Bought/Thought February 3rd, 2010

[Phaedrus45]

DC quickies....my bought/thoughts come in spurts.

Batman Confidential #41

The second part of Sam Keith's "Ghosts" is interesting enough. Although, it always feels like a Sam Keith comic is more about his art than the actual story. That's what I like about this series...instead of making waste money on another Batman mini, they can just put these untold tales from Batman's past in this book.

The Question #37

I originally loved the idea of DC giving us an extra issue of these old cancelled series; but, none of them have been particularily good. In this one, Renee Montoya is forced to fight Lady Shiva for no other reason than to test Renee's martial prowness. Of course, Charles Victor Szasz (The Question that came before Renee) interrupts the fight, as he's taken over by a Black Ring. In the end, just like with the rest of these stupid tie-ins, the Black Ring villian is defeated...and, this ending is particularily lame. Szasz is defeated simply by having those he is fighting stop feeling anything.

Superman: World Of New Krypton #12

A very lame ending to this maxi-series, as the killer of the labor guild workers is exposed. (It isn't any great reveal...I didn't even recognize the person. It reminded me of the old Scooby-Doo cartoons, where the guy in the mask is revealed and you are left realizing that there aren't any real clues to follow and you usually don't even recognize the person behind the mask.) This is all suppose to lead into next month's Superman: The Last Stand Of New Krypton. Thankfully, if you haven't been reading this comic, I doubt you have missed much. This has been one of the most boring years for Superman I can ever remember.

Sweet Tooth #6

Ah, at least I have my favorite Vertigo title saved up to read....and, it doesn't disappoint. In this issue, we get some backstory into Tom Jepperd, the man who dropped Sweet Tooth off at the "preserve" last issue. It's not a happy story, and in the process, we get a glimpse at the beginning of the disease that is causing the infection that has been killing off the population of Earth or transforming the young into these strange animal-humans. Also, we meet some new animal children that Sweet Tooth meets on the "preserve." Fantastic comic!

 

[2112ad]

Hey cool. As it turns out, my wife and I run a book club called "Pick 3" where one person picks 3 books and everyone decides which of thoes 3 books we're going to read next. I've actually been debating my last option and The Book Thief is one of the major ones that has me interested.

With you're recommendation I'll make it the official 3rd book for me this month.

So, my 3 options are now:

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Redwall by Brian Jacques
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is an amazingly well written book. A great read.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Siege #2

3) Seeing Steve Rogers talk to the assembled heroes, and having to see Spider-Man hanging from the ceiling like a total dweeb. (I know the artist thinks this looks cool, but it just seems idiotic to me.)

You find it idiotic that Spider-Man would hang from the ceiling? That seems strange to me. I thought it looked pretty cool.

 

[runawayboulder]

It's a classic Spider-Man pose. It's not like he's goofing off while Cap was talking.

 

[Dread]

Also ironically, when Brubaker took over DD after Bendis, he ran with the characters that Bendis created (Milla Donavon, White Tiger). Well, I guess it's not irony since what you're saying hasn't come to pass. I guess it's more ironic based on what you're saying.

JMS last few years on ASM kind of sucked, and Chris Claremont's third or fourth run on Uncanny X-Men apparently sucked. Writer's shouldn't wear out their welcome. I wouldn't mind if Brubaker left sometime soon, after he's fully established whatever status quo he's going for.

If Brubaker was taking over for Brubaker in CAPTAIN AMERICA, there'd be no worry. Unfortunately, beyond a cloning experiment, that is impossinble.

The good and bad thing is that Brubaker has made CAPTAIN AMERICA an A-List title, capable of selling within the Top 10-25, if not sometimes at #1. That's a good thing, because it means when Brubaker does decide to call it a run, Marvel will put thought and effort into finding a suitable writer to replace him, at least as much as they have in THOR (which, frankly, hasn't held up as well over JMS' run, likely due to lateness). It is also a bad thing, because an A-List writer with "name-power" may not exactly conform to using whatever Brubaker leaves over, and Marvel editorial has very, very, very rarely said "no" to a big talent. The fact that we all can count on one hand how many times Bendis heard "no" proves the point. Most of us hear "no" from our bosses a handful of times a DAY.

I think Brubaker has another few years of stories in him on CA, at least. If I notice a long term decline in quality, I'll let you know. The problem is always the future. Nothing is more flattening than investing years and money into a run and then the next team just negates it with one or two issues. Just ask some DC fans how that feels.

I think Brubaker has a ton of Cap stories left in him. Half of those 5 years were the Death of Captain America.

Yeah, I think Brubaker can last on CA at least as long as JMS lasted on ASM, without as deep a dip in quality. Hell, JMS is probably overrated regardless. The uncertainty is when Brubaker does decide to sunset his run, what is next for Cap? Has the character risen so high that he won't survive the fall unscratched?

I mean, if Matt Fraction decides to move Thor out of Oklahoma and undo everything JMS and Gillen did...I doubt anyone will complain. Mythical characters always return to status quo. But for Captain America, that could really be crushing.

In thinking whether something is over or under-rated, I'm only thinking about my buddies here at The Hype. It's about the extent of my comic talk; and as such, certain low-selling titles get seem more talked about and hyped that what sales would reflect.

Pfft, don't mumble anything discouraging about PET AVENGERS, then, they'll eat you alive.

Which I'm not. PET AVENGERS is perfect and the people who like it are perfect. I'm unworthy of it so I don't buy it. There, covered nicely.

I still think some people online were hard on this issue of NOVA. Is it the best issue ever? No way. But, c'mon. It had solid art and some nice fights. I think the measure of quality is so high that when we get an occasional "good, not great" issue, people overreact. Even the greatest chefs will occasionally flub something now and then. People, IMO, confuse reliability with infallibility.

Iron Man #23

This issue is another snooze-fest, as Tony is being instructed by Doctor Strange into accepting Iron Man back into his heart. (Yeah, sounds very religious...I accept Jesus into my heart!) Too much of these last four issues have been spent in Tony's dreamworld; and, frankly, it really does zip to advance the story. Fraction is just taking a story that should have taken one...two issues tops...and, just dragging the whole thing out. I do want to see Ghost fight Iron Man....and, I did like the scene where Maria Hill and Pepper Potts realize they shagged Tony at around the exact same time...but, this story is making Captain America Rebirth look brilliant in comparison. Hell, give me a giant Red Skull anytime over this!!!


Ghost Riders: Heaven's On Fire #6

So much build up in the past year about the Ghost Rider's final battle with Zadkiel; and, it all just fizzles in the end. What could have been a nice all-out, drag-down fight is over just as soon as it begins, and the reader is left saying, "Is that it??!!??" I really have been enjoying the direction Aaron took this title in since taking over the Ghost Rider writing chores; but, this can only be described as a disappointment.

- I do agree that decompression is not Fraction's friend. WORLD'S MOST WANTED was a few issues too long and it is looking like this 5 issue arc would have been leaner and meaner at maybe 3-4, at least. Still, unlike REBORN, at least INVINCIBLE IRON MAN didn't ship out of order. Yes, we know Stark will be back, but how isn't completely ruined yet. REBORN was basically like being told the result of the Super Bowl before the game kicked off. What moron would still bother watching? Morons like me, that's who.

- I agree that Zadkiel's defeat in GR:HOF #6 was too quick for my liking. Aaron I think wanted to do a fake-out and have the "protection" of Kid Blackheart almost backfire, and he comes close to pulling that off. The art is lovely, though, and I did like seeing the Rider brothers lead the others and kick some demonic ass. While I agree Zadkiel's end was anti-climatic, it made some logical sense; Blaze and Ketch alone didn't have nearly enough power to even challenge him, but they could rally the rest of the Riders who were now dead due to Zad's plan. It was, in effect, Zad's plan backfiring, because by asking Ketch to kill them all and take their powers, he PUT THEM into Heaven, essentially. It wasn't perfect (Kid Blackheart is annoying, but not a really charismatic antagonist) but I still think it was a good enough finale. REBORN #6 was far worse, and it sold far better. At least Johnny Blaze didn't need his girlfriend to beat the big bad guy for him (twice) like Steve Rogers did. What is he, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN?

