Comments on: What I bought - 5 July 2007 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:37:53 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jason Copland http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-130308 Jason Copland Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:46:10 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-130308 I thought I felt my ears burning.... Thanks for the mention, Greg! Oh yeah, you can see some more of my work in POSTCARDS, too! ;) I thought I felt my ears burning....
Thanks for the mention, Greg!
Oh yeah, you can see some more of my work in POSTCARDS, too! ;)

]]> By: FunkyGreenJerusalem http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-128102 FunkyGreenJerusalem Mon, 09 Jul 2007 04:36:54 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-128102 <blockquote>The bad guy, by the way, is Merlyn, but that’s part of the problem: I only know that because of other comics I’ve read. Nothing in this comic makes us say, “Ooh, Merlyn! Now I’m scared!” It’s entirely dependent on our prior knowledge.</blockquote> Heh, you just described every cliffhanger and every villain in the 2nd Manhunter trade. And that's why that book got cancelled kids, instead of sticking to it's guns and being the book for those who like superheroes but want something a bit different, it became another fanboy continuity jerk-off book. A very similar thing happened to GCPD as well, although it was alright for a while (until Batman solved every case for them). What happened to DC trying new things? Now they just seem to paint it new, but it turns out to be just as bad as the books you were trying to get away from.

The bad guy, by the way, is Merlyn, but that’s part of the problem: I only know that because of other comics I’ve read. Nothing in this comic makes us say, “Ooh, Merlyn! Now I’m scared!” It’s entirely dependent on our prior knowledge.

Heh, you just described every cliffhanger and every villain in the 2nd Manhunter trade.

And that's why that book got cancelled kids, instead of sticking to it's guns and being the book for those who like superheroes but want something a bit different, it became another fanboy continuity jerk-off book.
A very similar thing happened to GCPD as well, although it was alright for a while (until Batman solved every case for them).
What happened to DC trying new things?
Now they just seem to paint it new, but it turns out to be just as bad as the books you were trying to get away from.

]]> By: Greg Hatcher http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-128011 Greg Hatcher Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:48:12 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-128011 One should always note these things. Your review of <b>Into the Dust</b> has compelled me to purchase it. (From the web site helpfully linked, even.) It sounds like fun and my bride is one of the world's most fervent Oz fans. So I figure that's worth a five-dollar risk. It's gotta be better than <b>Oz Squad,</b> and I took a chance on that, once upon a time. And I guess I'm never going to get it about <i>All-Star Superman.</i> I am one of those that absolutely 'gets' every Silver Age riff he's doing and it still is never more than the high side of okay for me. It's a good Superman book. Which is perfectly fine, I always get fair entertainment value out of it. But honest to God, I think fans are so <i>ready</i> for a superhero book to blow the doors off the genre that they sometimes wish one into being that isn't there: I think with a little time and distance people are going to look back at this title and wonder what all the shouting was about. One should always note these things. Your review of Into the Dust has compelled me to purchase it. (From the web site helpfully linked, even.) It sounds like fun and my bride is one of the world's most fervent Oz fans. So I figure that's worth a five-dollar risk. It's gotta be better than Oz Squad, and I took a chance on that, once upon a time.

And I guess I'm never going to get it about All-Star Superman. I am one of those that absolutely 'gets' every Silver Age riff he's doing and it still is never more than the high side of okay for me. It's a good Superman book. Which is perfectly fine, I always get fair entertainment value out of it. But honest to God, I think fans are so ready for a superhero book to blow the doors off the genre that they sometimes wish one into being that isn't there: I think with a little time and distance people are going to look back at this title and wonder what all the shouting was about.

]]> By: Paul C http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127911 Paul C Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:39:00 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127911 <blockquote>Ha, Paul - I read Thor for FREE!</blockquote> You lucky bastard! Ha Ha. Yeah I agree that Thor will probably read better in trade but I'll try out another few issues just for the art at least.

Ha, Paul - I read Thor for FREE!

You lucky bastard! Ha Ha. Yeah I agree that Thor will probably read better in trade but I'll try out another few issues just for the art at least.

]]> By: rawnzilla http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127833 rawnzilla Sun, 08 Jul 2007 15:57:35 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127833 at poster #1, the crossover is only the 8 page back up story, not the main story. the main story doesnt cross over at poster #1, the crossover is only the 8 page back up story, not the main story. the main story doesnt cross over

]]> By: Alan Coil http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127668 Alan Coil Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:29:24 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127668 45C=113F, so 46C is right. And yes, I figured it out in my head. 45C=113F, so 46C is right.

And yes, I figured it out in my head.

]]> By: brian lockhart http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127634 brian lockhart Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:20:59 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127634 I usually wait until I have a good hour or so of free, unhurried reading time to delve into All Star Superman. Morrison tends to pack quite a lot into each issue, and it's not the kind of book that you can just fly through and enjoy. I think like much of this series, one's enjoyment of the issue is bolstered if you're a fan of the Silver Age Superman and "get" what Morrison is doing. This really was a brilliant "update" of the Bizarro concept. I loved the parts where Superman talks about NOT wanting them to listen and all of a sudden they are totally tuned in to him. Then they BOO instead of cheer. Go back and read some of the original, Silver Age "Bizarro World" stuff. Those were pretty challenging stories, too. This is dead on. And the Z-Barro or however you spell it character was great, as well. Another big piece of the Silver Age mythos was the never-ending expansion of the Super-Universe. So now we have yet another character - a smart, poetic Bizarro. Oh yeah - and the part about the Bizarro planet trying to make Superman more comfortable by creating Bizarro versions of Metropolis, Perry, Jimmy and the JLA. Oh, and that JLA - great stuff! Anyway, like I said - I think my enjoyment was boosted by my appreciation of the Silver Age stuff. All New Atom - I struggled with the first storyline of this title, because while it had great concepts, it didn't hold together well. Go back, reread the whole thing straight through - there are some plot holes and inconsistencies and just odd character moments which make the whole "ride" kind of bumpy. SPOILERS - I still don't "get" the Dean, who shows up again in this issue. In the first arc He brings Ryan Choi to Ivy Town, then hires a serial killer to bump him off, then calls his dad at the same time to get him to take Ryan home, then punishes the serial killer for not killing Ryan. WHAT?!?! END OF SPOILERS BUT ... This book is also very different from a lot of the mainstream stuff out there. Simone manages to blend action, comedy, cool "fanboy" moments and some real emotion into her writing. I disagree with your review. There is plenty to recommend this over most of the dreck that the big Two are putting out. I usually wait until I have a good hour or so of free, unhurried reading time to delve into All Star Superman. Morrison tends to pack quite a lot into each issue, and it's not the kind of book that you can just fly through and enjoy.
I think like much of this series, one's enjoyment of the issue is bolstered if you're a fan of the Silver Age Superman and "get" what Morrison is doing.
This really was a brilliant "update" of the Bizarro concept. I loved the parts where Superman talks about NOT wanting them to listen and all of a sudden they are totally tuned in to him. Then they BOO instead of cheer. Go back and read some of the original, Silver Age "Bizarro World" stuff. Those were pretty challenging stories, too. This is dead on. And the Z-Barro or however you spell it character was great, as well. Another big piece of the Silver Age mythos was the never-ending expansion of the Super-Universe. So now we have yet another character - a smart, poetic Bizarro.
Oh yeah - and the part about the Bizarro planet trying to make Superman more comfortable by creating Bizarro versions of Metropolis, Perry, Jimmy and the JLA. Oh, and that JLA - great stuff!
Anyway, like I said - I think my enjoyment was boosted by my appreciation of the Silver Age stuff.

All New Atom - I struggled with the first storyline of this title, because while it had great concepts, it didn't hold together well. Go back, reread the whole thing straight through - there are some plot holes and inconsistencies and just odd character moments which make the whole "ride" kind of bumpy.
SPOILERS -
I still don't "get" the Dean, who shows up again in this issue. In the first arc He brings Ryan Choi to Ivy Town, then hires a serial killer to bump him off, then calls his dad at the same time to get him to take Ryan home, then punishes the serial killer for not killing Ryan. WHAT?!?!
END OF SPOILERS
BUT ... This book is also very different from a lot of the mainstream stuff out there. Simone manages to blend action, comedy, cool "fanboy" moments and some real emotion into her writing.
I disagree with your review. There is plenty to recommend this over most of the dreck that the big Two are putting out.

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127599 Bill Reed Sun, 08 Jul 2007 01:58:16 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127599 Ahh, I loved this issue of All Star Superman. After an okay issue 7, this was a return to form-- beautiful and sad and touching and weird and fun. Ahh, I loved this issue of All Star Superman. After an okay issue 7, this was a return to form-- beautiful and sad and touching and weird and fun.

]]> By: Corey Dalton http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127593 Corey Dalton Sun, 08 Jul 2007 01:46:24 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127593 It's good to know I'm not the only person who hates Bizarro (not to mention Bizarro world). Last issue's introduction of All-Star Bizarro was okay, but the newest issue just didn't connect with me. Because my backwards-speak threshold is extremely low, I found myself skipping much of the dialogue in the issue and just looking at the the pretty pictures (which didn't seem as pretty as they usually do). Nevertheless, All Star Superman is still the best comic that DC publishes (which speaks more to the overall crappiness of their comics right now than to the high quality of this comic). It's good to know I'm not the only person who hates Bizarro (not to mention Bizarro world). Last issue's introduction of All-Star Bizarro was okay, but the newest issue just didn't connect with me. Because my backwards-speak threshold is extremely low, I found myself skipping much of the dialogue in the issue and just looking at the the pretty pictures (which didn't seem as pretty as they usually do). Nevertheless, All Star Superman is still the best comic that DC publishes (which speaks more to the overall crappiness of their comics right now than to the high quality of this comic).

]]> By: Ian Astheimer http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127563 Ian Astheimer Sun, 08 Jul 2007 00:04:52 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127563 <blockquote>The Atom has one of the best, if not THE best, logos in comics today.</blockquote> And, it's a rehash of Rian Hughes' Atom logo for the Tangent line, if I'm not mistaken.

The Atom has one of the best, if not THE best, logos in comics today.

And, it's a rehash of Rian Hughes' Atom logo for the Tangent line, if I'm not mistaken.

]]> By: stealthwise http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127545 stealthwise Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:44:05 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127545 I agree about the newest issue of A*S, it was far from bad, but failed to blow me away, and I hate waiting 2 months to get only an adequate issue. I agree about the newest issue of A*S, it was far from bad, but failed to blow me away, and I hate waiting 2 months to get only an adequate issue.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127509 Greg Burgas Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:41:30 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127509 Well spotted, Dave. That's probably the justification, but it seems like a weird shift from one page to the next. There doesn't seem to be any time lapse, but according to the sun, there is. Of course, Judas heads into the sunset and then it appears Wormwood and Jimmy are also walking that way, so they're following him. There had to be an easier way to show the passage of time! Well spotted, Dave. That's probably the justification, but it seems like a weird shift from one page to the next. There doesn't seem to be any time lapse, but according to the sun, there is. Of course, Judas heads into the sunset and then it appears Wormwood and Jimmy are also walking that way, so they're following him. There had to be an easier way to show the passage of time!

]]> By: Dave http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127501 Dave Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:20:50 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127501 I think that it's possible that a significant amount of time passed between the last 2 pages of Wormwood #4, as if you compare the shadows Wormwood and Danny cast on the page where Wormwood bumps into Judas to the ones on the next page, the shadows on the last page are significantly longer. But even then, that's a stretch and it did bother me when I read the issue. I think that it's possible that a significant amount of time passed between the last 2 pages of Wormwood #4, as if you compare the shadows Wormwood and Danny cast on the page where Wormwood bumps into Judas to the ones on the next page, the shadows on the last page are significantly longer. But even then, that's a stretch and it did bother me when I read the issue.

]]> By: Bill Reed http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127467 Bill Reed Sat, 07 Jul 2007 19:33:35 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127467 As the resident Thor-o-phile, who thinks the character and his world are quite cool, has always loved mythology, and owns and has read hundreds of Thor books, I have to go on record to say that the new Thor #1 was complete shite. As the resident Thor-o-phile, who thinks the character and his world are quite cool, has always loved mythology, and owns and has read hundreds of Thor books, I have to go on record to say that the new Thor #1 was complete shite.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127465 Greg Burgas Sat, 07 Jul 2007 19:27:26 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127465 Ha, Paul - I read <i>Thor</i> for FREE! So there's no waste. I just think it will read better in the trade paperback, if indeed it picks up like I suspect. Always good to hear from you, Mr. Lewis, sir. I look forward to reading your stuff in <i>Postcards</i>. That's a good question, Michael. I can't say it was <i>Into the Dust</i> because I pre-ordered it. Man, I guess I'll have to go back to the shoppe and snag something else. Damn you for catching my slip-up!!! Ha, Paul - I read Thor for FREE! So there's no waste. I just think it will read better in the trade paperback, if indeed it picks up like I suspect.

Always good to hear from you, Mr. Lewis, sir. I look forward to reading your stuff in Postcards.

That's a good question, Michael. I can't say it was Into the Dust because I pre-ordered it. Man, I guess I'll have to go back to the shoppe and snag something else. Damn you for catching my slip-up!!!

]]> By: Paul C http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127459 Paul C Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:55:48 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127459 I'm one of the guys that recommended Thor so apologies if you felt like your money was wasted. Yeah the art was great but the story was soooo slow. I'm glad the art had plenty of detail in it to stare at otherwise the book would have been too quickly read what with all the pages with barely any text on it. It looks like JMS is setting up the story to be a slow burner and that may put a good few people off. I'm one of the guys that recommended Thor so apologies if you felt like your money was wasted. Yeah the art was great but the story was soooo slow. I'm glad the art had plenty of detail in it to stare at otherwise the book would have been too quickly read what with all the pages with barely any text on it. It looks like JMS is setting up the story to be a slow burner and that may put a good few people off.

]]> By: Denn http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127452 Denn Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:20:56 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127452 Nice catch with the Wormwood-Judas time slip. I hadn't noticed it when I read it. Nice catch with the Wormwood-Judas time slip. I hadn't noticed it when I read it.

]]> By: A. Dave Lewis http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127436 A. Dave Lewis Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:02:17 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127436 Thanks for the fair feedback, Greg. We appreciate your giving Empty Chamber a chance. It *is* my take on standard thriller cliches, you're absolutely right. And Jason's art is definitely the best feature of the book! Keep up the excellent reviewing -- and stay honest, sir! Thanks for the fair feedback, Greg. We appreciate your giving Empty Chamber a chance. It *is* my take on standard thriller cliches, you're absolutely right. And Jason's art is definitely the best feature of the book!

Keep up the excellent reviewing -- and stay honest, sir!

]]> By: Michael http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127426 Michael Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:39:48 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127426 So which was your "outside the comfort zone" book, Greg? So which was your "outside the comfort zone" book, Greg?

]]> By: Rebis http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-127420 Rebis Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:23:46 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/07/what-i-bought-5-july-2007/#comment-127420 I agree that the Black Canary mini was good, but also wanted it to be better. But since I'm a fan of Dinah and Ollie, I'll keep buying. We'll see. (I'd like to add that one of the dumbest things Simone ever did was name that little would-be assassin "Sin." What the hell! That's just dumb. And wouldn't Dinah gently explain to her that her name is just too loaded with other meanings back here in the English-speaking America?! Anyway ... ) The Atom has one of the best, if not THE best, logos in comics today. (That'd make a nice top five, btw, Brian!) I almost bought it, figuring I'd enjoy Simone's tale of the search for Ray Palmer ... but I thought twice. I had a sense (from house ads, etc.) that it'll tie in with Countdown. (Thanks for confirming that, Greg — guess I made the right choice!) No thanks. Not hopping on that weekly train. That's the same reason I'm dropping Uncanny: I don't wanna have to read half a dozen other comics to get the story. Just because I'm reading Uncanny or X-Factor doesn't mean I want to read all other X comics. Crossovers between two titles are OK by me, but crossovers that are, what, 20 parts long (!) and involve multiple books just don't interest me. And my wallet remains happier that way too. I agree that the Black Canary mini was good, but also wanted it to be better. But since I'm a fan of Dinah and Ollie, I'll keep buying. We'll see. (I'd like to add that one of the dumbest things Simone ever did was name that little would-be assassin "Sin." What the hell! That's just dumb. And wouldn't Dinah gently explain to her that her name is just too loaded with other meanings back here in the English-speaking America?! Anyway ... )

The Atom has one of the best, if not THE best, logos in comics today. (That'd make a nice top five, btw, Brian!) I almost bought it, figuring I'd enjoy Simone's tale of the search for Ray Palmer ... but I thought twice. I had a sense (from house ads, etc.) that it'll tie in with Countdown. (Thanks for confirming that, Greg — guess I made the right choice!) No thanks. Not hopping on that weekly train.

That's the same reason I'm dropping Uncanny: I don't wanna have to read half a dozen other comics to get the story. Just because I'm reading Uncanny or X-Factor doesn't mean I want to read all other X comics. Crossovers between two titles are OK by me, but crossovers that are, what, 20 parts long (!) and involve multiple books just don't interest me. And my wallet remains happier that way too.

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