Both of the big two companies had a book out today that fans have been waiting months for. They were both so big that I found time in my night here in the office to read them and have a slightly earlier Buy Pile Report than normal. Don't worry, in four or five hours I'll have an elongated one up too.
DC fans have been itching for Final Crisis #1 since they first heard Grant Morrison and JG Jones would team up and write a book. The events of the story have been shrouded in relative mystery, which has only increased the anticipation. For the most part, all we knew (or thought we knew) about this book coming into it was that this is the story of "The Day Evil Won." It was enough to make a fanboy wet himself.
Unfortunately, we knew a whole lot more than we thought, which made this first issue pretty worthless. If you've been living under a rock in the DC Universe for the past few months, this is a good book for you to catch up on. For the rest of us, who paid all that money for "Countdown to Final Crisis," "Death of the New Gods," and "DC Universe #1," you've seen all this already. Granted, Morrison does it all better here since it is more concise here, but the fact is we've seen most of this already.
Newsflash: The villains are gathering together under Libra's direction (who we already know is working for Darkseid).
Newsflash: The New Gods have gone the way of the Old Gods (which has paved the way for New New Gods).
The only part of this book that should have still retained some sort of value was the long-rumored death of J'onn J'onzz, since, you know, he's kind of a HUGE character in the DCU. But the death of the Manhunter was glossed over so quickly it was a literary crime.
Now, I'm not saying "Final Crisis" will be a wash. All told, I think by the end of issue #7, we're all going to have our jaws dropped with greatness. But this first issue was pretty darned bad. And, considering DC's sales of late, they really could have used a bandwagon-starting debut for this event.
Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1 was likewise long-awaited. The difference is, while everyone was waiting for the START of "Final Crisis," everyone has been waiting entirely too long for Joss Whedon and John Cassady to deliver the next and final installment of their X-Men Masterpiece. This 25-issue run took FOUR YEARS to come out!
But it will all be worth it when you go back and read the 25-issues cover-to-cover, because this finale was really pretty good. All your questions receive answers, and the X-Men are who the X-Men are — heroes.
And — SPOILER ALERT — it turns out the prediction I made back in the end of January after "Astonishing X-Men #24" came out turned out to be right on the money. Again, SPOILER ALERT. Kitty ends up saving the day by phasing the entire bullet through the Earth, but renders her unable to stop it and thus she is stuck on a runaway bullet for the foreseeable future. Joss Whedon turned his favorite character into a martyr.
Now, this wasn't the toughest thing to predict, either. So, why did is work so well? Because of a fantastic dialog mentally between Emma Frost and Kitty in Kitty's final moments. It brings the series full circle and reflects just how much Emma has grown in the past 25 issues. Whedon has turned Emma into something I, a staunch Jean/Scott guy, thought I would never be — a fan of her's. She is a far more mature character now, and it's because of Kitty and Scott's influence.
Oh, and by the way, Colossus' domination of all things Breakworld is something to see as well. Piotr and the X-Crew use the rules of the Breakworld (carefully laid out in past issues by Whedon) to outsmart and outmuscle the Powerlord Kruun all in one motion.
This was simply a satisfying finale to a series that has failed to satisfy at every turn only because of tardiness. I implore you all to go back and pile up this 25-issue run tonight and re-read it in it's entirety. There will be no wait in-between issues or anything. I promise you won't be disappointed this time.
Oh well, come back later for the rest of the Buy Pile, after I get out of work and have time tto read another eight books!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
This week's comic book expectations
You've got to love the weeks when the big guns pull out their big guns and fight for your money. Then again, I guess you don't have to love those weeks, seeing as they normally result in spending more money... but we're not going to mention that anymore.
So what to begin with? I guess we'll start with an ending. Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1 finishes off Joss Whedon and John Cassady's 25-issue run on the book they started FOUR YEARS AGO this month. Talk about your delays! And while the story's impact has been heavily diluted by all the waiting (to put the delays in perspective, the first 8 issues came out in the first 9 months), when you look back at this run as a whole, it will be viewed as an X-Men Masterpiece, on par with just about any short arc in the Merry Mutants' history.
This final issue will bring an end to the "Break World" storyline, and with it all the mysteries of what Peter will do to the planet and who will not make it back to Earth (Those who've read "Uncanny X-Men" lately know who that is, but I've done my best to hide from it... which also means I get to catch up on three months of "Uncanny" tomorrow too!), the story will hopefully not disappoint. When last we saw out mutants, Kitty was barrelling toward Earth inside an enormous bullet. My prediction, as I've said many times, is that Kitty phases the whole bullet through the planet, but then is left traveling through space without a way to stop, leaving a way for her to come back at some point.
Personally, I am looking forward to finding out what the deal from now on will be with Cyclops' eyes. I've always been vocal on not wanting Slim to be able to control his blasts, so I'm hoping Whedon undoes his change in Scott's physiology. But, mostly I am just thrilled that we're finally getting an ending. For as much as I've enjoyed Whedon and Cassady's work when I've seen it, the delays have just been ridiculous. Now that their story will be completed, I'm looking forward to an all-new tale (and a prompt one) penned by Warren Ellis.
Here's a quick look at other top Marvel titles to look for:
Marvel 1985 #1: The Marvel heroes come to "our world," whatever that means, and a 13-year-old boy holds the key to stopping villains. This sounds like a loser of a mini-series to me, but feel free the guess me wrong.
Daredevil #107: If you've been hearing how good "Daredevil" is but have been timid to jump into the pool, you should know this is the first part of a new story arc for the Man without Fear.
New Avengers #41: A "Secret Invasion" tie-in featuring the cast in the Savage Land. This issue promises to tie together the events of "New Avengers #1" with the current skrull situation. Still, unless you are the "New Avengers" fan, this doesn't seem to be required reading for the event.
X-Men Legacy #212: I cannot recommend this book enough, if you've an ounce of love for X-Men mythology. I have a feeling that Xavier's personal discoveries in this book are going to end up setting up the future of the mutant race. Not to mention the fact that Mike Carey is doing tremendous book-to-book work here.
OK, enough with Marvel. Especially because DC boasts FINAL CRISIS #1 this week. BAM!
Grant Morrison claims this is the story of the day evil won, and from what I've seen from the solicitations, I believe him. This first issue should set up Barry Allen's return, the return of the New Gods (or Birth of the New New Gods) and, unfortunately, be where one of DC's oldest heroes (rumored for months to be J'onn J'onzz) dies. This book should be huge.
And really, folks, Whether you are a DC fan or not, "Final Crisis" is the event to jump on board with this summer. Even if you don't trust Morrison's enthusiasm over the project (and nobody knows causing heroes misery like Morrison), trust the fact that DC is keeping this event VERY TIGHT. While there are tie-ins and ancillary titles going along with "Final Crisis," Morrison has been writing every semi-important event in his own book, his own seven issues. The other stories will be supporting tales occurring with the backdrop of "Final Crisis," not required reading. So jump in and give this 7 issue story a read, you're taking a good risk.
Personally, I just can't wait to see how Morrison finds a way for the heroes to find a way to upend Darkseid.
Other DC titles worth a look:
Batman #677: "Batman R.I.P." continues, and hopefully we'll get a small explanation as to what the heck the Joker was talking about last issue!
Green Lantern #31: "Secret Origins" continues, as we've just gotten to the good parts, Hal's beginnings in the Corps., under Sinestro. Now is where Geoff Johns really begins laying the brickroad to "Blackest Night."
Action Comics #865: A one-shot featuring Toy Man. Not required reading by any means, just a fill-in issue, but with as good as Johns has been on this title of late, I'll push it as much as anything.
Boy oh boy, I can't wait until Thursday. And not just because I get to interview Walt "Clyde" Frazier.
So what to begin with? I guess we'll start with an ending. Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1 finishes off Joss Whedon and John Cassady's 25-issue run on the book they started FOUR YEARS AGO this month. Talk about your delays! And while the story's impact has been heavily diluted by all the waiting (to put the delays in perspective, the first 8 issues came out in the first 9 months), when you look back at this run as a whole, it will be viewed as an X-Men Masterpiece, on par with just about any short arc in the Merry Mutants' history.
This final issue will bring an end to the "Break World" storyline, and with it all the mysteries of what Peter will do to the planet and who will not make it back to Earth (Those who've read "Uncanny X-Men" lately know who that is, but I've done my best to hide from it... which also means I get to catch up on three months of "Uncanny" tomorrow too!), the story will hopefully not disappoint. When last we saw out mutants, Kitty was barrelling toward Earth inside an enormous bullet. My prediction, as I've said many times, is that Kitty phases the whole bullet through the planet, but then is left traveling through space without a way to stop, leaving a way for her to come back at some point.
Personally, I am looking forward to finding out what the deal from now on will be with Cyclops' eyes. I've always been vocal on not wanting Slim to be able to control his blasts, so I'm hoping Whedon undoes his change in Scott's physiology. But, mostly I am just thrilled that we're finally getting an ending. For as much as I've enjoyed Whedon and Cassady's work when I've seen it, the delays have just been ridiculous. Now that their story will be completed, I'm looking forward to an all-new tale (and a prompt one) penned by Warren Ellis.
Here's a quick look at other top Marvel titles to look for:
Marvel 1985 #1: The Marvel heroes come to "our world," whatever that means, and a 13-year-old boy holds the key to stopping villains. This sounds like a loser of a mini-series to me, but feel free the guess me wrong.
Daredevil #107: If you've been hearing how good "Daredevil" is but have been timid to jump into the pool, you should know this is the first part of a new story arc for the Man without Fear.
New Avengers #41: A "Secret Invasion" tie-in featuring the cast in the Savage Land. This issue promises to tie together the events of "New Avengers #1" with the current skrull situation. Still, unless you are the "New Avengers" fan, this doesn't seem to be required reading for the event.
X-Men Legacy #212: I cannot recommend this book enough, if you've an ounce of love for X-Men mythology. I have a feeling that Xavier's personal discoveries in this book are going to end up setting up the future of the mutant race. Not to mention the fact that Mike Carey is doing tremendous book-to-book work here.
OK, enough with Marvel. Especially because DC boasts FINAL CRISIS #1 this week. BAM!
Grant Morrison claims this is the story of the day evil won, and from what I've seen from the solicitations, I believe him. This first issue should set up Barry Allen's return, the return of the New Gods (or Birth of the New New Gods) and, unfortunately, be where one of DC's oldest heroes (rumored for months to be J'onn J'onzz) dies. This book should be huge.
And really, folks, Whether you are a DC fan or not, "Final Crisis" is the event to jump on board with this summer. Even if you don't trust Morrison's enthusiasm over the project (and nobody knows causing heroes misery like Morrison), trust the fact that DC is keeping this event VERY TIGHT. While there are tie-ins and ancillary titles going along with "Final Crisis," Morrison has been writing every semi-important event in his own book, his own seven issues. The other stories will be supporting tales occurring with the backdrop of "Final Crisis," not required reading. So jump in and give this 7 issue story a read, you're taking a good risk.
Personally, I just can't wait to see how Morrison finds a way for the heroes to find a way to upend Darkseid.
Other DC titles worth a look:
Batman #677: "Batman R.I.P." continues, and hopefully we'll get a small explanation as to what the heck the Joker was talking about last issue!
Green Lantern #31: "Secret Origins" continues, as we've just gotten to the good parts, Hal's beginnings in the Corps., under Sinestro. Now is where Geoff Johns really begins laying the brickroad to "Blackest Night."
