Join us as the Marvel Reporters turn into the Marvel Reviewers our weekly review roundup. This is where we have assembled to give our thoughts on various issues that are released each week. This week we have Bryan, Dave, Jay, and Louis giving reviews for books for the week of March 20, 2019. Check out the reviews below and let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter. Welcome to the MARVEL REVIEWS, hope you enjoy the experience!
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #18
Written By: Nick Spencer
Pencils By: Humberto Ramos
Inks By: Victor Olazaba
Colors By: Edgar Delgado & Erick Arciniega
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Humberto Ramos & Edgar Delgado
Variant Covers
Price: $3.99
The last issue, Hunted had a fantastic opening issue, the second part is not as exciting. The story is very thin, it’s split between Arcade telling his guests how things work and Spider-Man and other captives trying to avoid being hunted. Nick Spencer’s dialogue makes the issue somewhat enjoyable, particularly the scene between Taskmaster and Black Ant. However there’s a poor attempt to tie into the longer story Spencer is crafting involving the mysterious antagonist, Mr. Creepy. The artwork is still pretty decent. Humberto Ramos is an excellent artist for superhero titles. However, the colors are duller compared to Ramos’s previous work. Although the reason could be the story taking place at night. Nevertheless, this issue suffers from most second parts where the opening is dynamic but the next part slows things down. ~ Louis @SpiderMan1991
Verdict: 2 ½ Stars
AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME #7 (OF 10)
Written By: Mark Waid, Al Ewing, & Jim Zub
Pencils By: Paco Medina
Colors By: Jesus Aburtov
Letters By: VC’s Joe Sabino
Cover By: Yasmine Putri
Variant Covers
Price: $3.99
Hercules, Vision, and Spectrum join Wanda and Conan in the Hyborian Age to take on Nyx while, Hulk, Rocket and Hawkeye head to Euphoria. No Road Home is back! Last week the book lost something with the main focus being on Conan and Wanda in the Hyborian Age, but here the book that I have been enjoying is back. I love the voice of Monica here, hearing her struggle with being more than human really shows how human she is and how human all of these larger than life heroes are. Paco Medina is doing some of his best work on this book he truly is giving us modern classic takes on the Avengers. Overall a solid issue that leaves me wondering why isn’t this the main Avengers book? ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
BLACK WIDOW #3
Written By: Jen & Sylvia Soska
Art By: Flaviano
Colors By: Veronica Gandini
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Covers By: Clayton Crain
Price: $4.99
Black Widow’s first solo mission back has hit a snag, and her name is Madame Masque. The ensuing fight is short but sweet, showing off Nat’s innovativeness. We then see Nat steel Masque’s outfit to go uncover in an all-star villain yacht party, in order to stop No Restraints Play. That being a new dark web website that tortures little girls for profit. It is there that Nat runs into various Marvel villains including some that could make her including Taskmaster, Sabertooth, and Baron Zemo, Madame Masque’s ex. The party’s host, the new “Prince” of Madripoor, is smarter than he seems and this could mean doom for our favorite scarlet-haired spy. Flaviano’s art and Gandini’s colors provide a colorful, fun vibe that nicely contrasts the really heavy subject matter of the story. Speaking of the Soska Sisters continue to provide a nice balance of respect to the heavy subject tackled and fun banter between character. ~ Bryan @BryanCK
Verdict: 4 Stars
FANTASTIC FOUR #8
“First World Power”
Written By: Dan Slott
Art By: Aaron Kuder, Stefano Caselli, David Marquez & Reilly Brown
Colors By: Matt Yackey
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Esad Ribic
Variant Covers
Price: $3.99
Doom’s true plan is revealed as he holds the Fantastic Four captive waiting execution, meanwhile Franklin rebels against Alicia. This issue had a slow start with Victor Doomsplaining his plan to Reed and the world but then we see why Reed is the Smartest person alive when he and the Fantastic Four shift to the offensive and hit Doom’s biggest weak spot, his ego. I also loved the emotions coming from Franklin and Alicia, teenagers have a tendency to hurt their paternal figures and not truly mean it and that is what I think we have here. There were multiple artists on this issue which overall was not too distracting but it was noticeable to me. Overall this was another nice issue that leaves me in anticipation of the next. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
Verdict: 4 ¼ Stars
HULKVERINES #1 (OF 3)
Written By: Greg Pak
Art By: Guiu Vilanova
Colors By: Morry Hollowell With Andrew Crossley
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Greg Land, Jay Leisten, & Frank D’Armata
Variant Covers
Price: $3.99
Everyone is hunting everyone but who is behind it all? Pak is doing a great job with this fast-paced mini-series that has me rooting for the Hulk, the Hulverine and Wolverine. I’m glad the family wasn’t truly sent away to only be used in the last pages of the final issue because they lend a certain component to the book that helps us connect and humanize things here more. The art here was really well done and read next to the first issue you see that Vilanova kept the art similar so when it is collected it won’t be jarring. Overall another solid issue and the ending makes me excited for the bonkers clawclusion. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
Verdict: 4 ¼ Stars
MR. & MRS. X #9
“Gambit & Rogue Forever Part Three Of Four”
Written By: Kelly Thompson
Art By: Oscar Bazaldua
Colors By: Frank D’Armata
Letters By: VC’s Joe Sabino
Cover By: Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson
Price: $3.99
Emotions run high in the continuing saga of mutant newlyweds Rogue and Gambit. As they continue their fight within the Mojoverse, the two lovebirds find themselves separated and on two very dangerous missions. Gambit has agreed to help Spiral steal a mysterious item within Mojo’s world. Gambit succeeds in his mission, only to discover the item is a six armed baby, and that the mission now has him freeing slaves and starting a rebellion in the process. Meanwhile Rogue has to battle her own past as she strives to figure out why, after all this time, she still cannot control her mutant powers. She learns that her fear has held her back all this time. It was her fear of being hurt, not hurting others. If no one could touch her, then nobody could hurt her. It’s only her first step at moving forward but it’s a big step and we’re left with a Mojo-sized cliffhanger. This is a solid recommend for any X-Men fan, and an obvious pick-up for fans of Rogue and Gambit. This series has been a delight and I can’t wait for more! ~ Dave @djclark21
Verdict: 4 Stars
Let us know in the comments what you think of The Marvel Reviews for this week and don’t forget you can check out Marvel Shipping NOW! For Wednesday, April 03, 2019!