Eleven issues in and we are just about ready for the big score. The Fox and the Cat have managed to acquire a wide range of artifacts and gizmo’s from a swathe of Marvel characters. Next up; they need Tony Stark’s nanoforge in order to create a very specific key. But this is Tony Stark! Back from the dead, Iron Man, Avenger Tony Stark. No mere scheme will suffice for this heist. Ladies and gents; the scam is on!
Jed MacKay is planning for the long haul. With every issue there has been a mix of different interactions. Each one has had their fun elements; even Deadpool, though thankfully that was short lived. This time around its Stark. The dialogue is fun banter with two different tracks in play; the before and the current. It is the sort of humour that many writers from Marvel try and put into the majority of their books. Not dissing other writers, but there are only a few characters that suit this style; this issue features two of the best in Felicia and Stark. As annoying as Stark is, its Felecia that steals the show. Her mini rant about red heads is becoming a bit of a mantra. I enjoyed this book so much I will even forgive the usual happenstance that always seems to occur when Stark is around.
The art is provided by C. J. Villa who tries hard to give us the cheesecake that we have come to expect from this book. This is Villa’s first issue after originally slated to come on board from #12. Large parts of the book work well, there is charm and pace. However, in some of the action panels poses tend to distort body shapes. It’s nothing to untoward, but Felicia’s thighs expand from curvy to muscular in manner that is almost She-Hulk-esque. The sense of fun in the art is matches the dialogue well. As for the ending, well can anyone say Power Rangers. The colors by Brian Reber, whilst work well, can blur the lines of the art a tad. This is a bit of a common problem for Marvel. It is a shame as I think Villa’s pencils would benefit from being sharper. Finally, letters are supplied by Ferran Delgado who gives a font that is a tad larger that makes the book a very easy read.
I have said it before, but this book for me has been the surprise hit of the last year. For all their problems, when Marvel get it right, boy do they get it right!
Writing – 5 stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
Overall – 4.5 Stars
Written by; Jed MacKay
Art by; C.J. Villa
Colors by; Brian Reber
Letters by; Ferran Delgado
Published by; Marvel Worldwide
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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