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 post will contain reviews of:
- Ultimate Spider-Man #157
- Brightest Day #24
- Green Lantern #65
- Green Lantern Corps #59
- Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #9
- The Flash #10
- The Flash #11
- A Review of the Story Mode of Mortal Kombat
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Ultimate Spider-Man #157
This issue begins nearly immediately after the previous one ends. Spider-Man is rushing home to warn his family that Norman Osborn and other villains have escaped and are gunning for him. At the same time, Osborn and Dr. Octopus are debating whether or not they should even go after Spider-Man. Osborn wants to kill him, and Octavius is trying to tell him that he's out. In response, Osborn attacks Octavius, and they degenerate into a large scale battle across the city streets. Spider-Man arrives at home, and tells his family to leave. After they do, he receives a call from Mary Jane: On the one news channel not covering the fight between the New Ultimates and Avengers, Osborn has murdered Octavius on the street.
After successfully tracking down the office where Osborn and the other members of the Sinister Six were hiding out, Spider-Man attempts to intervene in the New Ultimates and Avengers battle, and enters the path of a sniper: The Punisher. The Punisher attempts to shoot Captain America, but the bullet strikes Spider-Man.
Wow. Really Excited to see how this one plays out, considering we now know for sure that there will be a new Ultimate Spider-Man under the suit after this storyline. Will Peter Parker die? Will he be crippled? Gotta read on to find out.
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Brightest Day #24
This issue begins with the retelling of the White Lantern reveal: Alec Holland. For the readers who were unfamiliar with Alec Holland, the Entity recaps his story, revealing that after he died in laboratory explosion, his essence was absorbed by the Parliament of Trees, releasing a protector: The Swamp Thing. However, we learn that the Dark Avatar is Swamp Thing, which now believes it is Nekron rather than Alec Holland. Captain Boomerang is then overcome with the urge to throw a dark energy boomerang at Dove. He does so, and Hawk attempts to catch it, but it slices through his hand, but does not hit Dove. We then see that Deadman took the boomerang in the chest and is killed.
The Entity explains that in order to properly raise Alec Holland, someone needed to die. Once Deadman is...dead, the White Ring flies off of his finger to Alec's and fully resurrects him. He then absorbs the power of the Elementals, and is told by the Entity that he must become the Swamp Thing. Using the power of the Elementals, Swamp Thing is able to destroy the Dark Avatar and restore all the damage done by the Dark Avatar. Upon their release, we get an epilogue for each member of the Elementals: Aquaman discovers that the Xebellian Rebels during Aquawar were being armed by members of Atlantis, Martian Manhunter saves the girl whom he injured in issue 5, Hawkman is released but Hawkgirl remains dead, and Firestorm discovers that the Firestorm Matrix is building to detonation. Finally, we see Swamp Thing kill some executives who were planning to dump toxic waste, and the cops begin to investigate the return of the Swamp Thing.
So...I enjoyed this story but I have zero intention of following the Swamp Thing into the aftermath stories. That said, I found myself getting really into the Aquaman and Firestorm stories, and will be following those characters for the foreseeable future.
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Green Lantern #65
The issue begins with Kilowog being corrupted fully by Krona, and Hal and Guy finding a safe house they'd set up in years past. The safe house contains a ship, which the two of them use to fly to Oa to find Kyle and John. As they get to Oa, their ship is destroyed by Kilowog, and Guy and Hal enter an escape pod and are found by Kyle and John.
During their planning sessions, Hal reveals that he still has all of the rings of the New Guardians, and he suggests that the best way to take on the Green Lantern Corps is to arm themselves with the rings. Hal takes the yellow ring, and Guy takes the red ring, while Kyle selects the blue ring. John initially opts for the orange ring, but is talked out of it by Hal, who gives him the Indigo ring. They slip on their rings, and prepare for battle.
This issue felt exactly like what it was: the middle of an event. But it also was a true turning point, as we've got a viable plan to take down the Green Lantern Corps. What will happen next?
