SPIDER-MAN versus DEMOGOBLIN

Demons on Broadway: Maximum Carnage Chapter 3 (Marvel)
Where: Amazing Spider-Man #378 When: June 1993
Why: David Michelinie How: Mark Bagley

The Story So Far...
Symbiote-wearing serial killer Cletus Kasady escaped from maximum security at the Ravencroft Institute, carving a bloody path as his alter-ego Carnage!

Having forged a twisted bond with Shriek and the razor-fanged Doppelganger; Carnage is set on painting the town red with Spider-man's blood -- and the innards of anyone else unfortunate enough to come across his killer family's path!

When Spider-Man was kicked from a high-rise rooftop during a skirmish with Shriek and Doppelganger, he inadvertently found his first allies in Cloak and Dagger. Alas, their intervention quickly came at the ultimate price when Dagger was seemingly destroyed in battle with the villains!

Nursing broken ribs and a crushing sense of responsibility, Spider-Man must return to the New York City skyline alone in order to hunt his out-of-control lethal foes. He'll stop at nothing to defeat them, but he didn't count on running in to another of his most dangerous enemies: Demogoblin!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Spider-Man 5 (Super-Human)
Intelligence: Spider-Man 5 (Professor)
Speed: Spider-Man 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Spider-Man 5 (Cat-Like)
Fighting: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy: Demogoblin 4 (Arsenal)
Total: Spider-Man 29 (Metahuman)

Spider-Man has faced more than his fair share of goblins over the years, but most of those were just guys in creepy costumes. Demogoblin is the genuine article: unleashed from Hell by N'Astirh, and the ambitions of Jason Macendale!

Macendale is best known for appropriating the identity of Hobgoblin, but when he attempted to add supernatural powers to his skills as a mercenary, he was possessed with a demonic spirit that eventually began to consume him. We saw the Demogoblin taking control in Marc Spector: Moon Knight #32, where his crusade against sinners led to an assault on Moon Knight's mansion.

Separated from Macendale the demon later attempted to team with a mystically corrupted Blade in Ghost Rider #40 - only to wind up dead on the end of a demogorge shish kebab! That was soon remedied and he was back causing mayhem in Venom: The Enemy Within #3, where Venom and Morbius teamed to stop Demogoblin in a loose sequel to their affiliation in Maximum Carnage.

That finally brings us to today's battle where Demogoblin hasn't yet made the acquaintance of Carnage and his twisted family of killers. He's just a formidable opponent at last facing his one true arch-nemesis - Spider-Man!

Demogoblin approximates his arsenal from his human host, and Hobgoblin's gear was already stolen from Green Goblin. That means Spidey's experience fighting other goblin-types is invaluable.

Determination and personal ties were vital to vexing Harry Osborn in Amazing Spider-Man #176. We saw how proper motivation could motivate Spidey to lay the smackdown in Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1! The super-powered Menace flipped that script, using super-strength to secure a win in Amazing #585!

With her advanced super-human strength Menace is a near equivalent to Demogoblin, but we've seen Spider-Man overcome plenty of odds! Let's see...

The Tape: Spider-Man Ranking: Spider-Man (#2)

What Went Down...
Swinging through the Bowery skyline by night, an injured Spider-Man begins the solemn search for Carnage and his adopted family of crazed killers.

The last thing the web-slinger wanted was to run into another nemesis, but when he spots Demogoblin gliding above the city streets, he finds his best lead for tracking down the sinister Doppelganger -- Demogoblin's former pet!

Hoping to track the demon, Spider-Man hangs back to avoid detection, but his reflection in high-rise windows betrays him!

Demogoblin spots the web-swinging hero and accelerates around a corner, riding his flaming glider in an upward arc over the building to double-back and launch an ambush!

His danger-warning spider-senses sound the alarm at the last second, allowing Spider-Man to twist clear of a stream of hellfire shot from Demogoblin's finger!

The demon's arsenal is far from exhausted. While Spidey uses webs to keep the battle airborne and clear of civilians, Demogoblin produces a sinister black pumpkin bomb! He tosses it, forcing Spider-Man to use a street light to hand press himself clear of the blast -- but the bomb doesn't explode!

Instead, the grinning weapon suddenly erupts into a wave of darkness that engulfs the unsuspecting hero!

Spider-Man has no time to dodge the living black, which wraps around his body and sends him hurtling to the street below!

Nearby onlookers offer cheers of support, but Spider-Man cannot comply with their calls to victory. His body is overcome with a feeling of cold and despair. He curls into the foetal position, struggling to leave the pavement even as Demogoblin arrives at his feet!

Demogoblin grabs Spider-Man by the throat and hoists him up against a nearby building. The demon explains his new weapon's purpose to make all sinners taste the bleak and unending hopelessness of torment.

A passing priest hears Demogoblin's doctrine and attempts to intervene. The padre dubs the demon a blasphemous trickster and demands he release the hero by all that's holy. His zeal is met with another choke hold and the promise that he will be the next to burn. It's enough to rouse Spider-Man from the dark!

Inspired by a will to protect others from harm -- Spider-Man strikes!

The mighty blow sends Demogoblin flying through the air, his grip on the priest loosened as they're both launched! Despite the rough landing, the priest is grateful for Spider-Man's efforts. The web-head's rescue job isn't finished yet.

Recovering quickly, Demogoblin launches another pumpkin bomb at Spider-Man's back. Once again, his spider-senses save the day, allowing him to leap clear of the conventional bomb's blast with the priest in his arms!

The act of derring-do aggravates Spidey's injured ribs, but he's spared the need to hide his injury. The Demogoblin uses the moment to make his escape, leaving only a trail of flame as he glides away into the night!

The Hammer...

Spider-Man thinks about pursuing Demogoblin, but with pain radiating from his injured ribs, he's barely able to stand -- let alone commit to a second round!

The web-head will have his chance at a rematch in the next chapter of Maximum Carnage, but not before Demogoblin runs afoul of Cletus Kasady and his merry band of killers! A most interesting predicament given Demogoblin's quest to punish all sinners, but also his relationship with Doppelganger, who he nurtured and maintained after manifestation during the Infinity War.

The prospect of a team-up sounds like bad news for the good guys, who just lost Dagger last issue, but Demogoblin wasn't the only player to join the board during Chapter 3. As you may've noticed from the slightly misleading cover art, this is also the issue that officially brings Venom into the game!

The issue starts with a speciously dynamic three-page sequence of "Edward Brock" arriving at New York's LaGuardia Airport. He's incognito in jacket and jeans, but when he spots the day's headline with a front page picture of Carnage, rage boils over and the symbiote comes alive in full Venom mode!

He'll catch up with Carnage right at the end of the issue, ignoring the sounds of Spidey and Demogoblin's battle to follow a radio report of massacre in Central Park. It won't quite be the showdown the cover makes it seem. In fact, we really only get a panel of Venom's arrival, a leaping sneak attack by Shriek and Doppelganger, and then Eddie Brock showing up on Peter Parker and Mary-Jane's doorstep with his symbiote in tatters.

Not exactly feature fight material, but it's only Chapter 3, so what do you really want? We're still in the assembly period of this 14-part maxi-series event, and to be honest, I always really enjoyed that aspect of this issue.

To some extent, you can attribute the respect the Carnage character commands with fans to this issue. It's very effective at illustrating the supreme threat of Carnage and his crew, who are only building momentum, indiscriminately killing their way through New York City with nobody present to stop them.

Spider-Man's used to fighting from underneath, but he's already lost an ally, busted some ribs, and copped an earful from Mary-Jane. She's going out of her mind with worry having just consoled Liz Allen through the death of her costumed husband. Throw in an unannounced drop-in by the dirtbag who terrorized both their lives (Venom) and you've got serious pressure building!

Viewed in isolation as part of the Maximum Carnage story it's all great set-up, but as Amazing Spider-Man #378, it also reminds you that Spider-Man is always at risk of running in to another unexpected threat, or opponent. Demogoblin will have a role to play in this event, but the way he gets involved is just like any other issue, a chance encounter of happenstance.

Another reason to love this issue is the art. There have been many phenomenal artists to draw Spider-Man over the years, but it's moments like the opening that made Mark Bagley the definitive Spidey artist of 1993! Deliberately high praise when you remember guys like Sal Buscema and Tom Lyle were hitting it out of the park on Maximum Carnage as well!

There was just something about the way Bagley could draw and layout characters like Spider-Man and Venom that was second to none!

His lines were slick and clean, his poses dynamic, and his anatomy spot-on. There are elements of the contortions and style Todd McFarlane and Erik Larsen brought to Spider-Man, but they're channeled through a more refined pen, akin to a modern day John Romita. An exceptional talent I love revisiting!

Credit to inker Randy Emberlin and colorist Bob Sharen, too. They compliment his stuff so well. I recommend anyone seek out the original issues to get a better impression of the colours. I really need to lift my scan game.

If you'd rather read Maximum Carnage in one sitting you can find it in various collected editions. Use Amazon purchase links provided to find a good deal and help support Secret Wars on Infinite Earths at no extra cost!

Today's battle was a bonus bit of demonic Halloween horror. You can find this month's offerings and more by checking out a recap in Cover to Cover: Halloween Frights 'n' Fights!

You can also find battles from Maximum Carnage Parts 1, 2, and 14! Find more from the featured characters by checking out links throughout these posts, or dive into the Secret Archive for a complete index of battles by publisher and series. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for daily links to battles inspired by the topics of the day. Make sure to SMASH those like and share options!

Winner: Inconclusive (Draw)
#2 (--) Spider-Man
#892 (+6) Demogoblin

QUICK FIX: DR DOOM vs IRON MAN
Time is on No One's Side (Marvel)
Where: Mighty Avengers #10 When: May 2008
Why: Brian Bendis How: Mark Bagley

THE TAPE...
Strength: Iron Man 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Dr. Doom 6 (Genius)
Speed: Iron Man 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 6 (Generator)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Iron Man 4 (Trained)
Energy: Dr. Doom 5 (Lasers)

Math: Iron Man
Ranking: Iron Man (#3)

THE FIX...
Tearing the action away from Manhattan-Central to set heroes up on the West Coast, is a rare enough feat as it is. When it comes to maintaining any sense of global awareness, however, outside of the United States, the task is usually deferred to a short-lived B-list team-up, or one-panel disaster cameo.

Celebrations for the upcoming Super Bowl XLIII remind the world just how insular American culture and markets have the potential to be. Even in these times of harsh economic turmoil, promoters are still investing millions into the annual event, for both the sake of the spectacle, and the advertising spotlight attached during revered half-time commercial breaks.

Times may be changing, but this very American pursuit is a prime example of why US producers have been well within their right to completely forego the rest of the planet, relying exclusively on their immediate target. The Dark Knight might have broken records worldwide, but it's by the success within America's competitive home market that the film earnt the crux of recognition.

The critical among us might cast aspersions about the men controlling the four-colour world, to say nothing of the general ignorance of an American readership. A more fruitful option, however, might be the 'no-prize' route! While much less likely to abolish racial stereotypes in fiction, it does offer a slightly more positive spin on the narrow perspective of superheroes within their US foundation...

I can only imagine the sheer decadence of multi-million dollar Super Bowl commercials is exactly the kind of thing that riles Dr. Doom during foreign policy season. For a gypsy boy who fought his way to the throne of his tiny European nation; such frivilous exploits simply do not compute!

Dr. Doom represents a quintessential example of the comic book villain.
His story intertwines with his nemesis' to create a dark shadow of his heroic counterpart, in his case, Reed Richards. Adding that pop twist is the fact that he's two things Americans love to hate: devestatingly brilliant, and European.

Back in Stan and Jack's day there might've been a few vaguely legitimate tensions between Rogers and the boys that made Europeans convenient villains. In previous discussions we've referred to the continued honor of this tradition as iconographic detachment from modern reality -- a continuation of a language.
That "positive spin" I mentioned earlier?... Well, okay, strip away the soft racism, and there's another decent enough logic for European villains: geography!

With all the superheroes located in the US, setting up an evil headquarters in Europe dramatically increases the odds of evading reprive, particularly if you've fled the scene in order to live free to scheme another day!

Actually; in describing some of his original intentions for the character, Stan Lee discusses simple concepts that contribute to the complex nature of the villain in the modern era. He hoped to explore the prospect of a villain whose foreign diplomacy rendered him immune to enforcement of the laws he was breaking.
It's a premise that has since been buried beneath a multitude of motivations and identities shared between Victor Von Doom and his 'Doombot doppelgangers.'

As the Marvel Universe has developed and matured alongside real world politics, one assumes any political immunity Dr. Doom once possessed, was lost amidst the introduction of expansive anti-terror laws. Not that you'd really know.
Unfortunately, to clarify some of the criticisms levelled earlier in the post, the Marvel Universe exists as a fictional entity almost exclusively represented by events taking place on American soil. Despite being one of the most prolific figures in Marvel's army of characters, it has simply been unfeasible for every plausible moment of the Marvel saga to pass through the filter of Doom.

Compensating for this are the unelaborated mysterious liasons, and the rogue robots, who not only attempt to throw a canopy of fog over the specifics of Doom's operations, but also account for some of those unfortunately characterization issues that have dogged him.

All of the issues discussed here might be about to get a serious rethink, it seems, and that brings us to our long overdue quick fix entry!

Doom, a consumate planner, has devised a catalogue of strategies suited to dealing with his powerful American opposers. Amongst his arsenal, a "symbiote bomb" filled with the same species of alien creature that empowers Venom.

When the satellite carrying his contingency is detonated above New York City, it plunges the streets into chaos, forcing members of the Avengers to do battle with monstrous versions of their outlaw counterparts [New Avengers #36].
Fingered for his responsibility, Dr. Doom finds himself defending his castle stronghold from invasion by Iron Man and the Mighty Avengers!

During the battle, Doom's showdown with Iron Man (and the Sentry) accidentally triggers his time portal, shunting the trio sometime into the past. Enraged, Doom lashes out at his armored nemesis, calling upon his master of science and magic to unleash devestating energy blasts!

Iron Man's extremis defenses protect him from the initial assault, while both suits of armor mak attempts to gain a technological or intelligence-based advantage over the other. Both men find their silent war a stalemate as the advanced programming of their suits meets equally adequate firewall software. The exchange gives Stark, Director of SHIELD, the opportunity to exercise his politics, cooling Doom long enough to agree to a truce.

This truce leads the pair to seek out the aid of the Sentry in gaining access to technology withheld in this time by Mr. Fantastic and the Fantastic Four. The end result of that scenario can be explored further in a previous review.

These events coincided with that unfortunate "Secret Invasion" business, which revealed an army of super-powered Skrulls hiding on Earth. Though seemingly irrelevant, this shamble of an event led to Dark Reign, which allowed Norman Osborn to capitalize on Tony Stark's Skrull-disabled technologies to replace him as Director of SHIELD (retooled as HAMMER).

Like Secret Invasion's prospect of exploring Skrulls with the benefit of hindsight; Dark Reign positions a major villain in power, bringing with it varied implications for the Universe, including secret cabal members; Dr. Doom, Sub-Mariner, Emma Frost, Loki, and the Hood. These implications promise to enhance that world perspective that has so long been absent from the core of Marvel comics, and from Dr. Doom's representation as a guest-character.

Hold off on the celebrations!
While Marvel insists Dark Reign isn't an "event," the concept behind the branding appears to be fairly central to Secret Invasion front-man, Brian Bendis. With DR borrowing heavily from a previous concept, (Acts of Vengeance), one can't help but predict a third strike following on from his AoA/HR knock-off - House of M - and the Skrull event. Also a concern, the writer's ability to offer a satisfactory treatment of highly intelligence characters, and the fulfillment of the concept.

It's been very easy to be critical of both the writer, and Marvel, in recent years, but the devil deserves his due. The stars are lined up for something special in 2009 from Marvel, and if they've learnt what they seem to have from the non-event of Invasion, we might be in for one heckuva rollercoaster. One that puts to bed the kinds of criticisms that sponsored our slightly esoteric opening.

This post continues our recap of last year's top ten characters, spotlighting Iron Man, even if our discussion deviated to Dr. Doom. Iron Man is currently on the run and at the mercy of Norman Osborn (and Dr. Doom) in Dark Reign. Stay tuned!

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 5.5
Winner: Draw

Mighty Avengers #10 proved to be an extremely positive issue! For more on that, check out our previous review -- featuring a clash between the Sentry and Thing! Want to get the rest of the story, or draw your own conclusions? The "Venom Bomb" and it's aftermath appears collected in two seperate trades (pictured above). By using Amazon and the purchase links provided, you'll not only pick up a great deal, but also help sponsor future entries of the Infinite Wars. Collections featuring most previous issues reviewed are also available for your convenience in our very own Gift Shoppe! So do us a favour, by doing yourself a favour!

MONTHLY PUNCH-UP #28 (April 2008)
SENTRY versus THING
Time is on No One's Side (Marvel)
Where: Mighty Avengers #10 When: May 2008
Why: Brian Bendis How: Mark Bagley

Quick Fix...
Being April Fool's Day, I debated about concocting some sort of phony fight for review. Maybe a fake DC/Marvel fight to outrage fanboys even more than Wolverine's defeat of Lobo, but really, I'm just not sure I could muster the effort.
Call me a grump, but I get a little bored with the many repetitious contrivances of April Fool "jokes."

Of course, let it never go said that I completey turned my back on a time honored tradition. Today it seemed fitting that we talk a little bit about not only a well known fool, (Brian Michael Bendis), but also a character who by design was born of hoax -- the Sentry!

Created in 2000 by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee; the premise was startling to comics readers across the globe. Jenkins [and Lee] had claimed to have uncovered a lost character predating the 1960s pantheon of Stan Lee creations. The Sentry, as he was called, was revealed to be a pre-Fantastic Four character co-created by fictitious artist, Artie Rosen, who was said to have contributed an iconic look to a super power analagous to industry icon; Superman.

So began the effort to reinstitute The Sentry into the fabric of Marvel-reality!

Reflecting his forgotten status, the Sentry was woven into history through a collection of mini-series detailing the character's secret history with the rest of the Marvel Universe. Relationships with the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-man, and other, were treated to expose hidden revelations in the Marvel canon; such as Sentry's ability to pacify the rages of the Incredible Hulk, or ensure the fortune of Daily Bugle photographer, Peter Parker.

Before too long the hoax, (which was heavily sponsored by Wizard Magazine), was consequently revealed and the character left to sit in canonical-limbo -- but it seemed the Sentry was destined to return. Flash forward four years...

It was after Avengers Disassembled that a brand new era in the franchise was about to unfold. As Brian Bendis' new formula for the Avengers was revealed, readers were once again rocked by the veiled visage of a yellow garbed, cape wearing man, who was about to explode into a universe that thought he never existed! Be they outraged, or delighted, fans were forced to pay attention to what was sure to be a radical new installment in the Marvel Universe!

A few years on, the Sentry's impact remains steadily debated.
A painfully slow start to New Avengers exposed flaws in pre-hyped marketting and continued Disassembled's aspersions of mismanagement and incompetence of Brian Bendis' part. The interruption of Civil War derailed the poorly defined asthetic of the New Avengers, but provided a new divergence in the brand that opened to a pro-registration title, and a new arc of typically bouyant sales.

Bendis is the kind of writer it's easy to be critical of.

His writing varies very little, he's responsible or attached to plenty of pitful gimmicks, is generally a little lazy when it comes pre-established characterization and fact, and gets away with all this as the goldenchild of the Marvel boysclub.
He may be a childish oaf of a man with very, very, very few redeeming qualities, but it's hard to feel any legitimate malice toward his product. As different as Bendis may be from me, like so many other comic fans, we meet on the common ground of similar references and interests. Take this issue of Mighty Avengers...

Honestly, as late as they may have been, the first issues of Mighty Avengers served up exactly the kind of thing I wish I could be reviewing on a weekly basis on the Infinite Wars. It was a return to characters I love, filtered through the retro-contemporary lense of a writer whose references are clearly that of the seventies and eighties, slanted toward a modern sensibility.
I wouldn't want to sound arrogant, but as a writer, I feel I have some things in common with Bendis, and that modern sensibility seems to be one of them. Though I was happy to make a financially strapped dismissal of Mighty Avengers, the first arc showed startling echoes of similiar concepts to my own [Eye On: Ultron], and was difficult to whole heartly ignore.

The next arc features a faulty symbiote bomb, Skrull invasion paranoid, and a throwback to the classic Iron Man/Dr. Doom time travel story, making it a must-read on visual presentation alone [seen at; Rokk's Comic Book Revolution].
[Mark] Bagley gets a worthy send off from Marvel, producing some of his finest work in the last few years! Unconventional pseudo-retro colouring, patterned with a dot matrix by Justin Ponso, compliments Bagley's work in ways the CG-heavy Ultimate Spider-man has failed to. Also at work are superior inks by Danny Miki and Allen Martinez confident lines not seen on his over-rendered USM pencils.

Battle at Castle Doomstadt results in an accidental timeshift which hurtles the Sentry, Iron Man, and Dr. Doom on a one-way trip to the past! The predicament forces an unlikely alliance between the trio who become fearful for any accidental influence their presence may have. This is arguably one of the first blackmarks against Bendis' script. Bendis at least has Doom forward the notion that men like he (and Tony Stark) have seen enough to not be phased by an ecounter with a future-self, something Doom has been faced with many times [ie; Fantastic Four #350]. Despite the flimsy courtesy; any purpose this novelty issue might have is given precedent over consistency of characterization. The Skrull invasion may yet provide an explanation for this, although, one tends to see a pattern of self-importance in Bendis' stories, along with difficulties in writing iconic characters.

Some redemption is earned when Bendis takes advantage of the device that explained Sentry's secret history away -- a mindwipe that erases the character from the collective consciousness of the Marvel Universe. Continuum carte blanche is given to the character who operates on behalf of the displaced trio, where ramifications might not be as minute as played, but relatively minimal.

