I'll start off this issue by saying I am neutral.  I am not of the camp that thinks Deadpool is the greatest things comic books have ever had; however, I'm not one of those guys who just hates everything he is in.  The concept of the character is in fact creative: a man with extreme insanity and a big mouth is granted with powers and abilities that keep him from being harmed by most forces.  Daniel Way does, for the reccord, do as good a job as possible at writing a story about a character with no rhyme, reason, or moral compass.  However, Way has now gone too far by giving Deadpool a foe he realistically is not in a position to fight.  
     All right, everyone knows about Deadpool's long-standing feud with the ruthless, comedic assasin Bullseye who has made Daredevil and Punisher's lives hell.  In this ultra-popular story arc "Bullseye" (reprinted about five trillion times) Norman Osborn (the super-villain with Iron Man's job) sends Bullseye after everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth.  Wade's battle with Tiger Shark was fairly good, and I enjoyed Magnum Opus (Wade vs. the Thunderbolts); now, though, it gets too ridiculous (even for a Deadpool comic).  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the previous "Bullseye" issues, Bullseye outwitted Deadpool with an excellent shot from a rubber arrow (super-cool), but then some jerk with a meat-cleaver breaks the device restraining Deadpool.  This is frustrating seeing as its a fairly dumb excuse to keep the comic from starring the "Merc with no Face," but a somewhat suitable explanation was given in that Bullseye was too uncertain he wanted to stop torturing Deadpool to finish the job.  Anyway, Deadpool coated himself in a pig carcass to protect himself from Bullseye, and managed to slam a meat cleaver in his oppenents back before Bullseye can shoot him with an exploding arrow (for those unfamiliar with Dark Reign, Bullseye is the new Hawkeye).  Deadpool refused to behead the assasin, so Bullseye has recovered a bit and is out for vengeance.   
     The first problem with this issue is right off the bat Bullseye has better powers than Deadpool.  I could not help but wish for the Guggenheim Bullseye who nearly killed Spiderman after watching Way refuse to have Hawkeye use a single throwing card (or anything you throw for that matter).  I mean, seriously, if you really think about it, this fight should just be Bullseye dishing out the shurakai like he threw stained glass in the movie.  Obviously, seeing as Deadpool has no armor and no radar sense, he won't stand a chance.  Even with swords and regeneration he will still be a bloody, blinded mess which, seeing as Bullseye is an expert with knives, will result in a swift beheading.  Judging by the fact that the comic is more than two pages, this will not be the case.   
     The other problem with this story is that Mr. Target-Face is so much more clever than Wade.  In this comic he comes up with a plan that would most certainly end his hated foe, but (and how is this a spoiler since you know there is another issue) does not.  I will not spoil the exact outcome of the fight, but I will say that even if Bullseye had won it still wouldn't have done the character justice.   
     In short, this issue is flawed because it tries to sell more issues by featuring an A+ villain who completely outwits the tital character, but then looses the little bit of grip it had left on plausibility by not showing the outcome that everyone knows is the only thing that makes sense.                 
                    

