Nate Tieman Comic Reviews

Look, I know this series is ending. I understand this isn't one of the "premium" Avengers or X-Men books. The price is just as high as those books, though, so I should be able to expect a modicum of quality. After all, this could be the book a kid sees at his comic shop, or at the grocery store, and decides to grab. This could be somebody's gateway book into comics, and we as a community can't afford to lose even a single new reader. I appreciate the effort Loveness and Diaz put into their story. Although it was a bit rough, it showed heart, and I truly enjoyed it. Duggan and Yardin, though " you've been doing this for long enough. You shouldn't be letting the new guy show you up.

There are only a few more months until "Time Runs Out," and I suspect we'll be seeing a lot of major changes coming for the Avengers. Even though this issue closed the door on a major storyline, the ramifications of the last few pages are bound to stick with the team, and the Marvel Universe, for quite some time.

Avengers is consistently a solid title, which is why my problems with this issue have me feeling so disappointed. I'm sure this book will get back on track next month, but Kirkman needs to be careful. With Secret Wars promising big changes and with Marvel movie season on the horizon, he needs to be drawing in new readers, not scaring them away.

Avengers World #3 was definitely the sort of top-notch material I've come to expect from Hickman and company, but it just wasn't what it needed to be to be successful. Hopefully, the Avengers World team will take these criticisms to heart before it's too late for this excellent series. Maybe they can save this book next issue, as previews for Avengers World #4 look like the focus will shift to Starbrand's team, but unless The Avengers find themselves fighting space dragons, I feel like we're headed for another lackluster issue. I'm just disappointed that I can't deliver negative scores for books.

If the publisher's notes are to be believed, Burning Fields is going to be quite the ride. Hopefully the story won't wildly deviate from the noir feel created in this issue, because Burning Fields is definitely one of the most intriguing crime/horror/mystery titles I've read in some time. Let's just pray that the promo lines for next month's issue don't spoil any more of the story.

Captain Marvel is, so far, a very good book with the potential to become a great one. The solid writing is hindered by the simplistic art, but I'm willing to overlook Anka's missteps and blame them on Marvel's current, grueling, publishing schedule. Rest assured, I'll be following the good Captain wherever she leads, as long as this book's story continues to deliver.

Doctor Strange stands on its own as Marvel's sole supernatural title, but it feels like an excellent (and long-overdue) addition to the current publishing stable. Aaron has wisely chosen to keep the title away from current events in the Marvel Universe, giving the book room to stretch its legs and find its niche.

I have high hopes for this book. While there are definitely a lot of derivative ideas at play here (there's even a reference to The Terminator in this issue), Van Lente seems to have enough original ideas flying around this issue that this title could take off in amazing directions. If you'd have told me 20 years ago that I'd not only read a Valiant title, but thoroughly enjoy it, I'd have called you crazy. Congratulations, Ivar, Timewalker. You just made my pull list. Here's hoping you stay there for quite some time.

If youre not reading Ivar, Timewalker, youre missing out on one of the best-looking, thoughtful, and fun comics currently being published. While there are a couple of small missteps this issue, there are more than enough great moments and amazing images to keep the book firmly in the pull list pile. With only two issues to go, buy this book before youre out of time.

Overall, this month's Justice League United just isn't a must-read, but it is a necessary addition to the current story arc. It's an acceptable issue for current readers, but those interested in trying to jump on to the book might want to go back a couple of months or wait until the current story arc wraps up.

Nameless is not my favorite Grant Morrison story (not yet, at least), but it has potential. The plot is poised to move into the sci-fi territory Morrison explores so well, assuming the book doesn't get lost in the dreamy half-prose that Morrison likes to indulge in. It's a little too unwelcoming for readers looking for an easy, fun comic, but (like most of Grant Morrison's work) the dedicated reader will find a payoff that, while not life-changing, should guarantee the purchase of the next issue.

This new Powers series is a must-read after just one issue. Maybe I'm a sucker for police procedural stories or maybe I'm a sucker for Bendis' dialogue, but I can't wait until next month to continue the story. I regret that it's taken me this long to finally get a taste of Powers. I guess it's time to pay those library fees and see if I can't find a way to delve into the history of the Powers universe.

Princeless: The Pirate Princess is definitely one of the more oddball titles Ive ever been asked to review, but it was certainly a pleasant surprise. If youve got a daughter, or a son who isnt afraid of getting contact cooties, or even if youve got a few extra bucks to spare on something new, check this book out. It may not have all the intrigue and intricacies of a title like Avengers, but a lot of love went into this book, and it deserves to be read.

I feel like I'm asking a bit much from The Punisher. I've enjoyed the last two issues so thoroughly that I find myself wishing there was more to them, which I think really means I just can't wait until the next issue. Of course Edmondson is going to flesh out his characters. It's just that I don't want to wait for that to happen.

Silk has loads of potential, if Robbie Thompson can move beyond the surface issues of the character and really delve into what the world would be like with a psychologically scarred hero of Spider-Mans caliber. For now, though, Silk is about a damsel-in-distress Spider-Man wannabe, and thats a huge disservice and a step back for the growing roster of female icons in the Marvel Universe.

I'm incredibly disappointed that I couldn't find more to like about this book. I enjoy the characters, I truly wanted to get back into the Ultimate universe stories, but Fialkov has delivered a paint-by-numbers story further weakened by artists who, I'm certain, never even learned to color inside the lines.

Uncanny Avengers isn't a bad book, but it already feels incomplete. Whereas Remender's stint on Uncanny X-Force was dark, and the initial run of Uncanny Avengers was epic and bombastic, there's just not much of anything setting this issue apart from the rest of Marvel's current grim and gritty line-up. While I'm certain Remender and company will find their stride on this title, I can only hold out hope that they can do it quickly.