Review- MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AVENGERS VOL. 14

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AVENGERS VOL. 14 (Marvel, First Printing, 2014; Hardcover)

Collects Avengers #129-135, Giant-Size Avengers #2-4 (excluding reprint back-up stories), and Foom #12 (cover dates November, 1974- June, 1975)

Writers: Steve Englehart and Roy Thomas (#132 and GSA #4)

Artists: Sal Buscema, Dave Cockrum, Joe Staton, George Tuska, and Don Heck with additional Inking by Joe Giella, Frank Chiaramonte, and John Tartaglione

Us old guys like to bemoan the crossovers. Things were so much better way back when, we say as we sit around the Internet equivalent of playing checkers on checkerboard on top of a barrel at the general store. This book is proof positive that these sort of sales gimmicks are nothing new, as fans were required to buy both the monthly title and the double-sized, twice as expensive Giant-Size issues as well every month in order to get the complete story.

This was a double dip upgrade over the long out of print Celestial Madonna trade paperback. I think that I enjoyed the story more this second time reading it, as the Swordsman/Cotati/tree marriage bit was harder for me to swallow the first time around. Whenever I see stuff like that now I just shake my head and think Ah...the '70s. To be fair, none of these guys expected to have their work dissected in deluxe hardcover decades later or to ever appear on the big screen. We've come a long way, folks.

I am sucker for Kang and all of his timeslip ret-con goodness. This is nowhere near as confusing as all of the timeslips in Avengers: Endgame, though. Mantis was never done right on the big screen.

While this particular book is out of print you can get the same material with the same restoration (and a ton of other issues) in The Complete Celestial Madonna trade paperback. I will stick with this book. No more dips for me.

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations and materials used in physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed beyond this point.

Linework and Color restoration: These books are so expensive because of the level of restoration done to the material. The beauty of it is that folks like me are willing to pay the premium and then the material is later reissued in cheaper formats. Everybody wins!

Paper stock: Coated stock with a slight sheen.

Binding: Sewn binding.

Dustjacket and Hardback cover notes: Laminated dustjacket with spot varnish. The hardback has faux leather grain and dye foil stamping.

Review- AVENGERS: THE ONCE AND FUTURE KANG

AVENGERS: THE ONCE AND FUTURE KANG (Marvel, First Printing, 2013; Softcover)

Collects Avengers #262-269, Avengers Annual #15, and West Coast Avengers Annual #1 (cover dates December, 1985- Annual, 1986)

Writers: Roger Stern, Danny Fingeroth, and Steve Englehart with Jim Shooter and Mark Bright

Artists: Pencilers/Breakdowns- John Buscema, Steve Ditko, and Mark Bright; Inkers/Finishers- Tom Palmer, Klaus Janson, and Geof Isherwood

Oh man! This is where things got real for then-12 year old me. I bought issue 262 off of the spinner rack at 7-11 when it was released in September of 1985. I was in 7^th grade at the time and, as hard as it might seem to believe to younger comic book fans today, one had to hide the fact that they still liked “childish things” like superheroes at age 12 back then.

#263 was another one that I bought off of the spinner rack. The Roger Stern/ John Buscema era rules. The art team of Buscema and Palmer had a rough edge to it which lent itself to the action. I fell hook, line, and sinker for this crossover. I was already buying Fantastic Four, so part two of this story in #286 was another spinner rack purchase. I picked up X-Factor #1 because of this issue.

I didn't buy 264 at the time, which is too bad since it's such a great issue. Oh well. I don't recall buying #265 at the time, although I have read it in the Secret Wars II Omnibus. I did pick up 266 at the time. The 32 pages with no ads cover blurb, along with the Silver Surfer and Secret Wars II epilogue, enticed me to buy it. It was an awesome issue then and it holds up every bit as well today.

It is issue 267 that blew my mind as a kid. I love Kang The Conqueror with all of the endless timestream and divergent timelines, and this issue was read many times that winter. I didn't get 268 or 269 at the time, probably due to a lack of money. This was a fantastic ending to the Kang saga.

This splash page blew my mind as a kid, back when alternate timelines in Marvel Comics weren't a daily occurrence. I remember thinking wait...how is Storm back in her old costume WITH her powers back?

The annuals I've read before in other collections. Steve Ditko did the artwork on Avengers Annual #15. His artwork at this stage of his career was solid if not his most illustrious effort. This was a crossover with West Coast Avengers Annual #1. I enjoyed the battle with Freedom Force.

This was another great collection of real Avengers comics. Roger Stern is one of the holy trinity of Avengers writers. Accept no substitutes.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations and materials used in physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed beyond this point.

While this book is out of print, it's contents (minus issues 262 and 263) have compiled along with the contents of the Under Siege hardcover/trade and the orphaned Alpha Flight #39, which addressed why Sub-Mariner left the team, in Avengers Epic Collection: Under Siege trade paperback.

