Waid/Kubert Ka-Zar, Marvel Adventures

Ka-Zar 7-14

Mark Waid falters bit during the second half of his run.  He starts off strong as Shanna struggles through a crisis of confidence in her love for her husband.  Her inner monologue that runs through the issue rings true, and I bought her reconciliation at the end with Kevin.

After that, things start to run a little askew.  I love the visuals of New York CIty overrun by dinosaurs and jungle sprawl.  Andy Kubert and Joe Rosas continue to shine.

Kubert shows scale so well.

Rosas does all the heavy lifting in this panel.

But the idea of Ka-Zar somehow surviving a face-to-face confrontation with Thanos defies all suspension of disbelief.  That story's followed up by Shanna-with-Earth-Mother-powers, a dull play on the mortal-can't-deal-with-absolute-power-and-struggles-to-retain-their-humanity storyline.  It doesn't help that the dull High Evolutionary plays Iago to her Othello, goading her down the seductively easy path. Nor that the substandard Louis Small Jr, Aaron Lopresti, and Randy Emberlin fill in on art for two of the issues.  

Is it canon that the High Evolutionary is a gorilla beneath the mask?  I can’t find any mention of it elsewhere - His wikipedia entry doesn’t mention it at all, and refers to him as human.  The reveal was a decently emotional beat, but seemed to come out of nowhere.

Regret buying? No

Would buy again? Yes

Would read again? Yes

Rating: Fine

Marvel Adventures 9

I could not pass up the concept of the Avengers transformed into MODOCs.  (As opposed to MODOKs. Because this is an All Ages comics, the Killing has been changed to Conquest.)  Unfortunately, perhaps because it’s specifically targeted to kids, it’s far more silly than it is funny.  There’s still promise in the idea, and I hope someone comes back to it someday.

C'mon, who could resist this?

Regret buying? No

Would buy again? No

Would read again? No

Rating: Stupid (Cutting)