If you check out the short YouTube trailers for PISTOLFIST (especially the High Quality one you'll link to when you click on my name above) they'll reveal a lot more to you.

Overall, it's more of a dramatic movie-like epic than a fast, fun romp (though #2 has some cool, quick action bits you might enjoy). That's because it's based on real (albeit "heightened") history and we deal with things other people haven't. Things like... (spoiler alert!) ...The rift between Ben Franklin and his son, Gov. William Franklin, who remained loyal to England throughout the war -- and the fact one of Ben Franklin's best friends was actually a spy -- and the fact that...waaay back then...another of Ben Franklin's friend was the young doctor who discovered where the heart produces electricity (that's important -- there will be a test later =^) -- and the fact it was a half African-American, half Native American, runaway slave who became "the first to defy, the first to die" in the Boston Massacre (Note: The "eye"-holes in our heroes mask are actually *bullet-holes) -- and the fact that...well, you get the picture. It's based on a LOT of real history, so it's pretty serious stuff. The "steam-punk-ish" elements make it pretty fun though.

Everyone has different tastes, so I understand if PISTOLFIST isn't your cup of tea. As I studied the history surrounding the period, there were just too many fascinating, true, little-shown aspects that we really felt deserved more attention -- the relationship between Ben Franklin and his son William being, perhaps, the most dramatic of all. William "mooched" off his father, but was so desperate to make a name for himself that he turned his back on him and they remained at severe odd for the rest of their lives. Ben Franklin even "slammed" him in his will.

By the way, each issue has a "Fact & Fiction" page which notes the real-life history behind each element of the story. So, yeah, it's pretty serious. It does have some fun, super-heroey portions though (particularly in #2 and #3...and, the finale', #4 ;^).

I hope you get Wasteland, because it's very good. Of course, I hope you like it too, because I wouldn't want to steer you wrong!

I think this has actually been done to great effect in Funky Winkerbean. It was a wonderful way to get past Lisa's death--her absence is important, but the grief is not overwhelming. It really seemed to get Tom Batiuk's juices flowing, as the strip lost its appeal to me a good while back, but since his jump ahead 10 years it's been more interesting and funny. That strip is one man's baby, however, so it certainly is different than the plug-in creator world of Marvel comics. It fits your criteria--Batiuk is staying in charge, and the future is here--so it's not always a cheat!

I might be interested in Pistolfist more as a fun, breathless romp, than as an alternate history superhero epic. Which way does it skew?

"Damn, [Wasteland] is a good comic. Would it really kill you to pick up an issue or a trade? Would it????"
No, it wouldn't. I've been meaning to and needed a push. Thanks for drawing attention to stuff I might miss!

Marvel Comics Presents hasn't exactly rocked my world, but I do like the concept, and wish Marvel would keep it. You don't see too many anthology titles, and I always thought a book like that would be a good way to test run new characters and creators, and/or test out how well older characters and creators are doing, with the hopes of launching new titles. Then again, if it's being canceled (due to low sales?), maybe that's the answer Marvel has.

I should check out She-Hulk, as I'm enjoying PADs work on X-factor and Fallen Angel. Plus, the nice covers keep catching my eye, especially the way the logo keeps being used. Plus, I love that he titled the SI story "He Loves You"

Others have pointed out that people may know about the X-men from the Morrison Days...remember, this was when he furthered the idea of mutant culture, when Magneto was on lunch boxes, and the X-men were giving press conferences from the mansion in costume (well, the black and neon yellow leather uniforms), and the team did live move to SF for 5 minutes back in the 80s. So it's not too unbelievable that people would know them.

And, hey, we haven't even brought Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys into the picture yet ;^)

By the way, if you click on my "website" link it'll lead you to an awesome YouTube trailer for PISTOLFIST (*Make sure you click on "Watch in High Quality"...and crank it up!) which features images from all 4 issues of the limited series. Enjoy!

Not to mention that on top of Land's usual crap, everybody was SMILING nonstop. Sure, fine, the mayor would be a grinning glad-hander, but why would Cyclops of all people have a big toothy grin in every other panel? I mean, Magneto in a High Evolutionary suit aside, I'm going to give this and Ellis's approach a few more issues and then consider retreating from X-Men the same way I did Spider-Man. Why not, when Cap and the Avengers are going so well?

And the X-Men being focused on environmentalism makes perfect sense to me. They've always been socially progressive and technologically advanced.

I totally agree about the Marin view scene. Looks like Land couldn't find a good photo to trace. I also dislike (most of) the exchange of words between Magneto and X-Men. Looks like we're back to 1980 only now Scott loses his temper easily.

About the public knowing "too much" about the X-Men, I thought the same as Michael. It's not like the X-Men were never known to the public, at least by name (and as "mutant terrorists"). With the age of the Internet and Xavier outing himself and the team, it makes easier for people to talk about them in forums, dedicate fan/hate sites and compile a Wikipedia entry.

FGJ: Yes, Casey did #400. And it wasn't terribly epic either. #300 was kind of a bad issue, but at least Lobdell tried to make it "important." And, of course, #200 was excellent, both as an epic and as part of the ongoing storyline.

Da Fug: Thanks for the compliment. But now the bar has been set! Darn it!

YES! Another Burgas trip report! Last year's was awesome!

That means it's been about a hundred issues since Morrison started leading the titles, and they are only now getting back to similar ideas like the one's he laid out for them.