Bought/Thought October 18th, 2006

[Doc Destruction]

Some of the best drawn MJ in that issue, too.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Bought:

Fables - 1001 Nights of Snowfall HC
Essential Marvel Horror, Vol. 1
Showcase Presents Challengers of the Unknown, Vol. 1
The Lone Ranger #1
Hellgate London #0
Girls #18
The Authority #1
Wildcats #1
52 - Week Twenty-Four
Catwoman #60
Checkmate #7
Shadowpact #6
Omega Men #1
The Creeper #3
Birds of Prey #99
Batman and the Mad Monk #3
Ghost Rider #4
Amazing Spider-Girl #1
Marvel Adventures Avengers #6
Ms. Marvel #8
Civil War X-Men #4
Wolverine #47
Cable & Deadpool #33
X-Factor #12
X-Men - First Class #2
Runaways #21
Union Jack #2
Blade #2
1602 - Fantastick Four #2
Hellstorm, Son of Satan #1
Claws #3
Jack Kirby's Galactic Bounty Hunters #3
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter - Guilty Pleasures #1
Ultimate Fantastci Four #35

Thought:

The Lone Ranger #1: Since I've heard so much bragging about this title, I noticed my comic shop got in a bunch of second printings. BUT, then I noticed in the current back issue wall, they had one copy of a first printing still available. (Sadly, no issue #2.) Needless to say, I'm quite impressed. I love western comics, as Jonah Hex is one of my favorite that DC is putting out right now. I love the art, especially how the flashbacks seem to remind me of looking at old movie stills. The story, while very quick to read, captured me with this first issue; now, I know I have to hunt down an issue #2. 9/10

Hellgate London #0: I wasn't planning on getting this comic, but the front cover grabbed me. What will be a cross-promotional event, it starts out as a comic, then later will be a video game for the PC and a 3-part novel. While events for the second two will be set in 2038, this issue tells of the prequel to those events, beginning in 2020. Of course, the art inside cannot compare to the cover art, and the story is only alright. Everything reverts back to the days of Arthur, it seems, as they are all carrying swords and wearing heavy armor. Basically, I've read worse and I've read better. 7/10

Girls #18: Just when things finally seem to be under some kind of control, it all goes to hell at the end. The ladies of Pennystown finally come up with a plan to take out the Girls; but, paranoia and distrust cannot be stopped. It's the ultimate game of Survivor, with teams divided between sex and race...and human and alien. And, while the aliens are the most immediate threat, it might very well be the humans who lead to their own downfall. This is one of my favorite books I read; it ranks right up their with The Walking Dead in how the characters are just as important to what's happening as the events itself. 10/10

Essential Marvel Horror, Vol 1: Perfect timing to coincide with the release this week of the new Max miniseries, Hellstorm, Son of Satan, this Essential volume focuses on the early appearances of Daimon Hellstrom and his sister, Satana. This extremely thick volume contains 34 issues released between 1973-1979...and, even provides a missing page of art that was originally rejected by the Comics Code Autority from Son Of Satan #8. 10/10

Showcase Presents Challengers of the Unknown, Vol. 1: Again, DC's version of Showcase cannot compare to what Marvel is doing. Sure, DC's rich history means that we will continually get stories from the late 50's to early 60's, like with this volume....but, they are hard to read for an extended period of time. They are campy and rather cheesy, and sometimes I wonder how they determine which Showcases to release. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't know of any comic featuring Challengers of the Unknown currently. For me, I'd put out two volumes a month, like Marvel does. One can be these early stories, but the other can focus on something that might tie in with current events, like a Showcase featuring Booster Gold or Blue Beetle. 7/10

Fables - 1001 Nights Of Snowfall HC: This 140 page book is just so much better than most fairy tale type books, especially the just plain awful Lost Girls three book hardcover. It's art is beautiful, the stories lending themselves to the characters from Fables nicely; this is a hardcover that any fan would proudly have in his collection. Bill Willingham really outdid himself with this. It seems like there are more and more comics coming out now that try to reimagine the classic fairy tales that we've all heard in our childhood; most don't come close to Fables. 10/10

(More to come later. I have to go to two funerals this weekend, and I'm currently reading a really good book, called Crow Lake. But, damn, I can't believe I walked out of my shop yesterday $140.00 poorer.)

 

[GNR]

Bought:

Detective Comics #822-824
Daredevil #89
The Golden Age TPB

very late on the monthlies,haven't been to the shop in a while

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Thats the feeling I got from the preview pages.

Your feeling was right.

 

[Darthphere]

Your feeling was right.

The art just seemed off....

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The art's by someone named Cliff Richards. I thought it was the same dude who did the Spectre mini-series, which I loved the art on, but it turns out that was Cliff Chiang. I R dum.

 

[newmexneon]

Dang, has everyone completely given up on the new Flash?

Anyone whe gave up after the first 2 issues should seriously consider getting back into it, as the book has really picked up.

 

[Assassin]

I havn't, but i also havn't gotten my comics yet. Comic con sucked me dry.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Dang, has everyone completely given up on the new Flash?

Anyone whe gave up after the first 2 issues should seriously consider getting back into it, as the book has really picked up.

I read up to issue #3. Then, I dropped it.

 

[GNR]

Just read 'Tec 823-824.

I like these done in ones.The Ivy story had a nice twist,great art too.

The Penguin story was also pretty dandy.I liked the Lois,Riddler and Zatanna appearances.I like the whole idea of these guys giving up crime and trying to make some major dough.It's a real fresh take on what could be tired villains,but Dini presents them in a new light and I'm liking it.

Just read the first 5 or 6 pages of Golden Age,and I can say it's effing wicked so far.I love these 40-50's styled DC stories.

 

[CaptainCanada]

A point is made that "when it counted, we all came together" whether they were X-Men, Sentinals, or Avengers, which is a bit more upbeat than a lot of CW related stuff these days.

What is the world coming to when we're turning to the X-Men for optimism?t:

 

[Darthphere]

Dang, has everyone completely given up on the new Flash?

Anyone whe gave up after the first 2 issues should seriously consider getting back into it, as the book has really picked up.

I just read #5 and I agree, it picked up....in its mediocrity.

 

[Dread]

I'm glad I'm not the only one voicing my displeasure about the IC trade. That was a crock of bull ****.

Agreed. DC's had a bit of a "double standard" for most of the year, at least until OYL got started, so I figured it'd be good to poke some criticism where it's due. We may bemoan the CW lateness thing, but I'd rather they get it all done like they want vs. just rushing it out (the last two issues of IC were late anyway) just to "fix it for trade". This is beyond typo's, which are fine, this is pages of material that can change a story. If Marvel did this, they'd sure get it online.

Plus, I haven't minded the CW delays, honestly. With all the tie-ins and "shocks", the delays let me get my breath and not be overwhelmed like I was the first few months.

What is the world coming to when we're turning to the X-Men for optimism?

I know, right? That's how you KNOW Civil War is dark and overly self important. Usually the X-Men are the poster children for pessimism. Not even the upbeat Acadamy X/New Mutants lasted long.

 

[Darthphere]

LOL! Flash cant even get the creative team correct. They have Ron Adrian credited as the artist for the issue but a different name on the cover. LAWL!

 

[Darthphere]

I plan on doing more formal reviews, but I just read Checkmate and I actually really liked it, though I really have limited interest in this Suicide Squad and it seems the 3 goddamn writers do too.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

BOUGHT:
52 #24
ACTION COMICS #843
AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #1
ANITA BLAKE #1
BIRDS OF PREY #99
BLACK PANTHER #20
BLADE #2
CABLE DEADPOOL #33
CATWOMAN #60
CIVIL WAR X-MEN #4
CLAWS #3
CREEPER #3
FLASH #5
GHOST RIDER #4
HELLSTORM #1
JACK KIRBY'S GALACTIC BOUNTY HUNTERS #3
MARVEL 1602 FANTASTICK FOUR #2
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #6
MS MARVEL #8
RED PROPHET TALES OF ALVIN MAKER
RUNAWAYS #21
SANDMAN #1 SPECIAL EDITION
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #35
UNION JACK #2
WOLVERINE #47
X-FACTOR #12
X-MEN #191
X-MEN FIRST CLASS #2

THOUGHT:
52 #24 - Another spectacular issue where things just keep building and building to their inevitable explosion.

ACTION COMICS #843 - This story kinda blew. It was just all around weak, as well as those lame newspaper covers. Looking forward to the REAL creative team's coming next month, so hopefully they'll make me a fan again.

AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #1 - It's like the book never left. The BEST Spidey series EVER returns and it doesn't disappoint. Can't wait to see what Hobby's got in store for ol' Mayday.

ANITA BLAKE #1 - Not sure what I think about this one. I'm sure fans get it off the bat. Me, I'm just loving the art. I'll see how it progresses before I decide.

BIRDS OF PREY #99 - A little weaker than the previous issues, but still good. The Batgirl thing has kind of an open resolution to it, and the team's gonna be changing for the big 100th. See what happens.

BLADE #2 - Yeah, this series sucks. Bad. I mean, it's just all bad. I wish they'd pick a version of Blade and STICK WITH IT!

CABLE DEADPOOL #33 - Now this is hella good! Cable knows what everyone's up to, but STILL can't ID a traitor in his midst! This book just keeps on rocking.

CATWOMAN #60 - Film freak continues his movie attacks and Catwoman rescues her replacement. Gonna be interesting to see these two tangle, as well as who will ultimately wear the leather when it's all over.

CIVIL WAR X-MEN #4 - One of the worst CW tie-ins. The story was utterly pointless and did absolutely nothing other than to have the X-Men stamped with the CW logo. This shoulda just been the 198 part 2 or something.

CLAWS #3 - Another mediocre mini comes to a close. I'm sure there was an attempt at humor in there somewhere, but the book was lacking any of what made classic White Rabbit & Arcade stories humorous. The artwork didn't help much either, as well as some of the more qustionable redesigns.

CREEPER #3 - Batman learns about the Creeper as he goes after the kid that was transformed. I dunno why, but I'm entralled with this character. The story isn't spectacular and rather cliched, but I think this character has some potential. I just wish they took some time to develop the duality a bit more than they already have. Ah well, couple more issues to go so maybe I'll be over-the-top in love with the character by then.

GHOST RIDER #4 - Story's starting to pick up some steam as we learn the whole point behind the series. Art's still good, story still isn't all that thrilling. At least it's better than the classic Ghost Rider stuff. You read that Legion of Monsters reprint last week? Yowsa!

HELLSTORM #1 - I only have one issue of the regular Hellstorm so I ain't got much of a basis to go on here. First issue so gonna cut the story some slack and see how it develops. However, it is feeling kinda generic to me already.

JACK KIRBY'S GALACTIC BOUNTY HUNTERS #3 - I like the classic feel of this book. It's easy to follow and it LOOKS like Jack Kirby did it. I think one thing that makes this book enjoyable is you can feel the love that was put into it by Kirby's progeny. A true book with heart.

MARVEL 1602 FANTASTICK FOUR #2 - So far, I'm not overly impressed. I think 1602 should've been left alone with the original mini and that was that. This is literally beating the dead horse. Although Sue's design was pretty cool and original, I'll give them that much. Doom, though is coming off as more like his movie counterpart than the one we all know.

MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #6 - An Avengers series I actually like! This time, we get the U-Foes and they give our heroes some hell. Well, mostly the Hulk. Now, based on comments made it seems like the FF don't exist in this universe. Really, I'd love an origin book for this group 'cause I got some questions only that story can answer. Till then, I'm just gonna enjoy the ride.

MS MARVEL #8 - Things conclude, leaving Arana wondering if she made the right choice (she didn't). And looks like next issue we get a Ms. Marvel/Rogue re-match! Can't wait!

RUNAWAYS #21 - Another great issue. This series fails to disappoint. A throwaway villain is given a touching resolution, and Chase doesn't completely descend to the dark side. Yet. I only hope the next team does this title justice, 'cause this is one read I look forward to monthly.

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #35 - More aliens. Not my speed. Not feeling this new creative team so far.

UNION JACK #2 - Another all-action issue. This is pretty enjoyable stuff right here. Nice to see another comic that's not all talking heads and characters actually doing something.

WOLVERINE #47 - The story draws to a close, and I don't care. The art was crap, the story was crap. At least they're gonna TRY to explain the bomb thing.

X-FACTOR #12 - Lotsa set up here for future arcs, and lotsa more cool Layla moments. Damn good book, and currently David's best.

X-MEN FIRST CLASS #2 - X-Men vs. The Lizard! Cute, light, fun, enjoyable...this is a formula Marvel should definitely look into more, 'cause they do it pretty damn good.

 

[Mister J]

Dang, has everyone completely given up on the new Flash?

Anyone whe gave up after the first 2 issues should seriously consider getting back into it, as the book has really picked up.

I gave up after two issues. I inquired to other posters who were still reading as to whether the book got better. Their responses were along the lines of 'kinda, not really'. As a result, #5 stayed on the shelf this week.

 

[XwolverineX]

I never tried The Flash, I'm probably going to buy the trade.

 

[GNR]

Bought:

Detective Comics #822-824
Daredevil #89
The Golden Age TPB

very late on the monthlies,haven't been to the shop in a while

Add JLA Year One to that.

 

[Norman Osborn]

Dang, has everyone completely given up on the new Flash?

Anyone whe gave up after the first 2 issues should seriously consider getting back into it, as the book has really picked up.

Not me.....it's one of my favorite DC Comics.....the first issue was a little weak (READ: I had no idea what was going on) but since then it's been pretty enjoyable....

 

[Themanofbat]

I gave up after two issues. I inquired to other posters who were still reading as to whether the book got better. Their responses were along the lines of 'kinda, not really'. As a result, #5 stayed on the shelf this week.

I'm still picking it up... but I am tremendously disappointed with the direction DC is going with thie "new" Flash... especially since there was NOTHING wrong with the old one.

But it's better than the first few issues... that's for sure.

 

[Dwarf lord]

Add JLA Year One to that.

You'll love both JLA: Year One and The Golden Age. And if you haven't read them yet, I'd reccommend the entire JSA series. The trades are, as far as I know, Justice Be Done, Darkness Falls, The Return of Hawkman, Fair Play, Stealing Thunder, Savage Times, Princes of Darkness, Black Reign, Lost, Black Vengence, Mixed Signals, and Ghost Stories. That's the full series. It had some high points and low points, but mostly high.

 

[Anubis]

I never tried The Flash, I'm probably going to buy the trade.

Don't bother. You want to get into the Flash, get the Johns trades. Starting with Blood will run.

 

[Tropico]

Agreed. DC's had a bit of a "double standard" for most of the year, at least until OYL got started, so I figured it'd be good to poke some criticism where it's due. We may bemoan the CW lateness thing, but I'd rather they get it all done like they want vs. just rushing it out (the last two issues of IC were late anyway) just to "fix it for trade". This is beyond typo's, which are fine, this is pages of material that can change a story. If Marvel did this, they'd sure get it online.

Something I wanted to point out since you first commented it, but didn't: there's a whole thread dedicated to the IC HC in the DC forums so it's not like it isn't getting blasted.

Ghost Rider #4: I'm intrigued about GR's power upgrade, I just hope it isn't overpowering. One of the things I liked about the character is that he was hard to kill/hurt but he wasn't juggling buildings. I know it's more of a personal preference but characters that have "work for it" are infinitely more interesting than those that have it too easy. The story was pretty good, I wish it was on a par with the art which was breathtaking. Was that supposed to be Johnny representing GR's human aspect in the cementery? "Cause it didn't look like JB, it reminded me more of Dan.

52 Week 24: Well, I've finally read an issue that had me going more 'meh' than anything else. The only two things that piqued my interest were the Checkmate 'origin' and what happened after Super Chief's death. It's still too early for me to say that Black Adam is as "kitty"whipped as they're condemning him in the DC forums. For all I know it could be part of Isis' powers added tot he fact that we've been told over and over how important family is to Adam and how he missed them. Stands to reason the guy would go above and beyond to keep the one he has now. His ornery attitude all this while could simply have been that (although I'm pretty sure we'll see him regain his bloodthirsty ways real soon). The JLA segment also felt really weird and extremely out of character for Firehawk and Firestorm.

I still have to read Omega Men #1 (gotta have my Sci-Fi).

 

[Themanofbat]

I remember when the original Omega Men was the big thing in 1983, and people were paying big bucks for the comics....

Now you can probably find those old issues in cheap bins... t: t: t: