The second most exciting thing to do on Wednesday is talk comics! 11/14/07!

[conorkilpatrick]

Tell us what you thought of the books of the week!

If you want to see what's on the iFanboys' pull list, check it out here (http://www.ifanboy.com/archive/weblog/november_14th_2.html).

This week's Pick of the WeeK:

http://www.ifanboy.com/images/POW_111407-thumb.jpg

Watch out for SPOILERS because from here on out people are talking about the books of the week.

[labor_days]

What is the most exciting thing on Wednesdays?

edit: ohhh. haha.

[steve-m-]

New Avengers was great...I think. They dealt with the Venom thing so fast--I'm not sure if I liked it or was let down. I definitely liked that it went somewhere--unlike Mighty Avengers. Also, the secondary theme of the book seemed to be 'almost naked female superheroes'--which was a little over the top for my taste.

Avengers: the Initiative took an interesting twist but I will probably drop it unless the Secret Invasion arc looks really good.

[labor_days]

Thor was completely badass.

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/5/11/14/f_Image1m_19bc93e.png

"Let that Voice be heard!"

[six-gun]

What is most exciting thing on Wednesdays?

edit: ohhh. haha.

yeah, but said act is possible any day of the week, it's not specific to Wednesdays

[horatio616]

I've just started The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier. It appears to be mostly Watchmen-type supplementary material. While interesting, I'm not thrilled about reading a graphic novel that's half composed of that. LoEG is a little like continuity porn for literature. So far it's... okay. Alan Moore is really channelling something strange here. Just look at the credits page...

[paper]

Well, uh, New Avengers was certainly curvy this week.

[fred]

New Avengers is my SBOW.

I've only managed to get grades up so far. I'm editing.

http://thisweekincomics.com/thisweekstatistics.php

BTW, I think "reading comics" was the alleged #1 fun thing to do on Wed.

[jimski]

The Initiative was very satisfying, particularly after that last issue featuring art by Mrs. Antrainer's 9th grade figure drawing class. Slott cannot wait for Brand New Day to start either, apparently; he's gone ahead and started fixing Spider-Man's continuity in his other books.

[labor_days]

Slott cannot wait for Brand New Day to start either, apparently; he's gone ahead and started fixing Spider-Man's continuity in his other books.

Don't read Spider-man or The Initiative. I am intrigued though.

What did Slott do to Spidey continuity?

[cormano]

Thor was completely badass.

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/5/11/14/f_Image1m_19bc93e.png

"Let that Voice be heard!"

I didn't make it to the shop tonight, but that art is awesome. I can't wait to read so many of the new books, why can't the comic shop be open 24 hours?

[jimski]

Don't read Spider-man or The Initiative. I am intrigued though.

What did Slott do to Spidey continuity?

Because Tony Stark is an evil, evil sunuva*****, there's a squad on the Initiative made up entirely of guys in Iron Spider suits (remember that thing?) and Peter Parker encountered this team in the current issue. (They were fighting Vulturions, which I don't think have been seen since like Web of Spider-Man #3, but never mind.) The Scarlet Spider Squad gained a newfound respect for ol' Pete in the ensuing melee and as a show of gratitude went in front of the news cameras and raised a lot of public questions about who is or is not Spider-Man, and who's to say there aren't a bunch of them, and what do the feds know about all this?, etc. etc.

[jimski]

New Avengers is my SBOW.

!

...come on, now. I know you don't like Yu, but... the meds only help if you keep taking them.

Sometimes I wonder if I've been enjoying New Avengers so much for so long that I won't even know when it goes south. I saw The Phantom Menace five or six times before I could admit to myself that it wasn't good.

[labor_days]

The Scarlet Spider Squad gained a newfound respect for ol' Pete in the ensuing melee and as a show of gratitude went in front of the news cameras and raised a lot of public questions about who is or is not Spider-Man, and who's to say there aren't a bunch of them, and what do the feds know about all this?, etc. etc.

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif

[gungadin]

Sometimes I wonder if I've been enjoying New Avengers so much for so long that I won't even know when it goes south. I saw The Phantom Menace five or six times before I could admit to myself that it wasn't good.

That's like with me... But I walked away from it and then came back about six years later... Whoo boy was I wrong...

But I was ten! I didn't know better!

... I guess that explains why it sucked so much...

[jimski]

That's like with me... But I walked away from it and then came back about six years later... Whoo boy was I wrong...

But I was ten! I didn't know better!

This sort of sounds like my experience with The Goonies. Which I guess was made before you were born. And now, to go take out my dentures and slip in the bathtub, breaking my brittle hip.

[fred]

!

...come on, now. I know you don't like Yu, but... the meds only help if you keep taking them.

Sometimes I wonder if I've been enjoying New Avengers so much for so long that I won't even know when it goes south. I saw The Phantom Menace five or six times before I could admit to myself that it wasn't good.

I would elaborate, but then why would anyone listen to the show after that? You've heard it. You'll be able to hear my issues in all of their poor sound quality glory beginning at the 2:02 mark of episode 16 which will be posted in the next 30 mins or so.

[labor_days]

I really don't know how I feel about WWH.

Glad it's over but...yeah, son of Hulk? Come on.

[jimski]

Candy, sunshine, Hulk;
the Sentry literally
ruins everything.

-WWH, a haiku by Jimski

[jimski]

I'll say this much, though: when he was penciller on Uncanny X-Men back in the eighties, I couldn't deal with JR Jr. I never would've dreamed that one day I'd be such a big fan of his.

[gungadin]

This sort of sounds like my experience with The Goonies. Which I guess was made before you were born. And now, to go take out my dentures and slip in the bathtub, breaking my brittle hip.

.... You think The Goonies is bad? It's cute... You can't take it seriously... but come on... It's not... terrible... It's a cult classic...

And Richard Donner! Come on!

[gungadin]

Just read Booster Gold #4. I dunno what made this issue so amazing, but it was. Answers, progressive storyline, and the presentation for the now famous cover for ish five makes more sense... Although it's interesting that Johns revealed that they're living in an anomaly... So good. I love this book...

A

[tehdave]

agreed on booster gold. looking at all these famous moments in DC history is geeking me out in the most positive way, but it could definitely be getting a bit old. that's why i'm glad that there's also a longer story arc moving along with this. i have to say i was a little disappointed at the supernova reveal (i was hoping it was secretly ted kord), but i like the way that booster's father had already been put into the story in his conversation with guy gardner earlier.

man, i can't believe this book is so much fun.

[fred]

.... You think The Goonies is bad? It's cute... You can't take it seriously... but come on... It's not... terrible... It's a cult classic...

And Richard Donner! Come on!

and there's a sequel in the works

[kahunablair]

Haven't read everything, but here's a couple 10-word reviews...


BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #4-Black Adam really is a bad mother... shut your mouth!
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 24- Evil Superman? Cliched, but darn if I don't like it.
FABLES #67- This storyline is epic. Can this series get any better?
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN THE BLACK DOSSIER
NEW AVENGERS #36- Another Winner! You never know where this story is going.
NOVA #8- A "Meh" issue. Cosmo, the Russian Psychic Dog kicks butt!
THOR #4- Bit too preachy. Yet it's still getting better each issue.
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #13- Silly fun. Rhino, Spidey, and Kraven are all fun additions.
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #48= I'm not a fan of the current storyline at all.
WORLD WAR HULK #5- And so it ends. Not bad, not great, just ok.

[k33k3r]

This was an interesting week. None of my three books really stood out as outstanding. But at the same time none of them will be used as toilet paper this week either. Which is good since I can only afford to read a few titles they would most likely be dropped with very little second thought.

New Avengers #36 - This issue almosted seemed like a huge copout. Maybe it's just me but Bendis pretty much ****ed with the last year and a half of the Marvel Universe in this one issue. Here's my list.
1. The symbiots thing, was this done just to draw more hype and attention to this book? It lasted like 4 pages and then to sum it up, oh it was a chemical bomb from Doom..... What?!?!
2. Oh Skrulls are/have invaded earth, we are all friends again. I don't give a shit what Tony Stark thinks but I'm pretty sure he should be court marshalled or whatever for breaking the law by not trying to arrest every member of the "New" Avengers. I'm pretty sure the government would just be like oh Tony Stark thinks it's okay so we'll let it go....
3. We'll call for backup.... Howard the Duck?!?! WTF?!?! Okay there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. I understand they want to stomp this out quick so they can deal with the Skrull crap but there is no way in hell that last page would have happened. Plus there is no need for that many people to take on The Hood, which I'm sorry BKV and Bendis but this guy is not a A level villian.
4. Pick a story line and stick with it don't jump all over the damn place and Marvel you owe me a lot of ****ing money for Civil War!

Punisher 52 - Good as always and I'm not exactly sure why they are dragging out this story line. I will miss you Ennis. Sidenote: That wasn't the baby!

DMZ #25 - Another filler story was a backup story about Wilson. I enjoyed it but it was too quick of a read. We've gotten like 3 filler issues in a row now and nothing changes next month either.

Ex Machina Volume 6: Power Down - I think I need to re-read this because I really don't have an option on it and was left kinda pissed off. How the hell are you going to leave a GN with a cliff hanger and then not put out the next volume for half a year? Nothing was answered at all in this story. It felt like they forgot to finish the story. I may be done with this series depending on how I feel after the re-read. I feel like I could have read the first five pages and the last five and not missed a thing.

That's it for me.

[mikegraham6]

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif

Always count on labor to break out the bears.

New Avengers really suffered from the whole Mighty Avengers delay, my greatest worry fulfilled:mad:, it's basically an epilogue to what will be happening in Mighty in the next few months (yes people, the giant battle IS coming...) DAMN YOU CHO!!!

World War Hulk was garbage, im pissed i wasted my money on this. Was the action epic? Sure, but the story blew. I don't care that the hulk has a son and there were no real ramifications for the marvel u as a whole. Plus seeing Blackagar Boltagon just standing around really freaked me out

also, now im glad i took a chance on picking up Captain Marvel, i look forward to reading it

[mikegraham6]

3. We'll call for backup.... Howard the Duck?!?! WTF?!?! Okay there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. I understand they want to stomp this out quick so they can deal with the Skrull crap but there is no way in hell that last page would have happened. Plus there is no need for that many people to take on The Hood, which I'm sorry BKV and Bendis but this guy is not a A level villian.

the howard the duck thing was weird but as for the backup, remember, this guy took down wolverine, not many people can do that. Do the avengers need ALL this back up? no, but they were probably intimidated and what better way to intimidate back then to show up with the mighty avengers, thor, the fan four, the x-men, daredevil..... and oh ya.... howard the duck:D

[k33k3r]

Wouldn't the Punisher just shoot all of The Hoods group in the heads? End of story line...

[k33k3r]

I think the Howard the Duck thing was Bendis showing more Cleveland love.

[six-gun]

I really don't know how I feel about WWH.

Glad it's over but...yeah, son of Hulk? Come on.

Dude, you just spoiled my most anticipated book ever! ;)

[k33k3r]

That would be an interesting pregnancy. Womb Smash!!!

[six-gun]

Because Tony Stark is an evil, evil sunuva*****

After NA:I last week I'm a huge Tony Stark fan right now

[jimski]

1. The symbiots thing, was this done just to draw more hype and attention to this book? It lasted like 4 pages and then to sum it up, oh it was a chemical bomb from Doom..... What?!?!

The symbiote thing was supposed to be a Mighty Avengers storyline that had happened already by the time this issue came out; I think the other book is where the action is. The whole thing would be working a lot better were it not for the Cho... but I'm sort of glad they've decided to just publish these issues anyway. I mean, imagine if lateness caused Spider-Man AND the Avengers not to get published all winter.

3. We'll call for backup.... Howard the Duck?!?! WTF?!?! Okay there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. I understand they want to stomp this out quick so they can deal with the Skrull crap but there is no way in hell that last page would have happened. Plus there is no need for that many people to take on The Hood, which I'm sorry BKV and Bendis but this guy is not a A level villian. It seems pretty obvious to me-- speculative spoiler alert!-- that you're looking at a Doctor Strange spell in action there. Look at the way he's grinnin' when he says they should call for backup. I saw that last page and said, "Holy crap! All that for the Hood?? Why would the Punisher team up with them? Why is Angel wearing his old costume? Howard the... waaaaait a second...." So, yeah. Spell.

[conorkilpatrick]

It seems pretty obvious to me-- speculative spoiler alert!-- that you're looking at a Doctor Strange spell in action there. Look at the way he's grinnin' when he says they should call for backup. I saw that last page and said, "Holy crap! All that for the Hood?? Why would the Punisher team up with them? Why is Angel wearing his old costume? Howard the... waaaaait a second...." So, yeah. Spell.

Not that I'm disagreeing with you about it being a spell - it's entirely possible and makes sense - but isn't Angel wearing that costume in the X-books these days, albeit the blue version?

[davegraham]

So who on the Mighty Avengers do you think is a Skrull? I've narrowed it down to three canidates. Wonderman, because I don't think a Skrull would have too difficult a time impersonating him and it would be an effective role to keep tabs on the Initiative. Wasp, because she was the one that touched off Wanda going psycho when Janet, drunkenly, let slip the fact that Wanda had kids. Lastly, Black Widow, because (like Wonderman) it would be an ideal position to get intel on SHIELD, The Initiative, and the Avengers.

[euchre0]

I'll say this much, though: when he was penciller on Uncanny X-Men back in the eighties, I couldn't deal with JR Jr. I never would've dreamed that one day I'd be such a big fan of his.

Absolutely. When I first started buying comics I would stay away from anything with his name on it. It wasn't until the Daredevil Man Without Fear mini series that I started to warm up to him.

That said World War Hulk #5 was atrocious. I don't usually complain much when a book isn't very good, but this was awful. When i was finished I tossed it on the ground and it bent the spine and some pages. Since I usually take decent care of my comics, my wife looked up and said "What happened? Did you do that on purpose?" I threw it away after that. Not gave away, not recycled. Threw away. Pure garbage. I think that for some reason, paying an extra dollar made me hate it even more. I'm done with Greg Pak. Even if Greg Pak were to write the issue in which Steve Rogers comes back and Alan Moore himself says it is the best comicbook he's ever read, I won't read it.

Jeepers, I sound like one of those overly critical fanboys on the internet you hear about! At least since I read World War Hulk #5 first, the other 4 books I bought, like Gotham Underground, seemed like pure gold.

