Marvel Unlimited: Age of Apocalypse Reign

For anyone keeping track at home, I'm taking a slight detour from the Comic Book Herald's recommended reading order for Age of Apocalypse.  For now, I'm skipping the prologue stories in the Dawn trade and heading straight for the heart of the story in Reign.  I only have about a month left in my Marvel Unlimited subscription and, at least for the moment, I'm not planning to renew.  So, I want to focus on the main story, then go back to the prologues if I have the time.

My Recent Reads

X-Calibre #1

Cover Date: March 1995

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist: Ken Lashley

via eBay

The Amazing X-Men #1

March 1995

Fabian Nicieza/Andy Kubert

via Marvel Database

The Astonishing X-Men #2

April 1995

Scott Lobdell/Joe Madureira

via Marvel Database

The Amazing X-Men #2

April 1995

Nicieza/Kubert

via Marvel Database

Gambit and the X-Ternals #2

April 1995

Nicieza/Tony Daniel

via Marvel Database

Marvel Unlimited: Age of Apocalypse

The historical parallel for the Age of Apocalypse story is clear: the persecution and mass murder of Jews by the Nazis in the 1930s and '40s.  The usual X-Men script is flipped: the humans are the oppressed, the mutants the oppressors.  The stories that adhere most closely to the allegory - X-Man #1, for instance - are the most effective to me.

Still, I have great sympathy for the comic book readers of 1995 in how maddening it must have been to sort out what's going on in all of these different narrative threads released essentially simultaneously.  Even with the benefit of on-demand web resources and a quarter-century's hindsight, I am thoroughly overwhelmed.  I'm guessing you'd have had to hit the comic stores pretty early to get all those #1 issues at once.  I remember the mad rush to get the New 52 issues back in Fall 2011 and I at least had the fallback plan of reading the stories online.  The world wasn't like that in 1995.

My Recent Reads

The Astonishing X-Men #1

Cover Date: March 1995

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Artist: Joe Madureira

via Marvel Database

Gambit and the X-Ternals #1

March 1995

Fabian Nicieza/Tony Daniel

via eBay

Weapon X #1

March 1995

Larry Hama/Adam Kubert

via mycomicshop.com

Factor X #1

March 1995

John Francis Moore/Steve Epting

X-Man #1

March 1995

Jeph Loeb/Steve Skroce

Marvel Unlimited: Legion Quest Ends - Age of Apocalypse Begins

While Legion's intent was to kill Erik Lehnsherr (see last week), it is actually Charles Xavier who dies, setting up the alternate timeline story known as Age of Apocalypse.  Magneto is now the leader of the X-Men and the world, ruled by Apocalypse, has become a hell-scape in which humans are hunted by mutants.

When I first started this a couple weeks ago, my friend Andrew Leon predicted that I wouldn't care for the Age of Apocalypse arc.  So far, I must concede he's been right.  It's my frequent complaint with the teams (X-Men and Avengers): too many characters, too much going on.  Sure, I could draw up a diagram or something but my frustration pushes me to the point where I don't really care enough to do anything like that.  

And yet I read on.  This journey may yet bear fruit.

My Recent Reads

X-Men Vol. 2 #41

Originally released February 1995

Writer: Fabian Nicieza

Artists: Andy Kubert and Ron Garney

via Marvel Database

Cable #20

February 1995

Jeph Loeb/Ian Churchill

via Marvel Database

X-Men Alpha #1

February 1995

Scott Lobdell and Mark Waid/Roger Cruz and Steve Epting

via Memory Alpha

Generation Next #1

March 1995

Lobdell/Chris Bachalo

via Amazon

Marvel Unlimited: X-Men #40, Uncanny X-Men #321

Last week was quite a week in the real world for me.  Ran out of time for the Star Trek post.  I suppose it was bound to happen eventually.  Not much time for reading, either.  So it goes.  Onward...

Legion Quest is the prelude story to Age of Apocalypse.  Legion, Professor Charles Xavier's estranged and psychotic son, has gone back in time to kill Erik Lehnsherr before he becomes the arch-villain Magneto. 

My Recent Reads

X-Men Vol. 2 #40

Originally released January 1995

Writer: Fabian Nicieza

Artist: Andy Kubert

via Marvel Database

Uncanny X-Men #321

February 1996

Scott Lobdell and Mark Waid/Ron Garney

Marvel Unlimited: Marvels #4, X-Men #38-39, Uncanny X-Men #319-320

Marvels #4 offers a retelling of what is arguably Marvel's single most important story: the death of Gwen Stacy.  Phil Seldon befriends Gwen in an effort to learn the truth about her father's death.  Phil witnesses the tragic event himself and is thus as shocked and heartbroken as the rest of us.  It's a powerful moment in a powerful series.  I am glad to have experienced it.  I'm not prepared to say Marvels is the best series I've read in this exploration as the full impact is so dependent on familiarity with the source material.  But there's no denying the quality.

