BOUGHT/THOUGHT June 6, 2007

[Dread]

Off the top of my head I can think of at least three or four ways to use inhibitor collars offensively, especially with SHIELD tech as advanced as it already is. Even as a trigger mechanism, or even as a melee weapon. I don't think even think it has to necessarily go around the head, for that matter.

Basically I look at it the same way I see the big "revelation" or whatever about MVP's not-really-supersoldier abilities: it's interesting and all, but...is that it? Wait, seriously? It makes the Initiative look just that much more controversial with worries of "OMG they're doing controversial tests on dead bodies??" and "OMG they're shooting people with controversial power-destroying darts??" and for what? For their tech to be that tiny bit more advanced? We got kids walking around with nuclear vision and mindrape powers, and somehow dissecting a dead kid whose superpower was "being really athletic" is at the top of the priority list. Wait, seriously? We got inhibitor technology going back years and years, and the fact that it's all of a sudden invasive and harsh and expensive is this giant step for humanity? Seriously?

I mean, I get it. I do. The fact that Slott is writing this so well makes it easy to forget that he's essentially writing yet another Big Bad Government story with the Government doing Big Bad Things. Lest we forget, I believe Slott's stance on all this came out pretty clearly, if a bit unintentionally, during the latest She-Hulk. Obviously, shooting a dart into someone which invades their body and literally altering it to take away their "gifts" makes everyone involved look far more callous than just slapping on a tacky-looking collar which can possibly be removed by a good crowbar. I mean, we all saw Komodo's reaction. It's a typical Big Bad Government sort of thing to want to engineer and makes for Big Bad Government subplots which have already been introduced via Hardball, so obviously it's going to be in here. Right along with the Big Bad Autopsies and Evil Secret-keeping Suits.

You all know how it is. You've all read Ultimates. Everything that can possibly make the government and its handlers look worse is going to be in here, mark my words. That doesn't necessarily make the story worse or anything, it just makes the story what it is. And will sometimes require some bending-over-backwards logic.

As a correction, I re-read the issue and War Machine does make those SPIN darts sound like they remove powers permanently via nanobot solution injections. They are keyed to a super-being's DNA so they only work against that one character, in this issue's case, Spider-Man.

Why don't you name how inhibitor collars can be used offensively? I though the SPIN darts were tactical and fine along that line (even at a half mill per round) and an evolution of the technology. No, it isn't the time of baloney super-science that, say, the docs of Oolong Island used to easily defeat Black Adam (a feat the entire assembled DCU failed to accomplish as swiftly), but this seems like it is more realistic. I mean, look at X-MEN 3. Granted, the only problem is that while those sorts of SPIN darts would work against characters without enhanced speed, agility, and a danger-sense, against Spider-Man they obviously aren't as useful because he dances around automatic fire. At his peak he can fight the entire Fan Four solo (and has, if ever so briefly).

On the other hand, with SPIN tech like this I don't see how the Hulk can be a challenge. He dodges nothing. Just shoot him up and be done. But obviously that can't happen so it is a bit of a Catch-22.

I said this once, BrianWilly, and I will repeat myself; the government cares about MVP because THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE SUPER SOLDIER PROCESS PERFECTLY SINCE WW II! There have been countless attempts to replicate the process and one way or the other they usually fail. For every one successful "copy" of Capt. America like U.S. Agent (who is a jerk anyways), there are 2-3 that go bad. Either the process is tainted or the person is flawed or a combo of both. And yes you may be going, "but why aren't they trying to duplicate the process to create metahumans stronger than peak human, like mass producing radioactive spiders?" And the answer is that the super-soldier serum, if able to be mastered, can mass process exceptional fighters without having them have the "taint" of being "superhuman", especially in a post Stamford world where Hardball can walk into a bar in a mask and almost get mobbed. There is less trust for superhumans now than there ever was. A super-soldier is still human. Granted, it is kind of amusing how they are shocked that MVP could "earn" his peak status via exercise when some other rare humans have been able to do that, most notably Taskmaster.

