Hello 2011!
Inoshi here [waves] and I hope everyone had a nice holiday season and a Happy New Year.
I know I always talk about Marvel in my entries, usually giving my two cents about recent issues, which I will continue to do so, but...I'm lazy at the moment and won't really go in-depth (or try not to) for this entry. Mostly because I'm behind and I can't remember what I actually talked about, lol XDDDDD So here is the breakdown...
Secret Avengers #8
Brubaker continues to make me go (=_=)' haaaa with this book. I shouldn't even bother reading this and simply just drop the book, but unfortunately with Steve being all top cop - everything he does impacts the Marvel MU and this foreseen "vision" of the war of the world rip-offs. So basically I've gotten down to just skimming the book and looking for anything important...or rather important to me. I'm happy to note that I'm not the only one who has a beef with Sharon.
[eyes Bru] You know,,,I've been trying to give this chick the benefit of the doubt. I honestly have been making an effort to like her, but this is pathetic. How many times is she going to get captured? I thought she was supposed to be all bad-ass SHIELD agent and actually do something. SO far she's useless - and I abhor useless females - PERIOD! And Steve...how many times is he going to rush into traps? And the way he acted when Sharon got captured made me go (O_o)' gawd daym Steve...a little emotional there? I mean I get it...Sharon in trouble, of course you are worried...but [shakes head] this was stupid. Instead of sending Rhodey ahead to save BOTH Beast and Sharon, since you know...Metal suit can fly faster then any jet...he has War Machine carry him so HE can go save Sharon, which actually slows Rhodey down considerably. Plus the way both Beast and Sharon just sort of keel over for the baddies (despite the advance security notice and being highly trained) gives me the impression they can't fight worth sh*t.
The only thing that caught my attention is that something is up with Sharon - I will laugh if she turns out to be a clone....
Avengers #8
I'm not sure what to feel about this issue. I bordered on pissed at Steve to just plain dumb-founded. First off, this was the issue I was anticipating because Bendis said this was an issue that would change Steve and Tony's relationship. To be more accurate...I think it sort of defined what it currently is. The bottom line is that Steve does not trust Tony - the end. To be fair, Steve was right in his hunch that something was up with Tony and the Infinity Gems...then again, Tony is in no way inconspicuous when he suddenly flies at top speed through the hole in the wall stating "Let me...go check my files..." and leaving the rest of the team going (O___o)' It's what comes after that makes me go.... DDDDDDDD8
Steve:Can't he check his files from here?
Maria: Uh, yeah.
Steve: Track him.
Maria: Um, I don't know if I feel comfortable...
Steve: Maria...I gave an order.
Maria: [looks at Steve] ... Yes, sir.
[raises eyebrows] See what I mean? I almost did a double take and went...wait - Steve? Tracking Tony...okay I get it...giving an order to someone who says they are not comfortable said order [looks at Steve] interesting development...go ahead, Steve, further down the rabbit hole you go. What's personal freedom in relation to the safety of everyone else. Of course you can take this a slashy way if you want...Steve has Tony-GPS...lol. But we aren't done yet. At the end of the issue we have the Illuminati confronted by the Avengers, the New Avengers AND the Secret Avengers...with Steve asking "Tony...What are you doing?"
As you can imagine, I laughed because [looks at Secret Avengers] Hmmm, not so secret any more...and damn, Steve, you mean to tell me you gathered all three teams just to track Tony down? So yes... definitely mixed feelings. I can live with tracking Tony...fine. Sending all three teams after him, when there was no concrete evidence of Tony doing anything (aside from flash teleporting) is over-kill. I can almost see Tony looking at Steve with slight disbelief before going "sorry, Master, I forgot to put on my collar this morning..." What happens if something hits NY - a good 90% of the Avengers happen to be in the Himalayas.....
If this is pinned on Tony again I'll be pissed. Reed was the one to gather the Infinity gems - not Tony! Bendis you better check New Avengers: Illuminati...or I swear... Yes, the Illuminati agreed to keep the gems safe and not use them. No, Tony did not bother to tell Steve, BUT neither did Namor, Strange, Reed or Prof. X. So if they don't ALL get flack for whatever, I'm going to hit Steve with a brick. I desperately want to see what happens next issue. Personally, I can totally see Tony letting Steve track him...he's not stupid. Unless Bendis forgot....
