The Official Marvel Team Up Thread [Archive] - Page 2

Dread

12-10-2005, 11:50 PM

Just read it and loved it! Have to admit; when i read the premise a few months back, i was unimpressed, but Kirkman definitely pulled me in from the get go with the actual debut.

Minor nitpicks; Chronok is ok, but his soldier's outfits look almost exactly like the original Wonder Man costume Simon Williams wore back in the day...and i cant help but think that Kang would have been a more logical antagonist for this story.

All in all though, a very good start.
Kang already had a go in YOUNG AVENGERS, and I am glad to not see him again. I am not a fan of characters who spent years in limbo suddenly showing up in about 2-7 damned books within four months, like "enhanced Skrulls" and Silver Samurai and Rhino and the Wrecking Crew have done. Besides, time travel is a wiggy subject and Kang is very complicated. Plus, maybe Kirkman feels it is easier to create new villians than to risk using old ones that he may "get wrong" (I noticed some people not caring for his Doc Ock from last issue, for instance). He can do anything to characters he creates and not get flack for it.

And, well, Marvel needs new characters to keep older ones from being reused a hundred times. For instance, the next time someone wants a super-skrull, they can maybe just use Titannus.

Besides, since Chronok seems obsessed with data of past heroes, maybe the resemblance to the original Wonder Man is intentional.

It is a good story, and damn if he isn't efficient. He doesn't preach or preen, until AFTER he wins the battle, not before, or during. I haven't seen an efficient rogue like that outside of DAREDEVIL or PUNISHER in ages. :p

Zoken

12-11-2005, 01:23 AM

maybe Chronok is Kang... you never know.

Dread

12-11-2005, 01:37 AM

maybe Chronok is Kang... you never know.
I know Kang's had a few alternate time travel identities/ancestors such as Rama-Tut and Immortus, but would he really pose as a whole new character?

Titannus proved that Kirkman's ready and willing to add new baddies to the MU, and I'm kind of hoping that Chronok continues this trend. True, as a bad guy he seems rather simplistic, but we'll have a few issues to delve into him as the heroes assemble about him.

Now; any possible theories on our andriod lady?

Still, this book easily has me more rivetted right now than most of Marvel's official "event" books. Shame MTU doesn't sell well.

Zoken

12-11-2005, 01:48 AM

iloveclones

12-11-2005, 08:35 AM

Yeah, I hope he truly is just a new character. There would be no reason for it to be Kang. Chronok is a pretty silly name, though.

I have to admit, Dread, I have no idea who the android might be, although I like your Livewire guess.

deemar325

12-11-2005, 11:27 AM

Dread

12-11-2005, 03:55 PM

I can't wait to see how he brings in Dagger (Especially since in Runaways she's been beaten into a coma so is this before or after that?). no clue on the android lady.

Kang is a tyrant from a great deal in the future... couldn't Chronok be an earlier persona he set up for himself, before he became Kang, after he was Ironlad, he was CHRONOS... sorry, that got away from me there.
I am also wondering about Dagger myself; it certainly raises the head of continuity issues as she's been in a coma for the last 2 months of RUNAWAYS. I didn't forget to mention it in my earlier review. Even if Kirkman does well with her, an error is an error, even if it wasn't intentional. If I'm hard on Bendis, I have to be hard on everyone else. Otherwise posters will think I have an "agenda". :p Of course, Bendis is Marvel's #1 writer writing their #1 selling books, while Kirkman here is on one of their worst selling titles (MTU is barely in the Top 100).

Good thinking on Kang, but I just don't care for Kang and I would rather Chronok be an original character. I mean, can't there be other dangerous time-travellers other than Kang? Two members of RUNAWAYS' Pride were some. Besides, isn't Chronok black? I've never seen Kang take on the form of a black guy, even if with his armor, he likely could. But we'll see what Kirkman makes of it.

Chronok's no better or worse a name than I have heard from countless other comic book characters.

As for my LIVEWIRES guess, that was only a stretch as I never read the series, but considering it's manga style, I was figuring it could have been a fun reference to the 12 people who bought it.

iloveclones

12-12-2005, 09:37 AM

As for my LIVEWIRES guess, that was only a stretch as I never read the series, but considering it's manga style, I was figuring it could have been a fun reference to the 12 people who bought it.

I bought the first one :O

DBM

12-12-2005, 10:13 AM

I bought the first one :O

I bought the first two issues and they seemed to be pretty much the same thing in each issue. So I dropped it. I picked up the digest when it came out and overall teh story turned out to be pretty good.

Doc Destruction

12-12-2005, 10:21 AM

I bought them all...LOVED the ending. Very cool use of the scientific baddies in the MU. And if the person mentioned in MTU turns out to be Gothic Lolita, I may wet myself.

iloveclones

12-12-2005, 01:26 PM

I bought the first two issues and they seemed to be pretty much the same thing in each issue. So I dropped it. I picked up the digest when it came out and overall teh story turned out to be pretty good.

I'm glad you mentioned that it came out in digests. I was going to get some for some of my nieces and nephews (Gravity, Runaways, etc.) and might just add this if I can find it. Has the digest been out a while?

DBM

12-12-2005, 01:28 PM

I'm glad you mentioned that it came out in digests. I was going to get some for some of my nieces and nephews (Gravity, Runaways, etc.) and might just add this if I can find it. Has the digest been out a while?

I month or two I think. I don't really remember when I bought it.

I'm doing the same thing for my nieces and nephews this Christmas.

iloveclones

12-12-2005, 01:40 PM

I month or two I think. I don't really remember when I bought it.

I'm doing the same thing for my nieces and nephews this Christmas.

:up: I'll accept any recommends in this area outside the usual suspects (Runaways, Spider-Girl, etc)

DBM

12-12-2005, 02:17 PM

:up: I'll accept any recommends in this area outside the usual suspects (Runaways, Spider-Girl, etc)

Those are the ones I'm going with.

My nephew (13 yrs old) is getting the first three Runaways digests, the Spider-Man/Human Torch digest, and the first two Essential Spider-Man volumes.

My niece (12 yrs old) is getting the first two Mary Jane digests, the first two Spider-Girl digests and the first two Arana digests.

My other nephew (10 yrs old) is getting three of the Marvel Age Spider-Man digests and three of the Marvel Age Fantastic Four digests.

I'm going fairly Spidey-centric because he's the character that they know the most about and Spider-Man was what got me hooked on comics back in the day. I'm buying the Arana digests for my niece even though I didn't think they were that good. Mainly because these kids are half-Hispanic, their mother is Mexican, so it might actually be worthwhile for them to see a hispanic character.

They're also getting the rule that they have to let their siblings read their comics as well.

iloveclones

12-12-2005, 03:15 PM

I don't read Arana either, but I buy it for my girl-friend's daughter. She loves it, so they may like it more than you think. She loves those MJ titles also.

The Spidey/HT is a good one. I didn't realize that was out in digests either, so I'll have to look for that one.

No Gravity? Nothing real original there, but pretty entertaining, and has a fair amount of MU guest stars.

Dread

12-12-2005, 07:17 PM

I'd recommend GRAVITY, only because I read it and between it and MACHINE TEEN, the two titles from the "Marvel Next" line that I bought, I preferred the former. Sure, it's predictable, but it's a fun superhero story without all the convelution, the hyper-senstive online debates, "events", or other things that get in the way of these sorts of things. You can only fault it so much for setting out on its agenda and doing it well. I could see young, unjaded, innocent fans really enjoying the story.

Arana will also be showing up in this storyarc, too. Never read the book, but I read her profile in the WOMEN OF MARVEL 2005 Handbook, so I know enough to get by.

My only concern is the timing of this tale for Dagger is really off considering RUNAWAYS. But, it's likely going to be a time travel story, and those always have some sort of errors. Besides, Cloak's been getting a bit of play solo in HOM and RUNAWAYS, so maybe it's "equal time" for Dagger to get some. She's not been solo since that MARVEL KNIGHTS comic from, like, 2-4 years ago.

RockSP

12-12-2005, 07:37 PM

There's no need to assume this story and the Runaways story take place at the same time...

iloveclones

12-12-2005, 07:47 PM

And there's always the possibility that Dagger comes out of her coma by the end of the Runaways story (or some other plot twist)

Dread

12-12-2005, 08:24 PM

And there's always the possibility that Dagger comes out of her coma by the end of the Runaways story (or some other plot twist)
Well, yeah, Dagger's coma won't be indefinate.

I only mention the continuity thing because, well, you know it'd be an issue if it was a bigger event book. Trying to be fair. I mean, yes, we have 90% of Marvel's Heroes being slaughtered both on and off panel, so of course this story sort of has its own continuity. :)

More interested in the rest of the story than on a minor error or issue, though.

A cover solict for some part of the story in the future seemed to hint that Chad Channing, from MUTANT 2099 may be showing up too; no surprise since he was also created by Kirkman.

TheCorpulent1

12-13-2005, 12:08 AM

Did anyone else find it odd that Speedball apparently got the retarded future psycho-killer squad? He hides in a building when they're right on his tail and they just give up.

Also, that line about Wolverine being "the only one strong enough to survive that explosion" very nearly made my blood boil. It's not a big deal, I know, but come on. Sentry? Iron Man? Anyone remember them? I would think a man with the power of a thousand suns could survive an explosion better than an otherwise normal guy with a healing factor and a second-rate imitation of Cap's shield bonded to his bones. :(

The story as a whole seems like it'll be fun when the "losers" eventually meet up, though. Paco Medina's art is a great fit for this book, too. Not too serious but still good enough to be taken seriously when it's called for. He felt really awkward on Thor during the King Thor stuff, but I'm glad he made his way over to MTU. :up:

Cyclops

12-13-2005, 12:12 AM

I didn't find it odd. He's Speedball, they're seriously not worried about him.

Though I do find it odd that people confuse a burly black man with Kang. Kang is neither burly nor black.

KingOfDreams

12-13-2005, 12:18 AM

This new arc got off to a great start. I'm even willing to overlook my antipathy towards Medina's art.

TheCorpulent1

12-13-2005, 12:18 AM

I didn't find it odd. He's Speedball, they're seriously not worried about him.

Though I do find it odd that people confuse a burly black man with Kang. Kang is neither burly nor black.
Well, they cared enough about Excelsior to wipe them out pretty completely. It just seemed odd to me that they gave up so easily.

Cyclops

12-13-2005, 12:21 AM

He's just Speedball. That's the whole point of this arc. That the heroes, the guys who are supposed to save the world, are the guys that nobody thinks much anything of.

Or absolutely hates, like X-23 and Arana.

TheCorpulent1

12-13-2005, 12:28 AM

I know that's the point of the arc, but I'm saying the situation wasn't presented very well. They even chased Darkhawk down, and Darkhawk's even less of a threat than Speedball. Speedball's actually done some pretty decent damage in his time. It would've made more sense to have Speedball come back from a pizza run or something and find the other Warriors dead and the future dudes gone.

Dread

12-13-2005, 12:14 PM

Also, that line about Wolverine being "the only one strong enough to survive that explosion" very nearly made my blood boil. It's not a big deal, I know, but come on. Sentry? Iron Man? Anyone remember them? I would think a man with the power of a thousand suns could survive an explosion better than an otherwise normal guy with a healing factor and a second-rate imitation of Cap's shield bonded to his bones. :(
I may have mentioned this above, but yeah, I agree. Sentry and Iron Man are both physically tougher than Wolverine. The problem is that his "healing factor", or ANYONE's healing factor who isn't the Lizard within the past 10 years has been redefined as either "miraculous regeneration" or "pseudo invulnerability", or in some instances both.

Maybe Chronok deemed Wolverine as the "toughest" because perhaps even in the future, he's overrated. :p

It did seem odd that Chronok's men easily gave up on Speedball while they more actively persued Darkhawk, but there are some factors to explain it:

1). As Cyclops and others have stated, and as some of those men in LA stated themselves, any hero who wasn't on their data files they are dismissing because, they assume, that if they weren't powerful or popular enough to "make history", then they can't be much of a threat.

2). Darkhawk obviously looks more menacing than Speedball does, and therefore may elicit more of a hostile response.

3). Even under the "nameless clone rule" of Chronok's expendable henchmen, not everyone is the same; maybe Excelsior got a group of more aggressive, professional sort of people while the New Warrior's squad got some slackers.

4). As to whom is more "powerful" is a debateable point, but a moot one, as neither Speedball or Darkhawk offered much resistance before retreating Which, if you've been reading RUNAWAYS, seems slightly OOC for Darkhawk, as in the first few issues he seemed to "break down" and instantly get hostile whenever his allies got attacked (such as when Nico used a spell to dismantle Turbo). Therefore, seeing him instantly flee rather than fight after his WHOLE TEAM was slaughtered seemed a little iffy, even if it was needed to further the plot. But enjoying Bendis works requires suspending a lot more disbelief than that, so I'll forgive it from Kirkman. For now.

5). The squad of Chronokian soldiers (can I use that term?) that attacked the New Warriors were based in New York, the NEXUS of Marvel superheroes, and therefore they were likely overworked. How much time could they spend chasing down Speedball (an unknown hero) when about 90% of all of Marvel's heroes, including their bigger listers, are in NY and are presumably launching counterattacks off panel (something mentioned to Chronok personally). Meanwhile, the squad that attacked Excelsior was in LA, an area that is MUCH less superhero dense. They had more time to pursue Darkhawk because there were less general heroes in the area to oppose them. I mean, aside for Excelsior, the Runaways and maybe the Shroud (who poses as a supervillian and was last seen moving to New York anyway), how many heroes are around California? Are there nearly as many as in New York? No.

Anubis

12-13-2005, 03:51 PM

that whole thing about Killing Sentry with a f**king bomb was the only thing that I didn't dig about the issue.

Dread

12-13-2005, 05:10 PM

that whole thing about Killing Sentry with a f**king bomb was the only thing that I didn't dig about the issue.
Uh...maybe it was some kinda FUTURISTIC bomb?

Yeah, I agree. The bad-arseness of Chronok and his minions is cool, it is just a shame that going about it with simple laser blasters and bombs sort of looks boring by typical comic standards. The only "creative" death was Cage's, which was downright disturbing to see.

Maybe some explaination like, "all our 27th century tech is designed specifically to evaporate your DNA" or something, it would have swallowed a little better.

Of course, weapons from the future are always "jacked".

TheCorpulent1

12-13-2005, 05:37 PM

Dread

12-13-2005, 05:40 PM

The bomb thing didn't bother me. I could've easily understood it under the logic of, "Ok, it's a futuristic bomb that's capable of destroying even the Sentry and Iron Man in one fell swoop." But that Wolverine line ruined the whole thing.
Yeah, I won't disagree, because it did. Wolverine's not THAT tough. Hell, I remember when well aimed bullets could cause him problems. Of course, that was back before he became "big" and morphed into a parody of what used to make him cool, but I digress.

Like I said, maybe Wolverine was just "overrated" in the future. :p It would make a good in-joke, much like the one with the X-Men.

TheCorpulent1

12-13-2005, 05:43 PM

Heh, yeah, the X-Men joke was funny. :D Anyway, I'm looking forward to the rest of the arc despite the rough patches in this issue. I'm not even a big fan of time travel stories that will obviously end in retcons, but the losers should make this one worthwhile. I'm just waiting for Terror, Inc. to show up.

Dread

12-13-2005, 05:47 PM

Not usually a fan of time travel stories, either, especially since they are all predictable in that they are excuses to go on slaughtering sprees with impunity, something not even Young Avengers could get past (seemingly Cap, Iron Man and Jewel would have died, along with most of the other Avengers, with Iron Lad mucking the timestream). But, again, there have been good and bad time stories, so I'll give Kirkman a chance. Plus, the book's usually a hoot about 90% of the time, so I'll let some things slide. If it was Marvel's #1 book like NEW AVENGERS is, I'd be harder on it. But it's selling in the 90's every month. No need to kick it while it's down.

euroq

12-20-2005, 09:21 AM

iloveclones

12-20-2005, 09:41 AM

That bump was due to the Invincible crossover. The more interesting number will be next month when we see if any of those people stuck around. I kinda doubt it, but we'll see.

And c'mon euroq, take one for the team (I'll buy something you like!)

euroq

12-20-2005, 11:57 AM

And c'mon euroq, take one for the team (I'll buy something you like!)

You probably already get every book that I do. :)

How many issues is this current arc anyway? I'll be back after it's over.

iloveclones

12-20-2005, 02:46 PM

How many issues is this current arc anyway? I'll be back after it's over.

It was only for that one issue! Since it's a time travel story, they're going to do the ending in 10 years, and figure no-one will mind. So go ahead and buy the next issue. You should be fine.........

Bad 'clones!

:O

Dread

12-22-2005, 08:23 PM

MTU sold at #93 in October and #79 in November, huh? I sure hope that "bump" lasts, because a 14 point gain is notable for a non-blockbuster title (even if it should be).

I don't like time travel stories a whole lot either, but I'm definately jazzed! Especially if Kirkman doesn't cave and make Chronok into Kang...can't we have TWO time-travelling warrior guys? Besides, Chronok's actually efficient. :rolleyes:

SpideyInATree

12-22-2005, 08:33 PM

Well, either way it's a good thing. So, hopefully Marvel Team Up keeps it up in the sales department and maybe one of the crack smoking people over there will finally realize, "Oh, maybe we should be writing all our Marvel books like this instead of 'Internet breaking and earth shattering events'".

We'll see. But I doubt it. But I can hope. :(

Dread

12-22-2005, 08:48 PM

It would help if Marvel actively promoted MTU, RUNAWAYS and some of their other low selling books at least HALF as much as they promoted HOWLING COMMANDOES for Halloween Month.

SpideyInATree

12-22-2005, 08:50 PM

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. That Howling Commandos preview was one of the single most annoying things in the entire world. It made me NOT want to buy the book. Same thing with that Franklin Richards book. They need to...you know...preview SOMETHING GOOD!!! :eek:

Dread

01-05-2006, 07:55 PM

Bumping this topic because MTU #16 came out today, and I REALLY enjoyed it!
MARVEL TEAM-UP #16: Very easily the best comic out this week, Kirkman really kicks it up a notch in "Legue of Losers" Part 2, with solid art from Medina, who seems better at drawing the sort of high paced action that Kirkman wants than Collins was, at least to me. The full "League" is assembled as Terror, Inc is introduced in the middle of the fray between Chronok's soldiers and Speedball & Gravity. Kirkman's dialogue with Terror is darkly hysterical and easily makes him memorable. The cast is quickly assembled (Arana, X-23, Sleepwalker, and Dagger, along with fresh-from-California Darkhawk) and they quickly are overwhelmed by their enemies as they struggle to stay alive in the heat of war. The action is about as tense as one would expect from this sort of senerio. Chronok finally gets in his moment to brag, which I guess is understandable about how he's beaten every single hero in MU already, but thanks to Terror and Speedball, they manage to escape into the sewers. Surprisingly, one member of the roster is quickly dispatched with as Speedball shockingly tries to save her, only to be left with her arm (which Terror quickly attaches to his body to replace his own arm, and gaining whatever powers or skills it had). The general plotline is pretty typical, however; Speedball's grabbed Chronok's time device and they all figure to travel into the future before Chronok invaded to stop the mess from ever happening. Standard time stuff, really. The enjoyable part of the story is in the cast of D-listers present and seeing them united for survival, or lack thereof. Purists may note that Kirkman seems a little off with writing X-23, if only because he has her react emotionally like a normal teenage girl when the "hook" of the character is that she is almost emotionless and expressionless due to genetic tampering, which says leagues about the "character" herself. Y'know, when a writer can have her react emotionally like a real person might and that's considered INACCURATE? The band of miscasts are quickly met in the future, presumably MARVEL KNIGHTS 2099 from about 2-3 years ago, by another Kirkman creation, Mutant 2099. Way to toot your own horn, pal. Anyway, this was easily worth the anticipation for me, and I eagerly await the next issue like no other before. MTU has really grown on me since I hopped on at issue #7 and has improved greatly since the first 6 issues, a shame it sells so terribly.

So, let's get chattin'!

Anubis

01-05-2006, 08:17 PM

Again, I don't get s**t until Tuesday. I gotta start going to comic shops agian. :( The wait is killing me.

Dread

01-05-2006, 09:01 PM

Again, I don't get s**t until Tuesday. I gotta start going to comic shops agian. :( The wait is killing me.
I'll bet. Oh, well, I can wait. ;)

Dread

01-07-2006, 11:47 PM

So, anyone who read this feel like commenting? That's what this topic is for.

Themanofbat

01-07-2006, 11:56 PM

Zoken

01-08-2006, 12:06 AM

Well, no D-Listers from my favorites here, but we'll see how things turn out. they should have gone to Wisconsin if they wanted to hide from Super-hero hunters. I mean, c'mon. The GLX is probably watching all of this on the news thinking "Huh..." Look out window. "Oh c'mon now, we at least rate one guy!"

Dread

01-08-2006, 12:07 AM

I loved it. Along with Slott, Kirkman ranks up there as Marvel's best. I was shocked to see Arana go so quickly... you'd think a longer appearance in this story could have tweaked up the sales on her own book. Chronok taking a bullet to the noggin during his "let the villain rant about his big plan" rant was hilarious. I'm not familiar with Mutant 2099 (I heard he was a Kirkman creation... correct me if I'm wrong), but the next issue looks even more promising. My knowledge of the 2099 Universe is pretty limited to Spidey. Nonetheless, this story is shaping up to be one of Marvel's best stories in a long time, and I don't particularly care for any of these D-listers (ok, ok... I like Speedball :o ). And as usual, the artwork was nice. :)

:)
- Yes, Mutant 2099 was made by Kirkman. He wrote the one-shot comic of the same name for Marvel's "MARVEL KNIGHTS 2099" 5th week event back in 2004. The Marvel Knights 2099 universe was apparently not connected to the 2099 Universe that ran during the 90's, as noted in Marvel's OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: ALTERNATE REALITIES 2005. Both are seperate universes. Kirkman will likely give a run down of that issue and that world in MTU #17.

- I was also surprised that Arana would die so quickly, but in a way part of her will continue on the adventure; Terror gains whatever abilities, either physical or mystical, of whatever limb/body part he attaches to his body. Arana had enhanced strength and prowess, and her "carapice armor" spread from her spider tattoo, which is the arm Terror has. I am expecting him to use her abilities at some point. Plus, her quick death added some harsh reality to the tense situation, that just because this was a time-travel story didn't mean that the cast for the tale is spared. Plus, Arana's title was also given the axe recently, and MTU sells even lower than that did.

- Kirkman is quickly proving to be one of Marvel's best, in a league that includes Slott, Vaughan, and Heinberg. All writers, curiously, able to handle team dynamics and superhero epics very well, but are given no access to major titles or mini's that are about precisely this. Slott and Vaughan are almost natural with a Spider-title, for instance. Heinberg proved he could hold his own in co-writing a key arc of JLA, but he'll be nowhere near, say, NEW AVENGERS, a title that desperately needs some life.

Themanofbat

01-08-2006, 12:36 AM

Slott and Vaughan are almost natural with a Spider-title, for instance. Heinberg proved he could hold his own in co-writing a key arc of JLA, but he'll be nowhere near, say, NEW AVENGERS, a title that desperately needs some life.

While I haven't read it, I heard Vaughan's Spidey/Doc Ock Negative Exposure mini was rather weak.

:confused:

But I would LOVE to see Slott on a regular Spider-Man title, especially after reading his Spidey/Human Torch mini.

He does his Spidey homework like Busiek did for Untold Tales... :up:

:)

Dread

01-08-2006, 01:36 AM

While I haven't read it, I heard Vaughan's Spidey/Doc Ock Negative Exposure mini was rather weak.
I hadn't read that, either. But part of it could have been the art, or the fact that it seemed churned out really quickly like a lot of Doc Ock stories that year to capitilize on the SPIDER-MAN 2 movie.

Expect a few Sandman stories for SPIDER-MAN 3 in 2007, and Venom too if the rumors hold up. Marvel won't be able to help themselves.

But I would LOVE to see Slott on a regular Spider-Man title, especially after reading his Spidey/Human Torch mini.

