What comics are you reading now?

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:09 pm

400yrs wrote:I started reading The Dark Phoenix Saga which reprints X-Men 129 - 137. First issue was good.

I finished this. The first few issues, I read pretty much one at a time. The last half, I read all in one sitting. Claremont's writing reads much better as issues (only a bit at a time). Therefore, it's no surprise that I liked the first several issues more than the last bunch.

His heavy exposition gets overbearing as a reader. It's not natural for 30 second inner thought monologues between punches or between sentences to another character.

Another thing that put me off is the Shi'ar. They just look goofy. They are a big part of why I stopped reading current Uncanny during Fraction's run.

The art is nice. Byrne pencils, Austin inks. The line art is good, but as with all older comics, there isn't much storytelling in the art. Today's artists are far superior in this regard. It's a result not only of the artists, but also the scripts they are working with. If everything is explained with a big old block of words, there isn't much use for storytelling in the art.

I liked the last couple of pages.

***** Spoiler ****** I'm glad it wasn't the Shi'ar that killed her.

***** end spoiler *****

Overall, I was disappointed since this is supposedly one of the better X-Men stories. It's not something I will re-read. God Loves, Man Kills (which I've read 3x now) yes, this no.

I've already sold off all my X-men above 280. I think I'm going to re-read the Fall of the Mutants and Inferno trades that I have (which I remember liking back when they came out). If I don't like those, I may get rid of all the rest of my Uncanny X-men.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:36 pm

Say it ain't so, FoHun!!!

-slym

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:48 pm

slym2none wrote:Say it ain't so, FoHun!!!

-slym

Sorry bro. I know you love you some Claremont.

To each his own. It's just not my style of reading anymore. I thought I did too, but everything I've read, I haven't liked (except God Loves which is *SQUEE* fantastic).

You know what kind of rubs me wrong about him too??? Both trades that I've read, it features the characters being dressed in old clothing like from the Civil War period or some other period. It's almost like he wants to try and do a period piece, but has no idea how to do it so he just inserts "hallucinations" or whatever dressing the characters up. It's a bit bizzare like a teenage boy fantasy or something. Weirdness.

I started reading in the later 80s. Honestly, thinking back, it may have been X-Factor that I liked more than Uncanny back in the day. I remember liking Havok and Archangel alot. I'm thinking I should hang on to the X-Factor until I can re-read some of that. I'm thinking Peter David > Chris Claremont.

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:20 am

depluto wrote:I've been reading the Scott Pilgrim books (watched the movie and really liked it) and am amazed at how good they are. It's not everybody's cup of tea but it kind of reminds me of being young. Sheesh.

Tried reading this. Not my cup of tea. I thought the art was horrible and the writing was boring.

400yrs wrote:
Elveen wrote: Up to #22 with Invincible. Such a great read. The book has humor, drama, emotion, and most importantly (for me) a "realness" to the characters. I also like how Kirkman keeps adding little plot points and characters.... very entertaining. I have a sold run up until #45 then I have a few holes. I am really going to enjoy the run.

One more thing, Invincible is one of the books that is great for the medium. The feel of the book, the vibrant colors, it is a great tactile experience.
Rest assured that it keeps up and gets better and better. Heck, in the most recent few issues, there are tips back to plotpoints from the first bunch of issues.

There's a small lull in the 40s. It's character drama heavy, if I recall (which I like), but it kind of wanders a bit. It picks up big time though.

Read it straight through if possible without skipping around.

One thing that I LOVE about this book is the simplicity of it. I often have a hard time remembering heroes and villains names. Not with this book. They are easy to remember and they make alot of sense that way.

Robot - is a robot
Rexplode - throws explosives and has a red suit
Duplikate - duplicates
Tether Tyrant - has a big friggin tether thing on his chest
Battle Beast - is exactly what you'd think a battle beast would look like
Monster Girl - looks like a monster
Allen the Alien - is an Alien
The Mauler Twins - are twins who look like big mauler types

and etc. It's a comic that's not afraid to be a comic. It might sound silly, but it makes alot of sense when you read it and remember who everyone is with no problems.

I agree with both of you on this. It is, at the same time, a typical super hero comic book, and a breath of fresh air. I disagree about the "lull" in the 40s. I didn't think there was a lull at all. The first few issues were kind of lame, but after that it's been awesome all the way with not a single dud issue. Kirkman is just a great storyteller. I love how the foundations for future stories are constantly being laid as other stories are being played out. I can't wait to see what happens with the Flaxans.

Other than the first few issues, the only thing I haven't liked is the Star Trek "homage" crew. Now, I typically love Star Trek parodies and homages, but something about this just rubs me wrong. I can't put my finger on what it is.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:57 am

Glad you are digging it.

I never got into Star Trek. If you did, maybe it's that Kirkman makes the crew seem incompetent that is disagreeable to you.

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:04 am

400yrs wrote:Glad you are digging it.

I never got into Star Trek. If you did, maybe it's that Kirkman makes the crew seem incompetent that is disagreeable to you.

Maybe. But I'm not sure. I've enjoyed other parodies where the crew was ridiculed in one way or another...

Doorman · Post by **Doorman** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:35 am

400yrs wrote:I'm thinking Peter David > Chris Claremont.

I'd say that's a safe bet.

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:36 am

Read the new Atlas Comics #0 issues (Grimm Ghost and Phoenix). I wasn't impressed. The art on Grimm Ghost was pretty horrible. Phoenix had better art, but worse writing/dialogue.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:43 pm

400yrs wrote:I'm thinking Peter David > Chris Claremont.

By about an X-Factor of a trillion.

I just got through with:
Transformers #7 Nice seeing what Starscream and the Decepticons have been up to since the end of All Hail Megatron and plus the story is told through Megatron's POV (which is amazing since he's recovering in a tank). I was grossed out by Needlenose who was one the Decepticons eating Dreadwing at the start of it. The animistic Decepticons (like the Insecticons, Preadacons, Terrorcons, Seacons, and etc) I would expect this from but not from one of jets. I'm not too sure about EJ Su's new art style.

Transformers #8 has Spike Witwicky taking on Scraper one of the Constructicons by himself. The IDW Whitwickys are easily the best versions of these characters and this issue really gets into Spike's head and we learn what makes him tick. I love how he beats Scraper by himself with no fancy technology except for a laser cannon at the end to put Scraper offline. The art by Javier Saltares of Ghost Rider vol. 2 fame was really great I just wish he drew more of Scrapper.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:56 pm

Not in 1983, he wasn't.

-slym

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:59 pm

slym2none wrote:Not in 1983, he wasn't.

-slym

Other X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills which is great, I've yet to read anything else by Chris Claremont that wasn't 100% pure crap.

My cats could write better than Chris Claremont in any year, decade, or century.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:46 am

Green Arrow 22-33, of the Smith/Meltzer/Winick series. They really tried hard to make Ollie a bigger *SQUEE* than he had to be, at least at times. I'm not big on Winicks take so far although I think he has a good grasp of Connor and Roy. The art is not my usual style but I like Hesters work here.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:13 am

Cyberstrike wrote:
slym2none wrote:Not in 1983, he wasn't.

-slym
Other X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills which is great, I've yet to read anything else by Chris Claremont that wasn't 100% pure crap.

My cats could write better than Chris Claremont in any year, decade, or century.

I wouldn't say "pure crap", but yeah, I haven't read anything else that I've really liked.

And about the cats...... how many do you have?

I went to Petsmart the other day to buy some dog food. I went to the register line and there was this lady paying. I got in line behind her and smelled *SQUEE*. Big time crap like she rolled around in cat *SQUEE* every day. I looked in her cart and sure enough, she was buying a ton of kitty litter and cat food. It was a stench that I never want to smell again.

Cats stink.

jridd28 · Post by **jridd28** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:26 am

Well, I'm finally all caught up with TWD just in time for Wed. release of issue #80! I read TWD HC Volumes 1-6, TWD TPB Volume 13, and issue #79!!! The Verdict is in......The Walking Dead is one of the greatest stories ever told! You were right 400yrs, I got floored by HC 3 and 4! Theres only one or two stories, that I have read in my life, that I like as much as TWD!! The Governor was one wicked dude. The outcome of the prison battle was so brutal and unforgiving! The tracked vehicle the Govenor used to blast through prison fences is actually a Bradley Fighting Vehicle! They called it a tank and rightfully so because they were just citizens and not soldiers, this isnt a complaint. I was a Bradley Gunner when the war in Iraq kicked off in 3/03! They made it look good it the comic.

Over the Holidays I bought 27 TWD issues at $5 a pop at a LCS. When I get my tax return I will OWN The Walking Dead #1. I just gotta find a fair price. I'm kinda glad that I didnt read TWD before cause I got to read so much at once. Its gonna be a tough pill to swallow reading it 30 pages a month now. Either way, one of the greatest stories ever told and I strongly recommend it to anyone that has ever enjoyed a "Zombie Apocalyptic Theme"!!!

Doorman · Post by **Doorman** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:40 pm

I'm plowing through JMS's run on Thor! It's a slooooooow build but it feels like it has purpose.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:04 pm

Glad you are liking TWD. There's some other really great Image stuff out there too!

As far as the JMS Thor, I really liked it but was bummed that he didn't get to finish it. The art is sweet.

OmenSpirits.com · Post by **OmenSpirits.com** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:04 pm

Keep hearing about TWD.

I, don't like anything linked or about zombies.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:06 pm

The zombies are the backdrop. It's not about zombies.

OmenSpirits.com · Post by **OmenSpirits.com** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:09 pm

But their in the book, right?

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:38 pm

Yes, there are some zombies in the book. Not every issue. It can go several issues without any zombies at all. If zombies scare you, don't try it.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:49 pm

Minus issues 39 and 51, I beat the boredom today by reading more of Green Arrow, from 34-65. I can see where the complaints with Winicks work on this series come in as I think that rather than telling a story he was concerned with exterior plot and being PC. I don't have trouble with that as such but when it is done for its own sake and done as clumsily as he often made/makes it, then it becomes bothersome. The art in the "Crawling through the wreckage" story was...bland. Still, Ollie as mayor is so ironic that I can overlook how poorly written parts of it have been.

Brother J · Post by **Brother J** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:32 am

xodacia81 wrote:Minus issues 39 and 51, I beat the boredom today by reading more of Green Arrow, from 34-65. I can see where the complaints with Winicks work on this series come in as I think that rather than telling a story he was concerned with exterior plot and being PC. I don't have trouble with that as such but when it is done for its own sake and done as clumsily as he often made/makes it, then it becomes bothersome. The art in the "Crawling through the wreckage" story was...bland. Still, Ollie as mayor is so ironic that I can overlook how poorly written parts of it have been.

Is the "Crawling THROUGH the Wreckage" story some kind of tribute to the Doom Patrol/Grant Morrison? Otherwise, he's also not very inventive with his titles:

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:00 am

Winnick seems to get really good jobs time and time again but I've never really seen much good come from it.

And cats rule!

chisumwomack · Post by **chisumwomack** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:08 am

My wife also hates zombie stuff, and TWD is one of two books she loves to read. The other being Fables.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:46 am

Thunderstrike vol. 2 #1 Every since Tom DeFalco brought the character back in the MC2 Universe I always wondered when and if Kevin Masterson would fill his father's shoes. Finally he has. Kevin Masterson is a vicious bully and a punk (and that is what Sharon Carter says in the book) who hates superheroes and blames them for his father's death. His mother has remarried to a former sports star-turned sports reporter and she owns a series of health clubs. When Kevin meets Sharon Carter who takes him to see Steve Rogers who gives Kevin his father's mace, when Kevin first grabs the mace and nothing happens he thinks that Rogers is playing a joke on him and Carter returns him to NYC.

Walking home with the mace Kevin sees the Rhino breaking outs of some Russian spies and flips a car over with a mother and a baby in the backseat a spark lights the gas leaking and as the fire comes closer Kevin uses the mace as a crowbar and then he becomes Thunderstrike and he looks just like his late father as Kevin battles the Rhino while news crews film this Kevin's mother sees this and faints at her one of her health clubs and Rogers thinks that Eric Masterson has come back from the dead.
The Rhino knocks Kevin into a building and the Rhino then flees, Kevin stumbling through the debris sees his reflection in a piece of a glass and sees that the mace has transformed into the exact likeness of his father.

A mysterious man has detected the magical energy detected by Thunderstrike's return and states he wants it for his collection.

Meanwhile in Valhalla Sif tells a young Valerye Gunehelda the backstory of Thunderstrike and then tells her to go to Earth to teach Kevin how to use the Thunderstrike.

Tom DeFalco does a great job of setting up the new Thunderstrike and I like for once the angry teen has a legitimate reason to be angry. The only thing I don't like about the story is that Steve Rogers comes off as very dense, while I understand his reasons for giving Kevin the mace, I think Sharon Carter is the one I would side with. The art by Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema isn't flashy but gets the job done. The back up story's art by Todd Nauck is OK but gets confusing.

Overall If you liked or love the MC2 line then this is a series you should check out, it's about as old school as Marvel is going to get it seems.