The Comic Book Discussion Thread

[number8]

Seriously that spike on Midnighter's chin is completely nonsensical.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'm gonna assume all of the last six are Superman related. Superman, Action Comics, Superboy, Supergirl are all locks. Not sure what the last two will be. A Jimmy Olsen & Lois Lane book or an anthology book.

[number8]

You sure about Superboy? His new origin story is being told in the first arc of Teen Titans.

[EyesWideOpen]

You sure about Superboy? His new origin story is being told in the first arc of Teen Titans.

The info I read said that Scott Lobdell let slip that he will be on 3 books. Superboy (along with Teen Titans and Red Hood & The Outlaws)

[EyesWideOpen]

I forgot Power Girl was Super related. She'll probably be one of the six.

[EyesWideOpen]

Well there is three of them. Superman, Superboy, Supergirl

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/09/dc-relaunch-a-brand-new-look-for-superman-supergirl-and-superboy/

[number8]

Seriously, this just looks terrible. Is Superboy dating Snooki?

http://pics.livejournal.com/sun_soraya/pic/0005adc7

[Sven]

A Perez Supe book and potential team of Morrison and Rags? I'm there. Also, that Superboy cover is way badass.

[EyesWideOpen]

If they are trying to bring in new younger readers a George Perez drawn and written Superman book is not the answer. Especially since it might come out three times a year.

[EyesWideOpen]

Blue Beetle - Tony Bedard & Ig Guara

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32717

Suicide Squad - Adam Glass & Marco Rudy

(Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot on a team)

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-men-at-war-110609.html

[number8]

http://nuevosgif.tk/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/0d16d_1253886001_office-no.gif

[number8]

So how many covert/black ops team this makes? I'm gonna tally this up.

[Acapelli]

joe casey and nathan fox are the new creative team on haunt

awesome

[Sven]

I forgot to mention that I read Sleeper a few days ago. Season One was very good, and Miss Misery is a great character. I do feel the narrative fizzled by the end, falling into a few too many cliche and convenience pits. Still, recommendable, definitely. The explanation for how a story like Sleeper could happen in a universe with the Authority is ingenious.

[number8]

This is good reading.

It's no surprise that Barbara Gordon getting her legs back is very controversial with fans, and one of them is a Newsarama writer, who is in a wheelchair and wrote this really personal op/ed (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/oracle-is-stronger-than-batgirl-110606.html) to the news a few days ago.

Gail Simone, who's always up to date with the internet, read it within hours of it going up and immediately contacted her for an interview, which is now up (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/gail-simone-dicusses-batgirl-and-oracle-110609.html). She also wrote this letter.


Dear Newsarama Readers,

Over the past few days, DC readers have been teased and hinted to distraction by the announcement that starting in September, a massive relaunch of virtually the entire line of DC books will begin. With only covers and a few solicit blurbs to go on, the loyal readership is understandably a little shell-shocked. For some, the apparent absence of a favorite character or creator is very sad news. For others, it looks like an exciting and bold move.

But possibly no announcement yet has been quite so polarizing as the reveal that a new Batgirl #1 is coming, with Barbara Gordon in the cape and cowl. In the absence of information coming from DC or the creative or editorial teams, people have naturally taken the images and blurbs as set in stone forever, in some cases meaning the loss of change of characters they have followed since they were kids.

Batgirl, even more so for some. The wonderful and talented Jill Pantozzi wrote a heart-wrenching piece for this website about what the apparent loss of Oracle means to her, a person with Muscular Dystrophy who uses a wheelchair for mobility. I've met Jill, I think the world of her, and it would be a cold heart indeed who wasn't moved by her words.

I asked for, and received, permission to talk to Jill right here, candidly, about the issues raised. I still am not able to give story details yet, so if there's a little fumbling, I apologize, and hope people understand.

I don't want to derail the conversation or invalidate the feelings of readers who have expressed concern or personal disappointment. The facts involved are accurate, but the opinions are my own.

Jill, I thank you for your brave, moving comments. I know for a fact that several of the highest people at DC read your piece, and had nothing but glowing things to say about it. You are as close to a real-life Oracle as anyone I know to my mind.

The interview is worth reading.

[number8]

Alan Moore by Frank Quitely. A-ma-zing.

http://a.yfrog.com/img736/7319/iaae.jpg

[megladon8]

I adore Frank Quitely.

[Sven]

Hitman 49. I got the throat lump.

[number8]

Hitman 49. I got the throat lump.

Yep.

[megladon8]

Is there a reason why only vol. 2 of the Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibuses is OOP?

Mine has received significant damage from a fall.

If anyone can help me track down a copy at a reasonable price I'd be most grateful.

[megladon8]

Sven, I thought you'd really like this exchange I had with a coworker yesterday...


ME: Are you much of a reader?

COWORKER: Yeah, man, I'm always reading something.

ME: What kind of stuff do you like to read?

COWORKER: Mostly sci-fi and fantasy stuff. The occasional non fiction about astronomy and space and stuff.

ME: Cool. Do you read comics at all?

COWORKER: Honestly, no, I've never really been able to enjoy comics. But I love graphic novels.

ME: :|

[Sven]

Man, I got this Flash Omnibus as a gift and I'm really excited to read it, but Angel Unzueta's illustrations are barfy and I hate them. It is only in flipping to the later stuff and seeing how good it looks that I am at all motivated to get through these first issues.

[number8]

I would have choked him to death.

[Spinal]

So, just to clarify ...

If I like reading V for Vendetta, but I don't care about picking up Superman #679 or whatever, is there a way to make that distinction without getting choked to death?

[Ezee E]

So, just to clarify ...

If I like reading V for Vendetta, but I don't care about picking up Superman #679 or whatever, is there a way to make that distinction without getting choked to death?
Ditto.

[megladon8]

V for Vendetta is a comic book.

[Ezee E]

Fairly sure Spinal and I are still on the same page, but he can tell me if I'm wrong.

When I think of Graphic Novel, I think of the completed work, all put together. I much prefer this nowadays, since I don't plan on going back month after month. Many of these are short books, only intended to be 1-6 issues too. I can completely understand how one would prefer these over a long term issue such as Superman #679.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yeah, if I say to someone, "I read comic books," they don't think of Blankets, Black Hole, Too Cool to Be Forgotten, Maus, etc. They think of issues and superhero titles. While comic book fans may not see a difference, the general populace does.

[megladon8]

Yeah, if I say to someone, "I read comic books," they don't think of Blankets, Black Hole, Too Cool to Be Forgotten, Maus, etc. They think of issues and superhero titles. While comic book fans may not see a difference, the general populace does.


Yes, I realize it's a general "misconception" or whatever but it still irks me.

It's no different from someone saying "I don't watch movies, I watch films."

[Winston*]

I just call them all "funny pages".

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah, if I say to someone, "I read comic books," they don't think of Blankets, Black Hole, Too Cool to Be Forgotten, Maus, etc. They think of issues and superhero titles. While comic book fans may not see a difference, the general populace does.

Black Hole was originally released in issues but I get your point.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Black Hole was originally released in issues but I get your point.

:lol:

See, that's exactly why I tell people I don't read comic books. I know almost nothing about them.

[megladon8]

It's just that, 9 times out of 10, a graphic novel is just a selection of comic books collected in one volume.

So...graphic novels are comic books.

Making the distinction is just engaging in intellectual posturing, as if comic books are somehow "below" you, but graphic novels are more at your level.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Making the distinction is just engaging in intellectual posturing, as if comic books are somehow "below" you, but graphic novels are more at your level.

:|

No. In my case, and in many others I know, it's making a distinction so as not to cause confusion.

