Nemesis [Hardcover]

Mark Millar (Author), Steve McNiven (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 2011

CIVIL WAR? Nothing. KICK-ASS? A warmup. What if the smartest, toughest costumed bad ass in the world was totally evil? Meet Nemesis. He's systematically been destroying the lives of every police chief in Asia, and he's now set his sights on Washington, DC. Between you and me, the police don't have a chance. Do not miss the book that EVERYONE will be talking about by the creative team that made CIVIL WAR the biggest book of the decade.

COLLECTING:

Millar & McNiven's Nemesis #1-4

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Millar is one of comics' most commercially successful writers, his work includes Kick-Ass, Wanted, Nemesis and the bestselling Civil War and The Ultimates. Steve McNiven, Canadian comic book artist, gained his fame workingon Marvel Knights 4, Ultimate Secret and New Avengers. Nemesis in his 3rd team-up with Mark Millar. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Marvel (February 23, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785148655
• ISBN-13: 978-0785148654
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.6 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Along with Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Millar has been one of the key writers for Marvel Comics in the 21st century. After proving himself in the '90s as a talent to watch while writing for DC Comics and the UK comic 2000AD, his arrival to Marvel came at a time when Ultimate Spider-Man had just shot up the sales charts. It was in this environment that Millar made his first major contribution to Marvel with Ultimate X-Men, as Millar integrated forty years' worth of X-Men history, characters and lore into a solid two-year run, making the companion title to Ultimate Spider-Man every bit the creative and commercial success. Next up was The Ultimates, a new rendering of the Avengers that was to continue building on the success of the Ultimate line. He and artist Bryan Hitch pulled it all off in spades: The Ultimates and its sequel, Ultimates 2, were ensconced at the top of the sales charts every month; what's more, they were critical successes, as well. Meanwhile, Millar was invited to enter the regular Marvel Universe to take a stab at two of its most iconic characters: Spider-Man and Wolverine. Paired with industry heavyweights to draw his stories -- Terry Dodson on Marvel Knights Spider-Man and John Romita Jr. on Wolverine -- Millar brought the same fast-paced and cleverly constructed plots with which his Ultimate fans were already familiar. Amid building a small library of Millarworld indie comic books -- including the titles Chosen and Wanted, the latter of which was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Angelina Jolie -- he managed to write Civil War, the epic seven-issue miniseries that definitively reshaped the landscape of Marvel's heroes. Kick-A**, a Marvel Icon project done in tandem with John Romita Jr., made an impressive impact on the sales chart before also being adapted for a major motion picture. In addition, Millar has reunited with Civil War artist Steve McNiven in both the pages of Wolverine and their creator-owned book Nemesis.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit of the old Ultraviolence... February 19, 2011

By HJ Louw

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you're expecting something similar to Kickass, then by no means will Nemesis by Millar and McNiven satisfy your craving. However, even though this book does not really seem to be about anything other than showing readers how brutally and graphically human beings can be dismembered by a super-criminal simply because he is "bored and rich" (his own words) I still found myself very much enjoying the twists and turns it takes before the story's big payoff. There's plenty of action, blood, chills and wonderful art by Steve McNiven, though not on the scale of his Old Man Logan Wolverine story. The writing by Millar is sparse and succinct, in other words nothing special. But like I mentioned before, it's a fun book. SADISTIC fun, but fun nevertheless.

The main character in the book, Nemesis, is a supremely capable megalomaniac intent on murdering the best cops in the world in a stylish fashion. Aided by a private financial empire and a host of gadgets and vehicles, Nemesis is Bruce Wayne gone bonkers. So the concept Millar came up with is once again interesting and semi-original, much like his Wanted comic or Superman: Red Son. Even though Nemesis boasts no powers he seems to be capable of near-superhuman feats, much like Batman, and he always takes out his target. Now he's set his sights on Washington Police Chief Blake Morrow, supposedly the best police officer in the world. Madness ensues. Sounds interesting so far? Well, it gets better.

There are some negative things about his hardcover, though. For one, it is way too short, collecting only four whole comic issues. Still, no big deal, since it was a four issue miniseries, but it left me wanting more. Much more. The paper stock is good, though. Next, Mark Millar seems to be falling into the trap of simply writing about violence for violence's sake. This is literally a book that showcases blood and destruction with no deeper meaning other than satisfying a reader's lust for blood on the comic book page. But, like I said, I liked it, so I guess I must be as sadistic as most Millar fans out there. Buy it if you're like me, but if you're looking for something with literary and not just entertainment value, give this one a miss.

24 of 31 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars What a Mess April 18, 2011

By Scrantonicity

Format:Hardcover

This is a comic about a rich, psychotic, murdering guy that has fun by killing good cops. Its too short (only 4 issues) for a good story and reads kind of like a little kid summarizing in great hyperbole a ridiculous "R" rated movie.

Mark is trying way too hard in this one. This book is completely ridiculous. Blood and gore everywhere, a shocking twist every other page, ridiculous stunts. Nemesis feels like the comic book equivalent of TV's jumping the shark.

Ya know in The Princess Bride when Will and Indigo and Indigo declares that he is not left handed. Gasp! Then Will does the same thing. Gasp! This comic is 4 issues of that over and over again. Oh, and the end is the most ridiculous ending of any comic I've ever read.

On the art; Mcniven's art is gorgeous but not as detailed and interesting as his other works. I gave it 2 stars just for the art.

Really, this comic is just a mess. Kick Ass was great, Civil War was a fun read and I loved Marvel 1985, but this, this is just a mess.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved It! July 14, 2011

By Sam v.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd like to get it out there that I can, in fact, appreciate a good story. There doesn't have to be violence, or action, or foul language to make a good story. That being said, Nemesis has all of those things and I ate it up. Mark Millar always has a bit of controversy surrounding him, whether for his violence, language, or sometimes people just dislike his work! As a long-time fan, I think I like Nemesis the most.

You've heard the concept; what if Batman was pure evil and psychotic? You may be completely turned off by that, understandable. But you really should give it a chance. The action scenes make you cringe with the over-the-top amounts of blood and gore. It's like an exploitative super-hero film... In a comic. Honestly I love that sort of cheesy stuff, so maybe that's why I like it. If you don't like simple action, may not be for you. That being said, it's not completely mindless. It's just simple, and it's hard to explain behind this keyboard. The characters are somewhat stereotypical. Crazy villain who's bored, good cop (He doesn't even swear!) and so on. The plot is sort of thrown upside down though.

I don't know where I'm going with this, but if you approve of what I've said then I think you should be adding this to your cart right now. It's a little on the short side, but that's okay I suppose. Really hoping there's some sort of sequel! I'm thinking, "Arch-Nemesis"! Hope my review helped.