauck continues to be a good guest artist and I'd definitely welcome him to do more issues for the series. I just wish this had someone better than John Romita Jr. for the main artist. It looks like we're getting Ed McGuinness for the next few issues, though (with one possibly featuring Nauck instead), more
Peter Parker vs. Ben Reilly! Spider-Man finally gets a rematch! Meanwhile, what is going on with Norman Osborn?! Only two issues left until AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50!
Rated T
Okay this was actually really good. I might be giving a higher score than it deserves but for what ASM has been, this is a nice return to something I'm used to in Spider-Man. Peter getting set up with someone new, having decent chemistry, having to run out on them, actually saving people, helping his friends and fingers crossed we get some decent characterization for Ben in the next few issues befmore
After the events of WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #1, Chasm is on the loose! Spider-Man better track down his erstwhile clone and Hallows' Eve ASAP! We're getting closer to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50!
Rated T
I didn’t enjoy the story as much as you but 100% agree with your opinion on the art and cover.
A bit of a step-up from the previous issue, in my opinion. I was really liking Carmen Carnero's art in the last two issues, but Nauck does a pretty nice job here as well. I'd definitely prefer him on the book than John Romita Jr. right now. Aside from the art, the story was engaging as well. There wasn't anything particularly unique or groundbreaking about it, but it was entertaining for what it wmore
After the events of WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #1, Chasm is on the loose! Spider-Man better track down his erstwhile clone and Hallows' Eve ASAP! We're getting closer to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50!
Rated T
Man, I was just talking about how much I was enjoying this book again with the last issue. Don't get me wrong here, this wasn't a bad issue by any means, but it's also definitely a step down from #45, in my opinion. I liked the stuff with Sandman and I'm interested to see where that goes, but I also get the feeling that it's a storyline that won't get revisited for like ten more issues or somethinmore
Spidey is cleaning up the mess that is his life after some of the most harrowing conflicts of his life. Electro isn't going to wait for Spidey to figure his problems out, though. A dangling thread from earlier in the run that you forgot was dangling starts to pull the sweater apart!
Rated T
How many issues are we going to have characters sitting on a therapists couch. I find it boring. I’m new to moon knight and these first 5 issues have done nothing to keep me interested in reading this.
A BLOOD HUNT TIE-IN - CRY FOR THE MOON!
For the new and vengeful Moon Knight, taking Marc Spector's name isn't enough - as he now turns his sights (AND FISTS) on everything Marc held dear in life!
Rated T+
This series was literally advertised as a continuation of MacKay's 30-issue run on the character. I'm not going to act like I like that they did a new Issue 1, because I don't. However, it's not like Marvel said this would be a completely fresh starting point. It was more described as a new chapter of phase. Either way, that series I and Psycamorean is definitely recommended. Not only will it make this series better for you, as Psycamorean said, but it's also just great reading regardless.
Well I'm actually telling you that you would understand the series better if you started with where the run started. So while you shouldn't have to do that, you're going to have to if you want to understand the series. It's a great run, I think you'd like it.
MacKay is going to go down as one of the greats. This Moon Knight run has been fantastic and I what's next is going to be just as incredible.
THE TERMINAL SECONDS OF MOON KNIGHT! KNIGHT'S END!
The Battle of the Mount reaches an explosive conclusion, and all that stands in the way of the Black Spectre's scheme of annihilation is Moon Knight. But can Moon Knight triumph against the odds arrayed against him, or will the Mount stand as his tombstone? With all hope of resurrection gone, ...
This title really revved up with this General Strange arc. It went from a solid read to a must-read.
GENERAL STRANGE VS. THE SORCERER SUPREME!
General Strange has a millennium of fierce and ruthless experience over the Sorcerer Supreme. How can Doctor Strange protect the Earth and all of magic? And what dark creature will he have to become to best General Strange?
Rated T+
This was dope as fuck.
Many years ago, Doctor Strange fought in a five thousand-year battle called the War of the Seven Spheres. But what was it? And how did it create the mysterious threat that plagues Strange today? PLUS: A bonus page written by Jonathan Hickman - WHO ARE THE G.O.D.S.?
A NEW ERA FOR THE MERC WITH A MOUTH, AND A GUN, AND A SWORD... CODY ZIGLAR (Futurama, Miles Morales: Spider-Man) has a wild ride planned for the Merc with the mouth! Introducing a terrifying new villain who won't stop until he catches Wade in his DEATH GRIP. But all work and no play makes Deadpool a very dead boy!
Rated T+
I thought this was a pretty solid first issue for the series. It doesn't really reach the heights of the previous series from Alyssa Wong for me, but it has potential. Ziglar seems to have a fairly good grasp on the character, though I did feel like the way he wrote Wade's dissatisfaction with his current situation to be a bit much at times. I just feel as though there was a better way to convey imore
A NEW ERA FOR THE MERC WITH A MOUTH, AND A GUN, AND A SWORD... CODY ZIGLAR (Futurama, Miles Morales: Spider-Man) has a wild ride planned for the Merc with the mouth! Introducing a terrifying new villain who won't stop until he catches Wade in his DEATH GRIP. But all work and no play makes Deadpool a very dead boy!
Rated T+
I'm giving this a "low" score not because it is flawed in some way compared to the other two but this is mostly a setup issue. Very fun, very cool but light on heavy and important dialogue and light on meaningful action. It was still amazing and leaves us and Peter in a really interesting position that I am very much looking forward to in the upcoming issues. Also, big fan of the "call-back" suitsmore
PETER PARKER'S NEW LIFE GETS EVEN MORE COMPLICATED...
Spider-Man sizes up the new hero Green Goblin! As they team up to fight a new super villain, secrets about the corporations running North America are revealed...
And you'll never guess who discovers Spider-Man's secret identity!
Rated T
I may be overrating this a little bit, but this was another issue that I really enjoyed. It's the weakest one of the series thus far for me, but that's saying a lot when I'm giving it a 9/10. Everything here is just so simple and great at the same time. Hickman does a really good job of writing Peter as extremely likable when he's in the suit and out of it. I also found the ending of this to be vemore
PETER PARKER'S NEW LIFE GETS EVEN MORE COMPLICATED...
Spider-Man sizes up the new hero Green Goblin! As they team up to fight a new super villain, secrets about the corporations running North America are revealed...
And you'll never guess who discovers Spider-Man's secret identity!
Rated T
Another really good issue for the series. With the last three issues focusing on Reese, Tigra, and Soldier, respectively, I knew going in that this would be centered around Hunter's Moon. That said, this was another really good issue for this series. MacKay continues to do a really nice job writing Tigra, and I really liked how he delved into Hunter's Moon's real feelings and animosity towards themore
BRAWL IN THE FAMILY! As the fearsome HUNTER'S MOON, Yehya Badr is the brother to the fallen MOON KNIGHT, Marc Spector. But there's an impostor loose in the city, wearing his brother's face - and Badr intends to find out who they are, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!
Rated T+
While the story here felt a little jam-packed, I did also think this was a nice debut for Campbell on the series. At the time of this writing, this is the first and only book I've read from her and I believe she did a solid job. I think she showcase a good understanding of the characters, and I also appreciated that she took Mark Waid's run and built upon it rather than just ignoring it since she'more
MOVING DAY! After destroying the family home during an epic battle with Black Adam, Billy has hired the gods who grant him his powers to rebuild it. What surprises await the Shazam Family as they enter their new abode? Find out as a new run brought to you by fan-favorites Josie Campbell (The New Champion of Shazam!) and Emanuela Lupacchino (World's...
A pretty fun issue to end Waid’s run on the title. It didn’t really feel like much of an ending, but I don’t think it was really meant to with Josie Campbell taking over with the next issue. Speaking of which, I hope she can maintain the quality of this series. At the time of this writing, I don’t believe I’ve ever read anything from her.
The Captain has thwarted a cadre of space dinosaurs, talked the gods into being reasonable for five little minutes, and managed to look A-OK doing it. So what's left? WELL WE CREEP. YEEEAAAHHH, WE KEEP IT ON THE DOWN-LOW. It's the fight of the century: THE CAPTAIN VS. THE CREEPER!
I might change my mind on this score at some point, but I really enjoyed this one. The humor was really good here, and I liked the more serious moments as well. Waid being able to balance these tones well is something I’ve mentioned multiple times before with this run. Additionally, Sudžuka continues to do a really solid job with his art. I’m really liking this book right now, which really mamore
The Captain's side deal with Solomon is proving to be more curse than blessing! Will even his newfound levels of wisdom help him stop the alien dinosaur invaders called The Auditors from unleashing planetary chaos?
