nbonura3's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mjfmjfmjf's review
3.0
Not high art or anything. But readable set of stories. And Scott and Cassie are very likable. With good enough art and writing. Though having Scott not wear the helmet all the time would be preferable. And maybe a real plot in the future instead of something that feels kind of random. 3.5 of 5.
iffer's review
4.0
Hmpf. So, this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Hold the presses. I actually thought that this was funny, and pretty good.
I found the issues to read, not only because I wanted to know more about Ant-Man before Marvel's movie release, but also because I became curious about Scott Lang after reading Brian Michael Bendis's Alias Omnibus about Jessica Jones.
Nick Spencer leverages Ant-Man's (not even the "real" Ant-Man, Dr. Pym) B-list (C- or D-list hero status) to write self-deprecatingly humorous series that makes fun of comic book camp, especially back-from-the-dead occurrences, and anchors it by focusing on Scott Lang's struggles to be a better man, and especially father. This could be another instance of Marvel being surprisingly successful at capitalizing on one of its lesser-known, frequently-thought-of-as-campy properties (e.g. Guardians of the Galaxy). Plus, everyone likes an underdog/redemption story. The subtitle for the trade is even "Second Chance Man." :)
I like the cheesy jokes and pop culture references (which might actually be a detraction later on), as well as how Scott Lang assembles his team out of B-list recovering villains. I think that "older" comic readers (meaning not really that old, but 30s and older) would particularly enjoy this story arc, not only because they might be able to relate to a dude trying to reinvent himself/realizing that he didn't accomplish what he wanted to in his youth/dealing with his ex-wife, but because there are several jokes that revolve around competing with Millenials and wanting a job with health benefits.
While I didn't love the art, it's solid, and, so far, I like the way that Ant-Man is drawn when he shrinks and does things while he's ant-sized, to emphasize that his powers are actually kind of cool, not as lame as the name Ant-Man makes them sound. I think that Mark Brooks could do a better job depicting what the world looks like from the perspective of an ant-sized man, but I think that he gets better with each issue and will continue to get better.
I found the issues to read, not only because I wanted to know more about Ant-Man before Marvel's movie release, but also because I became curious about Scott Lang after reading Brian Michael Bendis's Alias Omnibus about Jessica Jones.
Nick Spencer leverages Ant-Man's (not even the "real" Ant-Man, Dr. Pym) B-list (C- or D-list hero status) to write self-deprecatingly humorous series that makes fun of comic book camp, especially back-from-the-dead occurrences, and anchors it by focusing on Scott Lang's struggles to be a better man, and especially father. This could be another instance of Marvel being surprisingly successful at capitalizing on one of its lesser-known, frequently-thought-of-as-campy properties (e.g. Guardians of the Galaxy). Plus, everyone likes an underdog/redemption story. The subtitle for the trade is even "Second Chance Man." :)
I like the cheesy jokes and pop culture references (which might actually be a detraction later on), as well as how Scott Lang assembles his team out of B-list recovering villains. I think that "older" comic readers (meaning not really that old, but 30s and older) would particularly enjoy this story arc, not only because they might be able to relate to a dude trying to reinvent himself/realizing that he didn't accomplish what he wanted to in his youth/dealing with his ex-wife, but because there are several jokes that revolve around competing with Millenials and wanting a job with health benefits.
While I didn't love the art, it's solid, and, so far, I like the way that Ant-Man is drawn when he shrinks and does things while he's ant-sized, to emphasize that his powers are actually kind of cool, not as lame as the name Ant-Man makes them sound. I think that Mark Brooks could do a better job depicting what the world looks like from the perspective of an ant-sized man, but I think that he gets better with each issue and will continue to get better.
ohnoflora's review
3.0
Read for the Excelsior Award.
I really wish stories like this didn't always involved kidnapped female family members....
This started off well. The first couple of issues have a similar dead-pan, every-man charm to Matt Fraction's Hawkeye and Nick Spencer's own Superior Foes of Spiderman. I just wish it could stick to the every day stuff (petty criminal Ant Man trying to hold down a job is funny!) rather than Scott having to learn some kind of ~lesson~ about not being a dead-beat or whatever.
Hey ho, these are superhero comics, and there are some plot beats that you just can't get rid of. I think this will be popular with the pupils nevertheless.
I really wish stories like this didn't always involved kidnapped female family members....
This started off well. The first couple of issues have a similar dead-pan, every-man charm to Matt Fraction's Hawkeye and Nick Spencer's own Superior Foes of Spiderman. I just wish it could stick to the every day stuff (petty criminal Ant Man trying to hold down a job is funny!) rather than Scott having to learn some kind of ~lesson~ about not being a dead-beat or whatever.
Hey ho, these are superhero comics, and there are some plot beats that you just can't get rid of. I think this will be popular with the pupils nevertheless.
hidinginstacks's review
4.0
Hilarious. Down-to-earth superhero story, as Ant-Man is a (somewhat) relatable guy just trying to do his best. The stories were entertaining & humorous throughout the volume. Great writing!
renatasnacks's review
4.0
oh my god, this was SO funny. I had several legit LOL moments. (Not surprising, given how funny Nick Spencer's [b:The Superior Foes of Spider-Man, Vol. 1: Getting the Band Back Together|18359975|The Superior Foes of Spider-Man, Vol. 1 Getting the Band Back Together|Nick Spencer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415141350s/18359975.jpg|25959456] was, but notable.) It really reminds me of [b:Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon|16002136|Hawkeye, Vol. 1 My Life as a Weapon|Matt Fraction|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360413248s/16002136.jpg|21502266]--same sort of low-key, down on his luck, lower-tier superhero, with a similar comedic sensibility.
I've never read any other Ant-Man comics with Scott Lang, but I did enjoy the movie overall so I picked this up. I think if you liked the humor of the movie, you'd like the book. If you're protesting the movie due to lack of lady characters, I feel you, and this book isn't much better. Actually it's worse. But Cassie is great in it, and Scott and Cassie have some completely delightful moments.
I just looked to see if this is ongoing, because it seems to wrap up pretty neatly? But I just googled and it is ongoing! I will keep reading and keep my fingers crossed that some more ladies get involved ASAP. (I'm stalking Nick Spencer's Tumblr and some people have asked if Darla will be involved in future books and he's being coy about it, attn Caroline.)
I've never read any other Ant-Man comics with Scott Lang, but I did enjoy the movie overall so I picked this up. I think if you liked the humor of the movie, you'd like the book. If you're protesting the movie due to lack of lady characters, I feel you, and this book isn't much better. Actually it's worse. But Cassie is great in it, and Scott and Cassie have some completely delightful moments.
I just looked to see if this is ongoing, because it seems to wrap up pretty neatly? But I just googled and it is ongoing! I will keep reading and keep my fingers crossed that some more ladies get involved ASAP. (I'm stalking Nick Spencer's Tumblr and some people have asked if Darla will be involved in future books and he's being coy about it, attn Caroline.)
britterization's review
2.0
Oh man, I think Paul Rudd has kind of ruined Ant-man for me. At least the Scott Lang version. Like, had Paul Rudd's version of Scott Lang been the star of this graphic novel, I would've loved the crap out of it. But this version of Scott Lang was just making corny dad jokes the whole time, and I just wanted to go watch the movies to erase all memories of comic book Scott Lang.
Also, (and yes, I realize that this is a totally different thing, but it did impact my enjoyment of this thing, so...)Scott Lang was a total dick to Jessica Jones in her comic. Paul Rudd would never be that dickish and mansplainy.
Or maybe they should just let Paul Rudd write the comic or something.
There were still some pretty entertaining bits. I liked the reformed villains Lang eventually hires, they were pretty funny. But overall, not my thing.
To sum up: Paul Rudd as Scott Lang > Scott Lang the character.
Also, (and yes, I realize that this is a totally different thing, but it did impact my enjoyment of this thing, so...)Scott Lang was a total dick to Jessica Jones in her comic. Paul Rudd would never be that dickish and mansplainy.
Or maybe they should just let Paul Rudd write the comic or something.
There were still some pretty entertaining bits. I liked the reformed villains Lang eventually hires, they were pretty funny. But overall, not my thing.
To sum up: Paul Rudd as Scott Lang > Scott Lang the character.
lukeisthename34's review
5.0
Hilarious. I have never cared about Ant-Man (not even interested in seeing the movie) because the guy I associated with the character commits DV. But Lang is wonderful. The two 'super villains' he has working for him are well written too.
tmaluck's review
4.0
Nick Spencer is one of the funniest writers in cape comics today, and you can absolutely jump into this story without prior knowledge of Ant-Man.