Ms Marvel Special: thoughts and reactions *SPOILERS*

[Dermie]

***WARNING!!! This post contains SPOILERS for MS MARVEL SPECIAL #1!!!! If you do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further!!! You have been warned!!!!

This was an interesting story, although I'm not quite sure why it needed to be a one-shot outside of the main series. Usually the one-shots or annuals are saved for big stories or special events, but this didn't really feel like one of those.

Clearly Gavin is being set-up as a new threat for Carol to deal with down the road. After everything that happened with Wanda, the idea of another reality warper out there is a disturbing thought...especially when it is a teenage boy! Wanda wound up overwhelmed and corrupted by her power, and she was a grown woman and a supehero--what will this type of power do to a hormonal kid with no training or experience?

It turns out A.I.M. is responsible for Gavin's powers. Put this together with their role in the current Doomsday Man storyline in the regular book, and it looks like A.I.M. is going to be an ongoing opponent for Carol...which is only appropriate since they were recurring foes in her original series as well.

I enjoyed Wonder Man's all-too-brief guest appearance. It looked like Simon was about to ask Carol out on a date before they were so rudely interrupted. I've been waiting for this to happen, and I've got my fingers crossed for things to work out. Sure, Carol's also got her relationship with William Wagner starting up, but I'm sure Carol (and Brian) can find a way to juggle them and make it work (threesome, anybody? ;) .

As for Carol's little joke about Simon not reading books without pictures in them...as a matter of fact, yes he does. Simon used to be a bit of a geek as a kid, and spent most of his time reading books. Just because he's a big slab of beefcake doesn't mean he doesn't read Carol. ;)

Anyway, this was a fun little issue, and I am eagerly looking forward to part two of the Doomsday Man story next week in #12!

[intercept789]

***WARNING!!! This post contains SPOILERS for MS MARVEL SPECIAL #1!!!! If you do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further!!! You have been warned!!!!

This was an interesting story, although I'm not quite sure why it needed to be a one-shot outside of the main series. Usually the one-shots or annuals are saved for big stories or special events, but this didn't really feel like one of those.

Clearly Gavin is being set-up as a new threat for Carol to deal with down the road. After everything that happened with Wanda, the idea of another reality warper out there is a disturbing thought...especially when it is a teenage boy! Wanda wound up overwhelmed and corrupted by her power, and she was a grown woman and a supehero--what will this type of power do to a hormonal kid with no training or experience?

It turns out A.I.M. is responsible for Gavin's powers. Put this together with their role in the current Doomsday Man storyline in the regular book, and it looks like A.I.M. is going to be an ongoing opponent for Carol...which is only appropriate since they were recurring foes in her original series as well.

I enjoyed Wonder Man's all-too-brief guest appearance. It looked like Simon was about to ask Carol out on a date before they were so rudely interrupted. I've been waiting for this to happen, and I've got my fingers crossed for things to work out. Sure, Carol's also got her relationship with William Wagner starting up, but I'm sure Carol (and Brian) can find a way to juggle them and make it work (threesome, anybody? ;) .

As for Carol's little joke about Simon not reading books without pictures in them...as a matter of fact, yes he does. Simon used to be a bit of a geek as a kid, and spent most of his time reading books. Just because he's a big slab of beefcake doesn't mean he doesn't read Carol. ;)

Anyway, this was a fun little issue, and I am eagerly looking forward to part two of the Doomsday Man story next week in #12!

Cool. Although you didn't really spoil anything for me.

[Ivanko]

I'm REALLY hoping Gavin doesn't pull a "No more Civil War".

I believe he could be far more dangerous than Wanda ever could because of his immaturity.

Otherwise, Dermie you are spot on with this being a fun issue to read. Personally, I enjoy specials and annuals because you don't really know what's going to happen, and there's no pressure to stay loyal to a current storyline.

Bring in issue 12!

[Dermie]

I'm REALLY hoping Gavin doesn't pull a "No more Civil War".

Not a chance. Even if Marvel decides to wave a magic wand to make Civil War disappear, it wouldn't be Gavin that does it. :)

I believe he could be far more dangerous than Wanda ever could because of his immaturity.

