Usually am a big fan of Simone’s and I am (probably sacrilegiously so) not a fan of John Byrnes art thanks mostly to really not digging his early 2000s Spider-Man stuff and it tainting me, and over all this issue fell flat for me.

I think this is the first tie in issue I’ve enjoyed so far in this infinite crisis saga. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because Rucka wrote it

I love the art. Am I broken?

It's unfair to compare this to what came before, but having just read all of the "Ultimate" line on the Marvel Unlimited app, it's really hard not to. It's too bad they didn't try and just re-use the Defenders name instead, because while I know they're trying to something "new" here this just does not feel like an Ultimates book whatsoever and I don't think the title does it any favors. Frankly there's too many characters (both new and otherwise) and I really didn't care for any of them. I feel like what is trying to be done here has been done so much better in Ultimate Spider-Man

More characters and teams from a long-ago era in Marvel's 616 continuity (aka, all the stuff writer Mark Gruenwald did, which I happen to like btw) does not a good Ultimate book make. I get what they were going for here with this new, street-level approach but I had a really hard time caring about any of them. I feel like everything was crammed and rushed because the literal end of the universe was coming. At least the early Ultimates stuff was really good... the latter... not so much.

Holy antiquity, Peter Palmer!

This story arc literally drove me away from Spidey 616 comics for 15 years. Reread it and it’s still one of the worst things I’ve read, full stop.

Zion lives|

Big fan of Finch's art, and it's fun to read some early 616 Bendis.

Solid. Stark's a little quick to the "I pay for stuff, so I can be a brat" (but I suppose that's the character--though I wish another character would've called him out on it before flying away). Still (re)enjoying this run from its initial publication.

Man critics in 2004 were harsh. I blame marketing.

Good lord what comics actually got good reviews from the majority of those Comic Bulletin writers? JMS’ Gwen Stacy kid storyline? Sheesh. I loved this run. Great retro throwback too.

Hickman doesn't disappoint, and the artwork is stellar.

I felt this ish was a little anticlimactic but still fine overall. The art's great and I want to know more about this Cap Universe.

I Felt like the previous issue was rushed, but we don't have that problem here.. Curious to see where this thing goes!

Smashing.

Not as smashing as the prior issue but solid regardless.

A great run continues.

A little flat, like a soda pop two days opened.

Yawn

Still not a convert to cosmicness I guess

After the disappointment that was Azzarello's run (and after a Loeb run that I personally really enjoyed and was in fact my first Batman comic that I purchased), this issue is a breath of fresh air. Granted I'm a sucker for some Scarecrow, but I really dug the the tone that Winick is going for, and I really like Nguyen's style.

Second issue in this arc, and I like it just as much as much as the first.

Still really digging Winick's arc.

Fear hallucinations are so cool.

Slightly underwhelming finale but still solid.

Not a fan of the first appearance of RH here; would’ve preferred a build up or beginning of fight. Also I hate typos. Batman has “a the toxin”

You’re * Mr. Editors.

This was... not worth it. Oh well, on to Morrison!

Meta af

Patience is a virtue

Fast paced almost to a detriment.

A throwback run after Morrison’s plunge into the future.

I'm all for experimenting and shaking things up, but damn I was not feeling this. This read like a well-written fan fic, and the art wasn't helping things. Was this good computer-based art in 2007? This was a big slog to get through and probably could've been skipped.

An amazing throwback issue to an Adam West-style Batman

I don’t know who any of these characters are but I love this story arc. And the artwork is great. Love the throwback styles.

Better than the previous part at least

So much better already than that bloated crossover prior

Different and I like it!

Frustratingly paced

I’m too dumb for this

Good but not great

I do not like Batman’s characterization in this.

Not as in-continuity as I hoped. Weird changes that make me cold.

Good for new readers too cuz I didn't know this was the third series!

This series has had some of the best fight choreography I've seen in a while

Cowabunga

My fave thus far of the Metal line.

