Finished reading Silver Surfer: A Power Greater Than Cosmic, concluding the series as writer Dan Slott brings Norrin Radd's adventures with Dawn Greenwood to an end as the two find themselves traveling to the ends of the universe while discovering new planets. The book opens with Norrin and Dawn continues his their adventures in space as the travel to planets where Norrin is trying to keep Dawn safe after what happened with the mother on Earth. And once Dawn finds out what is happening she convinces Norrin to take them to a place that has more risks which leads to them going to an intergalactic casino. The next story see Norrin and Dawn being eaten up by a space whale where they meet the antibodies and infecting virus spores which is stopped when Dawn begins to tell a story of a small alien who traveled with them for a time. The following story sees the pair going to the planet of Inkandessa 4 nod while they are enjoying the tour of the planet Norrin soon discovers that there is some strange at play on the planet. The book then continues with a story where Norrin is called by his former master, Galactus who is now the Bringer of Life who asks for his help to prevent the end of the universe which leads to Norrin and Dawn finding themselves of opposite ends of the universe. The next story sees Dawn's twin sister Eve going into labour which Dawn gets an inkling off while being in a different part of the universe as Norrin is in the middle of stopping an invasion before leaving for Earth only of Warrior Zero wanting a rematch with the hope to regain his place on his home planet. The following story opens with Dawn trying to come to terms with the lost of her father, who died shortly after the birth of her nice before Norrin agrees to go back in time to allow Dawn to see her father for one final time only for the two to be lost in the universe that existed before the one that's really from. The final story of the book works to bring Norrin's journey since meeting Dawn to an end as he looks back on the adventures the two have had while also preparing for the next part of his life. Overall this was a brilliant book as it continues with the serialised structure that helps to explore the wider cosmic side of the Marvel Universe with Norrin and Dawn's travels while also continuing with the storylines of the two's relationship that carries on building throughout that comes to an emotional pay off that is incredibly put together. The art by Michael Allred is breathtaking throughout as the different alien locations and creatures are brought to life amazingly well including the emotional moments between the characters that helps make these moments become extremely affectiveespecially with the book's ending which is all elevated by the amazing colour palette used by Laura Allred. 10/10.
Finished reading Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows: The Venom Experiment, bring an end to this incarnation of the series as writers Gerry Conway and Ryan Stegman concluded their run on the series by expanding the universe by introducing some classic Marvel characters before it takes an eight years jump into the future. The book opens with Professor Xavier coming to meet with Peter and Mary Jane during Peter's birthday party to invite them to his school to offer a place for their daughter Annie. However wile being given the tour of the school Magneto and his Brotherhood begin to attack the school with the hope to get his hands on Cerebro, which leads to Spider-Man and his family having to work with the X-Men to stop the villain. The next story sees Mary Jane trying to come to terms with he recent fight with Mysterio where see saw an illusion of an injured Annie which lead to her putting a toll on Peter and when she hears that Liz Allen has been working on an untested biotechnology that give Mary Jane the idea that it could help within her superhero lifestyle. However Peter become worry for his wife which leads to the two discovering that Mary Jane wearing the Venom Symbiote. The book then shifts the focus onto Nomie Osborn as he begins to put his plan into motion against Spider-Man and his family after they ruin his birthday when they stop the Lizard and his son when they break into Oscorp. Overall this was an amazing book as continues to build upon this version of the Marvel Universe as classic Marvel villains are introduce to the series, which leads to some great moments with Annie and Mary Jane while their reactions as they haven't fought the villains that Spider-Man is use to before. The introduction of this version of the X-Man is amazing as it helps to give this universe more of a backstory thanks to some of the interactions that the characters have while also leading to some great character moments which includes some call back to classic X-Men stories and imagery thanks to the amazing art work. The art throughout the book is amazing as the entire art team is able to balance the extreme well paced action set pieces with the more character driven moments with the Parker family as the way the the characters emote and interact with one another works especially well. 9.5/10.
Finished reading All New Guardians of the Galaxy: Communication Breakdown, beginning a new series for the Guardians with writer Gerry Duggan at the helm as the team find themselves at the centre of a changing landscape of the Marvel Universe's cosmic side with the Elders of the Universe and a couple of new threats not far behind. The book opens with the Guardians breaking out of jail after being arrested by the Nova Corps as the get themselves a new ship which the team soon name the Milano. The book then jumps to the planet Citopia as the Guardians use a life size Galactus spaceship to pull of a heist to retire a baby universe for the GrandMaster, who soon gives the team a new job to break into the Collector’s own collection for another item, the Hujahdarian Monarch Egg. While on their way back to the Grandmaster after the Collector gives them a replica of the egg, the Guardians find themselves coming under attack by a group of Raptors form the Shi'ar Empire try to reclaim the contents of the Milano as it was their ship to begin with. Overall this was a great book as it sends the Guardians into a new direction as they find themselves caught in the middle of a dispute between the Grandmaster and the Collector which leads to some amazing heist scenes that are designed and plan extremely well thanks to the books visuals along with the interactions between the Guardians and some of the comedy that comes with the situations they find themselves in. The book also does a great job in setting up some very intriguing storylines for the future of the series as the use of the Raptors not only brings a group to be placed against the Guardians thanks the gene way that the fight scenes are created along with the the leader of the Raptors knowing who the team is along with the reason why the Guardians come into conflict with them. While the story cantering around the Elders of the Univeres which ties into the reason why Groot isn't growing along with a group of monstrous Groots showing up leads to a great cliffhanger that the book leaves on. The art throughout the book is amazing as the entity of the art team do an amazing job in bring to life some breathtaking visuals to life thanks to the different designs of the alien creatures like the space fish that the Grandmaster is living in to the multiple locations especially with the place that the Collector holds his collection as not only for the amazing designed place but the way that the art show the inside of place for an outside prospective is breathtaking. While the action set pieces are draw greatly thanks to the was that the art team puts the powers and abilities of each character to the forefront especially with the use of the different weapons and equipment the characters use lead to some great imagery. 8.5/10.
Finished reading Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider - Back in the Hood, spinning out of the pages of the Spider-Man: Clone Conspiracy event writer Peter David continues Ben Reilly's story as he finds himself once again becoming the Scarlet Spider. The book opens with Ben meeting with his former employee Dr Rita Clarkson, who gives Ben some money after he helps her with some angry people and makes his way to Las Vegas wearing a different version of a Spider-Man costume he stole. While in Vegas Ban makes his way to the Mercury Rising casino to hopefully meet with its owner Cassandra Mercury which Ben does when helps to stop an armed robbery within the casino. When Cassandra realises who Ben is, he uses the gun that Cassandra points at him as a means to she her daughter, who he cloned instead of curing the Crook' disease she has. When her daughter awakes from her coma Cassandra ask if Ben could cure her, only for Ben to lie and say that he can with the promise of money and equipment from Cassandra, who puts a tracker inside Ben's neck convincing him that it's also a bomb as collateral. Meanwhile back in San Francisco Kaine is trying to track down Ben's whereabouts with Rita being the first person he visits to get any information she has on Ben and with her password in the her computer back at New U, Kaine realises that Ben went to Vegas and decides to follow him. Overall this was a good book as it continues Ben Reilly's story as he heads to Las Vegas which give him a new direction in life that's leads to some very interesting setups for future story thanks to the introduction of a new supporting cast. The inclusion of Kaine into the book is great as it allows for some great interactions between the two Scarlet Spider's when they come into conflict with one another within the second part of the book while also giving Kaine his own story with the series. The art by Mark Bagley throughout the book is amazing as the actions scenes with Ben and Kaine puts their powers and abilities on show extremely well within the fight scenes along with how each character of the character designs and the way they emote is great thanks to the rest of the art team being able to elevate the story. 7/10.
