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[katara]

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) Annual #2
Author: Chuck Wendig, Leonard Kirk (Illustrator), Mike Deodato (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.2/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: August 3, 2018
Book Summary: DARTH VADER intends for the Empire to hold no secrets for him — or from him. Which means it is time to dig into the pet project of GOVERNOR WILHUFF TARKIN and ORSON KRENNIC: the massive battle station being built on GEONOSIS. Opportunity arises when the project is hindered by sabotage from unknown forces. THE EMPEROR calls on his dark enforcer to root out the source of treachery that threatens to destabilize the Empire’s galactic ascent.
Book Review: This issue ties inbetween the book Catalyst and the Rogue One Storyline.

Here we find see a bit more of the relationship between Vader and that of Tarkin. There was time when these two were battling for the favor the Emperor. Now there seems to be a mutual bit of respect forming between the two. However, in this issue, we see a bit of a small change in that sort of relationship because as we find Tarkin arriving on Scarif, he also learns Vader is there and possibly snooping around for information upon Project Stardust. Tarkin is less than happy with this and demands that Vader stand down.

And Vader being Vader, well, you know that he doesn't take orders from almost anyone and tells Tarkin this. Of course, Tarkin is almost gleeful in his rebuttal and calls the Emperor to set things straight with Vader. In the end, the Emperor ends up being on Tarkin's side and this angers Vader to the point he envisions killing Tarkin.

Upon the conclusion of their scenes, we are pulled into another scene. This time with Lyra Erso on Alpinn. She is there collecting Kyber Crystals for Galen. While she is working, an unidentified droid appears and gives her a warning: that those crystals she is collecting are for a super weapon....that countless of lives will be at stake if she continues her work...and what would her daughter think if she knew that her parents knew? Before Lyra can even ask about the droid's owner, the thing unexpectedly self-destructs. Without a second thought, Lyra runs off to give warning to Galen.

So who was it that gave Lyra the warning? Many fans believe that it was Vader behind the warning because he was simply jealous of the Death Star. We never knew what his thoughts were completely on the thing in the trilogy because he was not the focus of the story itself. So getting a chance to see his way of thinking lets the reader believe this. Is it true? Or just wishful thinking on our part?

I believe that Vader being the one behind the warning is a possibility. My thought is that Vader doesn't like anything that could make him irrevelant later on and the Death Star would do just that. So being jealous of this weapon would have caused him a brief moment of humanity relapse.

Overall this was a great annual. I quite enjoyed seeing this side of Vader and I am looking forward to seeing more of him to come in the next issues.

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[katara]

Title: X-Men: Grand Design - Second Genesis (X-Men: Grand Design)
Author: Ed Piskor
Format: Epub
Rating: 1.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: August 3, 2018
Book Summary: The sequel to the critical smash hit X-MEN GRAND DESIGN is here - and it's ALL-NEW and ALL-DIFFERENT! Witness Wolverine, Thunderbird, Colossus, Storm, and Sunfire suit up as X-Men for the very first time all over again! And then the Shi'ar! The Brood! The Starjammers! Watch as Marvel's merry mutants take to the stars. See the first X-Men adventures of Kitty Pryde and Carol Danvers. Marvel at the conclusion of the now-classic DARK PHOENIX SAGA. All through the lens of indie auteur ED PISKOR, who lovingly researches, writes, pencils, inks, colors and letters every page just for you! This volume also includes an issue of Giant Size X-Men and pinups by Art Adams, Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee and Joe Madureira masterfully recolored by Ed. Presented in the same dynamic, oversized format of the best-selling Hip Hop Family Tree (9" x 13").
Book Review: I wish I could say something good about this comic book.

Okay I can say something good. This issue follows the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix Sagas - two of my favorite X-Men storyline.

Unfortunately the art leaves something to be desirable. I feel like a three-year-old could draw better than this. Jean's Dark Phoenix face in several panels looks awkward and just plain weird to the point of being almost creepy.

This was the one comic book I was looking forward to but there isn't much more of the Phoenix entity and it really honing in on Jean. I see it seems to make a connection with her during the period of radiation in the solar storm. But in the last issues we got panels of the Phoenix as it traveled; I saw none of this in this issue.

So disappointed. :/

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[katara]

Title: Mr. and Mrs. X (2018-) #1 (Mr. & Mrs. X #1)
Author: Kelly Thompson, Oscar Bazaldua (Illustrator), Terry Dodson (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: Auguest 3, 2018
Book Summary: LOVE & MARRIAGE PART 1! Straight from the pages of X-MEN GOLD...to the surprise of everyone, the Marvel Universe's hottest couple has finally tied the knot! In their extraordinary lives, they've faced nearly every challenge imaginable, but how will they fare against former flames making trouble? An entire galaxy in jeopardy? You want it? We got it, as Kelly Thompson (HAWKEYE, ROGUE & GAMBIT) and Oscar Bazaldua (SPIDER-MAN, STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE) bring you the tantalizing tale of a modern marriage...X-MEN STYLE!
Book Review: This was me when I found out Gambit and Rogue married:



What was suppose to be the most anticipated wedding in the X-Men universe ended up being a wedding of a totally different kind.

In X-Men Gold Issue #30, Kitty has gotten cold feet and decided that it best she and Colossus not marry, leaving guests confused by what had just happened. Of course, Gambit sees this as a blessing for him and he gets down on one knee to ask Rogue to marry him.

This first issue of this series offers you an insight into exactly what prevailed just before Gambit and Rogue said their vows. You get sweet moments between friends as they prepare for

This issue was so worth being picked up and I am happy I did. I love Gambit and Rogue and they are one of the biggest reasons I have returned to the Marvel universe. Otherwise I would probably be dabbling in DC comics for awhile.

This issue is really worth picked up. There isn't a lot of action. Mostly a large portion of a backstory of the wedding before we find them in space enjoying a honeymoon. That is until they find the Imperial Guards at their door. Throw in Deadpool and you have a recipe for disaster about to come from this

....And I cannot wait for what happens next!