Issue 263 was part of a three part crossover with Fantastic Four #286 which led into X-Factor #1. These issues aren't essential to understanding the issues in this collection, but Marvel has spoiled us with their completeness so their omission is curious. If this were a DC collection I would be praising the inclusion of all of the story pages and word balloons.

Linework and Color restoration: Nearly perfect. To be honest with you, I am going to have a hard time justifying a double dip when the Marvel Masterworks line reaches this run of of Roger Stern trades. Knowing me I likely will double dip anyways, but the end of the Stern run is where I will ultimately jump ship from the Masterworks line either way.

Paper stock: The same wonderful matte coated stock that Marvel uses in all of their collected editions for material with flat coloring. I love it.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback. You can see the slight separation in the front and back of the book with the perforated binding, but a dollop of acid free library glue would deal with that if it becomes an issue down the road. It's not like I'll ever have time to read this book again before I die to find out either way.

Cardstock cover notes: Laminated cardstock cover.

Review- MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AVENGERS VOL. 13

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AVENGERS VOL. 13 (Marvel, First Printing, 2013; Hardcover)

Collects Avengers #120-128, Giant-Size Avengers #1, Captain Marvel #33, and The Fantastic Four #150 (cover dates February- October, 1974)

Writers: Steve Englehart (#120-128), Roy Thomas, Jim Starlin, and Gerry Conway

Artists: Pencilers- Bob Brown, John Buscema, Sal Buscema, Rich Buckler, and Jim Starlin; Inkers- Don Heck, Mike Esposito, Dave Cockrum, Joe Staton, Dan Adkins, Klaus Janson, and Joe Sinnott

Things start out with a three part bang, with The Avengers going toe to toe against The Zodiac in 120-122. The Zodiac are a 12-member crime syndicate, with each member wearing a costume respective to their sign with powers to match. Growing up in the '70s, zodiac signs were everywhere. My mom even had a wall hanging featuring the zodiac signs. This is one of those it-could-only-come-from-the-70s plots, where The Avengers are racing against time to stop The Zodiac from using a beam to murder every Gemini in Manhattan.

This lineup of the team in this era is great. Thor, The Vision, Iron Man, Black Panther, the Scarlet Witch, Mantis, The Swordsman, and Captain America, who was coming and going during these issues due to problems with The Secret Empire over in his own title.

Issue 123 has one of those convoluted story twists that could only come from the early 70s. Steve Englehart shifts gears with Libra of the just-defeated Zodiac trying to trick Mantis into thinking that he is her father. This starts the team on a journey back to Vietnam to try to uncover her true origins, which at this time were still a mystery. We learn bits and pieces and it all becomes a bit ridiculous. At least the Avengers fight a giant red dragon called the Star-Stalker in #124, which makes no sense but it looks cool and was fun to read.

There is no break in the action as we head into issue 125. The Avengers end up in a space battle with the fleet of Thanos, who is shown but the team do not encounter him at this time. This brings us to the crossover issue Captain Marvel (the original, Mar-Vell, not the Carol Danvers one that newer readers know), where we see Captain Marvel and Drax the Destroyer battling Thanos for the Cosmic Cube.

Giant-Size Avengers #1 is a Roy Thomas continuity porn spectacular, where he shoehorns in members of The All-Winners Squad from the 1940s into Marvel continuity, albeit as middle-aged superheroes. Rich Buckler turns in his Jack Kirby homage art and I have to admit that it's great. There was a time when artists try to emulate the Marvel house style of the day. No one does that anymore.

I really got a kick out of issue 126, where The Avengers fight Klaw and Solarr in another one of those It could only come from the early seventies type of stories. As silly as some of these things may seem to a middle-aged man here in the so-called sophisticated 21st century, you have to remember that Steve Englehart was winging this as he went along for the most part. He may have had a map but he was able to do things on the fly which no writer today could do with all of the editorial constraints that they face. I would much rather read stories like this that are fun and it seems like the writer is juggling balls trying not to drop one then some boring and sterile completely mapped out down to the last panel comic book. Your mileage may vary.

Number 127 sees the Avengers head to the Hidden Refuge of The Inhumans to attend the wedding of Crystal and Quicksilver. It's another one of those absurd 70s kind of stories where the twist at the end reveals the villain to be none other than Ultron-7. Ultron rules. This issue was also a crossover with Fantastic Four #150. Seeing the Fantastic Four and The Avengers take on Ultron together was awesome.

