Comics Come Out So That Means There is New Comics Discussion for 05/07/08!

[conorkilpatrick]

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

Here's what Josh (http://www.ifanboy.com/users/Josh/comics), Ron (http://www.ifanboy.com/users/Ron/comics), Conor (http://www.ifanboy.com/users/Conor/comics), and Gordon (http://www.ifanboy.com/users/Gordon/comics) are reading.

This week's Pick of the Week:

http://www.ifanboy.com/comics/image_comics/pretty_baby_machine/1_(of_3)/cover-thumb.jpg

From here on out, it's SPOILER-O-RAMA.

Don't forget to rate and review the books over at iFanboy.com (http://www.ifanboy.com/comics)!

[nick-b]

So I just read Young X-men #2 and I have to say I haven't been that pissed off by a comic in a long time. I am a huge X-men fan and loved just about every issue of New X-men. But this is just borderline terrible. I don't hate the concept, necessarily, but the execution is just so sub par. The art is bad, the writing is mediocre and, my biggest complaint, the story makes no sense at all! No one is acting like themselves! I read this right after Secret Invasion #2 and I found myself thinking that most of the characters would have to be skrulls to make this story work. Cyclops is not acting like Cyclops. I don't buy for a minute that the New Mutants would just "turn evil because of M-day." I wanted to like this book, but it's just ruining too many characters I like. The Dani Moonstar I know would not threaten to blow one of her students heads off at the first sign of trouble.

Am I wrong? Is there some explanation for this that I am missing? What do you guys think?

[horatio616]

I...didn't really like Secret Invasion all that much. I didn't like that they spent the whole issue on one fight. However I will give them credit for surprising us with not who is a Skrull, but who isn't. Still, Clint's word is good enough to vouch for Mockingbird, and didn't he just come back from the dead himself? They both could be Skrulls!

[paper]

So many comics this week. And so many different genres too.

Let's dive in.

[bigyanks]

wow last page on secret invasion. the skrulls aren't fucking around.

[horatio616]

So many comics this week. And so many different genres too.

Let's dive in.

Damn, that reminds me that I forgot to pick up Man With No Name...

[bigyanks]

i just realized how funny it was when the vision/void made the SENTRY cry and run to his mother.

[six-gun]

Let's dive in.

Pol is now like the comic-discussion coach.

"Let's go team! We're still in this!"
"Coach, I can't. The JLA special is just too good!"
"Suck it up son. Here, take some HGH"

[paper]

Haha, that was really just my internal monologue.

[six-gun]

Haha, that was really just my internal monologue.

Awwww, I wanted a comic reading coach. ;)

[paper]

Secret Invasion #2 has left me even more confused, and not in the best of ways.

I was hoping that the Sentry scene was just a way to get him off-panel for the rest of the event, but then he kept turning up in the background.

You don't want to kill him off? Fine. You insist on including him in these events? Here's my free advice. Come up with more scenes than his go-to night terrors about the Void. Seriously. Give him an additional beat. He's not a great hero because he's not a man of action. He's a man of one action. Which is to freak the fuck out. What's the next verb?

[dave-accampo]

Well, for me -- Secret Invasion was totally worth it for the Clint and Bobbi stuff. I always liked Hawkeye and Mockingbird, and I have to admit that...that scene was very well done. Even got me slightly misty-eyed. And when an "event" comic can pull that off even for a moment? That's worth something.

Mighty Avengers was also a lot of fun considering that it had no Avengers in it. But still...it's like the Bounty Hunters in Empire Strikes Back. Who are these guys? What are they gonna do? What's Fury gonna do with 'em?

I like it. I suspect that some of them will end up as Avengers post-Secret Invasion. But wondering that is exactly what makes it so fun.

[dave-accampo]

You don't want to kill him off? Fine. You insist on including him in these events? Here's my free advice. Come up with more scenes than his go-to night terrors about the Void. Seriously. Give him an additional beat. He's not a great hero because he's not a man of action. He's a man of one action. Which is to freak the fuck out. What's the next verb?

I've never been a Sentry hater like many on this board, but...I have to admit that you're not wrong about this. I think "superman with mental problems" is a great concept, but I don't think he fares well in most of these events. I like him in one sense -- he's THE heavy hitter that everyone fears, but that no one can rely on. But writers (Pak, Bendis) seems to only use this on the most basic levels. I think he could work with a little more nuance.

[dave-accampo]

I think that if you liked the Iron Man movie, the new Invincible Iron Man is a decent recommendation. I really enjoyed this. Might be, on balance, the best Fraction I've read. This works as a sequel to the movie AND as an add-on to the current continuity. That alone is worth noting.

But I like the angle that Fraction's taking with Stark and Stane. This book has a lot of potential. This is in the running for PoW right now...

[horatio616]

I think that if you liked the Iron Man movie, the new Invincible Iron Man is a decent recommendation. I really enjoyed this. Might be, on balance, the best Fraction I've read. This works as a sequel to the movie AND as an add-on to the current continuity. That alone is worth noting.

But I like the angle that Fraction's taking with Stark and Stane. This book has a lot of potential. This is in the running for PoW right now...

Wait... Stane's alive in the comic??

[mattk]

Just finished Invincible Ironman and I must say, i loved it. I loved the 5 nightmares as the backbone and this was a perfect first issue. The art i'm a little iffy on (for some reason all the character faces look really weird to me), but it could grow on me... looking forward to the next one.

[luthor]

I also read Invincible Iron Man.

Did you know Marvel has a strict policy about smoking and how it's portrayed in the pages of it's comics? Really? You didn't? Allow me.

*hitting over the head with a shovel*

Did you know Marvel has a strict policy about smoking and how it's portrayed in the pages of it's comics? Really? You did? Allow me.

*hitting over the head with a shovel four more times*


Alas, this was the only thing I took away from the book.

[kahunablair]

I don't know what the heck your post is about, Luthor, but I am now going to be picking up Iron Man!

[labor_days]

I don't know what the heck your post is about, Luthor, but I am now going to be picking up Iron Man!

...and a pack of smokes, natch.

[kahunablair]

But of course!

[dave-accampo]

Wait... Stane's alive in the comic??

Nah, it's his son, Ezekiel Stane. Sorry I wasn't clear about that.

[dave-accampo]

Alas, this was the only thing I took away from the book.

Funny. I didn't even catch this at all. I just liked the idea that Stane may become the next gen of Iron Man and that this is Stark's worst nightmare. I thought it was pretty awesome.

[dave-accampo]

Alas, this was the only thing I took away from the book.

Ohhhh, because it was about someone taking out a Big Tobacco company?

I guess I just don't see that as any different from any other corporate evil. Like Roxxon Oil or whatever...

[ruo21]

I read all my comics very quickly this week because I was so excited.

Mighty Avengers- Solid. I really enjoyed the last issue and this one just wasn't as good as the last. It was interesting to see the recruitment to Fury's new organization, but it felt a little unneeded. I'm excited to see this teams involvement in future installments of Secret Invasion, but this issue could have done with some espionage or action.

Secret Invasion #2- Entertaining, but the battle didn't seem epic like some of the fights in say Civli War. The ending was cool and caught me off guard, but I would agree with others and say that enough issues weren't adressed from the previous issue. I guess theres still time, but I just wanted something bigger. I don't know much about the Sentry, I'm not neutral about his character, but his scene seemed like a joke. Something out of an anime show where the guy just starts crying fake tears, only to not let it affect him in the least in the following panel. I love the fact that I'm still weary over so many key players identities (Wolvie especially). Favorite quote: Spider Man "Am I really that annoying?", "(I am)".

Avengers:Invaders- I really enjoyed this. The WWII scene was very entertaining and the fight against the Thunderbolts utilized teamwork to a degree that I'm not accustomed to in most comics. However, I'm confused. When does this take place? This is part of Secret Invasion(I thought), so does this mean theres 2 Steve's running around or... Cause these guys come out of The Mist(Steven King's gunna sue someone) instead of the spaceship. It seems to be time travel, but I'm not sure. Overall this was a refreshing issue.

House Of Mystery- My POTW so far. Interesting hook, and the story of The Hollows was just great. This book has me excited for whats to come.

I have yet to pick up Man With No Name or The Invincible Iron Man although I plan to if your reviews are good.

[luthor]

Ohhhh, because it was about someone taking out a Big Tobacco company?

I guess I just don't see that as any different from any other corporate evil. Like Roxxon Oil or whatever...

It wasn't so much the taking out the big tobacco, it was the unnecessary diatribe before doing so. The whole "you people are evil and deserve to die slow and painful deaths" bit. It might be that I'm just overly aware of it but I don't think that to be the case.

[dave-accampo]

It wasn't so much the taking out the big tobacco, it was the unnecessary diatribe before doing so. The whole "you people are evil and deserve to die slow and painful deaths" bit. It might be that I'm just overly aware of it but I don't think that to be the case.

Maybe. It seemed perfectly fitting to me that he's a sort of young terrorist. I guess I relate it to the Truth ads we have on TV and the similar guerilla-esque campaigns they have against Big Tobacco. Seems like a cause he might champion.

Didn't feel to me like Joe Q. was looking over Fraction's script and saying "Yeahhhh, this is good, but...let's make the corporate bad guys Big Tobacco. That's even more evil!"

It just didn't seem any different to me than Roxxon or any of the "weapons manufacturers are death merchants" stuff from the Iron Man movie.

[dave-accampo]

So I just read Young X-men #2 and I have to say I haven't been that pissed off by a comic in a long time. I am a huge X-men fan and loved just about every issue of New X-men. But this is just borderline terrible. I don't hate the concept, necessarily, but the execution is just so sub par. The art is bad, the writing is mediocre and, my biggest complaint, the story makes no sense at all! No one is acting like themselves! I read this right after Secret Invasion #2 and I found myself thinking that most of the characters would have to be skrulls to make this story work. Cyclops is not acting like Cyclops. I don't buy for a minute that the New Mutants would just "turn evil because of M-day." I wanted to like this book, but it's just ruining too many characters I like. The Dani Moonstar I know would not threaten to blow one of her students heads off at the first sign of trouble.

Am I wrong? Is there some explanation for this that I am missing? What do you guys think?

I wanted to address this. I'm pretty damn sure that it's not Cyclops. Someone else on these boards put forward the idea that it's Donald Pierce, and I wouldn't doubt that. There's even a scene where Rockslide says his sensor thingie is off because it only reads four mutants in the room. Ink seems to be set-up to be the traitor, but I think that's the red herring.

When the Young X-men attack Dani and Magma, they're not acting evil -- they're responding to be being attacked. They're defending themselves.

Here's my hunch: by the end of the first arc, whoever Cyclops really is will be revealed and the Young X-men will feel like fools. However, the original New Mutants will see that they need leadership and will become their new trainers. So you'll get a mix of older New Mutants (Dani, Magma, etc.) and these younger, new characters.

[labor_days]

So, Action Comics Annual was well worth the wait. Hot damn, that was some good comic booking.

[horatio616]

Funny. I didn't even catch this at all. I just liked the idea that Stane may become the next gen of Iron Man and that this is Stark's worst nightmare. I thought it was pretty awesome.

Read it last night. I think this is almost exactly what Iron Man needs to be. It lacked just a little something. Fun, I think. I could see myself getting tired of the gloom-and-doom espionage stuff very quickly. It feels to me a lot like a Warren Ellis book. I'm not sure what it is, but it just needs a little something extra. A little more Pepper, maybe. There's a lot of potential here.

I don't like this painted art that Marvel's putting in a lot of their books like this new Iron Man and the X-Men. It's pretty, but completely lifeless. There's just no personality to it.

[horatio616]

I also read Invincible Iron Man.

Did you know Marvel has a strict policy about smoking and how it's portrayed in the pages of it's comics? Really? You didn't? Allow me.

*hitting over the head with a shovel*

Did you know Marvel has a strict policy about smoking and how it's portrayed in the pages of it's comics? Really? You did? Allow me.

*hitting over the head with a shovel four more times*


Alas, this was the only thing I took away from the book.

Ha, that was only slightly less annoying than those Truth ads, no?

[gobo]

Nova continues to hit it out of the park.

It was a pretty solid week for me, both Buffyverse books were a lot of fun, Atom is picking up steam and I'm really liking what Remender is doing with it.

I really dug Iron Man, SI and Mighty Avengers also!

[davegraham]

Nova continues to hit it out of the park.

It was a pretty solid week for me, both Buffyverse books were a lot of fun, Atom is picking up steam and I'm really liking what Remender is doing with it.

I really dug Iron Man, SI and Mighty Avengers also!

I was really really digging Nova, until it beame a two part issue. It would have made a great one shot story, in my opinion. As I read it I felt Galactus' presense even though he wasn't on panel. I felt this was how it is when he devours a world. That was the story I was into. People trying to evacuate. Government trying to say its people (maybe not in the most moral way, but that makes conflict for our hero). Some alien thing taking advantage of the situation to feed itself (like those small fish on whales). I would have been happy with Nova flying up to meet Galactus and no being able to even be acknowledge. Then Silver Surfer confronting him, rationally, explaining his efforts are futile. Nova would have appealed to Surfer and together they would have pulled the majority of the shuttles into orbit.

[euchre0]

House of Mystery makes me doubt my intelligence. Did I need to know something before I read this or is it supposed to have a walked-in-during-the-second-reel feel? I thought it was a brand new book, but a note from the authors in the back noted that it was a revival of sorts. I vaguely remember hearing about Cain and Abel being in Sandman or some other Vertigo book a while ago. Maybe it's supposed to give us a lost feeling, but if not, some one give me clue.

If the "stories" within the issues are as grotesque as the Hollow was in this issue, I don't think I'll keep buying it. Really grossed me out for some reason.

[jon_samuelson]

I was really really digging Nova, until it beame a two part issue. It would have made a great one shot story, in my opinion. As I read it I felt Galactus' presense even though he wasn't on panel. I felt this was how it is when he devours a world. That was the story I was into. People trying to evacuate. Government trying to say its people (maybe not in the most moral way, but that makes conflict for our hero). Some alien thing taking advantage of the situation to feed itself (like those small fish on whales). I would have been happy with Nova flying up to meet Galactus and no being able to even be acknowledge. Then Silver Surfer confronting him, rationally, explaining his efforts are futile. Nova would have appealed to Surfer and together they would have pulled the majority of the shuttles into orbit.

You make a good point Dave. While it doesn't necessarily bother me that they've split the story up over two issues, I can definitely see a certain... Bruckheimer quality, to the "Oh no, now the engines aren't working" scenario, necessitating the trip to visit Galactus. It would have tied up quite nicely if the rescue had went as planned, and everybody had gotten away. They could even have relatively easily contrived a meeting between Silver Surfer and Nova if they really wanted to have a fight between the two of them, while still closing out this whole "saving the refugees" thing in a single issue.

I'm all about meeting the Silver Surfer though. He's always been one of my favorite characters, and I'm curious to see his mental state after reupping with Galactus.

[dave-accampo]

House of Mystery makes me doubt my intelligence. Did I need to know something before I read this or is it supposed to have a walked-in-during-the-second-reel feel? I thought it was a brand new book, but a note from the authors in the back noted that it was a revival of sorts. I vaguely remember hearing about Cain and Abel being in Sandman or some other Vertigo book a while ago. Maybe it's supposed to give us a lost feeling, but if not, some one give me clue.

If the "stories" within the issues are as grotesque as the Hollow was in this issue, I don't think I'll keep buying it. Really grossed me out for some reason.

I haven't read this one yet, but I will tell you this:

House of Mystery and House of Secrets were two old comics -- sort of horror anthology books with Cain and Abel as the "host" of each book.

IN Sandman, Neil Gaiman revived these characters and placed the two houses in the Dreaming. So he very much furthered their story and put it into context. The house of mystery exists in the Dreaming, according to that book.

Now, I don't know if that's necessary to appreciate this book (I hope not!), but I'll have to see when I read it.

[gungadin]

Just gonna pop in and say the Jossverse this week with Buffy Season eight and Angel: After the Fall were both really, really good... Buffy'd be my POW but Angel wouldn't be too far behind...

[horatio616]

House of Secrets: yay or nay? Does it stand alone or does it tie into Sandman and the old HoS? Is Cain in it and does he still have that awesome hair?

[jon_samuelson]

House of Secrets: yay or nay? Does it stand alone or does it tie into Sandman and the old HoS? Is Cain in it and does he still have that awesome hair?

I can't speak to the connections to the past, because i never read Sandman or the old House of Secrets, but I can say that I really enjoyed this comic. Cain is in it, his hair didn't stand out to me, I don't recall if it was awesome.

[dave-accampo]

House of Secrets: yay or nay? Does it stand alone or does it tie into Sandman and the old HoS? Is Cain in it and does he still have that awesome hair?

House of Secrets... you mean the Steve Seagle/Teddy Kristiansen book from a few years back? That didn't tie into Sandman at all, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Or are you trying to get a yay/nay on the new House of Mystery book that just came out?

[jon_samuelson]

I guess I was assuming he'd misspoken, and actually meant the new House of Mystery.

[horatio616]

House of Secrets... you mean the Steve Seagle/Teddy Kristiansen book from a few years back? That didn't tie into Sandman at all, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Or are you trying to get a yay/nay on the new House of Mystery book that just came out?

Not a big Seagle fan so I didn't read that mini. Just wondering if I could jump on board and read this without having read Sandman. All I know about HoS is a Who's Who entry and having read a few scattered issues back in the day. I have vague memories of a HoS story reprinted in one of those giant treasury editions that were all the rage in the 70s. Don't remember any specifics but it scared the crap out of me.