Yes, this is typical Big Bad Conspiracy Gov't stuff. But really, that was kind of expected from AVENGERS INITIATIVE since the Newsarama teasers. Slott would even go, "This is the price for signing up with the gov't." That doesn't sound happy. He is showing the fallout and reaction to the SHRA and the 50-State Initiative launch, warts and all. Sure, there is a lot of nasty stuff going on. But they also do some good, such as thwart HYDRA or bring in half of the Sinister Syndicate. And newbies do need training, even if Gauntlet & Gyrich seem pretty much willing to play Danger Roulette with tossing the kids into jams. First they shove them into a fight with HYDRA wearing jetpacks they never trained with, then Gauntlet rides them on how pathetic HYDRA is, as if they didn't need the help. So, WTF? Yeah, maybe I am starting not to like Gauntlet. But, well, a drill sarge hasn't been depicted as being anything but a complete *****e since FULL METAL JACKET and I doubt it will start now with us still in Iraq.

I like the characters and I like his use of continuity and history and I like his ideas and I am getting what I expected here. Bring on his conpetant Spider-Man.

I read it as him murdering Loxias at some point between the last issue and this one. Loxias, as Batman notes in this issue, became fascinated by the criminal element, and began to associate more with them; at some point, he stumbled across the Joker, and the J-man killed him and took his place.

Consider, for example, the Joker's statement that he "buried" Loxias (which Batman lists as one of the hints at the end).

Good point. Yeah, I was fairly certain Joker did "option B" myself.

Dread did you go to see Pirates 3?

I did. It was enjoyable, but a bit overlong, overacted and melodramatic. I liked the first film but I wasn't so rabid about it that I foamed at the mouth for a sequal. I liked the sequal but when it ended in a cliffhanger I went, "oh, god". So, yeah, I liked it, but I forgot half and it seemed like a typical Hollywood megablockbuster.

I didn't mean to sound pretentious or elitist, although I'm sure it comes off that way. Again, I'm not saying "Read the books I read, because they're the best!" I just wonder why a classic Spider-Man/Superman fan can't be bothered with Invincible. It's like a hump that some people are able to get over and some can't.

Exactly. As you noted earlier, I tend to prefer the superhero genre when it comes to Western comics. Ironically, I also like anime and some manga and in that medium, superheroes are about the LEAST used genre. But, yeah, if someone like superheroes there is little reason not to give INVINCIBLE a try unless one needs to save the money for the Omnibus or something. If I find a book I like I don't care if it is Marvel, Image, DC, or Biff's Indie Graphix or whatever. I'll get it.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Actually, Drill Sergeants were NEVER nice.

Proven fact for military training, the meaner one can get, the better unit comes out.

If not, they wouldn't have them.

 

[Dread]

Actually, Drill Sergeants were NEVER nice.

Proven fact for military training, the meaner one can get, the better unit comes out.

If not, they wouldn't have them.

Precisely. So while it doesn't make Gauntlet endearing, I understand it.

Watch, maybe sometime down the line Slott will give him a focus issue with a puppy and everyone will go, "Awwww..."

Oh, and for those who wondered why Stingray was there, it seems he is there to teach; he was giving lessons on how to perform water rescues. Black Widow is their shooting teacher and it seems Cloud 9's guilt is effecting her aim (Gauntlet in #2 said Cloud 9 was the best on the range). I wonder what she and Justice talk about.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

I kind of meant that for the bulk of people around here who don't really understand much about the military or higher groups of working people. I kinda knew that you got it, Dread. XD

 

[Red]

I did. It was enjoyable, but a bit overlong, overacted and melodramatic. I liked the first film but I wasn't so rabid about it that I foamed at the mouth for a sequal. I liked the sequal but when it ended in a cliffhanger I went, "oh, god". So, yeah, I liked it, but I forgot half and it seemed like a typical Hollywood megablockbuster.

Yeah, I was too impressived either. In fact the more I think about it, the worse it seems.

Did you write a review for it BTW?

 

[Dread]

Yeah, I was too impressived either. In fact the more I think about it, the worse it seems.

Did you do a review for it BTW?

No. I already spent over two hours of my life watching it, I wasn't in the mood to spend another hour on a review. I usually do that for comic films only.

Oh, and SHREK 3? One word: Meh.

SPIDER-MAN 3, despite the flaws, was still the best 3rd part of the summer so far.

 

[PhotoJones]

No. I already spent over two hours of my life watching it, I wasn't in the mood to spend another hour on a review. I usually do that for comic films only.

Oh, and SHREK 3? One word: Meh.

SPIDER-MAN 3, despite the flaws, was still the best 3rd part of the summer so far.

Shrek 3 being "meh" is surprising, but good to know. That narrows down tonight's selection to two.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Welcome To Tranquility #7: This is turning into one of my favorite books to read. It's nice to visit Tranquility each month, with its wide variety of townsfolk and personalities. This new story begins with a good amount of mystery, picking up right where the last story arc ended. Plus, the backstory with a past adventure of Hellkitten seems to have some importance, also. (It also shows that a second book could easily be done, telling of the past heroics of many of the elder heroes within the town of Tranquility.) The only thing that was completely out of place in the book was a quick cameo by Gen 13. I know the writer thought it would come across as humorous; but, in actuality, it felt thrown in without having any purpose, grinding this story to a halt for a few seconds. If you loved American Way, this is another great book along those lines. For complete enjoyment, you need to get issues 1-6 to understand who the characters are...for, there are really quite a few. 9/10

Outsiders #48: With each chapter of this crossover, I cannot wait for it to be finished. The story is quickly bringing down Checkmate's usual quality. As with most Outsider issues, this is just action for action's sake. The two teams have no chemistry whatsoever. 4/10

Detective Comics #833: Finally, a decent issue of Detective Comics. While it's nice to have a few one-shot stories, I longed for something with a bit more meat and tied into current storylines. Dini delivers! This issue gives the readers some great twists, you feel the heroes, Batman and Zatanna, are in some great danger, and it even ties into recent events by showing Batman's continued distrust for Zatanna. Also, you don't have to be a current reader of DC comics to enjoy this story. Finally, love the last page reveal of the villian. 9/10

Countdown #47: The problems with Countdown are becoming more apparent with each new issue. What 52 lacked in tying other comics into their story, Countdown does glaringly bad. In fact, they are tying into other people's stories, not the other way around. The previous four issues had brief scenes from the JLA/JSA crossover, and now they are trying to link into Amazon's Attack. The tie-ins aren't stemming from anything they made up at all. Second, the various stories in these comics aren't flowing at all. It feels choppy, without giving readers any idea of who some of the characters are. (This obviously shouldn't be picked up by new readers. They'd be lost.) Thirdly, I'm not even sure if the characters are in character. I was positive at the end of 52, Black Adam lost all his powers. Now, he supposedly had a bit to give to Mary Marvel. (I do love the cover, though.) Finally, as I've said before, I can't stand Jimmy Olsen. His story completely bores me...and, why doesn't he just go to Superman and tell him his problems? 7/10

Jonah Hex #20: Not the best issue of the bunch; but, I still love a good western, and where else am I going to get my fix? (Lone Ranger is alright, but it takes so long to tell one dang story, where this gives a complete story in pretty much every issue.) In this, Hex gets captured, hung upside down to die in the desert, and finally spared, with a warning of never to return to the town where the person who wanted him dead would never see him again. The problem? If you're going to kill Hex, you better finish what you started.

Now, while I love Jonah Hex and the use of one-shot stories, I would love to see a story that is a bit longer. They did it once before, and it was one of the highlights of the entire series. I'd like to see it again. 8/10

 

[Phaedrus45]

Yeah, Shrek 3 was "meh." It's all been done before.

Pirates 3 is worth seeing...just a bit too long and a bit confusing at times.

Spidey 3 is still my biggest disappointment.

Knocked Up wasn't as good as 40-Year Old Virgin. Still worth economy price; but, it gets a bit too chick-flicky for me at times. Plus, it was 2 hours and 9 minutes long. By the end, I think people are waiting for the baby to be born.


I'm hopefully getting to see Waitress tonight with a gal friend of mine. And, while I don't like torture movies much, I might see Hostel 2.

 

[Phaedrus45]

My weekend is already complete!

Paris Hilton was taken from a courtroom screaming and crying Friday seconds after a judge ordered her returned to jail to serve out her entire 45-day sentence for a parole violation in a reckless driving case.
"It's not right!" shouted the weeping Hilton. "Mom!" she called out to her mother in the audience.

Ha ha! MOM! ha ha ha, and if I read it right, she gets a full 45 days now, not just 23.

 

[PhotoJones]

Yeah, Shrek 3 was "meh." It's all been done before.

Pirates 3 is worth seeing...just a bit too long and a bit confusing at times.

Spidey 3 is still my biggest disappointment.

Knocked Up wasn't as good as 40-Year Old Virgin. Still worth economy price; but, it gets a bit too chick-flicky for me at times. Plus, it was 2 hours and 9 minutes long. By the end, I think people are waiting for the baby to be born.


I'm hopefully getting to see Waitress tonight with a gal friend of mine. And, while I don't like torture movies much, I might see Hostel 2.

The first Hostel was probably the worst movie I've ever seen. Forever ever. I wouldn't see Hostel 2 if the theater paid me $9.

Waitress is both adorabe AND genuinely funny. I love me some Feli-I mean Keri Russell. For tonight, I've got it narrowed down to either Ocean's 13 or Knocked Up.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I've still gotta see Ocean's 12 before I watch Ocean's 13. Luckily, Netflix is my friend.

 

[Anubis]

That dance the french dude does is freakin' awesome.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I never saw Hostel; but, I like the actresses in this second film. I'll probably wait until it's been out for a while. Those type of movies don't have the best crowds to sit with opening weekend.

I heard Ocean's 13 is suppose to be better than Ocean's 12...which, to me was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. (In fact, I never finished watching it.) Plus, I wasn't a big fan of Ocean's 11. I heard Gracie was good; but, it's not showing around here. Oh, and I have to take my son to the penguin movie this week, too.

 

[Anubis]

Wow, you must have some sickeningly high standards to make a statement like that.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

My weekend is already complete!




Ha ha! MOM! ha ha ha, and if I read it right, she gets a full 45 days now, not just 23.

 

[PhotoJones]

I've still gotta see Ocean's 12 before I watch Ocean's 13. Luckily, Netflix is my friend.

I liked 12 better than 11.

That dance the french dude does is freakin' awesome.

Agreed. What's funny is that the song played during that scene is by a French duo called NikkFurie de la Caution. Nick Fury of SHIELD.

I never saw Hostel; but, I like the actresses in this second film. I'll probably wait until it's been out for a while. Those type of movies don't have the best crowds to sit with opening weekend.

I heard Ocean's 13 is suppose to be better than Ocean's 12...which, to me was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. (In fact, I never finished watching it.) Plus, I wasn't a big fan of Ocean's 11. I heard Gracie was good; but, it's not showing around here. Oh, and I have to take my son to the penguin movie this week, too.

Huh...I thought Ocean's 12 was a pretty good flick. It was a little more complex than the typical blockbuster fare. Plus, I enjoy seeing people have a good time, and that's what it seems like with this cast.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That's exactly what I liked about Ocean's 11. Every member of the cast seemed really invigorated, like they were having a blast just being there and making the movie. The cast itself is pretty amazing, too. I enjoy seeing Don Cheadle and George Clooney in just about any role, to be honest.

If Ocean's 12 is even better than 11, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Darthphere]

That's exactly what I liked about Ocean's 11. Every member of the cast seemed really invigorated, like they were having a blast just being there and making the movie. The cast itself is pretty amazing, too. I enjoy seeing Don Cheadle and George Clooney in just about any role, to be honest.

If Ocean's 12 is even better than 11, I'm looking forward to it.

It's not.

 

[gildea]

And will sometimes require some bending-over-backwards logic.

That's not an inherent requirement of bad government stories though like you're implying.

That's a writing issue nothing else.

 

[Norman Osborn]

I didn't mean to sound pretentious or elitist, although I'm sure it comes off that way. Again, I'm not saying "Read the books I read, because they're the best!" I just wonder why a classic Spider-Man/Superman fan can't be bothered with Invincible. It's like a hump that some people are able to get over and some can't.

How far back would I have to go in the series not to be lost?.....I actually got a freebie Invincible from my LCS about 2 years ago I think, and I wasn't overly impressed with it (although I think it was one of those give aways where they try to rehash a lot of the characters history)...hence if I have to go far, I likely won't.....

what other indy titles you suggest that are easy jump ons?

...and yes you did guilt me!!...happy?

...oh and did Flash 13 come out yesterday??....cause I didn't get mine

 

[BrianWilly]

That's not an inherent requirement of bad government stories though like you're implying.

That's a writing issue nothing else.

Hence "sometimes."

All I'm saying is that Slott is going to be working his damndest to make sure these people are cliched army government bad guys, and if that means going a bit overboard on logic if it's necessary to get the point across.

We've been seeing it since issue number one. A kid's brain gets blown off due to a stupid mistake from the facilitators in a facility whose purpose is to not make stupid mistakes, and of course we have to have a big evil coverup. Kids fight Hydra without any training whatsoever but, hey, the sergeants keep reiterating how low of a threat Hydra is -- as if they actually believed that -- so it must be okay. The "evolution" of the SPIN tech had very little purpose other than to narratively make everyone look more controversial (X-3 being brought up is fitting; the idea of weaponizing "the cure" was hotly debated there) and steer the subplots even more into conspiracy and *****ebaggery. And I'm sorry, I don't care how long the Marvel universe has collectively lusted after the supersoldier serum, there was absolutely no need to all of a sudden turn on the Evil German Scientist Switch to make its acquisition seem so twisted and corrupt. I even asked in the Initiative thread what exactly is so controversial about an experimental autopsy that made Pym act all "OMG WE'RE SO CROSSING TEH LINE" all of a sudden, and no one had an answer other than to point out yet again how important the supersoldier serum is. After reading this latest issue, I realize that the answer is simply because Slott wants it to seem controversial. He simply wants it to seem like it's crossing the line. This series is built on the premise of making it seem like people are crossing the line like every single other Big Bad Government plot has ever done and, imo, so far it has had to the tendency to do so in stilted, odd ways.

 

[Dread]

Hence "sometimes."

All I'm saying is that Slott is going to be working his damndest to make sure these people are cliched army government bad guys, and if that means going a bit overboard on logic if it's necessary to get the point across.

We've been seeing it since issue number one. A kid's brain gets blown off due to a stupid mistake from the facilitators in a facility whose purpose is to not make stupid mistakes, and of course we have to have a big evil coverup. Kids fight Hydra without any training whatsoever but, hey, the sergeants keep reiterating how low of a threat Hydra is -- as if they actually believed that -- so it must be okay. The "evolution" of the SPIN tech had very little purpose other than to narratively make everyone look more controversial (X-3 being brought up is fitting; the idea of weaponizing "the cure" was hotly debated there) and steer the subplots even more into conspiracy and *****ebaggery. And I'm sorry, I don't care how long the Marvel universe has collectively lusted after the supersoldier serum, there was absolutely no need to all of a sudden turn on the Evil German Scientist Switch to make its acquisition seem so twisted and corrupt. I even asked in the Initiative thread what exactly is so controversial about an experimental autopsy that made Pym act all "OMG WE'RE SO CROSSING TEH LINE" all of a sudden, and no one had an answer other than to point out yet again how important the supersoldier serum is. After reading this latest issue, I realize that the answer is simply because Slott wants it to seem controversial. He simply wants it to seem like it's crossing the line. This series is built on the premise of making it seem like people are crossing the line like every single other Big Bad Government plot has ever done and, imo, so far it has had to the tendency to do so in stilted, odd ways.

You have to realize that so long as Bush is President, the U.S. government and military will never be portrayed as being crystal clean and without some amount of evil or nastiness. We won't see this get a rest until a Democrat is President. Seriously, how many "the government is evil" stories happened under the Clinton years, and were there as many as during the Reagan, Bush Sr. & Jr. years? No. It's just a simple reality.

Secondly, experimenting on MVP's corpse was noted as being deplorable for several reasons:

1). It usually is considered unethical by civilians to experiment on corpses, especially without consent or via deception. Even the CSI crews need premission to perform an autopsy.

2). Because they are experimenting with glee on the corpse of a kid who basically died because of their negligence, it makes some of the Initiative staff seem like gushing ghoul-hounds, glad this kid is dead so they finally have a vital piece of the super-soldier puzzle after some 40 years.

3). It also is considered unethical, or at least ethically debatable, to benefit from knowledge gained through less than ethical means. Such as, say, using knowledge learned about certain diseases from concentration camp experiments or whatnot (which has happened). Basically, if the U.S. forces discovered that somehow, through slaughtering innocents, Al-Queda had a cure for Lung Cancer, would it be ethical to use it? If one does, basically they are rewarding gaining knowledge through disgusting means or ends. If one doesn't, then some would say those deaths were in vain, or made more horrific, and someone can give the "needs of the many" speach. Basically, through a terrible act of negiligence, a promising young man is dead; however, because of his special DNA, the feds have been handed the super soldier serum on a silver platter. Should they use it? And is that ethical? That is the point.

4). Because the amount of glee from MVP's corpse is so profound and the events leading to his death so negligent, it gives the vague impression for some that it could have been planned. I mean, after some of the events of CW, organizing the death of a kid to harness his DNA for an army of super-soldiers seems rather modest.

The point of the last issue was to show Pym perhaps having either a breaking point or a "moment of clarity" to see the avenue of science he was going towards and thus perhaps some wish to want to redeem himself after Ultron's or Clor's, at least for an issue. Sometimes these things happen at the most ridiculous times; lord knows sometimes I have had some "moments of discovery" about myself and where my life was headed at bad times.

Slott I feel is playing to the wishes of the audience. He expects the audience to at least be skeptical of Marvel's government and pro SHRA forces so he is not about to portray them as spit-shined perfect do-gooder demigods, unlike MIGHTY AVENGERS which basically pretends that none of the characters ever betrayed their friends or evoked murdered teammates to trap them, or ever felt conflicted about the CW in any way. Here, the folks involved in the program do mean well, and do want to fight bad guys and train heroes, but many of them do so without much compassion for their trainees, because they aren't metahuman and can't understand them. Justice is the exception, and he's not exactly been as gung-ho as War Machine or Yellowjacket. I mean, who expects moderation from a guy codenamed WAR MACHINE?

The average reader probably would be appalled about people being so gleefull about experimenting on the corpse of a kid who was slain due to their own incompetance.

But, hell, not much of this comes up in THIS month's issue anyway.

 

[Darthphere]

You have to realize that so long as Bush is President, the U.S. government and military will never be portrayed as being crystal clean and without some amount of evil or nastiness. We won't see this get a rest until a Democrat is President. Seriously, how many "the government is evil" stories happened under the Clinton years, and were there as many as during the Reagan, Bush Sr. & Jr. years? No. It's just a simple reality.

Secondly, experimenting on MVP's corpse was noted as being deplorable for several reasons:

1). It usually is considered unethical by civilians to experiment on corpses, especially without concept or via deception. Even the CSI crews need premission to perform an autopsy.

2). Because they are experimenting with glee on the corpse of a kid who basically died because of their negligence, it makes some of the Initiative staff seem like gushing ghoul-hounds, glad this kid is dead so they finally have a vital piece of the super-soldier puzzle after some 40 years.

3). It also is considered unethical, or at least ethically debatable, to benefit from knowledge gained through less than ethical means. Such as, say, using knowledge learned about certain diseases from concentration camp experiments or whatnot (which has happened). Basically, if the U.S. forces discovered that somehow, through slaughtering innocents, Al-Queda had a cure for Lung Cancer, would it be ethical to use it? If one does, basically they are rewarding gaining knowledge through disgusting means or ends. If one doesn't, then some would say those deaths were in vain, or made more horrific, and someone can give the "needs of the many" speach. Basically, through a terrible act of negiligence, a promising young man is dead; however, because of his special DNA, the feds have been handed the super soldier serum on a silver platter. Should they use it? And is that ethical? That is the point.

4). Because the amount of glee from MVP's corpse is so profound and the events leading to his death so negligent, it gives the vague impression for some that it could have been planned. I mean, after some of the events of CW, organizing the death of a kid to harness his DNA for an army of super-soldiers seems rather modest.

The point of the last issue was to show Pym perhaps having either a breaking point or a "moment of clarity" to see the avenue of science he was going towards and thus perhaps some wish to want to redeem himself after Ultron's or Clor's, at least for an issue. Sometimes these things happen at the most ridiculous times; lord knows sometimes I have had some "moments of discovery" about myself and where my life was headed at bad times.

Slott I feel is playing to the wishes of the audience. He expects the audience to at least be skeptical of Marvel's government and pro SHRA forces so he is not about to portray them as spit-shined perfect do-gooder demigods, unlike MIGHTY AVENGERS which basically pretends that none of the characters ever betrayed their friends or evoked murdered teammates to trap them, or ever felt conflicted about the CW in any way. Here, the folks involved in the program do mean well, and do want to fight bad guys and train heroes, but many of them do so without much compassion for their trainees, because they aren't metahuman and can't understand them. Justice is the exception, and he's not exactly been as gung-ho as War Machine or Yellowjacket. I mean, who expects moderation from a guy codenamed WAR MACHINE?

The average reader probably would be appalled about people being so gleefull about experimenting on the corpse of a kid who was slain due to their own incompetance.

But, hell, not much of this comes up in THIS month's issue anyway.

In other words, Brian, get the **** over it.

 

[fifthfiend]

I'll put it like this:

There are writers who can write stories about deceitfully conspiratorial smoke-and-mirrors skulldudgery undergirded by a sense of subtle yet incisive allegory to our own turbulent and troubled age, and there are writers who can write stories about charmingly soap-operatic office comedies set in disarmingly off-kilter law firms that use superheroics as a window into the day-to-day trials and triumphs of the quiet heroes of corporate bureaucracy.

These tend not to be the same writers.

Anyway, some reviews:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

I'll be honest, it kind of lacked 'oomph' somehow. I guess anything following a full-scale zombie siege and pitched battle of magical titans is gonna come in a mite anticlimactic, even if it does have a dude with no skins on. It would have helped if they'd actually scored some kind of decisive victory against their interlocutors* but the proximate threat slips through their grasp while the existential threat remains cloyingly out of focus.

It seemed like Whedon was telegraphing his punches a bit, as soon as they say okay let's fire the giant doom laser down the portal it's like well of course they're going to reflect it back into the face of their enemies. After last issue's moves and countermoves and counter-countermoves and moves made three moves in advance in anticipation of counters to countermoves it just seem like this round played out a bit too pat. The bit of dialogue at the end was pretty good but it seemed like it would have been better delivered against the backdrop of say a massive military facility going up in flames or somesuch similar, not the rather unremarkable death of a character who hasn't even been around long enough for anybody to particularly give two ****s about him.

I suspect I'd be altogether pleased with this comic were it any comic other than Buffy the Vampire Season Eight as written by Joss Almighty, but as it happens this is that comic book and there's a higher ****ing bar on this ****, is all I'm saying.



*You know I've been waiting just forever to use 'interlocutors' in a sentence.

You have to realize that so long as Bush is President, the U.S. government and military will never be portrayed as being crystal clean and without some amount of evil or nastiness. We won't see this get a rest until a Democrat is President.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the best-selling comic during the Clinton Administration the story of a government agent tasked with brutal political assassinations shot in the back by his own agency on the orders of leadership so corrupt it maintained a working relationship with the forces of Hell?