Since benedict locked half the threads in the forum yesterday, I guess we need to get started on some new ones.

i just <strike>downloaded</strike> acquired the Miracleman series last week and started reading the first couple issues. Good stuff so far. Alan Moore really likes the whole retired/forgotten superhero returns to harsh/cruel world thing, doesn't he?

Yup. that he does. It's a shame that MiracleMan has been in legal issues for a whole long time now.

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN is got to be one of the best comics out there. No, not because it's a serious read or anything. I just love how extreme it is. It's like Frank is mocking Jim Lee with his story. Look how Black Canary is at the bar and the dialogue is so insanely out there that it's just beyond funny. From the "Shut up!" to "What are you retarded or something? I'm the goddamn batman!".. It's so insane I just can't stop laughing at it.

Also, is it just me or is IC really not full on. You seldomly get any real tie ins that matter and at this point I want OYE to happen already.

I wish they'd get the rights to Miracleman sorted out. Last I heard, Gaiman was going to use the proceeds of his suit against McFarlane to sort out the Miracleman rights and put it back in print. That was a few years ago, though, and still no Miracleman. :sad:

all of this ASBAR bashing (i only read the first issue) has me wondering, if jim lee knew what a clusterf*&^ this was gonna be before he signed on, or if he even cares.

It may read terribly and be a laugh.. but it's still a very hot title and flys off the shelf.

I found that Wikipedia has a really long article about the whole Miracleman legal saga:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracleman


Did anyone buy the All-Star Batman and Robin #1 Director's Cut that came out a couple weeks ago? I couldn't bring myself to buy it again. What was different about it? Does anyone know why this series is shipping so late?

I thought the All-Star line was supposed to be these classic characters stripped down to their core, presenting them in a way that shows off their timeless qualities and appeal. Am I wrong? Am I thinking of Alex Ross' Justice series? Cause what I've seen of ASBAR so far doesn't seem like timeless Batman. I flipped through All-Star Superman in the store too, and even that seemed . . . off.

Dammit! Did anyone read the latest issue of Birds of Prey? Barbara... tells her Father what she does(Oracle) and that she used to be BatGirl...and he says he already knew! WTF!? I've been waiting for that conversation for some time now and I thought i was going to get it when Babs went under the knife to get the tech shit out of her system. How did he know? That conversation was cool but it was also a huge letdown.

yeah, but it's kinda like lois lane and superman. how good would either of them be at their jobs if they didn't know the truth already?

Hey Giantrobo, did you read Batgirl year One? I just recently read it, thought it was great and really loved the style of the art especially the colors. Anyway in it Gordon seems to know what Barbara is up to doing in her spare time but never directly pushes the issue.

Hey Giantrobo, did you read Batgirl year One? I just recently read it, thought it was great and really loved the style of the art especially the colors. Anyway in it Gordon seems to know what Barbara is up to doing in her spare time but never directly pushes the issue.

No, I haven't read Year One. But yeah that's the jist(sp?) of his reaction and comment. He knew but left it up to her to reveal it to him. They both chalked it up to "the Gordon need to help" or something like that.

Speaking of Batgirl, I know Babs Batgirl is a fan favorite and will be forever cool but the current Batgirl is a little kickass dynamo too. :up:

yeah, but it's kinda like lois lane and superman. how good would either of them be at their jobs if they didn't know the truth already?


Well, considering that marriage thing they got between them I think your'e right. ;)

Yeah, Jim has known for the longest time now. So it wasn't so much of a reveal as him just turning the blind eye and not getting involved.

From all the rumors of OYL... I wouldn't be surprised if she was back in the Bat<s>girl</s>woman outfit. Especially since she was left off the cover of OYL Birds of prey.

As for the DC of All Star. The whole comic was just in pencils and it had the script in the back. I picked it up because I dig Lee's pencil work and man oh man, I can't stop laughing at the script.

Just curious... Has anyone ordered from DCBS? I have been thinking about placing an order with them, and was hoping for some feedback.

Oh boy . . . yeah a lot of us do order from there. At least 4, I believe. We have had nothing but success and the couple of times a book wasnt bagged or not included they have made it right. Prices are great and even better this month with 40% off (with selected 50 and 75% off titles). The Newsarama board seems to think that is a permanent change. Books were 35% off previously.

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=53893&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

I think Chew usually gets his shipments on the Friday after Wednesday release. I'm usually Monday, which sucks because of Holidays like today. It really depends on what part of the country you live in. They use ground DHL.

DCBS is the shiznit. really they are great. i had a galactus statue that arrived broken once and they were super quick to give me a return and credit.

I just placed my first order with DCBS for the Alias omnibus, but I don't think that ships until March.

I think Chew usually gets his shipments on the Friday after Wednesday release.

Actually, it's one day better: Thursdays :)

It may read terribly and be a laugh.. but it's still a very hot title and flys off the shelf.

Yes, and the New Kids on the Block sold millions of records. You're using an appeal to popularity fallacy.

Just because you enjoy Frank Miller basically ass-raping everything he's done previously for the Batman character while slapping the fans upside the face, that doesn't mean it's a great book. It means you enjoy watching a great character being trashed.

I just finished reading Azzarello's Lex Luthor: Man of Steel.

Basically the book is a big wank from Luthor about how everything he does to get rid of Superman is because he's really concerned for the well-being of the planet, that Superman could turn into a threat one day and try to take over. Luthor believes that he's saving mankind by trying to get rid of Superman.

Personally, I think that it's a bunch of bullshit. I saw them taking this route a few years ago, and assumed that it would be a thing of "yeah, he says that, but we all know that he just wants Superman out of the way because it'll make his schemes easier to pull off."

Now, though, it seems as if they're actually trying to push this as a legitimate motivation for him.

And the Batman scene? That alone made me believe that Azzarello, much like other popular non-superhero writers, needs to stick with the non-superhero crowd.

Thoughts?

Actually, it's one day better: Thursdays :)

Oh you just love to rub that in! :) I get mine today at some point.

And the Batman scene? That alone made me believe that Azzarello, much like other popular non-superhero writers, needs to stick with the non-superhero crowd.

Thoughts?

That Batman/Bruce/Kryptonite scene troubled me too. It had a loose end that was never really addressed or resolved. I didn't mind the changes to Luthor's motivation so much. I thought it gave him new dimension. Of course all of it can change on a dime anyway. It seems like scientist Luthor is sorta coming around again.

Azzarello's 12 issues of Superman with Jim Lee I found nearly unreadable. I have the two HCs and will probably get rid of them.

Oh you just love to rub that in! :) I get mine today at some point.
Not me. They'll deliver today, I won't be there, they'll leave a note, I'll sign it, and I'll get the books tomorrow. Lame!

I made my order for March and realized it's close to $150. That's way too much. Now, I'm considering dropping all but 10 (or maybe 5) titles. Hell, maybe I'll go cold turkey. I can't buy old back issues if I spend $150 on new ones each month.

That's interesting that you have to sign something for it. UPS and DHL never require signatures from me, they just leave the package.

Due to my internet access problems at home, I still haven't ordered yet. :( I spent the weekend planning out my order in Previews though.

Getting back to Superman/Batman #23, the fact that this entire storyline hasn't made a lick of sense was completely cleared up in the last page. Now it makes sense why it makes no sense. :lol:

Whoa - $150! I cut back from about $120. My order this month was $78 with once a month shipping and about 41-42 books. I stopped doing bags and boards. Just takes up too much space. I'll just bag them when they come in.

I dropped a lot of Marvel, but I have a feeling Civil War will suck me back in this summer.

Well, my $150 includes 5 trades: Gotham Central, 100 Bullets, Red Sonja, Ultimate Invincible, and Ex Machina. Drop those and I have a much smaller bill. Hell, maybe I should drop the monthlies instead.

Anyone here still buy back issues? And I mean back issues, not older moderns.

I rarely ever buy back issues anymore. There are a FEW titles I'll probably try to complete my full run of some day (Captain America, Hulk) but I'm pretty much done.

If anything I'd like to get rid of a LOT of my back issues of crap I will never read. Like I was looking through my box of of old Marvel Two-In-One last night and thinking "Why do I keep these?". It's a good enough read, but thats just it...I NEVER READ THEM.

