Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

AICN COMICS!! @$$holes on BIRDS OF PREY, LIGHT BRIGADE, ULT. SPIDEY and More!!

damn right... by weblabrador	Jul 14th, 2004 04:15:28 AM
on ultimate spider-man...
Ultimate Spider-Man by BillEmic	Jul 14th, 2004 04:24:46 AM
What a harrowing issue. That cliffhanger still stings. Also, loved the characterization at the mall. Bendis is fantastic.
Speaking of comics by JAGUART	Jul 14th, 2004 04:48:38 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA PI.dll?ViewItem&category=35752 &item=2255305647&rd=1
Have you guys seen these? Better than Spider-Man 2! by rev_skarekroe	Jul 14th, 2004 09:04:27 AM
http://www.newcomicreviews.com /temp/spidey/
D.C. invented the Silver Age? WRONG! by TheWoodMan	Jul 14th, 2004 09:26:20 AM
There's no denying that D.C. got the ball rolling by coming up with a spiffy modern-style costume for the new Flash, but their characters, for a long time, remained the same corny old "aw shucks, God, Mom, n' Apple Pie"-types they'd always been... no hang-ups, no real-world issues to deal with; smiling, cheerful, always right and they always won easily; never bruised their knuckles or tore their capes or got dirty in a fight. If not for the work of Kirby, Ditko, & Lee (in that order), super-hero comics would be long forgotten relics in the Dust Bin of History, right next to cars with tailfins and T.V. commercials of doctors pushing cigarettes as healthful.
Hey Zombo Problemo... by Dave_F	Jul 14th, 2004 09:42:41 AM
We @$$holes gotta buy our comics like everyone else, so our reviews generally cover the previous week's releases. Therefore...if we cover EIGHTBALL, it'll be in our next column. It only just hit shelves today.
I can respect your anti-Huntress stance, Moviemack... by Dave_F	Jul 14th, 2004 09:47:56 AM
Was never too keen on the character m'self...which is precisely why I've been so impressed that Gail's doing good work with her. You should give it a shot. At least sneak a peek in the store. Your friends don't have to know you succumbed to temptation - it'll just be between you and me. And a few hundred AICN readers. ***** Aaaaanyway...I get that you hate the Huntress, but what is it specifically that ticks you off about her? As in, what about her concept turns you of? My main beef with her (and characters like Spoiler) has generally been that the Bat-family is big enough as is, and doesn't need any hangers-on besides Robin, Batgirl/Oracle, and the occasional Nightwing. But I'll make exceptions if the story is good enough.
goober by AlgertMopper	Jul 14th, 2004 09:55:05 AM
you sir are a dumbass, Barry Allen kicked off the Silver Age, not Lee/Kirby dumbass, and Ult. Spidey is by far one of the most predictable comics out right now
Rev skarekroe by speed	Jul 14th, 2004 09:58:28 AM
enjoyed the link. thanks!
I think INVADERS has some potential . . . by hulkdog	Jul 14th, 2004 11:12:55 AM
I wasn't terrribly impressed with the "Once an Invader" storyline, but my anger it had more to do with Austen's treatment of the Avengers than the Invaders' characters. I think there's some interesting things going on here vis-a-vis U.S. Agent, the Thin Man, Blazing Skull, etc. I'm willing to give the new writer (whose name escapes me at this point) a chance with this series.
wait wait... are they doing Clone Saga in Ultimate Spidey? by Fantomex	Jul 14th, 2004 11:28:05 AM
The original was bad enough, but without 4 titles a month all dedicated to the same story for months on end, they can't hope to reach the epic feeling of the original. I guess its only a matter of time before MAXIMUM CARNAGE then MAXIMUM CLONAGE.
They're not really doing the Clone Saga in Ultimate Spidey, Fant by rev_skarekroe	Jul 14th, 2004 11:40:48 AM
Just by thumbing through the last couple of issues at the store it looks like this is what's going on (SPOILERS ahoy). Curt Conners gets some of Spider-Man's blood and decides to clone him for some reason. The clone turns out to be Ultimate Carnage, who sucks people's life essences, Black Queen style. So there you go. sk
Totally missed the gay overtones in Loki? by cookylamoo	Jul 14th, 2004 11:52:50 AM
You missed "Loki, why are you looking at me in that umanly way?" Sheeesh, they practacly called it "Queer Eye for the Asgardian Guy" Loki's a homo. Suddenly it all makes sense!!
I think Henry Rollins was onto something.. by Lizzybeth	Jul 14th, 2004 12:28:18 PM
..except I've always said it was 17. Every piece of art, music, and comics you look at for the rest of your life will be unconsciously compared, for better or worse, to what you were into during that crucial year. For example, at that age I was crazy for Sandman, Sin City, Poison Elves, Calvin and Hobbes, and Strangers in Paradise. My taste has changed slightly since then, but that's still the bedrock. Also, I am seriously going out to find that EMILY AND THE INTERGALACTIC LEMONADE STAND. Right now. And possibly the Dave Cockrum tribute, for a good cause and probably a good time.
KILL KILL KILL by AlgertMopper	Jul 14th, 2004 12:39:39 PM
p[ersonaly i think they should whittle the Bats and Supes family down to nothing, Let Bruce and Dick live, and let Clark be the last kryptonian, no super girls, no more half clones. Kill anyone who you could define as a spandex hero in thier associated families
Bendis just loves to torture his fans like that by JonQuixote	Jul 14th, 2004 12:40:18 PM
He also has other techniques for that. **** Great column, guys!
Ragnarok by dwam0	Jul 14th, 2004 12:50:34 PM
In any other book a reboot would be a cheap way out. But I think Ragnarok actually does result in the destruction and resurrection of Asgard. And stopping Ragnarok doesn't always result in good things ( I think that even under the great Walt Simonson, preventing Ragnarok almost killed Odin).
USM 62 - Other Stuff by creepyCritic	Jul 14th, 2004 12:56:20 PM
I'm just not a fan of Carnage - no matter the change in origin. He's still, at his heart, a character borne of cheap mid-late-90s crapsploitation (what, no ultimate lady-venom, or whatever the hell they called her?) I'll sheepishly buy these issues for the sake of having a full run, but I'm waiting more for the next arc than anything. And a side note: Does anybody have ANY idea when the new Ultimates arc is supposed to start shipping? I also bought the new Supreme Power. Again, solid - Princess Power is a hoot. It's great characterization that her time in isolation has left her slightly nuts, and I like that she's being vaguely cast as a potential villain. What's also great is that the story seems to exist outside the normal Marvel U, so we're seeing the genesis of a new, completely interesting universe (unless this is actually set in The New Universe, in which case I'll look forward to a Kickers, Inc. guest shot soon.) Unlike the Ultimate Universe, where we're getting debateably fun reinterpretations of our favorite characters and storylines, the Marvel U Squadron Supreme has only a handful of appearances, relatively speaking and little or no continuity to build off of or be tied down by. You have no idea what's coming next and the scripting is so expertly executed, you really WANT to. After the early-mid-90s Superstar Artist era, it's a great breath of fresh air for comics to have this era of Superstar Writers.
Bagley's horrendous pages in 62 by Dr Ozymandias	Jul 14th, 2004 01:30:57 PM
As good as the ending of Ult S-Man was, how come no one's mentioned the worst art Bagley has ever drawn on the book halfway through? Wat the hell was up with those MJ/Gwen shots... it looked like the two of them were melting.
Bendis' T.e.r.r.i.b.l.e. Pacing by DukeOfSpiders	Jul 14th, 2004 01:44:54 PM
I discovered my container of rat's asses to be conspicuously empty in regards to anything that guy writes when a recent Ultimate Spider-Man spent a whole page and over six panels to have Mary Jane fall off a bed.
Dr. O - Bagley Art by creepyCritic	Jul 14th, 2004 02:06:03 PM
I agree that Bagley's art was a little sloppy in this recent issue - particularly MJ and Gwen, as you mentioned. But to the guy's credit, it seems like a new issue of USM comes out every 20 minutes. Guy cranks it out pretty fast.
Um...the Batman DC Comics Presents does NOT have the cover descr by mtoast	Jul 14th, 2004 02:21:50 PM
He ain't laid back. The cover included with the column is not the final version that DC used. Batman looks much more "grim n' gritty." Didja not get a cover with yer copy?
Holy Christ, that's funny. by creepyCritic	Jul 14th, 2004 02:24:33 PM
That link is f-ing hilarious, rev_sk. So offensive, so juvenile, so hilarious.
Nothing crucial happens to you before adulthood... by Lizzybeth	Jul 14th, 2004 03:12:49 PM
you mean, other than the formation of your personality? Sure.
Lizzy Gets The Rollins Quote, Or At Least My Interpretation. by Buzz Maverik	Jul 14th, 2004 03:34:36 PM
I'm playing fast and loose with stuff I THINK Rollins said, so I hope he doesn't care enough to kick my ass, but Lizzy sees what I mean. Of course you don't have the same taste in music or comics or movies that you did when you were 13 or 17 ...but the comparisan is always there. I guarentee you that all these boy band Britney loving kids won't be listening to that stuff all the time as adults ...but they'll always have a soft spot for it. It will always be in their minds, whatever they're listening to at the time. Because, friends, if comics and music are as important to you once you reach adulthood as they were when you were 13, there's something wrong. I'll always read comics, for example, but when I was 13 all I wanted to do was look at PLAYBOY when I could, crank Zepplin, Kiss and Queen, and do bong hits. Oh, and drink beer when I could get it. ...Finally, in my opinion, Lee and Kirby and Ditko sort of came in at the mid point of the Silver Age and paved the way for the Bronze Age. Marvel wasn't much of a force in creating the Silver Age. They were doing giant monster comics when Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter were appearing. Marvel totally dominated the Bronze Age though and it took DC years to catch up and surpass them. I would say that it was THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS that took comics into the next age, whatever the hell it's called.
MToast Is Right. Sorry About The DC COMICS PRESENTS Cover. by Buzz Maverik	Jul 14th, 2004 03:38:17 PM
That's the original Carmine Infantino version included with our column. Enjoy! Andy Kuhn's version riffed on that, but it is a dark, shadowy Batman watching T.V. there.
After the Bronze age came the Copper Age, followed by the Foil-E by mortsleam	Jul 14th, 2004 04:25:31 PM
I think Rollins is about four years off track. I can personally track the formation of my adult tastes to the year 1994, when Pulp Fiction came out and forever changed how I viewed every other form of entertainment. That kind of cultural touchstone will affect you regardless of your age at the time (for me, 19.) But I still think back fondly to what interested me during my early teens. Mainly, the Doors and these comic book things we're talking about. By the way, moviemack, you're still a whiny fucking baby.
13, 17, 19 by JonQuixote	Jul 14th, 2004 06:06:01 PM
The sentiment is correct, even if not exact for each and every one of us. For me, GREEN DAY "Dookie" takes me back to High School in an inextricable way. Something about happy memories, the anticipation of adulthood, and the formation of the maturing mind really makes your teen years a huge cultural touchstone. WOODSTOCK didn't define a lot of 40 year old housewives at the time.
muddy Woodstockians by JonQuixote	Jul 14th, 2004 06:39:43 PM
I'd say all of them. Pretty close, anyway. Here's the top 10 Concert Acts of 2003: . Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - $115.9m * 2. Celine Dion - $80.5m * 3. Eagles - $69.3m * 4. Fleetwood Mac - $69m * 5. Cher - $68.2m * 6. Simon and Garfunkel - $64.5m * 7. Aerosmith/Kiss - $64m * 8. Dixie Chicks - $60.5m * 9. Billy Joel/ Elton John - $50.9m * 10. Metallica Summer Sanitarium Tour - $48.8m * http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ent ertainment/3346241.stm * Do you think the majority of the concert-goers are people who first discovered the wonder that is Simon and Garfunkle when they were in their mid-30's? Or are these reunion acts supported by the fat disposable income of adults willing to shell out $100/seat to see the guys they were rocking out to when they were teenagers? * Love it when some whiny dipshit thinks his point has been proven only to have the rug yanked out from under him.
There Can Be More Than One Opinion, Mack. by Buzz Maverik	Jul 14th, 2004 07:01:53 PM
Didn't mean to imply that you didn't GET it. I think that's one of the lamest arguement "Oh they didn't GET it." I wasn't saying that. I was saying that Lizzy DID GET my meaning. Now, the thing about Lizzy not being over 25 years old . . . see that's interesting because I feel that around 25 that's when the desperation factor hits a lot of people, especially guys. If you'll notice, the people that have to have the CUTTING EDGE ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT stuff are often guys around 25. They start to realize they are not kids any more, not the definers of cool. So it's always some guy between 25 and 30 who says, "What you haven't heard of the Pimp Hos?" "No. Who are the Pimp Hos?" "New underground independent out there cutting edge group." "Who are they really?" "Three guys down the street who play guitar in their garage." Foundations are not nostolgia. Simple fact: you and I may hate all these pre-fab pop singers but we're not the target audience. If you're not the target audience, you hated the Beatles in the '60s, Zepplin and disco in the '70s, New Wave in the '80s, hip hop in the '90s and plastic music in the 00s. Granted, the Desperate 25s may have heard everything and be bored and want something new and that's legitimate, in my opinion. But to deny everything that came before is almost to say, "I all gwown up now. I not like baby stuff no more." Obviously, we don't stay with the same stuff. I wouldn't know Rollins if we did because he wasn't an arena rocker in the '70s. But I would say that there is a point where it should start to matter less and if it doesn't, you either have to be in the Business or look a little ridiculous. I've bought about a billion CDs since the early 80s, but the Clash was the last band that really mattered to me.
With comic books, the age is more like 10 by sideshowbob	Jul 14th, 2004 07:28:00 PM
I read more of these funnybooks than I should, and while I enjoy them immensely, it's not the same as being a youngster reading the Claremont & Paul Smith then John Romita then Marc Silvestri X-Men, or the old GI Joe issues or the Nocenti/Romita Daredevil issues or the Simonson/Simonson X-Factor, etc. But I WILL agree with Lizzybeth as far as novels go...I have never dug certain novels the way I did at around ages 17-19, and I've probably read over a hundred novels since (even re-read those), and they haven't stacked up. And as for music, I always dig what's new. Henry Rollins is plain wrong. You mean I'll never dig the new Flaming Lips or Bright Eyes album the same way I dug the cheesorific late-80s David Lee Roth or Aerosmith albums? Er...Okay. (Although I saw Prince a few nights back and it was the best concert I've seen in ages, so I don't know...) I can say with certainty I've never liked Henry Rollins' music...
Actually Buzz, about that cover... by mtoast	Jul 14th, 2004 07:37:37 PM
The one presented is NOT Infantino's original. It's the reworked one that DC used to solicit and promote the book -- by Adam Hughes I believe. But the printed it with a THIRD version with a dark and creepy Batman watching the tube. WEIRD. So you weren't as wrong as you thought you were!
Another Interpretation by creepyCritic	Jul 14th, 2004 07:47:03 PM
I am Ultimate Rollins. My revision of Rollins' statement is this: At around 13 the FOUNDATION of your taste is set. (Give or take 5 years. Life is longish - go ahead, give or take.) That's not to say that you'll love Rick Springfield forever, but if as a 13 year old he was super important to you, you'll respond to certain Springfield-esque chords or progressions or flannel shirts on a more subconscious level - not saying 'HOLY SHIT! THAT REMINDS ME OF DEAR OLD RICK!' You'll grow up and discover new things all of the time, but the foundation upon which those discoveries are based and judged was established long before. Comics, anyone?
right, comics... by sideshowbob	Jul 14th, 2004 07:58:09 PM
The best 2 I read in the last few weeks weren't touched in this column: the naked Mr.Sensitive/Iron Man battle in X-Statix (which was just freakin' bonkers, I can't believe that series is almost over). And suprisingly, "The Caper". Judd Winick gets crapped on a bit in these talk-balks, but the Caper has been terrific--3 4-issue arcs, set in different generations, with completely different writing styles. The first one was wholly unique, Jewish gangs facing off in '30s San Fransisco, with the great Farel Dalrymple pencilling. The 2nd arc was an ok whodunit in 70s LA. And this 3rd arc, which just kicked off with a very promising 1st issue, is a high-style Tarantino rip-off (sort of...or at least a GOOD Tarantino rip-off).
i'd buy loki and light brigade by proper	Jul 14th, 2004 09:13:54 PM
http://www.purple-beats.com/o ld-school-art/renegades-of-fun k.jpg
Ult. Spidey - said character is DEAD. DEAD DEAD. by Tall_Boy	Jul 14th, 2004 10:24:01 PM
I mean said character got thier eyeballs sucked out and turned into a prune? DEAD! DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!
"Not to mention any of the current 17-year-olds' supposed faves. by JonQuixote	Jul 14th, 2004 10:27:32 PM
umm...welcome to the point. You want to see a current 17 year old fave hit the chart? Wait 20 years, when the 'fans' are working for Atlantic Bell instead of Taco Bell and can afford to shell out '$250' a pop. Notice Metallica creeping up the list? In 10 years, it'll be Pearl Jam. Remember that record breaking Eagles reunion from a few years back? Hell Freezes Over? Who was shelling out the big bucks to see Henley & Co. jamming on stage, trying not to break a hip? New Fans? Teenagers? BWAH! *** Like I said, welcome to the point. Took you long enough.
"The original point of contention was that people form their tas by JonQuixote	Jul 15th, 2004 12:29:44 AM
Yeah...which is why a lot of the big concert tickets are aging bands/stars able to attract the top dollar from affluent adult fans who "found" them in their youth. "Hey honey, remember when we used to make out to 'Fire' in the back of that old Honda in your driveway? Says here Springsteen got the E Street Band back together and they're coming to town. That guy could rock. Whaddya say?" Nostalgia plays a huge role, but so does the fact that they fuckin' like Springsteen, then and now. Or the Eagles. Or Frank Miller. Or Jim Lee. Or shudder Rob Liefeld. In other words: d'uh. I tell ya, between your inability to follow simple logic and insults like "windmill-wanker" (um...zing??) I'm starting to wonder if somebody's playing a joke on me. Corm? Izzat you Corm?
I will however, concede Celine. by JonQuixote	Jul 15th, 2004 12:33:30 AM
The argument, of course, never was that all successful concerts are people following bands that they liked as teens. Nor that they never grow or evolve or develop new tastes that run alongside their older ones. But I will concede Celine, and in fact, Dixie Chicks. So yes, if you ignore 80% of the names on that list then, whoa-ho-ho, you got me.
Yeah, But THE WATCHMEN Didn't Establish My Current Tastes In Com by Buzz Maverik	Jul 15th, 2004 02:10:25 AM
...I couldn't take a steady diet of WATCHMENesque comics. It isn't even possible, because work of that quality doesn't come along in...well, it hasn't come along since but I've seen a lot of comics that are pointless violent and nihilistic without the depth, the characterization, the voice ... It is possible for comics to consistently approach the level of, say, this old Hulk from when I was a little kid where Hulk and Rhino are duking it out aboard a spaceship and they land on Counter Earth, each teaming with a sect of the Knights of Wundagore. The Rhino, of course, teams with the group that wants to dominate humanity and the Hulk with the group that wants to live separately but at peace with humanity. Counter-Earth Thunderbolt Ross is out to get all the Knights. Hulk comes face to face with Counter-Earth Banner, who has never become the Huk but who has married Betty Ross and has a son. Hulk is ready to crush Banner, but the boy's courageous stand to protect his father moves Hulk and he lets them go. Then, he grabs Rhino by his horn, lifts him over his head and slams him down hard enough to shatter a city. Realizing they are not where they belong, Hulk drags Rhino aboard a spaceship about to take off and they head back to their Earth, Hulk reverting to Banner. In the next issue, as we all know, the Rhino and the Abomination team up and charge Hulk from opposite ends of Gamma Base, the result putting them on ice in the Marvel Universe for the next few years. Yeah, they could do comics like that if they would and I'd buy every one of them.
Hey, could y'all shut up about age-specific tastes? I'm trying t by Dave_F	Jul 15th, 2004 07:20:15 AM
I'm trying to tell you a LOKI miniseries actually looks promising. What is up with THAT? Oh, and for Cookylamoo above who mentioned the "gay overtones" in the issue...I know the scene you're talking about, but I didn't take it as an actual revelation regarding Loki's sexuality so much as a bawdy joke from Thor about Loki staring at him (essentially, "What're you? A fag?"). Definitely fits ancient Norse school of humor. As to why Loki was staring at him, my interpretation was that he was plotting, as ever, but that his fixation didn't have any sexual component. On the other hand, Rodi could be setting something up, so I won't discount the idea completely. The series looks to be bringing some real mythology to the setting that, for Lee and Kirby, was very much an excerise in larger-than-life superheroics that just happened to be guised in mythological trappings as a novelty. It's been a while since I've read much on Loki in a truly mythological context, but I'm sure there's some genderbending and/or queer stuff as you'll find scattered about in stories throughout all the ancient world religions. The question is...if Rodi intends to bring any of that to the Marvel Universe incarnation, can he do it without it just seeming ridiculously out of place? So far I think he's doing a good job.
You people have been arguing about this age thing 'til 2:00am? by rev_skarekroe	Jul 15th, 2004 09:04:42 AM
Actually, since Buzz is Pacific Time that would make it... um... 3:00 tomorrow afternoon? Whatever, it doesn't matter. Moviemack obviously wants to believe that his childhood and teen years have nothing to do with the man he is today, and I say fine. That probably just means he's trying to deny something in his past that's either creepy, scary, or just embarassing. Now let's get back to arguing about whether Captain America would ever kick a guy in the nuts or not. sk
Final question for moviemack by mortsleam	Jul 15th, 2004 10:36:39 AM
How old were you when you first read Batman and it made you such a fan that you go into apoplectic fits anytime anyone mentions the new movie?
Crisis #2 the bomb! by Homer Sexual	Jul 15th, 2004 11:33:16 AM
When Identity Crisis #1 came out and got such raves here, I was one of the people who said "It was good, but not great." But after reading issue #2 last night, I must say it was GREAT! Excellent characterization, plot and of course the art was outstanding. Count me on board!
Ok, I'll try Loki next week by Homer Sexual	Jul 15th, 2004 12:28:02 PM
I didn't pick it up this week because I gots to agree with da bug. The ending of the loooong storyline about Thor taking over earth was lame and disappointing, and the new story is mediocre and overly self-important. Like AB says, Enchantress et. al. really dead? What-ever. But this review of Loki sounds interesting, so I'll give it a chance. This site turned me on to Runaways, which was a blessing! (Raves of Aquaman turned out to be less well founded) BTW, new She-Hulk out, continues to rock!
Cribbing a plot from Rob Liefeld? Isn't that like stealing air? by Chastain-86	Jul 15th, 2004 01:27:35 PM
In the off-chance you're the type that reads AICN Talk Backs, let me direct this message to Rob Liefeld himself: Ahem. Fuck you, and fuck your dick-like attitude. People who visit your booth at comic conventions aren't expecting to be subjected to your assholery, and for you to toss out snide remarks to people who used to be fans? Weak-assed punk. You should work at the mall sketching caricatures for peanuts, you no-talent dickhole. Burn.
then what are you reading by AlgertMopper	Jul 15th, 2004 02:10:54 PM
If you ain't read ID Crisis, then what are you reading? ID Disc?
Liefeld Stories: Begin. by creepyCritic	Jul 15th, 2004 02:29:24 PM
Post your specific story of how he was an asshole to YOU, sound like there are some people needing to vent their details. My only exchange with a superstar artist was as a kid at a Chicago convention in the early 80s when I told John Romita Jr. that I missed Paul Smith as the penciller on X-Men. Nice kid. He good-naturedly laughed the criticism off. Good guy - unlike Liefeld, apparently?
Identity Crisis by Homer Sexual	Jul 15th, 2004 02:33:27 PM
Ok, specifically Rags Morales is an excellent artist, but issue #1 seemed too typical and soap-opera-ish melodramato merit the hype. Additionally, it is a book billed as a major event with major characters being affected, even killed off. Then, when the murder victim was Sue Dibney, wife of Elongated Man, I felt it was a decent story, but nothing major. Also, the accused murder was Dr. Light, totally out of character from what I read for a few years in the old Suicide Squad. But then issue #2 came out. I don't have it here, but it resolves the conflcting portrayals of Dr. Light in a very satisfying manner, as well as providing motivation and mystery. Additionally, the various JLA members are very well characterized, more "realistically" than usual, with conflicting heroic ideologies and personalities. But what I really enjoyed the most were the different types of villainous motivation: i.e. when one villain mentions that many of them consider themselves "professionals" as oppposed to the psycho and power hungry types. The first issue gave hints, but the second issue kicked the story into gear. Despite the presence of (Ugh) Hal Jordan, it was an excellent comic and this maxi series might be referenced here in some years as a real high point, if the quality is maintained. Hope this isn't too long, hate long posts.
Thanks, Mack by creepyCritic	Jul 15th, 2004 03:01:03 PM
My next question was: Is Liefeld an Arm-Wrestler? Thanks for the info.
Actually, THE FLASH is DC's best running series right now, but B by SpyGuy	Jul 15th, 2004 03:22:14 PM
Memo to the writers of every Batbook besides GOTHAM CENTRAL: Check out BIRDS OF PREY and see what you're doing wrong. DC, sign Gail Simone to an exclusive contract already!
Moviemack: ALL of us "doofuses" have your personal email, so loc by sideshowbob	Jul 15th, 2004 08:14:36 PM
No, seriously...haven't you ever clicked on our AICN user-names before, either accidentally or on purpose? (BTW, while I wasn't the one who sent the quote, and I am not sure why it was directed at you, there IS a lot of truth to it).
Homersexual & Creepy Critic... by sideshowbob	Jul 15th, 2004 08:24:50 PM
Homer--you are right about "Identity Crisis". That book is golden. But, as a (more or less) Marvel Zombie, can Brad Meltzer please write something for Marvel? Can't everyone see that we need him more than DC does right now?! *** Creepy Critic, thought you might find this interesting (and it ties in to the Henry Rollins quote too). One of my local comic shops is having a Chris Claremont signing this week (my idol at age 13)...I couldn't decide to go or not because I am moving and am too busy, but asked if they expected a big crowd and the clerk said he didn't think so because "Claremont isn't that popular these days". OOF! Talk about feeling old! Next time, why not have Captain America kick me in the nuts while they're at it?
I don't know by sideshowbob	Jul 15th, 2004 10:39:34 PM
What's the worst that can happen if you did? It's only email. Are you afraid one of us will show up at your doorstep, hoping to crash on your couch for a week? Challenge you to an arm wrestling match? *** Anyway...I'll bite. Why is Batman not a superhero?
Identity Crisis #2 was awful. by Fantomex	Jul 16th, 2004 12:27:18 AM
The last two pages made no sense. The early draft probably read something like "insert plot twist here".
You see that, fellow @-Holes? Mr. Fuck just announced he's our b by Dave_F	Jul 16th, 2004 03:13:55 AM
Hey, I say it with love.
A few random responses... by Dave_F	Jul 16th, 2004 03:30:34 AM
TO DOC OZYMANDIAS - I'm not the biggest fan of Bagley in the first place, but you're right...his art's been suffering lately. Figure it's the grind of 18 issues of ULTIMATE SPIDEY each year coupled with the PULSE assignment. Did I hear somewhere that Brent Anderson was gonna take over on that book? *** TO SIDESHOW BOB - I just couldn't find any likeable characters to get behind in CAPER's first arc, though I liked the premise. The second seemed more promising just because of the mystery angle - who needs strong characters when you've got a mystery? - but I've yet to sit down with it. * TO REV. SKAREKROE - No, Cap wouldn't. Unless it was Hitler, Baron Strucker, Baron Zemo, or M.O.D.O.K. * TO HOMERSEXUAL - Sorry about the AQUAMAN recommend, man. That was me, but in my defense, I recanted an issue or two later when things started going downhill. I still think the new guy's run started off promising with the San Diego disaster...it just didn't have any follow-through. And, yeppers, I've just been sold on SHE-HULK too. Damn fine book. *** TO MOVIEMACK: What funnybooks are you reading? *** TO SPYGUY: Ya really think FLASH has been up to par since issue #200? It's had a few solid issues, but I think the change in direction and loss of Kolins really weakened it. *** TO FELLOW REVIEWER, AMBUSH BUG - Right on about Peter Snejberg, man. Dude put out some career-best work for LIGHT BRIGADE and it's about time someone gave him his props.
I have one major hang up with Birds of Prey by Fantomex	Jul 16th, 2004 05:39:25 PM
They can't seem to find an artist that draws women who don't look like clowns, let alone realistic or distinguishable from one another. Babs is in a wheelchair but has a doll figure. Huntress dresses like a whore and they actually try to write in an explanation for it! And Dinah goes to visit a grieving father while wearing nothing but fishnet stockings. I'm going to repeat that, SHE ASKED A FATHER WHY HIS DAUGHTER KILLED HERSELF WHILE WEARING FISHNET STOCKINGS. I know what you're going to say, this is a problem with just about every single comic book out there. But in a title with almost nothing but female characters (I give Y a pass) the art really needs to grow up before I can see it as anything but a comic for 13 year old boys without an internet connection, regardless of how good the writing is.
Caper... by sideshowbob	Jul 16th, 2004 11:36:18 PM
The first arc was more about the world they set up than the characters. Helps that I'm a big fan of "Pop Gun War" and Farel Dalrymple's art. The 2nd arc is largely forgettable. But this current arc holds a lot of promise. It's silly, but fun. Reminds me of mid-90s "True Romance"-like movies which would get old in an ongoing but should be a fun 4-issue arc. *** I'm not sure what happened to Bagley either. I liked his work on the New Warriors but haven't followed his Spidey stuff much on ASM or USM, but I thought the same thing this last issue...those are some of the ugliest women I've ever seen in a comic book. (and on a tangent here, how sweet was the appearance by the New Warriors in the latest She-Hulk?)
Yeah, I've never read single NEW WARRIORS comic in my life, and by Dave_F	Jul 17th, 2004 02:05:33 AM
SHE-HULK didn't get off to a very good start with me, but now I'm thinkin' of going steady with her.
My favorite BIRDS OF PREY artist was... by Dave_F	Jul 17th, 2004 02:07:41 AM
Butch Guice. His ladies were right purdy, sure, but overall he brought a realistic, espionage sensibility to the book - the perfect fit for Chuck Dixon's direction at the time. Guice has the qualities of old-school adventure artists like Alex Raymond and Al Williamson.
I love the artistic choices on BoP by JonQuixote	Jul 17th, 2004 06:50:38 PM
It's cheesecake as empowerment. This ain't WITCHBLADE, folks. The Birds are women who embrace their femininity and sexuality without becoming defined by it. They don't need to hide it in order to succeed in traditionally male roles, but they aren't presented as barbie dolls who just happen to find themselves in bendy action poses or occasionally tied to a chair. In the near future, this BOP run will be hailed as a watershed moment for feminism in comics, and the art will be a significant part of that.
"In the near future, this BOP run will be hailed as a watershed by Fantomex	Jul 17th, 2004 10:38:15 PM
You may be spreading that on a little too thick.

Talkbacks

AICN COMICS!! @$$holes on BIRDS OF PREY, LIGHT BRIGADE, ULT. SPIDEY and More!!

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks