SPIDER-MAN – MAN WOLF AT MIDNIGHT EPIC COLLECTION REVIEW

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Epic Collection, Green Goblin, Man Wolf, Marvel Comics, Peter Parker, Spider Mobile, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Man - Man Wolf at Midnight Epic Collection, Spider-Man Man - Man Wolf at Midnight Epic Collection Review, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Punisher

Spider-Man Man – Man Wolf at Midnight Epic Collection

Review by Paul Bowler

Man Wolf at Midnight is Marvel’s latest addition to their Spider-Man Epic Collection range. Weighting in at a whopping 416 pages of Bronze Age goodness, it heralds a stark era of change for our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man in the aftermath of what was arguably one of the darkest periods of Peter Parker’s life – the death of Gwen Stacy. There’s also a wealth of iconic events and introductions too as this collection revisits the origins of The Punisher, Man-Wolf, and the Spider-Mobile! This extensive collection features stories from The Amazing Spider-Man #124-142, and Giant Sized Super Heroes, all written by Gerry Conway, and with artwork by Gil Kane, Ross Andru, Paul Reinman, John Romita, Sr., Tony Morello, Jim Mooney, Frank Giacoia, Dave Hunt, and Mike Esposito.

Gwen Stacey’s death hangs heavily over the opening issues, with Peter an emotional wrecks as he struggles to come to terms with his girlfriends demise. Peter’s peers and supporting cast also feature prominently throughout this Epic Collection as they rally round their friend during this difficult time. This inevitably leads to some emotionally fraught moments as Peter begins to crack under the strain of his grief and his wall-crawling adventures as Spider-Man. 

Over the course of this volume Peter finally moves into his own apartment, his relationship with Mary Jane also begins to take shape, all while juggling his studies and work at the Bugle with the ever increasing demands of being Spider-Man. 

Indeed, this Epic Collection is a treasure trove of first appearances and iconic moments for Spider-Man amongst all this personal turmoil, most notably the first appearance of The Punisher, as well as Col. John Jamerson as Man-Wolf, the deadly Tarantula, and the debut of the Spider-Mobile; the super-charged beach buggy Spidey builds with the help of Johnny Storm. On top of all that we have the shocking reveal of Harry Osborne as the new Green Goblin, Aunt May’s not-quite wedding to Doctor Octopus, and the Jackal hatching nefarious schemes in the background. A wealth of other villains from Spider-Man’s colourful rogues gallery feature as well including: The Vulture, Kangaroo, Mindworm, Mysterio, The Grizzly, Hammerhead, Molten Man and Morbuis.

While this Epic Collection might not exactly be up there with the classic runs of Spider-Man comics, there is still loads to enjoy here, and I’m sure plenty of nostalgia for many too as they revisit this formative era of Spider-Man.

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

PREDATOR #1 (2022) REVIEW

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Day of the Hunter, Ed Brisson, Kev Walker, Marvel Comics, NCBD, Predator, Predator #1, Predator #1 review, Predator comics, Predators, Prey

Predator #1 (2022)

Review by Paul Bowler.

The hunter becomes the hunted in Marvel’s long delayed Predator #1, written by Ed Brisson (Iron Fist, Ghost Rider), and with art by Kev Walker (Dr Strange, Doctor Aphra). Considering the immense legacy of the 1987 classic Predator film directed by John McTienan and the numerous Dark Horse Comics mini-series’ fans have enjoyed over the last thirty years, Disney’s absorption of the licensing agreement has now seen this long-delayed new Predator comics series finally become a reality. Writer Ed Brisson’s Predator #1 certainly has a tough act to follow with this new six-part story: Day of the Hunter. Right from the outset we are reintroduced to these extraterrestrial hunters and the sheer power of their advanced weaponry. However, what initially appears to be a smackdown between two raging Predators on a strange alien world is resolved through a surprise twist of fate that has seen the most formidable hunters in the galaxy becoming the prey. Set in the far future, the narrative is interspaced with flashbacks detailing how a young girl, Theta, witnessed the slaughter of her family during a survey mission on a newly discovered world. She grew up and vowed to hunt down the Predators, using their own armour, weapons and tactics against them… determined to hunt down the Predator that killed her mother in cold blood. 

Now Theta stalks the galaxy in her parents same research vessel, with only its AI for company, and a thirst for revenge against the Predator that changed her life forever. When the native lifeforms  on a planet she’s liberated from a Predator turn against her fearing she is actually one of the hunters themselves, Theta is forced to beat a hasty retreat back to her ship and escape into space.

Fortunately Theta salvaged information from the Predator’s vessel that yields some fresh leads on her target, but her ship is in a dire state, systems are breaking down and food supplies are running short. She has no option but to head for Port Medway, but being an outlaw from the authorities in what is technically a stolen ship now presents Theta with a whole new stack of problems to contend with.

Kev Walker’s art may be a tad conventional, but Walker brings a dynamic sense of motion and energy to the action sequences. The page layouts are straightforward and unfussy, which actually works well to highlight the narrative breaks as we follow Theta hunting in the present and confronting her Predator nemesis in the flashbacks. Colorist Frank D’Armata melds vidid tones and hues to accentuate every scene, and VC’s Clayton Cowles ever dependable lettering makes the exposition heavy sections less of a plod and more engrossing to read. After the initial battle between the Predator and Theta, the alien hunters presence is used sparingly. Its a good move as it helps build the suspense through means of the flashbacks, with the Predator using its high-tech camouflage to enable it to pick off the survey team one-by-one, before we finally get to see one up close and personal in all its glory. 

The issue builds to a nerve jangling climax as Theta’s mission forces her to face her greatest fear, in both the past and the present. Its a heartrending moment, and one that will no doubt set the tone of this series moving forward. After such a long delay I wasn’t honestly expecting much from this new Marvel Comics  Predator series, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it actually turned out to be. Predator #1 gets off to a cracking good start, Ed Brisson and Kev Walker have ultimately proved to be an inspired creative team for this book, and there’s plenty that fans and newcomers alike will find to enjoy here in their bold new take on the Predator franchise. 

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer Ed Brisson / Artist Kev Walker

Colorist Frank D’Armata / Letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles

Main Cover Leinnil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT PRESENTS RED HOOD #1 REVIEW

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Batman, Batman White Knight: Presents Red Hood, Batman White Knight: Presents Red Hood #1, Batman White Knight: Presents Red Hood #1 review, DC Comics, Gotham, Jason Todd, Red Hood, Sean Murphy, White Knight

Batman White Knight: Presents Red Hood #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

The one missing piece of lore from Sean Murphy’s White Knight alternative Batman universe has always been a particularly intriguing quandary. A quirk of writing on Murphy’s part had Jason Todd portrayed as the first Robin by the acclaimed Batman White Knight series. Now the mystery of what happened to Jason Todd is finally revealed  in Batman: White Knight Presents Red Hood #1, as Murphy’s Esleworlds style White Knight saga continues to expand in DC Black Labels new two-part miniseries. Co-written by Murphy along with Clayton McCormack, with art by Simone di Meo and colorist Dave Stewart, Batman: White Knight Presents Red Hood delves into Jason Todd’s fall from grace as the first Robin – where he gave up Batman’s secret identity  to the Joker and unbeknown to the Bat-Family was actually still alive out there somewhere. That juicy narrative thread is the tantalising hook which provides the catalyst for this miniseries’ premise and the fascinating insight it offers into Jason Todd’s character. 

Jason’s story is one that has reverberated throughout the White Knight universe and impacted on virtually every character. Having cheated death at the hands of the Joker by betraying Batman in the opening flashback, the issue flash forwards to even darker times in Neo Gotham. Jason Todd has spent years going form pillar to post, he’s been kicked out of the military and turned his back on the Superhero game for good. Now older, drunker and seemingly non-the-wiser our red-motorbike helmet wearing vigilante has taken to stealing from street gangs. That is until he crosses paths with a new Robin girl wonder wannabe  called Gan. 

The writing is really pacy, emotive and injected way more fun into this story than I was expecting – especially after the grim opening scenes. I really liked the dynamic between “Beer Guy” and this new Robin as the crime-fighting lessons begin. Jason is determined to do a better job training this Robin than Batman did with him, the dialogue and sentiment proves quite moving at times as well. Simone Di Meo’s art has a distinct Manga quality that is very different from Murphy’s work on this universe, but in the context of this story the different artistic style and warmer color pallet Dave Stewart employs works extremely well. Batman: White Knight Presents Red Hood #1 delivers  a long-awaited insight into the legacy of the Red Hood and his place in the White Knight universe. His mentorship of the new Robin also makes for a terrific read and I’m excited to see how this story plays out.

Publisher DC Comics

Story Sean Murphy / ScriptClay McCormack

Art Simone Di Meo / Colors Dave Stewart

Cover Sean Murphy

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook