Fred's This Week In Comics *Now With Cake and Ice Cream

[fred]

This was an average week with a B- minus average. Marvel had the Book of the Week with Mighty Avengers #2 and was also Publisher of the Week. Image had the Shit Book of the Week in Drain #3. I'll get right into it as there's a lot to talk about.

Marvel
Marvel had a high B- average and earned Publisher of the Week and Book of the Week with Mighty Avengers #2.

The Mighty Avengers #2 - I love this book. There was absolutely no reasonable expectation that I would, but I really do. It would be an understatement to say that I'm not the biggest fan of the characters in the book. Bendis writes them so well though. He's made me moderately interested in The Sentry. The Sentry, for the love of God. How talented is this man? I thought that Ares was a total throw-away character. He's not. Bendis has made him kick ass. I've liked Ms. Marvel but she's had some problems that she's seems to be getting past. Bendis has found his own version of her voice that I love. Iron Man has been missing and that certainly doesn't hurt. Black Widow is interesting and I've never really cared about her. Wasp is more interesting than she has been, to me anyway.

It's just through and through great. I love the thought balloons. They're amusing and they let me into the inner dialogue. I like that.
I love the art. I don't care what anyone says about Frank Cho. He's excellent. I will buy everything that he does from now on.

And that brings me to The Question. The Question is: If I had sex with Female Ultron, would it be gay sex? Has Bendis gotten Female Ultron in my Tony Stark or Tony Stark in my Female Ultron? I don't know. I'm not sure that I care. Bendis always brings out these weird eww kind of questions. The Ultimate Jessica Drew/ Ultimate Spider-Man thing was the most recent example before today.

Well done all around. A+

Ultimate Spider-Man #108 - Bendis was a victim of his own success with this one. I would've loved this and overlooked the few problems it had were it not Bendis and were it not Ultimate Spider-Man. He has been nearly flawless on USM to this point in my book (I liked the Clone Saga).

Issues
1. Naming the principal of Peter's high school after John Siuntres. I like John Siuntres. Many people, Bendis included, love John Siuntres. But this took me out of the story for a moment. Also, it just felt cheap. I feel like Bendis is above bullshit like this.


2. The use of Ronin. Ronin is the big deal in Bendis' 616 NA right now. The internet is full of speculation about who Ronin is. This felt like a cheap ploy to do one of three things. Options follow:A. Create more Ronin buzz. Have both books benefit from the 616 hype. B. Create Ultimate/616 symetry by making Moon Knight Ronin in both universes.C. Make people think that MK is Ronin3. Moon Knight has the craziest storyline of any character anywhere. It's impenetrable. The Ultimate Universe is a chance for a clean slate. Moon Knight is still an aggravating crazy bastard. Horrifying.

The school shooting thing was a little weird in light of the events of this week, but that's not Bendis' fault obviously.

Overall, not a bad issue. The problems weighed it down for me but again for anyone else it would be a masterpiece. The art was serviceable as usual. B

Ultimate X-Men #81 - I call bullshit on this whole thing. The Ultimate Universe was supossed to be a place where death mattered. Robert Kirkman has brought The Beast back to life. He's also removed his blue fur and he's got him working for Nick Fury. I don't know about this at all. Some things were cool. Nightcrawler finding the Morlocks was nice. There were a few other things. Overall, major ****ing bullshit. D

X-23 Target #5 - They had me. They really did. This series was good in a light fluffy "ooh it's popocorn" kind of a way until the very last page of this issue. The story in this issue was even entertaining. However, the story ends with X-23 going back to the X-Mansion to kill Wolverine because he's the source of all her problems or something. In that they're basically the same character, this to me feels like artistic masturbation. I can only guess that the series will end as I'd expect any masturbatory session to end, with someone in a self-satisfied heap. I will not be that someone. This was not done for my gratification apparently. On the art side, this book is very pretty. C

Cable & Deadpool #39 - I don't think I'm reading anything like this at the moment. I don't know that I ever have. It's so great and funny. I love Deadpool. I love that he breaks the fourth wall and makes jokes about continuity and the editor of the book. The art was passable as usual. The cover was pretty shitty as usual. I'm sad that Cable will be in the next issue. He's been out of the book for about 6 months. My hatred for Cable is well-documented. Great book. A

X-Men #198 - With the run that Adjectiveless X-Men has had lately, describing a book as not the worst one ever doesn't really say much. The story wasn't quite as hard to follow as it has been but boy did it kinda suck! Actually, in truth it was ok. This book also has put me in the odd position of being happy to see art by Chris Bachalo. Ramos has been so horrifyingly awful that I'm glad to get 'just awful' back. D+

X-Factor #18 - Yaaay! We're back on track after last month's series-first soft issue. This was excellent. I loved the scene where Rictor gave up SpongeBob SquarePants to the O.N.E. as a terrorist. It had me laughing for several minutes afterwards. I loved the way that PAD used Layla Miller to tie the entire climax together. The rest was magnificient as well. The art was nice as usual. A

Anita Blake #6 - This was good. It was probably the strongest issue in the mini so far. They're taking a break until September now and that's kind of annoying but whatever. B+

(split for length)

[fred]

DC
DC had a high B- average for the week.

Flash #11 - I remember the last time that my Grandmother shot at me. I was also pissed off. So, I get where Bart's coming from. This book is good. I like it a lot. The story is gripping. I have no idea what's going on in parts but it's still compelling enough to pull this new Flash reader through. The cliffhanger at the end was great. Bart revealed to 2 police detectives that he was the Flash. I can't wait to see what happens next. The art was on the better side of average. B+

Robin #161 - This was great. I'm so glad that it was ifanboy's pick a few months ago and I started picking it up. It's a lot of fun and the story is good. Poor Robin lost his girlfriend to being a superhero. Damn if I can't relate to that! Huh? What? Right I'm not a superhero. Ok, well I liked it. The artist still needs to be changed but the story is great. Hey, who's the glowing guy? A-

The Brave & The Bold #3 - Simply put: DROPPED. I have competing reasons why. First off, I'm really annoyed by this constant sexualization of Supergirl. I don't read her book. It may happen all the time. I don't care. It's not that I'm uptight or something. It's that she's 17 and she's SUPERGIRL. It's not necessary or cool. The last issue showed Hal Jordan being sexually attracted to her. This issue showed her pretending to flash Lobo. Which brings me to reason #2: Lobo. I don't want to read about Lobo. This was my first time. There won't be a second. The page at the end of the book that showed that next month is Lobo and Supergirl made the decision really easy for me.

Additionally, the story sucks. There's too much fighting. It's difficult to follow and I just don't care about it.

Also, the person that made the decision to put the Cal Ripken comic into the book in the middle should be kicked in the head. I read a page and a half befoe I realized that it wasn't just some odd ass turn in the story. Bullshit.

The art was good I guess but very cluttered. F

The Spirit #5 - This issue of The Spirit was better than most books. It wasn't a great issue of The Spirit though. Cooke has set the bar REALLY HIGH. I was disappointed. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

The story was a little weak in this one. I didn't enjoy reading Mr. Carrion and Julia at all. For those of you that didn't read it, Mr. Carrion was a lunatic who was in love with his bird Julia. Julia was a vulture. I'm almost sure he was ****ing the bird. I'm not joking. The Spirit busts into their office just as he's suggesting that they 'retire'. He says he loves the bird throughout the book and there's even some creepy human/bird hugging and nuzzling. Ick.

It was astonishingly beautiful as usual, implied beastiality of course withstanding. B-

JLA #8 - Eh, it was better than any of the 7 that came before it. It may have been better than all 7 before it put together. It was better than OK. I wish that this crossover was being written by Geoff Johns. It could be better. The art was OK.

I do have one nitpick though. OK really it's two. First, why in a book with 62 characters do they crossover with a book that has 174 characters and then decide that they two teams should search for 7 more characters from the JLA of the future? Second, must you name future JLAer #2 Karate Kid? Haven't I heard that name before? Where was it? Hmmm..... screw it. B+

DMZ #18 - This is a great book. Brian Wood writes this story stunningly well and Burchelli's pencils are beautifully terrifying. This is the first issue of the Friendly Fire arc. It tells the story of one soldier who joined the Army to avoid going to jail. He was soon after involved in a massacre in which 198 civilians died. Wood made me feel so deeply for this character that I want to root for him even though it's pretty plain to see how this will end for him. This book makes me sad and happy at the same time. A

Ex-Machina #27 - This was good. I wish that I read it in trade though. 2 months is so long to wait in between issues. The art was nice. B

Image Comics
Image had a not so great week with a average right between D+ and C-. They also had the Shit Book Of The Week with Drain #3.

Invincible #40 - This was all right. This isn't my favorite Invincible arc, but it'll do I guess. The story and pencils were solid as usual. B

Drain #3 - This sucked so much ass that I couldn't even finish it. Add to this that I can't even remember when #2 came out. I think it was 1984. **** you - DROPPED. F

[comhcinc]

thanks fred as always insightful. looks like i am not adding anything this week

[labor_days]

I hope the JLA & JSA end up in the 31st Century with all 20 active Legionnaires in tow. It would be so ridiculous and absurd, there's no way I could not love it.

DMZ would be my POW for all the reason you mentioned, Fred. Brian Wood writes about the stuff that's closest to my heart & mind every issue. Great series.

Mighty Avengers was great~! But I left my mini-review at work. Tomorrow perhaps. :-(

52/WW3, obviously I enjoyed it. As made known in the other thread. Brave & the Bold was fun. Although I don't like the over-sexualized Supergirl either.

Let's see, Ex Machina, Ex Factor, and Invincible were all solid.

This may be a first for me but I may have enjoyed the bulk of books this week since...a very long time. Wow.


(gotta love the weekly review thread. good work, fred.)

[fred]

thank you sir

edit: sirs

[fred]

I hope the JLA & JSA end up in the 31st Century with all 20 active Legionnaires in tow. It would be so ridiculous and absurd, there's no way I could not love it.
it's not that I specifically thought it was bad - it was just a bit much

DMZ would be my POW for all the reason you mentioned, Fred. Brian Wood writes about the stuff that's closest to my heart & mind every issue. Great series.

DMZ has nearly been my pick at least twice. This week was one of them. It's just stunning. It really is.

[labor_days]

That's the genius of a JLA/JSA/Legion corssover. That's almost 45 characters right there. Most of whom you don't give a shit about!

If nothing else the comedic fodder that will come out of this will be worth it.


p.s. But I do love the JSA/Legion, for reals.

[fred]

I'm becoming a starman fan
and I love ted grant

[itsbecca]

The Brave & The Bold #3...
Also, the person that made the decision to put the Cal Ripken comic into the book in the middle should be kicked in the head. I read a page and a half befoe I realized that it wasn't just some odd ass turn in the story. Bullshit.

I did the same thing with the cal ripken, way to forcefully shove me out of the mood of the book (that I was already struggling with in the first place).


The Spirit #5...
It was astonishingly beautiful as usual, implied beastiality of course withstanding.

Bawk? <3

[comhcinc]

I did the same thing with the cal ripken, way to forcefully shove me out of the mood of the book (that I was already struggling with in the first place).

cal ripken or cal ripken jr.?

[itsbecca]

cal ripken or cal ripken jr.?

jr. I'm just lazy.

[fred]

I did the same thing with the cal ripken, way to forcefully shove me out of the mood of the book (that I was already struggling with in the first place).

tell me about it. B&B won't be missed in my stack

Bawk? <3
Did you ever see the movie Dirty Work? It reminded me of the guy with the dog.

"He's definitely doing that dog"

[comhcinc]

dirty works rocks

[keithm]

My pick this week would definately be MA #2. Just good old school super hero fun. It is starting to grate on my nerves how all (well, most) of Bendis's characters sound the same. He totally gets all these characters so well, but can't make their voices sound unique, and everyone ends up talking in Bendisisms.


Unfortunately DC really pissed me off this week. 52 itself was alright, but the WWIII oneshots were absolutely horrible. I'm pissed that I was told that I need to buy them when they did absolutely nothing to accelerate the story. Also, WWIII as a whole was a bit of a let down. All this lead up and that was it? All the DC heroes fighting Black Adam counts as a world war? It feels like the writers just ran out of weeks to tell their story, which is odd, because the stry crawled for the first dozen or so weeks.

Also, the art on the one shots was HORRIBLE! Seriously, the art in the first one reminded me of the one page comic ads they used to run. I kept expecting someone to reveal that the secret to beating Black Adam is a Hostess Lemon Fruit Pie...

[tavella]

Between the Ms. Marvel punching and Ultron mangling last month and the She-Hulk punching and Hulk mangling next month, I'm beginning to wonder if Marvel figures that if they keep hurting Tony, that eventually we'll feel sorry for him instead of cheering on the mangling.

[pv_2]

Mighty Avengers was the only non-WWIII book I had time to get to - and it was prolly as much fun as a book in which really nothing happens can be. I thought the word balloons were better executed from last issue, adding more insights and laughs. And of course it is bee-yoo-tee-ful to look at. Definitely an A book.

Well done as always Fred - I have to say I'm more looking forward to Brave & the Bold after your review - I mean, a Cal Ripken comic book?! Does this mean we're in for 2632 consecutive issues with inserts?! That would be a lot.

[fred]

Unfortunately DC really pissed me off this week. 52 itself was alright, but the WWIII oneshots were absolutely horrible. I'm pissed that I was told that I need to buy them when they did absolutely nothing to accelerate the story. Also, WWIII as a whole was a bit of a let down. All this lead up and that was it? All the DC heroes fighting Black Adam counts as a world war? It feels like the writers just ran out of weeks to tell their story, which is odd, because the stry crawled for the first dozen or so weeks

In fairness to DC, they did say over and again that the WWIII books would flesh out the story in 52. They said that they weren't essential but were available for people who wanted more.

EDIT: Quote from Dan Didio when it was announced: “I want to be very clear about this,” Didio said when asked about how the story flows through issue #50 of 52 and the specials, “52 #50, the big battle of World War III is something that fits within 52 and plays within 52, and what has been building in 52. These four specials are things that help expand that story, but are by no means issues ‘#53-#56’ of 52. These are four separate issues that are building on a particular event or a particular moment, and 52 can work fine without these, but if people want to see a larger view of the scope of the war, these issues are available.

[fred]

Between the Ms. Marvel punching and Ultron mangling last month and the She-Hulk punching and Hulk mangling next month, I'm beginning to wonder if Marvel figures that if they keep hurting Tony, that eventually we'll feel sorry for him instead of cheering on the mangling.

they can beat him all they want, it's not going to get me to feel sorry for him. He's a fascist asshole.

[fred]

Well done as always Fred - I have to say I'm more looking forward to Brave & the Bold after your review - I mean, a Cal Ripken comic book?! Does this mean we're in for 2632 consecutive issues with inserts?! That would be a lot.

thanks. I hope you like B&B more than I did. I had to push myself to finish it. I'm not certain that I'm glad I did

[paper]

Nice reviews as always, Fred. I'd been anxious to hear your thoughts on the Carrion/Julia relationship since the 'shall we retire' panel. That said, let's start with...

The Spirit #5 This was a pretty weak Cooke book, but it still had some memorable bits. The Carrion/Julia thing won me over with the Spirit's reaction as he observed them through the window. It's a great panel. The Cossack is also a lot of fun, especially when dismissing pens used as weapons. I wouldn't mind if they explored some two or three part stories, maybe just one before Cooke leaves the book. I like the one-and-dones, but I think the character could sustain a mini arc. (23 peanuts out of 28)

JLA #8 I liked this much better than #7. Still a bit confusing, and the art has a lot to do with that. I picked this up to get the most out of this Lightning Saga, seeing as JSA is one of my favorite books coming out right now. The parallel structure was cool. I guess the book has me until the end of this crossover. After that? (17 peanuts out of 36)

I refuse to talk about 52/WWIII other than to say that 52 was...no, I cant.

Robin #161 Up there as my POW. I give this one the edge because the writing is so very, very good. I don't really care that much for the arc itself, but it's getting a bit more interesting. But beyond that, Beechen's internal monologue writing for Tim is fantastic. It's so well balanced that this book never leaves me scratching my head. Tim's narration keeps you involved, and that's really engaging. I love these smaller stories because things like WWIII are so surfacey that there's this significant level of detachment. That's not an issue here. (an entire bag of peanuts)

[acomicbookgirl]

For the first time in a long time, I spent less than $50 on my comics. I was shocked when the guy told me how much and he was like uh yeah its that much. Also, no Marvel this week for me.. All about DC.

I'm probably gonna get smacked for this but I liked the Cal Ripken Jr. insert... Kind of threw me off at first but he's my all time favorite baseball player. I so wish I could go to the Hall of Fame ceremony this year.. Oh well..

Anywho, the only reason why i'm keeping Brave and the Bold is because I love the art. The story sucks but I love George Perez' art. I'm just getting annoyed with the team up's.. I loved Batman and Green Lantern.. Was a trooper about Supergirl but Blue Beetle?!

As sad as it sounds, I saved 52 and WW3 for last. I'm on the indifferent side about it in regards to WW3.. I wasn't exactly happy about it but I wasn't exactly sad about it. I didn't think it was the shit or anything. The last couple of weeks of 52 were boring to me but after reading 52 week 50, I loved it and I don't want it to end.. All I have to say is that Countdown better be the shit because the advertisements are annoying me...

Fred, as always love the reviews.. :)

[paper]

Ultimate Spider-man Enjoyed it. I thought the art was pretty good this issue. I'm a notorious Bagley critic, but I have to admit that this was pretty solid. I could go either way on the Ronin thing, honestly. I'll reserve judgment until the whole thing is over. So, basically....Moon Knight is like Russell Crowe from A Beautiful Mind? (44 peanuts out of 48)

Mighty Avengers #2 I wish more had happened, and the last page seemed sort of rushed...like all of Janet's stuff was shoe-horned in. I guess I wanted one more page there. But it was interesting, and the art was great. Not nearly as good of an issue as the first, but a really solid comic book nonetheless. Should only get better. (whole bag of peanuts with a little hole in the bottom, so maybe one or two are missing)

[k33k3r]

Yesterday was an expensive trip to the LCS (picked up the next Y and Ex Machina trades that I needed for the plane rides to and from Jamaica)and I have to go back because I forgot to grab JLA. CURSES!!!

I agree with you Fred about MA. I have found myself liking this book much more than I expected. I hope it stays as good after Cho leaves.

This is only my 3rd issue of USM and I liked it a lot but did find the school shooting thing a little odd as well. Kinda Creepy. i wonder what Bendis thought this week about this book being released after what happened at VT. Ultimate MK is awesome. I'm always down with a crazy character.

_____ & Deadpool was great as always. I shed a tear though when they showed _____ in the book. Boo! Send him back to the future or something. I found it interesting though that he is giving up his presidency in what ever the name of that country is.

Robin: Again I agree with you about had it not been for the iFanboy's I wouldn't have picked this book up. Thank you again guys (Conor) for breaking me into the DCU.

Still have to read: Spirit, Moon Knight and JLA after I go pick it up.

[kwok_talk]

Mighty Avengers #2 - I definitely don't think I'm in the majority with this comment, but for every positive that comes out of MA, I feel there's a negative to offset it:
+ I love the thought balloons, which help add a little depth to each character and their personalities, BUT,
- I feel a lot of them are used as jokes and make MA seem so much more campy and superficial than New Avengers
+ I love some of the things in the art that Bendis/Cho have done. One example are the frames of Ultron scanning the potential battlers and how the mole men were "file pending" loved little details like that
- I am just not a Cho fan. He's not horrible, but I just don't really think of his MA work as awesome when I'm looking at it. I've seen his other work and I just don't think he's a slam dunk fit for MA.
+ I like the impending throwdown, but
- the female Ultron just seems absurd (see Cho thread)

Grade: B-

Ultimate Xmen #81 - Why the heck did you bring back Beast. Now that's two non-deaths in two issues. I hate this. This issue pretty much was a filler issue. On a positive note, the art was tons better with Oliver back on.

Grade: C

WWIII - I'll keep this one short, but having not read 52, this was basically a random fight between Black Adam and Martian Manhunter for me. I expected more subplots, but they weren't given much time at all. Passed the time, but probably not worth the $12 I spent on it.

Grade: C+

I'll try not to leave this on a negative nancy note, so I got a short box, bags and boards and had some fun turning my scattered pile of comics into an organized collection.

[k33k3r]

Welcome brother kwok to the disease that is know as collectors OCD.

The guys at my LCS steared me away from WWIII for that reason. I'm glad I didn't grab them. But I will give countdown a try next month when it comes out.

[pv_2]

Okay, I found the time to read Flash in the, umm, office here at work – and I think I might be hooked. Even though I liked the last two issues well enough, I wasn’t totally sold long-term – but by the end of this issue, like Fred said, I totally wanted to know what was going to happen next. Flash has some cool Rogues, so it was good to see ‘em joining the party. Great cover, inside art a little spotty in places, otherwise pretty much standard DC issue. I agree this is a B+ experience.

[kwok_talk]

Welcome brother kwok to the disease that is know as collectors OCD.

I spent the next two hours scrubbing my hands with bleach.

[paper]

The guys at my LCS gave me an out on WWIII, but I was stupid.

SOME DUDE - So, either of you guys read WWIII yet?
CBG - Yeah. This morning.
SOME DUDE - Any good?
CBG - It was okay. I kinda liked the second one.

Okay? Kinda liked one of them? Why did I buy this book? Why does a fight with Black Adam give Martian Manhunter a shirt!