Action Comics #865: A one-shot featuring Toy Man. Not required reading by any means, just a fill-in issue, but with as good as Johns has been on this title of late, I'll push it as much as anything.
Boy oh boy, I can't wait until Thursday. And not just because I get to interview Walt "Clyde" Frazier.
Thursday's comic release list
Follow THIS LINK to the list of new books coming out on THURSDAY.
And, frankly, this week is too big to sum up in a sentence or two, so just wait for the next post to be AMAZED! DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!
And, frankly, this week is too big to sum up in a sentence or two, so just wait for the next post to be AMAZED! DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!
No comics on Wednesday
So, Wednesday is the long-awaited finale of Joss Whedon and John Cassady's "Astonishing X-Men," right?
Wrong. There's no new comics this Wednesday. Due to the holiday on Monday, comics shipping is pushed back a day, and the new stuff comes out on Thursday.
Just wanted to get on here and make sure you all knew that. So, I'll be back on Wednesday with the weekly release list and what to expect from the week (Expect Great, says Candace Parker!).
For now, I'm going to continue the first four-day weekend I've had in a LONG LONG TIME. And let me tell you, in that time I've fit in a graduation party in an aquarium, a lesbian wedding, re-reading "Earth X," watching "Frisky Dingo" season one again with the girlfriend, and tomorrow the li'l sister and I are headed to the Nintendo World Store in NYC. Later!
Wrong. There's no new comics this Wednesday. Due to the holiday on Monday, comics shipping is pushed back a day, and the new stuff comes out on Thursday.
Just wanted to get on here and make sure you all knew that. So, I'll be back on Wednesday with the weekly release list and what to expect from the week (Expect Great, says Candace Parker!).
For now, I'm going to continue the first four-day weekend I've had in a LONG LONG TIME. And let me tell you, in that time I've fit in a graduation party in an aquarium, a lesbian wedding, re-reading "Earth X," watching "Frisky Dingo" season one again with the girlfriend, and tomorrow the li'l sister and I are headed to the Nintendo World Store in NYC. Later!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Saturday's Gaming in the Journal
We got some BIG things going on in this week's Gaming page (located in Saturday's Poughkeepsie Journal Sports section).
For one, We have a FULL REVIEW of "Deca Sports" for Wii. Is this 10-sport compilation worth your money? Is it worth the "Wii Sports"/casual gaming crown? Read and find out.
We also have a review of "Wii Fit" (though this one is not written by Me, it's an AP story, so obviously "Deca Sports" is a better story), and a fantasy baseball column.
BIG Things goin' down in the Gaming page, so pick up Saturday's Journal Sports section. Word.
For one, We have a FULL REVIEW of "Deca Sports" for Wii. Is this 10-sport compilation worth your money? Is it worth the "Wii Sports"/casual gaming crown? Read and find out.
We also have a review of "Wii Fit" (though this one is not written by Me, it's an AP story, so obviously "Deca Sports" is a better story), and a fantasy baseball column.
BIG Things goin' down in the Gaming page, so pick up Saturday's Journal Sports section. Word.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
News on Avengers movies
Follow THIS LINK to several tidbits of information on the Captain America, Thor and Avengers movies.
For one, "The First Avenger: Captain America" will be a period piece set in World War II (which, presumably, leads the Avengers movie to open with finding Steve Rogers in the ice), and Matthew McConaughey will NOT be playing the Star-Spangled Avenger.
For two, "Thor" will be set predominantly in Asgard, and Matthew Vaughn is no longer attached to the movie.
For three, YES, that was Cap's shield on Tony Stark's work bench and yes, it looks like that's the super soldier serum in that screen shot from "The Incredible Hulk."
Why can't 2011 get here sooner?
For one, "The First Avenger: Captain America" will be a period piece set in World War II (which, presumably, leads the Avengers movie to open with finding Steve Rogers in the ice), and Matthew McConaughey will NOT be playing the Star-Spangled Avenger.
For two, "Thor" will be set predominantly in Asgard, and Matthew Vaughn is no longer attached to the movie.
For three, YES, that was Cap's shield on Tony Stark's work bench and yes, it looks like that's the super soldier serum in that screen shot from "The Incredible Hulk."
Why can't 2011 get here sooner?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Buy Pile Report: Ultimate X-Men
OK, I already posted the "Heavy Hitters" of this week's Buy Pile in my last post (see below), but I just had to get on here to post the most shocking news of the week.
Ultimate X-Men #94 .... it was.... good! No, not even good. Considering the current state of the series, it was GREAT!
This issue returns the series to the fun feel the series had through the first 60 issues or so. Well, maybe 40 of those first 60 issues, as the series was uneven before turning crappy.
An all-different Alpha Flight attacks the school, right in the middle of a patented Xavier's baseball game (which, you have to love that this new writer Aaron Coleite respects the ole' Claremont games), and promptly wipes the floor with our Merry Mutants, including Jean "Phoenix" Grey (who's time on a higher plane of existence as Phoenix lasted all of zero issues, thank god).
But, that's only the premise for this story. Turns out, Alpha Flight and Colossus share more than one connection, leading to a MAJOR turning point in this series, it seems. I just don't want to give away too much.
The final page will make your eyes get wide, I guarantee it.
For the first time in years, I am optimistic this series can become what it once was, even if some of the dialog in this issue was a tad cheesy. There goes the $2.99 I was hoping to save each month!
Ultimate X-Men #94 .... it was.... good! No, not even good. Considering the current state of the series, it was GREAT!
This issue returns the series to the fun feel the series had through the first 60 issues or so. Well, maybe 40 of those first 60 issues, as the series was uneven before turning crappy.
