Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: The Living Planet (Part 1 of 2)
Written by: Tony Bedard
Penciled by: Jim Calafiore
Inked by: Mark McKenna
Lettered by: Dave Sharpe
Cover Art by: Mizuki Sakakibara
Publisher: Marvel Comics
What I love about Exile is that every couple of issues, I get to learn something new about the Marvel Universe. For the most part, the writers of Exiles have shown themselves time and time again to remember obscure things that we’ve forgotten. Things like Hyperion, and the Phalanx, and the Brood. There are so many amazing stories that can still be used. Tony Bedard, with this arc, is remembering a gem from back in Thor #132 with Ego, The Living Planet.
I know NOTHING about Ego, The Living Planet, so bear that in mind as you read this review.
Story!
The Hexagon Men are attacking the most destroyed place in Marvel Universe, New York City. The Fantastic Four disappeared when they went to try and find out what the hell was going on. The Avengers (this world’s version of them anyway) have hired an outsource consultant on all things smart to help them figure out what is going on. A consultant who finds himself to be the only man smarter than that accursed Reed Richards.
Victor Von DOOOOOOOM!
Our Exiles have a mission too though, and it is to stop the Avengers and
Victor Von DOOOOOOOM!
Apparently, having the World’s Greatest Team jumping in, kicking ass and taking names just doesn’t sound like the right idea to the Tallus. The cool thing about this whole issue is how it keeps itself fun. Doom has come up with a huge plot device weapon to go in and destroy all that may live beneath the earth.
Bedard, has a definite grasp the on concept, but still is working to make this feel like HIS book. It just doesn’t feel as fun as when Winick did it, and I’m starting to think that it won’t ever. Conceptually, it’s still a fun book, but unless I think someone is going to die, I’m not tearing through my books to find it.
Art!
The Sakakibara (what a great name) cover is action filled, and I would love to see a book by him some day. I very well might have seen a book by him, but I’m pretty sure I would remember the name Sakakibara.
Psst…He’s a she who’s done the pencils and inks on issues 46, 47, 48, 50, & 51 of this very title. -“Ever Helpful” Chris
Internally, Calafiore and McKenna, as I’ve said before, are a great team. The layouts are well down and Calafiore should write a book specifically about VICTOR VON DOOOM!!!!
Seriously, the man can draw Doom and make him look cool.
Overall!
Exiles is a book that has been one of my favorites of the last few years. It’s original, it’s quirky, and it’s got so much going for it in the way of material uncharted. I also really enjoyed Bedard’s work at CrossGen, but month-after-month I get the feeling that Exiles just isn’t his. I feel it really hasn’t been anyone’s since Winick left oh so long ago.
