BOUGHT/THOUGHT May 30

[Phaedrus45]

And here I thought everybody hated Secret Wars and The Beyonder, well mostly the Beyonder.

I don't know if I've felt such hatred for a single comic in ages. And, it's not that I like the Beyonder...it's the fact that when Secret Wars came out, it was really this wonderful, Marvelous thing. It was unlike anything we've seen before, we had one of the best teases in comics (with heroes coming back changed, like a new Fantastic Four and the Spidey black costume), and everyone had to see what this big war was going to be all about. Sure, looking back it isn't as fantastic as when we first read it...but, it holds a special place in my memory. Couple this with the fact that I imagine being a writer and another person, a writer who's made more money reconing other people's work for his own little thrills, comes around years later and bastardizes everything I wrote....it really pisses me off. It's just as well I left The Plain Janes at home, because I don't feel like reading another comic for the rest of the day.

 

[Phaedrus45]

And, yes, this is where I really hate myself for having the addiction to buy every comic Marvel puts out. If I was reasonable, I would boycott everything Bendis writes, damning him to hell for the rest of my life...but, I'm a weak, weak man who must be a completist.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I've been thinking about how certain Image and Independant comics really get hyped on here for a while, then it seems everyone drops it from their monthly titles. I remember Walking Dead and Girls being touted...I kept reading them, but it doesn't seem like they ever get reviewed (with Girls, of course I'm refering to the past now that it's finished). Last year, everyone was talking about Freshmen. I haven't read them yet, but I got the first series in a collection from Half-Priced books for $10.00, and I've been buying Freshmen 2...but, I don't see anyone buying that book anymore, either. I fear the same will happen soon enough with Dynamo 5. About the only book that I see still holding it's own is Invincible.

So, is there anyone on here who was a Freshmen follower a year ago but not picking it up anymore and for what reason?

 

[Eros]

Me too, man. I haven't seen a reaction like that to a comic book in a long time.

retconning things simply to do so, is alittle to much even for Bendis.

 

[RockSP]

Bought:

The Boys 7
Blue Beetle 15
Ult. Fantastic Four 42
Silent War 5
Daredevil 97
Green Lantern 20
Justice Society 6
Countdown 48
2 Guns 1
StrongArm 1
Ex Machina 28

Thought: The whole JLA/JSA crossover hasn't been that good, IMO. Maybe Johns and Meltzer should have just made a seperate mini series with this story instead. It has slowed down the momentum built by the first JSA storyline. Ah well at least this issue was the last...(and Eaglesham's art is great as usual)

 

[Darthphere]

YAY reviews!

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

BOUGHT:
ACTION COMICS #850*
ALPHA FLIGHT vol 1 #40
AMAZONS ATTACK #2
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #282 & 343
ANITA BLAKE HANDBOOK
AVENGERS WEST COAST #1 & 14
BLUE BEETLE #15
CAPTAIN AMERICA #323
CAPTAIN AMERICA vol. 2 #6
CLOAK & DAGGER vol. 2 #9
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #188
CONAN THE KING #37
COUNTDOWN #48*
DAREDEVIL #236
DAREDEVIL vol. 2 #97*
G.I. JOE #53
G.I. JOE: AMERICA'S ELITE #23
GREEN GOBLIN #1
GREEN LANTERN #20
INCREDIBLE HULK #325
JSA #6
MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #7
MARVEL AGE #44
MARVEL FANFARE vol. 2 #1 & 3
MARVEL TALES #113, 121, 122, 126, 128, 192, 209
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #4
NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #3*
NEW EXCALIBUR #20
NEW MUTANTS #45
NEW WARRIORS vol. 1 #1 & 59
PUNISHER PRESENTS BARRACUDA #4
SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1-4, 6
SILENT WAR #5*
SILVER SURFER REQUIEM #1*
SLEDGE HAMMER #1 & 2
SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #25-27, 29-31
SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN SUPER SPECIAL #1
SPIDER-MAN #56
SPIDER-MAN FUNERAL FOR AN OCTOPUS #2
SPIDER-MAN REDEMPTION #3
SPIDER-MAN THE LOST YEARS #0
SPIDER-MAN FAIRY TALES #1
TEEN TITANS #47
TRANSFORMERS vol. 1 #22
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #42*
WOLVERINE #54*
X-23 #6*
X-FACTOR vol. 1 #1 & 10
XENA #2
XOMBIE: REANIMATED #2

THOUGHT:
ACTION COMICS #850*
The landmark double-sized 850th issue of Action, and do we get a return to the Richard Donner story started months ago? Nope. What we get instead is an introspective into the man behind the cape as the Legion tries to help Kara find her way back home (see Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes for details). Nothing new or Earth-shattering here, just some looks back into events from Superman’s past to show how lonely he is and give Kara new appreciation for her cousin. It was all topped off by a confusingly corny moment at the end. Basically, the tale was nicely done. The tale had already been done several times and didn’t need it once again. The delays and fillers are unacceptable, despite it being better than the last.

2.5 out of 5

(P.S. Keep a close eye on the DC books this week; seems to commemorate the moment Superman was thrust into almost every book that came out.)

AMAZONS ATTACK #2
The Justice League comes to the rescue as the Amazons launch more attacks. This one ties into the events of Wonder Woman #9, although once again in re-imagined scenes that don’t quite match what came before. This also gives us the first Superman shot of the week. So, let’s get this right; the super powerful Justice League that took on world threats repeatedly can’t band together to take on a bunch of warrior women with primitive weapons? Instead, they relegate themselves to rescue duty? So far, this event is becoming a big disappointment in its execution. Like Civil War, the meat of the story may end up being in its tie-ins rather than the main mini.

2.5 out of 5

ANITA BLAKE HANDBOOK
The one flaw with the Dabel books are they all take place in universes nicely fleshed out within their respective books. The comics lose a lot of that in the translation, so often times a reader is left confused and feeling like they’re not getting the whole picture. Finally, Marvel releases a handbook for one of the titles which will prove a valuable tool for anyone who has thought like this while reading the Dabel books.
5 out of 5

BLUE BEETLE #15
Superman appearance number three as Jaime decides to go to STAR to try to learn about his origin, but instead winds up in a battle with Livewire! A guest artist and writer on this book try to follow in the footsteps of the main crew, but their footsteps weren’t that great to begin with. Once again we’re back on the whole need to learn about the powers plot that once again doesn’t bring any answers. It came off as more of a reason to have these two heroes meet up with an atypical misunderstanding fight. The quality Blue Beetle was starting to grasp is slipping away ever further.

1.5 out of 5

COUNTDOWN #48*
Mary and Black Adam have a heart-to-heart, Jimmy Olsen gets more powers, the Titans mourn one of their own, Karate Kid makes no headway with Starman, and a New God is dead. This is Superman appearance number two, and probably his most useless as he only arrives with enough time to land and throw out a “Great Rao!” We find out how Adam is still so strong, but still get no explanation how he went from his Egyptian togs to having his costume. So far, the most interesting story to come out of this is the one about the aliens and Jimmy. The rest are just failing to catch the interest they should. Also, the stories don’t have the same kind of flow 52 did. Mayhaps the lightning only strikes once for this kind of venture? Also, the artwork in some of the segments was better than others.

3.5 out of 5

DAREDEVIL #97*
Lily is back in Matt’s life looking for help and Gladiator goes on a rampage. More players enter as the mystery behind Gladiator’s sudden change is still a mystery. So far, this has been one of the more intriguing arc on Bru’s run, managing to keep all predictability out of his stories. It’s also cool to see Daredevil back in proper action, which we get in spades this story.

5 out of 5

GREEN LANTERN #20
The Star Sapphires get themselves a new purpose in life, thanks to GL, which can only mean trouble with the Sinestro Corps building themselves up to strike in another part of the universe. This was a strange story, to say the least. Who knew choosing a girlfriend would be of such cosmic importance? Hal’s defeat of the Sapphires was clever and opens up possibilities for them in the upcoming ring wars, but one would think an object of that level of power would have been able to see through his ruse. The artwork by Acuna was a little better this time out, but the faces are still his greatest failing. Either they’re non-expressive or comically cartoony. Also, we see the story of another Sinestro member and learn what it is Amon Sur truly fears.