Well, my $150 includes 5 trades: Gotham Central, 100 Bullets, Red Sonja, Ultimate Invincible, and Ex Machina. Drop those and I have a much smaller bill. Hell, maybe I should drop the monthlies instead.

Anyone here still buy back issues? And I mean back issues, not older moderns.

Most of my 100+ monthly addictions comes in the form of trades... and import Japanese toys in the back of Previews, but I digress.

I don't buy back issues much anymore for two reasons:
1) I rarely go into a comic shop anymore, and most don't have a huge catalog of backissues anyway.
2) I buy comics to read nowadays, not collect. So I'll usually buy tons of really cheap backissues to read stories. But nowadays, there's enough stuff that they're reprinting in TPB that I just buy those instead. If by backissues you mean like golden age/silver age stuff, I could never afford those anyway.

Some of that stuff just doesn't hold up anyway. I recently got the "Mutant Massacre" TPB, and really just a few morlocks died, and Angel got maimed. Hardly an event. Although I am enjoying the Essential Marvel TPBs, even without color. Now that's a whole lotta comic for a little coin.

I've also started reading backissue magazine, on the recommendation of that comic geeks podcast.

I can't buy old back issues if I spend $150 on new ones each month.

I mostly buy trades & hc's so it doesn't really impact me, but if you continue to plan to continue to buy the monthly pamphlet comics, then don't pass over new ones in favor of buying old back issues. A few years from now you'll be paying bigger $ for the issues you pass over today.

I mostly buy trades & hc's so it doesn't really impact me, but if you continue to plan to continue to buy the monthly pamphlet comics, then don't pass over new ones in favor of buying old back issues. A few years from now you'll be paying bigger $ for the issues you pass over today.

Really? From my experience, in the last 10 or so years, most modern comics either depreciate greatly (the quarter bin) or get collected in TPB form. If you're in no rush to read these stories, I'd say waiting won't harm you in most of the mainstream cases. Unless you just hate trades, or you're going for independents or something.

Ever try selling your comic collection?

Yes, and the New Kids on the Block sold millions of records. You're using an appeal to popularity fallacy.

Just because you enjoy Frank Miller basically ass-raping everything he's done previously for the Batman character while slapping the fans upside the face, that doesn't mean it's a great book. It means you enjoy watching a great character being trashed.


Woah.. what got you on the wrong side of the bed today? If you don't like the book drop it. Generally speaking the "quality" books seldomly sell. Y the last man has piss poor sell numbers and it's a top notch book. I know that popularity means shit.

I'm enjoying it and I buy it. It's my own opinion on the matter but I'm also understanding that Miller hasn't written a good Batman for years. STRIKES AGAIN was just terrible unreadable crap. If he wasn't trashing Batman in that then I don't know what he was doing. So Miller fucking around with Batman isn't anything new. Atleast this is pretty to look at and funny as hell to read.

As for Azzarello, I went up to him at comic con with my sketch book and asked him to draw me superman. He said he was a writer and not an artist. I said that whatever doodle he would make of superman would make as much sense as FOR TOMORROW. He took my sketch book and drew a grave head stone with some flowers around it and finally asked me for my name.. which he in turn wrote on the head stone. I had a laugh about it and gave him my for tomorrow books to sign.

I agree that his writting is just up there. Atleast with Miller's ASBR is funny to read while Azzarello's FOR TOMORROW and LEX LUTHER were just boring as fuck to read.

My local comic shop just ran a 90% off back issue sale (granted, its the first I've seen)...its still hard to find certain comics in runs, especially if they've never been reprinted. But in general, I'd say comics from the last 10 years really haven't appreciated greatly in value.

As for Azzarello, I went up to him at comic con with my sketch book and asked him to draw me superman. He said he was a writer and not an artist. I said that whatever doodle he would make of superman would make as much sense as FOR TOMORROW. He took my sketch book and drew a grave head stone with some flowers around it and finally asked me for my name.. which he in turn wrote on the head stone. I had a laugh about it and gave him my for tomorrow books to sign.


You better be glad Azz isn't Chuck Norris or he so would have roundhouse kicked your head off -wink-. I'm curious though, why not get a good book Azz has done signed? Thats assuming you read 100 Bullets and assuming you think it's good.

with comic con I'm always half prepared. Especially when the DC booth doesn't have a full clear cut list of who will be showing up and when. I would have had to walked back to my hotel room to get my 100 bullets and I already had for tomorrow since I just finished getting a jim lee sketch and signiture.

Question:

Will any of the DC Crisis affect the VERTIGO (http://dccomics.com/vertigo/) line? If not, why not?

Comic Book related... Did anyone else not know THE FLASH tv series boxset is coming? I swear, I'm always the last to know. :lol:

I found this dvdtalk thread after I saw the ad on dccomics.com (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432757&page=1&pp=25&highlight=THE+FLASH)

Comic Book related... Did anyone else not know THE FLASH tv series boxset is coming? I swear, I'm always the last to know. :lol:


I think you are the last to know! ;) Mine has been pre-ordered for quite a while. I'm sure it'll be nowhere as cool as I remember, but I'm looking forward to watching it again.

I think you are the last to know! ;) Mine has been pre-ordered for quite a while. I'm sure it'll be nowhere as cool as I remember, but I'm looking forward to watching it again.


The show was cool but I agree there's a chance it might not hold up well. But who knows... Anyway, I always thought the series version of the THE FLASH's costume kicked ass.

Does anyone know what is happening with the Alan Moore DC collection that is supposed to come out this month? Amazon said it was supposed to be released today, but they have it listed as 4-6 week shipment now and I can't find it anywhere else. The DC page says Jan 11th.

Does anyone know what is happening with the Alan Moore DC collection that is supposed to come out this month? Amazon said it was supposed to be released today, but they have it listed as 4-6 week shipment now and I can't find it anywhere else. The DC page says Jan 11th.

I would think the DC page would be the correct one. I always look to Midtowncomics.com for all the new comics on a weekly basis and that's not listed for this week.

Really? From my experience, in the last 10 or so years, most modern comics either depreciate greatly (the quarter bin) or get collected in TPB form. If you're in no rush to read these stories, I'd say waiting won't harm you in most of the mainstream cases. Unless you just hate trades, or you're going for independents or something.

Ever try selling your comic collection?

Perhaps modern comics depreciating to the quarter bin is the norm now, I don't frequent comic shops or buy back issues enough these days to know. I started buying comics in the early 70's and the "don't pass up new comics in favor of back issues" was the first basic rule of serious comic collecting. It just makes sense. A comic shop has overhead, heat, electric, payroll, etc. and the owner needs to make a profit so of course he's going to mark up the back issues. In the 80's a 75 cent comic (IIRC) would be $1 in the back issue bin the month after it came out. It made sense to buy it when it was still cover price. If this has changed today, especially for most comics, I'd be really surprised. I have to believe, for example, that issues of JSA cost more in the back issue bins than from the shelf. No?

I went into a comic shop last month looking for old issues of World's Finest and was surprised by the prices. Back issues of Power of Shazam were also $3 & $4 apiece generally, also. But PoS may not qaulify as "modern" these days. Perhaps it is the bad modern comics that make it to the quarter bins?

As to selling my collection, I haven't tried. The large majority I wouldn't want to part with and those that I would are probably not very marketable anyway.

^ That was before the comic industry bust. As far as what the back issue pricing is in stores, it depends on a lot of things. The shop, the local comic business. But, you can buy many of the "modern" back issues online or at conventions for sub cover price and still get them in as good of shape as off the shelf. Its just a few of the comic runs that are harder to do so with. I remember Agent X was at least at one time hard to find the full run in quality condition for cover price.
EDIT:
I do recall a few years ago dime bins were huge at conventions and most of them seem to be returning to 50c and $1 bins, so maybe there is a bit of a rebound in backissues now.

I think the modern back issue market will rebound, at least a little, for two reasons:

A) The stories these days are really good and there are still those out there who want the original monthy version instead of the trade. Most likely they'll be wanting runs to get the whole story, not just single issues.

