I use my weapons. You must use yours!

"Like any hunter, I use my weapons. You must use yours!" - Kraven the Hunter

Firstly, Kraven isn't a superhero ... but a super-villain! However, he does make a good point which is often missed by super-heroes! To set the scene, Kraven is hunting the Black Panther and shoots him with a drug-tipped dart which weakens the Black Panther.

Black Panther complains about the cowardly attack but all that Kraven is doing is using everything at his disposal to take down his prey. How often don't we hold ourselves back because of personal rules we create for ourselves? The Batman often blurs the lines between what is ethically right and wrong when he interrogates his villains but at the end of the day he gets the right results using all the tools at his disposal!
I've been enjoying seeing Black Panther step into the shoes of Daredevil to look after his "turf". These have been interesting reads and would highly recommend the stories to those looking for a "noir/superhero" read.
 

References: Taken from Black Panther: The man without fear (Fear Itself)(ISBN: 978-0-7851-5810-3) by David Liss (writer), and Jefte Palo and Francesco Francavilla (artists). Published by Marvel Comics.

Talent's no guarantee of success

"Well, talent's no guarantee of success." - Dazzler

Dazzler has come back from the dead after being killed by a Jean Grey from another dimension (don't ask, this is comics after all) and is having a chat with Dr. Reyes about life. Dr Reyes encourages Dazzler regarding her singing abilities and career and Dazzler makes a very wise statement about talents.

This got me thinking about the many talents we're all blessed with which few use to their full potential. I believe that everybody is exceptional is certain abilities but not everybody takes the time to fully master and utilise those skills to make a success of them. You don't need to be a mutant who can fly or shoot beams out of their eyes to make a success of what you've already been given either genetically or through development over time.

I picked up this New Excalibur trade paperback in the bargain bin but I loved the stories. It's been many years since I've seen these characters handled this well and I highly recommend this collection to any avid comicbook (and especially to Excalibur) fans!
 
 

References: Taken from New Excalibur: Defenders of the Realm (ISBN: 0-7851-1835-7) by Chris Claremont (writer), and Michael Ryan and Steven Cummings (artists). Published by Marvel Comics.

It can always get worse.

"Don't be so optimistic. You're an Iron Fist. It can always get worse." - Iron Fist

Both Iron Fists (Danny and his grandfather) prepare to stand off against an army of assailants. The modern Iron Fist, Danny, comments how things "can't get worse" but his grandfather, the elder Iron Fist, corrects him before they are hit by a ton of nastiness. I loved this Iron Fist revival storyline which really brought character to Danny and helped elevate him from the stereotypical "kung fu" character who was generally written purely for combat scenes.

What I love about this quote is how the more mature Iron Fist knows that they've been equipped with a great gift for a reason. They're meant to go up against insurmountable odds and come out despite those odds and past experience teaches you that things generally get worse when you least expect them to. Especially in the superhero business!



References: Taken from The Immortal Iron Fist: The Last Iron Fist Story HC (ISBN: 0 7851 2854 9) by Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction (writers), and David Aja (artist). Published by Marvel Comics.