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AICN COMICS REVIEWS PRESENTS OUR BIG @$$ 8TH ANNIVERSARY COLUMN! TONS OF REVIEWS!!!

2,2 by Fareal	May 20th, 2009 08:50:14 AM
2,2
Cobra #3 by BizarroJerry	May 20th, 2009 08:51:54 AM
This comic has the single most unexpected, maybe even most shocking thing any G.I. Joe character has ever done over the past 25 or so years. I hope that sentence itself doesn't give it away.
DOOM is ... Fourth? CURSE YOU RICHARDS! by V. von Doom	May 20th, 2009 08:58:11 AM
"Secret Six". Buy it -- DOOM commands you! Better yet, buy two and hand one along to someone. Nicola Scott and Gail Simone have THE best DC Comic going right now.
The Unwritten #1 by alfiemoon	May 20th, 2009 08:58:16 AM
I have to admit that I'm not as wowed by "The Unwritten" as everybody else seems to be. It feels like one interesting and postmodern idea has been stretched out to provide the basis of the entire story, which is presented in a very bland and straightforward way (with no attempt at postmoderism in the way that the idea is presented). I guess I can't complain, since $1 for 40 pages isn't a bad deal, but I don't think that the central idea is really strong enough to support an entire series. Incidentally, that was an impressive haul of reviews this week. Nice work.
Shooting Post-Apocalpse Kids in The Walking Dead. by cookylamoo	May 20th, 2009 09:15:21 AM
would have been more shocking if Garth Ennis hadn't done the same thing a couple months ago in "Crossed".
Too bad "the Kid". by cookylamoo	May 20th, 2009 09:16:52 AM
Isn't a post-apocalypse murderer. I'd be the first to volunteer.
League Of ... / Orlando by V'Shael	May 20th, 2009 09:19:52 AM
For those who might be interested, there was a movie made years ago about that gender swapping Orlando character. It starred a young Tilda Swinton as the titular character. Worth a look, if you want some background knowledge on the character that's in LoG.
There's a new LoEG book? by rev_skarekroe	May 20th, 2009 09:24:49 AM
When did this come out? How did I miss it on the Previews list? Does my LCS have it or do I need to drive across town? WTF, man!?
My LCS Had League by optimous_douche	May 20th, 2009 09:29:17 AM
And i walked away until someone oculd convince me it was better than Dossier. And I don't mean just slightly better since Dossier was wretched. LOTS BETTER!!!! After Imp's review I think I'm still walking away.
THANK YOU!!!!! by rsanta74	May 20th, 2009 09:34:18 AM
I'm so glad that somebody else mentioned Dark Reign as being a bloated Thunderbolts ripoff. I've been saying that for months now. It's like the elephant in the room that nobody wants to mention. Anyway, when Steve Rogers invariably comes back, likely in the upcoming "Reborn", he'll kick Norman Osborn's perm haired ass out and things will get back to normal. Anybody else find it funny how the X-Force/X-Statix retro review basically claimed that the New Mutants/X-Force had no legs, but XStatix DID? LOL I literally laughed til I fell out of my chair. XStatix petered out quickly & all of the cast was brutally murdered at the end. The X-Statix cast lasted all of 40 issues combined. The rotating New Mutants/X-Force cast lasted 225 issues. The icing on the cake.... New Mutants have their own series again and X-Statix continues to rot and fester like Britney's cooter.
What? by Kessler	May 20th, 2009 09:37:58 AM
No Obama reference in here? I thought for sure I wouldn't make it past the Bill Maher section without seeing one. Surprising....
nice "the Kid" review.. by batmarv	May 20th, 2009 09:39:00 AM
Made me want to read the comic anyway! Even though im not really into Dark Reign..i like the concept but nothings really grabbed my attention.
Booster Gold by RenoNevada2000	May 20th, 2009 10:32:30 AM
Hey Optimus, surprised that you neglected to mention who the potential astronauts were in your Booster Gold review...
