Fred's This Week In Comics 6/6/07 *Now with extra beak

[fred]

This was a very mixed week. Some of my books were great. Daredevil Battlin' Jack Murdock #1 and Countdown #47 fought it out for Book of the Week and Daredevil Battlin' Jack Murdock #1 won. DC took Publisher of the Week honors. Then there were some really shitty books. New Warriors #1 and Invincible #42 fought like dogs on the lawn over the title of Shit Book of the Week until I turned the hose on them and declared New Warriors #1 the winner.

Marvel
Marvel had a C+/B- average this week. They had both the Book of the Week in Daredevil Battlin' Jack Murdock #1 and the Shit Book of the Week in New Warriors #1.

Daredevil Battlin' Jack Murdock #1 - This was awesome. I love it. If this issue is any indication, this mini tells the story of Matt Murdock's early life up to and including the death of his father from the viewpoint of Matt's father Battlin' Jack Murdock. It looks like Zeb Wells has some interesting thoughts and a rich field of ideas from which he has the chance to craft an excellent story. I'm intrigued by the possiblities of this. I'm honestly intrigued by their relationship in general. Specifically, I'm interested in the similarities between the two of them and how Jack shaped Matt into the man without fear.
The art by Carmine Di Giandomenico was excellent as well. A+

New Warriors #1 - Holy flippin' donkey wang! Someone really knows how to make me vow to never again read a book! That's right Kevin Grevioux, I'm talking about you. This was horrid. Seriously, floggings should be going on right now.

Let's get to the problems. I nearly closed the book, went upstairs, piled all my comics in a heap, and burned them when I saw the day-glo New Warriors tag that they left for the police. The writing was hacky. The dialogue brought out performances that were less convincing than that of a heroin-addicted porn star with the shakes. So, needless to say I was bored and agitated.

And then the mother****ing kicker happened. The handsome guy that Sofia had a date with? Yeah, it was mother****ing Barnell Bohusk. Yeah, that one. AKA Beak from Grant Morrison's New X-Men. Apparently he lost his powers in House of M(not that I can recall him having powers outside of making people lose their breakfast) and became Hot Guy - leader of the new new New Warriors.

The art also sucked. Bite me. Never again. F

Avengers Initiative #3 - I didn't really like this. I didn't hate it either though. It was ok. It certainly wasn't as good as either of the first two. I don't care about Komodo. I really don't. She's not interesting to me. Also, the pro-reg people just seem like bigger ****heads with every passing moment. It's beginning to feel a bit too asymmetrical. C-

Ms. Marvel #16 - This was really fun. I enjoyed it. This is a cool story and I'm excited to see where it goes. A

Omega Flight #3 - This wasn't all that good, I didn't like it. I'm torn as to whether or not to keep going. It's only a mini. D+

Punisher MAX #48 - This was great. I really like this story. This is the first arc that hasn't been 6 issues. I think that it will end in 7 next month. I really want to see how this ends. It looks like it might be great. A

DC
DC was Publisher of the Week with a B+ average.

Countdown #47 - I've been so excited for Countdown every week and it has been paying off. This issue was certainly no exception. I was happy to see a bit less Jimmy Olsen than there has been. The Olsen stuff has actually been good, but it's nice to have a bit of a break. The Marvel family stuff is awesome. I don't see myself getting enough of it anytime soon. I'm glad that Mary Marvel has powers again. I wish that Black Adam hadn't given his powers to her but I'm sure that he'll eventually get them back. The multiverse backstory still kicks ass. I loved the Rogues stuff. I really dug the interaction between Trickster and the Pied Piper. The parts with the Monitors voting and debating was awesome. I really liked that a lot. This is the part of the storyline I really don't expect much from typically but I've been enjoying the hell out it.

Questions:
1) Who is Holly Robinson? Was she in fact on 21 Jump Street?
2) Why do all of the monitors have mutton chops?
3) If all of the monitors basically look the same, why is one of them a cyclops?

The art was serviceable. A+

Detective Comics #833 - I don't know what to say about this one. It had it moments. I guess that it was more good than bad. The story is kind of good and I'm interested in seeing where it goes next month. That being said, there were some things that took me out of the story. Is Gordon still the Police Commisioner? If so, why's he still interrogating suspects/interviewing witnesses? I don't really buy that. Also, there were some moments where the dialogue and narration got a bit sketchy. For instance, in Batman's narration he says: "I hope you still feel that way when you're the victim punk." That's just hacky and I expect more from Paul Dini. Also annoying, Loxias' shirt had an angry squinting happy face with bloody bullett hole in the forehead. Does the artist (Kramer) still live in the early '90s? I haven't seen one of those since then. (It may have been a Watchmen thing as Josh mentioned in his review but I immediately associated it with the other phenomenon) I don't know about this one. C-

Scalped #6 - This gets a bit better each month. It's really beginning to come together. I like it, I'm impressed, and I await #7 eagerly. A-

Image
Image had a below average week with a D+/C- average.

Invincible #42 - This issue only cost 1.99, and I still feel ripped off. That's odd enough. Even more odd though is the fact that I can't really recall feeling this about Invincible, or any Kirkman book for that matter, before. This was advertised as "New Reader Friendly". It wasn't just new reader friendly, it was totally unnecessary. It was a ****ing ashcan that Kirkman and Image had the nerve to charge me for. There's the lightest excuse for a story that you could possibly imagine. It was entirely retarded. The worst part was that it took FOREVER to read it because of all of the exposition. I like it when a comic takes a bit of time to read, but this was boring.

Kiss my ass Kirkman. If you want to promote your book, don't charge me for it. Stop being an asshole and put out a free ashcan. F

Strange Girl #17 - Mixed results this week. This is the first time that I've even been moderately unhappy with an issue. I saw the news today that this series is ending at #18. This was the second to last issue. I feel like they tried to wrap things up too quickly here. I feel like too much happened, and it happened to fast, and that maybe there wasn't enough reverence paid to the things that happened. It was still good overall though.

I guess that this is how it goes though when a book sells like 3,000 copies a month. You all know how much I love this book and how incessantly I've promoted it. It's ending, and I am truly sad tonight. B

Dark Horse
Dark Horse had a rather low week as far as Dark Horse weeks have gone for me lately. Their average was a B.

Buffy #4 - This was pretty good. I liked it. It was a bit weak compared to some of the previous issues. I felt like the story was a bit choppy. It jumped around, or felt like it did, a bit more than I would've liked. It was still better than most things that come out in a month. It just wasn't as awesome as usual. The art was pretty(with small odd spots) as usual. B

I also had 2 more books and I don't expect them to affect weekly honors outcomes. I'm exhausted. I'll post them tomorrow.

[acomicbookgirl]

Nice reviews Fred..

I felt underwhelmed with Marvel this week..

[paper]

Holly Robinson was the replacement Catwoman.

Avengers the Initiative and Countdown...I keep going back and forth on them. One of those is my POW. I always post my pick on the main site and then reconsider.

[fred]

Nice reviews Fred..

I felt underwhelmed with Marvel this week..

thanks. both of my remaining books are Marvel. They're Dark Tower (which is good but always takes forever to read) and UXM.

[jimski]

Avengers Initiative #3 - I didn't really like this. I didn't hate it either though. It was ok. It certainly wasn't as good as either of the first two. I don't care about Komodo. I really don't. She's not interesting to me. Also, the pro-reg people just seem like bigger ****heads with every passing moment.

They do, but I think the fact that they are treated like tools in the book that's named after them is pretty great. There was a Hulk/Thing fight when I was a kid that crossed over between the FF's book and the Hulk's book. One of them was #350, can't remember which one. Anyway, part I happened in the Hulk's book, and Hulk cleaned Thing's frickin' clock. Literally put him in the hospital. In part II in FF, Ben woke up in the hospital, got mad, and went and cleaned Hulk's clock now that he was in his own book again. That's the way these things usually go, so it's refreshing to me when the guest star beats the title characters. Especially when I'm reading Avengers: Fascist Stormtrooper Teen Squad.

[fred]

Holly Robinson was the replacement Catwoman.

Avengers the Initiative and Countdown...I keep going back and forth on them. One of those is my POW. I always post my pick on the main site and then reconsider.

So then she wasn't on 21 Jumpstreet? I think that I like it less now. I'm definitely glad I picked Battlin' Jack Murdock then.

Seriously, Countdown was great. Absent the actual choice, it would've been the one.

[acomicbookgirl]

I read Dark Tower. Liked the art.

[acomicbookgirl]

So then she wasn't on 21 Jumpstreet?

I think she was..

[fred]

They do, but I think the fact that they are treated like tools in the book that's named after them is pretty great. There was a Hulk/Thing fight when I was a kid that crossed over between the FF's book and the Hulk's book. One of them was #350, can't remember which one. Anyway, part I happened in the Hulk's book, and Hulk cleaned Thing's frickin' clock. Literally put him in the hospital. In part II in FF, Ben woke up in the hospital, got mad, and went and cleaned Hulk's clock now that he was in his own book again. That's the way these things usually go, so it's refreshing to me when the guest star beats the title characters. Especially when I'm reading Avengers: Fascist Stormtrooper Teen Squad.

The thing for me is that I could accept that my guys lost. Civil War is over and I don't feel the need to keep ideologically fighting it. But the thing is ...

heroes don't
1) work with nazis
2) cover up the deaths of children
3) fire admantium darts into real heroes to depower them
4) launch a ****ing children's crusade
5) capture good guys while the bad guys get away

I can get past it (at least while I'm reading) if the story is good. This one though, not so special.

[fred]

I read Dark Tower. Liked the art.

The art is always AMAZING in it. Richard Isanove is in a class by himself as far as colorists go.

[paper]

I liked Battlin' Jack, but I'm not sure that I need to buy the whole mini series. I mean, we know how it ends, right. I agree with all your points though. There's some great storytelling opportunity there. Just not my bag.

So....Uncanny X-Men....always nice to check in with those guys for the beginning of an arc. I'll pop in again in another 5 issues I guess.....

[fred]

I liked Battlin' Jack, but I'm not sure that I need to buy the whole mini series. I mean, we know how it ends, right. I agree with all your points though. There's some great storytelling opportunity there. Just not my bag.


I think that it was pretty obvious when the shipping list came out that this would be my pick right? I am nothing if not consistent.

Also, some people say that I'm too positive.



(No they don't)




(ever)

[paper]

No, I figured this was the big book remaining in the stack from earlier when I brought up Countdown. And it's kinda like variations on a theme with the Wildcat book from last week.

What else did I read...

Buffy was good. The artist has a storytelling problem I think. I spend way too much time staring at panels trying to figure out who's who and what exactly happened between panels. Choppy's a good word for it. Xander, I am now convinced, was made for comics. He's probably the most successful transplant from tv to comic.

"On my mark, Pina Colada!"

[fred]

This was overall a good issue of Buffy. It was weak in comparison to 1-3 though. Xander is the man. He was always one of my favorite things about the show and now he's one of my favorite things about the comic.

[paper]

I had New Warriors #1 in my hand. I put it back at the last second.

It kind of sounds so bad that I wish I hadn't.

[fred]

I had New Warriors #1 in my hand. I put it back at the last second.

It kind of sounds so bad that I wish I hadn't.

It was so bad that it will never be a part of yourcomicsucks. I refuse to read it again. you dodged a bullet my friend.

Marvel should've labeled this one like a box of mothballs.

http://www.tinyfootprints.org/eco_healthy_homes/Mr_Yuck-sm.jpg

[paper]

It's kind of interesting. Does Countdown improve when it doesn't include 'alternate angles' to scenes from other books?

This issue seemed to be more like a 52, only really containing stories from it's regular cache of subplots. Except for Amazons Attack, but that was just the end.

[fred]

and 21 Jump Street (but that was just me)

I'm not sure what the real answer to that is. I don't mind the interconnectedness. Sometimes, I really like it. I've taken it as a bit of a cue to get into more DC stuff. For instance, TT is tied into Countdown and Amazons Attack. Countdown and Amazons Attack are tied in. Wonder Woman is tied into Amazons Attack. In the last 24 hours, I got caught up on TT (loved 47 by the way) and Wonder Woman and read Amazons Attack (which I hadn't planned on reading). They were all great and they all enhanced the experience of the others. I don't know that any of them felt really necessary to enjoy the others though.

[paper]

I know, I don't mind the interconnectedness. I'm reading those books anyway. I've put down stakes in DC land now. I'm just saying....the storylines that are set up as being unique to Countdown are a little more interesting than seeing a deleted scene from the Lightning Saga or Duela Dent's funeral (which I'd argue is more a part of Teen Titans than Countdown, or at least it's a mutual scene and not one of the core Countdown scenes.)

[fred]

yeah, I seriously agree about the Karate Kid shit. I really don't care about him at all. The Lightning Saga has been such a disappointment.

How is there not a Black Adam book? Is it just us? Does nobody else care? I get that most people (or at least not enough) don't care about Wildcat, but goddamn Black Adam is fascinating.

[mastap]

I think Adam is getting a mini later in the summer

[humphrey-lee]

Only read stuff off the shelf so far, and my copy of Black Summer #0. Battlin' Jack might have been the most superfluous (I really just wanted to use that word again today) thing I've seen forever. It's a backstory that really doesn't need to be told, mainly because it's been told about a dozen times and by better. Countdown continues to awe me with its utter mediocrity and apparent disregard to get an artist that barely registers more than competent. And Black Summer apparently has a humongous set of balls on it since it has a picture of the deceased President of the US right on the front of it. Story is pretty goddamn insane, but the art has some glaring ugly parts to it. Hope that doesn't hurt it in the end because it really does have the potential to be something special, and in a "one for the ages" kind of way...

[keithm]

Geez, what a bad week.

I completely agree that New Warriors was complete crap. The dialouge was absolutely horrendous. The charaterization of Sophia was all wrong. And I think that with this whole Beak/Barney fiasco, Marvel has officially eradicated all evidence of Morrison's run.

Uncanny was kinda meh. I'll give it another issue to see if the story interests me. Also, Salvador's new style is...uh...well I'm really not sure how I feel about it. It was definately jarring when I realized it was him.

Even Buffy, which was ok, was definately a step down from its usual greatness. It jumped around way too much and I was really lost for much of the issue.

Two quick questions about this issue though. I only watched the show sporadically, so am I supposed to know who the skinless guy is? What about the crazy magic giant women?

The high point of the week was The Initiative. The art and writing have been consistantly great. The new characters are starting to really interest me. The whole pro-registration=asshole thing doesn't bother me. Marvel's always been about shades of grey in their characters. They are known for having villains that are sympathetic, and almost come off as heroic, so why shouldn't they have heroes who come off dark?

One last question about Countdown, the scene between the Piper and Trickster. Are one or both of them gay?

[acomicbookgirl]

How is there not a Black Adam book? Is it just us? Does nobody else care? I get that most people (or at least not enough) don't care about Wildcat, but goddamn Black Adam is fascinating.

There's a mini-series coming out. Its in this month's Previews. :)

[kwok_talk]

The good doctor is here to check out the health of this week's comics, with Avengers: Initiative #3 sharing the pick of the week. Uncanny X-men #487 is the crap of the week. Take a deep breath and we'll begin the examination.

Countdown #47 - After a temporary slowdown last issue, the plotlines pick back up with some good action (Mary Marvel getting her powers back, Trickster and Piper explaining their motives) and a new plotline as well (I learned who Holly Robinson was). While I'm not a huge fan of the Amazons Attack crossover at the end, hopefully this issue was a good sign that the series is back on track after falling flat last issue. My only complaint was the art, which was really bad at some points. Diagnosis: Minor dehydration. Grade: B

Omega Flight #3 - About freaking time Beta Ray Bill came into play (even though I'm not sure exactly how). There's only two issues left and it seems like a whole lot hasn't happened and Guardian is almost becoming the team's Penance (whiny guilty one). Not a fan of the art. I feel like I'm finishing this series out of obligation just to complete the issues. Diagnosis: Obsessive compulsive. Grade: C

Daredevil: Battlin' Jack Murdock #1 - Wowsers! Love the cartooney art and look into Matt Murdock's not so proud papa. The one page of him clutching his newfound son was touching. Co-pick of the week. Diagnosis: Clean bill of health. Grade: A-

Jonah Hex #20 - This issues started off so good, with Jonah freakishly using a vulture's head to cut rope. Then the story jumped around too much for it's own good and ultimately resolved with not much sense of why or point. This is coming close to being dropped. Diagnosis: Schizophrenia. Grade: B-

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #4 - The last page where Buffy says "Oh...Kay" is pretty much how I felt about this issue. There was a lot of fun action, but the story seemed a little unfocused. Unless the rest of the arc improves, I'm probably dropping this when the story ends. I've liked the art less and less with each issue, sometimes having a hard time figuring out who the character is. Diagnosis: Vertigo. Grade: C

Avengers Initiative #3 - I really love how this book is turning out and possibly could be my favorite Avengers book out currently. Slott is doing a great job balancing a huge cast of characters (though I'd love to see more of Cloud 9) and the art is great. The Spidey interaction was predictable, but still fun to see, while growing Komodo a bit as a character that I actually care for now. Diagnosis: Clean bill of health. Grade: A

Marvel Zombies: Army of Darkness #4 - Ugh. While I was looking forward to the visit with Doom, the jokes and such didn't seem to hold up and the superficial nature of this book is teetering the line between campy fun and just silly. (The cylons reference totally took me out of the book.) I hope the next issue brings back the magic that had me in love with the series when it first started. Diagnosis: Degeneration. Grade: C

Uncanny X-men #487 - Worst book of the week. Brubaker may have better things at the end of the arc (Magneto's return foreshadowed), but nothing really stood out in the story so far for me. I have been a huge fan of Larroca's art on previous X-titles, but it was horrible here and I feel like he was trying too hard to match Brubaker's darker tone. The art felt like a series of oil paintings. The only thing saving it from an F is that Vulcan didn't show up. Diagnosis: Botulism. Grade: D-

New Warriors #1 - While I'm not totally sold on having this title, the story was fun enough to keep me on for the next issue. The surprise return of Beak was a nice plus. Fun ride so far, but we'll wait to see if I stay with this book. Diagnosis: Clean bill of health. Grade: B+

[fred]

I think Adam is getting a mini later in the summer

that's cool. I hope so

[kwok_talk]

that's cool. I hope so

I think it will cover how he got his powers back (?) I like BA, but I worry about him being too overexposed.

[fred]

One last question about Countdown, the scene between the Piper and Trickster. Are one or both of them gay?

I think that Piper is.

[fred]

nice reviews kwok

[fred]

I think it will cover how he got his powers back (?) I like BA, but I worry about him being too overexposed.

Hopefully they'll be able to walk that line. I'm excited for this.

[kwok_talk]

I think that Piper is.

Is that new?

[fred]

Piper and the Rogues are almost totally new to me so I have no idea.

[kwok_talk]

nice reviews kwok

Thank you sir. Enjoyed yours, like always. I always get a kick to find out which issues you and I totally disagreed upon.

[kwok_talk]

Did you read UXM? Is that one still left to read?

[fred]

I've been a bit baffled by all of the Initiative love. The big huh?what? though was your review of New Warriors. I'm glad you liked it. I .. um .. didn't .. like .. it .. so much.

[fred]

Did you read UXM? Is that one still left to read?

yes. That's the only one now. Which reminds me.

Dark Tower #5 - This was good. I liked it. I'm enjoying this story. The art is magnificient. Jae Lee is doing great work on the pencils and Richard Isanove is literally a better colorist than anyone working today. A-

[kwok_talk]

I've been a bit baffled by all of the Initiative love. The big huh?what? though was your review of New Warriors. I'm glad you liked it. I .. um .. didn't .. like .. it .. so much.

HAHA, you're definitely not alone in that thought. For me, a lot of enjoyment is had based upon expectations. NW had like none, so it was a pleasant surprise. Initiative also had the least out of all the Avengers books, so I think it has that working for it.

Also, my reviews are generally based upon first readings. Sometimes things even out a bit more after a second reading.

[paper]

Even Buffy, which was ok, was definately a step down from its usual greatness. It jumped around way too much and I was really lost for much of the issue.

Two quick questions about this issue though. I only watched the show sporadically, so am I supposed to know who the skinless guy is? What about the crazy magic giant women?

The skinless guy is Adam, the leader of the three nerds of the apocalypse from season 6 onwards. He's the guy that accidentally shot Tara. When Willow went dark after that, she hunted him down, bound him to a tree and "flayed" him.

Now if someone wants to explain what happened to him right after that, let me know. That part of the book was confusing.

[fred]

Now if someone wants to explain what happened to him right after that, let me know. That part of the book was confusing.

I'm pretending that whole part of the book didn't exist. It was Buffy, Buffy, Xander, Xander, darkness, Willow has dialogue, end

[paper]

And was the whole bit with the elemental looking spirit women telling Willow she was being lobotomized just a complete throwaway? Why would he set that up and leave her unharmed? If it's a joke I don't really get it.

[k33k3r]

Good work as always Fred.

I'm POW is Countdown. I am always excited for this book. This book is helping so much to get me familiar with the DCU.

The Initiative - was a big let down. The whole crap with them wasting a book on saying they were going to depower Spider-Man(which we knew wouldn't happen) to build on a character that no body cares about was a garbage. I don't care about this character at all. If they would have depowered Spider-Man there would be a riot as worse if not worse than when he un-masked and cap died. So you knew it wasn't going to happen especially not to some no name character that we were introduced to two issues ago.

New Warriors - I didn't see as bad as what you did but I most likely will not read this series past 3 or 2 or might not read it again at all.. I'll decided next month.

Punisher - As always is a good book that most don't give enough credit. I'm interested to see how this arc ends. It's not to often you see Frank intrigued by a person enough to wait around for them.

30 Days of Night: Eben and Stella - I'm enjoying this arc much better than the last two that have come out. I always have liked Niles and I'm glad they are having complete the original story line.

Marvel Zombies & Army of Darkness - The turd of the week. It wasn't that much fun at all which is what this book should be all about. I laughed that they suddenly tied in Kirkman's Dead Days One-Shot which made me realize again that this series is poo doo and that I miss Kirkman writing. Thank god there is only one more book. I'll finish out the mini and then probably never do a Marvel Zombies book again.

Dark Tower - Art is amazing as always. The story wasn't bad either but I should have waited for the trade.

Aight until I think of more.

[paper]

This is kind of a cool week because we have the full range of opinions on at least three books. Detective, Avengers: The Initiative, and New Warriors.

[alexg]

Nice reviews fred as always.

New Warriors pretty much blew and I'm sorry I bought it. I think I got sucked in by issue 1-ism.

I liked Initiative up until the Spider Man encounter and then I got annoyed with it for some reason. The Red Spider squad? Whatever...

Omega Flight--to me this is an example of the art really throwing the whole book off. What the hell is going on with these panels? There's a real 7th grade-drawn on looseleaf quality to the art this month...

Countdown--yeah, best book I read.

[paper]

Piper and the Rogues are almost totally new to me so I have no idea.

Found this:

The Flash’s demise was the wake up call that the Pied Piper needed to go straight, which – as Hartley himself put it – was ironic, since he was one of DC’s first openly gay characters. The Pied Piper moved to Keystone City to actually help the Flash in fighting crime. But even Wally West could not help Hartley when his parents were found brutally murdered and surveillance films pointed directly to the Pied Piper.

Wally eventually learned that it was Mirror Master who committed the murders and hypnotized Hartley into believing he was the culprit. Unaware he was being cleared of the crime, he broke out of Iron Heights prison and struck a deal to work with the “reformed” James Jesse (the former Trickster), who was now heading the anti-Rogues unit of the CBI.

[kwok_talk]

I'm pretending that whole part of the book didn't exist. It was Buffy, Buffy, Xander, Xander, darkness, Willow has dialogue, end

I’m seriously glad I’m not the only one confused.

[paper]

I'm a diehard Buffy fan. This book always has me at least a bit confused. It's got some quirks.

Not looking forward to Loeb's run. Really looking forward to BKV's run.

[kwok_talk]

The Initiative - was a big let down. The whole crap with them wasting a book on saying they were going to depower Spider-Man(which we knew wouldn't happen) to build on a character that no body cares about was a garbage. I don't care about this character at all. If they would have depowered Spider-Man there would be a riot as worse if not worse than when he un-masked and cap died. So you knew it wasn't going to happen especially not to some no name character that we were introduced to two issues ago.


I viewed the whole Spiderman appearance differently. I think it’s pretty much a given that he’s not going to be captured, but regardless, the fight itself can make for interesting stuff. Certainly Komodo’s nowhere near even a B-lister, but it’s pretty daunting that your first assignment is to try and take down Spiderman. Peter just thinks of her as one of Tony’s goons, so he doesn’t really even pull and punches and totally owns her (both physically and mentally), even though she’s really just a kid going into her first fight. Stuff that would totally want to make you hang up your costume for good, leaving her pretty messed up at the end. So along those lines, I liked what his appearance brought.

[kwok_talk]

I'm a diehard Buffy fan. This book always has me at least a bit confused. It's got some quirks.

Not looking forward to Loeb's run. Really looking forward to BKV's run.

Oh, had no idea Loeb as writing. Is he after this arc? (Are there any new artists in the future? Please say yes.)

[paper]

Oh, had no idea Loeb as writing. Is he after this arc? (Are there any new artists in the future? Please say yes.)

Well....here's what Wikipedia says:

Issue #1: "The Long Way Home, Part 1" written by Joss Whedon, art by Georges Jeanty, Mar 14, 2007
Issue #2: "The Long Way Home, Part 2" written by Joss Whedon, art by Georges Jeanty, Apr 04, 2007
Issue #3: "The Long Way Home, Part 3" written by Joss Whedon, art by Georges Jeanty, May 02, 2007
Issue #4: "The Long Way Home, Part 4" written by Joss Whedon, art by Georges Jeanty, Jun 06, 2007
Issue #5: "The Chain" written by Joss Whedon, art by Paul Lee, Aug 01, 2007 [14]
Issue #6: (Part 1 of an untitled Faith arc) written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Georges Jeanty
Issue #7: (Part 2 of an untitled Faith arc) written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Georges Jeanty
Issue #8: (Part 3 of an untitled Faith arc) written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Georges Jeanty
Issue #9: (Part 4 of an untitled Faith arc) written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Georges Jeanty
Issue #10: (standalone issue) written by Joss Whedon, artist unannounced
Issue #11: (Part 1 of an untitled Tokyo arc) written by Drew Goddard, artist unannounced
Issue #12: (Part 2 of an untitled Tokyo arc) written by Drew Goddard, artist unannounced
Issue #13: (Part 3 of an untitled Tokyo arc) written by Drew Goddard, artist unannounced
Issue #14: (Part 4 of an untitled Tokyo arc) written by Drew Goddard, artist unannounced
Issue #15: (standalone issue) writer unannounced (likely Jane Espenson)[15], artist unannounced
Issue #16: (contents unknown) written by Joss Whedon, artist unannounced
Issue #17: (contents unknown) written by Joss Whedon, artist unannounced
Issue #18: (contents unknown) written by Joss Whedon, artist unannounced
Issue #19: (contents unknown) written by Joss Whedon, artist unannounced
Issue #20: (contents unknown) written by Joss Whedon, artist unannounced


So....we have one more Whedon issue before he takes a break. BKV is next, and it's the same artist unfortunately. The next arc is Drew Goddard, who is a ****ing fantastic writer. He's written for Buffy and Lost.

[horatio616]

yeah, I seriously agree about the Karate Kid shit. I really don't care about him at all. The Lightning Saga has been such a disappointment.

How is there not a Black Adam book? Is it just us? Does nobody else care? I get that most people (or at least not enough) don't care about Wildcat, but goddamn Black Adam is fascinating.

I like(d) him, but they pretty much ruined him as an anti-hero. How do you write a continuing series about a genocidal maniac? The only way to make the audience sympathize with him is to gloss over the fact that he's killed millions of men, women, and children. He's clearly a villain now, and the best way to use a good villain is to use him sparingly, lest he become Magneto.

[kwok_talk]

That makes me somewhat even more disappointed with the issue to just now realize that it was the end of the arc.

[kwok_talk]

Aight until I think of more.

Oh, just so there’s no confusion, I didn’t mean to just specifically pick on the Avengers review. Liked your reviews K33kr.

[paper]

Well, I guess the standalone is a sort of coda to that. But yeah, kind of a letdown.

I think we're leaving the Scoobys for a while though, because Vaughan's writing about Faith.

[horatio616]

Black Summer apparently has a humongous set of balls on it since it has a picture of the deceased President of the US right on the front of it. Story is pretty goddamn insane, but the art has some glaring ugly parts to it. Hope that doesn't hurt it in the end because it really does have the potential to be something special, and in a "one for the ages" kind of way...

I got this though I haven't read it yet. I'll be interested to see how this will turn out. Ellis's work is always solid and well structured, but often it lacks heart. His characters, from Desolation Jones to the Authority to anyone in New Universal, tend to be high-minded but ultimately not people you root for. I want to see if he can write a politically-themed book without it basically becoming a rant, like Jack Cross. I seriously doubt he can do this, but I'm willing to give it a try.

I don't care much for Ryp's art, either.

[k33k3r]

I viewed the whole Spiderman appearance differently. I think it’s pretty much a given that he’s not going to be captured, but regardless, the fight itself can make for interesting stuff. Certainly Komodo’s nowhere near even a B-lister, but it’s pretty daunting that your first assignment is to try and take down Spiderman. Peter just thinks of her as one of Tony’s goons, so he doesn’t really even pull and punches and totally owns her (both physically and mentally), even though she’s really just a kid going into her first fight. Stuff that would totally want to make you hang up your costume for good, leaving her pretty messed up at the end. So along those lines, I liked what his appearance brought.

I see what your saying but as the same point why waste the time trying to build a character that most people don't seem to give a shit just to bring in these iron spider-man machines, clones, whatever.

I didn't like it.

[jaflanagan]

It's fascinating how much opinions varied on books this week. One person loves a book, someone else hates it. This one was OK, someone else, says it's crap.

You see how it happens in the show that someone will think we're hating everything, when just one of us doesn't like something, even if the other 2 do. Not that I'm trying to bring that up again, but it was so well illustrated here.

Either way, I think it's cool how all the different opinions are engendered, and even when two people have cogent arguments stating opposite opinions, things stay cool.

[k33k3r]

Oh, just so there’s no confusion, I didn’t mean to just specifically pick on the Avengers review. Liked your reviews K33kr.

It's cool. i had a feeling that would be the one that most people would comment or retort on.

[k33k3r]

It's fascinating how much opinions varied on books this week. One person loves a book, someone else hates it. This one was OK, someone else, says it's crap.

You see how it happens in the show that someone will think we're hating everything, when just one of us doesn't like something, even if the other 2 do. Not that I'm trying to bring that up again, but it was so well illustrated here.

Either way, I think it's cool how all the different opinions are engendered, and even when two people have cogent arguments stating opposite opinions, things stay cool.

I think that most of us realize this week that most of the books were going to cause a full spectrum of opinions. It all depends on how each person feels about a character and how the auther uses them.

[kwok_talk]

I see what your saying but as the same point why waste the time trying to build a character that most people don't seem to give a shit just to bring in these iron spider-man machines, clones, whatever.

I didn't like it.

Point taken. At least the designer of the Iron Spider suit is getting some royalties now.;)

[k33k3r]

OH yeah more money for Tony Shart I mean Stark

[six-gun]

I hated NA: The Initiative. The parts with Spider-Man quiping were great and there were some pages in there where I liked The Gauntlet, but the whole notion that the United States government is sanctioning a program where teenagers are taught to "take lives" is ridiculous (yeah, I'm sure someone will have a funny comment about that statement and dog the USG, but you know what, I don't care how screwed up you think America is. That would never happen!)


The Lone Ranger was good, again. The delay between issues 5 and 6 really threw me off and in refreshing myself on what happened, I realized that the first six issues were light on plot and were mostly set up. Amazing cover by the great John Cassaday!

Detective Comics: Fun, but I like my Batman stories less light-hearted. But that's not what this book is and that's okay (there's still a lot of the Rucka trades I haven't gotten to and those can give me my gritty fill)


My pick of the week isn't actually a floppy, but Eddie Campbell's new OGN The Black Diamond Detective Agency I'm not done with it, but the 60 pages I've already read have blown me away. Look for my review in my column next week.

[six-gun]

The art on Uncanny was great, Salvador Larroca actually uses photographs for a couple of backgrounds but his art is so realistic I almost couldn't tell. I'm cool with that as long as he draws most of the issue and it keeps the trains running on time.

[paper]

I hated NA: The Initiative. The parts with Spider-Man quiping were great and there were some pages in there where I liked The Gauntlet, but the whole notion that the United States government is sanctioning a program where teenagers are taught to "take lives" is ridiculous (yeah, I'm sure someone will have a funny comment about that statement and dog the USG, but you know what, I don't care how screwed up you think America is. That would never happen!)

Your suspension of disbelief is enough for superheroes, but not enough to believe that the government would implement this kind of program?

It's a little more hardcore than we're used to in the Marvel U, but nothing in this issue had me incredulous. The cover-up of the kid's death in the first book...that one I red-flagged. I thought it was crazy that Hank Pym was so cold about it. I don't know the character all that well, but that was really a total non-reaction.

[six-gun]

Your suspension of disbelief is enough for superheroes, but not enough to believe that the government would implement this kind of program?

Hmm... The premise of the Marvel U is the real world with superheroes, that by definition doesn't change the universe's political and governmental reality the way the Wildstorm U's premise post Coup de Ta did.

[conorkilpatrick]

... but the whole notion that the United States government is sanctioning a program where teenagers are taught to "take lives" is ridiculous (yeah, I'm sure someone will have a funny comment about that statement and dog the USG, but you know what, I don't care how screwed up you think America is. That would never happen!)

There are 18 and 19 year old soldiers, are there not?

[k33k3r]

Well i understood them killing him off. Stuff like that happens all the time. "Oh lets create this guy so we don't have to kill a better know character."

The fact that they were like no one is to know about this and the person that caused it has lost their powers case closed..... Um right....

[paper]

RE: Six

That's fair.

But you couldn't just consider this as a particularly insidious branch of the government? Doesn't have to reflect the whole thing. No matter how much faith you have in an institution, you can't account for everyone in it.

[k33k3r]

There are 18 and 19 year old soldiers, are there not?

Very true and it appears that most of these "kids" are college age since HardBall was 2 weeks away form 21 and Komono is a grad student. As for cloud 9 she seems like a highschooler.

[paper]

Well i understood them killing him off. Stuff like that happens all the time. "Oh lets create this guy so we don't have to kill a better know character."

The fact that they were like no one is to know about this and the person that caused it has lost their powers case closed..... Um right....

Yeah, that's the part I have a problem with.

[paper]

Here's a question that's been on my mind for a while now, and I hope somebody can shed some light.

Black Widow. My only real exposure to this character previous to Mighty Avengers was in Daredevil, starting way back with Smith's run. So I don't know much about her M.O. Is her being a part of the registration side in line with who she is? Is her training Cloud 9 to fire a gun in line with that? I feel like the character I'm reading now is completely different from the one I last saw in Bendis' Daredevil.

[tdarwin]

First, wanted to answer Paper's Buffy question. At least I think it's the answer. The story is very choppy, but the way I interpret this, is that they're now saying that Amy had been following Willow after Tara was shot, and when Adam was flayed, Amy used her own magics to save his life by giving him some magic skin.

That's how I read it at least. As far as the crazy elementals in Willow's head. I have no idea what that was about. Might turn out to be something like with Buffy and Rayne, but I doubt it. I think it's just supposed to be passed off as some more Willow magic nonsense.

Second. My thoughts on the week. It was a very short list of books this week for me. I read Avengers #3, New Warriors #1, and Buffy #4. My PoW was Avengers #3. Had there been more selection, I would have probably had a different PoW, but it's such a slim week...

New Warriors #1: I'm not really decided how I feel about this book. I really liked the art. And the story didn't bother me. I'm not on Fred's side of the fence. But I didn't love it. I don't know who any of these people are. The only one I've heard of is Grey Gargoyle. I haven't given any attention to X-men (other than Ultimate) in my reemergence into the comic book world, so I have no idea who Beak is or this other chick. I'm intrigued enough to keep going, but I might be dropping it soon enough. C+/B-

Buffy #4: I'm always a fan of Buffy. I've been looking forward to this issue for a while and I was both very happy, and very disappointed. I agree that Xander was made for comics. He's awesome in every issue. I find too that he's a good anchor point to help you understand what a frame is showing you. I've been noticing the story-telling of the artwork getting slowly worse and worse. Though I like the artwork a lot, I think it would be nice to be a little more distinctive between all the characters. Better than NW#1 but still not A material. B.

Avengers: Initiative #3: Another book that I've been looking forward to. I really like Komodo a lot. I'm more intrigued by her now than ever. And I really like the battle with Spidey. The damage he did to her with his "you don't even rate a bit of my attention" speech will be very fun to watch take its toll. I also like that they didn't tell Dr. Connors the mission she was going on, because my understanding is that he'd be against a take down of Spidey. (but my Spidey history is poor, he might hate Spidey now). I would have liked to see more Cloud-9 as well, but I think it's good that they're putting more into the other characters to make it more of a complex comic. I really liked the story (except for the red-spider team), and I loved the art. A

[horatio616]

Well i understood them killing him off. Stuff like that happens all the time. "Oh lets create this guy so we don't have to kill a better know character."

The fact that they were like no one is to know about this and the person that caused it has lost their powers case closed..... Um right....

Seems like Marvel since Quesada took over is all about events and plotting without as much regard to logistics. Recent Marvels don't lend themselves well to careful dissection of plot points. I bet it's a nightmare to be an editor there.

[jaflanagan]

The CIA has certainly recruited young people. There have always been covert, state sponsored killings, and in times of crisis, a government will do extreme things. Lincoln threw the constitution to the wind to retain the union. It's a widely held belief that we were not so far from a miliatary coup during JFK's presidency. It is the job of fiction (and this is fiction) to explore the ramifications of these kinds of scenarios.

Furthermore, they didn't get her to KILL Spider-Man, they tried to get her to de-power him. It's way different.

[six-gun]

It's Cloud 9 with Black Widow over her shoulder and a caption saying "we will teach you to take lives" that I have a problem with. She's a high school girl who only want to keep her powers and is, in essence being forced into the Initiative. It's this "drafting" of the youngest heroes that I take umbrage with.

[jaflanagan]

Here's a question that's been on my mind for a while now, and I hope somebody can shed some light.

Black Widow. My only real exposure to this character previous to Mighty Avengers was in Daredevil, starting way back with Smith's run. So I don't know much about her M.O. Is her being a part of the registration side in line with who she is? Is her training Cloud 9 to fire a gun in line with that? I feel like the character I'm reading now is completely different from the one I last saw in Bendis' Daredevil.

Well, she's a former KGB agent, so I'm guessing that she's cool with being part of a strong goverment, and I don't think she's got so much of a problem with violence either. So, no, all that stuff makes sense.

[jaflanagan]

It's Cloud 9 with Black Widow over her shoulder and a caption saying "we will teach you to take lives" that I have a problem with. She's a high school girl who only want to keep her powers and is, in essence being forced into the Initiative. It's this "drafting" of the youngest heroes that I take umbrage with.

Don't they get 17, 18, 19 year olds to join the marines, where they in fact turn them into "killers?" Isn't that the point of the training with rifles? What do all those bombs do?

If they view the unregistered heroes as enemies of the state, how is that any different than an enemy combatant?

[six-gun]

The CIA has certainly recruited young people. There have always been covert, state sponsored killings, and in times of crisis, a government will do extreme things. Lincoln threw the constitution to the wind to retain the union. It's a widely held belief that we were not so far from a miliatary coup during JFK's presidency. It is the job of fiction (and this is fiction) to explore the ramifications of these kinds of scenarios.

Furthermore, they didn't get her to KILL Spider-Man, they tried to get her to de-power him. It's way different.

The 1960's and 1860's were different times, in 2007 America parents freak out that their kids are playing Grand Theft Auto.

But whatever, I also found it funny that they're trying to keep camp hammond a secret but then let all the recruits out on leave.

[six-gun]

Don't they get 17, 18, 19 year olds to join the marines, where they in fact turn them into "killers?" Isn't that the point of the training with rifles? What do all those bombs do?

If they view the unregistered heroes as enemies of the state, how is that any different than an enemy combatant?

They're not being recruited, the're saying that if you want to use your powers, you have to join the initiative.

[k33k3r]

Okay then, you want to drive a car you have to have a license, you want to own and carry a gun you have to get a license.... Along the samething. The government has needed "powers" as a privaledge and not a right. So therefore they can control said privaledge.

[jaflanagan]

The military does recruit. But they go to malls and high schools, and they try to get people to join. People aren't compelled, but they used to draft, which wasn't that long ago, and it gets brought up now and again.

This is not the 1960's, or the 1860's, but history repeats itself in ways we don't think possible, and again, fiction is a way of exploring those possibilities.

[six-gun]

I see everyone's points and although I disagree I respect your opinions.

Comic Books! Yeah!

[fred]

And was the whole bit with the elemental looking spirit women telling Willow she was being lobotomized just a complete throwaway? Why would he set that up and leave her unharmed? If it's a joke I don't really get it.

I thought that it was kind of a story hole and I'm also pretending that didn't happen either.

[fred]

Good work as always Fred.

I'm POW is Countdown. I am always excited for this book. This book is helping so much to get me familiar with the DCU.

The Initiative - was a big let down. The whole crap with them wasting a book on saying they were going to depower Spider-Man(which we knew wouldn't happen) to build on a character that no body cares about was a garbage. I don't care about this character at all. If they would have depowered Spider-Man there would be a riot as worse if not worse than when he un-masked and cap died. So you knew it wasn't going to happen especially not to some no name character that we were introduced to two issues ago.

New Warriors - I didn't see as bad as what you did but I most likely will not read this series past 3 or 2 or might not read it again at all.. I'll decided next month.

Punisher - As always is a good book that most don't give enough credit. I'm interested to see how this arc ends. It's not to often you see Frank intrigued by a person enough to wait around for them.

30 Days of Night: Eben and Stella - I'm enjoying this arc much better than the last two that have come out. I always have liked Niles and I'm glad they are having complete the original story line.

Marvel Zombies & Army of Darkness - The turd of the week. It wasn't that much fun at all which is what this book should be all about. I laughed that they suddenly tied in Kirkman's Dead Days One-Shot which made me realize again that this series is poo doo and that I miss Kirkman writing. Thank god there is only one more book. I'll finish out the mini and then probably never do a Marvel Zombies book again.

Dark Tower - Art is amazing as always. The story wasn't bad either but I should have waited for the trade.

Aight until I think of more.

nice reviews. on Punisher: I think it's really cool that this female character has been brought in as a parallel to Frank. Ennis could do a lot from it. I suspect that she'll die in #49 though.

[fred]

Nice reviews fred as always.

New Warriors pretty much blew and I'm sorry I bought it. I think I got sucked in by issue 1-ism.

I liked Initiative up until the Spider Man encounter and then I got annoyed with it for some reason. The Red Spider squad? Whatever...

Omega Flight--to me this is an example of the art really throwing the whole book off. What the hell is going on with these panels? There's a real 7th grade-drawn on looseleaf quality to the art this month...

Countdown--yeah, best book I read.

don't even get me started with the Scarlet Spider squad. So ****ing dumb. Sadly, I think they're going to be around for a little bit because of some of the things that I've heard.

[fred]

I'm a diehard Buffy fan. This book always has me at least a bit confused. It's got some quirks.

Not looking forward to Loeb's run. Really looking forward to BKV's run.

I'm exceptionally apprehensive about both of them. One of the things that has endeared the Whedon run to me is the fact that he still has the voices of the characters. I can imagine that I'm hearing them say their dialogue as I read it and it jibes. I'm worried that Loeb and BKV either won't have it or will stumble before finding it. I love dialogue and honestly the dialogue is the primary reason that I loved the show. I don't want any bad shit.

[fred]

Well, I guess the standalone is a sort of coda to that. But yeah, kind of a letdown.

I think we're leaving the Scoobys for a while though, because Vaughan's writing about Faith.

that is so great.


(no it's not. I hate it. stupid idea)

[fred]

It's fascinating how much opinions varied on books this week. One person loves a book, someone else hates it. This one was OK, someone else, says it's crap.

You see how it happens in the show that someone will think we're hating everything, when just one of us doesn't like something, even if the other 2 do. Not that I'm trying to bring that up again, but it was so well illustrated here.

Either way, I think it's cool how all the different opinions are engendered, and even when two people have cogent arguments stating opposite opinions, things stay cool.

I think that it stays all good because we try to be respectful of one another.

I might rip the entrails out of a book but I don't think that someone else is stupid for enjoying or try to put them down.

[k33k3r]

nice reviews. on Punisher: I think it's really cool that this female character has been brought in as a parallel to Frank. Ennis could do a lot from it. I suspect that she'll die in #49 though.

Yes but the question is who kills her and does he try to possibly save her or is he the one pulling the trigger?

[fred]

Yes but the question is who kills her and does he try to possibly save her or is he the one pulling the trigger?

he won't kill her. In his mind, she's not "bad" and he's not a "murderer"

[six-gun]

I thought that it was kind of a story hole and I'm also pretending that didn't happen either.

Well, what happened was, Joss Whedon was hanging out with Grant Morrison and Grant was like hey! I've got some acid, wanna trip? and Whedon's all like, well, um okay.

He then goes home and writes Buffy #4, sends it to Dark Horse editorial and forgets all about it.

[ekval]

I think that it stays all good because we try to be respectful of one another.

I might rip the entrails out of a book but I don't think that someone else is stupid for enjoying or try to put them down.

What if that someone loves Rob Liefield though? :cool:

[fred]

What if that someone loves Rob Liefield though? :cool:

clearly then you have impaired judgement ;)

I'm joking. It's always in good fun. I won't really hold it against you.

[k33k3r]

he won't kill her. In his mind, she's not "bad" and he's not a "murderer"

True but she was connected to organized crime. If anything I could see him trying to save her from being killed by the cop.

[fred]

True but she was connected to organized crime. If anything I could see him trying to save her from being killed by the cop.

yeah she was connected, but she's also the victim of some horrible shit and she's on the vengance path just like he is.

[k33k3r]

Or his "Mission" as he put it.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Nice reviews Fred as always:D it's been a busy week for me my sister had a ballet recital I had to go to and some friends came over so I was showing them around good old Paris.

Regardless of all this I still managed to find some time to read my books in my park. Somehow every book this week disappointed me. It wasn't that any of them were particularly bad but they just were not that interesting, some things were off I felt as well. I only hand three books this week plus a trade and all of them were disappointing in some sense. Let me put it to you this way, I am rereading my Fables trades in anticipation of next week's Fables volume 9 coming out. At the end of reading all my books I was more excited and interested in my reread then I was in this week's books. Thank God next week has some of the more interesting titles coming out like New Avengers and World War Hulk, this week was crap!

On the plus side I am enjoying all the varied opinions this week good reviews everybody:D

Right, so 3 books 3 reviews simple as that.

Countdown #47: I always read this book first just like I did with 52, no matter what other books may be coming out that week I read the weekly book first.
While there were certain things about this issue I liked there were some things I really didn't like. The art was bad. It wasn't bad bad but compared to the previous month it was awful there are some shots of Mary Marvel that make her so cartoony it's unbelievable. That's another thing Mary Marvel. I don't know much about this character and I'm intrigued to learn more but compared to Black Adam now my favorite super villain she's far less interesting. So Black Adam giving up his powers and going out of the spotlight didn't sit well with me. I know he's going to get them back eventually but it felt like a bit of a copout to put him in there just to perk are interest and then get rid of him and his powers.
Oh, the Jimmy Olsen stuff is moving way too slowly and in a weird direction. Jimmy Olsen was supposed to be the human approach in this book and instead he has stuff with God's and superpowers going on. Sure the human approach of God's and superpowers of course:rolleyes:! Overall I give this a grade: C-

Detective Comics #833: this probably is my pick but still not over all Satisfactory. There were good bits in this book and I can understand why it's the pick of the week on iFanboy.com but it still didn't cut it for me.
Every once in a while I pick up Detective Comics because I like Paul Dini. He does great one and done stories just like the cartoon and it's great to see him with a bit more freedom here. I felt the art lagged at certain points, it's been great in all the other books I've read but I felt that maybe the inking was too much or generally it was darker with less detail. There where also a lot of moments where the characters were very out of character and what they were saying seemed to be forced just for the fact of explaining the plot. As an actor I examine text a lot, I have been taught that what the character says has to be relating to them or the story in a logical way not in a way that is forced in the dialogue here it was very forced. I liked the Zatanna stuff a lot. The relationship Bruce and her have is great and what happened to her in the end has really perked my interest for the next issue. I won't say what the ending was for spoilers but what happened to Zatanna was brutal and really shocked me. that's what I love about comic books when something happens to a character you know and it gives you a genuine emotion and feeling, that's when you know that you're reading a good comic book even if it's just the end you like. I'm getting give this book a grade: B


New Warriors #1: I'm really torn on this book, which is interesting considering people seem to have either liked it or disliked it I seem to fall in between those people. I can see what Fred saying but I also see what Kwok is saying I can't make up my mind on it. The dialogue was cheesy and wasn't very strong, I didn't care for any of these characters at all but at the same time I'm intrigued enough to want to know how this will go. This was very much an issue one in that it was a lot of set up and not much time focused on the characters and the situation around them. The art at times was good but overall it was pretty bad. Depending on what week this comes out I might not get it. I'm giving this book a grade : D

While this week sucked for me personally it seems to be an interesting week for everybody here and I'm enjoying the different opinions and considerations good job everybody:)

I also bought DMZ volume 1 which I'll post a review of on the trade review thread. My store had a 50% off sale on some old trades including some essentials so I bought essentials volume 1 Thor so it wasn't a total waste this week; it is the size of a phone book! Good reading.

Tell me people if my reviews are too long so that in future I know and can improve. Be honest if they're too long or not I can take it, but if you like the way they are that's fine as well, I'm open to anything.

[fred]

Liked your reviews

[conorkilpatrick]

Oh, the Jimmy Olsen stuff is moving way too slowly and in a weird direction. Jimmy Olsen was supposed to be the human approach in this book and instead he has stuff with God's and superpowers going on. Sure the human approach of God's and superpowers of course:rolleyes:!

I'm confused by this criticism. Did they say Jimmy Olsen would be the human element to the story?

[kwok_talk]

Tell me people if my reviews are too long so that in future I know. Be honest if they're too long or not I can take it but if you like the way they are that's fine as well, I'm open to anything.

I sometimes enjoy longer reviews. It’s nice to have a good mix. Good thoughts on your reviews. Hope your week ends better.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

I'm confused by this criticism. Did they say Jimmy Olsen would be the human element to the story?
I remember hearing something along those lines in some interview. Maybe it was on IGN or newsaroma, I deftly remember something like that though.

[ekval]

No worries Fred, I love Jim Lee, not Liefield...

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Thanks Fred and Kwok liked both of your reviews as well. You both made very different but good points as well which intrigued me:)

I hope my week is better as well it's been fun but not comic wise. Hopefully the Thor essentials will be excellent and it won't be so bad after all.

[kwok_talk]

No worries Fred, I love Jim Lee, not Liefield...

I recall the time I tried to defend Liefeld and Paper called it “the night Kwok lost his marbles” :D

[paper]

It's like trying to defend termite damage.

[kwok_talk]

It's like trying to defend termite damage.

Termite holes increase the speed of the wood. Just like how Homer put holes in the roof of his car hood to make it go faster…

[paper]

Termite holes increase the speed of the wood. Just like how Homer put holes in the roof of his car hood to make it go faster…

Why does my house need to be fast though?

Ok, question for everybody.

Favorite and least favorite storylines in Countdown so far?

[kwok_talk]

Rising: Flash rogues (these are some lame characters, but it’s been more fun than I expected)
Falling: Jimmy Olsen (I didn’t expect the super-power thing)

[fred]

I love everything but Jimmy Olsen and bootleg Holly Robinson

[six-gun]

I remember hearing something along those lines in some interview. Maybe it was on IGN or Newsarama, I deftly remember something like that though.

I think that Holly is going to do that, take the role that Montoya and The Question filled in 52

[paper]

Holly's ok in my book. She was trained by Ted Grant!

[the-screw-on-aaron]

I think that Holly is going to do that, take the role that Montoya and The Question filled in 52

Maybe? I haven't really heard of her though before this issue. Most of my knowledge of the DC U comes from the Crisis’s and 52 so I really don't know who she is?

Nice reviews Six by the way.

[six-gun]

I don't think I have a favorite yet but I really liked the Duella/Jason Todd bit in the first issue and the DCU tie-ins have (my favorite so far has been the Batman/Karate Kid fight)

My least favorite is Mary Marvel (she was in that museum for like four issues!)

[six-gun]

Maybe? I haven't really heard of her though before this issue. Most of my knowledge of the DC U comes from the Crisis’s and 52 so I really don't know who she is?

Nice reviews Six by the way.

Thanks! Super simplified, she's Catwoman's Robin, except closer to her mentor's age.

More complicated, she's a lesbian (maybe bi-sexual) former prostitute/drug addict who helped Catwoman once she became a vigilante and took over the Catwoman mantel when Selina Kyle had her baby.

[paper]

Hey, so...was BKV's The Hood any good? I just saw that they're re-releasing it in hardcover (http://www.amazon.com/Hood-New-Avengers-Brian-Vaughan/dp/0785128182/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_2_1/105-0580230-2258814) on August 1st. I guess this is in anticipation of the character's return in New Avengers?

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Thanks! Super simplified, she's Catwoman's Robin, except closer to her mentor's age.

More complicated, she's a lesbian (maybe bi-sexual) former prostitute/drug addict who helped Catwoman once she became a vigilante and took over the Catwoman mantel when Selina Kyle had her baby.

Interesting, thanks for catching me up:), I had when those moments while reading that was like “um… who the hell is this person?”. It seems she really is filling that Montoya void in many ways;), who do you think her Question mentor is going to be?

[paper]

Well they've got a cool opportunity with her. She's a normal human being just trying to be normal. Her past is undoubtedly out to get her though. The question is what side of the law is she going to be on.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Dammit Paper! As soon as you said “The question is what side of the law is she going to be on.” Civil War popped my head whose side are you one!?

That miniseries has scarred me for life and I'll never be able those words the same again:confused:

[fred]

Well they've got a cool opportunity with her. She's a normal human being just trying to be normal. Her past is undoubtedly out to get her though. The question is what side of the law is she going to be on.

Personally, I hope that she's on Johnny Depp's side.


Can I borrow your horse whip? I'm wearing mine out.

[paper]

I'm just waiting for the Hangin' with Mr. Cooper jokes.

[fred]

oh shit. I forgot that she was on that. I think that I mentally blocked Hangin With Mr. Cooper. Fellow victims are Step By Step and In The House.

[jimski]

Hey, so...was BKV's The Hood any good? I just saw that they're re-releasing it in hardcover (http://www.amazon.com/Hood-New-Avengers-Brian-Vaughan/dp/0785128182/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_2_1/105-0580230-2258814) on August 1st. I guess this is in anticipation of the character's return in New Avengers? I just read the first issue not too long ago and thought it was pretty good; then I thought "Why have I not seen this in a bookstore?"

Didn't BKV write Mystique? I wonder if that would sell better today.

[paper]

Mystique must have came out around the same time as the first X-Men film. If it didn't do well then...

[fred]

Mystique must have came out around the same time as the first X-Men film. If it didn't do well then...

I don't think that I could ever read a Mystique book. I have a hard time reading other books that she's in where the writer tries to make her sympathetic.

[jo-relrollins]

Am i the only one that noticed that in UXM, Brubaker is bringing back another dead story (The Books of Destiny). I think he's a great storyteller, but this ain't working. I know everyone has their least fav X storyline,mine is the Books of Destiny,and now they're back. GREAT!! I'll keep reading because i'm an X loyalist,but god end this evil cycle. Well gotta go read Outsiders finally. Peace Out.

[paper]

Yeah, Uncanny really turned me off this week. Literally. It was like a cold shower.

The art didn't help.

[six-gun]

Interesting, thanks for catching me up:), I had when those moments while reading that was like “um… who the hell is this person?”. It seems she really is filling that Montoya void in many ways;), who do you think her Question mentor is going to be?

I don't actually think she'll have one, she's pretty independent and has trouble getting close to any one because of all the bad experiences she had as a hooker (please, lets stay away from jokes on this subject :) ) and fought through most of Brubaker's Catwoman run just to get close to the one woman she loves and is only close to Selina because of their history together.

[six-gun]

The art didn't help.

I liked it a lot, it reminds me of Luke Ross (he did some awesome issues of Jonah Hex) and his photo reference was there, but subtle and (I thought) really added to the book

[paper]

Looked a bit muddy to me. Some of this is the coloring, but still...

This week is nuts. Very love/hate on everything.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Wait a minute, isn't she in Batman Year One!? And she's like 13 years as soon you mentioned Hooker it floated back.

[conorkilpatrick]

I liked it a lot, it reminds me of Luke Ross (he did some awesome issues of Jonah Hex) and his photo reference was there, but subtle and (I thought) really added to the book

I really liked it too. And I enjoyed the issue enough to go for the next one. I think it helps that I don't have a ton of X-Baggage.

[kwok_talk]

The art didn't help.

Definitely. I loved his X-treme Xmen art and then when I saw this...ick.

[conorkilpatrick]

Wait a minute, isn't she in Batman Year One!? And she's like 13 years as soon you mentioned Hooker it floated back.

Yes, that's her. She been a main character in the Catwoman book since the relaunch several years ago. Brubaker did a lot for her.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Yes, that's her. She been a main character in the Catwoman book since the relaunch several years ago. Brubaker did a lot for her.

Cool now everything makes sense. I really need to read that run! How many trades of it are there?

[conorkilpatrick]

Cool now everything makes sense. I really need to read that run! How many trades of it are there?

Catwoman Vol. 1: The Dark End of the Street (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-Dark-Street-Batman/dp/1563899086/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-1)
Catwoman Vol. 2: Crooked Little Town (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-Crooked-Little-Batman/dp/1401200087/ref=sr_1_4/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-4)
Catwoman Vol. 3: Relentless (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-3-Relentless-Batman/dp/1401202187/ref=sr_1_3/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-3)
Catwoman Vol. 4: Wild Ride (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-Wild-Ride-Batman/dp/1401204368/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-2)

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Thinks Conor :) always there to help a fanboy in need.

[six-gun]

Catwoman Vol. 1: The Dark End of the Street (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-Dark-Street-Batman/dp/1563899086/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-1)
Catwoman Vol. 2: Crooked Little Town (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-Crooked-Little-Batman/dp/1401200087/ref=sr_1_4/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-4)
Catwoman Vol. 3: Relentless (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-3-Relentless-Batman/dp/1401202187/ref=sr_1_3/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-3)
Catwoman Vol. 4: Wild Ride (http://www.amazon.com/Catwoman-Vol-Wild-Ride-Batman/dp/1401204368/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-3410139-7315858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181267332&sr=8-2)

Let's just say that a member of the iFanboy boards has a weekly column and in his next installment he has a review of that run.

[six-gun]

I really liked it too. And I enjoyed the issue enough to go for the next one. I think it helps that I don't have a ton of X-Baggage.

I think that's why I'm enjoying it too, this issue almost had an X-Men 1 (the movie) feel to it somehow and seeing as that's my only real X-Men exposure I like the familiarity.

[jo-relrollins]

I really liked it too. And I enjoyed the issue enough to go for the next one. I think it helps that I don't have a ton of X-Baggage.

I didn't dislike the story,but when i figured out the motive of the Morlocks, it put a bad taste in my mouth. I'm hoping Brubaker can clear up the whole books thing and not do what Xtreme Xmen did and go off on a tangent and make them this huge thing that you can't escape.

As far as the art,i actually liked it, it made me think that Laracca should have done the first arc. I liked his character designs better, especially Warpath.



By the way, Storm's entrance rocked, bu she better keep Challa's lazy butt at home. The Xmen don't need him wasting space like he's doing in FF.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Ok it's like four in the morning here so I go sleepy time now. Good night everybody!

[kwok_talk]

Did anyone else laugh a little when Storm said she had to call Black Panther to let him know she was going to be gone a few days? I envisioned T'Challa sounding sad on the phone but secretly pumping his fist for a few days of me-time, and then asking one of the other FF members what was for dinner.

[jgg0610]

Nice review everyone. What a diverse week of comics.

Dynamo 5 #4 - This continues to be an amazing book. It's definitely hitting all of the right notes. The are is also amazing. (I don't want to say too much on specific plot points because I have a feeling that most will end up reading this in trade).

NA Initiative #3 - I really enjoyed this issue quite a bit. I was glad to see them go after Spider-Man. It made sense for them to go after an A level character. Also it highlighted the fact that Slot could and should take over on AMS when JMS leaves.

Ghost Rider Trail of Tears #5 - I couldn't even finish this book this week. I have no idea what is going on and it's just become unreadable. Maybe it'll make more sense when it's collected in trade.

Uncanny X-Men #487 - This was the surprise book of the week. While I didn't hate the last arc on this book, it didn't blow me away either. This book surprised me in that I was completely absorbed in the story. Larocca on art is also never a disappointment.

[acomicbookgirl]

Did anyone else laugh a little when Storm said she had to call Black Panther to let him know she was going to be gone a few days? I envisioned T'Challa sounding sad on the phone but secretly pumping his fist for a few days of me-time, and then asking one of the other FF members what was for dinner.

A little. I got a kick out of that. :)

[jimski]

I had no idea that was an old x-plot; musta been published during my gap. If the question is "will Brubaker do this in a way that's less meandering and incoherent than Claremont?" well, I'll have to think about that one for a minYES.

[six-gun]

Did anyone else laugh a little when Storm said she had to call Black Panther to let him know she was going to be gone a few days? I envisioned T'Challa sounding sad on the phone but secretly pumping his fist for a few days of me-time, and then asking one of the other FF members what was for dinner.

I almost asked the same question

[fred]

I've got to check out those Catwoman trades. I loved Holly Robinson in Hangin With Mr. Cooper.

[six-gun]

I forgot about Outsiders, I'm still loving the crossover and the ending was awesome, but the art on both it and Checkmate has been terrible. I want Jesus Saiz back!

One quick thought, Greg Rucka has turned Tommy Jaeger of Checkmate into Nicky Pool of Queen and Country, there's like no difference between the two.

[fred]

I'm actually interested in checking out that crossover but I'm not really into the Outsiders.

[jo-relrollins]

2 big questions about 2 books this week:

1. I could have sworn Egg Foo,or what ever his name was, got killed during 52. So how is he in The Outsiders/Checkmate crossover?

2. When did losing ur powers turn u into a buff cover model for Diesel, i mean Beak was on the scrawny nerdy persuasion. Now he's Brad Pitt?

Just a couple of questions.

[fred]

I was really agitated by the Beak thing. It solidly cemented me into the "never buying this shit again" category.

[horatio616]

I was really agitated by the Beak thing. It solidly cemented me into the "never buying this shit again" category.

In Morrison's last storyline, wasn't the Beak from the alternate future not only muscular but sported a doo-rag?

Straight-up pimp.

[k33k3r]

I agree that was uncalled for.

[jo-relrollins]

In Morrison's last storyline, wasn't the Beak from the alternate future not only muscular but sported a doo-rag?

Straight-up pimp.

Is that why they thought it was appropriate to turn him into Thor's little bro (looks wise). And as far as I know from that story line the Beak in that story was one of his descendents not Beak. But even if it was possible, not BEAK. I mean next thing u know they'll find a cure for Beast's fur.

[iSteve]

I noticed that a number of folks on the forum were less than enthusiastic about this week's book. Consider my reviews then the minority report. I basically enjoyed all my books. Some were great, others merely satisfactory - but that's okay - not every comic has to be fantastic.

I'll post a few reviews this morning and try to get to the rest of them throughout the rest of the day.

Peace out!

[iSteve]

Countdown #47

Rating: Dug it!
Title: “Bricks in the Wall”
Writer: Paul Dini with Sean McKeever
Artist: Tom Derenick
Comments: I’m really enjoying Countdown. It’s my “must read” title each week. There’s something special about a weekly comic where the plot is allowed to develop at its own pace. 52 taught us the value in the slow reveal and the building of the momentum. So each issue, I look forward to the tantalizing clues about where they might be taking the story. The opening pages this issue revealed to us what Jimmy was shown by Lightray before he died – being teathered to the Source Wall. Is it a vision of what will happen to Jimmy in the future, or of what had already happened to Lightray. I have no clue, but I don’t need to at this point. I’m just enjoying the ride. It was good to see Holly Robinson in Countdown. She’s a wonderful supporting character in Catwoman. I look forward to see how they will develop her character here. I’m really loving the Mary Marvel story. Even though she’s clearly afraid, she doesn’t back away from Black Adam. As a result, Black Adam gives her his power – the power he has misused in his own misguided grief and revenge resulting in the genocidal slaughter of millions. The phrase, “Seduction of the Innocent,” takes on a whole new meaning in this context. What are the consequences of Black Adam’s power in Mary? What’s the meaning of her new (and very sexy) black uniform? Will she be transformed by this power into a member of the Black Marvel family? What will be the effect of his guilt and responsibility be upon her? We don’t know yet, but I for one can wait to find out. Loved the diversity of opinion (as well as hair styles) among the Monitors. It looks like they have Donna Troy, Jason Todd, and Kyle Rayner in their crosshairs. Not so keen on the Rogues storyline thus far. Finally, the History of the Multiverse is working out well. Much better executed than the History of the DCU in 52.

[iSteve]

Avengers Initiative #3

Rating: Satisfactory
Title: “Bug Hunt”
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Comments: It was – overall – a good issue, not great, but good. I dug the cameo appearance of Ben Grimm as a guest instructor at the Initiative, “Any time rookies… Show me whatcha got!” The Komodo storyline dominated the issue. From the beginning when she reverts to her human state, and blows a gasket at Hardball for seeing her secret identity – to being chosen by the Initiative leaders to participate in the hunt for the Shocker, Boomerang, Hydro-Man, and Spider-Man. They reveal to her that it’s the Initiative’s plan to “depower” uncooperative heroes, like what was done to She-Hulk by Tony Stark in the last issue of her title. Another part of the plan seems to be to try to replace these heroes with ones of the Initiative’s own devising, i.e. the scene when numerous “Spider-Men” appearing dressed in the Tony Stark Spidey uniform. By the way, Dan Slott knows how to write Spider-man. Nice use of banter – “Lady, I was the poster boy for licensed heroes! And look how well that turned out!” Maybe he ought to be chosen as the new writer for The Amazing Spider-Man. He gets the character.

[iSteve]

Detective Comics #833

Rating: Satisfactory
Title: “Trust”
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Don Kramer
Comments: I loved the cover by Simone Bianchi. His art has been consistently good on the Detective Covers. The story is about Ivar Loxias – a magician – whose series of performances end in the deaths of his assistants. Though I enjoyed the story, I was not surprised by the reveal of Loxias as the Joker near the end. I had guessed his identity pretty early on – mainly because the way he was drawn. I liked the way they told the early history of the relationship between Bruce and Zatanna. I’m also liked the cliffhanger at the end with Batman and Zatanna in peril. But by and large, this was not the best of the recent issues of Detective Comics. Could have been better.

[iSteve]

Exterminators #18

Rating: Dug it!
Title: “Showdown at Scatshot - Conclusion”
Writer: Simon Oliver
Artist: Ty Templeton
Comments: In the last issue, Cowboy and Dr. Saloth Sar from the Bug-Bee-Gone extermination company were attending an extermination convention on an Indian reservation. Cowboy was framed for robbery at the casino. In this issue, he’s freed from the local authorities by two old friends. Cowboy tracks down the guy responsible for framing him, and discovers an even deeper conspiracy. At the same time, Dr. Sar is receiving info about the drug practices of Ocran Industries from an covert source using the code phrase, “dirty sanchez.” To a standing ovation, Sar makes a presentation about a new cockroach technology. A great issue. Loved it. It’s about man vs. natural – and nature often seems to being winning.

[iSteve]

Ms. Marvel #16

Rating: Dug it!
Title: “Ready, A.I.M., Fire! Part 2”
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Aaron Lopresti
Comments: Though there were a few moments of confusion on my part when Carol Danvers’ team, Lightning Storm, was fighting A.I.M., I still very much enjoyed this issue. I’m intrigued what Carol’s publicist has on her new boyfriend with a secret past. Carol’s fight with Wonder Man was fun – especially with her helping him regain control over his mind by kissing him. And then there was the big reveal – that M.O.D.O.K. is dying – and his son, Sean Madigan, wants to speed up the process and splinter A.I.M into thousands of independent, active cells instead of one sluggish bureaucracy. Ms. Marvel has her hands full.

[iSteve]

Omega Flight #3

Rating: Satisfactory
Title: "Alpha to Omega Part 3"
Writer: Michael Avon Oeming
Artist: Scott Kolins
Comments: I like Omega Flight, but my problem is that I want to like it so much more. I see potential in this storyline and in these characters, but sadly that potential is not fully realized. There are basically two plots in this issue. The first has to do with Talisman’s anger and resentment toward Michael Pointer – who killed her father and destroyed Alpha Flight. The second plot is about how the Wrecking Crew discovers some weird alien crap overflowing with cosmic power – which they very much want. Beta Ray Bill finally makes his appearance and intervenes. At first Bill kicks alien butt, but then has his own handed to him by the Wrecking Crew.

[fred]

I think that Omega Flight is probably a victim of the fact that their issue count was changed after writing had begun. It's a shame really.

[kahunablair]

I think that Omega Flight is probably a victim of the fact that their issue count was changed after writing had begun. It's a shame really.

What are you referring to Fred? Was there flip flopping or anything like that?

[fred]

It was initially an ongoing. After it was solicited, the series was changed to a mini-series because of weak order numbers for #1. I think that Oeming was already to issue 3 or so by then and he had to retool his broader, slower plot and distill them into a 5 or 6 issue story.

[kahunablair]

Well that kinda sucks. I actually am liking this run.

[paper]

I read Detective again. It's still awful.

[fred]

I'd imagine that it would be
I'm still trying to get up the desire to read UXM

[paper]

Sounds like UXM should get dropped Origins style.

[fred]

It's a really long story. It may go that way, but we're not there yet.

[darron]

Sounds like UXM should get dropped Origins style.

Ultimate X-Men? OH! Uncanny. Gotcha.

Why I sometimes type out my thought process, I'll never know,

Honestly, while I didn't love the issue, I REALLY dug the art, and I wanna give Bru on X-Men another shot, so I'm in for at least a couple of issue.

[paper]

I was actually thinking Ultimate X-Men too.

[darron]

......oh. Uhm....you may proceed.

[paper]

Isn't Ultimate X-Men supposed to be crap lately? The last one I picked up was the funeral issue.

What's the yoda-speaking alien chick from this past Uncanny? Is it a furry?

[itsbecca]

Paper reminded me of something I've been meaning to do.

The Best Comics You Aren't Reading

I love you all, I really do, but sometimes I get downright bummed about the lack of discussion about the kooky books I love to read. It's not as if they're off the deep end. Especially with the popularity of books coming out of Vertigo and even a few staples from outside the big two like The Walking Dead.

So I decided it's high time I share the love on some of the books I'm digging, so maybe I can bring over a few fans.

First up

http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/1171/White_Picket_Fences_1.jpg

White Picket Fences #1 (of 3) from Ape Entertainment (http://www.apecomics.com/)
Written by Matt Anderson & Eric Hutchins
Art by Micah Farritor

The name might ring a bell for those of your who listen to Around Comics (or at least the episodes with some of dear fanboys (http://www.aroundcomics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1691&Itemid=189) in them). In fact, that's why I picked it up and I'm glad I did. It's set in a 50's America, with those Leave it to Beaver, patriotic, small town sensibilities. The one difference from our own history being that they've made contact with alien life forms in our universe (unfriendly contact it seems). This comic had me when they referred to Martians as "The Red Menace", forget commie Superman, this is an alternate universe I can get behind. We don't meet the martians in this issue yet, but we do see something they left behind. Our heroes are a few neighborhood children whose imaginations and game of soldiers vs martians might finally be rivaled by reality as we get deeper into the conflict.

The art absolutley shines in this book. It's just dreamily perfect for me. Even still, it doesn't steal the show, rather, it brings you into the story. Join it with the endearing dialogue and it pulls the story together and sets the mood of nostalgia and wonder.

Still unsure? Check out the first ten pages at the mini site here (http://www.comicspace.com/white_picket_fences/).

[fred]

Isn't Ultimate X-Men supposed to be crap lately? The last one I picked up was the funeral issue.

What's the yoda-speaking alien chick from this past Uncanny? Is it a furry?

Ultimate X-Men has been troubled lately, it hasn't exactly been crap.

[paper]

Oh, ok. I thought with all the Beast is Back stuff...

Lately my definition of crap is anything short of awesome.

[fred]

by your def, it is crap
by mine, it's not there yet
the potential to become crap is there, it's just not time to start swatting the flies off yet

[paper]

You realize I spent 2 minutes Googling those lines thinking they were song lyrics, right?

[fred]

I'm very lyrical

This week I'm working on my own version of Guys And Dolls

[conorkilpatrick]

White Picket Fences #1 (of 3) from Ape Entertainment (http://www.apecomics.com/)
Written by Matt Anderson & Eric Hutchins
Art by Micah Farritor

The name might ring a bell for those of your who listen to Around Comics (or at least the episodes with some of dear fanboys (http://www.aroundcomics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1691&Itemid=189) in them). In fact, that's why I picked it up and I'm glad I did. It's set in a 50's America, with those Leave it to Beaver, patriotic, small town sensibilities. The one difference from our own history being that they've made contact with alien life forms in our universe (unfriendly contact it seems). This comic had me when they referred to Martians as "The Red Menace", forget commie Superman, this is an alternate universe I can get behind. We don't meet the martians in this issue yet, but we do see something they left behind. Our heroes are a few neighborhood children whose imaginations and game of soldiers vs martians might finally be rivaled by reality as we get deeper into the conflict.

The art absolutley shines in this book. It's just dreamily perfect for me. Even still, it doesn't steal the show, rather, it brings you into the story. Join it with the endearing dialogue and it pulls the story together and sets the mood of nostalgia and wonder.

Still unsure? Check out the first ten pages at the mini site here (http://www.comicspace.com/white_picket_fences/).

I read the first issue of this and it was a lot of fun. It definitely seems like something I will want to pick up when it comes out in trade.

[jgg0610]

I read the first issue of this and it was a lot of fun. It definitely seems like something I will want to pick up when it comes out in trade.
Yeah, I put this on my trade watch list after the discussion on Around Comics.