Exactly. Teenagers tend to be so hormonal and emotional that this power could get very badly abused.

[Taxman]

As for Carol's little joke about Simon not reading books without pictures in them...as a matter of fact, yes he does. Simon used to be a bit of a geek as a kid, and spent most of his time reading books.Yeah, I thought that was a little out of character.

Seeing Wonder Man is so many books make me wonder whether the Go3 should not be put on suicide watch or something.

[Dermie]

Yeah, I thought that was a little out of character.

Well, her comment was probably intended to be more of a joke than an actual statement of how she sees Simon. Of course, it is also possible that she just isn't aware of some of Simon's background, and simply made some wrong conclusions.

Seeing Wonder Man is so many books make me wonder whether the Go3 should not be put on suicide watch or something.

If Century survied the Wondy-sleeping-with-Wanda era, he'll survive this. ;-)

[CyberCoyote]

I think I was a tad let down with the issue only because it was released as a one shot special so I thought it was going to be something more than a 'regular' issue. It wasn't bad at all, but it didn't seem to demand the speacial.

Then I read some other thoughts on it and realized that the book might have HAD to come out to introduce the kid..and the program..for something big coming up. Either something big in Carol's own book or something major in Marvel all together. That seems the only reason to publish it in this format.

[Ascius]

Gavin's a good kid. Sure he's got some learning to do, but he seems a dependable sort.

It does seem an odd story for a one-shot though. Really feels more like a set up than a story in it's own right.

[Taxman]

Gavin's a good kid. Sure he's got some learning to do, but he seems a dependable sort.What about the Rich character? That's quite a coincidence, this guy having the same first name as ramtower.

[ramtower]

Ill conceived at best, much like the source material.

[Brian Reed]

What about the Rich character? That's quite a coincidence, this guy having the same first name as ramtower.

Almost as much of a coincidence as Steve posting his opinion on a designer named Gavin that we both know...

[Ascius]

Almost as much of a coincidence as Steve posting his opinion on a designer named Gavin that we both know...

Actually that was my opinion of magic-world-changing-Gavin... he put the badguys in jail and put everyone else back in safe places so he could be left alone when he was confronted with authority.

A bad kid would have just blown shit up.

The Gavin I know is totally a narc.

[Taxman]

Almost as much of a coincidence as Steve posting his opinion on a designer named Gavin that we both know...I'm not enough of an insider to know who Gavin is . . .

[Dermie]

Actually that was my opinion of magic-world-changing-Gavin... he put the badguys in jail and put everyone else back in safe places so he could be left alone when he was confronted with authority.

A bad kid would have just blown shit up.

Give it time. Wanda was/is a good person, and look what happened to her after the power messed with her head. Its true that this power could have wound up in much worse hands, but having Gavin running around unsupervised with that much power is a very dangerous situation.

[Busman]

Actually that was my opinion of magic-world-changing-Gavin... he put the badguys in jail and put everyone else back in safe places so he could be left alone when he was confronted with authority.

A bad kid would have just blown shit up.

The Gavin I know is totally a narc.

The Gavin is teh awesome. I want like 8 of them for when I start my master plan to take over the gaming world.

[Mitchel]

This was an interesting story, although I'm not quite sure why it needed to be a one-shot outside of the main series. Usually the one-shots or annuals are saved for big stories or special events, but this didn't really feel like one of those.

I agree, cool story but the artwork wasn't my cup of tea.


Clearly Gavin is being set-up as a new threat for Carol to deal with down the road. After everything that happened with Wanda, the idea of another reality warper out there is a disturbing thought...especially when it is a teenage boy! Wanda wound up overwhelmed and corrupted by her power, and she was a grown woman and a supehero--what will this type of power do to a hormonal kid with no training or experience?

I like the Wanda power connection with this kid. I would like to see a conversation between Ms. Marvel & Wonder Man were they address their feelings about Wanda. After all Carol was perhaps Wanda's best female friend in the Avengers and Wondy was her lover. I know Wanda is probably off limits right now with Bendis long term plans but it would be awesome to see her in this book, even if it was through flashbacks.

