Annihilation #2, Civil War #4, and Ultimate Spiderman #100

Just got my monthly comics in and it was big month. Some of the most anticipated came out this month. I decide to hit 3 of Marvel’s titles first this month.

Annihilation #2:
The first issue was fun and chaotic at the same time, sort like jumping in one of those air bouncy things filled with colorful balls at the carnival. You are jumping around with those things flying around without a much of sense of going on. You only truly start enjoying your time when you let go and over past the organize play. With Annihilation, there is a lot going on. For many of the older readers like me, we get bog down in continuity and having to know exactly what happened in each character’s life. Once you get past that and realize that the writer Keith Giffen is going to show everything you need to know, you can fully immerse in the fun.

"The United Front led by NOVA, RONAN and DRAX have held, but only just. ANNIHILUS' forces have been fought to a standstill. But can any defense withstand the devastating attack of RAVENOUS and the CENTURIONS?"

The second issue continues the fast and furious action. And again it presents as an enjoyable read. It seems like everything Giffen has touched recently has turn to gold and this is no exception. This series is awesome and worth picking up (especially it comes out on time). Andrea Divito does yeomen work as a penciler which reminds me of Ron Lim’s stuff. A special mention to the colorist, Laura Villari has to be made. Her work really makes Devito’s art comes off the page. RATINGS: STORY- 9/10 ART- 8/10

Civil War #4:
Well, was it worth the wait? It was so are to avoid my favorite blogs this month, because I just did not want to spoil the big surprise. By the time this is published, it should be about 3 weeks after Civil War #4 was released. So I’m going to spoil everything…

"A death! A funeral! A betrayal! And a team reborn as the war takes a deadly turn!"

So in this issue, we find out that they have cloned Thor and using him as the ultimate anti-hero weapon. (With the new series coming out soon, I hope they don’t make him the … hero who is trying to find his soul crap… like Vision, Red Tornado or Star Trek’s Data.) Thor goes Dirty Harry and kills Goliath (the death) and almost kills Captain America’s team if it wasn’t for Sue Storm (the betrayal). Capt’s team escapes and the fallout begins again. They have a funeral for Goliath. Heroes on both sides quit including Sue and Johnny Storm. Because Tony Stark’s rank has thinned, he plan to use criminals with mind control chips ala Thunderbolts style as anti-registration hunters….

To get Steve McNiven art, it was worth the wait. The art is gorgeous. The story is good, but kinda formulaic… RATINGS: STORY- 7/10 ART 9/10

Ulitmate Spiderman #100
Last time, all I did was rave on the greatness of this book. This book was the most anticipated of the month….

"A true milestone for Peter Parker, Ultimate Spiderman and the Ultimate line-our double-sized 100th issue celebration! Chock full of secrets that date back to the book's beginning-finally, chillingly revealed! And there are three-count 'em three-mind-staggering shock endings. It's the Spider-Man event of the year with an exclusive look back at the series with Brian Micheal Bendis and Mark Bagley."

Unbelievable, Brian Micheal Bendis is a mastermind. This issue blew me away. Because BMB was on this title for so long he was able to carefully weave and direct this title to this point. Like a pimple coming to a head and ready to be popped. Past story arcs were clues to where he ultimately had plan for Spiderman, very reminiscent of Chris Claremont did on his great run on Uncanny X-men in the 70-80’s. I won’t be spoiling anything here, but I can’t wait to read what happens next. RATINGS: STORY- 10/10 ART- 8/10