3 out of 5

JSA #6
The last Legionaire is found and everyone is more confused than ever. And that includes the reader. So far, the story has been nothing but confusing moments between lots of talking head action. There’s still no clear explanation of what’s going on nor how this ties into Countdown or the current Legion series, as references contrast what goes on in that book. Hopefully it all comes together in the end, as JSA had started off as such a good book to be tripped up by a crossover now.

2.5 out of 5

NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #3*
The secret origin of the Beyonder revealed! Okay, so once again Marvel has come along and changed up the entire concept of a character. Is it a good change? Well, fans will most likely voice their opinions on that. On the story side, it was actually the best issue so far of this mini…which isn’t really saying much. This glaring retcon just keeps adding more hidden darkness to the Marvel U with this secret society of heroes working outside their teammates.

3 out of 5

NEW EXCALIBUR #20
While TJ continues to recuperate, the team faces off against the Dark X-Men and Sage embeds herself deeper into Albion’s forces. Things seemed to progress a bit too quick in this issue. No sooner is Sage in the bad guy’s ranks than she’s already trained and ready to go into battle. The Dark X-Men are proving to be more of a hassle than they appear, and everyone’s betraying everyone else. Overall, Claremont’s writing is a bit stale. The book just doesn’t have the same energy it had when he had his leave of absence. Sure, it wasn’t completely perfect, but once it got rolling it was a hell of a ride. At least it can be said this is MUCH better than his last stint on Uncanny X-Men.

3.5 out of 5

PUNISHER PRESENTS BARRACUDA #4
Transvestites, molesting priests, big burly cursing black man. That pretty much covers all points of this mini. Cuda was a good guest-star, but as his own solo character he’s a one-trick pony whose trick is starting to get a bit stale. Every issue is the same thing; a plot to betray someone, lots of cursing, and then people getting killed. Some could say this is as formulaic as the Punisher series, but at least Punisher does things to keep you interested. This is just the same thing over and over.

2 out of 5

SILVER SURFER REQUIEM #1*
Just in time for the Silver Surfer to rise, a new mini-series whose continuity comes into question. Ribik’s artwork was beautifully rendered and JMS managed to craft a fairly interesting first part. Fortunately, sharing cover designs with Spider-Man: Reign doesn’t extend to confusing story elements. It does, however, lead to a Spidey guest appearance in the following issue, but that’s for us to discuss next month. At first glance, the mini looks to be interesting and good. Hopefully it can stay that way.

4 out of 5

SPIDER-MAN FAIRY TALES #1
Little Red Riding Hood…Spidey style? In the spirit of X-Men Fairy Tales comes a completely Spider-fied story that plays on the general theme of the fairy tale it emulates. While there are some good bits of dialogue, the concept and artwork just leave you scratching your head at the sheer silliness of it. It’s hard to decide if the quirkiness of this book plays strongly in its favor or heavily against it.

2.5 out of 5

TEEN TITANS #47
The Titans mourn the loss of Duella as the hunt begins for the secrets of her killer. A nice transition between the Titans East arc and the Amazons Attack tie-in. There were some good character moments and a nice bit of comedy towards the end. The Titans apparently also have their most questionable new member yet, which can only lead to some interesting trouble down the line. Unfortunately, Duella’s funeral was basically glossed over this issue, apparently “shown in full” in Countdown on a whole two pages. Not too fitting a tribute to the character. Guess you need to be Superman to get a decent funeral in the DCU.

4 out of 5

WOLVERINE #54*
The flashbacks take Logan to WWII and Captain America, while the present brings him and his companions back to Weapon X. More fighting and still no answers. Layer upon layer gets added in this story with very little new coming from them. Hopefully, like most other Loeb arcs, the story is able to be neatly wrapped up in the final chapter. But, so far, his stint on Wolverine has been a disappointing one.

1.5 out of 5

X-23 #6*
The first conflict with Wolverine! So the mini-wraps up with the inconsistent relationship between X and Wolverine. They first met in Uncanny X-Men #450, but with Yost’s New X-Men a prior relationship was hinted at with an agreement to keep it between themselves in Uncanny. Overall, it wasn’t as strong or well done as the first mini, but it gave a nice satisfying conclusion to the time between her creation to where she is now on the new X-Men. Hopefully, these minis and that series have made fans regard her as more than “just a Wolverine clone”, because if given a chance to shine like here, she can prove to be so much more.

3.5 out of 5

XENA #2
Gabrielle and Joxer track down Xena to the scenes of her latest atrocities, and Gabrielle knows what she must do: kill her before she kills again. A pretty good story so far, a nice what if scenario in place. But, some hope is shown for getting reality back on track when Joxer remembers the events on how he met Gabrielle…which involved a good Xena by then. This story is also a vast improvement over the mediocre first volume of the Xena comic, Layman finding his stride. However, Ares’ personality didn’t come off exactly as the show had depicted it. A small nitpick.

4 out of 5

 

[Anubis]

I've been thinking about how certain Image and Independant comics really get hyped on here for a while, then it seems everyone drops it from their monthly titles. I remember Walking Dead and Girls being touted...I kept reading them, but it doesn't seem like they ever get reviewed (with Girls, of course I'm refering to the past now that it's finished). Last year, everyone was talking about Freshmen. I haven't read them yet, but I got the first series in a collection from Half-Priced books for $10.00, and I've been buying Freshmen 2...but, I don't see anyone buying that book anymore, either. I fear the same will happen soon enough with Dynamo 5. About the only book that I see still holding it's own is Invincible.

So, is there anyone on here who was a Freshmen follower a year ago but not picking it up anymore and for what reason?

I bought the first year of Freshmen, and it was pretty good. I bought the first two issues of this new one and it sucked, so I dropped it.

Walking Dead is still at the top of my list. I just don't get the chance to review often because my comics come in after everybodies already gotten theres.

 

[GNR]

If you are not reading Daredevil, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, seriously.

Quoted for truth.

The current arc in GL has been pretty average compared to the last 2 heavy hitters (Revenge,Wanted).Doesn't really worry me though since Sinestro Corps is being set up,so it's all good.Plus,Reis is coming back.

 

[Frico]

If you are not reading Daredevil, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, seriously.

Also QFT

Nice review, bud.

 

[fifthfiend]

And, yes, this is where I really hate myself for having the addiction to buy every comic Marvel puts out. If I was reasonable, I would boycott everything Bendis writes, damning him to hell for the rest of my life...but, I'm a weak, weak man who must be a completist.

You know why Brian Brendis is a smirking prick? Because of people like you.

He warms himself on cold New York evenings in the soft, downy blanket of your impotent wrath.

 

[Dread]

I've been thinking about how certain Image and Independant comics really get hyped on here for a while, then it seems everyone drops it from their monthly titles. I remember Walking Dead and Girls being touted...I kept reading them, but it doesn't seem like they ever get reviewed (with Girls, of course I'm refering to the past now that it's finished). Last year, everyone was talking about Freshmen. I haven't read them yet, but I got the first series in a collection from Half-Priced books for $10.00, and I've been buying Freshmen 2...but, I don't see anyone buying that book anymore, either. I fear the same will happen soon enough with Dynamo 5. About the only book that I see still holding it's own is Invincible.

So, is there anyone on here who was a Freshmen follower a year ago but not picking it up anymore and for what reason?

I still buy FRESHMEN II. I reviewed it a few pages back. The book comes out too infrequently and the story's not the greatest, but it's enough fun to keep me coming.

I haven't seen some anti-Bendis venom like that in a while. I'm not as much of a fan of the original SECRET WARS as you are, but I completely understand the feeling. Bendis does this frequently, and as I noted before, there's this impression that whatever Bendis does, recent or retcon, becomes canon. If you dislike it, you're in trouble because Marvel usually supports it. It also seems odd as it seemed to serve little purpose but to give Black Bolt some reason to connect to Beyonder, even if neither recalled the other. It did seem a bit tacked on. THE ILLUMINATI, of course, was promising major retcons as it itself is a retcon, claiming that all of these characters were secretly a team for decades in RT without any of their friends and allies knowing, when such knowledge really could have helped iron out their hardships. Recall, during Secret Wars, many of the heroes DISTRUSTED the X-Men and if, say, Iron Man or Reed could have gone, "Nah, they're cool, we know Xavier from our preppie club, see," but that COULDN'T have happened because it is a retcon. Also why I hate retcons.

Bendis is smarmy, naturally, and that, combined with his lust for slapping his "mark" on books and the industry and it is no surprise he gets as much hate, especially with all the bodies he has piled up and the fact that a good many of his tales are overrated. But he's the top selling writer in the biz, so he's here to stay.

I didn't mind the issue because SW wasn't as dear to me. But I get where you're coming from.

 

[Darthphere]

Bendis is smarmy, naturally, and that, combined with his lust for slapping his "mark" on books and the industry and it is no surprise he gets as much hate, especially with all the bodies he has piled up and the fact that a good many of his tales are overrated. But he's the top selling writer in the biz, so he's here to stay.

Which of his books are overrated?

 

[hippy fascist]

powers

 

[Darthphere]

You clearly never read Powers then.

 

[hippy fascist]

early on it was good, of late it's been gash

 

[Darthphere]

Gash?

 

[hippy fascist]

sweaty vagina

 

[Darthphere]

What's wrong with that?

 

[hippy fascist]

normal vagina is a wonderful thing, crusty sweaty vagina is a VERY bad thing

 

[Darthphere]

You didn't say crusty though, you said sweaty. Keep on point.

 

[hippy fascist]

simple sweaty vagina is a bad thing unto itself. Under normal conditions the smell eminating from a vagina is not wholly unpleasent , but not exactly ideal. Mix in sweat and it goes from smelling like slightly ripe tuna to decomposing fish heads. :

 

[PhotoJones]

I've been thinking about how certain Image and Independant comics really get hyped on here for a while, then it seems everyone drops it from their monthly titles. I remember Walking Dead and Girls being touted...I kept reading them, but it doesn't seem like they ever get reviewed (with Girls, of course I'm refering to the past now that it's finished). Last year, everyone was talking about Freshmen. I haven't read them yet, but I got the first series in a collection from Half-Priced books for $10.00, and I've been buying Freshmen 2...but, I don't see anyone buying that book anymore, either. I fear the same will happen soon enough with Dynamo 5. About the only book that I see still holding it's own is Invincible.

So, is there anyone on here who was a Freshmen follower a year ago but not picking it up anymore and for what reason?

Girls is on my list. I'm hunting down all the back issues, and currently I'm on #11. Great book. The dialogue is what really stands out. The characters all feel like real individuals, and as I read their words, it just has a realness to it. I expected it to be a good read, but so far I've been very pleasently surprised.

Dynamo 5 is new. When it comes out I review it, tight here on the Hype. Dread does the same. Other than us two (or three, including yourself), I don't know if anyone else on here is picking it up. My guess is, it'll go the Invincible route and pick up new readers very slowly. With these types of books, it usually takes the first 6-10 issues for the title to really hit it's stride. However, in my last review of the book, I commented how I thought it may have hit that mark with issue #3. I don't know what else to say....If you're not picking it up, you're really missing out on the start of a great book.

 

[Darthphere]

The problem is for me, money. My current pull list is pretty damn big as is, and I can hardly afford what I get now. Everytime I drop something, I pick up something new, so I'm in constant flux. Which is why I'm going towards trades for a lot of books.

 

[PWN3R]

Girls is on my list. I'm hunting down all the back issues, and currently I'm on #11. Great book. The dialogue is what really stands out. The characters all feel like real individuals, and as I read their words, it just has a realness to it. I expected it to be a good read, but so far I've been very pleasently surprised.

Dynamo 5 is new. When it comes out I review it, tight here on the Hype. Dread does the same. Other than us two (or three, including yourself), I don't know if anyone else on here is picking it up. My guess is, it'll go the Invincible route and pick up new readers very slowly. With these types of books, it usually takes the first 6-10 issues for the title to really hit it's stride. However, in my last review of the book, I commented how I thought it may have hit that mark with issue #3. I don't know what else to say....If you're not picking it up, you're really missing out on the start of a great book.

Count me in on that. I'm really, heavy stress on really, enjoying Dynamo 5. It's really fun. Every character is getting fleshed out and the art is kicking. I just got #3 this week, and it was the first book I read. The only compliant I have is the price at $3.50, but if it continues to give solid reads with every issue, then I don't mind.