First off: Holy crap. Marvel released a whoppin’ 22 books this week. I mean, ouch. That’s a total of over 70 bucks! Come on Marvel, we can spread the wealth a bit? New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Avengers: The Initiative, Fantastic Four, Captain America, Ms. Marvel, Hulk, Uncanny X-Men and X-Men: Legacy all in one week? Probably not necessary.
Oh yea, SPOILER WARNING!
However, change nothing else. The books are great. New Avengers and Mighty Avengers each clued us into how Spider-Woman and Hank Pym were replaced by Skrulls. I realize that neither of these characters is technically who they’re pretending to be, but it still feels good to see these characters in the spotlight. Is that weird? Plus, art by Jimmy Cheung (New) and John Romita, Jr. (Mighty) is definitely a treat. It’s these quiet, individual stories that are my favorite part of Secret Invasion so far.
Best part of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s new issue of Fantastic Four? Doom getting a beat down, and crying to Reed Richards for help. Nice.
Captain America‘s excellent storyline that’s been going strong for 39 issues now is starting to get more intense at just the right speed. Probably Marvel’s consistently best book. And the main character’s not even in it!
The Hulk is taking way too long to hit the shelves (we’re only on issue 4) but it’s still gorgeous every time. While I have no idea what Jeph Loeb is thinking, or what terrible place he may take the Hulk, but Ed McGuiness’ art of the Red Hulk punching out the Watcher? Amazing.
Young Avengers Presents: Hawkeye was just perfect. Matt Fraction’s script? Perfect. Alan Davis’ art? Perfect. The OFFICIAL passing of the tourch from one Hawkeye to the next? Perfect.
Daredevil is Marvel’s other most consistently excellent book. I really, really appreciate artist Michael Lark’s continued presence on the book for so long now. He’s a real strength. And I’m especially enjoying Dakota North moving into the spotlight a bit this arc. As a big fan of her old series (she’s a fashion model, turned private eye! No, really!) I’m loving seeing her stretching her legs in the modern Marvel U.
Immortal Iron Fist? I have no idea what’s in store for this book after the current writers leave, but after this issue, I’m really gonna miss Matt Fraction on the book, and I hope the new writer keeps up the energy.
Lastly, the new writers running the X books are pretty top notch. Ed Brubaker’s Uncanny X-Men has me psyched for the new status quo we’ll be getting next month as the X-Men settle in for their new lives…in San Francisco!? And Legacy writer Mike Carey is doing some very interesting things, playing with some very interesting old continuity, which I love. The last page of X-Men: Legacy #213? Good god, I love it!
Big week, I skipped a lot of books…but I don’t think there was a bad apple in the bunch. Marvel has been on top of its game for the last few years. Can you tell I’m a little biased toward other publishers?