Just finished the first book in Avengers Dissembled. What a great read from start to finish. Non-stop action and a perfect send off for the team. Looking forward to the others in the series.
My favorite part of the TPB is the several crises that break out and how they barely have time to take breath before the next one. The public response is touching in a way.
So far I've avoided specifics. Is it ok or would they still be spoilers?
... Babs still sat in that chair for a decade. So either he didn't kill the Joker or something else paralyzed Barbara Gordon.
And this marks a new basis for my argument against people who think she should have stayed paralyzed -- when you pose the issue the other way around: either TKJ was indeed an Elsewords book, such that she should never have been paralyzed in the first place, or Babs was indeed "refrigerated" per Gail Simone's famous expression while once again the male characters go unscathed.
Yep. I think Grant Morrison is totally right about this. From Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow to the Watchmen and now apparently to The Killing Joke, Moore seemed obsessed with bringing the superhero genre to an end.
Not to be that guy again but I didn't really like The Killing Joke. I only read it for the first time last year because it's at Chapters now (which goes to Kevin's Smith point about how casual fans only read Killing Joke and The Dark Knight and are getting a misrepresented view of Batman) and I was shocked at how over the top it is. Obviously, I knew Barbara was going to be shot and crippled but there's a whole bunch of other horrible things that happen to her in that too while Commissioner Gordon is forced to watch. It was just too much imo. Also, what I didn't realize was it's a Joker origin story and not a very good one quite frankly.
Wait are you talking about Grant Morrison? Batman Inc was the best Batman title going IMO. But he'll still be writing for DC. He wants to do some riff on the Charlton characters plus something for WW. He's just done with Bruce and Clark for now, I think.
No, I was just doing a general old man "back in my day Batman comics weren't so violent" but TKJ was actually before my day so that doesn't really make sense. However you as an avid long time Batman fan seem to be indicating it's even darker now which is what I was refering too.
TDKR was 1986. Year One was 1987. TKJ was 1988. Morrison's Arkham Asylum was 1989.
It's not like Batman wasn't getting more serious (less Silver Age-esque) before MIller and Moore went to work. Denny O'Neill was writing Batman as a (non-Roger Moore) James Bond type in the Ra's al Ghul stories of the '70s. Heck Crisis on Infinite Earth wiped out the Silver Age in 1985-86. For Batman, the late 80s stuff, however, sealed the deal: only "serious" comics could be good and serious meant viscerally violent, psychologically dark, and overtly ideological. They gave way to Knightfall, an arc about one Batman being phsyically and emotionally destroyed and another one who was violently out of control. And then we got Loeb and Sale's Batman, which is the real basis (rather than Morrison's book) for the creepy design of the Arkham games. Right before 9/11, Gotham itself became victimized in No Man's Land. The broad themes would continue in War Games. And there has been a long, long stretch of writers psychologically torturing Batman from Loeb (Hush) to Morrison (the Black Hand) right up to Snyder today (the Owls). And of course Dick's city is destroyed, Babs has been trapped in the chair, Jason came back as a psychotic villain, Tim's dad is murdered, and Bruce's biological son is a sociopath (who is now dead).
But worst of all, someone let Kevin Smith write some Batman comics.
Manchu wrote: Wait are you talking about Grant Morrison? Batman Inc was the best Batman title going IMO. But he'll still be writing for DC. He wants to do some riff on the Charlton characters plus something for WW. He's just done with Bruce and Clark for now, I think.
Morrison talks about the WW project in that podcast. He's (predictably for him) going back to the roots of the character, including the "alternative lifestyles" themes. It doesn't sound like that's going to be a blatent thing, mind you. But it sounds like we'll see some of the chains motifs, etc. that characterized the earliest stories, Paradise Island as a repressed society, etc.
Edit: Oh...I have a story to share regarding Charlton. Back when the New 52 started up, I overheard a guy in a local comic shop saying somewhat critically that they were turning Captain Atom into Doctor Midnight. I almost chimed in, but decided I wouldn't be the one to tell him.
So, I'm lost...we're discussing TKJ from the late 80s, but it's only coming to light now that Batman killed Joker there? Yet I remember Joker in No Man's Land, after Babs was crippled, doing ANOTHER heinous thing to Gordon. So please...can somebody explain this to me? Cz there's either a second Joker, Batman didn't kill him, or we're discussing a remake and I missed it. Is there a 4th option I missed?
timetowaste85 wrote: So, I'm lost...we're discussing TKJ from the late 80s, but it's only coming to light now that Batman killed Joker there? Yet I remember Joker in No Man's Land, after Babs was crippled, doing ANOTHER heinous thing to Gordon. So please...can somebody explain this to me? Cz there's either a second Joker, Batman didn't kill him, or we're discussing a remake and I missed it. Is there a 4th option I missed?
Yes, somehow Barbara being crippled remained canon but Joker being killed did not.
gorgon wrote: Morrison talks about the WW project in that podcast. He's (predictably for him) going back to the roots of the character, including the "alternative lifestyles" themes. It doesn't sound like that's going to be a blatent thing, mind you. But it sounds like we'll see some of the chains motifs, etc. that characterized the earliest stories, Paradise Island as a repressed society, etc.
He sort of did that with JLA Earth 2, where "Superwoman" (alias Lois Lane, the antimatter Wonder Woman) apparently engages in BDSM with Jimmy Olsen ...
KamikazeCanuck wrote: What about Tim Burton's Batman? That more of a chicken or egg? Perhaps just the mainstreaming/cementing of Miller and Moore's darker take on him?
Eggcellent question. The movies are set to a different pace. Even mainstream comics are more "with it" (some call it, "ahead of the curve") than what's going on in Hollywood. If you look at the 1989 Batman film, it's definitely dark but it's very stylized. It's a lot sillier than anything in TDKR or the others. (For example, Michael Keaton sleeping upside down -- that almost plays like a Silver Age-style joke on Alan Moore's love of psychodrama.) I'd say the Nolan films are where TDKR, with its fascist overtones, really makes it to the Big Screen.
No problem. Grant Morrison believes Batman kills the Joker at the end of TKJ and no one noticed. I think he's right. As for why no one notice, well, because Moore did not make it explicit. So if it's ambiguous, why do I think Morrison's right? Because Alan Moore super hero work seems to all be about the end of super heroes. Also, Moore had explicit permission from DC to cripple Babs. I've never heard he asked for much less was permitted to do a story where Batman kills the Joker. If Moore did intend to do this, how he did it therefore makes sense.
gorgon wrote: That suggests it was never truly in continuity.
If by "it" you mean TKJ then we've got a problem with Babs in her wheelchair. If by "it" you mean the Joker's alleged death ... well, that's complicated. As Morrison points out, this seems to be the necessary denouement. TKJ isn't that good one way or another but it's a lot more interesting with the ending Morrison suggests -- and just like he points out, the title even makes more sense, too. Formerly, I thought the title was a reference to the Joker himself, that his life was a killing joke. If Batman kills him at the end, well, that's a great punchline. So if the best part of TKJ is not in continuity then ... why on earth did we have to be saddled with its worst part for so long with some people arguing we should still have it today?
Speaking of Fascism: Manchu you mentioned how Judge Dredd Year One was boring and I didn't think it was that bad until I read Judge Dredd classics. It is compared to this. Holy cow, like several million people are dead in one issue! Blockmania! This can't really be the first story though right? Maybe Classics is just doing the highlights and Case Files is a better option for the whole story?
Block Mania is far from the first JD arc. I think it's from the mid 200s. And it pales compared to what follows -- the Apocalypse War! The earliest devastating event was the Robot War from prog 10.
Ya, apparently Apocalypse War was a very popular storyline. I guess there just doing the big stories then. You think its that important to actually read what's come before? AFAIK Dredd isn't a character that changes and progresses much (and is proud of it) so maybe highlights is a good idea.
Joe Dredd changes very, very slowly and very subtly. I don't think you have to read every prog to understand any given arc. Feel free to skip around and if you don't understand something just post here.
Manchu wrote: Wait are you talking about Grant Morrison? Batman Inc was the best Batman title going IMO.
The others are that bad? I have only seen the last few issues so maybe it started out good, but the art is rather meh and I hate what they did to Talia.
On The Killing Joke: I think it deserves the praise. There's actually some pay off so it's not just a snuff piece like Avengers Arena, and from what I've heard the treatment of Barbara as Oracle was great. I wish the New 52 had left it as canon, even if she left the role once she'd recovered from her injuries.
Treating a crippled person respectfully does not justify her injury. Indeed, this injury in particular is a manifestation of injustice. What Yale and Ostrander tried to do was transform that injustice into defiance of the mindset that allowed it; they wanted to preserve the injury so that it could be continuously challenged. I submit that, regardless of noble intent, this approach itself was tainted by the very same mindset. The handicap was redeemed rather than the character. Barabara was cast as the star of inclusiveness in a rather obligatory constellation of politically correct values, outshone by the true pantheon of comic book heroism. In a word, she became the token handicapped person.
It's not that Oracle was a one-dimensional character even if in essence she became a personified Bat-Computer -- despite faintly contradictory praise of her as "independent" yet also a "team leader." And in the face of voluminous praise directed at Gail Simone, there is something troubling about her handling of Barbara's morality. Why does she alone in the Bat Family (or at least its heroic branch) accept that lethal force is sometimes necessary and even justified? That and other aspects of Simone's treatment strike me as over-compensation. This isn't empowerment but imprisonment. Batman incessantly faces far worse and yet never bends -- even when he was literally broken. I have heard many people call Oracle strong; she seemed to me more accurately hard and brittle.
Simone herself eventually came around to opposing the problematic motivations and downright silliness of keeping Barbara handicapped, very nearly admitting that the reasoning was entirely metatextual. For the New 52, she struck something of a compromise: Barbara was indeed shot by the Joker and paralyzed for a significant period of time but ultimately physically recovered. Although I'm thrilled to see Barbara finally allowed the same privilege as her male counterparts in terms of bouncing back, the elements of PTSD and survivor guilt Simone has emphasized continue to trouble me. At least she's not still confined to the chair by misguided authorial and editorial do-gooders, I suppose.
But hearing Morrison talk about TKJ brings all of this into even sharper focus. I believe Morrison is right. The story is much, much better if Batman kills the Joker. I believe Moore did indeed write that but no editor at DC then, now, or ever would permit such a thing. Still, it's on the page as a clear possibility and, more importantly, the most satisfactory artistic possibility. Contrast this, which has been invisible to so many of us for a quarter century, to the misogynistic and exploitative abuse of Barbara's character. It was neither narratively necessary nor even artistically warranted. And yet that -- rather than what Morrison suggests is obvious in the very title of the book -- is what has been and still remains canonical.
