Level 2.2 - Redefinition

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, and Welcome to The Next Level. We are your source for comic book opinions and debates. I’m your host Stefan, and I’ll be here with you discussing Comic Books, Video Games, and other items of note. Please note, for a purely gaming blog, I'd recommend Pwning Pat's Game Blog. The Next Level would also like to thank Jackie Fong for designing our logo.

This week's post will contain reviews of:

• New Avengers Annual #1

-----------------

New Avengers Annual #1

This issue begins with a Wonder Man (Simon Williams for those keeping track at home) narrating what he believes to be the Avengers five biggest failures: Ultron, Scarlet Witch, the Civil War, the Incredible Hulk, and the Dark Avengers. Shortly after this, he gives his team a small pep talk, and tells them that the Avengers as a concept is wrong. His teammates agree with him, and they lay siege to Avengers Mansion.

The battle itself is frantic, and furious. Wonder Man himself engages Ms. Marvel high in the skies, while the remaining New Avengers are trounced handily (while the Revengers clearly show some expert planning and some sort of skill). As Anti-Venom defeats Spider-Man, and Goliath defeats the Thing, Ms. Marvel crashes to the ground beaten, as Wonder Man declares Avengers Tower as his next target.

Overall, the issue felt the the start of a longer story (which at least turned out to be the case thankfully). The art was absolutely amazing, as Dell'Otto knocked it out of the park. However, I was really disappointed that we didn't get to see more of the interaction between Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man. After their many years working together, I would have loved to have seen more than was shown. Maybe it will come in the Avengers Annual later on. I give this issue: 6.5/10

-----------------

Thoughts? Questions? Feedback is always welcome. Leave a comment or email nextlevelstaff@gmail.com

Level 2.1 - The Rebirth

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, and Welcome to The Next Level. We are your source for comic book opinions and debates. I’m your host Stefan, and I’ll be here with you discussing Comic Books, Video Games, and other items of note. Please note, for a purely gaming blog, I'd recommend Pwning Pat's Game Blog. The Next Level would also like to thank Jackie Fong for designing our logo.

This week's post will contain reviews of:

-Ultimate Hawkeye #1
-Flashpoint #5
-Justice League #1

-----------------

Ultimate Hawkeye #1

Over in the Southeast Asian Republic (SEAR), a revolution is underway. Officially, the rebels only occupy a small amount of territory, but everyone can see which way the wind is blowing. Hawkeye receives his marching orders from Nick Fury, who instructs him to support the government of the SEAR, despite the protests of many SHIELD agents who believe the rebels are being supported from within the government. At this moment, the Triskelion in the SEAR is attacked by superhumans.

A flashback then kicks us back a full month, with members of the SEAR military explaining to the Chancellor their Plan: a virus designed to wipe out the X-Gene. Once this virus is fully deployed, the military would distribute a serum to create an artifical X-Gene within certain soldiers, to create a superpowered army. The flashback ends, and Hawkeye fights off the attack on the Triskelion (having a pretty bad-ass moment in the process), and reports in to Fury. Fury after mulling over the options briefly, orders Hawkeye to get the serum.

This issue acts as sort of a companion piece to last week's Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1. On the whole, I enjoyed this issue. I've always been a big fan of political dramas, and seeing one play out in comics has always appealed to me. However, I did find the flashback sequence a bit too long. Generally, I think this issue speaks very well for the interconnected nature of the new Ultimate Universe. If you had not read Ultimates #1 last week, you didn't miss anything. However, if you did, you begin to see a more complete, cohesive picture of the direction of this universe. I give this issue 7/10

-----------------

Flashpoint #5

The issue opens up with Flash confronting Zoom about the Flashpoint Universe, asking how he changed time. Zoom, however, hits Flash with the truth: It was the Flash who had created this alternate timeline, not Zoom. Zoom explains that after standing at his Mother's grave (Flash #12), Barry went mad with grief, and ran back in time to stop Zoom from murdering her. However, by stopping Zoom, Barry's brazen actions acted as a bullet hitting a windshield: shattering time itself.

A fight ensues between the Flash and Zoom, ultimately ending with Thomas Wayne killing Zoom, and convincing the Flash to run back and stop himself from stopping Zoom. Barry tries to run into the past, but is instead pulled toward his mother. After explaining the situation, he pays his respects, and travels back and stops himself. In the end, Barry is able to stop himself, but a strange woman appears, and uses Barry's Speed Force energies to reintegrate three distinct timelines into a unified one. In the new timeline, Barry remembers everything, and tells only Batman.

I'm not going to lie, I was quite disappointed with this book. I'm not upset about the DCnU reboot, I'm just not sure I like the execution. There are more than a few contradictory story elements within this issue alone, but since I know this story will be more or less forgotten, I'm going to be a bit more lenient. I give this issue 5/10

-----------------

Justice League #1

This issue opens up with police trying to apprehend Batman, who in turn is trying to apprehend a very strangely dressed criminal. Batman corners the criminal, who promptly breathes fire at him, causing Green Lantern to swoop in for the save. After a small "Wait, you're real?" segment, Green Lantern and Batman attempt to chase the criminal, who perpetrates a suicide bombing in the name of Darkseid.

Immediately afterwards, Green Lantern and Batman decide that this being (who was extraterrestrial as identified by Hal's ring) may be connected with the rumours they've been hearing of a "Superman" in Metropolis. They decide to confront him. The scene then shifts to high school football star Victor Stone, who is angry with his Dad for not showing up to his game, as he works for an extraterrestrial branch of the government. The scene then switches back to Green Lantern and Batman finding Superman, who clearly is not impressed by the duo.

This issue was solid, but ultimately suffers from decompression. The book is called Justice League, but only three members are shown (four if you count the future Cyborg). In addition, this book isn't really as new-reader-friendly as I would have liked. That said, I have a personal rule of giving new books up to the end of the first story arc to entice me, so I'll wait. One final note: the scene with Green Lantern questioning Batman's "powers"? Priceless. I give this issue 6/10

-----------------

Thoughts? Questions? Feedback is always welcome. Leave a comment or email nextlevelstaff@gmail.com