The Great Scott Avengers...

Okay that was a really bad title, but I swear it does relate to what goes down in this comic that I am looking at today. It was either that or "That Time Iron Man was Turned into a Naked Killer Robot Lady". You know we all have that one that got away, an idea that at the time might have been awesome, especially if everyone was passing around some green and/or booze was involved, but once done and finished is actually a pretty terrible idea. Kevin Smith did it with Tusk, and I have to say Brain Michael Bendis would probably want to take this one back. Or not, he makes millions, so f*ck you. I have to believe anyone who makes boat loads of money today can look back and not really care about past mistakes or flops along the way. But if I am wrong, that would totally be cool. (After all, Mark Wahlberg knows The Happening was awful) Regardless, I can't help but feel like this arc in The Mighty Avengers is one that most comic book fans want to bury and forget about for sometime. And here I come like a grave digging jerk face to bring it back into the light and talk about it. A book with a new team of heroes after a massive world event like Civil War against a classic Avengers foe like Ultron, how can you mess that up? And is it really that bad? Even a strange plot can have some great moments and is worth another look. So with that said, let's take a look at The Mighty Avengers issue 2 from Marvel comics.  

From the creative team of Brain Michael Bendis and artist Frank Cho, we get a new team of Avengers. Though some may call them the "sell-outs" Avengers team, this is the team that sided with Iron Man during Civil War, the other team of cool kid "rebels" Avengers became the New Avengers. This is still a very strong powerhouse team, led by Ms.Marvel, with Iron Man, Wasp, Black Widow, Wonder Man, Sentry and Ares. You would think this team could handle practically anything, and then Iron Man gets turned into a naked robot chick who looks exactly like Wasp...because creepy. Yeah, that goes down in issue 1 and issue 2 picks up right there, Mole Man and his critters are also there but they run away pretty quickly as soon as the shit hits the fan. We see a bunch of flashbacks to the recruitment of most of the team members, except Ares, who actually is probably the most curious one of them all, being a God and all that. And the team is trying deal with the now naked lady Iron Man villain that they are trying to take down and figure out what the waffle is going on. Though Janet has an idea about what they might be dealing with, it becomes clear by the end of the book. But we get to see plenty of Avengers tossing about and being thrown all over the place, good times. 

So let me make one thing clear here, Bendis and Cho are very talented individuals, that really goes without saying. And who could say otherwise, unless your Joe Quesada or Jim Lee, you don't really have a platform to dump on anyone making money in the industry. Anyone who makes it, is there for a reason. That being said, do I feel like this book and this particular arc is pretty weak all things considered. While some really interesting stories were going on in New Avengers, which Bendis was handling at the time and planting seeds for Secret Invasion, this feels like it needs to be strange for the sake of being strange. Can you just have Ultron come back and wreck some havoc, just like that. Sure, why not? I know you always need to up the ante, but this just comes as a little forced. Shock for the sake of shock, no substance. And comics do this all the time to stir the pot, I get that. But after the shock is gone all that is left are feelings of embarrassment and sadness. These are the books that become ghost stories of stupidity, like no one would actually do that in a comic...would they? Yeah, they would. Could this same story have been done properly? I think so. This Ultron here feels like a killer sex alien. Instead you could've had the bad robotic villain waking up as Janet and believing that it is Janet, not Ultron. A sleeper agent, a wolf in sheep's clothing. You work an angle of mistrust and confusion in the team, and have them conquer Ultron and grow as a team overall, especially if this is the first challenge for The Mighty Avengers. Just an idea, but you get the point. 

This is one of those if you happen to find it at a good price, check it out, but you know be warned. But if you are a pretty new to comics, you'll probably want to read something that isn't so bizarre. This is the comic book your librarian warned you about. 

And just like that, another book reviewed and gone. Feels good to be writing again, had to get that out of my system. There is actually a lot I want to talk about recently, been going to therapy and been looking around for a new job, all the while doing my best to bust out as much art work as possible while trying to learn more and more art techniques. Not to mention the constant feeling that life and most people are leaving you behind, not a great feeling. But you know what, I am here now and I am going to do my best to bust out as much work as I can. It's the only thing I can do, so let's shoot the shit and talk some comics. Let me know what you thought about this issue and this run of Mighty Avengers. Are you a fan or did you hate it? Let me know in the comments below. Going to try and write something up more and more, but I might do some more personal ones, trying to make sense of it all and what not. But the Storm is back, so as I said before, stay sassy n classy and until then, keep chasing the storm.

Obligatory Ultron Blog

...what? You didn't see that coming? 

So yeah, I stayed up late and I had to walk home, but it was worth it. To me it wasn't a question of when I was going to see Avengers: Age of Ultron, it was more how and where. This watching was more for the sake of watching the film and being able to avoid spoilers and anything else that might ruin the moment and I am so glad to say the moment was incredible. But for everything I want to gush and gush about Age of Ultron I want to get some of the bad points out of the way. The film wasn't without flaws, but nothing that stopped from being absolute blast of a good time. And I will make this spoiler free, I think maybe by the end of the month people can spoiler talk about things if they want. This is the grace period.

Off the bat, if you don't know comics or haven't been watching all the Marvel movie, you will be lost watching this. What AOU does is ambitious and big, but if you don't know why you should care or even understand who is who, then you are going to have a good time. Or at the very least you will be confused. Secondly and this is strictly my opinion, for a movie with his name in the title, I wasn't entirely sold on Ultron. But that's me and I am going to explain just yet, I want you to go see it and see for yourself first, without reading anything on the character. And also it needs to be said, I know why they are there, but did there have to be so many in movie advertisements? I can feel movie critics collectivity scoff at this. Like I know why they are here, I just don't care much for them. 

So the good now. Comic book fans will absolutely love this movie, so many great scenes with all the different characters and probably some of the best action moments on screen out of all the Marvel movie so far or comic books movies in general. Mind blowing action all over the place, you will love it. And the twins, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, just awesome. I loved every moment we got to see these two in action, I wish we could have seen more of them but I guess I will have to wait for those deleted scenes on the Blu-Ray. And the Avengers were great as well, loved the back and forth between the characters, seeing the trinity of Captain America, Iron Man and Thor all interacting as the main corner stones of the team was great as well. And the movie leaves you wanting to see what is going to happen next, so Ant Man, you better have a whole lot of awesome. 

So at the end of the day, comic book fans go see this immediately! And let me know what you guys thought of the film, did you guys have a good time? Loved it? Hated it? It could happen, some people were born without a heart (I kid). But let me know what y'all thought about the latest Marvel event of the summer. I gotta get ready for Free Comic Book Day, out in Brampton tomorrow at Stadium Comics. So until then, I will see you guys later, keep chasing the storm! 

No Big Deal...

I am not saying these are old ideas but... 

Ugh, I hate talking about this kind of relevant and current news stuff. Mainly because everyone is talking and giving their opinions on it and I hate following the crowd, but at the same time, I do have my own opinions on these things as well and I should speak out. Especially on my little corner of speech here on Storm Watch, so with that out of the way, let's get started. So my fellow storm clouds, as you know Marvel dropped the massive spoiler news this week that in October we are going to be seeing some new faces behind our familiar heroes. Now I don't know which got more attention, but we have an all new female Thor and the mantle of Captain America will be taken over by the Falcon, so we will have a black Captain America. And someone is going to take over Tony Starks mind, I think, it is really hinted in the name Superior Iron Man. But that is speculation really at the end of the day. The world of Marvel and that of the Avengers will be a different one for sure. So what do I think of all this big news...?

Honestly, my first thought is, well that would have been an amazing reveal. Now that magic is lost for news and publicity. Is it worth it? Probably. They make news to bring in new readers, not this Chilean geek who goes to the comic book stores like it's church. And honestly, I get that. So while it sucks to have surprises revealed, it's not going to make me any less of a comic book fan.

So what of the characters and the new roles that have been presented...?

Thor: Why is this news? This already happened, years ago, Earth X anyone? (I review that book awhile back, click here for that review) Or even Thor Girl? And even the What If issue with Jane Foster had Mjolnir. This is something I have seen already, so it's not that big of a deal. I think it's awesome though, and she is going to be great to see kicking ass, a female character with such great power, it will be good for young female readers. As for me, I can't wait to see what kind of adventures she will be in, and also who it is holding the legendary hammer. 

Captain America: Patriot anyone? Or what about the entire point of the series, Truth: Red, White & Black. Again, having an African American male take the role of Captain America is not a new idea, so long time comic book fans shouldn't be surprised. However if Chris Evans is the limit of your Cap knowledge, well then yes, this would be a big deal to you. But I think this is going to be really good for the character of Sam Wilson, The Falcon, as the character has been around for a long time and only now is getting some good spotlight. So a big thumbs up to that. 

Iron Man: The fact that this one has not been spoiled completely makes this the most interesting of all the heroes at the moment. Everyone is assuming that Tony Stark will be taken over by something or someone, much like Spider-man was during the run of Superior Spider-man. So it will be interesting to see if Marvel is going to take this approach as well. But who knows, it could be anything or anyone under the armour, so only time will tell. I just hope this can stay a secret. 

So there you have it, my take on the current news of the upcoming new bold direction by Marvel comics. I am a really big Marvel fan, it currently takes up 75% of my new comics and I can't wait to see what they do with these characters. Although the bigger question is, when are we going to get a new Young Avengers book? Well that is my question at least. But what are you guys thinking, do you like these changes or did you want to see something bigger and bolder? Let me know in the comments below. And remember to like and tell your friends about this little blog here, trying to expand here and all that. Until then, keep it tuned here and keep chasing the storm.