Comic Book Herald Blog | Guide to Reading Marvel Comics

How To Read Flash-Based Marvel Digital Comics On Your iPhone or iPad

by Dave on 16/05/12 at 9:35 pm

I’m saving a full-on dissertation for another time, but Marvel’s digital subscription option is my primary form of comic reading. It’s not flawless, and it’s not better than holding a fresh comic or graphic novel in your hands, but we’re talking over 10,000 comics on your computer at all times, including all major events like Civil War, Infinity Gauntlet, Secret Wars… the list goes on. It’s the best thing in my life that isn’t cheese spread. Or my wife. And I only say that because I think she might read the blog from time to time and better safe than murdered in my sleep.

If you’re currently enjoying Marvel’s DCU (digital comics unlimited, or as the rest of us know it, blatantly obvious attack on the Dreaded Competitor), you’ve probably noticed one fatal flaw: you can’t use your subscription on an iPhone or iPad. I’ve spent the last couple days testing out a workaround. (more…)

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How Joss Whedon and Tony Stark brought Marvel’s The Avengers Full Circle

You’ve already read most of the superlatives, and in all likelihood you’ve already seen the film. At this point you get it: Marvel’s The Avengers is a great movie. I won’t sit here and pretend I have anything to add to that discussion outside of “squee!!!” and “Whedon could do anything he wants to me and I wouldn’t even care, man.” The Avengers is constantly exciting, does a great job tying together the entire Marvel Universe, and gets increasingly hilarious as characters are established. Go see it. Review over.

I’d like to spend the rest of the post taking a look at why one particular character had to be the focal hero of The Avengers. Naturally, with a team of super heroes, there are quite a few options Joss Whedon had to choose from. It’s my contention that the primary hero of the film was perfectly chosen. Spoilers follow, so run like blazes away from this post if you haven’t seen the film yet. (more…)

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All-Star Superman Review – OR – The Point of Ongoing Superhero Comics

I’ve never been much of a comic book collector. This is, perhaps, odd for an individual so desperately in love with the medium, but I prefer my stories whole (just like my women! wait… well, never mind). Comic books – in there purest form – are serial testaments to a realm of unfinished story. Each issue is merely a component of a greater design and it’s generally not until they’re taken together that they form an arc (40 cubits by 40 cubits). This is why I’m so into collecting trade paperback issues/graphic novels/whatever you want to call them. AT LEAST THEY’RE WHOLE! MOSTLY! A LOT OF THE TIME!

It was with some hesitation, then, that I recently branched out into the the world of comic shops and single issue arcs. The DC New 52 has roped me into buying issues 1-8 of both Animal Man and Action Comics. More on all these particular comics at a later date – for now, I mention this to explain why I felt so suddenly compelled to consume Grant Morrison‘s All-Star Superman, a giant omnibus edition I’ve admired on my shelves for half a year now. Seemed like a fun idea to read All-Star Superman before Morrison’s new take on Supes in Action Comics. Little did I know, All-Star Superman would help me explain the very existence of Action Comics as a comic book trove. (more…)

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Herald Guided Tour: X-Men Messiah CompleX

Much like Robert Pollard’s catalogue of albums, or Kim Kardashian’s curves, the X-Men have what I’d call an “abundance-problem.” Because of the depth and volume of characters within their ranks, it is nearly impossible to know where to focus your time. Comic Book Herald’s reading order guide attempts to solve some of these issues, but it should not go unnoticed that with Messiah CompleX, Marvel’s major X-event in late 2007, Marvel comics attempted a similar bridging of the gap. As I’ll get into, the comic book run holds up – but does the whole “crossover event” shtick? (more…)

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Herald Guided Tour: Super Villain Team-Up / MODOK’s 11

MODOK is evil. MODOK is genius. MODOK is… well, he’s just adorable with that giant head, isn’t he?!

Today’s Herald guided tour takes a look at Fred Van Lente’s take on the good ol’ Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing. There’s a little bit of origin, a little bit of elaborate heist, a little bit of kung-fu, and 100% comic book fun. A good trade for any collection.

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Thor: The Death of Odin (36-43) Review

Dan Jurgen’s early 2000′s run on Thor. Full review to come. Keep reading for the Comic Book Herald overview. (more…)

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Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers Unleashed (1-4) Review

2010 miniseries on Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers. Should be read well before Avenger’s Disassembled. Full review to come. Keep reading for the Comic Book Herald overview. (more…)