New Mutants # 23 Age of X Ch 4

Chapter 4 of Age of X is the chapter where you would think things would start to wrap up and extent they do...but at the same time...new mysteries are being discovered. And just when you think you got an idea of whats going on...Mike Carey throws a fast one.

Last time the issue ended with Magneto dumping a ton of debris on the escaping Legacy and Gambit. This issue opens up with Magneto doing his narrator thing while a variety of the denizens of Fortress X reflect on what Mags just did by burying Legacy and Gambit.

The Force Warriors seem to think Magneto made a major mistake. And Hellion asks Revenant her thoughts on the matter. She says she feels lost and how she feels like she was on her way home and how this doesn't feel like home and how she doesn't look like herself. What this means is anyone's guess. Revenant remains one of the biggest mysteries of Age of X, but with two issues left. I'm sure all will be explained in due time in that regard.

We then get a seen of Legion returning home after getting cheered on by several of the denizens of Fortress X. When he gets home, he finds Moira in tears about how everything they've built is going to be destroyed. Legion promises his "mother" that he will not let it happen.

We then join Magneto as he navigates his way beneath the catacombs of Fortress X, X tries to inform him of how many are questioning his decision to "kill" Legacy and Gambit. But as Magneto continues his patrol the comms go out. Just as he planned and Magneto meets up with Gambit and Legacy, who survived, and starts to explain himself to Gambit and Legacy.

We learn that Magneto is rebelling against his own rule, and that the stalemate that they've been locked in with the humans baffles him because he is well aware that the humans have superheroes that back them (Avengers) and that should have easily been the tie-breaker.

Legacy then talks about her interaction with Xavier, and the images of a school, a world with mutant heroes, Magneto as a bad guy then friend, a decimation different their own and a war over a child. This helps Magneto's theory of how they've been built their lives around a lie. He then tells us that it was him who sent Kitty Pryde out beyond the force walls!

Magneto then gives the two a map of Fortress X and says even though he built Fortress X there's a room right dead center of the citadel that to his knowledge serves no purpose and the only way to get in is through a maintenance panel. Mags needs someone with the skills of a thief so he tasks  Gambit to go out and find what's in there. Legacy agrees to go along and Magneto says he'll buy them some time and then floats off.

We then flash to a fun little scene in Moonstar's squad locker room where Dust is describing how she was in a drinking contest and in the end it was between her and Nightmare. Dust  and Nightmare having a drinking contest...wow. I would pay money to see that. Dust in the 616 is known best for her deep faith and Nightmare in the 616 is Pixie...and Pixie is well...Pixie. But drunken teenagers aside, X contacts Dani and says that she did a good job following orders, but says there is a conspiracy to uproot Fortress X and she must now go after Magneto.

Magneot then busts into the brig with his cape swaying in the wind like a G and he quickly demolishes the Dangers that are sent after him as well as restraints around Kitty Pyrde. The two then go and find Xavier making as much noise and commotion as possible. Meanwhile Legacy steals a kiss and some thieving knowledge from Gambit as they climb up an elevator shaft to the heart of Fortress X.

Back with Mags and Kitty, the two easily wake up Chuck who says "she was waiting, attacked from behind, I couldn't stop her,". And thus another clue to the identity of the person behind AoX is given. But as Kitty and Mags try to make sense of what he's saying, Dani's team shows up. 

Gambit and Legacy make it to the center of Fortress X and find a 2D frozen image of Dr. Nemesis in the middle of lab with brain scan images on the various screens. As Gambit tries to make sense of the room, Legacy finds a box in the center of the room and takes a look. We then get a parallel panel of Legacy dropping the box and Magneto trying to persuade Magma, Dani and Eclipse to join his side. Dani questions him saying he killed Gambit and Legacy. Magneto says that they're both alive and he'll take them to them to show his sincerity. Dani agrees but as soon as she does the roof opens up and Magneto gets sent flying into the wall with a krunch. The Force Warriors bust in and say that Magneto is relieved of command and that Fortress X is now under their control.  Meanwhile the lid of the box pops off and Legacy explains why there's nothing outside the Fore Walls...someone has stolen the universe and put it into the box. 

