Monthly Archives: November 2012

November 30, 2012

Warhawk

By worldofblackheroes

Warhawk

Created by: Alan Burnett; Paul Dini

1st appearance: Batman Beyond: The Call part I (television); Batman Beyond #21 (comics)

Nationality: American

Species: Human-Thanagarian Hybrid

Team Affiliations: Justice League Unlimited

Legal Status: unknown

Eyes: Green     Hair: Black

Relatives:  John Stewart (father/Green Lantern) Shayera Hol (mother/Hawkgirl)

Skills and abilities: Skilled Hand to Hand combatant,

Powers: Super Strength, Stamina, Durability, Flight (using artificial wings), Levitation (without artificial wings) high resistance to injury

Weaponry: Artificial wings made of NTH metal, protective armored suit; suit capable of coverig entire body in armor; suit also contains retractable razor claws.

Biography:

While serving with the Justice League, John Stewart and Hawkgirl were involved in a relationship which lasted until Hawkgirl betrayed the team. Afterwards, Stewart began a romance with Vixen, another member of the team. During a trip to the future, Stewart met a future Justice League member named Warhawk, who after a battle and subsequent escape, refers to Stewart as dad. Warhawk reveals that he is Stewart’s son. Even though Stewart could guess who Warhawk’s mother might be, an older version os Static (the character says he is 65 years old) blurts the mother’s name out and remarks how Shayera was grumpy carrying an “egg” the size of Warhawk. After returning to his own time, Stewart choose not to reveal the knowledge to Hawkgirl. Eventually he did tell Hawkgirl about their son, and also remarked that he didn’t at first because he didn’t want to be “destiny’s puppet”. When Vixen was murdered by the Shadow Thief, Stewart contributed to the demise of the Shadow Thief, and subsequently kicked out of the Green Lantern Corp. Stewart also resigned from the Justice League, along with Hawkgirl, who had been reinstated, and the pair moved to Africa, where Warhawk was conceived and raised.  Little else is known of his upbringing.

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November 17, 2012

The New Avengers #7 Review

By worldofblackheroes

Summary

In the aftermath of Dr. Voodoo saving all creation and dying in the process (See Avengers #1, Avengers #2, Avengers #3, Avengers #4, Avengers #5 and Avengers #6 for details) Damage control comes in to fix things. Inside the mansion a weary Dr. Strange meets the team for breakfast where they discuss being paid by Steve Rogers, Finding a nanny, Dr. Strange joining the team and needing a butler.

Squirrel girl becomes the nanny, Wong the butler and Strange joins the team.

 

The Good

Cover- Luke Cage, Mockingbird, Wolverine, Mz. Marvel, the Thing and Spider-man all strike a pose with the ruins of the Avengers mansion in the background. Simple yet totally effective!

Luke Cage and Jessica Jones- Someone email this issue to Hudlin, Liss and Mayberry ASAP. Here is a relationship that works very well on paper and execution! Jessica literally took control of the situation when her husband tried to take the high road. He was proven wrong, thought level headedly, oh and she embarrassed him to boot…big time! But the way it was tone was tactful and totally classy and hot to boot! She def got some that night!

Luke Cage- Luke my man you really got around when you were single didn’t you? Old lady with white hair, Tigra the Avengers resident whore and god knows who else! Call me shallow I enjoyed these moments!

Art-Stuart Immonen is on the job and delivers great images from start to finish. Immonen does particularly well on conveying emotions on faces without allot of detail of zooming in too much on the person.

Hilarious- How funny was it to watch an older lady who Luke previous shagged make a pass at him while his friends and wife are right there? Very! Then we have the interview process to get a nanny for Luke’s daughter…..you have to witness the spectacle of it all to understand the sheer lunacy of some of these candidates! I mean seriously D-MAN? The icing on the cake however had to be how Jessica owned Luke in front of everyone!

Black Heroes- Luke Cage! Leader, Father and Bendis best use of a black character ever!

 

The Bad

Missed it- Ok I’ll be the first to admit I dropped this title after Bendis killed Dr. Voodoo but after reading this issue I ****ing regret it! This issue is everything I’ve been missing in my buy pile for months! If you like me held it against the man for sacking Voodoo I implore you to read this single issue which redeems Bendis of his tragic “hate crime”, it’s that good!

Alt cover- Mz. Marvel in some tron inspired costume that has nothing to do with the issue, she’s not even an important character in the story!

 

The Ugly

Drama, humor, sexuality and some much needed levity after a long arduous six issue story arc 3.5/5

 

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November 9, 2012

Black Panther #36 Review

By worldofblackheroes

BACK TO AFRICA, PART 2

Back in Wakanda, the Royal Couple’s troubles continue, as one of T’Challa’s greatest foes makes his power move.

Summary

In Wakanda the people scramble to find out where Killmonger could have gotten technology to capture Photon.

In Niganda Killmonger whips the people in a frenzy as he regales them with tales of unity and overpowering the American invaders. He visits shuri’s cell and leaves some of his army locked in with her to keep her company. She makes short work of them as T’challa and Wakanda attack Killmonger’s forces.

They are met with surprising opposition by mutated Animals but T’challa manages to make his way to Killmonger.

 

The Good

Cover- Sweet illustration of Storm and her Beau, he’s on his throne while she stands beside him in African garb. Ah the happier times of their marriage! How I miss this!

Action- Explosions, Bombs, bullets, blood and death. Yup it’s a party…I mean war all right!

Art-Cafu continues stellar work which shines in action scenes.

Villain- Killmonger is badass and cool too! How awesome is being showered with bullets and having them deflected without a gesture? I’ll tell you! Not as cool as surviving a couple Missiles and one tipped with Vibranium; LoL ; That’s how!

The Bad

Exposition- Good lord this issue was a chore to read. Allot of words, reminiscent of the 90′s. (Shakes head)

 

The Ugly

More action though a bit heavy on the exposition, still a solid 3/5

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November 8, 2012

Coal Tiger

By worldofblackheroes

The Coal Tiger

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Real Name: Prince T’chaka

Created by: Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz

1st appearance: A-Next #4(January, 1999)

Nationality: Wakandan

Team Affiliations: Avengers

Legal Status: Wakandan citizen with criminal record

Height: 6’1          Weight: 220 lbs

Eyes: Brown          Hair: Black

Relatives: 

Relatives: T’Challa/Black Panther (Father), Azzari the Wise (Great grandfather), S’yan (Uncle), T’chaka (Grandfather), Shuri (Aunt), White Wolf (adopted Uncle), Jakara (Uncle),  T’shan (Cousin), Bashenga (Ancestor), Evil Black Panther (Cousin)

Alternate reality siblings: T’chana (1/2 Brother), Azari (Brother), Sh’ri (sister), Sky-Panther (Sister)

Skills and abilities: As a prince of Wakanda he has been trained since birth in a variety of different martial arts forms, both armed and unarmed.

Powers: Coal Tiger has the ability to transform into a were Panther form with superhuman strength, healing and senses.

Biography

Born in Wakanda to King T’challa and an unknown mate in the MC2/Earth-982 timeline. Trained from birth in Wakandan martial arts he grew into his own superpowers though wasn’t granted the mantle of back panther since his father was still alive. As the coal Tiger he was the escort of former adventurer Vibraxas now simply known as ambassador N’Kano. In America they were attacked by the Soldiers of the serpent. N’kano was captured but Coal Tiger was rescued by the new generation of Avengers. They initially refused to have him accompany them but upon revealing his powers they complied. Together they rescued ambassador N’kano and defeated the Soldiers of the Serpent. He was then offered probationary membership with the team which he accepted. Years later he would join the team as a full member where he took the code name “Black Panther”, whether it was taken to honor his father’s initial stint as an Avengers of this meant his father had died and he was now the king/leader of the Black Panther cult was never revealed.

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November 7, 2012

Cleopatra

By worldofblackheroes

Cleopatra II

Publisher: Wildstorm Comics

Real Name: Unknown

Created by: Kurt Busiek

1st appearance: Kurt Busiek’s Astro City #1, 1995

Nationality: Unknown

Team Affiliations: The Honor Guard

Legal Status: Unknown

Height: 6’          Weight: 125 lbs

Eyes: Brown          Hair: Black

Relatives: Unknown

Skills and abilities: Skilled fighter

Powers: She possesses superhuman strength and endurance. Her staff grants her limited control over the weather and allows her to discharge lightning at will.

Biography

The second Cleopatra is of African descent with innate superhuman abilities. Like the very first Cleopatra she is a member of the superhuman team “The Honor Guard” and later the “Omega Rangers”. Over the course of her career she befriended many of Asto City’s  finest such as Samaritan, Jack in the Box and Black Badge.

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November 6, 2012

Storm #2 Review

By worldofblackheroes

Storm returns to the alternate dimension where the morlocks took refuge only to discover that the man she once believed dead still holds that realm in thrall!

Summary

Storm makes her way up Hill and along the way realizes that this world is governed by Apocalypses creed of survival of the fittest. The atmosphere has acid rain and techno-organic greenery. Once she learns enough about the atmosphere she races toward the summit to meet the master of this land and passes Calisto along the way. On the summit she meets Mikail Rasputin brother to the X-men Magik and Colossus who proposes that “their children” need their mother and their father.

What I thought

Honestly re reading this issue made me realize how strange this world of the hill was. Warren Ellis created a very interested pocket dimension that no other X-writer has revisited, so sad when I can think of so many uses for this world.  Storm’s power is brilliantly illustrated this issue. Most people just think it’s control of the weather but her power is actually an empathic link with the weather patterns around her. Meaning in a world with different kinds of weather her powers are altered. Only twice has this been illustrated well, here and later when she traveled to the Oktid dimension.  This issue also gives a partial answer to the question of what happened to the Morlocks after life in the sewers.  The reappearance of Mikail is a surprise at the time since he’s such an obscure character. The question of why he would raise the next generation of Morlocks so strictly under Apocalypse credo is also a mystery. The cover isn’t the best but not the worst this series has to offer.  This issue was also a big advocate for the Storm/Cable pairing showing a parallel between the two you would never realize unless someone told you, I both loved and cringed at this revelation.

Overall a very enjoyable read with an interesting apocalyptic world, new mutants, crazy villains, ties to the past and Storm kicking ass! 3/5

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November 5, 2012

Cable #14 Review

By worldofblackheroes

“X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR,” PART 4

The sequel to 2007’s MESSIAH COMPLEX continues here! “Messiah War,” the much-anticipated sequel to “Messiah

CompleX,” continues here! For the first time, Cable’s been separated from the girl he’s sworn to raise and protect — Hope, the so-called “Mutant Messiah” — and now she’s in the hands of his greatest enemy! Meanwhile, X-Force, sent by Cyclops on a desperate rescue mission to the deep future, scrambles to find their way out of a trap that will kill them in matter of hours. And if that’s not enough, an old — some might say ancient — enemy of the X-Men has reared his ugly head one last time…

 

Summary

In the celestial city Stryfe has captured Hope and Warpath. He tortures the latter in hopes of learning who the child is. Bishop watches from behind preparing to strike.

Elsewhere Cable and X-force prepares to assault the city and rescue Hope.  Archangel is asked by Apocalypse to give him his celestial gifts.

Bishop takes down stryfe and tries to kill Hope but gets stopped at the last minute. Stryfe uses his powers to learn her identity right as she realizes his uncanny resemblance to Cable. Stryfe uses the opportunity to making her believe he is really her father.

