Bought/Thought for November 3rd(ish), 2010 - SPOILERS

[JewishHobbit]

So, your never gonna read this or any other comic ever again 'cause its been done before Brillant

If he's like me it's more likely not only because it's been done before but because our Spider-Man was destroyed because he was trapped in a marraige and now they can tell new and innovative stories with him. They then progressed to rehash stories for 20 years ago with a few new things added in. So when they continue to play with olders storylines and by their own showing they won't evolve Spider-Man to a certain point... why bother?

 

[Dread]

I was a little surprised when the cover to Chaos War told me it was issue three of four. Honestly, I might've preferred that to be true. The third issue could've been condensed into the second so that this issue didn't feel like a time-waster. Sure it had the punches and some of the emotion, but hardly anything happened that could not have been told in half the amount of pages. Still looking forward to the rest of the event though, because duh... Herc and Cho!

That wasn't the only typo. In the last page with the cover images of upcoming installments, it claimed CHAOS WAR #3, not #4, was due in December.

But, yes, a numerical typo on the cover of what has always been a 5 part series, not something extended like CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN, is pretty sloppy. Granted, Marvel editorial being asleep at the switch for the little things is par for the course for the last decade. When it comes to undoing marriages, destroying franchise fundamentals in the name of change or defending some blatant story error as some deep philosophical narrative choice, or bold faced lies and innuendo for CBR, Marvel editorial is usually on the stick. When it comes to little things like typos, making sure stories don't have plot holes or that integrity to characters is maintained, they're usually AWOL.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Aww Man! You mean it's 5 issues instead of 4? Eh, I don't know if I'm willing to put money into two more issues at $4 apiece.

The mistake reminds me of the Thor Disassembled arc, Ragnarok or however you spell that. I think there were two Part four of sixes or something like that.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Secret Six - I really have no idea what's going on in the book no more. I feel like I missed something. There was the Catman story, then we had that weird Western tale I still don't get, and now the team is split into fractions and fighting...and I don't know why. The confusion is taking the fun out of the book for me.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That Western story was such a colossal waste of money. First time I ever felt genuinely ripped off by a comic book.

The current story's been good, though. The team split up due to its own infighting, basically. Bane noticed that their missions kept failing catastrophically due to betrayals within the team, so he replaced Scandal as the leader and benched her. Then Catman went way off the deep end and left, but Scandal, Deadshot, Black Alice, and Ragdoll went with him. Bane and Jeanette stuck together and filled all the open slots on their team, hence two Secret Sixes.

 

[Dread]

Aww Man! You mean it's 5 issues instead of 4? Eh, I don't know if I'm willing to put money into two more issues at $4 apiece.

The mistake reminds me of the Thor Disassembled arc, Ragnarok or however you spell that. I think there were two Part four of sixes or something like that.

Those weren't the only typo's at Marvel this week; supposedly there were a few in this week's issue of NAMOR THE SUB MARINER, from what I heard.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Generation Hope #1

Not a bad first issue; but, I'm not exactly clamoring for another team book. Also, as I was reading this, I kept thinking how much more interesting Hope's character was in Cable. Now, she's practically devoid of any personality. This new group of mutants haven't really popped out and made an impression on me yet, either, especially when they're compared to the ones in Avengers Academy. Thankfully, Gillen keeps things interesting enough to make me somewhat interested in what happens next issue. I'm giving this first issue a mild .

Ozma Of Oz #1

I love these Wizard Of Oz comics, especially Skottie Young's art. And, it's nice to see Dorothy return to the Land Of Oz, after being out of the last book. I never read the original books by Frank L. Baum, but Shanower makes me feel like I missed out on some good stories. It's great to meet new characters who are just as interesting as the ones everyone knows (i.e. Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion), and in this first issue we meet a pretty funny chicken named Bill.

Batman And Robin #16

What utter crap! There were so many parts of this issue that had me shaking my head at Morrison's writing that I wonder why I continue to read this book. From the explanation of Thomas Wayne's origin to seeing seeing Jim Gordon in a dress to the rather easy way the two main villians were defeated....it was all such a mess; and, the worst was that terrible ending.

Really??!!?? Bruce Wayne decides to tell the world he's been funding Batman? (How much did this remind anyone else of Tony Stark telling the world he's Iron Man? Now, it's not that difficult for people to make a connection between the two, figuring out Wayne is actually Bat's...and, for me, completely changes Bruce Wayne's personality for all the years I've been reading Batman books.) Also, it wouldn't be that difficult to put two-and-two together, seeing the three boys behind him and thinking, "Oh, those are the Robin's." Like I said, utter crap!

Marvel Sneak Peeks One-Shot

I like that Marvel gave readers a chance to preview the various titles that are coming out...and, I don't have to have them all stuck at the back of my regular titles. Plus, it's free!!

Batman Confidential #50

This title has been on the cusp of being dropped...and, this issue kind of seals the deal. Guggenheim's first part of this new story doesn't pull me in and make me want more...and, I was more disappointed that this double-sized, extra-expensive issue ($4.99) had that crappy "Justice League" lost issue as it's back-up.

It's not that Guggenheim's story was bad; but, it just jumped around a lot..and, I'm still trying to figure out what the first three pages (showing Batman's mind-wipe by Zantanna) has to do with the rest of the story. I'm a bit more peeved that this wasn't a double-sized story. I don't need a "lost Silver Age classic" that makes me end up spending a lot more for a comic I'm possibly dropping.

DV8 #8

I really liked this mini; and, I hope Brian Wood writes another. It was neat to see Stormwatch and The Authority make an appearance in this final issue...and, I came away satisfied with the conclusion.

Here's the thing, though. Brian Wood is a pretty dang good writer; but, the ends of his comics are never what you'd call "action packed." They are almost anti-climactic in tone...and, I always get a sense of "yeah, I enjoyed it...but, there is just something missing." In this case, we've had a HUGE set-up where the various sides on this planet are going to wage this epic battle...but, that battle never happened, because the planet ends up being destroyed. That's Brian Wood to me: Big Set-Up=Mediocre Conclusion.

Still, I liked this book, and I expected that sort of finale. It's very Wood-ish.

Batman/Catwoman: Follow The Money One-Shot

Not a big recommendation for this title. If you love Chaykin, though, you'll be pleased with what you read; but, for me, Chaykin makes everything feel like the 40's...and, his characters from these various books all start to look alike. Even the main villian in this story, Mortimer Blake, wasn't very threatening...especially when compared to classic Batman villians. (Mortimer is a Musketeer with an electric sword, basically.)

Skip it, and save yourself the five buck cost.

 

[Norman Osborn]

Does anybody who's avoided ASM since OMD plan on trying Big Time?

Nope.....different wrapping same box.....I'll pass

....and in fairness I didn't avoid it completely since OMD....I stayed on board for the first couple of story arcs....right up to speed ball or paper girl or whatever......and returned for the "New Ways to Die" arc......a convoluted re-imagination of Spidey aint for me.....that's why I wasn't a huge ultimate spidey fan...or DC fan for that matter

 

[Keyser Soze]

BATMAN & ROBIN #16
I was really happy with how all this wrapped-up. With Batman R.I.P. ending on something of a "to be continued!" note, this issue here truly felt like the big culmiination of this Batman saga that has been unfolding for the past several years. Yes, Batman Inc. is still to come, but that to me feels very much like the beginning of a distinct new story rather than the thematic sequel to Batman R.I.P. that Morrison's run on Batman & Robin ultimately became. After all Dr. Hurt was built up as Batman's Ultimate Enemy, it was satisfying to see Batman's REAL Ultimate Enemy - The Joker - be the one to take him down for good, and somewhat effortlessly at that. Plenty of other great little beats throughout too.

And visually, I loved the mash-up of art styles, it made this issue feel like a victory lap/jam session of a few of the artists that have made this book such a visual delight (appropriately, Philip Tan was not invited), and they managed to split things up in a way that felt right - such as all The Joker scenes being handled by Fraser Irving, who has done such distinct work with the character over the past few issues.

I enjoy the Dick/Damien dynamic, so I'll probably stick with Batman & Robin, through Cornell's run at least. I'll definitely be sticking with Morrison's Batman by jumping over to Batman Inc. I think it's important that DC's biggest franchises equate to its best comics, justifying their status beyond just keeping their iconic cash cows on the shelves. And Morrison has managed to achieve that with this run, making Batman the star of one of the best, most innovative titles on the shelves month in and month out.

SUPERBOY #1
Pretty good stuff. Jeff Lemire is a consistently strong writer, and that continued into his work here. I liked the little reference to the opening of Essex County in the opening page of this comic, but at the same time I like how Lemire totally adapts his distinctive creator-owned style for his superhero stories into a style that brilliantly recalls Silver Age simplicity and kookiness. The art is a bit bland - I don't like how Gallo draws his faces. The plot itself isn't worldstopping either. Then there's the fact I'm not particularly a Superboy fan. But Lemire's name on the cover made me give it a try, and I'll be sticking around for another issue or two at least.

SWEET TOOTH #15
I enjoyed Superboy, but if there is one Lemire comic you should have read last week, it was Sweet Tooth. I've loved this series from issue #1, but since the first arc wrapped up, the series has been trailing along in a manner that's consistently compelling, but for the most part without a truly jaw-dropping issue that reminds you this is one of Vertigo's best books right now, and one of the most underrated comics on the stands. Issue #15 was that issue. Heartbreaking, poetic, and the future trajectory of this tragic saga is laid out before us.

SCARLET #3
I wasn't as keen on this issue as I was on the first two. With issue 1, the direction the series seems set to be going in was tantalisingly foreshadowed. With issue 2, the direction the series seems set to be going in was pretty much explicitly laid out. With issue 3, the direction the series seems set to be going in was repeatedly told to us, but by now I'm thinking that I want to hear less about what the story is going to be when it gets started, and start to see more about that actual story getting started. By any standards I'd look at this as decompression kicking in, but on a bi-monthly schedule the effect is amplified. Scarlet has been with us for half a year now, and doesn't seem to have progressed all that far in her quest from when she started. I'm still on board for a couple of issues, at least, as I really liked the first two, but it's nearing poop or get off the pot time, Mr. Bendis...

SECRET SIX #27
I've been a bit lukewarm on this current arc, "The Repitle Brain". But with this issue, things seem to be coming together and taking shape at last. The characters are kicking ass again, and we're getting more of the old laughs. Also, Amanda Waller is awesome.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Man, Waller totally reminded me why she's synonymous with black ops badassitude in the DC universe in that Secret Six issue. Masterful.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

SUPERBOY & GENERATION HOPE were lukewarm first issues for me. As Phaed said Hope has lost all of her personality once she started doing her light thing. You'd think a girl raised in battle would have a bit more of an edge and a little harder a time losing it. If anything, the pacing of the X-Books and X-Events have left very little character development time outside of "She started out this way, but now she's this way!" What made the X-Men so memorable in Claremont's time was that they evolved and grew like normal people. Now, it's a quick change to fit whatever story the writer wants to tell. "Don't let the facts get in the way of telling a good story." - Mark Twain (Too bad the stories ain't always that good neither.)

It's the same boat with Superboy. I saw SB's introduction, though I wasn't reading DC regularly then to follow his exploits (I have, recently, been raiding discount bins to fill in his, SG's and the Bat family's runs). The problem is, as was said earlier here, SB is now Clark Kent. Instead of being the Guy Gardner Superman he started out being, we have this guy. In '93, they made a point of saying that he only had some of Supe's powers, made possible by the TK (one of the few issues I actually have). Now he's got them all, PLUS the TK. As for the comic itself, it wasn't anything we hadn't seen before. I thought the Adventure Comics strips were fairly decent, but this book just hasn't kept up that feel. That said, it wasn't exactly HORRIBLE, so that and the fact it's only $3 will keep me picking it up for a bit to see where it goes.

QUEEN SONJA, with its price jump, is verging on the point of dropping. That goes for the newly and needlessly re-started Red Sonja. The stories haven't been that interesting, and for a character who had Kulan Gath as an arch-nemesis the bad guys haven't been up to par. Basically, the book is an excuse to see yet another model-quality chick in skimpy outfits (and, if you're lucky, partially nude!). Yes, the art is pretty, but if I wanted pretty art I'd buy a poster or print at a con. Plus, they still haven't explained why over in Red she now wears a chain mail shirt rather than her bikini top. Think with all the times they try to rationalize her outfit they'd offer an explanation to that minor change.

Speaking of ADVENTURE COMICS, it's really getting confusing to me trying to follow two different eras of the Legion. Got this Legion in the past, got the Legion of their future, and I've still no idea what the hell happened to the Legion I was already following. Don't know why I still get these, guess I'm a masochist.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I think if you're new to Superboy, the current series might be right up your alley. But if you're at all familiar with the character Conner was, that first issue just falls flat.

Good point about the telekinesis, too. It was nice that Lemire actually remembered Conner still has it, but he also hit the nail right on the head in the dialogue: now that Conner actually has bona fide versions of Superman's main abilities like flight and super-strength, the TK gets left behind.

 

[fifthfiend]

I think if you're new to Superboy, the current series might be right up your alley. But if you're at all familiar with the character Conner was, that first issue just falls flat.

To my chagrin I don't actually seem to have a gif that conveys "I agree with these words due to their straightforward correctness, that is pretty much all there is to say about the matter."

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Don't worry, I gave you your shout-out in my diatribe about the issue:

My problem--and I know fifth is gonna have his, "Duh, I've been saying that s*** since Teen Titans," waiting--is that this is a comic about Clark Kent as Superboy.

I actually liked the balance Johns struck in Adventure Comics, though. I was hoping Lemire might do something similar, but alas...

 

[RockSP]

R.I.P. Unknown Soldier, Young Allies, and Hawkeye & Mockingbird

 

[fifthfiend]

Don't worry, I gave you your shout-out in my diatribe about the issue:

I don't know if I'd exactly have said Clark because I don't really like to think of Clark as the boring failbucket that Kon became from the Lex Luthor revelation onwards, but yeah.

But as long as I have this invitation to ***** yeah I would say that, kind of as the opposite of the reason I still can't stand Supergirl, I can see where someone would be interested in this current Superboy that they are writing but when I look at him I just can't imagine this guy swinging by Gotham to harass Robin wearing a Bat-cowl made out of a paper bag and a blanket for a cape and then like flirting with Batgirl, and that just makes me go .

I actually would have really liked to see character development for that Superboy and for maybe like... six issues of Teen Titans that's what it looked like was happening, but the problem with Johns-style character development is it really never is, it's just like, an offscreen regression of a character to a state he either already evolved past or never occupied in the first place so he can suddenly develop into something that has nothing to do with who he actually was.

I mean I didn't read Adventure Comics, maybe that was okay? It probably would have bugged me the same way.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Adventure Comics was all right, but it wasn't really the Kon-El of old either. He did seem a bit happier, but I still couldn't see that guy pantsing Robin or trying to convince Impulse that bunnies turn into crocodiles when he turns his back.