Tag Archives: Marvel Comics

Pull List: 5/16/12 – Avengers vs. X-Men #4 & Dancer #1

May 17, 2012

It’s another new week and another edition of the Pull List coming at you. For this week we catch up with the battling heroes of the Marvel universe with Avengers vs. X-Men #4 and some super spy action with Image’s Dancer #1.

Avengers vs. X-Men #4

Avengers vs X-Men #4In round four of Avengers vs X-Men, the pursuit of Hope Summers continues with more hero appearances you can shake a stick at. The story picks up in Antarctica as Wolverine catches up with the world’s most sought after mutant, only to find she needs his help to confront her destiny.

The rest of the issue gives readers quite the snapshot of the various X-Men and Avengers fighting across and off the planet. You get a good picture from both sides of the conflict, including a nice hint on what measures the Avengers will take to solve this issue. This is definitely the story that will deliver for those who were complaining about not enough fighting in previous issues. It’s not often you get to see Thor with a look of sheer defeat on his face.

The ending has a typical cliffhanger which will naturally leave readers wanting more and looking forward to the battle to come in the next issue.

Dancer #1.

Dancer #1Retired assassin Alan Fisher finds his past catching up with him in Image’s Dancer #1. The story by Natahan Edmondson sets the tone right away in the first few panels, stating without any dialogue that Fisher’s enemy is playing for keeps. As the story progresses, the former killer flees with a date as the bullets start to fly. His female companion is quickly learning that the man she loves has a deadly hidden past as bodies start falling around them.

Set in Italy, the artist Nic Klein, does a great job with spacious panels giving readers a great sense of location and danger. Much of the issue does not have dialogue and it really adds a sense of tension as the couple flee for their lives. Fisher feels like a rugged older James Bond that still knows how to handle himself and is not afraid to kill again to save his own life. The reactions from his date are just what you would think someone would have if thrown into this kind of situation.

For a debut issue it kicked off quite well. Readers get a taste of how dangerous this ex-assassin can be and an interesting glimpse into what is to come. There are hints about his past, but not too many – you’ll still be hungry for more by the issue’s end.

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Pull List: 4/25/12

April 26, 2012

Pull List is a weekly roundup comic book reviews on the site. It’s been a while, so get comfortable and let’s get down to business. This week features The New Avengers #25 and Vampirella: The Red Room. Continue reading

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Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Review

February 17, 2012

While technically a step up in quality from the first film in terms of storytelling, the second entry in the somewhat unnecessary Ghost Rider franchise still manages to feel like a bit of a missed opportunity given the talent both in front of and behind the camera. A film starring Nicolas Cage and directed by the duo of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank, Gamer) should be balls to the wall, action packed insanity. Instead, what we get is a film that feels curiously neutered in terms of content and budget. Continue reading

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The Avengers Trailer

October 11, 2011

Apple.com has the first concrete look at Joss Whedon’s Marvel ensemble, The Avengers. Fans no longer have to grasp at 30 second preview snippets or shaky phone cam location footage. The trailer hits audiences with Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and the Hulk in action, being led by S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury. The trailer also contains some serious scenes of destruction along with shots of Thor’s villainous brother Loki wreaking havoc on New York City. Continue reading

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Captain America: The First Avenger Review

July 22, 2011

If a man in a giant bat costume can be rationalized – intensely and dramatically – then so too can a man named Captain America. The name alone makes my skin crawl; it’s filled with so much camp and pomp. When I imagined what such a film would feel like I thought of Independence Day. With that as my prejudice, this movie had some challenges to overcome in the battle of authenticity versus believability. However, I am happy to report that Captain America: The First Avenger nailed it. Continue reading

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X-Men: First Class Review

June 23, 2011

It was a big rush when the X-Men films finally hit the screen, all my most beloved characters expanding from the page to the screen. Then X-Men: The Last Stand came along and not only did the shit hit the fan, but it was set to high, and it splattered back in our faces many times over. X-Men: First Class is a chance for redemption, and is aimed at the diehards, while also attempting to attract some new viewers. Continue reading

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Alpha Flight #0.1 Review

May 21, 2011

In this introductory issue of the recently reformed Canadian super-team Alpha Flight, Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Dale Eaglesham hit the perfect balance between a comic that will appeal to all readers and a story that has some fun ‘Canadiana’ shout-out moments. Continue reading

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New X-Men Vol. 1 Review

May 13, 2011

Grant Morrison’s seminal run on X-Men returns to print… and just in time for the new movie! Originally penned when the first X-Men film was reigniting the public’s favour with these long running characters, Morrison sought to incorporate new, modern elements while remaining true to the spirit of the earliest issues. What resulted was signature-style Morrison bizarre, which is to say, pure mutant gold. Continue reading

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Thor Review

May 4, 2011

I should preface this review with one caveat: I’ve never read or watched — or heard of Thor at all, really — before seeing the film. As you can probably guess from the preceding sentence, I don’t even know what format of text or media from which its story originates. Colour me uneducated and largely incurious. Instead of attempting to hide this gaping hole in my nerd credentials, I’m sure that highlighting my lack of Thor knowledge will make for a pretty interesting review. Continue reading

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Thor Review

May 4, 2011

I didn’t know it until I saw it, but I have been waiting for a summer movie like Thor for a long time. It is fun, far more fun than any comic adaptation I have seen in years. Its director brings to it a distantiation that allows for investment in the fun of it all: the outrageous narration, exaggerated and impossible action sequences, and actors who can just let go and enjoy the ride without any pressure while still maintaining their integrity and talent. This, my friends, is what a summer movie should be: exciting, clever, comedic, and a joyride. Continue reading

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Secret Avengers #12.1 Review

May 2, 2011

Yet another Point One issue from Marvel, and I’m starting to notice some trends. Creator change-ups on titles; less forced back-story exposition; and the stories are just getting better and better! Secret Avengers #12.1 has all of these elements and is possibly the best issue yet in this stellar series. Continue reading

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Uncanny X-Men #535 Review

April 17, 2011

Uncanny X-Men has been one of my favourite reads ever since issue #500. The creative team-up of Matt Fraction, Greg Land and Terry Dodson has produced a comic run that is just as visually engrossing as the writing is outstanding. #534 was Matt Fraction‘s last issue, and I have been dreading the loss of one of my favourite monthly reads. But fear not X-Men fans, this comic is just as good, if not better, than before. Continue reading

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