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COMICS |OT| September 2016. Comics Should Be Good.

Sandfox

Member
I read a bunch of COMICS

Amazing Spider-Man 18 I think I already complained about these prelude books to big events but I'm going to complain anyway. It's such lazy storytelling. Single issues should have some value in and of themselves; they should stand on their own as compelling stories, or at least compelling pieces of a larger story. This issue fails hard at that, and what's worse I don't think the larger story benefits at all from this information. We'll see how things pan out but to me the only relevant development here is
the surprise attack and destruction of the Living Brain
, and wouldn't that have been cooler as a twist that happens during another story, even during the Clone Conspiracy itself? The whole story of
Doc Ock cheating death
plays out in a way most readers probably assumed that it did...we didn't need to see it, and some elements, particularly
Doc Ock transferring his brain around like an .mp3 file
would have been better left to our imaginations.

Aquaman 4-7 I'm glad I gave this another shot! The art is still wonky and super inconsistent (Superman in particular looks awful), but while that is going to make for a crappy collection, it doesn't really impact me that much as a singles reader. I dig the way the plot unfolds here, with a couple of exceptions: I really hate when
Superman is portrayed this way outside of Elseworld stories
, it's so one dimensional. Like he's there to serve a very specific purpose and all characterization flies out the window, every time. Second,
I'm not invested in the Black Manta/N.E.M.O. developments
all that much yet, but there is potential there. The mystery of
who framed Atlantis
is solid and engaging. I'm back on board for now.

The Astonishing Ant-Man 12 Eh. Ya know,
nuBeetle is very much Nick Spencer's character, so if he wants to assassinate her by having her exploit inside information to lock up a guy she knows is decent who is trying to keep his daughter out of jail, because he didn't call her while this crisis was playing out, that's his business.
But, it's still dumb. I don't buy it. But it's nice to see
Shulky, so nice in fact I want to re-read FF now.

The Backstagers 2 Here is a perfect example of a comic that doesn't need a logical premise to be fun and engaging. Take a second to think about the premise of this book: it makes no sense. But who cares? The characters are so cute and fun, the budding relationship between
Jory and Hunter
is really sweet (though I don't think I need
pink background/anime face every time one of these two characters is happy,
pressing the button a little too hard there). And is
that a Gamecube they're playing
yo, way to win me over with a cameo. Even if you did say
1987 was ancient times.
-_-

Batman 6-7 Whelp. I'm out after the crossover. I have ample Batman in my diet now between All-Star and Detective, no need for Tom King's Batman which I have enjoyed for maybe a grand total of 10 pages over the course of seven issues



I'm a bit behind at the moment, had to take a couple of weeks off. But I'll devour everything on my plate within the next 2-3 weeks, I reckon. I read a lot of comics.

Whenever we get prelude stuff I just consider it to be part of the event.
 

Ross61

Member
Aquaman's going to look wonky in trade, might turn some reader off. Might be the most inconsistent art wise. The whole stable of available artist DC has and they give us
Philippe Briones and Scot Eaton. I would've at the very least put it as a monthly with Brad Walker as the only artist. If you was going to put it as a monthly, put artist who style complement each other as to where the switch wouldn't be so glaring.

I've been enjoying King's Batman and have no intention of dropping it, especially after the preview and interviews for the next arcs.
 
Whenever we get prelude stuff I just consider it to be part of the event.

That's really bad, though. What bloated storytelling. We have, what, two more issues of this, at least? So when you want to read the Clone Conspiracy, if you want to read the whole thing you have to wade through over a hundred pages of setup before the main event starts? If we were getting bits and pieces of these stories over a couple of arcs with their own drive and narratives, it would work much better.

I feel like almost this entire issue would not be out of place in a single monologue, not too long ago. What happened that we need a whole issue for it.

Yea kings batman has been average so far. Surprisingly the first and last issue of the arc was hot fire.

Do you mean the end of #5 or #6? I'm not sure where the arc technically ends but the end of #5 is the height of the series for me. #6 I thought was pretty bad through and through. And yeah the beginning had some bright moments as well.

Aquaman's going to look wonky in trade, might turn some reader off. Might be the most inconsistent art wise. The whole stable of available artist DC has and they give us
Philippe Briones and Scot Eaton. I would've at the very least put it as a monthly with Brad Walker as the only artist. If you was going to put it as a monthly, put artist who style complement each other as to where the switch wouldn't be so glaring.

Yeah I fail to see the need for Aquaman twice a month and I really hope they change it soon. It would benefit a great deal from that.
 
I don't believe being at image would have made any difference to that book. Just like her work at marvel not helping her.

Imo image has too many titles now and a fair number are falling between the cracks.

If I were in a position like Bennett, with a new idea, a small but loyal fan base, and a need to move copies, Aftershock would be a much more attractive option for me right now for the reason you stated. Image is probably still the best bet for new/newish creators and superstars but for the folks in the middle it's a big risk at the moment. And a needless one with so many new publishing initiatives springing up.
 
I don't believe being at image would have made any difference to that book. Just like her work at marvel not helping her.

Imo image has too many titles now and a fair number are falling between the cracks.
Both companies have books that aren't lighting the world on fire.
 

TheFlow

Banned
That's really bad, though. What bloated storytelling. We have, what, two more issues of this, at least? So when you want to read the Clone Conspiracy, if you want to read the whole thing you have to wade through over a hundred pages of setup before the main event starts? If we were getting bits and pieces of these stories over a couple of arcs with their own drive and narratives, it would work much better.

I feel like almost this entire issue would not be out of place in a single monologue, not too long ago. What happened that we need a whole issue for it.



Do you mean the end of #5 or #6? I'm not sure where the arc technically ends but the end of #5 is the height of the series for me. #6 I thought was pretty bad through and through. And yeah the beginning had some bright moments as well.



Yeah I fail to see the need for Aquaman twice a month and I really hope they change it soon. It would benefit a great deal from that.
#6 with Gotham girl. Straight to the feels. I felt the arc overall was kind of a mess. I only caught up with it to read monster men
 

Brian Fellows

Pete Carroll Owns Me
If I were in a position like Bennett, with a new idea, a small but loyal fan base, and a need to move copies, Aftershock would be a much more attractive option for me right now for the reason you stated. Image is probably still the best bet for new/newish creators and superstars but for the folks in the middle it's a big risk at the moment. And a needless one with so many new publishing initiatives springing up.

Is it a big risk? Even hype-less Image titles from lesser known creators like The Hunt and Horizon outsold Animosity #1 by 4 or 5K.
 

Messi

Member
Both companies have books that aren't lighting the world on fire.

Sure.

Bennett obviously has a reason for not working with Image. She has worked with DC, Marvel, Archie, Boom, Dynamite, Oni and Aftershock. Isn't it a little odd that she hasn't worked with Image? Could it be she gets more money with Aftershock? They were throwing money out to get big names out the gate. I don't think getting Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner was cheap.
 

TheFlow

Banned
Sure.

Bennett obviously has a reason for not working with Image. She has worked with DC, Marvel, Archie, Boom, Dynamite, Oni and Aftershock. Isn't it a little odd that she hasn't worked with Image? Could it be she gets more money with Aftershock? They were throwing money out to get big names out the gate. I don't think getting Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner was cheap.
I think she definitely got a better offer at aftershock.
 
Is it a big risk? Even hype-less Image titles from lesser known creators like The Hunt and Horizon outsold Animosity #1 by 4 or 5K.

Fair point though there are probably examples that didn't, right? Or is that a pretty solid trend?

And don't Image creators assume all production costs for their books? I was under the impression that there is always more inherent risk with Image for this reason, is that inaccurate?
 

