Sector Podcast S1E1

Today Agents, we bring to you the premiere episode of Sector 3's podcast, starring Brian Howard and Randall Smith. Within we bring news of the week, including our thoughts on the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer's debut, John Romita Jr departing Marvel for DC, and Attack on Titan!

Also, we give our reviews of some of our stack pulls, including Nova #13, Avengers World #3, and New Warriors #1!

Listen below, or follow the link for a download. We will be setting up for iTunes, and rss feed support soon.


Download our Podcast! (Right-click, and "Save as")

Avengers World #3

Review: Avengers World #3 

Shang Chi v. Gorgan

Written by: Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer
Art by: Stefan Caselli
Marvel $3.99
Feb. 20th 2014

The Avengers have been split into smaller squads and sent to respond to individual global catastrophes. In this issue, we jump to a different squad and threat. This time, the action switches to the island of Madripoor.

The island city has been revealed to be resting on the head of a gigantic and ancient dragon. The dragon rises up out of the ocean following a ceremony conducted by Gorgon. Gorgon is in control of The Hand in Madripoor and Shang-Chi attempts to stop them single handedly from completing the ceremony (he is the only Avenger who appears in this issue).

What ensues is a straight-forward one on one kung fu battle. The fight is interesting because Shang-Chi knows he is outmatched but fights on anyhow by calling upon the essence of warriors from the past. This is depicted with  flashbacks of those warriors own tales. 

I am not going to spoil who is the victor of this duel, but if you like martial art stories..... this is for you. I continue to enjoy the smaller squads and more intimate characterizations in the Avengers World premise. However, I was more interested in the dragon and what purpose it's awakening was for. That was not discussed at all in this issue which was disappointing to me. 

The artwork continues to be very solid. The clear depiction and flow of the martial arts fight made the battle itself very enjoyable and easy to follow. But the sadly the story could be summed up entirely by the cover.

Rating: Borrow it

The Dragon Isle of Mandripoor

Review: Avengers World #2

Review: Avenger's World #2

Written By: Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer

Art By: Stefano Caselli

Marvel

$3.99 January 22nd 2014

We are only on issue #2 of this series and I already like it more than the core title. What I had wanted from this title, as a reader, has been delivered. The Avengers have decided to send smaller squads as response units that will tackle needs across the globe. Issue #1 saw the teams being split and teased the threats each would be facing. This issue of Avenger's World deals solely with one of those units. 

Cannonball, Sunspot and Smasher are investigating Babuda ( island nation and home to A.I.M. terrorists), because the island is growing in size and evolving at a rapid rate..... as the squad approached in issue #1, they were hit by a unknown force of energy and incapacitated. 

In this issue we see the team has been captured by A.I.M. and that only Smasher is left conscious. Smasher tries to escape and  A.I.M.s Scientist Supreme, Andrew Forson, assures her she is free to go and that her allies are being taken care of in the Infirmary. He goes on to explain A.I.M.'s intent is that they plan on making a better world with better food and medicines to share with mankind....blah blah blah. But, it's never as simple as that and we see that A.I.M. has a new guest on their Island, the Entropic Man.

What is the most rewarding part of this particular issue is that we get to see some real character development in Smasher. She is the core focus from start to finish, showing fearlessness, loyalty to her friends and strength in adversity. We also get to see where some of her morals stem from. The treated of this issue is a very intriguing back story of her childhood and Grandfather. It's not an 'Uncle Ben' moment, so don't assume it is that simple. *No spoilers*

When reading Avengers titles, the worlds always at it's tipping point with annihilation, so it is hard to develop characters and allow them to be more fleshed out/have dynamic character growth. But, by focusing on smaller squads and decompressing the narrative, Hickman has told an interesting Smasher tale that gives the character more personality and development. Let's hope that these individual adventures of smaller squads lead to more character development and exploration including interpersonal ones between team-mates.

For me, the only drawback was the scenic artwork of the island itself. The best artwork appears during the flashback moments in my opinion but the scenic design of the issue dissuade you from this issue. Other than that small hiccup it is a very solid issue and should be part of your collection.

Rating: Buy it

Review: Avengers World #1

Writers: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer
Art: Stefano Caselli
Marvel $3.99 Jan 8th 2014

This issue ushers in the post "Infinity" Avengers into the All-New Marvel Now branding. The team is relatively the same line up for the most part (the core team) with a more global-response repurposing mission statement.

The idea had been that the Avengers needed to get larger and they did. Now their mission is to be more of a global presence and they get that opportunity in quick order.

For a #1 issue, it is very accessible to new readers who may or may not even know who all the members are. Several of the teams current roster had their origins in Hickman's current run in the main Avengers title and played large roles in the "Infinity" event. The team has been reduced in size since "Infinity" but several of Hickman's newest members remain active on the team roster. But as I stated before, this issue is very accessible to new readers dispite these new members that you may not be familiar with yet.

It begins with dialogue between Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner discussing the team, their new role as active global responders and their developing relationship with SHIELD.  This section contains the only problem I had with the issue. And the issue is because of its characterization of Bruce Banner. He was written in a way that seemed smug and cocky. Although he has gained control, confidence and appreciation of himself during his characters growth in his solo title, I feel it still was a bit forced, over the top and not the Banner I know and love. His time with SHIELD has put him in a prime place with the Avengers and he and Cap discuss the current state of SHIELDS leadership.

In this issue, four seperate threats occur across the globe and the Avengers split into response units to deal with these threats while Banner and Captain America remain at the Helicarrier to coordinate the efforts.

This splitting of the team into smaller groups allows every character to recieve some amount of time in the spotlight and allow more interpersonal interactions among the characters. Also, the threats themselves all have very intriguing plot hooks that I am excited to see develop....some of which pick up on storylines that have been evolving out of other titles like Secret Avengers.

The locations of these threats range from numerous natural disasters occurring the North America, the Hand causing problems on the island Madripoor (an island that is actually on the back of a living dragon!) , an entire Italian city that has had every citizen disappear and finally the terrorist organization AIM is up to something in their country and of course it is not good.

Like I said, smaller squads,  fantastic plot points to grow and the art could not be more engaging and beautiful. The art in every panel is breathtaking and worth the cover price on its own.

Its appearing like it is going to be an exhilarating ride so don't miss out or get left behind.....don't wait for this to go to the trades. Get it now.

Rating: Buy it