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 Young Avengers Presents #2 (Hulkling)
Written by Brian Reed
Art by Harvey Talibao, Jay David Ramos, and VC’s Cory Petit
Reviewed by Kenne
Like many fans, I was cautious all those many moons ago when it was announced that Marvel was putting out a book of teen versions of the Avengers called Young Avengers. We were afraid that it would be a poor attempt to mimic the Teen Titans of DC fame. Then the first issue came out, and intrigued we picked it up. Quickly, Young Avengers became a very hot item for Marvel. Even though the story only lasted for twelve issues and a special, fans were in love with these characters and their story. So much, that even though Marvel seems reluctant to give us a second volume of stories unless co-creator, Allan Heinberg returns to write it, the fans want that second volume. It matter who writes the story, but the fans think that Heinberg isn’t the only person who has to write these characters.
So, after listening to what the fans are saying, Marvel seems to be testing the waters by delivering a series of one-shot stories by different creative teams focusing on one member of the Young Avengers team. The first issue revolved around team leader Patriot. Now, with the second issue, it’s time to focus on Hulkling, a Kree-Skrull half-breed who just happens to be the son of legendary Captain Marvel.
Like the first issue, though Hulkling is the main focus of the book, we get to see what some of the rest of the Young Avengers are doing, plus we get to most of the team work together as they take down crazy cyborg bank robbers. It’s really nice to see the whole team together and be reminded that there is hope for this team and book yet. The main part of this story is that since Captain Marvel is back from the dead, sorta, Hulkling has a chance to meet his father and get to know him a bit. The character moments between the two as Hulkling tries to find the right way to let CM (Captain Marvel) know that he’s his son, and CM’s reaction to this news. This story was both heart-warming with Hulkling trying to get to know the man who sired him, and hear-breaking when Hulkling discovers that the circumstances that allowed Marvel to return means that one day he has to leave again.
Often times, Marvel has a habit of putting a weak artist on their mini-series, so I was a little apprehensive because I’ve never heard of Harvey Talibao before. But, this time, the art was the best art I could have imagined for this story. His characters are beautiful, and for the first time, I can actually see that the heroes are wearing costumes with masks instead of them looking like the masks are just drawn on the face. It’s hard to explain, but Talibao draws masks that are almost three-dimensional and literally impresses the heck out of me. Thanks to solid art and a touching story, I’m glad I read this issue and have high hopes for the next book in the series. And, I’m going to say it right now, I think I’d be okay with a Young Avengers series written by Brian Reed if this is how well he can portray these characters.
 Pride High #6
Written by Tommy Roddy
Art by Pat Pungpee, Tommy Roddy, and Brian Gressett; Cover by Shemmy
Reviewed by Kenne
Blood, sweat, and tears. Those are terms often used to describe what it takes out of a person when they’re giving birth to a creation the world to them. If Pride High causes Tommy to lose a lot of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, then I say thanks for giving of yourself to provide the world with the story that is Pride High. Consistently, every issue keeps getting better and better as the story unfolds and reveals the next thrilling curve in this fun and exciting roller coaster ride.
I’m going to try and avoid spoilers for most of Pride High, what happens here and what has happened before, because I want people to go out and buy the issues. But, I’ll try and give you a basic understanding of the story. Pride High is the story of teen students at Poseidon Preparatory Academy for Heroic Youth, or Poseidon Prep for short. Every year, the student body is invited to form five-member squads to participate in the Inter-Squad Championships (I.S.C.), sort of like varsity sports teams except that the students are in charge of picking and training their squads and all the squads are made up of Poseidon Prep students. This also invokes a lot of rivalries, which Tommy and his art team interpret very impressively.
In the first issue a tragedy strikes the title team, Pride High, a group of students made up of straight, lesbian and gay teens, that causes the death of one of the members. The survivors are forced to carry on without their fallen friend. The death, though it happens at the beginning and could have been written for the shock value and quickly dismissed, is what drives the majority of this first major story arc. As each issue has come out, a little more of the story unfolds letting the reader and the characters know that what they think happened is not the full picture. The latest issue found the team recovering from a humiliating fight against dangerous villains out of their league who almost killed them all, and having to face the repercussions of leaving school grounds and putting themselves in danger. Plus, they finally get a chance to fight against their rivals, The Argonauts. That’s all I will say, except to say that each page is exciting, interesting, and full of things that I’m still digesting. And, to get you super excited, I can say that the final page really shocks you!
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