The Ultimate 2006 Marvel Year in Review Poll!

[deemar325]

Overall it's been a good year.

Only I think it's really time to call it quits on Spider-man, kinda what they did with Thor, because I'm just not enjoying the character at all.

 

[Darthphere]

Jourmugand, do you even like comics?

 

[Mr. Green]

This has been the best year for comics (and my favorite character, Hulk) since I've started collecting. I gave 06 a Geekgasm rating!

 

[deemar325]

Hulk has had a good year and hopefully 07' will be better! Isn't Gary Frank returning to Hulk?

 

[Mr. Green]

Wanted to clarify art chores for those curious as to who’s currently working on which arcs of PLANET HULK. As you know, Carlo Pagulayan did the main story in issue 100 (ALLEGIANCE PART 1) accompanied by a bonus story illustrated by Gary Frank that seems to be quite the buzz amongst fans (a battle of wit between rebellious teen genius Amadeus Cho and smartest man in the world Reed Richards).
Issue 101 also sports art by Pags and Frank, with Aaron Lopresti stepping in for the remaining issues of the ALLEGIANCE arc—102 and 103—while Pags takes on the two-part ARMAGEDDON arc, issues 104 and 105, the final chapter of PLANET HULK.
Over the weekend I received finished pencils of 104 from Pags and they are stupendous. I’ll share only two with you as I don’t want to spoil, just give a taste. Lopresti sent me artwork, too, but showing those pages would give away too much…trust me they are powerful.
Ladrönn’s final two covers should be coming within the next two weeks. Hopefully, he’ll be doing covers for another HULK-related series for us later in 2007. Will keep you updated.
In the meantime, Gary Frank is working on issue 106 which comes out just before WORLD WAR HULK 1 (Greg is a very busy writer right now). Expect to see more of Amadeus as he plays the part of stacking a certain deck for a certain visitor who’s coming to town.

That was from the Marvel website. I like Gary Frank, but I'm not a huge fan of his Hulk.

 

[CConn]

Overall it's been a good year.

Only I think it's really time to call it quits on Spider-man, kinda what they did with Thor, because I'm just not enjoying the character at all.

Have you tried SSM at all? Because I feel exactly like you do...when I read ASM. But in SSM, Spider-Man seems to be as strong a character as he's always been. IMO, at least.

 

[CConn]

This isn't quite done yet. Hopefully I'll come back to it later tonight or tomorrow. If not, or until then, I've used smilies to display how I feel about various titles.

Marvel Comics

Amazing Spider-Man - I really don't like JMS' Spider-Man. I never did, really. Even when he wrote good, enjoyable stories about Spider-Man, those stories' theme and tone never really matched what I prefer Spider-Man to be about. That said, I could still enjoy them. Since about three issues into Sins Past, though, I've lost nearly all enjoyment of JMS' Spider-Man. Going from average arc, to laughable crossover, to shameless tie-in, it doesn't seem like the book's even about Spider-Man anymore. It's Civil War featuring Spider-Man. It's JMS' Philosophy Class featuring Spider-Man. And until that changes - despite how well JMS has handled MJ and Aunt May - I really have no interest in buying the title.

Astonishing X-Men - I loved Astonishing so much when it first was launched. Gifted is still one of my favorite X-Men arcs ever. Dangerous, while not quite as good, was still a pretty fun read. That said, I really didn't feel this third arc, Torn. The plot, I think, relied a bit too much on other, previous stories, and pacing wasn't that great. While the title was still funny, and chocked full of all of those catchy Whedon-isms, it just didn't quite have the quality of the previous arcs.

Captain America -

Civil War - I've really...loathed what Civil War has done to so many characters. I really do. Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man - while they might not be acting particular out of character *looks at Darthphere for approval* have certainly all been shown at their more dark and, in some cases, pathetic moment. That said, Civil War as an actual story has been relatively enjoyable. The art's fantastic, and while the story was a bit slow in getting started (and a bit too politically preachy for my tastes...and yes, I know that sounds crazy given how I feel about the Ultimates), it's really picked up more recently, and I'm very hopeful by the end of it, we'll all be left with a truly solid superhero ensemble story.

