Battle for the Soul

     Despite not being a huge, franchise-wide crazy story, X-Infernus has more than managed to justify its existence with solid storytelling and excellent character-based plots.  This whole thing is about Colossus, Nightcrawler, Pixie, Witchfire, and of course, Illyana Rasputin.  It’s a superb continuation of the plotlines from House of M, New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and other books.  And it’s a ton of fun.  Pixie’s turning all demonic, Witchfire’s got a ton of bloodstones, and everything’s gone to hell.  Quite literally, I might add.  I’m not even sure how this is going to end, since things look pretty grim for Illyana.  And yet, she’s supposed to be one of the candidates for Sorceror Supreme.  So who knows?

     At any rate, I wasn’t a fan of bringing her back to life.  The whole “revolving door” thing in comic books is kind of crappy, and it’s been abused even more in recent years.  But the writers, including C. B. Cebulski, are telling a very good story with her and those affected by her.  In fact, her effect in Pixie is more interesting than her effect on Colossus.  Colossus has become so whiny recently that it’s annoying.  That’s why the arc in Uncanny X-Men is so nice.  But this miniseries is more interesting for Pixie and Illyana.  It’s a fun read, especially for fans of New X-Men.  I definitely recommend it.

Plot: 8.8      Art: 8.7      Dialogue: 8.8      Overall: 8.8

An Identity Crisis

     Ever since Messiah Complex, Rogue lost all the powers and personalities she’s accumulated over the years.  All except Mystique’s, which she absorbed right at the end.  Now, in X-Men: Legacy, she is trying to find herself in the old X-Men headquarters in Australia, while dealing with both Mystique in her head and Danger trying to use her to get revenge on Professor Xavier.  I’m a huge fan of Rogue, so this seemed like an obvious buy for me.  While Mike Carey has been praised thus far for his work on X-Men: Legacy, this arc just doesn’t seem as interesting.  It is as based on continuity as his other arcs, but for some reason, it falls relatively flat.

     Perhaps that has partially to do with the fact that the character of Danger isn’t that interesting or original.  It was the low point of Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men.  Or perhaps its the random inclusion of Shi’ar pirates.  I mean, the whole idea of her literally confronting her past through Danger’s holograms could be interesting.  But something is just missing.  We’ve also got Gambit and Professor X looking for her and dealing with the holograms in their own way.  I was hoping that Carey, who has professed his love for Rogue as well, would write a more interesting story than this.  It’s good, but Carey normally produces much better work.  At any rate, Scot Eaton’s pencils look better than ever.  And his Professor X is much less based on Patrick Stewart, which is nice, since no one else used him as a model.

Plot: 7.8      Art: 9.0      Dialogue: 8.4      Overall: 8.2

The Future of the Slayer

     Now, for some reason, I can’t insert this link as a video.  So here we go:

http://www.newsarama.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=NA_090225_Scott_Allie

     This is a great video interview featuring Scott Allie, Dark Horse Comic editor, talking mostly about future plans for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight.  The last minute and a half is about something else, but if you’re interested, go ahead.  Anyway, we’ve got more vampires stuff coming up, and Jane Espenson is going to do a five-part arc.  All in all, I think the future is bright.

My Continued Surprise

     I am beyond shocked.  I continue to enjoy Dark Avengers.  In fact, this issue is better than the last one.  I never thought I’d actually like Brian Michael Bendis consistently, but lo and behold.  In this issue, we get some amazing character-driven stuff, particularly for Morgan le Fay, Moonstone, and Sentry.  That’s right.  I refuse to call Moonstone Ms. Marvel because she’s not Ms. Marvel.  Anyway, Morgan le Fay is portrayed as an appropriately dangerous villain, and I love the little touch with her recognition of Ares.  It’s likely that, were she from our current time, she’d be Dr. Strange’s replacement as Sorceror Supreme, hands down.  I’m also curious to learn more about Miss Victoria Hand.  She’s only appeared just recently, but her comments on Maria Hill and her personality indicated that there’s a lot to go into.

     Plus, we’ve got Mike Deodato Jr.’s stellar art.  He’s still doing a great job, and this issue is better than the last one.  Unlike a lot of artists, he’s extremely consistent with faces.  Especially Norman Osborn with his Tommy Lee Jones face.  And thank goodness his hair is likewise consistent.  I was worried that this series would pale in comparison to its predecessor, Warren Ellis’ Thunderbolts.  No, it isn’t as good.  But it’s pretty dang close.  And the best part is that Bendis isn’t trying to exactly duplicate it.  He’s brought in five new characters, one he invented himself, to add to half of the winning Thunderbolts mix.  I love his use of Ares, and I find each of the characters a good pick for the team.  Now, I don’t like Noh-Varr or Daken, but that has nothing to do with Bendis.  And Sentry is actually becoming less obnoxious every page.  This series is setting a high standard for the whole Dark Reign event, no doubt.

Plot: 9.0      Art: 9.4      Dialogue: 9.2      Overall: 9.2

Slowing Down

     For the first time since it started, Invincible Iron Man is losing momentum.  Of course, the biggest thing in this issue is the revelation of Pepper Potts’ new armor.  So help me, she’d better be called Iron Woman.  Iron Girl would be so absolutely demeaning.  We’ve also got Norman Osborn grandstanding, the essential destruction of Stark Industries, and a make-out scene between, of all people, Tony Stark and Maria Hill.  It’s like Hill said, though.  However, based on what we saw at the end of the issue, crazy stuff is about to happen.  Maria just blew up an armory, Pepper put on her awesome, almost Jocasta-esque suit, and Tony pulled his old Heroes Return armor out of the closet.  So this issue is more about setting those things up.  That’s the main reason I think it isn’t as interesting.

     However, just as big as the revelation is the fact that Salvador Larroca’s art has made a marked improvement.  I don’t know what it is, but his faces suddenly became amazingly consistent.  Except Maria Hill’s.  But Osborn and Pepper look great.  If this keeps up, Larroca will earn his credentials for the first time since his massive stylistic change beginning with his X-Men run.  This is still one of Marvel’s top series.  And it is almost as much the flagship title of Dark Reign as Dark Avengers.  This one is just from the other side.  Matt Fraction continues to prove himself as Marvel’s biggest rising star.

Plot: 8.7      Art: 9.2      Dialogue: 8.8      Overall: 8.8