Shattered: Ms. Marvel #11 Review

Ms. Marvel #11 brings the Civil War II arc of the series to its heartbreaking devastating conclusion. It’s not all doom and gloom, there are some nice moments of levity, and some satisfying action.

Overall, it’s phenomenal. If you somehow haven’t started this series yet, I cannot recommend it more.

Spoilers beyond this point.

Well, it was always going to end this way, at least between Kamala and Carol. We knew from the beginning that she would inevitably end up on Tony’s side, and going by the covers of this issue and the last few ones, her support of Captain Marvel was not gonna end in a pretty way.

Getting everyone to sit down and watch Minority Report does seem like the best way to solve everything.

And it certainly does not. Kamala’s plan to win her over shows her desperation– anyone who’s been reading the main Civil War II series knows that a fault in her predictive justice system isn’t going to put her off. Add to that the fact that Kamala teamed up with a sort of villain (Hijinx is my favorite new character by the way­– I hope to see more of the Canadian Ninja Syndicate in the future).

Anyone else really want a spinoff?

Add to that the fact she once again battled Basic Becky (whom we thankfully haven't seen the last of, I love hating her) and called in Tony Stark himself for backup, and I think we’ve got a relationship that won’t be healed any time soon.

It gets worse though. Kamala finally stepping up and taking a stance was long overdue, but this comic isn’t afraid to show us the stakes of her delay. Bruno finally awakes from his coma, but we don’t get the tearful reunion we needed to see after her split with Captain Marvel.

The scholarships remark isn't out of nowhere– issue #7 covered how important it was to him.

 Bruno’s rage isn’t unjustified, but it stings nevertheless. We’re used to Ms. Marvel learning from her mistakes every few issues, and things reverting back to the status quo. This change is pretty big. This isn’t just anyone she’s lost, it’s Bruno. Her best friend since the second grade. The one who has stuck with her through thick and thin and, as we discover in the beautifully drawn opening to this issue, is the one who crafted her bangles into a protective vambrace.

This hurts so much.

Overall, Ms. Marvel #11 is unafraid to go where any of the other issues have, and has full on consequences, some disproportionate, others not so, for our heroine’s actions. It’s devastating, and tears will probably be shed. But overall, it’s a damn good comic.

Me too Tony, me too.

Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.

Penultimate: Vision #11 Review

Vision #11 is an insane rollercoaster of a comic in which so much happens, that it makes you wonder how it will be wrapped up in just one more issue. However, people who were worried about the treatment of a particular character may not be very happy with this one.

Spoilers beyond this point.

So, it finally happened. After 11 issues, we finally got promised confrontation between Vision and all the other heroes. Artist Gabriel Hernadez Walta gets to move beyond a suburban setting and show his skill and drawing action scenes and a diverse range of heroes, and he does so amazingly. Tom King meanwhile, forgoes most of the dialogue, and instead gives us a thematic narration of Vision’s creation at the hands of Ultron as the battle rages on.

As you can see, the small amount of dialogue left in the sequence was of the utmost importance.

Overall, while it’s a heartbreaking but amazing scene, it does also make you wonder how Vision was able to defeat all heroes. I mean, there are over a dozen of them, including incredibly powerful ones like Thor and Blue Marvel, as well as some super geniuses who would’ve known better than to bring just one security measure, one that Vision had already overcome in fact.

Back at the Vision household, things aren’t going so well. Virgina reveals to Viv her role in her friend CK’s death, and Viv… doesn’t take it so well.

See more of Viv in Marvel's Champions #1, on sale this October!

In an act of frustration, Virginia kills the family dog, Sparky (making it the second time this poor dog dies thanks to her), then uses the act of his murder to use the future seeing flower established a while back.

I feel like this panel kind of encapsulates the whole series.

Meanwhile the narration has switched from Vision’s beginning to Virginia’s, and the reveal that she’s been experiencing some of Wanda’s memories as well.

Wanda herself is the last defence between Vision and Victor’s cell, but even she can’t reason with him (or do this– Civil War spoilers)

Vision finally confronts Victor, who doesn’t even get a chance to speak before… Virginia shows up and kills him.

