Bought/Thought for July 14th, 2010 with SPOILERS!

[Drz]

I just wish you actually read the actual dialogue before comparing these two scenes. Thats all.

 

[Themanofbat]

The thing that bugs me about "Grounded" is that I feel like I've already read this story when JMS wrote Midnight Nation a few years back...

 

[hippie_hunter]

The Heroic Age: Uncanny X-Men One-Shot

I guess this should be read after X-Men: Second Coming #2...but, it didn't spoil my enjoyment...or lack of enjoyment...of either comic. So, we see Beast quit again...Scott still being a *****e...Scott having a rather idiotic sequence where he goes to the Savage Land to kill some dinosaurs (Nice seeing someone who is on the brink of extinction killing a beast who's also extinct, except for this Savage Land) .... Beast having a heart to heart with Molly Hayes from Runaways (drawn very badly...Molly should look cuter and more child-like) ... and, Hope being checked out by the Fantastic Four. It all ends with Cyclops being given the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, which makes him even more of a *****e as he throws it into the ocean in the end in a grand display of declaring his freedom from others. (Seriously? You get an award from the President, and you repay that honor by making an idiotic statement of how you're going to change??!!??)

There are a few nice parts of this comic; but, the Scott sequences and badly drawn Beast/Molly segments left me feeling less than thrilled.

Actually I took it the other way around of Scott no longer being a *****e. He got the medal for saving lives and yet the main reason why the X-Men saved the day was because of him being cold and callous towards the lives of his fellow teammates and sent X-Force to stop the Sentinels, the exact opposite of saving lives. In the end when he takes a look back of those who were lost (Nightcrawler, his own son, etc.) he sees that he isn't worthy of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Wolverine on the other hand has become the new *****ebag of the X-Men and I can't wait for Steve Rogers to find out about the new X-Force.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Actually I took it the other way around of Scott no longer being a *****e. He got the medal for saving lives and yet the main reason why the X-Men saved the day was because of him being cold and callous towards the lives of his fellow teammates and sent X-Force to stop the Sentinels, the exact opposite of saving lives. In the end when he takes a look back of those who were lost (Nightcrawler, his own son, etc.) he sees that he isn't worthy of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He did, in fact, save lives; he saved everyone. Some of his people died, but that's not his fault. I think it was a gesture to Hope given that Cable died.

 

[hippie_hunter]

He did, in fact, save lives; he saved everyone. Some of his people died, but that's not his fault. I think it was a gesture to Hope given that Cable died.

Yes, he did save the lives of the people of San Fransisco, but he did it at a very high price. He was cold, callous, and uncaring about the lives of the men and women who serve under him. One of his best friends is now disgusted by him and wants nothing to do with the X-Men; another close friend died feeling the same way. His son died. The girl who is essentially his granddaughter hates him.

I took it as Scott realizing that he's been a *****e lately and he feels that because of his *****ey behavior, he feels that he doesn't deserve the medal. You also have to take into account that some characterizations of Scott really don't give him a lot of confidence. He only got that medal because of Steve Rogers' insistence, would someone with a lot of confidence feel like they deserve it when they got it because of what was essentially nepotism.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Yeah, but it would be one thing to give the medal back...quite another thing to throw it into the ocean with little respect for what it stands for or means. It was done in anger and with very little thought. Kind of reminds me of an instance when I was about 17.

Off on a tangent.

When I met my ex-wife, I was extremely religious, and almost went to a christian college to become a youth minister later in life. The problem is that my christian friends rejected this gal who I had fallen in love with, and as a result, it pretty much became a "choose your path in life," because one wouldn't live with the other. At the time, I wore a cross around my neck, only coming off when I would take a shower. This all culminates in one crazy evening with me getting drunk for the first time in ages, and me being pulled in all different directions. With little thought, I got angry at God, ripped the cross off my neck, and said to hell with it all. Just like Cyclops, I flung it into the street. After about a minute, I thought I might have done something stupid...went back to find that cross; but, it was nowhere around. The thing had just disappeared.

