Writer: Rainbow Rowell Artist: Andres Genolet Colorist: Dee Cunniffe Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna Publisher: Marvel Comics Released: March 22, 2023
Summary:
She-Hulk #11 kicks off a whole new plot arc! Jennifer Walters and her new beau are trying to figure out their new normal – easier said than done. Meanwhile, the superpower fight club (still in need of a name) is going strong. Then there’s the new thief hitting New York City.
My Review:
She-Hulk #11 is a strong start to the latest plot arc for our green lawyer. In truth, several active threads are running through this issue, making it as complex as fun. I don’t know about everyone else, but I have a few questions about where this is going!
The cameos (Fantasy Four and a few other surprises) were fun but also served a plot purpose – my favorite type of cameo. The whole fight club premise still gives me a solid chuckle, so I hope that keeps going.
The humor of the fight club helps to balance out the heartbreak stemming from other plot arcs. On that note, while this is a new arc, the previous events play a role in what is happening now. So it would be a good call to get caught up before diving in. (Though it is not required).
Loved the artwork in She-Hulk #11. Especially the cover! Jen Bartel is an artistic genius, and nobody can convince me otherwise.
Writer: Kelly Thompson Artist: Sergio Davila Inkers: Sean Parsons & Roberto Poggi Colorist: Arif Prianto Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles Publisher: Marvel Comics Released: March 15, 2023
Summary:
Despite their best efforts, Binary is still very much trapped by The Brood. Carol Danvers, Jessica Drew, Jennifer Takeda, and several X-Men are on a quest to save her – and Rogue. However, The Brood are putting up more resistance than expected, causing Jennifer Takeda, aka Hazmat, to take extreme measures.
My Review:
Before I begin this review, I want to take a moment to talk about the latest news I heard. Kelly Thompson’s run on Captain Marvel will end in Captain Marvel #50. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m pretty destroyed by this news. I know, I know. Artists and authors can’t stick to a series forever. But her run has been a favorite of mine, and it hurts to see her leave.
Captain Marvel #47starts in the middle of the action – as it should. Last we saw, Hazmat was doing her thing, which left us wondering how all our other favorite heroes were faring. Honestly, it was pretty cool to see Jen step up and show us the true power of her ability. I also love that this issue gave her a moment to talk about the good and the bad.
In truth, this whole plot arc has done a wonderful job of commenting on the past. Rogue, Captain Marvel’s, and now Hazmat’s. It’s so wonderfully done, especially as these moments give these characters more ownership over what happened.
The issue ends with some concerning hints as to what is to come. However, we can probably assume that the 50th issue will wrap up this whole arc. So it’ll be interesting to see how that goes.
As always, I adored the artwork in Captain Marvel #47. The cover is brilliant – immediate references come to mind. Even without that, it’s an eye-catching cover. Hazmat’s scenes were arguably some of the most visually stunning. I wonder if we’ll ever get a chance to see her run a solo series. I would love that.
Writer: Steve Orlando Artist: Sara Pichelli Inker: Elisabetta D’Amico Colorist: Matthew Wilson Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit Publisher: Marvel Comics Released: March 8, 2023
Summary:
Most fans now understand that Scarlet Witch has opened a new shop. This shop just so happens to have a very special door that brings the desperate directly to her. This is how Wanda hopes to help those in need. The latest person to wander through her door is from Sub-Atomica, meaning Wanda is about to get very tiny to deal with this latest threat.
My Review:
I’m not ashamed to admit that the Polaris cameo was a total surprise for me. I probably would have been less surprised had I known that the two were half-sisters. I know, bad me. Moving on. Scarlet Witch #3 starts with our X-Men cameo, which is only the tip of the iceberg for this issue.
The Sub-Atomica plot was okay overall. It was interesting, though probably not my cup of tea. There’s a lot of information shared over a short period of time. Readers tend to have divided opinions on that sort of thing, so take what you will from that.
I probably would have rated this issue a 3 ½ if not for the other plot that (finally) rears its head. We’ve known for three issues now that something is going on with Darcy Lewis. And no, I’m not talking about the fact that she popped from the MCU into the comic verse. So it’s nice to see that plot moving forward, even if it ends the issue on a cliffhanger.
