New Comics Discussion for 04/15/09 is a Tax Man. Ye-ah, a Tax Man.

[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/images/ifanboy/glcorps_35_alt.jpg

From here on out, there SHALL BE SPOILATION!

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

[thenextchampion]

Green Lantern Corps #35: (Pick of the Week) Great story so far by Tomasi. He's setting up a lot of fights for the next couple of issues. But great character development for everyone involved. Plus Gleason actually improved his pencils from last issue. Great new creature designs as well.

Punisher #4: It's offical, Rick Remender sucks at writing Punisher. Nothing interesting to see here, let's hope his new exclusive contract gets him better story ideas.

Sub-Mariner Comics #1: Good collection of Namor comics; from the Breitweiser pencils to the very issue comic Namor was ever in. All this makes me yurn for a Namor ongoing....let's have that happen.

[neb]

All this makes me yurn for a Namor ongoing....let's have that happen.

I don't know if this would ever happen. While Namor is an awesome character, I think he's more enjoyable in nice chunks as a side player. They've tried to give him an ongoing many times and each time it gets cancelled. He's probably destined for mini series, one shots, and guest appearance for the forseeable future.

[ryan79]

Captain America- Now wait a minute...Sharon Carter has had that scar on her stomach for how long and she's only just now noticing it? Did I miss something? This was kind of a throwaway book this week. Seems they were treading water until the big Five-Oh next month.

Uncanny X-Men- I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this cover and the one on Captain America. They were both nice, but they looked like they were event tie-ins. Anyway...I liked the book, but the whole Northstar thing made me cringe. OK, he's gay...WE GET IT. It just felt really heavy-handed and I could have done without those four pages.

Amazing Spider-Man- Well this was a big improvement from last month. I dug the twist at the end and loved the way the passing of time was shown between universes. Very nice.

X-Factor- Oh God, time travel and the Summers family. Come on, Peter David, make this work.

DMZ- Now that's a cover that catches your eye. A nice little one-shot about what Zee is up to and I'm happy with it. This title rarely disappoints.

GI Joe: Cobra- My pick of the week. Not so much because it was awesome (even though it was) but because my other books were kind of bland. I know it's just two issues in but Gage is nailing this. This could turn into something really special.

[thenextchampion]

I don't know if this would ever happen. While Namor is an awesome character, I think he's more enjoyable in nice chunks as a side player. They've tried to give him an ongoing many times and each time it gets cancelled. He's probably destined for mini series, one shots, and guest appearance for the forseeable future.

Your probably right.

But considering he's been used a lot lately, I would think someone would think of doing an ongoing. He's gonna be in X-Men in the future, he's part of Bendis's crappy Cabal (or whatever you call it), and he's had a great MK mini lately. I think you could do an ongoing if you got the right writer on board.

[neb]

I've gotten through 3 books so far tonight. For some reason, I felt inspired and wrote reviews for each one. I don't think I've written this many reviews in a long, long time. So far, I've tackled:

Punisher #4, which is reviewed here (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/marvel_comics/punisher/4). The short version is that I'm really enjoying this book because its just big dumb fun. The tone is different from the MAX series, and I love the little bit of silliness and giant action that Remender has put into the series. Good stuff.

Captain America #49 was a huge disappointment. In my review (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/marvel_comics/captain_america/49), I mention that it was a giant tease, as nothing major happens. I enjoy the glimpse at Sharon Carter, but it didn't require a whole issue.

Action Comics #876. Rucka continues to rock the house. In my review (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/dc_comics/action_comics/876), I point out that his take on Ursa was a homerun, and I'm really excited to see where this goes. Christopher has potential to be a really interesting character.

[thenextchampion]

I know I use hyperbole a lot guys but you have to believe me when I say this:

The outfit Frank Castle wears in the end of Punisher #4 might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen. I cant find it on the web yet, but if anyone has the issue and wants to post what I am talking about I would really appreciate it. Cause this seriously proves my point on why Punisher doesnt work in the regular Marvel universe.

[paper]

No way. This is exceptionally badass.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/fuzzytype/punisher.png

[thenextchampion]

No way. This is exceptionally badass.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/fuzzytype/punisher.png

Ugh. I mean I can see why people might like it.

But this is pretty much shows why 616 Punisher is wrong on all levels. I dont know what's worst; that this Punisher thought this was a good idea...or he put his logo on everything! I mean it's Iron Man's power gloves (obscured a bit but still there), a Cap Shield, Ant-Man's helmet, and Hawkeye arrows. That's just (whistles), wow....might be the worst design of the year in comics so far.

For me, again I can definitely see why this might be popular for others. I have offically dropped this series, but I will flip this in the store to see where this monstrosity leads me.

[drakedangerz]

Ugh. I mean I can see why people might like it.

But this is pretty much shows why 616 Punisher is wrong on all levels. I dont know what's worst; that this Punisher thought this was a good idea...or he put his logo on everything!

I see that costume, having no context for the book at all, and find it incredibly hilarious. Awesome on so many levels. Seems to me that was the point of it. So out of curiosity, how can someone who finds Deadpool so funny think that this is horrible? Is it that you think the Punisher should be written with a more serious tone?

[thenextchampion]

I see that costume, having no context for the book at all, and find it incredibly hilarious. Awesome on so many levels. Seems to me that was the point of it. So out of curiosity, how can someone who finds Deadpool so funny think that this is horrible? Is it that you think the Punisher should be written with a more serious tone?

You hit the nail on the head. I prefer Punisher a bit more serious then this. Now I'm not saying Punisher cant be a little funny or have some black humor in it. Garth Ennis did a lot of that (like Welcome Back Frank/Return of Ma Gunnci) but overall if you read the brilliant MAX stories there were more dramatic/action packed moments then hilarity. This is something Deadpool would do.....cause he's insane!

This is the tone Remender wants to go in and that's fine....But like the previous stuff with Fraction it's something I dont wanna be apart in. Come to think of it, this isnt the first time Castle has dressed like he was 5 years old:

http://www.comicbug.com/images/889new_storyimage3793928_full.jpg
*shudders*

[paper]

I personally can't take Punisher too seriously. Moments like this make the concept work for me. Different strokes, of course. That's just my perspective.

[thenextchampion]

I personally can't take Punisher too seriously. Moments like this make the concept work for me. Different strokes, of course. That's just my perspective.

That's fine and I hope everyone is finding enjoyment out of this. I didnt mean to turn this into a 'anti-Remender Punisher' thread (too late)....Just that picture pretty much sealed the deal for me not picking up the series anymore.

But how about that Namor comic? Sure looked purty.

[gabeja]

The deal with the punisher, is he cannot be done quite so seriously in the marvel universe proper, as there are, when one gets right down to it, people flighing around in tights fighting aliens.

[drakedangerz]

Action Comics was amazing this week.

[humphrey-lee]

There's only one proper answer for POW, and if it's not 100 BULLETS, then you're wrong on several different levels. Jesus, talk about your bloodbaths...

[oh_caroline]

Captain America #49 was a huge disappointment. In my review (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/Neb/marvel_comics/captain_america/49), I mention that it was a giant tease, as nothing major happens. I enjoy the glimpse at Sharon Carter, but it didn't require a whole issue.

It's only a tease if you base your expectations on advertising. :)

[paper]

It's only a tease if you base your expectations on advertising. :)

This is going in the file for my upcoming essay on coping with Hype.

[paper]

Action Comics was amazing this week.

Correct.

[kndoubleu]

I actually hadn't seen any advertising for Cap 49, so it was both surprising and wonderful. I enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed anything from that book in a long time. I had a hard time caring about that whole "Skull has Sharon" era and everything since, but this issue really brought it come, even if the Alzheimer's analogy was a little heavy handed.

For Amazing Spider-Man, though... I'm torn, as usual. First of all, the last page reveal was priceless. It's pitch-perfect for what makes this book and this character so great. But I just don't buy the packaging. I enjoyed the FF half of the story, and I liked all of the side bits... but it felt like each of those should have been B-plots for entire issues, not crammed into a few panels. I get that this is the conceit for the issue, but I just didn't enjoy it. This could be a matter of taste, but I think that it's a bad choice editorially, as well. We've been introduced to these characters and grown into them. It's developed into a very likable cast, but then when it's time for the payoffs, the developments... we rush through it.

I look back to Paul Jenkins' fantastic run on Peter Parker: Spider-Man, when he was given the room to devote entire issues to people who have no relation whatsoever to Peter Parker, but were affected by Spider-Man, and I wonder if that sort of thing must be abandoned in such a break-neck paced book, since everything must always hurl the book into the next mini-arc, since that's just how the writing cycle works. Yes, it's breathlessly frantic and entertaining, but some of the best moments in comics, especially comics with histories of being as character- and cast-driven as ASM, are the ones in which everyone is given a chance to stop and catch their breath.

[optimus187prime]

There's only one proper answer for POW, and if it's not 100 BULLETS, then you're wrong on several different levels. Jesus, talk about your bloodbaths...

Cant wait for the trade.

[crippler]

My FLCS had half of it's order get sent to Quebec. I guess that means Gobo is reading my books. *Sigh* No GLC, no Action, no Spidey. Looks like it's trade catch-up day today!

[oh_caroline]

This is going in the file for my upcoming essay on coping with Hype.

Well, ALL RIGHT, but your article had better live up to the expectations that this comment is raising.

[neb]

It's only a tease if you base your expectations on advertising. :)

Expectations or no, I still found the issue to be a bit boring overall.

[oh_caroline]

Expectations or no, I still found the issue to be a bit boring overall.

I get that, I just meant it's not the writer's fault if a big reveal was falsely promised in the teaser. (And, you know, it's a big reveal for Sharon; I appreciated seeing her point of view).

[neb]

Did anyone else get a vague feeling of reading Tara Chace when Sharon Carter was macking on that old guy? I sure did...

[neb]

I finished the first half of the Sub Mariner Anniversary issue, and I gotta say that while the story felt a little flat, Breitweiser's art was flippin' phenomenal. They need to get him drawing a retro book like tomorrow. So, so good. I haven't read the back ups yet, but they look like some old school awesomeness.

[cammyknoxville]

Action Comics #876 - I miss Superman in Action Comics. I love Greg Rucka and everything, but these are two characters that I don't really care about. Even though all Kryptonians are banned from Earth, is still feels like there are too many. Sure there's a lot of action, but that's pretty much a guarantee when titans clash.

Air #8 - Continues to be a great, zany thrill-ride! I really enjoy Perker's art on this series, and I think he has a great handle on the wonderful world that Wilson has created. I'm telling you, people; this is the next big series from Vertigo!

Amazing Spider-Man #591 - I like how Peter unmasked, and it wasn't a big deal like the previous issue made it out to be. Just like in New Avengers #51. However, the rest of the issue kinda felt like it dragged on. So while I didn't love the issue, I also didn't hate it. It was nice seeing Spidey with the Fantastic Four.

Captain America #49 - Whenever Sharon Carter is involved, it just seems like a whole lot of unneeded drama. Next issue please.

DMZ #41 - Nice one-shot focusing on Zee, and I liked the guest artist Nikki Cook.

Fables #83 - First off, I was totally fooled by the cover artist. I thought for sure it was James Jean, but sure enough it's by Joao Ruas. Well played, Ruas. This issue sure had some exciting moments, and I sure like Badger's new found religion focusing on Boy Blue. Can't wait for the rest of this major event.

GI Joe: Cobra #2 - Chuckles is going deeper and deeper into the organization, and has tougher obstacles to tackle because of it. Also, getting a little too close to the enemy perhaps? This series continues to be very enjoyable. I'm not a fan of the Chaykin variant covers, but then again that's why I rarely buy variant covers.

Green Lantern Corps #35 - Pick of the week. You got Yellow Lanterns, Green Lanterns, and an angry Red Lantern, all fighting in the Oa Science Cells. Just absolute utter chaos! Meanwhile on Daxam, the Daxamites are getting ready to fight back! I love the tale Tomasi is continuing to weave, and I don't get why people have a problem with Gleason's art. In my opinion it fits the story wonderfully.

