Welcome to Pages & Panels: The Best of Marvel Comics for the week of December 9th, 2015. As the name suggests this column will feature a look at the best pages and panels of the week, as chosen by The Marvel Report staff. The selections, just like Marvel Comics as a whole, will run the gamut from heartfelt, to funny, and everything between. Not only will the biggest, and most important moments of the week be highlighted, but quieter moments as well.
First thing’s first, as we are ready to crown our first ever Panel Of The Month. The best panel of the month of November, according to your votes, was “Awesome Facial Hair Bros.” from Invincible Iron Man #3 with an overwhelming 85% of the vote.
The winner of last week’s vote, and the first to have a chance to win December’s vote, and go head to head with last month’s top panel for our first “Panel Supreme” was “Siblings” from Nova #2 with just over 40% of the vote.
Now let’s move on to this week’s entries. As usual, given the nature of the column there will potentially be spoilers every week. Consider this a SPOILER WARNING!
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Why: Mockingbird gains her wings and they look pretty awesome! Hope to see Mockingbird use this feature more often.
Why: Even though it’s something we have seen before I always think it’s touching when Peter calls Aunt May mom.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #3
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Valerio Schiti
Why: I have been really enjoying Rocket and Kitty’s friendship! And I think this sums it up pretty well. – Kathryn
Why: This is a perfect example of why Kitty fits in so well with the Guardians. – John
Why: Now I am really curious who is going to end up really being leader of the Guardians. – Kathryn
GWENPOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1
Written by Charles Soule, Margaret Stohl, Gerry Dugan, Christopher Hastings
Art by Langdon Foss, Juan Gedeon, Danilo S Beyruth, Gerihiru
Why: It was funny to see Kamala as the Grinch in this issue. -Kathryn
Why: So many Caps in the Marvel Universe! – Kathryn
Why: We really need to see more of the Hawkeyes and Deadpool together. They have great chemistry! – Kathryn
Why: Gwen trying to learn how to Sword Fight through YouTube was hilarious. Oh and she never even finishes the tutorial. – Kathryn
SCARLET WITCH #1
Written by James Robinson
Art by Vanessa Del Rey
Why: Fans have been waiting forever to see Scarlet Witch with her own title. It’s crazy to think that a character that has had such an impact on the Marvel Universe in the past ten plus years hasn’t had as much as their own miniseries. The long wait is over, and James Robinson/Vanessa Del Rey deliver he latest great entry to All New All Different Marvel. I know Marvel has a great lineup of artists lined up, but Del Rey’s work has me a little sad she’s just on the first issue. One thing I’m not sad about though is how Robinson infused Wanda with a great sense of sarcasm. – John
SECRET WARS #8
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Esad Ribic
Why: Thanos made a big mistake, as God Doom shows off just how powerful he is at the end of one of the coolest confrontations I’ve seen in awhile. – John
SPIDER-GWEN #3
Written by Jason Latour
Art by Robbi Rodriguez
Why: Jessica and her butter packets! – Kathryn
Why: A new Green Goblin origin story for the Spider-Gwen universe. Leading to Best Friends being arch foes. – Kathryn
Why: I am glad that this series is finally tackling how Gwen feels about her 616 counterpart’s death. I think we will see this topic come up again. Oh and did I mention Jessica and butter packets! – Kathryn
THE ULTIMATES #2
Written by Al Ewing
Art by Kenneth Rocafort
Why: Black Panther standing face to face (well as close to face to face as possible) to Galactus, and not backing down. Al Ewing picks up right where Hickman left off in making T’Challa one of the most bad ass characters in all of Marvel Comics. You won’t be seeing any “Meows” here. – John
UNCANNY AVENGERS #3
Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Ryan Stegman
Why: Cable/Deadpool shoot ’em ups are some of the best kind of shoot ’em ups! It’s crazy to see Nathan & Wade together in an Avengers title, but it’s awesome. The reunion actually turn this series into one I’m beginning to be genuinely excited for after an okay start – John