[k33k3r]

I can understand that... No not really but I've heard of people going as far as using gloves to touch them. I draw the line at bags and boards. I buy comics to enjoy them. I bag(regular bags, not mylars) and board because I do like to preserve them for when I want to go back to them later.

[paper]

Okay, I found the time to read Flash in the, umm, office here at work – and I think I might be hooked. Even though I liked the last two issues well enough, I wasn’t totally sold long-term – but by the end of this issue, like Fred said, I totally wanted to know what was going to happen next. Flash has some cool Rogues, so it was good to see ‘em joining the party. Great cover, inside art a little spotty in places, otherwise pretty much standard DC issue. I agree this is a B+ experience.

Agreed. I forgot to mention this one.

The art doesn't look much different from the previous issues....what's going on with that?

[fred]

EDIT: DON'T READ THIS - There's something very wrong with me

Nice reviews as always, Fred. I'd been anxious to hear your thoughts on the Carrion/Julia relationship since the 'shall we retire' panel. That said, let's start with...


nice reviews yourself.

Carrion and Julia - Where are they now? I'd imagine that Carrion is smearing Vulture shit all over his face while he licks her feathers and touches himself improperly.

But that's just me.........I hope.

[fred]

I'm probably gonna get smacked for this but I liked the Cal Ripken Jr. insert... Kind of threw me off at first but he's my all time favorite baseball player. I so wish I could go to the Hall of Fame ceremony this year.. Oh well..


booooo hiss :rolleyes:


Anywho, the only reason why i'm keeping Brave and the Bold is because I love the art. The story sucks but I love George Perez' art. I'm just getting annoyed with the team up's.. I loved Batman and Green Lantern.. Was a trooper about Supergirl but Blue Beetle?!

The story is absolutely impossible. I will be happy to be $3 richer 8 times a year.


Fred, as always love the reviews.. :)

thanks, you too

[fred]

Ultimate Spider-man Enjoyed it. I thought the art was pretty good this issue. I'm a notorious Bagley critic, but I have to admit that this was pretty solid. I could go either way on the Ronin thing, honestly. I'll reserve judgment until the whole thing is over. So, basically....Moon Knight is like Russell Crowe from A Beautiful Mind? (44 peanuts out of 48)


Russell Crowe- booo hiss :rolleyes:


Mighty Avengers #2 I wish more had happened, and the last page seemed sort of rushed...like all of Janet's stuff was shoe-horned in. I guess I wanted one more page there. But it was interesting, and the art was great. Not nearly as good of an issue as the first, but a really solid comic book nonetheless. Should only get better. (whole bag of peanuts with a little hole in the bottom, so maybe one or two are missing)

You didn't help me with The Question. As a matter of fact, I don't think anyone has tried to tackle it yet. This is a very important fake question that I'm trying to feign interest in here people. :rolleyes:

[fred]

I agree with you Fred about MA. I have found myself liking this book much more than I expected. I hope it stays as good after Cho leaves.


Good news for all of us. He's not leaving, he's just taking the second arc off to catch up. Mark Bagley will be filling in for him. It was initially announced that Angel Medina would do it but thankfully we'll be spared that fate.

[iSteve]

On the Question, Fred - yes, it would be same-sex intercourse. Tony's still inside.

(Offered with mock seriousness.)

[k33k3r]

Fred I honestly think that no one but you wants to touch that question.
But The Wasp said Ultron had to kill Tony Stark come back but we know that he's not dead because this story had to take place the NA story line, I would think. Which means Tony isn't dead or someone else is in the armor.

Have we seen Iron Man maskless in NA since CW.

God so many abreviations(sp?)

[fred]

The guys at my LCS gave me an out on WWIII, but I was stupid.

SOME DUDE - So, either of you guys read WWIII yet?
CBG - Yeah. This morning.
SOME DUDE - Any good?
CBG - It was okay. I kinda liked the second one.

Okay? Kinda liked one of them? Why did I buy this book? Why does a fight with Black Adam give Martian Manhunter a shirt!

my cbg guy talked me out of it too. I was trying to convince myself that it wouldn't suck if I read it. They were very helpful in this regard.

[fred]

On the Question, Fred - yes, it would be same-sex intercourse. Tony's still inside.

(Offered with mock seriousness.)

But what if my wife decided that she was a man deep down inside? Would that make having sex with her gay sex? I want to know in case we ever decide to have sex.

</badmarriedguyjokes>

[fred]

Fred I honestly think that no one but you wants to touch that question.

Bendis always leaves us with these questions.

Have we seen Iron Man maskless in NA since CW.

I don't know. I do know that his mask is very disappointed with him though. It's always making sad faces on the table.

God so many abreviations(sp?)
abbrieviations - I think

[fred]

Okay, I found the time to read Flash in the, umm, office here at work – and I think I might be hooked. Even though I liked the last two issues well enough, I wasn’t totally sold long-term – but by the end of this issue, like Fred said, I totally wanted to know what was going to happen next. Flash has some cool Rogues, so it was good to see ‘em joining the party. Great cover, inside art a little spotty in places, otherwise pretty much standard DC issue. I agree this is a B+ experience.

the whole Grandma Flash thing started as fairly funny but ended up eventually working. The book got better as it went on. I can't believe that I'm reading the Flash and actually enjoying it. odd stuff

[alexg]

Couldn't agree with you more about Ultimate X-men. Really came off the rails with this issue. The X-men have been disbanded all of 1 issue and suddenly the world needs them back together. uggggg--the ending of the book felt like it was pulled from a plot generator.

[k33k3r]

Thanks for the help.

[fred]

Thanks for the help.

glad to - hope I was right
think I was

[fred]

Couldn't agree with you more about Ultimate X-men. Really came off the rails with this issue. The X-men have been disbanded all of 1 issue and suddenly the world needs them back together. uggggg--the ending of the book felt like it was pulled from a plot generator.

yeah, it was very disappointing. I've held it in such high regard. I'm sure I'll get over the McCoy thing and it'll get back on track but it does annoy me so

[sk0pe]

Army @ Love
Pretty good story, intriguing concept, Veicht has me hooked for atleast this arc.
A

DMZ
Same thoughts as Fred
A+

Ex Machina
Similar to other's experiences however I've never been dissapointed by this book and it always has a formula but BKV shows that if you use your formula properly and consistently, it pays off and major climaxes really do evoke that in the reader and are worth that splash page unlike ever other super hero book.
B+ / A-

Hellblazer
Andy Diggle never dissapoints, I only started reading his work from Losers (I think this was his first major book) and I was surprised when he was able to do some Super hero stuff well and now he really understands the Constantine character and really brings back the character and story that has been relatively lackluster in the last few arcs.
A

Ramayan 3392 AD
This book is progressing rather slowly but the art is really quite amazing, there is some importance that the writer seems to want to convey but isn't able to do it effectively and results in sloppy or hand fed writing, taking the reader's understanding or intelligence as low. The overall story that is evolving is pretty large and epic in scale.
C, maybe C+ for the painted art.

[sk0pe]

yeah, it was very disappointing. I've held it in such high regard. I'm sure I'll get over the McCoy thing and it'll get back on track but it does annoy me so

I hate that some of the Ultimate books are making the same mistakes as the 616 counterparts. Ultimate X-men started off really well for me but I dropped it pretty quickly as instead of interesting it had put itself on the tracks of the 616 X-men that I've already read and collected most of

The upside down Beast cover is almost a cliche for the character now, it was done so much in Uncanny X-men and X-men when he needed to be approached in his quarters or in the lab or when he was working on a cure for the Legacy Virus. Anyhow, can't comment too much as I'm not picking up the book currently.

[iSteve]

For those fanboys, like me, who don't know who Ultron is (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultron) - see the Wikipedia article.

[horatio616]

I'm really liking Mighty Avengers. The plot and art aren't as muddled as New Avengers, and Wonder Man is in it. There's not really much more that you need!

[fred]

my god, ultron's history is muddled
that wiki entry gave me a headache

[fred]

I'm really liking Mighty Avengers. The plot and art aren't as muddled as New Avengers, and Wonder Man is in it. There's not really much more that you need!

have you been reading the Wonder Man mini?

[kwok_talk]

Victor Mancha (Runaways) is going to have serious parent/gender issues if he gets word of this happening to his dad. :eek:

[fred]

And with me as his new daddy, that'll be tough too :rolleyes:

[kwok_talk]

Haha. My mind has officially been blown.

[horatio616]

have you been reading the Wonder Man mini?

I got the first issue but I didn't love it, which is odd, because I loved Peter David's Hulks and I've been a WM fan since the days of George Perez, Avengers, and Red Ronin.

[fred]

I skipped it myself. Been thinking about going back and checking it out. I think it's over already. not sure though

[k33k3r]

Was never a fan of the character. *shrug* who knows.

[fred]

I've never been big either but his appearances in MA and Ms Marvel have been impressive enough

[k33k3r]

Eh still doesn't do anything for me.

[kwok_talk]

I haven’t really ever felt drawn to his character either. He really needs a costume change, though. Maybe go back to the black spandex costume.

[k33k3r]

You a big fan of spandex huh?

J/K

[horatio616]

I haven’t really ever felt drawn to his character either. He really needs a costume change, though. Maybe go back to the black spandex costume.

I don't know why I like him. It's just a thing. He was around when I first started reading comics.

Wonder Man, Rom, Commander Arcturus Rann, Moon Knight, Rogue, Storm, Cyclops. They were around when I was a lower-case G. (But now I'm a big G. Girls see I got the money. A hundred dollar bills, y'all.)

Wonder Man is the Michael Biehn to my Tarantino. I'm gonna make a movie about him.

[darron]

I'm becoming a starman fan

Me too, and quite quickly. I love the aspect of a schizophrenic superhero (and coming from a schizo, Starman is a much better representation of the average schizo than Moon Knight). From his seemingly random ramblings, to his ties with the Legion (which I admittidly know very little about). But what exactly are his powers?

[fred]

Me too, and quite quickly. I love the aspect of a schizophrenic superhero (and coming from a schizo, Starman is a much better representation of the average schizo than Moon Knight). From his seemingly random ramblings, to his ties with the Legion (which I admittidly know very little about). But what exactly are his powers?

what are his powers? who knows? I certainly don't. I love the random guy talking shit. He works and MK doesn't because MK is crazy and dark. Starman is funny.

[labor_days]

Starman's powers are based on mass manipulation. He can make things impossibly heavy.

[k33k3r]

That would be a pretty cool power actually. Try to pick up that penny. HAHA you'll never get it.

