GraniteSoldier

I am always outnumbered, I am never out manned.

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4.3 stars

Average score of 42 user reviews

The Eyes Man Cometh... 0

Despite being a big Snake Eyes fan for most of my life, I have never been into GI Joe as a whole and since Snake is one small part of that ensemble cast his time in the spotlight was always sparse (I know he's had other short solo-goings, but I've always missed them). When you consider he didn't talk, it could be seen as understandable. However seeing him get the opportunity to mainstay his own series, I couldn't resist. It did require some research on my part to know what's going on, since ...

9 out of 9 found this review helpful.

Another set-up...Or I guess just expanding the last one? 11

So everyone who knows me knows how I'm a big fan of Agent Venom and Captain Marvel. Well, last issue saw the mainstay Guardians' team members (Rocket, Groot, Star Lord, Gamora, and Drax) all in tight spots. They had been separated, beat down, and captured in various forms and methods in several parts of the universe. It seemed as though Flash and Carol were poised to make their presence known on the team and would be showing up with a bang, seemingly to save the day. I expected that to all ...

4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

The King Shows He Still Reigns Supreme 17

This is easily going to be my favorite movie of the summer. I can tell already. Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Million Ways to Die in the West...no. Godzilla. Now why would I give it 4/5 instead of 5/5 (which I gave Winter Soldier) if I liked it more? Well, I'm trying to give an honest review and rate it how I think a non-Godzilla fan would appreciate it. Personally, my own rating, it was amazing and I'd give it 5/5. However, I'm trying to remain impartial.Yes, I am a Godzilla ...

6 out of 6 found this review helpful.

Better starting point than #14 0

Ok this issue is what Guardians #14 should have been more like. It's simple, but it gets the point across as a jumping-on point.We essentially get a roll-call from Tony Stark to Flash Thompson about the various members of the Guardians, their mission, and why Flash is being made to join them. It's simple, but effective in what it seeks to do. It also serves to show how and why Venom joins them, rather than simply being there. Flash also feels like Flash here. Bendis does a much better job ...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Flash Thompson? Or Flash Gordon? 2

So by now it is no secret that I am a big Agent Venom fan. Flash Thompson has easily been the best man to wear the suit since Eddie Brock, and he's surpassed his predecessor in many ways. When I learned his solo was cancelled, I was miserable. When I saw his disappointing appearance in Superior Spider-Man, I was even more disheartened. When it was released he was going to become a permanent fixture in the Guardians of the Galaxy, I was both intrigued and confused. I knew almost nothing of the G...

6 out of 6 found this review helpful.

The Comic Equivalent of a Batter Stepping Up to Home Plate... 4

Since hearing of the planned run-in between the ("superior") Spider-Man and the (truly superior) Agent Venom, I have been nothing but pumped. Especially after hearing of Venom's ongoing getting cancelled. My hopes could not be higher. By all accounts, Flash Thompson should know something is up, right? He even talks about feeling something is up with Peter (in his solo title) since he never answers Flash's phone calls or returns them. Certainly it would make sense for him to go into NYC and ...

5 out of 5 found this review helpful.

Stunning the Black Cat 0

Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, has been a long time favorite Spider-Man supporting character of mine. So when I heard she was making a re-appearance in Superior Spider-Man, of all things, I had mixed feelings of "awesome" and "oh hell". Given Ock's disposition for brutalizing criminals and his desire to "woo" women with his new body, I wasn't sure where Slott would take this encounter.Well, the cover is a bit misleading, but what happens is so short and abrupt I feel he was just trying to scre...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son... 2

Expect every review of this miniseries to have some sort of reference to that song.Anyway! It's really nice to be reading a Peter Parker Spider-Man story, and one as so off the wall as this one. The first issue introduced plenty of questions and no answers, this issue is no different. Writer Matt Kindt is giving us quite the story, and what's awesome here is that the reader knows nothing more than Peter. Often times in comics, movies, novels, any media format telling a story really, the rea...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

They aren't so bad. 0

Forever Evil's third chapter is really setting the stage for what's to come. Geoff Johns has been setting up what we knew was to come, and this issue seems to start it: the DCU's villains fighting back against the Crime Syndicate. There are a few moments that if you aren't reading the tie-in issues (other that Arkham War, I am not) so you might need to do some internet reading to fill in the blanks, but that does not detract from the overall story here.If you read Forever Evil 2, you know tha...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

It is worthy. 1

Since there are probably a thousand reviews out there for this, I'll make it brief. First and foremost, Loki reminds me why my favorite combat tool is the knife. Seriously, it has been since I first trained with it in marital arts, straight through till now and still in my military career. If you don't appreciate it, clearly you don't know how to work it as an artist does his paintbrush. Loki is quite the knife artist.Now that I'm done gushing over one 3 minute moment in the film, let me ge...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

