What comic books have you read today? Part two.19596
 Beaten by boat oars
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
| A few pull list items and a few minis. Creepshow #5 + Creepshow in Love. Entertaining but nothing to write home about. The third volume of Creepshow has come to a conclusion and, thus its addition to my pull list.   Hello Darkness #7-8. I don't remember a thing from #7. I just don't (except for what I'll expand on the coming sentences). #8 concludes Garth Ennis' serial and it was fine. Grim, dark, pretty much what Ennis is known for. Part of the problem is that the serialized anthology method works when it is consistent. Ennis' story wasn't in #7. Come to think of it, neither was Tynion's Something is Killing the Children tie-in. That reappears in #8. I'll give RL Stine and Cullen Bunn a chance to redeem this series.   Prowler #1-4. Mini-series from 1994, written by Carl Potts with Bill Reinhold. The story is ok, as Prowler is struggling to find balance between being the Prowler and being a husband/good employee. A copycat-costumed dork called the Nightcreeper kills bad guys and naturally him and the Prowler have a gentlemen's disagreement over this. Additionally, he has to save his place of employment from the Vulture who orchestrated a hostile takeover. Potts' story are Reinhold's art are just ok. It seems like it was mailed in for a paycheck.     Pryde and Wisdom #1-3. Kitty and Pete Wisdom are investigating a mutant killer who turns folks to fossils and then carves some ancient script into their bones. Kind of an interesting concept from Warren Ellis. Probably worth a read if you're an Excalibur fan or an X-fan from this time frame.    Captain America: White #0-5. #0 came out in 2008. The rest of the series followed up in 2015 even though it was teased back then. That's an even longer wait than Kevin Smith with issue four for the Spidey-Black Cat mini. It's an early tale of Cap and Bucky in WWII. He meets up with white Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos and goes on a mission in France. They meet up with some frog partisans and take on Baron Strucker and the Red Skull. Pretty cool story and art from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. At least they kept the band together for this installment of the color series.       |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Studley_Dudley, the Ennis story wasn’t in issue 7. The story ended at the cabin with that couple in issue 6 and picks up there in 8. The SIKTC is a prequel to the ongoing series, or so I’ve been told. I bailed on Creepshow before at the end of volume two. Also, I’m not sure if you remember the In Bloom prequel that was in one of the early issues but the I just read the first three of it. It’s cool and all the story and art are pretty unique but at 5 bones a book I’m not so sure. |
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by HeinzDad That's why it throws off the whole flow of the story for both "The War" and whatever the SIKTC story is about. I forgot what was going on in them, and without an editorial staff headed by Shooter, there aren't many recaps for the serialized stories. I'm doing well enough with paring down my pull list, that it gets difficult to justify the $4/book, but for $5+/book, those things should be doing more than giving me more than 5 minutes of reading time. I don't remember In Bloom. I'm most likely thinking of something I read in an issue of Witching Hour. |
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| Post 353 • IP flag post | ||
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
 This is the print on the page I finished this evening. I’m not going to lie, two pages is about enough for me at a time. Not because it’s bad but because I want to totally understand. I just had to google charnel house. It’s been quite awesome so far. There was what seemed like a bit of a lead up and all of the sudden Victor is building an 8 foot tall collection of specimens.  |
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| Post 354 • IP flag post | ||
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Hellcat #1-3. Limited series from 2000 recaps Patsy's life to help speed up the process. Her and Hedy are pals, then she becomes Hellcat, marries the son of Satan, kills herself, goes to hell and escapes. Story picks up with Dormammu attempting to take over hell, and Patsy attempts to stop him. Magick has little effect on her since her time in hell and she's definitely as strong as the plot dictates. Norm Breyfogle has some interesting layouts, and the script isn't bad. Entertaining if nothing else.    Avengers Icos: The Vision #1-4. Tells a tale of old and new. Recaps some of the events around Vision's creation while a person with political differences absconds to Germany around the time of WWII with some tech and makes a gremlin. Vision finds the party girl relative of his creator in the modern time to help him stop the gremlin. Good story and art from Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.     Underworld #1-5. Told from the POV of Jackie Dio, who is a small-time hood in Silvermane's gang who despises super-folk. After being released from prison, he attempts to work for the Owl who has taken over Kingpin's empire. Things go awry as an old rival also works for the Owl and has been juiced up and doesn't want Jackie there. Pretty straightforward story with an ending that doesn't work for me, with some gritty art by Staz Johnson.      |
