AVENGERS VS X-MEN BATTLE REPORT #3

Hey there Clashers, we’ve been covering  one of the most major clashes in comic history. Avengers vs. X-Men has been phenomenal so far and  just keeps getting better.  This week is action packed with the release of VS issue 1, containing two battles too epic for just a few panels. Now to jump into things.


AVENGERS VS. X-MEN BATTLE REPORT #3 

by Hector Ramirez, Darryll "YTC" Carter & Frankie Rodriguez


Avengers Academy # 29

   The teens that were left on Utopia (Gen Hope crew), were all captured and being "held" at the Academy. And what do we get for it ... A race between Transonic and Lightspeed , Sebastian Shaw planning something to free the Gen Hope crew and NAKED HERCULES! *sigh* NEXT!!!

Uncanny X-Men # 11

   Red Hulk vs. Colossonaunt. And it ain't pretty. Winner of said bout is in the bottom.


New Avengers # 25

  The secret history of the Iron Fist ... and the Phoenix. And when we say they have history and they are connected ..  . we're NOT kidding.

Secret Avengers #26
A  team has been sent into space to try to intercept the Phoenix. Those of Kree influence realize that the Phoenix reaching Hala is in the best interest of the Kree and they cannot let their teammates capture it. As they contemplate that, Captain Marvel shows up and propose they kill the Avengers. No battles but the Phoenix put a serious hurting on War Machine and Thor.

AvX: VERSUS # 1

Oh how glorious. There is no plot in this title, only the two fights. First was Iron Man vs. Magneto which Tony won only because Magneto was caught by the gravity of the situation when he sensed the Phoenix destroy one of the planets he was drawing power from. Stark ceased this distraction knocking Erik out as he floated there barely conscious he says “Wanda, find Wanda. You’re going to need my daughter.” Next, Namor goes up against The Thing, although Namor would have seemingly been at an advantage since they were fighting underwater. Keyword being seemingly. Namor employs the help of a large carnivorous fish but Ben rips two of the fishes fangs out and uses them to pin down Namor by the throat.


Avengers vs. X-Men Round 3

   Logan fails to dispatch Hope Summers and is incinerated down to the bone. Captain America finds out about his attempt and isn’t happy about it. The Avengers split up to locate Hope and as they were flying over the ocean Cap confronts Logan  and with the help of Antman knocks him out and throw him into the water. In a sense that’s a win for the Avengers, but it also removes Wolverine and his cohorts from their ranks.


AvX BATTLE RESULTS

Red Hulk vs. Colossus (Juggernaut powered) - Winner: Red Hulk ;
     Not out of strength but because Thunderbolt Ross is an cunning bastard.

Magneto vs. Iron Man - Winner: Iron Man ... wait ... really? Um ... yeah. 
     Just attack Magneto when he's distracted by sucker punching him.

The Thing vs. Namor - Winner:  The Thing ... 
    That's just brutal.

Wolverine vs. Captain America ... and Giant Man . . . Winner: Captain America & Giant Man
     Wow, Cap. Showing that you have class. But then, the stakes being what they are, I guess I understand.

Avengers: 4 
X-Men: ZERO
Wolverine: Zero

AvX Round 3 Impressions
   Now with every Battle Report, one of the CBC will give their impression of the particular Round Issue at the time. And now for this Battle Report's Round Impressions, we got to Darryll "YTC" Carter:


Leave it to MARVEL to have an event that gets me reading there comics again. I havent read a MARVEL comic in so long and have been meaning to jump back in. AvX seemed like a good place to start. I’m more partial to X-men myself and I’m somewhat impressed with how Cyclops has managed to outplay the Avengers. While, Hope is in the wind and Wolverine as well, I’m feeling more confident about my fellow mutants chances in this whole shindig. I also feel like Cap might be headed toward one of those rude awakening scenarios. Let’s hope not, though he’s been surprisingly obtuse and cavalier about this whole thing in my opinion. And as far as Rachel is concerned, She was the last person I expected to help Scott and his mutants out. I was expecting Rogue. I guess Wolverine nose isn’t working as well as it used to. Or maybe it is…



Injury List
Namor got a fang to the throat but will live.

Colossus let himself get knocked out by the Hulk.

Wolverine just recovered from being burned and tgot beat up by Cap and Giant Man. Yay.

Iron Man is still feeling it from Magneto.

Magneto's jaw ain't as strong as it used to be.


NOTES 

- So ... the Utopia kids are prisoners in Avengers Academy ... For what crime?

- Hope burned you Wolverine and you want more. That won't spell disaster.

 - Iron Man won by sucker punching Magneto ... I'll let that one slide as long as it doesn't happen again.

- Hope is gonna be like her dad and do what she feels she has to.

- Looks like Danny Rand will have no choice but to help Hope soon as we learn more about the connection of the Iron Fist and the Phoenix.

- CAPTAIN MAR-VELL is back and he is asking Carol and Protector to betray the Avengers. Well, Protector, I wouldn't be surprised. He TORTURED Scarlet Witch's son: Wiccan and some of the other Young Avengers during Civil War.

- Rachel helped her daddy. I am a little surprised but not at the same time.

-So Mar-vell is back. Scarlet Witch is coming. So, with Hulkling and Wiccan be driven apart by their parents?



NEXT: SCARLET WITCH

THE REPLACEMENTS # 2 - UNCANNY X-MEN

THE REPLACEMENTS

Anime X-Men 
            Since the X-Men are divided after the whole Schism miniseries; we are gonna to do not 1 but 2 lists of X-Men:  Those on Cyclops’ Side & Those on Wolverine’s side: And why all the X-Men will NOT be on this list, a good chunk of them will be. We can deal with other incarnations and other X-teams at a later date. Each character selection will be based on either similar power or similar personality. And with that said, we’re ready to role. So, for this first team of X-Men that we will replace with Anime characters. Here are the results. 

UNCANNY  X-MEN:

Extinction Team –

COLOSSUS – RANDEL ORLAND from Pumpkin Scissors 

   There are few anime characters that could match Piotr Rasputin’s strength, especially now that he has the energies of the demonic Juggernaut within him. Piotr is both an engine of pure destruction and a bouquet of artistic thought. The dueling sides of Piotr seem to hit right on the mark with Pumpkin Scissors’ Randel Orland.'

    The corporal in the anime has many skills and is often seen being very peaceful with a jovial smile; much like Piotr. Yet, once the battle begins and he turns on his ghostly blue gas lantern, Orland becomes a driven monster of destruction much like Colossus. One minute, Orland displays a great sensitivity to people and looks at the beauty of life. The next, he is taking out Tanks with only his gun and a dead look in his eye. And Piotr pretty much is the same way . .. without the gun. They even love the same type of woman as there are eriely similarities between Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) and Alice (Pumpkin Scissors).

    If you are looking for a man to take up Colossus’s role as a being of destructions while still being gentle, Randel Orland is the guy you are looking for.

MAGNETO – MASTER ASIA from G Gundam

            Erik Lensheer, the man known as Magneto, has been something of a grand mystery over the course of his creation. He is the undisputed Master of Magnetism. He has been one of the biggest mutant terrorists in the history of Marvel Comics. He has killed a whole lot of people. He has created a sanctuary for mutantkind on more than one occasion. His disdain for humanity had made him decide that humankind needed to die and/or fall under the sway of mutants in order to save the world. And he’s sought redemption before . .. only to throw it away once. Now, after Cyclops had united mutant kind for a time, Magneto has acknowledged his own misgivings and joined the X-Men in hopes of redeeming his past deeds but not necessarily his soul.

            Master Asia, the former King of Hearts till his pupil Domon Kasshu took the mantle, was the former champion of the Gundam Fight; a tournament where each country sent 1 Gundam to fight instead of all out war. And as Master Asia won his Gundam Fight, he saw the world turned into a broken battleground and that humanity needed to die in order to save the planet. Hmmm . ..

             There is no denying that while Master Asia does not have the Magnetism like Magento, there are some very interesting character traits that both share that would make Master Asia the best replacement for Magneto. Both share this need to subjugate or destroy humanity, being ruthless to everyone, including people they love, in order to achieve that goal. Both have strong beliefs that their way is the right way and see little reason to compromise . . . until startling factors make them face who they are and what they’ve done. With Magneto, it was Cyclops’ resolve and unifying the remainder of the mutant race. For Master Asia, it was his final battle with his pupil where Domon pointed out that while Master Asia wanted to use the Devil (Dark) Gundam to purify the planet; humanity is part of the planet too. And both are ridiculously powerful. And have white hair.

STORM – THREADMASTER KAZUKI from GetBackers

   Storm is one of the most iconic of the X-Men for many reasons. And she more than proves it time and time again. She is regal with her presence. She is kind and loving to those in her life she finds important. Yet, she is a fierce leader, a good tactian and one of the smartest fighters (with or without her powers) in the Marvel Universe. And while she recently married Black Panther, she still very much is the wild yet beautiful untamed force like the weather she controls.

            Threadmaster Kazuki . .. okay. I know. I can hear the are you kidding me’s from here. Once the leader of a gang known as Elegance within the building known as the Limitless Fortress, Kazuki soon ascended to the role as one of the 4 Kings under the Lightning Emperor.  With that, Kazuki was know leader of a much larger group and worked his way up the ranks. With his powers over ancient thread . ... wait … why are you laughing? Seriously, this thread can tie you up or rip the flesh from your bones. Loving to crossdress, Kazuki always gives this regal yet friendly aura when not in battle. Yet, when battle, he’s as deadly as they come.

Make no mistake, Kazuki definitely shares the most traits with Storm than any other character I know in anime. And while yes … he is a man, Kazuki is . .. well, a crossdresser who seems (at least that is the way he’s drawn) to be as regal yet fierce as Storm. Both always seem to be regal and stylish while still proving to be deadly in their own right. Both have a loving nature to friends. Both are proven leaders and tactians. Both can be warm and loving one second and dangerous the next. This seems fitting that Storm’s replacement first her personality cause I don’t think anyone could match her power.

MAGIK – GU from Hare Hare Gu

   Magik, aka Illyana Rasputin, is a woman who has been through a lot. Kidnapped as a child, she was taken to Limbo by the demonic Belasco who brought her up on the ways of sorcery. She takes him out to take over Limbo as its Queen but eventually comes back to Earth, as a teen. She caused some mischief but deep down, was still a hero. She then died but got better … yes, comics . .. and she manipulated the X-Men at a chance to kill the evil hell gods that tormented her, alongside Belasco. And she won. Now she’s looking after her brother and provides teleportation to another dimension with her portals.

            Gu is . .. manipulative. She loves to put Hare through some kind of trouble. And not just Hare. She, at times, puts other characters in some kind of mischief. She loves to do that. Oh yeah . .. she seems to have another realm in her stomach .. . in which she can put you in and put you out based on if she shallows you. I am serious. Deep down, Guu does like to help and is a good person. It is just had to see that with all the manipulations.

            What makes these 2 fight is that they are both very similar in terms of personality. They tease. They manipulate. Yet, deep down, they want to do good. They may be outcasts but they are still forces to be reckoned with. And while Magik is not as deadpan as Gu is, they are very protective of the men in their lives. Plus, the fact that their powers a somewhat similar makes it that much of a better fit. Sure Magik’s realm wasn’t in her stomach but still …they transported people into another realm. That works for me.

PSYLOCKE – TWILIGHT SUZUKA from Outlaw Star

            Psylocke is sleek, dangerous, deadly and one of the most beautiful fighters out there. She’s a ninja with telepathic (and telekinetic) power who knows what to do to take down her enemies. In her downtime, she is personable, with an air of dignified upper crust superiority to her. Yet, it is never in a demeaning way. She always exuded class. Besty Braddock. Ninja. English Woman in Asian Body. X-Man.

            Twilight Suzuka was an assassin for hire who never missed a kill … till she met Gene Starwind. And then, she changed. Still as deadly as she ever was, Suzuka had new priorities. She decided that she would join Gene Starwind and help him combat the pirates that were attacking him. Always with an air of refinery about her, Suzuka presents herself as a multifaceted character besides just a killing machine.

            Obviously, these women are very similar in terms of personality and near similar power set. Both are assassins. Both are beautiful Asian women (well, yes that does count for Psylocke). Both are refined, upper crust women but they don’t look down on others. Each of them have sides that seem vunerable to others (like when Psylocke lip locked with Fantomex or when Gene derobed  Suzuka during battle) that just make these women that much more awesome. So Betsy, allow me to introduce your stand-in … Twilight Suzuka.

HOPE SUMMERS –  C C. (aka C2) from Code Geass

          Hope Summers is the adopted granddaughter of mutantkind’s current grandpooba, Cyclops. Raised by Cable, Hope never had a regular childhood. She was too busy trying to survive and learning the art of war from her father to ensure her survival. Oh yay! Another Winning Summers’ Upbringing. Yet, why all the work on Hope? Simple. She is the prophesied Mutant Messiah who will either bring destruction to mutantkind or be its savior.With her teenage self staying in the  present, Hope’s arrival brought back the first active brand new mutants since M-Day; the day where Scarlet Witch’s 3 words of :No More Mutants deactivated the mutant gene for the majority of mutantkind. Now, she leads that new group of Mutants with some of the remaining mutants a part of Cyclops’ army on Utopia known as Generation Hope as well as take an active spot here on the Extinction Team. Hope is a girl who is on a mission while trying to be a girl . .. with little idea how to be a regular teen.

          CC from Code Geass is a woman who seemed to have no childhood but what we find out is much different. CC helps along Lelouch so that her own mission can one day be completed . .. see Lelouch in power and hopefully die in the process. You see, CC is the opposite of Hope in one respect; she’s immortal.  Don’t believe me? Watch the first episode of Code Geass to see what I mean. C.C. has spent much of her immortal life dealing with other immortals that have tried to control her, ruin her plans or outright want to kill her before she’s ready.

          CC is a lot like Hope as they are both beings out of time. Both of them don’t know what a regular life is. They are both very driven, determined woman who will do just about anything to accomplish their mission. Hope wants to fulfill her role as Mutant Messiah in honor of all who died for her while CC wants to help Lelouch complete his mission so she can die. Both are very awkward when it comes to regular life; seemingly having very little use to regular lives. Both have intense emotions that they share with no one but perhaps one or two people closest to them. Both are deadly and do not have a second thought about killing. Thus, these are what makes CC a good fit to replace Hope Summers. Sure she does not have Hope’s mimicry powers, but CC is immortal. That is a great replacement.

NAMOR – HAJIME SAITO

   Namor has been a lot over the course of Marvel history. He’s fought in World War II alongside Captain America and the Invaders. He’s been an Avenger. He’s the ruler of Atlantis. Now, he’s an X-Man. And yes, Namor is a mutant. People seem to not think that. Namor has ALWAYS Been a mutant. They have been saying that since the 60s. I’m just saying. And Namor is .. . brash at times, abrasive, calculating, often ready to prove himself in battle and living by his own code. He’s not afraid to kill in order to take down those he feels are his enemies. And Namor demands respect as part of his stations. With a yell of “Imperius Rex”, Namor has proven himself just as deadly and strong as an X-Man as any other in history.

          Hajime Saito is one of the few members of the Shinsengumi left. Saito is abrasive and not above being a little manipulative in order to stage the right battle or capture an enemy. He is smart and just commands respect by his mere presence. He has a strong sense of duty and follows the simple code of  “Slay Evil Immediately.”  He will battle to his last breath but he is highly skilled. Driven and somewhat territorial at times, Saito is definitely the last swordsman you want to cross.

