The Comic Book Discussion Thread

[number8]

Most of it is by assignment. You can ask for someone you've worked with before, of course, if you're Grant fucking Morrison, but then you have to take into account the artist's contracts, scheduling, etc.

[Sven]

Most of it is by assignment.

That seems like it shouldn't be the case, but I suppose if you want to get things done, you need to be rigid about things. I suppose in a way, it's a lot like old film studios, with house directors/cameramen/etc. Great product made as a result of following codes and doing things "the right way". Interesting.

[number8]

That seems like it shouldn't be the case, but I suppose if you want to get things done, you need to be rigid about things.

Exactly. They need a Captain America, Batman, Action Comics, etc every month, on schedule. If an artist can't hack it, then they need to have a fill-in artist come in for a couple of issues. Or they're replaced if the artist has other commitments.

It's more lenient with creator-owned or talent-driven books, obviously.

[EyesWideOpen]

Exactly. They need a Captain America, Batman, Action Comics, etc every month, on schedule. If an artist can't hack it, then they need to have a fill-in artist come in for a couple of issues. Or they're replaced if the artist has other commitments.

It's more lenient with creator-owned or talent-driven books, obviously.

Also it's a lot different with artists because 99% of artists can only handle 1 ongoing book at a time where as an accomplished writer can handle 4-6.

[number8]

Unless you're a hack. Like Mark Bagley.

[EyesWideOpen]

Unless you're a hack. Like Mark Bagley.

Hack or not, I'll take Mark Bagley's artwork over Steve Dillon's any day of the week.

[number8]

They both have the exact same problem, but you choose the lazier artist? :sad:

[Acapelli]

what's wrong with bagley or dillon?

i prefer dillon, but i'm not repelled by bagley's art and sometimes kinda like it

i guess because they draw everyone the same?

[number8]

Yeah, they both have about 3-4 faces in their bag of tricks. I don't think either's art is particularly terrible, in fact I'm a huge Dillon fan. The guy is one of the best in the biz for composition and narrative.

Bagley is capable of some good stuff, too. What makes him a hack is that he whores himself out to a lot of books and it shows in his work. Anything other than close-ups of faces always look rushed, and you get these weird faceless deformed figures in his wide shots.

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah, they both have about 3-4 faces in their bag of tricks. I don't think either's art is particularly terrible, in fact I'm a huge Dillon fan. The guy is one of the best in the biz for composition and narrative.

Bagley is capable of some good stuff, too. What makes him a hack is that he whores himself out to a lot of books and it shows in his work. Anything other than close-ups of faces always look rushed, and you get these weird faceless deformed figures in his wide shots.

What does Bagley whore himself out on? He did 100+ issues of Ult. Spider-Man, then after that he left and did the bi-weekly Trinity series and now he's doing Justice League.

[number8]

Oops, yeah, sorry, I totally phrased that wrong. I don't know why I said that; I think I rationalized his sloppy work as a result of being too busy. That kind of makes it worse if he wasn't doing multiple books at once.

I guess I was thinking of Trinity, being a weekly series, took its toll on him, which is where he really rushed it. The art on that book was just terrible. But I also thought he really burnt out on USM. I mean, he pretty much drew the same things over and over again for 9 years, and most of them people doing Bendis-talk!

[EyesWideOpen]

Anybody read Geoff John's run on Teen Titans? I've always wanted to read it but never had. I managed to get the whole run for $30 shipped.

[BuffaloWilder]

Going back to Sven's mention of The Man Who Laughs a few pages back - yeah, I can agree with that, for the most part. In terms of plot, it's nothing very new or interesting, and it's basically a by-the-numbers procedural that's redeemed purely by Brubaker's flair and Mahnke's artwork. The motivation for the Joker is astoundingly silly, as well - for a character like the Joker, and especially when he's being written by Brubaker, who's one of those writers who really sees him as that archetypal kind of Trickster characters that Nolan and co. put up on screen, the fact that it's all just a really, really basic revenge scheme is just so, so underwhelming. It feels like a story that was dictated by bullet-points.

Come to think of it, no one's done a really great "first encounter with the Joker" story in the comics, have they? Lovers and Madmen was alright, if ungodly ugly to look at - but, every story that mines and explores the real possiblities behind the relationship between these two sees them as already long established. Azzarello's Joker, The Killing Joke, Sam Keith's Secrets and even Going Sane among others - there's a real heft to these, but a lot of it is drawn from the long back-and-forth that these characters have had, beforehand. It's a pity, because there's a lot of interesting potential for a Year One-esque type of story that sees the Joker as truly an anomaly in Gotham, and the effects that he would have, all around - the "new class of criminal" thing, to an extent, but expanded upon.

Oh, well. Maybe one day. Maybe in this new Earth-One series of books, now that I think about it.

[ledfloyd]

continuing the great comic book binge of 2010:

palookaville the early autobiographical stories are rather lame. it's a good life if you don't weaken is markedly better, but the book really hits it's stride during the clyde fans bit. i can't wait to read the rest of it as it's released.

wimbledon green a lot of fun, though nothing too groundbreaking.

city of glass i put off reading this for so long because i kind of feel like the novella is perfect as is. it is, but mazzucchelli grants the adaptation enough visual flair to make it work on it's own. not too shabby.

asterios polyp it's really really good, and has it's flashes of brilliance, but i was kind of expecting more after mazzucchelli had spent 15 years writing it. at times it comes off as a bit too philosophy 101.

boulevard of broken dreams sometimes i think deitch, not crumb, is the true genius of underground comics. books like this do nothing to dissuade that notion.

palestine hands down one of the top 5 or 10 comics i've ever read. also, the most informative thing i've ever read/seen on the palestinian's situation. that might speak more to my ignorance than sacco's brilliance, but he does wonderful things with placing text and perspective to make what is essentially him walking around talking to people a rather kinetic experience. i put sacco off for so long cause the material doesn't sound terribly exciting (i know, i know...) but now i'm very excited to check out the rest of his oeuvre.

[number8]

Awesome sale! (http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/special-deals)

[ledfloyd]

Awesome sale! (http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/special-deals)

awesomer sale! (http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/shopCatalog.php)

[Sven]

I don't think it has been mentioned much, if at all, but I'm pretty convinced that Joe the Barbarian, especially after today's issue, will end up a major work. It is at the very least an incredible showcase for Murphy, both as a sketcher (his tableaux are the best) and as a sequential narrator. With the first issue, where he maps out the house, I am reminded of the structure of Snake Eyes, where the film is basically a deconstruction of its opening supershot. The autumnal color scheme complements the story's gravity, giving even the more brainless moments a heavier, evocative mood. Morrison's writing is never cliched, which is actually quite an accomplishment considering the story's classical formula.

Really cool miniseries. Deciding to do issues was a bad idea. I'm way too damn impatient.

[Acapelli]

this week's issue of the unwritten was book of the week for me. but overall this week was great:

joe the barbarian
astonishing spider-man/wolverine
morning glories
mystery society
dc universe legacies

[number8]

:sad:

I'm so behind on The Unwritten.

[monolith94]

Does manga go in this thread too? Cause I just read volume 1 of Tezuka's Black Jack and it was awesome.

[Grouchy]

Does manga go in this thread too? Cause I just read volume 1 of Tezuka's Black Jack and it was awesome.
There is a manga thread. And yeah, Black Jack rocks.

[Sven]

I accidentally picked up the seventh Swamp Think TPB a while ago. It is Veitch as both writer and pencil man. His attempts to ape Moore's florid prose is a little embarrassing, but the artwork is still tip top and despite inheriting one of the most conceptually difficult characters in all of comics, his work so far is pretty up to the task.

[Grouchy]

I accidentally picked up the seventh Swamp Think TPB a while ago. It is Veitch as both writer and pencil man. His attempts to ape Moore's florid prose is a little embarrassing, but the artwork is still tip top and despite inheriting one of the most conceptually difficult characters in all of comics, his work so far is pretty up to the task.
I love the issue that's about the Aleph.

[Sven]

I love the issue that's about the Aleph.

That's a great one. My first thought: "Ho, shit! Metron!" I think my personal favorite was the blue planet chapter, though I also really dug the one from the perspective of the sentient planet that is briefly visited by Swamp Thing. I guess I like a) the really gargantuan, cosmic stuff and b) the one-offs that are more like tone poems than stories.

Okay, so I have no idea if its reputation is good or bad, but the comic book store guy seems to really like it; only three issues in, I'm ready to plunge tons of cash into obtaining Planetary.

[number8]

Planetary is my favorite work from Ellis.

[EyesWideOpen]

Planetary is my favorite work from Ellis.

Mine too. I think both Fell and Desolation Jones had the potential to be favorites of mine but we haven't seen new issues in over 3 years for either of them.

[Grouchy]

Yeah, Planetary is a must read.

[number8]

My one complaint is that DC split the Absolut edition into two books. Come on, it's only 27 issues. The Alias Omnibus had more.

