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

AICN COMICS ROUNDTABLE REVIEW OF DC COMICS' 52, INFINITE CRISIS, 7 SOLDIERS AND MORE!!!

FIRST! by Maverikfire	Nov 22nd, 2006 08:28:53 AM
sweet balls
Here is a Link to a Larger Intro Image by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 08:54:15 AM
http://tinyurl.com/ydgaxx
That AICN version of 52 pic by B0D	Nov 22nd, 2006 08:56:57 AM
is fucking brilliant. I was going to post a rant about Flash but since the creative team is changing there's no need to. Yay. _Squeal_
At least the covers look nice by Mr Incredible	Nov 22nd, 2006 09:02:55 AM
The insides may be another story...that I don't want to read.
I have no idea what you people are talking about by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 09:08:10 AM
I don't think I've bought a DC Universe comic since the last issue of Infinte Crisis, and I suspect I'm happier because of it.
Wait... does All-Star Superman count as DCU? by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 09:17:21 AM
'Cause I've been buying that. But I figure since it's kind of an Elseworlds thing.
loodabagel Represent! Woot! Woot! by loodabagel	Nov 22nd, 2006 09:25:28 AM
Thank's for remembering me! That picture's the best!
Let's talk about something important. by Mister Mediocre	Nov 22nd, 2006 09:34:16 AM
I'm thankful for reviews on Wed, but that's not why I'm writing. Regarding the Natalie Portman love from last week's column here are my short screed on why she's a cunt. I’m not digging Natalie like I used to. I watched recently the Braff/Portman commentary on the Garden State dvd and Nat is just no fun. Zach Braff would talk about humorous things that happened on the set and she was just joyless. Maybe she was on the rag? Also, she seemed to want to turn the commentary, at times, into a big in-joke for her and Braff. He was cool though. He just changed the subject and talked about a filming technique.
Nice roundtable! by loodabagel	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:05:07 AM
Yes it was. Read the whole thing.
So Sleazy, you must think Darkseid is a crap villain?!? by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:19:57 AM
Because that would be really silly. There wouldn't be a Darth Vader or Death Star without Kirbys inspiration. Nice job this week on everything, the cartoon was a hoot and you covered some meaty issues regarding DC and their (mis)treatment of some core characters, esp. WW and Supergirl.
After that round table you guys should call by Borgnine JR	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:20:15 AM
yourselves the Sand Men, cuz you put me to sleep. Your little column needs moer boobs , and I'm not just talking about Prof. Challeger.
Zatanna by Nairb The Movie	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:20:30 AM
I still don't get that all the way back in Identity Crisis, Zatanna was basically responsible for a bunch of the crap-o that went down, not to mention Batman's increased paranoia... And yet no one has said a godman thing to ZATANNA YET!!! What the hell? I would expect her to be front and center looking for a way to apologize or standing up for what she did as right. Instead... She fights fairy people?!? And every lead in book to Infinite Crisis was awesome... But then Shadowpact dissapeared, The 6 didn't really show up, Raan-Thanagar was... well I don't really know... and then there was that fourth one... I can't remember... Whaaaaaaaa?
How come Zatanna doesn't get her own book?? by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:23:42 AM
Shes extremely cute, powerful, has decades of back story. Hmmmm...what gives??
Zatanna apologized by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:27:06 AM
It was in a Batman book, I think. She did apologise and get yelled at or someting. It involved her and Batman, and maybe Catwoman. Ah, I think it was in JLA or JLA Classified.
MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN!!!!!! by superhero	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:37:38 AM
MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN MONTOYA IS BATWOMAN...has Sleazy passed out yet?
Adrianna / Isis is a New God by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:40:00 AM
That was my other theory, but I think I forgot to mention it in the roundtable. Ah well, no biggie. :-)
... by blackthought	Nov 22nd, 2006 10:48:53 AM
skeets...it all makes sense now.
You "loathe" the New Gods? by kintar0	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:02:52 AM
You're a twat. An enormous twat. Explains everything.
I think Doom & Darkseid BOTH are Vader fodder by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:13:07 AM
Lucas got a LOT of ideas from the original New Gods series, take a look at Apokolyps, it looks just like the Death Star. And I know there are a hundreds (thousands?) of mythic father-son stories out there...but Luke/Vader is strongly played similar to Orion/Darkseid imo...:^)
love the pic at the top by waggy	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:21:01 AM
keep em comin
Lobo by Tito Trinidad	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:39:42 AM
It's funny that everyone hates Lobo. I remember reading somewhere that when the Grant/Bisely book came out it was supposed to be a spoof on the Punisher/Wolverine type characters but became popular. Although I suspect it was mainly because of Grant/Bisely, which kinda ties into what someone said about good writing and art making a character interesting. As far as 52, I am really liking the Black Adam and Question storylines(Richard Dragon!). The one thing that really annoys me is Steel neice. What a piece of work that bitch is.
Yep, hate the New Gods. by SleazyG.	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:41:00 AM
I'm sorry, but as much as I respect Kirby the Fourth World stuff is far from his best work. I find a lot of the character designs really unappealing, but the characters themselves are the biggest problem. Like I said, I'll give you Darkseid, and on second thought Metron is a decent character too. But honestly--Kalibak? Granny Goodness? Big Barda? Orion? Don't like any of 'em, and never really have. I think they get a lot of street cred because of Kirby's name, but I just don't think the concepts and characters stand up to the test of time at all. Some might suggest it's just because they haven't been handled well by the writers, and I generally believe a good writer can make the reader care about any character if they work at it. It's just that I've been bored silly by this stuff so many times that it's gonna take a lot of convincing for a writer to make me think it's worth bothering with.
Do you really think Lucas read Kirby's 4th World stuff? by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:48:55 AM
I don't. Mcquarrie might have drawn some inspiration, but I don't really see it. On the other hand, Lucas did finance "Howard the Duck," and apparently spent a lot of time hanging around with Roy Thomas talking about the early direction of the "Star Wars" comic, so we know he had some familiarity with the funnybooks of the '70s.
SleazyG by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:49:51 AM
Morrison's take on Fourth World in JLA was badass.
Oh, except Death the Black Racer by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 12:00:06 PM
Even Morrison couldn't make that dumbass character cool.
"Da Cogs wuz heah!" by The Heathen	Nov 22nd, 2006 12:35:32 PM
Word! That's the best opening ever @$$es. Awesome stuff. Now I better go read the actual roundtable.
The New God's by Tito Trinidad	Nov 22nd, 2006 12:53:53 PM
Were always better when interacting with the Superman books or JLA. Although that giant black and white trade that came out a couple of years ago was damn good (glory boat anyone?).
So basically... by Sledge Hammer	Nov 22nd, 2006 12:54:47 PM
Here we have a roundtake consisting of a bunch of geeks who aren't, for the most part, actually reading much in the way of DC comics on any sort of regular basis, discussing where DC is at and all that they are doing wrong. Wow, useful.
Um...Mr Nice... by stones_throw	Nov 22nd, 2006 01:04:05 PM
...are you being ironic or what?
Actually... by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 01:11:52 PM
I know quite a bit about DC, and I read more DC comics than those of other companies. At least I like to think I do. Go ahead, ask something.
Dude by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 01:21:28 PM
You crazy.
Wait... by AnotherAaron	Nov 22nd, 2006 01:39:59 PM
...so does that mean Jar Jar and Mr. Nice Gauis are the same person? My head is reeling. They're probably both Kevin Smith anyway.
Little late for that, Psynapse by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 01:40:41 PM
It's way past 12:02. :-) He'll have to wait till tonight. Speaking of which, thanks for the props on the image, dude. Been working on since I became an @$$hole, knowing this day would eventually come. It used to be wider and had some Civil War crap on the globe, but the chalkboards became unreadable at that point.
Dude(s) by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:04:34 PM
You need help. Now shut up so we can bask in the glory of the article. Either that or a mod should check the IP addresses recorded and prove it once and for all.
Ah HA!!! So, it's you Jar Jar 4 Prez!!! by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:05:27 PM
As you all will notice there is a slight difference with the name on these ridiculous posts. Yeah, it's pretty messed up. My apologies for this troll's ridiculous intrusion.
Squashua by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:06:10 PM
I'm working on it.
What if we kicked the both of them out? by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:08:25 PM
Problem solved. Man, this place has some lax security up in here. Let's all kinds of troublemakers in.
There is a "Mr" and a "Mr." by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:09:00 PM
One with a period, one without. Or all three of them the same. I don't care. Someone go get a moderator. OK, stop laughing.
Someone please ban Jar Jar? by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:14:12 PM
This dude is just a douche. They banned moviemack, and I praised Harry's name. Can we get a repeat?
The Office by Mister Mediocre	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:22:54 PM
My post should have read, “here IS my short screed…”. Dinkin Flicka. I just caught that in the column header image. Very nice. It’s storming on the East coast like a muthafucka. Dinkin Flicka, man. Dinkin Flicka.
HA! by El Vale	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:30:48 PM
Eat some AIDS made the cut! And now to read the rest of the roundtable.
This is now the stupidest Talkback ever. by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:44:22 PM
Or maybe not. But it's pretty freakin' stupid.
Rev by Squashua	Nov 22nd, 2006 02:55:09 PM
Don't start arguing with yourself. This talkback is evidence of where that leads.
Totally agree with Algert by XAOS	Nov 22nd, 2006 03:17:46 PM
They have been extremely unsubtle in pointing to Montoya as the new Question, what with the old one having an expiration date on him and like 15 people pointing at her and saying, through various contrived bits of dialog, "THAT is the question"
This might be funny if it weren't so pathetic. by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 22nd, 2006 03:19:18 PM
Jar Jar's little "jig" was up almost before it started. Just look at his posted titled, "Jar Jar 4 Prick" = that's where he mixed himself up. Boy, you guys must have been owning him pretty good for him to pull a sad, messed up stunt like that. Again, I'm sorry that he ruined your TB.
Geez, he did kind of ruin it. by Homer Sexual	Nov 22nd, 2006 04:10:42 PM
Jar Jar never really annoyed me before, but now that he's arguing with himself...'nuff said, to quote another person who has lost contact with reality. I do love most of the New Gods..Forever People too, except the Racer, who is beyond salvaging. I buy more DC than ever. Started getting Checkmate, 52, Secret Six, restarted Outsiders and Teen Titans, tried (then dropped) Omac, Shadowpact, Blue Beetle. Hate Meltzer, so not doing new JLA. Worried about Birds of Prey sans Canary plus...Judomaster????
Bravo everyone by El Vale	Nov 22nd, 2006 04:27:54 PM
Good team effort. Also, Secret Six sucks?
Oh, and who will Renee Montoya become? by Homer Sexual	Nov 22nd, 2006 04:29:32 PM
The reason I never really dig DC is because they are too hamstrung by the "icons," but they've been doing a lot of fresh stuff. However, they seem a little obvious to me in that we readers are supposed to think she's the going to be the new question, but she'll really be the (lesbian) Batwoman after all. She's definitely putting on one costume or the other, so scream away.
Well done @$$es… by The Heathen	Nov 22nd, 2006 05:12:43 PM
Great roundtable, loved the Dave_F cameo. DAVE!!! Squash, well done sir on the 52 opening image! Everything from Carla Gugino's pooper to eat some aids. Umm, I'd say more but I gotta get ready for the Holiday, btw, hope everyone has a great one… well, mostly everyone. Later @$$es, Cogs and fellow talkbackers.
VADER Came Before DARKSEID?!!? by DevilCat	Nov 22nd, 2006 05:46:42 PM
Darkseid's first appearance was in "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134" back in November 1970, approximately seven years before "Star Wars" premiered.
"Jinx" DevilCat ;^) by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 22nd, 2006 05:48:43 PM
Forgot about Jimmy Olsen!
ZombieSolutions you are unfortunately incorrect by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 22nd, 2006 05:49:09 PM
New Gods #1 premiered in 1971...I doubt Lucas had started work on Star Wars by that point. And yeah, I do think that George, or like someone mentioned above, McQuarrie, cribbed lots of visual stuff from New Gods. Who wouldn't. Yeah, some of the characters are a little lame (Lashina? Fastbak? I can name a bunch more) but Mister Miracle, Metron, Darkseid are all interesting. And the conflict between New Genesis and Apokolyps is interesting (to me anyway). One last parallel to Star Wars: THE SOURCE....THE FORCE....hmmm sounds somewhat alike!!
Vertigo puts out the best comics... by rbatty024	Nov 22nd, 2006 06:17:12 PM
which is why it's a shame DC's regular line can't quite keep up. They seem to be spinning their wheels recently.
One thing I think everybody can agree on....? by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 22nd, 2006 07:20:38 PM
Doctor Doom is by far the best pure villain in the history of comicdom. Others make strong cases for #2 but DOOM and DOOM alone is #1.
LOL by Shigeru	Nov 22nd, 2006 08:11:37 PM
"Eat sum AIDS" made it on the board! Awesome. And I think I missed a Jar Jar meltdown?? Dammit!!
,,,, by blackthought	Nov 22nd, 2006 08:32:25 PM
i missed it as well.
And this, ladies and gents... by Jaka	Nov 22nd, 2006 08:54:34 PM
...is why I haven't read a superhero book since 1987. They keep reaming you guys, over and over, and yet you fall for it again the very next time. lol To each their own, I suppose.
ZombieSolutions by rev_skarekroe	Nov 22nd, 2006 09:21:21 PM
You're probably thrown off by the fact that Darkseid didn't appear in the SuperFriends cartoons until the Super Powers version in the mid-80s.
Da cogs was heah by Darth Kal-El	Nov 22nd, 2006 11:01:41 PM
freaking awesome image! seriously it rules! sorry ive been absent for a while new job and other things u know how it is. and hey someone fill me in on the jar jar breakdown/banning. god im glad that idiot got banned and if he didnt he should ive seen down syndrome kids with more to say than that secretion
I'm glad you're better than us Jaka by El Vale	Nov 23rd, 2006 12:08:16 AM
I mean at least someone is!
... by blackthought	Nov 23rd, 2006 12:08:24 AM
...
Montoya will unquestionably be the new Question... by Zardoz	Nov 23rd, 2006 05:28:19 AM
NOT Batwoman. The old Question's going to die of cancer or some sort of "noble sacrifice". He's obviously preparing Renee to take on the mantle of the Question, in a mentor-like manner. (his very own teacher is educating her in his disciplines and the "answer" Renee seeks is the right "question"?) C'mon, get with the program, people. Besides, when she DOES become The "New" Question, Renee and Batwoman will have some spicy lesbo lovin' as capes. And I'm liking 52 very much, thank you. (although I AM starting to be annoyed by Civil War; too many important gaps in the story that are filled in by other books)
... by blackthought	Nov 23rd, 2006 09:33:11 AM
kill the question? how dare they...he kicked so much ass in the cartoon.
Why they have to kill the Question by DevilCat	Nov 23rd, 2006 09:42:29 AM
Because Ditko's version was an objectivist, not a whiney liberal, and comic book writers these days can't write anything but liberals.
I don't give two shits about Montoya and The Question by El Vale	Nov 23rd, 2006 12:46:59 PM
But i'd love it if she became the new Batwoman just because it'd make Sleazy cry and hate us.
Montoya by Squashua	Nov 23rd, 2006 01:38:11 PM
She'll either become a new Question (a partner or the new entity) or "The Answer" or just stay Montoya.
Question....for people who hate New Gods by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 23rd, 2006 03:57:06 PM
You guys probably also hate the Inhumans??? Please lmk if this thread is still active. Thx. :^)
The Inhumans! by loodabagel	Nov 23rd, 2006 10:52:53 PM
Now there's something I'm somewhat familiar with... I've read The Jenkins/Lee series multiple times. It's one of my favorite comics ever. I'm sure there were some Kirby purists who absolutely hated it, but that's their problem, not mine. Jar Jar has destroyed himself and I didn't even get to see it. Gad, I hope somebody can fill me in on the details. He started arguing with himself? Damn, that is just too cool.
Spoiler Runaways Review... by loodabagel	Nov 24th, 2006 01:00:34 AM
Runaways Issue 22 Well first off, I’ve got to turn off this Cat Stevens. Cat Stevens is certainly not suited for reading or reviewing Runaways. Nah, we’re gonna need some indypunk emoboy stuff. Depending on the style of the story, I’m thinking either Pavement or Smashing Pumpkins. This one’s more relaxed than issues past, so I’m thinking Pavement… Ahh, there we go. Alright then, onto the reviewing of the comic. I was a bit of a late comer to Runaways, and this only the second time I’ve seen Adrian Alphona’s art in its original format. I mean, I’ve got the big ass Vol. 1 hardcover and the next two digests, but I’ve always thought comic book art looked best in its original comic book form because this issue was simply gorgeous. I think this is the best I’ve ever seen the guy’s art. When you’ve got all those old issues (or trades in my case) to look at, you get to watch him grow as an artist. In roughly 36 issues, he’s come quite a way. When you go back to issue 1, you’ve got all of these bland looking people with oversized mouths and eyes. By now, there’s just loads of detail put into these characters. The characters have gone through some subtle changes, their appearance changing only slightly, as Alphona’s art has gotten better and better. My only real problem with the art is that these kids are supposed to be living on the streets. (Well, they’ve got a nice underground lair, but that’s not the point) So why the hell are they always dressed like the Donatella Versace catalog? Just saying. As for the story, well… Brian, I just have to know: What makes your teenager’s dialogue so realistic? It’s truthful. It’s honest. It’s not cheesy in the least. Like when I was watching Heroes the other day, I said to myself “Cheerleaders do not talk like that. I know because I am good friends with a few. Whoever wrote this show needs to spend a few days back in High School, so they can figure out that people don’t talk like that at all.” You’re not actually doing that, are you? You’re not taping my conversations, right? Because I’m all for good dialogue, but that’s just creepy, especially when I don’t get to reap the benefits of you stealing my conversations. But wait! I live in Montana. You live in California. There’s no way you’re bugging me. Whew! That’s a load off of my chest. Spoiler!Spoiler!Plot Details!Spoiler!Spoiler! Of all the Runaways, I’ve never been a big fan of Chase Stein, but as the series has progressed, he gone from a douche to a COOL douche. He was just as ass up until he pulled that knife on Victor in issue ?, maybe 3?, Vol 2. Then I thought: Hey this guy’s kind of cool. And he just got more and more badass. He shot a freaking Doctor Doom robot. He killed a carjacker and talked tough to an extra dimensional drug dealer. But when poor old Gertrude Yorkes died, Chase went a little off the deep end. And that’s what this issue is mostly about. Chase is not in a good mood. I mean, he thought about killing that poor street kid! The guy’s a total creep now! You can see it in his eyes, (thanks to the stellar art of Alphona.) So what, is he going to kill Nico now? Because I really couldn’t handle that. The Nico/Victor romance has been one of my favorite aspects of late. In other news, poor old Xavin is back to being the awkward comic relief, after having a great moment in the last issue, which is fine I guess. I wouldn’t want Runaways to become grim ‘n’ gritty. shudder It seems he’s destined to always be a little goofy, as he and Molly have a great conversation during a board game. He tries to explain to her why he’s always changing forms. After rereading it for this review, it even seemed a little sad. Grade: A. If you’re not reading Runaways, you’re a communist.
Carmilla by El Vale	Nov 24th, 2006 05:36:31 AM
This thread is always active! We like to All-Week around here.
true by blackthought	Nov 24th, 2006 10:00:29 AM
...and...word.
not false by Squashua	Nov 24th, 2006 12:37:23 PM
...go ninja, go ninja, go.
Nah, I love The Inhumans. by SleazyG.	Nov 24th, 2006 02:34:48 PM
I've always thought they had great characters and designs and ideas. Much stronger concept that the New Gods because it was a little smaller and easier to handle. I think he overreached with the New Gods, and it just never clicked for me. I know some folks around here seem very attached to the New Gods, but I'm hardly the first person to suggest that Ditko's work at DC wasn't his best. Inhumans, though? Classic.
O.K. you guys are here all week eh? :^) by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 24th, 2006 03:23:32 PM
Any good tips on where there are some other boards that are heavily posted on that are just regarding comics??? Wizard doesn't seem like much, and I've only other wise been on the CGC boards. Was thinking about getting a bunch of books slabbed. What do you guys think?
52 Week Long Post by Marco_Xavier	Nov 24th, 2006 05:23:14 PM
I dropped 52 at the halfway point. The book reads like the Island of Misfit D-Listers, except that sounds much too interesting a concept for this title. They cry, "Look, stuff happens when the big heroes aren't around!" Then, heroes unseen in years get slaughtered, proving to all naysayers once and for all that the World's Finest have bigger cocks than all other DC heroes. Oh, and Wonder Woman's got the most ribbed strap-on. Wouldn't it have been great if more of the creators had decided to each tell an epic story that would truly represent a year in the life of the DC UNIVERSE. Cracked open a Who's Who and said, "hey which of these characters could truly step up and fill the heroic vacuum," rather than "how many of these losers should I kill to build up the menace of Skeets through wholesale slaughter?" Think about it-- 52 comic books. Imagine telling Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and Grant Morrison "You're each responsible for 13 issues that should match 'Crisis On Infinite Earths' in scale and best it for substance. Talk amongst yourselves. Greg, you want to tell a Question/Montoya story? Well, most of 'Watchmen'was a smaller mystery story with non-powered protagonists. Shoot for that. Waid, you want to tell the story of Elongated Man's fall and ultimate redemption against all odds. Sounds like 'The Dark Knight Returns.' Run with that. Geoff, I know you love this Black Adam thing you started in JSA. Why not take the license given in your 13 issues to tell your own "Kid Miracleman" saga? Oh, and Grant, you know that idea you had for the 7 Soldiers of Victory? Do you think you could pull that off in 286 pages? You the man, G!" Ever look at those timelines DC put up after Zero Hour through the Secret Files & Origins books? They would compress multiple multi-year runs in characters books to fit a subjective year's time. Imagine The Judas Contract, The Shadow War of Hawkman, The Trial of the Flash, and so on overlapping within weeks of each other in one intertwined narrative. That's what "52" should be. All killer, no filler. If Alan Heinberg can't tell anyone what he's got planned for his haphazard yet tepid "Wonder Woman" relaunch, then conceive the greatest Vixen story ever told instead and name drop Donna Troy once in issue #35. They should be sweating "how are we going to fit this into just 52 issues," instead of crafting Steel solo stories so bad they could have been pulled from a time capsule left by Louise Simonson & Chris Batista circa 1994. If Steel's going to be in "52," it better be like that moment from Morrison's JLA where, in place of armor, "I'm wearing the entire Watchtower!" This is a book that should launch 1,000 comics to follow, not make "Marvel Comics Presents" look comperably relevant. I get a great discount for my comics online, so I think I'm out about $35 on 52. What I got for my money was a humorless retread of a swell Booster Gold episode of "Justice League Unlimited" that ended with the death of yet another JLI member. I'm beyond caring at this point, since that classic run will never be replicated, but did anyone bother to ask J.M. DeMatteis how he felt about that? DiDio keeps trotting out Keith Giffen to validate the scourging of those characters, forgetting Giff's the one who made J'Onn J'Onzz an (Oreo) junkie and Blue Beetle (and Booster) an embezzler. DeMatteis was the humanist who brought the endearing affection within the JLI to the table. Has he even worked at DC proper since "Formerly Known As...?" What else I got: The threadbare and uninteresting Batwoman revamp. Doc Will Magnus, the least clamored for Metal Men character, boring the readership in ways Black Goliath never could imagine. A retread of the Question/Huntress appearances from "JL Unlimited." Except Huntress makes more sense in the story than Montoya. Plus, there's the potential for romantic entanglement, or at least snappy patter. Oh, and writing by Gail Simone. Did I mention before that Cartoon Network gives me "JLU" for free, on television, with Jeffrey Combs providing a voice? Or that any single Ditko or O'Neil Question story was better than this entire subplot to date? Natasha Irons, lacking all the charm and sass of Christopher Priest's take, hanging out with Lex Luthor and stand-ins for Infinity Inc. Infinity Incorporated. Let that swish around in your mouth for a moment before wretching uncontrollably. A KIDS Incorporated reformation would be better, especially if Fergie got killed by Skeets! Oh yeah, the space opera. I keep forgetting that story exists. Wouldn't it be cool if Morrison turned that into "The Marvin Martian Manifesto?" Or a line of dialogue could be written where the balloon couldn't trail toward the mouth of any of the three main characters without anyone knowing the difference? Maybe its to soften the backlash when one of them finally dies already. When Lobo is a comparative oasis of character complexity, no one in space can hear you scream. You might get from my ranting that I hate "52," but I don't. I even get itchy about dropping it at times. My problem was that it was so relentlessly functional, told with unimpeachable adequacy, that I could no longer handle the the mad journeyman skillz 4+ times a month. I do wish I could buy the Black Marvel Family stuff seperate, though. P.S. I really like Steel as a character, but not here. I can handle Montoya as a new Question, I suppose. P.P.S. Thanks for the kind words in that other Talkback, Buzz Maverick. It otherwise sucks to bother with a long post when it just gets completely lost amongst flame wars.
I agree, Sleazy... by stones_throw	Nov 25th, 2006 10:22:23 AM
Except that it was Jack Kirby who created the New Gods and the Inhumans, not Steve Ditko. :)
Other Boards by Squashua	Nov 25th, 2006 10:28:35 AM
Carmilla, though I might get my @$$ kicked for endorsing other boards, Newsarama and ComicBookResources have some good chatting going on. And don't forget the Bendis Boards at JinxWorld and the Millar boards at MillarWorld. @$$World.
Carmilla: Best Comics Message Board by the G-man	Nov 25th, 2006 11:41:21 AM
RKMBs is run by the guy who moderates the DC Comics message board but, unlike the DC boards, its free and fun, and discusses all sorts of things not related to Time Warner corporate shilling: http://tinyurl.com/7tsgt
RIP... by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 25th, 2006 12:32:30 PM
... Jar Jar 4 Prez. You mess with the bull, you get the horns.
Thanks to G-Man & Squashua!! by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 25th, 2006 12:39:48 PM
:^)
Amalgram Comics... by loodabagel	Nov 26th, 2006 12:01:53 AM
I bought this one yesteray where a female Daredevil/Deathstroke and Catwoman/Electra fight Kingpin/Riddler. Gad! What an awful story. Every single page was a gimmick. There were about 50 characters in it, and they all had to combine some characters. Oh well, it was only a buck. I also got me some old Mike Allred stuff. I want more. Right now.
Dave Cockrum passed away. by mrfan	Nov 26th, 2006 06:46:46 PM
eom
hmmm.... by blackthought	Nov 26th, 2006 10:37:29 PM
....
My 52 cents by Black Satin 2	Nov 27th, 2006 06:28:46 AM
As much as I am following '52', I wish they would resolve the issues between Batman and Zatanna. Is he going to forgive her transgression on him and what does it say about the character and how she 'behaved' back then, doing the dirty work of leaguers like Hawkman and Green Arrow.
Cesar Chavez and Seven Soldiers by Shigeru	Nov 27th, 2006 10:18:13 AM
I loved almost all of Seven Soldiers (exception of most of Mr Miracle), and was disapointed with Sleazy's extremely negative review of #1, as well as the semi-drubbing it got in this here roundtable. So I was thinking that Jar Jar is like Cesar Chavez and me, I'm like a smart person who has serious criticisms about George Bush. Does anybody understand me?? Yeah yeah fuck you it's Monday, give me a break. so who's gonna finally explain WTF happened with JJ4P??
monday after thanksgiving >>> Cogs by Shigeru	Nov 27th, 2006 10:21:05 AM
...
Shig: all the answers you need. by SleazyG.	Nov 27th, 2006 01:41:42 PM
Just so you know, that was Bug who didn't like SSOV #1. I had problems with it too, and said so in the roundtable, but the actual negative review was all Bug. As for resident "too smart for the room" guy JJ4P, he fucked himself. He'd been impersonating Mr. Nice Gaius by creating the same name with the . at the end but the real MNG didn't know who the impostor was. JJ came in and started arguing with himself using his normal and knock-off IDs. Since the talkbacks started maintaining your login name, though, this has become a little trickier. Apparently he was so busy owning all of us because he's so frikkin' smart that he forgot to change who he was logged in as, attacked himself using the same name he was logged in with, and tipped his hand. Once the real MNG saw it he went straight to The Powers That Be, explained the situation and got both names booted. Shame, really--couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I mean that literally--if he wasn't such a douche it could never have happened.
Happy belated T-day talkbackers! by nofate	Nov 27th, 2006 03:37:59 PM
No computer access outside of work so I couldn't post anything since. Doesn't look like I missed much, what with that DC loveletter...sorry, "round table discussion". At least you had the decency to wait 'till CW is finished before ganging up on it @$$holes!
Throw those virgins this way, Psynapse. by SleazyG.	Nov 27th, 2006 06:37:38 PM
Trust me, it's still a sacrifice of sorts.
JJ4P gone? by El Vale	Nov 27th, 2006 07:50:44 PM
Does that mean i can go back to being non-stupid and non-owned?
Vale: by SleazyG.	Nov 27th, 2006 08:37:28 PM
No.
SleazyG. by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 27th, 2006 10:41:17 PM
Thanks for taking the time to explain the JJ4P situation to the boys. It was no secret that JJ4P and I did not like each other. However, his little stunt has got to be one the most pathetic things I've ever seen on AICN. I hope you guys won't miss him too much... Cheers.
MNG by El Vale	Nov 27th, 2006 11:03:55 PM
When the whole thing went down i kinda came to the conclusion that you'd always been another JJ4P persona, so it's nice to see you're your own self suficient entity...that must feel good.
It's about time by El Vale	Nov 27th, 2006 11:18:31 PM
For a new Walking Dead issue, don't you think?
LOL by dregmobile	Nov 27th, 2006 11:29:34 PM
Okay, all that was pretty funny. I enjoyed those JJ4P discussions. They will go down as legend in the Cog Records. Or not. I did enjoy Punisher's War Journal. Can't wait until he writes his next entry. Spider-Man was a bit odd with the "Check out Civil War's 5 & 6!", but still a good read. Finally got to Blacksad. What an awesome work of art/noir. I love it. It finishes too soon ... Time for CogSmooching Part 4 ...
El Vale by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 27th, 2006 11:33:02 PM
Ha! It feels incredibly good. And I imagine JJ4P is still in a state of shock over the amount of ownage he was served.
Hey... by Mr. Nice Gaius	Nov 27th, 2006 11:34:46 PM
If any of you guys saved his lunatic posts, feel free to send them to me in the Zone. That stuff is comedy gold.
Dear God no... by stones_throw	Nov 28th, 2006 05:26:34 AM
Punisher War Journal was horrible. Matt Fraction offing beloved villains in his first writing gig for Marvel and having Frank make X-Files references? Bleh. Marvel really jumped the shark on this one. Does anyone else think there'll be a huge dropping-off on Marvel once Civil War ends? Especially if they keep putting ou crappy new books like this. P:WJ feels like its the 90s again.
How to end CIVIL WAR... by stones_throw	Nov 28th, 2006 06:43:24 AM
Last page of Civil War #7: cut to the Watcher on the blue area of the moon. Watcher: "I hope you have enjoyed your look at the PARALLEL UNIVERSE that the Scarlet Witch created at the end of House of M. Now I return you to Earth 616, as the Fantastic Four discover a new planet and Peter Parker delivers some photos to J. Jonah Jameson."
Thanks Sleazy! by Shigeru	Nov 28th, 2006 08:06:22 AM
Yeah that sounds like a fairly appropriate Talkback death for JJ4P... pretty hilarious actually. I would say it confirms what a worthless tool he was, but it's not like there was ever much doubt. Oh it was Bug who reviewed it... shoot, sorry about that. I stand by my 'It was Monday' defense. Vale: yeah WD has been insanely late...lazy ass Kirkman...
How to end Civil War, pt. 2 by Shigeru	Nov 28th, 2006 08:13:31 AM
Have Rob Liefield do a splash page of Joey Q surrounded by beautiful women (wearing only the golden parts of that wretched spider-armor) and heaping piles of money, laughing his ass off.
Wearing only the golden parts... by Squashua	Nov 28th, 2006 08:59:23 AM
Why wearing anything at all?
How to end Civil War Part 3... by loodabagel	Nov 28th, 2006 09:46:26 AM
Nextwave!
Can you guys please do a write-up on DAVE COCKRUM?? by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 28th, 2006 11:08:00 AM
I got to meet him at Heroescon in NC this summer. It was obvious that he was ill, but he was extremely kind. And his take on the X-Men among others imo rocked really hard. RIP Dave.
How do you do an "Anti-RIP" (for JJ4Prez) ;^) by CarmillaVonDoom	Nov 28th, 2006 11:09:02 AM
Shame, I do like reading trolling
Squash: by Shigeru	Nov 28th, 2006 11:21:39 AM
cause the mystery and teasing is half the fun! plus it'd reinforce how utterly brain-dead the new design is.
LOL, Shigeru... by stones_throw	Nov 28th, 2006 01:14:22 PM
LOL LOL LOL
I really, really hope they don't kill the Question by Nightwood	Nov 28th, 2006 01:22:41 PM
I like Vic Sage the fanatic objectivist with crank politics. I like Vic Sage the blank slate reeducated in arcane martial arts by Peter Dragon, who then tried to hold up the sinking ship of Flint, Michigan-- Hub City or whatever. I don't like what Vietch did with him, and I almost don't mind the JLU's conspiracy weirdo. Vic Sage has good history, and he could be a nice thowback antidote to sidekicks with AIDs.
"antidote to sidekicks with AIDs" by The Heathen	Nov 28th, 2006 03:17:34 PM
Nice. I like 52 the more I think about it. Some issues are more lackluster than others, but when you look back on it so far I like the story and where it's going. I hope that The Question remains alive as well perhaps with Montoya as The Answer or something else maybe not as gimmicky, but whatever. I like Steel as a character, but in this series he's too mopey. Skeets is an evil bastard he is. I forget about the heroes in space as well. The scientists on that island isn't my cup of tea either. Shig, the Liefeld drawing with Al Quesada had me rolling man. "how utterly brain-dead the new design is." Ha!
So... by El Vale	Nov 28th, 2006 03:25:39 PM
How bout that Minx?
I dig that Minx. by SleazyG.	Nov 28th, 2006 04:37:30 PM
She's got spunk. That kid could really go places.
John Bolton's so called "art" in 1001 nights by thecrimsoncurse	Nov 28th, 2006 06:34:54 PM
Am I the only one to recognize John Bolton's Snow White? She's a chinese actress by the name of Shu Qi(hsu chi). Seriously...is this considered art? Taking a picture and photoshopping it. Compare the following image to the panels on page 26. http://img375.imageshack.us/im g375/2812/shuqijohnboltonxx9.j pg I'm pretty sure given enough time I could match up every panel of snow white to a real photograph of this chick.
Is it too early to be last? by loodabagel	Nov 29th, 2006 10:04:50 AM
Yes. It is.
Last by stones_throw	Nov 29th, 2006 10:11:22 AM
Lastes.
re: thecrimsoncurse by The Heathen	Nov 29th, 2006 12:14:52 PM
any way you could scan those pages? I haven't scene the book yet, but I'm curious to see the resemblance. Is it overly Greg Land-ish?
Jar Jar as Vog? by The Heathen	Nov 29th, 2006 03:32:37 PM
Perhaps. Even that's funny because he has to resort to the open-for-anyone user name that he loathed because he was banned and owned. I've never seen someone get owned so much. Good times. Last.
Last... by loodabagel	Nov 30th, 2006 10:22:11 AM
I must go now!
Last... by Squashua	Dec 1st, 2006 04:33:09 PM
No, I must!
Last... by loodabagel	Dec 5th, 2006 09:29:42 AM
... That's my trademark
Copywrite Squashua, 2006 by Squashua	Dec 8th, 2006 09:38:31 AM
Ali Larter is hot.
http://www.comicspace.com/aicn_c omics/ by Squashua	Dec 8th, 2006 01:08:31 PM
http://www.comicspace.com/aicn _comics/

Talkbacks

AICN COMICS ROUNDTABLE REVIEW OF DC COMICS' 52, INFINITE CRISIS, 7 SOLDIERS AND MORE!!!

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks