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REVIEW: Guardians Team-Up #1

(Marvel Comics, 2015)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Arthur Adams
Colors by Paul Mounts

Not only does this title team up two of Marvel’s most popular properties, The Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers, but it also boasts one of the greatest creative team ups in recent memory, that being the pairing of prolific scribe Brian Michael Bendis (aka BMB, aaka The BoMB) with the quasi-reclusive artistic genius, Arthur Adams.

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Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1

(Marvel Comics, 2015)

Writer - Brian Michael Mendis
Artist - Frank Cho
Colors - Jason Keith

Let me begin this review with an apology; I am sorry if I offend, annoy or otherwise displease anyone with my gushing admiration of this book and its stellar creative team. With that out of the way, let the love fest begin, this issue has it all, huge action, intelligent humor, razor sharp wit and some of the most eye popping pages ever created by artiste extraordinaire, Frank Cho. I know this is the pinnacle of fanboyism but, hey this is why I love comic books so much. Bendis and Cho really knock this one out of the park; they take all the elements that made this summer’s GotG movie so much fun with the addition of setting the story firmly in current continuity.

The issue opens with a clever page composition featuring Star Lord bursting with kinetic energy as he quite literally leaps across the page where the rest of his teammates are depicted rather dramatically in a column of equally sized panels; Gamora gazes icily into the distance, Drax peers stoically from the page, Captain Marvel appears poised, ready for anything, Venom hangs inverted his head enters from the top of the panel and finally Groot and Rocket share a panel playing up their vastly differing statures. The page acts as an introduction, though none is needed, and sets a break-neck pace that never slows until the final panel of the issue. Continue reading

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REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #23

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Artwork by Kris Anka
Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna

The events of Original Sin have brought the last will and testament of Charles Xavier to light and suffice to say the discovery was met with shock and awe. The task of gathering together the scattered squads of X-Men Continue reading

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REVIEW: ‘Daredevil’ #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Storytellers: Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Coloring: Javier Rodriguez
Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna

New York City was more than just a location in the previous runs of Daredevil; the city itself was a supporting character in many ways. It provided a lush, complex environment that often insinuated its way into the narrative much as it does in the Spider-Man mythology. Continue reading

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REVIEW: ‘Moon Knight” #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Warren Ellis
Artwork by Declan Shalvey
Color Artwork by Jordie Bellaire
Lettering by Chris Eliopoulos

To me, Moon Knight has always been Marvel’s Batman, or at least the closest approximation to the Dark Knight they had to offer. In the hands of the right creative team, like for instance Bendis and Maleev, Moon Knight is definitely worthy of the comparison Continue reading

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REVIEW: ‘Red Lanterns’ #27

(DC Comics, 2014)

Written by Charles Soule
Artwork by Alessandro Vitti, Jim Calafiore
Color Artwork by Gabe Eltaeb
Lettering by Dave Sharpe

Charles Soule is without a doubt the hardest working man in comics. He is certainly prolific but more impressive than the sheer volume of his creative output is the quality of the work he produces. Soule is impossible to classify as any one type of writer because his work Continue reading

2ComicNerds Review of ‘Age of Ultron’ Event

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The amazing video review team of AJ and Lee - otherwise known as 2ComicNerds - are back and once again we have the video to share with you!  After watching, don’t forget to visit their YouTube channel, where you can find a ton of more awesome video reviews like this one!  We are proud to be sharing this video, and we want to give huge thanks to AJ and Lee for being so cool and letting us spread the goodness!

