The Comic Book Thread

[genjiglove]

I liked Flashpoint...

Fear Itself has been pretty boring, but I'm also like Taiso in that I pretty much ignore everything Marvel puts out anymore.

 

[BobbyPeru]

Let is know what you think and if you want instead of backtracking most of us who have read them can compare likes/dislikes

I've read about half of the new books so far. Reading this many books in quick succession has been a great way to compare authors and artists, and to really zero in on what I like and don't like; it's been tons of fun.

Just to preface this, I will say that may big comic era was about '88 to '94. I started off with stuff like Ghost Rider and Wolverine, and ended around the Death of Superman and the first few issues of Spawn. Since then, I've mainly been reading trades by Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, Alan Moore, Garth Ennis and the like. Basically, I'm saying that I'm not invested in the last twenty years of the DC Universe and have come to these books as a newbie.

I guess I'll just mention a few standouts that I've read so far.

Animal Man wasn't on my radar, but was really good. It got dark and surreal very quickly and established the major conflict of the next few books. The art was great, and the world and writing interesting and engaging.

Cat Woman was surprisingly good. I really dug the atmosphere they created. It felt like old Tank Girl in a weird way. I just thought it was very smart and adult and fun.

Justice League International was good. I liked the premise, and it was fun watching a kind of bumbling Booster Gold tasked with binding this team together. It was a bit of old-school adventuring fun, and I'm looking forward to the next few books.

Green Arrow was a bit like JLI for me - a bit of episodic, adventuring fun. Not bad at all

Batwing was good, but maybe a bit to dark for me (which I hate to say because I've historically preferred the darker stuff, but maybe it was just a bit too real. You know, like it just made me think of all the cartel violence in mexico and the horrible images and videos of decapitated men. I don't know. Batwing was cool and the villain was wicked, but something just rubbed me the wrong way. Having said that, I'll be getting more books because it's quality.

Hawk and Dove was uninteresting. I just didn't care about their story.

Detective Comics didn't really grab me. The art is beautiful, and the book is dark and violent, but it just didn't do it for me.

Spoiler:

but I still really want to know why the joker volunteered to have his face peeled off!

Batgirl was okay. I think I want a stronger, more self-assured Bat Girl. I know it's her story, but I didn't dig her self deprecating, unsure demeanour. I guess what I really wanted was Bat Woman.

Omac. I don't know. Maybe.

Men of War was a bit too trite and boring. The Jargon just made it sound silly, and I felt like I was being sold this world view that I'm not into. If it was a book about WWII or Nam, I might have dug it. Who knows.

The broken necks in Swamp Thing were pretty cool, but nothing about this book really grabbed me, and I was looking forward to this one.

Stormwatch had a lot going on and was kind of interesting. Looking forward to reading more.

I didn't expect to be into Static Shock and I wasn't. I'm just not the demographic they are going after with that one. Although, I guess I can appreciate a good one-liner every now and again.

Action Comics was okay. It's neat to see a young upstart, ADHD, whipper-snapper of a Superman running about, but I guess it wasn't really what I was looking for. I'm interested to see where it goes, though.

Batman was pretty good. The art is beautiful, though maybe a bit cartoony is places. I think it was a good setup.

Wonderwoman was pretty fun, too. It was like watching Nia Vardalos running around in tights and roping people. Good stuff.

Anyway, I've read more than that, but am tired of writing. In general, I will say that I have enjoyed more books than I disliked, by far. The great majority of books are smart, interesting and lots of fun. Plus, I've been really impressed by the art. The most recent big name comic stuff I've read has been Marvel's Stephen Kings adaptations and I just found that art horribly ugly. It all looks like stills you'd find on the back of a DVD, if they had taken all those stills at just the wrong time. But yeah, the DC stuff is lovely.

So, long story short, I'm really happy with the books, and already have all the #2's on the way. I'll probably stick with it until the #5's, and then trim down the pull list. to a more reasonable five or ten books.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

I liked Flashpoint...

I couldn't find a single thing to like about it, I liked two of the minis of Batman & World Of but I thought those fizzled in their final issues

 

[Hot Chocolate]

Rocket from the Milestone comic Icon made her tv and animated debut alongside Icon himself in Young Justice

 

[HeartlessNinny]

snip

I have a suggestion: drop one of the ones you don't like that much and get Batwoman. That series is the shit. Worth it for the art alone. I'd also suggest dropping a second and getting the Shade mini. It's worth a try if nothing else -- there aren't any other characters like him in either the Marvel or DC universes.

I thought JLI sucked, by the way, and Green Arrow is fucking awful. Just my two cents, though.

 

[BobbyPeru]

I have a suggestion: drop one of the ones you don't like that much and get Batwoman. That series is the shit. Worth it for the art alone. I'd also suggest dropping a second and getting the Shade mini. It's worth a try if nothing else -- there aren't any other characters like him in either the Marvel or DC universes.

I thought JLI sucked, by the way, and Green Arrow is fucking awful. Just my two cents, though.

Yeah, I know people weren't into those books, but like I said, I came into it not expecting anything. For what they were, I thought they were fun enough.

EDIT: I don't think any of the books I've read "sucked". None of them are poorly written. It seems more like I'm either the demographic they are shooting for and I enjoy the aesthetic, or not.

I mean, how much is there really not to like about JLI? A bunch of heroes get together and go for a plane ride to Peru, that's it. If you're invested in those characters and they're not behaving as you'd like them too, I could understand you being upset with the book, but otherwise there's really not much there to judge.

 

[HeartlessNinny]

Yeah, I know people weren't into those books, but like I said, I came into it not expecting anything. For what they were, I thought they were fun enough.

EDIT: I don't think any of the books I've read "sucked". None of them are poorly written. It seems more like I'm either the demographic they are shooting for and I enjoy the aesthetic, or not.

I mean, how much is there really not to like about JLI? A bunch of heroes get together and go for a plane ride to Peru, that's it. If you're invested in those characters and they're not behaving as you'd like them too, I could understand you being upset with the book, but otherwise there's really not much there to judge.

For JLI, the dialogue in issue 2 was so bad it was painful. Just... real groan-worthy. I like Booster Gold, but the other characters seem very 2 dimensional. Plus it's weird to read a book without Ted Kord in it if Booster's gonna be in there. So yeah, I guess I do have something invested in those characters... But I think it's poorly written anyway.

I still think the premise for Green Arrow really stinks, too. And my god, Krul does not know how to write that guy. At all. Just terrible.

But hey, if you like it, you like it. Just don't get too used to Green Arrow, because it's a new creative team by issue 3.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

I wanted to like JLI as I like Bats, Guy, Vixen, Fire & Ice but it just was not clicking for me, I might pick it up in trade as I know this will probably be the only place I can see August General in Iron in action. Thumbed through issue #2 and put it back on the rack and dropped it from my pull

Hands down my top 3 favs were Static Shock, Justice League Dark and Batman


Oh and HLN my shop was sold out of Shade( bought up by the employees ) but I have a copy on order

 

[Hot Chocolate]

Also Rick Remender takes over Secret Avengers after Ellis

Sweet! I will miss Moon Knight and I can get over Hawkeye leading the team

 

[Hot Chocolate]

Shop got in more copy of Shade, had one put on hold. Also reread Frankenstein: Agent Of S.H.A.D.E. #2 for the fourth time today, really digging this series but I am not happy about the crossover with Omac as I did not like that book( putting my huge dislike of Dan Didio aside ) but other then that this for me is THE hidden gem in the new 52.

 

[HeartlessNinny]

Good stuff man. Shade was great. I think you'll get a good sense of the character in that issue, too. Maybe the only thing that isn't apparent is how much of a dick he can be (but only if he doesn't like you).

If Remender is taking over Secret Avengers, I suppose I might give it a shot. I think I'll probably drop some other $4 Marvel books (like Cap and Iron Man) to make room for it on the ol' pull list. I didn't read Frankencastle (because it sounded ridiculous to me) but I've enjoyed everything I've read by him so far.

 

[SouthtownKid]

I read Wonder Woman and liked it okay. Story is good, art is great. The only thing keeping it from being a great comic, imo, is that for a series introducing a new Wonder Woman, the story isn't really about her. She just happens to be in it. Which was a problem for dozens of previous writers who didn't really know what to do with the character.

How do you take what was iconic and groundbreaking about the original Wonder Woman concept and update it to make it relevant for a modern audience? So far, no one seems to have any idea. Honestly, I don't have any idea, either. Most writers' solution seems to be to try and come up with some new direction and just stick a girl in a Wonder Woman costume in the middle of it. Which is what the new comic felt like. I liked it. It was interesting. But I feel like the protagonist of this comic is actually the other girl. Maybe that will shift in future issues.

 

[Taiso]

Finally got around to reading a few more of my DC relaunch titles:

Batman and Robin-I love it. It's a Batman comic for people that have had the character with them for over 20 years. I really like the focus on fatherhood and the role of responsibility Bruce has in raising Damian properly. Granted, it makes Batman seem like an old fogey, and I'm not sure I'd want to read Batman from this angle in EVERY Batman comic, but I'm glad one of the titles is going to focus on this unavoidable aspect to Bruce's persona if they intend on keeping Damian around and keeping his origin essentially the same.

The continuity perfectionist in me still doesn't like how he's been through three Robins in five years, but it didn't ruin it from being a good story. Looking forward to more.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

Finally got around to reading a few more of my DC relaunch titles:

Batman and Robin-I love it. It's a Batman comic for people that have had the character with them for over 20 years. I really like the focus on fatherhood and the role of responsibility Bruce has in raising Damian properly. Granted, it makes Batman seem like an old fogey, and I'm not sure I'd want to read Batman from this angle in EVERY Batman comic, but I'm glad one of the titles is going to focus on this unavoidable aspect to Bruce's persona if they intend on keeping Damian around and keeping his origin essentially the same.

The continuity perfectionist in me still doesn't like how he's been through three Robins in five years, but it didn't ruin it from being a good story. Looking forward to more.

I really loved the conversation Bruce and Alfred had about how he talked to Damian after he didn't kill the gun runners. Even with a few missteps when Winnick wrote a couple issues B&R has been my fav batbook since it was created by Morrison. Gleason has also been my fav artist on this after Quietly, Irving and Burnham left

I didn't read Frankencastle (because it sounded ridiculous to me) but I've enjoyed everything I've read by him so far.

Dood you have to read it!

 

[HeartlessNinny]

I read Wonder Woman and liked it okay. Story is good, art is great. The only thing keeping it from being a great comic, imo, is that for a series introducing a new Wonder Woman, the story isn't really about her. She just happens to be in it. Which was a problem for dozens of previous writers who didn't really know what to do with the character.

How do you take what was iconic and groundbreaking about the original Wonder Woman concept and update it to make it relevant for a modern audience? So far, no one seems to have any idea. Honestly, I don't have any idea, either. Most writers' solution seems to be to try and come up with some new direction and just stick a girl in a Wonder Woman costume in the middle of it. Which is what the new comic felt like. I liked it. It was interesting. But I feel like the protagonist of this comic is actually the other girl. Maybe that will shift in future issues.

I don't entirely disagree, but remember two things: first, doesn't everyone know what Wonder Woman is all about? She's a pretty iconic character. They didn't feel the need to explain Batman, Superman or Green Lantern, so I don't think it was entirely necessary. And even if it is, this is just the first issue. If they went a long time without re-establishing the character, that'd be one thing. But one issue? Give 'em a break man.

The continuity perfectionist in me still doesn't like how he's been through three Robins in five years, but it didn't ruin it from being a good story. Looking forward to more.

I have no problem with that at all. It explains why Robin is always young while Bruce gets older, and the idea that keeping up with Bruce is all but impossible is quite okay with me.

Dood you have to read it!

I dunno man. I'll think about it, but I'm a huge, huge fan of Ennis's take on the character (both the MK and Max versions). Every time I've read Punisher since then I've been massively disappointed, except for the new Rucka incarnation (which is only slightly disappointing to me). I suspect I wouldn't like it at all.

 

[SouthtownKid]

All I meant was that Superman #1 is about Superman, Action #1 is about Superman, Detective #1 is about Batman, Batman #1 is about Batman, and Wonder Woman #1 was about this other girl who slept with Zeus. She's the lynchpin character the narrative revolves around, rather than Diana. And I think people, including the writers, don't know what Wonder Woman is all about (or more accurately, what they want to make her BE about), which is why they keep going through all these "brand-new directions" the past several years, and why none of them have seemed to catch on.

But yeah, one issue is early, and I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the issue. I'll keep reading to see what they do with it. It was just something I noticed and that kept me from being totally blown away, the way some people seem to have been.

 

[HeartlessNinny]

All I meant was that Superman #1 is about Superman, Action #1 is about Superman, Detective #1 is about Batman, Batman #1 is about Batman, and Wonder Woman #1 was about this other girl who slept with Zeus. She's the lynchpin character the narrative revolves around, rather than Diana. And I think people, including the writers, don't know what Wonder Woman is all about (or more accurately, what they want to make her BE about), which is why they keep going through all these "brand-new directions" the past several years, and why none of them have seemed to catch on.

But yeah, one issue is early, and I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the issue. I'll keep reading to see what they do with it. It was just something I noticed and that kept me from being totally blown away, the way some people seem to have been.

Ah, okay. Fair enough.

 

[Taiso]

I have no problem with that at all. It explains why Robin is always young while Bruce gets older, and the idea that keeping up with Bruce is all but impossible is quite okay with me.

Except that Dick and Jayson are grown ass men presently.

How is that possible if Robin's always young and Bruce has only been Batman for five years?

First Robin: Dick Grayson. 13 years old? Or was Robin 19 or 20 when he wore the red and yellow?

Second Robin: Jason Todd. How old was he when Joker nearly beat him to death? And if 'Death in the Family' happened, did Bruce REALLY replace Jason within a year's time? Especially after all the grief he went through with Jason?

Third Robin: Tim Drake. He's a Teen Titan now, so he's apparently flown the coop. Fine by me, but before the reboot he was fast approaching adulthood and had adopted a more Dick Grayson type physique.

Fourth Robin: Damian Wayne. Right age, interesting character dynamics.

It's cool that you don't care, but it still makes no fucking sense (yet.)

 

[SouthtownKid]

Second Robin: Jason Todd. How old was he when Joker nearly beat him to death? And if 'Death in the Family' happened, did Bruce REALLY replace Jason within a year's time? Especially after all the grief he went through with Jason?

Hell, he did that anyway. Death of Jason Todd: 1988. Intro of Time Drake: 1989.

It really didn't take DC editorial long to realize that oh fuck, they still need a Robin for licensing purposes. The gap between the two characters was actually very short.

edit: actually, let me amend that.
Death of Jason: January 1989.
Intro of Tim: August, 1989.
Tim becomes Robin: December, 1989.

So all within a single publishing year.

 

[Taiso]

Hell, he did that anyway. Death of Jason Todd: 1988. Intro of Time Drake: 1989.

It really didn't take DC editorial long to realize that oh fuck, they still need a Robin for licensing purposes. The gap between the two characters was actually very short.

edit: actually, let me amend that.
Death of Jason: January 1989.
Intro of Tim: August, 1989.
Tim becomes Robin: December, 1989.

So all within a single publishing year.

It seemed a lot longer to me, but the numbers are right there.

Probably because there were so many spinoff titles and he was appearing in multiple books grousing about Jason's fate. And there was a heavy spotlight on Joker at the time too, so all the oversaturation of the characters probably made me feel like it took a lot longer.

Still...4 Robins in 5 years? I'm not saying it's IMPOSSIBLE. I just want it laid out so it makes some sense. I thought the reboot was supposed to sort of do away with the confusion to make it more inviting to new readers.

Personally, I'd have been happy with Batman and Robin (Dick Grayson) and just ditch the rest.

Not that they're bad characters, because they're not.

Or just explain it all.

Or say Batman's been around longer, but working in the shadows so nobody KNEW about him or his various Robins for a few years before their debut to the public.

Or something.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

I dunno man. I'll think about it, but I'm a huge, huge fan of Ennis's take on the character (both the MK and Max versions). Every time I've read Punisher since then I've been massively disappointed, except for the new Rucka incarnation (which is only slightly disappointing to me). I suspect I wouldn't like it at all.

It starts off slow but once he get's the groove of it it's full steam ahead, if I have one gripe with it is that both Tony Moore and Mike Hawthorne( especially MIke ) should be doing more stuff with Marvel's big guns. I know Tony was yanked off Venom for some big project and Mike I think is working on a creator owned project

 

[HeartlessNinny]

It starts off slow but once he get's the groove of it it's full steam ahead, if I have one gripe with it is that both Tony Moore and Mike Hawthorne( especially MIke ) should be doing more stuff with Marvel's big guns. I know Tony was yanked off Venom for some big project and Mike I think is working on a creator owned project

There's an omnibus of the Frankencastle stuff, right? If I can snag it cheap, maybe I'll take your advice. I can't promise I'll like it though.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

There's an omnibus of the Frankencastle stuff, right? If I can snag it cheap, maybe I'll take your advice. I can't promise I'll like it though.

There sure is, bought the hardcover when it came out. Remender's run is one of the few times I got the singles as well as the tpbs

 

[HeartlessNinny]

There sure is, bought the hardcover when it came out. Remender's run is one of the few times I got the singles as well as the tpbs

Yeah, I almost never do that. All right, I'll snag it if I can get a deal on it.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

Yeah, I almost never do that. All right, I'll snag it if I can get a deal on it.

Sweet!

Also came across a fan made motion comic for the death of Ultimate Spidey