Old Man Logan #31 Review

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comics, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Gorgon, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, NCBD, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #31, Old Man Logan #31 review, Scarlet Samurai!, The Hand, The Maestro

Old Man Logan #31

Review by Paul Bowler

Old Man Logan #31 begins the first major Marvel Legacy adventure for the man formerly known as Wolverine, as he confronts a deadly new threat – the Hand! Upon his return to Tokyo, Old Man Logan becomes drawn into a ferocious conflict involving the Hand, and they are now stronger than ever! In his battle with the feuding clans, Logan will also have to face the mysterious Scarlet Samurai, a lethal adversary like no other he’s faced before…

Friends and foes, both past and present return as the adventures of Marvel Comics grizzled time-displaced alternative dimension version of Logan continues with Scarlet Samurai Part 1, the brand new story arc from writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin. Following his run in with the Maestro and the Hulk gang in Canada, Logan’s travels bring him back to Kabukicho, in Tokyo, where his reminiscing about this place he once called home briefly eclipses Logan’s apocalyptic future in the Wastelands.

Violent action, drama, and brooding intrigue permeate every aspect of Ed Brisson’s tautly woven scrip as Old Man Logan’s momentary peace is shattered by a brawl with henchmen from the Crazy Thunder Clan empowered by a new drug that gives them uncanny regenerative abilities. You can’t have a slug-fest like this in Tokyo without the Silver Samurai being involved somehow, and sure enough the Yashida Corporation developed the drug, Regenix, and the mystery of who has been supplying it to the Crazy Thunder Clan is soon ruthlessly uncovered.

From the shadowy, neon lit side streets, to the gleaming vista of the Tokyo skyline, the fantastic work of artist Mike Deodato and colorist Frank Martin effortlessly brings the various locales featured in this issue to life. Dedato’s trademark open-panel style and dramatic use of perspective places you right in the thick of the action. Every scene feel larger than life, especially when Logan tracks down the Crazy Thunder Clan, and the battle which follows – just like their earlier confrontation – is a blood splattered collage of visceral action and severed limbs as Logan’s berserker rage kicks into high gear! Frank Martin’s colors accentuate the action perfectly, with urban grey tones contrasting beautifully with the shiny modern hues of Yashida Corp, while the brutal violence and unflinching detail jostles with ominous shadows amidst the crimson carnage.

As the issue races towards its devastating high-rise cliff-hanger, Logan makes a fortuitous discovery, Gorgon – who has also led the Hand into battle against Wolverine in the past – makes his move, and the Scarlet Samurai finally steps into the fray!

From the moment you see that gorgeous cover by Mukesh Singh, you just know that you are in for something special with this issue of Old Man Logan. The first part of this new saga is a real scene setter. There’s plenty here for long term fans to enjoy, but this issue is also a great jumping on point for new readers too (especially as it also features a brief recap of Old Man Logan’s back story by Robbie Thompson, Andrea Sorrentino, Lee Loughridge). The Tokyo setting is impressively realized, the plot moves along at a blistering pace, and the mystery surrounding the Scarlet Samurai will no doubt prove an intriguing and bloody one for Logan to solve. The creative team of Ed Brisson, Mike Deodato, and Frank Martin are really hitting their stride now, this series continues to go from strength to strength, and Old Man Logan # 31 gets this new story-arc off to a great start!

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR / Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit  / Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

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Old Man Logan #30 Review

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Alpha Flight, comics, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, NCBD, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #30, Old Man Logan #30 review, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #30

Review by Paul Bowler

Its all blood, claws, and nukes in Old Man Logan #30 as the showdown between the Maestro and Logan reaches its startling climax! In Logan’s quest to avert both his own nightmarish future in the Wastelands and prevent the Maestro and the Hulk gang from unleashing Armageddon in present, his criss-crossed timelines have united Logan with Clint Barton and the female Hulk gang defector, Cambria. Together they pursued the Maestro and the Hulkling children across Yurkon territory, Canada, where Logan’s savage battle with the Maestro now faces the sudden emergence of the most deadly, and unexpected threat of all…

Marvel Comics Old Man Logan series from the creative team of writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin continues to soar to new heights of excellence as the thrilling Days of Anger storyline concludes!

