Tag: Marvel Comics

Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Marvel Comics

REVIEW: Marvel-Verse: Moon Knight by Multiple Authors

Posted on by elishasbookreview

*No Spoilers*

With multiple identities, Moon Knight is one of the most mysterious, mixed-up marauders in the Marvel-Verse! Meet Marc Spector as a monster hunter, when the shadowy Committee hires him to track down the Werewolf by Night! Then, join him juggling lives as a millionaire, a mercenary, a cab driver…and a masked vigilante teaming with Daredevil in a battle against the Jester that’s no laughing matter! But is Moon Knight really a bad guy? Find out alongside Spider-Man in a criminal competition played out by the gangs of New York! Then, when time-traveling Kang the Conqueror plots to settle an ancient grudge against the Egyptian god Khonshu, it’s up to Khonshu’s avatar, Moon Knight, to fix the broken timestream!

COLLECTING: Werewolf by Night (1972) #32-33, Moon Knight (1980) #13, Moon Knight Annual (2019) #1, material from Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #220.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

After finishing the Moon Knight TV series, as I do with most superheroes I learn about or discover, I must read one of the comics. Now the history of Moon Knight has been complicated a bit, basically the Moon Knight we see in the TV show isn’t what the character originally started out as.

When I’m meeting a new hero in the comics, it’s often overwhelming for me because I don’t know where to start. So I am glad I discovered the Marvel-Verse series. I feel like with the Marvel-Verse series that I get a good sampling of stories and get a general sense of the character when it comes to the comics.

My favorite story in this collection was from the Moon Knight Annual from 2019. It’s the final story in the collection, and it is fantastic. It’s dimension-twisting, time-turning, adventure between an ultimate villain and an unlikely hero.

Overall, I would recommend this collection. Seeing Moon Knight’s beginnings and seeing how he’s written now is fascinating. I’m hoping to explore more of the comics as we’re getting more comic-based movies and TV shows.

Advertisement
Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Marvel Comics, Rapid Reviews

RAPID REVIEW: Marvel-Verse: Shang-Chi by Various Authors

Posted on by elishasbookreview

*No Spoilers Here*

Shang-Chi is the Marvel-Verse’s Master of Kung Fu – and his deadly hands are full in these action-packed adventures! Wolverine seeks out Shang-Chi to train him in the skills necessary to defeat the savage Sabretooth! A class at Midtown High leads Shang-Chi into a team-up with Spidey against Midnight and his ninja army – and the wallcrawler asks for Shang-Chi’s guidance on learning a little Spider-Fu! But will Shang-Chi find himself over his head in his newest adventure?

Rating: 4 out of 5.

When it was announced that Shang-Chi was going to be introduced into the MCU, I was initially excited. I love meeting new characters and when I saw this at my local library, I knew I had to check it out. So let’s dive into Marvel-Verse: Shang-Chi!

I think that this was a good introduction to the character for those Marvel fans who may not be familiar with or unaware of Shang-Chi. His friendly interactions with Spider-Man and his other allies makes him a very likable character. When he is shown in the first story trying to teach Wolverine about some fighting techniques he’s serious and not much banter. I think that’s to show more of Wolverine processing and learning from what Shang-Chi was trying to teach him.

Overall, I think if you’re hesitant to learn about Shang-Chi, this graphic novel would be a good place to start. You don’t get much backstory for Shang-Chi, but you can see how he is as a hero and how he interacts with other superheroes.

Posted in Audiobooks, Book Reviews, Marvel Comics

REVIEW: Guardian of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon and Groot Steal the Galaxy! by Dan Abnett

Posted on by elishasbookreview
71-J939z4xL

*No Spoilers*

These are not the Avengers or the Fantastic Four – in fact, they’re barely even famous – but Rocket Raccoon and the faithful Groot are the baddest heroes in the cosmos, and they’re on the run across the Marvel Universe! During a spaceport brawl, the infamous pair rescues an android Recorder from a pack of alien Badoons. Everyone in the galaxy, however, including the ruthless Kree Empire and the stalwart Nova Corps, seems to want that Recorder, who’s about as sane as a sandwich with no mustard. Join Rocket and Groot on a free-for-all across the stars while they try to save all of existence-again!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Ever since the MCU introduced The Guardians of the Galaxy to old and new fans alike, I have been reading their comics every chance I can get. Like most fans, I fell in love with Groot and his best friend Rocket. Seeing how this story features the dynamic duo, I was excited to listen to this audio adventure.