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| Post 355 • IP flag post | ||
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From the last week. Spider-Man: The Power of Terror #1-4. Silvermane concocts a scheme to take Deathlok's body and transfer his mind to it. He sets up some planned attacks and there are some appearances by that stalwart of 90s Spidey series the Beetle as well as Boomerang, Hydroman, Punisher, and Daredevil. Some good art and a fairly solid script.     Questprobe #1-3 + Marvel Fanfare #33. Interesting and forward-thinking concept from Marvel that probably would have been better suited for the 1990s or 2000s. Long-story short, Questprobe was an attempt by Marvel to tie-in with some computer games and was planned for 12 issues but was cut short with three proper issues and one story that was later published in MF #33. The story concerns a pacifist planet being threatened by the Black Fleet and the Chief Examiner goes to scan Earth's heroes to gain their abilities. It would have been interesting to see how this story played out in the long term.     Sword of the Atom #1-4 + Specials #1-3. It was kind of Ed to pull #1-4 and Special #1 as a Christmas gift to me. I picked up the last two specials recently and sat down to read it. I know nothing of the Atom, but this was a cool series. I enjoyed it and maybe because it was something a little different for me. Atom goes through a divorce after catching his wife cheating. He goes to South America to research some white dwarf activity. The plane crashes and he is stuck at six inches. He helps lead a revolt and smashes this hot alien warrior princess named Laethwen. The first two specials keep the primary creative team of Jan Strnad and Gil Kane together while Pat Broderick takes over the art duties of the third special. Kane's art and Strnad's scripts are great and this is a real gem of a series. Thank you to Ed for turning me on to this.        |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
I didn't scan all 6 of these because I read the first volume and returned it a while ago. Here's the last TPB. Pretty damn good series. It's an easy verbal read but there is equal or more entertainment visually speaking. A buddy let me borrow them and it was pleasantly unexpected. |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
Ennis seems to be stuck on something important to him these days. With a wink at Boom he publishes this with Image. |
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| Post 358 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
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michaelekrupp private msg quote post Address this user | |
It’s been a minute since I have checked in on this thread. I hope everyone is doing well and I am glad to see that you guys are still out there reading and talking comics. Here are just a few of the series that have been on my radar lately: I am around halfway through DC’s Question series. This is an enjoyable, thought provoking read, with visually interesting artwork that makes effective use of the deluxe format printing that allows the artwork to bleed off the edge of the pages. It is a “recommended for mature readers” book and it earns that label. No frontal nudity, but heavy violence and complex storylines that would be of little interest to the bubble gum crowd. Worth checking out.  Flash Gordon is a nine issue mini series that I am thoroughly enjoying. Dan Jurgens is an amazing talent! He may be the most underrated creator of the 1980s. This series uses a cliffhanger format, with each issue ending with Flash in a seemingly impossible death trap, reminiscent of the 1930s newspaper serials. I only have a couple issues left to go and I am really going to miss this when it’s over. Highly recommended!  My feelings on the Aquaman mini series are a little more mixed. The first issue didn’t impress me, but it did grow on me as the series progressed. This is C+ material. Nothing particularly special.  George Perez’s Wonder Woman is a series that continually blows me away! I am around twenty issues in and it just keeps getting better. Absolutely fantastic! Looks like my focus has been mostly on DCs lately. On the Marvel end of things, I am currently enjoying the Don Heck run on Avengers, Early Sgt. Fury; VERY overlooked and underrated, and the early issues of Daredevil. I gotta run (pizza to eat!), but it was fun to touch base and see what everyone is reading. Take care! |
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 Hold your tongue and say, "I live on a pirate ship."
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Fads89 private msg quote post Address this user | |
 This a great read! I highly recommend adding this to your reading list if you haven't already. |
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| Post 360 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
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No_Prize private msg quote post Address this user | |
I have been re-reading my Fantagraphics Prince Valiant. Time after time, the brilliance of Hal Foster's art still dazzles me. |
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| Post 361 • IP flag post | ||
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
Transformers #17-18. Bruticus and Devastator are still pummeling each other all the way to Seattle and trash the city fighting until Megatron returns to quell the Decepticon infighting. A new character appears in #17 and he/she/they/them is giving me Poochy the Dog vibes. The subplot involving Ultra Magnus and some of the other stuff on Cybertron is also keeping me engaged. It's been a solid series thus far.  Wolverine: Revenge #4-5. Issue four picks up 20 years after #3. It's entertaining and I very much liked the twist ending.   Korvac Quest. The Guardians of the Galaxy hop through time to prevent Korvac from being reborn. Calling back to the original Korvac Saga in the Avengers, prior to being offed by Galactus, Korvac uploads his essence into the timestream and relatives through various timelines become Korvac but then he keeps time jumping back to the future. Fun plot twist is that no matter what the Guardians try to do, they're the reason that Korvac comes into being.     Spider-Man Canadian Adventure #1-5. Canadian Adventure isn't the real name but that's what I'm calling it. Issues 1-2 deal with substance abuse, and 3-5 deal more with bicycle safety. #4 has the first appearance of Turbine who is absolutely lame. Despite the subject matter, these are kind of fun and light-hearted issues which do share a plot continuity even though they were published over a couple years.      |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I enjoyed the end of Wolverine as well. I seemingly bought the red band versions and the edited pages were cool. | ||
| Post 363 • IP flag post | ||
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by HeinzDad How were the red band versions? My thinking was just more gore for an extra dollar per issue. |
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| Post 364 • IP flag post | ||
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Studley_DudleyI'm not sure they were a dollar more per issue thru MCS. I find I get a lot of IDW RI-A covers for the same price. !-10's I guess you could say? The page in issue 4 was worth it anyways. Id have to go back and check issue 5 to remember that one. |
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| Post 365 • IP flag post | ||
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Quote:Originally Posted by michaelekrupp I'm putting together about the first 15-20 issues of the Perez WW run. I've heard good things and am looking forward to at least getting the issues for the first one or two story arcs. I'm glad you enjoy it. Your reviews have been pretty helpful. I have a few series I'm going to start next month. Trying to knock out these reads. There are a few other late 80s-early 90s drek series from Marvel I'm looking at possibly trying out but also trying to slow down on bringing new stuff in. Space comes at a premium. |
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| Post 366 • IP flag post | ||
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Collector
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| @Studley_Dudley Thanks. I feel you on the space issue. I am finding Kindle books to be an effective tool to keep accumulating comics without taking up additional space. The only caveat is that you need a tablet to read them on with a screen that is at least comic book size. Reading comics on my phone or a smaller tablet is not satisfying for me, but I found an iPad with a 12.9 inch screen and I might even prefer it to reading actual comics. Amazon offers something called Comixology Unlimited that gives you access to a wide variety of digital comics and a discount on marvel and DC kindle books if you want to purchase them. I think the cost is $5.99 a month. All the Perez WW books (and Kamandi) are available to read with this. Here’s a couple of series that I have recently started reading:  After reading the first issue, I wasn’t sure about AD&D, but it is growing on me as the series progresses. I think the problem with the first issue was just a case of trying to cram too much into one issue. The story didn’t seem to flow well and the characterizations didn’t develop at a natural pace. It would have been much better done as a double sized issue. Subsequent issues have not had this problem and have been quite enjoyable, especially for anyone with a working knowledge of the AD&D game. Kind of a mix of sword and sorcery and superhero team comics.  Kamandi is a book that I am reading for the first time. I really like the concept: after a cataclysmic event, humanity is forced into underground bunkers for an undisclosed period of time. The last survivor of these people emerges from the bunker to find the Earth radically changed from what he had been taught the world had been before. Kirby is never at a loss for imagination, and it is fun exploring his post apocalyptic world, filled with bizarre mutant races. Kirby’s narrative and dialogue can be a little stilted, but his world building skills and sheer imagination more than makes up for it. I am liking this! |
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 Hmm... Moderated again!
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figment private msg quote post Address this user | |
Monsters! I seen 'em! |
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| Post 368 • IP flag post | ||
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We should have the forum rate our packages.
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
I borrowed this from a friend. Even though I'm only 3 issues in I'm pretty sure I'm going to look for a cheap copy myself. |
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| Post 369 • IP flag post | ||
 He sounds like a vegan who wants real mayonnaise to be vegan friendly.
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Instant_Subtitles private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Currently? DC vs. Vampires: World War V - Darkness and Light #1: Say his name and he appears... I believe in Alfred Pennyworth! *clap* *clap* Ahem... I meant to say that I originally picked this up a while back just because I mistakenly thought it was the first issue in the current Elseworld series. But ended up liking it was not just because I don't delve into Green Lantern stories these days. Batgirl (current series): Cassandra Cain is my favorite Batgirl. With that said, the only reason why I don't have any comics tied to her take on the mantle is because Kelly Puckett was the only real reason why I had tried to collect the series in 2004. And avoided most of the series when it felt like they wanted an excuse to have Barbara Gordon return to the mantle. But my second chance (first since my departure from being a Marvel fanboy) had me really enjoy Tate Brombel's "Poker Face" take on her as a character. With me hunting down issue 2 for a while just so I could read the first arc without any gaps (which is a first for me in a very long time). Batman (Hush 2 arc): I was originally planning to skip this as a whole. The first Hush arc had me only be interested in the 'Superman vs. Batman' fight (still debating if I should get that issue), but not much else. Which had me skim through issue 158 (first appearance of Silence), but also become interested in it when my curiosity had me pick up issue 159 (which I did 100% enjoy reading). And unlike the current Batgirl series, I'm not going to make any speculations on the outcome of this arc. |
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| Post 370 • IP flag post | ||
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
| From the pull list and other stuff. House of Slaughter #29-30. I don't even remember what was happening in this story arc. Some guys fought a monster, and the series ended. No big loss.  Hello Darkness #9. There was a decent story or two in here. The quality is hit and miss from issue to issue. This title won't last much longer on the pull list. Book of Cutter. This one shot provides insight into the House of Cutter in the Order of St. George. A Black Mask from the House of Slaughter goes to the UK to learn and there was some good history and world-building with it. Something is Killing the Children #41. First part of a new story that takes place in the past with a young Erica Slaughter joining her mentor on a mission. Too early to tell but it has potential.  Transformers #19. Finally, we get some Megatron in a real story. Megatron is abducted by a Quintesson and goes through the same trial several hundred times to be taught a lesson. Megatron also turns into a gun again. Hell yeah, but I don't think Hasbro is releasing that toy model any time soon. I liked this issue a lot and am looking forward this storyline.  Captain America: The Medusa Effect. Set during WWII, Cap and Bucky trek to Germany to take on Baron Zemo who has developed a new weapon to shoot Allied aircraft out of the sky. Good art, story pacing, and colors in this entertaining tale.  Hercules: The Heart of Chaos #1-3. Set in the aftermath of Onslaught, Hercules is struggling with confidence and is recruited by SHIELD to go after Ares who is attempting to make a superweapon to destroy the planet. Good character development by DeFalco and some decent art. I've enjoyed the solo Hercules stuff more than I thought I would.    The PI's: Michael Mauser and Ms. Tree #1-3. Good art and colors with a script that I figured out the twist by the end of issue 2. It's very meta and has some humorous moments. It's a take on the "Gift of the Magi" story but for comic nerds. Definitely a fun read.    |
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Ghosts #17 Longshot: Fools. Interesting art style and slightly different story concept from the usual X-Men-related fare from this time period. Longshot and this circus midget named Nutt escape Mojoworld but are tracked by Thingee. Thingee is drawn to purity and innocence to feed off life energy. The plot was interesting from J.M. DeMatteis even if it was a bit disjointed.  Danger Trail #1-4. King Faraday is a character introduced in the 1950s (I believe, I'm on a PC but I don't feel like double checking), and this serves as a reintroduction of sorts of the character. Fairly simple spy story where King is assigned to escort a Russian scientist to the US whereas her colleagues have been forced to work for Kobra (that's the name of the villain, and the MFing leader looks like Serpentor from GI Joe). Solid script by Len Wein that is full of the cliches we all love with art by Carmine Infantino. It was an entertaining read.     Underworld #1-4. The title is a little misleading as the story pertains to the daily goings-on of four NYPD officers. There was some good character development of the main actors and their motivations for being cops. The art was gritty and there were some tense moments throughout the series. Good read that felt like it was supposed to lead to something else, but to my knowledge this was it.     Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #1-3. This should have been called Tale and not Tales. It's one story. The GL Corps is called to Oa as Krona is coming back with the help of Nekron to destroy the universe and watch it be remade. There was a lot packed into the three issues, including plenty of first appearances to make the flippers happy. The art was ok and the story was rushed at times but it kept me engaged.    Iron Man: Bad Blood #1-4. Tony is acting like a bigger dickhead than usual, and it turns out the Justin Hammer tainted Tony's personality to take his jerkoff factor to 11. Rhodey helps Tony and they take on Hammer's forces. Some good art from Bob Layton and colors by Steve Oliff in this story but I have no clue the lead-in to this as some of the events referenced occurred in an Iron Man series that I have no issues of for reference.     |
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| Post 372 • IP flag post | ||
 I'm not a plagiarist. I'm also not illiterate.
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| @Studley_Dudley since you like Danger Trail you may want to check out the Checkmate books. King is Amanda Wallers bishop as she is the white queen of Checkmate. | ||
| Post 373 • IP flag post | ||
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He sounds like a vegan who wants real mayonnaise to be vegan friendly.
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Instant_Subtitles private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Detective Comics (All In era). More specifically "Mercy of the Father" (issues 1090 to 1096). With me not knowing that Tom Taylor was assigned to the comic book series. Which, for me, feels like a literary crime. Simply because I always feel like he cares enough about the characters to do stories like this one. All I can say is that while I did figure out who the culprit was, I was too entertained to delve deeper into the whole "Who is really behind that mask?" scenario it creates. Just because it was that level of entertainment. Plus issues 1090 had that one great reason for it to be my starting point: Joe Chill. |
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