And that lady and gentlemen is where Carey leaves us till April 13th.

Folks this  issue is pretty good. We got too see a variety of characters, we got to see some shift in alliances and the previously mentioned alluded too drinking contest between Dust and Nightmare. Carey clears up some issues but at the same time curves it so that in the last two issues are going to be jam packed full of answers as well as action. I'm anxious to see who/what is Reveanat exactly. Plus more Hellion awesome is always appreciated. The identity of the culprit of AoX is almost upon us, some are starting to think it's Cassandra Nova...but I'm leaning to it being one of Legion's many personalities. 

Steve Kurth's art looks better in this issue than it did in the last NM but that's just me. In the back of the issue they have a little letter from Kurth saying its hard to work with Clay Mann because he's just so awesome. And it appears in Kurth's mind he draws Kurth's redesigned characters better! Funny stuff.

Overall this was a very good issue and earns itself a very  respectful 8.5 Gs out of 10.

C2E2 "Welcome To The X-Men" Breakdown

First off my apologies to those who expected for this blog to come out on Friday or Saturday...hell even Sunday; things came up and I didn't get a good solid block of time to read the various reports and come up with my own thoughts. By then the panel was over and done with and well I had to do some research as to what was said.Got my info from CBR's summary, Newsrama's and Marvel's own liveblogs.

The hour long panel was hosted by Marvel Talent Coordinator/Character Development guy C.B. Cebulski, X-Editor Daniel Ketchum and X-Men Legacy artist Clay Mann. The panel was 15 minuets of them chit chatting then about 45 min of questions from the peanut gallery. 

The first 15 minuets was pretty much them telling us stuff we already know, Gillen on Uncanny, Nate Grey and Blink in New Mutants. The new Legacy team of Rogue, Gambit, Magneto, Xavier, Legion and Frenzy, and X-Factor is going be shaken up by something. Daniel Acuna is going to do more work on Wolverine with Jason Aaron. Also separate form the panel Rick Remender told CBR about the "Dark Angel Saga".

When they opened the panel up for questions the first question was that they wanted a book about young mutants aka the New X-Men...Daniel said they did have a book about young mutants and then talked about Generation Hope. 

The X-Office seems to be betting very high on GH to see if it will state the hunger for a book on the younger mutants. Though how successful it will be...I'm not exactly sure. Most of the fans want the New X-Men back...but after the failure of Young X-Men...I think Marvel is pretty hesitant to give the NXM their own team book back. Though on the flip-side despite not having a book to call their own several of the NXM are thriving. X-23 has her own book (which had a few of her NXM co-horts appearing in the first arc), Pixie is a regular in Uncanny and had her own mini, Loa is the rising star in Namor being what Kitty Pryde was to Wolverine for Namor, Rockslide and Anole just had their story in Serve & Protect called "X-Dudes" and Rockslide is the third wheel in Wolverine & Jubilee, and lastly Hellion which we'll muse about in a bit. 

The idea of resurrections came up and it seems like most people want Nightcrawler back. While the Elf was never one of my favorite characters I've always respected his place in the X-Men mythos he's the team's moral compass. Kurt's a great character and I look forward to his return to the X-Books but his death in Second Coming was great way to kill him. Cable was another SC casualty that the fans want back and while he's hasn't been dead as long as Nightcrawler CB and Daniel have said that some big name writers have been wanting the famous BFG trotting time traveling mutant. But what was really interesting was to hear a fan say they were glad that Jean Grey has stayed dead. Boy did that fan open Pandora's Box on several comic book forums and it took balls to say IMO. 

Clay Mann got a question about the AoX redesigns and he gave the people attended his process of doing it. Also they brought up a fan cosplaying as AoX Dazzler. You gotta Clay his props for coming up with a character design and then about two months later people are already dressing up like the design. 

One fan asked about Hellion (wasn't me as I am currently no where near Chicago). Now while I don't no what the question was asked, Newsrama's blog says its about his hands and if he'll ever get new ones. Marvel said the possibility of Hellion getting his hands back are the same as Nightcrawler coming back from the dead...Also on Marvel's liveblog recap as well as CBR's recap it was mentioned that both Mike and Daniel love working with Hellion but it was necessary to put him through his paces in Legacy. The two have plans for Hellion, possibly 2 stories, but its going to be a while. But before you all get excited about 2 stories featuring Hellion as a key character, they might have meant that Legacy and its new direction might have two stories planned out before they get back to Hellion. Regardless of which is true Ketchum has said that they haven't forgotten him and going back too the Year of the X-Men liveblogs a couple weeks back...Legacy will be the book for all things Hellion. 

Hope and her powers were brought up and the guys said that keep reading the X-Books for the next couple of years to see how that plays out. People also asked about how Deadpool fits into the X-Verse and they said that because of his connection to Wolverine its kinda of a natural fit. 

Not a whole lot was revealed due to the fact that there were no writers on the panels, but Rick Remender gave a separate interview on the upcoming Dark Angel Saga in X-Force and why X-Force is going to the AoA but that interview deserves its own blog. And hopefully one day this week I might do a write up. 

I was surprised that they didn't give any new info on the upcoming X-Event Schism but its only March and the event isn't till July so they got time a few Conventions between then and now to go over it. So I'm not to worried. 

Overall C2E2 didn't really do a whole lot for the X-Books mostly because of the "Year of the X-Men" live blogs a couple weeks back would be my guess. But we did learn a few things about  the future of a few of our favs and what we might see from them in the future. Now what can we expect from the Stomping Ground this week? Well its a big week for the X-Books: Uncanny, Namor, X-Force, Daken, X-Men, New Mutants, and Wolverine and Jubilee come out! Now expect to see a New Mutant's review sometime before next Sunday. Also cross your fingers for a Namor, Daken or X-Force review as well. Till Next Time-The Big G

Venom #1

Today Ladies and Gentlemen we take a look at Venom #1 written by Rick Remender and art by Tony Moore. But before we look at the issue and its awesomeness. Let's...if you will...turn back the clock. The year is 1995 and a 5 year old Big G is sitting in front of the TV watching Saturday Morning Cartoons. And during the mid-90s the king of SMCs was Fox Kids. Home of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, X-Men the Animated Series, Super Human Cyber Squad, and Spider-Man The Animated Series. It wad during this year that I was introduced to the fusion of Eddie Brock and Spider-Man's discarded Alien Costume known to the world as Venom. Venom quickly became my favorite villain in the Spidey universe and remains so to this day.But the Venom of my childhood is not the Venom of today. 

 

Today Eddie Brock is hanging out with a teenage heroin junkie named  Jenna Cole and is currently going under the alias of Anti-Venom. Today Corporal Eugene "Flash" Thompson, former Peter Parker tormentor turned good friend turned War Hero who lost his legs in Iraq ,is now wearing the Symbiote and is now Agent Venom. After the events of Siege Mac Gargan the third and most recent Venom was captured by the US Government and stripped of the Symbiote. And now its apart of Project Rebirth 2.0. Now they're are some restrictions about being a goverment sponsored Venom: 1) To prevent bonding with the symbiote Flash can only wear the suit for a maximun of 48 hours at a time, 2) Flash has a 20 mission limit at Venom, 3) his Superior has a Kill Switch should Flash loose control of the Symbiote.

Now let's get to the issue. The issue opens up smack dab in the middle of a War Zone in Eastern Europe. The UN peace keeping squad (decked out in Iron Man rip-off suits that I can only guess are left overs from Tony Stark's time as the Director of SHIELD) are trying to protect the people but are quickly gunned down by an unknown source. One of the UN Peacekeepers promises to protect two civilians but they end up getting killed by the new and crazy Jack O'Lantern. 