So, I guess the reason I bring up this old tale is because back then I acted immaturely, couldn't handle this situation because of my lack of life experience and age, and I just think Cyclops would have a bit more wisdom than I did back then. Plus, Steve Rogers, friggin' Captain America, set this whole thing up as a ways from mutants to be accepted by others. He threw that chance of peace and hope away as a grand gesture to Hope?

 

[Dread]

They're the X-Men. An entire franchise made for teenagers starring characters that always react like teenagers - whether they're actually teenagers, or in their 20's or 30's. They can't make any decision, good or bad, without some angst or some overreaction.

The newest one of them may in fact be Katie Kaboom. "I'm NOT overreacting! I'm a teen-ager!"

 

[Shockdingo]

You know, I love a great irony. X-men Origins: Deadpool was supposed to cut through the crap and tell Deadpool's origin from his POV and accurately. The story basically has Deadpool telling his origins to a series of writers in order to pitch a movie deal. The story got several significant factors wrong. Overall here are my thoughts:

They glossed over the fact that Wade did in fact have some field experience post-WeaponX treatment. It was there that he first met Kaine and Slayback. It was AFTER he killed Slayback that he was sent to the hospice.

Speaking of the hospice, there is no mention of the "deadpool", Killebrew, Ajax, Worm, or any of the others who made a large impact during Wade's stay. In this piece, he was locked in what looks like a generic prison; there was no real depiction of the inhumane and brutal treatments all those sorry souls had to endure. The repeated mutilation and trauma Wade suffered at Killebrew's hands was not made note of. Ironically, by placing him into a "normal prison" that was an improvement in comparison to the hell hole he crawled out of. His escape from this unnamed facility was also quite dull. It didn't have that tragic sense of false hope the captives faced; these residents had faced horrible odds, and due to Wade, he defied Death itself (or herself teehee) and set them free...only for them to be hunted down by their former tormentor, Ajax. This was after they went their separate ways and found a semblance of peace.

Also, Death was completely removed from this story, as were Blind Al, Weasel, Typhoid Mary, and other important figures. (T-Raaaaaaaaaaaay? You theeeeeeeere?!)

One thing I did like about the book was the writer, Duane Swierczynski, went a bit further into the issues of morality that Wade Wilson had in his mercenary days; he only killed the "bad guys" or those he thought deserved it. I always liked that, because it showed that Wade has his own code, and isn't a one note killer. It also matches the Joe Kelly days of when Wade really wanted to be a hero. That had to come from somewhere. I would have liked to see more of the Wade Wilson merc days, but oh well.

Another major issue that was altered was the fate and status of his parents. According to the origins given in Cable and Deadpool, Wade lost his mother to cancer at a young age, and his military father was killed by a friend in a bar. In this book, Wade had a loving, happy go lucky father who enjoyed playing with Wade, until suddenly, he unexpectedly left the family. As a result of his father's departure, this incarnation of Wade's mother became a drunk who made jokes to compensate for the pain.

I also found it strange how the one writer in this tale who seemed to actually care and understand Wade's origin, suddenly did a 180 and became like the other hacks Wade had consulted. He made a generic, crazed action movie, but I guess that was supposed to be the big joke of Wilson's life.

There really wasn't much humour, and while I expect that was because Wade was being serious and opening up his soul, it still felt lukewarm. Most of this story felt rushed and under researched. At times it felt like the writer was trying to get through this as quickly as possible, without lingering on a chapter of Wade's life for too long.

This review, if you can call it that leads me to my main point. With Deadpool's increased exposure and large library of titles, I've become afraid of inaccurate portrayals and flat out mistakes from writers who don't understand him. Not getting his humour correct is one issue, but to get his origins, personal depth and motivations to be a better human being is dangerous. When one writer makes a mistake, constantly refers to that mistake and then hands off his work to other writers, it becomes established. So if a writer for a Deadpool book writes that Wade was a superhero before getting cancer, it could very well stick. And if it sticks then the next writer who takes over refers to the previous guy, it will retcon the previous origins. Overall, while I'm happy that Deadpool is getting his time in the lights, I'm really concerned that this could burn him out of the public's consciousness and damage his character for years to come.