The Recorder that is rescued by Rocket and Groot is the main narrator of the story. He is a likable character overall, except when he feels the need to stop the story to explain why he used an “Human-like expression” or when “additional exposition” is needed. It becomes a bit jarring at times.

Over the course of the story, the Recorder keeps commenting on Rocket’s “disconcerting human-like hands” and if I never hear that phrase again, it’ll be too soon. There are other ways to describe Rocket’s hands/paws without repeating yourself.

The overall plot is convoluted and gets a little complicated at points, but Rocket Raccoon and Groot Steal the Universe is an enjoyable ride full of action, adventure, and space battles. If you are looking for a fun sci-fi adventure then I would recommend this story.

Posted in Graphic Novels, Marvel Comics

REVIEW: Devil at Bay (Daredevil Vol. 1) by Mark Waid, Marc Guggenheim, and Chris Samnee

Posted on by elishasbookreview
2217848

*No Spoilers*

Daredevil has headed West, and he now protects the Golden City’s streets from evil — both as a costumed hero and as blind lawyer Matt Murdock! But big changes are in store for Matt as old haunts and familiar faces rise to give the devil his due. The Owl is back, and he isn’t working alone. But old enemies are small potatoes compared to Matt’s new “friend”: the would-be hero known as the Shroud! As one of DD’s oldest enemies is permanently redefined, deadlier than ever, Kirsten and Matt find themselves sharing a volatile secret. But who will crack first?

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I have reviewed Daredevil comics in the past, and I love this street-level superhero! The Netflix series was what introduced me and millions of others to this underdog in the Marvel Universe. So let’s see what’s up with Daredevil in Devil at Bay!

We first see Daredevil in San Francisco rescuing a detective’s daughter that was kidnapped earlier. Daredevil aka Matt Murdock, is able to track down where the kidnappers are keeping the daughter and save her.

Afterwards, we get some background on what happened to Matt’s long-time friend Foggy Nelson. The rest of the volume goes into this story-arc, and I thought it was nice getting some character building between Matt and Foggy.

Overall, I enjoyed liked this volume of Daredevil. There was a good mix of action, character development, and an overall good story. I would recommend this novel for Daredevil fans, as well as Marvel fans. If you have been missing Netflix’s Daredevil series, this gives you a good taste of that kind of action.

Posted in Book Reviews, Graphic Novels, Marvel Comics

REVIEW: She-Hulk, Vol. 1: Deconstructed by Mariko Tamaki

Posted on by elishasbookreview
GUEST_0ebd0803-e601-41e4-9e4f-dd29142b30d1

*No Spoilers*

Jennifer Walters has survived the second Civil War…barely. But, having risen from the rubble, she re-enters the world a very different kind of hero. Fueled by a quiet rage, Jennifer is determined to move forward, to go on with her life, but the pain of the past and all that she’s lost is always there. An undercurrent, a pulse waiting to quicken and trigger Jen’s transformation into the one thing she doesn’t have control over…

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I have read some of the She-Hulk comics in the past. I admire how she can be an awesome superhero and be a successful lawyer for the other superheroes. I think it would be awesome to have someone like Jennifer or Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) in your corner when you need it most.

We meet Jennifer with an internal struggle. She wants to leave her superhero past behind her and focus on her return to lawyering. However, the past is more difficult to run away from than Jennifer can handle.

When Jennifer returns to her job, her first client is a woman about to be evicted from her apartment. Jennifer investigates the matter, and comes back to inform the client there’s nothing she can do. Things get out of hand fast, and soon Jennifer is forced to make a tough decision.

Overall I enjoyed this story. There are small appearances by Captain Marvel and Hellcat (aka Patsy Walker to fans of the Marvel Netflix series Jessica Jones and The Defenders). And I want to be the friend Hellcat is to all of her friends. She cares about Jennifer in this story, but when Jennifer rejects her help, Patsy gives Jennifer her space. That is a good friend.

In conclusion, I enjoyed She-Hulk: Deconstructed. Even though the overall plot was not overly complicated, this is a great introduction to She-Hulk. I would recommend this graphic novel for Marvel fans or people who love female-driven stories.