You can find their YouTube channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/user/2ComicNerds

Okay!  Here’s the duo reviewing not only “Age of Ultron” #10, but the whole series, as well!  Enjoy :)

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REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy” #2

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Shawn Warner

WRITTEN BY:  Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS BY:  Steve McNiven & Sara Pichelli
INKS BY:  John Dell, Mark Morales, Steve McNiven & Sara Pichelli
COLOR ARTWORK BY:  Justin Ponsor
LETTERING BY:  VC’s Cory Petit

In the skies above London, England the Guardians have engaged the Badoon in fierce battle. A squadron of Badoon ships surrounds and fire upon the lone Guardians spacecraft while they are busy on board tending to Tony Starks battle damaged armor. He cannot even contact the other Avengers because the entire region’s communication lines are down as well as his armor’s communication system. Continue reading

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REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy” #1

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Shawn Warner

WRITER:  Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS:  Steve McNiven
INKS:  John Dell
COLORS:  Justin Ponsor

Peter Jason Quill aka Star-Lord is Han Solo channeling James T. Kirk in the guise of a young Brad Pitt. His smouldering blue eyes gaze out from beneath a mop of disheveled blonde hair but under his boyish good looks and devil-may-care demeanor beats the heart of a true hero. He is both larger than life and down to Earth. Men want to be him and women (of all species) want to be with him. Guardians of the Galaxy #1 wastes no time in establishing Peter Jason Quill as an interstellar ladies man. Continue reading

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REVIEW: “Age of Ultron” #2

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Chris Ambrosio

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrator: Bryan Hitch
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort

Hey guys I’m back with a review of Age of Ultron issue #2!

I reviewed this issue quite quickly because I am working on a very large review coming sometime next week a double issue review on issues #16 and #17 of Deathstroke. Hope you guys like a little Slade Wilson.

The first astonishing issue of Age of Ultron left the readers with many unanswered questions, which we find out the protagonists and supporting characters are pondering themselves. Ultron’s extreme onslaught brings on a feel that is like no other we have seen before. Continue reading

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REVIEW: “Age of Ultron” #1

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Chris Ambrosio

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrator: Bryan Hitch
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort

I’m new to Bag and Board so go easy on me now guys, this is also my first review, you can say I’m a nooby. I’ve been looking forward to reading Age of Ultron for quite some time now, ever since I’ve read “Age of Ultron coming soon” in the back of The Avengers, AU free comic in May of 2011 issue #0.1, yeah I’ve been kinda sitting on the edge of my seat waiting or this block buster of a miniseries. Continue reading

VIDEO REVIEW: “Age of Ultron” #1

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

We here at Bag & Bored are more than excited to announce a partnership with the video reviewers over at 2ComicNerds, who have a wonderful YouTube channel where they do regular reviews, so be sure to check that out, as well!  Here we have them reviewing “Age of Ultron” #1, in wait of issue #2, out this coming Wednesday, March 13th.  Here’s what they had to say, and be sure to check out their channel, linked below the video.  We hope you enjoy!

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Their YouTube channel can be found here:  www.youtube.com/user/2ComicNerds?feature=watch

You can reach the team on Twitter:  @2ComicNerds

 

 

REVIEW: “All New X-Men” #8

(Marvel Comics, 2013)   -   Reviewed by Sam LeBas

Writer:  Brian Michael Bendis
Artist:  David Marquez
Color:  Marte Garcia
Letterer:  VC’s Cory Petit

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Issue #8 of All New X-Men delivers humor, action, character development, and the realization that these characters are asking many of the same questions that we readers have been mulling over these last few months.

Bendis’ storytelling remains engaging. He shows his skill at juggling a large cast of characters while simultaneously advancing this high-concept plot. This series makes each character’s motivation clear, and deserves credit for allowing these motivations to matter. Each member of the team has agency and narrative weight, but somehow does not bog down the overall momentum of the story.

In this issue we finally get the opportunity to learn more about Warren as he fights alongside Angel to protect the Avenger’s Mansion from Hydra’s forces. Warren’s anxiety about his future crystallizes as he learns more about this contemporary version of himself. Bendis incorporates character development and action expertly in this stunning sequence. Just as the battle reaches its pinnacle, the Avengers make their appearance.

