The Order #3

(MARVEL)
June 2002



Good Guys: The Avengers (Captain America, Warbird, Iron Man, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Yellowjacket, Wonderman, Vision, Wasp)

Bad Guys: The Order (Dr.Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Namor)

Cameos: Papa Hagg, The Defenders (Nighthawk, Hellcat, Valkyrie), Namorita, She Hulk, Triathalon, Clea.


Synopsis

Writers: Jo Duffy & Kurt Busiek
Pencils: Matt Haley with Luke Ross

“Ultimatum: Avengers!”

A curse has been placed upon Dr. Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor.

Their human sides, the side that controls their conscience and controls the way they wield their power, has been trapped deep within the recesses of their own minds. This has enabled their darker emotions to control them. They have formed the Order so that they can control the planet and its inhabitants.

At the end of the previous issue the President of the USA, George W Bush, has dispatched the Avengers to deal with these rogue heroes.

As a battle rages, the Voodoo Priest Papa Hagg dispatches members of the Defenders throughout the globe to bring female reinforcements. They assemble, Clea, Namorita, and She-Hulk al of whom are closely associated with a member of the Order.

The Avengers put up a brave fight but are eventually defeated by the Order and trapped in suspended animation for a short period by a Dr. Strange spell.

Nighthawk concludes the issue with “… you said we had to have a female analogue to each member of the Order. It’s not like we can mail-order the Surfer a bride from planet Zenn-La. So where …?”

Rating: 8/10

Plenty of action here. A great tale pitting the powerful Order versus the Avengers. Great seeing four of earths most powerful good guys turn bad.


Favorite Panel:

Cap confronting Namor..

Hellcat #1

(MARVEL)
September 2000



Good Guy: Hellcat / Patsy Walker
Bad Guy: Nicholas Scratch

Cameos: Hedy Wolfe, Captain America, Beast, Vision, Iron Man, Moondragon, Dr Strange, Valkyrie, Hulk, Nighthawk, Gargoyle, Son of Satan, Mockingbird, The Thunderbolts, Dormammu, Mephisto


Synopsis

Author & Artist: Steve Englehart & Norman Breyfogle

“One Life to Live”

Patsy Walker returns from a book tour and is greeted by Mayor Nicholas Scratch and her friend Hedy Wolfe. She recounts her story of marrying an abusive husband, joining the Avengers and then the Defenders, marrying a second time to Daimon Hellstrom which eventually led to her committing suicide.

She recalls her rescue from Hell by the Thunderbolts and how she is now among the land of the living. She realizes she will never be free from Hell’s clutches she will be continually hunted.

Hedy and Patsy are attacked by magicks sent by Nicholas Scratch and she transforms into ..”a cat from hell!” She confronts Nicholasi whom she believes is working for Mephisto when in fact he has been working for Dormammu.

She is captured by Dormammu.

Rating: 6/10

A story recounting Patsy’s return from Hell and how she may never recover.

A must for Hellcat fans and a good set up for the next issues.

Favorite Panel:

Rescued by the Thunderbolts.

Amazing Spider-Man #229

(MARVEL)
June 1982



Good Guy: Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Bad Guy: The Juggernaut

Cameos: Madame Web, Black Tom Cassidy, Glory Grant, Betty Brant-Leeds, Joe Robertson, Iron-Man, Thor, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Wong,

Synopsis

Writer: Roger Stern
Artists: John Romita & Jim Mooney

“Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut”

Madame Web, a clairvoyant, has a dream that she is being pursued by an unstoppable dark one. She calls Peter to ask him for help.

Black Tom Cassidy, while on his luxurious ship, employs the Juggernaut to kidnap Madame Web.

While Peter is at the Daily Bugle he is contacted by Madame Web who says that the dark one is coming from the sea near Battery Point. The Juggernaut unable to wait for the ship to dock has begun to walk the ocean floor to get to Madame Web.

Spider-Man attempts a sneak attack and ends up bouncing off the Juggernaut and into a nearby building. Try as he might Spidey cannot move the Juggernaut off his path of destruction toward Madame Web.

He tries to contact, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four and then he visits Dr. Strange, but all are unavailable (isn’t it always the way?). Meanwhile juggernaut smashes through police barricades and to Madame Web’s apartment where Spidey webs up the door and hooks the webbing to an aternate generator. A million volts fail to stop the Juggernaut.

The Juggernaut yanks Madame Web out of her life support system and she stops breathing. The Juggernaut says well she’s no good to me this way and walks out.

An ambulance takes Madame Web away and Spidey vows.. “ to find away to stop that unstoppable human tank… or die trying!”

Rating: 8/10

Great issue, action, humor and plenty of destruction.


Favorite Panel: