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AICN COMICS Reviews FABLES:1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL! DOCTOR STRANGE! Warren Ellis' BLACK GAS 2! And Much More!!!!
| #33 | 11/8 06 | #5 |
(Click title to go directly to the review)
DOCTOR STRANGE #2
FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL HC
ETERNALS #5
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4
WISDOM #1
Indie Jones presents BLACK GAS 2 #1
Indie Jones presents…
CHEAP SHOTS!
DOCTOR STRANGE: THE OATH #2
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler: Marcos Martin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewed by Humphrey Lee
"By the Hoary @#$%-ing Hosts!"
I don't know why, but I think I've waited all my life to read that sentence. This is how sad my life is, but how fun this comic is.
The premise for those of you not up to speed: Doctor Strange has been shot. And yeah, I know, "How do you shoot Doctor Strange?" Well, you do so by finding the gun with the most negative mojo in the jworld and you do some enchanting and walla! You've got something that can penetrate some hastily thrown up mystical barriers. But that's not what the full story is about. No, see, the deal is the shooting was just a means of putting the good Doc out of commission so our perpetrator could get to the real goal; that being an elixir Doc Strange wrested from an other-dimensional beast with extreme healing capabilities, which the Doc plans on using to cure his long time aid and friend Wong of his deadly cancer. That's right, it's one of those stories.
But like I said before, this mini is just pure fun. The best thing about this is how BKV portrays our mystic master. Arrogant and brash, but completely loyal to his friends and a suprisingly quippy sense of humor. Oh, and he might be bisexual. Not really, but he does kinda have a flamboyant manner to him that makes you think he might alternate playing both sides of the field. But it's entertaining, so who cares?
This particular issue finds the Doc and Wong on the trail of the man who shot Strange and stole the elixir (named Brigand), but also picking up another character for the journey: the Night Nurse, who was the one that patched up Strange in the first issue. Strange stops by the facilities of an old friend of his who had a small sample of the elixir to see just what it can do, but of course finds that his friend is now newly deceased and his place has been ransacked. Again, a typical scenario, but one that serves the greater purpose of giving the reader more insight into the past of the Sorcerer Supreme and just what a raging fucking prick he was before the accident that led him to the path of the mystic arts occurred. I always like these sequences since we really just don't get that many Doc Strange books these days and I like to see the character fleshed out some more.
Marcos Martin's art for this book is perfect too. Yes, it's "Ditko-esque" but it really has a vibrancy of its own. The characters look like 70's comic characters, with the soft lines and somewhat "cartoony" textures, but they've got just enough realism to them to pull them into the modern age. And there's a lot of kinetic motion here that makes the book really energetic, from the sequences where Brigand is bouncing around and doing his thing to all the trademark wavy hand-gestures the Doc is doing at a particular time. Visually the book just flows as well as Vaughan's narrative does.
This is the kind of stuff I always thought a DOCTOR STRANGE comic could be, and I'm glad this saw the light of day. It's a light-hearted book but with some dire consequences and the kind of stories I'd like to see more of if we get the chance. I know that apparently it's hard to keep a Doc Strange book ongoing because the nature of the character doesn't lend to the most dramatic of stories, or isn't the biggest action book--basically he's a very niche character. But this particular mini gives me hope that maybe there's a few more stories like that left in this particular property and that we'll see the good Doctor in his own title once a year or so. And I hope they're packing the same creative crew, because this stuff is just keen.
FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL OGN
Writer: Bill Willingham
Artists: Esao Andrews, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Mark Buckingham, James Jean, Michael Wm. Kaluta, Derek Kirk Kim, Tara McPherson, Jill Thompson, Charles Vess, and Mark Wheatley
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
Reviewer: Sleazy G
I admit I missed the early boat on FABLES. I had the first few issues on hold at my LCS, and before I got a chance to pick ‘em up they folded outta the blue, so I had to wait for the trades. When I started in on those, though, I was hooked, and once I caught up I switched to the monthly. It’s a consistently well-written, well-drawn series that has some truly surprising moments. Like everybody else reading the series, I’ve been looking forward to this graphic novel from the moment it was announced—a phenomenal lineup of artistic talent working in the FABLES universe? How could it miss?
It did for me, at least part of the time. I’ve seen several examples lately of people having difficulty making the transition from writing comics to prose and visa versa, and this is one of those instances. Willingham starts the OGN out with a 14-page prose introduction which explains how Snow White went as an envoy to the more exotic lands recently introduced in FABLES and ended up a prisoner of the Sultan. The intro is beautifully illustrated by Charles Vess and Michael Wm. Kaluta. Like many found here, they prove themselves deserving of illustrating children’s books—their paintings are magnificent. This prose entry, however, reveals for the first time a weakness in Willingham’s writing that would never have turned up in comics. I know he’s trying to write in a very distinct style—that of a children’s fairy tale book—but it just never quite clicks. It feels clunky and uncomfortable, and his descriptive language feels far too commonplace for the subject matter. There are a few more of these prose segments throughout the book, and I rapidly found myself growing bored with them, despite a cute ending to the final segment.
There are two other segments where the story doesn’t quite work for me. “The Fencing Lessons” tells us just what happened between Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. To say the story is ugly as hell is an understatement, but the photorealistic art by John Bolton is gorgeous (although I’m a bit disturbed at the thought of who Bolton’s models for the dwarves were). It’s a dark tale of a group of cruel dwarves abusing their privileges above ground and the fate that befalls them, and honestly, I thought it was a pretty good story—until it ended up right where I thought it was headed. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that it appears Willingham is breaking his own ground rules for the way things work for the Fables who are alive in the Mundy world today. Is it possible he’s seeding a future story here? I suppose so, but it’s not presented that way—it comes across as being very final in a place that such thing shouldn’t be possible.
I also didn’t care much for “A Frog’s-Eye View”, which for the first time tells us Frogcatcher’s backstory. I know that Willingham’s dealt with some dark material before in the series, and I can’t deny that it’s an important storytelling tool. I can also understand a writer’s desire to make Frogcatcher someone we can feel great sympathy for. That said, though, what is revealed here is so heavy, so brutal, that it alters the character permanently. He is no longer cute, dimwitted, goofy or capable of providing comic relief. He is now a character of such oppressive tragedy that it alters everything about the character and the role he has played in past stories. This is an instance where Willingham clearly has a plan; I simply don’t know that I care for the direction it’s going. James Jean’s first-ever interior art, on the other hand, is wonderful. He’s just as impressive a talent between the covers as on them, and I look forward to seeing more of his work.
Those three segments were weak enough that I felt I should mention my reservations. In all fairness, though, I have to point out that they are only three out of nine or ten stories, and the rest are significantly better. “The Christmas Pies” takes an old folk tale and turns it into a story of how some of the animal Fables escaped the Homelands. It features art by Mark Buckingham in a style I’ve not seen him use before. The colors jump off the page (the art looks like watercolor brush strokes) and his characterizations of the animals are wonderful, particularly of the fox Reynard. Mark Wheatley’s work on “The Runt”, about Bigby Wolf’s childhood, is also unlike anything I’ve seen him do in the last decade and a half, and just as wonderful in its own way. There’s one panel in particular, of the angry but determined little runt that stood out in my memory even days later.
I’d never heard of Derek Kirk Kim came before. His “A Mother’s Love” is only three pages long, and serves as a light break from the longer or heavier material, but it demonstrates a genuine talent—enough so that I may search out his work elsewhere. It’s followed directly by one of the two longest stories—that of the old witch who has helped the Fables now and again. “Diaspora” parts I and II tell of how Snow White and Rose Red find her in an oven (I’m sure you can figure out how she got there) and the working relationship they formed. It’s illustrated by Tara McPherson, who first caught my eye doing covers for Willingham’s THESSALY miniseries. Her work here is a delight—adorable even when she’s putting an arrow through somebody’s eye—and why she hasn’t illustrated a miniseries for Vertigo (or even a youth-oriented DC book) is completely beyond me. Her segments bookend Esao Andrews’ “The Witch’s Tale”, which is a fine example of why it’s important to look outside the comics industry for new talent: for a guy who designs skateboards, he’s a phenomenal storyteller. His is also another one of the stories deserving of commendation for its use of color; while some of the tales have more muted palettes, this one pops off the page.
The tales wrap up with “What You Wish For”, a two-pager that once again drives home the fact that Brian Bolland just doesn’t get enough work, and Jill Thompson’s “Fair Division”. Thompson’s work here is remarkable and represents another change for the better in her style. It’s also perfectly suited to a touching story that shows us just why King Cole may have seemed a little soft but had clearly earned the loyalty of the residents of Fabletown, and it’s nice to see the stories wrap up on a tender note.
I’ve gone on a bit longer here than I originally intended, but I felt it was the only way to counterbalance the negativity earlier on. There were some aspects of the writing here that just didn’t work for me, and I felt I needed to voice my concerns, but clearly there were far more stories that did work than those that didn’t. I haven’t a single reservation art-wise, however: this book is gorgeous from cover to cover, a clear example of everything comics can and should be and worth buying on that basis alone. It’ll look great on your bookshelf, and it’s definitely got a strong rereadability factor. Even if you’ve never read the series before I suspect you’ll find 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL to be well worth a look. For fans of the series it’s probably a must have. You may very well have a different reaction than mine, and even the stories I didn’t care for still prompted a lot of thought. With as many stories as there are here, you’re bound to find plenty to like. My minor quibbles aside, this is yet another strong entry from DC Vertigo.
ETERNALS # 5
MEMO
To: Neil Gaiman
cc: Frank Miller
From: superhero
Re: Coasting on your reputation.
Mr. Gaiman,
OK, it's time someone said it and it might as well be me. Your version of THE ETERNALS is about as exciting as a piece of burnt toast. I mean, really. What the hell is going on with you? You're supposed to be a good writer. No, scratch that, you're supposed to be a great writer. I mean, if I'm supposed to believe your legions of SANDMAN fans you're practically the poet laureate of the comic book industry. Now me, personally, I never got what was so great about you. I tried…really I did. I picked up the first SANDMAN trade and, well, I have to say I was more than underwhelmed. Let's face it…I was straight out bored. But I accepted that SANDMAN probably wasn't my cup of tea or maybe it was just too "over my head" and I went on with being one of the few unwashed masses that didn't think SANDMAN was the best thing since Twizzlers. Which is fine. Other people appreciated your work and I think that's great. Obviously your writing touched some hearts out there and you built yourself a reputation for having brought some sort of enlightenment to the field of comic books. Super. Great. Fantastic.
And I've been willing to accept for years that you are one of comicdom's greatest writers. That your SANDMAN work is to be considered one of the great comic works of all time. That you brought something to the field of comics that few, if any, creators of comic books have ever been able to do. Once again, that's fantastic stuff. Bravo! You've achieved success that many crave and that few will ever be able to reach! You've inspired the likes of Tori Amos to write introductions for your trade paperback collections and given a whole new generation of Goths a reason to keep dying their hair black while applying generous amounts of eyeliner. Excellent!
But, Mr. Gaiman, I have a serious question for you: what have you done for us lately?
No seriously…what have you done for comic fans lately? Well, not much actually. I mean, let's face it man…you are really coasting on your reputation here.
I know, I know…maybe I'm being too harsh but seriously…I really am starting to get the feeling that you're looking to comics these days to just kick back and do a little slumming. I get it. You're a big name writer now. You've got lots of real books that you've written with lots of words in them. You've even had a mini-series made of your work with some film projects coming down the line. I mean, who needs comics, right? Why put any real effort into writing for the pamphlets, right? Why bother when your name alone is what'll get the fanboys to pick up the book? I mean, at this point why put any thought into what you're doing when something's guaranteed to sell just because it has your name on the cover?
And please, Neil, don't tell me that you're not slumming. If you're not then you really ought to be ashamed of yourself. Really, this ETERNALS mini series has ended up being just tepid. I mean, it's not as sleep inducing as the first SANDMAN trade, but it's pretty close. If this is the type of work that you did in the beginning of your career then I highly doubt you'd ever have become what you are today: NEIL GAIMAN. If this is the type of stuff that the whole run of SANDMAN consisted of you'd have just stayed Neil Gaiman…plain 'ol average comic writer. This mini-series isn't befitting someone of your stature…that is, unless you're doing the work for the paycheck alone. But that doesn't make sense because you've got all of those best selling books to pay the rent with!
Y'know, now that I think of it, maybe it isn't your fault. Maybe you're just plain too cerebral for something like THE ETERNALS. From what I've heard the original ETERNALS was King Kirby all the way. Big old crazy ideas and set pieces with cosmic action fisticuffs. Maybe THE ETRNALS just isn't your style. I mean, Bendis gets trashed for making his characters stand around and talk a lot but it seems that with this ETERNALS series you want to give him a run for his money! Five whole issues of the various ETERNALS wandering around discovering that they are actually ETERNALS? You've got Bendis beat! At least Bendis'll have someone blow something up every once in a while. You'd figure with THE ETERNALS we'd get something cool like that, but no dice.
I bet right about now you're ready to say, "But what about those giant Celestial thingees? Weren't they cosmically cool?" Well, sure, but see that's where you're smart. You and that crazy bastard Frank Miller. You know that you're phoning it in so you get the best artist you can find who'll make up for your lack of effort. Yeah, those Celestial thingamabobs are cool as hell but only because John Romita, Jr. draws them like no one else, besides Kirby, could. Hell, he makes them look freakin' awesome and they just stand around most of the time! But see that's the point. Romita Jr. is carrying this series on his back. If it weren't for him this thing would be worthless instead of just being the forgettable bore it is. Let's face it. The real stars of this series are Romita Jr. and colorist Matt Hollingsworth. It's the art in these books that's impressive but the writing is below average at best.
So, in closing, I'd really just like to say that if you're going to keep turning in comic work like this then just don't bother. See, I love comic books and I don't see them as a place for big name writers to just slum around in. If I'm paying good money then I want your damn best effort. Not some snore fest Marvel asked you to put together so they could capitalize on your name. Consider this memo an intervention. Now it's time to take responsibility. Stop using great artists as your crutch and get out there and write some great comics again. Hell, I know you can do it! Why not just start with ETERNALS: THE GOTH YEARS? At least you'll be writing about something you know about.
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Artists: Al Barrionuevo (pencils), Bit (inks)
Publisher: DC Comics
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
There are many theories as to why the Martian Manhunter is not as popular a character as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and even Plastic Man. J’onn J’onzz has been around for ages, has had multiple miniseries and series, he’s usually a solid cast member in the JLA, so why the hell isn’t he a hotter character? Some think it has to do with his alien look, but that’s not the case. J’onn J’onzz basically looks like a cross between the Hulk and Superman and both characters have iconic status. It’s not because he’s green. That’s not the reason why. I have a theory. And I’ve waited until the fourth issue of this series to tell it to the world.
The reason J’onn J’onzz isn’t as popular as he could be is because of one thing…
…it’s because of his tiny, little speedo Martian Man-pants.
Fans of comic bookdom aren’t comfortable with male nudity. For the most part, they aren’t shaped like these muscle-bound heroes that fight and fly across the panels. They’re of the flabbier sort. If they were to try some Martian Man-Pants on, there’d be quite a bit of cupcake action going on, if ya know what I’m saying. We as fans don’t want to see a seven foot Martian walking around like he’s on the French Riviera. Some of us are short people. If Mr. J’onzz were to walk up to us, it’d be more than a little uncomfortable since his Martian Man-junk would be a bit too close to eye level. And that would suck. Speedos suck. Ever been on a beach and a guy in a speedo walks by? He’s ridiculed. He’s mocked. He’s envied a little. And he’s basically the guy at the beach everyone wishes to be washed out at high tide or to step on a jellyfish. J’onn J’onzz, Martian Man-pants Wearer, sucks.
Well, it’s a theory. And I believe it’s a good one: one I thought would be put to rest after seeing J’onn in some new duds at the end of INFINITE CRISIS. I thought, finally, we wouldn’t have to see that Martian Man-junk dangling about. Maybe now, J’onn will be recognized as one of the most powerful heroes in DC’s pantheon and not the hero you would least want to bend over in front of you to pick up a nickel on the sidewalk. But after reading the first four issues of this miniseries, sadly, I got the feeling that this wasn’t going to be the break-out story that would propel the Martian Manhunter to stardom.
The problem is that this is an alien government conspiracy story. And alien government conspiracy stories are the Kevin Federline of the comic book story biz mainly because the went-on-too-long aspect of THE X-FILES sucked the vital juices out of this genre of storytelling like a vampire prostitute (remember VAMP, I do…cool movie!). It’s like writing a story with clones in a Marvel Universe book. It’s, to quote the Talkbackers, “too soon” and brings back memories I’d just as soon not want to remember at this time. This book has all of the stuff we’ve seen before. Aliens captured and prodded by government organizations, secret meetings and weapons, cases of mistaken identity. All of the stuff that got old by Season Three of X-FILES. Yawn.
It’s too bad, really. Martian Man-pants suck, but so do X-FILES rip-offs. Getting rid of one and replacing it with the other just doesn’t work. This time around, MARTIAN MANHUNTER just isn’t entertaining…
…but at least he’s wearing some sensible pants.
WISDOM #1 (of 6)
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Publisher: MAX Comics aka Marvel: Vertigo Division
Reviewed by: Squashua
Pete Wisdom. I have no idea who he was. I think I heard the name in passing once, but that was it. Saw the preview for this book, liked the art, the writing seemed to be there, so I dropped $4 and picked up the book. That's how I work it these days, ladies.
So, what the fuck, fairies, right? Fucking war on fairies. They're attacking our world from Otherworld, which I guess was some place that some Braddock guy, I guess he was Captain Briton or Lord British or whatever, used to manage. It's not a factor since jolly old England has put Peter Wisdom and his MI-13 crew on the fookin' case.
I'm not quite sure what this comic wants to be. It's like silly NEXTWAVE, "Yer can't stop Captain Midlands!" meets THE AUTHORITY, "We're MI-13, and we haven't had our breakfast." meets HELLBLAZER (last page) with a lot of filler from some long-misplaced Garth Ennis book mixed with a bit of cliche James Bond homage. And throughout the story there's a serious conflict brewing with the newest MI-13 member, a psychic of some sort who is sensing impending doom. I'm not sure if I want to recommend this; there are some fantastic ideas here from a Skrull masquerading as John Lennon to Pete's speech about what not to do in Otherworld ("Don't marry anything"), but I just don't know what to make of the rest of it. It goes from parody to straight to silly to straight to parody and back to silly.
The book is a hodge-podge of ideas that I like with a bunch of notions that fall flat, like the gatling gun-wielding fairy rebel. Like the writer was afraid that if he didn't toss the kitchen sink into the first issue, the boat would sink. Other than this mish-mosh, the major drawback to me is that I'm not sure if the characters in this book are British for the sake of being British or if one character is being rebellious for the sake of being rebellious or what. For example, the over-the-top, "freak the mundanes" goth gal, who happens to be a fairy, responds to a racial slur with, "Don't feel bad. Buy me vodka and Red Bull, yah!" I can't stand it when writers try to write accents. It makes the characters sound stupid.
The art is attractive, and it's what drew me to the series in the first place, but at times it is a little too dark, with some of the black, moppy hairstyles getting smudged out. As with the writer, the artist has some excellent ideas; one image that struck a chord with me was a shot of Captain Midlands putting his shield to good and graphic use. Actually, any scene of Captain Midlands (Britain's answer to Captain America, I guess) in action put a smile on my face. The violence is quite graphic, with fairy heads exploding left and right.
I'm of two minds with this book. If you're looking for traditional super-hero action, this isn't it. If you like over-the-top and secret super-agencies fighting the crazy unknown, give WISDOM a chance. It's like not-quite-NEXTWAVE with a big focus on the spiritual and British side of things, but it is a dollar more than other books. If you see it in the shop, flip through it and judge for yourself.
BLACK GAS 2 #1
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist:Max Fiumara
Publisher: Avatar Press
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
Hee hee, it’s another zombie book, folks!
*rubbing hands together deviously*
Y’allz knowz I can’t get me enough of them zombie books!
And this one’s a good one. Warren Ellis’ first foray into the zombie genre was a light and fun trot of a story. It had all of the zombie movie conventions; survivors on the run, zombies getting shot and hit in the head, grue, carnage, and the true ugly face of humanity shed light upon by tragedy. But after getting to the end of the first three-parter that was BLACK GAS PART 1, I felt as if it was a bit breezy in the story department. Basically, two lovers arrive at an island. An earthquake unleashes a gas that forms a dark cloud over the island turning the inhabitants into zombies with black shit coming out of every orifice in their head. Said two lovers run from the cabin, through town, and to a boat, fighting zombies the whole way. The end. That’s about it as far as story is concerned. And although it was an energetic jaunt, it was a story of the light and fluffy kind.
BLACK GAS 2 opens up immediately after the last panel of BLACK GAS 1 and Ellis takes one single step backward to see how the black cloud has affected the mainland not far from the island where the gas originated. The mainland is faring about as well as the island, and the lone survivor of the first series runs into some new cast members and instead of finding safety, finds that there truly is no safe place in Ellis’ story. This issue seemed meatier than the entire three issues of part one of this series. There’s some definite story development and the threat is intensified as other forces seek to contain the gas and care very little about the survivors.
One of the things that I really liked about this issue was that it showed something that is often referred to in zombie stories but is rarely seen. In about every zombie movie, one of the survivors suggests that the group leave their safe haven (be it an old house, bomb shelter, or Mall o’ America) and go to an emergency outpost set up by the government in case of a mass catastrophe like…say…the zombie apocalypse. During this scene, someone inevitably shoots down this idea because they “just came from the outpost and it had already been overrun by the zombies.” But we never get to see this overrun emergency center, we just hear about it. In BLACK GAS 2, we get to see the emergency center overrun by zombies and it’s a pretty intense and electrifying action/horror scene. For this scene alone, one I don’t remember seeing before besides the TV station takeover at the beginning of the original DAWN OF THE DEAD, I have to give BLACK GAS 2 props.
Warren Ellis is a great storyteller. He’s proven himself to be a standout voice in the comic book world. I’m glad he’s writing this series and although he seemed to be a little frugal with the story in the first act, BLACK GAS 2 seems to be steamrolling ahead story-wise and making up for it. I hope there’s a BLACK GAS 3 and 4 and 5 and 6, each taking one more step back to show a broader picture of how this ominous black cloud of death effects the survivors and the world around them.
H.C. Noel’S MR SCOOTLES #1-2
www.hcnoel.com
Where do cartoons go when they no longer dance across the silver screen or your widescreen TV sets? When one creates a piece of art, what happens to that creation once the creator has moved on? These questions are asked in this interesting little indie series featuring a non-specific animal cartoon character called Mr. Scootles who wakes up in a hellish purgatory after two college students unearth a reel of his long-forgotten cartoon adventures. There are devilish incantations and bizarre Hades-like landscapes galore in this one. The creator of this series is definitely having fun coming up with surreal images and scenery for Scootles to bound about. Visually imaginative, that’s what this one is. This is a comic book series from an artist about art and what happens to art after it’s been long forgotten. It’s a concept that has resonance and a lot of potential. Those interested in the artistic process and all of its philosophies will like this one. And those who like to see cartoon cat/dog/mouse creatures stumble through Limbo will dig it too. - Ambush Bug 
TURA & EVA #2
Fecus Publications
What is it with surreal trips in this week’s Indie Jones? J. Sumii brings back his Betty and Veronica with attitude in this second issue of TURA & EVA. Eva fights off legions of zombie hordes with a machete while Tura takes a snooze and meets Gingercleus in the Dream World. Both storylines come together in the end and both offer an off-kilter glimpse at the world in the surrealest of fashions. Gingercleus, a talking gingerbread man who is robed up like some kind of Greek deity, provides some of the issue’s most entertaining moments as he guides Tura through the Dream World. This is a fun book that never takes itself too seriously and always entertains. - Ambush Bug 
U.T.F. (UNDEAD TASK FORCE) #3
Ape Entertainment
This third and final issue of U.T.F. opens more doors than closes them, paving the way for the inevitable follow-up. And I’m glad there will be more to come. This issue ends with a bang as the vampire threat comes to a head and spills out of the prison and into the California streets. The stakes are raised and there’s a real tension to this third installment that wasn’t there in the first two issues because the U.T.F. were pretty much kicking @$$, taking names, and showing no signs of weakness against the vampire threat. In this issue, a chink in the armor has been shown and it’s made the story all the more interesting. This miniseries had a lot of high powered action that culminated nicely in this last issue. Tone Rodriguez’ art is another reason to seek this nicely packaged, cleanly executed, and intensely written miniseries. - Ambush Bug 
ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE: MASTER FLIGHT PLAN HC
AiT/PlanetLar
By far one of the most entertaining and surprising reads in recent memory, this one was. If you don’t believe me, believe Warren Ellis and Kurt Busiek, who both write forewords in this book giving it praise for its innovative concepts and ability to grasp that feeling we all had when we were little. You know the one. The feeling that one day, you’d love to be out there in space, floating around, gazing at the Earth and all of its inhabitants below, and maybe even taking a weightless stroll on the moon. We all thought about it from time to time, looking up to the stars with wide eyes filled with hope and wonder. Well, this collection of stories from Larry Young illustrates this feeling so tenderly while at the same time hitting you full throttle with a perfectly constructed story structure telling a truly innovative action tale. Larry Young knows how to tell a story and make it interesting. He pops in and out of the collection to tell a tale of how he ended up with the story you are about to read. These intermissions are just as entertaining as the rest of the book. Artists Matt Smith and Charlie Adlard bring the panels to life and when the action intensifies and the blood starts flowing, these two artists shine. This is one of the best collections of stories I have read in a long time. My favorite is the first which follows a news crew who accidentally get launched into space and accidentally again uncover a devious plot involving a millionaire and the moon. It’s fun sci fi that never ventures out of the realm of possibility, but is filled with boundless energy and creativity nonetheless. Highest possible recommendation for this one. Go to the link above and get this one already! - Ambush Bug 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.