Just got around to reading TKJ, and I just don't see it-there's no foot, body, anything in the panel-Batman likely grabbed him and shot up into the air. I was more shocked with them getting away with showing Barbara's nips in one of the photos the Joker showed to Gordon, as well as her bare ass: this isn't Tarot, most comic books don't show that kind of gratuity in normal issues. And most butts are usually shown in shadow, to keep from really being "nudity". This one pulls no punches, and I'm surprised DC allowed it. And, after reading this, I thought this WAS the believed origin of the Joker: wife dies, dons Red Hood outfit, jumps/falls escaping Batman, insert insanity/white face. I'm not just saying that because I love B:UTRH as a movie, but I've gone on a couple "wiki" pages for the Joker and most say that's his believed origin. I guess I'm just not reading as much into it as some others are.
Plus, Batman only has one hand on the Joker-I don't think he's gonna snap his neck with a single hand. I suppose it's possible, but...not likely. Still fully believe he just carried him off.
Just picked up the complete America and Origins stories for Judge Dredd, both as inspiration for a table I'm making for the board game, and because I haven't bought any comics in months. Somehow I've managed to not read either, despite America at least being regarded as the best story in the series (well according to my friends that is). I'll probably get through them over the weekend, but thoughts on them, or if there's other stories that stand out more?
They really need to cull the herds of the super teams, or at least
commit to rotating them so that you don't have panel after panel
of "Mutant Whoever" stepping out simply to demonstrate his
power or re-establish herself in the continuity.
They really need to cull the herds of the super teams, or at least
commit to rotating them so that you don't have panel after panel
of "Mutant Whoever" stepping out simply to demonstrate his
power or re-establish herself in the continuity.
Do you mean AvX as the series, or the tie-ins? The main series was a crossover, so of course it's going to involve characters from loads of different teams...
KamikazeCanuck wrote: Ya, there's more Avengers than X-Men nowadays. One of the causes of AvX is that there weren't that many mutants left in the world.
Fixed that for you Nw mutants are popping up left right and centre in Uncanny X-Men, due to the ending of AvX
And there are currently 22? Avengers, whereas "X-Men" only covers the five man female only team
malfred wrote: I just hate that both teams are that big.
I also hate the characterization of Cyclops as a reactionary douchebag.
Avengers have gotten a little out of control. I think there's like 5 teams or something. There's only like 113 mutants left on the whole planet or something like that. There's Cyclops rogue state of Utopia (which is basically Alcatraz) and then Wolverine rememered he hates Cyclops and restarted Xavier's school in New York.
Maybe because I was following many Avengers titles it didn't seem that bad to me.
I don't know about reactionary douchebag but ya Cyclops is kind of a douchebag. I don't know where you are in the story but a lot happens. There will be ups and downs for him.
I'm back on the Cyclops band wagon for now. Recently in a issue of Uncanny X-men he gave a good speech explaining to Captain America that he's not the jerkface but in fact "You Captain America are the jerkface!" (or something to that effect). However, he is completely different from when he believes in Xavier's dream and I don't know if he'll ever be able to go back.
KamikazeCanuck wrote: Ya, there's more Avengers than X-Men nowadays. One of the causes of AvX is that there weren't that many mutants left in the world.
Fixed that for you Nw mutants are popping up left right and centre in Uncanny X-Men, due to the ending of AvX
And there are currently 22? Avengers, whereas "X-Men" only covers the five man female only team
Yes, I guess I was refering to the part of the timeline Malfred is reading right now.
I'm pretty sure Cyclops considers his team the only X-men team. What's up with the female team?
It's not officially a team, just a few female members of staff (plus jubilee) that happened to be the only people there when gak went down.
Also currently there are 8 Avengers comics; Avengers, Secret Avengers, Uncanny Avengers (avengers unity squad), New Avengers (Illuminati), Avengers Assemble, Young Avengers, Avengers A.I, Avengers Arena, and there's soon to be Mighty Avengers as well.
Technically that only comes out to 4 "official" teams though, being Avengers, Secret Avengers, Uncanny Avengers, and Young Avengers.
There are a lot of Avengers.
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malfred wrote: I just hate that both teams are that big.
I also hate the characterization of Cyclops as a reactionary douchebag.
It's not that both teams are that big, there's just more than one team, but its simpler to say "Avengers V X-Men" than "Avengers and Secret Avengers and New Avengers and Young Avengers and Avengers Assemble V X-Men and X-Men Legacy and Uncanny X-Men and Amazing X-Men and Astonishing X-Men"
Goliath wrote: It's not officially a team, just a few female members of staff (plus jubilee) that happened to be the only people there when gak went down.
Kind of like the Avengers were I guess...Let's just call 'em another Avengers just to be on the safe side.
Maybe they should have called the Avengers Xmen War.
There's just so much going on and none of it seems to really
matter since they have to jump around so much. You get a
few story arcs and lots of noise.
That's the problem with mega events. The main title always seems like it's missing some of the story...because it is. That being said AvX stood by itself better than most of the previous Marvel mega events.
Finished reading the Judge Dredd stories I bought. America was a refreshingly mature take on the whole Justice Department, whereas Origins reinforced just how fascistic it was. The closing lines in Origins from Fargo were rather nice too as they rather mirrored what America had said. I've not been keeping up with the series of late, but Origins certainly seems to be setting up for the end game or so it would seem. Ie where previous big stories have involved Mega City one being faced with extermination, but lasting it out, Origins instead seemed to be hinting at political change, or at least a moral one within the Justice system.
Having read them however, I'm at two minds about the Judges though. Other stories paint them as the good guys, whereas these made the point that they're complete fascists, they're only the good guys because the alternative would be worse. Hopefully Wagner will leave the series ending on a positive note, but considering Strontium Dog is set in the same universe, it wouldn't last. =/
Oh, and I did kind of feel a little bad at the end of Origins when Fargo asked after Rico. Pity that there was no redemption arc for him. What happened to the other four clones of Fargo though (I've not read the series in a while, not have I been keeping up on any progs from this decade...)?
malfred wrote: Maybe they should have called the Avengers Xmen War.
There's just so much going on and none of it seems to really
matter since they have to jump around so much. You get a
few story arcs and lots of noise.
In-Universe I believe that is what they refer to it as.
Anyone reading Infinity? It's the first major crossover I've been around for, so I'm trying to get it and the major tie-ins (new avengers and avengers), and so far I'm finding it really really good.
Loving New 52 Batman. It doesn't feel like a reset, it feels like it picked up where the original ended. The storyline is great too. I'll be picking up all the graphic novels as they come out.
malfred wrote: Maybe they should have called the Avengers Xmen War.
There's just so much going on and none of it seems to really
matter since they have to jump around so much. You get a
few story arcs and lots of noise.
In-Universe I believe that is what they refer to it as.
Anyone reading Infinity? It's the first major crossover I've been around for, so I'm trying to get it and the major tie-ins (new avengers and avengers), and so far I'm finding it really really good.
I'm reading it. Hasn't gotten it's hooks into me or anything.
They're not saying which is going to be used as the basis.
It is looking more and more like they are going to be using TV as a touchstone for the future JLA movie with how ARGUS made an appearance in Man of Steel...and the patch, acronym, etc were exactly the same as "Arrow" established for ARGUS.
They're not saying which is going to be used as the basis.
It is looking more and more like they are going to be using TV as a touchstone for the future JLA movie with how ARGUS made an appearance in Man of Steel...and the patch, acronym, etc were exactly the same as "Arrow" established for ARGUS.
Kanluwen wrote: When Supes gets taken into custody, it is a patch on one of the guys escorting him.
(I didn't spoiler this because that was one of the scenes more or less in the trailers since the beginning)
Interesting, I missed that spoiler. But yeah, it does certainly appear that WB will use the TV shows for universe building.
Did anyone read the Trinity War?
Spoiler:
I didn't see the Earth-3 reveal coming, although I was scratching my head at the appearance of The Outsider (who was an evil alter-ego of Alfred Pennyworth pre-Crisis) while Alfred was apparently alive/fine/elsewhere/etc. It's an interesting retcon of sorts to make The Outsider the Earth-3 Owlman's Alfred.
Couldn't bring myself to care about Trinity War. Or whatever the current thing with DC is. I haven't heard anything good about them to spark my interest, either.
I have Bendis's MoonKnight trades and the first volume of Superior Spider-Man coming to me so I'll probably review those as/when.
As for DC, I can recommend Lil Gotham and Adventures of Superman.
Manchu wrote: Couldn't bring myself to care about Trinity War. Or whatever the current thing with DC is. I haven't heard anything good about them to spark my interest, either.
I have Bendis's MoonKnight trades and the first volume of Superior Spider-Man coming to me so I'll probably review those as/when.
As for DC, I can recommend Lil Gotham and Adventures of Superman.
I think you'll find Moon Knight exceptionally average. Superior Spider-Man has a tpb now? That's good, I'm regretting not collecting that now. It seems to have some legs afterall.
It's first paperback is already out (and second will be out very soon). I'm waiting for the hardcover. It collects Amazing Spider-Man 698-700 in addition to the first five issues of Superior. Figured I could use the additional background.
I have to admit to enjoying the Superior Spider-Man storyline, though I'll also admit to really wanting Peter Parker back sooner rather than too much later now...
Read MoonKnight Vol 1 last night ... it has a ton of potential and sometimes manages to get there, like with the chemistry between Marc and Maya, but there's way too much NOT going on. Also, I get that this is a book about a schizophrenic but all the meta-humor putting down the title character was unnecessary. MoonKnight is a cool character. But having him do so little in so many pages and constantly tearing him down with "who's MoonKnight?" type jokes did not achieve the too-cool-for-tier-one effect I believe Bendis was aiming for. The art is similarly not quite striking enough too justify how messy and gritty it gets. I can tell Maleev can really draw; I just don't know why he's drawing so much grit. Finally - SPOILER - Count Nefaria is fething lame. I don't care how many panels you have with characters talking about how awesome he is (and we're talking about a ton of panels here), he's still just lame lame lame.
Wonder Woman - and I'm surprised at how much I liked it at the start, and how much more I like it now. Maybe one complaint would be how disconnected from the rest of the DC Universe it feels at times. Like, all of the time. Love the new New Gods too, and looking forward to more of...everything they've done with the book so far!
WW is a book I kinda regret not getting in on from the beginning. But then I've cut back a lot.
In fact, I'm reading no Marvel books right now for the first time in I don't know how long. I've never been an X-Men or Spidey fan at all, but usually I was good for Captain America and an Avengers book at minimum. But right now Cap isn't compelling, and the Avengers franchise is a bloated, convoluted mess that puts me off. I feel like in the future, Marvel will have 15 Spidey books, 15 Avengers books, 15 X-Men books, and another 15 books to cover everything else.
I've heard that Hawkeye is a great book, but again, I didn't get in early and I'm not sure I want to spend to catch up.