The Maestro has been a formidable adversary for Logan, this alternative universe version of Bruce Banner has used the Hulk gang (savage Banner descendants Logan fought back in the Wastelands) to implement his mad scheme and wipe out humanity, but now events have come to a head. Although the Hulk gang and their missiles have been neutralized thanks to Cambria’s intel and Puck’s help on the Alpha Flight space station, the Maestro, Logan, and his unlikely allies now find themselves held to ransom by a child with a nuclear bomb!

Briefly revisiting the bleak future of the Wastelands to finally reveal how the Maestro managed to bring the Hulk gang to this dimension, events quickly spiral back to the present day where opposing sides and loyalties prepare to square off in this riveting issue of Old Man Logan as writer Ed Brisson piles on the tension and suspense at every given opportunity. Each line of dialogue crackles with menace and raw emotion as the youngest member of the Hulk gang, Malakai, threatens to detonate the final active nuke and kill them all.

The nail bitingly dramatic face-off which ensues quickly becomes a battle of wills, but with the Maestro and Logan only compounding the situation further it’s up to Cambria to try and convince the frightened child that the Maestro has been lying to them all along. The frenetic action builds at an astonishing rate form heron in, with Ed Brisson throwing some ingenious plot twists and character beats into the mix along the way, and there are some genuinely shocking moments of jaw-dropping carnage to look out for as well!

Boasting some of the series’ most striking, and emotional scenes to date, artist Mike Deodato’s characteristic borderless panel layouts completely immerse you in the action. Events build at a rapid pace amidst the snow swept landscape of Yukon territory, with characters and their expressions all hauntingly realized by Deodato’s intricate work and lavish attention to the finest details, while colorist Frank Martin utilizes an exquisite fusion of bold hues and subdued tones to further accentuate the unfolding drama with stunning clarity. Every page is a dazzling spectacle of singularly framed and moments: the Maestro’s raw strength and power, Cambria’s defiance, Hawkeye’s valiant stand, and Logan’s berserker rage as he goes toe-to-toe with the Maestro are all just some of the blockbusting highlights that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading this issue.

A trio of codas are forged in the resolution of Days of Anger that are as powerful as they are emotional, the underlying themes of this story-arc are brought to the fore, and the aftermath ultimately has a profound effects on all of the major players involved. Ed Brisson, Mike Deodato, and Frank Martin have done fantastic work with this series, Old Man Logan #30 rounds off this storyline in fine style, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what this creative team have in store for us with their next arc: The Scarlet Samurai!

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR / Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit  / Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

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Old Man Logan #29 Review

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Alpha Flight, comics, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, NCBD, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #29, Old Man Logan #29 review, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #29

Review by Paul Bowler

The Maestro’s plan is all set to unleash Armageddon in Old Man Logan #29, as the Hulk gang take to the skies to deploy the stolen nuclear weapons across the continents of the world. In his resolve to prevent his own dark future, Logan’s haphazard timelines converge as he teams up with Clint Barton and Cambria. But with time running out a showdown between Logan and the Maestro in Yurkon territory, Canada awaits…

In this issue of Marvel Comics Old Man Logan from writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin, Logan and his unlikely allies embark on a desperate course of action to stop the Maestro’s terrifying scheme to wipe out humanity and transform the world into a nuclear paradise Hulks, but will they be in time?

The penultimate chapter of Days of Anger gets under way with an interlude reflecting on Cambria’s recollections of future events in the Wastelands. This sombre opening from Cambria’s viewpoint affords us a greater insight into how the Maestro (an alternative universe version of Banner) gathered the devastated survivors of this dimensions brutal Hulk gangs Banner descendants together, before brining them to this universe and timeline, and gives added clarity to her reasons for defecting from the Hulk gang to help Logan and Hawkeye. Having tracked the Hulk gang across Canada, the dye is now cast, and in an uncanny twist writer Ed Brisson focuses on the major payers in this saga as they each gradually realise with chilling certainty that all of the Logan’s and Banner’s they’d known have been dealt their fateful demise because of them…

Once again, the superb artwork by Mike Deodato and tallents of colorist Frank Martin makes every heart-stopping moment of Old Man Logan #29 leap from the page. From the barren landscape of the Wastelands, to the earth shattering arrival of the nuke packing members of the Hulk gang at various location around the world, powerful character beats resonate with expressions that often deliver far more than mere words can say, and the bloody, violent, bone crunching face off with the Maestro is all beautifully relayed via Deodato’s trademark open-framed page layouts.

