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I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the second volume of this series, but decided to go ahead since I had access to it and I'm glad I did.
The main plot for these issues was much more intriguing than the previous ones, and did a decent job of balancing messages about the bigotry unique to the Marvel Universe with actual bigotry that people experience in the real world.
Like most of the stories in this series everything wasn't resolved perfectly in the end by any means, but the route of absolute tragedy was avoided, which I appreciate.
I didn't really enjoy the final issue in this volume, but I was glad Jessica and Luke seemed to clear some things up since I felt that Luke was being seen in an unfair light before.
Overall the arc included here was much more interesting than those in the first volume, and I loved the creativity and thought that went into the creation of Rebecca's journal. The cover art for this series is very haunting, and it was a clever idea to expand upon it.
The main plot for these issues was much more intriguing than the previous ones, and did a decent job of balancing messages about the bigotry unique to the Marvel Universe with actual bigotry that people experience in the real world.
Like most of the stories in this series everything wasn't resolved perfectly in the end by any means, but the route of absolute tragedy was avoided, which I appreciate.
I didn't really enjoy the final issue in this volume, but I was glad Jessica and Luke seemed to clear some things up since I felt that Luke was being seen in an unfair light before.
Overall the arc included here was much more interesting than those in the first volume, and I loved the creativity and thought that went into the creation of Rebecca's journal. The cover art for this series is very haunting, and it was a clever idea to expand upon it.
The dynamic between the Champions has definitely improved for this volume, which I'm extremely grateful for. Amadeus is my favorite character out of the group and he's finally being written as less obnoxious, with moments where it's clear he greatly cares about his friends and people in general.
Miles was granted increased attention in these stories and was also given the space to say some fairly insightful things, though unfortunately focus seems to still rest on all the other characters more. I'm not a fan of the Secret Empire tie-ins or the event in general, though I did enjoy seeing some different teen heroes who may join the Champions line-up later on. The last issue of the volume failed to connect to the previous ones but it gave me a better understanding of Scott, who I've always had a bias against that I may reconsider now.
Some of the messages in these comics continue to seem shallow, and while the creators' hearts are probably in the right place, their execution could be improved upon and I hope it will be as the series goes on.
Miles was granted increased attention in these stories and was also given the space to say some fairly insightful things, though unfortunately focus seems to still rest on all the other characters more. I'm not a fan of the Secret Empire tie-ins or the event in general, though I did enjoy seeing some different teen heroes who may join the Champions line-up later on. The last issue of the volume failed to connect to the previous ones but it gave me a better understanding of Scott, who I've always had a bias against that I may reconsider now.
Some of the messages in these comics continue to seem shallow, and while the creators' hearts are probably in the right place, their execution could be improved upon and I hope it will be as the series goes on.
Champions, Vol. 1: Change the World
Jeremy Whitley, Mark Waid, Kevin Libranda, Sean Izaakse, Max Dunbar, Jim Zub, Humberto Ramos
Thanks, but I hate this. These issues contain great messages and characters, however the way their interactions are being written is insufferable.
Poor Amadeus has definitely gotten the worst of the bad characterization. All his obnoxious qualities were pumped up to an eleven while his better ones, including strategic and emotional intelligence, have gone largely ignored so he can fit the unneeded trope of the guy who starts unnecessary trouble.
I haven't read as many comics centering on the other heroes, but I did notice that even though Miles isn't typically a quiet person he barely seemed to say anything throughout this entire volume. It definitely felt like he was being sidelined, including during an issue that focused on racism.
Going back to my dislike with the characters as a group, while it's natural to have tension between teammates who aren't yet close and have differing views and goals, the amount of pettiness is really off the charts.
Yes, teenagers can be melodramatic, I unfortunately understand that from experience, but with these characters who have already shown selfless and insightful qualities it's ridiculous how argumentive they're being written.
The Champions are being advertised as the team meant to heal a world that grown-ups have messed up, but even though they've been helpful in general with the amount of aggression they currently hold towards each other they aren't behaving much better than the adults who seem to consistently get into fights with allies.
Hopefully their dynamic and maturity improves, but right now these comics are a let-down.
