eXCELSIOR COMICS AND GAMES, GAMING LOUNGE, MTG MAYNARD MA, COMICS MAYNARD MA, WARMACHINE, HORDES, POKEMON, YU-GI-OH, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, PATHFINDER, CHAMPIONS, 01754, ORIGINAL ART, LOCAL ART, POP CULTURE, SUPER HEROES, COMICS, GAMING, VIDEO GAMES, CARD GAMES, BOARD GAMES, KIDS EVENTS, MOVIES, D&D, D&D NEXT, MONSTER HUNTER 3DS, POP VINYLS, GEEK, GEEKRY, FEMENIST, FEMALE OWNED, TOYS,

The Good

     Marko is still dealing with the death of his father, heads out to find Oswald Heist with Alana, Hazel, Klara, and Izabel. The Will, Gwendolyn, Slave Girl, and Lying Cat try to focus in and track them down.

     The stand-out part of the issue was the scene with The Will. He is quite the fan favorite, even though he's a minor antagonist to the main characters. His relationship with Gwendolyn starts to grow here, and it seems like the two may become romantic in the future. Also, Slave Girl finally gets a name. This group is quickly becoming a nice little family unit, and they already have a pet. The coolest pet in the galaxy: Lying Cat.

     One thing that this book has over every single other book on the shelves is that every single character in this book is strong enough to hold their own solo series. Well, maybe not Hazel because she's a baby. Writer Brian K Vaughan's strength in this series, as well as the numerous other series he's written is developing characters and making the reader want to know more. The reader just becomes enthralled with who these characters are and what they're all individually trying to accomplish. Some characters are a bit more interesting than others, but overall, these are some of the most intriguing characters in current comic books.

     While there's no giant with humongous testicles or a television screen showing some adult rated material, Fiona Staples art, in this issue, is still something that should be talked about around the water cooler. Her brilliant art style has a lot of fairy-tale elements to it. Everything just pops of the page, and her art, combine with the story, gives the reader something different from the other comics on the shelves. Also, the Bone Bugs are pretty darn cool. Who doesn't love a beast made entirely of random bones?

The Bad

     This book hasn't been around for a couple months, and delays can really hurt a story. While it's true most fans would rather have a delayed book with solid writing and art, rather than the artist/writer rushing or the publisher putting on a fill-in artist/writer, delays still suck for fans.

     The biggest problem with this issue is that it feels like this should have been issue #12 and issue #12 should be issue #13. Everything that happens here takes place before #12. This story is all about the journey to find Heist. It feels backwards, and as a jumping back on point, the events of issue #12 would have worked much better than what happened here.

The Verdict

     Here's the thing about this issue, overall. I wasn't as happy with it as I was with the other issues. Sure, it's good, but this delay really created a big disconnect for me from the characters and story. There's a pretty, what should be, emotional scene towards the end of the issue that fell a bit flat for me. The art and writing are perfectly fine. The problem is just that it's been a while since the reader has been with these character and in their world. Regardless, the art and writing are still great, and it's a very good issue. The biggest problem a lot of fans will have is frankly, we're all just a bit sad the book has been gone for so long, but we're extremely happy to have it back.

     Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

The Good

     So, there's a villain from the '70s who dresses like a pimp and goes by the name 'The White Man' because... well, he's really white. He was frozen back in that decade when Deadpool "teamed-up" with the Heroes for Hire. He's now free and if him blurting out a line like, "Why is it so hard for the White Man to get a cab in New York City?!" makes you laugh, then you're about to have a ridiculously great time with this issue. If not... well, then I guess you haven't been digging the humor in the book, and I have no idea why you're even reading this review.

     Look, I'm a girl who loves her Deadpool with a lot of layers and a strong focus on why he's an anti-hero. The character had depth in the earlier years, made some great developments in CABLE & DEADPOOL and, of course, is seriously badass. There's no sign of that Deadpool in this issue whatsoever, but you know what? I couldn't care less because co-writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn do such a great job delivering an onslaught of laughs that it more than makes up for it. You'd think "The White Man _____" lines would get old, right? Well, they didn't for me. At all. This writing duo had me cracking up throughout the whole read. From Luke Cage absolutely loathing his connection to Wade to the White Man's defeat, I had a goofy smile planted firmly on my face virtually the entire time. It's a super silly issue crammed with so many big laughs. Besides, can you really expect a different kind of tone when you're dealing with an enemy like this?

     Scott Koblish provides the art in the issue (along with Val Staples who does solid coloring as always) and slides right into the crazy chapter with no problem. His style draws similarities to both Mike Hawthorne and Tony Moore's, providing an animated and fun atmosphere, while also bringing it when it comes to the more violent elements of the book. He's more than capable of stepping up when it comes to a joke that relies purely on visuals (as seen by the guy discovering what's in his soup). Plus, his ability to make the kids adorable in even the most ridiculous events adds so more much levity to a few moments. There's something truly special about a group of adorable kids attacking a villain dressed like a pimp.

The Bad

     I have some minor problems here and there but literally all of them can be countered with, "dude, it's an issue focusing on comedy, not logic."

The Verdict

    Duggan and Posehn continue to do what they do best... and that's make me laugh like a fool. They successfully bring this absurd villain to the modern era and it makes for a wildly entertaining adventure which is every bit as enjoyable as the "lost issue." It's essentially slapstick and one-liners for a vast majority of the ride, but the conclusion switches things back into a more serious direction and has me legitimately curious to see how they'll handle the next issue. I love me some purely comedic Deadpool, but I really hope the next issue will be able to incorporate a more serious tone as well because the scenario certainly calls for it.

The Good

     Most people seem to have similar feelings towards events in comics. Regardless, they do sell and people do read them. Marvel knows this and the very first page makes it clear this is "A Marvel Comics Event." With this issue featuring Jonathan Hickman, Jim Cheung and Thanos on the cover, I dare you to resist checking it out.

     The great thing is, this isn't your typical event. If you've been checking out Hickman's AVENGERS and NEW AVENGERS, this almost feels like a natural progression rather than a sudden event that brings all the characters together. This is something that Marvel has been leading up to. That's one thing that makes this feel different from past events. There's also the fact that this is a more galactic story and even though AvX involved the Phoenix Force, it's almost as if you can't compare these two events.

     This massive comic begins with the INFINITY Free Comic Book Day issue for those that might have missed it. Also drawn by Jim Cheung, it seamlessly flows right into the main story. Speaking of Cheung's art, it has to be mentioned that he knows how to draw fearsome alien races. Often in comics, alien species appear too artificial and sometimes comical. The look can also be attributed to Justin Ponsor's colors and Mark Morales' inks in the opening section.

     If you haven't been keeping up with the AVENGERS titles, there is a convenient scorecard informing you who the main players are and what affiliation they have. This is helpful with the different alien races and the fact that there are a lot of characters that will be involved here.

     Other events try to have a big feel to them. INFINITY simply is big. You can feel an epic story in the making. We just need to sit back and watch it unfold.

The Bad

     New readers can make their way through this issue but there will be a slight sense of confusion if you haven't been reading Hickman's AVENGERS titles. Parts of the issue are divided into separate sections and you almost feel like you're being thrown around from scene to scene, trying to figure out what is going on. You barely get a chance to see what's going on but you will have a sense of awe at the same time which does lessen the confusion. But some readers might feel as if they walked into a movie theater, having missed the first couple minutes. It almost feels like too much is being set up here.

     We also see the return of the Builders, first introduced in Hickman's AVENGERS. They weren't characters I was too crazy about as we've seen so many different characters and species that were determined to evolve other species.

     It may be unfair to this 'event' but knowing there's already another brewing after this makes it a tiny bit hard to swallow.

The Verdict

     Whether you love events or are trying to avoid them, there's no denying the grand scope Marvel, Jonathan Hickman and Jim Cheung have established with the very first issue of INFINITY. Hickman has been building this story in recent issues of AVENGERS and NEW AVENGERS and this is where it all bubbles to the surface. Reading those are not crucial but will help a good deal.

     For those in fear of "another event," the good news is this makes it feel worthy. There is a lot going on. Perhaps too much but you will feel satisfied after laying out your dollars for this comic. There's some huge things coming to the heroes in the Marvel Universe. With a battle on different fronts, it's going to be fun seeing the Avengers fight one threat while a certain other individual takes advantage of their absence. If we have to have events, this is how I want it to play out. There is a grand feel to the story and you'll feel yourself staring at each page in awe over what transpires. Too often comic book events are hyped up and fizzle out but INFINITY delivers in the first issue. You'll definitely want to come on board for INFINITY. It's going to be a crazy and thrilling ride.

Trillium #1 - Chapter 1: 3797 - The Scientist; Chapter 1.2: 1917 - The Soldier

Put your space helmet on and get your machete. It's time for the last love story ever told.

The Good

     TRILLIUM, on title alone, sounds like a work of hard science-fiction; cold, clean, robotic. In actuality, like the eponymous flower, it's delicate, intricate, and rich with mystery -- though there are certainly elements of sci-fi to be found. Jeff Lemire has composed a beautiful adventure, bookended by two different points in space and time, and assuredly poignant at their intersection.

     It's "the last love story ever told," and while those lovers have only just had their meet-cute (if having a disoriented encounter with a stranger in fugue state counts as a meet-cute!), the tone has been set for a layered story of two incredibly different paths that cross in uncanny ways. It's far too soon to tell if TRILLIUM is a tragedy or a triumphany story, but it's undoubtedly interesting.

     The shift in perspective from Nika in 3797 to William in 1921 is fascinating; on the surface, they're wholly different stories, from different times, and even different ends of the universe, but they're also the same story. Nika is among the last of the human species, in a strange new land, on the run from a plague. William is the last of his battalion, in a strange new land, on the run from his haunting memories of the war. Both are in foreign environments, drawn to the trillium flower because it represents life and healing, and both reject the warnings of a guide in their quest for it (they both seem to have a bit of an authority problem bubbling under the surface), and the convergence is breathtaking.

The Bad

     I found this issue to be thoroughly engaging and enjoyable, and have no comment in this category.

The Verdict

     Jeff Lemire has distilled the art of crafting compelling first issues down to a science, and TRILLIUM is no exception -- layered characters on the verge of making interesting choices, a looming threat with meaningful consequences, a solution that seems too easy to be true (so we know it isn't!), and heaps of mystery. His sweeping, watercolor-tinged illustrations add to the otherworldly, adventurous feel of the book, and it's captivating from the start.