[dave-accampo]

Not a big Seagle fan so I didn't read that mini. Just wondering if I could jump on board and read this without having read Sandman. All I know about HoS is a Who's Who entry and having read a few scattered issues back in the day. I have vague memories of a HoS story reprinted in one of those giant treasury editions that were all the rage in the 70s. Don't remember any specifics but it scared the crap out of me.

Gotcha. I'm a big fan of Seagle, usually his Vertigo and Indie work (super-heroes not so much). His HoS series wasn't related to any of this stuff.

But this new House of Mystery is ROOTED in what came before (it's got Cain and Abel in the first ish). However, I suspect it's designed to be able to be read even if you don't know the history.

[hansolo69]

Seriously Secret Invasion? Seriously? Wasn't Civil War heroes fighting heroes? The fact that some of them are skrulls doesn't even seem to matter. This is so far the worst "big event" of the last few years.

[horatio616]

Gotcha. I'm a big fan of Seagle, usually his Vertigo and Indie work (super-heroes not so much). His HoS series wasn't related to any of this stuff.

But this new House of Mystery is ROOTED in what came before (it's got Cain and Abel in the first ish). However, I suspect it's designed to be able to be read even if you don't know the history.

Didn't he write The Crusades? I dug that for awhile but eventually lost interest. I've always liked Kelley Jones.

[horatio616]

Seriously Secret Invasion? Seriously? Wasn't Civil War heroes fighting heroes? The fact that some of them are skrulls doesn't even seem to matter. This is so far the worst "big event" of the last few years.

I'm not ready to give up on it quite yet, but I can see where you're coming from.

[dave-accampo]

Didn't he write The Crusades? I dug that for awhile but eventually lost interest. I've always liked Kelley Jones.

Yes, he did that book.

My favorite book of his is his graphic novel, "it's a bird..." which he did for Vertigo. I think he works best in the short form. House of Secrets was really good, too, though. He also has an indie graphic novel called Solstice that was quite good, and that I highly recommend.

[dave-accampo]

Seriously Secret Invasion? Seriously? Wasn't Civil War heroes fighting heroes? The fact that some of them are skrulls doesn't even seem to matter. This is so far the worst "big event" of the last few years.

Actually, I don't quite get where you're coming from. Why doesn't it matter? Are you saying that Secret Invasion invalidates Civil War? It's a classic alien invasion/bodysnatchers type story. I don't see it as any worse than anything else, at least conceptually.

[paper]

It should have been called Marvel: Carpetbaggers. That's all I'm saying. Go with the Civil War theme.

[paper]

In and of itself, Mighty Avengers was okay. Where it's leading to? Very exciting.

[dave-accampo]

It should have been called Marvel: Carpetbaggers. That's all I'm saying. Go with the Civil War theme.

Followed by the controversial, Marvel: 40 Acres and a Mule?

[dave-accampo]

In and of itself, Mighty Avengers was okay. Where it's leading to? Very exciting.

Yeah, it's very much a set-up issue. It's all about intrigue.

Who are these guys? What are they gonna do? Can Fury save everyone with this ragtag band of misfits?

[neb]

So, Action Comics Annual was well worth the wait. Hot damn, that was some good comic booking.

Labes, I agree with you on this one. It may be late, but it was damn good! You can read here, in my review (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/dc_comics/action_comics_annual/11).

This week, overall, has been good, but I haven't finished all of my books yet. I definitely thought that SI was a major disappointment in that it didn't really do anything. I feel like it was a New Avengers issue from 6 months ago. Yu, however, destroyed this book with his amazing pencils. Like, knocked it out of the park destroyed.

Other stuff I reviewed on the site has been Maintenance #10 (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/comics/maintenance/10) and Nightwing #144 (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/dc_comics/nightwing/144)

I did really enjoy all the other stuff I read, which includes the Boys and Nova. So far though, Detective is my pick and unless any other books can prove otherwise, I'll stick by this one. It was just wonderful in both story and art. I <3 Paul Dini.

[gungadin]

Yeah... If it wasn't so late, the Action Comics Annual would have been in the running for my POW... That art was unbelievably good...

[euchre0]

Seriously Secret Invasion? Seriously? Wasn't Civil War heroes fighting heroes? The fact that some of them are skrulls doesn't even seem to matter. This is so far the worst "big event" of the last few years.

Except that World War Hulk was absolute garbage and Civil was all concept in the first two issues, then filler followed by a pseudo-ending. secret Invasion is already better than both of those.

