The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

by **Greg** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:37 pm

Too perfect? (sighs) Marvel really needs to release Priest's run and the previous stories.

by **BlueStreak** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:42 pm

Punchy wrote:The President has chosen...

Amazing Spider-Man #676!

Damn, I was really hoping for The Activity. Oh well, I look forward to the usual Spidey suspects showing up to complain about Carlie Cooper.

by **ReturnoftheMack** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:43 pm

BlueStreak wrote:
Damn, I was really hoping for The Activity. Oh well, I look forward to the usual Spidey suspects showing up to complain about Carlie Cooper.

I was going to choose Activity, but I was worried some stores wouldn't get it. I'll be reading it and maybe I'll post a review anyway.

I figured this was a chance for people to pick up ASM or at least to get some new reviewers in this thread.

by **BlueStreak** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:57 pm

The President wrote:
I was going to choose Activity, but I was worried some stores wouldn't get it. I'll be reading it and maybe I'll post a review anyway.

I figured this was a chance for people to pick up ASM or at least to get some new reviewers in this thread.

Well, it's a guarantee that Stephen Day's won't get it in, but then again, I don't think they'll get ASM in either.

Activity was a pretty solid read. It was a bit low-key for a "spy" book, but I actually enjoyed it because of that. Great follow-up to Who is Jake Ellis?, albeit without the sci-fi twist.

by **S.F. Jude Terror** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:28 pm

Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive is one of the best books currently being produced at Marvel (the other is Journey Into Mystery). Liss writes a great street book, as good as any Vertigo stuff, but set right in the Marvel Universe and starring well known characters. This issue is part of a storyline that will be the last in the book, so we're getting a lot of action packed into it. I read the three issues in this arc back to back, so my apologies if my review bleeds into the others.

This issue focuses on the Panther and the Kingpin and their duel of wits and wills. Both believe they are manipulating the other, and it will be fun to find out who comes out on top. While one would expect this to be the Panther in his own book, nothing is certain when the kingpin is involved.

Liss writes some great scenes here. Kingpin's interaction with Miyu is very well done, if a little creepily sexual. Panther's interaction with his own apprentice, Sofija, mirrors this. There is a lot of duality in this story, and it doesn't beat the reader over the head. It's done very skillfully and it makes it a joy to read.

Speaking of a joy to read, let's talk about Martinborough's art. It's tough to follow Francavilla because he's one of the best artists in the business right now, and his work on this book is just beautiful. But Martinborough does a fantastic job himself. I'm particularly impressed with some of the scenes involving the Kingpin's girls. When Mary and Bullseye return from fighting the Panther and Kingpin asks Miyu to remain in the room (was that in 525?), they exchange a series of looks that convey thoughts and meaning beyond the words being exchanged.

When the Panther meets with the Kingpin in a scene that mirrors the earlier one, this time with Miyu being seemingly dismissed, we cut away to a scene with Lady Bullseye and Typhoid Mary eating Ice Cream in the kitchen which reminded me of some of the early work on Gotham City Sirens before it went to shit, which is a compliment to both Liss and Martinborough here. Overall, I enjoy this book more than any other (except maybe JIM) each month, and it's a tragedy to see it end.

One tiny crit is that the Hand is so overused (and thus defeated so many times by every hero in the MU) that Liss has to out of his way to make excuses for them throughout this arc. He does a good enough job of that though.

Story: 10
Art: 10
Subtotal: 10
No Francavilla: -1
Didn't miss Francavilla: +1
Overall: 10

by **BubbaKanoosh** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:27 pm

I'm joining for the ASM.

by **Stephen Day** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:03 pm

BlueStreak wrote:
Well, it's a guarantee that Stephen Day's won't get it in, but then again, I don't think they'll get ASM in either.

Oh for crying out loud, not you too. :smt011

You know what, you can all kiss my ass over this issue.

by **Stephen Day** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:03 pm

BubbaKanoosh wrote:I'm joining for the ASM.

Cool, welcome aboard,

by **BubbaKanoosh** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:38 pm

Stephen Day wrote:
Cool, welcome aboard,

Though, with Vegas coming it may be a tad late lol

by **Stephen Day** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:39 pm

BubbaKanoosh wrote:
Though, with Vegas coming it may be a tad late lol

There is no such thing as a late review.

by **Punchy** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:03 am

Last chance saloon bump!

by **Starlord** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:46 pm

Black Panther #526

So that is what everyone is talking about! Wish I would have read this from the beginning now but I WILL be picking it up in trades. I'm not much of a Black Panther fan and the marriage of him and Storm is the absolute stupidest wedding in Marvel history. Storm belongs with Forge, right? That was established years ago and should still be the case.

Other than that, I loved this book in both art and story. Highly recommend it.

Story: 9
Art: 9.5
My Score: 9.25

by **Punchy** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:20 pm

I had completely forgotten about the existence of Forge. Isn't he dead?

by **Starlord** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:53 pm

I'm not sure actually. I haven't seen him since he was in X-Factor years and years ago. Didn't he just show up recently though in an alternate X-verse?