Magnus: Steel Nation better than Solar: Alpha and Omega?

2050 · Post by **2050** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:44 am

I was reading through Wizard's Top 100 TPBs of all time recently and found that they ranked Magnus, Robot Figher: Steel Nation TPB above Solar, Man of the Atom: Alpha and Omega. The full list can be found here: http://www.sketchyorigins.com/comics/ar ... t-831.html

How do you feel about that? While the ranking is obviously subjective, I cannot see whey Solar's TPB would ranked lower. My preference is that Solar's TPB is a much better story than Magnus's. However, I would agree that the art in Magnus is of higher quality.

Oddly enough, Magnus ranked higher than Frank Miller's lengendary run on Daredevil, which included the excellent Death of Elektra sequence. Now that's really holding Valiant stories in high regard.

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:00 am

I personally prefer Steel Nation to Alpha and Omega.

They are both great, but there's just something about Steel Nation. Maybe it was the first big Valiant story arc that I read that makes me like it more.

magnusr · Post by **magnusr** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:27 am

Chiclo wrote:I personally prefer Steel Nation to Alpha and Omega.

They are both great, but there's just something about Steel Nation. Maybe it was the first big VALIANT story arc that I read that makes me like it more.

There sure is something special about Steel Nation. I feel it's a more complex story with more to tell.

/Magnus

ckb · Post by **ckb** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:08 am

magnusr wrote:
Chiclo wrote:I personally prefer Steel Nation to Alpha and Omega.

They are both great, but there's just something about Steel Nation. Maybe it was the first big VALIANT story arc that I read that makes me like it more.
There sure is something special about Steel Nation. I feel it's a more complex story with more to tell.

/Magnus

I'm with 2050. I would rewrite your statement about Steel Nation for Solar 1-10!

whovianone · Post by **whovianone** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:09 am

Wow, I usually ignore most of what Wizard has to say on principle. But, I'm glad to see that they put two Valiant arcs on this list in the top 20. I'm kinda surprised I agree with most of it.

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:14 am

thanks for the link twenty 5-0.

I might use this as my target list.

OmenSpirits.com · Post by **OmenSpirits.com** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:14 am

When I first saw the mention of this TPB I was wondering, "Damn, did I miss something?" but then i saw that it reprints MRF 1-4 which I'd purchased years ago. So i didn't miss it.

eternal economist · Post by **eternal economist** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:15 am

I liked Steel Nation, but thought Invasion was a much more intersting story. It was very provacative and moving seeing Rai have to sacrifice his own child to save the Earth. Also, the Spider Aliens are great villians, and the Solar appereance was cool if one was keeping up with Solar's book also, because he refers to battling them in the 1990's when he's in Magnus's time of 4001. The references back and forth between Magnus, Solar, and Rai seemed to indicate the first signs of a cohesive universe from the then, unknown new publisher. I found this story to be the first really great Valiant story and my favorite so far, even though I've read many after this.

Chuck · Post by **Chuck** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:59 am

Alpha & Omega all the way baby

(BWS art puts it over the top for me

)

k_c_collectibles · Post by **k_c_collectibles** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:04 am

I would have to go with Solar - Alpha and Omega. I am a big BWS fan and thought the story was better overall than Steel Nation.

That being said I think Steel Nation is one of the best storylines of all time as well.

Overall, I think Wizard did a pretty good job on that list.

Chris

Zool · Post by **Zool** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:28 pm

I was surprised by some of the choices made in that list in terms of book or volume no.

e.g. #32. Bone Vol 2. The Great Cow race.

(especially when below it is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, without indicating which volume).

With something as complete as Bone or Preacher, it's hard to pick the best 'bit' in isolation. Still, not a bad list considering top 100's, in anything, are generally rubbish.

As for what's better Magnus: Steel Nation or Solar: Alpha and Omega... Solar edges it for me, Steel Nation is a great adventure but Solar is way more original.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:37 pm

To me Steel Nation ranks above Alpha and Omega, but it's a close race. Both are excellent story lines.

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:13 pm

This is a fantastic question that I don't know how to confidently answer! Steel Nation had that action / superhero feel to it, whereas at first it was hard to see how Alpha & Omega was actually giving birth to a new universe. Alpha & Omega definately has greater relevance I'd say, but Steel Nation was likely the greatest Magnus story told... tough call, but I can tell you that I'm probably going to reread both of these tonight now if I can find the time.

betterthanezra · Post by **betterthanezra** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:16 pm

I would give the edge to A&O to me....but being a BIG fan of BWS might have a greater reason for it.

I bought Magnus #1 when it came out so it holds a special place in my heart with that first story...man thats a tough one...

-Brian

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:06 am

I am definitely a Solar fan first and formost, but I have been reading Steel Nation the last couple nights and it is pretty sqeein' good. It is definitely a much richer and story. If A&O were combined with Solar 1-4, then I think it would beat Steel Nation.

I love A&O because I am really attached to the character of Solar, but Steel Nation is the better story, imo.

Rufusharley · Post by **Rufusharley** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:27 am

Dr. Solar wrote:I am definitely a Solar fan first and formost, but I have been reading Steel Nation the last couple nights and it is pretty sqeein' good. It is definitely a much richer and story. If A&O were combined with Solar 1-4, then I think it would beat Steel Nation.

I love A&O because I am really attached to the character of Solar, but Steel Nation is the better story, imo.

I love me some Polish Sun God!

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:45 am

Rufusharley wrote:
Dr. Solar wrote:I am definitely a Solar fan first and formost, but I have been reading Steel Nation the last couple nights and it is pretty sqeein' good. It is definitely a much richer and story. If A&O were combined with Solar 1-4, then I think it would beat Steel Nation.

I love A&O because I am really attached to the character of Solar, but Steel Nation is the better story, imo.
I love me some Polish Sun God!

Rufusharley · Post by **Rufusharley** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:02 am

Chiclo wrote:
Rufusharley wrote:
Dr. Solar wrote:I am definitely a Solar fan first and formost, but I have been reading Steel Nation the last couple nights and it is pretty sqeein' good. It is definitely a much richer and story. If A&O were combined with Solar 1-4, then I think it would beat Steel Nation.

I love A&O because I am really attached to the character of Solar, but Steel Nation is the better story, imo.
I love me some Polish Sun God!

That emotioncon is one bad mother...(shut your mouth)...just talking 'bout emotioncon.

*SQUEE* · Post by ***SQUEE*** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:09 am

Steel Nation is my pick. If Solar had some robots it would be the *SQUEE*!

Rufusharley · Post by **Rufusharley** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:27 am

*SQUEE* wrote:Steel Nation is my pick. If Solar had some robots it would be the *SQUEE*!

*SQUEE*-A man!

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:53 am

Rufusharley wrote:
*SQUEE* wrote:Steel Nation is my pick. If Solar had some robots it would be the *SQUEE*!
*SQUEE*-A man!

Did you actually just say his name or what?

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:41 am

Elveen wrote:thanks for the link twenty 5-0.

I might use this as my target list.

That's actually a good idea !!

With all the tpb & hc's I own . . . I was suprized that I only own 25 of those (not including the original comic runs of some of them)

aric_dacia · Post by **aric_dacia** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:43 am

I have to admit that I prefer Steel Nation. Something about that one was just a real joy to read, every page.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:54 am

siren3-4 wrote:
Elveen wrote:thanks for the link twenty 5-0.

I might use this as my target list.

That's actually a good idea !!

With all the tpb & hc's I own . . . I was suprized that I only own 25 of those (not including the original comic runs of some of them)

That IS a good idea. I will probably do the same thing. I have about 30 of those in TPB or hardcover, and another ten or so in original runs. I did have the top 10!

myron · Post by **myron** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:15 pm

Steel nation was an awesome action "flick"...Solar was the more cerebral, "ha! made you think" work...

IMO..

I always found Solar more haunting and in-depth read.

Both were better than most anything else on the market at the time...

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Magnus: Steel Nation better than Solar: Alpha and Omega?

Magnus: Steel Nation better than Solar: Alpha and Omega?

steel nation vs. alpha & omega