The February General Comic Reading Thread - lacking something after the dash

[Adam Tyner]

::waves arms around excitedly::

Scud the Disposable Assassin #21! This was one of my favorites, if not my single favorite book, back when I was in college, and I kept up with Rob Schrab's forums and other projects hoping to hear something about that final issue he never got around to making. And here it is, only...now it's four last issues instead of one.

It's been right around a full decade, but thumbing through this new issue, it's like no time has passed at all. And to think I was considering just waiting for the hardcover a few months down the road. I honestly can't remember beaming with this kind of a smile as I walked out of a comic store like I have today.

Kinda liked Buffy #11 as well. Great, great tease at the "splash page revealing some long-unseen character from the show" too, especially since that's a trick Joss and company have pulled out too many times this 'season'.

[dadaluholla]

Haven't picked up my books from the shop in over a month (as usual). Not that I have much of anything in my box waiting for me.

Anyway, still have plenty to read! Just finishing up with Essential Peter Parker, Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 3, and about to finally dig into the Complete Bone. I hope it doesn't crush my chest while I'm reading it in bed.

[ivelostr2]

I have read a couple new ones but i have also been reading some older stuff this week. I have also been picking up a few tpbs since i've been stopped a bunch of my monthlies.

Captain America - 34 - I have been really enjoying what i have read of this series, especially since caps death, but I was underwhelmed by this issue, maybe because it was supposed to feel like an event, and it didn't, i don't know, I plan to pick up the trade/omnibus of the series from 1-25 having neve read most of that, but I don't really have the money to spend on that at the moment.

Y: the last man - 60 - Loved it, i was really worried about how this would end, but now i am able to say, I couln't think of a better or more fitting ending.
Of everything I've read since beginning to read comics again in the last 2 years, this is the series that i feel has made it all worth while.


Heroes HC - I know this isn't that old, but I have been working on this for awhile it has been getting a lot better toward the end, and I am starting to enjoy it. I was really disappointed with the first 8 or so issues though.

Harbinger TPB - the valiant thread inspired me to read this, it has been on my shelf since I moved my comics into the house (about 1 1/2 years) and i finally revisited. It is a lot of fun, I am now going to venture into the basement and read the rest of the series, it has been a long time, but this was my favorite of the Valiant books.

I just ordered the Vol 1 and 2 of the Morrison new x-men TPB and I'm gonna try to pick up the 3 runaways TPB next month. so hopefully I'll have more to say after reading them.

[slop101]

Alan Davis' Clandestine is back! Kind of a slow start though - but that's Davis's story-telling style - he lays down some ground-work, usually building to something big. I recommend the Clandestine hard-cover collection coming out next week.

[slop101]

I just ordered the Vol 1 and 2 of the Morrison new x-men TPB ...FWIW, the New Xmen Omnibus that collects Morrison's entire xmen run is coming back into print in a couple months. It's much better quality than the TPBs, and cheaper overall.

[Superboy]

FWIW, the New Xmen Omnibus that collects Morrison's entire xmen run is coming back into print in a couple months. It's much better quality than the TPBs, and cheaper overall.

Yeah, but try lugging that thing into the bathroom. Seriously, I like my trades.

[notvandnobeer]

FWIW, the New Xmen Omnibus that collects Morrison's entire xmen run is coming back into print in a couple months. It's much better quality than the TPBs, and cheaper overall.


Seriously? I've been looking for this book for ages, but didn't want to pay ebay prices. Do you have any more information on this? Thanks.

[slop101]

Here's (http://www.forbiddenplanet.com/products/5290/New_X-Men_Omnibus/Superheroes/Graphic_Novel/Marvel/X_Men/Product.html) the only place that has it up for pre-order so far, that I know of, with an April 17th release. I'm sure it'll star popping up at amazon and other places as the date draws closer.

[ivelostr2]

FWIW, the New Xmen Omnibus that collects Morrison's entire xmen run is coming back into print in a couple months. It's much better quality than the TPBs, and cheaper overall.


The ones i ordered were the HCs, so basically 2/3 of that trade, not he softcover trades. Although, no I kinda wished I'd have waited, since it seems that the third HC trade from his run os also OOP and hard to find...

[fujishig]

I bought HCs for Annihilations book 1 and 3, and had to settle for the normal tpb for book 2... ugh.

Got my comics from last month. I gave the new direction a try, and I like the artwork, but I just can't get into Supergirl. I just have no idea what's going on from month to month. Who is this new guy who's going after her, and why should I care?

I'm also close to dropping Teen Titans. I like some of the banter here, and the inclusion of "not-an-official-member" Blue Beetle, but the title seems disjointed. The lose Supergirl, Robin makes a case that they need her power and she needs mentoring, but then says that Blue Beetle isn't Titan's material? The team is made up of him, Wondergirl, Miss Martian (who came out of nowhere), Kid Devil, and Ravager, how high can their freaking standards be? Meanwhile, after that whole Titans West mini, I'm wondering if they're just going to start a new series or somehow merge that into this one and create a team I can actually root for.

