And here we are.
First, I’d like to mentioned Adam Strange #2, which came out last week, but I somehow missed. I got it this week - one of the best costume redesigns I think I’ve seen. It keeps the motif of the original, and updates it to the modern era with style.
It’s also a fast-paced space adventure, which is very fun to read.
Punisher #13: Finally some halfway decent art (IIRC it’s the guy who started the run). Of course, the story really, really blows. It’s ridiculously improbable and they even reference it: This issue: Fury wants Frank to go to Russia and assassinate someone. They make him an offer he can’t refuse (vaguely cool in this case, but so ridiculous that if he succeeds and they give him the prize they’ll ruin the series, so we already know that while he won’t fail, the prize will likely turn out to be bogus). He will be working as a black ops agent and with no limitations.
If you recall back to the first arc of the series, Frank was made an offer he couldn’t refuse by the CIA to become a black ops assassain. You’ll recall that (with the help of some goofy mob guys) he actually did refuse. Great character study then but redoing the same plot, Ennis is really out of ideas. So he has Frank say, “fuck” alot. Sigh.
We3: OK, so it’s not new, but I kind of like it. Picked up one and two, but it looks like making this only three issues long was cutting it short. Looking forward to 3. I’ve never really liked Morrison, so I don’t know if he’s the brilliant one or if it’s Quietly’s art that’s running the show, but the art is fantastic.
Astonishing X-Men: I resisted. Then I resisted some more and I finally did my every-other-year buy as many X-Men things as I can afford, read them and then vomit in disgust.
Although I didn’t vomit this time. Much better than I expected but I wish he a) tried to do an even slightly original plot b) stopped mugging for the camera and c) uh, well that’s it. It’s a solid X-Men story and he’s got a decent handle on the characters but he doesn’t really have the comic pacing thing down (which is odd because I know he’s been working in comics since before he worked in movies/TV).
I think part of it is that they’re really pushing this to go into Trade format so all the Buffy fans can buy it at Borders. The story is missing chunks and the return of Colossus is cool, but really poorly done.
Cassaday’s art on the other hand is impeccable (although Kitty’s nose keeps changing sizes). I’ve asked some colorists how he gets those beautiful colors but no one can tell me (I have a theory though).
Astonishing X-Men: It just gets better and better. Just astonishing dialogue.
JSA Strange Adventures #2: I’m catching up, but this is good stuff. Is Johnny Thunder always so naive?
Flash (IC tie-in): More catching up. Very interesting. Why don’t other superheros like Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern have their own museums? What makes Flash so special?
The Intimates: I never read PS #231 (or whatever it is). But this looks fantastic. The characters aren’t quite interesting yet, but they have potential. The format of the book is fun. I wonder if it’ll get old.
Superman/Batman: Good conclusion. Predictable, but well done.
Yeah, I picked up Astonishing X-Men #5 and #6 yesterday - the dialogue does sparkle. It’s the first time I’ve really enjoyed reading an X-Men book in years. Other than Exiles.
Yup.
Couple of things, I suppose. He’s got one of the longest public careers of the modern superheroes. (Most folks don’t know Captain Comet or the Martian Manhunter) His only real competition on longevity is Hal Jordan - and Coast City isn’t in prime shape for a museum. Plus, the folks of Central City just always appreciated Barry. Then, later, he goes on to save the universe - cementing his popularity.
I picked this up as well. I am so glad they let her live.
According to Studio Foglio & Airship Books, the second Girl Genius TPB, Agatha Heterodyne & the Airship City has been released today.
I’m a big Phil Foglio fan.
So I’m doing the Happy Dance. 
Avengers: Am I the only one reading the “Avengers Disassembled” story? This arc has really blown me away. But I have to say the final battle with the villain is a bit anticlimactic. With all that had come before, when the villain is finally confronted, more should have been tossed at the Avengers. And I really have to disagree with Caps decision about what to do with said villain at the end. If Osama Bin Laden showed up and said “Oh, by the way, give me my son there please” I don’t think anyone would comply with him. So why this ending? Still, overall I’ve really loved the story. Plus as I was reading and came across Spidey’s line about the Vision, I thought to myself “Man, I’m so glad this guy is putting Spidey in the Avengers. He really knows how to write dialog for him.” Of course then I remembered that “this guy” is Brian Michael Bendis who writes…
Ultimate Spider-Man: In an incredible coincidence, Johnny Storm winds up going to the same high school as the only other freelance costumed teenager in NYC. That’s ok. Light fare calls for amazing coincidence. No harm. But I’m still eager to see who the “Reed Richards Science Building” was named after back in the first 10 issues or so of USM. Must have been another really smart science guy named Reed Richards.
Ultimate Fantastic Four: How do you take the baddest of all bad guys in the whole Marvel Universe and turn him into a wimpy deformed uninteresting freak? I dunno, ask Warren Ellis. He seems to be the expert. Von Doom is made of armor, has goat legs, spits poison, shoots spines… The hell??? I am not for just copying the characters from the MU and pasting them in the UMU, but at least maintain some of what makes the characters interesting. The FF themselves I like, but they are going to need a better Arch-Villain. Ultimate Doom ain’t gonna cut it.
No, I picked up Avengers #503 as well. You’re spot-on with Spidey’s dialogue - I nearly busted a gut. I’m a little worried that the new Avengers line-up is too Bendisized, though.
Anyway, I thought it was an intriguing choice for a villain, and unexpected - the storyline felt short, and the ending anticlimactic.
As for Ultimate FF - I’m not ready to give up on Ellis yet. I think Doom has been ‘over built’ in the mainstream Marvel Universe sometimes… too competent. This more deranged version might be worthwhile…
I hate the new, whored-up Supergirl. We already have a perfectly good Supergirl, dammit.
In fact, I’m beginning to hate this book. The writing is shit. Just total shit. The stupid, predictable blue and yellow caption boxes. “Clark thinks I’m smart.” “Bruce is smart.” God, that is getting so old.
And the overwrought “importance” of the book, the way they try to make everything so damn dire and important in every panel. It grates. Heavily.
And the plotting is terrible. Action action action action action action action. No real stories, no real character introspection, no nothing. They totally botched the Lex Luthor as president storyline in this book, now they’ve foisted an unnecessary Superwhore upon us. Worthless book.
If it didn’t have major impact on other books I read, I’d be smart and never pick up another damn issue again.
Well, Doom is intellectually on par with Reed Richards so I’d not expect him to fail any more than I would Reed. He just has the giant ego to contend with that usually winds up costing him the victory. But I’d never say Doom could be “too competent.” I expect it from him.
Hm. If he were intellectually on par with Richards, he should be able to triumph over his own ego, is my way of thinking. His win/loss record is inconsistent with the presentation of him as an omnicompetent threat, for me.
But fine, you’re entitled to your view. You just better never be one of the ones complaining about Batman’s omnicompetence, or I’ll be on you like white on rice! 
I got the first issue of Grant Morrison’s new JLA series (forget the title).
It makes no damn sense. Is it referring to events I haven’t read about, or is that just Grant being Grant?
JLA : Classified. Seems straightforward to me… with the caveat that it seems to take place a few issues in the future of the core JLA title.
I rather liked it - I hope the Ultramarines aren’t all as banged up as it seems though.
But who are the Ultramarines? And is “Jack O’Lantern” the same character who was introduced in an issue of the Super Friends comic around 30 years ago?
Anyone got any ideas who it is that’s speaking to Emma Frost at the end of Astonishing X-Men 6?
Wow. Uhh… you’ve read DC Comics before this one, right? This may not be the right series for you…
The Ultramarines were introduced as (originally) U.S. Soldiers, manipulated into developing metahuman abilities, and then tricked into battling the JLA during Grant Morrison’s run on the title.
Subsequently, after the DC One Million arc, the floating city of Superia was established over the ruins of Montevideo. The remaining Ultramarines became the guardians of that city.
I don’t think the Super Friends comic is especially in-continuity, but it is supposedly the first place the Global Guardians were introduced, among them Jack O’Lantern. The Global Guardians were an international superteam, who got displaced by the Justice League International. Jack was a member.
I believe, however, that the original Jack was killed at some point, and that his identity has fallen into the hands of a new fellow - who, clearly, has joined the Ultramarines.
Cassaday isn’t doing the colours. I can’t think of the girl who’s doing them (Laura something, I think).
Out for only one week, my local comics shop has copies of Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 priced at $5.
