Review: "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #5

If Captain America:Steve Rogers #5 is one thing, then it's brilliantly written and narrated. Writer Nick Spencer does a masterful job of developing the comic's various characters while slowly untangling Steve Rogers' alternate history caused by the Cosmic Cube Kobik and tying all plot threads in the "Civil War" II story.

The one big problem though is that none of that is particularly much fun. Captain America doesn't work as well as an (anti-)hero, leaving readers mostly disconnected from what's going on. All this is enhanced by the cold precision of Pina's and Rosenberg's art that is dominated by blue and gray. Masterful execution eats soul, sadly. 

6/10

Review: "Deadpool" #18

"Deadpool" #18: Less Mercs, more fun. The impact of Deadpool no longer being tied to the Mercs for Money can be felt immediately here, most simply by the fact that the series is no painful bore anymore. If you'd stopped caring about Deadpool some months ago, now's probably the time to get back into it. And if you're reading this because of Civil War II, you have my sympathy. That this get's still marketed as a tie-in is an unacceptable money grab.

7/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Deadpool v Gambit" #4 / "Han Solo" #3 / "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #4

"Deadpool v Gambit" #4: Only picked that up again because both Marvel and DC hardly released anything that week. And yes, the moment Deadpool and Gambit do not even really appear in their own comic, we suddenly have a half-decent story at our hand, treating the inevitability of fate through the Scramblers backstory here. 

7/10

"Han Solo" #3: Fast, fun, entertaining and with a take on Han Solo that feels fresher than in any other of Marvel's "Star Wars" series.

8/10

"Captain America: Steve Rogers" #4: What does it have to do with "Civil War II" again? Never mind. It's solid, compelling and thoroughly narrated, but definitely has lost some of its magic from earlier issues.

7/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Civil War II" #3 / "Spider-Gwen" Annual #1 / "Aquaman" #3

Civil War II #3: Bendis offers up one spectacular revelation after the other, continuing to go all out in this series. The only question is whether he can keep that pace and wrap it up in successful fashion, or falls victim to the comic's evergrowing expectations.

8/10

"Spider-Gwen" Annual #1: It's imaginative, creative, different and absolutely refreshing. The only problem: all this eclipses the actual focal point of the comic, Spider-Gwen herself, who is merely an afterthought in all of this. 

7/10

Aquaman #3: The political dilemma here is not as original and intense as writer Dan Abnett probably thinks them to be, and artist Philippe Briones is not able to convey the emotions necessary to make this all a little bit more grasping. Unfortunately, a small step back for "Aquaman". 

6/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Civil War II" #2 / "Nightwing" #1 / "Action Comics" #937

"Civil War II" #2: The series is now in full swing, as the battle lines are drawn with no way back for either side. Tony Stark is conceived particularly well here, as both emotion and the urge to control his environment rage inside him.

8/10

"Nightwing" #1: It picks up where it left off in the "New 52", but still manages to give newcomers a thorough introduction to the character and what defines him. Funny with a compelling story.

8/10

"Detective Comics" #937: The mystery of "The Colony" unravels here, as Tynion IV builds up what could be a great showdown in the following issues. It also features some really interesting facts about Batman's utility belt. 

8/10

Review: "Deadpool" #15

The "Civil War II" part here is actually the one that manages to convince least, as the "Mercs For Money" prove that they can even be fun(nier) without their masks. 

But the highlight here definitely has to be the epic "Deadpool vs. Black Panther" fight in the Triskelion, as the two battle it out over almost half the comic. Bawdy but never embarrassing, with a surprising chemistry and dynamic, it's Wade and T'Challa in the most unlikely brawl of "Civil War II". 

7/10

Further Links:

Deadpool #14

Deadpool v Gambit #1

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #5

Keepin' It 360: "Deadpool" #14

It's the inevitable Civil War II tie-in, featuring the "Mercs for Money", which surprisingly offers a more complete package than the standalone series did in its last issues. It's still funny and fast, but not as over-the-top, with less anarchist mayhem and more clear-cut ideas. We see a different, more nuanced depiction of the Mercs, and all for the better.

7/10

Further Links:

Deadpool #12

Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #5

10 Things We Learned About "Civil War II" in #1

1. It's absolute high-polish entertainment with first-class standards throughout.
2. Tony Stark's moustache will haunt you in your dreams.
3. The built-up to the comic's main conflict is well-told and superbly interwoven.
4. Think of a Marvel character. They'll be in here. The cast is gigantic.
5. Writer Bendis and artist Marquez know how to stage some strong emotions, especially with Stark and Danvers. 
6. We don't really need any product placement.
7. Marquez' large panels are simply breathtaking. 
8. Luckily, Tony Stark's arrogance never becomes annoying.
9. The action scenes are stunning and among the best in comics this year.
10. Marquez' various art approaches manage to keep the comic fresh at all times. 

    Further Links:

    8 Things We Now Know About "Civil War II"

8 Things We Now Know About "Civil War II" (No Major Plot Spoilers)

With "Civil War II" #0 by Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel and Justin Ponsor out today, here's the 8 things we now know about Marvel's big 2016 comics event.

1. The conflict that looms on the horizon is not going to be as essential as that in the original "Civil War", but should still make for an entertaining summer.
2. She-Hulk looks and moves like she's in some weird shampoo commercial.
3. There's a lot of exposition going on. You hardly need any previous knowledge to get right into it.
4. Hill is so damn nice. A reason to trust her even less.
5. Captain Marvel is a convincingly conflicted and complex character. A great choice for protagonist.
6. Doc Samson is definitely up to something. 
7. Olivier Coipel's "less is more" approach makes for some great art.
8. Even Brian Michael Bendis can't write an even remotely fresh court scene any more.