The Trials of Shazam! #2
Okay, this series has suddenly gotten much better. Apparently, Billy is now the vessel for the power of Shazam, and Freddy must prove himself worthy to be the new Captain Marvel - to be called Shazam. (I guess Shazam will be the servant of Captain Marvel, but nomenclature aside, it's a good idea.) Anyways, Freddy was the lucky one. He wasn't in the air when the power flux occurred. So he's still in one piece. Poor Mary. She's comatose, severely disfigured, and utterly broken, because she was three miles up when she lost her powers. Poor Mary. If Winick kills her, I'll fucking hate him. Women in refrigerators anyone? Winick just loves to crap on the womenfolk. Most be some sort of inferiority complex. Whatever.
That aside, it's a good issue. Freddy is sent by Cap to go on a quest to meet with each of the sponsors: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury; and he must prove himself worthy to each one. Then he will be bestowed with the power of Shazam as Billy was, and the lineage of Captains Marvel will continue. Otherwise, it will be passed on to another lineage.
Why can't it be Mary? Why can't Cap fix her? Poor Mary.
As far as the new status quo for magic in the DC Universe, Freddy sums it up neatly with just one line, where nobody else could even make it coherent before: "it's like H.P. Lovecraft on steroids out there."
And the art is much more solid this time around. A low GOOD this time...but only because I appreciate Freddie as a character and appreciate them trying to do more with him in the way of character development. I sincerely hope that he will become the focus of this book.
Friday, September 29, 2006
She-Hulk #12
She-Hulk #12We know that Shulkie doesn't wear panties. Does the Living Tribunal wear pants? See cover. "Judge" for yourself.
More later.
X-Factor #11
X-Factor #11
Another EXCELLENT issue, one that contributes to our overall understanding of mutants. As far as we've seen, mutants only begin to express their powers during puberty or times of great stress. Why did we never think about the fact that we knew that Jamie split when the doctor slapped his newborn bottom? And never once did anyone question why his mutancy displayed itself so early? Well, PAD did, and here, he adds to the mythology of homo-superior: mutants are an evolution of an earlier type of mutation which displayed itself far earlier, and was nearly always rewarded with death. So the mutant gene laid dormant until puberty, when its host would be in more of a position to control his abilities, or to defend himself.
It's a workable theory...the only mutants to survive in bygone times would have been the ones whose mutancy didn't display itself until adolescence. All those who exhibited mutant abilities earlier would have been killed, thus ending the evolutionary arm. However, even nowadays, there are people born with prehensile tails, webbed digits, and other atavistic traits - not all of which are the fault of the mother. Sometimes, it's just genetics. Our human bodies are such that they recognize most non-viable mutations, and the fetuses who display such mutations are aborted or stillborn. So, yes, it's a very scientifically sound theory. And in an age where it is not considered okay to leave your infant on a pile of manure on Christmas Eve to be replaced with a so-called "normal" child, it's quite believable that the occasional "atavistic" mutations would be able to survive. Hence, Jamie.
We also learn here that Tryp has many powers. Some which we have already seen are mesmerism, and immortality. He implies that he has weather-control capabilities as well. Apparently he is a multiplicant too.
And that's just the first four pages!
Then the team quickly figures out that Guido's switched his allegiances, apparently through a hypnotic suggestion, and we learn that when Quicksilver applies the Terragen Mists to an already-powered mutant, a sort of biofeedback ensues which knocks said mutant out. "Interesting development, isn't it?" he says. If PAD didn't already win quote of the week himself, this would do it!
In order to get into Singularity without tripping Tryp's (get it?) alarms, Madrox calls in a bomb threat to the FBI, Homeland Security, the fire department, and the police. They forcibly evacuate the building, leaving Terry and Julio free to walk in dressed in bomb suits. It's a brilliant plan. Jamie gives himself too little credit for being able to make decisions.
An EXCELLENT issue of an EXCELLENT title. Already one of my favorite monthly books.
Another EXCELLENT issue, one that contributes to our overall understanding of mutants. As far as we've seen, mutants only begin to express their powers during puberty or times of great stress. Why did we never think about the fact that we knew that Jamie split when the doctor slapped his newborn bottom? And never once did anyone question why his mutancy displayed itself so early? Well, PAD did, and here, he adds to the mythology of homo-superior: mutants are an evolution of an earlier type of mutation which displayed itself far earlier, and was nearly always rewarded with death. So the mutant gene laid dormant until puberty, when its host would be in more of a position to control his abilities, or to defend himself.
It's a workable theory...the only mutants to survive in bygone times would have been the ones whose mutancy didn't display itself until adolescence. All those who exhibited mutant abilities earlier would have been killed, thus ending the evolutionary arm. However, even nowadays, there are people born with prehensile tails, webbed digits, and other atavistic traits - not all of which are the fault of the mother. Sometimes, it's just genetics. Our human bodies are such that they recognize most non-viable mutations, and the fetuses who display such mutations are aborted or stillborn. So, yes, it's a very scientifically sound theory. And in an age where it is not considered okay to leave your infant on a pile of manure on Christmas Eve to be replaced with a so-called "normal" child, it's quite believable that the occasional "atavistic" mutations would be able to survive. Hence, Jamie.
