(The comics were good, by the way)

What really bothers me - and am I the only one who's noticed these? - is when the "previously" page gives something away. How hard is it to not put something that hasn't happened yet in the "previously" blurb? If you don't know what I'm talking about ... well, you probably just happen to get books where they're smart enough not to do this, or maybe you don't read the "previously" stuff because, you know, you got the previous issue. But every now and then - more often that you'd think - you'll get, say, an issue that ends with Batman and Robin beating a villain, and Robin says "What was that about?" and Batman says "I don't know ... but I know who will!" Then the next issue, the "Previously" text will end with "After the fight, the pair decided to pay a visit to Dr. Chang, an old friend of Bruce Wayne's for some information ... only to find Chang dead!" Then the issue will start with the Batmobile rolling down the street with Robin asking where they're going and Batman explaining who Dr. Chang is and why he might know why the villain attacked, and on page 2 they arrive to find Chang's door broken ajar, and you, the reader, are rolling your eyes and thinking "gee, whatever could have happened?"

At least one other person has noticed that kind of thing, right?

Also, I'm as sick of pinup covers as the next guy, but what I'm really tired of is Marvel's no-content "next issue" splash pages. "Next Issue... Iron Man will appear in his own comic!" "Next Issue... The Hulk Will Stand There Looking Menacing!" If it doesn't tell us anything about what happens in the next issue (even an unexplained shot of a villain or guest star would be a better excuse for a "next issue" spot), then it's just a waste-of-space pinup page and they shouldn't even bother. Give us an extra page of story if you're going to give us such a crap excuse for a "next issue" page.

Bleh!

That’s my point, T. There’s nothing terribly thrilling about Final Crisis

I know that's your point, Greg. I was agreeing with your point and expanding on it. I don't ALWAYS disagree with you, you know!

Regarding Stroman: Oh well, never mind!

Here, he’s just showing what happens when evil wins.

Problem is, he did that SO much better already in Rock of Ages. Better action, more coherent, more focused, better character moments. Rock of Ages is my favorite JLA story ever from any era. A group of old school villains mobilizing to stop the heroes. A plan unfolding with Darkseid and evil ultimately winning. All the same elements from Rock of Ages here again. But to see it retold, but Didio-ized to be less coherent, longer, poorly schedules and poorly focused is tragic.

"This book sucked!"

There ya go---pull quotes for any reviewer to use no matter what the opinion of the book is.

You hit the nail on the head with it making you feel more "connected" to the Marvel Universe.

Bring em' back I say.

It was the pull quote by Garth Ennis on one of the SCALPED tpbs that convinced me to pick it up and give it a try.
I get the monthly and the tpbs.

But no worries, Ed. I had a blast writing it, and Sean's painting of Harry O looks awesome.

And I'd argue that if you're going to only buy Criminal once, you should buy the monthlies, since the bonus essays only appear in the monthlies.