[ledfloyd]

i've never been able to get into warren ellis. i've read the first trades of transmetropolitan, doktor sleepless and fell, along with black summer and crecy and none of it did much at all for me. also the first chapter of his novel. which was awful.

[Grouchy]

I really only read Planetary and Transmetropolitan, which seem to be the ones he's most highly regarded for. I liked them both a lot. I'm currently reading his blog - he's a witty motherfucker.

The description of his novel on Wikipedia sounds like it could either be awesome or really grating.

[number8]

I love Warren Ellis. He is kind of like Hunter S. Thompson meets Diablo Cody. If he was smarter with his deconstruction and sociopolitics, he'd be Alan Moore; if he was more into drugs in his grand ideas, he'd be Grant Morrison. Instead, he's like the abrasive technorat version of both. He writes fairly standard epic stories, but he fills them with the most absurd tech lingo, laden with the nastiest confrontational attitude and a distanced admiration for counterculture. Of all the big name comic writers, I think he's the most in tune with the internet hipster generation.

[Acapelli]

a sort-of response to the alan moore interview by grant morrison (not really a response as i don't think he's actually mentioned alan moore, although i haven't read the entire interview)


These stories are designed to be told over and over again. If you were an Aboriginal kid or a tribal shaman, that's what you'd do, you'd participate in the recycling of old stories, the 'revamping' of characters and scenarios, the explaining away of plot holes. Some to the job with more skill than others, but if you work with Marvel, DC or other companies' pulp fiction characters, you're basically repainting pictures of the ancestors on cave walls.

[Sven]

If you guys have all the issues of a small run (say, 6 issues), how do you store it? Do you have it on your bookshelves? Do you keep them together in a bag? Do you keep them in a box with a fox?

[D_Davis]

Last week I sold my last two long boxes of comic books - lots of Batman (including the original, first printings of Dark Knight Returns) and some random manga (like Outlanders, Xenon, and Justy).

I'm now down to one small bookshelf of comic books, consisting of the Epic colorized Akira, Grey Digital Target, Mai the Psychic Girl, and Nausicaa.

[Acapelli]

i have two long boxes for my floppies, no bags or boards

[number8]

I'm looking forward to paying someone to scan my 6 longboxes of floppies and bookshelf of trades/hardcovers into a single iPad.

[megladon8]

That sounds like a terrible idea.

[ledfloyd]

i recently got rid of all my single issues. i didn't have anything terribly rare. i'm just trying to pare down my collection of physical media to the barest essentials.


I love Warren Ellis. He is kind of like Hunter S. Thompson meets Diablo Cody.
perhaps it's the diablo cody part i find offputting.

[EyesWideOpen]

My one complaint is that DC split the Absolut edition into two books. Come on, it's only 27 issues. The Alias Omnibus had more.

Plus it's not the "Absolute Planetary" it leaves out all the stuff from the Planetary: Crossing Worlds trade. Which yes are one-shots but if your going to put out an "Absolute Planetary" they should have thrown those three issues in.

[EyesWideOpen]

I just traded in 50 comics (I got $100 alone for the Kick-Ass series first printings) to mycomicshop.com and got $186 in credit which I'm gonna use solely to beef up my manga collection.

[Sven]

Loved me some Identity Crisis. Killer writing, great art, a perspective that gives meaning to the superhero concept. Heavy stuff.

[D_Davis]

Crisis on Infinite Earths is one of my favorite super hero stories. Well, actually, I like it mainly for George Perez's art; he can draw on the epic scale so well.

[Sycophant]

"Crisis on Infinite Darkwings" 4-issue arc starts next month!

[Sycophant]

So, I've been going into my comic shop more frequently lately. Mainly for Disney comics (pick up my monthly Darkwing and its reprints, as well as prepaying for Rescue Rangers). Wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a monthly that might be up my alley?

Would be looking for something that's pretty easy to get into by picking up the last month or two, either because it's relatively new, or it's just an easy-to-pick-up ongoing. I tend to avoid superhero stuff, at least for now. Good or interesting art is always a plus.

[Sven]

Duuuuude, Syco, you may want to see if they have Joe the Barbarian in stock. It's an 8-part series, and 1-7 are already out, so you may not be too interested. But I think you'd dig it. It's about a boy with diabetes who wakes up from a nap in his attic room needing to take his insulin shot. He slips into a hallucinating state and has an epic fantasy adventure as he makes his way from his bedroom to the downstairs floor to reach medicine. The artwork is crazy good, the autumnal colors evoking a budding awareness of mortality. The weighty tone is like a buoy floating in a sea of classical tropes, giving each radiant tableau, typically at risk for fleeting digestibility in a work like this, a resonant impression of the momentary reality of emotional distress.

[Grouchy]

Loved me some Identity Crisis. Killer writing, great art, a perspective that gives meaning to the superhero concept. Heavy stuff.
I keep them in bookshelves, generally on one plastic bag if it's a short run of comics. Mixed with the TPBs.

[EyesWideOpen]

So, I've been going into my comic shop more frequently lately. Mainly for Disney comics (pick up my monthly Darkwing and its reprints, as well as prepaying for Rescue Rangers). Wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a monthly that might be up my alley?

Would be looking for something that's pretty easy to get into by picking up the last month or two, either because it's relatively new, or it's just an easy-to-pick-up ongoing. I tend to avoid superhero stuff, at least for now. Good or interesting art is always a plus.

Morning Glories is pretty great and it's only on issue 2.

And also due to the Disney books your digging I'd highly recommend Thor: The Mighty Avenger. It's an all ages/non-continuity book written by the guy who's been doing those recent Muppets comics and with great artwork by Chris Samnee. It's probably my favorite current Marvel book which surprised me because I knew very little about Thor and have never read any of Thor's titles. Here's a small preview of the first issue (it's on issue 4):

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/06/25/preview-thor-the-mighty-avenger-1-exclusive/

[Sven]

...the autumnal colors evoking a budding awareness of mortality. .

It's more of an evocation of the inevitability of confronting one's mortality, rather than an awareness of it, actually. Joe seems pretty comfortable addressing the potential for tragedy throughout.

[number8]

Guh.

http://i55.tinypic.com/35kn8t0.jpg

[bac0n]

Yeah, Planetary is a must read.

Especially Issue #2.

[number8]

Especially Issue #2.

I don't remember which number is which, but I'm going to take a guess that this is the Monster Island one.

[number8]

Wow, Wildstorm shut down. Big changes at DC today.

[EyesWideOpen]

Wow, Wildstorm shut down. Big changes at DC today.

Wildstorm had pretty much gotten redundant anyways. They've already said they've got plans for the Wildstorm "characters", all the Wildstorm licensed books will shift over to DC proper and the stuff like Mysterius the Unfathomable that's an "on it's own series" will probably just shift over to Vertigo.

[bac0n]

I don't remember which number is which, but I'm going to take a guess that this is the Monster Island one.

You know me too well. I loved that issue. I revisit it about once a year (along with the rest of the first dozen or so issues, which I have on TPB).

[EyesWideOpen]

So the Jason Aaron signing that's coming up this saturday at my LCS has changed from just a straight signing to an all day Jason Aaron event. First a Q&A, then a signing, then he will be scalping (shaving people's heads) if they donate $10 to Hero's Initative, followed by a Comic's Pro Poker Tournament with Jason Aaron and other unnamed guests.

Edit: They announced the poker guests (David Lapham, Brian Pulido and John Layman)

[Sycophant]

Duuuuude, Syco, you may want to see if they have Joe the Barbarian in stock. It's an 8-part series, and 1-7 are already out, so you may not be too interested. But I think you'd dig it. Thanks! I really wanna check it out, but I suspect my shop won't have all 7 issues in stock tomorrow. Think it'll TPB?


Morning Glories is pretty great and it's only on issue 2.

And also due to the Disney books your digging I'd highly recommend Thor: The Mighty Avenger. It's an all ages/non-continuity book written by the guy who's been doing those recent Muppets comics and with great artwork by Chris Samnee.

I'm gonna look at both of these tomorrow. They both look pretty interesting. Thanks EWO!

[EyesWideOpen]

Thanks! I really wanna check it out, but I suspect my shop won't have all 7 issues in stock tomorrow. Think it'll TPB?



I'm gonna look at both of these tomorrow. They both look pretty interesting. Thanks EWO!

Just found out that tomorrow comes out a reprint of the first two issues of Thor: The Mighty Avenger in a "Double Rainbow" edition for $3.99. Which would save some money over the $2.99 each price.

[Sven]

Thanks! I really wanna check it out, but I suspect my shop won't have all 7 issues in stock tomorrow. Think it'll TPB?

Yeah. The hardcover comes out in January. TPB probably summer. Maybe fall. Keep an eye out for it. Joe the Barbarian.