We also learn here that Tryp has many powers. Some which we have already seen are mesmerism, and immortality. He implies that he has weather-control capabilities as well. Apparently he is a multiplicant too.
And that's just the first four pages!
Then the team quickly figures out that Guido's switched his allegiances, apparently through a hypnotic suggestion, and we learn that when Quicksilver applies the Terragen Mists to an already-powered mutant, a sort of biofeedback ensues which knocks said mutant out. "Interesting development, isn't it?" he says. If PAD didn't already win quote of the week himself, this would do it!
In order to get into Singularity without tripping Tryp's (get it?) alarms, Madrox calls in a bomb threat to the FBI, Homeland Security, the fire department, and the police. They forcibly evacuate the building, leaving Terry and Julio free to walk in dressed in bomb suits. It's a brilliant plan. Jamie gives himself too little credit for being able to make decisions.
An EXCELLENT issue of an EXCELLENT title. Already one of my favorite monthly books.
Quote of the Week #3
This week's Quote of the Week comes from the recap page of X-Factor #11, where we learn that killing someone in cold blood is the same as killing someone in warm blood, except with the air conditioning on.
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #22
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #22
I like this title. I really do. It's so much better than the crap published monthly in our eponymous heroine's own book.
One question: I understand why Karate Kid wears wristwraps, but why does he wear them all over his body? Is he a mummy or something?
This issue: Everybody Loves Supergirl! Well, so we're led to believe at first. But by issue's end, it turns out the only person in love with Supergirl is that ultimate of stalkers, Invisible Kid. Yuck.
Even though he's only doing layouts on this issue, I'm glad Kitson's still with us. And Bedard has joined Waid! He's just popping up all over the place, nowadays, isn't he!? Not much else to say. A solidly GOOD issue. And the upcoming elections should be fun.
I like this title. I really do. It's so much better than the crap published monthly in our eponymous heroine's own book.
One question: I understand why Karate Kid wears wristwraps, but why does he wear them all over his body? Is he a mummy or something?
This issue: Everybody Loves Supergirl! Well, so we're led to believe at first. But by issue's end, it turns out the only person in love with Supergirl is that ultimate of stalkers, Invisible Kid. Yuck.
Even though he's only doing layouts on this issue, I'm glad Kitson's still with us. And Bedard has joined Waid! He's just popping up all over the place, nowadays, isn't he!? Not much else to say. A solidly GOOD issue. And the upcoming elections should be fun.
Blue Beetle #7
Blue Beetle #7
Okay, we're back on track here. This title is back to being very VERY GOOD, after the massive whatthefu#$? that was the last two issues. Part of that is Duncan Rouleau's fault. Part of it. But whatever, Giffen's back to form here, giving us a recap issue (for those who missed out on Infinite Crisis, it fills them in on all the pertinent aspects of the story) where we find out why Jaime had a missing year. And the answer is actually pretty simple and straightforward, considering...the Scarab shunted Jaime into the space between dimensions that Brother Eye had been occupying before it blew up. However, since it blew up, it destabilized that entire region, causing time to move quicker, and Jaime never actually lost any time - he just skipped it. And apparently, the Scarab was created by a race with something to fear from the Green Lanterns. Which explains why Guy Gardner attacked Jaime when he crashed. Anyways, the supporting cast is all here, the backstory is all told, and now, it's time to hit the road! Please let further issues be similar to this one and not the last two...please, please...VERY GOOD.
Okay, we're back on track here. This title is back to being very VERY GOOD, after the massive whatthefu#$? that was the last two issues. Part of that is Duncan Rouleau's fault. Part of it. But whatever, Giffen's back to form here, giving us a recap issue (for those who missed out on Infinite Crisis, it fills them in on all the pertinent aspects of the story) where we find out why Jaime had a missing year. And the answer is actually pretty simple and straightforward, considering...the Scarab shunted Jaime into the space between dimensions that Brother Eye had been occupying before it blew up. However, since it blew up, it destabilized that entire region, causing time to move quicker, and Jaime never actually lost any time - he just skipped it. And apparently, the Scarab was created by a race with something to fear from the Green Lanterns. Which explains why Guy Gardner attacked Jaime when he crashed. Anyways, the supporting cast is all here, the backstory is all told, and now, it's time to hit the road! Please let further issues be similar to this one and not the last two...please, please...VERY GOOD.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
JSA Classified #27
JSA Classified #27
Ever since reading Swamp Thing's post on Ralph Dibny's blog, which he directed at Rick Tyler, I have wondered what this issue would bring. Basically, it confirms Rick's and Ralph's worst fears, and proves the point: "Swamp Thing is a Massive Asshole". Apparently Swamp Thing is currently running the Santa Priscan mobs, and is using his knowledge of all things botanical to create a new Venom drug which, once administered, is lethal to withdraw from. (Kindof like in Spider-Man 2099 - I'll have to look that up.) Anyways, knowing that Rex Tyler could find a way to undo the addiction caused by this new drug, Swamp Thing sent Bane to kidnap him. Things got worse when Rick and Bane broke into Bannerman pharmaceuticals, the company Rex was working for when he discovered Miraclo. Apparently, they hijacked the incomplete research on Miraclo, and used it to create a Super-Soldier Serum which eventually was transmuted into Venom. So now, Bane wants to kill Rex Tyler for discovering the whole thing. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Rex Tyler is Bane's last hope to be cured of his addiction. Without him, Bane will die! What a nutball. This is a GOOD issue, and, obviously, all references to Swamp Thing are completely this author's invention...or are they?