An all-different Alpha Flight attacks the school, right in the middle of a patented Xavier's baseball game (which, you have to love that this new writer Aaron Coleite respects the ole' Claremont games), and promptly wipes the floor with our Merry Mutants, including Jean "Phoenix" Grey (who's time on a higher plane of existence as Phoenix lasted all of zero issues, thank god).
But, that's only the premise for this story. Turns out, Alpha Flight and Colossus share more than one connection, leading to a MAJOR turning point in this series, it seems. I just don't want to give away too much.
The final page will make your eyes get wide, I guarantee it.
For the first time in years, I am optimistic this series can become what it once was, even if some of the dialog in this issue was a tad cheesy. There goes the $2.99 I was hoping to save each month!
Buy Pile Report: Heavy Hitters
Since I actually have a life tonight, with the girlfriend in town in T-minus 7 hours and 48 minutes, I decided to come into the office today early and get a jump on reading the biggest issues of the week. I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to talk about the rest of my Buy Pile (which included Ultimate X-Men #94 against my own advice since I'm no good at dropping titles, damnit), but here's the biggest four issues of the week, with no spoilers since this post is so much earlier than normal:
We begin this showcase showdown with a look at DC's top-tiers, starting the Justice Society of America #15. For all of you clamoring for more action in this title, this was your issue. The entire thing is a knock-down drag-em out brawl between Gog (or not Gog?) and the whole JSA. And while last issue I had the same problem — how can this golden schmuck stay on his feet against the whole JSA? — there is a hint in this issue that there is something more than superhuman in play.
I warn you, also, the last pages of this issue may divide some of you. Frankly, I am not sure how readers are going to take it. This is the last issue of the "Thy Kingdom Come" arc, and the final few pages create a clear divide heading into the first issue of the next arc "In the Name of Gog," but at the same time, it is a continuation on what's going on now. I know there is a large population of fans that have been itching for Geoff Johns to get away from the whole "Kingdom Come" angle, and while this is a departure, I don't know if it's enough of a departure to satisfy. Now I'm just talking in circles. Anyway, I was pleased and now anxious for next month.
Shockingly, Justice League of America #21 may have been even better. I've been a big critic of Dwayne McDuffie's and yet, for the second straight month he has impressed me with smaller character driven stories. The first half of this issue is spent looking at Clark, Bruce and Diana in a secret room they built into the Hall of Justice's transports, simply discussing business and secrets. It was an interesting dichotomy, because they clearly acknowledge how they've in the recent past decided how it's not good for the three of them to be keeping secrets, but at the same time they can't help themselves even during this frank talk. It sets up a coming story resolving Vixen's powers very well, too.
Personally, I am no fan of how these three characters get treated as the be-all and end-all in the DCU lately, so I wasn't keen on the idea of these meetings, but McDuffie handled the scene well, anyway.
The second part of the issue was a look at the Human Flame and Libra's assembling of the new Injustice Society, all wrapped together with a decent fight scene against Roy and Kendra. Again, in smaller teams, McDuffie really excels. This was a capable lead-in to "Final Crisis," similar to the look at Libra in "DC Universe #1." It also, unfortunately, again hits readers in the face with the news that J'onn J'onzz needs to watch his ass in "Final Crisis #1," and that's just not cool.
On to Marvel! And, it should go without saying that Ed Brubaker was again on his game with Captain America #38. Just as I said last night, too, it's amazing that Brubaker can reveal big puzzle pieces in each issue, and yet the Skull's master plans are still so well hidden. Yes fans, we are told EXACTLY who this other Steve Rogers is. We're also given a tremendous character moment with Sharon meeting him, which I only kind of wish was given a little bit more art space for it to breath and build tension. You'll see what I mean.
Bucky and Falcon also get a good deal of action in this one, and again Bucky serves as narrator throughout the entire fight. While Brubaker has used this writing style plenty in the past few months, I find myself really enjoying being in Captain Bucky's head as he fights. Hopefully the narration will last through this entire storyline — and end on time just as Bucky is finally comfortable with his role as Cap (presuming it lasts).
Finally, on to the only book of these top four which I wish I didn't read. Hell, I wish I didn't read any of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's four issues on this title. Fantastic Four #557 wasn't AS dreadful as the last isssue, but it was pretty bad. This nonsense with CAP is resolved in such a way that I feel like Millar views Reed as a superhuman being, for some reason. There's a certain remarkable speed Reed Richards can build something at, and then there's the unbelievable just stupid speed Millar employs here, in order to save the day. If you're a fan of Mech battles, you'll like this fight. Check that, you won't.
The best part about this issue was actually the irony of Millar's own uneven writing. He tells Alyssa here that one of the reasons he doesn't want to work with her in the future is because he doesn't like how secretive the billionaires are keeping Nu-Earth. Now, sure, there is a level of irony as a reader that makes you think "Wait a minute, Reed 'I built a secret Negative Zone Prison that I can't even tell my wife about' Richards is calling something too secretive?" But then there's another layer of irony when you say "Wait a minute! Mark Millar is the man that wrote Richards get that secretive in 'Civil War' in the first place!"
Even an intriguing last page has not kept me from questioning if I'll pick up this series until Millar is gone.
We begin this showcase showdown with a look at DC's top-tiers, starting the Justice Society of America #15. For all of you clamoring for more action in this title, this was your issue. The entire thing is a knock-down drag-em out brawl between Gog (or not Gog?) and the whole JSA. And while last issue I had the same problem — how can this golden schmuck stay on his feet against the whole JSA? — there is a hint in this issue that there is something more than superhuman in play.
