Comments on: What I bought - 12 July 2006 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:55:34 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Fortress Keeper http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3061 Fortress Keeper Sat, 15 Jul 2006 04:29:33 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3061 I didn't get too hung up on the science because it's comic books and I don't really know anything about science any way. My favorite SF writer is Philip K. Dick, who wasn't necessarily Mr. Hard Science. At any rate, I enjoyed the Next in a Doctor Who sort of way. If the second issue is good, I may end up picking up the whole mini. At the very least, I'll know who they are when DC kills them later ... :) I didn't get too hung up on the science because it's comic books and I don't really know anything about science any way. My favorite SF writer is Philip K. Dick, who wasn't necessarily Mr. Hard Science.

At any rate, I enjoyed the Next in a Doctor Who sort of way. If the second issue is good, I may end up picking up the whole mini.

At the very least, I'll know who they are when DC kills them later ... :)

]]> By: Telvin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3055 Telvin Sat, 15 Jul 2006 01:42:13 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3055 To be fair to Tad Williams, what he is know for is Fantasy and SF falling more in the Cyber genre. So, not exactly Heinlein or Asimov. His work tends to be more speculative than based in hard science. This is not to degrade his work in any way, as the Otherland set is one of the most engrossing stories I have ever read. To be fair to Tad Williams, what he is know for is Fantasy and SF falling more in the Cyber genre. So, not exactly Heinlein or Asimov. His work tends to be more speculative than based in hard science. This is not to degrade his work in any way, as the Otherland set is one of the most engrossing stories I have ever read.

]]> By: Apodaca http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3042 Apodaca Fri, 14 Jul 2006 23:01:47 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3042 To be fair, though, the genetic thing was done in District X, if I remember right, with clubbers using a mutant kid's secretions to go on mutant-power trips, but I think those were temporary. Feel free to correct me on any of this, my memory's a bit fuzzy about it. But, also in the interest of fairness, it wasn't a very interesting storyline in District X, and I think there's still a lot of ground to cover on the idea, without retreading. To be fair, though, the genetic thing was done in District X, if I remember right, with clubbers using a mutant kid's secretions to go on mutant-power trips, but I think those were temporary. Feel free to correct me on any of this, my memory's a bit fuzzy about it.

But, also in the interest of fairness, it wasn't a very interesting storyline in District X, and I think there's still a lot of ground to cover on the idea, without retreading.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3036 Greg Burgas Fri, 14 Jul 2006 22:04:25 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3036 Guy: that's just because your taste is slipping! As for The Next, I agree - marketing comic books that exist in the regular DCU but don't star any of the few big heroes doesn't seem to happen anymore. Why bother publishing them if you're just going to pimp yet another Wonder Woman relaunch? Morrison's U-Men thing seemed more of a surgical thing, as Dan mentioned. This seems more like a genetic change, which is interesting. We'll see where Carey goes with it. Guy: that's just because your taste is slipping! As for The Next, I agree - marketing comic books that exist in the regular DCU but don't star any of the few big heroes doesn't seem to happen anymore. Why bother publishing them if you're just going to pimp yet another Wonder Woman relaunch?

Morrison's U-Men thing seemed more of a surgical thing, as Dan mentioned. This seems more like a genetic change, which is interesting. We'll see where Carey goes with it.

]]> By: Apodaca http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3027 Apodaca Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:53:11 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3027 Yeah, Grant Morrison introduced the U-Men in his X-Men run. They were a group of people who worked for John Sublime, and surgically "stole" mutants' abilities. They tried to take Angel's wings. Yeah, Grant Morrison introduced the U-Men in his X-Men run. They were a group of people who worked for John Sublime, and surgically "stole" mutants' abilities. They tried to take Angel's wings.

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3022 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:32:18 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3022 Wow, this might be the first time that our weekly hauls didn't have at least one title in common! You, along with Fossen, have convinced me to give Wasteland a second look, though. I read the first 10-15 pages or so and it didn't grab me; the pacing felt more appropriate for an OGN. I'll give it another shot next week. PS: Why was the first time I ever heard of Next was earlier this week when somebody (Graeme?) posted something snarky about its similiarity to NextWave? I mean, I like to think I stay on top of the industry and not much from the Big Two slips by me without at least a quick glance, but it didn't hit my radar at all. That's bad, but not unsurprising, marketing. Wow, this might be the first time that our weekly hauls didn't have at least one title in common!

You, along with Fossen, have convinced me to give Wasteland a second look, though. I read the first 10-15 pages or so and it didn't grab me; the pacing felt more appropriate for an OGN. I'll give it another shot next week.

PS: Why was the first time I ever heard of Next was earlier this week when somebody (Graeme?) posted something snarky about its similiarity to NextWave? I mean, I like to think I stay on top of the industry and not much from the Big Two slips by me without at least a quick glance, but it didn't hit my radar at all. That's bad, but not unsurprising, marketing.

]]> By: Greg Althoff http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3021 Greg Althoff Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:25:58 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3021 Didn't Grant Morrison use the idea of humans trying genetically enhance themselves using mutant parts in New X-Men? I think they were called the U-Men... Didn't Grant Morrison use the idea of humans trying genetically enhance themselves using mutant parts in New X-Men? I think they were called the U-Men...

]]> By: T. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3013 T. Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:16:17 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3013 I'm with Jesse, I'm all for comic book science like unstable molecules and vibranium, as long as its being made up whole cloth. I hate when writers try to pass their work off as being based in real science and being way off on everything. It ws one of my problems with Stuart Moore's Firestorm, especially because he bragged in interviews about his scientific research. I'm with Jesse, I'm all for comic book science like unstable molecules and vibranium, as long as its being made up whole cloth. I hate when writers try to pass their work off as being based in real science and being way off on everything. It ws one of my problems with Stuart Moore's Firestorm, especially because he bragged in interviews about his scientific research.

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3011 Bill Reed Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:11:23 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3011 <b>This is such a great idea I’m surprised nobody has thought of it before</b> Except Bryan Singer, right? I mean, sorta. This is such a great idea I’m surprised nobody has thought of it before

Except Bryan Singer, right? I mean, sorta.

]]> By: TeamSmithy http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3010 TeamSmithy Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:09:45 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3010 The DC website says that they are one and the same. Which means they probably should have advertised it a bit better. Bizarrely inept publisher behaviour is becoming a bit of a theme. The DC website says that they are one and the same.

Which means they probably should have advertised it a bit better. Bizarrely inept publisher behaviour is becoming a bit of a theme.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3008 Greg Burgas Fri, 14 Jul 2006 19:06:51 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3008 By the way, yes, it is THE Tad Williams. At least according to DC it is. By the way, yes, it is THE Tad Williams. At least according to DC it is.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3007 Greg Burgas Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:53:59 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3007 I was going to mention Superman's powers, but not being an avid Superman reader, was not sure what he was capable of or not. As for the messy science, I never really worry about messy science in comic books (or, for that instance, regular science fiction). If it sounds good, I'm with it. This comes from not really caring about science when I was but a lad, I suppose. We're still waiting on the final judgment on Tad Williams. Famous sci-fi writer or not? Oh, the agony of not knowing!!!!! I was going to mention Superman's powers, but not being an avid Superman reader, was not sure what he was capable of or not. As for the messy science, I never really worry about messy science in comic books (or, for that instance, regular science fiction). If it sounds good, I'm with it. This comes from not really caring about science when I was but a lad, I suppose.

We're still waiting on the final judgment on Tad Williams. Famous sci-fi writer or not? Oh, the agony of not knowing!!!!!

]]> By: Jesse http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-3005 Jesse Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:40:04 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-3005 So Tad Williams is a well-known science-fiction writer? You'd expect him to know some basic science then. The Next was moderately entertaining, but I was distracted by the fact that the other-/extra-dimensional beings referred to "our" universe as having a "red-to-violet" spectrum. Uh, no. The mnemonic ROYGBIV describes the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to humans (and, I think, to many/most other mammals as well, though I'd have to check). But there are insects that can see into the UV and/or IR range, and in any case the visible spectrum, no matter what animal you are, is just a fraction of the EM spectrum. This is a nitpick, I suppose, but I've become more and more bothered by scientific ignorance in comics. I could be wrong, but think this was less common when you had relatively knowledgeable people like Julie Schwartz in editorial positions, not just "comic-book geeks." (And no, I'm not bothered by "comic-book science": I'm perfectly willing to accept your Ultimate Nullifiers and the like so long as no one tries to explain them using real science.) There were other inconsistencies that bugged me in The Next. For example, the aliens were having trouble figuring out what shapes to assume that would be "normal" to our universe, but they were able to immediately understand and use English. Since there seem to be no clear boundaries or rules to what these characters can and cannot do (not to mention Superman displaying some strange powers we've never seen from him before), I feel like Williams isn't playing fair with the readers, which turns me off. YMMV. So Tad Williams is a well-known science-fiction writer? You'd expect him to know some basic science then. The Next was moderately entertaining, but I was distracted by the fact that the other-/extra-dimensional beings referred to "our" universe as having a "red-to-violet" spectrum. Uh, no. The mnemonic ROYGBIV describes the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to humans (and, I think, to many/most other mammals as well, though I'd have to check). But there are insects that can see into the UV and/or IR range, and in any case the visible spectrum, no matter what animal you are, is just a fraction of the EM spectrum. This is a nitpick, I suppose, but I've become more and more bothered by scientific ignorance in comics. I could be wrong, but think this was less common when you had relatively knowledgeable people like Julie Schwartz in editorial positions, not just "comic-book geeks." (And no, I'm not bothered by "comic-book science": I'm perfectly willing to accept your Ultimate Nullifiers and the like so long as no one tries to explain them using real science.)

There were other inconsistencies that bugged me in The Next. For example, the aliens were having trouble figuring out what shapes to assume that would be "normal" to our universe, but they were able to immediately understand and use English. Since there seem to be no clear boundaries or rules to what these characters can and cannot do (not to mention Superman displaying some strange powers we've never seen from him before), I feel like Williams isn't playing fair with the readers, which turns me off. YMMV.

]]> By: Edward Liu http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2998 Edward Liu Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:23:55 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2998 The thing that really cheeses me off about the Hawaiian Dick mini-series was that I pre-ordered the whole mini-series THREE TIMES. When they solicited #3 the fourth time, I decided that I had expressed my interest in the book adequately the last THREE TIMES I ordered the same damn issues and was waiting for the goddamn trade. The fact that I really truly hated Moore's Battle Hymn didn't help. I mean, I hated that comic so much it made me like Hawaiian Dick less. The thing that really cheeses me off about the Hawaiian Dick mini-series was that I pre-ordered the whole mini-series THREE TIMES. When they solicited #3 the fourth time, I decided that I had expressed my interest in the book adequately the last THREE TIMES I ordered the same damn issues and was waiting for the goddamn trade.

The fact that I really truly hated Moore's Battle Hymn didn't help. I mean, I hated that comic so much it made me like Hawaiian Dick less.

]]> By: Patrick Hamilton http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2997 Patrick Hamilton Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:07:01 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2997 The four issue JLA Classified arc--set during the Detroit era League--leads into a JSA Classified arc set in the present with (presumably) Gypsy and Vixen. So it's not quite that the current storyline is continued/stretched into the next title. The four issue JLA Classified arc--set during the Detroit era League--leads into a JSA Classified arc set in the present with (presumably) Gypsy and Vixen. So it's not quite that the current storyline is continued/stretched into the next title.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2996 Greg Burgas Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:43:58 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2996 Yeah, I know that Scarlet Traces being late is Dark Horse's fault, as you pointed out before. I didn't blame Edginton and D'Israeli, I just wanted to express the idiocy of this sort of thing. Why did Dark Horse do that? WHY???? Gah!!! Continued in JSA: Classified? What the crap is up with that??? And you know, I don't know if it's the same Tad Williams. I just assumed there couldn't be two people with tha name "Tad" writing similar stuff (science fiction and science fiction comic books). Can anyone verify if it's the same guy? I thought I read it when this was solicited in Previews, but I could be wrong. Yeah, I know that Scarlet Traces being late is Dark Horse's fault, as you pointed out before. I didn't blame Edginton and D'Israeli, I just wanted to express the idiocy of this sort of thing. Why did Dark Horse do that? WHY????

Gah!!! Continued in JSA: Classified? What the crap is up with that???

And you know, I don't know if it's the same Tad Williams. I just assumed there couldn't be two people with tha name "Tad" writing similar stuff (science fiction and science fiction comic books). Can anyone verify if it's the same guy? I thought I read it when this was solicited in Previews, but I could be wrong.

]]> By: TeamSmithy http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2994 TeamSmithy Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:19:11 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2994 Scarlet Traces: The Great Game being late is Dark Horse's fault, after they solicited the first issue for last year they decided to get Eddington and D'Iraeli to do a straight adaptation of War of the Worlds (yes they are the same Martian invasion, it was never claimed otherwise. So this would have been out on time if Dark Horse hadn't decided that the creators should do a new graphic novel instead for a year. I'm sure I've said this here before? Regardless D'Israeli's art is damn pretty and I look forward to getting this. Scarlet Traces: The Great Game being late is Dark Horse's fault, after they solicited the first issue for last year they decided to get Eddington and D'Iraeli to do a straight adaptation of War of the Worlds (yes they are the same Martian invasion, it was never claimed otherwise. So this would have been out on time if Dark Horse hadn't decided that the creators should do a new graphic novel instead for a year.

I'm sure I've said this here before?

Regardless D'Israeli's art is damn pretty and I look forward to getting this.

]]> By: Michael http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2993 Michael Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:02:55 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2993 Wait, is The Next's Tad Williams the same Tad Williams who wrote Otherland, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and Tailchaser's Song? 'Cause you'd think DC would want to publicize that. Wait, is The Next's Tad Williams the same Tad Williams who wrote Otherland, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and Tailchaser's Song? 'Cause you'd think DC would want to publicize that.

]]> By: Evan Waters http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2990 Evan Waters Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:37:00 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2990 For a group killed in the early stages of INFINITE CRISIS, the Royal Flush Gang sure are getting around, aren't they? I agree with your observation on the JLI (and HERO SQUARED, which I enjoyed)- the good thing about it wasn't so much the humor in itself, but the fact that the humor was used to illuminate character and make these folks seem a bit more real. For a group killed in the early stages of INFINITE CRISIS, the Royal Flush Gang sure are getting around, aren't they?

I agree with your observation on the JLI (and HERO SQUARED, which I enjoyed)- the good thing about it wasn't so much the humor in itself, but the fact that the humor was used to illuminate character and make these folks seem a bit more real.

]]> By: Ion http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/comment-page-1/#comment-2989 Ion Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:08:23 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/07/13/what-i-bought-12-july-2006/#comment-2989 Yeah, the X-Men did it. Tell that to the GIANT SENTINELS IN THE FRONT LAWN. And which X-Men, honey? There's like 50 of them. Yeah, the X-Men did it. Tell that to the GIANT SENTINELS IN THE FRONT LAWN. And which X-Men, honey? There's like 50 of them.

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