Posts Tagged ‘ 52 ’

Happy New Year, everybody!

I hope everyone – like me – had a great Christmas and New Year and are now over the inevitable illnesses and hangovers.

Just a few random thoughts:

Namor looks to be getting his own series – something I’ve been advocating for a while now.

Black Panther hasn’t been as bad as I feared over the last few issues – I too was a little put out by the way Goliath was buried and I’m glad it’s a point that showed up here although I’m a little mystified by the grave still being open. That whole Panther-having-Black Knight’s Ebony Sword-thing is beyond annoying, though.

Teen Titans tied nicely into 52 with the story of how Kid Devil got his new powers. I also enjoyed the nods back to Underworld Unleashed – wow, was that really 10 years ago? Also nice to see former Starman artist Peter Snejberg again.

I’m still buying Supergirl, though I really don’t know why.

The first trailer for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer has hit and I like it a lot. Nay-sayers be damned! Click here to watch!

Walking Dead Vol 5 shows that Robert Kirkman is one sick puppy. Maybe there aren’t many women reading it and that’s why I didn’t notice a huge outcry about what happens to one of the main characters here, but…well, let’s just say it’s really not for the faint of heart. And I’m not even talking about what happens to Rick…pretty gutsy move, Aquaman-ing the lead in a book like this. Roll on Vol 6.

Indiana Jones IV goes into production in June this year!

Pride of Baghdad is beautiful and touching but – and I know I’m sailing against the tide here – I’m not entirely sure that it deserves all the praise heaped on it. It’s a pretty simple tale and there’s such a thing as too much message. I’m a pretty sharp guy and I don’t need to be hit over the head with a brick to get what the writer is getting at.

Same goes for Happy Feet – perhaps the scariest film I’ve seen in a long, long time. Seriously.

I am beyond happy that Veronica Mars was Herc’s number one scripted drama in 2006 over on AICN. And let’s use this as an excuse to have a picture of our eponymous heroine cheerfully cribbed from EOnline:

I switched to trades for an X-book, picking up the most recent volume of New X-Men. It read well and cost me less than the regular titles would and the world did not end. This may not be the last book I do this for…

Ed Benes’ fantastic art will only cover up the cracks in Brad Meltzer’s JLA for so long.

I fear for Mary Jane…

Well, maybe not quite that good, but pretty damn close.

Last week’s books may well have constituted one of the best single weeks that I can remember, with hardly a mis-step amongst them.

Supergirl #12 finally had someone pointing out to Kara what a whiny little cow she’s being. The fact that that person was newcomer Terra (soon to be starring in her own mini courtesy of this issue’s guest creative team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Amanda Conner) just added to the fun – this is someone greener than Kara, and she still put her in her place. Great stuff.

Justice Society of America #1 is being lauded all over the place, and rightly so. As I posted over on Kalinara’s blog:

Pros: Maxine being a gushing fangirl and yet obviously having a lot more depth (her depression, having no friends…she’s coming across a little too healthy)

: Jessie and Rick and Jessie’s new costume

amage being a bitter bad-ass

:Ted and Alan and Jay being Ted and Alan and Jay

: Mr America’s look and reaction to his, er, tragedies

: Starman not being your prototypical hero – and being aware that he’s losing it

: Power Girl’s reaction to Maxine

:Courtney being…well, Courtney

:Coming this year in JSA!

Cons: Not a goddamn thing. Sooo much better than the JLA relaunch that it’s not funny.

52 #31 upped the ante with the death of Captain Comet and a look at new villainess Lady Styx and her cubes of doom (okay, they’re not called that but damned if that’s not what they are) who eats Green Lantern rings as snacks. Seriously. Looks like things aren’t going to be easy for the space-faring heroes… And the ‘who is Supernova’ takes a giant leap forward. I’m going to guess that he is indeed Booster Gold, and the Booster who died previously was in fact Daniel Carter (in fact I’ll go so far as to say that Daniel is the Booster we’ve seen since 52 #1…

Detective #826 had a note-perfect Joker taking Robin on a joyride with Batman only making a brief appearance in the best single issue of Paul Dini’s run yet.