     While the stories revolving around Aunt May are excellent, Doc Ock and Spiderman are disappointing in this landmark issue.  A good enough comic but not the best of either this month or of Brand New Day Spiderman, this issue keeps up the standard of having forced issues at number 600 and charging extra for it.  Still, with the sheer quantity of stories there is some good stuff. 
      The main story is "Last Legs," which is fairly disappointing.  Why?  Well, Dan Slott (the writer) has done an excellent job so far in creating exciting new scenarios.  The creator of  Mister Negative, and a man who helped Guggenheim with Jackpot, Menace, and Freak, Slott is always creating cool new things--even in Mighty Avengers with the underused Ch'thon and the redone Loki.  Sadly, this classic issue called for classic characters, and Slotts treatment of Doc Ock is dispicable.  Ock becomes a whimpy punching bag with the most corny lines, nothing like the amazing character that inspired a true classic like Spiderman 2.   
       The Fantastic Four are fun, and the New Avengers are featured, but that can't make up for the Octopus disappointment.  If anything can, though, its Aunt May.  Her wedding is featured in this issue, so its not surprising that she would be the true star of this (it should be the Amazing Aunt May).  Speaking of the wedding, I'll just mention that it doesn't go as well as planned--but Aunt May is still there with some life lessons and a loving personality.  However, Last Legs isn't even her best appearance--that comes in the beautiful story the Blessing.  I can't remember who wrote it (I was reading it in a bookstore), but I'm sure the site will tell. 
      Two other points I must make.  First the artwork: Last Legs is not Romita Jr's best, but it is freaking Johnny Romita Junior so of course its great.  The other stories also all have good artwork, so don't worry about the stories lacking in that aspect. 
      Finally, I'll mention all the short stories other than Last Legs.  There are a bunch of them (one even written by Stan Lee), and they vary in quality.  The Spiderman Covers You'll Never See are generally mediocre to offensive, with the exception of a hilarious one visioned by the extremely talented Brian Michael Bendis.  The best story is undoubtedly the excellent "My Brother's Son," a story told by Uncle Ben (obviously, before a certain burgalar played target practice with his chest).  It is so short, telling anything more will give to much away, but I will say it is excellent and the number one reason to buy this comic.  The other stories are also good, especially the Blessing, even though one mocks the Spidermobile.  GRRRRR! 
      All-in-all, Spiderman is a good story Spidey fans will want, but other people can hold out on in favor of other stories like War of Kings and Dark Reign tie-ins.  Still, its fun, and I'm glad my bookstore had it.  Its really your choice.   


              

    Van Lente does a good job in the presentation and explanations, but the story is just to skimpy.  The reason is simple: Marvel scheduling issues.  Slott created the excellent character, and has announced he has plans for it.  A story arc involving Negative is imperative for this to happen, but the timing is bad.  The story has become another Dark Reign tie-in, and has to take place before "Utopia."  Van Lente had only done one Spiderman story prior to that start of this series ("Return of the Spot"), but seeing as he was the writer of Spiderman for the time ("Red Headed Stranger"), it was his job to write it.  The problem was it appears the point of the story was to give Slott's character an origin so Slott could tell a story.   
     Does it surprise you the book doesn't quite work? 
     Van Lente certainly tries.  He tries to focus on the elements he likes to write about: 2nd tier villains and Peter Parker's love life.  In fact, his work was interesting enough I'm contemplating getting Red-Headed Stranger even though I don't generally read Spiderman.  The problem, though, is its a short book and it is Negative's story, so the plot about a Spiderman being controlled by the title's crimelord into killing Betty Brant isn't long enough to be well-developed.  This is a pity, for that story has potential and is the more interesting one.  This might have even happened had it been a four part mini-series that started a month earlier.  However this is not the case. 
     Now, after Incredible Hulk #600 telling us barely anything about Red Hulk's identity despite Marvel's preview for the book, you are probably worried that Mister Negative's secrets and identities will remain a mystery.  Don't worry, the origin is very clear.  However, while this information is revealed, Negative just seems wierd and there isn't any theme about his character presented.  Sure, Negative says he is all about balance and corruption, but how wrong is he exactly.  Is the book saying that the super-villain must exist if Li is to remain alive because of some dumb Ying/Yang symbol, or is Mister Negative just some nutcase who has no clue what right and wrong is?  These questions are left for Slott to answer later on--probably because Slott made sure this mini-series didn't actually settle anything.   
     What I am saying is there is cool stuff going on with several characters including Negative and Spidey, but the conflict between them is unresolved.  In fact, the book ends without the two ever looking at each other. 
      This is not to say their isn't action.  The pursuit of Betty is exciting and the climactic fight between Hood and Negative is very entertaining.  It isn't as good as the ones choreographed by Guggenheim, but I still this Lente posses the skill to write some cool fights.   Also, Gugliotta does a great job on artwork.   
     Even so, Negative doesn't have enough of a story.  Lots of background information if you want to be prepared for Slott's upcoming tale, and a cool fight, but skimpy where its needed.  The book isn't horrible, but I suggest comic fans buy something else first.  If you haven't gotten last week's Utopia, try that.  If you want a mini-series, look into Sinister Spiderman instead.  Get this if you have the resources, but if the dough is limited just catch up by reading my description of the story in plot summary and wait for that Spiderman story arc where Negative and Spiderman finally fight.  Because its not happening in this.     

