Comic Book Resources

I so want to make a crack about mysteriously forgetting the Super-marriage, but I know that wasn’t JMS’s call. And I did like his run on Thor, so I’ll just say I’ll miss Gail and reserve judgment otherwise.

Now if only Grant could return to JLA…

Uh oh… does this mean his Brave and Bold run will be delayed to hell?

(And if we hadn’t all just seen Cry for Justice, we’d probably add in the big name for their flagship team book, too…)

Interesting, though, that they aren’t putting the biggest names on their traditional flagship titles (Detective and Action, both of which are bearing down on honest #900s now…)

now dc has an alliance to combat brian michal bendis’s ability to shit money

@Jeff: Indeed. It’s weird that they’ve left JLA in the hands of a talentless has-been when they’re focusing so hard on the rest.

The announcement that J. Michael Straczynski will be taking over both Superman AND Wonder Woman’s ongoing titles is definitely exciting news for DC Comics.

Doesn’t matter. Even though he’s a good writer, under Didio he’ll write crap. Most writers do.

@Jeff: Indeed. It’s weird that they’ve left JLA in the hands of a talentless has-been when they’re focusing so hard on the rest.

ANY writer who is forced to write the Justice League post-Meltzer and under the current editorial interference hell it’s in would automatically become a “talentles has-been.” If McDuffie’s description of his time there was accurate, no one could do good writing in that environment. So why bother wasting a big name on the book when editorial and crossovers will be dictating story direction anyway?

Great news! I was worried that I’d be strapped for cash this summer, but since JMS has been announced on Superman AND Wonder Woman, I can rest easy knowing that there will be at least $7.98 stashed safely in my wallet every month. Is DC giving him the reins to any other titles? Could just be that the savings are rolling in!

I don’t know if he’ll prove to be a big “get” in the long run. After all, he’s been writing Brave & the Bold for a while, and that hasn’t shot up in sales.

Admittedly, the winning formula is usually “Big name + Big character/title + Focus on continuity,” and Brave and the Bold only fills one of those slots. I expect his Superman to pick that franchise up in sales, at least initially. Wonder Woman’s always a crapshoot, though.

Might give it a chance, one issue each, but I make no commitments.

So this puts all hope in seeing THE TWELVE wrap up any time, in the next decade.

Given his track record on “The Brave and the Bold” and the Red Circle books, I’d put this one in the loss column.

Brave and the Bold has not been very good. If I did a post on the ten worst Team-Up book ones, it would have a sure-fire spot.

I think a lot of the problems with the JLA stem from DC being character focused instead of team focused. In other words, the character’s books dictate continuity as opposed to the team books and events like at Marvel. The main events for Marvel involve everyone (with a few exceptions) and then create a status quo that is reflected in the solo books.

DC may have events like a Crisis occasionally, but their real bread and butter is the “family event.” This year we have or will see Flash Rebirth, Blackest Night, New Krypton War, Return of Bruce Wayne, and Brightest Day (supposed to feature Aquaman family heavily) which will dramatically alter their family of titles. It really comes down to what you prefer, since both have drawbacks (everything to do with the JLA currently, JMS having his Thor plans steamrolled to set up Siege)

For me JMS best titles were Midnight Nation, Rising Stars, and Supreme Power. Thus, in my opinion, hes best when he doesnt have to do stuff with heavy editing and continuity based characters. Personally I wish he would just do a bunch of his own stuff at Image (which he has talked about). I think his talent will be wasted on these two books. I will NOT be buying them.

I think a lot of the problems with the JLA stem from DC being character focused instead of team focused. In other words, the character’s books dictate continuity as opposed to the team books and events like at Marvel. The main events for Marvel involve everyone (with a few exceptions) and then create a status quo that is reflected in the solo books.

There have been plenty of JLA eras in the past where the character’s books dictated continuity like the Morrison era, yet they were still at least competent. I don’t think it’s the solo books dictating continuity that’s the problem. I think it’s the editorial staff with zero long term vision and common sense dictating storylines that’s the problem.

You know, other than the Spider-Man stuff up to and including “Happy Birthday,” there’s nothing else I’ve read from JMS that I’ve actually liked.

I guess at least I can safely skip these new runs without worrying too much about missing anything.

You know, I actually think JMS would be good on Superman. I might even give it a shot.

lol @ same five people whining about THE TWELVE

I’m really, really excited about this! JMS’ stuff on Spidey and FF was AMAZING in terms of characterization, plot, and pacing, so I really want to see how he handles the Man of Steel and the Amazon Champion!

Plus, that letter he posted on The Source was just beautiful, don’t you agree?

