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AIDS
by TheExterminator
May 27th, 2009
06:54:29 AM
hahaha
by TheExterminator
May 27th, 2009
06:55:20 AM
fuck you cocksuckers (you know who you are i won't even mention the word you like to use)
Damn you McG
by --- Emperor ---
May 27th, 2009
06:59:06 AM
Damn you to hell!
Damn you M. Night Shyamalan!
by --- Emperor ---
May 27th, 2009
06:59:21 AM
Damn you to hell!
Damn you Ingmar Bergman!
by tonagan
May 27th, 2009
07:01:47 AM
Damn you to hell! (this is fun)
Damn you Kid!!
by the_knightfall
May 27th, 2009
07:25:16 AM
This Kid is so fucking annoying and now starts to review comics about characters he doesn't even know about. Learn who Jason Todd was and then go and shut the fuck up!! The Kid as a reviewer: Rating: -5 out of 10
Whos stoked for the new Green Latern Movie?
by Series 7
May 27th, 2009
07:32:24 AM
Check out this sweet trailer!

http://tinyurl.com/qkycbu

Every week.......
by gooseud
May 27th, 2009
07:46:39 AM
the Kid says at least one thing that is beautiful in its simplicity. "I'm not sure what Jason's problem is" pretty much sums it up. I'm not sure either.
Herogasm
by gooseud
May 27th, 2009
07:47:17 AM
Dear God. One of the great WTF moments I've had reading comics in ages.
X-Men Alpha
by CatVutt
May 27th, 2009
07:59:21 AM
What Marvel and a lot of people seem to have forgotten is that Claremont's X-Men completely SUCKED ASS during the last couple years of his run. Who the fuck cares what he had planned?
Cap
by gooseud
May 27th, 2009
08:08:43 AM
I'm ashamed to admit this, as I'm as big a fan of the character and the team as there is, but Cap has been slowing down for a while now. Its like Bru was building to one moment, Bucky pulling on the Cap suit. Once he got there, it seems to be like "Ok......what now?". The book seems to be drifting a bit, definately. Not that it cant be gotten back, Walking dead has had 17 different stretches like this and always snaps back to being awesome
Point of X-Men Forever...
by Jbud
May 27th, 2009
08:16:45 AM
Whatever the point is for Marvel, for me personally it's the most important book they could put out from a business vs. artist perspective. In the late 70's the Xmen became great in large part because the editors and bean counters left Claremont and the artists pretty much alone to create their vision. Then with the creation of X-Factor and the forced return of Jean Grey in a ridiculous storyline that I have heard Claremont himself rail against, that ended. Enter the era of forced crossovers, too many books, overly convoluted continuity, lesser writers etc. in the attempt to milk the dollars...While some of it was barely OK, the only Xmen writing I have truly enjoyed since back-in-the-day was Whedon's. Result: Marvel's business overreaching and bankruptcy, Claremont's feud with the company...and when he finally returns, his writing just doesn't work well (in the opinion of most reviewers I've read) with the ways the X-universe has changed. So X-Men Forever represents something: making at least a show of respect. It says that at least the bean counters can say, you know what, maybe we should have had more respect for what you artists and writers wanted. In fact, we'll throw you a bone, we'll give even give you a book to put that out into the real world. It may not be perfect - there's no best way to reconcile the fact that the outside influence began far before the end of X-Men #3, but the pick-up point has to be somewhere - but whether people like the new book or not, I say thanks Marvel for at least doing this, and I will certainly give it a chance.
Timelash and The Talons of Weng-Chiang are required viewing befo
by Meglos
May 27th, 2009
08:31:03 AM
Not necessarily.
I agree Jbud
by BlueHawaiiSurfer
May 27th, 2009
08:33:39 AM
I'd rather see a new X title go in this direction instead of the constant streak of "X" and "WOLVIE" crap that has been released. I enjoyed the days before there were 10 "X" titles a month. If anything this new title takes us back to the beginning of the end.
SECRET WARRIORS
by ThusSpakeSpymunk
May 27th, 2009
08:39:06 AM
wow - proof positive in these reviews why comics are dying, and more proof of just how vicious and hateful comic fans are when it comes to those young whipper-snappers who might actually ENJOY comics. For the record, I -like- the new characters.
Timelash?
by ByTor
May 27th, 2009
08:53:45 AM
You liked Timelash?

What's WRONG with you?

You got it, Gooseud!
by McSatan
May 27th, 2009
08:55:54 AM
That's exactly why I like reading the Kid's reviews. I love the fact that he says Batman "probably died (but I doubt it.)" Eight years old and already he knows what's what! Keep 'em coming, Kid!
You should have The Kid review Herogasm.
by rev_skarekroe
May 27th, 2009
08:56:45 AM
Then see if you can get the guy at the comic book store sent to prison.
Tony Lee + DOCTOR WHO = Comic Book Gold
by SpyGuy
May 27th, 2009
09:00:02 AM
While I'm not wild about some of the artists IDW has paired up with Tony Lee, his DOCTOR WHO scripts have been solidly entertaining with lots of inside references for longtime fans. I'm looking forward the the ongoing DOCTOR WHO series debuting in July and seeing what he does with an actual "season" of stories.
ThusSpake - Secret Warriors
by Ambush Bug
May 27th, 2009
09:32:41 AM
I'm not saying we shouldn't have comics geared towards a younger demographic. We've got New Mutants and Runaways and Young X-Men and Young Avengers and Dark Young Avengers and a billion kid heroe solo books out there. Why not one single ongoing comic starring a cast of old timers still kicking @$$ after all of these years? DESTROYER steps out of the demographic and immediately becomes interesting and pretty damn popular. I'm just saying that since the most interesting parts of SECRET DEFENDERS have to do with Nick and now the Howling Commandos, why is the focus on these kids that after five issues I don't even remember their names?
$3.99 + tax????
by art123guy
May 27th, 2009
09:49:54 AM
Who pays tax for any type of book? No wonder your pissed.
4 issues, bug?
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
09:53:36 AM
You won't allow four issues before you are ready to shit on a series? Why can't the creators be allowed to establish the new characters and use them AS WELL AS the ALREADY established characters? Why can't we get to know them as well as we already know the older ones? Do you really want action-action-action and nothing but? Man, you should stick with DC then, where everything is trapped in amber and characterization is a distant third to fisticuffs without consequence and the constant LEt me remind you, at one point, we didn't know fuck all about Mark Grayson, especially four issues in. Jonathan Hickamn is good and he has 5 times the characters to juggle, isn't their such a thing as patience?
Thanks Joen
by optimous_douche
May 27th, 2009
09:58:29 AM
We may never see eye-to-eye on FINAL CRISIS, but I can't thank you enough for turning me on to The Invisibles - Like Harry Potter with BALLS!!!!
Uh, art123guy...
by ByTor
May 27th, 2009
10:08:11 AM
Lots of states impose sales tax on magazines.
4 issues was plenty of time...
by Ambush Bug
May 27th, 2009
10:09:01 AM
for the original RUNAWAYS or YOUNG AVENGERS or THE INITIATIVE or THE ORDER to let me know whether or not I like the series. That's 12-16 dollars which adds up and the way the market is, I want a comic to prove itself by issue one or two. Marvel doesn't understand this. The zombies will buy anything they put out. But there are a ton of readers who, if they aren't impressed with a book by issue one or two, they walk two steps over to the next new thing on the shelf.