Ever since reading Swamp Thing's post on Ralph Dibny's blog, which he directed at Rick Tyler, I have wondered what this issue would bring. Basically, it confirms Rick's and Ralph's worst fears, and proves the point: "Swamp Thing is a Massive Asshole". Apparently Swamp Thing is currently running the Santa Priscan mobs, and is using his knowledge of all things botanical to create a new Venom drug which, once administered, is lethal to withdraw from. (Kindof like in Spider-Man 2099 - I'll have to look that up.) Anyways, knowing that Rex Tyler could find a way to undo the addiction caused by this new drug, Swamp Thing sent Bane to kidnap him. Things got worse when Rick and Bane broke into Bannerman pharmaceuticals, the company Rex was working for when he discovered Miraclo. Apparently, they hijacked the incomplete research on Miraclo, and used it to create a Super-Soldier Serum which eventually was transmuted into Venom. So now, Bane wants to kill Rex Tyler for discovering the whole thing. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Rex Tyler is Bane's last hope to be cured of his addiction. Without him, Bane will die! What a nutball. This is a GOOD issue, and, obviously, all references to Swamp Thing are completely this author's invention...or are they?
Teen Titans #39
Teen Titans #39
Well, I've gotta tell you, I'm seriously underwhelmed by this arc. The concept holds so much promise, yet nothing much comes of it. You could even drag this arc out to 12 parts, each one focusing on flashbacks of one of the rejects' time as a Titan, and it would be more interesting than this. The only character from the last two issues who interests me in the slightest is the Martian "Girl"hunter. Because, it appears from the last page, she is actually a White Martian. Yet, not the traitor. Is the traitor Rose? I hope not. She's too promising a character to remove, and anyways, there's a history of Deathstroke's children partnering with the Titans. Still, this issue is better than last issue, but not yet more than OKAY.
Well, I've gotta tell you, I'm seriously underwhelmed by this arc. The concept holds so much promise, yet nothing much comes of it. You could even drag this arc out to 12 parts, each one focusing on flashbacks of one of the rejects' time as a Titan, and it would be more interesting than this. The only character from the last two issues who interests me in the slightest is the Martian "Girl"hunter. Because, it appears from the last page, she is actually a White Martian. Yet, not the traitor. Is the traitor Rose? I hope not. She's too promising a character to remove, and anyways, there's a history of Deathstroke's children partnering with the Titans. Still, this issue is better than last issue, but not yet more than OKAY.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Deadman #2
Deadman #2
What the hell was that? I have no idea what the fuck I just read. It's nonlinear in the extreme, even more so than Grant Morrison's "Invisibles" (which I hated), and makes no sense! Is Brandon Cayce dead? Alive? Married? Not? Lucid? Dreaming? Hallucinating? Is Sara a Physics teacher? Psychology teacher? What the FUCK is going on?
AWFUL...just AWFUL. I really was looking forward to reading this after last month's setup issue. I figured that Bruce Jones couldn't completely suck. As usual, I gave the benefit of the doubt to the wrong person and I got burned. This book is a sheer waste of trees. Do NOT buy it. If you have bought it, see if you can return it. What a fucking waste. Not as bad as Nightwing, but very fucking close.
(At least Justice League proved that Boston Brand is still around.)
What the hell was that? I have no idea what the fuck I just read. It's nonlinear in the extreme, even more so than Grant Morrison's "Invisibles" (which I hated), and makes no sense! Is Brandon Cayce dead? Alive? Married? Not? Lucid? Dreaming? Hallucinating? Is Sara a Physics teacher? Psychology teacher? What the FUCK is going on?
AWFUL...just AWFUL. I really was looking forward to reading this after last month's setup issue. I figured that Bruce Jones couldn't completely suck. As usual, I gave the benefit of the doubt to the wrong person and I got burned. This book is a sheer waste of trees. Do NOT buy it. If you have bought it, see if you can return it. What a fucking waste. Not as bad as Nightwing, but very fucking close.
(At least Justice League proved that Boston Brand is still around.)
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Quote of the Week #2
Quote of the Week #2
Well, this one isn't really current, and it's rather long winded, so instead of copying it word for word, I'll post scans and you can see what I mean.
The following sequence come from the final pages of Ultimate Spider-Man #49, which is quite an EXCELLENT issue.
I'm including the entire sequence, because it's more entertaining that way.
Well, this one isn't really current, and it's rather long winded, so instead of copying it word for word, I'll post scans and you can see what I mean.
The following sequence come from the final pages of Ultimate Spider-Man #49, which is quite an EXCELLENT issue.
I'm including the entire sequence, because it's more entertaining that way.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Brilliant new meme
This new meme was composed by bully in response to a challenge at The Absorbascon. It's a riff on the upcoming cover for Teen Titans, and the fact that many believe Blue Devil to be gay. Enjoy!
Ultimate Six
Ultimate Six #1-7
Well, I've been catching up on my Ultimate reading lately. Since I only started reading Ultimate Fantastic Four from the beginning, and I started reading Ultimate Spider-Man from Annual #1, I really felt like I was missing something. So I started reading USM from the beginning. I've got to say, I love it. It's a VERY GOOD series. But that's not the point of this review.
Ultimate Six, at least according to the timelines I've been able to locate, occurs following USM #45. So at that point in my reading, I read Ultimate Six. It's obvious that Bendis and Millar have very different ideas of the Ultimates and Nick Fury in the Ultimate Universe. Any of you reading my blog will know what I think of Millar's portrayal of the Ultimates. But Bendis is a different matter, and truthfully, I am once again optimistic...well, I'll save that for later. Analysis first.
Bendis portrays Nick Fury as a genuinely concerned parental-type figure when it comes to his dealings with Peter Parker. He also characterizes Captain America in a completely different manner: in this series, Captain America shows that he is visibly outraged at the actions taken by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the US government to try to create more super-soldiers like him. Far from his fascist portrayal in the pages of The Ultimates, this Cap is a genuinely concerned individual, with a clear moral conscience. Likewise, Hank Pym is not portrayed herein as a psychopath, but rather as a man who has given his life for science, to the extent that he has let his relationships with others suffer. And thus Janet Pym is truly concerned for him, out of love, not out of some twisted masochistic urge.
However, I read this series for Spidey, not for the Ultimates, and, frankly, was a bit disappointed. Spider-Man is no more than a supporting character in this drama, even though he gets marquis billing. In fact, it's not even Spidey who's the character here, it's Peter Parker, as not once does he wear his mask. This isn't a story about Peter Parker, though, it's a story about the weird freaks he's come into contact with over his first 27 issues: Green Goblin, Electro, Doc Ock, Sandman, and Kraven. They have been incarcerated by S.H.I.E.L.D. (man, typing that really gets annoying) for illegal genetic augmentation, although it was my impression that Doc Ock's transformation was completely accidental, so it seems they're just creating a charge in order to hold him securely. Anyways, S.H.I.E.L.D. (cut and pasted that time!) has been trying to glean as much as they can from Norman Osborne and Otto Octavius, and Ock seems to go along with their efforts, except that really he's setting up an escape. They all escape, blackmail the President, blackmail Fury, kidnap Peter, threaten May and MJ, and then try to take over the White House, though I don't exactly understand why. It seems as if Bendis lost sight of where he was trying to go with this series by the time he got to issue six, so he had to create a new ending for it. One that doesn't really make much sense. My only idea about it is that he was trying to figure out a way to motivate Harry Osborne into hatred for Spider-Man (whom he finds out is Parker) and S.H.I.E.L.D., in order to make him the Hobgoblin. However, why S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't erase this incident from Harry's mind with hypnosis or psychic surgery is mystifying, and seems very irresponsible of them. Like I said, the ending doesn't make much sense.
Also, I'm confused as to why the President is kept completely in shadows in every scene he's in, when The Ultimates makes it quite obvious that he is George W. Bush. Maybe Bendis is trying to say "he's not my president", and frankly, I wouldn't blame him, but this isn't a political blog, so I'll shut up now.
I was saying earlier that this series makes me hopeful for the future of the Ultimate Universe. Since Bendis has written so many books set in this universe, it's clear that he has some sort of vision for it, but that apparently his vision differs quite profoundly from Mark Millar's. However, back to the point, seeing how the Ultimates are treated in such a different manner in Bendis' book makes me realize that no matter what series they show up in or crossover into, their attitudes and personalities will always be controlled by that book's particular writers, and not by Mark Millar. So even though Millar might be a fascist goon, it does not necessarily follow that he will succeed in molding the rest of the Ultimate Universe to the whims of his peculiar beliefs. What I mean to say is that I no longer fear Ultimates appearances in the other books in the Ultimate line...although I may be completely wrong, and we should be afraid...very afraid.
Ultimate Six: OKAY
Ultimate Spider-Man: VERY GOOD
The Ultimates: Still ASS
Well, I've been catching up on my Ultimate reading lately. Since I only started reading Ultimate Fantastic Four from the beginning, and I started reading Ultimate Spider-Man from Annual #1, I really felt like I was missing something. So I started reading USM from the beginning. I've got to say, I love it. It's a VERY GOOD series. But that's not the point of this review.
Ultimate Six, at least according to the timelines I've been able to locate, occurs following USM #45. So at that point in my reading, I read Ultimate Six. It's obvious that Bendis and Millar have very different ideas of the Ultimates and Nick Fury in the Ultimate Universe. Any of you reading my blog will know what I think of Millar's portrayal of the Ultimates. But Bendis is a different matter, and truthfully, I am once again optimistic...well, I'll save that for later. Analysis first.
Bendis portrays Nick Fury as a genuinely concerned parental-type figure when it comes to his dealings with Peter Parker. He also characterizes Captain America in a completely different manner: in this series, Captain America shows that he is visibly outraged at the actions taken by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the US government to try to create more super-soldiers like him. Far from his fascist portrayal in the pages of The Ultimates, this Cap is a genuinely concerned individual, with a clear moral conscience. Likewise, Hank Pym is not portrayed herein as a psychopath, but rather as a man who has given his life for science, to the extent that he has let his relationships with others suffer. And thus Janet Pym is truly concerned for him, out of love, not out of some twisted masochistic urge.
