What if? Donald Duck Became Wolverine #1 Celebrate Donald Duck's 90th & Wolverine's 50th Anniversary

Weekly Roundup | DC and Marvel Comics July 2017 Solicitations

DC Comics July 2017 Solicitations
DC Comics begins its July Solicitations with Dark Days: The Casting follows The Forge in June leading to August’s Dark Nights: Metal and its spin-off Dark Matter. DC Comics’ Dark Matter which is an artist-centric approach series drawn by today’s best artists including Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, and John Romita Jr. who also drawn The Forge and The Casting. The first appearance of the characters in Dark Matter could be in both the Forge and the Casting. 

DC Comics Pull List

Dark Days: The Forge (June) and Dark Days: The Casting (July) First appearance of new characters.

Marvel Comics begins its July Solicitations with Secret Empire while also promoting the 10 issue maxi series Generations for August and September. Clearly DC has a better publishing strategy because it focuses on new ideas rather than consolidating old ones. However Marvel is releasing Marvel Legacy #1 one shot similar to DC Rebirth #1 where some of the titles will return to their original numbering.

                                                                                              

Generations: The Best starring Wolverine and All-New Wolverine Written by Tom Taylor Art by Ramon Rosanas 
Generations: The Americas starring Steve Rogers: Captain America and Sam Wilson: Captain America Written by Nick Spencer Art by Paul Renaud  
Generations: The Bravest starring Captain Mar-Vell and Captain Marvel Written by Margie Stohl Art by Brent Schoonover
Generations: The Thunder starring The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar
Generations: The Strongest starring Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk Written by Greg Pak
Generations: The Archers starring Hawkeyes, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop Written by Kelly Thompson
Generations: The Iron starring Iron Man and Ironheart Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Marco Rudy
Generations: The Marvels starring Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel Written by G. Willow Wilson
Generations: The Spiders starring Peter Parker: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Ramon Perez
Generations: The Phoenix starring The Phoenix and Jean Grey Written by Cullen Bunn

 

Marvel Comics Pull List: Secret Empire Last mega event till 2019.

In 2016 IDW Publishing released Revolution which brought various Hasbro properties together including Transformers, G.I Joe, and MASK. They are competing with both DC and Marvel which also have shared universes. The purpose of a shared universe is basically multiplying and maximize sales towards the target audience. One reader would buy two books within a shared universe to complete the story rather than one.

Next week: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Review

Devil Comics Review | Civil War II [2016] Brian Michael Bendis

Hype During FCBD Civil War II, She-Hulk took a missile to the chest while War Machine was beaten by Thanos. The zero issue begins before the events of the FCDB with the She-Hulk in the court room and James Rhodes being asked by the President to become his next Secretary of State and eventually become President. We also witness Ulysses being affected by the Terrigen Mist and as the issue ends he sees a vision of a major city destroyed. The theme of Civil War II deals with our own prejudices we have with people and how they behave. Do we judge them before they commit a crime or afterwards? Writer Brian Michael Bendis brings a strong opening issue dealing with the ideal of challenging our own prejudices. 

Rehash The series begins as the Avengers and Inhumans take on a Celestial with the help of Doctor Strange and his Sorcerers. Afterwards they are introduced to Ulysses who saw the future and warned them about the incoming Celestial. A debate rages between Captain Marvel and Tony Stark about the ethics of rushing to judgments before the events happen. The events for FCBD happens were the War Machine meets his end against Thanos. Stark discovers the Ultimates ambushed Thanos and it resulted with the loss of James Rhodes.

The second issue sees Tony Stark kidnapping Ulysses from the Inhumans and suggesting his predictions could be based on bias. The Ultimates and Avengers arrive as Ulysses projects a vision of the Hulk killing them all. Captain Marvel pays Bruce Banner a visit. By the third issue we are flash forward to the trial of Hawkeye who killed Banner and was convinced he was going to change into the rampaging Hulk in Ulysses' vision. The fourth issue begins with the acquittal of Hawkeye and dividing the heroes into two camps with one led by Captain Marvel and the other is Iron Man once Tony Stark explains how Ulysses' powers work. 

The Triskelion is under siege as the heroes fight among themselves. They stop when Ulysses gets another vision of Miles Morales Spider-Man killing Steve Rogers Captain America. Captain Marvel arrests Spider-Man as the other heroes watch. However Iron Man and Captain America allow him to leave with Thor. As the teams regroup, Maria Hill gets word that Spider-Man is at the Capitol where the vision of Ulysses took place. Both Captain America and Captain Marvel arrive at the scene making an attempt to resolve the situation until Iron Man arrives and battles Captain Marvel. 

After the battle where Captain Marvel defeats Tony Stark, Ulysses offers other Marvel futures including Monsters Unleashed, Inhumans Vs. X-Men, Miles Morales defeating Captain America, and Killraven. The splash pages seem more like an advertising gimmick than anything else. 

Feedback The issue relies heavily on the FCBD book which plays apart in the middle of the issue. Overall it is a strong start however the five dollar price tag is a turn off for most customers who want to read the series. Issue three was heavily marketed as one Marvel character murders another.

WASTED TALENTS – 2 OUT OF 5

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Marvel Action Figure Covers [2015-2016] John Tyler Christopher

Devil Comics Review | Totally Awesome Hulk Volume 1: Cho Time [2016] Greg Pak

Writer Greg Pak returns to the Hulk with a new series as well as Amadeus Cho as the new Hulk. Amadeus Cho played an important role in the Hulk series when Pak was writing it during Planet Hulk and World War Hulk. The choice of Amadeus Cho as the Hulk is stronger than having Ryan Choi as the new Atom. Amadeus has a stronger relationship with the character and his actions and motivations are well documented making him perfect to accept the mantle of the Hulk. Frank Cho of Liberty Meadows is the artist for the series making this title a must have as Marvel aligns the appropriate artists to project the proper image of ethnic characters in their comics.

The issue begins with the Amadeus and his sister Maddie dealing with monster eruptions around the world. Later he heads over to New Zealand and teams up with the She-Hulk and Spider-Man as they face the Lady Hellbender. 

Previously we had the Incredible Hulk, Indestructible Hulk, and now the Totally Awesome Hulk. The series could have been titled Superior Hulk and letting the audience know it will keep up with the quality titles like Tom Taylor’s Superior Iron Man and Dan Slott’s Superior Spider-Man. However bringing back veteran Hulk writer Greg Pak made this issue worth the price on the cover. This is one of the best Marvel issues following Secret Wars. The first arc reveals how Amadeus Cho became the Hulk after four issues of flashbacks, which could have been done in a single zero issue. 

RECOMMENDED - 4 OUT OF 5

Devil Comics Review | Secret Wars [2015] Jonathan Hickman | Esad Ribic

The announcement of Secret Wars by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic was released just before the 2014 New York Comic Con. It is the conclusion of Time Runs Out story arcs running between both Avengers and New Avengers. Marvel brought a female Thor, created an arrogant Tony Stark in Superior Iron Man, and made Sam Wilson as Captain America in 2014. Now those characters will face off against their classic versions of their namesakes as well as their multiverse counterparts on Battleworld. Secret Wars is the culmination of Jonathan Hickman’s work at Marvel. From the Ultimate Universe to the Marvel Universe, from the past in SHIELD to the future in Avengers, this is the final act that has been building up since 2012 when Hickman took over the Avengers and New Avengers titles.

Secret Wars #0 sees the Future Foundation kids building a ship to escape the final Incursion with the Ultimate Universe. We are given a history of how the heroes attempted to save us that led to destroying worlds and creating the Cabal. We also see the Ultimate Universe deciding to invade and destroy the Marvel Universe during the final Incursion. The stage is set up for Secret Wars that has been building since 2012. 

Secret Wars #1 follows the endings of Avengers #44, New Avengers #33, and Secret Wars #0. The Ultimate Universe of 1610 decides to invade and destroy the Marvel Universe 616 in a last attempt to save their worlds. The Marvel Universe decides to build life rafts to save the best people to restart humanity. The Guardians of the Galaxy arrive to help protect Earth as well as Cyclop’s Sentinels. The Hulk, She-Hulk, and Colossus travel to Earth-1610 where they topple their headquarters. However the invasion by the Ultimate Universe was only a diversion set up by the Cabal and the Ultimate Reed Richards to set up a second invasion using superior weapons. Cyclops opens the Phoenix Egg to release its powers to become the Phoenix as some of our heroes are rescued on the life raft. The Incursion occurs and both the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe collide leaving nothing.

Secret Wars #2 Victor Von Doom has somehow forged Battleworld with heroes under his control. Doom sits at the throne of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. The Thors act has his Stormtroopers, Doctor Strange is the Law and sheriff, and Valeria Richards is the Foundation. Science is called discovery and religion is called Doom on Battleworld. Borders exist between each kingdoms and a Baron or Baroness controls their provinces.

The Thors arrive on Bar Sinister and charge Mr. Sinister with discord with House Braddock by aligning himself with Hyperion, the Baron of Utopolis. They take him to Doomstadt for judgment at the Court of Doom. He is found guilty and Sinister asks for a trail by combat with Brian Braddock. Sinister wins however Brian Braddock is brought before Doom. Apparently his name Braddock has been whispered in the silent chambers of Manhattan where heretics and thieves are planning to cast down Doom. Jamie Braddock admits he is the one the heretic spoke of. Doom removes Jamie from his position on Avalon and promotes his brother Brian Braddock to Baron.