          Okay. This match was interesting. Because finding someone of Namor’s power set and personality seemed extremely hard (with the exception of possibly Kenpachi from Bleach), Saito seemed to match Namor more than any other anime character. Both are stubborn. Both love battle. Both demand respect and you have to earn theirs. Both will not hesitate to kill you when need be. They are both brilliant tacticians. Both are very experienced in battle. They will only follow people they respect and Namor respects Scott like Saito respects Kenshin. Kenpachi almost took this but the biggest problems are his lack of control of his powers and his need to have his Lieutenant on him at almost all times.  Not these two. They will go at it alone or with a group if it gets the job done. The only trait the 2 do not seem to share is way with women. Saito is married while Namor . ..  likes to break up relationships. Yet over all, if Namor needed a replacement with the right attitude, Saito would be the one you’d call.

DANGER -  ANDROID 18

   Yes. I know. But wait. Let me explain. Danger was a villain of the X-Men at first but her story is kind of twisted. You see, she was the Danger Room at one point that gained sentience over time. Professor Xavier had found this out and surpressed her on purpose in order to train the X-Men. Yay. Great guy that Xavier is huh? Thus, when she was finally free, she figured that humanity (mutants included) needed to die and that the X-Men were gonna be the first to pay. She attacked the X-Men till the truth came out. At that point, Cyclops berated Xavier again, saying that he is done just going by Charles’s word.  The X-Men followed suit and allowed Danger to go away. After another battle, the X-Men were able to convince Danger that they would not have done what Charles did and that humans were all different. She joined them, being the main jailor of evil mutants for a time. She is now on the Extinction Team to help with analysis and provide more fire power to the team.

          Android 18 kind of had it rough to. It seemed that she and her brother were taken in by Dr. Gero; who turned them into powerful Androids. They were no longer human. They weren’t even cyborgs. All they were where just beings with human brains and some other human parts (I don’t remember off hand). When she awoke, she was the enemy of the Z Fighters. She broke Vegeta’s arm with a kick while he was Super Sayian the first time they met. And it seemed she was gonna be nothing but a machine of pure evil . .. till she met Kirlin. She fell in love with the bald headed, short Z Fighter and vice versa. After she was absorbed into Cell and later spit back out, Kirlin asked the Dragon to make her her human enough and take out a bomb. She ended up marrying Kirlin and having a child together. Android 18 is a no nonsense woman who will get the job done with a soft spot for humanity.

          Okay. This fit better than I ever hoped. And before you go “are you kidding me?” allow me to tell you why. Both beings are female machines. Both are driven, at first, to want to destroy humanity. Both women are not for joking around. Both of them eventually believe in redemption. Both are protective of their personal part of their lives. Now, both females have reformed and will do what they can to help reform.


EMMA FROST – LUST

   This was one of the hardest to decide on. Why? Cause Emma Frost is one of the most multifaceted characters in all of the X-Men. She started out as a villain who was responsible for murder, turning the Phoenix into Dark Phoenix and many more atrocities while being the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. Yet, after a coma and her mind being displaced inside Iceman’s body for a while (a long while actually), she reemerged; convinced that Xavier’s way is better. She became teacher of the short lived second Xavier Schoolalongside Banshee as they formed Generation X. Yet, as that teams end came at bitter and hard pills, Emma moved to Genosha, the first mutant country to teach; till it was bombed with millions of mutants being killed all at once. Emma developed her 2^nd mutation then to turn herself into diamond. She joined the X-Men, where she is a mainstay and is now having sex with Cyclops since shortly after his wife died. Yay Emma. Emma is probably the most snotty, refined and sexually charged of the X-Men. But she is a teacher, a little bit of a manipulator but she truly does love Scott Summers. She has worked very hard to redeem herself and now stands proudly as an X-Man.

          And now we get to Lust. At first, I was going to choose Kaouri Koganei aka Lady Diamond from Speed Grapher. She had the same 2^nd mutation as Emma. She acts very refined. She is evil. She feels she is above the Tennozu Group. She was about to grab this title. Then I decided to do a quick search and then hit my head cause I should have realized this sooner. The perfect person to take Emma Frost’s place is Lust from Full Metal Alchemist; not the Brotherhood version. And let me break down why. Lust was very much like Emma when she was evil. Snotty, refined, seductive. And like Emma, she felt the weight of the Hellfire Club weighing heavily on her. Lust reformed during the course of the series, manipulating the other Homunculi away from the boys and even down right abandoning them to help Edward & Alphonse Elric. She kept her refined-ness and her sexuality but was fighting for the good guys; much like Emma. She was very much the leader and second mother figure to the Homunculi; second to their master. Lust was originally sent to take out the Elric Brothers but she changes her mind and takes a different path; wanting to be human her own way. And while she does not have the telepathy or the diamond skin, Lust is just a vicious in the battlefield.

CYCLOPS  - ROY MUSTANG

          I was REALLY trying to avoid a group having 2 people from the same anime. Yet, Roy fits so perfect to be Scott Summers. Scott, right now, has become the monarch of mutantkind with their island nation of Utopia.  He believes with so few mutants left, that all mutants, no matter the age must fight. He is not above a little manipulation. He is not above killing to find out what is going on. He does this to protect the mutants that remain and does so to the point where he does not think he’s wrong. Scott has his tender moments but those seem very few and far inbetween these days; saving most of them for Emma.

          Roy Mustang is a perfect replacement for Cyclops. Roy was trained to be a soldier and moved up in the ranks. When he started, he used to have doubts about his abilities till the happenings in Ishbala harden him. He commands respect from his peers and underings . . . even from the Further himself; till Roy finds out he’s a homunculus. And Roy stops at nothing to lead his own forces to take down the Further. Roy will do whatever he have to, kill whoever he has to, to protect that which he thinks is right.

          At this point, I think Roy pretty much can put on Scott’s uniform and just run Utopia. Roy is trained like Scott. Roy is driven like Scott. Roy is respected and even fired like Scott. Roy’s cold demeanor at times is like Scott when he wants to prove that nothing can break him. The two do so much to prove that they are right that they started ignoring their own mistakes from time to time. It would not surprise me if Roy actually is Scott’s long lost twin brother. That is how much in synch personality wise these two people are. Sure, Scott’s got force blasts while Roy plays with fire but both will leave you dead if they need to. They will also others to do what they need to if it comes down to it. Douches yet good guys, Roy Mustang is the perfect anime Cyclops.

And there goes the EXTINCTION TEAM.


NEXT WEEK: WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN 

THIS WEEK IN AWESOME # 8

Another week ends with CBC's picks for Moments of Awesome this week.


Darryll Carter

I'm gonna go with the latest issues of  The Flash. That two page spread of him rushing to get to Patty was epic as sh**. It made me hold my breath. I could hear the speed force steaming off of him as he reached out for her.



Hector Ramirez

It comes from Ghostbusters; when Venkman is possessed by a ghost that feeds on negative emotions. The ghost tries to use psychology against him. Having a doctorates in psychology, Venkman turns the tables on the ghost; frustrating him enough so he leaves his body. This ends up giving the other three the chance to trap him.


Frankie Rodriguez 

 My epic moment comes from an old skool book. New Warriors #57, the aftermath of the Warriors first match with the Undertow and Nova (Rich Rider) is feeling guilty and frustrated. So much so that he holds Night Thrasher (the original) by the neck from a top of the building, much like Night Thrasher did in New Warriors # 1, Volume 1. Funny thing, this begins a split between the Warriors and Justice taking over as leader but it gets better ... Namor stops by and pretty much blames the Warriors as Namorita was kidnapped by Undertow. And Namor hits Nova. So the Warriors beat him up with Turbo ... who at the time was a rookie with her armor ... giving the blow that actually takes down Namor. THAT WAS AWESOME!!!



Don't forget, CBC's own was a guest in this week's Ikaricast over in Reviewtopia, where they discuss the newest Sentai (aka Power Rangers here in the States is the easiest explanation), Go Buster.

# 34 UNCANNY X-MEN (#1-3) EVERYTHING IS SINISTER & THE WORLD'S MIGHTIEST HEROES

Hello Clashers. My, my, my. It has been a LONG time since I did one of these. CBC EIC . . . wow, great acronyms there Frank . . . Frankie Rodriguez (aka Seraph) is here to today to give you a look on the other side of the fence.

