Hot off the Presses! - Venom #5, X-Men Schism #2, and Ultimate Fallout #3

Welcome back to another edition of "Hot of the Presses", and first I want to apologize that it has been awhile since the last update. I have been busy moving and went out of town for my birthday, and I have been slacking quite a bit. I'm hoping to get a "Box Office" post up here in a couple days for the Captain America: The First Avenger movie review. Today though I have 3 issues for you (I know all Marvel, but that's what I've grown to love when it comes to super heroes. Don't fret though I just signed up for JL and still deciding on which Batman to sign up for when the reboot comes into town.) I have Venom #5, X-Men Schism #2, and Ultimate Fallout #3, so without keeping you guys while I run my mouth... err fingers any longer lets get to it!

Venom #5
Writer: Rick Remender
Penciled: Tony Moore (pg 1-6)
Inker: Crimelab Studios (pg 1-6)
Art: Tom Fowler (Pg 7-20)

The last issue left off with Spider-Man saving Flash Thompson's girlfriend Betty Brant. This issue branches off into an issue before another ark, and it starts off with Tony Moore doing a wonderful job on his art for the first 6 pages when Flash is fighting the Human Fly (one of Spider-Mans villains) The story then branches into his personal life, and just continues from there. You don't get to see Flash in the Symbiote suit for the rest of the issue. Apparently Flash has had a ruff life growing up and Remender takes you on a background story of Flash Thompson. His dad would verbally and physically abuse Flash growing up, and not only that his father had a serious drinking problem. His father has been sober the past two years. As of lately his father has been hitting the bottle again, and Flash gets a call from his mother saying he has to go find him since his father hasn't been home for the past few days. Flash searches bar after bar looking for his dad until Flash gets a call saying his dad is at the police department. Once Flash gets there you can tell that his father has no respect for his son and blatantly bad mouths him in front of everyone in the station making himself look like a fool. Later after he passes out Flash and his mother soon find out that his father has cirrhosis of the liver, and Flash now understands why his father is drinking again.

The story up to this point has been awesome. When I started reading this issue I didn't realize what this issue was about, and I now know that Remender what utilizing this Story break to give the reader more knowledge of Flash Thompson and his past. Giving great depth to Flash as a character and letting the reader understand that Flash wasn't the bad guy when it came to Spider-Man he was just a typical bully who had it rough growing up. It's not Flashes fault that he was the way he was, and that it was his father’s fault. I've heard a lot of people say they didn't like Flash as the new Venom cause he bullied Peter Parker, and he was a bad guy and couldn't play the good guy. Maybe Remender has heard such talk and is now is telling readers to give Flash a second chance he really can be the good guy.

I love Tony Moore's art, especially in this Venom. I love it so much that when I got past the 6th page I was like this isn't the same art what is wrong here, and found out he only did the first 6 pages.

It lead me to a hint of sadness as I miss Moore’s work on Venom. It's not just Remender's story telling that I long for once a month when I ambitiously wait for the next Venom, but it's Moore's handy work in the frames. Moore does a magnificent job of bringing Flash and Venom off of the pages. After saying that, misproportionate body parts, weird stances, and lack of detail has made Tom Fowler an artist I don't want to see every again. I know it's harsh, but when I'm looking at a picture of Flash Thompson with shoulders passing his head and looking like his shoulders are about to hulk out makes me sick. Thanks to Remender's story telling I was able to enjoy Venom #5 just a bit.

X-Men Schism #2
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Frank Cho
Colorist: Jason Keith

Last issue left off with Quentin Quire making a mess of everything around the entire Globe, almost all Homo sapiens now despise the mutant race. Kade Kilgore a little menace that killed his father to take over The Hellfire Club has some major plans brewing up. This issue starts off with the Human Race activating all the Sentinels around the world, and the second class X-Men as well as the Avengers have split up into different teams taking the sentinels out one by one trying to save the Humans from these faulty machines. Meanwhile Quentin Quire shows up at Utopia looking for a safe haven, Wolverine wants to turn him over to Steve Rodgers, but Scott wants to harbor the fugitive because Scott wants him to be trialed upon by his peers. Kade Kilgore has his cronies off making deals with aliens for some brain slug. The Mayor is trying to get a hold of Scott trying to plan a Museum of Mutant History opening, and hoping that it calms the hatred that the humans have for the Mutants. Scott sends a few of his heavy hitters as well as the future of mutants, students who are currently taking classes, but they're not safe because the Hellfire Club is about to crash the party!

Jason Aaron is new to me I just starting reading his stuff with this series, and the first issue was great. I loved the bits of humor that were in the story and he doesn't cut corners every frame seems to have some part of the story that is vital. This issue he kind of cut back on the humor a bit, and I was a little disappointed by that. I'm looking forward to the next issue and I'm hoping he throws more humor into it before it starts to get to serious. His dialogue between Scott and Wolverine is awesome, and I believe it to be spot on when I think of those two together. No matter how much respect they have for one another they always rag and disagree with each other
The art was what seemed to be hit or miss, and mostly miss. Frank Cho imagining of Wolverine and Cyclops were disgusting. His Wolverine looked like something straight out of Planet of the Apes and his Cyclops looks like an anorexic 60 year old on his deathbed.

He had a very nice Rogue though, but other then that nothing to appealing to look at. It's sad because last issue they had Carlos Pacheco, and it was beautiful and glorious to look at. Wolverine didn't look like a primate and Cyclops didn't look like he needed a sandwich. It seems to be a on running thing with Marvel to give you an awesome artist in the first issue and just slaughter the series with lack luster artists after that. Hopefully the next issue they will go back to Carlos or maybe somebody better, because if I have to look at Cyclops or Wolverine drawn by Cho I'm going to lose it.

Ultimate Fallout #3
Writer: Jonathan Hickman (Tony Stark)(Hulk)
Nick Spencer (Kitty Pride)
Artist/Artist: Steve Kurth (Tony Stark)
Eric Nguyen (Kitty Pryde)
Carlo Pagulayan (Hulk)
Inker: Jay Leisten (Tony Stark)
Eric Nguyen (Kitty Pryde)
Jason Paz (Hulk)

Last issue we left off with a weird branch of stories for Thor and Rogue. I don't follow any other Ultimate series at the moment except for Spider-Man, so I'm not sure what this is all about. Assuming what I have been told by a friend they are working on rebooting the Ultimate Universe, or somewhere along the lines of just bringing all the stories to a center story so they can branch out all over again. This story starts off with Tony visiting his brother’s memorial/burial service when he is acquainted with what seems to be one of his brother’s co-worker/friend.

Tony is invited to a group of rich people and is asked to join their cause, and their cause is vague and unclear but it seems that they want to assure that the economy and the world flows the way it's suppose to and to make sure that everything that needs to happen happens. Then off to the Kitty Pryde story she goes off on some 5-page rant about how the world is stupid because they never stopped to look at what Spider-Man was doing for them and instead treated him like a criminal. She eventually runs into Bobby Drake who's crying on a bench. He's worried about where he will end up. He doesn't want to go back to Peter's house because he doesn't want to trouble Aunt May any more then he already has, so Kitty Pryde cuts him a deal. If he agrees to not use his power anymore regardless of any circumstance and to live like a normal person he can go with her to a Shelter specifically for Mutants. Two weeks from the day of Peter Parker's Funeral Karen Grant who is working for S.H.I.E.L.D is what seems to be controlling Bruce Banners mind. Trying to contain his Rage and to see if she can control him when he's all hulked out.

So far this series seems to be going down hill for me. I just absolutely loved the first one I thought Bendis and Bagley just did an outstanding job, and now they are having 2-3 writers and artist jumping the story around to their liking and it's just really tough to read. So many different styles and what seems to be pointless dialogue is just turning my brain into Mush. Hickman and Spencer I know are great writers, but I really don't see where this is going and hopefully in the end it will make sense. I really feel lost when reading each characters story, and all of it just seems to be setups to their own Ultimate storyline and I hate that. I followed Ultimate Spider-Man series at the end, and they advertised and portrayed this series to be where they lay Peter to rest and a new Spider-Man rises from the ranks to reboot the Spider-Man series. I didn't think I was signing up for everyone’s life story. This might be an awesome read if all you do is follow the Ultimate universe, but it leaves so much for the person who just wants to know what’s going to happen to the Ultimate Spider-Man series.