He does his Spidey homework like Busiek did for Untold Tales... :up:

:)
Agreed!:up:

citizenpain

01-08-2006, 04:07 PM

my favorite ultimate marvel team-up is easily #6-8, but that's only cause i'm biased towards the punisher as my favorite marvel character... ever. anyway, it's the first time that spider-man, the punisher, and daredevil cross paths in the ultimate universe and i definitely enjoyed the refreshing take on all 3 of these characters.

but lets move on to BUISNESS. these three team-up issues are very hard to find, but NOT ANY LONGER!! i am selling all three issues for a very reasonable price, so won't you please check it out? i also have ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1, ULTIMATE X-MEN #1, and ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN SUPER SPECTACULAR #1 up for sale, so there's really no reason for you to not check out these insanely amazing auctions (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZmattQ5fprodigy).

citizenpain

01-08-2006, 04:09 PM

Dr Doom

01-08-2006, 04:13 PM

OK, WHY DON'T YOU JUST MAKE A THREAD INSTEAD OF POSTING THAT IN EVERY SINGLE OTHER THREAD

Dread

01-08-2006, 04:23 PM

OK, WHY DON'T YOU JUST MAKE A THREAD INSTEAD OF POSTING THAT IN EVERY SINGLE OTHER THREAD
At least he bumped this thread...:rolleyes:

iloveclones

01-08-2006, 09:31 PM

Plus, Arana's title was also given the axe recently, and MTU sells even lower than that did.

Hey Dread. I keep seeing you say that, and it's really not correct. I'm not saying that MTU is selling like hotcakes, but it certainly sells better than Arana ever did, and slightly outsells Spider-Girl:

Arana
#2-22131
3- 20002
4-18752
.....
9-12920

MTU
#1-44530
2-37515
3-29085
...
9-23530
10-22549
11-22150
12-21240

Spider-Girl
#78-22076
79-21893
80-21146
...
89-18538
90-18344

Now, I wouldn't say that ANY of those numbers are anything to write home about, but MTU, like Spider-Girl, although selling in low numbers, are steady, while Arana had a pretty precipitous drop.

Now, I doubt Marvel will tolerate much of a dip below 20K. I guess it depends on how well the TPBs sell.

Oh, and I loved Terror, Inc in this last issue. I really don't know anything about him. Anyone care to fill me in?

deemar325

01-08-2006, 09:49 PM

Arana sucks, Terror Inc deserves that arm more than her. lol!

citizenpain

01-08-2006, 11:27 PM

OKAY WHY DON'T YOU MIND YOUR OWN BUISNESS?

i think i would get more crap if i made a thread specifically for my eBay auctions, but i prefer a lil innocent plug here and there. and they're not all the same exact message anyway, if you even cared to notice.

Dr Doom

01-08-2006, 11:52 PM

OOH, I DO BELIEVE I'VE STRUCK A NERVE.

Zoken

01-08-2006, 11:52 PM

Hey, can someone give me a rundown on Terror, Inc.?

Dr Doom

01-08-2006, 11:56 PM

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/terrorsh.htm

SpideyInATree

01-09-2006, 06:07 PM

The latest Marvel Team Up was the cat's pajamas. Arana's demise was kind of shocking, to be honest. Then I laughed my ass off when Terror Inc. used her arm to replace his recently lost one. Heh.

So, Mutant 2099's universe is different from the 2099 series in the 90's? That really sucks in every kind of way. I would hope to see more of the 2099 characters and get a neat little arc out of this. But I guess you can't hope for everything...I mean...all I want to see is Spider-Man 2099 again. :(

Please Robert Kirkman...give us Spider-Man 2099....you bastard.....

Zoken

01-10-2006, 09:43 AM

iloveclones

01-10-2006, 12:59 PM

I'm not sure where they're headed after that.

Next up for Exiles after 2099:

*Squadron Supreme

*Future Imperfect [Based on the alternate future seen in Hulk: Future Imperfect by Peter David and George Perez]

*Heroes Reborn

Dr Doom

01-10-2006, 01:00 PM

WHAT ISSUE DID THIS START ON AND WHAT ISSUE ARE THEY ON NOW?

SO SAYS DOOM!!!

-DOOM :doom:

Themanofbat

01-10-2006, 01:02 PM

WHAT ISSUE DID THIS START ON AND WHAT ISSUE ARE THEY ON NOW?

Issue #15 was the first issue of the arc, and #16 came out last week.

You should be able to get both very easily.

:)

Dr Doom

01-10-2006, 02:17 PM

COOL ,I'LL PICK THEM UP TOMORROW

SO SAYS DOOM!!!

-DOOM :doom:

Dread

01-10-2006, 03:12 PM

Hey Dread. I keep seeing you say that, and it's really not correct. I'm not saying that MTU is selling like hotcakes, but it certainly sells better than Arana ever did, and slightly outsells Spider-Girl:

Arana
#2-22131
3- 20002
4-18752
.....
9-12920

MTU
#1-44530
2-37515
3-29085
...
9-23530
10-22549
11-22150
12-21240

Spider-Girl
#78-22076
79-21893
80-21146
...
89-18538
90-18344

Now, I wouldn't say that ANY of those numbers are anything to write home about, but MTU, like Spider-Girl, although selling in low numbers, are steady, while Arana had a pretty precipitous drop.

Now, I doubt Marvel will tolerate much of a dip below 20K. I guess it depends on how well the TPBs sell.

Oh, and I loved Terror, Inc in this last issue. I really don't know anything about him. Anyone care to fill me in?
Hey now, I don't mind being wrong when it means that MTU outsells something. You're right -- MTU, although selling rather poorly by Marvel's Top 100 listing standards, remains steady at over 21,000 copies, while Arana was a steady drop and Spider-Girl is lower. SG sells well in digest, though, which is why that book is in no danger, at least for the next few months. I have seen it said that comic books rarely gain new readers anymore; they either hold steady with the numbers they have or decline, barring occasional month or so surges depending on a crossover or guest-star or creative change. That may mean some hope for MTU if it remains at least a steady seller. Marvel churns out EXILES mainly because it hasn't slipped from it's monthly 30,000 or so in sales.

I still say Marvel needs to more actively promote some of their struggling titles or give fans an incentive to try them.

The latest Marvel Team Up was the cat's pajamas. Arana's demise was kind of shocking, to be honest. Then I laughed my ass off when Terror Inc. used her arm to replace his recently lost one. Heh.

So, Mutant 2099's universe is different from the 2099 series in the 90's? That really sucks in every kind of way. I would hope to see more of the 2099 characters and get a neat little arc out of this. But I guess you can't hope for everything...I mean...all I want to see is Spider-Man 2099 again.
The MARVEL KNIGHTS 2099 Universe is a seperate universe created for a 5th week event for a few books that were all written by Kirkman back in 2004, including MUTANT 2099, PUNISHER 2099, and DAREDEVIL 2099. It is not the same universe as the 2099 which existed in the 90's, as stated in the OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: ALTERNATE UNIVERSES 2005. Considering Kirkman invented the universe it is no surprise that he's using it in MTU, which is his book.

Arana's demise was shocking, but it helped prove the reality of the situation. In all reality, if Chronok's men could wipe out all the A-Listers so quickly, than surely not all of these "League of Losers" could escape unharmed, underestimated or not. It also sets the tone of possible deaths to come and keeps us on our toes. As I said in another post, Terror Inc should be able to gain some of Arana's abilities from that arm, like her armor and possibly some of her prowess. While I was originally excited about this arc due to Gravity, Speedball, and Darkhawk, Terror Inc is easily stealing the show in a good way. :)

iloveclones

01-10-2006, 03:25 PM

I have seen it said that comic books rarely gain new readers anymore; they either hold steady with the numbers they have or decline, barring occasional month or so surges depending on a crossover or guest-star or creative change.

The unique thing about MTU is that on any given issue, it could pick up a reader here or there. Old Power Pack fans. Or people who don't get their Blade fix. Most of them would probably only buy for the issue their favorite character is in, but maybe some would stick around if they like the format. I'll be interested to see if there was any hold-over from the bump that Invincible gave them.

I've always maintained that one of the reasons they keep Spider-Girl around despite low numbers, is that it's one of the few comics that appeals to that elusive pre-teen girl group. Same with Arana (although any book gets cancelled when it gets too low). I would hope that Marvel would have a little lower "sales" tolerance for MTU, since by it's nature, it does something every month that other titles don't: introduces the reader to other characters (that they might now be interested in reading.) For example,you're absolutely right about Terror, Inc stealing the show. I'd be interested to know more about him!

Dr Doom

01-10-2006, 03:27 PM

I BUY EVERY ISSUE OF MTU.

Sabretooth

01-10-2006, 03:33 PM

Can someone fill me in on this Terror,Inc. guy? Seems like a really cool character.

Sabretooth

01-10-2006, 03:35 PM

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/terrorsh.htm
Whoops,nevermind.

Dread

01-10-2006, 03:55 PM

I started buying MTU at issue #7 and haven't stopped since. I even got the first trade of the first 6 issues of "The Golden Child".
The unique thing about MTU is that on any given issue, it could pick up a reader here or there. Old Power Pack fans. Or people who don't get their Blade fix. Most of them would probably only buy for the issue their favorite character is in, but maybe some would stick around if they like the format. I'll be interested to see if there was any hold-over from the bump that Invincible gave them.
You also have to note that INVINCIBLE is hardly in the Top 25 itself, although for a book outside the "big two" it sells very well.

Ironically, #8, the Blade/Punisher issue, was probably the issue I liked the least. It was very slow and talky, like the sort of thing Bendis has made a career out of. Blade came off like a blabbermouth compared to Punisher, and that seemed awkward, least from what little I know of Blade. But, it was still unique in a way.

But I see your point; MTU exists to expose readers to a lot of various Marvel characters. Historically it has almost always been a Spider-Book, although within 12 issues Kirkman at least has been able to not star Spidey in EVERY issue, and manages to poke fun at the Marvel universe with his adventures (like having Wolverine "pop out of nowhere" on Titannus or Chronok's men lemant about the sheer number of X-Men, or even how Cap fits a shield on his back). Which is PRECISELY why Marvel needs to assist MTU as a title.

I've always maintained that one of the reasons they keep Spider-Girl around despite low numbers, is that it's one of the few comics that appeals to that elusive pre-teen girl group. Same with Arana (although any book gets cancelled when it gets too low). I would hope that Marvel would have a little lower "sales" tolerance for MTU, since by it's nature, it does something every month that other titles don't: introduces the reader to other characters (that they might now be interested in reading.) For example,you're absolutely right about Terror, Inc stealing the show. I'd be interested to know more about him!
You'd be surprised by how quickly execs will abandon that "elusive" market. The cartoon series X-MEN EVOLUTION, which ran for 4 seasons at 52 episodes on Kid's WB and spawned X-23, was a decent ratings hit overall (it was no POKEMON or anything), but was a VERY strong hit with the pre-teen girl group. And what happened? Supposedly because of some nasty internal scuffles, it was canned after 52 episodes, their last 12 episodes were never reaired on CN during the time they were running reruns and gaining more fans, and it's been over a full calander year since the last DVD was released (last one was on Nov. 2004). One would think Marvel would be pushing whoever owns the rights (WB? Disney?) to release more, especially with all the money WB is making on their box sets. People always whine to me about how "Marvel is a business" and all that when they do some things, so I always get irked when I see what a LOUSEY business Marvel can be at times. Then again, Marvel likely sees itself as wanting to be something akin to Disney, a business that thrives on franchises, and we all know that Disney can be pretty lousey at business themselves.

You're right, from a business standpoint, MTU has a purpose; maybe someone who likes Gravity and Speedball here may buy Gravity's digest or the inevitable NEW WARRIORS trade when it comes out (even if it is garbage, they won't know that). And it has a bit of cult status, and about 50% of the time Marvel can listen to the cries of a vocal minority.

Themanofbat

01-10-2006, 03:58 PM

I BUY EVERY ISSUE OF MTU.

Then why were you asking when this current arc started???

:confused: :confused: :confused:

So Says TMoB

- TMoB :batman:

Dr Doom

01-10-2006, 04:03 PM

I WAS ASKING ABOUT EXILES.

Themanofbat

01-10-2006, 04:08 PM

I WAS ASKING ABOUT EXILES.

Oh... then disregard the answer I gave you.

I thought you were asking about the current "Legion of Losers" storyline in MTU.

So Says TMoB

- TMoB :batman:

:)

Dr Doom

01-10-2006, 04:09 PM

SO DOES ANYONE KNOW?

SO SAYS DOOM!!!

