Stripping Down #15 - The 'Lost' CI Reviews Part 3
Why 'lost' reviews? See here...
Marvel Legends #1 (Panini UK)
“Out Of Time” by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting (Captain America (v5) #1)
“The Mask In The Iron Man” by Joe Quesada & Alitha Martinez (Iron Man (v3) #1/2)
“Blood Oath” by Michael Avon Oeming & Scott Kolins (Thor: Blood Oath #1)
Filling the vacuum left by Titan’s acquisition of Batman Legends, this new anthology spotlights Avengers mainstays Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. Surprisingly, it is the lead strip that proves to be the highlight, with Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s atmospheric story kicking off with the apparent murder of The Red Skull. Equally surprisingly, the Iron Man story more or less picks up from it’s previous run in Panini’s long-defunct Marvel Heroes Reborn, with the rare Wizard ½ issue prelude to The Mask In The Iron Man. Neither Joe Quesada’s writing nor Alitha Martinez’ art are anything special, but it’s a satisfying enough read. The mighty Thor, like Iron Man, is currently without an ongoing series in the US, so we’re treated to the Blood Oath mini series, which came out at the tail end of 2005. However, the story itself focuses on the Lee/Kirby era, as the God of Thunder joins The Warriors Three on a quest for five items that will avert their execution. Michael Avon Oeming delivers an enjoyable script, complemented by the seemingly ubiquitous Scott Kolins. A promising start for this title.
Marvel Legends #2 (Panini UK)
“Out Of Time” by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting (Captain America (v5) #2)
“The Mask In The Iron Man” by Joe Quesada & Sean Chen (Iron Man (v3) #26)
“Blood Oath” by Michael Avon Oeming & Scott Kolins (Thor: Blood Oath #2)
Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. discover a terrorist plot beneath the streets of Manhattan and try to determine it’s link to the Red Skull’s recent assassination. Being mainly familiar with Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary’s 1980s run on the Star Spangled Avenger, this downbeat, gritty Captain America is a welcome change. Ed Brubaker’s narrative is reliably tense and Steve Epting’s visuals are a quantum leap from his early work on The Avengers, having improved beyond all recognition. The Iron Man strip benefits from regular artist Sean Chen’s contribution, as fetishistic foe Whiplash defeats Shellhead, seemingly exposing the latter’s identity as Tony Stark in the process. Thor and The Warriors Three climb Yggdrasil, the World Tree, and encounter Lerad the giant eagle in the second part of Blood Oath. It’s a fun tale, with strong art, though the jump to the climatic double splash page left me with the feeling that a couple of story pages went AWOL at the printers…
Marvel Legends #3 (Panini UK)
“Out Of Time” by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting (Captain America (v5) #3)
“The Mask In The Iron Man” by Joe Quesada & Sean Chen (Iron Man (v3) #27)
“Blood Oath” by Michael Avon Oeming & Scott Kolins (Thor: Blood Oath #3)
Ed Brubaker’s Captain America reads more like an episode of TV series 24, with taut pacing, multiple plot threads and the sense that the titular hero is constantly one step behind the villains of the piece. In fact, three chapters in and I’m still not sure who’s behind all this, or indeed if the Red Skull’s death should be taken at face value. Probably not, given that Brubaker’s narrative suggests that nothing is what it seems. Following his recent appearance in The Avengers United as part of The Invaders, Union Jack makes a welcome reappearance here. Even more intriguingly, we are reacquainted with Cap’s former sidekick Jack Monroe, aka Nomad, who appears to have become a drifting drunk. In a gripping cliffhanger, Monroe is shot and thrown into the boot of a car. I only read a few issues of Mark Waid and Ron Garney’s 1998 reinvention of Captain America, but I’m really impressed by how much the character’s developed in the past decade. I never thought I’d ever say this, but Captain America is a ‘must read’. By comparison, Iron Man promised much last issue but is let down by a “it was only a dream” cop out midway through this issue’s instalment. I like the concept of Tony Stark’s armour gaining sentience, but Joe Quesada’s writing lacks the sophistication and polish of his series predecessors Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern. In the final strip, Thor slugs it out with Hercules, whilst the Gods of Olympus wager on the outcome. Although slightly less enjoyable than the previous two episodes, this is still an entertaining story that provides this anthology with a sense of balance. Whilst it would be good if Captain America didn’t hog the cover every month, it’s difficult to find fault with Marvel Legends.