- As for SIEGE #2, I didn't mind Spidey hanging upside down. It's what he does. He's well known for that pose. Besides, I think artists feel that Spider-Man would look generic and boring standing around in the same pose as everyone else in a group shot. I mean, how often does Wolverine needlessly crouch? How often does Johnny Storm hover with his flames on, even in the house? Some characters just do stuff.

 

[Mike555]

Cable #23:Was ok good to see sophie again but sadly see dies.**

Invincible Iron Man #23:Kinda bored me but it wasn't to bad.***

The Question #37:How in the world was this a Blackest Night Tie-In?Bad coloring and it left more questions then anwsers.**

Marvel Heartbreakers #1:First Story with MJ and Gwen fighting over Peter was good besides Spidey fighting a goo monster.The second story with Boom-Boom and Elsa Bloodstone was ok.The third story was my favorite with Beast and Dazzler.The last one with Snowbird sucked it really didn't fit in and was really boring.****

Siege #2 of 4:Was the best comic this week for me the only thing was sentry killing ares.*****

Siege:Embedded #2 of 4:Was much better then the last issue but once again misleading cover.****

Ultimate X #1:If kitty becomes a member of this new team i am so in but anyway wasn't so bad and now we have ultimate versions of the hudsons and daken.****

Wolverine Savage #1:Was preety good but nothing special.****

 

[runawayboulder]

Yeah, I think Brubaker can last on CA at least as long as JMS lasted on ASM, without as deep a dip in quality. Hell, JMS is probably overrated regardless. The uncertainty is when Brubaker does decide to sunset his run, what is next for Cap? Has the character risen so high that he won't survive the fall unscratched?

JMS's last couple of years were marred by editorial interference. Up until that point he gave ASM the shot in the arm it needed (except for the Spider-totem stuff IMO). ASM had gotten really stale after that crappy Chapter 1 reboot. I don't see that happening with Brubaker, but you never know.

No book stays up top forever, so Captain America slipping down the charts is inevitable. I doubt it will drop down past the top 25 post Brubaker.

 

[Phaedrus45]

It's a classic Spider-Man pose. It's not like he's goofing off while Cap was talking.

Yes, it's a classic Spidey pose; but, still completely idiotic. I can say something is "classic Mili Vanilli," and that's not really a good thing.

So, Spidey walks in the room with everyone else standing around. He then thinks, "I know...I'll waste some perfectly good webbing and hang from the ceiling upside down." He then has to shoot his load...get in position....stop himself from swaying, which would take a VERY long time to do....and, then do you know what would happen? Parker's friggin' head would be banging into everyone elses. This is classic "Peter is a tool" pose. It's kind of like when Kirkman first made fun of flying superheroes who carry other people around by their armpits. It's classic, but wouldn't really feel that great. Just imagine Spidey's headrush.

Blame it on the rain that was falling, falling
Blame it on the stars that did shine at night
Whatever you do don't put the blame on you
Blame it on the rain yeah yeah

 

[Dread]

JMS's last couple of years were marred by editorial interference. Up until that point he gave ASM the shot in the arm it needed (except for the Spider-totem stuff IMO). ASM had gotten really stale after that crappy Chapter 1 reboot. I don't see that happening with Brubaker, but you never know.

No book stays up top forever, so Captain America slipping down the charts is inevitable. I doubt it will drop down past the top 25 post Brubaker.

THOR is still selling at least 35% above where it was when it was canned in 2004.

It would be a shame to see the book slip off radar again. The aim has to maintain the buzz.

Yes, it's a classic Spidey pose; but, still completely idiotic. I can say something is "classic Mili Vanilli," and that's not really a good thing.

So, Spidey walks in the room with everyone else standing around. He then thinks, "I know...I'll waste some perfectly good webbing and hang from the ceiling upside down." He then has to shoot his load...get in position....stop himself from swaying, which would take a VERY long time to do....and, then do you know what would happen? Parker's friggin' head would be banging into everyone elses. This is classic "Peter is a tool" pose. It's kind of like when Kirkman first made fun of flying superheroes who carry other people around by their armpits. It's classic, but wouldn't really feel that great. Just imagine Spidey's headrush.

It's just a funny thing that out of all the things to complain about in SIEGE #2, you pick this one thing that isn't really a big deal.

It also is worth mentioning that Kirkman's "arm-pitting is uncomfortable" joke is a joke he has run into the ground in all of his books, and every now and then when it crops up in an issue of INVINCIBLE, I groan. Poking fun at a character cliche once or twice is funny; but doing it a hundred billion times (or maybe 5) gets old fast.

It's like no end of web comics that made fun of how it is physically impossible for Batman to "vanish" from a particular scene, and the joke is either he is hiding behind a garbage can hoping to not be found, or something. EVERYONE made fun of this after "THE DARK KNIGHT, even MAD Magazine. And now? The mocking of a cliche has become cliche.

For all you know, Spider-Man entered through a window or a vent, crawled along a wall or ceiling and figures he likes hanging on a web more than sticking by his fingers. That's my No-Prize answer.

I mean I could nitpick the scene to death too if I wanted. What if everyone didn't arrive at once? Imagine how awkward it must be for whatever team or characters who showed up in the room first and had to just stand there waiting for Steve to do or say anything because they're waiting for the others. Does anyone dare suggest to Steve that he make several speeches so that Thor can get help quicker, or do they stay quiet while he insists on waiting for everyone so he can have his Hollywood moment? I mean what were the odds everyone arrived at the same instant? And if they did, they'd risk a THREE STOOGES moment walking into the room at once.

I mean, Luke Cage always looks the most awkward out of everyone there in team group shots because he always shows up in a random t-shirt and jeans. It's his style, but he always seems like "the one who doesn't belong" in a SESAME STREET game because he's the only one not in a costume or even in a distinctive tee like the recruits at Camp Hammond used to have. If someone who didn't know him had to guess who he was, they'd be stumped to guess beyond, "Random Man". At least wear a yellow tee or come up with a LUKE CAGE logo to trademark or something, Luke. Was that "Secret War" outfit from Nick Fury really THAT bad? The man technically has an indestructable leather jacket that'd suffice. But you don't see me plucking this annoyance out of nowhere if I want something to nitpick a Bendis event comic for...I can usually find far more interesting things to complain about.

Come to think of it, how many characters vowed to personally bring down Norman Osborn? Spider-Man, Moon Knight, the Avengers Resistance, the Agents of Atlas, and likely others. A perfectly amusing comic could have been had with all of these lone wolf mavericks trying to take down Osborn, and all getting in each other's way. But I digress.

The legal implications of SIEGE will be interesting. We have Osborn, who technically does have federal authority, leading a massive superhuman strike assault without (and against) the direct orders of the President. And who do we have on the other side? Steve Rogers, a man who, legally, had the pleasure of being assassinated before his trial for treason was about to begin, and who never registered with the SHRA, leading a troupe of other heroes who are unregistered or formally against the SHRA (including when Iron Man was running the show) rushing in to stop Osborn. So you have a rogue federal force vs. a morally justified squad of illegal vigilantes. One can imagine lawyers would have a field day afterward sorting it out. Especially since, technically, this would be the SECOND time that Steve Rogers was willing to lead a squad of non-registered heroes, including minors (the Young Avengers) against the legally sanctioned team of heroes for whatever reason.

One can imagine the taglines: "IT'S CIVIL WAR...ONLY THIS TIME...THE BAD GUY IS REALLY A BAD GUY!"

Even when Iron Man swoops in, he's hardly the G-man he was, either. He was declared an enemy combatant by Osborn, even an outright fugitive. Even if Cap's heroes are morally right, legally siding with them afterwards is akin to several known, wanted criminals happening to take down a squad of crooked cops while they were in the act of some crooked deal and then not only not being prosecuted, but likely being awarded medals of honor or a Presidential pardon. There's really no way that'd ever happen. But, it's comic books, right? And we're so desperate to get back to a Heroic Age, we won't care if it doesn't make a lick of sense if you break it down, right?

 

[Phaedrus45]

Warlord #11

These latest issues have been more of a recap of Warlord's previous adventures, as Deimos has returned from the dead. I was a fan of Mike Grell's previous series; and, it's great to see him back at DC writing and drawing this title. It's new-reader-friendly, as many of the key moment's in Morgan's past are being rehashed for the key battle between these two old enemies.

