He shrunk himself to the smallest size possible and just disappeared after it was revealed that his wife killed Sue in Identity Crisis.


As for Ultimates. I'm going to guess Captain amaerica simply because it would get the most reaction and all the fighting between them in the comics is just there to throw you off. I really don't see how hawkeye or natasha would care enough since it's all a job. Iron man is also an option since he realizes that Thor's predictions are coming true, but it doesn't have the same caring for the country to betray it as it would with captain. I don't mind the politics because that's all Ultimates is about from the get go.

But isn't that pretty much how -ALL- entertainment is today? I mean I've understood that the vast majority of comic writers lean towards liberal, as most artistic folks do, and I've certainly seen this influence in comics over the years. For instance, right now I'm reading JL:Elite and there's this Mid-Eastern Character who runs the JLE who's always making snide remarks about the Bush Administration.

But what are you gonna do? That's just the way things are and you just ignore those comments and just keep reading....

Yes, but does that make it ok? Does that mean I have to support it? No. And it is completely different w/ comics. Most film & TV is somewhat based in reality, unless it is pure fantasy, in which case you aren't going to see political jabs coming out of Frodo's mouth. And you usually know ahead of time if a film, show, music whatever medium is politically slanted. But comic books are different, they are pure escapism from real life & it is superhero comics I am talking about, which are so far removed from real life, you don't expect to pick up the new Outsiders or GL or whatever & have social messages preached to you. I read comics as a kid, & if I was a little kid reading Green Lantern, I don't want to be lectured about gay characters & the strugles they go though, I don't want an after school special about HIV in my superhero comics, I have school for that, teachers for that, parents for that. I KNOW most disagree with me, but I feel these topics, & especially the way in which they have been handled do not belong in superhero comics. And as an adult, I don't want every single issue of a superhero comic making attacks on the president & the county the way a book like Black Panther does, clearly this is a case of the writer using his own series to insert his personal views on others.

I have no problem w/ a book poking fun at something every once in a while & I really do try not to know a creators beliefs. There is a huge difference b/w that & a writer using a comic as a platform for their own views & agenda. This is what Winnick does, over & over again, this is what Hudlin is doing on BP & this is what Millar does, Millar is the one example of me boycotting a creator b/c of his beliefs outside of a comic, he has openly stated his views lean towards communism. But even views aside, I think Winnick is one of the most boring writers in comics, always playing it safe & no grasp on characterization & Millar tries so hard to immitate Grant Morrison it is just laughable.

I just posted what I do, I don't support these creators with my money or the sales of their books. I am lucky where running a store I am able to read their comics without having to buy the books. In cases like Wolverine where I have ever issue since the Miller mini & Batman where I've been collecting since I was 9 & I don't want to break up runs of these comics, I'm fortunate where I can take the books from a subscriber that doesn't want them, this way I can still have the comic in my collection but I did not contribute a sale to the book, b/c it was ordered for someone else.

I really wish stuff like this didn't bother me so much, but it does, what can I say.

Ok, fair enough. Just know that I was in no way coming down on you.

I didn't think that at all. Believe me, I'm well aware that my boycotting of those writers is quite annoying. I understand if it bugs people.

I understand where you're coming from, although I would say that you're still being really vague. I think you just don't like it when a writer RAMS the story down your throat like Millar and Winick do. I see it so often in their work it annoys me as well.

Millar is probably the most overrated writer in comics today. You're right about him trying too hard to be like Grant Morrison: taking a neat new spin on science and superpowers and making action comics high concept. In reality though he really falls flat especially when it comes to dramatic storytelling. That and all his characters talk exactly the same, no matter who it is or what comic they're in.

It's not that I love to bash on comics, but most people just glurge over comics that are generally acknowledged as being great. The worst thing you'll probably hear from someone about a comic like Walking Dead is "I just don't read it". I don't mind dark spins and twists, but it has to be done really well for me to enjoy it. Take Invincible for example. Since the HUGE plot twist the book has gained even more solid ground. And it's still a pure super hero book; every issue is filled to the brim with great golden and silver-age heroics but with that modernized sensibility. I love that about the book, and it's what I used to enjoy about Geoff John's Flash before he decided to become yet another pretentious comic writer who crafts 6-part stories that can be told in one issue with a deus ex machina ending.

