1985 #5
Writer- Mark Millar
Artist-Tommy Lee Edwards

1985 #5 is an issue away from the final issue in this miniseries and it’s a damn fine issue at that. In brief, somehow the Villains of the Marvel Universe manage to travel from their universe to ours, where there are no superheroes. They set up shop in the spooky old Wyndahm house (which is a story in it’s self) and become increasing immoral and terrible in our universe with no heroes to keep them in check. Only Toby Goodman and his Dad, loyal Marvel Comics zombies know who they are and what to do to try and stop them. Originally planned as a series with photos way back in 2005, it was deemed way to costly to produce.

Toby ends up in the Marvel Universe in this issue trying to find superheroes to come back to his universe to help stop the villains. Much to his dismay, he’s not able to convince anyone of the seriousness of his plight. After trying the Avengers Mansion and the Baxter Building (Home of the Fantastic Four), he ends up at the Daily Bugle and manages to convince Peter Parker using his knowledge of him from the comics.

This comic is the ultimate kid fantasy that we’ve all had in our heads at one time or another. Anyone who’s read Marvel Comics has had fantasies of magically transporting themselves to another dimension to interact with their heroes. Heck, I still do it!

The only bad thing about this book I’d say is those who haven’t grew up reading Marvel may be not as attached to the story as someone who has. However, for those of you who loved the movies Goonies and Monster Squad, you may find yourself enjoying this series as well.

Bonus for supergeeks! This series ties into Millar’s current Marvel Comics, Wolverine and Fantastic Four. All three series are separate and can be enjoyed as such, but reading them all gives you a much larger vision of the story in each book.

Happy Halloween month. Everyone should be making some rocking costumes this year. Let’s talk about the lack of awesome comics this week.

• Invincible #53 When exactly is Omni-Boy going to turn into one of Invincible’s rogues?
• Alcoholic Hardcover You can read Swank’s review here.
• Beyond Wonderland #2 Imagine that, another review from Swank. This book is great.

Marvel was nice enough to drop this kick ass preview into our inbox:

The X-Men have found a new home in the sunny city of San Francisco, but that doesn’t mean everything’s fine for Wolverine!  The past catches up with everyone’s favorite Canadian Canucklehead once again in Wolverine: Manifest Destiny #1 (of 4), from acclaimed writer Jason Aaron (Wolverine, Ghost Rider) along with rising-star artist Stephen Segovia (Wolverine: Origins), as a bounty is put out on Wolverine’s head! Logan’s ex now leads the Triads, gathering four mystical warriors with the power to kill Wolverine—guess he should’ve stayed in New York! The snikt is about to hit the fan!

The feel good comic book preview of the year! -Slugtron

Venom: Dark Origin #3 Published by: MARVEL Written by: Zeb Wells Art by: Angel Medina Release Date: October 1, 2008 Price: $2.99

Issue number three of Venom: Dark Origin is continuing the fall of Eddie Brock into the darkness that is Venom. I have been reading this mini-series since issue one, and I must say, I have been enjoying it.

This entire issue is Eddie obtaining the symbiote suit, and I thought it was done well. All 32 pages devoted to Eddie obtaining the suit, escaping with the suit, and discovering that the symbiote knows all the Spider-Man knew while it was bonded to him.

I have always felt that Venom was a flat character with no substance. It seemed he would just show up, try to kill or bond with Spider-Man for various reasons, then disappear. The thing is, though, is that I think we all forget that there is a man under the alien, and according to this telling of his life, a deeply troubled man. After all that happens to Eddie it brings to question whether or not all those evil things that Venom does is actually entirely the alien symbiote, or could some of it be the motivations of a man who feels he has been wronged by both Peter Parker and the mask he wears?

This has been a great reveal of Eddie Brock’s life and really adds some depth to the villain of Venom by showcasing the man bonded to the alien, not just the alien itself. This is a good read for Spider-Man fans who share the same view of Venom I did, and while it doesn’t necessarily rocket Venom to the top of my all time favorite Spidey foes, it certainly makes him a bit more interesting. Pick up the first 3 issues and find out more about Eddie Brock!

The feel good comic book of the year!-Slugtron

I love Marvel. I really do. It is certainly one of the most detailed and coherent universes in comics history. And lately they’ve had a good fucking run; Secret Invasion, Ultimate Spider-Man, Daredevil and this whole Old Man Logan thing Millar is doing. But, every so often they slip up and do something stupid. Well, beyond stupid… As in completely fucking asinine. Marvel Apes is a testament to just that.

Reading the first three issues was nothing short of a horrible struggle. A freak accident alters reality to something that is ripped off from the shit-twist-ending of Tim Burton’s pathetic remake of Planet of the Apes. Marvel Apes succeeds in proving that even everyone’s favorite publisher will occasionally try to capitalize on a concept of taking characters and having fun with them (e.g. Marvel Zombies). It’s like George Lucas won the be Marvel’s Editor-In-Chief for a Day contest. Much like real prime mates Marvel has flung shit at us and that shit is this mini-series. What next? Another series about Spider-Ham? Minus 100 points Marvel! If I were Stan Lee I’d be pissed.

I have an answer to at least one of your questions; Why the fuck did they make this book?

Answer: $$$

Issue four of Marvel Apes comes out this week. Don’t read it.

And if you do get the urge to pick it up just watch Tim Burton’s terrible remake of Planet of the Apes, shit in a paper bag and take lots of deep breathes.

Marvel Comics
Punisher War Journal #24
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Howard Chaykin
On Sale: 10/01/2008

Before today my only experience with The Punisher was years ago when someone decided that Archie and The Punisher would make a good pair. Even with Archie Andrews and the rest of the Riverdale gang the issue didn’t hold my attention enough to read the whole thing.

A man’s family being tragically murdered is an intriguing opening, but Mad Max pulled that off in ’79 with such panache that it would be difficult to top. Based on what I have heard I am sure that The Punisher is a good series, though you wouldn’t know it from this issue. The story was weak and seemed to mainly be a springboard for future events. It’s possible that would be a reason for people to purchase the next issue, but I was not invested enough in the plot or characters to shell out the money for it. I admit, I’m curious as to why all of Tony Stark’s invention’s went kaput, but I don’t think that was intended to be the highlight of the comic.

It’s been brought to my attention that my standards are impossibly high, but I simply don’t care. Something is either quality or it isn’t, and it’s not my fault either way. The art could have been so much better. It didn’t look as thrown together as other comic art I’ve seen, but it lacked strength and was simply boring. I always thought The Punisher was about a pissed off dude that had no mercy and went around killing bad guys and whoever got in the way. I imagined him shooting drug dealers in the head, not throwing grenades at green aliens. I was prepared for gritty violence not cheesy shenanigans.

Each week, Marvel is kind enough to provide us with a pile of comics for early preview and review. Every Friday we bring you previews of a few select comics from what Marvel sends us. Enjoy this weeks Marvel previews!

Cable #7 Bishop travels back to the present in search of information that will help him track down Cable and the mutant baby, only, he runs into a little road block known as X-Force! Cyclops wants him alive, but Bishop just might have one more trick up his sleeve…

Civil War: House of M #2 The chronicle of Magneto’s rise to power continues in Civil War: House of M #2. Along with others who have joined his ranks, Charles Xavier has aided in Magneto’s cause! Will their differences make them enemies as it did in our universe, or will it form an unstoppable alliance?

Punisher War Journal #24 With the earth’s mightiest heroes occupied by Secret Invasion Rampage decides it’s time to make his move. He’s seeking revenge on Tony Stark, S.H.E.I.L.D., and anyone else who has ever crossed him… Including Frank Castle.

Sub Mariner: The Depths #2 Don’t miss the latest offering from the Marvel Knights line! As a legendary sea explorer goes in search of a missing expedition in the Marianes Trench he finds someone… something that has been waiting for him: The vengeful Namor!

Venom: Dark Origin #3 “Amid the chaos, there comes a costume!” Eddie continues to free fall to his own darkness and Spider-Man shows up with a new, mysterious black costume from the Secret Wars! Check out this mini-series I have been enjoying and check back on Sunday for a review of the latest installment!

And that wraps up this weeks Marvel previews! Of course, all titles listed here will be hitting the shelves at your local comic shop on Wednesday! Enjoy!

Marvel Comics has given us a preview of Stephen Colbert’s Cameo in Amazing Spider-Man #573!

Marvel was kind enough to put all the info about the issue together in this nice little package:

Marvel is proud to reveal that Spider-Man and acclaimed television personality Stephen Colbert will join forces in an all new eight-page story featured in the extra-sized Amazing Spider-Man #573! Acclaimed writer Mark Waid and fan favorite artist Patrick Olliffe present Stephen Colbert, a candidate for the US Presidency in the Marvel Universe, teaming up with Marvel’s most iconic crime fighter. What could bring these two together? And what will it mean for both their futures? This issue also features a special Colbert variant by Marvel EiC and industry superstar Joe Quesada! Plus, don’t miss the stunning conclusion to the sold out “New Ways To Die” from the dream team of Dan Slott & John Romita Jr!

And I have to say, “New Ways To Die” has been really, really cool.  I would advise checking this out, for sure.

Ah shit, this is a big MARVEL week. And good stuff too!

• Ultimate Spider-Man 126 I cannot wait for this book. You’ve all heard my mass amounts of praise.
• New Avengers 45 More Skrull-tastic cross overs!
• Runaways 2 Admittedly, I still haven’t read the first issue. But I’m a Ramos fan, so I’ll keep picking it up.
• Ultimates 3 #5 This lackluster series finally wraps up.
• Deadpool #2 Arsebot is excited for this one.
• Daredevil 111 Once again, Arsebot is excited for this one. Lady Bullseye!
• Marvel 1985 #5 I missed the boat on this book. I’m sure I’ll support the TPB when it comes out.
• My Name is Bruce Bruce Campbell is God. That is all.

So there’s this website called WOWIO that lets you read stuff online for free…

Including Breakfast of Champions.

They also have a lot of comics, like these Star Trek Comics…

But most importantly, they have a whole shitload of Mirage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles books!

You can also check out all the free comics (mostly from obscure publishers) that they offer here. They have some mainstream stuff (TV Show adaptations like X-Files and Stargate and the like…) It seems like a really cool site…

I know that I for one will be doing some reading here in the future…