The List #11

Runaways #14
Writer: Kathryn Immomen
Artist: Sara Pichelli

In this final issue for at least the year, if not more, (Runaways, like X-Factor, is getting a reboot) we're once again shown why it's going off the shelves for a little. Awkward, boring dialogue from a writer who is essentially out-of-touch with teenagers and trying to sound hip. It fails so horribly. Basically, a big part of this issue is Chase being emotional and dark, which is a side of the character that has never been popular. That and some fake Gert is running around. Or at least I think that's how it works. But for all of Immomen's failings, she does manage to write "Gert", my favorite Runaways, a line worthy of her.

X-Force #19
Writers: Chris Yost and Craig Kyle
Artists: Mike Choi and Sonia Oback

Unfortunately, this issue failed to follow up last issue's amazingness. Instead, the story is mainly a bland look at X-23 running with some woman through The Facility. And my boyfriend Warpath doesn't even get a panel. What's weird about this issue is:

Child abuse is on the rise at Xavier's. Seriously Domino, the girls are still 16 years old for Christ's sake, go take your anger out on God for not making you the man you clearly are. Especially with this unjustified act of WTFaggression. Rockslide and Colossus'/Cyclops' weird man fights are strange enough, this is ridiculous. But Domino is right in calling the Cuckoos 'Emma lite'. Even though Emma right now is Emma lite.

In other news, Wolfsbane can go die now. Never have liked the character. EVER. And I've read her in lots of different periods. That and Selene is bucking for Emma's most naked female character title.

That and apparently Destiny is going to be part of Necrosha which is a fun twist. Especially since the X-Men's pool of the dead is so small what with pointless resurrections taking place every week. And that's it for X-Force for this month.

Gotham City Sirens #4
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Guillem March

One summarizing word: BLAND! But at least Ivy has a recurring role of saving the day.

New Mutants #5
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Zachary Baldus

Another subpar story this week. (I know that my bitching about how disappointing these issues are is only so interesting, but Astonishing X-Men #31 is coming out tomorrow, so expect a good review!) The main factor for fail in this issue was the artist. Severely cringeworthy, people. Good things: Dani got some spotlight and it looks like she'll be a positive role model for what a woman is capable of like Mohawk Storm was. Bad: "Evil" Illyana is wearing punk clothes now as a sign of her "Badness". You fucking kidding me? Why must we stereotype among all of us outcast-based groups? That and Dr. Nemesis:

What a sketch he looks like in this panel. That and this man's pointless insults and overblown narcissism is tired. He's a House ripoff and should've been the member of the Science Team to die. He's not "badass", he's someone pathetically trying to act "badass".

X-Factor #49
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Valentine De Landro

K, so screw talking about this issue in entirety since I'm honestly bored by X-Factor at the moment. BUT we do have Ricstar love this issue, so I'm going to go over that starting with:

Confirmation that they were a couple before!

This issue finally gets out in the open Rictor's sexuality. But it also takes away panel time for additional Ricstar smoochies since Strong Guy and Rictor have an awkward conversation about the sexuality deal for like 8 pages. Or so it felt at least. Besides, I'd appreciate relationship-building to be seen rather than implied like it is in Young Avengers. Also, negative point is Shatterstar, though obviously in love with Rictor, refers to their coupling as a "friendship," and he also kisses Val when he meets her, taking a big amount of charge out of the Ricstar kiss and sort of insulting it. Hopefully issue 50 is MUCH better. And that concludes the review, I leave you with cuteness:

The List #8 part 2

Dark Avengers #8
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Luke Ross

Once again, Bianchi's cover proves to be the superior one. Moving on, is there a specific reason why Matt Fraction writes the entire crossover? Isn't the point of a crossover to put together different talents? I seriously am so frustrated that Bendis was taken of the title for two months to let f#@#ing Fraction dominate. Seriously. What. The. Frack.

The issue begins with another page filler of showing the Dark X-Men at work. It's pointless. The issue itself is loads of mundane again, yet again I find myself with little to say. I have to say that X-Force's involvement with this crossover is annoying because THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BOOK. That and there are TONS of beloved characters in limbo. I know I'm repeating myself, but Fraction is repetitive.

Anyway, Emma finally reveals that she was never evil and just going along with things and all this pointless "OMG IF SCOTT FINDS OUT!" crap was just such a snore. But Emma does do something I wholeheartedly love:

Torture and abuse are her meat and potatoes.

