Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Didn't get to the LCS until last night.

52 #24 - sort of convoluted with so many of Lex's heroes and other heroes popping up in this issue, got a headache from so many inconsequential characters showing up. They made "Elliot Maggin" into Oliver Queen's campaign manager of sorts. Elliot S! Maggin was a comic writer in the 1980s. Fate is still being dangled in front of Ralph Digny.

Birds of Prey 99 - The Batgirl mystery is still a mystery, but Babs was able to re-route the "Batgirl" part of it, but the girl behind the mask will show up again. Bizarro Black Canary was good for a few laughs, but the showdown between Huntress and Female Sharpshooter with the impossible cleavage wasn't too compelling. Black Canary's continued presence on the team appears to be in doubt, I guess we'll find out in the 100th issue next month who will and won't be on the team anymore.

Also picked up Desolation Jones, Runaways and The Authority.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Originally posted by Brett Gallman in the Superman Returns Discussion Thread:

At least DC tries to rectify/explain their continuity issues with their various crises. Marvel just sort of rolls along, constantly ret-conning stuff, especially here lately. (Lately meaning the last few years). Just to stay on topic: I pretty much grew up on the Byrne version of Superman, but I revisited it this summer, and I have to say I prefer the Birthright origin now





Hey Brett,

I like Superman: Birthright, it is a very well done story by Mark Waid and Lenil F. Yu, as a matter of fact, I waited until I had all twelve issues before I sat down and read the whole story. I know Birthright is newer and shinier , and as I previously stated it is a well done story, but once I finished reading it, all I could think was this story was an unnecessary retread of everything Byrne did, but Byrne did it in half the amount of issues.

As far retconning goes, Superman: Birthright is extremely guilty. According to that story, Lex Luthor actually spent some time in Smallville and was friends with Clark Kent. Of course, this totally goes against what was established in Byrne's Man of Steel and the subsequent Superman mytho's. Furthermore Brett, I don't know if you remember a one shot format that DC put out called Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography by Edaurdo Barretto. Simply put it is Luthor's equivalent to the Killing Joke and it is an very underated gem of a book.

Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography explores Lex's origin and firmly establishes why he is who he is, and the book never makes any references of him being in Smallville. Personally, I think Superman: Birthright was created to cash in on the success of the Smallville t.v. series. Another thing that bothers me with DC is that it hadn't even been twenty years before they went back and re-did Superman's origin, again. I also felt that Birthright somewhat treaded on territory already covered by Superman: For All Seasons.

From what I know, the only time Marvel has done something to the effect of what DC has done with Superman is when they had John Byrne re-do the Spider-Man origin and I think it is safe to assume that Marvel would like to sweep that under the carpet along with the Spider-Man Clone Saga fiasco. But Brett, I guess it goes back to what you were stating, Marvel accepts their errors and just keeps rolling along, where as DC seems to go back retell and origins. I guess it's just a matter of preference, to me these various crises every ten years or so just seems to confuse readers as they don't know which origin to stick to.

Personally, I was really excited about Infinite Crisis, but after having read the entire story, I found it to be a very unfocused mess. And now I find out that DC is going to issue another version that will clarify the story. I think perhaps Geoff Johns (the writer of Infinite Crisis) maybe spreading himself too thin, besides the various DC titles he was also involved in the writing for the Blade television series.

Anyway Brett, I got a bit long winded, but I found your post very interesting. I do like Superman: Birthright, but at the end of the day, I feel Byrne's Man of Steel said everything that needed to be said as far as a modern day Superman origin goes

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Yeah, there's no doubt that Birthright does a lot of ret-conning, but at least DC tried to explain all the continuity anomalties (even if said explanation was rather weak). I don't really dislike Man of Steel, it's just that it wasn't as great as I remember it being. Like I said, it was the version I grew up on, so it'll always be special. I actually do like how it handles Luthor (moreso than Birthright), so it still works in some ways. I also still liked the issue featuring Batman and Superman's first meeting. Who knows, in a few years I may revisit Birthright and end up preferring Man of Steel again.