It turns out A.I.M. is responsible for Gavin's powers. Put this together with their role in the current Doomsday Man storyline in the regular book, and it looks like A.I.M. is going to be an ongoing opponent for Carol...which is only appropriate since they were recurring foes in her original series as well.

I like AIM. I'm pumped that Brian is using Modok in a future story. I wish HYDRA was used as a villain as well.

I enjoyed Wonder Man's all-too-brief guest appearance. It looked like Simon was about to ask Carol out on a date before they were so rudely interrupted. I've been waiting for this to happen, and I've got my fingers crossed for things to work out.

Oh man, to me this was the highlight of the book. Thanks Brian. My only complaint is that Wondy keeps getting written out of the main action. I understand this is Carol's book and she needs to be the one ultimately shining thru but can we have a moment were Wondy gets to do some feat of strength in accord with his power level. Something deserving a spot on "one of the characters cooler moments".


Sure, Carol's also got her relationship with William Wagner starting up, but I'm sure Carol (and Brian) can find a way to juggle them and make it work (threesome, anybody? ;) .

A threesome? Carol wouldn't be so slutty and Simon wouldn't be so gay. I'm all for a threesome only if it involves one guy with two females. Carol, Simon & Wanda. Hint, hint. ;)

As for Carol's little joke about Simon not reading books without pictures in them...as a matter of fact, yes he does. Simon used to be a bit of a geek as a kid, and spent most of his time reading books. Just because he's a big slab of beefcake doesn't mean he doesn't read Carol. ;) .

I took it as Carol joking with Simon. I honestly wish they would do away with the Hollywood actor thing for Simon and turn him back to his enginnering roots. The Hollywood thing makes Simon come as superficial and self absorbed to people that are not familiar with the character's history. I like that he is in a big way participating of this new journey Carol has set for herself of getting to be the best she can be as a superhero. Its a journey that makes a lot of sense for him too. Very appropiate for a guy with Simon's power levels that has been around for as long as Ms. Marvel has been. With great power comes great responsibility. Granted Simon hasn't had the experiences Carol has had, (leading Nasa, her Kree soldier training memories that came with her powers, joining the Starhammers, becoming a National Security leader, or getting to be an alternate reality #1 superhero) but from the first time he met her in Avengers he was impressed with the way she handled herself. I would think seeing how she is taking a proactive role in being her best has to have an impact and resurgeance in his interest for her.

Below are some scans of Wonder Man & Ms. Marvel first adventure together circa Avengers 171 that illustrate what I'm talking about.

http://home.comcast.net/~e103530/MsM1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~e103530/MsM2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~e103530/MsM3.jpg

[Taxman]

Below are some scans of Wonder Man & Ms. Marvel first adventure together circa Avengers 171 that illustrate what I'm talking about.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ee103530/MsM1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ee103530/MsM3.jpgIt certainly appears as though she had much smaller breasts in those days. There may be portions of Carol's history which remain unrealed.

[Mitchel]

It certainly appears as though she had much smaller breasts in those days. There may be portions of Carol's history which remain unrealed.

You saying Ms. Marvel has implants? Naaah. Funny but on that same Avengers issue they refer to the Scarlet witch as buxom. I wonder if the Scarlet Witch ever gets to star in Mighty Avengers it will be interesting to see Cho's rendition. She has to be at least one more cup size than Ms. Marvel.

[Taxman]

You saying Ms. Marvel has implants? Naaah. Funny but on that same Avengers issue they refer to the Scarlet witch as buxom. I wonder if the Scarlet Witch ever gets to star in Mighty Avengers it will be interesting to see Cho's rendition. She has to be at least one more cup size than Ms. Marvel.I am thinking that if I pull out my copy of Ms. Marvel Vol I #1, that Ms. Marvel had much more pronounced curves than did Carol Danvers. I am thinking this was true in at least on Busiek penned issue of Avengers as well. There is, or has been some sort of physical transformation associated with the character. This is the enhanced version here, but she was clearly not as enhanced as she has been at other points.

At any rate, I find this much more amusing than I did you concerns about Simon William's changing physique. Can I assume that you are more or less happy with his presentation in the new mini-series? Whatever changes in physique there may have been with Carol, I do not believe that they are nearly as pronounced as what we have seen with the much more proliphic Invisible Girl.

[Mitchel]

I am thinking that if I pull out my copy of Ms. Marvel Vol I #1, that Ms. Marvel had much more pronounced curves than did Carol Danvers. I am thinking this was true in at least on Busiek penned issue of Avengers as well. There is, or has been some sort of physical transformation associated with the character. This is the enhanced version here, but she was clearly not as enhanced as she has been at other points.

Are you talking Ms. Marvel physique vs Carol Danvers? That would be lame. I hate when characters change physiques from their civilian version to their heroic version.


At any rate, I find this much more amusing than I did you concerns about Simon William's changing physique. Can I assume that you are more or less happy with his presentation in the new mini-series? .

I'm happy he is being drawn with a bodybuilder physique but the artwork is too cartoony.

Whatever changes in physique there may have been with Carol, I do not believe that they are nearly as pronounced as what we have seen with the much more proliphic Invisible Girl.

Haven't been reading Fantastic Four in awhile. Care to name the artists versions? Or even better, link some scans?

[Dermie]

I like AIM. I'm pumped that Brian is using Modok in a future story. I wish HYDRA was used as a villain as well.

Please, no Hydra! They have already been getting plenty of appearances in tons of other Marvel books (New Avengers, Thunderbolts, X-Factor, Captain America, etc). Don't get me wrong; Hydra can make for good opponents, but they're becoming a bit overused these past two or three years.

My only complaint is that Wondy keeps getting written out of the main action. I understand this is Carol's book and she needs to be the one ultimately shining thru but can we have a moment were Wondy gets to do some feat of strength in accord with his power level. Something deserving a spot on "one of the characters cooler moments".

Hopefully we'll get to see something like that in #12 with the Doomsday Man fight.

A threesome? Carol wouldn't be so slutty and Simon wouldn't be so gay.

I was joking...but being in a threesome with another guy doesn't make Simon gay, unless he is the person in the middle.

I honestly wish they would do away with the Hollywood actor thing for Simon and turn him back to his enginnering roots. The Hollywood thing makes Simon come as superficial and self absorbed to people that are not familiar with the character's history.

Nah. The acting is one thing that makes Simon a unique character, and gives him his own special identity within the MU. As an engineer, Simon would always be coming in second to people like Tony Stark, Reed Richards, and the other "big brains" of the MU--it would make Simon seem like more of a 2nd stringer. He can (and does) still use his engineering skills when the situation calls for it, but going back to that full time really wouldn't make any sense with the character's development over the last several decades.

[intercept789]

[QUOTE=Mitchel;2704142]Are you talking Ms. Marvel physique vs Carol Danvers? That would be lame. I hate when characters change physiques from their civilian version to their heroic version.

Yeah, me too. It's ok to a point if there is a particular reason for it.

[beta-ray]

Are you talking Ms. Marvel physique vs Carol Danvers? That would be lame. I hate when characters change physiques from their civilian version to their heroic version.


Hmn, well, I happen to like characters like Hulk, She-Hulk, Man-Wolf, etc.

That whole Clark-Superman thing... meh.

[Crimson]

When does this issue take place, in terms of the Ms Marvel ongoing?

[Dermie]

When does this issue take place, in terms of the Ms Marvel ongoing?

It looks to me like it probably takes place between #10 and #11.

[intercept789]

So what's the deal? I tried two comic book shops and they were both sold out of this issue. Didn't it just come out?

[Shannon Chenoweth]

I liked it. Good work Reed.

I will possibly elaborate more on this later. :)

[intercept789]

I liked it. Good work Reed.

I will possibly elaborate more on this later. :)

Again, why can't I find this thing anywhere? I think the shops around me need to increase their orders if a book disappears in the first 3 or 4 days.

[Mitchel]

Again, why can't I find this thing anywhere? I think the shops around me need to increase their orders if a book disappears in the first 3 or 4 days.

