Delinquents #1

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Alooooot of set up...

[pixierosa]

I don't think I'm the best judge on this type of book. For as big as a junior high goofball as I am, I don't care to read about it. (Apparently bad humor is only funny when we're telling it amongst ourselves.)

I like Archer and Armstrong. In general, I haven't liked Q&W. Woody is too much of a d-bag and hard to like, but it does make me giggle on occasion. It's just not my taste in humor. I prefer Van Lente's writing style - he does do humor (that sometimes falls flat) but he has always gotten me to care about the characters (except for when MM & Armstrong hooked up - that just was wrong). All of the other Valiant books feature main characters who I either like or can respect. Woody is too polarizing, and I'm not going to pay to be annoyed by a self-centered, selfish dude in a comic book when I can see all the a-holes I want at the local Wally World for free.

That said - I did like this book more than a regular Q&W book but slightly less than an A&A. I thought it was an improvement on Asmus' part. Decent pacing, more character development than usual. I read it once, and my "memory" of this book was that for once, Woody wasn't horrible. Lots of setup as others have mentioned. It has possibilities.

The general discussion here seems like many of us didn't care for the delivery of this concept. I'll have to check and see what the general buzz is - I've found that readers who aren't completely Valiant dialed-in tend to read only Q&W (and now Rai). Q&W has a lot of non-Valiant fans - which mystifies me, but they may be Asmus fans in general.

[400yrs]

Q&W has a lot of non-Valiant fans - which mystifies me, but they may be Asmus fans in general.

I don't know about Asmus fans, but Q&W is pretty much the only book remembered fondly from The Acclaim days. I think the upcoming Priest run may do pretty well.

[jaspersk]

Investcomics.com mentions delinquents but also adds that
Valiant books havent appreciated much.

[jmatt]

I did like this book more than a regular Q&W book but slightly less than an A&A.

That's about right, imo. I enjoyed the issue and think it set up the mini pretty well, as the two pair are on a collision course.

Woody is toned down and Archer is more like his VH1 persona (which I like).

The character of Archer has been a little inconsistent for awhile actually. He's had darker moments, like when he went back in time seeking revenge on Aram. And for some weird reason he renamed himself Dark Archer that lasted all of like a single panel. Then at other times we've seen him more of his placcid, naive self.

In any event, I liked the issue and thought it was well told. Even with all of the jumping around between time frames and the scenarios the two pair find themselves in, at no point was I confused as to what was going on or why anyone was doing what they were doing.

[BugsySig]

I actually didn't think it was that bad. Most of the jokes worked and Asmus wrote A&A just fine.

Though I'm not sure why a guy with access to the Akashic record would need a "meditation for dummies" CD other than for a cheesy bit about being disturbed by Armstrong?

A lot of set up, but that's what happens when you have a crossover mini. You have to set it up.

Overall not as good as FVL's A&A, but better than the second and third Q&W arcs.

[ilzuccone]

You all are crazy this was the best book this week. Art is perfect and really enjoyable. Hobo assmap?! Hilarious! Hobo king. Secret hobo code? Love it. A & a and q & w are going to be awesome together.

Im going to take a shot in the dark and guess those who didnt enjoy this book generally dont enjoy this type of book

If i wasnt reading valiant and my lcs guy said "hobo assmap" i would have bought it and it would lead me to other vei titles. So BAM! Haterz guna hate!

[ilzuccone]

I didn't buy it, but skimmed through it pretty thoroughly at my LCS. I've long since given up on A&A since issue 7 and about the same for Q&W. Delinquents was a new low in the short history of VEI. Cannot even fathom anyone green-lighting such a comic abomination.

Though I have to say, I -am- looking forward to the Bright miniseries coming up soon. Q&W old school.

Come on! How are you reviewing a comic you haven't read?! I call shenanigans!

[CaptnAmerca]

I thought it was a fun book, with a lot of setup.

Yes, they had me at "hobo *SQUEE*-map", too. The Goat trying to eat the chia creature cracked me up.

Actually, the whole goofy page with the hippie CEO was great. Especially where the servant holds up two animals and the CEO says "the panda" like he's choosing between two suits.

I think the series has a lot of potential.

[ilzuccone]

I thought it was a fun book, with a lot of setup.

Yes, they had me at "hobo *SQUEE*-map", too. The Goat trying to eat the chi's creature cracked me up.

Actually, the whole goofy page with the hippie CEO was great. Especially where the servant holds up two animals and the CEO says "the panda" like he's choosing between two suits.

I think the series has a lot of potential.

+1 the ceo page was great

[hawkeyeps]

The blank cover is on glossy stock...not cool

Have you actually picked up and looked at it? It's a perfect sketch stock. Pencils work well but Inks do not bleed. It's not really "glossy" it's more "matte".

We had sketches done today by James and they looked fantastic

I think it is being corrected now.

[lorddunlow]

I actually liked this a lot. I had very low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised.

I don't get the negative comments. Definitely not as good as Archer and Armstrong, but pretty darn fun, if you ask me.

[ilzuccone]

I actually liked this a lot. I had very low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised.

I don't get the negative comments. Definitely not as good as Archer and Armstrong, but pretty darn fun, if you ask me.

+1

[hawkeyeps]

I actually liked this a lot. I had very low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised.

I don't get the negative comments. Definitely not as good as Archer and Armstrong, but pretty darn fun, if you ask me.

I agree with you Besty, the book was not my cup of tea but I found the writing and art to be innovating and interesting.

It's a quality book but just not for me and that's okay because VEI needs to expand it's readership beyond just us disciples.

[bygranddesign]

I actually liked this a lot. I had very low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised.

I don't get the negative comments. Definitely not as good as Archer and Armstrong, but pretty darn fun, if you ask me.

Wow ...yeah, agreed

I finally just got around to reading this issue and when i saw the replies building up - I was expecting to enter this thread and see a lot of praise.

I definitely think there is a disconnect with fans here .. and the comic style humor of Asmus.

I thought this was a very well done first issue. The art was perfect - very inventive style like Aja.

I liked the satirical aspect with Mondostano (obviously a rip on a very REAL corporate machine Monsanto who really are putting farms out of business with their patented seeds)

And it was funny - I LOL several times.

This is going to be a fun series.

I liked it a lot. Then I checked in this thread to see what everybody else thought.



Maybe I've gone a bit nuts, but I enjoyed the small-frame art and thought the story was charming and goofy. Better than Quantum and Woody on its own, and at least on a par with Archer and Armstrong. Good stuff!

+1

[ilzuccone]

Glad to see im not the only one who liked it. Maybe next issue ill read it first so i can front load the thread with possitive thoughts.

[Watchtower]

The issue I see here is that we have very styles at play. FVL does a lot of humor, but his strengths lie mainly in his skill with satire. Asmus, meanwhile, relies heavily on being as surreal as possible (though he has shown a surprising level of depth with Woody's characterization). These styles don't exactly mix that well, and when the first few pages show a map to hobo treasure written on skinned asscheeks you know exactly who's taking charge.

That said, I did think Archer or Armstrong were done well. I have to wonder if FVL's making sure they remain IC, because they both sound close to main series, Archer moreso than Armstrong. I'm also digging the hell out of Kano's artwork, especially the unique layouts and good attempt at old-school compression. Who knew such a lovely Australian could do so well?

Overall it's....okay, I guess. It's kinda all set-up right now, so it's a little hard to judge at the moment, but it's decent enough to at least give the next one a try.

[jmatt]

a map to hobo treasure written on skinned asscheeks you know exactly who's taking charge.

I was assuming it was tatters from an old pair of hobo boxers.

[Dallow Spicer1]

In 2 minds whether to pick this up or not? Some mixed reviews here made me think not but then listening to Asmus' talking about it on OTV has got me curious!

[BugsySig]

In 2 minds whether to pick this up or not? Some mixed reviews here made me think not but then listening to Asmus' talking about it on OTV has got me curious!

I think it would be worth grabbing the first issue just to see, don't you?

[Dallow Spicer1]

In 2 minds whether to pick this up or not? Some mixed reviews here made me think not but then listening to Asmus' talking about it on OTV has got me curious!

I think it would be worth grabbing the first issue just to see, don't you?

Yeah you're right Bugsy, think I will!

[leonmallett]

....That said - I did like this book more than a regular Q&W book but slightly less than an A&A. I thought it was an improvement on Asmus' part. Decent pacing, more character development than usual. I read it once, and my "memory" of this book was that for once, Woody wasn't horrible. Lots of setup as others have mentioned. It has possibilities.

Pretty much my feeling. The structural positives I am putting down to Van Lente's input. I think that has reined in Asmus' focus on 'humour' above plot, characterisation etc. I could very well be wrong, but the plot feels like a Van Lente Archer and Armstrong type of plot.

...Q&W has a lot of non-Valiant fans - which mystifies me, but they may be Asmus fans in general.

I have read at least one other thing by Asmus, from Marvel, which I did enjoy, but he was co-writer there. So maybe a co-writer is the way to harness his talents? I say that as someone who has largely disliked his Quantum and Woody tenure, yet found positives in Delinquents and that Marvel story.

In all, I think Van Lente could have written this just as well alone, if mnot a little better, but the story was not terrible and had some nice touches for my reading.

The Kano art was mostly enjoyable expect one page which I really struggled with the panel flow. But a lot of panels per page making a fairly dense read by modern standards.

In all, not bad. Better than Quantum and Woody for me, but not as good as Archer and Armstrong, which pixierosa said so well above.

[kjjohanson]

Now if Valiant really had a good sense of humour they would put these quotes on the cover like they used to do with positive snippets from reviews on past issues.

Quotes from this thread for the cover of Delinquents #2-

"Hm... Not sure what I think yet"

"Not all that funny"

"The only real issue I have is someone who doesn't know the characters might not really feel compelled to continue getting the issues"

"Archer and Armstrong fans may be a little disappointed"

"Delinquents was a new low in the short history of VEI. Cannot even fathom anyone green-lighting such a comic abomination."

"I quit reading Q&W out of disgust"

"They finally seem to have reigned in Woody a touch so while still an *SQUEE* he's at least not as douchie"

Plaster those quotes all over the cover now that would be funny!

Gotta add Bruce's to the list:

If the rest of the series is of this same quality, the best thing that can be said is that it is a mini series and will be over soon

[kjjohanson]

Woody is too much of a d-bag and hard to like, but it does make me giggle on occasion.

I think the main thing that Asmus is missing (and it's a biggie) is that we're not supposed to like Woody. I'm fine with him being a *SQUEE*, but don't make him likable. He should be the primary antagonist in the way of Quantum being a hero. That's how I think Priest & Bright was presenting it (of the issues I read in the original series). Quantum had his faults too, but I saw him as the main character. It was Quantum (& Woody); that's what made the original series work for me. Someone on the boards here described it super-anal-retentive and super-slacker. The humor came from those personalties clashing.

[dornwolf]

a map to hobo treasure written on skinned asscheeks you know exactly who's taking charge.

I was assuming it was tatters from an old pair of hobo boxers.

to be fair I thought it was tattooed or scarred on a hobos *SQUEE* and they had to take the hobo with them