Product Description: The sole survivor of all that was Asgard, will Beta Ray Bill escape the end of one world only to face his own end in the form of an enemy greater than any he has battled before? Introducing Stardust, a creature of cosmic power who turns his enemies to dust to fuel the stars. And that's just what he intends to do to Beta Ray Bill - and the Korbinite people - but he's only following orders. The question is: from whom? The answer is big, and we mean BIG! Collects Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1-6.
Remnants of Asgard ^ During the much maligned Avengers: Disassembled storyline, Marvel icon Thor, as well as his fellow Asgardians, met their demise in a cataclysmic final battle orchestrated by Powers artist Michael Avon Oeming. Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill picks up shortly after the events of Thor: Ragnarok, in which longtime Thor ally Beta Ray Bill is Asgard's lone survivor, which may not last long as he comes across the new herald of the planet eating Galactus: Stardust. Surprisingly packed with enough history of what is otherwise a minor character, Stormbreaker packs enough action and surprises to keep readers interested, but it's nowhere near as good or prolific as Ragnarok. It's one big low point is the ending, which seems rushed and feels out of place. Despite that though, Stormbreaker is quite good, and features a new direction for the character as well. Andrea DiVitto, who provided the excellent artwork in the aforementioned TPB, provides art here as well, and it's great here too. All in all, if you're a Thor fan, Stormbreaker definitely deserves checking out.
Solid beginning and middle, hacked ending ^ I'm a fan of Beta Ray Bill, Marvel Comics' alien, co-incarnation of their Thunder god Thor character.
So when the "Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill" miniseries was released as a trade paperback, I picked it up right away.
Bill was created by Walt Simonson, and it's hard to compete with that caliber of talent, but Daniel Berman, Michael Avon Oeming/Andrea Di Vito do a solid job on the story and art.
The beginning is strong, the emotion and stakes are well-articulated, and though the cosmic battles could go the tiresome way of the Dragonball Z "Frieza Saga", they're kept pretty tight and engaging.
It's the series' ending with which I have a problem.
I have to be vague to avoid spoilers, but the last issue tie-in to the Marvel Universe seems like a forced marketing tie-in, and the last-minute dovetail to the origin of Thor (abandoned for Thor himself for a reason) and nod to Simonson seems (to me) hacked. Overall, it weakens the saga.
On the upside, maybe this will give Bill some more play in Marvel Universe.
I'd recommend this trade for Beta Ray Bill fans. For those unfamiliar with the character, I'd recommend "The Mightly Thor in The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill" trade paperback, which collects Simonson's introduction of the character.
Great Story - awesome characters ^ I am a huge Beta Ray Bill fan, and wish he would become a bigger player in the Marvel Universe. I have always been a Thor fan, but I think Bill is even a better character. The enemies battled in this saga are immensly powerful, and it's good to see Bill use his considerable might. The artwork is fantastic as well. If you are a Beta Ray Bill fan, or you like awesome cosmic struggles, this book will not disapoint.
A Hero's Last Stand... ^ A very satisfying compliment to Thor: Disassembled. Once Thor & the rest of Asgard is gone as a result of Ragnarok, we assume that will be the end of all adventures even loosely tied to Asgard. Wrong! You can see what happens to the last being bestowed with the power of Odin in this trade collecting the 6 issues of the Beta Ray Bill mini-series. You get Galactus, his new herald, cosmic combat, and of course, as any good Marvel mini-series would have, a guest appearance by Spider-Man. I highly reccomend this book due to the strong story and art, as well as brining new life to an old fan favorite character that sorely deserves his time in the spotlight.
Beta Ray Bill is one of my favorite Marvel characters.... ^ "STORMBREAKER: THE SAGA OF BETA RAY BILL" TP by Michael Avon Oeming, Daniel Berman(writers), & Andrea Divito(penciller). reprints the original mini-series #1-6.
The Characters:
. Beta Ray Bill - Planet Korbin's champion. Thor's brother-in-arms. The book's lead character. . Skuttlebutt - Beta Ray Bill's sentient battleship & his long-time best friend. . Stardust - Galactus' new herald. . Asteroth - Beta Ray Bill's adversary. . Alpha Ray - Planet Korbin's first champion. . the Korbinites - Planet Korbin's people. . Ashta . Galactus . Spider-man
Beta Ray Bill's planet Korbin, the Korbinites, & their ways of life begin the story.
Their story is talky, interesting, & meticulous. Stardust, Skuttlebutt, & Galactus also make their appearances.
Very good beginning!(*****)
The subplot(primary) is something that should not be in this book. It is not important(as opposed to its belief). It is out of place(although it is surprisingly good).
Beta Ray Bill is not even in it.
Beta Ray Bill & Stardust have many fights in this book. They are not very good(contrived).
Skuttlebutt has a good part.
The "Thor: Ragnarok" arc is a little related to this book.
The "Thor: Ragnarok"(Avengers Disassembled: Thor TP) is a very, very good story. It is hardcore, heavy, dramatic, & with exciting fight sequences. "Stormbreaker: The Saga Of Beta Ray Bill TP" is not nearly as good.
Marvel Comics 5-Star(*****) TPBs:
. Avengers Disassembled: Thor TP . Daredevil Vol. 1: Guardian Devil TP . Daredevil Visionaries Vol. 2: Frank Miller TP . Incredible Hulk: Beauty And The Behemoth TP . Incredible Hulk: Transformations TP . Iron Man: Armor Wars TP . Iron Man: Demon In A Bottle TP . Origin TP . Secret Wars TP . Spider-man: Kraven's Last Hunt TP . Spider-man: Death Of Gwen Stacy TP . Spider-man: The Wedding TP . Spider-man Vol. 1: Coming Home TP . Spider-man Vol. 2: Revelations TP . The Rise Of Apocalypse TP . The Villainy Of Dr. Doom TP . Thor: Gods On Earth TP
Marvel Comics 4-Star(****) TPBs:
. Apache Skies TP . Avengers Disassembled TP . Avengers: Living Legends TP . Call Of Duty: The Precint TP . Daredevil Vol. 2: Parts Of A Hole TP . Hulk: Gray TP . Punisher: Born HC . Silver Surfer: Parable TP . Spider-man: Son Of The Goblin TP
Overall, "Stormbreaker: The Saga Of Beta Ray Bill" TP is a character story(although action-driven). It should have been better.
For people like to read this book!
For Beta Ray Bill fans!
FINAL ANALYSIS: "STORMBREAKER: THE SAGA OF BETA RAY BILL" TP 3.0 of 5 stars *** = good, but subject to one's opinion Rating: B-
----- MILDLY RECOMMENDED !!!
WARNING !!! SPOILER!
Beta Ray Bill has a big revelations. He has a new look, new costume, & an alter-ego. He is Simon Walter(black man).
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