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-5
I came across this by accident. The picture of Howard Stark on issue #5 is what brought me in. Let me state if you haven't read this - go ahead and pick it up. It's fantastic. Behold the retcon origins of SHIELD. After reading so many different Marvel titles...I forgot that comics can actually make you think and go - whoa! I've seen it in manga enough times that I know it's possible...I just never thought I'd see it in Marvel comics. I loved this series...and guess what...it's freaking bi-monthly! DDDDD8 What is it with everything I am interested in being bi-monthly?! The catch of this series...you need to know Fantastic Four stuff which I don't...because I went through it and was like who's that? Why does that have meaning? If you look at CBR forums you'll have someone fill in the gaps...but take my warning...you actually need to think about the issues. I am so surprised at the amount of intellect that went into this it's really amazing.
If anything...just read issue #5 to at least get the new retcon. Howark Stark was a shield agent...and so was Nathaniel Richards (Reed's father). Apparently the car crash that killed Howard was faked so he can do what he had to do. Howard you bast*rd...poor Tony...at least Jarvis was able to somewhat raise him. Still, kind of fun seeing Howard and Nathan being all MIB...and just awesome. Gives me some ideas for the Noir fic I am writing.
What if Ironman - Demon in an Armor
Interesting. The highlight being we can see what makes Tony - Tony...despite the body switch with Doom. I liked the book mainly because we saw Tony do what he does best...and that's crawling from the very bottom back to the top. He saves lives. It was nice to see Tony without the baggage of the Stark name. In the end, Latveria becoming a free and strong nation because of Tony is awesome. Overall, a happy Tony in general is a site for sore eyes.
Captain America - Man Out of Time #2
Love the art style - it's fun. Captain America drinking a starbucks coffee is made of win <3 Steve actually being Steve makes me go <3 <3 <3 <3 I love him showboating a bit and his denial. [pets Steve] This is Steve Rogers...not the guy by Brubaker or by Bendis. I hope Steve will go back to being Steve again sometime soon.
Invaders Now! #4
I don't know what made me pick this up...I looked at it by random. Again...it just shows Steve being Steve...not Commander Rogers. There is a small Steve/Tony moment that made me smile. He's concerned about Tony's life (well everyone, but seems to single out Tony, lol) and Tony is concerned about Steve's. I couldn't believe it...I was like....omg classic Avengers moment! I don't know the entire story, but Steve wearing his old costume for a bit and being his true self is worth it.
Marvel News: Joe Quesada named Chief Creative Officer - Axel Alonso replaces Quesada as Editor in Chief
Last but not least...we have this. Apparently this came out of nowhere from what I gather, but...yeah...new EIC. Hopefully it'll signify a good change....or at the very least less Tony!abuse.
I know I always talk about Marvel in my entries, usually giving my two cents about recent issues, which I will continue to do so, but...I'm lazy at the moment and won't really go in-depth (or try not to) for this entry. Mostly because I'm behind and I can't remember what I actually talked about, lol XDDDDD So here is the breakdown...
Secret Avengers #8
Brubaker continues to make me go (=_=)' haaaa with this book. I shouldn't even bother reading this and simply just drop the book, but unfortunately with Steve being all top cop - everything he does impacts the Marvel MU and this foreseen "vision" of the war of the world rip-offs. So basically I've gotten down to just skimming the book and looking for anything important...or rather important to me. I'm happy to note that I'm not the only one who has a beef with Sharon.
[eyes Bru] You know,,,I've been trying to give this chick the benefit of the doubt. I honestly have been making an effort to like her, but this is pathetic. How many times is she going to get captured? I thought she was supposed to be all bad-ass SHIELD agent and actually do something. SO far she's useless - and I abhor useless females - PERIOD! And Steve...how many times is he going to rush into traps? And the way he acted when Sharon got captured made me go (O_o)' gawd daym Steve...a little emotional there? I mean I get it...Sharon in trouble, of course you are worried...but [shakes head] this was stupid. Instead of sending Rhodey ahead to save BOTH Beast and Sharon, since you know...Metal suit can fly faster then any jet...he has War Machine carry him so HE can go save Sharon, which actually slows Rhodey down considerably. Plus the way both Beast and Sharon just sort of keel over for the baddies (despite the advance security notice and being highly trained) gives me the impression they can't fight worth sh*t.
The only thing that caught my attention is that something is up with Sharon - I will laugh if she turns out to be a clone....
Avengers #8
I'm not sure what to feel about this issue. I bordered on pissed at Steve to just plain dumb-founded. First off, this was the issue I was anticipating because Bendis said this was an issue that would change Steve and Tony's relationship. To be more accurate...I think it sort of defined what it currently is. The bottom line is that Steve does not trust Tony - the end. To be fair, Steve was right in his hunch that something was up with Tony and the Infinity Gems...then again, Tony is in no way inconspicuous when he suddenly flies at top speed through the hole in the wall stating "Let me...go check my files..." and leaving the rest of the team going (O___o)' It's what comes after that makes me go.... DDDDDDDD8
Steve:Can't he check his files from here?
Maria: Uh, yeah.
Steve: Track him.
Maria: Um, I don't know if I feel comfortable...
Steve: Maria...I gave an order.
Maria: [looks at Steve] ... Yes, sir.
[raises eyebrows] See what I mean? I almost did a double take and went...wait - Steve? Tracking Tony...okay I get it...giving an order to someone who says they are not comfortable said order [looks at Steve] interesting development...go ahead, Steve, further down the rabbit hole you go. What's personal freedom in relation to the safety of everyone else. Of course you can take this a slashy way if you want...Steve has Tony-GPS...lol. But we aren't done yet. At the end of the issue we have the Illuminati confronted by the Avengers, the New Avengers AND the Secret Avengers...with Steve asking "Tony...What are you doing?"
As you can imagine, I laughed because [looks at Secret Avengers] Hmmm, not so secret any more...and damn, Steve, you mean to tell me you gathered all three teams just to track Tony down? So yes... definitely mixed feelings. I can live with tracking Tony...fine. Sending all three teams after him, when there was no concrete evidence of Tony doing anything (aside from flash teleporting) is over-kill. I can almost see Tony looking at Steve with slight disbelief before going "sorry, Master, I forgot to put on my collar this morning..." What happens if something hits NY - a good 90% of the Avengers happen to be in the Himalayas.....
If this is pinned on Tony again I'll be pissed. Reed was the one to gather the Infinity gems - not Tony! Bendis you better check New Avengers: Illuminati...or I swear... Yes, the Illuminati agreed to keep the gems safe and not use them. No, Tony did not bother to tell Steve, BUT neither did Namor, Strange, Reed or Prof. X. So if they don't ALL get flack for whatever, I'm going to hit Steve with a brick. I desperately want to see what happens next issue. Personally, I can totally see Tony letting Steve track him...he's not stupid. Unless Bendis forgot....
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-5
I came across this by accident. The picture of Howard Stark on issue #5 is what brought me in. Let me state if you haven't read this - go ahead and pick it up. It's fantastic. Behold the retcon origins of SHIELD. After reading so many different Marvel titles...I forgot that comics can actually make you think and go - whoa! I've seen it in manga enough times that I know it's possible...I just never thought I'd see it in Marvel comics. I loved this series...and guess what...it's freaking bi-monthly! DDDDD8 What is it with everything I am interested in being bi-monthly?! The catch of this series...you need to know Fantastic Four stuff which I don't...because I went through it and was like who's that? Why does that have meaning? If you look at CBR forums you'll have someone fill in the gaps...but take my warning...you actually need to think about the issues. I am so surprised at the amount of intellect that went into this it's really amazing.
If anything...just read issue #5 to at least get the new retcon. Howark Stark was a shield agent...and so was Nathaniel Richards (Reed's father). Apparently the car crash that killed Howard was faked so he can do what he had to do. Howard you bast*rd...poor Tony...at least Jarvis was able to somewhat raise him. Still, kind of fun seeing Howard and Nathan being all MIB...and just awesome. Gives me some ideas for the Noir fic I am writing.
What if Ironman - Demon in an Armor
Interesting. The highlight being we can see what makes Tony - Tony...despite the body switch with Doom. I liked the book mainly because we saw Tony do what he does best...and that's crawling from the very bottom back to the top. He saves lives. It was nice to see Tony without the baggage of the Stark name. In the end, Latveria becoming a free and strong nation because of Tony is awesome. Overall, a happy Tony in general is a site for sore eyes.
Captain America - Man Out of Time #2
Love the art style - it's fun. Captain America drinking a starbucks coffee is made of win <3 Steve actually being Steve makes me go <3 <3 <3 <3 I love him showboating a bit and his denial. [pets Steve] This is Steve Rogers...not the guy by Brubaker or by Bendis. I hope Steve will go back to being Steve again sometime soon.
Invaders Now! #4
I don't know what made me pick this up...I looked at it by random. Again...it just shows Steve being Steve...not Commander Rogers. There is a small Steve/Tony moment that made me smile. He's concerned about Tony's life (well everyone, but seems to single out Tony, lol) and Tony is concerned about Steve's. I couldn't believe it...I was like....omg classic Avengers moment! I don't know the entire story, but Steve wearing his old costume for a bit and being his true self is worth it.
Marvel News: Joe Quesada named Chief Creative Officer - Axel Alonso replaces Quesada as Editor in Chief
Last but not least...we have this. Apparently this came out of nowhere from what I gather, but...yeah...new EIC. Hopefully it'll signify a good change....or at the very least less Tony!abuse.