A Sense of Doubt blog post #2217 - New Comics 2021 - comics that jumped on my list
SPOILER ALERT: Some of the content in the following spoils the reveals of various Marvel comics. Be warned.
But after trying to keep up on a weekly schedule, I got busy and then tried to go monthly and eventually gave up on the comic book round up posts. When my mother died in 2015, I started HEY MOM, and it was awhile before that blog series focused on comic books.
To access this exact content, you have to copy and paste the link (not clickable):
https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/new-mutants-(2019)/12
‘New Mutants’ #12 review
Powerful in speech and providing metaphors for the fight among marginalized classes through mutants.
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September 2, 2020New Mutants #12 places an unexpected trio of Magik, Mirage and Glob into a team to fight bigotry and to reach into the emotional depths of these characters.
The New Mutants series has followed a combination of disjointed stories featuring different characters. One constant plot point has been the “DOX Reports”, an online blog posting information about mutants and their families including names, addresses, phone numbers and registering the mutants who have passed in and out of the Krakoa gateway portals. These DOX Reports have provoked people with anti-mutant sentiments to attack mutants and their families, leaving them brutally wounded or fighting for their lives.
This issue picks up with Trinary hacking the DOX reports systems, giving The New Mutants the location of these bigoted reporters. Magik, Mirage and Glob break into the news center, where their boss screams at his workers to film every second of the mutants attacking them to catch their actions on film and manipulate the press against mutants. New Mutants then take a powerful stance against these anti-mutant writers by showing them all of the mutants and their families who have fallen victim to mutant hate crimes inspired by their anti-mutant website.
Ed Brisson brings some incredibly powerful and emotionally heavy material to the readers through this issue of New Mutants. Magik has some incredible moments and quotes (see image below).
Most importantly, Glob Herman finally has his moment when he fights back. The anger from all of the hate and abuse he has endured over the year bubbles to the surface as he threatens the life of the manager running the DOX Reports. This transitions into a beautiful and incredibly relatable scene to any marginalized class, in which Glob opens up to Magik about his own past relations with this level of hatred, burying those emotions deep inside himself. It is an incredibly powerful moment, illustrated beautifully by Marco Failla and Carlos Lopez.
This issue of New Mutants is powerful in speech and providing metaphors for the fight among marginalized classes through mutants. It may not be action oriented, but it is the content that really breathes life into this incredible issue of New Mutants.
Yeah, what Ryan wrote.
Next, examine with me the tale of Amazing Spider-Man, which had more or less fallen to back log. I get overwhelmed when Marvel pumps out so many issues a month. It's too much.
I was mildly interested in the Kindred story, but then I became very interested with how the story unfolded and the cliff-hangers in the issues. Suddenly, The Amazing Spider-Man vaults to the TOP of my stack.
READING LIST JANUARY 2021 COMICS
Eternals #001
Batman Catwoman #002
Once and Future #015
The Immortal Hulk #042 [Legacy #759]
Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #001
The Amazing Spider-Man #056 [Legacy #857]
The Amazing Spider-Man #057 [Legacy #858]
The Amazing Spider-Man #058 [Legacy #859]
Fantastic Four #028 [Legacy #673]
Iron Man #005 [Legacy #630]
Legion of Superheroes #012
Department of the Truth #005
Crossover #003
Rorschach #004 (from FLOATING WORLD)
Generations Shattered #001 - DC COMICS
Conan The Barbarian #018 [Legacy #293]
Daredevil #026 [Legacy #638]
Shang-Chi #005
Thor #011 [Legacy #737]
X-Force #016
Wolverine #009 [Legacy #351]
Strange Adventures #008 (of 12)
FUTURE STATE: The Next Batman #001
FUTURE STATE: The Next Batman #002
FUTURE STATE: Teen Titans #001
FUTURE STATE: Superman of Metropolis #001
Avengers #041 [Legacy #741]
FUTURE STATE: Superman: Worlds of War #001
FUTURE STATE: Dark Detective #001
FUTURE STATE: Dark Detective #002
FUTURE STATE: Flash #001
FUTURE STATE: Swamp Thing #001
Savage Avengers #017
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #022 [Legacy #262]
Excalibur #017
Cable #007
NOTICE where AMAZING SPIDER-MAN had been ranked...
NOVEMBER 2020 - READING ORDER
Superman #27Once & Future #13 Cvr A
X-Force #14 Xos #17
Detective Comics #1031
Batman Three Jokers HC
Amazing Spider-Man: How Kindred's Identity Reveal Could Reverse One More Day
Numerous clues and references across Nick Spencer's Amazing Spider-Man run seem to hint at Peter Parker facing the consequences of his Mephisto deal.
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #51 by Nick Spencer, Patrick Gleason, and Edgar Delgado, on sale now.
Few Spider-Man stories have been as controversial or drawn more disdain from Marvel fans than 2007's "One More Day," the story where Peter Parker famously made a literal deal with the devil. In that Joe Quesada and J. Michael Straczynski story, Peter erased his marriage with Mary-Jane Watson so that the demon Mephisto would save Aunt May's life. This left a bad taste in the mouths of many fans, as it retconned decades of continuity and arguably regressed Peter Parker's character evolution in the process.
For more than a decade, Marvel has essentially ignored the story and moved on in the status quo it helped create. However, the identity reveal of new Spider-Man villain Kindred in Nick Spencer's Amazing Spider-Man run -- as well as his connection to the ongoing 'Last Remains' storyline -- seems to be hinting at a reckoning with this major event.'
Since Kindred's arrival, a major theory amongst fans was that he was someone from the pre-OMD Spider-Man timeline, ranging from Harry Osborn to a portion of Peter's soul to his future daughter with Mary-Jane. Several of writer Nick Spencer's storylines have also featured numerous direct quotes from or references to "One More Day," from dialogue cues of Peter and MJ re-building their relationship and his failed attempt at a marriage proposal to Spidey telling Loki that he felt like he already made a bad deal with someone in the past.In conjunction with all these, the Kindred has arisen. This new villain claims to have clawed his way back from Hell and holds a grudge against Peter for some unspecified past sin. Kindred's actions are also driven by a rather intimate knowledge of Peter himself, reviving villains with a personal connection to Spider-Man's past failures and tormenting his allies in their dreams.
However, the ending of Amazing Spider-Man #50 confirmed this theory with Norman Osborn, following his purification by the Sin-Eater, revealing that Kindred is his son Harry. On the surface, this feels like a bizarre reveal. After all, Harry Osborn made multiple appearances in recent Spider-Man stories, including the climactic showdown with his father in his Red Goblin form, and he also appeared throughout Marvel's Absolute Carnage event. In these issues, nothing ever gave the impression that Harry was a centipede-controlling demon. Yet when Kindred stopped by Norman's Ravencroft Institute cell during the Absolute Carnage storyline, his moment of gloating was undermined by Carnage, who used Norman's body as a host to taunt Harry by telling him that he was proud of his son.
This ties back into the repercussions of "One More Day," which not only erased Peter's marriage but also revived Harry after his character was killed off in the 1990s from a toxic strand of the Goblin Formula. The retcon logic for this change was that his father and Mysterio faked Harry's death and sent him to Europe for rehab purposes, yet the Kindred OMD theory asks a different question: what if this Harry was a new person altogether and Kindred is the Harry who actually died and went to Hell? To not only see an imposter take his place in this new reality but know that it was the unwitting result of Peter's actions, would offer a plausible reason to swear revenge on his former best friend.Both Amazing Spider-Man #50.LR and #51 have since expanded upon the Kindred identity reveal to highlight more "One More Day" connections. In the former, a now-remorseful Norman laments about how every monstrous action committed by both the Goblin and his own inner darkness produced this outcome, which he describes as having "sold my soul to a demon." Norman knows that he needs to stop Kindred from whatever he plans on doing. This coincides with the Order of the Web (consisting of Miles Morales, Silk, Madame Web, Spider-Woman and Spider-Girl) being turned into demonic creatures by all the sins Kindred gathered from the Sin-Eater. Their hideous transformations, mixed with his ability to speak through them, are yet another taunt at Peter's inability to keep his loved ones out of harm's way.
The twist linking these stories together is Mary-Jane Watson's return from Hollywood, a job opportunity caused by Kindred's connection to Mysterio. Given how Kindred is more lenient towards MJ than Peter or his other allies, it's possible that he bares a soft side toward her due to their past friendship and romance. Whether she can serve as an intermediary between Harry and Norman is unknown, but it could also produce a scenario where Kindred alerts Mary-Jane to her own role in the Mephisto deal.
