Corey's Comic Corner Edition 21 - Review of Wasp #1, Daredevil #1, Avengers Two: Wonder Man and The Beast #1 and The Ends #2.
/Corey’s Comic Corner
We’re back with another almost exciting and sometimes provocative edition of Corey’s Comic Corner, etc. Sit back, kick-up your feet and relax! You’re going to be here for a while. Hopefully!
This weekend was a busy one and I didn’t get a chance to enjoy any new movies or read a whole lot. While it’s a large passion of mine sometimes life gets in the way and that’s ok. Anyone who knows me knows that my biggest passion of all is my family. Sadly it’s another passion that these days I don’t get to enjoy nearly as much. Especially outside of our little household of 3.
My wife, My daughter Ella and I took a trip up the Adirondack region for a winter softball tournament with my daughter’s travel team. It was about a four hour drive or so and luckily the weather was perfect for our ride down. Always such a beautiful and scenic drive no matter what time of year you head up to the ADK. There’s just something liberating about heading off the grid a bit into the mountains away from the busyness of the city and your everyday routine. We spend a lot of our weekends, especially in the spring and summer, around the softball field. This particular tournament was indoors due to it being winter but it gives the team a way to stay sharp and work out any kinks or issues during the off-season. The team played 8 games over two days with a record of 6-2 and eventually lost in the Championship game late Sunday evening with a 6-4 final score. I know for many people this seems crazy and as I mentioned, a great deal of our time, energy and money is spent around the softball field. I have to say though I'm not sure there is anything I enjoy more than watching my daughter compete. It’s just so much fun! FUN being the key word! As long as she enjoys it and is having fun, we are also having fun and that’s all that really matters. We’ll continue to enjoy watching as long as we get the chance. I often say there is nothing I’d rather be doing more than taking in a movie. I guess that would technically be a lie. Anything else becomes my second favorite choice when it comes down to that or spending time watching my daughter do something she loves. It’s not even a question in my mind. On to the fun…
COMIC BOOK REVIEWS
“This week I had a chance to read Wasp #1, Daredevil #1, Avengers Two: Wonder Man and The Beast #1 and The Ends #2.”
WASP #1
Published by Marvel
Written by Al Ewing
Pencils by Kasia Nie
Rated T for Teen
Available now!
A new debut series from acclaimed writer Al Ewing of The Immortal Hulk this time taking on a character and fellow Avenger 60 years in the making. Janet Van Dyne AKA The Wasp! This issue finds the Wasp revisiting her past, fighting some old enemies and teaming up with her step daughter, also The Wasp, Nadia Van Dyne.
This comic was a lot more fun than I had anticipated. With Marvel soon to release Ant-Man and The Wasp Quantumania in theaters, it only makes sense to reintroduce one of their classic characters and also founding members of the Avengers, back to comics. Ewing is a great writer and he always finds a unique story to tell. Just like he did with Immortal Hulk he finds new ways to make the character The Wasp interesting and cool. The art is perfectly matched for this book. Nie weaves old and new styles together seamlessly as they move from panel to panel with scenes cut from both the past and the present. It has a very satisfying effect on the story Ewing is trying to tell. It’s really a great start to what I think can be a very promising new series. Definitely worth a read if you are a fan of The Wasp or looking for something new.
Avenger Two: Wonder Man and The Beast #1
Published by Marvel
Written by Roger Stern
Pencils by Mark Bagley
Rated T for Teen
Available now
A reissue of the original Marvel Tales series released back in 2000 exploring the relationship between two unlikely allies and friends, The Beast and Wonder Man. Wonder Man Resurrected once again by The Scarlet Witch, is on a flight and reunites with his old friend. A hostage situation ensues and our heroes spring into action and the limelight once again. The last place either of them wants to be.
I hadn’t read this series when it originally debuted back in 2000 so it was kinda cool to have a chance to check it out this time around. While I’m quite familiar with The Beast and have always been a fan I knew very little about Wonder Man. I have to say after reading this I'm a fan!
Wonder-man is a layered character who shares many traits with other various characters in the Marvel Universe. He adds a unique contrast to The Beast and his character but somehow they make an excellent pairing. The writing is somewhat old school but easy to follow and art works well enough as a whole. There’s a good fight scene in the issue displaying how these two work together and a great scene between Wonder Man and Scarlet Witch. It’s fun to go back and read some of the different books over the past few decades and just see how the writing, art or story is affected by our society and culture at the time. This was definitely a cool issue to read and I would definitely read more of it.
“The Greatest Name in Comics” DAREDEVIL #1
Published by Comic House
Written by Kenny Porter
Pencils by Inaki Azpiazu
Rated T for Teen
Available now!
A newer comic from a publisher in Canada called Comic House. Brett Hill, a member of a family with a long background in stunt work has decided to move his skills out of the make believe world and into the real world where he can create some real change and be a real hero!
This was an interesting indie book for me. While I'm not entirely sure how they get around using the Daredevil name it’s clear the use of the name is literal as this hero’s background is steeped in doing stunt man work and we have called these types Daredevils for decades. It’s your basic superhero story with a little action and even a little humor but mostly it picks up on the many commonly used tropes or themes in comics. There isn’t anything really groundbreaking here but the story is interesting enough for a quick read. The art on the other hand is pretty bad. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or not but I found it a distraction and couldn't really determine in the end if this comic was supposed to be taken seriously or not. It’s not a knock against the publisher and maybe I'm overlooking something genuinely interesting but if that’s the case it’s lost on me. I know this publisher has a few other titles I've heard good things about so I'd be curious to check some of those out.
The Ends #2
Published by Bad Idea
Written by David & Maria Lapham
Pencils by David Lapham
Rated M for Mature
Available by pre-order only
The penultimate issue in this historical drama thriller from Bad Idea. Lines have been drawn as we see a group of elderly veterans who are mourning a comrade at the local VFW planning to take on a large presence of skin-heads head on who have invaded their town for a rally.
I’m loving this title and I can’t wait to read the final issue coming out soon. As with many of these Bad Idea titles I'm worried they will not be able to wrap this up and stick the landing with only one more issue but I'm hopeful. This is a very small town, small scale story that should be easy enough to go out with a bang so here’s to hoping. Things are really ramping up in this issue setting the stage for a climactic showdown between the skin-heads and the veterans of the town. The art and dialogue by the Lapham’s continues to be some of the best Bad Idea has to offer. The covers and the quality as well remain at a level higher than most all publishers including Marvel and DC.
MOVIE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK!
Infinity Pool
Distributed by NEON
Directed by Brandon Cronenberg
Rated R
In theaters on January 27th!
Some of you may be familiar with Brandon Crononberg as the son of body horror master and acclaimed director David Crononberg. He’s helmed classics such as The Fly, Scanners, Videodrome and History of Violence. All great movies! Brandon has followed in his dad’s footsteps recently releasing his first major feature film Possessor back in 2020. It was a weird, trippy horror/sci-fi movie loaded with tons of body horror just like his fathers films. Now 3 years later he’s back with another assault on your senses that’s currently getting some good press and positive reviews around the water cooler and the trailer looks absolutely bonkers! I usually take a break from horror movies this time of year as the short, cold days of winter are bleak enough but this is already being touted as one of the top horror movies of 2023 and the year is only getting started. I hope to check it out this weekend. Let me know if you see it or if you plan to.
That’s it for this week folks! As always we’d love to hear from you if you have any comments or input. The only thing we won’t accept is your tears. I know you're sad we’ve reached the end but we’ll be back next week. There is a lot happening at POP ROC over the next couple weeks so stay tuned to social media and the website for details.
As always. Until next week.
Corey Newell
“Just a guy who loves comics and stuff”
⁃ Independent blogger, dad, dork, comic nerd and pop culture lover hailing from Spencerport, NY