The stupidest thing in all of comics is how they let the Joker go everytime and someone is all “I can fix him!”
Lamest plot device ever.
Oh yeah, I have to say something about KC, I liked it. I just got Scott Pilgrim 4, highlarious.
Now I have to wait another year or so for 5. :*(
Reading Arkham Asylum is like a fire at the circus: it’s intense. (Pun = read “intense” as “in tents.” HAHAHA) I think I’ve read it two or three times in the past several years now and it still boggles my mind. My friend also got the anniversary edition so I had to read those liner notes to figure things out. It’s kind of a pretentious story in that way, but it seems like every time you read it, it’s just clear enough to expand your mind a little bit more. I don’t think there’s anything else like it in the Bat Bibliography.
Now it’s time to graduate and read The Filth, baby.
I like Kingdom Come because it just taps into the mythology of superheroes. It’s like a giant crossover comic, only with a coherent plot with an acceptable conceit and really nice art. I don’t think it will set the circus on fire like Arkham Asylum or The Filth, but it’s an enjoyable read. To me, it’s one of those stories I can read without having to think too hard, or I can try to think about what Waid and Ross were going for with their metaphors; either way, I find it relaxing.
I finally gave the first Scott Pilgrim a try last week. I read the first couple chapters of it. I should add Knives to the Definitive Asian Comic Book Characters list. Too bad I’m so damn lazy. When I save up a few bucks and finish reading more of the other stuff I’ve had stockpiled, I will probably try to get all of those Scott Pilgrims. That’s great comics.
Other stuff I’ve read:
Ex MAAAAAAACHINA!!!1 v.6 - It’s the Power Down storyline. Boy, did they cross a line I did not expect them to cross. It was crazy. [Spoiler=] Did they just introduce an alternate reality?! The plot thickens like the Marshmallow Man’s thighs.[/Spoiler]
Silent War - This was surprisingly good. I never really got into David Hines’ work. I read the first two or three District X TPBs but didn’t think they were anything special, but this semi-Civil War/House of M side story impressed me. Maybe it was Frazer Irving’s ridiculously amazing artwork. I still don’t quite understand why the Inhumans wanted to go war with the humans when it was just Quicksilver who stole the Terrigen Mists, and I don’t understand why or how Maximus so easily seemed to overthrow Black Bolt. I also have no idea if Hines coordinated at all with Greg Pak and Bendis when he wrote this. Oh well. So maybe the story isn’t as good as it could have been, but the art definitely makes it a worthy read.
The Marquis v.2: Intermezzo - This TPB collects the other Marquis stories Guy Davis has done so far. I hope he does more. There are two short arcs in this book and both of them are very good, even if they don’t exactly feel like a sequel to the first book. Guy Davis must have a depraved imagination because his designs and drawings of demons are some seriously fucked up stuff. DC should try to bribe him away from BPRD for a few months so he can draw DC Zombies - in the immortal words of Randy Moss, that’d be “STRAIGHT CASH, homey!”
Is that what it’s called? Because I need it. Over my vacation, I reread all my TPBs, from “The First Hundred Days” up to “Smoke Smoke.” I am ready for more Ex Machina.
Yup. Power Down is the title of the latest TPB.
Alright, I just got back from a drive about town, and neither Just For Fun nor 21st Century have it in. Either approximately four of them were sent to the East Lansing area, or Ex Machina is more popular than I realized.
21st is going to call me as soon as they get more. I don’t know how I’ll survive the week or two until that happens.
Damn. I feel your pain, goody. That’s what happens when you don’t check sano’s New Weekly Comics Thread. He cockblocks you from what you want and need.
Hey quick question, does anyone know if Marvel’s “The End” series was ever made into a trade or is it only available in the six floppy issues?
The End is a mini series featuring Thanos and Warlock (I believe, or I could be thinking of another series).