The Good

Cover-Wolverine vs Stryfe looks decent but not the best cover of the series so far.

Art-Ariel Olivetti continues to dazzle!

Tension- With four hours of life left in the X-force they better fix this $hit real fast! It was also nerve wracking to watch Stryfe circle Hope as he tried to find out who she was. No doubt  his fascination with his “family” must have been swirling around his mind. The girl a dead ringer to his “mother” Jean grey and sister Rachel Grey with parental bonds to Cable like the deceased “Tyler Dayspring” who he corrupted. Curiosity wasn’t the word for what took place between Stryfe and Hope.

Bishop is tragic figure in this story he has tasked himself in killing his rendition of “Hitler” but killing her before she commits genocide may save millions but corrupts his soul since she’s an innocent in the present. What to do? And as predicted his plan goes south before it even begins in earnest!

Family- Cable is losing his **** knowing Stryfe has Hope, and rightfully so! Stryfe captured and turned his first child Tyler into a sadistic crazy **** who was as evil as Stryfe himself. Imagine what Stryfe could do with molding the mutant messiah in his image?!

History- Watching Stryfe torture Warpath took me back o 1997 when James found out Stryfe was responsible for the death of everyone he knew, to say James would like to rip Stryfe to shreds is a grave understatement!

 

The Bad

Bishop- So tragic when a good character goes bad.

Paradox- This issue presents an interesting situation….what if Hope ends up with Stryfe? It would be Bishop‘s fault making him responsible for the monster he remembers. By trying to stop his future all his actions may be causing it…….the free will vs determinism debate at it’s finest!

 

The Ugly

4/5

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November 5, 2012

Spectre

By worldofblackheroes

Crispus Allen-Spectre

Publisher: DC Comics

Real Name: Crispus Allen

Created by:  Greg Rucka and Shawn Martinbrough

1st appearance: Detective Comics #742, 2000

Nationality: American

Team Affiliations: Gotham City Police Department

Legal Status: US citizen with no criminal record

Height: 5’10          Weight: 190 lbs

Eyes: Brown          Hair: Black

Relatives:  Dore (Wife), Jake (Son), Malcolm (Son)

Skills and abilities:Trained detective with knowledge of armed and unarmed combat.

Powers: As host of the Spectre; a Supernatural being of nigh-unlimited might; his only imitation is to bring the wrath of God upon evil men.

Biography

A Gotham City police detective who was killed by a crooked cop. He was offered the chance to become host to the Spectre after Hal Jordan had been freed. At first he refused but after a year living as a spirit and watching his family he accepted in hopes of enacting vengeance on his killer. Unfortunately he was unable to do this as he watched on of his sons shoot his killer in an ally. He was then forced to kill his own son and lost faith in god as a result.

As the Spectre he helped the host of Eclypso and almost killed his former partner Renee Montoya but was stopped by “Radiant” the embodiment of god’s mercy. This further outraged him as he wondered where was mercy when he was forced to kill his own son.

During final crisis he found himself paired with Renee Montoya/the Question as Darkseid’s anti-life equation ran amok. He found himself deprived of the Spectre’s power when Vandal Savage ran him through with the Spear of fate (once used to kill Jesus Christ). Montoya managed to pull the spear out and heal Crispus’s soul by returning his son to life thus allowing him to use the Spectre’s power to vanquish and punish the wicked including Vandal Savage.

During blackest night he found himself under the control of a black ring. He was so powerful it took Parallax to free him from the black ring. He in turn freed Hal Jordan from Parallax.

When Brightest Day occurred he was instrumental in lacing the rage entity inside Atrocitus’s power battery.

He has not made an appearance during the New 52 storyline  as his fate and if he even exist anymore is still unresolved.

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November 4, 2012

Avengers: Children’s Crusade #3 Review

By worldofblackheroes

THE RETURN OF WANDA MAXIMOFF! The search for the Scarlet Witch is finally over as the Young Avengers find Wanda. But is she a hero or a villain? Is she still the Scarlet Witch? The battle over Wanda rages on as Avengers go up against the Young Avengers, Magneto clashes with Quicksilver, Wonder Man battles Wolverine, and the most powerful villain in the Marvel Universe conspires against them all so that he can possess Wanda himself. 

Summary

In Transia the Young Avengers along with Quicksilver and Magneto realize that Dr. Doom has the scarlet witch and make plans to storm Latveria to rescue her. Wiccan tries to sneak off but gets stopped by his teammates. The Avengers try to use Wonder Man to track down Wanda while Wolverine plans to kill her. Wiccan manages to sneak away later on and gets caught by Dr. Doom who is about to wed the Scarlet Witch!

What I thought

Interior Art and cover were great. The Young Avengers were all characterized well along with Magneto. I also liked the accessibility of this issue as we got a quick back story of Dr. Doom and why the avengers would be so desperate to locate both Wiccan and the Scarlet Witch. Wolverine’s reaction to the whole thing was spot on and the avengers bringing in Wonder Man was a lovely touch tied into continuity heaven! Patriot was the voice of reason throughout the whole thing which was a nice touch. The relationship of Wiccan and Hulking also got great mileage and showed how dearly they care for each other without things getting cheesey.

Also gotta love that lat page! 4/5

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November 3, 2012

X-force #14 Review

By worldofblackheroes

Messiah War Part 3

X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR”

STRYFE STRIKES! Cable and X-Force’s greatest nemisis returns! The X-event of the decade continues in MESSIAH WAR, and things go from “bad” to “worst case scenario” as X-Force and Cable struggle to keep Hope alive. While Cyclops fights to keep X-Force’s involvement a secret in the present, Cable and Wolverine butt heads in the future over control of the child. Making matters worse, a member of X-Force abandons the team as an army of darkness descends upon them, leaving the team a man down with their backs to the wall. Past, present and future collide as the war for Mutantkind’s survival continues.

Summary

Sometime ago Bishop arrived in the future and was told of a sleeping god in a cave. Bishop discovers Apocalypse but decides not to kill him because he can use it to his advantage.

Now: X-force, Cable and Deadpool are attacked by Stryfe’s troops; Archangel hears a voice call out to him and abandons his team. They manage to win and head out toward the celestial city. Stryfe attacks and manages to separate Hope from the group. In a cave Archangel comes face to face with a dyeing Apocalypse.

The Good

Cover-The return of Stryfe and it’s oh so gorgeous!

Art-Clayton Crain’s art is easily one of the selling points of the series. Everything is so seamless it should be a sin to be this talented!

Action- Bullets, blood and blades are a winning combination in this issue. The fight with Stryfe was the best part. Well choreographed and executed.

Dangerous bedfellows- Bishop is playing a very dangerous game with Stryfe. He has delivered on his promise of helping Stryfe kill Apocalypse but has failed to mention anything of Hope the mutant messiah. Stryfe is aware Bishop is being less than forthcoming but is clearly amused by Bishop’s duplicity. 

Family- This time the brother dynamic of Cable and Stryfe, the parent dynamic of Cable and Hope and the connection between Warren and Apocalypse are the highlights of the book.

Tension- Bishop is so close to accomplishing his goals he and I can taste it but with so many new players on the field you just know everything that can go wrong, will go wrong!

Countdown- The hours are winding down with X-force needing to fix everything in 22 hours of they all die from time travel complications. I’m on the edge of my seat for this one!

The Bad

Dark- Sure the art looked good but some parts were so dark you could not tell what was happening. Clarity is always good in an action heavy book like this one.

Defeat- I’m unconvinced that Bishop and Stryfe could “kill” Apocalypse even in a severely weaken state. I mean weakened Stryfe could not do the job in the 90’s and sure I like Bishop but don’t see him as being powerful enough to tip the scales in Stryfe’s favor.

The Ugly

4/5

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