Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Under New Management Review

Finished reading Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Under New Management, writer Marc Guggenheim concludes the series by tying into the larger events of Civil War II. The book opens with the team trying to get a falling Hydra satellite when an American military unit comes in to take the satellite for themselves. Later on Maria Hill gives Coulson a mission to apprehend Iron Man after kidnapping the Inhuman Ulysses. However when Coulson lets Tony go when he hears his side of the argument which causes Maria Hill to fire Coulson. With Coulson fired and beginning his own investigation into Ulysses precognitive visions Electra is hired as the teams new lead with their new mission being to arrest Coulson. The last story of the book sees Daredevil being called on by his superiors within the Department of Justice to be the prosecutor of Hawkeye’s trial after killing Bruce Banner in the pages of the main Civil War II book. Overall this was a decent book as it brings an end to the series by wrapping up the remaining plot threads of the series while also being an intriguing part to the larger events of Civil War II, however it does leave much to desire as some characters feeling slightly short changed due to not having a full conclusion to their story. The Daredevil centric story set around Hawkeye on trial for killing Bruce Banner in the pages of the main Civil War II event does a nice job is fleshing out what went on in and around the trial. The art of the book is great as the main story with the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. delivers extremely well with the action set pieces and feeling coherent through the artist change. While the Daredevil story’s art does a good job in creating the feel of a courtroom drama. 6/10.

Justice League Film Review

Finished watching Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Irons, Gal Gadot, Ciarán Hinds, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher and Jason Momoa. The film opens with the world still dealing with the death of Superman (Henry Cavill) after the events of Batman V Superman, while in Gotham, Batman (Ben Affleck) is stopping a thief before using him as bait to get the attention of a Parademon that is flying around Gotham as Bruce along with Alfred (Jeremy Irons) are investigating in the strange goings on since Superman's death. Meanwhile in England after stopping a local bombing Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) notices the news of the Amazons sending a warning to her of Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) who just attacked her former home. This leads to Diana to meet with Bruce in the Batcave as the two begin to find other heroes in the form of the Flash (Ezra Miller), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) in hope to defend the Earth from the oncoming threat of Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons. Overall this was a great film as it brings the heroes of the DC universe for the first time as the Justice League with a threat that justifies the team being formed. There is a great amount of character interactions throughout the film as each character gets a nice amount of time with each team member to help form relationships with one another that also brings some great comedic moments to the film as well. 8/10.

Spider-Man 2099: Civil War II Review

Finished reading Spider-Man 2099: Civil War II, continuing the adventures of Miguel O'Hara as the Spider-Man from the future finds himself traveling to two different versions of 2099. The book opens with Miguel trapped in a 2099 that is ruled by a futuristic version of the Sinister Six when he is rescued by his brother's girlfriend Kasey in a suit of armour using a projection of a fire demon as a distraction. As the two head to meet Miguel brother, Gabe he soon finds out that this is a dystopian version of 2099. The second story sees Roberta Mendez going to a version of 2099 in hope to find her family only to get lost in a future that's dealing with is own superhero civil war. Meanwhile Miguel gets news from his boss Peter Parker that the Inhuman Ulysses has had another vision of the future where he sees a captured Captain America in the year of 2099 leading to Miguel going to the future to try and stop Ulysses vision from becoming reality. Overall this was a great book as writer Peter David continues Miguel's time traveling adventures that leads great and interesting stories featuring some great returning characters and interactions that come with them. There is also a great amount of comedic moments woven into the book thanks to good timing moments that don't feel too out of place. The art by Will Sliney continues to be amazing as the futuristic settings and action scenes are designed and drawn incredibly well as some parts of the book even look breathtaking. 8.5/10.

Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears: Civil War II Review

Finished reading Spider-Woman: Shifting Gears: Civil War II, continuing the series as Jessica finds herself dealing with the events of Marvel’s second Civil War. The book opens with Jessica on the hunt for Tiger Shark who just escaped police custody meanwhile Porcupine is looking after Jessica's son, Gerry back at her apartment. The next story sees Jessica along with Roger and Ben Urich going to Canada in hope to stop a Wendigo outbreak when Captain Marvel comes to meet with Jessica in hope to hire her to see how accurate the Inhuman Ulysses visions on the future are. The final story sees Jessica and Gerry meeting with Roger and his daughter Kalie at Staten Island for a day at the beach only for Sandman to show up and begin to cause trouble. Overall this was a great book as writer Dennis Hopeless continues the series as Jessica finds herself on multiple cases some on the behalf of her friend Carol Danvers which leads to some great comedic moments thanks to some great visuals from the art department and the characters reaction to that the situations they find themselves in. The art as a whole also does a great job in showcasing the action set pieces and some of the books paneling is also used to great effect to show how characters move around the location they are in thanks to the way the characters move around the page. The character development of the books main cast continues to be great thanks to the way Jessica, Roger and Ben work together and the flashback to Jessica with Bruce Banner in Avengers Tower in the past helps to highlight how much she has developed as a character since the series has begun. 8/10.

