Marvel Legends Titus BAF & Kid Nova

I didn't need every figure in the wave necessary, so I cut to the chase and got the remaining parts of him on eBay, most of which came in one slightly incomplete listing, supplementing with an arm I got from Drax, and the head from another seller. I was reading Marvel NOW! Nova in the summer of 2013, and seem to be in the minority regarding enthusiasm to Titus, as an action figure at least. I didn't stick with the title only in an effort to scale back my weekly purchases, but I liked the premise of Titus and the title character himself. This BAF measures in at approximately 7.75", and has some admirable heft.

The paint is nearly flawless if sparse, and most of the best articulation from modern Hasbro present. The bulk of the head is restrictive and Titus' elbows are single-hinged, but their range is useful enough. I thought he'd have a shin swivel, but that incised line appears to be immobile, perhaps a sculpted boot line from a reused part- this suits me fine as I've mixed feelings on shin swivels.

I enjoy pairings or small groupings when collecting, and found Kid Nova from the same series at an extremely discounted price w/o his BAF piece on eBay to go along with Titus. I liked their corresponding Nova Corps design elements, and contrasting size difference.

Sam Alexander Nova, son of Richard Rider Nova really was a great update to the Nova story, the character represented well here on a Marvel Legends youth buck. Again, a simple but effective outfit design I admire, and ample articulation. We did receive his A.I. bot accessory, which I love, but some blast extensions may have offered more- Sam can hardly hold it with his closed fists, and it won't stand upright alone.

This was a cool wave of Marvel Legends, but I'm cherry picking as usual. I'm in the midst of selling off a large portion of my collection anyway, and just don't need more to get rid of. I've acquired a few BAFs recently on eBay that I'll eventually show, preferring to spend money on what I really want rather than dozens of figures I have to sell later. If you have a mailing address in the continental U.S., be sure to check out my eBay clearance sale and see if there's something that interests you- new items going up every week!

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Currently Reading: She-Hulk

Yes, I just wrote a "Currently Reading" post, but She-Hulk has occupied enough of my time and attention in the last many months that she really needs her own post. Our relationship *ahem* deepened when Jennifer Walters became part of the FF team last year, along with Ant-Man, Medusa, and Miss Thing in Matt Fraction & Mike Allred's awesome Marvel NOW! title. The creative team really put a lot of character development into Jennifer, whose power was matched by sensitivity toward and concern for the team and the children the Fantastic Four left in their care. I'm a huge fan of Allred's artwork, which served the often humorous moment very well with it's graphic, cartoony style. When She-Hulk got her own title relaunched under the Marvel NOW! imprint in February of 2014, I had to pick up a few issues...

I loved the stories Charles Soule was telling, using other characters from the Marvel Universe to help Jennifer out, stand in her way, or sometimes both. Hellcat, Ant-Man, Tony Stark, Daredevil, Dr. Doom, and even an aged Capt. America all make appearances within the first seven issues! I look forward to reading more...

 But even before FF and the new She-Hulk title, I remember reading issue #7 of Avenging Spider-Man, where She-Hulk helps Spider-Man defeat Egyptian cat goddess Bastet. Jennifer's personality seemed slightly less tolerant of Spidey's wisecracking antics here, and is closer to Dan Slott's run on the character but some accounts, but her quips and comebacks are intact, as is her steely determination. I loved Avenging Spider-Man for it's cast of beloved co-stars, and She-Hulk was a great fit! Below, the heroic duo confront their foe in front of an Egyptian artifacts exhibit opening that Jennifer Walter's law firm is sponsoring! Hilarity ensues, courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man...

This past spring I read The Sensational She-Hulk TPB, containing the first eight issues with  John Byrne's take on the character. Jennifer is aware of being herself starring in a comic, breaking the "fourth wall" between reader and character, and adding whimsy and surrealism. I love the way Byrne drew She-Hulk, and the whole book brought the warmth of nostalgia for the '80s back for me. Spider-Man makes an appearance in issue #3, which made it all the more fun having read the aforementioned Avenging Spider-Man #7. I haven't read any of Dan Slott's later She-Hulk run, and not much more of Byrne's Fantastic Four with She-Hulk as a member, but I would be interested now. What's your favorite era or story of our beloved, green-skinned heroine?

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Currently Reading...

