Marvel Team-Up (Vol. 3) #10

Background

The mysterious Titannus has been monitoring the Marvel heroes for unknown reason. After the Ringmaster got a hold of a piece of the cosmic cube, Spider-Man and Moon Knight both engaged him in a fight. An explosion was set off by the Ringmaster and nothing was left of our two brave heroes. Last issue, Daredevil and Luke Cage shared a meal and then witness from across town the destruction from the explosion; soon after they went to investigate.

Story Details

Captain America and Wolverine meet in a New York diner. Captain America questions Wolverine as to why Scott or Storm are not there to meet him and Wolverine simply says, "Look you got me, okay...deal with it." The waitress confuses Wolverine for Thor. Wolverine questions Caps true motive for wearing his uniform shirt out in the public. He jabs at the idea that Cap might just be enjoying the perks that come with being Captain America. An EXPLOSION erupts.

Wolverine steals a car and explains to Captain America that it is the only way to get there as quick as possible.

At ground zero, Spider-Man and Moon Knight stand with the Ringmaster among the debris. The Ringmaster tells them that he forgot to tell them that for the moment they are invulnerable, but quickly he gives them both a heart attack. Daredevil, without a sound, comes from behind the Ringmaster and kicks him in the head. The Ringmaster places all three heroes in cannons facing the ground, but before he can fire, another explosion erupts sending the Ringmaster back on his butt. It was Moon Knight's aircraft. The Ringmaster yells in anger. He tells them he is going to set them all on fire, however just before he can do that his finger is shot off. The Punisher from long range took away the Ringmaster's power. Captain America and Wolverine arrive but are too late. The fun is over. Cap picks up the finger and the ring and says he'll make sure S.H.I.E.L.D. get it. Spider-Man make the observation that this whole adventure was ridiculous. Everyone turns to him and give him the evil eye. The heroes depart. Spider-Man sneaks in to an almost upset wife but delivers the bag of food.

A mysterious figure surrounded by green smoke, says that the ring is closer to its true possessor. At the explosion site, the Sleepwalker hovers over the area and simply says, "Curious."

General Comments

This was a long awaited wrap to a long story. It was a nice try at showing storytelling through the eyes of others and what finally happens when they come together. However, I agree with Kirkman and Spider-Man. This adventure was ridiculous! As a writer, sometimes your own self editing or subconscious comes out in your writing. So when Spider-Man says this is ridiculous, it is Kirkman trying to tell himself that what he has written is ridiculous. You see it all the time, when you hear a character make an observation about the situation. Like if they were to say, "Sheesh I wish things would hurry up." It can be a number of things but these are clues given to the writer by...the writer that something is amiss. Kirkman can write interesting stories but sometime they are too drawn out.

Overall Rating

Not enough payoffs for the buildups.