Now these are coming from some of this year’s class of Marvel’s Stormbreakers artists. Now, these covers feature some fan-favorite Marvel characters having fun and playing soccer (or Football, as it’s called in Europe), or, in the case of Deadpool, arguing with the referee. The included artists are:
Alessandro Cappuccio (Ultimate Wolverine)
Netho Diaz (X-Men)
Simone Di Meo (X-Men Of Apocalypse)
Juan Frigeri (Ultimates)
Gurihiru (Jeff The Land Shark)
Jonas Scharf (Ultimate Endgame)
Geoff Shaw (Wade Wilson: Deadpool)
Luciano Vecchio (Uncanny X-Men)
These covers will be released throughout June and early July. You can see the list of covers and when they release below:
June 3rd:
Amazing Spider-Man #30 Variant Cover By Netho Diaz
Iron Man #6 Variant Cover By Simone Di Meo
Uncanny X-Men #29 Variant Cover By Jonas Scharf
Wade Wilson: Deadpool #5 Variant Cover By Gurihiru
June 10th:
X-Men #31 Variant Cover By Juan Frigeri
June 17th:
X-Men United #4 Variant Cover By Alessandro Cappuccio
Fantastic Four #15 Cover A By Humberto Ramos (Credit: Marvel Comics)
The upcoming Fantastic Four #15 is going to be an oversized anniversary special. Writer Ryan North and artist Humberto Ramos are taking readers on a thrilling adventure back and forth through time, and the quartet (and Johnny’s facial hair) will be pushed to their limits as they spiral across eras of their own history with no hope of returning home unless a total stranger can help them return to the present, where a deadly threat awaits them.
The issue’s full description reads:
“It’s the 65th anniversary of The Fantastic Four, and to celebrate, we’ve got an extra-large, extra-fantastic adventure for you starring everyone’s favorite adventurers, spanning centuries of history and a universe of scientific progress! The Fantastic Four have been defeated: with their personal arrows of time reversed, they’re careening into the past with no hope of salvation – unless a complete stranger can find out what they need. But even if she does, that will only get them halfway home, because there’s still a threat in the present that’s waiting to kill them – and that’s IF they can arrive there alive! This is one issue you won’t want to miss – because you’ll have to wait 65 years for ANYTHING like it. PLUS: Johnny’s mustache saves New York City?!”
Writer Ryan North had this to say about the issue:
“Fantastic Four is a comic that matters like few others in the medium, so it’s been a real honour to get to write both our 700th issue, and now this, our 65th anniversary special. For this oversized issue we tell a story that runs across time – in two directions at once – while also getting to see the true effect the Fantastic Four have had on their world, and each other. It’s got sci-fi, it’s got relationships, it’s got thrills and chills and fun and adventure and… wait, it says here it’s also got a major turning point in Johnny’s moustache? That can’t be right, can it??”
Meanwhile, Marvel Comics Executive Editor Tom Brevoort added:
“To commemorate the Fantastic Four’s 65th year of publication, Ryan North and Humberto Ramos are taking the team back in time—both figuratively and literally! And because this is an anniversary issue, the story will also incorporate some classic moments by key FF creators of the past, including Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Byrne and Steve Epting—all seen with a new wrinkle added. It’s the sort of mind-bending adventure that fans have come to expect from this award-winning creative team, and the sort of story that will help keep the series exciting and innovative for decades to come.”
Punisher VS Spider-Man #1 Cover A By Jonas Scharf (Credit: Marvel Comics)
Punisher VS Spider-Man is coming soon. This mini-series is coming out of the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #129, and writer Dan Abnett and artist Matteo Della Fonte are making them work together and setting aside their differences, until they both turn on each other again.
The comic’s full description reads:
“THE PUNISHER AND SPIDER-MAN, two of the most notorious names in New York City with very different approaches to making the Big Apple safer (or not, depending on who you ask!). Brought together by happenstance and forced to stay that way by an ally from Frank Castle’s past in need, will the web-slinger and the gunslinger be able to begrudgingly set aside their differences before they find themselves at one another’s throats?!”
