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AICN COMICS REVIEWS THE THING! STAR WARS! SCOTT PILGRIM! AND MORE!!
#52 | 4/26/06 | align=right> #4 |
(Click title to go directly to the review)
MARVEL MILESTONES: FEATURING THE BEAST & KITTY PRYDE
ION: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE #1
SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE # 5
STAR WARS TAG & BINK EPISODE I: REVENGE OF THE CLONE MENACE
THE THING #6
Big Eyes for the Cape Guy presents DEATH NOTE
Big Eyes for the Cape Guy presents EDEN: IT'S AN ENDLESS WORLD!
Indie Jones presents FREE SCOTT PILGRIM
Indie Jones presents SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 1 & 2
Indie Jones presents…
CHEAP SHOTS!
MARVEL MILESTONES: FEATURING THE BEAST & KITTY PRYDE
Written by Gerry Conway & Chris Claremont
Art by Tom Sutton & Dave Cockrum
Published by Marvel
Reviewed by @$$hole @$$stones featuring Buzz Maverik
Yep, there's an X-MEN movie coming out this summer. You can tell because Marvel is putting out books like this. The Beast and Kitty Pryde, of course, will be featured prominently in X3: THE LAST X-MAN STANDING. I'll tell ya, I'm excited. I can't wait. When they open the doors for that first midnight show, I hope to God I have something better to do.
I finally got around to seeing part of X2: X-MEN UNTITLED on FX a few weeks ago. You see, I was so disappointed in the lack of ambition, style, originality and courage in the first X-MEN movie, that I did the one thing most fanboys can't bear to do: I stayed away from the sequel. You know how somebody will inevitably say, "If you don't like it don't read/see/watch/listen to it"? Well, for once, I did that. This is old news. I talk about it all the time here. I've been told that I have no credibility as a comic book reviewer because I didn't see X2, which is interesting because I'm pretty sure X2 was a movie, not a comic book, but I'll do whatever it takes to not have credibility.
What'd I think of X2? It reminded me of this PLAYBOY movie that I bought through pay-per-view once. I thought I was going to see naked Playmates and Bunnies. Instead, I got this black and white documentary about Hugh Hefner that he produced himself in the '60s. It kept featuring scenes of him flying around in his jumbo jet with the Bunny logo on the tail fin. This was cool in a kitschy, retro way but that wasn't why I ordered it. A bunch of Austin Powers extras (only these were real) came on the plane and go-go danced when a disco ball dropped from the ceiling. They had a blonde chick with long, straight hippie hair and a chick with an Afro but neither of them got naked.
X2 seemed to be about Marvel Girl and Storm flying around in the Blackbird. Neither of them got naked either, at least not on the edited for basic cable version. There was a cool sequence in which Storm used her weather powers against some fighter jets and Rogue fell out of the plane and Nightcrawler bamfed down through the clouds and bamfed her back aboard. To tell you the truth, though, it seemed a little dumb until I realized I was looking at it like a movie. Look at it like a comic! I told myself, and it was suddenly cool again.
Oddly, I'm fairly stoked about SUPERMAN RETURNS. If Singer could do reasonably well copying RESERVOIR DOGS and THE MATRIX, I think he'll do great copying SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN II. And it looks like a movie for the whole fuckin' family.
We've got Kelsey Grammer as the Beast. FRASIER, I can get past, but I'll tell ya, when he starts talkin', if I DO see it in theater, I'm gonna be that obnoxious prick who yells "Auuugh! Sideshow Bob!" Of course, that won't measure up in Obnoxious Prickness to fired @$$hole Jon Quixote, whom, upon seeing the climatic battle in EPISODE 3, where Anakin was burnt up after getting his arms and legs lightsabred off, yelled, "Okay, let's call it a draw!" Now, that's Obnoxious Prick Hall O' Fame, bay-bee.
But frankly, for some reason, whenever I read X-MEN comics, Hank McCoy always sounded like Jeff Bridges in my mind. Here, we have a reprint of the first issue of the Beast's run in AMAZING ADVENTURES. Gerry Conway wrote this issue, but Steve Engelhart would soon take over, leading to the Beast in Engelhart's AVENGERS line up. I love the mystery here, the use of flashbacks, the silence in many of Tom Sutton's panels. The Beast has black fur and is more bestial, almost a fluffy Hulk, here, but there's a restraint that modern comics lack. Mostly, this is about a young guy leaving home for his first real job out of college...and mutating himself beyond recognition.
The Kitty Pryde story from UNCANNY X-MEN # 163? Dave Cockrum's art is awesome, of course, but this is from an era where there was a lot of exposition, trying to bring new readers up to date by telling them things instead of showing them :"The X-Men's leader, Storm, who controls the weather, has weird white hair and..." The worst thing about this story is that it is about Kitty Pryde making up a fairy tale for five year old Illyana Rasputin. I had to dislike a story like this simply on the grounds that I'm a guy.
ION: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE #1
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Greg Tocchini
Publisher: DC Comics
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
The everyman, underdog hero is an oft-used template for today’s comic book heroes. People don’t seem to want perfect icons anymore or they only want stories that shine a light on those icons’ flaws. Seems people like to read (and writers like to write) about the everyman hero and I must admit, they are more relatable than some squeaky-cleaner. I guess that’s why there are so many of them out there today. Take Kyle Rayner, for instance. He’s one of those bumbling, good-hearted heroes that follow the whole Peter Parker tradition of tumbling through life and somehow ending up on their feet. One of the things that made Kyle so likable is the fact that he was an artist. In a genre where so much emphasis is placed on art, it was a nice and pretty original way to get an audience to become interested in the character. On top of that, Kyle has had no luck whatsoever with the ladies. His last three girlfriends have died on him. Only Daredevil has had worse luck with chicks. All of these thingsmade me really empathize with this character. He really is one of my favorites in today’s comics.
But now that original GL Hal Jordan is back in the picture, Kyle was one of those characters (like GREEN ARROW’s Connor Hawke) that had developed a fan base, but really had no place to go. It was cool that Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons seemed to try to give Kyle a role in their recent GREEN LANTERN CORPS miniseries, but by the end of that series, another Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, seemed to be shoehorned into the headlining role of that book and its upcoming spin-off monthly. So what’s a semi-popular character to do?
Well, it looks like one of the guys who wrote the bulk of Kyle’s stories, Ron Marz, has some more stories to tell. I wasn’t a fan of Kyle getting his face all starry in the pages of the RANN THANAGAR WAR CRISIS SPECIAL. Not only does it look weird, alien-izing a character that has always been personable and relatable, but given the fact that former girlfriend Donna Troy’s costume is similarly starry, it makes you wonder where Kyle has been sticking his nose.
I can’t say I’m a big fan of this whole power change that Kyle experienced after INFINITE CRISIS either. I appreciate the fact that the powers-that-be didn’t off him like they did so many others in the last year, but the fact that Judd Winick wrote a similarly themed story involving an amped-up Kyle makes me wonder why I’m buying this story again. Plus if the title of this book is any indication, Kyle may now have Guardian-like powers, but didn’t GL John Stewart have those powers for a while?
The extent of Kyle’s power change has been so vague that I really don’t know what the hell he’s become. The Guardians spit out some kind of non-explanation of him being a Keanu-like “The One” and some GL Corps members call him the “Torch Bearer” in this issue, but what the hell that means, I sure don’t know. Because the haze surrounding just what exactly is different about Kyle is so thick, I found myself reading this entire issue with a furrowed brow. As far as I can see, Kyle just had a costume change. He seems to still have the GL powers. So far, nothing else is very different.
Ambiguity aside, Marz does do one thing right in this issue and that’s deliver a fleshed-out performance from Kyle. One of my favorite issues of Marz’ first run on the GL series was the Donna Troy break-up issue. It was handled with so much depth and emotion and really highlighted the character of Kyle and how special he really is. Kyle the character is as succinct and three-dimensional as Kyle’s power change is abstract and fleeting to understand.
I did like Greg Tocchini’s art in this issue. His work is very much like Gene Colan’s. Loosely drawn, almost ethereal. I guess at the heart of this book is the question: what has Kyle become? It’s a mystery and these questions are highlighted by this almost surrealistic art. This is a step away from the more straightforward art style that much of DC’s sci fi stories have sported in the last year. It is a perfect example of how the artwork can convey mood in a story. A more classical approach to the art would not have sparked this sense of mystery.
Kyle is on a sort of soul search in this issue. He’s trying to understand what has led him to where he is now and what he has become. He’s still the same Kyle we’ve been reading for years. And if you squint and forget a panel or two, you can read it just as that. If you’re a fan of the character, you’ll want to pick this up. I understand the reason for trying to make Kyle distinct and appreciate the fact that the higher-ups have attempted to have the best of both worlds with the return of Hal as the GL of the DCU while not getting rid of Kyle in the process. But this is familiar territory and the big differences that are being referenced aren’t clear. Marz has his job cut out for him to try to make this book worthwhile for those who still have a bad taste in their mouths from Winick’s story. So far, he’s nailed Kyle’s character, but it’s what’s so different about him as a hero that needs some clarification.
SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE # 5
Written by: Sean McKeever
Pencilled by: Takeshi Miyazawa
Published by: Marvel Comics
Reviewed by: superhero
McKeever and Miyazawa nail this one outta the park. And I don’t mean any old home run. I’m talkin’ a Babe Ruth points to the outfield, dramatically misses the first two pitches and just nails the third one right over the boards. Yep, that’s how great this issue of SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE is.
In this issue MJ finally gets to go out on her date with Spidey and it’s an eye opener for her in more ways than one. Not only does she get that building a relationship with a masked super hero would be more complicated than she thought she also discovers some interesting things about herself on the way. Like the one guy who she’s been seeing as just a friend is actually the one guy she should probably be with. Does it matter that said individual is Spider-Man’s secret identity? Well, what MJ doesn’t know (but we do) won’t hurt her but the problem is that in true soap opera fashion her realization may have come too little too late. See, our boy Peter Parker’s been chosen to show the new girl in school around on her first day and when it was revealed who this new character in the SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE universe was, well, let’s just say that this reader was as psyched as could be. Hint: she’s blonde and she’s destined to become Spidey’s first true love.
OK, fine, I’ll tell you.
(SPOILERS)
It’s Gwen Stacy.
And while the fact that we’ve got another sort of out-of-continuity Spider book reintroducing old school characters shouldn’t be exciting, McKeever and Miyazawa are able to make it seem brand new and refreshing. I remember being slightly disappointed when Bendis re-introduced Gwen Stacy in the pages of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN as a sort of bitter Goth-Rocker chick. I mean, it was an original choice but it didn’t seem to ring true to the original character, especially visually. While ULTIMATE SPIDEY is a great book I think that Bendis’ re-imagining of Gwen was a misstep and when she got offed in the pages of that comic it just didn’t really resonate with me.
With this issue of SPIDEY LOVES MARY JANE McKeever seems to show once again how much he gets what made the Spidey world work so well all those years ago. He and Miyazawa cast Gwen as more of a Paris Hilton look-alike and the choice is a perfectly inspired fit of old school character mixed with a modern sensibility. Of course as of this issue we haven’t really seen how this new Gwen’s personality will develop. but it seems like the creators of this book are determined to maintain her pure as the driven snow status that so many other comic creators have been happy to plow all over these past couple of years. Yes, J. Michael Straczynski, I’m talking to you.
That’s what makes this book so great. While the book isn’t really even about Spider-Man at all it brings a fresh new perspective to characters that have been around in the Spidey universe forever while maintaining a respect for what came before. Not only does it respect it but it emulates part of what made a lot of the old Spidey books entertaining in the first place. It’s re-introduced that warm and silly soap-opera aspect of early Marvel comics that’s been lost in recent years. C’mon, let’s admit it. As much as we all loved Spider-Man beating the crap out of the Green Goblin it was also the high drama of Peter’s personal life that really sucked us into comics all those years ago. Even though this book deals pretty much with Mary Jane’s personal life we still get to see aspects of Peter Parker’s world but from a different and just as sweetly dramatic viewpoint.
This book is the perfect antidote to all the sadly miswritten events that have plagued the mainstream Spidey books in recent years even if the book isn’t absolutely about everyone’s favorite wall-crawler. As a matter of fact I’d even be so bold to say that McKeever’s actually been able to make Mary Jane Watson a more interesting character than Peter Parker’s been in the past couple of years. This is a great book and I can’t wait to see how things develop down the line.
STAR WARS TAG & BINK EPISODE I: REVENGE OF THE CLONE MENACE
Kevin Rubio: Writer
Lucas Marangon: Artist
Dark Horse Comics: Publisher
Vroom Socko: More powerful than you can possibly imagine
Kevin Rubio is my kind of nuts. The man crams more jokes into a single panel than some writers put in a whole comic. Not only that, his love for the material he’s mocking is clear. Reading the misadventures of Tag and Bink makes you want to head over to your DVD player and put in a Star Wars movie. Even the prequels. Yes, I said the prequels.
This installment shows the early years of these two rebels, right in the thick of the main plotline of Attack of the Clones. It turns out that our two title troublemakers were actually Jedi younglings; obviously, they were the two worst younglings in the history of the Jedi order. It’s here that Rubio has one of the best jokes in the book, where two younglings are playing with Star Wars action figures of the members of the Banking Guild, pretending to impose trade regulations and raising tariffs on uncooperative systems. It even manages to equal the best joke from the last issue, where Tag and Bink meet up with rebel spy Manuel Both-Hanz, Manny to his friends.
Think about it.
Things really heat up for our heroes when they accidentally erase the location of the planet Kamino. When Obi-Wan interrupts their lightsaber class to ask Yoda about the missing system, the two boys decide it’s time to hightail it out of there. More insanity follows, first when the waitress at Dex’s Diner calls out the wrong order, and later when we learn just why Anakin’s pick-up lines on Naboo sound like they were written by a ten year old.
What really makes this book fun, just like the issues that preceded it, are all the little cameos and gags crammed into the corners of the panels. The customers at Dex’s Diner, for example, include Gort, Buzz Lightyear, and the ‘Bots from Mystery Science Theater 3000. My favorite, however, is the glimpse we get of Sean Connery, dressed as Brother William from THE NAME OF THE ROSE fleeing the Jedi temple. It’s such a “what the fucking HELL!” moment I can’t help but love it.
This book is the perfect remedy for all you lapsed Star Wars fans. It makes the prequels fun! Really, it’s about time, too.
THE THING #6
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Kieron Dwyer
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
OK, folks. I understand that decompressed storytelling is the “in” things these days. I’ve almost come to accept the fact that those who make today’s comics are no longer that concerned about filling a comic, rather they look at an issue as a chapter in a larger story, not a complete product in and of itself. And you guys, the readers, have spoken, as you keep buying parts of a story, faithfully counting on a big payoff somewhere in the future instead of just enjoying the issue you have in your hands as a whole. And Marvel has responded by making this the in-house blueprint for telling most of their stories. But I’m here to tell you all that there is an alternative.
Some call it “Old School,” but I’d rather call it compressed, tightly-packaged, shrink-wrapped goodness. Like a fat girl squeezed into pink lycra stretch pants, these comics are overflowing with so much fun, adventure, and stuff between the covers that you end up spending the time it takes you to read three decompressed stories to finish it. Marvel big name in the making Dan Slott is at the forefront of this type of storytelling and his series THE THING is the perfect example of what I’m talking about.
In this single issue of THE THING you get:
A slugfest between the Thing, the Sandman, the Trapster, and Spider-Man.
Cameos by the Sub-Mariner, She-Hulk, the FF, Blastarr, Dragon Man, the Wizard, Hercules, Damage Patrol, and Beyonce Knowles.
A story filled with action and heart.
A tug at the heartstrings as the Thing longs for his lost love Alicia.
The Yancy Street Gang.
A LOST reference.
At least one laugh per page (that’s 22, folks!)
The Thing pushing a broom and wearing an apron.
The Thing’s thoughts on Spider-Man’s new costume.
The Thing’s thoughts on the New Avengers.
Solid artwork by Kieron Dwyer.
Sandman puking in the Thing’s face.
A bomb.
A statue.
An almost-tossed brick.
The Fantastic Four signal blazing high above Manhattan.
And a zonked out and drooling Lockheed.
That’s all in one issue sporting one of the coolest covers I’ve seen in quite a while.
Plus, since you’re all so keen on multi-part stories, you’ll be happy to hear that this is actually the second half of a two-part story, but you don’t even have to buy the last issue to enjoy this one. That’s how well-told and solid this one is.
Listen, folks. It’s all well and good that stories can be told in a decompressed way, but that ain’t all there is out there. There are other ways to enjoy comics and THE THING is a perfect example of this. Give this series a chance. It’s well known that THE THING is in danger of cancellation and it’d be a shame if this happens. There’s room on the racks for all types of storytelling and a much needed space on it for a great book like THE THING.
DEATH NOTE
Writer: Tsugumi Ohba
Artist: Takeshi Obata
Publisher: Viz
Reviewer: Dan Grendell
If you could murder criminals with impunity, would you do it?
An overview of Volumes 1-5
In an interesting test of human morality, DEATH NOTE centers around death gods known as Shinigami, who watch Earth from their own realm. When one gets bored, he leaves his Death Note notebook for a human being to find on Earth - and any person whose name is written in that notebook and whose face is pictured clearly will die. The manner and details of the death can be specified, so time of death and even some of the victim's behavior leading up to the death can be controlled. If not, a simple heart attack will result. The question is, will the finder use the Death Note?
Taking the death penalty to the next level, in DEATH NOTE a teenager named Light Yagami finds the notebook and decides to use it to rid the world of evil. No fool, he covers his tracks well, and when criminals begin to die, it turns into an incredible chase as a mysterious detective named "L" is called in to find Light, known to the world as the mystery killer Kira, and his own father assists "L". Things take even stranger turns as people begin to support Kira's actions, Light joins the hunt for Kira, and a second Kira appears. Smart, intriguing, and cool, this manga asks a hard philosophical question in an entertaining way. If you had the power, what would you do? Here's an overview of the volumes that have been released so far:
Volume One: Light receives the Death Note, and becomes Kira. "L" is called in and the hunt begins.
Volume Two: Kira kills off the FBI agents hunting him, 'L" reveals himself to a select few people including Light's father, Light becomes a suspect, and cameras and microphones are placed in Light's house.
Volume Three: "L" reveals himself to Light, and a new Kira appears.
Volume Four: Light meets Misa, Misa is captured as the second Kira, Light gives himself over as a possible Kira.
Volume Five: Light and Misa cleared, and a third Kira begins attacks on businesses.
Obata's art has changed style since he worked on HIKARU NO GO. For DEATH NOTE, the lines are much sharper and more angular, characters are more drawn and thinner, and things have an overall creepier vibe that fits the tone of the book quite well. It's so different that I'm actually hard-pressed to tell it's the same artist. His character designs, especially for "L", Ryuk, and Misa, are wonderful, and those characters own the page whenever they are on them. I'm quite impressed with Obata's art growth here.
DEATH NOTE isn't a happy-go-lucky book, but it's an intellectual score and a philosophical puzzler. Oh yeah, and one hell of an interesting read. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
EDEN: IT'S AN ENDLESS WORLD!
Creator: Hiroki Endo
Publisher: Dark Horse
Reviewer: Dan Grendell
"You actually think it would be better if mankind became extinct, don't you?"
"I guess so. If that happened... there'd be no one left to ruin the earth."
An overview of Volumes 1-2
Well, once again manga had brought us a look at a post-apocalyptic future, and this one is even more depressing than most. What's depressing about it, really, is how accurate the statements it makes are. In EDEN, the apocalypse comes when a virus in an American bio-weapons lab escapes and mutates into something that causes skin to harden and internal organs to liquefy. Nice, eh? I wish I couldn't see that actually happening. In the years of chaos that ensue, a paramilitary group named Propater topples the UN and starts taking control. That one's a little harder to buy, but greedy people taking advantage of the chaos of a disease? Oh yeah, I'll buy it.
Hidden in their own Eden, with genes that fought off the virus, a boy and a girl survive together and later have children. The boy becomes a powerful drug lord, and his wife and daughter are taken as hostages against him. His son, Elijah, travels with only an artificially intelligent combat robot, trying to stay free in the wilderness and seeing the face of the Earth as it has become. Killing and desolation everywhere, damaged people full of hate, everyone fighting just to survive, jealously guarding what love they have found - it's a horrible place humanity makes for itself, and Elijah is right in the middle of it, taken captive by a group of soldiers.
Endo's art is realistic and dirty for the most part, which fits this manga perfectly. Everything is rendered in great detail, and weapons and vehicles are a strong point. Cybernetics are cool and innovative, as is some of the weaponry. He tends to use enough panels and artwork that the pages have a dense feel but not an over-full one, though sometimes it gets close. Endo really seems to meet his stride when the military enters the manga.
This is an interesting and worthwhile look at a possible future, but a very depressing one. Check it out, but be ready for a low mood.
FREE SCOTT PILGRIM
Bryan Lee O’Malley: Creator
Oni Press : Publisher
Vroom Socko: Giving it away
It’s that time of year again. That time when comic book shops have to explain over and over that “I’m sorry, but if you want that signed copy of SANDMAN #1, you have to pay for it.” This Saturday marks the fifth year of Free Comic Book Day, that special day when the comic book industry takes a lesson from dope dealers and offers a free taste. There’s plenty of variety this year, with Marvel offering an X-MEN/RUNAWAYS flip book, with Dark Horse countering with one featuring STAR WARS/CONAN. DC has another issue starring the JLU, while Top Shelf features the absolutely adorable OWLY.
But it’s Oni that put their contribution to the day in my hands a week early, so it’s their book that I can recommend the highest. And how can I not: it features the first story to be seen in months featuring that lovable fighter/musician/loser known as Scott Pilgrim. I have been assured by the sort of people who know these things that Volume Three of this incredible, indescribably fun comic will be out in stores by the end of the month. Until then, this sampler issue provides a welcome refresher of the world our hero inhabits.
While the story shown here is rather brief, it hits most if not all of the touches that make the regular books so enjoyable. While on their way to a movie, Scott and his friends are confronted by warriors sent by one of the evil ex-boyfriends of his current girlfriend Ramona. The action is just as fun, funny, and frantic as it is in the regular series, and there are plenty of the silly yet fitting touches that run through the whole of the SCOTT PILGRIM world. Take a look at the nutrition labels on the soda Scott is buying at the beginning without having a chuckle, I dare you.
There’s also a second story in this book: FEARLESS GRIGGS by Andy Helms. This is my first encounter with this particular character, and all I can say is that it’s what I would imagine Doc Savage would be like if it was illustrated by Mike Mignola and written by Monty Python. Apparently there’s a graphic novel featuring Griggs coming out this summer, and I for one can’t wait to see it.
In any case, picking up this book shouldn’t be that hard a sell. Just stop by your local comic shop this Saturday, May 6th. They’ll be giving it away!
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 1 & 2
Writer/Artist: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Publisher: Oni Press
Reviewed by Humphrey Lee
Once in a while, a comic book comes along that is so awesome, you just don't know what to do. You get so excited about it you don't know whether to shout it out to everyone just how much amazing it is and that they should read it, or if you should keep it on the down-low and keep it for yourself as your own special little treat. Why should everyone else get to enjoy the comic at your say-so? If they really liked good comics, they'd hunt this down themselves gosh darnit! Well, lucky for all of you, I'm not a selfish prick. And just as word comes out that volume three of SCOTT PILGRIM is finally off to the printers, I'm here to spread more love to the uninitiated and to remind those of you who have felt said love just what it was like when Scotty boy first entered your life.
The premise is simple. Scott Pilgrim is 23, a slacker in a rock band, and totally dating a high school girl. Every once and a while someone shows up and challenges him to a duel, but whatever, Scott is a totally awesome fighter to boot. But things are starting to get a little complicated in his normally simple life. While it seems great to be dating a hot 17 year old girl named Knives, Scott meets another girl at a party named Ramona that really gets to him. And that's what these first two volumes of SCOTT PILGRIM are about. Showing us the life of Scott Pilgrim through his messed up relationships, his totally awesome rock band, and his off-the-wall duels with all his girlfriend's ex-boyfriends as they show up to challenge him one by one.
Admittedly, when I first saw all the raves these books were getting, I wasn't sure what the hype was about. I flipped through a copy or two while at my favorite Barnes & Noble, and it just looked way too cutesy to me. Like, Cartoon Network weekday cartoon cutesy. But it's all terribly deceptive. Once I sat down and actually read the bloody thing I was taken on one of the most fun rides I've had while reading a comic book. The humor just hits you from all over the place. Sometimes subtle, but oft times in your face, and whenever you think you've got it figured out, it comes at you again in a way you didn't expect. And sometimes it does indeed get overly silly, but at the same time it also holds the same deceptive maturity that makes this book so special.
And watching the drama unfold in this tale of our lazy protagonist is a treat as well. Watching Scott's almost creepy relationship with seventeen year old Knives Chau turn into the train wreck you would expect it to become is both somewhat saddening, and of course, littered with some hilarity. But it's also intriguing to watch as he finally meets a girl, Ramona, that he thinks could be the one to make him *gasp* grow up a little and settle down. There's some very nice quiet moments in it all as Scott becomes enthralled by Ramona, but nervous and paranoid around her, and then grows into a comfort zone with her. It's just a reflection on one of those things that makes life what it is......and then Knives comes back all angry and Kung-Fu'ed out and tries to fight Ramona to the death while at the same time Scott is dealing with his own problems with Ramona's exes doing the same. Trust me, it's like River City Ransom on crack, and it totally works.
And lastly, the whole package is tied together by a very entertaining supporting cast including Scott's sister, his band mates, and his gay roommate Wallace. Every great slacker film needs a posse in order to emphasize the many faults of its main character, and the supporting group of SCOTT PILGRIM does a wonderful job with all their heaped-on ridicule and jabs at the hero of the story. It fleshes out the scope of the book and the background very nicely. And yes, while the art is itself very "cutesy" as I put it earlier, I don't see how this book could work any other way. It's a shame that the artwork alone seems to detract people from trying this. I'm upset at myself for almost letting it happen to me, but if you can see past the "pseudo-anime" style and look at it for what it is, you'll see that it really does wonders to help out all the emotional and comedic content contained within.
SCOTT PILGRIM truly is a special little book. It dares to be different, and revels in its distinction. With its digest format and black and white pages it's nowhere near as flashy as most other comics, but that's why it's so special. It's like it's just daring people to give it a try instead of the Infinite Crisis and Civil War hoopla out there, and is proud of the fact that it’s more unique than these dime a dozen books could ever hope to be. If you're sick of the same-old-same-old and want a book that has some genuine feeling to it, this is the place to be. Read it, love it, and read it again in rabid anticipation of the third volume. It's an amazing little place in the world of comics that everyone should try to enjoy.
WAR OF THE WORLDS: SECOND WAVE #2
BOOM! Studios
Color me impressed. Although I found the first issue of this series to be entertaining and filled with some really great art by Chee, the fact that the entire issue was basically a recap of what happened in the WAR OF THE WORLDS film told from a different perspective made me wary. I wasn’t sure what to expect. In this issue, the action kicks into full gear. The pods have landed for a second strike, but survivor Miles has a theory that this second wave is different from the first. I got a nice WALKING DEAD vibe as I read through this issue. There’s that same foreboding sense of danger and menace. Society is in shambles and only the strong and the lucky have survived. There’s a feeling of hopelessness in those who survived the first attack, and now that the second wave is coming, that hopelessness has increased exponentially. There are some really intense scenes depicting this despair as these survivors drive through what’s left of town. The black and white book suits the mood of the story. There is an attention to character that you don’t often find in horror books. You can tell that writer Michael Alan Nelson is taking these characters seriously and allowing the reader time to get to know these characters and become invested in them. I also appreciate the hook in this issue, tying a therapy session the main character had in the past to the real terrors he faces in the present. Miles’ fears seem to be coming true and it is a strong way of conveying danger on many levels. Give this book a try. So far it’s started out strong and conveys a sense of danger and terror that the movie only touched upon. - Ambush Bug
POLLY AND THE PIRATES # 5
Oni Press
The penultimate issue of this absolutely delightful series features young Polly engaging in vicious swordfights, forging alliances between the various pirate factions, evading naval destroyers, and finally discovering just what her mother the Pirate Queen's kept in the vault that holds the worlds greatest treasure. There is no other book out there as charming as the past five issues of this book, and I absolutely cannot wait to see the conclusion. -- Vroom Socko
Remember, if you have an Indie book you’d like one of the @$$holes to take a look at, click on your favorite reviewer’s link and drop us an email.
Remember, if you have an Indie book you’d like one of the @$$holes to take a look at, click on your favorite reviewer’s link and drop us an email.
ASTONISHING X-MEN #14
Marvel Comics
I honestly don’t know why I am not as into this series as I should. Could it be that I just don’t care about mutants anymore? Have they finally run their course? And why is it that even though there are only supposedly 198 mutants left on the earth, there’s roughly three times that many X-titles on the shelves? This issue has some good enough moments. The White Queen seems to be leaning towards the dark side again, or is she being manipulated by Cassandra Nova? The mutant who will destroy a world is discussed again in this issue. It’s a plot point that has been brewing since this series began, but because of the lull between issues, I really don’t care. There’s a riff on the Mystique/Logan interaction from X2 in this issue except this time it takes place between Emma and Scott. Cyclops basically gets mind-fucked without lube in this one. It’s pretty disturbing, but I’m kind of sick of seeing writers highlight how much of a loser Cyclops is. Writer Joss Whedon should write a Colossus and Kitty series and call it a night. The two or three pages with them in it were the best parts of this issue and their relationship is the best part of the series. - Bug
VILLAINS UNITED INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL #1
DC Comics
Gail Simone knocks one out of the park in an issue as chock-filled as any INFINITE CRISIS issue. If anything, I wanted this book to never end and for Gail to elaborate on all of the cool things she touches upon in this issue. The prison escape of every felon on the planet. The last stand of the heroes against the villains. And the Secret Six with aching taints as they sit on the fence trying to decide which side to fight for. I loved the real sense of building tension as this story reached its final pages. Can’t wait for THE SECRET SIX miniseries coming soon and Simone makes for a great build-up into the final issue of INFINITE CRISIS. Her deft handling of so many characters makes me wish she had more of a part in that series as well. - Bug
FANTASTIC FOUR #537
Marvel Comics
Although the the final shockeroo panel of last issue was actually depicted on the cover, shattering any and all chances of surprise, I found this to be a pretty strong issue as Doom and an army of Doombots battle furiously with the FF to gain access to Thor’s hammer which has fallen from the heavens and landed in Oklahoma. There’s some great old-school dialog voiced by Doom as he remembers how he got out of the hell he was placed in when we last saw him. There’s also a great fight between the Thing and Doom depicted with highly-detailed and classical ease by Mike McKone. This was an all-out slug fest issue with hints at a possible return of the Thunder God. I liked it. Thor has been gone from the Marvel U for too long. These snippets of hope are proving to be cool, but I can’t wait till the Thunder God finally returns. - Bug
CHECKMATE #1
DC Comics
I really dug this revamp of CHECKMATE as writer Greg Rucka deftly makes like BOBBY FISCHER and maneuvers knights, bishops, and kings to introduce you to the way the newly formed (and after this issue, possibly newly disbanded) Metahuman Monitoring Task Force. Fans of the old SUICIDE SQUAD series will love appearances by Amanda Waller and Count Vertigo. Fire shows up and uncharacteristically is murdering Kobra troops (a detail that I’m not totally comfortable with). And Sasha Bordeaux is still kicking it and looking more and more like X-FORCE’s Domino. Still the biggest question regarding this entire OYL thing is why the hell is Green Lantern Alan Scott wearing an eyepatch?!?? This is a nice, fast-paced read with limitless possibilities and a cast of cool characters. - Bug
THE INCREDIBLE HULK #94
Marvel Comics
Well, the Hulk was put out to pasture by the Illumin-ratti and he ain’t too happy about all of that. But that is a tale to tell for another day, because writer Greg Pak has cast the Hulk in an intergalactic version of GLADIATOR as the Hulk and a rag-tag group of warriors face one challenge after the next to entertain the masses of an intergalactic Colosseum. The idea of the Hulk raging out in the middle of a gladiator ring sounds appealing and there are some interesting parts to this issue. For example, the crowd stands mouths agape as they watch the Hulk do what he does best to an army of their best warriors. But maybe I’m spoiled. I grew up with the metaphor of the Hulk playing a huge part in the stories about him. I grew up with the Hulk being a psychological study of rage and emotion. There was a depth to the character and how the Hulk represented an aspect of Banner. But Banner is no where to be found and there’s just one-note action going on in this one. For what it is, it ain’t bad, but it isn’t great either. Hulk is more of a grumpy old bastard in this book now rather than a green Tasmanian Devil tearing through things and destroying everything in his irradiated path. This Hulk is almost too civilized, biding his time and cavorting with those he has been imprisoned with. I’m still indecisive about this entire arc. I’ve always admired those who cast the Hulk in off-the-wall scenarios, but some (Peter David’s Las Vegas Mr. Fixit storyline) have worked better than others (Bruce Jones’ conspiracy/FUGITIVE mess-aster). This is still too early to tell, but the presence of a fellow Defender next issue may spark things up a bit. - Bug
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... I don't need superheroes running around in my spy books!
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That is all.
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Planet Hulk: Because Bruce Jones SUCKS ASS! God his run was awful then PAD came along with a strong openeing arc then sucked ass with teh HoM shitfest. Planet Hulk? BADASS!
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I actually got the Manny BothHanz joke. Pray for me.
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How haven't I heard of them before? Is it funnier than Next Wave?
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That's exactly how I've always felt about Singer. The man does a respectable job, but I've never found him particularly noteworthy. I love the quote about him copying Donner's Supes films. On the topic of comics, this was a great read. Keep up the good work.
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give me some valiant news...arghhh1!
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...that Dan Slott is apparently a big fan of "Lost" when the @$$holes have made him their poster boy for decompressed storytelling.
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...non-decompressed storytelling, that is to say.
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I'm happy the series is back but yeah, i'm not skipping to my comic book store to go get it. The last comic series to grip me heavily was that Defenders miniseries. Like the sound of the latest THING. I think I may have finally been swayed into purchasing it
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...is a god.
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Great issue this week. I loved him taking the piss out of Spidey's extra three legs "People will think you can't count". Dan Slott is a great writer. You get the impression that he's just sitting there plugging away while the rest of them are sitting around with their baseball caps on backwards high-fiving each other for being dark and gritty. Excellent stuff
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coming out soon in Japan
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Seems nobody cares what you post on the "talkbacks" unless you insult someone. It's strange really.
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Tag and Bink. I've always wondred about these guy's and their antics, and finally I decided to pick up this two parter and loved the holy CREEZUS (sorry, can't contain myself) out of them. It doesn't make the prequels better, but it rubs them down with aloe vera to stop the burn, even if just for a little bit. Great review, Vroom.
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The Things last issue will be #8. : (
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But in my opinion, there was way too much to be told and tied up in Infinite Crisis #7 that could be satisfactorily wrapped in just a single 40-page-ish issue. Just punctuated a lot of missed opportunities in the issue and the whole series.
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You guys seriously need to check this series out. It's based on the original and REAL POTA timeline (nothing to do with that crap Burton made). Great art, story and everything. it kicks ass dudes
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(NO SPOILERS) I think it finishes well. I would have liked more, but man, I was loving the hell outta the last issue (the standouts being 1,4,6, and 7). I think it's far better than a C grade. I think it finishes in the high 80's to maybe even a 90. I'll probably be railed for that, but I don't give a crap. I think that this issue did an amazing job of wrapping things up, with admitted little space to do so. It left me wanting to read everything. The OYL's, the Brave New World one shot, 52, GL Corps, etc., etc. Damn, I was pleased. *** Civil War wasn't that bad either. Still too early to tell. No, "Holy shit!" moments, but satisfactory.
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that this is the best week for comics all year. IC #7, Civil War #1, Mouse Guard #2, Exterminators, Teen Titans, etc. and FREE Comic Book Day is this weekend. Good times. The Superman Returns trailer has me excited about that now too.
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The superhero book written for adults that strangely makes me (an adult) feel like I'm too old for superhero books! Yay!
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that's all really.
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...but needed the room to breathe to really have the impact a lot of these plot points and characters deserve. No doubt, the series has some great moments and this issue had some great moments, but it all felt, I don't know, like they didn't spend enough time elaborating on these moments and making them feel larger than life. It was more like a summary or illustrated outline to something much larger than was probably intended originally. I mean, heck, the first part of IC #7 really should have been an issue unto itself. Instead, it gets resolved far too quickly and doesn't really have the scope that it should have. I still stick to my C or C+ grade for the series as a whole.
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lost!!! ana...er...se...x...er...hurley...say anything.
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He's infected, he is!!!
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george lucas has finally realized his stupidity and now is releasing the original trilogy on dvd...either that or he is running low on cash...yep...go with that one.
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Can you let me know in the subject header so I can stop reading this talkback?
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http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/news20060503.html
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wasn't even mentioned in that review. You see, I've always been a fan of villains who set out to redeem themselves. It's why I love Gail Simone's VU, Busiek and Nicieza's T-Bolts, and the stuff Geoff Johns did with Black Adam in JSA. In THE THING, there's this one panel, just one, where we see a flash of William Baker, friend of Ben Grimm and Spidey, employee of Silver Sable, and card carrying Avenger. One flashback to the Sandman getting brainwashed by the Wizard, and ol' Flint Marko is back in the drivers seat. But still, it gives me a little hope that we'll see Mr. Sandman putting his villainy behind him again in the pages of The THI... Okay, in the pages of SHE-HULK. Damnit.
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but seriously, i prefer the special editions myself.oh and ****LOST SPOILERS****seriously wtf?
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WHo gives a crap about subterfuge and the UN. Apart from the Superman and Batman stories that are running through their books and Blue Beetle, all the OYL stuff has blown, i hope 52 is a step up otherwise DC may have just fucked themselves over. I need the new Scott Pilgrimm.
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LO AND BEHOLD! GEORGE LUCAS FINALLY GETS A FUCKING CLUE AND RELEASES THE ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSIONS ON DVD!
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=18689 -
Usually I don't care about this sort of thing, but I was really wanting a collection of complete Perez covers this time. Then I get home and realize I'd accidentally picked up the Jim Lee cover. Now I gotta buy another copy, 'cuz I'm an idiot. Darnit to heck!
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Other than some of the artwork, I think the only thing I really liked about it was the end with Joker. Seriously, all it takes for Superboy to become nearly omnipotent is a magic suit he built while allegedly in captivity on Flash Island??? Please.
I also had some trouble about him using his freeze breath in space, but maybe that magic suit gave him unlimited air supply or something.
If all it takes to break WW's sword is to toss it on the ground, she needs to have some words with Hesphaestus.
Sometimes I think the DCU is too stupid to live. The end where they decide to merely try to lock up the would-be universe destroying SuperPsychoBoy instead of putting a more final end to him is typical. Oh well, I guess they had to leave him alive so they could use him in the next crisis to end all crisis's. Bleah. But at least is done and over with.
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May 04, 2006 9:10:20 AM CDT
tsw101, HOLY SHIT THE UNFUCKED STAR WARS ON DVD!? Yay!
by regicidal_maniac
Peace at last.
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How much of a giant geek am I for getting just a little lightheaded when I read that the original SW are coming out on DVD? Jeez this is great news...
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Lockjaw actually. And it's Damage Control. And I am a pedantic geek...
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going the way of disney and making the release of the originals limited time only like when disney does the vault stuff.
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What next? Cameron signs on to do an X-Men movie or something? About Star Wars. I'm glad, but is it only going to be in 2.0? Remastered? I can't wait to hear the original Boba Fett voice, Jabba's palace songs and the Ewok song, etc. Now we just have to wait for everybody to want a mixture of the special editions with the originals. "I want Greedo to shoot first, but keep the Dewbacks. Also keep the color correctd lightsabers and new Death Star explosion, but get rid of the cg Sarlacc." And on and on. Here's a question? What version of Luke falling in Empire will they use? I can't even remember what the original one was anymore. *** LOST. (NO SPOLIERS) Holy crap. Vale, man
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missing from the Jedi archives just like Kamino!" or "Hurry, or the original trilogy will be swallowed by the Sarlacc pit in Carkoon and digested for thousands of years before released again
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Namely the jaw-dropping perfection of Nightcrawler's infiltration of the White House and Wolverine's first true berserker rage during Stryker's assault on the X-Mansion. Guess he was too busy sticking to his preconceived notions. Not that the movie is great or anything, and the ending (Phoenix vs. a big puddle) kinda sucks, but those two scenes are everything that an X-Movie should be and to not mention them betrays an overpowering bias, or lazy reviewing, or the fact that he had one too many shots of Patron and missed the first half of the movie. Woulda liked to see Paul Smith's Kitty vs. Sidri Hunters issue instead of the lame-ass fairy tale.
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Wonderful news abot Star Wars on DVD. Now my roommate can ditch our THX laser discs. Allay loo tu nuv, allay loo tu nuv, allay loo tu nuuuuuv!
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What a great series.I read the first volume last week and couldn't put it down.A real page turner.I just ordered the the other volumes that are available.Read the first volume of Monster last night it looks to be another good one.
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Hey! I just finished I
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Sorry about that...I finished IC#7 and CW#1, and honestly, seriously, is there any comparison? And ***SPOILER ALERT*** so, here's what I think happened in IC#7: Superman knocked out Doomsday with a couple quick punches (Wha huh?) and then flew SB Prime through a field of Kryptonite (What huh?) through Krypton's Red Sun (Uh...okay...) which is conveniently located next to Mogo, the Green Lantern Planet. Then something when flooey with SB Prime's powers--why, no one can say--and this Earth's Superman--surrounded by kryptonite that has no effect on SB prime, and after flying through his own RED SUN, was able to beat the snot out of pre-crisis Superboy. Way to go DC! A couple Green Lanterns died. And I think Precrisis Luthor is back. Then Superboy prime sat in a red sun prison, carved a bloody S on his chest, and said "I'll be back!" Meanwhile, Marvel launched one of the most beautiful, best written, well-conceived, poignant mini-series in a long time. Here's some news from a longtime DC Fan: Make Mine Marvel.
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...ripped off Resrvoir Dogs in any way is pretty damned amusing, even if you don't note all the very pronounced differences between the plots of those films. All you need to do is a little research on where Tarantino got the "idea" (read: whole story) for Dogs to enjoy the tinfoil-on-the-teeth taste of irony.
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I didn't knew you skipped X2, and I still never found your reviews remotely credible.
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Clearly the most exciting book published this week.
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"Usual Suspects" was the best of a long series of Tarantino knockoffs, from "Two Days in the Valley" to "Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead" to dozens I don't even remember the names of any more to the recent "Lucky Number Slevin". "Slevin" is actually pretty good, though, except for the most Tarantino-esque moment:a an annoying monologue about Schmoo that ripped me right outta the movie. After "True Romance" there were a lotta these movies that tried to be tough and clever but failed miserably and bit it hard, and trying to pretend that wasn't the case is kinda silly. All of that being said, you're right about the irony. There's no question that QT is nothing but a big fat ripoff artist. Sometimes he does it really well, and sometimes less so, but the fact is everything from "Reservoir Dogs" on is a pastiche of his influences. He rips off decades' worth of asian cinema, he rips off Scorcese, he rips off blaxploitation, he rips off Westerns, he rips off "bonnie and Clyde", and so on. The closest he's come to finding his own voice is the inclusion of excessive vulgarities and a willingness to abuse even the protagonists we're supposed to root for. Sometimes those things flow wonderfully and it's like poetry; sometimes they land with a sickening thud (all that "my name is Buck" garbage in "KBV1"). Tarantino movies are like throwing a bunch of your favorite stuff in an Osterizer and hitting "puree", but it's not a guaranteed recipe for success. Sometimes you realize halfway through that you may love fried mozzarella sticks and bourbon and peanut butter cups and pickled ginger, but that's gonna be one shitty smoothie to choke down.
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I dunno, man. I mean, I liked all of the action, and it was far more brutal than I expected, and I liked the espionage stuff. There's a part of me, though, that finds it hard to accept that Alan Scott is suddenly okay with slashed throats and dudes getting gunned down, or that a cheesecake member of the JLI would just set a dozen dudes on fire. I mean, seriously, where do you draw the line between what these people are doing and what the bad guys do? Especially when it's clear that they're being played/manipulated by somebody, meaning they could end up killing a whole shitload of the wrong people over the course of a single 30-minute surgical strike? I dig the CHECKMATE concept, but I'm not convinced it's anywhere the heroes belong. Now, if they're not longstanding heroes, or they're more like the kids who sign on for the Suicide Squad, or for that matter the upcoming SECRET SIX, that's a whole 'nother thing. I'm just questioning their current meta membership is all.
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Surely they didn't post about it here, http://tinyurl.com/hvsdh, at 10 pm last night?! Geez Harry; here's the ball, and here's you: Get on the ball,... *grumble grumble retards that can't read grumble grumble*
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Suspects is a totally different story than Dogs. One is about waiting for a bunch of schmoes to find out who the undercover cop is when you, the viewer, already know for more than half the movie. The other is about wondering if this Keyser Soze character even exists and watching the characters not really care as they go about planning and carrying out several complicated heists until the last minute or so of the film, when you get sucker-punched. Different dynamics at work. And Dogs is a clear rip off of one film: City on Fire. Check it out. You'll see. Granted, Tarantino gave the characters far more character through his skillful use of dialogue, and I think his version of the story is better than the one he copied. But comparing Dogs and Suspects just doesn't work. On the most fundamental level, Dogs is about the pleasure of watching the characters get mindfucked throughout (and tips its hand to the viewer too early, imho) while Suspects is a heist film that decides to fuck with you pretty much at the last possible opportunity and leaves you immediately wanting to watch the movie again just to take in the nuance of Spacey's performance (another credit to Singer as director). Suspects owes nothing to QT.
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...but "Suspects" came out after "Pulp Fiction", not just "Dogs" (I misspoke, my bad). By that time Tarantino had both a moderate indie hit and a bona fide blockbuster on his belt, which brought out a rash of imitators. Some were more direct ripoffs than others; some writers and directors were smart enough to put their own spin on things. Singer certainly did. You're right about the differences, but if you pull back a bit there's no question about the influence of Tarantino on that movie. In fact, your same argument applies to "Dogs": sure, he stole the idea from a 25 minute segment of another movie, but then he took another 60 minutes to flesh out characters, throw in some twists, add his own distinct (if at times annoying or over the top) voice, etc. The thing is, if you acknowledge that Tarantino swipes chunks from all over the place, you have to at least acknowledge that all the "cool, snarky tough guy crime thriller" movies that followed his first two works also swiped mood, style, technique or voice from QT. I'm not saying he's brilliant or that he's not a thief, obviously: I'm just saying the people who just swiped from him instead of ripping off their own influences or doing something original were doing themselves and their audiences a disservice. Look to the most obvious geek example for comparison: Lucas may have swiped stuff from all over for "Star Wars", but he did it well and in his own style. All the knockoffs that followed were only ripping "SW" off, not their influences, and boy howdy did they suck as a result--"Ice Pirates", anyone?
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"Like a fat girl squeezed into pink lycra stretch pants." But aren't those disgusting? Count me out please.
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if you read the fine print of that star wars dvd release...its not a dvd release of the originals star wars...it is a dvd release of the actual video footage of the movie being released in a theatre...it will feature the gaurds carrying the film reel to the theatre and the long lines of children who are eagerly awaiting in sweet anticipation while unbeknownest to themselves that their childhood would soon be raped...and i loved zee crisis!!! so i'm with ya heathen...read the first civil war...capt's ass whupping was fun...the rest meh...and and...mmmm....class time.
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Thank you for the spoilers, man.
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Stick around dude.
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Say hi everyone, i love that guy.
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and, mattb might have some valid points, but have you finished IC, or read Civil War yet? And even if Civil War turns out to be great, cause I really hope it does, one thing is clear, and that is the path to these main events differ geatly. Infinite Crisis was planned exceptionally well. Sure, a few grains of sand slipped through, but in all it was very well planned. The path to Civil War was kind of a mess. Btw, why/how was Daredevil in Civil War? And Marvel needs to make up it's mind on Nick Fury. He's out in Secret War, back in Iron Man #7, back in the Hulk (which was revealed to be a robot, but why bother?), and out again in CW? And, please know that by all means, I don't think IC is perfect. But do I feel I got my money's worth? Was I entertained? Hell yes. We even got the cardstock cover back! There needs to be more than just black and white views, or Marvel Zombies and DCUers(?) points of view.
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Apparently he wants fan reaction and opinions while developing the movie. God bless him, cause that could be a nightmare. There's a link on Newsarama for it.
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...Sleazy, although your points about the proximity of the films (Dogs, Fiction and Suspects) in time and space can create the space for benefit of the doubt. It's entirely possible that Singer saw Dogs (not Fiction, as Suspects would have had to have been in production by the time of that film's release) and thought: I could make a movie about criminals being played by a con artist...but here's what I would do different. The voice is totally different. Far less informed by pop culture references and pseudophilosophy. The dialogue is much more hard boiled and the characters are more fleshed out through their actions within the context of the narrative as opposed to through a flashback or exposition (except in the case of Byrne's Keating, who gets a lot of exposition about him from the agent, but it turns out to be a red herring). I'd say Singer's film owes far more to the crime noir genre while QT's work is informed largely by hip 70s action and exploitation flicks. Don't get me wrong. I love both movies and watch them each probably at least five times a year. But just because they're both about tough criminals getting bent over by a lying insider doesn't mean they're the same thing...or the same ballpark. They might be the same sport, but one would hardly say Rodman ripped off Jordan's style of playing just because they were on the court at the same time doing essentially the same thing. There are differentiating elements of style and technique that need to be considered. They were each playing their own game.
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as iron man!
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I didn't mean he's right and you guys are wrng or anything, just that it's good to see an oposing view around these parts cause i'm really not looking forward to "IC was great, Civil War sucks" for 6 months.
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Persoanlly I like Ususal Suspects, but I have to admit that it was part of a new/old trend in Hollywood to follow suit with what's deemed edgy and popular that particular year. After Dogs and Pulp came out, there were a lot of movies to come out where everyone is a pretty despicable person. Layered evil and textured characters who were pretty bad, but were able to show signs of being a decent human being. This was nothing new, but the blurred lines between good and bad that were often the highlight of noir and crime fiction and film were once again deemed hip and fresh. That's why you kind of felt for John Travolta when he was Uzi-ed by Bruce Willis or when you winced when Nice Guy Eddie was gunned down in a Woo-triangle. Singer's Usual Suspects, like Dogs and Pulp showed that being bad guys doesn't always constitute the characters to be "bad" guys. On top of that, all of the films shuffled what the mainstream audiences knew about linear story structure. After Dogs and especially Pulp, it seemed like people finally realized that you didn't necessarily have to start at the start, middle around in the middle and then end with the end. Usual Suspects begins with Kaiser Soze on the boat, everyone is dead, and you don't know what the hell is happening. Dogs begins with Mr. Orange squirming around in the backseat after a foiled bank robbery. Pulp begins with Tim Roth and that crazy broad knocking over a diner. QT made it popular to trust the audience to follow that form of storytelling. He trusted the audience that he had what it took to fill in the blanks by starting hip-deep in the story. Singer followed suit in Suspects. The fact that both gathered a group of rogues in a room, the similar story structures and devices, the cooling up of bad guys and the lack of really good guys. All three movie had them. It's not that they've never been done before, but the fact that DOGS and PULP were super-nova popullar around the same time Singer busted out with SUSPECTS deos seem to make one think that Singer saw the films before making his own film, took notes. There's nothing wrong with it. Pitching something along the lines of "It's going to be like Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs" probably helped Singer get his film made, for sure. And that doesn't take away from the fact that I liked all three.
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Sorry about the typo laden post above, but I think I got my point across. Speaking of similarities between films. I never really saw anyone comment on the similarities in story structure that Raimi's original SPIDER-MAN had with Donner's first SUPERMAN film. Anyone else notice this?
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Just sayin'.
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...in Hollywood, Bug. And you're also right that the concept of layered anti-heroes is nothing new (70s cinema was rife with them and Hollywood is nothing if not cyclical). You may even be right that the popular acceptance of QT's work at the time helped get first-time-director Singer's pitch greenlighted. But you like all three films, so you have to see that - despite some thematic and structural similarities - Suspects is just very differently written and executed than either Dogs or Pulp. The tone is different. Pulp - and, to a lesser extent, Dogs - felt almost like metamovies with one foot in the fiction and one foot squarely touching the collective/connective pop-cultural subconscious of the viewers. There was a whimsical out-of-character quality to nearly all the characters in both films that, despite the evil shit they were doing, made most of them relatable and even likeable (your point about Travolta getting gunned down being an excellent example). Suspects wasn't really like that. Those guys were bad all the way down and relatable only to the darkest, most unfulfilled parts of people's ids. Even Byrne's Keating, who ultimately chose his own criminal tendencies and interests over the woman who loved him with little moral debate, was almost the Bond-like archetype of the heartless, tough, competent killer/manipulator that all men secretly long to be at some point. The movie wanted us to admire and even fear these guys because they were bad and hard (as Verbal says...because they'd never lie down, never bend over). Then it wanted to show us how even bad motherfuckers such as these can fear something and be brought low. I just really don't think any analysis of Suspects that stops with essentially dismissing it as a Pulp or Dogs clone is doing the film or the writer or the director any justice. Yeah...there were lots of those movies for a while. But Suspects stood out for a reason, and it wasn't just Spacey's awesome performance (which, again, you have to give Singer some credit for...none of his actors knew who Soze was while filming...to this day, Byrne thinks it might really have been his character). Actually, to pull this conversation roughly back on topic, lets compare some similar comic book characters. Is Daredevil just a ripoff of Batman? I'd say no, but could see why a casual observer might think so. After all, both were orphaned by criminals at a young age and swore vengeance. Both dedicated themselves to becoming the pinnacles of perfection in their chosen disciplines, mind and body, for the fight they knew lay ahead. Both have cowls with pointy things sticking up out of them. One is blind as a bat. Enough to raise suspicion? Sure, but that's a coincidence. Batman didn't pick the bat for the blindness...he picked it because criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot. Daredevil's blind because justice is blind. Sure, you could probably argue that Daredevil was at least peripherally inspired by Batman, but that argument could be applied to pretty much every comic book super hero ever (except Superman, who I would argue Batman wasn't so much a riff on as a counter to). Just as not every superhero is a ripoff of Superman or Batman simply because they hold to the same inherently limited conventions, not everyone who makes a modern crime/noir film that employs a hook scene up front is ripping off or emulating Tarantino. That's all I'm saying.
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Thanks--am I really in the minority? Maybe it's because I'm a DC fan, late to the marvel bandwagon, but seriously-- I think Identity Crisis was terrible. What the hell was accomplished? Why all the fuss? I find the whole thing sort of terrible, and the maiming and character assasinations shameless. (I mean, Batman, pulling a gun on someone? Wonder Woman, breaking someone's neck? Superman, doing...whatever insane thing Superman was doing, like say, oh, I don't know...being IMMUNE TO EVERY ONE OF HIS WEAKNESSES EVER. And in the meantime, lotsa rapes and murders of people like Wild Dog and Peacemaker. Who cares?)
Civil War, on the other hand, is really interesting to me. This story hasn't been done. I mean, Watchmen, sort of, with the Keene Act (Right?). But the whole thing just sort of seems to make sense to me. Of course people would want them registered. Of course there would be sides. Of course Cap would disagree. And I LOVE to see sort of troubled characters like Captain America show why they kick so much ass. Civil War is just better all the way around. Do people really think it stinks? -
Hate to say I told you so but...I MOTHER F*ING TOLD YOU SO! IC sucked donkey balls. It left a bigger mess than it already was. The general consensus is that it was a meh story and Marvel continues to own your ass. BOW YOUR HEAD IN SHAME BITCHES!!
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Be warned, it's VERY offensive: ***http://tinyurl.com/5t3dn****
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Good to know I'm not alone thinking this. The whole period starting with Identity Crisis until Infinite Crisis has been, IMO, one ill experiment. DC has almost lost me as a reader (not that it's a big deal for them, of course).
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I love Dan Slott. He is Old School Marvel to the nth degree. I got so pissed off at Marvel after Bendis killed the Hawkster, and then with the Gwen-Goblin ickiness, that I just quit buying comics for a few months. And then the AICN review of SPIDER-MAN/HUMAN TORCH #3 (with the Spider-Mobile and Slott's genius nod to the Marvel Hostess Fruit Pie ads of old) made me laugh out loud and jump back into the Marvel pool again. I will buy ANYTHING Slott writes. Anything. Please, Marvel, please -- why can't you put him in the driver's seat of some main titles???
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I propose a pool: which DC series will be cancelled first?
1.) Ion
2.) Blue Beetle
3.) Checkmate
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In those stupid "DC NATION" things in the back of DC comics these days, there's the vainglorious Dan DiDio "reviewing" a confidential script of Infinite Crisis, and on page ten, one of his "notes" is (I swear to God) "Remember, you have to leave somebody to kill for the end." As if that's what makes a good story. Oh, and Joe Quesada--that "Cup O' Joe" thing in the back of Civil War isn't cute either. Just cause you say so doesn't mean I'm going to rush out and buy the New Warriors trade, or whatever it is you were hocking. But Civil War still kicked ass.
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Despite knowing pretty much everything that was going to happen, I thought Civil War was a great read. Issue 2 should be interesting as there aren't too many spoilers out there on it. As far as the previously mentioned letter (Heathen, respect) from Joe Q, I get it. #1 it's all about marketing and #2 look at the flack that IC caught because it was newb-unfriendly. I liked IC, but only because I've been reading DC stuff for about ten years now. There was just no way you could pick up any issue of Infinite Crisis and have clue 1 about what was going on, which is too bad because it was hyped-up big time and it could have gotten more people to check out DC's work. Rather, people check out the buzz and see heads getting whacked off, a very twisted version of Bizarro, and just simple convolution and violence. I wouldn't think that would be a good way to push your product into newer markets, but I must be wrong as the book *has* sold somewhere around 6 or 7 shitloads. Anyways, I liked how Joe Q and Co. is handling this one. It may let me forgive them for House of M, maybe. So props to Marvel on that. Now go find somebody who can write a decent Hulk book, get Spidey back in his costume, and bring back Thor, dammit.
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Pushing the product into newer markets or expanding the market for that matter. No, it was about preaching to the converted. I know, i was there, i was told to leave. even if IC and Civil War end up being successful, i'm still pretty positive the industry is eating itself out and Didio and JoeQ are the ones who are getting your Things cancelled. The market can't support books like that because the big two are using every resource at their disposal to push their big events down your throat. I'd like to proposo something here: For every event comic you buy, get at least one indy title. Try something new, something that looks like it needs you. It's a statement, it really is, and it counts because it's a statement made through money. Come on people!
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First of all: Vale, I don't think the industry is "eating itself out" in the slightest. There's been a slow but steady growth in sales for a while now, and there are more indie books available now than ever before. I think us comic fans are *spoiled rotten* right now. There are genuine quality books from all the major publishers, and more indie books than I could possibly afford. **** THE IC: yeah I enjoyed it. Some great moments peppered throughout this final issue. But I coulnd't help to think what might have been. This should have been 10-12 issues, no if ands or buts about it. It was packed TOO TIGHT. And if you can sit back and kind of let go, it's great entertainment... But you know, it kind of got to me this issue. Because of that I'm giving the whole thing a B. (like you cared). **** CIVIL WAR: Um yeah. Some good moments. Loved the Cap stuff. But for the most part I felt like I was once again reading the 92nd press release from Marvel discussing the registration issue. We've been hearing Millar, JoeyQ, ect. describe and debate and hem and haw over this issue soooo much and for so long that when the actual characters in the actual comic talk about it I zoned out. I really hope this isn't 7 issues of characters debating it. I hope they get to the "devil shit". **** Mouse Guard was awesome. Spidey Loves Mary Jane was awesome (if you're not buying this I hate you)
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You may be right that sales have been increasing, but it feels like we're in that early '90s zone, where every damn issue has six variants and the market is getting saturated with crap and stunts. Civil War, while stunty, has some kind of important thing to think about. At least it's interesting. Infinite Crisis made no sense, meant nothing, and changed ZERO. And in the process, it cheapened a lot of characters, debased the DC universe, and messed with the original crisis. Yeah, sales are up--but it's so short-sighted. It doesn't feel like they're building an audience to me. It feels like they're telling the old audience to f-off.
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Actually, I'm pretty sure everyone has said that DC has catered too much to the old audience and if anything, hasn't been welcoming to the 'new' comic readers. To which I say that there's always going to be new readers who have decades worth of continuity to catch up on. You know when I really came into DC? The end of Identity Crisis (which is different than Infinite Crisis) and I wanted to learn more, find out what was going on and I did. As for Infinite Crisis not changing anything? Uhmm, you may need to read it again and take the time to look at panels and stuff. I don't feel like typing all of the pretty big changes that have happened in IC. Anybody want to help me out here? DC series cancelled? Well, Ion is a maxi 12 part series, so that will finish out. I say Checkmate falls victim first. Say 14 issues? mattb, don't you think it's a little early with Civil War having only one issue to say that it's better all around? C'mon, let's get real. I actually enjoyed Civil War. I'm not going to judge it based on HoM or even the bumpy road that led up o it. Don't worry Vale, I don' think it's going to be months of Infinite Crisis vs. Civil War. It'll be more like 52 vs. Civil War! Nah, there two different entities. And guess what? They can both be good! My only complaint about the first issue of CW was what, Shig said about having heard everyone say the same things that the characters said for months now. If I wasn't in the loop with that stuff, then it wouldn't have bothered me. The book looks fantastic. Does Dexter Vines usually ink McNivens work? Wasn't sure. I'm keeping my hopes up for this series and thought that Cap's scene was pretty cool and I'm really anxious to have this huge moment (whatever it may be) take place in issue 2, which may do more than even break the internet in half. I think Millar said that it would be the biggest thing to happen at Marvel in 40 years or something. And about the DC Nation page? It's called a sense of humor. Not everything is literal. Didio and Joey Q say stuff like that all the time. Shit, Joey Q has a very funny almost personal vendetta against Speedball! And he's talked about that for months. Same for Didio when he said it wouldn't be a good time to be a Flash during the Crisis. Nothing changed? Bah!!!
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I didn't know that! I guess that's cool, mattb127, we can be nemesiseses...nemeni? Nemesis'? ANYWAYS. Yeah maybe nothing changed that you were fond of, or that you cared about, but things CHANGED as a result of the entirety of IC (which is more than just 7 issues). New books, revamps of old books, new characters, spotlights on different characters, deaths, ressurections, ect ect. Sounds to me like you just don't like any of the changes. I too could kind of care less about most OYL stuff but 52 sounds rockin and I will be getting the new Bat books and Wonder Woman once the creative teams switch (June?). And I had never really bought a mainstream DC comic monthly before. So IC was kind of a paradox, in that it drew in tons of new fans but also really encouraged them to immerse themselves in the lore. Plus, DC puts out Seven Soldiers, which though not over, is already a masterpiece in my mind. Although seeing Bulleteer, Shining Knight, Manhattan Guardian and Klarion in IC #7 probably means they aren't going to die in Seven Soldiers #1, right? **** As far as Civil War goes, maybe I shouldn't have read all those interviews and press releases... maybe it would seem more fresh then.
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was that really Rich Jonston up there? Cool beans.
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...cuz it's already a limited series. It'll run its full length cuz the money's already been spent. Will it end up mattering long-term? Too soon to tell, but I'm kinda pulling for it despite its initial lameness, cuz unlike whiny bitch Alex Ross I consider Kyle Rayner the single greatest GL ever.
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...if I could do that, I'd never leave the house. *Ba-dum bump* In all seriousness, though, I know what you mean. It's the same kind of idea that gave Pop Will Eat Itself its name...except that pop is self perpetuating, and comics are anything but. As long as they fail to reach out to new readers or do something different, and keep serving those of us who keep getting older, they're diminishing their audience. Marvel and DC shoulda jumped on manga like it was a drunk chick the day after her 18th birthday, cuz it's officially blown the fuck up and they'd be rolling in cash right now...which would have allowed them to keep shit like THING and SPIDER-GIRL running as long as they wanted. And yeah, buying more indie stuff can't hurt, as long as you weed out the good from the bad...but that's true of all comics, really.
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I am oficially depressed...fuck DC. Fuck them in their stupid asses!
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I like Rayner too, Sleazy. Glad you reinforced that Ion was a maxiseries to the nemesis of Shigeru, non other than, mattb127! I for one am glad that Marvel and DC didn't hop on the manga bandwagon. They don't need it that bad currently and I'm sure that all of these current variants are helping them just fine. They should come out with some foil covers with holograms on 'em or something next. That'll maintain sales! (pause for irony)
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*la, la, la*
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I read it. I don't know. I'm hopeful. I watched the trailer, though, and it just seems...odd. I saw Superman II on television last night, and, while I must've seen that movie about fifty times when I was eight, there's a lot of insane stuff in there. I have faith in Bryan Singer, though. ***Shigeru, yes, it will end with you and me battling in the arctic. I haven't read 7 Soldiers and I hear it's great. I love G. Morrisson and I LOVE all-star Supes, so I'll check it out. But really, seriously--I can't understand any defense of Infinite Crisis. It didn't even entertain me. The series that are "revamped" are--wait, how is anything revamped? (Blue Beetle, Ion, and Checkmate aside). Uh, new creative teams may be on the big books, but--couldn't they have just done that without making WW a murderer and Superboy a psychopath? I mean, Batman...with a gun? Hello? Superman flying through a red sun and a field of kryptonite and conveniently landing on Mogo? The whole thing just doesn't even make sense. Even within its own warped continuity it doesn't make sense. And I still don't see what's really changed. James Robinson is writing Batman. Couldn't he have done that anyway? What, a few teen titans bit the dust? There's not even a new flash--and, hey, does anyone think that whole scene with Jay Garrick was about as cribbed as it could possibly be from (Good, Important) Crisis #12? I mean, "I can only run at the speed of sound!" Wasn't that the big hook with the Flash Relaunch back in '87? Maybe we'll be seeing Vandal Savage and Kilg%re soon. It all just seemed a little over the top for no good reason. I mean, at least Wild Dog was in it. When are they gonna rape him and give him his own limited series, too? Hero of the Quad Cities, yo!
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Did you see that guy in the cape? He was like, flying and shooting lasers out of his eyes! A planet Green Lantern? What kind of hack writer would think of that? None of it makes any sense. ** Seriously though, Mogo is a planet and maybe he moved his orbit to catch the three of them? If you can't fathom that, then how can you fathom a GL planet to begin with? You're right about flying through the red sun, but maybe it will be explained? Kind of like how Marvel editor Tom Brevoort said that Daredevil's appearnance (despite the fact he's in prison currently) in Civil War will eventually be explained. Sometimes it's good to not know everything right away. Like with, Lost
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Haven't read the issue yet, but I'm shocked to hear they brought him in. Next you'll be telling me everybody's favorite murdering schizophrenic in a battle suit, Haywire, is in there too! Ahhh, Wild Dog...bought every issue, and within a year or two started to wonder what I was thinking. Still, it'll be nice to see the guy mowing down the filth that litter the Quad Cities with all those weapons he stole from the Bettendorf Armory or whatever the hell it was...
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Stupidest fucking Batman story of the last coupla decades. Both of them act so utterly, pointlessly out of character it makes you wonder what editor actually signed off on that shitfest. All I know is, that shit better be retconned the fuck outta the DCU in OYL or I'll be even more disappointed than when I read it cuz it'll mean they had a chance to fix it and didn't.
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QUOTE:"Infinite Crisis made no sense, meant nothing, and changed ZERO." You Sir, are a fucking moron who seems to have Infinite Crisis confused with Secret Wars from the 80's. If you're preferring Civil War to Infinite Crisis more power to ya, I support an individuals tastes. But this statement? Fucking motard yeh are....(Moron + Retard= Motard). Since you're Shig's Nem , you're mine by proxy motherfucker.
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How fast will Zauriel come back? He's pretty much got a revolving door in heaven, right? *hangs head* I feel like things have come full circle. I got into DC with him and Morrison's JLA and now.. I was gonna use him in my fanfic too (and still am, it's just I'll have to add him to my in memoriam..).
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First, Heathen: I am aware that Mogo is a GL planet, but uh, "moved his orbit?" Seriously? And what, exactly, did Mogo do, precisely? How did he contribute? Because I can't really figure out why it had to be Mogo. At any rate, "Moving Mogo's Orbit" seems to have had no effect on the local ecosystem. I guess that's good! That's my problem--there's no sense within the comic's own rules. By the comic's OWN RULES, Superboy would not have been affected, either by the red sun or the Green-K. But OUR Superman would've been. So...how would that plan have helped precisely? I mean, why didn't they just bring in that giant foot from Monty Python and stomp on Superboy? At least I could respect THAT Deus Ex Machina. You may be right about all them characters in the final splash page, including the weird white Shazam dude--but, uh, how did those guys show up, exactly? They just popped them in the last two pages. So okay, why didn't they just print two pages and say, "Well. Here's the new Batwoman and Shazam and everyone. Enjoy!" Because I have no idea how those characters suddenly appeared. Maybe they emerged when Superman flew through the red sun and field fo kryptonite to land on a listless Mogo. All the changes you mentioned...uh, Lex has a warehouse full of kryptonite? What else is new? Did we need Infinite Crisis to get there? "Batman tours the globe with Dick and Tim?" Seriously? And, uh, Aquaman's getting a new look...hmmm... I'll call Peter David and Will Pfeifer. As for the bet--Superman now has his powers back. I win. Power Girl's origin...thank GOD that's finally been revealed.***Now, to Psynapse: if you can compare IC to Secret Wars, we've all lost.
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thats a great name for a rogue.
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and other than putting the sybiote into marvel conintuity what did that series do of lasting impact other than suck money from me? (oh and apparently zombifying you, mustn't forget that) PS-Way to spoil for someone who hasn't read it yet ASSHOLE. (there's a bit of a rule around here about spoiling without warning yo)
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Did THING not find an audience b/c of too many Marvel/DC event books or too many indie books? It's hard to say for sure but I say too many indie books did THING in. Check out Brian Hibbs' recent column on the multitude of Indie comics. Here's a link: http://www.newsarama.com/Tilting2_0/Tilting26.htm
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can u combine asshole w/motar?
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NO SPOILEY PLEASE!! *** Wait I don't remember taking any bet? Do I owe someone money now? Huh? To be honest, I was a little confused by the Kryptonite Field/Red Sun thingy... The Red Sun killed the anti-monitor armor. And Superman was affected by the Kryptonite, it just took a lil' bit... but... Prime... um? And wasn't there a Doomsday question up above? To that I say: Original Superman (who's like mega powerful, no?) and this Superman both landing a ginourmous punch at the same time = nighty night. Thanks for the back up Psy... but maybe switch to decaf my friend? ;)
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motard...don't want to mess up newly formed english words you know. and go see mi3...its fun...they even have a a monkey in it...ok...that might be a lie...but still...
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I know you know that Mogo is a planet, I was just hypothesizing as to why or how he could have been there. The local eco-system? To quote Bendis, "The Hell?" Are you fuggin serious? Dude, it's a comic with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Disbelief is to be had. Is it even known that Mogo is in a populated system? I don't think it is. I'm not really disagreeing with you that our Supermen flying through their sun makes a lot of immediate sense, but again, please refer to any of my posts that say, "maybe it will be explained at a later time." Figures you would only mention Lex and the kryptonite. I mentioned that, because Lex is seemingly the classic Lex again. And you can say whatever you'd like about IC, but Lex was fucking awesome in those last few pages with the Joker. You have no idea how those characters suddenly appeared in that spread? Man, I'd hate to explain editing moving images to you, much less comic panels. That spread was a metaphor for the next year without the big three. A few of those characters haven't appeared yet, but I'm betting they will during 52. We could do this all day, but first you have to acknowledge the facts that I have pointed out, and not just go, "ooh, Lex has Kryptonite!" when I pointed out a handful of other things that are big changes. Work with me here.
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is it true on civil war #2 that is says "already instand classic worthy of your love" on it? i mean...the first issue was ok, capt's part being the highlight...but alot of it was eh...been there feel since the whole shabang was already given away with the split between the muties and what not...anyway anyhow...i was hoping that when i was born that i'd be label instant classic better than ever other baby born-crossover event but alas i'll have to "earn" that status...anyway where was i going with this? oh yeah...this waycom tablet is busted...i'll go get a new one...when i come back i want to read some revelutionary comments on how alan moore is directing a live action puppet featuring all of his works with michael jackson scoring it.
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**Asshole+Moron+Retard= Assmotard**and Shig? I'll switch to decaf when they pry my Hellboy mug from my COLD DEAD FINGERS, and not a moment before. I'm not painting anyone a fool for enjoying Civil War it's just not anything I'll be reading any time soon. Could Ic have been better? Hell yeah. But next time someone does a story addressing 65 years of publishing history I'm sure they'll do better (65 fucking YEARS!! When has Marvel EVER had that kind of balls??).
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Any of you guys get a chance to read you-know-what yet? You'll laugh, even at inadvertent things.
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...or any reviews for that matter. What the fuck do I care what someone else thinks about something? I'll see it and see what I think. Man, I hate reviews, people telling me about things. What somebody ought to do is to review something like, say, comics, and shake all that up, skewer the perspective, use some irony and play it all deadpan. Now, that's the kind of review I'd read.
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Suck my dick, the only shame I feel is in sharing existence with douchebags like you.
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Geez! Everybody knows it's the ancient Roman snake god who Alan Moore half-jokingly (but half-not) worships, or at least did for a time. Of course, the form Glycon took in this case was a sock puppet Alan made, so make of that what you will...
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*sigh* IC was good, but there wasn't much dramatic tension. Where were the highs and lows? Johns did the best he could to have a coherent story, but there was just so much to deal with.. and he was trying to have a coherent story with a set of characters but that just made it feel like everyone else got short shrift. eh.. but I know the feeling and he did well despite the problems. ..... Did you get the link, btw?
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I'm so sorry, I thought I'd addressed your comments regarding Batman, Superman, Aquaman, Lex Luthor, and the new characters. What did I leave out? Oh yeah, the new Batwoman (Wait, no, I addressed that...) Oh, Supergirl and the Legion. Whoop to doo! And I meant MOGO's ecosystem. No problem there, hunh? Still a nice leafy planet. And why don't you answer MY original question: WHY?! What did Mogo do? How did he help? I guess that'll be explained later, too. I wish that was the way all stories could be. Like, maybe all stories could make no sense and then I could say, 'that doesn't make sense,' and somebody will tell me, 'Don't worry, it'll be explained later.' It's not like I believe superheroes are real, either. I know you have to suspend disbelief. But the writers also have a responsibility to stay consistent to the rules of the world that THEY THEMSELVES HAVE SET UP. You can't just suddenly put Mogo next to Krypton and take away most of Superman's weaknesses (Red Sun and Kryptonite) and then say, "Hey, suspend your disbelief." I mean, why didn't Batman just start flying around and shooting lasers out of his eyes if that were the case? Well, I guess he could've. And then they could've explained that later, too. I'm serious. DC needs to rape Wild Dog. who's with me?
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Is it somewhere in the 50 kajillion e-mails you freaks have damn near broken my inbox (not really-just kidding) with over these last 3 days?
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I am an assmotard.
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in about 3 posts WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!?! Especially considering you continue to spoil a story I haven't read yet (and have said so multiple times!)?? BUT (and this is for ALL of you 'suspension of belief' bitchers regarding IC#7) But did it ever occur to any of you that with that many individuals (including a fucking planet!) flying around in posession of one of the most powerful devices (The rings-not Wonder Woman's bra) in the universe that maybe that's both how Mogo held himself together AND how Superman survived Red Sun rads? I'm reminded of the bitching I read bout regarding IC when Superman puts a buidling back to gether and everyone made jokes about external spot-welds holding the buidling together. I guess it never occurred to anyone that he spot-welded the interior at super-speed? I mean, jeesuz kreech, if you don't see it expressly illustrated you can't work out ancillary details in a story?? WHAT-EV-ERRRR............
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Goddammit, now I realize I have been pissed off at something that wasn't even directed at me. Do you realize how pissed I am now??! Yeah that pissed...oh wait, are these my meds nurse? why thank...*thud*
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My bad on the post, and my apologies for being an assmotard. But original logic still stands: I'm willing to suspend my disbelief within the rules the writers have set up for the world. They can't just yank those rules out from under me at the last minute because it's convenient for them. I mean, come on. The shit don't make no sense. It's LAZY.
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godamn u shig u have all the luck! first the star wars thing and now your very own nemesis? ***poops on shigeru****i guess ill share him by proxy like psy
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Lemme read it, (picking it up in about 20 minutes actually) and then I'll come back and (possibly) counter what you've posted...OR....I may agree with you(don't faint, it happens) depending on how they pull it off. I still say IC was too short a series for all that it had to cover and that it suffers in relation to that. But again, when has ANY comics publisher tried to address their ENTIRE publishing history with a single (granted told over many minis, one-shots, and whatnot) story? Godammit, I seem to have lost the sand that was in my vagina now...how will I survive the next 24 hours without something to be irritated at?
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Mogo is a Green Lantern. His ring just like planet bound lanterns like Hal and Kilowog have their protective shields of willpower surrounding them when they leave a planets orbit and enter into space, right? Well, that's what Mogo did. That also kept his ecosystem in check. He's an alien planet who is a GL, his willpower could do that. And besieds being on the other side of the sun to catch the three Kryptonians who where traveling at light speed, maybe he was there to restrain Superboy P along with the other GL's? They did get a call that their home base was going to be under attack. That's why he was there. And here's a theory for Superman surviving his trip through the red sun. Maybe he had so much of our yellow sun energy that he was still invunerable for those few miliseconds that again, traveling at light speed. And it's not like Superman didn't lose his powers for at least a year from the sun and kryptonite, cause he did. If you want answers, then you can find them, you just have to look. And explain to me just how the fuck is Daredevil is in Civil War? Haven't mentioned that, mattb now have you? I have a theory on that though. Maybe the Daredevil seen at the Baxter building was the impostor that's been filling in for Matt while he was in prison? Just a guess, but at least I thought of how, instead of bitching. Changes? To repost, "The Teen Titans lineup? How about Titans East? Superboy died too you know? Robin even has his own Batcave and is working on cloning Conner. Green Arrow is mayor of his city. The GL Corps were reformed and will have an ongoing. Flash will have a relaunch with a yet to be revealed Flash. Also relaunches for Justice League, Justice Society and Wonder Woman. Joe Chill DID kill Bruce's parent's." You did still quote that, "Infinite Crisis made no sense, meant nothing, and changed ZERO." Which is just wrong, whether you liked it or not, it's false. I dunno, mattb, maybe DC should had just had somebody say, "No more inconsistencies with continuity." But it doesn't have the same ring to it that Wanda had when she whispered it, you know? And to go back to your post that started it all, "Is there any comparison?" There could be, but they're two different stories about different things and one just finished while the other just started. That's not the best point to start comparisons. And if you really think that one issue of anything can give you total assurance that another complete series is beneath it then that's pretty pathetic. That's like basing your opinoin of the prequels after seeing the trailer for Epsiode I. It might look beautiful and well crafted, and then
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I've copied your gripes, many of which I've addressed in former posts, but okay: "The Teen Titans lineup? How about Titans East?" The new Titans line up is LAME. It's almost as lame as the late Marv Wolfman/Romeo Thangal era, a la Danny Chase and Wildebeest. And Titans was just relaunched less than three years ago. Do we really need another one so soon? The series was actually doing okay. Why mess with it? "Superboy died too you know?" Yeah, Superboy died. So did a bunch of lame teen titans who were introduced around the same time as this lame-o Superboy. Who will be back within the year, guranteed. "Robin even has his own Batcave and is working on cloning Conner." A.) Who cares; and B.) Exactly. "Green Arrow is mayor of his city." Fair enough. Did we need Infinite Crisis to get there? "The GL Corps were reformed and will have an ongoing." The GL Corps was reformed prior to infinite crisis. Hal Jordan was brought back prior to IC. And again, how was IC really necessary to accomplish this? "Flash will have a relaunch with a yet to be revealed Flash." Whoop tee friggin do. Wait---let me guess---the new flash is: Jay Garrick, Bart Allen, Barry Allen, or, in a surprise twist, Wally West. There. I've narrowed it down for you. "Also relaunches for Justice League, Justice Society and Wonder Woman." You got me there. Of course, they could've just changed creative teams, right? Because that's essentially what they did. "Joe Chill DID kill Bruce's parent's." When did Joe Chill NOT kill Bruce's parents? Unless you're going by Tim Burton's Batman, I don't think that's ever been in question. Did I miss something?***You're right on Daredevil. I have no idea. But that story still has a few more issues to go. IC's story was contained and finished. If there aren't answers, I'll bite. You're right. And if I have to work that hard to explain something... because ALL of it is a stretch, and you STILL haven't addressed how the hell Superman, after all that, essentially defeated PRE CRISIS Superman, surrounded by all his weaknesses and NONE of Superboy Prime's. The thing that annoys me is that it's like solving a mystery in the last five pages by introducing a character you haven't met yet, you know? It's like saying, "I know we set this whole thing up for SB Prime to be nigh-invincible, but you know what? What the heck. In this last issue, where it really counts, he's not." How does that work? It's like suddenly making Professor Moriarty a dipshit, or making Batman bulletproof. It robs the story of menace. Why? Because they couldn't figure out a better solution.
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The first script is up (in full!)! And I majorly took your advice and I think page 1, at least, works so much better for it! Thanks Mr. Man! Enjoy! http://www.geocities.com/one_thalya/Fanfic/index.html
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*snarf* That was sweet.
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im still digesting it but right now im leaning more towards a "WOW" than a "boo".ill try to have some comments on it by monday but well see. the main reason i came on the board is to ask a question from whoever wants to take the time to answer-can i please get some background on the green lantern corps? please keep in mind that im relatively new to the DCU and the extent of my knowledge is that the ring gives them power and they dont like yellow.thanks guys!
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The GL Corps were reformed, but I think it was immediately before IC, if not during. The final issue (#5) of Green Lantern Corps: Recharge, didn't come out until the third or fourth issue of IC. So that's somewhat up for debate. It's cool that Guy Gardner was named GL #1 of the royal guard or whatever they called it. mattb, I think you have valid points and what not, I guess I'm just a little annoyed by the way you got them across is all. By-gones. To address some of your questions of how, what and why? Well, I know some of the questions weren't answered, but there's a reason for that somewhat, and that is that some of the answers would spoil books like Superman and 52, because they are a continuation of the DC verse. Do we need a 'special' oe 'mega event' to have these things happen? No, but it boosts sales and that's good for the market. I bought it, you bought it. Civil War cold have been told in New Avengers, but it wouldn't have raised as much interest. That all comes down to sales and marketing my friend. And I hate having to search hard for answers too. That's why I've had big problems with Marvel's continuity and rule bending the past few years especially. How the hell is Wolverine everywhere and just how long was Jessica Jones pregnant for? Oh, and I did address the Superman thing. Here's another repost (albeit w/ a few word thrown in), "And here's a theory for Superman surviving his trip through the red sun. Maybe he had so much of our yellow sun energy that he was still invunerable for those few miliseconds that he flew through the remains of Krypton and it's sun traveling at light speed. And it's not like Superman didn't lose his powers for at least a year from the sun and kryptonite, cause he did." Good, da? Let's just leave it be at that, huh? *** Kal-El! I'm pretty new to the GL Corps myself, but find myself to be enjoying the concept and related books. I'd check out Green Lantern: Rebirth for Hal Jordan's return. Green Lantern Corps: Recharge and Green Lantern monthly for the reformation of the Corps. All three being really enjoyable. The GL Corps mini was actually pretty fun, but overlooked due to the, Civil Crisis OYL Annihilation War. The Alan Moore Stories of the DC Universe also has some good GL stories in it, including Mogo's first appearnce, plus every other great Moore story from DC. Green Lantern monthly is really consistently good and has had some great artists too. Check those out for some GL Corps catch up.
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Your nemesis, if he exists, should be named Lux Skyluthor.
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*SPOILERS* Gail Simone, in the course of about 37 pages (Villains United Special), impeccably sets up a massive battle between the world's heroes and the world's villains in Metropolis. It's an incredibly written set up, and, in my opinion, the best written thing affiliated with Infinite Crisis. Then in Crisis #7, the epic battle for Metropolis is glossed over in 10 pages. Just 10 bloody pages that do not convey the damage, mayhem, or scope of what a city-sized battle between a bajillion heroes and a bajillion villains should be. Heck, they couldn't even finish inking one of the two-page spreads that might have communicated the scope of the battle. I mean, heck, Batman, Robin, and Nightwing beat down Deathstroke off-panel. A throwdown that would've been awesome to read and see gets two panels -- fight pose, head on ground. Say what you will about narrative expediency; if expediency gets in the way of telling a story in the most interesting way possible, you should ditch expediency and just tell the damn story. As it stands, the battle in Metroplis felt like watching an excerpt from the last fight in a Jackie Chan movie in pan and scan.
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that's where having at least two more issues would have really helped the series.
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sighs...slott...you gave it a good go with the thing there but marvel didn't create a "trailer" for it like they did civil war so it died...one day you'll get the keys to marvel's playhouse...if not...maybe dc will snatch you away and who knows...
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http://tinyurl.com/s3c8n ** http://tinyurl.com/m68x6 ** http://tinyurl.com/nxjn9 **
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let bendis write him...he'd never get to do all those cool things he can do with his awesome power because he'd be yapping and yapping and yapping without ever getting to the devil shit or waiting years to get there and you know superboy-prime is all about the devil shit!...i kid because i love...the medium that is.
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Was I the only one who actually like House of M?
It was interesting to see many characters getting to live their 'dream' lives. The non-muntant superheroes(Luke Cage, Hawkeye, Cloak) teaming up to overthrow the mutant majority led by Magneto. And the corker at end where Wanda says no more mutants. So now the Marvel Universe has 90% less muntants making them more of a feared and mistrusted minority. It worked all around for me, and the art work was great! -
I wouldn't mind Dan Slott bumbing off Joe Quesada and taking over his position as EIC for Marvel. A guy can dream can't he?
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Jesus Christ! Another person who liked HoM? Could it be? I think we were the only ones. A dying breed, to be sure. Stick around, please.
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I know. Maybe I'm becoming a Marvel Apologist. But there were too many mutants running around.
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I really liked Hulk 94 and the whole Planet Hulk story line. I find that I don't miss Banner at all. In fact I think he'd only slow the story down. I think on Planet Sakaar, Banner is the alter ego, and the Hulk is in charge. And how cool was it seeing him go one on one with a bomb and afterwards get shish-kabobbed by the death heads spears.
Best new book was easily New Avengers Annual 1. While the plot progesses at a snails pace in the regular series this was a great throw back to classic avegers team beat-downs, watching the whole crew, plus Ms. Marvel drop a collective wup-ass on the 'new' Adaptoid, just perfect, and throw in a wedding, just nothing better. Civil War 1 was anti-climatic with all the pre-leakage. Cool moment though, seeing Captain America leap out a Shield Carrier's window and surfing a fighter jet to safety. Infinite Crisis 7 was a let down from the previous issues. The art work didn't seem as sharp, and the ending was just dopey. -
Shouldn't Wanda have said "A lot less mutants." I mean "No more mutants" was kind of misleading. *** Um yeah that non-inked page in IC: WTF. You got like 6 inkers on that damn book and you can't finish that? Weird.
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monday...
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I wish more of the regular series was like that. I was positive that the whole issure wold be Luke and Jess standing in front of the altar talking with two pages of a fight at the end. Complete 180, and thank the maker! Great issue. Coipel's work was all over though, I think in large part to having no less than 8 inkers and 3 colorists. If he finds two that mesh well with him, then his skill would increase even better. And how about, Stan Lee being the preacher?!
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Any movie that has, Jonathan Rhys Meyers in it and I DON"T hate him, has got to be doing something right. Great action scenes. There's like 7 of them I think. blackthought
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Cruise is a freakasaurus rex, but that movie kicked ass. I love how everyone's saying that a $120 million worldwide, non-holiday weekend is some sort of disaster.
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"$48 million? Wow, that's weak." It's like the people who say that Sin City (or how the real smart ones say, "Sin Shitty" Oh, the wit!) was a flop because it only made $75 million domestic. Or how King Kong and Batman Begins were flops too. As for Mission Impossible? I loved the scene with the tongue depressers. blackthought, I kept wondering where Simon Peggs monkey was?!!
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they have to save the monkey for the sequel to this...then agian they might use it as a macguffin like how the rabbit's foot was in mi3.
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I have stated that I unabashedly dig this series, but that doesn't mean that I think it's perfect. Here are some of my gripes. The art, when not done by Jimenez, Perez or even Ordway is not as good as the rest. I like Ivan Reis (great work on GL #10 and Rann-Thanagar) but he doesn't fit in this series, especially when his faces are rendered a lot differently than the other artists. I think I feel the same for Bennett, but I'm not too familiar with his work. That splash page at the end of #7 was a good idea, BUT I think Jimenez or Perez should have done it and I think DC should not have shown/revealed characters like the red haired (hmm
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Starring Simon Pegg, Tom Cruise and the monkey they must protect because it's carying an anti-god weapon inside it! The buddy movie to end all buddy movies!
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Bitchin. Very bitchin. Hooray for Simon Pegg. I still think he'd make a great Rorschach. *** Heathen, think about this one: Batman, Nightwing and Robin vs. Deathstroke. And we didn't even get to see that fight. The more I think about it the more it's pissing me off.
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That's where those extra few issues would have been key. It would have been a great scene too. I read that GA beats Deathstroke up and arrests him in his book or something. Bullshit I say. I like, Ollie, but really? Winick's OYL books have been mediocre at best. It sucks that two of my favorite characters (Ollie and Nightwing) are in the lamo DC books right now.
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Tom Cruise and Leo Dicaprio are probably too hard to get, but I think they have the acting chops for the role. Matthew Fox's name has been mentioned. Could be interesting, I just haven't seen him play a role where he has a cocky swagger. Edward Norton? Does he have the voice? Oded Fehr? Maybe, can he do an american accent? He looks like he'd be a mean drunk, and I guess that's a compliment. Clive Owen? I could see that. Jim Caviezel?
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then we will have infinite crisis: directors cut with 5 more issues of edited content as well as new...i'd get that. batfamily v. deathstroke is an issue unto itself right there.
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As I've said before, I think the new Blue Beetle will be an early casualty. I really enjoyed the conclusion to IC, I'd give it a 90. It did seem to show 6 of the 7 soldiers in the big spread at the end, so maybe I know which soldier will die, and it's not who I expected. I totally agree with Shigeru, Civil War 1 seemed like the 92nd press release discussing registration. YAAAWWWNN. So tiresome, and Millar is probably my third-favorite writer, after BKV and Morrison. I won't pick up any more, maybe the trade later. The Cap part was good, though. I don't think Marvel does "events" as well as DC, since I can't really think of any Marvel event I've enjoyed (HoM, putrid, sorry). And I'm a semi-Marvel zombie, buying at least 2 Marvels for every DC. And the reason Thing isn't selling better...too dated, too retro, too square. I've said that before, I know, and #6 was a lot better than #7. I'll keep buying since it's about to be cancelled, though. Maybe. Probably.
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$48 million domestic is certainly below expectations, though not a total disaster. I am glad it didn't do that well, because I just can't bear to watch freeky creep Cruise any more. If I didn't know all about him, I would not mind..he's ok as a performer, but I can't get past all of his whacked-out Scientology anymore and won't see this or any other movie he's in. And I think a lot of people feel that way. Knowing too much about actors can really ruin them, destroying the ability to get lost in the character/performance. So I feel bad for, say, Russell Crowe, but automaton Cruise asks for it.
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The latest Outsiders has been better than expected (though no homerun)? The latest seems to have a fair amount of (covert) good old regular superheroics in it, which makes waiting for any Boomerang Jr. revelations much more tolerable.
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I think that will be the first to be canceled. I forgot about it when mentioning the others like Blue Beetle and Checkmate. I kinda think, Shadowpact could be fun though. ** blackthought, Peter Jackson should get behind that IC Directors cut! I really wish DC would do something like that. People would bitch and moan, but I'm a completist of most things (damn you George Lucas!
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Since IC just wrapped up its 7 issue run and CW has just begun, we can all agree IC is way better than CW and Marvel just can't pull off an event in 22 pages, right? I mean we're all smart and objective adults here so we can agree on that.
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I mean Outsiders is still being written by Winnick, though if anything I might be prepping for crossover-dom because the Brotherhood of Evil looks like it's popping up in both that book and Teen Titans (among others?). In other news.. 2 days til 52!!!
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of course I meant to say that Thing 6 was better than thing 5, though not nearly as good as when he was on the island with Nighthawk and Constrictor. And I am feeling Outsiders OYL, quite a bit, actually. I just kept it to myself because I think Outsiders is quite unpopular around here. Vale,I'll revisit Civil War in the trade and see, but it seems so tired to me. And I liked lots of mutants. No More Mutants? There seems like a lot. plus, if there's only 198 left, that is way less than 10%. Yeah, that's a nit. I really do prefer Marvel, just not it's recent events.
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Because Marvel characters are at their best when they are humanistic soap opera stories with sooper hero fights thrown in. Y'know, Spidey gets the shit kicked out of him by the Vulture, drags his ass back to his apartment, and realizes he can't pay his rent. What would be the best scene in that comic (HINT: it's not the tights part)? A lot of the heroes are loners, and even the FF work the best only together (even though they should be doing epic cosmic stuff all the time). Sure The Avengers are a team, but beating up Ultron isn't really EVENT worthy, ya know? So maybe that's why Civil War is more about the affect things have on individual characters rather than giant cosmic threats and stuff? Just a thought. And I LIKE giant cosmic threats and stuff too! Am I sounding like Vale?
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Ofcourse it wasn't perfect. Sprawling epics, especially by DC, rarely are. And I get a headache just thinking about how they're going to "refine" continuity (ENOUGH already!!). But it got people talking. And it showed DC could still do a good old- fashioned multi-hero & villain throwdown. In that respect, #7 delivered.
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I like the team, even the new roster, but I'm just not jiving with these past couple of issues. How is Nightwing in New York and Africa? Must be related to Wolverine. Speaking of which, I implore anybody who wants to read a really wonderful Wolverine story with dynamic art to check out Wolverine #41. Here's some great dialogue from it, "I want to call up the berserker inside me. I want the world to go red, the killing to become second nature. - But I can't. - Long as I've got this precious parcel
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Vale (and everybody else) download that Wolverine issue and all of Son of M. I honestly think you will like these, unlike how I thought you probably wouldn't like IC. ; ) *** The FCBD issue of Runaways was great!!! The art was very different, but I couldn't pull my eyes away from it. Really good. I love those damn Runaways.
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Who got the new free OWLY on Saturday as part of FCBD? ...*holds bitch slap hand ready if you say no*... It was better than the Runaways one...
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Always liked the character of Katana and was intrigued by the addition of the new Captain Boomerang, but what I've been hearing hasn't been to encouraging.
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See, if I'd directed DAREDEVIL, I would have had cast approval, of course and would have gone for McGregor. You all saw what happened when they didn't do it my way. I wouldn't have thought of McGregor for Iron Man / Stark but I saw DOWN WITH LOVE and realized he could do it. Clooney would be perfect but let's face it, after BATMAN & ROBIN and winning an Oscar, would you play another sueprhero? Well, you or I would, but I'm talkin' normal people. Oddly, Nicolas Cage could have done Iron Man and probably should have instead of Ghost Rider. I mean, the guy is 42 years old. I don't know how they're doing Ghost Rider, but 42 year old guys have probably messed with the occult all they're going to and would only be coasting as stunt riders. We also have a concept of our own mortality. Ghost Rider should have definitely been an actor under 30 and preferrably under 25.
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HEY!!! I didn't see it there! I gotta check when I go back. I went at the end of the day. I picked up like five of the free Runaways issues. I plan on pimping them. $$$. That's how I roll.
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Ewan's the man and Down With Love was rad. My wife is borderline scarily in love with him. *** Heathen I will forgive you if you get it. Until then you get 1 bitch slap a day.
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Peyton Reed is directing that Break-Up movie next. Couldn't have done, Fantastic Four. Nooo!!! I'll have to take about a weeks worth of bitch slaps then
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http://www.dccomics.com/sites/52/
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On DOWN WITH LOVE, he showed visual style. If they'd used the screenplay by Michael France or a rewrite by Buzz Maverik, had a bold designer and a better cast (Reed and Doom too weak; Sue too young; Johnny too old...Chiklis was the only good actor in the bunch), Peyton Reed would have been excellent. BREAK UP looks pretty good (although Jennifer Aniston, a talented and likable actress will probably never be a movie star). Vince Vaughn, incidently, would make a fine Tony Stark / Iron Man himself.
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With, Favs directing, that's more than just a good suggestion - it's realistic too. Vaughn has the star power now to bring in some audience.
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Anyone catch that on the 52 site?
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Is that why she's on the cover of People, EW, US Weekly, ect. every other month? I'm not a movie star too and I'm not on there. If you meant she'll never be a CLASSIC movie star then yeah okay.
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pretty good marketing with that 52 site...I dig it.
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(not Vic Sage, but..) ..anything I could do better, script-wise?
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Bizzarbaro was funny too. The Headlines section, specifically the Dollers & Sense and Ask Prof. Expert! made me a little nervous. I hope this next year isn't just about fixing continuity waves. The story with the guy with two of the same wives? Ughh, that could be a big mess for DC, especially when the purpose of this mega event was supposed to streamline things. Bizzarbaro rules!!!
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I've been a lazy procrastinator.
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dc 52 site is nicely laid out...and vale you can't get to mad at someone saying that ic is better than civil war when someone earlier did the same thing but reverse by proclaiming civil war to be an instant classic above the whole ic event. and i read that first civil war issue and the feeling i got wasn't instant classic...anyway i feel upper 80's/90ish with how IC turned out...just wish they had more time to truly knock it out the park. and i really want a horse named bizzarbaro as well...or at least a one shot written by morrison with quitely doing the art...i can live with that. i wonder if morrison hates carrots? and the perfect iron man would be flava flav.
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Bizzarbaro rules! blackthought, no am right, Infinite Crisis horrible. hOm is instant classic. Civil War is completely finished, I can say it is best series ever. blackthought, no am right about what person didn't say about IC and Civil War from earlier. Vale love Infinite Crisis. Vale hate Bendis more than anybody. Disassembled is universally liked too. It true.
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Opening a movie, having a hit movie, having a string of hit movies makes you a movie star. Nobody from FRIENDS has yet to become a movie star. Not everyone who is a movie star stays a movie star,which is why they get TV series after a string of flops.
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I will say that. As for IC's story (STORY) my only complaint is that the series really was about 2 issues too short for all that they were trying to accomplish. Now as for IC the finished product: SHENANIGANS! SHENANIGANS!! SHENANIGANS!!! From the coverstock switch on #6 to the herky-jerky art throughout: WHAT THE BLOODY FUCK?!?!. Pages 2&3 FUCKING SCREAMED: "Let's make this one helluva splash! oh wait, not enough time to ink it in full so let's color wash 3/4 of the picture and pretend we MEANT it that way." Y'kno what IC left me feeling more than anything else? RIPPED OFF. Shitty production erros marred the entire fucking run and ENSURED I will not waste money getting invested in 52 until they've had time to clean up their fuck ups for trades (and hell, I may not even get them as I may be able to find out what I want without reading them anyway. Oh and mark my words: that last 2 page splash is all of the characters that 52 will feature. As a story? AWESOME (if cramped), after all they killed off THE original SuperHero here folks (and if that panel w/E2 Supes & Lois in the stars while PG weeps over his corpse didn't move you then you're either dead or TRULY without a heart). The comic? Marred by WAY too many production fuck ups.
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But when you do, *best Yoda voice* enjoy it you will, mm hm hm hm hm!! :) That or it'll take any bad tastes from IC out of a person's mouth because it'll either be so bad that IC will look even more fabulous in relief, or it'll be better than IC, in which case, happy-city. *** And Psy! Morrison-y goodness above in my post titled "Psy-link"!
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What do i sound like?
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Since i have something to say: I was checking out those Superboy covers Heathen shared with us and, well ok...they're pretty hilarious, but the reason they're funny is they weren't supposed to be funny, or at least not in that sense; so they hit me as very innocent. The character of Superboy hits me as being very innocent. So isn't turning him into a murdering villain kinda fucked up? I guess not since it wasn't Bendis who made him that way. I mean don't get me wrong, i fucking love double standards, but if Bendis had written Superboy exactly the way Johns wrote him, you'd all be calling for his balls on a fondue fork and claiming "You're ruining me!" is a terrible line. Don't worry tho', I'M the biased one here because it's ok for Superboy, the superpowered lad of good-natured mischief, to go on a psychotic rampage and rip peoples arms and heads off and stuff as long as Bendis doesn't do the same to the Scarlet Witch, i mean what an arrogant asshole, he should stick to writing poems on Burger King napkins. Is that what Vale sounds like?
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For i have sand in my...you know, urethra.
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Vince Vaughn's a hilarious choice for Iron Man. He looks permanently hung-over, 24/7, without makeup. And he dosen't need muscles to wear the Iron Man suit. I can imagine the wardrobe people shoe-horning his back fat into the costume. Genius!!!!
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Plays the same damn character in everything and that character is annoying. Thank you for your time.
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...what would a cog do? I don't really condone leaving your wife but Jolie is almost too sexy. *** I personally think Vince Vaughn is very Goon(not the comic)-like. Not a good thing.
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Use all that talent and effort that you put into that and pour it into something of your own creation. Sorry if that sounds mean, but I liked it and would like to see what you would come up with that would have a chance of being published minus lawsuits.
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I appreciate that, Shig, I really do. Maybe it's just a form of procrastination on my part. I've got this uber-project on the backburner, but in some aspects (like, the story) it's still underdeveloped and needs more time. I guess I figure with this fanfic it's just good practice in learning the whole craft of writing: what hits and what misses, dialogue and narration are weaknesses I need to work on, plus working with the comic script format and understanding its strengths and weaknesses is something I need to understand for later on too. Though at the same time, I do have a 35 chapter novella/novel I need to rewrite (part of the same uber-project, but it does require a little pre-thought too, plus some understanding of the as-yet-to-be developed story). So I guess in short, I'm content to just practice with fanfic right now and learn what I can, because I don't want my project to be as much of a practice piece. So long as I'm writing and creating, I consider that progress, and the Big One will come along in due course. So long as I have willing guinea pigs, I suppose. :)
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Both.
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She's batshit psycho, even by Hollywood standards, and for all her supposed philanthropy she's clearly very self-centered and self-involved. Pregnant women who think it's cool at 8 months to squeeze into a prop plane they're flying themselves are too stupid and selfish for their own good--you're risking your own life and that of your child. Plus when you see closeups of her lips they're hideous--looks like a dog used 'em as a chew toy. Besides, it'd make some of my family happy if I married a nice greek girl...
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i'll take rachel mccadams...mmmm...
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Jolie? Never. Lorelai? YES YES YES!!! Oh please.
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Oh, blue eyes
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Aniston or Jolie? Aniston or Jolie?.. ;)
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Do you prefer Rory over Lorelai?
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I mean, this is a really retarded conversation in the first place, so why not go with the psycho. I'm not judging her character or analyzing her personal life, I'm judging her "boning" worthy-ness. Aniston seems like an all-american girl next door nice person. Jolie seems like a fiery psycho vixen that would growl at you in the sack. To which I say: yay! Gee it got really male in here real quick.
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And I say again
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thing when it comes to chicks. If it weren't for batshit psychos, I'd a been fuckin' celibate in the '80s. I mean, you don't tell Paige from accounting, "Okay, now I'm gonna get outta bed and write 21 pages of a screenplay that probably no one will ever read and after that I'm gonna write two letters to agents and three to producers that will never make it out of the mailroom." But Ms. Batshit Psycho, who is often hot, will say,"You know, you're fuckin' weird" if she speaks a language you can understand. I'd say, if Angelina Jolie calls ya up, you'd better say, "Yes, ma'am, I'm already wearing one."
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HALO 3 will feature special online matches where you can hear 13 year old kids say "haha lol noob i #*%*@ed your mom in her !*# wtfomg!"
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Admit it, you did what I did and said you had to pee and snuck over to LORDS OF DOGTOWN. Boy, was I confused sneaking back and forth when I got to that scene where America Ferrera as Thunder Monkey deflowered the kid with the brain tumor. I got busted big time, walkin' out, faking sensitivity by saying, "I was moved when Thunder Monkey reconciled with her dad. But which of their boyfriends skated off the pier at sundown?"
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at the same time. I stayed in the theater for the Merchant Ivory movie REMAINS OF THE DAY because every time Christopher Reeve and Anthony Hopkins had a scene together, I imagined I was watching Superman vs. Hannibal Lector.
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Le gusta leer
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NAY!!! NAY I SAY!!!
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Ever since "Last Boy Scout". Wouldn't even think twice.
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...is that it only goes so far. Can they be hot? Yep. Great in the sack? Sure. Start crying or freaking out during the sex, or beat the shit out of you, or tell everybody you're a lousy lay, or otherwise leave your life in tatters? Put money on it. Even at 19 that shit had lost its shine for me. Jolie's too crazy for me. Aniston's a party girl, though, and we all know it--I'm sure she's still a helluva time.
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fair enough...she still looks good though.
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so many hours to go before lost...and last weeks episode i still say...WTF??? that did not just happen...seriously the ending of last week's episode was a dream right? how could they? aaahhh...and heathen i hate myles/miles...from 24 almost as much i hate logan...
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Did anybody see Chloe from 24 on Gilmore? She was singing! It was cool. *** Shig, your Nintendo Wii (weeee!!!!) has some interesting features w/ the controller I thought was kinda crazy a year ago, but still, vastly underpowered and no HD. Halo 3. A little underwhelmed myself by the preview, and I'm the resident Halo freak. But I did recently confess to Kal-El that I loved/hated Halo 2. Halo 3 looks good, but not like Gears of War or Too Human or Mass Effect. PS3? Heh, he, hah, ha, HA, HA HAAA!!! $600 bucks a system w/ a Blu-Ray drive that may not even be the new format of DVD's and games that look no better than the ones I've seen on the 360. Sony may have shot themselves in the foot.
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Shig. Did this happen to you? It's okay, we've all had to suffer the young teens, admitting is the first step to a healthier gaming experience
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Why? Cause I don't have $1300 to spend on a freaking TV. It would be nice, though. I am officially really excited for Wii (dumb name but whatev). 27 launch games? Yeah baby. *** Heathen: let's just put it this way...I've played Counterstrike online before... *shudder*
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hey, new column is up!
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no really it is.
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