[Acapelli]

warren ellis on the end of wildstorm


I don't think there's anything wrong with resting an idea. Let someone bring back The Authority in ten years, when there's something new worth saying about the subgenre and it takes a company-owned asset to say it with. Honestly, when *all* the superhero comics are about ripping people's bits off and rubbing dead cats over themselves while pretending to be on heroin, The Authority as originally executed really doesn't bring the different any more, does it?
:lol:

[number8]

He's correct, actually.

[number8]

I regret dropping Streets of Gotham. It seems like Dini is making better use of Hush than Loeb could ever imagine when he created the character.

[Acapelli]

hush is still a pretty terrible character though

[number8]

That's the thing. Dini had to completely reinvent him to make him actually fun to read.

[Acapelli]

i got to the "WE ARE THE WALKING DEAD" speech in walking dead

really bad. why do people like this book so much

[megladon8]

i got to the "WE ARE THE WALKING DEAD" speech in walking dead

really bad. why do people like this book so much


Because it's awesome, and you're weird.

[Acapelli]

"HAY GUYS, DID YOU SEE HOW I PUT THE TITLE OF THE BOOK IN THE SPEECH"

he's an awful writer. he has good ideas, but he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near them after conceiving them

he's like shyamalan in that way

[EyesWideOpen]

TFAW's back to school sale hit 70% at midnight. Tons of great stuff. And free shipping code is "ZOMBIES".

http://www.tfaw.com/promos/steals

I had to limit my spending so I only spent $40. I ordered:

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Vol. 2-6
Astro Boy Vol. 3
365 Samurai and a Few Bowls of Rice
Lost World (Tezuka)
DC: World War III TPB
Clubbing (Minx)

[megladon8]

"HAY GUYS, DID YOU SEE HOW I PUT THE TITLE OF THE BOOK IN THE SPEECH"

he's an awful writer. he has good ideas, but he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near them after conceiving them

he's like shyamalan in that way


...nope, you're just weird.

Kirkman is a fantastic writer. That's pretty much the main reason why the title is such a success.

[Acapelli]

yes because how successful a book is a good way to measure its quality

[megladon8]

yes because how successful a book is a good way to measure its quality


I didn't say that, did I?

You seem a little defensive.

It's a popular title critically, publically, and even here on MatchCut. So what if you don't like it? Different strokes.

[Acapelli]

Kirkman is a fantastic writer. That's pretty much the main reason why the title is such a success.
than what does this mean?

he's straight up not a good writer, at least when it comes to drama. he just doesn't know how to sell it when it comes to dialogue

[megladon8]

than what does this mean?

It means...that the title...is a success? Are you actually debating whether or not it's popular and well-received by critics and audiences alike?



he's straight up not a good writer, at least when it comes to drama. he just doesn't know how to sell it when it comes to dialogue

Well, I disagree. Completely.

Some of the best writing in the medium over the past few years.

[Acapelli]

well he isn't as bad as i make him out to be, but i just don't believe he's at all deserving of the acclaim he receives. i like the plot developments is the walking dead for the most part, but there's always a line of dialogue every couple of issues that leaves me absolutely dumbfounded, with the "WE ARE THE WALKING DEAD" speech being the epitome of this

he seems like a cool enough guy, but i'm hoping that the show doesn't follow the book word for word. if that is the case, i think the weakness of his writing will really shine through

[Sven]

I think Invincible is great, mostly for the plotting. I remember the dialogue being very harmonious with the visual tone of the book. I should re-read that one.

Read TPBs 5-10 of Transmet today. Excellent, excellent series. A few missteps, the occasional irritation, the artwork has wonderful peaks and unfortunate valleys. Mitch Royce going total fucking badass was totally fucking badass.

[Acapelli]

does darrick robertson do all of transmetropolitan? love that guy. took a while to get used to him, but he's become one of my favorites. he's excellent at facial expressions and has absolutely killed it on the boys

wish he was able to do all the issues of it. not really a fan of john mccrea or the other fill-in artists

[Sven]

does darrick robertson do all of transmetropolitan?

Yeah. There's one issue where a few different artists illustrate a few television channels and Spider day dreams (including Frank Quitely's amazing 2-page rampage fantasy which is definitely my favorite bit of art in the whole series). I think his work is pretty good, but as I mentioned earlier, the repeated panels I find particularly irksome, especially if they are not used for comic effect but simply the product of laziness or penny pinching. But you're right about his expressions, and his cityscapes are great. I'm thinking about starting The Boys... how is it?

[Winston*]

I'm thinking about starting The Boys... how is it?
Not very good IMO. Read Preacher instead if you haven't.

[EyesWideOpen]

Not very good IMO. Read Preacher instead if you haven't.

This.

I enjoyed The Boys for the first couple trades but it got real old real quick.

[number8]

I like The Boys a lot more now than I did the first half of it, which was fun. It is pretty repetitive, though.

[Acapelli]

i think 8 and myself are the only fans of the boys here. i'm pretty far behind on it currently though

[Grouchy]

Disagree with Darrick Robertson's art. I admit that he has a nice flair for character's expressions, but he has an amateurish quality to his drawing that can't be hidden, specially in The Boys.

Between him and Dillon I'd choose Dillon in a heartbeat.

[EyesWideOpen]

Disagree with Darrick Robertson's art. I admit that he has a nice flair for character's expressions, but he has an amateurish quality to his drawing that can't be hidden, specially in The Boys.

Between him and Dillon I'd choose Dillon in a heartbeat.

Robertson isn't of my favorites but Dillon is one of my least favorite artists so I'll choose Robertson.

[EvilShoe]

i think 8 and myself are the only fans of the boys here. i'm pretty far behind on it currently though
Rather like it myself as well.
Also feel it got better as it progressed.

Does Ennis have an ending in mind, or is this one of those series that'll run for a while still?

[Sven]

I like Ed McGuinness a lot. Don't know why I thought to bring him up.

And I just read Joe Casey's Officer Downe, which is a bit Robocop-y, but it has some great art by this guy Chris Burnham. And speaking of great art, read the first two issues of Iron Man: The Inevitable a couple of times each. Just to swim in the deep purples and heavy pinks and to ride Frazer Irving's smooth broad brushstrokes. The story is compelling, but made twice so by the bending visual perspective from which it is told. At first I was unconvinced that Irving was capable of action, but I am realizing more that he just uses it differently. I have to switch gears a little. This was particularly troublesome in the last Batman and Robin (14), which is almost all action-driven. 13 was practically flawless, one of the very best artist/writer collaborations around, largely because of its methodical staging and composition, rather than action. I still think that is Irving's strong suit, as issue 2 of Inevitable demonstrates in an incredible multiple-page sequence of what should be dreary exposition delivered by masked figures somehow invigorated by Irving's uncanny expressiveness of pose, blocking, and layout. It's a tour de force, really. But I am now beginning to understand his action.

Bit of a ramble there.

[EyesWideOpen]

I get what your saying. I noticed the difference in #13 and #14 also. It seems in #14 their is a downward spiral in quality in the artwork from beginning to the end because he gets tired of drawing the same (mob rushing) action panels over and over and starts to get less and less detailed as it goes.

[Sven]

I get what your saying. I noticed the difference in #13 and #14 also. It seems in #14 their is a downward spiral in quality in the artwork from beginning to the end because he gets tired of drawing the same (mob rushing) action panels over and over and starts to get less and less detailed as it goes.

I figure that is intentional, actually. To add to the mounting, frenzied effect.

[Acapelli]

Rather like it myself as well.
Also feel it got better as it progressed.

Does Ennis have an ending in mind, or is this one of those series that'll run for a while still?
it's supposed to end at 60. ennis seems to be fond of doing 5 year runs (hitman, preacher, punisher max)

[Grouchy]

I read Batman: The Cult for the first time yesterday. Great story. Great, spooky art by Berni Wrightson. Obvious Frank Mller influence. The fact that Batman apparently kills a man while spaced out of his fucking mind is not as bothersome as it sounds - in the contex of the story it makes perfect sense, and although it would make sense for Bruce to blame himself forever afterwards, it makes equal sense for him to shoulder the guilt and move on. It's also a great showcase for Jason Todd as Robin, one of the few stories outside of Mike W. Barr's run to acknowledge his very distinct personality.

I also read the first issue of X-Women. Having Milo Manara draw a comic about sexy female mutants is the best idea Marvel ever had. The story is rubbish but damn.

[number8]

I do not think that it really made any sense in the context of the story. Or, at least, it goes to great lengths just to force that one event to happen. It's also yet another example of the annoying trope of "Batman forced to use guns and rifles to defeat an enemy he can't otherwise."

I do think that it handled Jason very well.

[ledfloyd]

new chester brown book on the way (http://www.comicsbeat.com/2010/09/17/chester-browns-paying-for-it-coming-in-2011/)

[number8]

It. Does not. Make. Sense.