This was one of my favorite issues of the series so far. I do miss Dan Mora on the art, but Sudzuka does a pretty solid job here, so I can’t complain that much. As for the story, Waid continues to do a nice job with the balancing of tones that I’ve mentioned in multiple reviews for this series. I especially liked the dinosaurs this time around.
The match you've been waiting for: the Captain versus Black Adam! Who will wield the thunder...and who will ultimately be crowned the Champion of Shazam?!
Another relatively stronger issue for the series here. I feel very similarly with this issue to how I felt with the previous one. Mora continues to put out very nice art and Waid does a nice job of balancing different tones. Speaking of Waid, I should have known that Freddy wasn't up to anything "bad" and/or "evil" at the end of the previous issue.
Meet the Captain! reaches its action-packed finale when Billy is forced to battle the very six gods who give him his magic abilities--a fight he can't possibly hope to win! Once the dust settles...who will possess the power of Shazam? PLUS: The interdimensional imp Bat-Mite has come to Fawcett City and he's brought his cousin with him: the Captain'...
A step-up from the previous issue, in my opinion. For whatever reason, this just clicked better with me. Mora's art continues to look very nice on just about every page, and Waid continues to do a nice job of balancing more fun moments with more serious ones. Speaking of which, I'm interested to see what comes of the final page with Freddy.
The Captain's battle against the forces of the Moon Emperor may orbit the absurd...but it's full of action that will leave you...Apollo? (You can create your own moon pun for the end there, kids.) Mary Marvel joins the fray, the Shazam Family faces the Gods, and a devastating betrayal awaits you in this issue!
Another solid, fun issue from Waid and Mora here. This is one that just reaches that 8/10 mark for me because of some moments I really enjoyed. For one, I liked the opening page with Billy and Garguax. I also thought the ending where Billy got blasted before he could say "Shazam" was pretty cool. Though, this did end a bit suddenly, in my opinion.
MARK WAID AND DAN MORA TURN EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD'S MIGHTIEST MORAL ON ITS HEAD! Shadiness. Hatefulness. Arrogance. Zeal. Anger. Malice. These are the new powers of Shazam--and if Billy doesn't find a way to get them under control, the lives of everyone around him will be forever destroyed!
This was a fairly strong milestone issue, in my opinion. As usual, I’m not a huge fan of the art changing mid-way (multiple times in this issue) without any explanation/reasoning for it, though just about every artist did a nice job here. Aside from that, I had a good amount of fun reading this, particularly whenever Taskmaster. I also thought this ended on a really intense note, which has me remore
MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN'S LANDMARK 300TH ISSUE! MILES MORALES is in for the fight of his life! RABBLE has stepped from the shadows of GANG WAR for a rematch, and she's sworn bloody revenge against Brooklyn's wall-crawler! But this time, Rabble's out-of-control powers and desperation have her poised to obliterate far more than just Spider-Man's li...
This series will either make me very happy or make me cry.
Homeward Bound on an alien planet, Man's Best follows three emotional support pets living on the Starship Horizon - a spacecraft searching for a new planet to house a humanity compromised by bad decisions and corporate corruption.
But after the ship crashes and their crew is captured, these loyal pets are their owners' only hope. Outfitted...
This one continues to be the superior series against Gerry Duggan's Fall of the House of X. I know they're different series, but I can't help but compare with the context of the original series, House of X and Powers of X. Speaking about the issue itself, I thought it was one with some fairly strong moments. The opening few pages with Moira and Charles were written really nicely, in my opinion. Asmore
THE REAL END IS NEVER BEGINNING! The past, present and future of Krakoa all rests in a trigger finger. The scenario you prayed would never happen plays out as two series that are one move toward a crash that will reverberate outside the universe...
Rated T+
LUCK BE THE LADIES!
The most exciting new hero in the Marvel U, JACKPOT, A.K.A. Mary Jane Watson, gets her first action-packed limited series as a super hero alongside the other best female character in comics, BLACK CAT! When someone blackmails Black Cat into a public and blatant crime spree, Jackpot comes to her aid! What classic Spider-Vill...