Manchu wrote: Read MoonKnight Vol 1 last night ... it has a ton of potential and sometimes manages to get there, like with the chemistry between Marc and Maya, but there's way too much NOT going on. Also, I get that this is a book about a schizophrenic but all the meta-humor putting down the title character was unnecessary. MoonKnight is a cool character. But having him do so little in so many pages and constantly tearing him down with "who's MoonKnight?" type jokes did not achieve the too-cool-for-tier-one effect I believe Bendis was aiming for. The art is similarly not quite striking enough too justify how messy and gritty it gets. I can tell Maleev can really draw; I just don't know why he's drawing so much grit. Finally - SPOILER - Count Nefaria is fething lame. I don't care how many panels you have with characters talking about how awesome he is (and we're talking about a ton of panels here), he's still just lame lame lame.
I'd agree with all that. I at least had the bonus that I already knew who Maya aka Echo aka Ronin was because of New Avengers so it was good to see where her character went.
This was the first time I'd read a Moon Knight title so I was somewhat familiar with his schizophrenia but I don't care for that character trait. Although I bet it's more entertaining than his previous version of it with Spider-Man, Wolverine and Cap acting as the Angels and Devils on his shoulders the drawback is: OMG another book that somehow has Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America in it! They're not even there yet they're there!
Can't he just take some anti-psychotics and you know...not have scizophrenia...
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gorgon wrote: WW is a book I kinda regret not getting in on from the beginning. But then I've cut back a lot.
In fact, I'm reading no Marvel books right now for the first time in I don't know how long. I've never been an X-Men or Spidey fan at all, but usually I was good for Captain America and an Avengers book at minimum. But right now Cap isn't compelling, and the Avengers franchise is a bloated, convoluted mess that puts me off. I feel like in the future, Marvel will have 15 Spidey books, 15 Avengers books, 15 X-Men books, and another 15 books to cover everything else.
I've heard that Hawkeye is a great book, but again, I didn't get in early and I'm not sure I want to spend to catch up.
For as long as I've read comics it's been like that. There's always been multiple Spider-Man, X-Men and Batman titles.
Surprisingly, I think its actually less convoluted now because each title actually follows a different team. You don't have to follow all Avenger's or X-Men titles to know what's going on you just have to follow the teams you're interested in.
gorgon wrote: I don't really know who's on what Avengers team, though. I think that X-Men fans are probably more used to this M.O. than me.
While there have traditionally been two regular titles devoted to Superman, Batman and Spidey, what's happened to the Avengers is well beyond that.
The thing that Marvel hasn't made particularly clear is that the majority of the "Avengers" teams aren't actually "Avengers" they're just teams of superheroes who aren't mutants, with "Avengers" being used as an adjective to show people "okay, so that's a comic about a team of superheroes with powers that aren't mutations"
For example "Avengers Arena" isn't related to the avengers in any way at all, it's about a group of young superheroes being forced to fight to the death, but the use of "Avengers" tells people the type of characters involved.
"New Avengers" is the illuminati dealing with cosmic level stuff, and is, again, just a way of saying "superhero team that isn't an x-men team"
Avengers Assemble was Marvel bringing out a comic that used the team from the film, but has had many more added.
Uncanny Avengers is all about Big Bads and is part mutant part non-mutant, being used to give mutants a positive public image post-AvX
Avengers is the standard avengers title.
Secret Avengers is Nick Fury, Agent Coulson, Maria Hill, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and a couple of others (including Hulk for some reason)
And young avengers is just a group of young superheroes doing stuff together.
So yeah, not all of the Avengers titles are actually involving the Avengers, it just used to denote the type of team, much like how X-Men Legacy only involves David Haller, with X-Men being used to indicate that it's a story about mutants.
gorgon wrote: I don't really know who's on what Avengers team, though. I think that X-Men fans are probably more used to this M.O. than me.
While there have traditionally been two regular titles devoted to Superman, Batman and Spidey, what's happened to the Avengers is well beyond that.
The thing that Marvel hasn't made particularly clear is that the majority of the "Avengers" teams aren't actually "Avengers" they're just teams of superheroes who aren't mutants, with "Avengers" being used as an adjective to show people "okay, so that's a comic about a team of superheroes with powers that aren't mutations"
For example "Avengers Arena" isn't related to the avengers in any way at all, it's about a group of young superheroes being forced to fight to the death, but the use of "Avengers" tells people the type of characters involved.
"New Avengers" is the illuminati dealing with cosmic level stuff, and is, again, just a way of saying "superhero team that isn't an x-men team"
Avengers Assemble was Marvel bringing out a comic that used the team from the film, but has had many more added.
Uncanny Avengers is all about Big Bads and is part mutant part non-mutant, being used to give mutants a positive public image post-AvX
Avengers is the standard avengers title.
Secret Avengers is Nick Fury, Agent Coulson, Maria Hill, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and a couple of others (including Hulk for some reason)
And young avengers is just a group of young superheroes doing stuff together.
So yeah, not all of the Avengers titles are actually involving the Avengers, it just used to denote the type of team, much like how X-Men Legacy only involves David Haller, with X-Men being used to indicate that it's a story about mutants.
That's a good breakdown. Avengers Arena shouldn't even have Avengers in the title it has absolutely nothing to do with the Avengers.
The wackiness began with Civil War. After the Registration act there was a state sanctioned Avengers team and an illegal rebels with a cause Avengers Team: The New Avengers. Long, long story short now there's really only one Avengers team: "The Avengers". Which can be followed in "Avengers".
I know this is ridiculously late notice, and I'm sure some of you already know about it, but if you're in the Cincinnati area or within an hour or so, Cincy ComicCon is this weekend. It's a pretty big event, with some very notable names there like:
Jason Aaron
Tony Moore
Rick Remender
Arthur Adams
Bernie Wrightson
Steve Niles
Ben Templesmith
Ethan Van Sciver
KamikazeCanuck wrote: Also, isn't there only one Spider-Man title now? Not counting Miles Morales.
There's currently Superior Spider-Man and Superior Spider-Man Team Up.
After Infinity concludes Mighty Avengers is being introduced, which has Spider-Man in as well.
KamikazeCanuck wrote: Also, isn't there only one Spider-Man title now? Not counting Miles Morales.
There's currently Superior Spider-Man and Superior Spider-Man Team Up.
After Infinity concludes Mighty Avengers is being introduced, which has Spider-Man in as well.
You don't have to worry about Team-Up books for anything important continuity-wise. They're always pointless sideshows and that's why I don't collect them anymore.
KamikazeCanuck wrote: Also, isn't there only one Spider-Man title now? Not counting Miles Morales.
There's currently Superior Spider-Man and Superior Spider-Man Team Up.
After Infinity concludes Mighty Avengers is being introduced, which has Spider-Man in as well.
You don't have to worry about Team-Up books for anything important continuity-wise. They're always pointless sideshows and that's why I don't collect them anymore.
Oh, I don't read it it's basically just a relaunch of Avenging Spider-Man, just without Avengers specified in the name due to his disagreement with them since he became more violent.
If I was going to get any of the "Superior" family of books I would go with Superior Foes of Spider-Man, because apparently its both rather good, and incredibly dirty in its sense of humour.
Speaking of Superior Spider-man, I'm considering picking it up. I wasn't really attached to Peter Parker before OMD and that little bit of character assassination finished him off for me. So in that light, Superior Spider-man at least recovered something from the wreckage of Marvel's most popular superhero, even if it was not a return to a Peter Parker who would not sell his unborn daughter to the devil.
And I do like what they've been doing with SpOck, overall.
On the other hand, DC just killed Batwoman. The writers and artist just quit, because editorial were being indecisive micromanagers and forbidding planned story arcs at the eleventh hour. And like One More Day, the final straw was an attack on marriage.
Turn down the drama dial. Batwoman is not dead. Williams and Blackman are leaving in a snit because editorial axed the wedding bells. Gail Simone even explained that DC is anti-marriage. If Superman can't be Mr. Lane then what hope do third stringers have? Williams is a great artist but creators need to figure out that comics themselves are just the back room of the comic book franchise industry these days.
First, he's only mentioned one DC title so far as I can tell. Second, by "this week" do you mean 9/4 or 9/11? Either way, Batwoman 26 comes out in December. Third, Batwoman is not dead. There will simply be a different creative team on the book in January.
I only picked up a couple of the villains issues -- Darkseid #23.1 and Joker #23.1. Darkseid was interesting...a totally different origin story than the one I'm used to, with kind of a fairy tale touch. Joker featured Jackanapes, and well, how can you go wrong there.
Forever Evil #1 was interesting in that it skipped over what happened at the end of the last issue of JL. The Crime Syndicate has apparently already beaten the various JLs, and tells the rest of the villains that they're all dead. Interesting editorial decision to skip the fight that we want to see, but I'll go along with it.
Ultraman powers up from kryptonite as usual, but having him inhale it was a nice touch. Power Ring seems to have some kind of "condition" resulting from his ring. Volthoom -- previously the monk on Earth-3 who gave him the ring -- has already made an "Earth-1" appearance of sorts in the New 52, so it'll be interesting to see how that develops. Same goes for Superwoman -- is she an Amazon or Lois Lane? Or both? Etc.
I don't think the comic, "Batwoman", will survive this. Not when the obvious solution is to find a new creative team that is more willing to slavishly follow idiotic editorial mandates.
If Superman can't be Mr. Lane then what hope do third stringers have?
So DC editorial is consistently stupid. I don't consider that a point in their favour.
Alpharius wrote: No, and I'm on the verge of dropping a lot of the Bat titles honestly.
I did that myself last week. I just kept Batman, B&R, NightWing, Batgirl, Lil Gotham, and Red Hood.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
AlexHolker wrote: I don't think the comic, "Batwoman", will survive this. Not when the obvious solution is to find a new creative team that is more willing to slavishly follow idiotic editorial mandates.
Ugh ... Look, I'll admit (again) that losing Williams's art is a tough break. But this book has been otherwise coasting on GLAAD publicity.
If Superman can't be Mr. Lane then what hope do third stringers have?
So DC editorial is consistently stupid. I don't consider that a point in their favour.
By all means, please lay out why happily married middle-aged superheroes are more interesting than younger, angsty, romantically available ones. Go ahead. Dick Grayson and I both can't wait to hear this.
Manchu wrote: By all means, please lay out why happily married middle-aged superheroes are more interesting than younger, angsty, romantically available ones. Go ahead. Dick Grayson and I both can't wait to hear this.
Are you under the impression that people immediately age thirty years when they get married?
Maybe Deadpool is more interesting than Daredevil, but that doesn't mean that everyone needs to be Deadpool. Having a variety of characters - some who devote themselves to their work, some who struggle to find love, some whose relationships are an island of stability surrounded by crocodile hybrids, mud-people and literature-inspired-lunatics - is better than trying to force everyone into the same mould.
It's like my argument against what most people consider "Grimdark". Yes, conflict is more interesting than peace, but that doesn't mean you need all conflict, all the time. There is room in the 40k universe for worlds behind friendly lines, where eternal war is just a tax and a draft and not an immediately existential threat. That doesn't mean you need to write stories about those parts, but neither should you be running out of things to write about a woman living in a world with time-travelling Nazi dinosaurs.
It's not about forcing everyone into the same mould, it's about avoiding the pitfall of finding all your characters in seriously committed relationships ... which is one of the reasons for the New 52 relaunch. The Batwoman team could hardly have missed the memo. I suppose they figured high profile marketing of homosexuality granted them a pass, and I expect DC led them on about this given how everyone always has to be talking about gay this and gay that in the last three years, but DC decided to treat Batwoman equally after all.
Still not convinced Marriage would be the end of all comics as we know it. Seems its no worse than killing someone, and allows for more stories to be woven, which to me would be kind of the point.
Just an odd thing for DC to be bothered about. As someone noted on Bleeding Cool, they'll only reboot the whole lot again in five to ten years anyway.
Saying that I've been enjoying Batwoman, and I hope the new team keeps it going strong.
What's wrong with marriage in comics? Luke Cage got married to Jessica Jones, right? Then they had a kid. Or did he just knock her up while dating? That kinda thing happens all the time in comics. There are a lot of examples of failed marriages in comics though: Ben and May Parker (death), Scott and Madelyn Prior (clone went psycho), Colossus and Shadowcat (AoA, he stepped on her), X-men Cartoon DotFP/AoA Wolverine and Storm (ceased to exist), Spiderman and Mary Jane ("turn back time Mephisto, so nobody knows who I am and I'll return to being single"-best annulment of all time), Sabertooth and Mystique (Graydon Creed=serious grounds for divorce)....I guess marriage may be a bad idea in comics. Wait though!! Reed Richards and Sue Storm-they got married, and it's survived 50+ years!! Long live the sanctity of marriage!
KamikazeCanuck wrote: I think they're talking about some DC editorial direction specifically but no Luke Cage and Jessica are not married afaik.
huh. I could have sworn that I'd responded to this ages ago. Anyway, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are in fact married.
They had a drunken one night stand, then became close, then it was discovered that Jones was pregnant, so they moved in together, before marrying shortly after the birth of their child.
KamikazeCanuck wrote: I'm a little behind right now but I wonder how Battle of the Atom will end. They'll probably send those kids home.
I think so too, though that would mean the end of All New X-Men (maybe being replaced by Amazing X-Men)
I also have a theory as to how Infinity will end, which is:
Spoiler:
Black Bolt releases the Terrigan Mists, and loads of people get powers, and drive Thanos off, based on the fact that a series called "Inhumans" is being launched after Infinity.
I am anxiously awaiting release of the new solo title for Harley Quinn. They seem to have cancelled Ame-Comi Girls which I was very much enjoying.. oh well.
In other news, when the new Harley Title hits the shelves, it will be in my brand spanking newly opened Games and Comic Book store here in Springfield Oregon.
Here is a link to our facebook page, an actual website will be up within the next two weeks before we plan to open the doors.
Alpharius wrote: For me, DC's villain themed books has been a major disappointment.
Outside of the main book (Forever Evil), you could skip them all and not be missing a thing.
I kinda liked that they were just one-shots starring your favorite villains rather than something necessary to follow the Forever Evil storyline. My wallet liked it even more.
They certainly are leaving us in suspense about what happened to the JL.
Spoiler:
Batman made it -- of course -- and so I guess we can expect an explanation in the next Forever Evil. Figure maybe they're on Earth-3, dealing with whatever the Crime Syndicate were fleeing from?
At least they gave the CS an actual motivation and plan in this incarnation beyond "We see your alternate Earth, so we must attack it. RARRR!!! "
So who's their captive? Alexander Luthor seems too obvious.
I feel dirty having made the switch from being a Marvel boy into LOVING the New 52 from DC. I know I'm wickedly behind in the times, bear with me. Superman isn't a boy scout anymore-he's actually a likable character for me, Batman feels the same as he was before (already a badass, so no issue here), Aquaman is awesome, Green Lantern is a fun read with Sinestro being pulled back into the Corps while Hal has been kicked out, and the Court of Owls full series is tons of fun. I'm quite impressed with DC. I picked up a Marvel X-men issue to look at, and saw Cyclops with a big dopey X covering his whole head (and I'm a Cyclops fan!). I've always enjoyed the more "grown up" comics (not in a dirty sense), and X-men and Avengers have grown away from that, while DC is showing itself to be a comic for adults. Minus a couple ridiculous characters from the old issues. I'll keep reading the DC stuff until it starts to suck, but I've enjoyed volume 1 of EVERY graphic novel so far that I've picked up: all the Batman stuff except Batwoman (getting Red Hood Wednesday), Superman Action Comics, Talon, Justice League, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman...basically, all the important titles so far except Wonder Woman. Steve Trevor is my favorite non-super hero character in DC, so I think WW will be a requirement soon.
From my readings of the new 52 stuff (only graphic novels) Red Hood has fast become one of my favourite titles, despite not having been keen on Jason Todd before the reboot. I won't spoil anything, but if you're one of the people who find the depiction of Starfire a bit 'off' in the first volume bear with it as she really comes into her own in the second. Just a quick question, which of the Batman titles have you read and enjoyed? As I feel I should start the series for the court of owls stuff and for future Bat family crossovers but am always wary of Bat titles being a bit too dark for the sake of being dark (if that makes sense?)
Alpharius wrote: WW is my favorite of the bunch, now that all the Batman titles have slipped in quality.
Be aware though that WW's solo book is not really crossing over much with the rest of the New 52, and Trevor isn't in it much at all.
But it is an awesome book!
I'll say this...after hearing Snyder's explanation of Death of the Family on the Fatman on Batman podcast, I like and understand it a little more. I still think it was overdone -- the tie-ins, etc. would seem to have been DC's decision and not Snyder's -- and as written I think the main message/theme could have been clearer. Apparently Snyder's going to do some rewrites of certain panels in the trade paperback.
I think Zero Year is interesting, and I thought Snyder and Capullo's discussion of it was interesting too. I can see how it might catch flak from some corners, but what good is a reboot if you don't change some things?
WW is probably the one New 52 book I regret not buying from the beginning.
After reading RH&tOs, I have to say...wow. Probably my favorite of the bunch. The graphics were great, the character growth was incredible...so much more to JT than just being an angry, undead sidekick. Got volumes 1&2, and thoroughly enjoyed both. Eagerly awaiting A Death in the Family to hit TPB format. I also appreciate how the Bat titles keep the past intact. They feel like a continuation of the old batman [general] story.
Rather read about the Wakanda-Atlantis war but it doesn't seem to actually be covered anywhere.
That would be in New Avengers, would it not?
Sort of. It's covered in a recap way that would make you think the main story is actually somewhere else but it isn't. I guess it's been interupted by the Builder War thing. This Infinity event is weird. It feels like is a world ending event that has come in and screwed up two other world ending storylines in Avengers and New Avengers. It's all muddled together and confusing. I wish they had left the Illuminati storyline out of it.
timetowaste85 wrote:I started reading new 52 Suicide Squad and loved it. Got the first two graphic novels of it. Right up there with Red Hood and the Outlaws.
TBH I was looking into it and immediatly closed the book again when I saw Harley's new origin story. One of the reason I want to check the series out is to read something with Amanda Waller in it. You know, the real one.
KamikazeCanuck wrote:Anung's alive!
Yeah, I kinda sorta just missed going on Dakka for a few... months. Painting progress has been very slow, but that should change soon.
timetowaste85 wrote:I started reading new 52 Suicide Squad and loved it. Got the first two graphic novels of it. Right up there with Red Hood and the Outlaws.
TBH I was looking into it and immediatly closed the book again when I saw Harley's new origin story. One of the reason I want to check the series out is to read something with Amanda Waller in it. You know, the real one.
KamikazeCanuck wrote:Anung's alive!
Yeah, I kinda sorta just missed going on Dakka for a few... months. Painting progress has been very slow, but that should change soon.
What's wrong with her origin? If I remember from the 90s correctly, she was a psychiatrist, fell in love with joker and went looney tunes. In this version she's a psychiatrist, falls in love with joker and goes looney tunes. And gets dropped in acid. That's the only real change, isn't it? And I prefer sexy Amanda Waller, not gigantic Amanda Waller.
I've been reading a few things from the New 52, but IMO "Joker throws Harley in a vat of accid" is the most stupid retcon of the whole reboot. It changes her from "Joker's crazy lover" to "Joker Girl".
And the awesome thing about Waller, at least the way I know her from the DCAU, was how she WASN'T like any other women in comic books. T
Since Season 3 of the Walking Dead, I've been reading the comics and loving them.
I'd love to see a graphic novel series to continue on from Stargate Universe. As a Stargate fan from SG-1 onwards I was gutted when SG:U was cancelled. Stargate was my Star Trek/ Star Wars.
timetowaste, you are very much mis-remembering the 90's.
The original origin story for Harley Quinn goes something like this; she is a psychiatrist, who eventually falls in love with the Joker and very much against his wishes becomes obsessed with him.
This is a strong willed and determined though misguided Harley Quinn.
The new origin story goes like this; she is a psychiatrist, whom the Joker tries hard to groom and woo, takes advantage of her, and drops her unwillingly in a vat of acid thus "creating" her.
This is a Harley Quinn that is nothing more than the aftermath of some crazy guy, who is a victim more than anything.
I may be going a bit nuts with it, but I've picked up the first three trades of Manhattan Projects in the past week. Really, really awesome. Was recommended by a local store's owner on his podcast/in person. Through the same podcast I also found Uber (got the first Hardcover trade), and the Prophet semi-reboot series. Which is also really, really awesome.
For those of us here in the United States, Barnes and Noble is doing a "Buy 2, get your 3rd free" graphic novel deal right now. There is apparently a "specific list" of eligible titles so I included that link.
It extends to both DC and Marvel though, going until January 2nd and is both in store or online.
Thanks Kan! I knew about the B2,G1 already, but didn't know how long it lasted. That's sweet news. My N52 collection is growing due to this plus being a member...
Appaerantly there's a huge X-Men crossover event happening: Battle of the Atom. Can anyone tell me which series I need to read so this makes sense? So far I'm reading All New X-Men (which keeps being superb) and the first trade of Uncanny X-Men. But if I'm not mistaken there at least two other X-Men series during Marvel NOW!.
IDW's Ninja Turtles are still amazing. One of the best series I've read all year.
Read the 2nd trade of Superior Spider-Man. How did I not hear of Cardiac before? The character's awesome.
infinite_array wrote: I may be going a bit nuts with it, but I've picked up the first three trades of Manhattan Projects in the past week. Really, really awesome. Was recommended by a local store's owner on his podcast/in person. Through the same podcast I also found Uber (got the first Hardcover trade), and the Prophet semi-reboot series. Which is also really, really awesome.
Yeah, I've been trying to talk up the Manhattan Projects since forever. Jonathan
Hickman is fast becoming one of my favorite writers.
Anung Un Rama wrote: Appaerantly there's a huge X-Men crossover event happening: Battle of the Atom. Can anyone tell me which series I need to read so this makes sense? So far I'm reading All New X-Men (which keeps being superb) and the first trade of Uncanny X-Men. But if I'm not mistaken there at least two other X-Men series during Marvel NOW!.
It is over now... and, like many Marvel Mutant crossovers, it is almost entirely forgettable, and if you read just the "Battle of the Atom" bookends, you'll probably be fine...
I just finished Batman Knightfall arc. I remember when it came out that I thought Azrael was a cool looking character, so I went back and read all of it. Spoilers Bat's gets fethed up. I know, late to the party, but better then never I suppose.
I know , I know. I bought the breaking of the bat when it first came out, but was never really a batman comic fan when i was younger so it had zero context to me, I thought Bane just beat him up, I didn't know to what extent Bane wore him down first.
....got to go, someone just told me superman died...lool
Hey Alphy, I just bought the Knightfall arc about a year ago myself, be nice to the man. Actually, that's the arc that got me reading DC comics-I haven't bought a Marvel comic since, and my DC collection has expanded greatly.
I read the 1st trade from IDW's Ghostbusters this week and really enjoyed it. The characters are spot on, you don't need another movie when you can just imagine Bill Murray's voice with that dialogue. The art style is a bit on the cartoony side but it serves the action well. It's also big with the overarching contiuity. The movies and the videogame are referenced frequently.
I hear it's getting quite bad in the later issues, but the first one was great and I can't wait to read more.
Devoured my 3 paperback collections of Green Arrow.
#1: The Midas Touch--really enjoyed it. Established Oliver as a douche which was important, and set up the ethos.
#2: Triple Threat--was interesting to see Oliver out of the city and in the wilderness.
#3: Harrow--the social crusader aspect shows up in force. Plus he gets made fun of by Green Lantern which was hilarious.
Don't mind him - apparently 'Be Less Kontrarian " wasn't on his 2014 Resolutions List!
On more recent releases...
Does anyone else feel that the "Forever Evil" storyline is taking too long to move along? It feels like it is taking...forever (!) to get anywhere already.
Especially as all the main characters involved are moving forward in their respective solo books.
Why do people hat aquaman so much? that's the question that keeps me awake at night. His stuff in the new52 is awesome, and pre-52 with the waterhand was also amazing.
I don't - and his New 52 stuff is right up there with the best of the re-launch.
In fact, I put it right up there next to the new Wonder Woman in terms of overall quality, whereas the new Batman stuff took a serious dip with the overly long Joker storyline, and the new Superman stuff just hasn't been that good to begin with.
Alpharius wrote: Does anyone else feel that the "Forever Evil" storyline is taking too long to move along? It feels like it is taking...forever (!) to get anywhere already.
Especially as all the main characters involved are moving forward in their respective solo books.
It is kinda weird, isn't it? You have this slow-moving, seemingly majorly impactful event going on, but the non-JL books aren't tied in at all. It gives the impression that DC didn't know exactly how to handle the whole thing. I would have been fine to see 6 months or whatever devoted to a DC universe with the villains in charge and the remaining heroes under the gun. But then I guess they kinda covered that ground with the 52 event?
I actually like some of the details, Crime Syndicate backgrounds, etc. that we're getting, but it's slow, no doubt. I think the slow pace is also magnified by the lack of tie-ins. It just doesn't seem like a lot is going on. Especially since Forever Evil seems to be setting up something else, namely...
Spoiler:
It has to be Darkseid that chased the CS from the Earth-3 universe, right? We know from the Darkseid villains one-shot, Earth-2 book, Superman & Batman, etc. that Darkseid's been universe-hopping and killing Supermen.
Disney's Lucasfilm and Marvel Entertainment Join Forces to Publish Star Wars Comics and Graphic Novels
January 03, 2014 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Jedi, Sith, and the Rest of the Star Wars Universe Come to Marvel Comics in 2015
The Walt Disney Company's Lucasfilm Ltd. and Marvel Entertainment are joining forces to bring new Star Wars adventures to readers across the galaxy, with Marvel granted exclusive rights to create and publish Star Wars comics and graphic novels beginning in 2015.
The agreement marks a homecoming for the Star Wars comic books. Marvel Comics published the first Star Wars comic book, Star Wars #1, in March 1977, which went on to sell more than 1 million copies. Marvel Comics published its Star Wars series for nine years. In 1991, Dark Horse Comics took over the license, publishing fan favorite titles like Dark Empire and Star Wars: Legacy. Last year, Dark Horse released The Star Wars #1, an adaptation of George Lucas' original rough-draft screenplay for the film, garnering rave reviews and national media attention and ranking among the top-selling Star Wars comics of all time.
"Dark Horse Comics published exceptional Star Wars comics for over 20 years, and we will always be grateful for their enormous contributions to the mythos, and the terrific partnership that we had," said Carol Roeder, director of Lucasfilm franchise publishing, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "In 2015, the cosmic adventures of Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewbacca will make the lightspeed jump back to Marvel, to begin a new age of adventures within the Star Wars universe."
"We here at Marvel could not be more excited to continue the publication of Star Wars comic books and graphic novels," said Marvel worldwide publisher and president, Dan Buckley. "The perennial brand of Star Wars is one of the most iconic in entertainment history and we are honored to have the opportunity to bring our creative talent pool to continue, and expand Star Wars into galaxies far, far away."
"We're incredibly excited by this next chapter in the Star Wars saga," said Andrew B. Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide. "Bringing together the iconic Lucasfilm and Marvel brands to tell new stories will allow us to continue to thrill lovers of the original Star Wars comic books and entertain generations to come."
Marvel has continued to push comic book publishing forward with innovations and experiments like motion comics and digital-only releases, in addition to its deep, ongoing catalog of monthly series and graphic novels created by some of the industry's most gifted artists and writers.
StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.
Least surprising news since the sale....
.... hope Dark Horse have some contingences ready.....
One wonders if this might be how they'll deal with the continuity issues....?
.. Just write off anything from DH they don't like or want and use Marvel as the new 52 err official continuity.
So...we've had "Deadpool kills the Marvel Universe". Time for "Deadpool kills the Star Wars universe"? I'd probably be okay with reading that. Lol. Also, we can determine if lightsabers really do cut through everything-Luke vs Wolverine.
The original origin story for Harley Quinn goes something like this; she is a psychiatrist, who eventually falls in love with the Joker and very much against his wishes becomes obsessed with him.
This is a strong willed and determined though misguided Harley Quinn.
The new origin story goes like this; she is a psychiatrist, whom the Joker tries hard to groom and woo, takes advantage of her, and drops her unwillingly in a vat of acid thus "creating" her.
This is a Harley Quinn that is nothing more than the aftermath of some crazy guy, who is a victim more than anything.
A friend told me that there is an issue of Suicide Squad (IIRC) that implies that "this" Harley isn't actually Harleen Quinzel, but rather a fangirl of a fangirl (i.e. a fan of the 'real' Harley Quinn), and the real Harley is dead or missing or something. I can't source the claim unfortunately, so I can't speak to its veracity.
I'm really just getting back into comics after not giving a damn about them for almost a decade, The New 52 revamp wasn't quite enough to get me to do it (though it was a step in the right direction) but the September villains month did it for me (that and the fact that Harley Quinn got her own series again), I have a lot of catching up to do, gotta buy up some of the compilations/graphic novels or whatever they're called and read up, specifically all the Batman (and Harley Quinn), Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Deathstroke, and Aquaman titles (favorite characters). In non-DC related news, I've been picking up Samurai Jack, X, Captain Midnight, and "The Star Wars" (based on the original screenplay by GL, as in the really weird version not at all like the movies). I'm guessing "The Star Wars" is probably being canceled at the end of this year though... really not a Marvel fan whatsoever, I hate their approach of "write the story to fit the artwork", seems ass-backwards to me, and has resulted in what I consider to be an absolute mess of a setting.
Kanluwen wrote:Devoured my 3 paperback collections of Green Arrow. #1: The Midas Touch--really enjoyed it. Established Oliver as a douche which was important, and set up the ethos. #2: Triple Threat--was interesting to see Oliver out of the city and in the wilderness. #3: Harrow--the social crusader aspect shows up in force. Plus he gets made fun of by Green Lantern which was hilarious.
Thanks for the list. Green Arrow is one of my favourite DC heroes and I was hoping to get my hands on some more pre-reboot stuff. I read The Longbow Hunters, but didn't like it a lot.
Pipxeroth wrote:Why do people hat aquaman so much? that's the question that keeps me awake at night. His stuff in the new52 is awesome, and pre-52 with the waterhand was also amazing.
I agree. He's an easy target, but the new stuff was pretty good. But I'm going to drop it anyway and here's why:
I think I may be done with DC. At least anything new they put out. I've been following some of the Bat-stuff but it kinda went downhill with Death of the Family. Almost everything in the New 52 seems to be grim and gritty just for the hell of it. Batman keeps shoving Saw-levels of violence in my face and DotF added nothing to the Joker/Batman relationship I haven't read better from Paul Dini, Frank Miller, Alan Moore and even Kevin Smith (sue me, but I really liked the talk they had in the hospital). The last Catwoman trade I read suffered from the Joker tie-in as well while complety stomping on everything I liked about her before the reboot. I hear good things about Red Hood, but I really don't feel like spending money on it. Then I read the final story with Damien and decided I had enough. He was the last DC character I really liked. Superman wasn't very interesting either and Green Lantern bored me to tears. Flash seems to be the only character who still has fun in this new universe but apart from that I feel DC has nothing to offer me anymore.
So yeah, that was my short rant on the new 52. I don't mind to, because IDW's TMNT and Ghostbusters are both excellent and Marvel keeps putting out quality material as well. Seriously, how awesome is Superior Spider-Man. I read the 3rd trade, No Escape, over christmas and it completly blew me away. SpOck is so much fun. Still evil and pretty violent, but yet so much more entertaining than the New 52.
Huh, see I like the dark grittyness of DC, much moreso than Marvel which I feel is generally campy and lacks any real sense of gravity. I haven't had a chance to read the issues I picked up, but I hear Larfleeze is supposed to be somewhat humorous (if you're into the (Orange) Lantern Corps).
Anung Un Rama, I dumped all my comic subs a couple of months ago -- almost all were DC titles and almost all were Bat-family. The major reason I dropped them is because I couldn't keep up reading them and have a space shortage and comics can't compete with games on that score. But I didn't feel too awful bad because I share many of your thoughts on the Bat titles.
I also still read the new TMNT but only in trade. It's great!
I've been trying to phase out comics too. It's not the cheapest hobby and they do end up taking up a lot of room like you said. My strategy was to simply drop a title as soon as I lose interst or think it's just treading water. However, I must admit that's been going on for like two years now because I keep picking up other titles. So overall my pull list ends up having a pretty consistent number of titles.
Kanluwen wrote:Devoured my 3 paperback collections of Green Arrow.
#1: The Midas Touch--really enjoyed it. Established Oliver as a douche which was important, and set up the ethos.
#2: Triple Threat--was interesting to see Oliver out of the city and in the wilderness.
#3: Harrow--the social crusader aspect shows up in force. Plus he gets made fun of by Green Lantern which was hilarious.
Thanks for the list. Green Arrow is one of my favourite DC heroes and I was hoping to get my hands on some more pre-reboot stuff. I read The Longbow Hunters, but didn't like it a lot.
Bear in mind that all 3 of those are New 52 titles.
Kanluwen wrote:Devoured my 3 paperback collections of Green Arrow.
#1: The Midas Touch--really enjoyed it. Established Oliver as a douche which was important, and set up the ethos.
#2: Triple Threat--was interesting to see Oliver out of the city and in the wilderness.
#3: Harrow--the social crusader aspect shows up in force. Plus he gets made fun of by Green Lantern which was hilarious.
Thanks for the list. Green Arrow is one of my favourite DC heroes and I was hoping to get my hands on some more pre-reboot stuff. I read The Longbow Hunters, but didn't like it a lot.
Bear in mind that all 3 of those are New 52 titles.
Ah. Well in that case I pass. I prefer my Oliver Queen middle-aged.
I was only reading a few issues per month (none by the end) but shelling out nearly $100 per month. I kept telling myself I would catch up and get back into it but none of the stories grabbed me and the paper was piling up and up. So I made a clean break and haven't really looked back. I can dive into my substantial back issue pile as/when I feel the hunger.
I went stopped buying comics as a matter of course about 12 years ago.
The last one I bought was a tie-in for Deus Ex: Human revolution (back or side story on the main character) out of curiosity - as I didn't have a platform capable of playing the game and no interest in upgrading to one.
Still have a handful of Dark Horse ALIENS stuff, though. Not getting rid of them. The rest went into a skip. Especially the DC Sandman graphic novels that I tried in vain for several years to dispose of.
George Lucas said that the Star Wars universe exists, essentially, in two versions. There’s his one, and then there’s the one everybody else can play with.
In effect, this meant that anybody writing Star Wars outside of the six main movies (to date) was expected to adhere to one another’s work and create story lines that were consistent with one another.
And then, whenever Lucas himself went on to create a new “core” story for the Saga, he had permission to overwrite or ignore anything from that “Expanded Universe.”
But now, Lucasfilm are looking to rework the system and destroy this hierarchy.
Leland Chee is employed by the company on their Story Team and has been answering questions on Twitter about how it all works.
Here’s the thrust of what he was saying, in quotes from his feed, and folding a question into the answer:
Star Wars Canon is now determined by the Lucasfilm Story Group which [Pablo Hidalgo] and I are both a part of.
Story Group has a hand in all facets of Star Wars storytelling, including movies, TV, games, and publishing. More so than ever, the canon field will serve us internally simply for classification rather than setting hierarchy.
[Disposing of the hierarchy and having one cohesive canon is] definitely a primary goal of the Story Group.
What will this mean in practice? Well, tossing out the hierarchy isn’t necessarily the same as scrapping the Expanded Universe. Not necessarily. And if it was that simple, then Story Group would have a very easy job and might only need five minutes to accomplish it.
Last summer, I was repeatedly hearing fairly strong rumours were that Episode VII pays absolutely no attention to the Expanded Universe. That’s why I’ve never been pushing the notion that our new, young leads would include Mara Jade or Jaina or whoever else the EU gave rise to.
Now… now I’m wondering if, perhaps, they might. That kind of weaving of EU in the main movies would certainly explain the purpose of Story Group, anyway.
Anyway, it’s clear that Lucasfilm and Disney want to tie all new Star Wars anythings into the same continuity, and I can’t say I blame them.
I don't really know what Star Wars' die hard fans think of the Canon heirachy system. Do they like it? Does it result in less dumb arguments than 40Ks everything and nothing is canon approach?
KamikazeCanuck wrote: I don't really know what Star Wars' die hard fans think of the Canon heirachy system. Do they like it? Does it result in less dumb arguments than 40Ks everything and nothing is canon approach?
I was under the impression that if it wasnt A New Hope, Empire, or Jedi, then it was considered "Extended Universe" and so may or may not be considered canon... as in the EU stuff is kinda like "if X is true, then Y happened here" sorts of things.
KamikazeCanuck wrote: I don't really know what Star Wars' die hard fans think of the Canon heirachy system. Do they like it? Does it result in less dumb arguments than 40Ks everything and nothing is canon approach?
I was under the impression that if it wasnt A New Hope, Empire, or Jedi, then it was considered "Extended Universe" and so may or may not be considered canon... as in the EU stuff is kinda like "if X is true, then Y happened here" sorts of things.
No, Star Wars has a detailed ranking system for its canon. Couldn't help but notice you basically declared episode 1-3 non-canon. It's canon....sorry.
I think this is amazing news. Star Wars was, for me at least, always more than just the movies. I grew up more on the EU stuff, Thrawn trilogy, Young Jedi Knights, the videogames, so the fact the Disney actually wants to combine the movies with EU makes me very happy.
As long as they keep out Death Trooper, that one was terrible.
Comics Alliance wrote:It was never a matter of if, but when Peter Parker would come back. A year ago this week, Marvel launched Superior Spider-Man, a classic mind-swap story that saw Doctor Octopus switch minds with Peter Parker, then proceed to take over both his personal and heroic life. It was a pretty standard mind swap premise, but with a bit of a twist: shortly after Doctor Octopus forced the switch, his body — which was now occupied by Peter Parker’s mind — died, seemingly giving the villain a final victory over his hated rival. But it was never meant to last, of course. And today, Marvel has announced the anticipated return of Peter Parker as Spider-Man, with a new era for the character beginning in April’s Amazing Spider-Man #1 by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, marking the return of the flagship title for the publisher’s most popular hero. Slott spoke to the Daily News about the return of Peter Parker, and how difficult it was to keep the character’s return a secret from fans for the past 13 months, a move that meant lying to fans of all ages: “To do that for a solid year of my life, that’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do — to look small children in the eye at a convention and lie to them. One of them with an honest-to-God Little League uniform and a quivering lip. Inside, part of me was dying.” At the time, removing Peter Parker from the Marvel universe, and replacing him with arguably his greatest adversary, was a controversial move. Many readers, and at least one Marvel employee, were not immediately on board. “It would have been great if you took a photo of my face at that time. I was not very thrilled,” confessed Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso of Slott’s initial pitch, made during one of Marvel’s editorial retreats a few years ago. “Let’s just say that as cynical as the hard-core fanboy was, I was more cynical.” Alonso believes that Peter Parker’s absence will ultimately give some fans a better appreciation of him, adding that he feels some longtime readers “have been taking him for granted.” And while many will be pleased to know that Marvel’s flagship character is returning to the webs, anyone familiar with Spider-Man’s history likely knows it won’t be that easy. “There’s a twist,” says Slott. “There’s always a twist.”
Seriously though, I'm looking forwards to this. I'm enjoying Superior (though I haven't picked it up for a couple of weeks due to lack of funds) but the whole "blargh! Doc Ock is arrogant and thinks everyone is beneath him.. Oh no! it backfired!" schtick is getting a tired (though still fun). ASM #700 was the first comic book I ever read (the news stories about it were what got me interested in comics) so I'm interested to see about life before the octopus.
I thought his name was just Mephisto? or is there another demon called mephistopheles? (I ask because I've only heard the references to a new day or a whole new day or whatever it was called in real life, but the second arc of the current deadpool comic involved Mephisto).
But yeah, I don't think anyone is hoping that he'll be involved.
If I had to hazard a guess; barring any weird supernatural involvement, I would go with the octobot that was used to perform the switch having some sort of record of Parker's Mind in.
My other theory relates to:
Spoiler:
In #6 or #7, Doc Ock "deletes" the remnants of Parker's conciousness from his mind, which is visualised as a building collapsing on top of a mental image of parker. If I remember correctly, there is a scene in a recent issue where Doc Ock is in emotional turmoil due to some sort of decision (I can't check as I'm in bedford but my comics are at a freind's in sheffield), and there is a panel that comes out of the blue with a silhouette image of a pile of rubble being thrown upwards by someone/thing. followed by Doc Ock making a decision and saving the day. Now my other theory is that this was a representation of Parker's remnants resurfacing and "undeleting" themselves, and that these remnants will in some way re-assert themselves as the owner of the body. (add in the fact that Carlie Cooper realised that SM was getting all his money from Doc Ock's accounts, and I think she'll be pretty heavily involved as well.
Well Spiderman 2099 definitely noticed that there was something up when he first arrived in the present, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was involved somehow.
Spoiler:
Horizon was destroyed in the events when SM2099 came to the present, so they wouldn't be able to use the facilities, but they could probably do it as well.
In #6 or #7, Doc Ock "deletes" the remnants of Parker's conciousness from his mind, which is visualised as a building collapsing on top of a mental image of parker. If I remember correctly, there is a scene in a recent issue where Doc Ock is in emotional turmoil due to some sort of decision (I can't check as I'm in bedford but my comics are at a freind's in sheffield), and there is a panel that comes out of the blue with a silhouette image of a pile of rubble being thrown upwards by someone/thing. followed by Doc Ock making a decision and saving the day. Now my other theory is that this was a representation of Parker's remnants resurfacing and "undeleting" themselves, and that these remnants will in some way re-assert themselves as the owner of the body. (add in the fact that Carlie Cooper realised that SM was getting all his money from Doc Ock's accounts, and I think she'll be pretty heavily involved as well.
Oh man. Wouldn't it be awesome if...
Spoiler:
...Peter's Ghost actually came back through Ock's mind in a scene that looks like this classic page?
I think I might be adding the new Spiderman to my pull list once its available,
Thanks to the UK Spider-man update comic I am following the superior story at the moment, but I'm not a big fan tbh. Seems just too idealistic like a man like Ock could redeem himself in anyway.
Although I suppose if Venom can...
...and as long as someone doesn't try to pull it with Carnage sanity can be maintained.
He re-lived Parkers life/choices in a few moments... but it just felt a little forced to me. Of course on saying that some of the revelations have been fun, but often they have still been Ock realising Parker was more than he gave credit for.
In general its just been a very odd little side show which everyone pretty much knew from day one was going to last as long as the next Spidey film.
Well ya, of course. I passed it by for that reason but it definately went on a lot longer that I thought it would. I've only read the first tpb but it was actually kind of funny especially when Doc asks why the hell would anyone just randomly swing around the city hoping to catch muggers in dark alleys. What a waste of time: I'm going to use robots! He really is a Superior Spider-Man.
Yeah those have been the funny moments, the cold logical outlook. Especially when you had Peter looking over the shoulder spiritually, trying to argue and then thinking.. wait actually that's a good idea.
The fact that it actually has written "No Nipples" on it twice makes me think it's a fake. Personally, I don't like it. The legs looks interesting, because you can clearly see what part is armor but I hate the mask. I hate every Batman movie mask to be honest. I don't want to see how he put on eyeliner. This is 2014, can't we have a mask with white pupils that move with his face like in the cartoons?
I'm dubious about that being more than a proposal or self interest piece.
Looks alright though.
ahhh does love me some Groot
Seems Mr Abnett and Mr Lanning are getting to write a little bit more GOTG stuff ... also seems they're no longer writing/working together.. which is a little odd ?
Guardians Of The Galaxy is on a really slow release schedule at the moment because the main artist is ill, which upsets me both because GOTG was really really enjoyable, and also because she's a ridiculously good artist. :(
Anung Un Rama wrote: The fact that it actually has written "No Nipples" on it twice makes me think it's a fake. Personally, I don't like it. The legs looks interesting, because you can clearly see what part is armor but I hate the mask. I hate every Batman movie mask to be honest. I don't want to see how he put on eyeliner. This is 2014, can't we have a mask with white pupils that move with his face like in the cartoons?
I thought it might be a fake as well but the style of paper/layout of the paper the drawing is on matches what Greg Capullo posts on his Twitter feed whenever he is showing off works in progress.
reds8n wrote: I'm dubious about that being more than a proposal or self interest piece.
Looks alright though.
ahhh does love me some Groot
Seems Mr Abnett and Mr Lanning are getting to write a little bit more GOTG stuff ... also seems they're no longer writing/working together.. which is a little odd ?
Sweet! That is odd. I though Abnett and Lanning were joined at the hip.
So, um, this might be wrong...and very late to the game...but I didn't hate Punisher: War Zone. It's just finishing up, I'm sick and needed something to watch and forgot I bought it for about $3 a while back. Popped it in, and it's quite nicely done, in regards to the Punisher comics. It's a million times better than I expected (I had very, VERY low expectations). I don't think it's as good as the Tom Jane version, which had heart, but it's truer to the comics. Also a pretty good gore-fest. Dennis Nedry from Jurassic Park was also the ONLY guy who could have played his weapons-sidekick.
When I can find Ghost Rider 2 for $3, I'll give that a shot too. My expectations are even lower for that one.
I know I read weird stuff that no one else wants to comment on,
but I finished reading Astro City 8 recently, and the Confessor
vs. Samaritan fight was very spot-on as an analog for a Batman
Superman duel. Two or so pages. Memorable battle.
timetowaste85 wrote: So, um, this might be wrong...and very late to the game...but I didn't hate Punisher: War Zone. It's just finishing up, I'm sick and needed something to watch and forgot I bought it for about $3 a while back. Popped it in, and it's quite nicely done, in regards to the Punisher comics. It's a million times better than I expected (I had very, VERY low expectations). I don't think it's as good as the Tom Jane version, which had heart, but it's truer to the comics. Also a pretty good gore-fest. Dennis Nedry from Jurassic Park was also the ONLY guy who could have played his weapons-sidekick.
When I can find Ghost Rider 2 for $3, I'll give that a shot too. My expectations are even lower for that one.
I liked Warzone, hated the Tom Jane one. Ghost Rider 2 was bad too, it was just boring.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
malfred wrote: I know I read weird stuff that no one else wants to comment on,
but I finished reading Astro City 8 recently, and the Confessor
vs. Samaritan fight was very spot-on as an analog for a Batman
Superman duel. Two or so pages. Memorable battle.
I wish Busiek was more prolific.
It's not that we don't want to comment....we just can't....cause it's weird stuff no one's read. That being said I have heard of Astro City. Wizard magazine would always talk about how good it was back in the day.
malfred wrote: I know I read weird stuff that no one else wants to comment on,
but I finished reading Astro City 8 recently, and the Confessor
vs. Samaritan fight was very spot-on as an analog for a Batman
Superman duel. Two or so pages. Memorable battle.
I wish Busiek was more prolific.
It's not that we don't want to comment....we just can't....cause it's weird stuff no one's read. That being said I have heard of Astro City. Wizard magazine would always talk about how good it was back in the day.
Oh, I understand how it works. I just like to post these things on the off
chance that someone else reads comics that aren't necessarily the latest
crossover events.
malfred wrote: I know I read weird stuff that no one else wants to comment on,
but I finished reading Astro City 8 recently, and the Confessor
vs. Samaritan fight was very spot-on as an analog for a Batman
Superman duel. Two or so pages. Memorable battle.
I wish Busiek was more prolific.
didn't even know the series was still being done !
Got the first trade and read the first ... 12 + issues then it stopped, never knew it came back.
So while everyone is braving the snow for the New York premier of Justice League: War tonight, there’s another war going on.
The release of Justice League Adventures: Trapped In Time, a brand new animated feature on DVD and exclusive to Target. For now. Voice From Krypton reported,
Called a “stealth release,” it arrives in Target on January 21st. It’ plot is described as follows: “Get ready for a battle of the ages when the Justice League faces off against its archenemies, the Legion of Doom, in an all-new movie from DC Comics. A mysterious being known as the Time Trapper arises, and a sinister plan led by Lex Luthor sends the Legion of Doom back in time to eliminate Superman before he becomes a hero and inspires others to do the same. For [members of the Justice League], along with teen super heroes Karate Kid and Dawnstar, the stakes have never been higher, the rescue mission never deadlier. So join the fight for the future as the Justice League confronts its ultimate challenge… the threat of having never existed!”
*Looks at his theories about Peter Parker's return*
*Looks at Superior Spider-Man #25*
*Giggles manically to himself*
(Also X-Men Legacy is awesome and it's ramping up to it's final issue (#22 just came out, #24 comes out on February 14th), and OH MY GOD I'M FAR TOO EXCITED.)
That poster looks awful. Leo looked better in the second link, Raph and Mike looked fine, Don...lose the headgear. I actually think Shredder looks fine: looks like the next step up from Super-Shredder. I'm okay with that. If they are still aliens though, Michael Bay can suck a fat one. That changes their entire origin and just makes them something else, and I don't like it.
Yeah, well... the poster is terrible. But the figures looked good.
And on the whole Alien thing: I've read the leaked skript a year ago and yes it was terrible and yes, they were Aliens, but afaik they got rid of that part.
Buuuut, you'll have to remember that the Ooze that created them actually is of Alien origin in the comics and two of the three cartoons.
I bought/read this years ago , not a bad little series all in all but had a fair few odd moments ... like the above. Totally forgotten about it until I saw this.
Justice League: War, the new Warner Bros. Animation feature that’s streeting this week (see "DVD Round-Up: 'Justice League: War,'..."). will be the beginning of a series of original video animations in a single continuity, according to an interview on Comic Book Resources. In it, War producer James Tucker described the new release, which draws on "New 52" story material, as "the first salvo in doing new movies that are in continuity with each other."
Justice League: War will be the first in a series of interconnected Justice League features that will be released concurrently with a series of Batman movies, all in the same continuity, according to Tucker. The features in the War continuity will be released at a pace of two per year, plus a third stand-alone feature separate from continuity each year. The first of the stand-alone features will be Batman: Assault on Arkham, set in the world of the Batman: Arkham video games.
The features in continuity will not all be "New 52;" the first Batman feature will be Son of Batman, based on a 2006 story by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert and adapted to fit the framework.
I think this is the first time where I think that a big continuity is not the best way to go. So far the DC Animated movies allowed a lot of very different stories while touching upon some classic books. Under the Red Hood is still my favourite and while I didn't enjoy Year One or All-Star Superman that much, I think it's great we got to see those stories in animated form. Bringing a continuity into it while still holding on to Batman as the main character seems a bit... lazy. Also, I'm not a big fan of the New 52 in general. I was hoping for another movie with the classic Green Arrow instead of that new one.
Then again, I am looking forward to animated Damian.
Anung Un Rama wrote: I think this is the first time where I think that a big continuity is not the best way to go. So far the DC Animated movies allowed a lot of very different stories while touching upon some classic books. Under the Red Hood is still my favourite and while I didn't enjoy Year One or All-Star Superman that much, I think it's great we got to see those stories in animated form. Bringing a continuity into it while still holding on to Batman as the main character seems a bit... lazy. Also, I'm not a big fan of the New 52 in general. I was hoping for another movie with the classic Green Arrow instead of that new one.
Then again, I am looking forward to animated Damian.
From the way it was worded, it seemed like they're not saying "Every single animated movie from now on is one big continuity" but rather that "Justice League: War is the first animated movie in a series of animated movies set in one big continuity".
I might be wrong though but that's how it read to me. Also I kind of like the new Green Arrow.
So I've read Battle of the Atom and thought it was pretty good. A fun X-Men time travel story. And I'm glad All-New X-Men isn't over already. Looking forward to what comes next. Speaking of which....
I know we all discussed it a bit a couple weeks ago, but I just watched the Target exclusive Justice League: Trapped in Time movie. It wasn't very impressive, definitely aimed at kids, there's nothing in it for adults. Justice League: War should prove far more enjoyable. The story was good, just too kidified. The preview for Son of Batman looks awesome too!
Mods, can we possibly get a sub forum for comic related stuff? Honestly, you can get one grouping for DC, one for Marvel, one for the comics that don't fall under the big two, and one for movies. I feel like just 1 big threa to encompass all of this, plus random "X person was cast as _____" doesn't do justice.
First five minutes of JL:War prove its gonna be awesome. And it's designed for teens and adults. Grab some popcorn and enjoy.
Alpharius wrote: You seem to like Carnage so I'm a bit nervous to say to you...
It has Carnage in it - of course it ISN'T any good!
Why is it the "Superior" Carnage? Is it really just the normal Carnage Keltus Cassidy?
Thanks for the warning Alph. It's all a matter of context. I'm not that big of a fan of Carnage but I thought U.S.A. and it's sequel worked well. I hated Minimum Carnage but that was mostly because the story was really stupid. So my question remains, as Canuck asked as well. Is SpOck in it?
The Bat Titles have really dropped off in terms of overall quality.
In fact, almost the entire "New 52" has...
I respectfully disagree. I'm loving the New 52. Breathed fresh life into Superman, and Batman just feels like a continuation. Aquaman is also now a badass, the Guardians are dirtbags and GL and Sinestro are forced into a teamup to deal with treachery (I only read the TPBs, btw, I'm behind). I'm loving it far more than Marvel. Also, I'm surprised more people don't know about Batman's identity. He's always shown SPECIAL consideration towards Dent. Should have been obvious to Dent semi-early on.
The Bat Titles have really dropped off in terms of overall quality.
In fact, almost the entire "New 52" has...
I respectfully disagree. I'm loving the New 52. Breathed fresh life into Superman, and Batman just feels like a continuation. Aquaman is also now a badass, the Guardians are dirtbags and GL and Sinestro are forced into a teamup to deal with treachery (I only read the TPBs, btw, I'm behind). I'm loving it far more than Marvel. Also, I'm surprised more people don't know about Batman's identity. He's always shown SPECIAL consideration towards Dent. Should have been obvious to Dent semi-early on.
I'll grant you Aquaman - he's one of the shining stars in the New 52.
Wonder Woman is also really enjoyable.
Batman started out strong, but the whole long and dragged out "Joker" storyline was an interest killer for me.
Superman is a bore, and a chore, once again.
The Green Lantern books have also become a mess and, the worst sin, boring as well.
And the whole Forever Evil storyline?
What a cockup!
The main hero books have all moved on from the storyline, even though the Forever Evil story isn't finished yet! And in that story, the world's been taken over, most believe the heroes are dead, and apparently the Earth's about to be invaded by the same Big Bad that already destroyed the Crime Syndicate's home?
Another overly long and dragged out crossover that's been mishandled. DC's mishandling of their own line has got to be costing them lots of goodwill and, more importantly, sales.
I really disagree re: Batman and Superman. IMO, the Batman book has been consistently good. Death of the Family wasn't a bad run by any stretch...it was a overdone and the ending fell a little flat. But those were good comic books.
The Superman books have been uneven for a variety of reasons. Changing creative teams is probably the big one. But I think their treatment of the character in general has been really good overall and has breathed some new life into what was an extremely stale character pre-New 52.
I agree that Forever Evil is just odd in terms of pacing and how it sits compared to the rest of the universe.
gorgon wrote: I really disagree re: Batman and Superman. IMO, the Batman book has been consistently good. Death of the Family wasn't a bad run by any stretch...it was a overdone and the ending fell a little flat. But those were good comic books.
The Superman books have been uneven for a variety of reasons. Changing creative teams is probably the big one. But I think their treatment of the character in general has been really good overall and has breathed some new life into what was an extremely stale character pre-New 52.
I agree that Forever Evil is just odd in terms of pacing and how it sits compared to the rest of the universe.
You basically just 'disagreed' with me by agreeing with me!
No...because I don't agree that they're really dropped off in quality. I think there's been some inconsistencies as I outlined, but that happens even with the best, most stable creative teams.
Right now I'm reading multiple New 52 books and not one Marvel book. *shrug* Which is not to say that there are no good Marvel books, but I'm just not interested in the Marvel teams and characters that I usually follow.
Haven't really followed Dredd regularly in years ...
.. BLOODY HELL though !
Well that sucks.
Just read Dredd Underbelly though, the comic sequel to the movie and it was quite good. Maintains the tone of the movie but perhaps is a bit too similiar to it.
I don't care what Alan Grant has to tell himself to sell that rag of a mag, this ending does not make sense for her. Some of her best stories over the past decades actually mitigate against it.
Also X-Men Legacy finished last week and I really really can't decide whether I like the ending or not. Like, it feels like a fitting evolution of Legion's storyline, but it still really sucks.
I'm trying to track down/recall a specific Spiderman story.
Pretty certain it was a single issue.
We basically see various children/teenagers .. maybe 1 adult ..? -- who all meet/talk interact with spiderman.
In particular we focus a lot on one young ( African American possibly ?) who is having trouble at home/being bullied/similar.
the twist at the end being that none of them actually meet/speak to him but they all see him as a friend or person they can trust as he could be anyone under the mask.
... I think we see a little "montage" at the end of him pulling off his mask and revealing him to be X/Y/Z
sure it was nominated for an award or maybe even just highlighted on a website sometime...?
I do not understand how anyone could believe DC (or Marvel, or…) would ever be shy of such pandering. It is not like comics were not filled to the brim with escher poses and extremely small and fitting costumes…
You know, I really enjoyed the first 2 trades of New 52 Catwoman and this kinda goes in the same direction. Definetly would've worked, even though it reminds me again, how they destroyed the great relationship they had before the reboot.
Finally! The 2nd Guardians trade arrived. Even if the story isn't so great like it was this time the team is just so much fun. Groot might be my favourite.
Can someone give me the short version of what happened during Infinity? I'm not reading any current Avenger things, so the Tie-In was a bit weird.
Anung Un Rama wrote: Finally! The 2nd Guardians trade arrived. Even if the story isn't so great like it was this time the team is just so much fun. Groot might be my favourite.
Can someone give me the short version of what happened during Infinity? I'm not reading any current Avenger things, so the Tie-In was a bit weird.
This is the new ongoing series? Ya, it's just sort of plugging along and not really doing anything. Nothing really important happened in Infinity. Thanos had some new goons tried to destroy the world or something but it didn't work out. I disliked it more than any other Marvel crossover to date.
So Dan Abnett is writing a novel about Rocket and Groot.
Marvel's first original prose novel, featuring the stars of Guardians of the Galaxy! These are not the Avengers or the Fantastic Four - in fact, they're barely even famous - but Rocket Raccoon and the faithful Groot are the baddest heroes in the cosmos and they're on the run across the Marvel Universe! During a spaceport brawl, the infamous pair rescues an android Recorder from a pack of alien Badoons. Everyone in the galaxy, however, including the ruthless Kree Empire and the stalwart Nova Corps, seems to want that Recorder, who's not exactly sane.
Got Thor 2 this week and although enjoyed watching it again, was very pleased to see Marvel's switcharoo with 'Hail to the King' absolutely brilliant and hope it'll lead into a potential Ironman 4.
In the interest of adding to “the long list of things that weren’t gonna photoshop themselves,” Director of Publicity for Oni Press John Schork recently took to his personal Tumblr account to gift humankind with one of the most breathtaking mashups of our time. Jack Kirby + Taco Bell = Jack Kirby’s Fourth Meal.
Thank you, John, for thinking outside the Mother Box bun.
Has anyone else read the Uber comic series? Its really good but I can't find anywhere to talk about it.
I am really enjoying that series and issue 10 was particularly good. Not sure how they're going to play out that cliffhanger like. Always thought "those Ubers would be great if they could fly like superman or weren't brick slow". Solution, put them in rockets and fire them at London! Class. I was also glad we got to see talking whilst they built up to Hitler revealing his plan. Plus how one of them was whining that he is the favorite. I have a feeling that they'll use their new British mega Uber prematurely and she'll probably be killed. Thing is, I can't see what the germans hope to achieve. Its not that Sieglinde can't kill everyone in London, but she has no means of returning and unless she intends the Brits to surrender its hard to see what can be accomplished. I highly doubt however that they'll kill off the poster child of the series this early however. Perhaps she gets captured? But, after the failures at Paris and Kursk; I think the Germans will win this one. Theres too much complacency from the allied characters that they can win this with their industrial might despite the Ubers.
Plus I was a little shocked when you see Sieglinde having sex with Marcus. More because it was Marcus TBH. Did seem a little forced that she would have sex with somebody she finds repulsive. Hes not the only guy she could be with as she claims. The other male Uber seems nice enough and not a sadistic psychopath. Hell even one of the poor technicians would do.
I am particularly hoping a future issue looks at what the soviet superhero Katyusha is doing now she has her powers. I think they say that some Ubers can have all their abilities focused all on strength at the expense of their ray power thing. Since Kat hasn't shown any sign of physical transformation but clearly her vision powers were easily comparable to the Ubers it looks like shes the exact opposite. Which I quite like. Normally female Soviet superheroes are massive amazonian characters. Its quite neat and original to have this little Arya type character in this role. Although I could be wrong and she does get the same size as Sieglinde. Hope not though. I imagine the Soviets will try to capture her and they'll probably use her friend Joseph from the penal battalion to convince her (poor man) since I doubt force will work.
Just sent my friend 400+ comics for free just for the hell of it. he loves them, and it finished his teen titans, Alpha flight collection. The only one I kept was the first appearance of Carnage from Spiderman, my favorite villain ever. Ill regret it later, but that made him so happy, shipping killed me lol.
Tried the 2nd trade of Way's Thunderbolts, now that Steve "I can only draw one face" Dillon is off the book. He can draw more than one face, but none that actually look like the characters.
Jim Shooter wrote a film treatment, in which KISS fights the Village People, Rodney Dangerfield plays four separate characters, and fire-clad warriors ride into battle on unicorns. At one point, Dazzler, the Avengers and Spider-Man travel forward in time to a dystopian New York, where Cher and Donna Summer are rival witch-queens, battling for control over the city.
My comic book reading just took a hit, the comixology app, which I get almost all my stuff on, is now read only.
They've removed the storefront.
I now have to go to the website, purchase, the. Download on the app.
Gits.
I live in Saudi Arabia.
Not as easy as you may think.
There isn't a single comic book store in the entire country that I'm aware of, and assuming I could get anything in a hard copy, it would be heavily censored.
I'm talking black sharpie over any female characters censored, assuming they just didn't go ahead and tear the pages out.
I had a bandits haul today, got tons of free swag in addition to the actual free comics, and on top of that I bought more stuff at not one, not two, but three of my local comic shops. Also met a lovely young lady at once who seemed quite interested in me... unfortunately I think she might be *too* young...
I don't know, dropped all my Justice League titles, and with cancellations, I'm down to some bat books (Girl, Woman, Man, BoP, Cat and Bat & this months special guest while we figure out who the new Robin is), Harley Quinn, Red Hood and that's about it DC side.
Getting more Marvel stuff of late, Enjoying New X-Men, Wolverine, Shulky and now have Amazing Spidey due.
Oh, I didn't even know there was a new Moon Knight series. Is it in quite a different direction from Bendis' series? How are they portraying the multiple personality thing now?
Anybody here read Invincible? That's my main page-turner right now.
Moon Knight is still very much 'suffering' from his 'multiple personality' issues.
Though to be honest with you, I don't think they've been much of the 'focus' so far.
Many writers seem to take it more in the direction that maybe Khonshu himself is one of Moon Knight's 'personalities'.
I've been reading INVINCIBLE from the start and maybe because of that, a lot of the stories, while still quite good, seem to be running over familiar ground.
Painting progress has been very slow, but that should change soon.