However, I read this series for Spidey, not for the Ultimates, and, frankly, was a bit disappointed. Spider-Man is no more than a supporting character in this drama, even though he gets marquis billing. In fact, it's not even Spidey who's the character here, it's Peter Parker, as not once does he wear his mask. This isn't a story about Peter Parker, though, it's a story about the weird freaks he's come into contact with over his first 27 issues: Green Goblin, Electro, Doc Ock, Sandman, and Kraven. They have been incarcerated by S.H.I.E.L.D. (man, typing that really gets annoying) for illegal genetic augmentation, although it was my impression that Doc Ock's transformation was completely accidental, so it seems they're just creating a charge in order to hold him securely. Anyways, S.H.I.E.L.D. (cut and pasted that time!) has been trying to glean as much as they can from Norman Osborne and Otto Octavius, and Ock seems to go along with their efforts, except that really he's setting up an escape. They all escape, blackmail the President, blackmail Fury, kidnap Peter, threaten May and MJ, and then try to take over the White House, though I don't exactly understand why. It seems as if Bendis lost sight of where he was trying to go with this series by the time he got to issue six, so he had to create a new ending for it. One that doesn't really make much sense. My only idea about it is that he was trying to figure out a way to motivate Harry Osborne into hatred for Spider-Man (whom he finds out is Parker) and S.H.I.E.L.D., in order to make him the Hobgoblin. However, why S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't erase this incident from Harry's mind with hypnosis or psychic surgery is mystifying, and seems very irresponsible of them. Like I said, the ending doesn't make much sense.
Also, I'm confused as to why the President is kept completely in shadows in every scene he's in, when The Ultimates makes it quite obvious that he is George W. Bush. Maybe Bendis is trying to say "he's not my president", and frankly, I wouldn't blame him, but this isn't a political blog, so I'll shut up now.
I was saying earlier that this series makes me hopeful for the future of the Ultimate Universe. Since Bendis has written so many books set in this universe, it's clear that he has some sort of vision for it, but that apparently his vision differs quite profoundly from Mark Millar's. However, back to the point, seeing how the Ultimates are treated in such a different manner in Bendis' book makes me realize that no matter what series they show up in or crossover into, their attitudes and personalities will always be controlled by that book's particular writers, and not by Mark Millar. So even though Millar might be a fascist goon, it does not necessarily follow that he will succeed in molding the rest of the Ultimate Universe to the whims of his peculiar beliefs. What I mean to say is that I no longer fear Ultimates appearances in the other books in the Ultimate line...although I may be completely wrong, and we should be afraid...very afraid.
Ultimate Six: OKAY
Ultimate Spider-Man: VERY GOOD
The Ultimates: Still ASS
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Ultimates
The Ultimates
The Ultimates #1-13; The Ultimates Annual #1; The Ultimates 2 #1-11
I'm a fan of the Ultimate Fantastic Four and of Ultimate Spider-Man, and I just recently started getting into Ultimate X-Men and I mostly like that title too. However, there is something wrong with a line that has The Ultimates as its namesake book. I could see myself living in the main Marvel Universe, twisted as it has become nowadays. I pray to God that I never end up living in the Ultimate Universe. This title is an embodiment of everything that is most wrong with America and the world. Where America is nothing less than a benign fascist dictatorship, and S.H.I.E.L.D. is basically its SS. Sure, our country is headed in a direction that scares me, but it's still nowhere near this interpretation. Nick Fury is a power-hungry globally-manipulating hawk, Captain America is a fascist nutcase, Giant Man is an abusive psychopath, Wasp is a masochist, Betty Ross is a manipulative two-faced bitch, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are incestuous lovers...and Iron Man is basically the same as in the normal Marvel Universe. The most empathetic/sympathetic character on the entire team is the depressed, crazed, mass-murdering Hulk, so what does that say about the rest of them?
I like Thor a lot, but honestly, he's not really part of the team.
Reading the book is addictive, for precisely the same reason as Tom Clancy novels are. It's just so WRONG it make you want to choke, yet keeps you reading to see what ridiculous notions they have for the rest of our world. They truly seem to feel that this is the way the world should be, because nowhere in the book does it even imply from a mainstream point of view that something is terribly wrong with S.H.I.E.L.D., and especially Nick Fury, not discounting the rest of the Ultimates team.
This title makes me glad that I don't live in the Ultimate Universe, and I'm glad that there is very little crossover between the Ultimates title and the other ongoing series, which I happen to like. However, I just read all of the Ultimates, volume 1, and as much of volume 2 as has been released, and, honestly, I'm a bit sickened. The art is solid, and the writing is good, but the feeling and the idea is just complete wrong. This series deserves an ASS rating for that reason alone, aside from the fact that it's been chronically late. I really hope that their stories do not impact the rest of the Ultimate Universe, because when they do, I may stop enjoying the rest of the titles altogether. The only reason to read this title is Thor. I hope he gets his own Ultimate book.