Does JMS have the same “no crossovers” deal in his DC contract? It would be nice to have these two titles actually running stand alone arcs for a year or so.

ANY writer who is forced to write the Justice League post-Meltzer and under the current editorial interference hell it’s in would automatically become a “talentless has-been.”

I suddenly had this image in my head of William Shakespeare returning from the grave to become the new writer on Justice League, only to have all his scripts heavily edited or rejected by Dan Didio, who would be completely & utterly convinced that he knew so more about writing and drama than the Bard, with predictably terrible results.

To be fair, Shakespeare sure uses a lot of cliches.

I mean, maybe he invented them, but c’mon. Get with the times, Bill. And respect your goddamn continuity. And bring Hamlet back from the dead, we like him.

“I mean, maybe he invented them, but c’mon. Get with the times, Bill. And respect your goddamn continuity. And bring Hamlet back from the dead, we like him.”

Two words: Time. Machine.

I’ll be giving them all a shot.

There have been plenty of JLA eras in the past where the character’s books dictated continuity like the Morrison era, yet they were still at least competent. I don’t think it’s the solo books dictating continuity that’s the problem. I think it’s the editorial staff with zero long term vision and common sense dictating storylines that’s the problem.

Mozza referenced the continuity – Superman appeared Blue etc – with this JLA, they have to dedicate whole issues to how the JLA react to some other crossover or event.
Or even worse, despite Batman appearing in a thousand titles every month, a JLA team member can’t be in the team and appear in another book at the same time, so after spending time building them up a story, the writer has to then send them off to get ready for another title.
A G-Mozz JLA style book would be better for them now, where it’s about the heavy hitters hitting heavy, rather than a team of Donna Troy types, in a less action-y book.

Dave Sikula wrote:

“Given his track record on “The Brave and the Bold” and the Red Circle books…”

Which Red Circle books did he write?

The intros for Shield, HAngman, Inferno and The Web.

Normally I’d be pretty psyched but I haven’t been a fan of his stuff with Brave and the Bold. I’ll probably check out at least the first issue of Superman, though.

JMS has sold a whole lot of comic books, complaining or no. I don’t expect that to stop now.

He’s been saying for years on the Internet that he’d like to do Superman. Good Luck to him.

Good to know. I’ve always enjoyed JMS’ writing, his rendition of Iron Man aside. His Supes and Wonder Woman should be interesting.

I think this is great news for regular readers of Superman. I have been reading Superman since John Byrne’s revamp and I can confidently say that James Robinson writes the worst dilaogue in Superman comics since this time. Some of the stories are ok (I like Mon-El for example) but his Jimmy Olsen is not very good and the Guardian is just plain boring.

I have heard great things about Robinson’s Starman but I have now got so annoyed with the absolutely awful dialogue in Superman that there is no way I will check it out now. I would not consider dropping the title from my pull list but it sure makes it better to know that Robinson is leaving.

I think JMS is a good choice, he has a real passion for the character and I think he can bring him back more to his roots and concentrate on the Clark/Supes dichotomy and life at the Daily Planet etc. I have missed the everyday stuff in the Superman titles with the current ‘epic’ storylines.

Now if only they would get Johns and Frank back on Action Comics…

Brian, speaking of JMS, I swear my mind registers that 5 Years of CSBG logo as this:
http://monsterscifishow.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/b5.jpg

E. Wilson: Hamlet actually was brainwashed by Fortinbras, who’s been using him as a super-assassin ever since. However, now that Polonius’ mind has been transferred into Fortinbras’ body, things may change…

Also, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are really Blue Beetle and Booster Gold.

–

I’ve been enjoying The Brave and the Bold and I hope DC isn’t dumping it.

JMS has let me down a lot lately. I got Thor in trade, and the first trade honestly took me 15 minutes to read. It was so decompressed. But we’ll see because he did start out great on Amazing Spider-Man (but then there was that Goblin Stacy stuff) and if he can write someone as powerful as Thor, he might be able to come up with challenges for Superman and Wonder Woman. As long as he steers clear of ever trying to tell a joke.

Fail. Based solely on Sins Past nad how badly he fumbled Spidey. James Robinson, you and Morrison are off the hook for now. JMS will show you how to cripple multiple franchises in grand style.

Even money says Jimmy Olsen rapes Lois Lane by his 3rd issue. And Wonder Woman becomes a transgender stand-up comic for the annual.

Q: Which Red Circle books did he write?
A: The intros for Shield, Hangman, Inferno and The Web.

First issue of each? Didn’t know that.

Not the first issue of each, introductory one shots.