With a nuclear Hulkagedon looming, contingencies plans on both sides become apparent as this issue races towards its blood soaked cliff-hanger, and one crucial unseen factor could well decide everyone’s fate! This series is quite simply one of Marvel Comics best titles right now. Days of Anger has built on events gradually, but the confrontation here between Logan and the Maestro has certainly been worth the wait! Old Man Logan #29 is another brilliant issue, Ed Brisson seamlessly brings all the plot threads together, while Mike Deodato’s art and Frank Martin’s colors place us right in the heart of the action, and everything is now in place for what is sure to be this arcs thrilling conclusion!

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR / Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit  / Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

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Old Man Logan #28 Review

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comics, Days of Anger Part 4, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, NCBD, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #28, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, Old Man Logna #28 review, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #28

Review by Paul Bowler

Old Man Logan #28 takes Logan’s mission to save the present from the apocalyptic nightmare of his own future to a whole new level, as Logan finds a new ally – Hawkeye! Teaming up again for the first time in Logan’s miss-matched lifetimes, Clint Barton joins Logan in his quest to defeat the Maestro and the Hulk gang. But as the Maestro’s grand scheme reaches its next phase, they face a race against time to prevent global Armageddon!

Days of Anger Part 4 seriously raises the stakes in this issue of Old Man Logan as the creative team of writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin continue their outstanding run of this Marvel Comics series. Beginning with a sombre interlude set in the future Wastelands of Logan’s farm, the uncanny parallels forged across time continue to resonate powerfully with the present in Old Man Logan #28 as Logan prepares to fight back after his latest run-in with the Hulk Gang in Yurkon territory, Canada.

Writer Ed Brisson skilfully brings numerous plot threads together as events quickly begin to escalate. Having learned about the Maestro, the alternative universe Banner that brought the Hulk Gang to conquer this world, Logan and Hawkeye must stop at nothing to prevent the Maestro from unleashing the stolen weapons from Department H and destroying humanity. However, their friendship was forged in the future, where their road trips never end well, and Hawkeye soon learns more about the his destiny than even he bargained for! Meanwhile, the Maestro is forced to step up the schedule of his master plan, and Cambria’s role in the wider scheme of things gradually starts to emerge.

Mike Deodato’s artwork brilliantly captures the dark, brooding tone of this issue. As ever, the level of detail and boldly paced action lavished across each page is all marvellously rendered, and Deodato’s characteristic deconstructed page layouts completely immerse you in the story as numerous elements converge. The intricate palette of tones and shades color artist Frank Martin utilizes brings added gravatis to every scene. From the identity of the poacher targeting Logan’s farm in the Wastelands, to the great character moments between Logan and Hawkeye in the present, and the ruthless way the Maestro quells any challenge to his authority this issue of Old Man Logan is without doubt one of Mike Deodato’s and Frank Martin’s finest looking issues so far in this series.

Unfortunately for Logan and Hawkeye, try as they might, the Maestro and the Hulk Gang are once again two steps ahead of them as this issue builds towards its ominous snow swept cliff-hanger. But fate and the future might just provide the help they need…

With its stunning cover by Mike Deodato and Frank Martin featuring Logan and Hawkeye in action, Old Man Logan #28 is another compelling issue packed with rich characterization, bloodthirsty action, and surprise plot developments. Its great to see Logan and Hawkeye working together as well, Ed Brisson scripts some brilliant scenes for them, and Mike Deodato’s artwork constantly delivers on every level. In short bub, Old Man Logan is easily one of Marvel’s best books right now, and cannot recommend it highly enough.

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR / Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit  / Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin.

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Old Man Logan #27 Review

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Days of Anger Part 3, Ed Brisson, Frank Martin, Hawkeye, Logan, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mike Deodato, Old Man Logan, Old Man Logan #27, Old Man Logan #27 review, Old Man Logan Days of Anger, The Hulk Gang, The Maestro, X-Men

Old Man Logan #27

Review by Paul Bowler

Logan takes on the fearsome might of the Hulk gang in Old Man Logan #27, as his quest to rid the present-day world of the Banner offspring he thought he’d killed back in the apocalyptic Wastelands of the future continues. There are more faces from Logan’s uncannily entwined past and future lifetimes to contend with as well. Logan is in for the fight of his life, but an even greater threat plots against humanity in a remote compound in Yurkon territory, Canada, as the Maestro prepares the next stage of his terrifying scheme.

