After a quiet couple of weeks, today has a shipping list that I am really excited about, and there is not a Fantastic Four related issue in sight!
Firstly, we have the long awaited conclusion of the Avengers’ Children’s Crusade. Not before time, either. Considering this nine-issue (with two specials) series started publication way back in 2010, I have had a little difficulty in squaring the events of such a momentous storyline with the rest of the events in the Marvel Universe. Last issue implied that it all occurred prior to the Schism, and somewhat understandably Simon Williams the Wonder Man is present with the Avengers. Yet Simon is supposed to be at the Avengers throats currently, is he not? Would that really all be put to one side just for the sake of Wanda? No barbed comments, nothing?
And despite the involvement of what are basically children, Wolverine and Cyclops are all buddy-buddy? Because there’s no water that’s flowed under that bridge!
All these reservations aside, the Children’s Crusade has been an excellent story, finally offering a retcon to the understanding of what occurred in the conclusion of the House Of M, and M-Day. For those of us who love Wanda dearly, this is welcome news. It is however, a retcon, and suffers for this; the panel that accompanies this article leaves very little explanation. What, Doom did it this issue whilst he had Wanda’s power? Possible, but somewhat unlikely, is it not?
Meanwhile, the Age of Apocalypse returns once again. As other commentators have pointed out, many readers may not have even been born when AoA first hit the shelves. (God I feel old!) This is one area where Marvel excels, and I always enjoy their alternate reality titles. If the Uncanny X-Force is anything to go by, this will be a treat.
From Image, we have the long awaited ‘Hell Yeah!’ This series proposes to study the impact of two decades of super-heroes on the world at large, but I trust it will give us a different perspective than Marvels did.
To be fair to DC, it is Stormwatch day as well, which in my opinion seems to be the best title out of all of the New 52. Or is it simply that the general flavour of all of the New 52 fits best here?
Happy reading!
You missed a couple of things, you should read the issue again:
1. Simon does badmouth the Avengers.
2. The implication is that Doom caused Disassembled right after he showed Wanda how to access the Life Force; ie, he bespelled her in that super-powerful state and sent her to attack the Avengers. Way back then, and all this stuff about marrying her is just to keep his access to that Nexus power she has.
To address this, 1) in issue 8? Not one word. Simon says a couple of comments in #9, but then this post was a taster for #9, not a review. I was anticipating it, salivating even, but was discussing the previous issue.
2) Absolutely, the implication was there,, but that also flies in the face of how time and the time stream is supposed to operate in the Marvel Universe. I was hopipng for a little more exposition on this, some more in depth examination of just what Doom did, why he did it and when? What has he actually gained from this? Fried by the life-force, and now the remaining mutants are out for him. Why would he even reveal this? The reason ‘I am Doom’ is simply not enough. That is the reason Doom always claims, but there are always other aims and goals.
Maybe Doom does love Wanda, and said this to protect her, giving her the innocence she lost.
In fact, that is the only explanation of this plot twist that makes any sense to me.