What Did You Read? 04/12/2006

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I'm only starting this because I have to make special mention of this one:

Marvel Romance Redux: Restraining Orders Are For Other Girls

Buy it for the Kyle Baker short alone. I was in tears reading it last night. After reading his script, though, I can't imagine how the story made any sense at all when played straight. The dialogue often references the odd angles present in some of the layouts of the art. I might have to scan in a couple of panels for this week's column to show you what I mean. It's the best story yet from MARVEL ROMANCE REDUX. (Of course, I'm the only one on the 'net who didn't think the "Stripper President" story from the first book was the best one so far.)

This week's ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN also had some of the best-looking art from Mark Bagley I've ever seen on the title. Inks by Danny Miki helped a whole lot.

-Augie

[pmpknface]

That title alone is MONEY! I may not hit the shop because the Sox are playing home games, but we'll see. I have the 1st Marvel Redux but haven't read it yet.

I did read the last 2 Amazing Fantasy's last night. The New Universe stuff is "eh" but the Deaths Head story by Simon Furman is really good stuff!

And Danny Miki is one of the best. Looking forward to that.

[De Carabas]

Great. I think I passed on that Marvel Romance Redux. D'oh!

I did read:

Perhapanauts #1-4
Great stuff! GREAT, I said! Humor, adventure, drama, Mexican goat-suckers; Dezago does it all. I sincerely hope this did well enough that we can look forward to more.

Banana Sunday TP
I now want a t-shirt with Go-Go the gorilla. Cute, charming, and definitely going to be added to my library's collection for the kids.

New Avengers: Illuminati special
I liked it. Alot. This is one of those retcons/drop-ins that I find both logical and intriguing. If Bendis ever gets the itch to do another one, showing past meetings, during key Marvel moments, I would definitely pick it up.

Nightwing #118
I'm so glad this came out, because it is only April and already a new standard is set for Worst S*** I've Read All Year. Holy crap is this a new level of bad. I realize Grayson's run had its faults and wasn't for everyone, but this? This book is bad for the worst reason of all: this book makes it so easy to be cynical about comics. Dick Grayson is a himbo? I realize OYL gives new writers the perfect chance to start fresh. Drop or add whatever you want the relevant characters recent past. Go nuts and give us something new. The catch to that premise, however, is that the new direction has to be worth reading!

EM

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Nightwing #118
I'm so glad this came out, because it is only April and already a new standard is set for Worst S*** I've Read All Year. Holy crap is this a new level of bad.

Agreed on all points. I tried to read this issue, but couldn't. Just kept skimming through it. Unattractive art, horrific story. Bad bad bad.

Even worse is the way they ended the storyline BEFORE One Year Later, in which they forced Dick and Babs together with absolutely no build-up or good reason other than, "Hey, we're going to undo everything next issue, anyway." This is the worst-orchestrated OYL of them all, I'd have to think. Granted, I'm only reading two, but there couldn't possibly be a worse one, could there be?

-Augie

[pmpknface]

Darn... I hope that's as bad as it gets. I'm glad I'm not buying that book. It didn't sound too good.

I loved the Illimunati issue. Everything fits in so well now. :)

[torippu]

New Avengers: Illuminati special
I liked it. Alot. This is one of those retcons/drop-ins that I find both logical and intriguing. If Bendis ever gets the itch to do another one, showing past meetings, during key Marvel moments, I would definitely pick it up.

Nightwing #118
I'm so glad this came out, because it is only April and already a new standard is set for Worst S*** I've Read All Year. Holy crap is this a new level of bad. I realize Grayson's run had its faults and wasn't for everyone, but this? This book is bad for the worst reason of all: this book makes it so easy to be cynical about comics. Dick Grayson is a himbo? I realize OYL gives new writers the perfect chance to start fresh. Drop or add whatever you want the relevant characters recent past. Go nuts and give us something new. The catch to that premise, however, is that the new direction has to be worth reading!

EM
I read both of these books at lunch today as well. The Illuminati special was good. Combine this with the most recent issues of Amazing Spider-man & New Avengers and I am psyched about Civil War (guess that's the Marvel Zombie in my bubbling up to the surface) now!

NW was as bad as described. The first OYL issue was OK, but this one was horrid. I dislike everything about this reboot so far. Dick isn't acting like the character I grew to love (although I'll admit that I haven't liked the character as much since Dixon left), I don't care for the supporting characters/new bad guys, I miss Bludhaven as the back drop for Nightwing's adventures and the art is average at best. Looks like this will be the first casualty to my pull list as a result of the OYL jump.

I also read Ultimate Spider-man #93. Another great issue. Does this book have a regular inker or colorist these days? I thought that it was announced that John Dell and Justin Ponsor were on the book, but the last couple of issues have had different inkers and Richard Isanove has been coloring it - not that I should be complaining because the art still looks as good as ever!

Trip

[mgs]

Banana Sunday TP
I now want a t-shirt with Go-Go the gorilla. Cute, charming, and definitely going to be added to my library's collection for the kids.
go-go is scary in that series, he practically steals the whole show he's so lovable! :)

[UniqueFrequency]

in addition to the last 2 weeks of comics (got them all together 'cause i was studying for exams last week)

i just read Avengers vol.2 #13-15. very impressed with Busiek's writing and how he's building up the Triune plot, Pagan vs Templar, Wrecking Crew and Ultron all at the same time!

[DWEarhart]

Desolation Jones #1 - #6
Warren Ellis has been on fire lately. This book is a nice gem.

The Tourist
Another triumph for Brian Wood, and Toby Cypress' art is an excellent companion to the story.

DMZ #6
Brian Wood at it again. I would have wated for the trade on this one, but I picked up the first issue from instinct and haven't looked back since.

Nightwing #119
Read this in the bathroom, and realized what I was creating had more merit than what I was reading. DC needs Fabian Nicieza on this book, badly.

Showcase: House of Mystery tpb
Little by little I'm getting through this thing. It's over 500 pages, and a wonderful collection to have.

[dancj]

Superman: Godfall - Erm... the colouring was nice
Batman: Detective no. 27 - Fun. Not as meaty as I expected (and hoped), but all of the bat-teases were fun - especially the caption refering to a bat flying through the air.
Ocean - Decent enough. I know some people didn't like the ending of the miniseries and it was changed for the TPB. Does anyone know what was changed? The one in the TPB seemed fine to me.
Superman: Unconventional Warfare and Superman: That Healing Touch - It was annoying to find that these were the first two parts of a 3 part story, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. Some of the better in-continuity superman stories since John Byrne left back in the late 80's.
Superman: Sacrifice - This was partly ruined for me by already having read the conclusion in the OMAC Project TPB. Most of the stuff around the main four part story felt like padding.

[UniqueFrequency]

Hulk - Tempest Fugit: a little disappointed in the story, but the Lee Weeks art is great. will be looking to trade the tpb or something

Star Wars: Truce at Bakura - nice book to revisit and remember the state of the Star Wars Universe just after ROTJ. hate Dev though.