The Eternals – written, drawn, and edited by Jack Kirby beginning in 1976 – is visually stunning, a bombastic treat loaded up with the King’s singular creativity. For 20 issues (including one Annual), Kirby and his collaborators – John Verpoorten on inks and letterers Gaspar Saladino, John Costanza, and Irv Watanabe handling the first four issues, Mike Royer taking over both for the rest of the series, and Glynis Wein neé Oliver supplying colors throughout – have assembled a fun, if inconsistent, comic book epic that practically rattles with potential. The new Eternals: Complete Collection is worth a read, though best when taken on its own terms. [Read more…] about Should You Read Jack Kirby’s Eternals Before The MCU Movie?
Reviews
Krakin’ Krakoa #62: Empyre X-Men #1 Review – Scarlet Witch’s Resurrection Protocols
When I asked Jonathan Hickman at 2020 C2e2 about writing X-Men Empyre tie-ins he seemed uniquely excited about the storytelling chances the mega event afforded him, and now we can see why in the deliriously fun Empyre: X-Men #1.
Today I’ll answer:
- How does X-Men tie into Marvel’s Empyre event?
- What role does Scarlet Witch play in the story, and what does her presence mean for mutant resurrections?
- What is X-Corp and why does it matter?
Krakin’ Krakoa #60: What Is The Anti-Krakoa? | X-Force #10 Review
X-Force #10 finds the mutant covert ops team deep in the heart of Terra Verde, where their sentient plant techno life has captured complete control of the nation, and is threatening to expand. It’s a welcome return to form for Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara, Guru-eFX and the creative team, as X-Force continues a top tier run through the Dawn of X.
Today I’ll answer:
- What is the Anti-Krakoa, and what does it mean for X-Force handling threats to Krakoa?
- Can Beast be redeemed?
- Should Jean Grey stay on X-Force?
Potential spoilers for discussed comics may follow!
[Read more…] about Krakin’ Krakoa #60: What Is The Anti-Krakoa? | X-Force #10 Review
The Nightmarish Tragedy of Kraven’s Last Hunt
Writer J.M. DeMatteis, penciller Mike Zeck, and inker Bob McLeod crafted a nightmarish descent for Spider-Man and a harrowing journey into an insane mind with their six-part “Kraven’s Last Hunt” in 1987. From its shocking first issue to its unflinching portrait of fatal madness, this story of Spider-Man and Kraven’s dueling dark nights of the soul has stayed with fans for more than three decades, defining just how dark and psychologically tormented a story centered on your usually friendly neighborhood Spider-Man could become.
DeMatteis’ “Kraven’s Last Hunt” tracks long-time villain Sergei Kravenoff, also known as Kraven the Hunter, and his attempt to kill and replace Spider-Man to finally prove his own worth. But instead of being a long game of cat and mouse, Kraven shoots and buries the hero by the end of the first issue. What follows is, and spoilers from here on out, a feverish descent into Kraven’s disturbed mind and the nightmarish journey that one hero takes to return to the light. [Read more…] about The Nightmarish Tragedy of Kraven’s Last Hunt
Secret Wars – Believing Everything Lives
When everything ends, there is only Secret Wars.
Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s cataclysmic 2015 Marvel Comics event is the culmination of years of stories about The Fantastic Four and Future Foundation and the inevitable conclusion to his multiversal heat death saga of Avengers and New Avengers. It’s a 9-issue epic that sees every universe destroyed until only a single composite Battleword remains, with constant turmoil lorded over by one man who has declared himself god emperor – DOOM. [Read more…] about Secret Wars – Believing Everything Lives