Thomas Seitz |
A-zombie,
Not sure I'm that impressed with the new direction Punisher...but it's not like he's not doing his thing. So it's kind of meh compared to say, Immortal Hulk.
JL Dark is going interestingly, but as for the direction they took Nabu...it's not the first time one of the great Lords of Order came off as dick-ish...
Thomas Seitz |
A-zombie,
If magic didn't have a price, the fans would scream about magic saving the world and fixing it in 5 seconds.
Also yes, Thori is nice, but I'm annoyed that Thanos didn't go over to the Dark Council and be like "I'm Thanos. I've killed universes. Do not dick me over about killing Earth. That's my job." If only because then they might stop being dicks.
Detective Comics was a weird thing to setup but I like the new Outsiders, nonetheless.
thejeff |
A-zombie,
If magic didn't have a price, the fans would scream about magic saving the world and fixing it in 5 seconds.
Though this "magic having a price" thing is basically Aaron's schtick. It wasn't a big part of Dr. Strange (or Marvel Universe magic in general) in the past, at least in the runs I'm familiar with. Certainly not in Strange's first couple decades.
Set |
Well maybe because back then people didn't think magic could be used to solve everything...I guess.
Well maybe because back then people didn't think magic could be used to solve everything...I guess.
It's the gamer in me, but the lack of any sort of 'rules' or 'mechanics' for how magic works in comic-book universes can be a narrative headache and a continuity nightmare. For decades Dr. Strange can effortlessly teleport across space, time and dimensions, alone or as 'team bus,' and even, when he's kind of annoyed that Nighthawk (a fellow Defender) is asking for teleports too often just sort of craps out a magic ring of teleportation effortlessly, and theand wow, I can't see what UI'm typing now, because of the darn baner, so excuse the spelling, but he loses that ability because Bendis wants to have him on an Avengers team that has to spend a lot of time be on the way to missions talking in the quinjet...
I miss the Marvel Handbook days, (still can't see what I'm typing...), where magic was divided up into personal powers, trained power and invokations like Crimson Bands of Cytorrak and Winds of Watoomb. There was as least some familiarity to it, if nothing else.
(And thanks to the banner, I couldn't see the Submit Post button either, so I had to cut and past and log on using Chrome, since I can't use IE on this site anymore. I really have to kick the IE habit, I guess...)
thejeff |
Thomas Seitz wrote:Well maybe because back then people didn't think magic could be used to solve everything...I guess.Thomas Seitz wrote:Well maybe because back then people didn't think magic could be used to solve everything...I guess.It's the gamer in me, but the lack of any sort of 'rules' or 'mechanics' for how magic works in comic-book universes can be a narrative headache and a continuity nightmare. For decades Dr. Strange can effortlessly teleport across space, time and dimensions, alone or as 'team bus,' and even, when he's kind of annoyed that Nighthawk (a fellow Defender) is asking for teleports too often just sort of craps out a magic ring of teleportation effortlessly, and theand wow, I can't see what UI'm typing now, because of the darn baner, so excuse the spelling, but he loses that ability because Bendis wants to have him on an Avengers team that has to spend a lot of time be on the way to missions talking in the quinjet...
I miss the Marvel Handbook days, (still can't see what I'm typing...), where magic was divided up into personal powers, trained power and invokations like Crimson Bands of Cytorrak and Winds of Watoomb. There was as least some familiarity to it, if nothing else.
(And thanks to the banner, I couldn't see the Submit Post button either, so I had to cut and past and log on using Chrome, since I can't use IE on this site anymore. I really have to kick the IE habit, I guess...)
There was also a Defenders storyline, long before Bendis, where it was established his teleporting was weakening dimensional barriers and letting demons in or some such. It's a common thing to want to limit, especially in a team book where you want others to shine.
And Strange's abilities have changed drastically over the years anyways. Really starting sometime in the late 80s, I think. He's been depowered, gotten new power sets, come back to something close to the original approach, all multiple times.As for the old Marvel Handbook, that kind of division may have been laid out there, but it was never really adhered to in the comics.
Aberzombie |
Yeah, Strange's power levels have gone up and down over the years. I think that comes with a character being around so long, as well as having different writers (with different styles) working on him.
And I don't really mind the "magic coming with a price" thing. I just wish they didn't have to declare it EVERY SINGLE F~&!ING ISSUE. Sometimes more than once.
AAAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!
Aberzombie |
I'm a little iffy on some of the new books coming out for DC's Vertigo line. I picked up The Sandman Universe, and it was intriguing. Maybe I'll try one or two of the other books.
I think Spurrier is going to be writing The Dreaming, which could be cool. I'd be leery on Books of Magic and Lucifer, especially the later. The character was awesome as written by Gaiman. And I think Mike Carey re-captured that awesomeness in the solo series. After that, it was just meh.
I probably won't even bother with House of Whispers. Not that I don't like Voodoo-themed stuff, it just seems like a sad rip off to the old House of Secrets/House of Mystery books.
Aberzombie |
I've come to the realization Tom King is becoming one of my new favorite writers. There's a good bit of stuff he's done, and I've enjoyed (or am currently enjoying) pretty much all of it:
The Omega Men series from a few years back.
Mister Miracle
The Swamp Thing Winter Special
And even his issue of Kamandi Challenge.
I saw an article today that he's planning some kind of back-to-basics, classic Batman story. If they're going to put that in the regular Batman series, it might almost make me want to start buying that again.
Aberzombie |
I might finally have to drop Nightwing, though. The writing has really turned to crap. First they had the way-too-many-issues "Bleeding Edge" story. Then they felt the need to continue that in the Annual. Now they're still continuing it in the regular run.
Sure, they gave the arc a new title, but it's still the same f~!+ing story. Seems this Percy guy is just another craptastic, new-age comic writer. Incapable of telling a story in anything less than a dozen or so issues.
Aberzombie |
Not sure if the new Journey Into Mystery is going to be an ongoing thing or just a one-shot. If it was a one-shot, it was a good one, though.
This Hopeless guy proves there are still dudes out there who know how to tell a good story in just one issue.
If they continue the series, and can keep up the short stories like this, I might just add it to my list.
Aberzombie |
Hmmmm...Just saw an article about a new Martian Manhunter 12 issue series. He's one of my favorites, so I may have to pick it up. Hopefully, won't be as horrific as the stuff they've done with him in the last few years.
Although, 12 issues to tell a story seems lame (and sadly typical of modern comics writers). And what I've seen of the art, while interesting, is also kind of lame.
Thomas Seitz |
A-Zombie,
Regarding the Journey into Mystery, my understand it was just a one shot.
Yes Immortal Articulate Hulk is pretty better than barely a third grader talking Hulk.
Nightwing hasn't gone anywhere for me since Kyle Higgins left it.
The new Vertigo are interesting but I have to agree with one reviewer tha mixing Voodoo with the Dreaming is like taking Po' Boy Sandwich and putting a slab of deep fried Cod with a side of British Chips with it...
Also I have to say I'm annoyed we're not getting another Vision mini-series.
Thomas Seitz |
A-zombie,
Yep and they didn't do any favors to Dick Grayson by having him get shot. Plus the new Justice League comic, Odyssey, not great.
And then there's Doomsday Clock...which I thought could have been handled better.
Overall I think DC is going down the wrong path...but I think it's because Dido some how got control back.
Aberzombie |
The new path on Detective Comics has been really good, though. I like getting rid of the team crap. I just wish the dude could have told the story in fewer issues.
Batman: Kings of Fear is pretty cool as well. The whole Scarecrow psychoanalyzing Batman, but you don't know if it's real or not, has been fun.
Thomas Seitz |
A-zombie,
Yes Tony's parentage took a BIG hit when Kieron Gillen took over. That and it made Tony seem a little less special. But eh. Arno is weird but he's also been dicked over too.
Moon Knight's mental stuff is pretty done but the latest issue of Avengers #700 hints that they're not yet done with Moon Knight.
I gave up after Two Face started helping. That and I'm more interested in the Outsiders anyway...
Aberzombie |
Damn! That most recent issue of Immortal Hulk was dark, yet cool. I keep loving this series.
Kobra in Detective Comics! I love that organization, and would love to see it return to greater prominence. Maybe get a mixture of sorcery to go along with the hi-tech aspect. That would work really well if they also brought the Lord of Chaos back to a bigger standing.
The ending of Mister Miracle was.....weird. And kind of 'meh' to me.
Aberzombie |
Not a big fan of the Daredevil ending. It was just kind of "blah". Hopefully, the follow-up series will have a writer capable of shorter story arcs, but I won't hold my breath.
Immortal Hulk seems to be delving more into the supernatural side of things. Could be interesting. Kind of like Superman - a very physically powerful hero who is vulnerable to mystical forces.
Pretty much done with Doom Patrol. It's been very sporadic and kind of lame.
I'm also done with House of Whispers and Justice League Dark. The writing was just kind of lame.
And I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep Tony Stark: Iron Man going. It's been kind of idiotic. Tony's adopted and there's another, REAL Stark son. Lame. Plus, this subplot with the Controller and eScape has been dragging on too long.
Thomas Seitz |
A-zombie,
Immortal Hulk has been TOTALLY killing it with the horror vibe, especially for the body horror stuff along side the supernatural.
Daredevil's ending was pretty blah.
Doom Patrol...I think is over anyway. House of Whispers and JLD aren't doing much...
As for Tony's new book...yeah it's definitely not in Slott's wheel house like it was with Spider-man.
Aberzombie |
Not too long ago, DC issued their DC Essential Graphic Novel 2019 guide. It's got some great recommendations, although more are not so great. Still, since going through that book, I've purchased and read The Long Halloween & Dark Victory (both Batman stories), was well as Superman: Red Son. There might be a few more books from the guide I end up getting, but those three were a good start.
Since then, however, I've been going through my comcic book store's collection of collections, and picking out things that are interesting.
The Demon: From the Darkness, by Matt Wagner and Art Nichols - collecting the four-issue limited series they did. I always wondered how Harry had become a pillow for Belial....
Then, after seeing stuff about the new Hellboy movie, I realized I'd never read any of the Mignola Hellboy stuff. So I bought the four volume omnibus of Mignola Hellboy stories. Really looking forward to reading those, but first I'll have to finish....
....The DC Universe by Mike Mignola. I found this while looking for the Hellboy stuff. It's seems recent (just last year sometime) and is essentially a collection of various Mignola work for DC, going back to 1987. Most of it is Phantom Stranger and Superman, with a few Batman stories and one Swamp Thing thrown in for good measure.
Aberzombie |
And I still find myself swinging back in the direction of more Marvel these days. Especially with all the Conan stuff they're adding.
I'm getting the new Thor, Hulk, Ironman, Doctor Strange, Fantastic Four and Punisher. I was getting Daredevil, now Man Without Fear, and will probably pick up the new series when it starts as well. I've also added the relaunched Marvel Comics Presents. I loved the old run, and hope they can keep this one going.
Aberzombie |
Still loving Marvel's new Conan the Barbarian. Looking forward to the first issue of Savage Sword this week.
Marvel also had some really good one-shots recently: Journey into Unknown Worlds and Crypt of Shadows. Both were really well done.
DC's Mysteries of Love in Space 80-page Giant was also a fun read.
thejeff |
BPRD:The Devil You Know is abotu to wrap up and bring the Hellboy universe to a close
I've been tradewaiting those, so I hadn't realized that yet.
That kind of sucks. I'll miss it. What's Mignola going to do next? He's got basically his own studio working on that world and it's been pretty consistently cool.