Comic Review 245 // Marvel Universe: Wolverine

Had to break up the Batman comics for a bit with this Wolverine - kid-friendly collection. We found it at the library and were instantly interested. I had a quick flick through to ensure it wasn't too violent and chose to go ahead with it for this week's reading.

Title: Marvel Universe: Wolverine

Team: Fred Van Lente, Len Wein, Peter David

Blurb: Four classic all-ages Wolverine tales! Before he joined the X-Men, Wolverine was a secret agent, skilled in espionage and highly trained in combat. But when he's ordered to deal with a town being slowly covered by metal, Wolverine must use his greatest weapon to survive: his brain! Then, thrill to Wolverine's first appearance ever, as he battles the Incredible Hulk...but who or what is the Wendigo? Plus: Kitty Pryde's got a crush, and she's depending on Wolvie to help her get the hook-up. But what happens when that crush is Thor, God of Thunder? Finally: all Spider-Man has to do is follow Wolverine for one day and report what he does. What could go wrong? We're glad you asked... COLLECTING: Free Comic Book Day 2009 (Wolverine : Origin of an X-Man ), Incredible Hulk 181, Wolverine: First Class 15, Spider -Man (2010) 3

Format: 94 pages, library hardback.

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Review

Let's start with the good stuff. It is a fun, kid-friendly graphic novel. It stays focused on Wolverine throughout, which is good, as other titles have very much drifted in the past into other characters, and overall is super easy to read. The range of stories is well thought out, and the spread of themes and titles is enough to excite a younger audience and possibly hook them into reading more.

Of course, the best strip in the book is the Wendigo vs Hulk vs Wolverine. With a line-up like that, how could I pick anything else? Overall for a young reader, this is a solid B+.

As a slightly older reader, the stories are too simplified or dumbed down. Wolverine has lost his edginess in my opinion, and the drawings in some of the stories are just too basic. Very enjoyable to read to the kids but lacked the punch I want from a Wolverine book.

Got kids, grab it, read it with them and have fun. Looking for Wolverine action go elsewhere.

Cheers for reading!

Comic Review 224 // Superman Adventures: Lex Luthor

Can stop picking up these titles as I find them at the library. I've never been a fan of Superman, preferring my heroes to have flaws and issues. But I enjoy Lex Luthor as a villain, so I had to try this one out. 

Title: Superman Adventures: Lex Luthor, Man of Metropolis

Comic team: Mark Millar, Dean Motter & Evan Dorkin

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Blurb: As long as Superman has flown over the skies of Metropolis, one man has always sought to take the brave hero down Lex Luthor! But why does Lex hate Superman so much? See just how devious Superman’s greatest foe is as experiments with Kryptonite run amok. And Lex isn’t just Superman’s enemy here on Earth-their rivalry will take them to Apokolips and back, as seen in this collection of stories set in the world of the Superman: The Animated Series!

Collects Superman Adventures #27, #54-55, and #65-66.

Format: Paperback

Review

Superman Adventures: Lex Luthor, Man of Metropolis, is a weird mix. It looks and feels like the old Saturday morning cartoons. The ones from the '90s or early 2000s? The Justice League era of comics. But the themes of the stories are heavy hitters; we have racism, hatred and villains beyond Lex to handle. It really delves into the very human issues that mould Lex.

Of course, the stories are Luthor-focused, but as mentioned, he is not alone. We get back up characters like Granny Goodness and Livewire, who do a great job of breaking up the tales. Overall a fine collection but definitely designed for a 10+-year-old audience.

Comic Review 215 // Avengers: The Avengers Initiative

Continuing my new series, it seems, of reading and reviewing my kid's comics. I've been struggling lately will multiple colds/flu/who knows what. It's been rough, and I have struggled to read for myself for about a month. Luckily the kids don't care (ha), and I am still reading some stories. Here is this week's offering.

Title: Marvel's The Avengers: The Avengers Initiative

Author: Fred Van Lente

Art: Ron Lim

Blurb: The perfect introduction to Marvel's The Avengers movie! All your favorite characters from the film packed into one digest! Meet the incredible cast of the Avengers Initiative: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye! The perfect introduction to Marvel's The Avengers movie! All your favorite characters from the film packed into one digest! Meet the incredible cast of the Avengers Initiative: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye! Collecting MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS: THE AVENGERS INITIATIVE, CAPTAIN AMERICA & THOR!: AVENGERS.

Format: 88 pages, Paperback (Buy via Kindle on Amazon)

Review

This was a hard one. The stories within the pages of this book are all set with the MCU but were seemingly written before most of the movies, as it is no longer canon. Luckily the kids have not seen the movies and most likely wouldn't care anyways, so for the curious collectors out there, maybe treat yourself or go buy something else.

The collection definitely has its faults. Somehow, we go from good artwork to pretty crap, which is so weird to see collected in this manner? Why Marvel you have so much money do your comics some justice. The book is three stories long, consisting of the title piece, which is a way to a quick intro to the characters (which we already know) and comes across as pure filler. Then a Captain America tale, followed by a Thor tale. Both of these were fine, but ultimately this is so middle of the road that it is dull. But this is also me as an adult reviewing it.

On the other hand, my sprogs enjoyed the adventures and pointing out the superheroes, so for their enjoyment, I would give it a 3 out of 5. As an adult, this is a 2 out of 5. I have warned you!