What comics are you reading now?

[Jersen]

I just finished reading Vol. 2 of Alan Moore's Saga of Swamp Thing, which ends with the "Rite of Spring" story from SoST #34. I usually take really hyped up stories/issues with a grain of salt, especially when they're, what, 26 year-old stories. I've really enjoyed Moore's Swamp Thing run so far, but I have to honestly say that I feel that this issue is an example of what comic books can achieve. It transcends what a simple prose narrative would have been able to accomplish with this story by giving the reader a concrete visual that simultaneously leaves plenty of room for individual interpretation and imagination. I would love to see Moore's script for that issue just to compare it with the actual comic to see how Bissette and Totleben went about interpreting what Moore wrote for the visual aspect. Looking very forward to continuing with Vol. 3!

What are some other good Swamp Thing creative runs that would be worth checking out? Is Rick Veitch's stint on the book good? I've also heard of a female novelist (Nancy Cooper? Can't remember off the top of my head.) that had a run on that book that was fairly well regarded.

[Doorman]

close! it's Nancy Collins.

I remember enjoying the Veitch issues I read. Those the handful of Moore issues led me to try to track down the entire series. I'm only a few issues away now.

Mark Millar also had a lengthy run at the end.

[Doorman]

Super-Villain Team-Up got a liiiiiiittle better but nothing spectacular. It was kind of neat to see Captain America, Shroud and Doctor Doom team-up to take down the Red Skull. The series was canceled with issue #14. That final storyline was probably the best though - the entire world is under Doom's control and Magneto has to stop him! The story was continued in an issue of the Champions.

Then, about a year later, the title was picked back up again. #15 reprinted a Doctor Doom vs Red Skull story from Astonishing Tales and #16-17 comprised the final story arc teaming and later pitting the Red Skull against the Hate-Monger (Hitler's brain-waves in a cloned Hitler body). The Red Skull is having Hydra create a cosmic cube - but, he realizes they won't be able to recreate the energy within it so, instead, Hitler's life-force is imprisoned within the new cube.

[Doorman]

And, for my next read, I'll be reading Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #1-35. So far the first two issues have been quite engaging. The art is dynamic and I'm digging Silver's calm and cool composure. She's alllllllllll business! But, to balance it out, there are quite a few diverse characters that make up her Wild Pack (including the Sandman!).

[Savant]

I just finished reading Vol. 2 of Alan Moore's Saga of Swamp Thing, which ends with the "Rite of Spring" story from SoST #34. I usually take really hyped up stories/issues with a grain of salt, especially when they're, what, 26 year-old stories. I've really enjoyed Moore's Swamp Thing run so far, but I have to honestly say that I feel that this issue is an example of what comic books can achieve. It transcends what a simple prose narrative would have been able to accomplish with this story by giving the reader a concrete visual that simultaneously leaves plenty of room for individual interpretation and imagination. I would love to see Moore's script for that issue just to compare it with the actual comic to see how Bissette and Totleben went about interpreting what Moore wrote for the visual aspect. Looking very forward to continuing with Vol. 3!

What are some other good Swamp Thing creative runs that would be worth checking out? Is Rick Veitch's stint on the book good? I've also heard of a female novelist (Nancy Cooper? Can't remember off the top of my head.) that had a run on that book that was fairly well regarded.

I have no recommendations in terms of other Swamp Thing creative runs, but I will say I bought the first two TPBs of Swamp Thing, a while back, and was disappointed. Vol 1 was OK, and Vol 2 was a let-down. I wasn't interested enough to do any further reading on that series.

I far preferred Moore's work on V For Vendetta, Watchmen, Captain Britain, The Killing Joke, and even LOEG (I only have the first two TPBs of that series).

I will say that I find Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" to be very over-hyped. I never understood why people seem to rave about that one. I didn't care for it at all, but to each their own.

[400yrs]

I will say that I find Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" to be very over-hyped. I never understood why people seem to rave about that one. I didn't care for it at all, but to each their own.

Same.

People will rave about anything from Moore just because it's Moore.

[Brother J]

I will say that I find Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" to be very over-hyped. I never understood why people seem to rave about that one. I didn't care for it at all, but to each their own.

Same.

People will rave about anything from Moore just because it's Moore.

I'm not one to fall for hype, but I do like most of the Alan Moore stuff I've read, and particularly enjoyed the Superman two parter. I think for me it's the juxtaposition of the darkness of the story with the usually light world of Superman, with all the silly things like super animals and the other corny things that appeared frequently in silver age Superman books.

[dbngaa]

I re-read the Moore Swamp Thing issues last month...well, most of them. I enjoyed the 1st 2 collections and even through about issue 50, but after that I got bored and stopped. I read Veitch's run years agao and remember liking it better than the late Moore issues. Read some of Collins and Millar, but I think I was burnt out on Swamp Thing by that point. I also re-read the Delano Hellblazer run recently and even though I liked it when it was coming out, I got bored with most of it too. Sandman, however, I like more each time I read it. And Morrison's Doom Patrol, which I read for the 1st time this summer, was quite fun. Kind of petered out a bit a the end, but most was excellent.

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is one of my favorite Superman stories. I don't think I knew who Alan Moore was at the time it came out and I first read it, so I didn't go into it with any preconceived slant. The LCS owner (who was always good about steering me towards upcoming comics that he thought would be good, and still accesible to a 10-12 ear old) told me I should read it in preparation for the Byrne reboot. It was several years later that I read Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and everything else. I agree some people claim a comic is brilliant just because Moore, or Gaiman or whoever wrote it, and I admit that that might get me to read something once, but if it's awful or just not interesting to me I won't herald it or re-read it.

Most of his ABC work left me flat. I read it and appreciated it, but probably won't read it again. About to re-read his Supreme run and see if I still like IT.

[Cyberstrike]

started reading Dreadstar, really enjoying it so far. #3 was a very powerful issues, showed how ruthless the Lord High Papal is, he was willing to nuke an entire city and kill 15 million people in an attempt to destroy Dreadstar and Syzygy (which failed, of course). At the end of the book, Dreadstar is clearly having trouble dealing with the fact that so many people were killed, but he realizes that it was not his fault and swears to destroy the Lord High Papal and The Church of The Instrumentality. I only have a few issues of this (the early Epic issues), I was wondering if I should pick up the Epic Illustrated issues Dreadstar appeared in along with the Dreadstar Graphic Novel.

Epic Illustrated #1-9 basically tells Dreadstar's basic origin and it has a pretty bleak ending.

The Price (reprinted in color as Dreadstar Annual #1) is about Syzygy's origin Vanth only appears on last few pages.

Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar shows Dreadstar's recovering from the events Epic Illustrated #1-9 and shows how he and Syzygy become friends and how they get involved in the war.

Epic Illustrated #15 features a story that is basically Dreadstar #0 and introduces Willow.

There are 4 TPBs from Slave Labor Graphics, the first 1 one reprints Epic Illustrated #1-9 and vol. 2 reprints The Price, Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar and Epic Illustrated #15. The only problem is that they are in black and white while some of the original stories were in black and white and others were in color (like Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar).

And don't buy the SLG Dreadstar Vol. 3 and Dreadstar vol. 4 TPBs they are very low quailty and look like some one took Dreadstar #1-12 and ran them off a Xerox copy machine. Get the Dynamite versions.

[JonesyAZ]

The Papal is one bad dude. He falls into that Starlin villain archetype that I really like. More or less a Thanos to Vanth's Warlock.

Dreadstar is great.

x 3 !!!

[Brother J]

started reading Dreadstar, really enjoying it so far. #3 was a very powerful issues, showed how ruthless the Lord High Papal is, he was willing to nuke an entire city and kill 15 million people in an attempt to destroy Dreadstar and Syzygy (which failed, of course). At the end of the book, Dreadstar is clearly having trouble dealing with the fact that so many people were killed, but he realizes that it was not his fault and swears to destroy the Lord High Papal and The Church of The Instrumentality. I only have a few issues of this (the early Epic issues), I was wondering if I should pick up the Epic Illustrated issues Dreadstar appeared in along with the Dreadstar Graphic Novel.

Epic Illustrated #1-9 basically tells Dreadstar's basic origin and it has a pretty bleak ending.

The Price (reprinted in color as Dreadstar Annual #1) is about Syzygy's origin Vanth only appears on last few pages.

Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar shows Dreadstar's recovering from the events Epic Illustrated #1-9 and shows how he and Syzygy become friends and how they get involved in the war.

Epic Illustrated #15 features a story that is basically Dreadstar #0 and introduces Willow.

There are 4 TPBs from Slave Labor Graphics, the first 1 one reprints Epic Illustrated #1-9 and vol. 2 reprints The Price, Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar and Epic Illustrated #15. The only problem is that they are in black and white while some of the original stories were in black and white and others were in color (like Marvel Graphic Novel #3: Dreadstar).

And don't buy the SLG Dreadstar Vol. 3 and Dreadstar vol. 4 TPBs they are very low quailty and look like some one took Dreadstar #1-12 and ran them off a Xerox copy machine. Get the Dynamite versions.

Thanks for the info! I have Dreadstar Annual #1, which reprints The Price in color, I had an original copy, but I think I sold it to someone here on the boards, not thinking I was ever going to collect the series. I'll probably end up picking up a copy of the Marvel graphic novel, as I see them frequently. Not sure if I want to pick up a huge stack of Epic Illustrated magazines, so I might get the trade at some point. The good thing so far is the Epic regular series reads pretty well despite not having the previous appearances.

[StarBrand]

Had a copy of Identity Disk #2 laying around, and I read it and it blew me away. I have to pick up the rest of the series now.

[Cyberstrike]

The new Ghost Rider #0.1-#2

[dave]

ASM 666



If you are looking to see what is up with Spidey lately, this is a great issue. This was jam-packed full of story in 30 or so pages. There was a ton of things going on in this and it was paced great. It almost felt like reading a good issue of Invincible where things are explained and several plot lines are moved along and new ones are created. Great stuff!!

I agree. Did you read 667 though? The plot moved forward not at all. The Prelude got me into Spider Island, but 667 got me right back out.

[400yrs]

ASM 666



If you are looking to see what is up with Spidey lately, this is a great issue. This was jam-packed full of story in 30 or so pages. There was a ton of things going on in this and it was paced great. It almost felt like reading a good issue of Invincible where things are explained and several plot lines are moved along and new ones are created. Great stuff!!

I agree. Did you read 667 though? The plot moved forward not at all. The Prelude got me into Spider Island, but 667 got me right back out.

Bummer. Not yet. I think I should be getting it next week.

[caxiotis]

Recently got back from vacation and read a few books on the beach.

Moriarty - The story was fine, but I just couldn't get into it.
FF - Hickman is doing an amazing job with this book. I am hooked.
The Cape #1 by Joe Hill - I am a big fan of the Locke and Key books and this was a great read.
Fables 101-107 - This series has been slowing down for a while. Not sure I am going to keep reading it.
Detective Comics #854-860 - This story with Batwoman was absolutely amazing. The story along with the art was top notch.

[Phoenix8008]

Well I just got a bunch of X-men stuff this week and liked it mostly. Some better than others, but neat to see them all after being out of it for years now. Also got iss 2 and 4 of Fear Itself. Nice. Now if only I had it all. Also liked the beginning of Schism, the big X-men event running into the new split teams in November. I used to be an X-men addict, and I guess all I can say now after so long without is...

"Hi, my name is Mike..."

That and I'm waiting to see how many titles Valiant is putting out next year and when... Eek! Help!

[vikingspawn]

- Mass Effect: Conviction with art by the artist of Turok. I got a redemption card from my local shop to access this 10 pager from the Digital store. I think this is one of Dark Horse's new exclusives (digital before print) things.

- Hellboy: Fury and some BPRD I picked up yesterday.

[Cyberstrike]

I'm planning to read I Am Legion graphic novel by Fabian Nury and John Cassaday from Humanoids Publishing.

[StarBrand]

Reading some FF from the early nineties written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Paul Ryan. Great stuff so far.

[geocarr]

Recently read Acclaim's Master Darque one-shot and the 4 issue Darque Passages series and thought it was very intelligently written with a pretty intricate story and great character development but still easy enough to follow. It has mystery, suspense, action, supernatural, betrayal, and more elements and I highly recommend it. I would have loved to have seen more from this author.

[Elveen]

Recently read Acclaim's Master Darque one-shot and the 4 issue Darque Passages series and thought it was very intelligently written with a pretty intricate story and great character development but still easy enough to follow. It has mystery, suspense, action, supernatural, betrayal, and more elements and I highly recommend it. I would have loved to have seen more from this author.

I agree. This might be the best of Acclaim.

[Elveen]

I'm reading Superman: Birthright.

Somewhat interesting.

[400yrs]

Rachel Rising #1 by Terry Moore. Abstract Studios

This is definitely the shortest $3.99 comic book I've ever read. Waaaaaay too short. I counted the story pages and it was either 16 or 18 story pages. Not much dialogue. Not much there at all.

I'm going to just wait until the collected edition is out on all future Terry Moore stuff.


His last series, Echo, was collected and I feel a bit gypped. Here is the breakdown:

30 single issues @ $3.50 each = $105 for the total series
6 trades @ $15.95 each = $95.70
1 complete SC edition for $40

I went the trade route on Echo and I still don't have 5 or 6 which seem to be tough to find for cheap. I should've just waited for the SC if I knew it was coming. That's a nice value especially with discounts you can find. Therefore, I don't thinkg I'll be supporting his stuff in singles or trades.

[ian_house]

Been reading Ed Brubaker's run on Daredevil. Good stuff and some of the art is stunning. Not quite as good as Bendis and Maleev's run but an excellent way to follow up. Was this well received when it came out?