Sandfox

Member
That's really bad, though. What bloated storytelling. We have, what, two more issues of this, at least? So when you want to read the Clone Conspiracy, if you want to read the whole thing you have to wade through over a hundred pages of setup before the main event starts? If we were getting bits and pieces of these stories over a couple of arcs with their own drive and narratives, it would work much better.

I feel like almost this entire issue would not be out of place in a single monologue, not too long ago. What happened that we need a whole issue for it.

There's one more issue before the event begins and we pretty much have been getting bits of the story since the beginning of the ANAD run. In most cases I would agree about having so many prologue books, but this is the most I have enjoyed Spider-Man since Superior ended lol.
 

Messi

Member
Fair point though there are probably examples that didn't, right? Or is that a pretty solid trend?

And don't Image creators assume all production costs for their books? I was under the impression that there is always more inherent risk with Image for this reason, is that inaccurate?

I believe they pay for most of it and they get full control over trades and hardcovers ect. It's part of why hardcovers are so risky.
 

Messi

Member
I think she definitely got a better offer at aftershock.

No name publisher starts up and gets

Tim Seeley
Mark Waid
Brian Azzarello
Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
John Layman
Garth Ennis
Marguerite Bennett

They were throwing around cash.
 
No name publisher starts up and gets

Tim Seeley
Mark Waid
Brian Azzarello
Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
John Layman
Garth Ennis
Marguerite Bennett

They were throwing around cash.

Wowwwww

I only knew about half of those and I already considered it an impressive list
 

shingi70

Banned
Stupid exclusives

POP-ASIA-VALIANT_FAITH.jpg
 

tim1138

Member
Fair point though there are probably examples that didn't, right? Or is that a pretty solid trend?

And don't Image creators assume all production costs for their books? I was under the impression that there is always more inherent risk with Image for this reason, is that inaccurate?

This is 100% accurate. As a creator you have to be able to afford to put out an Image book and be ok with it coming out of your wallet if it fails.
 
Marvel Now | All-New All-Different now!

Marvel Now|Now it's really all-new all-different

The more I look at the word now the more I think it's spelled wrong. Damn cold!
 

Messi

Member
This is 100% accurate. As a creator you have to be able to afford to put out an Image book and be ok with it coming out of your wallet if it fails.

I believe Marguerite also recently had a hip replacement and that shit isn't cheap.

From her Patreon

Hello, darlings!

My name is Marguerite Bennett, and if you're here, you likely know my work as a writer from DC Comics, Marvel, Aftershock, BOOM! Studios, Rosy Press, and more, on projects ranging from DC's BOMBSHELLS to A-FORCE to ANGELA: QUEEN OF HEL to RED SONJA to INSEXTS.

I recently lost a major project shortly after a rather expensive surgery, and as I struggle to rebuild my 2016, I was hoping to be able to interact directly with you all, without a publisher, and share some art, writing, behind the scenes stories, how-to's, journal entries, nonfiction, analysis, and anything else that isn't exactly in the superheroes-and-insect-lesbians forte of my mainstream publications.

I'd guess the project was Angela :( maybe she couldn't afford to go image.
 

Sandfox

Member
Which one? I will give you cred if it's good. My dumbass needs to remember these things.

Also, what were the best moments from ANAD?
Off the top of my head:
Kraven hunting a child in Standoff
Black Panther pulling out a Hulk Buster
Bruce Banner finally being free of his curse before he died
Steve reclaiming his youth
Sam Humphries going DC exclusive

WHAT!? How is that even a thing that exists? They really will make POPs of anything.
Well Faith is getting pretty popular.
 
The 2016 ComicGaf All-New All-Different Awards

Quote and fill in your votes! ANAD only

Best new character:
Best new version of a classic character:
Most heroic hero:
Most villainous villain:
Best team-up:
Most underrated title:
Most outrageous cancellation:
Best arc:
Best solo series:
Best team series:
Best series:

I'm gonna launch the NOW 2.0 thread in a bit so just think of the most notable ones.

...sometimes I go a bit over the top
 
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