I don't get it

Mumbo Flippin jumbo

Damn this is the first new book I've read in a while and I'm unfamiliar with Fabok's work, but I gotta fix that. This is one pretty ass comic (and the story's not bad either!).

Man critics of the day were harsh!

Freight car

I remember thinking reviving Bucky was stupid. Oops!

This issue is better than it deserves to be.

I was a relative DC newbie when I first read this comic when it came out but I enjoyed it immensely and having just reread it I think it holds up. Probably not as familiar with Greg Rucka’s work as I should be but I look forward to rectifying that!

Not sure if this run was a good idea as a relative new and latecomer to this new DC. But art's good!

I swear if they use the word "metal" in dialogue one more time, I'm gonna drink some metal.

What. Is. Happening.

Metal mumbo jumbo dark energy rabble rabble portal

Pretty, but sloppy af overall.

A solid yarn and some sneaky set up for Red Hood. I thought he’d be older though.

I believe the term is “meh.” I really don’t care about the ancillary characters here and I should.

Weak art and clunky dialogue/exposition.

What a waste of a storyline

DANNY!

Neat! Overtly way hella extreme. Really excellent!

Horrible pacing

Much better

We're all blue

Oh they banging

I wanna be the minority. I don’t need your authority. Also Wild West Spiders.

Ok now I kinda get the hate

Wtfigo

I have no idea what is happening but I like it

Was I supposed to read other stuff in between issues?

Dummmmmmmb

Eh

I’m too dumb for this

No

Surprisingly good

Wtfffff

Wt actual f

Another tie-in that I prefer to the main/core series.

Not a usual GL reader but this was a fine continuation of the Metal series.

First HQ I’ve read and I’m hooked.

Release the Sny— … jk

Great run. This was one of the first superhero titles I read after a long hiatus and it helped rekindle my love for the medium. Fraction is great.

One of the best superhero comics, and not a Galactus or skybeam in sight. Huge scale is unnecessary for greatness and this run is proof of that.

This comic is better than it has any right to be.

Legit one of my favorite superhero runs. A must-read for any Marvel fan.

Bro!

One of my favorite comics of all-time. Yes, that surprises me too. Fraction's run on Hawkeye and Iron Fist should be required reading (same with Ewing's currently-in-progress Immortal Hulk).

Bro, you need to read this comic, bro. Bro. BRO. BRO!

So that's where 'Dark Phoenix's "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!" came from 😂

I want to live in an alternate reality toooo

Hawkguy!

Layyyyylaaa

Who flung that sentinel to Kickstart the festivities?

As a sorta newbie it totally hooked me

Goose flesh

This is pod racing

Baby's first 10

I hate giving 10s

Pure popcorn

Like it, but the shift from IMMORTAL is jarring. Feels like Banner is too quickly Ultimate Reed Richards-ish.

I think the hype and marketing turned some people off but I stills dig it. Really good writing, pacing, and art.

Never read much Hulk before this, but the hype and a Marvel Unlimited subscription got me intrigued, and whaddya know, this series is really flippin' good. So much so, I've gone back and bought as many floppies as I can (had to settle for Director's Cuts for the first few). Really cool premise and amazing art. Re-reading it now that I have the physical copies and am enjoying it even more the second time.

Yeah screw it, it's getting a 10. We don't need world-shattering events. More stuff like this please.

Loved the narration and backstory here

Maybe I’m took dumb

I really gotta read some back issues, like Planet and WW Hulk

This book is immortal

Not rating the Jewery thing, cuz yeah, that's bad. Maybe he took the wrong lessons from Uncut Gems? And also misspelled Cronenberg's name, so maybe no more writing for Mr. Bennett.

Smashing

After a long hiatus away from comicdom (or at least superhero comics), Immortal Iron Fist and Hawkeye got me back into reading. This run by Brubaker and Fraction is one of my favorites and I highly recommend it to anyone, whether you're into Iron Fist or not (I, for one, wasn't a big Iron Fist guy).

I love this run. For a brief moment in time, in the darkness that is the Netflix show, Brubaker and Fraction made me an IF fan.

MORTAL KOMBAT! LET THEM FIGHT! FATALITY! Other catch phrases here... But seriously, I love this run Iron Fist. It's a lot of fun and got me into reading superhero comics after a long sabbatical. I highly recommend this to anyone, and if you do enjoy it (and even if you didn't you weirdo), check out Fraction's Hawkeye run as well. I think they make a good 1-2 punch.

More really solid work from Brubaker and Fraction.

A bit done there, been that… wait…

Clunky af

Oooohhhh so that’s how it starts

Finally!

Best issue of this run so far.

DC history is crazy. And I like it!

I was mildly disappointed. I think it would’ve benefited another issue.

God save the Queen

Weak all around.

Some cool ideas overall in this run but really sloppy and rushed overall. Some of the dialogues and overall pacing is just yikes

Hey I wasn't the only one disappointed! Cool! Anyway, neat premise, and I recall liking the twist in the Ultimate F4, but man the writing is lacking here. It's like Kirkman was purposefully trying to be half-assed.

I read these all at once and I don't remember them individually, but I'm reviewing them with as much effort as went into writing them.

I hope the sequels are better.

Callahan is way off. This is Shakespeare compared to the rest.

Ew

Already better than the first two series

Why didn’t Kirkman write this well?

Love the Easter Eggs.

Meta af and I love it

Miles Morales is a beacon of light in a dark and broken Ultimate line. Bendis is great (which is fairly normal for him) and Sara Pichelli is one of my favorite artists now (and I'm a sucker for and was spoiled by Bagley).

I really wish characters would stay dead, y'know? But alas, still a solid read.

Miles vs. Venom. 'Nuff said!

I really dig Miles, but again, feel like other stories keep infringing on him and not allowing his stories the time they need. Everything still feels rushed to get us to Secret Wars, and while I like Doom, I feel like he was just shoehorned in. It could've (and maybe should've) been someone else. It didn't jive with what we'd seen in Ultimate FF.

I really like the Miles Morales character, and a big reason I decided to read the whole Ultimate line was for his character. I wish big, multi-book events didn't keep cropping up in his stories (it certainly happened more often to him than Peter Parker, who was allowed to breathe a bit more), but overall I really, really enjoyed this run. This line was definitely the best post-Ultimatum as compared to the other Ultimate books (Wolverine Jr., the same but blonde? C'mon man).

Read due to Marvel’s new Avengers game and was not disappointed in Ms. Khan. A welcome change of pace.

The nostalgia is strong with this one and also David Finch draws some great panels.

Be did really doesn't like personal identities does he?

Will squeel for donut

I haven't made a good decision in 17 years

I'm weird cuz I'm digging this. Really cool concept and the art is amazing.

I don't get the hate and Kevin Green sounds like a huge toolbag.

Solid af. Ronin begins in Japan, just like Endgame. Cool!

Jeez "critics" back then were just plain ol trolls, holy wah

Not a lot of plot development

Can’t have shit in Detroit

Ho freaking hum

I read this having taken a long sabbatical from reading/keeping up with the main Marvel 616-continuity. I stopped keeping up shortly before the first Civil War, but have read a few trades in-between and have randomly kept up with some happenings. I returned to this title because to get back in the swing of things, I read the entirety of Marvel's "Ultimate" line with their Marvel Unlimited app. That brings me here, in an effort to read the Secret Wars of the 2010's. Or whatever it's called. All that to say, I really enjoyed this first issue. I don't have a firm grasp of what's been going on in the 616, but I enjoyed the characterizations and the Black Panther perspective. I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to know about this Black Swan and that works just fine. Apropos of nothing, BP's "I'll do more than try" line was frankly really bad ass and I want to hear that in the MCU sometime. Hickman's work was a lone bright spot near the latter end of the Ultimate line, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his 616 stuff before and after this.

