The Pulse #5 Review

Archive

Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: Thin Air (Part 5)

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Pete Pantazis
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Last time I did a Pulse review, I talked personally in that review to Brian Michael Bendis. I asked him to please not write such an amazing story that makes me riveted to the next issue. I asked him to please not make it so that my girlfriend grabs his Pulse before mine. I begged him to please allow me, by not giving such a riveting issue that she feels it’s better than me, to have sex with her.

Yes, I stooped to an all time low with my Pulse #4 review. It’s been the most favoritist thing I’ve written on this site so far. So now, I shall not even try to out do myself with this review. I just tell you this.

I compared the last book to sex, and if I ‘WAS’ going to try and out do myself, this book would have to be about kinky fetish sex, anal, or something one might find at ‘Rotten.com’. But I’m not going to do that. I’m better than that.

Barely.

STORY!
This is, supposedly, the issue that ties in Millar’s MK Spiderman title. I honestly cannot base any opinion on how that was done, as I have not been READING that title. So when we get to where the Goblin’s fate is decided, I saw this as a surprise. It was cool to me, if not becoming the standard thing Bendis does when it comes to people.

“Eh, we’ll just tell the world who they are… worked for Daredevil!”

But this story, just as Daredevil did, makes sense. There is a reason that he’s being outted. There is a motivation behind everything that goes on. I’m fine with that, but I will say that this book was in no way as good as it’s predecessor. The last issue was a free-falling self-enclosed story with a great cliffhanger ending that MADE you want to read the next one, without actually having to. This story was the necessary next step though, and won me over on it’s little things.

When Goblin leaps out of his limo wearing the suit and JUST the helmet/mask. It shows you have crazy Osborne has become. It shows you the desperation he’s achieved.

When Jessica is screaming at the top of her lungs at the beginning, “I’VE LOST MY BABY!” it’s heart-wrenching. Spidey’s reaction is ideal as well.

As I said, it’s a damn fine book. Just not as good as the last one. I’m fine with that.. I gave the last one a 10 for christ sakes..

Art!

Another thing that made this not PERFECT is the cover. I’ve loved every Pulse cover up to this one. This one is just cliche. It does severything a cover is supposed to do, which is what I make mention of all the time. It’s not someone standing, it tells you what’s inside the issue (kinda), and hits on all major points. Just doesn’t seem excited enough.

I’m not everybody. I like Bagley. It’s not ideal for what you are getting in the Pulse, but is solid. He gives you all of the facial expression you need to know that Luke Cage is pissed. Spider-Man is confused. Ben Urich is choking to death. All of it is fine, and none of it comes across badly. Plus, the man can sequence an action scene better than most.

Overall!

Bendis and Bagley are favorites, as they should be. They are writing two of the three best Spiderman titles out right now. (The other being JMS’s Amazing), and the books are always fun. Whether it’s a pure love for the characters, or just the fact that they have been working with them for so long, the yarn that they spin is generally a good one.