The realization that Hank McCoy has tampered with the space-time continuum does not sit well with the Avengers. They travel to the Jean Grey School to confront the doctor, with Captain America serving as ambassador. A conversation about ethics and consequences of scientific principles between a genius and a moral straight-arrow should not bring about much laughter. However, Bendis finds a way to diffuse the tension; giving the story a moment of levity as Kitty and Bobby approximate the exchange out of earshot of Cap and McCoy.

Warren’s apprehension about the future, and desire not to know what it holds for him lead him to make an ill-advised attempt to go home. Thankfully, there is a voice of reason to stop him. Despite the high-flying action sequence, the confrontation with the Avengers, and the breakdown of one of the main characters; the most important moment of this issue may be its reminder that Jean Grey is a wild card. What are the implications of such a young version of Jean having access to so much history that has not yet come to pass? If you are not asking yourself that question, you might be missing the point. This foreshadowing casts a long, dark, ominous shadow that plunges the series into a new level of darkness.

Marquez artwork is very well suited for this series. He consistently brings a youthful exuberance to the page, and captures character with a seeming effortless. He gets the outside of the heads so right, that it is easy for the reader to get inside them. His work truly adds to the narrative quality of the book highlighting its themes and nuances, not in an obvious way, but by nudging readers to notice what Bendis has already put into the writing. A two page spread of Warren and Angel fighting Hydra’s goons reveals a great deal of contrast between where this character started, and what he has become. Marquez’s visual representation of this idea brings new clarity to a beautiful moment.

Do not miss an issue of this series. It bubbles with action, fizzes with humor, and beats with the pulse of a phenomenal cast of characters driving the book ever forward.

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Follow Sam on twitter @comicsonice and check out her blog comicsonice.com

REVIEW: Uncanny X-Men #2

(Marvel Comics, 2013)   -   Reviewed by Sam LeBas

UNCANNY-X-MEN-2-Cover-smallThe sister book to one of my favorite Big 2 on-goings, (All New X-men) offered up its second helping this week in the pages of Uncanny X-men #2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo. As of now, I am having a hard time falling in love.

Brian Michael Bendis, master that he is, constructs a lovely, intimate narrative involving the lingering tensions between Scott Summers and Emma Frost. The pair shares a history that would make most Lifetime movies green with envy, and that is apparent in the way they interact here. Emma is not only struggling with the ramifications of a life-altering split with Scott, but also facing the terrifying prospect of living without her mutant abilities. Bendis does an incredible job portraying the storm of emotions raging inside of her.

Facing the age-old dilemma, best defined by The Clash, “should I stay or should I go?” Emma makes the decision to stay.  She decides to serve as a mentor to the world’s newest mutants, whom she, Scott, Magneto, and Magik have been collecting. As the group attempts to explain the mutant way of life to their new recruits, they encounter trepidation from the initiates. Eva, one of the newest mutants, is concerned for the safety of her family. In a display of compassion, Cyclops and his team transport back to her home in Australia. They are unaware that a double agent, Magneto, has called in back up.

So with such a solid storyline, why am I still hesitant to give away my heart? The answer is simple: I cannot embrace the art. Not only does the style of the art seem incongruent to the tone of the book, I question some of the choices made by the artist in a general sense. For instance, I cannot understand why in some when a full figure is shown the proportions of the characters seem altered, while in three-quarter view they retain standard dimensions. I am also leery of the cut and paste style used in some of the ensemble frames. The work looks like a collage of paper dolls pasted on a photo of the sky, because they have a white outline and none of the figures interact. This also makes the figures appear very static. Some pages have large white borders while the panels on the page seem squished. Scott Summers here looks younger (and a whole lot more like John Karsinski) than his younger counterpart featured in All New X-Men.

