Yeah, a whole lot of Marvel was read this month as I didn't realize how far behind I was on a bunch of my books.
Ultimate Spider-Man #19 - 24 by Jonathan Hickman
"'You know, a good friend of mine once told me that with great power comes great responsibility. And I get it. I do. But I'm just not sure it's an ethos that works in the world we're living in. Yeah. I think each of us -- everyone -- has the great responsibility of fighting for what we believe in. Great power or not."
Spider-Man takes the fight to The Kingpin! After Richard Parker is lured into The Kingpin's trap, the Picotech suit reveals it's full, terrifying capabilities. Her family in more danger than she thought, Mary-Jane Parker demands answers during her double-date with her husband, Peter, and Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacey. Meanwhile, Mr. Negative plots an overthrow to seize The Kingpin's empire, striking at all of his enemies in one swoop. With their family and friends in danger, The Parkers strike at the heart of The Kingpin's empire in a desperate gambit to protect not only themselves, but to save the people of New York. Will they finally loosen Fisk's iron grasp on the city and free it's citizens from his tyranny?
And, with issue# 24, Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man comes to an end. Well, at least in this series, as I'm sure Spider-Man's story will continue in "Ultimate Endgame" (which I've yet to open). One of the better series to come out of Marvel's new Ultimate universe, I loved every moment of this book - the new "Venom" being the Picotech suit, the "Mysterio" congregation actually having mystic powers, all the call backs to little bits of Spider-Man trivia. I especially loved just how ambitious the writing was in deciding that a month should pass between individual issues, mimicking real time release dates. You've gotta have a lot of confidence to think one major incident is going to be enough to tide the reader over for a month, but they did it! I'm really happy he was chosen as the hero to open up the new Ultimate series.
How would Peter Parker's life be different if the radioactive spider didn't bite him as a teenager? As the first series in Marvel's new Ultimate universe, Ultimate Spider-Man looks at a life altered by The Maker and set on a different trajectory. Instead of accidentally becoming a superhero in his teenage years, Peter Parker chooses to take up the mantle at an older, more mature age. It's a stark change from his usual origin as Parker doesn't stumble into this life but makes the conscious decision to risk his and his family's lives in order to help people he has never met. Despite the change to his origin, Parker is still Parker, and immediately sets out to use his new powers to help others and go after the villains of the city. The final issue truly defined this new Peter Parker in two ways. The first is the change to his "With great power ..." quote to one that gives everyone, super-powered or not, the responsibility to stand-up for the greater good. The second, when recounting the past two years of his life as a superhero, he realizes it was his family, not the suit, that made him realize who he is supposed to be and what he is meant to do.
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"This is what the scythedom was incapable of understanding. They were so focused on the act of killing, they couldn't comprehend what went into the act of dying."
As the new Scythe Anastasia, Citra Terranova works to glean with compassion and set a new standard for her peers who take human life with pleasure. Rowan Damisch hunts down and gleans corrupt Scythes under the name Scythe Lucifer, attempting to rid the world of those who abuse the power and responsibility entrusted to them. Meanwhile, The Thunderhead watches, unable to directly interfere with the affairs of The Scythedom, but is far from impotent. Believing in the goodness of The Thunderhead, Greyson Tolliver accepts a secret request by the world's governing super-computer that will change his life forever. As Thunderhead watches its perfect world transform, it continues to come to the same conclusion - it does not like what it sees.
I'm going to say this for each of the books in this trilogy, but how are these books in the Young Adult section?! So, I read the first book, "Scythe" a while back and I kept hoping to find the subsequent books in thrift shops, too, but never did until last year when I finally go the chance to buy Thunderhead at the library book sale (a bargain at $2 for a hardcover version, but that's likely because of the mold growing on the book jacket). If you're curious, I do have book three, The Toll, and the only reason it doesn't appear on this month's list is because it is a 600 page hardcover book which limits where I'm willing to carry it (typically only as far as the couch).
