Shadowpact #12
In the immortal words of Elliott Smith, oh well, OKAY. This issue is a pretty good jumping on point for newcomers to the title, but for those of us who've been with it for a while now, it's merely a "Secret Origin of Nightmaster", which, don't get me wrong, is a good thing to have, and even better that it's written by Willingham. The real problem is that DC truly did the "Secret Origins" thing to death, by having a Secret Origin one-shot for everybody, their mother, and their mother's dog. Plus, they very rarely coordinated these one shots with the writers of the titles which they were meant to be back-ups for. And then they bulked the issues out with stupid stats pages that nobody read. There's a reason they're not published anymore. But yet, there remains a need for them to be done correctly. This issue is a case in point. We get a short version of the Nightmaster's origin, with a huuuge retcon thrown in. The only thing that actually happens in this issue though, is that Jim wakes up from his "death", pulls his sword out of his body, and then the Shadowpact, old and new, have a one page party. That's it. See? Now you see why this needed to be in a Secret Origins? We could have had an origin of each of the original members of the Shadowpact, plus one for each of the new characters, and even a quick one-page recap of Day of Vengeance. With Willingham writing it, and good artists working on it, it'd make for a good issue. Say, 48 pages, maybe? Perhaps 60? But this? It just feels like I opened this issue of Shadowpact hoping for some furtherance of the story and plot, and instead got nothing. I've come to expect that from other writers. But not from Willingham. Still, the story, what story there is, remains competently executed, so, oh well, OKAY.
I have no reason for quoting Elliott Smith, other than that upon completion of this book, the song started playing in my head. I'm a believer in synchronicity. So there you have it.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Army @ Love #2
Army @ Love #2
Geez, but Rick Veitch draws really ugly people. All of his characters are ugly. And in his near future, Muslims apparently no longer hold to their actual beliefs, but have instead become watered down and assimilated - in their own countries! What? Yeah, it makes no sense to me either.
What seemed at first to be a promising concept has already proven itself to be a load of CRAP.
Geez, but Rick Veitch draws really ugly people. All of his characters are ugly. And in his near future, Muslims apparently no longer hold to their actual beliefs, but have instead become watered down and assimilated - in their own countries! What? Yeah, it makes no sense to me either.
What seemed at first to be a promising concept has already proven itself to be a load of CRAP.
Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #1
Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #1
Huh. Well, it's no Justice League Unlimited, but it's got something. The panel layouts are nice. The focusing on the petty rivalries between Legionnaires is cute. But it's not there yet. Still, it's OKAY, but merely that. I figured I'd give the first issue a shot. No promises on the second issue, though (ah, who am I kidding? Of course I'll read it!).
And man, typing that title takes a week!
Huh. Well, it's no Justice League Unlimited, but it's got something. The panel layouts are nice. The focusing on the petty rivalries between Legionnaires is cute. But it's not there yet. Still, it's OKAY, but merely that. I figured I'd give the first issue a shot. No promises on the second issue, though (ah, who am I kidding? Of course I'll read it!).
And man, typing that title takes a week!
Ultimate Spider-Man #108
Ultimate Spider-Man #108
Another GOOD issue. The panels detailing the inner working of Moon Knight's mind get interspersed with the action too much, though, and this makes it quite confusing. However, perhaps that's the point.
Another GOOD issue. The panels detailing the inner working of Moon Knight's mind get interspersed with the action too much, though, and this makes it quite confusing. However, perhaps that's the point.
X-23: Target X #5
X-23: Target X #5
Again, with the unexpected plot development. Kyle and Yost have created a fantastic miniseries here, and have made each issue relatively complete in its own right. Very well done. My only quibbles are that when Laura tells her family that they have three minutes to get out of the house, the art doesn't make it feel as if three minutes have actually passed. Also, how in the world did Laura manage to get the cuffs on Kimura? And what's with Kimura's Power Girl look? Otherwise, this issue is VERY GOOD.
Again, with the unexpected plot development. Kyle and Yost have created a fantastic miniseries here, and have made each issue relatively complete in its own right. Very well done. My only quibbles are that when Laura tells her family that they have three minutes to get out of the house, the art doesn't make it feel as if three minutes have actually passed. Also, how in the world did Laura manage to get the cuffs on Kimura? And what's with Kimura's Power Girl look? Otherwise, this issue is VERY GOOD.
Cable & Deadpool #39
Cable & Deadpool #39
We need a spinoff book right the hell now! Bob, Agent of Hydra! It'll sell like, a million copies. Seriously, he could be like Tag and Bink all rolled into one.
I dread next month's issue, because I haven't been reading X-Men. Hope I don't have to know what's going on there. I haven't been reading X-Men lately, because I just can't stand the "art". It makes my brain hurt. However, the fact that Humberto Ramos' drawings appear on the monitors at Providence is kinda cool.
As a relative newcomer to Deadpool fandom, I really didn't understand the set-up for this issue - because I had no clue as to the stories being referenced. I did like, though, the gratuitous breaking of the fourth wall in this issue. So, OKAY.
Almost forgot - once again, Skottie Young draws what might be one of the coolest covers ever!
And, bringing back an old feature, but by no means weekly: "Shut Up! Hail Hydra!" gets Quote of the Week.
We need a spinoff book right the hell now! Bob, Agent of Hydra! It'll sell like, a million copies. Seriously, he could be like Tag and Bink all rolled into one.
I dread next month's issue, because I haven't been reading X-Men. Hope I don't have to know what's going on there. I haven't been reading X-Men lately, because I just can't stand the "art". It makes my brain hurt. However, the fact that Humberto Ramos' drawings appear on the monitors at Providence is kinda cool.
As a relative newcomer to Deadpool fandom, I really didn't understand the set-up for this issue - because I had no clue as to the stories being referenced. I did like, though, the gratuitous breaking of the fourth wall in this issue. So, OKAY.
Almost forgot - once again, Skottie Young draws what might be one of the coolest covers ever!
And, bringing back an old feature, but by no means weekly: "Shut Up! Hail Hydra!" gets Quote of the Week.
Justice League of America #8
Justice League of America #8
I love that Starman speaks untranslated Interlac (and for observant readers, there's a translation key in the Batcave). I hate that he's more of a plot device than a character in this book - and in JSA as well. I also dislike how easily Karate Kid remembered who he was.
I love the double page spread of the JLA meeting the JSA. Some great lines.
I like Mr. T questioning why Reddy can see him. I hate his explanation: "you're more human than you think".
I like Mr. T using the old magician's trick of playing two opponents against each other. However, what's it supposed to prove? And can anybody give me a citation on it?
Shouldn't this "danger room" have safeguards against fatalities? Is the only reason Geoforce is on the team in order to save Harper's life in this scene? Lame. Why couldn't Reddy have saved him? Explain to me again why he would get Terra's powers? Because they're siblings? Since when does it work like that?
I like the roster page at the end of the issue. I dislike the fact that only some of the characters have IRL names associated. I dislike that the only difference in name between the two Wildcats is their first names. They should really be listed as Wildcat I and Wildcat III. Who's with me here?
Perhaps it's just me, and my unwillingness to read through the AWFUL first seven issues of this title, but where in the world did Karate Kid come from? I mean, when did he arrive in the Batcave? And seriously, Batman incapacitates him in one/two blows? How incredibly freaking lame is that? I'd suffer some more decompression for an extended fight scene between the two of them. That's just poor writing.
Lame: Hawkgirl pretending to be in the JLA. Cool: Hawkman, speaking Brad Meltzer's dialogue points out that Hal's ring is sort of magic.
That's all that I can recall from reading the book a few hours ago, except that, once again, NOTHING HAPPENS! Otherwise, this issue is OKAY, for the sheer fanboyishness of it.
I love that Starman speaks untranslated Interlac (and for observant readers, there's a translation key in the Batcave). I hate that he's more of a plot device than a character in this book - and in JSA as well. I also dislike how easily Karate Kid remembered who he was.
I love the double page spread of the JLA meeting the JSA. Some great lines.
I like Mr. T questioning why Reddy can see him. I hate his explanation: "you're more human than you think".
I like Mr. T using the old magician's trick of playing two opponents against each other. However, what's it supposed to prove? And can anybody give me a citation on it?
Shouldn't this "danger room" have safeguards against fatalities? Is the only reason Geoforce is on the team in order to save Harper's life in this scene? Lame. Why couldn't Reddy have saved him? Explain to me again why he would get Terra's powers? Because they're siblings? Since when does it work like that?
I like the roster page at the end of the issue. I dislike the fact that only some of the characters have IRL names associated. I dislike that the only difference in name between the two Wildcats is their first names. They should really be listed as Wildcat I and Wildcat III. Who's with me here?
Perhaps it's just me, and my unwillingness to read through the AWFUL first seven issues of this title, but where in the world did Karate Kid come from? I mean, when did he arrive in the Batcave? And seriously, Batman incapacitates him in one/two blows? How incredibly freaking lame is that? I'd suffer some more decompression for an extended fight scene between the two of them. That's just poor writing.
Lame: Hawkgirl pretending to be in the JLA. Cool: Hawkman, speaking Brad Meltzer's dialogue points out that Hal's ring is sort of magic.
That's all that I can recall from reading the book a few hours ago, except that, once again, NOTHING HAPPENS! Otherwise, this issue is OKAY, for the sheer fanboyishness of it.
Birds of Prey #105
Birds of Prey #105
A really GOOD issue. But I really wanted to know more about how Tora can still be drawing breath, when I remember her funeral!? Yeah, I know, comic book death, and all that, but I guess I'll just have to wait. I could've used a few more pages of knock-down drag-out fighting between Hawkgirl and Scandal. And what the hell is up with the satanic rituals? So that's how Communism lasted for so long! I'm interested in seeing where the Spy Smasher vs. Oracle plot takes us next. And I love little miss wannabe showing up and calling Babs her BFF. And any book with Manhunter in it has got to be good. That's the final word. So, GOOD - not VG, because we don't really get any new info here, just a lot of fun scenes.
Dear DC, please don't ruin next month's awesome cover by putting all kinds of indicia, upc, title, numbering, month, etc. information all over it. This might just be one of the greatest covers I've ever seen.
A really GOOD issue. But I really wanted to know more about how Tora can still be drawing breath, when I remember her funeral!? Yeah, I know, comic book death, and all that, but I guess I'll just have to wait. I could've used a few more pages of knock-down drag-out fighting between Hawkgirl and Scandal. And what the hell is up with the satanic rituals? So that's how Communism lasted for so long! I'm interested in seeing where the Spy Smasher vs. Oracle plot takes us next. And I love little miss wannabe showing up and calling Babs her BFF. And any book with Manhunter in it has got to be good. That's the final word. So, GOOD - not VG, because we don't really get any new info here, just a lot of fun scenes.
Dear DC, please don't ruin next month's awesome cover by putting all kinds of indicia, upc, title, numbering, month, etc. information all over it. This might just be one of the greatest covers I've ever seen.
52 #50 and World War III #1-#4
52 #50 and World War III #1-#4
EH. I really don't see how you can get a World War out of this. It's basically a many-on-one fight. No countries are involved, no enemy superheroes, just everybody on Black Adam. And the art is extremely confusing. I still can't make heads or tails of the panels where they're supposed to be manoeuvering Adam into position for the lightning strike. And who caught him? And how in the world could Billy change his magic word? The explanation given here is ridiculous, that all magic flows through him. And what's with the white streak in his hair? And when are all the events that were alluded to in the OYL books going to occur? Ugh. Forget it, I changed my mind, this is AWFUL. However....Booster Gold does reappear in this issue, as does Rip Hunter, and it seems that next issue we'll finally learn the significance of 52, and this issue features the only satisfying plot resolution of the entire series, so, huh, I don't know. Okay, I've made my decision. AWFUL. Seriously, bringing Green Arrow and Arsenal, and Manhattan Guardian, along to take down Black Adam? Are you insane? Why didn't it just start and end with the Marvel family? The rest of the big fight is superfluous nonsense, made for the specific purposes of having a few "character" moments. Ridiculous. Black Adam doesn't go right to China, but instead proceeds to attack nearly every other nation on Earth first. Italy, Greece, Egypt, USA, Australia. Why? Uh, that's not ever really explained. AWFUL.
And don't even get me started on the actual WWIII issues. Again, how stupid is that? Calling it WWIII? First of all, the DCU already had a WWIII, and that one was much more deserving of the appellation, being that it was partially characterised by many nations taking arms against each other simultaneously. So, this would be WWIV. But what kind of World War features not a single nation fighting any other? Um, none that I've ever heard of. And what's with the WWIII issues pretending that every single thing that happened between Infinite Crisis and One Year Later happened during this exact week? Donna taking Wonder Woman's armor, Themiscyra disappearing, Deathstroke recruiting Batgirl, Hawkgirl being shrunk back to normal size, Firestorm getting unmerged, Supergirl reappearing, Crispus deciding whether or not he'll choose to be the new Spectre, J'onn finding a new form, Aquaman becoming the Dweller, the plight of Sub Diego (which, by the way, makes zero sense in light of the pre-crisis issues of Aquaman - did the writers of WWIII even read any of those books? Riiiight, the Western coast of San Diego is raised by - wait for it - magic. Wha huh? What, is Rick Veitch writing Aquaman again?), that's so ridiculous. And Zatara falls in action, but then he's back again at the rock of Eternity, as if nothing happened? Are the writers even communicating with each other? Plus, the dialogue by Martian Manhunter is so hackneyed. Even the art is bad, since, for example, apparently the Bronze Tiger has red skin. Seriously, at first, I thought he was Brick. And what the hell is all this about Rick Flag? And truthfully, it's been soooo long since Infinite Crisis that I barely remember what was happening pre-Crisis, let alone One Year Later. And amidst the final gathering of heroes, don't you think that someone would have noticed that Hal was missing? And then possibly tracked him using some sort of satellite? How can plastic man bleed? How can his costume be ripped, his goggles cracked? That makes no sense! He doesn't have blood, and the costume is merely a manifestation of his shapeshifting ability! Also, isn't the great wall of China actually inside China's sovereign borders? If so, then how could the heroes wait there? And never have I seen J'onn so useless in a fight.
These books deserve a rating of ASS - and in fact, due to the inability of the myriad writers of 52 to provide any sort of allusion to any of these events in any of the preceding 49 weeks, the entire series of 52, as a whole, deserves an ASS too. Because really, they had how many months to plan all of this out, and they still couldn't pull it off? Ugh.
EH. I really don't see how you can get a World War out of this. It's basically a many-on-one fight. No countries are involved, no enemy superheroes, just everybody on Black Adam. And the art is extremely confusing. I still can't make heads or tails of the panels where they're supposed to be manoeuvering Adam into position for the lightning strike. And who caught him? And how in the world could Billy change his magic word? The explanation given here is ridiculous, that all magic flows through him. And what's with the white streak in his hair? And when are all the events that were alluded to in the OYL books going to occur? Ugh. Forget it, I changed my mind, this is AWFUL. However....Booster Gold does reappear in this issue, as does Rip Hunter, and it seems that next issue we'll finally learn the significance of 52, and this issue features the only satisfying plot resolution of the entire series, so, huh, I don't know. Okay, I've made my decision. AWFUL. Seriously, bringing Green Arrow and Arsenal, and Manhattan Guardian, along to take down Black Adam? Are you insane? Why didn't it just start and end with the Marvel family? The rest of the big fight is superfluous nonsense, made for the specific purposes of having a few "character" moments. Ridiculous. Black Adam doesn't go right to China, but instead proceeds to attack nearly every other nation on Earth first. Italy, Greece, Egypt, USA, Australia. Why? Uh, that's not ever really explained. AWFUL.
And don't even get me started on the actual WWIII issues. Again, how stupid is that? Calling it WWIII? First of all, the DCU already had a WWIII, and that one was much more deserving of the appellation, being that it was partially characterised by many nations taking arms against each other simultaneously. So, this would be WWIV. But what kind of World War features not a single nation fighting any other? Um, none that I've ever heard of. And what's with the WWIII issues pretending that every single thing that happened between Infinite Crisis and One Year Later happened during this exact week? Donna taking Wonder Woman's armor, Themiscyra disappearing, Deathstroke recruiting Batgirl, Hawkgirl being shrunk back to normal size, Firestorm getting unmerged, Supergirl reappearing, Crispus deciding whether or not he'll choose to be the new Spectre, J'onn finding a new form, Aquaman becoming the Dweller, the plight of Sub Diego (which, by the way, makes zero sense in light of the pre-crisis issues of Aquaman - did the writers of WWIII even read any of those books? Riiiight, the Western coast of San Diego is raised by - wait for it - magic. Wha huh? What, is Rick Veitch writing Aquaman again?), that's so ridiculous. And Zatara falls in action, but then he's back again at the rock of Eternity, as if nothing happened? Are the writers even communicating with each other? Plus, the dialogue by Martian Manhunter is so hackneyed. Even the art is bad, since, for example, apparently the Bronze Tiger has red skin. Seriously, at first, I thought he was Brick. And what the hell is all this about Rick Flag? And truthfully, it's been soooo long since Infinite Crisis that I barely remember what was happening pre-Crisis, let alone One Year Later. And amidst the final gathering of heroes, don't you think that someone would have noticed that Hal was missing? And then possibly tracked him using some sort of satellite? How can plastic man bleed? How can his costume be ripped, his goggles cracked? That makes no sense! He doesn't have blood, and the costume is merely a manifestation of his shapeshifting ability! Also, isn't the great wall of China actually inside China's sovereign borders? If so, then how could the heroes wait there? And never have I seen J'onn so useless in a fight.
These books deserve a rating of ASS - and in fact, due to the inability of the myriad writers of 52 to provide any sort of allusion to any of these events in any of the preceding 49 weeks, the entire series of 52, as a whole, deserves an ASS too. Because really, they had how many months to plan all of this out, and they still couldn't pull it off? Ugh.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Grifter & Midnighter #1-#2
Grifter & Midnighter #1-#2
An Imaginary Conversation Between Chuck Dixon and Ryan Benjamin
Dixon: Hey, isn't one of those Wildstorm characters gay?
Benjamin: Yeah, I think you're right, there is one!
CD: Hey, I've got a ton of homo jokes I haven't been able to use since everything became all PC.
RB: Tell me about it!
CD: How about this? I can write a book with that gay guy in it, and he can make all the homo jokes he wants! That'll rock!
RB: Yeah, but are these just going to be asides? Those can get really tired if he's only gonna be talking to himself.
CD: I know! We'll get another character! Let's see...Wildstorm Universe...Gen13, Authority, what else is there?
RB: I don't know....ya know, Brubaker did a mini with this guy who wore a sock on his head...
CD: That wasn't a sock, that was a hanky! Okay, yeah, we'll use hanky-man - he's straight, right?
RB: I think so.
CD: Good. I'll get hanky man to be gay guy's straight man...get it? Straight man? God, I kill myself.
RB: Settle down, Chuck.
CD: Anyways, let's set gay guy and hanky man up against some sort of shape changing evil.
RB: Oooh! Can they change into a naked chick? I looove drawing naked chicks!
CD: Sure, that'll give me more ammo for my gay guy to use on hanky man. In fact, how about the shape changer changes into a man, for good measure?
RB: Ewwww. Okay, I can see how that'd be funny, but I'm only drawing the face - then it's back to naked chick.
CD: Good enough. So what do we know about these characters?
RB: Well, let's see...the gay one's kinda like Batman, isn't he?
CD: Yeah! I can sooo write Batman...I always wanted to write some homo humor into that book, but editorial kept chopping it out. You know, some Bruce on Dick action.................
Dixon gets a faraway look in his eyes
RB: Chuck, you're really creeping me out here...
Dixon snaps out of his fugue
CD: Wha? Huh? Anyways, where were we? Oh yeah, hanky man. Isn't he kinda sorta like the Punisher? Badass.
RB: 'Cept he wears a hanky on his face instead of a big skull. Truth to tell, Chuck, I can't really draw capes and other rippling fabrics too well.
CD: That's okay, we only need it for the beginning. After he and homo man hook up - I kill myself! -
RB: Chuck....
CD: Yeah, anyways, after they team up, he can take it off. Get it? Take it off?
RB: Chuck!
CD: Anyways, whaddaya think?
RB: Kewl! But, now this may not be my place, since I'm not the writer here, but don't we need some sort of plot beyond homo man, hanky man, and naked babe?
CD: Yeah, don't worry about that. I'll throw in some weird shit, and figure the rest out as I go along. Don't worry, I've always managed to make it work before.
RB: Great! So, what'll we call the book?
CD: Well, you know that kickass book Superman/Batman?
RB: Yeah, that rocks!
CD: Anyways, it seems like everybody's doing it nowadays - Cable & Deadpool, Batman & Robin - we'll just name it Homo Guy & Straight Man.
RB: Uh, Chuck, I don't think that'll sell. Anyways, don't they have real names?
CD: Chill Ryan, I was just messin' with you. Let's see...what's the gay guy's name?
both riffle through some old comics
RB: Uh, Midnighter?
CD: Kickass! What about hanky man?
RB: Cole something or other.
CD: No, that's gay. Come on, he must have some kind of superhero name.
riffling continues
RB: Oh, I got it right here: Grifter? What kind of lame ass name is that?
CD: Eh, we'll never use it inside the book itself, we just need to put it on the cover.
RB: Heeey, I know what we'll do! I'll create this cooool logo - with a gun, in place of the first 'r' in his name.
CD: Why not in place of both of them?
RB: I don't wanna overdo it.
CD: Fine, great idea, Ryan! So Midnighter & Grifter?
RB: Hmmm....I believe that'll look unbalanced on the page. And you don't want to telegraph the fact that we tacked Grifter on as an afterthought.
CD: You're right Ryan. Grifter & Midnighter?
RB: We have a winner!
CD: So what do you know about their powers or anything?
RB: Um, well, uh, let's see, these books I've found just have them fighting and shooting a lot. And talking.
CD: No, no talking (except for my gay jokes!). That would mean that I'd have to have a plot ahead of time. Eh, don't worry about it, I'll make something up.
RB: But what if it doesn't fit into continuity?
CD: Hah! Who reads these books anyways? And why do you think that DC rebooted Wildstorm in the first place? Nah, we'll be fine.
RB: Cool, let's do it!
That's what reading this title is like. It's as if its creators have no idea who their characters are, how they've been previously portrayed, or what their abilities are - nor do they seem to care.
I'm just using CD and RB as names to separate the voices in my conversation - replace them with two of DC editorial's higher-ups (and tweak the dialogue) if you so desire. Keep in mind though, that considering this quote from Newsarama's interview with Dixon:
This is NOT a book for children. And, though I am aware that Chuck Dixon feels that this title is being written for Mature Audiences only, this is not indicated anywhere in the book itself. Hell, this isn't even a book for adults - the writing is just so mind-numbingly atrocious. I haven't given a rating of ASS in a long time, but this title richly deserves it. (Imagine Chuck Dixon going "yay, me!" here.)
And by the way, I don't like Superman/Batman as much as Chuck Dixon does (the way I write him).
The full text of Dixon's Newsarama interview can be read here.
And, for the record, I, myself, have absolutely no problem with homosexuality in comics - as long as it's done right. See Runaways to understand how to do it. Heinberg did an okay job with it in Young Avengers. So did Gail Simone in Birds of Prey. Hell, even Ultimate X-Men does it better. This book, however, could be a textbook example of how not to write gay.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
An Imaginary Conversation Between Chuck Dixon and Ryan Benjamin
Dixon: Hey, isn't one of those Wildstorm characters gay?
Benjamin: Yeah, I think you're right, there is one!
CD: Hey, I've got a ton of homo jokes I haven't been able to use since everything became all PC.
RB: Tell me about it!
CD: How about this? I can write a book with that gay guy in it, and he can make all the homo jokes he wants! That'll rock!
RB: Yeah, but are these just going to be asides? Those can get really tired if he's only gonna be talking to himself.
CD: I know! We'll get another character! Let's see...Wildstorm Universe...Gen13, Authority, what else is there?
RB: I don't know....ya know, Brubaker did a mini with this guy who wore a sock on his head...
CD: That wasn't a sock, that was a hanky! Okay, yeah, we'll use hanky-man - he's straight, right?
RB: I think so.
CD: Good. I'll get hanky man to be gay guy's straight man...get it? Straight man? God, I kill myself.
RB: Settle down, Chuck.
CD: Anyways, let's set gay guy and hanky man up against some sort of shape changing evil.
RB: Oooh! Can they change into a naked chick? I looove drawing naked chicks!
CD: Sure, that'll give me more ammo for my gay guy to use on hanky man. In fact, how about the shape changer changes into a man, for good measure?
RB: Ewwww. Okay, I can see how that'd be funny, but I'm only drawing the face - then it's back to naked chick.
CD: Good enough. So what do we know about these characters?
RB: Well, let's see...the gay one's kinda like Batman, isn't he?
CD: Yeah! I can sooo write Batman...I always wanted to write some homo humor into that book, but editorial kept chopping it out. You know, some Bruce on Dick action.................
Dixon gets a faraway look in his eyes
RB: Chuck, you're really creeping me out here...
Dixon snaps out of his fugue
CD: Wha? Huh? Anyways, where were we? Oh yeah, hanky man. Isn't he kinda sorta like the Punisher? Badass.
RB: 'Cept he wears a hanky on his face instead of a big skull. Truth to tell, Chuck, I can't really draw capes and other rippling fabrics too well.
CD: That's okay, we only need it for the beginning. After he and homo man hook up - I kill myself! -
RB: Chuck....
CD: Yeah, anyways, after they team up, he can take it off. Get it? Take it off?
RB: Chuck!
CD: Anyways, whaddaya think?
RB: Kewl! But, now this may not be my place, since I'm not the writer here, but don't we need some sort of plot beyond homo man, hanky man, and naked babe?
CD: Yeah, don't worry about that. I'll throw in some weird shit, and figure the rest out as I go along. Don't worry, I've always managed to make it work before.
RB: Great! So, what'll we call the book?
CD: Well, you know that kickass book Superman/Batman?
RB: Yeah, that rocks!
CD: Anyways, it seems like everybody's doing it nowadays - Cable & Deadpool, Batman & Robin - we'll just name it Homo Guy & Straight Man.
RB: Uh, Chuck, I don't think that'll sell. Anyways, don't they have real names?
CD: Chill Ryan, I was just messin' with you. Let's see...what's the gay guy's name?
both riffle through some old comics
RB: Uh, Midnighter?
CD: Kickass! What about hanky man?
RB: Cole something or other.
CD: No, that's gay. Come on, he must have some kind of superhero name.
riffling continues
RB: Oh, I got it right here: Grifter? What kind of lame ass name is that?
CD: Eh, we'll never use it inside the book itself, we just need to put it on the cover.
RB: Heeey, I know what we'll do! I'll create this cooool logo - with a gun, in place of the first 'r' in his name.
CD: Why not in place of both of them?
RB: I don't wanna overdo it.
CD: Fine, great idea, Ryan! So Midnighter & Grifter?
RB: Hmmm....I believe that'll look unbalanced on the page. And you don't want to telegraph the fact that we tacked Grifter on as an afterthought.
CD: You're right Ryan. Grifter & Midnighter?
RB: We have a winner!
CD: So what do you know about their powers or anything?
RB: Um, well, uh, let's see, these books I've found just have them fighting and shooting a lot. And talking.
CD: No, no talking (except for my gay jokes!). That would mean that I'd have to have a plot ahead of time. Eh, don't worry about it, I'll make something up.
RB: But what if it doesn't fit into continuity?
CD: Hah! Who reads these books anyways? And why do you think that DC rebooted Wildstorm in the first place? Nah, we'll be fine.
RB: Cool, let's do it!
That's what reading this title is like. It's as if its creators have no idea who their characters are, how they've been previously portrayed, or what their abilities are - nor do they seem to care.
I'm just using CD and RB as names to separate the voices in my conversation - replace them with two of DC editorial's higher-ups (and tweak the dialogue) if you so desire. Keep in mind though, that considering this quote from Newsarama's interview with Dixon:
"I haven’t seen a mainstream comic story yet with a gay character that wasn’t loaded with stereotypes and clichés"it's ironic that that's all that this book seems to be. Even more ironic is the fact that in the same interview, Dixon rails against other writers being in-your-face with their attitude to homosexuality. In his opinion, comics are for kids, and that kind of writing has no place in them. Funny, because line after line in this book proclaims "I'm gay"! "He's gay"! I can just see some little kid going "Mommy, what does it mean 'he's on top'? What's a 'lover'? Isn't Apollo a man?" not to mention, "What happened to that man's head? Why isn't that lady wearing any clothes?"
This is NOT a book for children. And, though I am aware that Chuck Dixon feels that this title is being written for Mature Audiences only, this is not indicated anywhere in the book itself. Hell, this isn't even a book for adults - the writing is just so mind-numbingly atrocious. I haven't given a rating of ASS in a long time, but this title richly deserves it. (Imagine Chuck Dixon going "yay, me!" here.)
And by the way, I don't like Superman/Batman as much as Chuck Dixon does (the way I write him).
The full text of Dixon's Newsarama interview can be read here.
And, for the record, I, myself, have absolutely no problem with homosexuality in comics - as long as it's done right. See Runaways to understand how to do it. Heinberg did an okay job with it in Young Avengers. So did Gail Simone in Birds of Prey. Hell, even Ultimate X-Men does it better. This book, however, could be a textbook example of how not to write gay.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Friday, April 13, 2007
Green Lantern Corps #11
Green Lantern Corps #11
This series is so AWFUL. I get no sense of where in the universe any of these sectors are - their numbering just seems random to me. And there's no way that I can remember the name of each and every GL from month to month. Especially when they're not even named. The only "story" that I enjoyed at all in this issue was that of the Raanian GL's. Which was all of three pages long. And didn't even name the GL's featured. More like a vignette.
What the hell happened to Kilowog to make him go psycho? Since when is Arisia such a bitch?
This series seems to flounder along from month to month with no clear purpose. I keep reading it hoping that that'll change. But now, after nearly a year, I'm resigned to the fact that it won't.
AWFUL.
This series is so AWFUL. I get no sense of where in the universe any of these sectors are - their numbering just seems random to me. And there's no way that I can remember the name of each and every GL from month to month. Especially when they're not even named. The only "story" that I enjoyed at all in this issue was that of the Raanian GL's. Which was all of three pages long. And didn't even name the GL's featured. More like a vignette.
What the hell happened to Kilowog to make him go psycho? Since when is Arisia such a bitch?
This series seems to flounder along from month to month with no clear purpose. I keep reading it hoping that that'll change. But now, after nearly a year, I'm resigned to the fact that it won't.
AWFUL.
New X-Men #37
New X-Men #37
I really like the new Manga feel to this book. Skottie Young is extremely talented. Last month he did the cover to Cable & Deadpool in a Sinkiewicz style, and now, this! And the storybook pages by Niko Henrichon are beautiful. They give the complete history of Magik - both of them - in a matter of fourteen pages. And manage to condense Claremont's AWFUL Black Sun miniseries into something comprehensible in two of those. I also like the inclusion of more characters than just Julian's team.
But does Craig Kyle's ego really need the "X-23 Created by" credit on even the issues she doesn't appear in?
VERY GOOD. I'm hoping for more of the same next month.
I really like the new Manga feel to this book. Skottie Young is extremely talented. Last month he did the cover to Cable & Deadpool in a Sinkiewicz style, and now, this! And the storybook pages by Niko Henrichon are beautiful. They give the complete history of Magik - both of them - in a matter of fourteen pages. And manage to condense Claremont's AWFUL Black Sun miniseries into something comprehensible in two of those. I also like the inclusion of more characters than just Julian's team.
But does Craig Kyle's ego really need the "X-23 Created by" credit on even the issues she doesn't appear in?
VERY GOOD. I'm hoping for more of the same next month.
Teen Titans #45
Teen Titans #45
First, a transcript of some of my thoughts as I was reading this issue:
I find it interesting that Duela can always manage to keep her sense of humor.
Joey wears the same armor as Ravager...but why is he still Mute? If his body were cloned wouldn't it be good as new?
Interesting that Megan actually wears her costume as opposed to changing into it. Or maybe that's just a coloring error.
Match's Bizarro dialogue needs some work...the antonyms aren't consistent...but perhaps it's not supposed to.
How in the world could Risk, of all people, take down Batgirl with a single kick? Uh uh, no way. She'd have heard him coming a mile away.
Why would Ravager speak and let Wade know she was behind him, instead of just killing him? Unless subconsciously she didn't want to.
Yay! The real Titans show up!
And now, my thoughts upon its completion:
This issue is very poorly executed. It's got some nice touches, but overall it's a bit of a mess. EH. And that's being generous. I want to give this a lower rating, but I kindof like the overall story, so I'm willing to overlook the overwhelming ineptitude.
First, a transcript of some of my thoughts as I was reading this issue:
I find it interesting that Duela can always manage to keep her sense of humor.
Joey wears the same armor as Ravager...but why is he still Mute? If his body were cloned wouldn't it be good as new?
Interesting that Megan actually wears her costume as opposed to changing into it. Or maybe that's just a coloring error.
Match's Bizarro dialogue needs some work...the antonyms aren't consistent...but perhaps it's not supposed to.
How in the world could Risk, of all people, take down Batgirl with a single kick? Uh uh, no way. She'd have heard him coming a mile away.
Why would Ravager speak and let Wade know she was behind him, instead of just killing him? Unless subconsciously she didn't want to.
Yay! The real Titans show up!
And now, my thoughts upon its completion:
This issue is very poorly executed. It's got some nice touches, but overall it's a bit of a mess. EH. And that's being generous. I want to give this a lower rating, but I kindof like the overall story, so I'm willing to overlook the overwhelming ineptitude.
JLA Classified #37
JLA Classified #37
(Page 4:"girlfriend who's crazy about you", not "him".)
I've never heard of Carlos D'Anda, but his work is pretty good. And I didn't like Milligan's work on Uncanny at all, but if it had been more like this, I might have. I sure do like the way the title character in this arc makes fun of the same things that we would. VERY GOOD. I just hope that this arc doesn't drag on like the last one, because much as I like Slott, he started out with a promising premise and rapidly turned it into CRAP.
(Page 4:"girlfriend who's crazy about you", not "him".)
I've never heard of Carlos D'Anda, but his work is pretty good. And I didn't like Milligan's work on Uncanny at all, but if it had been more like this, I might have. I sure do like the way the title character in this arc makes fun of the same things that we would. VERY GOOD. I just hope that this arc doesn't drag on like the last one, because much as I like Slott, he started out with a promising premise and rapidly turned it into CRAP.
Wolverine: Origins #13
Wolverine: Origins #13
Perhaps it's just me, but whenever Wolverine's son appears on-panel, I suddenly lose all interest in the story whatsoever. The character feels hacked together with no forethought.
And the pacing on this series remains atrocious. I swear, this entire issue can't have encompassed more than 20 minutes, and it took me no more than five to read. That's not good. Definitely sub-EH.
Perhaps it's just me, but whenever Wolverine's son appears on-panel, I suddenly lose all interest in the story whatsoever. The character feels hacked together with no forethought.
And the pacing on this series remains atrocious. I swear, this entire issue can't have encompassed more than 20 minutes, and it took me no more than five to read. That's not good. Definitely sub-EH.
Ghost Rider #10
Ghost Rider #10
My immediate reaction is that this issue is definitely OKAY. There's nothing in here to take umbrage at, no shortages of craft, just nothing spectacular. It is what it is, and what it is is OKAY. And I didn't even have to read last issue! This issue sports both a good recap page and a good for-those-just-joining-us within the issue itself.
My immediate reaction is that this issue is definitely OKAY. There's nothing in here to take umbrage at, no shortages of craft, just nothing spectacular. It is what it is, and what it is is OKAY. And I didn't even have to read last issue! This issue sports both a good recap page and a good for-those-just-joining-us within the issue itself.
Thunderbolts #113
Thunderbolts #113
Now why didn't I see that coming? Of course Osborn would choose to go after the Steel Spider next. Of course, I don't remember any of these supposed heroes. I suppose that's the point. Yet, it happens to be quite annoying. I know that I'm supposed to care about these unregistered superhumans, or tech heroes, or vigilantes, or whatever - man the Superhuman Registration Act is sooooo vague - but I still can't find myself caring for characters I know nothing about. Hey, Marvel? Howsabout giving us an "Essential Storylines" briefing for each of these characters, as DC is in 52? Also, the C.S.A.? I always thought that acronym referred to the Confederate States of America, but apparently not. Perhaps Ellis doesn't know that...he is British after all. Could someone please tell him?
I like the way that this entire issue is comprised essentially of vignettes featuring one or two of the characters. And not even a single fight! That's pretty good writing. Again, I find myself wavering between okay, and GOOD, but the Osborn scenes put it over the cusp. GOOD.
Now why didn't I see that coming? Of course Osborn would choose to go after the Steel Spider next. Of course, I don't remember any of these supposed heroes. I suppose that's the point. Yet, it happens to be quite annoying. I know that I'm supposed to care about these unregistered superhumans, or tech heroes, or vigilantes, or whatever - man the Superhuman Registration Act is sooooo vague - but I still can't find myself caring for characters I know nothing about. Hey, Marvel? Howsabout giving us an "Essential Storylines" briefing for each of these characters, as DC is in 52? Also, the C.S.A.? I always thought that acronym referred to the Confederate States of America, but apparently not. Perhaps Ellis doesn't know that...he is British after all. Could someone please tell him?
I like the way that this entire issue is comprised essentially of vignettes featuring one or two of the characters. And not even a single fight! That's pretty good writing. Again, I find myself wavering between okay, and GOOD, but the Osborn scenes put it over the cusp. GOOD.
Green Arrow #73
Green Arrow #73
A few problems with this issue...on the cover, Star City's logo written in the same font as Star Wars? On the page with Connor's big reveal, what the HELL is wrong with the perspective? Uh, is he like wearing an Atom belt or something? And if the bad guy's power is fists of steel, then how come they seem to be flaming? And why doesn't Connor mention that? With Canary's appearance here and in the new Justice League, who's taking care of Sin?
I'm glad that they finally explained exactly what was so bad about Ollie bankrolling the Outsiders. I couldn't really figure out why it seemed to matter. No matter what others might say, I really enjoy the political intrigue in this title. Some may think it's a poor ripoff of Ex Machina, but I still like it, and the interspersed action scenes make it seem to move a bit faster. I hope that Nudocerdo screws up and is outed as running with the wolves, supporting Brick or something, so that Winick can continue to write the intrigue.
This issue falls somewhere between OKAY and good, so let's rate it a high OKAY.
A few problems with this issue...on the cover, Star City's logo written in the same font as Star Wars? On the page with Connor's big reveal, what the HELL is wrong with the perspective? Uh, is he like wearing an Atom belt or something? And if the bad guy's power is fists of steel, then how come they seem to be flaming? And why doesn't Connor mention that? With Canary's appearance here and in the new Justice League, who's taking care of Sin?
I'm glad that they finally explained exactly what was so bad about Ollie bankrolling the Outsiders. I couldn't really figure out why it seemed to matter. No matter what others might say, I really enjoy the political intrigue in this title. Some may think it's a poor ripoff of Ex Machina, but I still like it, and the interspersed action scenes make it seem to move a bit faster. I hope that Nudocerdo screws up and is outed as running with the wolves, supporting Brick or something, so that Winick can continue to write the intrigue.
This issue falls somewhere between OKAY and good, so let's rate it a high OKAY.
Fables #60
Fables #60
GOOD. But I'm still not clear on exactly what happened to Fly's family. Since Totenkinder means literally "child death", I assume that our good frau gains power from each death from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). But this issue seems to imply that she's directly responsible for such deaths. That's an extent to which I'm not willing to go, so I truly hope that Willingham's got something else in mind.
GOOD. But I'm still not clear on exactly what happened to Fly's family. Since Totenkinder means literally "child death", I assume that our good frau gains power from each death from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). But this issue seems to imply that she's directly responsible for such deaths. That's an extent to which I'm not willing to go, so I truly hope that Willingham's got something else in mind.
52 #49
52 #49
The past two weeks have had the most amazing covers of the entire series.
p.2 "I am the Socialist Red Guardsman of the Great Ten of the Chinese People's Republic" - Besides the fact that his group has been previously called the "Great Wall", and that the country is commonly referred to in English as the People's Republic of China, how can he not start laughing upon hearing such a ridiculous sounding statement coming out of his mouth?
Instead of wearing an eyepatch, why doesn't Alan Scott just leave one eyehole of his mask closed? Or wear a glass eye?
p.3 This is the first time IIRC that the group of mad scientists on Oolong has been called the "Science Squad", and the first time it's been implied that Egg Fu does NOT work for Apokolips, but is, in fact, a freelancer, an entrepreneur.
p.4 Our bodies have very little gold in them, and, hopefully, NO lead - if I recall my Bio courses. Likewise Mercury, which isn't mentioned here. And, of course, no Platinum, Tin, or Plutonium. So either Doc Magnus is bullshitting Egg Fu (which he probably is), or WTF???
p.10 Interesting revelation, that in fact, Chang Tzu (Egg Fu) IS a member of Great Ten.
p.12 When was the last time we saw Billy's talking tiger?
p.14 As ridiculous as SRG's statement on p.2 was, Will Magnus's here is AMAZING "I have a particle wave ray gun and bipolar disorder!"
p.15 Why is Egg Fu green inside? Is he a rotten egg? HAH! I kill me.
p.16 panel 5: I see Thunderbolt, but I never saw Jakeem. Huh?
p.22 Summoned from where? Without a knowledge of the Ragnarok battle, this makes no sense!
p.23 Have the events in panel 2 happened yet?
Which Wildcat is this? I or III? Why don't Green Lantern and Flash get to keep their superhero names?
Ummmm....OKAY?
The past two weeks have had the most amazing covers of the entire series.
p.2 "I am the Socialist Red Guardsman of the Great Ten of the Chinese People's Republic" - Besides the fact that his group has been previously called the "Great Wall", and that the country is commonly referred to in English as the People's Republic of China, how can he not start laughing upon hearing such a ridiculous sounding statement coming out of his mouth?
Instead of wearing an eyepatch, why doesn't Alan Scott just leave one eyehole of his mask closed? Or wear a glass eye?
p.3 This is the first time IIRC that the group of mad scientists on Oolong has been called the "Science Squad", and the first time it's been implied that Egg Fu does NOT work for Apokolips, but is, in fact, a freelancer, an entrepreneur.
p.4 Our bodies have very little gold in them, and, hopefully, NO lead - if I recall my Bio courses. Likewise Mercury, which isn't mentioned here. And, of course, no Platinum, Tin, or Plutonium. So either Doc Magnus is bullshitting Egg Fu (which he probably is), or WTF???
p.10 Interesting revelation, that in fact, Chang Tzu (Egg Fu) IS a member of Great Ten.
p.12 When was the last time we saw Billy's talking tiger?
p.14 As ridiculous as SRG's statement on p.2 was, Will Magnus's here is AMAZING "I have a particle wave ray gun and bipolar disorder!"
p.15 Why is Egg Fu green inside? Is he a rotten egg? HAH! I kill me.
p.16 panel 5: I see Thunderbolt, but I never saw Jakeem. Huh?
p.22 Summoned from where? Without a knowledge of the Ragnarok battle, this makes no sense!
p.23 Have the events in panel 2 happened yet?
Which Wildcat is this? I or III? Why don't Green Lantern and Flash get to keep their superhero names?
Ummmm....OKAY?
Welcome to Tranquility #5
Welcome to Tranquility #5
Suddenly, I have no idea where this is going, or why, and I find myself completely blown away by it. Plot twists galore in this issue, none of which I saw coming. In a word, "whoa". I just felt that this issue was too damn short, due to the tacked-on "reprint" taking a full four pages at the beginning. VERY GOOD.
Suddenly, I have no idea where this is going, or why, and I find myself completely blown away by it. Plot twists galore in this issue, none of which I saw coming. In a word, "whoa". I just felt that this issue was too damn short, due to the tacked-on "reprint" taking a full four pages at the beginning. VERY GOOD.
Supergirl #16
Supergirl #16
Actually GOOD. This is the first issue that actually makes any kind of sense. I don't like where I believe it to be going, but at least, for the first time, the issue is coherent. And it took nearly a year to do it. Of course, it's entirely comprised of flashbacks to Kara's youth on Krypton. Oh, well.
Actually GOOD. This is the first issue that actually makes any kind of sense. I don't like where I believe it to be going, but at least, for the first time, the issue is coherent. And it took nearly a year to do it. Of course, it's entirely comprised of flashbacks to Kara's youth on Krypton. Oh, well.
Midnighter #6
Midnighter #6
Huh? What in the world was that? Does this make sense to anyone? Not a particularly bad issue, merely puzzling, but, huh? OKAY.
Huh? What in the world was that? Does this make sense to anyone? Not a particularly bad issue, merely puzzling, but, huh? OKAY.
Justice League Unlimited #32
Justice League Unlimited #32
VERY GOOD. A perfect combination of the modern-day Guy Gardner, and his Giffen-era portrayal. This is actually the best Guy Gardner I've ever seen. And thankfully, no preachy ending.
VERY GOOD. A perfect combination of the modern-day Guy Gardner, and his Giffen-era portrayal. This is actually the best Guy Gardner I've ever seen. And thankfully, no preachy ending.
Jack of Fables #9
Jack of Fables #9
The first EH issue of this title. This storyline is dragging on too long. Isn't Jack forbidden from reentering the limelight? Is Lady Luck a Fable? Who cares.
The first EH issue of this title. This storyline is dragging on too long. Isn't Jack forbidden from reentering the limelight? Is Lady Luck a Fable? Who cares.
Incredible Hulk #105
Incredible Hulk #105
EXCELLENT. I've stayed with this title, even as it explored the themes of fantasy, which don't always quite keep my attention. So, month to month, I've browsed through it, skipping the fine details in favor of the larger story. And now, more than a year later, this storyline finally comes to a planet-shattering conclusion, and it's all those fascists Stark and Richards' fault. Over the past year, a world was built in which the Hulk could thrive and finally be happy. But of course it couldn't stay that way. What kind of seller would a book about complacency be? So Pak tears it all away from the Hulk in one fell swoop: his friends, his love, his kingdom, his planet. Now the Hulk is pissed and he's going to come to Earth seeking revenge. I, for one, truly hope that he finds it.
EXCELLENT. I've stayed with this title, even as it explored the themes of fantasy, which don't always quite keep my attention. So, month to month, I've browsed through it, skipping the fine details in favor of the larger story. And now, more than a year later, this storyline finally comes to a planet-shattering conclusion, and it's all those fascists Stark and Richards' fault. Over the past year, a world was built in which the Hulk could thrive and finally be happy. But of course it couldn't stay that way. What kind of seller would a book about complacency be? So Pak tears it all away from the Hulk in one fell swoop: his friends, his love, his kingdom, his planet. Now the Hulk is pissed and he's going to come to Earth seeking revenge. I, for one, truly hope that he finds it.
Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America - Wolverine
Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America - Wolverine
Oh my lord. Jeph Loeb, what has happened to you? You used to be brilliant. Since you moved to Marvel you've churned out one piece of CRAP after another. Wolverine? CRAP - I can't even read it. (It's certainly pretty to look at though.)
And now this travesty. This book is CRAP from the get-go. How many times can we get the title into this issue? I dunno Jeph, let's see...ugh.
And Wolverine turning to Daredevil on account of his keen senses? If Loeb knows Wolvie this well, he has no business writing Wolverine's own book. Honestly, I couldn't even finish this.
[Got this response from Marvel regarding this review:
Sorry you couldn't finish it, Spot -- but thanks for writing in.
Your Man @ Marvel,
Bill Rosemann]
Oh my lord. Jeph Loeb, what has happened to you? You used to be brilliant. Since you moved to Marvel you've churned out one piece of CRAP after another. Wolverine? CRAP - I can't even read it. (It's certainly pretty to look at though.)
And now this travesty. This book is CRAP from the get-go. How many times can we get the title into this issue? I dunno Jeph, let's see...ugh.
And Wolverine turning to Daredevil on account of his keen senses? If Loeb knows Wolvie this well, he has no business writing Wolverine's own book. Honestly, I couldn't even finish this.
[Got this response from Marvel regarding this review:
Sorry you couldn't finish it, Spot -- but thanks for writing in.
Your Man @ Marvel,
Bill Rosemann]
Detective Comics #831
Detective Comics #831
Dini brings his personal creation, Harley Quinn, back to the printed page. He gives us another done-in-one here, but one which uses threads from several of the other one-shot stories he's written this past year. It's VERY, VERY GOOD. The art is a bit of a mismatch, as Harley could do with a more cartoony style, but that can be overlooked, as the story itself is just so damn fine. By god, it moves. Excellent scripting of panels, and good execution make this one of the best Batman books so far this year. Even better is the fact that the Bat is hardly even in this issue.
Dini brings his personal creation, Harley Quinn, back to the printed page. He gives us another done-in-one here, but one which uses threads from several of the other one-shot stories he's written this past year. It's VERY, VERY GOOD. The art is a bit of a mismatch, as Harley could do with a more cartoony style, but that can be overlooked, as the story itself is just so damn fine. By god, it moves. Excellent scripting of panels, and good execution make this one of the best Batman books so far this year. Even better is the fact that the Bat is hardly even in this issue.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - season 8 #2
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - season 8 #2
VERY GOOD. Xander talks to giant bathing Dawn. Giles apparently trains more slayers. Andrew debates the foibles of Lando Calrissian. Buffy makes up words. And Willow shows up. Plus, more clues to the "Big Bad" are revealed. Yup, it's a VERY GOOD issue.
VERY GOOD. Xander talks to giant bathing Dawn. Giles apparently trains more slayers. Andrew debates the foibles of Lando Calrissian. Buffy makes up words. And Willow shows up. Plus, more clues to the "Big Bad" are revealed. Yup, it's a VERY GOOD issue.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Superman #661
Superman #661
VERY GOOD. It's hard to tell where this fits in to continuity, but it's got some excellent flairs, such as the immortal villainess describing Wonder Woman as a "Mystery Man". The art is different, but it fits nicely with the story.
VERY GOOD. It's hard to tell where this fits in to continuity, but it's got some excellent flairs, such as the immortal villainess describing Wonder Woman as a "Mystery Man". The art is different, but it fits nicely with the story.
Excalibur #18
Excalibur #18
EH. It's almost okay, going back to the tried-and-true formula of the Captain Britain Corps, but then it takes a psychotic turn. What a waste of a promising premise.
EH. It's almost okay, going back to the tried-and-true formula of the Captain Britain Corps, but then it takes a psychotic turn. What a waste of a promising premise.
52 #48
52 #48
Back to EH, this "auctioning Black Adam off to the world as your very own nuclear deterrent" just seems like a complete waste of potential. Why not use him? I don't know.
Back to EH, this "auctioning Black Adam off to the world as your very own nuclear deterrent" just seems like a complete waste of potential. Why not use him? I don't know.
Red Prophet - Tales of Alvin Maker #6
Red Prophet - Tales of Alvin Maker #6
The writer of this issue is obviously having problems with the condensation required. He spends two, three, sometimes four panels featuring the exact same characters doing the same thing, and then sometimes fills entire panels with exposition or thoughts, reproduced verbatim from the novel. While I appreciate the attempt to preserve the most excellent source material, it comes off lopsided - especially since I know what's coming and they seem to just be taking their sweet time getting there. Each issue does not have its own central story, and the book suffers for that. This would work much better as a straight-to-trade release. EH.
The writer of this issue is obviously having problems with the condensation required. He spends two, three, sometimes four panels featuring the exact same characters doing the same thing, and then sometimes fills entire panels with exposition or thoughts, reproduced verbatim from the novel. While I appreciate the attempt to preserve the most excellent source material, it comes off lopsided - especially since I know what's coming and they seem to just be taking their sweet time getting there. Each issue does not have its own central story, and the book suffers for that. This would work much better as a straight-to-trade release. EH.
JSA Classified #24
JSA Classified #24
A cheat. We were led to believe that the villain from last issue was a vampire. He isn't. He's hopped up on some experimental street steroid - or something. And the art is absolutely atrocious. AWFUL.
A cheat. We were led to believe that the villain from last issue was a vampire. He isn't. He's hopped up on some experimental street steroid - or something. And the art is absolutely atrocious. AWFUL.
Green Lantern #18
Green Lantern #18
GOOD. Still not what I'd hope for from this title, but the concepts show definite promise: Star Sapphire being sent from a distant space sector, the Sinestro Corps, and above all, Tales of the Sinestro Corps. Although it can't have been around for very long...just since GL:Rebirth, they've already got a library and chronicles of their members. Impressive!
GOOD. Still not what I'd hope for from this title, but the concepts show definite promise: Star Sapphire being sent from a distant space sector, the Sinestro Corps, and above all, Tales of the Sinestro Corps. Although it can't have been around for very long...just since GL:Rebirth, they've already got a library and chronicles of their members. Impressive!
Firestorm The Nuclear Man #34
Firestorm The Nuclear Man #34
OKAY. I like seeing Orion, Mister Miracle, and Metron; but am surprised at Stein's apparent ignorance regarding Boom Tubes, Furies, etc.
OKAY. I like seeing Orion, Mister Miracle, and Metron; but am surprised at Stein's apparent ignorance regarding Boom Tubes, Furies, etc.
Fables #59
Fables #59
I wish my question had been answered. Since Fables can't really die if people keep telling their tales, what ever happened to Gretel? The stories in this issue fall into three categories:
1) Minutiae that couldn't possibly have interested anyone, save for a total nerd.
2) Stories included merely for the purpose of getting a cheap laugh. Many of these run together.
3) Answers to questions which seem as if they could have been answered in the course of the main story.
Oh well. OKAY.
I wish my question had been answered. Since Fables can't really die if people keep telling their tales, what ever happened to Gretel? The stories in this issue fall into three categories:
1) Minutiae that couldn't possibly have interested anyone, save for a total nerd.
2) Stories included merely for the purpose of getting a cheap laugh. Many of these run together.
3) Answers to questions which seem as if they could have been answered in the course of the main story.
Oh well. OKAY.
Blue Beetle #13
Blue Beetle #13
VERY GOOD. Glad to see that the title isn't foundering in the wake of Giffen's departure.
VERY GOOD. Glad to see that the title isn't foundering in the wake of Giffen's departure.
52 #47
52 #47
Grant Morrison's writing becomes obvious for the bulk of this issue. The scenes with Robin and the Monk? Grant. Buddy? Grant. Not sure who else, but Grant shines through. OKAY...even though absolutely nothing happens! Hey, not every day/week can be action packed. (Now, last week's issue was GOOD!) We see that all along, the entire purpose of all the machinations from the very beginning of this series was to drive Adam mad - in order to control him. Which apparently will be the big bad in coming weeks - a mind-controlled Adam.
Grant Morrison's writing becomes obvious for the bulk of this issue. The scenes with Robin and the Monk? Grant. Buddy? Grant. Not sure who else, but Grant shines through. OKAY...even though absolutely nothing happens! Hey, not every day/week can be action packed. (Now, last week's issue was GOOD!) We see that all along, the entire purpose of all the machinations from the very beginning of this series was to drive Adam mad - in order to control him. Which apparently will be the big bad in coming weeks - a mind-controlled Adam.
Y The Last Man #55
Y The Last Man #55
What? This really doesn't read like the first issue of the final arc of this series. Vaughan could get years more mileage out of the premise, yet he seems to be on the way to taking the easy way out - or to be leaving us with an incomplete story. If this were a film or television series, that'd be okay. But for a monthly comic, with nothing to keep it from continuing onwards - as sales hold high, with TPB's in high demand - this seems like Vaughan saying..."Gee, I'm tired of this. Time to do something else, ho hum." Very sadly EH.
What? This really doesn't read like the first issue of the final arc of this series. Vaughan could get years more mileage out of the premise, yet he seems to be on the way to taking the easy way out - or to be leaving us with an incomplete story. If this were a film or television series, that'd be okay. But for a monthly comic, with nothing to keep it from continuing onwards - as sales hold high, with TPB's in high demand - this seems like Vaughan saying..."Gee, I'm tired of this. Time to do something else, ho hum." Very sadly EH.
Wisdom #4
Wisdom #4
OKAY. Not as good as the last few issues, but still better than most of the X books on the shelves.
OKAY. Not as good as the last few issues, but still better than most of the X books on the shelves.
Supergirl #15
Supergirl #15
Unbelievably AWFUL. Powerboy is an Apokaliptian construct? Stalker? Abusive boyfriend? Check, check, check. Who the hell greenlights this garbage?
Unbelievably AWFUL. Powerboy is an Apokaliptian construct? Stalker? Abusive boyfriend? Check, check, check. Who the hell greenlights this garbage?
Spirit #4
Spirit #4
GOOD. As always. And I love them done in ones.
(Blogger has been slow for me lately. So I've written a bunch of reviews offline, and am posting them now.)
GOOD. As always. And I love them done in ones.
(Blogger has been slow for me lately. So I've written a bunch of reviews offline, and am posting them now.)
Friday, March 30, 2007
DCU vs DCP
This posting is in response to Doug Wolk's excellent essay in his column on this week's issue of 52 (#47).
One aspect of digital comics downloading that Doug neglects to consider is the fact that it may actually lead to the reader grabbing a physical copy of said book, if ever they come across it in the back issue boxes (for a reasonable price). The same can be said for trade paperbacks or hardcover collections of previously published material. For instance, I just recently picked up a copy of DC Comics Presents #85 featuring Superman (duh) and Swamp Thing as written by Alan Moore. It was in a 50 cent box, and slightly cover damaged, but after reading that story in one of the Swamp Thing trades, I sure as hell wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers.
Often, it even goes the other way...since, as Doug mentioned, comics are collectible artifacts, with extremely old issues becoming more and more rare, and thus more and more costly after-market, some people will go to great lengths in order to not further damage the old copies of books that they own.
Recently, I came into posession of a well-preserved copy of Flash vol.1 #151 from March 1965, which features the third DCU appearance of The Shade, as well as a crossover between the Jay Garrick and Barry Allen Flashes. I cherish this book. I always will. But there's no way in hell that I'll ever touch it with my grubby little hands. And that's where digital comics preservation comes in. It enables me to read and enjoy this issue (even the ads!) without damaging the value, collectibility, or durability of the book in my posession. If I ever find a copy in a bargain bin, you can be sure that I'll grab it as a reading copy, but for now, DCP will have to suffice.
As an interesting aside, this issue hasn't yet been collected in DC Archives format. However, it's very difficult to determine exactly which issues have been collected in the DC Archives, as even the solicitations on the DC homepage don't tell you what issues are contained within (with a few exceptions).
If the comics giants are actually concerned as to the proliferation of internet comics sharing (they aren't - at least not to any great extent - as far as I'm aware), getting the Archive editions into print as quickly as possible would be a very good way to combat it. Also, it wouldn't be too hard for them to actually let us know exactly which issues have already been collected.
One aspect of digital comics downloading that Doug neglects to consider is the fact that it may actually lead to the reader grabbing a physical copy of said book, if ever they come across it in the back issue boxes (for a reasonable price). The same can be said for trade paperbacks or hardcover collections of previously published material. For instance, I just recently picked up a copy of DC Comics Presents #85 featuring Superman (duh) and Swamp Thing as written by Alan Moore. It was in a 50 cent box, and slightly cover damaged, but after reading that story in one of the Swamp Thing trades, I sure as hell wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers.
Often, it even goes the other way...since, as Doug mentioned, comics are collectible artifacts, with extremely old issues becoming more and more rare, and thus more and more costly after-market, some people will go to great lengths in order to not further damage the old copies of books that they own.
Recently, I came into posession of a well-preserved copy of Flash vol.1 #151 from March 1965, which features the third DCU appearance of The Shade, as well as a crossover between the Jay Garrick and Barry Allen Flashes. I cherish this book. I always will. But there's no way in hell that I'll ever touch it with my grubby little hands. And that's where digital comics preservation comes in. It enables me to read and enjoy this issue (even the ads!) without damaging the value, collectibility, or durability of the book in my posession. If I ever find a copy in a bargain bin, you can be sure that I'll grab it as a reading copy, but for now, DCP will have to suffice.
As an interesting aside, this issue hasn't yet been collected in DC Archives format. However, it's very difficult to determine exactly which issues have been collected in the DC Archives, as even the solicitations on the DC homepage don't tell you what issues are contained within (with a few exceptions).
If the comics giants are actually concerned as to the proliferation of internet comics sharing (they aren't - at least not to any great extent - as far as I'm aware), getting the Archive editions into print as quickly as possible would be a very good way to combat it. Also, it wouldn't be too hard for them to actually let us know exactly which issues have already been collected.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Funny Things I've Read on Forums Lately
Here's one I read today. John Seavey, in describing Darwyn Cooke's take on the DC pantheon in The Silver Age, said:
“This is Hero A. He is good and I like him.” and “This is Hero B. He is also good and I like him too.” and “This is Green Lantern. He is like Jesus, only better because he has a magic ring.”
Funny stuff.
By the way, I liked Silver Age. But it's true, it didn't have much of a plot.
The full post is available over at Comics Should Be Good.
Last week, I read this one over at the Savage Blog:
In response to Jeff's post which asked pointedly,
"how Captain America can be alive in one Marvel title while dead in another title that comes out the same week."
"Superboy punched Marvel's production manager."
I laughed so hard, I peed a little.
That's all for now.
“This is Hero A. He is good and I like him.” and “This is Hero B. He is also good and I like him too.” and “This is Green Lantern. He is like Jesus, only better because he has a magic ring.”
Funny stuff.
By the way, I liked Silver Age. But it's true, it didn't have much of a plot.
The full post is available over at Comics Should Be Good.
Last week, I read this one over at the Savage Blog:
In response to Jeff's post which asked pointedly,
"how Captain America can be alive in one Marvel title while dead in another title that comes out the same week."