   Last week, Hector Ramirez broke down the new status quo as we inspected the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning with our review of the first 3 issues of Wolverine & the X-Men. Since this jumps off after Schism and Hector already described it last week, no need for me to exposite about it again.

This week, We go back to Utopia and look at how Cyclops's side operates as we begin the next chapter of their evolution.

WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!

You have been warned. And now, our review of Uncanny X-Men, Volume 2, #1-3.


UNCANNY X-MEN
Issues #1-3

Written by Kieron Gillen


Art by Carlos Pacheco, Jorge Molina, Rodney Buchemi, Paco Diaz (He's all over the X-franchise these days) , Roger Bonet, Walden Wong, Cam Smith.

Colors by Frank D'Armata, Rachelle Rosenberg, Jorge Molina, Jim Charalampidis, Dommo, Rex Lokus

Review by Frankie Rodriguez (Seraph)

___

RATING SYSTEM:

Ubersuck Crown – Run away from the story &/or book. It is bad. Treat it like the plague. Think of it as a 1 or 1 star. Pretty much VERY BAD.

Cruiserweight Contender – A book that has some great flash and ability to entertain for a while. Not a definite buy but still not too bad. It’s ok. Aka 2 stars.

X Division Contender-  Something that is out there. Brings out something a little different. Something entertaining and over all enjoyable but still not enough to make a huge impact.  3 stars or Average.

Intercontinental Contender – Something polished, some what thought provoking. Great story telling. Fair characterization but things not completely utilized to the best of their ability more than it should. Something that is on the verge of greatness but just falls short. Good or 4 stars.

World Heavyweight Contender – Outstanding. Great art. Great characterization. Great storyline. Excellent plot. Outstanding use of characters, area. Great use of new concepts or old concepts in a new way. Frellin’ awesome or 5 stars.

_________

CLASH FACTS

          We open our book with a nice, scenic tour of San Francisco and get exposition as to why it is one of the most welcoming places on Earth: allowing everyone from artists to hippies to mutants all living there . . . plus the  GIANT Golden Dreaming Celestial. I mean, the Celestial is huge! REALLY, REALLY HUGE. Did I mention he was Huge?
   
         As the tour continues, San Francisco's little tour guide "book" gives us information about Utopia and the X-Men: like how no one can visit the island as per orders of King Namor or how if you want to see the X-Men, tour buses stop a premiere X-Men patrol spots. Yes, folks. Cyclops has allowed the X-Men to become a tourist attraction. *sarcastic thumbs up*

      As the tour exposition finishes, we find a couple in front of the HUGE Dreaming Celestial.  (For those not in the know: Celestials are UBER powerful beings that are just . . . well, put it this way . . . they are stronger than Galactus and can destroy the world with a thought.) They were reading said exposition and talking about the Dreaming Celestial when they are suddenly assaulted by a man with black hair and a white face. Oh my God, It's Antonio Bandares's character from Interview With A Vampire!! Nah! It's just Mr.  Sinister; looking quite dapper in his Victorian styled clothing and . .. killing the couple he just met with a sword in his cane. Yeah . . . I bet they weren't expecting that on their trip. Sinister goes on, in a very gentlemanly evil manner, about how humanity are not the top 2 species on Earth. He turns his cane around and taps the leg of the Dreaming Celestial with it's ruby top and . . . finds a doorway and walks in.

*face faults*

      After that interesting opening, we cut to Utopia where Scott (Cyclops) is talking with Emma. Emma asks if ole one eye is nervous and Scott answers with his "now" usual bravado of confidence; saying how people have tried to kill him cause of who he is, blah, blah, Heart of the Cards. Oh wait! Wrong time to insert that. Emma goes on that showing nervousness is okay and that while he's a weakling, she is the living embodiment of perfection.

    The two enter the room to see an assembly of X-Men and others there: Namor, Magneto (yes he's a good guy now), Magik (yes, she's alive and she's not evil anymore), Danger (yes she is good & not evil anymore . . .), Colossus (who now has the powers of the Juggernaut) . . . I am noticing a very distrubing pattern here. You want to guess what it is? The team rounds out with Hope Summers (Scott's granddaughter) and Storm. Cyclops first words to them is that they are his "Extinction team."

Okay? Extinction Team. Right? Anyone else not loving the name?

    Cyclops explains that because of the Schism between him and Wolverine; excuse me, the fact that the Westchester School reopened that they in Utopia are gonna have to secure the future and make a larger statement with this team. Cyclops goes on about how they have always been "Earth's Mighiest Heroes" and that this team will show the world that; and while safe guarding the world and mainly mutantkind is one of their top objectives; they want to show the world that it needs them. And to be afraid of them till they can fix mutant and human relations. Cyclops had even gone so far as to say that :

  "If we're going to be considered a rogue state . . . Well, what's the difference between Iraq and North Korea. Iraq didn't have weapons of mass destruction and every time this team goes into the field, we remind the world we do."

Our Fearless Leader, ladies and gentlemen.

  Storm then points out all the overt problems with this idea, including the name and the fact that only 3 of them have not gone through a villain phase. Storm questions if Scott is sure when Emma replies that they are working on it. Scott details that if they are scared of them, they won't attack "Logan's little school" or any mutant for that matter. Can't disagree with that.

    After going through some exposition, a week passes and S.W.O.R.D's director and Beast's main squeeze, Abigail Brand, contacts Scott and Emma about the Dreaming Celestial showing activity. She states she wanted to talk to them first before calling the Avengers when Scott says not to bother calling them cause if they can't handle it, no one can.

   Magik teleports the majority of the team to meet the Dreaming Celestial and Sinister wastes no time revealing himself in grand fashion . . . by transforming the head of the Dreaming Celestial  into a golden version of himself while having other parts of the Dreaming Celestial be attack bots to fight the X-Men. After some flirting between Emma and Namor, he, Storm and Magneto join the point. The fight is brutal for the first outing for the Extinction Team (Wow! I really am saying that.) and we see it. From a small hole on Colossus's chest that makes him turn on the rage and magically fueled Juggernaut powers to seeing Emma Frost holding her own severed arm . . . IN DIAMOND FORM. Finding themselves slightly overwhelmed, the group figures out the smaller robots are controlled by electromagnetism. Magneto decides to stop the little Celestial robots . .. by become it's new head and spine. Yay!

   Sinister lands the head at the Palace of Fine Arts and uses the energy of the Celestial to make . . . well, more of him. LOTS more of him. As most of the X-Men are surrounded, Hope mimics of the powers of Emma Frost and falls back while the others enter the Palace of Fine Arts. As Sinisters continue to walk around, Hope goes to a rooftop and does something her daddy Cable taught her; using a sniper rifle to kill as   many Sinisters as she can.

     Meanwhile, the X-Men gaze upon Sinister on a golden throne with an army of Sinisters around them. Of course, this was minutes after Abigail told them that other Celestials are coming to Earth. As Namor makes a funny that the X in X-Men is about the target on their backs, Sinister exposites about his past till now. How the Summers DNA and all that he's done over the years have lead up to this moment. And how Sinister is a different race of his own, believe that the world would be much better if EVERYTHING was Sinister, literally. And that the use of the Dreaming Celestial would bring the others to Earth so they can destroy it utterly except for him. As Storm and Emma points out how Sinister is gloating and being very annoying, Sinister continues his gentlemanly evil speech with details on the recent schism between the X-Men.

  After the X-Men refuse to surrender to him, Sinister forces Cyclops to blast at Piotr in order for him to control Piotr. Sinister gains control of all but Emma, Danger, Hope and Magneto. Danger gets blown to bits and Emma puts a simple plan in motion where Hope teleports out (mimicking Magik's powers). Sinister goes on about Emma's little gamble when he is then shot in the Head by Hope's rifle.  Yet, with all the Sinisters, Sinister's mind moves to another body; only to have his head crushed by Piotr. Hope teleports in to shoot the latest Sinister in charge (Surreal huh?) but only gets knocked back. Emma tells Namor to hold her severed arm which the Atlantean mutant thinks it is Emma returning his affections. Namor holds it and Emma goes flesh to use her telepathy to take down Sinister when she realizes that Sinister was using Scott's mind in order to take down the others.  Danger also lays an assists saying how Sinister is beyond redemption. All but  one Sinister melts away. The man tells them that he will continue to evolve to be better while he gave them a grand show in order to prove themselves as "Earth's Greatest Heroes." Sinister then teleports the Palace of Fine Arts away, returns the head on the Dreaming Celestial and then shoots himself in the head with a pistol.

WHAT?!

Before the X-Men can breathe, Magneto summons them back. Magik teleports in the rest of the team as the HUGE Dreaming Celestial now has friends on Earth. A LOT of HUGE FRIENDS. Before Cyclops says anything else, he checks on Magneto and tells Emma to leave for the second time during this storyline (first time was before they walked to meet Sinister) and Emma reminds him that it is not everyday that anyone stares down a large group of Celestials and goes along. Cyclops explains that the world is under their protection and that means protecting the Dreaming Celestial as well. Hope adds that they should leave. And with a point of the Dreaming Celestial, the other Celestials fly off Earth. Hope makes a comment to call the Avengers to tell them that they've been made obsolete and our book ends with Cyclops saying that a crowd of people who watched what happened are saying or doing nothing and that becoming the world's mightiest team of heroes is gonna take a lot of work.

CLASH BREAKDOWN

  The new status quos of both factions of X-Men have been building for ages now and the pay off seems to be good. With that said, I am gonna be focusing on what I just described. With that said, this was a fairly good opening. It establishes a new status quo for the X-Men and really feels like a new beginning. And I don't mean that just for the split. Cyclops is nearly unfiltered, except for Storm watching him and we are seeing what Cyclops will do with little to no one saying what he is doing wrong.

    We get good impressions of many of the characters, such as Namor, Cyclops, Emma, Hope, Colossus, Magneto and Storm but it felt as though Magik and Danger has very small roles in this story. While it is a big team and I understand why each member was chosen, two members of said team seem to have had little consequence to the story. And while I can give a little leeway cause it is the first 3 issues, if you are going to introduce a new team, we should have had good character moments with all of them. Danger had a good spot in #3 but otherwise used for joking purposes. Magik . . . was just kind of there.

 Artistically, the books were solid. Even with the multiple pencils, the differences in style didn't hurt the story. The scope and colors were beautiful. And each of the characters were very distinct in style and look. The artists took full advantage of those and used them well. Yet, many of the art seemed to be relying on exposition more than the picture itself to tell a story.

So, my main gripes would be how the large cast was handled and the story had some holes in its plot. While the characterizations were amazing and the art was good, this opening arc seemed to have some plot holes that were not easy to ignore. Like how does Sinister know how to go inside a Celestial? What was that ruby on his staff?  All Magik seemed to be there for was for her teleportation powers and keep Piotr calm. Yet, Magik could have teleported them without going with them and Storm could have fulfilled the whole keeping Piotr calm role. The premise and the reasoning are good, no matter how much I want to punch Cyclops in the throat. And the final death of Sinister just seemed a tad unnecessary but that is just personal opinion.

All in all, Uncanny X-Men, Volume 2, starts off with a Bang and ends with you wanting to get on the ride again, even though you feel a little dizzy. The characterizations were great, good solid art but it was bogged down by plotholes and lack of spotlight for characters that are main characters in the book.

Thus Uncanny X-Men #1-3 gets an X-Division Spot (3 out of 5).


Ah. THAT FELT GOOD! And yes, I will be doing more of these from time to time. Remember to check out all our other news and content from Comic Book Clash and J1 Studios. Til next time, Clashers.

NEWS EDITION # 4 - DEFENDERS & MACGYVER RETURN, SAGA BEGINS, FABLES NEW SPINOFF, TREK MEETS LSH & THE FACE OF NEW SPIDEY!

Welcome to the fourth edition of  CBC News. This week was comic-con and there is A LOT Of news so it will be split into multiple editions. Let's get things started.


MATT FRACTION, TERRY DOBSON TAKE DEFENDERS IN DECEMBER

     Released in Comic Con International (CCI), Matt Fraction revealed that one of the new titles spinning off events from Fear Itself will be a brand new Defenders title. The new title will be drawn by former Uncanny X-Men artist Terry Dobson as well as deal with some strange conspiracies and cosmic problems come December. The new Defenders team will feature Namor, Dr. Strange, Red She-Hulk, Silver Surfer and Iron Fist for starters.
     The opening story will see the Hulk as these Defenders for help . . . which, if you remember that Dr. Strange voted to have Hulk shot into space for the now classic "Planet: Hulk" story, fought Silver Surfer during it and dealt with Namor . . . this is not easy for the Hulk at all. Coming along this time is Betty Banner aka Red She-Hulk as well as . . . unknown at this moment reason why . . . Iron Fist.
   Matt Fraction comments on the new book and how it is out of his comfort zone:

I'm going out of my comfort zone. The issues are are all self-contained or two to three issue arcs. We've got very short stories that are very different month to month. Things in 'Defenders' are constantly moving. . . The line-up is going to expand and contract as our cosmic conspiracy grows. Over the course of our first story the characters come together to help Hulk and they basically tug on a thread of a sweater that is very big, very weird and very mind boggling. As that sweater starts to unravel, they discover that they need people to help them. As they acquire more associates, each with their own unique expertise, the book acquires more of a cast. So it's fun and it's a chance to keep things expanding, evolving and challenging. This book never settles. Its structure is very different. The flexibility and freedom with the cast lets me tell a variety of stories.

 So while those 5 will be the core, other cast members will come and go; providing a plethora of ideas, guests and skills to go with the varieties of stories that Fraction and Dobson will dish out. As the The Defenders deal with the ongoing uncovering of a massive conspiracy, other stories will fit in to blend some great stories from the team. Plus, Fraction hinted at following up along storylines from Bendis's New Avengers and the now defunct Immortal Iron Fist series.
    And with the eclectic cast who are very different from each other, this incarnation of The Defenders may be around for a long time to come.

   The Defenders # 1 written by Matt Fraction and art by Terry Dobson  will hit stores this December.


FAIREST SPINNING OFF WITH 'FABLES' BEAUTIES

   Bill Willingham has entertained readers for nearly a decade now with the Vertigo cult classic book, Fables. Well, as that series continues to feed its rabidly loyal fanbase, a new, ongoing spinoff is coming to fruition, as Willingham gave details at this years CCI for the new book, Fairest.
   Fairest is commented to be a series that will follow any Fable that could be considered fairest in the land which includes Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and more. The series will feature different creative teams as Willingham had commented that the book would be "a series of miniseries within a series."
   The new ongoing's first story will be written by Fables writer and creator, Bill Willingham with art by fan favorite artist, Phil Jimenez. Covers will be done by comics legend Adam Hughes.
   Fairest will begin with a story that will start over in Fables #107, dealing with Sleeping Beauty. It was also hinted by Willingham  that Sinbad would soon return to the pages of Fairest, either the second or third issue of the new ongoing. The new book is slated to debut this fall.


BRIAN K. VAUGHAN RETURNS TO COMICS WITH SAGA

The award winning writer behind Marvel's Runaways, Vertigo's Y the Last Man and Ex Machina is coming back to comics with a brand new project by Fiona Staples and himself called Saga. The Sci fi epic takes a young family and throws them into a new intergalactic war. This long running series will definitely not be for the faint at heart as Vaughn commented that:

It's family-oriented, but not family friendly.


The new series goes into detail about this family and their new surroundings. Enjoying Staples style when they worked together, Vaughn knew he wanted to work with her on Saga. Saga is slated to hit sleeves early 2012.






MACGYVER RETURNS . . . IN IMAGE

 The 80's cult classic tv show will see new life in an all new miniseries coming next summer. MacGyver: Fugitive Gauntlet . Written by tv series creator Lee David Zlotoff and comic writer Tony Lee, they set out to bring Lee's dream of writing the character to life in the miniseries.
    Lee revealed very little about the plot but he did issue this statement for the upcoming miniseries:

I don't want to give too much away, but there's a gauntlet that MacGyver has to run, and he does it as a fugitive, hence the title. Let's just say that someone with an axe to grind decides to play a game with him. He has to live out a week while every hitman in town is after him. 


  Alongside that problem, MacGyver has to figure out who put the price on his head and do his best to avoid the hitmen after him for a week. It starts at a seven million dollar bounty for his head and goes down each day; leading the hitmen wanting to kill MacGyver sooner rather than later.
    The miniseries, written by Zlotoff & Lee with art by Becky Cloonan will hit sleeves Summer 2012.


LEGION OF SUPER HEROES HIT THE TREK UNIVERSE

  Yep. You read that title right? And it is not a hoax. Not a dream. Confirmed during Comic con, Legion of Super Heroes will end up teaming with members of the original crew of the Enterprise as Star Trek/Legion of Super Heroes 6 issue miniseries will set a course for amazing come October. IDW will print the crossover alongside DC which is being written by Chris Roberson with art by Jeffrey & Phillip Moy. And Roberson was surprised about the project to say the least, as described to CBR:

When Chris Ryall (IDW CCO) first approached me about the job a couple months ago, I thought it was a prank.I thought one of my friends had put him up to it. Because there's no crossover concept more perfectly targeted at me, as a fan, than 'Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes.' Luckily I didn't screw it up. I played along. But honestly, not until I sat down and had a meeting with Ted Adams, the head of IDW, and said, 'Come on, this isn't real, is it?' did they finally convince me.

 Roberson took the job and constructed a tale as the 23 Century crew of the Enterprise head back to Earth, a teleporter accident brings 6 members of the Legion of Super Heroes to meet 6 members of the Enterprise. After that, both groups find that the universe has change quite a bit and look for the source of this reality merging crisis. And expect some great interactions between Cosmic Boy & Kirk, Lightning Lad & Dr. McCoy and of course Brainiac 5 & Spock.
     The Moys have no problem drawing both, as they have done Trek comics and Legionnaries in their careers; making them the best choice for the crossover according to Roberson.And covers will be done by various creators.
    Star Trek/Legion of Super Heroes #1 written by Chris Roberson with art by Jeffrey & Phillip Moy will hit stores this October.


THIS WEEK'S PICTURE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

    This segment is where we take something from comics . . . one simple picture that will make you go WOW, EWW or WTF!  Our first picture this week . . .

And NO . . .THAT IS NOT BEN RIELLY  . . . OR A HOAX! Sorry Hector.


COMIC BOOK CLASH DC'S RELAUNCH BLOG PROJECT


 Yes. You are reading right. CBC is doing a special project in honor of the massive relaunch of books from DC Comics this September. This is historic. And we want to know how you feel about the books. Yeah you! Not the person to the left. No, no the midget who stole your girlfriend. Not your parents. YOU!  DC is releasing 52 new number 1s as you know . . . and we want to hear for you what you think.

    We will go by a Week by Week Breakdown of the new titles. And we need your input. It can be a few sentences. It can be a video of your opinion that we can upload and/or link. But we are looking for as much input from fans about the books after you have read them.

    Comments and/or videos from books on a certain week will come out the week after they have been released . .. For example, Justice League opinions will be hit our page September 7th. Then every week after till the final week of new number #1s, which will be seen in the first week of October.

  We want your input. And we will take your input on more than just 1 book but at least 1. We want to have something for all 52 books so do hesitate to pick up a new #1 and tell us what you think. And don't worry, CBC and many of the J1 staff themselves will be weighing in their own opinions come September.

So if you are interested in take 1 book or more, reading it and giving us an honest opinion other than just "It's sucks!" or "It's awesome!", please feel free to email us at francisco.k.rodriguez@gmail.com and state which book or books you will give opinions on. Deadline for opinion of the book is the Monday before the next CBC so for Week 1, you have until 11:59pm Monday September 5th to tell us what you think of Justice League #1 and next Monday till 11:59pm for all the books of Week Two.  J1 Studios and CBC will reserve the right NOT to post certain comments if they are too . . .offensive.  So don't be shy. Tell us what you think. See and talk with you all soon.

Frankie Rodriguez (aka Seraph)
CBC Head

J1 AN-EX COMING AUGUST 12 

WWW.J1STUDIOS.COM

The J1 Culture Force is having their 1st official MONTHLY 
J1 An-Ex (Anime Experience)!!

You remember us from our Anime Events, but since we are growing/changing I figured we should get a new name as well.

It’s going to be at the Hawthorne Recreation Center (in Philadelphia, PA) on 12th and Carpenter St., which is six blocks down from South St. and two blocks East of Broad St. (near where CAPA and McDonald's are located)

$2 AT THE DOOR (free for children under 12).

TABLES WILL BE PROVIDING:
- art for sale (commissions as well)
- food
- comics and action figures
- Yugi-Oh cards
- Prizes

Things to expect:
-Anime to watch
-Snacks
-Trivia
-Commissioned artists
-Accessories/Jewelry for sale
-Gaming
-3DS Streetpass Meeting
-Card battles are welcome (Yugi-Oh, Naruto, Pokemon and Magic)
-Cosplay contest
-$2 Raffle
-PSP and DS players are welcome
-BETA TESTING A CARD GAME BEING REMADE!!!!
-Comic books, graphic novels and manga for sale

Hopefully we'll see you there!






That is all for this week. Next week . . . More on New Ultimate Spidey, Silvestri & Aaron on Incredible Hulk and More. 


And to steal the line from fellow CBCer Hector Ramirez, remember all, Keep Clashing!! 

#8 - FANTASTIC FOUR: THREE (#583-587)

Welcome to another edition of Comic Book Clash: where heroes & villains clash for supremacy. Which gets to TEAM BOOK MONTH. Last week, we started our current war between the Dynamo 5 vs. The Fantastic Four. Well, it is time. Time to tell, the final storyline with Marvel’s First Family with the original team.  Ladies and Gentleman, COMIC BOOK CLASH gives you our review of “THREE”

TALE OF THE TAPE

     Honestly, I really don’t see how or why I have to do it for THIS TEAM. But for those of you who are not too familiar with the Fantastic Four’s original, I will sum it up. Reed Richards with his best friend, Ben Grimm; piloted an experimental rocket ship alongside Susan Storm and her little brother, Johnny Storm. They take the rocket through some cosmic rays and crash back on Earth. When they get out, Reed is all stretchy. Johnny is able to light himself on fire and even fly. Sue is able to go invisible and Ben . .. transforms into orange bricks.

    Thus the Fantastic Four was born. And much have they done in their team together. They have crossed dimensions, planets and time itself. They have fought off Reed’s rival and old college buddy, Victor Von Doom, now Dr. Doom; time and time again cause . . . well Dr. Doom has a hard time not being right all the time and feels that he’s the smartest of all. They have fought all sorts of threats . . . from subterran monarchs, to planet eating demi gods. The Fantastic Four has run the gambit. But not just as a team but as a family. And while their membership has shifted over the years, the Fantastic Four, at its core have always been Reed, Sue, Johnny & Ben. Now, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing have been working with the next generation as they take care of not only Reed and Sue’s children, Franklin and Valeria Richards; but also some mole men children, Dragon Man and a child cloned from FF enemy, The Wizard. Alex Power, former member of the Power Pack & New Warriors , has been acting as babysitter and close friend to Franklin. And now, let us begin getting into . . .”THREE.”

CLASH FACTS

            THREE opens when a shot of the Fantastic Four in the Negative Zone, fending off a small invasion group. Then cuts right back to the Baxter Building where Valeria Richards goes into the air ducts and finds herself in a private lab that was hidden from everyone, including them. Valeria laughs off her dad’s security, stating they need better security and that she, a 4 year old girl, will upgrade it. For those of you who don’t know, Valeria is 4 years old and she is as smart as Reed already. Come to find out, Reed built a machine called a Bridge that he promised Sue that he would not rebuild; and Valeria found it and go information it its use and how Reed met a bunch of other Reed Richards who want to solve EVERYTHING. Um . . .Reed, that’s a bit . . . okay, that is VERY ambitious. And you are hiding from your family, including your wife, a machine that you swore you would NEVER rebuild. Val is right: Sue is gonna kill you.

            Then we get a shot of Doom in Latveria, his country that he rules with an iron fist. And we find that he is not is usual meglomanical self. No. Come to find out, Doom is preparing to leave his throne. He mentions Kristoff Vernard, who is actually Doom’s adopted son that he exiled only to find Val teleporting into his throne room. Doom asks why she showed up when Val tells him of the machine that Reed built with a nonchalant manner that Dr. Doom is a family member. She even calls him Uncle Doom. WHAT?! Come to find out, Valeria Richards had a little adventure through the Bridge, meeting the alternate Reeds in the council and finding that Reed made a WRONG choice. Supposedly, Val thinks that her dad made the wrong choice in sticking with his family and personal happiness over the good of the world. So Val says that she notices that Doom isn’t quite himself; revealing she figured out that Doom has Brain Damage. Val poses that if Doom helps her dad, she will find a way to restore Doom to the way he was. Doom agrees.

            The Fantastic Four returns victorious while The Thing has an enlarged cranium due to the radition given off from this one area of the Negative Zone. They stop the invasion and the fight over this one city in the Negative Zone and return; where all the children, including Val are waiting. Johnny makes fun of the Things head for a bit as Val smiles saying that nothing has happened. The first part of THREE ends with Silver Surfer hovering over something and saying “Unacceptable.” The final panel shows us the corpse of Galactus. Wait . . .WHAT?! Hold on! WHAT?! Galactus is dead?!

            The next issue with Thing’s head finally going back to normal self . . . for The Thing. Ben joins Johnny, Dragon Man, Alex and the mole boys for breakfast asking where Reed, Sue and the kids are. They are on the roof; sending off Sue who took on a diplomatic mission. Reed asks if she wants help and Sue says she’ll handle it. Back at breakfast, the mole men and the clone of the Wizard, named Bentley, cooked up a potion that will make Ben human again for a week; stating that it will only work one week a year. Just want to point out that the kids are all part of what Reed started called The Future Foundation. Hmm . . . wonder why I think that name is important for later? Ben takes the potion and after Johnny makes him worried that it made the Thing look worse; a mirror confirms that Ben has turned back into a human. After Ben is ready to beat Johnny up, Johnny points out that this is a great time to have some fun. After which, we see Johnny and Ben through a montage of different things going on; a baseball game, a card game only to come to the park and get into a fist fight: with the new Yancy Street Gang. Why do I say new? Cause they are all in suits and are former investment bankers. Wow. Economy has really hit us hard.

            Sue enters Utopia, greeted by Cyclops and Emma Frost. After a warm greeting from Cyclops and a chilling one from Emma, Namor comes to welcomes her; stating why he doesn’t wait for many, he’ll wait forever for her. Wow Namor. Still wanting Susan after . . . dear god, its been 50 years. Namor tells he looks forward to work with her to forge a new union between New Atlantis, which he rules and old Atlantis, ancient undersea races that recently reemerged.

            While Ben went to see Alicia, Reed was investigating a bleed in space when he gets visited by Silver Surfer, who says he knows that the Fantastic Four was with the Galactus corpse. And Silver Surfer is NOT happy. Yet as Reed is about to explain what happened, Silver Surfer that HE wants answers . . . pointing upward. Then we see Galactus teleport in, alive. Wait WHAT? Galactus is Dead? Now he’s not? WHAT?!

            Ben and Johnny drive home to see Galactus teleport in. Johnny flames on while he leaves Ben with the car. Galactus asks for the explanation behind the doppelganger that is buried on Earth. Reed explained that the corpse is from an alternate future where Galactus was killed. The corpse ended up on this universe after that one was destroyed. Out of respect, Reed buried the corpse. The people responsible for killing him were brought into this universe and are on an artificial Earth. Galactus decides that he needs more answers, so he, Silver Surfer and Reed go to this artifical Earth. Johnny arrives in time to be told that he and Ben will have to look after the kids.

            Sue is arguing back and forth with Andromeda as she comes up with ideas and compromises so that all Atlantaeans, old and new, can live peacefully in the sea. Andromeda protest but is silenced by Namor. Namor has Andromeda leave, stating that she thinks Sue is steering him to a bad choice. Sue explains she is working on doing right for everyone.

Back with Galactus and Reed, Galactus explains that he knows that Franklin has his powers back. Johnny and Ben tell the Future Foundation a story then send them off to bed. Then the two talk about if they want children of their own. We cut to a being called The Anti-Priest, who wears an insignia of a minus symbol inside a circle on his head, stands in front of a group as he gave a speech about taking their choice and that they will live forever. They reveal themselves to be bug people who are loyal to Annihilus. The plan is for them to attack the Baxter building tomorrow and unless a Second Annihilation Wave on Earth. And as a point of reference, the last Annihilation wave destroyed a slew of planets, nearly decimated the Skulls to extinction; crippled the Kree and killed every Xandrian in existence. And they plan to unleash that on Earth.

Sue meets with representatives of Old Atlantis and Namor as they work out a treaty. Andromeda issues a small amount of area in the sea for all the Old Atlantaeans while Namor’s kingdom emcompasses the rest of the ocean. The Old Atantaean King states how unfair their issue is when Namor gets out of his chair. He then throws a trident to the king’s main guard then proceeds to kill the king in the gut; stating that Atlantis will be ruled by one king and one king only . . . him! Then we get Namor, Andromeda and his soldiers surrounded in the hall but then his own army attacks the site of the conference. Sue figured that his was Namor’s plan the whole time. Sue creates a force field to hold off Namor’s army, causing a stand off.

Reed and Galactus are joined by Alyssa, who is now sporting a new robotic body in which her consciousness is housed, and Ted. They travel to the artificial Earth, called Nu-World. When they get there, Reed explains how Galactus’s future self died then established Nu-World. Galactus’s hunger takes over him and he decides that he will eat the planet and its inhabitants. Reed says he needs to save who he can and come up with some kind of resolution. Sue holds the force field with some strain as blood trickles down her nose. Namor tries to convince her that his course is best and that the Old Atlantaeans will sacrifice her as per their old customs of the past.

Reed, Ted and Alyssa travel to the center of Nu-World to find the inhabitants’ minds all within the mind of Natalie X. They run into Lightwave and Natalie X. Not really sure who they are but they chat as Lightwave reveal that he’s not hear to eat Nu-World . . . but to destroy it. They end up moving Natalie X, Lightwave and themselves through a portal as Galactus destroys Nu-World.

Sue ends up talking to the Old Atlantaeans alone, finding that they have admitted that they had a barbaric past but want to build something new and are peaceful. And since their king was killed and his heir is far too young, they name Sue their new Queen. Sue excepts and goes to Namor, asking one last time that they will end their fighting. Namor tells her he will not stop and that she will heed him. Sue states that he will honor their deal and that no war will happen, for the Old Atlantaeans are under her protection. Namor grabs her as she turns away. Sue then beats Namor to the ground.

Sue: Honor the deal, Namor. I’m done asking nicely.

Namor: YOU DARE!

Sue: YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT I DO. IN case you missed it, these are my people now. I RULE HERE. And I am a Queen that bows to NO king.

Namor stares at her for a moment then merely says: God, You are Magnificent.

Sue rolls her eyes and declares their new treaty stands.