[darron]

Cable & Deadpool #39 - I don't think I'm reading anything like this at the moment. I don't know that I ever have. It's so great and funny. I love Deadpool. I love that he breaks the fourth wall and makes jokes about continuity and the editor of the book. The art was passable as usual. The cover was pretty shitty as usual. I'm sad that Cable will be in the next issue. He's been out of the book for about 6 months. My hatred for Cable is well-documented. Great book. A

I'm so glad, every month, that you talked me into buying this book. It NEVER lets me down. And while I'm kinda bummed Cable will be in the next issue, too, I am looking forward to Deadpool interacting with the X-Men. Oh, and the sound fx bit was hilarious.

[fred]

brang - what a dumb sound effect

kerrang - nice sound effect

yeah they have the ability to carry jokes through in that book that makes me laugh my ass off

[jimski]

If Cable goes back to his own book, does that mean he'll get the hell out of X-Men?

I was embarrassed to not have figured out Ronin's identity in USM, by the way. "Of course!"

[fred]

If Cable goes back to his own book, does that mean he'll get the hell out of X-Men?

I was embarrassed to not have figured out Ronin's identity in USM, by the way. "Of course!"

Boo hiss send that ****er back to the future. let christopher lloyd deal with his ass. I'm tired of him

[kwok_talk]

I was embarrassed to not have figured out Ronin's identity in USM, by the way. "Of course!"

I’m right there with you, brother.

[k33k3r]

I love that fact that in ____ & Deadpool they blantanly talk to the audience. They come up with the oddest storyline for this book and they always work when they are focused around DP.

[fred]

it really is a strange and unique book
I hope that Cable's return is short and doesn't **** it up

[k33k3r]

Maybe he'll finally die.

[fred]

he can do a body slide by 2 with the grim reaper

unlike outfits with 700 pockets, I'm in

[k33k3r]

I wonder what would happen if he accidentally said body slide by poo?

[fred]

he would have a very nasty trip

[k33k3r]

would that trip be with the golagothin (shit demon)? Again I can't spell for the life of me.

[fred]

not what I'd call a happy ending

[k33k3r]

Me either. Would be some funny stuff though

[tavella]

they can beat him all they want, it's not going to get me to feel sorry for him. He's a fascist asshole.

Yeah, my reaction to the mangling tends to be "So? You're still alive. Cap isn't."

_The Spirit_ got my aware for pure twisted this week. Vulture bestiality. That's something you don't see every week!

[iSteve]

Yeah, my reaction to the mangling tends to be "So? You're still alive. Cap isn't."

_The Spirit_ got my aware for pure twisted this week. Vulture bestiality. That's something you don't see every week!

It's called "Vulture Love."

[fred]

I think the technical term is Interspecies Erotica

[bill_clinton]

Ha ha ha - that Fred guy sure is funny and insightful

keep up the good work

[horatio616]

It's called "Vulture Love."

Morris Day and The Time's attempted comeback song. Too bad it didn't work out for them. I liked his moustache.

[fred]

oweoweo my vulture love

there's not enough satin and sequins in the world to put the shine on that turd

[paper]

So....The Spirit. There's been 5 issues so far. How does this latest one stack up against the previous issues? Which has been the best, and which has been the worst?

And the immortal question. How does Vulture Love stack up against Planet Hulk level Bug Sex?

[fred]

So....The Spirit. There's been 5 issues so far. How does this latest one stack up against the previous issues? Which has been the best, and which has been the worst?

And the immortal question. How does Vulture Love stack up against Planet Hulk level Bug Sex?

This was by far the weakest. I think I'd have to go with #2 or #3 as the strongest.

Vulture Love is way nastier than Bug Sex

[paper]

This was by far the weakest. I think I'd have to go with #2 or #3 as the strongest.

Vulture Love is way nastier than Bug Sex

1. Spirit #3
2. Spirit #2
3. Spirit #1
4. Spirit #4
5. Spirit #5

I've never even seen the Bug Sex yet, but I know it's going to be better than Watchmen.

I said it.

[fred]

I've never even seen the Bug Sex yet, but I know it's going to be better than Watchmen.

I said it.

sure take the easy position

[drwally]

Smart ass kid in the back of the class has a question:

OK, Iron Man: Love him or hate him? Me? Couldn't care less, he still has no personality. Contrast him to Maria Hill and the point is even more clear, that b**** is loaded with personality. Changes to the armor are the only interesting additions that have ever driven the Stark character, besides the drinking thing. Otherwise, why develop the character when you can just change how the armor looks? Seems like that's been the plan for over 20 years.

So Ultron: Giving the armor boobs -- Isn't that just the latest iteration of "let's change the armor to once again avoid the fact he is an inherently uninteresting character, that we've put in every damn Marvel book for the past year saying the same few lines of dialogue over and over again?

Just thowin' it out there.

[paper]

Tony Stark is interesting. But the writers don't seem to agree with me.

[fred]

I also find Ultron a bit disinteresting

[fred]

Tony Stark is interesting. But the writers don't seem to agree with me.

yes, he could be interesting if he weren't written as a fascist douche

oddly, this was me agreeing with you

[paper]

Agree with him or disagree with him, he makes interesting choices. And they could play with that. Which I think they sort of did in what was it? Iron Man 15? 16? The one before the most recent one. They're playing him a little too serious.

I dunno. I really, really like flawed characters. I just think of Tony Stark as the Ricky Gervais of superheroes.

[drwally]

I also find Ultron a bit disinteresting

Hey, understanding Ultron is easy -- the ultimate evil robot A.I., whatever. Update to latest "cool version" of evil robot whatever. Iron Man -- guy in an Iron Suit, update Iron Suit to latest cool version suit.

SO, what to do? Give Ultron boobs, give Iron Man boobs, all in one package. Never done that before. Latest iteration of a tired concept.

I like Paper's answer. But it's kind of like -- why write Iron Man, when we'll just use him as a foil for every other character, and oh yeah...what's his motivation? Character? "We'll get to that later. Just rewrite what he said in the last issue."

Am I far off on this? Maria Hill: To me, that was the real "Pro-Reg" leader in CW. She I found interesting. I'm behind in the books, have they tossed her off the Helicarrier yet? Spoil away.

[paper]

Last I remember Maria Hill was in....Iron Man maybe? Or was it Confession? She's around.

[fred]

she's around to get Tony his coffee. I'm not kidding - that scene happened

[paper]

I loved that scene.

[fred]

it's a bit much for me

[drwally]

yes, he could be interesting if he weren't written as a fascist douche
oddly, this was me agreeing with you

But see, I can't even get that excited about Iron Man. Yeah, interesting choices here and there, but the continuity between books was so screwed, there's no sense of the guy who is everywhere. Did he push Spiderman out the window, or did Spiderman jump? Differert book, different version. Did he make interesting choices? Maybe, depends what book you read... it's all so muddled, I find it hard to call him either conflicted, serious, or fascist. Just...an empty suit.

Maria Hill? Now that character I could get interested in.

[paper]

No, I agree. His characterization is all over the place. No one knows who this man is.

Maybe, not even himself...

[fred]

his helmet knows who he is and that's why it looks so sad

[tony-stark-hero]

Sticks and stones, rabble-rousers.

Fred, my 'Cap was Right' coffee cup is looking on the empty side...

[drwally]

No, I agree. His characterization is all over the place. No one knows who this man is.

Maybe, not even himself...

It's amazing to think how few writers were involved with the main events of CW, but the continuity is all over the place. I think Miillar and McNiven might have even gone "off grid" completely and not called anyone as to what they were doing. My pet theory is that Brubaker and Bendis watched this "event" train wreck unfold, carefully steered clear of what they knew was going to be a disaster and now are in a prime place to pick up the pieces. I think Bendis instigated things here and there, but never enough to be involved until the event was over, whereupon he emerges unstained to take over as people fling crud at Millar and others. Sound crazy?

Now where has that Nick Fury been hiding since Bendis' Secret War miniseries...there's an interesting question...

[paper]

You say 'pet theory', Wally. I say 'the truth.'

[drwally]

Sticks and stones, rabble-rousers.

Fred, my 'Cap was Right' coffee cup is looking on the empty side...

Hey Tony, look up and right and smile for the hidden camera...Nick says Hi!

[drwally]

You say 'pet theory', Wally. I say 'the truth.'

It's really quite elegant how Bendis and Brubaker managed it... JMS? I'm not sure if even he knows which one of those French superheros is the one that prowls the Louvre, and he's the guy that wrote it: one page it's that Blue Light guy, the next page it's the "Fantome Detective" guy...wow, life is hard when your Ghost Writer takes off after your part of the "CW event" is done...

Or was he just stoned? Or sober from this to that page? Who knows....

[paper]

McNiven should just draw Maria Hill day and night. If I were ever to turn weird and decide to send a fictional character fan mail....

[fred]

I sent the female Ultron a lock of my hair
I don't know what that should compel her to do but I did it anyway

[drwally]

McNiven should just draw Maria Hill day and night. If I were ever to turn weird and decide to send a fictional character fan mail....

I'm there. Bendis might even turn in enough script to not have to do MEGA splash pages due to lack of writing... Also just went through the first three trades of Astonishing (#1-18, I think). Fred can have Iron Man and the Iron Ultron Boobies. Hill and Frost can make me their ... oh, now it's getting weird...

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Got of a train a little while ago reading all my books on the way and just finished reading your reviews Fred they were vary good:D . I agree with all of them really except for Brave and the Bold, the Supergirl bit I can see but I thought the rest of it was pretty fun not compared to the first two issues but it was still fun, and that's how I should treat it as a fun book out of continuity that's wacky and Silver Agesh and in that context it being all over the place I could except.

I think my POW was with iFanboy this week in Nightwing annual 2, I was originally on the fence about this book but as soon as I saw the POW on the site I went and picked it up and could of been happier. This was a good relationship book whether you're a superhero fan or not it was a good all-around issue love story and not having too much prior knowledge to their relationship I could still feel its impact which is the mark of a good issue in my opinion. The one complaint I might have is the crappy old school paper sometimes it works but I like the new sleek pages in books it's one of the few things they really improved over the years however it's a minor complaint as this was kind of a throwback issue in some ways so it kind of fit, but overall good week and nice reviews:D

[six-gun]

My POW was Justice League of America #8 (let it be known that my shop didn't get The Spirit, Mighty Avengers or Robin)

I just loed how this issue actually gives the the JLA the kind of threat that's worthy of their attention.

[six-gun]

I thought that Perez's pencils in Brave and the Bold suffered without his own inks.

[fred]

thanks aaron

[paper]

My POW was Justice League of America #8 (let it be known that my shop didn't get The Spirit, Mighty Avengers or Robin)

I just loed how this issue actually gives the the JLA the kind of threat that's worthy of their attention.

Sounds like they were on the 'awesome-themed' delivery truck.

Can someone explain the new threat to the JLA? I don't quite get it entirely. At all.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

thanks aaron

I mean it man:) , plus my opinion of you just went way up when I discovered you’re a H*R fan!:D

[labor_days]

I picked up Nightwing Annual on the way home. HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY.

Robin trying to hide his erection from Batman was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen in a comic book. Ever.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/465581765_a79dde68ac_o.png

After that I didn't have to finish reading the book. Pick of the week, dudes.

[mikegraham6]

I like the random posing that Freddie E Williams III draws in this issue of Robin, whenever "Killa Nilla" is in the panel. There's one scene where Robin and Alex are on a laptop in Nilla's apartment and he is doing the most random Gangsta pose (right hand on his chin, left hand on his crotch) and it's absolutely hilarious!:D

[paper]

I like the random posing that Freddie E Williams III draws wheneven "Killa Nilla" is in the panel. There's one scene where Robin and Alex are on a laptop in Nilla's apartment and he is doing the most random Gangsta pose (right hand on his chin, left hand on his crotch) and it's absolutely hilarious!:D

Haha. That was such a strange panel.

At this point I am ready to declare Robin as my POW.

[labor_days]

Batman obviously knew what Robin was trying to hide. What an asshole for pressing the issue in front of Batgirl. Way to go, Bruce.

No wonder all of Batman's sidekicks resent him. Bastard.

[paper]

I haven't picked up the book yet. What is Batgirl doing in that panel?

[fred]

seriously? boner jokes? my God, who writes this shit? me?

I personally feel that Robin suffers with the pencils of Freddie Williams II. I'm not actively pushing to get Freddie Williams I to change their name in shame anymore but I still don't like it.

H*R is great.

no quotes just quips
crazy lazy long day

many parts of speech and pieces of decorum have been deemed optional

[fred]

I haven't picked up the book yet. What is Batgirl doing in that panel?

they're apparently doing the butt

****ing '70s

[labor_days]

What is Batgirl doing in that panel?
Nothing! She was just standing up.

Whole scene for your amusement.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/465628754_d61b54342e_o.png



p.s. this comic book was absolutely terrible. pick of the week. no doubt.

[mastap]

Nothing! She was just standing up.

Whole scene for your amusement.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/465628754_d61b54342e_o.png



p.s. this comic book was absolutely terrible. pick of the week. no doubt.

I love the sewn-in bat-shoulders

[mastap]

seriously? boner jokes? my God, who writes this shit? me?

I personally feel that Robin suffers with the pencils of Freddie Williams II. I'm not actively pushing to get Freddie Williams I to change their name in shame anymore but I still don't like it.

H*R is great.

no quotes just quips
crazy lazy long day

many parts of speech and pieces of decorum have been deemed optional

Boner joke + fishscale panties= Comedy gold

[big-doze]

Second, must you name future JLAer #2 Karate Kid? Haven't I heard that name before? Where was it? Hmmm..... screw it. B+


I dunno if someone else has already mentioned this, but I'm too lazy to look through 13 pages of posts and I have to say it:

The Legionnare came first. The name Karate Kid was first used by DC Comics. They had to pay for the rights to use the name for the movie.

Hooray for people who know too many things about the Legion!

[alexg]

Missed the boat on Nightwing Annual this week--now it's sold out wherever I go. Who knew this would be such a hot title?

Fred--dammit, you got me to get another book--Cable and Deadpool...that sh*t was friggin funny...

[labor_days]

I dunno if someone else has already mentioned this, but I'm too lazy to look through 13 pages of posts and I have to say it:

The Legionnare came first. The name Karate Kid was first used by DC Comics. They had to pay for the rights to use the name for the movie.

Hooray for people who know too many things about the Legion!

Didn't want to steal Fred's thunder but I'm with you brother.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/a/ae/Flight_ring.png

I wonder who the missing Legionaries are. We got Karate Kid, Star Boy/Starman and Dream Girl. Hmm, Shadow Lass perhaps?

Are you reading SG & the Legion, Doze? Curious because I don't really see it come up often.

[mikegraham6]

Is it just me or do you think kirkman is introducing far to many plot thread in this one issue of Ultimate X-men? he really seemed to be all over the place here. I don't mind multiple storylines, but I counted nine plot threads (if not a few more minor ones that where dropped in the Fury/Beast conversation). NINE! In a book that already seemed to lack focus, I think this will hurt Kirkman's run overall. Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because this is the beginning of the arc, but it just seems to me like he's bitten off more than he can chew here.

But this also reminds me a lot of the 616 X-men, but not in a good way. Remember how back in the late 80s up until the mid-nineties there were all those dangling plotlines that never seemed to get resolved? I really hope we aren't going to go in that direction with Ultimate X-men. It seems to me they've already forgotten the whole Phoenix/Insane Jean Grey plot thread they were hinting at in previous issues.

I guess we'll just have to see in which direction Kirkman will take this arc, maybe he'll end up tying everything together, who knows?:rolleyes:

[alexg]

Is it just me or do you think kirkman is introducing far to many plot thread in this one issue of Ultimate X-men? he really seemed to be all over the place here. I don't mind multiple storylines, but I counted nine plot threads (if not a few more minor ones that where dropped in the Fury/Beast conversation). NINE! In a book that already seemed to lack focus, I think this will hurt Kirkman's run overall. Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because this is the beginning of the arc, but it just seems to me like he's bitten off more than he can chew here.

But this also reminds me a lot of the 616 X-men, but not in a good way. Remember how back in the late 80s up until the mid-nineties there were all those dangling plotlines that never seemed to get resolved? I really hope we aren't going to go in that direction with Ultimate X-men. It seems to me they've already forgotten the whole Phoenix/Insane Jean Grey plot thread they were hinting at in previous issues.

I guess we'll just have to see in which direction Kirkman will take this arc, maybe he'll end up tying everything together, who know?:rolleyes:

Yeah I'd have to agree on all points there. I've been really enjoying this book, but I definitely felt a serious lack of focus in this issue. I thought Ultimate was supposed to avoid big confusing continuity....

[fred]

I dunno if someone else has already mentioned this, but I'm too lazy to look through 13 pages of posts and I have to say it:

The Legionnare came first. The name Karate Kid was first used by DC Comics. They had to pay for the rights to use the name for the movie.

Hooray for people who know too many things about the Legion!

that is amusing in its own right

[fred]

Missed the boat on Nightwing Annual this week--now it's sold out wherever I go. Who knew this would be such a hot title?

Fred--dammit, you got me to get another book--Cable and Deadpool...that sh*t was friggin funny...

glad you liked it

[fred]

Yeah I'd have to agree on all points there. I've been really enjoying this book, but I definitely felt a serious lack of focus in this issue. I thought Ultimate was supposed to avoid big confusing continuity....

and meaningless deaths

[kevmann16]

and meaningless deaths

I'm not an X-men fan but love Kirkman so I was hoping to pick up his run on Ultimate X-men in trade formats since because of Invincible (can't wait of vol 3 to be released) and Ant-Man I am a huge fan and the book has been getting some positive reviews on iFanboy so I hope the poor reception this issue is getting isn't a sign of things to come from these arcs.

How is the overall quality of his Run since #66?

[fred]

kirkman's run has been good
this particular issue was just kind of crappy

[kevmann16]

I was thinking of waiting to get the Ultimate X-Men Volume 7 Hardcover out in august according to amazon I think it collects 66-74. I wish these would come out quicker because I am still going to be miles behind but I love Hardcover formats

[kwok_talk]

I think they've been on par with the other writer's arcs, which unfortunately is just ok. It's weird that Millar, Vaughn, and Kirkman have all been on it for a long time, but honestly I don't think any of them have done "awesome" jobs with it (or up to par with their other work). Maybe an Ultimate xmen curse. (who brought the goat?)

On a side Ultimate Xmen note, Mr. Sinister died in the issue (no tears shed here), which had no bearing on the issue or plot. But wasn't he created by one of the earlier writers (Vaughn maybe?). If so, that seemed even weirder to kill him off when there was no reason to, as if he just thought the character sucked so much that he wanted to get rid of him.

[fred]

I was thinking of waiting to get the Ultimate X-Men Volume 7 Hardcover out in august according to amazon I think it collects 66-74. I wish these would come out quicker because I am still going to be miles behind but I love Hardcover formats

I'm waiting for it too. I have the whole run in OHC to this point. USM and Daredevil as well. I love those things.

[kevmann16]

I'm waiting for it too. I have the whole run in OHC to this point. USM and Daredevil as well. I love those things.

Thanks to iFanboy I got Absolute Dark Knight and then Absolute New Frontier I love these book, the format is so beautiful, I just want more and more of them it has to be the best format out.

I have the USM HC too but unlike X-Men I buy the issues of that and just started to buy my nephew the TPB's, I got him the first 3 volumes for his birthday in May can't wait to give him them, he loves spider-man and with the 3rd film out soon I reckon this is a great way to get him into comics and reading more. He play far to much X-Box.

If he likes them I'm going to start buying him a TPB a month to keep him hooked.

[fred]

I just read the worst comic ever. I can't wait until this weekend when I have time to do a full dissection on it. It's horrifying.

[iSteve]

I just read the worst comic ever. I can't wait until this weekend when I have time to do a full dissection on it. It's horrifying.

At least tell us the name.

[horatio616]

At least tell us the name.

It probably has Aquaman in it.

[kwok_talk]

I just read the worst comic ever. I can't wait until this weekend when I have time to do a full dissection on it. It's horrifying.

They made “The History of Cable” written/drawn by Rob Liefeld, containing a mini-story written by Paul Jenkins and drawn by Humberto Ramos, with a cover done by Michael Turner?

Dang…I was saving that as a backup plan in case you ever turned bad and tried to destroy the forums.

[horatio616]

They made “The History of Cable” written/drawn by Rob Liefeld, containing a mini-story written by Paul Jenkins and drawn by Humberto Ramos, with a cover done by Michael Turner?

Dang…I was saving that as a backup plan in case you ever turned bad and tried to destroy the forums.

I think people would actually die if they read this. You open the cover and Samara from the Ring comes out and kills you.

Hmm, you read a comic that kills you. Anyone in Hollywood listening? That's not too derivative, is it?

[iSteve]

I looked at Diamond's shipping list for 4/25/07 - it's going to be another HUGE week - well, at least for me. I'm counting 22 books so far.

[fred]

It was called Begoths #1. There's a group called DCP that puts out torrents of almost all the books that come out. It was in yesterday's pack.

It's a shit masterpiece. I've just signed up for blogger so that I can review it in all of it's long form glory and post panels. I could post panels here but not enough.

[fred]

I looked at Diamond's shipping list for 4/25/07 - it's going to be another HUGE week - well, at least for me. I'm counting 22 books so far.

I only have 7 and one of them is Invincible #41. I expect a delay there given that Invincible #40 came out 2 days ago.

[kwok_talk]

Is the name intended to sound like “Be Goths” as in “Be a Goth”? It is an ad for Cure and Love & Rockets albums?