When an attempt to locate Kindred on the Astral Plane using the Hand of Vishanti goes wrong, Doctor Strange comes close to concluding what really happened here. Though he never mentions Mephisto by name, Stange still asks Spider-Man whether he "ever made a kind of… arrangement" that could disrupt the spell, harkening back to the fallout of his own deal with Mephisto in a previous storyline. It's worth noting that Doctor Strange was amongst the many Marvel figures Peter Parker sought out in hopes of saving Aunt May's life during "One More Day" and even made a joke to Spider-Man about the risks of dealing with demons after May recently told Peter that she had cancer. But where that Strange inadvertently nudged Peter into making a stupid pact with a demon, this Strange, fully aware of the harm Mephisto can do, might theoretically use his sorcery to uncover the deal's existence.
However, Peter also foresaw how secretive Strange could get and had another plan in mind: have Black Cat steal the Hand so he can enter the Astral Plane himself, leading to even more OMD/marriage references. The dreamscape he finds looks decrepit and abandoned, implying that some dark magic might have tainted it since his last visit. The whole affair takes on another color when factored into an encounter with a vision of MJ who tells him "the answer is yes" before the two are separated and dragged down by Kindred's centipedes. Whether the aforementioned "yes" alludes to either their past marriage or her agreement with Mephisto is up for debate. However, like most of Nick Spencer's Spider-Man run, there are too many parallels to that storyline to be brushed off as a mere coincidence or misdirection.
Even as Kindred proves himself an effective horror villain, the revelation of him being Harry now foreshadows a confrontation that will unveil some incredibly dark secrets. While "Last Remains" still likely has secrets yet to be revealed, all the signs and references to date indicate a much-awaited reckoning over the consequences of "One More Day." While there's no guarantee that the storyline will come back into play, there's no better dirty little secret for Kindred to rub in Peter's face than how he made a literal deal with the devil.
RELATED:Spider-Man: Every Time Harry Osborn Turned Into A Villain
RELATED: Spider-Man: How Did [SPOILER] Turn Into Kindred?
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Amazing_Spider-Man_Vol_5
https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/amazing-spider-man-(2018)/56
https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/amazing-spider-man-(2018)/52
https://butwhythopodcast.com/2020/11/11/review-amazing-spider-man-issue-52/
REVIEW: ‘Amazing Spider-Man,’ Issue 52
The Amazing Spider-Man #52 is written by Nick Spencer, illustrated by Patrick Gleason, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna. It is published by Marvel Comics. Part three of “Last Remains” features Spidey and Kindred in a knock-down, drag-out battle. During the battle, Kindred taunts the web-slinger with his various failures.
This fight has literally been two years in the making and Spencer and Gleason don’t disappoint. Gleason packs his pages full of action, especially in a pair of splash pages. The first splash page features Spidey knocking Kindred into the air with a massive uppercut, sending maggots and rot flying. The next page features Kindred returning the favor, with his massive centipedes ripping into the wall-crawler. Blood flies and walls are smashed into rubble, making all 23 pages a sight to behold. Other Spider-People including Miles Morales and Jessica Drew appear in the issue, and they are the stuff of nightmares. Possessed by Kindred’s sins, they have blood-red eyes and mouthfuls of razor-sharp teeth making them a far cry from the heroes fans know and love.
Delgado also brings his considerable talents to the picture-literally. His colors give the fight plenty of weight, and once again highlights the difference between Spidey and Kindred. Spidey’s classic red-and-blue costume is vibrant and stands out against the shadows of the underground cavern where he and Kindred are fighting. Kindred remains the stuff of nightmares. Maggots crawl across his flesh, his teeth are rotting and crooked and fixed in a permanent grin, and when Spidey punches through him he leaks greenish pus. His purple hooded coat and gauze-wrapped face serve as a contrast to our hero.
Good comics combine great writing and art, and Spencer remains at the top of his game. His script not only features bombastic action but emotional heft. This is an enemy who knows how to cut Spidey to his core and can match him blow for blow. Reading this issue, I was reminded of J. Michael Straczynski’s debut run on Amazing Spider-Man which pitted him against the vampiric Morlun. Like Morlun, Kindred pushed Spidey to the emotional and physical limits. And like Straczynski, Spencer makes you feel for Peter Parker on every page. The best Spider-Man stories place his humanity on display and showcase how his superhero career affects his personal life. “Last Remains” is no different, as the villain Spidey faces has control of his friends and is hellbent on destroying his life.
The Amazing Spider-Man #52 finally brings a fight that was two years in the making to its pages, featuring non-stop action with a splash of horror. It also happens to end with a whopping cliffhanger, promising to shift the thrust of the story. Even though it’s only three issues in, this storyline is paying off years of setup and promises to cement Spencer as one of the greatest Spider-Man writers in the character’s history. Spidey fans won’t want to miss this.