As you read this be aware that these critiques involve stylistic choices. Bachalo does not do anything wrong, these decisions just does not appeal to my tastes. The art is not bad, and I suppose that for readers who enjoy an Asian-inspired art style, it will seem particularly successful. Two pages in particular did impress me, the full page of Emma Frost in profile and Bachalo’s rendering of the Xavier School.
Another frustrating feature of the book are the layouts. Bendis apparently favors confusing panel distribution in his scripts; I have encountered these snares in his other work. However, if you persevere and find the flow of the panels, you will be rewarded with a great story.

So there you have it, Bendis tells a great story; and I personally can’t get into the slightly manga-inspired art style. The world will eventually recover from the shock I am sure.
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Follow Sam on twitter @comicsonice or check out her blog comicsonice.com

REVIEW: “Moon Knight” Issues #1-7 (2011 Collection #1)

(MARVEL COMICS, 2011)   -   Reviewed by Feral Fang

MOON_KNIGHT_1_CoverMoon Knight is a character I grew up seeing in multiple guest appearances, team-ups, and more.  I always thought he was interesting (kind of like a mix between Batman and the old Ragman comics), and whenever he has popped up in his own series or mini-series, I’ve bought them and enjoyed them.  Seems I missed the boat on this one, but luckily Marvel has put it into a trade collection, and 1 of 2 total!  This series only lasted to issue #12, which might speak to the fan response to this title but, like some of my other “odd favorites” like ‘Power Man & Iron Fist’, ‘Deathlock’, DC’s ‘the Spectre’ and ‘Deadman’ - well these have never really been popular characters, even with Power Man hanging around the Avengers as Luke Cage.  So, back to this series.  I really enjoyed it!  It has a weirdly played out premise in where Moon Knight/Marc Spector is living in LA, working as a ‘Soldier of Fortune Consultant’ for a television show based on Moon Knight’s origin and story - “Legends of the Khonshu”.  He has four personalities in his head (did I mention he’s kinda crazy in this?  Well, he is.), himself, a Wolverine, a Spider-Man, and a Captain America.  They all talk to him in their individual character personalities (Wolvie wants to tear everything up, Spidey is always cracking jokes and being silly, and Cap is the usual stick in the mud boy scout we all know and love), so that adds a nice touch.  Some of the conversations the ‘other personalities’ have together is priceless, especially when they go against type during some tense scene or two.  Another trick based on this idea is that he can more or less ‘become’ these three, sometimes one at once, sometimes a mixture.  You’ll have to learn how that’s possible when you read it, as I thought the way it was handled was perfect and wouldn’t want to spoil the fun.  Along the way, he picks up some actual back-up in the likes of the superhero Echo, and his ex-SHIELD buddy Buck Lime, who now works on the same TV show designing the weapons Spector orders up for use.  Also along the way, Spector comes across a now-defunct Ultron body, which he takes the head from.  Needless to say, trouble boils up and eventually the real Avengers show to ponder why such a B-List character (as they constantly remind him, as well as people in the streets not knowing/guessing who he is) would have come across something so dangerous.  Anyway, my love for this book has me rambling!  This is a fun read, with a script by Bendis that both makes fun and is in awe of the main character, and Alex Maleev’s artwork is one of the exact styles I’m always obsessed with - a little Bill Sienkiewicz, some line work that reminds me of John Romita Jr., and round it off with a bit of early Jae Lee, and hit “blend”.  That might come close, but Maleev still has an individualism in his art that makes it feel fresh and new.  All as one package, I can see why this writer/artist team has gotten their share of awards, including the Eisner.  They work so well together, it really keeps the book moving strong, pausing a bit when needed.  My favorite scene (not really much of a spoiler) is when Buck Lime wakes from a nap on his couch to find a very angry Bullseye there to question him.  When Lime doesn’t give anything up, it’s revealed it was actually Spector in the Bullseye get-up, testing Lime’s resolve.  Awesome, fun, and maybe not for everyone as it is a bit kooky.  I’ll just leave it at this - I’ll be getting collection #2 just as soon as I can.  Can’t wait to see where this ends up.

— 4 out of 5 Borrowed Super Powers.

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