On another note, I am officially sick and tired of learning that absolutely everything I read is terrible and sucks and is the worst example of whatever it is. Apparently all comics are shit. Not a good one in the bunch. Don’t know why we read them.

Apparently all comics are shit. Not a good one in the bunch. Don’t know why we read them.

There are plenty of good comics. High-profile superhero books from the bigger publishers tend to get lambasted because, well, they deserve it. But then there is stuff like Atomic Robo that a few of us crusade for again and again, and if you’re not reading it, you’re missing out.

” Fail. Based solely on Sins Past nad how badly he fumbled Spidey. James Robinson, you and Morrison are off the hook for now. JMS will show you how to cripple multiple franchises in grand style. ”

So when we factor in Babylon 5, Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Fantastic Four, Supreme Power, Thor, Brave and the Bold, and the episodes of the old Ghostbusters cartoon that IIRC he wrote, is this still true?

Loved Supreme Power a few years back.
He didn’t win me over with his Brave and the Bold run, though. Couldn’t live up to Waid’s run.

Might need some previews first, but I am considering getting on board Superman and Wonder Woman.
(would have prefered Morrison, though, like everybody else, I guess)

By the way, as further proof of my theory that Didio’s DC brings out the worst in writers, I am willing to bet with you that McKeever, who was not very well liked on his run on teen superhero team book Teen Titans over at DC, will suddenly knock it out the park now that he’s doing a superhero teen book over at Marvel:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Young-Allies-McKeever-100309.html

“So when we factor in Babylon 5, Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Fantastic Four, Supreme Power, Thor, Brave and the Bold, and the episodes of the old Ghostbusters cartoon that IIRC he wrote, is this still true?”

To say nothing of his entire Spider-Man run prior to Sins Past, and much of it afterwards.

What the hell happened to James Robinson?

I can understand someone like Frank Miller going crappy. The seeds of his madness were already present in his older works.

But Robinson was so unbelieavably wonderful in Starman and Golden Age. His Superman work I didn’t find awful, just lukewarm. And THAT is pretty awful for someone who wrote the magnificent Starman.

It’s like Frank Miller became more and more Frank Miller, while James Robinson lost his passion or something.

But Robinson was so unbelieavably wonderful in Starman and Golden Age.

Perhaps they were the flukes, and the other assorted mini’s and series he did weren’t the missteps we thought, but how he really writes.

I think it’s because he’s brought The Guardian into Superman.
Jim Harper is the worst character ever.
Even Kirby couldn’t make him interesting.

Maybe. Actually, the only other thing I’ve read of him at that time was a Vertigo mini about the Three Witches from Sandman. It was pretty good, I thought. Not Starman-good, but still good.

But the thing is, how can someone have a 80-issue fluke?

I know he took a few years off after Starman. Maybe he just lost his fire, already wrote everything he really wanted to write, dunno. Or maybe he hit his head when he was on vacation.

So when we factor in Babylon 5, Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Fantastic Four, Supreme Power, Thor, Brave and the Bold, and the episodes of the old Ghostbusters cartoon that IIRC he wrote, is this still true?

I think it’s irrelevant to focus on JMS pros and cons prior to this. What’s important is Dan Didio’s track record of nurturing talent. I don’t care if it’s a man who is the combination of Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and Marcel Proust. Under Didio, he’ll become a combination of Chuck Austen, Jeph Loeb and Brad Meltzer.

It’s like people obsessing over which new all-stars are joining the Knicks. So long as the Dolans own the team, they’ll pull defeat from the jaws of victory and turn the talent into hacks.

Perhaps they were the flukes, and the other assorted mini’s and series he did weren’t the missteps we thought, but how he really writes.

I think it’s because he’s brought The Guardian into Superman.
Jim Harper is the worst character ever.
Even Kirby couldn’t make him interesting.

I heard Archie Goodwin was Robinson’s editor for most of the run. I’ve read much of his writing and Goodwin was INCREDIBLE. And stories I hear about him as an editor are also great. My guess is much of what’s good in Starman came from him.

JMS is a great writer, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he does good things with WW. But I’m still quite disturbed/upset by what I see as DC bumping Gail Simone from that book. Gail was doing a great job and I think that JMS has a lot to live up to there.

I have not been reading Superman for a while. I’ll give it a try once JMS takes over.

I have also not been reading Brave and Bold, but I did pick up at least one JMS issue and was very impressed. This was the one with Dr. Fate and the Green Lantern. It was an very well done tale of destiny vs. free will and Dr. Fate was given a noble send-off.

I’m worried sick that JMS will decide it’s his solemn duty to “shake things” up by doing something similar to his “Sins Past” atrocity.