Regarding stories like Identity Crisis...I'm still mixed. I held off until the very end when I could read all the issues at once...I didn't have problems with the facts and storytelling issues that most people did (I.E. Deathstroke taking down the JL), I just didn't think the story was anything special. And i'm really, really, really, really, REALLY, REALLY tired of Psychotic Paranoid Batman stories. It's really getting old. DKR was a great story but it was 20 years ago for goodness' sakes. Most writers seem to make him dark just for the "cool" factor.

The changes in the DCU sucks because I don't want to pick up a comic and have a fragment of a story that doesn't add anything to the overall story but doesn't make any sense without it. I really hate that about crossovers. Comic companies apparantly haven't discovered this yet what with dwindling sales, but you can't treat a hobby as esoteric as comics with an extremely dedicated and concentrated consumer base as frivolously as any other commodity. I thought the "big crash" taught them that. If they want to make money from the property, make a movie. If they want to sell comics, lay off the stupid gimmicks.

Spider-man being a bad character? I can understand. Really there's nothing particularly redeeming about the character though; he's really nothing more than a teenage Superman. The character is also extremely limited. I mean how long can you torture a guy before it gets old (see previous post on repeating Spidey stories), and when he grows up the character has lost his original charm. Although I agree with another poster that the first 40-50 issues of Amazing by Lee were great stories. Ultimate Spider-man is my ideal SM book but it's terribly written and only a few of the stories have been any good. The only one I enjoyed was the first one. Talk about wasted potential.

Now that i'm done ranting...well, I guess I can glurge just like everyone else:

Astonishing X-men is both the best and the worst X-men book ever. The best because it's written by someone who actually knows how to write a comic book, and it's drawn by John Cassiday. It's a pure superhero book that's not afraid to be what it is. It's filled to the brim with neat little fanboy references that don't come off as being fanboy references and the dialogue is witty without seeming like someone else is writing what they're saying. It's also the worst X-men book ever because it really shows that the X-men have not aged well. Their amazing powers that used to astound readers are really meaningless now, even in the more "human" Marvel Univ. Much like Spidey, the stories are quickly getting recycled again and again. It's tiring because as dramatic as each issue tries to be, there's really no tension for all the people that have read it before and know exactly where it's heading. It is also glaringly inconsistent with the rest of the X-men universe at the moment.

New X-men is a good book too, although after the first few issues I dropped it. I read the Tsunami New Mutants book (not that anyone actually cared about the Tsunami line, given that Marvel did almost no advertising for it) and thought it was a much more solid teen book than even Runaways.

Young Avengers is yet another "pure superhero" book that is very enjoyable. Homosexuality in mainstream comics, ahoy!

I have to say that I'm a huge fan of Spider-man, though that hasn't been easy in the last ten years (with the clones, the re-vamp, the constant return of Norman Osborne, the death of MJ, JMS). For me, I started reading when I was 12 with the Bagley era and tracked down the back issues through about the mid 200s. I have to say, there's a few clunkers here and there, but from the debut of Hobgoblin all the way to issue #363 is a solid chunk of entertainment. I always found the Peter Parker character as someone I could relate to, which might explain the appeal. There were also some great arcs in the other Spidey books, before they started doing crossovers (like "Name of the Rose" and Hobgoblin arcs in Web, what I've read of the Tombstone/Robbie storyline in Spect). Before Jenkins teamed up with Ramos on Spect, that was some of the best recent Spidey storylines. I keep buying JMS run on Amazing (I started back on Amazing with him), but it just rarely feels like Spidey. Ultimate Spidey has been pretty good - though Bendis tends to drag things on a bit and its not feeling as original since the Hollywood arc with Dr. Ock.

I'm enjoying Astonishing X-Men, though I'm sure that's mainly because I only occasionally read an X-Men book (I read sporadically through the end of Morrison's run). It'll give me my fill for the next few years before I check in again ;)

I'm starting to learn that I like my superhero books only in doses. I'm a fan of Spidey, too, but it seems that the stories aren't nearly as fun or powerful when you read the book for two years running. It just seems that there's very little tension anymore. If I knew Peter Parker could die, or Batman, or whoever, or that the villain could actually win in the end, then maybe it would be more exciting. Who knows.

Anymore, it seems that there's no such thing as character development in these books. It's just one action scene after another. One villain after another. Without growth, a story is doomed to fail (at least on some level). Watch a good movie or read a good novel, and there's growth. The characters change. Most superhero books...there is no growth. And if there is, it's superficial to be changed when the next writer comes along.

I'm not explaining myself very well. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm learning to appreciate a full, complete story more and more, and that while the cliffhanger serials are fun and entertaining, they aren't keeping my attention like they once did.

After finally getting to Sleeper #12 last night, I understand your point much better than I would've otherwise.

Way to ruin superhero comics for me there, buddy. :mad::mad:


:p:lol:

The last spidey book I was buying was Amazing Spider-man and I dropped it right after that Sins Past garbage. How they can keep that team of JMS/Deodato on one of Marvel's flagship books blows my mind.

I guess I was buying Marvel Knights Spider-Man too, but I dropped it after Millar was done. I like Millar. His Wolverine run is kicking ass.

Well, we still have the Packers.

WE3: The Movie?
 

Check it out....

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr..._id=1000947967

I guess the Kuberts are exclusive at DC now? What happened? They've been Marvel mainstays for a long time now...

I think a lot of it has to do with who owes the characters. Savage Dragon and Invincible are both superhero books, but I think there is character growth and forward movement on them, mainly due to them being creator-owned. They've also only been written by one person. If you look at writers who have done huge runs on a character - even at DC and Marvel - usually there is some character development. However, the trend now is for someone to do a year or two on one book, and you really can't develop any constant through-lines if you're always changing directions. This is a big change from the 80s, where a creative team would stay on a title for years (Bryne's Fantastic Four, Simpson's Thor, Layton & Micheline on Iron Man).

Edit - I'm sure I spelled some names wrong. Forgive me ;)

This is also why we always have characters coming back to life: just because some hack writer wanted to kill my favorite obscure DC character from the 80s doesn't mean he should stay dead, right?

I love Savage Dragon, though, even if it seems like Larson's gone off the deep end at times. Literally anything can happen in that book, and he's kept a pretty tight rein on his "universe" (unlike most of his fellow Image founders). Similar for Invincible.

I love Invincible for that reason, that the book can really go in any direction and it creates constant tension. I also like how it's just ONE BOOK every month and not 4 books. His appearances in other titles do bother me though, it seems like they're trying to milk the character for marketing potential. The Image universe is much less cohesive than other comic universes though so it doesn't bother me.

I agree about writers not having enough time to do what they want with a book...some of my favorite runs on a comic have been for years...David on Hulk was one of the best in comics.

Nothing insteresting this week, except for maybe the tpb of Loeb and Sales "Challengers Of The Unknown" for $6.00. Same thing as last time. If anyone wants it, just let know and I'll pick it up and send it out to you for the sale price plus shipping.

Yeah, but at the same time Brubaker is doing AMAZING stuff on Captain America, a good writer can make superhero comics great.

Here is what I picked up today.

ACTION COMICS #828 - I know it isn't popular to like Supes, but what can I say. I've been getting Superman comics since I was 8 years old, I'm not going to stop now.

BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #192 - Looking foward to this. Seth Fisher is great.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #102 - The only Manga I will probably ever buy. Anyone looking for a great read with brilliant art should start getting the trades.

BREACH #6 - Really diggin' this series. This is the exact type of book you guys bored w/ superhero comics should check out. Something unique & different but nobody reads it.

EARTHBOY JACOBOUS GN - Again, if there are BRILLIANT, original comics out there but you have to try something new. I cannot recommend enough the work of Doug TenNapel (most known for creating Earthworm Jim). Run & buy Creature Tech. This is his newest origina graphic novel.

FABLES #38 - As good as anything being published. What an awesome cover.

