The consensus I'm reading is that the story may well be told, it just hasn't yet.

I enjoyed the ride that DNA took those characters on, but I'm willing to allow that someone might be holding onto the mystery of Thanos and StarLord's return for a specific time...

As for your spoiler-text, in my experience Hickman doesn't just do things for no reason. That will come back at some point...

Only had Avengers and New Avengers this week (I get my Spidey stories in trade, so Superior will have to wait for me). Avengers was nice, introducing Smasher with some fun scenes. New Avengers finally pulled me in, which is good; I was going to drop it after two issues that failed to impress. I'm torn mostly because I hate half of the cast (Reed, Namor, Cap (thankfully gone), and am apathetic towards Tony and T'Challa (although Panther is winning me over). Luckily Beast is a favorite of mine.

I remember reading that Hickman was planning on using Avengers to feature characters who aren't in other titles. I'm hoping that means we'll see Cap, Iron Man, and some of the big names take a back seat after the first year and get more of characters like Hyperion, Smasher, Captain Universe, Cannonball, Sunspot, and Manifold. Getting three issues focusing on Hickman's new creations is a treat.

I love that Hickman had Hulk in the Smasher centric issue just so that Hulk could say Smash.

I don't see how it matters. He did. If there's an interesting story there, sure, tell it, but HOW that happened doesn't matter to Hickman's narrative. Or at least it doesn't now, it might later.

Wondering if Thrumble picked up the book. I also thought that was a good time.

Yes, yes he did! And he loved it.

Particularly dug that it started out with Banner on the ground, as that's somewhat consistent with his newfound confidence in Indestructible Hulk.

They could give it a chance before categorically decrying it as crap. Just saying.

But, hey, who am I to deny any fanboy (not talking about you) their unfounded nerdrage?

Frankly, I couldn't care less about the mess that Spider-Man has been through. This is fresh, fun, and character-driven.

I hesitate to even call the post-BND stories a mess at all. They're pretty clear and forward moving. He gets a new job (Finally) and finally starts using his brain to make cool stuff.

If anything, I'd call pre-BND Spidey more of a mess. The early 2000's alternated between stagnant (Still working as a photographer with sick Aunt May just like he has been for 50 years) and wacky stuff (Magical Kraven family, web of life, Gwen Stacy's kids, organic web shooting, ect).

I think people romanticize what Spider-man "was" too much

Seeing how Hickman handled Black Bolt's return in his FF run, I'd expect him to explain Thanos in the story at some point, which probably involves something about Mistress Death not giving him the satisfaction of death...

As for what I read, I found Animal man & Swamp Thing outstanding. Some of it was predictable, but I was not expecting

The Mr. Freeze aspect of the story was also touching. Lemire and Snyder really rev up this finale. I'll likely drop Swamp Thing after the story since Snyder will also leave the book.

You guys do know Thanos has been around for several months now in Avengers Assemble? They didn't bother to explain his return there, either.

I suspect the explanation goes something like this:

"Cancerverse? What cancerverse?"

But, well, so long as people keep buying these issues, they'll keep trampling over continuity and good stories. Meh.

I'd buy that title. Really.

But ......but.......


That would mean Loeb and Bendis would have to explain why Nova isn't back out of all 3????

And why it's perfect for their marketing campaign for FauxCosmic!

Sorry to be a purist here but.........marketing is the answer. Sad as it is.