Dark Reign 1 (And A bit) Months on II

Ok, so I've covered the main Dark Reign titles with Avengers in the title, now the others. I've already covered War Machine, so it will be missed out and I'll probably post about the conclusion to the first arc when it concludes.

The Invincible Iron Man

Well now 3 issues into its dark reign arc, and a good sign if not a little annoying, I missed one. Still its been great, Tony destroys a load of HAMMER systems and deletes the Initiative database, and only 1 copy now exists, in Stark's head. Osbourne has started a media offensive implying (well now accusing) Stark of colluding with Skrulls. This has been fantastic and I'm glad its being read. I hope this story will join some of the other classic Iron Man stories as all time greats and I'm just glad to be here reading it as it comes out.

Ms. Marvel

This title actually kicked off its Dark Reign plot before Dark Reign even started, Secret invasion was still running. We've seen flashbacks to Carols life in the Air Force and intelligence and it has eventually been revealed that she's working to collect information on a certain individual who is now running the show. It also explains why she's not been in costume, Moonstone having been awarded her identity. Its been a strong book but I have fears. You see, the writer has said he plans to kill off carol and put Moonstone front and centre. I'm not keen, not just because Moonstone is in her original costume and her current one is one of the best looking female super-hero costumes in existence. I do feel invested in Carol as a character, so suddenly switching to moonstone (Who I do know quite well through Thudnerbolts) is a bit jarring. Still, will give it fair chance.

Punisher

Oh yes, Just when I thought I wasn't picking up any more Punisher. Dark Reign is really a reboot of War Journal aiming to put frank back into the main MU (Since his Max counterpart tends to stay well out of it) In this title he takes a sensible decision and tries to take out Osbourne, sadly he is stopped by the Sentry. This looks at least interesting enough to keep during dark reign, as I reckon the Punisher has more chance of stopping Osbourne than just about anyone else.

Secret Warriors

Just out last week this title focuses on Nick Fury and his "Caterpillar" team we last saw in Secret Invasion. So far its mostly setup and trying to get us knowing these people a little better, but it had a pretty major revelation at the end and it has me curious enough to keep an eye on. I think I may be a sucker for new characters, that could be it.

Agents of Atlas

I really enjoyed the previous mini, using old 1950s characters who I had only seen previously during a brief moment in Avengers Forever. Now, following the events of the mini the Atlas foundation are operating as a criminal cartel, which looks better when the guy they're ripping off is Norman Osbourne. But could they be forming an alliance? It was enjoyable stuff, and I liked the little wolverine Agent of Atlas story at the end, with the retro styled art. In fact with this having that short and Darkhawk having a reprint of Darkhawk vol 1 #1 I really felt like i was getting value for money.

Thunderbolts

Not seen the new issue but the past two have been a sort of prelude. Obviously the current team are no more, with Bullseye, Moonstone and Venom in the Dark avengers, Radioactive man recalled to china, swordsman apparently dead, Penance institutionalised and Songbird officially dead, actually on the run we're getting a whole new team. Story is that this team are going to be Norman Osbourne's personal kill crew, and the new lineup includes Black Widow II, Ghost, Paladin and the irredeemable Ant Man. Again, could be interesting but I am always dubious about entire cast changes, and indeed how well this title will go post Dark Reign. Still, I'll stick to it at least until after the Deadpool crossover, lets face it, to see ant man and deadpool banter will be worth a few of my earth pounds.

Dark Reign 1 (And a Bit) months on

I thought I'd take a look at how the Dark Reign titles are getting on now each has at least 1 issue out (With a few exceptions) This post will deal with mainly the Avengers titles

Avengers: The Initiative

This title is 2 issues into its post Secret Invasion/Dark Reign stint, new writer, new arc and by the look of things a mostly new batch of students as we see the next class graduate and many of the trainers go out to initiative teams rather than face what Osbourne is likely to do at camp Hammond. All this and as a fail safe Clor has been switched back on. It is fitting with its disassembled theme that things are All change at camp Hammond. Story is quite entertaining, Christos Gage is still finding his feet but a clean house should help him with what has been Dan Slott's baby. Art, well they picked Ramos again, who I really don't rate at all but so far its not been a deal breaker. It will be interesting how the pieces fall on this one.

New Avengers

We're two issues into this now, and the search for baby cage has been quickly resolved although they had to go to Osbourne for help. It would be out of character considering how many times Cage should have gone to Stark before secret invasion, but he is searching for his kid. We have what look like a few lineup changes, Captain America has joined and offered his house as a secret base, the real Spider-Woman is on the team and it looks like Ms. Marvel has joined (Which makes sense since she'll be on a wanted list after events of Dark Avengers). To me, New Avengers was always the weakest title. Still this could be a new start. Nice that there is some great scope (and indeed virtually a promise for next issue) of a throwdown between New and Dark Avengers considering both teams have a Hawkeye, Spider-Man, Ms Marvel and I'm betting Bucky isn't too happy about Osbourne wearing Cap's Colours. If this title can find some solid direction it might turn out to be rather good.

Mighty Avengers

I always preferred Mighty to New, and Genuinely Mighty's only problem was scheduling problems early on. Now being written by Dan Slott it stands out as being the least Dark Reign tied in of all 4 titles. Instead earth is being hit by a Chaos Cascade and in a roundabout way the Scarlet witch gathers a squad of avengers to face a dire threat in Transia. Slott has said that all selected Avengers won't be the final team, but for the moment we have (if I remember) Hank Pym (now Wasp) Jocasta, Jarvis, USAgent, Iron Man, Stature, Vision, Hulk, Hercules and his sidekick Amadeus Cho and of course the Scarlet Witch. Nice touch is that, aside from lacking a Hawkeye, this team is made up entirely of Ex-Avengers or Relatives (Well Cassie Lang and the Vision carries all the memories of the original) Indeed, it was a nice touch that the Scarlet witch initially looks at Bucky, but comments that "Captain America is dead" and goes for USAgent, who has previously been an Avenger. This is one of the most promising of the titles, and while I suspect that Iron Man, Hulk and perhaps USAgent (Mainly because I want more Omega Flight) will leave, we could have a good team here. The comic was fun, and that is often missing in these dark days.

Dark Avengers

Arguably the most anticipated of the Dark Reign Launches this is the New Official Marvel Universe Avengers lineup. And I was largely right, it is mostly the Thunderbolts. We have from Mighty Avengers Ares and Sentry. Noh-Varr, Marvel boy, now called Captain Marvel, Moonstone, now called Ms. Marvel, Venom, Now Spider-Man, Bullseye, Now Hawkeye and finally The Iron patriot, in fact Osbourne himself using suits that he found in Tony Starks carelessly abandoned armour store in Avengers tower. Now this is was a good read, but I do wonder how long it can carry on, Ideally we'll have a significantly less moral and more fragmented team (They already don't get on too well) and this could be interesting, but is there a long term future, and are they going to pull a Thunderbolts, I doubt it from the likes of Moonstone (been there, Done that) Bullseye or Osbourne (Too damn crazy) and Ares just likes to fight, but who knows.

Later I'll post on some of the non-avengers titles, and ones coming soon.