Marvel Legends #1 (Panini UK)“Out Of Time” by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting (Captain America (v5) #1)
“The Mask In The Iron Man” by Joe Quesada & Alitha Martinez (Iron Man (v3) #1/2)
“Blood Oath” by Michael Avon Oeming & Scott Kolins (Thor: Blood Oath #1)
Filling the vacuum left by Titan’s acquisition of Batman Legends, this new anthology spotlights Avengers mainstays Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. Surprisingly, it is the lead strip that proves to be the highlight, with Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s atmospheric story kicking off with the apparent murder of The Red Skull. Equally surprisingly, the Iron Man story more or less picks up from it’s previous run in Panini’s long-defunct Marvel Heroes Reborn, with the rare Wizard ½ issue prelude to The Mask In The Iron Man. Neither Joe Quesada’s writing nor Alitha Martinez’ art are anything special, but it’s a satisfying enough read. The mighty Thor, like Iron Man, is currently without an ongoing series in the US, so we’re treated to the Blood Oath mini series, which came out at the tail end of 2005. However, the story itself focuses on the Lee/Kirby era, as the God of Thunder joins The Warriors Three on a quest for five items that will avert their execution. Michael Avon Oeming delivers an enjoyable script, complemented by the seemingly ubiquitous Scott Kolins. A promising start for this title.
Marvel Legends #2 (Panini UK)“Out Of Time” by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting (Captain America (v5) #2)
“The Mask In The Iron Man” by Joe Quesada & Sean Chen (Iron Man (v3) #26)
“Blood Oath” by Michael Avon Oeming & Scott Kolins (Thor: Blood Oath #2)
Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. discover a terrorist plot beneath the streets of Manhattan and try to determine it’s link to the Red Skull’s recent assassination. Being mainly familiar with Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary’s 1980s run on the Star Spangled Avenger, this downbeat, gritty Captain America is a welcome change. Ed Brubaker’s narrative is reliably tense and Steve Epting’s visuals are a quantum leap from his early work on The Avengers, having improved beyond all recognition. The Iron Man strip benefits from regular artist Sean Chen’s contribution, as fetishistic foe Whiplash defeats Shellhead, seemingly exposing the latter’s identity as Tony Stark in the process. Thor and The Warriors Three climb Yggdrasil, the World Tree, and encounter Lerad the giant eagle in the second part of Blood Oath. It’s a fun tale, with strong art, though the jump to the climatic double splash page left me with the feeling that a couple of story pages went AWOL at the printers…
Marvel Legends #3 (Panini UK)“Out Of Time” by Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting (Captain America (v5) #3)
“The Mask In The Iron Man” by Joe Quesada & Sean Chen (Iron Man (v3) #27)
“Blood Oath” by Michael Avon Oeming & Scott Kolins (Thor: Blood Oath #3)
Ed Brubaker’s Captain America reads more like an episode of TV series 24, with taut pacing, multiple plot threads and the sense that the titular hero is constantly one step behind the villains of the piece. In fact, three chapters in and I’m still not sure who’s behind all this, or indeed if the Red Skull’s death should be taken at face value. Probably not, given that Brubaker’s narrative suggests that nothing is what it seems. Following his recent appearance in The Avengers United as part of The Invaders, Union Jack makes a welcome reappearance here. Even more intriguingly, we are reacquainted with Cap’s former sidekick Jack Monroe, aka Nomad, who appears to have become a drifting drunk. In a gripping cliffhanger, Monroe is shot and thrown into the boot of a car. I only read a few issues of Mark Waid and Ron Garney’s 1998 reinvention of Captain America, but I’m really impressed by how much the character’s developed in the past decade. I never thought I’d ever say this, but Captain America is a ‘must read’. By comparison, Iron Man promised much last issue but is let down by a “it was only a dream” cop out midway through this issue’s instalment. I like the concept of Tony Stark’s armour gaining sentience, but Joe Quesada’s writing lacks the sophistication and polish of his series predecessors Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern. In the final strip, Thor slugs it out with Hercules, whilst the Gods of Olympus wager on the outcome. Although slightly less enjoyable than the previous two episodes, this is still an entertaining story that provides this anthology with a sense of balance. Whilst it would be good if Captain America didn’t hog the cover every month, it’s difficult to find fault with Marvel Legends.
posted by Khayem at 12:08 pm
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