Sentry is charged with finding a way into the guarded Baxter Building -- home of the Fantastic Four, and holding place of Dr. Doom's time platform, in this period.
Rattled by the displacement, an anxious Sentry struggles to maintain his mental footing, which leads to an impromptu battle between he and the Thing, who happens to be manning the FF's headquarters alone.

The Sentry prevents Thing contacting Mr. Fantastic, and swiftly sends him hurtling through the building with but a swat of his sun-powered palm!
Thing quickly tears his way through the rubble with his clock set to clobberin' time, but even the Thing's fantastic strength pales in comparison to the Sentry's ill-defined super power. Thing is unable to even rattle the invading hero!

The Sentry returns the favour with a blow that this time rockets the Thing through a Baxter Building window, into the skies above Manhattan. In a further display of his power, Sentry flies out to catch Thing, only to toss him earthbound with greater velocity! Ever the considered hero, he uses his fantastic speed to ensure the Thing's landing is clear of civilian casualty, much to the insult of the hero who is quite literally going down like a rock!

It was scenes from this fight that really encouraged me to spend a few of my leftover Easter pennies on the issue. To that end, I wasn't at all disappointed.
I'd like to think some sort of significance will come of this issue in a similar way the potentially inconsequential New Avengers: Illuminati gave us Secret Invasion. I don't know if that will happen, but even as nothing more than a novelty, this comic is curiously satisfying.

One need only browse through the Secret Archives to see issues quite like this already reviewed, albeit, actually from the time period this issue seems to be around (looking like the eighties, more than any other Marvel decade).
In the context of the site, it makes a nice companion piece to the Hulk fight [World War Hulk #5], and as a talking point, a study in comics sub-culture.

Looking at this and anticipating the upcoming Secret Invasion, I feel an ambivalence about the times we live in. It's something I feel quite often, nostalgic for 'better days', but that's a misnomer, really. Even discounting the current crop of event-heavy gimmick comics; the industry hasn't seen the kind of quality and artistry of the past decade, perhaps, ever.

I look at this comic with it's pink skies and energetic layouts, and I wonder if our sophistication has taken something away. Mark Bagley is really an absolute treat to look at here. I really cannot begin to express how enamored I am with these pages, particularly over the hyper-real subtlty of the already compared, Ultimate Spider-man. I look at that and I don't know what to think. It seems every week I delight in the throwback sense of carefree adventure found in the kid-friendly Marvel Adventures comics, and am forced to wonder if maybe I'm just like everyone else. Everyone who's found themselves glancing over crossover schedules and found themselves slumping their shoulders.

Then I read Bendis' Secret Invasion preview, and remember just how good it can be to have scope and consequence in comics.

The Fix: 5 The Issue: 5.5
Winner: The Sentry

Bendis' weaknesses are certainly on show, but I couldn't bring myself to rate the issue any lower than just shy of recommendation. Mark Bagley has not only brought this chronically-late title back from the brink, but done himself proud as a master about to embark on a journey across the street, to the "distinguished competition." As happy as I was to dismiss Mighty Avengers, I now find myself wanting to read more, and for that, I have to give all parties credit. Even if Bendis can't help but come off as a second-grade Whedon when he drops shitty references to Planet of the Apes and, of all things, Butterfly Effect... *groan*
You'll need Dr. Doom's time platform if you want to pick-up the trade of this storyarc, or, failing that, you can do us all a favour and pre-order through Amazon! By using purchase links provided on the Infinite Wars, you get us kick-backs! Also available: the first volume featuring sexy-Ultron!

---

Top Artists
#1 (+2) John Romita Jr
#2 (-1) Paul Ryan
#3 (-1) John Byrne
#4 (-) Alvin Lee
#5 (-) Jim Lee
#6 (+2) Frank Miller
#6 (-1) Rob Liefeld
#7 (-1) Tim Sale
#9 (-) Claudio Castellini
#10 (-) Phil JiminezTop Writers
#1 (-) Geoff Johns
#2 (-) Jeph Loeb
#3 (-) Judd Winick
#4 (-) Ken Siu-Chong
#5 (-) Brian Bendis
#6 (-) Mark Millar
#7 (-) Keith Giffen
#8 (-) Tom DeFalco
#9 (-) Darwyn Cooke
#10 (-) Peter DavidCreative Differences...
Last month just as I said there was nothing to talk about, scandal brokeout all over the place! Did it colour opinion of Secret Invasion, or as the old saying goes, is any publicity good publicity?

You'd have to ask David Mack, who suffered an absolute sledging after his New Avengers # cover was exposed for a very lazy trace of a magazine model. Mack is no stranger to photo-referencing, and viewers of the DVD documentary, Men Without Fear, will already know this from Mack's brief tabletop studio tour.
That said, fans were understandably rattled about the artist's approach, which he claims has a hidden artistic direction he cannot discuss due to potential spoilers. Hogwash, or not, Mack made an admirable pitch, resubmitting the cover with a new version of Echo replacing the discovered snatch.

But wait -- there's more! The Secret Invasion drama continued as Grant Morrison poked playful fun at the opposition when he was asked what sets his Final Crisis apart from the upcoming Marvel story.
Morrison remarked on a Wizard interviewer's question of comparison, "We’re going to kick their ass so hard. [Laughs] Marvel had its big year last year with Civil War, which was an amazing event and really changed the Marvel landscape. With Secret Invasion, we’ve seen the Skrull thing before. We’ve seen it in the Kree-Skrull War, again in series like the Fantastic Four. They’re kind of resting this year. [Laughs] So if you’re a Marvel fan, come over here. There’s only one book to read this summer. It’s simple." [From WizardUniverse]

The comments earned the humorless ire of Bendis, who made a vague attack on the professional quality of Final Crisis and it's scheduling. The comments made on his message board, which attracted much attention, were later retracted as a misunderstood joke. I don't know about any of you, but I think he should be banned indefinitely for starting unnecessary drama! Mmm! Stupid Americans!

Elsewhere; more positive things were going as Darwyn Cooke splashed his name all over industry outlets! The release of the animated adaptation of DC: The New Frontier earned the creator new press, and launched the phenomenal series into a medium that would garner even more attention. Cooke, accused of being lukewarm on the series, appears on the DVD in several capacities, but for those interested, iFanboy had an interesting video interview with the man of the hour.

In catching up with the Phantom, I also made a rarther startling discovery!
Site-favourite penciller, Paul Ryan, has had the reigns of the Phantom newstrip for quite some time now. So, if ever I've asked the question of where Ryan went, the answer was a lot closer than I originally thought! Nice!

No doubt a lot more went on in the lives of the creators, but these were just some of the things that caught my eye during the month. Feel free to drop any tidbits of your own in the comments, and discuss as you like!

---

Spider-Boycott: 2008 Status Update...
Brand New Day rolls on as Amazing enjoys it's new three-times-monthly schedule, and reactions continue to be mixed. During the month I had a few people raise the issue of the Spider-Boycott and BND with me, giving me a first-hand glimpse of just how diverse the response has been.

I've had it pretty easy since One More Day.
The story, which amounts to some of the sloppiest and least admirable efforts in Spider-man history, was merely the precursor for a 'new' era in Spider-man that has, thus far, left me completely disinterested!