 

[hippie_hunter]

They're the X-Men. An entire franchise made for teenagers starring characters that always react like teenagers - whether they're actually teenagers, or in their 20's or 30's. They can't make any decision, good or bad, without some angst or some overreaction.

The newest one of them may in fact be Katie Kaboom. "I'm NOT overreacting! I'm a teen-ager!"

I would buy every X-Men book out there if they made Katie Kaboom an X-Man

 

[CaptainCanada]

He was cold, callous, and uncaring about the lives of the men and women who serve under him.

Also not true. He quite evidently cared about everybody; he didn't spend a lot of time crying or whatever, given the circumstances, but he made no decision without evident thought, and was sad every time somebody died.

 

[Justkidding]

X-Files/30 Days of Night- I've watched everything for the X-files and have only seen the movie version of 30 days; which I can't say I was a fan of. Don't think I'm a fan of X-files just because I've watched everything for it, I wasn't all that impressed with the show. But when I heard the concept for this, it just screamed "READ ME!"

Got to say, I really enjoyed this. The interaction between the characters reminded me of the fun and enjoyment from the Wong/Morgan area of the show.

 

[Dread]

I would buy every X-Men book out there if they made Katie Kaboom an X-Man

Ironically, at the X-Mansion, Katie's reactions would probably seem mundane.

"I am NOT over-reacting! I'm a teenager!"

"There's only 200 of us left? Let's kill anyone who even thinks of harming us! And their little dogs, too! That'll show the world not to be afraid of mutants!"

"Wait, whoa, their dogs?"

"Yes, they could be Predator X's!"

 

[BizarroAids]

Avengers Accademy #2- I have to say that I'm enjoying this series thus far. I was excited when it was announced, and I'm happy with both of the issues out. I personally like the way Gage writes teenagers. He really gets a typical teenagers angst and explores it really well.
I wasn't too big on Finese this issue, I don't feel as though she's in the position to be blackmailing at this point. And the reason I say that, is because I believe from what I'm reading, she really thinks she's just the best. Which is a trait that alot of these cocky teenage heroes have these days. And to me, it's just kinda being run into the ground, ya'know? I"m sure in later issues, she'll find that out the hard way, and perhaps it's part of a moral lesson. But I just really couldn't get myself to like her.
Veil, yes. She's the girl we all know. Her insecurities make her more appealing.
But I did enjoy the overall story, and I hope that Pym does alot more of those kinds of lessons for the other memebers as well. I think it was cool, showing Finese the Quicksilver interviews, and having Pym show the "similairies" in attitudes.
I think the ones I want to read about the most, would be Mettle and Hazmat. To me, there is something quirky and funny about Hazmat. And Mettle, just being the "big strong guy with a heart, but is insecure about his looks" could be a fun character once we get more on him. I don't really know who I would consider a "break-out" character at this point, but I know this group will have one soon.

Basically, I love this title. Gage is doing fantastic, and I'm ready to invest time and money into this team.

 

[Phaedrus45]

X-Men: Origins - Deadpool

These Origins one-shots are usually nothing special. The one exception was the previous issue, Emma Frost. That comic was fantastic! This one...not so much. First, we've seen the Hollywood-Movie storyline before, and this only ends up drawing the reader away from what could have been a decent origin story. Second, Deadpool's humor and wit is hardly present. I didn't laugh once...not even a slight chuckle. Finally, the sappy ending just doesn't belong in a Deadpool comic. It further removed me from the enjoyment of the story. For me, it goes down as one of the Worst Deadpool Comics Ever!

Superman #701

Grounded. Yeah, it's kind of how I felt reading this issue.