At least I still have Legion, JSA, JLA and Groo yet to read... I'm hoping those are a bit more enjoyable.

[Superboy]

This week:

X-Force #1

This comic represents everything that's wrong with the X-men. I didn't think it was possible for this to be worse than the Nicieza/Liefeld X-farce. But it is.

The Walking Dead #46

This is consistently one of the best comics out there, but lately i've felt the tone of each issue has become unbalanced. Even in trade, it still reads in a rather stilted manner. Ironically, this type of comic, with its huge ensemble cast and long-running, slow-developing storylines would benefit from decompressed storytelling.

Fantastic Four #554

This read surprisingly good, but it felt too much like Ultimate Fantastic Four. Still, that's a good thing. UFF had some of the best FF stories in years, because it captured the high-tech science fiction feel and energy of the Lee/Kirby days. It felt light on its feet, energetic, and there was a definite "Modern Silver Age" feel to it. Great book.

[True_Story1011]

This week:

X-Force #1

This comic represents everything that's wrong with the X-men. I didn't think it was possible for this to be worse than the Nicieza/Liefeld X-farce. But it is.




Oh brother, I liked the premise of this when reading trade ads. But this above doesnt sound too good. I picked up a copy but have yet to read it. But if you put Liefeld and X in the same sentence thats instant death ( Hell, Liefeld and < insert title > generally means/= turd wagon)

[boredsilly]

I just read JSA 12, and I cannot believe that Johns is STILL adding new recruits. When he's done JSA is going to rivaled only by GI Joe with it's depth of roster.

[bishop2knight]

Hey, bored, did you read Rex Mundi yet?

[boredsilly]

No, not yet. I just got over the flu, so I haven't really done much of any reading over the last couple of weeks(just movies and espn), but it's at the top of my pile. I'll probably read it this weekend and I'll be sure to post my thoughts after I do.

[slop101]

I got the ClanDestine Classics hard-cover - everyone needs to buy it!


http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2226/clandstnclashcqh5.gif

[TimeandTide]

Scud the Disposable Assassin #21! This was one of my favorites, if not my single favorite book, back when I was in college, and I kept up with Rob Schrab's forums and other projects hoping to hear something about that final issue he never got around to making. And here it is, only...now it's four last issues instead of one.

It's been right around a full decade, but thumbing through this new issue, it's like no time has passed at all. And to think I was considering just waiting for the hardcover a few months down the road. I honestly can't remember beaming with this kind of a smile as I walked out of a comic store like I have today.


Adam, PM me your address and I'll send you Scud #16 and a couple pages of Schrab original art (they're un-signed rough drafts on graph paper). Were part of the prize package I got for winning Wizard's first (and only, I think) script writing contest. Been sitting in a long box for YEARS. I have no interest in them, so if you're interest, they're yours.

[JasonF]

I got the ClanDestine Classics hard-cover - everyone needs to buy it!

I forgot to buy this on Wednesday and actually made a special trip back to the shop on Thursday to get it. I've heard so many good things about this over the years. And I picked up the first issue of the new series and enjoyed it.

So does the hardcover include all of the Alan Davis issues?

[slop101]

So does the hardcover include all of the Alan Davis issues?Yes, including the 2-issue crossover mini-series with the Xmen he did. You really should've read the collection before the new issue though.

[boredsilly]

So thanks to the generosity of bishop2knight, I read the first volume of Rex Mundi. It's one of those titles I keep meaning to try, but never did. Having read the first volume I can safely say I am hooked. This book was awesome!

I really like Dan Brown's books, and this feels like a (borderline) smarter version of something Robert Langdon would be going through. Comic's don't really scare me, but the scene with the Inquisitors kind of freaked me out. Just a really solid beginning chapter of a mystery. The ending to this volume was a little weak, but since I know there is more I'm willing to forgive it. I want to know where all of this shit is going now in the worst way. I haven't read the newspaper clippings or the backup story yet, but I'll probably go back and reread them along with the main story soon.

The art put me off a little bit a first because it was so, I want to say sharp or stark. Either way, it didn't grab me instantly, but quickly thereafter I really started to like it. It's intricate as all hell and incredibly appropriate for the story at hand. One really cool thing about this book is that it lets the art speak for itself. There will be action scenes that go for 3 or 4 pages with no dialogue or captions, and you don't get lost at all which is really impressive. Plus, I've never read a book where every brick in every building and street is rendered. That isn't necessary, but neat just the same.

One thing that I'm curious about is how long this is set to run. I haven't been able to find, since I don't want to read anything for fear of spoilers, so does anyone here know how long this is planned to go for? I really hope it's a planned out finite story.

Thanks again Bishop!

[bishop2knight]

Glad you enjoyed it, bored. Let us know what you think of the other collections.

