Best alternate history in Marvel history ever!
591910
Millar his berserk in this story of Wolverine years in the future. The super villains have virtually wiped the earth of super heroes, yet one remains, Logan, who won't raise a fist. What happened? Well that would be telling... just pick this volume up and prepare yourself for Millar inspired insanity, with one of the sickest endings ever!
3768467
Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and the origins of the best super villians ever!  You can't go wrong with this book!
3120719
When I was in my early teens, I'd started reading comics again, after a disastrous end to my childhood's first comics collection. It wasn't long after my reintroduction to comics that I became hooked, and found I was particularly drawn to any comic story that was uncommonly otherworldly in tone. So when I stumbled across the first bits of news mentioning the mainstream reprinting of a special comic series called Starstruck, I was riveted. Sadly, my love affair with this series would continue to be from afar for several years. Eventually, I learned that the series had begun its print life in North America featuring in the pages of Heavy Metal, and as I had by that time become a frequent reader of HM, I started my quest to track down these original issues (which was easier than tracking down the Epic or even the Dark Horse issues). Sadly, this quest too was cut short, and for several years, I languished under the impression that I would never get to read this story in its entirety.

Happily, IDW has been taking steps to correct this oversight, with Elaine Lee and Michael W. Kaluta, two of my biggest comics heroes, returning to put the finishing touches on what now serves to be the first installment of the definitive Starstruck series. With the help of master letterer Todd Klein and the colouring and design work of master illustrator Lee Moyer, the series looks better than ever, and is every bit as Byzantine and mind-bending as it ever was. I can't wait for them to finish the series in this fashion.

This book would be a perfect book for any science fiction reader who appreciates the headier works of Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Philip K. Dick, Theodore Sturgeon, Samuel R. Delaney, and other writers (male AND female) who have proven track records for taking hold of our preconceived notions of what comics and/or genre fiction are capable of, and turning them neatly on their heads, over and over and over again. The series bears repeated reading, too; I've just about to start over myself. You may find yourself divided as to whether you actually enjoy the book or not (I certainly did), but you won't have ever read anything quite like it, particularly in comics form, and truly, I don't think it could exist in any other format and be as compelling. You owe it to yourself, as a citizen of the universe, to give this series a try, and it doesn't get any easier or better than purchasing this gorgeous hardcover collected volume.
2503745
I know this is a short review but this book is great. Set in the Ultimate universe rather than the normal Marvel 616, this is a great re-imagining of The Avengers, warts and all. It's already shown that the new Avengers movie, due next year, has taken design cues from this book rather than the regular Avengers book which is no bad thing at all.

Get it. Love it.
248895
Because this story is non canon, they take it to outrageous places. Its an insanely fun read for Wolverine fans or marvel fans in general. In excellent take on a dystopian future in the Marvel universe.
3812524
I've read almost every alternate history novel Harry Turtledove has written. As a history buff I love these stories, and since I'm trying to write alternate history myself, I think Turtledove is one of the best. Opening Atlantis was an interesting take on what-if the Eastern US was an island and the English/French fishermen found it at least 100 years before Columbus sailed. He describes weird looking animals, are honkers really flamingos or are they something entirely different? What kind of "eagle" would be that big? The novel takes us through the English Civil War to the Pirates of the Caribbean(or of the Hesperian Gulf in this case) to the 7 Years War between the French and English.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

Cliff Ball
author of Out of Time, a time travel/alternate history novella
3366671
Although not "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" this arc lives up to the name of the Ultimate X-Men! Xavier is in SHIELD custody at Camp X-Factor in Cuba, and Magneto has a large plan to wipe out the human race and make Earth a haven for mutants. Get this: A flying citadel that carries a cerebro-like device that can augment Magneto's powers tenfold, and he plans to use it to reverse the Earth's magnetic poles and wipe out humanity!  Just the kind of plan you'd expect from Magneto! And no one can stop him except for the X-Men!

 What I really loved about this volume was the battle between the X-Men and Magneto, how the X-Men must hide from the government, the fact that Wolverine left Cyclops to die in the Savage Land to get Jean Grey for himself (see Vol. 4), the backstory of Xavier's and Magneto's fallout and their conversation in Magneto's plastic prison cell, and especially the artwork by David Finch! Next to Ron Garney, David Finch is the best modern Marvel Comics artist!

If you are a true Ultimate X-Men, or even Ultimate Marvel fan, definitely add this volume to your collection! You'll be sorry if you don't!
2406903
First off, i wasn't a big DD fan before or one at all, i bought the first DD omnibus to give it a chance based on reviews, and thought it was "alright" but didn't get overly into it as people said it would be.  Then i picked up the second omnibus, the DD omnibus companion that came after, and was really blown away on how good it was, far better than the first omnibus, i couldn't put it down!

Well guess what the 3rd DD omnibus marvel produces spectacular, even if you aren't a DD fan, this book is not one to pass, get it while you can before it goes out of print (if it ever does).  The story telling is just so well done, the art is fantastic, i really love David Mack's whacky art.  Some of these stories barely even have Daredevil in them and they are totally awesome.  Almost hate to put the book down to go back to work :-D

One more note, is that marvel is really getting the hang of producing these Omnibuses they have done a great job of putting together this book to open like you would a comic.  So far the best bind omnibus to date.
2676171
"Walk away now" - Black Panther. Words that should have been heeded.

WARNING SPOILERS: The plot: Way back in the 70s after the first Kree-Skrull War on Earth; Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X, Namor, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, and Black Panther met in secret to create an Illuminati to discuss emergencies. No families, no teammates, no one was to know. Black Panther refused, but the remaining kept going through the years (carrying out such things as marooning the Hulk to space, seeing him as out of control). With Professor X gone (see: House of M) and the recent anti-superpower fear gripping the nation, Iron Man learns of a bill to pass in congress requiring superheroes to register with the government and become S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. For which, Iron Man, Black Bolt and Mr. Fantastic agree with, and Dr. Strange and Namor find appalling and leave the group. Leading to the current Civil War of the Superheroes.

Because this is new, I won't spoil too much. The book is a collection of some key lead ups to Civil War (New Avengers Illuminati, Fantastic Four #536 & 537, and Amazing Spider-Man #529 - 531).

New Avengers Illuminati: The lead in story explains why the group met and introduces the "Registration Act"

Fantastic Four #536 & 537: The return of Thor's Hammer and Dr. Doom.

Amazing Spider-Man #529 - 531: Peter gets his super-powered Spider-suit, and travels with Tony Stark to Washington D.C. to speak before congress.

The story is very intriguing. Tony Stark (Iron Man) has never been one of my favorite characters. After reading this, my opinion has changed. Tony Stark as a character outside of Iron Man is awesome. Think Bruce Wayne with a sense of humor. Not only is he a calculating genius, manipulating Peter Parker, but also is truly willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing. Reading and rereading the pages of dialogue concerning the arguments for and against the registration act are both compelling and thought provoking. I was even torn on it for a bit as reader, how would I deal with something of that magnitude if I were a superhero and, well, fictional? I can see why this is selling so well.

I will certainly be picking these trades up when they release the rest of the storyline
2656922
Why this is titled as an "X-Men" book I'll never know. The book contains members of Excalibur and the Exiles, and may be the only recorded "X-Men" book in Marvel history not to have an appearance by Wolverine!

Members of the Exiles have returned to Earth to meet some of their Excalibur friends. Thunderbird, left healing at the brink of death in the walls of the Crystal Palace, returns to Nocturne, recovering from wounds of her own. Betsy Braddock (Psylocke) meets up with her brother Brian (Captain Britain) again. Even Dazzler gets to meet her husband Longshot again (though he no longer remembers her thanks to Mojo). Then the party gets broken up by a new villain out to kill them all...and somewhere out there Merlyn has found a perfect partner to destroy his daughter and the rest of the Captain Britain Corps.

Ok, let's hit the high points. The artwork is superb. The action never stops when it finally kicks in. There are great moments throughout as Morph shows signs of his Proteus alter ego returning during a major battle, Blink empties her quiver all at once on one villain (with amazing results), Captain Britain returns to battle with the most unlikely partner of all, and many more.

The series was meant as a transition for the two teams. Exiles was ending with a "New Exiles" beginning right after this series ended. Excalibur was picking up the pieces and gaining a few new teammates. As a result, if you don't have some idea ahead of time who these guys are you are going to be as confused as you can be in parts. You'll miss the subtle points touching on the history these characters have with each other. You'll also miss the big picture of what's really going on here and why the death of so many Captain Britain Corps members (and the other major hero death) is such a big deal.