Only the Brave Film Review

Finished watching Only the Brave, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Josh Brolin, Jeff Bridges and Miles Teller. The film opens with firefighter Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) heading to the base of the Granite Mountain firefighters before heading out with his crew to a local forest fire. After tackling the blaze with the some homes being destroyed in the process a couple of Marsh’s crew leave for better job opportunities. Marsh later goes to his friend Duane Steinbrink (Jeff Bridges) with the hope to get help for the opportunity for his crew to get certified as Hotsorts in hope to have a more prominent role in helping with tackling forest fires around America. Overall this was a great film as it has an amazing amount of character development over the course of the film from the journey that Eric Marsh and Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller) takes as characters while the rest of the cast also get a nice amount of screen time to give some great development and insight to there characters. The film also does a great job in bring to life Americas many forests thanks to some beautiful shots from above to the besides the characters themselves while also show how destructive a forest fire can be. Additionally the film’s visuals along with the multiple character interactions help to enforce the sense of danger that comes from the multiple forest fires the crew of the Granite Mountain Hotshots tackle. 8/10.

New Avengers: A.I.M.: Civil War II Review

Finished reading New Avengers: A.I.M.: Civil War II, bringing an end to the series as writer Al Ewing ties the series into the events of Civil War II while A.I.M. also finds itself separated against multiple organisations. The book opens with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent John Garrett meeting with Maria Hill over what's been happening with him and A.I.M. Meanwhile Earth's superheroes are stopping the Celestial attack in New York when Wiccan gets a call from Roberto Da Costa to ask for help while Garrett begins to plan his next attack on A.I.M. and the Maker, leader of villainous group W.H.I.S.P.E.R. has formed the New Revengers who he plans to use to also attack A.I.M. which he does when Roberto sends a small team to a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier when Garrett takes Songbird prisoner still believing her to be working with Roberto. Overall this was a great book as it brings an end to the series in a organic way with the events of Civil War II being in the the background only gives the story some context of where characters are while setting up the future of the team. There is an amazing amount of comedy through the book than doesn't effect the more serious and more character driven moments of the book. The book's artwork is great as its able to blend the more character centric moments with the action and visual comedy extremely well. 8/10.

Uncanny Inhumans: Civil War II Review

Finished reading Uncanny Inhumans: Civil War II, tying into Marvel's Civil War II event as writer Charles Soule tells a story that takes place between the pages of the main event. The book opens with the Inhumans outside of Stark Tower after Iron Man kidnapping the Inhuman Ulysses from New Attilan within the pages of the main Civil War II book. As the Inhumans leave without a fight Medusa plans a series of personal attacks on Tony Stark and his property. Displeased with the actions of his Queen, Triton goes to Maximus who escalates the attacks by destroying Stark Tower and attack other Stark Industries facilities in the name of Medusa which leads to her begin an investigation to prove she didn't authorise the attacks orchestrated by Maximus. The second story in the book sees NuHuman Grid going back home to Mumbai where he finds himself against former actor turned gang leader Ajay Roy who wants to use Grid's own powers to take control of Mumbai's power grid. Overall this was a good book as it brings an interesting element to the Civil War II event by showing the the ramifications of some of Iron Man's actions within the main book. Writer Charles Soule does a good job in continuing the character development of the the books cast while also focusing on the events of Civil War II, while the story set in Mumbai not only give some great development and insight into Grid's but also develops Ajay Roy as a very intriguing character. The art throughout the book is great as the more dialogue driven moments bring some good emotive from the characters while the action scenes along with the power and designs of each Inhuman continue to be a great staple within the series. 7.5/10.

Murder on the Orient Express Film Review

Finished watching Murder on the Orient Express, starring director Kenneth Branagh and Tom Bateman. The film opens with detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) in Jerusalem helping the police with a theft before taking a boat to Istanbul where he receives news of a case in England asking for his expertise which leads to his friend Bouc (Tom Bateman) getting Poirot tickets on the Orient Express to get a connection to England in time. While on the train Poirot so finds himself having to try and solve a the murder of one of the passengers with the rest of them all being suspects to the murder. Overall this was a good film as it has an intriguing premise that contains some amazing character interactions Poirot has with the rest of the cast plays extremely well with how the character is and how the story moves forward. The film does a good job in spending time setting up and introducing each character coming onto the train before they are interrogated by Poirot. The revelation of who was the culprit of the murder is underwhelming as the execution of the murder feels very elaborate making the reveal the least interesting part of the film. 7.5/10.

Captain America: Sam Wilson: Civil War II Review

Finished reading Captain America: Sam Wilson: Civil War II, dealing with the revaluation of Steve Rogers regaining his youth and powers Sam finds himself at odds with the public as they believe Steve should be the only one with the mantle. The book opens with Sam dealing with the aftermath of the Standoff event as Steve Rogers has dawn the mantle of Captain America once again and hopes to share it with Sam before going public with Steve being Captain America again. The next story sees Sam and the rest of the superhero community coming to terms with the death of James Rhodes, War Machine within the events of Civil War II as Sam is tasked with giving a eulogy at the funeral. The rest of the book sees Sam having to decide who he's siding with in the events of Civil War II meanwhile on the streets of New York a private police force known as the Americops who are using extreme force and are also profiling the people they are arresting. Overall this was a great book as it continues Sam's time as Captain America greatly as Steve Rogers becoming Captain America again effects Sam in a similar way as before with most people not liking the way he has taken the mantle and made it his own, now want Sam to step down as Captain America due to the original coming back. Writer Nick Spencer also does a great job in continuing Sam's story while also mixing in the events of Civil War II within the book as the two stories mirror each other with them using similar themes. While also keeping the series feeling an important series showing where Steve Rogers is going as a character in his own series thanks to how it effects Sam's series. The books art is great as the more character driven stories at the beginning of the book by artist Angel Unzueta hit some of the more emotionally driven beats extremely well while artist Daniel Acuña brings the action to live greatly, while the choice of colours used to distinguish between settings helps to give each location its own feel. 8/10.

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man Review

Finished reading Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man, tying into Marvel’s Civil War II event as writer Christos Gage brings Spider-Man's perspective to the event to life when he begins to work with Ulysses for a time. The book opens to Spider-Man fighting the villainous team known as the Vulturions before meeting up with Ulysses, the Inhuman with precognitive abilities and the course of the event itself, as they work together to stop a jealous man killing his ex girlfriend and her current boyfriend. Later on Spider-Man takes Ulysses to Parker Industries where Ulysses has a vision of Spider-Man fighting with Clayton Cole who is back in his Clash costume which leads to Peter to be more cautious around Clayton which maybe a bad idea. Overall this was a good book as Spider-Man almost a secondary main character as Clayton Cole the former villain known as Clash is made the main character thanks to writer Christos Gage who gives Clayton some great development and insight to his life before he dawns the Clash costume again. The book also does a nice job in giving Ulysses a lesson in with his powers thanks to Spider-Man telling him about his experiences in life with his fight with Clash being one of these many experiences he has to learn from. The art by Travel Foreman is good as it works extremely for the designs of Clash's powers and costume along the the look of Mendel Stromm and his robots look great especially within the fight scenes between him and Spider-Man. 7/10.

Thor: Ragnorok Film Review

Finished watching Thor: Ragnorok, starring director Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, Clancy Brown, Karl Urban, Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, Jeff Goldblum and Tessa Thompson. The film opens with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) meeting with Surtur (Clancy Brown) who he ends up fighting along with the fire demon's own army before returning to Asgard, where Thor finds out that Skurge (Karl Urban) has replaced Heimdall (Idris Elba) as the person in charge of the bifrost bridge while Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has been impersonating Odin (Anthony Hopkins) for the last few years. This leads to Thor taking his brother to Earth where they find Odin who warns them of Hela (Cate Blanchett) who finds them and follows Thor and Loki back to Asgard only for the two brothers to find themselves on the planet Sakaar when they're thrown off course. Overall this was an amazing film as it continues Marvel's Cinematic Universe with a hilarious addition that is funny throughout thanks to the amazing amount of comedy being used to great effect. The film also does a great job in giving Thor and Loki some great development with their character and the relationship the two have as being forced to work together to stop Hela leads to the two to rekindle their relationship. While Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) gets some great development as well thanks to the fact that he's not turned back to Bruce Banner since the events of Age of Ultron helps to show how far he's been able to grow while living on Sakaar. The new additions to the MCU of the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) brings great amount of interactions to the main cast while also opening new avenues for the franchise to go, especially with Korg (Taika Waititi) who is one of the best breakout characters of the MCU yet. 9.5/10.