While perusing Borders this past weekend armed with a 30% off coupon, I happened come across the Onslaught Reborn TPB. For $15 bucks I figured what the hell I’ll go for it. That and I completely forgot to pick up when it was released in single issues, but that’s not the point.
It was a team up of some of the Heroes Reborn think tank in Jeff Loeb and Rob Liefield, revisiting the Reborn saga as a ten year anniversary. I for one actually liked the Heroes Reborn saga, if nothing else it was a change of pace (not to mention it was after that whole Crossing mess we would all like to forget).
The story starts with a narration from Bucky (the Heroes Reborn female Bucky that is) and Onslaught returning and coming after Franklin Richards, the son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman should you not already know that. In an attempt to escape he uses some green globe thing (I don’t really remember what it is) and comes back to the Reborn universe, where all the heroes are. In his attempts to capture Franklin, Onslaught begins to inhabit the bodies of the different heroes, and pits them against one another in an attempt to find the strongest body that he can then take over that universe with. And so the fighting begins.
I’m not going to lie, I prefer action over drama, and while not the strongest plot if you like action this was a good series. I don’t think the plot was weak per se, but it definitely was geared to a more action packed series than a deep and meaningful one.
Liefield’s art, something many have problems with because he exaggerates the features and has a very scratchy detail style, was more toned down. You could still tell it was him, and there were some frames that definitely needed to be lightened on the details, but for the most part I thought he did a good job.
The fighting I thought was good. The frames were clear and you could easily tell what was going on. I liked the coloring too, pretty bright and vibrant, something you don’t seem to see much of nowadays.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but there are some twists in this, some good, and some make you scratch your head. You have to wonder if one or two things were intended to be done in the original series and they just never got around to it, or if Loeb and Liefield just decided to have fun with the idea.
All in all I thought the series was pretty good. Though a quick read I did enjoy it and it is definitely good for those who prefer action.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What Happened to Stark Industries?
Since he took over as Director of Shield, there is something I’ve been wondering about the Iron Man titles: where is Stark Industries? I honestly can’t say the last time I even heard this mentioned in one of the books was.
I understand that being the director of Shield isn’t a paltry job, but Tony always ran his company and was directly involved in much of it. But now Stark Industries seems like it has just disappeared. Sure we see Stark Tower all the time, but how often anything that actually does on there?
Since he took over as head of Shield I’ve been feeling a bit disconnect from the character, in the sense that something just seemed off. Other than the whole Biased Political Commentary (a.k.a. Civil War) fiasco things with Stark just haven't seemed right. And while its not one single thing, I think this is a good chunk of it.
Stark was always at his company, be it Industries, Enterprises or Solutions, and it was always a priority to him, especially because he cared for the people under him. Now it’s like it’s not even on his radar, and only heard in passing. I miss the days of Bob & Dave and Kaminski where we got a healthy dose of the company along with the hero.
With the Director of Shield title ending, I think we are going to see Stark returning to his company and Shield back in the hands of Nick Fury. But only time will tell.
I understand that being the director of Shield isn’t a paltry job, but Tony always ran his company and was directly involved in much of it. But now Stark Industries seems like it has just disappeared. Sure we see Stark Tower all the time, but how often anything that actually does on there?
Since he took over as head of Shield I’ve been feeling a bit disconnect from the character, in the sense that something just seemed off. Other than the whole Biased Political Commentary (a.k.a. Civil War) fiasco things with Stark just haven't seemed right. And while its not one single thing, I think this is a good chunk of it.
Stark was always at his company, be it Industries, Enterprises or Solutions, and it was always a priority to him, especially because he cared for the people under him. Now it’s like it’s not even on his radar, and only heard in passing. I miss the days of Bob & Dave and Kaminski where we got a healthy dose of the company along with the hero.