And all it took was a drug addiction and the murder of your nephew.

And with our faces matching the look of surprise on Vision’s, the issue ends.

Now, a lot of people are very understandably upset about the series’ treatment of Victor Mancha, and I kind of have to agree. In the end, despite his dying words, he was less a character than a plot device in the Visions’ story. Elements like his out of nowhere drug addiction and accidental murder of his own nephew are kind of out of nowhere for the Victor we know and love. Add to that the fact that Victor is a Latino character, and Vision considered to be a white one, and the whole thing just takes on a whole new layer of problematic issues.

That trouble aside, Vision #11 is as fantastic as you’ve come to expect. I’ll definitely be missing the series after next month’s concluding issue, and I’m genuinely curious as to what the lasting repercussions for Vision and his family will be in future appearances (notably the upcoming Avengers and Champions series).

Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.

All-New, All-Different, All-Good: The Top 10 Best of ANAD Marvel (#5-#1)

This is it - the best of the best of All-New, All-Different Marvel. Here we go.

05. All-New Wolverine – Tom Taylor, David Lopez, Marcio Takara

Zachary: I didn’t know too terribly much about X-23 before I started reading All-New Wolverine. I knew a few bits of trivia about her backstory, but nothing too detailed. When I saw the cover for the first issue, I thought it looked compelling. One issue later and I loved it enough to do some research on the all-new Wolverine’s past appearances and check out the volumes at the library. Since then, the series has enthralled me with humor, feminism, and action. From the clones of Laura that represent paths she might have taken if she wasn’t used as a weapon to her burgeoning friendship with Old Man Logan, a shadow of her late mentor, it’s touching and wonderful.

Aranwe: Dare I say I kind of enjoy this more than the regular Logan Wolverine comics? Laura is no less ready to get dark and gory than her predecessor, but it’s her supporting cast that brings out a lighter, more fun side to her. Add to that story arc that are both suspenseful and compelling, and you’ve got a must read.

Dominik: If I were cynical, I’d point out how all the X-Men team books (minus X-Men ‘92, set in an alternate universe) have suffered since the end of Secret Wars - with the sole exception of Wolverine titles. But I won’t, because this book would stand out even in the days when mutants thrived. Laura’s adventures following her taking on the mantle of Wolverine are fun, well-written and drawn superheroics. She’s the best at what she does – and though what she does ain’t pretty, it’s done in her own, unique way.

Marvel Now! 2.0 status: ongoing

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04. New Avengers – Al Ewing, Gerardo Sandoval

Zachary: Al Ewing is one of the most creative comic writers in the business today. Who else could have come up with the American Kaiju, who bellows “YUUU, ESSSSSS, AYYYYY!” in patriotic-colored font? He knows how to combine the wacky antics of the Silver Age with the modern-day interpretations of beloved characters for maximum entertainment value. Every bit of every issue, from the snarky character-descriptor captions to the villains, have something to smile about. Ultimate Reed Richards is an awesome villain and I really like seeing how the plot unfolds with every issue. Along with an ongoing story arc, we also get great character interactions between characters who might never have met in the hands of a different writer.

Aranwe: Speaking of Reed, don’t forget, he comes in slices! I had only a passing familiarity with most of the characters on this team, but I already love them all. The dynamics between the different players, and the constant manipulation and betrayal and double and triple crossing are a joy to read. It’s a comic that has no qualms about going from deadly serious to unbelievably wacky in the space of a few panels, and I love it for that.

Dominik: Who knew a comic following up a subplot from Jonathan Hickman’s run on the Avengers would be so very fun? Aside from those who read Al Ewing’s earlier titles, obviously. Fast-paced, insane and oh so fun (there’s a reason Squirrel Girl’s part of the team), New Avengers quickly rose to the top of Marvel’s most enjoyable titles. Now if only so many of the issues didn’t have Gerardo Sandoval’s annoying faux-manga art.

