The Week In Comics for June 20, 2007 - A Fred Review *now with asterisks

[fred]

This was a great week for comics. I'm short a few titles because of some shipping damage and sell-outs at my lcs but I'm assured that I can get the missing ones on Friday. OK, down to business. I had 7 books with an A- average this week. The Publisher of the Week was Marvel. The Book of the Week was Captain America #27. The Shit Book of the Week is The Spirit #7. I actually liked it, but there has to be a Shit Book. Sorry Spirit, I know it sucks and I don't like it either, but thems the breaks.

Marvel
Marvel had a great week with a solid A average. They were the Publisher of the Week. They also had the Book of the Week in Captain America #27.

Captain America #27 - Ok let's run this down again. So, we're going to kill the main character in the book and 3 months later it will still kick ass? Yes. That is exactly what Ed Brubaker has done. This was an excellent issue. I loved it.

Brubaker is GOLD writing Bucky. It seriously works very well. If Marvel announced today that he was writing a book about Bucky's adventures as a chef, I'd buy it. I loved all of the Bucky parts in this. I loved the Black Widow backstory and fight stuff. I loved the plan to get Cap's shield. I absolutely loved Bucky with the old lady in the museum.

The Sharon Carter stuff was great. Her suicidal thoughts are reasonable and realistic. Her interactions with the Falcon were awesome. So was the whole Sharon and Falcon on the path of Bucky story.

The art was awesome as usual. A+

The Incredible Hulk #107 - Oh wow! That was good. I really enjoyed it. I filled in gaps and also went ahead in time like you frequently find in events. Oddly in this case, it didn't feel superfluous. I loved all of the stuff with Hercules and the Hulk. I loved the stuff with Amadeus and the Hulk and also his scenes with Hercules and Angel. I really liked the Namor/Namora storyline. I loved that Goliath's nephew was going into Manhattan to watch Iron Man get killed. The art was ok. A

Quick note: I'll be suing Marvel for stealing my likeness. The guy in the boat who says: "He'll tear them down from their golden palaces." is clearly based on me.

Ultimate Spider-Man #110 - Holy crap. Bendis is the man. This was a really fun and fitting conclusion to the Ultimate Knights arc. I liked it a lot. I'm glad that Bendis has gotten the Kingpin out of the picture for now, without anyone killing him.

This is Mark Bagley's last full issue and I'll be sad to see him go. It's the end of an era. I'm sure that Stuart Immonen's arrival at the midway point of the next issue will be great as well. A

DC Comics
DC had a prety good week with a B+ average. They had the Shit Book of the Week in The Spirit #7 :o.

Robin #163 - This was a really great issue. It was cool, exciting, and frankly very touching. I'm so glad month after month that I began reading this book. Thanks to iFanboy (Josh specifically I think) for that. This issue was so good that I almost didn't notice how bad the art was. Notice the word "almost". The art blows. It's just not good. Adam Beechen is telling great stories though. A-

Flash #13 - This was a really good issue. I enjoyed it a lot. I liked the whole "hero stands when his legs are gone" thing. It was a nice touch and I like that they carried it through to the end.

This brings up an issue that we all have discussed before though. The Flash is mother****ing confusing. Seriously. Why was Bart's girlfriend calling him Wally? I've heard that he's coming back as the Flash(Wally), but what the? How does that work? There were a few others but **** my head hurts. A- (word play not intentional)

Countdown #45 - This was pretty good. Although, it was probably the shakiest issue for me so far.

Counting Down The Points
1. I thought that this week would be a good opportunity to work the Rogues in but they were nowhere to be found.
2. Jimmy Olsen's description of the New Gods and Kirby's Fourth World made me wonder. It made me wonder how Jack Kirby could be both so gifted and so incredibly high at the same time. Well, good for him.
3. I could've done without Holly Robinson's audition for Hangin' With Mr. Wendel.
4. And I HATE HATE the ForeSkinners. I'm exceptionally perturbed that she's going to hook up with the guy from an '80s cartoon.
5. I liked Donna Troy kicking ass.
6. I liked the Monitor drama. Their in-fighting and intrigue fascinates me.
7. The Karate Kid can lick my ass. You're not selling that to me. I don't care how well he prunes a banzai tree.
8. The History of the Multiverse still fascinates me.

When I write it all out like that, it seems like I disliked it. I didn't. It just wasn't great. Also, the art was kinda crappy. B+

The Spirit #7 - What a weird issue! I'm glad that this wasn't Darwyn Cooke. I would be really disappointed. This issue contained 3 stories by 3 different teams. They varied in degree of quality. Walter Simonson's story with Chris Sprouse and Karl Story was quite good. I enjoyed it. Jimmy Palmiotti's story with Jordi Bernet was ok, but the art was beautiful. It wasn't Cooke beautiful but it was great. Finally, the story written and drawn by Kyle Baker sucked. I had a hard time finishing it.

Overall, not bad and better than most. B

[conorkilpatrick]

This brings up an issue that we all have discussed before though. The Flash is mother****ing confusing. Seriously. Why was Bart's girlfriend calling him Wally? I've heard that he's coming back as the Flash(Wally), but what the? How does that work? There were a few others but **** my head hurts. A- (word play not intentional)

You picked the wrong month to drop Justice League of America. Also, I don't believe Tina called Bart "Wally".

[paper]

Paper's Top Three

The Spirit #7: Summer Special
Robin #163
Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #12 & 13


Big of a fan as I am of Darwyn Cooke's tremendous run on The Spirit, I've been anticipating the changing of the guard. I was so nervous about the continuation of this series that I just wanted to know it's going to be in capable hands, even if that meant having Cooke sit this one out. If this three-story anthology was designed as an audition, I hope that the team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Jordi Bernet will be considered for the Eisner/Cooke mantle. Their story "Synchronicity" was easily my favorite in the collection. It's true to the Eisner model and proved to be a worthwhile experiment. It was light-hearted and fun, and I could really smell the sweat. The other stories are interesting takes, but for my money they don't come close to "Synchronicity."

Robin #163, like my first Robin book, the infamous and spectacular "date issue" is a really fun one-and-done. Robin picks up a watch for Bruce, his newly adopted dad on Father's Day. He gets in a bit of a scuffle on his way home. Beechen puts a lot of heart into this book, but it's so smart, and the storytelling is so dynamic that it doesn't feel like the fluff it could be. The book isn't breaking new ground or blazing any trails, but this book makes me feel good when I read it. And damn it, I like the art too. Say what you will about the style, but the craft of the art is undeniable. There are no lazy panels. Freddie E. Williams II enjoys what he does. Words by Adam Beechen. Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II. Heart by all the above.

Now for my POW...

Flash, the end of the line. I'd dropped this book after issue 11 thinking that I didn't care about Bart or even the Flash. But then I found out he was going to die. And that made me a little mad. And I wanted to know why. So I picked up issues 12 and 13. Such sensational character writing. Guggenheim's Bart narration is familiar. It sounds like Peter Parker, but Peter Parker hasn't been around for a while. And Bart has a legacy to live up to that Spidey never had. There were no Spidermen before Peter. So Bart's attachment to the history of the Flash and of the Speed Force was something new. And to be robbed of his alter ego and his powers in the same day? This is a hero at rock bottom. It was a truly inspirational book, what with Bart's insistence on being a hero who stands when his legs are gone. I haven't even been buy comics on a weekly basis for a year, but this is surely a milestone issue for me.

[fred]

You picked the wrong month to drop Justice League of America. Also, I don't believe Tina called Bart "Wally".

I'm reading JLA tomorrow.

Who called him Wally then? What happened? Did I fall asleep with the stove on?

These are all questions that I ask myself after reading the Flash.

It's not that I don't like it; it's that I frequently don't get it. It's like JSA's brother book or something.

[conorkilpatrick]

Who called him Wally then? What happened? Did I fall asleep with the stove on?

I just looked through the issue again and saw the panel I think you're referring to.

Is it this one?

TINA: OH GOD...
BART: IT'S OKAY... IT'S...
BART: WALLY, WALLY, I'M SO...
TINA: BART...
BART: I'M SORRY I WAS A JERK.

Are you referring to something else?

[paper]

Where in the book is she calling him Wally? I'm flipping through, trying to figure this out.

This is weird, because I never read Flash before the Guggenheim run, and I've never found this book confusing. I always thought they did a good job of clarifying things.

[fred]

I just looked through the issue again and saw the panel I think you're referring to.

Is it this one?

TINA: OH GOD...
BART: IT'S OKAY... IT'S...
BART: WALLY, WALLY, I'M SO...
TINA: BART...
BART: I'M SORRY I WAS A JERK.

Are you referring to something else?

I um improperly followed the path of the word balloons.
whoops!

[fred]

Where in the book is she calling him Wally? I'm flipping through, trying to figure this out.

This is weird, because I never read Flash before the Guggenheim run, and I've never found this book confusing. I always thought they did a good job of clarifying things.

I was actually wrong about that. my bad

[mjm05k]

Under the heading of Marvel Will Slap A Banner On Any Comic To Increase Sales falls Moon Knight, which has The Initiative splashed on the top of the cover. The only problem is that on the recap page it clearly says "The events in this story take place before the events of Civil War #6-7." Uh, WTF?

[fred]

Under the heading of Marvel Will Slap A Banner On Any Comic To Increase Sales falls Moon Knight, which has The Initiative splashed on the top of the cover. The only problem is that on the recap page it clearly says "The events in this story take place before the events of Civil War #6-7." Uh, WTF?

nice. I'm so glad that I dropped that crappy book. I would be railing about the very same thing right now.

[cam-]

OK. Here's what I've got.

This week I decided I'd tackle my books by event/company. So ALL my DC then all my Indies, then All my marvel.

I'll start with some opinions of the DC stuff, and precurse everything by saying it seems I just about always love everything.

JLA: THe Lightning SAGA ends with.... (SPOILERS)

The return of Wally!! HEY how about that, so well coordinated with other things that happened! Seriously though, the book itself was okay. I still found it a little tough to follow. At the end I was left saying, "Sooo... WHAT was the Legion doing?" But I enjoyed it more than I have been, and I'm sticking around.

Fred, I know you hate the Karate Kid, but remember, he is the man who will fight for your honour. And now it looks like he'll do in on the Justice League. I actually thought that was cool.

Some trouble with the inking, or perhaps this book was rushed just a little to coincide with everything else, Countdown rearing it's ugly head yet?

Brave and The Bold, I still love this book. It's over the top, epic, Universe spanning storyline is so fun. I don't take it too seriously cause Waid has written it so that I can't, he's just outdoing himself with wacky imagination. It feels like this is the book that Countdown should be. PLus the DC NATION page at the end that says "Next in the Brave and the Bold #5 Batman and ... EVERYBODY... vs. the Chaos wave" made me smile.

The Flash: HAving already read JLA I opened this book with some trepidation, I don't really like Bart, and was more upset when Wally bit it, But I too felt this book was just finding it's sea legs. Perhaps a year is too long to wait for that, but there you have it, it's over now.

The book itself was great, the whole time I felt like some sort of superheroic intervention was going to save the day, and it never came. Even the segment where Bart is trying to pound the life out of Inertia to save himself made me uncomfortable. Great stuff. I said on the main page that the scene with Robin was particularily Poignant, and I'll stand by that.

COUNTDOWN This was the first week I REALLY felt that, while this book adds some fun colour to the DCU, I don't know if enough is happening to keep buying it. Oh the perils of a weekly Book.

Checkmate I agree with Conor, one of the best two book crossovers I've read in a while, but I doubt I'll keep reading either book after it's done. Go figure.

[cam-]

Picked up a couple of Indy books too.

Here's what i thought.

REPO # 1: So I've said before that I loved Teenagers from Mars, if you haven't read it PLEASE do yourself a favour and track it down. It's fantastic (interesting side note, my store has it filed under zombie books. Wierd).

Anyways, this book is tough, I wanted to like it much more than I did, but it was so confusing in character, plot, and, my biggest problem with it, the art.

I love Rob G, but here, something is off, I feel like the art should have been Black and white and it would've seemed crisper. Here it seems, thick.

Madame Mirage # 1 I enjoyed this book quite a bit, though as I read through it every guess I made turned out wrong. And, as arrogant as I am I thought to myself, man, my story would've been cooler. Anyways the stage is set, and I'll check out the next issue.

[labor_days]

Only got to read Countdown, Brave & The Bold and JLA today.

Countdown was great. Donna Troy kicking ass was just awesome. I really didn't mind Jimmy filling us in on the New Gods stuff either. The Forth World is so complex and convoluted to begin with; it was nice to just get the pertinent information to the story for once.

Brave & The Bold was a lot of fun. Seems like I say that every time it ships but this is just a really solid, fun action comic. Tight pacing, excellent artwork- imagination just seems to pour out of these pages. Too early to call a POW but I do enjoy this book an awful lot.

JLA. What the hell is going on here? Oh well, the Lightning Saga had it's "gee whiz" moments while it lasted. Which is cool and all. Hey look, it's one of the Flashes!

[conorkilpatrick]

Checkmate I agree with Conor, one of the best two book crossovers I've read in a while, but I doubt I'll keep reading either book after it's done. Go figure.

Howcome ?

[cam-]

Finally I tackled my Marvel books.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAANnnnnnddddddd

Yes I'm a stooge, I bought ALL (read it again) AAAAAALLLL the World War Hulk Tie ins.

But I can explain, don't kill me cause I don't read Ant Man. Last week I got the Planet Hulk Hardcover, and it was so fun!! I found myself very curious about these characters that I actually know about!

Incredible Hulk 107 Greg Pak is doing amazing things with this book. I didn't realize how much I'd missed the Hulk, as I'd collected for the Bruce Jones years, which ended with less Umph than I'd hoped, and I decided; "Planet Hulk?" Buy it in trade.

Anyways I'm back on board, Gary Frank's Art is great, the story is cleverly weaving in compelling characters, and it feels like this "event" is REALLY asking the question whose side are you on? Having read Planet Hulk it's hard not to support him, but that means hoping for the destruction of so many heroes I love?!?

I mean I went as Mr. Fantastic for Halloween! It's like cheering for the Hulk to beat me up (or supporting an american team to win the stanley cup).

Get this!!

Heroes for Hire I almost felt guilty buying this one, knowing that if I liked it I'd be picking up a Tentacle porn cover soon. But two of the most intriguing characters in Planet Hulk play a major part in this one. Namely Miek the Bug, and The Brood.

Now for me, the Brood has always seemed very evil, ever since Wolvie was infected way back in the day (the silvestri Uncanny days). And I've theorized that a cool way out of this WWH thing would be the reveal of true enemies in the Bug half of Hulk's Warbound.

Anyways, about the book itself, I liked it. Not perfect, but a nice set up, solid art, and a tight little back up story. Plus Humbug rips some head off, easily the coolest thing he's ever done.

Ghost Rider: Well, can't win em all. Next issue something with the hulk will happen. This issue was about driving and stopping in a diner on the way to the Hulk. Guess I should've expected that. It's puts the Rider in Ghost Rider, that's for sure.

And IRON MAN: Basically a re-cap. It's well written, but you've read it already if you read World War Hulk. Still the art is above average, and Tony doesn't seem like an uber - dick.

So now I just have to read X-men endangered Species (best cover of the week!!) ANd Fallen Son: Spider-man, which seems like it has beautiful art.

CHeers!

[cam-]

Howcome ?

Ironically, having dumped a load of cash this week, it's cause I need to make some cuts, and I'm falling for the Avengers stuff AND the planet hulk stuff.

Plus, I don't REALLY know what's going on in Checkmate, and I've heard rumours OUTSIDERS is ending anyways.

I'll probably switch to trades with Checkmate and start from the beginning.

[keithm]

Okay, so seriously, can anyone explain what the hell happened in JLA 10? And the entire Lightning Saga? I mean I'm glad Wally's back, giving the JLA it's 19th member, but this whole thing was a mess. Between this and the the first arc, I'm convinced that Meltzer doesn't have a good grasp of the medium. Still though, you'd think a pro like Johns would've been able to stop this thing from going so far off the rails, but I guess he's spending to much time trying to get Donner to turn in a damn script. And it looks like Barry's gonna be back eventually. He just needs to break out of some version of the Legion's Lightning rod...uh...ok.

Also, who's that chick on the last page talking to Red Tornado?

[keithm]

Plus, I don't REALLY know what's going on in Checkmate, and I've heard rumours OUTSIDERS is ending anyways.




It's not ending, but as recent solicits have shown, Winick's leaving the book and the things getting a total overhaul. Appearantly it's becoming a Batman book again...


Also, did the Endangered Species One Shot not ship this week? I totally missed it at my shop.

[nateboegel]

Also, who's that chick on the last page talking to Red Tornado?


Cyclone of the JSA. She is the granddaughter of the original Red Tornado. She has wind-based powers also and spent a part of the background of the Lightning Saga looking to the Red Tornado as kind of a mentor.

[big-doze]

Only 4 books for this kid this week, three great, and one a giant stinkburger.

Somehow, Mark Guggenheim has managed to make the death of my favorite character in comics into one of my favorite comics of all time. Flash #13 is easily my POW, and even though it means no more Bart (for now, at least), they sure sent him off in style. Bart was every inch the hero his predecesors were in this issue, and Mark hit all the right moments from Bart refusing to back down or place anyone else in harm's way, to exactly the right people responding to his death in heartbreaking silence. You'll be missed, Impulse.
BTW, with Kon and now Bart, all we need is for Tim to kick and we've got a Young Justice reunion in the afterlife! I'll bring the Fritos!

Ok, so... JLA #10. Lemme see if I've got this: The Legion of Super Heroes traveled back in time, infiltrating the JSA and the JLA, for the purpose of using future lightning rods (which we shouldn't try to understand, says Batman) to resurrect... somebody who we don't see, while accidentally bringing back Wally West and his entire family from the alternate Earth that they've been chilling on since the end of Infinite Crisis.
Uh huh.
Sorry, but if you're going to string us along for all these issues, not tell us anything and just basically confuse the living @#$% out of us, we need something better than "the mission is just beginning." Like, seriously, answer something.

Ultimate Spidey #10 was brilliant and tense, with a depth to Ult. Daredevil that I've never seen before and proof that no matter the continuity, Spider-Man is the greatest hero ever. Neat-o.

Captain America #27 was delicious. Can't get enough Bucky (never thought I'd say that), and like the ifanboys I'm a fan of retcons (withing reason). The Black Widow/Winter Soldier history was a really great touch, as was Sharon on death's door. The Falcon continues to be a pimp, and Stark continues to be a toolbox. 'Nuff said.

[fred]

Fred, I know you hate the Karate Kid, but remember, he is the man who will fight for your honour. And now it looks like he'll do in on the Justice League. I actually thought that was cool.


He is the heroooo that you're dreaming of

[fred]

Finally I tackled my Marvel books.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAANnnnnnddddddd

Yes I'm a stooge, I bought ALL (read it again) AAAAAALLLL the World War Hulk Tie ins.

But I can explain, don't kill me cause I don't read Ant Man. Last week I got the Planet Hulk Hardcover, and it was so fun!! I found myself very curious about these characters that I actually know about!

Incredible Hulk 107 Greg Pak is doing amazing things with this book. I didn't realize how much I'd missed the Hulk, as I'd collected for the Bruce Jones years, which ended with less Umph than I'd hoped, and I decided; "Planet Hulk?" Buy it in trade.

Anyways I'm back on board, Gary Frank's Art is great, the story is cleverly weaving in compelling characters, and it feels like this "event" is REALLY asking the question whose side are you on? Having read Planet Hulk it's hard not to support him, but that means hoping for the destruction of so many heroes I love?!?

I mean I went as Mr. Fantastic for Halloween! It's like cheering for the Hulk to beat me up (or supporting an american team to win the stanley cup).

Get this!!

Heroes for Hire I almost felt guilty buying this one, knowing that if I liked it I'd be picking up a Tentacle porn cover soon. But two of the most intriguing characters in Planet Hulk play a major part in this one. Namely Miek the Bug, and The Brood.

Now for me, the Brood has always seemed very evil, ever since Wolvie was infected way back in the day (the silvestri Uncanny days). And I've theorized that a cool way out of this WWH thing would be the reveal of true enemies in the Bug half of Hulk's Warbound.

Anyways, about the book itself, I liked it. Not perfect, but a nice set up, solid art, and a tight little back up story. Plus Humbug rips some head off, easily the coolest thing he's ever done.

Ghost Rider: Well, can't win em all. Next issue something with the hulk will happen. This issue was about driving and stopping in a diner on the way to the Hulk. Guess I should've expected that. It's puts the Rider in Ghost Rider, that's for sure.

And IRON MAN: Basically a re-cap. It's well written, but you've read it already if you read World War Hulk. Still the art is above average, and Tony doesn't seem like an uber - dick.

So now I just have to read X-men endangered Species (best cover of the week!!) ANd Fallen Son: Spider-man, which seems like it has beautiful art.

CHeers!

I'm so glad that I'm not buying all of the tie-ins. It sounds like some of them really sucked(Ghost Rider especiallY).

[paper]

Anyone else have a favorite Spirit story this week? It seems like Fred's was the first one and mine was the second one.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Hey everybody how's it going! I was away in London for the week and barely had an opportunity to get on the computer. I'm going to go get my books soon as I was on the Eurostar yesterday and couldn't pick up my books but judging by some of these reviews its going to be a good week:D

On my way to Stratford and back where I went to see a performance of The Seagull and King Lear both with the legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen (better known as Gandalf for most of you) I read a lot of trades on the train as I like to do.

I read:
Sleeper volumes 1 and 2
DMZ volume 2
Frank Miller's Daredevil volume 2 (I would've bought the Omnibus but I had the first trade before it came out so I thought I'd stick with it.)
Gotham Central volume 2
Fables volume 9
Lost at Sea

I read most of these on the Eurostar as well and they were all enjoyable. I was particularly surprised by Lost at Sea which is Brian O'Malley's only other written and drawn work other than Scott Pilgrim. I love Scott Pilgrim it's one of the greatest comic books ever and I was curious to see how his earlier work would compare to his current work, I was amazed to discover he's actually pretty good at writing serious stories. While Lost at Sea had its comedic moments at times overall it was a very serious and intriguing work. If I had to pick between the two I deftly pick Scott Pilgrim but this book is also a very decent read.
I'm going to do some reviews of these books later in the trade review thread and most of these books I got into thanks to the site so thank everybody:)

Great reviews everyone I'm really looking forward to this week.

[paper]

I'm going to do some reviews of these books later in the trade review thread and most of these books I got into thanks to the site so thank everybody:)

Great reviews everyone I'm really looking forward to this week.

Welcome back, buddy. I bet seeing Ian McKellan on stage was pretty dope. He's awesome.

Looking forward to these trade reviews. I was trying to find Sleeper, Gotham Central, and Lost at Sea in my lcs yesterday, but no dice. I just wanted to pick up a single trade, and all three of my top choices were missing from the shelf. I ended up getting Brubaker's Catwoman: The Dark End of the Street.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Thinks Paper is good to be back:D talking about comic books when you don't do it for a while it becomes maddening! Like the new avatar by the way and Ian McKellen was awesome to watch on the stage he has such presence! Sorry to hear you couldn't get your trades I know books like Sleeper and Lost at Sea can be difficult to find in mainstream stores and I knew a specific one in London that would have the ones I'm looking for, better luck next week.

I did forget to mention one book which is kind of a joke. My sister likes to watch Naruto on the television and she bought the first manga, as I had nothing to do at the time I started reading it and… it wasn't half bad! I would not go out and buy it myself but it was pretty good, I thought it was amusing because of the running joke on this site but overall it's not what I unexpected:p

[k33k3r]

Great stuff as always Fred. Which books didn't you get yet?

Marvel
Captain America - My POW is also . This issue was amazing. Fred already made the points that I wanted to amke except the fact that Stark pretty much looks like he shit his pants at the end of the issue.

Fallen Son #4 - The art was great. I actually stopped a couple times and stared before turning the page. The story was well okay as well.

USM - Bendis is indead the man. This was a great ending to this arc. Every month leaves me wanting more and wondering why I wasn't reading this book earlier.

ASM - Meh as always. I'll be happy when this arc is over but am not going to be happy about Marvels crap attempt at a monthly book with them gutting Friendly(I don't currently buy) and Sensational(I do buy and like that it's a different story line).

Sensational SM - I always enjoy the art in this book and especially the covers. This two part story isn't bad at all actually. Aunt May and Eddy Brock are in the same hospital and we learn that Venom hasn't completely left him or he's just nuts and can't control his own thought processes.

Moon Knight - My SBOW. This book is like 6 months late. The story line sucks and now the art has gone to shit as well. I'm finishing the arc and I'm out. I might not even make it that far. DROP!!!

Annihilation Conquest Prologue - Was kinda of confusing by the fact that out of no where there's a new Quazar.....? No back story, no explanation, Hi i'm the daughter of Captain Marvel and no I'm the new Quazar.....?!? HUH?!?! They setup the next year long Annihilation story pretty well though and I will give each of the books at least one issue before I make my decision.

DC
Countdown - It was an okay week for this book. The Donna Troy stuff was great but the Jimmy Olsen stuff..... ehhhh. This issue didn't have Mary Marvel or the Rogues which are the two story lines I have liked the most thus far.

JLA - I'm glad The Lightning Saga is over and didn't see that ending coming at all except for some of the give aways that DC has done in their adds for Countdown. Please don't cross these two books over again for awhile.

Robin - Like Fred I'm happy the iFanboys turned me on to this book. I enjoy it every month. I enjoy the interaction between Bruce and Tim trying to act as father and son.

The Spirit - The first two stories were really good and were like the Spirit stories we've been reading thus far. the last one was just so damn confusing and hard to read. I almost had to stop.

That's it for me.

[paper]

Yeah, I agree that Countdown was really hurt by the lack of Mary Marvel and Rogues storylines.

[k33k3r]

When I was done I kinda sat there and was like um.... okay what happened? nothing really, oh yeah and what the hell is the deal with the forerunners?

[conorkilpatrick]

Also, did the Endangered Species One Shot not ship this week? I totally missed it at my shop.

Indeed it did.

[fred]

Great stuff as always Fred. Which books didn't you get yet?


Thanks.
JLA - long story
Dead@17
Fallen Son
ASM
Extinction Agenda One Shot
Ex Machina

[fred]

Moon Knight - My SBOW. This book is like 6 months late. The story line sucks and now the art has gone to shit as well. I'm finishing the arc and I'm out. I might not even make it that far. DROP!!!


I dropped it after #8 maybe. I'm so glad that I did.

[k33k3r]

It so far behind and didn't bother me for some reason until now when the story and the art completely hit the shitter. this book should have come out like in December or January. That's really bad. You just help me make my decision.... DROP!!!

[fred]

I remember that my last issue had the same "this takes place between CW 6 &7" thing in it and CW was OVER. I nearly threw the book. It had no chance. Then I read it and it sucked ASS and it was out.

[k33k3r]

Well when I was reading it last night I was like "what the hell even happened in the last issue?" Oh Yeah the stupid robot guy crap. the only thing that tied this to CW was Stark showing up and asking "can I offer some help?"
Dumb

[fred]

same thing with me but it was Cap showing up. It was during a period where I was dropping everything that sucked. I dropped like 15 books in 6-8 weeks. There are weeks now where I only have 8-10 books. It's kind of crazy but cool. I have to work now to find the shit book.

[jimski]

I remember that my last issue had the same "this takes place between CW 6 &7" thing in it and CW was OVER. I nearly threw the book.

I haven't read Amazing Spider-Man in a while, but I'm given to understand that he is still fighting the Kingpin, who is somehow in jail, BUT Matt Murdock doesn't seem to be, BUT the Kingpin hasn't been in Ryker's since a Daredevil issue like six months ago. I dearly wish a supernerd would take the timelines for Daredevil, Civil War, and ASM and plot them all out on a graph for me.

(and the Punisher was in CW... but the Punisher went to Ryker's... between CW #7 and War Journal #?... ow. Ow!)

[fred]

exactly. it's so frustrating.

[mikegraham6]

I missed picking up my books yesterday (had to go for Fondu with the girlfriend instead:rolleyes:) but based on your review fred, i can't wait to pick them up after work today! A great job as always:)

[k33k3r]

It is annoying and all but I've given up on Marvel Books ever being on the same times lines.

[fred]

It is annoying and all but I've given up on Marvel Books ever being on the same times lines.

it's frustrating. I get a week or two here or there but CW was a long time ago.


and thanks mike

[alexg]

Great reviews fred--I couldn't agree more, especially about Hulk and Cap America. I would have never thought Bucky could be made into such an interesting character-and how creepy was the shot of him in the tank? I've read all the issues so I've seen that image before, but this was a particularly gruesome version of it.

Hulk just kicks ass. This issue was especially fun having read Planet Hulk when the Hulk discovered he had a very similar effect on people. Despite people in the book say about Hulk, he is no longer a monster, but a leader. on a world on monsters he grew into a leader, and now he's having that effect on people on earth....and I was glad to see that it surprised him. He may have come to Smash, but I don't think it will be quite that simple. I'm hooked on this event.

[fred]

Hulk has gone through this awesome period in the last 18 months. I feel like it will be one of the definitive runs for me.

[alexg]

Me too. Pak has quietly re-engineered the character into something else now, and I like it. "talking" Hulk doesn't bother me because the core of the character is there...pure uncontrollable rage. This event is interesting because it's able to do what Civil war could never do. Make the "enemy" likeable and understanable. All through Civil War we waited for a decent justification for the pro-reg side and never got it. But with the Warbound, it's very clear why they want to do what they are doing. They are all the last survivors of the their respective races...what more do they need?

[k33k3r]

So was DareDevil 93 or whatever number it was. Which means that CW actually took place during that time period.
Which mean that Cap actually died in like October or so.

[alexg]

I totally ignore Marvel continuity now...it never makes any sense. I also admit I'm sort of waiting for DC's new contintuity with countdown to collapse. Why are they doing all this? DC books don't need all this cross-overage.


BTW--I have to say it. The Lightning Saga BLEW.

[fred]

Me too. Pak has quietly re-engineered the character into something else now, and I like it. "talking" Hulk doesn't bother me because the core of the character is there...pure uncontrollable rage. This event is interesting because it's able to do what Civil war could never do. Make the "enemy" likeable and understanable. All through Civil War we waited for a decent justification for the pro-reg side and never got it. But with the Warbound, it's very clear why they want to do what they are doing. They are all the last survivors of the their respective races...what more do they need?

I agree. I think that talking Hulk only reinforces the core ideals.

[schippewreck]

I bought two DC books and eight Marvel books this week, but I have to give the win to DC, based on the strength of Flash #13 and Brave and the Bold #4. Just awesome stuff.

The best two Marvel books I bought were Ultimate Spider-Man #110 and Incredible Hulk #107. USM is still the best Spider book out there, hands down.

Ghost Rider #12 was one stinky, stinky comic book.

The rest of my stack (Iron Man, Heroes for Hire, Amazing Spider-Man, Sensational Spider-Man, and Fallen Son Spider-Man) were just there. Not great, but not actively terrible either.

[fred]

daniel way is terribly untalented.

[jo-relrollins]

just wanna let u know Fred, XMen Endangered Species;Major letdown. It was a funeral of an unknown mutant. The Xmen all went through the emotional drama of being an endangered species(which they had already done in the Annual and other issues). Also Sebastien Shaw was there,just to compare himself to Xavier and Magneto. Beast barely had any involvement. As a setup it was poor. It did let u in on how each different member feels and where each group stands. But from what the chapters seem to be about;it wasn't really a setup as it was a sidestory. It was good,but it did not foretell this huge chapter bearing crossover. I would have given it an B for storytelling,but a D for going off on a tangent. Just saying guys.

