Angel & Faith #6 – After a great opening arc, the series continues with more back story on Giles and the Watcher’s Counsel not to mention Faith stepping up as Slayer Trainer extraordinaire! Add that to Druscilla coming back and a weirdo “doctor” who “cures” people by slicing into their heads and this title doesn’t seem to be losing any steam anytime soon. And is it me or did Druscilla seem like she was ALMOST sane? And last but not least…Faith father??? Didn’t you all just assume she sprang fully formed from a bed of Awesomeness in the instant Kendra died? I know I did.
Astonishing X-men #46 – Yes…this storyline is STILL happening. At the very least though, they gave us a bit of background on what’s going on, but even still this entire arc just seems like Marvel doesn’t know what to do with this title Post-Schism and isn’t willing to cancel it either (probably out of some misguided loyalty because of how amazing it USED to be. Whatever the reason for this terrible storyline, they better get their act together QUICK because there are already too many X-titles out there and we don’t need one that’s floundering month after month.
Alpha Flight #8 – I loved this title but I have to be honest, I am glad it’s over. I was disappointed at first when I heard Alpha Flight was only getting a limited and then overjoyed to hear that it got promoted to ongoing. However, once the story got going (which was an amazing story I might add), the entire feel of the book just didn’t seem like it could or should continue. Then, oddly enough, as quickly as they told us ongoing, we instantly went back to hearing limited again. So when the story ended with this issue, it feel like the right thing to have the series end too. That all being said…wow! An epic battle, that would draw in even the most casual Flight reader, and a twist ending to boot. With the Master of the World defeated and the Unity process completely reversible, we all expected a relatively happy ending. Heather unfortunately didn’t see it that way and took off with she and Mac’s baby. On the bright side Jean-Paul and Kyle were back together and Marrina was still not evil so all was not totally lost. I just wonder where we will see this story pick up: another Alpha Flight series or some guest appearances in some other title?
Avengers: Solo #4 – The Hawkeye’s story is boring. I could go into more detail but it would just be repeating what I’ve said in the past or even in my head sounds kind of snotty so I’ll just skip it. On the other hand, I still love the Avengers Wes…oops I mean Avengers Academy back-up story. And, with everything going on with Finesse (i.e. her future memory loss) and Striker (and his being gay) in their regular series, it’s really interesting to see them here because this story still takes place well before the latest issue of that title. I just generally love seeing these kids anywhere to be honest. From not liking the title at all to having Academy be one of favorites, I’ll pick up any title that features them, so I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the series saving back-up story.
FF #14 – ::Sigh:: I gave this title a chance because even though I don’t like to follow Fantastic Four, I really enjoyed reading about the kids and their kooky adventures. But as of late the art is lagging and the stories are beginning to get weird and pointlessly complex. I love a good Celestial storyline as much as everyone else but all this weirdness with Nathanial and Valeria, and Doom and Valeria is just getting to be a bit much. I’ll give this title a couple of more issues to grab my attention again but I starting to consider dropping this title. A Power Pack story next issue should lighten the mood bit, so maybe that will help.
Secret Avengers #21.1 – Great issue for so many reasons. First of all Cap testing Hawkeye is just hilarious in its own right. That being said, I am so glad that Steve is leaving this title and handing over the reins to someone a little shadier then America’s Boy Scout. I also liked seeing that even after all these years, these two still can’t help getting on each other nerves a little bit. Even though most of the things Steve said were to provoke a reaction, I am fairly certain most of them come from some sort of truth. Another high point of this issue: Vengeance! I also crapped myself when a strangely green Vengeance rode out on his equally strange green flaming motorcycle. And then it all made sense… He was Vengeance: the Spirit of…Pollution? Yes that’s right, Spirit of Pollution instead of Vengeance. At that point I stopped crapping myself and almost died of laughter. I loved the old Vengeance from the 90’s and I was sort of hoping that it was a reincarnation of this character, but this is just as good and a hell of a lot funnier. I seriously hope this guy pops up again. Looking forward to the roster change next issue, with Hawkeye leading and Captain Britain and Giant Man as members. I can’t wait to see how that happens.
