Undroppables

[spiffy]

So, with the thread about what books to start picking up and my obvious issues with Wolverine: Origins, I began to wonder...

What books do you love to hate? Which ones can't you seem to let go even when they're absolute crap?

We all know Ron is contractually obligated to pick up any X-book, Josh can't seem to get rid of Hellblazer, and honestly I can't think of a book Conor would never drop...

Anyways, which comics are your abusive partners, the ones you'd make a world of excuses for? (The don't have to be bad right now either. Just imagine everything goes downhill.)

Mine are:
Wolverine
Wolverine: Origins
and just about any comic that I've had since issue one (especially if it's a limited series, I can justify that in my head). I still have that collectors gene I'm trying to shake. I think I have every issue of Ka-Zar from back in 97-98...

[conorkilpatrick]

We all know Ron is contractually obligated to pick up any X-Man book, Josh can't seem to get rid of Hellblazer, and honestly I can't think of a book Conor would never drop...

Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, Robin

Those are the holy four.

[ibn-al-xu-ffasch]

Without a doubt, Nightwing, Punisher, Ultimate Spider-Man and Detective Comics. But Nightwing is definitely a relationship where I'm the bloodied and beaten spouse who is still clinging to the hope that their mate is going to change...someday.

[spiffy]

Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, Robin

I kind of figured those would be the ones. But you berate Ron so much for being unable to drop an X-Book that I figured maybe even you would drop Batman.

[ibn-al-xu-ffasch]

God, that short run that DIxon did called Nightwing: Year One was like a stay at the spousal abuse shelter.

[cammyknoxville]

At the moment, Aquaman. I'm not really thrilled with what Busiek is doing with him at the moment, and yet I keep picking it up hoping it will be like the Veitch and Ostrander days.

[fred]

Uncanny, Adjectiveless, anything Wolverine even horrifying minis like Claws, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Spider-Man

[pv_2]

The core Marvel U stuff - Amazing Spider-man , Captain America and Avengers books.

[marcushill73]

Savage Dragon, Powers, Criminal

[conorkilpatrick]

I kind of figured those would be the ones. But you berate Ron so much for being unable to drop an X-Book that I figured maybe even you would drop Batman.

I don't think I've ever berated him for holding onto Uncanny or X-Men or Wolverine, because those I understand. It's the ancillary X-books that I'll make fun of him for - I dropped Catwoman when Brubaker left and it started to suck and I never really bought Legends of the Dark Knight.

[davegraham]

I have Amazing Spider-man, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, New Avengers, Young Avengers, Astonishing X-Men, Captain America, Thuderbolts, Runaways, Detective Comics and Checkmate on my pull list. That is probably the most slim list I have had in years. That might be a third of what I pick up regularly in a month. Of that list I have bought Amazing Spider-man, Avengers, Captain America, and Thunderbolts the longest. However there have been times when I have dropped those four titles for various reasons.

[davegraham]

Oh and I reagularly read Ultimates and I will buy any series John Romita Jr. is on.

[JAFlanagan]

It's funny that you picked up on that Hellblazer thing. I don't keep it for the same reasons the other 2 do.

I've always mostly liked it, and it can be really good, but I figure that I'm usually so confused, I don't know what's going on, and if I want to come back, after being gone, I think I'll be completely lost. Also, Since I respect the history and the long run of the book, but don't think anyone else is actually reading this, I'm afraid that if I stop reading it, it will be canceled. My ego is out of control.

There are no superhero books I need to buy every issue of. They don't need my help, and if they're not good...hell, if they're not excellent, I'm gone. No loyalty!

[fred]

but don't think anyone else is actually reading this, I'm afraid that if I stop reading it, it will be canceled. My ego is out of control.

I totally get that but I actually take it a step further and make sure I talk about them a lot(or even buy copies of them for people). One example of this is
Strange Girl
Strange Girl
Strange Girl
and and also
Strange Girl
and Sidekick but that's just a mini anyway so ehh not so much

[marcushill73]

Spiffy (or someone else out there),
Could you give a brief run-thru of Way's contributions to Wolverine after house of M. What happened with "Origins and Endings", and how does this connect with "Origins"?
Cheers, Marcus

[derek]

Also, Since I respect the history and the long run of the book, but don't think anyone else is actually reading this, I'm afraid that if I stop reading it, it will be canceled. My ego is out of control.

There are no superhero books I need to buy every issue of. They don't need my help, and if they're not good...hell, if they're not excellent, I'm gone. No loyalty!

Actually, I am going to start getting Hellblazer in a month when Diggle starts writing it. I have been waiting for an excuse to start reading it and I have found my excuse.

And I am with you on the superhero books. I will drop it like a stone if it starts sucking. Actually the same goes for almost any book, although I usually give the Vertigo books a little more leeway (or issues), but I'll even drop those after a while if they don't improve.

1 exception: I will get anything Neil Gaiman or Alan Moore writes. Of course, I've never read anything by either of them that was downright horrible so it's kind of easy to keep reading them. Even the ones I'm not so hot on (Eternals) are still decent.

[fred]

Spiffy (or someone else out there),
Could you give a brief run-thru of Way's contributions to Wolverine after house of M. What happened with "Origins and Endings", and how does this connect with "Origins"?
Cheers, Marcus

Origins begins at the end of Origins and Endings. I believe if I remember right, and it was a year ago so I might not, Wolverine gets the Mirumasa blade at the end of O&E and then carries it into Origins. I can't go any further though because I can't do it without getting angry and petty

[fred]

contribution is a strong word

[spiffy]

Also, Since I respect the history and the long run of the book, but don't think anyone else is actually reading this, I'm afraid that if I stop reading it, it will be canceled. My ego is out of control.

I have a similar ego, but about different things. I'm absolutely terrified that if I keep buying Wolverine: Origins, Marvel with think it's because Way is a good writer and they'll never let him go.

[mister-s]

Undroppables:

Anything Wolverine (including Ultimate Hulk vs.)
Usagi Yojimbo
Daredevil
Detective
Star Wars (I know, I know - don't start)

[spiffy]

Spiffy (or someone else out there),
Could you give a brief run-thru of Way's contributions to Wolverine after house of M. What happened with "Origins and Endings", and how does this connect with "Origins"?
Cheers, Marcus

Basically Wolverine gets all of his memories back post 'M' and remembers everything thats been done wrong by him and goes after the people who did it to him. He goes after this sword which is apparently the only weapon that will hurt him that he can't heal (rapidly) from.

In Origins, he continues following past memories and it's a mixture of past and present stuff, including figuring out he has a son... and... it's just real crap. It's so bad. Honestly. I will defend Wolverine to the death, but this is just wrong.

[marcushill73]

Cheers Spiffy, what memories did he get back in Origins and Endings that we, the reader, did not already know about?

[spiffy]

Cheers Spiffy, what memories did he get back in Origins and Endings that we, the reader, did not already know about?

Mostly just detail stuff. Like What exactly he did durring Vietnam, what he did while he was in Japan, stuff like that. Not a whole lot of actual memories have been revieled.

A little more in Origins, but nothing that huge. Except the son part. *shudders*

[luthor]

Savage Dragon, Nightwing and Liberty Meadows

I love Savage Dragon but when Larsen is off...boy is he off. I've come so close to dropping this book but I always hope the next issue will draw me back in.

I'm just like everybody else with Nightwing. The character is so awesome and has been handled so well in the past that I hope someone will come along and make it good again(that being said I don't hate the current run, but it feels too 1986 Teen Titans Dick Grayson)

Liberty Meadows only comes out like once every two years(literally) and when the current issue hits I don't remember what happened last and that can be REALLY frustrating but I dig the characters.

[kal]

Ongoings:
Daredevil
Runaways
Fables

Limited series:
Y the Last Man
Ex Machina

I don't have any deep convictions about dropping books anymore. I think all these books will keep their standards they've set so far. Daredevil is Marvel's hidden jewel, I have a lot of faith in Willingham, and Runaways... well, that could start sucking after Whedon, but hey.

I have complete runs of all these books, too, so I think that plays a large factor as well.

[the-dude-abides]

It absolutely broke my heart to drop Savage Dragon.
The only book I've read for years without stopping (lately) is Daredevil.

[darron]

Let's see, I actually have to think about this...

Green Lantern (main title)
Daredevil
X-Factor
And....I may get bashed for this....anything with Kyle Rayner.*

I was gonna say Runaways, but that'd be a lie, 'cause if whomever after Whedon (or, although very unlikely, Whedon himself) sucks it up, I'll drop that sucker dead.



*In my defense, the first comic I EVER bought was Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight & New Dawn ( http://www.amazon.com/Green-Lantern-Emerald-Twilight-Dawn/dp/156389999X/sr=8-12/qid=1169855604/ref=sr_1_12/103-1173790-9872643?ie=UTF8&s=books ) , and after that, I went and found all the back issues I could find, and read it up to 7?, loved the character of Rayner, but then I completely dropped comics.

[jimski]

Wait: Fred, you like Strange Girl?

This thread makes me feel like I have matured just a little, little bit, because I was just looking at the list of books I buy and I realized there isn't one I wouldn't drop within an arc of getting frustrated with it. When I got back into comics, Ultimate X-Men was still in the midst of its first arc; like Ron, it bugged me, but unlike Ron I dropped it before Ultimate War. (Remember Ultimate War?) Since then, I've picked it back up (Bendis) put it back down, up and down based only on the author and my own whimsical enthusiasm. I'm a Spider-Man fan, but I've dropped just about every Spider-book in the last year at least for a while. Not to mention Exiles; I have read every issue of that book, but where Claremont took over I dropped it without even reading one issue of Claremont's arc to see if it's good or not. That's probably as bad as buying every issue no matter what.

BUT... this reminds me of a hard truth I learned this week which directly contradicts everything I just said. I have been tentatively planning to switch some of my buying to comichole.com subscriptions (I may make this topic a thread of its own since we're all forumy now) and in doing so I began by making a list of all the comics I buy every month and haven't dropped in a year or more. There were more than twenty. Upon seeing this in cold black and white, I said to myself, quote, "Jesus effing God! That's where all the money's gone!"

[darron]

Upon seeing this in cold black and white, I said to myself, quote, "Jesus effing God! That's where all the money's gone!"

It's enough to keep you awake at night, huh?

[marcushill73]

To "The Dude" and "Luthor",
At what stage with Savage Dragon have you been most dissatisfied. I agree with you that Larsen has had some "off" issues, but it always seems to come back together (the whole presidential things was tiresome)
I have enjoyed it recently from a visual perspective with Larsen contributing to colors and letters in addition to writing and drawing. To generalize, I have consistently found Savage Dragon to be a good read. I enjoy the frequent extra length stories, letter pages, back-up features, and no advertisements!
Cheers,
Marcus

[fred]

Wait: Fred, you like Strange Girl?


yes the rumors are true

[baxter]

Without a doubt, Nightwing, Punisher, Ultimate Spider-Man and Detective Comics. But Nightwing is definitely a relationship where I'm the bloodied and beaten spouse who is still clinging to the hope that their mate is going to change...someday.

I felt the same way about Nightwing for the longest time, then Bruce Jones took over and used a story I though would have the most potential for a Nightwing Story I've heard in years (Just the core Dick vs Jason, none of the other stuff) and made an unreadable mess. Now I'm a bit shy on getting back on board. I think they'd have to put someone really over the top on Nightwing to get me to pick it up again.

Actually, I am going to start getting Hellblazer in a month when Diggle starts writing it. I have been waiting for an excuse to start reading it and I have found my excuse.

Same here. I've got a ton of Hellblazer TPBs and I've really enjoyed what I've read from Diggle. Seems like the perfect jumping on point.

I think the only book that'd come close to being an undroppable for me is JSA. It almost singlehandedly brought me back to comics when I found the first TPB, and now that its better than ever I can't see getting rid of it.

[jurassicalien]

Ultimate X-men...can't drop it, cannot.

Along with that, Astonishing X-men (at the moment, who knows who the next creative will be)

New Avengers...

And... Amazing Spider-man...don't know why, it's not blowing me away...but can't drop it.

[big-doze]

Let's see, I actually have to think about this...

Green Lantern (main title)
Daredevil
X-Factor
And....I may get bashed for this....anything with Kyle Rayner.*

*In my defense, the first comic I EVER bought was Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight & New Dawn ( http://www.amazon.com/Green-Lantern-Emerald-Twilight-Dawn/dp/156389999X/sr=8-12/qid=1169855604/ref=sr_1_12/103-1173790-9872643?ie=UTF8&s=books ) , and after that, I went and found all the back issues I could find, and read it up to 7?, loved the character of Rayner, but then I completely dropped comics.

Never apologize for liking Kyle Rayner! That guy got me into comics. It was a relatable character who was well-rounded and flawed (unlike some Green Lanterns I know) in a really well written book. Too bad his mini-series is lame, though...

Undroppables... Runaways (love the characters way to much), Teen Titans, at least one Superman title per month

[fred]

Runaways is on my list too. It's been consistently good for so long that it would take a lot for me to drop it.

[JAFlanagan]

Never apologize for liking Kyle Rayner! That guy got me into comics. It was a relatable character who was well-rounded and flawed (unlike some Green Lanterns I know) in a really well written book. Too bad his mini-series is lame, though...

He's totally right about Kyle. I love Kyle. Always have. Well, not so much now, but those Ron Marz GL books were great. I also really liked him in JLA too.

But you don't have to slag off Hal! They just can't write him correctly. I will point you to Darwyn Cooke's New Frontier Hal Jordan as an excellent flawed, realistic character.

[conorkilpatrick]

He's totally right about Kyle. I love Kyle. Always have. Well, not so much now, but those Ron Marz GL books were great. I also really liked him in JLA too.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS KYLE PERSON YOU ALL KEEP TALKING ABOUT?!?

[JAFlanagan]

Conor does not necessarily represent the views of the iFanboy collective.

[fred]

Hal was great in New Frontier. He was also in JLA Year One too wasn't he? I liked the GL in that and was surprised when it was a different one in Morrison's jla

[conorkilpatrick]

Hal was great in New Frontier. He was also in JLA Year One too wasn't he? I liked the GL in that and was surprised when it was a different one in Morrison's jla

Yep, that was Hal. Year One was such a great mini-series.

http://www.dynamicforces.com/images/jla_yearone.jpg

[fred]

I liked it and I liked Hal. Kyle just wasn't Hal; it wasn't that I hated him

[darron]

Never apologize for liking Kyle Rayner!


That was no apology, sir. Just an explaination as to why, as I figured Conor would have something to say about Kyle. Or completely ignore him. Either way.

Rayner is the man, in my book. As a 12 year old, reading those books COMPLETELY sparked my imagination. An freelance artist, living in L.A. (my turf, *****es), weilding a ring that can create ANYTHING....c'mon, that's smart. Watching him learn how to use the ring was genuinly fun (if not kind of weird...Hal's uniform never quite looked right on Kyle).

Does anyone know what Marz is up to now? Last I heard he was starting some indie mini-series....Samuari, I believe was the name.

[fred]

Does anyone know what Marz is up to now?
He's the Ronin

[darron]

He's the Ronin

We come full-circle now, eh?

[fred]

We come full-circle now, eh?

I work best that way. I learned it from Miracleman #8

[jgg0610]

My main undroppable is Daredevil. It's even gotten to the point where I'm buying all of the mini-series that come out as well. The other one that may surprise people is anything with Danger Girl. Late last year, I had the opportunity to go back and pick up the back issues of this after reading Back in Black and it's just a fun, romping read. Kinda of spy silly stuff.

[big-doze]

Yep, that was Hal. Year One was such a great mini-series.

http://www.dynamicforces.com/images/jla_yearone.jpg

Absolutely. Hal's character in that is a character that I would read every month... if, y'know, he were written that way. Geoff Johns just seems to hold ol' Hal in too high esteem, paining him as a "lone beacon of light in a shadowy, drafty, evil universe" or some such, leaving no room for an awesome, flawed, cocky bastard to emerge and be entertaining.

Also, I think we've already established that Uncle Ben is Ronin.

[fred]

Also, I think we've already established that Uncle Ben is Ronin.

He also make good rice

[acomicbookgirl]

He also make good rice

OMG! I so needed that this morning! ROTFL! Love the avatar although I miss Mayor McCheese... :p

[fred]

OMG! I so needed that this morning! ROTFL! Love the avatar although I miss Mayor McCheese... :p

all good things must come to an end. When pressed for comment the Mayor said:

Mayor McCheese

Had to hurry on his way

But he waved goodbye

Saying don't you cry

I'll be back again some day

What the hell is that suppossed to mean? I don't know; McCheese does a lot of drugs

[iSteve]

Here are the titles I keep buying even though I know I should drop them - at least until they improve:

Hawkgirl
Aquaman
Supergirl
Martian Manhunter
Checkmate (sorry guys, I just don't seem to be able t dig it)
The Flash
Superman/Batman

Steve

[darron]

Hawkgirl

She has her own book? Her?

[acomicbookgirl]

She has her own book? Her?


Since when? Guess I will Wiki it now.. ;)

[ekval]

Assuming I'm just not totally bailing on all comics, the ones I can't seem to ever shake are

Uncanny
X-Men
Daredevil
Justice League

Other than that, I have stuff that I find it hard to drop for no apparent reason. Like every idiotic Moon Knight series that comes out.

And I'm with Darron, I was far more intrigued interested by Kyle than by Hal. Though for me, I much preferred Guy Gardner...

[iSteve]

She has her own book? Her?

As a part of one year later, Hawkman became Hawkgirl. In the latest issue Hawkman has returned from the Rann/Thannager war so I assume the title will revert to him.

[iSteve]

As a part of one year later, Hawkman became Hawkgirl.

I should clarify this. The series title became Hawkgirl. Hawkman remains male in his sexual identity.

[ekval]

Had me much more intrigued with the original iSteve...

[darron]

Hmmmmm.....Hermaphrohawk. Kinda has a good ring to it.

[fred]

I would read Hermaphrohawk

Hawkgirl or Hawkman? never

[darron]

Right? I think we're onto something here....

Who knows how to pitch a book?!

[fred]

Right? I think we're onto something here....

Who knows how to pitch a book?!

The world needs a new hero. The old heroes serve their purpose time and again but haven't they also let us down? A new face needs to come to the scene and take our trust back.

Kids are tired of superheroes fighting with one another. It's time for one that fights with itself. A hero that knows what it's like to go to Mexico to get cut rate surgery performed by a goat herder.

Transgender representation in comics is at an all time low with Rob Liefeld no longer drawing Captain America. There are thousands of transgendered people or future transgendered teens in need of a hero. They need representation. They need.........

HERMAPHROHAWK

damn it darr-on you were suppossed to cue the music there

very dramatic very bum bum bum


(before you get mad at me I actually feel really badly for people that don't feel at home in their own bodies)

[darron]

LOL.

So I'm sitting at work, scrolling down the page, talking with a friend, when all of a sudden, in BIG, BOLD letters comes, Hermaphrohawk. My buddy pulled a Pryde.....Who-ba-da-wha...?!

I just told shim not to ask.

[darron]

Oh....and

Bum Bum Bum!

[fred]

nsfw - that's how I'm livin

[darron]

nsfw

It's not even that, sir. You just see that character name and....well....you can't HELP but wonder.

[fred]

you can't HELP but wonder.
how you spend your free time

[darron]

Touche, old friend.

[dustinsemo]

I don't think there is a single comic that I wouldn't drop if it got bad. I wouldn't drop :

100 Bullets
Y the Last Man
and 52

but that is more because I know they are finite stories that I want the end of. I guess I support the writer's more than the book itself.

Maybe I'd buy Queen and Country if it got bad, but I fail to see how that's possible.

[iSteve]

Here are the titles I keep buying even though I know I should drop them - at least until they improve:

Hawkgirl (Hermaphrohawk)
Aquaman
Supergirl
Martian Manhunter
Checkmate (sorry guys, I just don't seem to be able t dig it)
The Flash
Superman/Batman

Steve

Okay guys, you've given me the courage to finally bid a fond (or not so fond) adeiu to the above titles. I have been loath to cancel titles, holding on hoping they would get better. But you've helped me grow a cancellation backbone. Was it Jimski who said, "I drop titles like it's my job"? Heres to pruning subscription lists. Hurray to dropping titles!!!

[iSteve]

By the way, how many #@%&*#$ entries to I have to log in on this forum to stop being labled a "newbie"? #@$%*!$ ****!!!

[fred]

By the way, how many #@%&*#$ entries to I have to log in on this forum to stop being labled a "newbie"? #@$%*!$ ****!!!

0-29 newbie
30-249 member
250-749 senior member
750+ elite member

[iSteve]

0-29 newbie
30-249 member
250-749 senior member
750+ elite member

Actually, I was just being sacasitic, but info good to know, Fred. You are well on your way to elite status.

[fred]

glad to help newbie

[iSteve]

glad to help newbie

Newbie my #@$!

[fred]

for at least one more post

[iSteve]

Just one more time... Newbie my #@$!

[iSteve]

No longer newbie! I am MEMBER!

[fred]

Congratulations former newbie

[marcushill73]

I'll be content with member status.....I like to keep low profile.....what would I even do with Senior member status?

[fred]

I'll be content with member status.....I like to keep low profile.....what would I even do with Senior member status?

you get free parking at cons

[marcushill73]

I'm more of a public transport kinda guy anyways. lol

[fred]

there will be enough smelly people at the con

you won't get me on a bus

[marcushill73]

lol - so true. Perhaps I am one of those skanky smelling people?

[fred]

lol - so true. Perhaps I am one of those skanky smelling people?

I don't know about that? Will you be going in a costume that's 4 sizes too small and yellow with age/urine/disgust?

[darron]

You mean like this?

[fred]

nice camel toe

[fred]

and yes I meant exactly like that

[humphrey-lee]

X-Men is the only book I've always kept with, through the good and the bad, and even when I quit the hobby for a good three years. Besides that, I guess maybe Hellblazer, but I honestly don't stay that attached to something. If a book is bad, a book is bad. I don't care how much I love a character, I just don't tolerate bad writing. Anything's game for the chopping block once it drops below what I consider to be "B grade material".