      With the success of Dark Reign, practically all the A and some of the B list heroes are getting there own series or mini-series.  Surprisingly, this one is actually acceptable.  
     In case you don't know the details, I'll give you the simple background.  Mac Gargan/Scorpion has become Venom, and thanks to Norman Osborn becoming the leader of the super-hero community, Venom is now an Avenger.  Obviously, people take a dim view to having a cannibalistic, psycopathin, greedy, alien like Venom on the team.  The solution: Mac Gargan masquerades as Spiderman.
     This all seems simple, right.  Venom and Spidey have very similar powers afterall.  Sadly, Venom doesn't quite do the whole "Secret Identity" and "Act Heroic" thing right.  Sure he stops a bank robber, but then he bites the guy's arm off.  And takes the money.  And spends it on a hooker.  And is sloppy about hiding who he is and what he is like to her.  Since dead men tell no tales, well then...
     All right, I do have a complaint.  The angle for the artwork is really confusing, blinding, and sloppy.  The art isn't the problem as much as its position.
     The humor isn't all it could be, but its not half bad.  The plot is compelling, especially for a story without much in the way of a hero.  The best of all, though, is in the enemy for Mac (I can't really say villain, since, well, you know).  The Redeemer.  I don't want to give to much a way, but he is cool and I plan on buying the next issue to see what him and his team have planned out (I read this ish at Borders for free).  I congratulate the author on expanding the cast of Marvel.
     This isn't great, but its fun enough and far better than I expected.  Read Avengers, Iron Man, and Black Panther first, but this is definately a book to look into.     

     First off, I'll warn you.  Despite the fact that Ares and Sentry are on the cover, they are not even featured in this issue.  The cover lies (though compared to next issues cover, this is as honest as Abe Lincoln).
     That aside, I really enjoyed this comic.  The art is awesome, but the best part is Brian Michael Bendis does one of the two things he does best--taking B and C characters and making them into compelling and entertaining people.  
     For those of you who haven't read Dark Avengers #1, Norman Osborn has made a team of Avengers, disbanded H.A.M.M.E.R., and is in charge.  Among his picks are such famous (or should I say infamous) heroes as Venom (Mac Gargan) and Bullseye.  Ms. Marvel tells Norman Osborn in not to polite words she will not follow him--so she is no longer working for the government.  The new New Avengers have formed and they are Wolverine, Iron Fist, Ronin, Mockingbird, Ms. Marvel, Spider-woman, Captain America II, and Spiderman.  Luke Cage and Jessica Jones's baby Danielle has been kidnapped by a Skrull impersonating Jarvis.  Unable to find the baby, Luke Cage went to Norman Osborn.  Osborn lays out his deal: he'll get the kid, Luke Cage will join him.  Cage vows his loyalty.
     The plot brings up some interesting morals when the two "heroes" Osborn has brought along--Venom and Bullseye--act, shall we say, untraditionally, and Osborn does not care.  This issue, not to spoil anything, brings a change in Luke Cage's life, and showcases all of Bendis's effort on a character that was originally a somewhat racist creation, and later simply comic relief.  
     The downside of the story is since next issue will be so focused on action, this one doesn't have that much of it.  There is some though, and the story definately makes up for it with tons of plot.  
   All in all, this is a comic book must-have, not just for Luke Cage fans, but all Vine-members alike.      
        

