Friday, October 27, 2006

Infinite Wars: Batman & Nightwing vs Amazo

BATMAN & NIGHTWING versus AMAZO
Under the Hood Part 3: Overnight Deliveries (DC comics)
Where:
Batman #637 When: April 2005
Why: Judd Winick How: Doug Mahnke

The story so far...
In the wake of a gang war, Black Mask seizes control of the criminal underbelly of Gotham City. With various villainous elements shifting within the DC Universe, Black Mask's own strategies intersect with various others.

Amongst his schemes, the import of various super paraphernalia and weaponry. Much of which leaves his possession via the intervention of the Batman, or the vigilante rogue, Jason Todd - The Red Hood.

One such import is Amazo; an android designed originally by Professor Ivo to combat the Justice League using their own powers and unique abilities. Though stripped down, the machine poses a substantial threat, and Batman and Nightwing are there to intervene.

Full Article: http://secretearths.blogspot.com/2006/10/batman-nightwing-versus-amazo-under.html

Friday, October 20, 2006

Infinite Wars: Spider-man vs Kraven the Hunter

SPIDER-MAN versus KRAVEN THE HUNTER
Mind Games (Part 2) (Marvel comics)
Where:
Spider-man Ep. 13 When: August 2003
Why: Steven Kriozere & Audu Paden How: Neil Patrick Harris & Michael Dorn

The story so far...
The Gaines Twins are the product of shocking KGB experimentation which killed their parents, but resulted in granting them fantastic hypnotic and telepathic abilities.

When Spider-man intervenes in their escape, the twins manage to psychically manipulate him through a fantasy into believeing Kraven the Hunter killed his beloved Mary-Jane.

With rage now seething through his veins, Spider-man takes up a vengeful mission to kill Kraven on the behalf of the twins. Revenge for Kraven's involvement in the capture of their parents on the KGB's behalf.

Full Article: http://secretearths.blogspot.com/2006/10/spider-man-versus-kraven-hunter-mind.html

Friday, October 13, 2006

Infinite Wars: Wolverine vs Silver Samurai

WOLVERINE versus SILVER SAMURAI
Origins & Endings: Chapter Two (Marvel comics)
Where:
Wolverine #37 When: February 2006
Why: Daniel Way How: Javier Saltares & Mark Texeira

The story so far...
Wolverine is James Howlett -- And he remembers.

With a past comes further questions and grudges, and for Wolverine the path begins in Japan.
Though at first appearing to attack the Japanese Prime Minister's convoy, Wolverine's true intentions soon become apparent. The Prime Minister's security head is the true target.

A man named Kenuichio Harada.
A man named - The Silver Samurai.

Full Article: http://secretearths.blogspot.com/2006/10/wolverine-versus-silver-samurai-origins.html

Friday, October 06, 2006

Infinite Wars: Sub-Mariner & Spider-man vs Dr. Dorcas & Tigershark

SUB-MARINER & SPIDER-MAN versus DR. DORCAS & TIGERSHARK
Mayhem is... The Men-Fish! (Marvel comics)
Where:
Marvel Team-Up #14 When: October 1973
Why: Len Wein How: Gil Kane

The story so far...
When an innocent tourist is set upon by thugs in a New York City night, a friendly neighbourhood Spider-man is more than willing to intervene in the name of good. But Spidey and the crooks didn't count on one thing!

The stranger turns out to be none other than Namor the Sub-Mariner, and interested only in his own objective, it's Spidey who soon becomes the victim as Namor attempts to fight his way through the suspicious web-slinger.

With their differences resolved, Spider-man agrees to aid the noble Sub-Mariner in a quest for Tigershark - the vile villain responsible for murdering Namor McKenzie's frail, human father.
Events lead the two to track Dr. Dorcas who has teamed with Tigershark, and apparently prepared a trap to welcome to the two heroes...

Full Article: http://secretearths.blogspot.com/2006/10/sub-mariner-spider-man-versus-dr.html

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Infinite Wars: Green Arrow vs Brick

MONTHLY PUNCH-UP #10 (October, 2006)
GREEN ARROW versus THE BRICK
Crawling Through the Wreckage Part One: "New Sheriff In Town!"
Where: Green Arrow #60 When: May 2006
Why: Judd Winick How: Scott McDaniel

Quick Fix...
Judd Winick is a really peculiar case.
He seems to be one of those writers who has his hand in many pots, some considerably high amongst the annals of comics writing -- but he still evokes that of a mid-tier guy.

I probably stradle the fence somewhere between.
His work with Doug Mahnke on Batman went from a six issue step down from Jeph Loeb and Brian Azzarrello, to liquid brilliance.

Winick wrote Gotham in the kind of way I would want to.
A very editorialized style that's as much about the map of the city, as it is the pawns that are moving around the battlefield.
It was about motivation and agenda, and that's the kind of writing style I have a great interest in. Lots of moving cogs, all turning at different speeds and interacting accordingly.

This is something Ed Brubaker has probably taken considerably further with his earlier work on Daredevil. Stuff that's wound particularly tight as it operates within the confines of a single locale - a prison. As for this fight:

Full Article: http://secretearths.blogspot.com/2006/10/monthly-punch-up-10-october-2006-green.html