Daredevil - As embarrassing as it is to admit, I was never really one for Bendis' Daredevil. Granted, I jumped in in the middle of his run, but - while it was good - I never seemed able to appreciate it as much as most others did. That all changed when Brubaker took over. He took Daredevil in a prison setting, and seemed to cross super heroics with prison drama, even weaving in a few seriously awesome moments throughout the tale. After which, he completely switched gears, and is now giving us a story that seems as much like an old Alfred Hitchcock movie set in European than it does a DD story. This would be the absolute last title I'd ever drop, simple as that.

Fantastic Four - Civil War hasn't been kind to many characters...and more than a few books. Fantastic Four may very well suffer the most. While it has had some sparkling moments (Say, Thing's decision to leave the country), it's also had some moments that simply reeked of filler (IE, nearly all of the Reed/Sue breakup issue), and of course, it hasn't come close to the greatness of Waid's FF run.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man - I don't know how to feel about FNSM. I really don't. It's had moments (whole issues, even) where it's really fun, and really great to look at, and everything I'd want in a third Spider-Man title - light, goofy adventures, and colorful, creative characters. Unfortunately, Peter David has, at one point or another, fumbled every single arc he's written so far - not to mention turned in some utterly horrible issues. While I still like, and believe in, the premise of the book, until PAD can implement it properly, I won't be reading.

Ghost Rider - This title really surprised me. It really did. I've never been a very big GR fan, and probably will never be a very big GR fan, but the title has grabbed me with its demonic plot line, and a storytelling style that seems perfectly suited to the new Ghost Rider reader.

Irredeemable Ant-Man - I'll admit, IAM hasn't quite lived up to my sky-high expectations. I expected, I hoped, for a Marvel-version of Invincible. While it's only three issues in, Ant-Man has hardly been that. However, it has been consistently enjoyable read with awesome art that I will be honestly disappointed to see go when it's (almost definitely) canceled.

Iron Man - Civil War has (nearly) made me hate Iron Man. The Knauf brothers however did the exact opposite. While I've yet to read the CW crossover issues, Execute Program was a really fun, well written arc, that really got me hooked on the title.

Moon Knight - Moon Knight is probably one of the most...cinematic comics I've yet to read. Certainly in recent memory, it is. Houston and Finch have really crafted a dark, gritty world that is just about perfect for a guy like Moon Knight to run around in - all the while highlighting the aspects of Moon Knight that make him Moon Knight, and not Batman Jr.

Nextwave - Y'know, originally, I thought Nextwave was great. It was stupid, it was funny, and the art while not only great, complimented the writing perfectly. That said, I just don't think the concept has enough depth to really be, well, good after 6 issues or so. At least, that's when I started to lose interest. Parodies are fun - they are. But everyone knows the most important thing to comedy is timing, and well, I think Ellis and Immomen made a big mistake by not calling it quits while the jokes were still fresh, and the issues were still enjoyable.

Runaways - Runaways has been as good as ever in 2006. BKV continues to deliver everything a Runaways fan would expect from him (including death...unfortunately), and has done it in a continuously fresh and enjoyable way. I certainly hope Whedon's upcoming run can live up to what BKV has done during his 40+ issue run.

Sensational Spider-Man -

Uncanny X-Men - ...barely

Ultimates 2 - I am an unabashed Ultimates lover, and Ultimates 2, much like Runaways, has just continued what it started with issue one, and seems to be building to a fevered (and hopefully excellent) closing. Sure, the delays are unfortunate, and plenty annoying, but with some of my favorite art, and with every issue being simultaneously awesome, ridiculous, and hilarious, I can't complain about this title.

Ultimate Fantastic Four - UFF this year has been a tale of two creative teams. I loved Millar and Land's run as much as I love any comic out there, but unfortunately, since they left UFF has been beyond disappointing, and certainly below mediocre.

Ultimate Spider-Man - :\

Ultimate X-Men -

X-Factor - I love this title. A lot. From it's engaging plot lines, to smooth art (except for that second artist...ick), to a cast of characters that all seem to be some of the quirkiest in all of comics, it hasn't let up since the series started, and shows no signs of letting up in the months (and hopefully years) to come.

Young Avengers -

:\ = average.

 

[Darthphere]

Cconn, approved.

