quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: That's enough to get me to buy it!
To put it mildly, the end sequence of CATWOMAN # 1 was unlike anything I have ever seen in a DCU-proper Bat-book before (not that I have read a ton of them though)...
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: That's enough to get me to buy it!
To put it mildly, the end sequence of CATWOMAN # 1 was unlike anything I have ever seen in a DCU-proper Bat-book before (not that I have read a ton of them though)...
I have 3 words for it: "Cat scratch fever"...
oh yes!!! that last page....whoooaaaaaa!!! HOT!!! whoa!!! I was like oh my god.its so like soft porn..... oh...
but the most horrible last page I ever saw was the Joker's face being tacked on the wall like Silence of the Lamb. brrrrrrrrrrrr.
From: Hayward, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I don't know if it was the titles themselves or the fact we're three weeks into the DCNu, but I was a lot less excited going in for these books than I was the last two weeks. I have to admit a lot of these were quick reads on my part, which probably isn't a fair shake to them.
BATMAN #1 You know, I actually liked this better than Detective and Batman & Robin. This felt like a Batman book, with a lot of the traditional mysteries and glimpses into Bruce's life. I liked the balance here, as well as the "family reunion" of sorts with the Robins. Damian was actually bearable here in his limited appearance and I liked the subtle touch that although his insults to Drake still exist, he was allowing Tim to help him with his tie instead of stab him for touching him. Progress! Good look at the usual Bat rogue's gallery here and great to see Harvey as well as Jim and Alfred. I actually WANT to keep reading this book. Pretty cool! As a somewhat knowledgeable but super casual Batman reader, this was right up my alley.
BIRDS OF PREY #1 I liked that the Birds still exist and I like that Babs was around and the backstory there hinted at - despite that, I'm not feeling the title like I was the last one. I miss Oracle. I miss Huntress. I don't much like Canary's new outfit and while I'm okay enough with Katana and Starling, it's not as the book's other main players. The sequence against the invisible assassins was interesting, but overall? I'm iffy about continuing the title.
BLUE BEETLE #1 I'm really glad Jaime is getting a second shot at a title and this issue feels like a much stronger introduction to the character, his support, and the El Paso culture. Still, it does seem silly to completely reboot the character and I'm not sure how I feel about the scarab's set-up. I'll have to wait and see. Despite my praise for the issue, I've never been super invested in the character (Ted fan) and it's always hard for me to stay committed to this book. I'll try again like I did with the previous series - let's hope this one hooks me where the last one failed to.
CAPTAIN ATOM #1 The redesign of Captain Atom is interesting enough, but the art style makes it seem way too Firestorm. I like that Cap looks to be getting a set supporting cast and base of operations for his title, but I just couldn't get into this issue OR the character. Not likely to get #2.
CATWOMAN #1 The issue itself was fun enough. I liked the look we're already getting into Catwoman's life and antics. It's nice to see she has a friend (a genuine real life person without a cape!) to turn to. I never read the previous Catwoman series but I think I'm going to stick around for this one. As for the end of the issue - VERY interesting. I don't think this is completely out of character for Bruce and I kind of like this awkward dynamic it gives the two of them.
DC COMICS PRESENTS #1 I like that Deadman is getting some focus and I like his set-up and introduction to his past and powers here. The issue had an interesting enough cliffhanger - the problem is that I don't feel completely compelled to actively collect this title even though I like the character well enough. I'm not sure what wasn't hitting it for me, because it was a great introduction with good creative work. I think I'll give the second issue a shot but if I feel this same apathy, it may be my last one.
RED HOOD and the OUTLAWS #1 God, was this book ... interesting. I suppose I like Roy's set-up here a lot better than him being back on drugs and being the crazy Arsenal. Still though, I'd have rather him see a return to more heroic roots. At least his dynamic with Jason already looks to be interesting and a good read. I like Starfire's inclusion here to an extent - at least, I did before I saw how she's actually being written. A sex-driven warrior girl who's completely obedient to Jason yet can't seem to remember the names of any of the Titans she fought with for years because "all humans look the same"? Coming from a race that all has the same skin color, that one doesn't make as much sense to me. I don't mind Kory being a bit more forceful and a little aloof as an alien, but not in these regards if she's just going to be the literal sex object.
NIGHTWING #1 A strong enough tale about Dick's initial time back in his own title and in his own suit. I like Nightwing and it's nice to see Dick's perspective about how it was great to get away from the cowl before it completely changed him as rationalization. I liked the circus reunion well enough. A cute tale and a strong start, but much like Lash I never stay hooked and entertained on a lot of Bat solo titles. May pick up #2.
WONDER WOMAN #1 Never really read a Diana book before but even I can tell this is a far departure from traditional Wonder Woman fare. I can see the "horror" book aspect here well and I'm intrigued by how they're trying to give some darker visuals to all the Gods who'll be appearing. Curious about #2, but didn't really get a great hook or handle for Wonder Woman's new status quo.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
“Um Ar- Roy, I actually never call him Arsenal in the uh- I never call him Arsenal and I never call him Speedy and I never call him uh, Red Arrow uh, I just call him Roy because uh my feeling is he’s kinda moved on from that? Um, he doesn’t have a daughter partially because he’s uh much younger than he’s uh been portrayed in the past, he’s about 19 years old now and um other than, you know, MTV which uh glorifies uh teen pregnancy a lot um *chuckles* (hey kids!) uh I- I just didn’t think it was uh- uh I think the notion of Roy either um leaving his daughter at home to fight crime uh or taking his daughter with him to fight crime- either way I just felt it was, you know, I- I just think the character uh is better off uh not having a daughter and uh… But I know people got very very very attached to her uh when she was around so I feel badly for them but I don’t feel badly for Roy. I think it was the right, uh decision.” – Scott Lobdell
If supporting Red Hood and the Outlaws means I'm supporting this, then no sale. Ever. Why did I think things might be different with Lobdell?
-------------------- I want to be hated by lies - Bring Back Lian Harper
posted
sigh I didn't think that Kori's outfit could get any skimpier. I wasn't taking into account fanboy imaginations.
Or, that she could be portrayed as any stupider or more wanton, but, again, I misjugded DC's disregard for women, in general. Yes, I'm bummed. (Loved Essense, though. She's a new character to me.)
Supergirl: She thought she was dreaming in part of the threeboot Legion stories, too. I know that there's nothing new under the sun, but, geez.
I find that I don't much care for the DCnU xenophobia, either. That was done before in the threeboot, too. gads
posted
Week Three in the DCnU. I've read 18 of the Number Ones so far. Here's my ranking and their grades, based mostly on my enjoyment level, with a little commentary on the newer ones:
ACTION (A)
BATWING (A-)
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS (A-) - This book surprised me in a good way. I've never read anything with Jason Todd in it, but I like the fun back-and-forth he has with Roy. The adolescent boy in my head likes Kori, to be honest, but the grownup me doesn't care for her portrayal here at all.
ANIMAL MAN (B+)
NIGHTWING (B+) - I'm not a Bat-world fan, so I never expected that three Bat-books would be in my top (so far) six favorites. I am a fan of Dick Grayson via Teen Titans, though, and I like what's happening here.
RESURRECTION MAN (B+) - It's an interesting concept and well-introduced for a first issue. It's the kind of story that will either lock me in or lose my interest quickly. We'll see how #2 moves along.
FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. (B) - I don't much care for monster stuff, but Frank and Father Time are interesting characters. I'll try the next issue of this one.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS (B) - I haven't been a Lantern follower either, but I like how this story begins. Like the art!
JUSTICE LEAGUE (B)
LEGION LOST (B) -
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (B) - For a long-time Legion fan it was a nice chapter. There are some good character portrayals, sleek art, nicely-continued threads linking us to previous storylines, and a story that feels like it has somewhere to go. I wish more time had been spent telling the Lost Legionnaires' story, but maybe that will come soon.
SWAMP THING (B)
STATIC SHOCK (B-)
CAPTAIN ATOM (C) - Eh, it was okay. I don't feel compelled to follow this story.
DEMON KNIGHTS (C) - I don't know these characters. I read it twice and kept feeling that I wanted to like it more than I did.
MISTER TERRIFIC (C)
STORMWATCH (C)
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL (C-)
I didn't expect to like my Top Six as much as I do; I had only pre-ordered two of them. Some of the titles, like Demon Knights and Stormwatch, didn't give me enough clarity into the multiple characters or the storyline to compel me to follow them. (LSH may be like that for new readers.) And I'm dismayed by the gore present in many of the books, including some of my favorites. Overall, I'm enjoying the opportunity to try out some books I wouldn't normally pick up, and I'm enjoying them more than I expected. It may actually be hard to make decisions about cutting some of them.
Pre-orders for Week Four -- GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS and TEEN TITANS.
-------------------- "Been killed--didn't like it." (Duplicate Damsel, Legion of Super-Heroes #10)
From: Groga | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Thanks SO much for the warm welcome back, guys. I'm still working on the long-form reviews - experimenting with just how detailed they should be and deciding if they should be written for primary posting here, Blogger, Facebook, Google+ or other.
