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Heroes for Hire (2006) (Collected Editions) #2
Heroes For Hire, Vol. 2: Ahead of the Curve
Marvels strangest team of heroes find themselves trapped in the hull of a ship with a bomb as the Grim Reaper plans to blow up the Statue of Liberty and take the Heroes for Hire with it. But why? What nefarious plan could he have up his sleeve? He's evil so does it matter? He has to be stopped Also, someone dies No kidding.
As if that wasn't enough, here comes the return of villains no one asked for The Horrific Headmen have a special surprise for the hapless Humbug.
Collects Heroes For Hire #6-10.
As if that wasn't enough, here comes the return of villains no one asked for The Horrific Headmen have a special surprise for the hapless Humbug.
Collects Heroes For Hire #6-10.
120 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2007
About the author
Jimmy Palmiotti
1,720 books180 followersJames "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.
Photo by Luigi Novi.
Photo by Luigi Novi.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 15, 2019
This was one of those fly-by-night series that was kind of steamrolled and bookended by two of Marvel’s “marvelous” cross-over events – Civil War (the first) and World War Hulk (the one and only). Here you have the only volume that’s cross-over event free and it’s not too bad.
These Heroes for Hire sans Luke Cage and Iron Fist are led by Misty Knight and are in the market to be helpful to anyone with a problem.
Humbug is the comic relief here…
…and at one point loses his head to The Headmen (er…persons)
I don’t know how Shang Chi ended up in this group.
Maybe as proof that losing one’s chi can cause a murderous rampage and lead to some hot inter-group sex.
In that order.
Lastly, the group is tasked with finding the monkey-like Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur in the Savage Land because it’s Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur hunting season.
Which, via plot stuff, leads to their involvement in World War Hulk.
Bottom Line: The creative team varies here, which probably meant the book wasn’t going to get the chance to grow anyway – this iteration had one more volume until the jig was up. The first part of this volume is fun, the Savage Land wrap-up, not so much. As to the art: with Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Tarantula and Black Cat all in the group, the art is most definitely and predictably boob-centric, but that should be taken less as a recommendation and more as a statement of fact.
Somebody owes the movie Animal House some sort of compensation here.
These Heroes for Hire sans Luke Cage and Iron Fist are led by Misty Knight and are in the market to be helpful to anyone with a problem.
Humbug is the comic relief here…
…and at one point loses his head to The Headmen (er…persons)
I don’t know how Shang Chi ended up in this group.
Maybe as proof that losing one’s chi can cause a murderous rampage and lead to some hot inter-group sex.
In that order.
Lastly, the group is tasked with finding the monkey-like Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur in the Savage Land because it’s Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur hunting season.
Which, via plot stuff, leads to their involvement in World War Hulk.
Bottom Line: The creative team varies here, which probably meant the book wasn’t going to get the chance to grow anyway – this iteration had one more volume until the jig was up. The first part of this volume is fun, the Savage Land wrap-up, not so much. As to the art: with Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Tarantula and Black Cat all in the group, the art is most definitely and predictably boob-centric, but that should be taken less as a recommendation and more as a statement of fact.
Somebody owes the movie Animal House some sort of compensation here.
October 2, 2014
To say that I seriously disliked the first book is an understatement. So I admit to only reading this volume because I already had it and was holding on to the hope that a female lead hero team could have a good book. That hope was squashed when the same problems with art quality and writing were repeated.
There’s so much text that one would hope it makes sense, but it’s unnecessarily verbose. There’s tons of dialogue but it takes you nowhere interesting.
The worst part is that a lot of things happen, but it’s such a mess that even the interesting and funny elements get lost in the shuffle.
I should have just skipped it.
There’s so much text that one would hope it makes sense, but it’s unnecessarily verbose. There’s tons of dialogue but it takes you nowhere interesting.
The worst part is that a lot of things happen, but it’s such a mess that even the interesting and funny elements get lost in the shuffle.
I should have just skipped it.
October 15, 2013
Dull and uninspired.
Just does nothing with what could be a fun concept.
Just does nothing with what could be a fun concept.
November 12, 2020
Jumps around a lot. Not fully clear what the main point is.
It seems like there an awful lot of rogue friendly Doombots in the Marvel Universe
It seems like there an awful lot of rogue friendly Doombots in the Marvel Universe
December 14, 2025
pretty good. i wish the book was better.
Update: I'm kinda thinking about giving this 5 stars (my current score is 4 stars). Even though there's areas I wish were better. There's a lot of positives. The random group Headmen appeared threatening, the stuff that happens to Humbug, Victor the robot, moon-boy, devil dinosaur, Savage Land, and Shang Chi fight and his relationship with Tarantula (which could've been written better). I like this volume better than the first. But I guess I'll leave it at 4 stars (it's still a good score).
Update: I'm kinda thinking about giving this 5 stars (my current score is 4 stars). Even though there's areas I wish were better. There's a lot of positives. The random group Headmen appeared threatening, the stuff that happens to Humbug, Victor the robot, moon-boy, devil dinosaur, Savage Land, and Shang Chi fight and his relationship with Tarantula (which could've been written better). I like this volume better than the first. But I guess I'll leave it at 4 stars (it's still a good score).
March 17, 2020
6-8, ☆☆
9-10, ☆☆☆☆
9-10, ☆☆☆☆
January 5, 2026
Runs like these make me miss pre Disney Marvel.
July 6, 2026
Fun little outdated comic book.
I enjoyed it, although some bits seemed to exclude some context. But overall good pacing.
I enjoyed it, although some bits seemed to exclude some context. But overall good pacing.
November 2, 2013
A good portion of my life is pleasant, but non-memorable. I see or experience something that provides a momentary diversion, perhaps even pleasure – but then once it's over, it's over. There's nothing about it that provides a long-lasting thought, or causes me to think, or in any way attempts to grab a long-term piece of my memory.
“Heroes for Hire, Volume 1: Civil War” fit that pattern (see review.) Of course, because it didn't stick with me, I grabbed up a copy of “Heroes for Hire: Volume 2: Ahead of the Curve” when I stumbled upon it. (Admittedly, “half-price” DID catch my eye …) And, like it's predecessor, this book also provides a momentary diversion without providing any kind of lasting impressions or memories.
I did not lose track of the fact that it was interesting and nostalgic seeing the villains of the piece – the Headmen, a Doombot, Grim Reaper & Man-Ape, plus the return of Devil Dinosaur (although not identified by that name). Plus, artist Al Rio tells a good story via content & placement & pacing of panels, and can certainly sketch a lovely comic book woman.
However, this book reminded me of eating popcorn; momentarily pleasant but easily forgotten. I may pick up the 3rd (and last) book in this series if I stumble upon it, but I will not invest any time looking for it.
RATING: 2 ½ stars, rounded down to 2 stars. (Sorry guys – I can't in good conscious give you anything higher.)
“Heroes for Hire, Volume 1: Civil War” fit that pattern (see review.) Of course, because it didn't stick with me, I grabbed up a copy of “Heroes for Hire: Volume 2: Ahead of the Curve” when I stumbled upon it. (Admittedly, “half-price” DID catch my eye …) And, like it's predecessor, this book also provides a momentary diversion without providing any kind of lasting impressions or memories.
I did not lose track of the fact that it was interesting and nostalgic seeing the villains of the piece – the Headmen, a Doombot, Grim Reaper & Man-Ape, plus the return of Devil Dinosaur (although not identified by that name). Plus, artist Al Rio tells a good story via content & placement & pacing of panels, and can certainly sketch a lovely comic book woman.
However, this book reminded me of eating popcorn; momentarily pleasant but easily forgotten. I may pick up the 3rd (and last) book in this series if I stumble upon it, but I will not invest any time looking for it.
RATING: 2 ½ stars, rounded down to 2 stars. (Sorry guys – I can't in good conscious give you anything higher.)
July 6, 2009
Great Marvel Readthrough, pt 72
February 19, 2014
3 issues of 'super-villains stole my robot'
And 2 issues involving Moon boy and devil dinosaur
And 2 issues involving Moon boy and devil dinosaur
July 9, 2015
4.5 Stars.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews