From the Wikipedia entry OMEGA THE UNKNOWN seemed very similar to the original version, which was my main problem wit' it - we're getting remakes of comics now? I haven't read OMEGA, but from the Essentials Steve Gerber is one of my favorite Marvel writers of the time, so maybe I'll pick up the trade...hopefully Buzz will come and fill us in...

And this AICN upgrade has massacred the comics section! Not only are the last few talkbacks missing, but older columns get cut off after a few paragraphs. Yes, I am a fan as well as a reviewer...I'm the Gerry Conway of the @$$es.

OMEGA sounds a lot like the original, a concept so delicate that ONLY Gerber could handle it. He didn't write the coda in the DEFENDERS, which is why it sucked. I think enough time has passed, and if there are differences, they may be desirable. The main thing about the original was that an innocent teen character died from a gang beating. The beating happened off panel but the aftermath was fairly graphic, and therefore, effective. We saw the result of the violence, instead of the violence itself. Also, Omega didn't talk the first few issues, which made it hilarious when old time villain Electro kidnapped him, because Electro talked like Stan Lee on a six-pack of Monster.

If anybody can do Howard justice, I'd say it's Templeton. Check out his BIG TIME graphic novel. Les Big is Howard in human form.

The Howard story sounds great. Duck hunters.

But, for me, as key as Gerber was, the art for Howard was equally important. I'm not sure who drew Howard's first stories in MAN-THANG, but Val Mayerik initiated the series. His art worked, but Gene Colan really took ownership of the character. A cartoony duck in a detailed, well defined, semi-noirish comic book panel really drove the ridiculousness home.

And Howard should smoke. C'mon, Marvel Joe. I'm sure that some kid -- like kid's even read comics any more -- is gonna say, "Y'know, I wanna be just like the cartoon duck. I'm ditchin' my pants and taking up cigars."

I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Gerber's health. I know he's suffered from sleep apnea since his Marvel heyday. He's truly gifted. Plot, character, dialogue, humor. Gerber can do it all.

I wondered what all those little magazine-type things were, adorning the shelves of the Batman store I go to to get my weekly Batman stuff. I'd been tempted to open one or another of them to look, but they all look so stupid with their gaudilly-colored pictures of musclemen in tights on their covers.

"It's called "DETECTIVE"

I think even Agatha Christie would have the good sense not to set a "detective" story in a woman's spa run by Amazons.

What mystery, exactly, required detecting herein? Seems to me "immediately guessable" and "easily resolved in one or two panels" are close enough to merit a giant "meh."

So, stand by your praise - (good for you) I'd hate to think I were able to sway anyone - I'll stand over here waiting for next month's issue and a better story.

Consider your ass NuclearHugged(tm). *mwah*