MARKLEY’S FEVERED BRAIN: all-new ALL-DIFFERENT

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Wayne Markley

by Wayne Markley

With the conclusion of secret Wars, well the eventual end of it (supposedly at the end of December), marvel has relaunched many of their line of titles spinning out of this event. While the original idea was that secret Wars would have been done by now, and I hope the end of it will address some of my issues below, there are so numerous new titles I thought I would take some time to look at their relaunches. many of them are quite good, and it is apparent the marvel universe if quite different post secret Wars, but I was under the impression there would only be one universe post SW and based on the books I have read that is not true. Well, here is the first blog taking a look at the All-New, All-Different marvel Universe.

Astonishing Ant-Man #1

Astonishing Ant-Man is by Nick Spencer and Ramon Rosanas. The first two issues are out so far and they continue the feel and style of the previous series. The first issues opens with Scott Lang in jail (where he is still at in issue two). From the jail cell the story does a flashback discussing why he is there. At the end of issue two we are still not sure why he is in jail but it is a lot of fun on the way. Machinesmith and Grizzly are still up to their old tricks while Scott tries to get his safety and security company off the ground and make peace with his ex, Darla Deering from the FF (the comic) days (she was the She-Thing). I found this book to be a ideal mix of humor and action with a lot of subplots. overall very enjoyable.

All-New, All-Different Avengers #1

All-New, All-Different Avengers by mark Waid and Adam Kubert is far and away my favorite of the new Avengers titles. From the opening page with Ms. marvel yelling “You’re a Jerk” at Nova, I loved this book. It was fun and a well paced story that was had everything a superhero book ought to have; conflict, bickering heroes, humor, a strong villain, and an interesting cast. This group of Avengers is made up of Sam Wilson Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Vision, Ms. Marvel, Nova, and Miles Morales Spider-Man. There is also a second story in this first issue by Waid and Mahmud Asrar that discusses why Ms. marvel thinks Nova is a jerk. once again, this is a pitch ideal story of teen angst. overall this first issue was great.

New Avengers #1

New Avengers is by Al Ewing and Gerado Sandoval. three issues have come out so far and I am mixed on this title. I really like Al Ewing’s writing and storytelling, but I find Sandoval’s art too muddy and dark and at times not that clear. I had the same issue when he was doing Guardians 3000. This team is made up of Sunspot, Songbird, Hawkeye, Wiccan, Squirrel Girl, White Tiger, Power Man, Hulkling, and Pod. The story is good and the character interactions are entertaining. The overall story is common of Ewing in that it is far reaching and big in scope, which many of the time pays off, but I am still waiting to see on this one. It may turn out to be a terrific book but it has not sold me yet.

Uncanny Avengers #1

Uncanny Avengers is by Gerry Duggan and Ryan Stegman. issue two was just published and this book still has me interested but it has not bowled me over like Waid’s Avengers. The team here consists of Rogue, Steve Rogers, doctor Voodoo, Deadpool, Quicksilver, Human Torch, Synapse, and Spider-Man. This is a straight forward action comic with very good art and a story that is again a mix of action and humor. I find the team an odd mix but I do like the interaction between the members. This first story involves a risk from some nasty plants and a check out from a well-know character from the future, no not Kang. I kind of want to like this book much more than I did, but I think I will conquer that with time.

Uncanny Avengers annual #1

I want to mention Uncanny Avengers annual #1 (2015) just because of how much I delighted in this book. It is written by the reinvigorated James Robinson and tells the story of the department of the Uncanny. This is a group of heroes who deal with the supernatural in the 1950s. Of the cast from the 1950s I was only familiar with the 1950s Captain America (not Steve Rogers) and Agatha Harkness. This was a well told story filling Marvel’s history as James can only do. (See his recently wrapped up Invaders book for much more terrific retro storytelling). In addition to this outstanding story there is terrific art by Marc Laming and Jose Giles. Not only does this tell a tale of the past it also nicely ties into the present day Avengers and lays the groundwork for a future story. overall a terrific package.

Black Knight #1

Black Knight #1 is a revival of the classic character from marvel Super-Heroes and the Avengers. once again it is Dane Whitman but this time he is trapped in the Weirdworld from the pages of secret Wars. I do not quite understand how Weirdworld still exists, hopefully it will be explained in secret Wars #9. This first issue is written by Frank Tieri and drawn by Luca Pizzari. The first issue is OK. It is a set up for a longer story and there is a lot of action. The art is a bit dark and muddy in places but it is fine. I had a hard time as the only character I knew was the Black Knight and he was surrounded by new characters from this new world. I do not have high hopes this book will last a long time.

Carnage #1

Carnage #1 is by Gerry Conway and Mike Perkins. I really liked this book. It tells the tale of the government finally capturing Carnage and stopping all of his terror, but of course things go south. It is a fast paced story that is very original and leaves you guessing where it is going in terms of direction. There is no attempt to humanize Carnage or make him a good guy, and Perkins’ art is always above average and this first issue was well worth the money.

Captain America: Sam Wilson #1

Captain America: Sam Wilson is already up to issue three and I am really liking this book. It is written by Nick Spencer and drawn by Daniel Acuna. While the title is still Captain America, it is really Sam Wilson’s book. Spencer has taken Sam back to his roots as a man of the people and in turn Captain America is becoming a man of the people and not a super-soldier or a sci-fi book like it was under the previous creative team. To me, they have really captured the feel of the original concept of the Falcon and transferred it to Captain America. Plus, Acuna’s art is great. I also really like the use of Redwing and Cap’s skills. A very interesting book.

Deadpool #1

Deadpool is back with a new top by Gerry Duggan, and art by Mike Hawthorne and Terry Pallot. If you liked the previous Deadpool series you will love this version as there are a flock of Deadpools. Deadpool has put together of team of Deadpools, including mad Hatter, Stingray, Terror, and others. He has promised all the members of this rag label team (all who dress as Deadpool) a substantial payday, but so far in the first two issues all the jobs they have done are for free. It is a terrific mix of action and humor and an interesting story as to what Deadpool the leader is really up to. plus the art is clean and slick and a delight to look at. This is a very fun book.

Doctor unusual #1

Doctor unusual by Jason Aaron with art by Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend. At first I was broken about this book. It is good but it is not the doctor unusual I knew. It is still him but he is now sort of a hipster. After reading issue two I really liked this book. It certainly has a big story to tell and these first two issues just a tease of what is to come. Bachalo’s art is polished but with a tinge of Steve Ditko’s wackiness. overall I am really looking forward to what is to come in this book and if the creative team sticks with it, I think this book has the potential to be a big hit.

The Uncanny Inhumans #1

The Uncanny Inhumans is by Charles Soule and Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten. as with any Steve McNiven book the art is beautiful. marvel is really pushing the Inhumans and this book picks up best where the last series ended. Black bolt is back and Jonny storm is now dating Medusa, and there are enough questions and twists to keep me reading for some time to come. I am not clear where they are choosing this series, but the first two issues are very good and are interesting enough to keep me coming back.

That will wrap it up for this time. I will be back evaluating another pack of All New, All different titles soon. These books are like a flood as there are new number ones every week to go along with the ongoing titles. Thankfully, they have over all been very good so far. I really like the balance of action and humor marvel is doing. It is good to read a line of books which is not all gloom and doom.

As always, everything I have written here is my opinion and in no way reflects the thoughts and opinions of Westfield Comics or their employees. Are you reading any of the All New, All different marvel titles? Which ones are you enjoying? Why? I would like to know. Till next time.

Thank you.