Having as good a time reading comics as ever, currently working through a Marvel Masterworks Ant-Man/Giant-Man Vol.1 hardback. These are reprints of the famed Avenger's original stories from Tales To Astonish, which are simple but fun! There's something inherently fascinating about the idea of being shrunk down to the size of an insect, and seeing the Marvel bullpen's first explorations of the concept is charming and entertaining. Though Hank Pym's duties were taken over by Scott Lang, I thoroughly enjoyed Ant-Man's role in the recent Marvel NOW! FF title, and look forward to the forthcoming Ant-Man Motion picture set for a 2015 theatrical release. 

As I enjoyed Michael Allred's work FF so much in the past year or so, it's little surprise I'd get into the new Silver Surfer, all the same great whimsy present within each page. Sure, Dan Slott's writing it, but Allred's influence is plainly evident. Earth girl Dawn Greenwood gets caught in the middle of Norrin Radd's cosmic adventures, who soon becomes her champion- I'm unsure if a romantic relationship will bloom, but it's a possibility.

This new title by Grant Morrison furthers the legendary & polarizing author's exploration of the Multiverse, famously confusing everyone in Final Crisis. While I enjoyed that book, I'm unsure how closely I'll follow Multiversity. In this 8-part series of one-shots,  heroes from across dimensions must band together against demonic forces that threaten to destroy the Multiverse. It's gonna get weird...

I was excited to see Spider-Man 2099 make a return to comic store shelves, having thrilled to his appearance in Superior Spider-Man! This Spider-Man from the future, Miguel O'Hara, was pulled back in time in Superior Spider-Man #17-19 to monitor the development of Alchemex, the mega-corporation for which O'Hara worked for in 2099. Trapped in the early 21st century, Miguel gets a job working inside Alchemex for ... his grandfather!

Yes, I'm curious as to how it will all play out- DC's insistence on resurrecting another Robin they've killed off... what can I say? This was an exciting issue, and while I haven't picked up everything DC released after Damian Wayne's death, what I've read has been good enough to keep me interested, even if peripherally. 

I just finished up the Earth-X trade paperback, and while it's a long read, the dystopian tale of mankind's mutation following Black Bolt's release of the Terrigen Mists upon Earth to save his Inhuman family from persecution. A lot of familiar, yet oddly transformed characters appear throughout the plot, making this "what-if" story an interesting read. This deluxe edition features author Alex Ross' appendix pages that grew mildly laborious to stop and read, but John Paul Leon's artwork is edgy and dark, fitting the disturbing subject matter quite well. 

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Marvel NOW: Moon Knight

I"m not sure when I heard Marvel would be launching Moon Knight under it's NOW! imprint, but was delighted to see it appear recently. My knowledge of the character's past continuity is very limited, but curiosity about him linked to early childhood memories, having first seen him in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #22. While I reminisced the 1978 issue in a post here last summer, I have not kept up on the nocturnal vigilante, who is often criticized as the poor man's Batman, the comparisons obvious. With little exposure to this somewhat second-tier hero, comparison to his handling in the past is a futile pursuit here. I will say this continuation of Marc Spector's journey as the Moon Knight has a spooky feel, haunted by the spirit of Khonshu and his resulting dissociative identity issues. Unfamiliar with the events surrounding his disappearance prior to this reintroduction, I am truly experiencing the character wax anew.

Moon Knight's first appearance was in Werewolf by Night #32, 1975 (included in the second edition of the said Marvel Essential TPB I've been reading), and the character hopped from book to book before getting his own title that spans five volumes, scattered between 1980 and 2011. Awhile back I'd found the first Moon Knight Special Edition from November 1983, and eerily found the second, December issue while picking up the first Marvel NOW! issue. Cool. The second Special Edition is pretty juvenile, but the first kinda has things going for it... like a story. These were reprints of  Moon Knight's appearances in The Hulk!, whose star bumbles stupidly through the beginning of the second issue- this kills the mood, then we get a serial killer, axe murderer in a clown mask. I prefer the cover on the first as well, which like the second folds around onto the verso, revealing his nemesis. Very dynamic! The art inside had some solid, traditional comics illustration by the celebrated Bill Sienkiewicz. 

The NOW! relaunch is dark but smartly dry ghost story, haunted by a skeletal avian apparition, post-Donnie Darko. The shadowy art is creatively arranged and cinematic in feel. Showing up in the first issue to confront the villain in a white suit continued the theatrical characterization Moon Knight evokes. I will keep reading to see how things progress from this interesting reappearance. What is your favorite run/volume of Moon Knight? 

Above: 4" Marvel Universe Moon Knight I scored in 2011.

