Don't Dread this Bought/Thought for Sept. 15 - SPOILERS

[JewishHobbit]

More's the pity. Only "corps" I care to see stick around is the Orange Lantern Corps, since it is effectively just Larfleeze and Larfleeze is hilarious. I just wish Johns would let him off the leash a bit so I could get some Larfleeze fun without Hal attached to him at the hip all the time.

Getting back to this... I just saw on Newsarama that they're coming out with a Larfleeze Christmas Special

 

[hippie_hunter]

Ah. So, the logic is to cater to the, at best, 300,000 readers DC has who buy comics on a monthly basis (and it's likely way lower than that, as 300,000 readers was given at the SDCC for the entire direct market audience), and risk confusing the, modest figure, million or more people who may be trying the book due to the cartoon and who don't know Guy Gardner from a garden hose or which Flash it is or why Hourman isn't a robot anymore or so on. Brilliant.

(For the record, I do know who Guy is, and which Flash it is, and Corp just explained the Hourman thing to me. But I've got FAR more DC knowledge than the casual reader or even most hardcore Marvel fans.)

I can see why DC is #2. And why they'll remain that way. And the oddity of it is that they do sell comics to non-hardcore DC people, with Vertigo and Wildstorm.

The BATMAN BEYOND comic is fine for now. But the moment it starts burying me in confusing DC cluster**** and I need to do a Google search to comprehend an issue, the urge to dump may rise. Maybe it's not fair that I was exposed to Marvel more as a kid and thus I'm unfairly hard on confusing continuity cluster****s from DC, even when Marvel can often do exactly the same thing. But them's the breaks.

I think you focus way too much on continuity issues

"From now on". What, were issues #1-2 set with the cartoon and then issues #3-4 Beechen decided to just change that noise? Of course, to be fair, it's started out different, as Wayne doesn't have a cane, I haven't seen Ace, and they're stressing the Camdus thing with Waller more. At any rate, though, I am curious if confusing the TV fans to appease the DC comic fans will work. Was there an outcry to make Beyond THE default future reality, TEN YEARS AFTER THE SHOW ENDED!? Or did WB notice how absurdly well the DVD sales did and kindly/loudly suggested it? And isn't the best way to maximize that audience is to confuse the bejeesus out of them?

DC is actually not sure if they want to make Batman Beyond the default future of the DCU, it was Beechen's idea. They still haven't made the decision whether or not to incorporated it into the DCU proper.

As for from now on, the Batman Beyond mini was always meant to be written somewhat as a bridge between the comic book and animated universes of DC while not contradicting either or. The ambiguity from issues #1 to 3, comes from the uncertainty from the DC offices about what to do with the Batman Beyond universe (having it be a continuation of the show, have it be its own separate universe, or be a part of the DC Universe).

From issue 4 on, it flat out contradicted the DCAU by having the Joker alive after Bruce abandoned the concept of having parters and Nightwing not wearing his DCAU costume. Beechen always intended the Batman Beyond mini to be written as if it's a part of the DCU, and he is writing it to give DC the option if they want to do it or not.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=28337

This is why I rarely give a DC book a chance. They always do something to pooch it if you give them enough rope. I was on Dini's DETECTIVE, until he had to crossover with Ra's Al Ghul resurrection rubbish I had no interest in, and I never looked back. This mini so far is good, but I'm suddenly more hesitant about making the ongoing a "must buy" than I was an hour ago.

In order for the Batman Beyond ongoing they need to do two things for me:
1. Have a better creative team. This would be the ideal book for a writer like Paul Dini or Paul Levitz as writer and Dustin Nguyen or David Finch as artist (a shame that they are being taken by books that aren't suited for them or have no need to exist).

2. Undo the biggest mistake in DCAU history. The romantic relationship between Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon.

Personally, I think that this is the better route. If I want to see Batman Beyond in its DCAU version, I would just pop in my Batman Beyond DVDs (which I am going to do right now thanks to you putting me in the mood for it) and hope that WB will eventually make more DTVs set in the timeline.

A Batman Beyond set in the world of the DCU that is a definitive future like the Legion of Super-Heroes and DC One Million is far more interesting IMO. I find it interesting to have Terry interacting with a proper Tim Drake, Oracle, and Damian Wayne while keeping it accessible to new readers due to the time gap between the current DCU and Batman Beyond which allows it to avoid messy and nonsensical crossovers.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Getting back to this... I just saw on Newsarama that they're coming out with a Larfleeze Christmas Special

Yeah, I'm totally buying it. It's gonna be great.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I'm majorly stoked! Larfleeze is the best new character for me since the Irredeemable Ant-Man (when he was still awesome in his solo title).

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

He may be too focused, hippie, but if the small publisher I work for ever gets in a position to have a payroll you can bet I'd offer Dread an editorial job. Plus, let's not forget one of the most famous people to focus too much on continuity, Mark Gruenwald. Legend has it the man NEVER forgot a Marvel fact, no matter HOW insignificant. He was probably the reason Marvel was as cohesive as it was for so long. (Although, Dread, Ace IS in the book).

Now, a B/T: Unwritten #17. Now here's a comic WORTH $3.99. I admit it was damn clever to do a choose your own adventure type book. So, not only do we get more comic for our buck (each page had 2 pages printed on them, and sideways) but a little fun with our reading. Sure, flipping pages gets a bit distracting from the actual story, but I can honestly say I'd never think to do this with one of my own comics.

 

[hippie_hunter]

He may be too focused, hippie, but if the small publisher I work for ever gets in a position to have a payroll you can bet I'd offer Dread an editorial job. Plus, let's not forget one of the most famous people to focus too much on continuity, Mark Gruenwald. Legend has it the man NEVER forgot a Marvel fact, no matter HOW insignificant. He was probably the reason Marvel was as cohesive as it was for so long. (Although, Dread, Ace IS in the book).

Now, a B/T: Unwritten #17. Now here's a comic WORTH $3.99. I admit it was damn clever to do a choose your own adventure type book. So, not only do we get more comic for our buck (each page had 2 pages printed on them, and sideways) but a little fun with our reading. Sure, flipping pages gets a bit distracting from the actual story, but I can honestly say I'd never think to do this with one of my own comics.

Dread would make a fantastic editor due to his focus on continuity. But I don't think that continuity should be getting in the way of enjoying good stories.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I absolutely think continuity should get in the way of good stories. There's a reason it's a shared universe and if a writer has to break that shared universe to tell a good story then he or she needs to find another outlet. I'm just as much a stickler as Dread when it comes to that.

Project Superpowers has had only one continuity error in the 37 or so comics that's come out in its line and it KILLS me. It literally brought down the enjoyment I was having for the title for a long while. So yeah, to me, continuity is top dog importants.

 

[StreetWarrior]

I absolutely think continuity should get in the way of good stories. There's a reason it's a shared universe and if a writer has to break that shared universe to tell a good story then he or she needs to find another outlet. I'm just as much a stickler as Dread when it comes to that.

Project Superpowers has had only one continuity error in the 37 or so comics that's come out in its line and it KILLS me. It literally brought down the enjoyment I was having for the title for a long while. So yeah, to me, continuity is top dog importants.

I'm bothered by continuity issues as well. There's no reason why a writer should be ignoring the work of others. Marvel has been especially bad with this over the past few years, specifically New Avengers. There are instances where Bendis can't keep his own writings straight between two consecutive issues (NA #59 and 60!) of the SAME series. I don't know if it's arrogance, ignorance, or laziness, but these issues can ruin a story, for me at least. If I was head of Marvel, the FIRST thing I would do is mandate a push for stronger continuity, second being significantly reducing Bendis' control/influence.

 

[hippie_hunter]

There's a difference between getting annoyed over a continuity error and not wanting to get into Batman because of COIE

 

[JewishHobbit]

I'll get into Batman and a few other DC's but I won't bother with anything pre-Crisis due to COIE. And the moment they pull something like that again that effects something I read it'll be dropped in a heart beat.