Finished watching Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, director by Peter Rida Michail and Aaron Horvath and starring Greg Davies, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Greg Cipes, Nicolas Cage, Halsey, Lil Yachty, Jimmy Kimmel and Will Arnett. The film opens with the Titans fighting the villain Balloon Man (Greg Davies) as Robin (Scott Menville), Cyborg (Khary Payton), Starfire (Hynden Walch), Raven (Tara Strong) and Beast Boy (Greg Cipes) are unable to bet the villain when they become distracted by their own song that introduces each of them after Balloon Man asks who they are. After the Superman (Nicolas Cage), Wonder Woman (Halsey) and Green Lantern (Lil Yachty) put a stop to the villain, the heroes head to a film premiere which the Titans soon discover that they are the only heroes uninvited which prompts them to sneak into the film where Robin soon realises that he isn't being represented and leaves upset when Batman's (Jimmy Kimmel) own equipment is getting a film before him. This then leads to the Titans to try to get their own film but first are in need of an archenemies who they try to find in the form of Slade (Will Arnett) how is using the premier as a distraction to put his own sinister plan into motion which the Titans try and stop every chance they get with the hope that it might create interest for their own film. Overall this was a good film as the comedy while at times don't always hit, when it does it is very funny thanks to the references to pop culture and the wider DC Universe which the film is able to make some great visual gags as well. While the action set pieces are put together amazingly well thanks to the film's animation style which is able to create some amazing shots and angles within the scenes which are able to showcase each character's own powers and abilities extremely well. There is a great amount of character development for the Titans within the film thanks to the events that transpire within the film of how they become fractured at one point in the film before coming back together when Robin discovers Slade's true plan. While some of the musical numbers within the film are used to a great effect especially with some of the reprised song such as the song that Robin used to pitch is own film is has its lyrics repeat by Slade to rattle Robin and the Titans own theme is also reprised but with the heroes working together to the defeat the villain rather than being distracted which helps to show how their characters have developed over the course of the film. 7.5/10.
Finished reading Spider-Gwen: Predators, writer Jason Latour continues Gwen Stacy's adventures as the Spider-Woman of Earth-65 as she travels to Madripoor with the hopes to help Harry Osborn only to come into conflict with some surprising characters. The book opens with Harry Osborn finding himself on the run in Madripoor while trying to get a hold on Gwen on the phone back in Manhattan as she's dealing with being in debt to Matt Murdock, this universes Kingpin after asking him for help to be her father's lawyer, as George Stacy is currently in lock up. After leaving a meeting with her father Murdock gets Gwen to meet with him at Oscorp as Matt has come to see Norman Osborn about the current situation with his son, Harry and after showing that he has a cure for the lizard serum that Harry currently has in his blood stream, Matt sends Gwen to Madripoor to bring Harry back home. However Gwen soon discovers that she isn't the only one trying to find Harry as she soon finds herself meeting this universe's version of Wolverine how is trying to collect a bounty that has been taking out on Harry. The second story in the book cowritten by Hannah Blumenreich shifts the focus onto Gwen's band members, the Mary Janes as they head to a show without Gwen with MJ is trying to convince Glory to stay in the band. Overall this was a great book as it continues Gwen's story by bring Harry Osborn back into the book which allows of the introduction Wolverine and Shadowcat into this universe which writer Jason Latour is able to give both characters there own unique history and origin that is great thanks to the way the origins give enough detail to the characters while also giving them some differences to the classics versions that become very intriguing. The book also does as great job in developing some of the series supporting cast as the secondary story of what's happening with George Stacy and his pending trial continues to be an interesting story with how it affects Gwen and her relationship with Matt Murdock. While the story of the Mary Janes is able to shift the spotlight onto Gwen's friends and band members allowing for them to become more developed while also showing how Gwen being Spider-Woman is effecting the band. The art throughout the book is great as this universe's aesthetic continues to visually stunning thinks to the character designs and interacts along with the location designs to the colour palette thats used with has some great focus on the night life of Manhattan and Madripoor. While the fight scenes are amazingly design especially with the addition of this universe's Wolverine and Shadowcat as each of the two's skills and abilities are brought to life almost breathtakingly. 8/10.
Finished reading Spider-Man 2099: Back to the Future, Shock!, concluding the adventures of Miguel O'Hara in the present his final battle against the Fist looms on the horizon. The book opens with Miguel interrogating the 2099 version of Electro with the hopes to gain any information on the plan of the villainous group the Fist. Being unable to get any information from him Miguel leaves with Lyla staying in the room to watch over Electro as he plans to escape and seemingly succeeds only to discover that it was a ploy by Lyla who hacked into his mind and staged the escape form him to reveal the date that the Fist plan on executing their plan. With this information and the help of Sonny, Miguel reconfigures his time door way he jumps to the year 2019 to stop the Fist with some surprising help. The final story within the book is a classic as Miguel discovers that he has switch places with the original Spider-Man, and while trying to get back to the future Peter finds himself lost in the futuristic world of 2099. Overall this was a good book as writer Peter David wraps up the series including all of the plot threads that have been prominent throughout the series very nicely as each character's story comes to an end. The character interactions are great as the moments between Miguel and Tempest pay off very well as their final moments together while different for each of the characters, thanks to the use of time travel never loses any of the emotional weight within the book especially with the reveal of the Spider-Man in Miguel's classic costume. The art by Will Sliney continues to be great as the action set pieces a brought to life extremely thanks to the positioning of each character while also put a great amount of focus into each of the characters interactions which makes the more character driven moments more impactful. 7.5/10.
Finished watching Ant-Man and the Wasp, directed by Peyton Reed and starring Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, Abby Ryder Fortson, Michael Peña, Evangeline Lilly, Hannah John-Kamen and Walton Goggins. The film opens with Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) on hisfinal mission as Ant-Man with his wife Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) as she finds herself becoming trapped with the Quantum Realm while stoping a nuclear missile. Back in the present the current Ant-Man, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is under house arrest due to his involvement within Civil War where he allied with Captain America, this however hasn't stopped him in trying to be a good father to his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson), along with helping his Luis (Michael Peña) and his friends with their X-Con security company. One day Scott has a dream where he reliving a memory of Janet's and after calling Hank and Hope (Evangeline Lilly) about what happen, Hope who has now taking up the mantle of the Wasp, takes Scott to the lab where she along with her dad have been trying to build a machine that will allowing to travel to the Quantum Realm and with the information of Scott's dream now have the hope that Janet is still alive. Overall this was an amazing film as it revisits this corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by telling a very character focus story with the theme of family being very prominent throughout as the relationships between Scott and his daughter Cassie along with Hope's relationship with her parents Hank and Janet help to give each character their motivations for the film while also delivering on the some great emotional moments between the characters. The use of Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) as the main antagonist of the film is great as it not only allows for some great action set pieces with how her powers are used within the film but just like the last handful of villains within the Marvel Cinematic Universe she is giving enough of a back story and motive that help to make her extremely sympathetic with only the way that she excites her plan being the think that makes her a villain. The comedy throughout the film is amazingly on point as from some of the everyday situations that characters find themselves especially with Scott and his home life to the inclusion of Luis and the rest of Scott's friends who once again steal the show and bring some of the best comedic moments especially with their interactions with secondary villain Sunny Burch (Walton Goggins) and his henchmen. The film also does a great job within the creation of its action set pieces as the fight scenes are excited extremely well from the fight scenes that makes great use of each characters powers and abilities to the amazing chase sequence that uses the shrinking technology within some of the cars along with the San Francisco setting the film makes use of the city's very hilly landscape to great effect. 9/10.
Finished reading Star Wars: Doctor Aphra: Remastered, writers Kieron Gillen and Si Spurrier continue the series as Doctor Aphra finds herself having to work for the droid Triple-Zero. The book opens with Doctor Aphra on a job for Triple-Zero where she is the getaway driver for an attack on an Imperial outpost where the crosses paths with Imperial office Magna Tolvan once again who has been demoted since she last saw Aphra. After completing the mission for Triple-Zero Aphra is sent on a new mission to retrieve some of Triple-Zero's old and original memories along with a group that's been brought together by Triple-Zero for the mission that Aphra has been put in charge of. Meanwhile Tolvan finds herself facing a firing squad before news of the death of her mentor Inspector Thanoth which leads to her being promoted to being one of the Empire's newest Inspector with her first plan being that of trying to find Aphra as the two soon come face to face once again. Overall this was a great book as it buts the book's main character in a new direction as the dynamic between her and the droids Triple-Zero and Beetee has been turned on its head along with her potential relationship with Tolvan allows for some amazing character development for Aphra while how her relationships are effecting her within the mission and on a personal level which leads to some great interactions. The book also has a great amount of comedic moments throughout the book thanks to some of the interactions between characters to a few situations the characters find themselves especially with the inclusion of the Tookas that Aphra cloned. The art by Emilio Laiso is great as it puts a lot of focus into the the way the characters emote which fits extremely well with the tone and aesthetic of the book along with the action scenes that are designed extremely well as well. 8/10.
Finished reading Star Wars: Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith - Legacy's End, continuing the story of Darth Vader's earlier adventures as a Sith as writer Charles Soule continues to develop Vader's position with the Empire in its early days. The book opens in the aftermath of a fight with the Inquisitors as Vader has sliced off the arm of Sith Brother when the Grand Inquisitor walks in as Vder joins him in looking over their operation that contains a list of Jedi that survived Order 66. This includes the Jedi librarian, Jocasta Nu who is currently planning to sneak into the former Jedi Temple that contains sensitive information that she plans to retrieving before it falls into the hands of the Empire, only for her presence to be known when she confronts the Grand Inquisitor within the Temple Archives. The second story opens with Vader and Ninth Sister going to a bar on Cabarria after hearing reports of a Jedi being sited only for it to be a trap for Vader as a family of bounty hunters try to claim the reward. However they soon find themselves at the mercy of Vader who wants to know where the bounty came from, only to find out that it came from some one with access to the highest levels of the Empire which sends Vader on a manhunt for the person responsible. Overall this was a great book as it continues to dive into the Darth Vader's early years as a Sith Lord with writer Charles Soule putting focus on how Vader got his reputation one of the most renowned villains within the Star Wars universe while also making time to flesh out characters like Jocasta Nu who survived Order 66 with the opening story making her feel like a second protagonist to the opening part of the book thanks to the amount of development she gets within the book. The art throughout the is amazing as artist Giuseppe Camuncoli brings the action set pieces to life exceptionally well along with the characters the multiple character interactions that shows the characters facial expressions in the situations they find themselves in. Along with inker Daniele Orlandini and colourist David Curiel the art is elevated to make it feel like an important part of the Star Wars universe thanks to the book's aesthetic. 8.5/10.
Finished watching Mission: Impossible - Fallout, directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, Kristoffer Joner, Angela Bassett, Henry Cavill and Michelle Monaghan. The film opens with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) waking up from a nightmare before getting his new mission from the IMF, which takes him to Berlin where along with Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg) as the team try to get a suitcase containing three plutonium cores only to lose them to a group of marked men take Luther hostage. After reporting back to his boss Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) Ethan prepares to go to Paris after finding out where the cores are thanks to interrogating weapons expert Nils Debruuk (Kristoffer Joner), only for the head of the CIA Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett) to stop the plain Ethan is about to board and only allow him to continue his mission if he agrees to work with August Walker (Henry Cavill) to retrieve the plutonium. Overall this was a great film as it crafts as very intriguing story that sends the team on a mission that constantly escalates into becoming more and more personal that leads to some great characters moments and surprising twists along the way. The action set pieces within the film are amazing as the film is able to put a lot of work and details into the choreography of the fight scenes between characters which helps to make every hit count. While the chase scenes are shot and edited together amazingly well as the film is able to convey a level of suspense throughout thanks to a constant wonder of how Ethan can get of the of the different situations he finds himself in. The film also does a great job in bring to life the emotional driven moments within the film as bring back Ethan's ex wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan) back helps to up the stakes and makes the mission more personal for Ethan especially with where the team find Julia within the film. 8.5/10.
