Rant Reviews--X-Factor, An Avenger Book (Out of the Too Many), and Hired Heroes.

Madrox and Layla do some investigating, The New Avengers bores me, and Heroes For Hire keeps doing good stuff.


X-Factor #215
An issue focused solely on Madrox and Layla in a similar fashion to how #214 was Darwin-centric. This has our duo investigating a mysterious death that seems related to vampires (does this slightly tie-in with that X-Men event nobody liked?) but is actually far more interesting in a twist I wasn't quite expecting. The whole romance sub-plot between Madrox and Layla advances a bit too, so that is of course nice. As long as Peter David keeps writing this book I will keep enjoying it.
4 out of 5 stars.

The New Avengers #9
The first 9 pages have pretty little to do with main part of the comic or the closing which hints at how the Avengers may have secretly formed back in the past. Instead it is just art by Howard Chaykin featuring Nick Fury facing off against some Nazi's in Cuba. That's nice and all, but it doesn't give much time for the main part of the comic, the team of New Avengers trying to take down some new (and as the character's comment, attractive) villain who has made a team based off of ex-H.A.M.M.E.R. agents she now is in control of. Frankly I wasn't too amazed by this issue or its attempt to create suspense by leaving us with one character gravely wounded. Considering how it is THAT character who was dead forever, I think he/she will be just fine this time. At least Mike Deodato turns in some good art too. Plus it is always nice to see Bendis feature Jessica Jones a bit. Still, I just felt a bit let down, thinking, "That's it?" Hopefully things will get more interesting in the next issue.
2.5 out of 5 stars.


Heroes For Hire #3
I loved the last issue, and this one isn't as good but it is still pretty smashing. The whole "What is up with Misty Knight" plot advances a bit, Iron Fist pops up, and Moon Knight again plays a role, and you know I love me some Moon Knight. Brad Walker turns in some more nice artwork, and everyone reading otherwise has fun. Other folk agree, you should be checking out this comic if you want a fun time.
3.5 out of 5 stars.