Hotel room booking stress? No! It's comic book reviews and discussion for 2/6/08!

[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/february_6th_20.html).

This week's Pick of the Week:

http://www.ifanboy.com/images/POW_020608-thumb.jpg

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

[esophagus]

I might have to steer clear of this thread because of the pain the title brings. That was an hour and a half of hell. By the end I was on the phone with my mother and we were each trying out seperate hotels to find some that weren't overbooked. Why do people do this? Why?

[Dave Accampo]

Well, I picked up my books at lunch and read Uncanny X-men. I have to say, I really enjoyed it. With the big X-over behind us, Brubaker really gets to do what he wants with the characters now, and I feel like the X-over served the purpose -- it's given Brubaker a new status quo to play with. And he's still totally channeling Claremont here. I can tell that Bru grew up on the same eras of X-men I did. This is the classic non-team, team book.

The standout in this issue is Scott and Emma. I've never really been sold on their relationship, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. But here? I really liked them. The panel where Emma describes what's going on in Scott's mind? Fantastic.

I also liked Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Colossus on their road trip. Some of my favorite X stories growing up were stories where characters took vacations or went on little trips together. This has some nice, fun interplay.

Very solid issue of Uncanny. I like where Messiah Complex brought this book.

[Ryan79]

Amazing Spider-Man- The Gray Goblin? Really? I dug the little jabs at the fired newspaper guy saying he was taking his ideas to the "distinguished competition" but Peter fires back that they "own all the Spider-Man" stories. And now the Daily Bugle is the DB...which is totally unlike DC. Totally.

Uncanny X-Men- This is my first book back as a regular Uncanny reader and I'm not sure how I felt about it. The art was...strange. Not bad, not good....just different. I'm really hoping that the vacationing guys run into Omega Red.

Moon Knight- I'm not sure what's going on but I don't care. I'm fascinated by this book and I don't know why.

Countdown- Does everybody have a boom tube?

JSA- Without a doubt, my pick of the week. This book does no wrong. I'm pretty sure the inevitable introduction of Gog is going to be a great 'oh shit' moment.

[Neb]

I've read through about half my stack so far this week, and I have to say that Amazing Spider-Man was pretty bad this week. I don't know what it was about the art, but I was just not digging. I really didn't enjoy the sort of washed out, darker colors that went with the art either. Definitely not my cup of tea. Also, I have zero interest in Jackpot or whatever her name is. Major ugh.

On a lighter note, Abe Sapien was downright awesome. I thought the art was great, and I'm really intrigued about this story. Also, the add in the back said BRPD:1942 #2 was next week. Wahoo!!

[Jon_Samuelson]

Holy crap, how good was Fables this week? The final issue of the Good Prince storyline, which has to be the largest continuous story line in the series so far. I honestly might have said that it was just a nice ending to a great story, but that part where Flycatcher looked back to his newly created grove, and saw a future he clearly desperately hopes to avoid... that was masterful story telling. It was heart breaking to see how much he clearly doesn't want that, but how easy a path he thinks it could be to slip down.

[Dave Accampo]

I probably wont' get much further in my stack tonight, but I thought The Twelve #2 was very good. I have a few nitpicks here and there, but overall, I'm totally intrigued by this potential storyline.

The only thing going against it is JMS' track record with endings. This seems very similar to Rising Stars (in terms of structure), and that worries me.

Weston's art is fantastic.

My only real complaint (and this is a minor nitpick, as I said) is that JMS doesn't seem to be taking advantage of what the 21st century might truly feel like. I mean, yeah, he could easily date himself, but...dude...I've SEEN the whole "guy from the 40's sees homeless people in New York and wonders how the future got so bad" schtick.

I wanna see how the Phantom Reporter feels when everyone's talking about blogging and paparazzi and blogging. I think there's more to "the future" than these guys saying "well, they've got something called television now." The internet has changed so much more than that. Sure, maybe that would distract from the story he's really trying to get at. I just felt like the contrast between 1945 and 2008 could have been a lot sharper.

[Neb]

Before going to bed, I thought to myself, "I'll go ahead and read one more book." So, I pick up the new issue of CrawlSpace by Rick Remender, and open it. About half way through, I had to put it down. This zombie book saw "the line" and then long jumped over it. The scene in the hospital has me questioning whether or not I should keep reading it. It was quite bothersome.

[RaceMcCloud]

I've read through about half my stack so far this week, and I have to say that Amazing Spider-Man was pretty bad this week. I don't know what it was about the art, but I was just not digging. I really didn't enjoy the sort of washed out, darker colors that went with the art either. Definitely not my cup of tea. Also, I have zero interest in Jackpot or whatever her name is. Major ugh.

A misstep. Three issues in. Doh.