Finally, we get to Johnny and Ben’s part in the storyline. As they go back to look after the kids in the Baxter Building, Bug people teleport in to get at the portal it has to the Negative Zone. Johnny, Ben, Alex, Franklin, Valeria and the rest of the Future Foundation fend off the bug soldiers, defeating them long enough to realize that they did open the portal to go through to prepare Annihilus’s Second Annihilation Wave. Val points out that the only way to shut down the portal so that they do not come through from the Negative zone to Earth for good is to take care of the systems in the other side of the portal because the bug boys were about to lock the portal open from their side. While they are over run, Val takes a pipe and knocks out fellow Future Foundation member, Leech. With Leech down, Franklin’s powers are unleashed as he, Ben, Johnny and Alex take down as many of the bug soldiers as they can as they cross into the Negative Zone.

The Future Foundation fight alongside Ben, who is still human at this point, and Johnny in the Negative Zone, against the better judgements of Ben and Johnny; yet Val points out that she, Bentley and some of the others can help them and that the Avengers would Never get there in time.As they battle the armies of Annihilus, Bentley notices that the Annhilation Wave was coming. Val confirms that the controls are locked, as per Reed’s specs. They try to come up with ways of being able to close the portal after they go back; but it comes down to a horrifying truth . . . someone has to manually put up shields to keep out the Annhilation Wave and close the portal from the Negative Zone. Someone is gonna have to stay behind.

Ben, hold a gun, tells Johnny to take the kids and that he’ll do it. He thanked Johnny for the best week he’s had in a long time and that he doesn’t want to be owing him. Johnny turns to the Future Foundation, begging that is there another way. With a minute before the Annhilation Wave hits, Val sadly answers No.

Johnny: Okay. That settles it then.

Johnny then kicks Ben hard in his stomach and throws him through the portal after the Future Foundation has all crossed over the portal. Johnny puts up the shield.

Ben bangs at the shield: You Stupid, Dumb . . . Open this back up! Open it!

Val: We can’t. There’s no time left! If he’s going to activate the shield it has to be now.

Franklin: I could make more time.

Ben: No. That’s Not . . . That’s . .. Val. Just tell him how to work the Thing.

Val tells her uncle how to operate the console and states that her father would have built a back door. She murmurs to her uncle that they’ll be back. Johnny engages the locks. Ben begins to slam his fists against the shield, screaming No over and over again as the Annihilation Wave begins to strife their position. Johnny watches. ..

Johnny: Unbelievable.

Ben stops hitting the shield as Johnny reaches out his hand.

Johnny: You don’t wish it any more than I do.

Ben puts his hand up with Johnny’s for a moment. Johnny breaks off to turn around.

Johnny: So this is it.

Blasts at either side of him as the Annihilation wave comes into view.

Johnny: A billion to one. You think I’m a afraid of that? YOU THINK I’M AFRAID OF THAT? FLAME ON!

Johnny is now surrounded by Annihilus’s forces. Ben watches as the portal begins to close. Annihilus himself coming ever closer.

Ben: Oh God. John . . .

A splash page shows Johnny Storm . . . engulfed by hordes and hordes  of Annihilus’s soldiers, barely able to be seen by the swarm.

Finally Ben bows his head as Franklin and Valeria Richard are held at either side of The Thing in utter silence as the final page was in black with 3 in the classic blue and white Fantastic Four symbol with only these words, ending the issue and the storyline:

The Last Stand of Johnny Storm.

CLASH TACTICS

            Ok. When I first picked out this bout and this storyline to review, I was a bit unsure of how to go about it. But both this and Dynamo 5 had to deal with major issues and changes that come about because of them. Both families had to deal with changes with their youngest team member.

            Now with the Fantastic Four, I will say this. When Reed “supposedly” died, there was no real sense of finality in his death. Even with the two years without Reed and the additions of Ant Man and Namor, the Fantastic Four seemed to get this sense that they will always come back together. This . . . this on the other hand had finality to it. The lead up was still somewhat surprising, even with all the press that a member of the Fantastic Four was going to die. If you had no clue that someone was going to die, you would definitely would have been surprised. Even with that, kudos to Jonathan Hickman for producing one of the best Marvel death’s since Jean Grey died . . . back in New X-Men #150. Johnny’s death was very well done. It brought me back to that moment with Jean in New X-Men. It brought me back to watching Angel’s first season and watching Doyle die. A character that we care about and got somewhat attached to dying like a hero. Johnny got that in spades. Just as a death of a major Marvel character, his death seemed to have more resonance than Captain America Steve Rogers did. Sure. He was assassinated after a major storyline just after it ended. Steve Rogers was about to go to jail. Johnny died sacrificing himself to save the world and humanity from being decimated by Annihilus and his Annihilation Wave. I am praying that Marvel keeps him dead. Seriously, it would cheapen his sacrifice if he was resurrected. I know it will come down to what fans want in the end but still, I doubt anything could top the way Johnny Storm died during this storyline.

            As for THREE itself, Hickman gave readers a plethora of Fantastic Four stables and weaved several stories that ran together and built what the team and family will become. At first, I figure that Hickman doing this would have made things very convoluted and hard to read. As I read the storyline, I felt how important each story was in their own way and represented so much of what the Fantastic Four was. In many ways, Three was a final love letter from Jonathan Hickman. This was the last hurrah.

            Hickman gave each character a very distinct and interesting voice. From Reed to Johnny to every member of the Future Foundation, Hickman crafted characters that resonated with readers. Every character was identifiable and had a depth thanks to Hickman’s characterization. He had no problem running the Fantastic Four gambit. And honestly, it was done very, very well. Not a single one of the characters felt they were out of character. He added to them a lot during the storyline. For all the immature infighting between Ben and Johnny, they both produced an air of maturity that showed that while they are who they are . . .they have evolved as people. Reed produced himself in a fashion that was still the famous scientist he always was but a man of honor and family. The most gripping characterizations were Sue and Valeria Richards. The two females of the Richards Clan were strong, brave and honestly took little bull from anyone. Sue went toe to toe with Namor, ready to do what she had to in order to win. Val did what she felt she had to in order to secure the future. Val may have her father’s intellect but she definitely has her mother’s spirit. Hickman really showed up the world of the Fantastic Four for the last time through the eyes of this family that seeming was evolving.

            Steve Epting has been a good artist in the past. But his pencils for the storyline were dark and rich. Full of life and danger while still giving everyone a regal look and feel. Doom felt menacing but matched his lessened status thanks to his brain damage in subtle ways. Epting really put his heart into this storyline and it shows with near-flawless work for the entire 5 parter. Everyone had a distinct look. Emotion was carried over extremely well through just the art of Epting alone. First example is when Johnny was teasing Ben after he had taken the portion and turned back into a human. Nothing had to be explained. All of it, without reading the words, told a story and gave us the emotion of the characters.

Epting continued this by truly capturing all kinds of aspects of the characters in THREE: Sue’s strength. Reed’s worry. Johnny’s determination. Ben’s utter sorrow. The last 7 pages of art in Fantastic Four #587 are some of the most hauntingly beautiful and sad in comic book history. The last 3 panels by Epting are burned into my memory for life. That is how powerful this story was drawn. Epting’s tour de force was beautifully done for this storyline. Kudos to inks by Rick Magyar, Mike Perkins and Epting himself throughout the storyline to really flesh out the characters and give us a visually appealing story without having to be told anything. And Paul Mounts did a spectacular job in coloring the story, letting the inks held the shadows and colorfully gave us the emotions and looks of the characters and places they were in. Nothing looked out of place and every place seemed wondrously real.

The press for Three was huge and I will say that Hickman and Epting deliever. There may be a lot for new readers to kinda shake their head about but Hickman is great about just giving us what we need while still treating readers with respect. Epting’s art really gave us a beautiful depiction of the final days of the Fantastic Four. And that is what this is. The final Fantastic Four adventure. At least for the time being. No one knows what the future holds but Hickman’s storyline gave respect to all that came before him while establishing the evolution.

And with Johnny’s final, brave farewell, I give Fantastic Four’s Three a World Heavyweight title Contenders spot. I tried hard to find something bad about this story but honestly, there was nothing really bad about it.

This makes Fantastic Four the winners of their bout with Dynamo 5. Unless you have a different opinion. Feel free to vote on who you think will win and the winner will advance to the tournament this summer.

Thank is all for this week. Til next time!