Well thank God THAT'S over...
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to buy the first issue of this new Thunderstrike series at the same comic store I'd purchased the final issue of the original at some 15 years prior. The original Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson) is still a character that fills me with happy nostalgia, and who I still feel is one of the most personable characters Marvel ever produced. I was crushed that Marvel felt the need to all out kill him off rather than to just cancel the book and allow the character to remain as one of those who wallows in obscurity but still resurfaces for guest spots from time to time. As it stands, Eric is one of Marvel's record holders for significant characters who have successfully remained among the dead for over 10 years.
Now, onto this actual book. I had to pick it up for loyalty to the character and nostalgia, especially considering it was produced by the exact same creative team from 15 years prior. Well, nothing's changed. Okay, some has: Kevin Masterson, Eric's son, has done the impossible thing in comics: he's aged. His supporting cast (his parents) seem a little bit older as well, but not much. This presents an issue as nobody else in the marvel U ever gets to age, but just try not to think about it. Beyond that, nothing has changed. This FEELS, both in storytelling and art style, exactly like a book from 15 years ago. One might think this would be a breath of fresh air in this more mature era, but no... it just makes the book feel REALLY primitive. Kevin, now a teenager, behaves like a teenager of the 90's more than one of right now, and it's really awkward.
So I had to follow this book through to the end, and I'm kinda glad it's now over. I'm sure sales weren't great so I doubt if this little corner of the Marvel U will see the light of day again for a long while, unless the hopeful hint of getting Kevin into Avengers Academy actually comes through, which I highly doubt. I'd be okay with Kevin staying on in the Marvel U in that capacity though, as Avengers Academy is one of Marvel's better books right now, and I'm sure Christos Gage could make him a far stronger character than this series did. Good god was he annoying here.
