Doctor Solar 1

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:40 pm

The story has a lot of potential, the parts I liked the best though were when he was explaining his origin, both in the story and art. The #0 issue is going to be awesome, is it too much to ask for Barry Windsor-Smith to do the art?

Not too crazy about the art. Calero doesn't seem to be the right fit for this kind of book. Some of the color effects and shadows were well done, but the action scenes weren't the greatest. His style seems similar to Jae Lee, not really suited for Solar.

Overall it was a good issue that set up a lot of things in the universe (anomalies, Nuro), but not sure it was the right one to kick off the line.

The Bob Fujitani art in the reprint story is excellent (maybe he's still around?). The great value of this comic (48 pgs for 3.50) and great production values (nice thick cover, not too shiny paper) push this from a B to a B+

Anxiously anticipating #2 and up

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:27 pm

I just finished reading issue 1, and it was much better than I had anticipated...which was difficult, since I was trying to keep the hype down for myself

Like others have stated previously, the artwork by Dennis Calero seemed to be the only real downfall with the book. I think that his colors were pretty cool, and it's really a bang up job for one guy to do all the artwork like that, but it did take away from the story, in my opinion.

Now the story...I don't want to spoil anyone. But it does appear that the story is going to just get better and better as more pieces of the grand puzzle are revealed

I enjoyed the use of characters and the plot seemed very unique.

Looking forward to more

dave · Post by **dave** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:00 am

I liked the story. I was surprised how different it was than the FCBD issue. I thought that there was going to be a recap of the entire thing.

It appears the "timing" issues were corrected.

I think it has been set up nicely for the series, but I was hoping for a little more depth. I liked the part about him having to the math for his clothes...

I didn't read the Gold Key story.

What about condition? The issue is so thick that all of the copies on the shelf where I was had spine breaking issues. What did you guys find?

I'd like to get a variant copy if I can get one for cover price, but my shop is the only game in town, and they didn't have any.

VEI Reborn · Post by **VEI Reborn** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:34 am

At 5pm yesterday I started making calls....It wasnt until the 4th LCS that I was able to find any. The first 3 shops were sold out so much in fact, all 3 laughed when I called saying we sold out ours ago.

The shop I went to had 4 regs and 2 variants. I picked them all up and the clerk told me they would be doubling their orders for these. I made sure I told them to do the same for Magnus and Turok.

Has anyone noticed that these look like they will be hard to find in perfect condition? It looks like there will be spine problems. I realize shops arent super careful but it just looks like we will be seeing a lot of fraying on the spines.

As for the story, I seriously am so pumped guys. I have really been down and out lately about comics and I see a TON of potential here. I cant wait for next month

VEI Reborn · Post by **VEI Reborn** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:37 am

dave wrote:I liked the story. I was surprised how different it was than the FCBD issue. I thought that there was going to be a recap of the entire thing.

It appears the "timing" issues were corrected.

I think it has been set up nicely for the series, but I was hoping for a little more depth. I liked the part about him having to the math for his clothes...

I didn't read the Gold Key story.

What about condition? The issue is so thick that all of the copies on the shelf where I was had spine breaking issues. What did you guys find?

I'd like to get a variant copy if I can get one for cover price, but my shop is the only game in town, and they didn't have any.

Ahh so it wasnt just me to find spine issues.

Looks like Im on a hunt for a few of these without the spine issues

Paul Nolan · Post by **Paul Nolan** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:19 am

I was surprised to see the Newsarama / Shotgun Reviews reviewer look at this book with such a shallow mind.

Dr Solar a Man created by Science created essentially by a micro big bang, & Whitmore Pickerel, a man with the power of creation.

Big Bang vs Creationism, or Science vs God.

Shooter has started off with possibly the ultimate battle, and possibly the the most obvious fight a writer should put Dr Solar in.

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:18 am

The first issue is mainly set up but what's there is definately intrigueing. It's too early to judge, but it's a solid beginning. The reprint of the first Solar was neat. Like watching the original after the remake. I just wish the artist was better but that will be taken care of in issue 3 when they replace him with a better artist who has proven himself on monthly deadlines.

And for spoilers:

It's interesting to get an origin that crosses reforming himself after a nuclear accident (like at the beginning of Alpha And Omega) and the black hole which let him alter time and reality (creating the super heroes/villians at VALIANT and causing "anomolies" here) in one. It's interesting to get the detailed scientific rational for all that.

The writer and the characters he's brought to life reminds me of Shooter's work on Til Death Do Us Part (at Broadway) though the characters and concept aren't as fleshed out...yet.

The biggest shoe I'm waiting to drop is how he's going to reestablish his life and Gail... Phil is quite a bit older than she appears to be, so that'll be interesting.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:36 am

Todd Luck wrote:The biggest shoe I'm waiting to drop is how he's going to reestablish his life and Gail... Phil is quite a bit older than she appears to be, so that'll be interesting.

Women like older men. It has been proved by science.

Therefor, it makes sense for Mr. Science, aka Dr. Solar, to get all the hot younger chicks.

Wait a minute, I'm Dr. Solar. Sweet.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:45 am

fortune and hot young babes Mr jones

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:59 am

No time for love Doctor Jones!

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:01 pm

theres always time for love shortround

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:03 pm

Shorty, where's my razor?

JCVaughn · Post by **JCVaughn** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:18 pm

JonesyAZ wrote:
JCVaughn wrote:My retailer (who is pretty darn cool) put both the regular and variant covers in my bag. This was probably the most excited I've been going to the comic shop on a day when it wasn't one of my projects coming out.

I was very aware that I haven't felt that way in a long time... but now I do.

Still not big on the art, but the story is an intriguing beginning and full of promise.

With the extra pages and nice cover stock, it's a pretty substantial package.

The shop had one shelf copy left as I was leaving.
Curious, JC...

When compared to no. of shelf copies of current hot books out there, is this a good sign? Do you think the store may have ordered a smaller amount of copies since this relaunch is just beginning?

They ordered more than they usually do for a non-Marvel/DC title (I'm sure it had nothing to do with me talking about it all the time). One of my friends there was really impressed with the sales, so I think it's a good thing.

JCVaughn · Post by **JCVaughn** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:20 pm

StarBrand wrote:Very common.

But aren't the cover prices left off most of those examples?

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:23 pm

JCVaughn wrote:
StarBrand wrote:Very common.
But aren't the cover prices left off most of those examples?

You may have a point.

Crow331 · Post by **Crow331** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:12 pm

Here in Hollywood they had about 7 copies today ... plus 2 variants that they were charging $6 each for. I walked in and asked the dude if they had Doctor Solar and he had no idea what I was talking about. He had to look it up in the computer and even then couldn't find it. He said "Is that from a new publisher?"

and he works there!!! I told him Dark Horse and he pointed me to the Dark Horse section.

I'm just getting back into comics (a little) and I refuse to get pulled into the "Valiant" hype of yester year with the variants and buying multiple copies etc. No variants for me and only one copy to read. That's it!

I also picked up the latest issue of Daredevil, who has always been my personal favorite character, and also issues 2,3,4 of Green Hornet Year One ... I already bought the first issue ...

Anyways, thanks to Shooter and these characters we all love, I am officially back into comics after many years of not picking up anything!

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:34 pm

Haven't read mine yet but I got both versions--variant for $6

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:54 pm

I just had to give some props for something I noticed in this issue:

In the full-page "I Love Comics" advertisement towards the back of the book, the owners of "All About Books and Comics" here in Phoenix are in the bottom center image!!! I can't remember their names, but I thought that was pretty awesome

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:11 pm

JonesyAZ wrote:I just had to give some props for something I noticed in this issue:

In the full-page "I Love Comics" advertisement towards the back of the book, the owners of "All About Books and Comics" here in Phoenix are in the bottom center image!!! I can't remember their names, but I thought that was pretty awesome

Good catch. That's Alan and Marsha Giroux.

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:54 pm

Here are some comments on Doctor Solar 1, including comments from Jim Shooter and even a few board members here.

http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/51/docsolar

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:04 pm

StarBrand wrote:Here are some comments on Doctor Solar 1, including comments from Jim Shooter and even a few board members here.

http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/51/docsolar

I'm surprised to see they chose not to talk about the bad reviews. Seems to me the best thing to do is just face it head on.

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:48 pm

On the whole I enjoyed it. Pace and story wise it felt different to a book from the 'big two', a good thing for me. The art was the creative weakness, but I enjoy Roger Robinson's work so he could be a good choice.

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:54 pm

I finally read Solar #1 last night. I found it decent enough, but the story and art need to pick up if I’m going to go long with the title.

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:57 pm

I'm Bink Lee btw...

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:53 pm

I thought it was quite enjoyable to. Definitely had massive potential, my only issue was with the art which I did think was a bit crap. Should be great by issue 3!