Diary of an up and coming sociopath

Not even terrorism prevented me from comics. However, finding the time to write up my thoughts about what I bought was another matter, so belatedly, here we are:

House of M #3 - At this point it’s starting to feel a bit odd. This is a great Wolverine issue, however, the amount of relevance it actually has with the previous 2 issues is minimal at best. There’s a definite story emerging in that in a re-shaped universe where everyone gets their wish granted in some form, Wolverine’s wish is to remember everything, and so he does, including what things were like before the universe was changed. However, this story barely cropped up in the previous issue, and the one before was all in the non-House of M reality. This has the net result of making the third issue seem more or less like the first, and issue 2 seem more like a bunch of trailers for the various limited series that are coming out as a result. Quesada claimed that the final page would “split the internet in half” (referring to the insanely polarised opinions ‘net fans are known for) but I can’t see how it’s any different from the other resurrections they’ve done in the House of M universe, besides the fact it’s Bendis writing this particular character. I’m glad to see him back though, and I look forward to seeing what Bendis’ plans are for the guy. Coipel’s art is great, and Bendis writes a great Wolverine, so the strength of this issue is high. It definitely gets an A from me, however this might be a case where a bunch of great single issues doesn’t really make for a compelling arc when read together.

Incredible Hulk #83 - Oh goody. A House of M tie-in. I find it incredibly hard to care about this, though my trust in Peter David as a writer will lead me to pay close attention instead of doing what I’d normally find myself doing, and skimming the issue never to return to it. I’ll re-read this one properly and make sure it’s not as boring as my first read through made it seem. Hulk, in this universe, is hanging around witha bunch of aborigine. I believe one is Gateway, actually. He figures out at the end of the issue that he’s not in the “real” MU, and in many ways I get the sense that this story really should’ve been a Hulk: House of M limited series like Fantastic Four and Spider-Man are. Jorge Lucas does some nice work on the art, and I’m enjoying the colouring by Javi Montes. No-one I’ve heard of before, but he’s giving the book an almost animanga feel. It’s the large blocks of colours offset by darker versions for shading. Or something. Christ, it’s hard to describe, but it’s reminding me of the street fighter 2 comic I used to collect like 10 years ago. ah well. It’s great, anyway. Pity the story’s not grabbed me at all. C+, but mostly for the artwork.

Uncanny X-Men #462 - I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Having been rid of the horrendous X-Babies, what Claremont’s doing now is almost equally painful. If you liked Claremont and Davis’ Excalibur run in the 80s, then good news, because this is little more than a trailer for that, reintroducing Captain Britain for the relaunch of Excalibur coming soon. Unfortunately, I have no nostalgia about the Excalibur comics of days gone by, and I’m finding the dredging up of older characters somewhat impenetrable. it’s good that they’re wrapping up subplots started a while ago, but at the same time, it’d work far better if I cared about them. There’s a good sequence where Psylocke and Marvel Girl (who survived the reality-switch) are having a look at alternate versions of themselves (Rachel only has like 4, and they’re all version of her - Phoenix, a Hound, Mother Askani and the like - where Psylocke has loads of different and diverse ones) and a really disturbing look at what the female X-Men would be like as men. It has to be said that Storm’s suit especially was not designed for a man. The Male Shadowcat seems to be an 80s biker punk as well… For a change I’m kind of enjoying Davis’ art for this issue. Still not sure why everyone loves him so much, but this month at least, he’s making me enjoy things. C+

Ultimate Spider-Man #79: Warriors, Part 1 - Away from House of M tie-ins, A new story arc begins, according to the numbering, however the first half of this issue is Peter’s side of last issue. It’s good that they’re keeping to the new status quo that’s been established and are actually keeping MJ sort of sidelined, at least for this issue. Unfortunately, one Spidey gets into costume, he is quickly engaged by a bunch of mobsters. Marvel Universe (even Ultimate Universe) Crime Syndicates are never that entertaining for me, and even more so when you bring in people like Hammerhead. Bendis can write a good Kingpin in Daredevil, but this is something else entirely. There’s the promise of Ultimate Elektra reappearing soon, though I’m not a massive fan, and this issue’s big gimmick is the appearance of Ultimate Moon Knight. I am so nonplussed it’s hard to even insult it. In the absense of any reason to really get upset, since the writing and art are as great as ever, the organised crime stuff puts this book at a B-.