Marvel Now! 2.0 status: replaced by U.S. Avengers

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03. The Unbelievable Gwenpool – Christopher Hastings, Gurihiru

Zachary: It’s hard to believe that The Unbelievable Gwenpool started off as a Gwen Stacy-themed variant just a year and a few short months ago. In the time since, the character exploded in popularity. I honestly don’t know how much more I can say, given that I’ve been reviewing the comic ever since it began. It has an intriguing mystery and an assortment of cool characters. What happens when you deconstruct a self-insert fanfiction and show the actual consequences? Fun, deadly violence, and emotional whiplash all wrapped up into a fourth-wall breaking package! I am of the opinion that The Unbelievable Gwenpool can only get more interesting as it goes on. A recent issue implied that her universe was ahead of ours by a few months, as the Doctor Strange film had already been released. What’s going to happen when Gwen’s knowledge of the Marvel universe is no longer accurate? When will M.O.D.O.K. make his inevitable return? How is Christopher Hastings so funny?!

Aranwe: What I thought would just be "Pink Deadpool" turned out to be so, so much more. Gwen Poole (who, despite popular belief, is not yet another Gwen Stacy) is one of the weirdest and most fun protagonists we’ve had in some time, as she hides her uncertainly and lack of skill in the Marvel Universe behind a wall of jokes and meta quips. Even so, whether through luck or genre savviness, she’s finding her place there, and is somehow not dead. Probably because she’s the main character.

Dominik: Let’s be honest, nobody expected a comic based on a variant cover to be any good. Sure, Gurihiru’s art was always going to be high quality (as seen in Gene Luen Yang’s Avatar The Last Airbender comics), but the comics itself? C'mon... The fact that it’s this good, this funny – well, frankly it would be annoying if didn’t bring a smile to my face so often. And a lot of it is thanks to Gwen, who makes for an amazing in-universe stand-in for  Marvel comics fans. You know, like Superboy Prime, except not a mean-spirited insult at a company’s own clientele.

Do yourselves a favor – check it out.

Marvel Now! 2.0 status: ongoing

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02. The Vision – Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta

Aranwe: For over half of its run, Vision reads more like an indie comic than something set in the wider Marvel Universe. Everything from the premise to the style to the dialogue to the art is pretty unique among superhero comics. Its almost normal suburban setting multiplies the creepiness factor of the whole series, and slowly the ugly secrets and incidents everyone tries to cover up in Vision’s little artificial utopia begin to spill out and affect the world at large.

King does a phenomenal job of injecting each issue with a ton of suspense, which leaves you hooked on the series, desperate to find out what happens next.

An issue I have with the series would be its tendency to prioritize plot over character. Without delving into spoiler territory, creative liberties regarding one character in particular may understandably irk fans of his.

Zachary: The Vision is one of the creepiest comics that I’ve ever read. Despite my aversion to horror and frightful matters, one glance at the first issue’s warped sitcom cover hooked me. The macabre nature of the comic makes it incredibly addictive. Even though Tom King probably wouldn’t kill off Vision himself, due to the character’s popularity and film appearances, that doesn’t mean that his life can’t be horrifyingly torn apart. It’s such a brilliant comic, but utterly disturbing. I just have to keep reading it so I can find out what happens next. For months now, I’ve wanted it to get a gritty television show, preferably in the vein of the Netflix-Marvel collaborations. It’s the perfect fit.

Dominik: I was already a fan of Tom King’s writing after Grayson (admittedly, co-written with Tim Seeley) and The Omega Men he wrote for DC. Vision pretty much solidified my enjoyment of his work. The tension, the amazing atmosphere, Gabriel Hernandez and Jordie Bellaire’s haunting artwork, the fascinating look into one of Marvel’s least talked about character – all of these come together for an unforgettable experience. It’s a damn shame this is the last comic he’ll write for Marvel in a long time.

