[McLovin]

Or, hello, make it a smartphone app. That way you can update the concept but keep the title.

[Abyss]

'Dial .App for Hero'

[QuickTidal]

So the main BATMAN line by Snyder and Capullo finished up their big event arc DEATH OF THE FAMILY yesterday with issue #17. While the beginning of the arc was solid, the middle sagged under a bit of a repetitiveness from the Joker as he just kept punishing Bats and spouting off paragraphs of stuff to him. The ending, though was REALLY solid and did not end in any way I expected. Kudos to Snyder for coming at things from a different angle than I've seen done before. The main crux was WHO of Bats family would be the "death"...if you are curious, unspoiler the major ending spoilers below:

Spoiler

No one died. Not in so many words. Instead what the Joker accomplished was to put severe doubt into the minds of Batman's family of heroes. They all were questioning Bruce and why, for example a Joker card had been placed into the Batcave...had the Joker been there, did he really know who Batman was, did he then know everyone elses identity as well?...so in the end, even though none of them died, it ends with all of Bruce's family begging off seeing him or talking to him (most of them text him that they are busy)...in essence killing off his family unit...at least the way he'd built it to be tightly knit. So they kind of all die, in a sense. And the last page is a wonderful middle finger to Batman from the Joker...and again, one I didn't see coming. Subtle, and brutal at the same time. Solid, solid ending...and not at all what I was expecting.

Totally recommended. Probably the best event arc in the DCNew. Snyder really is their golden boy, and mostly because he's doing things I never expected to see in mainstream comics.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 14 February 2013 - 02:50 PM

[QuickTidal]

So Neil Gaiman tweeted yesterday that he had arrived home and was writing SANDMAN...

writing SANDMAN...

writing SANDMAN...

writing SANDMAN...

writing SANDMAN...

writing SANDMAN...!!!!!**&%$&$&@&#&*@**!!!!!!!

Oh man, he's writing the new SANDMAN prequel! Like right now.

[polishgenius]

Sweet.

Hey, QT, I know you don't read a lot of Marvel but have you read Jonathan Hickman's run on Fantastic Four/FF yet? Coz while I haven't yet been able to read it in proper sequence I came across the first part of FF in the library today and devoured it on the spot, it's great - and it seems like it'd be right up your street from what your tastes seem to be like - big, cosmic ideas driven superhero comics. It's awesome.

[QuickTidal]

polishgenius, on 15 February 2013 - 07:15 PM, said:

Sweet.

Hey, QT, I know you don't read a lot of Marvel but have you read Jonathan Hickman's run on Fantastic Four/FF yet? Coz while I haven't yet been able to read it in proper sequence I came across the first part of FF in the library today and devoured it on the spot, it's great - and it seems like it'd be right up your street from what your tastes seem to be like - big, cosmic ideas driven superhero comics. It's awesome.

I've not yet...my most recent foray into Marvel was Cullen Bunn's FEARLESS DEFENDERS...which was awesome.

I'll check out Hickman's run on FF. Merci!

[polishgenius]

Make sure you start with Fantastic Four as opposed to what's titled FF on the covers (it changes over in response to an event you'd probably have been aware of but I won't spoil) - the trade numbers go back to 1 as well which is kind of silly...

[Studlock]

You know when you try to like something really hard but you can't? That's me and the new Guardians of the Galaxy (really should just call it Cosmic Avengers or something). It's only one issue so far but it's like they took out all the awesome of the previous volume and toss it out the window. No more dirty dozen overtones, completely changing the reason why Starlord started the group in the first place (he says, I shit you not, that the Badoons could gone on wrecking the galaxy as long as they never touched earth--basically the opposite of the reason he actually started it) while also, for some strange reason, changing his back story (I assume to give the super awesome gun he had lost). Giving no reason how he lived. Giving no reason why anyone else gives no shits about earth outside that it's in there galaxy there suppose to guarding but aren't because earth. Also for some reason Iron Man's in it because everyone knows Iron Man is best known for his cosmic adventures (literally dozen of characters, mostly X-men, could of filled this role...Captain Marvel, one of the better on-goings would have been perfect). It was only one issue, and basically the back story so I am going to give the first couple issue a go but if the don't explain at least half of my questions I am going have to drop it. Man I have a feeling this is going to be on the level of OMD when it comes to terrible mishandling characters for the sake of some hack plot.

On the plus side the art looks great.

And because of all this I am terrified to try to the new Nova.

[Abyss]

Studlock, on 06 March 2013 - 04:52 AM, said:

You know when you try to like something really hard but you can't? That's me and the new Guardians of the Galaxy ...

They captured lightning in a bottle once with (most of) DnA's original GotG run, killed it for no good reason for the mess that was Annihilators, and have never managed to get back to that level of greatness, which is particularly ironic given that the original DnA run was the reason for the increased readers and interest in the characters in the first place. Go figure.

Every once in a while Marvel stumbles onto something brilliant, and lets it run for a while, and then, inevitably, fucks it sideways from six different directions. And i mean that in a bad way. The kind of bad way that involves writing Iron Man into a space comic not because it makes sense, but because of movie marketing.

[polishgenius]

In light of recent developments in the strip, I reckon I should reiterate my conviction that if you're a fantasy fan and you're not already reading Order of the Stick, then you bloody should be. Okay?


Bear in mind on first reading though that, Dresden Files-like, the first arc or so is merely a good enjoyable D&D-based comic, but after that it grows into something so much more.

[Abyss]

polishgenius, on 06 March 2013 - 08:28 PM, said:

In light of recent developments in the strip, I reckon I should reiterate my conviction that if you're a fantasy fan and you're not already reading Order of the Stick, then you bloody should be. Okay?
...

Damn you PG, i didn't have that hour i spent yesterday reading the first hundred or so of those...
and i could rave about the educational elements of watching two dwarves do it, or how a fireball keeps the roasty flavour inside, but ultimately i just have to link to this... for managing to outdo every Monty Python/D&D mashup ever with its genius.

[polishgenius]

Mwahahaha.

I can't think of many, if any, things better at referential humour.

Not half bad at self-referential metahumour either.

[Ruthan Good]

Abyss, on 06 March 2013 - 04:27 PM, said:

Studlock, on 06 March 2013 - 04:52 AM, said:

You know when you try to like something really hard but you can't? That's me and the new Guardians of the Galaxy ...

They captured lightning in a bottle once with (most of) DnA's original GotG run, killed it for no good reason for the mess that was Annihilators, and have never managed to get back to that level of greatness, which is particularly ironic given that the original DnA run was the reason for the increased readers and interest in the characters in the first place. Go figure.

Every once in a while Marvel stumbles onto something brilliant, and lets it run for a while, and then, inevitably, fucks it sideways from six different directions. And i mean that in a bad way. The kind of bad way that involves writing Iron Man into a space comic not because it makes sense, but because of movie marketing.

I am hesitant, but I'd like to thing that #0.1 is not representative of the rest of the series. I found myself pleasantly enjoying Bendis' X-Men, so I'm staying optimistic. Re Iron Man was a questionable choice, but one could argue that if he manages to fit, then great.

As for Nova, that was very JephLoebian in style, and a bit clicheish, but fairly enjoyable. Point is that while neither book holds a candle to DnA's runs yet, we're still one issue in. So.

P.S. I saw someone recommending Jonathan Hickman's Fantastic Four run above. I'd like to +1 that. Also Hickman's Secret Warriors and Hickman's SHIELD. I like Hickman ).

Also, Hawkeye, anyone?

[amphibian]

Abyss, on 13 February 2013 - 02:38 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 13 February 2013 - 12:12 PM, said:

amphibian, on 13 February 2013 - 05:52 AM, said:

So what exactly is the problem with Mieville's run on Dial H? I've not read a new comic book in years, so I'm a near total outsider beyond being familiar with Mieville's work.

It's kind of trying to fit his New Weird style into a VERY generic plot and setting. So while it's a bit strange, it doesn't ever creep out of its origin as, use a phone box (these exist even in the DC New...even if they don't really exist IRL any more) to dial H-E-R-O and become one for a short time....Mieville's take on it has some people turning into some really bizarre hero's. But it's never not about that...so regardless of what other aspect of the story he's trying to tell, it's just rather blase.

...and the big bad is the 'evil force of chaos' thingy from GENE RODDENBERRY'S ANDROMEDA called 'The Abyss' in the show and 'Abyss' in the comic.
(no relation)
(to either).


But 'Dial H' is an utterly dated concept and Mieville's attempt to update it doesn't shine thru. Should have called it 'Download H for Hero'... wait that sounds like an internet-based heroin delivery service...

I was bored and waiting for someone so I popped into the nearby comics store and bought the first four issues of Dial H and the first trade of Hypernaturals.

Dial H is pretty fun. I don't know why you two are bagging on it. It's very like Kraken, except the bad guys are more playful and less outright evil. The phone thing is actually set up quite well with the mysterious "O" and quantum entanglement with the dial being the access interface.

Mieville's dialogue is wonderful and his characters have strong personalities. The artwork plays well with it and the weird superheroes are very funny and inventive. I am chasing down the remainder of the issues as quickly as I can. The "hortireptilian intruder" had me rolling.

Hypernaturals started out a bit slow with a set of characters I didn't really connect to all that much. And then Dan Abnett killed them all. He brought in the real Hypernaturals team with an actual crisis, very cool bad guy and lots of backstory being dropped in at a good pace with flashbacks.

I got the first trade paperback and the next is due in August. I'll look at the publishing schedule and see whether it's worth it to wait for the trade or go with the floppies and ads.

That was a really well spent 26 bucks.

And Abyss doesn't like the other Abyss because he goes after light, rather than brains.

[Abyss]

Ruthan Good, on 10 March 2013 - 09:21 PM, said:

... Hickman's Secret Warriors ...

Reco thirded, fourthed and fifthed... just read this and it's BRILLIANT.
Has to dance around some of Marvel's crossover events, but does a really nice job of it. And fairly merciless to the cast, which is a nice touch at Marvel where dead rarely means dead.

amphibian, on 13 March 2013 - 02:38 AM, said:

...And Abyss doesn't like the other Abyss because he goes after light, rather than brains.

That too.

[Abyss]

Abyss, on 08 March 2013 - 03:47 PM, said:

polishgenius, on 06 March 2013 - 08:28 PM, said:

In light of recent developments in the strip, I reckon I should reiterate my conviction that if you're a fantasy fan and you're not already reading Order of the Stick, then you bloody should be. Okay?
...

Damn you PG, i didn't have that hour i spent yesterday reading the first hundred or so of those...
and i could rave about the educational elements of watching two dwarves do it, or how a fireball keeps the roasty flavour inside, but ultimately i just have to link to this... for managing to outdo every Monty Python/D&D mashup ever with its genius.

polishgenius, on 09 March 2013 - 09:15 PM, said:

Mwahahaha.

I can't think of many, if any, things better at referential humour.

Not half bad at self-referential metahumour either.

Am up to the 600s... this is awesome. Sheer brilliant homicidal halflings paladins on sharks dashing swordsman subtypes evil shadow monsters with hello kitty umbrellas worth of awesome, basted in awesomesauce and served with a side of d20 shaped fries.

I'm actually going to be really sad when i get caught up because i won't have hundreds of strips to read any more.

[amphibian]

I read issues 1 to 10 of Dial H. It's awesome.

I don't know why you guys don't like it. The Centipede is one of the best bad guys I've seen in a while. The Abyss was dealt with inside three issues and led only to more questions about "O", the creator? of the dials.

[Abyss]

Picked up the four THE SWORD collections. pretty psyched about reading those.

[Studlock]

Been reading through Scalped and I am getting that uncomfortable feeling of when a white person tries to write a culture other than their own earnestly but still dips into the stereotype jar one to many times. Let me say this first, the characters, plot and general tone is great along with the art. It is very much noir and I very much like crime stories so basically I am conflicted. Every single character we've meant is literally broken. I've been to the rez, my grandma use to live on one of the worst rez's in Alberta, and it was never as bad as shown in the comic book. This is along with a few things such totem poles being present which are definitely not a Lakota tradition. I always have this problem with a person who is in a position of social power trying to write with an insider voice despite being an outsider. It simply isn't his story to tell no matter how well its told. I am not saying Jason Aaron is racist himself but the book does come of a bit like it is to me. Though I identify as a Metis/Cree just how basically every character is tied up in at least one stereotype attached to First Nations and has that stereotype as key component of the characters personality bothered me. Most of the characters arcs come from overcoming the rez 'corruption'. I really wish this hadn't taken place on a rez because the writing and art is really good despite the things I found problematic with it. I'll continue reading it because it's not often you see First Nations as the sole focus of a book and because I really really like noir.

In other news I've been reading/re-reading some marvel comics. Jeff Parkers run on Thunderbolts/Dark Avengers is honestly one of the best runs in comics for me in a long time. Also I don't know why everyone ragging on Marvel NOW! Every book outside of the cosmic stuff was been fine for me which includes All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men (I really wish they would come right out and say Cyclops was right, ugh AvX was terrible for all parties), X-Men Legacy is really good. Avengers and New Avengers is slow burning but really interesting with the new characters in the Avengers and the focus on Black Panther (the best Batman) in New Avengers. I would really just trust Hickman with my life. Hawkeye and Captain Marvel are really great. I'll probably pick up Uncanny Avengers eventually I really enjoyed his run of X-Force and Secret Avengers. I'll most likely look into Fearless Defenders and the all women X-men was it comes out. Others I might pick up is Morbious because why a comic about him? And maybe Cable and X-Force. Superior Spider-man is apparently all right but I just hated how that came into being so I might look into it but only if I get really bored.

I've also started to collect some DC stuff which I swore I wouldn't do mostly because all of the shenanigans with writing three of my favourite characters out to bring back older properties, the raging boner they have for the silver age characters (honestly I think Hal Jordan is arrogant wind bag and Barry Allen was only interesting when he died) and with the overly sexualized females leads in Red Hood and Catwoman. Also apparently they wanted to kill John Stewart the best GL. But I did break down and dl frankenstein, JL Dark, Animal Man and Swamp Thing. All of it pretty cool so far, any more recommends for that side of the universe? I enjoy the magic hi-jinks compared to super hi-jinks in the DC at the moment.

EDIT: It became an overly-long post, for this I apologize.

This post has been edited by Studlock: 18 April 2013 - 06:27 PM

[Ruthan Good]

Studlock, on 18 April 2013 - 06:24 PM, said:

Been reading through Scalped and I am getting that uncomfortable feeling of when a white person tries to write a culture other than their own earnestly but still dips into the stereotype jar one to many times. Let me say this first, the characters, plot and general tone is great along with the art. It is very much noir and I very much like crime stories so basically I am conflicted. Every single character we've meant is literally broken. I've been to the rez, my grandma use to live on one of the worst rez's in Alberta, and it was never as bad as shown in the comic book. This is along with a few things such totem poles being present which are definitely not a Lakota tradition. I always have this problem with a person who is in a position of social power trying to write with an insider voice despite being an outsider. It simply isn't his story to tell no matter how well its told. I am not saying Jason Aaron is racist himself but the book does come of a bit like it is to me. Though I identify as a Metis/Cree just how basically every character is tied up in at least one stereotype attached to First Nations and has that stereotype as key component of the characters personality bothered me. Most of the characters arcs come from overcoming the rez 'corruption'. I really wish this hadn't taken place on a rez because the writing and art is really good despite the things I found problematic with it. I'll continue reading it because it's not often you see First Nations as the sole focus of a book and because I really really like noir.

In other news I've been reading/re-reading some marvel comics. Jeff Parkers run on Thunderbolts/Dark Avengers is honestly one of the best runs in comics for me in a long time. Also I don't know why everyone ragging on Marvel NOW! Every book outside of the cosmic stuff was been fine for me which includes All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men (I really wish they would come right out and say Cyclops was right, ugh AvX was terrible for all parties), X-Men Legacy is really good. Avengers and New Avengers is slow burning but really interesting with the new characters in the Avengers and the focus on Black Panther (the best Batman) in New Avengers. I would really just trust Hickman with my life. Hawkeye and Captain Marvel are really great. I'll probably pick up Uncanny Avengers eventually I really enjoyed his run of X-Force and Secret Avengers. I'll most likely look into Fearless Defenders and the all women X-men was it comes out. Others I might pick up is Morbious because why a comic about him? And maybe Cable and X-Force. Superior Spider-man is apparently all right but I just hated how that came into being so I might look into it but only if I get really bored.

I've also started to collect some DC stuff which I swore I wouldn't do mostly because all of the shenanigans with writing three of my favourite characters out to bring back older properties, the raging boner they have for the silver age characters (honestly I think Hal Jordan is arrogant wind bag and Barry Allen was only interesting when he died) and with the overly sexualized females leads in Red Hood and Catwoman. Also apparently they wanted to kill John Stewart the best GL. But I did break down and dl frankenstein, JL Dark, Animal Man and Swamp Thing. All of it pretty cool so far, any more recommends for that side of the universe? I enjoy the magic hi-jinks compared to super hi-jinks in the DC at the moment.

EDIT: It became an overly-long post, for this I apologize.

I actually like Red Hood, it started off a bit iffy, and very oversexualised, can't deny it, but it improves. But going on the magic hi-jinks I really recommend Demon Knights.

Also, I found most of Marvel NOW! books pretty good. I haven't touched Avenegers Arena, Uncanny X-force, Fearless Defenders, Morbius and Thunderbolts yet, but have little bad to say about the rest.