Anyway, here are my quick hits on DCnU Week 3.
BLUE BEETLE #1 (A) Apart from Frankenstein, this may have been the most pleasant surprise of the DCnU for me. I tried a few issues of Jamie's previous title, but the character never really connected with me. This time, it clicked. I think that may be because this issue gave a much more compelling depiction of Hispanic culture, whereas, in the previous title, knowing the characters are hispanic was mostly a matter of taking it on faith, because the creators told us so. But, more than seeming genuinely Hispanic, the characters also read as real, with dialogue and actions that worked as believable reactions and not just things said to service the plot. Art wasn't bad, either. Loved seeing the Brotherhood of Evil, and very interested in these new villains.
BATMAN #1 (A-) Like Detective Comics, this Bat-book surprised me. Also, as will 'Tec, I had only planned to sample the first issue, but now expect to be around for a while. I did not love the art, not because it was bad, just because it was overly expressionistic for my tatses in mainstream super-hero far. I actually would have preferred this style on Wonder Woman, I think, as it would have lended a fantasy tone to that book. Otherwise, the story was good, as appropriately CSI as a Bat comic should be, along with plenty of action and a nice mix mystery social action and political drama. I didn't even mind Damian's blissfully brief appearance. Overall, I'm pleased with the DCnU reboot if only because it seems to have excised the super-powered Batman, whose special ability was being a mutant-sized dick. PS, while I didn't love the impossible tech used by Nightwing, we at least have confirmation, I think, that Alfred has not been rebooted to a computer algorithm, as seemed the case in 'Tec.
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 (B+) As a hardcore Legion fan, I'm fairly well satisfied with this book. I'm a little disappointed Paul Levitz didn't avail himself of the chance to clean house on continuity, and most of my complaints are A/R quibbles in that regard, i.e. frosh Academy kids getting not the team over the just-graduated class. However, what is actually here on the page is done well, and the artwork is quite nice. All told, I'm as happy with this issue as any Legion comic in recent memory.
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 (B+) I think it's official. Deadman's origin has now overtaken that of the Ranzz siblings as the most-told-origin-in-comics. I am glad, however, that writer Paul Jenkins chose to violate the usual show-don't-tell rule in establishing Boston Brand as unheroic in life, and got right to his better nature. That said, what really worked for me was Jenkin's subtle portrayal of Deadman as having evolved little. Despite his good works, he's clearly yet to become the change he's effected in the lives of others. I would have liked if we had seen a bit more of "Albatross" if only to have something introduced, completely explored and resolved in one issue, in what it otherwise largely a set-up to a longer arc.
WONDER WOMAN #1 (B-) Well, there's no question this is a horror comic. In fact, this is perhaps best described as the Vertigo version of Wonder Woman, with typically flat Vertigo-style art. My biggest problem with this issue is that, draw on a different outfit, and the lead character could have been almost anyone, There was really nothing other than being called by name that made this character stand out as Wonder Woman. Still, I'm intrigued enough to stick around for a couple of issues, at least.
SUPERGIRL #1 (D) The worst of all the DCnU books I've sampled thus far. I read this book in about three minutes. In other words, phone sex costs less per minute. I complained that O.M.A.C #1 could have been compressed into about eight pages. This entire book should have have taken up more than eight panels. The layout may not have been so bad if there had been more script - something to go along with the pictures to fill out this Kara's character, her backround and her Kryptonian culture. As presented however, this issue was a total waste of money. I won't be pack.
[ September 23, 2011, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Portfolio Boy ]
From: Sumner, ME | Registered: Jul 2003
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Whoa. This has hands-down been the biggest surprise for me so far on week 3... I was completely into this book!
I *loved* the snippets of all the previous lives Deadman has lived and I was ENTHRALLED by pages 2-3, especially the layout on page 3... THAT was how you do a splash page.
And I think the last page was a bit of a red herring... but I can't wait to find out what that's all about.
So yeah, I'm onboard this book for the nonce. I'm assuming as long as DEADMAN sells, DCUP won't be changing stars anytime soon, but who knows?
posted
^So far I've read multiple reviews saying Deadman has been excellent! I'm def looking forward to it!
Smart money says Presents gets a new star with #7 and Deadman gets a new #1. I wonder if Presents will stay to 6 issue arcs? I'd prefer 5 if they're doing it for trades and every 6th issue a random one-off for the really far out stuff (and them collect all those together).
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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I was prepared to hate this book, but I didn't hate it. Thin on story, yeah, but I still think I liked it better than Justice League # 1. I want to like Supergirl's book; I'll get # 2 and hope they can bring the fun instead of the pain for Kara next time. (I *hate* her skimpy panties... I miss the miniskirt already)
WONDER WOMAN # 1
Weird and unlike any Wonder Woman comic I have ever read. To be honest, I am not sure WHAT I thought of it. I like the idea of the mythological beings running loose on Earth. Of course I'm into the art by Chiang. This one will be a wait-and-see how I feel for # 2.
RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS # 1
LOVED the art. LOVED the rapport between Roy and Jason. Intrigued by Essence. HATED WITH A PASSION the portrayal of Starfire. If I wanna see a chick passed around between guys there are sites for that. HATED it here, and hated it with her, especially considering the 'toon version of her. Any female fans who bought this title looking for THAT Starfire... oh dear. I'm not sure what to do with this book either... I'm not sure I can get past this new portrayal of Kori.
posted
Finally went to pick some stuff up and my store was already sold out of some titles like Action, WW, GA, and a few others.
Justice League Great art (of course). Interesting beginning. Will definitely pick up #2. Honestly, I read it a week or two back so I don't remember the whole plot up front, but it seemed good enough.
Red Hood & The Outlaws At first I was mad that there would be no Secret Six in the reboots and I had lost the Floyd / Thomas thing. Thankfully, we now have this series. Definite potential with Jason and Roy and it looks like Lobdell will feature this.
I don't agree with all the over-reaction about Starfire. For all we know, her eyes might sense infra-red or something and she can't really visualize faces, only heat patterns (of course, I'm grasping for straws, here). Plus, she's an alien - different cultures and all that stuff and I'm sure we'll learn about why she acts the way she does. It's been a while since I looked at my old Perez issues, but I seem to recall Starfire being very open with her sexuality to begin with. I mean, she kissed people to learn their languages! SHOCKING 80's stuff, here.
What interests me about this story is that the characters seem to do things for a reason, which doesn't always happen in many stories. Definitely flawed, but as this is a redemption story, there is probably a bit of good in them, too.
Demon Knights This first issue felt like a Hercules / Xena adventure, though that's not necessarily a bad thing.
I can see the story concept meeting right now, "Ok, Jason Blood, Xanadu, and Vandal Savage walk into a bar..."
Was decent. I'll check out a few more issues before I pass final judgement.
Resurrection Man I refuse to touch this series due to my pure disgust with DnA and what they did to the Legion.
Suicide Squad For me, some things are sacrosanct and Floyd's 'stache was one of them. Quickly perused it and wasn't impressed enough to drop $3 on it.
Overall, I'd definitely say that DC succeeded a bit in shaking things up. Some things good. Others not-so-good, head-scratching, or downright off-putting - such as costumes.
Still, this does not change the fact that I want Dido out of management.
Registered: Nov 2004
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Interesting enough start, though I think they're overplaying the Godiva = conflict card. Batman telling her to "be more involved" didn't really make sense, since she was fighting the rock creatures too.
Friction between Rocket Red and August General in Iron made more sense.
Fire's not so fiery; her personality didn't really shine. Vixen and Ice are okay.
Booster's showing potential as a leader, though. Guy and Batman are also written well.
Good enough for a first issue. Like the idea of the UN ties again - promises more drama, and more international exposure.
Wonder who the other candidates are? And why in hell would the UN team consider Plastic Man, when they wanted someone easy to control?
posted
Justice League Dark was a good introductory issue. You get a good look at all the characters, the premise is set up and some suitably creepy stuff happens.
I liked the parallel uses of the title "Imaginary Women" as related to Kathy and June(s).
I'm glad Milligan's brought Shade back and he's obviously still unhinged. It looks like the magic reset at the end of the Vertigo series is out (though we knew that from other appearances), and Shade's still obsessed over poor Kathy. The bit where she questions her own reality was chilling, given the results.
Not sure what to make of the younger Constantine yet, but at least he's better than the awful portrayal in the Search for Swamp Thing.
Zatanna was Zatanna and Madame X was like her old self.
The June/Enchantress split was one of the more interesting things about Ostrander's Suicide Squad that was never adequately followed up on, so I'm glad it's getting pulled out in the open here.
Who's real? What's real? What does "real" even mean? I think there's a lot of potential for Milligan to go for broke here. I really, really hope he does.
From: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Love how quick you get a review, up Dave! I did for the second time this month something I never do, which is go get the comics on the actual day they came out. So reviews of last week and this week will be coming soon! (after I review a few more independents).
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
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