Now it's personal. 5

The fourth installment of Hulk and Bruce Banner's attempt to fix the time stream in the aftermath of Age of Ultron is the best chapter yet, and the most personal. It seems the Chronarchists have figured out Hulk is slowly derailing their plans, and want to put a stop to him by altering the events that made Hulk - Bruce Banner's test detonation of the Gamma Bomb.The issue opens up with Hulk and Abomination fighting each other on the moon. I'll wait a moment while that sinks in. Wrap your head...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

If every beginning must have an end, then perhaps... 2

So this is it. The finish line of Venom's longest running ongoing in his history. He has found a new host in Flash Thompson, and despite having their conflicts with one another, the suit and Flash, as we have seen, have come to understand and care for each other. Even if only in a mutual need sense. Flash Thompson has become, arguably, the best Venom host; even surpassing that of the legendary Eddie Brock.The issue opens with Flash and Andi going to Atlantic City, New Jersey, searching for ...

4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

Business is picking up... 2

So I didn't get to see the last two weeks of SHIELD till this past weekend, so I am a bit behind. I did catch tonight's during regular airing though, so without further ado:The title says it all, business is picking up. The "Centipede" organization kidnaps a metahuman in Hong Kong, convincing the young man he is destined for big things with his gift (he's a pyro kinetic). SHIELD has the man under protective watch, and immediately goes into what I dub as "search and snuff" mode. Basically, t...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

I. Am. Batman! 0

Last issue, Bruce Wayne resolved to become something more than a man and strike fear into those that would harm innocent. Now, we all know what that means, but it is still very cool to see writer Scott Snyder's vision unfold. In this super-sized issue, we see the newly-cowled Batman take the fight to the Red Hood gang.Bruce finds the Red Hood gang has been knocking off chemical companies, working towards a greater dark plan for Gotham. This eventually leads him to confront the gang at Ace Ch...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

And Hell rode with him... 0

I know this is a little behind, but life has been very busy and I haven't had time to sit and reflect on some of the recent week's issues, but here we go anyway. In the aftermath of the Justice League's apparent "death" by the Crime Syndicate, Gotham City is left without it's protector: Batman. Everyone clearly knows this as the Syndicate made their big "Justice League is dead" announcement. If you read Bane's Villain's Month issue, you pretty much know where this story picks up, but I will elab...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

I got 99 problems but...well you know the song... 0

I've never read a Marvel Knights story before, so I didn't know what to expect. I've rather missed Peter Parker, though, and the idea of an untold Spider-Man adventure was intriguing to me. And man, have I been intrigued. Writer Matt Kindt is essentially laying the groundwork for what the other four issues in this miniseries will consist of, and man is it a trip. I'll be perfectly honest, I've read it three times and I'm still not entirely sure I know what the hell is going on.Peter Parker ...

4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

Hell hath no fury... 0

I know I am a bit late on this review, but I was on leave and didn't have access to picking up my books, so deal with the late review! Anyway I must say compared to the standard I expect from Venom, this issue I felt was somewhat sub-par. Yes, I am always critical of Venom. Why? Because I like the character, I like his story. I am a big fan of Flash Thompson as Venom, and it upsets me when he isn't treated well. With this being his second to last issue, I want his final run to be flawless...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

Blue Skies 2

Episode 2 of Marvel's foray into live-action television suffers from many of the problems episode one did, if you read my previous review ( http://www.comicvine.com/agents-of-shield-101-pilot/4070-1/user-reviews/2200-39455 ). Again, most of this is due to bland characterization. Again, Coulson steals the show. And again, every one of the characters stays in their neat little character box, with very little moving beyond.To be fair, this still could be much worse. I expected this show to be ...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

Agents of SHIELD, better than it sounds. 0

I'm not much for watching TV, and even less for reviewing what's on it. So please bare with me, as this is my first and (currently) only TV show review so it may be a little off. Agents of SHIELD is a rare exception to my norm of not reviewing TV shows. Perhaps it's because it is a TV show rooted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or because I really like Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson. Who knows, who cares? The important thing is I was really pleased with this first episode. I did not expect...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

Past, Present, Future...Headtrip 0

I want to start this by saying I am not reading Battle of the Atom. I did not have the extra cash for all the tie-in crossovers and stand alone issues to the event, so I am just sticking with my monthly X-Men pickup. X-Men issue 5 is clearly entrenched in the middle of this event. Because I am not reading it, it makes it difficult to review this issue. For those familiar with all the X-Men titles no explanation is needed, but as I did not keep up I was somewhat lost.Now I am aware there is the ...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Pen > Sword, but Sword > Ray! 0