[neb]

I just finished up the rest of my books, and Jay Faerber hit a double home run this week. The Dynamo 5 Annual was really fun, and his new series Gemini did not disapoint. Good times all around.

[labor_days]

Excellent reviews of Nightwing and Action Comics, Neb.

I been ill and haven't gotten to all my books. Right now I am leaning toward Buffy or Action Comics Annual as a POW. Maybe co-POW. This Buffy arc is just so f-ing good.

I realize that makes me sound like a Whedon fanboy, but I don't care. Buffy Season 8 has been all around excellent. With nary a duff issue to be had.

Action Annual was also very good. Love the Luthor and Superman interaction. The 15 panel conversation with Luthor and Superman was fabulous. In one part amusing- in another, it really hit on the dynamic that makes Luthor and Superman archenemies.

In fact, I was surprised at the depth of the story on a second read through of Action Comics Annual. Very easy to get caught up in the whiz-bang of it all. But there was some interesting subtext on the Superman-as-Savior angle and being the "last son of krypton". Subtle, but rather sophisticated storytelling.

[gungadin]

I realize that makes me sound like a Whedon fanboy, but I don't care. Buffy Season 8 has been all around excellent. With nary a duff issue to be had.

You say all this so negatively... Like you're shocked and they're bad things....

[conorkilpatrick]

You say all this so negatively... Like you're shocked and they're bad things....

Didn't come off like that to me.

[labor_days]

You say all this so negatively... Like you're shocked and they're bad things....

No, not bad things. I been giving Buffy S8 consistently high marks or POW status. I don't mean to sound as though I love everything Buffy (I do, but that is not the point) automatically.

However, the series has been completely excellent so far. I can't think of a single issue I did not love to pieces off hand.

[gungadin]

No, not bad things. I been giving Buffy S8 consistently high marks or POW status. I don't mean to sound as though I love everything Buffy (I do, but that is not the point) automatically.

However, the series has been completely excellent so far. I can't think of a single issue I did not love to pieces off hand.

My bad, then... It just seemed... like resigned... Or something...

[labor_days]

Mighty Avengers was fan-freaking-tastic. I dug all of it. The Nick Fury disguise, Daisy talking to Layla Miller, the god of fear- yes!

Maleev 4 life.

[cormano]

The backgrounds in Mighty Avengers bugged me. I usually dig Maleev, but I dunno… just looked lazily Photoshopped for some reason.

The story, though, was great. Son of Ares is an awesome idea, the scene with the introduction of the grandson of the original Ghost Rider was hilarious and I can't wait to see what Fury's plan for this team is.

[gungadin]

The backgrounds in Mighty Avengers bugged me. I usually dig Maleev, but I dunno… just looked lazily Photoshopped for some reason.

The story, though, was great. Son of Ares is an awesome idea, the scene with the introduction of the grandson of the original Ghost Rider was hilarious and I can't wait to see what Fury's plan for this team is.

Exactly what I wanted to say... The figures looked good... A little sketchier than I'm used to for Maleev, but the backgrounds (especially in the first scene) made me just go "Eugh... What's that?"

[thomas-katers]

I am kind of pissed that Secret Invasion #2 cost $3.99 but was only 22 pages long. I hope that cardstock cover can do dishes.

[humphrey-lee]

I've got two weeks worth of books sitting here, numbering something like 30 total... I've read three so far.

Fucking work. :(

[s1lentslayer]

Buffy was amazing. I really liked Avengers Invaders also.

[jmstump]

So I may not post any reviews this week. Crazy I know but I was busy on Wednesday and yesterday. Yesterday my job search finally broke and I was offered a position at a "grown up job." Totally pays money and health benefits, oh sweet sweet health benefits... Anyways I got the good news and wanted to share it with you guys.

So you may be wondering, if you got a job that pays money and shit why can't you get your comics and pepper us with horrendously bad reviews? Because I have to move THIS weekend to my new place. Which was quite a surprise to my at the time potential and now very real room mates.

So I really shouldn't even be posting, but felt the need to share the fantastic news. I really can't wait to get moved and started at the new place. Wish me luck!

[neb]

So I may not post any reviews this week. Crazy I know but I was busy on Wednesday and yesterday. Yesterday my job search finally broke and I was offered a position at a "grown up job." Totally pays money and health benefits, oh sweet sweet health benefits... Anyways I got the good news and wanted to share it with you guys.

So you may be wondering, if you got a job that pays money and shit why can't you get your comics and pepper us with horrendously bad reviews? Because I have to move THIS weekend to my new place. Which was quite a surprise to my at the time potential and now very real room mates.

So I really shouldn't even be posting, but felt the need to share the fantastic news. I really can't wait to get moved and started at the new place. Wish me luck!


Congrats on all the good news jmstump! When life kicks in, it really kicks in, but at the same time, when it's all over and the dust settles, it's awesome.

[kwok_talk]

Congrats JM!

[dave-accampo]

Hey, congrats, JM! What industry is this "grown up" job in?


I read Buffy. It was quite good. I'm really ready to say that this is my favorite arc so far. No slam on Vaughan, I just think the tale here is a bit more what I was looking for. Really feels like the TV show. Moreso even than Whedon's stories.

Still no clear winner for the POW, for me. Still have to read House of Mystery, which I suspect is a contender. Also have Abe Sapien, the Favreau Iron Man, and Pretty Baby Machine, which i picked up today because of Josh's review. We shall see.

[jmstump]

Hey, congrats, JM! What industry is this "grown up" job in?


Application support for accounting software that governments use, such as cities.

[six-gun]

The art in Jonah Hex was fantastic this week

[mastap]

I've been busy getting employment this week, so I havn't got to my full stack. But despite not really liking Mighty Avengers this week, I love the new Dr. Druid

[cammyknoxville]

Action Comics Annual #11- As much as I had fun reading it, I don't want to encourage stories that began last year thinking it's ok to come out of the blue and conclude in an annual. I don't care if your name is Richard Donner; you gotta get the story out ASAP!

The Boys #18- Thank GOD Blarney Cock wasn't able to get his hamster back! Now hopefully Hughie can move-on now that he's apologized.

Thunderbolts: Reason in Madness One-Shot- Fun issue. I liked how Norman Osborne uses flash-drives as pumpkin bombs, and how Venom gets his much needed vacation.

All-New Atom #23- I knew those who were 'eaten' weren't dead! I really like how they're transported to a place where time moves much faster, and anyone could bite the dust any second. One helluva cliff-hanger too! I don't want Remender to leave the book yet!

Secret Invasion #2- I was happy to see Clint fighting with a bow again. Plus Hawkeye vs Hawkeye? Too cool. Other than that though, I thought it was 'eh' overall. And what's up with this 'Captain America'? I'm still 80% positive he's a Skrull.

[gungadin]

Still no clear winner for the POW, for me. Still have to read House of Mystery, which I suspect is a contender. Also have Abe Sapien, the Favreau Iron Man, and Pretty Baby Machine, which i picked up today because of Josh's review. We shall see.

Tell me what you think of "Viva Las Vegas" Iron Man... Because I thought it was a HUGE disappointment for art and story... I don't think I'll be getting the rest of it...

[gungadin]

Action Comics Annual #11- As much as I had fun reading it, I don't want to encourage stories that began last year thinking it's ok to come out of the blue and conclude in an annual. I don't care if your name is Richard Donner; you gotta get the story out ASAP!


I don't think it was Donner's fault. Johns is pretty punctual, and Donner was only on story... People blamed Donner, but really it goes to Adam Kubert, who can't get out a monthly book...

[six-gun]

I am kind of pissed that Secret Invasion #2 cost $3.99 but was only 22 pages long. I hope that cardstock cover can do dishes.

World War Hulk was the same

[cammyknoxville]

I don't think it was Donner's fault. Johns is pretty punctual, and Donner was only on story... People blamed Donner, but really it goes to Adam Kubert, who can't get out a monthly book...

That would make more sense. Still, I loved the scene between Non and Bizarro.

[gungadin]

That would make more sense. Still, I loved the scene between Non and Bizarro.

Totally! I'm not knocking Kubert's art. There are some people, like Kubert, who just can't do a monthly book but are great, great artists. Examples include Ethan Van Sciver. Bryan Hitch, and Frank Quitely.

[itsbecca]

World War Hulk was the same

Same way in both price and quality of story!

[smeeeeee]

OH MAN i am dying for Bruce and Zatanna to get together.

I think they would make the PERFECT couple. they contrast eachother very well. too bad Bruce is the way he is.

The last couple pages in Detective 844 was gold.

[superfriend82]

SI- Let me down a little. It was't as good as the frist.Does anyone know who the void is?

Beside the fact that Mighty still did not have any Avengers. It was good.is this new team going to be fury's Avengers?

Action Comics -was good.Besides two things: 1 it being a year old 2 WTF is up with the red kryptonite thing?!