So now we'll be returning to crappy, snarky Emma rather than absolutely void of personality Emma. Polishing the turd I suppose, but good news everyone LAND RETURNS NEXT ISSUE!!! I know I've claimed my hate for Land multiple times, but he makes Fraction's work campy. And since Fraction's staying on the title is an inconvenient truth, at least I get campy factor to work with now instead of mundane-ness. Expect my witty and bitchy factors to come back in full force soon! This issue definitely ends on a bad note though:

Why because that's what they think with?
Fraction, go fuck yourself, you sexist.

New Mutants #4
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Diogenes Neves

I have to say that New Mutants is quickly becoming the rising star of the X-Books in my opinion especially considering the improvement I find happening in each new issue. X-Force and New Mutants' improvement is actually causing me to feel excited for Necrosha which is surprising.

Anyway, really quick comments on the issue: I can't believe Cannonball is legit this dick-ish in the book, but the friction and tension he creates is love UNLIKE that created by Cyclops. Magik is legit badass and I SO hope her commanding force continues. And this totally creeped the hell out of me:

That and we get a glimpse of the REAL Emma Frost!!

I miss her in white!
Closing statements: Buy ALL the issues thus far!!

Runaways #13
Writer: Kathryn Immomen
Artist: Sara Pichelli

So few words are going to be said on this issue, it will be like a haiku. This issue is subpar, the dialogue is absolutely fucking awkward at times, the Nico/Chase kiss scene is total fanfiction crap, but I did like this spell:

The List #4

Before I start I have to mention that this week's The List is very brief considering the amount of issues and also some of these titles are a bit new to me so I can only comment so much.

Wolverine #76
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli

A positive aspect of this issue I'd have to say is the modifications done to Moonstone's costume:

Considering how crotch-tacular some artists get with this costume, I consider covering Moonstone up a bit a nice alternative. She's ungodly skinny here though. And sort of a flat personality-less version of herself. Whatever.

I have to complain though, I am absolutely bored by Daken. For the same reason that I disliked the Cabal: Too many similar personalities on one team. Daken has not proven to be anymore special than any of the other members of the team. Cold and calculating? Moonstone and Osbourn do it better. Vicious? Bullseye and Venom. All Daken's got is being the son of Wolverine, a mohawk, bad tattoos, and a questionable sexuality. Which is used frequently in conversation because it tickles fangirls yaoi-censors. Honestly, I think it's bullshit to cover up the fact that Daken's nothing new. Check here for this month's serving of Bi-Daken.

This series will not be returning to The List next month unless there's substantial improvement on this title.

Gotham City Sirens #2
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Guillem March

If you're like me and love Harley and Ivy (Catwoman's never interested me), then this is a must have series. In terms of this past issue, leave it on the shelves and read it from a friend or get the summary since only two things were accomplished in #2. One: Finding out the identity of Batman which obv didn't get anywhere. Two: Hush kidnaps Harley. While this issue was crap, I can see #3 being absolutely wonderful so stay tuned.

X-Force #17
Writer: Craig Kyle and Chris Yost
Artist: Mike Choi

After what was one of the most pointless crossovers, Messiah War, X-Force is finally back on track. This issue just ties up loose ends in a predictable fashion, but look for X-Force to get back to business next month.

Runaways #12
Writer: Kathryn Immomen
Artist: Sara Pichelli

Runaways has been suffering since Whedon left us, but not without first leaving us with another add-a-kid. Klara is her name and she's single-handedly fucked up the series since. Since now Molly has someone her own age, the series has spent more time focusing on Molly and Klara and been set for a mindset of other more her age. Except Molly's 13, not 7. Apparently the writers seem to think it's all the same, so Molly and Klara are being drawn as children rather than young teens and given the personalities and intelligence of 7 year olds. It's really annoying, but it seems Immomen is sort of getting Runaways back on track considering how serious this past issue was. If she can continue raising Runaways back to its former glory before Gert comes back then let me just say she's got my full support. My only worry is the fact that Runaways was omitted from the last set of solicits. Here's hoping it's just a break or a false alarm.

Ms. Marvel #42
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Sana Takeda

First off, I have to say that the crap anime artist returned for this issue, but he actually worked for this issue considering all the fighting. He weakens the series when there's more dialogue though. Next I have to say that this is the title I was most excited for this week and it was the one that came closest to delivering. My problem was the fight scene was sort of too much and dominated the whole issue without making progress. That and Moonstone is being used so poorly in this series. A cruel and manipulative woman very close to Emma Frost's personality could've been used infinitely more creatively. Instead: bad plot, pointless guest appearances, and now a fight scene that did nothing. Still, I can see a way that this may improve in future issues.