What comics are you reading now?

[hulk181man]

I started on the first Locke & Key HC: Welcome to Lovecraft. 2 issues in....enjoying it so far.

[hulk181man]

After finishing up the 1st 11 Fables TPBs, I started in on Preacher. I had read the first 20+ issues when they came out but lost interest, and I've got to say I find the same thing happening again. I generally like Ennis' work, and it's not that I find Preacher offensive or anything, but I am kind of bored with the story already. It may improve, but just noting the drop-off for me.
Now that I think about it, during most Ennis runs I've read, there's been high points that I love and remember, but the majority are forgettable/ok. His Hellblazer run has several really great issues that I have read multiple times, but I haven't felt the need to re-read the entire thing. And only a few of them has Dillon art (I'm not a big fan).
I remember enjoying his Demon and Hitman runs quite a bit years ago, and Hitman 34 (like Preacher 18) is a wonderful issue.
Perhaps selective Ennis is better than comprehensive Ennis.

I really liked how Preacher started out but it seemed to meander and lose it's way....there seemed a lot of untapped potential.

[400yrs]

After finishing up the 1st 11 Fables TPBs, I started in on Preacher. I had read the first 20+ issues when they came out but lost interest, and I've got to say I find the same thing happening again. I generally like Ennis' work, and it's not that I find Preacher offensive or anything, but I am kind of bored with the story already. It may improve, but just noting the drop-off for me.
Now that I think about it, during most Ennis runs I've read, there's been high points that I love and remember, but the majority are forgettable/ok. His Hellblazer run has several really great issues that I have read multiple times, but I haven't felt the need to re-read the entire thing. And only a few of them has Dillon art (I'm not a big fan).
I remember enjoying his Demon and Hitman runs quite a bit years ago, and Hitman 34 (like Preacher 18) is a wonderful issue.
Perhaps selective Ennis is better than comprehensive Ennis.

I really liked how Preacher started out but it seemed to meander and lose it's way....there seemed a lot of untapped potential.

Same. The second and third trades are the best.

[Phantom..]

Anyone reading starborn?
What's it about?
Is it good?

[Jersen]

I'm catching up on months 2 and 3 of the DC New 52 books I'm following. Trying to get caught up on my current books so I can dive into my vacation reading and also to be caught up when my DCBS order arrives next week.

Also reading my way through "Supergods," which I'm finding to be an interesting, engaging read. I'm only about 1/3 of the way through. Alot of the criticism around this books is that it's unfocused and can't decide whether it wants to be a history lesson, a personal memoir, or a cultural/philosophical work. Rather--to me--I find those shifts in approach to be something that adds variety and keeps my interest, and all seem pretty clearly geared toward Morrison's goal for the book, which is to offer his interpretation of the continuing cultural relevance of superheroes.

[Elveen]

So I've kind hit a bad stretch of reading lately.

The Gen 13 TPB was not my thing, so i did not finish it, I also started From Hell, I read the 1st 2 books, not my thing. I really thought I would like it, but I did not.

I decided to read something that I was fairly sure I would like, so I read a Grendel Devil by the Deed. I REALLY liked this. But I knew I would (I've liked everything I've read by Matt Wagner.)

So after reading the Grendel TPB, I then started in another TPB I just got, the X-Men God Loves Man Kills. I just started it, but so far so good.

[Jersen]

Wow, Elveen! I can't believe you're just now reading God Loves, Man Kills. A classic Claremont X-Men story that definitely is a product of the time it was published. My copy is very worn out from me and each of my school friends reading it 100 times apiece. I've had it since I was in 3rd grade, which was 1989/1990.

It's so cool that you're just reading it for the first time, and I'd like to hear what you think of it once you're finished. I know it's definitely a dated story nowadays, but I'd like to get an opinion of how it holds up from a first-time adult reader.

[400yrs]

It's so cool that you're just reading it for the first time, and I'd like to hear what you think of it once you're finished. I know it's definitely a dated story nowadays, but I'd like to get an opinion of how it holds up from a first-time adult reader.

It's a touch dated, but it's the best thing Claremont ever wrote. I've read it a few times in the last few years.

[leonmallett]

I'm catching up on months 2 and 3 of the DC New 52 books I'm following. Trying to get caught up on my current books so I can dive into my vacation reading and also to be caught up when my DCBS order arrives next week.

Also reading my way through "Supergods," which I'm finding to be an interesting, engaging read. I'm only about 1/3 of the way through. Alot of the criticism around this books is that it's unfocused and can't decide whether it wants to be a history lesson, a personal memoir, or a cultural/philosophical work. Rather--to me--I find those shifts in approach to be something that adds variety and keeps my interest, and all seem pretty clearly geared toward Morrison's goal for the book, which is to offer his interpretation of the continuing cultural relevance of superheroes.

I think the book (Supergods) was never intended to be a straight up memoir, history or deconstruction of the genre and medium, but a mix of all. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes it is inherently skewed to Morrison's own biases, but I was okay with that, even as I accepted his glossing over of some non-DC/Marvel parts of comic book history.

[leonmallett]

Anyone reading starborn?
What's it about?
Is it good?

I am finishing up reading Starborn. The weakest of the 3 BOOM Stan Lee books to my mind.

Basically our hero realises he is living the life he has been creating 'imaginary' stories about. I think the execution failed to live up to the high concept, and the art did not help for me, being too cartoon-y.

[Phantom..]

cheers Leon. I think I will pass.

[vikingspawn]

Currently reading:

Star Wars - Knight Errant: Deluge #3-5
Radioactive Man #1
Occultist #1 & 2
Simpsons Comics #185
Funnies #6

[400yrs]

Last of the Greats #1 - This was good. I'll look out for the trade or more issues in cheap bins.

[Doorman]

Finished up Ms. Marvel #1-23 & vol. II #1-50 (and various one-shots/specials). It was fun to do a "character study" but, I wouldn't really recommend the first series. Brian Reed's series (volume two) was MUCH better and had a fun story arc with Machine Man (a la his Nextwave version) and Sleepwalker.

Now, I'm going to read through some various mini series like Onslaught Unleashed, Osborn - and then on to X-Men Forever.

[leonmallett]

cheers Leon. I think I will pass.

It may be just that Starborn wasn't my cup of tea, so maybe get some other opinions.

On the other hand I was quite taken with The Traveller and Soldier Zero.

[leonmallett]

Besides topping up my regular monthly reading, over the past few weeks I have been mainlining various Marvel collected editions, both stuff I have read before and less frequently stuff that is new to me.

This has included:
Avengers: The Korvac Saga (vol. 1 #167-168, #170-177, extra story pages from 1991 Korvac Saga TPB)
Young Avengers: Sidekicks (YA #1-6)
Young Avengers: Family Matters (YA #7-12 and Special; partway through)
Avengers: World Trust (vol. 3 #57-61)
Avengers: Standoff (#62-64, Thor # 58, Iron Man #64)
Avengers: Red Zone (#65-70)
Avengers: The Search For She-Hulk (#71-76)
Hulk No More HC (Hulk vol. 2 #10–18; Incredible Hulk #600)


And from DC:
New Teen Titans: Games (really enjoyed this)
New Teen Titans Omnibus vol. 1 (just started on this mammoth beast)

So a sprinkle of teen heroes, a lot of Avengers, and more than a dash of retro.

[chisumwomack]

Besides topping up my regular monthly reading, over the past few weeks I have been mainlining various Marvel collected editions, both stuff I have read before and less frequently stuff that is new to me.

This has included:
Avengers: The Korvac Saga (vol. 1 #167-168, #170-177, extra story pages from 1991 Korvac Saga TPB)
Young Avengers: Sidekicks (YA #1-6)
Young Avengers: Family Matters (YA #7-12 and Special; partway through)
Avengers: World Trust (vol. 3 #57-61)
Avengers: Standoff (#62-64, Thor # 58, Iron Man #64)
Avengers: Red Zone (#65-70)
Avengers: The Search For She-Hulk (#71-76)
Hulk No More HC (Hulk vol. 2 #10–18; Incredible Hulk #600)


And from DC:
New Teen Titans: Games (really enjoyed this)
New Teen Titans Omnibus vol. 1 (just started on this mammoth beast)

So a sprinkle of teen heroes, a lot of Avengers, and more than a dash of retro.

How good is The Korvac Saga? I've heard both ways.

[leonmallett]

How good is The Korvac Saga? I've heard both ways.

it was something I read about 20-25 years ago amid a run borrowed from a friend, so my recollections were vague. I thought I would get the HC to revisit the story and to be honest I am glad that I did, even if I don't think the story holds up well. I am glad because I like being able to read Avengers from all eras.

Even accounting for the change in storytelling styles between then and now, the Korvac Saga is simply a flawed narrative in my view. It has a massive build-up (for its time) in sheer number of issues to lead to an ending which while intriguing, did not warrant as much time spent in the build-up as there was.

The Thor lead-in annual aside, which really stands alone in some ways thematically and narratively, I think using a 3-act model over 3 issues would have played for both a very tight narrative and would have allowed the ending to seem less anti-climactic. Which is pretty far removed from the lengthy storyline we got.

Whether Shooter had just plotted himself into a corner and so felt the denouement could not have been achieved any other way, or whether he always intended the story to end as it did, only one man can answer, and as entertaining as I find Shooter's deconstructions and reminiscences of his own work, I do believe he is a slightly unreliable narrator, so maybe the true answers would not be found with him either, especially after such a long time.

[Cyberstrike]

I'm currently reading: The Transformers: Heart of Darkness #1-4 and The Transformers #19-31.
I'm also reading: Mass Effect: Invasion #1-2, 'Breed and 'Breed II HCs, and The Transformers: Classics UK vol. 1 TPB,

And if a few weeks (once I get to CBU): The Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime #1, The Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1, The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye vol. 2 #1, Mass Effect: Invasion #3, and 'Breed III #7

[Cyberstrike]

cheers Leon. I think I will pass.

It may be just that Starborn wasn't my cup of tea, so maybe get some other opinions.

On the other hand I was quite taken with The Traveller and Soldier Zero.

IMHO I think Starborn was the best story and character wise but the artwork is horrible.

Solider Zero was surprising very good but kind of rushed.

The Traveller was a major disappointment.

[Doorman]

Just read a few mini-series

Onslaught Unleashed - some interesting revelations about Nomad (Rikki Barnes). weird art but I always enjoy Sean McKeever's writing.

Osborn - Norman breaks out of a prison holding highly dangerous super-villains. I think I would have enjoyed this more if the villains were known characters instead of all new creations.

Guardians - a fun young adult space adventure with a neat tip of the hat to the Guardians of the Galaxy

Blink - which will lead me right into my next major read ... Exiles #1-100, New Exiles #1-18 and Exiles vol. II #1-4

[Elveen]

Been reading some hit and miss things....... some I really thought I'd like I have not even finished.

Including From Hell and something I just put down with out finishing, Frank Miller's Elektra Assassin.

I got a beat up cheap trade of this book. I've really wanted to read it for a while, but honestly, I did not like the story telling style. Not for me. I keep trying to get in to it, but I could not do it.

I did just start Mike Grell's Bond story, Permission to Die. so far so good.

[400yrs]

Guarding the Globe. Although Invincible is my favorite comic, this mini kind of sucked.

[400yrs]

The latest Invincible. This was a really good issue. You see the complete 180 from Omni Man and interesting stuff with Allen and Oliver. Great stuff.

[leonmallett]

Been re-reading more and more Avengers; the first 10 issues of Mighty Avengers, the first 20 or so of New Avengers vol. 1.