Thursday Morning Superhero

Last weekend, with the help of my team, we were able to secure SDCC passes for the whole group!  Thinking about another lovely week in San Diego this summer makes me realize that there are a lot of other conventions that I hope to attend one day.  Today marks the first day of Star Wars Celebration and I look forward to enjoying this convention from afar and hope to one day dive into four days of Star Wars fandom.  In the meantime I will continue to read the new ongoing Star Wars comics from Marvel.

Pick of the Week:
X-Men Blue #1 - This week we were treated to a new X-Men book penned by no other than Cullen Bunn!  In this series, the original X-Men (Beast, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Angel, and Iceman) have been brought forward through time to protect them from a war among mutants.  The first issue features an epic battle on a yacht and establishes the premise for why the X-Men were patrolling for other mutants.  Toss in a Wolverine side story and a preview of what is to come establishes this as the X-Men title to read going forward.  This series looks like a lot of fun and it looks like Bunn is going to pay homage to classic X-Men story-lines throughout the years.

The Rest:
Old Man Logan #21 - Logan learned not to trust someone as nefarious as Asmodeus to help set things right.  Instead of returning to the wastelands, Logan was sent back in time and quickly learns that he must try to figure out a way to return back to Asmodeus.  Jeff Lemire plans on sending Wolverine back to some of the important milestones in his life in the latest arc entitled Past Lives.  This issues is effective in setting up the new arc and outlines what Wolverine is going to have to overcome to return home.  I won't spoil what Asmodeus has planned for Logan in the current time, but I hope that he is able to make his journey through his past lives quickly!


The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #19 - When we last left the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, she had just learned her mentor Melissa Morbeck had microchipped an army of animals so she could control them with her thoughts.  This issue solidifies why I enjoy this book so much.  It includes the hashtag #ChefBear, has multiple species of bears and a variety of professions, is full of bear puns, and is setting up what is likely to be a hilariously epic finale to this story.  Packed with whimsy and fun, I still cannot recommend this one enough.  If you aren't interested in bear butlers or how Doctor Bear helps implant microchips for Ms. Morbeck, then I am not sure what is wrong with you.

Doctor Aphra #6 - The first arc of this series reached a satisfying end as Aphra and her father were able to make peace with themselves and their understanding of the Lost Citadel of Ordu Aspectu.  It may have come at the expense of the preserved memories of Rur, but the pair made off with an incredibly powerful artifact that made the trip worthwhile.  It was nice to explore a different side of Aprha and good to see her make peace with her father.  Hopefully she will get her doctorate back and continue questing for rare artifacts in order to profit along with the help of Krrsantan, BT01, and 000.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Before jumping into this week's issues (an all-Marvel edition!) I wanted to wish my fellow nerds good luck this weekend for those attempting to secure badges for San Diego Comic Con.  While not as scary as general registration, this Saturday's visit to the virtual waiting room is for returning attendees only.   Make sure you have all of your groups information and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Pick of the Week:
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #18 - If you are looking for a good spot to jump on this series I highly recommend doing so with this issue.  Squirrel Girl, after enjoying the new functionality of her new suit, decides to help out a couple of her superhero friends.  She invites them over to meet Melissa Morbeck, the woman who recently revamped her own suit and added the power of flight.  Apparently Ms. Morbeck isn't quite the good guy she claimed to be and we are now setting up for a battle of animals.  Squirrel Girl and her, well, squirrels versus Ms. Mobeck and her microchipped beasts! Ryan North does a great job interjecting humor into this series that benefits from not taking itself too seriously.  It is a joy to read and one that would make a great gateway comic and bring new fans over to this medium.   I still owe my buddy Jeff for encouraging me to hop on this bandwagon.

The Rest:
Old Man Logan #19 - Jeff Lemire's run on this series continues to surprise and this issue was thrilling from start to finish.  Logan is breaking into a super prison attempting to free someone that is kept on the "Black Level", a part of the prison where the baddies that are associated with the supernatural and the occult.  It seems that, despite all of the death and loss that occurred in the wastelands, feels that he owes it to Hulk's child to return and ensure his safety.  After trying a collection of individuals who might be able to help him, he has nowhere else to turn.  I have a bad feeling about this.



Doctor Aphra #5 - In what remains my favorite of the current Star Wars spin-offs, Aphra and her dad have reached the citadel of the Ordu Aspectu, an ancient Jedi order of a very mysterious nature.  Unfortunately they are followed, and must overcome the mysteries of the citadel in addition to Imperial forces in an attempt to reach the core and the Immortal Rur.  What I really like about this series is that it has a very Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider feel to it, but with all of the excitement and lore that we associate with Star Wars.  There is something satisfying about learning about the Ordu Aspectu through the lens of an archaeologist.  I cannot recommend this series enough.

Man-Thing #1 - When I heard that R.L. Stine was going to pen a series for Marvel, I was quite curious to check it out.  While I was never a big Stine reader, my son has absolutely poured through his Goosebumps series and I was hoping that this might be a series we enjoy together.  After reading the first issue, I am not sure it is age appropriate for him or a series that I will continue to read.  I plan on giving the second issue a whirl and Stine spent a decent amount of time setting up the origin of Man-Thing.  I am not sold of the premise of Man-Thing trying to make a career in the moving pictures, I will give Stine the benefit of the doubt and see how things develop.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

As I am starting to write this post I am reminded that this is one of the last editions of Thursday Morning Superhero in 2016.  Our annual Holiday Gift Guides will grace our page next week and then it will be a spring to leave 2016 behind and move on to 2017.  Since there isn't a dedicated comic book guide, I want to share one more tasty pick for your comic book reading loved one.  Even though it is an older title, I can't give a higher recommendation to Invincible by Robert Kirkman.  A good buddy of mine lent me the first few trades and it is like no other superhero title you will read.  Go find a used copy on the cheap and spread the comic book love this season!

Pick of the Week:
Daredevil #14 - Charles Soule sure knows how to pen a dark Daredevil story.  When we last left, Blindspot had been taken captive by Muse after freeing some hostages.  Feeling lost and responsible for what might happen to Blindspot, Daredevil challenges himself to hone in on what makes Muse unique so he can pick up his scent or heartbeat out of the millions that surround him.  The sheer terror of this issue should not be understated.  We are taken to Muse's lair where he keeps his victims and turns them into art.  In a scene straight out of a horror movie, Muse is showing Blindspot his works of art when Daredevil breaks things up.  I won't get into any spoilers, but what happens next left me absolutely stunned and will have serious repercussions moving forward.  Soule's run with Daredevil is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I cannot wait for issue #15.  One of the best ongoing series on the market today.

The Rest:
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #15 - We are treated to a fun one-shot this week featuring an intelligent cat (aren't they all!) and a battle against Taskmaster.  This comic never ceases to surprise me, and this issue included one page cat dream comics (which were great!), cats taking over social media, and the unrelenting power of Squirrel Girl's tail.  I don't like giving my friend Jeff much credit, but steering me towards this series was a great call.





Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #65 - This week we are treated to a legitimate comic book holiday special.  Pulling on the nostalgic heart strings of Christmas specials from your childhood cartoons, the turtles get together and throw a holiday party as a distraction to what is going on with Splinter leading the Foot.  You know it is going to be a good party when Michelangelo is hosting and Pigeon Pete and the other mutanimals show up.  There is a nice surprise at the end and this comic is a jolly good time for all.

Old Man Logan #15 - When we last left Wolverine he had just been bit by Dracula and it is unknown if his healing power are quick enough to fight off the bite of this vampire.  His rescue mission definitely takes a hit as it appears that Jubilee is still under control of Dracula.   The Howling Commandos, about whom I know virtually nothing, are a fun team and I met Orrgo and couldn't be more delighted.  I was a bit surprised to see this story line wrap up in two issues, but what an exciting pair of issues it was.  While it is well known how much I love Jeff Lemire, I was equally blown away by the art that Filipe Andrade, Jordie Bellaire and VC's Cory Petit delivered.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

We just wrapped up the third and final debate and don't know either of the candidates' stance on comic books.  Marvel has re-imagined Donald Trump as a super villain, but the Marvel CEO has made campaign contributions to the Donald.  That leads me to believe that Trump is a Marvel fan and is looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy 2 this next summer.  Did you see that trailer?   Hopefully we can have some additional insight on this crucial topic in the next few weeks so I can make an informed decision.

Pick of the Week:

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #13 - Sometimes when you are home sick with the flu you just want a simple book about a superhero who can talk to squirrels, a villain who splits in two every time he is hit, and a kidnapped Ant-Man for undisclosed purposes.  While I am still relatively new to this series, I know what title I am going to go back and read on Marvel Unlimited.  This issue was a lot of smart and chaotic fun that I can't recommend enough.  One of my buddies has been telling me this for over a year and I have picked up an issue or two, but I think it is time to add this series to my pull-list.  Bring on the Squirrel Girl movie!!!

The Rest:

Dirk Gentley's Holistic Detective Agency: The Salmon of Doubt #1 - I had no idea of what to expect from this title, other than it seemed like a quirky detective series that I believe was recently picked up for a television show.  Based on Douglas Adams' character created after the end of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, this series promises to be a whole lot of fun.  After reading the first issue, I feel like I have be transported back in time to an old Lupin III manga.  Dirk's style and attitude remind me of the famous detective, but the addition of the supernatural provides a unique spin for it.  I wanted more to happen in this series, but had my interest piqued enough to return for the second issue.  Arvind Ethan David definitely has developed some unique characters that could make this book something special.

Dept H #7 - Matt and Sharlene Kindt's underwater mystery continues with an intense issue that still doesn't get to the bottom of who may have killed Mia's father.  Due to sabotage, the crew is in grave danger as many compartments of their facility are filling with water.  In addition to the malfunctions the crew is dealing with, there is a virus on the loose that could kill thousands, if not millions, if it is brought to the surface.  Despite this, the Kindts managed to put together a serene issue that shed valuable insight into one of the crew members who seems on the up and up.  Learning more about about Mia's father and his studies has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this series.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.