So.... maybe I'm missing something, maybe I forgot something, or maybe one or more people working on Amazing Spider-man need to be fired for gross incompetence. Writer JMS? Editor Alex Alonso? Preferably Editor in Chief Joe quesada?

IIRC, the previous issue of ASM or the one before it told the story of Peter being brought to Captain America's team. How? By decrying the registration act on live TV, and being hunted down by Jack O' Lantern and The Jester. Punisher shows up, kills both villains, and brings the bloody body of Spider-Man to Captain America's hideout. Spider-Man is still in his costume that was made by Stark.

This month's issue tells a completely different story, one that makes it look as if Peter wasn't recruited until he was back in his red & blue costume.


In other news, Frontline continues to annoy me. They're trying to play Baldwin up as a sympathetic figure with his recent actions, but he still refuses to accept the real responsibility he bears for the tragedy of Stamford. He acts like people were killed on his "watch," yet the reality of the situation is that they were killed because he didn't give a shit about anything except getting ratings for a TV show.


Leafed through 52 again. while it's not back to being the blowaway comic that it was for the first 8 or so issues, it's also not the trainwreck that it had become over the last several months.


Civil War 6 was pretty good, and takes place concurrently with Punisher War Journal #2. The setup for next month's finale is pretty damn good.


The only book I have left to read for this week is New Universal 2. Issue 1 was OK, but not spectacular. I'm giving it until issue 3 or 4 before I make a final decision on whether or not I'll stick with it.

Maybe we should just keep the weekly comic book talk thread to a "monthly" thread like it used to be. These weekly "what did you get" threads don't seem to get that many replies. We can just update the monthly thread every week with our new stuff. Anyone?

Anyway here is what I picked up today, haven't had a chance to read much yet:

52 WEEK #35

ALL NEW ATOM #7 - With this issue I'm done with this comic. Plus, I heard issue 12 is the last issue anyway.

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #6 - Best superman comic ever made & I've been reading supes since I was 8. The only reason this wasn't my pick for best comic of 2006 is that it doesn't come out often enough.

BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE STATUE PAUL POPE - This is just the greatest line of comic book statues ever. They look so awesome all displayed together. Can't wait for the Alex Ross one next.

DINOWARS JURASSIC WAR OF THE WORLDS #1 - The solicit seemed pretty cool, figured I'd check it out.

EXTERMINATORS #13 - This book doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. It is such twisted fun.

FEAR AGENT #10 - Not nearly as good as it was when Moore was doing the art, but since he is coming back, it's still worth getting.

INCREDIBLE HULK #102 - I can't praise this book enough simply b/c it has absolutely nothing to do with all the Civil War crap.

IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN #4 - This book is SO good, check this book out people. It needs help.

JLA CLASSIFIED #31

JONAH HEX #15 - This origin story has been great.

MIDNIGHTER #3 - This series has been ok, a little bit dissapointing.

MS MARVEL #11 - I've been really surprised by how much I've been enjoying this book.

NEWUNIVERSAL #2

NIGHTWING #128 - Man this book sucks hard right now.

SCALPED #1 - While I usually praise everything Vertigo puts out. This books is pretty awful. The art is hideous. This is a title that is never going to catch on.

SUPERMAN #658

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #3 - The 2nd issue really won me over with this series. There is something just geekily wonderful about Superman vomiting lava.

UNCANNY X-MEN #482

I agree, I just can't go every week to the store. I went for the first time in like six weeks today. And I agree about The Atom.

Jonah Hex 14 - Quite a good read.
Superman 658 - Really enjoyed this issue, but not really interested in where it goes from here.
Heroes for Hire 5 - Still an enjoyable guilty pleasure.
Zombies: Eclipse of the Undead 2 - Good issue, much like the first, but it really sucks to pay $4 for one that feels so short.
Pirates vs. Ninjas 1 - Kinda lukewarm on this one.

Sorry, I'm used to doing a weekly thread for wrestling over in the sports forum, and jumped the gun and made a weekly thread here :-)

Civil War 6 came out today?? I had heard that some stuff was delayed last week and that trend must be continuing.

I don't mind if these threads go weekly - not like we're swamped with new threads here

These treads are a constant reminder that I haven't been to the shop to pick up my books since mid-November. Thankfully I don't have much on the pull list anymore.

Yeah! Screw them once-or-twice-a-month-mail-order comic book buyers!

Civil War #6 - Wasn't too impressed. McNiven's art seemed rushed. Cool about Hulkling, but it would've been better if it was Hank.

Fantastic Four #541 - Carry-over from last week.

Ant #9 - I like big butts and I can not lie.

Front Line #10 - eh.

Fantastic Four: The End #4 - Waiting for the series to end to read it.

JLA Classified #31 - Waiting to get my act together to read it.

Ms. Marvel #11 - See above.

Nightwing #128 - I'm wondering if Wolfman can fix this. Doesn't look too good...

Superman #658 - I don't even remember what's happening in this book.

Uncanny X-Men #482 - Both X-books are pretty suck. Surprising since Brubaker's writing this one..

A Nightmare On Elm Street #4 - Man, I wish Avatar was still doing this book. I really miss Ryp's artwork.

newuniversal #2 - Is this a limited series? If so, i'll just wait for the series to finish.

the Amazing Spider-Man #537 - Meh.

All-Star Superman #6 - I like this. Helps that I don't have to remember what happened the previous issue that came out the year before...

Red Sonja #18 - Once the Kulan Gath storyline is over, i'm done. Then i'll get around to reading them.

52 #35 - Last issue was great. This issue should be good too.

Or those of us who don't make it to the shop every week. It's cool with me, but I'll probably wind up posting all the comics at once anyway because I suck at keeping up with release weeks.

I picked up two books yesterday, Negative Burn #7 and American Virgin #10. I'll read AV this weekend to see what it's all about, but I got it for the cover as some of you know. As for NB, it's an anthology that wasn't all that great. I picked it up to see if it's something I'd like to submit a story too, but I'll admit that I was hoping for a little higher quality.

Hey maybe we should do a Comic Book Talk Anthology. I used to make my own comics a few years back.

I'm a little dense, but do you mean that particular issue or just the comic as a whole? I haven't read this issue yet, but I agree Superman has never been so fun. I can't place why it's so awesome, but I come away from each issue so satisfied.

I hope it's on the fast track for Absolute treatment.

WTF!

Was mine the only shop to not get this?

No Civil War #6 down here yet...

Amazing Spider-Man #537 - Garney's art is starting to look more and more like Romita Jr. I'm going to be so glad when JMS gets off this book; I've collected it since 1982 and not since the "clone saga" have I been so tempted to drop it as lately. The Captain America monologue this issue is textbook awful.
Daredevil #92 - Loved it. The mastermind is revealed! I'm liking Brubaker's run more than Bendis.
All-Star Superman #6- My favorite comic right now and another outstanding issue, I loved how it tied into the underrated (IMHO) "DC One Million" stuff.
Justice #9 - Haven't read
Nextwave #11 - This book makes me weep fleshy human tears. I love it. Shame next issue is it for now.
Astonishing X-Men #19 - Haven't read

I like the weekly threads, myself!

I think the big problem with ASM is that it has suffered a severe case of "crossover-itis." JMS hasn't been allowed to set up his own storylines for what... a year or so now? Everything has to tie into Civil War.

What pisses me off about the Spider-titles currently is the "back in black" campaign. Yet ANOTHER costume change, this time so they can have the black costume in the comics while the movie is in theaters this summer. Christ, pick one costume and stick with it!!!!!

The real problem with Spider-man is that JMS is behind the wheel. His writing is extremely pretentious and is way too self-referential beyond good taste. He should take a token from Peter David, who made Spider-man fun again. JMS' sense of humor really needs work. His Hitch Hiker's references aren't even funny.

I don't know if it's just as bad for die-hard comics fans to care about futile, superficial changes in a character - like the costume - and stop buying comics as it is for the general public to start buying comics becuase of them.

This week:

Civil War #6: is it wrong to find a comic book unintentionally hilarious? That scene with the Punisher had me rolling on the floor. A weak book at best. It tries to cover way too much ground within the Marvel Universe. This series has really been unfocused.

All-Star Superman #6: Now, this is why I love comics. Morrison is at the top of his game here, in a series in which his imagination is totally unrestrained and the big-wigs could care less about what happens and who is involved. If JLA ever disappointed you with it's half-hearted writing, this series will definitely win you over.

Nextwave #11: I love this series, but i'm glad it's coming to a close. A premise like this gets old fast and the humor bank can run dry. If a series like this went on long enough, everyone would end up hating it and books like this would never come out again. For example, She-Hulk really hasn't been the same since the relaunch. It's hard to see a book like this going on forever and continuing its success.

The Killer #2: A great series that very few are reading.

Superman Confidential #3: A great series, but how long can an anthology series provide solid stories like this? The launch was great for JLA Classified, but it went down in flames fast. Convoluted stories that lack a really cohesive feel with regards to its place in the DCU timeline universe limit storytelling potential here. Overall though, still loving this current story.

I guess we're at opposite ends of the spectrum then... Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was one of the first titles I dropped because I thought that Peter David's writing has become absolute shite.


Punisher's scene was great. It also happens in Punisher: War Journal #2... which leads into what's wrong with Civil War right now. The main series, instead of being the main story, is now a collection of clips from the crossover books. Unless you read the crossovers you have no real idea of what is going on, and that shouldn't happen.

Many of the west coast shops had delayed shipments due to weather and transportation problems:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=96158

Picked up the latest issues of Atom, Ant-Man, and Jonah Hex. All three were good but not great.

Also picked up the Iron Man: Armor Wars TPB. Man, what a great storyline. I really wish Marvel would reprint more Michelinie/Layton Iron Man. The two TPBs they've done -- Armor Wars and Demon in a Bottle -- are spectacular.

I'll be listing the last couple of weeks of books, backlogged due to the holidays.

52 Week 34 - The Black Adam family scurries home after Osirus has a rough time using his powers. Steele has to use subterfuge to get to talk some sense into his niece. Lex has something up his sleeve as the New Year arrives. Loved Brian Bolland's artwork for the Zatanna origin 2-pager.

Detective 827 - not quite impressed by Dini's story featuring the Ventriloquist (or whatever is animating the doll and the moll).

Justice League of America 5 - I'm starting to warm up to Meltzer's opening arc on JLA with Solomon Grundy and Amazo-Tornado driving the dramatic tension.

Supergirl 13 - I hate myself for buying this title at times, but hopefully this is the end of the Joe Kelly run, and I was actually looking forward to the Amanda Connor run (with Gray/Palmiotti on writing chores), so I picked this up as it cleaned up the first half from #11.

Supergirl and the LSH 25 - Mon-el gets released from the Phantom Zone, and it could come at a better time as the LSH get blindsided by the re-appearance of the Wanderers, which brings some family complications for Lightning Lad and Light Lass.

Ultimate Power 3 - if you wanted to know how the Supreme Squadron showed up in the Ultimate Universe, this would be the issue to read. Liked the art, but the story seemed a little padded.

Astonishing X-Men 19 - Very much a setup issue for the oncoming conflict with Breakworld. Collosus has a nice line that causes a double-take from the gang.

Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters 6 - Miss America makes an appearance to save the day, and Father Time eludes capture. The rest of the team pair off for some downtime, and things take a deadly turn as we head for the home stretch.

Jack of Fables 6 - Ever wonder how Jack became Jack Frost, this issue starts that tale.

Superman 658 - We continue with seeing a glimpse into a world without a Superman, provided by Orion, but it's just more setup for the next issue or two.

Superman Confidential 3 - the dialogue continues to sparkle with Cooke's run on this book. Early in their courtship, Superman and Lois struggle to balance his call to duty with his commitment to Lois for a long-term relationship.

All-Star Superman 6 - More Morrison trippy tales, this one featuring a Timecop feel as Superman's early years (just moved to Metropolis, but makes a visit to Smallville). Can't wait for the next issue.

52 Week 35 - Lex's Everyman project undergoes a power outage with deadly results for some of them. Steele's niece is finally ready to accept that Lex has less than philantropic motives for the Everyman project, but has to play it cool for now. Lobo pulls the ol' double-cross on the star-faring group (Tamara, Adam, and Buddy).

Civil War 6 - 2 setup issue in a row, and one more to go, this "crossover" event is fizzling out in a major way, but I'll be there for last issue, but have kept my expectations really low.

Comics week 2... this week really hit home as to how many books I've dropped from my regular purchase list. I bought ONE book, but there were at least 6 or 7 others on the shelf that 3 months ago I would have bought also.

I picked up Hellstorm #'s 3 and 4 (I somehow missed #3 last month), but haven't read them yet.

This is a slow week for me as well, I counted 5 titles on my "list" that I'll be picking up after work today.

Well for the first time EVER I picked up a Thunderbolts book. With the new team being introduced this week I took the plunge...Of course my LCS was already haunting me to add to my sub list but I have to read this one to see how it is....

Pretty decent week but I am soooo far behind in reading my stuff. I literally have over 2 long boxes full without bags & boards of what I need to catch up on. Anway, today I picked up. . .

52 WEEK #36

AGENTS OF ATLAS #1-6 - I've heard really good stuff about this, so now that it's finished I'll check it out.

BATMAN #662

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #2 -Haven't even read 1 yet.

BLADE #5 - I actually think it already has been cancelled, which is a shame b/c I think it's the best take on the character in comics, maybe ever.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #121 - Always amazing.

GODLAND #15 - Maybe the best monthly title being published, & I think I'm actually the only one besides the writer that reads this book. I'm not even too sure if the artist reads it.

GREEN ARROW #70 - Please oh please let Winnick have the sudden urge to stop writing comics.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8

JSA CLASSIFIED #21

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #2 - I'm still against the relaunch but the first issue was great.

NEW X-MEN #34 - Very underrated comic. It's good fun.

RUNAWAYS #23

STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #12

STAR WARS LEGACY #7

THUNDERBOLTS #110 - Never been a fan of Deadato, been reading T-bults since #1 of the original series & I actually have been diggin' the current series, but I'll gladly welcome Ellis on the book.

WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY #2 - First issue was OK but I'm kind of realizing I don't like Gail Simone's stuff as much as I thought. I love BoP, but I rarely like anything else she does.

WOLVERINE ORIGINS #10 - Best Wolverine book in years. I know it's trendy among comic geeks to hate Wolverine, but I couldn't care less. I've always loved the character & the comics & always will. It's great to finally have a decent Wolvie book.