I struggle to compare if I enjoyed this more or less than the first issue, but it's rather pointless anyway as I enjoyed them both a great deal. I'm coming in at a weird angle having just wrapped all of the "Ultimate" line with Ultimate Spider-Man #12, and it's cool to see that incursion happening years after what we just saw in New Avenger's #1. Anyway, enough rambling--Hickman still delivers the goods.

Some serious Identity Crisis vibes here and I'm OK with it! Another great ish

A great run continues.

Another great ish

Still digging this run.

What Gobby said

Mmm bourbon

Super-fun

Really confused as to how to speedsters let Batman get captured by the new Green lantern core and then the new Aquaman guy gets away lickety-split at the very end with no follow up by either speedster. I just don’t understand the pacing and it doesn’t really make sense story wise. If superman had been distracted in either of those scenarios for them otherwise occupied I get it but he totally just went super Saiyan and then let the corp get away. Also this ipad keyboard sucks Wtf

Overall great series

Better than the last part at least

I really gotta read more.

I abandoned my Comic habit not too long after this issue’s original publication due to poorness and school so I am rectifying that years later thanks to DC universe and I am so far enjoying this as much as I recall!

Feel like the series waned but overall I enjoyed it.

Finger licking good

Now we're cookin

Aw hell yea Boi

A bit too slow this month

Pacing seemed off and oddly structured.

Rowland is… dumb?

If they say IT’S TIME or an equivalent one more time…

As sorta newbie I’m kinda lost but I like it!

I’m skipping crossovers next time. I read for Morrison and this aint it.

Great creative team for this. I remember digging it as a kid and it holds up.

Slow, but I don’t mind so far.

Shawn Hill sleeps with dogs.

Good run albeit somewhat anti climactic

Wtf is that ending

The comic that brought me back to comics. Comixxx. Sorry.

Much better than the first ish in 2021.

Clunky and weird pace

Little rushed and sloppy imo, esp compared to New Super-Man

Yes plz

So much better than what was going on in the main titles at this time.

Interesting premise and curious to see how it unfolds. Didn't grip me as much as I was hoping, but definitely giving #2 a shot.

Yet again I'm enjoying the tie-ins over the main title.

Not enjoying this tie in as much as the lead ins.

A really cool collaboration. RIPower, Sam.

Finally getting around to reading this via TPB, and it doesn't disappoint. Moore usually doesn't.

I hate leeches

As seen on Netflix

Sequencing was kinda off but still great overall

Knew it was coming but still... gotdamn....

Choreography is a bit wonky but still good

Rare misstep

I honestly preferred this tie-in over the main series.

Yikes that’s some low hanging fruit here. I do not need kid Thanos. Skipping this series now.

Holy dialogue, flashbacks and exposition, Batman.

I get it. Ennis likes writing about WWII. He's good at it. But this is dragging a bit. What's great about two characters having a conversation and using a lot of flashbacks? Not that much, really. I'm being particularly harsh on this issue probably, but a lot of the exposition done in this series is really blase.

What's the saying, show, don't tell? This series should be "Everyone Tells Hughie Way Cooler Stuff That Happened Long Ago."

Finalllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Now this is more like it. Wish they would've hid the "surprise" of this issue a bit (or just made it a surprise, I guess? I don't know; I can't remember the precise foreshadowing, but I wish there'd been maybe a misdirect).

Meta, bub.

Sending in Frenchy and the Female just as a duo is dumb, but everything else is great. Gum?

WTF

Ah yes.

We are Shitfeet

Holy exposition, Batman. And then big things. But the clunky ass explaining of things is way too much tell, not enough show.

Why am I such a buzz kill? Why are some of the characters actions kindve dumb? Why do they split up in horror movies? Is it easier?

Super cool premise with trippy art. Really looking forward to where this is going.