Comments on: What I bought - 29 November 2006

By: Matt Brady

Matt Brady — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 07:29:35 +0000

I think a good deal of Nextwave's humor comes from Warren Ellis taking the piss out of himself, especially Dirk Anger, who is they typical Ellis hardass character gone completely insane and turned up to the nth degree. Also, he riffs on the inherent absurdity of superhero comics by coming up with the craziest, most out there ideas he possibly can, like killer koalas or samurai robots or, uh, Rorkannu, master of the dank dimension.

And Stuart Immonen totally makes the book. Ellis pushes the envelope for ridiculous ideas and over-the-top action, but Immonen always delivers, making those concepts sing.

By: Lynxara

Lynxara — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 03:36:31 +0000

I keep saying that while the humor in NextWave is fine (if mostly retread from sitcoms like Futurama and Family Guy), what is really noteworthy about the book is the fight sequences. In a medium primarily devoted to action stories, they still manage to raise the bar for quality. Part is Ellis' incredibly insane concepts for fights, and part is definitely Immonen's superb layouts.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 03:13:51 +0000

A lot of the humor in Nextwave is kind of juvenile, FGJ, especially in the middle issues. Last issue was flat out funny, and although the resolution to this issue was back to silly, it was still excellent. Pretty much any time Dirk Anger shows up for more than a page, the issue suffers, because he's stupid.

By: FunkyGreenJerusalem

FunkyGreenJerusalem — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:49:23 +0000

"Tâ€™s right. This review totally reads like it was written by a sentient vagina."

And yet Beland is back with the Image gang blaming fans for people not advertising their books for them. I'm supirsed Greg was allowed to even read comics for a week.

And is Nextwave really funny?
People who's reviews I usually like/agree with keep saying though, yet everytime they mention somthing funny in it, it doesn't sound funny, just stupid.

By: Apodaca

Apodaca — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 23:05:16 +0000

T's right. This review totally reads like it was written by a sentient vagina.

By: Matt Brady

Matt Brady — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:35:04 +0000

T, you crack me up.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:04:45 +0000

Having ... flashbacks ... trying ... not to ... pass out ...

By: Paul Pope

Paul Pope — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:02:58 +0000

Someone alerted me to this piece, and I've got to say I'm disgusted. Mr. Burgas, you are a jerk of the highest order. In fact, I'd love to see what YOU can write or draw that's half as good as my stuff. Are YOU published, jerkwad?

hahaha, I kid, this is just T. trying to give you Beland flashbacks. Anyway, good to have you back Greg!

By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez

Guy LeCharles Gonzalez — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:19:46 +0000

Greg, I had the same reluctance about the Star Wars comics, but Legacy is new (#6 just came out) and you only need to have seen the movies to follow it (though not really) since it takes place about 50 years after Return of the Jedi. Ostrander's doing good work with it and Jan Duursema's art is excellent! If nothing else, pick up the eventual TPBs.

By: L8on

L8on — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:05:10 +0000

I thought the Machine Man section was in the style of Dave Gibbons.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:24:37 +0000

That's why I don't decry it all that often, Mutt, because I still buy the damned things. Every once in a while, though, a drawing shows up that is just so blatant that I have to mention it. I don't buy the Star Wars titles, Guy, even though I know Ostrander writes one. It's one of those things that scare me, because it seems like it's so long-running and convoluted. I guess I could be wrong! And you're right about Image and its business plan. I like the titles they put out, but it seems like they don't have a lot of good ideas about marketing and distribution. Just publish Emissary at a loss and hope to recoup in trade paperback sales! Valentino says even that's not an option, which seems just bizarre.

By: The Mutt

The Mutt — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:48:35 +0000

I decry cheesecake in mainstream comics all the time. I love to decry cheesecake in mainstream comics. That's why I buy lots of comics that feature lots of cheesecake shots of Black Canary's ass. So I can decry them. Naughty, wicked mainstream comics!

By: Jack Potts

Jack Potts — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:08:39 +0000

Immonen is a genius! The Elsa Bloodstone sequence was poignantly written, which was a surprising development for this series, but Immonen absolutely nailed the emotion and drama, WHILE DRAWING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S STYLE! It was a perfect impression of Mignola.

Most artists struggle to put out a monthly book in their own style, but Immonen keeps a clockwork monthly output while drawing a book in FIVE distinct styles. Amazing!

By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez

Guy LeCharles Gonzalez — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:59:45 +0000

I really enjoyed this issue of Batman; the tone, the art, the characterization all felt right. Ever since Suicide Squad, Ostrander's always been one of my favorite writers, and his Star Wars: Legacy series has been a surprisingly good read. You following that one? As for Emissary, I think it's a perfect example of the flaw in Image's business model. Their flat fee setup is a small step away from vanity publishing and, unless the creator has deep pockets or lucks into an instant success (a la Girls), it's not conducive to publishing ongoing stories or even a maxi-series. Emissary was only going to last 12 issues, but they have to bail on it halfway through? What kind of fantasy-land business plan did it have? And this is a Shadowline title, backed by one of Image's founders, not even Image Central. Funny how Jimmie Robinson's column earlier this week exhorted fans to step up, while failing to mention the "beam in the eye" of the industry: publisher's inability to effectively market their products, both inside and outside of the direct market.

By: Trebbers

Trebbers — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:13:49 +0000

Even though I disagree, I will say I don't think the panel-heavy storytelling in BY100 is the best showcase for his art. 100%/Heavy Liquid or, better yet, his THB material illustrate why he's deserving of all the praise he gets.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:40:25 +0000

Speaking as someone whose only experience with Pope was Batman Year 100, I'm inclined to side with Greg on this one.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:36:02 +0000

My dislike of Pope is legendary, Trebbers (not the dislike, just the fact that I do). He's yet another one of those guys I just don't get. I see it, I recognize why many people like him, but I don't. So I just threw that in their to get a rise. Yay, me! I didn't make the connection with the guy from "Blind Justice," but I can see it. Interesting ...

By: Trebbers

Trebbers — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:32:25 +0000

" and the Monica sequence, drawn like Paul Pope, is better than Pope himself."

Immomen is great, but this is so wrong.

By: nadir

nadir — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:17:20 +0000

yep, ostrander & mandrake are doing a 4 issue arc, 2 issues a month.

this issue had the same some of feel as some of the great arcs of detective right around the time of the 1st batman movie. in fact i think grotesk is quite simular to the villian from blind justice, just without the radio controled mind part.

i am really looking forward to the next 3 issues.

By: Peter Gasston

Peter Gasston — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:09:05 +0000

I think Ostrander & Mandrake are on Batman for four issues.