Sorry, I had really hoped to finish both Thunderhead and The Toll the same month, and thus, was planning to do a longer, combined write-up but obviously that didn't happen. This being a middle book and having already started the next one, it was a bit more difficult to the kind of write-up I like doing for books. After thinking about it for a while, I finally got a topic to write about. From this entry into the series, the big topic I want to talk about are the method and tactics the characters use to achieve their goals, and the idea of "The End Justifying The Means." Scythes are charged with culling, or "gleaning", the now functionally immortal human population, which, through the eyes of a present-day reader is simply "justified murder". What differentiates these characters from each other is HOW they choose to glean their victims. As Scythe Anastasia, Citra is seen as naive by allowing her victims to choose the time and manner of their deaths, which adds a measure of dignity and independence to her method. Her method also seeks to show her peers who take pleasure in taking human life a better way to do their jobs. Rowan, under the name Scythe Lucifer, attempts to change The Scythedom by eliminating the Scythes he determines (after extensive research) too corrupted by their power to be redeemed. Both take unprecedented measures against the new batch of Scythes who glean with and for pleasure in an attempt to change the Scythedom from the path the see it going.
Doom Academy by MacKenzie Cadenhead
"'You belong to Doom! ... For the semester."
Due to the closure of their school by the new Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Doom, Zoe and a few of her Strange Academy classmates transfer to Latveria's Doom Academy to continue their magical studies. Between navigating her new school and new classmates, Zoe is pulled into a school mystery involving a missing student. The Strange Academy students will need to work together with their new classmates to rescue Zoe's new friend.
Part of Marvel's "One World Under Doom" overarching plot line, Doom Academy features a few of the Strange Academy kids as they transfer to a new school. Though I normally don't pay much attention to Marvel's main continuity, I'm a big fan of the original "Strange Academy" comics. I really liked seeing the kids participate in the "Blood Hunt" event, so I figured I'd also check this one out. I enjoyed Zoe being the protagonist of the story as she typically feels relegated to being a side character despite having a very cool zombie ability. Due to the school mystery being the big focus, we didn't get as much of the school as I hoped, but I did find some interest in the new magic user who hates magic. Overall, it was a fun book and I'm happy to see that the kids haven't been completely forgotten about.
Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 Red Wave by Gail Simone
Another book I've read once before, this month's pick for the Graphic Novel Book Club was Uncanny X-Men, one of the three flagship series in Marvel's 2025 "From the Ashes" X-Men reboot. Honestly, I've got no idea if any of these series are still ongoing since premiering last year. Of all the books I've read for the book club, this one reads the most like a superhero comic book in that it is bunch of heroes punching some bad guys which makes me feel a little surprised it was chosen. And, as much as I wanted to put aside these books, after re-reading this one, I'm at least a little curious about continuing these stories.
One thing I do find myself confused about is how the book starts with the X-Men being scattered and Charles Xavier missing, as if they will now need to figure out their own lives rather than deferring to Professor X. Yet the Big Bad of the first five issues is a monster from Xavier's past. It's almost as if they'll never be able to escape Xavier's influence. This was actually brought up in the book club as the trope: Here's something from a character's past that you never knew and is only now coming back to haunt the characters. Charles Xavier's past has been so thoroughly documented over the years, how is it only now we are learning about this new monster? Sarah harbors a hatred of Xavier and mutants spanning decades (so why did it take her so long to act?) and is apparently so powerful that they require a one-time McGuffin to write their way out of the scenario. I can only guess she was introduced as a way to force Rogue and her team to take on the challenge of fostering these new kids.
One definite positive of this book is character growth. We see not only a more powerful, but more mature Jubilee than we typically get when she is portrayed as a simple mall-rat teenager. I also like giving the spotlight to Rogue as the team's leader, the only one of the group who could command respect from these varying personalities. Plus, the union of her and Gambit we've been waiting on (why keep them apart for so long when it seems inevitable?). Though we agreed it is weird for the team to be surprised by Wolverine's PTSD diagnosis, I am hoping they can focus on his trauma more in the later issues. I mean, he has had it for years having lived a life of violence for centuries, but it would be nice for it to be front and center of his life going forward It's cool that we got to see changes to some characters who have been around forever rather than their personalities remaining stagnant.
One World Under Doom by Ryan North
"'Doom is Widsom. Doom is Power. Doom is Prosperity. ... And only Doom can save us."'
After Dr. Doom saved the world from the vampire threat, he disappeared behind Latveria's walls. Now, the new Sorcerer Supreme steps onto the global stage to unify the planet under the rule of Emperor Doom with promises of prosperity for all. The Avengers, however, aren't convinced of Doom's newfound benevolence and set out to expose him for the villain they believe him to be. While Doom remains a step ahead of every one of the heroes' plans, he brings about changes that allow everyone to flourish and still protecting them from harm. Has Dr. Doom really become the savior the world needed, or is there a dark secret the villain has hidden away waiting to be exposed?
I was excited to read this series after Marvel's "Blood Hunt" event made Dr. Doom the new Sorcerer Supreme. One World Under Doom collects the entire 9 issue run chronicling Doom's takeover of Earth. Yeah, 9 issues, such an odd number as most series have a standard run of five or six issues. Being not well-versed in the Marvel continuity, I really only know Dr. Doom as the primary nemesis of the Fantastic Four who manage to thwart his evil schemes every time. Then, this book came out and the Doom fanboys flooded the online comments section, singing Doom's praises. And, honestly, from this book alone, yeah, I get it. There's just something about Dr. Doom that had me believing he truly was above the pettiness of humanity and would be able to save the world. Then, of course, the world discovers the truth and Doom's villainy is revealed. Of course, Dr. Doom was using underhanded tactics. What I really liked was Doom didn't simply slink away, but continued to fight under the belief that Doom truly is the only one who can save the world. It makes a compelling story, and I really liked that it managed to influence a bunch of other books being published by Marvel at the time.
So, I know I made the joke about all the Doom fanboys coming out of the woodwork to sing his praises, but after reading this book, you know, I get it. That Doom started his rule with just two simple decrees - an end to all wars and that all citizens be cared for with free healthcare and education - I started to believe in the villain's benevolence. Even when he allowed Dormammu's invasion because he didn't yet fully understand the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, his will was enough to fight back from the verge of defeat. I honestly started to believe Doom could save us. A man willing to make the hard choices uniting the entire world? And, how interesting would it be to see the heroes forced to bend the knee to Emperor Doom? But, of course, the story does suffer from the trope of having the Bad Guy take his plan just a little too far for the reader to be onboard. If he had simply tempered his ambitions slightly, there's a chance he would've emerged victorious. Like many great villains, it is only Doom's hubris and pride that leads to his downfall.
The Runaways: Think of the Children by Rainbow Rowell
The Runaways are still trying to find their footing when Dr. Doom's takeover of the planet throws the found family into further turmoil. Unfortunately, their refusal to surrender their adopted Doombot does not sit well with Earth's new Emperor who proceeds to send wave after wave of his own Doombots to pursue the teenagers. Will The Runaways be able to set aside their own internal strife to again come together and protect one of their own?
Perhaps the most surprising of all the books to come out of Dr. Doom's takeover of the world is the return of The Runaways. I've only been reading comics for about 4 years, and I haven't once seen a Runaways book, almost as if Marvel had abandoned their storyline. This book itself feels like a sort-of retcon, bringing the family back together while giving just brief glimpses at what might've drove them apart. There's a couple lines about what the group was up to, including Nico's tenure at Strange Academy, but that all felt moot once the Doombots appeared. The book even starts with a brief recap of "Hey, did you forget what's going on with these characters? Well, so did we." Personally, I'm not too familiar with the comic-version of the group as I know them mainly from the season or two I've watched of the TV show. I really liked the concept and I do hope Marvel is encouraged to continue their story within the main Marvel continuity, although, honestly, I haven't been paying attention to their current stories (something about the future apocalypse, I guess, I don't know).