There was a time where this comic would have seemed like a breath of fresh air...something different...but, we've seen this all before. It's suppose to make us think. It's suppose to make critics laud the writer's brilliance and insight. To me, it just felt contrived. It screamed, "Look at how great I am, and I'm also going to slam a message in your face." Unlike the guy who questions Superman at the end of the book, "What's that mean?," Straczynski is not subtle in the least at bashing the reader over the head about what he's trying to tell us. It kind of felt as if his purpose was to write the "next great Superman story."

Daytrippers #8

Now, THIS is the book to read if you want sentimental. This issue was a bit different than the previous. The main character who has been killed off each issue isn't even seen. We get the point of view of his family...his wife and son. It's subtle in it's message, and depending on where you are in your life, the feelings you have after reading it will be different. For me, having two children, my heart ached for the child who will never see his father again. The part that got to me most was during Career Day, with the son reading the last letter his father ever sent him. It also spoke to me as a parent, who grieves hardest when your child cannot see you.

This is a perfect example of where a sentimental story can go right, and where it goes wrong. As I said, Superman felt contrived. As I said, it felt as if Straczynski set out to write "the next great Superman story." This feels as if the writer simply thought of a story that greatly interested him...and, it's clear he's writing from his heart and not the reader. It ends up being one of the best Vertigo comics I've ever read. Sweet Tooth might still be my favorite title currently being produced by Vertigo...but, this is the one that touches my heart. t:

Batman #701

We finally get Grant Morrison's "missing chapter;" but, it's a bit too late for me to care. I've long since gotten over R.I.P. and Final Crisis...and, I'm not really enjoying The Search For Bruce Wayne all that much. I just kind of wish that Morrison would move on to another character to screw up, and not put out stories like this that remind me how much I've hated his previous ones.

Why do we need a "missing chapter," when everything should have been explained in the previous two storylines? Because, half the time you don't know what the hell Morrison is doing, especially with R.I.P. Heck, I think much of this stuff is being made up as he goes along, and he comes along later to try and make heads or tails out of it all.

Oh, this story actually isn't terrible. It's easy to follow, unlike R.I.P.. Just not a lot happens. It's a quick read, and I focused on Tony Daniel's fantastic art more than what little story was presented.

The Light #4

Sad to see this comic ending after next issue. It's been a nice horror tale, and this issue has a fantastic twist at the end.

The premise is simple to understand. Any direct light source from a power line will cause you to burn from within, as if a most intense light has overtaken your body. You explode with bright light. Even looking at someone infected will infect you. To fight this problem, you need special goggles or something like it to look at the light source. If the light source isn't from a power line, like the headlights of a car, it won't infect you.

With that, we have a father and daughter (not a child, though) who have been trying to get to the daughter's mother. (Father is no longer married to her due to his alcoholism.) This issue, they discover if she's alive or dead...and, those people who travel with them learn of the father's secret.

Echo #23

This is one of those great comics that I'm very surprised more people don't read. JH and I have been spouting off how great Terry Moore's new epic is...yet, it appears not a single soul has gone out and bought it. It's one of the best comics I currently read, and when I get to the last page, I want the next issue in my hand NOW!

This issue had it all. Humor, drama, and tons of intrigue! Best of all, the interactions between Ivy and the main character are fantastic. I find myself laughing out loud so many times, especially when Ivy "cops a feel" this issue. About the only thing that I didn't like was the cover. It makes the issue look like some female superhero comic. It isn't...it's so much more than that, and all I can say is find some way to read the first volume of this great series. Read it in your comic shop, at your local book store, or find a download online. (Not that I promote that kind of thing!) t:

 

[squeekness]

The Heroic Age: Uncanny X-Men One-Shot

I guess this should be read after X-Men: Second Coming #2...but, it didn't spoil my enjoyment...or lack of enjoyment...of either comic. So, we see Beast quit again...Scott still being a *****e...Scott having a rather idiotic sequence where he goes to the Savage Land to kill some dinosaurs (Nice seeing someone who is on the brink of extinction killing a beast who's also extinct, except for this Savage Land) .... Beast having a heart to heart with Molly Hayes from Runaways (drawn very badly...Molly should look cuter and more child-like) ... and, Hope being checked out by the Fantastic Four. It all ends with Cyclops being given the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, which makes him even more of a *****e as he throws it into the ocean in the end in a grand display of declaring his freedom from others. (Seriously? You get an award from the President, and you repay that honor by making an idiotic statement of how you're going to change??!!??)

There are a few nice parts of this comic; but, the Scott sequences and badly drawn Beast/Molly segments left me feeling less than thrilled.

I almost grabbed this off of the shelf, too. Glad I skipped it now, especially with it being $4 and all.

 

[Dread]

Avengers Accademy #2- I have to say that I'm enjoying this series thus far. I was excited when it was announced, and I'm happy with both of the issues out. I personally like the way Gage writes teenagers. He really gets a typical teenagers angst and explores it really well.
I wasn't too big on Finese this issue, I don't feel as though she's in the position to be blackmailing at this point. And the reason I say that, is because I believe from what I'm reading, she really thinks she's just the best. Which is a trait that alot of these cocky teenage heroes have these days. And to me, it's just kinda being run into the ground, ya'know? I"m sure in later issues, she'll find that out the hard way, and perhaps it's part of a moral lesson. But I just really couldn't get myself to like her.
Veil, yes. She's the girl we all know. Her insecurities make her more appealing.
But I did enjoy the overall story, and I hope that Pym does alot more of those kinds of lessons for the other memebers as well. I think it was cool, showing Finese the Quicksilver interviews, and having Pym show the "similairies" in attitudes.
I think the ones I want to read about the most, would be Mettle and Hazmat. To me, there is something quirky and funny about Hazmat. And Mettle, just being the "big strong guy with a heart, but is insecure about his looks" could be a fun character once we get more on him. I don't really know who I would consider a "break-out" character at this point, but I know this group will have one soon.

Basically, I love this title. Gage is doing fantastic, and I'm ready to invest time and money into this team.

To be fair, I don't think ALL young Marvel heroes are arrogant. Reptil doesn't act that bad (and he actually had Initiative training, albeit briefly). The kids over at the Young Allies don't act that bad (although two of them have no powers). Finesse's abilities make it easy for her to be the way she is; things come easy to her, and she can easily succeed at whatever task or skill she wants. Plus, her parents rewarded and exploited her for that. It would have hard for her not to be arrogant as crap. That said, I still don't have much sympathy with her, and out of all the kids, she probably needs to get taken down a peg the most.

Veil being the focus of the first issue was deliberate. She was the most "every woman" of the team, and easy to get behind as the star of an intro issue. Finesse would have turned off people for a debut issue. But for a second issue, that's fine. Striker seems at least as arrogant as Finesse is, and I am curious if they'll hook up.

I agree, I am waiting for the issues about Hazmat and Mettle, and more about Repil (such as to explain how he went from searching for his parents in the Savage Land to being captured by Norman Osborn, which Gage has promised). Mettle needs a medal (see what I did there) for looking like the Red Skull and still intent on being a hero. But, it is still an excellent new series. It is an extension of AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE, only it is without Nazi mad scientists in the basement or using kids as canon fodder. And I loved that book, especially Gage's solo run, so that's no bad thing for me. And this will be our only good "young Marvel heroes" title after YOUNG ALLIES is announced to be canceled any week now.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Mettle doesn't seem to be arrogant at all. He seems to be surprisingly humble and sensible for anyone in the present Marvel universe, let alone a teenager.

 

[Dread]

Mettle doesn't seem to be arrogant at all. He seems to be surprisingly humble and sensible for anyone in the present Marvel universe, let alone a teenager.

Indeed. THAT's what makes him a freak, not the metal body!

 

[hippie_hunter]

Also not true. He quite evidently cared about everybody; he didn't spend a lot of time crying or whatever, given the circumstances, but he made no decision without evident thought, and was sad every time somebody died.

If Cyclops gave a damn about the lives of his team members he wouldn't have sent X-Force to their deaths.

The fact is that ever since Messiah Complex, Cyclops didn't give a damn about who lives or dies. It's why he created X-Force and sent Wolverine to kill Mystique for her betrayal. It's why so many have died in Second Coming.

 

[El Bastardo]

If Cyclops gave a damn about the lives of his team members he wouldn't have sent X-Force to their deaths.

The fact is that ever since Messiah Complex, Cyclops didn't give a damn about who lives or dies. It's why he created X-Force and sent Wolverine to kill Mystique for her betrayal. It's why so many have died in Second Coming.

Whoa, really?

While I will agree that we've seen a cold Cyclops lately - I wouldn't call him "callous," exactly, and would replace that with "calculating" - that doesn't mean he doesn't give a damn about the lives of his people. What we've seen is a harder Cyclops who has been in full leadership for once, and whom, I would say, has faltered under the burden of said leadership. Not failed, exactly, but definitely faltered.

We've seen him as a general and/or wartime leader. A portion of the comics, after relocating to San Francisco, was spent marking a change of the X-Men from family to army - primarily in Uncanny and also in X-Force. That's why there was that whole crossover with Dark Avengers, too, and the battle thereof. There's a line about it in the finale to Second Coming, too, though it's a gloss-over line and at least partly tongue-in-cheek.

But to say he doesn't give a damn is gross overstatement. Cyclops has not been sympathetic during wartime, nor should he be. But the character the writers have made him and portrayed him as is certainly empathetic, and has been. There's regret, shown only ever behind closed doors to Emma, as it should be. They've basically followed Machiavelli's playbook, here, with added flaws.

Not that I want to get into an argument of analogies, but the closest analogue to your X-Force example is saying the general of an army - any army - doesn't care about his troops when he sends them into hostile situations. Of course he does. But it's their job. Similarly, this is what X-Force was for and about. Tough decision, but the only decision that could be made - and I thought it clear in that issue that Cyclops, Cable, and Wolverine (and Domino, though she was hoping otherwise) all knew that.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

I'd like to see someone tie Cyke's recent actions to his time possessed by Apocalypse.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Titans #25

I thought I dropped this from my pull list...but, it was still in my box. Thought maybe it was a sign; so, I picked it up. Nope, no sign, except confirming even more than this book is UTTER CRAP!!!! Hell, it was better when the other team was with this book, not these Thunderbolts rip-offs. (Or, Secret Six rip-offs...or any book that now brings a bunch of villians together in some form of team.) Next time I go in my show, I HAVE to remember to let them know to drop both Titans titles from my list. I just can't take it any longer.

Birds Of Prey #3

I love the artist for this book...and, those first few pages are pretty hilarious. "Penguin party in my pants." Oh, god, that just brings out terrible images! My only problem with this book is I have zero interest in the villians. I have no idea who Savant and Creote are...and, I don't care. They have no "pop" to 'em. Other than that, I do enjoy Simone's writing...but, if I'm also being serious, I can take or leave it. Nothing has exactly blown me away; it's just all been kind of decent.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I'd like to see someone tie Cyke's recent actions to his time possessed by Apocalypse.

As little as I like the current interpretation of Cyclops, that seems awfully easy. I'd really like to see a hero realize that he's done terrible things and actually work toward redemption for them instead of getting a nice, easy reset button like "Apocalypse secretly made me do it!"

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

You misread what I said. I wasn't saying make that an easy out, I said I'd just like to see it acknowledged. Cyke's personality change can be traced ALLLLLL the way back to then. After he came back, he started with the longer hair and all-black costume.

Heck, could also be used for a good story down the line.

 

[runawayboulder]

It's clearly been a lasting effect of merging with Apocalypse. No, they haven't brought it up a lot...but it would kinda be beating a dead horse at this point. Any faithful reader of X-Men since 2000 is aware of why he became such a prick.

He got fed up with Xavier during Deadly Genesis too which led him to taking over the X-Men and doing things his way, making him even more of a miserable s**t.