[stone monkey]

The graphic nature of the Marvelman (and if Marvel do decide to reprint it, that is what it should be called again. It was only retitled as Miracleman because of fears that if it were republished under its original moniker in the US, Marvel would sue...) birth scene caused a fair bit of comment way back in the 80s when it was first published. Despite the fact that Rick Veitch, the artist, apparently used a book on childbirth he got from his local public library as reference for it.

It's somewhat interesting, and perhaps says a fair bit about attitudes in the US (and elsewhere) to all sorts of things, that Miracleman #15, probably the most graphically violent superhero comic ever published, caused less of a furore on its original appearance. For those who don't know of it, the comic unflinchingly depicts what happens when a psychopathic superhuman, seemingly of equivalent power to Superman, goes on a killing rampage in London; and what happens when another, equally powerful, superhuman tries to stop him. All lovingly rendered in John Totleben's gloriously detailed and gloomy artwork. It's one of the most shocking, and extraordinary, single issues of a superhero comic ever published, I think.

I'm actually a fan of the Gaiman run (Alan Moore handed his share of the rights to the character to Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham for their continuation) After the events of #16 the only place the story could go was to somewhere completely different to what went before. After all, what does happen when your superhero actually succeeds and builds his utopia? The little vignettes that are shown effectively illustrate a world transformed in all manner of ways. I too wasn't all that impressed on first reading at the time, but theyhave grown on me. You could call it gaining a more mature perspectiveon the work, I guess.

I also, literally, own the book on the history of the book and the legal rights imbroglio that occurred after the US publishers Eclipse went bust and Todd MacFarlane (who really doesn't come out of it well) snapped up all their properties... If this does get republished, I'll be amongst the first in the queue to buy it.

Anyhow.... On a different note, I bought the trade of Incognito recently, a comic about a supervillain's search for redemption (and identity) by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. This is great stuff. Gritty noirish writing and lovely stylised artwork that harkens back to the pulps of the 30s and 40s. I'd highly recommend it.

This post has been edited by stone monkey: 03 December 2009 - 11:14 PM

[wolf_2099]

I finsihed my re-read of Miracleman last night.
I saw this at the end of issue 24, and had a good laugh.

I was very unimpressed with The Golden Age, the Salver Age got quite a bit better, shame it was only 2 issues.

Now reading the Great Darkness Saga from the Legion of Superheroes. Not really a fan of the Legion, but a good story none the less.

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[stone monkey]

I remember actually buying that issue and thinking "Hey! That sounds promising..." People have been born and grown to adulthood since then...

[Illuyankas]

So, Blackest Night 6 was leaked - after being sent out to stores early because of delivery issues and not scheduled to be sold til the 30th - and while normally I can resist the urge to check things too early, the one image I was spoiled with persuaded me to check out the whole issue as soon as I could, as it had the one moment I'd been waiting for since the whole War of Light and multiple Lantern Corps thing started: (seriously, don't read if you want to get the comic)

Spoiler

Finally Scarecrow as a member of the Sinestro Corps, a Yellow Lantern, the ones who work off the ability to cause fear in others? FUCKING NERDVANA

[Aptorian]

Marvel to trade 1 comic for every 50 DC comics destroyed

[Abyss]

re GlobalFrequency

stone monkey, on 18 November 2009 - 12:59 PM, said:

This could be fun
Although, given how it turned out last time, I won't be holding my breath...

polishgenius, on 18 November 2009 - 02:05 PM, said:

I do hope that this time they'll have the good sense not to nuke a project because people liked it. Even including the fact that it was leaked (because people lost patience waiting for them to air it), that was a daft decision even by TV exec standards.

...i keep hoping. It's SUCH a tv friendly concept it's sick.

wolf_2099, on 11 December 2009 - 08:59 PM, said:

Now reading the Great Darkness Saga from the Legion of Superheroes. Not really a fan of the Legion, but a good story none the less.

GREAT story. Classic comic book massive universe fight stuff.

Aptorian, on 15 January 2010 - 09:10 PM, said:

Marvel to trade 1 comic for every 50 DC comics destroyed

On a sick little 'let's you an him fight' level, i love them for this. the fact that it's for a Deadpool comic is just frosting.

- Abyss, bad person.

[polishgenius]

I finally bought the first volume of Transmetropolitan. Took me long enough. Sadly, my bookshop though it has 3 and 4 does not have 2 so I'll have to trek to London to get it. Ah well.

[Illuyankas]

Order it off the internet?

[polishgenius]

Well, I could, but it gives me an excuse to go to Forbidden Planet and geek out.

[Illuyankas]

Fair enough. If I had the cash I'd love to own physical copies of Transmet.

[polishgenius]

That's part of the reason it's taken me so long despite being a massive fan of Ellis - it's a fairly long series and I knew once I got the first one I'd want the rest in short order.

[wolf_2099]

I originally bought Transmet in trades, it turned out to be on of my favorite books so I decided to get the entire run in single issues, one for collecting, one for reading. Slow start, but once the overall plot gets going, great, great read.

[polishgenius]

Well, my journey to Forbidden Planet yeilded, as well as Transmet vol2, volume 1 of each of;

Unknown Soldier by Joshua Dysart - this comes from the Scalped school of hard-hitting realism, although there is a bit of conspiracy thriller thrown in. It is very good, clearly well researched and... well, incredibly grim. Not sure how far the story can go as it is without mixing it up a little though, which could strike an odd note with the subject matter... we'll see.
The Unwritten by Mike Carey - ace. It's a strong concept and Carey's always delivered good fantasy. If he's given the chance to this could be his strongest so far. He's with his main Lucifer artist too, which is handy, because Crossing Midnight was let down by the art a bit.
Chew by John Layman - just started this. Great concept. It reads kind of like a comedic version of Fell, so far. Nice art too.

[RodeoRanch]

I'd love if an Absolute Astro-City hardback was released. I love that series and it's just crying out for a big collection.

[Abyss]

Just read the first four ASTONISHING X-MEN TPBs.
Joss Whedon should really just give up on TV and write every comic ever.

- Abyss, ...notes Armor is now his new favourite x-men character ever...

[Aptorian]

[RodeoRanch]

Uhhh...where the hell was Supes hiding that movie?!

[Illuyankas]

Looks like a pocket in his cape. And not his arse.

...fuck, I just remembered the badly drawn story of Clark Kent and the Alien. I REALLY WANTED TO FORGET IT

[RodeoRanch]

You sonsofbitches. You've turned me in a comic book geek.

Amazon.com was having some ridiculous sales today due to a pricing glitch. Picked up Marvel's "The Ultimates Omnibus" for 9 bucks. A 65 dollar book for 9 bucks. Hells yes.

http://www.bleedingc...ts-being-fixed/


Also picked up the first three "Planetary" volumes from the BookDepository.

[Illuyankas]

Excellent, hope they take note. I do have one piece of advice for you, though:

DO NOT READ ULTIMATES 3 OR ULTIMATUM

TRUST ME ON THIS, YOUR EYES AND BRAIN WILL THANK YOU

This post has been edited by Illuyankas: 07 March 2010 - 09:47 PM