The Ultimates #1-13; The Ultimates Annual #1; The Ultimates 2 #1-11
I'm a fan of the Ultimate Fantastic Four and of Ultimate Spider-Man, and I just recently started getting into Ultimate X-Men and I mostly like that title too. However, there is something wrong with a line that has The Ultimates as its namesake book. I could see myself living in the main Marvel Universe, twisted as it has become nowadays. I pray to God that I never end up living in the Ultimate Universe. This title is an embodiment of everything that is most wrong with America and the world. Where America is nothing less than a benign fascist dictatorship, and S.H.I.E.L.D. is basically its SS. Sure, our country is headed in a direction that scares me, but it's still nowhere near this interpretation. Nick Fury is a power-hungry globally-manipulating hawk, Captain America is a fascist nutcase, Giant Man is an abusive psychopath, Wasp is a masochist, Betty Ross is a manipulative two-faced bitch, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are incestuous lovers...and Iron Man is basically the same as in the normal Marvel Universe. The most empathetic/sympathetic character on the entire team is the depressed, crazed, mass-murdering Hulk, so what does that say about the rest of them?
I like Thor a lot, but honestly, he's not really part of the team.
Reading the book is addictive, for precisely the same reason as Tom Clancy novels are. It's just so WRONG it make you want to choke, yet keeps you reading to see what ridiculous notions they have for the rest of our world. They truly seem to feel that this is the way the world should be, because nowhere in the book does it even imply from a mainstream point of view that something is terribly wrong with S.H.I.E.L.D., and especially Nick Fury, not discounting the rest of the Ultimates team.
This title makes me glad that I don't live in the Ultimate Universe, and I'm glad that there is very little crossover between the Ultimates title and the other ongoing series, which I happen to like. However, I just read all of the Ultimates, volume 1, and as much of volume 2 as has been released, and, honestly, I'm a bit sickened. The art is solid, and the writing is good, but the feeling and the idea is just complete wrong. This series deserves an ASS rating for that reason alone, aside from the fact that it's been chronically late. I really hope that their stories do not impact the rest of the Ultimate Universe, because when they do, I may stop enjoying the rest of the titles altogether. The only reason to read this title is Thor. I hope he gets his own Ultimate book.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
JLA Classified #27
JLA Classified #27
This title has really been AWFUL since the "Formerly Known as the Justice League" arc. Or at least, there's not been a single storyline which stands out in my mind as having been enjoyable. This current story is no exception. I don't care about it, there's no imminent threat to any members of the JLA or to the USA, and the JLA is portrayed as acting completely counter to their long standing ethics, but specifically acting on behalf of the United States' interests in two totally fictional countries. Just AWFUL. This title could be used so much better, but instead they just keep churning out CRAP every month.
This title has really been AWFUL since the "Formerly Known as the Justice League" arc. Or at least, there's not been a single storyline which stands out in my mind as having been enjoyable. This current story is no exception. I don't care about it, there's no imminent threat to any members of the JLA or to the USA, and the JLA is portrayed as acting completely counter to their long standing ethics, but specifically acting on behalf of the United States' interests in two totally fictional countries. Just AWFUL. This title could be used so much better, but instead they just keep churning out CRAP every month.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Wolverine: Origins #6
Wolverine: Origins #6
Wha? Did I miss an issue? I've heard of in media res, but this is ridiculous! Suffice it to say that this issue begins oh-so poorly. How did Wolverine get on a boat? Why is he on a boat? Does the boat have something to do with his son? Or is it merely conveyance from Vietnam? And if that's the case, why not take a plane? Why didn't he catch a lift home with the X-Men? Why stow away? Why isn't Wolvie's scar healing? Where has his healing factor gone? Where's his costume? Why does he take his clothes off? Why does he jump ship? If his healing factor is failing him, wouldn't a swim in icy cold waters kill him? And why does his son need to be taken down? Why does Wolvie need to disable his son's healing factor? And obviously, he got better, so who's to say his kid wouldn't? And does he intend to murder his son? This series needs so much more narration - or just better narration - because we have no clue why Wolverine is doing the things he's doing. If this series is supposed to be about uncovering the origins of Wolverine, then let it do that! Start telling past continuity stories. Stop mucking about in the present day Marvel Universe. This is getting ridiculous, and is validating every suspicion and apprehension I had of this title when it was announced. In one place, I compared it to a steaming bowl of elephant piss. I take that back. It's worse. Who decided that Daniel Way was such a good writer? Was there any fanbase to support this contention? Do the sales back up Marvel's claims?
And that final sequence: is Jubilee dead? If not, then how is Wolvie "too late"? If so, WTF??? Women in refrigerators, indeed! Maverick? Why would he be in a depowered mutant center, merely because he lost his healing factor? He was a gun toting badass, wouldn't he have a job somewhere? A stupid issue. A boring issue. An issue where even Steve Dillon seemed off his game. Omega Red? Please, come on, be serious! If that was him earlier in sillouhette, then where were all those extra appendages? Remember how I said this is worse? It is. It's steaming mounds of elephant CRAP. The printed word can't convey just how disappointed I am with this series. It had the potential for so much, and this is what we get? Ugh.
