A new year brings new tidings, and we're using that as a convenient excuse to take a look back at some of the classic reviews from Infinite Wars past! To mirror the theme of the new year, (in)famous first issues are the special of the day!
The very fact that we can quite easily squeeze twenty-five first issues out of our back catalogue speaks to the sheer volume of series, and revamps, constantly finding their way to shelves. We spent a lot of time late in 2007 talking about the value and design of a first issue. As you browse over the exciting battles contained within each entry, you might like to draw conclusions of your own!
Avengers #1 (November 1996)"Awaken the Thunder" Valentino/Liefeld/Yaep
Earth's mightiest heroes have been thrust into a pocket dimension where, without their knowing, they become destined to fullfil their history all over again, reborn!
Smack dab in the centre of this circle of the inevitable is Loki, Norse god of mischief. As was the case in their very first gathering, it is Loki's machinations that inadvertently gives birth to his greatest adversaries!
Loki's machinations are preceeded by an Avengers mission to Norway, where SHIELD look to utilize their unique skills in archaeological developments. Encased in impenetrable amber, the Avengers must free Thor, Norse god of thunder!
Thunderbolts #1 (April 1997)"Justice..." Busiek/Bagley
Though their battle with the Hulk proved less than successful, the world has come to appreciate and accept the super-team called Thunderbolts! Their efforts come in a time when the apparent deaths of the Avengers and Fantastic Four leave a gaping hole in the superhero community, but behind their heroics lies a dark secret!
When the Thunderbolts are called into battle against an out-of-control Wrecking Crew, they've got all the edge they need, intimately familiar with their opponent's moves. Why? Because their leader is not who he seems, and their goals are quite the opposite of saving humanity. Thunderbolts? You can call them: The Masters of Evil!
Thor #1 (July 1998)"In Search of the Gods" Jurgens/Romita Jr
Having relived their lives in a pocket universe, the heroes have returned to the world that missed them, but not everyone is so pleased. Life has gone on, and the perils of supernatural forces have not once stopped.
With Asgard in ruins and the Norse gods nowhere to be found, Thor finds himself returning to a kingdom torn asunder. The only recognisable piece of his history is the Destroyer armor, which has come into the possession of a disgruntled soldier. Sharing much in common, Thor has little time to sympathise with a man who threatens to destroy existence. The Avengers may have turned up alive, but this battle might just be the one to end them for real!
Dark Knight Strikes Again #1 (November 2001)"Book One" Frank Miller
In a dystopian future the superheroes have been shunned by society, and their greatest member of all has become little more than a puppet for ideals long since dead.
When the Dark Knight returned he rattled the cages of the establishment, but it took faking his own death to inspire a new fire in the Superman's belly, and ignite his war on crime once more. A war no longer waged alone.
Having returned from hiding once more, Superman is forced to confront Batman at the Batcave, and like their last encounter, suffers the consequences. It's the rematch of the next decade, but if Batman wants to get his licks in, he might just have to get in line!
JLA/Avengers #1 (September 2003)"A Journey into Mystery" Busiek/Perez
When two cosmic entities; Krona and the Grandmaster; come face to face, they foster a mutual alliance in the name of destruction and creation. Grandmaster challenges Krona to a game of manipulation, in exchange for the secrets of creating universes.
Thus, the mightiest heroes of the DC and Marvel Earths are pitted against one and other in a chase to collect powerful cosmic and mystic artifacts! These champions, little more than pawns, exchange blows completely unaware of the perils they face should they succeed.
With each team believing the other to be the villain, it's not long before their heaviest hitters come to blows!
No comments:
Post a Comment