CONFESSIONS: A New Beginning
(Transcription taken by Nurse Ratchet, Mercy Hospital)
I don’t know exactly where I was, or how I got there, but when they removed the hood, I found myself in a dark, concrete room. I can only assume it was underground based on the moisture on the walls, the large pipes jutting out at wild angles, and the sign which read “Basement Level 4.” My hands were bound, and I admit that at this point I was absolutely terrified. I didn’t know who these people were, and I didn’t know what they could possibly want from me, being just a humble internet writer… I soon found out, as a voice began speaking, just as a bright spotlight was pointed straight into my eyes. “We have discovered an… Imbalance…” the voice informed me, “We have noticed that DC is still getting covered, whereas Marvel is not.”
“Well, that’s because the Marvel Maniac hasn’t had a chance to get caught up with all the books! I don’t see what it has to do with me!” My words must have elicited a negative reaction from whoever it was standing behind that spotlight, as the next thing I knew, the side of my face was aching, and I was spitting out blood. He spoke again, telling me, “The Maniac could be out of commission for quite some time… You will write the article.” Of course, I was incredulous, “Me?! Did you not see my handle? I’m the DC Fanboy! What am I going to write about when it comes to Marvel?” To make a long story (and severe beating) short, I was forced to read a few of the books that have recently come out of the “House of Ideas,” and to be honest, they weren’t that bad. Of course, that might be the narcotics talking… Tell you what, while the morphine is coursing through me, I’ll tell you about the books they gave me, and how I actually was impressed with what was put in between those pages.
The Avengers: Marvel’s flagship series. The one and only book in their catalog where almost every single character in their records has appeared at some point. There have been numerous variations of the team and even the title over the past few years, and this past month saw another revamping of the title. Normally, I would be really irritated by this, as it seems it just happened a few years ago; but I was really pleasantly surprised with the quality of this book.
Secret Avengers gives us something that most fans wanted, a black ops Avengers team, led by Commander (Or is he a Captain, the books need to get together on this) Steve Rogers as he leads his Secret Avengers in the recovery of what they believe is the Serpent Crown. I really can’t say enough good things about this book; from the writing, to the art to the very members of the team, there is nothing here that failed to impress. With Captain Rogers leading a team comprised of Sharon Carter, Moon Knight, War Machine, Ant-Man, Valkyrie, Black Widow and Nova, Brubaker has given us one of the most unlikely yet likeable teams I have seen in quite some time. If you aren’t reading this, then you need to get to your comic shop and see if they can get you a couple of copies, as its well worth the time and money. Just to clarify, yes, I am pretty sure Nova is an Avenger now, but that might just be the drugs…
I also had the opportunity to check out “Avengers,” the main title for the team. Again, I have zero complaints about this book. In it, we see Steve Rogers making his way around the Marvel U and assembling his public Avengers team, with members like Spider-man Ironman, and Spider-Woman. I wasn’t really surprised by any of the choices that Steve made for the public team, except for Maria Hill as the de facto leader of the group. Of course, her reveal gave me a completely laugh out loud moment, as Steve is describing the attributes of the new team leader, Tony looks up saying, “Me?!” and good old Cap just gives him a laugh and says, “No, not you, her.” You can tell that there is a faint hint of mocking laughter in that statement. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but suffice to say, Kang the Conqueror comes back from the future to give the Avengers a warning, “It’s your kids Marty! Something’s got to be done about your kids!” Okay, I mock that, but seriously, this was a great read, with a very entertaining reveal as to the villain in the end. Only two issues are currently out, so get to your local shop and pick them up.
I’ll be back next time, hopefully without the bruises, filling in the Confessions column until our true Maniac is back in the saddle. Unless I get to liking it, who knows? In the meantime, as a guy who has been “Definitively DC” for the past few years, I have no idea where to go. That’s where you guys come in. Send in your recommendations to james@geek-life.com and tell me what to read! I don’t need beaten again I swear!
(Transcription ends, patient passes back out, muttering “No, Geoff Johns is *STILL* better than Bendis.)
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