Matt Watson Comic Reviews

When alls said and done, there just isnt enough content here. Some people are going to come for Bryan Hitchs art, and those people will be satisfied. But I came for story, and found it lacking. Im hoping we get a lot more plot next issue, because as pretty as it is, I think four pages of Hitchs vision of destroyed New York is space that could have been better devoted to telling some sort of story. Because at the end of the day, regardless of which version of whatever fictional universe these stories are set in, regardless of how it affects what comes after or is affected by what we came before, these are supposed to be stories. And theres nowhere near enough of a story in this issue.

I know it's generally accepted in comic book fandom that events are bad, and it's the done thing to decry them at every available opportunity, but I'm really not trying to do that here. I really want to like this book. I love the concept, I love the characters, and Bendis is one of my favourite writers, but something about but this book just isn't coming together for me yet.

All in all, theres definitely more to love here than not. I do have some problems with Bendis writing in this issue, particularly after the first two were so strong. Although I have faith in him to lead us in the right direction, judging this issue on its own merits, I have to say like I felt it was a little weaker than I would have liked. Still, its definitely worth a read, and I have high hopes that this series will be back on form with #4. The last splash page certainly left me wanting more, and if an issue can do that despite its flaws, then someone, somewhere is doing something right.

So, ideally Id like to see the momentum pick up on this book going forward, but this is an improvement on last issue, which I felt was a little bit of a misstep for the series. I like my stories told properly, not necessarily quickly, but this is a little slow even for my tastes. Hopefully my faith in Bendis will be rewarded despite his relaxed pace, and as long as Immonen is rendering it, Ill be on board. I just wish we were getting a little more for our money with each issue.

This is a book in its prime, produced by a team of top-shelf talent firing on cylinders. Im genuinely sad that this series will be drawing to close on December the 26th with #700, but knowing that the team are sticking around for Superior Spider-Man (as well as being joined by Ryan Stegman) Im confident that Spider-Man is safe hands. No matter whos under the mask.

Folks. 'Amazing Spider-Man' is over. It ended today, but man oh man did it end with a bang. I know some of you will miss the way things have been up to this point. But there's 50 years of an 'Amazing' past preserved for posterity. The future? The future's 'Superior'.

In closing, Avengers continues to be fantastic, further strengthening the range of quality titles that the creative refresh of Marvel NOW! has given us. I'm really glad it's twice a month, because I am unbearably excited about what's coming next…

So, Cable and X-Force. A promising start, but Id have liked to have seen a bit more of the big picture. But I guess you cant have everything right away, right? Still, I liked it enough thatll Ill be checking out issue #2, and since its a relatively quiet week for Marvel, you could do much worse.

So, Cable and X-Force so far has left me mostly cold. It's simply not moving fast enough to hold my attention, and is taking too long to capitalize on the promise of the first-issue set-up. It may end up being a decent read in trade, but unless they bring in a bit of visual variety, then it will remain dull and confusing. In all good faith, despite really wanting to like it, I simply cannot recommend Cable and X-Force as anything other than a cheap cure for insomnia.

In fact, consistent is a pretty good way to describe Hawkeye. Although some people have missed David Aja for the last two issues (rest easy True Believers, hes back next issue), I feel like this book is going from strength to strength. At once recalling the best of Silver Age Marvel whilst also embracing more modern methods of comics storytelling, Hawkeye continues to be a book that you should be reading. Its a great action book that doesnt wear its superhero heart on its sleeve, and if Fraction and his art team can continue to bring their A-game to the title, itll be a book that youll be reading for a while.

So, are you reading Hawkeye yet? Nope? What are you waiting for? Fraction and Aja are doing some of the best work of their careers here. Get on the HAWKGUY train and ride it all the way to awesome.

There is some very good stuff going on this issue. Very solid art,tantalisingset-up, and some strong action. Its a steady start for New Avengers, but be aware that if you dislike either Black Panther or cryptic storytelling, then this isnt the issue for you.

Its that life that helps the drama shine through, despite the stationary nature of the events contained herein. When combined with Hickmans strong characterisation, this really makes the issue compelling. Its no surprise that Hickman writes a great Reed Richards, but everyone feels right here, and the tensions within the group read as clearly as if they were written in narration boxes. The stakes could not be higher, the threat could not be larger, and I feel like theres something truly exciting coming our way. And for those wondering, Black Panther has not forgotten Namors actions during AvX. Theset-upis done folks, now we can enjoy the ride that Hickman has in store for us. I cant wait. Shall we?

If you have even the most peripheral of interest in comics, you simply need to be reading Saga. It is truly raising the bar for storytelling in comic books, and I cannot construct praise high enough to sufficiently express how much I adore this book. Read Saga, and lose yourself in its majesty. And then cry as you remember that it only comes out once a month.

All said and done, Superior Spider-Man #4 is a very solid issue. It never quite comes together as well as this team often does, although that's mainly because I'm not a fan of Massacre. I am, however, greatly enjoying this new direction for Spidey, and I intend to continue doing so as long as it lasts. So while we still haven't reached the same enjoyable heights that this team already hit on Amazing Spider-Man, we're still getting some quality comics. It hasn't quite earned its Superior moniker yet, but it's getting warmer.

All in all, this relaunch of Uncanny X-Force is off to a very strong start. The slick art doesn't quite capture the black ops feel that I've come to expect from the title, but that's not to say it doesn't work. The new team, both on the page and behind the scenes, have big shoes to fill, but if this is an indicator of what's to come, then I'm on board and very excited.

As he did with All-New X-Men, Bendis has approached the X-men corner of the Marvel Universe with a fresh approach, continuing years of development and plugging into the soap opera feel that made the years of Chris Claremont so compelling. X-Men books are at their best when they're less about superheroics then they are about people. And if there's one thing Bendis writes, it's people. Maybe not the same as everyone else does, but compelling nonetheless.

Gillens popular take on Loki is here in full effect. Charming, funny, and at times strangely vulnerable, the teen trickster is a joy to read. The further adventures of Kid Loki was the main attraction to the book for me, as Im sure it is for many. Im just glad that everything else is written that well. Its a shame we dont see Ms America, Marvel Boy, or Hawkeye (Not HAWKGUY, as the recap page playfully reminds us), but it takes time to build a team, and the story were fed here is more than enough to chew on. Young Avengers is a great example of the best work at Marvel right now. Top-class creators, great characters brilliantly written, and slick, exciting visuals. This book oozes quality. More please!