I think the Summer "General Comic Discussion" went pretty well, so here is your new version for the Autumn season. Covering the months of September, October, and November, this is the thread for all general commentary relating to the world of comics. Enjoy!
Personally, I haven't been to my comic shop since MAY, so I'm a little bit behind. Sheesh.
:helpme:
Giantrobo
09-02-08, 07:32 AM
So was anyone able to get Final Crisis: Requiem #1 or the 2nd Printing? I got screwed twice on this one.
I know lotsa uze guys are skipping the Final Crisis stuff but I thought I'd ask anyway.
Bronkster
09-02-08, 11:00 AM
So was anyone able to get Final Crisis: Requiem #1 or the 2nd Printing? I got screwed twice on this one.
I know lotsa uze guys are skipping the Final Crisis stuff but I thought I'd ask anyway.
My local store probably has/had it because they stock piles of stuff, but I'm passing on everything except the main series - and am darn tempted to not bother finishing that.
Ambush Bug :up:
fujishig
09-02-08, 06:31 PM
Still going through my graphic novel/HC pile:
I complained about the Annihilation Conquest HC 2 lacking some of the Nova stories that tied directly into how he came back into the conflict, but after reading the second Nova trade, I can see why they weren't included... it was almost like they were treading water waiting for Conquest to catch up. I still like seeing the more obscure side of the galaxy in the Marvel Universe, though I'm not sure what to think of the new "Guardians of the Galaxy."
Mighty Avengers HC 2: Woah... I should've looked closer at the solicitations for this. I like Bagley well enough, but the transition from Cho to Bagley is... jarring, to say the least. And I wasn't exactly collecting this for the story, which still seems to have this really weird thought balloon concept that just makes it unreadable. Does this get any better, or am I better off not getting any more?
The Order v. 2: Unfortunately killed before it's time. I'm not sure if it's because they were desperately trying to wrap it up before the series was canceled, but this trade had very little of what I liked about the first trade, mainly the relationships between the team members and the pretty unique aspect of the Initiative concept in LA. Oh well.
Jack of Fables v. 1: Finally caught up with the Fables trades, so started in on Jack of Fables... cool offshoot, decent art. I was afraid we'd lose the diversity of Fabledom once the solo book started, but the plot for this trade, at least, kept it in check.
Still working on: Josh Whedon's tpb. Oh, I think the book is called Runaways, though you'd barely know it from the cover.
Finishing all of this up just in time for my next (ever shrinking) monthly shipment, which should be in this week...
Bronkster
09-03-08, 12:12 AM
For those who get their comics at Local Comic Stores, the new stuff will be delayed until Thursday due to the holiday (so says my Local Comic Store, anyway).
ytrez
09-03-08, 09:30 AM
Mighty Avengers HC 2: Woah... I should've looked closer at the solicitations for this. I like Bagley well enough, but the transition from Cho to Bagley is... jarring, to say the least. And I wasn't exactly collecting this for the story, which still seems to have this really weird thought balloon concept that just makes it unreadable. Does this get any better, or am I better off not getting any more?
I just finished vol 1 last night and disliked the thought balloons too. Thought balloons have disappeared from modern comics as comic book writers have consciously tried to write screenplays for comic books. Maybe it all started when screen writers started writing comic books after the success of the first Batman movie. I don't know. Regardless, Bendis' efforts to bring back thought balloons are a complete failure. He's trying to be clever and funny but ends up being redundant and annoying. These aren't the thought balloons of old and I wish they'd go away again.
fujishig
09-03-08, 01:38 PM
Right, I remember when people were talking about this on this board, and about the death of thought balloons. But you're right, these are not the old thought balloons, these are more extraneous thoughts that are supposed to be funny (and honestly sometimes they are), but more often then not are just annoying to read through. It's something that would work better, I think, on a live sitcom or something where you don't have to read everything.
boredsilly
09-03-08, 08:32 PM
Mighty Avengers is a weird one because the series hasn't really had the time to find it's feet yet. We had the Ultron story line, which dovetailed into the Doom stuff, and then it's been all Secret Invasion stuff after that. I still don't think anyone knows what this book is or will be, yet.
I liked the thought balloons myself, but they did turn into a gimmick rather quickly.
ETA: You know, I know it's not very good. In fact it reads like Mary-Sue fanfic that doesn't gel with Marvel's mainline-Uni at all, but I still can't help the fact that I'm enjoying the Hulk. Does that make me a bad person? -wink-
Bronkster
09-05-08, 02:24 AM
I only picked up one comic today. ONE! I don't think that's ever happened before. For those of you who are curious, it was Spider-man.
Almost grabbed the X-men: Manifest Destiny book, but I'm getting burned out on X-men YetAnotherEventThatChangesMutantkindForAllTime. With all the X-book cross-overs coming up, I'll probably only be getting X-Factor and maybe Astonishing X-men.
Rogue588
09-05-08, 03:27 AM
Secret Six :up:
Giantrobo
09-05-08, 05:29 AM
Secret Six :up:
Really? That's encouraging. I read their Mini and totally loved it.
davidh777
09-12-08, 03:20 PM
Batman comic bosses are pulping tens of thousands of copies of the latest Dark Knight adventure because a printing error has left it filled with swear words.
Profanities that were meant to be blacked out to spare the blushes of young readers were not printed dark enough - meaning every "f**k" and "shit" in Allstar Batman + Robin the Boywonder number 10 is exposed.
DC comics has sent out the order to stores around the Us to destroy the book.
A spokesperson tells the New York Post, "As soon as the problem was discovered, we quickly asked retailers to pull the issue. We apologise to our retailers and fans for any offence and inconvenience."
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0565626/
Bronkster
09-12-08, 03:36 PM
Holy shit, Batman!
boredsilly
09-13-08, 07:58 AM
Boo! Hissss! I want my All Star now!
Giantrobo
09-13-08, 10:13 AM
Did I order that one?
Anyway, any of you see that new Vertigo Encyclopedia?
kms_md
09-15-08, 11:16 AM
and the folks on ebay are making a killing - check out the auction ending prices for all star batman and robin #10. from $25 to over $150 for the variant cover.
Bronkster
09-15-08, 02:41 PM
and the folks on ebay are making a killing - check out the auction ending prices for all star batman and robin #10. from $25 to over $150 for the variant cover.
Although it might be fun to own just for the novelty of the screw-up, I doubt the value will hold long. Ebay is great to watch for kneejerk reactions. :lol:
A few years ago, there was an issue of Wolverine (#131) that had a misprint calling Sabertooth a "****". The issue was recalled, but I was lucky enough to get one of the originals before the recall. It's value now? $2.50. Woof! What an investment! :lol:
Funny, he doesn't look Jewish.
edited to add: it appears the forum automatically censors the offending word. oops.
my apologies if any of this discussion and/or comments are not P.C.
boredsilly
09-16-08, 02:30 AM
Yeah, Cap 25 had the same flurry of action that died down pretty quickly as well. It has to make you wonder what some of the buyers on eBay are thinking.
Superboy
09-17-08, 03:53 AM
They probably don't realize then when 250,000 to 1 million of something is made, that it's not considered rare.
davidh777
09-18-08, 04:09 PM
Anyway, any of you see that new Vertigo Encyclopedia?
I did. Looks nice but I didn't flip through.
davidh777
09-18-08, 04:16 PM
Anyway, any of you see that new Vertigo Encyclopedia?
At 7 minutes long I think they should call it a Featurette. :lol:
I liked the DC Encyclopedia and I like this but I doubt I'll ever buy either one. I just thumb through them at Border's and Barnes & Noble. :lol:
boredsilly
09-21-08, 08:18 AM
I own the DC Encyclopedia and it's awesome! Sure, Wikipedia makes this sort of thing obsolete, but it's a cool thing to flip through around when you're on hold or something. I also have the Batman and Spiderman DK books Ultimate Guides...because I love comic coffee table books. The best one ever is easily Batman: Animated. That shit is so boss.
kms_md
09-22-08, 10:58 AM
The best one ever is easily Batman: Animated.
agreed.
fujishig
09-22-08, 04:09 PM
Just finished reading the first HC of Spider-man Loves Mary Jane (actually, got the second one this month, so figured I'd finally read the 1st one).
While it is far outside normal continuity (based on just the timeline of the series alone), I liked it a lot. It helped that there was continuity throughout the whole book, though I guess Miyazawa leaves in the middle of HC 2. A nice, non action oriented book, that probably isn't even on the radar of the kids that would probably appreciate this best. I can't believe this is the same Mckeever who's Teen Titans seems like such a mess.
Josh-da-man
09-22-08, 06:36 PM
Anyway, any of you see that new Vertigo Encyclopedia?
Yeah, flipped through it at Barnes and Noble the other day.
It looks like a nice book with a lot of art and information, but I'm not really sure who it's aimed at.
I wouldn't recommend it to newbies since it gave away the endings to most of the series. But if you already own most of the series, there's not much point in it. Didn't look like it provided much in the way of new information.
I might pick it up when/if it shows up on the remainder table.
boredsilly
09-22-08, 07:09 PM
Just finished reading the first HC of Spider-man Loves Mary Jane (actually, got the second one this month, so figured I'd finally read the 1st one).
While it is far outside normal continuity (based on just the timeline of the series alone), I liked it a lot. It helped that there was continuity throughout the whole book, though I guess Miyazawa leaves in the middle of HC 2. A nice, non action oriented book, that probably isn't even on the radar of the kids that would probably appreciate this best. I can't believe this is the same Mckeever who's Teen Titans seems like such a mess.
I'm glad you liked it fuji. That was one of my biggest surprises of the last few years myself. I don't really know why I gave it a try, but it's a really sweet book. I'm glad they're in their own little pocket universe. If McKeever had to try and make Spidey Loves MJ make sense in the Spider-man continuity as a whole? Good god. As it stands though, it's one of the better Spidey centric titles I've had the pleasure of reading. In a lot of ways I like it better than Ultimate Spidey.
Bronkster
10-01-08, 06:35 PM
I almost didn't bother going to my Local Comic Book Shoppe because I saw (online) that there was nothing I wanted except March on UltiMarvel'sNextEvent freebie. But I hate wrecking a Wednesday tradition so I headed on down, planning on getting some bags and boards to make up for the light week. So, I get there and see a new Top 10!!! I had no idea that was coming out! And it's drawn by Gene Ha! Haven't read it yet so I don't know if the writing is any good, but Ha's art is awesome regardless. :banana:
boredsilly
10-02-08, 06:36 PM
New Top 10? That's cool. I just read that not too long ago and enjoyed it. I wasn't as high on the run as some people seem to be, but it was definitely good stuff. I haven't read any of the off shoot stuff yet.
fujishig
10-02-08, 07:40 PM
New Top 10? That's cool. I just read that not too long ago and enjoyed it. I wasn't as high on the run as some people seem to be, but it was definitely good stuff. I haven't read any of the off shoot stuff yet.
Speaking of this, how was that Smax miniseries? I skipped over it largely due to the lack of Gene Ha art, but I figured I'd come back to it someday. Heck, I haven't even opened The Forty-Niners yet.
I did enjoy Tom Strong from beginning to end, and will eventually pick up Promethea.
Still waiting for my monthly haul to come in, but in the meantime I'm catching up on several GNs worth of Blade of the Immortal. It's amazing to me that this is the only English manga title left from the old days, where they were published in monthly, comic-sized installments. It must still do well for Dark Horse in that format. Instead of flipping the book (to read left to right), they actually chop up the panels and rearrange them. Just an amazing story, I don't think I could handle digesting these on a monthly pace.
Bronkster
10-02-08, 08:30 PM
Speaking of this, how was that Smax miniseries? I skipped over it largely due to the lack of Gene Ha art, but I figured I'd come back to it someday. Heck, I haven't even opened The Forty-Niners yet.
I did enjoy Tom Strong from beginning to end, and will eventually pick up Promethea.
Smax was okay, as I recall (been a few years) - Obviously it lacked the Gene Ha art but was a passable story.
The Forty-Niners was good, but had a "filler" feel to it still enjoyable if you're into Top 10.
Loved Tom Strong, but gave up on Promethea - wasn't working for me, but that doesn't mean it's not good.
boredsilly
10-04-08, 08:26 PM
It might be sacrilege to say, but I wasn't super high on Ha's work on Top 10. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was a smidge too busy for my tastes. I like cleaner styles I guess.
Tom Strong is something else I've always wanted to get around to reading. I don't know dick about that character, save that he looks cool.
Bronkster
10-04-08, 08:52 PM
It might be sacrilege to say, but I wasn't super high on Ha's work on Top 10. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was a smidge too busy for my tastes. I like cleaner styles I guess.
I'll agree with it being busy, but in Top 10 that was what I liked about it. Ha stuck so many little (figurative and literal!) take-offs and/or homages to other comic/TV/movie characters in the background that I would always go back after reading each issue to see if I could find and identify everything.
boredsilly
10-06-08, 12:36 PM
That was a cool aspect of the book for sure and that's not really what I'm talking about. If you look at how he drew King Peacock there are a zillion lines there. All through the feathers and on his face, y'know? To go to another super extreme think of how Bruce Timm would draw him. Probably with 15 to 20 lines. Now, I don't wish Timm drew the book, but the opposite end of that super clean style isn't always my cup of tea.
Economy of line is what I'm talking about.
Mister Peepers
10-06-08, 03:35 PM
Didn't think this was popular enough for it's own thread, so I hope nobody minds if I keep track of what I read here
Monday
----January 1941----
Jumbo Comics #23
Tuesday
Jungle Comics #13
Wednesday
Planet Comics #10
Thursday
Smash Comics #18
Friday
Superman #8
Saturday
Flash Comics #13
Sunday
fujishig
10-20-08, 01:17 PM
Wow, two weeks and no action in this thread at all...
Just read the "Brave New World" Freedom Fighters TPB... not sure if this was supposed to be an ongoing that was cancelled due to sales, but it seemed to end abruptly, and most of the plot resolutions were deus ex machinas. An entertaining read, and I really like Renato Arlem's work here... he gets a lot of use out of duplicate shots zoomed in and out, but otherwise his style reminds me of Sprouse, which is a good thing.
Also reading through the third "Countdown" trade... at least things are happening now, but it seems a big shift from the lighter, more personal stories to the stories about Superboy/man Prime. I'm also feeling like I missed a bunch of stuff, which was probably contained in individual comics... it would be nice if they gave some kind of recap.
I have the second Darwyn Cooke "The Spirit" hardcover... is it worth picking up volume 3, which is not done by Cooke?
Bronkster
10-20-08, 07:05 PM
Geesus! Mister Peepers' reading list is giving me a boner!!
Current stuff: Amazing Spider-man - the end of "New Ways to Die" story - an enjoyable lead-up with a let-down ending. I'm still not happy about the whole Mephisto reboot, but I liked the first 5 parts of this for what they were, but the ending really had no climax or resolution.
Various Avengers titles - Secret Invasion - For as burned out as I've gotten on all these big cross-over events, I've liked S.I. so far, but it's starting to wear thin, even on me. Time to wrap up and move on. I'm hoping that this will have a satisfying ending - because most of the Marvel events seem to do a serious crash-and-burn towards the end.
Various X-Men - Another big world-changing event coming up! So, I'm dropping all X-titles except X-Factor.
Superman and Action - Action has been great, Superman has been suck. But now, a new world-changing event (New Krypton) starting up! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. By the way, for as suck as the Superman title has been recently, the Alex Ross covers have been awesome!
And, just because it was still in my dwindling pile of older books left to read, I enjoyed Superboy #97 (1962) - for all its silliness.
I realize it's probably already retconned out of existence by whatever's going on in Final Crisis. I just don't see how this story was a fitting sendoff to the New Gods. Starlin mentions in the introduction that he sat down and had this talk with Didio about this concept, because Didio for whatever reason wanted the New Gods gone. He was hesitant, but eventually took the assignment, allotting a whole year of his life to it.
First thing, the art was not as good as I was expecting. I remember loving Starlin's stuff, but here the characters were either grotesquely muscular (Orion and Darkseid, somewhat appropriately) or really really skinny (everyone else, including Superman). There were panels on the same page where characters looked to have different proportions. Maybe I'm remembering Dreadstar and other earlier Starlin works too fondly.
Secondly, this tied into nothing. It barely ties into Countdown, but the continuity was really, really loose. Olsen barely has a part in this, but he played a huge part in the 3/4 of Countdown I've already read. The disguises the killer used didn't make any sense... it just cast more suspicion on him. And the reasoning behind the killings just didn't really make much sense... in the end, it felt like a cop out.
So does this tie in at all with the human New Gods from Seven Soldiers and the current DC universe, or is it just something that should be written off as an "elseworlds."
bishop2knight
10-23-08, 02:01 PM
Anyone pick up the new GI Joe #0? I'm cautiously optimistic about the new reboot.
Giantrobo
10-23-08, 03:02 PM
I'm behind in reading a lot of stuff but I've been reading JSA issues as soon as they show up and I'm like wow.
Bronkster
10-23-08, 06:45 PM
Just read "New Krypton" ... I feel like I've already imagined the plot and resolution, so I'm hoping it's going to be better than that! :lol: One point really disappointed me, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised: (spoilerized, so don't blame me if you click it!)
They brought back Lois' dad, the army general, from the dead! :grunt:
Ralph Jenkins
10-24-08, 06:25 PM
Blade of the Immortal is excellent. I picked up the art book that was released recently, and I can't wait for the next graphic novel in December.
Some books I read recently:
Locke & Key. Interesting premise and nice art. I'm on board for the next volume.
Mighty Avengers: The Ultron Initiative. I bought this for the art by Frank Cho, which is very good. The story was so-so.
In the mail:
Elektra Omnibus HC
Sky Doll HC
Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition HC
soranin (manga)
Claymore 13 (manga)
I had a great time at the Baltimore CC in Sept. Met Matt Wagner, the Luna Bros., Frank Cho, John K. Snyder III, Tim Sale, and Darwyn Cooke, and got serveral books signed. :)
davidh777
10-25-08, 10:21 AM
Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition HC
Let us know if this is worth a double-dip
Mister Peepers
10-25-08, 07:13 PM
I took a couple week break from reading, other than one or two comics, and just finished All-Star Comics #3 which is the first time the JSA is together. This gave me a boost in wanting to read again. It was nice to read an entire book of just superheroes and not some generic kid or detective story.
The only negative was Johnny Thunder. For those that don't know, he was kidnapped as a baby and given a special power. Whenever he says "Say you", all of his wishes are granted for the next hour. In addition, whenever he does say it, the next frame always explains this, in every story since he started. In this book he had a graphic story and a text only story and they explained it in both.
I also glanced at the new Ghostbusters: Other side book. I was hoping it'd be a collection of stories where the ghosts get caught and then we find out what happens in their new home in the containment chamber. Since it wasnt, I just put it down till I get caught up.
John_Shil
10-26-08, 08:05 AM
I have the second Darwyn Cooke "The Spirit" hardcover... is it worth picking up volume 3, which is not done by Cooke?
No. While not necessarily bad, it was probably the most mediocre thing I've ever read. The stories might be enjoyable, but it's like reading a Punisher story after Ennis' 100+ issues. Just not the same.
Mister Peepers
10-26-08, 02:58 PM
Sunday
More Fun Comics #63
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
slop101
10-27-08, 11:38 AM
Let us know if this is worth a double-dipI would say "no" only since I don't think the art style in Y lends itself to the larger format. The deluxe hardcover for ExMachina, however, is fantastic and is the perfect presentation for it.
ivelostr2
10-27-08, 10:17 PM
I picked up books for the first time in 6 weeks last week, I got a new job which limits my time to visit the lcbs, and lately I have been getting caught up on some trades and with how crappy some of my titles have been, I actually canceled all of my subscriptions while i was there, Ill just visit the store near work for the few I still plan to pickup weekly.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, I liked every issue I picked up.
Uncanny X-men 502 and 503
They were actually good i think. The characters were all recognizable and acted like themselves, except for cyclops, he is a new level of dick, but a believable evolution, Nightcrawler was used to his potential, and the newer characters (not new by any means, Pixie 1st appeared Nov 04 and armor May 07) i think were handled well. And anytime Dazzler makes an appearance is cool with me. I really enjoyed this book...
Astonishing x-men 27
While not a good as the Uncanny titles, I enjoyed this early on with Wheddon, and I think Ellis is doing okayl. This storyline has the potential to become confusing fast, I'm gonna give this a couple more issues.
Cap America 42 and 43
I think this has been losing steam since the beginning of the cap replacement story, but it was still enjoyable and worth reading.