Next up is the Age of Apocalypse, an X-Men event crossing over numerous titles.  There seems to be a lot of disagreement over the reading order and even which issues are included in the story.  Marvel has, in fact, changed the order in different editions of its collected trades.  For now, until I am convinced otherwise, I will trust in Comic Book Herald's reading list.  He has guided me well thus far.

My Recent Reads

Marvels #4

Originally released March 22, 1994

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Artist: Alex Ross

via Marvel Unlimited

X-Men Vol. 2 #38

November 1994

Fabian Nicieza/Andy Kubert

via Marvel Database

Uncanny X-Men #319

December 1994

Scott Lobdell/Steve Epting

X-Men Vol. 2 #39

December 1994

Nicieza/Terry Dodson

via Marvel Database

Uncanny X-Men #320

January 1995

Lobdell and Mark Waid/Roger Cruz

via Amazon

Marvel Unlimited: Marvels #1-3

Marvels is a wonderful series.  The history of the Marvel Universe is told from the perspective of Phil Sheldon, a professional news photographer.  We revisit loads of big events: the Richards' wedding, the introduction of the Sentinels and best of all, for me at least, the Galactus/Silver Surfer story.  The source material is vast.  Some of it I know, some I don't, though the series certainly leaves me curious enough to backtrack.  

The broader themes are the most important where the Phil Sheldon story is concerned.  What happens when the everyman gets caught up in the anti-mutant mania, then finds a mutant child living hidden in his own home?  How does he react to the ebb and flow of public trust in the superheroes?

Without question, the highlight of the series is the artwork.  Alex Ross's painted images are stunning, especially for the Galactus story.  

My Recent Reads

Marvels #1

Originally released November 9, 1993

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Artist: Alex Ross

via Marvel Database

Marvels #2

December 14, 1993

Busiek/Ross

Marvels #3

January 25, 1994

Busiek/Ross

via Marvel Database

Marvel Unlimited: Marvel Comics Presents #79-84, Marvels #0

I have reached the end of Weapon X.  For me, it's good but not great.  The Wolverine origin story is appreciated and the ending is gruesome yet satisfying.  Actually, that describe the artwork pretty well, too: gruesome yet satisfying.  However, I don't think it would be a meaningful story if one did not already know the Logan/Wolverine character.

Next up is Marvels, a retelling of key moments in the Marvel universe history from an everyman perspective.  I love a painted comic book as well as the pulp-novel style such works tend to employ.  I have reflected on Alex Ross's work before here.

My Recent Reads

Marvel Comics Presents #79

Originally released April 30, 1991

Story: "Weapon X: Chapter Seven"

Writer and Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #80

May 14, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Eight"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #81

May 28, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Nine"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #82

June 11, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Ten"

Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #83

June 25, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Eleven"

Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #84

July 9, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Twelve"

"Weapon X: Interlude & Escape"

Windsor-Smith

Marvels #0

June 14, 1994

Steve Darnall and Alex Ross/Ross

Marvel Unlimited: Marvel Comics Presents #73-78

Weapon X is essentially an origin story: Canadian government scientists are turning Logan into Wolverine, a mindless killing machine, or at least trying to.  He already had his super-healing ability and his taste for violence when they picked him up.  In the lab, they've added the adamantium to his bones and the retractable claws.  Now the question is whether or not they can control him.  It's a Frankenstein story at its heart, though with a far less articulate monster.  

Logan/Wolverine, you see, doesn't actually talk much through this transformation ordeal.  Mostly, we see him lying inert, wires attached, his creator/controllers talking about him.  There are occasional, extremely violent outbursts but for the most part, his role is a passive one.

So far.  

As the readers, we know that after all of this, Wolverine won't be easily controlled by anyone.  It's just a matter of seeing how the early history plays out.

I'm not sure how I feel to this point.  Wolverine is still my favorite Marvel character, though I doubt this story would have been one to hook me.  It's not over yet.  I will reserve ultimate judgment.

My Recent Reads

Marvel Comics Presents #73

Originally released February 5, 1991

Story: "Weapon X: Chapter One"

Writer and Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #74

February 19, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Two"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #75

March 5, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Three"

Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #76

March 19, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Four"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #77

April 2, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Five"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #78

April 16, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Six"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Unlimited: Infinity Gauntlet #5-6; Marvel Comics Presents #72

I finished Infinity Gauntlet - can't say I was impressed.  There's just way too much: too many characters; all action all the time; no subtlety, ever.  As far as I can tell, it was a chance to bring as many heroes together into one story and drum up the one villain capable of giving them a decent fight.  The artwork, I will grant, is impressive.