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Green Lantern Corps #59
With their plan set in motion, the four Earth-based Green Lanterns move to save Ganthet. While each of them struggles to get the hang off their new rings, Ganthet is battling the possessed-Green Lantern Corps. After being ambushed by some Green Lanterns, the four Earth-based Lanterns are able to get to Ganthet, who is in shock at the fact that Four Earth Lanterns have taken on other rings.
Ganthet verbally trashes Hal, and seeks to help free the Green Lantern Corps, but at that moment, the Planet Green Lantern Mogo arrives and attacks them.
I found this a bit more interesting than the previous issue in the War for the sole purpose of Ganthet being so angry with Hal taking on the other ring. Combined with the notion of the First Green Lantern, and the prophecy revealed in Green Lantern #62, there is serious ground here to build an excellent story.
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Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #9
This issue picks up with Mogo attacking the Lanterns, and in order to escape, they head underground, being separated from Ganthet. While underground, the Lanterns discuss their options: rescuing Mogo, or removing Parallax from the Central Power Battery. The Lanterns vote 3 to 1 to remove Parallax, and thus attempt to travel to the battery underground. They discover a lost chamber containing many of the lost technologies of the Guardians: including Krona's Power Gauntlet, not connected to the Central Power Battery.
The four Lanterns are attacked by Shedd, a non-possessed Green Lantern, which allows them to capture the Gauntlet. However, they find that the Foundry is creating more Green Lantern rings and sending them to Mogo for programming. This means that Krona will have a nearly limitless supply of possessed Green Lanterns. As a result, Kyle changes his vote, and he and John move off to free Mogo, leaving Hal and Guy to try and remove Parallax before they are attacked by the Butcher.
As I was saying in the last previous review, we're setting up a lot of groundwork for the post-war status quo, and I like it a great deal. Finally, the War is starting to heat up and I cannot wait for the conclusion.
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The Flash #10
This issue begins by revealing that Hot Pursuit is not Barry Allen from the future, but is in fact the Barry Allen from an alternate Earth. However, Kid Flash appears and attempts to point out to The Flash that he cannot take anything that Hot Pursuit says at face value. As a result, Hot Pursuit takes off, looking for fuel for his motorcycle. At the same time, Bart Allen argues with Barry that he feels that Barry has a problem with him personally.
Once the situation is dealt with, Barry returns to work, and reunites with his old lab analyst Patty (who CLEARLY has feelings for him). While explaining the Elongated Kid case to her, Barry gets a call, indicating there is another crime scene with the same modus operandi. This time, Barry notices that there are tire tracks (similar to the Hot Pursuit's motorcycle), and there is a young boy left as a witness.
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The Flash #11
The issue opens up with Barry Allen explaining to his superior why the tire tracks are significant, while at the same time revealing that the witness hasn't said a word, but is comfortable with Patty. Barry gets a call asking him to come home for "an intervention". Basically, his family believes that he's not really living his life, and is in fact just running around from case to case ignoring his family.
Bart Allen races off angrily, and Barry runs after him, but Bart is attacked by Hot Pursuit. Hot Pursuit tells Barry that Bart must be the time distortion, and must be sent back to the future, attacking him with his cosmic nightstick. At the same time, Patty (confirming her attraction to Barry to herself) discovers that there was no Gingold in the Elongated Kid's system, but instead there was a strange electrical charge. At that moment, the witness walks in, his eyes begin to glow the familiar electric red, and he restores himself to his natural age, revealing himself to be... Professor Zoom.
If there has been one problem this book has had, it's the shipping delays. However, despite the lateness of this issue, we've finally got a strong lead-in to Flashpoint, and we're extremely excited.
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Mortal Kombat
This is a first for The Next Level, as we normally let Pwning Pat focus on video games. But it was decided to supplement
Pwning Pat's Review of Mortal Kombat with this post focusing on the story mode of the game.
The story is broken in two three Acts, and 16 Chapters of 4 fights each. Each Act loosely corresponds to the timeline of one of the original three Mortal Kombat games. Act 1 consists of Chapters 1 through 5. The story begins with the ending of Mortal Kombat Armageddon, showing Shao Kahn gaining all the power of Blaze and destroying all of existence. Just before Raiden is destroyed, he has the realization that "
HE MUST WIN!", and sends visions of his future to his past self. His past self sees these visions, and realizes that events must change.
During the events of the first game's tournament, hosted by Shang Tsung, the Raiden from that era possesses visions of the events from the future, he notices his amulet has cracked, signaling troubling times ahead. Across the tournament's battles, Raiden comes to the conclusion that Liu Kang is to win the tournament and save Earthrealm. He urges him to fight Shang Tsung. He does so and is victorious, however, Raiden's amulet cracks further, a sign that future events remain unchanged. Disappointed with Outworld's defeat, Shao Kahn orders Shang Tsung's execution, but relents after being given the proposal of holding the second tournament in Outworld. During the events of the tournament, due to Raiden's assistance of Smoke, whom was to be subjected to cybernetic transformation as per Lin Kuei orders, Sub-Zero instead undergoes the procedure, inadvertently altering the timeline. Raiden attempts to substitute Kung Lao as the champion of the new tournament. Kung Lao, however, is killed by Shao Kahn after defeating Kintaro, leaving Liu Kang to be champion once again.
Despite Liu Kang's fatal victory over Shao Kahn, Kahn launches an invasion of Earth despite warnings by the Elder Gods that by merging Outworld and Earthrealm, he will earn their wrath. Nightwolf halts Quan Chi's ritual. However, the interference causes Shao Kahn's forces to assault the headquarters of the Earthrealm warriors, as Kabal, Stryker, Cyber Sub Zero, Jax, Smoke, and Jade are all killed and Johnny and Sonya injured by Sindel. Kitana unsuccessfully pleads her mother, who comments that she is no longer her mother, and fatally wounds Kitana. Nightwolf, in a desperate attempt kill Sindel, uses all of his remaining energy to destroy both himself and the empress. As Raiden and Liu Kang return from an unsuccessful consult with the Elder Gods was shocked of the event that took place. Liu Kang, upon seeing Kitana and all his allies dead, becomes angry, believing Raiden to be insane with his visions.
During an attempt to ally with Quan Chi in order to stop Kahn's invasion, Raiden realizes that Shao Kahn is the one meant to win by merging the realms, as it would mean that the Elder Gods would intervene, and meets with Liu Kang about this news. However, Liu Kang has already deemed Raiden insane as his efforts to change the past. They fight, with Liu Kang threatening to kill him if he insists on interfering. Raiden inadvertently kills Liu Kang instead just as Kang is about to intercept Shao Kahn. Overwhelmed with grief and guilt over the loss of his friend as well as countless others, Raiden remorsefully surrenders to Shao Kahn voluntarily. The Elder Gods intervene, and grant him the power necessary to kill Kahn, freeing Earthrealm. Raiden vows to rebuild Earthrealm and tend to the injured with Cage and Sonya.
In the end, Quan Chi is seen meeting with Shinnok. The two discuss using Earthrealm's vulnerability in making the Netherrealm the dominating force in the universe.
Why did I love this story mode:
- The relationships between characters are explained and expanded upon
- You get to play as, and fight, characters prior to major changes (Cyrax/Sektor before they were cyberneticized, Jax before his arms get ripped off)
- Despite being a near-reboot, the story succeeds in being both new and nostalgic for all fans of Mortal Kombat.
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So that's the end of this absolutely RIDICULOUSLY long post. Thankfully, with the situations in my life having come to a close, I'll be able to return to my regular posting schedule.
Thoughts? Questions? Feedback is always welcome. Leave a comment or email
nextlevelstaff@gmail.com
Gundam AGE is a paradox. On one level, it's the logical extension of the Gundam universe, expanding it into areas that previous series' had only slightly considered. However, on the other level, the expansion into these areas is done by looking backward and adopting a far more PG-oriented stance on the series.
At first, I watched this series thinking to myself, "Well, I need something a bit more mature than Gundam Age. Something like...Code Geass maybe." After hearing that some members of the Geass team were involved with this show, I strengthened my own resolve. I'm very glad I did.
It is a cliché in the Gundam world that the main love interest for the protagonist must die (with one or two major exceptions). But once in a while, the death angle is performed so strongly, that it chills even the most jaded viewer.
Back during Level 22, I reviewed the first issue of this book with a simple question: What the hell is going on? Unfortunately, after reading the second issue, I have the same question. Essentially, the entire issue is a backdrop for Magneto to tell his life story to Cyclops in preparation of some disaster that is about to hit Utopia. That's as much as I could figure out. This book better pick up soon, or Schism will fail.
This issue is what Spider-Man is all about: Self-Sacrifice. It begins a short time after Spider-Man is shot. He wakes up, alone, on the street bleeding to death. After trying to remember what happened to the big Ultimates vs Avengers fight (see the Ultimates vs Avengers miniseries for that), he decides he must go to a hospital, and uses his webbing to temporarily patch the bullet wound. At the same time, the Sinister Six find the Tinkerer and armour up in preparation for their assault on the Parker house. They fly over Spider-Man, and in a silent moment, Spider-Man takes off after them.
The issue begins where the last one left off: Sinestro Corpsman Hal Jordan and Red Lanter Guy Gardner battling the Emotional Entity possessed Guardians. After a short battle, Hal decides that they should attempt to escape and free Parallax, to restore the Corps. Unfortunately, the possessed Guardians are wiping the floor with Hal and Guy, so Guy decides to activate Krona's Power Gauntlet. Once he does however, both he and Hal are struck down by Krona.
I cannot in good conscience review this issue properly. The ENTIRE issue revolved around the X-Men saying "I can't believe this is happening", but NEVER ONCE explain to the reader what "this" is. Here's the problem guys, I've not been reading X-Men since the end of the Five Lights story. I have no idea what's happening, and as a result I really didn't like this book. Hopefully, I'll figure it out in the days to come.
This issue begins nearly immediately after the previous one ends. Spider-Man is rushing home to warn his family that Norman Osborn and other villains have escaped and are gunning for him. At the same time, Osborn and Dr. Octopus are debating whether or not they should even go after Spider-Man. Osborn wants to kill him, and Octavius is trying to tell him that he's out. In response, Osborn attacks Octavius, and they degenerate into a large scale battle across the city streets. Spider-Man arrives at home, and tells his family to leave. After they do, he receives a call from Mary Jane: On the one news channel not covering the fight between the New Ultimates and Avengers, Osborn has murdered Octavius on the street.
This issue begins with the retelling of the White Lantern reveal: Alec Holland. For the readers who were unfamiliar with Alec Holland, the Entity recaps his story, revealing that after he died in laboratory explosion, his essence was absorbed by the Parliament of Trees, releasing a protector: The Swamp Thing. However, we learn that the Dark Avatar is Swamp Thing, which now believes it is Nekron rather than Alec Holland. Captain Boomerang is then overcome with the urge to throw a dark energy boomerang at Dove. He does so, and Hawk attempts to catch it, but it slices through his hand, but does not hit Dove. We then see that Deadman took the boomerang in the chest and is killed.
The issue begins with Kilowog being corrupted fully by Krona, and Hal and Guy finding a safe house they'd set up in years past. The safe house contains a ship, which the two of them use to fly to Oa to find Kyle and John. As they get to Oa, their ship is destroyed by Kilowog, and Guy and Hal enter an escape pod and are found by Kyle and John.
With their plan set in motion, the four Earth-based Green Lanterns move to save Ganthet. While each of them struggles to get the hang off their new rings, Ganthet is battling the possessed-Green Lantern Corps. After being ambushed by some Green Lanterns, the four Earth-based Lanterns are able to get to Ganthet, who is in shock at the fact that Four Earth Lanterns have taken on other rings.
This issue begins by revealing that Hot Pursuit is not Barry Allen from the future, but is in fact the Barry Allen from an alternate Earth. However, Kid Flash appears and attempts to point out to The Flash that he cannot take anything that Hot Pursuit says at face value. As a result, Hot Pursuit takes off, looking for fuel for his motorcycle. At the same time, Bart Allen argues with Barry that he feels that Barry has a problem with him personally.
This is a first for The Next Level, as we normally let Pwning Pat focus on video games. But it was decided to supplement Pwning Pat's Review of Mortal Kombat with this post focusing on the story mode of the game.