The End was made into a TPB but it is out of print now. Your best bet is just to check with a local comic shop to see if they somehow have any left in stock or go to a convention or something. I just did a search on eBay and people are selling the issues. Doesn’t look too cheap, though. Sucks.
alright so one did exist at some point in time, and thanks for checking ebay for me i appreciate that, i did the same before posting and saw only individual issues that’s why i wasn’t so sure. right now i’m attempting to pick up all the stuff that featured Thanos (other than original iron man stuff, too much money there). anyone actually read “The End”? i’ve heard it’s good shit from the one review i saw on it, and that was on amazon.com so yeah… lol
I think it’s all right. There was also a lead-up miniseries to it, Infinity Abyss. I didn’t really find Infinity Abyss memorable but The End wasn’t too bad. I only read the issues way back when they first came out so my memory is hazy, but I remember enjoying it for what it was. I am sure that if you enjoy all the other Jim Starlin Thanos (and various other cosmic) stuff, you’ll find plenty to like about The End.
yeah i have Infinity Abyss (ran across it while looking for Crusade) and I agree, nothing TOO spectacular but interesting nonetheless 
I hear you man. I’ve read The Filth 4 or 5 times and I still don’t think I have any clue what actually went down.
This thread - and the rest of the comic forum for that matter - is a goldmine for a newb. Some stuff I’ve read recently:
Lex Luthor: Man Of Steel - It was cool. I liked the concept of “spending a day” in Luthors life. The story obviously spanned more than a day so I mean metaphorically of course. It was deep, yet straightforward, and all that jazz.
MoS
I didn’t understand that Superman vs Batman fight scene though. Did Superman get pissed off just because Lex Luthor offered Bruce kryptonite and he took it?
DC/Marvel Crossover Classics 2 - Out-of-character-patriot-Joker along with Punisher’s cheesy 90’s action flick-style-monologues made the whole thing reek of sucktitude. The Superman-Silver Surfer issue was decent though.
Identity Crisis - The Deathstroke scene was borderline exaggerated, but I still think he could pull it off, especially if the JLA would’ve been one or two [wo]men short. Other than that, the story is awesome. The dialogues are pretty “human”/real a la Watchmen. I think DC was on to something back then, when it came to how to redefine comics, but they kind of screwed it up after Infinite Crisis, with 52 and all that crap.
Identity Crisis
The murderer was both good and disappointing. I liked the idea of a super hero’s relative, or in this case ex-wife, going psycho, but I think it would’ve been at least equally epic if a villain did it.
The Immortal Iron Fist: The Last Iron Fist Story - Straight forward story about Iron Fists origin. 'Nuff said. Actually it is typical Marvel to make their stories more action-packed, instead of thinking up something to reflect over. At least that’s how I interpret it. That’s not a bad thing though, it’s pretty much a matter of preference. 'Twas awesome. One thing though. When I read this, and the story arc before Planet Hulk, I couldn’t help but wonder: Does Marvel always use Hydra as plot device?
Green Lantern: Rebirth - Man, I was sceptic for this one. I’ve never liked Hal Jordan. I just couldn’t see him as one of the classic heroes, like Bruce Wayne, or Barry Allen. The whole Parallax-saga was ok, but him becoming a Spectre was kind of a lame reason to keep him alive. Kyle is cool. Gardner is a jerk and John acts like a robot lol. But Hal is just generic and undefined.
Anyway, I liked Rebirth; it told about the GL-origins and lots of other stuff that made puzzle pieces fall in place. It also made Hal somewhat likeable. The interaction between the GL’s and Batman was alittle corny at times though. They portrayed Batman like some trouble maker bully who wants nothing more than to intrude and ruin the boy scouts’ (read: the GL’s) clubhouse. The original proposed script was worse though: I bet Geoff Johns just wanted to make Batman the villain as a plot device to make Hal Jordan over. Sheesh.
Punisher MAX: 5 - The Slavers - I’d be aimless with Marvel TPB’s if it weren’t for this thread lol. I loved the realistic, gritty down-to-earth story. It was quite deep too. MAX puts Punisher in his proper element and environment. I mean, after reading this, I think the regular Punisher mags, like War Journal, look soooo PG-13.
Superman: Red Son - This, is like, one of the most epic ones I’ve read so far. It started of pretty basic, and it gradually became something else, if that makes sense. Simply put, it was awesome. I couldn’t help but to both like and dislike Superman, the Bizarro part was sad and Soviet Russia Batman is pimp. And the ending monologue was one of the most tragic, touching and powerful “scenes” I’ve read.
Batman: Long Halloween - I really wanted to read Year One before this, but the store didn’t have it, so I guess I have to read it later. Long Halloween is also one of the best one’s I’ve read. I like how it started off as a regular crime-detective-slightly noir-story, and then finished as one but with a very interesting and insightful twist. I planned on reading it slow and steady, but I couldn’t put the damn thing away 
I’m definitely going to buy Dark Victory and Haunted Knight, now that I’ve read Long Halloween. They’re as good too right? Or are they those kind of sequels that can’t live up to the original masterpiece?
I’m thinking about getting the Annihilation-trilogy. It looks really interesting. Marvel knows how to make good covers. That’s why I bought The Last Iron Fist Story lol. Anyway, Annihilation, seems to be some kind of epic intergalactic saga. However, I don’t know the backstory, I don’t know any of the characters on the cover except Silver Surfer (though I think Galactus was also on the cover, and Thanos, but I don’t remember) and I’m generally not much of a Marvel-fan. Will I still like it?
I’ve never read this one, but I always hated the way DC has treated Hal after the Crisis. They shit all over Hal in a way that even makes their treatment of Supes look good.
I also remember being kind of sore that Bruce Timm and Co. put John in the JL cartoon instead of Hal. I don’t think I’d have minded so much, but their version of John is closer in personality to old school Hal Jordan than the actual John Stewart of the comics. They basically made a black Hal in order to add diversity to the original seven.
(Note: this is not indicative at all of my opinion of Justice League as a whole, or any of the other DCAU cartoons. They’re all excellent. This is just one of my initial gripes with the show.)
Anyway, that’s my tangential “modern DC sucks” rant of the moment.
I recently re-read this one for probably the dozenth time. I agree; it’s an excellent book. Maybe the best of all the Superman-related stories under the Elseworlds label.
Dark Victory is a direct sequel to the Long Halloween. If you enjoyed the Long Halloween, you will probably enjoy Dark Victory as well.
Haunted Knight is a collection of short stories that, storyline-wise, is not related to the previous two books. It’s worth a read, but it’s hardly essential.
Nice round up, SZy.
I think we discussed the Batman/Superman fight from Man of Steel over in goody’s Superman Thread.
Hydra doesn’t seem to appear as often as they did in the old days, but I think they’re making a comeback. Brubaker’s been using them in Captain America in addition to Iron Fist, and they were in a key Wolverine story a couple years ago. They’ve shown up or been mentioned in New Avengers, too.
I don’t think Haunted Knight is worth a read. Each of the chapters is just a Halloween-themed gimmick story. Nothing creative and it’s hard to enjoy even for purely the art because the stories are so lackluster. Dark Victory is good, but Haunted Knight isn’t even fun.
goody, I’m surprised you haven’t read GL: Rebirth. For shame, goody - I thought you were a Hal fan. This is the one that fixes all that stupid shit DC did. I mean, it’s no All-Star Superman or anything, but it rightfully restores Hal.
Lots of people liked Annihilation. I think Painy’s a big proponent of that story. I only read the Drax mini and the first couple issues of Annihilation itself. Thought it was very good. Even though I didn’t read most of the lead-up miniseries, the first few issues of Annihilation were pretty satisfying and not confusing at all. (Unlike Infinite Crisis.) You learn all you need to about the characters just by reading it. If only the TPBs were cheaper…
The Deathstroke fight was just one of the stupid aspects of Identity Crisis, a comic I could rant against for paragraphs. You know what’s a huge problem about that story? They could have skipped most of the plot events if the heroes had just waited for the damn autopsy. That was some terrible plotting. The dialogue and characterizations felt pretty spot-on to me, even if a lot of the heavy handed narration was sorta pretentious. But the plotting was bad.
In the 90s, DC flung a bunch of shit all over Hal. Hosing the shit off doesn’t necessarily mean he’s been restored to what made him a good character in the first place.
I will keep the book in mind, but I don’t have a huge amount of confidence in it.
I’m one of the few Hal Jordan fans who doesn’t even like the story.
You can search for a few of my posts for the reason I hated it.
Green Arrow should narrate all DC comics. Kind of like how there were third person perspective narrators pre-crisis.
They need to get Mitchell Hundred, Kremlin, and Rick Bradbury to narrate all DC Comics together, like a cast-and-crew commentary. Or Beavis and Butthead. Or the MST3K gang.
Or ALL OF THEM.
Man, I’m getting the nerd sweats just thinking about it.
Meltzer is an okay writer, but sometimes it feels like the only reason he had such a long leash in DC’s sandbox is 'cause he and Judd Winick were college roommates. He needs an editor when it comes to writing comics so his heavy-handedness can be reined in.
We should just scan our own comics and use Photoshop to draw the shadows of our own heads at the bottom of every page. Then we can Mystery Science it ourselves. Then we could post these scans on Shoryuken, get the site sued by DC Comics, and enter a TRUE CRISIS.