Jack mocks the UN Peacekeeper for failing to full-fill his promise and then uses some acid candy to melt his face. Jack then gets a call from his unknown Boss to find Doctor Ekmecic. Ekmecic found a way to weaponize Antarctic Vibranium and ran off with the tech to make a crap ton of money. Needles to say this did not please the Big Bad, which is why he sent Jack after him. As Jack flies around the war-zone on his broomstick he comments on how the Doc is making them a free marketing video. Jack then finds the Doc in a tank made out Vibranium. 

 

This is where Venom shows up jumping out of Chopper and web slinging around looking for the Doc as well as saving a Mother and her young child from the bad guys. During these pages Flash narrates his opinion of America and why he's doing what he's doing. During his fight with the bad guys he uses his suit to not only pick up a live grenade to store for later...but to create about half a dozen tendrils to fire about half a dozen guns back at the bad guys. Pretty Bad Ass if you ask me. 

 

During this fight he runs right into the Doc's Tank. The Doc asks one of his men what's going on and Venom rips off the hatch on the Tank and says "He caught a dose of Venom, Doctor Ekmecic."  Flash then admits he's embarrassed as soon as he says this. Leave the witty remarks to Deadpool and Spider-Man Flash. 

But as soon as Venom thinks his mission is done, he get's ambushed by Jack and buried under the Tank. Venom then uses his tendrils to use the Tank's cannon to shoot down Jack who was flying away with the Doc. Also during this time Flash is starting to get a wee bit agitated and his handlers tell him to calm down or they'll hit the kill swithc. Flash calms down and then tells them he's going to get the civilians out of there and in the process pisses off the brass. During their escape Jack attacks again this time with a sickle and starts wailing on Venom. 

You can see Venom's suit change from his comabt armor too somehting simialar to the old school Brock and Gargan Venom monstrisity. He then uses the grenade he stored earlier and puts it in Jack's mouth and blows off his jaw.  Jack staggers away, jumps on his broom and tries to fly away. Not wanting to loose his target Venom uses his webbing to snap the Doc's neck. His handlers tell him the mission is a scrub as Flash regains control and tell them that there are two civilains who woudl disagree with them. 

Back at HQ Flash's CO has the suit removed and has a private chit-chat with Flash. Flash assumes he's going to get chewed out and called a Maggot. The CO tells him that's now how he works and says that Flash dosen't quite grasp that he was moments away from dying from the Commander pressing the Kill Switch. The Commander tells him to ditch the High School Jock and bring back the War Hero. He then says if the Jock ever comes back...he'll cut Flash off the program. 

Flash arrives back in Brooklyn to meet his girl-firend Betty Brant who is in tears because Flash forgot they were supposed to got a VA benefit dinner. Having delt with lying boyfriends/husbands she accuses Flash of hdiing somehting and she automatically thinks Flash was off drinking. FYI Flash is an alcholoic who compelted AA. Betty in tears slams the door in his face. Flash then wheels through Brooklyn thinking about how he and his Old Man arer Alcholics and how his Old Man had a saying of "Where God Wants You, He'll Make A Way". Flahs then pauses as he passes a bar with a wheel chair ramp. He then goes past a church with a sign for an AA meeting...but the're no wheel chair ramp. Flash thinks about his  Old Man must be laughing. Then the issue ends with the following quote from Charles Buxton an English brewer, and philantropist "Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victims" and as Flash wheels past the church we can see his Spider logo in his shadow a lot like how we see Peter's at the end of an issue of Spider-Man. 

Like I said before this issue was phenomnal. It has everything a launching issue needs to be successful. It has action, great dialogue, great art and for me personally in the last two pages of Flash with Betty and him wheeling around Brooklyn...its hits home on some issues that have affected friends/family. Having lost a Grandfather to alcohol abuse and having several family mebers go through AA, I'm glad that Rick brought this aspect of Flash's character into the book. And while it was very admirable that Flash didn't go get a pint, hving an additicve persoanlity will be a problem going forward. The Symbiote is just like a drug, and for Flash it also gives him the ability to walk againn. Also Flash now has deal with the double life that has ruined so many of Peter's relationships. I'd love to see them in a future issue and just talk about what having a double life means for them and their loved ones.

Moore's art goes fantastic with Remender's story and to me if art can complement the story and dialogue then that's the bee's knees. Venom's solider deisgn is kick ass, Jack O'Lantern's design is kick ass. Hell everthing is kick ass!

 

It's hard for me to give an issue a perfect 10/10 because on some level regardless of how good it was (AoX Chapter 3 being the prime example), there's somethign I can knicpick about. But this issues I can't. It has everything that I deem for a perfect issue. So to Rick and Tony...congrats Venom #1 get the first and coveted 10 Gs out 10. 

What to Expect Next

First off sorry for the wait on the AoX review. But it's out now so don't fret. Now what can you expect from the Stomping Ground this week? Well I'm here to tell ya!

First off will be a review of Venom #1 by Rick Remember. If you like Rick's run on Uncanny X-Force you'll be interested in Rick's new take on Venom. Also a possible review of X-23 #7. My good friend MarvelMasters616 has already done a well done review with scans of the issue so I'm a tad bit iffy on whether or not I wish to do one. But if I do do a review, it will not be infected by MM's recent jaded look at the X-Books. MM took Marvel's line of Hope not being Jean pretty hard....me personally I don't really care a whole lot. So yeah. No offense MM! *brofist*

I also won't being leading to my comic book store this week, with only one book coming out that I want and with the rise in gas prices...well I'll just have wait till next week to pick up X-Force 5.1 featuring X-Force vs. Lady Deathstrike and her Reavers.

But don't fret my friends for something very cool is happening this weekend in the Windy City...that's right this weekend is C2E2, Chicago's big pop culture convention! And on Friday evening there will be a X-Men panel called "Marvel: Welcome to the X-Men". 

Here's the offical summary about the panel:

Marvel’s most uncanny heroes have emerged bloodied…and not altogether unbowed…from the Curse of the Mutants. But now that the survivors have been drafted to “Serve & Protect”, what will be the vampire legion’s next move? And what secrets are at the heart of the mysterious timeline known as the “Age Of X”? Pop your claws into all the answers as X-Editor Daniel Ketchum, C.B. Cebulski, Marvel's SVP Creator & Content Development and a slew of surprise guests as they explore the present landscape and multiple futures of the X-Men.

Last year at C2E2 it was announced that X-23 would be getting her own solo and that Dark Wolverine would continue to be Daken's book. Though with only Mike Carey's editor Daniel Ketchum (i would laugh if he had a son named Ash) and C.B Cebulski confirmed its hard to say what will be revealed/answered other than more AoX info, more Year of the X-Men info and your standard "Where is *insert character* and when will we see him/her? 

Regardless it should be a fun panel and I will do my best to get you folks a summary of the panel with analysis ether Friday night right after the panel or Saturday morning.  

X-Men Legacy # 246: Age of X Chapter 3 Review/Analysis

It's been two weeks since the first two chapters were released and now Marvel has given us Chapter 3. But before we dive into the issue let's take a moment to recap/revisit Chapters 1&2. Chapter 1 was about showing what a typical day was like at Fortress X but a twist happened: Kitty Pryde had gone beyond the Force Walls and had snapped some pictures off the outside world. Chapter 2 had Legacy(Rogue) speak with Kitty, battle Danger (Fortress X's warden), and used Professor X's telepathy to get into the minds of the denizens of the Fortress. The issues ended with her on the run and the team of Moonstar, Magma, Cypher/Warlock, Karma, Dust and Eclipse(Sunspot) ready to begin the hunt.