Like the story it's hard to enjoy the art when it flip-flops. I think Carlo Pagulayan did the best work of the 3 and I'm going to say I didn't enjoy Eric Nguyen art one bit. It was too fake and it just ruined all the work that has been done for Ultimate Spider-Man as a series. From here on out I don't think I have any high hopes in seeing some good art to finish off this series. Mainly sticking it out to see who replaces Spider-Man.

Alright at that's it for this issue of Hot off the Presses! I hope you all enjoyed and catch you all back here some time soon for my Captain America: The First Avenger review!

Flashback - Captain America Reborn

With the Captian America movie out (YAY!) I have decided to take a look at an older story ark featuring the guest of honor Captain America. For this Flashback I have decided that nothing would be better than the Reborn story ark, A story that brings the supposed "dead" Steve Rodgers back to life.

*spoiler alert*










The story starts off with Bucky, who has taken over the duties of Captain america, and black Widow raiding a H.A.M.M.E.R flight carrier. The plan of this attack was planned by Bucky to obtain assessts from Red Skull's base, and Nick Fury is helping by gaining the lead as well as finding him away into the H.A.M.M.E.R base.

Meanwhile at Pym's private lab Sharon explains to the group that she was controlled by the Red Skull, which then led her to shoot and kill Captain America on the steps of the court house. The good news is Captain America is still alive, while not being fully controlled by the Red Skull Sharon was concious during the attack. Giving her the knowledge that a special gun was used to shoot Captain America, a gun that will trap Steve Rodgers in his past.

Back at national HQ for H.A.M.M.E.R, that is currently being ran by Osborne, Zola informs Osborne
that Steve Rodgers is still alive due to Doom's special gun. Captain America is hoping through his life timeline, and right now he is storming the beach of Normandy on D-Day. A Bright light flashes and now he's next to his mother who has just died.

Captain America has found himself repeating his battle with Master Man, and then another bright flash sends him to the oval office right in front of president Franklin D Roosevelt. Steve trying to figure out a way to stop this, and coming to a conclusion that he needs to contact his friends some how.

Back on the H.A.M.M.E.R flight carrier Bucky and Black Widow have gotten themselves in some trouble with some Dark Avengers known as Ares and Venom. Meanwhile in the Baxter building Reed Richards has found an issue with her bloodstream, and it has something similar to the data they found in Steve Rodgers body.

Then we see Osborne in a prison striking a deal with Crossbones and Sin to join him in helping him create his own Avengers team with Captain America as the leader, but the catch is Captain America will be controlled by the Red Skull. Captain America is now reliving the moment that changed his life, the day when he became what he is today, reliving the day he became a super soldier.

Bucky and Black Widow get caught, and Osborne gives a little show and tell of what he has being working on. He has reported to the authorities that Sharon was the second shooter, and sends Black Widow off to tell her if she doesn't turn herself in within 24 hours he will kill Bucky Barnes.

Steve Rodgers is now stuck in Ice, and he knows how everything is going to play out and he continues to try and change history, but you just can't do it. Reed Richards heads to the resting place of Captain America and has Namor raise his coffin from the deep depths of the Arctic Ocean, and to his suprise Steve Rodgers body has dissapeared.

Back at Pym's Lab The group see's the news on T.V. and Black Widow has informed Sharon about the deal with Osborne. No matter how much Black Widow tries to swade her not to do it she refuses to listen, because she doesn't want anyone else to die because of her. Meanwhile Bucky is being transported by the Thunderbolts, and Ant Man is not happy about this mission.

We flash to Captain America flashback where Him and the other Avengers are facing the invasion of the Super Skrull's back when Clint Barton was Goliath. Rodgers has a brilliant plan and asks Vision to record the message he's about to give him a store it in a memory bank. Back at the plane where the Thunderbolts have Bucky captive Falcon is on a rescue mission. Ant Man leaves to go secure Bucky, but he really plans to free him because he knows being on the Avengers bad side is a bad thing.

The news reports that Sharon has turned herself in, and none other than the Red Skull (or whats left of him) is watching the news. sin and crossbones gives him a present, a face to add to his mechanical body.

The Red Skull and his goons land in latveria where Victor Von Doom has requested his presence. Doom informs the Red Skull that they are currently looking for the body of Captain America. We are then brought back to the past... i know again :( it's getting old but we'll get through this Steve has quite a past. In this flash back Captain loses his partner Ricky by mistaking him for Bucky.

At Hank Pym's lab Reed Richards has discovered what is up with Sharon's test results, and it has to do with bringing Steve Rodgers back. Mr. Fantastic is interrupted by Vision informing the group that Captain America has left a message (yes! his plan worked!).

Bucky and Natalie have teamed up with Hawkeye are trying to gain intel on the whereabouts of Sharon Carter. Meanwhile back at Pym's lab Vision is playing Steves recorded message giving Richards enough knowledge on what has happened. Apparently when Sharon destroyed Skull's machine it let Steve loose into in time, and the only way to stop it is to have Sharon close to Steve to attract them to one another.

Sharon is brought to Latveria were she finds out that Red Skull is still alive! Sharon gets strapped into Dooms machine. We flash back to when Steve Rodgers and Bucky blow up, but before that happens steve is warped to something different... instead of living through a past event he is being fast forwarded. His body is then taken over (present day) by the Red Skull, and Captain America is trapped in Red Skulls mind. Sharon is screaming at Red Skull (in Steves body) trying to get Steve to hear her, but with no luck.

Thanks to Bucky, Natalie, and Clint they have found Sharon's where abouts, and are in route to take over and get her back. After a firefight in the air and both planes crash land right in front of the monument in D.C. Where a huge ground battle with the Avengers take place. Meanwhile Captain is still roaming Red Skulls mind, and he finds a weak spot to break through. Red Skull is now mentally struggling in a battle against Steve Rodgers. Red Skull walks out onto the capitols steps where he is spotted and persude by Bucky.

Bucky and Red Skull (in Captain Americas body) start duking it out on the steps, but Red Skull is having a difficult time fighting Bucky physically and Steve mentally. Although he finds a way to help his mental battle by saying Bucky wont win because he can't fully attack Steves body. There was even an opportunity for Bucky to shoot and kill Red Skull but couldn't find himself to do it because it was Steves body.

After the ships crash Hank Pym does what he does and shrinks down in size, and heads into the Red Skull's ship to break out Sharon. Meanwhile back to the capitol steps Red Skull is about to kill Bucky, but not if Steve has something to say about it! Steve continues to battle in Red Skull's mind, and Steve is threatening to kill himself just to kill Red Skull in the process. Steve eventually gains control of his body.

Steve and Bucky head out to help the Avengers with the battle between the Red Skulls army. Sharon and Han are continuing their fight through the ship to save Vision, and run into Red Skulls alternate body (machine form). He tries to escape, but Sharon zaps him with a device that makes him grow in size. Hank is skeptical about the idea/plan, but Sharon says not to worry. The Avengers on the outside of the ship see the giant Red Skull and start their attack on him while Sharon Hank and Vision head to the cockpit to fire the ships missile onto the Red Skull. The celebration begins and sharon gives Steve the long awaited hug.

After the incident Osborne finds out Steve got his body back, Red Skull is dead, and severe damage has been done to Sin's face. Back at Steves place a celebration for his return is going on, but he's upstairs thinking about the past and what he believes to be the future. We are left with his vision of what looks to be battered and bruised Avengers team during an apocalypse setting and a dark figure standing with electricity going off around his hands.