GOTHAM CENTRAL #32 - My favorite comic from the big two.

GREEN ARROW #51

JLA #115 - Can't wait to read this.

LEX LUTHOR MAN OF STEEL #4 - What an awesome story this has been.

MAJESTIC #6 - Pretty much just been buying this for the Googe art.

NEW THUNDERBOLTS #9 - Sometimes I just like pure, old-fashioned superhero schlock, & this is it at its best.

NIGHTWING #109 - Only got this b/c of the tie-in.

RANN THANAGAR WAR #2 - My least favorite of the countdown books so far.

STRANGE GIRL #1 - The previeiws sounded cool, I'll give it a shot.

TOM STRONG #33 - Nice, Joe Casy giving Strong a go.

X-MEN #171 - I have no excuse other than I am too weak willed to drop a book I have all 171 issues of.

BATMAN BLACK WHITE SERIES MINI STATUE BISLEY - Absolutely LOVE these kick-ass B&W Bat-statues they are putting out. The Risso one was too cool, can't wait for the Tim Sale one.

Brubaker on Cap has been amazing. It really makes up for the crappy runs by everyone who's been writing it since Jack Kirby left.

Superman hasn't been good in such a long time I don't remember it ever being good anytime ever. Maybe it's just iconic, and maybe he's better in other books. But I am looking foward to Ultimate Superman --- I mean...Superman All-Stars. It has my favorite writer teamed up with the artist everyone loves to hate.

Gotham Central is such a good book I don't even need to say anything about it. Just read the goddamn comic already.

JLA has been going downhill since Morrison left. Waid on his own just liked to tell all his old stories again just for good measure and maybe to make up for his super-crappy DC Crossover non-event. Kelly obviously doesn't like the Bush Administration, and somewhere in there was something about J'onn turning traitor and unleashing his pent up desires to punch out Superman. Again. Um Chuck "Fill-in" Austen did an ok story that didn't violate years of continuity and cause an uproar among his legions of "fans". Busiek confused the hell out of me and I couldn't tell where the hell he was trying to go or what he was trying to do. Typical JLA: all build up, no pay off.

Man of Steel i'm just going to wait for the TPB. I like TPBs better due to the sturdy format and it typically reads better in sequence. Oh yeah that and I won't have to pay $4 an issue.

Rann/Thanganar War is shaping up to be my favorite of all the minis because there are obviously going to be no consequences whatsoever for the DCU.

You know what's funny, I NEVER EVER bought X-men. I only bought that "New" X-men, but never the regular series. I also managed to stay away from Uncanny. Thank the lord.

Simone's run on action comics right now is really in top form.

Yesterday was the smallest comic day I've had in a long time. I only picked up the ever amazing GOTHAM CENTRAL and Simone's ACTION COMICS (Simone rules!).

I also picked up EARTHBOY JACOBUS to review for my site. It was actually a tough book to review. The first 1/3 and the last 1/3 were outstanding, but the middle got really mired in muck. If TenNapel cut out maybe 20 pages from the middle, this would've been a great read.

As a casual reader of both series over the years, the Waid/Garney run on Captain America stands out (interrupted by Liefield) and the "Man of Steel" miniseries from John Bryne for Superman. I have to imagine you've read both of those tho ;)

Sessa, I demand that we discuss Earthboy Jacobus. I want to know what you thought. So hurry and read the damn thing.

:D

Oh, and Brubaker...man, he can make any character come to life. I've never been much for the goody goody Captain America, but this new series...ah yeah baby!

What issues is she slated to write? I adore her work on Birds of Prey and want to check this out. I remember reading she was going to have a run on this (as well as Teen Titans) but I completely forgot about it.

I want to chime in on Astonishing X-Men. I do love the fact that this is nothing but a fun action packed comic book. These are pretty hard to come by these days, so kudos to the creative team for not trying to change the world with this book. However while I am enjoying the titles a lot, I hate how Joss writes the characters (I know that sentence makes no sense). It's been said before, but the more I read it the more the characters sound like teenagers. It just doesn't fit.

And it looks like I need to check out the Brubaker Cap. Been meaning to, but so many books, so little time.