Christmas in August
Written by: Jim Zub
Art by: Jon Malin, Matt Yackey and Joe Sabino
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 31, 2016
This is another book that knocked on my door due to crazy circumstances, but after catching up with
it, I found that I quite enjoyed it. I am a sucker for team books and since I don't get to do many of them during our regular DC Comics gig, I welcome them with open arms on Mondays. That being said, this is a crazy team and one that I was really afraid I'd have trouble getting behind due to my lack of Marvel Comics history. Well, Jim Zub made sure that I slipped right into a comfortable zone and away I went. Does that continue this month as the Thunderbolts meet up with the Squadron Supreme? Let's find out...
The issue starts with Abe giving a little background narration that serves to get new readers up to speed. Everything seems fine with Abe and Erik enjoying soda pops, but that's when the poop hits the fan. The Team gathers and finds out that SHIELD has grown a pair and have gone public with the Team's transgressions...true and exaggerated. Going forward, the Thunderbolts are put on a social media blackout which doesn't go over well, but is necessary if they want to remain free.
While this is going on, we see the cleanup crew in Georgia looking for clues after the recent fight with the Inhumans. You know, like the "look sir, droids" kind of clue. Before they get far. however, the Blur, Nighthawk and Doctor Spectrum show up and take over the investigation...with extreme prejudice. The bad Doctor figures things out and it looks like a Squadron Supreme/Thunderbolts battle is inevitable.
Back with the Thunderbolts, Abe is having more second thoughts (third and fourth thoughts?) about his membership, but that sets off Erik something fierce. We get a little peak into the mind and past of Atlas and it's not pretty. Disturbing, yes. Pretty, no. Things escalate and would probably have led to fistacuffs, but...
Hyperion shows up! "Shows up" doesn't seem big enough...he crashes in and is ready to rumble. That's pretty kick ass on it's own, but he's brought friends...the Squadron! Before you can blink an eye, it's on like Donkey Kong!!!
It's a pretty back and forth battle that I enjoyed. The best part was seeing Hyperion get his ass handed to him a couple of times, but that's kind of a personal thing. I say back and forth, but really, it looked as if the Squadron was going to come out on top when Kobik steps up and shows just how awesome she is.
The issue ends with the Squadron without a base and the Thunderbolts a bit more North than I ever want to be. The next issue will be a Civil War tie-in, which sucks, but I can't wait to see what happens to the Thunderbolts next.
I had fun reading this issue, but not a whole lot happens that pushes the overall story forward. Jim Zub does a good job with Abe's character and I loved seeing Kobik step up. but unfortunately, this is one of those issues that is forgotten quickly after it is done.
The same can be said for Jon Malin's art. There was nothing wrong with it, but it never wowed me either. It helped tell the story...nothing more, nothing less. I guess there is something to be said for that, but again, that leads to it not being memorable.
Bits and Pieces:
This was a middle of the road issue that didn't upset me, but didn't really impress me either. The Thunderbolts vs the Squadron Supreme brought the action, but little else. In the end. it seemed to be a place holder until next month's big Civil War tie-in issue.
6.5/10
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