I plan to pick up the Secret Invasion trades when released, so I can read it all at once, worth it or no?
ivelostr2
10-27-08, 10:18 PM
Also, anyone see the secrect invasion adds with the skrulls kids playing with the human kids in the marvels titles this month?
Anyone else think that the little skrull girl looks like Emmit Smith?
Bronkster
10-28-08, 11:09 AM
I plan to pick up the Secret Invasion trades when released, so I can read it all at once, worth it or no?
I think I'm in the minority, but I'm enjoying the whole S.I. thing. I don't know how the trades compile things, (by title? by storyline?) but since I've heard complaints about it being drawn out, that might be the way to go. It hasn't ended yet so there's still a chance that Marvel will mess it up and have a major let-down ending/resolution to it. :shrug:
Giantrobo
10-31-08, 11:53 AM
dammit. I forgot to reply to my "this week" comic list. Now I'm going to have to hunt this week's issues down. :grunt:
sinned
10-31-08, 01:03 PM
I just read Wolverine Origins Vol. 1: Born in Blood TPB
Wow, that was really, really bad. Steve Dillon is great on Preacher and the Punisher but does not belong on a Wolverine book. Should I now avoid all Daniel Way books or does it get better on Vol. 2?
Graftenberg
11-15-08, 05:02 AM
Anyone with the Y the Last Man hardcover have an error on the first page that has Yorick's mom? Mine shows the Brooklyn, New York 29 minutes ago which was used on Yorick's first page.
slop101
11-19-08, 10:16 PM
Speaking of B.K. Vaughn, my comic book panel of the month goes to ExMachina #39:
(spoilerized in case you eventually plan on reading it)
Continuing the discussion of BKV, I read the first Runaways HC this week. I thought it was really great.
I figured Alex was the traitor because his parents kept mentioning he was a mastermind, but I didn’t see the ending coming.
I have the next 2 HC’s that I plan on reading this weekend, but I haven’t picked up the Joss Wheddon one yet, can anyone recommend that.
How has the new series been since BKV moved on?
slop101
11-20-08, 11:16 AM
How has the new series been since BKV moved on?Not bad, but certainly not as good - a little disappointing.
fujishig
11-20-08, 03:30 PM
I thought the first Runaways HC was the best, but the other 2 BKV ones are good. The JOSS WHEDON writes Runaways volume is ok, but definitely not up to the standard set by the initial issues... I think it's because of the direction the story goes.
Recently started reading through Ex Machina (I had read the first two trades, but they came out so infrequently that while I continued ordering them, I never got around to reading them), and I'm on v. 6 already.
ivelostr2
11-21-08, 01:55 PM
I picked up Uncanny X-men 504 today, is Brubaker no longer writing this?
I actually was enjoying his arcs, this was one of the last 3-4 titles i have been picking up monthly, because it is just so much more convienant to read and store trades...
Superboy
11-22-08, 04:42 AM
I just read Wolverine Origins Vol. 1: Born in Blood TPB
Wow, that was really, really bad. Steve Dillon is great on Preacher and the Punisher but does not belong on a Wolverine book. Should I now avoid all Daniel Way books or does it get better on Vol. 2?
I thought that entire series was just really, really boring.
The second and third trades only get worse. And I have no clue when this series is supposed to take place. There's just no way it can wrap around any of the general storylines that have composed the MU in the past few years.
Superboy
11-22-08, 04:43 AM
Anyone with the Y the Last Man hardcover have an error on the first page that has Yorick's mom? Mine shows the Brooklyn, New York 29 minutes ago which was used on Yorick's first page.
Damn, I guess i'll have to put off buying that for now.
Superboy
11-22-08, 04:47 AM
Continuing the discussion of BKV, I read the first Runaways HC this week. I thought it was really great.
I figured Alex was the traitor because his parents kept mentioning he was a mastermind, but I didn’t see the ending coming.
I have the next 2 HC’s that I plan on reading this weekend, but I haven’t picked up the Joss Wheddon one yet, can anyone recommend that.
How has the new series been since BKV moved on?
I like that series, but I don't love it the way I do Ex Machina and Y. I compliment him for writing a really great comic for younger readers though. You rarely see comics like that these days.
Buy: