Scott's Take: Godzilla vs the Marvel Universe by Ryan North, Gerry Duggan Gerry Duggan, John Romita Jr. (Illustrator), Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art)

 

Godzilla vs the Marvel Universe by Ryan North, Gerry Duggan, John Romita Jr. (Illustrator), Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art), collects a series of one shots (one shots for those who don’t know are single issue stories that are supposed to be self-contained). I read these through the Marvel Unlimited app.  In these one shots, Godzilla crossovers and battles various heroes in various times throughout the history of Marvel.  So, you have the 90s X-men vs Godzilla, 80s Spider-man vs Godzilla, Modern Thor vs Godzilla and more. This is just a fun crossover with various heroes dealing with Godzilla.

 

They don’t seem to connect at all and there are no shared creative teams or story. Most of the reads have good art except for the John Romita Jr for the Fantastic Four. I think his art is blocky. Most of these stories are action packed with humor. Some of which is forced, such as Nick Lowe’s editorial jokes in the Spider-Man story. I think he negatively impacted the story overall, but I also have a negative opinion of him based on his public comments about Spider-Man fans. The only story I really did not like was the Hulk vs Godzilla which goes downhill once he introduces some vague villain from the Godzilla Universe. I’d never heard of the character and the story made no sense. 

 

Overall, I think this is a fun collection that leans heavy into the Marvel Universe and not as much in the Godzilla Universe.

 

By the way, there is another Godzilla series that seems completely separate.  Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe has two issues so far at Marvel Unlimited as that is all they have put up. The collected volume is supposed to be released in March 2026. It seems to be completely separate and has all the heroes teaming up to stop him.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4iHvXdn

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: West Coast Avengers Vol. 1: The Gospel of Ultron by Gerry Duggan, Danny Kim (Artist), Arthur Hesli (Colorist), and others

 

West Coast Avengers Vol. 1: The Gospel of Ultron by Gerry Duggan, Danny Kim (Artist), Arthur Hesli (Colorist), and others, collects the first five issues of the series and comes out July 22nd. This series will only be two volumes. Unfortunately, before the trade is even released, they have cancelled this series citing low sales. Obviously it is not being given a second chance with readers with the trade since why would people buy the first volume of a killed series?

 

This series sees a new team of West Coast Avengers (basically California Avengers) attempting to reform villains. One of the biggest recruits to this program is Ultron. Ultron has spread himself into separate programs to prove which way is superior. There is a good Ultron who has joined the Avengers, an evangelistic one who has founded a church dedicated to turning humans into robots, and there are other Ultrons. Also, Hydra Cap is back….

 

The team consists of Spider-Woman, War Machine, Iron Man, Firestar, and Blue Bolt. Iron Man is his usual funny self and I enjoyed his presence. Firestar has one of the most compelling story arcs as her time as a double agent for the X-men has led to her have an alcohol problem and a severe hatred of all robots.

 

The rest of the characters get some moments, but they did not stick in my mind as I read this as it released through the Marvel Unlimited app. The art was above average and worked for this book.  The ending, which is a setup for the second volume is rather abrupt.

 

The second volume titled, War of Ultron, should release December 2025.  I liked this series, but I did not like Akerman’s Iron Man which had two relaunches in ten issues. It seems Iron Man is going to be reset with a new status quo which is another reason this series is being killed.

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4kBRBz0

 

I read this through the Marvel Unlimited app.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: X-Men: Hellfire Gala: Fall of X by Gerry Duggan

X-Men: Hellfire Gala: Fall of X by Gerry Duggan collects the issues that compose the third Hellfire Gala book. This book kicks off the Fall of X books. The Fall of X is the banner name for a series of titles for the X-Men.  Since this is the beginning, there are a lot of plot points setup that are not finished here. In this story, the X-Men are hosting their third annual party trying to build relations between humans and mutants. Of course, things go horribly wrong for the X-Men.

 

There is plenty of gore, violence, and death as the party is ruined. Some big-name characters are killed along with several lower-level names. The big names of course will return quicker since they already have books set after the events depicted here. The art for the most part is spectacular in the main Hellfire Gala issue, the free comic book day issue, and the Iron Man issue.

 

However, the art is just adequate in the X-Men unlimited issues which are set before the gala. Marvel has a series of comics that are exclusive to their app Unlimited. In this case, the X-Men Unlimited issues are short stories that expand on minor plot points using lower tier art and lower tier, name recognition wise, writers. They don’t get the budget the main titles get.

 

Additionally, the prequels are presented in this collection after the main issue.  By doing it that way, the momentum of the collection is derailed. It also kills the idea of giving some character development to certain characters who are later killed.

 

Jean Grey is the highlight in this read, in my opinion, as she has some impressive moments. However, there are plenty of cool scenes for other characters such as Wolverine, Talon, Emma Frost, and Iron Man. The Kingpin (who has now joined the X-Men) also has a cool moment himself. Professor X is put through the ringer in this Gala. The villains are impressive and well prepared. They remain formidable foes as the X-Men are forced to go on the run.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this volume despite some hiccups in how Marvel chose to handle this story.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/43rPhUo

 

 

My reading copy came by way of the Hoopla App and the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024

Scott's Take: Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1: Demon in the Armor by Gerry Duggan

Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1: Demon in the Armor by Gerry Duggan is the latest new Iron Man series. This book is heavily crossing over with the X-Men titles and is considered part of the Fall of X series. Iron Man is an X-Men title and is being run by the X-Men editors. The Fall of X is about the X-Men losing their island and being scattered across the globe and elsewhere. They are being hunted by the organization, Orchis, and the general public has turned on the X-Men. This volume is set before that stuff and helps setup how the X-men lose their island. The next volume is set during the Fall of X and the Hellfire gala (3rd one).

 

So, this is another Iron Man loses everything while he is being introspective about himself run. Yes, that is the book. I realize this is pretty much covers the same ideas has the previous Slott, Bendis, Cates runs.

 

But, this one is done way better than these runs even if the core ideas are the same.

 

It’s hard to talk about the villain for this run since it is a character that heavily ties into the X-Men books. There is murder, a conspiracy, and hostile takeover of Tony Stark’s company. He has a new place and new status quo. If one keeps up with the current promotions by Marvel comics, one probably knows that this (major spoiler) series is building to the wedding of Emma Frost of the X-men to Tony Stark (aka Iron Man).

 

The art is good and Gerry Duggan has a good grasp on the character of Iron Man. This is the most interesting Iron Man book in a long time, in my opinion. I still don’t like the current Iron Man suit. I also think that Tony’s mustache is a really bad look. Outside of those nitpicks, Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1: Demon in the Armor is a really good book even if it is reusing the same ideas that all the previous other most recent writers have done.

The second volume of this series currently does not have a title or a release date.

 

My reading copy came from the Dallas Public Library System and the Hoopla app. This read was read on hoopla.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2023

Scott's Take: X-Men Vol. 2 by Gerry Duggan

 

X-Men Vol 2 by Gerry Duggan introduces a new hero. Modok engages in a disturbing experiment on a cruise ship and soon makes some new friends. The X-Men take on gameworld (a sort of celestial casino) with the fate of countless planets hanging in the balance. The X-Men have threats coming from all directions. Luckily, Cyclops is ready to lead them against all threats.

 

Every team member gets their shot in the sun. Cyclops has some great moments that remind me why I think he is so awesome. Wolverine, Rogue, and Jean are great. The art is great and there is plenty of action and humor. It is almost a perfect volume.

 

I just have one complaint. To explain causes major spoilers, so read on at your own risk.

 

They are blowing up the team as pretty much everyone is moving on except for three characters. In the universe time that started with the first book, it allegedly has been a year. But, there have only been 12 issues of the run, and readers have to say good bye to most of the characters and hello to new team members.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this read and I am eagerly anticipating the next volume with the new team.

 

My reading copy from the Central or Downtown Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2022

Scott's Take: X-Men Vol. 1 by Gerry Duggan

During The Hellfire Gala, a new group of X-Men were elected to protect the world outside of the island Krakoa. The island nation is the homeland for the mutants. The X-Men of this book are Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Polaris (Magneto’s daughter), Synch, Wolverine (Laura), and Sunfire. This new team is setting up a new base of operations in a giant treehouse in New York City.

During the Hellfire Gala, the mutants also colonized Mars. That action caused aliens to attack the Earth to make sure that humanity never expands to the stars again. While the X-men are dealing with threats from outer space, they are also combatting the threat from Orchis (an antimutant group with tremendous resources that consists of ex-members of Hydra, S.H.I.E.L.D., A.I.M., and others who seek to destroy all mutants using various strategies). The group is led by several people including Dr. Stasis

At the same time, Ben Urich, the journalist, is on the trail of uncovering a major secret of Krakoa. He has evidence showing that Cyclops died on a suicide mission a few months ago. Despite that fact, Cyclops is somehow alive now. This is not the first a mutant has died and was confirmed to be dead, only to be alive now. Cyclops and several other mutants have somehow returned to life. Ben Urich wants to know why and how that could happen.

This book has a complicated and action filled plot along with plenty of ties to previous books. The X-Men face more threats than just the above situations. This allows them to showcase how powerful they are as an individual as well as when they unite as a team. The various threats are very dangerous and could cause extinction for life on Earth. Luckily, the X-men are pretty dangerous themselves.

It is not all action and fighting as X-Men Vol. 1 by Gerry Duggan that also features the X-Men involved in various philanthropic endeavors that show the X-Men don’t just fight threats. In one case, they hand out food and coats to the homeless of New York.

Each issue of the six that are bound together in this book, tends to highlight a different member of the team. Even team members that I did not like before such as Sunfire and Synch are starting to grow on me. This issue even deals with mental illness since Polaris has a hard time with her mental health being the daughter of Magneto who is one of the most famous mutants and is known for being a hero at times and a villain at other times. Father and daughter are very much estranged, among other issues, and that aspect of her life affects her mental health. 

The art is incredible and the new base is pretty cool. I really enjoyed X-Men Vol. 1 by Gerry Duggan as this is a nice fun read that has everything X-Men fans are looking for.

This series will be is continued in Vol. 2. It is not out yet and there is no schedule release date at the time of this review. It will continue the rollout of the new hero, Captain Krakoa.

 

 

My paperback reading copy came from the Bachman Lake Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2022

Scott's Take: Punisher Kill Krew by Gerry Duggan and Juan Ferreyra

Punisher Kill Krew by Gerry Duggan and Juan Ferreyra is a book that spins out of War Of The Realms. This graphic novel collects the full miniseries along with a connected tie in, War Of The Realms: Omega. The miniseries is basically 98 percent of the story and the tie is added as a few pages of flashback.

Basically, and simplifying greatly, Punisher goes on a journey of revenge after war criminals that had escaped justice after the War Of The Realms. The Punisher goes on a bloody revenge mission to avenge on behalf of some orphans the killings of their parents during the invasion. Punisher recruits Juggernaut and others to assist on his blood-soaked mission.

This tale is full of action and violence. This is not intended for children at all. This is adult book. I enjoyed the miniseries more than the random tie in.

The Punisher characterization is deep and very true to the character. There is humor, action, and some emotional moments that remind readers that before the Punisher became what he is now he was once a caring family man. I enjoyed it a lot. Before reading Punisher Kill Krew one should read War Of The Realms which I reviewed here last December.   

My reading copy came by way of the Prairie Creek Branch of the Dallas Public Library System by way of their “Library to Go” curbside service at Lochwood Library.

Scott A. Tipple ©2020