Writer Dan Abnett had this to say about the new series:
“I’m very happy to be writing these two characters in a head-to-head together, and to be revisiting the Punisher, a character I haven’t written since Year One in the nineties. The series is a whole lot of fun and full of big action, and some genuine surprises as they learn stuff about each other for the first time. That’s the real joy of going back to this pivotal early point in continuity: there’s a freshness in their encounters and interactions that I think readers are really going to get a kick out of.”
Prime Video is already half way through the final season of THE BOYS with Episode 4, “King of Hell.” If you’d like a spoiler FREE review of episodes 1-7 CLICK HERE, otherwise you’re going to want to get out of here faster than Oh Father’s gag ball because…
***WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!***
Last Seen on THE BOYS
Episode 3 gave us an exploding mango smelling invisible frat dude, the return of the prodigal son, a tit jizz bath, Starlight took off, a connection between Firecracker and Soldier Boy, a moment between M.M. & Stan that doesn’t seem over, and so much more. We also see the Deep take new Noir’s win away from him, and deliver Stan Edgar to Homelander. A win that Homelander is very happy with after being “forced” to beat the ever loving crap out of his own son. However, the main take away in episode 3, is Fort Harmony. As The Boys and Homelander are on the hunt for V1 they both came across Fort Harmony.
Sorry Supernatural fans, it has nothing to do with Crowley. I too would love to see Mark Sheppard show up in The Boys universe with a, “Hello Boys.” However, just like last week, the title is a nod to a title of one of the The Boys Comic Books from Dynamite Entertainment. The King of Hell in episode 5 is a parasite stuck to a wall.
We kick off episode 4 with Homelander smelling Soldier Boy on Firecracker. I thought for sure she had dug her own grave, but Homelander now has a destiny and he needs her help to fulfill it. He wants to become the new Lord, the Messiah! This was truly a test for Firecracker. She clearly is uncomfortable with it all, but not only does she not stand up for her beliefs, she helps this false God. Out of fear or selfishness is unclear. Most likely both.
Starlight is out handling her daddy issues and reliving a scene from X2 with Bobby’s brother, while the hunt for V1 continues. The Boys get there first, and suddenly we’re in an episode of Supernatural. If you’re not a Supernatural fan, I apologize, but it is damn near impossible to not see some of these connections. If you are, I immediately thought of a Kahn Worm. The Boys all begin essentially acting like Butcher. They’re angry, short, violent, and not having it. There’s a parasite in the area making them Hulk levels of angry. Except Frenchie. His brain has been so altered by a history of drugs that he’s somehow not impacted.
America’s Sexiest Dynasty V. The BOYS
Season 3: Karl Urban (Billy Butcher), Antony Starr (Homelander) Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Studios Copyright: Amazon Studios
After some very easy manipulation on Sage’s part Soldier Boy accompanies his son to Fort Harmony. A place he clearly has trauma from. We see it when Homelander brings up his past as he mocks him, and we see it as he pauses to look up at ‘Fort Harmony Medical Department.’ While, an epic fight would be expected between “America’s Sexiest Dynasty” and The Boys, Homelander gets put in time out. Giving us what I assume is foreshadowing to how everything will end, and how they’ve always set it up. There were no tentacles or laser eyes. Just playground insults thrown around through supe proof glass. Butcher V. Homelander. Both certain they’ll win in the end.
After Frenchie manipulates Soldier Boy to kill Quinn, we wrap with Soldier Boy asking Homelander to just kill him already. We’re then presented with our new prophet, and the introduction of THE DEMOCRATIC CHURCH OF AMERICA. Oh Father seems to have zero reservations in this endorsement. While Firecracker so clearly does, and Ashley knows it.
I wish I had a Fudgie the whale cake for how hard I was laughing at some of the one-liners in this episode. While Soldier Boy and Butcher can’t get through a scene without an off the wall line that’ll make you blush and laugh, Quinn the parasite allowed some others to let loose. Although I have to say, Soldier Boy telling Homelander that his cock is as useless as his cape, still won. Edna Mode would agree. Well, at least with the second part. Even Firecracker with her “wet shit in a Waffle House” had me dying. This episode is worth a rewatch for the one-liners alone.
We’re Just Getting Started
I can’t believe we only have 4 episodes left as we wrap up this final season. How it will all end – I’m excited and terrified to find out. However, as we now kick off the end, I feel like it’s also the beginning. So many mysteries are planted with every simple reaction from Soldier Boy. There is so much he’s not saying, and I can’t wait to find out in Vought Rising. He hated Quinn, killed him, and then immediately cries and apologizes. If Quinn is still alive, did he get V1? Is he one of the 5 that Sage mentioned last week? There’s still so much to unpack.
I got to give “King of Hell” 9.5/10 Octo-Cocks. It expanded the overall story of V1, set up even more for Vought Rising, and gave us some beautiful fight scenes with a bundle of hilarious and raunchy insults that were thrown around more than lube at Herogasm.
For more THE BOYS coverage, check out our YouTube playlist: Saturdays are for The Boys. We have recaps and comparisons to the comic books, interviews with some stars, and post episode shows.
This review was made possible by screeners from Apple TV.
I was really excited to see episode 7, as Mary’s (Elisabeth Moss) world turns upside down. Her child winds up in the hospital, and it becomes apparent that this indeed was her own fault. Eleanor (Kerry Washington) of course comes to Mary’s rescue, with a lot of support. As mentioned from the last review, I knew that Mary’s life was going to drastically change. Howard (Cory Stoll) seems to be more and more against Mary, especially when they had various conversations.
Credit: Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington in “Imperfect Women,” now streaming on Apple TV.
This week, there are more and more clues as to who killed Nancy. The focus again was on Mary. Eleanor barely had any scenes. The audience definitely had to pay attention to the news breaks that were displayed on the television. I felt like this episode was the quickest we’ve seen so far, and to be honest, kind of choppy. All of the episodes are usually connected, and pace really well. However, with next week being the finale, it makes a bit of sense.
Credit: Elisabeth Moss in “Imperfect Women,” now streaming on Apple TV.
I am really excited for the last episode. Audiences will see it, and hopefully the answer will be revealed of who killed Nancy. As Mary had mentioned briefly, she said that Nancy is not excluded from the secrets.
This limited series has been so much fun to watch, and can’t wait for audiences to see the finale.
What did you think of Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 7? Sound off in the comments below!
Welcome to another limited series within the Star Wars realm! Galaxy’s Edge – Echoes of the Empire issue one takes place on Batuu at the Black Spire Outpost in the present as well as the past! Which makes this story one that fans of the original trilogy, and the sequel trilogy will enjoy!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Echoes of the Empire #1, Credit Marvel Comics. Cover by Phil Noto
In true Star Wars fashion there is mystery, adventure, battles and simplistic comedy. This issue starts off within the present as you are taken on an adventure that transports you back in time revealing more to the mystery at hand. During the storytelling of what once was, you are introduced to a slew of classic Star Wars characters. All of whom play a significant part within the building of this limited series.
The battle portion of this issue is outstanding! The reader is going to witness two iconic characters duel it out over the span of multiple pages, including a two-page splash sequence that is absolutely astonishing on the eyes! Adding to the mystery that this debut issue revolves around, the battle makes an abrupt stop, leaving readers to question why this takes place.
Throughout this issue readers will indulge in various amounts of comedy from just about every character. Some characters you expect this from, but not so much from newer characters and the situations in which the comedy unfolds. This adds a nice dynamic to the story requiring the reader to pay close attention to the narration as they read.