With the Director of Shield title ending, I think we are going to see Stark returning to his company and Shield back in the hands of Nick Fury. But only time will tell.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Director of Shield Title Cancelled
Marvel has announced (well, did a few weeks ago) that the Director of Shield title will be coming to an end, and the Invincible Iron Man title will now be the main book, continuing with the team of Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca. The title is going to be replaced with a new ongoing War Machine title.
I have some mixed feelings on this. Stark as the head of Shield had potential, but it was really never used; more so how Stark was used with his companies as plot support. We never see much of how he really operates Shield beyond just barking orders and a few changes here and there and to me that is a waste. Part of it might have been the Knaufs (whose leaving the title makes more sense now) never intended it and had to write it into their Mandarin arc, which would mean it take a back seat. Though the title of Director of Shield was there, did we really ever feel like it was part of the character? For me it wasnt.
On one hand though I am kind of happy it's gone as I never really felt it was suited to Stark. I just couldnt really buy in to him being the head of an organization like Shield. Not that he couldnt be, but espionage and counter terrorism arent exactly his specialties, and definitely isnt the same as running a corporation. I've always liked the more independent Stark and I think it will lead to more character specific adventures like before (as in he's by himself and doesnt always have the Hellicarrier close behind). Which brings me to my next point.
If the DOS title is gone, Nick Fury has resurfaced and Maria Hill has been proven to not be a Skrull, I think its pretty clear Tony's days as the head of Shield are done. Maybe Stark's time there will leave a lasting effect, but I doubt it with the impact Secret Invasion is bound to have on the Marvel U.
Finally, the War Machine monthly title. To say the least, I'm skeptical. Back in the 90's when Iron Man's popularity was at one of it's highest, and Rhodes was still a major supporting character in the Iron Man book War Machine only lasted a few years. Is there enough to a character that hasnt even been built up much lately to try and carry his own title again? Plus there is that thing where Rhodey now appears to be half cyborg or something. If you havent been reading the Initiative title it was revealed Rhodes is part bionic (half his face included) though we're not sure why yet. I REALLY hate that direction, and hope to hell Marvel plans on it being a temporary plot device and to get rid of it sooner rather than later. Rhodey as a cyborg is just... wrong.
I have some mixed feelings on this. Stark as the head of Shield had potential, but it was really never used; more so how Stark was used with his companies as plot support. We never see much of how he really operates Shield beyond just barking orders and a few changes here and there and to me that is a waste. Part of it might have been the Knaufs (whose leaving the title makes more sense now) never intended it and had to write it into their Mandarin arc, which would mean it take a back seat. Though the title of Director of Shield was there, did we really ever feel like it was part of the character? For me it wasnt.
On one hand though I am kind of happy it's gone as I never really felt it was suited to Stark. I just couldnt really buy in to him being the head of an organization like Shield. Not that he couldnt be, but espionage and counter terrorism arent exactly his specialties, and definitely isnt the same as running a corporation. I've always liked the more independent Stark and I think it will lead to more character specific adventures like before (as in he's by himself and doesnt always have the Hellicarrier close behind). Which brings me to my next point.
If the DOS title is gone, Nick Fury has resurfaced and Maria Hill has been proven to not be a Skrull, I think its pretty clear Tony's days as the head of Shield are done. Maybe Stark's time there will leave a lasting effect, but I doubt it with the impact Secret Invasion is bound to have on the Marvel U.
Finally, the War Machine monthly title. To say the least, I'm skeptical. Back in the 90's when Iron Man's popularity was at one of it's highest, and Rhodes was still a major supporting character in the Iron Man book War Machine only lasted a few years. Is there enough to a character that hasnt even been built up much lately to try and carry his own title again? Plus there is that thing where Rhodey now appears to be half cyborg or something. If you havent been reading the Initiative title it was revealed Rhodes is part bionic (half his face included) though we're not sure why yet. I REALLY hate that direction, and hope to hell Marvel plans on it being a temporary plot device and to get rid of it sooner rather than later. Rhodey as a cyborg is just... wrong.
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