Chapter 3 changes pace from the first two chapters, by making Magneto be the narrator instead of Legacy. Mags monologues while Gambit, Dazzler and Avalanche fight off another human attack. While this is going on Moonstar sees through Legacy's attempt to cover after he off-panel encounter with Anole and Domino. And no this is not the same kind of off panel encounter as her off-panel encounter with the Sentry back after Siege....but I digress.

Legacy seeks shelter in Logan's bar and interrupts his daily cutting sessions. And before you get any ideas...no Wolverine isn't Emo. He's just testing to see if he has any healing factor left. When Legacy shows up he offers to treat her wounds and offers to listen in to what she's been up too.

We then jump back to Mags' monologue about how he built Fortress X and how he's getting old. Meanwhile Moira and Legion want Mags to use the Force Warriors (Legion, Hellion, Psylocke, Revenant, and Stand-Off(Unuiscone)) to use their TK to look for Legacy. Mags says while this  is a good idea, he won't risk the Force Warriors because not only do they kick ass and take names...well if something where to happen to them...well all of Fortress X would be fucked. Because without them rebuilding the Force Field around Fortress X they would all be dead. He tells the crowd that's with them while the Force Warriors won't be joining the hunt...he will be personally joining in. He then dons his while Spartan Helmet like a total G.

Back to Wolverine and Legacy; as the two talk about Legacy's encounter with Professor X, they also discuss how things have seem majorly off. She mentions how bizarre it is to not know who Charles Xavier is but on the flip-side she feels like she knows him. She also mentions a mystery character whose mind was full on a singular thought: "Smash It". One should note that the Hulk is apart of the AoX Avengers...but the odds are mostly likely who ever caused the AoX was thinking "Smash It."

Then out of no where Eclipse busts the door in and Dani's team bust in like the own the place. They know that Legacy was there so they ransack the place looking for Legacy. We then jump to Magneto as he "persuades" Jeffries to tell him why Legacy visited him.  And when I mean persuade I mean Magneto threatened to wreck his stuff if Jeffries didn't snitch. It should be noted that both in this chapter and the last Jeffries makes references to the stars and how they're giving him crazy data. Perhaps this is a clue to the real nature of AoX?

Back in the bar Dani's team notice that Wolverine hasn't moved from one spot and the spot he's standing on just so happens to be the trap door to his Wine Cellar. Eclipse tries to goad Wolverine into moving by taunting him about how the cure killed his healing factor and wrecked his metabolism to the point where if Wolverine got angry...his heart would burst. But Dani tells Eclipse to ignore him because as it turns out Legacy went through the window and headed out into the battle field. 

X then radios Cannonball and tells him that Legacy is coming his way but he tell X that he's kinda busy at the moment. We also see a nice cameo of Husk about to "husk" into another form. Oddly enough her base form is her normal flesh form, the same form she said she wouldn't take again in their AoX: Alpha story. Maybe the two made up...or maybe its just miss-communication between Mike and Clay. With Mike having an X-Position this week and I having asked that very question...hopefully we'll get and answer. 

Now against better logic Dani's team continues the hunt but are having trouble because Legacy is using a great combo of Anole's camouflage and Domino's luck powers to stay away. But Dani has Dust use her sand powers to make Legacy look somewhat visible. Dani then draws her bow and with skill she puts an arrow right into Legacy's shoulder.  Dani and Co. tell Legacy to surrender but Domino's luck power kicks and they get attacked by what looks a lot like a Metal Gear. Dani and Co. counterattack and Legacy escapes...again.  But Dani isn't worried because Dust is still with Legacy...

Once clear from her attackers Legacy removes the arrow, and we get to see her wound heal. Now this could be one of two things: A) Logan's healing factor is still around or B) Anole's regenerative power could work for her too. Dust then reforms and tells her to surrender...but she then takes a shot in the face from everyone's favorite Cajun. That's right Romy fans Gambit shows up to save his mon chere. But when Legacy asks him why he saved her he said when he saw the two fighting he knew which side he wanted to be on. Gambit helps her limp away but they don't get far because Magneto knows where they are and buries them beneath a giant pile of rubble and tells everyone this is what happens to traitors of the Brotherhood of X. 

Then in the bar Wolverine comes up with a plan to get some answers with a man whose out for redemption...Basilisk. Who looks like a bigger G than Magneto was when he put on his helemt.

And that Ladies and Gentlemen is where Mike Carey leaves us for now. 

This is a fantastic issue in my opinion...especially for a standard "chase" issue. Legacy makes great use of both Domino's and Anole's power. We get the awesome team up of Wolverine and Basilisk at the end. And let my make mention that Basilisk is a complete and utter bad-ass. Dani Moonstar acts like a total G in this issue. And most importantly Mike Carey leaves us wanting more. Clay Mann's art is great as usual and his redesigns shine brighter than neon in this issue. I'm falling in love with Magma's redesign personally...its so hot! Lame pun I know. 

There's not a whole lot I can say wrong about this issue. Needed more Force Warriors though. And I wish more mutants were in on the hunt other than Dani's team...but these are such minor nuances.

What can we expect next issue? Well from some preview art released a week ago we can expect Magneto meeting up with Gambit and Legacy, Legacy "kissing" Gambit and more of the Force Warriors. Can't wait for the 23rd!

In the end X-Men: Legacy #246 Age of X Chapter 3 is a great issue and earns itself 8.5 Gs out of 10.

Daken: DW #6 Review

Daken Akhiro, the long lost son of Wolverine appeared on the pages of Wolverine Origins in 2007 and since then he's taken the MU  by storm. Now the star of his own book titled Daken: Dark Wolverine, Daken has set out to do what Pinky and the Brain try to do every night... try and takeover the world.

When we last left our "hero"; Daken had just arrived in Madripoor and wanted to help out Tyger Tiger, the current ruler/CEO/Crimelord of Madripoor obtain some ledgers held by some upstart rival gang leaders wanting to cash in on slavery and drugs...the two vices that the lovely Lady Tiger has banned in Madripoor. A city that makes Las Vegas look like the most wholesome place to live.

Now last week our preview started out with Daken trying to get info about his role in this sting. But the issue really starts with a two pages of the gangsters enjoying some adult entertainment while Daken provides his standard narration.

We then flip back to the preview where we see Daken try to schmooze up Tyger and her co-horts but fails while Tyger gets a call from Sister Francis, a local nun who took in a bunch of young girls Tyger liberated in a human trafficking sting. Well it turns out the girls were experimented on and some girls have wounds that won't heal. If you've been reading X-23 (excellently written by Marjorie Liu) or glanced at the solicits for the next couple of months than you already know that this is a lead in to the Daken/X-23 "Collision" crossover; which puts them against Malcolm Colcord (another great Malcolm in the world, though the greatest is yours truly) whose trying to use Phoenix Down on his old Weapon X Program.

One of the gangsters shows up, who just so happens to be an old geezer and starts to mack with one of the female entertainers. She then slips him some drugs during their make out session which causes the old man to go into cardiac arrest. Medics rush (Tyger's men in disguise) and bring him back from the brink and switch the Old Man's briefcase for one with a bomb. They release the man and he goes to his meeting and then the bomb goes off killing Tyger's rivals in the process. Daken then congratulates Tyger and takes his leave saying that their business is done and over with.

Which is bull shit of-course. Turns out that Max, Tyger's Numbah 1, is working for Daken and uses some smoke bombs to knock out Tyger. Daken swaggers in and takes the briefcases, ledgers and money like a G. He then switches into some civies and climbs to the top of a radio tower and uses a small EMP device he stole from Mr. Fantastic to send Madriopoor back to the dark ages.

