Comments on: What I bought - 26 September 2007 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:54:14 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: American Hawkman http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-327991 American Hawkman Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:21:25 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-327991 Ennis has done one fairly ambiguous Punisher arc... the opening part of the first MAX arc, where the Punisher takes on the CIA and his old sidekick Microchip. (Who was involved in the operation solely to try and save Frank from himself.) Frank did something I'd never seen him do. He gave Micro a chance to run, with the idea being he'd never go after him. But because he wouldn't leave Frank to die, he got the bullet to the head. I can honestly say I didn't know how that arc was going to end, which is a rarity for that title. Ennis has done one fairly ambiguous Punisher arc... the opening part of the first MAX arc, where the Punisher takes on the CIA and his old sidekick Microchip. (Who was involved in the operation solely to try and save Frank from himself.) Frank did something I'd never seen him do. He gave Micro a chance to run, with the idea being he'd never go after him. But because he wouldn't leave Frank to die, he got the bullet to the head. I can honestly say I didn't know how that arc was going to end, which is a rarity for that title.

]]> By: Mike Loughlin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-217125 Mike Loughlin Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:46:57 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-217125 Apodaca, I was expressing my opinion of why I (and, I suspect, many readers) think Ant-Man is stupid, and giving reasons. You are countering with reasons why you think he is awesome. I see what you are saying, I just don't agree. As to super-powers determining character excellence, I wouldn't say they do. Otherwise, Daredevil, one of my favorites, would never have made it (he could be defeated by an airhorn). However, power lameness can undermine a character's potential coolness. Again, I think turning really tiny and commanding bugs is a lame power. It stretches my suspension of disbelief more than other super-powers. (which could be considered just as silly, I suppose) I keep wondering why no one steps on Ant-Man. At least the Atom can go sub-atomic, ride light waves, etc. You think the powers are cool. Difference of opinion. As to characterization, I've never cared much for Hank Pym (even without the spousal abuse, which was a terrible idea to begin with) or, for that matter, The Wasp. I find them boring, and I found the moroseness and whining forced upon Pym since the '80s tiresome. Kurt Busiek couldn't make him interesting to me in Avengers. As for Scott Lang, I've read a handful of his appearances, and he did not make an impression on me. If you like them, fine. They just don't appeal to me. Apodaca, I was expressing my opinion of why I (and, I suspect, many readers) think Ant-Man is stupid, and giving reasons. You are countering with reasons why you think he is awesome. I see what you are saying, I just don't agree.

As to super-powers determining character excellence, I wouldn't say they do. Otherwise, Daredevil, one of my favorites, would never have made it (he could be defeated by an airhorn). However, power lameness can undermine a character's potential coolness. Again, I think turning really tiny and commanding bugs is a lame power. It stretches my suspension of disbelief more than other super-powers. (which could be considered just as silly, I suppose) I keep wondering why no one steps on Ant-Man. At least the Atom can go sub-atomic, ride light waves, etc. You think the powers are cool. Difference of opinion.

As to characterization, I've never cared much for Hank Pym (even without the spousal abuse, which was a terrible idea to begin with) or, for that matter, The Wasp. I find them boring, and I found the moroseness and whining forced upon Pym since the '80s tiresome. Kurt Busiek couldn't make him interesting to me in Avengers. As for Scott Lang, I've read a handful of his appearances, and he did not make an impression on me. If you like them, fine. They just don't appeal to me.

]]> By: Apodaca http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-216788 Apodaca Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:28:46 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-216788 <blockquote>Again, a super-hero whose greatest weapons can be defeated by Deep Woods Off.</blockquote> No, not actually. Not all insects are small. And that's not his greatest weapon. Pym particles are. The insects are just part of the pastiche. Also, since when is a character's coolness determined by his superpowers? Is this the rumbles board or something?

Again, a super-hero whose greatest weapons can be defeated by Deep Woods Off.

No, not actually. Not all insects are small. And that's not his greatest weapon. Pym particles are. The insects are just part of the pastiche.

Also, since when is a character's coolness determined by his superpowers? Is this the rumbles board or something?

]]> By: sean http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-216563 sean Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:59:55 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-216563 "The potential for showing the reader superficially sympathetic characters who were vile because they overlooked and even tacitly approved of violent crime without directly engineering or participating in it was just too morally complex for the Punisher readers... or rather, for Ennis, I guess." I don't think that's fair to Ennis. Plenty of side characters in 'Preacher' could qualify. Hell, 'Hitman' has a character who fits exactly what you describe, and sends an assassin after Tommy... and then Tommy shoots her and every other person attending her wedding, and it suddenly, coldly reminds us that we're reading a story about a bad, bad person. Hell, *any* World War II story by Ennis that I've ever read does exactly what you're talking about; the Germans are "bad" because they're Nazis, thus tacitly approving all sorts of stuff, but very few of them are actually evil people. But Ennis's Punisher wouldn't be going after people of dubious morality; he's going after heartless cruel bastards. He wouldn't be going after people who might not actually be guilty; he's going after the worst of the worst. [Although I remember 'Mother Russia' being fairly morally complex for a Punisher story.] And a bunch of mob wives who tacitly approved of the violent crime but were not actually heartless/violent people themselves would not be trying to target The Punisher for revenge. That would just not make sense. He's The Punisher. It would take a very specific type of mentality to decide "The worst sociopath in the world is this guy, who is dedicated to killing criminals, so it seems like a good idea for me to take revenge on him for killing my criminal husband." "The potential for showing the reader superficially sympathetic characters who were vile because they overlooked and even tacitly approved of violent crime without directly engineering or participating in it was just too morally complex for the Punisher readers... or rather, for Ennis, I guess."

I don't think that's fair to Ennis. Plenty of side characters in 'Preacher' could qualify. Hell, 'Hitman' has a character who fits exactly what you describe, and sends an assassin after Tommy... and then Tommy shoots her and every other person attending her wedding, and it suddenly, coldly reminds us that we're reading a story about a bad, bad person. Hell, *any* World War II story by Ennis that I've ever read does exactly what you're talking about; the Germans are "bad" because they're Nazis, thus tacitly approving all sorts of stuff, but very few of them are actually evil people.

But Ennis's Punisher wouldn't be going after people of dubious morality; he's going after heartless cruel bastards. He wouldn't be going after people who might not actually be guilty; he's going after the worst of the worst. [Although I remember 'Mother Russia' being fairly morally complex for a Punisher story.]

And a bunch of mob wives who tacitly approved of the violent crime but were not actually heartless/violent people themselves would not be trying to target The Punisher for revenge. That would just not make sense. He's The Punisher. It would take a very specific type of mentality to decide "The worst sociopath in the world is this guy, who is dedicated to killing criminals, so it seems like a good idea for me to take revenge on him for killing my criminal husband."

]]> By: sean http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-216560 sean Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:53:27 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-216560 I haven't read Ennis's Punisher for a while, but the thing that intrigued me the most was that, at a certain point, Ennis began to address the Big Question: How is it that The Punisher has not yet died? In fiction, those who live by the gun die by the gun; it's inevitable. Especially in an Ennis story. But it's The Punisher, a popular character owned by Marvel, so that won't happen. But what's great is, in every story, Ennis always put in a sequence where The Punisher *could* die. You knew he wouldn't, but he could. And he happened to not die, and it was always emphasized that this was for luck [the one that stands out to me is the end of Mother Russia, where he draws straws with one other guy for who will live and who will die]. This supernatural luck (especially as it ties in to "Born") is a really intriguing concept, to me. I haven't read Ennis's Punisher for a while, but the thing that intrigued me the most was that, at a certain point, Ennis began to address the Big Question: How is it that The Punisher has not yet died? In fiction, those who live by the gun die by the gun; it's inevitable. Especially in an Ennis story.

But it's The Punisher, a popular character owned by Marvel, so that won't happen.

But what's great is, in every story, Ennis always put in a sequence where The Punisher *could* die. You knew he wouldn't, but he could. And he happened to not die, and it was always emphasized that this was for luck [the one that stands out to me is the end of Mother Russia, where he draws straws with one other guy for who will live and who will die]. This supernatural luck (especially as it ties in to "Born") is a really intriguing concept, to me.