All that said, the artwork for this issue is really solid. Love the colors and the way Sub-Atomica is portrayed. I wouldn’t have minded a few more close-ups during these moments, as I feel like it would have helped ground the story, but I’ll take what I can get!
Writer: Kelly Thompson Artist: Javier Pina Colorist: Yen Nitro Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles Publisher: Marvel Comics Released: February 15, 2023
Comic Summary:
Carol Danvers, Hazmat, Spider-Woman, and several X-Men are dealing with a Brood attack. They cannot leave until they safely recover their two missing allies (Binary and Rogue). But things are about to get a whole lot worse than they feared. Given Carol’s experience with the Brood, this is saying something…
Read this arc if you love crossovers, X-Men, Rogue, Spider-Woman, and Hazmat.
My Review:
We’re ever so close to the height of this arc as the Revenge of the Brood marches onward. Carol and crew have done all this to save their two friends, so we always knew it would get emotionally tense, right?
Kelly Thompson did a wonderful job of playing with past events and references throughout Captain Marvel #46. One thing I love about her writing Captain Marvel is she never dances around her history. It’s always present, and when it is relevant, boy, does it come up. Much of this plot feels oddly full circle but in a horrifying way. Only time will tell how accurate that statement is.
Oh! And that moment with Hazmat. I won’t say much more than that because of major spoilers. But it was amazing to see her get a moment to shine. Likewise, I enjoyed seeing the characters react and respond to what was happening at this moment. More, please. Likewise, I hope that promised conversation with Psylocke does occur. But I’ll settle for what has already been said.
The artwork in Captain Marvel #46 is incredible, unsurprisingly. Javier Pina (artist), Yen Nitro (colorist), and VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer) all teamed up to bring this issue to life. They did an exceptionally brilliant job with the battle scenes, which is good because they’re a heavy focal point.
That said, a few subtle elements are worth noting, much of which has to do with the past. It always comes back around to the past, doesn’t it? Funny how that happens.
You may have heard the news, and if you haven’t, I’m sorry to be the one breaking this to you; Kelly Thompson is officially leaving Captain Marvel. Her last issue will be this June with Captain Marvel #50.
It’s the end of an era. It also feels like saying goodbye to an old friend. Just the other day, I was telling my husband that Kelly Thompson’s run on Captain Marvel is officially my favorite run (thus far). That’s high praise, given how much I love this character and her past runs.
Over the years, Carol Danvers has been through it all. She was Ms. Marvel, Binary, Warbird, and finally, Captain Marvel. She went up against countless enemies and faced insurmountable odds. Not every arc went how she (or her fans) would have liked. We can all likely recall a plot arc or two that were injustices to her character.
But this fact is one reason I love Kelly Thompson’s work with Captain Marvel. Those past events aren’t pushed to the side where we can pretend they never happened. No, they’re brought to the surface and dealt with. This gives Carol so much agency over her past; I am here for it.
Obviously, this isn’t the only reason I adore Kelly Thompson’s Captain Marvel series. Right from the start, this has been a series of fun and captivating stories. Re-Entry stole my heart. Falling Star tied Carol’s story to the War of the Realms. The Last Avenger was a high-octane read. Accused bounced back and forth between being a delight and a tense read (and also introduced one of my favorite secondary characters). The New World hits hard, but it is so beautifully done. Strange Magic brings the previous lessons full circle while forcing Carol to see a different side of things. The Last of the Marvels played with the heartstrings of all Marvel (and Mar-Vell) fans…and introduced something new. The Trials pushed Carol’s character to new heights (pun intended) while giving time to explore Binary’s unique life. And now we have Revenge of the Brood, which brings many iconic Carol Danvers plots and events back to the forefront. It’s been a hell of a ride, and I will be sad to see it go.
That said, all good things must come to an end, right? Fans of this run should make a point of keeping an eye on what Kelly Thompson moves onto. Likewise, we should keep our eyes open for the next Captain Marvel adventure.
Series: Captain Marvel (2019) Writer: Kelly Thompson Artists: Julius Ohta, Juan Frigeri, Alvaro Lopez, Carlos Gomez Colorist: Ruth Redmond, Jordie Bellaire, Dijjo Lima Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles Publisher: Marvel Comics Released: December 13, 2022 Warnings: Animal Death
Yes! It’s officially time to delve into this new Binary and her story! Captain Marvel, Volume 8: The Trials, is already promising to be a fascinating addition to the Captain Marvel core. Does anybody else have a million theories about what is going on?
In the last volume, Captain Marvel came up against a familiar foe, and in doing so…she unintentionally created something new. Or perhaps it only appears as she created it. Only time will tell! That something? Binary.
Just when Carol and Binary are getting into a rhythm with their new life, something happens to make Captain Marvel go missing. At least there’s a new hero willing to step up and help keep the Earth safe. Even if she doesn’t understand how this world works yet…
Writing
Okay, so I must admit that Captain Marvel, Volume 8 was a surprisingly emotional roller coaster, at least for me. It also blows me away what Kelly Thompson manages to come up with. I’m so happy she got put in charge of Captain Marvel, as I’ve been enjoying her content. Anyway, moving on.
This volume promised to answer many questions regarding Binary (I wanted to say the one and only Binary, but that’s not really true anymore, is it?). Her origin, while witnessed on the pages, is still a bit of a mystery. At least she seems to be adjusting well. On that note, seeing how she reacted to the world was pretty interesting. It gave me more than a few big laughs. It also broke my heart at one moment (this moment comes with a trigger warning for animal death, so do consider yourself warned).
While Binary was off having her fun adventures, Captain Marvel was doing something a bit different. Well, for half the volume, at least. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed that subplot. It probably didn’t bring everything that happened during The End to a close, but it feels more wrapped up now.
Personally, I really enjoyed the interactions between all the characters involved, especially regarding their arguments. It gave a voice to many concerns about Captain Marvel and her power levels. I appreciated the candid nature of it all.
Artwork
As always, the artwork in Captain Marvel, Volume 8, is pretty brilliant. I love the bold styles her series tends to cultivate, as it works well with her personality. Artists involved in this volume include Julius Ohta (artist), Juan Frigeri (artist), Alvaro Lopez (artist), Carlos Gomez (artist), Ruth Redmond (colorist), Jordie Bellaire (colorist), Dijjo Lima (colorist), and VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer).
Overall, I would have to say that I loved everything here. The artists did a good job of playing with all the different tones involved. For example, the comical moments run away with that vibe, while the more somber moment is carefully handled. I appreciate that.
There is one odd scene I want to comment on, and I will try to be delicate here to avoid spoilers. There’s a scene that is meant to be dramatic, as Carol damages herself as a way of gaining control over the situation. However, the art style shift for this scene seems to have reduced the impact. I’m not saying that I would have wanted it to be more graphic (I’m good, thanks), but to me, it felt a bit…hollow.
On the bright side, the lettering is superb. One scene, in particular, comes to mind here, where you can feel the letters (and therefore voice) change with what is happening. It made me laugh, especially since it was such a small thing. Pure perfection.
Conclusion
Fans of Captain Marvel should not skip out on the latest volume, Captain Marvel, Volume 8. This is especially true if you’re fond of Binary, Lauri-ell, or any other characters that appear in this volume (consider her group of friends, and you can probably guess).
Series: Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #1 Writer: Danny Lore Artist: Karen S. Darboe Colorist: Chris Peter Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino Publisher: Marvel Comics Released: February 1, 2023
Ohhhh, a new Blade series? Better yet, a series about his family – specifically his daughter? Um, yes, please! Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #1 is exactly the sort of series I’ve been hoping for. I just hadn’t realized it until now.
Brielle Brooks is your typical teenage girl. She loves sports, gets into trouble with her teachers (even when she’s done nothing wrong), and may or may not be developing superpowers. Wait, what was that last one?
While it may seem like Daughter of Blade #1 is your typical ‘teenage-girl-gets-superpowers story, I feel it will be anything but. For one thing, the subtlety and slight sense of humor are so on point; I love it.
For another? As the daughter of Blade, you just know she’s going to get into all sorts of mayhem, and she’s not going to play the stereotypical superhero role either. I can’t wait to see where this plot leads!
The artwork is perfect – bold and charming. I love Brielle’s design and look forward to watching her learn how to fight and deal with her new abilities.
There’s Only So Much Room For Heroes in Ghost-Spider #10
Gwen Stacy is back; from the looks of it, she’s about to get into more trouble than ever in Ghost-Spider #10. This is a young woman who has seen it all, from the death of her best friend to a multidimensional war. Now? Now she’s got a whole different problem to deal with.
The reappearance of two famous siblings in her world has been a plot steadily building up for several issues now, and it seems like something will finally come of it. Combine that with the events of Outlawed, and Gwen is in for more trouble than she realizes.
If you haven’t read Outlawed, it isn’t a requirement for this issue – but it will become relevant in future issues. It’s okay to dive right in, of course; just be aware that you’ll probably get some spoilers for that event if you do things that way.
Writing
Seanan McGuire is still at the helm with Ghost-Spider #10, and her long-form storytelling is seriously starting to pay off in this issue. All of the subtle hints dropped throughout the last few issues are coming to fruition, which is an extremely satisfying feeling.
Of course, it’s hard not to be concerned for Gwen at the same time…though it will be fascinating to see how she works her way through this particular situation. She may feel she’s down to limited choices, but this character always finds a way.
There is so much to love about this issue, to be blunt. There’s drama, a brilliant fight sequence, tension, and even a few moments of humor wrapped all together. It made for a well-balanced issue that will go by in the blink of an eye and leave you anxious to see what happens next.
I sincerely love the story being told about these siblings (being vague and intentional to avoid spoilers). McGuire has crafted something truly sinister here, all while wrapping it up in a pretty bow. That just adds to the chills of what has happened – and what will surely follow.
Art
Ghost-Spider #10 had brilliant artwork to go with the plot, and several scenes stole the show. The lead artist was Ig Guara, with colors by Ian Herring and lettering by VC’s Clayton Cowles.
Together they created a memorable issue and some dynamic scenes alongside it. The fight scene was compelling, with extra touches that went such a long way in adding to the impact of what was happening.
Meanwhile, Gwen’s appearance received another change, and it’s one that fans will be thrilled by (at least, I know I was!). All of these little details are going to make for an interesting next issue when you think about it.
Conclusion
We’ve received another fun and thrilling issue with Ghost-Spider #10, all while setting the stakes for something more. I love that all of those subtle moments before now added to something, and I sincerely cannot wait to see how far those elements will be pushed.
Ghost-Spider is quickly becoming a series to watch, as unparalleled risks are being taken (see what I did there?). Combine that with Outlawed’s events, and something quite intense and amazing is going on.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
Gwen Stacy’s multi-dimensional adventures continue in Ghost-Spider #8. Once again, we’re reminded of all the differences in Gwen’s universe, not least of which is the difference between the classic heroes we know and their alternates in other dimensions.
The differences between Gwen’s world and Earth 616 have been fascinating. It also feels like they’re piling higher than ever. A fact that this plot will likely contribute towards. It will be interesting to see how all of it will come together.
Before diving into this review, I wanted to bring one thing up quickly. If you’re planning on reading Outlawed #1 this week, make a point of reading that first. Ghost-Spider #8 will directly reference events that happened in it and thus will contain spoilers. If you’re not planning on following that event, don’t worry! This issue will quickly get you up to speed, so you shouldn’t have any issues.
Writing
Ghost-Spider #8 is another fast-paced read, thanks in part to the fact that it feels like it is split neatly into two plots. There’s the plot revolving around the latest dimensional mystery. And then there’s the plot tying into Outlawed.
Both plots were fascinating, but for different reasons. I also love how Seanan McGuire balanced the two, giving them space to exist and grow. It’s hard to say how much the two will end up interacting, and that’s part of why they work so well together here.
The steady buildup of the first plot starts to become much more alarming with time. The foreshadowing is strong, to say the least. Considering how many different elements are being pulled into this one plot, that’s not surprising.
Then there’s Outlawed. Or, more accurately, Gwen’s reaction to it. I rather like that it was an emotional take on what happened. It’s also refreshing to see how Gwen’s life is being affected by major events on Earth 616. It is something McGuire could probably have glossed over, should she have desired it. But I’m grateful she gave us the insight while looking forward to seeing how it develops.
Art
The artwork in Ghost-Spider #8 is superb. First, I want to draw your attention to the fantastic cover. I’m absolutely in love with it! Gwen rocking out on her drums, with her suit on full display. It looks incredible, don’t you think?
The artwork inside is equally remarkable. Once again, there are many little elements snuck into the sidelines. Just little moments of foreshadowing that may or may not amount to something. I love that these elements are being shown rather than actively told.
Ig Guara was the lead artist for this issue, working alongside Ian Herring for the colors and VC’s Clayton Cowles for lettering. Together they went all out for the artwork in this issue. A wide array is portrayed, including emotional reactions, action, and impending drama.
As always, there are a few truly outstanding highlights. In this instance, I’d have to say it’s how our artists have portrayed the movement of Gwen’s suit. It’s so raw and organic, as well as reactive. It’s perfect, not only in reminding us what it is but as a device for showing Gwen’s emotional state.
Conclusion
Ghost-Spider #8 was a shockingly intense issue that moved steadily forward with the main plot. All while providing insight into Gwen’s reaction to what is happening on Earth 616 (‘the main’ universe).
I am very much looking forward to seeing what the next issue brings with it. While this one does not end with a cliffhanger, it is more than enough to keep me on the edge of my seat.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
Gwen Stacy, aka Ghost-Spider, hails from Earth 65. In this universe, things and people tend to be vastly different from what we’re used to seeing. Ghost-Spider #7 further reinforces that fact as we get to know two variants of fan-favorite heroes.
Gwen’s universe is both similar and dissimilar from Earth 616. That’s something the fans have learned by this point. But sometimes, those differences can be quite shocking, especially when a character who is typically a hero or antagonist rears their head.
Perhaps that is the reason why this new plot is so exciting – we’re about to dive headfirst into the story of two beloved characters. Or rather, their alternate versions. But what sort of changes will be in store?
Writing
Ghost-Spider #7 is several different stories wrapped into a single issue. We know that, eventually, these plots will end up merging together. But for now, they’re still distinct and, as such, require careful planning.
On the bright side, Seanan McGuire has repeatedly proven to her fans that she’s fully capable of complex plots. So juggling a few new character arcs is no big deal for her. That is evidenced here, with an issue full of flashbacks, introductions, and personal concerns (for Gwen, that is).
This issue was interesting for several different reasons. Gwen’s crime fighting is always a plus (and is almost used as comic relief here), as is her love towards her father. Then there’s the new antagonist (presumably) on the scene, alongside the new characters…who will surely complicate Gwen’s happy balance.
This is one of those plots that raises dozens of questions in the early game. I doubt they’ll be answered in time – but boy, I look forward to finding those answers. It’s also a fitting theme, given everything that Gwen has gone through.
Art
Ghost-Spider #7 has a lot of artwork worth talking about. There are two distinct timelines, as well as several different perspectives. These changes are immediately clear, thanks to color palette changes and other subtle indicators.
One thing I love about this issue is how casually the spider imagery is woven into Gwen’s daily life. This makes sense, given that her suit is made up of hundreds of little spiders. But it’s nice to see the artists running with that.
Ig Guara is the lead artist for this issue, providing the lines and framework. I’m especially partial to the subtle indications of a costume change on Gwen’s part (she changes outfits several times in this one issue). It may be a small compliment, but it enhanced the experience.
Ian Herring was responsible for the coloring, and their work is fantastic. The colors make this issue. They’re bright and vibrant, especially around Gwen. It makes her story feel so much more alive. And provides an interesting juxtaposition of the past (and the characters involved).
Finally, VC’s Clayton Cowles was the letterer for this issue, and they did a brilliant job. The sound effects, in particular, really stand out, but everything about the letters have clearly been carefully planned out.
Conclusion
Ghost-Spider #7 was a fascinating read that brought two new characters to the forefront alongside an old antagonist to counter their appearance. I, for one, am insanely excited to see where this goes. The whole new plot is balanced out nicely by the new harmony that Gwen seems to have found in her own life.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
Quirky Cats Comics 