Writers: Priest, Bill Morrison
Artists: Paolo Rivera, Bill Morrison
Publisher: Marvel
Published: February 2003
Issue 2 has two great stories, the first concerning Doctor Doom, the second about the Avengers.
"Masks," the opening story has Doctor Doom enjoying a orchestral performance in Latveria Kingdom Hall. It is here that we meet a beautiful violin player, who just so happens to resemble Doom's former lover. As the story progresses, Doctor Doom introduces her to his world, past and present. He reveals of himself through, what appears to be, sincerity, but quickly blooms into masterful manipulation. In the words of Doctor Doom: "Doom is Doom. As Doom ever was."
Overall I was impressed by "Masks." The story was aloof, manipulated, and pretentious; basically everything Doctor Doom is. The artwork is painted by Rivera, and maintains an air of high class, which adds in a reverse twist to the pettiness and pretentiousness of Dr. Dooms character. In eleven pages Priest and Rivera are able to deliver a complete, haunting, portrait of one of Marvel's greatest villains.
The second installment is by Bill Morrison,entitled "The Roots of All Evil." Morrison is probably best known for his co-founding of Bongo comics, the publisher of Simpsons and Futurama comics. Of the staff for Bongo, Morrison is the best artist/writer able to capture the look and feel of the Simpsons cast.
In "Roots of All Evil" Morrison turns his Simpsons-esque sensibilites to Earths Mightest Heros - The Avengers! The story opens with Loki expressing his desire to destroy Thor. However after a conversation
with the Entrantress, Loki returns to his original roots: The God of Mischief. Loki then turns his attention towards the Avengers. The tale quickly progresses to Loki pranking the Avengers. Not only has he returned to his roots, he returns to the roots of pranks: the loose salt shaker cap, flushing while others shower, the burning bag of dog crap, dye in the shower head, hair removal cream, and one of my favorites, a fly in a ice cube, but instead of a fly it's the Wasp! Oh that devious Loki!! As can be guessed, the story ends with Loki getting caught and roughed up, but it does have a little twist, but I'm not going to say.
What makes this tale stand out is the artwork. I'm not a big Avengers fan, but I am a big Simpsons fan (who isn't?), and when combined, I can't help but now enjoy the Avengers on some pseudo pop culture level. As for the story, I don't think in any Marvel publication have we witnessed a bald Thor. Even if the rest of the story was mediocre (which it's not), one bald Thor is enough to propel this story to the upper echelons of Marvel comic history.
Writer: Mike Mignola
Writer/Artist: Macropoulos
Writers: C.B. Cebulski, David Sexton
Writers: C.B. Cebulski
Writer: C.B. Cebulski
Peter Parker is Izumi and he is in the care of his grandparents, Aunt Satsuki and Uncle Masaru. His parents were killed by the Yokai, the evil spirits, and they live outside the village. The leader spirit is a Venom inspired monster. Izumi takes it upon himself to avenge his parents, but finds his efforts thwarted as the evil spirits invade his home, capture Aunt Satsuki, and kill his uncle. These themes sound familiar?
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Issue one begins with a fox and a badger placing a bet that whoever can drive the lone monk out, gets to live in the vacated temple he lives by. Each using illusions, they each take turns trying to force the monk out. These illusions are of demons, imperial guards, and a fleeing woman. The monk is no fool, and easily sees through their disguises. However, during the tricks, the fox ends up falling in love with the monk. She ends up learning of plot concocted by some real demons who plan on killing him. The issue ends with her sacrificing what is most valuable to her to figure out a way to save him.
By the way, spoiler alert! WHAMMY!
Writer: Bill Willingham
His first stop is to see the troll under the bridge, who is more interested in turning Danny into a meal than returning his book. However, Danny being quick witted, makes a compelling argument that this troll has less than remarkable role models, (ie. the one that got tricked by Jack, and the other bested by a billy-goat), so why doesn't he turn a 180 and do the right thing. The troll, not one to be seen less than his fellow kin, kindly returns the book.
The tales continues to follow Danny on his quest for the library books. He visits various tales: the sword in the stone, Arabian Nights, the 3 little pigs, Robin Hood's final decree, Wendy and Peter Pan, and finally, Jack and the bean stock.
Writer: Matt Fraction
he will rebuild the wall in a years time and his reward will be the hand of Iduna (in the Marvel Universe this would be the Enchantress). The Gods are outraged, but Loki, ever the schemer decides this deal is worth the risk. Odin agrees to the deal and the tradesman gets to work. Time flies by, and the wall is steadily rebuilt. The Gods are furious at the looming outcome of the deal, so Odin orders Loki to 'solve' the problem. Loki, being the God of Mischief, transforms himself into a mare and seduces the tradesman horse. Without the help of his horse, the tradesman fails at his task of completing the wall before a years time. The tradesman believes trickery was at play, and reveals his true form: a Frost Giant! He begins to attack the Gods, but Thor is quick to levy the giant with a blow to the head from Mjollnir. Thor looks on the scene with disgust and orders Loki to clean his mess up. End Part 1
Iduna and leads her to the hawks lair. By this point we have learned that the hawk was a Giant in disguise. Loki returns home, with the gods none the wiser. As time goes by the Gods take notice (it involves very important golden apples, which I'm not going to get into). The Gods find out about Lokis treatchery, and Thor is sent to clean up the situation, the Thor way! And by this I mean he explodes through the Giants head. Ouch! Once again, Thor looks on the situation with dissatisfaction. End Part 2
Writers: Priest, Bill Morrison
with the Entrantress, Loki returns to his original roots: The God of Mischief. Loki then turns his attention towards the Avengers. The tale quickly progresses to Loki pranking the Avengers. Not only has he returned to his roots, he returns to the roots of pranks: the loose salt shaker cap, flushing while others shower, the burning bag of dog crap, dye in the shower head, hair removal cream, and one of my favorites, a fly in a ice cube, but instead of a fly it's the Wasp! Oh that devious Loki!! As can be guessed, the story ends with Loki getting caught and roughed up, but it does have a little twist, but I'm not going to say.