The ending of this issue is the most dynamic of all the panels of this story. Readers get one final introduction to an elite character that gets true fans’ pulse racing! With this character added to the story readers can guarantee that there is about to be trouble. That trouble will have to wait till issue two or three of this series because this issue is left on a cliff, forcing readers to ponder what is to come…
The Writing
Ethan Sacks has created an intriguing new story for the Star Wars fandom. The storytelling for this first issue is outstanding. You have multiple different facets all molded into one issue. Which keeps the reader wanting to know more while also being entertained in the process! The flow of this story is smooth and easy to follow even with a couple “time jumps” from past to present.
The Artwork
Jethro Morales, Roi Mercado and Rachelle Rosenberg truly make this story look and feel like an authentic Star Wars tale. The attention to detail is a must within Star Wars just because of all of the mechanical elements that are needed to make it feel real. And the art solidifies that! The coloration for this issue is exquisite! The colors and shading are a combination of gritty and faded while some sections provide bright backgrounds to assist in highlighting certain aspects of the panels.
VC’s Clayton Cowles puts the story to the pages with his lettering. Though a majority of the comment bubbles contain the same font and coloration, the bubbles are placed in such a fashion that readers will be able to discern who is talking. The only change within the look of the comment bubbles comes with the final character introduction. This adds a nice touch for the character’s dialogue!
Variant Covers
Erik M. Gist
John Giang 1:25
Leinil Francis Yu & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Ric Lim
Final Thoughts
This debut issue is a great start to a new Star Wars limited series. You feel the Star Wars aura as you turn through the pages soaking in all the panels. The mapping of how this story could unfold is exciting, making you want the next issue to be released the following week! Star Wars fans should add this to their collection. If you have never collected or read Star Wars comics, but know the movies, you will do just fine in picking this story up and following along!
The Phantom strikes again, his plan for Christine being set even more into motion as the police become desperate to catch their most sought-after criminal. Who will be the first to succeed? Find out right alongside me as we go through Tyler Boss’ “Universal Monsters: Phantom of the Opera #3!”
Writer: Tyler Boss Artist & Colorist: Martin Simmonds Letterer: Becca Carey
Source: Martin Simmonds, Image Comics, Skybound & Universal
Writing to Die For
If you’ve read the last two issues of Boss’ “Phantom of the Opera,” let me rest your worries by saying that the excellent writing doesn’t stop here. At no point does anything let up, as the pacing keeps things tense and controlled. As the story goes on, it’s become more and more clear that the Phantom is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. It feels almost as if Tyler Boss and the Phantom are one, getting inside our heads, toying with our thoughts and feelings. If you never feared the Phantom before, you will now.
The best place that this shows is where we get some backstory on our titular character. I won’t go into detail but trust me when I say that the details are juicy. Much like Boss feels like the Phantom, we’re made to feel like the police, finding out info just as they are. Slowly peeling back the layers to the heart.
Source: Mattia De Iulis, Image Comics, Skybound & Universal
Artistic Integrity
If there’s anything that further enhances the experience of reading this run, it’s the insane artwork from Martin Simmonds. His style commands not just the page, but the eyes of the reader. There’s one page in particular that really stands out to me here, and if you know “Phantom of the Opera”, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s so disturbing and detailed, yet in the most beautiful way. The use of color from dark red to black and light blue in the painted aesthetic is simply breathtaking. The coloring and aesthetic coupled with the insane realistic detail is something truly unmatched.
Tyler Boss and Martin Simmonds have come together to create an absolute masterclass in how to do horror. Boss created a beast, perfectly adapting a gothic classic for modern audiences. If you aren’t yet reading this, you need to be!
Wade Wilson aka Deadpool is down on his luck. Stuck in his apartment in Bushwick, NY with his old roommate Blind Al, Wade has resorted to taking the most dangerous jobs he can. After a series of omens that Wade had been receiving started to come true, Wade figured he better start paying attention to them. After using the omens not only to help citizens of New York but to help his bank account. Unfortunately for Deadpool, Hammerhead still remembers that Wade crossed him and he’s none too happy about Deadpool’s sudden luck.
This review is brought to you by Shawn! You can check out my other reviews by clicking on my name!
Creative Team
Writer: Benjamin Percy Artist: Geoff Shaw Color Artist: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Joe Sabino Cover Artist: Geoff Shaw Cover Color Artist: Alex Sinclair
Writing
Is that? Is that a sliver of humanity from Deadpool? Benjamin Percy kept me on my toes with this issue. I really enjoy this Omens storyline and can’t wait to see where it ultimately takes us. It seems like no matter where Wade goes, he can’t truly get what he wants.
Percy does a great job giving us more background on the story so far and also teasing a little bit about the current reason Wade doesn’t really care if he lives or dies. I’ve said this in previous reviews, but I really like Percy’s decision to use Hammerhead as a villain. It feels unique and unexpected and you just knew it wasn’t long before his sad little misshapen head would pop back up. Percy crafted a very satisfying third issue in this five-issue limited series. His writing makes it clear that the story for this series has been well-crafted and planned out as we start to see the threads coming together and some new ones being tugged on.
Art
Wade Wilson: Deadpool #3 cover by Geoff Shaw and Alex Sinclair. Image from Marvel Comics
Geoff Shaw and Alex Sinclair created some really enjoyable art for this issue. Whether it’s the ripples of the boat in the lake or the ability to see individual clumps of hair out of place of a slicked back mobster’s hair, Wade Wilson: Deadpool #3 shows that Geoff Shaw clearly has an exquisite attention to detail. Every line feels purposeful, crisp, and clean when it should be. Or dirty and rugged when it should be.
Sinclair does a great job with coloring masterfully using the bright lights of the city to offset the dark forlorn look of the lake. Whether it’s capturing the transition sky between the city and the lake as Deadpool flies through the air or the blood droplets flying out of a mobsters mouth, Sinclair picks the perfect colors every time in this issue.
Deadpool has been and probably always will be a character that needs a steady hand at lettering to manage the fourth wall breaks, internal monologues, and general narration that occur. Sabino does this perfectly, guiding the reader uninterrupted through the story.
Final Thoughts
Wade Wilson: Deadpool continues to be a fun series. It perfectly balances humor and story, giving us a glimpse at a version of Deadpool that is both hilarious and surprisingly interesting. Are there jokes? Plenty, but this creative team didn’t use the well-known humor of Deadpool as an excuse to put out a subpar story. I can’t wait to see how this series winds down.
Overall Grade: 9/10
Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable
What did you think of Wade Wilson: Deadpool #3? Let me know in the comments below.
With Norman Osborne now out of the Spider suit and in light of recent events, he deems it necessary to train the other working Spiders of New York City. Working alongside Jessica Drew, he’ll train them to be ready for the city’s biggest threat: himself.
Writers: Joe Kelly, Jordan Morris Artist: Pere Pérez Colorist: Guru-eFX Letterer: Joe Sabino
Source: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Lorenzo Ruggiero, Marte Gracia, Marvel Comics
Spinning A Spider Web
I’ve been a Spider-Man fan ever since I was a kid. When going into a Spider-Person book, there’s one thing I expect above all else: the heart. A story that shows that with great power, there must also come great responsibility. Several characters that are in this story have not only learned that already but have previously fought Norman as Green Goblin which is why I’m a bit lost and confused. Joe Kelly and Jordan Morris crafted an excellent action scene in conjunction with artist Pere Pérez, but seem to have lost the heart along the way.
Speaking on the fight itself, it takes up the majority of the book. It’s fast paced and electric, excellently pushing the reader along. Mixed in with the fight is dialogue that feels perfectly worked in to catch readers up on some of the lesser utilized or newer Spider characters, so as to not make everyone feel lost. However, as I previously stated, there’s still some things that do get lost and make me confused.