The Amazing Spider-Man #52 is available wherever comics are sold.
Nick Spencer’s writing always keeps the reader on their toes. The Amazing Spider-Man #54 constantly has stuff happening in a way that doesn’t give you time to absorb it. First, it’s Peter’s reaction to the enormous reveal he has been faced with, followed by intense combat and hurtful dialogue, which eventually leads to Kindred beginning to reveal his motives to both Spider-Man and the reader. The issue is one pop in the face after another, making the story difficult to put down. It is clear from the dialogue that Spencer knows these characters like the back of his hand, which allows him to make statements that have a lot of history behind them. It makes the issue more intense for long-time fans and gives the sense of a fleshed-out world for new readers.
Mark Bagley and John Dell turn The Amazing Spider-Man #54 into an absolutely wild ride from start to finish. The action sequences are so in-the-moment, and Bagley and Dell use action lines to add energy to these scenes. Characters also frequently overlap the borders of panels, which is a fantastic way to immerse readers in the issue. Facial expressions are astonishing (as always) and never fail to show the many emotions a character may be going through. The brutality of the action and the clear facial expressions are integral parts of the issue that it would not be nearly the same without.
VC’s Joe Caramagna crushes the lettering in The Amazing Spider-Man #54. From the classic bold fonts and vibrant colors, to speech bubbles overlapping panel borders, to letters bursting out of their speech bubbles, Caramagna does whatever he can to give the lettering more weight. It adds to the tense moments of the story and vastly improves the issue.
This is what has been built up to for so long, and it comes to us in an intense, action-filled issue. For those who have been following the series, The Amazing Spider-Man #54 is worth purchasing just to see Spencer’s story creep nearer to its conclusion. For those who haven’t, the outstanding talents of Bagley, Dell, Delgado, and Caramagna are sure to have you turning the pages.
REVIEW: ‘Amazing Spider-Man,’ Issue #60
Amazing Spider-Man #60 is written by Nick Spencer, penciled by Mark Bagley, inked by John Dell and Andrew Hennessy, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna. It is published by Marvel Comics. “No Exit” finds Peter Parker, still struggling from the trauma he went through in “Last Remains,” discussing his thoughts with Mary Jane Watson. MJ has Peter go to an abandoned theater where he bares his soul in an attempt to start healing. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange confronts a being when he learns there is something wrong with Peter.
Though this issue is relatively light on action, it is a chance for Peter to face the trauma and his repressed guilt over the events of “Last Remains.” Spencer essentially has Peter bare his soul to the reader as he discusses the losses he’s endured as Spider-Man–specifically, his Uncle Ben. And although Kindred put him through hell physically and mentally, Peter still wants to save his friend. That, to me, is the defining character trait for Spider-Man: he always wants to help people, no matter what. And that desire is complicated by his history with Harry Osborn, as well as Harry’s hatred of him.
Spencer also underlines the importance of Mary Jane to Peter’s relationship. It’s MJ’s idea for Peter to talk out his feelings, and she tells him that she is with him no matter what. I’ve loved their relationship because it feels like a real relationship should; both partners have each others’ backs through the good times and the bad. Spencer has made Peter and MJ’s relationship the core focus of his book. With the jaw-dropping revelation at the issue’s end, it becomes even clearer that he intends to tackle one of the most controversial stories in Spider-Man’s history, which also dealt with said relationship.
The art team brings Spencer’s script to life in stunning detail, with Bagley once again proving that he’s one of the best Spider-Man artists in the business. As he did with Amazing Spider-Man #56, Bagley favors close-ups of Peter as his emotional state transitions, from pensiveness to grief to rage. Another image features Peter and MJ embracing one another deeply. There are no words on that page, yet it’s filled with emotion.
Rounding out the artistic team is Rosenberg on colors. Rosenberg makes great use of the shadows and lights, placing Peter under a massive spotlight-which is fitting, given that he’s the center of the stage. I also appreciate that she continues the trend of placing Peter in red and blue clothing to match the colors of his Spider-Man suit.
Amazing Spider-Man #60 essentially acts as a one-act play, letting Peter Parker bare his soul while laying down the next step in Nick Spencer’s master plan. The next issue offers a new costume for Spider-Man and a new job, and I hope that both continue to steer Peter back to where he was when writer J. Michael Straczynski was writing Amazing Spider-Man.
Amazing Spider-Man #60 is available now wherever comics are sold.
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2103.14 - 10:10
- Days ago = 2081 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
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