Manhunter #26 returned in grand style in an extremely packed issue. My only concern is that it may have been a bit too packed for the new readers it was aiming for. Even so,looking good…

And Nightwing #127 continued to remind me that Wolfman and Jurgens actually get this character.

Elsewhere, Spider-Man: Reign kicked off in grand style with a Peter Parker that I felt genuinely sorry for – I’m not sure what exactly happened to MJ all those years before but I think that it’s what pushed Peter into retirement. It captured Peter – and the city’s – desperation in a really effective way. Comparisons are already being drawn to The Dark Knight Returns and it’s not hard to see why.

Beyond #6 sent off one of my favorite new characters in grand style with a promise that despite appearances this wasn’t the end, so that’s good to know. One of the most fun minis this year…

…a title it needs to fight over with Agents of Atlas #5 which focused on the origin of Venus and showed just what Namora can do when she lets rip, not to mention the fact that she has slightly icky feelings for a certain royal cousin of hers!

In another two other great minis, Doc Strange proved what a bad ass he can be (Dr Strange: The Oath #3), while the new White Tiger still hasn’t realised that the current DD is actually her uncle and former babysitter, Danny Rand (White Tiger #2).

In Uncanny X-Men #481, new boy Korus hooked up with Rachel while Darwin mashed some face as he tried to save Xavier from a particularly nasty looking torture machine.

And Eric proved himself to be a tool not once (getting it on with his dead best friend’s girlfriend on said best friend’s grave), not twice (hanging out after a lousy date waiting for sex) but three times (moving into said date’s apartment while ant-sized and cheerfully watching her shower). Yep, the Irredeemable Ant-Man is starting to live up to his moniker in #3 of his book!

On another planet, Incredible Hulk #101 gave even more hints as to who’s going to be the main target of the green behemoth’s rage when he gets home (hint: he wears red and gold) even as the big guy made some more unlikely allies in his war against the Red King.

Finally, in a galaxy far, far away, Luke and Tank seem to have reached the end – finally – of their friendship in the long-delayed Star Wars Rebellion #5.

Not a bum note in the lot!

Yes, I’ve been away – call it a confluence of being wiped out from a new job, busy doing extra-curricular stuff, missing James’ blog, whatever.

But the truth is even if I’m away from the blog, I’m never away from comics.

Now the blog might not be updated as much as it used to be going forward, but I will check in at least a couple of times a week – sound fair?

So what prompted me to check in this morning?

First and foremost, it’s the furore that kicked off yesterday over on Newsarama when it broke the news that Steve Wacker – editor of 52 -is leaving DC. A lot of readers were instantly up in arms saying that Wacker was unprofessional.

Huh?

I’m sorry, but what? He’s unprofessional to leave his job for another one in the middle of a project?

Where do these guys get off saying that?

To have people calling him unprofessional is unbelievable to me, and makes me wonder if half these posters have ever had a career – because that’s what this is to Wacker, a career. I’m sure he enjoys it and appreciates how lucky he is to be working in an area he loves, but it’s his career. And the one thing that’s true of any career is that if you don’t move, you stagnate.

Do I think the timing is odd? Yes, but only because I would have thought that 52 would have been a pretty damn good resume builder – but then, we don’t know what he’s been offered at Marvel (that’s where he’s going). For all we know, it could be a project so mind-boggling that it dwarfs 52 in scope.

A few creators, including 52 writer Mark Waid (who got really worked up), logged in to tell people how ridiculous they were being which seemed to shut most of the posters up.

So I say good luck to him, and good luck to DC with 52.

You may – or may not – have noticed that I haven’t posted those little week in review things I do for my comic purchases for a while. This hasn’t been for lack of purchases – although I have been getting a bit later in the week with them – but more for lack of stuff to say.

I’ve been enjoying a lot of the books that I’ve picked up (which is always a good sign) but I find that I’ve been tearing through a lot of them with very little to say after them.

So I’m remedying that now by just listing some thoughts down…not necessarily in order…and not a Civil War comment in the bunch!

1. Supergirl has improved exponentially with the latest issue to hit stands, #9. Now granted that’s not difficult as, let’s be honest, this has been a turd of a book for some time. Now free of Greg Rucka’s Candor arc (with a C not a K), this ish was a treat, looking at how Kara’s finding her way in the world. Guesting a load of characters who don’t steal the limelight from the lost maid of steel (with the possible exception of potential love interest Boomerang), this is a solid read. Looks like I’ve finally stopped wavering.
2. Robin – this is a good read – and once again, Boomerang guest stars. I really like the guy, despite not reading Outsiders anymore. Robin himself, though, has been best-affected by the OYL overhaul if you ask me, and for the first time in a long time (geez…since Chuck Dixon left, I guess) I’m actually looking forward to the next issue instead of being ‘meh’.
3. JLA – yes it has a longer name but I’m damned if I’m typing it. Solid first issue, with nice dynamics from the big 3 as they vote on a team – even though one’s forming without them. Although I’m really not sold on Batman calling Red Tornado ‘Reddy’.
4. X-Men – Astonishing, Uncanny and Adjectiveless have all turned in great recent issues – the creative switches on the latter two are really paying off, and Whedon and Cassaday are firing on all cylinders on the former. So….what the hell is going on? Is it all in Emma’s head or what? Oh, and I’m not convinced that Colossus is getting out of the 24 issues alive.
5. 52- for a title that I was on the verge of dropping this has been a huge turn around. It’s now the top of my pile every week. I’m not sure what happened about six weeks ago, but it’s like everything is just clicking now. Impressive stuff.
6. Star Wars KOTOR – I’m liking all of the SW relaunches, but this one takes the cake so far – really good fun even if it’s in an era that I’m completely unfamiliar with. Solid book.
7. Hunter Killer – wow. I thought they’d given up on this, then #6 rolled out a few weeks back – and it was very very good, deserving of a second immediate read which hardly ever happens. I’d recommend this to anyone, anyone at all.
8. The Escapists – surprise of the summer for me! A 6 issue limited series from Dark Horse penned by Brian K Vaughan framed with the same kind of conceits as the book on which the character is based, this is working on all kinds of levels for me. Highly, highly recommended.
9. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – PAD seems to be bringing back the classic Mysterio – about time this got cleared up as by last count there were 3 of them running around, including the dead one.
10. Sensational Spider-Man – meanwhile, over here Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is bringing back a lot of classic villains – Chameleon, Molten Man, Electro…after his first arc brought in Puma, Lizard, Stegron and the Black Cat amongst others, I’m a little concerned that he’s blowing through the classic rogues too quickly, but I’m having fun while he does.
11. Heroes for Hire – okay, kind of CW related, but this was a great first ish this week – and hey, Shang Chi and the Daughters of the Dragon in one book can’t be beat. Fun book with a good premise – I’ll be interested to see where it goes after the war is over.
12. Superman – fun fun fun. Both Superman books are in great hands right now, but the Busiek-Pacheco Superman gets the vote from me. Best it’s been in quite a while.
13. Thunderbolts – long time readers of mine will know that this is one of my fave books. And that hasn’t changed. The last issue, basically a set piece between Zemo and Cap’n A scored highly with me by referencing my all-time fave Avengers storyline, Under Siege. A change is coming to this title soon – and I’m curious as to what it will be. I think a new team will be rising following the Grandmaster arc…
14. Wonder Woman – it’s good but I think a lot of it has been spoiled by other books. I mean, we all know Diana is taking the crown back thanks to JLA. Not only that, but the fact that Dr Psycho is running around after getting his ass kicked in Manhunter is also irking me (although maybe that arc is set after this arc which would make sense given how Manhunter #25 ended…). Great art though.

Agree? Disagree?

Last week’s books, very quickly, as I have a lot on today -

52 #13 – Huge improvement – Black Adam, the new Isis, Ralph, Cassie…and Devem as the head of the Cult of Conner? Now why does Dev-Em sound familiar?