Old Man Logan #27 is a gloriously brutal mix of claws, bullets, and gamma-infused blood splatter as Days of Anger Part 3 from writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Deodato JR, and colorist Frank Martin, pits Marvel’s grizzled Old Man Logan against the Maestro’s grand vision for global domination. Having been ambushed by the Hulk gang while tracking them across Canada, all seems lost for Logan. The Hulk gang even used this opportunity to deal with one of their own, Billy-Bob, who had recently caused problems for the Maestro.

The brooding menace of Logan and Hawkeye’s time in the Wastelands of the future resonates powerful with Logan’s predicament in the here and now as Ed Brisson sublimely balances this issues heady mix of drama, strong characterization, and violent action set-pieces as Logan awakens finds himself hung out dry in the wilds of Yurkon territory. Outnumbered and outgunned by the Hulk gang, and blasted to kingdom come if he so much as twitches a muscle, Logan must think fast if he is to have any chance of escape.

Brisson also gives us a chilling insight into the Maestro’s plans during his discussion with Cambria as he gets to work in human form on the old Department H weapons back at the secret compound. If anything the Maestro’s human visage proves even more terrifying than his Hulk form, especially when the full scope and scale of the Maestro’s distain and contempt for humanity becomes all too apparent to Cambria. .

From the bleak setting of the farm in the Wastelands, to the simmering fury behind the Maestro’s assesment of mankind’s sell-by-date, Mike Deodato’s stunningly detailed artwork positively explodes from the page as Logan uses his dim-witted enemies’ strength to his advantage. Dedato’s open-framed panel layouts really come into their own here as Logan takes on the Hulk gang, the frenetic urgency and danger of the situation is unflinchingly conveyed, and the fitting payback the Hulk gang receive is depicted is all is visceral glory. The fine nuances of the characters expressions are also top-notch: from that evil glint in the Maestro’s eyes, to the Hulk gang reeling and gawping in shock, and Logan’s bestial fury unleashed all collectively enhance the ominous atmosphere in this issue. Colorist Frank Martin also excels on every level with a blend of exuberant tones and deep shadows accentuating every scene to make this issue a totally riveting experience.

The pace doesn’t let up for a moment as Old Man Logan #27 races to a triple pronged cliff-hanger of sorts, with the Hulk gang and the Maestro betrayed by one of their own, Logan making a crucial discovery, and the return of an old friend… The creative team of Ed Brisson, Mike Deodato JR, and Frank Martin are really delivering the goods with this new story-arc. Packed with insightful character moments, unexpected developments, and more savage action than even the Hulk gang can handle, Old Man Logan #27 and its especially striking cover by cover by Mike Deodato & Frank Martin is another fantastic issue not to be missed!

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer: Ed Brisson / Art Mike: Deodato JR

Colorist: Frank Martin / Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit

Cover: Mike Deodato JR & Frank Martin

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New Captain America Civil War Official Trailer 2!

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Ant Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Bucky, Captain America, Captain America Civil War, Captain America Civil War trailer, Chris Evans, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Marvel, Marvel Comcis, New Civil War Trailer, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Steve Rogers, The Falcon, The Vision, Tony Stark, War Machine, Winter Soldier

New Captain America Civil War Official Trailer 2!

Check out the awesome new trailer for Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War

The trailer also gives us our first look at Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Can’t wait for this film, it looks amazing!

Captain America: Civil War arrives in cinemas May 6th 2016

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CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Super Bowl TV spot!

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Ant Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America Civil War, Catpain America, Chris Evans, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlet Witch, The Falcon, The Vision, War Machine, Winter Soldier

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Super Bowl TV spot!

As part of the Super Bowl 50, Marvel has released a new TV spot for

Captain America: Civil War & it looks epic!