Ultimate X-Men #17 - 24 by Peach Momoko
Maystorm and the X-Men infiltrate the Children of the Atom's secret facility to rescue Hisako from the cultists' experimentation leading to a confrontation in the streets with several Children under Maester's control. The Emperor of Hi no Kuni proposes a Mutant Registration Act under the guise of protecting his peoples' safety. While protesting the new order, the X-Men are attacked by The Emperor's enhanced and mind-controlled mutants who are only stopped by the arrival of Kageyama. While Hisako and Kageyama's final showdown leads to mutual annihilation, Mei continues to roam the city believing her friend is still out there waiting to be found.
Marvel's twenty-four issue Ultimate X-Men comics run comes to an end. Though definitely not as satisfying as "Ultimate Spider-Man"'s conclusion, it was still better then "Ultimate Black Panther"'s. I was definitely on-board until the penultimate issue, but I'll get to that later. One thing I do want to mention from the start is that no matter what criticisms are placed on the series, this was a huge and lofty undertaking by Peach Momoko to not only write the story but provide the art, too, and she did an absolutely fantastic job! Even "Ultimate Spider-Man", the story Marvel likely invested the most into producing, used multiple artists to ensure there wouldn't be any publishing delays. While it is the end of the series, I'm certain these kids' stories will continue in the "Ultimate Endgame" series. *Edit: nevermind, I don't want to stretch this out so I'll just mention it now: No, I didn't like that this whole thing was revealed to be the plan of Tsubasa's bully as a way to get revenge against Kageyama. You drove a kid to suicide and if this is supposed be a redemption thing, go fuck yourself. Okay, that's it.
From the first issue, this has been a series focused on the youth and the issues they experience, and these final chapters are no different. From the initial, inciting incident of Tsubasa's bullying and suicide leading to Hisako's withdrawal all the way to the formation of the X-Men and the children's desire for a better world, a better future, this series has been about The Maker's world seen through the eyes of the youth. Although it still features people with powers fighting other people with powers, what makes it stand apart from the other Ultimate series are the characters. As I put that into words, I'm reminded again of an article explaining why so many mange and anime feature teenage protagonists and this story definitely falls in line with that theory (plus, Peach Momoko is Japanese, so, of course that influence would be there). They're immediately the underdogs in any fight against adults and those a person would typically look at as an authority figure. Puberty also brings out big emotions, making every single thing feel world-ending. With younger protagonists, the story doesn't always have to be about super-powers fighting each other, but friendships and heartbreak.
Ultimate Wolverine #7 - 16 by Chris Condon
"I feel somethin' changin' in me as I pull on the clothes 'a my enemy. It's like I'm peelin' skin away. It feels raw. I can feel the blood pumpin' hot in m' veins. Heart's thumpin'. I ain't what they said I was. Not anymore. Now ... I'm reborn. An' those sick ********* don't know what's comin' their way."
No longer the Eurasian Republic's Winter Soldier, Logan returns to The Opposition to free the region from The Maker's minions. Together, they'll dismantle The Republic's weapons and free their fellow mutants while Logan hunts those responsible for making him commit monstrous atrocities against his friends. The Republic's leaders however aren't ones to shy away from a fight and decide to unleash their most devastating weapon yet - a bomb powered by a powerful psychic's brain. With unrest brewing amongst the population, Logan and the remaining Opposition members strike directly at the leaders of The Republic, the Rasputins. But, will cutting the head from the snake be enough to free the people from its hold?
The most surprising release in Marvel's Ultimate series (why have two mutant books?), Ultimate Wolverine comes to an end in 16 issues. A slightly smaller series compared to the others but understandably so seeing as issue one wasn't released until the others had already established themselves. Despite a shorter length (an entire story arc shorter than the others), the series still manages to pack in a full story following Logan from brain-washed soldier to freedom fighter. And, as annoyed as I was when this story was originally introduced (the timing seemed to undermine Momoko's vision for the mutants and cater to those who were vocally opposed to it), I really liked how it had a completely different tone focus allowing it stand from the "Ultimate X-Men" series.
Despite being set in a brand-new universe, the theme of Ultimate Wolverine remains the same as other Wolverine stories: war and the trauma it causes to those involved. Though freed from the Eurasian Republic's control, Logan is still wracked with guilt from the horrors he committed