[mikegraham6]

So who on the Mighty Avengers do you think is a Skrull? I've narrowed it down to three canidates. Wonderman, because I don't think a Skrull would have too difficult a time impersonating him and it would be an effective role to keep tabs on the Initiative. Wasp, because she was the one that touched off Wanda going psycho when Janet, drunkenly, let slip the fact that Wanda had kids. Lastly, Black Widow, because (like Wonderman) it would be an ideal position to get intel on SHIELD, The Initiative, and the Avengers.
I think your dead on with Wasp, that drunken sharade set off the entire Avengers Disassembled/HOM/Civil War which has turned the entire Marvel U on it's head. It would blow my mind if that was all part of their plan, but it would seem like the skrulls could predict the future. how could they possiblily know that the wasps comment would set off this chain of events?!?!?
It reminds me of the Booster Gold series, where a single small detail can change huge events in history.

Good call dave

[euchre0]

So who on the Mighty Avengers do you think is a Skrull? I've narrowed it down to three canidates. Wonderman, because I don't think a Skrull would have too difficult a time impersonating him and it would be an effective role to keep tabs on the Initiative. Wasp, because she was the one that touched off Wanda going psycho when Janet, drunkenly, let slip the fact that Wanda had kids. Lastly, Black Widow, because (like Wonderman) it would be an ideal position to get intel on SHIELD, The Initiative, and the Avengers.

I keep thinking what if Elektra and Black Bolt are the only Skrulls? The Skrulls are pretty dumb, so that would be a funny ending. "Who's a Skrull?" "Well, no one...maybe Lockjaw."

[jaflanagan]

I think the Howard the Duck thing was....wait for it...a joke. A tiny visual joke.

So serious....

[davegraham]

I wasn't much impressed with World War Hulk's ending either, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read Planet Hulk. Or maybe not. Is Rick Jones dead?

I can't wait until the next issue of New Avengers comes out and they fight some super villains. Is this the first time they have fought bad guys as a team since the Annual, when they fought the blonde Black Widow as the Super Adaptoid? Even when they were fighting the Hand, they were still fighting who we thought was Elektra who is generally a hero.

[scott-b]

I have only read two of my books so far.

New Avengers was good. I like the fact the Bendis has made this book into his own thing. The Avengers are known for saving the world from some sort of person out for global dominance or destruction, and then a lot of action ensues. He has made this book more dialogue driven and also this team seems more of a street level group (which I love).

I'm really digging Messiah Complex. Cyclops has been such a badass leader behind the scenes and I can't wait to see him in full optic blast action. I can't wait for Part 4 next week.

I still have The Sword, After the Cape II, Nova, Avengers the Initiative, and Thor.

[jaflanagan]

I, for one, am SHOCKED that World War Hulk didn't deliver. I mean, who could have seen that coming?

[mikegraham6]

I think the Howard the Duck thing was....wait for it...a joke. A tiny visual joke.

So serious....

i think his appearance lend credibility to the idea that this "army" is just an illusion by Dr. Strange.....

[k33k3r]

I agree but it was just a little over the top after some readers are going to be pissed with this issue and the crap that marvel is pulling already.

Run out of Pain Meds yet?

[davegraham]

There was a moment, at the end, when I thought World War Hulk was going to be interesting. When Hulk freed Reed Richards from having to murder Tony. However the Sentry showed up and ruined it all. I don't throw a lot of hate at the Sentry. I think something can be done with him, but it really wasn't any good sense to have him and Hulk tear apart New York for the middle part of the issue. What did it accomplish? Remove that from the story and you have the exact same progression of events.

[mikegraham6]

There was a moment, at the end, when I thought World War Hulk was going to be interesting. When Hulk freed Reed Richards from having to murder Tony. However the Sentry showed up and ruined it all. I don't throw a lot of hate at the Sentry. I think something can be done with him, but it really wasn't any good sense to have him and Hulk tear apart New York for the middle part of the issue. What did it accomplish? Remove that from the story and you have the exact same progression of events.

i guess marvel doesn't realize that the sentry isn't a popular character. he really didn't warrant being the climax to this book.
I'm with you though, i think he has potential, but no one has made him interesting enough for the audience to care about, making this conclusion LAME

[six-gun]

I wasn't much impressed with World War Hulk's ending either, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read Planet Hulk. Or maybe not. Is Rick Jones dead?

I can't wait until the next issue of New Avengers comes out and they fight some super villains. Is this the first time they have fought bad guys as a team since the Annual, when they fought the blonde Black Widow as the Super Adaptoid? Even when they were fighting the Hand, they were still fighting who we thought was Elektra who is generally a hero.

yeah, good point but the hand in general is a villainous group

[euchre0]

I, for one, am SHOCKED that World War Hulk didn't deliver. I mean, who could have seen that coming?
Well, you hit a big factor of why I hated it: I knew it was bad, but still bought it. Now, I have tons of uncompleted mini series that sucked so i didn't buy the rest, but for some reason I followed through with this. I even held the book in my hand, set it back down, and told the guy behind the counter that I didn't think I wanted to buy issue 5. Surprise, surprise, he talked me into buying it. My disdain comes not from the fact that it didn't deliver (I can take a flat story/ending), but that it was dumb nonsensical drivel that boarded on insulting.

I spent 4 dollars on it...I'm a moron.

[labor_days]

Dude, you just spoiled my most anticipated book ever! ;)

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif

[euchre0]

I wasn't much impressed with World War Hulk's ending either, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read Planet Hulk. Or maybe not.
Not. I read it and it was pretty good, but you don't need to read it, especially with the knowledge that WWH is the result. Also, it's interesting that Pak changed Miek from a Rick Jones character, loyal and kinda cool in Planet Hulk, to flat out evil in WWH. The reasoning behind it? Evidently Miek wanted Hulk to smash.


Is Rick Jones dead?
I think that Doc Samson was holding Rick's body toward the end, and then that was him they were putting in the ambulance. I hope he's not dead. If he is, so would my hopes for him being bonded with Captain Marvel in another series again.

[six-gun]

where's that image from labor?

[davegraham]

I wanted to give the Incredible Herc a shot. I really liked Hercules as he was in Civil War, but what are the odds Pak is going to write him the same way? Then again, how many different angles can you take on the character?

So to fans that read both, what made Planet Hulk good and World War Hulk not good?

[jimski]

I think that Doc Samson was holding Rick's body toward the end, and then that was him they were putting in the ambulance. I hope he's not dead. If he is, so would my hopes for him being bonded with Captain Marvel in another series again. I hope the gamma-irradiated Doc does not have to take unusual measures to save his life, resulting in his transformation into a Hulk of some color or another.

Actually, with Brucie in cold storage, they could be kicking off another trying-to-cure-Hulk-and-making-him-vastly-worse-in-the-process arc.

[labor_days]

So to fans that read both, what made Planet Hulk good and World War Hulk not good?

PH had a story that developed the characters alongside the plot. WWH made no goddamn sense.

where's that image from labor?

I don't remember. It's now my defacto "I'm in shock, wtf?" response.

[jimski]

So to fans that read both, what made Planet Hulk good and World War Hulk not good?