I warn you, also, the last pages of this issue may divide some of you. Frankly, I am not sure how readers are going to take it. This is the last issue of the "Thy Kingdom Come" arc, and the final few pages create a clear divide heading into the first issue of the next arc "In the Name of Gog," but at the same time, it is a continuation on what's going on now. I know there is a large population of fans that have been itching for Geoff Johns to get away from the whole "Kingdom Come" angle, and while this is a departure, I don't know if it's enough of a departure to satisfy. Now I'm just talking in circles. Anyway, I was pleased and now anxious for next month.
Shockingly, Justice League of America #21 may have been even better. I've been a big critic of Dwayne McDuffie's and yet, for the second straight month he has impressed me with smaller character driven stories. The first half of this issue is spent looking at Clark, Bruce and Diana in a secret room they built into the Hall of Justice's transports, simply discussing business and secrets. It was an interesting dichotomy, because they clearly acknowledge how they've in the recent past decided how it's not good for the three of them to be keeping secrets, but at the same time they can't help themselves even during this frank talk. It sets up a coming story resolving Vixen's powers very well, too.
Personally, I am no fan of how these three characters get treated as the be-all and end-all in the DCU lately, so I wasn't keen on the idea of these meetings, but McDuffie handled the scene well, anyway.
The second part of the issue was a look at the Human Flame and Libra's assembling of the new Injustice Society, all wrapped together with a decent fight scene against Roy and Kendra. Again, in smaller teams, McDuffie really excels. This was a capable lead-in to "Final Crisis," similar to the look at Libra in "DC Universe #1." It also, unfortunately, again hits readers in the face with the news that J'onn J'onzz needs to watch his ass in "Final Crisis #1," and that's just not cool.
On to Marvel! And, it should go without saying that Ed Brubaker was again on his game with Captain America #38. Just as I said last night, too, it's amazing that Brubaker can reveal big puzzle pieces in each issue, and yet the Skull's master plans are still so well hidden. Yes fans, we are told EXACTLY who this other Steve Rogers is. We're also given a tremendous character moment with Sharon meeting him, which I only kind of wish was given a little bit more art space for it to breath and build tension. You'll see what I mean.
Bucky and Falcon also get a good deal of action in this one, and again Bucky serves as narrator throughout the entire fight. While Brubaker has used this writing style plenty in the past few months, I find myself really enjoying being in Captain Bucky's head as he fights. Hopefully the narration will last through this entire storyline — and end on time just as Bucky is finally comfortable with his role as Cap (presuming it lasts).
Finally, on to the only book of these top four which I wish I didn't read. Hell, I wish I didn't read any of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's four issues on this title. Fantastic Four #557 wasn't AS dreadful as the last isssue, but it was pretty bad. This nonsense with CAP is resolved in such a way that I feel like Millar views Reed as a superhuman being, for some reason. There's a certain remarkable speed Reed Richards can build something at, and then there's the unbelievable just stupid speed Millar employs here, in order to save the day. If you're a fan of Mech battles, you'll like this fight. Check that, you won't.
The best part about this issue was actually the irony of Millar's own uneven writing. He tells Alyssa here that one of the reasons he doesn't want to work with her in the future is because he doesn't like how secretive the billionaires are keeping Nu-Earth. Now, sure, there is a level of irony as a reader that makes you think "Wait a minute, Reed 'I built a secret Negative Zone Prison that I can't even tell my wife about' Richards is calling something too secretive?" But then there's another layer of irony when you say "Wait a minute! Mark Millar is the man that wrote Richards get that secretive in 'Civil War' in the first place!"
Even an intriguing last page has not kept me from questioning if I'll pick up this series until Millar is gone.
This week's comic book expectations
OK, I take back what I said in that last post. I am thrilled for a new issue of "Justice Society," it's true, but I didn't even notice we get a new "Captain America" as well -- and that has me even more excited.
When last we left our freedom-fighting friends, Sharon Carter had just met "Steve Rogers" in Red Skull's liar -GASP! - and there is definitely something wrong with him. Hopefully in Captain America #38 we'll get to find out what. Also, from what I can see in the solicitations, we're also going to start to see this "original" Cap in action, so hopefully we'll start to learn exactly how the Skull plans on using him. Honestly, it's amazing how good Brubaker's work over the last year and a half has been, and yet we still don't know what Skull is aiming at, exactly.
We're also getting yet another issue of Mighty Avengers #14, and is it just me, or does it seem like this book has been coming out on a weekly basis lately? OK, I know it's not true, but it feels like Bendis is just shooting this series out one after the other. Of course, over the last three issues we've been learning where Nick Fury has been and what his machinations are (I just wanted to use Machinations in a sentence), so I would only expect that story to continue here.
And who can overlook Fantastic Four #557? It's the final issue of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's first four-part arc, and for better or worse, it's ending. After last issue's dreck I would never suggest you picking up this issue -- but since most of us have already invested nine bucks into this crappy should-have-been-much-better story, what's another three to see the ending?
Marvel also offers X-Men: Divided We Stand #2 this week, another series of short stories showing what our merry mutants have been up to since "Messiah CompleX." While I wouldn't say the first of this two-issue set was bad, I will say it was by the numbers. There was that common theme of "We only belong as X-Men" running through the entire thing, so hopefully we get a little variety here. I'm just excited that Havok and his new team of Starjammers is included in this issue. If you've read this blog for a while, you know I am a big proponent of the potential for that space/Vulcan storyline, so hopefully Alex's inclusion here is a sign of things to come.
Finally from Marvel, I don't know how you want to look at it, as a jumping on point or a getting off point, but both Ultimate X-Men #94 and Ultimate Fantastic Four #54 mark brand-new storylines for the series. X-Men welcomes new regular writer Aaron Coliete, but with how horrible the series has been lately, I don't know if anyone can save this book. Fantastic Four, on the other hand, is coming off a fantastic Ultimate Thanos story, so it might be an issue to give a try.
There's less offered from DC this week, but a couple of real good issues to take note of:
Justice Society of America #15 is obviously the crown-jewel of DC's week. the issue will plop us right back into the middle of Gog's assault on the JSA brownstone for the second half of that battle. (Remember the cool full-page image of Alan Scott and Obsidian???) And while many of you have been talking about how this "Kingdom Come" slant has taken away from the JSA characters, I still have faith that Johns is going to turn it all full-circle. Hopefully this is that turn.
That other Justice team also shows up this week, Justice League of America #21, and it's also just about the only sign of "Final Crisis" we get this week. This issue is promoted as a re-introduction for one of the central henchmen in the upcoming event, Libra, and it will also introduce the Human Flame (you know, the C-list villain that apparently is going to off you-know-who in the "Final Crisis" opener). Personally, it seems like DC is just looking to place whatever "Final Crisis" material they can in their highest selling book in order to challenge Marvel's sales numbers this month. Well, it's working on me.
Brave and the Bold #13 begins a new story arc now that all that Megistus stuff is wrapped up, and I'm excited about it since the teamup includes one of my favorite heroes of all-time, Jay Garrick. Hell, I walk around wearing my Jay Garrick red lightning bolt long-sleeve t-shirt all the time, despite how flamboyant it looks. That's how cool as Jay Garrick is.
And with that little personal confession, I'm out.
When last we left our freedom-fighting friends, Sharon Carter had just met "Steve Rogers" in Red Skull's liar -GASP! - and there is definitely something wrong with him. Hopefully in Captain America #38 we'll get to find out what. Also, from what I can see in the solicitations, we're also going to start to see this "original" Cap in action, so hopefully we'll start to learn exactly how the Skull plans on using him. Honestly, it's amazing how good Brubaker's work over the last year and a half has been, and yet we still don't know what Skull is aiming at, exactly.
We're also getting yet another issue of Mighty Avengers #14, and is it just me, or does it seem like this book has been coming out on a weekly basis lately? OK, I know it's not true, but it feels like Bendis is just shooting this series out one after the other. Of course, over the last three issues we've been learning where Nick Fury has been and what his machinations are (I just wanted to use Machinations in a sentence), so I would only expect that story to continue here.
And who can overlook Fantastic Four #557? It's the final issue of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's first four-part arc, and for better or worse, it's ending. After last issue's dreck I would never suggest you picking up this issue -- but since most of us have already invested nine bucks into this crappy should-have-been-much-better story, what's another three to see the ending?
Marvel also offers X-Men: Divided We Stand #2 this week, another series of short stories showing what our merry mutants have been up to since "Messiah CompleX." While I wouldn't say the first of this two-issue set was bad, I will say it was by the numbers. There was that common theme of "We only belong as X-Men" running through the entire thing, so hopefully we get a little variety here. I'm just excited that Havok and his new team of Starjammers is included in this issue. If you've read this blog for a while, you know I am a big proponent of the potential for that space/Vulcan storyline, so hopefully Alex's inclusion here is a sign of things to come.
Finally from Marvel, I don't know how you want to look at it, as a jumping on point or a getting off point, but both Ultimate X-Men #94 and Ultimate Fantastic Four #54 mark brand-new storylines for the series. X-Men welcomes new regular writer Aaron Coliete, but with how horrible the series has been lately, I don't know if anyone can save this book. Fantastic Four, on the other hand, is coming off a fantastic Ultimate Thanos story, so it might be an issue to give a try.
There's less offered from DC this week, but a couple of real good issues to take note of:
Justice Society of America #15 is obviously the crown-jewel of DC's week. the issue will plop us right back into the middle of Gog's assault on the JSA brownstone for the second half of that battle. (Remember the cool full-page image of Alan Scott and Obsidian???) And while many of you have been talking about how this "Kingdom Come" slant has taken away from the JSA characters, I still have faith that Johns is going to turn it all full-circle. Hopefully this is that turn.
That other Justice team also shows up this week, Justice League of America #21, and it's also just about the only sign of "Final Crisis" we get this week. This issue is promoted as a re-introduction for one of the central henchmen in the upcoming event, Libra, and it will also introduce the Human Flame (you know, the C-list villain that apparently is going to off you-know-who in the "Final Crisis" opener). Personally, it seems like DC is just looking to place whatever "Final Crisis" material they can in their highest selling book in order to challenge Marvel's sales numbers this month. Well, it's working on me.
Brave and the Bold #13 begins a new story arc now that all that Megistus stuff is wrapped up, and I'm excited about it since the teamup includes one of my favorite heroes of all-time, Jay Garrick. Hell, I walk around wearing my Jay Garrick red lightning bolt long-sleeve t-shirt all the time, despite how flamboyant it looks. That's how cool as Jay Garrick is.
And with that little personal confession, I'm out.
Wednesday's comic release list
BLAM - THIS LINK is the list of this week's comic books.
All I really care about is we get a new issue of Justice Society Wednesday.
All I really care about is we get a new issue of Justice Society Wednesday.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
This week's video game releases
Here you go, follow THIS LINK to the list of video games out this week — including "Wiifit," the latest title Nintendo hopes will trick you into being healthy. I beg you, don't fall for the trap! Don't get healthy! Follow me to Taco Bell! There we'll all plan how to stop Nintendo from getting you all to be healthy!
Seriously, though, I'm pretty shocked at how many people, who have never stepped on a treadmill in their lives, want this game. I'm just looking forward to when the Wii Balance Board is used for more fun applications than "Wiifit."
Seriously, though, I'm pretty shocked at how many people, who have never stepped on a treadmill in their lives, want this game. I'm just looking forward to when the Wii Balance Board is used for more fun applications than "Wiifit."
Friday, May 16, 2008
Bad News: Gaming in the Journal; 'Deca Sports' review
I was warned yesterday this may be a possibility, but I didn't want to break your hearts until I was sure — This Week's Saturday Gaming page in the Poughkeepsie Journal has been washed out. There just isn't enough space in our section this week.