Detective comics was gold as always.Batman + Zatnnna=cray delicious.

[jasontodd]

I thought SI #2 was pretty horrible, with bad characterizations and a didn't progress the story enough.

I wanted to like ACAnnual, but it was too little too late.

Kind of a light week for comics.

[cammyknoxville]

I swear we just had an Action Comics Annual not more than a few mere months ago.

[gungadin]

I swear we just had an Action Comics Annual not more than a few mere months ago.

The other Action Comics annual came out before the Bizarro storyline if I remember correctly, and that was almost nine months ago...

[six-gun]

OH MAN i am dying for Bruce and Zatanna to get together.

I think they would make the PERFECT couple. they contrast eachother very well. too bad Bruce is the way he is.

The last couple pages in Detective 844 was gold.

I'm loving the art in Detective Comics. I want this team to stay on the book for a long, long, time.

[smeeeeee]

I'm loving the art in Detective Comics. I want this team to stay on the book for a long, long, time.

I totally agree. I love Dini's 1 shots or in this case 2 part stories because he always like to include Zatanna which i LOVE.

Oh man i love Dustin Nguyen's art. I've been a big fan of his work since his work on Superman/Batman torment arc.

[mikegraham6]

SI- Let me down a little. It was't as good as the frist.Does anyone know who the void is?
the void is one of the MANY reasons why The Sentry sucks ass. He's a multiple personality that's basically a superhero and a supervillain at the same time and he's been trying to repress the villain side of his mind. The whole scene in SI was just used to get rid of a hero with Superman level powers because he would just dominate the battle (another reason why that character doesn't work, they have to find "excuses" to get him out of the comic book:rolleyes:)

[cammyknoxville]

The other Action Comics annual came out before the Bizarro storyline if I remember correctly, and that was almost nine months ago...

Jeez! Where has the time gone?

[mikegraham6]

Dave Accampo speaks for Mike Graham part 1:
I think that if you liked the Iron Man movie, the new Invincible Iron Man is a decent recommendation. I really enjoyed this. Might be, on balance, the best Fraction I've read. This works as a sequel to the movie AND as an add-on to the current continuity. That alone is worth noting.

But I like the angle that Fraction's taking with Stark and Stane. This book has a lot of potential. This is in the running for PoW right now...
Dave Accampo speaks for Mike Graham part 2:
I've never been a Sentry hater like many on this board, but...I have to admit that you're not wrong about this. I think "superman with mental problems" is a great concept, but I don't think he fares well in most of these events. I like him in one sense -- he's THE heavy hitter that everyone fears, but that no one can rely on. But writers (Pak, Bendis) seems to only use this on the most basic levels. I think he could work with a little more nuance.
Invincible Iron Man was my POW, this is probably the single greatest issue of an Iron Man comic i've ever read (it's not saying too much, because there haven't been too many good ones) and an excellent follow-up to the best under the radar book of the year, The Order

[gungadin]

Jeez! Where has the time gone?

I woke up in my best friend's bed not wearing any pants and feeling like I just got run over by a truck... What about you?

[euchre0]

Totally! I'm not knocking Kubert's art. There are some people, like Kubert, who just can't do a monthly book but are great, great artists. Examples include Ethan Van Sciver. Bryan Hitch, and Frank Quitely.

What's interesting to me is that those other guys have always taken a long time and had small concentrated runs. Adam Kubert was one of the workhorses for Marvel win the 90's, faithfully churning out issues of Wolverine, then some X-Men and then some Hulk, then some Ultimate stuff. About the time he started do Ultimate stuff, he started needing more time, which is weird since the art seems less quality than his Wolverine and X-Men stuff. As Darwyne Cooke might say, it isn't because of the art he produces takes so much work, it that he doesn't work on his art.

[cammyknoxville]

I woke up in my best friend's bed not wearing any pants and feeling like I just got run over by a truck... What about you?

I'm wearing pants! :D

[gungadin]

What's interesting to me is that those other guys have always taken a long time and had small concentrated runs. Adam Kubert was one of the workhorses for Marvel win the 90's, faithfully churning out issues of Wolverine, then some X-Men and then some Hulk, then some Ultimate stuff. About the time he started do Ultimate stuff, he started needing more time, which is weird since the art seems less quality than his Wolverine and X-Men stuff. As Darwyne Cooke might say, it isn't because of the art he produces takes so much work, it that he doesn't work on his art.

That's entirely possible, but that annual still looked fucking brilliant...

I'm wearing pants! :D

... Are they yours? I'm still missing mine...