[acomicbookgirl]

Loving the avatar Fred. :)

[fred]

Is the name intended to sound like “Be Goths” as in “Be a Goth”? It is an ad for Cure and Love & Rockets albums?

it is that kind of goth and it's every bit as pretentious and terrible as you'd expect. According to the book, the guy who writes it has a 15 year old son who encouraged him to design a line of goth dolls (or ***** action figures whatever). The comic was created as some kind of marketing effort to support the Begoth dolls.

[fred]

Loving the avatar Fred. :)

thanks much

[labor_days]

I just read the worst comic ever. I can't wait until this weekend when I have time to do a full dissection on it. It's horrifying.Nightwing Annual #2? Yeah, I read that too. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/smilies/Standard/laugh.gif

[fred]

this one needed a few boner jokes

[labor_days]

After reading through The Spirit #5, I have to agree with the Fred's earlier assessment. This is the weakest issue yet. Not that it is outright awful. I don't think the issue was as clever as Cooke thought it was. The vulture thing was a bit odd, yes. The cover is repulsive to me from an aesthetic stand point.

You let me down, Cooke. :-(

[fred]

I feel the same. It wasn't bad, it was comparitively not as great.

[alexg]

BeGoths sounds like a waste of ink and paper from your description alone Fred....

[fred]

I've been working on it a bit today in my downtime. I hope to finish it tonight or tomorrow. I'll be posting a link here and in my sig

[mikegraham6]

I just read the worst comic ever. I can't wait until this weekend when I have time to do a full dissection on it. It's horrifying.

Fred did you sneak a copy of wolverine origins back into your stack:rolleyes:

[fred]

no origins thank you

[iSteve]

no origins thank you

You're a better man than me. I bought Sensational Spider-Man this week.

[mikegraham6]

You're a better man than me. I bought Sensational Spider-Man this week.

C'mon iSteve, kick the habit man! I dropped Origins............still buying Wolverine though:(

[iSteve]

C'mon iSteve, kick the habit man! I dropped Origins............still buying Wolverine though:(

I try to be strong next month.

I'm still buying Wolvey too.

[fred]

I'm off Wolverine until at least 56

[iSteve]

52 Week Fifty

I loved this issue. Apart from the genocide, I love Black Adam being the central badass of the DCU. (I couldn’t keep Helen Reddy’s song out of my head – “You and Me Against the World.”) I couldn’t make up my mind about the art, however. I hated the two-page spread on pages 2-3 with the confrontation between Captain Marvel and Black Adam. But I dug the two-page spread with the JSA attacking BA. Does this issue of 52 mean that Booster Gold is cool again? (Was he ever cool before?) Nice touch at the end where Captain Marvel takes care of Black Adam by essentially changing his password.

[acomicbookgirl]

52 Week Fifty

I loved this issue. Apart from the genocide, I love Black Adam being the central badass of the DCU. (I couldn’t keep Helen Reddy’s song out of my head – “You and Me Against the World.”) I couldn’t make up my mind about the art, however. I hated the two-page spread on pages 2-3 with the confrontation between Captain Marvel and Black Adam. But I dug the two-page spread with the JSA attacking BA. Does this issue of 52 mean that Booster Gold is cool again? (Was he ever cool before?) Nice touch at the end where Captain Marvel takes care of Black Adam by essentially changing his password.


This was my favorite book in my stash... :D

[iSteve]

World War III Parts 1-4

While I did not love this, I found parts of it gratifying. I did like the idea of this being a self-contained series published on the same day. I just wish it had been more than filler. O.K. that’s not quite fair. Not filler – let’s call it an expanded story. This is the major weakness – it did not feel like a necessary story unto itself. I must admit I was confused when I read WW III Part One after 52 – the correct order I believed – and then wondered if it was. The sequential narrative with 52 was a little screwed-up, but eventually I made sense of it all. I liked the way it touched on many of the OYL stories – thought I will concede that it didn’t explain all that it should have or could have. Did not like viewing the story through the Martian Manhunter’s perspective. Did not dig the art for the most part.

[mikegraham6]

52 Week Fifty
Does this issue of 52 mean that Booster Gold is cool again? (Was he ever cool before?) Nice touch at the end where Captain Marvel takes care of Black Adam by essentially changing his password.

Geoff Johns is going to be writting his new (ongoing?) series. I've enjoyed the character enough in 52 to pick this series up for at least the first arc

[iSteve]

Mighty Avengers #2

If issues 1-2 are any indication, Mighty Avengers is going to be one of the best books Marvel puts out. Bendis’ writing is incomparable. I liked the continuation of team recruitment in this issue, while they’re confronting the big bad. Yes, I know Frank Cho is obsessed with mammary glands, but howdy-doody he draws pretty. Love his art. Ares is growing on me – could become an interesting character. The Sentry – not so much. Diggin’ Ms. Marvel as team leader. Thumbs up on the return and use of thought balloons – nice touch. Ultron as a Janet Pym look-alike was nicely done. This would have been my POW if Nightwing Annual had not come out.

[iSteve]

Brave and the Bold #3

I liked this book almost as much as Mighty Avengers. Yeah, the team-ups are a bit quirky, but both the writing and the art rock. To think I made fun of the pairing of Batman and Blue Beetle last month. Consider that caustic comment rescinded. It totally works. Loved the youthful insecurity of Blue Beetle and the positive mentoring of Batman. This is of course the new and improved Batman of OYL. A year ago, this pairing would not have worked. Dark, cynical Bats would have had BB for lunch. Mark Waid writes B&B with good humor and in a light-hearted fashion without it becoming corny. Dug the appearance of the Fatal Five. With Karate Kid in JLA, the 31st Century is alive and well in the DCU. I'm actually looking forward to see what kind of trouble Supergirl and Lobo can get in next issue.

[iSteve]

Nightwing Annual #2

I concur with Conor – this is the POW. It was an emotionally satisfying read. I am a sucker for a Robin/Nightwing and Batgirl/Oracle love story. This is exactly what an “annual” is supposed to be. Referencing existing stories, but telling a new one that can stand on its own. Conor nailed it when he said that Andreyko ought to be writing the regular Nightwing title. He “gets” Dick Grayson in a way few have. I loved the retelling of how Dick and Barbara’s relationship came about and evolved. I especially liked that the issue ended on a positive and open-ended note. My only bone to pick with this issue was the reference to Dick’s dick. Second grade humor. I’m not familiar with Joe Bennett, the artist, but his work in this issue was great. I hope to see more of him.

[paper]

Nice reviews, Steve. You really have your format down. Always a good read.

[iSteve]

Justice League of America #8

I enjoyed this issue, even though I did find parts of it hard to follow. Not nearly as clear a storyline as say the Mighty Avengers was. One thing the JLA could learn from the MA is to introduce/label all the players in the book. I couldn’t identify one or two of the characters – at least not easily. I liked the cross-over with the Justice Society (I always have). Though the art left something to be desired, I did appreciate the scene where Hawkgirl is stalking the Red Arrow, and the two-page spread of both teams together at the end of the book.

[iSteve]

Nice reviews, Steve. You really have your format down. Always a good read.

Thank you very much. I alway enjoy your posts as well. Very literate and well-thought-out.

[acomicbookgirl]

Justice League of America #8

I enjoyed this issue, even though I did find parts of it hard to follow. Not nearly as clear a storyline as say the Mighty Avengers was. One thing the JLA could learn from the MA is to introduce/label all the players in the book. I couldn’t identify one or two of the characters – at least not easily. I liked the cross-over with the Justice Society (I always have). Though the art left something to be desired, I did appreciate the scene where Hawkgirl is stalking the Red Arrow, and the two-page spread of both teams together at the end of the book.

I so loved that page. :) Loving the reviews Steve. :)

[mikegraham6]

i'll second that iSteve (third that???), i love all your reviews as well as Fred's it helps me find books i'd otherwise disregard

[iSteve]

Robin #161

While Robin maintained its usual consistency and quality, I must admit that I wasn’t blown away by this issue. Good on the whole, but not quite as good as the last couple have been. (The fight in the beginning went on just a tad too long, for example.) That said, it’s still one of the best books out. It’s the Ultimate Spider-Man of the DCU – more convinced of that than ever. I’m glad to see that his relationship with Batman continues to be referenced. It adds an extra dimension to the character and the story, without overshadowing either.

[iSteve]

Birds Of Prey #105

I’m a fan of Gail Simone’s work on this title and will be sad to see her leave. This was a good issue. Nice opening with the (fairly accurate) retelling of the story of the Russian mystic, Rasputin. The Birds are under-cover in Russia to steal a WMD from an evil organization. The Secret Six are their opponents. Fight/chase ensues. I’m lovin’ the new additions to the team: Big Barda, Manhunter, Hawkgirl, and Judomaster. If you aren’t yet a fan of the BoP, check out their Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_of_Prey_%28comic%29) or the weblog dedicated to them (http://www.canarynoir.com/sn/).

[alexg]

Nice reviews steve--I agree on all points...except about Nightwing because I haven't been able to find an issue yet! (GRRRRRRRRRR--sold out everywhere!)

I think you're point about Robin being the USM of DC is friggin dead on--great comparison. Even if this issue isn't spectacular, it's a damn sight better than a lot of the DC books I've read lately (I won't even rag on Aquaman, which yes, I bought, but still can't bring myself to read.)

Flash got on my nerves this week for some reason and I put it down and stopped reading twice. The story felt like just a bunch of filler scenes that needed to happen to get to the next big story moment in an issue or two

[jgg0610]

Just finished my books for the week and while 52 and WWIII weren't fantastic, I did enjoy them quite a bit.

My pick of the week is Might Avengers. Looking at the roster of characters in this book there is no logical reason I should like this book. The only character in here that I actively followed prior to this was Black Widow. I've never been a fan of Ms. Marvel and usually think Wonder Man is just stupid. However in the context of this book, they work. The only nitpick that I have about this book this week was in the art of the first two pages. On page one, Ares has a sword and on page two its suddenly an ax. It's a small thing I know but for some reason it hit me right away and had me flipping pages back and forth.

On this next one, I'm going to buck convention, I really enjoyed Brave and the Bold #3. This was the make or break issue for me. The art that I found annoying on the previous two issues seemed to work better here. Also, the interaction between Batman and the Blue Beetle was inspired. The part where the Blue Beetle is convinced that he's been fooled and is not with the real Batman was hillarious. The over-sexualization of Supergirl doesn't put me off the way it does some others.

The Spirit #5 was bound to happen sooner or later. Everybody has an off day and this must of been Cookes. While this wasn't a horrible issue by normal standards, it suffers in comparison to Cookes normal level of quality.

Dropped this week: MoonKnight and Super/Batman (until Greg Rucka comes on later this year)

[marshallg]

Mighty Avengers #2

If issues 1-2 are any indication, Mighty Avengers is going to be one of the best books Marvel puts out. Bendis’ writing is incomparable. I liked the continuation of team recruitment in this issue, while they’re confronting the big bad. Yes, I know Frank Cho is obsessed with mammary glands, but howdy-doody he draws pretty. Love his art. Ares is growing on me – could become an interesting character. The Sentry – not so much. Diggin’ Ms. Marvel as team leader. Thumbs up on the return and use of thought balloons – nice touch. Ultron as a Janet Pym look-alike was nicely done. This would have been my POW if Nightwing Annual had not come out.

I thought the issue was ok and I had a question concerning Iron Man and the current Marvel timeline. At this point we don't know where Tony is, so how can he show up in just about every other Marvel title if he's m.i.a.? Can anyone set me straight on this or am I just nitpicking?

[jgg0610]

Just dropped my LCS an email to put Nightwing Annual in my box. It sounds interesting.

[mikegraham6]

Just finished my books for the week and while 52 and WWIII weren't fantastic, I did enjoy them quite a bit.

My pick of the week is Might Avengers. Looking at the roster of characters in this book there is no logical reason I should like this book. The only character in here that I actively followed prior to this was Black Widow. I've never been a fan of Ms. Marvel and usually think Wonder Man is just stupid. However in the context of this book, they work. The only nitpick that I have about this book this week was in the art of the first two pages. On page one, Ares has a sword and on page two its suddenly an ax. It's a small thing I know but for some reason it hit me right away and had me flipping pages back and forth.

On this next one, I'm going to buck convention, I really enjoyed Brave and the Bold #3. This was the make or break issue for me. The art that I found annoying on the previous two issues seemed to work better here. Also, the interaction between Batman and the Blue Beetle was inspired. The part where the Blue Beetle is convinced that he's been fooled and is not with the real Batman was hillarious. The over-sexualization of Supergirl doesn't put me off the way it does some others.

The Spirit #5 was bound to happen sooner or later. Everybody has an off day and this must of been Cookes. While this wasn't a horrible issue by normal standards, it suffers in comparison to Cookes normal level of quality.

Dropped this week: MoonKnight and Super/Batman (until Greg Rucka comes on later this year)

Rucka is going to write Superman/Batman? awesome, i dropped it with this issue as well but i guess i've got something to look forward to.
I haven't read Brave and the Bold yet, but i'll buck convention as well and endorse X-men (yes, mike carey's x-men!) despite all the X-men hate, i've found the various arcs to be hit or miss. i really enjoyed the first one and the annual, but i couldn't stand the second. this third one seems to be pretty interesting and, while bachelo's art is chaotic, it does fit the situation taking place on the page. Plus it brings back a Grant Morrison concet fron New X-men and they automatically get points whenever they do something like that in my book. Not an amazing issue but definitely above average and elevated even more due the weakness of the previous arc

[alexg]

I haven't read Brave and the Bold yet, but i'll buck convention as well and endorse X-men (yes, mike carey's x-men!) despite all the X-men hate, i've found the various arcs to be hit or miss. i really enjoyed the first one and the annual, but i couldn't stand the second. this third one seems to be pretty interesting and, while bachelo's art is chaotic, it does fit the situation taking place on the page. Plus it brings back a Grant Morrison concet fron New X-men and they automatically get points whenever they do something like that in my book. Not an amazing issue but definitely above average and elevated even more due the weakness of the previous arc

Yes! I'm not the only one enjoying Adjectiveless. Carey is just not my favorite storyteller (Ultimate ff anyone? ggrrr) But I find myself both looking forward to X-men and enjoying it. The book is just out there visually, and I don't think in such a bad way. Here's a story that deals with modern issues mythically.

Edit: Rucka writing Batman again? I'm there.

[jgg0610]

[QUOTE=Mikegraham6;107968]Rucka is going to write Superman/Batman? awesome, /QUOTE]

Yes! He was on Wordballoon this week and just dropped that in with little explanation. I think its going to be six issues and I think he mentioned the artist. It wasn't somebody I recognized I don't think and it didn't stick with me.

[labor_days]

Just want to add my love of The Brave & the Bold. It's a lot of fun and moves briskly. I've been enjoying it since issue #1. Supergirl <3.

[acomicbookgirl]

Just want to add my love of The Brave & the Bold. It's a lot of fun and moves briskly. I've been enjoying it since issue #1. Supergirl <3.


Ok.. Can you help me out in regards to #3? It left me scratching my head.. :confused:

[alexg]

Ok.. Can you help me out in regards to #3? It left me scratching my head.. :confused:

yeah....I can't fault the quality of the pencils, but the sheer amount of detail sometimes makes my head hurt.

[acomicbookgirl]

yeah....I can't fault the quality of the pencils, but the sheer amount of detail sometimes makes my head hurt.

I don't have issues with the art.. Its the story that got me confused.. :(

[keithm]

I'll throw up my hand and admit that I've been loving Carey's X-men too. It's not great, but he uses cool characters and seems to have an idea of where he wants the book to go. It's just great to have writers(I'm including Brubaker) with vison again. The books just feel like they've been in kind of a holding pattern since Morrison left. Even events like HoM have done little to shake things up.

Also, Brave and Bold has been awesome. It's just good old school superhero fun. I like that Waid is willing to use newer character as well as established ones. Also, Perez's art is amazing, even by today's standards.

[labor_days]

Ok.. Can you help me out in regards to #3? It left me scratching my head.. :confused:
Sure. What was confusing?

edit: also the fatal five = total nerd-gasam

[acomicbookgirl]

Sure. What was confusing?

edit: also the fatal five = total nerd-gasam


The story confused me...

[fred]

Yes, I know Frank Cho is obsessed with mammary glands, but howdy-doody he draws pretty. Love his art.

I just really thought that was funny and wanted to quote it.

[fred]

One thing the JLA could learn from the MA is to introduce/label all the players in the book. I couldn’t identify one or two of the characters – at least not easily.

that would be awesome. it's a big team - they should acknowledge it better

[alexg]

How's this for Nerd-gasm, my good friend was friends with Waid and we visited his place when he lived in NY--I got to see the dude's collection first hand. An entire room filled with long boxes on racks four boxes high. Then there was the Flash shrine....

[fred]

yeah....I can't fault the quality of the pencils, but the sheer amount of detail sometimes makes my head hurt.


I don't have issues with the art.. Its the story that got me confused.. :(


I agree with both of you and as a result it's OUT

[alexg]

Is it worth tracking down back issues of Cable/Deadpool? Were the recent issues as wacky as this most recent one? This issue left me hungry for more, but at the same time, I felt like it wrapped up a lot of previous continuity that maybe I don't need to know...

[fred]

There isn't much continuity really and the recap page is always very robust

however, I've been reading it since 29 or 30 and it's been great since then. the last 5 are excellent

edit: I should rephrase that a bit
there is continuity but they do explain a lot and the story is so absurd that it doesn't matter to me if I don't get it - I just wait for the next laugh

[alexg]

There isn't much continuity really and the recap page is always very robust

however, I've been reading it since 29 or 30 and it's been great since then. the last 5 are excellent

edit: I should rephrase that a bit
there is continuity but they do explain a lot and the story is so absurd that it doesn't matter to me if I don't get it - I just wait for the next laugh

Cool, might be worth checking out then. Deadpool is such a nutjob. Ultimate Deadpool really got on my nerves, I actually like this one more.

The Aquaman masochism is over. I can't bear to pick up another issue.
WW is dropped until the next arc...Brave and Bold is on the fence...oof pairing the pull list down.

[conorkilpatrick]

How's this for Nerd-gasm, my good friend was friends with Waid and we visited his place when he lived in NY--I got to see the dude's collection first hand. An entire room filled with long boxes on racks four boxes high. Then there was the Flash shrine....

Check this out. (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9387) Mark Waid's work room.

[alexg]

Check this out. (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9387) Mark Waid's work room.

He live in California now?

Edit: duh--answered in link.

[fred]

Cool, might be worth checking out then. Deadpool is such a nutjob. Ultimate Deadpool really got on my nerves, I actually like this one more.

The Aquaman masochism is over. I can't bear to pick up another issue.
WW is dropped until the next arc...Brave and Bold is on the fence...oof pairing the pull list down.

I've been dropping stuff left and right. I think I've dropped like 10 titles in the last 2 or 3 months. B&B went that way this week and Drain followed it.

Ultimate Deadpool was ok for me but it's not the same. I've honestly not read too much of him before the last year and I don't know that it would be any good with a different writer. His version of the Deadpool voice is hysterical.

[keithm]

that would be awesome. it's a big team - they should acknowledge it better



JSA desperately needs something like this. Johns does a decent job, but with these many characters, it gets overwhelming. In all four of the new issues it is never adressed who Obsidian is. I gave the issues to one of my friends and he thought it was an enemy spying on the team.

[alexg]

Unfortunately I feel like I'm pickin up books as fast as I drop em.

New X-men, Cable/Deadpool, now shortage of new goodness to enjoy.

[fred]

Unfortunately I feel like I'm pickin up books as fast as I drop em.

New X-men, Cable/Deadpool, now shortage of new goodness to enjoy.

I know what you mean. I've been averaging about 15/week despite all the drops.

[alexg]

JSA desperately needs something like this. Johns does a decent job, but with these many characters, it gets overwhelming. In all four of the new issues it is never adressed who Obsidian is. I gave the issues to one of my friends and he thought it was an enemy spying on the team.

I think I'd rather have a summary page or character bio page in DC books as opposed to Dan Didio's pithy comments every month.

[fred]

JSA desperately needs something like this. Johns does a decent job, but with these many characters, it gets overwhelming. In all four of the new issues it is never adressed who Obsidian is. I gave the issues to one of my friends and he thought it was an enemy spying on the team.

I have this really weird double-standard when it comes to JSA. I read it and I love it but damned if I could explain what's going on. I have no background on most of the characters and really no tangible idea who a few of them are. I can't find enough good things to say about it though despite all these things.

[fred]

I think I'd rather have a summary page or character bio page in DC books as opposed to Dan Didio's pithy comments every month.

seconded - I read recap pages religiously. There are books that sometimes ship issues two weeks apart and I still read them. The DC Nation page - never read it in my life

[alexg]

seconded - I read recap pages religiously. There are books that sometimes ship issues two weeks apart and I still read them. The DC Nation page - never read it in my life

Yep, I read em too. I can't keep all this continuity in my head week to week.
And recap pages make it really easy for me to pick up new books without being utterly lost. Sometimes a few signposts are all you need to enjoy the issue.

There was a DC Nation in Italian recently. Hah Didio, very funny, thanks for reminding me that I'm an idiot because I can't read Italian.

[keithm]

I used to read the DC nation column just to see what he had to say, but a few months back there was one with a bunch of photos of people I neither know nor care about. The column never even expalined it, even if I did care.

I do read recap pages regularly. Some writers even make them entertaining. PAD's in X-factor are always fun. The one in Cable/Deadpool can be entertaining. When Gail was writing Deadpool/Anget X the recap page could sometimes be the highlight of the book. In fact, sometimes I wish trades would include recap pages, in the back as not to break up the story of course. When a creator really puts thought into it, it can be something kinda fun.

[labor_days]

The story confused me...
The whole story? The basic run down is thus...

One of the aliens Batman & GL were tracking down was trying to pawn off a "probability cannon" to a major arms dealer of exotic weapons. Batman having met up with Blue Beetle in the desert (where they were attacked earlier by these aliens), tracked down this major arms dealer.

Supergirl is stranded after GL went off to stop the other alien dude. Nobody wants to help her because she won a fight they all bet against. Supergirl soon solicits Lobo's help to try and get back home. She flashes her...um, "S". Lobo agrees to help Supergirl.

The Fatal Five, 31st century goons, show up at the arms dealer's mansion at the same time Batman & BB do. Everybody wants the advanced weapon. Everybody fights.

The end.

[fred]

why's it always the 31st century?

[acomicbookgirl]

Unfortunately I feel like I'm pickin up books as fast as I drop em.

I'm with you on that... I've got to cut back though..

[acomicbookgirl]

The whole story? The basic run down is thus...

One of the aliens Batman & GL were tracking down was trying to pawn off a "probability cannon" to a major arms dealer of exotic weapons. Batman having met up with Blue Beetle in the desert (where they were attacked earlier by these aliens), tracked down this major arms dealer.

Supergirl is stranded after GL went off to stop the other alien dude. Nobody wants to help her because she won a fight they all bet against. Supergirl soon solicits Lobo's help to try and get back home. She flashes her...um, "S". Lobo agrees to help Supergirl.

The Fatal Five, 31st century goons, show up at the arms dealer's mansion at the same time Batman & BB do. Everybody wants the advanced weapon. Everybody fights.

The end.

Thanks! :) Morning guys..

[jgg0610]

Good morning as well.

Thanks for the link on the studio tour of Waid's place. It was very interesting. Now I have pictures to show the wife when she starts to complain about my hobby room in the future.:D

[acomicbookgirl]

After seeing that link, I need a bigger room.. :(

[jgg0610]

Maybe we should start a thread where every one can show pictures of their "Comic Space"?

[acomicbookgirl]

Mine is not so decorative.. :( Plus, its a mess... My desk at work is spotless with little trinkets here and there but my room needs to be cleaned big time..

[jgg0610]

Mine is not so decorative.. :( Plus, its a mess... My desk at work is spotless with little trinkets here and there but my room needs to be cleaned big time..
I completely understand. My looks like a tornado goes through every Wednesday afternoon and then I spend an hour or two every Sunday afternoon filing everything that I've read in the past week and straightening up for the next week. Thanks to this place, that time on Sunday keeps growing.

[acomicbookgirl]

I'll probably take some pics of my desk sometime... As for my room? Eventually... Its a good idea though.. :)

[labor_days]

why's it always the 31st century?Apparently, the 31st century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_century) is a tumultuous time. :rolleyes:

[pv_2]

Finally got to the Brave and the Bold, and it certainly met its previously established expectations for fun-having and, well, also Supergirl sexualizing (when does a writer's joke become not a joke and a fixation?), which is to say all-in-all, I'm on the "I liked it 'side of the discussion. B+

But, about that insert - that looks nothing like Cal Ripken Jr., and he hasn't had that much hair since like '89.

[iSteve]

Apparently, the 31st century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_century) is a tumultuous time. :rolleyes:

Great link. Thanks.

[fred]

Apparently, the 31st century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_century) is a tumultuous time. :rolleyes:

Wow - Del The Funky Homosapien has a wiki page


holeeee crap

[fred]

Finally got to the Brave and the Bold, and it certainly met its previously established expectations for fun-having and, well, also Supergirl sexualizing (when does a writer's joke become not a joke and a fixation?), which is to say all-in-all, I'm on the "I liked it 'side of the discussion. B+

But, about that insert - that looks nothing like Cal Ripken Jr., and he hasn't had that much hair since like '89.

Me: that was probably the worst ad ever
Kip Dynamite: There's no way you could possibly know that Fred

[iSteve]

Me: that was probably the worst ad ever
Kip Dynamite: There's no way you could possibly know that Fred

Yeah, hated the Cal Ripken Jr. ad too.

[labor_days]

Yeah, that ad sucked. But I sure wish I had some big league chew right about now...

Wow - Del The Funky Homosapien has a wiki page
Of course, his work with Gorillaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School and Deltron have risen his status over the last 2 or 3 years.

[fred]

I was unaware that he was still working

[mikegraham6]

I think I'd rather have a summary page or character bio page in DC books as opposed to Dan Didio's pithy comments every month.

I agree, DC is in desperate need of a summary page, does anyone even read Didio's comments?

[iSteve]

Cable & Deadpool #39

This is the first time I’ve read this comic. I let Fred talk me into buying it. I didn’t know what the @#$% was going on for most of the issue, but loved the humor – some whacky fun. I may give it another try next issue.

Ex Machina #27

Was a bit confused at first. Too long since the last regular issue – I had forgotten the plot. Soon caught up to speed and enjoyed the story. Looks like we are going to have some big reveals next issue regarding the origin of Mitchell Hundred’s powers.

Flash the Fastest Man Alive #11

This has definitely improved since Guggenheim took over. But thus far, it hasn’t improved enough for me to put it back on my pull list. It’s still on an issue-to-issue basis with me. Interesting that Bart chose to give up his secret identity as the end.

Spirit #5

Apart from the “Vulture-love” reference, I enjoyed this issue. I agree with others who said it wasn’t up to Cooke’s usual standard, but thought it was good nonetheless. The cover art has really grown on me.

Ultimate Spider-Man #108

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last two issues. I felt somewhat ambivalent over the Ultimate Moon Knight mental health storyline. The school violence angle was a bit awkward given the context, but that couldn’t be helped.

X-23 Target X #5

I like this series. It’s not deep, but has been satisfying to read. She’s an interesting character.

X-Factor #18

Plot summary at the beginning not as funny as usual. Layla Miller’s directions to the team were great. Layla’s my favorite character in this series. She really does know stuff.

Still to Read… (Hopefully Today)

Anita Blake VH Guilty Pleasures #6
Conan #39
Ultimate X-Men #81
X-Men #198

[iSteve]

I agree, DC is in desperate need of a summary page, does anyone even read Didio's comments?

Only once in a blue moon...

[labor_days]

I loved the fight between X-23 and Kimura in the basement. That was nicely done. Had a real sense of desperation to the fight. It was good.

Eh, I might move over to reading X-factor in trade soon. It's good and do enjoy it. Just lately I haven't been as eager to read X-factor week in/week out. You guys feel me here?

Conan and Red Sonja were fun too. X-men, less so. :-(


edit: Put me down in favor of the DC summary page. Every ongoing should have them.

[iSteve]

Put me down in favor of the DC summary page. Every ongoing should have them.

Yeah, I'm also down for a DC summary page.

[jgg0610]

Count me as another vote for the summary page. When I got back into comics a few years ago the summary page was what made it so much easier. Just to be honest though, I do read Dan Didio's comments every week.

[fred]

Eh, I might move over to reading X-factor in trade soon. It's good and do enjoy it. Just lately I haven't been as eager to read X-factor week in/week out. You guys feel me here?

I'm getting that way with some books. Ex Machina is an example, but X-Factor usually gets read first or second every month. PAD has only let me down once in 18 issues.

[fred]

Cable & Deadpool #39

This is the first time I’ve read this comic. I let Fred talk me into buying it. I didn’t know what the @#$% was going on for most of the issue, but loved the humor – some whacky fun. I may give it another try next issue.


I'm glad you like it. I've gotten a few people to try it recently and it seems to be going over well.


Spirit #5

Apart from the “Vulture-love” reference, I enjoyed this issue. I agree with others who said it wasn’t up to Cooke’s usual standard, but thought it was good nonetheless. The cover art has really grown on me.


I've been thinking more about this. I think that the Vulture thing was cheap and I expect a lot from cooke. I think other writers could've gotten away with it(with me anyway).


Ultimate Spider-Man #108

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last two issues. I felt somewhat ambivalent over the Ultimate Moon Knight mental health storyline. The school violence angle was a bit awkward given the context, but that couldn’t be helped.



I've been thinking more on the MK thing too. I still feel strongly that it's a missed opporunity. Bendis could've made him interesting but instead he made him the same confusing hackneyed character that we have in 616.


X-23 Target X #5

I like this series. It’s not deep, but has been satisfying to read. She’s an interesting character.


how did you feel about the wolverine angle? I can't get past it. I feels inherently redundant and AGAIN(sorry) cheap



X-Factor #18

Plot summary at the beginning not as funny as usual. Layla Miller’s directions to the team were great. Layla’s my favorite character in this series. She really does know stuff.



Layla rocks

Anita Blake VH Guilty Pleasures #6
I'm glad that I stuck with this. I nearly dropped it with the giant rat bullshit in #3(I think).

[mikegraham6]

I've been thinking more on the MK thing too. I still feel strongly that it's a missed opporunity. Bendis could've made him interesting but instead he made him the same confusing hackneyed character that we have in 616.

Some would argue that Moon knights mental problems are the crux of the character, elevating him from a mere batman clone to an interesting and original marvel hero (but hey i wouldn't know, i dont even read moon knight:D)

[fred]

some probably would argue that but I would argue that this is what keeps mk from being 'a big star'

[paper]

Mental problems make for a great comics character.

"I AM THE VOID!!! THE HORROR!!!!"

"Bob. Chill. "

[fred]

boo hiss no void

[iSteve]

I just read (adjectiveless) X-Men #197-198. Love the storyline "Condition Critical" with Cable. Mike Carey is growing on me as a writer in this series. And I am truly diggin' Chris Bachalo's art.

[fred]

Bachalo is at least not ramos

[iSteve]

Bachalo is at least not ramos

But the thing is - he reminds me of Ramos, only better.

[fred]

not for me
I don't like him but not nearly as much

[conorkilpatrick]

Bachalo wishes he was Ramos.

[fred]

you just say that shit to piss me off

bachalo is terrible as well, just not as terrible

[jgg0610]

Choosing Bachalo vs. Ramos art is like someone asking you what exact shade of brown do you want your poop to be. There's no good answer.

[acomicbookgirl]

haven't seen Ramos' stuff but Bachalo is just outright awful! Awful!

[iSteve]

It's interesting how one person's art is another person's piece of crap.

I'm amazed at how divergent our views are here on what constitutes good art. We seem to have an easier time agreeing on writers than on artists.

[fred]

Choosing Bachalo vs. Ramos art is like someone asking you what exact shade of brown do you want your poop to be. There's no good answer.

[EDITED FOR JOKES ABOUT PEANUTS AND CORN]

you may have a point