Weekly 5 #9

Thanks to various demands on my time due to work, school, and parenthood, my posting schedule here has been, to say the least, erratic. To say the most, it's been shitty. I'm trying to change that, and one of the ways I'm doing that is, temporarily at least, abandoning some of the traditional things I've done here. So, for example, for the foreseeable future, the Friday 5 will be the Weekly 5. I'll also be posting here as time (and my energy levels) allow. So let's get to it, shall we?


1. 52 #20: Man, things have been picking up over the last few weeks, haven't they? Black Adam getting married, Ralph heading off to (maybe) become Dr. Fate, Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire in Space Odyssey, Skeets-as-evil-manipulator? Oy vey! Anyway, our space-lost trio takes center stage this week, and let me say that the Emerald Head of Ekron is sheer genius! I'm also enjoying Lobo's battle against his own nature while maintaining his position as Bishop. Let's see where this goes, shall we?

2. Civil War #4: HOLY JABRONIS!! The blogosphere has been having a field day with this one all weekend, and there's no reason I shouldn't get in on it a little too. I have to agree that Reed seems wildly out of character throughout this series. Cloning Thor? Really? And then being surprised when it doesn't work. Oh, and nice drilling into his (its?) skull. Meanwhile, Captain America really does come off like some sort of zealot in his exchange with Nighthawk towards the end of the issue. And the man in the ski mask? I'm voting Punisher. I'm also riding this series out to the (bitter?) end. I'm enjoying it for the most part, and I'm willing to suspend some of my problems to see where the story goes.

3. Mrs. Z. reading comics: In the last few weeks, Mrs. Z. has plowed through She-Hulk: Single Green Female and Super-Human Law, the six volumes of Fables that I own (and has given me instructions to acquire the rest of the available volumes post-haste), True Story Swear to God: This One Goes Up to 11 and 100 Stories, and a couple volumes of Rucka's run on Wonder Woman. It only took 9 years, but I think I've finally got her hooked.

4. SDCC Memory #1: Kyle Baker has got to be one of the nicest fellows in the business. This is the second year I've chatted with him at his booth for a few minutes, and he always made me (and the other people I observed him interacting with over the course of the Con) feel like talking with me was the most important thing on his to do list. We talked about why he's been working in wordless strips with Nat Turner and The Bakers (A, he couldn't decide how to address the dialect problem, and B, which applies to The Bakers as well, they're easier to publish overseas, since there's no translation involved). The Bakers, by the way, is hilarious, especially if you've got kids of your own. Anyway, last year he did a sketch for the Starman book, and his comment was "People will think it's Plastic Man because of the goggles. Sorry about that!" Sure enough, my friend PJ asked if it was Plas. If I can get the scanner working, I'll get the rest of the sketch book scanned and posted.

5. M.A.S.H.: You know, this show is still funny, even though I've seen every episode 2-3 times each. Right now I'm watching the one where Potter has to celebrate yet another anniversary away from Mildred, so Radar tracks down a horse and gives it to him as an anniversary gift. I tend to enjoy the ones with Trapper and Colonel Blake more than the later ones, but they're pretty much all great. Just in case you didn't know, of course...

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FINALLY...

So CBR posted DC's December solicitations today, and 2 items in particular caught my attention. Well, 3 actually, but I'm most interested in the first 2. I'll talk about the 3rd in a minute. There's a nice selection of trades coming out that month, but the 2 that caught my eye in particular are:


Fallen Angel volume 2 and Manhunter volume 2.

It's about time DC's gotten off the shnide and gotten a little more diligent about collecting stuff that doesn't have "Super" or "Bat" in the title (not that there's not plenty of that stuff in December too, but that's another post). With so much of DC's output "written for the trade", it seems counterintuitive not to collect it. I'm not the first person to observe that many people wait for the trade before deciding if they like a new series. But a lot of people decide whether or not to continue with a series based on their assessment of whether or not it'll continue to be collected. And let's face it, DC's record on this issue spotty at best. Sure, they collected all of Transmetropolitan and Preacher, but they're still missing a Starman trade (the rest of the Times Past issues), and they just gave up on Hitman.

I'm not a big Marvel guy, and I've been plenty critical of some of the things they do. But I'll give them this: they trade almost everything. It may not stay in print forever, but it's at least available for a little while. And it's diverse too, in the sense that they don't just trade X- and Spider-titles. They trade EVERYTHING. And DC, while it's got a more diverse publishing history than Marvel is just getting smoked on the collected editions thing. For example, the Essential/Showcase collections. Marvel's been putting out the Essential editions for a few years now, and they've been casting their net far and wide. Essential Ant-Man? Really? Hey, someone'll buy it. So when DC finally gets into the game with their Showcase editions, what do they start with? JLA. Probably the most reprinted series they have! Oy vey! At least now they're starting to explore some of their diversity: Metamorpho, The Haunted Tank, Green Arrow. Finally, the Showcase is living up to it's name.

Which brings me back to my original point: Fallen Angel and Manhunter FINALLY get second collections. Manhunter after being on the brink of cancellation, and Fallen Angel after being cancelled and revived at another publisher (IDW, in case you're not following it). Seriously, DC should be ashamed of themselves. FA is almost getting more of a push from DC now than when they were publishing it.

So with all that in mind, Here's a list of what I'd like to see DC collect, either in trade or in Showcase. I'm not that picky, and I'm not unaware that there are financial considerations in these sorts of decisions. Anyway, here's the list, in no particular order:

1. The Spectre (Ostrander/Mandrake): Ok, so I lied about the order thing. I know that the Spectre isn't at the same point Ostrander/Mandrake left him, but that doesn't mean this series shouldn't be collected! This is
arguably one of the best things DC published in the last 20 years.
2. Aztek: The Ultimate Man: This Morrison/Millar series was criminally ignored by fandom at large, and
frankly, fandom should be ashamed too. That's all I have to say about that.
3. Hitman: Come on, DC. If you won't collect the rest of the series in trade, then how about a Showcase
edition or two? Please?
4. Suicide Squad: Another Ostrander series that's just brilliant. Long-running subplots that eventually get
resolved, interesting character interaction, and a nice mix of drama and humor. In many ways it was ahead of
its time. So DC should collect it and make it available for everyone to enjoy!
5. Starman: Since I'm putting together a wish list, I might as well wish for a trade collecting the rest of the
series. While it's true that those Times Past issues don't detract from the overall story, they certainly enrich
and contribute to it. Include the 2 TP: Shade stories from the Showcase minis, and you're in business.
6. Justice League International/Europe/America/Etc.: I know it seems like the current editorial regime has
initiated Jihad against the Giffen/DeMatteis-era Justice League, this is still great stuff. It was a breath of fresh
air when most comics were all about the Grim-N-Gritty. It's a crime that this isn't collected beyond 2 trades
of the first series.
7. Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew: Come on now. Funny animal superheroes? What's not to
like? Besides, you can throw the 20 issues, plus the 3-issue Oz-Wonderland War into a nice sized Showcase
and everyone goes home happy.
8. Mike Parobeck's Batman Animated run: Parobeck was a trailblazer, and died way too young. His art
deserves a wider audience.
9. The Fly: From DC's Impact Comics line, this was 17 issues of fun heroics from Len Strezewski (I know I
slaughtered that name, but it's after 12:30 and I don't feel like digging in the boxes to find the correct spelling
of his name) and Mike Parobeck. It's great stuff that shouldn't be ignored just because the line degenerated
into an unintelligible mess by the end.
10. I'm sure there's at LEAST one more, but I'll be darned if I can think of it right now. Why don't you suggest
#10? Again, these aren't in any particular order, so whatever you'd care to suggest is OK with me. Post
your suggestions in the comments section.

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I haven't forgotten...

...about the Friday 5 or anything. I've been at a forensics tournment all day, so I haven't had a chance to address any of the usual stuff. I'll try and get to it tomorrow.

BTW, the new Barenaked Ladies CD (Barenaked Ladies Are Me) is FANTASTIC! If you haven't bought it yet, do so! It is the BUSINESS! I love it. That's my recommendation for tomorrow. Peace...

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Funny story

So the other night, Sainted Wife, Son (who is 4), and Daughter (who is 2) and I are all sitting in the family room playing Candy Land (regular, not extreme). Son is being VERY competitive this game for some reason; it's VERY important to him that he win. So he's coming around the final curve, and draws his card. He wants a blue, because that'll put him in a position where any card will put him across the finish line. Son draws his card, says, "A green?!? Ahh, dammit!" and throws down the card. Sainted Wife and I were barely able to stop laughing long enough to remind him that that's not appropriate language. Nevermind that I'm like the Rembrandt of profanity. Anyway, I'm off to bed now. I just wanted to share that story with you...

Peace

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Re-pruning the Branches

I know I never really finished pruning the list the first time, but I'm redoing it here. With Sainted Wife teaching part-time this year, the money's just not in the budget for my usual expenditures. So, here's what we're acquiring, either via Ralph at Alternate Reality Comics in Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, or through Chuck & Charles at Dark Side Comics:


Atom
Jonah Hex
JLA Adventures
Justice League of America
Justice Society of America (I know this doesn't launch 'til October. So what?)
Supergirl & the Legion of SuperHeroes
Manhunter
52
Trials of Shazam
Uncle Sam & the Freedom Fighters
Detective Comics
Ex Machina
Fell
True Story Swear to God
Fallen Angel
Star Wars: Legacy
Action Philosophers

17 titles seems like a lot, but 52, Shazam, & Uncle Sam are all mini-series, and Action Philosophers is bi-monthly (usually). Also, I'll probably pick up (eventually) things like Morrison's run on Batman, the Johns/Donner run on Action in trade. Annihilation looks good, so that may come in trade also. Finally I'm going to somehow have to figure out how to get trades like the latest slice of Morrison's Doom Patrol run on my meager budget.

Oy...

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Fantastic might be overstating things a bit...

So I watched the premiere of the new Fantastic Four cartoon the other night. They lost me within the first 5 minutes, but I stuck it out for you, my public, so I could give you the straight poop.

This new FF show is horrible. I could tolerate Johnny's stereotypical portrayal as a hot-headed, impatient, immature goof. Barely, but I could tolerate it. What killed it for me was Sue's shrewish, bitchy, overly aggressive characterization and Reed's wishy-washy, weak-willed "personality." Seriously, he should have been called Mr. Doormat. Sue was walking all over him.

I liked the Thing, though. He, at least, was more accurately characterized. His scenes at the hospital dedication were pretty funny.

The animation was adequate. Although I may be spoiled by the JLU/Timm-style animation.

Story? Meh. It was ok. It wasn't the advertised "Doomsday" episode, but the "Trial by Fire" ep that my DVR is telling me is coming on this Saturday. I like the whole Kree-Skrull thing that they seem to be working towards, and I'm curious about whether we'll see Captain Marvel (though I suspect that's pretty unlikely. But maybe Marvel Boy wouldn't be out of the question). In fact, I suppose the Kree-Skrull War will dominate the season's storylines. But I'm not holding my breath that it'll be done well.

In all, I can't really recommend this series, although I'll give it one more episode. Well, let me qualify that: if you're into pretty moving pictures, then you might enjoy this show. If you're looking for creative stories and "real" character interaction, then you'll be sorely disappointed. Which makes me unhappy. Seriously, this show should be like Jack & Stan's run on the series: ideas falling out of every frame. But they're not. And again, the characters just aren't quite the Fantastic Four I know. It's like they're from Earth 619 instead of Earth 616.

And as I re-establish my nerd-cred, I give this episode a D and prepare to go to bed.

Peace

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Odds & Ends

A few things I wanted to clear off my plate here. Meet me below the fold.


1. San Diego Comic-Con: I pretty much flew solo this year. Pal Rob couldn't get the time off work, and the Epsteins were slow enough on the trigger that I had to make alternate arrangements for shelter (in Chula Vista). Transportation was an interesting problem. The trolley into town worked for me most of the time (but I don't EVEN want to talk about Thursday night). Got a lot of sketches in the book this year, including Amanda Connor, who was just charming as all get out. She was a real sweetie, and I'll stand in line for her again anytime. Also managed to get pieces from John McCrea, Darrick Robertson, Paul Chadwick, and several others. I'll start posting the sketchbook as soon as I get around to scanning everything in.

I know everyone complains about how crowded the place is, and this year was no exception. What really surprises me is the fact that this seems to surprise everyone each year. I expect the place to be packed, so it doesn't really bother me when people are swinging from the rafters every year.

BTW, a HUGE thanks to Scott Hudlow and his booth monkeys for giving me a little patch of earth to park my junk at during the con. Since I wasn't along one of the shuttle routes, getting back & forth to my hotel to drop stuff off would have been a pain in the ass. Scott was kind enough to allow me to use his booth as a staging area.

2. Wonder-Con: I get to go to Wonder-Con this year! Yay me!

3. Carla Speed McNeil's Finder is one of the best books around right now. If you like good comics, you need to be reading this. Talisman in particular (her Eisner-winning/nominated storyline) is amazing. She's created a fully-formed society that's similar enough to ours to be somewhat familiar, but different enough to be unpredictable. I find the clan system in her society to be extremely interesting. And the best thing? The trades are annotated! Seriously, this is the best book being made today. You owe it to yourself to check it out. If you're the linear type, Sin-Eater, Volume 1 is the first collection. You can find her here.

4. Completely unrelated to comics: Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin died on Sunday after taking a poisonous ray sting to the chest. The thing that bugs me about the news reports is that almost every one focuses almost exclusively on that incident a few years ago when he had his newborn son with him in the croc enclosure at his zoo. The thing that's bugging me is how much his life has been boiled down to that one event. Not much mention of his conservational efforts, or his educational endeavors. It just makes me sad.

5. Among the things I've read in the last few weeks are Greg Rucka's Wonder Woman: Mission's End and Gotham Central: Half a Life, along with 52 (which isn't exclusively by Rucka, but he's a major player on the creative team). He's really good. I enjoyed his run on Wonder Woman thoroughly, and I'm beginning to see why Gotham Central was so acclaimed. Just wanted to point out that he does good work.

6. I really want to learn to play the mandolin. Just wanted to share.

I think that's about it. I'm sure I'll think of something else after I call it a night, and if I do, I'll post it tomorrow.

Peace

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Stuff I bought (8-30-06)

Light week this week, only 4 books, and we'll be talking about 52 in the Friday 5, so let's make the jump and get down to business.


1. Exiles #85: Tony Bedard's extended run on Exiles continues (you may recall that Claremont's run had been postponed due to health issues), and it's another fun, creative story. Honestly, I don't know if this is what Winnick had in mind for the Exiles (and the Timebroker) when he started the title, but Bedard's done a fine job of making the book his own. To say that this is another fun issue sounds like I'm damning it with faint praise, but it really is a solid, enjoyable book every month. Bedard is continuing his entertaining Earth-designations from previous issues, and there are a couple of in-jokes for longtime Marvel Zombies therein. The idea of an entire team of Wolverines is so good, I'm sort of surprised that no one's thought of it before now. Paul Pelletier's art is well up to the usual standards. As I was reading through this issue the first time, I was stewing about the fact that all of his faces were looking the same, but then I realized, "Duh! They're all Wolverine! Of COURSE they're all going to look the same!" Anyway, another B.

2. The Boys #2: This is definitely a Mature Readers title. I saw a preview of this at SDCC while I was waiting in line for a Darrick Robertson sketch (Starman One Million, if you must know), and the entire book is great. Which isn't to say there's no reason for that Mature Readers sticker. This is definitely not a book for the kiddies. It's Garth Ennis doing what he does best: write utter bastards who engage in much mayhem and monkeyshines. In this issue, we meet the rest of "the boys" and Hughie, our pov character, is faced with whether or not to travel to DC to scope out the sitch. I'm torn here. I'm enjoying it so far, but I think this'll work better in trade. Or that may just be my inner accountant looking at my balance sheet and wondering how we're going to accommodate another ongoing series. Maybe that's it. Anyway, if you're a fan of Ennis, Robertson, or "getting-the-band-back-together" stories, then this one's a B.

3. Teen Titans #38: Johns gives us the first part of a new storyline here, and while I like Red Star, and loved the "coming attractions" via the photo collage, this just didn't have the same spark that past issues have had. Also, while I'm glad to see Mas y Menos making the transition from the cartoon to the comics, I'd rather see them looking more similar to their cartoon appearance than just the typical comic-book-teenager look they're given here. Visually distinct character designs are one of the things that made the cartoon so enjoyable. I don't think they need to be overly "toony", but something different would have been nice. I'd like to graded this one a little higher, I really can't justify giving it anything higher than a C. I'll give it another month or so, because, like The Boys, this one has a "getting-the-band-back-together" feel to it and I like those types of stories. But Johns really needs to step it up.

That's going to wrap it up for today. Hopefully before the next week rolls around I'll have figured out how to make pictures do what I want them to do in these posts.

Peace

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Oy vey...

Technology sucks. I'm wrestling with photo posting in an effort to jazz things up a little around here. Consequently, I'm not ready to post the Friday 5 and Stuff I bought posts yet. They'll be up sometime this weekend, assuming I don't throw the computer out the window first.

Peace

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