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Take it or Leave it Giant Sized – December 26, 2012
Welcome to Take It Or Leave It, where each week we pick out some of that week’s newest comics and give you our opinion on whether it was worth the price and you should take it, or if it was better left sitting on the shelf.
We’ve got a special Giant Sized edition of Take It Or Leave It for you this week with last weeks books and this weeks all being reviewed in one big page of comic book goodness! First see our thoughts on last weeks books like All-New-X-Men 4, Saga 8, Nightwing 15, and so many others.
Then keep reading to see what we thought of Amazing Spider-Man #700 and Avenging Spider-Man 15.1, but be warned those two contain SPOILERS. And as a special addition we’ve got a new opinion joining in to talk the end of the Amazing era. Joining Chris is none other than Eric, the only other guy on the site who reads Spidey, who also happens to be the only other guy who writes for the website!
Comics from December 19, 2012
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Nightwing #15 I read some bad review of Nightwing 15, but I thought it was a pretty good book and a strong tie in to Death of the Family. The Joker is doing a great job of making shit personal for the family, and is showing more and more that he probably does know exactly who each and every one of them are. I was a little sad about some of the deaths in the book, they weren’t major characters, but characters that I would have liked to see more. That probably isn’t going to be happening though. I look forward to seeing where they take Nightwing with these crossover, and thankfully Eddy Barrows does the Jokers look justice! Verdict: Take ItScore: 7/10 |
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Saga #8 I don’t even know why we put Saga in here anymore, if you’re not already buying this book you shouldn’t even be allowed to read comics, or go on the internet, or well do anything but cry in the corner. In issue 8 we get more interaction with Marko’s parents, and they are definitely an interesting pair. His dad can make some nice cloths and take care of babies, and his mom. . . well she can nag like any good mother can. The world Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are crafting here is starting to revival any of the big Scifi universes. There’s all these interesting species and worlds and traditions that we haven’t even scratched the surface on yet. Most of the time, in any medium when the parents get introduced to the “forbidden” couple it’s the same shtick every time. And while it starts out like that the story quickly takes a turn with humor and drama flowing back and forth with each other perfectly. If you’re still hesitant about Saga get over it and go read this damn book! Verdict: Take ItScore: 9/10 |
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Witchblade #162 I’ve never read Witchblade before, I honestly barely knew anything about it before reading. My only real exposure was seeing the first episode of the anime at a convention several years ago. I’ve got to admit though, it’s a pretty interesting concept and I think I’ll be sticking around for a bit. This issue didn’t really have much happening, there was a date to a baseball game and some criminals looking for magic that ends up getting them in lots of trouble. It doesn’t sound like much but there was a lot of suspense and it seemed to setup a lot for the following issues. With 161 issues before it, I don’t think you’re going to be finding an awesome jumping on point, but this issue seems to at least be the opening of a new arc and as good a place as any to jump in. Verdict: Take Itn Score: 6/10 |
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All-New-X-Men #4 Like the current run of Iron Man, this book has been coming out far to frequently. I’m enjoying it a lot, but if it keeps coming out this much I’m going to have to drop it just to save the money. That sad, Bendis definitely knows how to write the X-Men, and douchey Scott Summers is having quite the crisis right now. After the first 3 issues, we finally get the first interaction between the original 5 X-Men and the Cyclops of the present. It was a very well done scene, and I’m really interested to see what’s happening with Jean’s powers, and whether similar things will start happening to the rest of them. This series has a ton of potential, I just hope Marvel slows it down and stops shoving issues and issue out on the shelves without any breathing room. Verdict: Take ItScore: 8/10 |
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Avengers #2 I wasn’t to thrilled with this book, and from what I’ve gathered this is a book with very little middle ground. You either love it or hate it. Hickman is known for long stories and plotting things out over time for a big payoff. With the Avengers that just might not be the way to go. I’m going to give him a few more issues, but so far it’s a little unimpressive. Plus a handful of the heroes he picked just don’t interest me, I guess it’s just one of those situations where if you’re a fan of the character you may enjoy it more. I do find the villains interesting, and I hope they aren’t just dispatched by the end of this arc, and can make a bigger impact for years to come. It’s been a while since we got a really good new villain that can stand the test of time, I think we’re ready for one though. Verdict: Leave ItScore: 5/10 |
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Hawkeye #6 Hawkguy is awesome bro, you should really be reading it. This issue was confusing at first and I found myself jumping back and forth between pages to see what happened when but it was a lot of fun. I’ve got nothing else to say except buy Hawkeye and never stop. Verdict: Take ItScore: 9/10 |
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Scarlet Spider 12.1 Ever since Marvel started this Point One thing I’ve been disappointed by the releases. They’re suppose to be these good jumping on points, sometimes they’re to setup a new book like Morbius or Venom. Well Scarlet Spider 12.1 is the first issue that didn’t make me cringe. It was just as good as any other Scarlet Spider book, and didn’t try and crame a bunch of future plot points into the book. Kaine’s past actions are coming back to bite him, by not in the way you’re thinking. He’s finally got a conscience and he’s guilty especially when he see’s other people doing exactly what he use to do. My favorite part of this book was the line “With great power also comes the ability to rain down hell on those who prey on the weak people who couldn’t fight the monsters. . .to stop people like me” that whole page had some great dialogue and it was a good setting, but that line just made the book. It summed up everything since issue 1, and it does a perfect job showing a new reader what they can expect from Kaine going forward. Verdict: Take Its Score: 8/10 |
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Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #18 I’ve made no effort to hide my disappointment with Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, ever since the death of Peter Parker it just hasn’t been the same. While the rest of the world applauds the character of Miles Morales, I’ve been left waiting for him to do something worth that applause. He’s been a pretty flat character with pretty boring interactions and almost no supporting cast. His best friend is annoying and he goes to a private school so whenever it’s convenient his parents aren’t around. I feel like issue 18 really changed that though, this is the first book where I can see Miles finally starting to get his own character development. I really want to see more interaction with him and Spider-Woman, and obviously his parents. If this book can keep it up I may finally look forward to reading it again, but only time will tell. Verdict: Take ItScore: 7/10 |
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Venom #28 I’ve been a pretty big fan of Venom since it started, and I loved the idea of him moving to Philly since the staff of One-Quest reside just outside of the City of Brotherly Love. I was unfortunately not really feeling Flashes first adventures in Philadelphia. He’s not a street level super hero, he’s a government agent. For him to be calling Venom down to help out a random reporter doesn’t make sense. I can see him wanting to help her out and all, but the Avengers have to be wondering what in the hell he’s doing. Ever series has the occasional bad issue though, and they had to find a way to get Flash down here so I guess we’ll be dealing with a silly story arc for now, hopefully things pick back up once he’s settled in. Verdict: Leave ItScore: 5/10 |
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Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood #4 I’ve had nothing but good things to say about Robyn Hood so far. It’s been a fun book with just enough classic elements dangling around the original ideas in the story. Issue 4 finally sees Robyn come face to face with King John, and take place in the tournament that’s being thrown just to draw her out. It was fun to see that she’s not just this super warrior, she’s a tough girl with a great eye for archery. But when it comes down to the Kings ringer and her she’s left wanting a bit. Robyn doesn’t freak out or get scared she goes at it with everything and that’s why it’s fun to read. She’s not a hero, she doesn’t have some great responsibility or obligation to protect people. She got pulled into this world and now she’s trying to do right while she tries to find a way back to hers. With only one issue left in this series I’ve got a feeling we’re in for a pretty kickass finale. Verdict: Take ItScore: 8/10 |
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Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland #6 Wonderland is a really interesting book, it’s kind of all over the place, which fits its style and theme. I’m not totally versed in the back story though so I’m left a little confused by some of it. And this issue particularly had me lost and confused. It was interesting and I’m interested in seeing what’s going to come over it, but if this is your first issue, you may want to hold off. There were just two many open holes with it and not enough explanation. I’m all for long form story, but at least give us an idea about what’s happening before the issue is over. Verdict: Leave ItScore: 6/10 |
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Comics for December 26, 2012
***SPOILERS***
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Amazing Spider-Man #700 I managed to stay spoiler free for these last 3 issues of Amazing Spider-Man. So many others had things ruined for them, including this book. There’s been a ton of hate going on, Dan Slott was getting death threats, it’s ridiculous. I’m not going to lie to you and say I read this book and thought it was awesome and was totally okay with how things went down. I was pretty upset with it, Peter Parker has spent most of his life trying to do right and protect people. He didn’t care if they were friends, family, strangers, or even bad guys. If they were people he was there to protect them. And what does he get in return? Nothing he lost his first love because of one of his greatest foes, he lost his wife and best friend because a rich crime lord wanted him dead and hit his Aunt May instead. And of course he lost his Uncle Ben, the closest thing to a father Peter Parker ever knew. He didn’t always make the best choices but he almost always came out on top, people died but that’s life. He tried with ever ounce of his being to never let the bad guys win though. Dan Slott was finally turning his life around though, he had a good job as a scientist, his friends and family were happy. And things with Mary Jane were slowing getting better. Then all of that was torn away by one of his oldest foes. Doctor Otto Octavius was dying, so he switched bodies and decided to live his life as Peter Parker. And what does Pete do? He tries his hardest to get his body back and make things right. Only he doesn’t. . .This book doesn’t have a happy ending. We’ve known for months that Peter Parker wasn’t going to be Spider-Man any more, and deep down we knew it meant he had to die. But when the moments finally came I just wasn’t expecting it to happen like it did. It makes sense how it happened, I get it Pete pretty much forced Otto to relive every moment that made him the man he was. He made Otto feel that he needed to do good, to use his powers to protect people. That’s cool and all, but to let Peter Parker go out like that just seems like a giant F.U. to the character. I still look forward to see where this book goes, I may not be happy with the status quo change, but that’s why it was done. To evoke emotions in the readers, whether you love it or hate it you’ll want to see what happens. Dan Slott has made some huge moves and I look forward to seeing more. And like Stan Lee himself said in the letters, it’s a comic book, people don’t stay dead. I’m going with 50 issues before we see Pete again, there are plenty of ways to bring him back and I just hope it’s Slott that gets to do it! Verdict: Take ItScore: 9/10 |
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Avenging Spider-Man #15.1 I’ve been back and forth with this book, like a lot of people I was stoked when it first started with a team like Zeb Wells and Joe Madureira who wouldn’t be. Then they started switching the some of the stories were just boring, it’s your average team up book. This issue, definitely isn’t like any of those, this sheds so much more light on our new Spider-Man and shows us the thoughts and everything of Otto as he creates his new Spider-Man suit. I’m still sad about Pete, and worried about how certain things will play out, but this book made me feel better about it. I do have a problem though, other than intelligence, what’s the difference now between Scarlet Spider and Spider-Man. Part of the reason Kaine is such a fun character is because he’s got the Spider powers, but not the same attitude, he’s tougher and is willing to take thing further. That’s the same feeling I’m getting from Otto as Spidey, yes he’s out to do good, but it seems like he’s going to be doing it on his terms. That tag line from Scarlet Spider almost seems to fit here too. . . All of the Power, None of the Responsibility. It’s just going to take time to see what the real difference is, but at least this book sets us up to know what kind of hero we’re going to be seeing. Verdict: Take ItScore: 8/10 |
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Amazing Spider-Man #700
So. . . The Amazing Spider-Man has come to an end with one final epic battle between Spider-Man and one of his greatest foes, Doctor Octopus. Oh, and their minds are swapped to make things a bit more interesting. Throughout the book Peter Parker tries desperately to scramble together a plan to put his mind in his own body, but as the pages go on you as the reader begin to realize there’s no way it’s going to happen. Even at 53 pages, there just isn’t enough time for Parker to set things right and still introduce a new Spider-Man. The feeling slowly sets in and then it dawns on you, Doctor Octopus is not only going to be Spider-Man, he’s going to be Peter Parker as well. He’s going to get all the perks that go with being an Avenger, a scientist for Horizon Labs, and the one person Mary Jane Watson just can’t be without, and Peter Parker is going to die. Shit on once again by the one reliable constant in his life, the Parker luck. It’s depressing. It’s sad. It’s highly upsetting. Evil prevails. They try to make Pete’s death mean something to someone by forcing all of Pete’s life to flash before Doctor Octopus’ eyes as he lie their dying. Doc Ock then swears that he will live up to the example laid before him as Peter Parker. That he will do so in a Superior way. I just don’t feel it. This issue, while exciting, left a really bad taste in my mouth. I will say that I am certainly excited to see where the story goes from here, but more so to find out when Peter is going to get his body back. My favorite part of the issue is when Stan Lee says, in the letter column, not to worry “In comicbookland, no one stays dead forever.” Verdict: Take ItScore: 7/10 |
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Avenging Spider-Man #15.1
The direct follow up to Amazing Spider-Man 700 focuses on our new “hero.” Doctor Octopus has sworn to live the life of Peter Parker, and to not take his second chance at life for granted. To do so he will use his superior intellect, along with Pete’s body, to become the Superior Spider-Man. We see the first 5 days of Ocks new life. He spends it being rude. Being a crotchety old man in a young man’s body. Working on new evil looking gadgets for his new Superior costume. And we see him almost make the same mistake Pete made as a young man, the one that cost Uncle Ben his life. Doctor Octopus knows that with great power must also come great responsibility, but he just doesn’t seem to want to shoulder this burden as much a Peter did. Nor does he show the same compassion he held for Peter as he did in his final moments at the end of ASM 700. I just felt that this book was a little inconsistent with what happened at the end of ASM700, but is still valuable in understanding the motivation that will drive Doctor Octopus to be Superior. Verdict: Take ItScore: 6/10 |
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 Eric
is not a boss.
You can Email Eric or follow Eric on Twitter @EricSweeten or Facebook |
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