Mark Waid is writing Indestructible Hulk so well, it is one of those titles that you don't even need to be a Hulk fan to enjoy. It is fun, action-packed, and goes deep into the Hulk mythos. This entire arc, "Agent of T.I.M.E.", seems to be not just about fixing the broken time stream (a la Wolverine in Age of Ultron) but also seems to center around explaining how and why the Hulk has seem to vary so much over the years. I like that Waid is doing this, it becomes more than just a "writer pref...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Which Spider is Superior? Round 2 0

Superior Spider-Man is on a roll. The series started out rocky, with obvious hate, and Ock had yet to be truly challenged with a solid Spidey villain. Then along came the Hobgoblin and Kaine, the Scarlet Spider. While Ock handled Urich rather deviously, Kaine proved that Ock is, indeed, not superior.Now comes Ock's next spider-test: Miguel O'Hara, the Spider-Man 2099. I did not read the 2099 universe in the 90s, but I do know about Miguel's following and story, so I am rather excited for th...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

Monkey Business 7

Just like we all have our favorite heroes, we have our favorite villains. Usually, what attracts us in a hero is what they stand for. What they do that goes above and beyond, the example they set. They make us want to not only be them, but they makes us want to be better people in our day to day lives. Villains, good villains, have the opposite effect. A good villain, you despise them. You enjoy seeing your hero overcome the tremendous obstacles that the villain puts in front of them, and...

4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

Heart of Darkness 14

So we find ourselves in the "home stretch" with Venom, so to speak, as Flash is finding his title cancelled come November. Writer Cullen Bunn seems to want to wrap up the loose ends before then, and he delves back into Flash's demonic descent and his Hell-Mark. As I've said in previous reviews, I was not overjoyed with this angle when it first debuted with the "Monsters of Evil" arc, which is Venom's low point if I do say so. Also, Mania is still prevalent, even though the end of last issue ...

4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

The Superior Scarlet Spider 2

Like the cover says, we wanted it and we got it. Kaine Parker, the Scarlet Spider, takes on Ben Reilly, the original Scarlet Spider, in Scarlet Spider 21. Now I know what you're thinking, Ben's dead. Been dead awhile. Did they pull a Jean Grey and bring him back through some strange means? Did Age of Ultron bring him back? It screwed a bunch of other stuff up so why not, right? Well, if you want the answer, you'll need to buy the book (or troll the internet for 30 seconds as I'm sure so ...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

Sibling Rivalry 0

I am really glad I started reading TMNT, it blows me away every month. Issue 25 continues the City Fall arc, and now the Foot is going to war against the Savate clan. I'm not sure if Shredder is just writing off the turtles at this point as a non-threat, or if he's looking to wage a three-way war. Either way, the main focus of this issue is on the coming war between the Foot and Savate, and on the personal conflict between Karai and Dark Leo. Karai is quite jealous that Leo has replaced her...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

Day Trip! 4

X-Men, the all-female X-Men, is easily my favorite X-title out there right now. It's only four issues in, but I love the team makeup and the characters therein. This issue starts to deal with the fallout of the whole Arkea Prime three part arc that introduced this team. And yes, it seems that in the book they are now recognizing themselves as an official team. We are also seeing some Alpha Female personalities emerge, which I like. It seems Storm considers herself the de-facto leader of th...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

The Superior Social-Media-Man! 5

Superior Spider-Man has been a mixed bag with me, but lately it's been picking up. Last issue, number 15, had Ock hunting Phil Urich, the Hobgoblin, in the aftermath of destroying Shadowland. Last issue ended with (if you didn't read last issue you shouldn't be reading this so this spoiler isn't on me!) Ock revealing the Hobgoblin's identity of Phil Urich to all of New York City. This issue is essentially Ock hunting Phil down and bringing him in. Ock corners Phil inside the Daily Bugle, an...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Hulk, the Wild West, and Dinosaurs. Get it? Good. 0

Now this is what I'm talking about. If you love to laugh and have fun reading comic books, and you aren't reading Indestructible Hulk, then let me say this to you: fail. Seriously, Mark Waid's run with Hulk has got to be the most fun I have reading comic books. The characterizations are great, the action never ends, and the laughs don't make you giggle, they actually make you laugh. The cover alone is worth the price tag: Hulk riding a T-Rex with three cowboys.Anyway, Hulk and Banner must s...

3 out of 3 found this review helpful.

Venomania, Like Wrestlemania...Only More Venom 0

So I'll be honest, with the way Venom 38 ended I was really not super pumped for this. If you read Venom 38 (which you should have at this point and if you haven't it's your own damn fault for ruining the end for yourself by reading this) you know that Venom saved Andi's life by sending a part of Venom to her to filter Jack O'Lantern's toxic gases. It had the unfortunate side effect of taking to her entirely, and making her a symbiote-hero, Mania. I do NOT like sidekicks. I don't like Robin...