 

[deemar325]

Have you tried SSM at all? Because I feel exactly like you do...when I read ASM. But in SSM, Spider-Man seems to be as strong a character as he's always been. IMO, at least.

I have sporradiclly, I'm just not feeling right about what Spidey has become. I wish Marvel would just give the character a two year break and return with one writer and one book. Sin'sPast was the last straw for me and I just don't see how you can bounce back from the unmasking in CW, add the horrible 'Clone Saga' in USM and it's like the 90's all over again.


Until someone like Dan Slott gets his shot at Spidey I'm done with the character.

 

[CConn]

Why would the Clone Saga have any affect on your opinion of 616 Spidey? They're two completely separate characters.

Sins Past is dead and buried by now. SSM doesn't mention it, and while it does mention the Unmasking plenty, it has handled it better than any other title has.

 

[deemar325]

That was from the Marvel website. I like Gary Frank, but I'm not a huge fan of his Hulk.

His art has evolved to me, and his Hulk is a tad too handsome for my tastes but he draws brutality and violence like nobodies business!!

 

[deemar325]

Why would the Clone Saga have any affect on your opinion of 616 Spidey? They're two completely separate characters.

Sins Past is dead and buried by now. SSM doesn't mention it, and while it does mention the Unmasking plenty, it has handled it better than any other title has.

It (USM) factors in, because I read all the Spidey books more or less. So me not liking 616 Spidey I have the option of Ult Spidey, but that sucks also. See my problem?

I'm actually thinking of buying Marvel Adventures Spidey.

 

[Kevin]

Like totally.
How did it go downhill? I mean, UXM has always been pretty crappy, but while it's not good any longer, UFF had an utterly fantastic run done by Millar and Land earlier this year. And, of course, Ultimates is always great (IMO), and sells fantastically. The only thing that really went downhill in quality is USM, and that's rebounded before (IE, Carnage arc).

Oh, and despite the Invisible Woman's characterization, the Iron Man title has been pretty awesome all year, IMO, at least - and Tony was even totally likable (at least until the Civil War arc).

No, you're right. Tony's totally likable.

 

[Havok83]

I said Good-Above Average. They had a great year. Im an X-fan and the X-men have been revitalized. Seriously this is the franchises' best year in ages

 

[hippie_hunter]

How did it go downhill? I mean, UXM has always been pretty crappy, but while it's not good any longer, UFF had an utterly fantastic run done by Millar and Land earlier this year. And, of course, Ultimates is always great (IMO), and sells fantastically. The only thing that really went downhill in quality is USM, and that's rebounded before (IE, Carnage arc).

Well we agree on Ultimate X-Men

I don't read Ultimate Fantastic Four so I can't say. I only really touched the other three major Ultimate books

I personally think that the Ultimates is extremely overrated. I just don't like how the characters are treated. It's my personal opinion and I know other people like it, it has some good concepts, and I won't bash them for liking the Ultimates compared to say All-Star Batman and Robin and Black Panther. I personally think that it's up to Loeb's run on the Ultimates to see if the impending doom of the line will come.

My problem with Ultimate Spider-Man is that it started off so good. I haven't been able to just simply read the book in the comic shops anymore due to college and I really can't go there all the time anymore, but from the things I've read about the plot of the Ultimate Clone Saga just make me want to go ugh. And frankly I don't think I can ever get past the book completely f**king up my most favorite character in Marveldom: Deadpool.

I basically just browse most of the Ultimate books, so I can at least legitimately complain about it. I don't like how it's turned out of making characters as drastically different as possible instead of creating new stories, set in the earlier days of the heroes careers set in today's world like how it started.

Oh, and despite the Invisible Woman's characterization, the Iron Man title has been pretty awesome all year, IMO, at least - and Tony was even totally likable (at least until the Civil War arc).

Agreed, I'm loving the Iron Man tie-in so much that I'm sticking with the book past Civil War, just like Cable & Deadpool

 

[CConn]

Well we agree on Ultimate X-Men

I don't read Ultimate Fantastic Four so I can't say. I only really touched the other three major Ultimate books

I personally think that the Ultimates is extremely overrated. I just don't like how the characters are treated. It's my personal opinion and I know other people like it, it has some good concepts, and I won't bash them for liking the Ultimates compared to say All-Star Batman and Robin and Black Panther. I personally think that it's up to Loeb's run on the Ultimates to see if the impending doom of the line will come.

My problem with Ultimate Spider-Man is that it started off so good. I haven't been able to just simply read the book in the comic shops anymore due to college and I really can't go there all the time anymore, but from the things I've read about the plot of the Ultimate Clone Saga just make me want to go ugh. And frankly I don't think I can ever get past the book completely f**king up my most favorite character in Marveldom: Deadpool.

I basically just browse most of the Ultimate books, so I can at least legitimately complain about it. I don't like how it's turned out of making characters as drastically different as possible instead of creating new stories, set in the earlier days of the heroes careers set in today's world like how it started.

That's how it started? The Ultimate always seem to drastically change characters. Even back to the opening arc in USM.

That said, I do't see how that particularly means the Ultimate line will fail commercially. I mean, Ultimates is still selling great, and so is USM.

Agreed, I'm loving the Iron Man tie-in so much that I'm sticking with the book past Civil War, just like Cable & Deadpool

You should go back and check out the Execute Program arc. It's awesome.

 

[SouLeSS]

Wait, this is about Marvel as a whole, or Ultimate Marvel? Cause I voted like it was for UM.

 

[Darthphere]

Wow, you're slow.

 

[hippie_hunter]

That's how it started? The Ultimate always seem to drastically change characters. Even back to the opening arc in USM.

The begining of Ultimate Spider-Man felt more like a modern interpretation of Spider-Man's orign. Spider-Man still felt like Spider-Man. Aunt May still felt like Aunt May. Mary Jane still felt like Mary Jane. Kraven, Doctor Octopus, and Kingpin still felt like those characters, but like Spider-Man, Aunt May and Mary Jane, they had new twists to them. The only characters that felt drastically different in my opinion were Green Goblin and Gwen Stacy. But that was excuseable because the writing was really good.

But now we're seeing characters such as Deadpool, Carnage, Venom, and other characters, not only in Ultimate Spider-Man, but throughout the entire Ultimate Universe. They don't even feel like the characters they represent.

That said, I do't see how that particularly means the Ultimate line will fail commercially. I mean, Ultimates is still selling great, and so is USM.

Like I said, I think it all lies down to on the quality of Loeb's Ultimates 3 & 4 and Bendis' successor on Ultimate Spider-Man that is going to determine the future of the Ultimate line.

You should go back and check out the Execute Program arc. It's awesome.

Will do!

 

[SouLeSS]

Wow, you're slow.

I replied before I read anything =(

 

[Killgore]

I have a feeling Killgore is going to be killed.

 

[iloveclones]

1. Overall perfromance, take into account every bad book and every good book.

good-spidey, cap, dd, avengers, ultimates, UFF, moon knight,she-hulk, exiles, excalibur, MTU ,Runaways, Dr. Strange: Oath, Beyond

bad-x-titles(but only at times), Phoenix:warsong; I tend to quickly forget about things I don't like, so there are probably more.

2. Did the good outweight the bad or vice versa?

Most definately

3. The writing and art of all Marvel books you have read.
writing-Slott, Kirkman,Brubaker, Millar, Bedard, Vaughan, JMS,and yes, Bendis
art-Kolins,Finch,McKone,Epting, Lark,Pelletier, Land, Hester,

4. The big events, and how they succeeded or failed.

I think Civil War has been hitting on all cylinders in a way HoM never managed. They managed to get characters to relate to each other in new ways that I think are great.

Was Enemy of the State this year? Great stuff if it was.
The Other was a wash, so I'll rate it average. If they would've stuck with one artist, I would've rated it above average.

 

[Union Jack]

yep,i voted on the second category too...

its been good but not awesomely good but still better than dc i thought..

captain america
union jack
annihilation
civil war
spider-man (amazing)
New avengers(i liked it at least!!)
wolverine(liked that too!!!)
FF
etc etc

wasnt as big into planet hulk as the rest on here,but hulks a great character and i can't wait for his return to marvel earth!

 

[Darthphere]

Why am I always surprised by these damn polls I make?

 

[iloveclones]

What are you surprised about?