The life raft from the first issue is discovered and Strange invokes a quarantine. The Thors quarantine the life raft however it opens and slaughters a Thor. It is revealed the Ultimate Reed Richards constructed a life raft for the Cabal to escape and land on Battleworld. 

   

Secret Wars #3 Doom and Strange discuss matters as we discover the Molecule Man sacrificed himself to create Battleworld, Johnny Storm became the Sun, and the unmasking of Doom. Strange arrive at the location of the life raft and the fallen Thor. He meets the Miles Morales Spider-Man who hitched a ride with the Cabal and discovers he remembers the events before Battleworld. Strange takes Miles back to his hidden isle of Agamotto where he opens the first life raft which contains the Marvel heroes including Reed Richards, Black Panther, and Cyclops who is now the Phoenix. They discover Doom created Battleworld as the Thors catch up to the Cabal. 

Secret Wars #4 Doctor Strange explains to our heroes how Doctor Doom created Battleworld as the Thors battle the Cabal. Doom is aware of the battle between the Thors and the Cabal. Strange and the heroes arrive to aid the Thors and Doom notices Reed Richards is among them. Doom arrives and confronts Richards as Cyclops with the power of the Phoenix attempts to stop him. He kills Cyclops and Strange scatters our heroes before Doom has a chance to destroy them. Doom kills Strange for betraying him and now the Richards is back to take back his life. 

Secret Wars #5 sees Hickman pay homage to Thor: The Dark World with the mention of the Ether as we witness the funeral for Sheriff Stephen Strange. Doom visits Owen Reece AKA the Molecule Man who was made by the Beyonders as a bomb to kill a universe. Owen went into the Marvel Multiverse to kill himself to diminish the charge within him and built a religion involving the Black Swans who were determined to kill Owens. He also built a better bomb to destroy the Beyonders and steal their powers. Dr. Strange couldn’t determine which worlds will live or die so he allowed Doom to decide. The Future Foundation hunt down the rebels who they believe killed Sheriff Strange however they soon realize Strange was the one who scattered the heroes. The decide to find out what is really going on and why Doom is scared. 

Secret Wars #6 takes place three weeks after issue five as Doom’s daughter Valeria is tracking the survivors of the Incursions. We see the Maker and Reed Richards working together to stop Doom. Valeria meets Miles Morales and Peter Parker as Spider-Men. Now they discover the Molecule Man created Battleworld. Meanwhile the Prophet is raising an army against Doom as Black Panther and Namor find an Infinity Gauntlet to use against Doom. In the SHIELD detention level Thanos reveals to the Thing that none of this world is reality and asks him to rise against Doom.

Secret Wars #7 Maximus of the Inhumans launches an assault against Doom as well as the Thors and Maestro who sends an army of Hulks. Reed Richards works with his Ultimate counter-part the Maker to stop Doom while the Black Panther and Namor bring the Marvel Zombies to Doom’s doorsteps.

Secret Wars #8 Ben Grimm takes down Maestro and faces Franklin Richards using Galactus’ body. Reed, Star Lord, and the Maker break into Doom’s castle. Star Lord uses Groot to take down Doom’s castle as Doom destroys Thanos. The Marvel Zombies arrive thanks to Black Panther and Namor to Doom’s doorsteps.

Secret Wars #9 Namor and Black Panther confront Doctor Doom with the Infinity Gauntlet before Doom realized it was all a distraction. Reed Richards meets his wife Susan Storm and daughter Valeria before taking his counter-part from the Ultimate Universe the Maker to the source of Doom’s powers, the Molecule Man. The Maker betrays Reed by turning him into a monkey however the Molecule Man turns Reed back while changing the Maker into pizza. Doom arrives and the Molecule Man makes it a fair fight between Reed and Doom. During the battle Doom agrees that Reed could have created a better world so the Molecule Man empowers him.

The Prime Earth of the Marvel Universe is created where Wakanda has a space program to explore the twelve planets of the Solar System. Molecule Man thanks Miles Morales for the burger and returns him with his parents on Prime Earth.

Franklin Richards helps shape the new universes with the help of his father Reed and the Molecule Man. The Fantastic Four and the Future Foundation are left to shape universes and explore the multiverse. Ben and Johnny are back on Prime Earth along with a restored Doctor Doom. Writer Jonathan Hickman gives us his send off from the Marvel Universe by putting everything back in the bottle from his run in Avengers and expanding the Marvel Universe. For the time being this will be the last Fantastic Four story. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5