As any supporter of OMD/BND can tell you, I'm not a big fan of undoing a character's documented history.

 

[Themanofbat]

I'd be a damn good editor at Marvel...

 

[hippie_hunter]

I'll get into Batman and a few other DC's but I won't bother with anything pre-Crisis due to COIE. And the moment they pull something like that again that effects something I read it'll be dropped in a heart beat.

As any supporter of OMD/BND can tell you, I'm not a big fan of undoing a character's documented history.

It's a mixed bag IMO. Some things are better with retcons (COIE changing Jason Todd from a Dick Grayson knock off to an angry street punk) and somethings end up getting worse (Hawkman).

 

[Dread]

I think you focus way too much on continuity issues

Don't be me wrong, I like the mini as a whole. But I was confused when some bits were like the show, and some weren't. This IS a comic based on a show.

It's like if I made a STAR TREK comic, but for some reason I didn't like some of the stories that were Trek canon, or didn't think they fit. So I nixed them, switched things up a bit. I shouldn't be shocked, then, if I had some confused Trekkies sending me letters.

DC is actually not sure if they want to make Batman Beyond the default future of the DCU, it was Beechen's idea. They still haven't made the decision whether or not to incorporated it into the DCU proper.

As for from now on, the Batman Beyond mini was always meant to be written somewhat as a bridge between the comic book and animated universes of DC while not contradicting either or. The ambiguity from issues #1 to 3, comes from the uncertainty from the DC offices about what to do with the Batman Beyond universe (having it be a continuation of the show, have it be its own separate universe, or be a part of the DC Universe).

From issue 4 on, it flat out contradicted the DCAU by having the Joker alive after Bruce abandoned the concept of having parters and Nightwing not wearing his DCAU costume. Beechen always intended the Batman Beyond mini to be written as if it's a part of the DCU, and he is writing it to give DC the option if they want to do it or not.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=28337

I believed you, Hippie. So, it's more Beechen's idea than DC's, because DC isn't sure (i.e. wants to see how well the sales hold up). It's not setting the sales charts on fire, but BATMAN BEYOND has proved to be a modest hit, which is why it's getting an ongoing.

In order for the Batman Beyond ongoing they need to do two things for me:
1. Have a better creative team. This would be the ideal book for a writer like Paul Dini or Paul Levitz as writer and Dustin Nguyen or David Finch as artist (a shame that they are being taken by books that aren't suited for them or have no need to exist).

2. Undo the biggest mistake in DCAU history. The romantic relationship between Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon.

Personally, I think that this is the better route. If I want to see Batman Beyond in its DCAU version, I would just pop in my Batman Beyond DVDs (which I am going to do right now thanks to you putting me in the mood for it) and hope that WB will eventually make more DTVs set in the timeline.

A Batman Beyond set in the world of the DCU that is a definitive future like the Legion of Super-Heroes and DC One Million is far more interesting IMO. I find it interesting to have Terry interacting with a proper Tim Drake, Oracle, and Damian Wayne while keeping it accessible to new readers due to the time gap between the current DCU and Batman Beyond which allows it to avoid messy and nonsensical crossovers.

Didn't Levitz write the SUPERMAN/BATMAN annual that was a Beyond story (that I didn't get a chance to buy)? I do agree that such a book would be an ideal place for Paul Dini, assuming he was interested, or not too busy writing a few comics AND landing a gig writing for Disney's "ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN" cartoon.

It becomes a dangerous game trying to "fix" bits that one personally doesn't like in continuity, because that's always a subjective opinion. For example, I imagine Bruce Timm for years got no end of whiney complaints about why Terry was allowed into "the Bat-family" despite being a total stranger to it. For me, that was part of the charm of the character and the status quo, and made things more interesting than if Terry was just, say, Dick Grayson's half cousin, twice removed. So what happens? We have "EPILOGUE" in JLU, in which there's this massive retcon that Terry is Wayne's artificially created son via Camdus. Suddenly an origin that was complicated enough now reaches the realm of comic book absurd baloney (such as "it snowed in Smallville when Clark came to earth because aliens caused it"). I imagine the only people it "pleased" were the people who didn't care for Wayne retiring for a punk kid anyway.

As for the Barbara/Wayne thing, it isn't something I want to see in the comics or, pretty much, any other cartoon or alternate media ever. That said, at the time in BEYOND I accepted it because it's theme was that Bruce Wayne wasn't always perfect or always right. Again, such a point will have those who dislike it, those who want Wayne to be always perfect or right. Wayne's a himbo; it wasn't too far fetched he'd maybe start looking at Barb once she could go to bars, given what a control freak he is and he helped train her. It was more implied than shown. I can accept one alternate universe being just that - alternate.

If Beechen and/or DC want to try to ram the square peg BEYOND into the round hole of DCU, though, I can imagine that little subplot will be X'd out.

I suppose if DC wants the BEYOND book to "count" to it's regular readers, they'll want it to "count". The problem is, though, is in doing that, they may end up confusing fans of the show AND DC fans who were fans of the show. And is confusing someone the best way to keep them on a book, begging for more? In an age where, it seems, fans look for ANY reason to leave a book (a "jumping off point", which occurs way more often than a "jumping on point" these days - for example, USM has never sold at the same levels once Mark Bagley left - fans saw it a chance to leave, as the end of a peak).

My suggestion would be, instead of doing a "line item veteo" to BEYOND's continuity, to examine it from a distance and see how it can be worked and embellished with a comic book, and as an "alternate possible future" to DC. It might take a lot more work and imagination, but isn't that what the job's all about? If it was easy, anyone could do it.

He may be too focused, hippie, but if the small publisher I work for ever gets in a position to have a payroll you can bet I'd offer Dread an editorial job. Plus, let's not forget one of the most famous people to focus too much on continuity, Mark Gruenwald. Legend has it the man NEVER forgot a Marvel fact, no matter HOW insignificant. He was probably the reason Marvel was as cohesive as it was for so long. (Although, Dread, Ace IS in the book).

Maybe I missed Ace, then. I don't think I missed the lack of Wayne's cane.

Thanks for the offer.

Dread would make a fantastic editor due to his focus on continuity. But I don't think that continuity should be getting in the way of enjoying good stories.

I absolutely think continuity should get in the way of good stories. There's a reason it's a shared universe and if a writer has to break that shared universe to tell a good story then he or she needs to find another outlet. I'm just as much a stickler as Dread when it comes to that.

Project Superpowers has had only one continuity error in the 37 or so comics that's come out in its line and it KILLS me. It literally brought down the enjoyment I was having for the title for a long while. So yeah, to me, continuity is top dog importants.

Now, let me try to make a point here to respond to both. Am I a stickler for continuity? Probably. But that doesn't HAVE to be that continuity is a BARRIER for a good story. It only becomes a trap if a writer feels the need to embellish some obscure story from 20-35 years ago just because, or can't find a way "around" something. If a writer knows how to mine it for ore, to have it help them embellish what THEY want to do, then continuity is the wind that moves the sails of a ship.

Case example, just this week? Fred Van Lente on SHADOWLAND: POWER MAN. Here, he wanted a new Power Man who was related to Luke Cage's past yet was still his own unique character with his own name. He could have simply done some massive retcons. Instead, Van Lente saw a villain like Shades, who was always connected to Cage's past but had never been embellished or given a real name, and chose to use that to fill the gap. He could embellish it and do what he wanted. It's the best of everything. And it's worked quite swimmingly. That's what I like. I'm not some Continuity Nazi, and an ideal editor shouldn't be. But on the other hand, being aware of it can help a good writer be greater, and separate the masters from the average.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Now, let me try to make a point here to respond to both. Am I a stickler for continuity? Probably. But that doesn't HAVE to be that continuity is a BARRIER for a good story. It only becomes a trap if a writer feels the need to embellish some obscure story from 20-35 years ago just because, or can't find a way "around" something. If a writer knows how to mine it for ore, to have it help them embellish what THEY want to do, then continuity is the wind that moves the sails of a ship.

Case example, just this week? Fred Van Lente on SHADOWLAND: POWER MAN. Here, he wanted a new Power Man who was related to Luke Cage's past yet was still his own unique character with his own name. He could have simply done some massive retcons. Instead, Van Lente saw a villain like Shades, who was always connected to Cage's past but had never been embellished or given a real name, and chose to use that to fill the gap. He could embellish it and do what he wanted. It's the best of everything. And it's worked quite swimmingly. That's what I like. I'm not some Continuity Nazi, and an ideal editor shouldn't be. But on the other hand, being aware of it can help a good writer be greater, and separate the masters from the average.

I agree with this. The continuity errors that get to me are the ones that shouldn't be. I don't mind retcons that are done well and make sense.

Example... in Project Superpowers we had these grunts called the American Crusaders who were zombified and working for a corrupt government. They were based off of a golden age hero named American Crusader who was a great friend of the Black Terror back in the day. Well, in Project Superpowers Chapter 2 the Black Terror leaves to help free his old friend of whatever it is that's multiplying him and making him zombie-like. This story is picked up in his own book and in that story he does just what he sets out to do. He finds his old friend, saves him, but the man dies and a new guy picks up the mantle. The zombies all die away.

Then in Project Superpowers Chapter 2 the Black Terror later returns taking on some zombied American Crusaders... despite the fact that there shouldn't be anymore. There's room for an excuse there if there's no mention of the result of his mission so that Black Terror's second arc could technically take place after PS Chapter 2... but then the new American Crusader shows up, so it has to take place right in the middle.

So the little snafu of there being zombie American Crusaders in PS chap. 2 after they were all destroyed absolutely bugs me.

THAT'S the type of stuff that absolutely drives me insane. Another example is the Sentry run in New Avengers taking place during Siege... that was just insane how badly it was put together. It made me dislike the entire Siege event just a little bit.

But going back to fix or change things in the past for what you want today... and it still making sense in the end... that I'm cool with

 

[Phaedrus45]

Boughts! Thoughts!!

DC Universe Legacies #5

It's only fitting that DC has Len Wein write this book, as he's been around for ages working for Marvel and DC. (It's too bad he's not that friendly to meet at the Cons. I was so excited to meet him earlier this year; and, he would only sign five covers. The rest you had to pay a buck a signature for. And, unlike Tim Sale who donated the extra money he received, Wein pocketed what he got.) Basically, we're getting a history of DC comics done in a very fast fashion. (We're already at the Crisis On Infinite Earths with this issue...and, how neat to see Perez as the guest artist.) Like with "Marvels" and other comics like this, we have a central, non-powered character who tells the story through his eyes. It's a nice trip down memory lane; and, for those who are new to DC, a good introduction to their universe.

1 Month 2 Live #3

First issue was pretty good...second was okay...and, this one only gets worse. This is a comic that should be emotionally charged; but, seeing the main character more focused on his adventures with some of Marvel's biggest heroes than on his family and limited time on Earth is rather unrealistic. Plus, I found the Fantastic Four coming to him for help, knowing full well he has a short time to live and be with his loved ones, rather selfish and uncharacteristic. (Sure, it was to save the universe...but, did they really exhaust their resources and only had him to choose from??!!??)

This comic is turning out to be a huge disappointment.

Shadowland: Ghost Rider One-Shot

From what I can tell, this issue is not vital at all to the main Shadowland story. Seems just a way to get some interest back into Ghost Rider...and, a way to grab a little extra coinage from the fans. As a G.R. story goes, it's not too bad; but, Crain's art just doesn't do it for me.

Web Of Spider-Man #12

The final issue really ends this series well, and shows that when a company screws up an idea so badly, as Marvel did with the first 8 or so issues of this title, there is no saving a book from cancellation. It was clear from the first issue this comic wasn't going to survive. The best thing it had going for it was Spider-Girl...but, that was never promoted on the cover...and, let's face it, Spider-Girl just doesn't draw the readers in...even though the stories were pretty good. No, fans want a full-issue story that links nicely to Spidey's current world; and, Marvel gave us that for the past five issues. Too little, too late, I guess.

I loved this MJ and Black Cat team-up! The writer did his best to explain why MJ and Black Cat don't seem to know each other (although, it still doesn't piece together that well), and I loved the way some old, past storylines got brought into the mix (like, how Black Cat originally lost her powers and then bought them back).

Dark Horse One For One: Serenity #1

The final dollar comic from Dark Horse...and, not one that I'd really consider a "classic." Serenity could make for a nice comic series; but, this ain't it. The issue did not make me want to run out and find what happens next.

Captain America: Patriot #1

I started out not liking this issue; but, by issue's end, Kesel had me interested in finding out what happens next.

This is one of those "back in the day" stories, retelling the origin of Captain America; but, not Steve-Cap...but, the third Captain America, who replaced the two previous in 1946. Most of this issue is set-up, explaining who Jeff Mace was, how he first met Captain America, and how he was originally called "The Patriot."

I do get bored at times with old WWII Cap stories. I don't see much demand for it; and, can't figure sales for this comic will be very high. Still, as I said, by the end of the issue, I was interested enough in the main character and reading the next issue. (Although, I'll admit, if this issue ended as single issue One-Shot, I wouldn't be too upset. It's good...but, it's also not really my cup-of-tea.)

X-Files/30 Days Of Night #3

What can I say? It is what it is, and the story is about what you'd expect from the combining of these two franchises. We don't get any real character development for Scully or Mulder; and, they are just 2-dimensional characterizations of what we've read many times before. (You know, Mulder believes in some OBVIOUS supernatural explanation for what's going on, and Scully has her head in the sand, trying to find a scientific explanation.) Still, I'm enjoying this story well enough, mainly because I'm a fan of both franchises. I give it a loose .

 

[Dread]

You're the first person who didn't like that SHADOWLAND: GHOST RIDER one shot. I'd heard it was good and actually critical to the plot, since GR takes out most of the baddies who were manipulating Matt. I just wanted to save $4 and assumed SHADOWLAND #4 would recap the vital bits anyway.

 

[Phaedrus45]

You're the first person who didn't like that SHADOWLAND: GHOST RIDER one shot. I'd heard it was good and actually critical to the plot, since GR takes out most of the baddies who were manipulating Matt. I just wanted to save $4 and assumed SHADOWLAND #4 would recap the vital bits anyway.

I'm waiting to see how vital it is. I just get the feeling that Moon Knight and Ghost Rider have been thrown into this whole storyline to pump up some interest in those two characters. They have done stuff that might be considered "vital;" but, I just feel like they are being wedged into it all.

 

[Dread]

I do agree Ghost Rider popped in rather inorganically. To be fair, even Moon Knight and Punisher were foreshadowed into the story in SHADOWLAND #1 (albeit with one panel each). But Ghost Rider? Kingpin all but literally screams some mystic ninja version of "I CHOOSE YOU!" and ZAP, he's there. While it may make sense to shove Ghost Rider into this sort of supernatural urban stuff, inserting him into it was rather blunt.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Red Sonja is back...and $3.99. Do I think it's worth that? So far, no. The story was rather bland, and the only thing going for it is the art, which is always pretty. But art alone isn't worth a dollar price increase while the newer title is still only $3. I'll pick up the first couple issues to see if it improves, but overall I think I'll be dropping it. I mean, really, how many times can you tell "Sonja is hired on quest. Sonja slashes bad guys. Repeat."

 

[hippie_hunter]

Web Of Spider-Man #12
No, fans want a full-issue story that links nicely to Spidey's current world; and, Marvel gave us that for the past five issues. Too little, too late, I guess.

I disagree. I think that because Marvel has been releasing Amazing Spider-Man several times a month at a $3.99 price point half the time, that no one is interested in reading any other Spider-Man book, that includes those set in Spidey's current world.

If you take a look, Web of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and Amazing Spider-Man Presents all sell horribly. Maybe if Amazing Spider-Man was $2.99 and came out once a month, people would be willing to buy another Spider-Man book.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I just think back to when the first issue came out, and I remember a few more people checking it out and deciding to not get a second issue. Marvel just doesn't listen to what the fans want in a second Spidey title; even though many of us have been complaining about how they've got the right idea, but the wrong approach to comics, like Web of Spider-Man or Spider-Man Family. (Spider-Girl was a great fit; but, they need more current Spidey-related characters, like Arana or even one of the Spider-girl/Spider-women. Stuff like Peter Porker, The Amazing Spider-Ma'am, and Mr. and Mrs. Parker just don't do it.) Instead, we now get Amazing Spider-Man Presents, I guess.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Wade Wilson's War...okay, and the point of this was? Talk about a book about nothing...

 

[Phaedrus45]

I went in thinking I'd absolutely hate that title...but, I ended up really, really liking it. I think it's my favorite Deadpool mini that I've read yet. Sure, the ending made you go, "What the heck??!!??" But, I think the final page kind of answered all our questions. I was just glad it just wasn't another version of Deadpool, like we have in the 616.

 

[Dread]

Marvel just doesn't listen to what the fans want

That about sums it up.

 

[Phaedrus45]

So many comics I didn't get around to reading this week; but, here are a few finals ones that I did...and, some quickie reviews.

Jurassic Park #3

Oh, IDW...how I loathe you at times. Your art is always terrible...and, the stories not much better. I do have a slight interest in this one, though; but, that's probably because I'm more a fan of the movies and books than what's being told in this sequel of the movies.

The two kids from the first movie are grown up, and it seems that Tim is somehow responsible for all the deaths that are starting to pile up. In truth, it's his "Uncle Peter" who is behind it all...and, I just can't remember if this scarred person was in the first movie or not.

I'll finish this series off; but, all the excitement I had for a Jurassic Park comic sure has gone out the window.

Thor: First Thunder #1

Now, this is a good retelling of a hero's origin! After the awful Avengers: The Origin, it's nice to see this first issue wraps up Don Blake/Thor's origin in a single issue, and more of Thor's early adventures will be told in the next four issues. It's nicely done, and the few added touches blend themselves nicely with the original version that I've read a bunch of times. The art is good, too; and, I like the updated look to those rock monsters.

Good job, Marvel!

Thunderbolts #148

Man, Parker could sure use with a better artist. Sure, there are moments where it looks good; but, drawing human faces is not Shalvey's strong suit. Still, the story was decent, and I can believe Luke Cage using his T-bolts for his own personal needs with the whole Shadowland affair.

Shadowland: Power Man #2

Another good issue, even though Power Man isn't essential to the Shadowland storyline. (Not even sure if this new character will show up in the main story.) It's not the best of the Shadowland tie-ins...but, it's also clearly not the worst....by a long shot! (Heck, it's probably better than Diggle's main story.)

Incredible Hulks #613

I love how Hiro-Kala's story was first this month, as it's the main one that I'm interested in. The second one isn't as interesting...until the end, when Bruce/Hulk learns that he has another son, who's on his way to Earth.

Hiro is such an interesting character; and, he's ruthless in getting what he wants. I'm really hoping that the eventual meeting between Skaar, Hulk, and Hiro is worth the great build up that we've had the past couple years. for the Hiro story, and just a single for Hulk's.

Morning Glories #2

Not great...but, this book does grab my interest. The problem lies in the fact that we've seen this kind of story before, where some group gets a group of teenagers together, intent on exploiting them to see them evolve as a force to be used later for whatever intentions they have in mind...and, we know the teens will revolt, escape, and then be hunted. Still, this issue's main theme of breaking one person's hard resolve was nicely done. I just wish the students weren't stereotypes of the same characters we've seen before.