B) The printings are smaller these days so the "hot" books can't be found in back issue boxes at comic shops. If you missed it the first time, you'll have to use the secondary market to get most of these "hot" books. That's not to say you can't find 'em cheap on ebay, but most are sold off the shelf, meaning your LCS won't have the recent back issues.


I've actually been slowly delving into Bronze books I loved as a kid. I'm trying to hunt down really mint copies of my favorite books as a kid. Part of me would rather "collect" these old comics and just "read" the new ones...and by read, I mean get 'em in trade and forget about collecting the new monthlies. But I haven't made that lead yet.

There is a comic shop in Dallas that is known for back issues. They will pretty much have everything and anything you will want. But it will cost you. They are much higher than anyplace else.

At Wizard World I picked up all issues of the fairly recent (2002?) Batgirl Year 1 for a buck each. Well worth it. However, they didn't have issue 2 so my friend recommended this shop. Issue 2 was $15 and the other issues ranged from $5-$10!

I did end up finding #2 later for $3 in Arlington.

I'm pretty much into trades now. I'll pick up a few trades a month and read them and put them on the shelf and re-read them more than the comics. I'll pick up a few singles every once and a while, but I only really buy backissues when I go to the Heroes Convention every summer. Thats when I normally pick up like 50-150 issues. Overall, I just like dealing with the trades for re-reading than individual issues. And I think I lost the "collecting" bug of comics with so many comics being reprinted in trade format now. I'm just like a year behind in comics which kinda sucks, but I can keep up to date enough.

It's true that with margins being so low, the number of comics printed these days is much, much smaller. Stores don't want to get stuck with a lot of backissues, and Marvel's policy is no reprints anyway. But you can get nearly EVERYTHING Marvel publishes in trade, sometimes a couple of weeks after the last issue is published (which again discourages stores from carrying recent backissues). I mean c'mon, Great Lakes Avengers and New Warriors both got collected, which kinda surprised me. DC is a little more iffy, but they do collect a lot of titles (JLA, JSA, Superman, Titans, all Vertigo), and I'm sure they'll collect the bits and pieces of Infinite Crisis. Again, if your preference is monthlies, that's different, but to me the main draw of monthlies is getting them in a timely fashion.

The stuff that'll be hard to find are the few titles that don't get collected (for instance, I don't think all of Birds of Prey will ever be collected, or Peter David's Supergirl) or that never finish (so won't make sense in a collected format), or those that were published right before the TPB boom. I mean, I loved Walt Simonson's Orion run, but I doubt that'll ever be collected. Still, if there's enough demand on the secondary market that the prices are being driven up, a trade will probably come out sooner or later.

In any case, collect what you want! Even we trade lovers need to support the monthly releases of the series we love, since the current market is built on the backbone of monthly releases. And I don't mind "double dipping" on series that I really enjoy.

In any case, collect what you want! Even we trade lovers need to support the monthly releases of the series we love, since the current market is built on the backbone of monthly releases. And I don't mind "double dipping" on series that I really enjoy.

Want to hear my latest somewhat odd predicament? I read about 20-25 monthlies. I have about 10 that are must reads. These books I buy in monthly format and via trades. Now that I'm thinking about collecting only trades, I still want the monthly fix. So, I'm thinking of actually cancelling my favorite titles and sticking with my second favorites. Seems counter intuitive.

I think the modern back issue market will rebound, at least a little, for two reasons:

A) The stories these days are really good and there are still those out there who want the original monthy version instead of the trade. Most likely they'll be wanting runs to get the whole story, not just single issues.

B) The printings are smaller these days so the "hot" books can't be found in back issue boxes at comic shops. If you missed it the first time, you'll have to use the secondary market to get most of these "hot" books. That's not to say you can't find 'em cheap on ebay, but most are sold off the shelf, meaning your LCS won't have the recent back issues.



Sorry, but I can't think of any "Hot" title in the last few months that hasn't recieved a second, third and even often a fourth printing or either gotten to the point where it's collected in a three month bundle sort of book like with NYX.

Sorry, but I can't think of any "Hot" title in the last few months that hasn't recieved a second, third and even often a fourth printing or either gotten to the point where it's collected in a three month bundle sort of book like with NYX.

There are collectors out there that don't care about second printings or trade. They want the first edition of the story or issue. Those issues are the ones I'm calling "hot" and that won't be found in the quarter bin.

Well that's a given. But on that same tolken there will be Dealer incentives that will never be in the quarter bins and also monthlies that will never be in that bin for specific reasons that are exceptions. Shit, half of those variants and dealer incentive issues start off at comic stores for $10 or more. So to say they wont ever be in a clearance bin seems like a no brainer.

But the point is that the "back issue" issue will never be the same because there is so many more printings of titles that the supply is always filled so the demand wont be as big.

Especially with just about every arc being collected in a trade. Look back at older comics that are sought after in the back issue bins. stuff like Young Justice or the JLI/JLA, Robin, etc. issues because for the most part they were only traded for the first two or so arcs and bigger events.

Stuff like JSA Classified that got a couple of different printings for the power girl back story will also be traded. So Supply is oversaturated in the market and that will just lead to more back issues getting cleared out in the quarter bins.

i thought last month's shipment from DCBS was big at 23 lbs. this month's was 28! lots of normal trades for me plus IC #3, but at the bottom were the walking dead slipcase :drool: and the sin city book which looke even better than i originally thought. i can't wait to get started reading. :)

Finally got around to ASBR #3 last night. It wasn't as nearly gawdawful as #2 was, but it was still pretty bad.

I'm also working my way through Fallen Angel and finished issue 8 last night. A series that just keeps getting better. I paged through Volume 2 #1 and thought the art took a pretty big leap in quality. Has anyone read V2 #1 yet?

Chew, I have it in my DCBS order, but damn it, DHL hasn't delivered it yet because they need a signature. ARGH!

Has anyone here recently tried to cut back on the number of books they read? I'm finding it very difficult to cut books since I'm enjoying them all. If anyone has tips, I'd love to hear how you chose which books to stop buying.

I just try not to think about it too much when I order. Just pull the trigger and stick with it. I made a decision to get more DC than Marvel and I cut the Marvels down by quite a bit. Pretty much no more X MEN except Deady Genesis and Astonishing right now. Dropped Fantastic Four and All Ultimate Titles except Ultimates. I found lots of places to cut. Itwill always be around if I want to catch up.

I'm trying to cut back right now. I think my system is working pretty well actually: what titles usually end up on the bottom of the "to read" pile? I tend to always read what I feel most interested in of what's left and there's several titles that are always at the bottom.

I just have to decide what the cutoff point is for the pile. :)

The show was cool but I agree there's a chance it might not hold up well. But who knows... Anyway, I always thought the series version of the THE FLASH's costume kicked ass.

There was a free DVD of an episode included with the SMALLVILLE Season 4 box set - and based on that, no, it doesn't quite hold up as well as I remember it. Chalk it up to TV production values of the time - this is a show that's 16 years old, after all. But screw it, I'm buying it all the same - as I'm still quite happy it's coming out at all!

I'm trying to cut back right now. I think my system is working pretty well actually: what titles usually end up on the bottom of the "to read" pile? I tend to always read what I feel most interested in of what's left and there's several titles that are always at the bottom.

I just have to decide what the cutoff point is for the pile. :)

See, that's weird. I almost always save the best for last.

But the problem with ordering in advance is that you're not sure if the issues between what you've read and what you've ordered will be any good. That makes me hesitate on those middle of the road books.

Whenever I wanted to cut back, I just stopped buying them for two months and went back to those I really felt I wanted to read what happened. It was easier back then though as the local shop always had a couple issues of the previous month or two on the shelf. I don't know what most shops do these days as its been a while since I've bought one at a shop.

Thanks for the feedback in DCBS. I will probably order some trades this weekend. I am not much into the monthly stuff anymore. I would reather wait for the trades.

I know that Infinate Crises is hot right now. Could someone please suggest the proper order of reading the whole story line, including the pre-crisis stuff? Thanks in advance

I just read IC #3 and I don't really know what to say. It's not that great. I think there's too much going on. Or maybe I'm missing somethings because I haven't read all of the crossovers. Either way, this issue was mediocre. I liked some of it, but too much was beyond me.


