Chrys Terlizzi Comic Reviews

The title of this story - Who are the Secret Six? - implies that the arc will amount to little more than a chance for Marquez to show off his designs for six Heroes Who Laugh. While they may look amazing, Im not sure the premise is enough to keep me hooked.

Decorum #2 is an artistic tour de force while Jonathan Hickman continues to weave his intriguing, mysterious tale.

Eternals #1 opens up what promises to be a surprisingly funny, yet epic, mystery.

Without having ever read an issue of Ether before, this issue isnt a perfect jumping-on point point, but it gives the reader enough plot and more than enough artwork to tantalize and have the reader digging through the back catalog to catch up.

Excalibur #1 makes for an ultimately pedestrian issue. This final judgement may have something to do with the high bar the new X-Men line has set for itself, but I didnt find myself with much that left me wanting more. However, if youre into magic, mutants, Arthurian lore and the threads that hold them together, then this book may be for you.

Despite some bright spots in the dialogue, Fallen Angels #1s plot doesnt do much to grab the reader and is ultimately fairly forgettable. The art shows some promise, but the issues darkness and over-reliance on closeups really hinders the reading experience.

Ron Garney and colorist Matt Milla put together an absolute artistic masterpiece in an unexpectedly surreal Ben Grimm tale.

While a bit dry at times, one cant help but marvel at the herculean effort that goes into researching, cataloguing, and telling the story of the Marvel Universe as a cohesive whole. There is so much information conveyed in this book and its done so in such an efficient way. While most comics can be breezed through in 10-15 minutes, this book really gives you bang for your buck, leaving you with a ton of information to dissect and digest. If nothing else, it gives you plenty of fodder you can use to show off your Marvel knowledge - all in a beautifully illustrated package.

Hickman and Larraz continue to use tone effectively in making the reader uneasy with who they should be rooting for. This story feels that it will be essential X-Men reading for future generations, and this issue was the most action-packed part yet.

Invaders #8 keeps on surprising with a story that gives it an epic summer event feel while remaining self-contained and focused on its psychological examination of one of Marvels oldest characters: Namor the Submariner. While Carlos Magno does a competent job with illustrating the present day action, Butch Guices flashback scenes are beautiful and almost make me wish the entire comic was set in the 40s.

At the heart of this story is comedy, adventure, and a little bit of mystery. It is a welcome reprieve from the heady uneasiness of HoX/PoX. Duggan delivers a fun, interesting issue and assembles a great group of characters to embark on a totally unique premise. Lolli does a fantastic job with both expression and action in the issue. It all portends great things for the future of the Dawn of X and Marvels reinvigoration of the X-Men publishing line.

Quibbles about the structure of the issue aside, more often than not, Marvel Comics #1000 serves as a fun romp through history with a few surprises from its creative teams, both new and old, along the way.

The main attractions for this issue are watching these two characters interact for what feels like the first time and seeing the ways in which Moustafa and company reimagine Moon Knights costume throughout history. Both of them deliver.

New Mutants #1 is so much fun to read. Between the quippy dialogue, sprawling adventure, and fantastic artwork, theres not a ton to criticize with this issue. Brisson and Hickman seem like they have a lot more story in them, as they set up quite a few different intriguing storylines, and Im totally on board to read more - especially if Rod Reis continues to draw it.

This creative team does a fantastic job in taking a little-known true story and delving deep into the effects that real-life monsters have on people - whether they be occupying Nazis or manipulative serial killers.

Adam Warren and Jeffrey Cruz successfully try their hand at Marvel's "The End" one-shot series with a super-imaginative take on everyone's favorite symbiote: Venom.

Jason Aaron left some huge shoes to fill when he concluded his 7+ years on the title, but Cates and Klein aptly continue that tale in this issue while still managing to flip the story on its head and give the reader a wholly new take on the God of Thunder by its end. Klein proves to be an expert conveying mood with his pencils, while Cates clear affinity for Thor shines through wonderfully.