The Boycott is the result of a few different things.
I would encourage noone to under estimate the notion that this is a flimsy attempt to pick a side and try to milk them for google hits. That said, there's also the underlying principle of offense to what really should be a decision Marvel Comics is well above. The rules of fiction are what define it as good or bad, and in the on-going medium of comics, it's the magic that makes the format and characters so special.

So, while I wouldn't emplore you to drop the title if, somehow, you are actually enjoying it. I'd simply challenge exactly how true that is, and whether or not the means of arriving here were worth it, or even necessary. I don't think so.

AUG2007 #7 Amazing Spider-man #543 [106,485]
AUG2007 #43 Sensational Spider-man #40 [52,180]
AUG2007 #61 Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #21 [44,661]

SEP2007 #2 Amazing Spider-man #544 OMD [146,215]
OCT2007 #2 Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #22 OMD [110,405] -24.49%
NOV2007 #7 Sensational Spider-man #41 OMD [100,300] -9.15%
DEC2007 #2 Amazing Spider-man #545 OMD [124,481] +24.11%
JAN2008 #1 Amazing Spider-man #546 BND [136,109] +9.34%
JAN2008 #8 Amazing Spider-man #547 BND [108,485] -20.29%
JAN2008 #10 Amazing Spider-man #548 BND [105,122] -3.1%
FEB2008 #3 Amazing Spider-man #549 BND [101,112] -3.81%
FEB2008 #9 Amazing Spider-man #550 BND [90,874] -10.12%
FEB2008 #13 Amazing Spider-man #551 BND [88,084] -3.07%

So, does the readership agree with people like me?
Well, conclusions are difficult to draw at this stage. The title is still floating high on a sales list that suffered an industry-wide slip in estimated units sold. Likewise, at this early stage, reduction in sales are expected of any title that launched or relaunched with a hype-driven event.

That said, if we look at Brand New Day in isolation, we see a 35.28% reduction in sales over just a two month period! With the title shedding units every week, one has to wonder if this isn't a little bit rapid for a title that's taken harsh hits when measured against monthly comparisons.

As much as I've grown disinterested in discussing the subject matter of the material, the sales figures continue to be an intriguing measure of the success of the title. A rotating creator list may also play a part in fluctuating sales. The likes of Dan Slott and Steve McNiven may provide sales peaks, while lesser known creators, like infamous home movie maker, Zeb Wells, may specialize in quieter weeks. An upcoming guest-spot by Wolverine may yet prove to be the acid test for not only the success of Brand New Day, but the viability of Wolverine as a sales grabber in the contemporary direct market.

---

The 2008 Top Five...
The premise is pretty simple folks, but for those of you coming in late, let me give you the basic run down: We talk a lot of comics, we review a lot of their fights, and at the beginning of each month we take a look at who's kicking the most ass, and put the top five for the year under a microscope. Nice!

Last year, April marked the beginning of an indomitable run that saw Spider-man and Batman hold the top two spots for the rest of the year. There's a strong case for the importance of a strong first quarter but Season 2008 has already seen a lot of diversity in the rankings. I think it's safe to say contenders are definitely emerging, but at this point, it's anyone's game, and if anyone actually signs up for the Fantasy League, that might actually start to mean something!

We'll talk more about the Fantasy League a little later, but for now, brace yourself for a shuffle that's going to baffle some, and delight others. We've got some repeat offenders returning to the top five, but the debutants may be the characters who really rock the boat. The power of looming movie releases continues to be a factor, but on the Infinite Wars unpredictability has been proven as conversation topics prove king in March! Read on, oh brave one!

#1 The Phantom (new) (King Features Syndicate)
Class: [Meta] Last Opponent: [Roughnecks]
Win Percentage: [100%] Features: [3]
2006: [NR] 2007: [NR] Cumulative: [#31]

Known the world over as the ghost who walks, man who cannot die; the Phantom faces dire odds as he steps into the top spot on the Infinite Wars, a most unlikely upstart debut for season 2008!

With the exception of maybe occasional (and highly unlikely) rumors of another shot at feature film glory in 2009, the Phantom's suffering from the same thing that's plagued the character for decades. Outside the USA the character may be revered as a cultural icon, but in the US market, Moonstone's efforts licensing the character continue to slither quietly at the bottom of monthly shipping lists.

As a lifelong fan of the character, it's been my own interests in making the overdue inclusion that pushed the character into first place. Much like last month's stay by the Martian Manhunter, one would expect it to be short lived, but the Phantom isn't without his supporters. We've just linked up with Chronicle Chamber, a dedicated Phantom fansite providing certain demand for the character, and some kind words about our own exposures. Likewise, Bahlactus' call for an anniversary round of black and white Friday Night Fights provides the ideal spotlight for more of Frew's newsprint publications, making the Phantom a real darkhorse in season 2008!

#2 Batman (+1) (25) (DC)
Class: [Meta] Last Opponent: [Dr. Light]
Win Percentage: [67.86%] Features: [28]
2006: [#1] 2007: [#2] Cumulative: [#2]

The Batman casts a dark shadow over the 2008 rankings, making a move familiar to readers of the last couple of years. With the Spider-Boycott still in full swing, the only character to beat Batman to the finish line remains almost entirely absent from the site. None can underestimate the presence of Batman's soon-to-be box office rivals, Iron Man and Hulk, as they each make themselves known in March features of their own!

As the all encompassing icon from DC comics, the big news has to be the upcoming Grant Morrison storyline, titled "RIP." Rumors of the Dark Knight's untimely demise were seemingly debunked, amidst a swirl of claims DC's greatest icons would advance to the level of New Gods. The story has already been suggested by many as response to Marvel's mainstream success with the death of Captain America [Captain America #25], but with Morrison at the helm, one almost doesn't want to pledge to anything so corporately pedestrian.

Of course, also on the horizon is July's The Dark Knight, sequel to Christopher Nolan's franchise refresher, Batman Begins. The film itself suggests an argument for corporate synergy within the brand, bucking against theories of a Jason Todd, or Dick Grayson, succession plan. Either way, the would-be facts seem almost incidental as the artistic powerhouse of Nolan's hotly anticipated sequel charges onward. Accompanying it is the equally exciting Gotham Knight; an Animatrix-styled project bringing some of Japan's leading animators to the Batman.

#3 Martian Manhunter (-2) (2) (DC)
Class: [Super] Last Opponent: [Hill Street Cult]
Win Percentage: [40%] Features: [5]
2006: [NR] 2007: [#222] Cumulative: [#62]

It was fun while it lasted, but as inevitable as Batman's rise, the Martian Manhunter's stay at the top comes to a bitter end.
After a starring role in World War III and near-misses with both the Outsider and Checkmate; J'onn J'onnz has been bumped down to an off-world undercover mission disguised as Blockbuster in the pages of Salvation Run.

At times like this it's been a lifetime membership for any Justice League title that's kept the character from falling into total obscurity, but after Brad Meltzer's trend-bucking time on JLA, it could be some time off for Martian Manhunter.
It's that association that has some time still owed on the Infinite Wars to MM, via our look at the secret origins of the Justice League [Secret Origins #32], but otherwise the priority forecast looks grim. Here's looking at Trinity...

#4 Green Lantern (-2) (2) (DC)
Class: [Meta] Last Opponent: [Golden Roc]
Win Percentage: [100%] Features: [4]
2006: [NR] 2007: [#41] Cumulative: [#19]

After suffering the indignities of alcoholism, murder, madness, and some truly mind boggling continuity; the influences of men like Geoff Johns and Darwyn Cooke have ensured a Hal Jordan reneissance!

Johns single handedly absolved the character of responsibility for his crimes, using the device of a big, yellow, fear-loving bug, called Parallax. More bizarre than this entity (that quite literally made him do it) is the fact that the story, and that character's connection to the historic 'yellow weakness', was thoroughly enjoyable! So begins this new chapter in the life of the Green Lantern!

Drawing upon similar principles to Cooke's New Frontier; Johns has launched into a retelling of Hal Jordan's origins that shines a light on his life before receiving the ring from a dying Abin Sur. Despite reservations noted [March 26], early indications are the story is shaping up to not only be satisfying, but foreshadowing of events coming in the world of the Green Lanterns!

#5 Hulk (RE) (6) (Marvel)
Class: [Meta] Last Opponent: [US Military]
Win Percentage: [63.16%] Features: [19]
2006: [#6] 2007: [#10] Cumulative: [#4]

With Batman and Iron Man duking it out for blockbuster hype, you could be forgiven for forgetting Edward Norton was heading up a pseudo Hulk sequel, hitting theatres in June! Bringing up the rear, old jade jaws reminds us that he may yet be the man to beat in season 2008!

With a new Red Hulk stealing all the headlines and very little press for the film, I have to admit to under estimating the character. Puny Banner might be taking a nap after World War Hulk, but the character continues to rampage through the Infinite Wars as a cultural phenomenon. Despite being somewhat underwhelmed by early looks at the Abomination vehicle, I don't doubt that the film will probably hit big, appealing to a mainstream audience in ways Ang Lee's thrilling psycho-drama did not.

---

Fantasy League Update...
Starting with a negative is never a good idea. In my experience it's particularly unfashionable amongst the comic readership to express any kind of intellectual dissatisfaction. As such, I'll refrain from grunting and groaning too much.
Suffice to say, despite flexibility in the model, submissions for the Fantasy League were few and far between. Notably absent were fellow bloggers, with whom I had hope to better engage through this pseudo-meme.
Everyone should continue to feel welcome to follow submission guidelines, because right now, it's not looking much like a competition.

Salutations to those few who have adopted a team.
Interaction with readers is all too rare. Hopefully this will add just a little extra layer of fun to those of you engaged in the Infinite Wars, particularly if I can stop sounding like a disapproving parent for five minutes... A tour of the few registered teams will precede tomorrow's shipping list, but for now: a big list!!!

Cumulative Super Stock...

USAgent summons you to join
the Super Stock Fantasy League, with
an inspiration rise in the rankings!
[New Invaders #1]1. Spider-man (-) (M)
2. Batman (-) (DC)
3. Iron Man (+1) (M)
4. Hulk (+1) (M)
5. Wolverine (-2) (M)
6. Captain America (-) (M)
7. Mr. Fantastic (-) (M)
8. Superman (-) (DC)
9. Daredevil (+3) (M)
10. Thing (-1) (M)
15. Sub-Mariner (+1) (M)
16. Ryu (-1) (C)
19. Green Lantern (-) (DC)
21. Green Arrow (-) (DC)
24. Iron Fist (-) (M)
26. Luke Cage (-) (M)
30. Dhalsim (-) (C)
31. The Phantom (new) (KFS)
32. Ken Masters (+20) (C)
34. Dr. Doom (-2) (M)
36. Flash (-2) (DC)
45. Tara (+94) (M)
47. Thin Man (+93) (M)
48. Union Jack (+90) (M)
49. Spitfire (+88) (M)
50. Scarlet Spider (-6) (M)
62. Martian Manhunter (-5) (DC)
63. Dr. Strange (-5) (Marvel)
64. USAgent (+101) (M)
68. Blazing Skull (+121) (M)
69. Aquaman (-7) (DC)
71. Wonder Woman (-7) (DC)
78. Deathstroke (-7) (DC)
97. Human Torch (new) (M)

Dan Hibiki sets the bar at a
new low, plummeting to the bottom of
the ranks with a painful defeat!
[Street Fighter Alpha Vol.1]100. Soldier (-7) (DC)
149. Superman-Prime (-3) (DC)
153. Hellboy (-3) (DH)
161. Steel Serpent (new) (M)
165. Dr. Light (-91) (DC)
172. Galactus (-4) (Marvel)
200. Captain Marvel (-3) (DC)
222. Blue Beetle (-3) (DC)
243. Ms. Marvel (-3) (Marvel)
250. Shriek (-3) (M)
287. Mrs. Arbogast (new) (M)
300. Grom (-4) (DH)
350. Echo (-4) (M)
400. Paibok (-4) (M)
450. Stone God (-4) (DC)
456. Slade (new) (M)
458. Tiger's Beautiful Daughter (new) (M)
459. Gen. Thunderbolt Ross (new) (M)
460. Maj. Glenn Talbot (new) (M)
461. Whirlwind (new) (M)
480. Masked Marvel (new) (KFS)
483. Lizard (-11) (M)
484. Taskmaster (-11) (M)
485. Zangief (-10) (C)
486. Magneto (-10) (M)
487. Dan Hibiki (-13) (C)

---

The Hammer...
That's a wrap, folks! We close the chapter on yet another big month of Infinite Wars, with promise to do it all over again... Oh dear god, what have I done?

Jokes aside, if you've made it this far into the Punch-Up, I've got to emplore you to head over to the Fantasy League sign-up. If you can show that kind of commitment to reading my bullshite, then you almost certainly have the talents required to pick five characters from a list, and sit and observe as they rack up pointless, non-sensical point tallys.
Need proof of such a phenomena? Anyone who was toying with the idea of selecting The Sentry for their team just missed out on a big two hundred bonus points for his maiden victory, over the Thing! Ouch!

Ordinarily this is where we'd throw lots of love around to fellow bloggers, but I have to admit, I'm a little fed up. It's my hope that this is the kind of blog anyone can log onto to find either the fun of superhero scans, or the depthy discussion of the creative process. I like to think this is the kind of site that has a good hook, but sadly, it's failed to endear to many of my peers. I do not know why that is, but as you can imagine, blame them.
You might have noticed that our menu of links to other sites was scaled down considerably during the month. In an effort to foster traffic both ways, I'm keeping it down to folks who're linking back to us on a regular basis. Which, yes, means a couple of the hub sites are teetering on the chopping block. Fooey to you-ee! If you want to organize an exchange you can go the formality of dropping a comment (or e-mail), but otherwise, just start linking and I'll find out sooner or later...

Speaking of which, I do have to send thanks to Comic Book Weekness and Rokk's Comic Book Revolution, for their enthusiasm and involvement. No doubt they're cringing for the association right now, but shucks. I appreciate it, guys!
An even bigger thanks goes to Chronicle Chamber, where I've enjoyed getting in touch with my inner Phan. The Phantom on the site has been a long time coming, and for you guys, hopefully more content on the Infinite Wars this month!

No other major news, so if I've finished snubbing everyone, that's got to just about be everything! We'll hopefully have an opportunity to feature some more issues from this year on the site [2008], as well as more discussion and intrigue surrounding a variety of topics of interest. We'll be following up on the subject started last month [New Invaders #1] - superhero teams - as well as doing our best to revisit the secret origins of the Justice League.

- Mike Haseloff; Commanding Officer
Mike Haseloff is a little known comics writer with the fantastic ability to leap tall lists in a single bound! After having a go, Mike recently discovered he is able to type at 100 words a minute, which probably explains how he manages to make such lengthy entries into the Infinite Wars without spiralling into an episode of the Twilight Zone. To the best of his knowledge, Mike has never switched bodies with another person, although, in his younger days, he was said to resemble super saiya-jin Kramer. These days he just looks like a racist.

March Hit Count: [8386/82994] (-14%)

QUICK FIX DOUBLE FEATURE: Daywalkers!
SPIDER-MAN versus BLADE
Morbius: Part 1 (Marvel)
Where: Ultimate Spider-man #95 When: July 2006
Why: Brian Michael Bendis How: Mark Bagley

Quick Fix...
Over the past two years the Infinite Wars have slipped behind schedule more than a couple of times, but quite often there seems to be some sense of serendipty, lining the unfortunate with a silvery sheen.

I don't know how fresh the news is, but I certainly wasn't privvy to the knowledge that Marvel pencilling sensation, Mark Bagley, will be departing to new pastures at DC!
Fitting because, here we are, predetermined to take a look at the reliable pencil work of just such a fellow!

Honestly, I wish it could be under better circumstances, because it's undeniable that Bagley has been among the most iconic Marvel pencillers to survive the shift out of the nineties. His work on Spider-man, a decade before "Ultimate" became a buzzword, made him an instant icon. Many fans instantly identify Bagley by his contributions to popular storylines like one of the first major arcs to transcend the medium on a mass scale, Maximum Carnage.

What initially attracted me to this Halloween hangover post was the opportunity to introduce one of my favourite midnight sons to the Infinite Wars - Morbius.
It was perhaps the most noted absence on the site in '05/'06, and it's to my chagrin, that we breach the character like this, in an Ultimate title. Generally the Infinite Wars aren't about slinging negative reviews, but certainly these two issues have sat like burning coals in the anti-Ultimate argument.

Before we get to slamming an entire universe (and Bendis...), we should steer it back to a topic that has had many-a comic fan scratching his head for the better part of the last ten years...

It was under the pen and direction of David Goyer and Stephen Norrington respectively, that the 1970's vampire hunter, Blade, was distilled to a stoic, sleek, modern snapshot of everything the character had the potential to be.
It drew upon influences that developed the character right through to the mid-nineties [ala; Ghost Rider #40], and formed the adult structure of a modern superhero film, capable of taking itself deadly serious.

With two movie sequels following, and a TV spin-off under his belt, Blade vastly exceded reasonable expectations, and surpassed his jive-talking beginnings.
However, despite mainstream success, Blade somehow fails to sustain himself as a leading character in the medium that gave his birth. Attempts to capitalize on buzz have been mediocre at best, with many simply lacking the promotion to even penetrate the comics reading consciousness.

It was while scanning cover art by break-out talent, Marko Djurdjevic, that I was inevitably drawn back into the mystery of the character's failures. With the exception of a design-influenced receding hairline, Djurdjevic's Blade attempts the hard sale, glistening on covers with rendered sheen, and leathery blacks that conjure up the stylish glory of that first film. Which easily points to the problem.

While this is fast becoming a double feature hate-fest, I simply cannot turn away from the glaringly obvious. This newest effort to utilize Blade was simply-put, dismal. Djurdjevic no doubt swayed the tempted, but it's those that can bitterly lament upon the distinct difference between cover and interior.
Artistic direction is quickly out the window as Chaykin's pencils defy the modern covers; instead delivering pumpkin flavoured latern jaws, and a Blade that lacks the stiff cool of early Wesley Snipes, looking more like an early-eighties Steve Harvey.

Of course, sure, Howard Chaykin is an acquired taste, but the blame shouldn't fall squarely on his shoulders. Editorial is one of the most vilified quotients of mainstream comics, but at their best they steer projects to an appropriate asthetic that is the difference between a sleeper hit, and this.

The increasing pull of Hollywood writers runs amok in the worst way here as Guggenheim is seemingly allowed to do as he pleases. Bucking against the ill-fated works that carried superficial inspiration from the first movie, Guggs takes Blade in an opposite direction, gleefully revelling in the naff of meaningless peril (a villainous vampire Spider-man), gawky retroactive continuity (Blade and Wolverine in ye olde west), and the downright stupid (gun-hand Blade).

It's a harsh report card for a series that felt doomed from it's inception.
At best, a more stylistic approach to visuals might have saved this project. At worst, it is as it is. In interviews, Chaykin embarassingly refers to research of fashions, and Guggenheim throws us a movie-villain who has long been deceased in the comics all in the name of a "final" confrontation. Ugh.

So, does Marvel's on-again/off-again golden boy do any better?

As typical of Ultimate Spider-man, Blade appears in the first five pages, in an action sequence that bares the barest justification of immediately indicating the tone and portion of this world we are entering. Otherwise, like so much of USM's battle scenes, it is disconnected action that at best fullfils much needed quotas for excitement and fisticuffs.

The man we spoke of at the beginning of this entry, [Mark Bagley], instantly proves the theory of stylistic justification. Complimented by motley colours by Richard Isanove, Bagley delivers an acceptable rendition of the leathcoated, sunglasses-at-night Blade made famous by comics, cartoons and cinema, alike.

Ianove projects through satisfactory inks, highlighting Spidey's light-grabbing reds as he drops out of the moonlit night sky. Free-falling to an alley below, his descent lands him atop a gun-toting Blade who pursues unnamed prey through the city. The uninformed Spidey has no way of knowing the dangers that lurk.

Spider-man checks on the terrified prey, whilst pinning Blade down with webbing, distancing him from his hi-tech pistols. The frightened runner is unreceptive, but Spidey's continued concerns soon earn him the man's fanged attentions!

As the vampire claws at Spider-man's mask with evil intentions, a silver katana cuts through the night air, and impales through the vampire's chest. Strong and confident, the vampire hunter rips his blade through his victim's body in an explosion of green mist and blazing light reminiscent of Hollywood effects.

Stepping through the ash-cloud, Blade grabs the young hero by the throat, and slams him against the alley wall.

Bringing the tip of his katana to hover menacingly infront of Spidey's mask, Blade delivers an uncompromising threat, promising to, "... eat your heart for breakfast!" should Spider-man interfere in his affairs ever again. Which, to-date, he hasn't.

Blade disappears into the night, leaving Spider-man gasping and wheezing. An act that neatly summarizes so much of what makes this another disappointment to come from the pages of Ultimate Spider-man.

The Blade films exemplify the very best of a dumb, but thoroughly worthwhile action sequence opener.
USM's stuttered meandering sometimes clears to boast spontaneously inconsequential confrontations between characters like Gladiator or Shocker that represent a characteristic play for verisimilitude [ala; Daredevil #75]. This, however, is a case of don't-ask/don't-tell; completely overlooking everything that could have made this an all-star appearance by a character as culturally significant as Blade.

This welcomed two-issue storyarc, like so many other USM arcs, promises a fantastic concept that sucks me right in, in this case the opportunity to explore a familiar vampiric section of the Spidey mythos. Alas, instead of a contemporary retelling and modification of this theory, it's a chance for Bendis to catch-up on other scripts, neglecting the Ultimate Spidey audience that has already proven itself to be sycophantic enough to swallow decades of reviewer ravings about so-called "realistic teen dialogue," that supposedly made this the must-read book of the early double-ohs.