     Despite the issues in the New Black Panther being annoyingly short, the new series is fun, with good emphasis on the two unique factors that makes BP one of the best heroes around--being a monarch of a realistic African nation, and being a God-appointed leader in every sense of the world.  With T'Challah in a coma and the Dori Mijore dead, Princess Shuri (BP's sister) is entertaining as her own feisty personality provides a unique spin on the BP persona.
    For anyone who hasn't read the other issues, T'Challah refused Namor's offer to join Norman Osborn's Cabal (the Dark Illuminati).  Cabal member Doctor Doom, with Osborn's approval, then battled Black Panther and the Mijore, killing the guards and landing the king in a coma.  Meanwhile, a foolish sorcerer ressurected Morlun, the vampiric entity famous for temporarily killing Spiderman.  Morlun killed the magician as well as long-time BP foe White Ape and much of White Ape's and Wakanda's armies.  Faced with these threats, Storm appointed Shuri to go try to be a new Black Panther, and then with the help of a sorcorrer and her mother-in-law went to try and bring BP back from the Limbo dimension.  Possibly due to the spiritual aspects of T'Challah's powers, he and Storm meet the Angel of Death, who says one must stay in the Afterlife.  Meanwhile, Shuri completed the training of becoming Wakanda's hero, but then only flaunted her virtues and asked for the position as if it was an entightelment in a mystical conversation with the Panther God.  The Panther God did not kill Shuri, but refused to let her take T'Challah's place.  Heartbroken, Shuri decided to still clothe herself in the Panther garb to try and stop Morlun.
     First off, I must say the art is beautiful.  Secondly, all the characters in the storyline have been presented excellently, with the possible exception of White Ape.  Storm and BP fans will be pleased with the portrayal of T'Challah and Ororo that was twisted horrifically in "Wild Kingdom."  I was delighted that Morlun returned in his proper light (destroying divinely appointed totems, or humans with animal powers), especially after his only storyline was erased at the end of Dan Slott's "One More Day."  Doctor Doom and Namor were perfect (though I must warn readers--Victor is not in this issue).  The best three portrayals though are the Angel of Death, the BP's mother, and Shuri.
     Angel of Death is glorious and revolting, in Guiermo del Torro style grandeur.  Wakanda's other queen is actually a major hero in the book, and is just as capable and meaningful as her martial artist children.  As for Shuri, she has all the elements of the Black Panther, plus some unique things.  She is more impulsive, she swears, she is cocky, she is bolder, and she has the kind of patter that is more like Spiderman than the silent original Black Panther.  I don't want to spoil anything, but I am excited for the next issue.
     The biggest downside of the storyline is how short it is.  The action is exciting an fills a large percentage of the book, and the meaningful dialogue fits in with the blahblahblah, but it is all to quick.  Still, the comic is worth buying as fun with a bit more.                   

     Jubillee.  The rebellious young mutant who shot fireworks out of her hands.  Originally lost, confused, and irresponsible, it was Wolverine who taught her how to be a true hero.  Then, as we all know, Scarlet Witch said three really bad words and Jubillee was one of the millions of mutants to become powerless.  Wonder where she went?  Well, the canibalistic, adamantium laced, assasin Omega Red just found her with Agent Zero (aka Maverick) and has captured her to use in his fight with Wolverine over a valuable synthesizer.  Wolverine needs help finding out some information to pay Red to keep his beloved Jubillee from dying.
    Who could Wolverine turn to?  Black Widdow I, Natasha Romanv.  Why would Widdow want to help him.  Well this shows one of the most amazing pieces in the history of the Marvel Universe.  As a little girl, before ever meeting Bucky Barnes, Widdow was a meek little girl surrounded by a bloody gang war.  And, of all the assasins in Russia at the time, guess which half-insane, brainwashed, savage came for her?  James Howlett--Wolverine.  Turns out Wolverine ended up in a Russian ranch with black Widdow before he lost all his memories.  This intriguing tale of Wolverines good heart coming out and beating his insanity is touching, showing that even before his days in the X-Men Logan had a heart.  The Savior Saga, though brutally violent, is getting right at the heart of the Wovlerine character--his inner battle between bloodthirsty insanity and fatherly nurture.  Also, it is providing the setback to the Daken saga, which is almost certainly going to go down as a classic.     
  Want an added bonus: Black Widdow's character is portrayed in just as much depth and detail as Wolverine.
   These stories are why I love comics--read this (if you're old enough), I bet you will like it too.