Madripoor is overwhelmed with chaos while Tyger tries to bring back some form of order and then asks Max what happened. We then seen Tyger on a roof as the sun sets over Madripoor ready to duel Daken for the fate of Madripoor. Which is where Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu leave us for now. 

So far since Dark Wolverine was relaunched into Daken: DW the book has been a fun read filled with all kinds of shenanigans. A mix of the good and cheeky and the cruel and tragic shenanigans. This arc has been no different. Action, suspense, back-stabbing, seduction, are all found in this issue.

I love Madripoor. Plain and simple. Its a lot like Roanapur from the manga Black Lagoon (for those manga fans out there, give it a read its BAD ASS); a beautiful city in South East Asia which is actually the home and base of operations of criminals around the world. It's a two faced city, which is perfect for a character like Daken. 

Way & Liu not only do a great job of developing Daken but they do a great job of working the arc's supporting cast of Tyger, Max and Gui (Madripoor's Chief of Police). Each character brings something different to the table. Gui is an honest man living in a dishonest town trying to give his wife and daughter a better life, Max cares for his Boss but is willing to do what Daken says to protect his family. And lastly is Tiger whom is trying to promote class/honor/dignity among Madripoor's underworld. 

Its fun to see Daken try to flirt/seduce her and have her laugh in his face like Mystique did in the first arc.We all know that Daken has Daddy issues; but its fun to see Way & Liu play with the idea of Daken having Mommy issues as well. It might explain his attraction to strong women like Mystique and Tiger. Or perhaps Daken just has a thing for Women who can kick ass...I know I sure as hell do. I love a woman who can kick my ass!

On a sad note Way & Liu will be passing the writing torch to Rob Williams after the "Collision" crossover. I'm not familiar with Williams work so I cannot say this is a good or bad thing. Its one of those wait and see things.  But Williams is starting off his Daken Shenanigans in LA and as a born and bred California boy I'm always supportive of adventures in the Golden State.

Giuseppe Camuncoli's art is once again excellent. Whether its a bunch of scantly clad adult entertainers, Tyger's WTF face after hearing about the girls Sister Francis took in, or Daken's smirk as he used the EMP on Madripoor, Camu's art is great.  Hell he actually made me  enjoy Daken's designer made costume; which is something because I thought it looked horrid when it first shown to the public back in August of 2010. 

There's not a whole lot I can say about the things that I found fault with in this issue. My biggest beef is the panels of some criminals knocking over a bank, then getting knocked over by other gangsters and so on before getting stopped by Tyger. In my humble opinion a montage of chaos across Madripoor with some Daken narration would have been better. That's how I would have done it but such is life.

All and all Daken: Dark Wolverine #6 is a fun read about a man trying to lay the foundations of a global empire by trying to take over the crime utopia of Madripoor. As a single issue its pretty good but as part of an arc its great. The next issue should be fantastic as we see the outcome of Daken and Tyger's duel for the future of Madripoor. I give this 8 Gs out of 10.

The Schism is Coming!

Whose side are you on? Wolverine or Cyclops?

GO TEAM WOLVERINE!

X-Force Live Blog Review

Well after work I picked up some Taco Bell to eat as I read over and digested the results of Marvel live blog with Rick Remender about the future of Uncanny X-Force. 

From last week's teaser I hypothesized that the Age of Apocalypse would be invading the 616 proper universe...well...I was wrong. Turns out that X-Force is heading into AoA to kick some ass and take some names.  

Rick talked about how 10 years have passed in the AoA and how its pretty much Hell on Earth. Dark Beast, whom like Nate Grey is an immigrant to the 616 from the AoA will play a big role for the next year or so in the the book. Also expect AoA Jean, Sabretooth and Nightcrawler should give Wolvie some serious things to think about. Also there's a reason why Archangel isn't in the teaser.

X-Force will be getting some new cast members that will seem natural/organic. Rick says we won't seem them coming...

All and all I'm super excited for this title, X-Force is currently the best team X book out there. 

I wonder what the AoA will do to our heroes.