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Avengers Age Of Ultron Film Review

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Avengers, Avengers Age of Ultron, Avengers Age of Ultron Review, Black Widow, Captain America, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Hawkeye, Iron Man, James Spader, Jeremy Renner, Joss Whedon, Mark Ruffalo, Marvel, Paul Bettany, Quicksilver, Robert Downey Jr, Samule L Jackson, Scarlet Johansson, Scarlet Witch, The Hulk, The Vision, Thor, Ultron

Avengers Age of Ultron Movie Review

Review by Paul Bowler

Earth’s mightiest heroes are back in Marvel’s incredible Avengers Age of Ultron. This action-packed superhero sequel from writer / director Joss Whedon, the man who helmed the first film, Avengers Assemble (2012), kicks off 2015’s blockbuster season in tremendous style with this epic Marvel superhero movie that will both thrill and entertain comic book aficionados and film fans of the genre alike.

Following the Avengers latest mission to raid a secret Hydra facility and recover Loki’s sceptre, they return to New York where Tony Stark’s experiments with the staffs power to develop an advanced peacekeeping programme goes wrong and the artificial intelligence becomes a lethal sentient robot – Ultron! The Avengers: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), must unite in these dark times to face their greatest challenge as Ultron instigates his heinous plan to wipe out humanity. As Ultron’s power grows, the Avengers must stop him at any cost, and new alliances will be forged as the mighty Avengers battle to save the world from Ultron!

Avengers Age of Ultron is an exciting and witty superhero saga bursting with exhilarating action sequences, back stories, cameos, and adventure on a global scale. Whedon’s dynamic script gives everyone a chance to shine: Robert Downey Jr is on fine form as Tony Stark whose hubris unwittingly creates Ultron, Chris Evans is great as super-solder Captain America from the 1940’s, Chris Hemsworth is commanding and impressive as the mighty Thor, there’s also more focus on Jeremy Renner as we learn more about Hawkeye’s life outside the Avengers, and the close bond developing between Mark Ruffalo’s anguished scientist Bruce Banner and Scarlet Johansson’s former spy Natasha Romanoff becomes increasingly evident as Banner grows more troubled about the destructive power of his rampaging alter ego.

Along with the threat posed by Ultron the Avengers also find themselves facing two new foes, the super-powered twins Pietro (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) aka Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is great as Quicksilver, and the super speedsters powers are well used on screen. However, it is Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch and her uncanny telekinesis and mind control powers that makes the biggest impact when she uses her abilities to mess with the Avengers minds – causing them to experience haunting visions that play to their innermost doubts and darkest fears.

Ultron makes a worthy adversary for the Avengers and this sentient robot with a god complex soon proves to be more than a match for the Earth’s mightiest heroes. James Spader imbues the voice of Ultron with an unsettlingly cold malevolence that is quite unnerving. Its a great performance, Spader clearly revels in every evil line he delivers as the films main antagonist, and Ultron’s ambition to facilitate the destruction of humanity also includes recruiting Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch and constructing a robot army.

Writer / Director Joss Whedon has a perfect handle on all these characters. The character development in Avenges Age of Ultron is second to none; Whedon uses the 141 minute running time to great effect, deftly balancing the plethora of sub plots, action sequences, and characters in a way that underlines just how well Whedon understands what makes a comic book adaptation work on the big screen. Moments of levity also nicely counterbalance some of the films darker themes. There’s lots of fun banter between the Avengers to enjoy, Tony Stark gets some great one-liners, and Thor’s attempts to understand 21st century America also provides some laughs.

Needless to say the action scenes are absolutely stunning: the attack on the Hydra base is explosively exciting, Iron Man slugs it out with the Hulk in a spectacular building trashing smack down, and the final confrontation with Ultron is a breathtaking race against time as the Avengers battle to save humanity.

The extensive cast also includes Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, together with Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, and Don Cheadle (James Rhodes / War Machine) in supporting roles. Perhaps most significantly Age of Ultron marks the highly anticipated debut of the mysterious Vision to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played by Paul Bettany, who has voiced J.A.R.V.I.S in four films, and suffice it to say that the character more than lives up to all the hype generated by the films posters and trailers!

Avengers Age of Ultron is a brilliant film, Joss Whedon has done a fantastic job, the chemistry between the ensemble cast is superb, it’s packed with blockbusting action from beginning to end, and it also successfully sets things up for the next phase of Marvel films coming our way over the next few years.

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