[Winston*]

I don't play video games, I play interactive fiction.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I don't play video games, I play interactive fiction.

Nobody asked you!

[Winston*]

I don't read novels, I read prose comic books.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I don't read novels, I read prose comic books.

This is why you have to wait so long for Tree of Life. Your poor attitude leads to bad karma.

[Ezee E]

Meh. I really don't have a problem between the graphic novel/comics. Heck, in most book stores and comic book shops, they're even separated and labeled as so.

[EyesWideOpen]

I can see both sides. I mean most books that people consider graphic novels like Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Sin City, etc were all originally released in single issues. But honestly I don't care what people call them.

[Ezee E]

I can see both sides. I mean most books that people consider graphic novels like Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Sin City, etc were all originally released in single issues. But honestly I don't care what people call them.
Yeah, but those single issues are out of print. The only way to get them is to walk over to the Graphic Novel section and purchase the whole thing.

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah, but those single issues are out of print. The only way to get them is to walk over to the Graphic Novel section and purchase the whole thing.

I get that. But like meg was saying the assumption by some that comic books are lesser then graphic novels is especially ridiculous when you know that alot of what they're calling graphic novels were originally released as comic books.

[Ezee E]

I get that. But like meg was saying the assumption by some that comic books are lesser then graphic novels is especially ridiculous when you know that alot of what they're calling graphic novels were originally released as comic books.
I think comic book fans' feelings are getting hurt far too easy in that case. A better comparison is like TV. A graphic novel would be like a TV season.

[Spinal]

Making the distinction is just engaging in intellectual posturing, as if comic books are somehow "below" you, but graphic novels are more at your level.

I see what you're saying here. And I certainly think it's silly to fancify your language unnecessarily.

I just think there must be a way of saying that I prefer to sit down with a single volume with a completed story arc rather than follow a longer, open-ended saga in short stages over the course of months and months without causing offense.

[Winston*]

I just think there must be a way of saying that I prefer to sit down with a single volume with a completed story arc rather than follow a longer, open-ended saga in short stages over the course of months and months without causing offense.

You could say this:

"I prefer to sit down with a single volume with a completed story arc rather than follow a longer, open-ended saga in short stages over the course of months and months."

[megladon8]

:|

No. In my case, and in many others I know, it's making a distinction so as not to cause confusion.


Yes, I know this.

I wasn't accusing you, I'm saying that it can come across that way.

"Oh I don't read comic books, I read graphic novels."

I think my "I don't watch movies, I watch films" comparison is pretty apt.

The intention to be douchey isn't there, but it can seem like the person speaking is giving the ol' backhand to "comic books" while saying "graphic novels" are better, even though they're the same thing.


I just think that saying "I don't read comic books, I read graphic novels" is redundant. Graphic novels are comic books.

[Spinal]

You could say this:

"I prefer to sit down with a single volume with a completed story arc rather than follow a longer, open-ended saga in short stages over the course of months and months."

Why didn't I think of that?

[Acapelli]

"i don't listen to rap, i listen to hip hop"

[Sven]

I think comic book fans' feelings are getting hurt far too easy in that case. A better comparison is like TV. A graphic novel would be like a TV season.

But it's all still TV. Plus, since TV on DVD and the internet has changed the medium by which people consume, it is a poor comparison, since a physical product is often assumed when mentioning reading comics.

The term "graphic novel" is a fine one. (If Barnaby Rudge is a novel, I guess so is V for Vendetta, and since it uses graphics...) The irritation lies not in that phrase being bandied about, but in the denial of the term "comic book". Sure you can call V a graphic novel, but one must also see that it is a comic book. So "No, but I like graphic novels" is a nonsensical response.

My advice:

"Do you like comics?"
"Sometimes, though I like to wait for trades and I don't really do superhero comics. I liked V for Vendetta, did you read that?"

[Ezee E]

Seems awfully long.

I don't know. If I were to ask for a graphic novel at a comic book shop or book store, I get led to the trades. If I ask for a comic book, I get sent to the individual issues. I think I'm going to keep that way of thinking.

Batman Inc sounds great. Look forward to when that's all binded together.

[Sven]

I don't know. If I were to ask for a graphic novel at a comic book shop or book store, I get led to the trades. If I ask for a comic book, I get sent to the individual issues. I think I'm going to keep that way of thinking.

Has this actually happened to you? Working at both types of stores (general corporate and small comic), I'm confident telling you that your assessment is made largely on assumption and detached engagement. As I said before, "graphic novel" is a fine term, but it is a small circle subsumed within the medium of comics. Call them what you will, but just know that they're comics. Is all I'm saying.

"Comic trades" is the best substitution I can think of, being a more descriptive term for the product, and with fewer syllables.


Batman Inc sounds great. Look forward to when that's all binded together.

It's fantastic. Bound, would you still not call it a comic book?

Dammit, guys, let's wrap this discussion up or move it to the other thread. This thread was intended to be a celebration of comics, not a debate about words.

[Spinal]

Terribly sorry. Where are my manners? Here, I cleaned it up for you.

[Ezee E]

Has this actually happened to you? Working at both types of stores (general corporate and small comic), I'm confident telling you that your assessment is made largely on assumption and detached engagement. As I said before, "graphic novel" is a fine term, but it is a small circle subsumed within the medium of comics. Call them what you will, but just know that they're comics. Is all I'm saying.

"Comic trades" is the best substitution I can think of, being a more descriptive term for the product, and with fewer syllables.



It's fantastic. Bound, would you still not call it a comic book?

Dammit, guys, let's wrap this discussion up or move it to the other thread. This thread was intended to be a celebration of comics, not a debate about words.
It is a stupid discussion. But I do hear "graphic novel" quite frequently. I do separate them at Borders if I'm searching for one or the other (more graphic novel now). I'm fine with them both being comics.

Now that I think about it, the television term is pretty apt, since a series of comic books get but together for the trade/graphic novel. Whatevs. Not a big deal to me.

I will read it regardless. Sounds like the most interesting set to come out.

[Sven]

Terribly sorry. Where are my manners? Here, I cleaned it up for you.

It's okay. Thanks. I wasn't really that upset.

[Sven]

It is a stupid discussion.

It is. The worst part about it is that I know I'm on the losing side of the argument, at least in terms of popular usage. Unfortunately, it is an accepted shorthand distinction to make, and becoming only more so. Really, the only thing that bugs me is the attempt to reject the "comics" title.

[Spinal]

I think it's just not intuitive to use a word like 'comic' to refer to something like Maus or Watchmen. In so many other parts of life, we associate it with light, agreeable entertainment. I imagine that people are, in a misguided way, attempting to acknowledge the scope and weight of what they are reading, though I can see how it might be grating to afficianados. Goodness knows I bristle when I hear the term "theatre of the absurd" misused.

Why am I still talking about this? I do not know.

[number8]

Neil Gaiman, about the distinction between writing comic books and writing graphic novels:

"I feel like a hooker who has just been told that she's a lady of the night."

[Sven]

I think it's just not intuitive to use a word like 'comic' to refer to something like Maus or Watchmen. In so many other parts of life, we associate it with light, agreeable entertainment. I imagine that people are, in a misguided way, attempting to acknowledge the scope and weight of what they are reading, though I can see how it might be grating to afficianados. Goodness knows I bristle when I hear the term "theatre of the absurd" misused.

I understand your intuition to not call Maus a comic. But Watchmen is a story about superheroes and magic science powers and kinetic, apocalyptic action scenarios in the grand comics tradition of other stories about superheroes and magic science powers and kinetic, apocalyptic action scenarios. I feel your intuition on that title at least may need a little recalibration.

I'm not pulling an appeal to authority here, but I think it's interesting that both Alan Moore and Art Spiegelman are both advocates of the non-use of the term.

"'Graphic novel’ sounds more respectable, but I prefer ‘comics’ because it credits the medium. [‘Comics’] is a dumb word, but that’s what they are." - Art Spiegelman

"That pompous phrase (graphic novel) was thought up by some idiot in the marketing department of DC. I prefer to call them Big Expensive Comics."
- Alan Moore


Why am I still talking about this? I do not know.

And why do I continue to reply? The world stands still, awaiting an answer that will never come.

[D_Davis]

Hey Maus fans. Magus books in Seattle has the first printing of the comic book in the single issue format. I think it's about $500. Looks to be in really good shape. Give em a call if your interested.

[D_Davis]

I think the Maus issues are the individual comics that were released with RAW Magazine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAW_%28magazine%29

[number8]

Marvel's idea to capture new readers sound smarter than DC's.

They're launching around 20 monthly anthology titles (Marvel Adventures, Marvel Family, Marvel Classics, etc) specifically designed for newsstands and chain bookstores rather than comic stores, each title aimed at a different age group or demo or genre, where every "edition" will be a reprint of 2-3 issues' worth of old or recent stories.

[bac0n]

fuuuuuuuuck.

[Sven]

Bargain bin had a copy of Rogan Gosh for a quarter. WTF, so I bought it (for a third time). Also, got a Kirby/Steranko Nick Fury collection. Sweet.

[Acapelli]

rick veitch and gary erskine are allegedly doing a truther comic

if true, ew

[Sven]

rick veitch and gary erskine are allegedly doing a truther comic

if true, ew

... this is strange news indeed. Those are two of my faves.

[Sven]

Jeez. It's for reals. Saw some of the preview. Great art (obv).

http://htmlimg3.scribdassets.com/7eiy3eonnk105nt4/images/6-d3de145a4c.jpg

[Sven]

"Truther" comic is probably a misnomer. It sounds more like a subversive political comic that prods the situation for questions rather than trying to exploit an agenda. I'm officially interested.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-06-14-Image-Comics-The-Big-Lie-asks-some-big-questions_n.htm


And this isn't the first time Veitch has used 9/11 as a theme. In his Vertigo Comics graphic novel Can't Get No, he used one man's lost week before, during and after the attacks as a view of it from the microcosm, but with The Big Lie, Veitch says, "we're trying to present the whole macroscopic landscape of politics, finance and military."

Going into this project, he didn't consider himself a "Truther," yet living during the eras of the Pentagon Papers, Watergate, Iran/Contra and the invasion of Iraq, Veitch admits that he's skeptical about any "official" story provided by the government.

"Reading the 9/11 Commission Report, it's pretty clear that a lot of important evidence about the lead-up to the attacks and the collapse of the towers was ignored or glossed over," he explains. "And I'm pretty angry about the aftermath: how Iraq was invaded based on false intelligence and the occupation mismanaged resulting in over 100,000 civilian deaths."

[number8]

It doesn't sound very Truther, to be honest.


"If one scratches the surface of the commission report, one finds huge holes in the official story. There's also a lot of disinformation out there and oddball conspiracy theories that need to be debunked. People who are paying attention are asking for a real in-depth investigation into all these nagging questions. That's what our book is all about."

[Acapelli]

ok, that's why i used the qualifier "allegedly". the media on both sides seem to be blowing it out of proportion

[Sven]

Apparently the guy who hired them for the project is kind of a nutter, though, so I don't know.

http://norcaltruth.org/

[Sven]

Just finished the sixth trade of PunisherMAX, Barracuda, which was the best MAX arc so far. Parlov's art is fantastic. I like the combo of cartooning and Kirby imbued in his style.

I think I like the Marvel Knights stuff more because it isn't afraid to get silly. No giant squids in MAX. Still, Ennis's style is perfect for the character. Oh, and Tim Bradstreet's covers are terrible.

[Acapelli]

i don't even know what's the point of tim bradstreet. like his cover for the new star trek comic

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6996/startrekongoing01cvra80.jpg

seriously?

[D_Davis]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110621/ap_on_en_ot/us_spider_man_s_demise


The death is real and in Marvel's Ultimate Comics imprint, death is not something taken lightly. Characters in that universe are dead and gone, never to return.


Bendis said that Parker's death won't be in vain and hinted that the Ultimate Spider-Man may not be gone forever. But what exactly is to come, that's something he's not willing to share, at least not yet.



Fans of Spider-Man need not worry much, though, because the Ultimates imprint is separate from Marvel's bigger universe. Whatever fate may befall Ultimate Spider-Man won't count in the pages of the other series, including Amazing Spider-Man.

http://www.ragemaker.net/images/Stupidity/thefuck.png

[number8]

Marvel has a very good PR team. The mainstream media will seriously report any event they have.

[number8]

That said, it's kinda funny that this is receiving far more press than when the Ultimate Universe killed Wolverine and almost everyone in the X-Men.

[Ezee E]

Every comic book character has died, only for it to be a clone/doppelganger/fake/etc.

Meh.

[number8]

Not in the Ultimate universe. That is kind of the point.

[number8]

Gene Colan died. :sad:

[number8]

Blegh.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270296_10150224866692880_18797 4747879_7293850_1983047_n.jpg

[Ezee E]

Is that a poster?

[Sven]

Dunno if this is old news at this point, but Milligan says that Hellblazer is not going to be affected by the reboot. Interesting.

[number8]

https://www.facebook.com/notes/modern-myths-llc/dcs-new-52-notes-from-the-nyc-retailer-summit/10150241193453817

More details than before. So JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 and ACTION COMICS #1 both take place years in the past, and they're the only two "origin story" books.


In approaching the re-launch, DC didn't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater. They knew some things needed to be changed, but they didn't want to lose the excitement behind what was working. Instead of a re-boot, they opted for a sliding re-launch. Continuity would be preserved and only where things weren't working would there be changes. As such, there are are little to no changes in the Batman and Green Lantern books. When they re-launch in September they pick up right where they were in August.

What kind of a "new readers" strategy is this? This is just going to be confusing to them. Fuck, I'm confused.

[Sven]

From Veitch's blog:


The project was originally conceived by my old pal, Tom Yeates. He’d proposed it to Image and they dug the concept with myself and Gary on the creative end based on our ARMY@LOVE series. I was interested but told Tom I didn’t want to work under the Image deal, which is to do the job first then share in the after-publication profits. I’m a page-rate-up-front kind of guy. I also wanted creative autonomy but with a good fact-checker on the editorial end to help me get things right.
Amazingly, Tom hooked up with Brian Romonoff, who was active in the “Truther” movement and who quickly raised funds through donations to do the book. Brian and Tom (and the donors) were cool with me running the show creatively and Brian proved to be the excellent fact checker we needed.
The story is a drama, not a straight propaganda piece. The questions surrounding the whole 9/11 affair are sewn into the action. Sort of like how Cameron structure “Titanic”.

[number8]

Somehow I don't think it was a good idea for him to have a Truther activist be the fact-checker.

[number8]

Wrote this. Not sure if it's saying anything, but had to get it off my chest:

http://www.justpressplay.net/articles/8083-frank-miller-goes-irrelevant-with-qholy-terrorq.html

[number8]

FYI, if you log in from Starbucks Wi-Fi (I am currently), you get free access to Marvel's full digital library.

[Sven]

Two things: Vengeance was great. and OMFG:


Bobsy: Do you have an idea how it’s going to resolve in the third [Seaguy] book?

Grant: Oh yeah, I’ve been writing that stuff. The first issue is done and the second two are pretty much broken down, so yeah. The last book is the best I’ve ever written.

[Acapelli]

i think i'm going to his signing for supergods over here on the 19th and have him sign my copy of seaguy: slaves of mickey eye #2 or 3 (can only have one additional item signed and i already have these two signed by cameron stewart)

[Sven]

i think i'm going to his signing for supergods over here on the 19th and have him sign my copy of seaguy: slaves of mickey eye #2 or 3 (can only have one additional item signed and i already have these two signed by cameron stewart)

Jeal-ooooouuuusss.

[EyesWideOpen]

DCBS is running a pretty good deal where you can get all of the DC 52 #1 issues for $79. So half the normal price.

[Acapelli]

that would be pretty good, but i only want to read about 1/3 of the 52 series at most

[EyesWideOpen]

that would be pretty good, but i only want to read about 1/3 of the 52 series at most

If you get them individually they are 42% off.

[number8]

Sven, I can't remember, but did you ever actually finish Hitman? Along with the 2-issue JLA story?

[Sven]

Sven, I can't remember, but did you ever actually finish Hitman? Along with the 2-issue JLA story?

I did finish Hitman, and it was excellent. Wasn't expecting those last ten issues to be so brutal. I have yet to read the JLA story or Hitman 1000000. I'm also really looking forward to getting into E&M's Demon run eventually.

[number8]

Ah, yes, I wept a manly weep at the ending, but definitely get the JLA/Hitman mini. It's kind of a sequel to the Superman issue, and it deals with Superman finding out who Tommy actually is and having to reconcile with how he views Tommy's sense of morality.

Ennis can really write the shit out of Superman.

[Sven]

Ennis can really write the shit out of Superman.

I always love it when he deigns to write for a superhero. He's a realist by inclination, I think, so he usually either compromises them or turns them into a punchline. My favorite is how he wrote Thor like a handicapped child in his strangely heavy Thor miniseries. So it took me by surprise that he handled the superheroes in Hitman with a bit more of a straight face (mostly... not the Green Lantern).

[number8]

I always love it when he deigns to write for a superhero. He's a realist by inclination, I think, so he usually either compromises them or turns them into a punchline. My favorite is how he wrote Thor like a handicapped child in his strangely heavy Thor miniseries. So it took me by surprise that he handled the superheroes in Hitman with a bit more of a straight face (mostly... not the Green Lantern).

Oh shit, I totally forgot about THOR MAX. That was a very weird mini. His Dr. Strange in it was bananas, too.

There weren't a lot of superheroes showing up in Hitman, though. Superman he wrote well because Ennis loves Superman. Batman he didn't write OOC, but definitely made fun of. Catwoman was mostly for ogling. And Green Lantern.... Yeah.

From what I can gather, Ennis doesn't like the idea of superheroes (he doesn't count Punisher as one), but he likes those he can muster respect for. He's said in an interview once that the only ones he respect are Superman and Wonder Woman, and you can see that in JLA/Hitman.

[number8]

They're debuting the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen at the Top Shelf booth in Comic Con!!! Will get.

[Acapelli]

They're debuting the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen at the Top Shelf booth in Comic Con!!! Will get.
saw this on bleeding cool

want

[Sven]

Anyone look at the preview for The Red Wing? It looks incredible. Love the plot summary.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=9206

[number8]

FUCK. YES.

THE SHADE #1 of 12.

Written by James Robinson and art by Cully Hamner, Darwyn Cooke, Javier Pulido, Jill Thompson, Frazer Irving and Gene Ha.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/770/1310473499.jpg

[number8]

Ultimate Fallout is probably the best comic book death mourning issue I've ever read. These things are usually so puffed up and ridiculous, like Jeph Loeb's five-part mini on Captain America's death, or they're more nostalgic like Gaiman's "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader." Bendis' decision to focus solely on the reactions of Spidey's supporting cast and not the superhero community makes it just really good, sad, drama. With some books, he just gets it so right.

[megladon8]

I liked Gaiman's "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader".

[Acapelli]

tbh i don't even know what gaiman was trying to achieve with that story

[number8]

Huh. Confirmed: new Superman status quo will be that he never married Lois, and in fact Lois is dating some other guy. Both Kents are dead, so Superman is pretty much very, very lonely.

Apparently, he will also be more "Kal-El from Krypton than Clark from Kansas."

Yo.

[Acapelli]

well, at least it's definitely not gonna be a rehash of all-star superman

[Sven]

I picked up Supergods yesterday and am well into it. No joke, it's very good.

[Sven]

Also, 8, thanks for making me pick up the first issue of Batman Odyssey. OMG, I love it.

[number8]

All right.

[Dukefrukem]

haha

DZg4UOB2uCk

[Ezee E]

Put a hold on Sandman Vol. 1.

Will be checking out Batman: Year One shortly.

[Sven]

Put a hold on Sandman Vol. 1.

You should make sure that it's the original coloring, not the reprinted recolorations that have been trickling out. They're an eyesore.


Will be checking out Batman: Year One shortly.

Gorgeous book. The Catwoman stuff distracts, but the book remains potent.

[Ezee E]

How do I know if its the original coloring?

[number8]

How do I know if its the original coloring?

Amazon makes it easy. They label the 2010 reprinted trades with "(New Edition)" in the product titles.

[Ezee E]

Amazon makes it easy. They label the 2010 reprinted trades with "(New Edition)" in the product titles.
Ah. I'm renting it from the library, so we'll see.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'll be the other side and as someone who's owned both the recoloring is far superior to my eyes. Neil Gaiman is the one who wanted them recolored because the first eighteen issues of the series were done before certain coloring technologies were in place so each time they are printed on newer generation paper they look progressively worse.

The Absolute Editions contain the recolored versions.

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/09/23/absolute-sandman-recoloring/

[Winston*]

Definitely prefer the original page here:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2010/09/sandman1.jpg

[Sven]

Yeah, I have no idea why anyone would prefer the recolors. Having looked extensively at both, and hearing repeatedly preferences for the latter work, I remain baffled. My 16th printing of the first trade still looks stunning, so I don't know what Gaiman is whining about. And I'm a total paper snob.

[Winston*]

I think the first trade has some not-so-good art in though, not really related to its colourisation.

[number8]

The only thing good is that there's that one issue where they redid the inking as well as the coloring because the original was rushed and was barely coherent in its art. That I didn't mind the Lucasing.

[number8]

Grant Morrison:


"Batman, only two people died in his life and he's been sad ever since. Superman lost billions and still has a smile on his face."

I cannot wait for Action Comics #1.

[number8]

Detective 880. Whoof.

[Acapelli]

Detective 880. Whoof.
is this about the joker?

snyder totally whiffed on that one. how do you go from oberon sexton to basically gollum. was waiting for him to bust out a "my precioussssssssssssss"

[number8]

Everybody got LoEG Century: 1969, too, right?

[Acapelli]

yeah, but i have a feeling i'll need to re-read 1910 and maybe black dossier since it's been a while since i've read those

[number8]

The twist with who the villain turns into at the end is wiiiild. Huge kick out of it, being a fan of that series.

It's funny that the references this time are mainly TV shows and movies rather than literature: The Avengers, Rosemary's Baby, Performance, Ian McShane, etc. I can only imagine that it'll get even more pop culture-y in the 2009 chapter.

[Ezee E]

When's the DC Series restart again? I intend to try the first issues out.

[Sven]

When's the DC Series restart again? I intend to try the first issues out.

August 31st. I think I may do reviews. Maybe.

[Ezee E]

August 31st. I think I may do reviews. Maybe.
Nice. I'll take them up to Telluride with me.

[number8]

By the way, DC is going to release a hardcover collecting all 52 #1s. It'll cost like $100 something. I'm not sure who they think will buy it.

[megladon8]

Re-reading Brian Michael Bendis' run on "Daredevil".

It's so great. Any other fans ' round these parts?

[EyesWideOpen]

Re-reading Brian Michael Bendis' run on "Daredevil".

It's so great. Any other fans ' round these parts?

Yep, one of my favorite series from when I really started getting into comics. I sold off the two omnibuses a few months ago.

[megladon8]

Yep, one of my favorite series from when I really started getting into comics. I sold off the two omnibuses a few months ago.


Damn wish I had jumped on the second one. It's so expensive now. I'll have to settle for a few of those new paperback editions to finish the collection.

[number8]

I have the original oversized hardcovers of his entire run. They are sweet.

Anyway, new Ultimate Spidey is black, and Bendis said he was inspired by Donald Glover's campaign. That is kind of awesome.

[number8]

Bendis and Donald Glover just thanked each other on Twitter. My heart's all warm.

[ledfloyd]

i've been thinking about rereading bendis's daredevil. possibly my favorite run on a mainstream marvel or DCU title. (i reserve the right to rescind this remark following the completion of morrison's batman)

anyhow, this desire to reread was inspired by bendis's moon knight which so far has been the best thing he's done since his daredevil/ultimate-spidey/alias/powers heyday. quite easily. is anyone else reading this?

also, the new number 1 on brubaker's cap is inspiring me to get back into the book i abandoned after the awful reborn business. and, as moore was mentioned above, has anyone read neonomicon?

[megladon8]

ledfloyd - I have not read "Neonomicon", but I know bac0n was reading it a few months back and said it was all right. Very graphic.


So, I think the last Cap stuff I read was the "Winter Soldier" and "Red Menace" stuff from a few years ago. Where should I go now? Is there current stuff I should get caught up on, or should I go back and read all of Brubaker's run?


EDIT: There are a bunch of trades available of Brubaker's run:

"Steve Rogers: Super Soldier"
"The Death of Captain America"
"No Escape"
"Reborn"
"The Man With No Face"
"Captain America Lives Omnibus"
"Death of Captain America Omnibus"

Just check out any and all of these?

[EyesWideOpen]

If you read through Red Menace you made it through issue 21.

If you go to this link on the bottom section it gives you the trade reading order. I'd recommend you read them in order. You haven't even really gotten to the great Ed Brubaker stuff yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America

[number8]

Brubaker's Cap run is one long continuous storyline. I don't know why you would want to skip any issues.

[number8]

I'm not sure what to do with the new Punisher #1 today. On one hand, I'm kinda burnt out on Punisher crime stories after Ennis' run (I even gave up on Aaron's). But on the other hand, it's Greg Rucka's return to mainstream comics.

[Sven]

I'm not sure what to do with the new Punisher #1 today. On one hand, I'm kinda burnt out on Punisher crime stories after Ennis' run (I even gave up on Aaron's). But on the other hand, it's Greg Rucka's return to mainstream comics.

Did you read the Waid-Rivera Daredevil? It was muy good.

[number8]

Did you read the Waid-Rivera Daredevil? It was muy good.

I was going to for the great-looking art, but Waid's promise to write a lighter, more well-adjusted Matt Murdock doesn't interest me much. I'm glad it's going into that direction after the awful Shadowlands thing, and actually I think it's necessary to keep the character going, but it's just not my association with the character anymore. I need to cut back on my weekly titles, anyway, what with the relaunch next month.

[Acapelli]

ahem, waid-rivera-martin daredevil

i mean it's easily going to be the best looking book on the stands for the duration of this run

[ledfloyd]

i stopped reading DD when brubaker left the title, is it worth trying to catch up on diggle's run?

[Acapelli]

nope

edit: let me add to that statement by saying that the whole shadowland thing was stupid and awful and should pretty much be ignored forever

[ledfloyd]

well then i'll pick up the new #1 with no reservations.

[bac0n]

Whoa - picked DC's preview of the 52 books they're resetting, and, holy shit, what they're gonna do with Green Lantern has got me excited:

Strong indicators that Thaal Sinestro is going to be the Green Lantern!!!

[number8]

Whoa - picked DC's preview of the 52 books they're resetting, and, holy shit, what they're gonna do with Green Lantern has got me excited:

Strong indicators that Thaal Sinestro is going to be the Green Lantern!!!

Yeah, it's quite a ballsy move that I admit I'm confused with. If the relaunch is meant to draw in new readers, I have no idea why you would have GREEN LANTERN #1 that way.

I guess Hal will already be prominent in the Geoff Johns Justice League, but that's set 5 years in the past, so... I don't even know anymore. It is pretty cool, though.

[megladon8]

I'm thinking of getting a little pull list together again. Nothing crazy (like 4 years ago when I had 35 titles every month).

I've been out of the loop for so long now I really dont know whats going on.

So...recommendations? Say, like, the top 5 "must read" titles right now?

[Sven]

I'm thinking of getting a little pull list together again. Nothing crazy (like 4 years ago when I had 35 titles every month).

I've been out of the loop for so long now I really dont know whats going on.

So...recommendations? Say, like, the top 5 "must read" titles right now?

Butcher Baker, the Righteous Maker
Kirby Genesis
The Red Wing
DC Reboot: Action Comics
DC Reboot: Justice League Dark

Anyone else read the Secret Seven miniseries? Hokey smokes, talk about weird and enticing.

[bac0n]

Is Batman Inc going away as part of the DC Reboot, does anyone know?

[number8]

Is Batman Inc going away as part of the DC Reboot, does anyone know?

It's taking a hiatus for a year or so to allow the streamlining of all the titles. The events are still canon, so they might bring it back next year once all the reboot stuff is settled.

[Sven]

Official word: Inc is going to issue 10, then in March, Morrison will begin the conclusion of his Batman run with the 12 part "tragedy" Batman: Leviathan, with illustrator Chris Burnham.

[number8]

March? Nice. When Morrison first said next year, I assumed it'd be like in the summer.

[number8]

Sad that the conclusion of Leviathan will be his final word on Batman, but it's crazy to realize that I've been buying his Batman since the beginning, through three different ongoing titles.

[bac0n]

Official word: Inc is going to issue 10, then in March, Morrison will begin the conclusion of his Batman run with the 12 part "tragedy" Batman: Leviathan, with illustrator Chris Burnham.

Cool, thanks Sven & Number8.

[Sven]

March? Nice. When Morrison first said next year, I assumed it'd be like in the summer.

I've also heard that it may start in January, but I dunno.

Summer is when we're supposed to get Multiversity, but I'm learning not to count my chickens.

[megladon8]

I put the new Superman, Batman, Action Comics and Batman Inc. on my pull list.

DC, baby.

[number8]

Ha, you put a title on your pull list that's on its last issue?

[Ezee E]

Read half of Year One in a sitting. It's alright.

[megladon8]

Ha, you put a title on your pull list that's on its last issue?


Which are you referring to?

I'm getting Superman, Batman and Action Comics when they start back up at #1, and Batman Inc. is going to issue #10 as discussed a few posts back.

While I was there I picked up issues 4, 5, and 6, and they have ordered 1, 2 and 3 for me.

[number8]

I think Sven was mistaken. Batman Inc was supposed to go to #10, but it's now August and it's so delayed that it's only up to #7. DC is stopping all ongoing titles this month to make way for the relaunch next month. This month's #8 will be the final issue of Batman Inc.

They announced today that they're just going to repackage Batman Inc #9-#10 as an oversized one-shot to prelude the Leviathan series next year. No clue when that's coming out, though, and they probably won't call it Batman Inc.

[ledfloyd]

I'm thinking of getting a little pull list together again. Nothing crazy (like 4 years ago when I had 35 titles every month).

I've been out of the loop for so long now I really dont know whats going on.

So...recommendations? Say, like, the top 5 "must read" titles right now?
walking dead
moon knight
criminal/incognito
morrison's batman
probably brubaker's captain america but i'm way behind on that.

i'm beyond excited for the new BKV series starting in 2012. it's called saga.

[Sven]

I think Sven was mistaken. Batman Inc was supposed to go to #10, but it's now August and it's so delayed that it's only up to #7. DC is stopping all ongoing titles this month to make way for the relaunch next month. This month's #8 will be the final issue of Batman Inc.

They announced today that they're just going to repackage Batman Inc #9-#10 as an oversized one-shot to prelude the Leviathan series next year. No clue when that's coming out, though, and they probably won't call it Batman Inc.

*sigh*

Nothing is ever sure when it comes to Morrison.

[megladon8]

*sigh*

Nothing is ever sure when it comes to Morrison.


But it's always so very worth it.

[megladon8]

And I was surprised while looking at the new 52 lineup that Morrison is barely involved.

[number8]

And I was surprised while looking at the new 52 lineup that Morrison is barely involved.

What do you mean? He's always been one title at a time. He stopped writing Batman when Batman & Robin started, and he stopped that when Batman Inc started.

He's on Action Comics. That's DC's premier title. And he's got the job of shaping Superman's new origin and status quo, which dictates the rest of the new universe. I'd say that's pretty deep involved.

[megladon8]

What do you mean? He's always been one title at a time. He stopped writing Batman when Batman & Robin started, and he stopped that when Batman Inc started.

He's on Action Comics. That's DC's premier title. And he's got the job of shaping Superman's new origin and status quo, which dictates the rest of the new universe. I'd say that's pretty deep involved.


I didn't know he was always a one title guy. Like I said earlier, I've been out of the loop for some time. I stopped buying just a couple of issues into his run on Batman.

Btw I dropped by the shoppe again today. Picked up "Punisher" #1 when I saw it was by Greg Rucka. Added it to my pull list.

Fuuuuu...10 titles on my list already.

[ledfloyd]

i just finished the filth, and i think i need to read the whole thing all over again to make complete sense of it, but it might be my favorite morrison comic.

[number8]

So I ended up buying Punisher #1. Really cool, but I'm still on the fence whether or not I want to follow it.

Severed #1, on the other hand... Wow. Snyder is seriously neck-to-neck with Jeff Lemire and Jonathan Hickman as my favorite writer right now.

[megladon8]

Should I be ashamed that I'm kind of interested in checking out DC's new Frankenstein title, coming out as one of the new 52?

[ledfloyd]

Severed #1, on the other hand... Wow. Snyder is seriously neck-to-neck with Jeff Lemire and Jonathan Hickman as my favorite writer right now.
if i haven't read anything by any of these guys where should i start?

[megladon8]

if i haven't read anything by any of these guys where should i start?


New Frankenstein title from DC is by Lemire.

[Sven]

Should I be ashamed that I'm kind of interested in checking out DC's new Frankenstein title, coming out as one of the new 52?

Despite all the Lemire love goin' on these days, I think he's a pretty plodding writer. His Frankenstein title on Flashpoint was boring, and I find Sweet Tooth obvious and uneven. Maybe I'll find something I like eventually, but until then, I am going to lament the absence of Doug Mahnke on Frankenstein, his go at the character on Seven Soldiers is tear-inducingly great.

http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/data/media/91/SEVEN_SOLDIERS_FRANKENSTEIN_4. jpg

[Sven]

Severed #1, on the other hand... Wow. Snyder is seriously neck-to-neck with Jeff Lemire and Jonathan Hickman as my favorite writer right now.

I know you were staying away from Flashpoint, but his Project Superman with Lowell Francis and Gene Ha is a-MA-zing.

As for Hickman, I featured Red Mass for Mars on my 51 list, but I have since read Pax Romana and was floored. He'll have to work hard to beat that one.

[number8]

I pretty much have every title in the relaunch by Snyder and Lemire on my pull list.

[megladon8]

I adored "The Nobody".

[number8]

I know you were staying away from Flashpoint, but his Project Superman with Lowell Francis and Gene Ha is a-MA-zing.

Once the Flashpoint minis are on trades, I'll be getting that and Azzarello's Batman. I've heard too much good things.


As for Hickman, I featured Red Mass for Mars on my 51 list, but I have since read Pax Romana and was floored. He'll have to work hard to beat that one.

Oh fuck yes. Give The Nightly News a try too. Not as great as Pax Romana, but a great debut nonetheless. He's going to be the main architect of the relaunched Ultimate Universe, and as much as I have given up on that universe, he's seeeeriously tempting me to dive back in. If there's anyone I can trust to save The Ultimates, it's him.

[megladon8]

For some reason I thought you weren't too big on Azzarello, 8?

Or is it just that you didn't like his run on Superman a few years back (the "For Tomorrow" storyline)?

[Sven]

Once the Flashpoint minis are on trades, I'll be getting that and Azzarello's Batman. I've heard too much good things.

Oh fuck yes. Give The Nightly News a try too. Not as great as Pax Romana, but a great debut nonetheless.

I read The Nightly News as well. It was good, though I felt I had read it all before. Still, excitingly told, and I love the endnotes.

As for the Flashpoint minis, get those two, as well as The Outsider (phenomenally creepy), and Secret Seven (Bizarresville). The rest of them have been middling (Citizen Cold, Deadman & the Flying Graysons) to effluvial (Wonder Woman, in particular).

[number8]

For some reason I thought you weren't too big on Azzarello, 8?

Or is it just that you didn't like his run on Superman a few years back (the "For Tomorrow" storyline)?

I'm not. I didn't like 100 Bullets, I hated For Tomorrow. Joker, I realized I liked the art more than the story. Pretty much the only two things of his I thought great were Doctor Thirteen and Luthor.

But the Flashpoint Batman mini has a fucking great premise, and I've heard that it's deliciously tragic and touching.

Not getting his Wonder Woman, though.

[number8]

By the way, all caught up on Scalped on trades. Cannot wait for Vol. 8 to come out. Aaron's Marvel work can be hit or miss, but I don't think he's made a single misstep on this series. I think it's the best Vertigo ongoing since Preacher, as much as I'm loving The Unwritten.

[number8]

It's getting to that point where my pull list is just too big. I realized that I'm getting 10 titles from the DC relaunch alone. Time to make some sacrifices. Sigh.

[ledfloyd]

sven, i noticed a lot of milligan on your list. have you read his run on x-force/x-statix with allred? i'm in the middle of it and it's completely batshit and kind of wonderful. i'm still kind of stunned marvel let them do this to x-force, even though that book was a waste to begin with.

this is the first milligan book i've read so i may have to look over your list for some others once i finish.

[Sven]

sven, i noticed a lot of milligan on your list. have you read his run on x-force/x-statix with allred? i'm in the middle of it and it's completely batshit and kind of wonderful. i'm still kind of stunned marvel let them do this to x-force, even though that book was a waste to begin with.

this is the first milligan book i've read so i may have to look over your list for some others once i finish.

Yeah I briefly mentioned his Allred X work in my blurby for the Blood of Apocalypse storyline. It is quite wonderful. Don't forget to pick up the two part Wolverine/Doop team-up by Milligan and Darwyn Cooke.

You picked a fine introduction to Milligan, who took me a little while to warm up to, but now that I have, he's my favorite writer. I highly recommend Human Target, which is, page to page, one of the best-written books I've read, and definitely doesn't skimp on the crazy.

[megladon8]

Sven I put "Justice League Dark" on my pull list as per your orders :)

[number8]

My LCS has a checklist form of the 52 for customers. I just finalized mine and going to drop it off this week.

- Action Comics
- Batman
- Batgirl
- Batwoman
- Justice League Dark
- Demon Knights
- Animal Man
- Frankenstein
- Swamp Thing
- Stormwatch

[Ezee E]

I'm going through the Batman comics loglines, and they all seem the same.

I'll probably just do Action Comics and Detective Comics since they come out in the same week, and call it good.

[Acapelli]

don't get detective comics, get batman

[bac0n]

Yeah, this new DC launch is gonna balloon my pull list something fierce. Thinking of:

JLA
Action Comics
Green Lantern
Green Lanters Corps
The Green Lantern Title with Kyle Rayner in the Lead
Flash
Red Lantern Corps (curious on this one)

[Ezee E]

don't get detective comics, get batman
Why?

If anything, I'll consider a few of the first Batman titles, but probably stick with one. All the titles seem to have the same story going on.

[number8]

Because it's written by Tony Daniel, and Tony Daniel is utter fucking shit.

Batman is being written by the best new writer around.

[Acapelli]

Because it's written by Tony Daniel, and Tony Daniel is utter fucking shit.

Batman is being written by the best new writer around.
so what did you think of how snyder wrote the joker? I really didn't like it at all and i considered it the only misstep in snyder's tenure writing batman.

also thought the dialogue in severed was really poor, but i won't put the blame solely on snyder since he has a cowriter on the book. and the plot itself is really compelling

and i agree with sven that project superman is an excellent book

[number8]

so what did you think of how snyder wrote the joker? I really didn't like it at all and i considered it the only misstep in snyder's tenure writing batman.

I didn't mind. It's not like Joker's never been written that way before. He was clearly referencing Morrison's Joker pre-RIP, the one with the scarred forehead and split tongue.

As to why Joker would be like that again after the Oberon Sexton business, he was going by Morrison's own concept that Joker wakes up a different kind of insane every day. After all, Paul Dini was writing a completely different Joker on Detective when Morrison was writing his Joker his way.

[Acapelli]

i understand that there is no definitive take on the joker and the character lends itself perfectly to multiple interpretations. i just didn't like snyder's take at all

and the only story i remember dini writing with the joker was the two-parter with his first appearance since he got shot in the head by that impostor batman in morrison's first issue. were there any other appearances in dini's run? i didn't read anything after heart of hush

[number8]

The one where he stole the identity of a shock magician, yes. Those issues came out after Morrison "reinvented" Joker in his prose issue.

[number8]

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-the-new-52-retailer-info-2-110808.html


NEW: If super-heroes have only existed for five years, how has Batman gone through so many Robins?

Robin is an intern program -and a very intensive one at that.

Hmmm. Not sure... if joking...?

[Sven]

Question: has Batman ever found out about the mindwipe that Zatanna gave him in Identity Crisis?

[number8]

Question: has Batman ever found out about the mindwipe that Zatanna gave him in Identity Crisis?

Yes. That's the whole reason he created OMACs, which led to Infinite Crisis. He really hated the Justice League during that period.

[Acapelli]

didn't they say that batman has been around longer than the stated five years since he was/is considered an urban legend in gotham?

[Sven]

Yes. That's the whole reason he created OMACs, which led to Infinite Crisis. He really hated the Justice League during that period.

Would you recommend reading the OMAC stuff? It sounds cool, and I like Rucka, but my reading list is astronomically large. I have to prioritize carefully.

[number8]

didn't they say that batman has been around longer than the stated five years since he was/is considered an urban legend in gotham?

Yeah, 10 years, to be exact, with his first 5 years underground before forming the League, but that's still a bit too young for 4 Robins (not counting Steph). Kyle Higgins said that Dick in his Nightwing series will be 21, and Snyder said that Bruce is now early 30s.

With Jason running around looking 18-20, then there had to be an overlap between him and Dick's tenure as Robin; otherwise Dick was only a Robin for a year or two at most.

[number8]

Would you recommend reading the OMAC stuff? It sounds cool, and I like Rucka, but my reading list is astronomically large. I have to prioritize carefully.

I was meh on it. I was meh on Infinite Crisis as a whole, though.

[Ezee E]

Who developed this realistic Batman timeline anyway?

[Sven]

Who developed this realistic Batman timeline anyway?

Buncha execs, likely, 'cluding some writers.

I finally just read, over the last few days, the first 49 issues of the Aquaman series that began in 2003. It was actually pretty good overall. The Veitch/Guichet arc that opens it is incredible comics, count me in as a Will Pfeifer convert, and John Arcudi's writing is surprisingly resonant. Gleason is like an elastic Doug Mahnke with a keen flair for dramatic blocking, Guice sells the One Year Later stuff, as does Winslade's excellent King Shark issues. Biggest complaint is the four awful John Ostrander issues, which are clunky and benign.

[megladon8]

I thought Batman was supposed to be in his early 40s in the "timeline" at this point?

[number8]

I thought Batman was supposed to be in his early 40s in the "timeline" at this point?

DC reboot, remember?

[Sven]

CA: In terms of Action Comics, how long are you staying on?

GM: I've got sixteen [issues] plotted so far, so I'll just probably stay on after the same way I did on Batman: I work out the first year or so and then I find myself getting much more involved in it once I've done a few issues, so I'm hoping once I'm done the sixteen I'll just keep going as long as it seems exciting.

CA: And after the first arc, we're going to be catching up the present day?

GM: Pretty much. Actually, the whole thing is much more complex than that, because I wanted to do a big story involving time. It's got the Legion in there -- a slightly different version -- and it's a big timeloop story. So we're seeing some of the past stuff, then we cut to the present, and then we go back to areas in the past so it's really a big, big story in the same way I did with Batman, telling the entire story of Superman's life but in a different way from Batman, which was much more linear and drawing on the elements of the past. This one's actually quite dynamic and moves through his life, and it's kind of Superman's life as seen from a five-dimensional perspective.

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/08/08/grant-morrison-talks-about-action-comics-his-batman-mega-story/#ixzz1UYSYrl9B

[number8]

Yep, that's Morrison.

[Sven]

I have only just been made aware of Seth Fisher via his two issues on Arcudi's Doom Patrol. Damn, so good! Damn, so sad!

[megladon8]

DC reboot, remember?


Yes I know I misunderstood, I thought you guys were talking about the current Batman (pre-reboot) who is supposed to be in his early 40s, no?

[Acapelli]

I have only just been made aware of Seth Fisher via his two issues on Arcudi's Doom Patrol. Damn, so good! Damn, so sad!
check out green lantern: willworld and flash: time flies

are you a fan of rozum? his current xombi run is one of my favorite comics on the stands right now and probably my biggest disappointment in the new 52 is the fact that they canceled it and we got 20 scott lobdell titles in return

[Sven]

check out green lantern: willworld and flash: time flies

I've also been told FF/Iron Man: Big in Japan is awesome. I'll probably get them all soon, because that's how I roll.


are you a fan of rozum? his current xombi run is one of my favorite comics on the stands right now and probably my biggest disappointment in the new 52 is the fact that they canceled it and we got 20 scott lobdell titles in return

Are you kiddin'? I've been singing its praises for months! (At my store, not here I guess). Awesome book. You know I'm an Irvingaholic.

[Sven]

100 Bullets is so good. 8, how much did you read before deciding you didn't like it? I just started the sixth trade and it just gets better and better. Risso's chops... goddamn.

[number8]

It's been years, I don't remember exactly. I stopped reading when it started focusing on The Minutemen and not standalone stories anymore.

[Sven]

It's been years, I don't remember exactly. I stopped reading when it started focusing on The Minutemen and not standalone stories anymore.

Just not interested? I've found that the way those stories are folded into this gigantic plot is one of the more amazing qualities of the book. And I love Risso's visual tangents that emphasize the periphery for mood and tension. This last issue I read has Shepherd and Graves talking in a bar, but focuses on the saxophonist. There's this incredible issue where an unrelated drug deal in a park parallels and comments on the book's proceedings.

[number8]

Just not interested?

Pretty much. I like snappy crime stories. The conspiracy it was setting up bored me.

Risso is always incredible, though.

[Sven]

Pretty much. I like snappy crime stories. The conspiracy it was setting up bored me.

Respek.

[ledfloyd]

so, um. i had read about 5 or 6 issues of transmetropolitan, a couple issues each of black summer and doktor sleepless, and his short run on iron man and decided that warren ellis just wasn't for me. i've more or less avoided his stuff since then, so imagine my surprise when jonesing for some cassady art i decide to read planetary and find it to be probably one of the top 20 comic books i've ever read.

wow.

[Grouchy]

I bought a huge bunch of comics recently:

Blacksad Vols. 1-3
Valentina by Guido Crepax Vol. 1
The Book of Genesis by Robert Crumb
The Boys Vol. 2-6

Batman vs. the Mad Monk
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn
DC: The New Frontier
Hellblazer: Tainted Love

Kraven's Last Hunt
Daredevil: Born Again

[megladon8]

How is that title "American Vampire" that Scott Snyder worked on with Stephen King?

[number8]

How is that title "American Vampire" that Scott Snyder worked on with Stephen King?

Pretty much universal acclaim.

King only co-wrote the first five ish though.

[Acapelli]

excellent series

the survival of the fittest mini is just as good and may have the advantage due to having sean murphy on art (though that is debatable)

[Acapelli]

also grabbed a few things on ebay:

Ultimates 1 + 2 (plus the annuals)
Desolation Jones
Phonogram

[number8]

I loved Phonogram.

[megladon8]

Placed an order for three Jonathan Hickman books:

"Pax Romana"
"The Nightly News"
"A Red Mass For Mars"

[Sven]

You'll like them a lot.

[megladon8]

I'm a little confused about what and when titles are ending before the DC reboot.

I just saw the cover for "Detective Comics" #881, by Scott Snyder, which is dated for November.

I thought everything was "ending" before then? I mean, the new "Detective Comics" title will be up in just a few weeks.

[Acapelli]

I'm a little confused about what and when titles are ending before the DC reboot.

I just saw the cover for "Detective Comics" #881, by Scott Snyder, which is dated for November.

I thought everything was "ending" before then? I mean, the new "Detective Comics" title will be up in just a few weeks.
well 881 already came out

[EyesWideOpen]

Yeah comics are like magazines where the month on the cover is usually months ahead. This is an old practice that was done so they can leave them on the rack longer because they found people wouldn't buy magazines where the month on the cover was already passed.

[Grouchy]

Yeah comics are like magazines where the month on the cover is usually months ahead. This is an old practice that was done so they can leave them on the rack longer because they found people wouldn't buy magazines where the month on the cover was already passed.
So that's why? Seriously?

Fucking mental.

[number8]

You guys seen these preview pages for Ultimate Spider-Man #1? Beautiful. I may have to get this book. All signs point to this being possibly very, very good.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1312835317.jpg

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1312835401.jpg

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1312835450.jpg

[number8]

I love checking out wordless preview pages and knowing exactly what's going on just from the art. It's a good way to judge how good the artist is.

[megladon8]

Wow yeah that art is gorgeous.

Gonna add that to my pull list today.

[Acapelli]

i'll probably picking up ultimate spidey for the first time ever also

growing up spider-man was my favorite superhero, so to see someone who's (half-)hispanic don the tights makes me really excited

[megladon8]

It also looks to me like he's much younger than the usual Peter Parker (unless that's a flashback or something).

Looks no older than 10 or 12.

[number8]

He's supposed to be 13, just starting junior high.

[Sven]

Read Heavy Liquid and 100% this weekend. I liked 100% best, though both are indelible. Pope's art is esoteric, even wild, but never hard to follow, despite the strangeness and grandeur of his vision. His narrative arrangement is deceptively straightforward, and he's more concerned with the emotional present of his characters than many ambitious comic artists, who often focus on conceptualism (which is definitely not a complaint).

[megladon8]

So remember last week when I decided to reactivate my pull list?

This is my pull list now...

Action Comics
Batman
Batman, Inc.
Batwoman
Detective Comics
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
Justice League
Justice League Dark
Punisher
Severed
Superman
Swamp Thing
Ultimate Spider-Man
Wonder Woman

:lol:

[Acapelli]

you should be getting daredevil

[Acapelli]

also, i'd pick butcher baker or red wing over severed if you're looking for an image title to follow

and you can't really do wrong picking up anything by brubaker and phillips (currently doing an arc of criminal)

brubaker's captain america and bucky is also probably the better cap series if you're looking for a cap book. he's collaborating with marc andreyko and chris samnee and it reads just like a criminal story, structurally speaking

[Acapelli]

and i would probably drop detective and superman if i were you

[ledfloyd]

am i the first one here to have been enchanted by moon & ba's daytripper? the art is beautiful, as one would expect, and while i found the story to be a bit trite at first it slowly builds to something quite affecting.

i also read king city recently, which is kind of a messier, crazier scott pilgrim that is loaded with hysterical puns.

and joe the barbarian, which was entertaining enough but nothing special.

my next project is tom strong. one of few substantial moore works i haven't gotten around to yet.

[Ezee E]

I almost wish I could just view these online at a price. I definitely won't be collecting these like I used to, unless these #1 issues are fancy.

[Sven]

I almost wish I could just view these online at a price.

Hmmm... it's almost as if that was their plan (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/06/02/dc-comics-rebooting-with-same-day-digital-release-on-ios-android-and-web-video-demo/) all along.

[Ezee E]

Hmmm... it's almost as if that was their plan (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/06/02/dc-comics-rebooting-with-same-day-digital-release-on-ios-android-and-web-video-demo/) all along.
Nice.

[megladon8]

and i would probably drop detective and superman if i were you


But you're not :p

Oh, forgot I'm also getting "Swamp Thing".

[number8]

my next project is tom strong. one of few substantial moore works i haven't gotten around to yet.

All of those ABC characters are so underrated. People rave about LoEG and Promethea (deservedly so), but man, Top 10, Tom Strong, Jack B. Quick, Terra Obscura, Cobweb, Greyshirt were all so great.

[Acapelli]

also, another image title that's gonna have a perfect jumping on point soon is haunt. kirkman, mcfarlane, et al. have left the book and joe casey and nathan fox are gonna be the new creative team

[megladon8]

All of those ABC characters are so underrated. People rave about LoEG and Promethea (deservedly so), but man, Top 10, Tom Strong, Jack B. Quick, Terra Obscura, Cobweb, Greyshirt were all so great.


I think "Top 10" is some of Moore's best work.

It's up there with his "Swamp Thing".