So should you avoid the story if you don't know the teams? Not at all. It's still a great comic in its own right. While the significance of some of the events may not fully dawn on you, you'll still enjoy the ride from start to finish.
1502587
Marvel is of course well known now for Earth's Mightiest Heroes: The Avengers; however the beauty of the Marvel comic books is their astounding and wonderful Cosmic mythology.  This book and the one that you should read right after "Infinity Gauntlet" are perhaps the best work you'll read with Marvel on the spine.

This book contains two sets of interconnected stories.  One is about Silver Surfer realizing that Thanos is a big threat.  This is trippy and cool.  The second story is about Thanos making great strides towards his big plan.  Infinity Gauntlet (not included) then follows Thanos' big plan.

Anyway, as an enabler, let me just say that basically, you have to read this if you want to get the full Infinity Gauntlet experience - and you have to read Infinity Gauntlet if you want to get the full Marvel experience - and you have to read Marvel if you want the full comic book experience - and you have to read comic books if you want a full experience of modern literature and creative writing.  Get it, got it, good?
2852675
This is simply put, the best run on Captain Marvel ever. Starlin created Thanos and the situations of this as well as the artwork, are just enthralling. I had the original issues (long lost) and was happy to read them again. This also includes one of the greatest graphic novels ever (and Marvel's first) The Death of Captain Marvel - so far the only superhero (sadly) to stay dead. A great read.
3189857
This is by far the best modern Captain Marvel comic, and one of the best original graphic novels I have read.  It is nice to see an artist/writer who really cares about what they are doing.  The story has all of the  elements of a great Captain Marvel story and Fawcett City has never looked  better.  Jerry Ordway has gone for a mix of classic art-deco and modern  buildings, lending a necessary air of nostalgia.  The new origin of Black  Adam is a little odd, but we finally get to see who the mysterious stranger  is that lures Billy Batson into the train tunnel.  Lots of great  "in-jokes," and even a small guest appearance from Mr.  Tawky-Tawny!
943756
As a kid, I used to love Marvel's first "What If" series that presented alternate versions of favorite heroes.

As the series progressed, the scenarios got stretched to the point of "Who Cares?".

Here, some 20+ years later, DC gets the "What If" idea right and presents us with a dark vision of the future of the DCU.

There are many surprised and while for me, the newest Teen Titans series of TPBs and comics have been hit-or-miss, this one was the best of the best!

Even if you have only marginal interest in the characters, pick this TPB up.  You'll be glad you did. (or else the new Batman will stalk you down, and that's a fate worse than the Batman you may know stalking you!)
4040088
This reminded me of Remenders epic Xforce Run. He does a great job pulling from multiple sources of lore. In this book he meshes lore from Xmen, Thor, and even Marvel Space epics, and makes them modern and fun. I can't remember the last time the ending of a comic book left me this dumbfounded. Can't wait to see what happens next.
509159
I loved how the authors worked the familiar Marvel characters into the Elizabethan setting. The plot moved crisply and was never boring with action taking place on several fronts. It was great fun looking for little shout outs to 'our' Marvel 'verse, like Sir Nicholas Fury telling his apprentice Peter 'we are her majesty's shield'. The artwork was lush and eye catching. All in all, highly recommended!
3932773
Manifest Destiny is pretty awesome!  There's never a moment shy of entertainment, and it's really easy to follow(a great change of pace from New X-men).  The best part of this arc is the new realistic threat, the X-men interactions, and Manifest Destiny #1-5 which explores characters individually and comes out fantastic.  It reminded me of Astonishing's Ghost Boxes, but this series ended up doing the collected story method so much better.  I shouldn't reveal to you excatly how it plays out, but lets just say some of your favorites get some special attention and analysis.

Along with that, there's some real undertones to examine in this book.  Are humans going to be extinct?  Do Mutants pose a threat to their existence?  I believe this book has quite a bit of power to it.  That's what makes it a lasting X-men trade.  By the end of reading it, I thought it was sad that Fraction and Brubaker couldn't have taken over "Astonishing."  Because they know the exact pacing these characters should have.