[boredsilly]

The thing that is frustrating about a book like this, much like The Killer, is that I know this book would appeal to a larger audience. It's just how do you get it into the hand of those people? I made the comparison to Da Vinci Code, and while this isn't exactly like that, it's similar enough that a fraction of the people who loved that book would surely like this, right?

Da Vinci apparently sold 40 million copies world wide. That is a grand number inflated by the hype around the book, and it just becoming a phenomenon, but you can't tell me of the 40 million people who read Da Vinci, that 300,000 of those people wouldn't also love Rex Mundi. If not more.

This post really serves no point other than to wish that the market for comics was larger and that more people read them.

[slop101]

^ unfortunately, comics still have a stigma among non-comics reading adults of being for kids. Just like most adults think anything that is animated is automatically for kids, comics are considered too juvenile to be taken seriously.

[bishop2knight]

I've said it before and a lot of people disagree, but most comics aren't very good. So when there are so many comics available, and 90% of them aren't good, then it's going to take a lot of work for non-readers to believe that yes, some of these stories are worth checking out. A good book or a good movie can really grip you and thrill you and take you on an emotional rollarcoaster ride. Until comics can do that with some consistency, I doubt we'll be able to overcome some of the stigmas you see today.

[bishop2knight]

With the holiday, are comics in today (Wed) or tomorrow (Thurs)?

[MrTerrific]

With the holiday, are comics in today (Wed) or tomorrow (Thurs)?

The comics came in today (Wed)!!

[Superboy]

I've said it before and a lot of people disagree, but most comics aren't very good. So when there are so many comics available, and 90% of them aren't good, then it's going to take a lot of work for non-readers to believe that yes, some of these stories are worth checking out. A good book or a good movie can really grip you and thrill you and take you on an emotional rollarcoaster ride. Until comics can do that with some consistency, I doubt we'll be able to overcome some of the stigmas you see today.

Actually I agree in totality. Out of all the mainstream comics, most of them simply and utterly suck. High production values can mask a bad story, but time is the greatest test for a good comic. The late 80's and early 90's comics are virtually unreadable nowadays - the Image craze might have looked good, but it lacked staying power.

There are just so many barriers to entry into the comic industry that keep outsiders from ever picking up the hobby:

1. Comics are too expensive: it costs $3 to pick up your average comic now, and to read an entire story will cost around $20. Considering the amount of entertainment value you actually get out of them, however, comics are probably the worst deal when it comes to cost/benefit. And you cannot return them if you don't like them. And you can't rent them like movies. And they're not broadcast like tv shows if you're interested in an entire season set.

2. Hype. This is the biggest killer of comics. There is a common complaint that during the 90s up until now, X-men comics were virtually unreadable due to the heavy reliance on continuity and complex character history. As a long time X-fan, I have determined that this is not so. It is because the writing was simply bad. It was bad stories, bad usage of characters, boring, meandering, pedantic dialogue, a huge glut of stupid characters that no one even cares about anymore, lack of creative vision, and a general lack of creativity. The X-men faced the same problem Superman and Batman have for years: they had become properties of a company. Because of this, instead of serving a creative vision, they were serving a company that wanted to best appeal to its audience.

I doubt comics will last another few generations before the medium completely gives out.

[Superboy]

This week:

Hulk #2:

This comi- ah, who gives a fuck.

[Superboy]

Ex Machina #34

Brian K. Vaughan has the biographic single-issue comic DOWN. This issue flows freely, inviting the reader in every step of the way but not coming off as a trite reading off of the past of this character. It reminds me of how great Y: TLM's biographic issues were; self-contained stories with vignettes that told you everything that you could ever want to know about these characters. When the comic industry implodes, I'm glad that there's going to be comics like these still around.

[boredsilly]

Hulk #2:

This comi- ah, who gives a fuck.

:wave:

I haven't read the next issue yet, but I'm hoping I like it. Is this issue a week or two late? It seems like it's been a while.

I have a bunch of Chris Ware stuff to read. Shawn Elliot, of the Games For Windows Podcast, gave a very impassioned recommendation for Ware's work that totally sold me on giving Ware a try. I'm going to start with Jimmy Corrigan and keep going if the books are to my tastes. Just flipping through Corrigan is a beautiful book. For some reason I thought it was a different kind of style of art (maybe more alternative?), but this shit is really pretty. Nice and clean just how I like it.

[boredsilly]

Actually I agree in totality. Out of all the mainstream comics, most of them simply and utterly suck. High production values can mask a bad story, but time is the greatest test for a good comic. The late 80's and early 90's comics are virtually unreadable nowadays - the Image craze might have looked good, but it lacked staying power.


What's that saying about 90% of anything is crap? That's pretty true for any medium (with varying percentages of course). Look at tv. How many truly smart and/or expertly done shows are there? The great stuff is few and far between.* But there is plenty of schlock out there that is incredibly entertaining in it's own right. I don't get it, but people LOVE American Idol and Dancing With the Stars. Love it! The counterpart to comics for that is probably your typical run of the mill mainstream Superhero book...that isn't very good (just because I don't want to imply that mainstream Superheo book = crap, inherently). And all of those books have a place, just like paperback novels you buy at the airport, or reality tv, or bubble gum pop music. In a way, all of that stuff helps you to appreciate the great stuff (and even just the good stuff) when it comes along.