Marvel Now! 2.0 status: ends in October

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01. Ms. Marvel – G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa

Aranwe: Nothing else was going to be the top pick, at least not for me. Ms. Marvel is a deeply personal comic on so many levels– for starters, it’s the series that actually got me into reading comic books when it was first released over two years ago. Since then, the popularity of Kamala Khan has skyrocketed, with the character appearing in games, cartoon, and even rumors of a cinematic debut. But the series has more than just a likeable lead. Not only does it have a brilliant supporting cast, all of whom get their time to shine at one point or another, but because it tells such incredible stories. Each arc intelligently, but not preachily, incorporates a moral message centered around a very important modern day issue, whether it’s gentrification or racial profiling. Add to that a fun set of powers, snappy dialogue, smartly handled cameos from other heroes, and some fantastic artwork, and you’ve got a series that I would put at the top of any list, any day.

Zachary: G. Willow Wilson’s second run on Kamala Khan’s continuing journey is equally as good as the first one, if not better. Not only does it expand on her pre-Secret Wars adventures and continue to develop her character, it pushes her into more and more complex situations. Having simple black-and-white situations is all well and good, but it’s even more interesting when you can see heroes confront real-life issues. This not only helps to expand Kamala’s personality and worldview but also provides a wealth of representation and catharsis for readers of all kinds. Ms. Marvel expertly infuses every story with a synthesis of humor and tragedy. (Especially tragedy, if you’ve been reading the Civil War II tie-in.) I hope that someday, G. Willow Wilson could be the writer for a live-action MCU movie adaptation.

Dominik: I started reading comics on a monthly basis sometime in 2013, after years of primarily enjoying them in collected form (the effect of living in a country without comic book shops). Thanks to digital releases I was finally able to check out comics faster and more regularly. The very next year the first issue of Ms. Marvel came out and it has been a part of my pull list ever since. I’ve followed Kamala’s growth as both a teenage girl, a Muslim and a superhero for almost as long as I’ve been buying monthly comics. There was no way I’d vote for any other comic as my number 1 and I’m overjoyed it ended up there in the final list. If you’re not reading it yet, what are you even doing with your life? It’s the best Marvel comic! It says so on this list.

Marvel Now! 2.0 status: ongoing

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And that’s our list! Thank you for sticking to the very end.

And what, pray tell, are your favorite All-New, All-Different Marvel comics?

Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.

Dominik Zine is a nerdy lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.

Beelonging: ANAD Avengers #14 Review

ANAD Avengers #14 continues the trend set by its predecessor– an issue only slightly related to the Civil War II logo on the cover, which focuses on one Avenger in particular. And, like last time, it works surprisingly well, better than most of the series.

Spoilers beyond this point.

Ah, Nadia Pym. I was waiting for you to show a bit more character beyond being hyperactively excited all the time, and you finally delivered.

The issue picks up where we last left the two Wasps (and Jarvis) two issues ago– confronted by a group of men who are supposedly from the Russian consulate, here to deport Nadia.

Apparently they're either time travellers, or haven't got new badges for a good twenty five years.

Something immediately catches my attention- the art is much, much better! Sure enough, Adam Kubert is the artist for this issue, and it looks miles better than the usual ANADA fare.

The plot is weirdly disjointed. After figuring out these dudes are actually Agents of WHISPER and beating them up, that whole storyline screeches to a halt as they catch sight of a news broadcast on TV about the conflict over Ulysses and what happened as a result.

Basically everyone's reaction to Civil War II

Nadia flips out over this, and immediately sets herself to work on a scientific solution to the problem in her nano-lab, where time goes at a faster rate (SCIENCE!). Much like her father, she soon gets lost way too deep in her work, and it takes Janet to save her from it as it literally blows up in her face.

It’s honestly a very odd story, but also oddly sweet. Nadia’s reaction to the Civil War is one a lot of fans can probably identify with, and her desperation to fix the problem says a lot about what kind of person she is.

Janet also gets her time to shine. As the new Wasp’s step-mother/mentor, she’s acting as the reins to Nadia’s constant driving force, and the relationship between the two of them seems sweet.

Overall, I’d say this comic did it’s main job pretty well: Getting me interested in this fall’s The Unstoppable Wasp series.

Subtle.

Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.

All-New, All-Different, All-Good: The Top 10 Best of ANAD Marvel (#10-#6)

With the honorable mentions out of the way, let's get to the main course of this series of articles - the top 10 best comics published as a part of Marvel's All-New, All-Different lineup. Let's dive right it.

10. (tie) Howard the Duck + The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl

Howard the Duck - Chip Zdarsky, Joe Quinones

As you’ve probably guessed from my prior comic reviews for the site, I love weird comics. So far, Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones have done a remarkable job of continuing the adventures of everyone’s favorite cranky fowl. It makes fun of comics, but not with venomous malice. It’s obvious that both Chip and Joe love what they do. They put effort into every lovingly crafted joke, whether it’s Howard arguing with Tara or Spider-Man being even more neurotic than usual. I can’t wait to see what Chip and Joe will do next for Marvel. One thing’s for sure, it’ll be a quality product. (Zachary)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ends next week
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The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl - Ryan North, Erica Hernandez

From the first few pages of her first volume, where she was singing her own take on a famous theme song, the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl captured our hearts with her sharp dialogue, fun artwork and irreverent tone. Since then, the series keeps soaring to new heights, combining fun and zany plots with a ton of heart and occasionally some very timely moral lessons. I absolutely love it, and it’s a great counterbalance to some of the darker comics out there. (Aranwe)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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09. Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! - Kate Leth, Brittney Williams

Aranwe: Now, I’ll be honest. Before her debut on the excellent first season of Jessica Jones, I knew next to nothing about Patsy (called “Trish” on the show) Walker. When I heard about the comic, I picked it up expecting something dark and Alias-y. What I got instead seemed to be, at first glance, more akin to Squirrel Girl than anything else (not that there’s anything wrong with that). However, despite the bright, colourful artwork and cheery characters, I soon realised there was an underlying element of darkness to the series. Patsy is a character who has literally been to hell and back, and it shows. It’s not often you see a comic that so expertly balances two contrasting tones as well as this one does.

Dominik: Patsy has probably the weirdest history of any Marvel character, starting out as a star of her own romance comic and later becoming an actual superheroine. What I love about this comic is how Kate Leth (who is finally getting the spotlight she deserves) combines the two seemingly irreconcilable parts of that history and making an awesome comic, which stands out from Marvel’s current crop of comedic titles. Add the cartoonishness of Brittney Williams artwork, She-Hulk, possibly the best use of Jessica Jones in years and a heartbreaking Civil War II tie-in – and you’ll get a title you simply can’t miss.

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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08. Captain America: Sam Wilson - Nick Spencer, Daniel Acuña

Zachary: Captain America: Sam Wilson does a great job at mixing real-world politics with classic comic plots. At first, I thought it was a little weird that the issues started with mock Twitter accounts, but as the series went on, I realized that it actually worked very well. We see how the ordinary people in the Marvel universe react to all the weirdness and take it in stride. Unfortunately, this also results in more prejudice. Almost immediately, a social media campaign erupts to try to get Sam Wilson to stop wielding his mighty shield. Additionally, the classic villainous group Serpent Society gets a modern-day revamp as a racist organization. This results in some marvelous satire at the expense of Donald Trump and a compelling plot about how Sam deals with the frustration of a group of outright racists suddenly declaring themselves to be legitimate. Finally, CapWolf. Nick Spencer brings it back and makes it even cooler!

Aranwe: Now, I’m honestly not as familiar with CapWolf as Zach, and while it was a fun subplot, I felt it maybe detracted a little bit from the important political messages of the comic, particularly as it came shortly after the series was making headlines and gaining popularity for featuring Cap fighting anti-immigrant white supremacists. It’s a bit of an odd creative decision to bring in such a quirky element to the story at such a juncture, but I also can’t fault a comic book for being a comic book. The current arc, which combines the Civil War II plot elements with the private police force called the Americops to create a powerful analogue for racial profiling and police brutality; a particularly important message for our times.

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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07. Ultimates - Al Ewing, Kenneth Rocafort

Zachary: The Ultimates is a roller coaster of a comic, with exhilarating plots, powerful characters, and heady concepts. For all you Galactus fans out there, we have Galactus. It’s definitely a treat if you loved Al Ewing’s run on Mighty Avengers and Captain America And The Mighty Avengers. Blue Marvel has become one of my favorite lesser-known Marvel characters. If a movie is made, presumably in the next phase after Infinity War concludes, I hope that he appears. It’s such a cool take on the bigger entities in the universe. With Captain Marvel, Blue Marvel, Spectrum, Miss America, and Black Panther, it’s basically a friendlier version of the Illuminati. I promise that your jaw will drop and awe will be inspired.

Aranwe: Speaking of Blue Marvel in a movie, I have two words for you: Keith David. It would be perfect. I can’t say more than Zach has, it’s really an excellent series, and a unique take on the superhero team sub-genre. Read it.

Dominik: I love how that despite being a mainstream superhero team, the Ultimates’ first method of response is never violence, but instead attempting to find a scientific solution to the ultimate problems plaguing the Marvel universe. While recently the comic suffered badly from Captain Marvel’s character derailment thanks to Civil War II, it’s still one of my favorite titles, with its only flaw being not having enough of America Chavez (but then, that’s a complaint I can cast at any comic Marvel’s publishing). I look forward to its Marvel Now sequel series, Ultimates2, when the series returns to its main plot.

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: replaced by Ultimates2

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06. The Amazing Spider-Man - Dan Slott, Giuseppe Camuncoli

Zachary: Spider-Man has been my favorite Marvel superhero ever since a friend lent me some Brand New Day volumes at summer camp. When I eventually got back to my home state, I made sure to run to the comics section at my local library and the rest is history. All of Dan Slott’s run on Spider-Man has felt like a classic version of the hero. Witty, interesting, and filled with the classic villains. Dan Slott obviously loves going back throughout Marvel’s history and finding the coolest characters to revive. The post-Secret Wars run only enhances the awesomeness by putting Peter into a new situation. Namely, one where he’s actually running a successful business. All of Dan’s previous major arcs have been leading to this and it shows. He’s putting a lot of effort into a world-spanning story and I can’t wait to see what Dead No More brings to the table.

Aranwe: All cards on the table: it took me a while to get into this run of Spider-Man’s adventures. Seeing Peter Parker as a Tony Stark-esque corporate CEO, complete with his own ‘bodyguard’ alibi was a very tough leap for someone who identifies so much with the nerdy high school kid, and the long and tedious Zodiac arc did not help. Bringing Tony Stark in for the next few issues really did help though, as it showed how Peter still has the same insecurities in so many ways, and helped us reconnect with the character again.

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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And that's it for this week. Next time, we finally reveal the five best ANAD Marvel titles. We'll see you then!

Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.

Dominik Zine is a nerdy lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.

All-New, All-Different, All-Good: The Best of ANAD Marvel (Honorable Mentions #2)

In October, Marvel begins the turnover from the All-New, All-Different lineup into the new Marvel Now. Therefore, we at Critical Writ began a process of deciding which of the released series were the best. We ended up deciding on a Top 10, and we'll start revealing it next. First, though, let's honor the remaining comics that were voted upon, but didn't end up among the best of the best.

Nighthawk - David F. Walker, Ramon Villalobos

This might be one of the most important comics Marvel released this year. Written by David F. Walker (who is also writing the extraordinarily fun Power Man and Iron Fist), it focuses on Kyle Richmond – the version of the character that debuted in 2005's Supreme Power: Nighthawk (as part of the MAX imprint). Richmond has been a part of ANAD Marvel's Squadron Supreme – a team of refugees from realities destroyed in the aftermath of the buildup to Secret Wars. Here he keeps himself busy trying to fight crime on both sides of the law in a Chicago divided by racial tensions. I intend to write more following the title's finale in October, so I'm just going to say that it's a crucial and smartly-written comic that should be much more talked about than it is. (Dominik)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: cancelled (ends in October)

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The Punisher - Becky Cloonan, Steve Dillon

The Punisher is notable for being currently Marvel’s only male-led series to be written by a woman which is, to be frank, kind of depressing. Either way, after his popular debut in the Netflix series Daredevil, people want more of Frank Castle, and this comic definitely delivers. It forgoes complex plots and characters for the straight-up action and violence you’d expect from a Punisher comic, which is all you’d really want from it. (Aranwe)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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Silk - Robbie Thompson, Stacey Lee