]]> By: brian lockhart http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-216405 brian lockhart Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:18:17 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-216405 On McDuffie's JLA- I WANT to like it. I loved his work on Justice League Unlimited. And I actually thought issue 13 had some great character bits, such as the discussion between Black Lightning and Green Lantern and the talk between Superman and Vixen. But I agree - It's just kind of dull and uninspired. I'm not sure whether to think Luthor has some ulterior motive that he is going to lay out next issue to take the story in a surprising direction, or whether we are meant to take his last page appearance at face value and next issue is him beating on Superman and Black Lightning. But that's kind of the problem, isn't it? Since McDuffie so far has done a pretty paint by numbers story, there's no reason to think he's going to change it up in the next issue or two. In fact I think we've basically seen the full plot for this story in Previews, on the cover of issue 15 - The JLA escapes and there's a big fight between them and the Injustice League, and the heroes win. The whole bit with John Stewart and Poison Ivy was kind of creative, but I also went away feeling like I've read that before. And Red Tornado gets frozen in a block of ice for the issue. Borrrring. And I hate to be THAT GUY but why don't the villains try to unmask Batman? Why not at least SHOW US trying to unmask him and failing for some reason? It all so far just feels like a cartoon. And it would be lots of fun animated with great voice work. But as a comic, not so much. And then when you compare it to Morrison's Injustice League arc or even what Alex Ross and Jim Krueger just did over in the JUSTICE limited series it seems even more uninspired. On McDuffie's JLA-
I WANT to like it. I loved his work on Justice League Unlimited. And I actually thought issue 13 had some great character bits, such as the discussion between Black Lightning and Green Lantern and the talk between Superman and Vixen.
But I agree - It's just kind of dull and uninspired. I'm not sure whether to think Luthor has some ulterior motive that he is going to lay out next issue to take the story in a surprising direction, or whether we are meant to take his last page appearance at face value and next issue is him beating on Superman and Black Lightning.
But that's kind of the problem, isn't it? Since McDuffie so far has done a pretty paint by numbers story, there's no reason to think he's going to change it up in the next issue or two.
In fact I think we've basically seen the full plot for this story in Previews, on the cover of issue 15 - The JLA escapes and there's a big fight between them and the Injustice League, and the heroes win.
The whole bit with John Stewart and Poison Ivy was kind of creative, but I also went away feeling like I've read that before.
And Red Tornado gets frozen in a block of ice for the issue. Borrrring.
And I hate to be THAT GUY but why don't the villains try to unmask Batman? Why not at least SHOW US trying to unmask him and failing for some reason?
It all so far just feels like a cartoon. And it would be lots of fun animated with great voice work. But as a comic, not so much.
And then when you compare it to Morrison's Injustice League arc or even what Alex Ross and Jim Krueger just did over in the JUSTICE limited series it seems even more uninspired.

]]> By: brian lockhart http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-216399 brian lockhart Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:09:03 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-216399 Okay, here's my take on the Batman issue... Mayhew and Wingman were both working for the mysterious Black Glove, whom we did not meet. Mayhew was playing at misdirection, trying to convince Batman and the League of Heroes that some of their arch foes had teamed up against them. Thus he was wearing the El Sombrero costume but also committed some of the murders using weapons from other arch foes. What I think is that the Black Glove's identity is going to prove to be a subplot, much as Morrison returned a few issues ago to the "Cop dressed as Batman" who showed up at the start of his run. Perhaps the Black Glove is somehow related to the return of Ra's? Or perhaps the Black Glove is somehow related to the still ongoing mystery of the three imposter Batmen (which will be picked up again, according to Previews, after the Return of Ra's storyline concludes). Okay, here's my take on the Batman issue...
Mayhew and Wingman were both working for the mysterious Black Glove, whom we did not meet.
Mayhew was playing at misdirection, trying to convince Batman and the League of Heroes that some of their arch foes had teamed up against them. Thus he was wearing the El Sombrero costume but also committed some of the murders using weapons from other arch foes.
What I think is that the Black Glove's identity is going to prove to be a subplot, much as Morrison returned a few issues ago to the "Cop dressed as Batman" who showed up at the start of his run.
Perhaps the Black Glove is somehow related to the return of Ra's? Or perhaps the Black Glove is somehow related to the still ongoing mystery of the three imposter Batmen (which will be picked up again, according to Previews, after the Return of Ra's storyline concludes).

]]> By: Mike Loughlin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-215717 Mike Loughlin Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:39 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-215717 Again, a super-hero whose greatest weapons can be defeated by Deep Woods Off. Again, you say awesome, I say stupid. I like plenty of stupid characters. Ant-Man just isn't one of them. Again, a super-hero whose greatest weapons can be defeated by Deep Woods Off.

Again, you say awesome, I say stupid. I like plenty of stupid characters. Ant-Man just isn't one of them.

]]> By: Apodaca http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-215577 Apodaca Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:20:34 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-215577 Well, sure, if you boil down any character to two points and use a derisive tone, it can sound stupid. Ant-Man also climbs inside your head through your ear and dances on your brain for justice and science. Ant-Man has a jetplane miniaturized in his pocket at all times, ready to be enlarged for use. Ant-Man is the best lover, because he fits anywhere, perfectly. Oh, and those bugs he's talking to? He's telling them to eat you. Well, sure, if you boil down any character to two points and use a derisive tone, it can sound stupid.

Ant-Man also climbs inside your head through your ear and dances on your brain for justice and science. Ant-Man has a jetplane miniaturized in his pocket at all times, ready to be enlarged for use. Ant-Man is the best lover, because he fits anywhere, perfectly.

Oh, and those bugs he's talking to?

He's telling them to eat you.

]]> By: Mike Loughlin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-214814 Mike Loughlin Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:07:11 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-214814 He gets really small and talk to bugs. You say awesome, I say stupid. I like the original costume, hoewever. As for his not being a bodybuilder with lasers, well, I've never dug bodybuilders with lasers, either. Super-heroes don't have to be either Ant-Man or Cable. Thinking something is stupid does not equal hatred. Ant-Man doesn't inspire revulsion in me. I just think he's lame. The old SNL skit in which [someone whose name escapes me] played Ant-Man kind of sums up my feelings toward the character. His comic didn't sell, so I think a lot of readers feel the same. The Atom has the benefits of Gil Kane art and some cool moments (The Atom & Green Arrow vs. Darkseid in JLA: Rock of Ages springs to mind). I liked the two issues of the New Atom I read, just not enough to buy it. He gets really small and talk to bugs. You say awesome, I say stupid. I like the original costume, hoewever.

As for his not being a bodybuilder with lasers, well, I've never dug bodybuilders with lasers, either. Super-heroes don't have to be either Ant-Man or Cable.

Thinking something is stupid does not equal hatred. Ant-Man doesn't inspire revulsion in me. I just think he's lame. The old SNL skit in which [someone whose name escapes me] played Ant-Man kind of sums up my feelings toward the character. His comic didn't sell, so I think a lot of readers feel the same.

The Atom has the benefits of Gil Kane art and some cool moments (The Atom & Green Arrow vs. Darkseid in JLA: Rock of Ages springs to mind). I liked the two issues of the New Atom I read, just not enough to buy it.

]]> By: Apodaca http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-214748 Apodaca Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:36:49 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-214748 <blockquote>I think I speak for a good portion of readers, however, when I say an Ant-Man series, any Ant-Man series, holds no interest whatsoever.</blockquote> And that, I have to say, doesn't make any sense to me, whatsoever. Is it just the machismo factor coming into play because he's not a bodybuilder with laser powers? I really can't understand the hatred towards the Ant-Man concept. The Atom never has any of these problems, and he doesn't have armies of poisonous flying creatures at his command. Ant-Man, as a concept, is AWESOME. And that original helmet and suit is a classic Marvel costume.

I think I speak for a good portion of readers, however, when I say an Ant-Man series, any Ant-Man series, holds no interest whatsoever.

And that, I have to say, doesn't make any sense to me, whatsoever. Is it just the machismo factor coming into play because he's not a bodybuilder with laser powers? I really can't understand the hatred towards the Ant-Man concept. The Atom never has any of these problems, and he doesn't have armies of poisonous flying creatures at his command.

Ant-Man, as a concept, is AWESOME. And that original helmet and suit is a classic Marvel costume.

]]> By: MarkAndrew http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-214198 MarkAndrew Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:34:17 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-214198 Batman made my head hurt, too. It was like reading Seven Soldier # 1 after reading Seven Soldiers # 0. And I'm with you on "Speak of the Devil" I'm not sure why it was released in this format. I'm still really liking it, better than "Chance in Hell" or "Sloth," even. But some of that is that I *know* that when shit hits the fan it's gonna be awesome. No cartoonist does "everything goes to hell" better than 'Beto. Batman made my head hurt, too. It was like reading Seven Soldier # 1 after reading Seven Soldiers # 0.

And I'm with you on "Speak of the Devil" I'm not sure why it was released in this format. I'm still really liking it, better than "Chance in Hell" or "Sloth," even.

But some of that is that I *know* that when shit hits the fan it's gonna be awesome. No cartoonist does "everything goes to hell" better than 'Beto.

]]> By: Mike Loughlin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-214106 Mike Loughlin Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:44:16 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-214106 This may sound harsh, but I think a lot of readers feel this way: To me, "Ant-Man" is a stupid name & concept. Not even "so stupid its awesome," just stupid. I've never read the book. Why? It's Ant-Man. Unless it has a really good writer (and I don't consider most of Kirkman's writing "really good," although I like Walking Dead), I'm not going to even consider picking it up. I might read a review that says a new Scorpions album really rocks, or that John Grisham,'s new book is his best yet, or that the newest romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling is both heartfelt and hilarious. Regardless, I'm probably not going to check them out. I'm not implying "Ant-Man" fans are idiots, or don't have good taste. To each his own. I'm not implying there are no good Ant-Man stories, or none possible. I think I speak for a good portion of readers, however, when I say an Ant-Man series, any Ant-Man series, holds no interest whatsoever. This may sound harsh, but I think a lot of readers feel this way: To me, "Ant-Man" is a stupid name & concept. Not even "so stupid its awesome," just stupid.

I've never read the book. Why? It's Ant-Man. Unless it has a really good writer (and I don't consider most of Kirkman's writing "really good," although I like Walking Dead), I'm not going to even consider picking it up.

I might read a review that says a new Scorpions album really rocks, or that John Grisham,'s new book is his best yet, or that the newest romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling is both heartfelt and hilarious. Regardless, I'm probably not going to check them out.

I'm not implying "Ant-Man" fans are idiots, or don't have good taste. To each his own. I'm not implying there are no good Ant-Man stories, or none possible. I think I speak for a good portion of readers, however, when I say an Ant-Man series, any Ant-Man series, holds no interest whatsoever.

]]> By: km http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-214098 km Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:19:53 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-214098 I hesitate to comment in-depth on the Punisher, but from what I can see the comparison with classic mystery/superhero tales doesn't quite wash. In those stories, there exists at least the possibility of a moral grey area. Even at the height of the classic age, there are such things as sympathetic villains, doubt about the severity of their crimes, and cases in which the 'detective' just plain screws up. As Greg pointed out, just to take the iconic example, there's more than one Holmes story in which he doesn't get his man, and others in which he lets his man off scot-free. Whereas, if I'm understanding the Punisher's 'storytelling engine' correctly, there's no room whatsoever for grey. Frank Castle never questions the righteousness of his pursuit, and the villains are never more than scum. I can see were it'd make for a satisfying read, but eventually not a very interesting one. I hesitate to comment in-depth on the Punisher, but from what I can see the comparison with classic mystery/superhero tales doesn't quite wash.

In those stories, there exists at least the possibility of a moral grey area. Even at the height of the classic age, there are such things as sympathetic villains, doubt about the severity of their crimes, and cases in which the 'detective' just plain screws up.

As Greg pointed out, just to take the iconic example, there's more than one Holmes story in which he doesn't get his man, and others in which he lets his man off scot-free.

Whereas, if I'm understanding the Punisher's 'storytelling engine' correctly, there's no room whatsoever for grey. Frank Castle never questions the righteousness of his pursuit, and the villains are never more than scum. I can see were it'd make for a satisfying read, but eventually not a very interesting one.

]]> By: Glen Newman http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-214033 Glen Newman Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:12:05 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-214033 Orson Randall probably won't be meeting any WWII era Marvel heroes, because he fought in World War One Orson Randall probably won't be meeting any WWII era Marvel heroes, because he fought in World War One

]]> By: Tim Callahan http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-213962 Tim Callahan Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:15:15 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-213962 I interpreted it that Mayhew was adopting the role of El Sombrero for the story (to line up with the "League of Villains" misdirect the bad guys tried to pull off), but it's unlikely that he was the "real" El Sombrero. I interpreted it that Mayhew was adopting the role of El Sombrero for the story (to line up with the "League of Villains" misdirect the bad guys tried to pull off), but it's unlikely that he was the "real" El Sombrero.

]]> By: red-Ricky http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-213853 red-Ricky Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:57:25 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-213853 1-How did Man-of-Bats survive? <i> I assumed he chucked the bomb into the next room, closed the door, and still got hit with debris. (It's what I would've done.)</i> 2-Mayhew isn’t the Black Glove, right? <i>Right. He is called Hatman. Err... sorry. I meant, el Sombrero.</i> 3-Does Batman think he is? <i>Nope. Gaucho ID's him as El Sombrero.</i> 4- Mayhew isn’t going to get away, but does he really? All he knows is that the boathouse is packed with explosives. <i>He also knows that Mayhew blew up most of the planes, and he isn't near the boathouse. So his chances aren't that great.</i> 5- Does he realize that the Black Glove got away? <i>Wingman kept pushing his Villains of the world theory; but Batman wasn't sold on it. He knew it was one guy pretending to be multiple villains. That doesn't mean he is not going to look at the possibility that the Black Glove is real. But then again, it may just be another name for the League of Assassins.</i> 6- What do you think? <i>I agree. I too, had a tough time following the story.</i> 1-How did Man-of-Bats survive?

I assumed he chucked the bomb into the next room, closed the door, and still got hit with debris. (It's what I would've done.)

2-Mayhew isn’t the Black Glove, right?

Right. He is called Hatman. Err... sorry. I meant, el Sombrero.

3-Does Batman think he is?

Nope. Gaucho ID's him as El Sombrero.

4- Mayhew isn’t going to get away, but does he really? All he knows is that the boathouse is packed with explosives.

He also knows that Mayhew blew up most of the planes, and he isn't near the boathouse. So his chances aren't that great.

5- Does he realize that the Black Glove got away?

Wingman kept pushing his Villains of the world theory; but Batman wasn't sold on it. He knew it was one guy pretending to be multiple villains. That doesn't mean he is not going to look at the possibility that the Black Glove is real. But then again, it may just be another name for the League of Assassins.

6- What do you think?

I agree. I too, had a tough time following the story.

]]> By: Mecha-Shiva http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-213717 Mecha-Shiva Sat, 29 Sep 2007 04:17:19 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-213717 Batman #669 confused the crap out of me, so you're not alone. Batman #669 confused the crap out of me, so you're not alone.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-213716 Greg Burgas Sat, 29 Sep 2007 04:16:12 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-213716 Thanks for the info, Chip. That's good to know. I don't mean to denigrate Sean Phillips, because he's a very good artist, but I'm just not sure if he's a "superstar." If you think so, stealthwise, that's very cool. And yes, I know that with most stories, it's how we get there and not necessarily what happens, but again, it's just the fact that we know how it's going to end that bugs me. You bring up Sherlock Holmes, but Holmes doesn't always get his man (or woman, in the case of Irene Adler), and he doesn't even have similar cases. As I wrote, I'll just have to pick up a trade of one of the suggestions and see for myself. Thanks for the info, Chip. That's good to know.

I don't mean to denigrate Sean Phillips, because he's a very good artist, but I'm just not sure if he's a "superstar." If you think so, stealthwise, that's very cool. And yes, I know that with most stories, it's how we get there and not necessarily what happens, but again, it's just the fact that we know how it's going to end that bugs me. You bring up Sherlock Holmes, but Holmes doesn't always get his man (or woman, in the case of Irene Adler), and he doesn't even have similar cases. As I wrote, I'll just have to pick up a trade of one of the suggestions and see for myself.

]]> By: Chip Mosher http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/comment-page-1/#comment-213693 Chip Mosher Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:46:33 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/09/28/what-i-bought-26-september-2007/#comment-213693 Greg - see I told you we were back to action in this issue...and just wait until issue #5. Thanks for plugging LEFT ON MISSION. FWIW, the trade coming out so close to issue #5 is to alleviate some of the past scheduling problems that BOOM! has had this past year previous to Waid and Fassbender coming on board. You will see a noticiable difference the next year as thier influence on the company is felt. Chip Greg - see I told you we were back to action in this issue...and just wait until issue #5. Thanks for plugging LEFT ON MISSION.

FWIW, the trade coming out so close to issue #5 is to alleviate some of the past scheduling problems that BOOM! has had this past year previous to Waid and Fassbender coming on board. You will see a noticiable difference the next year as thier influence on the company is felt.

Chip

]]>