DOCTOR STRANGE - Annual #1

Doctor Strange Annual #1 – “To Get Her. Forever” & “Strange Tales: Yao, The Not-Quite-Ancient One”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published September 28, 2016 by Marvel Comics. To Get Her. Forever written by Kathryn Immonen and illustrated by Leonardo Romero. Strange Tales: Yao, The Not-Quite-Ancient One written by Robbie Thompson and illustrated by Jonathan Marks Barravecchia.

 With magic and Stephen still on the mend, Strange is visited by Clea. Clea returns to Stephen’s life to bring closure to their past relationship. However, Stephen questions Clea’s commitment to magic and her whereabouts during the battle with the Imperator and the Empirikul. But little does Strange know that Clea had to deal with the Empirikul as well.

The reunion is interrupted as a floor repair takes a magical turn for the worse and both must battle a demonized repairman whom Wong caught stealing to settle the repair bill. Zelma calls Strange out for objectifying Clea and maybe eluding that was a problem with their relationship.

In the second story to this first annual is the tale of the Ancient One as a young magician. After being shown the ways of magic by his mentor, Kaluu, Yao attempt to steal a map that will lead him to greater magic. But after he is caught he faces certain doom and is rescued. His rescuer is a formidable magic user in his own right.

Two great stories make up the first Doctor Strange Annual. The first brings Clea into the picture so it’ll be interesting to see where this goes. Zelma may be the one to mend their relationship woes. And the second story featuring the young Ancient One is interesting too. I really enjoyed the art for it and the big reveal at the end almost has me curious enough to pick up Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1.  

BLACK PANTHER #6 - A Nation Under Our Feet Pt. 6

Black Panther #6 September 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Published September 14, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and drawn by Chris Sprouse.

The drama continues in Wakanda after Ramonda is injured by a suicide bomber’s attack and Shuri continues her quest through Djalia with the Griot imagined as Ramonda. T’Challa captures several of Tetu’s rebels that have bio bombs implanted in their chests and strikes a deal with one. Ezekiel Stane and Tetu release a video made of a meeting between T’Challa and a counter-terrorism council in which they recommended a most cruel way to deal with the uprisings plaguing Wakanda.

T’Challa and Hodari differ on their own interpretation of the meaning of Changamire’s message. While Akili feels T’Challa’s views are sympathetic to the anarchy of the rebel’s aims. But T’Challa reassures him he still has a few cards to play and orders an attack on the Jabari-lands.

During the attack the Dora Milaje seem to have the upper hand till the magic of Zenzi causes them to break down and be easily captured. While T’Challa and Tony Stark discuss the origins of the bio-bombs and the arrogance behind the bomb maker’s purpose.

Shuri’s travels through the Djalia bring her to the story of the slave girl bride and learns that a woman can never be made fully into a slave. The Griot then leaves Shuri in the Djalia to ponder this lesson.

In another attack on the Base of the People T’Challa is captured and bound in chains by Stane. Afterwards Stane contacts Hodari and Akili to let them know he has the Black Panther and that the Fenris Twins are involved as well. But Hodari has a plan to show Wakandans who is really behind the revolution and they call in some help to assist with the saving Wakanda.

In part six of “A Nation Under Our Feet” the big reveal has to be the Stane connection to the revolution. But will showing the video of Stane to the Wakandans really change their feelings towards the throne? Or will it just add more confusion to a brewing chaos that seems to benefit only Tetu and Zenti. It’ll be interesting to see if Shuri makes her return in the next issue. I think we might see her come back soon and take the thrown from her brother.

DOCTOR STRANGE #11 - The New Face of Magic

Doctor Strange #11 – The New Face of Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published September 7, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Kevin Nowlan/ Leonardo Romero.

Old enemies and new problems abound in the aftermath of the destruction of magic by the Imperator and Empirikuls.

Setting up the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Doctor Strange we witness a flashback to one of Strange’s attempts to cure his hands and ultimately leads him to the Ancient One. Back Alley drug deals never end good. But luckily the Ancient One is watching. Back in the now Stephen struggles with the state of magic in the world and the loss of all the ancient spells. Chondu offers some words of encouragement about rewriting the spells to control the newly regenerated magic.

In another flashback we learn about an important choice Strange made while training with the Ancient One. Offered to have his hands completely restored and leave his training or continue on with the Ancient One Doctor Strange’s decision to stay only made him one powerful enemy but humanities warrior against evil magic.

With the new face of magic and its threats against humanity Stephen must use different methods to combat the transgressors. Simple methods until new spells can be written. And an old enemy is back to confront Doctor Strange.   

The odyssey that has become Doctor Strange is really developing into a great series. I’m intrigued to see where the story will go next. While this take on Doctor Strange from Marvel doesn’t seem to follow what has been revealed by Marvel regarding the new movie out in November it is still enough to excite interest in the character and the mythos surrounding Strange. I think this has been so far a great analogy that science isn’t an end all solution and that it loses when it’s used for evil. Magic was threatened but like all living things will rebound after the threat is over. You could also draw the conclusion that while magic may have appeared the weaker against the Imperator and his science magic’s survival only illustrates that it was the stronger of the two.  

DETECTIVE COMICS #939 - Rise of the Batmen Pt. 6

Detective Comics #939 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 6

 

Published August 24, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by  James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows/Eber Ferreira.

In this new Batman comic the saga continues. And I spoke too soon thinking last issue ended the “Rise of the Batmen” story arc. In this next installment to the aforementioned story arc the Wayne/Kane family history is expounded on a little more. Which illustrates that everyone has family problems. The interesting twist here is the feelings and anger Jacob has towards Thomas Wayne about the night him and Martha were killed. The corollary being that in the present day Colonel Kane once again is at odds with both his daughter and his nephew.  

After clearing out the Colony from the Belfry there’s a lot of clean up to do but thankfully Tim had planned ahead for such a monumental task. Where does he find the time to fight crime and develop sophisticated Dirt Devil-like gadgets!?

The deepening rift between Kate and her father is only being made by the complexity of her teaming up with Batman. She learns Bruce had a strong suspicion her father was involved before he recruited her. Bruce kept this from her and Kate now feels disrespected by the lie and demands no more lies from Bruce. He agrees, however, I think there’s more that Bruce isn’t telling Kate so his agreement is another lie cause to not lie to Kate would me Kate would have charge over Bruce and we all know that isn’t going to happen. But only time will tell to exactly what else Bruce is lying about.

In the climax to this issue Tim has learned something disturbing about the clones the Colonel unleashes on Gotham to eradicate the mythical League of Shadows. Batman and the group know better and think the ones targeted are innocent of any wrong doing. Tim, in a self-less act, devises a plan to lure the coming drones away from their intended target. But at a high cost to the team and Batman.