7/31 Comic Reviews: Gods and Men
Ultimate Spider-Man #7 written by Johnathan Hickman with art by Marco Checchetto
“We’ll be fine. But he needs therapy.”
After the absolute beatdown Peter and Harry received from Fisk last issue, it’s clear that they need to up their game. The first step towards that is understanding the incredible technology in the suits they’ve been given. The issue opens in the secret Stark lab Harry discovered while Otto Octavious runs diagnostics on their suits. Is the exposure to this new technology going to herald Otto’s descent into darkness? Maybe. As with anything in this brave new world, what we think we know hardly matters. These are their own people who are unbound to the laws of narrative causality. As horrible as the Maker’s actions were, if it gives some of these longtime villains the chance to walk a better path then some good will have come of it. Sadly, the same may not be true of Harry as we see him make some questionable decisions which may not necessarily doom him but are unlikely to do him any good either. One bit I particularly enjoyed was Peter’s offhanded comment that he barely understood any of the technology they’re dealing with. The main continuity’s Peter has been elevated to a genius who can at least sit in a room with Tony Stark and Reed Richards, but I find that it somewhat diminishes him as the everyman hero. It’s nice to once again see a version of him who, while intelligent, doesn’t have the same grasp of super-science.
Otto makes a number of discoveries about their suits, but the most relevant to this issue is the presence of an onboard AI which can be programmed with any personality they have a sample of. In a quintessential Otto Octavious moment, he assembles the data of history’s greatest generals and warlords as potential candidates. In the end, Peter and Harry opt for a more personal touch. I have no doubt mainstream Peter would have gone for Uncle Ben, but this version lacks that definitive tragedy and has been surrounded by a family and all the modest success he needs to be happy, so instead he opts to talk to himself. It may not be the healthiest decision, but it speaks volumes of the sense of self-worth that may make this Peter the ultimate one. Harry, on the other hand, decides to have the voice of his deceased disapproving dad in his ear at all times. Some may call this an unhealthy decision and they’d be right. The moment the voices switch on, it’s clear that this Norman might not be as evil as the version we know, but he isn’t all that different either. Throughout this book, Harry has shown tremendous potential to rise above his multiversal legacy, but his desperate desire to prove himself to his father may transcend space and time. However, it’s clear that the inclusion of this new AI can up his game tremendously as he’s suddenly able to go toe-to-toe with Peter in a sparring match.
Meanwhile, Ben and Jonah continue their investigation into Fisk and the strange goings-on in their city. Their dynamic continues to be the best part of this book and every bit of banter between them is a gem. They meet with an insider from the Bugle who turns out to be none other than Robbie Robertson who’s about to become a new member of the Old-Man Brigade. It reminds me of the Daily Bugle comics with Ben Urich and I’d love to see Hickman pen a similar book with this trio.
Of course, all of our heroes have a steep hill to climb as Fisk continues to plot. A villainous Captain Britain has arrived to offer more reinforcements in the Maker’s name. It’s unclear in this book where the Maker has gone off to, but he’s left behind an organization which holds him as an almost religious figure and is dedicated to maintaining the status quo he established. Fisk, emboldened by his recent victory, refuses the reinforcements while saying that he specifically has six plans of his own. Six plans? How... sinister. The issues wraps up with Peter and Harry putting together their next plan of action before they’re interrupted by a reminder that this isn’t just any old universe. It’s the Ultimate one. From here, anything can happen, but there’s no way they’ll be the same again.
Marco Checchetto puts me in the difficult position of having to come up with new ways to talk about how good he is every month. Everything looks great in this book, from Peter and Harry throwing down in their powered-up suits, to Ben and Jonah smirking at each other, to Peter eating a sandwich, all of it is great. The ability to take a story that’s mostly dialogue punctuated by brief moments of intense action and still make every panel stand out is something truly remarkable. It’s great to have him back on this book and I hope he stays for plenty of issues to come.
This book may very well stand at the top of character-driven superhero stories. Anyone could be doing anything in a given issue and it’d still be a guaranteed winner. The way Hickman has fleshed out these characters as their own people unbeholden to our expectations is really something special. Everything we know about Spider-Man has changed and yet no book captures the essence of the character better than this one. We may have been able to take a breath in this issue, but it’s clear that big things are looming on the horizon and I cannot wait to see where this team takes our heroes next.
The Immortal Thor #13 written by Al Ewing with art by Jan Bazaldua
After Thor’s recent adventure with his family in the Norse pantheon, it’s time for him to sail to some decidedly Greek shores as a favor is called in. He arrives in Greece dressed like a college boy on spring break to meet up with his old bro Hercules. I know Hercules has been part of the Marvel canon for a while, but I’ve barely read any of the stories featuring him. Going in with barely any understanding of this version of the classical hero, I’ve got to say that I like him a lot. The way he and Thor warmly greet each other while offering condolences for their respective losses and sharing words of support regarding their respective woes speaks to a history of friendship and trust. Given the myths of Hercules, I expected a violent hothead, but, much like Marvel’s Thor, he’s been tempered by experience and gained a measure of wisdom. Thor is very much in need of wisdom at the moment as he’s still suffering under the Enchantress’ curse reducing his wisdom and intellect to pithy one-liners and insensitive comments. It’s rough to see Thor’s distress at his failing mental capacities and it makes the god feel profoundly human. Rather than slapping Thor on the back and telling him things will work out, Hercules gives his friend gentle comfort and reminds Thor that nothing can change who he is. It’s a sweet moment that managed to completely endear me to Hercules before moving onto the action. The goddess Nyx is posing a threat once again. A longtime villainess, she’s been bested by the Avengers before, but global blackouts have the potential to revive her and between the recent King in Black and Blood Hunt events, there have been two. It’s fun to see moments of continuity and how these events can have long-reaching consequences in unexpected places. Nyx hasn’t shown herself just yet, but assuming she must be regaining her strength in the place with the longest night, they set a course for Antartica with Loki in tow.
To no one’s surprise, they find Nyx and her children and engage them in battle. Given Nyx’s status as a superboss, I was expecting her to be a more significant opponent, but Loki once again steals the show both literally and metaphorically as they assume their aspect as Skald of the Worlds and plunge Thor into his next trial. Once again, Loki reminds Thor that they are the enemy he needs and that their challenges will make Thor stronger, but that doesn’t mean he will be shown mercy. Thor and Hercules are plunged into deeper darkness where they find themselves faced with a foe neither god is likely to have an easy time against.
Jan Bazaldua is the artist for this issue and quickly proves to be the right pick for this arc. Both the touching moments between old friends and the scenes of godly action look great and capture the many facets of these characters. Nyx’s children all look fairly similar which could have made the action hard to track, especially in the perpetual night of Antartica, but Bazaldua uses body language and well-blocked action sequences to keep the reader from getting lost. The final scene in particular stands out in the way it uses light and darkness and hints at a visual spectacle to come in the next issue.
Al Ewing continues his epic with another strong issue. He’s continuing to take Thor to unexpected places and drawing on esoteric bits of Marvel lore to weave into a vast narrative. With Thor’s second trial beginning, the book is bound to shift again and I’m looking forward to seeing what bold new directions Thor heads in next.