Up until issue 4, we've had one established character (Nick) and a handful of nobodies with hardly any development, no distinction between them (because Bendis hates costumes), and hardly any action. You can defend it all you want, but my interest perked to 10 when I saw Dum Dum and the rest in this issue, so I wrote a review that stated that. It's not about "not having patience" it's about where I want to distribute my hard eared money. If Hickman want to try his damndest to make us love the aborigine with a heart of gold for the next few issues, so be it. I just won't be there to see it.
Herogasm
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:09:49 AM
I loathe Ennis and I make no secret of that fact. He is number 1 on my Don't Buy List. In my mind, he is worse than Liefeld and Loeb combined plus a liberal dosin of Winnick. He sucks ass.

Not that I deny him his props, Preacher changed th face of Vertigo, however, in retrospect and upon return readings, I have discovered that Preacher is actually pretty poorly put together and doesn't really hold up very well. (Come on, remember the meat man arc? That was what? 8 issues for a punchline that was basically a guy who likes to fuck baloney?)

I think the Boys, and even more so, Crossed are not only abhorrent and without any redemptive qualities whatsoever, let alone any basic literary or story values, but are in actuality, nothing but a mask for Ennis's obvious awareness of his lack of talent past a worn out litany of "shocking" jokes and closeted fratboy cliches.

I imagibe he's probably a tedious retard in real life, too, that buddy's friend that you don't really know, or like, but always shows up at the bar and tells the stupidest fucking stories that are obviously untrue, because he so desperately wants to impress people and you're stuck listening to his bullshit, because your buddy has known the douche forever.

And with all that being said, I think Herogasm actually committed the worst sin of all: I flipped through it in my LCS and even at a glance... I was bored. It was boring. It was ho-hum. Seen it, bored. Nothing but further proof that Garth Ennis ran out of tricks loooooong ago.
Geez Joen...
by Ambush Bug
May 27th, 2009
10:13:25 AM
Why don't you give HEROGASM a chance and buy four issues before you pass judgment? Geez, how impatient can you be? Durr...
4 issues was enough for me too
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:15:25 AM
I erased some of my response by accident, so sorry if it jumped around a bit...

Anyway, in four issues, I can tell you their names. I can tell you who they are and I like that Phobos' prophecies are already coming true.

I think you are reviewing the comic you wish you could read and punishing Secret Warriors for not being that exact comic.
nice try, Bug
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:16:23 AM
but I don't have to, because its a spin off of Boys, of which I bought 11 issues, so neiner, neiner.
Optimus
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:17:28 AM
I'm glad you liked Invisibles. Its one of my favorites. Its all great, but Volume Two is fantastic.
secret warriors
by #1 Zero
May 27th, 2009
10:21:26 AM
I've relatively enjoyed secret warriors so far. Although I think Hickman has been nuetered a little bit since working for marvel. I probably picked up the book due to hickman and nick fury and will continue to do so, but ambush bug is right, the aborigine thing is pretty lame. I don't know if its bendis or hickman that's really in control, but at least at the end of issue four they've recognized its taken awhile to get the story going. They thanked the reader for their patience and promised a Nick Fury vs. Hammer story in issue number 5. Bottom line: Nick Fury needs a solo book, preferably handled only by Hickman without Bendis getting his hands into everything.
I don't think Bendis is involved
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:30:26 AM
beyond saying: "Nick Fury trains some new Howling Commandos." To me, this reads like Hickman, not Bendis.
I hardly read comics anymore
by I am_NOTREAL
May 27th, 2009
10:31:35 AM
but I almost always read these columns, and I just want to point out that the cover of Punisher #5 is almost a direct copy of Miller's cover of Daredevil # 183, the Angel Dust saga part 1. Dorky enough for ya?!?!?
Bjornegar
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:37:32 AM
I wish that too. In fact, I was just writing that in my diary last night.
Joenathan-- Ennis
by Laserhead
May 27th, 2009
10:38:23 AM
I totally hear you, and agree.

But don't judge the man until you read his Punisher MAX series-- start with the first paperback "In the Beginning". That run is one of the greatest modern runs on a comic. And this from someone who hated his Marvel Knights version of the character.

Laserhead
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
10:49:11 AM
I'll take a look at it. Honestly, it does seem to be the run that even his detractors allow as being entertaining.
Punisher Max
by steverodgers
May 27th, 2009
10:53:07 AM
Couldn't agree more Laserhead. That comic is the goods. Shame that it ended.
Punisher Max Ending
by steverodgers
May 27th, 2009
10:55:37 AM
Meaning that Ennis stopped writing it. I know that the Slavers is a big favorite, but I'm going with Mother Russia as my favorite arc on that run.
ByTor, I didn't realize...
by art123guy
May 27th, 2009
11:08:55 AM
...some states tax books. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
Joenathan? Reallly?
by CassavetesMuse
May 27th, 2009
11:24:06 AM
I've been reading this site for years but could never be bothered to respond to anyone but Joenathan, your pretentious waffle knows no bounds. I'm fine with you hating his work, but calling an extremely successful person a dick for no reason but to validate your own insecurities are beyond me. Just don't buy his stuff, don't personal attack him.
About Ennis and THE BOYS.
by SleazyG.
May 27th, 2009
11:44:00 AM
Look, I'm no Ennis apologist. I walked after the CROSSED free issue, think PREACHER lost its way and the last two or three years flat-out sucked, hated his jokey Punisher stuff--hell, I even bailed on a few issues of HELLBLAZER (ruining my completist run of it) because his vampire stuff was just a retread of what he'd just done with the First of the Fallen. All that said: THE BOYS isn't as bad as you guys are making out. Yes, some of the stupid childish snickering sexual stuff is there, and it was almost enough to make me walk. But as always with Ennis, it's his characterization of the guy we're meant to relate to that wins me back over. The work he's doing with Wee Hughie is quite good, and the fact he's nauseated by both the ostensible bad guys and his own team members is handled quite well. I like the relationship with his new girlfriend, which is handled surprisingly well considering the source, and I like that from the very beginning it's seemed pretty obvious that Hughie's gonna be confronting Butcher by series end.