I also read Catwoman #50. I really like this book. And I'm very interested to see where they plan to take the character OYL. I'm in for a few more months at least.

yeah, i got mine too and was confused. i haven't read all the crossovers so that might be part of it. reading the first few pages made me feel like i had missed a couple of issues.

I'm going to wait to read infinite crisis all at once. DC should do a compendium of the original Crisis crossover issues. It makes a lot more sense...

There was a free DVD of an episode included with the SMALLVILLE Season 4 box set - and based on that, no, it doesn't quite hold up as well as I remember it. Chalk it up to TV production values of the time - this is a show that's 16 years old, after all. But screw it, I'm buying it all the same - as I'm still quite happy it's coming out at all!


Hmm, that's too bad. But the costume still rocks.

I read the third issue in my copy of Absolute Crisis and I'm not sure oversizing is really helping here. There's nothing wrong with the Perez art, but something strikes me about the coloring. Maybe the paper it's printed on just doesn't do much for it? I don't know, I can't put my finger on it. I almost think the printing of the tpb collection looks sharper.

On the other hand, the second volume is almost worth the price of admission right there!

Chew, I read some reviews that said the previous HC had better coloring. But you're right, the reason to buy that would be the supplemental stuff. What are your thoughts on the current Crisis series? Did you catch everything that's happening?

What are your thoughts on the current Crisis series? Did you catch everything that's happening?

I'm enjoying the series quite a bit so far, but think I'll reserve overall judgement until the series is over. As for catching everything: that'd be a big "no". I'm almost caught up on the pre-Crisis minis, but there's still plenty of individual issues out there I've missed.

I'm enjoying the series quite a bit so far, but think I'll reserve overall judgement until the series is over. As for catching everything: that'd be a big "no". I'm almost caught up on the pre-Crisis minis, but there's still plenty of individual issues out there I've missed.

You know, I think it's the current crossovers that are making me lack understanding. There are like 10 storylines going on in the mini, and I'm only following a few of 'em. Like Kevin said, it's as if I missed an issue....like I'm reading every other one or something.

To me it's looking like Firestorm is really essential to IC. It's pretty much the only place where we are seeing Donna Troy's group in space. It's not really clear in IC what they are doing yet. The latest Wonder Woman just pretty much retold in longer form what went on in IC #3. That was pretty lame.

You know, I think it's the current crossovers that are making me lack understanding. There are like 10 storylines going on in the mini, and I'm only following a few of 'em. Like Kevin said, it's as if I missed an issue....like I'm reading every other one or something.

I can identify with this. There is SO much happening, you have to be a DC die hard life long fan who's reading EVERYTHING to really appreciate the whole story. As it stands I'm along for the ride, but really trying to make sense of things (in the greater scheme) where I can. This isn't DC's fault, but more my lack of a knowledge of DC history or desire to read some of the mini's that lead into IC. They have done a good job of bringin people up to speed on the main issues though I think.

I could wish for a more contained cross-over, but that wouldn't make any sense with the scope of what they're trying to do now.

Does anyone know how long Judd Winnick is staying on Batman? I imagine he's going to change books after OYL.

Does anyone know how long Judd Winnick is staying on Batman? I imagine he's going to change books after OYL.

We can hope. I know James Robinson is on for 4 issues of Batman and 4 issues of Detective OYL sort of like Johns is doing on Superman and Action.

Bored, I think Winnick is good to go through #650. For the OYL story, there's a new writer. Robinson I believe.

What are your thoughts on the current Red Hood storyline? I think it's decent, but it's taking a long time to get where ever it's going. I like the idea of a showdown between Hood and Joker.

Oh, yeah, is anyone reading Red Sonja? I'm curious if it's worth picking up the upcoming HC.

Bored, I think Winnick is good to go through #650. For the OYL story, there's a new writer. Robinson I believe.

What are your thoughts on the current Red Hood storyline? I think it's decent, but it's taking a long time to get where ever it's going. I like the idea of a showdown between Hood and Joker.


It is taking a long time to get to the final point yeah, but I'm really enjoying it. Only one issue felt like striaght up filler to me, issue 647, but even that was fun to read. I think the one thing that's hurting the story for me is I just don't buy it. I keep waiting for the twist, y'know? The other shoe to drop. It also doesn't help that they said they didn't plan on explaining how Jason came back from the dead any time soon. If in fact it really is Jason. Granted, that was said when the story started, and if by that they meant not in the first issue, but in these last two -- I'll be cool with that. I don't get that impression though.

This is the first stuff of Winnick's I've read and it's really clicked with me. It seems to be popular to dislike the guy (I always see the argument that his books always deal with aids and gay folk), but his stuff seems good enough to me. His style isn't one that is strong enough to make me go hunt down his other books (like I did with Kirkman), but I don't get where all the hate is coming from.

...I keep waiting for the twist, y'know? The other shoe to drop. It also doesn't help that they said they didn't plan on explaining how Jason came back from the dead any time soon. If in fact it really is Jason. Granted, that was said when the story started, and if by that they meant not in the first issue, but in these last two -- I'll be cool with that. I don't get that impression though.

I totally agree. Not knowing if Hood is who we're led to believe he is, makes it both good and bad for me. Reading it as if I know the truth is a great story. But throwing in that "what if" scenerio sort of ruins it a bit. If he is who we think he is, it opens up so many conflicts for Batman. Does he hunt down Red Hood or not. That's great.

I think the upcoming annual will answer the question of who he is. But I'm looking forward to the showdown with Joker. I only wish Batman were willing to kill, or at least let others be killed. It'd make the story stronger if some main character like the Joker could die.

I was just saw Chew over at the Battlestar Galactica thread in TV. Anyone else want a comic of this series? Or do you think the shows continuity is too tight for it to work. I'd even like one showing the original cylon conflict.

This is the first stuff of Winnick's I've read and it's really clicked with me. It seems to be popular to dislike the guy (I always see the argument that his books always deal with aids and gay folk), but his stuff seems good enough to me. His style isn't one that is strong enough to make me go hunt down his other books (like I did with Kirkman), but I don't get where all the hate is coming from.

Have you read that Titans/Young Justice miniseries that kickstarted Outsiders and Teen Titans? The one where Donna gets killed? That was terrible.

And of course it's DC's fault that the crossover is so confusing: they want you to buy it all up. Everything. Which is what crossovers are for, right?

I was just saw Chew over at the Battlestar Galactica thread in TV. Anyone else want a comic of this series? Or do you think the shows continuity is too tight for it to work. I'd even like one showing the original cylon conflict.

I think it can work. I would love to see an entire series strictly based on the original conflict. We can still have a few of the main characters showing up and it's a good way to fill in the backstory.

I think it can work. I would love to see an entire series strictly based on the original conflict. We can still have a few of the main characters showing up and it's a good way to fill in the backstory. Here's the original conflict. -wink-

<img src="http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/08813133342.1.GIF">

I know that Infinate Crises is hot right now. Could someone please suggest the proper order of reading the whole story line, including the pre-crisis stuff? Thanks in advance Check what I posted here:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=451293

Have you read that Titans/Young Justice miniseries that kickstarted Outsiders and Teen Titans? The one where Donna gets killed? That was terrible.


You know I did sort of read that, but just because I was gearing up to read the Teen Titans which everyone said was great. I honestly don't remember it though, so it certainly wasn't memorable to me. That can't be a good sign.

Great pic Todd B. That brings back some memories. I had that issue and sporadically got others. I also read some of the Liefield one's from the mid-90s, but lost interest after a bit. Those were pretty hyped up and you can't deny that they and Richard Hatch's novels helped get Galactica back on the radar screens.

EDIT: looks like there was a new BG comic scheduled to debut last fall.

http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=841809

Does anyone know what is happening with the Alan Moore DC collection that is supposed to come out this month? Amazon said it was supposed to be released today, but they have it listed as 4-6 week shipment now and I can't find it anywhere else. The DC page says Jan 11th.

What is in this collection? Is it just the previously released "Across The Universe: The DC Stories of Alan Moore" reissued with "The Killing Joke" and Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?" included this time around?

Also, whatever happened to Darwyn Cooke taking over "The Flash"?

What is in this collection? Is it just the previously released "Across The Universe: The DC Stories of Alan Moore" reissued with "The Killing Joke" and Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?" included this time around?

Also, whatever happened to Darwyn Cooke taking over "The Flash"?

Yes that's what the Alan Moore collection is. As far as Cooke on the Flash, I haven't heard anything about it. Maybe for one year later? Flash has one more issue left on the current run.

Yes that's what the Alan Moore collection is.

According to Midtown Comics, it's coming out this week.

I just got the Absolute Hush HC...and can I just say it's the sexiest thing since Scarlett Johansson in a bathtub sucking on a cherry popsicle (lots of tongue folks). OK, not really, but still this thing is awesome. It's not my favorite story ever, but it's a good way to get a flash of the majority of what the Batverse is (since most of the characters are represented) and the art looks great in this form, so it's all good.

Are all the Absolute oversized in a similar fashion? And is there some master list of what Absolutes are out there? I really love the presentation and want to get more. I will definately buy The Authority ones (assuming I can find Vol.1 for less than a million bucks) and the Absolute JLA/Avengers book. I know there is a Crisis and Watchmen Absolute too, but not sure what else.

Now more than ever I need an Absolute New Frontier. That book I think I would try to marry in Vegas.

The Crisis and Watchmen Absolute's aren't printed on the glossy paper. I think I heard that if it was published originally on the non-glossy paper, that would be the norm with the Absolute release. I definitely want a New Frontier Absolute as well. And Dark Knight. And Kingdom Come. And a big no to the rumored Azzarello/Lee For Tomorrow.

I started reading The Walking Dead HC today which is more or less an Image Absolute. Big thumbs up there. I'm about a 3rd of the way into it.

Finally got my comics for last month (December). It'll take me a while to go through the trades, but I went through the monthlies pretty quickly:

No Legion last month? Or Supergirl?
JSA: the whole Jakeem Thunder saga ends with what seems like a cop-out, though I never really understood what was going on anyway. I'll have to read it back-to-back, I guess.
Teen Titans: Maybe I misjudged last week's book... I actually kinda liked the whole Captain Carrot thing, and even the Kid Devil cameo which will set up for something down the line. But man I can't stand Tony Daniel's art, and that is really bringing this book down. So maybe the writing is decent, and I just can't accept the art. And Daniel's gonna be the regular artist on this book?

I've been collecting the issues of Justice and All Star Batman and Robin, but I have yet to read a single one. Probably should've just waited on the trade for both.

Teen Titans: Maybe I misjudged last week's book... I actually kinda liked the whole Captain Carrot thing, and even the Kid Devil cameo which will set up for something down the line. But man I can't stand Tony Daniel's art, and that is really bringing this book down. So maybe the writing is decent, and I just can't accept the art. And Daniel's gonna be the regular artist on this book?

At least it's better than Liefield's was.

Given the ending to the Captain Carrot storyline, I have to wonder if a new series is in the future?

No Legion last month? Or Supergirl?

I don't read Supergirl, but this was the last issue of Legion that came out:
http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/47827134425.12.GIF

Yeah, I got LOS 12 and Supergirl 3 in November's shipment, and nothing in December's... just wondering if they're late. It was amusing to me to read December's issue of Superman/Batman, and in the back they're advertising OMAC #6.

Better than Liefeld, sure, but that's not saying much. Maybe Daniels is just doing a rush job, and he'll settle in. I certainly hope so. Is it just me?

Given the ending to the Captain Carrot storyline, I have to wonder if a new series is in the future?:fc:

Like I was looking through my box of of old Marvel Two-In-One last night and thinking "Why do I keep these?". It's a good enough read, but thats just it...I NEVER READ THEM.

I picked up the Essential Two-in-One and had a good time. Agreed it's not Great Stuff, but it brings back good memories. I used to subscribe to both Two-in-One and Team-Up and they introduced me to a lot of different characters. I'll have to pick up Essential Team-Up next.

Like someone else posted recently, I've jumped into the Essentials. I was an Iron Fist fan way back when, but now reading the Essential, I realized I must have just stopped reading about three years into the series. The new stories should be discoveries to me, but I find I have less patience with them. Maybe the black-and-white format is better when I've already read them and can mentally fill in the colors.

Rarely buy single issues other than Infinite Crisis and the occasional Marvel Giant-Size, which seem like pretty good value at $4.99 even if it's almost all recycled. Also got that three-issue Spider-Man/Black Cat compilation.

Hey, what's this Ulitmate Avengers:The Movie? I saw it in Wizard mag.

Hey, what's this Ulitmate Avengers:The Movie? I saw it in Wizard mag.
I haven't seen the mag, but I think you're talking about the straight to DVD animated film. It's the Avengers, but with the Ultimates slant. I heard the story is great, but that art isn't as cool as it could be. But I haven't seen it.

I don't think we've done this in awhile, and if we have forget I asked this, but what are everyone's current top five books? Or if you can't do five, what about top ten?

Here's mine:

Birds of Prey
Y: The Last Man
DMZ (although I might switch to all trade on this one)
Catwoman
Captain America (I think the new Daredevil will squeeze into this spot soon)

I think my top 5 list changes fairly often:

Gotham Central
Captain America
Y: Last Man
JSA
Marvel Team-Up

Hey, what's this Ulitmate Avengers:The Movie? I saw it in Wizard mag.

I'll warn everyone right now, I saw a preview and Captain America's voice was terrible. He sounded 16 years old. I'll probably Netflix this one.

I think my top 5 list changes fairly often:

Gotham Central
Captain America
Y: Last Man
JSA
Marvel Team-Up

Great taste, Chew. I actually left GC off my list just because it's being cancelled. What do you think will take its spot when it's gone?

I don't know :(

I'm only up to around issue 11 on the first volume of Fallen Angel, but I think that just might if the second volume continues to impress.

I ended up selling my entire FA collection. I thought it was a good story, just not a great one. I did pick up the new first issue to see if that sparks my interest again.

Current top 5:

Captain Atom: Armageddon (favorite thing going right now)
Teen Titans
Marvel Team-Up
Batman
Ultimate Fantastic Four


These are books that always hover near the top of the pile, but things I don't always feel like reading or prefer to read in bunches.

Y The Last Man
Strangers in Paradise
Captain America
Runaways
The Ultimates
GI Joe: America's Elite
The Walking Dead
Birds of Prey

I want to read DMZ (heard the story is good) but the art isn't my cup of tea. I think it will be one of those books who's art I appreciate after I get into the story, so I'll probably pick up the trade down the line.

Apologies if this is a repost

So is this really the new hyped spidey costume:

http://www.marvelcomics.com/publishing/stories/showstory.htm?id=67

How many months before we revert back to normal? It's gotta at least be before the next movie, right?

Apologies if this is a repost

So is this really the new hyped spidey costume:

http://www.marvelcomics.com/publishing/stories/showstory.htm?id=67

How many months before we revert back to normal? It's gotta at least be before the next movie, right?

I'm hoping it's a preliminary drawing and that it'll be improved. Or that it's a joke. I can't imagine it sticking around even a couple of months if it indeed is the new costume.

It'll be gone before Civil War ends. nuff said!

I like it. But I also agree that it won't last.

I'd rather go back to the black costume.

I like when they make alrerations on the existing spidey costume (adjusting the spider's design and such). Everyone and their momma knows that if it's too drastic a change, it won't last. The design itself though I don't think is terrible. The feet look a little funky, but it will only be around for a year tops so no worries.

DMZ (although I might switch to all trade on this one)

What's the plot of this series?

What's the plot of this series?
Haven't read the 3rd issue yet, but the basic premise is that there's a war torn America. New York is cordoned off. It's a war zone with the 'bad guys' inside, although it's technically unclear as to who the enemies are since Americans are on both sides. A young reporter gets trapped inside. The book follows his adventures.

That's a terrible synopsis, sorry.

Have you guys ever checked out some of the cool Downloads at DC's site? :up:

http://www.dccomics.com/downloads/

I liked the first two issues of DMZ but the third didn't really hit it for me. I guess there are just questions that haven't been answered yet about this civil war and it bugs me. And it is Manhattan . . . what happened to all the yuppies?

