UNION JACK #4 - Review & Spoilers

[Expletive Deleted]

UNION JACK #4, Gage & Perkins, out today . . .

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First off, awesome cover.

Second, the fight between our low-powered heroes and the giant Dreadnought is excellent. Moments that could come off as a little corny (the bit with the crane and the bit with the flag) flow very naturally. There's good teamwork, good fight choreography, and it's all very competently drawn.

Third, there are some nice character moments. There's as much a resolution to the Sabra/Arabian Knight friction as could be expected (a "we're pals now" ending would've been pure cheese), and Jack's big scene at the end is aces.

Anyone else?

[Subotai]

Really big thumbs up. Union Jack started really strong, and ended stronger. The fight with the super-Dreadnaught was pretty damn solid - no deus ex machina ending; one of the books' many strengths is how Gage had UJ use his wits and athleticism - his two main attributes - to beat the enemy.

One of the other terrific things about this mini has been the dialogue. Not to sidetrack this thread, but many of the most successful writers out there have dialogue which is instantly recognizable because of its flip or smug qualities. The characters all sound alike, and have the same often inauthentic speech patterns or expressions. Gage is just a strong writer period, from the old school.

As ED noted, the parting of Sabra and AK was just about all it could have been.

And a solid Pogo ending, quite appropriate and believable for these times.

I don't know the sales for this, but talking to folks at the couple of comic shops in Toronto that I frequent, it has been really well-received. Very much looking forward to his next work - picking up Cap and Iron Man next.

[Haunt]

i loved it and want to see more of Christos Gage. it's too bad that this team of characters isn't sticking together.

[Cayman]

It was really good. Christos Gage is quickly becoming a favorite creator.

[mattbib]

i loved it and want to see more of Christos Gage. it's too bad that this team of characters isn't sticking together.
I agree completely.

The new Arabian Knight has been great. As has this mini overall; one of the best I've read this year.

[Jack]

Definitely one of the best. And that's saying a lot, given how many amazing minis Marvel has had.

[Lunal]

Loved the feel of this miniseries, it was very satisying. It reminded me of the feel of the old Alan Davis Captain Britain stuff, in a way. There was a sense of real danger throughout, and the bad guys were not 'canned'.

Alot of the other things I would say have been covered already in this thread. Kudos to Sage on a great series.

[Cthulhudrew]

Enjoyed it quite a bit- the only part I didn't like? I want more! :)

Really, that ending just screams for some followup.

I like the new Arabian Knight quite a bit (though I wish his rug/sash would still let him fly. Not sure why making it into a sash changed that power.)

Sabra was awesome, and she really deserves more time in the spotlight. I really liked how this was an international team fighting terrorism in the book. Not sure that that would be a good idea for an ongoing (well, actually, I think it would- I liked the heck out of the New Invaders. It just didn't seem to sell all that well, sadly.) I'd definitely like to see the AK and Sabra turn up at least periodically in a Union Jack ongoing sort of book, though.

[Haunt]

Enjoyed it quite a bit- the only part I didn't like? I want more! :)

Really, that ending just screams for some followup.

I like the new Arabian Knight quite a bit (though I wish his rug/sash would still let him fly. Not sure why making it into a sash changed that power.)

Sabra was awesome, and she really deserves more time in the spotlight. I really liked how this was an international team fighting terrorism in the book. Not sure that that would be a good idea for an ongoing (well, actually, I think it would- I liked the heck out of the New Invaders. It just didn't seem to sell all that well, sadly.) I'd definitely like to see the AK and Sabra turn up at least periodically in a Union Jack ongoing sort of book, though.

it would be cooler if he could fly/float. it would separate him from other blade users. it'd also be really cool if he could make himself invisible/vanish; if only momentary. i think the sash should be more versatile, basically.

[John Nowak]

It was a good series, although damaged by the now obligatory "White-Men-In-Suits-Are-Evil" ending. I'd like to see more of the characters, and the last Sabra / Arabian Knight scene was letter-perfect.

[Haunt]

It was a good series, although damaged by the now obligatory "White-Men-In-Suits-Are-Evil" ending. I'd like to see more of the characters, and the last Sabra / Arabian Knight scene was letter-perfect.

uhh, i'm pretty sure that he just happened to be white. it was more of a "Politicians-Are-Opportunistic" angle being played.

[StoneGold]

It was a good series, although damaged by the now obligatory "White-Men-In-Suits-Are-Evil" ending.

Name three who aren't.

[Christopher O]

This was a great mini. The characters were nicely developed. The cast dynamics were interesting, and the art was pretty good too.

[The Shadow]

I loved it.

It was one of my favorite mini's this year. UJ is a great and under-utilized character and I hope to see Gage and Perkins tackle Joey again!!

Christos (I know you pop by now and again)... were you asked to do the UJ mini or did you pitch it?

[Haunt]

Name three who aren't.

Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo, and... damn!

[StoneGold]

Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo, and... damn!

Except they didn't wear suits. Fred wore a sweater, and the Captain wore... well, whatever the hell this is.

http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/captain-kangaroo-1.jpg

[Jack]

it would be cooler if he could fly/float. it would separate him from other blade users. it'd also be really cool if he could make himself invisible/vanish; if only momentary. i think the sash should be more versatile, basically.
It wouldn't take much to have him learn to use those powers in the future. I can see flight being very tricky to learn.

[John Nowak]

Name three who aren't.

In comics? There aren't.

[John Nowak]

uhh, i'm pretty sure that he just happened to be white. it was more of a "Politicians-Are-Opportunistic" angle being played.

Sure, and I'm bored with it. I'd rather see something original and daring, like a non-powered politician who actually tries to work for the common weal. Of course, that's not likely.

[astronato]

I liked the first three and a half issues of this a lot. The last half issue, not so much. I think the swerve that it was a member of the British goverment who looked the other way was tacky.

Other than that I liked Union Jack and want to see more of him in 2007. Sabra as well.

[Ullar]

how is micromaxx in excalibur? this is set post the cap arc w/ UJ but post that cap arc excalibur doesnt have micromaxx in it and they dont work for MI5 only wisdom????? love the mini great issh expet that error

[Sean Walsh]

how is micromaxx in excalibur? this is set post the cap arc w/ UJ but post that cap arc excalibur doesnt have micromaxx in it and they dont work for MI5 only wisdom????? love the mini great issh expet that error

I assumed it was "Micromax and also Excalibur." Meaning he was a solo hero who was sent off along with a team of other heroes.

[Ullar]

oh yeah that makes more sense thnxs.