[RaceMcCloud]

WEDNESDAY! COMICS! SIX OF 'EM! THOUGHTS!

Uncanny X-Men #495 - Continuing the current Marvel Comics initiative of making Scott Summers an A number 1 badass. Hey, he and Emma were always interesting together, but now they're interesting AND believable! It is nice to see that Emma isn't always a vapid ice queen, and it's nice she revealed that to her old friends Kazaar and... Kazaar's jungle wife. Wait, what? Anyhoo, I'm on board for Brubaker's post-Messiah complex shenanigans. Good issue for the X-fan, both hardcore and casual (I promise you know the names of every major character in this book. Conor.)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #11 - My favorite Whedon penned issue of this run so far. Still, I'm just buying this for my sister. (I gave her all the issues up to this one at Christmas, and she loved them. She's hardcore Buffy, y'all.)

Nightwing #141 - If this week was Conor's week, I hands-down guarantee this book would be the pick. It damn near was my pick. Hey! Hey! Look, everyone! A "Nightwing" book that doesn't suck, respects its main character, and takes a long time to read! Loved: The Dick/Bruce interactions; the fact that Nightwing is breaking down NYC better than any Marvel character has done in a long time (and they ALL live there); that we've been given an issue that pretty much is entirely devoted to Dick getting set up into his new digs; that we're shown that Superman thinks of Nightwing as an equal, not as a sidekick. Great issue. Great book. If you like the Bat family, this one's for you.

The Amazing Spider-Man #549 - Misstep #1: Jackpot? More like Crappot. (I made that up myself.) Misstep #2: Larroca is not McNivens (or Bagley, or Romita Jr., or McFarlane, or Larsen, or Romita Sr., or Ditko) Misstep #3: Guggenheim is not Slott (or Bendis, or JMS, or Micheline, or Larsen, again, or Stan the Man). I may be picking and choosing creative teams, because this one was not that good. And that's being kind. Tip to all future Spidey writers: Funny Spider-Man = Good Spider-Man book (see: Bendis, Micheline, JMS) Punny Spider-Man = Bad Spider-Man book (see: ASM #549.) See, I'm not just a Spider-Man apologist. I didn't like this AND I didn't like "Power and Responsibility." Oh, one more thing... Jackpot sucks.

Teen Titans Year One #2 - This is a beautiful book, and a fun book, and I enjoyed it immensely, but like issue 1, it seems to be over rather quickly. At six issues, I think it's clear we're not going to get a really deep story, but we're certainly going to be in for a fun ride. This one sold me for good on Aqualad (at least this depiction of him; we all love the lovable loser/Little Engine That Could, no?) and at the Speedy/Green Arrow fight. Oh, and I still chuckle whenever I think of that panel where Aqualad is in the background dunking his head into a water fountain. Background sight gags? Always funny.

PICK OF THE WEEK - Detective Comics #841 - Dini writing a self-contained Batman story starring a classic villain (the Mad Hatter) with a twist. It was like watching a lost episode of "The Animated Series", and I loved it. Who knew Jervis Tetch could seem cool? Dini can do no Bat-Wrong. Give me this over Grant "WTF?" Morrison any day.

Hope everyone had a good week!

[meccaed]

Nightwing contiuned its run of recent excellence with #141. I thought the art got a tad shakey when it was a close up on a face, but otherwise Morales and Bair stayed solid. I personally loved the moment where Alfred and Bruce get the list of houses Dick is asking Bruce to buy.

[BenjaminSimpson]

Ever since "The Good Prince" arc started, FABLES has consistently been the best thing I've read each week it comes out, and the conclusion to the story arc was no exception. It was a great issue, and it almost felt like Willingham ended the series, until you realised there's a whole other side of the story going on that we haven't seen much of the past few issues. I'm looking forward to seeing how the series progresses as it catches us up to the point in the story that #69 ends on. Great storytelling from all involved, though.

[ConorKilpatrick]

Countdown- Does everybody have a boom tube?

Anyone with a Mother Box, yes. And that's most, if not all, of the New Gods and the denizens of Apokolips.

And the OMAC... well, it apparently built one.

[Thomas Katers]

Holy crap, how good was Fables this week? The final issue of the Good Prince storyline, which has to be the largest continuous story line in the series so far. I honestly might have said that it was just a nice ending to a great story, but that part where Flycatcher looked back to his newly created grove, and saw a future he clearly desperately hopes to avoid... that was masterful story telling. It was heart breaking to see how much he clearly doesn't want that, but how easy a path he thinks it could be to slip down.


I am curious as to what effects this resolution will have upon Pinocchio. While enjoyed the Good Prince I thought it maybe went an issue or two long for what is essentially a fable within Fables.

[horatio616]

The Twelve is fantastic. I do worry, as others have stated, that JMS tends not to follow through on endings (Midnight Nation, Supreme Power, Rising Stars), and some of the elements are a little too familiar (It shares a plot point with Ultimates.), but overall it has me very intrigued.

Uncanny X-Men was a big disappointment. They seem to be setting up a new status quo for the X-Universe, but it really felt like the same thing they do between one "event" and the next. There's nothing new to see here, and nothing here that proves to me that they won't just go right back to the same big mess that the line has been in for the last 15 years or more. If Brubaker can't even save this book, then it's doomed.

[Thomas Katers]

[B]Uncanny X-Men was a big disappointment. They seem to be setting up a new status quo for the X-Universe, but it really felt like the same thing they do between one "event" and the next. There's nothing new to see here, and nothing here that proves to me that they won't just go right back to the same big mess that the line has been in for the last 15 years or more. If Brubaker can't even save this book, then it's doomed.

Did they play baseball?

[horatio616]

Did they play baseball?

No, but Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus took a road trip. Wolverine beat someone up in a bar, even.

And, probably, no quarter was asked nor was any given, although that was not implicitly stated in the book.

[Thomas Katers]

No, but Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus took a road trip. Wolverine beat someone up in a bar, even.

And, probably, no quarter was asked nor was any given, although that was not implicitly stated in the book.


Mein Gott!

[iSteve]

My biggest disappointment yesterday when picking up my comics was that my LCS forgot to order me Abe Sapien: The Downing #1. Now I have to wait a full week for a very anticipated book. (Sigh)

[CAM!]

Misstep #1: Jackpot? More like Crappot.

Heh heh.

[blakbyrd]

My favorites this week:

Fables 69
JSA 12
Nightwing 141
Teen Titans Year One 2
Uncanny X-Men 495

[Euchre0]

Uncanny X-Men was a big disappointment. They seem to be setting up a new status quo for the X-Universe, but it really felt like the same thing they do between one "event" and the next. There's nothing new to see here, and nothing here that proves to me that they won't just go right back to the same big mess that the line has been in for the last 15 years or more. If Brubaker can't even save this book, then it's doomed.
Those are some of my favorite issues. It seems that the X-men, more than most other characters are always GO-GO-GO! all the time, so it's always nice to see interaction between friends.
Did they play baseball?
The baseball has always been on of my favorite shticks. Hopefully after the next event they'll play.:D

People seem to really like Teen Titans Year One and Detective Comics this week, but my shop didn't have them! Booo-urns!

[itsbecca]

Only gotten to some of my books so far, damn you Wednesday classes! But it's gearing to be a great week.

Clandestine #1 I picked this up entirely on a whim, because I saw it pop up a couple times on the pull list post and hadn't heard a whisper about it. So when I looked it up there was a few preview pages and I though, "This is kind of enjoyable." As it turns out, it was.

Vinyl Underground #5 - I don't know if anyone else is reading this... This has been a very strange book. At the base of it's plot is the detective agency, but their mysteries just delve right into the bizarre and sick. I was wavering a bit because it walks that thin "to cool for school" line. You know the kind of book that makes you wonder, "Is it really necessary to this case for the hottie to pose as a slutty escort and make it with another chick?" You mind wonders a tad about the writer's is on on that. That sort of glamorous slumming road, know what I mean? But just as I was thinking of dropping, because while it was fine.. I wasn't just loving it, they turned up a notch. This was a pretty solid issue. Morrison's journey totally charmed me. Besides, there's to much good back story hinted at, I want to chew on their history a bit. So I'm stickin' around.

Northlanders #3 ... 3 of 8? Am I the only one who thought this was an ongoing? Damn I could've waited for the trade. Anyway, maybe I'm just in a good mood, but I totally thought this book brought it this week. We're seeing Sven start to take action and it was entirely sick. And bloody. Very very bloody. It was a fun read, for sure and perhaps it being a mini, but it's picking up the pace now and I hope for the best till the end.

Wasteland #14 Okay so I might get hell for this when why I don't like Red Son is out there... but in my opinion this is a coincidence and tying things together in an interesting way.. I was a little weary of picking up Wasteland this week without rereading a bit,but this was a backup story. Hence the out there art (which I assume [and kind of hope] is just for this story... but lord I don't keep up with news.) I think it overall gave the book a really nice flow, but ironically it was also a little muddy in places pacing wise, when things weren't entirely clear. But I'm down with breaking out of the box a bit (...literally). I love that while the story expands on a fairly minute bit from the story (that was issue 1 stuff wasn't it?) it also throws a couple big curiosities out at us. Like what the heck are ruin runners, because previously I'd thought them human... but obviously there's something else at play. And what turned the town from cross chains to sunners? Please start coming out again Wasteland.