With the other Spider-related storylines concurrently going on in the comics, where is this set? Why do characters like Gwen or Aña that’ve fought Norman before need to learn how to fight him or act like they’ve never fought him in the past? Also, the majority of this book being a fight didn’t really allow for smaller character moments that I felt could’ve lent this a lot of heart and heightened emotions. All of these issues are things I’d love to see be rectified as the run goes on, and I feel like these writers can pull through.
Source: Rose Besch, Marvel Comics
The Art of Life & Destiny
Where the writing seemed to lack, the artwork more than carried. Pere Pérez and Guru-eFX worked together to create some truly amazing and spectacular set pieces. This more than shined for the entire fight against Norman, where the line work, character posing and shading all came together to create something that felt dynamic and engaging. While reading, I felt the speed, slides and every hit, almost as if I was apart of the action.
However, the artwork didn’t shine on just the pages, but the covers as well. In each and every one, the artists brought their flavor in excellently, not a single cover looking similar to another. It’s rare for me to want every cover of an issue, but this is one such occasion where I might eventually own all.
Source: Simone Bianchi, Marvel Comics
Final Thoughts – 7/10
While the writing from Kelly and Morris leaves a lot to be desired, the artwork from Pérez and Guru does a lot to carry here. Where the writing lost its heart, the artwork created excitement and makes the reader feel like they’re apart of the action. All things considered, I’m anxious to see where this is all going and I hope things make more sense down the line.
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Comments
Have you been reading the latest books in the Spider-Verse? Are you looking to pick up “Spider-Versity”? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Doom’s Shadow falls over Captain America. Everyone is vying for a piece of Latveria. Marius Wolf under the pseudonym Salvation leads the violent True Latverians sect. While sent on a S.H.I.E.L.D. mission to recover Doom’s secret arsenal, Cap was contacted by Alina Von Doom as well as Mara and Melor Sandu, heads of the other sects. How will Cap handle a mission to recover stolen weapons when he’s instead found mass graves?
Writer: Chip Zdarsky Artist: Ton Lima Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Joe Caramagna Cover Artist: Valerio Schiti Cover Color Artist: Frank Martin
Writing
Captain America doesn’t make threats; he makes promises. Chip Zdarksky’s Captain America is quickly becoming my favorite Captain America. This Cap chooses pride and honor not because he hasn’t seen anything, but because of what he has seen. Zdarsky’s Cap feels firmly planted like a tree with deep roots in a world where no one’s intentions, even his own country’s, can be trusted.
This issue really ramps up the activity in Latveria. It definitely feels like Chip Zdarsky has a plan for where this is going, and honestly I’m just happy to be along for the ride. After reading this week’s issue, I fully understand why Marvel is making the unique decision to release Captain America #9 and Captain America #10 in back-to-back weeks. As great as this series has been so far, this may be the best issue yet.
Art
Captain America #9 cover from Valerio Schiti and Frank Martin. Image from Marvel Comics
Tom Lima and Romulo Fajardo Jr. do an amazing job with art in this issue. The series continues to be a pairing of amazing written word with amazing visual artists. Lima hits all of the right notes in this issue. Scenes that should feel gritty and grimy feel that way. Scenes that should feel crisp and clean are picture-perfect.
Romulo Fajardo Jr. does a beautiful job with colors and shadow. You feel the brightness and energy of the people of Latveria through his colors, contrasting against the dark and forboding hues of True Latveria. Even with the colors Fajardo Jr. shows great attention to detail like the rest of the creative team, with certain bricks being just the right different shade. Joe Caramagna brings everything together, choosing to highlight the perfect words providing emphasis and power and some really well done SFX.
Final Thoughts
Chip Zdarky’s Captain America run has been transcendental. This is exactly what Captain America should be. This is a Cap that knows that doing what’s right isn’t always the same thing as doing what’s popular. If you aren’t reading this run, you should run out and pick it up now. It’s that good!
Overall Grade: 10/10
Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable
Are you ready for Armageddon? Let me know in the comments