I have a soft spot for characters who are lost in their own time period, so to speak. After being trapped in a bunker for several years, Silk is dazzled by the current decade, still living in a version of the nineties. She’s basically Kimmy Schmidt if Kimmy had superpowers (instead of the super-strength  implied in the show. Additionally, I enjoy seeing new and old supporting characters in fresh roles. Silk’s new coworkers are fun to read about: Bobbi Morse is a recurring character, and we even see J. Jonah Jameson in a new light. Despite all the hardships that Silk has gone through, she is optimistic, and that’s the heart of the series. (Zachary)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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Silver Surfer - Dan Slott, Mike Allred

Forget the moping, brooding Silver Surfer of the sixties and seventies—this is the all-new, all-different happy Silver Surfer! What, you think a Silver Surfer title can’t be joyful? Think again, my friend! Dan Slott’s Silver Surfer run is essentially a Doctor Who comic book, based on my extremely limited knowledge of the program. Silver Surfer, an alien with immense cosmic abilities and knowledge, adventures with Dawn, a normal Earthling, and together they go to all kinds of worlds. It’s a gleeful romp throughout the cosmos, and I just love the creativity shown in the different planets. Plus, I could totally see Zooey Deschanel as Dawn in a film adaptation. Dan’s writing is impeccable and Mike is the perfect person to bring his unique visions to life. (Zachary)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing

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Spider-Man/Deadpool - Joe Kelly, Ed McGuiness

From the minds that brought you the stories that gave Deadpool his definitive personality, it’s an ongoing team-up with Spider-Man! For years, the relationship between the Merc With A Mouth and the Webhead has been rocky. When Deadpool’s not trying to kill or seriously hurt Spider-Man, he’s pestering him with jokes and pleas for team-ups. Now, we get a look at the pair with stories that actually have more than a smidgen of continuity. Apart from being a loony buddy-cop scenario, it’s also a compelling character study of Spider-Man and Deadpool. We get to see how Spidey reacts when he’s forced into Deadpool’s company and how Deadpool is encouraged to be a better person when he’s around Spider-Man. Adding the raucous humor and some fascinating teases of a past Spider-Man storyline into the mix, it’s really no surprise that the issues keeps being reprinted. (Zachary)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: continues in October/November

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Spidey - Robbie Thompson, Nick Bradshaw

Spidey is a typical case of having your cake and eating it too. If having the Peter Parker of the main Marvel universe live it up as the CEO of a major corporation is a fresh new take on the character, it also means bidding the simple high school days of Peter Parker farewell.
Or, apparently not—Spidey is a wonderful homage to the Marvel comics of old, drawn in a simplistic but color-popping art style, completely standalone, and telling simple stories with a lot of heart. Whether you’re a long-time comics fan or a relatively new one, I highly recommend checking it out. (Aranwe)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: not in the lineup, likely ends

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Web Warriors - Mike Costa, David Baldeon

Spider-Man is my absolute favorite superhero in Marvel, so there's no reason for me not to love a series full of similar characters, since I enjoyed the heck out of 2014’s Spider-Verse storyline and Web Warriors is a spinoff. I am a huge fan of not only seeing alternate universes showcasing “what could have been”, but also seeing those heroes interact with each other. And that’s not even going into the alternate Electros! Where else but in this series could we see Spider-Gwen exploring Spider-Ham’s bizarre world or the various Spider-heroes using the sixties cartoon hero’s homeworld as a training ground? Not only does Web Warriors feature several classic heroes fighting crime, but also some new ones. Being a fairly new fan of steampunk young adult novels, I would have to say that Lady Spider is my personal favorite out of the newer characters in the book. For the creativity, overarching plots, and sense of humor and joy, Web Warriors is one of the best Spider-Man Family books out there and I’ll be sad to see it go. (Zachary)

Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: cancelled in June

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And that's it for this week and for our honorable mentions! Next time, we begin revealing our best of the best of ANAD Marvel. We'll see you then!

Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.

Dominik Zine is a nerdy lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.