Slow week ... reading wise.
Marjorie Finnegan: Temporal Criminal #1 - Garth Ennis new eight issue mini from AWA. Decent enough but not sure if I will get issue #2 or wait until its done and get it all. It was, again, decent enough, but time does play into this story and sometimes (most times with me
) being able to read it all in one or two sittings sits better with the old noggin. Eh, depends on what else hits that week it comes out I guess.
Shadowman #1 - Is this worth it? Can't yet say, but it is a better take (so far) than the last two attempts with the character. Davis-Hunts art is a little too clean for the title (I like my evil/hell/demon/ titles to be a little darker than bright, but I seem to have an issue with light everywhere lately so ...
Batman: The Detective #1 - Another Tom Taylor mini that I had to try. Set in Merry old Britain as well? Yes, please!! decent start and enjoy the art by Andy (the better) Kubert and I think I will be on this for the run. (Anyone try that new Legends of the Dark Knight yet?) Heck, looking ahead, I may also look into that new Zdarsky's Justice League mini starting soon
MU StuffX-Men #17 - Brett Booth art is ... yeah, better than it had been. I think there was a cessation notice given by the Marvel editors regarding his angled panels.
And what is up with
I enjoyed them, but just wasn't expecting them. Hope they stick!
Strange Academy #7 - Well we knew he was going to be okay, but uh-oh ... I see a problem on the horizon from that touch!
King in Black #2
Venom #32 - Keeping these together as they are the same thing for the most part. At least they can be read together and I like it that way, so
Story is of course, just par for the course in a long history of these.
Black Cat #2 - This could easily be included with the two above, but this story is also nicely read on its own and stands on its own merit. Sure it does its thing on the periphery of what's going on so that's good, but also it is intermixed. Pretty cool
Amazing Spider-Man #116 (1973) - Enter the Smasher. YAWN
A big "ten foot tall" goon of little importance. Big story here, for me was Pete getting back together with Gwen, even though the break-up was not really a break up. So weird to see Mary Jane as just a friend, just a background character in Pete's love life. She was such a part of his life when I was older and really into this title. Let's not forget, this stuff came out when I was first getting into comics, around 6 years old. I read these, I bought them (most of them) but I didn't understand what I was truly reading half the time back then. Funny how somethings never change.
Defenders #3 (1972) - Not sure what was going on with Sal here, but the art was not really a draw (forgive the expression when discussing art
) I think during this time he is doing 3 books, maybe (I know he is penciling Cap and looking fantastic doing it), so probably just rushing this title that will not make it past 5 issues. A title that was just created to finish the storyline from (the recently canceled) Doctor Strange title
Also notice Jim Mooney was inking this, as well as the Amazing Spiderman isssue above. Damn the output that those guys could do compared to these wanna-be's today
Captain America #157 (1973) - Sal is doing some serious great work here. Man, the more I see the more I love. The story is fair, but this art is knocking my Pirate boots right off!! I did enjoy the Viper however. Wonder if he shows up more soon. I mean other than the next issue of this and before his name is claimed by the female "Viper"
Is he in the Serpent Society?
Fantastic Four #129 (1972) - The Frightful Four attack Ben!! Helped by ex-Frightful member herself, Medusa, can Ben hold off this group that now features the powerful Thundra!?!? No. No he can't. But I'm sure he will be fine, yeah?
Plus, what do parents need most when they are having an argument? To have your witch of a nanny, Agatha Harkness, call to say she can no longer watch the infant son Franklin and they must come get him now! Oh and Johnny gets mad? Whaaaat?
Great stuff this issue by all involved: Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott!!