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CBR Live! Archive

Random Thoughts! (November 18, 2009)

Random Thought! My internet (and TV -- same company) was down all day yesterday, so you get this post a day later with special bonus thoughts. It's random thoughts time! Get excited!

Random Thought! I've yet to try and get my girlfriend to read comics. She's read some, but always because she wanted to. Like, I got her the X-Files mini-series that Wildstorm put out a year ago as it was coming out -- because she's a fan of the show and I asked if she'd want it. She's read Fell since she asked for some comics to read and that seemed like what she would like. She's open to reading more, but doesn't have a strong enthusiasm for it -- and I don't want to press the matter. We've got plenty of other things in common, so why do I need to push comics on her? Besides, she already watches wrestling with me a lot of the time... can't anything just be mine?

Random Thought! My favourite sandwich: bologna and Cheez Whiz on white bread. I make double-decker versions to save bread. Put Cheez Whiz on one side of the first slice, lay the bologna on it, put CW on one side of another, lay it on top, put CW on the other side, blogna, CW on side of the last slice... rip off the top of the crusts. Tasty, tasty, tasty. I've eaten that sandwich (albeit not in the double-decker form) since I was a little kid. It was the only sandwich I'd eat then -- I also like PB&J and roast beef with (honey) mustard and onions now -- and my grade one teacher actually thought that eating that would make me stupid. She told my mom that. Seriously. My mom, being a smart lady, realised that that's bullshit and it's important that her son actually eat lunch. I continue to eat those sandwiches to this day and have a Master's...

Random Thought! Wrestling links: High Road/Low Road on Batista's heel turn (this was a hard one for me since I really like his heel turn -- I hope I did my negative part well... but, honestly, there aren't a lot of negatives with this one except for 'I don't like Batista,' which isn't a great argument for something this detailed). a roundtable preview of this past Sunday's TNA Turning Point PPV where I contributed my predictions for the event and went 2-6 (ouch!); and wrestler of the week, which I also contributed to. I love contributing to these roundtable group things. Usually, it's fairly easy and low effort -- takes ten to fifteen minutes at most. And they've always been my favourite pieces to read as you get a lot of perspectives in one place.

Random Thought! What's up with the Beast in SWORD #1? It's like he has no idea what running that sort of agency would entail as far as personal time...

Random Thought! More plugging time... years ago, I wrote a couple of comics for an anthology that's since been repackaged from its original graphic novel format into single issues available through a POD company. Tales from the Plex #3 features "Down by the River," which is about a guy and his pregnant girlfriend... I have vague memories of this one as being written for an artist who wanted something Poe-like... despite my having read no Poe at the time. Tales from the Plex issues fourteen and fifteen feature "Murder from Beyond the Stars," a 22-page story split up over the two issues. I'm somewhat fond of that story, illustrated by Brice Hall (who was graphics editor at my university paper while I was an A&E editor), it's about the murder of the president of Mars. I think I went a bit overboard with trying to cram a lot in through various storytelling techniques, but it's fun. And features a detective named Anthrax Palmer, which I think we can all agree is a pretty cool name. Here are the first four pages:
murder01 murder02 murder03 murder04

Random Thought! It may seem stubborn and stupid, but I'm not buying a Human Target book that's written by anyone other than Peter Milligan.

Random Thought! Dark Avengers #11: A lacklustre issue that doesn't really do anything. The stuff at the beginning with Victoria Hand is good, but the rest feels like treading water. No real insight offered or gained. And I hate Greg Horn's art. The past two issues have left me pretty cold.

Random Thought! Spider-Woman #3: This series is pretty good, but nothing amazing. I find Jessica's narration a little grating at times, a bit too self-conscious and self-pitying. Alex Maleev's art veers from amazing to ugly a bit too much as he finds the right mix of photoreference, computer effects, and his actual skill -- which he possesses quite a bit of.

