Weekly Comic Book Discussion 23/02/06 (or 02/23/06, if you prefer)

[Kamino Neko]

We seem to lack a discussion thread so far this week, and I want to speak!

So I'll start! Hup!

Not a big week for me...

Read so far:

Wonder Woman 226 - Last issue of the series (until v3 starts in a couple months). Interresting look at Wondie through her history. 10 year time-line clearly in effect - I really wish they'd decide whether or not that applied. We've got one book saying Elongated Man has been a superhero for 20, 30 years, another saying that Superman (who is generally agreed to have predated him) has only been around for 10. It's a PITA.

Legion of Superheroes 15 - Lovely cover. Misleading as hell. Beautiful. The cloaked figure's reveal was...not what I was expecting. I was SO expecting Supergirl to be making her appearance.That was a few good panels of WTF, although, I do have to wonder how effective it'd be for new readers. The letters page...was a classic. I can even forgive them making up a letter for it. Luckily, the issue does explain this gag entirely inside itself. But way to get my hopes up, guys. *snif*

It does occur as I write this..This issue was heavy on the misdirection. I can't believe I missed it until now....

[Kamino Neko]

Ack...forgot my main comment on WW - the Echo Effect page was by far the most interesting of the lot. That costume just doesn't work on a man. Oh, no...

[cbawlmer]

Thanks for starting the thread!

Batman #650 was good. Three-way arguments involving Batman, Jason and the Joker should never be not good.

Green Lantern teams up Hal and Batman, who have been such good friends lately. Nice to see the sorta-resolution of some of the tension between them. My comic ship-managing husband reports that every person who bought this issue yesterday remarked that on the cover, Hal and Bruce look like they're about to become VERY good friends.

Ultimate Spider-Man #90 wraps up the Silver Sable storyline. A good read as always.

Astonishing X-Men #13: I didn't love the "Danger" arc, but this issue was better.

I liked Wonder Woman, even if they had to briefly remind us of her old, god-awful biker shorts and bikini top outfit. ;) The super-tabloid device was fun.

I still have a bunch of other books that I haven't read yet.

[Menocchio]

Wonder Woman 226 - Last issue of the series (until v3 starts in a couple months). Interresting look at Wondie through her history. 10 year time-line clearly in effect - I really wish they'd decide whether or not that applied.

I'm not so sure. Remember that Wonder Woman, Post-Crisis, is a relative newcomer compared to Superman. So if she's been around 10 years, then Superman and Batman have been around for at least 15 years, so Bruce Wayne is...

This is only making it worse. I'll stop.

Good week for me.

Legion of Super-Heroes #15: Hmm... For the sake of my sanity, I'm going to assume that the last story really was false, and the kid was just a lookalike. The alternative makes my head hurt. Otherwise a very charming story, although I'm sure it'd be more meaningful to long time Legion fans. The letter column was awesome, as always.

Astonishing X-Men #13: Oh, they're still making these? Cool. I like Joss' take on the whole House of M thing "Nothing has changed. I'm still going ahead with the plot I already did. Suck it if you don't like it Marvel, I'm Joss fucking Whedon. The other guys have my writing and directing Wonder Fucking Woman. The Movie. I AM POWER!"

Ahem.

Sorry there. Anyway, great setup and character work. Worth getting for the Wolverine training scene alone. Anyone translate the Japanese?

Batman #650: Finally, I've been waiting fro this fight for months now. I can't say that it was worth the wait, exactly, but I liked it for what it was worth. Loved Jason's motivation. It was vaguely rude of them to end it on a cliffhanger, however.

JLA Classified #17: Now this is what I like out of the JLA. I've really grown to like Tuzik. He's kind of a poor man's Doom, but he's so slimy and... like a real asshole dictator that he's got his own charm. I also enjoy how all the weapons are recycled bits from old JLA villains.

Green Lantern #9: This is how I like my Batman. Cold, distant and troubled, but not an insane dick. Love the new Tattooed Man.

Wonder Woman #226: Final issue. I found it very touching.

[Kamino Neko]

My comic ship-managing husband reports that every person who bought this issue yesterday remarked that on the cover, Hal and Bruce look like they're about to become VERY good friends.

*snicker* Lantern/Bat OTP!

(I can't belive I just said that. Don't hurt me!)

[cbawlmer]

I can't bring to mind what OTP means. I can probably guess from the context, but...

[Kamino Neko]

I'm not so sure. Remember that Wonder Woman, Post-Crisis, is a relative newcomer compared to Superman. So if she's been around 10 years, then Superman and Batman have been around for at least 15 years, so Bruce Wayne is...

She's been around 9 years according to both this issue and the 10-year timeline, so this issue supports the 10-year timeline, where recent JLA have ignored it. Identity Crisis being 'a year ago' gives an idea how fast things move into the past on this timeline, too.

I can't bring to mind what OTP means. I can probably guess from the context, but...

'One True Pairing'...I've been hanging around a lot of fanfic writers...particularly slashers.

[cbawlmer]

'One True Pairing'...I've been hanging around a lot of fanfic writers...particularly slashers.

That's far tamer than the only theory I had! I've seen my share of slash fic but somehow I wasn't familiar with that acronym.

[Kamino Neko]

That's far tamer than the only theory I had! I've seen my share of slash fic but somehow I wasn't familiar with that acronym.

Oh, now you have me interested....

And getting almost back on track, I looked up that cover.

OMG, it's so true. That is totally the moment before Angry Sex.

[cbawlmer]

Oh, now you have me interested....

And getting almost back on track, I looked up that cover.

OMG, it's so true. That is totally the moment before Angry Sex.

I'm providing a link (http://dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4823) so people who haven't seen it can join in the fun.

My husband described it to me on the phone before he brought it home last night. As soon as I saw it I cracked up. That would be some seriously macho mugging down, wouldn't it?

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

Hey, someone sent me a cryptic e-mail saying I was killed by Geoff Johns. Was there a character with my real name, Louis (or Lou) Rosen, in Green Lantern, by any chance?

[cbawlmer]

Yes. You, Lou Rosen, were chased through the streets of Gotham and killed by a sabretooth tiger. :D

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

Was I a good looking guy, at least?

[Don Draper]

Forgive the hijack, but I've just gotta ask -

Okay, so I'm no longer a regular comics reader - I don't read any ongoing series any more. But I am curious about this "Infinite Crisis" shake-up and have been reading Cafe Society threads about it. I only recently learned Wonder Woman is getting a major revamp - complete with a new #1 issue. I followed the link cbawlmer provided, and checked out a synopses for the last few issues of her current series. It seems to imply that the Amazons have deserted her and fled for parts unknown. That seems awfully similar to the beginning of the infamous "Emma Peel" age of Diana's career - which is considered one of the worst series revamps in comicdom history. Please say the Powers That Be at DC aren't going to subject her to that indignity again. Can somebody spoil me, please, please, please?

[cbawlmer]

I'll have to go home and re-check the issue! Do you ever post on Johns' web board? I know he sometimes borrows the names of posters if they use their real names.

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

Yeah, I'm a semi-regular on Johns' board. I figured that's how he would have used my name, but I've never commented on Green Lantern. Once he and I had a good chat about how awesome Suicide Squad was in the '80s, but that's it. Funny, though!

[Menocchio]

Forgive the hijack, but I've just gotta ask -

Okay, so I'm no longer a regular comics reader - I don't read any ongoing series any more. But I am curious about this "Infinite Crisis" shake-up and have been reading Cafe Society threads about it. I only recently learned Wonder Woman is getting a major revamp - complete with a new #1 issue. I followed the link cbawlmer provided, and checked out a synopses for the last few issues of her current series. It seems to imply that the Amazons have deserted her and fled for parts unknown. That seems awfully similar to the beginning of the infamous "Emma Peel" age of Diana's career - which is considered one of the worst series revamps in comicdom history. Please say the Powers That Be at DC aren't going to subject her to that indignity again. Can somebody spoil me, please, please, please?

Unknown. But probably not. (Then again, maybe, Wonder Girl remarked that she was having trouble with her powers over in her appearance in Robin)

A more likely indignity is that she'll be replaced. Possibly by an alternate-universe version of herself. They've been very coy about who's headlining in the rebooted titles.

[Jonathan Chance]

Am I the only one who got Mouse Guard #1 this week?

That's a really good book, folks. Well worth the effort. The writing is well done and it's sure different from your run-of-the-mill superhero book.

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

I figured that's how he would have used my name, but I've never commented on Green Lantern.
That is ultra cool. Congratulations! Too bad about you getting killed, though... :D

[cckerberos]

Astonishing X-Men #13: Oh, they're still making these? Cool. I like Joss' take on the whole House of M thing "Nothing has changed. I'm still going ahead with the plot I already did. Suck it if you don't like it Marvel, I'm Joss fucking Whedon. The other guys have my writing and directing Wonder Fucking Woman. The Movie. I AM POWER!"

Ahem.

Sorry there. Anyway, great setup and character work. Worth getting for the Wolverine training scene alone. Anyone translate the Japanese?
Actually, I remember reading an interview with him saying that he would incorporate the House of M changes at least somewhat. All of the students that showed up in the issue are ones that have been confirmed as retaining their powers, for instance.

Rough translation of the Wolvie scene (between Astonishing X-Men and Daredevil, I'm beginning to feel that 8 years studying Japanese is finally paying off :) ):

Hisako: They should be ashamed of themselves for having a killler gorilla for a teacher here.

Logan: Since you do nothing but complain, isn't it your ancestors who should be ashamed?

[Lightray]

Okay, my LSH-fu has failed me. Whom was the robed kid in Legion of Super-Heroes 15 supposed to be? (or at least, whom was he supposed to resemble?)

Spoiler tag it if necessary. Thanks. :)

[Kamino Neko]

Okay, my LSH-fu has failed me. Whom was the robed kid in Legion of Super-Heroes 15 supposed to be? (or at least, whom was he supposed to resemble?)

He looked a lot like Superboy of Earth-1. But unless he was lying about his identity in the panel where he gave his name, he wasn't him. Or even Superboy-Prime sent there by the speed force. Not that he'd be one to support this version of the Legion, anyway.

[Lightray]

Huh. I was thinking Dev-Em or Mon-El but couldn't work it with the kid's name and planet.

[Kamino Neko]

Huh. I was thinking Dev-Em or Mon-El but couldn't work it with the kid's name and planet.

Neither of them had the spit curl. That was Kal's deal.

[CandidGamera]

Thanks for getting it started. I'll be getting my books tomorrow..

[Kamino Neko]

OK, some more reading done:

Catwoman 52 - I'm bracing for the 'OMG, DC hates women! Refrigerator! Refrigerator!' outcry. Like with Wonder Woman and Zatanna, I can't really fault her actions, although I don't think it was a GOOD thing to do, I can't fault it. I can't say I wouldn't put a bullet through the head of a man who threatened to torture my friends to death. Especially after he almost succeeded in doing it to one.

Supergirl 5 - I haven't been digging Supergirl up to now, but Jeph's actually starting to make her interesting...just before he leaves.

But...WTF? Granted post-Crisis Kryptonians are a pretty cold-hearted lot...but, criminy. I think Zor-El needs some mental help. (So does Kara if Evil!Kara's story's true...)

Mouse Guard 1 - Loved it. Entirely. No qualifications. Story, art, all of it was wonderful.

Also, re: the GL9 cover....I was inspired yesterday... (http://kamino-neko.livejournal.com/47590.html)

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

I just got back from MegaCon in Orlando, so I came home with a pretty good haul. I got:

Sleeper TPBs 3 (A Crooked Line) and 4 (The Long Way Home), each at 50% off cover price.
Sandman Mystery Theatre #69 for $1 (inching closer to a complete run).
Green Lantern #9 (since a character named after me is killed in it), and then I got Ethan Van Sciver to sign it for me.
HeroClix figurines of Elongated Man, Fire, and Ice for $4 total.
ToyFare exclusive Madman action figure (with a variant head -- Madman's unmasked, green-skinned, scarred, Frankenstein-esque head) for $1!!!!!!
An original Blue Beetle sketch by an online acquaintance, independent cartoonist John Sullivan of http://www.joshcomics.com/ , a really funny and crazy kid (free!)
An original Wonder Woman head sketch by Dick Giordano for a WW-loving friend of mine.
For another friend: Sleeper TPB 4, Losers TPBs 3 and 4, and all three Sandman Mystery Theatre TPBs, all for 50% off cover price!

Then I got Steve Epting to sign my Captain America: The Winter Soldier hardcover, and told him I had never been interested in Captain America until he and Ed Brubaker took it over (true). He said he always loved the character, but never thought it was worth reading until they took it over. :)

Best of all, I got Howard Chaykin to sign my three oversized American Flagg! TPBs from First Comics, and my Blackhawk miniseries from DC. I'm a huge Chaykin fan, and I spent at least an hour at his booth, hanging out with him and three or four other fans, just shooting the shit with him, and listening to him tell stories. He's a super-cool guy, who reminded me a lot of hard-boiled New York TV chef Anthony Bourdain (of No Reservations and A Cook's Tour fame), only more neurotic. We discussed semiotics, favorite mystery novelists, Oprah's contempt for her audience and the whole James Frey fiasco, what comics he thinks are worth reading, how to make it as a writer in Hollywood (and what drove him away after 13 years in the business), how he started as Gil Kane's gofer, and a time he and a bunch of other big-name creators did LSD at a San Diego comic convention in the '70s, and a big-name artist from back then tried to get an all-girl marching band from Iowa to come back to their hotel to hang out with them. Phil Noto came up and hung out for a little while as well, and I recommended a couple decent Orlando restaurants for them to hit later. Chaykin is a real talent and a charming raconteur, and when all was said and done, he drew a quick (but nice) head sketch of a pretty girl in my sketchbook. Too cool!


Then I

[CandidGamera]

Picked up the JLA : Greatest Stories ever Told TPB, which is nice.

Got Amazing Spider-Man #529 to check out the new duds, and I was amused, especially by a fourth-wall breaking nod to an explanation for a continuity problem.

Catwoman - Wow. Can't say it was unexpected, but still..

Fantastic Four - we get our setup for the big Planet Hulk event here, and a great fight sequence.

JLA Classified - not bad.

Exiles - Oh, yeah. Squadron Supreme, baby.

Wonder Woman - not a bad little coda.

Supergirl - Yeah, wondering if all that backstory is for real. Still, provides the explanation for Supergirl's apparent higher power level.

Green Lantern - Yes!! Though the bit at the end was a little head-trippy for my liking.

Legion - the first "miss" in the series, except for the letter column. It's a do-nothing issue. Blah blah, re-affirm the team's legend, yadda yadda.