"Superboy punched Marvel's production manager."
I laughed so hard, I peed a little.
That's all for now.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Wonder Man #4
Wonder Man #4
Fun, as usual, especially for the interactions between Simon, Hank, and Carol.
Am I the only person who's noticed that Beast looks like PAD? Judge for yourself:
Or maybe I'm just waaaay too tired. (Sorry about the formatting...ever since google took over blogger it's made resizing, posting, placing images difficult. Maybe someone has an idea of what I can do? I really miss the old days of being able to actually control exactly what your content's appearance was.)
Oh, yeah. The book? GOOD. Continuing with the Pygmalion theme, Simon lets Ladykiller free of her restraining collar and asks her to be his date to an Avengers ball. However, PAD finally introduces the intrigue, as it turns out that this was the insidious plan all along - to get Ladykiller in a position wherein she'd be able to murder all of the Avengers.
Wonder Woman update
Allan Heinberg posted the following on his myspace blog:
Hey, everybody,
Because of our ongoing scheduling issues, DC Comics has been generous enough to allow Terry Dodson and me to make the conclusion of our "Who Is Wonder Woman?" arc into an extra-sized special issue, complete with a 13-page backup story I've written, drawn by one of my favorite artists. The scheduling shift will allow a newly solicited WONDER WOMAN 5 to ship on schedule, an issue that ties into Jodi Picoult's upcoming run on the book and Will Pfeiffer's AMAZONS ATTACK event.
Thanks for your patience,
Heinberg
Am I the only one who doesn't care in the slightest?
Hey, everybody,
Because of our ongoing scheduling issues, DC Comics has been generous enough to allow Terry Dodson and me to make the conclusion of our "Who Is Wonder Woman?" arc into an extra-sized special issue, complete with a 13-page backup story I've written, drawn by one of my favorite artists. The scheduling shift will allow a newly solicited WONDER WOMAN 5 to ship on schedule, an issue that ties into Jodi Picoult's upcoming run on the book and Will Pfeiffer's AMAZONS ATTACK event.
Thanks for your patience,
Heinberg
Am I the only one who doesn't care in the slightest?
Birds of Prey #104
Birds of Prey #104
I love this book. I love this book! I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Gail Simone bemoans the fact that everyone since Dan Vado has been pissing all over Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI since they left the title, and then, in a move I never would have expected, not in a million years, she brings Tora back!!! It might just be a ruse, as was "Ted Kord"'s return in the pages of Manhunter (ewwwww), but ohmygod! Gail Simone sure knows how to write a fun book. I want her to be the next writer on JLA. What a fun JLA that would be, eh? Hell, get rid of Meltzer right now!
There's so many other things I love about this issue:
Kerimov saying to Creote "I always suspected you were a devourer of women". (In case you don't remember, he's gay.) Curiously though, I seem to remember his lover Savant declaring that he'd never work for Oracle again, following his torture at the hands of the Calculator's minions (BoP #90). I would assume that Creote's working with Babs would put some strain on their relationship. But no matter, it was a great line.
I love Helena's budding interest in Catman. He licks her! And yet, she comes back for more!
Kay and Scandal together at a formal event, making zero attempt to hide their relationship.
Helena, the meatball queen, flinging one at Blake.
Oracle: "Good job attempting to pump Blake, Helena."/Helena:"HEY! I didn't...we didn't even..."/O:"Wait! Bad choice of words." Priceless dialogue that you only get from Gail Simone on any sort of consistent basis. (BTW: Quote of the Week!)
Oracle rewards Hawkgirl with her own sportscar for taking part in the mission.
Have I told anybody lately that I love this book?
EXCELLENT.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
I love this book. I love this book! I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Gail Simone bemoans the fact that everyone since Dan Vado has been pissing all over Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI since they left the title, and then, in a move I never would have expected, not in a million years, she brings Tora back!!! It might just be a ruse, as was "Ted Kord"'s return in the pages of Manhunter (ewwwww), but ohmygod! Gail Simone sure knows how to write a fun book. I want her to be the next writer on JLA. What a fun JLA that would be, eh? Hell, get rid of Meltzer right now!
There's so many other things I love about this issue:
Kerimov saying to Creote "I always suspected you were a devourer of women". (In case you don't remember, he's gay.) Curiously though, I seem to remember his lover Savant declaring that he'd never work for Oracle again, following his torture at the hands of the Calculator's minions (BoP #90). I would assume that Creote's working with Babs would put some strain on their relationship. But no matter, it was a great line.
I love Helena's budding interest in Catman. He licks her! And yet, she comes back for more!
Kay and Scandal together at a formal event, making zero attempt to hide their relationship.
Helena, the meatball queen, flinging one at Blake.
Oracle: "Good job attempting to pump Blake, Helena."/Helena:"HEY! I didn't...we didn't even..."/O:"Wait! Bad choice of words." Priceless dialogue that you only get from Gail Simone on any sort of consistent basis. (BTW: Quote of the Week!)
Oracle rewards Hawkgirl with her own sportscar for taking part in the mission.
Have I told anybody lately that I love this book?
EXCELLENT.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Cable & Deadpool #38
Cable & Deadpool #38
No, I haven't read it...Civil War (or the fact that I wasn't reading any of Civil War) caused me to fall behind. But, God! Look at that cover! If the credits didn't specify otherwise, I'd swear this was done by Bill Sinkiewicz! Wow! Whoever this Skottie Young guy is has quite a future ahead of him. Wow!
No, I haven't read it...Civil War (or the fact that I wasn't reading any of Civil War) caused me to fall behind. But, God! Look at that cover! If the credits didn't specify otherwise, I'd swear this was done by Bill Sinkiewicz! Wow! Whoever this Skottie Young guy is has quite a future ahead of him. Wow!
X-23: Target X #4
X-23: Target X #4
After last month's cliffhanger that many people didn't believe to be a cliffhanger, the book takes a decidedly unexpected turn, as Laura doesn't end up killing her family, because Megan gets her mother in the shower and washes the trigger scent off of them. Brilliant. I didn't see that coming at all. Yost and Kyle led us to believe that "X" killed her family. Apparently she saved them. Very nicely done, gentlemen.
Also, in this issue, Kimura is "introduced". Actually, she first appeared three months ago, but since Yost and Kyle have written X-23 since the X-23 miniseries in 2005 (and, in fact, Kyle gets creator credit for the character), it's likely that Kimura's role in Laura's upbringing has been planned for quite some time, and therefore her inclusion in this issue doesn't seem like a retcon or anything, but feels quite natural. (In fact, X-23's origin series was well underway by the time that Joe Quesada finally got around to finishing NYX in which she first appeared.)
Has the art changed a bit? I see that the same artists are working on it, but for some reason it seems less polished than before. It still looks great, though.
VERY GOOD.
After last month's cliffhanger that many people didn't believe to be a cliffhanger, the book takes a decidedly unexpected turn, as Laura doesn't end up killing her family, because Megan gets her mother in the shower and washes the trigger scent off of them. Brilliant. I didn't see that coming at all. Yost and Kyle led us to believe that "X" killed her family. Apparently she saved them. Very nicely done, gentlemen.
Also, in this issue, Kimura is "introduced". Actually, she first appeared three months ago, but since Yost and Kyle have written X-23 since the X-23 miniseries in 2005 (and, in fact, Kyle gets creator credit for the character), it's likely that Kimura's role in Laura's upbringing has been planned for quite some time, and therefore her inclusion in this issue doesn't seem like a retcon or anything, but feels quite natural. (In fact, X-23's origin series was well underway by the time that Joe Quesada finally got around to finishing NYX in which she first appeared.)
Has the art changed a bit? I see that the same artists are working on it, but for some reason it seems less polished than before. It still looks great, though.
VERY GOOD.
Milestone
As some of you may have noticed, the counter on my blog has recently surpassed the 1,000 hits mark. Although, of course, only around one-quarter of the hits that I receive are legitimate, that is to say, from people who value and seek my opinions, 250 is no small number either, especially as I approach my 250th post herein. So I'd like to take this moment to thank you all for visiting and reading, to thank those of you who've added me to your links (let me know, so that I can reciprocate), and to state my intention to be around for quite some time. Good night, all.
- acespot
- acespot
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Blade #7
Blade #7
I'm still not sure if I like this title. However, that means that I don't hate it. Honestly, I had very low expectations of this series. It seemed to me that it was merely being written in order to capitalize on the Civil War event, yet that issue came and went, and had very little to do with Civil War itself. And when I read the first issue and saw Chaykin's artwork - or what he was passing off as artwork - I must say that I was extremely nonplussed. But giving credit where credit is due, Chaykin's work in this issue is very palatable. It's obviously his work, but it's much, much cleaner than I've seen him draw recently. No Liefeld lines all over the place, no sloppy inking, nothing that would lead someone to comment that he was just "phoning it in". No, this work is actually very solid. And with that in mind, I shall continue reading this series. Not because I'm liking the story or anything, because really, I have formed no emotional connection to it whatsoever, but specifically because Chaykin's work on this issue proves that he is by far the best choice of artist for this book. It's really marvellous. Who would have thought it possible? Not I.
Very OKAY.
I'm still not sure if I like this title. However, that means that I don't hate it. Honestly, I had very low expectations of this series. It seemed to me that it was merely being written in order to capitalize on the Civil War event, yet that issue came and went, and had very little to do with Civil War itself. And when I read the first issue and saw Chaykin's artwork - or what he was passing off as artwork - I must say that I was extremely nonplussed. But giving credit where credit is due, Chaykin's work in this issue is very palatable. It's obviously his work, but it's much, much cleaner than I've seen him draw recently. No Liefeld lines all over the place, no sloppy inking, nothing that would lead someone to comment that he was just "phoning it in". No, this work is actually very solid. And with that in mind, I shall continue reading this series. Not because I'm liking the story or anything, because really, I have formed no emotional connection to it whatsoever, but specifically because Chaykin's work on this issue proves that he is by far the best choice of artist for this book. It's really marvellous. Who would have thought it possible? Not I.
Very OKAY.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Wisdom #3
Wisdom #3
The first ever comic with its own soundtrack! Sure, Nextwave had a theme song, but this book has a soundtrack! So, let's analyze said soundtrack, shall we?
1 - Goldie Lookin' Chain - Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do
EXCELLENT choice for this scene. It gives it a Reservior Dogs feel, while at the same time maintaining the humourous aspects of the scene. And listening to Brits rap? Hilarious!
2 - Manic Street Preachers - Life Becoming a Landslide
Well, unless the point is to say that Shang Chi is a bit gay, this song doesn't really work. Perhaps just the heavy parts of it, but any of the vocal parts spoil what I believe was the intention in this song's inclusion. Yeah, for the largest part of it, this song doesn't work. EH. Also, Paul Cornell got the title of the song wrong. It's becoming, not becomes.
3 - Shirley Bassey (and Propellerhead) - History Repeating
I understand why this song was included in the soundtrack, to jive with the history lesson on the Welsh dragon, and also to go along with Maureen's comment in her and Wisdom's hotel room. It works, but just barely. OKAY. Really, the instrumental parts match best with the history lesson, and the vocal parts work best with the hotel room.
4 - Stereophonics - The Bartender and the Thief
This song works well. It's relatively short and gets going right from the start. It provides an excellent accompaniment to a fight scene. Unfortunately, the portion of the fight scene which specifies this particular song only lasts for one page. VERY GOOD. A nice visual synchronicity here is when the bartender fires at Shang Chi and the Master of Kung-Fu pulls a matrix dodge.
5 - Tom Jones - Sex Bomb
If a vocals only version of this song existed, it'd be much more appropriate for this scene. Also, the tempo is much too fast. Imagine Barry White singing this track slowly, and you'll realize what this scene needed. That said, I understand its inclusion. Wisdom goes down on Maureen. It works...barely. OKAY. Again, this scene is only one page long. Start the song at the point where the key transposes - approximately 2:45 - and it works pretty well.
6 - Super Furry Animals - God! Show Me Magic
Another really fast song, that starts right away. Unfortunately, it requires you to read five pages in the space of 1:48. It's an excellent fight scene, but there's too much intercalation with other scenes. Play the song twice and it works much better. And for the scene in Wisdom and Maureen's hotel room, it doesn't work at all. GOOD. And is Shang Chi flying? Graphical cues as to what's happening in that particular panel are missing.
7 - The Velvet Underground - I'll Be Your Mirror
They're joking, right? This song doesn't fit with the tone of this book at all. If somebody had covered it without the soft guitar in the forefront of the track, and replaced it with a heavy bass line, perhaps. But as it is, aside for the suggestion that Shang Chi is supposed to show the dragon who he is - noble - it doesn't work at all. AWFUL. At least it only lasts for one page.
8 - Lost Prophets - Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja
This could have done very well for the previous page as well. It's an EXCELLENT selection for this scene. It gives you about 2:45 to read four pages - one of which is a full-page splash, so it works very well.
9 - Catatonia - Bulimic Beats
Ugh. The only reason that this song works at all is because of the strong harp line. Not that I can think of any other harp songs off the top of my head, but any would be better than this. It's really the vocals that kill this song. Who ever gave this person a singing job? Even Bjork is better! The instrumental bridge in the middle works well. Get a version of this with no vocals, and you have a great selection. I see a certain synchronicity between the lyrics and the book, but that voice kills any feeling. It's CRAP.
Averaging it all out, we wind up with a rating slightly higher than OKAY. For the soundtrack alone. But given the amazing fact that this book has its own soundtrack, I'm going to have to rate it at EXCELLENT.
[Paul O'Brien pointed out to me that this soundtrack thing has actually been done before - in every issue of Adam Warren's run on Gen-13. I'll take his word for it, but if you've got copies, I'd love to see them. That being the case, this issue's soundtrack gets demoted from EXCELLENT back to merely OKAY. But that's besides the point. The book itself is abso-frickin-lutely incredible. So, EXCELLENT for the book, OKAY for the soundtrack. Does that about cover it?]
I like this book a lot. Each issue is relatively self-contained (which my regular readers know I love), even though they're part of a limited series. I'd like to see Cornell given an ongoing Wisdom title following the successful conclusion of this series, but, unfortunately, unless the numbers really pick up, I really don't think that's going to happen.
The first ever comic with its own soundtrack! Sure, Nextwave had a theme song, but this book has a soundtrack! So, let's analyze said soundtrack, shall we?
1 - Goldie Lookin' Chain - Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do
EXCELLENT choice for this scene. It gives it a Reservior Dogs feel, while at the same time maintaining the humourous aspects of the scene. And listening to Brits rap? Hilarious!
2 - Manic Street Preachers - Life Becoming a Landslide
Well, unless the point is to say that Shang Chi is a bit gay, this song doesn't really work. Perhaps just the heavy parts of it, but any of the vocal parts spoil what I believe was the intention in this song's inclusion. Yeah, for the largest part of it, this song doesn't work. EH. Also, Paul Cornell got the title of the song wrong. It's becoming, not becomes.
3 - Shirley Bassey (and Propellerhead) - History Repeating
I understand why this song was included in the soundtrack, to jive with the history lesson on the Welsh dragon, and also to go along with Maureen's comment in her and Wisdom's hotel room. It works, but just barely. OKAY. Really, the instrumental parts match best with the history lesson, and the vocal parts work best with the hotel room.
4 - Stereophonics - The Bartender and the Thief
This song works well. It's relatively short and gets going right from the start. It provides an excellent accompaniment to a fight scene. Unfortunately, the portion of the fight scene which specifies this particular song only lasts for one page. VERY GOOD. A nice visual synchronicity here is when the bartender fires at Shang Chi and the Master of Kung-Fu pulls a matrix dodge.
5 - Tom Jones - Sex Bomb
If a vocals only version of this song existed, it'd be much more appropriate for this scene. Also, the tempo is much too fast. Imagine Barry White singing this track slowly, and you'll realize what this scene needed. That said, I understand its inclusion. Wisdom goes down on Maureen. It works...barely. OKAY. Again, this scene is only one page long. Start the song at the point where the key transposes - approximately 2:45 - and it works pretty well.
6 - Super Furry Animals - God! Show Me Magic
Another really fast song, that starts right away. Unfortunately, it requires you to read five pages in the space of 1:48. It's an excellent fight scene, but there's too much intercalation with other scenes. Play the song twice and it works much better. And for the scene in Wisdom and Maureen's hotel room, it doesn't work at all. GOOD. And is Shang Chi flying? Graphical cues as to what's happening in that particular panel are missing.
7 - The Velvet Underground - I'll Be Your Mirror
They're joking, right? This song doesn't fit with the tone of this book at all. If somebody had covered it without the soft guitar in the forefront of the track, and replaced it with a heavy bass line, perhaps. But as it is, aside for the suggestion that Shang Chi is supposed to show the dragon who he is - noble - it doesn't work at all. AWFUL. At least it only lasts for one page.
8 - Lost Prophets - Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja
This could have done very well for the previous page as well. It's an EXCELLENT selection for this scene. It gives you about 2:45 to read four pages - one of which is a full-page splash, so it works very well.
9 - Catatonia - Bulimic Beats
Ugh. The only reason that this song works at all is because of the strong harp line. Not that I can think of any other harp songs off the top of my head, but any would be better than this. It's really the vocals that kill this song. Who ever gave this person a singing job? Even Bjork is better! The instrumental bridge in the middle works well. Get a version of this with no vocals, and you have a great selection. I see a certain synchronicity between the lyrics and the book, but that voice kills any feeling. It's CRAP.
Averaging it all out, we wind up with a rating slightly higher than OKAY. For the soundtrack alone. But given the amazing fact that this book has its own soundtrack, I'm going to have to rate it at EXCELLENT.
[Paul O'Brien pointed out to me that this soundtrack thing has actually been done before - in every issue of Adam Warren's run on Gen-13. I'll take his word for it, but if you've got copies, I'd love to see them. That being the case, this issue's soundtrack gets demoted from EXCELLENT back to merely OKAY. But that's besides the point. The book itself is abso-frickin-lutely incredible. So, EXCELLENT for the book, OKAY for the soundtrack. Does that about cover it?]
I like this book a lot. Each issue is relatively self-contained (which my regular readers know I love), even though they're part of a limited series. I'd like to see Cornell given an ongoing Wisdom title following the successful conclusion of this series, but, unfortunately, unless the numbers really pick up, I really don't think that's going to happen.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Green Lantern Corps #10
Green Lantern Corps #10
Now that we're done with the atrociously AWFUL "Corpse" (Green Lantern Corps #7-#9) storyline, I still can't bring myself to care about this series very much. I don't much care about the characters, nor do I care about what they're doing - for the most part. I will say this, however: I'm extremely intrigued by Sooranik Natu's actions on her homeworld, opening up a free clinic and helping people with the aid of her ring. That's really something. Heck, I'd read an entire issue of that. But perhaps that's just my Biology background showing (by the way, if anyone knows of any Genetics research positions, let me know!). That part was interesting. Ironic, since I had never cared for her to begin with.
I also liked Kilowog getting so angry that he crushed his donut and coffee...mmmmm Donuts, arghhhhh.
Otherwise, EH.
Now that we're done with the atrociously AWFUL "Corpse" (Green Lantern Corps #7-#9) storyline, I still can't bring myself to care about this series very much. I don't much care about the characters, nor do I care about what they're doing - for the most part. I will say this, however: I'm extremely intrigued by Sooranik Natu's actions on her homeworld, opening up a free clinic and helping people with the aid of her ring. That's really something. Heck, I'd read an entire issue of that. But perhaps that's just my Biology background showing (by the way, if anyone knows of any Genetics research positions, let me know!). That part was interesting. Ironic, since I had never cared for her to begin with.
I also liked Kilowog getting so angry that he crushed his donut and coffee...mmmmm Donuts, arghhhhh.
Otherwise, EH.
Justice League Unlimited #31
Justice League Unlimited #31
I liked this book, right up until the last page and its preachy ending: "See kids? Don't be like Metamorpho! Always remember to work as a team!" Uh, what? Sure, I get that this book is geared towards kids. Duh. But it's usually much subtler in its messages, though. But not this time! This time the book comes and beats us over the head with its "message". Urgh. I can't give this any lower than EH, because, hey, it's JLU! But without the last page it would have been GOOD. Also, it's late! Seriously, since they have different writers and artists every month, this is one book that should never be late.
I liked this book, right up until the last page and its preachy ending: "See kids? Don't be like Metamorpho! Always remember to work as a team!" Uh, what? Sure, I get that this book is geared towards kids. Duh. But it's usually much subtler in its messages, though. But not this time! This time the book comes and beats us over the head with its "message". Urgh. I can't give this any lower than EH, because, hey, it's JLU! But without the last page it would have been GOOD. Also, it's late! Seriously, since they have different writers and artists every month, this is one book that should never be late.
New Avengers #28
New Avengers #28
This issue, though, this is some GOOD stuff. Any book that has the Avengers sitting around eating and joking for three pages has gotta be GOOD. I love the characterization of Luke Cage - he's invulnerable - so he's badass. He doesn't care what other people do to him 'cause they can't do anything to him. Still not liking fascist Tony, though. Even though he's only on one page, it really leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Still, what's great about this issue is the details: Dr. Strange has put an enchantment on his house that leads everyone to believe that it's getting turned into a Starbucks. Leinil Yu's expressions. Spidey's wisecracks. Wolvie's wisecracks. Things like that just make the book. I'm liking it. As long as they make sure that Echo can see their lips when they speak to her, I'll like any issues that are like this. I mean, the dialogue in the last issue was great, but that Echoing inconsistency was just jarring.
This issue, though, this is some GOOD stuff. Any book that has the Avengers sitting around eating and joking for three pages has gotta be GOOD. I love the characterization of Luke Cage - he's invulnerable - so he's badass. He doesn't care what other people do to him 'cause they can't do anything to him. Still not liking fascist Tony, though. Even though he's only on one page, it really leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Still, what's great about this issue is the details: Dr. Strange has put an enchantment on his house that leads everyone to believe that it's getting turned into a Starbucks. Leinil Yu's expressions. Spidey's wisecracks. Wolvie's wisecracks. Things like that just make the book. I'm liking it. As long as they make sure that Echo can see their lips when they speak to her, I'll like any issues that are like this. I mean, the dialogue in the last issue was great, but that Echoing inconsistency was just jarring.
New Avengers #27
New Avengers #27
Lots of people liked this issue. I didn't. Thought it was CRAP, and I'll tell you why: no matter how much of a point they make about Echo/Ronin being deaf, she still responds to aural cues. She is able to carry on conversations with people wearing masks, in shadow, or entirely out of sight, or is spoken to by people who know she's deaf, yet still don't face her when speaking. I don't know if that's the artist's fault or the writer's. There's probably a bit of blame to throw at both. So, no. This issue was CRAP. Seriously, if it's so important to you that this character is deaf, and you keep playing it up in exposition, then please portray it accurately. And this isn't even the first time this has happened. The same exact thing happened in the early issues of this title when Ronin's character was introduced. She was able to carry on a conversation with Iron Man. Iron Man. Who doesn't have lips. Yeah, it's sloppy.
Lots of people liked this issue. I didn't. Thought it was CRAP, and I'll tell you why: no matter how much of a point they make about Echo/Ronin being deaf, she still responds to aural cues. She is able to carry on conversations with people wearing masks, in shadow, or entirely out of sight, or is spoken to by people who know she's deaf, yet still don't face her when speaking. I don't know if that's the artist's fault or the writer's. There's probably a bit of blame to throw at both. So, no. This issue was CRAP. Seriously, if it's so important to you that this character is deaf, and you keep playing it up in exposition, then please portray it accurately. And this isn't even the first time this has happened. The same exact thing happened in the early issues of this title when Ronin's character was introduced. She was able to carry on a conversation with Iron Man. Iron Man. Who doesn't have lips. Yeah, it's sloppy.
Robin #159-#160
Robin #159-#160
In Robin #159, Tim went on a date with his tutor, Zoanne. Batman asked for his help, Tim replied that he didn't really need him, couldn't he go without, and Batman answered in the affirmative. But as Tim and Zoanne continued their date, Batman and the meta he was fighting came crashing into the restaurant they were eating in. So Tim intervened, in his civillian identity, and saved Batman. Pure EXCELLENCE.
Robin #160, though, not so much. Sure it's OKAY, and the art is stunning as always. But there just seems to be something missing here, and I can't quite figure out what it is. It's just a certain je ne sai quas. When a book has it, you just know it. And this issue doesn't. That's alright though, they can't all be the greatest.
But, man, check out that great cover.
In Robin #159, Tim went on a date with his tutor, Zoanne. Batman asked for his help, Tim replied that he didn't really need him, couldn't he go without, and Batman answered in the affirmative. But as Tim and Zoanne continued their date, Batman and the meta he was fighting came crashing into the restaurant they were eating in. So Tim intervened, in his civillian identity, and saved Batman. Pure EXCELLENCE.
Robin #160, though, not so much. Sure it's OKAY, and the art is stunning as always. But there just seems to be something missing here, and I can't quite figure out what it is. It's just a certain je ne sai quas. When a book has it, you just know it. And this issue doesn't. That's alright though, they can't all be the greatest.
But, man, check out that great cover.
Teen Titans #44
Teen Titans #44
What is this New X-Men? Seriously! This is just page after page of Titans being tortured mentally and physically. WTF? AWFUL stuff, just AWFUL. The only thing that saves it from being pure crap is the scene where Joey impales Deathstroke. It's fitting, being that Deathstroke did the same thing to him, when he was evil. If this issue would have just been a big burly brawl, it'd have garnered an okay from me. But I'm not a sadist. This is sadism, pure and simple. Thanks sooo much Mr. Johns. Urgh.
What is this New X-Men? Seriously! This is just page after page of Titans being tortured mentally and physically. WTF? AWFUL stuff, just AWFUL. The only thing that saves it from being pure crap is the scene where Joey impales Deathstroke. It's fitting, being that Deathstroke did the same thing to him, when he was evil. If this issue would have just been a big burly brawl, it'd have garnered an okay from me. But I'm not a sadist. This is sadism, pure and simple. Thanks sooo much Mr. Johns. Urgh.
Punisher War Journal #5
Punisher War Journal #5
Wow. Finally a GOOD issue from this title. It's another done-in-one, which y'all should realize by now, I'm a huge fan of, and this one is done right. An Auxilliary police volunteer ends up in a mexican standoff with Bushwacker in the middle of Times Square. And holds his ground. Over what must be hours. When the Punisher shows up in the crowd, this hero takes the momentary distraction and free's Bushwacker's hostage. Bushwacker gets shot by a fed. Frank Castle begins to walk away, and then sees footage of Cap's death on the huge TV screen in Times Square. The End. It's all about the reaction shot at the end. Even subliminally contrasting Cap's death with 9/11 isn't going too far - they both represent the death of ideals. Nicely done.
Wow. Finally a GOOD issue from this title. It's another done-in-one, which y'all should realize by now, I'm a huge fan of, and this one is done right. An Auxilliary police volunteer ends up in a mexican standoff with Bushwacker in the middle of Times Square. And holds his ground. Over what must be hours. When the Punisher shows up in the crowd, this hero takes the momentary distraction and free's Bushwacker's hostage. Bushwacker gets shot by a fed. Frank Castle begins to walk away, and then sees footage of Cap's death on the huge TV screen in Times Square. The End. It's all about the reaction shot at the end. Even subliminally contrasting Cap's death with 9/11 isn't going too far - they both represent the death of ideals. Nicely done.
Superman #660
Superman #660
Now that Busiek's been kicked off of Aquaman, this is his only DC title. But what a ride it is! An EXCELLENT done-in-one featuring, of all people, the Prankster? Wha-huh? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Prankster! A minor villain with fewer than ten post crisis appearances in DC canon, yet this entire issue is told from his perspective. And he's, in fact, the protagonist! No, don't go running away now, you'll deprive yourself of what may likely be the best book of the week. Busiek uses the Prankster's narrative to deconstruct the classical prank, much as was done in The Prestige for magic. It works perfectly. And even though he's a villain, you do root for the Prankster here, because seriously, it's nice to see villains who aren't all about killing other people. Once upon a time, the Prankster was a knock-off of the Joker for Superman's rogue's gallery, similar to the Trickster for Flash. In this issue, Busiek brings the Prankster into his own - and he does it in only 22 pages. That's art.
Now that Busiek's been kicked off of Aquaman, this is his only DC title. But what a ride it is! An EXCELLENT done-in-one featuring, of all people, the Prankster? Wha-huh? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Prankster! A minor villain with fewer than ten post crisis appearances in DC canon, yet this entire issue is told from his perspective. And he's, in fact, the protagonist! No, don't go running away now, you'll deprive yourself of what may likely be the best book of the week. Busiek uses the Prankster's narrative to deconstruct the classical prank, much as was done in The Prestige for magic. It works perfectly. And even though he's a villain, you do root for the Prankster here, because seriously, it's nice to see villains who aren't all about killing other people. Once upon a time, the Prankster was a knock-off of the Joker for Superman's rogue's gallery, similar to the Trickster for Flash. In this issue, Busiek brings the Prankster into his own - and he does it in only 22 pages. That's art.
Wonder Woman #5
Wonder Woman #5
Although it's nice to get this comic a month from its last issue, I still don't get something: is Heinberg's story (AWFUL, by the way) ever going to finish? Or are we just going to have to say, "eh, forget about it, it wasn't that good anyways", and move on? Because I opened this up thinking that I would finally get a resolution of the storyline begun waaaay back in Wonder Woman #1, and this is something completely different. Sure, I'm a huge fan of Will Pfeifer's - he should get more DCU work - but this? What are we, Jack of Fables here, where we can get away with saying, well, the next part of the story wasn't ready, so we'll skip ahead, and anyways, "they'll fix it in the trade" (brilliant, by the way) ??
I guess so.
Now to actually read the book, so that I can grade it on its own merits.
Okay, aside from the last panel, this book was EXCELLENT. This is everything that the title should have been from the very beginning. Pfeifer is one guy who understands women. Like I said a while back, he should be one of the top candidates for writing Supergirl, if DC really expects girls to read it. Too bad this was only a fill-in issue.
But what in the hell was up with that last panel? Did the perp literally explode? Or is the implication supposed to be that Wonder Woman snuck into the interrogation room and ripped him apart? I'm pretty sure not, but I don't know what to think about that. I'd like to see the script for this issue to perhaps explain things.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Although it's nice to get this comic a month from its last issue, I still don't get something: is Heinberg's story (AWFUL, by the way) ever going to finish? Or are we just going to have to say, "eh, forget about it, it wasn't that good anyways", and move on? Because I opened this up thinking that I would finally get a resolution of the storyline begun waaaay back in Wonder Woman #1, and this is something completely different. Sure, I'm a huge fan of Will Pfeifer's - he should get more DCU work - but this? What are we, Jack of Fables here, where we can get away with saying, well, the next part of the story wasn't ready, so we'll skip ahead, and anyways, "they'll fix it in the trade" (brilliant, by the way) ??
I guess so.
Now to actually read the book, so that I can grade it on its own merits.
Okay, aside from the last panel, this book was EXCELLENT. This is everything that the title should have been from the very beginning. Pfeifer is one guy who understands women. Like I said a while back, he should be one of the top candidates for writing Supergirl, if DC really expects girls to read it. Too bad this was only a fill-in issue.
But what in the hell was up with that last panel? Did the perp literally explode? Or is the implication supposed to be that Wonder Woman snuck into the interrogation room and ripped him apart? I'm pretty sure not, but I don't know what to think about that. I'd like to see the script for this issue to perhaps explain things.
[This post has been reprinted over at Sequart.]
Civil War: The Confession
Civil War: The Confession
Why is it that Brian Bendis, from whom all characters speak with the exact same voice, without fail, is the only one to have gotten this Civil War crap right? Okay, maybe not the only one, but close to it. Fine, not really, but I'm allowing the EXCELLENT Mighty Avengers to color my opinion overly. So sue me.
Anyways, the first half of this issue comes off as a public apology to us on Marvel's behalf for the ludicrousness in hackneyed plot hammering and hackery that was Civil War. And it works. But sorry, I can't forgive that easily. By editorial mandate, looking for the next big event, Marvel has corrupted the universe of my youth. When I was a kid, I looved Marvel. I hardly ever read DC, but for the big events. But now? Now, I can barely stomach most of what Marvel puts out, and I looove the DCU. Well, for the most part (see recent reviews of 52).
Why? And how long is this going to last before I can conscionably return in full force?
Taken on its own merits, this issue is GOOD, but in light of Marvel's recent boneheaded moves, it's merely OKAY. Sorry, Marvel, I can't forgive you this easily.
And then they come right back at us with a big "Fuck You" in the second story.
Iron Man: Well... You're a sore loser, Captain America.
Captain America: You bet.
Gee thanks, you assholes. By inclusion of this second piece in the issue, it completely qualifies for a highly justified rating of ASS.
Why is it that Brian Bendis, from whom all characters speak with the exact same voice, without fail, is the only one to have gotten this Civil War crap right? Okay, maybe not the only one, but close to it. Fine, not really, but I'm allowing the EXCELLENT Mighty Avengers to color my opinion overly. So sue me.
Anyways, the first half of this issue comes off as a public apology to us on Marvel's behalf for the ludicrousness in hackneyed plot hammering and hackery that was Civil War. And it works. But sorry, I can't forgive that easily. By editorial mandate, looking for the next big event, Marvel has corrupted the universe of my youth. When I was a kid, I looved Marvel. I hardly ever read DC, but for the big events. But now? Now, I can barely stomach most of what Marvel puts out, and I looove the DCU. Well, for the most part (see recent reviews of 52).
Why? And how long is this going to last before I can conscionably return in full force?
Taken on its own merits, this issue is GOOD, but in light of Marvel's recent boneheaded moves, it's merely OKAY. Sorry, Marvel, I can't forgive you this easily.
And then they come right back at us with a big "Fuck You" in the second story.
Iron Man: Well... You're a sore loser, Captain America.
Captain America: You bet.
Gee thanks, you assholes. By inclusion of this second piece in the issue, it completely qualifies for a highly justified rating of ASS.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Thunderbolts #112
Thunderbolts #112
I have a lot of problems with this series. Primarily, I'm not sure if Warren Ellis is dead serious with his portrayal of these Thunderbolts, or whether he is having a bit of fun at Marvel's expense. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. First, we'll get the boardroom scene at the beginning of this issue where the new Thunderbolts seem to be no different than the New Warriors were when this whole mess started - it being all about the ratings and such. Then Ellis will spoof on "Stan Lee's Who Wants to Be a Superhero?" and I'm back to thinking that he's joking. Then I'll think he's serious as he has a locker room scene with Mac Gargan being introspective. And then Bullseye will be completely psychopathic insane and I think Ellis is kidding again. I really don't know what to make of this series, so I don't feel that I can really give it an honest rating. For now, I'm staying with EH, but if I'm ever able to definitively conclude that Ellis is joking and sticking this whole series in Marvel's face, I'd be able to up that to GOOD. If, on the other hand, he's dead serious, this series is ASS, no two ways about it. So, if you think you know what's going on here, then good for you. Take the rating that suits you best. Otherwise, EH.
I have a lot of problems with this series. Primarily, I'm not sure if Warren Ellis is dead serious with his portrayal of these Thunderbolts, or whether he is having a bit of fun at Marvel's expense. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. First, we'll get the boardroom scene at the beginning of this issue where the new Thunderbolts seem to be no different than the New Warriors were when this whole mess started - it being all about the ratings and such. Then Ellis will spoof on "Stan Lee's Who Wants to Be a Superhero?" and I'm back to thinking that he's joking. Then I'll think he's serious as he has a locker room scene with Mac Gargan being introspective. And then Bullseye will be completely psychopathic insane and I think Ellis is kidding again. I really don't know what to make of this series, so I don't feel that I can really give it an honest rating. For now, I'm staying with EH, but if I'm ever able to definitively conclude that Ellis is joking and sticking this whole series in Marvel's face, I'd be able to up that to GOOD. If, on the other hand, he's dead serious, this series is ASS, no two ways about it. So, if you think you know what's going on here, then good for you. Take the rating that suits you best. Otherwise, EH.
52 #45
52 #45
Seriously, DC, you promised us that this would be the best series of the year, and so far you haven't managed to get this book any higher than EH. You promised that this book would have immense ramifications for the rest of the DCU, and so far, there haven't been any. In fact, almost all the plotlines in this series have been entirely self contained. And it's obvious you haven't listened to the fans reaction regarding this series, because if you had, you'd have realized that Ralph Dibny is one of the most popular characters since the introduction of Batman! And then you go offing him for no apparent reason? WTF? Not only that, but killing Vic Sage? You should know by now that he's the reason people even cared about Montoya's storyline anyways. (And what's up with that? Black Adam asks Renee, "where's Vic", but throughout the entire series he's gone by 'Charlie'! And Black Adam can slap Montoya and she just gets up and shrugs it off? Every bone in her face should be broken!) The only thing that's kept me reading this travesty of a series is the momentum, and at this point, you've really begun to lose it - especially sad, considering the fact that this is the point when it should be picking up steam. It almost seems as if you've given up on 52, and are instead focusing all your efforts on Countdown, if the last few weeks' DC Nation page are any indication. Are you trying to drive up the aftermarket value on these pins? I don't get it. And at this point, I don't much care. EH.
Seriously, DC, you promised us that this would be the best series of the year, and so far you haven't managed to get this book any higher than EH. You promised that this book would have immense ramifications for the rest of the DCU, and so far, there haven't been any. In fact, almost all the plotlines in this series have been entirely self contained. And it's obvious you haven't listened to the fans reaction regarding this series, because if you had, you'd have realized that Ralph Dibny is one of the most popular characters since the introduction of Batman! And then you go offing him for no apparent reason? WTF? Not only that, but killing Vic Sage? You should know by now that he's the reason people even cared about Montoya's storyline anyways. (And what's up with that? Black Adam asks Renee, "where's Vic", but throughout the entire series he's gone by 'Charlie'! And Black Adam can slap Montoya and she just gets up and shrugs it off? Every bone in her face should be broken!) The only thing that's kept me reading this travesty of a series is the momentum, and at this point, you've really begun to lose it - especially sad, considering the fact that this is the point when it should be picking up steam. It almost seems as if you've given up on 52, and are instead focusing all your efforts on Countdown, if the last few weeks' DC Nation page are any indication. Are you trying to drive up the aftermarket value on these pins? I don't get it. And at this point, I don't much care. EH.
Tales From the Bully Pulpit (2004)
Tales From the Bully Pulpit (2004)
Continuing the trend of reading books that are two years old (or older), I've been catching up on Kirkman's massively entertaining Invincible. I appreciate the fact that he's been so magnanimous as to give some struggling artists free space at the end of his books, in this case Benito Cereno. In one of his strips therein, he touted his book "Tales From the Bully Pulpit". Well, I couldn't find it anywhere, surprise, surprise, so I just downloaded it. I'll pick it up if I ever find it while pawing through back issue bins.
Anyways, I've just read it, and it has gone very far towards ridding my palate of the awfulness of last night and the tripe that was True Brit.
This book is actually FUNNY! Teddy Roosevelt steals H.G. Wells' time machine. He uses it to come forward in time, all the way to the year 2000, when he joins forces with the ghost of Thomas Edison. They travel in time to Argentina 2008 where they foil a plot by the descendants of the great fascist dictators of the mid 20th century to take over Mars by subjugating one of the two races that live there. It's ridiculous. It's hilarious! Read it if you can find it. And if you can find it, let me know, will you? VERY GOOD.
Continuing the trend of reading books that are two years old (or older), I've been catching up on Kirkman's massively entertaining Invincible. I appreciate the fact that he's been so magnanimous as to give some struggling artists free space at the end of his books, in this case Benito Cereno. In one of his strips therein, he touted his book "Tales From the Bully Pulpit". Well, I couldn't find it anywhere, surprise, surprise, so I just downloaded it. I'll pick it up if I ever find it while pawing through back issue bins.
Anyways, I've just read it, and it has gone very far towards ridding my palate of the awfulness of last night and the tripe that was True Brit.
This book is actually FUNNY! Teddy Roosevelt steals H.G. Wells' time machine. He uses it to come forward in time, all the way to the year 2000, when he joins forces with the ghost of Thomas Edison. They travel in time to Argentina 2008 where they foil a plot by the descendants of the great fascist dictators of the mid 20th century to take over Mars by subjugating one of the two races that live there. It's ridiculous. It's hilarious! Read it if you can find it. And if you can find it, let me know, will you? VERY GOOD.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Superman: True Brit (2004)
Superman: True Brit (2004)
I just read this. I'd been putting it off for a while. I wish I had put it off for a while longer. This book is almost bad enough to completely turn me off from comics and Monty Python forever. The writers go to great lengths to craft what they feel is a funny story. It isn't really that funny. What it is, however, is the single most depressing thing that I have ever read in any medium. As I read it, I kept thinking to myself, "there's got to be some sort of redemption coming". There wasn't. The story is about the British tabloid press endeavoring to destroy their Superman. And guess what? They succeed!
It's a good thing that I'm not the Superman in this story, because I'd be sorely tempted to go on a murderous rampage. First, I'd put my fist through that smarmy grin on the face of Colin Clark's sleazy editor. Then, I'd pull the Bat-Man's bat out of his midsection and beat him to a bloody pulp with it. Next, I'd murder my own parents - who never cared for me, anyways. I'd follow that up by turning the duplicitous cousin of Lois Lane inside-out. Finally, I'd take my heat vision to all of the reporters in the entire British nation.
This book not only makes me hate reporters, it makes me hate John Cleese, Britain, John Byrne, and the entire comics industry. I am so fucking pissed off right now, I don't know how else to express it other than fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!! Complete CRAP. No, it's worse than CRAP. Heck, it's even sub-ASS. This book should never have been written, let alone published. Why the fuck didn't anybody warn me? Who the fuck thought this was a good idea? Godfuckingdamnit.
I just read this. I'd been putting it off for a while. I wish I had put it off for a while longer. This book is almost bad enough to completely turn me off from comics and Monty Python forever. The writers go to great lengths to craft what they feel is a funny story. It isn't really that funny. What it is, however, is the single most depressing thing that I have ever read in any medium. As I read it, I kept thinking to myself, "there's got to be some sort of redemption coming". There wasn't. The story is about the British tabloid press endeavoring to destroy their Superman. And guess what? They succeed!
It's a good thing that I'm not the Superman in this story, because I'd be sorely tempted to go on a murderous rampage. First, I'd put my fist through that smarmy grin on the face of Colin Clark's sleazy editor. Then, I'd pull the Bat-Man's bat out of his midsection and beat him to a bloody pulp with it. Next, I'd murder my own parents - who never cared for me, anyways. I'd follow that up by turning the duplicitous cousin of Lois Lane inside-out. Finally, I'd take my heat vision to all of the reporters in the entire British nation.
This book not only makes me hate reporters, it makes me hate John Cleese, Britain, John Byrne, and the entire comics industry. I am so fucking pissed off right now, I don't know how else to express it other than fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!! Complete CRAP. No, it's worse than CRAP. Heck, it's even sub-ASS. This book should never have been written, let alone published. Why the fuck didn't anybody warn me? Who the fuck thought this was a good idea? Godfuckingdamnit.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Fantastic Four: The End #6
Fantastic Four: The End #6
VERY GOOD. It's nice to see this series come together so nicely at the end. Even with the overly silly Deus Ex Machina in the form of Galactus towards the end. Heh. And Valeria shows exactly why this title was named "The End". And gives us a hint of things to come in the parent title. I shouldn't be up this late. I'm too tired to write any more and yet remain coherent.
VERY GOOD. It's nice to see this series come together so nicely at the end. Even with the overly silly Deus Ex Machina in the form of Galactus towards the end. Heh. And Valeria shows exactly why this title was named "The End". And gives us a hint of things to come in the parent title. I shouldn't be up this late. I'm too tired to write any more and yet remain coherent.
The All-New Atom #9
The All-New Atom #9
Not much to say here, except that Gail Simone turns out another solidly GOOD, fun issue of this title. Plus, she presents us with her own personal touch on a zombie tale. I haven't seen it from her before, so I'm interested in seeing what she's going to do with it. The dialogue, even the internal monologuing - of which there is copious amounts - is witty and entertaining, and I loooove that giant floating alien head!
Not much to say here, except that Gail Simone turns out another solidly GOOD, fun issue of this title. Plus, she presents us with her own personal touch on a zombie tale. I haven't seen it from her before, so I'm interested in seeing what she's going to do with it. The dialogue, even the internal monologuing - of which there is copious amounts - is witty and entertaining, and I loooove that giant floating alien head!
Transformers: Movie Prequel #1
Transformers: Movie Prequel #1
This comic sure sucked ASS. Pages and pages of exposition with very little story. And what story there is, is nearly incomprehensible. I hate to knock Chris Ryall, he's one of my favorite people. But what is this CRAP supposed to be? My only conclusion is that he was given very poor material to work with, and that he was doing the best he could with it. Which should give an indication as to how godAWFUL the original material must have been. I'm sure he won't be able to say anything about it until after the movie's release, but jeez. I'm assuming that he got put on this project because he's the head of IDW, and, being a fan of the old '80s cartoons, accepted the contract to produce this piece on faith, and only later realized what tripe it truly was. Thus, he had to grin and bear it and make the best of a bad situation.
This book lowers my expectations for the movie quite a bit. And the art, oh my god, the art. Or should I say, the lack thereof? AWFUL. Truly mind-numbingly AWFUL. These sentient robots are rendered with few, if any, distinguishing characteristics, to the point that I can't tell any of them apart. Is that really what the artist was shooting for?
I'll read the rest of this series - or at least try to - but if this doesn't improve, then you can bet I'm absolutely not going to see the film. And in that case, wouldn't this book entirely defeat its own raison d'etre?
Ryall's gonna be pissed at me, and Chris, I apologize , but I really, really, didn't like this book a bit. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this story was mostly Simon Furman's work - to the extent that he even snuck his name into the book (SimFur).
This comic sure sucked ASS. Pages and pages of exposition with very little story. And what story there is, is nearly incomprehensible. I hate to knock Chris Ryall, he's one of my favorite people. But what is this CRAP supposed to be? My only conclusion is that he was given very poor material to work with, and that he was doing the best he could with it. Which should give an indication as to how godAWFUL the original material must have been. I'm sure he won't be able to say anything about it until after the movie's release, but jeez. I'm assuming that he got put on this project because he's the head of IDW, and, being a fan of the old '80s cartoons, accepted the contract to produce this piece on faith, and only later realized what tripe it truly was. Thus, he had to grin and bear it and make the best of a bad situation.
This book lowers my expectations for the movie quite a bit. And the art, oh my god, the art. Or should I say, the lack thereof? AWFUL. Truly mind-numbingly AWFUL. These sentient robots are rendered with few, if any, distinguishing characteristics, to the point that I can't tell any of them apart. Is that really what the artist was shooting for?
I'll read the rest of this series - or at least try to - but if this doesn't improve, then you can bet I'm absolutely not going to see the film. And in that case, wouldn't this book entirely defeat its own raison d'etre?
Ryall's gonna be pissed at me, and Chris, I apologize , but I really, really, didn't like this book a bit. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this story was mostly Simon Furman's work - to the extent that he even snuck his name into the book (SimFur).
Welcome to Tranquility #4
Welcome to Tranquility #4
No complaints here, this little book is EXCELLENT. Gail Simone has given each of these characters their own unique voices, and it's a pleasure to read this book every month. A neat little mystery is being developed here, one for which all the clues will eventually show to have been present at the end, which is always important. As Emo pointed out in issue #2, it's important that the solution to a mystery not be a cheat. It's dishonest to the reader. I'm glad to have seen Gail recognize that fact - especially when so many of her fellow writers often ignore said observation. I'm looking forward to the end of this arc, when it will all, undoubtedly, come together.
No complaints here, this little book is EXCELLENT. Gail Simone has given each of these characters their own unique voices, and it's a pleasure to read this book every month. A neat little mystery is being developed here, one for which all the clues will eventually show to have been present at the end, which is always important. As Emo pointed out in issue #2, it's important that the solution to a mystery not be a cheat. It's dishonest to the reader. I'm glad to have seen Gail recognize that fact - especially when so many of her fellow writers often ignore said observation. I'm looking forward to the end of this arc, when it will all, undoubtedly, come together.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
What is/Who are "(The) 52"?
What is/Who are "(The) 52"?
I just figured it out...
The Earth of the mainstream DC reality, and, by extension, all those living on it, is/are "The 52". Take this quote from Father Time in this week's Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters:
"...I know who and what created you, Gonzo. Mathmagicians of the Anti-Life Equation...Chaos Architects, or should I call them Shadow Demons? You're a probe, dispatched to gather data and assess the threat level. Fifty-Two frightens them, doesn't it? Their backs are against the wall...and you're here to tenderize the world before--"
Following this, Father Time is revealed to have been a chronal agent.
What do you people think about this theory?
I just figured it out...
The Earth of the mainstream DC reality, and, by extension, all those living on it, is/are "The 52". Take this quote from Father Time in this week's Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters:
"...I know who and what created you, Gonzo. Mathmagicians of the Anti-Life Equation...Chaos Architects, or should I call them Shadow Demons? You're a probe, dispatched to gather data and assess the threat level. Fifty-Two frightens them, doesn't it? Their backs are against the wall...and you're here to tenderize the world before--"
Following this, Father Time is revealed to have been a chronal agent.
What do you people think about this theory?
52 #44
52 #44
What the hell was that? I'm not talking about the comic itself, though there's certainly much to talk about. No. I'm talking about the DC Nation page! WTF??? Oh, Mighty Didio, please bring back letters pages. I'm tired of reading this kind of shit in every single comic, every single week. It never changes, it's always the same. Some editor (not you, of course) thinks they're witty and therefore inserts their narcissism into every single one of this week's comics. If it were only in back of 52, that would be one thing. Heck, that'd be the natural place to find such drivel. But how many people do you think read this page every single time they reach it? Now, Marvel comics...sometimes I open up straight to the letters page to see who's there. Will it be my friend Adrian Watts? Will it be me? Sometimes, I do this even for comics that I don't read!
With DC, I have no such pleasure. Here's an open plea, to you, the Gods Of DC, please restore the letters page!
And now, the issue itself. A huge fight wherein the four horsemen of Apokolips kill Isis. And talk - a LOT. Most of their talk is in reference to who they are and what their purpose is. More narcissism! And then, at the end, Isis's rose dies in Nanda Parbat and Renee leaves for Khandaq. And we don't even see her faceless!
Metatextually, perhaps this is meant to juxtapose the narcissism of the Four Horsemen with the complete lack of ego which is (apparently) required of The Question. Since Grant Morrison is involved here, I'd say that's probably the case. But in truth, it just comes across as annoying.
And Mark Waid doesn't even show up to give us a breather at the end!
AWFUL.
What the hell was that? I'm not talking about the comic itself, though there's certainly much to talk about. No. I'm talking about the DC Nation page! WTF??? Oh, Mighty Didio, please bring back letters pages. I'm tired of reading this kind of shit in every single comic, every single week. It never changes, it's always the same. Some editor (not you, of course) thinks they're witty and therefore inserts their narcissism into every single one of this week's comics. If it were only in back of 52, that would be one thing. Heck, that'd be the natural place to find such drivel. But how many people do you think read this page every single time they reach it? Now, Marvel comics...sometimes I open up straight to the letters page to see who's there. Will it be my friend Adrian Watts? Will it be me? Sometimes, I do this even for comics that I don't read!
With DC, I have no such pleasure. Here's an open plea, to you, the Gods Of DC, please restore the letters page!
And now, the issue itself. A huge fight wherein the four horsemen of Apokolips kill Isis. And talk - a LOT. Most of their talk is in reference to who they are and what their purpose is. More narcissism! And then, at the end, Isis's rose dies in Nanda Parbat and Renee leaves for Khandaq. And we don't even see her faceless!
Metatextually, perhaps this is meant to juxtapose the narcissism of the Four Horsemen with the complete lack of ego which is (apparently) required of The Question. Since Grant Morrison is involved here, I'd say that's probably the case. But in truth, it just comes across as annoying.
And Mark Waid doesn't even show up to give us a breather at the end!
AWFUL.
JSA Classified #23
JSA Classified #23
This is a vampire story. Maybe I'm showing my ignorance here, but I can't recall vampires ever having been a large part of the mythology of the DCU. Sure, they're everywhere in the Marvel Universe: Blade, Bloodstone, Morbius, Wolverine: Lord of the Vampires, even Dracula. The only
vampires I can recall in the DCU are heroes from alternate dimensions or other planets - not really vampires in the traditional sense. Yet, in this issue, JT Krul - whom I've never heard of - does a vampire story. And he picks Doctor Mid-Nite as the protagonist! I don't know, but that just really doesn't strike me as a good fit. And it's not even a good story! And the art by Sanchez and Purcell is some of the ugliest work I've ever seen. The linework is sloppy, proportions are all off, and faces are really bad. This issue is AWFUL. I think I'll come back to this title in two issues to see what's next. But I'm not expecting much, because the last few issues have likewise been no good.
This is a vampire story. Maybe I'm showing my ignorance here, but I can't recall vampires ever having been a large part of the mythology of the DCU. Sure, they're everywhere in the Marvel Universe: Blade, Bloodstone, Morbius, Wolverine: Lord of the Vampires, even Dracula. The only
vampires I can recall in the DCU are heroes from alternate dimensions or other planets - not really vampires in the traditional sense. Yet, in this issue, JT Krul - whom I've never heard of - does a vampire story. And he picks Doctor Mid-Nite as the protagonist! I don't know, but that just really doesn't strike me as a good fit. And it's not even a good story! And the art by Sanchez and Purcell is some of the ugliest work I've ever seen. The linework is sloppy, proportions are all off, and faces are really bad. This issue is AWFUL. I think I'll come back to this title in two issues to see what's next. But I'm not expecting much, because the last few issues have likewise been no good.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Batman Confidential #3
Batman Confidential #3
Dare I say it? This book isn't half bad. Diggle pits Bruce Wayne against Lex Luthor, the matchup we've wanted to see played out for a long time. Sure, we've seen corporate manouevering before, namely during No Man's Land, but when did you ever see Batman break into Lexcorp Tower and access its most secret levels and most confidential information? Sure, the first two issues seemed to meander pointlessly, but as they say, third time's the charm. This book is GOOD. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Dare I say it? This book isn't half bad. Diggle pits Bruce Wayne against Lex Luthor, the matchup we've wanted to see played out for a long time. Sure, we've seen corporate manouevering before, namely during No Man's Land, but when did you ever see Batman break into Lexcorp Tower and access its most secret levels and most confidential information? Sure, the first two issues seemed to meander pointlessly, but as they say, third time's the charm. This book is GOOD. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Superman #659
Superman #659
It's not the first time I've said this, but I'm going to say it again: when a book is as late as this one, it's pure hubris to nevertheless bill it as a February issue, letalone to print the DC Nation column from two months ago on the last page. It's long past time that the major comic companies took responsibility for their actions and admitted when they've failed to fulfil their promises. So, for God's sake, banner this issue April or May, and give it the appropriate DCN column, huh Mr. Didio?
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's talk about the issue. It's a GOOD one, as one would expect from any book where Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza share writing credits. However, Fabian usually has a very distinctive voice, and I really can't pick it out here. No matter, though.
One thing that ruined the experience of reading this book for me? The Amtrak Pinkston Overpass in Chicago. Amtrak doesn't have any overpasses in Chicago that look like "El" tracks, nor is there a Pinkston street anywhere in Chicago, as far as I'm aware. The train pictured is not an Amtrak train. It's a CTA train. Amtrak trains leave Union Station downtown, and mostly run on the ground, or under it, to points outside Chicago - as far as L.A. This is the kind of detail that authors throw into their work to make it more realistic, but when they don't bother doing their research, it accomplishes the exact opposite effect.
It's not the first time I've said this, but I'm going to say it again: when a book is as late as this one, it's pure hubris to nevertheless bill it as a February issue, letalone to print the DC Nation column from two months ago on the last page. It's long past time that the major comic companies took responsibility for their actions and admitted when they've failed to fulfil their promises. So, for God's sake, banner this issue April or May, and give it the appropriate DCN column, huh Mr. Didio?
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's talk about the issue. It's a GOOD one, as one would expect from any book where Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza share writing credits. However, Fabian usually has a very distinctive voice, and I really can't pick it out here. No matter, though.
One thing that ruined the experience of reading this book for me? The Amtrak Pinkston Overpass in Chicago. Amtrak doesn't have any overpasses in Chicago that look like "El" tracks, nor is there a Pinkston street anywhere in Chicago, as far as I'm aware. The train pictured is not an Amtrak train. It's a CTA train. Amtrak trains leave Union Station downtown, and mostly run on the ground, or under it, to points outside Chicago - as far as L.A. This is the kind of detail that authors throw into their work to make it more realistic, but when they don't bother doing their research, it accomplishes the exact opposite effect.
New Releases for 3/7/7
Geez, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last post. I guess Adrian Watts was right...but, c'mon, February's such a short month...
Anyways, speaking on tomorrow's releases:
I'm looking forward to Atom #9.
I had been under the impression that the Dark Tower series was comprised of new material, so you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that it's a collation of Roland's backstory pulled from the various books of the series.
Fantastic Four: The End has been entertaining so far, albeit a tad nonsensical. I'm interested in seeing how it wraps up.
Wasn't Helmet of Fate supposed to be coming out weekly? Why the delays?
I've been half surprised and half disappointed with this series. Detective Chimp was EXCELLENT. Ibis was likewise VERY GOOD. But I had such high hopes for Black Alice, and it really wasn't any good. It was actually CRAP. It and Sargon - which sucked ASS - didn't even have anything really to do with furthering the fate story. I'm very disappointed in Simone and Niles.
Incredible Hulk has been a lot of fun lately. And it was nice to see Bruce Banner get some in #103.
Justice League of America continues to meander towards the "end" of an arc...which I really can't see as being any sort of conclusion whatsoever. Even Bendis isn't THIS decompressed.
Of course, Justice League Unlimited!
And Manhunter! My LCBS guy told me this is ending with issue 30. Boo hoo. Blue Beetle just came back, Shaw is on course to be the next Azrael (wonder if he'll want Kate's gauntlets?), and Kate still hasn't gotten together with her cousin Jack Knight. There's so much more that this book could do. I really don't want to see it end. I love this book. It's EXCELLENT.
Marv Wolfman's Nightwing has been extremely disappointing so far. He teased us with the spectre of the Monitors, and then took the book way out into left field. And now he's got this new villainous couple? I couldn't be less interested. Heck, I'm more interested in Outsiders, and that book sucks.
Mighty Avengers will probably be just as bad as most of Civil War. So unless one of you deems it worthwhile, I'm not even going to bother.
Yay! More Planetary Brigade! How lucky are we to get an issue of this AND Hero Squared IN THE SAME month! Now I just have to get my comic shop to carry it.
Superman/Batman - Fuck you, Verheiden, for taking a promising title and turning it to CRAP.
I'm interested in reading the Transformers Prequel merely to get a sense of whether or not the movie will suck.
I'm wondering where Bendis is going to take Ultimate Spider-Man now. But Ultimate Vision is soooo freaking lame. And the concept is just unbearably stupid. Truly AWFUL.
I'll read Uncle Sam because I'm hoping for some Ray Terrill. Who else wants him back in the JLA???
And, of course, Welcome to Tranquility. It's a GOOD fun book to read.
Anyways, speaking on tomorrow's releases:
I'm looking forward to Atom #9.
I had been under the impression that the Dark Tower series was comprised of new material, so you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that it's a collation of Roland's backstory pulled from the various books of the series.
Fantastic Four: The End has been entertaining so far, albeit a tad nonsensical. I'm interested in seeing how it wraps up.
Wasn't Helmet of Fate supposed to be coming out weekly? Why the delays?
I've been half surprised and half disappointed with this series. Detective Chimp was EXCELLENT. Ibis was likewise VERY GOOD. But I had such high hopes for Black Alice, and it really wasn't any good. It was actually CRAP. It and Sargon - which sucked ASS - didn't even have anything really to do with furthering the fate story. I'm very disappointed in Simone and Niles.
Incredible Hulk has been a lot of fun lately. And it was nice to see Bruce Banner get some in #103.
Justice League of America continues to meander towards the "end" of an arc...which I really can't see as being any sort of conclusion whatsoever. Even Bendis isn't THIS decompressed.
Of course, Justice League Unlimited!
And Manhunter! My LCBS guy told me this is ending with issue 30. Boo hoo. Blue Beetle just came back, Shaw is on course to be the next Azrael (wonder if he'll want Kate's gauntlets?), and Kate still hasn't gotten together with her cousin Jack Knight. There's so much more that this book could do. I really don't want to see it end. I love this book. It's EXCELLENT.
Marv Wolfman's Nightwing has been extremely disappointing so far. He teased us with the spectre of the Monitors, and then took the book way out into left field. And now he's got this new villainous couple? I couldn't be less interested. Heck, I'm more interested in Outsiders, and that book sucks.
Mighty Avengers will probably be just as bad as most of Civil War. So unless one of you deems it worthwhile, I'm not even going to bother.
Yay! More Planetary Brigade! How lucky are we to get an issue of this AND Hero Squared IN THE SAME month! Now I just have to get my comic shop to carry it.
Superman/Batman - Fuck you, Verheiden, for taking a promising title and turning it to CRAP.
I'm interested in reading the Transformers Prequel merely to get a sense of whether or not the movie will suck.
I'm wondering where Bendis is going to take Ultimate Spider-Man now. But Ultimate Vision is soooo freaking lame. And the concept is just unbearably stupid. Truly AWFUL.
I'll read Uncle Sam because I'm hoping for some Ray Terrill. Who else wants him back in the JLA???
And, of course, Welcome to Tranquility. It's a GOOD fun book to read.
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