Warning: Spoilers for Fantastic Four (2022) #27 ahead! There has always been a family element in Fantastic Fourwhich initially challenged and aligned with the nuclear family ideal of the 1950s, before exploring more modern interpretations after the birth of Sue and Reed's children. When it comes to parenthood, however, Sue and Reed are far from first in Marvel's First Family; instead, that honor belongs to Ben Grimm and his wife, Alicia Masters-Grimm. Fantastic Four (2022) #27 – written by Ryan North, with art by Steven Cummings – offers an excellent demonstration of Ben Grimm's parenting skills at work, when his…
Author: Avi Gibson
Warning: Spoilers for Black Lightning (2024) #2 ahead!There is no doubt that SupermanDC's “Big Blue Boy Scout” is the heart and soul of DC Universe: a hero whose tireless strength is matched only by his seemingly limitless compassion. However, this could have a deleterious effect on those who have to put up with it day in and day out, as a surprising argument has formed around how healthy Superman really is for the DC Universe. Black Lightning (2024) #2 – written by Brandon Thomas, with art by Fico Ossio – initially finds Anissa Pierce, aka Thunder, in therapy, assessing the…
Warning: Spoilers for Deadpool: Team-Up (2024) #4 ahead! Although Rob Liefeld You may be leaving your career with Wonder and Dead Pool ago, his latest series for the publisher is more than worthy of Liefeld's legacy. Deadpool: Team Up (2024) It's more than just a who's who display of some of Liefeld's most popular clashes and characters: the series is also filled with the classic Liefeld style that elevated the man to living meme status. In Deadpool: Team #4 – written and illustrated by Rob Liefeld – and in previous editions of the series, the author's personal touch is immediately…
Warning: Spoilers for Moon Knight #4!Out of Marvel’s considerable roster of heroes, Moon Knight The legacy is thornier than most, as the character falls into the unfortunately very broad category of a white man who is given power by an “exotic” foreign culture. Now, however, the Moon Knight Phases The anthology features a former Moon Knight who is not only a native Egyptian, but also a staunch defender of the values and rights of his homeland. The first story in Moon Knight Phases #4, “For Now,” by Fabian Nicieza, Moisés Hidalgo, Fernando Sifuentes, and Cory Petit, introduces readers to Nakia,…
Warning: Spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #11 ahead! The death of of Spider-Man Uncle Ben, along with his oft-misquoted philosophy, “With great power must also come great responsibility”set the tenor of Spider-Man’s entire career. However, a seemingly offhand comment between Spider-Man and Ben Parker in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe gave readers a reason to doubt Spider-Man’s entire spirit, forcing readers to wonder how Ben Parker would have reacted to his nephew becoming Spider-Man. Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #11 – written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by David Messina – ends with Peter Parker meeting his Uncle Ben at Aunt May’s memorial, in…
Warning: Spoilers for Wonder Woman (2023) #15 ahead! It’s arguably the world’s oldest superhero trope – and Wonder Woman you just trampled it into dust. Superheroes have been stopping bank robberies almost as long as the genre has existed, but now Wonder Woman and her friends have good reason to flip the script and commit bank robberies of their own. Wonder Woman (2023) #15 – written by Tom King, with art by Daniel Sampere – begins shortly after Steve Trevor’s death at the hands of the Sovereign. While Wonder Woman watches over her and Steve’s newborn daughter, Trinity, she oversees…
When Spider-Man: Homecoming ushered in Tom Holland’s fantastical reign as the MCU Spider-ManI was pleasantly surprised to see him facing, of all villains, Michael Keaton Vulture. But credit is due: the unassuming Vulture has always been a huge threat, and now his comic book showdown with Miles Morales emphasizes just how badass the Vulture can really be. Miles Morales: Spider-Man #25 by Cody Ziglar, Federico Vicentini, Bryan Valenza and Cory Petit is a big win for Vulture. After being beaten by Miles and his newfound vampiric strength in the previous issue, Toomes sets out to seek revenge in a new…
Warning: Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #60 ahead! Of the entire roster of Marvel characters, none are more arrogant or selfish than Dr. Destiny – which means readers notice the rare moments when he expresses his esteem or approval of others. Case in point, it’s a shock to hear Dr. Doom praise a particular Marvel hero from the entire roster of gifted geniuses, sorcerers, and warriors – especially when that hero is famous for never staying on top of things. The Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #60 ends with the story ‘Ride’s Over’, by Joe Kelly, Mark Buckingham and Edgar Delgado,…
Warning: Spoilers for Captain America (2023) #14 ahead! Captain America has seen more than its fair share of tragedies, taking the Marvel universe from one world-shaking battle to another – but when a city-destroying calamity happens monthly, the events of which are memorized and which are just part of the day – today? Readers get a rare glimpse into this process when a specific disaster is revealed to have legendary status in Captain America’s mind. Captain America (2023) #14, by J. Michael Straczynski, Charlemagne and Espen Grundetjern, sees Captain America, Thor, and Spider-Man join forces to solve a mystery that…
Summary Marvel’s Blood Hunt event shakes things up: Vampires no longer fear the sun, Doctor Doom is Sorcerer Supreme, and Reed Richards explores magic. Reed Richards pioneers a means with scientific knowledge to combat vampirism, tapping into magical learning for the first time. Reed Richards could challenge Doctor Doom’s reign as Sorcerer Supreme, setting the stage for a new level of their rivalry in the Marvel Universe. Warning: Spoilers for Fantastic Four (2022) #22 ahead! The conclusion of the US Blood dog The event shook up the Marvel status quo: vampires no longer fear daylight, Doctor Doom is now Sorcerer…