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Marvel Solicitation Posters

I've been grabbing these free Marvel Solicitation posters while picking up my weeklies at the local comic shops, some advertising titles I'm reading, and some just because I like the characters and/or artwork. I've stuck with both Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man since their relaunching, both of which I've enjoyed immensely, especially due to Iron Man joining the Guardians- a natural guest spot in my humble opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the Iron Avenger will make it into the forthcoming Guardians movie, which seems like a missed franchise tie-in opportunity to me. 

When Spider-Man 2099 showed up in Superior Spider-Man, I was more thrilled than words can express- wonderful!  I have sincerely enjoyed this title through and through, in spite of the objection of many a fanboy- it's been an unexpectedly great series with Otto Octavius having taken over Peter Parker's life. Very good!

While I've been reading about many of the Avenger's members in their own titles (Iron Man, Indestructible Hulk, Thor: God of Thunder, Captain America), I haven't read much of the new Avengers titles themselves. This is odd for me, as I love team-oriented stories and Avengers books, but hey- you can't read 'em all.... not at once anyway!

I love this Avengers Assemble poster more than the show it solicits, unfortunately. The new series isn't near as cool as it's predecessor, Avengers: World's Mightiest Heroes. I do like that they introduced Falcon, but the animation and stories in the episodes I've seen seem less sophisticated somehow, and I miss Hank Pym and the Wasp...

I passed on the Thanos Rising series this year, but am still fascinated by the character- looks like we'll be seeing him on the silver screen soon enough! I'm not hip to the Ultimates universe, nor the Disassembled storyline, but I'm not afraid of alternate versions of my favorite characters

I haven't been reading much current Wolverine, save for a few issues of Wolverine & the X-Men, but I liked these posters- especially the Savage Wolverine w/Spidey! These two characters make a great team/adversaries, made most evident to myself in Spider-Man Vs. Wolverine #1 during my youth, and later on in the hilarious Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet. Wolverine's crabby disposition contrasts well against Spider-Man's non-stop wisecracking.

I've not read a great deal of Punisher lately either, though I did buy the first few issues of the Marvel NOW! Thunderbolts title. I enjoyed Punisher as a kid, and have some of my childhood issues, but haven't really kept up. Still, this poster with the ant-hero blindfolded with the scales of justice in one hand and an assault rifle is cool. I liked what artist Leinil Yu did on the first five issues of  Indestructible Hulk, so maybe I'd like "The Trial of the Punisher". I'm likely better off catching up on the pile I already have for the time being!

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TPB Haul & More Comics!

Packed my bag at Project Comic Con last weekend: Marvel Masterworks: Tales To Astonish Vol.1, Captain America: Bicentennial Battles, Superman: Kryptonite, The Avengers-Kang: Time & Time Again, The Avengers: The Serpent Crown, two Crisis On Multiple Earths volumes, and perhaps my favorite- Marvel Essential: Werewolf By Night Vol.2...

Later that Saturday night (under a full moon, no less) found me picking up a five dollar copy of Marvel Essential: Dr. Strange Vol.1 and Daredevil: Yellow, also marked for clearance at eight bucks at V-Stock. I'm thoroughly enjoying those first, crude drawings of the good Doctor by artist Steve Ditko, his first adventures and origins told by Stan Lee within the '63- '68 issues of Strange Tales. I've heard good things about Yellow, and the art looked appealing to me- nice cover...

 I've been slightly less faithful to DC, but still pick up some of the Superman Unchained and Batman & Robin titles, including catching up with all the end of that Batman Inc. stuff around when Damien/Robin is killed, and the more recent Zero Year issues, Batman: Black & White, Batman '66, and Batman Beyond Universe. Even picked up a couple of those holographic cover issues from DC Villain month, Darkseid #1 and Man-Bat #1...

I also recently read the Cable/Hope books- all five, including the Cable/X-Force volume that runs through the middle of the story arc. I picked up most all these 1/2 price + BOGO several months ago, so I didn't have to invest a lot. Watching Bishop hunt down Cable & Hope through a postapocalyptic future to the end of time and back was really interesting, and I blew right through the series with great enthusiasm!

My reading doesn't stop there however, as I've still been following  the monthly Marvel NOW!  titles Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, Superior Spider-Man, Iron Man, and FF. though  thoroughly enjoyable, I dropped Thor: God of Thunder, Indestructible Hulk, A+X, & Nova recently, in an attempt to cut back on some titles and devote time to the Cable/Hope books, other TPBs, and collected editions I want to read.  I'd read it all if I had the time and money, but this has kept me busy at night    :D

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