Random Thought! I'll be reviewing The Authority: The Lost Year #3 for CBR, but... how did it only take one issue to make me groan and want to drop the book? I don't care if that twist at the end was Morrison's original plan, it's rather stupid. The first issue of the series had such potential with the Authority in the real world and, now, it's become very typical and mundane. Also, I would prefer to never see another comic inked by Trevor Scott who butchers Darick Robertson's art. Look for me saying all of that nicer at CBR sometime in the next few days.

Random Thought! So, Cerebus Archive is POD only now and glamourpuss looks like it's going that way... fuck. I won't miss Cerebus Archive too much since it was interesting but not 'must read,' but glamourpuss is absolutely brilliant and unique. Sure, the fashion stuff was hit or miss, but the focus on art? Brilliant.

Random Thought! Where was the Red Hood and Scarlet's HQ?

Random Thought! For future reference: telling me not to do something or dismissing something I do in a rude and dickish way? Best way to get me to do it more. Especially when it produces so many comments...

Random Thought! Collected here from my Twitter account is a little topic I wrote about on Saturday night. I've stuck it in one paragraph with no editing...

Tonight is "read a bunch of .pdfs of comics for reviewing and for pleasure" night. I'm really behind on the second part of that idea. I actually dislike reading comics in pdf form since they're made with seeing the full page in mind and you can't do that here and actually READ the words. Also, double-page spreads done horizontally? Not fun on a stationary screen. Not that I'm complaining. I love being able to check things out this way and love being sent pdfs... just not my ideal format. However, I do tell most publishers/creators to send me pdfs instead of physical copies for immediacy and clutter-saving reasons. Also, pdfs are a great way to get reviews. Not just because it doesn't involve paying for a comic but because it guarantees getting the book. Shops can't order everything and over the past year I've had to beg off reviewing a half dozen or so books because the shop didn't have them. pdfs also allow reviewers to keep up with books when OTHER reviewers call the first issue(s) so future reviews can be informed. I also try and buy any books I read in pdf and really enjoy (sometimes in singles sometimes in trade). I don't keep pdfs after using them. Also, pdfs lead to advance reviews that tell people ahead of Wednesday to buy a comic -- or not buy it... okay, so there's a downside... There is a wisdom, though, in not having reviewers keep up with everything since limiting them to doing what they already buys means a better shot at good reviews. Though, I doubt anyone's given that serious thought really. The 'keeping reviewers' informed is important if only because it means they'll be inclined to review something other than part 1 of a story. I mean, who wants reviews of JUST of part 1 and MAYBE the last part of a story? And I say that as a reviewer who's never been afraid to jump in mid-story for a review... for good or ill. Really, though, pdfs benefit the smaller, overlooked titles. The stuff you WANT reviewed (good or bad, honestly) just so people know of it. Otherwise, it's really left up to: what a reviewer is already buying, what s/he feels like spending money, or thinks will be on the rack. And, depending on the shop, don't bet on low-selling titles having a big rack presence. Hell, sometimes higher selling titles don't. And, depending on the shop, don't bet on low-selling titles having a big rack presence. Hell, sometimes higher selling titles don't. So, no reviews (aka free press) for those comics because of one shop not having a rack copy. Reordering will get ME a copy, but not a review. Also, honestly, pdfs have turned me on to a lot of books that I probably wouldn't have given a shot otherwise -- books that I then reviewed and made others aware of. Maybe not a lot of people picked them up, but some did and that's worth it, right?

Random Thought! Boston Legal was a fantastic show and I can prove it with two words: Denny Crane.

Random Thought! What I Learned from The Brave and the Bold #29: the '60s were better because people were friendly despite Vietnam and riots and other bad things, okay?

Random Thought! Man, I was really enjoying the hell out of V. by Thomas Pynchon until the final 150-200 pages where it seemed like he didn't know where he wanted to take things anymore.

Random Thought! I should go write a review or something...

  • Posted on November 18, 2009 @ 02:45 PM

47 Comments

Greg Horn? Ewwww...

Yours is the first complaint about Beast in SWORD I've read that had nothing to do with the art.

Red Hood and Scarlet's HQ was in the back of a truck.

rwe1138 -- He acted like someone completely new to that lifestyle. It threw me off a bit.