Wha? Did I miss an issue? I've heard of in media res, but this is ridiculous! Suffice it to say that this issue begins oh-so poorly. How did Wolverine get on a boat? Why is he on a boat? Does the boat have something to do with his son? Or is it merely conveyance from Vietnam? And if that's the case, why not take a plane? Why didn't he catch a lift home with the X-Men? Why stow away? Why isn't Wolvie's scar healing? Where has his healing factor gone? Where's his costume? Why does he take his clothes off? Why does he jump ship? If his healing factor is failing him, wouldn't a swim in icy cold waters kill him? And why does his son need to be taken down? Why does Wolvie need to disable his son's healing factor? And obviously, he got better, so who's to say his kid wouldn't? And does he intend to murder his son? This series needs so much more narration - or just better narration - because we have no clue why Wolverine is doing the things he's doing. If this series is supposed to be about uncovering the origins of Wolverine, then let it do that! Start telling past continuity stories. Stop mucking about in the present day Marvel Universe. This is getting ridiculous, and is validating every suspicion and apprehension I had of this title when it was announced. In one place, I compared it to a steaming bowl of elephant piss. I take that back. It's worse. Who decided that Daniel Way was such a good writer? Was there any fanbase to support this contention? Do the sales back up Marvel's claims?
And that final sequence: is Jubilee dead? If not, then how is Wolvie "too late"? If so, WTF??? Women in refrigerators, indeed! Maverick? Why would he be in a depowered mutant center, merely because he lost his healing factor? He was a gun toting badass, wouldn't he have a job somewhere? A stupid issue. A boring issue. An issue where even Steve Dillon seemed off his game. Omega Red? Please, come on, be serious! If that was him earlier in sillouhette, then where were all those extra appendages? Remember how I said this is worse? It is. It's steaming mounds of elephant CRAP. The printed word can't convey just how disappointed I am with this series. It had the potential for so much, and this is what we get? Ugh.
Justice League Unlimited #25
Justice League Unlimited #25
Another EXCELLENT one-off issue from this book. Isn't it interesting how they can manage to make single issue stories work every month, yet DC continues to publish 3,4, and 6 issue storylines that seem to drag on endlessly? Let alone Marvel, whose arcs just feed into each other in one big giant interconnected mess.
This issue features Blue Devil having a personal crisis when he encounters fear of his devlilish visage from the people he's trying to save. He goes to Dr. Fate to help him out, but alas, as he is now a real devil, there's nothing Fate can do. Devil considers giving up the hero gig completely, until, when forced on another mission to battle Dr. Destiny and his nightmare minions, he saves a group of schoolkids who reward him with adulation. He then realizes that even if his appearance is sometimes feared, nothing outweighs the good he is able to do as a practicing superhero.
The best detail in this issue is when Fate relates to Cassidy that even Superman, hulking through the flaming wreck of an airline to save a trapped child, has been feared by those he tried to protect.
Like I said, an EXCELLENT issue of an EXCELLENT book. I save this book for one of my final reads every month, to overpower the taste of the crap I've read before it (the things I do for you folks!)...or read it as one of the first, depending on my mood.
Another EXCELLENT one-off issue from this book. Isn't it interesting how they can manage to make single issue stories work every month, yet DC continues to publish 3,4, and 6 issue storylines that seem to drag on endlessly? Let alone Marvel, whose arcs just feed into each other in one big giant interconnected mess.
This issue features Blue Devil having a personal crisis when he encounters fear of his devlilish visage from the people he's trying to save. He goes to Dr. Fate to help him out, but alas, as he is now a real devil, there's nothing Fate can do. Devil considers giving up the hero gig completely, until, when forced on another mission to battle Dr. Destiny and his nightmare minions, he saves a group of schoolkids who reward him with adulation. He then realizes that even if his appearance is sometimes feared, nothing outweighs the good he is able to do as a practicing superhero.
The best detail in this issue is when Fate relates to Cassidy that even Superman, hulking through the flaming wreck of an airline to save a trapped child, has been feared by those he tried to protect.
Like I said, an EXCELLENT issue of an EXCELLENT book. I save this book for one of my final reads every month, to overpower the taste of the crap I've read before it (the things I do for you folks!)...or read it as one of the first, depending on my mood.
New X-Men #30
New X-Men #30
A very fast read. Not much to say about this issue, except that as a penultimate chapter to this arc it is sufficient, with a classic Deus Ex Machina gone severely, but predictably, awry. I am so glad that Duncan Rouleau is gone. Man, that's the second title recently I'd have to say that about. Fortunately for New X-Men, his stint as guest artist didn't affect the momentum or development of the plot very much. That's not the case with Blue Beetle which was battered into near incomprehensibility by his guest spot and subsequent departure, and now seems to have lost my interest. Too bad.
But this title is OKAY.
On another note, I apologize for being incommunicado since Saturday night/Sunday morning. I've been out of town on a business trip, and stupidly forgot to bring my laptop charger with me, so all battery power (all 2:08 of it!!) had to be saved for essential activities such as navigation, and everything else, including blogging and email had to take a rest. And what a restful rest it was! Not really...I value the time I spend online much more than having nothing better to do than watch reruns on the telly. Next time I'll remember.
A very fast read. Not much to say about this issue, except that as a penultimate chapter to this arc it is sufficient, with a classic Deus Ex Machina gone severely, but predictably, awry. I am so glad that Duncan Rouleau is gone. Man, that's the second title recently I'd have to say that about. Fortunately for New X-Men, his stint as guest artist didn't affect the momentum or development of the plot very much. That's not the case with Blue Beetle which was battered into near incomprehensibility by his guest spot and subsequent departure, and now seems to have lost my interest. Too bad.
But this title is OKAY.
