Infinity Countdown #3

   Rather than write another review of the latest issue of Infinity Countdown, which is just another issue filled with action and not much else, let me just refer you to my comments about the second issue, which you can read at this link.

   This issue is just more of the same, with one exception: this issue made me weep even more for its treatment of Hank Pym, one of Marvel's classic heroes (and a personal favorite of mine) - for some reason, he's always treated like crap, and this series is no different.

Grade: B-

Infinity Countdown #2

     Obviously the Infinity Countdown series is here as a warmup act for the Infinity Stone-based event that's coming up soon.

   I picked it up mostly because it features the long-awaited return of Adam Warlock, one of my all-time favorite characters - at least when he was being written by Jim Starlin.

   Few creators have been able to match Starlin's cosmic touch with Warlock - and this issue doesn't offer anything different.

   In his half of this adventure, Warlock travels to a distant planet in search of the Soul Gem - the Infinity Stone he was bonded with - but he finds it in the possession of a powerful creature who has no soul of his own. 

   There's not much here to make Warlock anything more than just another superhero - I'd hoped for more depth to the character. Perhaps future issues will fill out that side of the character.

   The other half of the issue belongs to the Guardians of the Galaxy, as they fight a war to protect another Infinity Stone.

   This issue almost works - there are some nice moments, and the potential for some long-standing questions to be answered, and problems to be sorted out.

   But so far, it's just potential. 

Grade: B

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Infinity Countdown #1

   Well, you can tell this is an "Event" comic, because - despite the actual exclusion of sound - the comic manages to be REALLY, REALLY LOUD!

   (Sorry for the caps.)

   The first issue of Infinity Countdown could just as easily have been an issue of Guardians of the Galaxy, because (with the exception of the last two pages) it focuses on that team's efforts to protect some of the Infinity Stones.

   For example, Drax, who's guarding the huge Power Stone, works with a small contingent from the Nova Corps to fight overwhelming odds (and some downright terrifying creatures).

   The rest of the team is facing off against one of the former owners of an Infinity Stone - the deranged Gardener (he's a lot more dangerous than he sounds), who commands an army of giant plant creatures.

   So there are lots of explosions, big fights and blustering commentary.

   I have no idea where this is all heading, why the Infinity Stones are so easily gathered up by good and bad guys, and where some of the main characters who should be involved are hiding.

   Where are Warlock and Thanos? The Illuminati? (Wait, some of them are dead. I think.)

   I'm a sucker for Infinity Stones stories, so I'll hang around - but hopefully future issues will include more story and less volume.

Grade: B

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Infinity Countdown Prime #1

   I picked this issue up with some hesitation, because Infinity Countdown Prime looked like an overpriced advertisement for the upcoming Event series.

   And you get a little bit of that vibe, but happily the issue actually serves as a sequel (or a setup) for the series, tackling the weighty issue answering the question: where are all those Infinity Stones, anyway?

   The cosmically powerful stones, of course, are at the heart of the upcoming Avengers movie. They last appeared in the Marvel Universe just before the Secret Wars series - and they were apparently destroyed.

   But with the rebirth of reality at the end of that event, the Infinity Stones were also reborn - and you'll be surprised to see who's holding them now.

   It's a powerful story (with lots of surprises) by Gerry Duggan, with amazing, vivid and striking art by Mike Deodato, Jr., and color art by Frank Martin.

   The series is off to an explosive start, and holds lots of promise. And hey, Adam Warlock is back - it's worth buying just for that!

Grade: A-

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