Marvel releases their smallest batch of comics since returning from the pandemic pause in 2020. With only six comics hitting the shelves, only one character—Phyla-Vell—appears in more than one book. Under the influence of the Vox Supreme suit, the former Captain Marvel faces off with the current Captain Marvel in Carol Danvers’ latest issue. Phyla-Vell also shows up alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy to assist Emperor Hulkling and Wiccan in their “Last Annihilation” tie-in. Members of S.W.O.R.D. also appear in the cosmic chaos, including the mutant Zorn for his 36th overall appearance, earning a spot in the Fantasy Comic League database. Iron Lad also gets added with his first appearance in nearly two years.
Book the Week – Sinister War #4 (Review score: 101 Points; 35 Characters). While the “Last Anniilation” story boasts a large roster of cosmic heroes, Sinister War continues to be heavy on the antagonists. Of the 35 featured characters, only two of them are heroes—Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. The big moment in the latest Sinister War issue comes when Boomerang, Nick Spencer’s go-to support character, selflessly sacrifices himself to save his former roommate and friend. Boomerang completes his eight-year journey from superior foe to complicated frenemy under Spencer’s guidance.
Hero of the Week – Captain Marvel (Review score: 15 Points/1 Appearance; 15.0 Pts/App). Carol’s recent past catches up to her when a familiar suit, worn by a familiar face, challenges her and tests her strengths. Captain Marvel erupts with 12 power usages in her one appearance, edging out her competitor in the comic by one point to claim another Hero of the Week title.
Antagonist of the Week – Doctor Octopus (Review score: 8 Points/1 Appearance; 8.0 Pts/App). Another antagonist steals the spotlight in Sinister War. Doctor Octopus, tired of having his tentacles pulled by Kindred, out smarts the demon and frees the other sextet members by destroying the centipede buried in their heads. Triumphant over one antagonist, Doc Ock lets his archenemy flee the battlefield in order to torment him at another date.
Top Characters (by review score). Captain Marvel (15); Phyla-Vell (14); Wiccan (12); Doctor Octopus, Hulkling, Warpath (8); Spider-Man/Peter Parker (7); Abigail Brand, Greycrow, Psylocke (6)
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For those keeping track of their own review teams, full statistics can be found in the below character reviews. Please use these results to determine your score and let us know how you performed. To become a Sanctioned Review Agent you can support us via the Fantasy Comic League’s Patreon page. Make sure to tweet any questions or comments to @FantasyComicLG on Twitter while using the #FantasyComicLeague tag!
Key: TU – Team-Up; LT – Lead Team; SC – Save Civilian; CD – Character Development; DA – Defeat Antagonist.
| Avengers #48 (17) |
| Black Panther – LT Blade – Blade, Sense, DA (Vampire) Gorilla-man – Melee, Vehicle Hulk (JW) – Energy, Melee, Strength, DA (Bar patrons) Namor Phoenix Thor |
| Captain Marvel #32 (29) |
| Captain Marvel – Absorb, Durability, Energy, Energy Defensive, Energy Offensive, Flight, Melee, Precision, Sonics, Speed, Strength, Weapon, TU (Iron Man), DA (Phyla-Vell) Iron Man – Sonics, Tech, TU (Captain Marvel) Ms. Marvel Phyla-Vell – Absorb, Durability, Energy, Energy Offensive, Flight, Melee, Speed, Strength |
| Hellions #15 (24) |
| Emma Frost Havok – Energy, Energy Offensive, Strength Psylocke – Strength, Telepathy, Telepathy Offensive, Will Power, LT Antagonist(s) Empath – Influence Greycrow – Bionics, Energy, Melee, Weapon, DA (Locus Vile) Mr. Sinister Nanny Orphan-Maker – Gun Wild Child |
| Last Annihilation: Wiccan & Hulkling #1 (65) |
| Abigail Brand – Deception, Energy, Weapon, TU (Wiccan), LT Armor – Energy, TU (Wiccan) Frenzy – Energy, Intellect, Melee, TU (Wiccan) Hercules – Melee, Strength, TU (Hulkling) Hulkling – Artifact, Blade, Melee, Morph, Teleport, TU (Guardians of the Galaxy), DA (Dormammu) Iron Lad Manifold Marvel Boy – Computer, Melee, TU (Hulkling) Moondragon Mur-G’nn – TU (S.W.O.R.D.) Phyla-Vell – Blade, Influence, Weapon, TU (Hulkling) Wiccan – Absorb, Artifact, Deception, Flight, Intellect, Magic, Magic Defensive, Magic Offensive, Melee, Teleport, TU (S.W.O.R.D.) Zorn – Flight, TU (Wiccan) Antagonist(s) Avalanche – Vibrations, Melee, TU (Hulkling) Dormammu – Flames Paibok – Energy, Melee, TU (Wiccan) |
| New Mutants #21 (44) |
| Anole – CD (Successfully petitions for Scout’s resurrection) Broo Cosmar – CD (Successfully petitions for Scout’s resurrection) Egg – Business, CD (Petitions for the resurrection of clones) Elixir – Business, CD (Petitions for the resurrection of clones) Hope – Business, Telepathy, CD (Petitions for the resurrection of clones) Karma – LT Magik Mirage – Precision, Projectile, Weapon Scout – Claws Offensive, CD (Returns against normal resurrection protocols) Tempus – Business, CD (Petitions for the resurrection of clones) Warpath – Durability, Melee, Rage, Strength, Weapon, LT, DA (Brood) Wolfsbane – Morph, CD (Petitions for the resurrection of clones) Antagonist(s) Proteus – Business, Ensnare, CD (Petitions for the resurrection of clones) Shadow King |
| Sinister War #4 (101) |
| Doctor Strange Spider-Man (PP) – Agility, Ensnare, Melee, Sense, Weapon, Webs Antagonist(s) Beetle – Energy, Flight, Melee Black Ant – Size Boomerang – Flight, Melee, CD (Sacrifices his life to save Spider-Man) Cobra – Melee Doctor Octopus – Appendage, Appendage Offensive, Ensnare, Intellect, Sonics, Tech, DA (Kindred) Electro – Energy, Energy Offensive, Flight Foreigner – Gun Grey Gargoyle – Biokinesis, Melee Hydro-Man – Melee, Stretch Jack O’Lantern – Vehicle Juggernaut – Durability, Melee, Strength Kindred – Melee Kraven (AK) – Melee Kraven (LS) – Blade, Melee Lady Octopus – Appendage Offensive, Ensnare Living Laser – Energy, Energy Offensive, Flight Mephisto Morlun – Absorb, Melee, Sense, DA (Boomerang) Mysterio – Flight Overdrive – Vehicle Rhino – Melee Sandman – Intangibility, Melee, Morph, Stretch Scorpia Scorpion – Melee Shocker – Energy, Energy Offensive Sin-Eater – Gun, Weapon Speed Demon – Melee, Speed, Speed Offensive Stegron – Melee Tarantula Taskmaster – Blade Vulture – Melee Whirlwind – Flight White Rabbit – Gun |
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