Point One Update

Well, we have reached the end of the original release of Point One issues. I just want to take a second and look back on this experience. 

Let's take a look at the numbers. So far, I read 11 Point One issues. The direct impact of series I started reading is 1 Point One series (Uncanny X-Men). However, I began reading 2 other series loosely related to a Point One issue (Venom and Moon Knight) and 1 that was not related to a Point One (FF).   In addition, I read a few one-shots that have come out over the past few months.  I think that Marvel would call that a win. 

Lovingly borrowed from Marvel.com

In the end, I'm glad I reviewed all of them. I have a much clearer vision of the Marvel Universe, which helps a lot. I am also more invested in these characters, which makes the movies all the more interesting.

Additionally, reading these encouraged me to take a chance on trying other comics I might have avoided. This includes trying ongoing series from DC that interested me but seemed overwhelming like Marvel had. If you are looking for more jumping on points in comics, The Weekly Crisis has a great feature where they highlight the jumping on points for the week. If you are looking to expand your reading, you should check them out.

Despite my woohoos for the initiative, I have a few constructive criticisms. In regards to these criticisms, I do understand that certain things work for some characters and not for others.

1- Have a more consistent vision for what a Point One should include.

My original understanding was that the Point One issue was supposed to provide some background of the character(s) and a entry to the next arc. Not every issue had both or in some cases, it had none of this. For someone reading all of them, I never knew what quality product I was going to get.

2- Be more aware of how you follow up a Point One Issue.

In some cases, the Point One issue came in the middle of a story arc rather than at the beginning of a new one. It makes it hard as a new reader to really enjoy an issue only to have the next one make no sense.

3- Name the characters, especially if they are on the cover/splash page.

I know that it can be hard to give a tremendous amount of background in 22 pages but for a project designed to welcome new readers, failing to name characters is counter-productive. This is especially true in an issue where characters are on the cover, please name them in the book.

4- Have the Point One issue be about the title character(s).

As a new reader, picking up a introductory issue expecting one thing and getting another felt like a Bait and Switch. There were three Point One issues that failed to truly introduce the title character(s). The Amazing Spider-Man featured Venom rather than Spider-Man, who only made a short appearance. The Avengers failed to include Hawkeye, who was only pictured in two panels with no dialogue despite being on the cover and splash page. Finally, Hulk only featured the Red Hulk despite the title indicating Bruce Banner/Hulk's presence and mentioning Bruce Banner on the splash page. I did have a commentator say that this is a Red Hulk series but Mark Paniccia, Senior Editor of Hulk, said that this series does cover both Hulks' stories and that he understands my frustration.

No matter what, I did get a lot out of the Initiative and I plan to keep reading them. Marvel has announced a few more upcoming Point One titles: Venom, Alpha Flight and Daken. At the Marvel: Meet the Publishers, I even learned that more titles were on the way. No word yet on which series, but I'm leaning towards FF and New Avengers.

What do you think about the Point One Initiative so far?

My Point One Journey so far: 
* Review: Secret Avengers
* Review: The Avengers

* Review: Uncanny X-Men

* Review: Thor
* Review: Captain America
* Review: Uncanny X-Force

* Review: Hulk

* Review: Deadpool

* Review: The Amazing Spider-Man
* Review: Wolverine

* Review: The Invincible Iron Man

* My Point One Plan

* The info about the Point One Initiative

 

 Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!

Sunday Links for April 10

This weekend is being spent working at MoCCA Fest 2011, so this is a short and sweet Sunday Links.

The Eisner Award nominations were announced this week and here is a list of nominations from Nominee Heidi MacDonald at The Beat. Congrats to everyone who was recognized.

Marvel announced this week that they are releasing a Flashpoint:Venom comic at the same time that DC will be in the middle of their Flashpoint event. I agree with Newsarama; considering that the Venom comic just started, do they really need a special event?

Bluewater Comics announced that they are going to start their own Superhero universe to show all of us that they are more than unlicensed biography books. Since they are basing the characters on Greek myths, it's not really anything new.

I have been spending a lot of time getting ready for Game of Thrones on HBO, and while I have done a variety of fun things, there is some help for those who are trying to catch up. The Discriminating Fangirl has a cheat sheet to help you study up on the characters and Bleeding Cool has a great Behind the Scenes video.

Finally, Thomas Katers at iFanboy wrote a great article about what comics failed to teach him about life. It is an interesting insight into what kids and adults can get out of comics.

Review: Amazing Spider-Man #654.1

This post is SPOILER-FILLED so if you are allergic to spoilers,

go read another tasty article on [insertgeekhere].

This week, I continue my Marvel Point One journey with Amazing Spider-Man. This is probably the Point One title that I am most familiar with; @Getsuyobi is a huge fan. I was also an avid viewer of the cartoon.

In this issue, we follow Flash Thompson, Peter's high school bully/friend. We find out pretty quickly that Flash is, wait a dramatic beat, the new Venom. He isn't evil though; Venom is being used by the military for covert ops. Flash, as a wheelchair-bound veteran, has the skills and desire to be willing to risk using Venom. 

 As we follow Flash on his first mission, we see that he can communicate with Venom, but he is in control. The mission takes them to a party filled with a lot of powerful people, including a terrorist that he bugs. We learn that Flash is only allowed limited time as Venom to prevent bonding with it. When the mission concludes, we go back to Flash's life. We meet his girlfriend Betty and learn that Marla Jameson, Jonah's wife, has died. Betty tells Flash that Peter is upset about it, so he goes to cheer him up. 

As he heads over, he is thinking about how Peter has got himself together, good job, nice girlfriend, Carlie Cooper... then he sees him talking to MJ, his ex. Flash doesn't know Peter is telling MJ that he is upset that he let Marla die as Spider-Man. Flash is tempted to interrupt but gets a Venom distress call. He has to don the suit to rescue someone he met at the party from the terrorist he tagged. He goes in, without backup, because of the ship's shielding. As he rescues the captive, he gets trapped by a terrorist called Flag Smasher, who looks like Batman. Flag Batman throws a bomb at Flash, and the resulting explosion gives Venom a chance to take control. Venom chews up Flag Batman, literally, and then spits him out. Best part of the book: Its not cannibalism if you don't swallow. So the mission succeeds, but the government guys realize that only 99% of Venom came off Flash. He also has greasy looking hair. They suspect that Venom bonded with Flash. And Flash has plans for Peter.

I enjoyed this issue for a few reasons. One, there was great background given without it feeling forced. We got to learn about Peter through someone else's eyes. There was also good background given about other characters and the universe. Two, I felt like I was starting at a new story. This felt like the beginning, not jumping in during an arc. Granted, this was also a great intro for the new Venom book coming out soon. That's almost a downside. Dan Slott told such a great story that I am more interested in what happens to Flash as Venom than Spider-man.

Based on Marvel's Point One initiative, this is a great read for new and old readers. I don't know if I liked it enough to add it to my pull list but I can see myself raiding @Getsuyobi's stash.

Next week, there is no Point One issue coming out but hopefully there will be more news on new titles added to the Point One lineup. It has already been announced that Daken: Dark Wolverine and Alpha Flight will be added. I'm not sure how I feel about those titles being reader friendly but I'll find out when they are released. This may also be a hint of things to come; many of the current Point One titles have movie franchises - will Daken join his daddy on the big screen?!

My Point One Journey so far:

* Review: Wolverine
* Review: The Invincible Iron Man
* My Point One Plan
* The info about the Point One Initiative


Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!