Black Dossier by DrLektor	May 20th, 2009 10:36:06 AM
Was not a comic/graphic novel. That's what people are failing to understand. Maybe it's Moore's fault or DC's for not stressing the point before its release but it's a SOURCE BOOK. Anyone going into that expecting Vol III is obviously going to be disappointed, especially at the price it was sold at. Personally I crave everything LoEG so I lapped it up, knowing full well I was more likely to get text peices, maps and unique gimicks than actual story so I wasn't miffed. Well maybe a little miffed at the fact we never got the vinyl as well but never mind. It was worth it for the Jeeves and Wooster vs Cthulhu story.
Green Lantern Corps proves.... by cookylamoo	May 20th, 2009 10:40:20 AM
That when you take a big action sequence and have it narrated by a dispassionate power ring you pretty much suck all the excitement out of it. When are comic writers going to stop putting up walls between the reader and the characters?
Reno by optimous_douche	May 20th, 2009 10:56:16 AM
I try not to give away everything ;-)
skarekroe: Join the League of Extraordinary -- DOOM! by V. von Doom	May 20th, 2009 11:06:19 AM
LoEG is no longer at DC and thus not getting the advertising push it used to get. I'll wait for the collected version because it will only make sense all together.
Eventually Osborn will crack by DatoMan413	May 20th, 2009 11:19:10 AM
It's inevitable. The fact that they have elevated him so successfully only means he'll have much farther to fall when the time comes. Someone in the Marvel U needs to walk up to him and say: "You know, sooner or later, you're going to crack. You can't help yourself. You're not as clever as you think. You are a barely controlled chemically castrated psychotic who is gets one step closer to going megaton every day. All it will take is a flash of red and blue and a web in your face and you're done. And I'll be there to see it." But even if they do that, it will probably end up the way World War Hulk ended up. When you build a character like that and then reduce him back to HULK SMASH, it's disappointing. Hopefully they take care of Osborn better.
I don't know, Bug... by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 11:28:35 AM
SPOILER! The kid carved up his own brother AND neither one of the twins really ever had great communication skills to begin, in fact they seemed pretty regressed, PLUS all of the survivors are mentally damaged, at best, and locked into a world were violence is often the only option... I think it made perfect sense that they didn't think to talk to him. And really... once you cross that killing-your-own-twin-because- you-just-don't-know-any-better line, aren't you past the "Now, son, we can't have you doning that anymore, ok..." stage? I think Abraham was right, the bottom line is survival, more specifically, your own survival. A kid like that... he's never going to get better, he's going to get worse, severe sociopaths do not get better, with each act they get worse, they evolve and thats in our world. The kid just isn't going to get the attention and treatment he needs, not in that world and not with the resources and time the survivors have available. It was a horrible situation, but thats how their whole world is. Awful realities like that is part of what makes the Walking Dead world a good, engrossing read, its why books like the Road are good reads (not to compare the two but for the sake of illustration...) neither sugarcoated the "reality" of the situation. Its harsh and in order to survive you have to sacrifice a little bit of who you used to be every day. Then what's left of the characters? Who do they become? Isn't that the heart of the story? It certainly makes you wonder who Carl will become. So I didn't have a problem with that... BUT What I did have a problem with was the conclusion of the investigation itself the next day. It was like: "Well, hell, everyone is accounted for... I guess we'll never know what happened.... What's for breakfast?" I mean, they chatted about it for what? 5-ish minutes and were all like: "I am STUMPED... huh... oh well..." The End. In the wake of it all, I expected more talk, but then maybe that all harkens back to the Survivors' mental states again. Anyway, I thought it was done well, for the most part. END SPOILER
Ultimatum by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 11:39:12 AM
It IS the worst cross-over I have ever read, BUT it's a great idea as far as removing the Ultimate Universe from the Regular Continuity's shadow. Why Jeph Loeb, though? Thats the real problem. As for DD's death, I think it was off panel because, as a character, he really didn't matter in the Ultimate Universe, he never really had a place, he was just a useless also-ran, a knee jerk character they inserted almost in their sleep, because they felt they had to, and the only thing really different about him was he was more of a butthole. His death actually gives the whole event an edge that Loeb has been unable o create, it makes the thing like a cosmic sideswiping, a sudden car crash out of nowhere, a huge terrible thing that happens and people die without purpose or glory. They just die. Some of you might say Daredevil "deserves" better and I would say, in the Ultimate Universe at least, he is a non-character, so no, he doesn't. He was jus a man who drowned. Frankly, I like the idea of wiping the Ultimate board a little, changing the game, letting the Ultimate Universe enter uncharted waters and explore a truly alternative branch... I just wish it wasn't helmed by such a great, drooling retard of a hack...
Although, you're right... by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 11:44:15 AM
I've very curious where they go from here and I'm kind of curious about Spider-girl/clone, but depending on what happens, this may be a jump off point for me too -- disappointing because I've been on since Number One, as well -- But we'll see. I think Ultimate Spider-man has long been Marvel's most consistantly entertaining book, so I'll give it a bit of leeway.
The Ultimate Universe died with Ultimates 3 issue 1 by sean bean	May 20th, 2009 11:48:05 AM
Loeb killed it with the power of hackitude. I will probably pick up Ultimate Avengers to see if Millar can rescue the universe, but if it's anything like his Fantastic Four run, I'm out. Also, is it me or is Dark Reign: Hawkeye not particularly suitable for an 8-year-old? Bullseye - a serial killer - is shown taking pleasure from the random murders of innocent bystanders. And he's the hero of the book.
I think you're using "Hero" a little too broadly. by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 11:54:18 AM
Bullseye is the star of the book, Ben Urich is the hero. There is a difference.
WAIT A MINUTE! by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 11:57:28 AM
Wait a cotton picking minute! Do you mean to say that the idea of Dark Regin has been done before?!?!?! GASP! WHAT.....? I can't believe it. When was this wholly original idea of usurped identity first used again? Was it Thunderbolts, you say? Was that where the idea was first created? Those thieving bastards! I can not believe that a comic book company would re-use ideas! I am shocked! SHOCKED!
Acturally enjoying Ultimatum by drewlicious	May 20th, 2009 11:58:08 AM
I just want to see whos left standing when its all over. Also, Ultimate Spider-Man is handling it beautifully because of the overall feeling of helplessness. Really looking forward to the climax of this story.
Nicely done by Laserhead	May 20th, 2009 11:58:39 AM
See, when there's this many reviews, I don't mind the kid taking one or two. Vroom, I concur completely about Marvel. Nice exegesis.
Did you LITERALLY laugh until you fell out of your chair? by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 11:59:29 AM
Literally? Sounds like an inner ear problem.
Joenathan by sean bean	May 20th, 2009 12:02:12 PM
Believe it or not, I actually thought hard about the use of the word "hero". He's certainly not the villain. Anti-hero? Possibly. But how would an 8-year-old see it? Bullseye/Hawkeye is the coolest character in the book. He has funny lines. He defies death. He's in peril on the last page. That sounds a lot like the hero of the book to me. An 8-year-old is not going to understand the moral ambiguity and they will certainly not be rooting for Ben Urich. Which was my original point about whether it's suitable for someone of that age.
Cap is coming back to kick Osborn's ass in 'Reborn' by Laserhead	May 20th, 2009 12:04:56 PM
Thus further solidifying his role as savior in the Marvel Universe. Yeah, I'll read it. It's Brubaker. And Hitch.
Maybe thats true, at first... by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 12:06:58 PM
You make a good point, but the end result, say if Urich stands up to the much more powerful Bullseye and exposes him, thats the actions of a hero, where as Bullseye would be revealed as the villian he is. Although, maybe the blood and the arrows through the eye migh not make it apprpriate, but hell, I grew up watching Stallone and Arnold slice the tops of people's heads off with circular saws, so...
Too soon! by sean bean	May 20th, 2009 12:07:42 PM
For Cap's return. The book is much, much better with Bucky. Who knows, maybe it's a feint. Maybe Bucky stays as Cap. I hope he does.
I think "Reborn" by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 12:09:31 PM
is going to be the re-launch of the Heroe's Reborn world. At least, I hope... heh, heh, heh
But who are you going to cheer on? by sean bean	May 20th, 2009 12:10:58 PM
The guy with the cool costume and exploding arrows or the middle-aged journalist in a trenchcoat? If Urich exposes him, he'll seem like a killjoy because Bullseye is having so much fun - and it's entertaining. I was also desensitised to screen violence at an early age, but I have a kid now and think about these things a bit more...
"Did I like anything about this issue? Yes." - AIN'T IT COOL NEW by Squashua	May 20th, 2009 12:14:21 PM
I can see the blurb on the Ultimatum Trade now.
Yes, by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 12:14:43 PM
I think about it too, but I just recall how my parents explained shit to me and set a good example and I learned the difference between fiction and reality, but everyone has to parent in their own way. AND, I think the idea that you know you shouldn't cheer for Bullseye, but still do kind of, is the hallmark of a well done story. Complexities are good things, especially for kids.
"the parachute equivalent of a time machine" by Squashua	May 20th, 2009 12:22:28 PM
Or the time machine equivalent of a parachute, maybe?
Rip didn't break the fourth wall by Squashua	May 20th, 2009 12:25:33 PM
Unless you mean the fourth wall of "time". quote: In some 4th wall breaking fun Rip replies, “I thought we were done with that number.” 52 – get it? Cute, not BWA-HA-HA funny, but cute. Re-read 52. That wasn't fourth-wall breaking. Rip was the one who wrote the chalkboards with the number 52 all over them. He was obsessed with that number. It's actually quite straight.
Squash by optimous_douche	May 20th, 2009 12:26:21 PM
You are so right on the quote thing. I'm still seething about my out of context pull out on the last issue of KICK-ASS. Oh, good call on Booster, wanna be my editor :-)
Squash 4th Wall by optimous_douche	May 20th, 2009 12:28:13 PM
No I was taking about the theatrical 4th wall. If I ever have 20 hours to spare I'll dive back into 52. Damn your good memory.
It's not good memory at all by Squashua	May 20th, 2009 12:32:00 PM
I have a terrible memory. I was just obsessed with 52 is all.
Mental Image... by Kid Z	May 20th, 2009 12:32:54 PM
...Giant scale, balanced perfectly. On one side, stacks of reviews. On the other, Harry.
That cover of Trinity... by Kid Z	May 20th, 2009 12:38:00 PM
...Now, I don't read Trinity, so I have a question: Why is Superman surrounded by giant, floating space turds?
Why hasn't Liam the Kid review the new Power Girl comic? by Fareal	May 20th, 2009 01:10:10 PM
It would be funny if Liam reviewed the Power Girl comic, because since he is 8 and he thinks girls are gross, he wouldn't be distracted by her big boobies. Maybe when he is 13 or 14 he will suddenly get very interested in the Power Girl comic book, and he will review the comic alone in the bathroom, or in her bedroom. His mom will to start washing the sheets everyday.
Fareal by AndrewGol	May 20th, 2009 01:28:39 PM
I don't even want to think about that!!! But hey, I thought the new Supergirl was pretty damn good and asked if he'd want to read it but his response was pretty much what you'd expect. Then he had a bunch of questions about why his 35 year old father was reading Supergirl. Sigh. Right now no interest in the ladies, real or comic book stars.
@superhero (re: Lovecraft) by Matthew Martinez	May 20th, 2009 01:50:23 PM
It just so happens that I'm in the midst of reading Penguin Classics' three-volume collection of Lovecraft's work. I highly recommend starting with The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories, which contains some of his best stories (the title story, "The Shadow Over Innsmouth," "The Colour Out of Space," "The Whisperer in Darkness"). The other collections are The Thing on the Doorstep and Other Weird Stories and The Dreams in the Witch House.... If you have more money to burn and really want to be a completist, you can always pick up Arkham House's hardcovers instead, since they're considered the definitive editions of Lovecraft's story collections. The Penguin editions, however, use the same corrected texts that appear in Arkham House's collections. There are a handful of stories that don't appear in Penguin's books, but I've been assured that they're not essential. (Plus, they're about ten bucks apiece from Amazon.) Also, if you don't mind waiting for a while, Barnes & Noble will be publishing a second printing of their now out-of-print collection of Lovecraft's fiction. This one-volume edition features all of Lovecraft's fiction (minus the revisions he did for other writers) including the few that don't appear in the Penguin editions. Aside from that, it's only about $13 or $14. The catch is that a) it won't be out until February or March of next year, and b) it's effing huge and heavy, meaning you'll probably need to prop it up on a coffee table to read it.
Comments by gooseud	May 20th, 2009 02:22:18 PM
1. To the guy who said all he reads is Ultimate Spidey for MArvel, your missing out bro. No Iron Fist? No Cosmic Marvel (Nova, War of Kings, Guardians)? No Thor? How could anyone NOT be reading Cap? Really? Damn dude, your missing out, seriously. Just avoid the major, crossover-infested titles and the X titles and your fine. Having said that.... 2. Darkhawk is fuckin lame. I love me some cosmic Marvel, but no one can make that character cool, no one. 3. I read Villains United, but havent been reading Secret Six. I dont know why, I loved Villains United. I think the reason might be that I'm a dumbass. Maybe the first trade might have my name on it.
Don't forget Faction's Iron Man by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 02:34:51 PM
And I really like where Secret Warriors is heading.
Loeb killed the Ultimate line before Ultimates 3... by rev_skarekroe	May 20th, 2009 02:46:04 PM
He killed it when he finished up the Supreme Power mini. I finishing his first issue and thinking "Man, this book really went to suck. Did Straczynski and Bendis just stop giving a rat's ass? Oh wait - Loeb wrote it. I see."
Bullseye by Continentalop	May 20th, 2009 02:49:23 PM
I just hope he dies a painful death soon. Not because I hate the character (I actually love him as a villain) but because he is a f'ing douche. It is a comic book universe, so hopefully some day the consequences for evil actions will catch up with some of these characters.
You can read Lovecraft for free online. by rev_skarekroe	May 20th, 2009 02:49:27 PM
I think most of his stories are here - http://tinyurl.com/cqz7hq - I know the collaborations are missing (which is a shame because The Mound is one of my favorites), but that should certainly keep a new reader busy.
Bullseye won't die by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 02:53:32 PM
But I bet he's the key to Norman's fall from grace.
Still, Joenathan by Continentalop	May 20th, 2009 03:09:57 PM
I can dream.
The best thing Bullseye ever did... by loodabagel	May 20th, 2009 04:00:40 PM
Was get the living shit beat out of him in Thunderbolts. That was a very good day for me.
That was one of the most kick ass arcs ever. by Joenathan	May 20th, 2009 04:03:33 PM
That whole story was great.
That is why American Eagle by Continentalop	May 20th, 2009 04:15:32 PM
Is still one of my favorite heroes.
How anyone can review the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlem by seppukudkurosawa	May 20th, 2009 04:58:19 PM
without even once mentioning The Threepenny Opera is beyond me. This is practically a comic book adaptation of Kurt Weill's play. But considering I'm a fan, that's OK. However, Moore just fluked out with me. What are the odds that as many other comic book readers will be as familiar with Mack the Knife and Co. as I am? And trust me, you'll need to be to get a lot out of this latest League.
Trinity Cover by Jinxo	May 20th, 2009 05:01:49 PM
Those chunks of rock floating around on the cover would be the remains of Earth after it is torn to shreds. Don't worry. Earth gets better.
I keep timing out by Homer Sexual	May 20th, 2009 05:33:57 PM
So for like the fifth time, let's see if this posts... I buy only a few of those Marvel books: War of Kings and Guardians, and Cap. I actually dropped Iron Fist after Faction/Aja left and have given Thor two chances, but it's just soooooo boring. Also dropped Secret Warriors due to boringness. OMG! X-Force was the best Marvel comic I can think of from the past decade. Way better, even than Morrison's X-Men. Nothing currently published even comes close (sorry, Captain America and Hercules). That run was classic and so complex. Unfortunately, when it became X-Statix, the series somewhat lost it's way. But to even compare it to the original X-Force is a Travesty. The only good thing about X-Force is that after Liefeld and Co. left, the book got somewhat interesting. And the art (was it Medina?) was pretty good. While I continue to greatly enjoy Secret Six, I still think Bane is a retarded character. Even after the latest issue, which gets an A+ for effort, I think Bane is laughable. This may be due to my original Bane experience being in the movies. The new Power Girl is very entertaining, but I actually like her best when she is dealing with her anger issues. Also, I thought her yellow and white costume was ok, but the original is still the best. I just bought House of Mystery #13 due to the review here. But I am holding out on League, because I also failed to enjoy Black Dossier.
I really miss Milligan and Allred by krushjudgement	May 20th, 2009 05:37:03 PM
They need to party hard in the Marvel U again!
Re: Dark Reign: Hawkeye-Actually.... by Psynapse	May 20th, 2009 06:03:38 PM
HawkBullseye is the 'protagonist' and Ben Urich is the 'antagonist'. This isn't a morality play of good versus evil. The only real question is if Urich gets the word to somebody before he gets Elektra boogaloo'd.
Loving the new Power Girl by Ye Not Guilty	May 20th, 2009 06:11:02 PM
There is a panel involving a couple of snow globes that is hilarious. I wonder if Liam would get the reference?
Is DR DOOM AND THE MASTERS OF EVIL a limited series? by Ye Not Guilty	May 20th, 2009 06:12:28 PM
I've been enjoying that as well. If it is a mini, hopefully there will be a sequel. I believe it is set in the Marvel Adventures universe, although it doesn't say Marvel Adventures anywhere on the comic.
I could see how someone would think Thor.... by gooseud	May 20th, 2009 08:11:51 PM
was boring, I suppose, I dont agree but hey, different strokes and all that. In hindsight, it was just a slow-burn arc that took 12 issues to culminate in one of the most balls-to-the-wall all action issues I can remember, with Mjolnir getting cracked, etc. Its not for everyone, some have always found that character a little heavy and pretentious. I dig it big time though.
Power Girls, uh, endowments... by Kid Z	May 20th, 2009 08:41:26 PM
...has anyone actually been geeky (and horny) enough to mathematically project PG's figure into real, 3-dimensional terms and figure out what her bra size would be? Or do Kryptonian women even need to wear bras what with the power to nullify gravity, etc.? Seriously, she'd have to levitate those twins because no bra on Earth could contain them.
Not Threepenny as much as..... by cookylamoo	May 20th, 2009 10:01:48 PM
The Beggar's Opera by John Gay, not to be confuse with a gay John.
Lovecraft Never Had An Occult Experience... by Buzz Maverik	May 20th, 2009 11:32:15 PM
...in his life. It is a well documented fact, though, that Robert E. Howard had his gal Novalyne Price out too late one evening and sub-human creatures set up on his car. They reportedly carried Miss Price to their underground kingdom. Howard stood dazed and bewildered until he felt cold steel upon his shoulder and a deep voice snarl,"Turn around and loose your head. Now, we follow the worms. If the girl is still alive, we take her back. If she is dead, we avenge her."
Ye Not Guilty by Series 7	May 21st, 2009 01:18:34 AM
Man I loved that Master's of Evil series as well. I wish it wasn't a limited thing.
Why can't they make by Series 7	May 21st, 2009 01:24:54 AM
Suicide Kings Deadpool's main series. They need to get him out of this fucking Dark Reign shit. Also anyone seen the clip of him in the new Marvel game?
I'm starting to think that the kids reviews dont belong here. by Reelheed	May 21st, 2009 02:47:26 AM
Do any 8 year olds read AICN? Judging by the ad banners i'd guess not. Then who is learning anything at all from his verbatim reporting of dialogue, plot points and descriptions of splash pages? Its not that I don't like the idea of his reviews. See kids like comics! Oh yeah! I just don't see what purpose they serve on this website. Your view of your demographic is all askew.
