Guess who the new writer of runaways is.

[PWN3R]

I'm sorry BWilly, I guess I meant to say you paved the road that Not Jake humps.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Heh, I was wondering what your reaction would be.

Hehe. Not only is Whedon taking over, we are getting a spin-off. AWESOME ^_^.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm sorry BWilly, I guess I meant to say you paved the road that Not Jake humps.

The Yellow Brick Whedon.

 

[hippy fascist]

Are you not into CW? B/c ASM really is just a gap-filler for CW.

Civil war issues have been passable (yes I'm digging civil war, I've bought every book so far including the reprints with alternate covers )
pre civil war blew goats, the problem is that JMS has become Jeoy Q's ***** and keeps accepting these stupid ****ing story ideas rather than standing up to that fat ****. I love JMS's early spider-man stuff, but recently it just feels like he's run out of coherant ideas. Hopefully the events of civil war will improve that or we'll get a new writer...(please be slott, please be slott!!!!)

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Slott does write a good Spidey

 

[hippy fascist]

Slott does write a good Spidey

Slott is marvel's closest homegrown to whedon in style. He's witty, knows his continuity backwards, can actually debate a point with fans no matter how inane and actually loves what he writes about. You get the impression that while some people do it for the paycheck, slott does it for his love of the medium

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I wanna see Slott write a book and Coipel draw it. That'd be ****.

 

[hippy fascist]

I wanna see Slott write a book and Coipel draw it. That's be ****.

with tassles my boy, with tassles

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Diamond incrusted tassles.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Oooooooo

 

[AndThePickles]

Fancy schmancy!

 

[Darthphere]

Oh I'm sorry that a few people liking something makes it a turn-off for you.

Liking something is very much different than worshipping it. C'mon Not Jake, lets not fight.....

 

[Colossal Spoons]

^Did you really want a piece of the Church of Whedon?

 

[Darthphere]

^Did you really want a piece of the Church of Whedon?

No, but I expect backlash for not worshipping his every move. Guy is a solid writer, but not really something I need to be wacking off to if you catch my drift. Thats not to say I wack off to other people's writing, except Invincible, I make love to that book on a daily basis.

 

[Dread]

I mentioned on the other "BKV IS LEAVING RUNAWAYS" topic that it was likely that Marvel would throw in an "A-List" writer onto the title for no other reason than to boost sales. Whedon's name popped up a few times and I admitted he probably wouldn't be terrible on the title. I mean, even ASTONISHING at it's worst is still better than other X-books from past periods. However, he is horribly overrated. After "Cure", all the rest of his ASTONISHING arcs have been at least an issue overlong and cliched fare. "DANGEROUS" was yet another "machine goes evil" story, done to death a billion times, without any sort of hook to give it a twist aside for the "Xavier is evil" bit, which has become overdone since Ultimate XM got hot, random philosophical jibberish that means nothing, and an anti-climatic ending. The arc after, well, it has props for being confusing and we're still waiting for it to make sense. The ending will either be awesomely unpredictable or stupid with no middleground. And Whedon obviously picked Kitty as the star, as everything worthwhile in Astonishing only happens to her or someone revolving her, and everyone else is her sidekick. That gets boring. BKV's charm was being able to accurately write a team book where every character does something and eventually they all get to be important, and save the day. Whedon hasn't demonstrated that to me. He shows he can write a comic with one clear star heroine and everyone else is just there to support her, to be the Robin's and Batgirl's to Kitty's Batman. That's not a team book, and I won't pretend it is, even if it's enjoyable to read in most cases.

Don't believe me? When was the last time Colossus did anything worthwhile for the plot after he beat Ord in #5? How about Cyclops? Wolverine? Frost is getting a lot of play, but she's obviously being set up as the villian, so that doesn't count. While it's nice that he's not just coasting on Wolverine like a lot of 90's X-writers did, having one member be a spotlight hog is the same no matter who it is.

My fear with Whedon is that much of the team dynamics that make RUNAWAYS so cool will be abandoned so he can make one member the bonafide, infalliable, "is the key to every battle victory" star and everyone else serves to exchange dialogue or fight minions. It wasn't just in RUNAWAYS, BKV displayed his ability to shift focus around a variety of team-members during his 19-20 issue run on ULTIMATE X-MEN too. Whedon's usually better at action, though, but he's more decompressed. What takes Vaughan 2 issues to do, Whedon takes 4. If ever there was a writer who still "writes for the trade" aside for Bendis, it's Whedon.

Plus, Vaughan was always good for a good hook, at leading the audience and even dropping clues to what he was doing and then doing a 180. Whedon also has skill with that, but he hasn't done it since "Cure". And there has to come a time where you stop licking a person's rear for stuff they did 2 years ago. You have to judge them on the present.

That all said, there are far worse A-Listers to attach onto Runaways than Whedon. At least he genuinely likes the team and has for a long time, which is better than just tagging on someone who is indifferent just because of their name. And sure, his namepower will boost sales by a good 10% or more simply because stores will read the hype and overorder it. But that can't hurt. It's a shame that RUNAWAYS didn't sell better under Vaughan, but I couldn't deny that Marvel wouldn't take this as a shot to try to pull the book out of the Bottom 80 or 90 and into the Top 50 at least. I mean, why not?

It will suck that some issues of RUNAWAYS will be late. Yes, I'll call it now. There is no way Whedon will get in 12 issues on time. He's stretched too thin. Plus, I haven't seen any major writer from Hollywood write a timely book. They can blame their schedule, or the artist (like Heinberg does), but the fact of the matter is Hollywood writers produce fewer books. Period. Something always happens. And that'll suck, because Runaways has always been my "rock" title. The book that was always good when other books stank, and all without compromising the schedule.

Admittedly I'd have rather McKeever or Wells had gotten the gig, but Marvel went with the enthusiastic A-Lister, and that's hardly a surprise. Whedon's not a bad writer but he is overrated. As with anything, I'll wish Vaughan godspeed on his last issues and then judge Whedon not by his name or work on past titles, but his work on this one. I'll admit he'll be a shoe-in for the Runaways' snarky dialogue. It was almost made for television.

And at least we'll have the spin-off, LONERS.

FYI, everyone who had no intention of reading RUNAWAYS except when Mr. Popular got attached to issue #25, shame on your for letting popularity keep you from one of Marvel's best ongoings in a decade. People that buy endless issues of ASM or UXM that they hate but never gave Runaways a shot are part of their sales problem.

So, RUNAWAYS has now officially sold out. The only way they could sell out more would be if Jim Lee did the art. The question is whether it will still be able to maintain it's quality despite the shift and the hype.

 

[Darthphere]

Oh wait you didnt hear? Jim Lee is on Loners.

 

[Dread]

Oh wait you didnt hear? Jim Lee is on Loners.

Nah, I know he isn't. I read the other topic. Nice one, though.

 

[Darthphere]

I have a fundamental problem with the name Loners as well. But thats just me, being an ass.

 

[deathshead2]

This is the longest thread I have ever made sweet.

 

[Dread]

I have a fundamental problem with the name Loners as well. But thats just me, being an ass.

I understand that. Memories of AIRHEADS always come to mind. But naming it "Excelsior" would effect legal evils, and I'm sure there are much, much worse alternate names for a team you could think of. Like X-Treme X-Men.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

FYI, everyone who had no intention of reading RUNAWAYS except when Mr. Popular got attached to issue #25, shame on your for letting popularity keep you from one of Marvel's best ongoings in a decade.

Shame indeed

 

[Darthphere]

This is the longest thread I have ever made sweet.

Congratulations!

 

[deathshead2]

Congratulations!

Thank yout:

 

[The Question]

I mentioned on the other "BKV IS LEAVING RUNAWAYS" topic that it was likely that Marvel would throw in an "A-List" writer onto the title for no other reason than to boost sales. Whedon's name popped up a few times and I admitted he probably wouldn't be terrible on the title. I mean, even ASTONISHING at it's worst is still better than other X-books from past periods. However, he is horribly overrated. After "Cure", all the rest of his ASTONISHING arcs have been at least an issue overlong and cliched fare. "DANGEROUS" was yet another "machine goes evil" story, done to death a billion times, without any sort of hook to give it a twist aside for the "Xavier is evil" bit, which has become overdone since Ultimate XM got hot, random philosophical jibberish that means nothing, and an anti-climatic ending. The arc after, well, it has props for being confusing and we're still waiting for it to make sense. The ending will either be awesomely unpredictable or stupid with no middleground. And Whedon obviously picked Kitty as the star, as everything worthwhile in Astonishing only happens to her or someone revolving her, and everyone else is her sidekick. That gets boring. BKV's charm was being able to accurately write a team book where every character does something and eventually they all get to be important, and save the day. Whedon hasn't demonstrated that to me. He shows he can write a comic with one clear star heroine and everyone else is just there to support her, to be the Robin's and Batgirl's to Kitty's Batman. That's not a team book, and I won't pretend it is, even if it's enjoyable to read in most cases.



Don't believe me? When was the last time Colossus did anything worthwhile for the plot after he beat Ord in #5? How about Cyclops? Wolverine? Frost is getting a lot of play, but she's obviously being set up as the villian, so that doesn't count. While it's nice that he's not just coasting on Wolverine like a lot of 90's X-writers did, having one member be a spotlight hog is the same no matter who it is.



My fear with Whedon is that much of the team dynamics that make RUNAWAYS so cool will be abandoned so he can make one member the bonafide, infalliable, "is the key to every battle victory" star and everyone else serves to exchange dialogue or fight minions. It wasn't just in RUNAWAYS, BKV displayed his ability to shift focus around a variety of team-members during his 19-20 issue run on ULTIMATE X-MEN too. Whedon's usually better at action, though, but he's more decompressed. What takes Vaughan 2 issues to do, Whedon takes 4. If ever there was a writer who still "writes for the trade" aside for Bendis, it's Whedon.



Plus, Vaughan was always good for a good hook, at leading the audience and even dropping clues to what he was doing and then doing a 180. Whedon also has skill with that, but he hasn't done it since "Cure". And there has to come a time where you stop licking a person's rear for stuff they did 2 years ago. You have to judge them on the present.



That all said, there are far worse A-Listers to attach onto Runaways than Whedon. At least he genuinely likes the team and has for a long time, which is better than just tagging on someone who is indifferent just because of their name. And sure, his namepower will boost sales by a good 10% or more simply because stores will read the hype and overorder it. But that can't hurt. It's a shame that RUNAWAYS didn't sell better under Vaughan, but I couldn't deny that Marvel wouldn't take this as a shot to try to pull the book out of the Bottom 80 or 90 and into the Top 50 at least. I mean, why not?



It will suck that some issues of RUNAWAYS will be late. Yes, I'll call it now. There is no way Whedon will get in 12 issues on time. He's stretched too thin. Plus, I haven't seen any major writer from Hollywood write a timely book. They can blame their schedule, or the artist (like Heinberg does), but the fact of the matter is Hollywood writers produce fewer books. Period. Something always happens. And that'll suck, because Runaways has always been my "rock" title. The book that was always good when other books stank, and all without compromising the schedule.



Admittedly I'd have rather McKeever or Wells had gotten the gig, but Marvel went with the enthusiastic A-Lister, and that's hardly a surprise. Whedon's not a bad writer but he is overrated. As with anything, I'll wish Vaughan godspeed on his last issues and then judge Whedon not by his name or work on past titles, but his work on this one. I'll admit he'll be a shoe-in for the Runaways' snarky dialogue. It was almost made for television.



And at least we'll have the spin-off, LONERS.



FYI, everyone who had no intention of reading RUNAWAYS except when Mr. Popular got attached to issue #25, shame on your for letting popularity keep you from one of Marvel's best ongoings in a decade. People that buy endless issues of ASM or UXM that they hate but never gave Runaways a shot are part of their sales problem.



So, RUNAWAYS has now officially sold out. The only way they could sell out more would be if Jim Lee did the art. The question is whether it will still be able to maintain it's quality despite the shift and the hype.

I really don't think Runaways has sold out. That seems pretty harsh. Also, you only seem to be judging on Whedon for one comic that he hasn't even finished yet. Astonishing is hardly the only thing he's written, and it doesn't really give a clear picture of what Runaways will be like with him since it's a pretty different book.

 

[Dread]

I really don't think Runaways has sold out. That seems pretty harsh. Also, you only seem to be judging on Whedon for one comic that he hasn't even finished yet. Astonishing is hardly the only thing he's written, and it doesn't really give a clear picture of what Runaways will be like with him since it's a pretty different book.

I'll admit being a tad harsh for much of that. But that's for two reasons:

1). Still in shock over BKV's departure with issue #24 at the end of the year.

2). With all the brown-nosing here, someone has to be harsh on Whedon in more than 5 lines.

To me, BUFFY and ANGEL were a bit overrated, although I can't say I was ever a fan. I tried to watch some episodes here and there and I never could stand them. Beyond the snarky banter they were empty and generic to me, and I could never see the cult appeal. But that's just me. Plus, Whedon was well known for making the same mistake a lot of anime does; wasting endless episodes on build-up, so if you catch the wrong ones, you're either lost or bored. But I think comparing it to Astonishing is valid because he writes no other title for Marvel. All his movie/TV stuff is for Dark Horse.

But, like I said, Whedon's name came up in the last topic about this and I admitted he wouldn't be so terrible, because he won't. But he has to earn the adoration from me that I gave to Vaughan on that title. "Who he is" ain't enough to me. I don't care if you're Whedon or Stan Lee or God Himself. You need to impress me with the quality of work on the present title. But there are a laundry list of A-list writers who I would have cringed at, and Whedon isn't one of them. Like I said, he should capture the Runaways' snarky attitude rather easily. That's half of Astonishing, after all. Snarky banter. That isn't as stilted as Bendis'.

The problem with any A-Lister is they get praise before their work is finished, so they don't have to push themselves as hard and thus you usually get worse sometimes than a writer who isn't as popular and then has to, thus, gasp, ACTUALLY BE PHENOMINAL. I mean, "Cure" was cool but it ended in a generic "X-Men fight an alien" story, just Whedon was able to use the cure element and the return of Colossus to twist that angle in a new way, so it worked. He was unable to do that for DANGEROUS and what he does with this next Astonishing arc hopefully won't end with, "the X-Men spent 6 issues nearly being killed by Frost's mind in the mansion" because those stories always suck. Always.

I mean, Bendis' tiolet paper notes will generate sales of 75,000 readers at least, whereas someone like Slott has to chomp tooth and nail for that. You can sense the energy.

And I never said "selling out" was a BAD thing for Runaways. I simply admitted that it happens when an A-lister writes it, and whether it is good or bad will depend on the work Whedon puts forth. Look at music; some bands still were good and got better from "selling out", and some made more sales but the quality went downhill. Time and output determines which is which.