Batman #655 – Okay, I’m weak. I caved. Morrison and Andy Kubert proved to good to pass up; a great beginning to what I hope is a fantastic run. Good stuff.

Action Comics #841 – Another good issue; obviously he’s back, but is he the real deal? Lots of heroes show up to check the Man of Steel is for real – and we get the best Nightwing in ages. Damn shame its not in his own book…

Highlander #0 – Wow. Another Dynamite book I won’t be picking up. The one thing that really irks me about this book, the TV show and the sequels in general is the fact that we still have all these immortals running around after the Gathering. There can be only one. Sigh. Didn’t anybody read the tagline?

Annihilation: Nova & Super-Skrull #1 -I’m behind the curve on these but figured I’d pick em up. And I’m glad I did – both are excellent reads. I’ll be getting some more this week.

New Avengers #22 – Bendis has the man love for Luke Cage – I get it. Seriously, this is a good book, and the best Luke Cage I’ve read in a while, and his showdown with SHIELD is classic.

Black Panther #18 – I picked this up because of Civil War only, but I kind of enjoyed it. I’m curious how all the outlaw heroes got to Wakanda, but it’s a pretty good issue none the less. And Spider-Man’s confrontation with Man-Ape was great.

Captain America #20 – Another solid issue, if a little bit slower than others recently. Still, this is one of Marvel’s best books right now.

Front Line #4 – Oh dear. The Green Goblin’s back, Speedball’s powers are on the way back, and Atlanteans are still being sneaky. Another solid issue.

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1 – Zeb Wells is a very versatile writer – from last year’s New Warriors, to his overlooked Spider-Man/Dr Octopus Year One to this – he’s really proving his mettle here. I haven’t been reading Runaways since the relaunch but I had no problem with this book – and both teams were well characterised. Good book – and much better than the X-Men CW mini so far…

Daredevil #87 – Okay, so I kinda called one mystery here and another one here - and I’m still not disappointed. This continues to be Marvel’s best ongoing – there, I’ve said it – and I’m here for the long haul.

Amazing Spider-Man #534 – Spidey’s having doubts but that doesn’t stop him facing off with Cap…a good issue (continuity points aside) that really makes plain what Spidey’s going to be doing in the main title – I see a side-switching coming…

Wolverine #44 – another solid issue, and with Namor showing up on the last page next ish promises to be a doozy. Although I am slightly concerned about Damage Control. From solicits and the location of the mystery business men’s office and their conversation (about Nitro being a rainmaker) it looks like they have been causing disasters to stay in business…its an interesting twist and its not like I have a lot invested in them, but I kinda liked the idea of them being a humorous side of the MU…Ah well…

X-Men #189 – Another excellent issue in the X-Men resurgence. Good stuff all round, and Bachalo seems to be back on form.

Okay, so a day later than planned but still…here we go! Some spoilers may happen if you haven’t read stuff yet…

52 #11 – Okay this is better! Batwoman makes a splash and we focus on two of the more interesting sub-plots (Renee & The Question and Ralph Dibny) rather than the dull ones. Good work, and enough to buy me in for another month.

Battle for Bludhaven #6 – this series was a mess, and this issue is no exception . BUT – two good things came out of this; Captain Atom seems now to be sealed in the old Monarch armor from Armageddon 2001 (he was originally supposed to be the villain there, but DC changed their mind at the last minute) and secondly, what lies beneath Bludhaven has sparked my interest – I mean, I thought this had been introduced into the DCU in the most recent Superboy series, but I’ll take it here instead…Command D!

Flash #2 – And we’re done. I’m sorry, but as much as I kinda like Bart, I have zero interest reading him as the Flash right now. Sorry guys, but this book just isn’t working for me. A pity, as I was on the first volume solidly since Mark Waid’s first run, but….see ya.

Justice League of America #0 – Alright, I liked this. More a book about the trinity than the JLA, this still worked well – and I dug the flash forwards – let’s see what the future might hold: Hal Jordan’s wedding – and Bruce and Diana are already hitched – maybe to each other? Luthor fighting the trinity over Connor’s death; Clark mourning Pa Kent – and sealing up the tunnel from his room to the edge of Smallville (hey, wasn’t that pre-Crisis Superboy’s tunnel? Interesting…); Diana giving up her immortality to be with her man (who isn’t Batman, so who knows?); the Trinity sundered – maybe permanently – following someone’s funeral; the discovery of a second Earth (so Earth-2 take three?); Batman finally dies in a similar way to the Dark Knight Returns? Wow. It’s a hell of a read and a great pre-cursor to the new title. Great stuff.

Manhunter #24 – So-so issue; if Dr Psycho has been on trial and is now apparently powerless OYL, why is he popping up all over the show (Wonder Woman and somewhere else I don’t remember). I’m glad the book is going to get to #30 but I’ll be surprised if it lasts past that…

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #20 – This is a nigh-perfect superhero book but it somehow leaves me a little bit empty sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sticking with it but I’m not quite feeling it at the moment.

Star Wars: Rebellion #4 – Its Star Wars. What’s not to like? Looks like the Tank sub-plot is drawing to a close…and I actually didn’t see that coming with Jorin Sol. Fun book. Although I wish Solo was in it.

Cable and Deadpool #30 – hee hee! Deadpool getting beat by Squirrel Girl! Cable meeting with Cap! And Daredevil….or is it?…with a really cute clue as to his real ID (unless its a fake out):
From Cable & Deadpool a few months back…

and from C&D #30:

Thanks to the guys over at CBR forums!

CIVIL WAR #3 – this is shaping up to be great, and neither the pro or anti sides are coming up smelling like roses; on the anti, Cap zaps Iron Man and on the pro, Iron Man beats Cap severely. Can’t anyone play nice. Best bit in the issue for me was not the return of Thor (although I’d like to know why he’s pro-reg!), but the great characterization of Hercules rushing to Cap’s defence (“Out of my way you filthy traitors!) Plus Cap has a ‘tache in his new secret ID!

CIVIL WAR: X-MEN #1 – the first bum note in CW for me. I didn’t like this much at all, but I’ll get it because I’m lame.

DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON #6 – great end to a great series. I’ll be getting 5 if it carries on in this vein – Colleen and Misty have never been better!

SHE-HULK #8&9 – yes, Chris is posting me #8 first print but I decided to pick up the second print too – and I’m glad I did. Loved seeing Justice and Rage again, plus check-ins on the other warriors, and Shulkie’s marriage to John Jameson was really good fun. I also loved the dinner with Jolly Jonah, too – Slott really has a handle on comic book humor! And finally, I loved Pug’s wishful thinking – and I’m not entirely sure he’s wrong…

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #10 – Wow. In all the fuss over Amazing, I’m fairly sure this book is getting over looked a lot at the moment – and that’s a damn shame; PAD and Ringo have brought back Uncle Ben (not ‘our’ Ben, before you get your knickers in a twist!) and then added more twists – now we have Ben knocking about in the core reality, but its not even clear that its the Ben who was brought here from another reality – confused? Read the issue and you will be!

X-FACTOR #9 – A good week for PAD fans as X-Factor not only confront Quicksilver but also the Astonishing X-Men in a really, really good issue. Madrox’s face-down of Cyclops was classic, as is Madrox’s rescue of Aegis (a New Warrior I never liked from the second crappy series). Add to that X-Factor taking a stand against the registration act, and you’ve got one great issue.

UNCANNY X-MEN #476 – Ed Brubaker’s second ish continues on his strong start, as the team talk with Cyclops and steal a ship. And Warpath – like I said, a character I’ve always liked – is turning into a real star here. Plu, Billy Tan just keeps getting better!

It’s been a pretty strong week (and a big one) for me -but I’ve dropped Flash, Supergirl & LSH needs to pick up, and I’m dubious on the Uncle Sam etc series thanks to Bludhaven.

Time to go see if I can fit them somewhere…