• Lucifer #51
• Wolverine #16
• Plastic Man #7
• Thor #81
• Challengers of the Unknown #1

• Amazing Spider-Man #508
• Fantastic Four #514
• Wolverine: The End #4
• Hawkman #29
• Ex Machina #1

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 508: “THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL,” PART 3 OF 3

Amazing Spider-Man 509 is the conclusion to the 3-part “Book of Ezekiel,” and proved well worth the wait since this story began back in issue 30 (the creative teams’ first issue on the book). J. Michael Straczynski grabbed my attention and has successfully held it for two and a half years. Romita, Jr’s art continues to be solid, consistent and stunning just as it always is. I’ll miss him while he’s on a short hiatus, as his style helped to draw me back to the book in conjunction with Straczynski’s strong storytelling. In my mind, Romita, Jr. is now THE definitive Spider-Man artist. I’ve loved his work on this book since years ago when he did it for the very first time, following in his father’s footsteps. I really like the creative team here, and when they move on, most likely so will I.

The promos for this issue said that “Only one will survive,” so we can pretty much guess the end of the story, but not necessarily how we get there. In the previous issue we learned a little bit about Ezekiel’s history, but this issue we find out more about the reasons behind his motivation, as well as the REAL reason that he sought Peter out. Ezekiel received his spider-powers under false pretenses; now he must face the consequences of that decision. -TMC-

Mark Waid is actually one of my very favorite writers in the field currently; I’ve been a huge fan since his work on Flash and was sorry to see him leave that book. Waid’s extensive and intimate knowledge of the history of the genre is truly amazing, and he shows it at every opportunity. Waid’s co-writer on this story arc is Karl Kesel, a veteran of many years whose work I have enjoyed many times in the past. Fill in art chores by Medina and Vlasco are solid; Medina’s style is somewhat close to regular artist Mike Wieringo (so close, in fact, that I had to do a double take on the art because it looked different).

This book progresses flawlessly, with just as much of an emphasis on family as on superheroics. This is especially important in the context of this book; the Fantastic Four have always been, when portrayed properly, a family first and superheroes second. From the good-natured arguing between “siblings” Johnny and Ben (who aren’t even really related), to the horse play between them, to Reed’s position as the referee / peacekeeper / disciplinarian and Sue’s long-suffering mothering, there is a real feeling when I’m reading this book that these people really do care about each other as only a family can.

I had definite mixed feelings about this issue when I picked it up. I was anticipating something involving an alternate reality version of the FF because the solicitations referred to a “cracked-mirror version of the Fantastic Four.” Rather than that, though, the “cracked mirror” version was the newest incarnation of the Wizard’s Frightful Four. So although I was initially a little bit disappointed, that disappeared as I read the issue. It was very well executed, with the usual bits of humor thrown in by Waid, plus a major revelation regarding the Wizard at the end of the book. So although I was bummed out that the story wasn’t what I expected, I should have trusted that I would walk away satisfied after the recent track record of this book. I am most definitely looking forward to the rest of this story arc. -TMC-

This is the latest in Marvel’s multiple limited series called “The End,” depicting the final fates of some of their characters. All in all it has been OK so far, but I have to say it’s not at all what I had anticipated. That is not to say it isn’t a good read, which it is. I’m simply saying it seems like just another Wolverine story, and beyond that I can’t seem to get too very excited about it.
Paul Jenkins is a solid storyteller, and Claudio Castellini’s art is solid, and is very reminiscent of John Buscema’s early work on the very first series featuring Wolverine.

This limited series is meant to be the bookend to the story of Wolverine (the first having been the much-heralded “Origin” limited series). This issue of “The End” features a couple of huge revelations, as well as a very surprising guest appearance which gives an explanation for Logan’s talking out loud to himself since the first issue (and it ain’t dementia, Bub…). This series probably should have been completed before it was released, with all six issues finished before the first one was released. Doing it as a bi-monthly is dragging the story out and taking away from the impact. The creative team on the book is certainly solid enough, though. I like the art, and if the story wasn’t taking so long it would probably be really good. I’ll probably have to go back and read it again once all six issues are out to judge it more fairly. That being said, I am looking forward to the next installment and to the conclusion to see how the story plays out. -TMC-