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AICN COMICS! VILLAINS UNITED! ESSENTIAL DEFENDERS! SEVEN SOLDIERS: SHINING KNIGHT! SHADOWHAWK! BATMAN: DARK DETECTIVE!

FIRST by WickedMonster	May 11th, 2005 04:09:55 AM
LOL...THIS IS FUN!
I'd like to call a motion to have Prof. Challenger review more d by Tall_Boy	May 11th, 2005 04:32:03 AM
"You know he means bidness because he's got beard stubble sticking out of the bottom of his helmet!" hah. That's gold, I tells ya!
Byrne is God by docfalken	May 11th, 2005 04:44:58 AM
He can do no wrong in my eye. I'd love to see a 3D version of one of his characters though.
Adapting other sources for comic book plots... by Zardoz	May 11th, 2005 04:47:30 AM
Yeah, like no one does that, at all! I remember being so amazed that Frank Miller wasn't sued by the estate of Ayn Rand for his literary rip-off of "Atlas Shrugged" for "Martha Washington Goes to War." Man, that was BLATANT plagiarism. And as brilliant as I think "Planetary" is, just where is the fine line between homage and stealing every major character from all the pulp/sci-fi/horror of the last 100 years? I suppose you might even want to bitch slap Jack "The King" Kirby for being so un-original as using the downfall of Camelot as the basis for the origin of The Demon, too. I figure, if you're going to steal, steal from the best...
Blood of the Demon is great comics by DukeOfSpiders	May 11th, 2005 07:17:35 AM
Sounds to me like you just want to Byrne-bash because you think it's "kewl." This is one of the few times we've actually seen Batman in comics since Frank Miller's crazy ninja took over twenty-odd years ago. And whining about Zatanna taking a shower? You're arguing about cheesecake shots? Give me a break, but okay, I'll play your lame "this doesn't make sense" game -- maybe she just likes the sensual pleasure of a shower. Get a clue -- this is one of DC's best books and you're missing out because of a misplaced grudge.
I haven't read the reviews yet. by rev_skarekroe	May 11th, 2005 08:57:29 AM
I just wanted to say that last week's recommended Free Comic-Book Day pic, "Sharknife/Hysteria" was the worst of the bunch that I got. "Hysteria" was OK, but "Sharknife"? Whew. Maybe it's just that I'm not a twelve year old that was raised watching Pokemon and Dragonball Z, but I thought it was an incoherent, unreadable mess of speed lines and pseudo-manga abstraction. Anyway, I just had to get that off my chest. Now on to the reviews!
Engelhart Silver Surfer... by grendelson138	May 11th, 2005 09:07:24 AM
I kinda just ended up with his run of Silver Surfer, and it's okay. You can tell he's a good writer, but the stories seem a little weird to me just because 'Stan the Man' wasn't handling the character in a monthly for the first time. They were good enough that I would love to read the Batman stories though.........And, where were all you zombie loving assholes when Dark Horse's Zombie World went down the tubes? Here's hoping Walking Dead is as good as everyone says it is. If I blow $30 to get caught up and it sucks, I'm suing somebody.
Buzz, about Liefeld ... by TrustTyler	May 11th, 2005 09:10:37 AM
I'm sorry, but no matter how well you put it, Liefeld sucks. He always has and always will. Disproportionate characters in all the bad ways they can be done. Expressions that rarely veer from the gritted teeth, "Dammit! I'm constipated!" look. And scratchy, icky pencilling that leaves a hell of a job for even the most decent inkers to make a good job of. The guy sucks and should never, ever be allowed to draw a comic ever again!
GLA: Death Urge or Black Racer? by Squashua	May 11th, 2005 09:53:04 AM
That's the only issue I have with GLA; I kind of like that "Death Urge" aka "D'urge" has the Black Racer's skis and that he appears in the form of the species that died (see his appearance when he arrives to pick up Dinah Soar), but I'm kind of curious as to why Slott went with this choice. Villains United and The Flash and Shining Knight really were great this week.
reluctant agreement with balltoucher... by kisskissbangbang	May 11th, 2005 10:10:10 AM
I thought Englehart was God back then, and every time Gerry Conway churned out another wretched issue of FF, I'd think, why can't Englehart write the book? The contrast between Conway's FF 150 (abysmal) & the Avengers tie-in Englehart did(sweet) sealed the deal. (These was the Crystal/Pietro wedding issues, I should say.) And then they did give it to Englehart...Biggest disappointment since Doug Moench & Bill Sienkiewicz loused up their run. I was a diehard FF fan who said he'd never stop collecting, despite long runs of mediocrity (and, yes, a superior but sometimes annoying run by Byrne), but seeing someone I thought was the best writer in comics trash my favorite book changed my mind. Didn't change it back till the Waid run. Apparently, no one is so talented as to be omnicompetent; even Alan Moore wasn't all that impressive on American Flagg. I am enjoying Englehart's Dark Detective so far, though, especially the Bruce-Silver interaction. (I am a little irritated by the Joker's topical references to American Idol & the like, though...)
Blood of the Demon by CriticalBill	May 11th, 2005 10:15:46 AM
Byrne has publically stated that this book is influenced by Angel - so what's the big deal? It's not like he's stealing an idea and not giving credit for it. Other than that, your review seemed like nit-picking just to score a few points against Byrne. Kinda weak, don't you think?
Enough with the Marvel-bashing already . . . by hulkdog	May 11th, 2005 10:27:41 AM
They're not overdosing on Bendis. The guy writes two MU monthlies (New Avengers and Daredevil -- and only Daredevil until the end of the year), one bimonthly book (The Pulse), and the occasional specials (House of M, What If). No one is claiming that DC has turned over DC to the increasingly mediocre Gail Simone, even though she's writing Birds of Prey, Action, Villains United, some upcoming issues of Titans, and God knows what else. There's a wide variety of stuff at Marvel, including Slott, Vaughn, Casey, Pak, Milligan, Ellis, Kirkman, and Brubaker -- none of whom write in the "Bendis style." Give it a rest.
Kudos to Buzz this week by cookylamoo	May 11th, 2005 10:30:47 AM
Who actually wrote a couple of reviews about the creators and the comics instead of his favorite subject...himself. Take this in the spirit of positve reinforcement...good show. On the topic of characters completely ripped off from other medium...I have only two words...The Punisher.
cookylamoo, are you implying... by bullumhead	May 11th, 2005 10:51:17 AM
that the punisher has some kind of a "Death Wish?"
"maybe she just likes the sensual pleasure of a shower..." by Gislef_crow	May 11th, 2005 11:07:26 AM
So why doesn't Zee just use her magical powers to give her the ahem sensual pleasure of a shower? :)
because I'm bored and feel the need to post: by Shigeru	May 11th, 2005 11:08:54 AM
Yeah, the problem with Liefeld was his writing..... right. It wasn't the little hills that hid character's feet, the "NEED. MORE. FIBER!" faces, the baby-fists, the guns that looked like limpy sausages, the extreme barbie doll women, the triangle feet, the eagle on Cap's forehead, wow I could go on and on... but I'm done.
No, I'm stating that Punisher was a direct steal from Mack Broli by cookylamoo	May 11th, 2005 11:46:05 AM
At the time, Gerry Conway probably thought it would be fun to have an Executioner type character appear a couple of times. But the whole thing got out of hand and now, who even remembers The Executioner? (Except Maybe Fred Ward)
Magical Powers and Sensual Showers by JonQuixote	May 11th, 2005 11:58:09 AM
Retaw wolf...eslup.
Kolins could take over for Alan Davis on Uncanny by The Heathen	May 11th, 2005 12:01:43 PM
Although I hear Tom Raney might have the gig it would be cool to see Kolins take a shot at it. I really like the stuff he's done on Marvel Team-Up. Oh, and by the way I just want to thank the @$$holes! for recommending Elk's Run and The Atheist. I picked them up last week and thought they were both tight reads.
The science is what makes the new FF better man by tombseye	May 11th, 2005 12:18:24 PM
John Byrne hinted at it in his own inimical style back in the 80s, but the Ellis stuff was great. Annihilus, whom I used to view as a lame space insect guy was made more menacing and strange and that's good. Just when you think it's all been done with the FF. Too bad Ellis is leaving though. The replacement writer better be better or else, I'll, uh, not read my friend's purchased copy of the Ultimate FF every month anymore. Yeah, that'll show Marvel...
it's cool Professor, some of us miss 'Angel' too by tombseye	May 11th, 2005 12:26:45 PM
Maybe the ratings would have been better if they had had Batman guest star on the show. That and if the WB would have stopped moving the show from Sunday to Wednesday to Sunday. Why not get the coveted timeslot after the Gilmore Girls?! So the Demon not so good huh? I haven't read anything Byrne in a while. Does he still draw people as if they are saying 'eh' all the time? I kid, I kid. His X-Men run with Terry Austin was grandiose.
Hey Grendelson... by SleazyG.	May 11th, 2005 12:32:40 PM
...I loved ZOMBIE WORLD. I bought the whole run and thought it kicked ass. It was a miserable commercial failure, though, oddly enough. I mean, Mignola? Zombies? It's a no-brainer (HA!). I asked Scott Allie at Dark Horse about it two years ago at Wizard World Chicago. He said the chance of it returning were slim to none. He said a lot of shop owners got burned when the other series didn't sell worth a damn. I told him that was surprising and that I thought now that Hellboy was so big and sold so well people might give ZOMBIE WORLD another chance--I mean, even THE AMAZING SCREW-ON HEAD is being adapted for cable, y'know? He said there was a slight possibility, but considering how costly the initial run was it probably just wasn't gonna happen. That said, I think if Dark Horse ran a trade collection of the first story or two up the flagpole they might find they got some surprising results. Horror comics are much bigger now than they were a decade ago, and Mignola's a much bigger name, so I reckon the trades might sell well enough to generate interest in a new series continuing where the old one left off.
speaking of zombieworld tradepaperbacks, how is 7 Soldiers gonna by tombseye	May 11th, 2005 12:40:52 PM
I mean are we talking a trade with the first #1 issues released first or do we wait until there are 7 issues of each and then buy 7 different trades? This thing gets better reviews than a foreign film from Iran dealing with the human condition of a little girl so I gots to buy it, but buying the single issues just doesn't work for me no mo'. It's all about the tpbs now boyyy.
re: Seven Soldiers by SleazyG.	May 11th, 2005 01:02:39 PM
Each story is only four issues, not seven, if I remember correctly (with #0 and #1 as bookends). It's a really weird publishing schedule, too--SHINING KNIGHT, KLARION and ZATANNA will all be over (or close to it) before the next batch of books starts to drop. Basically, it's a year-long event but the seven minis are gonna be spread out over 10 or 11 months. It's kinda odd. On would expect that DC will probably put the four-issue series out in a small trade or a digest or some shit, but one never knows, does one?
The Defenders were sort of like middle school dudes with homopho by goonie	May 11th, 2005 01:05:16 PM
HILARIOUS! Great review, Non-Buzz.
Thanks for the info... by grendelson138	May 11th, 2005 01:44:39 PM
but that's a weird excuse. I do remember Scott talking in a Hellboy letter column about Zombie World not selling, though. Still, it seems like some trades would kick start something again. At least ride the Zombie buzz enough to help the angry stores make a little dough off the TPBs. I mean, other than my run, I've never seen any copies anywhere. Just seems to me the stories and art are so good that it's a shame for them not to be available to the recently rezombified public.
Liefeld Art and Seven Soldiers by Squashua	May 11th, 2005 02:08:19 PM
POINT 1) Worst Liefeld Art Moment (IMHO): That sideways issue of X-Force (like, issue 3 or something) that featured The Juggernaut and Black Tom. There is a scene that shows the Juggernaut's face in a closeup and he has literally 478 teeth. POINT 2) Seven Soldiers: Is this taking place IN CONTINUITY or ANOTHER REALITY or what? Will this have repercussions with the upcoming Crisis? I am asking because we have Zatanna as a powerless chick, and yet she's got power in the JLA issues where she's confronting all these post-Identity Crisis things; and we have Shining Knight and yet that's supposed to be the same guy who killed Firestorm and was a member of the olde All Star Squadron. I mean, I do see "Neb-You-Lowe" from those recent Morrison JLA Classified issues. And was the "baby universe of Qwerq" the same universe that was borne of the recent JLA/Avengers conflict? Where are these questions answered?
Squashua, on 7 SOLDIERS: by SleazyG.	May 11th, 2005 02:29:27 PM
I don't have all the answers, but I have some. First, that wasn't Shining Knight who killed Firestorm. It was Shadow Thief. He just happened to get his hands on the Knight's sword to do it. Second, Morrison has said that while he doesn't mind darkness and a genuine sense of threat, he hates stuff like IC. He sees it as needlessly brutal and ugly. He thinks the things happening around the heroes can be ugly or scary, but the heroes should be beacons of light. He specifically said if you're expecting any direct ties to the events, themes or worldview of something like IDENTITY CRISIS you won't find them in 7 SOLDIERS. He's just not interested in that kinda thing. As for the "in or out of continuity" thing, I honestly don't know. I'd say assume it's in continuity but occurred before IC, I guess, but I don't know what DC and Morrison have to say on the subject.
NEW DC COMICS LOGO????? by superhero	May 11th, 2005 03:00:15 PM
Not that impressive...much like the new Superman outfit... http://www.dccomics.com/news/a rticle_display.html?nw_dc_item Code=notefrompublisher
Every Comic Fan should be aware of VIP LLC by x-oManowar	May 11th, 2005 04:01:28 PM
Hey talkbackers, I don't know how many of you are fans of Valiant comics from back in the 90s (X-O Manowar, Shadowman, Harbinger, Eternal Warrior, Rai, Quantun & Woody etc) but the company was recently sold to new owners and looks to be making a comeback. Problem is a group of sneaky blackmailers applied for some of the trademarks and are holding up the return of Valiant. A bunch of Valiant Fans got together and started a petition which seems to be helping. There's more information on VIP LLC at the petition and it would really help if any of you could sign it. http://www.thepetitionsite.com /takeaction/877468729 Thanks and sorry if this is inappropriate, its just that I really love Valiant and I hate to see unethical behaviour like this stop the return of my favourite characters.
Heres the petition link by x-oManowar	May 11th, 2005 04:01:50 PM
http://www.thepetitionsite.com /takeaction/877468729
I still like Glasers logo better by The Heathen	May 11th, 2005 04:07:33 PM
But this "new" logo their calling it the DC Spin logo, as opposed to the old Bullet logo. This will be appearing on all of the new movies starting with Batman Begins and I think it is going to appear on the on Return of Donna Troy mini.
Bigfoot and The Walking Dead by Zardoz	May 11th, 2005 04:27:27 PM
Bigfoot is really good so far. I haven't read the third issue yet, it was sold out, but the first two were suspenseful and scary. What I liked the most was the fact that I've always considered Bigoot a docile, gentle creature. Harmless, afraid of man, etc. That's NOT the case here; He's vicious, feral and oh, so violent to humanity. (and apparently he has a hankerin' for female humans too, winkwink, nudgenudge!) And the art by Corben is intense, too! As to The Walking Dead, I was really digging the first two trades, but this last story arc in the prison has left me...bored. There was a couple of good bits, but I saw where they were going storywise from a mile away: VERY obvious. I hope Kirkman has something more interesting left to say...
Demon came first. Angel came second. by mrfan	May 11th, 2005 04:57:37 PM
The Demon has been around a lot longer and nobody did it better than Mr. Kirby. It always has been about a demon possessed by a man. Glad to see someone taking the character back to its roots. And so what if a little Angel is sprinkled in to spice it up. Maybe it is Byrnes way of paying to tribute to one of the best shows to come around in a long time. I find this book something refreshing with all this crap out there now. I haven't read anything of Byrnes for a long time. Good stuff.
hey wait...batman vs angelus? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!?! by satansteve	May 11th, 2005 06:21:41 PM
how could i NOT have known about this? unless...the assholes were trying to be funny, saying how angel influenced the comic, but they wouldnt do that would they? cuz that would be a really DUMB thing to do, surely. batman vs angel...yea thatd be sweet.
Once again into the breach... by Fuzzyjefe	May 11th, 2005 08:11:45 PM
Fallen Angel no more. It's a damn shame one of the most interesting books on the stands gets the ax. Seven Soldiers continues to hold my interest, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out. I too read all the Zombie World books, and thought it was a great concept for the undead. I really enjoyed most of it, though the last arc was pretty weak in my opinion. The art did nothing for me. And Zardoz, don't ever knock Walking Dead, man. Give it up if you decide to, and we'll see who survives the zombie apocalypse when it comes. Who? The person with the zombie apocalypse survival guide, that's who. Kirkman is doing mankind a service. And Rob Liefeld does now suck, has always sucked, and will always suck. His art is like a collection of images taken from a hall of wacky mirrors, where something is always contorted or just plain bizarre. Jhonnen Vasquez did a great spoof of the "Leifeld method" in one of his minis (can't remember if it was Johnny the Homicidal Maniac or Squee!). The only thing he should be publishing is "How to Draw Comics With My Left Foot".
Great reviews, Buzz. by Devil'sOwn	May 11th, 2005 08:13:07 PM
Like you, I am a recovering Marvel Zombie. My lady (who I INTRODUCED to comics years ago) has made me regain my appreciation of DC, and I must say, Villains has me psyched. And a big THANX for your look at Essential Defenders Vol. 1. I can't own this one soon enough! Ah, memories.
Byrne by zabu 123	May 11th, 2005 09:03:43 PM
Byrne is a good artist although over the last ten years it seems like he has begun to become a parody of himself. His writing on the other hand has always been crap. And now he's ripping off a recently ended t.v. show? Angel was great, but thats just pathetic. But i guess he might as well, cause he'll never be able to touch Ennis's run on the Demon.
Is Fallen Angel really Linda Danvers? by Voice O. Reason	May 11th, 2005 10:38:39 PM
Did Peter David ever clear this up?
She's not Linda Danvers. by SleazyG.	May 11th, 2005 11:28:17 PM
I dropped the series in under six issues cuz it stank, but thre's no way it's Danvers. Cuz if it was, he couldn't have shopped the title over to IDW, since Danvers belongs to DC.
A Question for Buzz: by Ribbons	May 12th, 2005 12:21:55 AM
Is there an "Essential Silver Surfer (yet)?" If so, what are your thoughts?
yes, there is Ess. Silver Surfer vol 1 (so far) = da bomb by Gus Nukem	May 12th, 2005 03:14:51 AM
and it is excellent ... Stan Lee, John Buscema, Jack Kirby in glorious black & white -- you can see the great art, unhindered by the ... bad colorings of the era
Essential Silver Surfer by grendelson138	May 12th, 2005 09:08:35 AM
If I remember correctly, it has all the issues of the 60s series with an annual thrown in. A hell of a book. Origin wise, there's also a graphic novel that by Lee and Kirby that retells Surfer's origin without the Fantastic Four being involved. I found it pretty cheap on Ebay. Pretty good. Anybody know of an affordable way to get the original origin story from FF cheap? I don't want to shell out the cash for the high-end hardcover.
Thanks Gus, grendel by Ribbons	May 12th, 2005 09:33:42 AM
I'm much obliged. In fact, I may have to plunk down some cash for that one. By the way, of note to any "Defenders" fans... there's an "Essential Howard the Duck," if you can believe it, which I discovered after some research last night.
Buzz On ESSENTIAL SILVER SURFER by Buzz Maverik	May 12th, 2005 10:12:48 AM
ESSENTIAL SILVER SURFER is an interesting book, mostly because all comics of past eras are interesting. The first issue, best reprinted in SON OF ORIGINS, is the best story and has the best Buscema art. It looks good, it establishes the tragedy (going in an opposite direction from Surfer creator Jack Kirby's intent). It's a great example of how you can do intriguing comic book stories without fight scenes. But the rest of the volume contains a weak series, except when Kirby art finally appears toward the end in a pleasantly pointless confrontation with the Inhumans. My opinion is that for some reason the Surfer character really grabbed Stan. That's understandable. It is the best example of Kirby's particular genius. He'd introduce characters and situations that really didn't fit the main plot but it would turn out that they were crucial and they'd be the best thing in his work. But after the first issue, Stan and Buscema really didn't have any idea of what to do with the Surfer. He'd fly around, waxing all hippie-ific and somehow vaguely interact with some menace. They really had a hard time coming up with foes for the Surfer. The Badoon, one of the Marvel Universes lamest alien races; some version of the Flying Dutchman (?); Mephisto, who became his chief nemesis but didn't really fit the sci-fi motif; he did cross paths with the Stranger and the Abomination but the stories were very half-assed. The problem was that the way they portrayed the Surfer and the situations they put him in were such that he'd really never have to enter conflict. He's a Peacenik and he has a choice about fighting, so why did he fight anyway? The threats needed to be more dire, Galactus-level, Universe threatening so that the Surfer would have no choice. In the 80s, Engelhart and Rogers take on the Surfer was more proactive, in keeping with the times. He challenged and prevailed over the barrier trapping him on Earth and took the stars. Time after time, he was involved with Galactus, Thanos, a new Kree-Skrull war, the Elders of the Universe, etc. Probably Engelhart and Rogers had read the first Surfer series and were able to see why it struggled artistically and saleswise. They were able to do the Surfer without a human supporting cast and it worked. Somebody like Grant Morrison could do that. But I feel the Surfer works better as a guest star and supporting character, and as one of the Defenders non-members. I have to say, I only read and reviewed the first issue of this latest SURFER series and it was one of the best/worst examples of everything wrong with comics in the last half-decade. Looking forward to the new DEFENDERS.
Now ESSENTIAL HOWARD THE DUCK... by Buzz Maverik	May 12th, 2005 10:20:26 AM
...I wholeheartedly recommend on the merits of its' content. You can enjoy it for more than its' comic book history value. Steve Gerber is a comic book genius. This character was a ballsy move against Marvel status quo (and fan status quo) at the time. The book was genuinely funny (often even laugh-out-loud level). Most of the art was by Gene Colan, an unusual choice but perfect. Colan put Howard in Marvel's version of reality at the time and avoided anything cartoonish (except when Howard attacked like Donald Duck on PCP). Read ESSENTIAL HOWARD and the awful George Lucas produced movie will cease to exist, if it hasn't already.
I know it was Shadow Thief... by Squashua	May 12th, 2005 11:41:37 AM
...but I still consider that if Shining Knight wasn't there, Firestorm wouldn't have been harmed.
I consider ESSENTIAL HOWARD THE DUCK by JonQuixote	May 12th, 2005 12:07:08 PM
to be the best of the Essentials I've read. Not necessarily the best stories, but it just seems way more at home in the format. *** And I think the fact that Mephisto doesn't fit into the Surfer's sci-fi concept is one of the reasons he's an exceptional adversary for poor Norrin. Philosophically he's a perfect counter, and the disparate genre origins only make that more clear. And sci fi, supernatural, fantasy, etc...they're just superficial trappings when you think about it. Doc Strange can use his mystical powers to travel through the strange and mysterious astral plane. Silver Surer can use his cosmic powers to travel through the strange and mysterious universe. Blah Blah Blah.
f***ed up publishing schedules by Homer Sexual	May 12th, 2005 12:33:30 PM
Yeah, Shining Knight #2 was an outstanding comic (Klarion is my second favorite) but this snail's-pace publishing is the worst. I mean, wouldn't it be better for we readers (and therefore better for DC in terms of sales) to publish these at least monthly? Boo! I can't even remember what happened with so long between issues. Now, I also loved that Defenders review. But I am going to wait for the second volume, since I learned from the review that this volume doesn't even include Valkyrie. I used to love the Defenders, but it peaked with issue 50 and went downhill from there. Loved Villains United, mostly due to the Secret Six twist, but Batman: Dark Detective was disappointing. Neither the writing nor the art was as good as I remember the original Englehart/Rogers run. It's no Joker Fish.
How could I forget the 80's E/R Silver Surfer by Homer Sexual	May 12th, 2005 12:51:20 PM
The initial issues of Engelhart & Rogers Silver Surfer were outstanding! Great art, very good writing. The evil Skrull queen impersonating a Kree, it was just great! Complex and eye-catching. It went down later, but Ron Lim did some nice work in this series as well.
grendelson maybe you mean Silver Surfer Parable by Stan Lee & Mo by Gus Nukem	May 12th, 2005 01:07:42 PM
and is it good ... ? Sweet Zombie Jesus this is beyond excellent. Moebius on Silver Surfer, Gah-lah-ktus and Stan Lee doing a decent job ( being up to level to Moebius's art - nuff said ) for a final time since the '60s supernova -- GET IT and enjoy!!
a link about classic comics' collections by Gus Nukem	May 12th, 2005 01:18:12 PM
http://www.collectedcomicslibr ary.com/books.html this guy is the bomb, a very thorough piece of work
cookylamoo- re Fred Ward by RenoNevada2000	May 12th, 2005 05:00:29 PM
Ward played Remo Williams, The Destroyer not Mac Bolan, The Executioner. The Destroyer series started off as a straight men's adventure series a la The Executioner, but quickly shifted gears into a parody series. Lots of fun. I read about 70 or so of the books over two years in high school. (One of the novels was good for about three study halls...)
My Fault, Homer. Valkyrie IS In ESSENTIAL DEFENDERS VOL. 1 by Buzz Maverik	May 12th, 2005 06:11:14 PM
In fact, her request to join is what prompts Namor to say, "Defenders is just a name. We don't have members. Maybe you could try the Avengers." And Doc to say, "We are three of the most powerful beings on Earth. What could you offer us?" She ended up non-joining though, as did Hawkeye. In the last story, Nighthawk doesn't join, after turning on his Squadron Sinister cohorts. He takes the place on the non-team that Namor DIDN'T inhabit. But for most of the volume, it is just Doc, Hulk, Subby and the Silver Surfer. I'm more interested in Volume 2 because that will contain the earliest stories I ever experienced, mainly with Professor X against Magneto and the Brotherhood (they're all turned into babies) and with Luke Cage (he tells the Defenders to shove it on the last page) against the Wrecking Crew.
Two for two on Dan Slott... by Johnny Ahab	May 12th, 2005 09:45:06 PM
If it wasn't for this column, I never woulda picked up the Spidey/Human Torch issue (#3) that Slott wrote featuring the hilarious return of the Spider-Mobile. Best Spider-Man story I've read in 10 years. Had me laughing out loud. I always loved the bizarre, third-tier Great Lakes Avengers, and was giddy when I saw they were getting their own limited series. And it has not disappointed. I love this Slott guy. He is truly bringing the comic back to comic books, and lightening things up at the House of Bendis. What else has this guy written that I should know about??
Thanks for the lowdown, Buzz by Ribbons	May 12th, 2005 11:35:51 PM
Being a Surfer neophyte myself but always finding the idea of the character appealing (is it weird, by the way, that I figured he waxed hippie-ific even though my only experience with him is with the first Galactus/FF storyline and like the first episode of that Fox cartoon?), I wanted to know if a collection of the character's "best" stories (according to someone) would be a good jumping off point. Maybe I'll hold off. I do think I'm gonna have to take you up on your recommendation of "Howard the Duck" though, so I'm actually glad you responded to that.
Johnny Ahab by Ribbons	May 12th, 2005 11:54:16 PM
I know Dan Slott wrote the "She-Hulk" series that came out last year (with his partner-in-crime from "GLA," artist Paul Pelletier) and also some miniseries about Arkham Asylum fro DC which is, so I've heard, nothing like the work you've been exposed to so far. I've sort of wanted to check it out myself, but I'm not that industrious.
Other Silver Surfer stuff... by grendelson138	May 16th, 2005 09:32:24 AM
Some interesting ideas on Essential Silver Surfer. I guess I approached the Silver Surfer stories as an adult kind of innocently...basically "He looks cool, let me pick this up and see how it reads." I've never been a huge Marvel fan (other than Howard the Duck), so it was interesting for me to just read the stories. Kinda peek in on the Marvel Universe. I know Surfer has always been second string, and that's kind of what intrigued me. And, now, thinking about the early issues, it's almost like the field that keeps Surfer on the earth is a great metaphor for the limits of the Surfer's stories/situation. Maybe Stan's subconcious was kicking....just when it looks like the Surfer (and the stories) can really start to soar, bam the barrier kicks in and knocks everything to earth. I'm guessing Stan kept him on earth to keep the whole NYC, gritty realism thing he liked in working order, but I'll admit, it just didn't really work. Basically, they aren't groudbreaking story lines, but they are a great window into the past. The new series was even stranger though. Here's a being that was trapped on earth. All he ever did was long for his family and to return to his home planet...no matter what it took. And now, we're supposed to believe he would be willing to go to other planets and kidnap kids....basically putting them in the same situation he was in for all that time. Kinda fishy if you ask me. And, the book didn't even have an inker...no inker? What the hell is that. What kinda world do we live in when inkers are no longer needed? And, finally, there was probably no bigger Silver Surfer disappointment for me than Jon J. Muth's run at the end of Vol. 3 (I think). I scoured Ebay until I found the whole run. I assumed the stories would suck, but the art would be beautiful...I was picturing the ultimate Silver Surfer (next to Kirby, of course). God, not only did the stories blow gophers, but somehow the art didn't live up to my expectations either. I don't know if it was a nu-marvel printing problem or what, but it just was completely underwhelming.
Howard the Duck stuff... by grendelson138	May 16th, 2005 09:39:57 AM
I'm glad there is an essential Howard the Duck book, but the single issues may not be that hard to find. I'm lucky to have a kick ass comic book store minutes from my home, and they're like dollar books. I got a few issues off Ebay, and finished the whole regular run of the book for probably under $30. I'm just missing the annual and his Fear/Man Thing appearances. Also, there's a two-pack marvel toy that has...strangely enough...Silver Surfer and Howard the Duck packaged together. I couldn't believe it, but I own it. Silver Surfer is kinda off. He is all muscle bound with weird blue shadowing and weak joints (he doesn't stand too well), but Howard is perfect. He's all plastic with a moving head and arms, but he looks perfect. Huge bill, polka-dot tie, and they even remembered his little hat. I was lucky enough to get it at the local Wal-Mart at Christmas.
Am I the only one? by HiWayRobry	May 17th, 2005 02:54:22 PM
I know I'm gonna get hammered for saying this but I actually enjoyed the Howard the Duck movie. When I saw it at the drive-in when it first came out I thought it was pretty bad. But after numerous follow up viewings in a state of altered consciousness, I found it quite funny. I just wish they woulda had a Hellcow cameo.
LAST! by Gus Nukem	May 23rd, 2005 08:52:36 PM

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