Does the book have its problems? Yes. Would it be better off without Ennis' fratboy sniggering about dirty parts and buggery? Absolutely, as would anything he's ever written. But that doesn't mean it's been completely without merit, and I actually like a big enough chunk of the story to stick with it. There was a lot to hate about PREACHER, but if I hadn't finished it I would have always wondered and gone back anyway, and I feel the same way here.

If you want Ennis at his best, though, you have two options: HITMAN or PUNISHER MAX. They're the best things he's ever turned out.

Not free CROSSED--Zero issue.
by SleazyG.
May 27th, 2009
11:44:38 AM
My bad.
Cassavetes
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
11:58:37 AM
Eat my poop.
Sleazy
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
12:00:26 PM
I will admit a certain curiousity with the Boys, kind of like a car crash. As much as I hate, I always thumb through it.
I’m with you Sleaze.
by optimous_douche
May 27th, 2009
12:38:24 PM
Wee Hughie was one of my favorite characters of 2008 in the last @$$ies.

I liken him to Jim on The Office (or Tim for all of you across the pond). The only character able to step out of the insanity of their world.

I’ll also say that The Butcher has yet to play all of his cards, I can feel it my third eye (the clairvoyant one, not the one in my pants).

Could I do with a little less super fucking and dildo play? Yes. Does it make appreciate the true moments even more though? Yes.

We all have dark places in our souls and THE BOYS is just enough to fill mine on a monthly basis.

The Boys
by MasterBaytor
May 27th, 2009
12:53:48 PM
Being a fairly dedicated Wait For The Trader, I'm actually pretty far behind on The Boys. Good to know my earlier review prediction that Butcher is a bit of a stealth baddie was on the mark. Other than that, there really are two different Garth Ennises. They bleed together a fair bit, but the more serious side of him tends to come out on his war stories. The super-hero stuff usually gets the silly Ennis... and that ends up being the stuff most people read. But I like the silly Ennis, even if he annoys a lot of people.
I don't buy comic books anymore.
by Fareal
May 27th, 2009
01:41:38 PM
I go to a large book store, grab 4-5 comics, purchase a cup of coffee for $1.49, sit down at their coffee shop, and read the comics for FREE! I consider it renting, and this is due to the motherfucking increase in the cost of comic books.

IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT COMIC BOOKS COST SO MUCH! BECAUSE YOU READ THEM FOR FREE, I HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR THE COMIC BOOKS I ACTUALLY BUY! FUCK YOU ASSHOLE!

Actually, fuck you back. I stopped buying comic books because of the increase; if comic books now cost $3.99 it isn't my fault. It might as well be $39.99 or $399.99 per issue. It's a stupid amount of money for a fucking COMIC BOOK! I could actually buy a real book for a few dollars more. When the comic book companies lower the cost to $1.00 an issue, I will start buying again.

THIS LARGE BOOK STORE SHOULD STOP YOU FROM READING THE COMIC BOOKS FOR FREE! THEY SHOULD MAKE YOU PAY TO READ THEM! THEY SHOULD THROW YOUR FAT ASS OUT!

Funny thing is, I also read the magazines there for free to. I don't see Maxim and FHM increasing the costs of their magazines dramatically. The fact is, Marvel and DC is over pricing their motherfucking comic books! Does the ink and paper that those comic books are made of actually cost $3.99? Fuck no! I'm done. I will keep reading the comic books for free. Blah, blah, blah...
Opinions
by gooseud
May 27th, 2009
01:50:08 PM
1. everyone knows my opinion on Crossed, literally the most abhorrent completely irredeemable book I've had the misfortune to read. You want "Non-Silly Ennis", with all of the freakshow tendencies without any of the fun? This is your book 2. The Boys does have a certain train-wreck appeal to it, I read the first 6 or 7 issues and have the nex 20 or so in the queue ready to go (I work in estate sales and rarely have to pay much of anything for my books, thats how I read all 19 issues of the Initiative at a clip, got em for 5 bucks). The sad thing is, you know why we all still pay attention to that book? The Boys is at its core an amazing idea, if you just weed out all of Ennis;s tired played out bullshit, theres a great book lurking in there somewhere. 3. Speaking of "how long does it take to get going and catch your interest" for a book, I believe Walking Dead set the record for that one. It took what, 4 panels?
Preacher
by gooseud
May 27th, 2009
01:57:12 PM
Everyone has their own opinion, it certainly meandered in points, it is a divisive book. Personally, I dont believe it fell apart at the end. I loved the Cassidy/Jesse confrontation, and the aftermath where the true plan and Cassidy's true motives were revealed. Also, call me a big softy, but after 10 trades worth of freakshow bizzaro-ness, the resolution of the Jesse/Tulip relationship was pitch perfect and great. I know, I'm a big wuss. Plus, the entire storyline with Jesse and his Grandma in Angelville was gold, pure gold, beyond gold actually, platinum.
Walking Dead, Goose and the Boys and Exiles
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
02:00:29 PM
It just took a periphreal glance for me. "What'd that say... Something Dead? I'm buying that shit!"

That is a very interesting point Goose brings up. If I could have the Boys without Ennis, I would be all over it. The adventures of the people who police the Heroes? Awesome. A near constant reminder of a hamster up the butt joke that was old in the 90s? Fucking asinine.

I feel the same way about Exiles. I want to love that book, but I just really have not enjoyed what anyone has done with it.
Preacher's 2nd trade
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
02:02:04 PM
was its best arcs, but yeah, the last few years just fell apart for me.
Speaking of Exiles
by optimous_douche
May 27th, 2009
02:03:49 PM
has it improved an inch now that Claremont is gone.

being a sucker for any What If stories I collected every issue up until he ruined it.

So...new writer -- yea or nay?

Joe Kelly kicks ass
by Buckys_Kick_Ass_Arm
May 27th, 2009
02:47:17 PM
Joenathan
by Meglos
May 27th, 2009
03:02:44 PM
And with your "eat my poop" comment, you just lost your own argument.
crap
by Joenathan
May 27th, 2009
03:40:27 PM
so... am I out of the tournament or what...? Is the season over? What about the wildcard position? Who has that, because I know I could take that s.o.b Optimus with or withOUT home field advantage. Believe dat. Believe dat.
Fuck Ennis
by kungfuhustler84
May 27th, 2009
03:50:38 PM
Joe Kelly's the one everybody should be talking about. I haven't been able to find Four Eyes anywhere, but Bang Tango and Bad Dog are two books I probably get the most excited for when they are released.
ennis on punisher
by Willy_Idle
May 27th, 2009
03:56:26 PM
i still like kitchen irish the best and think the main character would translate pretty well onto film
Someday I'm going to own a comic book company...
by rev_skarekroe
May 27th, 2009
03:59:14 PM
...and I'm going to hire Garth Ennis to write an ongoing book. And he's only going to have one rule - no Irish people are allowed to appear. EVER.
The funny thing about a Ferret is...
by Continentalop
May 27th, 2009
04:17:18 PM
,,that as an animal they are probably a lot tougher than bats in the real world.

