Review # 182: "Onslaught"

Many people point to "Onslaught" as the narrative point where Marvel collapsed in the 1990s. I'm inclined to agree. However, I never expected my re-read of this saga to make me worry so much about Marvel's immediate future.

Review # 181: "X-Men - Road to Onslaught Vol. 3"

Finally in part three of "Prelude to Onslaught" do we finally hit on some actually important pre-"Onslaught" moments as the "X-Men" franchise mainly under the direction of Scott Lobdell at this point continues to slowwwwwwwwly make its way to its next big event. Well, actually, in terms of time the proceedings are not that slow. There were so many annuals and special editions beyond the two main series themselves that you could find yourself with 3-to-4 X-Men comics coming out each month, and that doesn't even count the spinoffs.

Review # 105: "Kingdom Come"

There is no better artist than Alex Ross when it comes to depicting larger-than-life superheroes and supervillains as interpreted by the normal human. A few people may criticize his style of painting over photo-referencing, but he clearly gets the job done. Two of my favourite drawings of all time come from Ross' work on "Marvels" where he shows Giant Man towering over photographer Phil Sheldon, then later as Phil looks up to witness the arrival of Galactus on earth. That shot of Galactus is scary as hell based on sheer magnitude. Definitive Fantastic Four artists Jack Kirby and John Byrne were taken to school by that page.