Marvel-ous Reviews

Since we are on break for Thanksgiving, we here at Panel by Panel (Just me mostly) will be doing something a little special. Welcome to Marvel-ous Reviews.

Marvel gets very little love on our podcast. We admit that. Most of this comes from that: Dan is an avid Batman fan, James got into comics with the new 52, and Garrett is...well Garrett is just Garrett. So for our Thanksgiving away, let's look at a few of the Marvel Books that came out on 11/21/2012. These are quick reviews, lacking any spoilers, and a quick rating for each.

First let's look at the Amazing Spider-Man 698. We're nearly there. #700 and it's cancellation, with a new Spider-Man and a new adjective: Superior. But we're not there yet. WE have 699, 699.1, and 700. And thus the final story of Amazing Spider-Man is beginning to unfold, until of course they change superior back to Amazing, and Peter comes back from the void.

698 is a start-up book. Nothing happens much besides the establishing of status quo. Who is Peter, what he's done, his past, his "future". Hints to a possible re-blossoming of Pete and Mary-Jane's relationship, and a new drive and vigor. But what is the dark secret that lies at the heart? Well read the issue, it's revealed in the final minutes, and guarantees that the next few issues, I'll be hooked. Doc Ock is dying, and he has one last final dagger to thrust into Pete's heart.

4 out of 5, mostly because the book is spinning it's wheels and nothing much happens, but the ending will stick with you.

Hawkeye #4. The book out of Marvel I love the most. Amazing may have Spider-Man. Daredevil may have a great winding story that is wonderfully dark and complex. but Hawkeye tugs at the heart string that means the most. It's about having fun. And 4 is a bit of a departure from that. It's got that wit I like, and Clint is having fun, at least what little he can. But this is a dark turn which I hope isn't going to be the new norm. The Tape is a two part story, the second showing up in Hawkeye #5. What is on this tape isn't revealed till later, but it means dire things for Clint. So he rushes off to the auction so he can buy it. We shall see how things go...

5 out of 5. Always get Hawkeye.

Daredevil #20. Anyone who has been following the sight and podcast knows I have nothing but praise for this book. It's won and Eisner, which should tell you something. And issue 20 is no exception. We continue the story of what has been plaguing Matt Murdock's mind. We get wonderful imagery of DD's head separated from his body. I wanted for a moment for our villain (Coyote) to say the words, "Alas, poor Daredevil." (God, I'm a nerd)

4 out of 5. Read this book. get all the back issues. The story is speeding up to it's conclusion, and dire things are coming.