The Old Fart -- Buzz' Dad Review of Any... by Buzz Maverik	May 21st, 2009 07:44:03 AM
...comic. I shoulda never bought you that crap when you were a little kid but it got you to shut the hell up when yer mother made me take you to the store with me. I don't read this crap. Look at this? What kind of man would read this? I know you and your brothers took all my guns out of the house...
Power Girl's breasts have got to be DD's, but... by Fareal	May 21st, 2009 08:15:19 AM
...they are not ginormous. She is short for a superhero; I am estimating that she about 5'3"? I tried to find her measurements online.
Good idea Buzz, but I think my Dad's reviews would be better. by rev_skarekroe	May 21st, 2009 09:12:18 AM
He read all the old Marvel comics in college when they were brand new, but his memory of them is hazy, so he thinks Spider-Man was in the Fantastic Four.
I don't read Thor by Joenathan	May 21st, 2009 10:12:02 AM
because its JMS and that wad-job has burned me one too many times! Homer, you should return to Secret Warriors... Hydra vs. the Howling Commandos!
Battle for the Cowl... by Mr.FTW	May 21st, 2009 10:13:46 AM
Anybody read it, any thoughts?
Thor and Battle by Homer Sexual	May 21st, 2009 11:03:39 AM
I don't have a problem with the Thor character. I loved Simonson's run back in the 80s, and, surprisingly, Jurgens run from like 5 years ago was even better, as I've previously mentioned the whole storyline when Asgard came to earth and people worshipped Thor was awesome, total A+. I like the character, JMS and Coipel, but this run doesn't interest me at all. Yes, I read Battle for the Cowl. I didn't like it very much. I liked the art, but the storyline was not involving. The inevitable conclusion didn't grab me at all. In fact, it made me less interested in checking out Dick Grayson as Batman. I have been reading the Bat-books since RIP, but I think this was my last issue. Maybe give the new Batman ONE issue to step it up, but if it's Daniel writing, I will probably pass. Not terrible, but not worth my money. I think comics, especially recently, have a problem with conclusions. I was fine with the first two issues of Battle for the Cowl, but the end was a letdown. This problem is even worse at Marvel, as evidenced by this weeks issue of (Red) Hulk. For the first time, I was sorely disappointed by the lameness of this book. Defenders vs. Offenders...great idea. Yet the conclusion was far from great. It was terribly stupid, and not in a good way.
I thought Man-Bat was going to be the new Batman? by Fareal	May 21st, 2009 11:23:33 AM
Dick Grayson is the new Batman? Are they fucking insane?! Is Grant Morrison writing "Battle for the Cowl"? That makes no sense. Dr. Kirk Langstrom, aka Man-Bat, would be the better choice. He is a scientist who specialized in the study of bats, and he developed an extract intended to give humans the bat's sonar sense and tests the formula on himself because he was becoming deaf. It worked, but it had a horrible side effect: it transformed him into a hideous man-sized bat. He also gave him the bat powers of flight, echolocation, enhanced senses, and superhuman strength. Man-Bat would be a real "Batman" with real superpowers, and Dick Grayson is too much of a faggot to take over for the Dark Knight.
My mom would just threaten by Joenathan	May 21st, 2009 11:52:34 AM
to throw away the stupid cowl, unless we stopped battling over it, and then no one would get to have it!
Thor and Battle by Mr.FTW	May 21st, 2009 12:10:18 PM
I know not a lot has happend in the JMS Thor run so far but I've found it to be really engaging. It seems like a slow build, here is hoping that it has a worth whle pay off. I was left cold by Battle for the Cowl too. Obviously Dick was going to take up the mantle of Batman but the story lacked any real punch, gravity or emotion. I know DC is transitioning into the big Blackest Night megaevent but Dick Grayson finally becoming Batman should have been a milestone for both Batman mythos and DC not what will assuredly be a footnote. If War Drums, War Games and War Crimes can get 5 trades Battle for the Cowl should have been a year long Batfamily event not a 3 parter with one shot tie is.
Battle for the Cowl by kungfuhustler84	May 21st, 2009 03:13:38 PM
Seems to me like they could have squeezed that whole thing into a big one-shot and saved all of us a good bit of time and money. Everybody knew who was carrying the mantles of both Batman and Robin before the first issue of the stupid mini came out. It did have good art though.
Ultimate Scrotum by The Penultimate Gunslinger	May 21st, 2009 05:03:19 PM
Some SPOILERS, I guess. But not really. **** Ok, so Ultimate Daredevil never really played much of a part in the Ultimate Universe, but still! Killing off a character who most readers had even forgotten existed in one quick stroke... I don't know what I'm supposed to take away from that as a reader. From a storytelling point of view I just don't get it. And they also killed off Ultimate Wasp in a similar off-panel way, which I assume was to show us "this shit is so realistic and epic that even heroes can die without warning!" It was just a crap send-off for the character (it seems the Wasps of all Marvel universes got a raw deal in the send-off department). I just feel that since Loeb took over the Ultimates the whole Ultimate Universe has changed from what it originally was. My only hope for Ultimatum is that it leaves the Ultimate Universe in some new and interesting place. The build-up in Ultimate Origins (I think it was called) was awesome, telling us that all this crazy super hero shit was connected, but it's just lost all momentum. Though maybe Ultimate Rick Jones will come and kick some ass, sidekick-style.
And does anyone else ever get this...... by The Penultimate Gunslinger	May 21st, 2009 05:05:59 PM
.... when you read this colomn and realise that for some reason you've missed a week of comic buying? Just me?
Fareal by Continentalop	May 21st, 2009 05:10:02 PM
Why is Dick Grayson to much of a faggot to take over for Bruce? Not trying to start a fight, just curious why you hate the character so much. Personally, I have never been a fan of any Robin (pre=teen and teenage boys in bright costumes fighting with someone who believes that criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot seems counter-productive) but of all the sidekicks and people in the Batman universe, he seems the most appropriate to take his place. Why? Because he is the SAME as Bruce; someone who lost his parents to crime and now has trained all his life to fight crime. He has been Bruce Wayne's apprentice, his replacement his entire career, Just seems fitting that the young apprentice should finally replace his master as was meant to be.
Fareal by The Penultimate Gunslinger	May 21st, 2009 05:11:27 PM
Isn't Man-Bat a bit gay? He's a giant bat, man. I personally think the new Batman should be me. And Power Girl can be my Robin. We'll clean up Gotham one breast at a time.
Evidence #309 that Batman is a dick. by Continentalop	May 21st, 2009 05:30:39 PM
I just realized why Batman would dress his parter up in a bright yellow and red costume. Can anyone say "decoy?"
A guy is called Dick Grayon, he calls himself Nightwing,... by Fareal	May 24th, 2009 04:58:16 PM
...he dresses up in the gayest costume of all time to fight crime, and you ask me why I think he is too much of a "faggot" to be the new Batman? It isn't just me that hates him so much, since his title was recently cancelled. Personally, Dick Grayson should have just stayed as Robin. I can't imagine a worse character than Nightwing. I know there are worse characters, but I can't think of one right now. I hope Grant Morrison kills him too.
Fareal by Speedstream	May 24th, 2009 07:56:39 PM
Bit of a homophobe' man? I was starting to question my own sexuality you've mentioned gayness so much. In ANY event - I'm glad for some fresh like in the Bat franchise. We've all known Dick was taking the mantel since' the end of RIP / Final Crisis...not like it was telegraphed or anything (and then leaked by Morrison "accidentally," of course). None the less - I think it'll be good for a change...we'll get the "conflicted" Dick...the "coming into his own as the Bat" Dick, the "confident Batman (and Robin)" Dick, and then the "return of Bruce and ridiculous, DC writers can't write there way out of a paper bag or figure out to do w/ this guy" Dick. Ode to cycles...
correction by Speedstream	May 24th, 2009 07:58:34 PM
fresh blood in the Bat franchise - like Captain America.**** To many ideas for one sentence.

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