By the way my favs this week were Flash,Hulk,and Robin(it was so sentimental, made me wanna cry).

[fred]

uggh. I already have asked my shop owner to put one of the replacement ones aside for me so I really should buy it. That sucks.

[jo-relrollins]

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge Xmen fan and I loved it. The issue was is it that it was very informative, i don't think it was such a setup for the mini chapters. When u read it let me know if u thought it was. I liked the story and the art though. But i was expecting a big reveal. Or maybe i missed something?

[fred]

I'll let you know what I think over the weekend.

[jo-relrollins]

U just made me think about it more. Because i remember when i first read Flash, i sworn they left Bart's situation(not gonna say it) open. So i'm gonna read it again. So Xmen Endangered Species will be getting another go around.

[fred]

let me know if it changes

[jo-relrollins]

will do that for ya

[fred]

awesome thanks

[jo-relrollins]

Question, i was going back over the "Lightening Saga" and as I read it, i was thinking;" I don't think they were planning on bringing 'him' back"(the characters I mean). I think they were leading us to believe it would Gar not WaWe(trying to not spoil it here). Am i the only one who felt they were leading us one way then through a lynchpin in there. Like wasn't one of the characters supposed to die(he ducked,the hell). Just wondering someone inform me if i'm reading it wrong.

[jo-relrollins]

Didn't know where to post this so i'll let u guys know here. I just realized at the end of Annhilation:Conquest- those are the Phalanx. Those evil techno virus creatures that first appeared in '93 against the Xmen(okay i know Warlock was one of them,which means they first debuted in the '80s, but the evil ones were around '93). I think i'm gonna be picking up the main book now.

[k33k3r]

Yeah they said they were the Phalanx in the book.

As for the "I ducked" Yeah that was a load of crap. I was like how the hell you gonna duck lightning when it hits something you are hold in your hand...?

[fred]

how the hell you gonna duck lightning when it hits something you are hold in your hand...?

I do that all the time. Damn stainless steel umbrella!

[k33k3r]

Aight smart ass. When it hits a lightning rod you are holding in your hand...

There better?

[davegraham]

Fred, will you be picking up this week's Amazing? I don't mean for you to waste your money and I don't want to condone piracy, but I would really like to read you tearing this one to pieces. I just read it over lunch and it almost made me vomit my turkey sandwich back up. I skipped over large pieces of dialogue and captions because I just could not stomach them. I never do that kind of thing.

You're becoming the MST3K of comics.

[fred]

thanks. that's quite a compliment.
I have a copy of asm coming tomorrow. I'll have a digital before that. Soon I read it and I'm sure that I'll have a lot to say. I always do.

[hometeam790]

What I got from it was that Wally was Bart's mentor and he was trying to say he was sorry for failing.

read Brave and the Bold. Really really didn't care for the Supergirl/Lobo part of the story, much preferred the Blue Beetle/Batman part, I wish that had the main focus.

[darron]

My favorite book was easily Flash. Probably my favorite single issue all year. It was absolutely phenominal. It was one of the best, well written deaths I've ever read. Talk about an effing hero.

JLA, and the whole wrap up to the Lightning Saga, didn't really bug me. Wally's back, so thats a plus. Starman is staying, thank goodness. I just hope Batman kicks Karate Kids ass at some point. Payback'll be a *****.

Ultimate Spidey was fantastic. I really enjoyed this whole arc. To be honest, my first issue of USM was the first of the Clone Saga, which was good, but this Ultimate Knights storyline was soooooooo much better. For a second I thought Daredevil was gonna kill Fisk's wife. That's good stuff right there.

[mastap]

Im gonna try and get some actual reviews up today, though my pic is pretty obvios

[fred]

My missing stuff came in early. yaaay early.
Still reading it but....

Fallen Son #4 - This was pretty good. I felt like this wasn't either the high or low watermark for the series to this point. Finch's art was overwrought, but isn't that always the way with him? The Spider-man dead mofos throughout the years montage was enjoyable. The scenes with Wolverine were enjoyable. The Rhino was not necessary.

I don't know. I'd give it a B-.

[itsbecca]

My favorite book was easily Flash. Probably my favorite single issue all year. It was absolutely phenominal. It was one of the best, well written deaths I've ever read. Talk about an effing hero.

This last arc with Flash has been, I think, my favorite superhero comic since I made the leap into tights based comics a few months ago. It's the only one I would get literally excited about. I think the only one to rival it, for me, was maybe Green Arrow.

What dumb freaking luck on my part.

[muady]

SPOILERS FOR JUSTICE LEAGUE FOLLOWS




Ok, so... JLA #10. Lemme see if I've got this: The Legion of Super Heroes traveled back in time, infiltrating the JSA and the JLA, for the purpose of using future lightning rods (which we shouldn't try to understand, says Batman) to resurrect... somebody who we don't see, while accidentally bringing back Wally West and his entire family from the alternate Earth that they've been chilling on since the end of Infinite Crisis.
Uh huh.
Sorry, but if you're going to string us along for all these issues, not tell us anything and just basically confuse the living @#$% out of us, we need something better than "the mission is just beginning." Like, seriously, answer something.


While I agree the JLA/JSA crossover was as poorly directed as just about any crossover(In fact, even more so since this is supposed to set up things yet to come for this Countdown event), I don't agree that we're left as confused as we were at the beginning.

I didn't read the whole thread, so i don't know if any else has said this already, but Meltzer did reveal who the Legion was trying to bring back, but its left in the subtext. Its not too subtle, pay attention to the panels with Batman and Green Lantern on page 10(counting actual artwork, not ads), and I think it's pretty clear.



But..if not...they were trying to bring back Barry Allen. :cool: Who is encased in the lightning rod at the end. Probably. We're still waiting to find out for sure after all.

[the-screw-on-aaron]

Read my books excellent week I'll post some reviews later.

Whaa Fred 10,000 posts!:eek: I can't believe I missed that graduations are in order I guess, good reviews as well.

[fred]

thanks. few more reviews coming

Dead @ 17 #4 - This might read good in trade. No on second thought it wouldn't. It sucks the ass of a fat man that just spent an hour on an exercise bike. Josh Howard should be flogged. Dropped.

It might even read better if it came out more than once every 3 months. No wait, it wouldn't. **** this book.

F

[fred]

Ex Machina #29 - This was good. I keep teetering on it. Am I switching to trades? Will I stick with issues? I'm going to stay on issues for now. It was cool. Also, nicely drawn as usual.

B+

[fred]

Amazing Spider-Man #541 - Let me begin by saying that I don't really know where to begin. This was THAT horrible.

How I Hate Thee Let Me Count The Ways

1) I don't give a **** what you say. I don't care if Peter was homicidally angry when he found out that Aunt May was a robot in the clone saga or whenthe****ever. My Spider-Man doesn't kill. My Spider-man doesn't rule with fear and rage. This is retarded. If JMS hadn't written 80 spidey comics or so, I'd assume that he'd never read any.

2) The Kingpin's whole cell is made of $100 bills? Um yeah, Willie ****ing Loman had an easier time selling shit to people.

3) JMS writes him like a bully. "Guns aren't the predators. I AM!" "End of the road Fisk. You. Me. Right Now" - Is he Roid Rage Spider-Man? Is he really pissed because his testicles shrunk and he has hair on his toes? Whathafuk? This is retarded. JMS doesn't understand who Spider-Man is.

4) The Doozie of them all. PP and MJ are paying Aunt May's hospital bills in cash (you know, because they're just like us). MJ is afraid that they'll soon begin to suspect who she is because not drawing any attention will draw attention. So, then Peter DECIDES THAT SHE NEEDS A TRANSFUSION OF HIS RADIOACTIVE BLOOD TO HEAL HER. Read that again, I'll wait. Yup. That happened. It's not a typo. So what does he do? He asks MJ to administer it. What says I love you more than administering a blood transfusion to your husband and aunt? I can't think of anything.


In the end, I'll buy this again next month for one reason. I cannot wait to see if JMS can sustain this level of incompetence.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFF

Can I give this a Z?

[darron]

I'm liking Tony Stark more and more with every issue he shows up in. Honestly, I am. In some books he's a jerk, in some he's a big softie, in others he's a douchebag...I love it. I get excited now when I see his armor. That NEVER happened before Civil War. I just love an (ex)drunk, billion playboy running the show.

(To be blunt, my favorite verison of Stark is the 'ultimate' verison, 'cause he's still an alcoholic. Is that bad?)

Yet...I have never read an issue of the Iron Man monthly. I guess I should at least try it.

[fred]

Yet...I have never read an issue of the Iron Man monthly. I guess I should at least try it.

it's not good man. not good at all.

[darron]

My LCS duder loves the book. It couldn't hurt to try an issue. I think I'll wait until after WWH, though.

Thanks for the heads up, though.

[fred]

it could hurt and it very well may

[tony-stark-hero]

I'm liking Tony Stark more and more with every issue he shows up in. Honestly, I am. In some books he's a jerk, in some he's a big softie, in others he's a douchebag...I love it. I get excited now when I see his armor. That NEVER happened before Civil War. I just love an (ex)drunk, billion playboy running the show.

(To be blunt, my favorite verison of Stark is the 'ultimate' verison, 'cause he's still an alcoholic. Is that bad?)

Yet...I have never read an issue of the Iron Man monthly. I guess I should at least try it.

*bursts through wall*

Happy birthday, Damon! It's me, Tony. Can I sign your baby? Don't have a baby? Give me 8 minutes with your mom. They don't have to be alone minutes. This could be very educational.

Vinegar and baking soda. Try it sometime. It's what the earth's core is made out of. So you can recreate the explosion of Mt. Hiroshima in your very own kitchen.

So, is this like the best day of your life? I can sleep over.

[darron]

I NEVER use this, but, LMAO.

Happy birthday Damon? That was brilliant. I thought it read Darron at first.



Tony! Please don't go, Tony! I need your help. See, my problem is, I'm pretty well-liked by my friends. But you! You can teach me the ways of the douchebag. Please help!

[fred]

X-Men Endangered Species One Shot - Did anything happen in this book? Wasn't the dead mutant going to be an important one? What blew up at the end? Do I care? The answer to all of those questions is "I don't know". C-

[tony-stark-hero]

*bursts through wall*

Happy birthday, Damon! It's me, Tony. Can I sign your baby? Don't have a baby? Give me 8 minutes with your mom. They don't have to be alone minutes. This could be very educational.

Vinegar and baking soda. Try it sometime. It's what the earth's core is made out of. So you can recreate the explosion of Mt. Hiroshima in your very own kitchen.

So, is this like the best day of your life? I can sleep over.

*Alf laugh*

I NEVER use this, but, LMAO.

Happy birthday Damon? That was brilliant. I thought it read Darron at first.



Tony! Please don't go, Tony! I need your help. See, my problem is, I'm pretty well-liked by my friends. But you! You can teach me the ways of the douchebag. Please help!

That sounds like a woman's trouble.

Don't worry, David. I may be leaving you for now. But I'll always be here.

*places hand over chest*

In my armor.

Anybody else getting the "red rings of death" on their armor? I'm really nervous about upgrading to elite. Because isn't elite sort of a step down for me? It's got "lite" in it. And "lite" is for pussies. Like straws and mixed drinks that aren't clear or brown.

Oh, and don't think I haven't been reading your boards, rousers. I'm not a Skrull. Skrull down (LOL) to find out why not.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*Keep Skrulling
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Cuz it would be lame.

Alright. Time to pre-game. Friday night is coming.

[cancelhoo]

X-Men Endangered Species One Shot - Did anything happen in this book? Wasn't the dead mutant going to be an important one? What blew up at the end? Do I care? The answer to all of those questions is "I don't know". C-

um...i thought it was an explosion too, but burntlight sez its the sunrise. disappointment of the week. was this a 198 wrap-up that was delayed six months? wtf was the point???

[cam-]

This last arc with Flash has been, I think, my favorite superhero comic since I made the leap into tights based comics a few months ago. It's the only one I would get literally excited about. I think the only one to rival it, for me, was maybe Green Arrow.

What dumb freaking luck on my part.

Wow, that is something.

But don't worry, Wally's a really likeable Flash! Wait till you get to know him.

Plus "Wedding Specials" (read that in a Jim J Bullock voice).

[fred]

wtf was the point???

I have no idea. it was stupid. who died?

[paper]

Here's the root of the problem. There was an X in the title and it wasn't proceeded by 'Astonishing' or followed by 'Factor'.

[labor_days]

Here's the root of the problem. There was an X in the title and it wasn't proceeded by 'Astonishing' or followed by 'Factor'.
Nail, meet hammer.

[big-doze]

Here's the root of the problem. There was an X in the title and it wasn't proceeded by 'Astonishing' or followed by 'Factor'.

Or preceeded by Agent... anyone...?

[paper]

Or proceeded by Agent.

Or proceeded by 'e' and followed by a space and then, "Machina."

Or when proceeded by X and followed by X.

[big-doze]

SPOILERS FOR JUSTICE LEAGUE FOLLOWS

I didn't read the whole thread, so i don't know if any else has said this already, but Meltzer did reveal who the Legion was trying to bring back, but its left in the subtext. Its not too subtle, pay attention to the panels with Batman and Green Lantern on page 10(counting actual artwork, not ads), and I think it's pretty clear.

But..if not...they were trying to bring back Barry Allen. :cool: Who is encased in the lightning rod at the end. Probably. We're still waiting to find out for sure after all.

See, I saw the subtext, but that felt like less of a clue and more like misdirection. And as you say, we don't friggin' find out who's in the lightning rod, we don't find out why he's important, and nothing actually happened in this arc.

I just feel so... used.

[labor_days]

Or preceded by Agent... anyone...?

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/11000/10925/10925-93910-2-agent-x_400.jpg

good book?

[paper]

When did Mega Man fill in for the Punisher?

Well there's a well planned crotch shot....

[mastap]

I'm back! now onto MP'S SEMI-REGULAR AND FAIRLY INCONSISTANT COMIC REVIEWS!

first up AQUAMAN SWORD OF ATLANTIS #53 and... eh, that's about how much I can bring myself to care about this book, though some of the misteries are intriguing there is no weight placed on them. It's not very compelling, but here's the thing it's not bad, and some of it is fun, so untill it can influence me one way or the other I guess I'm gonna keep picking it up to see

Next is Countdown, which dissapointed me, as in not much happened and the forerunner was boring. Albeit I was kinda bored because I already knew all about the new gods. I hope it gets better soon.

Hellblazer has gone in an interesting direction that is very interesting with John trying to recapture who he was in the 80's. I like it.

Shadowpact is love! you should read this book. But I'd start with last issue as this one is mostly set up and lacks the punch of the others

Ultimate Spidey was really good, it had a sense of finality to it (which I guess is appropriate) and it really showed off bendis' grasp on peter parker, somuch so that I wished that his speach was not to daredevil but to marvel u pete

and my favorate this week, which is simultaniosly my most hated of the week is Flash #13. let me stat on the good. It was expertly crafted, and Bart's death was strong and heroic. That being said, I hate the move, and not like most people are saying because the move is just a reset because people wernt responding well to a new flash so DC decided to reneg and scrap bart. while that may or may not be true, my grife is that I like Bart more than Wally and I want Gugenhiem to be writing more than I do Waid.

See I've always like the flash, even before I was reading comics, the streamlined costume and powers were just something I gravitated towards. But when I started reading comics, I ended up liking Barry more than Wally, and this was wierd since I have never read any of Barry's books, but when I read New Frontier or something of the like, I always liked the character. As opposed to Wally who I just could never like, in fact the character really turned me off, I always felt that he came off very arrogant and self-centred, even when Waid and Johns were writing I appreciated the stories but could never bring myself to root for the character. Thenn came the relaunch, I dropped it after the first issue, But when the writer changed, I came back and was wowed how much I liked this direction and character. Flash now had Impulse's (a charachter I didnt mind but never loved) enthousiasm but was reigned in abit by some experience and suddenly I have a flash I like again. And they kill him.
And bring back Wally.
In the same week.
Bummer.

[mastap]

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/11000/10925/10925-93910-2-agent-x_400.jpg

good book?

Not really, it was Gail Simone's continuation of her deadpool storyline, which was kinda funny but I didnt like

[big-doze]

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/11000/10925/10925-93910-2-agent-x_400.jpg

good book?

Effing brilliant, in my humble. If you like Deadpool, if you like Gail Simone, or if you just like elephant riding, hot dog cart surfing, disemboweling, obscure villain killing, fast talking, pop-culture referencing or pudding, then look no further. Plus, ARCADE!

One of my favorite runs on any book ever.

[acomicbookgirl]

thanks. few more reviews coming

Dead @ 17 #4 - This might read good in trade. No on second thought it wouldn't. It sucks the ass of a fat man that just spent an hour on an exercise bike. Josh Howard should be flogged. Dropped.

It might even read better if it came out more than once every 3 months. No wait, it wouldn't. **** this book.

F

Is it Your Comic Sucks material?

[paper]

Nice reviews, MastaP

Here's my sacrilege of the night:

Steve Rogers can stay dead. I look forward to Bart coming back. Since his run was so short I really don't think that it would cheapen his death if he were to return in some way. The title "All Flash" has me hopeful.

[big-doze]

Nice reviews, MastaP

Here's my sacrilege of the night:

Steve Rogers can stay dead. I look forward to Bart coming back. Since his run was so short I really don't think that it would cheapen his death if he were to return in some way. The title "All Flash" has me hopeful.

Amen, sir. Just when they began to get a grip on who adult Bart was, they kill him off.

My sacrilege of the day? Wally West needs to go away. I read the Johns run and some of the Waid stuff, but I just don't care about that dude anymore. I mean, what's left to say? I though he evolved to a great place, and when he dies I was like "Ok, journey over." Bringing him back over keeping a character who still had an entire lifetime to learn those lessons? Bad kricket, DC.

[humphrey-lee]

Yay, I only hated two of my books and found two more to be pretty average. The other eight or so were all pretty good. Now I've got $45 in trades to read. Fantastic.

[kahunablair]

Effing brilliant, in my humble. If you like Deadpool, if you like Gail Simone, or if you just like elephant riding, hot dog cart surfing, disemboweling, obscure villain killing, fast talking, pop-culture referencing or pudding, then look no further. Plus, ARCADE!

One of my favorite runs on any book ever.

I loved the original Deadpool series, and the craziness just increased by the time Agent X came out. Absolutely comedic gold.
Now they just need to get rid of the "Cable &" part knocked off his current title and I'd be a happy, happy boy.

[fred]

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/11000/10925/10925-93910-2-agent-x_400.jpg

good book?

is that the guy that is like Deadpool's cousin or something? I think that the woman works with Deadpool now. Her name is like Hunter or something.

[fred]

Is it Your Comic Sucks material?

no, but ASM 541 might be.

[fred]

I loved the original Deadpool series, and the craziness just increased by the time Agent X came out. Absolutely comedic gold.
Now they just need to get rid of the "Cable &" part knocked off his current title and I'd be a happy, happy boy.

tell me about it. As soon as I see Cable in an issue the grade automatically slides down by a letter.

[paper]

tell me about it. As soon as I see Cable in an issue the grade automatically slides down by a letter.

What about that "End of Cable" mini slated for September?

[fred]

What about that "End of Cable" mini slated for September?

hooosawhatsa?

I hadn't heard of that. ASTONISHING. I'm excited. I hope that he suffocates in one of his pockets.

[k33k3r]

He has the same healing factor as Deadpool. I think he was created from deadpool or something like that. Isn't the girl Outlaw?

The End of Cable??!?!?!?!?!?! YEAH!!!!! Will they then change the title to "& Deadpool".....?

[fred]

right, right - that's her name

[kahunablair]

The girl is Outlaw.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaw_%28comics%29

I actually could see them keeping the comic title just "& Deadpool", at least for a little bit. It would be a crazy/idiotic title, in other words, perfect for Deadpool.

[fred]

exactly. it would be funny, self-referential, and ultimately appropriate.

[davegraham]

I'm liking Tony Stark more and more with every issue he shows up in. Honestly, I am. In some books he's a jerk, in some he's a big softie, in others he's a douchebag...I love it. I get excited now when I see his armor. That NEVER happened before Civil War. I just love an (ex)drunk, billion playboy running the show.

(To be blunt, my favorite verison of Stark is the 'ultimate' verison, 'cause he's still an alcoholic. Is that bad?)

Yet...I have never read an issue of the Iron Man monthly. I guess I should at least try it.

I thought the last arc was decent enough to stick through the next one. Christo Gage just took over and I am digging him right now. He wrote the one Civil War fill-in comic that was pretty good and he has been writing Stormwatch PHD, which I am really digging. However this past week's Iron Man was disppointing. It was a WWH tie in and it was the first issue of the crossover told from Tony's point of view. The first act was cool, but the rest was dialogue and action I had already read. I'd say give it a shot after WWH.

[k33k3r]

All of us fans would get the joke and really enjoy it. New people to comics would be like WTF when they saw it.

[fred]

that is very true, but it's also probably true that not many new people are stumbling into ____ & Deadpool. It's not the most logical place to start.

[davegraham]

See, I saw the subtext, but that felt like less of a clue and more like misdirection. And as you say, we don't friggin' find out who's in the lightning rod, we don't find out why he's important, and nothing actually happened in this arc.

I just feel so... used.

I suspect it could be a misdirection too, but I don't know of another character whose return would be a plot twist as shocking as Barry's return.

[cam-]

I suspect it could be a misdirection too, but I don't know of another character whose return would be a plot twist as shocking as Barry's return.

I didn't think it was Barry. Unless he's Lightning Lad somehow. DIdn't Karate Kid say "Lightning Lad" just as he was "ducking?"

[k33k3r]

that is very true, but it's also probably true that not many new people are stumbling into ____ & Deadpool. It's not the most logical place to start.

What are you talking about this is the most logical book to just dive head first into.......

[fred]

it might be the easy but Joe Manonthestreet has NO IDEA who Deadpool is. He's going for Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman.

[k33k3r]

yeah I know it was a joke. I know when people use to ask about a book that had adult humor and such my LCS would always point at this series.

[mikegraham6]

See, I saw the subtext, but that felt like less of a clue and more like misdirection. And as you say, we don't friggin' find out who's in the lightning rod, we don't find out why he's important, and nothing actually happened in this arc.

I just feel so... used.

See i got the impression from all the Legionnaire talk, that they imprisoned Lightning Lad (or is his name Livewire?). But there were also clues that could have been interpreted as a Barry Allen trap (i loved how they used the old panel from Crisis!). Either way, the legion (or at least Brainiac 5) has gone bad??? is that what we're suppose to get from this?? They mentioned how the JLA will thank them for doing this but trapping a hero like Allen/LL???
I also don't understand how all those locations were connected to Barry/Wally, one of them was Smallville?!?!?!??!

[cam-]

See i got the impression from all the Legionnaire talk, that they imprisoned Lightning Lad (or is his name Livewire?). But there were also clues that could have been interpreted as a Barry Allen trap (i loved how they used the old panel from Crisis!). Either way, the legion (or at least Brainiac 5) has gone bad??? is that what we're suppose to get from this?? They mentioned how the JLA will thank them for doing this but trapping a hero like Allen/LL???
I also don't understand how all those locations were connected to Barry/Wally, one of them was Smallville?!?!?!??!

See that's what I said, they trapped Lightning Lad! Where are the clues that it's Barry they've trapped? A lot of people seem convinced, i must have missed them.

I don't think the Legion has gone bad, I think they just always seem ominous, but you have to trust that they know what's best right? It's the Fuuuuutuuuure.

[muady]

See i got the impression from all the Legionnaire talk, that they imprisoned Lightning Lad (or is his name Livewire?). But there were also clues that could have been interpreted as a Barry Allen trap (i loved how they used the old panel from Crisis!). Either way, the legion (or at least Brainiac 5) has gone bad??? is that what we're suppose to get from this?? They mentioned how the JLA will thank them for doing this but trapping a hero like Allen/LL???
I also don't understand how all those locations were connected to Barry/Wally, one of them was Smallville?!?!?!??!

I'm sure Meltzer has been digging deep in the archives, and the significance of some of the places isn't immediately apparent to those not well versed. Either that, or he's retconing some for dramatic purposes, which is fine too.

I don't think we're supposed to get the the Legion has gone bad at all. Where'd you get that? All the previous issues have been explaining how the League knows what they're doing, that they're not just kids up to no good like the JLA/JSA would like to believe.

Right now, I'm firmly believing its Barry in the Rod. Didio did say, after all, that the flash in the promotional image for Countdown was Barrry.

[mikegraham6]

I'm back! now onto MP'S SEMI-REGULAR AND FAIRLY INCONSISTANT COMIC REVIEWS!

first up AQUAMAN SWORD OF ATLANTIS #53 and... eh, that's about how much I can bring myself to care about this book, though some of the misteries are intriguing there is no weight placed on them. It's not very compelling, but here's the thing it's not bad, and some of it is fun, so untill it can influence me one way or the other I guess I'm gonna keep picking it up to see

Next is Countdown, which dissapointed me, as in not much happened and the forerunner was boring. Albeit I was kinda bored because I already knew all about the new gods. I hope it gets better soon.

Hellblazer has gone in an interesting direction that is very interesting with John trying to recapture who he was in the 80's. I like it.

Shadowpact is love! you should read this book. But I'd start with last issue as this one is mostly set up and lacks the punch of the others

Ultimate Spidey was really good, it had a sense of finality to it (which I guess is appropriate) and it really showed off bendis' grasp on peter parker, somuch so that I wished that his speach was not to daredevil but to marvel u pete

and my favorate this week, which is simultaniosly my most hated of the week is Flash #13. let me stat on the good. It was expertly crafted, and Bart's death was strong and heroic. That being said, I hate the move, and not like most people are saying because the move is just a reset because people wernt responding well to a new flash so DC decided to reneg and scrap bart. while that may or may not be true, my grife is that I like Bart more than Wally and I want Gugenhiem to be writing more than I do Waid.

See I've always like the flash, even before I was reading comics, the streamlined costume and powers were just something I gravitated towards. But when I started reading comics, I ended up liking Barry more than Wally, and this was wierd since I have never read any of Barry's books, but when I read New Frontier or something of the like, I always liked the character. As opposed to Wally who I just could never like, in fact the character really turned me off, I always felt that he came off very arrogant and self-centred, even when Waid and Johns were writing I appreciated the stories but could never bring myself to root for the character. Thenn came the relaunch, I dropped it after the first issue, But when the writer changed, I came back and was wowed how much I liked this direction and character. Flash now had Impulse's (a charachter I didnt mind but never loved) enthousiasm but was reigned in abit by some experience and suddenly I have a flash I like again. And they kill him.
And bring back Wally.
In the same week.
Bummer.

Great review MastaP. I with you, i loved the direction the book was going (with gugenheim), i thought it had loads of story potential. But like conor says in his review, the man went down like a genuine hero (Amazing review this week by the way!). I don't think a superhero could ask for a more fitting death than this. I also loved the line Barry says to him in the future, i don't remember the exact line right now but it was something along the lines of "a hero means standing even when your legs are gone"
I'll miss Bart, but damn was that a great issue

[mikegraham6]

Yay, I only hated two of my books and found two more to be pretty average. The other eight or so were all pretty good. Now I've got $45 in trades to read. Fantastic.

Humphrey I don't even know why you buy half of the books you do, your always complaining about some of them:D

[mikegraham6]

The End of Cable??!?!?!?!?!?! YEAH!!!!! Will they then change the title to "& Deadpool".....?

"Marvel Team-Up" starring Deadpool

that would be brilliant, comedy gold right there
marvel please publish this!

[cam-]

Ah he loves it. Complaining keeps him sane.

[jo-relrollins]

X-Men Endangered Species One Shot - Did anything happen in this book? Wasn't the dead mutant going to be an important one? What blew up at the end? Do I care? The answer to all of those questions is "I don't know". C-

Okay,so i wasn't wrong about the fact that it was an ok book,with a lackluster connection to the crossover. I mean I saw the words that lead to the Beast going on this search. But the book wasn't focused on that. I thought it was more of a funeral and dedication to a charater I had never heard of. It also reiterated the whole "mutants dieing out" thing. They could have just started the chapters this week and threw the funeral in inbetween fight scenes.

Just my opinion.

[fred]

I think that Wally West is a Skrull

[mikegraham6]

I think that Wally West is a Skrull

who isn't a skrull these days:rolleyes:

[cam-]

Okay,so i wasn't wrong about the fact that it was an ok book,with a lackluster connection to the crossover. I mean I saw the words that lead to the Beast going on this search. But the book wasn't focused on that. I thought it was more of a funeral and dedication to a charater I had never heard of. It also reiterated the whole "mutants dieing out" thing. They could have just started the chapters this week and threw the funeral in inbetween fight scenes.

Just my opinion.

Yeah, I just read my copy last night, and I agree with the general consesus, that this book was a waste of time.

I hate to complain, but nothing in this book got me excited for a 17 part 8-page back-up cross over. I generally hate 8-page back-up crossovers anyways, it's just too much to keep up with and the story has no flow. Ultimate Vision anyone? Still, love that cover.:D

[fred]

who isn't a skrull these days:rolleyes:

steve rogers

[fred]

Yeah, I just read my copy last night, and I agree with the general consesus, that this book was a waste of time.

I hate to complain, but nothing in this book got me excited for a 17 part 8-page back-up cross over. I generally hate 8-page back-up crossovers anyways, it's just too much to keep up with and the story has no flow. Ultimate Vision anyone? Still, love that cover.:D

I was excited to learn that the crossover is a backup. At least I'll still get good X-Factor stories without all of this bullshit in it.

[jo-relrollins]

I think that the Lightening Saga was supposed to make us think it was going one way (Lightening Lad) and it went another (Wally West). Who knows it could be Kal-L in the Rods(he is supposed to show up eventually) and the Legion does need a new "Super" since Supergirl's back in the right time.


I also missed the JSA part, why is the Humanite in the future cutting off skull tops like Sylar? (just wodering about this,can someone help me with that)

Oh and for anyone not in the know, Countdown's storyline is still falling a week behind. I think they need to move around their shipping schedule. But i still like the story.

[mikegraham6]

Oh and for anyone not in the know, Countdown's storyline is still falling a week behind. I think they need to move around their shipping schedule. But i still like the story.

Strike 2!
(10)

[conorkilpatrick]

Strike 2!
(10)

I didn't notice any lag.

[cam-]

I was excited to learn that the crossover is a backup. At least I'll still get good X-Factor stories without all of this bullshit in it.

True, but now I'll pick up my books, and be forced to read a chunk of some story with Beast in a Lab or something, and I'll have no idea what's going on, then I'll get another chunk next month and be all mad that I read it cause it gave away some secret, but I'll read it anyway, cause I'm like that.

Stupid Back-up crossovers.;)

But hey, Flash was good eh?

[fred]

I did like the Flash

[mikegraham6]

I didn't notice any lag.

The JLA/Legion stuff didn't jive with what has happened in the last two issues of "The Lightning Saga"

[conorkilpatrick]

The JLA/Legion stuff didn't jive with what has happened in the last two issues of "The Lightning Saga"

Like I said, I didn't notice it. I'm too busy enjoying the story.

[mikegraham6]

continuity issues usually don't bug me, but now that im reading so many damn books i've begun to notice them a lot more.
The only reason Countdown bothers me is because they are making such a big deal of it being the "spine of the DC Universe". I like how they can incorporate everything and i really hope they pull it off, but if it's constantly going to be full of these little errors, i'd much rather have them forget the idea all together and just focus on the individual countdown stories. I mean if you think about we didn't even need that JLA scene in Countdown this week.

Another continuity thing i noticed was in this week's issue of Spider-Man. I think they realized their mistake from issue 539 (i believe) where they said Aunt May's maiden name was fitzgerald (it's Reilly). Again not a big deal, but i still noticed it.

[kahunablair]

"Marvel Team-Up" starring Deadpool

that would be brilliant, comedy gold right there
marvel please publish this!

That's what his original series felt like to me, anyway. The Hulk, Taskmaster, Siryn, and my personal favorite, The Rhino as a key chain!

[jo-relrollins]

Like I said, I didn't notice it. I'm too busy enjoying the story.

Funny thing is i didn't notice at first either. I read it like 4 times and didn't see it. Until i got to reading Countdown and then JLA. But the funny thing, it didn't bother me. It kinda made me think something is p with Karate Kid though(that kid is up to something).

I do have to commend DC though, thats 2 series they've done weekly, and no shipping delays. Thats HUGE. Especially since some of Marvel's books *ahem Moon Knight ahem* are like 6 months behind in storylines.

I'm fine with the story delay being a week. It actually works if u read all DC books then Countdown.

[cam-]

I do have to commend DC though, thats 2 series they've done weekly, and no shipping delays. Thats HUGE. Especially since some of Marvel's books *ahem Moon Knight ahem* are like 6 months behind in storylines.

Well David Finch and all...

I'm fine with the story delay being a week. It actually works if u read all DC books then Countdown.

Wouldn't it make more sense to read countdown first? If it's a week behind?

[conorkilpatrick]

Wouldn't it make more sense to read countdown first? If it's a week behind?

I find it interesting that Countdown is considered by some to be a week behind when it is a weekly book that has never been late. By my calculations it's right on time.

[jo-relrollins]

I meant storyline wise, i knew that some ppl were complaining about it. I actually find it,at least as far as the JLA, to give a more indepth look at what happens. Cause i missed some issue of JSA in this crossover, and man did Countdown help with clueing me in. Cause for a minute i was lost. By the way, didn't want to sound like i was complaining,Countdown is on my pull list, and i don't see it getting removed.

[cam-]

I find it interesting that Countdown is consdiered by some to be a week behind when it is a weekly book that has never been late. By my calculations it's right on time.

No no, we mean it's a week behind as far as being tied to the DCU. I thought the goal was to have it coincide with the weeks released books, thus having the reveals all happen at the same time.

It's why I theorized the JLA art was weak (specifically the inking), they rushed it out (a little) to time Wallys return with Barts death.

Yes never late, but still behind.

[darron]

I find it interesting that Countdown is consdiered by some to be a week behind when it is a weekly book that has never been late. By my calculations it's right on time.

I understand what you're saying, but story-wise, it feels like it's kind of rehashing stuff we've read in other books. Shouldn't this week have touched on either Bart's death or Wally's return? Also, this week was the end of the Lightning Saga, but it still seems to be going on in Countdown.

Hell, I don't mind, because I'm enjoying the book so much. I mean did you see that (what I assume to be) anti-monitor at the end? He looks sweet! (Wait, could that have also been Superboy-Prime?).

[conorkilpatrick]

Hell, I don't mind, because I'm enjoying the book so much. I mean did you see that (what I assume to be) anti-monitor at the end? He looks sweet! (Wait, could that have also been Superboy-Prime?).

That was Monarch. It was mentioned in the Countdown thread.

[conorkilpatrick]

No no, we mean it's a week behind as far as being tied to the DCU. I thought the goal was to have it coincide with the weeks released books, thus having the reveals all happen at the same time.

I would be surprised if that was ever stated to be the goal by DC. It seems to be that would be a pretty impossible thing to achieve. If you have a link to where it was described as such, I'd be really interested to read it.

[darron]

That was Monarch. It was mentioned in the Countdown thread.

Oh snap. My bad.

[conorkilpatrick]

Oh snap. My bad.

No big deal.

I thought it was the Anti-Monitor at first, too. And then I looked closer and I gasped. Because I am a huge nerd.

[cam-]

I would be surprised if that was ever stated to be the goal by DC. It seems to be that would be a pretty impossible thing to achieve. If you have a link to where it was described as such, I'd be really interested to read it.

Well I did a little searching, this is a quote from Dini in an interview with comicbook resources.

Well, the simple answer is "Countdown" is basically the spine of the DC Universe for the next year. There are a series of events set in motion, as you've seen in the first two issues, that will spark a chain of events that will snowball into a huge event happening next year. This is the countdown to that big event. And what that event is I can't be more specific, but basically we start out small with a story that appears to be happening at the peripheral edges of the DC Universe, and, kind of like a ripple moving backwards it all comes to one key flash point.

Perhaps I read into it a bit much, but, you know, "spine of the DCU". Though I agree, I remember thinking it would be insane to coordinate something like that.

[conorkilpatrick]

Perhaps I read into it a bit much, but, you know, "spine of the DCU". Though I agree, I remember thinking it would be insane to coordinate something like that.

Yeah, I don't thnk Countdown was ever meant to connect directly to the books out that same week. It's more a general storywise thing.

[cam-]

Guess I got spoiled cause they were pretty successful at lining things up so far.

Ah well, someday comics will all be written by a computer the size of 3 football fields, THEN continuity will never be a problem.

[mikegraham6]

Did anyone read Black Summer by Warren Elilis put out by Avatar? I know it was mentionned on the podcast and it came out a few weeks ago but it really sparked my interest and I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on it...

[fred]

I read it. I didn't like it. It's not my thing.

[cam-]

I read it and felt it was too much of a set-up book to formulate an opinion about it, just not enough story yet.

[fred]

I actually mentioned it a few pages into the review thread last week.

[mikegraham6]

I actually mentioned it a few pages into the review thread last week.

cool, i'll check out what you had to say, is it on your VIRB page?

[fred]

no. It was a one-off review later in the week.

[fred]

there's an article about The Lightning Saga (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=117681) at newsarama. It's an interview with Johns and Meltzer. It's kind of surfacey but you all might enjoy it.

[cam-]

BOy Meltzer sure makes it sound like it's Barry in that damn Lightning rod.

[jo-relrollins]

thanks for the article link, i actually liked the Lightning Saga overall. I'm just curious about where there heading. By the way Fred ( or anyone else here), i'm looking to get into a good overall drama indie(don't really read them) or just a good drama book by a publisher who is not DC or Marvel, any suggestions from the ones u might have read this week.9out of ones u might have reviewed or not have mentioned).

[fred]

There are so many. I recommend all of the ones you always hear about (TWD, Preacher, SiP), but outside of that The Nightly News is a great mini from Image. I think there's a trade coming soon.

[mikegraham6]

thanks for the article link, i actually liked the Lightning Saga overall. I'm just curious about where there heading. By the way Fred ( or anyone else here), i'm looking to get into a good overall drama indie(don't really read them) or just a good drama book by a publisher who is not DC or Marvel, any suggestions from the ones u might have read this week.9out of ones u might have reviewed or not have mentioned).

Check out Blankets by Craig Thompson, its a great autobiographical book about his first relationship. Comic Geek Speek made it their book of the month a few episodes back (i don't know if you'd want to listen to it ahead of time though because it gives away plot details)
Awesome book that got me all misty eyed

[fred]

also - Fortune & Glory by Bendis. It's the story of his first experience with Hollywood. It's very funny.

[mikegraham6]

also - Fortune & Glory by Bendis. It's the story of his first experience with Hollywood. It's very funny.

I'll second that, a hilarious read. Anything indie by Bendis is pretty damn good and worth checking out

[paper]

So, anybody dig up anything on this whole End of Cable thing? Is Gene Ha any good?

[mastap]

End of cable? and yes Gene ha is very very good

[fred]

I just finished Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. It was astonishing. I am blown away.

[paper]

Just took a look at the first few pages on the Amazon site. It looks pretty good. Aaaaaaand...my wallet just barked at me. Very subtle.

Is there a rehab for trade and graphic novel purchasing?

[fred]

Just took a look at the first few pages on the Amazon site. It looks pretty good. Aaaaaaand...my wallet just barked at me. Very subtle.

Is there a rehab for trade and graphic novel purchasing?

It's funny because I did the same thing a few weeks ago and it sold me. The preview is good, but it gets SOOOO much better. It's this great story that is heart-wrenching, empowering, funny, and touching at the same time. Bechdel rips your heart out just to put it back in just to rip it out all over again. It's almost perfect in the way that she walks the line between "too much" and "not enough". She's either better at directing and editing herself than any writer I'm aware of, or her editor is one of the finest ever. I recommend many books but I insist upon this one.

This is what I meant to say last night but I was tired.

[paper]

I am sold, sir.

[paper]

I'm awake now (sleeping in my own bed = awesome!) and want to answer any questions you guys had about War College, and because I'm too lazy to look back through the threads: what was the iFanboy consensus on Dwayne McDuffie getting the JLA gig?

I for one think that he'll do great (JLU anyone?)

I think it might be just what the book needs. I hope he tells quality stories that are just as fun as those JLU episodes.

[six-gun]

I think it might be just what the book needs. I hope he tells quality stories that are just as fun as those JLU episodes.

Anyone else want to see a DCU Batman/Wonder Woman relationship a la JLU? Just a thought.

[paper]

I doubt they'd go that route simply because JLU had a special kind of continuity. The animate universe was sort of like a sandbox they could play around in without getting in too much trouble.

I do expect some triangles though. I've only read a few issues of Meltzer's run. Is Red Arrow/Hawkgirl an option?

[acomicbookgirl]

Anyone else want to see a DCU Batman/Wonder Woman relationship a la JLU? Just a thought.

I would be up for that.. There was a JLA issue that had that.. I can't remembert what issue number but I liked it.

[six-gun]

I would be up for that.. There was a JLA issue that had that.. I can't remembert what issue number but I liked it.

They had a bit of a thing going in Mark Waid's awesome Tower of Babel storyline, before Batman's "treachery" made her hate his guts.

[fred]

ah the treachery - it'll do it every time

[acomicbookgirl]

They had a bit of a thing going in Mark Waid's awesome Tower of Babel storyline, before Batman's "treachery" made her hate his guts.

I'll look for it in my short boxes sometime.. I don't think it was Waid.. I could be wrong. It was the cover where its had just Batman and Wonder Woman's hands holding each other's hand..

EDIT: I found it.. Its JLA #90 and their hands were trying to hold hands..

[six-gun]

I don't think it was Waid either. But he did write a pretty tense sparring match that outlined why they are both perfect for each other and absolutely wrong for each other.

[kwok_talk]

No time for a full blown, so here's a quickie.

Pick of the week: Incredible Hulk
Poop of the week: Spirit or Endangered Species

Countdown - loved it
JLA - surprisingly liked it, felt the pay off of confusion
Cap - moving along finally
Fallen Son - pretty, but not that great

This was the week, my fiance decided to flip through my comics. And unfortunately also was the week that the Power Girl issue came out. Ick. And then she decided to read Spirit, which was the worst week to read that.

[paper]

I still like that middle Spirit story. I like the retro style and campiness of the writing. I'll be honest in that I haven't enjoyed the more recent Cooke issues as much as most probably have. I really liked the first 3 a lot, and then around 4 or 5 it got a little weak. But the next couple of Cooke issues sound pretty good.

[six-gun]

I getting The Spirit when I get my books Monday, was the Kyle Baker story any good?

[kahunablair]

I haven't had a chance to read my copy of the Spirit yet, but is it really that bad? I don't think I've heard anything good. It seems like everyone has a bad taste in their mouth after reading it.

[fred]

I really enjoyed the first and second stories in The Spirit. The third story, which I believe was the Baker story, was a total piece of shit. I had to work to finish it.

[paper]

I really enjoyed the first and second stories in The Spirit. The third story, which I believe was the Baker story, was a total piece of shit. I had to work to finish it.

Ditto to that.

[fred]

I thought that said dildos at first glance.

And I'm thinking ..... "dildos" to that? what?

[acomicbookgirl]

I thought that said dildos at first glance.

And I'm thinking ..... "dildos" to that? what?

Ok... (10)

[fred]

imagine my confusion

[itsbecca]

I really enjoyed the first and second stories in The Spirit. The third story, which I believe was the Baker story, was a total piece of shit. I had to work to finish it.

Agreed. I really had a really difficult time knowing what the **** was going on, both plot wise and in the way of trying to distinguish anything out of the horrific art.

[fred]

Agreed. I really had a really difficult time knowing what the **** was going on, both plot wise and in the way of trying to distinguish anything out of the horrific art.

yeah seriously, it looked like the guy drew it with blood on a dog bone rather than a pencil. I've seen nicer looking prison tattoos.

[paper]

It was like the comic equivalent of accidentally swallowing a fortune cookie whole.

[fred]

It was like opening your trunk and finding a hooker you've never seen before in it.


What? That's never happened to you?

[six-gun]

Getting my books on Monday and I will, at that point officially have dropped ASM.

[fred]

Getting my books on Monday and I will, at that point officially have dropped ASM.

this past week's was funny terrible.

[hbd]

I'm don't think this has been mentioned here yet (if it has, I missed it), but the continuity in X-Men: Endangered Species gave me a headache. I saw Scott and Emma, so I figured (hoped) it was before Astonishing, but Prof X is walking and has his powers, so it's after the latest UXM Shi'ar exploits. So that means we know now that Scott and Emma won't be the ones who die on Breakworld, and Scott will regain his powers somehow. Thanks for spoiling one of the last remaining good X-books, Mr. Carey. *sigh*

[conorkilpatrick]

I'm don't think this has been mentioned here yet (if it has, I missed it), but the continuity in X-Men: Endangered Species gave me a headache. I saw Scott and Emma, so I figured (hoped) it was before Astonishing, but Prof X is walking and has his powers, so it's after the latest UXM Shi'ar exploits. So that means we know now that Scott and Emma won't be the ones who die on Breakworld, and Scott will regain his powers somehow. Thanks for spoiling one of the last remaining good X-books, Mr. Carey. *sigh*

How is that Mike Carey's fault? I would say it's the fault of Astonishing X-Men being almost a year behind schedule.

[senoj1]

ya i wouldn't put that on Carey

[acomicbookgirl]

I just read my stash and my pick is Fallen Son: Spider Man.

[jo-relrollins]

I'm don't think this has been mentioned here yet (if it has, I missed it), but the continuity in X-Men: Endangered Species gave me a headache. I saw Scott and Emma, so I figured (hoped) it was before Astonishing, but Prof X is walking and has his powers, so it's after the latest UXM Shi'ar exploits. So that means we know now that Scott and Emma won't be the ones who die on Breakworld, and Scott will regain his powers somehow. Thanks for spoiling one of the last remaining good X-books, Mr. Carey. *sigh*


Yeah,cause Astonishing is like 6 months behind(which Joss is probably working on Buffy,Runaways and other things so its expected). But the other books are fairly current. But Endangered is in a weird period because if u look X23 is alive and well,and Mercury is also their and their squad is supposed to be in limbo. So i'm guessing The New Mutants were in limbo whil everyone was in space. But none of this can be blamed on Carey.

[fred]

I think they all have got a point. I blame a lot of things on Carey. For instance: Sabertooth, global warming, and the JFK assassination. I don't think this is Carey's fault though.

[hbd]

How is that Mike Carey's fault? I would say it's the fault of Astonishing X-Men being almost a year behind schedule.

Maybe, but I felt the need to be upset with someone, and since Joss Whedon is my Master Now (http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/tshirtsapparel/77da/), I can't blame his book. :D

Oh by the way Conner, I wanted to thank you. Taking recommendations from you and my brother, I've finally delved into the DCU. I basically picked up your pull list this week, and while I was confused as heck about a lot of the characters, I had a lot of fun.

[cam-]

Yeah,cause Astonishing is like 6 months behind(which Joss is probably working on Buffy,Runaways and other things so its expected). But the other books are fairly current. But Endangered is in a weird period because if u look X23 is alive and well,and Mercury is also their and their squad is supposed to be in limbo. So i'm guessing The New Mutants were in limbo whil everyone was in space. But none of this can be blamed on Carey.

Remember, time moves very differently in limbo.

[fred]

time also moves very differently for hobos

[six-gun]

Went to a different comic shop to get my books (I start DCBS ordering in two weeks) and they had The Spirit #7, I liked the first two stories okay, but my gosh that Kyle Baker story sucked so bad, I couldn’t even tell what the story was until I really squinted at the horrible art and I was able to make out the disjointed plot. Ugh!

[six-gun]

The Spirit freaking wonders how much he can get for nude shots of a celebrity in Baker's story, seriously.

[kwok_talk]

I saw the Lone Ranger trade in the shop and totally associated that with you, Six.

On a totally unrelated note, I read the first Runaways HC (such a different experience than the pocketbooks) and really fell in love with the series again. It was really neat to see the progression of the art over time, which was really great during the BKV run. And I LOVE Jo Chen’s covers, as manga as they are.

[horatio616]

Under the heading of Marvel Will Slap A Banner On Any Comic To Increase Sales falls Moon Knight, which has The Initiative splashed on the top of the cover. The only problem is that on the recap page it clearly says "The events in this story take place before the events of Civil War #6-7." Uh, WTF?

I love Moon Knight as a character, but this title is just not working for me. I dropped it. I think MK works better as a horror book (which the current title does have elements of, but it's just not subtle enough for me) than as a superhero book. I long for the days of Moench and Seinkiewicz. Isn't this title doing okay though saleswise?

[horatio616]

Maybe, but I felt the need to be upset with someone, and since Joss Whedon is my Master Now (http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/tshirtsapparel/77da/), I can't blame his book. :D

Oh by the way Conner, I wanted to thank you. Taking recommendations from you and my brother, I've finally delved into the DCU. I basically picked up your pull list this week, and while I was confused as heck about a lot of the characters, I had a lot of fun.

I'd put this one on editorial. I'd bet one of the stipulations of Whedon writing the book is that he wouldn't be hindered by any crossovers. It's editorial's job to work all this out.

Actually, I hadn't even thought of the things you'd brought up, since rigid adherence to continuity is anathema to me, so I guess I should blame you for spoiling it for me. ;)

I'm glad, though, that I don't have to worry about Emma dying. (Or do I?)

[esophagus]

I saw the Lone Ranger trade in the shop and totally associated that with you, Six.

On a totally unrelated note, I read the first Runaways HC (such a different experience than the pocketbooks) and really fell in love with the series again. It was really neat to see the progression of the art over time, which was really great during the BKV run. And I LOVE Jo Chen’s covers, as manga as they are.
Isn't that HC massive? It took me forever to get through, but oh so worth it. I had stopped picking up the single issues until I read that. I hadn't stopped enjoying it, it just wasn't what had my attention. I've since gone back and picked up every back issue, and kept up again. Vaughan's run was definitely the best, but I still love where the series is going.

[fred]

So I got a chance to read a copy of Fallen Son Iron Man (comes out next week or the one after), and without spoiling anything, I can say that all of the talk that you're hearing on the internet about it being a "big deal" is bullshit. It's a great issue and it's very well written but there is no "holy **** let's go buy 30 copies" moment.

Example of the hype:


http://images.comicbookresources.com/litg/litg_gr.gifI understand that the "Iron Man: Fallen Son" will receive a considerable degree of US media coverage. What, I don't know. The FOC ordering deadline for retailers is this Tuesday. Retailers, if you haven't updated your orders, now's your chance. We're not quite talking "Captain America" #25, but we're certainly talking "Gay Batwoman."

[kwok_talk]

I hadn't heard about the hype. I flipped through the issue at the LCS and it didn't seem to have any overt/huge items during my first skim

[fred]

There's one technical "this is the answer to a question geeks will argue about in 5 years" moment, but it's not anything big. The art was spectacular.

[acomicbookgirl]

I saw that in my CBG's stash when I was in the LCS earlier today.. I was shocked that it was coming out next week.. There's an Iron Man mini-series in the lastest Previews? Should I get it?

[fred]

If recent history has anything to do with it, it probably won't be that good.

[jimski]

Apropos of nothing: does it seem to anyone else that Y the Last Man's most recent issue came out ages ago? Is it late, or did the series have a Sopranos ending?

[fred]

it's shipping bi-monthly for the final 6 issues.

[paper]

Next one's out next week, right?

[fred]

sounds right to me.

reviews are taking FOREVER tonight. 20 books. more pissy for your buck

[darron]

Wow. Great week for books. Every book I got gets good marks from me. Even X-Men #200 was good. I don't usually like Ramos and Bachalo, but they really didn't bother me. Plus, I did say I would give a Gambit storyline a shot, so here we are. Daredevil was fantastic. The Boys was really good. Iron Fist was immensly fun. X-Factor, after slipping a little last month, gets right back on track with a stellar issue.

I'm just really bummed my shopkeep didnt get ANY issues of Sinestro Corps in. Gotta wait til the weekend. Oh well, something to look forward to.

Oh! Invincible was the SHIT! I seriously wanna see an Allen the alien spin-off, or a mini, or something. That character rules.

[acomicbookgirl]

sounds right to me.

reviews are taking FOREVER tonight. 20 books. more pissy for your buck

Ok... I've got a good stash so far.. Previews is looking interesting..