Either it had a low distribution or it flew from the stand because I went to get my comics on Wednesday afternoon (they arrive at noon) and the clerk told me it was sold out. I was lucky Ms. Marvel is on my pull list and they had reserved me a copy.

[Cardinal Braxiatel]

Here's hoping it flew. I'm tired of my books getting cancelled. Manhunter was painful enough.

[Brian Reed]

Here's hoping it flew. I'm tired of my books getting cancelled. Manhunter was painful enough.

Nobody has so much as whispered the word "cancellation" in the same room as this book. I'm writing issue 17 this week and Bill Rosemann and I are already batting around ideas for the lead up to big time issue 25.

As for the Special, I've had two store owners in different states, on opposite ends of the country, tell me the Special did very well for them last week.

One guy even told me that he saw "spillover" today from folks who knew only the new series buying the Essential.

[ItsDLEVY]

I didn't even realize it was a special until today, when reading issue #12, I realized that last week's issue was a) only last week and b) interrupted the story... I dug it out of my stack and saw "one shot" on the cover - very subtle.

Anyway, loved the book, wrote about my love for it on Bendis's board and don't feel like writing it again. But just finished reading #12 and am very interested to see where "season 2" takes us.

[Mitchel]

Nobody has so much as whispered the word "cancellation" in the same room as this book. I'm writing issue 17 this week and Bill Rosemann and I are already batting around ideas for the lead up to big time issue 25.

That's what I thought, the reaction I'm getting is people are loving this book. Kudos to Brian for showing such attention to detail and dedication to the characters.

[Cardinal Braxiatel]

But you can understand my worry when hearing some people can't find the book. If too few issues are being ordered that doesn't bode well.

Hey, howzabout a second MsM then? MsM: Origins?

[Dermie]

But you can understand my worry when hearing some people can't find the book. If too few issues are being ordered that doesn't bode well.

Keep in mind that this is just the Special though, not the regular book.
One-shots like that often get under-ordered if they aren't hyped as a 'big event', because people don't necessarily know what to make of them.

[intercept789]

Nobody has so much as whispered the word "cancellation" in the same room as this book. I'm writing issue 17 this week and Bill Rosemann and I are already batting around ideas for the lead up to big time issue 25.

As for the Special, I've had two store owners in different states, on opposite ends of the country, tell me the Special did very well for them last week.

One guy even told me that he saw "spillover" today from folks who knew only the new series buying the Essential.

Nice! It will be cool to see it exceed the series number of the original (22 or 23? something like that). I guess it's a good thing that one-shot is sold out. I mean, better than having them order issues and have it languish on the stands. I think the comic book store I usually go to has upped their Ms. Marvel order, since when I went in today there were twice as many as I've seen before. And the previous issues have largely been sold out (although there still some 11's there. I guess if I want this one-shot, time for plan B. Ebay!

[ReporterSteven]

I'm not a regular reader of the series (in fact I've not ever read the regular series) and I don't know about other people but I bought it BECAUSE it was a one-shot. I wanted a cool, single issue story that I didn't need to know too much about. And I got it. A kick ass job; I enjoyed it immensely.

[dEnny!]

Just read it and really enjoyed the story. Loved the art; he did a great job.

I can understand why people would ask why this needed to be a one-shot, but more Ms. Marvel is a good thing. Right?

[dEnny!]

Nobody has so much as whispered the word "cancellation" in the same room as this book. I'm writing issue 17 this week and Bill Rosemann and I are already batting around ideas for the lead up to big time issue 25.

As for the Special, I've had two store owners in different states, on opposite ends of the country, tell me the Special did very well for them last week.

One guy even told me that he saw "spillover" today from folks who knew only the new series buying the Essential.

That's great news. I'm really enjoying this series. It's cool you are working with Bill Rosemann; he's good people.

[Mitchel]

I'm not a regular reader of the series (in fact I've not ever read the regular series) and I don't know about other people but I bought it BECAUSE it was a one-shot. I wanted a cool, single issue story that I didn't need to know too much about. And I got it. A kick ass job; I enjoyed it immensely.

I'd recommend you to pick up the Civil War issues, in my opinion the best story arc of the series and best Civil War Crossover period.