Comic Reviews 05.17.2021

 

Hey y’all. We’ve got some fun comics to discuss today. Before that, Featured Reviews returned yesterday with a look at X-Corp #1. It’s a promising start with some important flaws. I did not read much outside the reviewed comics this week, although I have been moving through My Hero Academia at a prodigious 40ish chapters per week rate. It’s really good. I finally arrived at the story arc the anime is currently adapting so this is my first opportunity for wholly new content, which is exciting. I might write something about that series in the future, but its not on the schedule yet. But I digress. On to the reviews!

Spoilers for: X-Factors #9, Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: King’s Ransom #1

 

X-Factor #9

Writer: Leah Williams

Artist: David Baldeon

Colors: Israel Silva

Designer: Tom Muller

Letters: VC’s Joe Carmagna

Cover: Ivan Shavrin

X-Factor has been a fun little book. It is fleshed out the world of Krakoa a bit, spotlighted fun characters, and told some fun adventures. This is the penultimate issue, and it neatly ties up almost every ongoing plot. The final installment will be part of the big Hellfire Gala event that will likely see the lingering threads wrapped. Well, the Northstar keeping secrets part seems as though it is a piece of a larger Krakoan storyline and will probably move forward into Williams’ Trial of Magneto series or whatever she is doing afterwards.

As for this issue, it feels a bit rushed. The team dives into Siryn’s memories, discovers a prophetic poem to defeat the Morrigan, deciphers said poem instantly, plan and launch an assault on Mojoverse in which they completely restructure the very basis of the society—including freeing all the slaves—and complete the prophecy, saving Siryn. It is so much that it seems clear another issue or two was initially planned. The team manages to make it not seem as extreme as it feels listing it out by including plenty of levity (when appropriate) and clever use of various characters’ powers and roles in society. The latter has been the key to this series’ success, and it remains so here.

The art is, as always, excellent. Baldeon’s ability to keep the tone both light and somewhat frightening is to be admired. The entire sequence in Siryn’s mind is unnerving without becoming outright horror, though some panels—such as the above image—are quite horrific. It also keeps helps keeps the tone consistent even when Northstar and Kyle are debating dinner in the middle of the investigation. All around, quite good.

 

Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: King’s Ransom #1

Writer: Nick Spencer

Artist: Rogê Antônio with Carlos Gomez and Zé Carlós

Colors: Alex Sinclair

Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover: Mark Bagley, John Dell, and Brian Reber

 

Every once in a while, there is an extra big issue of Amazing Spider-Man disguised as a one-shot. They take place immediately after the most recent issue and before the next issue. It is a strange marketing thing that must work because it happens two or three times per year. This one is the finale of the King’s Ransom story and this portion of the ongoing Kingpin plot. Of course, given that Kingpin wins here and is able to revive his son, it seems this is far from the end.

As is always the case when this series is good, it is about the characters more than the plot and they get a lot of focus here. This ranges from JJJ leaning into his showmanship to Boomerang betraying Peter at the final moments, though it is made clear he is regretting his decision and enjoyed being a hero. Maybe Fred is actually a changed man?

There is also a New Avengers reunion that does not get enough time to shine. Every interaction feels right, though the group should maybe show Peter a bit more respect. Not much, just more. Its nice to be reminded of that team as the group rarely interacts—outside certain pairings like Luke and Iron Fist.

The art on this issue is from a team that is almost completely unknown to me. They did, however, impress quite a bit; they will certainly never be mistaken for artists of the quality of Mark Bagley or Pat Gleason though. Sinclair is able to keep the art cohesive, even when there is an obvious change in styles. It is quite remarkable work all said. Maybe the group will get another chance to show off on the main series.