Number 128 was a story that focused on the Scarlet Witch. Steve Englehart was one of the first writers to really explore Wanda Maximoff. Women's lib was in full swing and there was no reason that a mutant who had the power to alter probabilities should be so easily winded and a weak link in the team. Englehart brought in Agatha Harkness, the former caregiver for Franklin Richards of the Fantastic Four. Harkness ended up parting company with the FF after the wedding of Crystal and Quicksilver to accompany The Avengers back to Avengers mansion to work with Wanda and help her with her mutant powers. In yet another one of those kind of absurd, post Rosemary's Baby early '70s faux occult stories we see her reach her full potential.

And that ending! Kang the Conqueror! I'm a huge fan of Kang and all of his time slips. While I've read all of the issues that are in the next volume and this line I can't wait to reread them in high def. Steve Englehart is one of the all-time greatest Avengers writers, and the next volume in this line features one of its all-time greatest storylines: The Celestial Madonna.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.75 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations and materials of physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed beyond this point.

It irks me that none of the original issue cover artists are given credit.

Linework and Color restoration: Think of the post-2007 Masterworks as definitive Blu-Ray/4k editions, with painstakingly restored linework and a color palette that is 100% faithful to the source material.

Paper stock: Thick semi-glossy coated stock.

Binding: Rounded book casing and Smyth sewn binding allow this book to lay completely flat in one hand as Godzilla intended.

Dustjacket and Hardback cover notes: Spot varnish on the dustjacket, faux leather casewrap with dye foil stamping.

Review- AVENGERS: THE LEGACY OF THANOS

AVENGERS: THE LEGACY OF THANOS (Marvel, First Printing, 2014; Softcover)

Collects Avengers #255-261, Avengers Annual #14, and Fantastic Four Annual #19 (cover dates May- November, 1985)

Writers: Roger Stern and John Byrne

Artists: John Buscema, John Byrne, Glynis Oliver, Tom Palmer, Kyle Baker, and Joe Sinnott

Oh man! This is where it got real for me. While I discovered The Avengers via my older brother's comics with #187 and picked up select issues as far back as #196, #258 was when I became a monthly buyer. This issue was a crossover with Amazing Spider-Man #270, that issue being the second part of an epic battle with Firelord. I turned 12 that summer, and the cliffhanger of ASM 269 and 270 was just too much for me. Now we had to pick up an Avengers issue too? Cynical 44 year old me hates crossovers, and yet small crossovers like this helped hook young me in an organic way. My son is 11 and he is dabbling in comics and I see various series sucking him in in the same way. God help the boy. I caution him against the crossover trick, and yet here he is buying umpteen DC Metal crossover issues, but I digress.

#259 was my introduction to the Skrulls and also served as my introduction to The Avengers as a galactic powerhouse. Unbeknownst to 12 year old me was the fact that this arc was a nod to early '70s Avengers Kree-Skrull War. There was no Internet to look this stuff up on in 1985, and we were better off in some ways. Comics existed in the now and the now only. There were no trades of vintage material kept in print. No movies or video games with these characters. Whatever version of the characters that were on the spinner rack at 7-11 were the only ones that mattered. I think that there is something to be said for that.

As much as I grumble about crossovers, #260 and 261 were both Secret Wars II crossover issues and I loved them. Little did 12 year old me realize that I was helping show the industry that crossovers and endless tie-in issues work. They would soon become the status quo before almost killing off everything. Over the past decade Marvel began pumping them out one after another, and here we are on the cusp of yet another bubble burst. Those who don't learn from history and all that.

The summer Annual crossover with the Fantastic Four remains a fond childhood memory. I must have read those two comics a dozen times each when they were released in August of 1985. 

Roger Stern is Avengers royalty and can do no wrong. He, along with Roy Thomas, Steve Engelhart, and Kurt Busiek have written the finest comics to bear the title Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This is top shelf stuff that should be in every library in the country, public and private.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This is the part where I go into tactile sensations of physical media. Those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or women who are pregnant should exit my blog at their earliest convenience, as their safety cannot be guaranteed.

Linework and Color restoration: Everything looks good. Linework and color palette are faithful to the original comics. Books like this pose a question. As good as this looks, will the inevitable Marvel Masterworks really look any better? I'll let you know when I buy them whenever they are released. Why, god, why?

Paper stock: Matte coated stock of sufficient thickness and weight. This is the same stock found in the softcover Marvel Masterworks and Epic line books. It's my favorite paper stock used in collected editions today.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Laminated cardstock cover.

Review- AVENGERS: ABSOLUTE VISION BOOK 2

AVENGERS: ABSOLUTE VISION BOOK 2 (Marvel, First Printing, 2014; Softcover)

Collects Avengers #242-254 and Avengers Annual #13 (cover dates April, 1984- April, 1985)

Writer: Roger Stern

Artists: Al Milgrom, Joe Rubinstein, Joe Sinnott, Bob Hall, Jack Abel, Brett Breeding, Joe Delbeato, Kim DeMulder, Steve Ditko, Brian Garvey, Carmine Infantino, and John Byrne

Roger Stern's brilliant run on the title kicks into high gear with his long gestating Absolute Vision storyline. The events in the previous book (Absolute Vision Book 1) saw Starfox connecting the comatose Vision to ISAAC, the computer mind which controls his homeworld (Saturn's moon of Titan). ISAAC (Internal Synaptic Anti+/Anionic Computer) has been communicating with The Vision, opening up parts of his synthezoid mind which he had never before utilized, resulting in the chaos which slowly progresses as this year's worth of comics unfolds.

This book starts out where most of The Avengers have been whisked away to the mysterious Battleworld by The Beyonder to fight the original Secret Wars. All 12 issues of that series take place in between 242 and 243. Like every title Marvel published in 1984, the heroes return with many changes apparent. The reasons why are not revealed until the end of that mini-series, so every title had little bits and pieces revealed alongside the main series. While most of The Avengers are gone The Vision assumes role of chairman and cobbles together an ad hoc team of Avengers.

ISAAC is steering The Vision through all of this, advising him to form a second Avengers team to better respond to emergencies, meeting with the President Reagan with the intent of giving The Avengers a cabinet position, and directing him in the construction of a mysterious machine. The Vision decided that he has the knowledge to run the world better than anyone and eliminate all of the world's problems. In the process he alienates his wife, The Scarlet Witch, and almost causes nuclear war.

Backing up a bit, it is fascinating to watch The Vision become slowly unraveled under the pressures of leadership and trying to solve all of the world's problems. The Avengers have many battles while all of this is unfolding, fighting The Dire Wraiths from ROM and an adventure with The Eternals which resulted in a battle with Maelstrom.

This brings us to #249, one of two issues in this book which I bought at the time of release. It was a scorching hot August day in 1984 when my mom sent me to 7-11 to buy her a pack of cigarettes and told me I could buy myself a comic book. This was back in the days when an 11 year old kid could go to the store and say that the cigarettes were for were for your mom and they would sell them to you. Cripes. #249 was the comic that I picked because it had The Avengers and the Fantastic Four in it. Wow!

The contrast of a freak blizzard in the comics and a super hot August afternoon stuck with me through the years. I wasn't reading this title or Thor at the time, but Stern's writing was clear enough that I picked up enough to be blown away. There are a million things going on in this issue, and I read it probably a dozen times that first week. This issue continued in Thor #350, a comic which I still have never read! I know that there is no good reason. It's the Walt Simonson run, which I have read part of, but I am not interested in the inferior recoloring currently available in collected editions and will wait for the material to be properly remastered when the Marvel Masterworks line gets there. Maybe I'll just go and snag a back issue for cheap.

The other issue which I picked up off the spinner rack at 7-11 at the time of release was #252 back in November of 1984. It was one of those days where I had scraped together 60 cents and was spinning the rack around looking for something to read. The cover blurb Who is strong enough to smash Hercules? Hint: There's two of them! reeled me in. Until recently I felt that cover blurbs had lost their zing until my 11 year old son showed me a newer comic he has and read the blurb like it was the coolest thing ever. While the blurb seemed silly to me, I got it. It was important to him, just like this one was to me. There's no way that whatever comic he was referring to is anywhere near as badass as The Avengers battling the Blood Brothers though!

The book ends with the two-part Absolute Vision climax. It all works. Roger Stern strung the threads throughout a year long story without it being dull for a minute. Less capable writers have tried aping this type of thing and milking it for longer, fumbling the ball at the last minute.

The only drawback to this run is Al Milgrom's workmanlike artwork. I enjoyed his art immensely as a kid, but as an adult I have to adjust to it. He is good when paired with a heavy handed inker like Joe Sinnott, but pair him with an inferior inker and the results are pedestrian. Once you dig into the book and the spirit of the era it becomes less jarring. The Annual had an interesting art pair: Steve Ditko with inking by John Byrne. Ditko was past his prime here but was still doing decent work. Byrne added polish where necessary and infused his strengths here and there.

There is no reason to not own this material, folks. Stern is on the Mount Rushmore of great Avengers writers, alongside Roy Thomas, Kurt Busiek, and Steve Englehart. “My” era on this title as a regular reader began in earnest with #258, which will be reviewed when I reread it with adult eyes in The Legacy Of Thanos trade paperback, which I will move into queue shortly.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- I am a sucker for trades that clock in over 400 pages and use this paper stock. I will buy almost anything old which is collected in this format.

Linework and Color restoration: Everything looks good except for the most part. Linework and color palette are faithful to the original comics. Books like this pose a question. As good as this looks, will the inevitable Marvel Masterworks really look any better?

Paper stock: Matte coated stock of sufficient thickness and weight. This is the same stock found in the softcover Marvel Masterworks and Epic line books and is my favorite paper stock used in collected editions today.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Laminatied cardstock cover.