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, Jay, and Tatiana giving reviews for books for the week of June 19, 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!
DAREDEVIL #7
“No Devils Only Gods II”
Written By: Chip Zdarsky
Pencils By: Lalit Kumar Sharma
Inker Jay Leisten
Colors By: Java Tartaglia
Letters By: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover By: Chip Zdarsky
Marvel’s 25th Tribute Variant Cover By: Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho
Price: $3.99
Daredevil is “dead” and the city is beginning to feel what that means, so is Matt. Daredevil has been on a rise! This book is doing stuff that challenges what we thought we knew about the man without fear and the rest of the Marvel Universe in a way. What I love is the theology discussion here between Matt and Sister Elizabeth, in a time where religion has become almost taboo in our culture it is refreshing to see that even at his lowest Matt still turns to his faith. Another great thing about this issue is how Zdarsky has Sister Elizabeth that he isn’t special, then spends this issue shows just how special he is because his absence is changing the very nature of the city. Sharma does a great job with the art here, really bringing the feel of New York to life showing all parts of it and does a great job with emoting for characters. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
SHURI #9
Written By: Nnedi Okorafor
Pencils By: Rachel Stott
Colors By: Carlos Lopez
Cover By: Kirby Fagan
Price: $3.99
The Space Lubber plot as a whole feels a little silly, but Shuri #9 mines decent angst out of the thought that the princess’ online friend Muti has betrayed her and the people of Wakanda. Using Storm as a sounding board also helps flesh out both sides of the argument on whether trusting him was ever the right thing. If anything, Okorafor’s story could have benefitted from having one more issue to sit with this reveal before introducing a second one that changes the game and sets up the conclusion. Nevertheless, the action is fun and fast-paced, and the shifting alliances thanks to mind control keep Shuri on her toes.
Stott and Lope work together to create some very vivid and colorful artwork that solidly backs up the story it’s telling. Scenes set against the night sky are especially breathtaking, while the daylight moments allow for a nice long look at some quality character design. There might be a few moments here and there that feel a bit too busy, where maybe a gradient background or a little less detail would’ve suited the panel more. But overall, it’s a feast for the eyes that helps supplement gaps in the storytelling. ~ Tatiana @myrcellasear
Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP #9
Written By: Jeremy Whitley
Art By: Gurihiru
Cover By: Stacey Lee
Price: $3.99
Unstoppable Wasp’s strength lies in the friendships it displays and the zingers it drops, and thankfully issue #9 is filled with both. Bobbi and Bucky make for a particularly fun team on one site, but the girls of G.I.R.L. hold down the fort quite well amongst themselves over at A.I.M. Whitley also aptly uses Nadia’s pain over the loss of her mother to make Fantasma a more compelling villain, but it might be Priya coming into her plant powers that has the biggest kick. Janet also has a satisfying face-off against her stalker David, but it starts feeling like one storyline too many after a little while. Several climactic fight sequences occur at once, which ends up being overstimulating and could have used a little more space to breathe.
Gurihiru’s cartoonish style has been one of my favorites since Gwenpool, and they certainly don’t disappoint here. While the art works best during dialogue-heavy scenes and suits the lighter tone more so than the emotional moments, it winds up being surprisingly impressive during Unstoppable Wasp #9’s action sequences. The lightning rod moment is probably the most exciting and beautifully rendered panel in the issue, but the final splash page is a close second. ~ Tatiana @myrcellasear
Verdict: 4 Stars
THE WAR OF THE REALMS: SPIDER-MAN AND THE LEAGUE OF REALMS #3
Written By: Sean Ryan
Art By: Nico Leon & Marco Failla
Colors By: Carlos Lopez & Andrew Crossley
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Cully Hamner & Brian Reber
Variant Cover By: Marco D’Alfonso
Price: $4.99
During all the chaos going on Midgard currently, the angels have taken over Africa, thanks to an alliance with Malekith. The League of Realms must come together to stop the angels and save the hostages. However, diplomacy isn’t really their thing. So, Thor assigned, “the most Midguardian man I know”, Spider-Man to lead them on their mission. This is the epic conclusion to their three-part adventure. After saving the people of Africa and turning a former High Polemarch of the Angel Army, the team must fight their biggest obstacle yet, one of their own.
This issue mostly revolves around the team fighting and then freeing a former teammate Waziria The Dark Elf. It was really cool to see a ragtag, barbaric-like team have to think with their brains for once, thanks to their new leader. Also, it was cool to the duality of new character Fernande and controlled Wiziria wanting to die. Despite feeling somewhat cliche and rushed, this was a fun story that went some surreal places that Spidey is all too familiar with. Also, from an artistic standpoint, it was a bit cartoony, but I liked how everyone looked, including a fantasy armor upgrade for Pete. ~ Bryan @BryanCK
Verdict: 4 ¼ Stars
Let us know in the comments what you think of The Marvel Reviews for this week!