The story I found to be very interesting, but I think Brubaker could have gone a different route with such a story. Being shot by a magic gun to send him in a time freeze is kind of lame and doesn't quite do it for me, but at the same time for someone new to comics like me it allowed a little back story about Captain America. You also got a tease with the certain Avengers that kept me interested. I'm always a sucker when I get to see Hawkeye in action. All around I'm glad they brought Steve Rodgers back, and my only problem with this series was how they brought him back. Other than that great story, decent dialogue, and a lot of neat cameos.

The art was Good well detailed in the action scenes and in scenes that all around needed it. It didn't blow me away but it didn't disgust me to the point of not wanting to contiue looking at it. Unfortunatly there wasn't any 2 page spreads worth remembering, but I believe issue 6 had a decent pull out cover that was neatly done. All around the art was decent nothing jaw dropping but enough to get the point acrossed. details were given, and facial expressions were spot on for the most part.

Thanks for reading my review, and I hope to see you guys at the "I Like Comics" movie premiere fo Captain America: The First Avenger. Please I would love it if you would say hi, and talk comics with me. I would love it and it is very welcome, and I'm excited to meet Karl Kesel and get a few things signed by him. I just started reading his short run Captain America *Patriot* the first issue was interesting and not what I expected some I'm looking to be suprised in the last 3 issues. Thanks again all for reading my post and hope to see some of my readers at the movie on Friday!

Hot Off the Presses! - Moon Knight #3

Hot Off the Presses is going to be me sharing and reviewing a comic that was released on latest Wednesday. The general idea is to have them released on Wednesday, but just a note it will contain spoilers so if you haven't read it yourself and you don't want to find out what happens please read my blog after you have read the issue. Another note... please don't think my blog is to give you what happens in the story it's a run down I miss details and is solely used to urge you into going at and buying the issue yourself. Which brings me to my next topic :D... The comic shop I go to is the best comic shop ever. If you live in the Portland/Vancouver (Washington, not Main or BC) area I highly recommend "I Like Comics" Ran by 2 of the greatest people to set foot in a customer service job! Chris and Amy are the nicest people you will ever meet they do all sorts of crazy things for their customers, and are always welcoming them as well. They have 2 chairs and a bean bag where you can sit and read your new issues, and are always open to share and discuss their opinions with you on the issue (as long as they have read them of course). Check it out "I Like Comics" and you wont be disappointed!

Alright on to the "Hot Off the Presses" entry.

Title/Issue: Moon Knight #3
Writer: Brian M Bendis
Penciler: Alex Maleev
Inker: Colin Wilson

*Spoiler Alert*



Story:
Starts off with Marc Spector driving down a highway making a call to the secret agent of S.H.I.E.L.D, Maya, who he was apologizing too for blowing her cover in the last issue. He was calling to ask if he could make it up to her by taking her out to dinner... how guy like of him... lol.

Marc Spector arrives at the set of his his new show, and his secretary just starts to bombard him with questions. One of the questions is about what's in the box, and Marc doesn't give her any straight or definitive answers.

Marc goes into a back room and hands the box to some guy name Buck, and he looks inside and pulls out the head of Ultron that Moon Knight found in issue #1. It takes Buck a bit and some help from Marc to realize what it actually is. Marc informs Buck that this needs to stay secret.


We flashback 3 months ago where Marc and his secretary are watching a scene from his show. He tells her to fire the actress, and after they argue a bit she hands him a list of consultants. He sees a name that he likes and has her schedule a meeting with him.

Marc Spector arrives at the meeting with Buck Lime (That's right the guy he brought the Ultron head to at the beginning of the story.) Marc brings to his attention that he knows he worked for S.H.I.E.L.D, but Buck keeps denying it. Marc continues badgering him about S.H.I.E.L.D, Buck gets angry and starts to leave. Marc stops him and asks him, do you know how I know this?" Marc then tells him he's an Avenger and whispers to him which Avenger he is.

They strike a deal and Buck becomes a consultant for his show, but really his researcher for Moon Knight.

Next we see Buck in his residence late at night asleep on his couch. He wakes up to find someone standing in front of him that looks like Bullseye. Bullseye ties Buck up and is interrogating him, he wants to know, "Who is Marc Spector?", "What did Marc whisper in your ear?". Buck then realizes it's Marc himself dressed as Bullseye. Buck was very angry about this and starts throwing fist at Marc, and Marc was trying to inform Buck that he had to be sure that he could trust him.


It flashes back... er forward to the present where Buck is looking over the Ultron head. They determine it's not a replica and that it has to be real, and if that's the case someone is going to be looking for it. Buck says they should give it to Iron Man, but Marc informs Buck he will be giving it to Steve Rodgers when they're done studying it.

The last scene is where Snapdragon (read Issue #2) is hiring a team of assassins known as the "Night Shift" to kill Moon Knight. Luckily for Moon Knight Snapdragon has no clue who he is or where he can be found.




*End Spoiler Alert*

Review:
Story - Started off kind of slow, but it was building up to the good parts. At first I was worried, but about half way through I realized it was starting to make sense. Bendis packs each frame with tons of dialogue and I love that because if gives each character their own personality without taking away to much of Maleev's art. Bendis has also done a great job carrying the story to the next issue. Everything is being answered within each issue and leaves nothing unanswered.

Art: Maleev's art is just so well detailed that every item in the frame has texture to it. Some might feel it makes the images look to crowded, but to me it brings the objects to life. Maleev does a great job of capturing and immersing the reader into the comic. When reading the dialogue while following the are you just know what it looks and feels like if you were there in the scene. The inker does a great job emphasizing Maleev's penciling. Nothing to dark or rich or overpowering to the eye, the color gives a nice mellow classic comic feel to it.

Ultimate Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man

Alright today for you guys I have the recently finished story ark of the Ultimate Spider-Man. From the title given to the 5 book series you can assume that Spider-Man is going to... well die, but the real question is... does he?

Comic Title: Ultimate Spider-Man
Story Ark: Death of Spider-Man #156-#160
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: Andy Lanning
Colorist: Justin Ponsor

(*Spoiler Alert*)





Story: The story starts off at a S.H.I.E.L.D containment center that is holding Norman Osbourne, where they have him in a holding cell. The story moves on to Peter Parker and Mary Jane in a diner showing that they're back in a relationship together, and then they are rudely interrupted by Steve Rodgers. Rodgers tells Peter it's time to train, so he leaves Mary Jane to go with Rodgers.

The story then goes back to Norman Osborne talking to a psychiatrist. Not long after Norman hulks out into the beasty Green Goblin and breaks out of his cell. He has bigger plans then just escaping though, because he takes the time to bust out the other members of the Sinister Six before he makes his escape.

We now see Peter and Rodgers in their suits talking in the cemetery. Captain America makes a huge statement to Spider-Man and says, "... this drives me insane you don't fight smart and you don't fight, like your life depends on it".


During Captain America's talk with Spider-Man he gets interrupted and directed to stop Nick Fury who is in the city, and is told to ditch Spider-Man. Captain leaves Spider-Man, but Spider-Man follows Captain America.

We then go back to S.H.I.E.L.D's situation. The Sinister Six have successfully escaped the S.H.I.E.L.D's grasp. S.H.I.E.L.D is then informed that they have a problem on the Queensborough Bridge, and at the same time a off-duty reporter is getting film of the supposedly dead Norman Osbourne and the rest of the Sinister six.

Spider-Man makes it to the bridge, but is contacted shortly after by Mary Jane. Mary Jane has been watching the news, and informs Peter that Norman Osborne has escaped with the rest of Sinister Six. Spider-Man then takes off and heads to tell his friends and family they are in danger.

Back to the Sinister Six who happen to be watching the news about the fight on Queensborough bridge. Norman realizes this is his sign from God that he was meant to escape and kill Spider-Man. Doc Ock wants nothing to do with it and sees this is a chance to go back to his normal life of a scientist. This doesn't sit well with the Green Goblin and a huge fight breaks out between the two.

Peter makes it home and Aunt May and Gwen Stacy are there. Peter frantically tells them to get out of town now, and that they are in danger.

Back at the fight Doc Ock was doing a good job handling Norman Osborne, but that doesn't last long as Norman just starts pounding Doc Ock.


Spider-Man gets another call from Mary Jane, and she tells him where Osborne is. Once Spider-Man get there Osborne has left the scene, and Spider-Man finds Doc Ock pounded to death in the street.

Spider-Man then heads to the Queensborough Bridge to do what he originally planned by helping Captain America. Once he gets to the bridge he spots the Punisher lining up a shot on Captain America, and Spider-Man makes a quick decision to get down there. He jumps down and tries to push Captain America out of the way. As the Punisher shoots, it goes right through Spider-Man's back.

The Sinister Six head to the Evil Engineer Tinkerer, and pick up some weapons and mainly Vultures suit.


We then end up back on the bridge where Spider-Man has been shot. He struggles to get up and realizes he's in a lot of pain, and see that there is nobody around him. He's very confused on why Captain America left him there after saving his life (read Ultimates vs. New Avengers to get the tie in story), but he realizes that's not important right now... he needs to get to a hospital and fast, but can't because he knows once he goes to the hospital his identity will be revealed. During this dilemma he spots the Sinister Six taking off in a certain direction, and decides to follow them.

We are then panned to Bobby Drake and Johnny Storm walking home from what seems to be a double date. They get inside Peter's house (also known as their house) and they find that nobody is home. There's a note left on the phone telling them, "Get out of the house immediately and call as soon as you get to a safe place. Why isn't your phone on?" As they are leaving the Sinister Six arrive at Peter's house and the boys are about to walk in on 6 vs. 2 match. The Sinister Six are confused and have no idea who these boys are and are asking Bobby and Johnny if they know where Peter Parker is. The boys then realize who they are, and Johnny powers on to attack The Green Goblin. Johnny takes out the Green Goblin but is no match for Sandman, and that's when Bobby powers on. Electro then leads the attack on Iceman while the other Sinister six follow behind him, and Iceman has no chance against Electro's electric base attacks.

Soon enough though Peter Parker shows up ready to fight. Vulture spots him and goes into a bull charge and Spider-Man send him for a ride.


Spider-Man tries to scare the rest of them by telling them the Avengers are on their way to take them back to S.H.I.E.L.D, but that doesn't last long when they see that he's in pain and has been shot. Kraven takes a shot at him and hits the Fire hydrant, then Spider-Man with some quick thinking uses that to blast the other 3 off of their feet. Spider-Man then tells the crowd of people to call 911 and get him some help. That's When Sandman tries to take him out but Peter makes it out before taking to much damage. From this point on, the Sinister six control most of the match due to Peter getting caught off guard and trying to protect the people around him.

Aunt May gets a call from her neighbor and informs her that Peter is being killed by these "bad guys", and Aunt May quickly turns the car around to head back.

Back to the fight, and Sinister six is still controlling this battle. Just as Sandman goes in for another attack on a helpless Spider-Man, he gets a shock from Electro who insists that if the Green Goblin isn't able to take him out it will be him. Just as they are done bickering and Electro is charging up for an attack, you hear guns shots, and Electro takes 3 shots to the chest, overcharges, and falls to the ground. Aunt May was the attacker and successfully stopped Electro from killing Peter. They have a little family reunion, and Aunt May gives Peter hugs while Gwen is checking on Johnny and Bobby. It's not over just yet as the Green Goblin comes back at Peter.

Meanwhile Mary Jane has been trying to get a hold of Peter, but he's being held up. Mary Jane gets worried when she she lightning where Peter lives and tries to leave her house to head to Peter's house, but she gets stopped by her mother.

Peter saves Gwen and Aunt May just as the Green Goblin put a hole in the ground where they were standing. Peter grabs Gwen and tells her, "No matter what happens you need to get my Aunt out of here". Just as Peter smashes the Green Goblins face with a devastating punch, he realizes that he can't do this alone and tries to wake up Johnny. Johnny gets up and goes on the offensive, but due to the Green Goblin having fire based attacks, it did nothing but make him stronger. Even with all this power he seems to be no match for Peter as the Green Goblin is just getting bashed in, but due to the gunshot wound and loss of blood, Peter is weak and can barely move. Just as the green Goblin gets close enough to take out Parker for good, he gets hit by a truck from behind, and the driver is non other than Mary Jane. After the Green Goblin takes a lot of damage, Peter saves Mary Jane by grabbing her out of the truck. Peter sees that the Green Goblin isn't finished yet as he's removing himself from below the wrecked truck. Peter quickly grabs the truck and just starts smashing the Green Goblin over the head with it in anger. On about the third or fourth smash the truck explodes damaging Peter even more.



Everyone runs to Peters aid trying to get people to call for an ambulance. Johnny tells Peter, "I think you got him.", and then Gwen and Aunt May show back up to see what happened. Aunt May and Gwen see Mary Jane crying out for somebody to help, and they realize that Peter is severely hurt. Aunt May gets to Peter, but Peter says, "It's okay. I-- I did it. I couldn't save him. Uncle Ben. I couldn't save him... No matter what I did. but I saved you." just as he slips off. Johnny checks his heart beat, and everyone knows that he's dead. It pans over to Norman Osborne on a flaming pile of junk. Norman Osborne successfully did what he wanted to do, and the smile that grows on his face shows.

*End Spoiler Alert*

Review
Story: The story ark was phenomenal, and it was so much more exciting and fun when you read the Ultimates vs. New Avengers tie ins with it. I liked how they got every character in the Ultimate universe to basically be in this story as well as the tie ins (except the x-men and Fantastic four, but they were mentioned). Even the appearance and little cameo part that the Tinkerer had was just awesome to have. The story had a great plot and great lead into the plot. The talk with Captain America in the graveyard gave you that feel sense of, "I know what has to happen" when it came to fight the Sinister Six and Norman Osbourne at the end. Even all the events that lead up to the final fight were just so fitting and amazingly well played out. The middle of the story gave you enough plot twists and surprises to keep you itching to pick up/read the next copy, like the fight between Doc Ock and Norman Osborne. I didn't expect the outcome of the fight to happen the way it did. The epic fight sequences at the end weren't quite all that memorable, but it gave Peter Parker so much character. The scenes and dialog were action packed, and Bendis does a great job telling the story and giving each character a feel to them. Every character has their own feel to him/her. The sense of humor and and dialogue for the characters are spot on, and Bendis did not disappoint. I feel the end was lacking something at first, but the more times I read it the more I understood why it happened that way. Peter Parker overcame the struggle in an against-the-odds battle showing the readers just how much of his life he is willing to give to protect his loved ones.

Penciler: I haven't seen Mark Bagley's work before (I have only been reading comics for about 3 months now), but Bagley's art brings the characters to life. You can stare at the pictures and understand what's happening in each scene, and in my opinion this is how you know when art is good. A picture is worth a 1000 words and if you can tell a story from pictures, your obviously doing something right. The facial expressions in this story are spot on, and each action pack scene has a bang and pop to it to make the action scene very life like.


Bagley did a number of 2 page spreads, and not one of them was disappointing at all! There was at least 2 - 3 in each issue, and there was just so much going on in them. I'm really glad they brought Bagley back to finish off the series with Bendis, giving the duo one more chance to make the fans happy in a time of despair.

Inker/Colorist: They did a pretty decent job nothing too spectacular and eye popping, but they got the job done without messing anything up. The colors are clean and crisp, but lack the pop when it comes to the scenes. Explosions are pretty much the only thing that stands out.

Well that's my first Comic book review. I hope you all enjoyed it, and hope you continue to follow my reviews as I have plenty more left. Also if your into video games check out my other blog http://2012by2012.blogspot.com/ I just posted a mid point update. Once the goal for that blog is finished I will be conjoining it with this blog. Thanks again for following!