TEEN TITANS #40
DC Comics
Miss Martian is such a li’l cutie. I actually really like the new Teen Titans team consisting of enough new and old characters to make the mix-up interesting. Writer Geoff Johns is at his best when he’s having these original personalities interact with one another. But his need to compartmentalize this book as a showcase for miniature versions of more established and older DC characters wears thin sometimes and distracts me as a reader from getting into the story. You can literally sense the creative process of Johns as he takes a JLA member, hips him up, youths him down, and adds a clever twist. Not everyone needs a teen sidekick or a younger version of themselves running around the DCU. Pretty soon, Johns is going to run out of heroes to run through his Teen Titans writing process machine and we’ll be getting younger versions of these younger versions. TITAN BABIES, anyone? - Bug 
BULLET POINTS #1
Marvel Comics
Only a cheap shot for this title because right now it's basically a simple "Elseworlds" approach to the Marvel Universe fleshed out for an issue. The premise JMS has here is the idea of one bullet affecting the way the entire Marvel U has fallen. Doctor Erskine (the guy responsible for the Super Soldier serum) is gunned down a day too early, so instead of becoming Captain America, scrawny little Steve Rogers instead becomes the first man in the Iron Man armor. Also, one Ben Parker is also gunned down in the attack on Erskine, so without a father figure like him to latch onto, we see little Peter Parker grow up pretty roguish which conversely puts him in the way of a little gamma bomb experimenting. So you see where all this is going right? And it's all interesting stuff, but right now it's just kind of a glorified "What If?" as JMS is throwing all these little plot divergences at us. Which is fine, we all love these "Well, what if this happened?" stories, but we need to see some more meat and emotional resonance to these different scenarios, not just "Oh, Peter Parker is the Hulk now instead. Isn't that cool?" Here's to hoping we get some of that in the next four issues. - Humphrey 
BATMAN #658
DC Comics
Getting on my nerves faster than a Talkback troll. More annoying than Captain Marvel Jr. Able to leap to the top of my list of characters I’d love to see die a grisly death by grizzly in a single bound…it’s Damian, the son of Batman and Talia, AKA Batman Junior. Grant Morrison’s contribution to the Bat-mythos is the most nails-against-a-chalkboard annoying character to come along in quite a while. Morrison’s final act in the Batman and son story comes to a disappointing end as once again, Morrison has too many ideas and too few resolutions. Robin is simply used as a punching bag. Talia is acting evil as ever, but her motivations are unclear. Manbat ninjas flying about look cool, but end up having little else to do. This ending is more cohesive than other Morrison works, but a lot of it has to do with the talented Andy Kubert’s pencils. Good looking. Great ideas. Annoying character and an unfulfilling finale. - Bug 
ANNIHILATION #4
Marvel Comics
The Annihilation Wave gets ever closer to Earth. Only old schooler Keith Giffen could make a downtime/calm-before-the-storm issue so intense and energizing. Nova gets his first glimpse of what’s going on between Marvel’s Civil Warring heroes and yet another hero comments about how non-heroic Earth’s Mightiest are acting. But the real treat in this issue is the nail-biting standoff between Thanos the Mad Titan and the man reborn for the sole purpose of killing him, Drax the Destroyer. The final moments of this series are highly intense as Drax creeps ever closer to his target, Thanos, who has decided at the last minute to aid the Resistance against Annihilus’ armies. Giffen does a great job of orchestrating this supremely stellar space opera. This is an event book done right. - Bug 
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Damn you Michael Bay
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...you're not going to like much else that Gaiman's done. That said, though I haven't read Eternals, I never had high hopes for it since 1602 was so lacklustre.
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- It's like Shakespeare/ But with lots more punching/ It's like Goethe/ But with lots more crunching/ Like Titanic/ But the boat's still floating/ No it's not!/ The mother(honk)ing boat is exploding!
- NEXTWAVE! -
You know, maybe that LCS wouldn't have closed up if you hadn't kept ordering books and then never picking them up. Just sayin'... ;)
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My problem with BULLET POINTS is that there was no REAL consequence of Erskine dying a day early as Steve Rogers still goes on to be the hero of WW2, albeit in the Iron Man armor. And it's that twist, adding the Iron man armor into the Marvel U much earlier than it ever was previously. (Unless I'm forgetting some long ago story point that Tony Stark based his original IM designs on a long ago abandoned Army project that he found files on...) It would have been more interesting to see how WW2 would have progressed without Steve Rogers' involvement at all. And I'm also annoyed at the complete lack of any of the other WW2 heroes showing up. Great idea, I just don't think it was particularly well thought out.
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"And it's that twist, adding the Iron Man armor into the Marvel U much earlier than it ever was previously, that feels false and forced."
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Anybody's else's copy have TEENY TINY dialogue text? I compared it to the new issue of Y and the text is, like, half the size. oh also, Night Nurse is hawt.
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That's the problem with a lot of Elseworlds/What If type books. For example, I really like Superman: Red Son, but why is Batman a Russian, too? Wouldn't it be more interesting to do a story where Superman landing in Russia is the only difference?
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The Flycatcher tale in FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL is repugnant. After I read it I wished I hadn’t, but the other stories are so good (like the Christmas Pies) it all evens out.
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Sandman really is the best comic out there. Literally the 'Lord of the Rings' of comic books. It is that good. I have turned dozens...DOZENS...of non-comic readers on to comics because of Gaiman. Always, I have started them off with "Season of Mists."
It is imo the best place to jump off even though it is the 3rd or 4th trade.
That being said, you have a good point, Neil hasn't really done anything OUTSTANDING *except* for Sandman...even the two Death minis weren't that great. -
"Why not just start with ETERNALS: THE GOTH YEARS? At least you'll be writing about something you know about."
Cojones, man. Cojones. :D -
My vote for cover of the year
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I would so buy that. They could use Weather Wizard's kid for starters.
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So we can imagine if we were a memeber of the JSA, would we be distracted all the time by her bra-busting Boobs, Chi Chi's, Cans, Fun bags, Hoopdie hoops, Knockers, jugs, watermelons, rack, the twins, Milk Shakers, Angel Cakes, Balloons, Apples, Bangles, Bassoons, Baubles, Bazongas, Bazooms, Beacons...etc.
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Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? It was Bueller, wasn't it?
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Hawt!
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"What time do you get off? Can I watch?" I still use that line, and it actually worked, once!
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It is "Voila!" not "Walla Walla Washington." Or was that an obscure reference to Harry's post lo those many large, hairy moons ago?
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On the other hand, getting TOO logical and analytical, you wind up with stuff like "Civil War".
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Anyone remember that typo in a Daredevil issue from the 60's? Can't remember the number but it involved DD disguising himself as Thor (even converting his billy-cane to a mjolnir look-alike) and swinging thru the canyons of Manhattan. What was never explained, of course is how the hell did DD know what Thor's costume looked like.
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IMHO, only Eric Bana/Ang Lee team up could make me more unconfortable.
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Was when the caption box called Sabretooth a "kike". Funny, because it's a rather surprising slur to apply to Sabretooth.
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not saying that invalidates your opinion, but i can't imagine someone who doesn't like that comic having tastes remotely close to mine (or most readers')
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Sandman is a tough read. Some issues were great and a joy to tear through. Some were a long slow death. I think Preacher and 100 Bullets have been overall more consistent with a stronger overall "theme", but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
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Indie Jones my butt. Go out on a limb every once in a while.
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Look, it's a series I intend to check out, but try to keep in mind we can't review everything. Also keep in mind that while Image is one of the best places going for creator-owned work, it's too big to be considered "indie". Honestly, do you think Image is smaller than a guy who self-publishes through his website? Or Larry Young's AiT? Or Fecus Publications? It's a tricky line these days a lot of times, but in all fairness, I think Bug hits a helluvalot more indie stuff than most of our writers or readers. Like I said, I love and respect Image, and I'm looking forward to NN--I just think claiming we didn't cover "indie" books here is a tad misguided.
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The first Sandman trade is in no way indicative of the overall quality of the series. Even Gaiman himself has said that it is best to start with no. 2, as it is more representative of the overall tone and feel of the story. That being said, the real magic happens with trade no. 4 and it knocks your dick in the dirt and keeps it there until the very end.
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you know what i mean
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So wait... if I've only read Preludes + Nocturnes, and loved it, will the rest be towards my tastes? Or not? Or are they just "different"?
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Which Sandman trade would you recommend I actually read? Without any knowledge of Sandman whatsovever. If I read four without reading any of the others will I know what's going on? Same with the second trade? Don't mess around...just tell me EXACTLY which one to read and I'll check it out. THE ETERNALS still sucks, though. I read that old DEATH mini from Vertigo with the art from Bachalo a while back and I liked it.And don't tell me to buy ABSOLUTE SANDMAN because I won't. Personally...the Sandman series that I actually loved back in the day was SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE. That series kicked the hell outta anything I've ever seen from Gaiman...
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I've just been a little put off lately with my comic shop and other "resources". No need to go into here but...Dagnabit!
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The first one, PRELUDES AND NOCTURNES is the ideal one to start with, but it's rough. It's definitely rough. However, there are enough powerful and important moments (the entire Diner issue, the game in Hell, the intro of Death) to make it worth reading. The series really starting finding it's feet with the Corinthian stuff in the second book, THE DOLL'S HOUSE. And while the rest of the series goes up and down, (mainly up), the consistently best story of them all is Book 4, SEASON OF MISTS. Oh, and A GAME OF YOU is the very worst, be warned. Ugh. Hate that story. So if you can, definitely give those a try. You'll see that it really isn't all for goths and Hot Topic customers, no, definitely not.
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was referring to Twizllers as if they were a good thing. Yikes. Change the reference to Sour Patch Straws and we'll get somewhere.
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...all these years, I just thought I didn't like it.
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I started reading the first trade and frankly the art put me off...like the Jill Thopmson art from Invisibles, just ugh. Now that i know it picks up after that, i'll read the rest of the series. Funny story: I turned my non-comics reading friend into comics by use of Sandman, even tho' i'd never read it. There's gotta be something to it, right?
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You mean you used their blood for ink and their skin as parchment? That's sick! :)
I second the Power Girl love, by the way. -
Vale's a fan of Lovecraft, maybe?
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It skips from Nov 1st to this week's? Well, I will not be denied. Here's my topic again from back then. I cannot wait for Spider-man 3. That trailer was the shit. They still can't translate the Green Goblin's (Hobgoblin's?) costume to "real life" but oh well. Can't wait for the Iron Man teaser either. My version? Black Sabbath's Iron Man on the background (duh). For every drum beat, fade in and out of black to close ups of the characters and then the armor. Go to black, and a metallic voice says "engage" or "lock and load" or some shit like that. Music full blast to shots of IM flying around NY, dodging missiles or whatever. Yeah, is pretty standard and really cliched but don't tell me you don't get chills thinking about it. And they damn well better get the rights to Sabbath's Iron Man. If Nissan can get it for their shitty truck commercials, they can get it for this flick. Even better? Get Metallica to do it. They played a kick ass version of the song at Sabbath's hall of fame induction.
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Out here in California they only have Red Vines at the movie theatre and it's just awful. Red Vines suck! They taste like my freakin' tupperware! I remember when I first moved out here and started going to the movies and was like,"Can I have a pack of Twizzlers please?" And the guy behind the counter was like, "What's a Twizzler?" I thought I was going to lose my shit lemme tell you. I used to eat Twizzlers by the one pound bag thank you very much. Can't do that anymore as my metabolism won't tolerate it but those were the days lemme tell you...
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No help required, though. Some people are simply happy being what they are.
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Either that will make you want to learn more about the character's origins and previous escapades or it will tell you pretty resoundingly that Sandman isn't your thing. Me? It got its hooks in pretty deep and made even some of the more lackluster entries in the series fascinating. It's an extremely well conceived and complete mythos for comics. Worth your time, at least, if not your eventual love and/or respect.
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I'll gladly send you Georgia's overabundance of Twizzlers in exchange for California's unbridled access to 7-11 and its many decadent slushees. Ah, Mountain Dew slushee, where are you when I need you? Oh, and Casino Royale is going to kick ass. Not comic related, but geek related for sure.
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And will the Titan Babies have villains made up of children of classic villains? Will someone go back in time and remove the Sue Dibny's baby before she's crisped and raise it to believe it was actually Dr. Light's kid? This shit writes itself. Also, who wants to read about what would happen if Captain America wasn't involved in World War II? That's called history, man.
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And will the Titan Babies have villains made up of children of classic villains? Will someone go back in time and remove the Sue Dibny's baby before she's crisped and raise it to believe it was actually Dr. Light's kid? This shit writes itself. Also, who wants to read about what would happen if Captain America wasn't involved in World War II? That's called history, man.
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Look away! Don't make eye contact! Pretend you didn't see anything!
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Seriously.
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God is she hot.
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http://tinyurl.com/yxof4k and they are pure sugary chemical gold. GOLD I tell you! No creo que los tienen en Colombia pero ustedes tienen empanadas y empanadas me gustan mucho tambien! Andale!
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I agree. Gaiman has really taken 5 issues in what should have taken 3. Or 2 when you consider he has fleshed out too few scenes between these 'powerful' beings. Isn't it interesting that Doctor Strange and the Martian Manhunter are so difficult to write yet everyone sees potential for them. I really didnt' see the point in Tim getting hurt in Batman. Morrison threw some good ideas but essentially did nothing to 'change' Batman's landscape. For good or bad, time will tell. Also, I liked the Teen Titans' issue too. I hope Robin and Wonder Girl have another 'encounter'. Both the characters have been through a lot and even though it seemed like a mistake, isn't it interesting how the Bat family and the Wonder Woman family seem to get along very well. Even in Supergirl, she is crushing on Nightwing. Also, Astonishing X-men #18 was Uncanny. Loved the way it paid homage to Issue 136. Another Space adventure with tragedy possibly along the way. Who is going to die? Or not come back?
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Ive been a reader and comic retailer for close to 20 years. ive enjoyed Sandman and observed how special it was and it what followed. it deserves its awards etc and im not alonein that thought but I can respect the reader who looks at it differently. but the problem with the comic industry is that some creators / writers / artists are exalted and near worshipped for everything they do. Every Comic creator has crap in their work closet. Alan Moore , Neil Gaiman and Frank Miller have not batted a 1000 with everything theyve done. Frank Miller - All-Star Batman and Robin comes to mind right away. The point im trying to make is I hate the snobby comic readers who read a Gaiman Book and somehow feel like their better or smarter or their feces smells sweeter then a reader that reads something of so called lesser quality. To Each their own and every reader is like a beautiful unqiue snowflake.
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John Byrne will finally get a sitdown and faced with the fact that all of his work has been crap for the last 5-8 years. Is it better to burnout then slowly fade away. Points will be made and exhbits will be presented Lab Rats,Blood Of The Demon and that god damn Recent JLA Vampire Storyline. Please Get John help he needs. We can bring Johnny back to greatness of Claremont X-Men Run , Fantastic Four and She Hulk only we can help and prevent a a new DC ongoing series that will only last 20 issues max and be cancelled.
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I hope this tb doesn't disappear into the ether as last weeks did. For those who are curious enough, here it is ** http://tinyurl.com/yhpxtw ** Nofate, I don't know if you were kidding or not about the Iron Man song, but I replied to that in last weeks tb. I hope you were kidding. You were kidding right?
I love strawberry Twizzlers. Even black licorice Twizzlers. Say Black Gas three times fast!
Delaney is kinda hot, I mean, she's Lois right?
http://tinyurl.com/yyphsx -
...that you can't review everything, the promblem is that much of the stuff you guys do review isn't really reviewed in any way at all, instead it's just a bunch of sideways fanboy ranting bullshit that you think makes you look clever and cool and oh-so-funny, rather than actually bothering to review the books in any sort of clear or concise or useful way. Reviews don't have to be boring and completely linear, I'm not saying don't have fun with them, and forgive my old fashioned notions here, but I personally think they do have to actually meet the purpose of reviewing the book in question to some degree. Three paragraphs of some stupid ass fanboy schtick followed by two lines of saying the book is kinda meh isn't a review, it's a 'look at me' fan wank. And we seem to be getting more of that and less anything resembling actual reviews with every passing week now. Just one guy's opinion anyhow.
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If not, you should. It sounds like you read the first trade, gave it a 'meh', and stopped. This is understandable. As cool as it was when it first came out, it did not age well and frankly isn't that great (I totally agree with you). I bet you'll like the 2nd one much more, but it still might not hook you. But believe me, each Sandman trade gets better and better. I'm not a "Gaiman can do no wrong" fanboy, and I actually agree that he's starting to pull a bit of a Frank Miller (although not quite so embarassingly). But you really should read the Sandman series through - I bet you'll be glad you did. Each consecutive trade gets better until the ending, at which point Gaiman closed it on a high note.
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Is so done already. It was the "new hip thing to do" a couple years ago, wasn't it? Neil is responsible for both creating and sustaining several subsets of our current geek culture. He consistantly does good to great work in several mediums. But he's working at his craft, all the time. And he's a very aproachable and open human being. He's cooler than you. So get over it already. lol
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No way, i've seen pictures!
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Indeed, please no more Gaiman bashing, Eternals is a wonderful book. Considering where the characters were before, NG's done wonders to revitalize them and bring them neatly into the current Marvel Universe. And disliking the Sandman? Are you insane?
Batman is also a winner with Morrison, my only complaint is the issues are too short, if he'd released the arc in a standalone graphic novel, a sequel to Bride of the Demon it would be raved about, instead we see nitpickers poking holes in the story, moaning about Morrison's "too many ideas", bollocks. So he's gone mainstream lately, can't think of anything better for the guy. Now if only the big two can convince Alan Moore to get back to writing comics for them again. -
Saving clark's butt
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The um... crap what was it called... the Sandman HC that focused on each member of The Endless? Endless Nights? What? No, I can't be bothered to look it up!
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Sambuca and Root Beer. Good sheezy. Too bad I hate black licorice.
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A fine merlot or a chateau? Because this is high "aht" we're talking about. Which "aht" galleries do you favor? Any new discoveries in the trendy avant garde world? I like how the "ahtist" transcends traditional canvas or material and uses glossy paper and staples. No doubt, Jar Jar, you own a few tuxedos, select say an Armani or Dior and ride in a limo with your European date down to such showings as CRAZY FRODO'S CAVALCADE OF COMICS or THE FOUR COLOR FUNHOUSE. "Yes, we're very excited about the new Morrison show. Ah, yes, BATMAN. Oh, look, and they've collected all the BAT-MITE stories into a mini-exhibit. Trade pa-per ba-ack."
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yeah, she is just getting better looking with age, yowza.
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With artists, you probably couldn't do that because, you could tell, for example, that your comic was drawn by the HOUSE OF M artist, even if his name weren't included. But I think it'd be interesting to see what we'd think of a comic if we didn't know that it was CREATED (?) by Neil Gaiman or Frank Miller or Bendis or whomever. The cult of the writer is the most ridiculous trend in comics.
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As far as comic books go, the very way they are designed in fact, they're mainly a visual feast. The cover of a comic used to be the thing that first attracted people to the rack, not the speech balloons. What changed is that comics moved out of mere pulp fare and silly stories into more literary circles. It’s why 70's Batman is rated because of Neal Adams and not Denny O'Neil. Sure, I know a lot of comics that are adult in nature, published way back when, some very serious in tone, but no child I knew read them. Which brings me to the point right sharpish, comics grew up (well, some did) as we grew up with them. The cult of the writer is there for a reason, talented people who know their shit and write sometimes intelligent, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic stories that appeal to us. Do you rate Marvel/Miracleman, how about Swamp Thing? Why do people buy novels by the same writer all the time and keep them on the bestseller list? Yes, I'm comparing comics to books now because that's what a good comic should be, albeit a bit shorter. Oh look, Alan Moore has the same respect and fame as Stephen King. Go figure.
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would still suck and I would still drop it after 2 issues (which I did).
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I wouldn't say Alan Moore is as famous as Stephen King. I mean, you make some good points, but if I walk anywhere in America, or hell, even most of the English speaking world, and make a Stephen King reference, people would pick up on it. If I mentioned Alan Moore, people would think I was talking about the bassist for the Arctic Monkeys or something. However, before this season is over, both will have been guest stars on The Simpsons!
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But still, writers get "cult" status because they're good, if they suddenly write something shit, like Frank Miller *cough*, they get blasted, even the biggest Miller fan knows when his idol's off his game. Same goes for Morrison, I found the Invisibles ridiculous, pretentious and downright boring. Moore is praised for the Birth Caul and it makes me roll my eyes because apart from a few rather moving panels it was twaddle. That's not a cult. As a friend of mine just remarked, "you're only as good as your last project."
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Nov 17, 2006 12:44:30 PM CST
Black licorice is the worst candy in existence.
by therevengeofbayouwilly
It's what Satan gives out when they trick-or-treat in Hell...
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Is more Campbell than Moore, so you can blame Eddie there...that piece was concieved as a musical performance by Moore. Why do you find the so called writer cult so ridiculous Buzz? Lastly, unmancito? Now that guy's gotta be some sort of Colombian.
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I read that book once a year.
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I read it once a month!
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I'd rather read a book than stare at a picture. Hell, I even read those Youngblood issues Moore and Millar wrote in spite of shitty Liefeld art.
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Long time no see(hear? read?). Come on, you know Sabbath's gotta be somewhere on that flick. Little trivia, what came first, IM character or IM song?
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I read it once a day.
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No way man, I can't buy into that. If Sabbath is anywhere in that movie it better be on a Sunday no what I'm sayin? If I hear that song in any form in the Iron Man movie I'd blush like a school girl I would!
As for the trivia? Hell, I dunno, but I'd venture to say it was the Iron Man character. Do I get a No Prize?
Take care fate. -
Sorry but I think every issue is important to the overall story even the ones that seem to plod along. Characters and events from P&N resonate all the way until the end. The Sandman is only slighty higher in my opinion than Transmet for finite long running series close to my heart. Doll's House, Season of Mists, Brief Lives, and The Kindly Ones are my favorite trades.
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and by "us" I mean fans of story and fantasy, a little something called Anansi Boys. Better than American Gods.
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I heard good things. Is it really good?
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read it, thought it was rather good. come on it features the african trickster god and if my memory serves that's where my slave family members were taken from...africa...i hear nice things. so is civil war over yet? the only war really worth following is dwight's impeding battle to become michael scott's number three.
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Just me or is he taking the same drugs Byrne has been taking. When was the last good Claremont Book? I respect the man 1000% for what hes contributed but what has we written lately that makes you say MMMM thats Claremonttastic.
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Loving The Eternals and most of 1602 other then the final issue but Gaiman's weak spot is writing superheroes and I know some of the Gaiman Apostles would say hes to good for superheroes but at the end of the day comic books is superheroes with a few viable offshoots of Crime,Horror etc. Everybodys read list on this board is 80% superheroes at least. We bitch at Civil War but have read each issue multiple times. We bitch at lateness but were right there when Secret War #5 ships or All-Star Batman and Robin finally comes out.
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Norman Osborn and Gwen Stacy Doing the Deed , Kevin Smith's Spider-man Black Cat , Spawn Going from #1 to #226. Dave Sim not on a monthly book after the finale of Cerebus in 2004. Marvel's inablity to make Superpro a Avenger. Come on hes a superhero football player the potential was there. Bendis being touted as a better writer then Brubaker. The Finale to Seven Soldier's Loved that storyline and reread all 31 books before finale and I was still scratching my head.
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I need to be brought up to speed. is there a website besides the occasionally spotty Wikipedia where I can be brought up on titles with pretty good description? And why doesn't Lindsey Lohan wear any panties? Her thighs are much more cottage cheesy than I would have imagined...
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rev_skarecrow you beat me to it on the 'kike' one. I've got a copy of Marvel Two-In-One #1 that actually reads Marvel-Two-On-One in the upper left hand corner. Not sure if that is the case with all copies, but it made me chuckle the other day when I noticed...
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...I would have thought it's a lot easier to understand than your belief that art is above criticism because it calls itself art.
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What did everyone think of the releases for this week?
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First and formost, Neil Gaiman. I own 1602, Sandman Endless Nights, Coraline, Mirrormask (Haven't watched it yet) I have read Stardust and am currently on the 500th page of American Gods. American Gods is great, and I plan to read Anansi Boy when I finish. I enjoyed 1602, although I agree that the book was a bit gimmicky and certainly woudn't be someone's cup of tea. I found Endless Nights to be, at times, confusing (Delirium) and just plain stupid, (about half of Despair and all of Destiny. I was hoping the book would be a good taste of what I'm missing out on, but it didn't really offer much for new readers. I enjoyed all of the more coherent stories and thought Death was the best one. The only thing I've heard about Eternals thus far is that it sucks and is extremely boring. My opinon-I think it sounds like Gaiman should be given more time with these characters. Bring them back for an Eternals monthly where they can actaully do some stuff.
Iron Man
Iron Man the character came first. He first appeared in 1962. Iron Man the song was first released in 1969 on the Sabbath album Paranoid. And I think nofate's Iron Man idea is indeed pretty cool, although exceptionally cliched, as he already said. But I've got to say no to Metallica. Never cared for them, and the original is pretty hard to beat. But as long as it's not some top 40 adult contemporary motherfucker (They're doing a lot of that kind of stuff these days) I can't be too bothered.
Batman by Grant Morrison
I thought this last issue was actaully really great until the last few pages. There was some nice deatils to the art as well. When they're on top of the submarine, I thought for sure, "Andy Kubert didn't draw that big gun for nothing. It's going to come into play later. But it never did. I guess he just really felt like drawing a big gun... I don't think the problem with it was that the ending was rushed or forced. I think the ending just sucked. And I gotta know Jar Jar, what did you think of this issue?
Teen Titans
We can never have enough teenage superheroes. I liked this issue. Good story. Good Art. Which leads me to the next subject...
Jim Lee Comparison/Contrast Chart
Jim Lee-THE Jim Lee
Tony Daniel-The subdued, subtle Jim Lee
Marc Silvestri-The Poor man's Jim Lee
Michael Turner-Jim Lee with more anorexic girls and glass cutting jaws
Rob Liefield-The one-legged, homeless man's Jim Lee
Jae Lee-The sophisticated man's Jim Lee
David Finch-Jim Lee, the new wave Puff Daddy remix.
The Office
Currently my favorite show on TV as well.
Astonishing X-Men
I want issue 18 right fucking now! -
loved your Jim Lee Comparison/Contrast chart. Awesome stuff!
I haven't been to my shop yet this week, so I can't comment too much on the new releases, but I'm anxious as usual. I hope to read Pride Of Baghdad and The Fountain next week for the small holiday break.
Casino Royale is damn good. Daniel Craig is great. Best Bond movie I've seen in theaters and the best Bond since any of Connery's, that goes for Craig as well. -
Peers such as Jonathan Collingsworth Hollowpoint? Nathaniel Rasputin? Eleanor Spork?And how can you have credibility reviewing comic books?
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The no-bullshit Sandman recommendations...
Preludes & Nocturnes: Very disappointing when I first read it. It was this awkward thing that straddled the fence between early Alan Moore playing straight genre and House of Mystery anthology style bits. The art and color didn't help.
A/The Doll's House: The first SM trade I ever bought, and the best. A stand alone arc; new reader friendly; great ideas and mood. Dringenberg sans Keith is a vast improvement in the art department, suiting the grim subject matter perfectly. Even the references to 80's Roy Thomas comics work in this context.
Dream Country: Never got around to reading this one, in part because I thought the hoopla over "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was terrifically overheated. Navel gazing made only slightly better by it being Billy Shakespears' instead of Gaiman's own.
Season of Mists: I started reading Sandman toward the end of this arc, in floppie form. For many, Kelly Jones remains THE Sandman artist, with good cause. Compelling.
A Game of You: People hated this pseudo-sequal to "Doll's House" back when it was coming out, and I was with them at first. I think the book was shipping late, also. However, the shifting art styles began to work in the story's favor, and it reads better in one sitting.
Fables and Reflections: For my money, Gaiman is better at short stories than arcs (with exceptions.) I think this one collected the "Distant Mirrors" series of one issue stories, plus the Orpheus annual, and they're pretty great. Going against the mainstream, I never thought much of "Ramadan," though.
Brief Lives: By this point, Tori Amos was referencing Gaiman in song and mainstream media was heralding the series as a masterpiece. So of course, I thought the book totally jumped the shark at this point. Late shipping, meh art and languid storytelling made this one feel anything but brief.
World's End: Just as I was thinking to myself "there's THREE more volumes?!?" I'm reminded that this short story collection with bridging vignettes was pretty solid. Nice art, especially by Mike Allred.
The Kindly Ones: Where all the threads from the entire series come together! Sounds good? Try tedious, and I never could get past Hempel's art on this. I never reread this or "Brief Lives," so maybe it works better collected.
The Wake: Oh right, THIS was where Neil gazed 'pon his own navel. Redeemed by the best art I ever saw come out of Michael Zulli (though Last Temptation of Alice was decent.) -
That'd be like asking how you can have credibility writing comic books...and look at Alan Moore or even Gaiman. Or asking how you can have credibility drawing comic books...and look at Moebius or even Manara (heh, really).
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I did and even the slower parts I didn't get before fit. A Game of You fits. Everything fits. That's why it's damn near perfect.
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Well fuck me--I had no idea Oxford, Harvard and the University of Chicago were now teaching OWNED 101. Don't I feel a right prick. No, wait, I don't...because unlike some undereducated interweb users I know that OWNED is spelled PWNED and caring about OWNING people is GAYTARDED. Kinda like beating the same drums and hammering the same square points into the same round holes for oh, say, 18 months straight. Wanna convince people of how smart you are and why you're a vastly superior critic? A.) STAY OFF TEH F@CK*NG INTARWEBS. B.) Go find somebody who cares. C.) Write a superior critique. D.) Realize that just because somebody shits on you by way of response doesn't mean they give a shit about you. E.) Look around, realize how far beneath you they all are, and WALK AWAY so you don't have to deal with their idiocy any more. And of all the options, man, I gotta say: E.) is far and away the best option. Yep--if I was too smart for this room, if I was so goddamn cool Chow Yun Fat wanted to be me when he grew up, if I had just taught Heidegger a thing or two about language, I'd be walkin' the fuck outta this joint RIGHT NOW and I'd never look back. You can never look back. Pillars a' salt, bitches...
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is that the subtitle for civil war?
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Owned – defeated soundly, or otherwise embarrassed. Synonym: pwned, schooled, housed. "Pwned" is an expansion of "owned" where the "p" signifies the severity of the "ownage" where the "p" actually symbolizes a trickle of blood leaking from the "o," as in a bleeding, assaulted anus. "Owned" appeared first, with "pwned" becoming a widely-recognized, more severe version of the original.
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Mirrormask was good. LAbyrinth for snobs. The Dark Crystal was good. It had 800 muppets. Happy Feet was really good. I wrote a review on myspace. Everybody read it because I said so... Or not. It's all up to you. Heathen, thanks for the mad props regarding my Jim Lee chart. But I'm thinking of revising it to read Michael Turner-Jim Lee with more anorexic girls and glass cutting limbs.
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Man, when am *I* going to review the controvertial comic du jour? Suggest a good one to me for this week; I already did Shadowpact.
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...with tuna casserole, so you don't hurt the cook's feelings, you can feed it to the dog. With Jar Jar...well, I guess there is no difference, except maybe the cook's feelings wouldn't be hurt.
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Insightful stuff and good perspective. And I think I didn't elaborate enough on reading comics without writer credit. It's not really possible or probably even desirable, of course. But...I think that too often we are too easy or too rough on a work based on the writer's name. Let's use John Byrne for example because very few of you will get pissed off at the mere suggestion he isn't God Incarnate. He DOES have the proto-typical blind fan base. I mean, the guy is insane, mean spirited and hasn't produced top work since, arbitrarily, George Sr. was president, if then. But he has a rabid, unquestioning fan base. Like I said, we could recognize the art, unless you go, "That Erik Larsen just isn't trying any more." But if it was just his writing, a lot of those humps read the story, they'd say, "Oh, that sucks!" until you showed them the writing credit. Let's piss ourselves off and use a canonized genius. Anybody read Alan Moore's VIOLATOR series from Image? It ain't FROM HELL, bay-bee. Without the credit, I would have reviewed it like this: "This book has one hilarious, dark humored sequence in which the Violator is firing a gun through the head of a mobster that is stuck on his hand. Otherwise, Garth Ennis must have written this puppy on cocktail napkins, while drunk, after losing a bet to Tod McFarlane." For the record, I love SANDMAN and used to give the trades glowing reviews here. But I don't like Gaiman's novels and haven't been able to make it through one.
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...after your balls have dropped? Seems a little juvenile...oh, right, we're here at the AICN Comics talkback. Well, carry on. I actually was owned once. It was in the Sudan. My merc unit had been wiped out and I ran afoul of one of the local warlords. I worked my way up to top Overseer before clubbing my master with a eunuch outside of his harem. Took off in his private jet with a train of camels trailing behind. Had a helluva time getting through customs.
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Or anybody else, ya fuckin' pussy. Man, I can't wait for the day you try to write something original so I can come down to where you work and slap the dick outta *your* mouth. It's real easy to talk shit, but I have yet to see a review from *anybody* around here who said they were gonna write one to prove how easy it was.
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reviews are 'usually' funny. There was that one guy who's name escapes me who said it was so easy and he'd have three reviews come Monday. He didn't. I asked why. He said he thought no one cared. I said like farm boy Luke, "I care." He still didn't write em. Ahh, he was great.
I thought in Looda's first post where he sincerely asked Jar Jar what he thought of the ending of Morrison's Batman arc was a nice attempt to have Prez be anything but a dick. Apparently that's impossible. I can see his reply to me now. "Heathen you're retarded. Why don't you go have butt sex with Looda because you're so in love with him and think about how I own you. No, Pwn YOU!" There, saved you the trouble of typing you witty pwning bastard! Also, if you were adept enough, you'd realize that Looda having two screen names and being obvious about it is kinda known all around to, well, anyone with an IQ over 85 really. Of course someone of such intelligence would know that though.
The thing is, people would give Jar Jar maybe a mili-second glance if he could actually do anything besides suck his own cock. I mean, if he's such a brilliant mind who gets everything that Grant Morrison does then he could surely tell us what he thought about four issues of Batman. Or can he? No wait, I can see it now. "Heathen, I don't need to explain anything to you because you're a retard. I just Pwned you!" Again, no need to thank me… unless I ruined your jollies or something. I think he may be a one-trick pony and the trick is boring really. "Pwned" - give me a fucking break. If anyone over 20 really types that to people then they need to be slapped open handed. If they do, they must have retained testicles that will never drop. It's stupid internet speak and if anyone claims to be as smart as some think they are then they could bring something A) more clever and B) more original to the table. Let's see how predictable things turn out to be. -
I tried to trick him by making a reasonable request? What a clown. Still no Batman review by the way. The guy's lazy. I'll give him some time. Until then, he should consider himself sold.
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I just finished reading American Gods. Quite the book. What didn't you see in it Buzz? Here's a great comic to review for this week, Squasha-Amazing Spider-Man. There was certainly a drop in quality from the last issue, but if you're into that kind of stuff, it certainly merits a look. I came across Harvey Pekar's graphic novel The Quitter recently. I've only got a Best of American Splendor book to compare it to (but it coitanly be a big one), but I'd say this new stuff is some of his best work ever.
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I walked into the Falafel King and there stood the King himself. I said, I'll have your Big Falafel Plate, being a fan of falafel. He made me a falafel and I sat down to eat it. I ate the falafel and it was awful. I said to the King, hey man, your falafel sucks. The King, he says, oh, yeah! Well make your own fucking falafel! I said to the King, I don't have to make my own falafel to know good falafel. So I go to Falafel-o-rama, right next door to the Falafel King. But I always call out to the King, whenever I walk by, hey man, your falafel sucks!
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I remember buying this issue. Alan Moore wrote it? Seriously? You have to be shitting me. Let's see if I remember... Some mob goons toss Violator into the drink, complete with cement shoes. He grabs one by the tie with his mouth (?) and drags him down and shoots him, through the mouth out the back of the head. He then kills the other goons by shoving his hand through the head-hole and out the mouth. Then he goes to a mall and fights some GI Joe Punisher dude? Holy shit maybe Moore angered Glycon or something and had to pay penance?
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he's a nasty lil snake!
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This was before he convinced himself that Wildstorm/ABC wasn't DC. So he did tons of work for guys like Liefield and McFarlane. At the same time, he did great stuff like FROM HELL, but even Alan Moore needs money. Actually, THE VIOLATOR wasn't the worst comic book in the world. It was fun. Had some good dark humor. But not worth the cover price and no one was waiting for that trade, bay-bee. I think it's a good example, though, of how without the name (which I'll admit was my reason for buying it) no one would have one near it. It read like a good (not great) writer doing a really lazy knock off of Garth Ennis...and that's being nice.
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...in regard to the argument about one not being required (or even able) to write a better review to know a bad review. I've used a similar argument myself whenever we get the childish response,"Can you make a better comic?" I always say, kind of like what you said,"I don't know. Even if I can't, it doesn't matter, because I've read a better comic." Or movie. I used to love driving the STAR WARS geeks crazy. "Can you do better that George Lucas, Buzz?" "Well, no I can't make a better movie, but I know I could write a better script, which in turn would allow George to make an even better movie." Generally, by now, though, we can tell the difference between people who genuinely don't like our reviews and people who just want to insult us. One thing we unofficially look for in a reviewer here is someone who has a strong self image...in and of themselves. Too many comic fans get their self image from the comics they read, the publisher they prefer or, weirdest of all, the guy who wrote the comics (because if comics are equal to other mediums, how many people will waste whole days defending the slightest criticism to David Ayer?). With a self image based on yerself, you review what you read. You don't say, "I'm gonna rip Grant Morrison a new one." The way we do it, we realize a)we don't even know Grant Morrison 2)we bought the comic ourselves so we're hoping for a good read and d)even if Grant/Alan/Brian/Bryan/Jeph/Geoff/Jeff/Jef have delivered or sucked before, this is a new book.
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Wrap your head around that. and thus, I want to touch a Wii.
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My first inclination would be towards "no". He doesn't have a very solid background in politics. It was implied that he wasn't very well liked growing up in Gungan Underwater Bubble Town. How is he supposed to lead if he never got any respect? He pretty much literally stumbled into being a Senator (not unlike some of ours, to be fair). And wasn't he the first to bring up installing Palpatine as "Chancellor"? We all know how that turned out. Not only is he inadvertently responsible for the destruction of an entire planet ("The Alderaan Incedent") but the dude also sort of indirectly killed Natalie Portman. I'm just saying, not the kind of accolades I look for in a candidate.
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...but I like troll bashing him because I picture the "real" Jar Jar at a keyboard somewhere making "Yer Mom's a slut" jokes. I mean, he's one of the prequel's most beloved characters and everyone's favorite lop eared frog man, after Boss Nass, of course.
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No way man, facts are facts! Alan Moore didn't convince himself Wildstorm/ABC wasn't DC...when he first signed his contract with Jim Lee the whole DC buys Wildstorm thing hadn't happened. Moore signed contracts with writers and artists and developed a bunch of projects before Lee called him up to inform him of the sale, knowing of course that Moore wouldn't be happy. Even though the guy had his doubts, he was assured DC would have zero interference with his work, which ended up being a lie, as usual, because DC pulled that Cobweb story (i believe) for its refferences to famed Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. Moore, as you can imagine, wasn't happy. Oh and working under Rob Liefeld he produced that wonderful Supreme run which is highly regarded among...nerds?
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I don't want a formal review or anything. I was just curious, like looda, about what such a Morrison scholar as yourself thought about his first four issues of Batman. If it's hard for you to enlighten us by speaking normal, I'm sure you can throw some Pwns in there or something homophobic or bigoted as your norm.
Vale, remember the V For Vendetta/All Things Alan Moore TB? Those were the day's. Did you finally ever see the movie? -
"A goofy fucking creole space rabbit." I see that more than frog man. Jar Jar: I believe Mr. Maverik was referring to the prequels.
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...well, actually to Shigeru: I can see the rabbit thing, but he's an amphibian. Of course, he doesn't exist so I guess on the planet Mongo, rabbits can be amphibians. Now, from what we know of rabbits, they are rascally (pronounced wascally) and that doesn't really fit the Jar Jar bill.
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"goofy fucking creole space rabbit-frog." Maybe he gets the rabbit brand because of his big goofy eyes and long ears? A Bugs Bunny of sorts. So he could be a rabbit-frog type of thing. Regardless, he's to blame for the death of billions and the formation of the GALACTIC EMPIRE. Oh, Jar Jar.
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I read WATCHMEN for the first time the other day, and I didn't like it. I think this means that I'm not human ... I must be an alien or something. Or retarded. I mean - everyone worships this book, right?
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Of course i saw the movie! Didn't i tell you guys? I thought it was okay...the best parts were lifted directly from the comic and the weakest parts well...weren't. I think the Wachowskis tried too hard to accomodate the story to fit current events in order to show the "uncanny parallels" between the original story and this new version, and ended up with something that was a lot more Bush than it should've been. The themes of the comic are still relevant today so i didn't really get why they needed to step all over them, but it was still a pretty decent time at the movies and it had Natalie Portman in it so...thanks? Shigeru knows what talking about.
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Nah, you never told us. I was sure you would have after our week long debate too! Yeah, I kinda agree. I liked the movie a lot, but I get you. The Wachowski's tend to be overly political sometimes. Not that I'm a fan of the current US administration, but yeah…
I know what you're talking about concerning Natalie. Oh sweet Natalie. -
I've also written 8 that were around the same level of most of the dreck we see. And I've written 8 that were worse than the worst dreck you've ever seen. Does this cover Looda & company writing a better comic book than Morrison. Morrison is a better comic book writer than Lucas is a screenwriter, so that might not fly. Now, if George would have ponied up the million, the custom Purdy shotgun with the engraving of my choice, and the new H2 packed solid with Cuban cigars, I would have been his script doctor. Actually, I probably shouldn't mention this because, I for one, don't want to see any reviews by Jar Jar. They're probably just as good and bad as all the other reviews around here, but I think we'll all agree that we have too many reviews and too much Jar Jar already.
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...screenplays than Lucas. I'll bet a lot of people talk backing could. I will qualify this by saying that I, at least, could not tell a better story or make a better movie. I just know that I could have helped him make his movies better. As could many of us.
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Than the troll hanging around people that hate him, people that pity him... and yet continuing to do so. Having nowhere to go. Leading a sad, lonely life of taking shit from the 17-year old shift manager at Domino's, an eventual suicide undiscovered for several weeks. That's Jar Jar in a nutshell for ya!
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It's called The Adventures of Awkward Andy. He's a goofy character I invented. The book is a collection of short stories about his various misadventures in the town of Butte, Montana. Awkward Andy Gets a Tatoo, Awkward Andy guys a Record, Awkward Andy picks a fight, etc. I've so far written 2 stories of lengths of 3 and 6 pages and am in the process of writing my third and fourth. If I work at it, I'll get the thing done and publish it. Maybe sell it for a few bucks each, gain some neighborhood notoirety. Who knows?
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speaking of writing i'm writing a self-help book about helping selves and self help stuff. and also a script about lucas writing a screenplay. i'm going to get into lucas' inner "voice" and bring it out to the masses because i truly believe no one has seen the true lucas...what he means, dreams, eats and all that jazz.
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username: Vog From Dimension X
Password: password
Want to turn over a new leaf? Want to say something mysterious? Well, now you can! With first ever official AICN anonymous username! -
That's actually pretty awesome. About the anonymous username, i mean...the comic is cool too, keep us posted!
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I just want to see him give some reasons for why Morrison's Batman was so great. He goes on about the poor standard of AICN Comics reviews and "considering the source" but I've yet to see him give a single explanation for a) his love of Morrison's Batman or b)hate of AICN Comics,which,oddly he continues to post on week after week.
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absolutely my man.
looda! That is pretty cool. Maybe Awkward Andy could team up with Awesome Andy? Keep it up.
From hearing Buzz's versions of the prequels I must agree that I wish we had one of his many different versions that made soooo much more sense. It angers me so to realize that that will never happen. -
hmmm...
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I'd buy, read and positively review a comic like that! Good luck, man!
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Last.
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Nobody can stop the music.
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Now bleeeeeeed for me. Oh to be young and Lou Reed again. Last.
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