The Fix: 3.5 The Issue: 3
Winner: Blade

Some say Bendis writes USM for the trade. I've read the floppies back to back, and the only benefit I can imagine from trade is timelines and an immediate distraction. Scores are salvaged by Bagley's art and the minutia, but this book reaffirms much of what has made me a growing critic of the book, now seemingly in recession for reasons shared.

---

SPIDER-MAN versus MORBIUS
Morbius: Part 2 (Marvel)
Where: Ultimate Spider-man #96 When: August 2006
Why: Brian Michael Bendis How: Mark Bagley

Quick Fix...
While on the attack, I might as well express my malevolent opinion that USM fans largely represent the outer fringe of confused and nervous comics fans, more concerned with peer approval than a solid read.

Right now those USM die-hards among you who haven't had the pleasure of reading my work are probably vehemently questioning my credentials to make these scathing claims -- and maliciously making an effort to avoid purchasing the first issue of The Kirby Martin Inquest.

It's the danger of wearing both hats, and while I hope the Infinite Wars can benefit my small press projects, I am ever-reluctant to allow those dreams to compromise the honesty of my opinions. Lord knows I have to do enough censoring when talking to would-be collaborators, and apparently reviewers, too.
If it makes you feel any better, I would love someone to be interested enough in my work to dedicate this wordcount to understanding, and even decrying it.

Of course, this double feature isn't about me.
Although, truth be told, it is about a fetishistic fandom of the character Morbius. Not to say I'm any kind of expert on the character. Actually, I despise much of what is regarded as Morbius iconography, particularly the giant, triangular red eyes, and matching red and blue outfit which is largely the basis of the Ultimate "revamp."

Yes, it once again we find ourselves at the garrish nineties, as I delight in champining the tattered purple cape and black leather evil-doctor's uniform that featured in that previously mentioned crossover -- Maximum Carnage! Not that that is where the love came from. Again, though not an expert, the attraction of the Midnight Sons is a curious and interesting one.

Morbius differs from Blade in that he is closer connected to the purist form of vampire. He, like the film version of Blade, shares the thirst, albeit to a far greater extent, and also suffers the sensitivities of his vampiric cousins.

In my [un-published] time dealing with vampires and zombies, I like to think of them both as categorizable by two overarcing types; scientific, and mystic.
The so-called "living vampire," Morbius represents in no subtle terms, an extreme version of the scientific vampire, literally the victim of his own experiments.

Though the character was almost inevitably dragged into occult variations, and enhancements and mutations at the hands of mystic elements; the scientific specifics of his origins have been the key defining quality in his history.
He is a character at odds with his nature, but unlike the film Blade, utterly responsible. It's a pathos that has allowed the character to intrinsically walk the line between dark hero, and villain.

Alas, in a universe where Dr. Doom was reshaped as a goat-legged gas breather from a New York think tank, who spent a few months building a jealous hatred for a rival years his junior -- Morbius remains among the most disappointing conversions of a character from traditional, to Ultimate variation.

Though appearing as a suitably sinister ally in Spider-man's struggle with decidedly mystic vampires (able to transform into mist and wolves); Morbius loses much of what makes him an interesting and unique character, retaining only the superficial - a red and blue skin stretched over a dull standard.

Lurking from the shadows to the hospital bed of Daily Bugle reporter, Ben Urich, Morbius makes his reappearance. Having suffered the bite of the vampire during his expose on this secret underworld, Urich is slowly succumbing to the occult disease that encourages hunger for blood.

Apparently hoping to aid Urich in his struggle, Morbius is set upon by the reporter's hidden protector, Spider-man! Bursting through the cheap cladding of the hospital ceiling, Spidey descends with a swinging kick, and follows it with a stiff right hat topples Morbius!

The advantage of surprise is quickly lost, and Morbius exerts vampiric strength that overcomes even the comparable strength of a spider! Despite their physical confrontation, Morbius is content to simply delay Spider-man's attacks.

In a vaguely ironic twist, Morbius reveals much of himself in an effort to earn Spider-man's trusts. He tells of his life's history, revealing his origins as the son of the first vampire - Dracul! In this respect, Morbius holds an obscure relation to the Walachian descended Victor Van Damme, aka Ultimate Dr. Doom!

With his fangs leering out of his gaped mouth, Morbius leans over the delirious Urich, only to again incur the the physical defensive of the Spider-man.
With time of the essence, Morbius wastes no time freeing himself of Spidey's kung-fu bearhug, sending him hurtling through the hospital wall.

Just then, the lights go out in the hospital, and the corridor fills with an eerie mist that ushers the entrance of three demonic vampires. Their stare freezes Spider-man's apt muscles, leaving him easy prey to the animalistic swarm.
Making this a double within a double, Morbius smashes his way through the hospital room door to come to the aid of the youngster.

With superhuman precision Morbius swiftly stakes the three vampires, moving close quarters and projectile with his wooden weapons. As Parker babbles like the child he is about having been "killed", Morbius again leans over a vampire bite, sinking his own fangs into Spidey's neck.

He is able to taste the tainted blood altered by the bite of a genetically engineered Spider. Much like Urich, having been bitted by Morbius before the commotion, Peter Parker is assured safety. Showing off his handiwork, Morbius shows signs of fatigue, and disappears in a burst of mist before delivering a similar parting to Blade, "And if we ever bump into each other again... Let's both pray that you've grown the $%#@ up!"

As if to attack Bendis' so-called strengths, Morbius' dialogue, though funny for a conclusion, is indicative of one end of an awkward characterization. Dialogue typically reads along the lines of an awkward statesman, but lacks seniority, or convincing competence. He sounds less European, and more like a character lost for words, which is not what I would imagine of any interpretation of Morbius.
Then again, at the risk of sounding underhanded, no one has ever accused Bendis of writing a terrific smart person.

I really want to at least cast a positive light on the fact that good sense was applied to restrict this to a two-issue arc. As is, I can at least derive some enjoyment from this as a disposable piece of fun. Though Morbius is utterly malformed for no fantastic reason, the broad disappointment is the total inconsequentiality of the entire story. Though peppered within are B-story plot elements concerning Parker's relationship with X-Woman, Kitty Pryde, the bulk of the subject matter here is of no interest.

I would've loved to have seen a six-issue arc that placed a real weight on Blade and Morbius, but alas, that wasn't to be, and may have ultimately been familiar to the point of further emphasising the redundancy of the Ultimate universe.
It should be said that Bendis can write, and he can even write paced, very well, and I fully acknowledge this. It just seems USM fails to deliver in the same way Daredevil has -- and lord knows I've nibbled at the title enough to know!

Bagley is a treat, and I thoroughly look forward to what comes of his work at DC. With a hint of tongue in the cheek, Bagley has often been referenced as getting sick of working with Spider-man. It was earlier this year that Stuart Immonen graduated up to pencilling chores as Bagley exited with a writer/artist record for consecutive issues that cracked previous holders, Lee and Kirby on FF.

I honestly struggle to imagine what Bagley will draw for the company. Flash, perhaps for nothing more than a vague similarity to the physically kinetic Spidey, is one character that comes to mind. If I had a suggestion, it might be a 52-esque weekly series that covers a variety of characters sufficient to ease readers into a Bagley-drawn DCU.

The Fix: 4 The Issue: 3
Winner: Morbius

A rare Infinite Wars double-stat, handing Morbius victories for beating Spidey AND the vampires, with a web-slinging assist for the latter. I would also say it's rare we have such negatively strong opinions about a book, and hope readers can walk away interested and contemplative, rather than offended.