New Avengers #9 - Review and SPOILERS

[Jake V]

This is a funny release. Through some sort of delay-fueled distribution SNAFU, the latest issue of New Avengers has shipped on the same day as EVERY SINGLE OTHER MAJOR MARVEL RELEASE. People are wondering about what will go down in Young Avengers or how Whedon will wrap up his first wave on Astonishing. Meanwhile, this book gets pushed to the background. Maybe for good reason, because this isn't the best issue of New Avengers ever published.

First, this should have been the last part of the Sentry arc. For some reason, the arc got extended to 4 issues. This tends to happen to Bendis, and I've noticed that the ends of his arcs suffer when they get extended. This issue, although filling 22 pages, feels like only half a comic. There's a real solid idea here, but it's missing something, and thus, the issue doesn't feel complete. It's also fairly confusing, but I'll get to that.

So, we start with a flashback. Really, the continuation of the meeting between Iron Man and the consortium of superhuman interests (like that? I made it up myself). Calling back to a plot point from #1, Reed Richards simply doesn't remember sending Matt Murdock to defend the Sentry while he was in the Raft. As Xavier points out, it looks as though his mind has been tampered with.

Back in the present, the freakin' VOID hits ground. The superheros react like superheros and fight it, but there isn't a whole lot you can do against infinite darkness personified, so they basically get their asses kicked. I'm not gonna recap the issue page for page, but the gist of it is this: The fight runs throughout the entire issue, but the fight isn't important. Simply put, you can't defeat the Void. Just like you can't win a war against terror, you can't beat the void because he is more of a concept than a physical threat. Yes, he IS a physical presense, and as you'll see by the issue, his form changes each time you see him, but at the same time he is simply formless dark. He's evil personified, and you can't just punch him until he drops. Because of this, while it might make for a pretty visual, the fight against him is completely meaningless, because they won't be able to beat him. The real story here is Emma Frost trying to figure out who the Sentry is.

Yes, this is the second time this month we've seen a Bendis-written Emma Frost take a tour of a mysterious character's inner-psyche. I don't know if there's some hidden theme here, or Marvel's scheduling just got wacky, but it IS odd. Before the Emma tour, though, Reed Richards shows Bob Reynolds a message from the Sentry that he recently discovered in his computer. Yes, this message is VERY confusing. I read it a few times before I got it. Read it out loud, it helps. The deal is this: Whatever happened at the end of the original Sentry miniseries, whatever tactic they used to make him and everyone else forget the Sentry is starting to fail for the Sentry himself. He's remembering and then forgetting. At least when he remembers, he has the good sense not to do anything for fear that the Void may return. His message to Reed is a plea for Reed to help him, because he doesn't know how long he can keep the Void from coming back.

This convinces Reynolds to allow Emma to go into his mind and figure out what's going on. So bang, we're in the mind of the Sentry. We see a giant architects office from the Matrix-esque videoscreen of all his memories of being the Sentry. (And hats off to McNiven and whoever else who put this together, because it's really a stunning piece of art, with lots of original pieces from McNiven) Emma figures that she's unlocked these massive ammounts of repressed memories, but she still doesn't know why or how everyone else would have these repressed memories of the Sentry on such a massive scale. Emma decides to start at the begining, to see the origin of the Sentry. This is pretty ingenious because it works as a story element, and also gives the origin of the Sentry to new readers who haven't read the miniseries. The origin is presented as Kirby-esque panels of an old comic book. Emma naturally wonders why things look like this. Then we see the familliar actual photo of the Sentry that Spider-Man took in the mini, then the memory of Cap and Iron Man showing him the Sentry comics. While looking for the meaning of all this, Emma discovers an even more repressed memory...

And it's from Sentry's perspective, laying down in what seems to be some sort of industrial labrotory. Standing over him is freakin' Jason Wyngarde, the Mastermind. Seems Mastermind has turned a switch in Sentry's mind and can't access his powers or remember who he was. There is someone else in the room, covered by shadow, wearing a military looking hat. Mastermind has made it so not only the sentry forgets the sentry, but everyone else forgets the sentry by creating a massive fear of using his powers. Mastermind possibly created the illusion that the world would be attacked by the devil (the void?) if the sentry uses his powers. The military guy is very pleased, and considers this the absolute defeat of the Sentry.

But then something happens, Reynolds freaks out and tries to get out of the psychic connection between him and Emma. He screams that she had no right. Then she hears a banging sound, and out in the real world, the Void in a monsterous form, towering over a field of utterly defeated heros, starts banging on the protective shield formed around Emma and Bob, screaming that they had no right.


So, this is an odd issue. Actually, after writing all this and wrapping my head around what happened, I find myself liking the issue a lot more. I know that Jenkins left the end of the Sentry mini intentionally ambiguous, so maybe this is just Bendis filling in the blanks. I like where this is headed though. This is a really engaging mystery, and the appearance of Mastermind was a very cool moment that I hope gets expanded upon later. My one fear is this: We see Doctor Strange in the big group on the last page. Doctor Strange was instrumental in the world forgetting the Sentry. I really hope that this arc doesn't end with Doctor Strange fixing the problem.

All in all though, this is an 8 out of 10. Without a doubt, this Sentry arc is WAY better than the previous arc, and the art is absolutely beautiful.

[thik_3rd]

Yes, this is the second time this month we've seen a Bendis-written Emma Frost take a tour of a mysterious character's inner-psyche.
what was the first?

and whew, that summary took longer for me to read than it will probably take me to read the issue.

[Jake V]

what was the first?

and whew, that summary took longer for me to read than it will probably take me to read the issue.
Emma inside Layla Miller's mind in HoM#5.

I dunno if the issue will read that quickly, there's a LOT of text, and it's all sorta confusing. The summary was both a literal summary and me working out what everything meant all at the same time.

[Michael P]

I liked the Mastermind twist; it's simple but elegant. And we do have a new mystery (probably to be explored in Paul's mini) of just who did this to the Sentry in the first place.

Did not care for the visual on the Void. He looks like a Lovecraftian rancor.

To clarify: Mastermind only made Sentry forget who he was. Somehow, Sentry is making everyone else forget who he was as well, which suggests his powers have some kind of psionic component to them.

Spidey gets a good line.

[Jagernaut]

Now, what I can't wait for, is how this is tied into the end of the Sentry mini where the whole world forgets who Sentry is. And I, for one, believe that shadowy man in the hat is none other then...UNCLE BEN!!!

Edit: Ah, this all makes sense now.
Whatever happened at the end of the original Sentry miniseries, whatever tactic they used to make him and everyone else forget the Sentry is starting to fail for the Sentry himself. He's remembering and then forgetting. At least when he remembers, he has the good sense not to do anything for fear that the Void may return.

Very interesting. I think I was just thinking too much into the art, but the televisions that were complete static in Bob's mind seemed very suspicious...

[tjarvis]

Perhaps because he's the only military guy I can think of, but the shadowy figure in Sentry's mind reminded me of Thunderbolt Ross.

[Atom_basher]

I thought the issue was rathy talky and not that good

[Chris Thomas]

brings a new interpretation to the sentry mini. i.e. the 'void' is not truly a manifestation of the sentry that is inherent to him being the sentry, but an elaborate ruse but mastermind, et. al. (perhaps the general from the sentry mini?) to trick the sentry into 'going into hiding.'

whatever it is, it sure is interesting. this makes me recall the 'wanted' series by millar--villians making the world forget a hero..

[Nightcrawler]

Decent issue, definately not the best issue this week, or in New Avengers. WAY too much talk for my taste. I was waiting all month for some Sentry kicking ass, and was pretty let down with this issue.

It was still alright, though, don't get me wrong. Interesting things, with
Mastermind, and crazy-Void. Although I almost fell asleep during Rob's speech to himself, I still enjoyed the issue.

[ultramandingo]

millar allready did the "make you forget your a superhero" thing (better ) in "wanted ".turning batman into adam west frikin ingenious!!!

[MegaRaptor Scribe]

millar allready did the "make you forget your a superhero" thing (better ) in "wanted ".turning batman into adam west frikin ingenious!!!

... comics are full of ideas that have already been used. It's not the plot, it's the journey.

Somehow I doubt that Bob will do the same things as the characters in "Wanted."

[Chris Thomas]

but just to stir things up: in millar's wanted, the villians used a large tower in the middle of the city that was 'hidden' from all to help make everyone forget about the heros...

and in the sentry mini (that predates wanted), the sentry,himself, does the same thing....


hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[ultramandingo]

... comics are full of ideas that have already been used. It's not the plot, it's the journey.

Somehow I doubt that Bob will do the same things as the characters in "Wanted." what ..kill the void with bleach?

[MegaRaptor Scribe]

but just to stir things up: in millar's wanted, the villians used a large tower in the middle of the city that was 'hidden' from all to help make everyone forget about the heros...

and in the sentry mini (that predates wanted), the sentry,himself, does the same thing....


hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

well, then there you go.

[Chi Bamm]

Anyways, back to the Avengers.....

Yeah I liked this issue too, did McNiven start working with the Sentry arc???
The two page art with Emma and all of Bob's memories was really cool, lotta good artwork, and the story was solid. It wasn't mindless filler, you actually had to read and grasp the concept

[Cayman]

This issue was very freaky. Bendis keeps throwing new mysteries at us. One might argue that there was more Emma than New Avengers in this issue, but that was ok.

Cay

[Michael P]

millar allready did the "make you forget your a superhero" thing
Red Kryptonite, dude. That was the plot in every third Superboy comic.

[Jake V]

millar allready did the "make you forget your a superhero" thing
Please. the "make you forget you're a superhero" thing was central to the plot of the Sentry miniseries. It's one of the main conceits of the Sentry, period.

[ultramandingo]

Please. the "make you forget you're a superhero" thing was central to the plot of the Sentry miniseries. It's one of the main conceits of the Sentry, period.

"Please" alan moore did it wayyyyy better in marvel man

[lonewolf23k]

millar allready did the "make you forget your a superhero" thing (better ) in "wanted ".turning batman into adam west frikin ingenious!!!

Technically speaking, in Wanted, weren't all the heroes dead, and the villains just made everyone else forget they exist?

[Smoovy B]

Damn, I am too late to jump on the bandwagon saying The Sentry does this to himself allllll the time. He loves to forget who he is.

[thik_3rd]

Technically speaking, in Wanted, weren't all the heroes dead, and the villains just made everyone else forget they exist?
technically speaking, wasn't wanted so bad that it made me forget it existed?

[Chris Thomas]

technically speaking, wasn't wanted so bad that it made me forget it existed?


agreed.

but technically speaking, many of the heros were still alive--one of the jokes the villians played on the heros--kept them around, erased their memories and made them live pathetic, completely unheroic lives.

and, btw, this has everything to do with the new avengers. same concept. evil doer does the worst thing possible to the ultimate hero--makes the hero himself make 'himself' and everyone else forget him and then live a life of mediocrity.

I still think the villian is the general from the sentry , btw, which would be ironic since apparently everyone forgot the general also. hmmm again.

[Will.S]

Wow, this issue made me bust out the good ol' Sentry trade paperback.

This was a damn good issue but purely dealing with just the Sentry. I do find it odd how Bendis is using New Avengers as character arcs for Spider-Woman and the Sentry but I guess it had to be dealt with here before anywhere else, especially since he'll be with the team soon.

The Jason Wyngarde involvement is a very nice way of continuing with the psychological mind games. I think this is a very good way to take the Void out of the picture so that he doesn't show up every so often since Sentry will have to be an asset for the team for most of the time without worrying about a whole Wanda type deal going down.

As for the military guy on the right Chris Thomas beat me to it but if you notice in the mini of Sentry/X-Men they fight against the villain called The Crazed General. He seems to fit he profile just basing it on the headwear and the shadow of the beard. He also has a bionic eye when you take a look at his appearance in that book. Since he's another one of the Sentry's villains this is a great way to make a goofy type of villain more dangerous by use of liasons and smart thinking.

Emma being there again to do her usual stuff did bug me a bit since she seems to be getting around most of the psychic circles but as Jake V told me, she's really the only big cheese psychic out of most of the teams aside from Rachel over in Uncanny doing her own thing and Xavier in Astonishing.

I love that the stakes are high when dealing with the Void so all the heroes are in real danger. I also love that Spider-Man is still the best of the bunch making light of the situation when they're facing death in the freaking face. McNiven rocks, end of story. I wish he stuck around the title well....forever but I hope whoever is getting the reigns of the art is as good.

Very interesting and really good issue even if it was mostly dialogue but it was well executed and smartly written. Paul Jenkins would be proud of it that's for sure.

[We R. Venom]

I was actually mad when Ifinsihed, but only because i thought it was 3 issues. Now i think its better to have more issues cuz i didnt think BMB could do the the sentry in just 3, so its all good.

[overcomebyfumes]

Does anyone know if they're stopping the varient covers after this arc, or if they'll be varients for EVERY issue of this series.

I have a weird compulsion that when I collect something, I HAVE to have a complete set, and the varients are killing me. I hope they stop soon. Frickin' fifteen dollars for a new comic... bastards.
.

[thik_3rd]

Does anyone know if they're stopping the varient covers after this arc, or if they'll be varients for EVERY issue of this series.

I have a weird compulsion that when I collect something, I HAVE to have a complete set, and the varients are killing me. I hope they stop soon. Frickin' fifteen dollars for a new comic... bastards.
.
you just need to wait for the prices to drop. already on ebay, you can get the variants for issues 5+ for a buck +s/h.

[Smoovy B]

Wow, I get my variants at normal stand prices. I guess my shop likes me.

[Volk1]

Reed: I'm not trying to be cagey here. I really have no idea what you're talking about.

Stark: I'm very confused....

Ahh yes..even when Reed doesn't know his $#^!, he still manages to confuse people....

McNiven's art = $$$$

cageyness rules!

[Red State Cap]

I have mixed feelings on this issue.
Issue #9 was pretty well-written and does a lot to explain what's going on. I have no problem with a "talky" issue, so long as it moves the plot forward.
The "battle" is relatively unimportant, as it's clear that the real battle is going on inside the Sentry's mind. With only a few heroes still standing on the last page, it is obvious that they aren't going to win a stand-up fight.
What I have a problem with is that the Avengers are effectively guest-stars in their own book. Emma Frost is the focus of this issue and is likely to be the focus of #10 as well. Of course you can argue that it couldn't be otherwise given that the Avengers really have no psychics, but then that's also a result of how the story was written.
My opinion is that the the net outcome of the Sentry arc is that the "Void" will be dispelled as a figment of the Sentry's imagination, and that the Sentry will be de-powered to roughly somewhere a bit below Thor-level.

RSC

[long pig]

So, no one knows Sentry's power yet?

This turtle paced crap is making my head hurt.

[Jake V]

Cap, Iron Man and the rest of the team do. The rest of the Marvel Universe? Not so much. This is all explained pretty simply in the previous issues and the Sentry mini.

[Jake V]

aaaahahahahahaha. I was literally about to go to sleep and I had a moment of clarity.

I figured out what the Void is.

We've been going on the assumption that the Void is simply the Sentry's dark side. So has the Sentry for the most part.

He isn't.

The Void is a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in the Sentry's mind by Mastermind and the Crazed General. (The Crazed General is one of Sentry's lesser enemies. See the Sentry/X-men one shot for further details) Mastermind says it himself. He's created a fear in the Sentry that if he uses his powers "the Devil" will appear to destroy the world. Now, the Void IS a physical presense that is tied to and fueled by the Sentry's powers, but he doesn't HAVE to exist like we thought he did.

My feeling is this: Mastermind and the Crazed General created the Void in Sentry's mind somewhere in the very early silver age. The Crazed General dies in the Sentry/X-Men one-shot, (which should chronologically take place before all the other one-shots because the X-Men are all wearing their Kirby-desgined costumes) so the implantation must have taken place before then, so this could possilbly be before FF#1 in Marvel time.

So now, the Void exists only because the Sentry believes he exists. The void changes forms over the years. First, in more innocent times, the void appears as a simple bank-robber, but as the world gets darker and the Sentry becomes more addicted to his serum, the Void gets more powerful as Sentry's fear grows. Now, Sentry is more afraid than ever and his mind is more fractured than ever, which is why the Void appears increasingly monsterous in various forms over the course of the issue. It's all because Sentry gets more and more scared.

The memory of this fear implantation is extremely repressed and hidden in Sentry's mind because Mastermind made it that way. It takes Emma Frost, a former associate of Mastermind to recognize this repression and break it. This is why Emma appears and not Professor X, who was seen earlier in the issue.

So really, the Void doesn't have to exist. He's a figment of the Sentry's imagination given life by his power of a million exploding suns. This is also a way to allow the Sentry to continue to exist without the constant threat of the void looming over him. Hell, his brief appearance in HoM #2 clues into this, with the Void being a manifestation of fear.

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.

[Will.S]

aaaahahahahahaha. I was literally about to go to sleep and I had a moment of clarity.

I figured out what the Void is.

We've been going on the assumption that the Void is simply the Sentry's dark side. So has the Sentry for the most part.

He isn't.

The Void is a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in the Sentry's mind by Mastermind and the Crazed General. (The Crazed General is one of Sentry's lesser enemies. See the Sentry/X-men one shot for further details) Mastermind says it himself. He's created a fear in the Sentry that if he uses his powers "the Devil" will appear to destroy the world. Now, the Void IS a physical presense that is tied to and fueled by the Sentry's powers, but he doesn't HAVE to exist like we thought he did.

My feeling is this: Mastermind and the Crazed General created the Void in Sentry's mind somewhere in the very early silver age. The Crazed General dies in the Sentry/X-Men one-shot, (which should chronologically take place before all the other one-shots because the X-Men are all wearing their Kirby-desgined costumes) so the implantation must have taken place before then, so this could possilbly be before FF#1 in Marvel time.

So now, the Void exists only because the Sentry believes he exists. The void changes forms over the years. First, in more innocent times, the void appears as a simple bank-robber, but as the world gets darker and the Sentry becomes more addicted to his serum, the Void gets more powerful as Sentry's fear grows. Now, Sentry is more afraid than ever and his mind is more fractured than ever, which is why the Void appears increasingly monsterous in various forms over the course of the issue. It's all because Sentry gets more and more scared.

The memory of this fear implantation is extremely repressed and hidden in Sentry's mind because Mastermind made it that way. It takes Emma Frost, a former associate of Mastermind to recognize this repression and break it. This is why Emma appears and not Professor X, who was seen earlier in the issue.

So really, the Void doesn't have to exist. He's a figment of the Sentry's imagination given life by his power of a million exploding suns. This is also a way to allow the Sentry to continue to exist without the constant threat of the void looming over him. Hell, his brief appearance in HoM #2 clues into this, with the Void being a manifestation of fear.

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.
Pretty much my thoughts, I think you nailed it my friend.

[CyberCoyote]

I thought the issue was rathy talky and not that good

LOL! It is a Bendis book :) As much as Im not a fan of these kind of stories I have to admit that I really enjoy Bendis' dialogue more than his action. I wish the guy would write just novelizations. I'd enjoy his stories in straight book form. He wrote my favorite to date Ultimate FF tale in USpidey when the Torch went to Pete's Highschool. Very little action again, but great character developement.

Oh, I like that version of the Void presented above, just hope that in order to shut down those thoughts we have to limit him power wise. No Void and all that power makes for dull Superman stories. Now if his powers extend to Psi too? Yuck.

[BizarroBeachHead]

aaaahahahahahaha. I was literally about to go to sleep and I had a moment of clarity.

I figured out what the Void is.

We've been going on the assumption that the Void is simply the Sentry's dark side. So has the Sentry for the most part.

He isn't.

The Void is a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in the Sentry's mind by Mastermind and the Crazed General. (The Crazed General is one of Sentry's lesser enemies. See the Sentry/X-men one shot for further details) Mastermind says it himself. He's created a fear in the Sentry that if he uses his powers "the Devil" will appear to destroy the world. Now, the Void IS a physical presense that is tied to and fueled by the Sentry's powers, but he doesn't HAVE to exist like we thought he did.

My feeling is this: Mastermind and the Crazed General created the Void in Sentry's mind somewhere in the very early silver age. The Crazed General dies in the Sentry/X-Men one-shot, (which should chronologically take place before all the other one-shots because the X-Men are all wearing their Kirby-desgined costumes) so the implantation must have taken place before then, so this could possilbly be before FF#1 in Marvel time.

So now, the Void exists only because the Sentry believes he exists. The void changes forms over the years. First, in more innocent times, the void appears as a simple bank-robber, but as the world gets darker and the Sentry becomes more addicted to his serum, the Void gets more powerful as Sentry's fear grows. Now, Sentry is more afraid than ever and his mind is more fractured than ever, which is why the Void appears increasingly monsterous in various forms over the course of the issue. It's all because Sentry gets more and more scared.

The memory of this fear implantation is extremely repressed and hidden in Sentry's mind because Mastermind made it that way. It takes Emma Frost, a former associate of Mastermind to recognize this repression and break it. This is why Emma appears and not Professor X, who was seen earlier in the issue.

So really, the Void doesn't have to exist. He's a figment of the Sentry's imagination given life by his power of a million exploding suns. This is also a way to allow the Sentry to continue to exist without the constant threat of the void looming over him. Hell, his brief appearance in HoM #2 clues into this, with the Void being a manifestation of fear.

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.
Not to sound arrogant or anything, but this was the conclusion I came to after first reading it last night. However, you worded it MUCH better than I ever could have.

I never believed for a second that Sentry was going to be depowered like so many others seem to think. He wouldn't be the character Jenkins wanted to create/writer if he was. Likewise, form what everything Jenkins says about the Sentry mini, he's going to be at least Superman level.

I'm lovin Bendis' addition to the Sentry. He's definatly living up to the standard Jenkins originaly set if you ask me.

[Chris Thomas]

agree with above. well summarized.

questions/comments I have:

1. is the crazed general really dead or just lurking about? will he be a villian the avengers face now?

2. sentry's powers--I don't think they will be taken down a notch--he will be quite a powerful dude.

3. will sentry take out some frustration on mastermind? where is mastermind anyway (I am not an x-fanatic..)

4. will the sentry's side-kick come back?

5. will sentry get his own book?

6. will the avenger's use the sentry's tower for a base now?

[Expletive Deleted]

3. will sentry take out some frustration on mastermind? where is mastermind anyway (I am not an x-fanatic..)Dead, I think.

Not that that has ever stopped X-Men villains before, mind you.
5. will sentry get his own book?Yeah, by Paul Jenkins and John Romita Jr. It starts in a month or two.

[DJ Rustbucket]

Yeah, by Paul Jenkins and John Romita Jr. It starts in a month or two.
Just wanted to add, it's an eight-issue mini-series and, according to Marvel.com, will ship on 9-21-05.

Sentry rules!


That is all.

[protege]

aaaahahahahahaha. I was literally about to go to sleep and I had a moment of clarity.

I figured out what the Void is.

We've been going on the assumption that the Void is simply the Sentry's dark side. So has the Sentry for the most part.

He isn't.

The Void is a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in the Sentry's mind by Mastermind and the Crazed General. (The Crazed General is one of Sentry's lesser enemies. See the Sentry/X-men one shot for further details) Mastermind says it himself. He's created a fear in the Sentry that if he uses his powers "the Devil" will appear to destroy the world. Now, the Void IS a physical presense that is tied to and fueled by the Sentry's powers, but he doesn't HAVE to exist like we thought he did.

My feeling is this: Mastermind and the Crazed General created the Void in Sentry's mind somewhere in the very early silver age. The Crazed General dies in the Sentry/X-Men one-shot, (which should chronologically take place before all the other one-shots because the X-Men are all wearing their Kirby-desgined costumes) so the implantation must have taken place before then, so this could possilbly be before FF#1 in Marvel time.

So now, the Void exists only because the Sentry believes he exists. The void changes forms over the years. First, in more innocent times, the void appears as a simple bank-robber, but as the world gets darker and the Sentry becomes more addicted to his serum, the Void gets more powerful as Sentry's fear grows. Now, Sentry is more afraid than ever and his mind is more fractured than ever, which is why the Void appears increasingly monsterous in various forms over the course of the issue. It's all because Sentry gets more and more scared.

The memory of this fear implantation is extremely repressed and hidden in Sentry's mind because Mastermind made it that way. It takes Emma Frost, a former associate of Mastermind to recognize this repression and break it. This is why Emma appears and not Professor X, who was seen earlier in the issue.

So really, the Void doesn't have to exist. He's a figment of the Sentry's imagination given life by his power of a million exploding suns. This is also a way to allow the Sentry to continue to exist without the constant threat of the void looming over him. Hell, his brief appearance in HoM #2 clues into this, with the Void being a manifestation of fear.

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.
Y'know- I'm kinda disappointed; the way the Sentry was carrying on about "Who was that guy?", I thought that next issue, we'd find out that his father, or one of his closest friends betrayed him, or something.

[CaptMagellan]

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.

Yup. That's what I thought too.

[BlackKnight]

aaaahahahahahaha. I was literally about to go to sleep and I had a moment of clarity.

I figured out what the Void is.

We've been going on the assumption that the Void is simply the Sentry's dark side. So has the Sentry for the most part.

He isn't.

The Void is a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in the Sentry's mind by Mastermind and the Crazed General. (The Crazed General is one of Sentry's lesser enemies. See the Sentry/X-men one shot for further details) Mastermind says it himself. He's created a fear in the Sentry that if he uses his powers "the Devil" will appear to destroy the world. Now, the Void IS a physical presense that is tied to and fueled by the Sentry's powers, but he doesn't HAVE to exist like we thought he did.

My feeling is this: Mastermind and the Crazed General created the Void in Sentry's mind somewhere in the very early silver age. The Crazed General dies in the Sentry/X-Men one-shot, (which should chronologically take place before all the other one-shots because the X-Men are all wearing their Kirby-desgined costumes) so the implantation must have taken place before then, so this could possilbly be before FF#1 in Marvel time.

So now, the Void exists only because the Sentry believes he exists. The void changes forms over the years. First, in more innocent times, the void appears as a simple bank-robber, but as the world gets darker and the Sentry becomes more addicted to his serum, the Void gets more powerful as Sentry's fear grows. Now, Sentry is more afraid than ever and his mind is more fractured than ever, which is why the Void appears increasingly monsterous in various forms over the course of the issue. It's all because Sentry gets more and more scared.

The memory of this fear implantation is extremely repressed and hidden in Sentry's mind because Mastermind made it that way. It takes Emma Frost, a former associate of Mastermind to recognize this repression and break it. This is why Emma appears and not Professor X, who was seen earlier in the issue.

So really, the Void doesn't have to exist. He's a figment of the Sentry's imagination given life by his power of a million exploding suns. This is also a way to allow the Sentry to continue to exist without the constant threat of the void looming over him. Hell, his brief appearance in HoM #2 clues into this, with the Void being a manifestation of fear.

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.

Jake,
I agree this is a good assessment of what I think is going on with Sentry and the Void as well.
Amazing we agree on something Avengers related. :)

[The Shadow]

millar allready did the "make you forget your a superhero" thing (better ) in "wanted ".
As others have pointed out, Jenkins did it BEFORE Millar in the original Sentry mini from 2001... that includes the tower in the city schtick.

[The Shadow]

I liked the issue.

McNiven's art rocked, he draws hot chicks, Emma is my favorite female character and McNiven was drawing her. Woked out well for me!

[Sandy Hausler]

All in all though, this is an 8 out of 10. Without a doubt, this Sentry arc is WAY better than the previous arc, and the art is absolutely beautiful.

Boy, are you an easy grader. As far as I'm concerned, this took the worst from the Sentry limited series of a few years ago. A few more issues like this and Avengers goes to my DROP list.

Sandy Hausler

[Jake V]

Boy, are you an easy grader. As far as I'm concerned, this took the worst from the Sentry limited series of a few years ago. A few more issues like this and Avengers goes to my DROP list.

Sandy Hausler
I'll only review books I like. I'm not gonna waste my time writing rewiews/recaps of books I didn't enjoy.

[Tobias March]

I didn't think the General had died in the X-Men one-shot, I thought he was shown to commit suicide when confronted by the Void in Helsinki (or it's suggested that happened).

Which I really like because the dialogue ties into that very well. The General wanted to accomplish this regardless of the consequences because he felt it was the achievement of his life. However, he wouldn't remember it...then in the Sentry trade the Void confronts him, now sweeping across the world destroying everyone in its path and reveals the truth to him? Causes his death anyway. Plus the General was played as a bit of a joke. In true Identity Crisis form, perhaps he was actually a greater threat before the 'mindwipe' :rolleyes:

I mean he subdued the Sentry long enough for Mastermind to reprogram him! That takes something.

Assuming of course that it isn't someone like General Ross or something (another parallel with the Hulk that).

[Taskmaster]

aaaahahahahahaha. I was literally about to go to sleep and I had a moment of clarity.

I figured out what the Void is.

We've been going on the assumption that the Void is simply the Sentry's dark side. So has the Sentry for the most part.

He isn't.

The Void is a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in the Sentry's mind by Mastermind and the Crazed General. (The Crazed General is one of Sentry's lesser enemies. See the Sentry/X-men one shot for further details) Mastermind says it himself. He's created a fear in the Sentry that if he uses his powers "the Devil" will appear to destroy the world. Now, the Void IS a physical presense that is tied to and fueled by the Sentry's powers, but he doesn't HAVE to exist like we thought he did.

My feeling is this: Mastermind and the Crazed General created the Void in Sentry's mind somewhere in the very early silver age. The Crazed General dies in the Sentry/X-Men one-shot, (which should chronologically take place before all the other one-shots because the X-Men are all wearing their Kirby-desgined costumes) so the implantation must have taken place before then, so this could possilbly be before FF#1 in Marvel time.

So now, the Void exists only because the Sentry believes he exists. The void changes forms over the years. First, in more innocent times, the void appears as a simple bank-robber, but as the world gets darker and the Sentry becomes more addicted to his serum, the Void gets more powerful as Sentry's fear grows. Now, Sentry is more afraid than ever and his mind is more fractured than ever, which is why the Void appears increasingly monsterous in various forms over the course of the issue. It's all because Sentry gets more and more scared.

The memory of this fear implantation is extremely repressed and hidden in Sentry's mind because Mastermind made it that way. It takes Emma Frost, a former associate of Mastermind to recognize this repression and break it. This is why Emma appears and not Professor X, who was seen earlier in the issue.

So really, the Void doesn't have to exist. He's a figment of the Sentry's imagination given life by his power of a million exploding suns. This is also a way to allow the Sentry to continue to exist without the constant threat of the void looming over him. Hell, his brief appearance in HoM #2 clues into this, with the Void being a manifestation of fear.

Please, tell me if you agree or disagree.


Pretty much exactly what I thought while reading the issue. I hope we're right :)

[jadegiant77]

Damn, you all said 'xactly what I was gonna say! ;) To wit: the military guy is the General(if you look at those tiny "Matrix" screens in Bob's head, you can make out a pic of him preparing to punch the Senty in the mush and the cover of the the ficticious Startling Stories where Sentry and the X-men fought the General. I thought the story and the art were pretty awesome. The only thing I didn't like was those final two forms the Void assumed: they were disgusting! You lot are probably right about the Void as well, being a construct implanted by Mastermind.

[MrBiggs7]

I like the Sentry. I just wish they created him in the 50s.

The next story-arc of New Avengers will basically be reconning all of Marvel History so that the Sentry always existed, right?

[The Shadow]

The next story-arc of New Avengers will basically be reconning all of Marvel History so that the Sentry always existed, right?
No they did that with the Sentry mini series

[Chris Thomas]

I agree with the comments about the void's manifestations. in the mini, the void was basically a humanoid shadow (and later, an 'antisentry')


also, I am starting to feel that this whole arc and some of 'wanted' are just private jokes between bendis, millar and jenkins.

[jadegiant77]

Did anyone else notice that there were real photos of ppl mixed in with Sentry's memories? One was a lady with a cat on her lap, another had two gents mugging for the camera. Who are these guys?

[lonewolf23k]

Slight comment: Sentry's memories weren't arranged in a series of small tv screens..

...they were set up as comic book panels.

[Jake V]

Slight comment: Sentry's memories weren't arranged in a series of small tv screens..

...they were set up as comic book panels.
Y'know, I'd be totally on board with that idea if a lot of the panels weren't television static.

Comic book panels would certainly be cooler than TV screens.

[SolidusSnakeX]

i dont want to sound like a ditz while talking about this so ill say it first, I never heard of the sentry up until i heard New Avengers came out. I saw the trade paperback in Universe comics and considered buying it until i saw it costs about 25 dollars. i dont think its worth it, can someone explain to me something...

i heard the sentry was had multiple personality disorder and that he himself was the void, is this true? also what is the upcoming 8 issue mini series going to focus on?

[Kevinroc]

i dont want to sound like a ditz while talking about this so ill say it first, I never heard of the sentry up until i heard New Avengers came out. I saw the trade paperback in Universe comics and considered buying it until i saw it costs about 25 dollars. i dont think its worth it, can someone explain to me something...

i heard the sentry was had multiple personality disorder and that he himself was the void, is this true? also what is the upcoming 8 issue mini series going to focus on?

First up, get the Sentry tpb. It's that much because it reprints a lot of material. The mini, plus all the tie-ins and the concluding issue.

Yes, The Sentry is The Void.

The 8 issue mini coming out will be about all sorts of things. Each issue will basically be a stand alone story with something larger tying it all together. We just don't know what that is yet.

[lonewolf23k]

Y'know, I'd be totally on board with that idea if a lot of the panels weren't television static.

Comic book panels would certainly be cooler than TV screens.


Well, they looked like comic book panels to me. So what if a few of them show static?

[The Shadow]

First up, get the Sentry tpb. It's that much because it reprints a lot of material. The mini, plus all the tie-ins and the concluding issue.

Yes, The Sentry is The Void.
Yeah the Sentry mini is a great read!

[Will.S]

1. is the crazed general really dead or just lurking about? will he be a villian the avengers face now?
I personally think he's dead but he was trying to say something to Angel before he died.


4. will the sentry's side-kick come back?
I'd like to see him come back one day with a cool costume, he was a cool dude although he's pretty messed up. Kind of like Sentry's Bucky in a way.


6. will the avenger's use the sentry's tower for a base now?
Hm, don't think so. It looks too creepy anyway but then again it's possible that the Stark Tower has been built over the Sentry Watchtower in a weird overlay.

[Doom Hammer]

Huh. Wow. First issue of New Avengers I really didn't like. Usually I'm a big supporter of Bendis, but...wow.

There's a lot of things that bothered me, but I'll just get into the basics. Forgive me if these elements have already been addressed, I did not read the whole thread.

Anyway, there were some small details that bothered me, but also some bigger things.

1.) How exactly does Medusa have 5 feet of hair when it was cut of almost completely about a year ago in Marvel time? Does her hair grow back quickly? I honestly don't know. Not a huge deal, though, I'm just curious.

2.) What's up with the Void? I loved the original Sentry mini, and I loved the obvious parallels between the Sentry and the Void, as symbolized by light and darkness. That kind of contrast is an interesting element to explore. And I know that the Void took on multiple forms in the original mini, and he doesn't have one distinguished "look".

But did anyone else find it stracge that the Void, the representation of all darkness in the world, was a big-horned demon guy lit on fire? Doesn't that kinda mess with the light/darkness symbolism? You know, him emitting light? He is The Void. He is the absence of heroism, of goodness, and symbolically, light.

And his appearanced as the fanged vagina-head made him kinda hard to take seriously.

3.) I don't know how much of the mini this is contradicting, but it blows. The coolest part of the mini was when The Sentry sacrificed his life as a hero for the sake of all mankind. It was truly heroic. Now, however, the Sentry was ended by a second-rate X-Villain in some dingy basement with the aid of some over-complicated power explanations. Yeesh.

Maybe I need to read it again to appreciate it more...maybe I'm being nit-picky...(but usually I love Bendis so I don't know)...

[Jake V]

Huh. Wow. First issue of New Avengers I really didn't like. Usually I'm a big supporter of Bendis, but...wow.

There's a lot of things that bothered me, but I'll just get into the basics. Forgive me if these elements have already been addressed, I did not read the whole thread.

Anyway, there were some small details that bothered me, but also some bigger things.

1.) How exactly does Medusa have 5 feet of hair when it was cut of almost completely about a year ago in Marvel time? Does her hair grow back quickly? I honestly don't know. Not a huge deal, though, I'm just curious.

2.) What's up with the Void? I loved the original Sentry mini, and I loved the obvious parallels between the Sentry and the Void, as symbolized by light and darkness. That kind of contrast is an interesting element to explore. And I know that the Void took on multiple forms in the original mini, and he doesn't have one distinguished "look".

But did anyone else find it stracge that the Void, the representation of all darkness in the world, was a big-horned demon guy lit on fire? Doesn't that kinda mess with the light/darkness symbolism? You know, him emitting light? He is The Void. He is the absence of heroism, of goodness, and symbolically, light.

And his appearanced as the fanged vagina-head made him kinda hard to take seriously.

3.) I don't know how much of the mini this is contradicting, but it blows. The coolest part of the mini was when The Sentry sacrificed his life as a hero for the sake of all mankind. It was truly heroic. Now, however, the Sentry was ended by a second-rate X-Villain in some dingy basement with the aid of some over-complicated power explanations. Yeesh.

Maybe I need to read it again to appreciate it more...maybe I'm being nit-picky...(but usually I love Bendis so I don't know)...
Read this whole thread. I explained everything. Except for the Medusa thing. She just looks cooler with long hair.

[Chris Thomas]

response to doomhammer



1. I assume that medusa grows hair very quickly. I mean, her power is 'hair-power.' I would assume that The Crazy Toe-nailer would grow toe nails quickly. just an assumption

2. I think most people on this this thread agree with the void-manifestation thing. just doesn't make sense. ironically, the thing that should make the least difference makes the most difference.. imo, he should look like an 'anti-sentry' sort of like he did at the end of the mini (similar to the shade supreme from the supreme books.) this manifestation reminds me more of the 'stay puff marshmallow man' junk from ghostbusters. billy ocean better not appear and start singing....

3. I don't think it really contradicts the mini. initially I did, but on reconsideration, the mini was really a discussion about what the marvel universe is, how it differs from the path dc took. sacrafice certainly played a major theme---but if you take the mini as 'real comic book stuff' and not an allegory, then you can explain it the same way bendis is explaining it--the sentry thought! he had to sacrafice himself for all.

last point--mastermind isn't really 2nd rate in my book--of course, I stopped reading xmen after about issue 150 of the original series and he did unleash a threat to the galaxy (by mistake of course) and was quite a bad ass back then.

[Doom Hammer]

Read this whole thread. I explained everything.

Eh, kinda.

You made a theory that bases itself in the original Sentry mini, as opposed to contradicting it, (a knee-jerk assumption I made). I respect this theory, and I believe you hit the nail square on the head.

However, this doesn't exactly answer the second question of mine. The Void's appearance in this book was ridiculous. As was his personality. He went from being this twisted, cruel, black entity and turned into a generic rampaging beast shouting "Hulk Smash!"

Now, I know your theory accounts for this change. All I'm saying is that I didn't like it. The thing that always made me like (and fear) the Void was that despite his inhuman cruelty, he was still spawned from one of the greatest heroes to ever live. He was the opposite of the human spectrum. He maintained a humanoid appearance and a human attitude. This, in conjunction with his nature and power, made for a cool, memorable villain.

Now, he is a bland rampaging blob.

I'm not saying it doesn't make sense. I'm saying I personally don't like it.

Anyway, thanks for shedding a little light on the issue. Now that I know what's going on, and knowing that the Sentry mini is not necessarily being directly contradicted, I enjoyed it a lot more.

The only thing that could make this book better would be some Jae Lee art...I wish he did more stuff...and not stuff like his UFF or Hulk, I'm talking about classic Jae Lee. Inhumans, Sentry...works of art.

[EmmettHULK]

response to doomhammer



this manifestation reminds me more of the 'stay puff marshmallow man' junk from ghostbusters. billy ocean better not appear and start singing....



You mean Ray Parker Jr, right? ;) :D ("Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!!!")

[Will.S]

Even though we haven't seen The Void in those forms before, there's nothing that says that it can't turn into them.

I personally liked them, it's sort of like Robert's feelings turning into different creatures due to desperation and anger. This issue also puts the mini in a different perspective since The Void isn't quite as invincible as Robert thinks since it can be beaten another way.

[Deathlok]

I was told that Sal Buscema did 10 pages of art in this issue. SO what part of the story did he do?

[Ravenheart]

I read that issue today and it wasn't too bad.Hopefully the next issue will bring a few more things to light.I haven't decided yet if I'll bother with the Sentry mini series when it comes out.I guess it'll depend on what happens in NA#10.

[AlterEgo]

#9 was a terrible read.

anybody out there besides me who just doesn't get what the appeal (according to wizard, people can't get enough of him...yeah right) of the sentry is?

his powers aren't magic based. it's one thing to somehow cloud or wipe people's minds so they don't remember. but if the sentry had been a big time hero there would have been tons of articles in print and electronic media (exactly as Reed did in the story). how does bendis explain how this purge of print and electronic media occured? you can't!

just doesn't make any sense and bendis' run on NA has been is ho-hum at best....certainly not earning of the 'fanfare' that's in the press. are marvel readers that starved for anything halfway decent that bendis has been annointed the status of God-of-writers in the MU. :rolleyes:

bendis did a decent job on powers. sadly his avengers run has been far short of what i'd expect of him. the only thing worth seeing about the book is finch's art.

[Cayman]

I'm pretty sure Medusa's hair was back to full-length in the most recent Inhumans series that McKeever did.

Cay

[Jake V]

#9 was a terrible read.

anybody out there besides me who just doesn't get what the appeal (according to wizard, people can't get enough of him...yeah right) of the sentry is?
He's the ultimate flawed hero. While Tony Stark's flaw makes him drink, and Daredevil's flaw makes it so he can't see, The Sentry's flaw could destroy the universe.


his powers aren't magic based. it's one thing to somehow cloud or wipe people's minds so they don't remember. but if the sentry had been a big time hero there would have been tons of articles in print and electronic media (exactly as Reed did in the story). how does bendis explain how this purge of print and electronic media occured? you can't!
He doesn't need to. The older Sentry miniseries already explained that the purge of all media related to the Sentry, as well as everyone's memory of him was accomplished by Doctor Strange and Mister Fantastic.


bendis did a decent job on powers. sadly his avengers run has been far short of what i'd expect of him. the only thing worth seeing about the book is finch's art.
Finch isn't drawing this arc. Steve McNiven is.

[Chris Thomas]

You mean Ray Parker Jr, right? ;) :D ("Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!!!")

can't believe I got that wrong. i've been slimed (by the void muahahahah)

in response to the purge of all sentry related media--the spidey issue of the sentry mini explains all that. bendis didn't come up with that.

[AlterEgo]

>>He's the ultimate flawed hero. While Tony Stark's flaw makes him drink, and Daredevil's flaw makes it so he can't see, The Sentry's flaw could destroy the universe.

so what. just because the sentry could take out the universe doesn't make him automatically more interesting than stark or murdock. i just don't get why anyone really cares about the sentry, not that i think most marvel readers really do all that much.


>>The older Sentry miniseries already explained that the purge of all media related to the Sentry, as well as everyone's memory of him was accomplished by Doctor Strange and Mister Fantastic.

i didn't read the earlier miniseries. the fact that marvel and wizard created him as a hoax to the comic comunity at large was just a stupid gimmick. frankly marvel should have been taken to task for perpetrating the claim that he was a long-lost creation (by one of whom was already dead) which was nothing more than a lame attempt to get's people's interest to by the book. if not for that gimmick, i doubt that half the people would have bought the book.

and if all records of the sentry were erased in the 1st mini, how then does Reed still have records of his earlier existence? either way you look at it, bendis' interpretation of it doesn't make much sense.


>>Finch isn't drawing this arc. Steve McNiven is.

finch is still doing the covers. btw, is mcniven just spelling finch for a short while or is he the permanent penciller?

[Chris Thomas]

I bought the mini tbp because of the interesting premise and the jae lee art.

btw--the bendis sentry explanation does make sense if you overlay it on the jenkins explanation. i.e. bendis supercedes jenkins. and enigma wrapped in a mystery, blah blah

[Doom Hammer]

so what. just because the sentry could take out the universe doesn't make him automatically more interesting than stark or murdock. i just don't get why anyone really cares about the sentry, not that i think most marvel readers really do all that much.

Okay. You ask about the appeal of the character, and when you get an answer, you blow it off. That's not very good communication.

The thing about the Sentry is that he's Superman. But he's a human Superman, and his human fears and hatred and overall flawed nature is represented by his alter ego, the Void. He's both above the human spectrum and at the same time, wallowing in its bowels.


i didn't read the earlier miniseries. the fact that marvel and wizard created him as a hoax to the comic comunity at large was just a stupid gimmick

The orignal Sentry mini was brilliant. It would answer all these complaints you have about this book, and you would most likely enjoy it.


frankly marvel should have been taken to task for perpetrating the claim that he was a long-lost creation (by one of whom was already dead) which was nothing more than a lame attempt to get's people's interest to by the book.

"Artie Rosen", or "Stan Lee's co-creator of the Sentry", is not even a real person. He never was. He was made up.

I know we shouldn't disrespect the dead, but what about the fictional dead?


if not for that gimmick, i doubt that half the people would have bought the book.

Yeah, and it would've been their loss. The Sentry mini was amazing, and I'm glad he's a big part of the MU nowadays.

[AlterEgo]

>>The thing about the Sentry is that he's Superman. But he's a human Superman, and his human fears and hatred and overall flawed nature is represented by his alter ego, the Void. He's both above the human spectrum and at the same time, wallowing in its bowels.

i'm not blowing off anything.

you and others keeping harping about his powers. powers don't make a superhero interesting. superman was never that interesting a character and i doubt he could ever be. maybe sentry has a bit more depth but from my limited exposure to him, it leaves me with a feeling that i just don't care.

sorry, but i just don't feel it.

[Doom Hammer]

i'm not blowing off anything.

you and others keeping harping about his powers. powers don't make a superhero interesting. superman was never that interesting a character and i doubt he could ever be. maybe sentry has a bit more depth but from my limited exposure to him, it leaves me with a feeling that i just don't care.

Seriously, it's like you're blocking out what I'm actually saying.

He is a Superman, and yes, he has remarkably devastating powers.

But that is only one skin-deep layer of his character as a whole. He doesn't have "a little more depth", he's the freakin' Marianas trench! He is the everyman, if every man had ridiculous power.

He is an average guy, who gets picked on at school, and recieves super-powers. It's the Spider-Man formula. But instead of being a bit faster and stronger, he is transformed into a cosmic god. He has, quite literally, the power of a million exploding suns.

But that power doesn't take away from his humanity, or his believability as a human. No, in fact, his humanity is carried with him and is transformed into his greatest enemy. The Sentry may have reached the top of human potential, but that doesn't mean he's left the bottom. His flaws carry over, and are trasformed through his power into the representation of all that is evil.

That's why I'm kinda nervous about Bendis' tweaking. I mean, Jake V's formula sounds okay, but if the Sentry does end up losing the Void, then he becomes little more than another Superman knockoff. He still has an interesting backstory and an interesting history, but he loses that dimension of humanity, IMO.

I'm both interested and hesitant to see what the status of the Sentry and the Void ends up being.

[Will.S]

so what. just because the sentry could take out the universe doesn't make him automatically more interesting than stark or murdock. i just don't get why anyone really cares about the sentry, not that i think most marvel readers really do all that much.
Speak for yourself. He's a great character with enough flaws to make him an interesting character regardless of his powers.


i didn't read the earlier miniseries. the fact that marvel and wizard created him as a hoax to the comic comunity at large was just a stupid gimmick. frankly marvel should have been taken to task for perpetrating the claim that he was a long-lost creation (by one of whom was already dead) which was nothing more than a lame attempt to get's people's interest to by the book. if not for that gimmick, i doubt that half the people would have bought the book.
Christ, talk about people taking things way too seriously.

While yes it was a gimmick, it added to the whole mystery of the Sentry and even Stan took it in good stride. Just read the mini and get over it, it's a fantastic read.


and if all records of the sentry were erased in the 1st mini, how then does Reed still have records of his earlier existence?
Robert sent Reed those messages so that he could help him out of his missing memory loops but Reed didn't know he had the records because he was supposed to forget due to Sentry and Cloc making it so that Sentry never existed. That is, until he appeared in the Raft in seclusion during Breakout. I believe that was one of his "in control" Sentry moments before he turned back into his more normal self again.

[sephirothskiller]

I just wanted to say that I hate the sentry. Hate 'em. Yup. I can't stand that "Oh he was here all along but his memory was erased!!" Here's why. Not only would their memories have to be erased, but so would every record of the sentry. On top of that, all other major events that the sentry had would still have wide ranging repercussions. If the Sentry fought someone, (call him Mr. X.) and mr. x lost, then how would mr. x be able to explain winding up in jail with a number of bruises?

[Jake V]

I just wanted to say that I hate the sentry. Hate 'em. Yup. I can't stand that "Oh he was here all along but his memory was erased!!" Here's why. Not only would their memories have to be erased, but so would every record of the sentry. On top of that, all other major events that the sentry had would still have wide ranging repercussions. If the Sentry fought someone, (call him Mr. X.) and mr. x lost, then how would mr. x be able to explain winding up in jail with a number of bruises?
Read the Sentry mini. All those questions were addressed.

Doctor Strange did his magic, Mr Fantastic did his sci-fi stuff.

[Chi Bamm]

Do they have the mini in TPB????

[Nightcrawler]

Do they have the mini in TPB????

Yes. Get it, its great.

http://www.booksamillion.com/bam/covers/0/78/510/799/0785107991.jpg

[Gaz]

Do they have the mini in TPB????
Yep. It got a new printing ,too, IIRC.

[Chi Bamm]

I bet the damn prices for that thing are going through the roof. Because the mini is older isn't it???

[Nightcrawler]

I bet the damn prices for that thing are going through the roof. Because the mini is older isn't it???

It was done in 2001, I think. It's not too terribly expensive. No more than any other TPB, I would imagine.

[Chi Bamm]

Nice...thanks

[The Shadow]

After the start of this arc I re-read the mini... it was GREAT!!!

AlterEgo... give it a try... you shouldn't lambaste something you haven't read.

[Chris Thomas]

so darn many 'the whole sentry stuff is just unbelievable'. this is making me sick. two points if you can't suspend your disbelief:

1. read the sentry mini. it is all explained there

2. marvel has a character that can control the weather due to a mutant gene. does that make sense? please ask for about 100 other examples of ridiculous marvel comic powers. please

[Will.S]

Yep. It got a new printing ,too, IIRC.
Anything different from the first printing?

[SoxFan87]

How would these new ideas on the Sentry fit in with the original mini-series? Like what were the order of the events that happened? Could someone summarize it for me? I just read the the mini-series, and now this issue confused me a lot. Thanks.

[Elevation]

I never knew about the Sebtry before this New Avengers comic book so Im really glad there taking us new readers for a look back at his origins. But is that really how the Sentry was made just by drinking some sort of vile...

That seemed really lame and too easy of an explanation. This sentry character seems like a god level power but i dont see how he can fit in with this new team how can any of the other members ever hope to do any real good with a power like the Sentry around

[Gaz]

How would these new ideas on the Sentry fit in with the original mini-series? Like what were the order of the events that happened? Could someone summarize it for me? I just read the the mini-series, and now this issue confused me a lot. Thanks.
It doesn't totally mesh up,but neither does it try to invalidate the mini.
Basically, the mini was one of Bob's lucid periods, which is why the Void construct manifested.

[Gaz]

I never knew about the Sebtry before this New Avengers comic book so Im really glad there taking us new readers for a look back at his origins. But is that really how the Sentry was made just by drinking some sort of vile...

That seemed really lame and too easy of an explanation. This sentry character seems like a god level power but i dont see how he can fit in with this new team how can any of the other members ever hope to do any real good with a power like the Sentry around
They've done fine with Thor and Dr Strange being around.

[Rich L]

An okay issue, but no more.

No matter how great people keep telling me the Sentry is, all I can think of is Triumph, the 'long lost JLA founding member'. And how bad that mess turned out to be.

Also - and this might just be me - I like the Avengers characters to be central to an Avengers storyline, not the FF and the X-Men; I already get enough of them in their own books.

[Gibran]

The Sentry mini was fine, but the character itself was not compelling or original enough to bring into the mainstream and hype to this extent, IMO. I'd rather they put their energy into promoting a creation that was not... you know, a deconstructed and repackaged (for the millionth time) Superman.

[Neolucifer]

1. is the crazed general really dead or just lurking about? will he be a villian the avengers face now?

I think thats a strong possibility . In the mini serie he was like a recurrent weak foe of the sentry .
NA seems to be setting him up as a bigger threat .

I liked this issue , but then again i dont think i disliked any NA issues so far . And i eagerly await much needed answers about the sentry and the void :D .

I wonder if the monster we saw , given his various and weird appearances , was even really the Void .

[Nightcrawler]

Also - and this might just be me - I like the Avengers characters to be central to an Avengers storyline, not the FF and the X-Men; I already get enough of them in their own books.

I definately agree, but I can see how bringing them in, to help take care of the Sentry was necisary. The only thing wrong with these characters being in book other than their own, was that Emma Frost was a main character.

[Chris Thomas]

How would these new ideas on the Sentry fit in with the original mini-series? Like what were the order of the events that happened? Could someone summarize it for me? I just read the the mini-series, and now this issue confused me a lot. Thanks.

I would say they happened before the mini--considerably before the mini. the mini would have gone on the premise that the sentry's idea of the 'void' was already imprinted on him and he already made everone forget.

[SoxFan87]

I thought the Sentry was using Cloc to make people forget about him? I didn't know he was doing it himself.

[The Shadow]

The Sentry mini was fine, but the character itself was not compelling or original enough to bring into the mainstream and hype to this extent, IMO. I'd rather they put their energy into promoting a creation that was not... you know, a deconstructed and repackaged (for the millionth time) Superman.
Well... at the heart of it all... EVERY comic character is a repackaged Superman.

And Sentry is not a rip off... sure he's super strong and loved by everyone... but he's a human who is addicted to his serum... not an alien with born abilities. He's his own worst enemy (literally) and he kicked his dog!

[Bearpod91]

Just read it. Great ideas. All interesting. All good. Cant wait for the next issue!

[The Shadow]

please ask for about 100 other examples of ridiculous marvel comic powers. please
Chris... what are 100 other examples of ridiculous marvel comic powers?

[evophile]

3. will sentry take out some frustration on mastermind? where is mastermind anyway (I am not an x-fanatic..)


[QUOTE=Expletive Deleted]Dead, I think.

Not that that has ever stopped X-Men villains before, mind you.

Wyngarde was mentioned offhandedly as being alive in the House of M world. Seeing as how Bendis probably knew he would be in the arc too I wouldn't be surprised if House of M will be used to bring him back too and probably get some Sentry justice down the line.

[Chris Thomas]

Chris... what are 100 other examples of ridiculous marvel comic powers?

radioactive spider? beams out of eyes due to mutant gene (just about any mutant gene scenario-that is about 50 right there), cosmic rays allowing you to turn invisible, etc. very few actually make more sense than the explanation for everone forgetting the sentry every existed.

two more comments:

1. comics are all about 'suspension of disbelief' --more so than science fiction which should have some solid basis in facts and the 'laws of nature'

2. the media that the sentry appears on (according to the mini) is not erased but people viewing it cannot percieve the sentry images. i.e. the sentry /spidey issue.

[DarkStar]

does anyone think that there is a similar story between hom and new avengers. the way the recap in new avengers states that they are bringing other super heros together to decide how to deal with the sentry sounds alot like what they are doing with wanda in the hom. I dont know maybe i am just smoking crack but it seems kinda like a tie in to hom.

[ultramandingo]

does anyone think that there is a similar story between hom and new avengers. the way the recap in new avengers states that they are bringing other super heros together to decide how to deal with the sentry sounds alot like what they are doing with wanda in the hom. I dont know maybe i am just smoking crack but it seems kinda like a tie in to hom.

its the crack... or bendis ripping himself off. common, you write 17 books and come up with original ideas

[DarkStar]

yea it is good crack

[manicman]

Just wondering if anyone knows what that wierd black symbol is in the background of the coover ofNA#9? Is that the void? It's composed of the same material as the Void when he first shows up, that black sinewy shadow substace. It pops up a few time in the story when Emma and Bob are looking through his repressed memories, some of the panels are that symbol.
Is Bendis just teasing us with it? Will it play some part in finally explaining this whole Sentry thing? Even though I've never read any of the Sentry books before he appeared in NA, I'm really enjoying the exploration of this character and the story line in general.

[Doom Hammer]

Just wondering if anyone knows what that wierd black symbol is in the background of the coover ofNA#9? Is that the void? It's composed of the same material as the Void when he first shows up, that black sinewy shadow substace. It pops up a few time in the story when Emma and Bob are looking through his repressed memories, some of the panels are that symbol.
Is Bendis just teasing us with it? Will it play some part in finally explaining this whole Sentry thing? Even though I've never read any of the Sentry books before he appeared in NA, I'm really enjoying the exploration of this character and the story line in general.

That would be Cloc, Sentry's home/fortress/mission control center.

[MegaRaptor Scribe]

its the crack... or bendis ripping himself off. common, you write 17 books and come up with original ideas

we're talking about a guy that made an entire island of supervillains settle down by LOOKING at them.

I'd get a whole bunch of people to show up and handle the matter too, even if it had already been done in one of my other books.

[manicman]

That would be Cloc, Sentry's home/fortress/mission control center.

Ahh, I see, thank you Doom Hammer. So does Cloc always look like that, or is it illustrated that way to show the Voids influence over it and the Sentry?
Although I guess technically the Sentry is the Void, at least thats what I assume after reading NA#9.

[Shellhead]

He's the ultimate flawed hero. While Tony Stark's flaw makes him drink, and Daredevil's flaw makes it so he can't see, The Sentry's flaw could destroy the universe.

Sentry's flaw is boring, because it will never happen. Marvel is not going to end their entire product line just to show that one hero's flaw is kewl.

[Crimson]

So, does any one else think the "mystery bad guy" was The General? I think he was in Sentry/X-Men and/or Sentry/Hulk.

I dunno why he was in shadows though as it seemed obvious if it was seeing as Sentry only has 2 enemies so far... perhaps it is someone totally different.

[Nightcrawler]

So, does any one else think the "mystery bad guy" was The General? I think he was in Sentry/X-Men and/or Sentry/Hulk.

I dunno why he was in shadows though as it seemed obvious if it was seeing as Sentry only has 2 enemies so far... perhaps it is someone totally different.

I think the General is a red herring in this case. Seems too obvious.

[Lochdale]

Hmmm, as a previous poster noted what if the Void we are currently seeing isn't really the real Void?

[Paradox]

AlterEgo is just mad because he got suckered:

the fact that marvel and wizard created him as a hoax to the comic comunity at large was just a stupid gimmick. frankly marvel should have been taken to task for perpetrating the claim that he was a long-lost creation (by one of whom was already dead) which was nothing more than a lame attempt to get's people's interest to by the book. if not for that gimmick, i doubt that half the people would have bought the book.

Heh, too bad you weren't around here back then. The "hoax" lasted all of two seconds. "Artie Rosen" was a DEAD giveaway to anyone who had knowledge of comics "back then" (it combines two letterers names from back then, Artie Simek and Sam Rosen). And I think that's just what was intended. They knew it was going to be figured out almost immediately. They weren't trying to "fool" anyone.

Gimmick? Yeah, but a totally harmless one. The news was out LONG before the first issue ever hit the stands. I have very severe doubts as to whether "half the people" who bought it bought it because of the "long lost Marvel character" stuff. I'm sure there a tiny minority, but that's all.

[Jagernaut]

Just read this solit. Void seems to be staying.

THE SENTRY #4 (of 8)
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Who is the most powerful: the mightiest human being in the world, or the man who keeps him sane?
That’s the question that faces Doctor Cornelius Worth, who has the unfortunate distinction of being the Sentry’s psychiatrist. Pressured by government agents, by himself, by the weight of expectation to control the Sentry and keep the Void in check, Worth worries about his own stress levels -- his personal life is completely unraveling. Is he truly important, or just a meaningless cog in the grand scheme of things?
32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99

[jackolover]

So the flashback with Mastermind and the crazed General was way back to the time somewhere between FF #1 and the original X-Men, because of the Kirby suits in the Sentry : X-men oneshot? This is where the crazed General was killed, and he was alive in the flashback, so........... This does make the Sentry alive during the Silver Age.

It also makes the Sentry very mentally strong. It also means the Sentry goes through these cycles where he suppresses the Sentry and flips back to his home with his wife and dog, as Bob Reynolds. Sort of like a retreat from reality and from his power.