In terms of Marvel vs. DC, I've always been a Marvel guy. Outside of GL, Batman, Superman, and Flash, I've never really been interested in DC. Marvel always seemed like a richer universe to me. That said, I like that DC at least recognizes its continuity issues and tries to rectify them. I agree that Infinite Crisis was a little disappointing because there seemed to be little or no consequence from the whole thing (so far). It is indeed just a matter of preference, but I like that DC acknowledges these things. I'm still a Marvel guy overall, though.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

That's funny because I am definitely more of a DC fan, which is probably why I wasn't as bothered by X-Men: The Last Stand as some were. Now Superman Returns well I think you've probably read my opinon on that film.

Although I prefer DC, I'm not above giving Marvel their props, as a matter of fact, I am seriously enjoying Civil War which so far has been running circles around Infinite Crisis. And I think the Spidey films are the best thing going as far as superhero films go.

Marvel's universe does seem richer,but then again they pioneered the whole idea a of universe where all the heroes and villains exist. I remember back in the 80's when Marvel launched their Handbook of the Marvel Universe. It first came out monthly in the comic format, then it was later rereleased in a deluxe paper back edition. I have the deluxe edition and I swear DC's equivalent Who's Who has never quite rivaled Marvel's handbook.

As a matter of fact even these newest incarnations of the Marvel Universe Handbook aren't as good as the 80's version.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Civil War is absolutely owning Infinite Crisis at this point, if you can get past some of the issues that some have raised about it. Even with its issues, it's far more compelling than Infinite Crisis already. To me, Infinite Crisis started well, but it just lost some steam along the way. I really liked re-introducing the idea of multiple earths (something that looks to be returning), and the return of the Earth-2 Superman, but it just seemed like nothing really happened in the end. Maybe the ramifications haven't been fully revealed yet. I'm definately not above giving DC a lot of credit. I will say that 52 has been good so far, and I'm enjoying both Batman books at the moment, especially Detective Comics.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

The new bimonthly schedule of Civil War isn't winning any points from me. Whatever momentum and interest I had for it has waned quite a bit.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

That's definitely gone. It was directly contradicted in the last issue of Amazing before JMS took over. Instead of being caught in an explosion and saved by a dying spider, it was back to Peter simply being bitten by a spider at a school science demonstration.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Hey Patrick,

I agree, the bi-monthly thing can get a bit annoying, because too much time has gone by between issues. The bi-monthly release date is one of the reasons why I haven't bothered with Alex Ross "Justice" plus the fact that he has a scene where Superman was actually crying (tears coming out his eyes) while getting the crap beat out of him byBizzaro, Brainiac, and I believe Parasite. I have no problem with Supes taking a licking by his enemies, but don't have the man crying like a sissy.


Hey Brett,
My biggest problem with Infinite Crisis was that during the build up to the mini-series, DC was alluding to the fact that the whole Crisis was a result of the Big Three's core falling apart. But when I actually read the entire story, so little of it had anything to do with Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. Infinite Crisis spent too much time on secondary characters that I really didn't care about. As a matter of fact, the individual mini-series (like Villains United) that lead up to Infinite Crisis was far more entertaining. As far as 52 goes, I just don't have the time to keep up with that series, as it is I'm somewhat behind in my collecting. I think DC tried to make another Crisis on Infinite Earths but in less time and didn't really succeed.

I'm not too crazy about DC possibly trying to re-introduce multiple Earths, if this is where they're heading as a result of Infinite Crisis, then I think DC maybe in for some problems.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

*shrug* DC has had problems ever since they decided on running the original Crisis...

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Titles from last week:

Runaways 21 - finally the latest story arc concludes. This might serve as a good jumping-off point for this reader as the cast isn't doing it for me anymore.

Wildcats 1 - decent relaunch effort by Morrison and Lee. It's too bad the title might end up being a bimonthly book, something I don't think breeds long-term success or a loyal following.

This week's haul:

Jack of Fables 4 - pretty entertaining look at Jack's plan to escape his current situation, and it involves having so many other fables getting while the getting is good (escape-wise).

Uncle Sam 4 - this issue was sort of violent and Phantom Lady finally learns the truth about her dad, and the story is all over the map. If this were an ongoing title, I'd probably drop it, but I'm half-way there for this 8-issue series.

52 Week 25 - this week's installment makes me think the concept is running out of steam and we're just half-way there. Ralph's subplot was probably the only interesting bit in the issue this week.

Planetary 26 - the finale to an interesting ride by Ellis and Cassaday. I'm going to have to set aside a couple of days and re-read the whole she-bang because I know I've forgotten some details that would make this issue a bit more meaningful. One more aftermath issue to look forward to, perhaps by early in 2007.

Justice 8 - I'm having fun reading this 12-issue maxi-series, and can't wait to re-read it when the 12th issue comes out next year.

Action 844 - Richard Donner and Geoff Johns are up to the plate for the writing chores on this title, and from the looks of it, they are setting up the introduction of what could be another Kryptonian youngster who literally falls out of the sky (or perhaps hyperspace) and into Clark and Lois's household. I look forward to see where they are going with this storyline.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Who looks suspiciously like the kid from Superman Returns. Pretty weak, especially coming the same week as the hilarious self-parodying Superman/Batman Annual #1

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Has anyone seen or heard if the "LOEG: The Black dossier" is out yet? I think it should of appeared in October. I'm picking up my books this weekend, so if I missed it I'm going to have to scramble to pick it up.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Obviously his is really important to me, I subconciously posted it twice.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Not yet; I think DC/Wildstorm/ABC has taken it off the schedule with production problems - IIRC, it's got a 3-D section, foldouts, a CD packaged with it, and all sorts of other crazy packaging.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I can live with delays, I just don't want to miss it! Thanks for the heads up!

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

"Early next year" is the word regarding LOEG: Black Dossier.

Yesterday I finally took advantage of that "$10 off orders over $30" sale at Buy.com and ordered the JLA/Avengers crossover. Got it for about $38, which isn't *too* bad considering the cover price...

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I still have to read the JLA/Avengers books, a friend gave them to me a while back. I've heard they're good.

Anyone seen "EC Archives WEird Science"? It was supposed to be out last month too.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

52 #26 - it's the half-way point through the run, and I'm still ambivalent to this concept because these secondary characters aren't very interesting, but I can't quite quit the year-long series. Now, Osirus getting to name a mutated crocodile isn't your average storyline.

Superman Confidential 1 - not a bad start in a story arc featuring Superman's impending first encounter with kryptonite a week after he makes a huge splash saving a plane full of passengers for his first document super-feat. (Obviously no ties to Superboy or Smallville in this title).

Justice League of America 3 - The writing's a little wordy, a little confusing with all these tornadoes spinning around, but I'm still going to hang with it for now. Plus the sniping between the big 3 and their own membership status is sort of funny.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes - this was actually a promising start to getting to the bottom of the very presence of Supergirl in the 31st century.

The Authority 1 - that was a brisk read, maybe too brisk for such an anticipated title relaunch for me (with Morrison and Ha on board).

I still have 3 other issues to read: She-Hulk, Agents of Atlas, and Mystery in Space.

I did make use of the $10 Google checkout deal at buy.com and ordered Absolute New Frontiers.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I tried my second issue of Amazing Spider-Girl, figuring it must be a hidden gem as many times as the previous title was saved from cancelation by rabid fans. I just don't see it. It's the same horrible Tom "Mr. Exposition" DeFalco hackery as when he was a regular Spider-Man writer. I read one of his Spider-Man issues recently, and I swear this is barely an exaggeration. He had Spider-Man swinging through the city with thought boxes that were saying, "I can't believe I, Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, am hiding that I'm back in the costume from my wife, Mary Jane Watson-Parker, the former TV star and current supermodel. And on top of that, J. Jonah Jameson, my boss at the Daily Bugle, is going to be furious that I'm late for my meeting." And now, in this issue of Amazing Spider-Girl, it's the same damn storyline, basically! Seriously. "I can't believe I, May 'Mayday' Parker, am lying to my mother, Mary Jane, that I am back in the costume as the Amazing Spider-Girl after I was almost killed by the Hobgoblin, one of Spider-Man's--my father, Peter Parker's--old enemies." And, of course, all of that information was provided in the recap page at the beginning of the book! Just horrible.

Of course, I think Bendis kicks ass with Ultimate Spider-Man, and any other incarnation of the character is now tough to read.

Other two books this week: Ultimate X-Men and Ant-Man, both Kirkman-penned books. I also planned to get Dr. Strange and Civil War Runaways, but they'll have to wait. Jury's still out on Ant-Man, but the opening book was not bad. UXM is the only book in a while that I've been actively waiting to read.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I think Spider-Girl has a core following that's mostly made up of "classic" fans who see the book as a little oasis of old Marvel storytelling in the midst of Quesada's "We Hate Our History" regime. Unfortunately, DeFalco just isn't a very good writer. Is he still using that tooth-gnashing 2nd person narration? "You are Mayday Parker! You are Spider-Girl!" No, I'm really really not, so quit telling me I am.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Would an example be her failing at something and berating herself? "You are May Parker! You can do this!" I've only read the two issues, so I don't really know. I was too busy being annoyed about all of the needless exposition. I'll maybe give it a couple more issues since I'm a Spidey fan, but it's not really getting it for me. The good news is, it saves a lot of effort in trying to build a Spider-Girl Vol. 1 collection.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Stormwatch PHD 1 - not a bad re-introduction to Stormwatch, albeit with a smaller budget and lesser superpowered members.

Doctor Strange The Oath 2 - I'm enjoying BKV's dialogue in this miniseries between the characters as they hunt to find, basically, the cure for cancer.

Y The Last Man 51 - another nice installment as we get closer to finding out why almost all of the men on earth died 4 years ago. 355 and Toyota's fight on the rooftops was also good.

Gen13 2 - this reimagining of the core Gen13 crew still takes a little getting used to by me (as they make their break-out attempt), but it's still on the "buy" list.

52 Week 27 - Ralph and Spectre can't quite strike the right bargain, so Ralph has to go elsewhere. Montoya learns that Charlie's health is questionable.

Superman 657 - This was a trippy look into the next too distant possible future courtesy of Arion, can't wait for the next issue.

Batman 658 - finally Morrison's first arc concludes, and Talia's son is going to be a handful when he grows up because he has no compunction on inflicting pain and suffering and death. It was a good opening arc.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I found this very interesting and fun article on the "How Stuff Works" web page.

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/superman-vs.htm I hope the link works.



In the article by Tracy Wilson and Robert Valdes, Superman is pitted against various foes from other media (i.e.,comics, books, and movies). One of the battles I found interesting was Supes against the X-Men, a battle I've long wanted to see. Wilson and Valdes seem to think that Rouge could possibly give Supes some trouble and she probably could, but the authors of the article forgot one important character: Parasite. A long time enemy of the Man of Steel whose absorption powers aren't unlike Rouge's. Basically what I'm saying is that Rouge's got nothing for the blue boy that he hasn't dealt with before but much worse from the Parasite.

Anyway, love to hear opinions on the article.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

In case anyone's interested, tfaw.com is selling Dark Horse's "Joe Kubert's Tarzan" archives for 75% off if you use the promotional code YOUJANE. That comes to $12.49 (plus shipping) for books that are normally listed at $49.95.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Squadron Supreme - nice knock-out, drag-out fight for the entire issue. Was pleasantly surprised to see Gary Frank doing the artwork, but I suspect it was his last issue on the title for now.

Astonishing X-Men - pretty twisted issue at times, and a bit confusing, more about the group of X-Men being confused mentally and being used as pawns.

52 Week 28 - so what does Red Tornado have to do with "52"? Hmm... The subplot with Animal Man, Starfire, Adam Strange and Lobo bouncing around the galaxy is leaving me cold.

Birds of Prey 100 - the team gets some new blood (love some of the "no way in hell am I'm accepting Oracle's invitation" scenes). Black Canary and Sin's story provided some character development for Dinah and her own relationship with her mother.

Civil War 5 - So were the delays worth it? Probably not for this setup issue for the home stretch. Spidey appears to have a change of heart, albeit maybe a little too late to undo the harm he's done to his loved ones' quality of life (practically forcing them into a witness protection life of subterfuge and evasion).

Holdover from previous week:

Agents of Atlas 4 - I get this mainly because I know the writer, but I think my unfamiliarity is limiting my enjoyment of this miniseries, but it's not a bad read, just sometimes the storytelling/background goes too quick for this reader.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Have to say that the art in CW#5 is WAY down from the standard of the first four. Guess the delay didn't help McNiven much. Looks rushed and muddy.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

Picked up five today, but I'm not sure if I can remember them all:

Ultimate Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man
Punisher War Journal
Wolverine
Umm . . . something else

Only read Amazing so far. Eh. I don't think I'm really liking the direction they took Spider-Man in the Civil War. I don't know if he can get back to where he's supposed to be, with the big reveal. I guess this book illustrates that Marvel just can't wait for Millar/McNiven, because it takes place after the yet-to-be-released CW #6. It really isn't essential to have read #5 or 6 before this issue, which may say a lot about the main story.

Main one I want to read this week is Ultimate Spider-Man, so I'll save it for last. Is Mary Jane the new
Warning Spoiler! Click to show

I'm interested to read Punisher War Journal, but I don't think I like the idea of a series launching in the middle of a crossover. The first cover is already messed up with the Civil War half-art design. Plus, we'll be dropping into the middle of the already-ongoing storyline instead of the book standing on its own. Would be more fair to judge it after I read it.

Oh, yeah. The fifth title was CW: Frontline.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I've been sick for the past 10 days, so my comic reading has been backed up, but here's my take on the past 2 weeks of comics for me:

Mystery in Space 3 - The good captain finds that his new teleportation powers lead to some wicked dreams and also places him in not so good spots in the universe.

Jack of Fables 5 - Another good entertaining installment of Jack's quest to escape. I really like the artwork on this title.

Uncle Sam 5 - If you like seeing Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters get their asses handed to them on a monthly basis, this is the book for you. Sheesh! At least the painted artwork didn't seem as rushed as last issue did.

52 Week 29 - Lex's new team of manufactured super-heroes don't sit will with the remaining members of the JSA, especially Obsidian. The Sivana family meal with other smart inventors turns into a harrowing Thanksgiving feast of sorts, and Will Magnus is in over his head. John Henry finds out a startling revelation about Lex's generosity with doling out the super powers.

Runaways 22 - into the last few issues with BKV, and this title always feels "right" when Alphona does the artwork, the fill-ins just don't cut it for me. I liked this issue, and Chase is looking for ways to get Gert back, but it means a sacrifice is needed for his plan to succeed.

Supergirl and the LSH 24 - Supergirl faces a choice of either staying on Kandor in a sealed syster or sticking with the LSH. Hey, look who's back from the Phantom Zone: Mon-el. Tinya uses her powers to communicate with him, and he has been trying to warn the Legion about the bad guys from Rokyn.

Action 845 - I enjoyed the twist about the new super kid in Clark and Lois's lives. The artwork is very dynamic, but a little tough to take in on a Superman titles on a regular basis. I applaud the action and emotional content from the artwork, but it's also a little jarring.

Wonder Woman 3 - the title that is losing so much steam from becoming a quarterly. The story is all over the place, the artwork is nice, but the wait is almost too mcuh to handle for this title.

52 Week 30 - Finally some info on Bruce Wayne's sorting out his inner demons and Nightwing and Robin are there to help. Nightwing and Batwoman meet for the first time, and Nightwing is impressed (loved his quip about liking the redheads). Montoya continues to fret about Charlie's condition. This issue flowed better because I character about the major characters being showcased.

Ultimate Power 2 - A pretty book that featured about 16 pages of Squadron Supreme talking like Flipper (that was an observation from one of the Ultimate characters), and it felt really really padded. But I'm a Land junkie, thus I buy and buy.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)

I didn't read about it until just now, but Dave Cockrum died a few days ago.

Re: Comics: The Weekly Rundown (was Heroes Con 2006)