Green Arrow / Black Canary #19 - Can those boobs on the cover get any bigger?!? The artist makes it look like both girls are smuggling watermelons under their skin. Other than that, pretty mediocre issue, even with all the action going on.

Incognito #3 - Loved this issue! It's about time that Zack got sick and tired of Farmer's bullshit, and finally did something about it. And how about the fight in the mall? Killer stuff! Sean Philips and Ed Brubaker need to write and draw every single comic together for the rest of their lives. I command it!

Punisher #4 - Non-stop action in this issue, as Castle shows us once again why you never try and kill him. It only pisses him off more! The Hood needs to get his shit together, because it's not like he's trying to take-out Aunt May; he's the motherfuckin' Punisher!!! He doesn't die! And how about his awesome new armor for his next mission? Pretty insane.

Beta Ray Bill - The Green Of Eden #1 - I don't know all that much about Beta Ray Bill, but this one-shot was kinda weird to me. Not really my cup of tea. I have no doubts that Beta Ray Bill fans will love it, though.

Star Trek - Alien Spotlight: Klingons - I was kinda disappointed. I was expecting bloodbaths and wars aplenty! For that's what the mighty Klingons are all about, right???

Sub-Mariner 70th Anniversary Special - I'm a fan of Namor, but this kinda felt like a waste of money to me. Sure they gave you a big story, then a couple of back issues (think Thor #600), but it just didn't feel like I got the bang for my buck with this.

Superman / Batman #58 - 'meh'.

Uncanny X-Men #508 - Greg Land's art isn't sitting well with me. I'm slowly starting to back away from this series, because I'm not feeling the same thrill like I did when I hopped-on to issue #500.

The Walking Dead #60 - I'm finally caught-up!!! The herd is just terrifying to me, just like the scene upstairs in the house. Kirkman continues to amaze me, brilliant series!

Wolverine: Noir #1 - Okay, I don't know about the rest of you, but the Noir series seems to be the next Marvel Zombies. The only hit so far in my opinion was Spider-Man: Noir. Everything else, this included, just isn't floating my boat.


Overall I thought it was a pretty boring week for comics.

[oh_caroline]

Did anyone else get a vague feeling of reading Tara Chace when Sharon Carter was macking on that old guy? I sure did...


In what way?

[optimus187prime]

[b]Wolverine: Noir #1 - Okay, I don't know about the rest of you, but the Noir series seems to be the next Marvel Zombies. The only hit so far in my opinion was Spider-Man: Noir. Everything else, this included, just isn't floating my boat.



Im not feeling the Noir books either. Seemed like a good idea at first but after reading a few, Im gonna pass.

[neb]

In what way?

When her and the old friend were talking, the flirtation between them and just way she was drawn with her blonde hair in a ponytail. I don't know...it just made me think of Tara Chace.

[crippler]

Of the few books I read this week, ASM was my POTW. The Pete/Reed Richards conversation juxtaposed with the answering machine was great. Especially the MJ tease. Every week, I love this book!

[capthowdy]

Hmm. No Dynamite Jungle Girl in the pull lists for next week :( Dynamite says it's coming out tho..

[capthowdy]

Ah, must be no Dynamite listing here... no Red Sonja #43 either.

[skeets]

Rankings:

X-Factor #42
Action Comics #876
The Walking Dead #60
Green Lantern Corpse #35
Punisher #4
Captain America #49
Incognito #3
The Stand: American Nightmares #2

[conorkilpatrick]

Hmm. No Dynamite Jungle Girl in the pull lists for next week :( Dynamite says it's coming out tho..

Ah, must be no Dynamite listing here... no Red Sonja #43 either.

According to Diamond, neither one of those books is coming out tomorrow. The publishers are often not reliable when it comes to what's shipping.

[capthowdy]

According to Diamond, neither one of those books is coming out tomorrow. The publishers are often not reliable when it comes to what's shipping.

Ah crappy. Oh well some other good stuff out this week anyhow! FALL OF CTHULHU!!

[conorkilpatrick]

Ah crappy. Oh well some other good stuff out this week anyhow! FALL OF CTHULHU!!

I saw Red Sonja on the shelves which means that this was one of the times that Diamond was wrong, which also happens. Just not as often.