4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

Gotta Get the Goblin 0

Superior 15 picks up right where the last one left off. Literally, there is no "between issue events" that sometimes occurs in comic arcs. Hell, I don't even think a minute has past. Shadowland lies in ruins, Spider-Man basking in the glory of his success. He believes the Kingpin to be dead, and the Hobgoblin with him. Well, if you read last issue, you know Hobgoblin is on the run and not dead. He goes to the Tinkerer for a re-supply, and super charge, of some of his gear to get out of th...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

Possibly the best team-up since Riggs and Murtaugh 0

To whom it may concern at Marvel: we need an immediate ongoing Scarlet Spider and Wolverine title. I know, I know, Wolverine has about 10 books already, but seriously these two characters need it. Yost does a great job once again with Scarlet Spider 19, with this third installment of Kaine and Logan pairing up to take on the Assassin's Guild and the Red Death. This issue is almost entirely action packed, with Kaine's internal monologue providing most of the book's dialogue, and man I love Ka...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Leonardo...I am your father! 3

I started following IDW's new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series with the "City Fall" arc, and I have got to say, I am very much enjoying this. TMNT is the first independent title I've picked up since the old Al Simmons Spawn days, and after TMNT I'm planning on looking into more of IDW's work. Writer Kevin Eastman knows each turtle's personality, but doesn't seem to pigeon-hole them into that niche. What I mean is, sure Raph is the angry one, and Mikey is the slacker, but they aren't ALWAY...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Primed for Greatness 0

Brian Wood's X-Men run finishes its first arc with the promises of things to come. This issue is very, very fast paced (as the previous two have been) and has our favorite female mutants chasing Arkea Prime halfway around the world to stop her from creating a techno-army and resuming her war for Earth against her brother Sublime. It's a fairly simple plot, which is meant to be nothing more than a launch point for this series. It does it's job, and quite well. More than anything in this issu...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

Hulk UN-Smash...Time? 0

In the military we have a saying when it comes to operations, use the scalpel or sledgehammer. Scalpel refers to Special Mission Units, Special Ops who's job it is to target high value and highly dangerous leaders and locations to cripple an organization's combat and warfighting capabilities by "cutting the head off the snake". The sledgehammer refers to your conventional, but highly effective, units. Your infantry, tanks, and air cover, all slamming into the bulk of an enemies forces in a s...

5 out of 5 found this review helpful.

Back in Jack 0

Venom #38 is a strong developmental issue, but it is not without it's flaws. Cullen Bunn continues to deliver a solid story, as Venom seems to literally have all of Philadelphia's underworld running him down. Bunn continues to use the dichotomy storytelling of action panels with narrative thought boxes expertly, as the story of Flash building up resources and an intelligence network in Philly, with Katy Kiernan's help, never has a dull moment as it is interwoven with Venom's nightly exploits ...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

New Sheriff In Town 1

Writer Colin Bunn seems to get better with every issue of Venom that he writes. He has really hit his stride, and is really showing Flash the care the character deserves. Venom 37 picks up essentially where 36 left off, a few days after Flash's confrontation with Lord Ogre. Flash is looking to make a difference in Philly, and Lord Ogre is the big dog in town. This is his way of making a statement. Unfortunately for Flash, it seems Lord Ogre isn't so easily pushed around and has set up a bo...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Techno-Terror! 0

So, I haven't picked up an X-Men title in a long time. A looong time, like early 90s. Not that the books were bad, or the heroes, or even that I couldn't afford it; I just lost interest in them. When I heard, however, that Marvel was doing a project with an all-female X-Men cast, I don't know why I was but I was intrigued. What I like first and foremost is it is an all-female cast that did not need to announce it was all female, nor does it feel like it is trying to make a statement with it...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid 0

I was not sure how Bunn would follow the last two issues, which were heavy on the action but light on the story. Bunn, to me at least, always seemed to be heavy on one but light on the other; as the Toxic arc had plenty of slow, developmental issues as Flash adjusted to life in Philly. Here, he strikes a perfect balance.Let's go with the good things first. The pacing was great. I never felt a certain page or scene or any part of the book dragged on longer than needed. The energy was great,...

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Between Class Beatdown! 0

This issue brings the Toxic Arc to a close, and predictably (as the cover shows) Venom and Toxin come together to fight the newly formed symbiote slayers. Eddie confronts Flash mid-day at his high school he teaches at, the day after their big throwdown. I find Flash's and Eddie's dialogue good here, as Eddie keeps in line with his old "lethal protector" persona, that he's willing to fight around innocent kids because he perceives Flash and Venom that big a threat to their safety. Then the sl...

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.