I find it curious that you say the late 80's/early 90's is unreadable, since that is as far back as I can really go. I appreciate what Stan, Jack, Ditko, Romita, Denny, Adams, and the rest did back in the day, and while the art still is great to look at, most of those stories are a chore to read for me. I don't find that most older comics hold up (outside of "look at how silly/simple/quaint stories used to be" factor) like classic movies, music, or books do. But from around the late 70's on I can find stuff to read, and that really begins to pick up in the mid-80's and into the 90's. Yes, the Image boom brought about style over substance, and along with it a lot of shit to wade through, but there are other books that fall out of that realm that are really very good still. Or at the very least entertaining (looking at you Knightfall, you glorious Bat-event you).

That Bane back breaking issue was to make me rich! That and Infinity Gauntlet #1! ...And all of the Death of Superman stuff. I was a gullible kid. But I did read the comics that were meant to make me a millionaire, so at least I enjoyed them at the time.

[ivelostr2]

X-force #1 - I didnt think this was as bad reported, not really enough there to make a judgement, but if we continue to have to hear wolverine whine how the rest of the team isn't ready for how they will feel, it's gonna get old quick.
X-factor #28 - I have only been reading x-factor for about 8 issues, but i have started to like it, I am going to need to go back and pick up some of the back issues, Maddrox was very minor character when i quit reading x-men in the mid 90s, but it is interesting to see him be the center peice here, I dont hate it.
Mighty Avengers #9 - I never picked up #8 because i have been avoiding the whole secret invasion crap, but Doom was on the cover of this issue, and I was interested in seeing how the whole Namor & Doom story line worked out. 1st of all, Namor is living with doom as of Namor #6, and never mentioned during an Avengers attack on Doom Castle? Sloppy...and there are six pages of this comic one after another dedicated to 3 double splash pages that make no sense placed together like that...lame, last avenger book i pick up for awhile.
DC:New Frontier - I have made it through the 1st trade and am into the 2nd trade. I really am enjoying it, as a rule i don't like origin retellings (I really dont think the miller/lee fucking batman series works, atleast not for me) but I like this, and i find myself not even noticing that the DC heroes are the back story for character developement. I am also suprised how much i like the art, i thought it might be distracting at first, but i actually dig it alot. Thanks for turning me on this book.

[Superboy]

DC:New Frontier - I have made it through the 1st trade and am into the 2nd trade. I really am enjoying it, as a rule i don't like origin retellings (I really dont think the miller/lee fucking batman series works, atleast not for me) but I like this, and i find myself not even noticing that the DC heroes are the back story for character developement. I am also suprised how much i like the art, i thought it might be distracting at first, but i actually dig it alot. Thanks for turning me on this book.

That's GODDAMN BATMAN. Get it right, gawd.

[boredsilly]

X-factor #28 - I have only been reading x-factor for about 8 issues, but i have started to like it, I am going to need to go back and pick up some of the back issues, Maddrox was very minor character when i quit reading x-men in the mid 90s, but it is interesting to see him be the center peice here, I dont hate it.

X-Factor has been consistently good since its beginning. If you're going to go back, you might want to pick up the Madrox 4 issue mini that came out before X-Factor started. That series dovetails right into X-Factor, and it's pretty good.

They lost me during the Messiah stuff, but I'm looking forward to jumping back on to follow one of my favorite found families since the crew from Whedon's Angel.

[Bronkster]

X-Factor has been consistently good since its beginning. If you're going to go back, you might want to pick up the Madrox 4 issue mini that came out before X-Factor started. That series dovetails right into X-Factor, and it's pretty good.
I completely missed that mini when it came out :whofart: so I'll be off hunting down those issues real quick. BTW, I checked the price guide and it says it's a 5-issue mini.

I'll officially go on record as stating that X-Factor is currently the only X-book worth reading. :banana:

[bishop2knight]

Is anyone reading Catwoman. I've always loved the character and have been interested in diving back into her life...

[boredsilly]

I think GiantRobo reads Catwoman, but he doesn't post that much.

I just went to the public library for the first time in maybe six years today. It's not that I don't like to read, but I started buying all of my books a while ago, and now just starting to realize that isn't really smart for me since I won't reread most of them. Anyways, I go to see whats doing and my local library has quite the graphic novel and manga selection! So now I'm going to work my way through all of the shit my library system has.

On my first trip I got the first 3 volumes of the Nana manga, Flight vol. 4, and I "read" Robot Dreams while I was there.

If you haven't, you might want to check out your library.

[boredsilly]

I'll officially go on record as stating that X-Factor is currently the only X-book worth reading. :banana:

I don't read the other X-books, so I can't make an informed proclamation, but it is the only one I read. Astonishing had me for awhile, but I got lost in the teens. X-factor is the most intriguing x-book since X-statix for me.

[fujishig]

The Madrox mini was recently collected, though I think only in hardcover right now. I like how Peter David just took these relatively minor characters, so he wouldn't be tied down (though I guess Wolfsbane is now taken from him to go to X-force?), and just fully developed their characters along with his trademark humor. It bummed me out when his original X-factor run (with Havoc and crew, drawn by Quesada, who seemed to always be late) got cut short, but this one is even better.

[True_Story1011]

Anyone else pissed because Umbrella Acadamy is over - I really cant wait to see what else Gerald Way has planned [Besides another UA book( I cant believe I said that about an emo band member)]

[True_Story1011]

X-Force #1 - I would have to say that I wasnt very impressed with this title either. If it suppose to scream, 'badass!' it sure fell short of a cheek. I wasnt moved by Wolverine being the one member out of X-Men that never gave two craps and a funk now being Dr. Phil. Also was anyone else pissed that the promised Travis Charest cover never shipped?! Bryan Hitch cover did rock though!

Hulk #1 & 2 - I'm not as upset with this book as I am with X-Force. However, Abomination being taken out and the introduction of... well you'll see - it seems very contrived. I however loved the variant covers for these books - just wondering why they make the bitchin' covers they less produced covers. (OT) I just remember when Kaare Andrews was illustrating the Hulk covers I was loving them! (/OT)

Dead of Night #1 I absolutely love this book - I know its a re-establishment of the characters, but we are all in need of a great horror/sci-fi book that feels of the 60's - 70's titles. REFRESHING!

[boredsilly]

Dead of Night #1 I absolutely love this book - I know its a re-establishment of the characters, but we are all in need of a great horror/sci-fi book that feels of the 60's - 70's titles. REFRESHING!

What's this about and who publishes it? And while it isn't heavy on the horror, Fear Agent has got you covered on the 70's scifi action.

[True_Story1011]

What's this about and who publishes it? And while it isn't heavy on the horror, Fear Agent has got you covered on the 70's scifi action.



Marvel's MAX line - $3.99 Limited Series 1 of 4 - Like Tales from the Crypt, only the first issues delves in Man-Thing. Awesome EC'ish covers!

[Giantrobo]

I think GiantRobo reads Catwoman


No, I stopped reading after the "who's the baby's daddy" let down and to save $$.



I just went to the public library for the first time in maybe six years today. It's not that I don't like to read, but I started buying all of my books a while ago, and now just starting to realize that isn't really smart for me since I won't reread most of them. Anyways, I go to see whats doing and my local library has quite the graphic novel and manga selection! So now I'm going to work my way through all of the shit my library system has.




You can also read them at Border's, Barne's & Noble, and other "you can sit on our couches and read our shit" bookstores....that's how I read the "Marvel Zombies" trade. :p

[bishop2knight]

Anyone read DEATHNOTE? I'm on volume two. I've been buying a manga a month to see what suits me, and this one really works. Good story, great art.

[fujishig]

Anyone read DEATHNOTE? I'm on volume two. I've been buying a manga a month to see what suits me, and this one really works. Good story, great art.

DeathNote is very good, though there's a certain point in the story where most people think the series starts to go downhill. It's also very wordy. But it's a relatively short series with great artwork and an interesting premise.

[bishop2knight]

I'll have to keep my eye out for that downhill movement. If I remember right, there are at least 10 volumes, which seems way too long considering what's happened in only two volumes. But we'll see. At least it's good so far.

[Ralph Jenkins]

I'll have to keep my eye out for that downhill movement. If I remember right, there are at least 10 volumes, which seems way too long considering what's happened in only two volumes. But we'll see. At least it's good so far.

There's a certain moment when Death Note "jumps the shark"; you'll know it when you see it. I devoured the first 6-7 volumes of Death Note, but I lost interest after a certain plot development, and still have yet to finish the series.

I'm currently enjoying Claymore (also from Viz), but the release schedule is painfully slow.

People are saying that the comics from the late '80s to the early '90s don't
hold up today. I'm not sure if that's totally true. Here are the dates a few series started:

Mage (1984)
Watchmen (1986)
Grendel (1986)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (1989)
Sandman (1989)
Batman / Grendel (1993)
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)

[boredsilly]

I'm torn about Death Note. I want to try it, but I haven't decided whether to read the manga volumes or watch the anime. The volumes are surely less time consuming and are probably at the library, so I'm leaning that way.

But that will have to wait until I read Nana (assuming I like it enough to continue).

[fujishig]

There's a certain moment when Death Note "jumps the shark"; you'll know it when you see it. I devoured the first 6-7 volumes of Death Note, but I lost interest after a certain plot development, and still have yet to finish the series.

I'm currently enjoying Claymore (also from Viz), but the release schedule is painfully slow.

People are saying that the comics from the late '80s to the early '90s don't
hold up today. I'm not sure if that's totally true. Here are the dates a few series started:

Mage (1984)
Watchmen (1986)
Grendel (1986)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (1989)
Sandman (1989)
Batman / Grendel (1993)
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)

That's a pretty big gap in the early 90's (and I never read Batman/Grendel). Certainly there were still some gems... Peter David on the Hulk, Valiant in the early Unity days, the birth of Vertigo, etc. But I think most people who were collecting comics at the time remember mostly the formation of Image (from the Marvel pre-Image days of McFarlane, Lee and co. to Spawn #1 and on), the Death of Superman, the proliferation of collectible gimmicks, and then the crash of the speculator market. It may have been my immaturity as a collector, but when I reread some of the comics I collected from that era, they just fall flat (Age of Apocalypse, or any x-title for that matter from that era, the various post demattius/maguire justice league books, all the early Image books, etc.)

[Superboy]

There's a certain moment when Death Note "jumps the shark"; you'll know it when you see it. I devoured the first 6-7 volumes of Death Note, but I lost interest after a certain plot development, and still have yet to finish the series.

I'm currently enjoying Claymore (also from Viz), but the release schedule is painfully slow.

People are saying that the comics from the late '80s to the early '90s don't
hold up today. I'm not sure if that's totally true. Here are the dates a few series started:

Mage (1984)
Watchmen (1986)
Grendel (1986)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (1989)
Sandman (1989)
Batman / Grendel (1993)
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)

Those are the cream of the crop. I meant mainstream comics like the huge glut of X-men, Batman, Spider-man, and Superman titles. I guess every age has its golden works though; it's just a matter of where you find them.

[slop101]

People are saying that the comics from the late '80s to the early '90s don't
hold up today. I'm not sure if that's totally true. Here are the dates a few series started:

Mage (1984)
Watchmen (1986)
Grendel (1986)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (1989)
Sandman (1989)
Batman / Grendel (1993)
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)I didn't care for Long Halloween, and the rest are just from a small handful of writers (Moore/Miller/Gaiman/Morrison/Wagner) that are considered the best in the field - it's hardly a fair assessment of an entire industry.

[Ralph Jenkins]

I didn't care for Long Halloween, and the rest are just from a small handful of writers (Moore/Miller/Gaiman/Morrison/Wagner) that are considered the best in the field - it's hardly a fair assessment of an entire industry.

The late '80s and the early '90s was when I bought most of my comics, but I mostly read independents (Comico, Dark Horse, etc.), and only paid attention to superhero books that seemed to be of unusually high quality. I'm sure a lot of crap was released during this period, but a lot of quality work was produced as well.

[True_Story1011]

That's a pretty big gap in the early 90's (and I never read Batman/Grendel). Certainly there were still some gems... Peter David on the Hulk, Valiant in the early Unity days, the birth of Vertigo, etc. But I think most people who were collecting comics at the time remember mostly the formation of Image (from the Marvel pre-Image days of McFarlane, Lee and co. to Spawn #1 and on), the Death of Superman, the proliferation of collectible gimmicks, and then the crash of the speculator market. It may have been my immaturity as a collector, but when I reread some of the comics I collected from that era, they just fall flat (Age of Apocalypse, or any x-title for that matter from that era, the various post demattius/maguire justice league books, all the early Image books, etc.)


Dont forget about the Ben Riley/Spider-Man fiasco that happend that was suppose to bring interest to the industry. Major Failure.

[boredsilly]

I never read that Spidey-clone stuff, but I did think that Scarlet Spider costume was BADASS! Seem's people hate it though?

[fujishig]

Dont forget about the Ben Riley/Spider-Man fiasco that happend that was suppose to bring interest to the industry. Major Failure.

Didn't include that because I thought that was around the early to mid 90's... really, after the Image guys left and before the Marvel Knights guys came (and Buseik and Perez took over Avengers), the Marvel universe seemed to be in disarray. I didn't collect all the titles, but from what I remember:

Avengers: Basically consisted of the Black Night, Sersi, Quicksilver, the Vision, and a couple of other second stringers... with rather plain art by Epting. I think around that time the West Coast Avengers disbanded. Then we got Force Works. Ugh.

Fantastic Four: Alicia masters turns out to be a skrull, thus nullifying her marriage to Johnny Storm and putting the real Alicia back with the Thing. Franklin Richards from the future came and joined the team. Double Ugh.

Captain America: somehow Cap got exposed to a drug that forced him to purge the super soldier serum from his body. Then he got depowered and had to use a suit of armor to fight with, before the Red Skull, who was in a cloned body of Steve Rogers, saves him by giving him a blood infusion. Wha?

Iron Man: turns out he's really been under the control of Kang and is evil, so they go back in time to get a teenaged Tony Stark to become the new Iron Man. Ah well, at least it gave Cheung a start at artistic duties.

Spiderman: spidey clone saga. The new costume was ok, but that horrid vest on the Scarlet Spider?

X-books: Much ado about nothing in the Legacy Virus. Peter David leaves X-factor and it becomes a team consisting of Forge, Mystique, Sabretooth, Wild Child (hey, because AoA was popular!), some facsimile of Bishop's sister, and who knows what else. I did enjoy Mad's run on Uncanny, the Age of Apocalypse, and Generation X (back when I could kinda understand Bachalo's work)

We also got Marvel 2099, which had some cool concepts, but ultimately fizzled into nothing. Marvel purchased Malibu and pretty much destroyed the Ultraverse. Onslaught and Heroes Reborn (say what you will about it, it at least allowed them to retcon the mess they made out of the non-X titles).

[True_Story1011]

Didn't include that because I thought that was around the early to mid 90's... really, after the Image guys left and before the Marvel Knights guys came (and Buseik and Perez took over Avengers), the Marvel universe seemed to be in disarray. I didn't collect all the titles, but from what I remember:

Avengers: Basically consisted of the Black Night, Sersi, Quicksilver, the Vision, and a couple of other second stringers... with rather plain art by Epting. I think around that time the West Coast Avengers disbanded. Then we got Force Works. Ugh.

Fantastic Four: Alicia masters turns out to be a skrull, thus nullifying her marriage to Johnny Storm and putting the real Alicia back with the Thing. Franklin Richards from the future came and joined the team. Double Ugh.

Captain America: somehow Cap got exposed to a drug that forced him to purge the super soldier serum from his body. Then he got depowered and had to use a suit of armor to fight with, before the Red Skull, who was in a cloned body of Steve Rogers, saves him by giving him a blood infusion. Wha?

Iron Man: turns out he's really been under the control of Kang and is evil, so they go back in time to get a teenaged Tony Stark to become the new Iron Man. Ah well, at least it gave Cheung a start at artistic duties.

Spiderman: spidey clone saga. The new costume was ok, but that horrid vest on the Scarlet Spider?

X-books: Much ado about nothing in the Legacy Virus. Peter David leaves X-factor and it becomes a team consisting of Forge, Mystique, Sabretooth, Wild Child (hey, because AoA was popular!), some facsimile of Bishop's sister, and who knows what else. I did enjoy Mad's run on Uncanny, the Age of Apocalypse, and Generation X (back when I could kinda understand Bachalo's work)

We also got Marvel 2099, which had some cool concepts, but ultimately fizzled into nothing. Marvel purchased Malibu and pretty much destroyed the Ultraverse. Onslaught and Heroes Reborn (say what you will about it, it at least allowed them to retcon the mess they made out of the non-X titles).


Hey Bro,

We derailed this thread! :lol:

Lets take this out of here and make up a thread of stuff that should've never happend - discuss things we enjoyed and desiped. :D

[Adam Tyner]

Quick summary of the finale of Marvel Zombies 2 #5:

Draw out the last page of #4 for a third of the book.
Fight zombie-Hulk.
Tease Marvel Zombies III.

Waste of time -- a lousy finale to a kinda lousy followup mini.

I haven't been that keen on the re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-revamped LSH since its first few issues, and I'm really on the brink of dropping it now.

Couldn't find RASL at the local store (I bounce back and forth between a couple of shops and don't really keep a pull list), so I'm not sure if I'm going to wind up ordering it online or just shop around.

Kind of a disappointing week.

[Superboy]

This week:

All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #9

"Dear everyone who wrote Batman after me: YOU SUCK. Sincerely, Frank Miller."

[Gamblor187]

I've decided to do some slurging and pick up 3 graphic novels/tpbs. I'm definitely going to get "I Killed Adolph Hitler" and "The Killer". I was leaning towards "The Nightly News" as well. I read the first issue online, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. Any opinions on "The Nightly News" to help me make up my mind? Also, was it a miniseries or is an ongoing series?

And, if not "The Nightly News", what else do you recommend?

jim

[Patman]

Couldn't find RASL at the local store (I bounce back and forth between a couple of shops and don't really keep a pull list), so I'm not sure if I'm going to wind up ordering it online or just shop around.



I picked up a copy of RASL (the last copy on the shelves), and I was struck by the lack of a price on the front or back cover. Weird. The store manager quoted me a cover price of $3.99 for RASL. Did I get a good deal? :D

[True_Story1011]

I picked up a copy of RASL (the last copy on the shelves), and I was struck by the lack of a price on the front or back cover. Weird. The store manager quoted me a cover price of $3.99 for RASL. Did I get a good deal? :D


I honestly didnt even know this book came out yet.


How did it read?

[boredsilly]

This week:

All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #9

"Dear everyone who wrote Batman after me: YOU SUCK. Sincerely, Frank Miller."

YES! Can't wait to read it!

ETA: This last issue of JSA was fantastic! I've seen (and participated) in the argument about the lack of strong minority characters in mainstream comics that can sustain their popularity. The problem is a lot of minority character just end up feeling forced. However, here is Johns cracking out and revitalizing a whole slew of minority characters in such a cool and organic way. I'm loving it and take back all I said about the team getting too big since he spoke to that in the first few pages of this last issue.

[JayDerek]

I honestly didnt even know this book came out yet.


How did it read?


I thought RASL #1 was OK. I always love Smith's art so that wasn't a problem. We get a pretty bare-bones first episode with some sort of either flashback or flashforward going on that's not explained.

The concept seems cool, so i'll stick with it...

[True_Story1011]

I thought RASL #1 was OK. I always love Smith's art so that wasn't a problem. We get a pretty bare-bones first episode with some sort of either flashback or flashforward going on that's not explained.

The concept seems cool, so i'll stick with it...


From what I'm reading you have to wait a little while between books - This title is only going to be quarterly.

Does anyone know what the initial print run on this issues was? I dont wanna pick up a second print copy if my local guy doesnt have it. Jeff Smith's Bone went into what? 9th - 10th printings on issue 1, and 5-6th printings on number 2?


I was going to pick up multiple copies (2-3) so once the book gets going I can use it for trade on older titles I need to complete my other collections I've been trying to get together.

Its about impossible to find high grade Series 2 GL! :lol:

[Sessa17]

I've been sick as hell the past few days, so the only good part is that I've been catching up on a ton of books.

I just finished & enjoyed the shit out of it. . .

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/glenjs/DSC00245.jpg?t=1204240263

I absolutely love Dark Horse's omnibus line. I never read any of this Indy comics when they were published & they look absolutely gorgeous. I was shocked by how amazing the art was & how great the stories were. The comics themselves have a fantastic pulp feel to them & what I liked the most about the stories, is that they weren't over-the-top comic booky stories, they were very grounded & all could easily be made into movies.

I needed some laughs, so for the 137th time I re-read the best $10 you can ever spend on a hardcover. . .

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/glenjs/DSC00243.jpg?t=1204240550

God how I wish they would collect all the Perry Bible Fellowship stips into a single glorious hardcover. In case any of you aren't familiar with the brilliance that is Nicholas Gurewitch, here is a little sample.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/FaranKreeg/PBF211-Atlantis.jpg

And as soon as I get my sick ass away from this computer I'm about to start. . .

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/glenjs/DSC00244.jpg?t=1204240764

Sure it's no Watchmen, or Maus, or whatever, but I swear, this hardcover is going to be one of my favorite books I own. This is my favorite Davis work ever, & his Excalibur run is one of the main books that got me into comics. This is one of the best things Marvel has done in the past decade in putting these comics in such a wonderful looking hardcover.

[slop101]

And as soon as I get my sick ass away from this computer I'm about to start. . .

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/glenjs/DSC00244.jpg?t=1204240764

Sure it's no Watchmen, or Maus, or whatever, but I swear, this hardcover is going to be one of my favorite books I own. This is my favorite Davis work ever, & his Excalibur run is one of the main books that got me into comics. This is one of the best things Marvel has done in the past decade in putting these comics in such a wonderful looking hardcover.I'm sure you've picked up the first issue of the new Clandestine mini-series too. But make sure you talk that shit up to all your comic book buying buddies, as Alan Davis has said on his website that if it sells well enough, Marvel will let him continue to do more Clandestine minis - he's got enough storylines planned out for at least 3 more after this one.

[True_Story1011]

I've noticed its pretty hard to talk this line up at atleast 1 of the shops I frequent because the shop owner thinks the original series sucked.

[True_Story1011]

Urban Monsters Image Comics - $3.50 - It tells the story of a world of monsters who decide one day to come out of hiding and live in the world of 'normality'. It documents their trails and tribulations as they travel cross country for an open audition for 'All Monsters'. There was a handful of incidents that occured in the book that had me laughing outloud. My fiancee even asked me what was so funny. I passed it onto her, she thought it was cute!

I thought that this book was very entertaining and along the lines of Boneyard , so if you enjoyed that title you'll like this one. I know I'm interested enough to keep it on my pool list. Grade B

I'll update more titles later.

[Gamblor187]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "RASL"?

[slop101]

RASL is the new book by Bone creator Jeff Smith, published by his own "Cartoon Books" imprint.

[JasonF]

It should be noted that RASL is not an abbreviation or acronym (at least, not one we readers are privy to yet). RASL is the name of the book.

I agree with Jay Derek's assessment, by the way -- pretty to look at and intriguing, but there wasn't much story there. But I ought to go back and reread just the first issue of Bone. My guess is we didn't get much more than we got in this first issue of RASL -- I think it was just the Bones wandering around in the desert and then a locust attack.

[fujishig]

Finally finished catching up on the pre-sinestro war Green Lantern hardcovers (up to wanted: Hal Jordan). I think the first Sinestro War HC is on my next monthly shipment of comics, which should be here next week... I had planned to wait for the tpbs, but hearing about how good the War was, I jumped into the HCs, and I haven't been disappointed.

[boredsilly]

When do those Grant Morrison JLA hardcovers start coming out? And how long between volumes? I really want to reread that series and I was going to buy the trades, but now I'm second guessing that and think I might wait.