The cover on this issue is almost an exact duplicate of Exiles 15, right down to the characters on the cover (the exception being Blink on this cover in place of the now-deceased Sunfire, who was on the issue 15’s cover). This issue spends the bulk of its time outlining the history of the newest cast member, Namora (a female version of Namor from another time line, introduced last issue), as she relates her history to Reed Richards. The issue ends with the beginning of a fight between the Exiles and the Fantastic Four, and with Beak (who got swept along with the team after their visit to the X-Mansion) lamenting the fact that he failed to prevent it.

Sakakibara’s work is going to have to grow on me; I’m glad he’s only on for 3 issues as I’m not really crazy about his style. I can’t help but wonder what impact the X-Men’s Beak will have on the whole situation, as well. He’s playing a major part in this storyline, but for what purpose? They can’t really “unhinge the timeline” of the Mainstream Marvel Universe…or can they? I guess we’ll find out next issue when “Earn Your Wings” concludes. -TMC-

The creative team members on this book (Straczynski, John Romita, Jr. and Scott Hanna) are what brought me back to Spider-Man. I had read Spider-Man religiously as a child growing up, but had stopped just before the whole “Clone Saga” really took off. I had not read any of the Spider-books in a very long time, but decided to see if the book lived up to the hype for myself. The writer, J. Michael Straczynski, is a very solid storyteller; in fact, this story brings full circle his first arc on the book where Ezekiel was first introduced, as was the concept that Peter is not the first person ever to be “given” spider-based powers. The art by John Romita, Jr. is, without question, excellent. His father, John Romita, Sr. was the second artist to work for a long period on Spider-Man, and JR Jr’s love of the character and his history with the franchise definitely shows. His art is clean, yet still distinctly different from anyone else’s (except for the fact that his art vaguely resembles his father’s, interestingly enough).

I have to admit that I really find this take on the character of Spider-Man rather interesting, and one that is actually different from what has been done previously. The new twist on Peter’s origin is definitely something fresh and new, so Straczynski earns well-deserved kudos for a job well done. All in all, I’ve really been happy with my return to Spider-Man. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve followed a Spider book faithfully, but as long as this creative team stays with the book, so will I.

Next issue continues the “Book of Ezekiel” story arc, and I’m very interested to see how this plays out. -TMC-

Ron Marz returned to Green Lantern last issue for the book’s final story arc, “Homecoming?” Marz created the character of Kyle Rayner, and has returned to tell what could potentially be Kyle’s final story (if rumors about the Identity Crisis limited series are to be believed). It would appear that Marz has been brought back to the book to shake up (or destroy, as the case may be) the status quo, much like he was during his first stint on the book. Luke Ross is the new penciller; this is the first time that I remember hearing his name, and I have to say I like his style, as it leans toward the classic while still maintaining a modern slant. His style and Ramos’ mesh very well, providing clean and vivid lines and striking backgrounds.

I’m not sure I like the direction that this story could potentially go. Ron Marz is infamous, if not notorious, for two very LARGE things: 1) Emerald Twilight, in which Hal Jordan went berserk after a mental breakdown; and 2) the creation of the Kyle Rayner character. I have a sinking feeling that this could turn out to be the same basic thing in reverse (between the stress of what’s happened to Kyle lately and the fact that Hal is going to be returning to the mantle of Green Lantern after this summer), and I admit that bothers me a little bit. We’ll just have to see how this pans out over the next couple of months…

Recently I find I’ve been enjoying Green Lantern again. I found that, for me at least, around the time of the Black Circle story arc I wasn’t enjoying the book as much as I had in the past. The storyline right before this one, Judd Winnick’s swan song on the book after a long stretch, began to pique my interest in the book again, but now I have mixed feelings about it. I’m glad that I’ve begun to enjoy the book again, but a bit irritated that it’s now going to end.-TMC-

I really like Geoff Johns’ style as a writer. I guess I would have to say he’s currently one of my favorites (he also writes another book that I look forward to every month: JSA). I feel that Johns has an excellent grasp of how to write very human stories, even when framed around the DCU’s heroes. Some people don’t like his style, but I am definitely not one of them. I like Howard Porter’s art, as well, much more so than when he was the artist on JLA. He has a more modern style than would typically appeal to me, but for some reason I’ve begun to appreciate it on this book.

Flash 210 continues the aftermath of the “Blitz” storyline. This issue focuses on Flash visiting with the new Titans, and with his long time best friend Nightwing, and is well told. It’s a really nice piece; this is one of the things that I really like about the Flash, the fact that it’s much more about the characters than the super-heroics. Not to say there’s a lack of action in the book, because that is absolutely not true. A funny bit (and a nice touch) in the opening sequence involves Robin (the original, Dick Grayson) asking Wally where he and the Flash (his uncle, Barry Allen) hang out. Wally, looking around at the cave, dejectedly answers, “At my aunt’s house.” This issue rolls directly into next issue, which features the return of Gorilla Grodd, with Nightwing’s life hanging in the balance… -TMC-

Right out of the gate I have to say that Scott Kolins’ art in this book just doesn’t appeal to me on this particular book. I really liked his art when he was on Flash, but for some reason it just doesn’t click for me here. I have also begun to understand many of my peers’ extreme dislike of Chuck Austen. His portrayal of most of the leading characters seems to be really off; Austen’s version of the Avengers are nothing like what I remember, or even would expect, let alone like. I’m going to continue to get this story arc only because it sets up the new Invaders book, but that’s the only reason. Thankfully, Austen will be leaving the book (when the book resumes its original numbering in a couple of months).

There are numerous problems for me currently with this book. The writer assumes that you’ve been following the book during previous story arcs and makes reference to previous events without any back story or references (which is understandable, I suppose, on one level), but at the same time, it leaves new readers who haven’t been following the book out of the loop. Austen also seems to make things up as he goes along without honoring what has gone before, even when it’s something he has done himself, and doesn’t give explanation for how or why something is in the story. For example, John Walker is again representing himself as Captain America (which explains the cryptic remarks in an online interview I read referring to “A Captain America” in the Invaders book), and Spitfire is still the Lady Jacqueline Falsworth without any explanation given for how she can still look 25 years old after over six decades has passed; I’m also waiting for an explanation for the newest incarnation of the Human Torch (a young girl, possibly Toro’s daughter?).

We’ll see how this plays out soon. As an old time Invaders fan, I have some strong reservations about the new book after reading the first two chapters of this story, but if I’m not mistaken the regular writer on the new series will be someone else. So maybe it won’t be so bad. I had high hopes for both this story and the new Invaders book, but now I’m expecting to be disappointed.-TMC-