thanosrules

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Black Widow Strikes #1-3 Reviewed! A great mini by @fredvanlente

Here is a simple blog post that I published for Avengers Prelude: Black Widow Strikes #1-3:

http://thanosrules.tumblr.com/post/27187910110/avengers-prelude-black-widow-strikes-1-2-3-review

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If you don't want to click on the link, the text is as follows:

Avengers Prelude: Black Widow Strikes #1, #2, and #3 (of 3)

Recommended!

When the first Avengers Prelude series hit stores, I decided to pick it up to see how Marvel was going to mesh the comic universe with the cinematic universe… and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Here is my “Avengers Prelude: ‘Fury’s Big Week’ - Mini-Series Review Gallery” for that four-part mini-series (all 4.0 / 5.0).

For this three-part mini-series about Black Widow, I was very skeptical. In fact, I put off reading it until I had all the issues… and even then, I was worried it was going to be a waste of my time and money.

Again, much to my surprise, it was great. This mini-series is some of the best Black Widow story I have read (outside her role in the current Brubaker Winter Soldier run)..

Now, you have to look past the Scarlett Johansson covers, because the interiors are anything but Scarlett Johansson. I am confident that she would never be able to pull off the look, actions or attitude of the woman actually depicted within the book. But that is just bad casting. Black Widow, is Black Widow - and in this mini, that shines through.

This is a very “tidy” espionage story that links a very good Black Widow character to the “so-so” Black Widow character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka. Johansson’s portrayal in the movies).

I am not sure if this will be collected in a trade, but the single issues shouldn’t be too difficult to find. That said, whichever way you can get your hands on it, it is definitely worth the money and time.

1 Comments

Comics as a Hobby - not Work

The time has come for me to admit what I am actually capable of... and reviewing everything I read is just not possible. Especially when I want to read ALL THE THINGS! :) I have had to recently re-prioritize my life, putting family (9-month old and wife) before much of my "hobby life".

That said, I am limiting my reviews to the following (at least for the foreseeable future):

Ongoing/Long Running:

  • Adventure Time
  • All-Star Western
  • Chew
  • Incredible Hulk

Mini/Maxi-Series (once these are over, I won't pick up any more mini's):

  • Hulk Smash The Avengers (3 remaining)
  • The Shade (5 remaining)
  • Marvel Zombies Destroy (4 remaining)
  • Avengers Assemble (1 remaining)

I am throwing in the towel on all the other ones that I had planned on writing reviews for...which is everything that I have purchased in the past year... way too many issues to count, let alone remember. I hate doing this, but I want to devote more of my time to my family, writing, podcasting and actually reading the books I buy every week.

Also, I realize I am a bit behind on the above, but I have a commitment to catch-up this week. Promise.

I hope you understand.

- @thanosrules

13 Comments

Marvel Avengers Prelude - Mini-Series Review Gallery

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Did you have a big week? Well I venture to bet that it wasn't as big as Nick Fury - Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. The proof is in this mini-series, and likely the upcoming Avengers Movie... The following are my Reviews for the Marvel Avengers Prelude - Fury's Big Week mini:

  1. Issue #1: Tying in the Tie-Ins ( 4.0 / 5.0 )
  2. Issue #2: Management Skills ( 4.0 / 5.0 )
  3. Issue #3: "Ugh, Not Again." ( 4.0 / 5.0 )
  4. Issue #4: Too Much For Us To Handle ( 4.0 / 5.0 )

NOTE: This four-part mini-series has concluded.

enJOY!

Start the Conversation

Avengers vs. X-Men - Event Review Gallery

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I am going to do my best to stay on top of the Avengers vs. X-Men Checklist. At least from the Avengers side (my current allegiance). At the very least it will be interesting to see how my views at the beginning of this event differ from my views at the end. I do promise to stick with this event, and as many tie-ins as I can handle, through to the very end - regardless who dies in the process.

NOTE: An Unbiased Reading List and Order can be found here: http://www.squidoo.com/avengers-vs-x-men

Prelude Issues

Avengers: X-Sanction

Avengers Vs. X-Men

Event Issues

Avengers vs. X-Men

AvX: Versus

  • Issues #1 and 2: These are discussed during @stacksofcomics Episode 003 - AvX!
  • ...

Tie-In Issues

Avengers

  • Issues 24.1, 25, and 26: These are discussed during @stacksofcomics Episode 003 - AvX!
  • ...

Avengers Academy

  • Issues #29 and 30: These are discussed during @stacksofcomics Episode 003 - AvX!
  • ...

New Avengers

  • Issues #24, 25, and 26: These are discussed during @stacksofcomics Episode 003 - AvX!
  • ...

Secret Avengers

Uncanny X-Men

  • Issues #11 and 12: These are discussed during @stacksofcomics Episode 003 - AvX!
  • ...

Wolverine & the X-Men

  • Issues #9 and 10: These are discussed during @stacksofcomics Episode 003 - AvX!
  • ...

X-Men Legacy

Go Avengers!

enJOY

Start the Conversation

Meet a Local Comic Shop - Queen City Bookstore - Buffalo, NY

I wanted to take a little time today to recognize a long time LCS located in Buffalo, NY. Whenever I head back to my hometown area of Western New York, I make sure I stop in and check this place out!

Queen City Bookstore

3184 Main St

Buffalo, NY 14214

(716) 833-6220

enovak3178@aol.com

Hours: Mon - Sat: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm; Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/queencitybookstore?sk=info

Where: Map

Queen City Bookstore - Buffalo, NY
Queen City Bookstore - Buffalo, NY

I was lucky enough to find this gem while visiting my parents last year. It was such an awesome experience I went back as many times as I could during that short visit to my hometown area... and this place is a good 45 minutes away from the house! :)

What keeps this shop running?

Another true "mom and pop comic shop" with a fantastic shop owner, Emil Novak, Sr.!

"Family owned business for over 40 years. We sell comic books and comic book related stuff!"

What do they have?

  • Comics!!! (tons of back issue and weekly new issue titles available)
  • Trades/Books
  • Statues
  • Toys
  • and much more...

What does it look like inside?

Here is an AWESOME Virtual Tour of the Store (via Google Maps)!

So, if you are in Western New York, stop by and visit a true Buffalo landmark! :)

enJOY!

1 Comments

The Incredible Hulk - Review Gallery

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The following are my Reviews for the ongoing 2011 The Incredible Hulk Series:

  1. Issue #1: Hulk Relax? ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  2. Issue #2: Hulk Swim (for a little while anyway) ( 4.0 / 5.0 )
  3. Issue #3: An Earth Cracking Good Time! ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  4. Issue #4: Hulk Hands 2.0 ( 4.0 / 5.0 )
  5. Issue #5: I'll Be Back For That Monkey ( 4.5 / 5.0 )
  6. Issue #6: I'm Pretty Sure I'll Be Just Fine ( 4.5 / 5.0 )
  7. Issue #7: Nothing. But. Screaming. ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  8. Issue #7.1: All Eyes On You ( 4.5 / 5.0 )
  9. Issues #8-#10: The Incredible Hulk #8, #9, #10 - “Stay Angry” Parts 1-3 Mixed Feelings… ( 3.0 - 3.5 / 5.0 )
  10. Issue #11: Sasquatches Beware! (and so should the rest of us) ( 2.5 / 5.0 )
  11. Issue #12: While the "Stay Angry" arc ends, we can still stay disappointed. (3.0 / 5.0 )
  12. Issue #13: "...Keep the Chainsaw." ( 4.5 / 5.0 )
  13. ALSO! Check out the review the (needless to say, we agree on all points, this arc was sad...very sad, indeed). AND his, The Incredible Hulk 13# Review...

NOTE: I will be appending to this as I review more of this ongoing series.

enJOY

1 Comments

The Shade - Maxi-Series Review Gallery

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The following are my Reviews for the The Shade maxi-series:

  1. Issue #1: Would you like some Shade with your von Hammer? ( 4.5 / 5.0 )
  2. Issue #2: Piecing it Together ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  3. Issue #3: Still in the Shadows, but out of the Darkness ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  4. Issue #4: Adventures in 1944 ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  5. Issue #5: Hello Father ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  6. Issue #6: In His Shadow ( 4.8 / 5.0 )
  7. Issue #7: Sinners All! ( 4.8 / 5.0 )
  8. Issue #8: The Hummonclu ~ The homuncl ~ The demon... ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  9. Issue #9: A Greater Good ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  10. Issue #10: Hubris ( 5.0 / 5.0 )
  11. Issue #11: And That Was That ( 4.5 / 5.0 )
  12. Issue #12: More Hell Than Haven ( 5.0 / 5.0 )

Here is a bit from my blog post on the final 4 issues in the series...

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Recommendation: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

James does not disappoint.

Each issue in this maxi-series is a vital part of the whole. If you have not picked it up from the start, I strongly recommend doing so. I also strongly recommend reading the entire series (or at least skimming) over again, because you will pick up on things you missed the first time around.

This is going to make for one great collected piece (at least I hope that is the plan). It also ends with nice ties to James’ previous work on The Shade…which shows great dedication, planning and a commitment to excellence on his part.

While this is the first (and final) set reviews of The Shade for #trqr, I was pretty religious about reviewing it up until Issue 9 (see Review Gallery here). No fault to the series, I was reading it right along, I just didn’t have the time to dedicate to consistent reviewing - and this book is “main course” kind of stuff, not just fluff and candy like so many other books. Reading, consuming, digesting this kind of story takes well deserved time and attention.

Read more...

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enJOY!

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