Markley’s Fevered Brain: All New, All Different Part Deux

Wayne Markley

Wayne Markley


by Wayne Markley

In my last blog I started to look at the All New, All Different Marvel Universe. I only got about half way through because there were so many titles. This time I am continuing this book by book look at all of these new number ones. It includes everything that was released through last week. Overall I have really enjoyed these new titles and I think Marvel is off to a great start. My only regrets are that Secret Wars still is not done (and now number nine is pushed back to January, even later than last week) and that Marvel felt they had to start over with #1 for all of their books. Even though I understand the marketing and financial reasons they did so. Tally ho…

Howard the Duck

Howard the Duck


Howard the Duck #1 is once again by Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones. It is basically the same book as the previous series was prior to Secret Wars. Like Squirrel Girl it is just re-numbered with a new number one but the tone, style and art are all the same. If you enjoyed the previous book, you will enjoy this book.

Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.


Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. is written by Frank Barbiere and art by Brent Shoonover. I love this book. I think it is a riot. Not necessarily because it is funny like Squirrel Girl, but is has a sensibility filled with humor. The cast of characters include Dum Dum Duggan who keeps getting killed (he is an LMD after all), Manphibian, Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing, Hit Monkey, Teen Abomination, Zombie Super-Skrull and my favorite, Orrgo. All of these cast of characters work for S.T.A.K.E. a division of S.H.I.E.L.D. that deals with the supernatural and the team seems to change depending on the needs of the story. I do not think this will be a book around in ten years, but in the short term, I love it.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur


Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is great. It is written by Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclaire and drawn by Natacha Bustos and has the potential to be a new Ms. Marvel. It is about a young girl who is way too smart for average school and spends all her time trying to build a device to detect Kree. When her device works and she finds a Kree artifact that brings Devil Dinosaur to the present day, the adventure begins. It is a fun rollicking adventure for all ages and ties nicely into Devil Dinosaur continuity while remaining very modern. I really liked this book and I think it has potential to reach a much broader audience than the tradition superhero book, like the afore mentioned Ms. Marvel has done.

Ms. Marvel

Ms. Marvel


Ms. Marvel just relaunched with a new number one and it is once again by G. Willow Wilson and art by Takeshi Miyazawa and Adrian Alphona. With this first issue they really change up the cast and crew with Kamala. I really liked this book as it continues where the last series left off, except now Kamala has to deal with being an Avenger and how much of her time it takes up and the consequences with her friends. There is very little in terms of bad guys in this first issue but in terms of storytelling there is a ton. This is a character heavy book but in this case that is a plus. A great read that leaves you wanting more.

Nova

Nova


Nova #1 is written by Sam Ryan and art by Cory Smith. This book picks up right where the previous series left off and could easily be called Nova and Son (or Father and Nova). The first issue is basically a family story about Sam Alexander and his father reconnecting as Nova’s and the rest of his family’s reaction. It was light hearted and fun but took a dark turn at the end which should lead to some interesting stories in the future. I really enjoyed this book.

Spider-Gwen

Spider-Gwen


Spider-Gwen has two issues out so far by writer Jason Latour and artist Robbi Rodriguez. I have to say this book puzzles me. I really liked the last Spider-Gwen series. This one follows up on it and it is the same creative team, but somehow something feels like it is missing this time around. I think part of it is the story is set outside of the traditional Marvel Universe, which I thought Secret Wars got rid of, then again I think these multiple realities will be explained at the end of Secret Wars, assuming it ever ends.

Amazing Spider-Man

Amazing Spider-Man


Amazing Spider-Man is once again written by Dan Slott and this time out has art by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Cam Smith. I must say this book is a lot of fun. No longer is Peter a loser, he is now the head of Parker Industries and is along the lines of Tony Stark as a powerful and well respected businessman. Of course this does not make his life any easier. While he may now run a cooperation, and have a group of Spider-Men helping him, he is still Peter Parker at heart. This was a surprise as it is a completely different version of Spider-Man and his cast while remaining true to the roots. And just wait till you see Parker Industries new headquarters!

Silk

Silk


Silk #1 is written by Robbie Thomson with art by Stacey Lee. Once again this book picks up from where the last run left off except that Silk is now a bad guy. Yes, she switched teams. Overall this was very enjoyable. Much better than Web Warriors. I am not clear which Earth this story takes place on but it really did not matter in this story. It features aspects and villains from the Amazing Spider-Man book so I am guessing it is part of the mainstream Marvel Universe. Overall a straight forward superhero…ah…villain book. Very enjoyable.

Spider-Woman

Spider-Woman


Spider-Woman is once again written by Dennis Hopeless with art by Javier Rodriguez and Alvaro Lopez. The first issue was an interesting read as it opens with a twist, as Spider-Woman is pregnant (and quite far along) and still fighting crime. Along with her partners in crime she keeps up the good fight. Also in this first issue is a fair amount of humor as she attends a baby shower and goes to see the doctor, but not with the results you would expect. I thought this was a very interesting book and much better than the pre-Secret Wars version.

Spider-Man 2099

Spider-Man 2099


Spider-Man 2099 is one again written by Peter David (the third time is the charm?) and the art is by Will Sliney. In this incarnation of Spider-Man 2099 he is trapped in the present day and is employed by Peter Parker at Parker Industries. If you liked Spider-Man 2099 in the past then you will enjoy this book. While this book is closely tied into the Amazing Spider-Man it is also a stand alone in that if you do not read Amazing you can still (and will) thoroughly enjoy this book. As with almost anything written by Peter David this book an entertaining read.

Web Warriors

Web Warriors


Web Warriors #1 is written Mike Costa with art by David Baldeon and Scott Hanna. Only the first issue is out so far but I have to say I did not enjoy it. It is a combination of Spider-Men from different universes that were introduced in the Spider-Verse storyline. Once again I thought Secret Wars got rid of all of these universes, but they still exist. If you enjoyed Spider-Verse, which I did not, you will likely enjoy this book.

Star Lord

Star Lord


Star Lord #1 is by Sam Humphries with nice art by Javier Garron is very different from the last series as this series goes back to a very young Peter Quill and his first experiences with space. While this story does not really follow the original story of how Star Lord came to be this was a very entertaining story with nice art that reminded me a lot of the recently wrapped up Nova series. I very good start.

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl


Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is the continuation of the previous series by the same creative team and is just as much fun and just as entertaining as the previous series. Ryan North and Erica Henderson have hit upon a formula that works and while one of the most lighthearted titles in the Marvel line it is also one of the best.

Vision

Vision


Vision #1 was a surprise and a joy. It was written by Tom King with very nice art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta. At first glance this book seems very odd with Vision having a family, a wife and two children, and them also being androids, but by the time I got to the last page I was hooked and I loved this story. I do not want to give anything away but this book is a classic definition of not judging a book by its cover. Well worth a read.

All-New Wolverine

All-New Wolverine


All-New Wolverine is by Tom Taylor with art by David Lopez and David Navarrot. By calling this book All-New Wolverine what they mean is Wolverine is now X-23, Wolverine’s daughter. Over the first two issues there is not a lot to tell where the story is headed. There are more clones and Logan still appears to be dead. These are well done books, but they have not done anything yet to make me want to stay involved, but saying that I will keep reading a little longer to see where it goes.

Venom: Space Knight

Venom: Space Knight


Venom: Space Knight is by Robbie Thompson and Ariel Olietti and I really liked this first issue. It is a stand alone issue for the most part with Venom continuing his story from the Guardians of the Galaxy and now being a member of the Agent of the Cosmos (which even Venom does not know what that means). He fights space pirates and gets a robot sidekick and that is just for starters. Overall I thought this was an enjoyable read and really enjoyed it.

Extraordinary X-Men

Extraordinary X-Men


Extraordinary X-Men is written by Jeff Lemire with art by Humberto Ramos and Victor Olazaba. This book lost me with the first issue. I went ahead and read the second issue to try and figure it out but I am still lost. I know it involves Magik and Hell and Mr. Sinister, but I am completely lost. Perhaps it would make sense to a hardcore X-Men fan, but a new series it should be easier to understand. So I cannot recommend this one I am afraid.

Invincible Iron Man

Invincible Iron Man


Finally I want to briefly mention Invincible Iron Man by Brian Bendis and David Marquez, it is amazing. I think this is easily the best of the All New, All Different titles and there are a lot of good books. But since I wrote about this in the past I am not going to spend a lot of time on this. It is playful, stunning artwork, and a very unique take on Iron Man. Well worth checking out.

That is all for this time. I hope you are enjoy the Marvel relaunch as much as I am. I would love to know what you think. What have you read? What you have you enjoyed? Why? I welcome your thoughts, or criticisms at MFBWAY@AOL.COM. Everything I have written here is my opinion and thoughts and I in no way reflect the thoughts or opinions of Westfield Comics or their employees. As Always,

Thank you.

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