] Those little fuckers can be vicious.

Not an Ennis fan
by Continentalop
May 27th, 2009
04:18:56 PM
If someone else likes him fine, but I freely admit I don't get his appeal. His sensibilities are obviously not the same as mine (Arseface, really?).
everyone should be reading Fables
by v1cious
May 27th, 2009
04:35:32 PM
that comic has gotten SO good, since War in The Homeland arc. Mister Dark makes the Adversary look tame by comparison. the crossover has also been entertaining. seeing Bigby as a little girl had me rolling on the floor.
When is Liam the Kid going to review a Walking Dead issue?
by Fareal
May 27th, 2009
04:39:22 PM
Prolly 2015
by optimous_douche
May 27th, 2009
05:13:55 PM
Secret Warriors
by WarpedElements
May 27th, 2009
05:37:25 PM
Are they still Nick's Howling COmmandos? I hated those brats. Bendis seems to cop out when it comes to superhero origins. "Lessee...super powers...well I took away 'mutant' from everyone else so... Oh! You're all descendants of past heroes/villians! For no reason you have powers in your genes. But you're not mutants. Nope." Jessica Jones' freakin' origin story was a ripoff of Madcap from Ghost Rider of all things. Fuckin' cheap writing.
Yeah, the Warriors are those Howler kids.
by SleazyG.
May 27th, 2009
05:42:50 PM
And Bug's right. The problem isn't just that they're new or that they're young. It's that there has been absolutely no characterization, development, or style. I couldn't tell you a single one of their names, powers, or even their physical appearances. I have no idea who the fuck they are from one issue to the next--they're total ciphers. Stack the first four issues of RUNAWAYS or YOUNG AVENGERS against the first four of this title and the problem is obvious: not only do I not know or care about these kids, they're completely overshadowed by the cool part of the plot, which is (as always) Nick Fury/SHIELD/Hydra.

I neither know nor care whether I'm supposed to blame Bendis or Hickman: either way, the book sucks thus far, and unless the next issue or two kicks major ass I'm out, cuz the book's a turd so far. It's only the suggestion of big Hydra/SHIELD doings that have me sticking around that long; otherwise this issue woulda been my last.

The thing about the Boys is......
by gooseud
May 27th, 2009
05:53:14 PM
its a fantastic concept, which is why everyone checks back saying "how could this NOT be awesome??".....however, I'm not sure who would write it. Brian Vaughn, for all his genius, isnt kinetic and action oriented enough. Johns isnt gritty enough. Brubaker could probably do it, but he might be TOO gritty and suck the humor from it. Ennis turns it into a hamster in the ass freakshow. Bendis, get the fuck outta here. Slott, not his style at all, he would be horrible. Hmmmm........maybe Kirkman?
And WAR STORIES for Ennis...
by stones_throw
May 27th, 2009
06:33:19 PM
Baytor's right, best war comics out there. And there isn't any of the gross-out humor either. Well, a decapitated general's wife in one of 'em, but that's about it...
Hickman's Ending to A Red Mass For Mars was great!
by Series 7
May 27th, 2009
06:59:53 PM
Ehhh wait no never happened. I need to read all of the Secret Warriors, I like Hickman a lot (PLEASE FINISH RED MASS!), but man his Fan Four is just a copy of Millars.
I guess none of you assholes
by Series 7
May 27th, 2009
07:00:43 PM
Cared to see that sweet fake Green Lantern trailer. So its true what they say then, no one really gives a fuck about Green Lantern.
Liam the Kid
by Series 7
May 27th, 2009
07:02:09 PM
Better review the next Herogasm. If I was a kid and I read about it, I would have it. My comic shop actually took it off of the shelf so the younglings didn't hurt their eyes. Though disembodied people and cutting off heads THAT'S FINE.
Anyone read the comic
by Series 7
May 27th, 2009
07:04:09 PM
For Prototype? It looked really cool then I saw it was a video game, since I am over the age of 18 and don't own a PS3 or X-Box I don't really play anything outside of Guitar Hero and Mario Kart. But the game looks really sweet and the comic didn't look to shabby. They did this with Mirrors Edge as well. Also I saw that there was a Resident Evil comic pooping around right now, anyone following any of those? Chuck Comic?
Punisher Covers
by Jinxo
May 27th, 2009
07:29:05 PM
I believe all of the covers on the new Punisher series so far have been reworkings of well known previous covers.
What would Cap do to protest high comic prices???
by TheGhostWhoLurks
May 27th, 2009
07:38:46 PM
He'd toss the comics into the Boston Harbor and download them off Bittorrent for free! Go CAP!!!
Let Marvel and DC know you read comic books for free...
by Fareal
May 27th, 2009
07:47:14 PM
...at the coffee shops of large book stores. At the one book store I go to there are hundreds of titles that I can read for FREE! Maybe Marvel/DC will sue the large book stores in order to stop them from allowing me (and homeless people) to read their comic books for FREE!

Everyday is FREE comic book day for me, and anyone else who wants to join me at a local, large book store. Come on down! Everyone come down around 9:00 PM and lets read Captain America #50 out loud together.
Fuck CAPTAIN AMERICA and....
by DrMorbius
May 27th, 2009
08:21:01 PM
FUCK MARVEL!!!!!

Where the fuck is Captain America WHITE #1? Its been a YEAR since #0 came out, in a 6 issue run, so I guess they'll have it finished by 2015!

Like I said,,, FUCK MARVEL!!!

There are a couple of silly war stories
by MasterBaytor
May 27th, 2009
08:57:35 PM
Adventures In The Rifle Brigade (especially Operation: Bollock) is played for laughs. And the Screaming Eagles story is about a bunch of soldiers hanging out, getting drunk, and getting laid while scouting for a General's base camp. But these are the exceptions to the rule. His first Nick Fury S.H.I.E.D.-based mini-series was pretty much trash, but the second one in WWII was pretty solid.
all this talk of The Boys,
by GooberNGrape
May 27th, 2009
10:23:29 PM
it's still new to me, never picked it up. i'll check out my requisite 4 issues and go from there. and as far as seamless humor, Optimous, you get a gold star for name checking Fleshlights! ha!
The Boys
by sean bean
May 28th, 2009
03:30:29 AM
I read the first couple of arcs and got bored very quickly. Every time I have dipped back in, nothing much seems to have changed. For me, Ennis did all the superhero riffs back in Hitman and that was far funnier and more compelling. I know Garth Ennis hates superheroes - I'm just not going to read an ongoing book about it.
Preacher
by sean bean
May 28th, 2009
03:36:29 AM
I think the "nuke the fridge/shark/red matter" moment was Jesse getting the eyepatch. Never quite regained its momentum after that. It probably ran 15-20 issues too long, but those first few arcs were tremendous.
Secret Warriors
by sean bean
May 28th, 2009
03:42:11 AM
I read somewhere that Bendis has very little involvement beyond his name being on the masthead in order to generate publicity and sales. Hickman does the heavy lifting. I'm enjoying it, however. Phobos is badass, but it is mostly the Fury and Strucker show.
Thanks Goober
by optimous_douche
May 28th, 2009
05:46:05 AM
The thought of someone sitting there fucking a flashlight with a silky center just makes me giggle my head off.

Probably the best (and one of the few) good lines from Zac & Miri. "Fleshlight -- a flashlight you fuck."

Brilliant in its simplicity.

Dr. Morbius, it takes time to tell a good story.
by Fareal
May 28th, 2009
06:01:13 AM
If it takes until 2015 to tell this particular Captain America: White story, then so be it.
Oh and Goober
by optimous_douche
May 28th, 2009
06:01:52 AM
Match in the gas tank...boom...boom.
Four Issues? Howzabout One Issue.
by Buzz Maverik
May 28th, 2009
07:54:03 AM
It's a comic book. These guys have to understand they are making COMIC BOOKS. As long as they are published one issue at a time, they'd better stand on their own especially early on. Sure, there are the Zombies who will buy them just because they are COMIC BOOKS, but let's lock them in a dying mall somewhere in Pennsylvania.

Chances are, if they can't put out a good comic book, a good issue, they can't put out a good series.

But, Buzz, you'd abandon a COMIC BOOK just because you didn't like the first issue?

Yep, and I'll stop watching a TV show because I don't like the first episode. I'll toss a novel if the first few chapters don't grab me (See, he said he'd read a few chapters of a novel but he won't read a few ISSUES of a comic -- well, they don't sell me the novel by the chapter, it's one price) and if a movie sucks in the first half hour, I always get a pass for something cool.

You don't owe a comic book publisher or writer or character anything. They owe you good work. If they can't deliver, I say they step aside because YOU, and YOU, and YOU and yes, even YOU with a little practice could do the job, right? Right!

They want me to stick around reading their crappy comics I want the comic free, delivered ahead of time to my door and I want $50.00 per issue plus a Cuban cigar for wasting my time.

Why Do Kid Comics All Have YOUNG In..
by Buzz Maverik
May 28th, 2009
08:02:24 AM
the titles? Could someone please explain that to me again? Is that the same reason that all characters o' color used to have the word "Black" in their names? Black Lightning. Black Goliath (see, he's like Goliath but he's Black? Hold the phone! I never noticed the 20 foot tall guy was Black!).

Due to my emotional immaturity, I remember exactly what it was like being a 12 year old Marvel Zombie. I gotta tell ya, I never once said, "Ya know, Eriglione, we COULD shoplift these comics, but I'd like it better if it was called YOUNG MARVEL TEAM UP. And until they change it to SANDBOX OF DRACULA, I'm not interested. Oh, here's one GIANT SIZED KID-THING. It's about a pile of garbage ... that's a kid. You know, like us."

Sleazy/Secret Warriors
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
08:48:26 AM
Ooooooooooh, you can't tell their names or anything about them either? Suddenlyits all clear, you see, the problem is, you guys can;t read very well, because, you see, me? I've read all four issues at a medium pace an I can tell you their names, powers, origins and personalities... So, I don't blame you then for not knowing, since its just a reading comprehension thing.
Good comics are serial
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
08:55:44 AM
There are examples of good stand alone comics, but they are few and far between. You can jump off anytime you want, but you can't say its because the story is bad when the first story isn't even complete. You don't like it, fine, but at least admit that you didn't bother to stick around for the whole initial showing. I shit all over Boys and Crossed and Ennis ALL the TIME, but I read the first 6 to 11 books. Besides, Nick versus Strucker? How can you walk away fromt that? Thats just crazy talk.
One last thing
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
10:17:21 AM
The idea of Dr. Druid hittin' it and quittin' it tickles me to no end. I bet it was at the end of the night at some Avenger's charity function in Hawaii and the Doc corners some groupie and she looks around and sees that all the other Avengers are gone so... "at least he's an Avenger," she rationalizes as the Doc, in his Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops does a little happy dance at her and she goes home wih him AND THEN, the next morning, Dr. druid is like: "So... I'll call you..." and never looked back. Gotta love it.
Preacher again
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
10:19:00 AM
Its always funny hearing people's fresh opinions on books that you formed an opinion on long ago. I always assumed everyone felt the same way as I did about Preacher, which is that the New Orleans voodoo storyline sucked and meandered at the...late beginning, i guess..... of the run, the Jesse as sheriff with one eye storyline sucked and meandered towards the....late middle, i guess....of the run, and then everything came back together awesomely in the last 4 issues or so. Definately not saying anything for or against anyone elses opinion, its just interesting hearing other people's views on it. Even Joe's, which is saying something heh heh
How comics differ from TV
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
10:21:44 AM
A Tv show can have a great first episode and then immediately fall apart, happens all the time. However, a comic that has a great 1st issue generally, 95% of the time, is always going to kick ass after that, at least for a while. Astonishing X, Walking Dead, and Ex Machina all spring to mind. A first issue may or may not "grab you", but the best ones are almost always an indicator of some awesome quality on the way.
Oh, and I take back what I said before
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
10:25:51 AM
Tongue in cheek comments aside about Walking Dead's 1st 4 panels (although in all sincerity, that was one of the all time great 1st issues in Goose history), I mulled it over, and the quickest "grab you" moment at the start of a series is Robinson's Starman, AKA the infamous very 1st page. Anyone who has read that series knows what happens on the very first page of the very first issue, and its one of the all time great "WTF?? Wait, what???" moments in DC history, especially considering how comics were at the time and how they had been written til that exact moment.
Politely disagree with you Joenathan
by Continentalop
May 28th, 2009
11:48:05 AM
Good comics are serial, they are just good. Sometimes you can have a powerful story in one issue, or even less than one issue (The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man) or you need several issues to build up the story so you can have a dramatic ending (The Dark Phoenix Saga).

I will agree that comic books are serial, and that the best comics use subplots and shadowing, so that even a one-shot issue will have some sort of buildup before it occurs. Nothing should really occur in a vacuum.

Just Ponied Up for All Old Man Logans
by optimous_douche
May 28th, 2009
11:48:32 AM
This shit better be good Joen.
Damn
by Continentalop
May 28th, 2009
11:49:58 AM
"Good comics AREN'T serial, they are just good."

Why does work keep distracting me from what is important?

And WTF!!
by optimous_douche
May 28th, 2009
11:50:17 AM
With releasing 73 of Wolverine before 72?