I think it boils down to the creeping realization that, no matter how many asses he kicks his way through, the Hulk is not going to kill the other heroes and rule the Earth with an iron fist. The series is predicated on him doing that, and you know from page 1 he ain't doin' that. In Planet Hulk, there were no rules because the characters and setting were new and flexible/expendable. So WWH leaves you with, "yes, kicky punchy hurty, but this is clearly a waste of everyone's time. I've already read stories that take place after this. New York doesn't even look particularly dusty."

[labor_days]

Our proposed forum comic about the beleaguered Mayor of the MU New York city really needs to happen.

Josh, where you stand on this?

[fred]

PH had a story that developed the characters alongside the plot. WWH made no goddamn sense.


We agree and I throw you a bear for good measure.

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif

[dave-accampo]

Heh...

So, I'm gonna set myself up here and be the lone voice of dissent.

I thought WWH delivered on its premise very well.

Now, I haven't been reading Hulk, and I didn't even intend on picking up this mini-series. But everyone raved about the first issue (I don't know about here, but friends at comic shops, etc.), and I picked it up and enjoyed it. So I picked up the rest of the series.

It's an action movie, plain and simple. And I hand it to Pak, honestly. This is really the first story of his that I've read, and he showed me some skill. He structured a fairly standard action narrative, but as the structure was revealed, so too were the characters. This was pure story. It wasn't trying to be clever. It wasn't trying to send a message. It wasn't trying to reboot anything. It just set up a very basic conflict and delivered what felt to me like an outcome that made sense.

I liked Millar's Civil War, but I often get the sense that he sometimes sacrifices both character and narrative structure to show you how clever his ideas are. Pak, here, is very subdued. Hulk's desires are fully revealed by his actions and inactions.

And I like the changes to the status quo. I think changing Incredible Hulk to Incredible Hercules (with art by Arthur Adams???) is kinda daring (an A-list character's book taken over by a C-lister?). I think the whole Son of Hulk thing could be fun. People seemed to like the Planet Hulk story, so Son of Hulk makes sense as a Marvel-based Conan-type book. I'm curious to see who the "red" Hulk is.

[euchre0]

PH had a story that developed the characters alongside the plot. WWH made no goddamn sense.
Exactly. Planet Hulk wasn't amazing, it was basically the movie Gladiator with Aliens instead of Rome and Hulk and other aliens as Maximus and his gang of gladiators. Not terribly original, but kinda fun. Hardly essential reading, but fairly entertaining. Now that I think about it, it also speaks to Pak's poor writing that his good story was a famous movie with Hulk and aliens plugged in certain roles.

As for WWH, you captured it perfectly in the above quote.

[dave-accampo]

On the other hand, I agree with the basic sentiments about New Avengers. Bendis tells a good story here, but without the counterpart of Mighty Avengers, it leaves us wanting. Bendis even slyly point it out to us when Cage says something like "There was probably more to it from Tony's side," or whatever he said.

Still, that aside, I could read a whole book about Luke and Jessica talking.

And I'm thinking Jessica's gonna be doing some PI work soon, which I think is cool.

[jaflanagan]

Our proposed forum comic about the beleaguered Mayor of the MU New York city really needs to happen.

Josh, where you stand on this?

I'm all for it. But I'd have to read WWH, right? I mean, that might be too much to ask.

I think it would actually make a great one-shot or mini-series, and set up such a character as a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. Sort of like (and bear with me here) the mayor in Ghostbusters. They have characters like that in Gotham. It seems like the people in Marvel Universe don't interact with the authorities very much, except when it's SHIELD.

[davegraham]

I'm all for it. But I'd have to read WWH, right? I mean, that might be too much to ask.

I think it would actually make a great one-shot or mini-series, and set up such a character as a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. Sort of like (and bear with me here) the mayor in Ghostbusters. They have characters like that in Gotham. It seems like the people in Marvel Universe don't interact with the authorities very much, except when it's SHIELD.

I think that is because Marvel is supposed to be set in the real world. Occaisionally, President Bush (or whoever is in office) shows up, but do that too often and that would ruin any chance of these stories being timeless.

[jimski]

For a while, I was cooking up an analysis of World War Hulk as a metaphor for America's dealings in Iraq and the Middle East over the course of recent history, where the Hulk represented the blowback and unintended consequences of taking it upon yourself to fix the world without thinking enough about the people you're fixing, but I decided I was probably overthinking it in an attempt to get my money's worth.

Still. The way the zeitgeist and author's subconscious creeps into the work fascinates me. So much literary analysis goes on with other types of writing, but I never read anything of the sort about comics. Is it because they're work for hire about licensed characters?

[euchre0]

I think it would actually make a great one-shot or mini-series, and set up such a character as a recurring figure in the Marvel Universe. Sort of like (and bear with me here) the mayor in Ghostbusters. They have characters like that in Gotham. It seems like the people in Marvel Universe don't interact with the authorities very much, except when it's SHIELD.

Oh man, this concept has never even occurred to me! This could be so cool! Bendis needs to do it. Honestly, it doesn't make sense that all these heroes live in New York but don't have run-ins with the Mayor or some sort of New York authority figure.

[labor_days]

Or why the MU New York isn't utterly bankrupt!

[k33k3r]

or a large crater. They've destroyed that city 10 times over in the MU and the next issue it's back to normal. Where do they hire thier contractors from? Those dudes are fast....

[kahunablair]

or a large crater. They've destroyed that city 10 times over in the MU and the next issue it's back to normal. Where do they hire thier contractors from? Those dudes are fast....
Think about it. If you lived in a world where Reed Richards and Tony Stark both live in your city, wouldn't you expect their ideas to be used in your city first?
I'm sure one of them has some cosmic re-integrator thing that can make quick work out of fixing up the city.

[horatio616]

Not only did WWH jump the shark, but it cleared the dolphin and the whale, too.

Have to admit I'm intrigued by the Red Hulk though.

[davegraham]

...Have to admit I'm intrigued by the Red Hulk though.

May I ask why, because I don't know if WWH gave any hint as to why he is red now?

[k33k3r]

Think about it. If you lived in a world where Reed Richards and Tony Stark both live in your city, wouldn't you expect their ideas to be used in your city first?
I'm sure one of them has some cosmic re-integrator thing that can make quick work out of fixing up the city.

True but wouldn't it be easier and most likely cheaper to find away to make them indistructable?

[kahunablair]

True but wouldn't it be easier and most likely cheaper to find away to make them indistructable?
2 ways to look at it...
1)What would Hulk smash? Or what would Iron Man be thrown into?
It may make more sense, but it wouldn't help the story.

2)If something is created by those two that seems to be indestructable, how long before Hulk get's madder or the villians get stronger? It would be pretty much a silly arms race.

[k33k3r]

2)If something is created by those two that seems to be indestructable, how long before Hulk get's madder or the villians get stronger? It would be pretty much a silly arms race.

Isn't it that already though....?

[labor_days]

I too was excited for Red Hulk. But then I saw Jeph Loeb was attached and well...

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif


For reals.

[kahunablair]

Isn't it that already though....?

Exactly why I said they would create something to fix the mess, not to create something indestructable like you suggested.

[davegraham]

I fear Red Hulk is making Dragonball Z out of the Hulk. While I was a young in college undergrad, I felt compelled to follow that show for about a semester's worth of episodes. Every "plot" involved the characters getting more and more angry and therefore more powerful. They would fight, powerup, fight, powerup, and finally I asked myself, "What the heck is this about?" I couldn't figure it so and I haven't looked back since. Whatelse other than that was World War Hulk about? And based on where WWH ended whatelse is there other than The Hulk escapes the government, is enraged at a level he never has been before, and now he is running amok?

[jimski]

or a large crater. They've destroyed that city 10 times over in the MU and the next issue it's back to normal. Where do they hire thier contractors from? Those dudes are fast....

It's about high time that Damage Control (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damage_Control_%28comics%29) got another series.

[horatio616]

I fear Red Hulk is making Dragonball Z out of the Hulk. While I was a young in college undergrad, I felt compelled to follow that show for about a semester's worth of episodes. Every "plot" involved the characters getting more and more angry and therefore more powerful. They would fight, powerup, fight, powerup, and finally I asked myself, "What the heck is this about?" I couldn't figure it so and I haven't looked back since. Whatelse other than that was World War Hulk about? And based on where WWH ended whatelse is there other than The Hulk escapes the government, is enraged at a level he never has been before, and now he is running amok?

Ha! My nephew used to watch this and he would try to explain to me what was going on while we watched. I would ask, "but why are they fighting?" and he'd never have an answer.

Why doesn't Bruce Banner just kill himself? Someone who's that potentially dangerous should do it as a public service.

Does anyone have any thoughts on LoEG: The Black Dossier? I've finished the first third...

[labor_days]

Anyone reading Simon Dark?

Should I be reading it too?

[gungadin]

From the Goonies about four pages back before all the Hulk talk...

and there's a sequel in the works

You mean the comics? Yeah... I'm skipping those..

Anyone read Wonder Woman yet? Isn't it Gail's first issue? We'ren't we all excited?

Read All-Star Superman. I dunno, I fall in the camp that enjoys this book, but doesn't find it the best thing ever. It's good, don't get me wrong... But... I dunno, something about it doesn't make it the best thing ever...

B+

[alexg]

While I was a little annoyed with the first 1/4 of New Avengers, I thought it ended kind of well.

I'm pretty much convinced of Dr. Strange's Skrull status at this point. The last we saw him in Civil war was when he went into deep mediation...did we ever see him leave that spot? (maybe, but I don't remember)

Add to that his weakened powers...red herring maybe, but I don't think so.

[fred]

You mean the comics? Yeah... I'm skipping those..


nope. a movie

[euchre0]

Why doesn't Bruce Banner just kill himself? Someone who's that potentially dangerous should do it as a public service.
Because even though most people who pay for books with the Hulk are 25+ years old, comics are still geared for kids (in theory and lip service from Marvel, at least). If they made Wolverine and Nick Fury stop smoking so kids wouldn't take away a negative message, they can't have a major character kill himself for noble causes.

Plus, it's only been the last few years, maybe a decade or so, that the Hulk hasn't been a clear cut hero.

[gungadin]

If they made Wolverine and Nick Fury stop smoking so kids wouldn't take away a negative message, they can't have a major character kill himself for noble causes.

Wasn't that because JQ's dad died of lung cancer or something?

[gungadin]

nope. a movie

Dude. Sean Astin's a Hobbit and like... forty. How the frak are they going to do that?

[jimski]

Why doesn't Bruce Banner just kill himself? Someone who's that potentially dangerous should do it as a public service. Every time he tries, his body reacts to the stress and he hulks out. Or so Brian Azzarello suggested in the excellent miniseries "Banner" back in the Bill Jemas era.

[fred]

I've heard a rumor that some of their kids are doing it.

[horatio616]

Because even though most people who pay for books with the Hulk are 25+ years old, comics are still geared for kids (in theory and lip service from Marvel, at least). If they made Wolverine and Nick Fury stop smoking so kids wouldn't take away a negative message, they can't have a major character kill himself for noble causes.

Plus, it's only been the last few years, maybe a decade or so, that the Hulk hasn't been a clear cut hero.

The Hulk has been destroying towns for decades. He leveled New Mexico in the mid 80s. It's this simple: if you don't want moral ambiguity messing up your properties, don't have him destroying New York, even if no one is killed (Ha!).

Anyway, the Hulk killed 400 people in the Ultimates a few years back. The book is geared toward the same age group.

[gungadin]

I've heard a rumor that some of their kids are doing it.

Oh, ick. I'm stayin away from that... I don't even know how they could do it... Ick...

[davegraham]

While I was a little annoyed with the first 1/4 of New Avengers, I thought it ended kind of well.

I'm pretty much convinced of Dr. Strange's Skrull status at this point. The last we saw him in Civil war was when he went into deep mediation...did we ever see him leave that spot? (maybe, but I don't remember)

Add to that his weakened powers...red herring maybe, but I don't think so.

Maybe and maybe not, but if Dr. Strange is a Skrull wouldn't that mean the Strange of the BKV series was a Skrull?

I agree Dr. Strange's diminished powers imply to me he is a Skrull, but my gut tells me that is a red herring. Maybe it is Wong who is the Skrull and some how putting the Skrull wammy on Strange's magics.

What was up with Jessica asking about Carol so much? Is it just because they are friends or is there Skrulling at work?

Am I a Skrull?

[kahunablair]

Maybe and maybe not, but if Dr. Strange is a Skrull wouldn't that mean the Strange of the BKV series was a Skrull?


Careful, Dave. Don't start going down that rabbit trail.

[davegraham]

Careful, Dave. Don't start going down that rabbit trail.

You're right, but if we haven't be staring at the face of a Skrull since Avengers Disassembled then I am going to be very disappointed.

Does anyone have any theories about the Skrull that shows up for one panel during Disassembled?

[alexg]

I hadn't thought too much about the BKV series, did that take place out of continuity? I was never under the impression it took place after Civil War...anyway...quite possibly a red herring due to the perhaps too obvious quotes about his powers.

Do any of the heroes on earth know the Skrull homeworld was destroyed in the Annhilation War?

[davegraham]

I hadn't thought too much about the BKV series, did that take place out of continuity? I was never under the impression it took place after Civil War...anyway...quite possibly a red herring due to the perhaps too obvious quotes about his powers.

Do any of the heroes on earth know the Skrull homeworld was destroyed in the Annhilation War?

I didn't think it was in continuity until Night Nurse showed up in New Avengers.

Nova filled Tony Stark in with the details of the Annhilation War in the second or third issue of his series.

[alexg]

Ah right...forgot about that.

Eh, Tony's a skrull anyway, so he probably already knew.

[euchre0]

The Hulk has been destroying towns for decades. He leveled New Mexico in the mid 80s. It's this simple: if you don't want moral ambiguity messing up your properties, don't have him destroying New York, even if no one is killed (Ha!).

Anyway, the Hulk killed 400 people in the Ultimates a few years back. The book is geared toward the same age group.

Good point. But Ultimate Hulk was a bad guy, whereas Stan Lee had the Hulk as a misunderstood good guy who would cause damage but never intentionally hurt people and that's how he has been marketed (mostly) since, especially in the TV show and the movie. Hulk had always wanted to be left alone, so the Illuminati sent him to be alone and then he decides to attack? Weird. In any case, the Hulk is a property Marvel would lose if they killed him off (obviously), so that's the main reason.