Poor Amadeus has definitely gotten the worst of the bad characterization. All his obnoxious qualities were pumped up to an eleven while his better ones, including strategic and emotional intelligence, have gone largely ignored so he can fit the unneeded trope of the guy who starts unnecessary trouble.
I haven't read as many comics centering on the other heroes, but I did notice that even though Miles isn't typically a quiet person he barely seemed to say anything throughout this entire volume. It definitely felt like he was being sidelined, including during an issue that focused on racism.
Going back to my dislike with the characters as a group, while it's natural to have tension between teammates who aren't yet close and have differing views and goals, the amount of pettiness is really off the charts.
Yes, teenagers can be melodramatic, I unfortunately understand that from experience, but with these characters who have already shown selfless and insightful qualities it's ridiculous how argumentive they're being written.
The Champions are being advertised as the team meant to heal a world that grown-ups have messed up, but even though they've been helpful in general with the amount of aggression they currently hold towards each other they aren't behaving much better than the adults who seem to consistently get into fights with allies.
Hopefully their dynamic and maturity improves, but right now these comics are a let-down.
I'm not going to lie, this volume of Runaways is definitely stressful and sad, but it's more than worth reading and will probably intensify your love for some characters, or get you to like them in the first place if you didn't before.
Members of the group who weren't previously given the time to really explain their emotional and personal mindsets finally got their hour in the sun, amounting to some of the most important and powerful moments in the series.
These issues are probably the one with the most growth and depth so far, and also contains a plot that held my attention the entire way through. If the comics only go downhill from here I won't even be mad.
Members of the group who weren't previously given the time to really explain their emotional and personal mindsets finally got their hour in the sun, amounting to some of the most important and powerful moments in the series.
These issues are probably the one with the most growth and depth so far, and also contains a plot that held my attention the entire way through. If the comics only go downhill from here I won't even be mad.
The highlight of this comic is undoubtedly Tommy adopting the role of being Molly's big brother and feeling responsible for her safety after having met her for only a few hours at the most, but the rest is hardly worth reading.
As a whole the volume isn't very enjoyable or important to Civil War's plot. However that's not really a surprise, all the spin-offs involved were clearly a shallow cash grab since they're not necessary to understanding the main story and literally nobody wanted to see this level of shit go down between heroes they like.
Also I have to call out that all the gay characters were collected up and made to suffer by being mortality injured and given no medical care, being tortured or being forced to watch these things happen to their loved one. Not sure why that needed to be included since it was all made redundant in the end, besides the continuing trauma at least one of them definitely faced going forward.
As a whole the volume isn't very enjoyable or important to Civil War's plot. However that's not really a surprise, all the spin-offs involved were clearly a shallow cash grab since they're not necessary to understanding the main story and literally nobody wanted to see this level of shit go down between heroes they like.
Also I have to call out that all the gay characters were collected up and made to suffer by being mortality injured and given no medical care, being tortured or being forced to watch these things happen to their loved one. Not sure why that needed to be included since it was all made redundant in the end, besides the continuing trauma at least one of them definitely faced going forward.
My favorite issue in this volume was definitely the first one. While it was probably just filler, Molly is my favorite member of the Runaways and I was glad to see a story that focused on her.
As for the rest, there's an important plot point at the end so the issues can't really be passed over, but they're fairly forgettable in my opinion.
As for the rest, there's an important plot point at the end so the issues can't really be passed over, but they're fairly forgettable in my opinion.
While I liked the story for the second half of this volume, I'm still at odds with the arranged marriage plot and how Xavin's gender-fluidity has always been treated in general.
When I was younger I was ecstatic that a transgender character existed in popular media but now I realize it's definitely less than great representation. Believing gender-fluid people should drastically change their appearance to be more attractive to potential partners is really unfair to them. It's already difficult enough growing up and having to realize your real gender and ways you want to present without being expected to alter yourself to appeal to others as well.
Other than that problem I don't have strong opinions about any of these issues. I wouldn't call them boring, but there aren't many specific scenes or development that really stand out to me. The Runaways are great characters though and as long they're being written decently I don't mind reading anything that features them.
When I was younger I was ecstatic that a transgender character existed in popular media but now I realize it's definitely less than great representation. Believing gender-fluid people should drastically change their appearance to be more attractive to potential partners is really unfair to them. It's already difficult enough growing up and having to realize your real gender and ways you want to present without being expected to alter yourself to appeal to others as well.
Other than that problem I don't have strong opinions about any of these issues. I wouldn't call them boring, but there aren't many specific scenes or development that really stand out to me. The Runaways are great characters though and as long they're being written decently I don't mind reading anything that features them.
I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After
Jean-François Beaulieu, Nate Piekos, Bill Sienkiewicz, Skottie Young, Chip Zdarsky, Dean Rankine, Jeff Lemire, Ewan McLaughlin, Jock
I found this comic to be thoroughly entertaining to read, even though it features one of the most morally corrupt and twisted protagonists I've ever encountered.
The writing for these issues was adequate, but it's the art that really brings the story to life. The vibrant and exaggerated characters and colors create a feast for the eyes, even with the scenes displaying barbarous violence.
I would definitely not recommend this series to anyone who shies away from the grotesque, but I myself have easily become absorbed in the world of Fairyland and all the candy-coated vileness it contains.
The writing for these issues was adequate, but it's the art that really brings the story to life. The vibrant and exaggerated characters and colors create a feast for the eyes, even with the scenes displaying barbarous violence.
I would definitely not recommend this series to anyone who shies away from the grotesque, but I myself have easily become absorbed in the world of Fairyland and all the candy-coated vileness it contains.
Aquaman, Volume 1: The Drowning
Phillipe Briones, Stjepan Šejić, Dan Abnett, Mirko Colak, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Brad Walker, Riccardo Federici, Rob Williams, Philippe Briones, Scot Eaton
Ironically I found this volume to be somewhat dry since its main focus was on the diplomatic strain between Atlantis and the surface land, namely the United States. The political drama failed to be compelling for me, but each issue still remained interesting enough to hold my attention.
I do think this is a good introduction to Aquaman comics, I wasn't confused by anything happening or the characters' relations to each other, even though I have never read anything involving them previously. However, I found Mera's characterization to be fairly lacking, her motivations seemed entirely dependent on her feelings for Arthur and what he wanted, and I'm hoping that's just due to their current situation and different comics divulge more into her character.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading more of the series but due to this trade ending on an unresolved note, I'll probably end up reading the next one at some point.
I do think this is a good introduction to Aquaman comics, I wasn't confused by anything happening or the characters' relations to each other, even though I have never read anything involving them previously. However, I found Mera's characterization to be fairly lacking, her motivations seemed entirely dependent on her feelings for Arthur and what he wanted, and I'm hoping that's just due to their current situation and different comics divulge more into her character.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading more of the series but due to this trade ending on an unresolved note, I'll probably end up reading the next one at some point.
This volume is immediately on top of wrapping up the plot and answering questions, so fortunately nothing included feels boring or pointless.
Exactly how and why the gang's parents got involved up in becoming super-villians is finally described, and while the given story is definitely weird it's solid enough that I never questioned it when I read the series previously.
However I don't like the outcome of the mole plot even while reading it after the original wound of betrayal has healed, and feel that there was a way it could have been done differently so the child in question was redeemable.
The Runaways still aren't very strong fighters so if you're hoping for some sort of epic showdown between them and their parents you're in the wrong place, but honestly I think that's better than trying to convince readers that they have the skills to defeat super-villians after only a few months with barely any training.
In my opinion this is satisfying ending to the original series that doesn't pretend everything is unrealistically perfect once evil is defeated. By the end the Runaways are still runaways, and still setting out untrusting of adults and alone as their own new family.
Exactly how and why the gang's parents got involved up in becoming super-villians is finally described, and while the given story is definitely weird it's solid enough that I never questioned it when I read the series previously.
However I don't like the outcome of the mole plot even while reading it after the original wound of betrayal has healed, and feel that there was a way it could have been done differently so the child in question was redeemable.
The Runaways still aren't very strong fighters so if you're hoping for some sort of epic showdown between them and their parents you're in the wrong place, but honestly I think that's better than trying to convince readers that they have the skills to defeat super-villians after only a few months with barely any training.
In my opinion this is satisfying ending to the original series that doesn't pretend everything is unrealistically perfect once evil is defeated. By the end the Runaways are still runaways, and still setting out untrusting of adults and alone as their own new family.