And yes, I feel basically the same way about the movie.

Back to Wolverine, though actually Logan features in Infinity Gauntlet because everyone does.  Back to his personal story.  The Weapon X arc, a feature within in the Marvel Comics Presents series, tells the tale of Wolverine's history with Canada's clandestine government program for turning humans - and mutants - into weapons.  It feels good to come back to an earthier story focused on one character I enjoy a great deal.

My Recent Reads

Infinity Gauntlet #5

Originally released September 17, 1991

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Ron Lim

via Amazon

Infinity Gauntlet #6

October 15, 1991

Starlin/Lim

Marvel Comics Presents #72

January 24, 1991

Story: "Weapon X: Prologue"

Barry Windsor-Smith

Marvel Unlimited: Infinity Gauntlet #4

Yeah, it was a busy week - not a lot of time to read.  The Infinity Gauntlet issues are long, too: 40+ pages each whereas most comics are in the low-to-mid 20s.  My gripe with the story is the same as it was last week:  too many characters, too much going on. 

My Recent Reads

Infinity Gauntlet #4

Originally released August 20, 1991

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artists: George Pérez and Ron Lim

via Amazon

Marvel Unlimited: Kraven's Last Hunt, Parts 4-6; Infinity Gauntlet #1-3

Alright so yes, Kraven's Last Hunt turned out to be very good indeed.  Frequent visitors may recall I had my doubts last week.  It's worth noting, it took the return of Peter Parker to the story to grab my interest.  The whole point of the arc, in fact, is Kraven exhibiting to Peter the separate aspects of his own being: what of Spidey is spider and what is man?  With Vermin as his pawn, Kraven reminds Peter that a spider for all of its extraordinary gifts is still a ruthless predator.  

Then again, that describes humans pretty well, too...

But that's not Kraven's point.  When Spidey acts with thoughtless disregard, he is the spider.  When he is driven by emotions, he is the man.  It's sort of Star Trekky, really.  But darker.

Anyway, I am now more curious about both Kraven and, to a lesser extent, Vermin.  I am always eager to learn more about Spidey.

As it turns out, I was reading the Thanos story in the right order after all.  Infinity Gauntlet comes next.  Thanos snaps his fingers and snuffs out half the population of the universe.  Sound familiar?

Starlin and Perez's story has a cast of thousands, never what I want in a comic book but all Avengers-driven stories are like this.  It's too bad because the build up stories are a lot more graceful.  Oh well.  The art's good.  Maybe I'll feel differently as I get deeper into the plot.

My Recent Reads

The Web of Spider-Man #32

Originally published November 1987

Writer: J.M. DeMatteis

Artist: Mike Zeck

via Marvel Database

The Amazing Spider-Man #294

November 1987

DeMatteis/Zeck

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #132

November 1987

DeMatteis/Zeck

via Amazon

Infinity Gauntlet #1

May 21, 1991

Jim Starlin/George Pérez

Infinity Gauntlet #2

June 18, 1991

Starlin/Pérez

via Amazon

Infinity Gauntlet #3

July 16, 1991

Starlin/Pérez

via Amazon

Marvel Unlimited: Silver Surfer #36-38; Kraven's Last Hunt, Parts 1-3

The Thanos story ends and the Kraven story begins.

The Surfer triumphs over Thanos.  Sort of.  He believes so anyway.  I think I read The Thanos Quest and Rebirth of Thanos in reverse order but oh well.

As for Kraven's Last Hunt, it's great to get back to the Spidey-verse though I have yet to decide how I feel about this particular story.  For starters, the arc goes across titles, a modern comic book convention which I do not like - unnecessarily crass commercialism.  It also, at least to this point, hasn't involved Peter Parker a whole lot.  PP's world is the whole reason I care about Spidey.

Kraven the Hunter "kills" Peter Parker and takes on the Venom suit for himself, becoming in effect a more murderous Spider-Man.  Meanwhile, Vermin lurks in the sewers, kidnapping pedestrians off the city streets and eating them.  The paths of the two are on an inevitable intercept course.

Fortunately, there is some of Parker's world.  Mary Jane, Peter's new wife, is understandably worried about her missing husband.  When she encounters Spidey, she realizes instantly that it's not Peter inside the suit.

As always with Spider-Man, I am aware of how much I've missed since the last time I spent meaningful time with the character.  Might have to backtrack someday.

My Recent Reads

Silver Surfer #36

Originally published April 1990

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Ron Lim

Silver Surfer #37

May 1990

Starlin/Lim

via Marvel Database

Silver Surfer #38

June 1990

Starlin/Lim

via Amazon

Web of Spider-Man #31

October 1987

J.M. DeMatteis/Mike Zeck

via Amazon

Amazing Spider-Man #293

October 1987

DeMatteis/Zeck

Peter Parker, Spectacular Spider-Man #131

October 1987

DeMatteis/Zeck

Marvel Unlimited: The Thanos Quest #1-2, Silver Surfer #34-35

The Silver Surfer arc Rebirth of Thanos and the graphic novel series The Thanos Quest provide the basis for the Infinity War arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Both were written by Jim Starlin and drawn by Ron Lim.  Lim's artwork is the highlight, both lush and surreal in the Ditko/Starlin tradition.

Thanos, originally an Iron Man character and especially important to the Captain Marvel story, pairs well with the Silver Surfer.  They see the same problems with the world/universe but imagine vastly different remedies.

Unfortunately, I don't especially care for the character Thanos and I believe I've figured out why.  He doesn't struggle much.  There's a Tasks of Hercules quality to his quest for the Infinity Gems but no one stands a chance in resisting him.  Even the Surfer is more annoyance than challenge.  I suppose that's what makes him a meaningful adversary for the Avengers but as protagonist to his own story, I don't find him compelling.

That's not to say the story isn't interesting.  It is, but more for the idea of Thanos than the character himself.

My Recent Reads

The Thanos Quest #1

Originally published September 1990

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Ron Lim

via Marvel Database

The Thanos Quest #2

October 1990

Starlin/Lim

via Marvel Database

Silver Surfer #34

February 1990

Starlin/Lim

via Marvel Database

Silver Surfer #35

March 1990

Starlin/Lim

via Amazon

Marvel Unlimited: Daredevil #226, The Man Without Fear #1-5

The Man Without Fear covers Daredevil's origin story.  The mini-series is not quite as strong as Born Again but it's still a lot better than the other Marvel stories I have read.  Plus, the cover art by John Romita Jr. and Al Williamson is absolutely stunning.

Frank Miller wins again.

My Recent Reads

Daredevil #226

Originally published January 1986

Writers: Frank Miller and Denny O'Neil

Artist: David Mazzucchelli

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #1

October 1993

Miller/John Romita Jr.

via Amazon

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #2

November 1993

Miller/Romita

via Marvel Database

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #3

December 1993

Miller/Romita

via Marvel Database

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #4

January 1994

Miller/Romita

via Amazon

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #5

February 1994

Miller/Romita

via Amazon

Marvel Unlimited: Daredevil #228-233

Wow.

Daredevil issues #227-233 comprise the Born Again story arc.  Having reached the end, I feel confident in saying it's one of the best comic book stories I've ever read - certainly the best Marvel and probably the best American work.  It's comparable with the best Alan Moore books and maybe even the best Japanese manga.  I am simply blown away.

Karen Page was once Matt Murdock's secretary and girlfriend.  She was one of very few people who knew Murdock's secret: he is also Daredevil.  Now she's a desperate junky and she sells that secret for a fix.  Unfortunately, the information makes it all the way back to New York City's arch-criminal: Kingpin.  The crime lord eschews the usual comic book villain approach of targeting the hero's loved ones.  Instead, he leverages his widespread influence to destroy Matt Murdock's life.  He ruins his finances.  He fabricates criminal charges that rob Murdock of his career.  Kingpin leaves his nemesis an empty, soul-less hull with no idea where to turn.  As a final insult upon injury, Kingpin blows up Murdock's entire apartment building.

But the crook slips up, leaving behind a clue.  Deep in the hole as he is, Murdock knows who's turning the screws.

As excellent as the basic narrative is, the true magic is in the telling.  Miller and Mazzucchelli's world-building is exemplary.  One can practically hear the sounds of Hell's Kitchen, even smell it.  One can feel the pavement underfoot.  The messes of both Karen's and Matt's lives are real.  We are squeezed by the same darkness they are.  We feel their relief when all comes, more or less, right.

So good.

My Recent Reads

Daredevil #228

Originally published March 1986

Writer: Frank Miller

Artist: David Mazzucchelli

via Marvel Database

Daredevil #229

April 1986

Miller/Mazzuchelli

Daredevil #230

May 1986

Miller/Mazzuchelli

via Marvel Database

Daredevil #231

June 1986

Miller/Mazzuchelli

via Marvel Database

Daredevil #232

July 1986

Miller/Mazzuchelli

via Marvel Database

Daredevil #233

August 1986

Miller/Mazzuchelli