Catwoman: When in Rome #2: The mystery deepens as someone’s gunning for Selina. I have a tiny quibble with Riddler apparently being used as “comedy relief” here though; bad enough with his dialogue and actions, but even how he’s drawn – short, mousey, etc. Selina even questions herself as to why she brought him along. I am enjoying Sale’s depiction of Selina and the background/colors. And Jeph? Joker’s HAIR is green; his SUIT is purple.
Detective Comics #800: It pretty much read like a “War Games” epilogue to me. Gotham’s aftermath. Batman’s meeting with Gordon. Barbara saying good-bye to Bruce. The hightlight for me was the last four pages for the story; the Batman/Catwoman meeting.
Superman/Batman #13: Two different covers. (*sighs) The “cliffanger” resolution seemed a bit “Star Trek” to me, but oh well. I’ve playfully mocked Loeb’s writing (Superman’s thought box, Batman’s thought box) here in a past weekly discussion, so I won’t comment on it further. I don’t have a problem with Supergirl either; her costume (it doesn’t bother me compared to other heroine outfits), or her “origin” (the previous incarnation confused me). I will say most I’ve chatted online with seem to hate her look though; mentioning Barbie, Pam Anderson or Super-slut and remak about her chest. You’ve got Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Black Canary, et al … what am I missing that is striking a nerve here?
JLA: Classified #1: Again with two different cover versions? (*sighs) I was a bit lost myself trying to figure out what was happening until Batman appeared. I liked seeing the return of the Batman hotline though, complete with dome and all. Uh, why would the Hotline have a number though? Wouldn’t it be a direct line? Or was this a a joke that I didn’t get? Was it me or did Batman seem a bit more … mm … wittier here?
Avengers #503: The last issue. Some of the past story’s events have mildly irked me, but it’s hard for me not to stick with Bendis based on his past approval rating with me. I am glad the character apparently responsible for events hasn’t been killed off.
Ultimate Fastastic Four #12: This seemed like a fast read and I couldn’t help but reminise about past Doom/FF confrontations in the ol’ FF title. Decent ending and I’m glad it’s over and want to see the next story.
Astonishing X-Men #6: Another current Marvel long arc ends. Why is the endings don’t seem to be AS good previous chapters? Oh well. Still this is probably my favorite X-title, though I can’t put my finger on exacly why. Uh, has Colossus ever thrown Wolverine at a jet before? Okay, I’ll suspend my disbelief. And, no, I don’t have a good guess as to who Emma was talking to.
The Question #1: Okay, it’s been 15+ years since I’ve read any of Vic Sage and I remember VERY little from his old series, save for the Riddler … uh … no, … scratch that … I don’t even remember that, except for the cover. From a storytelling standpoint, it’s yet another comic that cuts between “yesterday” (past) and “today” (current) from one page to the next. I will say, this method does work here and I got into it; perhaps because the two events were SO different. I’m not familiar with Tommy Lee Edwards who did the art. It kinda seemed “Sienkiewicz-y” but suited for the character. Writer Rick Veitch mentions a character named “Killebrew,” so I wonder if he was a fan of the old Minnesota Twins. This series will run 6 issues.
I also got, but have yet to read, “Ultimate Spider-Man,” “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (Avengers),” “Uncanny X-Men,” “Spider-Girl,” “Jubilee,” “Amazing Fantasy,” and from past weeks, “Richard Dragon,” “Doom Patrol,” “Wolverine,” and “X-Men.”
My guess is Mister Sinister. Since he and Peter look like they were separated at birth, it’s only natural that he’d think the boy is handsome.
The Batman appearance in JLA : Classified appears to be hearkening back to the glory of the Silver Age. The closet full of scifi devices, the wittier dialogue, the hotline…
Colossus has hurled Wolverine at a number of things in their long service to the X-Men together - it’s called the “Fastball Special”.
My problem with it is that Dr. Strange showed up, did all the heavy lifting, and left the dozens of Avengers there with nothing to do but stand around and tell Spidey what an insensitive jerk he is. Also, isn’t it odd that two major Bendis plots, within a month of each other, hinge on Dr. Strange not knowing about major traumas in the lives of his ostensibly close friends?
I have to assume that Captain America and Iron Man are in closer touch with Xavier than is usually the case, and that Magneto has the Xavier seal of approval these days (as of Excalibur #2).