The Weekly Pull Review - Secret Wars #1

The Weekly Pull Review - Secret Wars #1

The Marvel Comics event of the year is finally upon us as Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s 8-issue Secret Wars event officially launched the beginning of the end for the Marvel Universe this week. This massive saga is a HUGE payoff to those, like me, who have collected Hickman’s work through Avengers (Vol. 5) and New Avengers (Vol. 3) totalling a whopping 77 issues, which together weaved an intricate story of how Earth’s Mightiest Heroes failed to not only protect their world, but the entire multiverse.

Although the premise seems daunting for those who aren’t up to speed, IGN has put together a fantastic recap of the events that have led up to Secret Wars, which you can find here. Take note that Hickman’s work isn’t for the faint of heart and tells a much darker and complex tale for such a mainstream title, clearly aimed at an older and more mature demographic.  

The Secret Wars event begins right where the Avengers finale concludes, with the final two worlds in the Marvel multiverse facing the incursion and imminent destruction. Earth-616, better known as the Prime continuity, and Earth-1610, the Ultimate Universe. As the worlds collide, beloved heroes fall in battle, lives are lost to scientific miscalculations and a Battleworld is formed, which will forever change the landscape of the Marvel Universe.

Worlds Collide

The scope and significance of this story also marks a historical event for Marvel Comics, as this is the first time in franchise history that the publisher has rebooted. With the exception of it's Star Wars titles, every Marvel book will see its final issue during the event, replaced by Secret Wars tie-in titles that will follow the incursion survivors. Very little is known at this point regarding how the Marvel Universe will unfold after the event reaches its conclusion. Some signs point toward a jump in time, while others suggest that some tie-in stories will evolve into mainstream ongoing titles.

Secret Wars is the must-read event of the year, and comes highly recommended by the NGP team. This is one of the boldest and most well-written story events to ever come from the House of Ideas and if every issue is as strong as the debut, we're in for a treat.

4/5 Toast Rating

This is the big leagues, and everything we know about the current Marvel Universe will never be the same.    

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

Read More

The Weekly Pull : Spider-Gwen

The Weekly Pull : Spider-Gwen

Spinning out of the 6-part ‘Spider-Verse’ story arc featured in The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (or Spider-Gwen) was one of the many Multiverse Spider-Men who teamed up to take down a league of Spider-Totem hunters known as The Inheritors, lead by the villainous Morlun.

First appearing in the short story, Edge of Spider-Verse #2, Spider-Gwen was an instant smash hit with readers, as they were taken to a place where roles were reversed, and Peter Parker had been the one to die that fateful day at the hands of the Green Goblin. However, not all in this version of the story has changed … with great power, still comes great responsibility.

“This story sees Gwen at a real crossroads of her life,” says writer Jason Latour, in an interview with Marvel.com. “Spider-Woman is wanted for a crime she didn’t commit. So where as her life in costume before was a lot of adventuring and fun, she’s now being forced to decide what it means to her.” (Read more on Marvel.com!)

With the conclusion of the primary continuum Spider-Verse arc in mid-February, Spider-Gwen was quickly launched into her own ongoing series, within her own home universe, full of whimsical pastel colors and a cast of familiar characters in unfamiliar roles.

Is it worth the read? I’m split down the middle. The take on the traditional Spider-Man story is intriguing and fun, but the color schemes and language make things feel that their aimed at a much younger audience, much like Stewart and Fletcher’s Batgirl, which doesn't hit the right notes for me.

2 / 5 Toast Rating

In the end, the Spider-Gwen story still takes place within the Marvel Multiverse. So the real question remains : is there a chance the title can survive past May? Or will the impending Secret Wars (link) incursion leave this title an ill-fated Mini Series? Marvel is starting to pull a DC Comics stunt, and it’s stressing me out.

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE     

Read More