PC POST #223: -REVIEW- THUNDERBOLTS #30

posted by Ivo Santos (Facebook/Twitter)

I'm liking this arc and i was amazed by last issue, but this one was a disappointment.

Well first of all, i liked how Acker and Blacker linked some flashbacks in this issue to a past run written by Ennis that gave me a feeling of continuity, i really liked that.

In this issue we see through some past flashbacks how outclassed Frank is towards Elektra in hand to hand skills (which is right!) fighting with other goons or even in training with Elektra. But most of it this was a game from both characters since none of them weren't willing to take the other. This issue seemed like a quarrel of Mr. and Ms, Smith and nothing more.

Personally i think Elektra was handled right through all this issue, but not Frank. We learn in this issue that Frank offered a "gift" for Elektra ( an bronze heart of a Capo she killed when they first met, Frank made it bronzed) it's really weird to see it and out of character, in my opinion.

Even the artwork didn't save this issue, it seemed a bit sketchy, like some others we have seen through this Thunderbolts book... Unfortunately.

Although i loved the cover, very retro and remind me of the old ads from the 60's or 70's. Thumbs up for David Yardin.

I had high hopes for this issue, after the last ones that were amazing, this will not make the work of Acker and Blacker the worst, if this issue wasn't for my taste and the other two are good this arc will be pretty amazing for me.

I didn't expect that the Punisher could kill Elektra or turned all of a sudden a master ninja and beat her h2h, but i expect he could beat her physically and not emotionally like he did. He broke her, it's a fact but not the way i imagined. And what was the point of Elektra being in the Central Park and saw Frank's wailing, just one way to relate to him because she did the same when her father died? Does the fact that they are both psychopaths isn't enough for them to being close?

Another thing i find it odd is the flashback on Frank's origin, in this issue we see Frank's family killed in a shootout between mobsters but originally they stumble in a mob execution. Don't know if this is a new retcon for the Punisher origin or a distraction from writers, editors or the artist.

I'm still rooting for this title and i hope the last two issues make some justice for this last arc of Thunderbolts.

OVERALL RATE: 5 / 10

PC POST #202:-REVIEWS- What if #4 A.O.U & Thunderbolts #25

posted by @Ivo

(W) Joe Keatinge (A) Piotr Kowalski & Neil Edwards

 Review(spoiler free):

This is another "What if" with Frank being Captain America. Like the name say this is an alternate world when Steve Rogers is dead and the Avengers need a replacement.
But this is not the the real purpose, there is some hidden agenda on making Castle a Captain America... 

We can see Frank kick ass as Cap for a few pages with no guns. Only fists, kicks and guts!
I didn't read anything from Joe Keatinge but i felt the plot a little weak, not to mention the artwork by Kowalsky, sometimes we will see some stupid faces and the suit he draw make Frank look like a goofy thug. The second half of this issue is by Neil Edwards and the artwork improved.
I liked a lot better of the old "What If? Punisher became Captain America"...
  
OVERAL RATING: 5 out of 10

Review: Good issue! I'm liking where Soule is taking the team in these last two issues. Since i haven't done any review on #24 i will resume what is happening...
Ross gathered the team to look for his lost Soldiers in the jungles of Honduras, he sent these soldiers to look for a mysterious source of ancient power, Ross got a mysterious map but only Leader can red it.

I think finally Soule is handle the team in the right way, in my humble opinion. He abandoned some excessive humorous tone and this is looking way more interesting than before. It's action packed and got interesting character dialogs. The Leader continues to be a sneaky "bastard" and he is definetely trying to get rid of the team, but he is being very cautious.
At the end of this issue we got a very interesting dialog between Frank and Elektra, i get a feel that is getting tired of a bad leadership from Ross.

Still think that Frank is too much a soldier boy. He questions Ross in some options but in the end he always do what he wants, he is limited to following orders. This is one of my major critic that i have to make in Soule take on Frank. In some sort, this limits the character into a one dimensional depth. The other characters in my view are well developed.

OVERAL RATING: 7.5 out of 10