Sophia > Recent Status Updates

Spicy Little Curses
This and the first story are tied as being my favourites.

I felt this was the spookiest just purely because of the Hollow Man.

There were enough hints to the characters personality to feel sufficiently connected to them.

I like how the romance was done. It felt as real as it could within the context of the story.

Also the only short that left a few things open for more stories to come.

My Boyfriends are all Monsters
I liked the beginning of this one. How we were inside this long forgotten god’s head. And the little tease of his feud with a lesser(?) being.

But it soon turned into a full on monster smut.

Seriously, it was ‘can you turn into this Kraken thing with tentacles’? And then Lucy was suddenly super okay with having a quasi-four way.
I say quasi because… well, that’s spoilers.

Space Vampire
I liked this one the least but that’s on me and not the author. I don’t like Sci-Fi stories, especially if they involve aliens. It’s just not my cup of tea.

It was also the one I felt least connected to the Halloween vibes.

The synopsis makes it seem like it’d be a lot more action packed than it really was.

I did like Dana’s determination. But there was also a lot of quickly earned trust.

Falling
This gave me ‘Beauty and the Beast’ vibes. Which I liked!

The more modern smutty stories will always mention consent. With a guy who can literally send people into heat just by being in the room, of course that’s going to come up.

In typical trope fashion, Cat can resist Brigan’s allure.

Anyway, not a bad story at all. I also enjoyed that little tale of how Brigan came to be whatever he was.

Beautiful Nightmare
This was the only short I felt the want to listen to outside of my commute.

The first chapter pulled pulled me in, it was so funny!

But it quickly turned into pretty much just smut.

There was a sweet ending, where Gemma discovered who she was always meant to be!

I felt Caleb’s narrator made him sound younger than he actually was.

Hot for Slayer
I haven’t read a vampire story in a LONG time and I really enjoyed it!

I liked how much lore we got and how well we got to know both Ethel and Lazlo.

The way the whole ‘amnesia’ thing played out was funny. I wasn’t expecting to like it but I did.

Personally, Lazlo’s accent was a little too thick. But that’s definitely a ‘me’ issue.

Overall, a pretty entertaining story!

Did not read issues #46-48 + Annual #4.

I had some intentions to read the annual but realised I didn’t want to read two other annuals (Daredevil and Captain America’s).

I did see the short A Public Service Message and liked the art.

Interestingly, this also talked about the unpublished Punisher/Nick Fury GN - Rules of the Game!

Pages dedicated to the Punisher’s arsenal.
I’m sure ‘the boys’ loved this one. It was just fine for me.

I didn’t read the prose pages.

Lots of Jim Lee art.

Material from Annual #2 -
Fighting moves from the gunslinger!

It just takes us through a few of Punisher's fights where he dealt with criminals using various hand-to-hand fighting techniques.

My favourite part was the little 8 ball that went off panel.

Issue #45 -
Another ish with a different creative team.

I liked this one much better, it was a bit of a different story for Frank.

He goes undercover as a cab driver while also pursuing a kid killer.

My only complaint is how was the cab killer so far gone they didn’t recognise the danger of trying to make Frank their next vic?

Especially after witnessing that high speed chase (and crash!)?!

Did not read issue #44.

The Prize -
The continuity for this is a tad confusing.

The whole reason there was a mystery was because Stane International lost assets when they took over Stark Industries.
But that was ages ago!

Then it makes it seem like Frank hasn't been.... close to anyone since his wife (which we know is NOT true).

I mean, the reveal was cool but it took me a bit to actually get into the story.

Did not read issues #41-43.

Issue #40 -
This story was a lot more about the Rev than Jigsaw!

There was no real suspense either. The drug that would 'sterilise' humanity wasn't even close to being distributed at any point.

Besides the whole 'Satan' sub-plot, this felt like any other Punisher story.

And Jigsaw WAS a little dumb...

I liked Mike Baron's comment about 'Satan'... and how it clarified who it really was.

Issue #39 -
Every ish makes Jigsaw look different! (At least this one has the excuse of a different artist).

Speaking of, after Jigsaw’s attack and an old native man (who somehow knows English) stitched up his face, Frank looks like… Jigsaw!

Rev fails to convince Joy to be one of his ‘chosen’ and Jigsaw demands to be healed.

Punisher arrives first and shoots Jigsy!

Then Rev summons his lord...

Issue #38 -
For someone who can’t get past the death of his family, Frank sure likes to sleep around!

Also, I understand getting freaked out but is anyone going to worry more about a scratch on their face over survival??

Anyway, after failing to get a real partnership with Diego, Jigsaw does Punisher’s work for him.
With a Bazooka!

Which knocks out Frank, leaving J free to stab(?) him and steal Joy away.

Issue #37 -
What was the point of having those goons at Microchips warehouse?
Who were they? Why were they just hanging around??

Anyway, Frank takes the car/plane all the way to Venezuela!

He finds a friend, Joy, at Club Maracca who shows him where the Pena flower grows...
But none are there!

Enter; Jigsaw!!

Issue #36 -
Not sure that getting some of the gang members of two warring factions to kill each other is the best way to stop a gang war...

Jigsaw felt very thrown into the mix. Like, what was the point of his presence besides leading Punisher to that area.

Anyway, Rev is NOT happy with Jigsaw but he's still taking him to Venezuela. Because he knows Punisher will follow...

Issue #35 -
I like this change between Punisher and Microchip.

Micro wants a life outside of Frank's ‘never-ending war’.
Frank knows he’s relied too much on Micro.

I don’t remember if I read about Jigsaw in the past but his behaviour was a little more immature than I expected.

Rev. Sammy Smith makes a comeback and wants to sterilize people??
When he’s not massacring innocents.

No Escape
Just the same sort of Punisher story with Paladin and U.S.Agent thrown into the mix.

There was nothing wrong with it and it was pretty easy to get through.
It just didn't really feel like anything different.

I am curious to know where in continuity this is set and if we ever get answers as to why the Commission wanted Punisher...

Did not read issues #16-19.

Interestingly, there was only a page of art after issue #16. It was cool, Punisher squaring off against Captain America!

Issue #15 -
I suppose due to having an MC like Punisher, you need the villains to be more extreme.

I guess it just felt worse because Spider-Man was around.

I'm also not sure what the point of the story was, like the meaning or message behind it.

Frank felt a similarity between his and Hartmann's mentality.
And felt his loneliness after seeing Spidey and MJ share a quiet, comforting moment...

Issue #14 -
Hartmann, a Neo Nazi, is trying to spread their faith to the masses.
JJJ is NOT happy with that.

Somehow Microchip finds a list of the group's targets and Punisher, with a ‘right place, right time’ Spider-Man saves a family.

Offended by what JJJ wrote, the Neo-Nazi’s take the Bugle and its workers hostage!

I missed the classic witty Spidey dialogue.

Power Study -
This was a nice little look at how things were going back in Ixia.

More specifically, how Ari, Janco and Maren were doing, being Valek’s seconds on a typical day... until a magical problem arose.

A concept was introduced which I thought was interesting... Is that a hint at something from the last 3 books?

Amazing Spider-Man #329 -
Shaw blackmails Dr Lubisch and the opposite effect of what he wanted happens...

The transfer is complete and we learn Spidey's new powers are from Captain Universe!!

Though, Shaw's plan kinda works because after SM zaps the Tri-Sentinel with the Enigma Force, the cosmic energies leave him.

I didn't know about Cap Universe, so that was interesting.

Graviton was randomly included.

AWC # 54 -
With very little ceremony, the ‘Mastermind’ is revealed (again). It was funny seeing Kingpin just skulk away.
.
Another tease that Immortus’ plans involve Wanda.

While US Agent and Simon try to save Wanda, the rest of the heroes confront… Loki!

Of course, the strength of the Avengers (and Thor’s godly powers) overwhelm the mischief god.

Later, Wasp finds US Agent, beaten by… Wanda!

AWC # 54 -
I liked the call back to the first FF issue. And the inclusion of Mole Man. Not sure if I’ve read about him since Secret Wars.

There’s also some more drama with Wanda and Magneto skulks about in the shadows…

Wonder Man convinces Mole Man that he’s been tricked and the conflict is resolved.

Though, finally, the Avengers realise that someone is out to destroy them!

Web of Spider-Man #61 -
Peter is feeling sorry for himself and wants to give up being a hero (again).

Wizard sics Dragon Man on Spidey. But the fight - plus the fact there was a grateful crowd - makes Peter feel better about his role and his powers.

Funny how Wizard freaked out when he realised his plan had the opposite effect of what he wanted and thought about what the other villains would do to him.

Spectacular Spider-Man #160 -
Dr Doom dredges T.E.S.S. out of the sea to ‘seal his destiny’.

After Spidey stops some crooks, he’s got an angry crowd that ushers him away. After all that progress in ASM!
Unfortunately for MJ, Peter takes his frustration out on her.

T.E.S.S. attacks so SM is able to really take out his frustrations.

Tho, that means Doom gained a portion of Spideys new energy!

Amazing Spider-Man #328 -
Sebastian Shaw hires Hulk to go after Spidey!

Hulk isn’t shy about that when he crashes down in New York. Then SM questions if a bounty’s been put on his head!
(Has he not heard about the other heroes being attacked??)

The suped up Spidey punches Hulk into orbit! Which makes SM save the grey giant and stops his attack.

Now, Shaw’s determined to make SMs new powers disappear!