Thursday 14 July 2011

Books: Ultimate Comics: Avengers

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Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Vol 1: The Next Generation
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Carlos Pacheco

2010



Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Vol 2: Crime and Punishment
Written by Mark Miller
Art by Leinil Francis Yu

2011



Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Ultimate Comics: Avengers
Vol 3: Blade Versus the Avengers
Written by Mark Miller
Art by Steve Dillon

2011



Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/


Cue: awesome squealing guitar solo.

Mark Millar's sequel to his Ultimates series: this is more of the same only louder and more intense. By now you really should have decided whether of not his in-no-way subtle blend of machismo and bravado is your cup of tea (full disclosure - I've gotta admit that this is a fun fun read) because the action movie formula of fights, explosions and quipping is all still exactly the same.

Vol 1 (my favourite) sees Captain America takes on a new, re-booted 21st Century version of the Red Skull, while Vol 2 brings The Punisher, Ghost Rider into the fold and introduces The First Hulk (who it turns out - is from Hackney). Defying death at every turn - and coming up smelling of roses and victory just before the final page: it's Michael Bay with a bigger budget and more imagination / Team America: World Police with no qualms and no mercy. Even tho Vol 2 does start to flag a bit - it's still pretty much the best mindless superhero comic out there. And then there's Vol 3 with artwork by Preacher artist Steve Dillon: that pushes the concept even further and feels so far adrift from typical Marvel shenanigans (whilst still having the look and personalities of most of it's main characters) that - thrilling for once in a superhero comic - you feel like anything could happen: and it pretty much does. Rock on.

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Links: The M0vie Blog ReviewPage 45 Review of Vol 1 / Vol 2 / Vol 3, Comic Book Resources Review of Vol 1 #1 / #2 / #3, Comic Book Resources Review of Vol 2 #1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #6, Too Busy Thinking About My Comics Review of Vol 3, The Coreburner Review of Vol 3 #1, Mark Millar Newsarama Interview, Newsarama The "Ultimate" Mark Millar Interview Part 1 / Part 2, Comic Book Resources Review of Vol 3 #1 / #2 / #5 / #6, Sean T Collins Review of Ultimate Comics Avengers #1.

Preceded by: The UltimatesThe Ultimates 2.

Followed by: Ultimate Comics: Avengers vs New Ultimates: Death of Spider-ManUltimate Comics: The Ultimates.

Further reading: The Ultimates, Ultimate Comics: Avengers vs New Ultimates: Death of Spider-Man, The Avengers: The Avengers (2011 - 2012)Ultimate Comics: Iron Man: Armor Wars, Ultimate Comics: Spider-ManSuperiorNemesis, Preacher.

Profiles: Mark Millar.

All comments welcome.

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