Legen--wait for it---dary Comic Book Highlight for 2/25/09

After everything that happened with Scans_Daily being shutdown late last week I was a bit hesitant to post the Legen--wait for it--dary Comic Book Highlights for this week. I'll admit that I did visit Scans_Daily every once in a while since it was one of the only place that I could find images of back issues. I never actually saw anyone post full issues of comics on the site but I due believe the reports of that happening since the rules for the community board weren't well regulated.

I understand that there are a lot of people in the comic book blog and forum world that are pissed off the site was taken down but what I do not understand is all the hate Peter David is getting. If David reported to Marvel that full issues of his work were being placed on Scans_Daily than it is in the full right that the site be taken down due to copyright infringement. For anyone that owns a business knows this is a serious offense, and as someone who is currently finishing up a degree in Marketing, it is something I have had to watch out for when going out to do marketing research. You can't put the Nike Swoosh symbol on your product without getting permission of the Nike corporation and it is the same with posting full issues of comics or anything that is owned by someone/thing. So while I understand that people are pissed but their anger is misplaced since it is not Peter David and/or Marvel's fault but the fault of those users who actually posted those full issues or couldn't wait to spoil issues for a comic by posting the images the day the comics were released.

Now I hope what happened to Scans_Daily is an isolated incident and I will be able to continue to post images from comics that I get since I like having a post that allows me to give some much deserved focus on the artwork of the artist working on all these titles since the bulk of my reviews talk mainly on just the writing. Hopefully I will be able to continue post the Legen--wait for it--dary Comic Book Highlights. Enough talk here are some of the best images of the week:

Cover of the Week: Nova #22

I already praised the cover for Nova #22 in my review for this issue but it is still worth mentioning how great this cover is. This cover just gives Nova a Green Lantern Corp feel that has been building for the past few issues.

Captain America #47 Highlights

Bucky shows why he is one of the best at what he does as he kicks the asses, and blows $#!% up, of Dr. Chen's highly armed and trained men.

Bucky should know better than try to pass something through Black Widow's eyes.

Bucky should really take Black Widow's advice more as Namor is about to learn.

Green Lantern #38 Highlights

While not as awkward as in issue #20 this scene still has awkward feeling to it.

Are we getting closer to seeing a White Lantern?

Isn't it obvious Hal your becoming the White Ranger.

Carol + Violet Lantern = Hal's Worst Nightmare.

Some interesting images from the Green Lantern Origins and Omens back-up.

Nova #22 Highlights

No, can't say it. Must resist the urge to say..........."Beam me up, Scotty!" Dammit DnA.

Richard should know better than to mess with Worldmind.

DnA take a nice jab at "Batman RIP" with the title for the next issue.

Teen Titans #68 Highlights

See now that is a kick ass design for a house.

Though this was a weak issue I was glad to see that Eddie got some closure.

I am betting that outside of the pregnant girl that is blackout and the Kid Flash costume that everything here will happen in the Teen Titans, Titans, Vigilante crossover.

Thunderbolts #129 Highlights

Don't make Doc mad. You will not like Doc mad.

I always thought it was called the Goblin Glider not the Bat-Glider. Well I guess that since Batman is "dead" the name is up for grabs that even Norman wants the mantle.

How much do you want to bet that President Obama wont be regretting those words.

Ultimate Spider-Man #131 Highlights

While I am not a big fan Immonen art I have to admit that he did a great job with all the splash pages in this issue.

This has to be the smartest conversation I have ever read.

Yet another minor Ultimate Universe hero bites the dust in the disaster known as Jeph Loeb calls Ultimatum.

First a flood and a release of all the supernatural creatures. It can't get any better for Spider-Man.

Legacy Shorts: Comic Book Reviews for 2/25/09

Nova #22

Creative Team
Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Artist: Andrea Divito
Colorist: Bruno Hang

Story - The Rapture

Review
How awesome is the cover to this issue? The cover alone is worth the price of admission. Without even reading the issue you can tell what two thirds of the issue is about. Juan Doe gives us what may be the cover of the year.

The content within the issue is just as good as the cover. DnA continue to do an excellent job building up the Nova Corps, and really the whole Marvel cosmic corner, into becoming Marvel's answer to the Green Lantern Corps. And this issue is probably gives us the biggest parallel between Nova Corps and Green Lantern Corps. Just seeing the massive amount of recruits Worldmind gains to join the Nova Corps was a sight to see and Andrea Divito does a nice job filling in and showing all the people's surprise to seeing other people being lifted up into the sky and then the excitement of the new Nova Corps recruits as they gain their powers.

While I would have mind it if DnA would have stretched out the subplot of whether Worldmind was really mind controlling all the Nova Corps members, minus Richard, or if Richard was really losing his mind but I was fine that they revealed it now instead of having to make this subplot last for 5 to 10 issues like other writers like to do with their subplots (cough*Bendis and Loeb*cough).

It was a cool reveal that the reason that about 98% of the Nova Corps membership were from Earth was because Worldmind had an easier time controlling humans easier, due to his time inside Richard, than other alien species. It was a cool twist that makes sense and makes me wonder if with those 5 other Nova Corps members that are a different species if we will be seeing more members from their home planet become members once Worldmind figures out their brain patterns. And the ending to the issue was just an great hook ending and I can't wait to see were they take that plot thread and how Wendell will factor into helping his friend out.

Issue Rating
Story: 8.5/10 - DnA just continue to pack Nova with twist that as soon as you think you wont be surprised of what happens next you are.
Art: 8/10 - Divito does a great job giving us nice artwork on this issue and I hope that he is the permanant artist on this title.
Overall: 8.25/10 - Nova just continues to rock and has quickly become Marvel's answer to Green Lantern.

Thunderbolts #129

Creative Team
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist: Robert De La Torre, Carlos Magno & Scott Hanna
Colorists: Frank Martin & Giovanni Kosoki

Story - Hammer Down Part II

Review
Even with all the A-list villains Thunderbolts used to have now being showcased over in Bendis's Dark Avengers this is still the premier villain title. Just like Ellis before him, Diggle is able to access that sick and vicious side of his writing in order to give this title the chaotic, bonechilling feel a title filled with villains should be like.

Even though Norman has shown to still have a villainous side to him as he tries to act as the hero over in Dark Avengers and Invicible Iron Man it here in the Thunderbolts were we are able to see that insane, slimy, and underhanded Norman Osborn we all know and love in full affect. Just seeing how Norman is able not only to convince President Obama that he is not the Green Goblin but also be able to discredit Doc Samson was a thing of beauty. Though I would have liked it if this part of the story lasted a little bit longer since the second half of the issue felt a little slow and boring as it sets up the next storyline.

And even though I would like to continue to get Thunderbolts I just can't afford to have to pick up another title, Deadpool, due to War of Kings and Battle for the Cowl starting this month I will probably pick this title back up once that crossover is over.

The only thing I did not like about this issue is the inconsistent art we got in this issue as we had Del La Torre and Martin on the art duties. Even though both artist were able to maintain the dark feel this book should have I would have preferred that De La Torre did the art for the whole issue.

Issue Rating
Story: 8.8/10 - Marvel couldn't have chosen a better writer for this title as Diggle is able to give all the various villains their own unique voices that allow each one to be multi-dimensional characters.
Art: 7/10 - Though the art was fine it felt a bit inconsistent as De La Torre and Martin shared art duties.
Overall: 7.9/10 - Even without A-list villains Thunderbolts continues to be the best title on the stand for seeing villains doing what they do best.