Ask the comic guy 2

Shooting Batman-

Tougher than it sounds.

He has this great talent of suddenly appearing and disappearing. This makes it hard to line up a shot.

His costume is bullet proof. Considering some of the other tech Bats has, it’s probably not just Kevalr either. Likely his tights are woven from unobtainium or somesuch.

One of the cape’s few useful functions. A big, billowing cape makes it difficult to pick out just where the wearer is inside. Batman-Year One has an excellent example of this.

The authorities are notoriously bad at stopping supervillians. Sure the police and the armed forces have plenty of personnel and plenty of firepower. But, when was the last time they were able to stop Joker, Harley Quinn, Punisher, etc?

Superheroes are good at stopping supervillians. But, the majority of heroes refuse to kill. Black Manta killed Aqua Man’s son. Later, AM had Manta helpless on the ocean floor. All he had to do was rip off Manta’s air hose and leave him to drown. Aqua man couldn’t do it. How could these heroes bring themselves to kill a friend they’ve known for so long?

Tranquilizer darts-
No tranquilizer dart, stun gun, or tazer is truly instantaneous. Batman would have plenty of time to get a stimulant from his belt before a tranquilizer took effect. IIRC from his fights with Firebug, Bats’ suit is flame resistant. It wouldn’t be that tough to find a material that would insulate against fire and electricity, making tasers etc useless.

Sorry Max Carnage but shooting him isn’t that easy if it was Batman would have been dead in the comics years ago.

As to the question I think the JLA would definetly beat Batman pretty easily. It’s all the World’s Greatest Heroes versus one man without superpowers (a very smart and well trained one nonetheless).

Hey Max Carnage judging from your username it looks like your a pretty big Carnage fan if so pick up Carnage: Mindbomb by Warren Ellis. IMO it’s the greatest Carnage story ever and it really gets into his twisted head, makes for great reading.

Here’s this week’s comics for people going to the store on Wednesday.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

MARVEL

The Call #4
Capt. Marvel #12
The Crew #3
Daredevil #49
Human Torch #4
Namor #4
Runaways #4
Amazing Spider-Man #55
Spider-Man & Wolverine #2
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor HC Vol 1
Thunderbolts #81
The Truth #7
New Mutants #3
Uncanny X-Men #428
Wolverine #3
X-Men Legends TP Vol 3 Art Adams Book 1
X-Men: Phoenix #2
X-Treme X-Men #28

DC

Aquaman #8
Arrowsmith #1
Batgirl Year One #8
Batman Adventures #4
Batman Gotham Knights #43
Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score TP
Death: At Death’s Door TP
Elfquest 25th Anniversary Edition
Global Frequency #9
Gotham Central #9
Hawkman #17
Hero #6
Human Defense Corps #3
Justice League: A New Beginning TP
Possessed #1
Promethea HC Vol 4
Reload #3
Sleeper #7
Smallville #3
Superman: Metropolis #6
Teen Titans #1
Y the Last Man #13

THE REST

Agents #3
Amelia Rules #10
Assassin School #1
Basic Perspective for Comics
Bisley’s Verotik World SC
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Las Buffy TP
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine #9
Bullets, Bombs & Babes: The Films of Andy Sidaris HC
Cannon God Exaxxion #15
Confidential Confessions TP Vol 1
Cult Times #94
Darkham Vale #1
Defiance #8
Demon Diary TP Vol 2
Dick Tracy & The Kidnapped Princes TP
Dork Tower #23
Dreamwatch #107
Evenfall #3
GI Joe Frontline #8
Girl Genius #9
Goon TP Vol 1 Nothin’ but Misery
Grendel: God & The Devil #6
Gundam: The Origin #6
Heavy Metal August 2003
Heroes Anonymous #1
Hip Flask: Elephantmen #1
Hobby Japan July 2003
Hsu & Chan #3
How to Draw Manga Vol 7
Invincible Ed #3
Kare Kano TP Vol 4
Kiss Comics #11
Kore #3
Krazy & Ignatz Dailies Vol 1
Lady Death #6
Lone Wolf 2100 TP Vol 2
Love Hina TP Vol 12
Magdalena Vol 2 #1
Man of Many Faces TP Vol 2
Manga University Background Collection Vol 3
Masters of the Universe: Icons of Evil - Mer Man #1
Metal Hurlant #7
Micronauts #9
Modeler’s Resource #53
My Monkey’s Name is Jennifer TP Vol 1
Naughty Bits #38
Negation #20
Nevermen TP Vol 2 Streets of Blood
Norm: 12 Steps to Marriage
One Piece TP Vol 1 Romance Dawn
Paper Museum Vol 2 #1
Priest TP Vol 7
Rat Fink - Art of Big Daddy Roth TP
Rebirth TP Vol 3
Samurai Jam TP
Semantic Lace GN
Sigil #38
The Simpsons #84
Smilin’ Jack TP Vol 1
Spawn #126
Star Wars Insider #69
Suicide Blonde #1
Super Manga Blast #33
Switchblade Honey GN
All New Tenchi Muyo TP Vol 2 Doom Time
Unlikely GN
Way of the Rat: Silken Ghost #3
Wertham was Right TP
Wild Act TP Vol 1
X 1999 TP Vol 10 Fugue
Xenozoic Tales TP Vol 2
X-Pose #79

Looks like I’m getting Captain Marvel #12, Daredevil #49,
Sleeper #7, Gotham Central #9, Global Frequency #9, and the new Death TPB.

Anyone else have an idea about what they’re going to get?

GI Joe Frontline #8
Wolverine #3
X-Treme X-Men #28
New Mutants #3

and maybe the new Teen Titans book.

Was there ever a Blue Flash? I remember when I was a kid that there was an issue or two of the Flash where he had a blue costume or one of his adversaries had a blue costume just like his.
A Google search came up with lots of hits for Cobalt Blue but that wasn’t what I was looking for.

Max Mercury maybe?

Considering the sheer number of speedsters swarming about, any other details you can remember would be helpful.

Is it possible that one of the Rogues’ schemes involved a blue Flash? A kind of opposite color being made by Rainbow Raider or some apparatus of the Mirror Master? A robot created by Abra Cadabra or Trickster? An accident resulting from the collaboration of Muddy Waters and Pied Piper on The Flash Blues?

Are you maybe thinking of “Max Mercury”? And the golden age Flash (with the saucer helmet) had blue pants.

Marvel’s speedster often wears a blue costume…

Heh, I checked that site last night. No, it’s not him so I’m probably misremembering or it was a one time schtick by one of his enemies.
The costume was identical to Barry Allen’s except where it was red it was blue.

John Fox, the Flash from the future has a blue costume.

I am now wondering if raisinbread is secretly the Purple Man.

Why, has he been able to persuade you into acting abnormally?

This is sort of a side bar comics item. I’m interested in opinions:

Is The Phantom a dead concept? I’m talking about the serial comic in the newspapers about the guy in purple in Africa. For some reason, I really enjoy the concept, but when I try to read it, I get bored very easily. I knew it was quite popular in its day. Is the Phantom a victim of poor stories and could be interesting with the right writer, or has it gone the way of Tom Swift and pulp fiction?

I think the horrible Phantom movie ruined any chance of a comeback for the character but you never know.

I think The Phantom could work though under a good creative team.

He often puts me to sleep… does that count?

The Phantom just needs a good writer. Good Phantom was churned out into the eighties.

Remember Defenders Of The Earth? "By ancient jungle law, I call upon the power of 10 tigers!" It was cheezy and I loved it. DC also published a Phantom comic into the eighties. It was serious life and death pulp stuff.

And I admit that I loved Phantom 2040 “The whole world is my jungle now!” It was a mix of cyberpunk and high pulp adventure. There was the insane archenemy, her disfigured chief henchman, and her scheming son who might not be as mad as he seems. The phantom had a lovely police woman ally, an elderly professor advisor and the mentor who taught his father but could not save him.

I read a Phantom one shot published by… whoever the heck publishes the Phantom these days and it wasn’t too bad, so the concept is still out there in some form.

He’s wound up kind of like the Shadow or Doc Savage, though. No one really wants to do anything with him.

Looks like Frank Miller is working on another Batman project. The release date has not been confirmed.

Thanks to comicbookresources.com for the information.

I personally can’t wait for another Batman from Frank Miller. I know a lot of people hated his “Dark Knight 2” but I loved it. I thought it was just as good a social commentary as the “Dark Knight Returns” was. He is also responsible for writing one of the most powerful superhero stories of all time, which was “Born Again.”

I just hope it’s not Dark Knight 3 and it’s a Batman story set in the present. I liked both Dark Knights like I said above but I think the idea has run its course.

Well it’s Wednesday again. What’d you get today?

As for me I picked up:

*Captain Marvel #12- A good conclusion to the excellent “Coven” storyline.

*Gotham Central #9- This is currently the best Batman title on the stands regardless of Batman hardly appearing in the book.

*Global Frequency #9- This was a little lacking this month but that’s okay since the other issues in this series have been great.

*Sleeper #7- IMO Ed Brubaker is the best writer in comics today (not of all time of course that honor goes to Alan Moore) and he continues to prove it in this excellent issue.

*Wolverine #3- This was alright, nothing spectacular. I’ll continue with the book at least untill this storyline is done and than I’ll judge if it’s worth sticking with.

*Daredevil #49- Bendis continues to do good work on this title and he has me in eager anticipation for the conclusion to “Hardcore” next month.

Well that’s it for me. What did everyone else pick up?

Dr. Strange has always been a favorite of mine. He’s had about 5 series come and go, in addition to his stints in the Defenders. Marvel have any future plans for him?

Plus, is there such a thing as a collected volume of Ditko Dr. Strange stories? His was the standard for all other aspiring Dr. Strange artists.

These days I’m reading-

Harley Quinn-

I don’t like the new artist. And I don’t like the new writer. The original writer focused on Harley’s insanity. Her goals were bizarre. He also developed the character using her background in pyshciatry and fascination with the mind. Does Harley want to kill the PI’s hunting her? Nope, she wants to make them realize that their deeply in love.
The new writer has Harley involved in more conventional stories-somebody from her past seeks revenge, Harley accidentally becomes involved in a web of international intrigue and murder. I’m hoping for a return the feel of the first story arcs.

Nightmares and Fairytales-

A magic doll can see and hear. But, it can not speak or move. Over and over it witnesses horror, unable to flee or warn the victims.

A recent issue was a fantastic retelling of Snow White. What if the Queen did succeed in getting Snow’s heart? What if Snow wanted it back?

Exiles-

 A group made up of members of the X Men of alternate earths jumps around in dimensions to ensure events happen the way they are supposed to. Good writing. Plus, Nocturne. She's the daughter of an alternate NightCrawler. This means-tail, fur, yellow eyes, pointed ears, and a body like a brick danger room.

Doom Patrol-

Slightly above average. But every now and then, the writer does something good

Arsenic Lullaby
Laughter Of The Damned-
AL is the work of a sick mind. LOTD is his work plus contributions from his sick friends.
The darkest, sickest humor I’ve ever read.
Continuing stories include

   The Devil Your Neighbor-Joe lives in the burbs. He has a mask and curse he can't remove. But, the curse gave him voodoo powers. Now, he helps folks get revenge. EG a woman makes Christmas at her house an event-besides baking a feast and insuring each dish is just right, she makes sure the decor is perfect, she uses special plates and utensils, she even selects music to acompany the meal. But every year, her kids and grandkids talk and talk. She can't hear the music and they never bother to shut up and listen to it after she spent so much time picking it out. Joe goes the quick route on them. A panel of him getting his bolt cutters is followed by a panel of the woman smiling as her family sits silently at the table.

    This Is The Enemy-The census ensures that the budget is accurate. But, as new citizens are born the census itself becomes innacurate.  Edgar is a federal agent whose job is to kill every baby born after the census. And, it has to look like an accident.

  The Clot-A man falls off a ladder and has to be rushed to the ER. While treating his injuries, the doctors discover he has a rare skin infection. To save his life, they remove all his skin. But, his insurance runs out before they can find a donor. They stick him in goggles and a plastic suit and hook up blood tanks on his back to replace what leaks out of the suit. 
   There's a t shirt featuring the clot standing on a corner, holding a sign that says "Will work for skin"