On another note, I apologize for being incommunicado since Saturday night/Sunday morning. I've been out of town on a business trip, and stupidly forgot to bring my laptop charger with me, so all battery power (all 2:08 of it!!) had to be saved for essential activities such as navigation, and everything else, including blogging and email had to take a rest. And what a restful rest it was! Not really...I value the time I spend online much more than having nothing better to do than watch reruns on the telly. Next time I'll remember.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2
Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2
My back hurts. I can't sleep. I need something to do to take my mind off the pain. This is it.
This is a VERY GOOD issue. Having come in to the Ultimate universe only recently, having missed all previous appearances of Punisher, Daredevil, and Moon Knight, it's a very self-contained story. You don't need to know who all these people are in the Ultimate universe, nor do you need to know where they've been. That's one of the benefits to only having three true ongoing titles in this universe. Ultimates comes out only infrequently, special minis never get finished, and minis that do finish really don't impact on X-Men, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four very much. And the ongoing titles don't impact one upon the other very much either. It's nice. You get the benefits of continuity in a shared universe without having any of its negative aspects. For the moment, that means that you get a nice little story where Spider-Man, Punisher, and Daredevil are all set on the trail of a rival of the Kingpin, deliberately, by the Kingpin himself, albeit through channels. They all show up at roughly the same time. And Moon Knight just happens to show up in the same place to comlpicate matters. Mayhem ensues, and the Kingpin wins...or does he?
That's not even the best part of the story. The best part comes at the end where Daredevil meets Moon Knight at his home and proposes putting together "a bunch of us" to counteract the corruption on the streets as a unified force. That's interesting. It could actually end up leading to another ongoing Ultimate title, but with what corrollary in the mainstream Marvel universe? I have no idea. But it would certainly be an interesting concept, one which I would readily read monthly. Since Bendis is apparently leaving Spider-Man after issue 100, (wow - even James Robinson or Neil Gaiman has never hung on for that long. Is this a modern age record?) perhaps he'll be writing that title. I can't figure out enough stories to make this title last longer than 12, maybe 24 issues, but maybe that's why I'm not a comic book writer - yet. Still, it's an intriguing concept. One can only hope.
Good night, I'm going to try to sleep now.
My back hurts. I can't sleep. I need something to do to take my mind off the pain. This is it.
This is a VERY GOOD issue. Having come in to the Ultimate universe only recently, having missed all previous appearances of Punisher, Daredevil, and Moon Knight, it's a very self-contained story. You don't need to know who all these people are in the Ultimate universe, nor do you need to know where they've been. That's one of the benefits to only having three true ongoing titles in this universe. Ultimates comes out only infrequently, special minis never get finished, and minis that do finish really don't impact on X-Men, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four very much. And the ongoing titles don't impact one upon the other very much either. It's nice. You get the benefits of continuity in a shared universe without having any of its negative aspects. For the moment, that means that you get a nice little story where Spider-Man, Punisher, and Daredevil are all set on the trail of a rival of the Kingpin, deliberately, by the Kingpin himself, albeit through channels. They all show up at roughly the same time. And Moon Knight just happens to show up in the same place to comlpicate matters. Mayhem ensues, and the Kingpin wins...or does he?
That's not even the best part of the story. The best part comes at the end where Daredevil meets Moon Knight at his home and proposes putting together "a bunch of us" to counteract the corruption on the streets as a unified force. That's interesting. It could actually end up leading to another ongoing Ultimate title, but with what corrollary in the mainstream Marvel universe? I have no idea. But it would certainly be an interesting concept, one which I would readily read monthly. Since Bendis is apparently leaving Spider-Man after issue 100, (wow - even James Robinson or Neil Gaiman has never hung on for that long. Is this a modern age record?) perhaps he'll be writing that title. I can't figure out enough stories to make this title last longer than 12, maybe 24 issues, but maybe that's why I'm not a comic book writer - yet. Still, it's an intriguing concept. One can only hope.
Good night, I'm going to try to sleep now.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Updated links
I don't have much time for a new posting tonight, but in the meantime I have updated links to previous and next issues, and I added an image to the Quote of the Week.
I'm going to King Lear tomorrow night, so I'm going to sit down now and watch "Ran" to refamiliarize myself with the play. Sure, I've seen King Lear in multiple formats, multiple times, but every performance of a Shakespeare play contains different nuances that were either unstresed before, or went unnoticed.
This production, the last of Laurence Olivier's life, remains my favorite.
I'm going to King Lear tomorrow night, so I'm going to sit down now and watch "Ran" to refamiliarize myself with the play. Sure, I've seen King Lear in multiple formats, multiple times, but every performance of a Shakespeare play contains different nuances that were either unstresed before, or went unnoticed.
This production, the last of Laurence Olivier's life, remains my favorite.
Friday, September 08, 2006
New feature: Quote of the week
Because I don't have much time left to blog today, I'm starting a new feature: Quote of the Week.
I'm going to post my favorite quote from whatever books I've read in a given week - provided anything stands out.
This week's quote comes from The All-New Atom #3 (review forthcoming) and narrowly edges out several excellent quotes from Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12.
Choi is speaking with a Lovecraftian sewer monster (I know, it's Weird) and shrinks even further when threatened. The sewer monster - aww forget it, here's the image:
"Weird Japanese sex cartoons!" 'Nuff said.
This panel sells the joke much better:
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