Just a heads up, the final issue of Planetary came out today. If you don't know what Planetary is, just go read it.
Fuck yes. Planetary is one of my favourite series of all time (I like it even more than the other Warren Ellis opus, Transmetropolitan), and the final issue was pretty amazing. I've never read another comic (or another book or whatever, for that matter) that had the same sense of wonder and whimsy, despite the crankiness of Elijah (the main character). And even though the whole series is a mere 27 issues long, it's an epic story that spans years and worlds.
It's a truly unique read, features some of the best and most imaginative art I've ever seen, and has a cool plot to boot. I honestly couldn't recommend it enough. Simply amazing.
I know some of you love him, and I can respect that he made a big difference back in the day or whatever, but my three experiences with Richard Corben's art have been pretty bad --mostly because they don't suit the style where they appear (and vice versa): most recently I was disappointed by an otherwise decently written Aliens storyline, but the worst was seeing his stuff in a recent Conan book... his style completely clashes with what makes them so enjoyable, though I'm not sure any of the new artists have been able to meet the incredible work of Cary Nord in the first several volumes (
SAMPLES). My previous experience was with an otherwise intriguing Punisher story. Every time I see his almost comedically disproportionate characters, I keep expecting it to turn into R. Crumb fare... which is fine for comix, but for
Conan?
Sorry, had to vent.
Man oh man, you're out of your mind, Bobak. Corben is one of the greatest comics artists of
all time, bar none. He remains one of the very few who've never been emulated, and his influence is seen pretty much anywhere you care to look.
I admit he can take a bit of getting used to, but his unique style and peerless storytelling are really something to admire. And to rag on his stellar Conan work..! That's simply madness, my friend.
Sorry, had to vent.
How did I miss this thread?
Recently read the entire Millar-Hitch run on Fantastic Four in one sitting. I loved the arc but can't stand how Millar constantly has to introduce these overpowered entities for the protagonists to have to overcome. Like the CAP robot, for example. So you're trying to tell me that these two characters we hardly knew anything about before were able to do what nobody has ever been able to do in the history of Marvel Comics-build a robot that can effortlessly trash collected Marvel Superherodom? Yeah...right. Why hasn't Dr. Doom kidnapped these people and raped their minds for the knowledge, again? Other than this problem, I felt the run was a compelling read.
I dunno man. I like Hitch and Millar probably a lot more than most, and I thought that run started strong and ended with an absolute fizzle.
The whole notion of Doom having a master is just dumb, too. It subverts the entire point of the character. The reason he's Doom in the first place is due to his own arrogance and unwillingness to listen to Reed when he should have. The bottom line is that Doom never bends his knee to anyone, for any reason, even to save himself. The whole idea came off as a kind of Millar raving that went, "Hey, if Doom is awesome, than what would be more awesome? I know, the motherfucking
master of Doom!" Plus the tie-in with the vastly overrated 1985 series was a bit gratuitous, I thought. Overall, that run was pretty disappointing. I'm already liking the Hickman/Eaglesham stuff a lot more. It's a shame, really — I had really high hopes for the Millar/Hitch stuff, but sometimes it just isn't meant to be I guess.
Just read Hulk: Gray by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. A very fine mini series.
Batman: The Long Halloween-excellent Two Face origin arc.
Pretty much everything from the 'Batman: Reborn' storyline has been excellent. Red Robin, surprisingly, may be the best of the whole lot. Try Detective Comics with Batwoman, too. The artwork is simply stunning.
I'll try and refrain from ramming my opinion about
everything down everyone's throat, so I'll just say this about that part: I'm with you on Detective, it's one of the coolest comics coming out right now. I love the way Rucka has re-imagined Kate, and J. H. Williams is doing the best work of his career. And that's saying something, he's one of the greats.
(By the way, have you read Spider-Man: Blue and Daredevil: Yellow? I'd say both of those were better than Hulk: Gray.)
The fallout from Ultimatum has been rather fascinating. I still don't like that they felt they had to wipe out half the Ultimate MU to tell the story but at least it's made for interesting reading in the aftermath.
Anything Captain America by Brubaker is worth the time.
The Walking Dead remains the best comic book I've ever read.
Rotten is a very, very good zombie comic set in the old west.
The current developments in the Hulk family of books has been interesting. Who is the Red Hulk (I'm guessing Thunderbold Ross)? My only complaint about Jeph Loeb's writing is that everything he writes has guest stars galore. While I give him credit for trying to establish the MU and DCU as integrated worlds, rather than each character being an island unto themself, it sometimes feels like gimmick storytelling.
Fred Van Lente's new She Hulk, Lyra, is a very interesting character to read about. I didn't thiink I'd like her as much as I do but it's been great. The art and coloring are top notch, IMO.
Amazing Spiderman has been, well, amazing ever since 600. Black Cat is back and she's fun to read! This comic is essentially a romance book in tights but it's been hella fun to read.
The Stuff Of Legend is excellent.
Grimjack: The Manx Cat-anything Grimjack by Ostrander and Truman is a must buy, IMO.
Man, you've totally lost me here. I think the whole Red Hulk thing is pretty silly, and while I do enjoy The Walking Dead, I'd hardly say it's the best comic ever. Hell, half the things you've already listed are much better in my book. It's a solid read for sure, but sometimes the characterization is flimsy as hell, and the whole prison storyline was about 24 issues longer than it needed to be. That's some serious bloating for a series that should have a sense of urgency and danger to it. That said, it's been very good lately, so I'm glad to see Kirkman hasn't lost it just yet.
But Brubaker's Cap remains utterly fantastic. I'll admit that the Reborn mini isn't as Earth-shatteringly good as I'd hoped it would be, but that's only because my expectations were so sky high. And the implications, if nothing else, are promising, to say the least.
As for me, I bought the Strangers in Paradise omnibus yesterday. That sucker is big enough to give you a hernia if lifted improperly.
But more to the point, it's another one of my favourite series of all time (top three, in fact). It's a truly wonderful story that's so very human I feel like I'd be cheapening it to describe it here with my messy and imperfect chattering.
If you like good, solid stories that have plenty of ups and downs and some of the best characterization you've ever seen, give one of the pocketbook editions a shot. They're about $25 for about 20 issues, so you really can't go wrong there.
Strangers in Paradise is one of the best things I've ever read, comic or otherwise. It's the height of indie comics if you ask me, and along with Planetary, one of the single most impressive things in the entire medium. Seriously.
