Stickied partially by suggestion and partly as there's a thread on this every other day anyway.
Blackest Night is still cool, I would have preferred it without I suddenly spawning 4,356 new miniseries and crossing over into every title but having said that I enjoyed reading both Doom Patrol and Booster Gold (! :eek: ) a lot, to the extent that I might even start picking the latter up, something I never thought I'd do.
Also picked up Fables : 1001 Nights of Snowfall, which is gorgeous. Oh, and Cindarelle : From Fabletown with love which was a fine start to the mini series. The entire Fables series has been amazingly good, I'm going to have to pick up the jack of Fables series TPBKs as well. Fables has won loads of awards, fully deserved and is such a clever idea it deserves a wider audience. I hope the TV show does get sorted and is a cool and faithful adaptation, it should work well IMO.
Comic Book Resources have been running a year of cool comic book moments which is well worth a look, worryingly I either own or have read a good 90%+ of the books featured. Time for a long hard look at my life perhaps.
Does make you wonder though why DC still haven't put out a series of Hitman TPBks...cm'on that'd be awesome.
Herogasm is the first I've read of this series,a nd I've onlypicked up but not read volume I and II of the collected editions so far. Been busy reading novels, Morrison's Doom Patrol run again and JLA Vs. Avengers...which is much better than you'd think it would be.
Got to throw a shout out for a few of my favourite comic book collections from the past few years...
100 Bullets - top notch crime stuff with a wickedly twisting story and some fantastically interesting characters.
Transmetropolitan - Futuristic crusading journalist goes head to head with the establishment, toting a notebook and a bowel disruptor.
Lucifer - Adapted from the pages of Gaiman's awesome Sandman author Mike Carey creates a vivid and rich world in which the former Angel in charge of Hell wanders.
I reread 'Judge Anderson - Childhood's End' today. Also just finished reading some Kal Jerico. Catching up with Judge Dredd's complete case files as of tomorrow and I have 'Dredd vs. Predator' on order alongside 'Judge Dredd's America' and 'Complete Judge Dredd in Oz'.
Natorum wrote:Got to throw a shout out for a few of my favourite comic book collections from the past few years...
100 Bullets - top notch crime stuff with a wickedly twisting story and some fantastically interesting characters.
Transmetropolitan - Futuristic crusading journalist goes head to head with the establishment, toting a notebook and a bowel disruptor.
Lucifer - Adapted from the pages of Gaiman's awesome Sandman author Mike Carey creates a vivid and rich world in which the former Angel in charge of Hell wanders.
I've wondered about picking up 100 Bullets, might give it a try then.
The adventures of Spider Jerusalem are indeed a giggle, only read the first 3 - 4 volumes though so farm I hear it weakens towards the end quite a bit though.. is this fair ?
The adventures of Spider Jerusalem are indeed a giggle, only read the first 3 - 4 volumes though so farm I hear it weakens towards the end quite a bit though.. is this fair ?
I'd say if you read the whole story it's all decent and fairly interesting. I wouldn't say the viciousness is as loud the later it gets but I do like the series as a whole.
Forgot another favourite, The Invisibles by Grant Morrison. Now that's something to twist your mind around a bit.
Yep, I bought The Filth as they were being made available.
What has Morrison's run on Batman been like? I've heard good things about the death of story but was kind of put off most DC and Marvel hero stuff by The Dark Knight Returns as it so brilliantly showed how the timeline issues of the month to month genre was flawed.
malfred wrote:Herogasm is good stuff, but I really enjoy the Boys. Ennis's humor is top notch.
I used to love the column "You'll All Be Sorry!" Do they still do that?
The writer of You'll Be Sorry Gail Simone went pro, she's not writing Wonder Woman and Secret Six.
Living overseas was the end of my monthly comic habit but I probably spend as much on TPBs. My latest was Claymore, a fairly decent manga about hot skinny chicks with huge swords fighting demons. But like many manga it starts to drag after a while.
Claymore is amazing. I love how cinematic the whole thing is. You can read a whole page of characters talking and it reads as quickly as a real conversation, but some of the actions scenes might only be 3 frames but feel like they take a few seconds to "happen." So good
reds8n wrote:I must admit, having read things like this and this, I'm actually considering some Captain America books..something I never thought would happen.
You're not reading Cap, reds8n? Brubaker's run on Cap has been instant classic-type stuff. I thought Waid had a nice run on the book years ago, but Brubaker's been far, far better than that. He's even made Batroc the Leaper not look ridiculous. The death and rebirth thing is more than a little cliched, but even that has had some nice twists. I highly recommend picking up the trade paperbacks and catching up.
The character has never really appealled, at least most of the modern incarnations anyway. Essentially I prefer the DC line and setting anyway and there were just too many years back when I was really into comics when he sort of pootled along under Gruenwald and Co. where the mere sight of him had me snoring. But Brunbaler's stuuf has looked good from what I've seen so I might well dip a toe in and see.
I think the only Marvel books I ever kind of dug was the first New Warriors series --first 40 or 50 issues or so, before every character started getting spinoff series and that , and some of the early Morbius the Living vampire series, although was ruined by the whole continued "Midnight Sons" thing. Oh, bit of a softspot for darkhawk as well I guess.
Reread Earth X recently, damn it was good, less impressed with Universe X but can't fault the imagination, the completist in me means I'll have to try and dig up ???? X (whatever the last series was called) and give it a flick through at least.
anyone else read JLA vs. The Avengers ? Pfft.. Avengers woud be down in like 4 seconds if they actually fought. Still Supes with that hammer and that shield was pretty cool.
reds8n wrote:I must admit, having read things like this and this, I'm actually considering some Captain America books..something I never thought would happen.
You're not reading Cap, reds8n? Brubaker's run on Cap has been instant classic-type stuff. I thought Waid had a nice run on the book years ago, but Brubaker's been far, far better than that. He's even made Batroc the Leaper not look ridiculous. The death and rebirth thing is more than a little cliched, but even that has had some nice twists. I highly recommend picking up the trade paperbacks and catching up.
I read the Winter Soldier story and didn't like it. I actively disliked it in fact. Mostly because bring back Bucky is a dumb idea and because Brubaker just does not convince me it works. I saw no real reason the Soviets would want to turn an ordinary boy into a cyborg killer after WWII. It's not like they didn't have plenty of maimed Russians to work with.
I also seriously disliked the recon that Cap did not kill during WWII. He was a soldier. At war. Soldiers at war kill. The idea that he was above those things and let Bucky do the killing just makes him a hyprocrate.
So with two of the main plot points really annoying me I had no desire to read the rest. It keeps getting great reviews but I just can't get into it.
Kid_Kyoto wrote:I read the Winter Soldier story and didn't like it. I actively disliked it in fact. Mostly because bring back Bucky is a dumb idea and because Brubaker just does not convince me it works. I saw no real reason the Soviets would want to turn an ordinary boy into a cyborg killer after WWII. It's not like they didn't have plenty of maimed Russians to work with.
I also seriously disliked the recon that Cap did not kill during WWII. He was a soldier. At war. Soldiers at war kill. The idea that he was above those things and let Bucky do the killing just makes him a hyprocrate.
I saw both in symbolic terms. IIRC, it wasn't that Cap never killed, it was that Bucky did the really dirty stuff that a walking flag shouldn't get his hands dirty with. I also saw the Winter Soldier as a symbolic move by the Soviets. But YMMV.
@reds8n, I'm going to be very interested to see how they smooth over continuity issues involving the current Doom Patrol and Grant Morrison's version. It seems like the events from Morrison's run mostly happened, but why is the Chief alive, why is Trainor separate from Rebis, and why is it implied that Rebis is still around?
I get the impression it's pretty much ignoring Morrisons' run. There was another DP book a few years back that featured Dorothy quite heavily but I think it crashed and burned quite quickly. I've only read the 'Night xover issue of the current series.. was alright but it was no Crazy Jane and Danny the Street tastic read like it was. Hell, i even quite liked Pollacks' run after Morrison's.
I think they should have updated it a bit further. Sure, have a Robotman but have that be Vic Stone as his bio parts actually and finally dies and he has to go full mecha, he can bring along Garth, throw in anotehr couple of misfits from around the universe --say characters you want to give a bit more exposure to like the new Blue Beetle, Manhunter or some of the mystic types and away you go.
... when they do this is a few years 'member it was my idea first !
reds8n wrote: I get the impression it's pretty much ignoring Morrisons' run. There was another DP book a few years back that featured Dorothy quite heavily but I think it crashed and burned quite quickly. I've only read the 'Night xover issue of the current series.. was alright but it was no Crazy Jane and Danny the Street tastic read like it was. Hell, i even quite liked Pollacks' run after Morrison's.
I think they should have updated it a bit further. Sure, have a Robotman but have that be Vic Stone as his bio parts actually and finally dies and he has to go full mecha, he can bring along Garth, throw in anotehr couple of misfits from around the universe --say characters you want to give a bit more exposure to like the new Blue Beetle, Manhunter or some of the mystic types and away you go.
... when they do this is a few years 'member it was my idea first !
That was John Arcudi's run that you're referring to. I actually kinda liked it. The fact that Cliff in the first 8 issues or whatever ends up not actually being Cliff was a pretty unique twist. I understand why he wanted to start fresh with a new bunch of characters, but that was probably a mistake to not have more team continuity other than Cliff. The art by Tan Eng Huat (sp?) was good.
I dunno if they're really ignoring Morrison's run, though. Josh Clay being a Black Lantern fits in (didn't the Candlemaker off him?), and in the most recent ish Trainor and Cliff mention Rebis by name but with no explanation -- which is very weird, IMO. Rebis is 100% Morrison. Maybe they're not ignoring Morrison's DP so much as ignoring all the cracks, etc. they've created in continuity (which I thought had been restored in the wake of the John Byrne disaster). And by the way, I think I read that Crazy Jane will make an appearance soon. Not sure how I feel about someone other than Morrison taking the reins of that character, even if briefly. Other writers seem to have been wise to stay away.
That's the run..art was kind of funky but it was too unique to sell well IMO, would work well as a vertigo book though.
I hope they don't touch ( no..dirty boy) Crazy Jane... I like to think of her and Cliff living on Danny the World somewhere happily, with Rebis popping by sometimes for tea. I'm just going to pretend that all these current DP members are from elsewhere in the multiverse.
I guess Superboy Prime's reality shattering punch is the current excuse. hell if Jason Todd is up and around then they can get away with almost anything.
Yeah, you're right...I think it was the Chief. I'm also having trouble remembering when Josh got weather powers...I thought he was a pure energy blast guy. Strange.
Re: Jane, Morrison's sendoff with the empire of the chairs was just a perfect exit for the character. I dunno how you mess with that. That issue is just Morrison at his best to me. The writing is heartfelt.
Superboy Prime needs to be retired with extreme prejudice. I also liked it better when all the other Kryptonians were dead, too. Although Kara's cute, so she gets to live.
It's been a long time since I picked up a comic book, but I wanted to give a thumbs up for some of my favorites.
Poison Elves, Deadpool (1st run think it was Mark Waid maybe? sorry can't remember writers), Gen 13 (I know "fanboy"), the DC/Marvel crossover was actually kinda good, the Age of Apocolypse is what got back into comics so long ago, Forgotten Realms, and was always a fan of the team books like Avengers and JLA.
Poison Elves was by far my favorite though with Deadpool and Gen 13 always seeming to make me laugh.
Is Supergod a serious book, dark humour or something else entirely? The title is intriguing. : )
I am following Cable.... I bought all the issues then read them over a three day weekend recently. There was a crossover with X Factor and I am presently trying to get those issues.
I bought a comic written by Neil Gaiman (sp?) and want to read it soon.
malfred wrote:I just read Frenchie's origin story in The Boys.
Question: WTF was that?
Answer: Only the greatest origin story EVAR.
The town of Franglais?
Les Saintes de Haw Haw?
The straining melody of the accordion?
I think I have to read that issue again.
I read the littler preview and it did look good, but I'm only up to the end of Vol III in the tpbks so I'll have to hold off for a while yet.
I gather the copies of Blackest Night sent out to stores early under a do not sell provision were leaked onto the web.. .. *lack of surprise*. It's been a good series so far but I do feel it has dragged a bit in the middle, I'm hoping that they actually do something with the ending that has repercussions in some way, even if it just a temp ban of people coming back from the dead so quickly. I read something about DC doing a new "History of the DC Universe" and set of "Whos Who" next year so they might even use it as (yet another) continuity straightener.
That is, to my mind, the finest Dredd story ever, absolutely magnificent with some quite breathtaking artwork.
I just finished the 3 G-novel Durham Red story arc. The Scarlet Cantos, Vermin Stars and Empty Suns. Written by Dan Abnett. Very nice, good art and Ms Red is one of my all time favourites.
Finished volume 4 of The Boyz... quite strong stuff even by Ennis' standards... I did feel elements of this plotline, along with one or two other little areas in the series so far, are a bit recycled from Preacher and previous works, but if it aint broke then etc etc I guess.
Blackest Night trundles along nicely, some interesting choices for the new "deputies" in the book. I am still vey much of the opinion that Wonder Woman could normallt snap Mera like a twig, let alone when she's a BL as well.
... I know a fair few spidey fans who would be chuffed if certain people/relatonships were restored ASAP... Marvel wouldn't be cruel enough to tease and then not deliver... would they ?
It's not just that, there's the whole St. Patrick's day thing.. again ( in fairness I think it is actually the same bar and kind of an in joke but still ), more "if they'd all just be American and not Italian/romanian/whatever-American they'd be fine" thing.. again...and parts of the whole G Men story arc reminded me of the whole De Sade -- you remember the guy with the armadillo-- bit at the start of Preacher -- kiddie fiddling bad guy, drugs, porn.. mistaken identity etc etc.
That said I do enjoy seeing the relationship between Hughie and his new bird as it develops.
I still actually LOL at bits of it, but.. hmm.. I just feel the internal logic, so to speak, of the world just doesn't quite gel somehow. Not least the discrepancy between how actually useless the majority of the supes appear to be powers/abilities wise and their role and status in the setting. I get the swipe about "false idols" and all that with regards to us readers and our world, but I don't think it quite works for the internal logic of the stories he's trying to tell. IF the greater % of the supes are so useless powerwise then I don't get how this then works with meta human defense being the next big money making scheme for THE CORPORATIONS.
Meh.. is just a comic book I guess ..
I am kind of curious to seeing when Homelander will finally snap and what he'll unleash on the world.
Yes! I really think the stories DC are writing are damaging the industry though. A new reader picking up any of the big epics of recent times is going to be lost in the self referential continuity obsessed crapfest that's going on. Imagine if you saw Dark Knight, thought "Man, Batman is cool!" and picked up some comics, say, Batman RIP or Final Crisis? You're going to put them back on the shelf and back away slowly, probably thinking that comics are for nutjobs. Considering how awesome Dark Knight and Batman Arkham Asylum both are, I can see that scenario played out all over the place.
hmm.. I take the point about Final Crisis.. but in fairness those sort of crossovers are only ever for the regular hardcore fans.. and it was a great story too so ya boo sucks to you !
I do agree that - and I loved Batman RIP and most of the follow ons afterwards -- it was an odd choice to jettison Bruce Wayne as Batman when the character as a whole has never been bigger in the publics mind due to the films. But I kind of like the fact they let the writers do what thet wanted to do as such rather than forcing them down a path they didn't want to go down.
I think the "earth one" books they've announced might be good for the new reader.http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23954
reds8n, FYI the new Doom Patrol focuses on Negative Man and his backstory...including bringing the Morrison run into continuity. Kinda. I just paged through it (I'll read it fully later tonight), but it looks like it still doesn't quite make sense and is swept under the rug as being him not remembering things fully. I may be misrepresenting things. But I guess to be fair to Giffen, how do you really sort out and make sense of DP history?
So just how many weeks has it been since a Batman & Robin issue was released? It feels like about eight.
Reds8n, I do think Earth 1 books might be good, but the Ultimates thing with marvel didn't work out too well (except Ultimate Galactus, which was alright). Also, it's tainted by the stupid assed multiverse metanarrative bullcrap that DC have been wallowing in since Infinite Crisis.
I picked up some Invincible today, as I don't want my boycott to hurt my friendly neighbourhood comic shop. I'm hoping it'll be pretty good, Kirkman is a good writer and he shares my views on the industry at the moment.
@ Mr. Gorgon.. cool, I'll check that out. I agree it's impossible.. I still hope they leave Crazy Jane alone though.
@ Da Boss.. I must admit the fact that the Ultimates line even has to exist should say/tell something to the companies... but i do think they're in a catch 22 situation. Ignore continuity and the hardcore/longterm readers feel cheated and many of the writers lose aspects they love working with -- I genuinely think the world would be a worse place without Roy Thomas and his love of in universe continuity, hell he wrote entire stories to explain away minor flaws in continuity.. and bless him for it. That's the pay off long term fans get.
But..I accept that "we" need to keep attracting new readers who might well be lost or put off by being expected to start at issue #123 of a series. Which is ironic really : as a teenager, in the fairly recent 90s, when comic book stores and back issues were well established, it was part of the process... acquiring "the knowledge" so to speak... ... that kind of made the whole collecting thing so much fun. In, a very daft, way it was kind of like being part of a "secret" club or some such-- much in the same way that GW fans get snotty over "facts" X/Y/Z and so I guess -- and.. yeah.. it was kind of a thrill when you got issue #666 which revealed the actual identity of "Mister X" or whatever. Especially as you'd already read in Wizard/equivalent about what the original writer had planned instead and.. and.. etc etc...
I dunno.. I just think.. ideas about the viability of the paper and ink medium aside, that in the rush to attract more and more readers we are, perhaps, in some danger of losing what attracted us to the comics in the first place.
...bah...I'm getting old... must stop drinking spirits on a weeknight.
I see your point, but at the same time, it's not those self referential stories or big shake ups and retcons that got me into comics. It was the stories and the characters. I was always a bit confused by all the references, to be honest, and when I put the effort into finding out what was being referenced, I was usually mildly disappointed. The fact is, the industry isn't doing too well at the moment, and it's totally failing to bring in new readers- especially kids. I know for myself, reading comics from a very young age really helped my literacy, which no doubt helped me do well in education overall. I'd hope that lots of kids these days could get the same experience. I think time spent marketing to long term fans is largely wasted, since if the story is good, we'll read it anyway. It's my (entirely subjective) opinion that the new continuity obsessed stuff hasn't even been that good, for the most part. (There are, of course, exceptions).
I certainly don't think that paper and ink comics are in any way not viable- to my mind they're at least as viable as novels. The biggest problem with them is that they are written by fanboys for fanboys, and are impenetrable to the average person.
I'm not back in school until Friday, so I don't feel bad for my beers. I'm reading Invincible by Kirkman for the first time at the moment (local shop only had book four so I decided to jump in to assess whether it was immediately accessible or not). It's quite good, if you like your teenage superhero drama (which I do )
Now that I've actually read it, there's an interesting twist in the Doom Patrol issue. And I don't think you have anything to worry about regarding Crazy Jane.
Did anyone else pick up the first issue of Siege? I'm not normally big on the Marvel "event" stories, but the first one was pretty good. Nice pacing.
Haven't read much DC or Marvel at all other than the side storylines. I started to like
Iron Fist, and then I didn't. I started to like Iron Man, and then I didn't.
I think the longest running storyline I follow these days belongs to webcomics
such as somethingpositive.
Stuff I'm reading lately.
Incredible Hercules. I love this series. Part superhero, part mythic tale in the modern age, part comedy. The recent gig in Asgard was a hoot to see Hercules and Thor (playing the part of each other) get into what pretty much is a dirty schoolyard fight including purple nurples and kicks to the knackers.
The two Straczynski Thor TPBs. Great telling, great art. Only beef is Loki looking like Marilyn Manson.
The Boom! Studio Cthulhu books. Fall of Cthulhu and Cthulhu Tales. New stories that fit well into Lovecraft's mythos. The Harlot being a particularly creepy addition.
Fables and Jack of Fables. A great series.
Anything from Astrocity is worth reading in my opinion.
Powers. Part superhero book, part police drama as the two main characters deal with crimes involving capes.
Kinda like The Boys but much better in my opinion.
I've dropped the Boys after the 4th TPB, We Gotta Go Now. I wonder why Ennis writes superhero tales when he so obviously hates them. This was just too much for me. I can't see how anyone could enjoy: Teenagers jacking off on each other (constantly!), people urinating on each other (constantly!), Professor X depicted as a mind raping pedophile, horrible racist depictions of East Side/West Side mutant teams, and to end it all, getting to watch as the "good guys" kick a cargo pod full of children out of an aircraft.
I was really interested to see the tales of the team members (especially Frenchie and the Female) but I'm not going to put any more money into this series. it's really not that good.
I wanted to get into the Blackest Night run, but just couldn't considering the number of issues of series I have no interest in needing to be bought. Hopefully there will be trades covering it in some sort of logical manner.
Supergod looks good, I'll have to check it out. I loved the Planetary run, so have high hopes for this.
Another good set of books I've read was The Amazing Joy Buzzards. A world famous rock band that also fights evil in the world. It's a comedy, excellent art and I think the Spiders are the coolest evil group around.
Currently the only comic books I am reading are the Dark Horse series of Angel and Buffy, though I'm considering stopping reading Angel, it's really not that exciting (bought the past few and still haven't read them).
I am an avid reader of webcomics, but something tells me this isn't the right thread to talk about those!
..simpler times indeed eh ? I loved the run Messner Loebs did on Dr. Fate back in the day, that was a cracking series, well worth picking up and the back issues are pretty cheap from what I've seen.
I gave up watching the show years and years ago but..even if only for a couple of episodes I might give it a go
Currently reading DC books and not Marvel (except for the X-Men DVD I picked up a few years ago, just finished reading all the Uncanny issues up to Giant-Size X-Men 1, about to start on the post-reprint era)
Currently reading:
* ALL Blackest Night titles (Not sure I'll bother with the 26 fortnightly Brightest Day issues unless they affect the next few titles)
* Batman & Robin
* Batman
* Red Robin
And away from the big two, I'm reading the following IDW titles:
* Transformers - The ongoing series
* Transformers: Bumblebee - Miniseries
and looking forwards to Wednesday's release of
* Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers miniseries issue 1.
Wow...really interesting that Marvel's headed in DC's direction. Zeitgeists aside, might it be an attempt to make things more family-friendly given all the Marvel movies and thus potential new young readers on the way?
The new Batman & Robin is here...finally. I'm not imagining things...that was like 8 weeks between issues, right?
I never liked Morrison, I have his The Filth series for the sweet cover art and that is it. I have really liked the Kevin Smith 6 part run so far but otherwise I don't usually buy batman or any other mainstream title. Any Walking Dead fans?? I also get Scalped, 28 Days Later, The Goon, Hellboy, Hellblazer, Aliens, Predator, Cowboy Ninja Viking, DMZ, Fables, Demo and others I can't think of right now. I've heard talk that Cowboy, Ninja, Viking might be a monthly, which would be pretty awesome.
Well for Morrison there's always the Invisibles. If you didn't enjoy that, there's no reason to
really read much of his other work as it's more of the same weird/sexually deviant stuff.
Well, We 3 isn't. But that's animals with guns attached to them.
Finally caught up with my comic back issues, Blackest NIght is still pretty cool, although a few of the tie ins weren't all that but it was damn good to go back to Opal city for one more visit and see the O Dares and Shade again.
My top 10, also no particular order. Some are based on the character, others on their powers or abilities.
Lusiphur
Jace
Parintachin
Petunia
the Purple Marauder
Deadpool
Gambit
Wolverine
Black Knight
Drizzt Do'Urden (didn't start as a comic book though)
Morph
Really not a fan of most Marvel events, but Siege has been good IMO. Nice pacing with some big-time action. I feel like Blackest Night is losing some steam.
There's some interesting developments in Doom Patrol this week.
Blackest Night continues to look good, and I'm again very impressed with how wel Johns plots things -- he's already laying down future plot hooks and ideas, all very organically.
Having filled up my "collectors card" in my local store -- 1 stamp for every graphic novel you buy at £10 or more, when you've bought 10 then it's £10 off your next purchase -- I also got Green Lantern : Secret Origins.. for a mere 99P -- result !
A good read that nicely redefines Jordan's origin for the modern age and goes to show quite how long and well Blackest Night had been planned for.
Joe the Barbarian 2 was a cracking read, something about it just captres that "fever dream" or hallucinatory state superbly.
Quite enjoyed the tie in issues of Secret Six.. not sure enough to pick it up every month, might get the trades though.
Also put in my orders for Dini's Zatanna and Levitz's LoS to be pulled for me as well.
Freaking awesome. It was a great blend of the standard Star Wars mythos and the tenuous nature of the galaxy after the Yuuzan Vhong(who I never ever finished the novels of. There's too many of the damned things).
The Imperial Knights are by far my favorite part. If I had the sculpting talent, believe you me...I'd have an Inquisitorial retinue of them by now.
I know a few people have had the odd issue to do with pacing in the main BN series... but it works to my mind and the way he's tied together so many disparate plot points --many going back years and years -- is great to see.
... so...
Spoiler:
who is it then inside the Black Lantern ? I've heard all sorts of crazy theories from Don Hall/Dove ( ?! ) to Damage to.. well... pretty much every hero who has died in the crossover thus far.. which would be an ncie and neat way to bring back any and all who have died.
i cant comment on all the dc marvel comments as i only read 200ad and the megazine. I have to admit the megazine hasnt been great recently excwpt for the new tank girl stuff and the sooner 200ad get rid of dante the better
WW has always been an odd one, known more for the TV show and merchandise than classic stories IMO. She works in the JLA, but her solo stuff is always a bit odd. I read it when Byrne had a run a few years back..., I though messner Loebs did some cool stuff with her... but that, of course, involved her being replaced for a while.
Superman books have been moribund since.... gosh.... Our Worlds at War maybe ? Back when Lex was President anyway, which I much prefer to him wandering around in that stupid battlesuit like now. Think the superman books never quiet recovered from losing/moving away from then old "triangle" issues when he had 4 (!) series running, so tightly plotted it was a weekly book really.
Who the hell thought it was a good idea to take Superman out of his own book for a year or so... whilst they're doing the exact same thing with Bruce Wayne over in the batverse needs his head examining.
I think DC need to finish Blackest Night and spend a few years building up a mythology and history again, without spending two years attempting to retell or restructure the history of their characters for the 1,234th time.
..what the hell do I know eh ? I loved the 5 year gap Giffen/Bierbaum Legion book, cracking stuff.
It might be kinda telling that the most interesting Superman run of the past 20 years could be those "4 Supermen" issues that didn't actually include the real Superman.
Giffen's Legion book was a great read, even if Giffen condemned my fave childhood Legion member to slowly burning himself alive. But fans like their flight rings and upside-down rocketship clubhouses. *shrug*
And I totally agree DC needs to get some kind of continuity and momentum going before the Monitors and such roll in again and muck it up again. You reboot to add clarity, not confuse things further. If I wanted incredibly convoluted histories, I'd go read Marvel's X-books.
The plot is set in the real world where a comic fan with no powers decides to put on a suit and fight crime. And gets beaten up and sent to the hospital.
After 6 months of rehab he tries again and through Youtube and Myspace inspires a whole movement.
The problem comes in the end where after 100 pages of telling us that Batman is B-S the kid can now take on armies of mobsters desipite having been tortured for hours and bleeding from every oriphace.
Oh and it's also the sort of book where the heroes are white and blond and the villains are either black or Italian. I usually don't track that stuff but this time it was just overt.
Kid_Kyoto wrote:Just got Kick Ass and it is pretty darn good.
It has a serious problem though.
The plot is set in the real world where a comic fan with no powers decides to put on a suit and fight crime. And gets beaten up and sent to the hospital.
After 6 months of rehab he tries again and through Youtube and Myspace inspires a whole movement.
The problem comes in the end where after 100 pages of telling us that Batman is B-S the kid can now take on armies of mobsters desipite having been tortured for hours and bleeding from every oriphace.
Oh and it's also the sort of book where the heroes are white and blond and the villains are either black or Italian. I usually don't track that stuff but this time it was just overt.
Are you ready for the movie?
Are you ready for the 'controversy' that will surely come along for a ride with the movie?
I dug out my copy of Kingdom Come again. My second favorite Graphic Novel of all time (and to reference the earlier thread of conversation, a damn good Supes story)
Now that PLANETARY is finished, you should pick them up in trades - fantastic stuff that will read even better when collected as it took... quite a long time to finish up...
I'm still waiting for All-Star Batman & Robin to finish up. Promised myself I'd only buy it as a complete set of trades. I know 1-9 are compiled. I also know that it's apparently a fething terrible comic, but it's Frank Miller and Batman...
Jim Lee said we should expect news of that "soon" at the ECCC apparently.
Kingdom Come is indeed the shizzle. If you dig that you should check out the old, old, old Squaron Supreme miniseries Gruenwald did back in the.... 80s ?... I think. It's good stuff.
Angela Bassett is joining the cast of the Green Lantern movie that is currently in production in New Orleans under the direction of Martin Campbell. Bassett will play Dr. Amanda Waller, a government agent and former Congressional aide best known in the DC Universe for her role as the leader in charge of the Suicide Squad, a semi-secret government-run group of supervillains who are working for the government in return for amnesty. Waller was voted the “60th Greatest Villain of All Time” in a 2009 poll conducted by IGN.
..hmm... are DC starting to lay down plotlines for future films like Marvel have been doing then ?
I've been missing this thrad for too long, then again I'm usually a year behind.
I recently read Deadpool: Suicide Kings which was the first Deadpool only TPB that ever reached German shores. I just love the character and this story was no exception. Also: the Punisher fighting with a villian arsenal was awesome. Goblin Glider, Whiplash whips, Octopus arms. So much fun.
I also read the first Scott Pilgrim book and liked it a lot. Can't wait for the movie.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Is anyone still reading Spider-Man? Me and my brother quit reading it after you-know-what happened. I'm still holding out for another retcon to bringthe series back to where it was when JMS was writing it.
Now I'm interested...what happened? Did you turn into a zombie?
I've enjoyed the Zombie Marvels trend.
I've also got my hands on the Aliens vs. Pred vs. Terminators...was funky looking, not exactly a strong several issues, but is always cool to see cross-overs.
My Favs so far is the Infinity Gauntlet series...can't get enough of it.
@Anuug Un Rama:
I love Deadpool...been following the recent one Merc with a Mouth, not as bad ass as the normal Deadpool, but still has good flavor.
It will lead into the already announced "Brightest Day" storyline which has a whole bunch of series and stories.. none of which i can tell you about without major spoilage.
Overall I was happy with Blackest Night, middle section perhaps dragged a bit.. but zombie superhero battles are kinda cool and some of the stories -- a return to Opal City/The Shade, the JSA mini, and the pencils on the main 8 issue series, have been first class. Much better than Siege from what I've seen which seems to have kind of collapsed as a story in the penultimate issue. can't fault Geoff Johns on plotting.
And I hope they do make a poster out of the double paged spread in the middle of this issue.. , that pleased me mightily.
glad to see Firestorm is "back", although I did really dig the Fire Elemental version, especially when drawn by Mandrake. Can DC do the impossible and actually generate interest in Aquaman ?
I think it's interesting that DC is sticking with/going back to the classic looks for both Firestorm and Aquaman. I thought the fire elemental version and some of the more recent looks for Aquaman just seem a lot more modern.
Also interesting is the return of the proper Hawkgirl, big round earrings and all. So I guess this represents a deliberate move back to classic versions of their characters.
Whazzup with the white lantern in the crater? A new character yet to come? You can't tell me a white power battery in a crater is going to get forgotten about and end up being discovered by some random train engineer...hey, wait a minute!
Alpharius wrote:RE: Red Hulk - Yup, still a 'mystery'. And no, no one really cares.
I'm not a Hulk fan, but I have a guess that it's a smaller bit character from the past. Although WTF was up with Rick Jones becoming the new Abomination...oops, I mean A-bomb?
Not a compelling story to say the least. I don't even buy the books. Every now and then I pick one up in the store, flip through it quickly, see if the big reveal has happened yet and then put it back on the shelf, LOL.
On another note, does anyone else think that the Sentry 'losing it' will dovetail nicely into MARVEL MAN showing up, kicking ass and saving the day?
I just hope this wraps up the whole Sentry story by permanently removing him from the Marvel universe.
tp_1983 wrote:Has anyone here read Rex Mundi? There should be a film coming out soon with Johnny Depp.
Huh, I didn't know that. That was a solid series...at first it seems like just another Grail-related conspiracy story, but then it goes off into some interesting directions. And the alternate timeline is interesting, too.
Johnny Depp, huh? He's okay, I guess...not sure I saw the main character as needing a touch of Depp quirkiness. Seems like kinda uninspired casting, if you ask me.
gorgon wrote: Johnny Depp, huh? He's okay, I guess...not sure I saw the main character as needing a touch of Depp quirkiness. Seems like kinda uninspired casting, if you ask me.
Volume 6 of The BOyz didn't come in as "promised" so I was forced to settle for picking up the Infinite Crisis and All Star Superman volume I, as well as B & R 11 and Brightest Day 0 ...or 1... whichever it was.
All very good, I'd heard good things about All Star Superman..and it's even better than I thought it would be. read it through 3 times or so now and it gets better with every read.
I want to read All-Star Superman, but I don't think there's a Tradepaperback out in Germany yet. Looking forward to it though, it was recomended by Linkara.
Angela Bassett is joining the cast of the Green Lantern movie that is currently in production in New Orleans under the direction of Martin Campbell. Bassett will play Dr. Amanda Waller, a government agent and former Congressional aide best known in the DC Universe for her role as the leader in charge of the Suicide Squad, a semi-secret government-run group of supervillains who are working for the government in return for amnesty. Waller was voted the “60th Greatest Villain of All Time” in a 2009 poll conducted by IGN.
..hmm... are DC starting to lay down plotlines for future films like Marvel have been doing then ?
Well she'd better be putting on 100lbs if she's going to pull off the role.
Amada Waller is one of my all time favorite characters.
Apparently, the excellent Green Lantern: First Flight and Wonder Woman movies sold so poorly that sequels for both were canceled, along with... well, pretty much everything else, according to Bruce Timm. That includes an unannounced Aquaman movie, a planned Batgirl: Year One movie, and the mentioned but unseen Teen Titans: Judas Contract movie, all of which, if they were even half as good as GL and WW, would have been great. Oh, and for kicks Timm says he won't be making movies of either Batman: Hush or The Long Halloween either, just so you know. I have no idea what this leaves other than the Batman: Under the Red Hood movie, if anything. That sucks
from Topless Robot.
Bugger, thought these were pretty sweet, far better than the recent Marvel efforts.
Nevermind. Looks like there's a home game at Wrigley Field. That means traffic will
be a bear to get through. I think perhaps I'll try to get through that to get to my comic
shop, but if it doesn't work at all (I'm thinking taking Western south past wrigley Field
and then turning onto either Diversey or Belmont) then I'll just head home.
Batman and Robin 12 kikcs ass, nice to see "The Return of Bruce Wayne" starting to unfold, looks like it has been plotted out very well. I would actually have been quite happy to Grayson stay as Bats for a while yet and I'm happy that Damian appears to be staying as Robin, be intrigued to see if he still does when Bruce returns.
Brightest Day was interesting enough, actually enjoyed an Aquaman sequence, despite him not hvaing a beard ! Really glad to see J'onn J'azz back and doing stuff and Firestorm as well.
Also picked up the softback of All Star Superman II... wow ! Almost perfect, you get more and more out of it with every read, the artwork is so detailed and textured and Superman is just exactly right.
reds8n wrote:Batman and Robin 12 kikcs ass, nice to see "The Return of Bruce Wayne" starting to unfold, looks like it has been plotted out very well. I would actually have been quite happy to Grayson stay as Bats for a while yet and I'm happy that Damian appears to be staying as Robin, be intrigued to see if he still does when Bruce returns.
Yeah, kinda surprised they didn't left Bruce AWOL for another year or so. Unless sales are dropping or something. Think maybe they'll leave Dick as Batman for a while after Bruce returns, a la Captain America? A "Who Will Wield the (erm) Cowl" arc, followed by Dick keeping the cowl (but setting up an eventual handoff back to the rightful owner down the road) would stretch it out longer and presumably drive more "event" issues/arcs ($$$).
So Aquaman seemingly can only control or summon dead sea creatures now then ? And both him and J'onn J'onzz have at least some link or connection to their Black Lantern status ?
I'm glad to see DC still doing something with Firestorm, although I do still prefer the Elemental version
they're really "back" to stay? And even if they are, will we see them turn evil at a later time? I got the feeling J'onn has more plans than he's letting on, too.
I thought it was a lot better than marvel Zombies, not least as the story actually had a point, YMMV of course.
Normally i'd say wait for the trades now, but I'm not sure how this story will be collected together, gorgeous artwork though and it pissed all over Siege from a great height.
So..todays' haul was : Return of Bruce Wayne 1 -- sublime and cooler than a freezer, but I am a massive Morrison fanboy -- JLI : generation lost which was better than I'd hoped for and has hooked me into ordering the series -- and Titans : Villains for Hire one shot..mainly due to the Hoo ha the book caused. I can understand the POv of some of the fans but I felt the book was well done. I will say that in years gone by this was precisely the sort of story that was a sub plot or back up feature though...meh..getting old I guess.
Also got volume 6 of The Boyz, a much stronger effort than "herogasm", pencils not quite to my taste in parts but an actual honest to god story rather than endless bitching. Good.
Really I should wait for payday before picking up the latest bunch of goodies but there's some good stuff coming out.
Zatanna -- by Dini I added to my pull list when it was first advertised, and the review(s) are good too.
Also really looking forward to Levitz's new Legion of Superheroes title, I hope Dc actually stick with the series for a few years, the series, characters and fans deserve a lot better than they've got in the last few years...well...decades perhaps.
Still I loved the 5 year gap stories so what do I know.
Brightest day was alright, I was pleased with the Firestorm and J'onn J'onzz stuff -- could have done without yet another slaughter scene though and why is it every Manhunter story must involve his origin in some way ? -- and the rest was alright.
Also picked up issue 1 of the DCU : legacies mini, I'm a sucker for a "history" story. Kubert artwork is gorgeous, it's a very nice little tale, this is going to be a good series IMO.
Legion of Superheroes was good, little surprised at some of the decisions made in it, nice to read Levitz again though. Little annoyed as it looks like I'll have to pick up some of the trades of the more recent tales.... ahh.... what a hardship eh !
best thing of the week, perhaps this month however was Zatanna 1. Pretty much a perfect first issue, great art, cool character and well written. Remember when you really liked Buffy/similar in about seasons 2 or 3, and everything just seemed to click ? This is that good, well worth picking up.
Cartoon Network will air Green Lantern: The Animated Series, a new GL toon series, beginning in Fall 2011, according to Hollywood Reporter. The new TV series is part of a broad campaign to expand the uses of the Green Lantern character, which includes the movie premiering June 17, 2011 (see “Green Lantern Movie in 3D”); videogames next May; “made-for-video;” expanded publishing; consumer products; and digital, including Motion Comics.
Little surprised about Mister Miracle in the background their..New Gods revamp on the way then ?
Or maybe it's just the ongoing Kirby lawsuits on their minds..?
Return of Bruce Wayne and JLI : generation lost 2 ( of each series) rolled out this week. Both very good, a couple of very minor quibbles with some of the art in the Batman tale but overall it fitted the tone of the story very well. Morrison has really taken this oppurtunity to build up the "Bat mythos" in the DC universe, it works very well.
I just gave my friend copies of the first three collections of 100 Bullets with a note
that this was one of the reasons I'm ruined for Superhero books forever.
this is running on BBC America, apparently. Cool, I think this is exactly the sort of thing comic companies should be doing, especially for excellent series like this.
Picked up Brightest Day 3, which was cool enough, wish they could get Finch to draw some of the interiors as well. Also bought and hen added to my pull list "I Zombie" which is just so much fun it was irresistible. A zombie gravedigger and her go go dancer friend ghost... what more can you ask for in a comic ?
Appearanty DC animated movies are not complety off the table.
Batman: Year One, the comic-book story by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchilli, is being adapted into one of Warner Home Video's DC Universe animated
movies, The Continuum has learned. According to sources, the film will be directed by Sam Liu, who co-directed Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Warner Bros. did not confirm the film's
existence. The studio has not commented on projects until their announced release.
Debating getting comic books, but my shop is near Wrigleyville where all the yuppies
are going to go get wasted in preparation for tomorrow's Blackhawks parade.
Bruce Timm has promised that DC is continuing its work on the animated movie line.
The animator - best known for his work on DC's animated series and feature-length films - addressed rumours that the franchise was in trouble in a Warner Home Video Q&A.
The rumours arose from a reportedly 'exclusive interview' in which Timm suggested that the movies were performing below expectations.
"First of all, it wasn't an actual one-on-one interview - quotes were taken out of context from longer answers I gave on a panel at the Expo," said Timm.
"Bottom line: the DCU films are definitely continuing. We've got projects lined up for the next two years at the very least - lots of films in different stages of development and production.
"I know there are a lot of rumours circulating about future films. Some are true, some are not. I'll tell you this much - anyone at our DCU/Batman: Under the Red Hood panel at Comic-Con will walk away with a very clear picture of the direction we're taking the DCU animated movies in the coming year."
and in somewhat odd but kinda cool news
Details have emerged about J.M. Straczynski's highly-anticipated first storyline in Superman.
The 'Grounded' arc begins in the milestone issue #700 which was released this week, and sees Superman reconnect with his homeland by walking across the US.
The Thor writer has invited readers to campaign to have their hometown featured in the 13-part arc.
"Because Superman is a symbol of hope, I wanted folks to have a chance to bring Superman into their town, into their neighbourhood, in the pages of the book," Straczynski told USA Today.
"You have to remember that when Superman was initially created, his fights weren't against vast interstellar forces. They were against criminals preying on the average guy.
"Superman was created to be the ally of the average American, the guy who didn't have lots of money or friends in high places."
The prelude of 'Grounded' appeared as one of the stories in this week's over-sized issue before it begins in earnest when Straczynski takes over the title next month in issue #701
Thank Gork for that one. I love the DCAU animated movies. Glad they're not done with them. *crosses fingers for hush*
JMS writing Supes sounds interesting.
I just read two GL Corps stores leading up to Blackest Night. It was a bit weird to be honest. For one thing, I think I hate Guy Gardner. And why isn't Kyle Ion anymore?
And the Saphire Guard is meant as a joke, right? The Green Lanterns were much cooler when it was only them and Sinestro. Pink, blue and red Lanterns seems a bit lame, if you consider that they have the whole Universe to draw villians from.
Superman Homepage (via Superhero Hype) has learned the next DC Animated release will be called "Superman/Batman: Apocalypse," based on the second Superman/Batman story line. They even have cover art for it.
Superman Homepage (via Superhero Hype) has learned the next DC Animated release will be called "Superman/Batman: Apocalypse," based on the second Superman/Batman story line. They even have cover art for it.
The costume ties into an alternative history for the character devised by J. Michael Straczynski, the new writer of the series, and into a quest by DC to shine a critical and creative spotlight on the heroine, who stands with Superman and Batman in its primary triumvirate of superstars, despite her series’s modest sales.
In the reimagining of her story, Wonder Woman, instead of growing up on Paradise Island with her mother, Queen Hippolyta, and her Amazon sisters, is smuggled out as a baby when unknown forces destroy her home and slaughter its inhabitants.
err...what ? So..all those recent stories and the past 20 years of tales are...? err...
IGN Comics: Obviously your bold changes are attempting to bring this character into a new era, redefined for a modern age. Yet the idea of twisting time is bound to be controversial with the fans. Was it difficult to convince yourself – and DC – that a sweeping change like this needed to be made? And what would you say to the fans who cherish some of the past 20 years that are about to be altered in support of this new direction?
Straczynski: That's kind of the beauty of the concept. It's not like we change the timeline and that's over and it never happened. It did happen, and some of those around her remember that other timeline, including the Oracle she consults, and some characters we'll meet along the way, like the Phantom Stranger and Deadman. In a way, what she's doing is fighting her way back to that timeline, if she can, even though she herself has no memory of it.
The premise on all this is that the gods -- for reasons of their own, but having to do with their own survival and the survival of Earth -- changed the timeline to remove their protection of Paradise Island. The island was attacked, most of the Amazons killed, including Hippolyta, in a final desperate defense of their home. Before the end, Diana was smuggled out by the queen's guards and handmaidens. She was raised in an urban setting by those same people, so she has a foot in both worlds. Her task is to find out who's trying to kill them and why...find other surviving Amazons and rescue them...recapture Paradise Island...and discover the secret behind why the gods took this action.
So really, both timelines still exist. We haven't invalidated a single Wonder Woman story. They're all there, just around the corner...and she's fighting her way to that corner. But what she finds when she gets there...ah, that's the question, isn't it?
IGN Comics: In terms of the actual time change, does Wonder Woman start to realize something is wrong now, that somewhere in her past something was altered? Or has she been searching for this evidence ever since she was a child?
Straczynski: She doesn't know or feel it herself -- though she does have occasional dreams in which she sees the Wonder Woman we all know fighting something terrible, but she doesn't know what that means yet -- and it's not initially her main concern. Her agenda at the beginning is to find and save her people, and stop the forces trying to destroy them. There's a lot of pressure on her...there's the sense that when the Princess returns to her people, everything will be fine again, and that's a lot to bear.
I was going to post something about it, but you beat me to it.
I've never read a WW comic, I only know her from DCs animated works but I got to like the her through those. The new costume looks really good imo. The classic outfit was always a bit too ridicoulus, especially they way the American flag was worked in but the new one just works for me.
However, I'm really irritated with the whole timeline-change aspect. I mean, wasn't it exactly that kind of stuff that made JMS leave Spider-Man in the first place? And Spidey, if I'm not mistaken, also has this weird "this happened before but different"-vibe. I stopped reaind after One More Day, but from what I gathered from the Marvel Database they're still not done with the whole Mephisto-angle.
This Reboot for Wonder Woman might be a good start for me to pick it up (once it's out on this side of the atlantic anyway ) and I try to be optimistic about. JMS is one of my favourite writers, let's cross fingers this won't be DCs Brand New Day.
I think the WW reboot is badly needed, to be honest. The character has been stagnant for decades without any real direction.
The costume is kind of an embarrassment, especially when you consider all the original creator's...preferences...that are involved. Frankly, the slate needs to wiped clean of a lot of that stuff, especially if young women are supposed to be looking up to her.
There's no real driving motivation behind the character, at least not like all the classic and iconic superheroes. The rogue's gallery is similarly terrible. Although WW is an icon and one of DC's important properties, the character itself is a neglected mess with a host of issues.
Return of Bruce Wayne is amazing this month, it's been a kick ass story, expertly plotted. The way this returns Bruce and helps build a genuine mythos behind the Bat mythology is quite amazing.
Zatanna continues to kick ass, gorgeous art especially. I've always thought the character had potential and Dini seems to be the man to unlock it. I wonder if he'll try to continue to push her and Bats as a couple...?
Generation Lost and Brightest day but enjoyable enough, with the former getting a nice and smart plot prod. Brightest Day is perhaps suffering a bit too much from the character juggling..guess we'll have to see how this one goes.
I doubt Dini will push a Batman/Zantana relationship. No wait, that's not right. I hope he won't. After all, he finally kicked the whole Batman/Catwoman thing into high gear in Heart of Hush.
The first two Streets of Gotham stories were really cool imo.
I,Zombie was another delightful read and Brightest Day was fun too, some gorgeous artwork. Also picked up the Superman?LoS recent tpbk, which was a blast to read, a ncie reworking of some cool characters on the whole, not quite taken with Franks' pencils in parts but he does a good action scene.
Batman and Robin was awesomely good however, I know the art has gotten mixed reviews here and there but I felt it worked and fitted the tone of the story well.
So it seems like Grant Morrison's picking up elements of his R.I.P./Black Glove storyline again in Batman & Robin.
I was a little disappointed in how that all worked out the first time around -- the payoff IMO wasn't equal to the great buildup. So I'm hoping this ends a little differently. Of course, real resolution might have to wait until Bruce is officially back in town.
Haveta say that whether he's Thomas Wayne, the devil, neither, or both, Dr. Hurt is a pretty scary dude.
Edit: Also haveta say that no one handles the Joker quite like Morrison.
I think the way that Morrison has dug into and folded in so uch of the Bat's published history is really amazing, it's odd how you can tie things together like he did, reminds me very much of "Marvels" almost in the way that things fit quite neatly without any intention of that being the case.
Morrison has pretty much defined The Joker ( in the comics, in cartoons its you know who easily) for me. The sheer force of nature characterisation he gives him finally makes him come across as frightening as he should be....
.... and makes me feel bad about the way I ran the character in many a DC superhero RPG back in the day.. anyway...
Anyway, via Topless Robot..Fred Phelps and his infamous clan are, apparently going to picket the San Diego Comic Con
At Comic-Con, lots of people wear costumes. It seems that on at least one day, a whole group of people will dress up as a bunch of donkey-caves. Yep, that’s right; apparently since they have nothing better to do, members of the Topeka, Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, which is led by Fred Phelps, plan to picket Comic-Con in San Diego.
In case you’re lucky enough to not know who I’m talking about, these are the douchecanoes who protest at the funerals of servicemen and -women killed overseas. Classy, right?
Now why, you’re asking, are they protesting the nerd prom? You may have seen this quote around the Interwebz; it’s from the WBC site:
“Are you kidding?! If these people would spend even some of the energy that they spend on these comic books, reading the Bible, well no high hopes here. They have turned comic book characters into idols, and worship them they do! Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: 9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. It is time to put away the silly vanities and turn to God like you mean it. The destruction of this nation is imminent – so start calling on Batman and Superman now, see if they can pull you from the mess that you have created with all your silly idolatry.”
Riiiiiiiiiight.
Well, apparently they are so incensed about this travesty that they’re going to protest for a whole 45 minutes on Thursday (1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.), which though heavily populated, isn’t nearly as crowded as Friday or Saturday. And that’s if they even show up.
It would be worth the price of admission to see someone dressed up as Buddy Christ tell them all to go piss up a rope.
reds8n wrote:I think the way that Morrison has dug into and folded in so uch of the Bat's published history is really amazing, it's odd how you can tie things together like he did, reminds me very much of "Marvels" almost in the way that things fit quite neatly without any intention of that being the case.
Morrison has pretty much defined The Joker ( in the comics, in cartoons its you know who easily) for me. The sheer force of nature characterisation he gives him finally makes him come across as frightening as he should be....
.... and makes me feel bad about the way I ran the character in many a DC superhero RPG back in the day.. anyway...
See, I think I'm beginning to understand Dr. Hurt in about the same way. Hurt said he's the hole in things and the piece that will never fit. So maybe asking "who is Hurt" is the wrong question, or at least an irrelevant one. Hurt is nothing more than the devil, or at least Bruce Wayne's devil, and that's all we really need to understand. And maybe that explains why the Joker and Hurt clearly have different agendas, yet seem to share some kind of kinship. The Joker is to chaos what Hurt is to evil. Both are nemeses of Bruce in a classical Greek sense, but in different ways.
Of course now that I said this, Morrison will probably go and show Hurt to actually BE Thomas Wayne, lol.
I just saw Batman: Under the Red Hood. This has to be the best animated Batman-related thing since Mask of the Phantasm. Seriously, you need to see this.
The animation is top notch (as usual). While no Kevin Conry, Captain Pike does a solid job as Batman and I really enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing. John DiMaggio has an intersting take on the Joker. He's not imitating Hammil, he really got the "murdering psychopatch" thing down. There is also a great scene with him taking out a squad of Black Mask's henchman.
The announcement of the movie "Sam Axe" starring Bruce Campbell.
They're making a prequel to the TV series "Burn Notice", explaining how Sam ended up being 'retired' to Miami and the work he did with Michael Westen prior to the TV series. Promises to be pretty awesome.
In the video, producers Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti discuss the characters and the development of the series, and reveal — for all of those continuity sticklers out there — that it’s set in the present, but in “a young DC Universe.” “Superman showed up just 10 years ago,” Weisman says.
I'm confused. I was hoping this would fit into the the DCAU continuity.
Used a gift card from my birthday to order "Batman: Under the Red Hood" today.
And I'm going to be using a coupon that www.tfaw.com sent me for my birthday last week(which alone is impressive. I've only bought from them once and I get a birthday coupon?!) to get the final two issues of "Aliens Versus Predators: Three World War" next month.
Just finished watching "Under the Red Hood". As someone not really familiar with comics outside of the "Halo: Helljumper", "Star Wars: Legacy" and "Aliens Versus Predators: Three World War"...they did a fantastic job explaining what happened in "The Killer Joke".
Much props to DC for this, and Jensen Ackles was amazing as Red Hood.
Kanluwen wrote:Just finished watching "Under the Red Hood". As someone not really familiar with comics outside of the "Halo: Helljumper", "Star Wars: Legacy" and "Aliens Versus Predators: Three World War"...they did a fantastic job explaining what happened in "The Killer Joke".
Much props to DC for this, and Jensen Ackles was amazing as Red Hood.
You got something wrong there. Killing Joke is the Batman story by Alan Moore, where the Joker shows up at Gordon's home, cripples his daughter and kidnaps him, to prove that even one bad day can turn even the best man into a psychotic. The story you probably mean is A Death in the Family, which I've never read, but from what I know it's a lot weirder in the comics. Something about the Joker aqquiring diplomatic immunity or something.
Jason Todd is determined to find his real mother. He and Bruce travel around the globe and ultimately find her working as a Dr. in..err...Ethopia/similar. Turns out that she is being blackmailed by The Joker who knows that she used to perform backstreet abortions in Gotham years ago. After he's killed Jason Todd he is escaping and then,I kid you not, is met by the Ayatollah of Iran !
He makes him their diplomat to the UN, which therefore gives him [Joss Ackland] diplomatic immunity[/Lethal weapon II] . Batman doesn't care and vows to take him down anyway, the USA sends Supes to talk him down. Ultimately Joker tries to kill the UN assembly, his plan is foiled thanks to Supes, and then as he tries to escape-- pursued by Batman -- the chopper they are in crashes and the Joker is missing..perhaps even KIA.
Spoiler:
..The Joker survived the crash !111
It's a better read than it sounds there, but it is a bit dated. I would recommend "10 nights of The Beast" from that era as being a much better story.
Kanluwen wrote:Just finished watching "Under the Red Hood". As someone not really familiar with comics outside of the "Halo: Helljumper", "Star Wars: Legacy" and "Aliens Versus Predators: Three World War"...they did a fantastic job explaining what happened in "The Killer Joke".
Much props to DC for this, and Jensen Ackles was amazing as Red Hood.
You got something wrong there. Killing Joke is the Batman story by Alan Moore, where the Joker shows up at Gordon's home, cripples his daughter and kidnaps him, to prove that even one bad day can turn even the best man into a psychotic. The story you probably mean is A Death in the Family, which I've never read, but from what I know it's a lot weirder in the comics. Something about the Joker acquiring diplomatic immunity or something.
I was relying on a friend of mine's experience with comics.
I've not read any Batman comics outside of a single issue starring "Firefly" and with Tim Drake as Robin.
If you want to get into Batman, I can recommend three Tradepaperbacks.
#3: The Long Halloween, which is basically what Harvey Dent's arc The Dark Knight was based on, just with more super villains.
#2: Frank Miller's Masterpiece (read: stuff he wrote before he went totally insane) The Dark Knight Returns, in which Batman, after 2 decades, decides to take to crime fighting again.
any my personal Favourite:
#1: Hush. We discussed it in this thread before. Basically, it's one of the best artists in the industry getting to draw half of Batman's Rogues Gallery and the story is imo the best take on the "modern" Batman.
Kanluwen wrote:Just finished watching "Under the Red Hood". As someone not really familiar with comics outside of the "Halo: Helljumper", "Star Wars: Legacy" and "Aliens Versus Predators: Three World War"...they did a fantastic job explaining what happened in "The Killer Joke".
Much props to DC for this, and Jensen Ackles was amazing as Red Hood.
You got something wrong there. Killing Joke is the Batman story by Alan Moore, where the Joker shows up at Gordon's home, cripples his daughter and kidnaps him, to prove that even one bad day can turn even the best man into a psychotic. The story you probably mean is A Death in the Family, which I've never read, but from what I know it's a lot weirder in the comics. Something about the Joker acquiring diplomatic immunity or something.
I was relying on a friend of mine's experience with comics.
I've not read any Batman comics outside of a single issue starring "Firefly" and with Tim Drake as Robin.
You, sir, are quite funny!
Also - I cannot recommend ALL STAR SUPERMAN highly enough!
As for ALL STAR BATMAN... has it even finished up yet?
It did give us a great line, or two, though - "I'M THE GODDAMN BATMAN!"
Well, I'm a little behind the times with comics.
I just picked up Blackest Night compilation that starts with Deadman, Batman, Superman, Titans.
Well, I'm not a little, but alot behind.
The different Supermen, not really 'Tean' Titans, Robin(s)...I had so much catching up on wikipedia this work week
I'm a fan of Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth.
I haven't touched the Deadpool Merc Corps. yet.
I have several issues of the AVP:3 world war, but I think I haven't been able to purchase the 3 or 4th one.
I want to get the new Zombie Marvels with Howard the duck, but I don't know what is holding me back....maybe it's just 'over done' by now... I don't know.
My favorite character is Thanos, but after missing the whole start up of the Thanos Initative or what ever they call his new series.... I'm meh over it, seems very cyclic by now and predictable.
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Above all my favorite comic is the Infinity Gauntlet series(s).
I have also been trying to get my hands on some Ghost Rider 2099 or some year around then. I very much liked that version of Ghost Rider...not a fan of the 'normal' one for some reaons.
I was very pleasantly surprised yesterday, I pre-ordered Daenyathos last thursday, and I received friday, so, even before august, and in 1 day, from england.
Is anyone still reading Spider-Man? Appearantly there will be "answers" regarding you-know-what.
Marvel is proud to unveil the jaw-dropping variant cover to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #640, the third chapter of the hotly-anticipated "One Moment In Time"!
Written by Marvel's EiC and CCO Joe Quesada, and featuring art from the dynamic duo of Quesada and superstar Paolo Rivera, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #640 brings readers the answers that they've been demanding. How did the world REALLY forget Peter Parker was Spider-Man? What does the future hold for Peter and Mary Jane? Find out in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #640!
NOt one person in my local store buys a spider man comic apparently.
.. a fatman kicks him in the head...seriously ? That's the best they could come up with ?!
Return of Bruce Wayne was a great read..as usual, art was a bit confusing in places but overall it looked lush. Brightest Day is heaving into life, a bit anyway, the new Martiona Manhunter villain is most unsettling.
and Justice League : Generation Lost gave some welcome exposure to Captain Atom, a character whose solo series back in the day was superb -- and cheap to pick up as well from what I've seen. Considering how important this guy used to be in the Dc universe, it's (almost0 sad to see what has happened to him over the last few years, he's a cool character with a good look and some great powers, I want to see him being the powerhouse he was in the JLE books, and doing much more than just absorbing bomb blasts every other day.
..it's just... I know it was early on, and it's a perfectly understandable physical reaction... but... he's Batman, things like that don't happen. He killed Darkseid and survives Quantum Leaping through time. He's amde of sterner stuff than that.
That said...
Spoiler:
that final page with Silver St. Cloud .. might pick the collected edition up, is it worth it in your opinion ?
I should preface this by saying that I don't read Batman that often, and I loved the Widening Gyre. It had a great mix of introspective moments and action. I really liked the parts where Batman thought about how things used to be and how things are now. Like when villains used to just steal things and wear funny costumes and now they eat people.
With Morrison, it's kind of hard to know if he's really adding in that kind of complexity or simply using games as a theme to pull the writing together. I'd be willing to believe either possibility. There certainly DOES seem to be something going on with the repeating game themes.
Of course, it could also all be nonsense in true Lewis Carroll fashion.
I don't know if the Riddler will be the villain in the next Batman film or what actor will be chosen to play him. I do know that if there was a real-life Riddler, he'd be a lot like Grant Morrison.
So regarding Morrison and game theory, I had a look through Return of Bruce Wayne.
Spoiler:
And other than a few passing references -- Hex with a dead man's hand, the roulette wheel and gaming tables in the 1800s Gotham -- I don't see anything as overt as the checkerboard pattern throughout RIP or the dominoes theme throughout B&R. So maybe the RoBW book isn't so much a part of it, if this is really part of some thing across the DC universe.
While we're talking about RoBW...
Spoiler:
...any idea if the "hunter's belt" references are going anywhere? Note that the ship that Thomas Wayne boarded was also the S.S. ORION. They could be just a thematic reference to the utility belt (being an iconic part of the Batman mythology). Or they could be symbolic, with Bruce playing the role of the mythological Orion. That'd have a bunch of implications. Or it could be an actual clue leading somewhere. Personally, I have no idea.
which God did he "kill"... and who was he prophesised to be killed by eh ?
As to the Return story ; I'm inclined to agree with you, maybe one could add the time loom thing at the end of the universe, it was sort of patterned IIRC. I am wondering though if Bruce himself is being used.. as a pawn ? Maybe a knight...he seems to go forwards and to the side anyway
So perhaps the prophecy wasn't literally about Orion the New God, but "an" Orion, i.e. a hunter?
Not sure if any of the Greek myth obviously applies. Wikipedia points out the myth was never properly codified by anyone. So there are a lot of disparate elements.
Seems that Orion was healed by Helios, the sun god. Maybe there's a dotted line there to the "everlasting day" type comments and a suggestion of an end to Bruce's journey? Orion's affair with Artemis could possibly be a dotted line to Wonder Woman (Diana). Maybe a parallel between an egotistical Orion being struck down by a god and an grown-to-be-overconfident Bruce being stuck down by Darkseid?
Although I think I'm really stretching it in all cases.
They had been pushing -- even mentioned it in Blackest Night -- the whole Wonder Woman + Batman romance thing.
I remember reading something ages ago that one of Morrison's ideas had been to have the New Gods die ( as they did) and then have the BIG heroes of the DC universe "ascend" to replace them as the next New Gods, and then there would be a reborn universe with new heroes or, perhaps the next generation stepping up to fill the boots/capes of their evolved forebears.
Like Dick Grayson becoming... Batman.. hmmm feth !
maybe that's what he's been doing all along !
Helios.. the sun God...as in Solar powerd spit curled superhero... who in All Star Superman & the DC 1,000,000 stories lives in the sun and changes it to save humanity. Normally after overthrowing Solaris, the sun tytrant....
Sure is lucky nothings' happened to Wonder Woman recen... oh...hang on...
See, that's what I was referring to earlier about Morrison being the Riddler. He'll twist you into knots if you aren't careful. Anything and everything is pretty much in play with him when he starts getting tricky like this. Things can be straight-up, take as you see it or involve something as wacky as the DC universe as AI theory. You just don't know.
The "RIP and Battle for the Cowl" bit are both something a friend of mine said too. I let the guy over at TFAW pick out his favorites and what was kinda big, storyline wise, for me, and he went for those ones.
Even knocked $20 off the overall price, in addition to the discount voucher I had, because he could only find RIP and Battle for the Cowl in hardcover currently in stock.
It's about the new Young Justice cartoon, but contains some spoilers for Brightest Day too.
Sounds alright, big surprise to read it is set in the DC continuity, even if it's on a world that hasn't seen or done much yet...AFAIK anyway.
Zatanna continues to be a great read, Brightest Day is fun, but I do think it'll read better in the trades...but I am very pleased to see the Martian Manhunter and Firestorm get some love.
I read Morrison's Arkham Asylum and A Death in the family today. I didn't like them.
Maybe I just didn't "get" Arkham, but it felt really strange and I as not entertained at all.
Death in the Family was... well... old. And pretty cheesy.
DC Comics Source wrote:Starting in November, DETECTIVE COMICS, BATMAN and BATMAN AND ROBIN will feature the ongoing adventures of Dick Grayson as Batman, with Damian as Robin. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne will take center stage in the pages of Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette's BATMAN INC. and writer/artist David Finch's BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT.
The recent 2 parter/return to Final Crisis/missing scenes in Batman have been great, all really only further convince me that Morrison has been and is planning something quite special indeed.
Brightest Day is fun..maybe a bit slow but then i'm really just waiting for the Firestorm part
Zatanna is great too, and I'm enjoying the Legion of Superheroes far too much as well.
So, the Punisher is now a Frankenstein monster. I'll be honest with you, I did not see that one coming.
Anyone ever read anything with FRANKENCASTLE in it?
Automatically Appended Next Post: Just read Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth, the issues where he encounters his Zombie head counterpart and fights Hydra. I just love Deadpool. Never read a bad comic with him in it.
Next I'll either read All-Star Superman or Gotham Sirens.
I've just began my readings of the preludes to Blackest Night and I have to admit, I'm getting pretty psyched about it. Now all I need is Agent Orange and I'll be ready to start on the main thing.
Today I read Superman: Red Son. That might've been the best Superman story I ever read. I was expecting something along the lines of "Superman is now an evil russian, we have to fight him", but as it turned out, it really was a story about who and what kind of person Superman is. I also enjoyed it much more than All-Star Superman.
Well, I liked Red Son a lot, but prefer All Star..YMMv though it seems.
Zatanna continues to be a fun read, minor quibble ( and this is really about a lot of modern comics) : why can't artists seem to manage a run of mroe than 4 or so issues before having to have a break ? Never used to be like this. Hell I can remember Byrne pencilling 2 titles a month and writing, and inking etc etc
reds8n, are you thinking Frank Quitely on Batman & Robin like I am? I mean, I figured he wasn't going to stay on the title indefinitely, but was it even four issues? He was doing some interesting things with the artwork...and then he's gone almost immediately. Talk about a tease.
Although in some ways it can be more traumatic when artists change after a longer run. Captain America hasn't been the same since Steve Epting left. And if not for Duncan Fegredo (whom I like), Mignola stepping down on Hellboy could have been a real killer.
gorgon wrote:reds8n, are you thinking Frank Quitely on Batman & Robin like I am?
Partially. I was under the impression he was to be back every.. 3rd/similar arc or so. I can understand his art is tremendously detailed, and I'm all for work/life balance.. but.. oh, cm'on man !
It's not just him either. LoS, Zatanna.. it seems every 4th or 5th issue of almost any series is a guest or fill in artist.
gorgon wrote: Mignola stepping down on Hellboy could have been a real killer.
But it wasn't. Somehow MM keeps finding artists who work perfectly for Hellboy.
Like I said, I think Fegredo is good and somehow works even if his style isn't quite like Mignola's (although I keep noting little touches, etc. that Fegredo has adopted). Richard Corben is really good, although I think they made the right call to only put him on certain things and not all the time. It's an admirable job considering Hellboy was/is probably the quintessential artist/writer book out there.
@reds8n-- how does the Zatanna book compare to the Morrison Seven Soldiers Zatanna run?
Closer, no real surprise here I guess, to the stuff Dini did with her in the Justice League cartoons and his Batman stuff.
It's well worth a look IMO. Has a nice sense of fun to it and the writers love for the character comes through a lot as well.
In parts it reminds me a bit of the old Messner Loeb run on Dr. Fate all those years back, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the evil fighting. She's currently fighting or engaged against an evil vegas casino owner who gambles and traffics in souls who needs to marry her by midnight, he's on a double or quit bet with Mammon.
Finished the first 4 issues of Gotham City Sirens and I loved it. I don't exactly understand why they felt the need to have an entire issue be about the Riddler and Batman with only a few panels with the main cast, it was still a really good read. Also, Hush is back. ^^
I've Finishe Merc with a Mouth, my first encounter with Deadpool in comics. Very cool. I went through Wad Wilson's War as well.
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I've ordered Blackest Night: Agent Orange, love the Greedy Guy.
So the latest issue of the Return of Bruce Wayne has me predictably scratching my head about one item. Avoid the spoiler if you haven't read it:
Spoiler:
So is Marsha actually Martha Wayne or did she say that because she was playing the part of Martha Wayne in the false evidence they were creating? I thought it was the latter, but that bastard Morrison left it kinda ambiguous. I'm probably just spinning my wheels on that one.
Interesting to see the apparent Darkseid/Apokolips mentions. So is that the god that Dr. Hurt is praying to?
..
Fair play to Johns, I never saw that coming, I was sure it was going to be Hal.
, that pleased me mightily.