Uncanny X-Men #495 - First weak one of the week. Besides the whole, I feel like I've read this before syndrome (I mean I know the ultimate line picks up on a lot of classic storylines, but going the other way around... is a little strange)... this book also bored the heck out of me. It must be weird for those who are coming off MC. Or maybe it's better for them. Someone tell me. The only thing i found mildly enjoyable was the Colossus bit, because Nightcrawler, atrocious accent aside, has always been one of my favorite characters. Throw him with any writer with even a minute bit of talent and I'll eat it with a spoon. I really really badly want an X-book. But I think this is one to check off the list of candidates. maybe it's just bad luck because I don't like Scott... or Emma... and especially not Scott AND Emma. Also, Ultimate X-men aside, the 60's thing just happened in All New Atom... and is Angel wanting to party REALLY the big cliffhanger? ... Really?!

[kahunablair]

I only got to one book last night, and that one book was Fables.

Damn fine ending! I've really liked this storyline, but like other's have said, it did seem to go on a bit too long.
I loved how this entire arc was just Flycatcher putting everything into place to take out the Wooden Army. Brilliant stuff.
The last page showing how Fly really didn't change that much, made me quite happy for some reason.


Question for the Fable Fans. Who is the guard behind the desk? I don't really remember hearing a story behind him. Did I miss something?

[Dave Accampo]

Northlanders #3 ... 3 of 8? Am I the only one who thought this was an ongoing? Damn I could've waited for the trade. Anyway, maybe I'm just in a good mood, but I totally thought this book brought it this week. We're seeing Sven start to take action and it was entirely sick. And bloody. Very very bloody. It was a fun read, for sure and perhaps it being a mini, but it's picking up the pace now and I hope for the best till the end.

It was solicited as an ongoing. My assumption was that it was. Are you sure it's not just part 3 of the 8 part storyline? If not, that's surprising. Vertigo usually gives its books at least enough of a chance to see if the first couple of trades take off.

Uncanny X-Men #495 - First weak one of the week. Besides the whole, I feel like I've read this before syndrome (I mean I know the ultimate line picks up on a lot of classic storylines, but going the other way around... is a little strange)... this book also bored the heck out of me. It must be weird for those who are coming off MC. Or maybe it's better for them. Someone tell me. The only thing i found mildly enjoyable was the Colossus bit, because Nightcrawler, atrocious accent aside, has always been one of my favorite characters. Throw him with any writer with even a minute bit of talent and I'll eat it with a spoon. I really really badly want an X-book. But I think this is one to check off the list of candidates. maybe it's just bad luck because I don't like Scott... or Emma... and especially not Scott AND Emma. Also, Ultimate X-men aside, the 60's thing just happened in All New Atom... and is Angel wanting to party REALLY the big cliffhanger? ... Really?!

Not everything has to be a big cliffhanger. For me, this was BETTER coming off of Messiah Complex. This is what I remember loving about the X-books. the family. Scott and Emma in the Savage Land. Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Colossus on a road trip. It's the kind of stuff I dig.

Like I said in my earlier comments: Bru's definitely, unashamedly channeling 80's Claremont X-men. But he's doing it well, and the script is not nearly as over-written as Claremont used to do.

[Dave Accampo]

My one word review for Abe Sapien: The Drowning #1?

Abe-mazing!

Seriously. Fantastic first issue. My POW so far. I hope that Mignola and Scott Allie chain Jason Alexander to his desk and keep him working in the Hellboy world for quite some time.

One question for Hellboy fans. I love HB, but I've read lots of it out of order. This story is set in 1981, and Liz Sherman apparently appears in it as part of the BPRD. So...is that accurate? How old is Liz supposed to be in 2008's BPRD series? Seems a little weird to me. But maybe I'm scrambling up movie and cartoon continuity or something. Because if she was (approximately) an adult in '81...she'd have to be pushing 50 now.

Unless that wasn't Liz. I don't think she was ever named.

[Euchre0]

maybe it's just bad luck because I don't like Scott... or Emma... and especially not Scott AND Emma.
I feel the same way...and I've felt that way since Scott and Emma got together. It just seems weird to me. Even though whedon has done a great job, they still don't seem to fit well.


and is Angel wanting to party REALLY the big cliffhanger? ... Really?!

HAHAHA No kidding! How ominous!

[itsbecca]

Not everything has to be a big cliffhanger. For me, this was BETTER coming off of Messiah Complex.

Oh I agree. But when you have a statement and then a cut off like that, that's a cliffhanger.

Anyhow, I think Brubaker's a good writer, I enjoyed some of it despite myself... but the content of this issue just had me hiding my head. Maybe it's impossible for me to like the X-Men in comic form. Maybe I should just give it up.

[Luthor]

I'm in a fever induced haze and haven't picked up my comics yet this week, but I wanted point out that Dave Sim (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Sim) is doing a series of message board Q+A's around the 'net. Newsarama (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=145706) was his last stop and next is the Bendis Boards. That should be very interesting.

[Dave Accampo]

I feel the same way...and I've felt that way since Scott and Emma got together. It just seems weird to me. Even though whedon has done a great job, they still don't seem to fit well.

You know, I always felt this way as well, and i just assumed it was because throughout Morrison's run and then Whedon's run, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop. I've been waiting for Emma to show us that she's been playing with Scott all this time.

And maybe that's why I dug this issue. Because Brubaker really tried to show WHY Emma likes Scott...and for the first time I felt like maybe this was a real relationship, and not Scott hiding from something or Emma playing games.

[Dave Accampo]

Oh I agree. But when you have a statement and then a cut off like that, that's a cliffhanger.

Anyhow, I think Brubaker's a good writer, I enjoyed some of it despite myself... but the content of this issue just had me hiding my head. Maybe it's impossible for me to like the X-Men in comic form. Maybe I should just give it up.

OK, I'll give you that...it's technically a cliffhanger. You're right. I guess I just meant that not every cliffhanger had to be so dramatic. This one served its purpose in setting up something strange that had started happening. So it didn't bother me.

I'm not saying this is the greatest book in the world. But I actually enjoyed reading about these characters in a less mission-oriented setting.

We'll see how it goes.

[kahunablair]

Question for the Fable Fans. Who is the guard behind the desk? I don't really remember hearing a story behind him. Did I miss something?

I acutally was able to find my own answer on Wiki, finally. There are WAY to many Fables pages on that site.
Grimble
The security guard at the Woodland apartment building that forms the centre of Fabletown, Grimble is the troll from the tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff and quite possibly many other tales where a troll features. He possesses a glamour that allows him to appear human. His possession of this expensive spell despite his relatively lowly job would seem to suggest that, like Bigby, Grimble was refused entry to the Farm facility because of his past history and thus was given the ability to appear human in order to live and work in the city.

[horatio616]

I feel the same way...and I've felt that way since Scott and Emma got together. It just seems weird to me. Even though whedon has done a great job, they still don't seem to fit well.


Emma is the best thing to happen to Cyclops in a long time. As an interesting character, I mean. Frankly, Scott and Jean were even more boring than Peter and MJ. Morrison has a good handle on their relationship, and so does Whedon. Brubaker just needs a little more time to work on it. Too bad I won't be reading Uncanny anymore!

[itsbecca]

OK, I'll give you that...it's technically a cliffhanger. You're right. I guess I just meant that not every cliffhanger had to be so dramatic. This one served its purpose in setting up something strange that had started happening. So it didn't bother me.

We'll see how it goes.

I suppose the whole... having already seen the wacky 60's thing in a book that I love, ruined it being strange at all. I was kind of just thinking, "This is familiar... where did I see it, where did I see it?" At first I thought it was from an old cartoon, but when I realized what it was I found even stranger... that the same bizzarre idea comes up in a book from a rival company only a few months later. I'm not insinuating anything... necessarily... it was just very strange.

But yes. We'll see how it goes. I doubt I'll pick this up next month, but I currently have all x-books on high alert, so I'll be reading the reviews.

[s1lentslayer]

The Twelve #2 - I am really loving this book!

Uncanny X-Men #495 - After the Messiah Complex, I wasn't for sure what X book to start reading and I apparently picked the right one. I liked the art personally, plus it helps that Emma is always barely clothed.

Buffy continues to be good and I'm still liking Northlanders although this week it seemed slower.

[itsbecca]

Countdown #12 - This series has done some good stuff lately. This week the start was a little slow, but Hippolyta crawling in to face grandma was just... one of those moments. My hand clenched into a fist anticipating a good fight and I thought, "Ohhh shit! GRANNYS GONNA GET IT!" That was the best part of that entire storyline to date. Also, can I say I had no idea that was Mary until she screamed out about Eclipso. It was just some brunette in a potato sack and I'm thinking, 'who the...?" Did they talk about her becoming a slave? I must've completley zoned out during that bit. Then showing piper again. Him and dead trickster was one of the highlights of this whole series for me. If I recall the reception for that issue here was not as warm... but damn if it wasn't just twisted and fantastic. So in short... up and down, but overall I'm positive.

[Labor_Days]

I thought Becca hated team books. Huh.

[itsbecca]

I thought Becca hated team books. Huh.

Countdown? I don't consider Countdown a team book.

[Labor_Days]

Countdown? I don't consider Countdown a team book.Uncanny.

(Still haven't gotten my small stack of books this week. The commute home has been atrocious these past few days.)

[itsbecca]

Uncanny.

(Still haven't gotten my small stack of books this week. The commute home has been atrocious these past few days.)

Ahhh that makes more sense. I believe I mentioned I made the exception for mutants, but it looks like I didn't like Uncanny anyway, so I'm definitely still in the clear!

Read Jonah Hex before class. Strange. Not bad, but strange.

ASM? Two quick notes. !) Why oh why so soon with a change of writers? @) Jackpot = jury's still out on this character. I still enjoyed it. Don't consider this hemming and hawing. Just small downers.

Baaack to class.

[RaceMcCloud]

Jackpot = jury's still out on this character.



Oh, not for me, Becca. The jury's back, the verdict's in, and Jackpot's gonna hang.

[itsbecca]

Oh, not for me, Becca. The jury's back, the verdict's in, and Jackpot's gonna hang.

See. I'm trying... to keep an open mind. Right now I see this as a kind of repeat story. And it really, really... REALLY annoys me that even though she's snarky... she was put off as being very very weak. Till now we didn't really know what she was about, now the only knowledge we have of her is she got overpowered by a street thug and that she was damsel in distressed in a Subway tunnel. I'm hoping that was all part of the act to reel ol' spidey in. And if it's ever revealed to be MJ I swear to god I will bite the book that makes the reveal. I will BITE IT! But with the end of this book I'm leaning to no on that, so that's a relief that it was a Red Hairing (ba dum psh).

[Neb]

See. I'm trying... to keep an open mind. Right now I see this as a kind of repeat story. And it really, really... REALLY annoys me that even though she's snarky... she was put off as being very very weak. Till now we didn't really know what she was about, now the only knowledge we have of her is she got overpowered by a street thug and that she was damsel in distressed in a Subway tunnel. I'm hoping that was all part of the act to reel ol' spidey in. And if it's ever revealed to be MJ I swear to god I will bite the book that makes the reveal. I will BITE IT! But with the end of this book I'm leaning to no on that, so that's a relief that it was a Red Hairing (ba dum psh).

I think you may need to get the A1 sauce out and sharpen the knives because I think that may be where it's going. Although, I would like to think that Marvel wouldn't let that be so obvious and would, hopefully, throw a twist in there. Then, at least, we can save your digestive tract.

[blakbyrd]

You know, I always felt this way as well, and i just assumed it was because throughout Morrison's run and then Whedon's run, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop. I've been waiting for Emma to show us that she's been playing with Scott all this time.

And maybe that's why I dug this issue. Because Brubaker really tried to show WHY Emma likes Scott...and for the first time I felt like maybe this was a real relationship, and not Scott hiding from something or Emma playing games.Agreed.

[Mikegraham6]

Holy crap, how good was Fables this week? The final issue of the Good Prince storyline, which has to be the largest continuous story line in the series so far. I honestly might have said that it was just a nice ending to a great story, but that part where Flycatcher looked back to his newly created grove, and saw a future he clearly desperately hopes to avoid... that was masterful story telling. It was heart breaking to see how much he clearly doesn't want that, but how easy a path he thinks it could be to slip down.

This book, without a doubt, lived up to it's title this week. It felt like it was pulled right out of a fairy tale

[JasonTodd]

I've really been digging Nightwing the last couple of issues. It's finally being written well, with excellent characterizations, and a cool little mystery.

I haven't been excited about Nightwing in years.

[Mikegraham6]

Northlanders is dropped, it's just doing nothing for me. I told my LCS i'll buy the last three because they ordered them specifically for me but other than that commitment I'm glad to be rid of it, it's boring and uninventive

[horatio616]

Northlanders is dropped, it's just doing nothing for me. I told my LCS i'll buy the last three because they ordered them specifically for me but other than that commitment I'm glad to be rid of it, it's boring and uninventive

I really want to like it, but it's not grabbing my attention. Too bad. On the other hand, I am picking up 3 new series, The Twelve, Pax Romana, and The End League, so I won't miss it too much.

[Labor_Days]

Hm. I wonder if Gog/Magog is an agent of The Source in killing off the New Gods.

Mr. America says the slain were all demi-gods and they have a hole in their chest as did the fallen New Gods.

It would fit with Gog/Magog's power set being time-space travel and teleportation. Also fits nicely with the loaded religious symbolism of Gog/Magog being a harbinger of the apocalypse (The Great Disaster) in various religious mythologies, including Judeo-Christian myth. The Source is the God of Creation after all.

Interesting JSA this week.

[Six Gun]

I got my email printed in this week's The Circle

[Six Gun]

wow, Countdown sucked big ones this week

I didn't think Uncanny was too bad, there were some really funny, well done scenes in there and I'm honestly really looking forward to the tippy, 1960's flashback.

[itsbecca]

Am I the ONLY one reading All New Atom? I swear. I'm going to scream.

(It was great this week by the way. The flying head getting a body and fighting the giant jcinema monsters? Fantastic!!!)

What else? What else? I can echo on the awesomeness of Fables, Teen Titans: Y1 (just such detail. I loved aqualad splashing his face down into the fountain in the background of one panel.) And Exterminators gave me the punch that I love it for. XXXombies was a letdown. I see where they're coming form with the sattire of movies I hate, but it wasn't funny enough to make me... not hate IT too.

[Six Gun]

Am I the ONLY one reading All New Atom? I swear. I'm going to scream.

(It was great this week by the way. The flying head getting a body and fighting the giant jcinema monsters? Fantastic!!!)
.

I'm jumping on with Remender

[itsbecca]

I'm jumping on with Remender

I am freaking out about that. I just have no idea the take he's going to have, the guy is all over the board.

[cormano]

Northlanders #3 ... 3 of 8? Am I the only one who thought this was an ongoing? Damn I could've waited for the trade. Anyway, maybe I'm just in a good mood, but I totally thought this book brought it this week. We're seeing Sven start to take action and it was entirely sick. And bloody. Very very bloody. It was a fun read, for sure and perhaps it being a mini, but it's picking up the pace now and I hope for the best till the end.


From what I understand, it's an ongoing, but each story arc is basically a different miniseries with totally different sets of characters in slightly different times.

I'm way behind this week, all I've read so far is:
Uncanny X-Men #495 - I enjoyed this a lot. I love the art. The Savage Land looks great and I'm a sucker for these calm after (or before the next) storm issues. The end is very weird, I have no idea where the Hell this "San Fran trapped in the 60's" could possibly be going. They better have something good lined up, because even though I liked this issue, that storyline seems like it could be a disaster.

[Six Gun]

I am freaking out about that. I just have no idea the take he's going to have, the guy is all over the board.

I think it's going to be fine

[Neb]

XXXombies was a letdown. I see where they're coming form with the sattire of movies I hate, but it wasn't funny enough to make me... not hate IT too.

Becca, did the hospital scene not bother you? I had to pause reading the book to decide if I really wanted to finish the issue. I'm not sure if I find the satire in that part...more like shock value to me.

As you mentioned though, it's a completely underwhelming book...the humor just doesn't really seem to be there.

[Neb]

I had a huge week this week, so I wouldn't want to bore everyone with my impressions of all the books I got.

My pick this week is definitely Abe Sapien: The Drowning #1. I loved this issue. The art was fantastic and I'm sooooo sold on the story. I feel like this is one of Mignola's stronger stories in a while. And did I mention the art was awesome?

I thought Scapled #14 was fucking amazing this week as well. I swear, everytime this book comes out, it changes my life...well, not really, but it's still crazy good.

Both Nightwing and Detective were really strong this week. I enjoyed both immensely. I second people's thoughts on The Twelve. It was really solid and I'm intrigued to see where it's going.

Northlanders somehow managed to keep me in the story enough. Nothing amazing, but more talk of spirits and gods brought the story back to time period. I thought the art was really good as well, and I'm somewhat into Sven as a character. He seems less...dickish...than previous issues.

Lastly, I want to talk about possibly one of my favorite books, Maintenance from Oni Press. This book makes me laugh out loud every issue. The stories are funny and the cartooning is spot-on. It follows the heroics of two janitors that work for a corporation that creates items that super villains purchase. As you can imagine, our intrepid janitors get into some interesting situations. I love this book. I think the first trade is out there for like $10 and collects the first three issues. It really is great. Go buy it.

[itsbecca]

Becca, did the hospital scene not bother you? I had to pause reading the book to decide if I really wanted to finish the issue. I'm not sure if I find the satire in that part...more like shock value to me.

As you mentioned though, it's a completely underwhelming book...the humor just doesn't really seem to be there.

A bit, probably not as much as it should have as I've seen my fair share of "Horror = torture porn" movies. It's just... I knew they were going for that "Oh they didn't just go there!" sort of thing, but it just missed the mark. In my opinion at least.

[Neb]

A bit, probably not as much as it should have as I've seen my fair share of "Horror = torture porn" movies. It's just... I knew they were going for that "Oh they didn't just go there!" sort of thing, but it just missed the mark. In my opinion at least.

Werd. It missed the mark big time in my book. Like, William Tell shooting me in the balls kind of big.

[JasonTodd]

wow, Countdown sucked big ones this week


I don't really think that it was too bad Six Gun. The last several issues with the battle on Earth 51 was so large and epic, I think Countdown #12 was kind of a breather. It was also definately a big set-up to get everyone to Apocalypse.

Because this is a weekly comic, I think it can get away with a slower setup issue.

[JasonTodd]

Am I the ONLY one reading All New Atom? I swear. I'm going to scream.

(It was great this week by the way. The flying head getting a body and fighting the giant jcinema monsters? Fantastic!!!)


All-New Atom is great Becca. It's one of the best pure super-hero stories on the market right now. I'm buying it every month.

If you like it, I would totally recommend the last few issues of Nightwing. It's gotten way better.

[Six Gun]

I'm with Becca, Northlanders is my POW

[itsbecca]

All-New Atom is great Becca. It's one of the best pure super-hero stories on the market right now. I'm buying it every month.

If you like it, I would totally recommend the last few issues of Nightwing. It's gotten way better.

Agreed about Nightwing. It was the [only] bright star during the crossover and now it's even better. I'm enjoying it.

I'm with Becca, Northlanders is my POW

I don't know if it'd make my pick (though I'd have to think hard about what would... great week) But I'm glad someone else enjoyed it. This issue was great. When he pops up during the hunting trip? I was sold.

[Dave Accampo]

Put me down as one who is enjoying Northlanders. This was a solid issue. It's the third part of an eight part arc, and it feels a bit like the start of the second act, but it's good stuff. However, I'm starting to think that it might read better in trades. I might consider switching to trade on this.

Thought #3 was a good issue, though.


Buffy #11 - I liked this better than the previous one. This was a solid issue. I liked the "almost reveal" of Twilight when he lifts up his mask. We're definitely expecting this to be someone now, but I have no idea who it would be.

Omega #5 - Not much I can really say about this book. It's moving along and you're either into this odd world or you're not.I'm into it. I do feel like we should have a slightly better grasp of the mystery 5 issues in, but we're only halfway through, so I'm just enjoying the oddity of it all.

[kwok_talk]

Buffy #11 - I liked this better than the previous one. This was a solid issue. I liked the "almost reveal" of Twilight when he lifts up his mask. We're definitely expecting this to be someone now, but I have no idea who it would be.


That was a very clever tease, the way they did it. I agree with you; I generally and up or down with Buffy issues, but I liked this one overall more than I did last issue.

[Six Gun]

The whole Guerrilla warfare storyline is fairly common in the midevil-fiction genre but I think Brian Wood is making it just fresh enough by having Sven be such a total jerk off. And Sven is a jerk, but he's still likable because deep down inside, his issues come from the fact that he thinks that he's 100x's smarter than everyone in his hometown (in this case, he kind of is.) And I think that that's something a lot of us can relate to, a feeling of superiority over our upbringings. So what we have here is Wood putting modern emotions onto characters with 1st millennia ways of thinking and I think it's working wonders.

My only real complaint is that the paper stock this book is printed on is really killing this art work. I'd pay extra for a hardback of the first 8 issues to get away from the newsprint that Vertigo uses for most every book.

[acomicbookgirl]

Am I the ONLY one reading All New Atom? I swear. I'm going to scream.


Oh god no! I love All New Atom.. I'm going to miss Mike Norton art though. :(

[kwok_talk]

It was nice this week to have a manageable amount of books compared to last week. Overall, I thought either Uncanny or JSA was my fav book of the week. Seeing more into why Emma likes Scott really did it for me and JSA almost won it just with the single panel of Cyclone busting out talking in excitement while talking to the Lightening family.

[kwok_talk]

Hey! It's the new Guardians of the Galaxy!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2261048207_1f39c56da5.jpg

What's that sound you hear? It's Kahuna's impending heart attack when he sees the lineup!

[Mikegraham6]

can't go wrong with a racoon on your team

[kahunablair]

Hey! It's the new Guardians of the Galaxy!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2261048207_1f39c56da5.jpg

What's that sound you hear? It's Kahuna's impending heart attack when he sees the lineup!

HOLY CRAP!!! MY..... heart!

Great find, Kwok!

[Neb]

Hey! It's the new Guardians of the Galaxy!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2261048207_1f39c56da5.jpg

What's that sound you hear? It's Kahuna's impending heart attack when he sees the lineup!

Is that Kratos from God of War in the bottom right hand corner?

[paper]

can't go wrong with a racoon on your team

The last reported words of American General George Custer.

[[mad]berry]

Did anybody like this one as much as i did?

Amazing artwork love it......

[Neb]

I did indeed love this issue, especially the art work. I'm on board for the whole thing. If you want to see what others thought, you can check out the reviews and discussion thread for 2/6/2008.

[kahunablair]

Is that Kratos from God of War in the bottom right hand corner?
Nope. That is the new Drax the Destroyer.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Drax.PNG

The last reported words of American General George Custer.
See, the problem wasn't that Custer had A racoon on his team. His entire first contact line was made up of racoons.