Joe Quesada: Remember the twist I mentioned at the beginning of this conversation, this is what I was talking about. MJ unknowingly beat Mephisto at his own game. By agreeing to MJ’s terms, Mephisto has actually wiped himself from ever having been involved in their lives. In fact, looking at it linearly, those four issues never happened. Along with the wedding, "One More Day" and Mephisto have been wiped out of continuity and Peter and MJ never made that bargain.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=28545#storyContinued

[number8]

I'm pretty sure this is more complicated than most time travel paradoxes.

[Acapelli]

...i sort of get it? it's like one of those time travel paradoxes, which gets more stupid and confusing the more you look at it

anyway, hopefully we won't ever have to hear about omd or omit ever again

[number8]

But the Brand New Day status quo stays. That's why it's not making any sense. He said MJ outsmarted Mephisto with her whisper (which, lemme tell you, is a fucking stupid twist in itself) because she made it so that the deal never happened. Then what the fuck, why did Brand New Day happen? Why is it still happening?

This is why I hate continuity in general, but jesus, pick a story and stick with it. This is already rivaling Clone Saga as the biggest editorial clusterfuck in storytelling ever.

[Acapelli]

i think you're exagerrating this a bit. it breaks down to the wedding didn't happen, but they stayed together until the back in black arc where aunt may was shot. it is pretty lazy of quesada to magic himself out of two explanations, but i really don't care

anyway, i really love the bnd stories (zeb wells and joe kelly killed it especially) and the risks they've taken. and seeing artists like javier pullido, paul azaceta, max fiumura, eric canete, etc., get to draw spider-man stories makes me ridiculously happy

can't help but look forward to dan slott's "big time" run

[Acapelli]

also, i don't know if anyone else is reading it, but action comics is probably my favorite book on the stands, and with the addition of the jimmy olsen back up, it can only get better

[Sven]

Just finished the entirety of Jack Kirby's Fourth World. Magnificent. I even liked the later Mister Miracles and The Hunger Dogs (I actually really liked The Hunger Dogs, despite its obvious tics).

I also finished Iron Man: the Inevitable. Love that.

[megladon8]

Yes, "Fourth World" is quite something.

[dreamdead]

Finished The Invisibles. I think the Phil Jimenez runs were the best, as the art mirrored the wonder of the writing--clean and precise. Most of the revolution in the last volume doesn't match up with the wonder of his Animal Man conclusion (which is part of the problem with a decidedly political rather than personal conclusion), but there's certainly a lot of fascinating subtext through reading the whole thing with Dérive theories. Starting Sandman and the 5th volume of Preacher here soon.

Probably will do Deitch's Boulevard of Broken Dreams, first, though, what with ledfloyd's rave. Deitch gave a talk at the comics conference we were at, and this will be the first full text of his I read. Super-excited.

[ledfloyd]

Probably will do Deitch's Boulevard of Broken Dreams, first, though, what with ledfloyd's rave. Deitch gave a talk at the comics conference we were at, and this will be the first full text of his I read. Super-excited.
i hope it doesn't let you down.

i just finished sandman over the weekend. i think it's consistently very good, which is impressive over a 75 issue run that never really falters, but it never set itself apart and made me go 'wow, this is amazing' like it seems to for most.

[Sven]

Started Black Summer. This is great so far.

[number8]

also, i don't know if anyone else is reading it, but action comics is probably my favorite book on the stands, and with the addition of the jimmy olsen back up, it can only get better

Luthor's death was kind of hilarious.

[number8]

Holy shit, this is a pretty cover.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/covers/1230824294_cvr.jpg

[Sven]

Started Black Summer. This is great so far.

The whole thing was great. Juan Jose Ryp is insane. How he has time to do what he does...

[bac0n]

I'm digging the writing and the new epic vibe of the new run of Avengers, but I gotta say, John Romita Jr's art doesn't do it for me. At all.

[Acapelli]

Luthor's death was kind of hilarious.
the real one, or the fake one? seeing gorilla grodd come at luthor with a spoon and cutting his head off with it was hilarious. i love paul cornell

edit: excuse me, GIANT spoon


I'm digging the writing and the new epic vibe of the new run of Avengers, but I gotta say, John Romita Jr's art doesn't do it for me. At all.
you so crazy. he's one of my favorite artists ever. i don't think you're alone on this at matchcut though

[Sven]

John Romita Jr's art doesn't do it for me. At all.

Yeah. Lotsa praise and I, too, am unmoved.

[number8]

the real one, or the fake one? seeing gorilla grodd come at luthor with a spoon and cutting his head off with it was hilarious. i love paul cornell

The real one, at the end of the issue.

[Sven]

Just wrote my third ever letter of fan mail. This time, to Frazer Irving. After finishing Iron Man: Inevitable, how could I not?

[number8]

6d3RqCUvK3g

[dreamdead]

Finished Deitch's Boulevard of Broken Dreams yesterday. There's some really interesting streaks of marvelous design throughout, especially the last few pages which wrap up the text, but I find myself more captivated by concerns of truth as it relates to Deitch's portrayal of his father and the animation industry. If true, then the book magnificently indicts an already suspicious Disney mogul for thievery. If it's not true, though, the book drops to merely interesting.

Meantime, I'm designing a powerpoint to show my Experience of Fiction students different degrees of difficult panel design, to introduce the last three volumes of Promethea that we'll look at later in the semester. I'm grabbing from Jeff Smith, Chris Ware, Art Spiegelman, and Williams's work on Batwoman and Desolation Jones as a primer. Any other super-interesting visual artists that you all think should be looked at in terms of layout? Linking to a pic would be super appreciated.

[Acapelli]

marcos martin

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2010/10/spiderman07.jpg

his work with stan lee doing double page backups in the last few amazing spider-man issues has been phenomenal

[ledfloyd]

Finished Deitch's Boulevard of Broken Dreams yesterday. There's some really interesting streaks of marvelous design throughout, especially the last few pages which wrap up the text, but I find myself more captivated by concerns of truth as it relates to Deitch's portrayal of his father and the animation industry. If true, then the book magnificently indicts an already suspicious Disney mogul for thievery. If it's not true, though, the book drops to merely interesting.
a lot of it seems to be based to some degree on reality. i'm not sure if that bit of thievery is legitimate or not. the good vs. evil battle between disney and the fleischeresque studio is probably the books weakest point. it's not very nuanced. i really like the way it looks at the connection between madness and creativity though.

[Acapelli]

a few more good examples of marcos martin recent work on spider-man:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FVXCQBs2iUU/TH07IWSG__I/AAAAAAAAEXQ/_aKodplmV1s/s1600/ASM618.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FVXCQBs2iUU/TH07HKTuiII/AAAAAAAAEXI/NK6ouelJBcc/s1600/ASM639.jpg

[megladon8]

I love that mixture of relatively old-school stylings with modern action sensibilities.

Looks fantastic.

[Sven]

Finished TPB 2 of Preacher. Maybe my experience is skewed, but most people I've spoken to refer to this one as their favorite collection. I think it is a significant step down from the first collection, in all honesty. Too much talky exposition. Ennis has terrific voice, but Dillon is mostly made to draw his characters sitting around rooms. Not very interesting. And I'm really hoping that the series is not just a set of misadventures that are solved by Preacher going in there and punching dudes. That's one of my biggest disappointments with Hellboy, where every comic seems to follow the formula of Enter Demon, Introduce Dilemma, Enter Hellboy, Hellboy Solves Dilemma by Overtaking Demon in Fisticuffs.

Still, it's very fun to read, and I guess that's what counts.

[number8]

Vol 2 is definitely not my favorite. 3 is.

[bac0n]

Yeah, that Marcos art is some good stuff. Reminds me a bit of Msr. Quitely.

[Grouchy]

Finished TPB 2 of Preacher. Maybe my experience is skewed, but most people I've spoken to refer to this one as their favorite collection. I think it is a significant step down from the first collection, in all honesty. Too much talky exposition. Ennis has terrific voice, but Dillon is mostly made to draw his characters sitting around rooms. Not very interesting. And I'm really hoping that the series is not just a set of misadventures that are solved by Preacher going in there and punching dudes. That's one of my biggest disappointments with Hellboy, where every comic seems to follow the formula of Enter Demon, Introduce Dilemma, Enter Hellboy, Hellboy Solves Dilemma by Overtaking Demon in Fisticuffs.

Still, it's very fun to read, and I guess that's what counts.
Vol. 5 is my favorite. And it definitively isn't like that.

[number8]

Ah, Vol 5. The beginning of what is probably the most heartbreaking portrayal of friendship ever on comics.

[megladon8]

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8654/batmany.jpg

[number8]

Yeah, well, he also pees his pants.

[Sven]

TPB 3 was killer. Best one so far. Love Cassidy's two issue back story. Wonderful voice.

[D_Davis]

Those Marcos Martin pages look amazing. What titles is he working on? Any original, non-superhero stuff?

[number8]

Those Marcos Martin pages look amazing. What titles is he working on? Any original, non-superhero stuff?

He's currently the artist on Amazing Spiderman. He's only worked for Marvel/DC stuff in the past. Nothing creator-owned yet.

