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AICN COMICS REVIEWS AN ADVANCE LOOK AT THE DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN! ION! PETER PORKER: SPIDER-HAM! AND MUCH MORE!

first posters suck... by brokenheadstuff	Feb 7th, 2007 12:09:04 PM
the second posters dick
I'M GOING TO by brokenheadstuff	Feb 7th, 2007 12:09:42 PM
print this out so i can read it on the crapper.
FOURTH POSTERS ROCK by Abin Sur	Feb 7th, 2007 12:13:23 PM
'NUFF SAID
If Joe Q could just let Bru wrap up each MARVEL title.. by George Newman	Feb 7th, 2007 12:25:20 PM
The X-Men universe has needed a rebooting conclusion since the end of Morrison's run. MARVEL in general will need Brubaker's delicate touch, too, at the end of Civil War.
I like The Walking Dead by ChorleyFM	Feb 7th, 2007 12:26:26 PM
But it really suffers from some occasionally stunted and terrible dialogue. I know it is supposed to be a kind of soapy character piece, set in a zombie world, but sometimes it just really takes me out of the story. it is like Heroes, in that the plotting is all there, and the characters/world that have been created are largely very interesting, but the actual scripts can just be embarassing.
Legends of the Dark Knight by 8footTallGopher	Feb 7th, 2007 12:30:30 PM
Was great at the start. It was this prestige, classy, batman book. one of my favorite Batman stories of all time was the GOTHIC arc which I think was the second of the book. I hadnt really read it in 100 issues or so, I'm not sure how they managed to make "the early years" of Batman last so long, or if it was even that concept anymore by then? I was a little confused at Batman Confidential as it seemed to be such a similar concept but now I understand its replacing it. Just not with the same class Legends had at the start. If you ask me Legends was the grandfather to Marvels Ultimates concepts which DC is now trying to copy with their All Star line.
I DID by brokenheadstuff	Feb 7th, 2007 12:38:44 PM
read it on the crapper, and i agree with every single review, except for: Dark Tower, Teen Titans, Spider Ham, Ion, LODK, First Moon, Athena, Walking Dead, and Blue Beatle, cuz i havn't read them.
Athena Voltaire IS badass by Doctor_Sin	Feb 7th, 2007 12:44:35 PM
I just discovered her last week, actually - very cool stuff.
Is Fred Hembeck still alive? by rev_skarekroe	Feb 7th, 2007 12:50:28 PM
He used to be the go-to guy for Marvel parody stuff like "Spider-Ham".
CORRECTION: Upcoming writer Beechen by Squashua	Feb 7th, 2007 12:58:08 PM
This place is not much for editing, post-op. :^\|
The Nightly News by Jonathan Hickman by vivavitalogy	Feb 7th, 2007 01:28:43 PM
Read it.
The Teen Titans need Superboy by MagicPhone	Feb 7th, 2007 01:48:16 PM
Johns pretty much said so himself over at Newsarama when he mentioned that if Superboy hadn't died in Infinite Crisis he probably wouldn't be leaving the book. Superboy was the only thing really setting this most recent Teen Titans apart from the previous versions.
JLA: Classified - Slott? NO! ALL LIES! IT'S JURGENS! by Squashua	Feb 7th, 2007 01:50:00 PM
JLA: Classified, "Red King". Slott on plot; Jurgens on dialogue.
Good joke in Spider-Ham: by TallBoy66	Feb 7th, 2007 02:19:04 PM
Iron Ham: "You know, I actually woldn't mind this if not for the heat from the rocket shoes. Ow. Ow. Hot. Ow." Also, I dug the Superhero Merchandising Act bit "Sign it!" "No!" "Sign it!" "No!". Aside from that, not many, if all chuckles, but its nice to see them try a humour book that may make it up the charts a big higher considering how Agents of Atlas and Nextwave don't seem to crack the top 50. (But Nextwave is actually hillarious on each page, hell, each panel. Damn, I'm going to miss that book.) Oh, and for that ION review ... are we really supposed to get excited for another DC "Event"? I still have Infinite Crisis hangover.
Nice to see DC still sucks on marketing. by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 7th, 2007 02:30:46 PM
I think Millar was the one that pointed out that the company is owned by one of the most powerful media conglomerates in the world and their flagship characters sell less than his Glasgow newspaper.
Let's get Brubaker to "wrap up" Civil War by IndustryKiller!	Feb 7th, 2007 02:32:46 PM
I have a suggestion actually. How about in the next issue of amazing Spider man, Peter wakes up on page one in a sweat and says "man I just had this dream that Stark and Richards randomly became evil, superheroes went to war over something in Connecticut that would be a blip on the catastrophe radar comparatively, and I unmasked putting everything I have worked for in jeapardy for no reason at all." Then Mary jane can say "That's ridiculous Peter, boy for someone to even write that as fiction they would have to be complete hacks." and then they laugh. This all happens on the first two pages as Civil War deserves no more attention than that.
Somehow I get the feeling by Shigeru	Feb 7th, 2007 02:39:17 PM
that Bug didn't like Bendis' DD run. Anybody else get that feeling? Not to be a troll or anything, but please can we let it go? I never remotely liked Daredevil until Bendis' uneven, but occasionally great, run. Where else are you gonna see somebody puke up a goddamn demon baby?!
Bug hates Bendis by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 7th, 2007 02:42:40 PM
like Prof. Challenger likes writing good reviews. Oh, snap!
The problem with Bendis and his ilk by IndustryKiller!	Feb 7th, 2007 02:50:02 PM
Is that they care far more about leaving their mark on the Marvel Universe than actually stopping to think if the mark they are leaving makes any sense or services the characters at all. The answer to both is almost invariably no. It's like that line in Jurassic Park "they were so concerned with if they could they didn't sotp to think if they should" (paraphrased). It's no wonder that guys like Bendis and Millar started staking their claim in the Ultimate Universe, because they are simply not good enough to contribute anything in regular continuity. Bendis writes god dialogue...good for him. lot's of people can write snappy dialogue, in comic books thats not good enough, you also have to be able to push a story along. Bendis's pacing is so slow and tedious it makes your average episode of Dragon Ball Z look like Pulp Fiction. The man simply cannot write comic books.
Blue Beetle, Ion, and Teen Titans by mattb127	Feb 7th, 2007 03:16:19 PM
Hey hey hey! It's one year later and guess what...? Ion and Blue Beetle are on the verge of cancellation. Johns is one of THE most overrated writers out there, and it seems like he's writing EVERYTHING. DiDio blows. Do I really need his self-serving little note at the end of every dc comic? Why doesn't somebody fire that jackass already? This is one of the worst periods in DC Comics history EVER. I picked up the "Titans East" business just 'cause, and, despite the fact that I stared at Raven's ass for like five minutes, I'm not quite sure why anyone would read this. I mean, the whole speech about "No, I brought Joe's Body back. His soul was hidden in a computer," made me go "Hunh? Wow. I'm glad I missed that one. That sounds horrible."
I'm trying, Vog. by Squashua	Feb 7th, 2007 03:35:49 PM
I hit up Comicspace and do an announcement every week. People read, just no one talks back anymore; it's the same old crowd each week; a bunch of 1-posters and Abin Sur, and the regulars: VOG, Heather, Psynapse, Loogiebialy, Thighla, Scarecrow, myself, some of the other @$$holes, and Shiggy-Pop. There are a lot of easier forums to deal with. Again, I blame this site. Someone tell Harry to hire me to rewrite this beast; it'll take me 1 month of dedicated "working on the side" labor.
The soul of Jericho by Squashua	Feb 7th, 2007 03:38:09 PM
was on a computer disk up until 3 issues ago. In-between was a finish-up fight scene issue where no one mentioned the disk and the Kid Devil-spotlight issue.
@$$ NEWS ALERT: "The Boys" kicked back in a sack! by Squashua	Feb 7th, 2007 03:39:48 PM
At Dynamite Entertainment, per Newsarama.
You're right Psynapse by mattb127	Feb 7th, 2007 03:43:40 PM
Hopefully, DiDio and Johns can bring back "Electric Dreams" as a crossover event, but just so long as they rape some people along the way. Yeah, I understand that this is a superhero comic. I'm just saying it's not a very good one. For the exposition alone, man. "Don't you remember? Joey's soul was trapped on that computer disk!" Probably, Robin remembers that. It seems like a memorable thing. Or he doesn't need it clarified. I certainly didn't need it, even though Joey was back and i had no idea why. I just assumed it was Nero or Earth-2 Superman or the Manhunters or Waverider or the Monitor or the Anti-Monitor.
Do they still make Groo The Wanderer? by Kirbymanly	Feb 7th, 2007 04:36:36 PM
Used to LOVE that
oh dear... by blackthought	Feb 7th, 2007 04:46:19 PM
is civil war over yet?
DD: Decalogue & Squash… by The Heathen	Feb 7th, 2007 04:59:16 PM
I never read Daredevil 'monthly' until Brubaker took over, but I did read the Decalogue storyline because the covers kicked ass and I enjoyed that. The demon baby was freaky indeed. I read a few other issues of Bendis' DD run after that and like Shig said, they varied in quality. Some good, some crap. The thing about Bru is that he's CONSISTENT and that's the most important quality to have after being a good writer. Squash,the Cogs (Shig, Psy, Thal, Vale, blackthought, Turtle, Darth Kal-El and myself) are busy enough with our rantings at the Cog Mansion or on our CogSpace, but we never forget where we formed. AICN Comics bay-bee!!! I know this site is ancient, but I kinda like that quality about it. I like spelling shit wrong. I like when trolls like Jar Jar fuck themselves publicly. I like the 'late 90's' feel to it. That said, I guess I'd be somewhat curious, but isn't that what the whole 'THE ZONE' was supposed to be? I call BS on VOG (whoever happens to be taking the form at the time) being named before the Cogs btw. ; )
Oh Ambush, here we go again... by nofate	Feb 7th, 2007 05:12:27 PM
"Not only does writer Ed Brubaker wrap up the storylines he has been scribing since he began working on the title, but he cleans up the mess that Brian Michael Bendis made of the title long ago." And here I thought we'd turn a corner, but alas that hard-on you have to bash anything Bendis won't go down. Bitch, Brubaker just up and gave the middle finger to anyone that had invested on Bendis' story from the past 5 years by essentially hitting the reset button less than a year after taking over the title. Bendis' writing was what kept me around after Smith's run when it relaunched. Now the status quo is back in effect. So what if the CW adds another restriction on DD using his powers? "Whoops, I'll hide behind this wall until the cape killers fly by" Fuck you Brubaker. I'm dropping this bitch!
IndustryKiller! by Thalya	Feb 7th, 2007 05:26:19 PM
"Bendis's pacing is so slow and tedious it makes your average episode of Dragon Ball Z look like Pulp Fiction." Now that deserves a heaping helping of "Oh Snap!"
And Sleazy, I have to take objection.. by Thalya	Feb 7th, 2007 05:48:07 PM
Yes, ION has been sadly underpromoted, but this development did not come out of the blue. I think any reasonable person could discern that Ion was a book to watch because: 1) Why even turn Kyle into Ion during Infinite Crisis if they didn't have big plans for him, particularly given the way DC Editorial has been about long-term planning. 2) Why boter giving him near-infinite galactic-sized powers if they weren't going to tell galactic-sized stories with him? 3) People who read the Brave New World one shot knew that the Monitors were watching him way back then (in June or July!), and DC Editorial has said as much. 4) Look at the buzz Ion #10 has been getting on the net this week. 5) Uncanny how they timed the release of the first Ion trade to come out last week as well, huh? Makes it pretty darn easy for latecomers to catch up, wouldn't you say? It just seems reasonable that things were going to come from this book, but DC's been pretty good universe-wide about keeping things under wraps until the proper time for revelation came about. And really, if people could figure out the big New Gods push from "Look to the skies" back in May or June, then why not this? Also, you're absolutely right. People need to be reading Blue Beetle. As much as I love Giffen, this book's gonna take off now that it's solely in Rogers' hands.
Also, a Guy Gardner deathwatch is now in effect by Thalya	Feb 7th, 2007 05:53:19 PM
The interview on Newsarama pertaining to Ion #10 with Ron Marz pointed out how important it was that the Tangent Green Lantern go into Guy's hands. Guy was a key member of the JLI. And keep an eye on Black Canary, Captain Atom, and Scott Free, all JLIers, plus Mary Marvel (Superbuddies). Things do not bode well for them, and if they could get rid of Wally West (JL: Europe) then they're all fair game.
Oh nofat... by Ambush Bug	Feb 7th, 2007 06:01:53 PM
Your comment "Bitch, Brubaker just up and gave the middle finger to anyone that had invested on Bendis' story from the past 5 years by essentially hitting the reset button less than a year after taking over the title." had me rolling. It's funny that when someone writes some revisionist history or overwrites Bendis, he's a hack, but when Bendis does it, he's reimagining things. That feeling you are feeling now is exactly how those who have been reading for years felt when Bendis, Millar, and their ilk came along and did the same thing. Ahh the sweet irony...taste it, bitch.
I will never give Ion a chance because... by Homer Sexual	Feb 7th, 2007 06:44:03 PM
his face is too stupid, looks so awful that I would never consider buying that book no matter how good the story was. Sorry, too visually unappealing. Teen Titans could be better, but I kind of like it...because there are numerous characters who are relatively fresh. The same old same old...zzzzz.....that's another reason I enjoy Outsiders, despite the fact that so many hate the Winick. Dark Tower? Um, no. Because there's lots of kinds of ham...such as Spider Ham..and Stephen King ham....like, say, Chris Claremont., he used to be a good writer, a loooong looong time ago. These were an underwhelming bunch of reviews, but I am most grateful for the Annihilation cheap shot, since I somehow missed that one when I went on my weekly trip to the LCS last Wed.
I love Bug and Fates back and forth's. by The Heathen	Feb 7th, 2007 07:02:20 PM
Just wanted to say that! Great bunch of reviews btw, @$$holes. I was worried we'd only get that lame Quint review for our weekly fix of comics goodness.
Homer.. by Thalya	Feb 7th, 2007 07:08:31 PM
They got rid of that facemask at least 5 issues ago..
Lady C. re: Ion by The Heathen	Feb 7th, 2007 07:11:47 PM
I dunno, I consider myself pretty well versed in the 'DC Nation' and all, but I didn't really get that Ion was going to be that big of a deal. I actually haven't read past the second issue, but after the review I read here I'm definitely going to check it out. We had a conversation last week about how DC has themselves set-up better than Marvel does as far as their continuity and end game, BUT Sleazy is right about there not being any real self promotion at DC. Marvel on the other hand bombards us with it. Even at the counters at the LCS' and everything. I never see DC doing stuff like that and they really should. I think I even have 3-5 at the house of Ion at the house. Cool.
I don't disagree, H. by Thalya	Feb 7th, 2007 07:38:38 PM
Ion's been criminally underpromoted (I even said so) and it seems that DC just doesn't want to spend a dime on their low-sellers (and even their regular books), but'll go hogwild for Superman/Batman vs Aliens vs Predators. It's not the best, but at the same time I think DC respects their readers' intelligences more by not overbombarding them with publicity and letting people figure things out for themselves. And dude, get on that Ion. You know I recommended #3 as one of my Best Single Issues last year.
"This is one of the worst periods in DC Comics history" by dregmobile	Feb 7th, 2007 07:44:42 PM
I certainly agree with you, Matt. I'm finding Marvel's crossover, while seemingly endless, far more entertaining than anything over there. I too had the problem with Kyle Rayner's face in ION, but he's looking better now. I might just pick up that first trade seeing as he's been one of my favourite characters for a while. Did someone comment on JLA: Classified??? Someone here is still actually COLLECTING that title? The current arc looked so horrible, I dumped it quick. Especially when they churn them out so quickly ... seems like a blatant cash-in. I say let the tales of the Morrisson-era JLA team die instead of dragging them out like this. I'd much rather see tales of other JLA teams from decades ago (like that Detroit League - that was so lame with the Poker Players Gang or whatever they were called, yet I could not put it down). DC have such great characters but are continually doing wrong things with them. Marvel have the right idea in throwing all their iconic characters into one big EVENT. And while CW may not be everyone's cup of tea, at least it is clear what is happening there. More and more I'm believing that to understand the DC 'verse, I'd need to collect every damn title they are printing. Blackthought - yes - one more issue to go. So are you gonna get it? Huh? :D
Yes ma'am. by The Heathen	Feb 7th, 2007 08:02:51 PM
I agree that DC respects their readers a little, maybe even a lot more than Marvel, but both companies are in business to make money and Marvel is just better at it currently. You brought up a good point with them getting there movies out first for a new generation (X-Men, Spider-Man) and I think that may play some part, but it's the nitty gritty Marvel is good at. The old bullpen I guess. I'm not saying that I want DC to follow Marvel in their storytelling process overall by any means, but they should definitely market themselves better to those who don't have the time or wit to decipher coded messages or hypothesize over a teaser image you know? Of course you do. I'm actually kinda excited about Ion after knowing that #3 was one of your favs of the year and after this current issue's reveal. I'll let you know.
From what I've seen of the Dark Tower series... by performingmonkey	Feb 7th, 2007 08:46:30 PM
It's fucking GREAT! The first seven issues cover everything up to the end of Wizard and Glass's flashback section, then it's everything that happened to young Roland up to the Battle of Jericho Hill and maybe right up to where the first book starts. It's 30 issues in all. I think they should consider expanding this to 60 issues and adapt the whole book series. That way everyone won't have to trawl through the 1000 pages of dirge that is the last three books, Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower (not that there aren't great parts in those books but they don't come close to the greatness of King's early material). Seeing the preview images of young Roland and the other characters with hawks at Gilead it suddenly HIT me what a fucking awesome idea this truly is. Thanks to the gods that King let this happen. And Jae Lee is the master.
ha... by blackthought	Feb 7th, 2007 09:05:38 PM
i'd have to buy the first 6 to care to buy the last one...i let the sheep buy it, i'll read anything...i won't buy just anything though...and since i'm not really enjoying this civil war i ain't buying it...like how i don't buy valentines day either...i miss mr. america. and ben needs 3 minute knowing that he only has 27 left...tick tock.
and i third what heathen said... by blackthought	Feb 7th, 2007 09:08:31 PM
the cogs are always here...it's the other folk not so much. that or they have are still enamored with the aquaman james cameron TB.
The real question regarding Spider-Ham is... by JustinSane	Feb 7th, 2007 09:24:37 PM
...do Hulk Bunny, Captain Americat and Goose Rider make appearances?
Read The Nightly News by Jonathan Hickman by vivavitalogy	Feb 7th, 2007 09:25:37 PM
Good stuff.
Civil War and DC by mattb127	Feb 7th, 2007 09:26:21 PM
I look FORWARD to Civil War, and I also look forward to Ultimate Spiderman, and I also look forward, though less and less, to New Avengers. Daredevil, as a book, is cresting in a golden age that has lasted for five freaking years. Brubaker's nailed it. This is coming from a LONG time DC fan. This is coming from a guy that rode his bike to the comic store and waited until it opened so he could get his hands on books like Dark Knight and Watchmen and V and Year One and the Wolfman/Perez era of Teen Titans. Those were great, great books. Great. And not just cause I was a kid. In those days, Marvel was trying desperately to catch up. I don't want to rehash what was going on twenty years ago, but books like "Kraven's Last Hunt" and "Secret War"––whatever their merits––were pale reflections of DC. (Miller's late Daredevil run notwithstanding.) Then you had Sandman and Preacher while Marvel was making Onslought and Heroes Reborn and all that nonsense.
Civil War and DC's slump by mattb127	Feb 7th, 2007 09:37:29 PM
I look FORWARD to Civil War, and I also look forward to Ultimate Spiderman, and I also look forward, though less and less, to New Avengers. Daredevil, as a book, is cresting in a golden age that has lasted for five freaking years. Brubaker's nailed it. Dude, Marvel's been swinging for the FENCES lately. Civil War is the best damn "event" I've ever read. They thought about it. They really thought about it. They weren't just trying to make money. They were setting out to tell a good story. DC was just raping people. Literally and figuritively, for money. This is coming from a LONG time DC fan. I'm sure DiDio and Johns are nice guys, but I think they're both making a tremendous mess out of everything, and as soon as someone replaces DiDio, we'll be treated to another galactic crisis, and it just becomes this endless series of reboots and tedious explanations. Can't they just enjoy the universe? Can't they just tell good stories and, you know, if there's some silly conflict with where Earth-1 Wildcat fits into the whole thing, then, you know, live with it? I mean, Superboy, a psychopath? In what universe is this allowed to happen?
Sorry for the triple post by mattb127	Feb 7th, 2007 09:38:14 PM
The first one wasn't ready for prime time. I'm still getting used to this internet doo-hicky.
You're kidding right Mattb127?? by IndustryKiller!	Feb 7th, 2007 10:15:47 PM
I mean you have to be sarcastic. Marvel wasn't just trying to make money with civil war? Riiiiiiight and Michael Bay is working to further the "art" of cinema. How the hell is Civil War a good event? It is completely inarguable to anyone with familiarity with the characters that they are being twisted in the most preposterous directions in their history to fit a storyline. If you disagree I want you to justify the behavior of Reed Richards, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Captain America. Seriously I want to hear you justify it. Also in what way is this is a good story? It's a painfully uninsightful bandwagon jump on the anti Bush (and I say this as a liberal) sentiment that does nothing but blandly cut and paste superheroes for politicians while exagerrating the simplicity of a very complex real world situation for mass consumption of an idiot public. A monkey could have written this storyline. Just replace politicians with superheros and make their behavior completely outrageous, there you have it, that is the entire story of Civil War. Its really that simple and boring.
Actually, the evil Superboy by dregmobile	Feb 7th, 2007 10:19:16 PM
Was the only thing I liked about the infinite crisis that was INFINITE CRISIS. CIVIL WAR is my very first taste of the Marvel universe - and to me - the whole thing is playing out like a slightly more soapy season of 24 (with cinematic action in the main title). But it's the first time I've ever read about the main Marvel heroes - characters which I only know from the movies - and I'm enjoying the learning, too. I don't know how many of the tie-ins I'll be collecting once CW is over. I've decided to stick with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN for at least his black suit phase, I want to drop IRON MAN soon, I'll continue with NEW AVENGERS but MIGHTY AVENGERS does nothing for me (Ms Marvel would have to be the most boring marvel character i've read). I'm getting on board for this WWHULK stuff about to hit. The idea of a new-look F4 appeals to me, so I want to stick with that, too. And I want to collect more CAPTAIN AMERICA than I have been, though there are rumours there will be little to tell of this character in months to come ... Only Dini's DETECTIVE COMICS and the pulpy MYSERY IN SPACE and TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED are keeping me going at DC. - oh, and JUSTICE and JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA. These are all great. But the rest - y'know, the chimp wearing the helmet of FATE, the quad-monthly WONDER WOMAN and the bad i've been hearing about the FLASH run just disappoint me. I love these characters but there's just no reason for me to buy ... In the end I think it's a matter of opinion. What I'm noticing is that those that totally understand all that is in the DC universe at the moment are enjoying what is out there (mostly). But that's only because they're collecting a lot of it.
IndustryKiller! by dregmobile	Feb 7th, 2007 10:22:38 PM
I forgot to say I LOVE that CIVIL WAR reflects America's politics. How long these themes can be explored is another matter, but that was actually the thing that attracted me to the series in the first place (it was the art in EXTREMIS #6 that started me off leaving DC for Marvel's bag of tricks).
Oh, and double-posts are a good thing. by dregmobile	Feb 7th, 2007 10:24:01 PM
It increases our post count in the TOP TALKBACKS list. Let me post this again just to make this clearer ...
oy vey by blackthought	Feb 7th, 2007 10:53:58 PM
...hmm...
I have no problem with CW addressing politics dreg by IndustryKiller!	Feb 7th, 2007 11:06:57 PM
Art has always and MUST reflect politics, especially when things are going as badly as they are now and a portion of the public at large is blind ot the fact. It's no surprise comics address politics. Hell look at X-Men and racism. All art whether it be film, literature, theatre, music, whatever has a duty to shine a light on societal problems. The problem is if they are going to do it they should do it well. With Civil War they eschew all metaphor and just plug and paste characters into the literal places of real world figures, exagerrate situations, and dumb the whole affair down to a degree thats ridiculous. For instance Tony Stark as George Bush. I HATE George Bush, but I also dont think he is a megalomaniac intent on imposing a lockdown on all American citizens and portraying him as such doesn't give insight to American politics so much as exploit them. To my knowledge George Bush also wasnt a supergenius who has saved the world more times than we can count. Stark never showed anything that would resemble the tyranical streak that Stark displays in CW. Thats just Marvel going "what hero can we plug in a George Bush?" and then throwing a dart at a wall full of pictures. Their complete inability and unwillingness to justify any of these actions in a character context proves this. And if you say "well Tony Stark always was a bit of a loose cannon and you know that whole drinking thing...." well then you are just flat out wrong. There is a pretty far cry from ANYTHING Stark has done in the past under his own volition and the fact that he has turned America into a war zone for a bill that makes no sense unless somehow he has been taken over by The Shadow King. Unless of course you make an arcane association that all ex-alcoholics with money show a penchant for ruthlessness.
You know what's funny? by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 7th, 2007 11:11:37 PM
Remember when everyone had the same opinion, i.e. things like Onslaught, the Spider-Clone saga and Heroes Reborn blew chunks? Now, people are so divided over comics... is Civil War awesome and different and something to get excited about? Or is it just a cheap marketing ploy sent off to be written by a popular, half-mad Scot? Was Infinite Crisis a cool re-envisioning of the DCU and a much needed clean up of continuity, or a big ole muddled mess of a comic that accomplished nothing but indirectly shoving Johns of the Titans? Were (intelligent) comic fans always this divided, and I was simply too young and/or stupid to notice?
ahem by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 7th, 2007 11:13:34 PM
That should be "shoving Johns OFF the Titans". As far as I know, there is no Teen Titan named Johns. That would be neat, though.
See, I'm new to Marvel ... by dregmobile	Feb 7th, 2007 11:40:10 PM
My first taste of Tony Stark was the very cold Tom Cruise lookalike in EXTREMIS. And outside of the films, I'm new to every other Marvel hero. So the accuracies of the characters don't matter so much to me. I personally think it's okay to adapt and tweak characters over time in long-running comics, but maybe the way they have done this in CIVIL WAR was too sudden, or just plain - like what you're saying - forced and unrealistic. And I can understand long-time readers feeling this way. But to me, it's a whole lot of fun. I just love good action stories, and that's what CW is to me at the end of the day.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! by dregmobile	Feb 7th, 2007 11:41:15 PM
2007 has finally arrived!!!
About Dr. Fate... by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 7th, 2007 11:50:32 PM
Why did DC and Geoff Johns go through all the trouble of doing a cool version in the first few issues of JSA in the 2000 era volume (the one that just ended) with ties to continuity and everything... only to kill him seemingly at random and for no good reason? Now, maybe I'm out of line, I could have missed an arc or something, maybe I didn't pick up the title that showed why this is a good idea or something. Anyone want to help a fella out?
dark tower variant cover by master bitchfist	Feb 8th, 2007 12:14:28 AM
so i was in my local comic shop in savannah, ga today picking up The Dark Tower. I grabbed the regular cover and the variant (only one on the shelf)! I was excited. I get to the counter and the manager takes the variant cover out of my hand and says "thats not for sale" i said "i just took it off the shelf!" he said "you can buy it on ebay from us" wtf! i call up the other two comic shops in town, one says "uhhh ours were damaged" the other says "we're going to sell those in a couple weeks once we see how much they go for on ebay" so this is great, good to know that marvel's products are basically being resold for a huge markup, thats real nice.
Wow Master bitchfist by IndustryKiller!	Feb 8th, 2007 01:53:55 AM
That fucking sucks man. Im glad it wasn't me though because it probably would have resulted with me in a prison cell and some fat cliche comic store owner minus a few teeth. I know exactly hte kind of guy you are talking about and it makes me sick to think about it. I cant fucking believe he had the audacity to take it out of your hand. If Marvel was an upstanding company (and I have no doubt they arent) you should be able to have them contact the owner to at least have a dialogue about that kind of behavior. Especially in a business where loyalty is invaluable.
Master bitchfist by GreatOne2	Feb 8th, 2007 04:11:21 AM
That's why you should download your books from torrent or rapidshare sites - the comic book industry stinks from top (lousy storytelling) to bottom (greedy store owners).
Advanced Review? by Hellpop	Feb 8th, 2007 07:37:06 AM
I love how we can call a review advanced for a book that was released 12 hours earlier.
Just read Batman Year 100... by loodabagel	Feb 8th, 2007 09:38:06 AM
Does it get any cooler than Batman drawn by Paul Pope riding a motorcycle? I think not. This is some of the best art I've seen from him. I think it looked better thn 100%.
yeah, but it wasn't… by The Heathen	Feb 8th, 2007 09:53:52 AM
as GOOD as 100%. Then again, not much is. bitchfist, that's crazy man. It would have been great if it happened to have gotten bent or ripped 'accidently'. I can't believe they had it on the shelves the pricks! "Civil War is the best damn "event" I've ever read. They thought about it. They really thought about it. They weren't just trying to make money. They were setting out to tell a good story." - matt127, they may be one of the craziest things I've ever read. I 'might' be able to understand some of it if you are in dreg's type of situation and you don't know much about the characters… nah, I can't. That's insane. Dreg takes it at face value as a good action book and I wish I could, but I can't because I know those characters wouldn't act the way they do. P.S. Dreg, if you want better action with the same writer then check out Ultimates.
The only problem with downloading things by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 8th, 2007 09:54:25 AM
are that said things don't make money, and then get dropped, canceled, or the entire industry collapses. Yeah, that comic shop guy was a dick, so if I were you, I'd just simply move stores. But, I'd imagine most stores were selling their variants online. a lot of times, retailers have to order something like 50 copies for 1 variant, and with as very, very little profit comic owners get, I don't blame them for that practice, at least. Besides, I never got the whole "variant" thing... smells of the early 90s speculators to me.
Variant covers are for suckas... by loodabagel	Feb 8th, 2007 09:59:52 AM
Really, it's a good thing that they took it away from you because that knid of stuff does not fly in the loodabagel household. This comic shop guy was helping you out. He was getting you off of a deadly addcition. I applaud the man for his behavior. Variant covers are a deadly menace that must be stopped.
oh my god... by blackthought	Feb 8th, 2007 11:06:21 AM
that is totally insane...i agree with you there heathen.
Paul Jenkins on 'The Return' by The Heathen	Feb 8th, 2007 11:15:56 AM
http://tinyurl.com/27k5qc JENKINS - "Those of you who have professed your loathing for The Return – and there are hundreds of thousands of you by your own estimate – will take some small comfort in the fact that this comic was, by design, intended to insult you."
I've Always Thought Bendis Was A Talented Writer... by Buzz Maverik	Feb 8th, 2007 11:21:21 AM
...when it came to crime, espionage, humor and slice of life comics. But that he has no talent for superheroes, other than POWERS which seems to belong in its' own genre. No, DAREDEVIL is a superhero book. Remember when that was going around? BENDII:"It never really was a superhero book...except for the, uh, devil suit and superpowers and villains and crimefighting." Oddly, I've always hoped that Bendis would get a gig like Frank Miller had on SIN CITY and either direct or co-direct a film. He'd be great. Ambush Bug beat me to saying that it's now funny to hear Bendii complain about the DD comics they love being scrapped when they used to laugh at anybody bringing up anything BB (Before Bendis). Of course, they always had that thing where they'd follow Bendis is disregarding everybody else's continuity but demanding strict reverence and adherence to Bendis' continuity.
oh my god... by blackthought	Feb 8th, 2007 11:22:49 AM
that is totally insane...i agree with you there heathen.
Word, Buzz. by The Heathen	Feb 8th, 2007 11:29:20 AM
WORD! Where's nofate?
I Like To Think This Column Inspired Fans To Think ... by Buzz Maverik	Feb 8th, 2007 11:29:34 AM
...for themselves about comics. When we started doing this shit, I had never had any contact with comic book fandom except during visits to the shop when I'd ask the cool clerk, "How do you stand these geeks?" and he'd say, "I get drunk before I come to work." I was surprised that everybody seemed to have the same opinions and they always turned out to come verbatim from WIZARD. I also found that I was the only person who admitted to reading WIZARD. It seemed to be pretty much a consensus culture at the time. "Rob Liefield?" "He's bad." "WATCHMEN?" "The end all, be all of human existence!" "Isn't that getting laid?" "Uh, yes! Yes, it is! Because we've been laid! Lots!"
Bug Did Write An Advanced DARK TOWER Review. by Buzz Maverik	Feb 8th, 2007 11:37:19 AM
I happen to know that he wrote it in 1987. We've kept his unholy power of clarivoyance a secret up until now but just decided to release it when I finished that bottle of Heradura. Actually, all of Bug's reviews were written years in advance before he went on to a better place. No, he didn't die. He just moved to Vegas.
Wizard blows by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 8th, 2007 11:39:08 AM
Thanks to the internet, it's become completely irrelevant. Even their online presence is small compared to your Newsaramas and ComicBookResources. Does anyone know if their circulation has been dropping? I know their convention attendance and long-time employees have been...
If ONE MORE PERSON insinuates by Shigeru	Feb 8th, 2007 11:57:25 AM
that just because I've enjoyed a Bendis comic or two in the past, that that means I'm a fucking "BENDII" then I'm gonna SHIT MOLTEN LAVA ALL OVER THEIR MOMS, WHILST LAUGHING MANIACALLY AND PLAYING THE BANJO!!!!!
Hmm... by Thalya	Feb 8th, 2007 12:09:51 PM
So we've gone from "poops in the volcano" to "SHIT MOLTEN LAVA ALL OVER THEIR MOMS"... passes Shig the Extra Strength Kaopectate
CW by Tito Trinidad	Feb 8th, 2007 12:46:22 PM
Y'know. I have been reading(not buying)CW and I have come to the conclusion that it is nothing but Contest of Champions with better art and bad characterization to support a contrived plot. The end result is the same in that we get a bunch of "superheroes" fightin each other. I remember someone on comicbookresources saying that CW was "about something" as opposed to IC which was "only about superheroes". I say bullshit on that. I give IC credit with trying to reinstill a heroic ethic in their heroes even tho' the book was terrible in my opinion(the different artists was jarring and Batman with a gun is a no-no.). CW on the other hand keeps tryin' to tell us that it is an important event because of the whole registration issue and then they make the characters almost completely unrecognizable to long time readers to support that notion. Heroes killing other heroes with no repurcussions? What is this? The "super" in superhero doesn't just refer to powers but to the incredible willpower it takes to adhere to a code of ethics (i.e. no killing) like Superman or a Batman do even when you great powers or resources at your disposal. Go check out some heroics in the latest 52.
Jenkins on The Return by Squashua	Feb 8th, 2007 12:49:58 PM
Dude, he totally points the finger at Steve Wacker. Wow.
'sup heathen by nofate	Feb 8th, 2007 12:52:54 PM
Come to revive my post. Now, I know I come off as Bendis' secret lover but seriously, after JQ/Smith's revamp, David Mack's run blew, Bob Gale's swallowed, and Bendis/Maleev have been the only one's that've kept that title in the news (albeit comic news, but whatever) Seriously, I'd love to see how long it takes ABFY (After Brubaker's Fuck You) for the title to drop off from the top 25.
Bendis should only write peripheral Marvel U. books. by rev_skarekroe	Feb 8th, 2007 01:01:18 PM
Like "Alias". Stuff that happens to minor characters and people on the edge of the superhero scene. Somebody should have him resurrect "Damage Control".
IndustryKiller! by mattb127	Feb 8th, 2007 01:41:16 PM
Okay. How about this? 1.) Yes, of course, Marvel's making money. Actually, they're making more money than DC. The reason why is because they put the story first, and the marketing bullshit second. 2.) True, I'm less familiar with Marvel's pantheon than DC's, but I'm not COMPLETELY ignorant of the characters and their history. Why are they doing it? Reed Richards: HIs cold, analytical mind analyzed all the possible outcomes and determined the best of a lot of bad options was registration. This was outlined in a recent issue in F4. Maybe you know the character better than I do, but I'm sorry--was Reed Richards a real gutsy, emotional character before, or was he always a cold-brained scientist whose rational decisions sometimes led to horrible problems? 3.) Iron Man is a futurist. He sees the writing on the wall. Either they police themselves voluntarily, or the government will do it for them. I don't AGREE with him, or the things he's done, but it seems in line with his character--the stakes are high, he's an egomaniac, so he thinks he should be in charge, and he'll do what he needs to do to win. 4.) Captain America hasn't always been in bed with the government. In fact, more often than not, he's at ODDS with the company line. He's for individual liberty, right or wrong. He's not for a police state. Is that somehow in conflict with his character? 5.) Spiderman is the trickiest of this bunch, and the decisions surrounding his character have, in fact, made me cringe. Revealing his identity on national television?! Sucking up to Tony Stark?! Wearing that ridiculous Iron-Spidey-Suit? I couldn't agree more. I think it's totally BS. The character has always had a strong moral center, and I think he's been a wishy washy kiss ass sell out here. But he's the exception, not the rule. 6.) It's a good story because the stakes are high, and the central question is interesting. As for stakes, when this is over, things won't go back to normal. In DC, if you took away Infinite Crisis, what would change? Superboy would be alive? That dude on the Teen Titans would still have his arm? In Marvel, the whole UNIVERSE has to change. If it doesn't, I'll be supremely disappointing. But seriously, Spiderman's ID is public, Captain America is a fugitive, a lot of people are going to have to operate with SHIELD on their asses, and there's just going to be consequential, thematic reprecussions for YEARS. As for the Central question of Civil War, I mean, what do you care about more? The tension between individual liberty and collective security, or which parallel universe spawned Power Girl? 7.) I don't think it's boring at all. You know what I think is boring? Alexander Luthor from Earth III constructing a Monitor Tower in an alternate pocket dimension fortress of solitude. I wonder if someone will foil him?! 8.) Yeah, it's a melodrama. Yeah, it's over the top. It's a superhero comic. That's okay with me. I expect it.
Rich Johnston should post here more often. by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 8th, 2007 01:54:15 PM
What?
Bayou Willy and Psynapse, my old nemesis! by mattb127	Feb 8th, 2007 01:59:03 PM
Thank you, Bayou Willy. And Psynapse--yeah, Marvel's a shameless money machine. I don't need "The Return" to tell me that, I just look at the 80 freakin' variants for everything these days, and yes, the turd that will be "Ghost Rider." All I'm saying that, as an "event" thingee, Civil War is far more compelling and consequential to me than stupid Infinite Crisis. And Marvel's books, on the whole, are much, much better than DC's right now.
mattb127 by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 8th, 2007 02:03:03 PM
You make some well thought-out points. I think whether someone agrees or disagrees with your POV, they'd have to respect your argument.
What Psy said… and more. by The Heathen	Feb 8th, 2007 02:09:34 PM
matt127- "Yes, of course, Marvel's making money. Actually, they're making more money than DC. The reason why is because they put the story first, and the marketing bullshit second." C'mon dude. Really? Even if Marvel really cared about character and story, at least with their main-mega-tent-pole events (cause there's plenty at the house of ideas that I love elsewhere) there's no way in the 616, ultimate or even our universes that they put marketing second. No. Way. In. Hell. At best it's even with everything else, at it's worst… it's HoM and Civil War with The Return filler crap. DC needs to put marketing on a even level with it's books to promote what they have correctly and not be so damn cryptic. Marvel needs to have proper leadership with good editors that actually can edit a talent like Bendis or Millar without letting them say or do whatever tey want. Btw, I think it would be a reat idea for Bendis to do mainly stuff like ALIAS for Marvel. Give him one capes title, but not multitudes.
Well, Psy... by Squashua	Feb 8th, 2007 03:04:14 PM
Didn't you smell the bowl before you ate out of it?
Tony Stark's Character by Buzz Maverik	Feb 8th, 2007 03:46:20 PM
I would like to see Stark portrayed as a womanizing, party animal genius. A little snarky. Knows he's smarter than you and can also steal your girl, but not a bad guy. Does good deeds because he can. A little bit like a cooler, handsomer version of Jeff Goldblume in JURASSIC PARK.
Everyone loosen their sphincters... by TheRevengeOfBayouWilly	Feb 8th, 2007 03:52:09 PM
We don't need any rush hour Rambos. (Anyone know what that's from?) And yes, while the characters in Civil War are acting...somewhat out-of-character, I will admit that Civil War is a whole lot more fun to read than the confusing and (believe it or not) too compressed Infinite Crisis, and the worst big-event story in six years (in my mind) House Of M. Man, that sucked absolute King Kong balls. What, because BMB watches a lot of Mamet plays, he thinks he's better than the dudes that did Age of Apocalypse? It was basically the same fucking thing! And at least with AoA, it had fight scenes, colorful comic booky costumes and I was 13.
Tony Stark = Real Genius. by SleazyG.	Feb 8th, 2007 03:56:51 PM
Buzz, your description is pretty much Val Kilmer from "Real Genius", only totally rich and a recovering alcoholic. Which works fine for me, really. But a self-righteous mass murderer working as a government stoolie? Which is what his character is now? FUCK THAT.
Gotta disagree, Thalya. by SleazyG.	Feb 8th, 2007 04:05:54 PM
Saying readers might have been able to figure out something important was gonna happen misses my point, because they had to already have read that stuff to know about it. My point is, ten months is a long time and everybody knows almost any new series on the market will have seen considerable sales attrition by then. Not only that, but this reveal has massive implications for the entire DCU and WildStorm Universe. It should have had the shit promoted out of it, not just sort of snuck on the racks. When issue 8 was on the stands, the ol' promotional engine should have been revved up and they should have pumped the shit out of 9 and 10. It would boost sales on a series that was losing steam, remind people of all the things you mentioned, and draw attention to a big change in the status quo. These are all pretty big issues, and could all have been addressed quite easily. Instead they just sort of sat on their hands and hoped for the best, which doesn't do their sales, story or creators any good at all.
Six degrees of Tony Stark by The Heathen	Feb 8th, 2007 04:09:39 PM
Val Kilmer would be cool as Iron Man. I love Kilmer in everything but Batman Forever just about. He's great as Gay Perry in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which also stars current Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. I liked Age of Apocalypse for Bayou's same reasons. I don't know if I'd ever re-read it because I don't want to ruin it. HoM wasn't as good as even the memory of AoA though, that's for sure. Civil War is worse because there's no need for any of it. HoM could have served a point but in the end it really doesn't. Infinite Crisis was too crammed as crazy as it sounds. Also, it helps if you do your homework and read A TON of stuff beforehand which fortunately I did.
PETER PORKER really did suck, BTW. by SleazyG.	Feb 8th, 2007 04:13:06 PM
Started out with a fairly clever hook, actually...and then when absofuckinlutely nowhere. Took me about three minutes to read. Even if they did want to take the "collection of pinups" approach, they could have had some connecting interstitials with an actual storyline. Oh, and first rule of funnybooks: make 'em funny. Which this wasn't. Besides the missed opportunity on the "Hamtastic Four" gag Prof mentioned, there's also a real clunker of a joke from Doctor Strange, who blames the fact his magic didn't work correctly on the fact that Peter Porker is "not kosher". It's a clunker of a joke--one that might have worked under better circumstances, but here it had no context and fell on its face. It was as if the only thing JMS could think of that was funny was "I should say something about 'kosher', cuz he's a PIG! GET IT?!?" No story, not funny...what a wasted opportunity.
Give up on your ideal Tony Stark. by mrfan	Feb 8th, 2007 05:57:58 PM
Like him or not Robert is here to stay. Well...unless he snaps again and goes to sleep in the next door neighbors house. Anything could happen.
Recovering Alcoholic, Sleazy? by Buzz Maverik	Feb 8th, 2007 06:03:51 PM
The Buzz Maverik Stark drinks like...well, you! I like the REAL GENIUS thing, though. Only better dressed. I'm a Kilmer fan myself. I really liked his Bruce Wayne. Handsome enough to pull off the billionaire playboy act, but spacey enough where you can buy him dressing up like a bat. When I was attached to direct THE WATCHMEN, I was in talks with Kilmer to play Dr. Manhattan. He wasn't there, of course, and didn't know we were in talks, but talks were in, bay-bee, talks were in!
"Kilmer to play Dr. Manhattan" by The Heathen	Feb 8th, 2007 06:14:35 PM
Hell yes.
Annihilation by Pym_slap	Feb 8th, 2007 08:33:43 PM
This was a great event. Andrea Divito draws cool fantasy pictures. He can make heroes look really pissed off and determined to crush their foes. There's a lot of crushing in Annihilation. Fans would probably enjoy Divito's stuff from Marvel's Thor. Any more info on the Watchmen movie out there?
Toy Story 3 For 2009!! by kuguy3000	Feb 8th, 2007 10:00:57 PM
Hey guys!! Toy Story 3 Confirmed for 2009!! Fully-fianced PIXAR film!! It's being written by the "Little Miss Sunshine" guy!! Can you believe it? Pixar won! Check it out!! http://www.popzart.com/viewtop ic.php?topic=477
Oh, this is gonna get ugly... by loodabagel	Feb 8th, 2007 10:28:50 PM
Paul Jenkins has done some great stuff in his days. And it really sucked that the duty fell upon him, but somebody had to write "The Return." No, see-why they couldn't have gave this project to somebody else is beyond me. It seems that Marvel is out to get Paul Jenkins. The guy was doped up when he wrote it, so he probably didn't realize what trap he had fallen into. Marvel's next phase of the plan involves letting the fans destroy him so the blood's not on their hands. I've read some of Jenkin's marvel comics and they are great. If I know anybody who's a "Jenkini" it's me. The Sentry was good. His Spider-Man run was one of the best runs I've ever read, and I will admit that I cried while reading at least two of his stories. And what about the Green Goblin story with Humberto Ramos? Where they sit down and talk at the end? That blew my thirtten year old mind. And don't forget Inhumans. I'd personally put that on my top ten list. P.S.-New Cog Arwards! myspace.com/cogsmooches Check it out!
No Fell #7... by larryg	Feb 8th, 2007 11:18:09 PM
What! No fell #7? And no Wormwod Gentleman Corpse #5? The only two comics worth buying this week rate no mention whatsoever? Same old blah blah about the same old crapola.
i've heard some stupid things... by blackthought	Feb 8th, 2007 11:52:14 PM
but goodness...civil war good? brad walker and i will object to that...and he can draw...and...um, i can render.
uh, looda.. by Thalya	Feb 9th, 2007 12:07:26 AM
Not quite yet on the awards. Technical difficulties. Should be wrapped up by tomorrow evening.
Mattb127, allow me to retort by IndustryKiller!	Feb 9th, 2007 01:42:06 AM
I think the problem with your argument as to the actions of these characters is that you are archetyping them into a state of oblivion. Reed Richards, according to your analysis, is nothing but a cold analytical mind who simply, like some sort of fleshy calculator, computes outcomes and just goes with the winner. Not only is that insanely far from the truth, but what has kept the comic interesting over the years is the Fantastic FOur's collective compassion for family and friends. Was Reed Richards a gutsy character before? WHy yes Matt in fact he was. After all I think it takes a certain amount of chutzpah to consistently fight a world eating demi-god. And dont forget that one of the reasons offered for Richards "turn" is that his uncle was int eh blacklist, making Richards think that you cant fight the government. This might be one of the worst thing written about a Marvel character....ever. So this man who consistently goes toe to toe with the most brilliantly evil mind on the planet, Doctor Doom, is scared by Joseph McCarthey? Gimme a fucking break. And Tony Stark is a "Futurist who sees the writing on the wall?" What the hell does that even mean? What EXACTLY is the writing on the wall? What precisely was the government going to do to a united superhero front?? No man as intelligent as Tony Stark would be worried about some puny government enforcing their will on thousands of beings of basically limitless power. Superheroes allow governments to exists alot more than governments allow superheroes. One of the major themes in comicbookdom is the need for superheroes because governments are too weak or corrupt to protect us. And its not just the fact that he supports the "registration act" but what he goes through to enforce it. Its preposterous. He has become a monster. its not a matter of agreeing with him, describing Tony Stark as a fascist isnt just hyperbole, he is doing exactly what fascists do on the massive scale that fascists do it. And tony Stark is NOT an egomaniac. Doctor Doom is an egomaniac. Norman Osbourne is an egomaniac. Tony Stark is a rich genius with a penchant for liquor and women, hardly beyond the realm of the average joe's understanding, and he has done what is right consistently throughout his life in the name of fairness and justice. Also my gripe isnt with Captain America being against registration, ALL of the superheroes we are talking about would in fact be if marvel wasnt randomly changing them, its that he has become a sort of mercenary warrior, they have completely taken the brains out of him. Now in this instance I suppose you could say its a product of the fact that he is dealing with such an unreasonable unrepentent enemy, Iron Man oddly enough, but still. Just because Civil War changes things doesnt mean it does it in a good way. You want a change? Give Tony Stark AIDS, it would make a hell of alot more sense than anything in Civil War. Also if you think the good heads at Marvel have your best interests and story in mind look at the link someone posted above, http://tinyurl.com/27k5qc , it's an interview with paul jenkins, who besides coming off as crazy as a rat in a shithouse, manages in four lines to prove that he also doesn't understand the basic mechanics of Hamlet. ("Sorry dad don't have time."??) From his response it seems as if he has no way of actually arguing the points brought against his writing so he resorts to flailing like a petulant child. BTW I'm glad youa gree on Spider-man.
I think Buzz just described Ultimate Tony Stark by rev_skarekroe	Feb 9th, 2007 07:07:09 AM
Especially the way Warren Ellis wrote him.
I could see a blue Val Kilmer... by Squashua	Feb 9th, 2007 08:50:24 AM
...point his finger at Rorshach and proclaim, "I'm your huckleberry." right before vaporizing the insane fucker. Man, I loves me some Watchmen.
Watchmen by Loodabagel... by loodabagel	Feb 9th, 2007 09:19:35 AM
Starring Steve Buscemi and Crispin Glover. Steve would play Rorshach, Silk Spectre and Ozzymandus. Crispin would play Dr. Manhattan, Niht Owl and all the other charcters. Of course, you can already view all of this because it's an easter egg on the "Is This It? What It Is." dvd.
I'm Your Huckleberry... by Buzz Maverik	Feb 9th, 2007 10:44:29 AM
...is one of my favorite lines. I used to occasionally use it on trolls who never got the reference. It was fun on STAR WARS talkbacks. JANGO FETT (in subtitled high Galactican): "I'll blast your heart out with a thermal detonator." OBI WAN (after finishing his drink):"I'm your Yodaberry." Jango storms away. OBI WAN: "It would appear that Mr. Fett is an educated man. Now, I really hate him."
I Think Robert Downey Jr. Is Brilliant Stark Casting. by Buzz Maverik	Feb 9th, 2007 10:50:32 AM
Downey could be one of the best living American actors and certainly would have had incredible roles (I know THE SHAGGY DOG was a great picture) if it weren't for his drug problems. I hope those are behind him because he's one of the best guys working. He works as Stark in every way. Good looking enough to get the girls. Kind of amused, by himself, by the world because he's so far ahead of everyone he can afford to get drunk, spend all his time scoring with women, etc while doing everything better. It's kind of like how Bruce Wayne has to devote his whole life to being Batman and at times even his real identity is a role to help the Bat and if it weren't for this single minded obsession, none of it would work (I think even sex for Bruce Wayne would be strategic, the relieve that Bat's tension and tone down his ultra-aggression to a semi-acceptable level, heh heh). With Stark, he's flying in from Rio with a flock of babes he picked up on the beach, everybody's drunk and actors, politicians and celebutantes have been at the party all the night...then, he has a little hair of the dog, whips up a new armor modification and chases Ultimo out of DC. I'm talking an old time carouser guy. A real Iron Man. Not like us today. I'm talking JFK. Frank Sinatra. Robert Mitchum. (Somebody please explain to our Literal Minded Friends that I'm not advocating Kennedy, Sinatra or Mitchum for Stark). But just think of those old guys who didn't need rehab or engage in feuds with fat talkshow women. They won World Wars. Built atomic bombs. Broke the sound barrier. Sent men to the moon and brought 'em back. All with a tumbler of JD on the rocks and a secretary who'd giggle at the term "sexual harrassment".
IndustryKiller! by The Heathen	Feb 9th, 2007 12:05:01 PM
"So this man who consistently goes toe to toe with the most brilliantly evil mind on the planet, Doctor Doom, is scared by Joseph McCarthey? Gimme a fucking break." Thank you. You've presented the argument against Civil War so well that anyone who tries do deny the way you've presented everything is just wrong… or Joe Quesada. Awesome post IndustryKiller!
Morton Downey Jr. as The Mandarin by Squashua	Feb 9th, 2007 01:05:23 PM
It could work with enough makeup.
mattb127 and Paul Jenkins by Homer Sexual	Feb 9th, 2007 01:17:17 PM
mattb127 has been posting for a long time, and I have enjoyed many of his posts, but...um... "Yes, of course, Marvel's making money. Actually, they're making more money than DC. The reason why is because they put the story first, and the marketing bullshit second. ..." is just so far beyond ridiculous I actually snorted soda when I read it. The justifications for Tony Stark's behavior were pretty awful as well. I seem to be one of the few who actually enjoyed Infinite Crisis and OYL, so I'd give DC the nod for "events," though overall I buy more Marvel. I loved AoA, but after Disassembled and HoM, I gave up on Marvel "events" and see no reason to change my mind at this time. Finally, though Inhumans was muy excelente, I will never buy another Paul Jenkins comic after reading what he said about The Return.
Fair enough... by loodabagel	Feb 9th, 2007 07:18:58 PM
Just don't kill the poor guy, Psy.
Oh my GOD. 'TEC!!! by Thalya	Feb 9th, 2007 08:57:58 PM
One of you @$$holes better review Detective Comics #828 next week! Paul Dini is a genius and Don Kramer is doing the work of his career! He totally nailed his rendition of Bruce Wayne here. Best done-in-one yet and will be remembered at the end of the year, though Dini will probably top himself before then. DC! If Dini's on Countdown, please make sure he can keep writing 'Tec! This run is already legendary, milk it for all you can! giddy because she's getting a fix from a substitute-Calculator, her first love, The Riddler
Old white guys... by loodabagel	Feb 9th, 2007 11:01:12 PM
Should NOT play badasses on motorcycles. Hmm. A good idea. I should this that to... Ah fuck!
nice by blackthought	Feb 10th, 2007 12:47:51 AM
you know which post i'm replying to.
Dini is a Given with me, but... by Squashua	Feb 10th, 2007 08:21:00 AM
... I'm waiting for the trade.
Oh, but Squashua.. by Thalya	Feb 10th, 2007 09:43:11 AM
It's meant to be read month-to-month! There are little things Dini's doing with Riddler, laying in little pieces here and there that are gonna build up to something explosive and very satisfying with the character! The anticipation build is at least half the fun and you won't get that in the trade.
Oh Thalya by Squashua	Feb 10th, 2007 09:52:06 PM
I read my books on the crapper, as you'll find out in this upcoming week's reviews, and the tension between turning a page or dropping a deuce should more than make up for it.
Oh, oh, Squashua! Squashua! by Thalya	Feb 11th, 2007 12:05:26 AM
In other news, it's time for me to lay a serious smackdown in the following post from something I just blogged.
Why Wonder Woman is not a Model of Female Empowerment by Thalya	Feb 11th, 2007 12:09:28 AM
...a.k.a. Why no one can honestly write Wonder Woman or give serious shit about her as a superhero. Sure, Diana's super-powerful, practically Superman's equal. Speed of Hermes, Wisdom of Athena, yada yada.. So what does this supremely powerful woman decide to do with her special gifts? Nothing. You heard me, nothing. "B-but.. How many times has she taken down her rogues gallery? Cheetah? Doctor Psycho? Giganta? Circe? Ares? What do you mean she's done nothing?" Ah, but you read me wrong. Sure, Diana's done all this, but she never chose this. Diana did not choose, she was chosen, and this makes all the difference in the world as to why she'll never ever be in the same league as Superman and Batman in the eyes of readers. Clark Kent discovered he was really Kal-El, a Kryptonian with incredible powers far beyond any human. The world is his oyster, and what does he do? He chooses to be the Superman we all know and love, accountable to his own moral code and sense of decency. Bruce Wayne saw his parents murdered in front of his very eyes and resolved that he would never allow that to happen again, devoting the incredible resources he inherited to training and arming himself in his neverending crusade. He's resolved to never take a human life, despite knowing probably hundreds of martial arts moves alone which would be lethal, burdened by the memory of his parents' deaths. Wonder Woman was bestowed her gifts by gods and her mother Hippolyta, and she is accountable to the Amazons who gave her her mission to spread their message of peace in Man's World. And that's where she falls apart as a compelling character and role model. She has to be told what to do with her gifts. She has no driving internal motivation and never has. It's all external. It's why writers can never get a grasp of her because there is nothing to grasp. She has no thru-line. Take away the Amazons and Themiscyra and what's left? What is there inside her that drives her to do what she does, besides a sense of right and wrong (because that right there is Superman)? What's her raison d'etre? Or is she simply a thing of clay with no true animating principle of her own? How can any gifted young woman look to her as a role model when her message is "you have to be told how to use your gifts, you can't work it out for yourself and use your own judgment"? How is that remotely compelling? How is Diana an individual in her own right? Especially when she has very little different from her sister Amazons except power levels? You know how it is, that when bound by Man, she becomes powerless? Well, she's been forever bound by Woman as to her motivations. I'd rather read Manhunter.
And while I'm at it, a question on comic script writing by Thalya	Feb 11th, 2007 01:19:34 PM
I'm wondering whether something I'm trying may be too much.. I've got a page in a comic script fanfic where I want to do four things at once. I've got two characters riding along in a car, one of whom is unconscious and the other is having a phone conversation. I want to 1) Show the phone conversation solely from the character in the car's side (with captions for the guy on the other end)(light chitchat, nothing all that deep), 2) Show the character's physical expressions in contrast to that dialogue, 3) Show what's really going on inside that character's head through a visual device (images show up in the rear view mirror that don't correspond with the scene, and are connected to the character's head by clever little visual dot-like things already in the scene to imitate thought balloons without all the pesky whitespace), and 4) Have the unconscious character narrate another layer talking about the character having the conversation. I think it's doable, though I'm not looking to incorporate all four elements in every panel, just a judicious use of them. Does it still seem too much or is it sensibility-overwhelming?
... by blackthought	Feb 11th, 2007 08:57:51 PM
which one is wonder woman again?
Hmm... by loodabagel	Feb 11th, 2007 09:09:54 PM
I'd put one characters thoughts and speak on one side of the page, and the other's on the other side. Give it wide panels. That's what I'd do. Although the rear view mirror sounds like a better idea.
I thought you were going to mention her lack of clothin by dregmobile	Feb 11th, 2007 10:51:53 PM
g as argument for WW not being a strong femme role model. But nevermind ... I am probably off track. MiS #6 was very good despite a filler artist. Great two page gag as well. This series is heating up nicely - as it should be diong by the 9th issue. Only 4 to go ... Lone Ranger #4 was nice and all. I'm really going to have to re-read these when they are done just to get a feel for the overall story and flow. I can't believe they're bringing out a trade for only the first four issues - since four issues through and nothing has really happened except seeing some nice pictures of Tonto, Silver (are these names even right?) and hero's raggedly cool mask. Hulk 103 is making me believe this is one of the few solid comics around. Each issue, though seemilngly short, is packed with action every time out, with great art and the feel of a real space epic/saga at play. I will have to get the other Planet Hulk issues now just to see how it started. Great fun. Detective 8...whatever it is up to was a blast. Riddler's role in this took a great turn toward the end. Dini owns this series - the first time I've been loving Batman books in a looong time. So great to see Wayne kicking sharks, too. Classic stuff. Yo, blackthought - can I get three dots? And someone needs to post a picture of Paul Jenkins so we know who to ... um ... pat on the head in an affectionate manner.
The filler artist on MiS was decent.. by Thalya	Feb 11th, 2007 11:36:54 PM
But Starlin fouled up big time. He made a big deal about Comet not being able to teleport for only 5 minutes after the previous turn (spent at least a page in #3 on that plot point) and then he goes and completely forgets about it here, making it half an hour before Comet can teleport again. Hopefully he gets back on track for the remaining two issues (it's out of 8, sadly - if only it were an ongoing with Starlin and Davis! I need my monthly Comet fix as only Shane can draw him!). *** dreg, what do you think of Don Kramer's art on 'Tec? I really think he's found a groove with this issue, particularly as he draws Bruce Wayne, it's unmistakeably Bruce now.
Oh yeah. Forgot it was 8 issues. by dregmobile	Feb 12th, 2007 05:11:53 AM
I'm really loving the art in Detective. I thought we were going to get treated to a new artist every issue, but I'm loving the realism and detailed faces. There's a humanity to the characters, which is required with Dini's storylines of late. Yeah, Kramer's Bruce has as much character as the Bat does. I LOVED the fight scene in the museum or wherever they were. And Riddler firing the flame arrow. I can't wait to see where this series takes us. Yeah, I had the feeling there was something inconsistent about the teleporty-thing when I read MiS. Since I couldn't really remember the details, I let it slide ... Oh, and the arc in Uncanny X-Men is slowly coming to fruition. Three more issues means we are finally about to kick off the third act - which looks to be action packed.
Squashua by dregmobile	Feb 12th, 2007 05:36:13 AM
You gotta read these Detective books issue to issue. This is not a trade arc to wait for. The covers - each of them great - are worth buying the books for alone instead of having them jammed against the pages of a trade ...
Tec and other stuff… by The Heathen	Feb 12th, 2007 08:41:39 AM
haven't been to my shop yet to pick it up, but I will this week. It's definitely better reading it issue to issue. Not many books offer that these days, you should check it out monthly Squash. T and dreg, I heard Shane Davis was going to be doing some work on JUSTICE LEAGUE.
That's right.. by Thalya	Feb 12th, 2007 09:01:38 AM
He's doing a fill-in or something for #7, or was that Eric Wight doing a variant cover?
OH Thalya, you like it like that? by Squashua	Feb 12th, 2007 09:20:15 AM
Now I have to go hunt down the individual issues? I'm pretty sure some of those are sold out. :( Thanks for backing her up, Dreg. DP.
Living on a budget... by loodabagel	Feb 12th, 2007 09:54:27 AM
I've narrowed down my comics to Detective Comics, NewUniversal, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Superman Confidential and All Star Superman. I dropped Teen Titans this month after I looked at it in the shop. It wasn't as bad as Squasha made it out to be (sorry man) but it was a little too short for my tastes. I also dropped She Hulk since the last issue didn't interest me that much. Really, I think my heart left the building with Awsome Andy. Such a drastic change of supporting cast. If the rest of the old crew gets back in the book I might pick it up again. I also dropped Ultimate X-Men, not bothering to find out if the final issue of the Cable arc sucked. I am pissed at Ultimate X-Men. They are disgracing the Ultimate line.
Thalya, I Think Your Comic Scene Is Possible. by Buzz Maverik	Feb 12th, 2007 11:23:11 AM
I think most things are possible in the comic art form, except sound and motion. In fact, you're describing a scene that is perfect for the comic book format. Many current comic stories would simply give us a boring page of a guy driving while talking on a cel phone. Like, you need the comic format to do that? What you're proposing is interesting and, to me, proper use of the medium. It can get into heads of multiple characters at once in a visual way, which is what you're doing. I think scripting the scene would take some time and multiple rewrites.
And Looda, re. Old White Guys On A Motorcyle, I Agree.. by Buzz Maverik	Feb 12th, 2007 11:26:47 AM
...if you're talking about the Ghost Rider. I keep saying, Nicolas Cage is 42 years old. He's a 42 year old stunt cyclist who sells his soul to the devil? Seems like a job and a hobby for a much younger man. Nonetheless, I will be there for any movie that features a cyclist with a flaming skull.
T, looda, Ghost Rider. by The Heathen	Feb 12th, 2007 12:13:19 PM
T, I agree with Buzz on the scene being able to work. Wide panels would be great for it. I'm not sure about the captions in the rear view mirror working because of space, but images possibly. Either way, you have me thinking about it and the way it looks in my head feels dynamic and worth my money. No shit here, but that's the type of stuff Moore does with the medium - he uses it to ALL of it's advantages. Keep me posted. looda, pick up Uncanny in place of Ultimate for your X-Men fix. And have you read Walking Dead? Ghost Rider isn't going to be screened for critics and it was supposed to be released half a year ago right? Oooh, this could be so bad it's funny. I might go with a group. I just read the two-issue story in Ghost Rider that was drawn by Corben because, hey it's Richard Corben and I've never read a GR comic. I really, really liked the nifty recap of what's going on in this current run of GR. It sounded awesome. Something about Johnny Blaze got out of hell by some means and he has to hunt down Satan who escaped hell and was dispersed all over the world in 666 pieces or demons that posses people and what not and every time GR defeats one, the others become more powerful. That sounds freakin 80's action movie cool, but the story itself was kinda lame and tame. Not bad, but not good either.
Ultimate X-Men by Squashua	Feb 12th, 2007 12:26:42 PM
I never picked it up after reading the first TPB; it was too much like the existing X-Men and in that sense it became YET ANOTHER X-book to me. And I'm not interested. It just occurred to me: Anyone notice any X-book reviews, like, anywhere? Ever?
I wrote a couple for the Cogs… by The Heathen	Feb 12th, 2007 01:12:21 PM
but we never got around to posting them. Now there old and you know how people like to read about something that's more than 2 hours off the shelves. Maybe we should post them anyway, I dunno? I find it funny how Uncanny is the best it's been in years and it doesn't seem to be getting too much press. Darwin is awesome in that book btw. I haven't heard anything from adjectiveless either, but I don't care for Mike Carey and I can't stand Bachalo's or Ramos' art, so I don't bother with that one. Shame.
w00t, Buzz and H-approved! by Thalya	Feb 12th, 2007 02:13:45 PM
I'll keep you guys posted. I'm still at work on that one fanfic story and I've had this one scene in my head since October 2005. I'm not so sure wide panels would be best for it, H. Maybe a 2 column, 3 row grid, but both of those seem static and visually uninteresting to me. There are a couple of angles besides a behind the head shot I think I need for this sequence anyhow, and twisting the angle away from the rear view mirrors means I can play with the "unseen" images in them, letting the other three elements fill in the blanks (and vice versa for all of them). And that's probably going to be the easy part. The caption narration has to be delicate and on task, difficult given the character, and written in a way where the last caption can say "Or maybe I'm just projecting" and thereby double the amount accomplished with the captions. I guess you could say I dislike decompression.
ULTIMATE X-MEN spoiler for Looda: by SleazyG.	Feb 12th, 2007 03:05:12 PM
If you missed the last issue of the "Cable" storyline, the big deal is this: Kirkman killed off Professor Xavier. On the one hand, the series is sometimes too similar to the mainstream stuff. On the other, they've killed Beast, Gambit and Professor X. Cable is Future Wolverine, Mister Sinister is nuts, Apocalypse was just a mannequin's head that Sinister carried around...there've been some cool ideas and approaches taken, overall. the biggest problem is that none of them feel whiz-bang full throttle enough to really grab the reader.
And actually, Buzz.. by Thalya	Feb 12th, 2007 03:49:37 PM
I think there might be a way to do sound in comics as well, though a controlled sound, namely music. But that's for an issue-spanning fight scene in issue 15 which I'll write when I'm 42.
... by blackthought	Feb 12th, 2007 04:26:46 PM
i'm still stunned to learn nick cage is 42...i'll comment further...one day.
Nah, I read all about it... by loodabagel	Feb 12th, 2007 08:41:20 PM
(X-Men) I flipped through the last issue and was extremely, and I mean extremely, mehed. As for Walking Dead, as I've said before, my comic options around these parts are basically Marvel or DC. But if I did have a wider selection, I think I'd either be bankrupt or well employed. Hmm...
New Avengers 27 was a solid reboot by dregmobile	Feb 12th, 2007 10:22:59 PM
A great example of a slow burn build into story - then great action climax revealing the new New Avengers. Yu and McCaig's art bristles in the remaining pages. It's in my opinion a solid start to the new team, and at the same time gives us a nice up-to-speed on Ronin. First time I've ever read this Iron Fist character (who I thought at first glance was YellowJacket), and I like the guy.
Is New Avengers still Bendis helmed? by loodabagel	Feb 13th, 2007 09:34:15 AM
And more importantly, after three years, is it still new?
Yes and No. by The Heathen	Feb 13th, 2007 10:23:47 AM
The Bendii will not relent control of any Avengers book! Well, that Dan Slott was able to get a mini at least, but nothing else! Eh, kidding aside calling a book 'NEW' bugs the poop out of me. New X-Men, New Avengers, All New Atom, New Universal, etc. It's lame. And pointless after the first couple of issues.
stuff (i'm not dead) by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 10:32:53 AM
Looda: you only read Marvel and DC? Dammit, man... let me mix you up some more kool aid. All this mainstream DC talk makes my stomach hurt. T: you know how I feel about your panel descriptions.
Shig by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 10:41:10 AM
Alan Moore-esque to the point of punching babies?
skip straight to the infant-pummeling... by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 10:43:32 AM
I kid because I love. Sexually. I still think it's overly complex, but it might just be a taste thing.
True.. by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 11:00:52 AM
I'm definitely running into page-size issues trying to cram this very dense story into a 6-issue arc. I'm having to get very creative with 13-panel pages (a rarity, still), but they seem to work ok from the thumbnails I'm doing. But then I'm overdescribing because I don't expect things to be illustrated and therefore have to do more on my end in order for the reader to know what's going on. It'll get better as I learn the form and whittle down the number of characters in a given scene so it won't read like George Perez is drawing.
well then again you like Meltzer too don't ya? by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 11:23:07 AM
wait... if you're overdescribing because you don't expect things to be illustrated...then why not just write a prose fan fic? Why put it into comic form? Who knows, maybe there's some unillustrated comic-script fanfic niche out there that I'm missing?
Meh.. by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 11:30:32 AM
Love Meltzer, not the least because he revamped Calculator and no one else has written him as well since. And honestly, I'd just like to learn the form. I think the skill would come in handy down the line. Besides, I've had this story in me since Fall '05 and I'm not going to start kicking myself for not having gotten it down way earlier for not going the easier route. Plus, it's thematic and some of the jokes will fall flat if not in comics form. Grant Morrison demands it.
Lady C. by The Heathen	Feb 13th, 2007 11:31:30 AM
I think you should do three to four widescreen panels for the one scene. I know decompression can be a bad thing, but so can cramming a book so full it looks like George Costanza's wallet. 13 panel pages are crazy difficult and besides Giffen does anyone still do that? The other problem with using that many panels more often than not is that there is no kinetic movement to the pages. It's just layed out like an essay and boring. Remember a few of the 52 issues that Jimenez drew? Even an artist like him had his art somewhat contained and it didn't feel right. I think you should explore different ways to represent your dialogue or captions. It needs to breathe if you want it to live. It could be a great story, but if it's not interesting to look at then why bother? Back to the car scene, I think you could do it like I mentioned earlier, but it'd best to contain that to one page if possible, at most two pages.
I'm gonna have to scan in my thumbnails for you guys.. by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 11:43:35 AM
..so you can see. I've drawn that one page twice moreover, so.. It's a ridiculous amount of info to put on a page, granted, but that's all the page allotment I'm willing to give for that piece of the story. And if it matters, I'm trying to let things breathe. I recently turned a 7-panel first page into two pages with a good turn-page 3/4 splash reveal and it feels a lot better than having the reveal be a small panel in the bottom left corner. I've got that sense in mind, it's just gonna take a process to refine it, is all, which means in later issues.
And yeah.. by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 11:59:22 AM
The car scene only has a page allotted to it, so.. It's mainly an aside to get some internal exposition done, plus create a little mystery and stomach-churning. And careful now, H., or I'll get completely defiant about how I do my layout. :) That said, though, I still think widescreen is boring, un-intimate, undramatic, and wastes space for what I'm trying to do. It was my first instinct, actually, but it doesn't "shape" the story or allow for much in the way of facial expression.
Hmm… by The Heathen	Feb 13th, 2007 12:21:11 PM
The way I see it looks awesome and would win an award at the Comic Book Panel Awards. Widescreen 'can' be intimate, just think of any good movie that's intimate. If your scene is basically an aside w/ some internal exposition hen you don't necessarily have to have it be so tight. I think the real potential for this scene could be the unspoken things like the characters faces and where and how they're sitting without any dialogue. With it wide you could start with the driver and move back/right with captions or you could do something crazy with the captions like have them be reflected on the windows or be on street signs or something. It's good to know you're letting it breathe. It'd probably help if we did see your scans though. Word.
It's Too Bad You Can't Just Write A Script... by Buzz Maverik	Feb 13th, 2007 12:23:56 PM
...and let the artist lay it out. Describing the panels would be a pain. I think a cross between the old Marvel style and a full script would be ideal. You give the artist a tight outline and they are someone with storytelling as well as drawing ability. They do the layouts and you script the captions and dialogue. Comics need to do what film did, and generally eliminate all of the shots and angles from the script. The writer leaves that to the director, cinematographer and editor to put together. No WE DOLLY IN or PAN DOWN or WIDE ANGLE SHOT OF... You write master shots: "IN THE SALOON, Clint glowers at the poker players as he removes the scarf to reveal the scar on his neck..." Then, show what he's thinking "FLASHBACK -- ON A DESERT PLAIN, the men from the saloon string Clint up on a hanging tree" then "IN THE SALOON, six guns emerge blazing from under Clint's pancho before the poker plays can turn around"... Since many current comic writers can't think visually anyway, why pressure them to do the paneling?
I LIVE AGAIN! by GreatATuin	Feb 13th, 2007 12:59:50 PM
I have read nothing. I care not for your petty mortal arguments. I am testing this boards capability of exhibiting my awesome. It has been some time since I have graced this TB with my World carring presence, and now I make my return. The Cogs have completed the rituals need to resurect this form. (They asked me to fucking log on once in a while) You have all been forwarned. (Maybe they haven't! Fuck! OK. Now accepting applications to serve as my Silver Surfer. Post all submissions here.) Prepare for darkness. (Because I believe in a thing called love, don't you?)
Eh, I call BS, Mr. Buzz by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 01:12:07 PM
Obviously it will vary with your intent, but from personal experience writing for the screen, being specific is a good thing. Of course, I would be directing/editing and mostly shooting said material, so I know what I want visually. And since film is a visual medium, I think it's fairly foolish to completely ignore that aspect of it. If a screenwriter cannot picture what he/she is writing up on the silver screen then what's the point. Of course if you are writing for a big studio production where it's much more of a collaborative effort, then what you described can be better. But hell, I have the screenplay to Magnolia and that fucker has different FPS written in! It's how I always write, visualizing the scenes intensely in my own head. But then again, when shooting Schindler's List, Spielberg went to the set every morning with no shot list and just made them up as he went. Diff strokes fo diff folks.
in other news, I give you da Heathen: by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 01:19:26 PM
"The other problem with using that many panels more often than not is that there is no kinetic movement to the pages." "It needs to breathe if you want it to live. It could be a great story, but if it's not interesting to look at then why bother?"
also from da Heathen: by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 01:20:47 PM
"I like little boys."
That last one.... by GreatATuin	Feb 13th, 2007 01:46:37 PM
...is true. I heard him myself.
The Shooting Script Is Different From The Screenplay by Buzz Maverik	Feb 13th, 2007 02:05:14 PM
A shot list is different from the shooting script. I wouldn't even put camera directions in a script I was going to shoot myself because I wouldn't want it to get in the way for the actors. Obviously, if you're Paul Anderson, that's a different matter. But what you may have is a transcription. I have a collection of about 200 screenplays, myself. Writing CRANE DOWNor SMASH CUT really isn't visual writing, though. That's just technical directions. What if the director doesn't want to DOLLY IN? And what if you describe unncessary things on the set? Let's say you're writing the Eastwood western. You describe the spitoons and trophies over the bar, you'd better have a good reason. Otherwise, you use shothand and say "IN THE SALOON, Clint strides to the bar. The place is lower than a shit hole." You tell me whether you can imagine that bar or not. The writer has done his job and left it up to the director, set decorator, property master and designer to do their's. You haven't crowded a page. Roughly one page equalling one minute of film. And the development executive or (worse) script reader isn't going to toss your dense script because he or she has 30 others to look at before they can do anything resembling a normal life.
This just in.. by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 02:29:53 PM
Dirk Manning just looked at my first fanfic script and said "By the way, I looked over your fan-fic script sample and, I gotta tell ya', I write my scripts about that detailed specifically because I know they ARE going to be illustrated...". EAT IT! :D
Little pale boys… by The Heathen	Feb 13th, 2007 02:41:33 PM
with baby powder sprinkled all over their soft butts. Errr… I creeped myself out with that one. Uh, anyway, NO, NO, NO!!! I didn't mean for any story, it's just that if Watchmen were drawn by Liefeld it wouldn't be what it was you know? It's like the recent Teen Titans about Kid Devil. Good story, but the art was so f'n bad I automatically think of it before the story. In the comics medium the art has to be interesting. I stick by that one… and little pale boy butts. I stand by the kinetic movement one too. Clearly, I'm not getting it or I'm using the wrong word in it's place, but I thought not. I thought it was tight… like little pale boys butts.
question by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 02:49:18 PM
who the fuck is Dirk Manning? Sounds like a name for a 60's action star.
Shig... by Thalya	Feb 13th, 2007 02:54:04 PM
Go here: http://tinyurl.com/35znj4 and here: http://www.nightmareworld.com/ He's a friend on the CogSpace too.
I know the difference between shooting and screenplay by Shigeru	Feb 13th, 2007 03:04:33 PM
Again, I'm not talking about large productions with set decorators and property masters and 5 AD's. I know you don't put stuff like "CU, push in" in screenplays you try to sell to studios, or even to your actors. I was just trying to say that ignoring that aspect completely when you write is not how I write. I think author's intent means a lot. I wonder what the script for Requiem for a Dream looked like? And if it had no technical direction (for either post or

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