If you consumed at least two of Marvel’s animated feature films from the last five years, then you know perfectly well that the output varied wildly and the improvements from one film to the next could be vast. The final entries in the series (so far) like Hulk vs. and Planet Hulk demonstrated that Marvel was finally getting its footing and a distinct style, but the Marvel Knights motion comics make a solid argument for abandoning that route altogether. The animation may move in fits and starts, but at their best the motion comics feature fluid animation bringing some of the best Marvel stories to life. Just like the Marvel animated films, the Marvel Knights series has released a collection of the thus completed animated comics with the excellent stories of Black Panther, Astonishing X-Men: Gifted, Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D., Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers, and Iron Man: Extremis. The pedigrees behind each comic were already impressive, and the animation only makes their presentations more enjoyable – though some are clearly more brilliant than others in that sense.
X-Men: Gifted
First up is Joss Whedon’s triumphant take on a new generation of Xavier’s mutants in Astonishing X-Men: Gifted. The team reassembles after a few tragedies with Cyclops and Emma Frost leading the new team, but barely keeping a cap on Wolverine’s aggressive tendencies or having the clout needed to fully encourage Beast and Kitty Pryde to action. Until, that is, news of a cure for mutants leaks out and the X-Men take it upon themselves to investigate, only to run up against a new foe and recover an ally presumed lost.
DVD Bonus Features
The extras have the typical behind-the-scenes featurette, a retrospective on the comic with Neal Adams and Joe Quesada, a music video, a look at the evolution of the characters’ appearances, and a trailer.
Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers
Perhaps the most impressive entry in the collection is Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers, a deeply layered and emotional look into the psyche of Loki as he takes his place upon the throne of Asgard after successfully deposing Odin and imprisoning Thor. With his lifelong dream finally achieved, Loki begins to reminisce about all he’s endured under the thumb of his highly lauded brother and studies their relationship as it evolved over the years. It’s a brilliant character study, and yet the animation used to present it might just be the most elaborately staged of all the comics in the collection.
DVD Bonus Features
A staggeringly thorough look into the motion comic’s creation and a retrospective of the comic’s creation with author Robert Rodi and artist Esad Ribic.
Iron Man: Extremis
Iron Man: Extremis might not quite live up to the standard of Robert Downey Jr.’s excellent performance, but it’s a brilliant comic unto itself, and it’s execution in animation makes it the best of the action-intensive motion comics. The failure to recreate the Super Soldier serum results in a nanotechnology system known as Extremis which falls into the hands of a vengeful mercenary who takes his newfound power and uses it to wipe the floor with Tony Stark and his outdated Iron Man suit. Stark realizes that if he’s to have any chance of defeating his incredibly powerful foe, he’ll need to take the same route and combine himself with his suit via Extremis.
DVD Bonus Features
A look at the comic with the artist Adi Granov, another thorough behind-the-scenes featurette, an episode of Marvel Super Heroes, a music video, and another examination of how the titular character’s visual appearance has changed over the years.
Black Panther
Uncertain as to the motivations of the independent country of Wakanda, a group of White House military advisors recount a famous tale of the country’s famed warrior king, the Black Panther. As the Americans debate whether or not Wakanda should be considered an ally or an enemy, a criminal mastermind plots to kill the legendary warrior and conquer a territory many believe to be the best fortified country in the world.
DVD Bonus Features
A music video, the motion comic’s trailer, and a look at the evolution of the Black Panther.
Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D.
Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D. brings the Spider-Woman tale of revenge to life with some brilliant animation and sequences that make it one of the highlights of the set. Taking place after the Skrull invasion, Spider-Woman has yet to fully come to terms with how easily the aliens infiltrated the planet and replaced her with no one noticing. What’s the best way to find peace? Good, old-fashioned, icy-veined revenge.
DVD Bonus Features
A music video, visual history of Spider-Woman, and a behind the scenes look at the creation of the motion comic.
"Marvel Knights: Collection" is on sale November 22, 2011 and is not rated. Action, Animation, Comic Book. Directed by Joss Whedon, Mark Cowart. Written by Joss Whedon, Robert Rodi. Starring Daniel Thorn, David Blair.