Zorro #19

For the past three issues, we've been getting a very slow build to the eventual confrontation between Zorro and General Mancado. As the General gathers information on all the possible reports of Zorro's activities, we basically get stand-alone stories that are built around these reports. Also, we have been getting a page or two of Zorro's romance with Lolita. I'm kind of tired of the actual story not being progressed very fast; but, this Dynamite title is still one of their best.

Zorro Matanzas #1

The back of the cover states this four-issue mini is being done because the regular series team is taking "a well-deserved break." Too bad, because while I love that series, I'm not thrilled this "long-lost tale" is more like the old Disney series than anything close to the Zorro I've enjoyed reading every month. Many of the old Disney characters are back in this comic, like the bumbling Sergeant and Bernardo, Zorro's deaf companion. It's neat to revisit them; but, not at the expense of not getting my regular monthly series for four months.

Aladdin: Legacy Of The Lost #1

Radical Comics presents the retelling of Aladdin, and this isn't the Disney version. This comic looks good and reads well. There's plenty of action, and unlike the old Dabel Bros. comics, you can expect Radical to get these comics out monthly...and, for them to actual finish what they've started. (One big complaint about reading some of these independant comics; they just never get finished. Heck, I don't think I'll ever even see Image ever finish Guttsville and The Infinite Horizon.)

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Indies and creator-owned projects are like that. I still wish we could've gotten more of Dustin Nguyen's Manifest Eternity, but he just stopped making new issues all of a sudden.

 

[RockSP]

^^Indie creators run out of money sometimes.

Bought

Siege # 2
Siege: Embedded #2
God Complex #3
Red Robin #9
Criminal: The Sinners #4
The Boys #39
Conan the Cimmerian #18
JSA Annual #2
Red Tornado #6
The Question #37
Milestone Forever #1
Ultimate X #1
Iron Man #23
Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1
Scalped #34
The Great Ten #4
Nova #34
Doom Patrol #7
Lone Ranger #20
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3

Thought

Milestone Forever - Great to see these characters back in action, if only for a brief two issues. Never was a Mark Bright fan so the art was a letdown, except for the J.P. Leon pages.

God Complex - The artist, who is an imitation Mike Oeming, seemed to have been rushed this issue. The idea for this comic is better than the execution has been so far. Teetering on the edge of getting dropped.

Siege: Embedded - Really like Samnee's art, hope to see more. Story is okay.

Doom Patrol - I like that Giffen uses stuff from every era of the group. I don't know much about Morrison's run and Crazy Jane, but Thayer Jost showing up from the very short-lived run of a few years ago was interesting.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

^^Indie creators run out of money sometimes.

True. Regardless of the reasons, though, it still sucks.

 

[JewishHobbit]

The only time I've ever been burned was by Crossgen closing down before finishing their titles. I read Sojourn and it was probably my favorite book monthly, and then it just ended. I was so upset by that. It's probably why I seldomly branch outside of the main two. I know those have a chance of unfinished books (and I have big issue with that) but at least it's more likely that they'll finish everything.

 

[Phaedrus45]

If I remember right, the writer of Sojourn is going to be at my Comicon next month. I'm gonna get that first issue signed, and let him know how much I miss Crossgen.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The only time I've ever been burned was by Crossgen closing down before finishing their titles. I read Sojourn and it was probably my favorite book monthly, and then it just ended. I was so upset by that. It's probably why I seldomly branch outside of the main two. I know those have a chance of unfinished books (and I have big issue with that) but at least it's more likely that they'll finish everything.

Manifest Eternity and Gargoyles: Bad Guys are the unfinished/suddenly stopped series that bug me most. I was really enjoying both. I wish Nguyen would at least revisit the ME universe, if not necessarily the storyline he was working on. That was a cool setting.

Now I want to read it again.

 

[JewishHobbit]

If I remember right, the writer of Sojourn is going to be at my Comicon next month. I'm gonna get that first issue signed, and let him know how much I miss Crossgen.

Pay the guy to complete Sojourn! You should be able to afford it if you skip a week of your comic buying