Patrick -- I gathered, I was just mocking the art some more... because I'm a dick.

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

We've got plenty of other things in common, so why do I need to push comics on her?

Because they are a medium and not a genre - it's not like getting her to watch your favourite wrestling show on tv, it's more akin to introducing someone to the concept of tv!

Where was the Red Hood and Scarlet's HQ?

On a truck parked on top of a skyscraper, next to some construction equipment - except it was one of those optical illusion roofs they are so big on in Gotham lately, where it looks like you're on a street until someone falls off the building.

Honestly, any Editor who gives Tan a job after seeing that action scene is being irresponsible.

I think his line work is pretty garbage as well, but some people like his pin ups - but the guy needs to work on his storytelling something shocking... comics cost double what they did when this sort of shit flew in the 90's, so this sort of shit shouldn't be happening, especially not on a title as big as Batman & Robin.
I can't wait to get an Absolute Edition with Quietly, Stewart and Irving pics of B&R, but those giant sized Tan pages are going to feel like a skull-fuck and a half.

You do know that the writer of the upcoming Human Target comic is the creator of the character, right ? Mr. Len Wein ?

Omar Karindu, with the power of SUPER-hypocrisy!

November 18, 2009 at 4:52 pm

In fairness, the Dark Avenger sissue -- based on Bendis's hype for it -- is more about building up the Molecule Man than about progressing Dark Reign. That latter direction seems to now belong to the Siege crossover, which looks...well, dumb.

Also, I would prefer to never see another comic inked by Trevor Scott who butchers Darick Robertson's art.

Trevor Scott used to ink Quitely on Authority, right? I can understand why Quitely switched to digital inking, then. Scott's lines haven't done any favors for any pencils (or pencillers) that I've come across.

Boston Legal was a fantastic show and I can prove it with two words: Denny Crane.

Make that one word: "DennyCrane!" (The exclamation point is essential.)

One more reason The Shat is a international treasure.

My Canadian grandmother introduced me to the wonder that is Cheez Whiz many a long decade ago. But the Whiz I've had here in the US just doesn't compare to the taste that resides in my memory.

I totally agree about the art. It took me 2 reads to figure out they were in a truck, and I still don't understand how the truck was parked on the roof of a building like FGJ said. When Batman went tumbling off the ledge I was definitely confused about where the hell they were. Thank God Cameron Stewart is up next!

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm

I don't have it front of me, but from memory, up until he goes off the roof, you don't see the tops of any buildings around them - once he goes off the roof, you start seeing the tops of nearby buildings.
It's almost like Tan didn't read ahead in the script, and Morrison didn't give any descriptions, and so they were drawn on the ground until he got to the part where they weren't.

After this and New X-Men, I think Mike Marts really needs to spend some time studying comic book art - it's two Morrison books he's done where they've gotten big great artists inter-mixed with terrible or insanely rushed artists.

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Random Thought! If a Bill Paxton Pinball Machine could seem this cool :http://coronacomingattractions.com/news/worlds-only-bill-paxton-pinball-machine, can you imagine what a Grant Morrison pinball machine would be like?

RASL shipped this week in a #1-5 shrink-wrapped with temporary tattoos (two from RASL, two from Bone). I only mention it because I just finished reading all five, and discovered that I've been missing a fantastic (albeit tragically, almost glacially, slow) comic book story that's nothing like Bone yet still retains all the wonderful elements of Jeff Smith's comic book storytelling style.

How's that for random? :)

Maybe that isn't the Beast in SWORD. It could be a blue mountain goat. I actually like the way he acts in that story, but it does seem he must know he's getting in the way. Maybe he feels, as I do, that these comic-book secret agencies take themselves way too seriously, and he just wants to take the piss out of them in a non-obvious way.

You mentioned Maleev's art. Am I the only one that finds his work hideous? It's weird because he appears to be a really good penciler. But then he messes it all up with horrible colouring and special effects. Do you think any editor might be able to talk him into just drawing something, and then using a professional inker and colourist?

What is POD? Print on demand? How would that apply to a self-published comic?

I really enjoyed the first 5 or so issues of Glamourpuss, but haven't picked it up since. I should really get back on it before it's gone.

FGJ -- I know that it's a medium, but it's a medium that's usually appreciated on an individual basis, so the social aspect of sharing in it isn't there as much. Now, if I didn't have all you wonderful internet people, I may feel the need to push it more...

HondoBrode -- And yet Peter Milligan's version was vastly superior... how about that.

Dan Felty -- Print on demand, yes. And what do you mean by applying to a self-published comic?

Denny Crane - Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!!

Denny Crane: never lost, never will.

Shatner is an international embarrassment.

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 10:04 pm

FGJ -- I know that it's a medium, but it's a medium that's usually appreciated on an individual basis, so the social aspect of sharing in it isn't there as much. Now, if I didn't have all you wonderful internet people, I may feel the need to push it more...

Chicks dig Sandman dude.

I have a girlfriend already... plus, I'm not a Sandman fan really...

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Shatner is an international embarrassment.

You call this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZVwQptvWw an embarrassment?

I have a girlfriend already... plus, I'm not a Sandman fan really...

So now that she's your girlfriend you don't have to giver her things she'd like?
And who said anything about you digging it?
You're such a typical male!

I don't think she'd like Sandman...

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 10:27 pm

But ALL chicks like Sandman!

If not, then Tarot: The Black Witch, perhaps?

I was thinking Criminal, actually. But, neither she nor I am in a big rush there... she's not as big a reader as I am and is busy with school a lot.

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 18, 2009 at 10:43 pm

Make her nervous for a laugh - lend her Young Liars first up, just to see how she reacts.

She's read some of my CBR reviews of that book, so she's not entirely unfamiliar with it.

If she likes more girlish stories, how about Marvel Divas? It's not as bad as some people have claimed; it just takes a couple of issues before it gets really interesting, that's all.

My opinion on Shatner: He is a mess and a total dick, but he plays great characters.

Coming a little late to the party, but I would not recommend Marvel Divas to anyone, male or female. I didn't ever find that it picked up...but even if it took a couple issues to do so...isn't it only a 4 issue limited series? Seems like it needs to work from go in that case...but my hate is showing...time to go put it away now :)

I had no idea that fight was on a rooftop. I thought it was in some huge underground complex or something. I've got to re-read that.

Concerning Girlfriends & comics, I've had the best luck with recommending books by Gaiman, Ellis & Vaughn. I will sometimes leave out certain comics I might think she'd like. If she doesn't take the bait, no harm done. This recently worked with Gotham City Sirens #5. My gal loves Harley Quinn.

I usually hang out with Japanese girls and comics don't have as much as a stigma there as they do here, but I'd probably still be considered "manga otaku" anyways, but I have lent my Hellboy Library edition to one girl and Calvin and Hobbes to another.

Comics are a medium and most folks are exposed to the medium through newspaper comics or other 'funny pages.'

But that's where the genre problem arises. The genres covered in comic strips and those covered in comic books are worlds apart. My wife loves the 60's Peanuts. She loves reading collections of them. She enjoys Geech. She loved Calvin and Hobbes. She doesn't read Spider-Man or Cathy or Rex Morgan...

So, when she sees a stack of comics, there aren't a whole lot that appeal to her. Collections do, but ongoing series? There just aren't a whole lot.

All that being said, I'm in the camp of 'why does she need to read them just because I do?' I'm not a music fan. I very rarely listen to it. When I run or mow the lawn, I have an audio book on my iPod, not music. She doesn't feel the need to have me enjoy her deep interest in Anglican Choirs.

As someone said...comics are a solitary medium. When we watch television or movies (at home), we can 'pause for discussion' and debate plots or silly moments or the like. When we read books, it's quiet--I'm not interested in many of her books...she doesn't have interest in many of mine. It's not a problem, it's taste. Once in a while, we'll share a line from a book while reading it...but it's not the same social activity as watching television or movies.

I read comics. She doesn't. It's not a crisis in the house.

Although our 17 month old has taken a distinct liking to reading and/or shredding them...

Chad - have you introduced her to Y? I've introduced a lot of girl friends to comics with Y.

Thanks for the tips, but... read the the actual post where I give my thoughts on introducing my girlfriend to comics. Or note that I have ideas for comics for her to read. I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm not looking for any.

DARK AVENGERS #11 is one of the worst "Avengers" issues Bendis has done, if not the worst. The villains aren't (rationally) motivated to do what Bendis has them do. Practically all of the characters talk in Bendis-speak, which made reading the dialogue painful. He has Hand act like a moron: if any low-level employee sent a letter to the head of the organization telling him that he wasn't doing his job, what would the reaction be? The political context was irrelevant. The Molecule Man's power doesn't make sense if you try to detail how it works, and claiming that it makes him a super-telepath is fairly senseless. I'd guess that the power appealed to Bendis because it's a variation on altering reality.
\
So, the issue has no theme, no plot, no characterization, and close-to-unreadable dialogue. Quite an accomplishment. Yet the issue has gotten positive reviews online. Why?

SRS

"My favourite sandwich: bologna and Cheez Whiz on white bread."

CRACKER

@ Chad - Yes, Peter Milligan is great, but Len Wein, the creator of the character, is working both on the show and upcoming comic, so I think if you like the character, you won't be disappointed.

Mr. Wein has done some other work over the years people seemed to like too including Swamp Thing and X-Men.

Yes, I am well aware of who Len Wein is. And I don't have a fondness for the character so much as for Peter Milligan's execution of said character, which was very, very good.

My wife will read a comic if I want her to, but there are very few comics that appeal to her. She likes Superman as a concept, but most Superman comics aren't that great. She liked some Kyle Baker books, Pedro & Me, and Concrete. We both enough overlapping tastes in music, books, movies, and t.v. that it all works out. My son (almost 5) has developed an interest in Donald Duck comics, though.

I loved SWORD. I'm surprised to find myself adding it to my small roster of (just 12) books I buy each month. It definitely portrayed the Beast in a different light, mostly visually but also in terms of character just a bit, but I'm willing to give the creative team a bit of wiggle room here 'cause the comic has its own unique feel and it's a very well done story.

FunkyGreenJerusalem

November 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Thanks for the tips, but... read the the actual post where I give my thoughts on introducing my girlfriend to comics. Or note that I have ideas for comics for her to read. I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm not looking for any.

Dude, it's telling someone else what to do in their relationship - it's a time honoured truth that we don't really care whether you want the advice, or if it's even appropriate - there's just something in the human soul that makes us need to tell you.

Also, I think everyone should be reading comic books.
Because then they'll make more of them.
And I like variety.

So, when she sees a stack of comics, there aren't a whole lot that appeal to her. Collections do, but ongoing series? There just aren't a whole lot.

Does the format really matter?

Off the top of my head I can't think of any - Hobbes and Peanuts just don't appeal to me - but I reckon there must be something like them in being done in 'book' form rather than in strips.

Scott Pilgrim?
If you whited out all the video game and superhero references, and maybe the fights, she might enjoy it.... would be a pretty quick read though, probably only be the colour section at the start of number four.

Can somebody just comment and let me know what the move of glamourpuss to a POD company means? I guess that print on demand would mean just that, but do I order the comic from the company (which one?) and they ship it to me personally or would I order it through a comic shop and they would handle it all?

Would I have to print glamourpuss on my (shudder) horrible home printer and paper? Cruel Irony, a book all about the travesty of poorly reproduced line work absolutely slaughtered by an HP inkjet. I don't think I could take that.

I would appreciate anyone who could tell me what's up. glamourpuss is fucking awesome.

What Print on Demand simply means is that they only print copies if someone orders them. So if, say, you want Glamourpuss #7, you pay for it, they print it out and mail it to you.

thanks for the info brian. would I go to any POD company site, or in glamourpuss's case, the comic site itself?

Comixpress, I believe, is handling Glamourpuss.

So you'd got to their site.

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