I sometimes help my LCS count in stock and just noticed Marvel did this. Is this a first?

Nice try, Joenathan.
by SleazyG.
May 28th, 2009
12:15:30 PM
It's not a "reading comprehension" issue, it's a "there's no reason to give a shit" issue. There has been nothing in these four issues to make me give a crap who any of the kids are or know what they do or why. Four issues into the first AGENTS OF ATLAS mini I knew exactly who they were and why they were there and was interested in the story. SECRET WARRIORS? Not only could I not possibly know or care any less about them, but their story is continually overshadowed by the story that everybody's *really* buying the title for.

You can try and make it personal and imply it's because I don't know how to read all you want--it's what we've all come to expect from you. After all, why respond to my actual criticism of the title when you can just potshot me? It would be too much effort for you to try and demonstrate, after all, the ways in which this series has succeeded as well as any of the other three or four titles I've mentioned.

ROFL Optimus got tricked
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
12:39:20 PM
You actually bought Old Man Logan? Dude, you cant listen to Joe on Millar, hes hopelessly brainwashed. That story sucks balls, I wont spoil it for you, but Ill say this: the last issue of the series got pushed back an issue so they could release some lame tie in to the movie. LOL how utterly amateur hour and ridiculous. Imagine the Barracuda cliffhanger with Punisher's daughter and next issue, Frank is hunting some drug dealer like nothing ever happened. Then the next issue, Barracuda is standing there holding the baby. LAughable, and that should tell you all you need to know about Marvel editorial and Millar. The idea of Brubaker allowing someone to interrupt the last issue of the Winter Soldier storyline to put out some generic movie tie in is hilarious
Serial comics
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
12:41:33 PM
dont really have an opinion, other then to say the recent self contained stand alone issue of Ex Machina with Tony Harris and Brian Vaughn was one of my favorite single comics of all time, so it can be done.
Sure, comics are serial
by kungfuhustler84
May 28th, 2009
01:00:15 PM
but that doesn't mean quality can't be maintained throughout the run. Writers should be considering the pacing of the story, and the time between each issue's release. If it's meant to be read as a whole, why not just present it as a whole? If it's meant to be read one single issue at a time, I see no reason why each issue can't still be very fulfilling.

In the case of Secret Warriors, I thought the last issue gave us a lot of insite into a few of the other characters, but it did drag a lot. I'm not dropping it yet, but if there are two issues like that in a row, you bet your ass I will be dropping it.

Also, after a crappy issue, I do usually just read the next one before buying it. If it gets better, I buy it. If it's still shitty, I drop it. Seems to work fine for me.

Continentalop
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
01:40:31 PM
I think we're agreeing with each other.
calm down, Sleazy
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
01:41:36 PM
We're just being snarky, not mean and I apologize in advance if I misconstrued your response, as I didn't read most of it.
Optimus
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
01:43:44 PM
I thought it was great and the number switch was because of the crappy movie and the fact that Marvel actually believes someone out there is going to stumble blind into the film, love it and go: "Who is this Wolverine? I must know more! To the Comic Shop!" and then be all confused by Old Man Logan and swear off comics forever, and thus Marvel loses all that potential business... I wonder how that worked out for them...
I read more Sleazy
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
01:44:52 PM
like I said: After four issues, I do know all that stuff about them and I read the same four issues as you, so...
Goose
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
01:46:13 PM
Bru would have no choice. Corporate is in charge, not the writer. Many are the creators who thought otherwise an were replaced.
Wait, Joenathan..you're a "we"?
by SleazyG.
May 28th, 2009
02:39:02 PM
Is that a royal "we're" there, or do you mean it actually takes a brain trust to come up with your stuff? Cuz either way...whoa. Then again, it would explain a lot...
I'll consult myself and let you know,
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
02:47:27 PM
(no I won't.)
I knew you wouldn't...
by SleazyG.
May 28th, 2009
02:53:36 PM
...Sybil.
Not to beat the serial thing into the ground
by Continentalop
May 28th, 2009
02:59:16 PM
But my problem with long story arcs is that they suffer from the same problems as the season final of TV show does - you just know something big is going to happen, and usually it is a let down. I think of the Sopranos, and as good as some of the season finals were, nothing compares to the suck of Richie dying in season two right before the end of season two, or the Ralphie killing the stripper Tracee, or Ralphie buying it halfway through the season, or Adrianna's death. All of those things happened during the season, coming out of nowhere, and it was that shock value that added something extra. I mean, imagine how little impact Adrianna's death would be if it happened at the season finale?

Same thing with comic books. You know during a big event comic like Secret Invasion, shit is supposed to happen so you never really feel the impact of the death of someone like the Wasp. But imagine the shock and surprise comic-goers in the 70s felt when they picked up an issue of Spider-Man and suddenly Gwen Stacy is killed, and in the very next issue the Green Goblin buys it? In just two issues they did a story that had more impact than Secret Invasion, Civil War, or Final Crisis ever had.

Agents of Atlas and Secret Warriors
by kungfuhustler84
May 28th, 2009
03:10:28 PM
i actually liked the first three issues of Atlas more, but dropped it because I decided it wasn't going anywhere, and seeing Fury battle Hydra again was a spectacle I would not pass up.
You know me too well, Sleazy
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
03:22:43 PM
(heart)
Joenathan
by kungfuhustler84
May 28th, 2009
03:25:48 PM
If it's not too much trouble, could you explain just who the fuck the rest of the Secret Warriors are? Like have any of them been in anything else besides like the last two issues of Secret Invasion? And if not, why think up new people if we are never really going to get to know them except their names and their powers?
Continentalop and other stuff
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
03:27:09 PM
You do something like that too often, though, and you begin to run out of toys...

Also, on a kind of seperate note, what about Ultimate Spider-man right now? I know some of you complained when non-character Ultimate Daredevil died, but other than that, that book has been rocking and right now, I am honestly unsure of the fatem of Spider-man. He's in real danger and may already be dead, plus, the Hulk is wrecking shop. Good book.
LOL this talkback.....
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
03:31:00 PM
never ceases to be hilarious. Fantastic reviews of Punisher, Fables, etc.......and everyone is talking about Secret Warriors (shakes head amusedly). Thats why I come here, expect the unexpected. Continental is right, FYI, anyone can deliver some huge EVENT, but it takes a real talent to be able to truly surprise you in the course of the series. You can say what you want about Whedon's dialogue (I fall firmly on the side of friggin lovin his take on the X-guys), but in Astonishing he definately brought the surprises (I'm thinking of the truly awesome Colossus reveal), and didnt need 6 months of hype ahead of time to do it.
I don't read Fables
by kungfuhustler84
May 28th, 2009
03:41:55 PM
And Punisher just bores me if he's not in a story that's totally absurd.
Secret Warriors
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
03:55:42 PM
They've all been in New and Mighty Avengers before this and were plucked from the same catepillar files (I hate that name) that Kang jr. used to find the Young Avengers.

Daisy was in Secret Wars (kind of... hey, did that whole series come out, or what? My memory of it is incomplete.) She's the daughter of Hyde, I believe and Fury plucked her from Juvie and she's been with him ever since. She desperately wants to prove herself to him and is fated with an uncertain future that regardless of its outcome will be a tough road. She's also one of the few people with Shield clearance 10. She has quake powers

J.T. is the hothead/jerk who has nothing but death in future and wild streak that is sure to bring him there. As with all characters of this stripe, he most likely has a hidden hero streak, which when added all together spells out noble sacrifice to me. He doesn't trust Fury. He's related to the old west ghost rider (phantom rider?) and can either charge things with his hellfire or maybe its just his chain, I'm unsure. In fact, the whole genetic hellfire thing is a bit wonky, but whatever... I'm pretty sure he wants to bone Daisy (understandable).

Phobo s was at the center of the Ares mini and he's ares son so that means that hes, of course then, God of Fear. He can scare people and tell the future apparently. I don't have much of a handle on him other than that he's a creepy kid and I hate children in stuff. He might be trouble for everybody. Especially because he might be just playing that classic Greek God type game of fuck you with the purpose of pissing off Dad, who I'm waiting for to show up all pissed off at Fury. The Kraken scared him, which is significant, because he is the God of Fear, so...oooooh....

Stonewa ll was bailed out of prison by Nick and is super strong. From the caring, concerned way he responded to Yo-yo's injury, (which he was prophecized to do) I'm assuming he's a dead beat dad now discovering his parental urges, which means he is the father to someone out there, but I don't think its been mentioned. Also, I'm almost pretty sure that he's not the same Stonewall from the old Brotherhood/Freedom Force, but I could be wrong. I'm too lazy to look.

Sebastian is the son of Dr. Druid (Mr. Hit it and quit it) and he can create monsters/do magic. He is bumbling and unsure of himself. He lacks confidence, but is fated to save the world. I think he also wants o pork Daisy (don't we all...)

Yo-yo can run really fast and bounce back to where she started... which is... odd. She was propheziced to have something horrible happen to her and then had both her hands chopped off, which was awesome. I hope she gets robot arms. She used to be kind of cheerful, but now... She's the daughter of someone completely ranom that I can never remember.

Off the top of my head, thats it, but there's probably shit I missed. Feel free to ask. Also, the question of "why should we care?" Well, thats the writer's eventual job to answer, correct? For now....? New book. Why not? I like Hickman's stuff, love Fury and the old Commandos. I like the artist, so I'll stick around awhile.
Never could get into Punisher comics
by Continentalop
May 28th, 2009
04:22:57 PM
I just think he works a lot better as a foil to heroes such as Spider-Man and Daredevil than he does having his own adventure.

In fact, I always thought Frank Castle would have been better in the DC universe to act as the filpside of Batman (our old "why doesn't Batman kill" debates). Question to someone out there: does Batman have someone in his rogues gallery like the Punisher? Someone who actually makes a legitimate argument about the use of deadly force and vigilantism? If not, they should make him.

Also,
by Joenathan
May 28th, 2009
04:44:12 PM
I think I forgot to mention this, but I totally agree ith Bug that Destroyer is fan-fucking-tastic.
"use of deadly force and vigilantism"?
by SleazyG.
May 28th, 2009
05:37:03 PM
You mean like the character called, uh, The Vigilante? Been like three of 'em, most recent of which stars in his own ongoing and keeps crossing paths with Nightwing? Currently part of a big crossover with both Titans titles?
sleazy
by Continentalop
May 28th, 2009
06:06:30 PM
Since I don't currently follow most DC titles, is he a legitimate alternative to Batman, or just a over-the-top extreme character who serves to just reinforce Batman/Nightwing's tactics on crime-fighting?
I dunno...I mean, who actually buys VIGILANTE?
by SleazyG.
May 28th, 2009
06:31:11 PM
Sorry--I wish I could tell you more, but he's been handled so poorly in recent years I don't waste my money. I do know the initial Vigilante, back in the late 80's, was sort of a DC version of the Punisher--but he ended up killing himself in his final issue. Don't really know what's up with the new guy, but maybe somebody else here knows.
Vigilante? Really?
by gooseud
May 28th, 2009
07:27:06 PM
Thats his name? Wow.......was "Captain Obvious" already taken?
Joenathan
by kungfuhustler84
May 28th, 2009
11:33:43 PM
Thanks for the informative answer! I like the series a lot too, and yes, the art is really good. I do hope this arc ends really strongly, but I must admit I have my doubts.
Even Parts of A Serial Have to Stand Alone
by Buzz Maverik
May 29th, 2009
08:47:50 AM
That's why a good comic book storyteller has a really hard job and where, too often, the ball has been dropped this decade. Build up, pacing, internal logic, etc have to be maintained in each issue and as part of the whole story. What're you going to do? Buy five issues you hate because the sixth issue makes it some kinda wonderful? Chances are if you hate 1-5, yer not gonna want a smoke after issue 6. And you got to pay for all six. Even if you wait for a trade, you paid for 5/6th of a crappy trade because these guys don't understand Robert McKee.

I'm the guy who dropped NEW FRONTIER after issue one even though it had some of the best art I'd seen that year. Ah, superhumans in history, doing superhuman stuff, time travel, etc...fighter pilot who won't fire his guns and is still effective and not court marshalled or given the mother of all blanket parties by the rest of the squad. This thing isn't going to get any smarter and I'm not spending however many issues going, "Stupid, stupid, stupid..."

Good Punisher
by Buzz Maverik
May 29th, 2009
10:43:31 AM
Late 80s Punisher by Mike Barron and Klaus Janson. To me, it seemed to be the closest anyone has come to portraying how a superhero would function in reality. In the best stories, Frank set up a caper, often assembled a team, with an objective. In one of my favorites, he grew impatient with all the stays of execution that an obvious Ted Bundy doppelganger was receiving so he decided to bust him out of prison ... so he could kill the guy himself. Somehow, a Manson doppelganger and his Manson girl dopps got involved and Frank ended up finishing them all off.

Of course, in reality, the Punisher wouldn't have survived his first few missions, but we have to suspend some disbelief.

When the Punisher did interact with the rest of the Marvel Universe, it was always surprising and interesting, on par with, say, the issue where Alan Moore had Swamp Thing interact with the DC Universe.

Example Of Good Serialization
by Buzz Maverik
May 29th, 2009
11:09:03 AM
The first issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN that I ever read, which was issue #148. I knew who Spider-Man was from the cartoon series with the catchy theme song, but aside from THE INCREDIBLE HULK, the only non-humor comics I'd read at the time were monster comics like WEREWOLF BY NIGHT and ADVENTURES INTO FEAR. I was only interested in Spider-Man because I'd just been astonished to learn the Morbius the Living Vampire had started out as a Spidey villain. If he fought vampires and man-wolves, it couldn't be so dumb, right?

So, first page, we got the Jackal and the Tarantula throwing a chained Spidey off a bridge while a stoned looking, mini-skirted blonde babe watches. All of those elements caught my interest and nobody explained who anybody was.

Spidey breaks his fall with a web line but screws up by slamming into the bridge supports. They didn't do THAT in Super Friends. Then, a police boat takes Spidey down and they're going to arrest him. Arrest a superhero? He's not best friends with the Chief O' Police? Yeah, bay-bee. But he breaks the chains and decks most of the cops! And the head cop blasts at him with a machine gun as he dives into the water! Why is he at odds with cops? I didn't know, but I wanted to find out.

A stoned looking Peter Parker(everybody looked stoned in the 70s, probably from all the marijuana we smoked) staggers up to his apartment building and kind of a slutty looking redhead in tight pants with a bare mid-riff is waiting for him. I liked slutty looking readheads with tight pants and bare midriffs! And she's not trying to figure out his secret identity either! She's just pissed and giving him bitch bites because he's not paying any attention to her and the blonde, whose name I learn is Gwen, is back from the dead! Okay, I don't know what's going on, and I don't care, because this is getting good! And Pete slams the door in the redheads face! Clark never did that to Lois!

Pete tries to soak away his pain in a scuzzy looking bath tub but a reporter friend of his shows up with info on back from the dead Gwen! You can tell that Pete and his friend don't really like each other, and Pete makes him instant coffee, all of which seemed like how I'd observed real young adults interact. At 10, you can't imagine having friends you don't really like. Anyway, Pete and his friend head off to see this college professor who took some cell samples from his classes which included Pete and mystery Gwen. But Professor Warren thinks his former assistant, who suddenly vanished, took them.

Spider-Man breaks in to the apartment of the assistant (which is even scuzzier than Pete's apartment) and finds it empty ... except for the Tarantula. We get a big fight which carries them onto the night time roof tops. Spider-Man both makes fun of the Tarantula and goes off on him ... neither of which I'd ever seen Adam West or Burt Ward do. Finally, he beats the crap out of the South American villaindito and is about to drag him off to the nearest cop car, when the Jackal cuts him down with drugged claws! The Jackal takes off his mask and he's the Professor that Pete visited at the University!

Actually made me want to read more. Made me want to read what came next, and what came before.

But, Buzz, you say, they had to build up to this, right? You might have found the beginning of STORY ARC slow. No, I say back to you. Years later, when I finally tracked down back issues, the story started (because the didn't have STORY ARCS until the college boys took over comics)with Pete in a fetal position on his front stoop because he'd come home from fighting French supervillains to find his dead girlfriend alive and waiting for him. Dig it! Now, we'd have 2 full issues of a non-costumed Parker's reaction! Then, we got the whole picture with a trembling Parker losing his mind on the splash page.

We didn't have build up in the 70s and were better for it. We just had pot. And comics.

Sweet
by Series 7
May 29th, 2009
12:03:35 PM
A red mass for mars #3 is actually coming out.
I loved comics in the seventies!
by Joenathan
May 29th, 2009
02:35:35 PM
Of course... I was in grade school, but whatever...
Well said Buzz
by kungfuhustler84
May 29th, 2009
02:50:45 PM
I wasn't born in the 70s, but I consistently enjoy more comics from that era than I do pretty much anywhere else. Didn't Howard the Duck come out in the 70s? Every issue in the original series is stand alone, and every one is fucking brilliant and hilarious. These story arcs are just to make money and sell trades. It is not necessary, nor has it ever been.
Vigilante
by Series 7
May 29th, 2009
03:45:54 PM
I've actually been following it. I enjoy it. He is out right now killing off mob people. I didn't care for the whole crossover Deathtrap event. As for his story, his back story so far has not been fully told yet, right now I just know he is looking to kill one last person then he is done.
Crossed
by MasterBaytor
May 29th, 2009
11:22:11 PM
For whatever reason I hadn't gotten around to reading thing yet. I actually really liked it. Sort of a cross between Stephen King's Cell and Warren Ellis' Black Gas. And I was really expecting a lot more gross-out and sexual material... for the concept, he seems remarkably restrained. Haven't read Walking Dead yet, so don't have any idea how it compares; but I'm enjoying it more than I did Blackgas, which was just kind of alright.
SO late on this
by buffywrestling
May 30th, 2009
04:55:01 AM
but I loved the Buffy review and anything that stirs up the Buffy-haters is cool in my book.

I will be ordering the graphic novel along with my Dollhouse DVD.

Yer Right Re. HTD, KungFu!
by Buzz Maverik
May 30th, 2009
09:40:47 AM
Howard the Duck was one of Marvel's best, bravest and most unique books. Although the George Lucas produced film from the mid-1980s has forever tainted HTD in the pop consciousness, maybe it is forgotten enough for the comic book to be remembered for its' greatness.

HTD was one of those great collaborations of writer and artist in synch. Although Val Mayerik co-created Howard with Steve Gerber, Mayerik's talent lay in horror and fantasy art, while Gene Colan, who drew most of the HTD series, specialized in realistic to noirish art with a true cinematic flair. His stuff was almost three dimensional and, to me, gave off the closest approximation of motion I've ever seen in comic book art. All this made a cigar smoking, violence prone version of Donald Duck stranger and funnier.

Also, Colan was an odd pair with HOWARD creator and writer Steve Gerber. Gerber was probably only in his late 20s or barely over 30 when HTD ran, while Colan was a seasoned pro from the Silver Age. Reportedly, they worked great together, considered HTD to be one of the best collaborative experiences either had ever had, and both sort of got shafted when Jim Shooter became EIC.

The stories were funny, unpredicitble, and beautifully gonzo. I've been sort of misunderstood with the whole "stand alone" thing. I'm not talking single issue stories. I'm talking issues, whether they are part of an ongoing story or not, that hold up as good reads. Too often, we see murky, poorly paced first issues (and I'm not asking for more fights, although nothing wrong with a good fight) and are told "Well, you gotta read the entire two year arc." Uh-uh. But HTD had both continuing stories and single issues and they all hold up. We had Howard running for President as the candidate of the All Night Party (only to be ruined by assassination attempts and scandal perpetrated by Canadian villain Le Beaver. Or OMEN FOR AN EXORCIST in which Howard has a nervous breakdown, beats up an old lady on a bus, causing the bus to crash and ending up in a mental institution run by Hitler. There, Howard helps a young woman he has befriended who is possessed by the rock group KISS. And who could forget Howard's encounter with the perfect '70s villain Dr. Bong?

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