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Author Topic: Comic books  (Read 11968 times)

Meeplelard

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #25 on: April 14, 2013, 04:05:53 PM »
Megaman Volume 4:  So this is between MM2 and MM3, they introduce Dr. Cossack early, alongside Kalinka, and he Pharaoh Man is apparently his signature Robot Master.  Sure, why not!  They also made a random female scientist out of nowhere whose a colleague of the others who has a "Quakewoman", who was apparently made from "Tempo" only-...you know, I'm getting a little too detailed!

What matters most is that somehow a robot conventions turns into Mega Man (and Rush), Pharaoh Man, Elec Man and Quake Woman vs. Terrorists.  Antics ensue, law of robotics get in the way, and Elec Man gets tasered.

Oh yeah, Protoman tease and MM3 Robot masters started getting made...and the MM2 guys got revived because I guess Wily needs a group incompetent henchmen. 


In short, fun and simple read, and as I probably said before, clearly written by someone who loves Mega Man and actually did his homework on both the more obscure facts and the fanons.
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Meeplelard

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #26 on: April 30, 2013, 03:32:34 PM »
Squadron Supreme: Read the entire series and such.

Good: It was an actual respectable take on the Justice League by competitors.  It didn't try to take any cheap jabs that were mean spirited (They called Hyperion "Super-man" once, but that was just a cute "c wut i did thar" moment), and more came off as Marvel trying to use someone else's characters in their own way, though, still technically original characters thus they could do whatever they want with them without people calling "foul" since no continuity and all that.

The basic premise was neat and pulled off decently too, and it's interesting how the story could see so bubbly and colorful for 90%, then the last few pages take an extremely dark turn that makes you feel uncomfortable, yet doesn't feel out of place.  Series ended on a lighter note than I expected, though still generally a dark one, as given all the talk about it I was seriously expecting Arcanna to have a miscarriage given she was doing exactly what she said she shouldn't do. but in contrast, it did work as a "but it's not all bad!" point to end with.


The Bad: I guess just the series shows it's age in the sense of it's writing.  It's very...80s.  The narrative is hard to read without the deep, over-dramatic exposition voice in your head (DAMN YOU LINKARA!), the characters have to think out every action, so there's a lot more "Tell" than "Show" at times.  There are definite times where I feel they are saying "5 words when 2 will suffice" (yes, I know the irony of that coming from me), you get the jist.  I feel like the series deserves some sort of updated Re-imagining as a result.

Also, seriously, POWER PRINCESS?  That was the best name you could come up with the Wonder Woman proxy?  The others aren't too bad; I guess the only other questionable one is the Whizzer (Flash proxy), but whatever.  Others all worked, but man, Power Princess just stands out as a huge case of "THIS IS THE 80s!!!" if you ask me.


It was a decent read, though because of the bad, sometimes it was a bit of a chore.
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Shale

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #27 on: May 04, 2013, 02:07:34 PM »
Public service announcement: It's Free Comic Book Day! Go to your local store, get free stuff. Preferably including Atomic Robo 'cause it's awesome. (Also buy something because it's the nice thing to do)
"Sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology."
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[23:02] <Veryslightlymad> CK dreams about me starring in porno?
[23:02] <CmdrKing> Pretty sure.

Meeplelard

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #28 on: May 04, 2013, 09:09:21 PM »
Public service announcement: It's Free Comic Book Day! Go to your local store, get free stuff. Preferably including Atomic Robo 'cause it's awesome. (Also buy something because it's the nice thing to do)

I grabbed whatever I saw that was free, and bought Action Comics #775.  Does that work?
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Shale

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #29 on: May 05, 2013, 12:48:12 AM »
Indeed it does!

I bought all the issues of Hawkeye/guy I was missing, some Hulk comics co-starring Thor and drawn by Walt Simonson, and a few random trades. I'm looking forward to seeing how China Mieville did with Dial H For Hero.

Also my local comic shop has no limit on FCBD books so I came out with a stack that was close to a foot tall when all was said and done. Good day.
"Sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology."
-Ponder Stibbons

[23:02] <Veryslightlymad> CK dreams about me starring in porno?
[23:02] <CmdrKing> Pretty sure.

Hunter Sopko

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #30 on: May 05, 2013, 01:23:44 AM »
Bought a ton today.

The OMAC Project and Villains United parts of Countdown to Infinite Crisis, plus Infinite Crisis. 52 Vol 1. Fairest 12-15.

Also got through Generation Lost and Identity Crisis last week.

Gotta say, DC is much better when it focuses on the less powerful/iconic.

And Max Lord is one Magnificent Bastard.

Meeplelard

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #31 on: May 06, 2013, 09:32:59 PM »
Superman is a Dirty Commie Red Son: Read it, good stuff, can see why it's one of the usual hyped "awesome Superman Elseworld stories" alongside Kingdom Come and All-Star Superman.

I do like how it legitimately kept everything grey.  It's really hard to tell who you're suppose to cheer for at any given point.  For example, Batman shows up, tragic back-story, you pity him, but then you remember all he's trying to do is overthrow a regime that, while having taken things TOO far, isn't actually evil at it's core at all (just has a few douches within it's ranks, who are Batman's REAL targets.)  It makes it hard to cheer for him to win, but also hard to not at least sympathize with his stance.

Also handled the Democracy vs. Communism thing well due to not trying to glorify either, but basically say "Both methods have their advantages while being fundamentally flawed" with the resolution being a 3rd option that can only exist in fiction being superior to both, while keeping the actual details of that rule never actually explained other than Lex Luthor is in charge and they did actually set up the scenario in a nice subtle way early on (went back and read a few earlier moments to get some clarity on events.)
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Anthony Edward Stark

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #32 on: June 20, 2013, 04:58:41 AM »
I bought all the issues of Hawkeye/guy I was missing, some Hulk comics co-starring Thor and drawn by Walt Simonson, and a few random trades.

This is way late but they had Mark Waid on WarRocket Ajax shortly after one of the Hulk issues came out and he talked about how basically originally he had an idea for a Thor story and he wanted to get Simonson to guest draw it, but he was very intimidated to approach him, because for the Marvel bullpen, Walt Simonson is "the hot girl who can have ANYBODY so why would a loser like me talk to her?"  Eventually he pitched Simonson the idea and the dude loved it.  Some highlights:

-Originally it was going to be two issues but Simonson liked the story so much that they talked to editorial and expanded it out to three.
-The Hulk "picking up" Thor's hammer was Simonson's idea because he wanted to draw the Hulk with Mjolnir.
-The time travel aspect was a result of Simonson wanting to draw 60s Thor because he hadn't drawn 60s Thor in FOREVER.

So it turned out that, after all that worrying, Simonson was actually a real cool, approachable dude who was fun to hang out with and who Waid had stuff in common with, just like in Weird Science.

Grefter

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #33 on: June 20, 2013, 06:43:16 AM »
The thing I loved about that was how Mark freaking Waid, one of the most consistently great writers for the last 3 decades of comics was too star struck and scared to approach him.

I mean he isn't Grant Morrison, but Mark Waid is really riding a great wave these days.
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Shale

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #34 on: June 20, 2013, 02:07:09 PM »
My favorite part of that interview was how Waid talked about Simonson continually calling to ask if they could use 60s Thor, if it could be a three-issue arc, if Waid would mind some suggestions for Thor's dialog, etc., and it sounded like it was all Waid could do not to just yell "You're Walt fucking Simonson, why the hell would I ever say no to any of that?!"
"Sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology."
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[23:02] <Veryslightlymad> CK dreams about me starring in porno?
[23:02] <CmdrKing> Pretty sure.

Anthony Edward Stark

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #35 on: June 22, 2013, 02:26:42 AM »
Speaking of Mark Waid I thought maybe I'd put this thing he wrote here.

http://thrillbent.com/blog/how-dc-contracts-work/

NotMiki

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #36 on: June 22, 2013, 01:05:28 PM »
Directors and managers of corporations have the legal leeway to benefit their employees even to the detriment of shareholders (to a degree, at least) even without demonstrating that such acts generate goodwill or anything beneficial to the bottom line.  And corporations may not be people, but they are run by people.  At the same time, it is OK (and by OK I mean not criminal) for corporations to breach their contracts and force aggrieved parties to waste time and money suing them for it.  So Waid is being a little too credulous when he acts as if the way corporations behave in practice is set in stone.
« Last Edit: June 22, 2013, 09:25:26 PM by NotMiki »
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Grefter

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #37 on: June 23, 2013, 01:44:31 AM »
I think it is more a statement of how things are now and have been for years than this is the way things have to work for forever.  He is on the record for the current business model not really being sustainable forever.
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Meeplelard

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Re: Re: Books
« Reply #38 on: June 23, 2013, 02:31:54 AM »
Mega Man Volume 5: It's hard to call this an arc or anything like that because it involves 3 separate stories.

First one is Protoman's back story.  Actually does a decent job of making you feel bad for the guy and justifying the angst (in as much as Robots can have angst?) and all that.  Granted, it does start from the annoying "only hears the first half of conversation which is all negative, misses out on the whole "but" statement that completely negates the first statement!" shenanigans, but then, I guess they needed to give Protoman (or "Blues" as he was called at that point) a reason to doubt Dr. Light without compromising Dr. Light's character as the Benevolent Father-like Figure, and this cliche is the easiest way to do it without wasting too much time, so whatever.

Second story is ship-wreck nonsense!  Roll and Quake Woman to the rescue! Also introduces Splash Woman in a fitting manner.  Oh yeah, Oil Man sort of finds his way in there because why not?  For the record, I approve of them introducing the MM9 Robot Masters earlier, speaking of which, Concrete Man got introduced in an epilogue story-line where he and Guts Man start a SHONEN RIVALRY ending in joint karaoke after the fix a dam.

Last story is basically "Let's tell all Mega Man's from 3 to 10, including some of the game boy games, in one issue!"  This was really silly, but it does have an Afterword by the Author, who explains that the original plan was Game Based plot -> original arc pattern, but as the series evolves, this plan has to change, so recognizing this might happen, just toss a whole issue of fanservice for a snapshot of the entire series at once.  I suppose they also needed one last issue to finish the volume because they're keeping plot arcs at 4 issues a piece, and don't want to end a volume by starting a plot arc.



Fun stuff in any event, and Ian Flynn never ceases to amaze me on how much of a fan he is, and the research he's done.  Tossing a legitimate reference to Wily Wars of all things in there caught me off.  Also, cute nod to MM9/10 lacking Mega Man's slide.

[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Shale

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #39 on: July 02, 2013, 02:09:03 PM »
Hawkeye #3 came out two days ago. I thought issue 2 was amazing at telling a story by taking advantage of the medium rather than just coincidentally being a comic, but this one is even better. It is possibly the best single issue of a book I've ever read. I can't stress enough that you should read it, especially since if my math is correct and this trend of getting better every issue even though I don't even think its possible continues, by issue 16 all other forms of media will be irrelevant and everything will be Hawkeye.

Turns out your math was off by five issues. Hawkeye #11 is basically the crowning achievement of human civilization.
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-Ponder Stibbons

[23:02] <Veryslightlymad> CK dreams about me starring in porno?
[23:02] <CmdrKing> Pretty sure.

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #40 on: July 03, 2013, 11:56:16 AM »
I need to read Superman and Friend (or something), Lois Lane Nov. No. 106. She turns into a black woman. "I am curious (Black!)" Hope it isn't some ridiculously rare issue.

Anthony Edward Stark

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #41 on: July 09, 2013, 07:24:22 AM »
Do you like digital comics? You should read Batman '66 issue 1.  Much like Marvel's Infinite comics they occasionally do, it makes use of the medium as more than a way to read comics panel by panel. Batman '66 incorporates all the sound effects and weird angles and shit from the 60s series and ends with a literal teaser for next week. In it, Batman fights the Riddler on a stolen biplane because why not.

Read this book because it is 99 cents.

e:  When the biplane crashes it explodes in to a FIREBALL SHAPED LIKE A QUESTION MARK.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2013, 09:25:31 AM by Anthony Edward Stark »

Meeplelard

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #42 on: July 09, 2013, 04:28:36 PM »
Crisis on Infinite Earth: Read this and such.  Good story, though I do have to complain about one thing.

That being the 80s style of writing.  As I illustrated with Squadron Supreme, I'm not a fan of majorly wordy expositions narrating every scene transition, as well as characters saying 5 words where 2 would suffice.  There were certain cases that were a chore to read because it is just characters saying stuff, and it's not character development or important details.  Just "Oh no, the enemy is too strong!  My attacks are bouncing off them!  What can I do?" which can be either illustrated in artwork, or just stated in "My attacks aren't working!"

I get it, it was the standard for the time, but makes reading it that much harder, and diverts your attention from the panels because of the oversized captains and text bubbles.

Otherwise, it was good stuff.


Apparently, I haven't mentioned it earlier so...

Deadpool volume 1 Trade: Deadpool fights Abraham Lincoln in a boxing match, using guns.  Really, do I have to say anything else about this comic?
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Cmdr_King

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #43 on: July 20, 2013, 07:34:24 AM »
So on a whim I stopped in this weird shop that has a banner outside claiming it sells purses, candles, and comic books.  Surprisingly, they've expanded the comics section and in addition to the odd collectible have a reasonable fully selection of current stuff and slighlty-less-than-current stuff, so I pick up Hawkeye #3.

It's fun, but I'm reminded that I should probably buy comics in trade (not that they seemed to have any at this shop) because once I sit down to read I want more than 10 minutes of material.

Oh well.  It was only the 6th most awful idea I had that day.
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Anthony Edward Stark

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #44 on: July 20, 2013, 08:28:21 AM »
Hawkeye #3 is... Quite possibly the greatest single issue of a comic I have ever read in my life, and I have that fucking Marvel digital buffet subscription.

Cmdr_King

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #45 on: July 20, 2013, 08:47:21 AM »
Respect the trick arrow.
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<NotMiki> I mean, we're talking life vs. liberty, with the pursuit of happiness providing color commentary.

Anthony Edward Stark

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #46 on: July 20, 2013, 10:35:16 AM »
Also the first TPB came out a few months back, and I think the second volume released this week or last week.  Should take you up to issue 10?

Meeplelard

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #47 on: July 20, 2013, 04:14:17 PM »
Just 2nding (...or is it 3rding?) that Hawkeye #3 is one of the greatest things ever written.

Or really, the entire series is just amazing.
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A

Shale

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #48 on: July 20, 2013, 05:21:27 PM »
The trades go up to 11,which is weird because volume 2 came out this month, same as issue 11. Nooooot complaining.
"Sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology."
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[23:02] <Veryslightlymad> CK dreams about me starring in porno?
[23:02] <CmdrKing> Pretty sure.

Meeplelard

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Re: Comic books
« Reply #49 on: July 20, 2013, 05:40:41 PM »
I'd consider getting the trade except I think I own up to 9 as is, so probably cheaper just buying 10 and 11 outright.
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> so Snow...
[21:39] <+Mega_Mettaur> Sonic Chaos
[21:39] <+Hello-NewAgeHipsterDojimaDee> That's -brilliant-.

[17:02] <+Tengu_Man> Raven is a better comic relief PC than A