So, I have this review of "Deca Sports" all ready to go and written, and I have two options — I can post it all here in one big review post, or I can hold on to it for a week and use it in Next Saturday's Gaming page.
I'm going to compromise. Since this game just came out this week and some of you may be waiting to read about it before picking it up, I will give you the briefest of reviews here:
"Deca Sports," which features 10 different sports mini-games all packaged together with a retail price of $29.99, is not a game for anyone over the age of 10. Anyone under 10 will enjoy this, as 4 or 5 of the 10 games will keep the youngsters occupied for days, and the kids can go on thinking how they have a game for all these different sports and be happy with it.
But, for anyone over 10-years-old, you will see the IMMEDIATE flaws with the basketball and soccer games, get tired of volleyball and badminton, and realize there are much better racing games out there. Now, I do recommend this as a game you may want to rent one rainy afternoon with three friends and competing, because many of the games will keep older gamers' attentions for an afternoon. But even at the $29.99 price, it's not worth a purchase for you.
For more of a review, read NEXT Saturday's Gaming page.
So, I have this review of "Deca Sports" all ready to go and written, and I have two options — I can post it all here in one big review post, or I can hold on to it for a week and use it in Next Saturday's Gaming page.
I'm going to compromise. Since this game just came out this week and some of you may be waiting to read about it before picking it up, I will give you the briefest of reviews here:
"Deca Sports," which features 10 different sports mini-games all packaged together with a retail price of $29.99, is not a game for anyone over the age of 10. Anyone under 10 will enjoy this, as 4 or 5 of the 10 games will keep the youngsters occupied for days, and the kids can go on thinking how they have a game for all these different sports and be happy with it.
But, for anyone over 10-years-old, you will see the IMMEDIATE flaws with the basketball and soccer games, get tired of volleyball and badminton, and realize there are much better racing games out there. Now, I do recommend this as a game you may want to rent one rainy afternoon with three friends and competing, because many of the games will keep older gamers' attentions for an afternoon. But even at the $29.99 price, it's not worth a purchase for you.
For more of a review, read NEXT Saturday's Gaming page.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Alphabet game
So, during a meeting today in the office, I was playing the alphabet game, trying to name a DC hero and a Marvel hero for every letter of the alphabet (don't tell my boss).
And, I'm kind of disappointed to say I wasn't able to name one of each letter for both comics brands. I'm missing Z for Marvel, Y for DC, X for DC, and (surprisingly) O for Marvel. I didn't include heroes from parallel Earths, either.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm going to look it up online later, but if anyone wants to save me some time and show off the knowledge, post here.
Here's my list so far (DC, Marvel):
A — Animal Man, Angel
B — Batman, Beast
C — Cyborg, Cyclops
D — Damage, Dr. Strange
E — Elongated Man, Elektra
F — Flash, Feral
G — Geo Force, Gambit
H — Hawkman, Hulk
I — Ion, Iceman
J — Johnny Thunder, Jubilee
K — Kilowog, Karma
L — Lightning Lad, Longshot
M — Mr. Miracle, Marvel Girl
N — Nightwing, Nightcrawler
O — Orion, ?
P — Powergirl, Polaris
Q — Question, Quicksilver
R — Rocket Red, Rogue
S — Superman, Strong Guy
T — Timberwolf, Thing
U — Una (of Triplicate Girl), Uatu
V — Vixen, Vision
W — Wonder Woman, Wonder Man
X — ?, X-23
Y — ?, Yellow Jacket
Z — Zauriel, ?
And, I'm kind of disappointed to say I wasn't able to name one of each letter for both comics brands. I'm missing Z for Marvel, Y for DC, X for DC, and (surprisingly) O for Marvel. I didn't include heroes from parallel Earths, either.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm going to look it up online later, but if anyone wants to save me some time and show off the knowledge, post here.
Here's my list so far (DC, Marvel):
A — Animal Man, Angel
B — Batman, Beast
C — Cyborg, Cyclops
D — Damage, Dr. Strange
E — Elongated Man, Elektra
F — Flash, Feral
G — Geo Force, Gambit
H — Hawkman, Hulk
I — Ion, Iceman
J — Johnny Thunder, Jubilee
K — Kilowog, Karma
L — Lightning Lad, Longshot
M — Mr. Miracle, Marvel Girl
N — Nightwing, Nightcrawler
O — Orion, ?
P — Powergirl, Polaris
Q — Question, Quicksilver
R — Rocket Red, Rogue
S — Superman, Strong Guy
T — Timberwolf, Thing
U — Una (of Triplicate Girl), Uatu
V — Vixen, Vision
W — Wonder Woman, Wonder Man
X — ?, X-23
Y — ?, Yellow Jacket
Z — Zauriel, ?
Buy Pile Report
Well, that was a bit of an uneven week.
First off, the good. And the best, in my opinion, was Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1. Honestly, could you have asked anymore from this first issue? Immediately we're given a super quick recap of how the Baxter Building got to the Negative Zone, explained why Sue and Reed weren't present (which, by the way, a Skrull with Sue's powers?!?), and laid the cards on the table with who Ben and Johnny are up against.
And, while I am a little surprised by how crazed the baddie responsible looks here, it still has the makings of a very good tie-in side story to the "Secret Invasion" mothership. If you're a fan of Marvel's First Family, pick this series up.
X-Men Legacy #211 was also pretty good, as Xavier is out on his own for the first time and beginning to rediscover his life. Again, Mike Carey does a terrific job of only giving the readers bits and pieces of the story, keeping us just as confused as Charles is. What is he trying to discover in the end? Xavier himself probably doesn't know, so why should we?
The only downside was the appearance of a certain someone at the issue's end. I wish this guy would just go away.
From there, we got a whole big bag of "eh." Batman #676 kicked off the "Batman R.I.P." storyline, although the whole thing just felt like a precursor to the big show. We got plenty of possible foreshadowing, with Tim voicing concerns about Damien and the new lady love in Bruce's life, and we get to know Black Glove a little better as well, but overall, this isn't so much the first chapter of the story as much as it is an introduction.
Green Lantern Corps. #24 was equally indifferent. I love the setup to this one, with a cadre of Lanterns trooping down to a planet full of Mongol's Black Mercys ... but nothing quite works as well as it could -- especially with slightly confusing art from Patrick Gleason. The only part that really piqued my interest is Mongol's new plans for his Black Mercys... they don't exactly grant wishes anymore!
Lastly, Booster Gold #9 was decent, but it felt a little rushed, especially after how stalled the story has been over the last two issues. It was pure geek joy to see the Justice League International together again, and Batman provides a great moment as well, but the situation with Max Lord is just resolved a little too fast in my opinion. After how Lord has been played up as the biggest baddie, I would have liked to have a bigger battle before he is taken out of the picture. Instead, it's simply on to the next threat -- a great threat, no doubt, but still, not what I was looking for.
First off, the good. And the best, in my opinion, was Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1. Honestly, could you have asked anymore from this first issue? Immediately we're given a super quick recap of how the Baxter Building got to the Negative Zone, explained why Sue and Reed weren't present (which, by the way, a Skrull with Sue's powers?!?), and laid the cards on the table with who Ben and Johnny are up against.
And, while I am a little surprised by how crazed the baddie responsible looks here, it still has the makings of a very good tie-in side story to the "Secret Invasion" mothership. If you're a fan of Marvel's First Family, pick this series up.
X-Men Legacy #211 was also pretty good, as Xavier is out on his own for the first time and beginning to rediscover his life. Again, Mike Carey does a terrific job of only giving the readers bits and pieces of the story, keeping us just as confused as Charles is. What is he trying to discover in the end? Xavier himself probably doesn't know, so why should we?
The only downside was the appearance of a certain someone at the issue's end. I wish this guy would just go away.
From there, we got a whole big bag of "eh." Batman #676 kicked off the "Batman R.I.P." storyline, although the whole thing just felt like a precursor to the big show. We got plenty of possible foreshadowing, with Tim voicing concerns about Damien and the new lady love in Bruce's life, and we get to know Black Glove a little better as well, but overall, this isn't so much the first chapter of the story as much as it is an introduction.
Green Lantern Corps. #24 was equally indifferent. I love the setup to this one, with a cadre of Lanterns trooping down to a planet full of Mongol's Black Mercys ... but nothing quite works as well as it could -- especially with slightly confusing art from Patrick Gleason. The only part that really piqued my interest is Mongol's new plans for his Black Mercys... they don't exactly grant wishes anymore!
Lastly, Booster Gold #9 was decent, but it felt a little rushed, especially after how stalled the story has been over the last two issues. It was pure geek joy to see the Justice League International together again, and Batman provides a great moment as well, but the situation with Max Lord is just resolved a little too fast in my opinion. After how Lord has been played up as the biggest baddie, I would have liked to have a bigger battle before he is taken out of the picture. Instead, it's simply on to the next threat -- a great threat, no doubt, but still, not what I was looking for.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
'Final Crisis' Sketchbook
I just finished thumbing through the "Final Crisis Sketchbook" drawn by JG Jones with captions by Grant Morrison, and three major things jumped out at me.
1) Mister Miracle in the sketchbook is Shiloh Norman, not Scott Free. Further, Big Barda is nowhere to be seen. As a big fan of both characters, I'm going to be pretty disappointed if this duo does not come back as New New Gods, especially given the inauspicious deaths they both shared in the "Death of the New Gods" series.
2) Half of this sketchbook is devoted to the Japanese heroes we saw back in "52" ... at least I'm pretty sure these are the same guys we saw in "52." Now, on the one hand, maybe they are only included in here since nobody knows these guys and Morrison needed some small introduction for them. BUT, I just hope this group doesn't show up too much in "Final Crisis," and the amount of space occupied here would dictate they play a major role.
3) There are notes in the margins of some of the sketches, including the new look for Darkseid (which I like). One of these notes reads "No Shadow. He Is The Shadow." THAT'S how EVIL Darkseid is. I love it. It's like that line from Justice League Unlimited where Flash's brain is stuck in Lex Luthor's body: "Aren't you going to wash your hands?" "No... Because I'm EVIL."
Anyway, I don't know if the sketchbook is worth three bucks, but there are interesting aspects to it.
1) Mister Miracle in the sketchbook is Shiloh Norman, not Scott Free. Further, Big Barda is nowhere to be seen. As a big fan of both characters, I'm going to be pretty disappointed if this duo does not come back as New New Gods, especially given the inauspicious deaths they both shared in the "Death of the New Gods" series.
2) Half of this sketchbook is devoted to the Japanese heroes we saw back in "52" ... at least I'm pretty sure these are the same guys we saw in "52." Now, on the one hand, maybe they are only included in here since nobody knows these guys and Morrison needed some small introduction for them. BUT, I just hope this group doesn't show up too much in "Final Crisis," and the amount of space occupied here would dictate they play a major role.
3) There are notes in the margins of some of the sketches, including the new look for Darkseid (which I like). One of these notes reads "No Shadow. He Is The Shadow." THAT'S how EVIL Darkseid is. I love it. It's like that line from Justice League Unlimited where Flash's brain is stuck in Lex Luthor's body: "Aren't you going to wash your hands?" "No... Because I'm EVIL."
Anyway, I don't know if the sketchbook is worth three bucks, but there are interesting aspects to it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