[alexg]

If the ship hadn't blown up and killed his girl, Hulk would have been happy to stay and would not have sought revenge...not really defending WWH mind you--I thought the event as a whole was a total flop.

[dave-accampo]

If the ship hadn't blown up and killed his girl, Hulk would have been happy to stay and would not have sought revenge...not really defending WWH mind you--I thought the event as a whole was a total flop.

You're right about the motive for revenge, and I'll defend the event.

As a casual reader (not having followed Planet Hulk), I thought it worked. I liked that the Hulk was so inscrutable though out the series. He was very hard to read, and that made him a mystery. What did he really want? Would he really kill? Sure, we know as readers that it probably won't happen, but the WHY of it is the mystery. So for me, the whole event was "action movie as psycho-therapy session." Who is Hulk really trying to punish? Who's he really mad at? What is the cost of his revenge? What would bring him peace?

I definitely see how this wouldn't work for most people. It strikes me as being very minimalist in its execution. Pak refused to deliver a bunch of exposition to explain what Hulk was feeling. It was sorta dictated through actions, and those can sometimes be unclear.

But I dug it. I thought was way better than some Deus Ex Machina that hit the reset button.

Of course, I also went into it with pretty low expectations, so that may have had an affect.

[labor_days]

I found the Wolverine/Jessica Drew shower scene in New Avengers far more gratuitous than the relaxing in the tub scene from last week's Buffy.

Pretty close to living in a Bendis free world at this point. Bleh.

[esophagus]

Every time he tries, his body reacts to the stress and he hulks out. Or so Brian Azzarello suggested in the excellent miniseries "Banner" back in the Bill Jemas era.I have to hunt that down. Sounds potentially excellent.

[kahunablair]

I found the Wolverine/Jessica Drew shower scene in New Avengers far more gratuitous than the relaxing in the tub scene from last week's Buffy.
...
Really? Where as this one had a reason (She couldn't zap him without zapping herself), I got the vibe that it was merely there last week for the fact that "It's TWO girls in a bubble bath! Yahoo!"

[labor_days]

I got the feeling of a man approaching a naked woman from behind with a knife to her throat.

Oh and she turns around with his claws placed in such a way that it blocks her nipples for 6 panels.

Lovely.

[six-gun]

Because even though most people who pay for books with the Hulk are 25+ years old, comics are still geared for kids (in theory and lip service from Marvel, at least). If they made Wolverine and Nick Fury stop smoking so kids wouldn't take away a negative message, they can't have a major character kill himself for noble causes.

Plus, it's only been the last few years, maybe a decade or so, that the Hulk hasn't been a clear cut hero.

maybe, Marvel seems to be ok with pushing their property characters a bit further than you would expect

[six-gun]

I found the Wolverine/Jessica Drew shower scene in New Avengers far more gratuitous than the relaxing in the tub scene from last week's Buffy.

Pretty close to living in a Bendis free world at this point. Bleh.

I don't read Buffy but I am curious to compare the two

[labor_days]

Also I think the army Dr. Skrullange conjures up is obviously an illusion. New Thor, Howard The Duck, Vision, Silver Surfer to take out the Hood & Wrecking crew?

Illusion.

[tad]

The new chapter of the BPRD is jaw droppingly surprising. This is a fantastic run .

I bought Mice Templar #2 but I think that's it for me. If I had browsed it a bit longer in the shop I would've passed.

Wonder Woman is a delightful bit of fun. Humor, confidence, action, and amazing, amazing, amazing art. Wow.

Unread til I get home: the much anticipated SCOTT PILGRIM Gets It Together!

Yay!

[six-gun]

Wonder Woman is a delightful bit of fun. Humor, confidence, action, and amazing, amazing, amazing art. Wow.


almost disappointed I dropped it, almost

[dave-accampo]

Unread til I get home: the much anticipated SCOTT PILGRIM Gets It Together!

Haven't cracked this one yet either, but I'm very much looking forward to it!

I loves me the Scott Pilgrim!

Dave

[dave-accampo]

Wonder Woman is a delightful bit of fun. Humor, confidence, action, and amazing, amazing, amazing art. Wow.


Urgh...this is very tempting. I was really trying to resist this, too. But that's the second bit of solid praise I've heard for the book.

[six-gun]

What exactly is Scott Pilgrim's appeal? I'm curious because it seems quite the hotness

[dave-accampo]

What exactly is Scott Pilgrim's appeal? I'm curious because it seems quite the hotness

You know, it's a good question because Scott Pilgrim is one of those books that I can't even break down and intellectually discuss why I love it.

It's funny, insightful, and a huge mish-mash of garage band/slacker/video game/ ninja coolness.

All I can really suggest is to read the first volume and find out for yourself. :)

[labor_days]

Tad is OTM re: Wonder Woman.

Just finished it. You can tell right away the Dodson's are reinvigorated and the tone is markedly different from the previous issues.

[six-gun]

You know, it's a good question because Scott Pilgrim is one of those books that I can't even break down and intellectually discuss why I love it.

It's funny, insightful, and a huge mish-mash of garage band/slacker/video game/ ninja coolness.

All I can really suggest is to read the first volume and find out for yourself. :)

hrmm sounds :cool:

[marshallg]

A few observations halfway through my HUGE stack:

WWH#5: I'm not sure what would have constituted a good ending but this wasn't it. I'm a little confused about what exactly happened but hey at least it's over. And Marvel will you please go on and kill the Sentry!!! Power of a billion suns my ass. F

NA#36: Started slow but finished strong. Bring on the Skrulls! B+

Thor#4: Just started reading this with #3 and it's great. I think someone else put it best - Thor is a badass. A

Wonder Woman#14: Picked this up to see what Simone had in store for the Amazon Princess. I'm intrigued, I'll pick up the next one. B-

Superman/Batman: Supes escaped eternal entrapment a little too easy but I'll go with it. Can't wait for the Orion/Bats confrontation. B

Captain Marvel: This series has potential but the first issue was a little slow for me. C

House of M Avengers: meh. D

[jimski]

I have to hunt that down. Sounds potentially excellent.

It's traded! (http://www.amazon.com/Startling-Stories-Banner-Brian-Azzarello/dp/078510853X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195180552&sr=8-1) They did some pretty interesting stuff under that "Startling Stories" header. "Banner." "Unstable Molecules," which was so high concept I would have to strain to even summarize it. Peter Bagge's Spider-Man. Damn, I miss those not-especially-long-ago days.

[kahunablair]

hrmm sounds :cool:

It is quite cool.
I actually just received the second book yesterday, and I'm about to crack it open now.

Six, I could see you getting a kick out of the different Rock Band's names...
(The names of all the bands in Scott Pilgrim have thus far been references to video games.)

* Sex Bob-omb: Scott's band with Stephen Stills (vocals and guitar) and Kim Pine (drums). Refers to Bob-omb, a character from the Super Mario series.
* The Clash At Demonhead: The band of Scott's ex-girlfriend Envy. Refers to the NES game Clash at Demonhead, as well as obviously recalling punk band The Clash.
* Sonic & Knuckles: Scott's first band, in high school with Kim Pine and Lisa Miller. Named after the Sega Genesis game Sonic & Knuckles.
* Crash And The Boys: Another local band. Refers to an NES game, Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge, localized from the Japanese Nekketsu Koha Kunio-kun series. Later call themselves The Boys And Crash (in Volume 3).
* Kid Chameleon: Scott's university band with Stephen Stills, Envy, and Neil's sister Stephanie, among others. Named after the Sega Genesis game Kid Chameleon.

[kahunablair]

So I just went back over the thread to make sure I didn't miss it.
Outside of everyone talking about what a bad character the Sentry was, I haven't seen this mentioned.

Is he back to being a regular guy now? Did he expend all his power? Is that the major outcome of this series?

[jimski]

Is he back to being a regular guy now? Did he expend all his power? Is that the major outcome of this series?

Oh, my man, if Paul Jenk-- er, Rob Reynolds used up all his powers and had to go drive a bus, I would throw a party and invite everyone I know. Except no one I know reads comics and they'd put me away.

[kahunablair]

Oh, my man, if Paul Jenk-- er, Rob Reynolds used up all his powers and had to go drive a bus, I would throw a party and invite everyone I know. Except no one I know reads comics and they'd put me away.

Well have we seen him since? Has he been in anything else, other then Mighty Avengers?

[jimski]

Well, I saw him in New Avengers and, more perplexingly, he appeared to have his arm around his wife.

[cormano]

Dammit, my shop was sold out of a few of my books by the time I got there (including New Avengers and Captain Marvel).

So far, I've read:

X-Factor #25 - I enjoyed this but it mostly just made me wish I had been reading the X-Books longer because I have very little connection to Layla Miller, I didn't know Forge was even around any more, etc. I'm still really excited about this crossover and I think I'm gonna be spending way too much money on mutant books after it's over.

Punisher War Journal #13 - HOLY CRAP. I haven't laughed this much at a comic since I don't know when. Were there funny Punisher books in the past, because if there were, this book makes me want to track them down. It also kind of makes me wish Fraction wrote some Spider-Man just for the mid-battle banter.

[kahunablair]

Well, I saw him in New Avengers and, more perplexingly, he appeared to have his arm around his wife.

Hmmm... interesting.

[labor_days]

Sentry didn't lose any power. He's fighting the Venoms in NYC in NA. That happened after WWH, no?

[labor_days]

Oh my god, Mia's rant to Athena in GA/BC was awesome. Almost POW for that alone.

Go Winick, GO!

[paper]

Curses! I knew I forgot a book!

[gungadin]

Did anyone read "Titans East?" That was a piece of crap...

[labor_days]

Did anyone read "Titans East?" That was a piece of crap...

My order hasn't come in yet but I did give it a quick glance at the shop. Looked like the old Titans were featured a lot.

What was bad about it?

[cormano]

I just remembered that Fraction wrote that Sensational Spider-Man Annual. That was great. Now I really do want him on an ongoing Spider-Man book, too bad there's no way that is going to happen in the next… several years.

also, I read:

Thor #4: Ugh… I think I would enjoy this more if I weren't so anxious for Thor to get back into the Marvel U and start interacting with everyone. The story was okay but I hate the lack of Thor-speak. Volstagg not sounding Asgaurdian bothers me more than Thor, actually, because he was always hilarious when Stan Lee wrote him.

The art is still great, though…

[gungadin]

My order hasn't come in yet but I did give it a quick glance at the shop. Looked like the old Titans were featured a lot.

What was bad about it?

I dunno. It was kinda sloppy. There was a whole lot about it that didn't feel like it made sense and then the ending frustrated me and I didn't understand what the heck was up with it... And... The end was just really like... "Wedding Special" if that makes sense... Except I didn't care but to think "Well that sucks." Whereas the Wedding Special was like "Well that sucks. Wonder what-"

Titans East was not good...

[labor_days]

I dunno. It was kinda sloppy. There was a whole lot about it that didn't feel like it made sense and then the ending frustrated me and I didn't understand what the heck was up with it... And... The end was just really like... "Wedding Special" if that makes sense... Except I didn't care but to think "Well that sucks." Whereas the Wedding Special was like "Well that sucks. Wonder what-"

Titans East was not good...

Hmm. Long time Titans fan or just getting started?

I am curious to see why there was a flashback (?) to the Kori, Donna and Wally days. Looked like Grodd was in on the villainy. Love me some talking gorillas.

[gungadin]

Hmm. Long time Titans fan or just getting started?

I am curious to see why there was a flashback (?) to the Kori, Donna and Wally days. Looked like Grodd was in on the villainy. Love me some talking gorillas.

Yeah. No Grodd, but overly schmaltzy crap from the Titans, and it only makes sense to tell you where Cyborg is at the start of the issue... It really made me mad...

I've only liked the Titans since the TV show (when I started getting into comics) and I'm not opposed to the original titans at all... But the flashback was just really long and it didn't really make sense when I thought about how things happen... It was like "Why did it take this long for that to happen?" and "Okay..."

Frustrating... the more I think about it, the more I don't like it...

D

[hometeam790]

Anyone reading Simon Dark?

Should I be reading it too?

Right now, I'm really intrigued as I read this series. I was giving it the 3 issue try, but I think it has me in. If you asked me now, I would say its worth a chance.

On the other hand, Omega the Unknown is still up in the air for me. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue reading that one.

[tlederz]

I thought Green Arrow Canary was amazing this week. i dont read many DC books, thought it doesnt seem like you need to to understand this book. I love Ollie's snide comments throughout the book.

[alexg]

Here's something I've been wondering...is Athena in Green Arrow/Black Canary still the same In-Disguise Grandma Moses (or whatever her name is) from Darkseids's crew as we saw in Amazon's Attack?

[iSteve]

Here's something I've been wondering...is Athena in Green Arrow/Black Canary still the same In-Disguise Grandma Moses (or whatever her name is) from Darkseids's crew as we saw in Amazon's Attack?

I assume so.

[steve-m-]

How come Sentry can take on the most powerful Hulk ever, but keeps getting slapped around like a school yard punk by Wasp-wannabe Ultron in Mighty Avengers.

This character needs to be done.

[conorkilpatrick]

Did anyone read "Titans East?" That was a piece of crap...

I did. It ruled. I'm so excited for Titans #1 now.

[jimski]

How come Sentry can take on the most powerful Hulk ever, but keeps getting slapped around like a school yard punk by Wasp-wannabe Ultron in Mighty Avengers.

This character needs to be done.

Can fans will a character out of existence if there's no book to cancel? Is it time to start one of those futile, impotent web petitions?

[six-gun]

Sentry didn't lose any power. He's fighting the Venoms in NYC in NA. That happened after WWH, no?

yeah 95% positive

[six-gun]

Thor #4: Ugh… I think I would enjoy this more if I weren't so anxious for Thor to get back into the Marvel U and start interacting with everyone. The story was okay but I hate the lack of Thor-speak. Volstagg not sounding Asgaurdian bothers me more than Thor, actually, because he was always hilarious when Stan Lee wrote him.

The art is still great, though…

yeah, but I like the new way he's written

[labor_days]

Heh. I miss the Thor speak as well. But perhaps JSM's stilted dialogue and glacial pacing have finally met the perfect subject matter in Thor.

Believe me, as much JMS bashing I've done around these cyberwebs, none is more shocked than me in saying that.

Thor rules.

[cam-]

New Avengers was great...I think. They dealt with the Venom thing so fast--I'm not sure if I liked it or was let down. I definitely liked that it went somewhere--unlike Mighty Avengers. Also, the secondary theme of the book seemed to be 'almost naked female superheroes'--which was a little over the top for my taste.


This seems to have come up a couple of times in the thread, I just wanted to re-iterate that the symbiote storyline is going to be dealt with in Mighty, that's why it felt sort of rushed here.

[cam-]

The Initiative was very satisfying, particularly after that last issue featuring art by Mrs. Antrainer's 9th grade figure drawing class. Slott cannot wait for Brand New Day to start either, apparently; he's gone ahead and started fixing Spider-Man's continuity in his other books.

Word! I was really impressed with this one, I'm actually looking forward to Slott on Spidey, both times he's written him in A:TI he's been bang on.

[cam-]

I really don't know how I feel about WWH.

Glad it's over but...yeah, son of Hulk? Come on.

Yeah, they can't write good Hulk stories, so they've decided to have MORE gamma-irradiated people?

I don't get it.

[cam-]

I wasn't much impressed with World War Hulk's ending either, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read Planet Hulk. Or maybe not. Is Rick Jones dead?



Certainly not, Planet Hulk was really fun. WWH was, off.

You would have enjoyed Heroes for Hire more if you'd read Planet Hulk though. Although I'd wager you're not reading that, cause barely anyone is.

[cam-]

Did anyone read "Titans East?" That was a piece of crap...

Whu?

I liked it, it's no JSA, but still what more do you want in a superhero comic?

[jimski]

Judging from my RSS feeds this week, "Titans East" is tearing this nation apart.

[gungadin]

Whu?

I liked it, it's no JSA, but still what more do you want in a superhero comic?

Story that doesn't have schmaltzy superfluosity... It didn't appeal to me... And I liked Hawk and Dove...

[mastap]

So, let's do this!

Thor #4: This book is slow. really slow. I like how JMS is looking at Thor and I'm glad the the warriors three are back. I prefer my Thor books a little more action focussed, but there was a decent balence struck in this issue between action and dialouge. 6/10

World War Hulk #5: I hate the Sentry as much as the next guy, but holy shit this was a great book. I was really hoping the final smackdown was with Thor, but when I saw Sentry cut loose I realised that he was right for the role. A beutiful fight, a look into the soul of a hero and a monster. I may have seen the reveal coming from a mile away, but it still worked thematically. With this issue, WWH turned out to be everything I had hoped for it, this was fun comics. 9/10

Booster Gold #4: Speaking of fun comics. For everything that it's doing in the DCU, this book is largly self contained, and that's what made the reveal so good, is that the groundwork was laid for it through the narration of the first issue. Also; Death Metal Skeets. 8.5/10

Fables #67: yeah, it's good. You know this, there isn't much I can add 8/10

New Avengers #36: So this issue was basically a summary of a mighty avengers arc that hasn't come out yet. Then it finished with a stupid last page team up shot. Also my new theory is that Luke Cage is a skrull who either loves being Luke Cage or genuinly thinks he is. 4/10

Nightwing #138: filler issue, but still a step up from where the book has been quality wise. 7/10

Wonder Woman #14: Sometimes what good comics boils down to is attractive women wrestling gorillas. 8/10

Teen Titans East Special: Really really, REALLY bad. You knew what would happen before you open the cover. There is almost no story here, just a flashback and a slaughter, with no clues for the villain or real foundation for another series. I want my money back 1/10

Avengers: the Initiative #7: I liked the issue, but was I the only one let down by the reveal. By the way Slott was promoting the issue, I was assuming one of the Spiders was going to be Harry Osborn or Ben Reily. But when the reveal came around I was like "Oh... well that makes sense". Though I did find the spiders' names cute. 7/10

All Star Superman #9: Predictible and Hokey. Exactly what I want from this book, it was fun and sweet and continued to show why Superman is who he is. 8/10

Those are the books that stood out for me this week (well other than my dislike for Green Arrow / Black Canary)

[labor_days]

Good or bad, I'm really interested in Titans East moreso now than when the previews first hit.

[dave-accampo]

Dammit, I think I've decided that I have to pick up Wonder Woman this weekend. Too many positive reviews here...

But I still want to be mad at DC for botching so many of their re-launches lately...so I'm going to buy it, but I'm going to throw my money on the counter with disdain.

(no disdain for Gail Simone, as she's probably just what's needed on this book, but I'm kinda soured on DC's publishing strategy, and I've greatly reduced the number of my mainstream DC books because of it.)

[six-gun]

Nightwing was surprisingly good

[horatio616]

(no disdain for Gail Simone, as she's probably just what's needed on this book, but I'm kinda soured on DC's publishing strategy, and I've greatly reduced the number of my mainstream DC books because of it.)

I love Gail's scripting, but her plotting doesn't do much for me.

[six-gun]

Some dude whose name is Will wrote some comic book reviews this week.
(http://entertaininggrime.blogspot.com/)
What a goof.

[mikegraham6]

Heh. I miss the Thor speak as well. But perhaps JSM's stilted dialogue and glacial pacing have finally met the perfect subject matter in Thor.

Believe me, as much JMS bashing I've done around these cyberwebs, none is more shocked than me in saying that.

Thor rules.

agreed, i actually really like Thor tackling the real world issues that he missed while he was dead (Katrina, Darfur)

[kahunablair]

Between Thor and Silver Surfer Requiem, I'm very scared...
I might actually like JMS… someone shoot me before my brains ooze out my nose.

[davegraham]

Between Thor and Silver Surfer Requiem, I'm very scared...
I might actually like JMS… someone shoot me before my brains ooze out my nose.

JMS always starts strong. He always impresses me at the beginning. I really enjoyed the Spider-man totem stuff and I kept reading Amazing all the way through JMS's run, hoping it would get back to being as enjoyable as the first arc. Same thing with Supreme Power. I really liked that in the beginning and then it kinda just pittered out. I also really liked his first arc on Fantastic Four and, again, kept reading his run waiting for it to get good again.

I read the first three issues of Thor and was enjoying the series, but I need to cut back on comics so I had to drop it. I plan on checking out the trade if my library gets it.

[davegraham]

Also the premise of the Asgardians hibernating inside of normal people is exactly the same premise that went on in Journey into Mystery when Thor was in the Heroes Reborn universe. Is that the norm for Asgardian resurrection or JMS being unoriginal?

[jimski]

Also the premise of the Asgardians hibernating inside of normal people is exactly the same premise that went on in Journey into Mystery when Thor was in the Heroes Reborn universe. Is that the norm for Asgardian resurrection or JMS being unoriginal?

I don't know nothin' about any journeys into mystery, but I know that sounds like the premise of 80% of all the Neil Gaiman I have ever read.

[davegraham]

I don't know nothin' about any journeys into mystery, but I know that sounds like the premise of 80% of all the Neil Gaiman I have ever read.

Yeah, Thor was over in the Heroes Reborn kickball. Another Ragnarok had just occured. Off the top of my head... Loki was the CEO of some evil company, Odin was a homeless man, Sif was a cop (I think), and I don't remember who but someone was a young punk rollerblader. I remember thinking it was the best thing to come out of Heroes Reborn. Much more enjoyable than the four Reborn titles themselves.

[six-gun]

Thor was my POW