-DOOM :doom:

Citizen_Kaine

01-10-2006, 04:54 PM

I'm thinking of grabing Exiles too, is it worth it to buy a full run on ebay? And is it another X Men comic where you need to know every mutant ever to get it?

iloveclones

01-10-2006, 07:51 PM

Depends on what you can get it for CK. I consider it a pretty successful bid if I can pick up some comics at 1980's prices (i.e around $0.75-$1.00 an issue) Definately pick up the early issues written by Judd Winnick. Great stuff! If you like those, then get the rest. If you don't like those, I doubt you'd be into the rest.

You don't need to know any X-history, really. Any reference to it is really just extra , and anything you don't know, just ask about it here, and we'll clue you in. People are usually pretty good about that.

Dread

01-11-2006, 07:07 PM

Or you could just buy the first Exiles TPB if it is cheaper/more convient, as trades usually are.

So, more on MTU; is there anywhere else folks here think will die next?

Zaptoitnow

01-11-2006, 09:06 PM

Best part about Exiles is that by the group's very nature, exposition about charecters isn't out of place since they are often explaining it to each other. Also, in the beginning, they are always telling Blink the background since AOA was so different anyways.

SpideyInATree

01-12-2006, 05:21 PM

SpideyInATree, just pick up the next few Exiles comics. they're going through their World Tour arc, passing through some infamous alternate realities of the marvel Omniverse. first was House of M, then the took on the New Universe, and next on the agenda is 2099. I'm not sure where they're headed after that.

I'm gonna have to check that out then. Marvel should just bring back certain 2099 characters for good. :up:

And if any other League of Losers are biting the dust I think it's going to be Cannonball. Darkhawk has to stay alive since he's become quite a bad ass lately. :up:

Dread

01-12-2006, 05:26 PM

And if any other League of Losers are biting the dust I think it's going to be Cannonball. Darkhawk has to stay alive since he's become quite a bad ass lately. :up:
Cannonball's not here; do you mean Speedball?

I actually hope it won't be Speedball; he really needs a shot at some good action since NEW WARRIORS is always bungled and he rarely appears anywhere else.

I doubt Kirkman would axe off Darkhawk or Sleepwalker either. I had a feeling Dagger may not last the whole arc but she could use the action too (with Cloak having solo time in RUNAWAYS and HOM), and Terror nearly unkillable (and for purists, technically he hails from the SHADOWLINE reality). Maybe Gravity? Will Kirkman want to keep two guys with goggles?

I actually don't want some of these folks to die, even temporarialy (as this is a reversable time story), but Arana's sudden demise got the ball rolling, and naturally exposed the reality of the situation. All of them couldn't last unharmed with Chronok's forces being able to axe off all the other heroes.

Zoken

01-12-2006, 05:37 PM

Gravity... I could really see biting it. and Don't worry about Speedball, He's got an upcoming gig in I Heart Marvel. He's getting romantically linked with... Squirrel-Girl!

Dread

01-12-2006, 05:39 PM

Gravity... I could really see biting it. and Don't worry about Speedball, He's got an upcoming gig in I Heart Marvel. He's getting romantically linked with... Squirrel-Girl!
I heard about that, that's cool. I mentioned a few fan-fic ideas in Anubis' "How Would you Do It" thread and in one of them mentioning hooking that pair up. Hopefully it's written by someone who can handle it (Slott).

SpideyInATree

01-12-2006, 06:25 PM

Cannonball's not here; do you mean Speedball?

I actually hope it won't be Speedball; he really needs a shot at some good action since NEW WARRIORS is always bungled and he rarely appears anywhere else.

I doubt Kirkman would axe off Darkhawk or Sleepwalker either. I had a feeling Dagger may not last the whole arc but she could use the action too (with Cloak having solo time in RUNAWAYS and HOM), and Terror nearly unkillable (and for purists, technically he hails from the SHADOWLINE reality). Maybe Gravity? Will Kirkman want to keep two guys with goggles?

I actually don't want some of these folks to die, even temporarialy (as this is a reversable time story), but Arana's sudden demise got the ball rolling, and naturally exposed the reality of the situation. All of them couldn't last unharmed with Chronok's forces being able to axe off all the other heroes.

Yeah, Speedball. I think Cannonball is a mutant and was on X-Factor. I always used to get the two confused back in the 90's so it only makes sense that I still do it.

I agree with you about the guys with goggles. One guy with goggles has to go and I think it's gonna be Speedball. :O

Dread

01-12-2006, 06:39 PM

Yeah, Speedball. I think Cannonball is a mutant and was on X-Factor. I always used to get the two confused back in the 90's so it only makes sense that I still do it.

I agree with you about the guys with goggles. One guy with goggles has to go and I think it's gonna be Speedball. :O
Cannonball was on New Mutants, X-Force and X-Men, actually. Never on X-Factor. Never cared for him, but he lot a lot of mileage in the 90's.

Zoken

01-12-2006, 09:19 PM

Dread

01-12-2006, 10:02 PM

Actually, I always thought of Lil' Doreen hooking up with Gravity. she's supposed to be really young, either still in high school, or just getting out. also that whole can do attitude of hers, plus the fact that Gravity wants to be a big shot and Slott has put her up against the biggest of the Big on different occasions... well I just think it would be cute.
That could be cute, too. She was a teenager when she appeared in the 90's, but seemed to be at least over 18 in GLA, so who knows. In GLA I saw her as a very young adult, like maybe 19 or 20.

deemar325

01-12-2006, 10:53 PM

I heard about that, that's cool. I mentioned a few fan-fic ideas in Anubis' "How Would you Do It" thread and in one of them mentioning hooking that pair up. Hopefully it's written by someone who can handle it (Slott).

:up: :)

Zoken

01-13-2006, 01:13 AM

of course when I dreamed that up it was in my "What If Squirrel-Girl Had Joined the New Avengers" line over in the Squirrel-Girl In Da House!! thread. they got caught under the mistle-toe but before they could kiss it was found that Yellow-Jacket, Wolverine, and Spider-Man were working the remote controlled mistle-toe. all hell broke loose as Spider-Woman and Monkey-Joe thrashed the guys.

Dread

01-14-2006, 12:30 AM

Plus, unlike Gravity, Speedball has more of a "quirky, wonky power", like Squirrel-Girl. Speedball absorbs kinetic impact to make energy "balls" that he can use to enhance punches or as projectiles, while he bounces about and can even create a costume. Gravity's powers are more "standard", as they allow him to do basic superhero stuff like fly or punch really hard. Not as "quirky" as speedballs or controlling squirrels. Which is why I see Speedball as more of a fun match for Squirrel-Girl. Plus, both are also creations of the 90's. ;)

TheCorpulent1

01-14-2006, 09:28 AM

1988 for Speedball, actually.

http://www.spiderfan.org/cgi-bin/cover.pl?80123,spiderman_amazing_annual,022.jpg

Dread

01-14-2006, 04:44 PM

1988 for Speedball, actually.

http://www.spiderfan.org/cgi-bin/cover.pl?80123,spiderman_amazing_annual,022.jpg
Close enough. :cool:

Plus, both Squirrel-Girl and Speedball were created by Steve "Spider-Man" Ditko. Gravity wasn't. Even more reason for them to date a little. ;)

TheCorpulent1

01-14-2006, 07:32 PM

Robbie'd probably break up with her after he realizes she can kick his ass.

The Question

01-14-2006, 07:34 PM

Did the second issue of League of Losers come out yet?

Zoken

01-14-2006, 07:49 PM

She can Kick Thanos' ass.

TheCorpulent1

01-14-2006, 08:18 PM

Did the second issue of League of Losers come out yet?
Yeah. 2 weeks ago, I think.

euroq

01-15-2006, 11:06 AM

iloveclones

01-15-2006, 11:09 AM

Ouchie. Stupid Invincible completists. Completely debunked what I was saying to Dread. Ah well. Enjoy it while it lasts kiddos.

The Question

01-15-2006, 11:10 AM

Yeah. 2 weeks ago, I think.

Crap. I'll have to look for it.

Dread

01-15-2006, 03:33 PM

Ouchie. Stupid Invincible completists. Completely debunked what I was saying to Dread. Ah well. Enjoy it while it lasts kiddos.
Wow, MTU #15 sold 20,000 copies at #115 that month. Yeah, this book is toast; no way Marvel lets it continue past this arc unless the trades are really selling like gangbusters; a real shame. I'll enjoy the ride, though. There have been a lot of books that didn't make it past issue #12.

It is also depressing to see how poorly a lot of other books I enjoy sell; RUNAWAYS #11 was #83 in the Top 100 with THE THING #2 barely staying on the Top 100.

Is it because demand is low, or because the average fan doesn't know these books exist, because Marvel is too busy selling them Bendis, Spider and DECIMATION X-books, which no fan could miss?

At least YA books consistantly sell well. And NO ISSUE of NEW AVENGERS, not a one, is worth outselling some of these books. No issue has been that good. Even at its best.

CombatRock319

01-15-2006, 04:54 PM

Dread

01-15-2006, 05:08 PM

MTU only failed because it was only spiderman and even losers who obsess over spidey get sick of that. in my opinion the best MTU was definately iceman vs human torch. its so simple but so sick cause there is not spiderman NONE! WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO. anywho i was gunna buy the second volume of MTU at the store but it was 30 friggen bucks which is kinda alot for a small comic. if youve read it can anyone tell me if its worth it? that and i know this is irrelevant but should i buy v for vendetta, is it really that good?
It is worth it, but a shame that Marvel prices their TPB's so high, which is ironic as they claim to rely on them in many ways. DC does a better job of making their trades more affordable; the typical DC trade it at least $5 cheaper than Marvel ones on average.

SpideyInATree

01-21-2006, 01:48 PM

I just can't believe a quality book like MTU isn't selling so well. I hope that we at least get another 6 more months of it. :O

Dread

01-21-2006, 11:55 PM

I just can't believe a quality book like MTU isn't selling so well. I hope that we at least get another 6 more months of it. :O
Amazingly, MTU #19, as in an issue after this arc ends, was solicted for April, so it does look like Marvel may end up continuing to publish this book a little longer. Of course, a solict is one thing; the issue actually seeing print is another. I remember a 10th issue of the X-MEN EVOLUTION comic from about 3 years ago being solicted, and never actually getting made. Some screenshots of that solict can still be found on a Google search. But it does look promising that MTU seems fit to continue, and hopefully last at least one more arc.

Anubis

01-22-2006, 09:50 AM

If Spider-Girls getting the axe, then this should become the comic that hangs on despite the fact that nobodies buying it.

GNR

01-22-2006, 10:01 AM

Wow, MTU #15 sold 20,000 copies at #115 that month. Yeah, this book is toast; no way Marvel lets it continue past this arc unless the trades are really selling like gangbusters; a real shame. I'll enjoy the ride, though. There have been a lot of books that didn't make it past issue #12.

It is also depressing to see how poorly a lot of other books I enjoy sell; RUNAWAYS #11 was #83 in the Top 100 with THE THING #2 barely staying on the Top 100.

Is it because demand is low, or because the average fan doesn't know these books exist, because Marvel is too busy selling them Bendis, Spider and DECIMATION X-books, which no fan could miss?

At least YA books consistantly sell well. And NO ISSUE of NEW AVENGERS, not a one, is worth outselling some of these books. No issue has been that good. Even at its best.

I'm glad to see Sentry within the top 50.:)

Dread

01-22-2006, 04:54 PM

If Spider-Girls getting the axe, then this should become the comic that hangs on despite the fact that nobodies buying it.
Considering that every business report I seem to read claims that Marvel's comic sales barely amount to 35% of their gross every year, they could afford to be a little patient with books at times, to see if they develop an audience. Remember, even THE X-FILES took over a season to find steam.

But, yes, the April solict for MTU #19 indicates that at least at the moment, Marvel plans to keep the book around for another arc, likely because Kirkman's one of their "Ten Terrific" writers they want to amp up. But hey, good that they'd amp a writer who deserves it for a change.

SpideyInATree

01-23-2006, 05:19 PM

Amazingly, MTU #19, as in an issue after this arc ends, was solicted for April, so it does look like Marvel may end up continuing to publish this book a little longer. Of course, a solict is one thing; the issue actually seeing print is another. I remember a 10th issue of the X-MEN EVOLUTION comic from about 3 years ago being solicted, and never actually getting made. Some screenshots of that solict can still be found on a Google search. But it does look promising that MTU seems fit to continue, and hopefully last at least one more arc.

That's pretty good news. I'm sure we'd know when this book is getting cancelled even if it is at all.

Marvel needs to do this little thing called, I don't know...advertising...for it's lesser known titles. :O

Dread

01-23-2006, 05:33 PM

That's pretty good news. I'm sure we'd know when this book is getting cancelled even if it is at all.

Marvel needs to do this little thing called, I don't know...advertising...for it's lesser known titles. :O
I most definately agree. While most of their attention is duely focused on those "blockbuster" selling titles, such as New Avengers, X-books, Spider-books, "Event" books, Ultimate books and "Holy Crap, we have ____ writing/drawing ____ now"-books, but I and others have seemed to wish that Marvel would attempt to promote some of their poorer selling titles too, rather than leaving them to fate or message board fan-drives.

I'm sure someone could repost the solict for April's MTU #19, but basically it involves a team-up between Cable and Wolverine in a story that Kirkman jokingly calls "1991", which was about the last time the appearence of either character dramatically effected the sales of a struggling book (if Kirkman wants to continue this theme, appearences by Punisher, Ghost Rider and Venom are due soon. :p ). The story supposedly sets up a new arc, which implies that MTU will be around another 4-6 issues, which is about how long arcs last these days.

Im not sure on the sales of the first trade, though, and another for Titannus War is likely upcoming. Kirkman's also been a writer that Marvel's been courting with projects lately, such as his well-selling MARVEL ZOMBIES, which may also be why MTU is being kept around. Either way I don't mind.

But Marvel should promote this and other books more; MTU has the sort of mainstream superheroics and tight continuity that many fans crave, but one wonders if many in the "silent majority" even know this book exists.

SpideyInATree

01-23-2006, 05:59 PM

Dread

01-23-2006, 06:51 PM

You'd think that they would put a little more effort into promoting Marvel Team Up. From what I've seen of it so far there have been lesser known characters appearing in the book with the more popular guys. Now, as a business man, wouldn't you want to promote this book that could maybe get a reader who bought it to see Spider-Man but would end up digging Moon Knight...and would want to learn more about Moon Knight. Then you've got interest in a character you didn't expect.

And what's really crazy is that Marvel Team Up is consistently one of Marvel's better books. You'd think they would know quality when they would see it.
We mentioned this earlier in the topic; how MTU serves as a function to not only provide simple "outside of current event" sort of stories with some big-name characters, like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Daredevil, X-23, etc, but also provides looks at other heroes and villians of the Marvel universe, and can lead some not-in-the-know fans to seek our their series, or digests, trades, or back issues.

Moon Knight is a good example; while he had a cameo in DISASSEMBLED, it was MTU #7 that provided his first real comic appearence in years (followed closely by a cameo in GLA #2). Now he's set to get his own series again in April. Speedball is also in this arc, and was in NEW WARRIORS, which should be coming out with a trade of their last series soon. If Marvel would promote the book, there could be some carryover.

But, yes, MTU is a decent book that derserves to sell better. It provides a good smattering of Marvel Universe stuff. Superheroes to magic, aliens to mutants, time travel and back again...

supermarvelman

01-29-2006, 08:23 PM

I think the art work has been great and the cameos and team-ups have been great its a comic i looke foward to when i see on the shelves i hope it sticks around past 1991 arc

Unleashed

01-30-2006, 12:01 AM

i'm sorry, but is gravity currently in the marvel team-up arc?

supermarvelman

01-30-2006, 12:11 AM

Yes he is

Dread

01-30-2006, 04:27 PM

i'm sorry, but is gravity currently in the marvel team-up arc?
Yes, he is. He appeared in MTU #15 fighting alongside Luke Cage before the latter hero succumbed to agents of the time-faring warrior Chronok, who has come back in time to take out history's greatest heroes, while heroes who seem to have been left off the records of history (such as Gravity, Darkhawk, Terror, Arana, Speedball, Dagger, X-23, and Sleepwalker) are all that is left to stop him. Gravity would have suffered a simular fate to Cage had this cabal not aided him during a battle in NYC, where he is currently travelling with the team to the future via Chronok's stolen time-device.

Out of that ad-hoc squad, Arana has perished so far.

If you liked Gravity, I would recommend picking up this arc. Or heck, pick up MTU as a whole. It's one of Marvel's great unsung titles.

Unleashed

01-30-2006, 05:42 PM

i do pick up mtu regularly.

and this past wednesday i picked uop the Gravity digest

Dread

01-30-2006, 05:54 PM

i do pick up mtu regularly.

and this past wednesday i picked uop the Gravity digest
Good for you on both counts. :up:

Unleashed

01-30-2006, 06:09 PM

I loved how Gravity defeated Ultron.

Are there any other plans for him?

Dread

02-02-2006, 05:58 PM

I figured I would post my thoughts on MTU #17 from the BOUGHT/THOUGHT topic. Heavy Spoilers!
MARVEL TEAM-UP #17: My favorite book of the week, easily. I've been eagerly looking foward to this issue, and it didn't disappoint. It is a bit of a slower issue compared to the hectic action of the first two installments, but the story needed the lull to at least try to focus on some of the characters here. Basically, our cast of misfit heroes (Darkhawk, Dagger, Gravity, X-23, Terror, Sleepwalker, and Arana's ARM) escape to the future to stop Chronok's assault on Earth before it began, and meet Mutant 2099 and come face to face with the MARVEL KNIGHTS 2099 reality (which is not the same as the 2099 reality that EXILES just visited; the ALTERNATE DIMENSIONS handbook is really a must for Marvel fans). Of course, Kirkman created Mutant 2099 and all the MK 2099 books two years ago, so it is no surprise he's using it as canon in MTU. We're given enough of a rundown that you really don't need to read those books to understand this reality; most of Earth's heroes and villians perished when the government installed the mutant registration act and policed the nation with Sentinals. Amung the survivors is Reed Richards' brain, who exists in a series of robots (including one based on Thing), and Chad Channing, who is literally branded as "mutant 2099" on his arm, and who appears to have your sort of typical superhero powers of enhanced strength, agility, etc. Given with no active way to find Chronok's army, Reed realizes that the time-machine that Chronok steals is from HIS lab, so they use the 30 days to prepare as a team to stop his eventual assault. Along the way we get some private character moments; Darkhawk easing Dagger's emotional pain at losing Cloak and Arana so quickly, the ghoulish Terror seeming to bond with the equally freaky looking Sleepwalker (who feels ill from being seperated from his host for so long), Chad, Gravity and X-23 bonding over latte (with the latter two eventually seeming to hook up), Terror gaining Arana's mystical armor, and team battles to build experience (such as against Fin Fang Foom, Sentianals with DD 2099), even with Chris Powell becoming a decent field leader and the unnamed team (due to Speedball's comment, I am calling them "Marvel Knights Avengers 2099") having Silver Age-esque uniforms (like the Fan 4 or early X-Men had). The issue, of course, ends with Chronok blasting in to fulfill his dark destiny, and the team standing against him.

As for the poster who claimed Gravity was "cheating on his girlfriend", recall that in his own series, Lauren DUMPED him after he broke a date helping Grenwich Guardian, and while they seemed on friendly terms at the end, she was visibly dating someone else at the time. And I suppose it is a bit sad that I can claim that Kirkman isn't writing X-23 properly because he is choosing to have her act like a real teenage girl actually might, instead of the emotionless, nearly mindless combat machine that she is, but I hate the emotionless type, so be it. I hated this about X-23 since her second episode of EVOLUTION way back in 2003, when I officially became bored of her. I also commend Kirkman for not milking an extra issue out of this team-bonding chapter, and in a way I almost wish I could have gotten that. Leaving the reader begging for more is the true task of a good writer. While the "team uniforms" at the end are a little plain, with minor ways to distinguise each character, the point was to show them unifying, and it was done. I wonder if the ending will be something like GLA #4, with them all basically saving their universe, but no one knowing it. Heck, because this is a time/dimensional thing, the heroes themselves may not even remember. But y'know what? I got more of a kick out of this MTU arc than I did for HOM, DEADLY GENESIS, heck, even a few issues of INFINITE CRISIS. Few writers would not only base 4 issues on all these C-Listers, but also write them ACCURATELY (or damn close) while still treating them with dignity, but Kirkman does. Slott and Vaughan, in other books, do too. And the fact that despite sales, Marvel seems set to debut another arc of this come MTU is music to my ears.

This is the best run of MARVEL TEAM-UP I have ever read, quite frankly (and trust me, I got enjoyment from the older issues I would raid from back issue bins as a kid), and it doesn't get nearly enough support. Just a great issue of a great arc; Kirkman's best on the title so far. It will be hard to top, and my expectations are high for the climax. Hopefully it will deliver. Oh, and of course, Paco Medina's art was still solid.

Some added thoughts:

- Yes, this arc is not perfect. It IS slightly "convient" that the assembled heroes just happen to luck out and the Chronometer is not hard to program, happen to run into Mutant 2099 and his mentor Reed, who just happens to have made that device that Chronok would inevitably steal, and so on. As I mentioned, Kirkman's choice to actually write X-23 as a human girl with actual emotions and wit, alas, is "inaccurate", not that I mind. And I suppose fans of Arana would have a right to feel irked that they were jerked around with her getting billing in two solicts and covers, only for her to die rather quickly and only her arm, on Terror's body, being a major factor in the arc. But I am enjoying the arc so much that none of this matters. Sure, the story's not the most original out there, but it's been very entertaining, and if that verdict was good enough for DANGER, it is good enough here.

- I like how the tone isn't all "goofy" or "dark" but seems varied. Some moments are light and some are dark (like the characters reacting to the chaos, or Reed/Chad mentioning the possibility of them being fated to die). In the end, I'm just looking foward to the showdown with Chronok and I'm rooting for this guys like I never have before. I really do hope they go down as "Marvel Knights Avengers 2099". :D

Unleashed

02-02-2006, 06:33 PM

I can't wait to see Gravity defeat Apocalypse single handedly

deemar325

02-02-2006, 06:47 PM

Considering that every business report I seem to read claims that Marvel's comic sales barely amount to 35% of their gross every year, they could afford to be a little patient with books at times, to see if they develop an audience. Remember, even THE X-FILES took over a season to find steam.

But, yes, the April solict for MTU #19 indicates that at least at the moment, Marvel plans to keep the book around for another arc, likely because Kirkman's one of their "Ten Terrific" writers they want to amp up. But hey, good that they'd amp a writer who deserves it for a change.
He surely does deserve it.:up:

Dread

02-02-2006, 07:17 PM

I can't wait to see Gravity defeat Apocalypse single handedly
Well, Reed WAS kidding (and it was a cute bit, seeing Robo-Reed still having some dry wit now and again), but who knows?

The surely does deserve it.:up:

You betcha MTU deserves it. Frankly, considering the start of the next arc has a Wolverine/Cable team up from April's solict of MTU #19, that would be a good time to give it the sort of drive that HOWLING COMMANDOES got; y'know, 3 page previews in a slew of books to remind people the book exists.

It also may help MTU if something really major happened there. Of course, ROGUE ended with some major changes happening to Rogue and no one bothered with that book. I mean like maybe Cable gains a new toy or something that carries over to his own book.

GNR

02-02-2006, 08:10 PM

Never picked this book up in my life.The upcomics 1991 arc looks cool though.

iloveclones

02-02-2006, 08:19 PM

Give it a try. I guarantee you'll be adding it to your sig.

Anubis

02-02-2006, 08:19 PM

Get the first trade. The Golden Child.

deemar325

02-02-2006, 09:30 PM

Well, Reed WAS kidding (and it was a cute bit, seeing Robo-Reed still having some dry wit now and again), but who knows?

You betcha MTU deserves it. Frankly, considering the start of the next arc has a Wolverine/Cable team up from April's solict of MTU #19, that would be a good time to give it the sort of drive that HOWLING COMMANDOES got; y'know, 3 page previews in a slew of books to remind people the book exists.

It also may help MTU if something really major happened there. Of course, ROGUE ended with some major changes happening to Rogue and no one bothered with that book. I mean like maybe Cable gains a new toy or something that carries over to his own book.

Wolverine/Cable huh? I don't really enjoy either character anymore, but for MTU to survive I'll buy it.

b0bb33z3r

02-03-2006, 11:25 AM

This book rocks. Thanks Anubis for pointing me in the right direction to this thread. Marvel so needs to give this title more advertising. I'm gonna pick up the trades tomorrow, plus I have all the issues. I've been pushing everyone i know who reads comics to pick this title up. I really hope it doesn't get cancelled. Especially when tripe like ASM continues to hit shelves.

Dread

02-03-2006, 11:59 PM

supermarvelman

02-04-2006, 12:29 AM

I like Terror Inc, what exactly are his powers though, he's using Arana's arm and can transform

supermarvelman

02-04-2006, 12:30 AM

what are Terror Inc powers

Zoken

02-04-2006, 12:32 AM

Look him up on Wikipedia or something, but basically, he's from another earth, and a bit of a zombie. he has to replace his body parts with fresh ones from time to time. he can use the powers of whatever body part he adds to his own, but only as long as the body part lasts (The body parts decompose just like normal). he also gets some of the memories and feelings from that limb, which is why he has that metallic left hand. it contains the hand of his former lover. he had it encased in metal so he could always keep a part of her with him.

for a better explanation, go to wikipedia or somethign.

supermarvelman

02-04-2006, 01:16 AM

I hope he is in the new marvel handbooks

b0bb33z3r

02-04-2006, 10:21 AM

Basically, the "League of Losers" is the best "new team with some old forgotten characters and new forgotten characters" since Excelsior in RUNAWAYS to me. Even if, yes, X-23 is "hot" right now. Hopefully the climax rocks the house.

yes on all counts. I've even started customizing my Marvel Legends fodder so that I can have the League on display. I love this arc that much.

b0bb33z3r

02-04-2006, 10:22 AM

Dread

02-04-2006, 03:36 PM

I like how they list Arana's Arm as part of the team on the first page of ish 17. :p
Ditto. I can imagine that some fans of Arana may feel disappointed by the story, but I haven't heard much of a peep from them around here.

It also reminded me of this flash cartoon series on www.newgrounds.com called JOHN'S ARM, for the worst reasons.

So it looks like the League of Losers (or "LOL") is set to go out in a blaze of glory against Chronok. At least this time, he doesn't have Cap's shield, which has to count for something. Plus, going back in time to kill all the famous heroes and getting stopped by the no-names is the very definition of irony.

Dread

02-04-2006, 03:44 PM

what are Terror Inc powers
Terror Inc does not have a Wikipedia profile, and he has been covered in the newer generation of Handbooks: MARVEL HORROR 2005 specifically.

His powers according to that basically amount to this rundown: Basically, Terror hails from the Shadowline reality and somehow made it to 616, and his powers seem to be mystical in nature. His body is constantly rotting, and he constantly needs to replace organs, however, he can survive even as a skeleton until he gets new parts. He can attach any organ, human, animal, etc, to his body, which includes limbs or even tails or wings. He gains whatever powers that the limb had, such as in Arana's case, her mystical spider-armor, as well as any inherient skill that limb was used for; if he attached the legs of a soccer phenom, he would gain those skills, the eyes of someone, he would recall what they saw, and so on. Terror also releases this enzyme when he touches someone that targets the joints of his enemy; basically it softens up the joints of an enemy's limb to allow him to tear parts from his enemies easily. He can also control the flow of any toxin that is injected into his body by stopping it from spreading to other organs if he wishes. Lastly, Terror can detach the 10'' spikes from his face and use them as weapons.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 03:47 PM

Ditto. I can imagine that some fans of Arana may feel disappointed by the story, but I haven't heard much of a peep from them around here.

It also reminded me of this flash cartoon series on www.newgrounds.com (http://www.newgrounds.com) called JOHN'S ARM, for the worst reasons.

So it looks like the League of Losers (or "LOL") is set to go out in a blaze of glory against Chronok. At least this time, he doesn't have Cap's shield, which has to count for something. Plus, going back in time to kill all the famous heroes and getting stopped by the no-names is the very definition of irony.

Arana' has fans?

supermarvelman

02-04-2006, 04:36 PM

Dude they should give the league of loser their own ongoing

iloveclones

02-04-2006, 04:36 PM

Arana' has fans?

Sure she does. Believe it or not, not every series has to appeal to 20yr-readers. My girlfriend's daughter is extremely upset about her series being cancelled. And now Spider-Girl too. I'm on the verge of researching whether or not they make Children's Xanax. (She does like the Thing and She-Hulk, though, so keep buying and don't let those ones get cancelled.)

deemar325

02-04-2006, 04:51 PM

^ I'm joking man! I dig her character design, not her so much.

iloveclones

02-04-2006, 05:03 PM

I'm not trying to poke you with a stick. I just get a little tired of people looking down their nose at some of these characters, and then complain that there are no new (young) readers. Hey, if you(plural, not you, Deemar) don't like the character, don't read it. I don't like Pokemon or NeoPets, but I don't want to stop kids from enjoying it either.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 05:07 PM

^ cool, and I agree.

What do you think of X-23? I'm not a fan myself.

iloveclones

02-04-2006, 05:11 PM

I didn't care for her much either way (I never watched the cartoon) before, but I liked the X23 mini, and her subsequent appearances in MTU (very funny stuff) and Uncanny. I wouldn't mind seeing more of her and less of Wolverine. Maybe she can replace him on the Avengers!

I didn't know anything about Terror Inc before this, and I have to say I'd definately like to see some more of him.

supermarvelman

02-04-2006, 05:13 PM

Leage of Losers should get there ongoing

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 05:15 PM

you already said that

deemar325

02-04-2006, 05:17 PM

^ Terror Inc is one of those characters that in the hands of a Morrison,Corben or Ennis would be awesome.

X-23 is to much for me, I'd rather see 12 Gravity's or Speedball's over another copycat. Give me a character that's it's own thing not a spin-off.

Zoken

02-04-2006, 05:17 PM

I don't think so, I mean three of them already have their own teams (Speedball is a New Warrior, Darkhawk is with Excelsior, and Dagger is with Cloak and Dagger). although a mini about their life in the MK2099 era would be interesting.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 05:18 PM

^ Agree.

iloveclones

02-04-2006, 05:24 PM

^ Terror Inc is one of those characters that in the hands of a Morrison,Corben or Ennis would be awesome.

I know this guy is the current fan favorite for every pet project, but after GLA, can you imagine the sick fun that Slott could have with this character?

As far as the copycat thing: I always hear DC fans say how great DC is at "legacy" characters, but when Marvel tries it, they're just capitalizing on a characters success or "copying" them. I feel that if you don't like Arana or X23, you shouldn't like Wally West, Impulse, Superboy, or all the carryovers in JSA. At one time, they were probably considered pale imitations of the originals.

Zoken

02-04-2006, 05:31 PM

Its a little different clones. those characters are taking up a mantle and becoming part of a legacy that has been established (Robins, Flashes, Green Lanterns)

With Marvel they take an idea thats been done before and bastardize it to make something "new". Arana isn't part of the Spider-Man mythos. I mean, Marvel basically admits its a rip off. she has no ties to Spider-Man outside of marketing.

X-23 was ripped out of a failing TV cartoon because they thought it would bring in young female veiwers. I mean the very idea of her is contrived. "She's wolverin'es clone, but a girl, and with different claws". That makes no sense.

Spider-Girl is a legacy work, and I like her. I don't read her titles but I like that concept.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 05:37 PM

^ Dan Slott on 'Toiletpaperman' would be awesome! the guy is my favorite writer.

Certain heroes make good legacy heroes, and Wolverine is not one of them.

Guys like Captain America, Hawkeye,Captain Marvel, Ironman, even Spider-man it kind of fits.

Marvel you can tell it's not about legacy or history or any sentimental value, It's how can we whore out Spidey,Wolvey and whoever is making us money this year.

SpideyInATree

02-04-2006, 10:55 PM

I'm thinking about writing Marvel a suicidal letter.

If they ever cancel Marvel Team Up than I'm going to kill myself. How cruel can men be to know that someone will kill themselves if they cancel it. So, I figure I'll ensure Marvel Team Up's future for the rest of our lives.

Well, at least the rest of mine...however long that lasts. :O

But, seriously, the newest issue was tantalizing good fun. The opening when it listed the cast members and Arana's arm was one of the cast members...well, that had me laughing for a while. In fact, I laughed so hard that I had that "booger explosion" laugh. You know, when you laugh real hard and quickly that a giant snot rocket flies onto the table?

Well, that happened to me. And I was laughing at the arm and the booger for a while...it was a good night that night at work. :)

deemar325

02-04-2006, 10:58 PM

^ Hey buddy don't joke about that, not coming down hard on ya, but don't joke on that please.

Anyways yeah that arm credit was f--king awesome!

Dread

02-04-2006, 11:09 PM

The irony is that Marvel consistantly cans books that appeal to "younger fans", because supposedly they usually undersell, much like books based on cartoon versions of Marvel properties. DC usually sells these at a loss. The problem with Arana was the fact that despite her ethnicity or codename, she was too generic. That, and to be frank, most comic fans are horribly unwilling to give new characters a shot. I mean, the best selling book starring new characters is YOUNG AVENGERS, and that's because of the way it was pushed with the whole Avengers thing. So therefore, these new characters need to guest star all over the place to make their mark.

I didn't like X-23 in the Evolution series beyond her first episode, because she was boring, and a flat character. She had a very good reason for being that way, but that doesn't change the fact that she was stale, her dialogue in a sort of monotone. With that all said, Kirkman's written her the best, mostly because he's chosen to give her emotional reactions to things besides just attacking. What a concept. Wolverine doesn't lend himself well to "legacy" heroes like Green Lantern and Flash, but he's one of Marvel's most popular characters, so there you go.

I liked Gravity, although if someone wanted to claim that, like Arana, he was a bit "generic", I'd probably have to agree. I just want to see Norton from GRAVITY do more pencilwork for Marvel; he was great on that series. The Young Avengers and the Runaways are my favorite new Marvel heroes, though. Just a shame Purple Girl/Persausion, Purple Man's mutant daughter and ex-member of some Alpha Flight offshoot, is stuck in Neverland when now's a great time for her to reappear somewhere, given what a rep her daddy now has.

The bottom line is that one way or another, Marvel does need to create more heroes and heroines if they want to stay a little fresh. The problem is these stabs have to be REALLY groundbreakingly good, advertised and hyped well, and all that. Marvel's good for having great books that no one buys because Marvel does absolutely nothing, NOTHING, to remind fandom that the book exists. MTU being a case in point.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 11:13 PM

^ Clap,clap....

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:16 PM

Gravity was awesome, are there any plans for him?

TheCorpulent1

02-04-2006, 11:19 PM

Gravity was awesome, are there any plans for him?
No. Nobody wants to use him because he brings everyone else down. (Cue rimshot now.)

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:20 PM

Hey man, someone who can defeat Ultron AND Apocalypse single-handedly deserves their own title.

SpideyInATree

02-04-2006, 11:21 PM

^ Hey buddy don't joke about that, not coming down hard on ya, but don't joke on that please.

Anyways yeah that arm credit was f--king awesome!

Sorry. :confused:

deemar325

02-04-2006, 11:24 PM

^ I got alot of friends who aren't with us anymore and I've seen death first hand. It's fresh in my mind Spideytree and your life is precious homey.

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:24 PM

joke about what, suicide?

Dread

02-04-2006, 11:25 PM

Hey man, someone who can defeat Ultron AND Apocalypse single-handedly deserves their own title.
When did Gravity beat Ultron? I have his entire mini and his MTU appearences; unless he did it in that Marvel X-Mas Special, which I bypassed.

Because in his regular series, he took down Rhino, Shocker (who HASN'T beaten Shocker? I so pity him), Whirlwind, and his own rogue, Black Death.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 11:25 PM

No. Nobody wants to use him because he brings everyone else down. (Cue rimshot now.)

:yellow:

Heh,heh here it comes.

TheCorpulent1

02-04-2006, 11:27 PM

I knew somebody was going to take the word "rimshot" the wrong way. Just bypass my genius pun and go for the ass-humping joke. :(
When did Gravity beat Ultron? I have his entire mini and his MTU appearences; unless he did it in that Marvel X-Mas Special, which I bypassed.

Because in his regular series, he took down Rhino, Shocker (who HASN'T beaten Shocker? I so pity him), Whirlwind, and his own rogue, Black Death.
Reed of the future said that he defeated Apocalypse single-handed, but he admitted that he was just messing with Gravity afterwards. I don't know where the Ultron thing comes from.

b0bb33z3r

02-04-2006, 11:32 PM

When did Gravity beat Ultron? I have his entire mini and his MTU appearences; unless he did it in that Marvel X-Mas Special, which I bypassed.

Because in his regular series, he took down Rhino, Shocker (who HASN'T beaten Shocker? I so pity him), Whirlwind, and his own rogue, Black Death.

Gravity was a lot of fun in the Christmas Special :)

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:33 PM

X-Mas Special, and I maintain the theory that Reed wasn't lieing but had to say he was as to not change the past.

deemar325

02-04-2006, 11:33 PM

^ I'm low

Zoken

02-04-2006, 11:44 PM

Gravity is an alright character. I liked seeing him in the New Avengers thing, you know they're showin' off to the noob, playin' with him a bit. What I'd like to hear is that he's related to Craig Hollis, or Val Ventura, or Ashely Crawford. I think that would be great. I think it might be cool if Gravity sort of turned into the next Spider-Man in the sens that he networks so well and starts accidentally running into and helping everyone. he does a spring break trip to Florida and runs into the Man-Thing. he heads out west over the summer to visit a cousin or something, and runs into Excelsior or the Runaways. banging around ol' NYC he runs into god knows how many heroes, maybe even manages to make a few friends. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing Gravity gethis own title.

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:45 PM

Gravity does NOT need to be related to any other hero.

Zoken

02-04-2006, 11:47 PM

we're talkin the Great Lakes Avengers, and I'm talkin' like a cousin or an Uncle or something like that. and I'm not saying he gets anything from them, but maybe he wants to take that girlfriend to a fashion show, well aunt Ashely hooks him up.

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:47 PM

I don't think X-23 is interested in fashion shows

Zoken

02-04-2006, 11:48 PM

neither of them is going to remember that little affair, and I wouldn't think X-23 too interested in making out.

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:50 PM

Then what girlfriend?

TheCorpulent1

02-04-2006, 11:51 PM

Wasn't he supposed to be worming his way into the pants of that Indian girl from his mini-series?

Zoken

02-04-2006, 11:51 PM

that girl he went out with for a short time, then broke up but obviosly still has feelings for. I don't know her name.

TheCorpulent1

02-04-2006, 11:53 PM

It's Indian Girl Whose Pants He's Trying to Get Into. It's a mouthful, I know, but then, Indian people tend to have a lot of names.

Unleashed

02-04-2006, 11:58 PM

Lauren Singh

Anubis

02-04-2006, 11:59 PM

I couldn't date a woman named Lauren. Reminds me of my aunt who still smokes with the tube in her neck.

Unleashed

02-05-2006, 12:00 AM

The things I would do with that tube.....

Anubis

02-05-2006, 12:00 AM

Perv

Zoken

02-05-2006, 12:10 AM

Sadly Anubis, that just doesn't say enough... but it will have to do.

deemar325

02-05-2006, 12:10 AM

neither of them is going to remember that little affair, and I wouldn't think X-23 too interested in making out.

I hear she got blades in another 'place' too.

Unleashed

02-05-2006, 12:11 AM

Pssh, you know you would too.

Anubis

02-05-2006, 12:14 AM

....maybe, if she looks like Jamie Pressly. :o

Unleashed

02-05-2006, 12:16 AM

or Beatrice Arthur

deemar325

02-05-2006, 12:19 AM

or Big Momma.

Anubis

02-05-2006, 12:20 AM

Big momma's hot.

Unleashed

02-05-2006, 12:21 AM

Especially in that swimsuit

deemar325

02-05-2006, 12:22 AM

She got tha junk in the trunk!

Anubis

02-05-2006, 12:23 AM

She got the Junk Yard in the trunk

deemar325

02-05-2006, 12:27 AM

I gotta check that out.

Anubis

02-05-2006, 12:30 AM

Oh man, I gotta lay off the booze.

deemar325

02-05-2006, 12:42 AM

I could use a drink myself.

Unleashed

02-06-2006, 02:13 AM

This book rocks

Dread

02-06-2006, 06:22 PM

This book rocks
Definately. It also needs to sell better.

Unleashed

02-07-2006, 05:18 PM

Spread the good word

b0bb33z3r

02-07-2006, 08:41 PM

spread it!! this book is too damn good to be cancelled :(

b0bb33z3r

02-07-2006, 08:45 PM

Unleashed... can I use that Avatar?

Unleashed

02-07-2006, 08:50 PM

No, it's mine

SpideyInATree

02-09-2006, 04:02 PM

I really like the way that Kirkman has made Darkhawk come out as a really good leader. Now it's up to Brian K. Vaughn to keep it up with Excelsior in the Runaways book.

I could see Kirkman writing a Darkhawk ongoing. It's about time he made a comeback. :o

b0bb33z3r

02-09-2006, 04:04 PM

Unleashed

02-09-2006, 06:17 PM

Unleashed... can I use that Avatar?
I'm about to make another one you can use

b0bb33z3r

02-09-2006, 09:52 PM

I'm about to make another one you can use

its up to you. :)

Unleashed

02-09-2006, 10:32 PM

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/4884/lol2508ls.gif

b0bb33z3r

02-10-2006, 11:38 AM

:up: :up: :up: :up:

euroq

02-20-2006, 11:06 AM

MTU sales went slightly up last month.

MARVEL TEAM-UP #13 $2.99 21,048
MARVEL TEAM-UP #14 $2.99 26,200

October sales (http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/7812.html)
November sales (http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/7956.html)

Sadly I don't think that will hold up, even I dropped the title (at least for the duration of this time travel silliness). :o

December sales (http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/Dec05charts.html)

Marvel Team-Up 15 $2.99 Marvel 20,000

These numbers are not from ICV but they're accurate enough.

Sales update

1 INFINITE CRISIS #4 (Of 7) 182,633
2 ALL STAR SUPERMAN #2 124,328
3 NEW AVENGERS #15 121,758
4 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #528 95,415
5 GREEN LANTERN #7 84,723
6 ULTIMATE EXTINCTION #1 (Of 5) 82,721
7 UNCANNY X-MEN #468 79,808
8 FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #4 78,672
9 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #22 74,923
10 X-MEN #181 74,094
...
..
99 MARVEL TEAM-UP #16 19,955

Only a small drop last month.

Anubis

02-20-2006, 02:01 PM

Total bulls**t. How the hell is MTU at 99 and f**king X-Men is at #10?

Dread

02-20-2006, 03:27 PM

Easy. The core X-books have a built-in audience, even if mini-series do NOT(which is why Joe Q is throwing a fit that Deadly Genesis is being "underordered"; Marvel was so quick to pass out a lot of X-drivel with their mini's that most people don't bite as quickly anymore, and Marvel's still stuck with the theory that an X guarentees Top 10 sales, which is at least 6 years out of date), plus they get better advertising. Still, at least solicts for April + May note that MTU will continue past this arc, and considering their sales figures and Marvel's trigger-happy-ness with poor sellers since Joe took over, it is commendable. They keep printin' MTU, I'll keep buying it.

Anubis

02-20-2006, 03:39 PM

yeah, I know about the X-zombie mentality. I'm just venting at how f**king stupid this is. X-Men sucks!

euroq

02-20-2006, 03:40 PM

...and considering their sales figures and Marvel's trigger-happy-ness with poor sellers since Joe took over, it is commendable.

Was Marvel less inclined to cancel their poorly selling titles before Quesada took over?

Dread

02-20-2006, 03:46 PM

Was Marvel less inclined to cancel their poorly selling titles before Quesada took over?
At times. They kept a few books going for a few issues longer than they would in later years. But yes, sales are always the equalizer.

The point is Joe Q's Marvel has become a "sell in the Top 60 or DIE!" sort of agenda for many books, some of which failed simply because of the lack of advertising. Plus, the guy in charge at the moment always gets the blame for whatever happens. It's the nature of things. If someone can't handle it, they shouldn't take the job if they can't handle the pressure. Period. But at least that trend is starting to swing in the opposite direction recently, especially if the book is being written by a writer that Marvel is currently...ahem..."arse-licking". They are hot on Kirkman, so natually MTU is his baby and that may keep it safe for a while despite sales. Slott's THE THING hasn't been breaking the bank either, but people like Slott, so that is helping it.

On the other hand, the second MTU trade sold decently (it was in the Top 35 of the Top 100 trades), so that may be why it sticks around, much like Runaways.

SpideyInATree

02-20-2006, 06:00 PM

Total bulls**t. How the hell is MTU at 99 and f**king X-Men is at #10?

Because people are stubborn?

TheCorpulent1

02-20-2006, 06:02 PM

People apparently will always buy X-Men comics. It doesn't matter how bad they get; the X-Men seem to have the single most rock-solid fanbase in all of comics. It's really sad. :(

SpideyInATree

02-20-2006, 06:08 PM

People apparently will always buy X-Men comics. It doesn't matter how bad they get; the X-Men seem to have the single most rock-solid fanbase in all of comics. It's really sad. :(

I really love the X-Men...but I don't read any of the main regular universe X-titles. Too many mutants. Too many titles. Too much following around.

Even with 198 mutants now it's still too many. :O

Though I read Ultimate X-Men and I'm getting Deadly Genesis, but that's because of Brubaker more than anything. :O

But, yeah, I dropped the main X-Men titles a really long time ago because it was getting to be rather too much.

TheCorpulent1

02-20-2006, 06:33 PM

SpideyInATree

02-20-2006, 06:38 PM

I was never a huge fan of the X-Men, but I still like them. I quit reading most of their comics because of all the convolution and crappy stories. It seems like no one really knows what to do with them anymore now that they've lost their radical status as outsiders. Every time they try to return them to the outsider paradigm, though, (like now, with the post-HoM stuff) it always seems like a contrived retread, too. The last X-Men stuff I genuinely enjoyed was AXM and Morrison's early New X-Men stuff, up to around "Murder at the X-Mansion."

I was a huge X-Men fan and it was tough to give it up...but I had to do what I had to do.

I haven't read a regular universe X-title, excluding Astonishing X-Men, since 1997 or so.

I forgot to mention that I also read Astonishing X-Men, because Whedon writes an awesome X-Men and Cassaday's art is stunning. But, thats all the X-Men one needs, in my opinion. :O

euroq

02-20-2006, 06:42 PM

Morrison was willing to try new things but sadly his run has been pretty much wiped under the carpet.

Whedon's stories, while well written, haven't offered anything new.

X-Factor is the only X-book that I find worth reading.

TheCorpulent1

02-20-2006, 06:54 PM

Whedon brought the strong characterization of all his other work to the X-Men, which I thought worked really well. You don't really need overcomplicated plots about long-lost brothers and Brood invasions and time-traveling sons of X-Men who's now old enough to be his parents' parents if you've got a really solid character core. The X-Men have always had some really great characters--Beast, Nightcrawler, Iceman, Wolverine (when he was still a scrappy underdog and not second only to God), angsty Archangel, etc.--and Whedon just tapped into what drew me to some of them in the first place.

I liked Morrison's run for similar reasons, only instead of revisiting characters' old personalities after years of weird mischaracterization (I'm looking at you, Beast) he introduced new elements of the characters that logically evolved from those old traits and actually pushed the X-Men forward a bit. I also liked his re-emphasizing the school aspect and his typical, crazy plots like "Riot at Xavier's."

b0bb33z3r

02-21-2006, 10:15 AM

Dread

02-21-2006, 03:05 PM

I might start buying 2 copies of the book. I mean, that money is already allocated to comics anyway, and I'd rather spend the extra $3 on a book I love, then dump it on some useless drivel I'll wind up complaining about. If everyone did that we'd double MTU sales! :)
Sales are not really dictated by individual fans really, but by how many copies retail shops order. Which is basically why announcements that a certain book has "sold out" at Diamond are dubious because that simply means that EVERY issue that said company printed was picked up, which is little achievement unless you know details.

The fact of comic sales is that when a company prints copies, they print-to-order. That is, let's say all of the shops across the country order 25,000 copies of Title X. So basically, the Company will simply print 25,000 copies. Usually they print a few hundred or thousand extra in case of damaged copies or something, which is a rountine measure. However, with some books the company "overprints" to a certain degree (DC was notorious for this years ago), which is really the only figure that matters when it comes to "selling out". The fact of the matter is that "hot" books will usually be overordered (X-books, #1 issues, Top 10 sellers) to the point where you can stroll in some shops and STILL find reprints of IDENTITY CRISIS or ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN #1 that they can't GIVE away. And poor selling books they don't order as many, so they actually become scarce in the back issue areas because the store only orders, say, a dozen copies or so.

Basically to get a LCS to increase orders, they would need to routinely sell out of certain issues/series and then need to order more from their shippers. After a few months they increase their original order from Diamond and if enough stores at once do this, sales spike. This is usually pretty rare, even for Hot books, to spike for longer than a month or so. Marvel typically is good at maintaining spikes or audiences for Core-X books, but the reality is that most books steadily lose readers after the first issue and either continue to dip or hold steady. Books that are constantly in the Top 10, basically, simply maintain a very high number of readers (like in the 6 digits or so).

As for the X-Men, I like the X-Men but rarely read many of the core titles anymore, save for ASTONISHING (which is a rare book, so I don't count it) and Ultimate X-Men, for basically all the reasons already stated.

b0bb33z3r

02-25-2006, 01:12 AM

I havent see a solicitation for MTU for all of May on Marvel.com ... is it the end?? :(

euroq

02-25-2006, 08:51 AM

I havent see a solicitation for MTU for all of May on Marvel.com ... is it the end?? :(
Marvel.com isn't very reliable.

MARVEL TEAM-UP #20
Written by Robert Kirkman
Penciled by Cory Walker
Cover by PHIL HESTER
Freedom Ring part 1 (of 5)
Captain America is thrust into a fight for his life at the
hands of AIM. Meanwhile an all-new hero is introduced into
the Marvel Universe, but is the world ready for FREEDOM RING?
And what does all this have to do with a reality-altering ring
crafted from broken shards of the cosmic cube?

iloveclones

02-25-2006, 08:53 AM

And be aware, Mr. Kirkman said that he has stories, and a commitment from Marvel, up through #24, which will take us through Freedom Ring. But I haven't heard anything since. So start getting people to buy the trades.

b0bb33z3r

02-26-2006, 09:58 AM

Bleh, I really don't want to see this book go away. :(

SpideyInATree

02-26-2006, 10:01 AM

I don't want to see it go either.

Best thing to do is to try and get people who aren't into it...to get into it. :(

Which convincing hard headed comic book fans to try something new is a lot like trying to get George Bush to help poor people. :eek:

iloveclones

02-26-2006, 10:03 AM

Didn't I read that you were going to buy multiple copies? Here's a better idea: If you do buy multiple copies, give them to friends to read, so they'll start buying it. If you don't have any comic-reading friends, give them back to you LCBS and tell them to give it to someone who might like it.

SpideyInATree

02-26-2006, 10:15 AM

Or go leave it on a park bench where some unsuspecting little kid can pick it up and be hooked for life. :)

iloveclones

02-26-2006, 10:19 AM

The funny thing is, I almost did that exact thing for SIAT to get him hooked on MTU, but he started buying it before I could get to his LCBS!

SpideyInATree

02-26-2006, 10:24 AM

I tell you what though. If I found a comic book just lying on a park bench by itself that'd be a good day for me. :)

And I'm glad I got into Marvel Team Up, its definitely on of Marvel's best titles. Period.

Zoken

02-26-2006, 06:07 PM

I"m liking this arch a lot, and I read the MTU Spider-Man/Invincible.

b0bb33z3r

03-01-2006, 07:41 PM

WOW! Issue 18 was awesome!!!

iloveclones

03-01-2006, 08:22 PM

I certainly didn't see that ending coming. Great twist for a time travel story.

euroq

03-01-2006, 08:29 PM

Is the time travel nonsense over now?

iloveclones

03-01-2006, 08:31 PM

Oh, come on euroq. It's that kind of attitude that's gonna get this title cancelled ;)

Yeah, it's over. Jump back in, the water's fine.

euroq

03-01-2006, 08:32 PM

Oh, cool. Maybe I'll get the next issue then.

iloveclones

03-01-2006, 08:35 PM

Just out of curiosity, what's your beef with time travel stories? I always like them, no matter how convoluted the logic gets.

b0bb33z3r

03-01-2006, 08:35 PM

I certainly didn't see that ending coming. Great twist for a time travel story.

I don't know if that was sarcasim or not, but personally... it was one of the best stories I've read in quite a few years. I loved it. :)

iloveclones

03-01-2006, 08:37 PM

I try not to employ sarcasm on the internet. It just doesn't come through the screen, and people always seem to get bent out of shape. (I start to wonder how they get through the day without seeing smilies when people talk to them.)

Anubis

03-01-2006, 08:39 PM

The :rolleyes: usually works to convey Sarcasm, but it almost always pisses people off. It's the most evil Smiley after all.

euroq

03-01-2006, 08:45 PM

Just out of curiosity, what's your beef with time travel stories? I always like them, no matter how convoluted the logic gets.
I'm pretty sure I explained this in this thread or elsewhere before but it's just that rarely anything good comes out from them.

Far too often writers use time travel stories as an opportunity to butcher beloved characters because they can just hit the reset button later. And if they actually use time travelling to change things, then it's often a lazy way to "fix" something (the same goes for alternate reality stories like "House of M", which I hated).

b0bb33z3r

03-01-2006, 08:57 PM

I'm pretty sure I explained this in this thread or elsewhere before but it's just that rarely anything good comes out from them.

Far too often writers use time travel stories as an opportunity to butcher beloved characters because they can just hit the reset button later. And if they actually use time travelling to change things, then it's often a lazy way to "fix" something (the same goes for alternate reality stories like "House of M", which I hated).

this arc employeed neither of those devices. it was just solid in everyway. :)

Anubis

03-01-2006, 08:58 PM

Well, they did kill everybody in the first issue, so he got that part right. But thats just surface stuff. it was really good throughout.

euroq

03-01-2006, 09:06 PM

Well, they did kill everybody in the first issue
Yeah...

I was never as excited about this title as some of you guys are. Anyhow, who's appearing in the next issue?

TheCorpulent1

03-01-2006, 09:08 PM

I'm pretty sure I explained this in this thread or elsewhere before but it's just that rarely anything good comes out from them.

Far too often writers use time travel stories as an opportunity to butcher beloved characters because they can just hit the reset button later. And if they actually use time travelling to change things, then it's often a lazy way to "fix" something (the same goes for alternate reality stories like "House of M", which I hated).
Well, if it's any consolation, this one has some pretty major "real" repercussions for the League of Losers.

Anubis

03-01-2006, 09:09 PM

Yeah...

I was never as excited about this title as some of you guys are. Anyhow, who's appearing in the next issue?

I think Cable and Wolverine.

TheCorpulent1

03-01-2006, 09:14 PM

Yeah, it's supposed to be a parody of the '90s comics.

Dread

03-02-2006, 06:23 PM

A great issue overall, a little predictable, but not in a bad way, and thankfully was more upbeat than many of us were predicting. Here is my review, with heavy spoilers:
MARVEL TEAM-UP #18: The best Marvel Adventure title no one is reading, and probably my highlight of the week if I did that sort of thing. It is Paco Medina's second book this month and the second, ironically, that stars Speedball as well. "LEAGUE OF LOSERS" reaches its conclusion as the team has their showdown with Chronok, desperate to keep him from ravaging their own time. For some reason Medina insists on having characters swing at unseen minions off panel with only a sound effect alluding to the blow; he's no Perez when it comes to group fights (but then again, who is?). Despite time-travel stories being used as an excuse to slaughter longtime heroes, and despite many of our predictions, none of the "LOL" die in this conflict; they hold their own (with the air of Reed in his Thing-robot suit of course and a really big canon) against the army and Darkhawk takes down Chronok as he was trying to slip into a time-portal, effectively chopping him in half. Speedball titles the team "The Avengers", and I say, why not? No one else has the title in MK 2099. Reed, however, explains the wonky world of Marvel's Alternate timelines/dimensions, as noted in their Handbook; the "LOL" can't return "home" because their home is now a divergent timeline, where Chronok succeeded, and all they did was create a new timeline (or at least stablize the 616 timeline), where there was no Chronok invasion, essentially leaving them stuck where they are in MK 2099. Heck, maybe Chronok's invasion sort of led to MK 2099's reality; Kirkman created that reality and so why couldn't it? It's his book. The downside, of course, is that some of them were looking foward to going home for various reasons (Sleepwalker misses having a host and accessing the Dreamscape, Dagger misses Cloak, Speedball wanted to gloat), but end up adjusting themselves to their alternate timeline. X-23 and Gravity are still an item, Terror and Sleepwalker are unlikely friends, Dagger gets on the rebound with Darkhawk, and Speedball gets a lesson that the fact that they DID save thousands of people without any fanfare or reward is what makes them heroes. If MTU sold as well as ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, you can bet your arse that quicker than Joe Q can say "ka-ching", this team would see a mini like the pointless MARVEL ZOMBIES did, but it sadly doesn't. Overall, between MTU and MASKED INTENTIONS, Speedball's had a pretty good month. Considering the preview of this summer's CIVIL WAR #1 as shown in WIZARD #174, though, he'd better enjoy it while it lasts. Anyway, a solid finale to a solid Marvel Universe title. We need more like it, and we need Kirkman on more higher profile work.

Can't wait for the next arc, which after a "1991" one shot with Wolverine and Cable, will introduce a new hero called Freedom Ring. I wonder if it'll tie into that cosmic ring that Ringmaster had from many issues ago.

Vanguard07

03-03-2006, 12:02 AM

So far I'm not sure what to think with MTU. It's just about 50/50 whether i like any given issue so far on this run but i'm gonna stick it out for another arc or two at least. Wasnt much of a fan of this league of losers arc though. Time travel is a tricky storyline device to work with and I didnt like the way it turned out this time. I also didnt like the way absolutely everyone died at the beginning. Element of surprise or not I would expect a better fight from most of the characters they showed. I did however enjoy Terror. He was an interesting character i've never seen before. What else is he in/has he been in?
and was it just me or was X-23 acting a little out of character? All the girl has ever known is death and violence and yet she was acting like an average flirty high school girl.

Dread

03-03-2006, 03:26 PM

I have stated in previous months that X-23 is out-of-character when Kirkman writes her here. Alas, it is a shame when you can claim that character who is acting more like a normal girl and not an emotionless, robotic, "killing machine" is now out of character. Yes, I know X-23 has a vital reason to act that way. I knew that back when she was on X-MEN EVOLUTION. It still makes her boring to me.

And Terror is cool. He had his own series in the 90's called TERROR, INC. I didn't read it, but some back issue bin somewhere has to have it.

I reread the issue and I think I can better explain the "time loop" that kept the League of Losers (or the Marvel Knights Avengers 2099, as I want to call them) stuck there. Basically, the only reason they were able to stop Chronok's time-travel attack in their present was because they stole his Chronometer and went into the future. Basically, in order for them to have stopped Chronok in MK2099, his attack on their friends and family in the past had to occur. So therefore, once they stopped Chronok, as Reed said, they simply created an alternate timeline where his attack never existed, and their timeline, where it did, still exists (as Earth-666 or whatever; note that "canon" Marvel is Earth-616, according to Roma).

Think of it like THE TIME MACHINE, a movie from 2002 (which was a remake of the movie version of the classic book). Alexander Hartdegen in the 19th century is working on a time machine when his lover is killed by a robber. The death motivates him to actually finish the machine and travel back in time to save her; however, no matter what he does in the past, she always dies. So he basically travels into the future to ask someone why he can't save her. Long story short, he gets his answer 80,000 years into the future: if she never had died, Alexander Hartdegen never would have constructed the time machine in the first place. And so therefore that whole meeting could not have existed without her death being the trigger.

The fate of the MK Avengers 2099 is simular. The attack on their friends and family HAD to occur to basically be the trigger for them travelling into Chronok's time period and stopping him before he was too powerful. And of course it allowed for the team's growth and comradery to have not been for naught as they are stuck in that time period, making lemonade with the new lemons life has dealt them. And as Chris Powell told Speedball, it's the fact that they did all that and got no reward or fanfare that makes them heroes.

This is easily my favorite arc of MTU so far. Kirkman will not have an easy time topping himself. But at least he has a whole Marvel Universe to play with to try.