[Sven]

I'm lending comic book store guy my Flex Mentallo. I think this is another significant step in my transformation to being a "comic book person," assuming I'm not there already.

[Sven]

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod, Frazer Irving just wrote me back. A very nice letter, with questions. A possible semi-famous pen pal...?

[Acapelli]

i don't think i like neonomicon

[megladon8]

i don't think i like neonomicon


Isn't that a novel?

[Acapelli]

Isn't that a novel?
no, i'm talking about the new alan moore comic

[dreamdead]

i don't think i like neonomicon

The first issue felt lazy and scripted far too generically--with the only intelligent aspect being this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCH7e0r70U)'s take on the gutter and how it's being utilized. That said, there was little of the rich characterization that typically adorns Moore's work.

I take it the second issue doesn't better those aspects?

[Acapelli]

no, i just thought it was ugly (in content, not aesthetic), which usually doesn't bother me, but in this case it did. also the first 5 or so pages felt like a lesson in lovecraft which seemed kind of lazy, but i guess somewhat necessary

also, not really a fan of jacen burrows. i guess he's competent, but you would think he'd be able to get someone better for his last comic book ever

[EyesWideOpen]

For the second month in a row I kept my DCBS order under $80. I decided to make a list of only the ongoings (not books I read in trade, pretty much all the indie stuff or Vertigo/Image etc) that I get excited about reading and cut everything else here's what I narrowed it down to.

Action Comics
Avengers Academy
Batgirl
Batman
Batman and Robin
Batman INC.
Batman: The Dark Knight
Birds of Prey
The Brave and the Bold
Brightest Day
Detective Comics
Flash
Jonah Hex
New Avengers
Red Robin
Secret Six
Superman
Thor: The Mighty Avenger
Thunderbolts
Wolverine
Young Allies
Zatanna

I dropped a bunch of books that I liked but didn't have me excited each month and I'm sure I'll pick them up for under a buck later on but I really need to get the buying and my huge backlog of trades (I've got hundreds of unread) under control.

[Acapelli]

let me see if i can reproduce my current pull list here

Action Comics
Amazing Spider-Man
American Vampire
Avengers
Batman & Robin (dropping after the end of Morrison's run)
Batman Inc.
Captain America
Casanova
Deadpool Max
Detective Comics (when Scott Snyder starts)
Flash
Invincible Iron Man
Izombie
Morning Glories
Mystery Society
New Avenegers
RASL
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Scarlet
Secret Avengers
Torchwood
Unwritten
X-Factor

limited series:

Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine
Avengers: Children's Crusade
Avengers: Prime
Batman: Return Of Bruce Wayne
DC Universe Legacies
First Wave
Incognito: Bad Influences
Joe The Barbarian
Kick-Ass 2
Knight & Squire
Nemesis
Neonomicon
Thanos Imperative
Strange Tales 2
Superior

[number8]

The first issue felt lazy and scripted far too generically--with the only intelligent aspect being this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCH7e0r70U)'s take on the gutter and how it's being utilized.

Very good. Jacen Burrows is becoming one of my favorite artists. I got my Neonomicon #1 and Chronicles of Wormwood trade signed by him.

[bac0n]

Well, Neonomicon 2 certainly took an, er, unexpected turn about halfway through... jury's still out for me on this one. First two issues have been rather slow and plodding, but I still have faith in Moore to offer up the goods.

[Sven]

Just been made aware of Rafael Grampa and his book Mesmo Delivery. You guys gotta check this book out.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just been made aware of Rafael Grampa and his book Mesmo Delivery. You guys gotta check this book out.

Welcome to six months ago. :lol:

But yeah it's great. His artwork is amazing. He's had some Marvel pinups and he has a story in the new Strange Tales Marvel series coming out.

[Sven]

New favorite mainstream team comic miniseries: Justice League Elite. Talk about surprising.

[Sven]

New favorite mainstream team comic miniseries: Justice League Elite. Talk about surprising.

Started the Kelly/Mahnke JLA stuff that leads up to this and it is just as excellent. This Joe Kelly guy... he has an alluring oblique and definitely unique method of storytelling, loading his panels with visual information and refusing to write dialogue that describes everything. Makes the stories dense but resonant. And of course, Mahnke's artwork is totally jazz.

[EyesWideOpen]

Have you read I Kill Giants yet?

[Sven]

Have you read I Kill Giants yet?

Have not, but has since been put on "the list" by virtue of Kelly's name. I heard conflicting things about it when it was being released, but it looks cool.

[dreamdead]

Well, Neonomicon 2 certainly took an, er, unexpected turn about halfway through... jury's still out for me on this one. First two issues have been rather slow and plodding, but I still have faith in Moore to offer up the goods.

Despite the shift into Lost Girls's engagement with pornography, I am actually more interested in the series now (though I question how it can be wrapped up in two more issues). The characterization of our leads had felt very wooden, and with the second issue that move feels much more intentional rather than accidental. And the voyeuristic panel designs work, even if the artwork itself contains little of the depth or intrigue that many of Moore's recent artistic collaborators have exhibited.

Preacher vol. 5 keeps things moving. I skipped much of vol. 4 after the Saint of Killers run, figuring the actual series proper would give me whatever info I needed. I still like Dillon's art, but the series feels as though it's starting to churn its wheels--and the cultural references to Bill Hicks here felt quite forced and fanboyish. Still committed to seeing it through, but like n8, volume 3 thus far feels like the perfect volume of the series thus far.

The Morrison Batman and Robin hardcover was entertaining, but little more than that. Quitely's art in the Superman series was gorgeous. This art was fugly. Meh.

Started Moore's Swamp Thing run this morning. We'll see. "The Anatomy Lesson" was awesome, though.

[number8]

This has to be the craziest idea ever.

Four universes crossover because of a zombie infestation.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1286560516.jpg

[number8]

XT0U8-JZyLg

[Ezee E]

This has to be the craziest idea ever.

Four universes crossover because of a zombie infestation.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1286560516.jpg
Ha. I'd get that.

[Grouchy]

I'm most curious about how they'd all crossover with the Star Trek crew.

[megladon8]

I'll bet $500 that comic absolutely sucks.

[EyesWideOpen]

That's about the stupidest crossover I can imagine but I guess Abnett and Lanning have got to work on something now that their Marvel cosmic stuff is over.

[Acapelli]

they're doing the new heroes for hire

[Sven]

I didn't expect to love Paul Pope's Batman: Year 100. Lo and behold...

[Sven]

I highly recommend perusing a list of Eisner Award winners if you're looking for pretty much the most boring time you'll ever have.

Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eisner_Award_winners). You're welcome.

[number8]

Dude, wat? Batman, Inc's villain is the dude from the Bat-Manga. So awesome. :lol:

I love you, Grant.

[number8]

Sven, I don't think you noticed what I posted for you in the Monsters thread.

[Sven]

Sven, I don't think you noticed what I posted for you in the Monsters thread.

You were right. I did not. And am now glad I did. Is that an official poster for it?

Also, check out what I got in the mail:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/iosos/matchcut/Photoon2010-10-13at1042.jpg

[Sven]

Return of Bruce Wayne 5 - Whawhawhawwhuh...? :eek:

I thought I was gonna hate it because of the whole noir pastiche, but thankfully it seems like they got bored with that after the first few pages.

[number8]

You were right. I did not. And am now glad I did. Is that an official poster for it?

Yes.

[EyesWideOpen]

Watched the first three episodes of Batman (Adam West series) since they started running the whole series on the Hub channel and holy shit what a horrible show. I'd watched a few episodes as a kid and enjoyed it well enough but damn. It's not even that it's dated it's just flat out terrible (mediocre storylines, beyond mediocre acting) and boring. I had to force myself to finish the episodes.

[Grouchy]

You're crazy. I love the 1960s Batman TV show. Comedy gold, both intentionally and otherwise. It's everything BUT boring.

[Sven]

I'm not a huge fan of Jim Lee, nor do I like Jeph Loeb particularly, nor do I think that Hush features a compelling point, or is even well-written at all, really, but I have to confess: it is a great looking thing, mostly in terms of action, though its colors are also poppin'. Far from essential, but I can definitely see why it's so popular.

[EyesWideOpen]

My only problem with Hush is that it doesn't end well but besides that I love it. It's near perfect Batman fan service.

Jeph Loeb's Batman work (Haunted Knight, Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Hush) is the stuff that pulled me in to comics big time so no matter how bad he's become I'll always have some affection for him.

[number8]

Sometimes I actually think Hush was specifically designed to get people into comics.

[Sven]

It's near perfect Batman fan service.

Sometimes I actually think Hush was specifically designed to get people into comics.

This is what I'm talking about when I say that it does not have a compelling point. Maybe I've just been spoiling myself by reading so many "serious" comics. Even then, though, the majority of mainstream superhero stuff I've been reading has at least felt weighty or made stabs at themes or something other than running around just because. This has been my problem with every Jeph Loeb thing I have read, however good-looking they are.

[number8]

Pretty much. I laughed when he randomly inserted Gordon (who's supposed to be retired at the time) into it and did the whole "BATMAN CAN'T KILL JOKER AND HE MUST BE REMINDED OF HIS HUMANITY!" scene as if this wasn't a scenario that's already happened 100x before with far more dramatic weight than what was going on in Hush.

[Sven]

Pretty much. I laughed when he randomly inserted Gordon (who's supposed to be retired at the time) into it and did the whole "BATMAN CAN'T KILL JOKER AND HE MUST BE REMINDED OF HIS HUMANITY!" scene as if this wasn't a scenario that's already happened 100x before with far more dramatic weight than what was going on in Hush.

Dude, that was the worst. Some of the art and panel work at that moment was nice, but dammit, Loeb...!

[Grouchy]

Yeah, Hush is pretty much a disaster in terms of plot and characters. It reads more like fan fiction than fan service.

[EyesWideOpen]

I read through the first five hardcovers of Walking Dead (issues 1-60) over the last week to get ready for the show. I had previously only read through the first 20 or so issues. I really hope the show keeps with the bleakness which is pretty much the defining emotion of the book.

The only real negative I have of the book is when the Governor comes back after Michonne does her nastiness to him. I thought that was a little ridiculous.

But otherwise I love the series and can't wait for the show and the sixth hardcover which comes out later this month.

[BuffaloWilder]

Is it weird that the guy who drew some of the best and most down-to-earth, not to mention influential, renditions of Daredevil and Batman ever put on paper back in the eighties was a comics historian and professor who now disdains any comic book that has anything to do with capes in it as "pure children's drivel?"

I think it is.

[Acapelli]

walking dead SUCKS

[Acapelli]

although i'm pretty sure i'm the only one that thinks that

[Sven]

I read about the first two trades of Walking Dead and was not compelled to check it out further. Plus, I am SO sick of zombies. I wish they would just go away. Bring back Frankenstein, I say.

[number8]

Is it weird that the guy who drew some of the best and most down-to-earth, not to mention influential, renditions of Daredevil and Batman ever put on paper back in the eighties was a comics historian and professor who now disdains any comic book that has anything to do with capes in it as "pure children's drivel?"

I think it is.

Mazzuchelli? Eh.

[Sven]

Finished Silent War last night. Besides repeating the obvious reason why I think it's one of the best things I've recently read, I will point to the Inhumans themselves, who are a very compelling group whom I have never encountered, but possessing of an intriguing dynamic. I love being thrown into the middle of a story; sleuthing together more convoluted comics narratives has become a favorite activity of mine. And these characters rival some of Kirby's DC characters in terms of cosmic portent and mythical stature. I will probably check out more stories of their in the near future as I slowly carve my way into Marvel territory. This one, at least, is tightly-plotted, surprising, with a positively chilling ending.

[dreamdead]

Finished the first volume of 52. It is quite apparent in its visual designs for Kate Kane, Maggie Sawyer, and others, that they (including Rucka) had no idea how to visualize masculine style choices while honoring their feminine characteristics. Every female here has the shortest shirt and high heels. So much more appealing to see Williams's characterizations of these women in Batwoman: Elegy.

Meanwhile, Todd Nauck's still around? Huh. I always liked his Image work back in the 90s.

[number8]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bOiu6sFxxdY/TLoNqI6K0zI/AAAAAAAAHCw/c75R2rur404/s1600/league1969coversm_lg.gif

[Acapelli]

Finished the first volume of 52. It is quite apparent in its visual designs for Kate Kane, Maggie Sawyer, and others, that they (including Rucka) had no idea how to visualize masculine style choices while honoring their feminine characteristics. Every female here has the shortest shirt and high heels. So much more appealing to see Williams's characterizations of these women in Batwoman: Elegy.

Meanwhile, Todd Nauck's still around? Huh. I always liked his Image work back in the 90s.
i'm not sure if this was true of renee montoya, but i do agree with the notion that jh williams greatly improved batwoman's costume

[number8]

Cully Hamner greatly improved Montoya.

[Sven]

I don't know from feminist readings about it, but I do know that 52 gets better as it goes along, so keep at it.

[Sven]

Three issues in and I'm loving the concept and execution of Global Frequency. A new favorite miniseries, definitely.

[number8]

Three issues in and I'm loving the concept and execution of Global Frequency. A new favorite miniseries, definitely.

Will you slow the hell down?

[Sven]

Will you slow the hell down?

Haha. Yeah. But think about it this way: I read as much as anyone else (I assume). Just: I only read one thing.

[Sven]

Also, while people are doing things like taking three to four hours out of their day to watch The Social Network or five episodes of Lost, I'm seeing what Batman is up to.

[megladon8]

Also, while people are doing things like taking three to four hours out of their day to watch The Social Network or five episodes of Lost, I'm seeing what Batman is up to.


This logic is inarguable.

[Sven]

That said, I've been meaning to sell my copies of:

Martha Washington omnibus
The Mask omnibus
Doctor Who Classics omnibus
Morrison/Millar Vampirella collection
Skrull Kill Krew
Marvel Boy (TPB)
Seaguy (TPB)

If anyone wants to buy for cheaper than normal, lemme know.

[bac0n]

So, the Final Crisis TPB... worth getting?

[Sven]

So, the Final Crisis TPB... worth getting?

I think so, although I purchased the two-part Superman:Beyond on the side because it's not in 3D in the collection (S:B, by the way, being possibly my favorite superhero comic). I think that Submit is one of Morrison's weakest issues. But the Crisis story itself is one of the best, especially if you're familiar with the New Gods.

[dreamdead]

Through 4 books of Y: The Last Man. At times it feels like it should be much more progressive than it really is, and it seems that Yorick is way too flirty with women if he's truly invested in the Australian girlfriend, but the gender politics keep things moving. Hoping it continues to grow and doesn't just recede into obviousness.

[Sven]

Morrison/Irving B&R arc could not have concluded more satisfyingly. The whole double punch shtick is just about my favorite thing.

[number8]

Damian is adorable on Superman/Batman teaming up with Supergirl.

[number8]

Oh wow. DC finally published Warren Ellis' Hellblazer story "Shoot" this week. After 10 or so years, heh. I've read it before, but I might still buy it.

[Sven]

I'm a little disappointed that people did not adequately prepare me for how awesome Planetary is. Oh sure, people said it was great. People called it their favorite. I heard the word "masterpiece" thrown around about it. And still they did not effectively communicate the breadth, the scope, the daring, the imagination of its awesome. Love the JLA crossover too, but I especially love the Batman one. And yet, neither approach even a fraction of of the 19-20 two part opus, which is a wholly satisfying spectacle. Also, I feel like an ass that it took me to about issue 25 to realize that the Four were the Fantastic Four. So cool.

[number8]

Now we know. Noooow we know.

[Sven]

Now we know. Noooow we know.
Mitchell & Webb reference? If so, rep.

[number8]

Mitchell & Webb reference? If so, rep.

Oh yeah, we know now.

I had to go re-read Planetary after your post, by the way. So, thanks for that.

Gotta love Jakita's semi-crush on Batman. "You liked him, didn't you? He's your special little bat-friend."

[dreamdead]

Finished out Vaughan's Y: The Last Man with a marathon on Saturday. The relationship and slow build to the finale was quietly devastating, though the result of the sniper shot just rings with Ellis's kind of irony, even if it's structurally and thematically sound (see Desolation Jones). Because of the length of the relationship, though, it works stronger and feels less like a gimmick--instead, the gimmick here is in the coda, which feels weak and slight, even if it resonates. So many quiet strengths, but it still feels a little too cynical and calculated to fully work as a series. And that coda is irksome. Really like the regular artist, though...

[number8]

Gadget origin story in the upcoming Rescue Rangers #1. Sweet.

http://blog.boom-studios.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ChipNDale_RescueRangers_01_Pre view_Page_1.jpg

http://blog.boom-studios.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ChipNDale_RescueRangers_01_Pre view_Page_2.jpg

http://blog.boom-studios.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ChipNDale_RescueRangers_01_Pre view_Page_3.jpg

http://blog.boom-studios.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ChipNDale_RescueRangers_01_Pre view_Page_4_5.jpg

[Watashi]

MUST. BUY.

[number8]

I posted this on my Facebook sans credit, but I want to see how many here can guess which writer wrote this. Instant rep to the first right answer.


The world can only see a stainless man of steel wrapped in the stars and stripes, but the truth is that he's as insecure as the rest of us underneath that thick, impenetrable skin. Most significant of all is his fear of being alone...

Biology suggests that I'll die long before he does and, in his quietest moments, he admits this chills him to the marrow.

Occasionally, when I'm stressed or eating too much junk, I think I feel the mild tingle of his X-rays as he scans my arteries or checks my cholesterol. Although I know better.

Right now he's got me on some kind of macrobiotic diet utilizing plants and minerals only found on the Pacific rim.

Personally, I don't care what I eat so long as someone else does the cooking which, I'm delighted to say, he relishes as much as he enjoys the rest of the housework.

He barely needs to sleep at all, but holds me in his arms every night until the dawn breaks anyway. Not a single day begins where he doesn't tell me how much he loves me. Not a single night draws to a close where he doesn't say how lucky he was to find Lois Joanne Lane.

You might think a childhood squandered in army bases and a mostly-absent dad might mean I was looking for an all-protecting father-figure, but you couldn't be more wrong. I didn't see a superhero as a patriarchal answer to all my problems, as some feminist authors might suggest...

...I just finally found a man who could keep up with me.

His playfulness, his clubhouse in the snow and all the little curiosities he keeps locked up inside indicate to me that here is someone who has never lost his enthusiasm for life.

He combines the best things about being a child with the essential qualities of a man and this, in my opinion, are the ingredients of a superman.

I just wish that, as a writer, I could find the words to make them trust him again. Deal the little things that made me fall in love with him without endangering the secret...

...Like his favorite books, or food, the utterly bizarre things that make him laugh.

The fact that a tough, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter with a pushy, volatile personality is so proud of what he does that she actually insists on ironing his uniforms.

He's such a special person...

...There must be something I can say to remind people.

[Sven]

Well, it definitely seems like a female writer trying to justify her interest in a juvenile boy's world. Unfortunately, I only really know of Gail Simone, Jill Thompson, and Leah Moore, so I hesitate to venture a guess.

[number8]

Everybody just take a wild guess.

[Sven]

I think the idea that Superman's uniform is ironed is pretty retarded. Does she wash it for him too? With detergent? Does it just tumble dry?

Is it Jodi Picoult?

[Sven]

Reading it more carefully, it actually sounds more like a man's poor attempt at a woman's voice. Hmmm...

[Sven]

I'm at a loss. I'm an amateur, though. The only thing I can deduce is that it could not be a writer I particularly care for, given how leaden it feels. So unless it's Brian Wood, Peter Milligan, or Mark Millar, I've got nothing. I really ought to read more bad comics.

[Acapelli]

i really think you should give milligan another shot sven. what work of his have you read so far?

[number8]

Scans.

http://pics.livejournal.com/uadlika/pic/0009fhyg

http://pics.livejournal.com/uadlika/pic/0009h9sd

[Sven]

i really think you should give milligan another shot sven. what work of his have you read so far?

I've read a few issues of his Batman stuff, the first issues of Shade and Greek Street, and the odd bit here and there at the comic store that I pick up like Hellblazer and stuff. I cannot get past his ugly-ass prose. It's so blunt, and lacking rhythm. Even if his stories blow up into conceptual masterpieces, I am not convinced that he knows anything about putting words together.

[Acapelli]

i'd recommend checking out rogan gosh, or enigma, or face, or girl, or human target, or x-force/x-statix. all of these are better than anything you listed (although i haven't read shade). did you know that his batman arc "dark knight, dark city" is almost essential reading when it comes to morrison's run on batman

anyway, i just completely disagree with your assessment on his writing ability. and it's odd to complain about ugly prose in titles like hellblazer or greek street, it wouldn't make sense for these books to have florid prose

[Sven]

i'd recommend checking out rogan gosh, or enigma, or face, or girl, or human target, or x-force/x-statix. all of these are better than anything you listed (although i haven't read shade). did you know that his batman arc "dark knight, dark city" is almost essential reading when it comes to morrison's run on batman

Because people keep insisting, I will continue to pick up the odd thing from him here and there. Didn't know that about Batman, will keep that in mind.


and it's odd to complain about ugly prose in titles like hellblazer or greek street, it wouldn't make sense for these books to have florid prose

Ugly and florid are not opposing descriptors.

[megladon8]

Ugh...I'm just SSSOOO glad that Superman has been "reinvented" to appeal to Twilight fans.

Because if any character would be better if they were wrist-slittingly emo, it's Superman.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Picking up the new Acme Novelty Series tomorrow. I take it it's pretty damn amazing Melville? ledfloyd?

[ledfloyd]

Picking up the new Acme Novelty Series tomorrow. I take it it's pretty damn amazing Melville? ledfloyd?
haven't read it yet, but i've been loving rusty brown so i assume so.

edited to add: reading all the effusive praise surrounding the most recent love and rockets release reminds me that i should make an attempt to get into that series sooner or later, but it just seems like so much damn work.

[Thirdmango]

so I'm writing for this online group, pretty good group, and they have access to a bunch of different comics before they come out. So I got on the marvel retailers site today and they want me to review a comic a week. I'm thinking about doing Scarlet this week, but basically I wanna know what you guys are reading from marvel right now so I know what's good.

[Acapelli]

Marvel books i'm reading

Amazing Spider-Man
Avengers
Captain America
Casanova
Deadpool Max
Invincible Iron Man
New Avenegers
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Scarlet
Secret Avengers
X-Factor
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine
Avengers: Children's Crusade
Avengers: Prime
Incognito: Bad Influences
Kick-Ass 2
Nemesis
Thanos Imperative
Strange Tales 2
Superior
deadpool max, shield, and incognito are my highlights

[endingcredits]

Picking up the new Acme Novelty Series tomorrow. I take it it's pretty damn amazing Melville? ledfloyd?

It's out? I didn't think ANL 20 came out until Nov. 7(9?)th.

[number8]

God, I love Batwoman so much.

[Spaceman Spiff]

It's out? I didn't think ANL 20 came out until Nov. 7(9?)th.

Nope. It's out. Bought it yesterday but didn't have time to read it. It looks gorgeous, but what's new there really.

New issue of Berlin is also out by Jason Lutes, as well. You might like this series.

[Sven]

B&R 16: Quitely cover, interiors by Irving, Burnham, and Stewart. Written by Morrison. I don't know how they were able to fit the exact right five names into one issue, but it worked, LORD, yes it worked. I'm pretty sure that Morrison's Batman run, as completed with the final Return of Bruce Wayne (before moving into the new era of Incorporated), is the best extended comic narrative I will ever read. The Hurt lore, Professor Pyg, Zur-En-Arrh, his work with Williams on The Black Glove (all the artists he's worked with, really), the introduction of Damian (who is a wonderful character), the restructuring of the myth of Batman itself... I can't imagine reading anything better.

I'm very happy that I got to experience it.

[EyesWideOpen]

I've liked Morrison's Batman run but it's not nowhere near my favorite Bat runs. Hell, their have been 4 or 5 Bat books/runs coming out while Morrison's run has been going on that I've liked more.

[number8]

I can't think of any recent Batbooks better than Batman & Robin, other than Detective Comics when it was about Batwoman.

[EyesWideOpen]

I can't think of any recent Batbooks better than Batman & Robin, other than Detective Comics when it was about Batwoman.

I've liked better Batwoman (Detective Comics), Batgirl, Red Robin, Dini & Dustin Nguyen's Bat stuff on Streets of Gotham, all just off the top of my head.

[number8]

Meh.

[Acapelli]

Meh.
the bat line besides morrison's (and rucka's) has been the definition of meh

looking forward to paul cornell's fill-in arc for batman and robin

[Sven]

Yeah, not that I don't heed your opinion, EWO, but the few times I've ventured outside of Morrison re:Gotham have not enticed me to peruse further, so I'll probably heed 8 & 'pelli.

[number8]

As great as #16 is, though, it can't touch the sheer epicness of #15. That issue was just perfect. Damian being the ultimate badass, the build-up to the "gotcha" reveal, the double punch, and then of course, Bruce's entrance. My god, I couldn't sit still reading it.

[bac0n]

Hell, even I love Morrison's Batman stuff, and I don't even follow Batman.

[Sven]

the build-up to the "gotcha" reveal, the double punch

My favorite thing. I'm pretty sure 15 is in my top three single issues of anything. I _love_ the tinted glasses, bohemian Joker design. The last page of 14, where Damian is hanging upside down with the smile painted over the duct tape: "this is all getting way too serious for me." Love it.

[number8]

Also, I think "It's Robin's job to make sure Batman gets home safe" is my favorite line about the Dynamic Duo EVER.

[Sven]

did you know that his batman arc "dark knight, dark city" is almost essential reading when it comes to morrison's run on batman

I have ordered these three issues. I figure if I hate it, it is only three dollars out of my pocket, which I wouldn't mind paying for those Mignola covers anyway. I'll let you know what I think. I'm strangely looking forward to this arc.

[Sven]

And after perusing for a bit, I feel confident saying that comic reviews, at least those featured on many of the big comic sights, are so much worse than contemporary mainstream film criticism. It's like they don't even address the contents of the book. All they do is sum up the story and tell you whether or not they liked it. I need to find a source for satisfying comics responses.

[Acapelli]

bendis went on a twitter rant a couple weeks ago regarding the same issue sven

[Sven]

bendis went on a twitter rant a couple weeks ago regarding the same issue sven

Of course, "sights" was intended to read "sites". I will have to check out this twitter rant. Have only read a few things Bendis and can't say they were very memorable. But that was a while ago.

[Sven]

Just checked out his complaints. Legit. True, too, about the Comics Journal, which has been largely useless to me, though I'd love to check out issues from way back. I wish that he had provided the links that he was thanking people for sending him. I went to one that I sleuthed out from his comments and it was okay.

[ledfloyd]

what'd he say about the comics journal?

[number8]

I've been feeling the draught, too. I originally started a comics column on JPP partly to contribute in shortening the gap, but there's just no time and I lost track. I've been meaning to do that again, doing some essential trade/full run reviews, rather than a monthly one.

[Acapelli]

Of course, "sights" was intended to read "sites". I will have to check out this twitter rant. Have only read a few things Bendis and can't say they were very memorable. But that was a while ago.
i can't imagine you being that into his work. doesn't seem like your type of thing

paul o'brien is a pretty good comics journalist. douglas wolk too

something that i read somewhere that i agree with is that anyone who is capable of writing about comics intelligently would probably rather write comics or at least working in a field things where they would feel more appreciated (wolk seems to write a lot more about music than comics)

[number8]

Robert Kirkman and Gail Simone used to be comics journos, right? I know Gail Simone got her start in comics because of her connections writing weekly columns for CBR.

[bac0n]

Man, this Taskmaster mini-series gets better with each issue. The exchange between evil megalomaniac and random flunky was solid gold. If we get a regular monthly out of this, I'm totally adding it to the pull list.

[number8]

Yeah, it's hysterical. The Don of the Dead is my favorite. "I keel ju face!"

[Thirdmango]

I just read the first trade of Image comic's G-Man, it's done by the same dude that is doing Mini-Marvels. It's a really good read. Highly recommended.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just got done reading Final Crisis in hardcover and reads quite a bit better in this format with Superman Beyond and Submit fit into the story.

[number8]

http://ourvaluedcustomers.blogspot.co m/

[Sven]

I sure am glad that Strange Kiss is not in color. Yikes.

[BuffaloWilder]

Man, I haven't touched an issue of Spawn in over ten years, until last night. I've missed a lot.

It's turned from a relatively simplistic "grim avenger" comic not too dissimilar from any of the hundred others on the market at that time into something that's legitimately mythic, a real and potent Faustian horror-religious epic-cum-superhero kind of thing, since McFarlane ripped himself off the title.

I'm won over. Great things can be done with this character - I think it's time for another film, now that there's so much more to draw from.

[number8]

So over in Ant-man & The Wasp, Hank Pym is opening women's shelter for domestic abuse named after Jan. That shit is HILARIOUS to me.

[ledfloyd]

i reread the first three installments of rusty brown in preparation for acme novelty library #20. i think #19 might be the best comic book ever published.

[ledfloyd]

i reread the first three installments of rusty brown in preparation for acme novelty library #20. i think #19 might be the best comic book ever published.
and #20 is fantastic as well. and fucking depressing, as i should expect with ware by now.

[Grouchy]

Hahah I was just reading number8's Batman Villains Casting thread. Fun times. Incredible how much has changed since then, though. Brittany Murphy is dead, for one thing.

I would like to offer what I think would be the perfect casting if Batman was to become an HBO miniseries.

[Grouchy]

MAIN ROLES FOR SEASON ONE

First let me expand a little on how I envision the series. It would be a 12 episode season at most, and the first three episodes would be devoted to the origin story. It would be a trilogy ("Welcome to Gotham City" / "Dark Moon Rising" / "A Friend in Need") which would tell the Year One story on its entirety. Then we would have a Catwoman episode, mainly based on the comic-book Her Sister's Keeper which I think is the best version of the character. I wouldn't like to introduce any major villains in the first season except for the Joker in the finale ("The Man Who Laughs"). Instead, I would like to tell stories that focus on the corrupt Gotham City and how Batman's arrival changes that world.

An exception to this rule would be Dr. Strange, because I think the approach given to the character in comics such as The Monster Men and Prey is very appropriate for an early villain. Plus, he guesses Batman's identity, which would make for some nice suspense. I would re-write the character so that he's the headmaster of Arkham Asylum who experiments on the inmates. Instead of the Hindu helper from the comics I would have a pre-Scarecrow Jonathan Crane as his assistant.

BRUCE WAYNE / BATMAN

http://batman.precriticas.com/imagenes/comics/batmanLluvia.jpg

Sometimes, I admit, I think of Bruce as a man in a costume. Then, with some gadget from his utility belt, he reminds me that he has an extraordinarily inventive mind. And how lucky I am to be able to call on him. - Superman

Henry Cavill

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:UAKuRHiuEwiU4M:ht tp://www.squarehippies.com/images/actors/henry_cavill2/henry_cavill13.jpg&t=1

Having been offered the role of Batman, Superman, James Bond and losing out for all of them, I think it would be great for Cavill to play the Dark Knight on cable TV. After all, his only big break to the public at large came with The Tudors. And I want a Batman TV series to focus on the beginnings of the character and his first year in Gotham, so his age (27) is perfect. I have to admit, though, I have little idea about his acting abilities.

Lt. JAMES GORDON

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/1/19739/764638-95145_187267_james_gordon_supe r_large.jpg

No -- Gotham doesn't die -- not on MY watch!. - James Gordon

Dylan Walsh

http://www.vootar.com/imgs/elementos/1285169082_DylanWalsh.jpg

I'm going with a Year One approach to the story where Gordon, while older than Batman, is still a young man on his 30s. Dylan Walsh is an acceptable actor who can play honest and down-to-earth easily. He'd look the part with a moustache and thick glasses.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH

http://www.coolstuffinc.com/images/Products/VS%20System%20Art/DC%20Origins%20First%20Edition/Alfred%20Pennyworth,%20Faithfu l%20Friend.jpg

You chose as your name "The Batman". I like to think you did so deliberately. As if you aspired to be both. Bat and man. Perhaps you can be. - Alfred

Christopher Plummer

http://www.lahiguera.net/cinemania/actores/christopher_plummer/fotos/5789/christopher_plummer.jpg

This was tricky because I kept alternating between him and Jonathan Pryce, who resembles more closely the Alfred from the comics. However, I think Pryce would be slightly too comedic in the role - not that he isn't versatile, but there's something inherently goofy about his expressions. I think Plummer could bring something more grave and thoughtful to the character. At 80 years old, he's still an inmensely active actor. Reminds me of someone I know IRL...

CARMINE FALCONE

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/2124/94918-137056-carmine-the-roman_large.jpg

I'll burn it all down -- before I let a freak have it! - Carmine Falcone

Robert Loggia

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef01156fd588b2 970c-320wi

One of my pet peeves about Batman Begins is the almost completely British cast. Not always, I mean, Bale, Oldman and Caine are perfect, but come on. "Falcone". Does that sound like a mobster who would speak with such an accent? Enter Robert Loggia, who has been playing Mafia bosses his entire life. Another good choice would be Danny Aielllo, but I think I prefer Loggia.

[Grouchy]

SELINA KYLE / CATWOMAN

http://www.entrecomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/catwoman4.jpg

Because my world is all just shades of grey, Batman. That's why you'll never really understand me. -- Catwoman

Asia Argento

http://imstars.aufeminin.com/stars/fan/asia-argento/asia-argento-20050812-61821.jpg

Slightly older than Cavill but not so that it becomes a huge issue, Argento is one of the few actresses who can offer the raw sexuality Catwoman needs. I also like the implication in Dark Victory that Selina is really Falcone's illegitimal daughter, so it's appropriate that she's played by an Italian actress. Jeph Loeb, being a crappy writer, doesn't delve deep enough into this issue, but I think it could be a good subplot for a TV series.

HUGO STRANGE

http://forlabyla.com/Images/entertianment/Dr%20Strange/HugoStrange01.jpeg

The most dangerous man in the world! Scientist, philosopher and a criminal genius ... little is known of him, yet this man is undoubtedly the greatest organizer of crime in the world -- Bruce Wayne

Pete Postletwhaite

http://www.independent-magazine.org/files/images/Pete_Postlethwaite_portrait_2. preview.jpg

Frankly, it was either him or Ben Kingsley. I think I'd rather see Postletwhaite in the role because much is made of Strange being self-conscious about his looks, and Pete simply has strange and unique facial features. What I'd like for Strange in the movie is to star in a second trilogy of episodes. He would be introduced in "Venom", which would adapt the main concept of that series, which I think is fairly good (Batman becomes addicted to a strenght-enhancing drug) without the goofiness of its last three issues. The Venom drug would then evolve into the Monster Serum (a connection already drawn by Grant Morrison) that would feature in "The Monster Men". And, finally, Strange would be appointed to the Task Force to capture Batman in "Prey", which would show his demise.

[Ezee E]

Love the casting of Loggia and Argento.