Haven't read the 3rd issue yet, but the basic premise is that there's a war torn America. New York is cordoned off. It's a war zone with the 'bad guys' inside, although it's technically unclear as to who the enemies are since Americans are on both sides. A young reporter gets trapped inside. The book follows his adventures.

That's a terrible synopsis, sorry.

Hmmmm. Sounds like a Escape from NY rip off?

Have you guys ever checked out some of the cool Downloads at DC's site? :up:

http://www.dccomics.com/downloads/

My wallpaper/screensaver is nothing but comic related pics and I'm checking that site all the time (along with marvel.com)

Hmmmm. Sounds like a Escape from NY rip off?
Ummm, based on my synopsis, yeah it does. But it's certainly more realistic as the main character isn't really the action hero type. I'm enjoying the story so far, but I'm not sure how Wood can sustain this story for more than 10 issues without it getting repetitive.

Anyone else having a hard time picking books 2-3 months in advance based solely on the blurbs found in the Previews catalog? It's easy when a book has a creative team you've come to respect, but for things like OYL when the entire DC line has new writers and artists...it's difficult to decide where to spend my $100.

Dammit, I should really hate it when the Marvel guys overhype stuff, but I still can't help getting excited when they make such outrageous statements. Here's what Millar just said about Civil War: "Some AMAZING stuff coming up and, just for a little self-promotion, let me trailer MCW issue 2 as the most talked about Marvel comic in our lifetimes. No hyperbole. Copy and save this paragraph and slap me down with it if you think I'm wrong, but June is where the Marvel Universe just goes more nuts than you could ever have possibly imagined. Seriously, copy and save this paragraph because there was 100% agreement this will be the biggest thing to happen to Marvel since the 60s."

Quesada said something interesting about the ending to Civil War last week that Millar mentioned too, "Whedon was in town and, during the summit, quite brilliantly chose the best of the four endings we'd been arguing over for the better part of a day. You remember that scene in Alan Moore's Swamp Thing where Luthor was hired for a billion dollars a minute to come in and tell these scientists how to kill Swampy? That was Whedon."

That gives me a little faith that Millar might not fuck up Civil War.

Wow, that's some hyperbolous stuff there. Still, hard to not get a little excited.

They're the super hype machine. I'm still not sold. Then again, what do I know?

Anyone know the specifics for Civil War? Is it going to be a mini with offshoots into other titles, or will it just be a regular cross over?

oooo I hope it's as good as "House Of M" was.

June is where the Marvel Universe just goes more nuts than you could ever have possibly imagined.

F@#$*!!!!. I'll be seriously pissed if the crossover flows into one of my regular titles like "House of M" crap did. Marvel has always been basically ALL I buy, but in the past year or two, I've been dropping titles like crazy (New Avengers, all Spidey, all X-books). Its not going to take much more for me to just say the hell with it and drop the rest. I guess we'll see this summer.

Well, to add insult to injury, all Marvel books are at least $2.99 starting in March or April. Or at least, that's what I've heard.

Most all of the Marvel books I buy now are 2.99. But I'm only spending maybe $25-30 on comics a month so its not too bad.

Anyone else having a hard time picking books 2-3 months in advance based solely on the blurbs found in the Previews catalog? It's easy when a book has a creative team you've come to respect, but for things like OYL when the entire DC line has new writers and artists...it's difficult to decide where to spend my $100.

I have a tough time doing this, and also trying to avoid spoilers when looking through Previews. Of course, that's nothing compared to being a shop owner who has to base his month's worth of ordering on those little pictures, while trying to predict what his consumer base will buy.

I've been dropping titles like crazy (New Avengers, all Spidey, all X-books).

New Avengers is getting a little more interesting with all of the Spider-Women stuff going on now. Spider-Woman Origin has been pretty solid too (waiting for issue 2 to arrive in my next Midtown order).

I didn't like Spider-Woman Origin at all, but NA keeps getting better and better. There wasn't a single thing I liked about Origin and the latest issue of NA made it look even more pathetic.

NA has been impressing me more than any other ongoing right now. I don't think Bendis has managed to do a good job at any of the big epic fights in his various minis, but he pulls off the less earth-shattering fights perfectly imo. I loved the Wrecker fight a few months ago and the ninja fight in the previous arc was as good as I could imagine. I think the biggest problem with his huge battles are that they're too short. We probably saw more of the ninja fight and the Wrecker fight than all of the fights in HOM. Those 2 fights also had a good amount of humor which can really help to keep a fight scene entertaining.

I just picked up the NEW AVENGERS - Breakout TP, on the reccomendation of a freind, my brother, and the guy who runs my local comic shop - all of whom were surprised I wasn't reading the book yet, based on everything else I like.

Gotta say, I was pretty impressed with it - much better than I'd thought it would be - and now plan to pick up the future trade releases.

New Avengers, huh? Who knew?

I'm assuming they have a HC out by now?

I'm actually liking New Avengers too. The first HC has been out a while, the second should be out in the next 2-3 weeks (at least, according to Amazon).

Wait. I'm just noticing JWP has gone back to his original user name. I thought that sounded familiar. :lol:

I'm actually liking New Avengers too. The first HC has been out a while, the second should be out in the next 2-3 weeks (at least, according to Amazon).

Any chance Marvel will put out a deluxe HC that's supersize a la Ultimate?

[Who's JWP?] :D

The only way I would ever buy Avengers again is if all things Bendis are removed. Aside from Daredevil (which somehow remained a great read), I just couldn't stomach his writing anymore. I dropped Powers around the same time too.

The first "Breakout" storyline from NA felt like that old Secret Defenders series, where they just threw random characters together with no real grasp of how to make it work. You couldn't even distinguish one character's dialogue from another. It was like a Uwe Boll film. Although that might be an insult to Uwe.

I love Bendis, but when will writers learn not to stretch themselves too thin? I saw somebody post this a couple weeks ago:

In 2005, Bendis had 1,612 pages worth of comics he's written published.

One thousand, six hundred and twelve pages. That's an average of one hundred and thirty-four pages - or just over six 22 page comics - a month.

In 2004, it was 1,638 pages.

In 2003, it was 1,460 pages.

In 2002, it was 1,368 pages.

In 2001, it was 1,176 pages.

In 2000, it was 789 pages.

Picked up my books today. Not a lot this week, mainly Infinite Crisis 4 (which gives some good explanations that tie together the 4 lead-up mini-series), All-Star Superman #2, and the two Spider-books.

After reading All-Star Superman #2, I am now convinced that Morrisson and Miller have a behind the scenes bet as to who can fuck up a classic DC character the most.

I've enjoyed most of the Spider-crossover, except for the issues written by Hudlin, who is easily writes some of the worst material I've ever read. Apparently this is his last issue of Marvel Knights Spider-Man, which can only be a good thing. The only thing I really dread about this crossover is the new costume. Wow, if the pic I saw is accurate, it looks really bad. This is Spider-Man, not Iron-Spider.

Holy crap! Who's read Gotham Central #39? What a great story. I haven't anticipated the next issue of any comic like I am for #40.

Crisis #4 was simply amazing. I don't care how you paint the picture that was a great book and really puts me excited to get back into the crisis mood again.

Just about to post similar on the subject. Nightwing and Batman in IC #4 - WOW!

Crisis #4 was simply amazing. I don't care how you paint the picture that was a great book and really puts me excited to get back into the crisis mood again.

Marvel should take notes on what DC is doing with Infinite Crisis and learn how to do a real crossover. Despite the fact that this is really all irrelevant and will be changed again at the whim of a new writing / editorial team, the story has been compelling, and has managed to draw on so many years of history without screwing up or mis-representing previous events.

The whole Superboy fight was amazing, as was the great moment between Batman & Nightwing.

This really has me anticipating the "One Year Later" event when it starts.

Crisis #4 was simply amazing. I don't care how you paint the picture that was a great book and really puts me excited to get back into the crisis mood again.

No kidding - god I love this series! Still trying to get an accurate count on how many Titans 'officially' bit it in this issue. Brutal!

A good week for comics...Planetary, Nightwing, JSA Classified, Green Lantern, Flash...yeah lots of goodies to read.

IC 4 was great. Big improvement from the disappointing number 3. The only problem I had was with some of the SB stuff.

The people he killed didn't have the impact they should've had considering the whole big plan of the series is that SB and Alex want to destroy the current version of everybody on Earth. I realize it's much easier to kill everybody with a magic machine than to put a fist through somebody's skull, but still it's a little ridiculous to get upset over some bloodshed. It also kinda sucked considering I'm more familiar with the characters he took down through the TT cartoon than from any comic.

Crisis #4 was simply amazing.A-fuckin-men! I was reading this at the station earlier tonight and I had goosebumps, man. I haven't felt that since the last Busiek/Perez "Ultron" story [I think it was #22].

Question though...what happened to Pariah? Toyfare had an obituary, but I thought he couldn't be killed? I remember Luthor captured him...

IC 4 was great. Big improvement from the disappointing number 3. The only problem I had was with some of the SB stuff.

The people he killed didn't have the impact they should've had considering the whole big plan of the series is that SB and Alex want to destroy the current version of everybody on Earth. I realize it's much easier to kill everybody with a magic machine than to put a fist through somebody's skull, but still it's a little ridiculous to get upset over some bloodshed. It also kinda sucked considering I'm more familiar with the characters he took down through the TT cartoon than from any comic.

Here's my take on that...

Superboy Prime is clearly deluded, but he didn't want to kill anyone - at least not on purpose. When he takes Pantha out, it was more of a blind lashing out, as she attacks him from behind, and I truly don't believe he meant to behead her. That's why he get's so upset. Then everybody goes nuts on him, and he just loses it, defending himself in any way possible. He blames the things he does next on on the fact that by having contact with the people of this Earth in such a manner, what they do to him is now tainting him - and making him become more like what he believes is wrong with this version of Earth. Of course, his logic is completely flawed. As in Conner's (our Superboy) case, he truly believes he can use might to prove he's right.

As for he and Alex wanting to "destroy the current version of everybody on Earth" - that's not really the case, either. Alex is more concerned with making what he called "A perfect version of Earth" - but to do that, he needs to essentially bring back the multiverse, and recreating Earth 2 is just the first stepping stone to doing so. Anyone else who's been killed so far during this Crisis, has pretty much just been cannon fodder in an ends to achive what he needed to do. If people die because of events he's set into motion (i.e. - everthing that's happend so far in the mini's leading up to Infinite Crisis) - that's not his fault, so much as the natural order of the way things work on what he considers a flawed world. As long as he can eventually get what he wants - a perfect world with perfect versions of everyone on it - it doesn't matter what else happens to anyone on this one along the way.

Holy crap! Who's read Gotham Central #39? What a great story. I haven't anticipated the next issue of any comic like I am for #40.

Yup, another great issue. I can wait for the next issue because it's the last and I will no longer have that sense of giddy anticipation after it comes out. :(

It's books like IC4 that make me feel sorry for people who don't read comics. What an exciting read. Things were kind of slow to start, but now I cannot wait to see what happens next. The fights in this issue were awesome! Some how I doubt we are going to see a kinder gentler DCU when all this stuff is said and done.

Also I thought Plantary 24 was going to be the last book. Is issue 25 it or some other issue? I know it's ending soon. I want to reread it all in time for when the last book ships.

Yup, another great issue. I can wait for the next issue because it's the last and I will no longer have that sense of giddy anticipation after it comes out. :(
Well, I think the story will continue, at least to some degree, in DC's 52. Montoya is a key player in that book, and Rucka will be writing that arc I'm sure.

Picked up my books today. Not a lot this week, mainly Infinite Crisis 4 (which gives some good explanations that tie together the 4 lead-up mini-series), All-Star Superman #2, and the two Spider-books.

After reading All-Star Superman #2, I am now convinced that Morrisson and Miller have a behind the scenes bet as to who can fuck up a classic DC character the most.


I'm curious as to what you didn't like about the book? Was it too different from the Supes mythos or do you just not like the take on the character? I liked it well enough. Wasn't bowled over or anything, but it's certainly interesting for me.

I'm curious as to what you didn't like about the book? Was it too different from the Supes mythos or do you just not like the take on the character? I liked it well enough. Wasn't bowled over or anything, but it's certainly interesting for me.

I don't like the take on the character, I don't like the writing at all. Everything seems disjointed for some reason. Granted, it's not as bad as Miller's garbage in Batman, but I think it could be much better.

Email received from DCBS:

It appears that there was an oversight with some of last week's shipments. The shipments that were missed are being sent out today. We apologize for this inconvenience.

I was wondering why my shiny new copy of the DC Alan Moore tpb wasn't delivered yet!

Any other DCBS customers miss a shipment last week?

Here's my take on that...

Superboy Prime is clearly deluded, but he didn't want to kill anyone - at least not on purpose. When he takes Pantha out, it was more of a blind lashing out, as she attacks him from behind, and I truly don't believe he meant to behead her. That's why he get's so upset. Then everybody goes nuts on him, and he just loses it, defending himself in any way possible. He blames the things he does next on on the fact that by having contact with the people of this Earth in such a manner, what they do to him is now tainting him - and making him become more like what he believes is wrong with this version of Earth. Of course, his logic is completely flawed. As in Conner's (our Superboy) case, he truly believes he can use might to prove he's right.

As for he and Alex wanting to "destroy the current version of everybody on Earth" - that's not really the case, either. Alex is more concerned with making what he called "A perfect version of Earth" - but to do that, he needs to essentially bring back the multiverse, and recreating Earth 2 is just the first stepping stone to doing so. Anyone else who's been killed so far during this Crisis, has pretty much just been cannon fodder in an ends to achive what he needed to do. If people die because of events he's set into motion (i.e. - everthing that's happend so far in the mini's leading up to Infinite Crisis) - that's not his fault, so much as the natural order of the way things work on what he considers a flawed world. As long as he can eventually get what he wants - a perfect world with perfect versions of everyone on it - it doesn't matter what else happens to anyone on this one along the way.
Yeah, I already understood everything in your first paragraph. I guess it just didn't work for me because I have no sympathy or attachment to the antagonists in this story.

As for the second paragraph, I think to make a perfect world, he does want to destroy the current versions of everybody. For instance there's the line about how Dick Grayson is a good man, but he'll eventually be corrupted. Maybe I'm reading Luthor's plan wrong. Is he planning on bringing back the entire multiverse and he'll let all the other Earths just do whatever they want and he'll just reside on the Earth that he feels is perfect? He seems to hate the current Earth so much that I figured he'd eventually only have 1 Earth, taking the best parts from all the ones he's bringing back.

Also I thought Plantary 24 was going to be the last book. Is issue 25 it or some other issue? I know it's ending soon. I want to reread it all in time for when the last book ships.
Heh, over at the Bendis board somebody posted, "Planetary feels like it needs 3 more issues instead of just one." and Ellis replied, "This is 24. It gets three more issues exactly. 25, 26, 27."

I think it was originally supposed to be 24 issues, but anytime a creator sets an ending issue for a series, it always seems like they end up adding a few more issues to that number. I'm surprised that BKV said that Y:TLM was always going to be 60 issues and is still only going to be 60 issues. I was hoping for a few more issues like Preacher and Sandman ended up getting. I have a feeling 100 Bullets will really end on issue 100 though.

Y ending will be a shame and a great thing. it's so good that i will hate to see it end, but it will be nice to have the whole story completed.

Yeah, I already understood everything in your first paragraph. I guess it just didn't work for me because I have no sympathy or attachment to the antagonists in this story.

As for the second paragraph, I think to make a perfect world, he does want to destroy the current versions of everybody. For instance there's the line about how Dick Grayson is a good man, but he'll eventually be corrupted. Maybe I'm reading Luthor's plan wrong. Is he planning on bringing back the entire multiverse and he'll let all the other Earths just do whatever they want and he'll just reside on the Earth that he feels is perfect? He seems to hate the current Earth so much that I figured he'd eventually only have 1 Earth, taking the best parts from all the ones he's bringing back.

Well, let's look at page 6 of the story for an answer to that...



Alexander Luthor - "...from which my own hands will redivde this universe. All in our crusade for finding a new Earth. A perfect earth.

Kara/Power Girl - " Earth two."

Luthor - "Earth Two? Of course not. Earth Two is only a stop along the way."

Kara - "All of this manipulation...The Pyscho Pirate...That's why Wonder Woman killed Maxwell Lord. Why Batman got so damn Paranoid. Why Superman--"

Luthor - "--failed to keep them all together? They did that themselves, Kara. That was the real tradgedy of it all. And it proved to me without a doubt that we were doing the right thing. These heroes aren't capable of protecting thier Earth. It's destruction was inevitable."


...now to me, that reads that Alexander Luthor believes the current version of Earth (and everyone on it) to be flawed, and that sooner or later it/they would destroy themsleves anyway. It's not so much that he's seeking thier destruction, but just that since he thinks it's going to happen anyway, if he does something, wether directly or indirectly, to cause events to speed up
that process- in the long run it doesn't matter to him. The end result will be the same. He doesn't care what happens to the people of this Earth along the way to acheiveing his ultimate goals, because they don't/won't really factor into his finished goal.

A little late to the game, but wow was IC #4 good.

Did anyone else think the art in IC4 was better than the previous 3 issues? Maybe it's all in my head, but everything just felt tighter to me for some reason.

I also found it odd that Wonder Woman and Superman didn't show up at all. That leads me to think the next ish is going to be heavy dealing with the Trinity. At least I hope.

I noticed the art improvement as well. The first three issue art credits list Jimenez and Lanning, issue #4 added Perez and Ordway.

I think we have our answer. ;)

I thought it was Jimenez, Perez and Reis doing the pencilling, and a bevy of inkers on #4.

An update for me regarding Infinite Crisis (I asked what I need to read to get caught up in last month's thread). I read the 80 page Countdown one-shot and have been working my way through the four countdown trades (still have Rann-Thanagar War to go). The trades do a great job of summarizing (or even including) issues related to the ongoing story. Coming in pretty much clueless about the state of the DCU over the last couple of years, I feel very caught up. Bottom line is if you're looking to get into Infinite Crisis, but don't know where to start, just pick up the trades (the Countdown one-shot is even included in the OMAC book).

Didn't Giantrobo ask a question about spider-woman? :hscratch: He must have gotten scared to admit he read a Marvel comic.

http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/s/spiderwomani.htm

Didn't Giantrobo ask a question about spider-woman? :hscratch: He must have gotten scared to admit he read a Marvel comic.

http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/s/spiderwomani.htm


Nope. i just deleted it when it seemd no one gave a shit about my question. But I'm used to that in the Comic Threads. :(

Anyway, thanks for the link Graftenberg. :up:

Question for anyone who knows: picked up Ultimate Extinction, but I'm not familiar with the set up on page 1. I currently have been reading Ultimates, Ultimate FF, and am reading X-Men in trade paperbacks. I've also picked up a few other things here and there. I'm thinking the prolouge to this book was in something that was previously published. Anyone know?

There were two other mini-series, both in trades now. ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 1: NIGHTMARE (which I kinda liked) and ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 2: SECRET. And I guess there are the Ultimate Vision back-up stories in the Ultimate titles for the past 2 months. And I think this Ultimate Galactus story takes place between Ultimates Vol 1 and Vol 2.

Don't know if that helps any, I haven't seen Extinction yet.

I know that this was brought up last month but can we have two different thread on comics, one for those who get them from a mail order company and those who get them from a comic shop as they come out? About the last two pages has been talk of IC #4 and I still haven't even read IC #3. Looking at a full page of black boxes is'nt a lot of fun, but I do thank you for keeping the spoilers hidden.

There were two other mini-series, both in trades now. ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 1: NIGHTMARE (which I kinda liked) and ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 2: SECRET. And I guess there are the Ultimate Vision back-up stories in the Ultimate titles for the past 2 months. And I think this Ultimate Galactus story takes place between Ultimates Vol 1 and Vol 2.

Don't know if that helps any, I haven't seen Extinction yet.

I can only guess that Secret was a huge waste of time. I've read Nightmare, the short back-up stories and Ultimate Extinction #1, and I couldn't tell that I'd missed any background.

I know that this was brought up last month but can we have two different thread on comics, one for those who get them from a mail order company and those who get them from a comic shop as they come out?

I don't think that'll fly. We'd need a thread each for people who get them at the store, people who get their shipments weekly, people who get them biweekly, people who get them monthly.

I think the way we have it, "no untagged spoilers at all" is working pretty well.

I don't think that'll fly. We'd need a thread each for people who get them at the store, people who get their shipments weekly, people who get them biweekly, people who get them monthly.

I think the way we have it, "no untagged spoilers at all" is working pretty well.
Perhaps a compromise would be for everyone to indicate where the spoiler is from before the spoiler. Most already do this. I personally don't mind the spoilers as I am mostly a tpb buyer, so I read the spoilers nad later experience the book.

Anybody care to comment on the Alias series as a whole? I'm trying to decide if I want to get the new hardcover collection.

Anybody care to comment on the Alias series as a whole? I'm trying to decide if I want to get the new hardcover collection.

This thread always dies away at the end of the month. Maybe you'll get your answer next month? :D

Maybe the new month's thread needs to be started a week early? Sorta like putting a 2006 car out in mid-2005? ;)

There were two other mini-series, both in trades now. ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 1: NIGHTMARE (which I kinda liked) and ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 2: SECRET. And I guess there are the Ultimate Vision back-up stories in the Ultimate titles for the past 2 months. And I think this Ultimate Galactus story takes place between Ultimates Vol 1 and Vol 2.

Don't know if that helps any, I haven't seen Extinction yet.

Thanks!

Anybody care to comment on the Alias series as a whole? I'm trying to decide if I want to get the new hardcover collection.

I've only read the first 23 issues, but they were all excellent. The reviews I saw for the trades on Amazon were also very favorable. I just wish I hadn't ordered the trades five minutes before I heard about the new book.

at first, i didn't like alias much and the artwork was a bit sub par for me. however, the more i read it the more i liked it. the omnibus is a great idea, especially for only $35 at DCBS.

Anyone here collect original comic art?

Spending money on monthlies takes enough out of my budget. :lol:

Spending money on monthlies takes enough out of my budget. :lol:
I'm thinking maybe if I go all trade, I can buy some art. :D

I've got a few pieces and I love 'em. Then again, I love monthlies. And trades. And hardcovers.

Anyone here collect original comic art?

One other thing I have to say on this in addition to the cost: My bedroom screams 40 Year Old Virgin as it is. :D

http://re2.mm-a1.yimg.com/image/1623047408

Picked up my books for the week, including the new Previews. Christ, has Marvel gone from the yearly crossover to having a constant one? House of M to Decimation to Annihilation to Civil War...

Speaking of House of M, what the hell is with New Avengers? During the talk Carol Danvers has with Captain America, she mentions "House of M" several times. All but one mention is struck out with a red line. Looks like an editorial change that was supposed to be made, but someon forgot about.

The Spider-Man crossover is done, thank god. Now let's just hope that the new suit goes away quickly. I may be wrong, but it looks like they're separating continuity in the titles, as only Amazing Spider-Man advance solicitations talk about the new costume.

The highlight of the week for me was the new Offical Handbook of the Marvel Universe. I was collecting when the first series came out all those years ago, so it's a sentimental favorite.

So I had a quick question about all the "official handbook" stuff:


The new one: I preordered them every month so far, but are these still the flimsy comic-book sized ones, or are they at least a little thicker?

The essential ones: Didn't I just preorder an Essential Marvel Handbook Vol 1 in December? Now they have another Essential Vol. 1, and even resolicit the old one? What's the difference?

I know, I know, this kind of stuff is impossible to keep up to date and usually very wordy, but I always liked it as a kid, because no way was I able to keep up with every single comic, and I found a lot of obscure heroes/villains I would otherwise never had heard about. Now where's my new Who's Who, DC? My binder's still a bit empty...

Anyone here collect original comic art?

A few days ago, I just picked up 5 pages of Ed Benes original art from his Bird of Prey run off Ebay. I can't believe how much some of his splashier pages are getting nowadays (especially the ones that feature Supergirl).

A few days ago, I just picked up 5 pages of Ed Benes original art from his Bird of Prey run off Ebay. I can't believe how much some of his splashier pages are getting nowadays (especially the ones that feature Supergirl).