What did you read? 12/2006 (SPOILERS Warning)

[pmpknface]

Thought it was time to start up another one of these...

(comments to follow later)

STAN LEE MEETS SILVER SURFER - The Paul Jenkins story was awesome! This was the best of all the SL 1-shots.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #1 - Ok, this was better than I thought it'd be. I already love Cyclone.
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #28 - The Gray Ghost just makes me smile...
DESOLATION JONES #8 - I think I like this story better than that of the 1st arc. Still not sold on the new art yet tho.
ULTIMATE VISION #1 - Didn't buy 0 because I already own that. This was good tho! Best Peterson art in a while!
SPIDER-MAN REIGN #1 - Dark Spidey Returns!
AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 - I love this mini soooooooooo much!!! :D
IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN #3 - WoW! They're really puching the "he's a tool" angle far, huh?
BEYOND #6 - It was good, and it'll make you sad...
DOCTOR STRANGE OATH #3 - Great stuff! I love this artist.
INCREDIBLE HULK #101 - Oh yeah! Hulk kickin' @$$ in every issue!
MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL - Worth it for the OMHOTMU Santa Entry alone!
NEWUNIVERSAL #1 - Good. Not fantastic, just good. Art was a thing of beauty tho.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

HELLSHOCK TPB

I'm about 100 pages into DC: THE NEW FRONTIER.

ULTIMATE VISION #0 - really, why isn't there a hardcover collection of the ULTIMATE GALACTUS trilogy?!?

I'm ticked off that I got spoiled on BEYOND #6. ARGH!

NEWUNIVERSAL #1 - didn't enjoy it that much.

JIM LEE SPOTLIGHT FINE ART Whatever They're Calling It. Nicely done, with simple, honest annotations from Lee.

I know there's more I don't have in front of me at the moment. . .

-Augie

[pmpknface]

I'm ticked off that I got spoiled on BEYOND #6. ARGH!

-Augie

Oh man... I'm soooooo sorry. Every issue had suprise endings, but that one REALLY came as a shock to me. If it makes you feel any better, my a-hole friend told me what Rich Johnson said in his column this week about X-Factor #14 even though I didn't read it on purpose so I wouldn't spoil anything for myself.

[goman]

Yeah, Beyond #6 floored me, especially since I've read I think every story Gravity's been in. It made me sad. I hope they have a sequal or something planned for him down the line. Maybe Gravity is the one coming back in Civil War: The Return. Think about it, there's a star on the cover, stars generate a lot of "gravity." He died in space. It all makes sense. :D

I'm trying to remember what I've read the last month.

Old Boy Vol. 3
Ultimate Vision #0-1
Beyond #6
Dr. Strange: The Oath #3
52 #31
Irredeemable Ant-man #3
The Dark Phoenix saga from Essential X-men Vol 2

[torippu]

Ack, must cover my eyes and not look at Beyond! #6 spoilers (or other comments) as I won't get the chance to read this book until after the holidays.

Here's what I have read since I got back from Japan on Saturday:

Union Jack #3 - another great mini series from Marvel this year.
Beyond! #5 - Wow - how will this end?
Heroes for Hire #4 - getting better.
Captain America #24 - I have no idea who that character/villain was who showed up on the last page with the Red Skull.
New Avengers #25 - Great ending to the New Avengers Disassembled books. Beautiful Jim Cheung art. He is definitely one of my absolute favorite pencilers these days.
Teen Titans #41 - getting closer to dropping this book. Not very happy that Tony Daniel is the regular penciler and can't seem to pencil more than 2 issues in a row.
Sensational Spider-man #32 - good book.
The Walking Dead #33 - yuck, that was a little more brutal than I thought the revenge would end up being.
Green Lantern #15 - the best of the Geoff Johns books right now.
Invincible #37 - another fun issue.
Rokkin #5 - I'm a sucker for fantasy book and this one has been a fun read.
CW: Runaways/Young Avengers #4
Star Wars: Legacy #5 & 6 - I do think that this series will read better in collected form. Started off slow and then the fill-in issue wasn't very good, but these last two were really good. Starting to like the new characters in this timeline.
52 Week 30 & 31
Leading Man #4 - Interested to see how this one ends. B. Clay Moore is turning into one of those writers that I really like most of everything that he does. May have to pick up the trade of this when it is released.
Hawaiian Dick: Last Resort TPB - This was so good and well worth the wait. What was the deal with the artists? I loved the art style that Steven Griffin used in the first issue and wish that he would have used that when he returned for the final two issues.

Trip

[goman]

Sorry, should have spiler tagged that one. I have rectified that, all though I can't make you un-see what I wrote. Through the power of the internet, I will release my noxious amnesia gas to erase your memory.



There, and I apologize again.

[torippu]

Sorry, should have spiler tagged that one. I have rectified that, all though I can't make you un-see what I wrote. Through the power of the internet, I will release my noxious amnesia gas to erase your memory.



There, and I apologize again.

Actually, no need to apologize, I only saw that Beyond was a topic of conversation and scrolled down to the end. I still don't know what is going to happen in the finale of that book and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that it stays that way for a couple of more weeks.

[pmpknface]

Just read the latest Ult. X-Men. WHAT! I almost last it when I saw what happened to Rogue! Cool issue.

Interesting enough, although I read like 40 or so titles a month this is one if the few that I have troule remembering what is going on and what's happened in the past. I'd almost like to move to tpb, but don't know if I can break free.

[goman]

It's going to be a big Carlos Pacheco week, as I finished Vol.3 of Batman/Superman, and I was able to find a copy of the Avengers Forever trade last night. Batman/Superman was pretty interesting, great art, as per usual with that series. I was a little confused by the story since I never really understood who the main villains of the story were, only that it had something to do with the Legion, but it seemed like either I was supposed to know who these people were, and they didn't explain very well. Not that I read that series for deep plot, it's just fun to see Batman and Superman riff of each other and beat the crap out of people. It's popcorn comics, which I like from time to time.
And 52 was kind of weak this week, at least after last weeks excellent issue. Moving a bit towards big things I expect though. Looks like more Montoya/Question next week, which is probably the best story.

[pmpknface]

...and I was able to find a copy of the Avengers Forever trade last night.

Man, are you in for a treat! :D

[goman]

I've been looking for it for a while, but it's been out of print so I coudn't buy it online very cheap, but there it was sitting on the shelves of my LCS. Picked that up along with Waliking Dead vol 5. God bless christmas bonus checks for giving me more money to spend on comics!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Just finished GEORGE PEREZ: STORYTELLER, the new hardcover book from Dynamic Forces. Fun piece of work. I could have some qualms about a bit of fannishness that leaks into the writing, but it's still a great narrative, well-illustrated, and simply designed. You'll find yourself rooting for Perez while wanting to throttle him for flaking out so often. It's bizarre.

Then you'll want to go get out your ABSOLUTE JLA/AVENGERS hardcover to read all over again.

-Augie

[goman]

Read Fables #56 right now!! If you're reading this in trades, this issue will be much less special in May/June when the trade comes. It's all about the Christmas spirit in this one. There's a little bit towards the end that might not make as much sense if you haven't read the last few issues, but it's definetly worth picking up. You know you want to! Look at that great cover.

In other news, Ultimate Spider-man #104 may be just as good, but in a completly different way. Explains the last few issues pretty well. Even though I saw the big reveal coming a mile away, it's another victim of Bendis-two-page-spread-itis. The importanat panel should have gone at the bottom right of the right hand page, not the bottom right of the left hand page (does that maake any sense?) My eyes went immedietly to it while reading, and only then did I realize I ws supposed to read across. Ah well, still a great issue, with a bad ass ending.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Goman - You're absolutely right on ULT SPIDEY. It was a great issue that helped to save a lot of the previous issues, but that two page spread killed the Big Reveal.

Read NEW AVENGERS #26 last night. Don't quite understand much of it, but it's a damn pretty book.

That IRON MAN/CAPTAIN AMERICA Civil War special was, sadly, a waste of time and paper. Nothing happens. Lotsa flashback. It's a clips show for comics. And while I've enjoyed Jeremy Haun's art elsewhere, it looked very stiff here.

NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1, though, I really liked. I know a lot of people will have issues with the move the heroes pull off in the opening, but I liked it a lot for reasons I can't get into without massive spoilers. I'll give it a day or two.

-Augie



-Augie

[goman]

I didn't have a problem with Illuminati #1 either. And I think more importantly, the characters reacted to the event correctly (or at least as I think the characters would react.) This could shape up to be a pretty good mini. And Cheung's art? Looks great, his Skrulls are awesome.

[pmpknface]

Ugh... I won't get any of this week's stuff until a WEEK from now - at least! I'm leaving to go back to NY tonight and won't be back until Wednesday night. :(

[torippu]

Ugh... I won't get any of this week's stuff until a WEEK from now - at least! I'm leaving to go back to NY tonight and won't be back until Wednesday night. :(
You and I are in the same boat Jamie. I'm in Atlanta now and won't be back in NoCal until the 31st.

Guess it's time to dig through the comics that I still have stuffed in a closet in long boxes at my parent's house.

Hmm, what's first? Giffen/DeMatteis JL/JLI/JLE? McFarlane/Larsen ASM issues? Star Wars: Dark Empire? The Realm? Cat & Mouse? Off the top of my head, those are the old books of mine that I'd love to read again.

Trip

[pmpknface]

I think I'll FINALLY get around to reading PROMETHEA Vol 3. I just got in SEA OF RED Vol. 3, so I'll bring 1&2 home too. Maybe an Essential vol. (Defenders v. 1?). I'm sure I'll bring more than I need and get something to read from a friend I exchange gifts w/ too. :D

[goman]

Criminal #3 was pretty good as well, if a bit slower, and more character driven then the first two. Still good, but if you haven't read issues 1 and 2, don't start with issue 3, go back and find them all.
52 continued along, and while it wasn't the greatness that the other books I read were, it was still pretty decent, with an interesting Luthor scene, some nice Christsmas scene's, and an anatomy of a Bat-a-rang. Decent Martain Manhunter origin, but I don't care that much about the character.
I only read five of my books last night, but they were all pretty much great, and I still have a few possible winners left to read. it was an expensive day though, with no trades being bought.

[goman]

Finished the Avengers Forever trade last night. Good stuff. I thought it took a little while for the story to get going, you don't really figure out what it's all about until about issue 6-7, but after that point it's awesome. The last two issues are almost perfect. What could be cooler than every good Avenger fighting every bad Avenger? So glad I picked this up. Interesting Civil War note: It's revealed that Immortas influenced a lot of Avengers history, specifically using Iron Man in Operation Galactic Storm. Could CW be caused by Immortus to further stop the heroes from becoming too powerful? Who knows?
Also from last week:

CW: War Crimes was pretty good. Suprising twist at the end, and I don't have a problem with the character motivations on either side. Suprisingly good.

CW:Casulties of War I didn't dislike this as much as other people seem to have. yes, it was just Cap and Iron Man talking for a lot of pages, and it was basically a clip show, but if Marvel is looking for CW to get mass market appeal, you need something like this, probably closer to the beginning, so retailers can hand it out, maybe free, to new customers. It did a fairly good job of catching people up on the continuity of the two main characters of CW. I wouldn't call this wasted money, but maybe Marvel should have lowered the price point on it. that's just my two cents.

CW: Frontline wasn't bad, but wasn't that good though. Speedball was interesting as usual, and the Embedded section was probably the first time I've seen Cap effectively shown as maybe being wrong in the whole thing. The whole issue just kind of tread water. Plus for the first time I resisted the urge and skipped the last four pages.

DC Christmas Holiday Special I don'tnow if my store didn't get it the week before, but this was in my box, so I picked it up. Read about half of it so far, and it's not bad. Light weight Christmas stories. Worth it for the Cory Walker drawn Shadowpact story, which was really funny.

I'm back home now, and it's back to the stack. Extra day to catch up this week, but lots of distractions.

[UniqueFrequency]

i enjoyed Beyond #6 too and YES it was sad!

I'm not completely sold on newuniversal. it's really only Ellis on the book that's keeping me interested. but larocca's art is looking better and better though

Teen Titans is on verrrrry thin ice. Titans East better be very impressive or i'm dropping the book

[pmpknface]

Finished the Avengers Forever trade last night. Good stuff. I thought it took a little while for the story to get going, you don't really figure out what it's all about until about issue 6-7, but after that point it's awesome. The last two issues are almost perfect. What could be cooler than every good Avenger fighting every bad Avenger? So glad I picked this up. Interesting Civil War note: It's revealed that Immortas influenced a lot of Avengers history, specifically using Iron Man in Operation Galactic Storm. Could CW be caused by Immortus to further stop the heroes from becoming too powerful? Who knows?


Hhhhhhhhmmm....... nice theory. I kinda think if there's 1 person behind it, it'd have something to do with what's going on in Cap's book.

[goman]

Last post for this month. Finally picked up my books for this week. Only read 52, and half of Justice #9 so far. However, I did finish:

Queen & Counrty, Vol 2 &3 It was a little wierd to read the two given what happen with Husein last night, since these two both deal with Middle Eastern terrorism. Volume 2 was really good and I liked Hurtt's art. I liked his art from Hard Time, and I though it worked well here. I was less enthused about Fernandez' art. I thought his Tara Chase looked too super-model and his noses were just weird looking. The rest of it was decent, I just thought his art was too quirky for my tastes. Need to track down the rest of the trades now. Putting my order into Oni right now. Volume 6 & 7 are in the scratched and dented sale. Awesome!

[dancj]

I can tell I'm in the minority on Avengers Forever. It probably didn't help that it's one of my first Avengers stories and is so steeped in their history, but I didn't have a clue what was going on and hated the whole thing.

For me I've read:
Promethea book 2 - I liked some bits - hated the Tarot issue. I went into more detail in the Promethea bookclub thread.
Barry Ween 2.0 - I like Barry Ween. Somehow you really believe that he cared deeply about his friends.
Teen Titans v3: Beast Boys & Girls - This was enjoyable enough.
Teen Titans v4: The Future is Now - The best TT volume yet. The first story with The Legion of Superheroes was a waste of space, but the evil future Teen Titans follow up was a lot of fun. I like time travel stories and "evil future version of yourself" ones are among the best!
The Drowners - This was a good story from Nabiel Kanan. I miss the art style he used back in Exit, but this was still well worth reading
Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. I know they're not comics, but I was on holiday for 3 weeks with a tight luggage allowance so I couldn't take any graphic novels, so I opted for the His Dark Materials trilogy. It's good stuff. Pisses all over Harry Potter from a great height!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Read THE ESCAPIST #1-6 over the holiday weekend. It's a GREAT read, even if you've never read any of Chabon's book or the follow-up comics. Stands on its own well, and captures a wonderful mix of Real World Comics with Classic Comics that's tough to describe.

If you missed it, look out for the trade whenever Dark Horse solicits it. It's a great read.

-Augie

[goman]

I can tell I'm in the minority on Avengers Forever. It probably didn't help that it's one of my first Avengers stories and is so steeped in their history, but I didn't have a clue what was going on and hated the whole thing.

The Drowners - This was a good story from Nabiel Kanan. I miss the art style he used back in Exit, but this was still well worth reading


Yeah, it is a continuity story. My enjoyment may have been helped by reading the Essential Avengers volumes not too long ago. And, I don't know if you read it in singles when it originally came out, but the trade has a nice list of annotations for each chapter. I guess the annotations won't help you get a better perspective if you haven't read the original issues, but it's cool to see how well researched the book is.

I know I read The Drowners when it came out, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was about. I remember thinking it was decent, but apparently, it wasn't decent enough to make me remember it.

[pmpknface]

This issues had those annotations too. Every 4th issue I think. ;)

[goman]

I kind of figured they might.

[torippu]

Outside of the Battle Hymn TPB that I got for Christmas, I didn't read anything else. Does finally getting around to watching Hellboy: Sword of Storms count for anything? I thought that it was really well done and may have even re-ignited my waning interest in all things Hellboy.

Trip

[pmpknface]

SURE! I totally missed it. Was it on tv again? :(

[torippu]

SURE! I totally missed it. Was it on tv again? :(

I think that it was rebroadcast on the 30th (at least according to Tad Stones' blog (http://hellboyanimated.typepad.com/)), but I had transferred it from my TiVo for a rainy day viewing.

They also released a trailer for the next animated feature Hellboy: Blood and Iron.
It's up on YouTube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2uelrpovBs).
Enjoy!

[goman]

SURE! I totally missed it. Was it on tv again? :(

Yeah, it was on Saturday. Recorded it and watched it for the first time myself that night. It was well animated, and had the advantage of the actors from the movie doing the voices. Maybe it was just too late at night when I actually watched it, but I just couldn't get into the story. It worth buying if you're into Hellboy, and worth a rental if you're not. Certainly better than the Ultimate Avengers cartoons.

[dancj]

Yeah, it is a continuity story. My enjoyment may have been helped by reading the Essential Avengers volumes not too long ago. And, I don't know if you read it in singles when it originally came out, but the trade has a nice list of annotations for each chapter. I guess the annotations won't help you get a better perspective if you haven't read the original issues, but it's cool to see how well researched the book is.

I don't read those annotations bits, but I kind of appreciate them being there. The other big example of that kind of thing I can think of was Marvels. The big difference there was that even though I knew very little of the history covered in Marvels, that didn't get in the way of my enjoyment. Kurt Buseik always runs very hot and cold for me.

I know I read The Drowners when it came out, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was about. I remember thinking it was decent, but apparently, it wasn't decent enough to make me remember it.
Yeah - that's partly why I didn't describe it more. Something to do with some woman who drowned who was having a fling with a businessman and there was some mob guy mixed up in it. It all fitted together well at the time. I think it's harder to remember because there was no central plot really, more of a little tapestry of plots that fitted together.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Heh heh heh.

I just finished reading CIVIL WAR #6.

Yeah, it'll piss some people off, but I know I had a huge giggle in the middle of it. And we're finally getting a look at what the end game is.

Not a good sign, however, that there are special thanks to a half dozen other creators on the credits page, though. Mostly colorists, I believe. Guess the book was REALLY running late to have to pull all those other people in to finish it somewhat on time.

-Augie

[goman]

Heh heh heh.

I just finished reading CIVIL WAR #6.

Yeah, it'll piss some people off, but I know I had a huge giggle in the middle of it. And we're finally getting a look at what the end game is.

Not a good sign, however, that there are special thanks to a half dozen other creators on the credits page, though. Mostly colorists, I believe. Guess the book was REALLY running late to have to pull all those other people in to finish it somewhat on time.

-Augie

Any hints on what "42" means in regards to the Negative Zone prison? Any good fights? Any advise on how to get though the next day and a half till I can read this? What's worse, having to wait to read the issue while knowing someone else already has it, or reading the issue early and not having anyone to talk to about it?

[pmpknface]

FYI, In case you guys missed in over on The Comic Ne.ws Tracker:

West Coast USA and Australia only to receive 15% of CIVIL WAR orders

http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=66768

[torippu]

FYI, In case you guys missed in over on The Comic Ne.ws Tracker:

West Coast USA and Australia only to receive 15% of CIVIL WAR orders

http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=66768

Yep - I think that Brian Hibbs posted that. I'm hoping to swing by my LCS before I head to Portland tomorrow afternoon, but if there is no Civil War waiting for me, do I even bother leaving work early to head to my shop?

[pmpknface]

Now there's an update:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9279

It's mainly because of the snowstorm! I have a buddy who was supposed to move from Denver to Texas and couldn't because he was snowed in from this storm.

I guess it's a race now: Who can make a banner that says, "Who's side are you on? I'm with SNOW!"

[goman]

I guess it's a race now: Who can make a banner that says, "Who's side are you on? I'm with SNOW!"

You only side with Snow if you're not enjoying or don't care about Civil War. Someone needs to make an "I'm with Plows", or "I with Salt", or possibly "I'm with Global Warming" banner.

torippu - You're best bet, along with anyone else on the West Coast, is to get you LCS phone# and call ahead. Hope that you spend enough money at the store for them to hold a copy for you. Here's hoping you can score a copy.

[torippu]

torippu - You're best bet, along with anyone else on the West Coast, is to get you LCS phone# and call ahead. Hope that you spend enough money at the store for them to hold a copy for you. Here's hoping you can score a copy.
I've got my store's number in cell phone, got a pull list there and am on good terms with the guys so it's conceivable that I could get me a copy of CW #6 tomorrow. That being said, with close to 3 weeks of comics sitting in my folder for me right now, I'm not going to complain too loudly if I have to wait an extra week to get the issue. I'll just have to avoid all message boards until I get a copy in my grubby little hands.

[torippu]

OK - I finally read Beyond! #6 and that certainly was a bummer. Of all the heroes introduced in the last couple of years, he was definitely my favorite. I've got my fingers crossed that there is still a lot more Gravity action to be seen. I've even got my hopes up that Dwayne McDuffie will continue his story in his upcoming run on Fantastic Four. I think that combination of him (who I have newfound respect for after the last couple of years of JLU) and Paul Pelletier may be just enough incentive for me to give the FF a try again!

[pmpknface]

I think in the Sean McKeever he eluded to the FF / Gravity thing. I hope it happens too! Gravity rocks! :D

[goman]

Damn, does this mean I have to start reading Fantastic Four? Cause I've never been a big fan of it, and I didn't really enjoy Pelletier's work when he was on She-Hulk, just wasn't my thing. Hopefully I'll be able to find out which story Gravity might show up in and just get those issues.

[pmpknface]

I'll try to give you a heads up if I hear anything goman! ;)

[torippu]

I think in the Sean McKeever he eluded to the FF / Gravity thing. I hope it happens too! Gravity rocks! :D

Did he? I was too bummed to see that he was going DC-exclusive to read the full article.

[pmpknface]

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=96845

NRAMA: OK, Sean. Speaking of death... I have to ask. They killed Gravity over at Marvel. You had created that brand new character in 2005 and he barely saw the light of day, in comics terms, before getting the axe in a big event comic during the Beyond! miniseries last year. That didn't have anything to do with this exodus to DC, did it?

SM: No. No. You know, it ... in a way, it made it a little easier. [laughs] It made it a little less painful. Because this was a really difficult decision. I mean, at first I just flat out said no, because I love working at Marvel so much and still wanted to work there. I thought I could do both. But then they decided that they really wanted me, and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse, and I took it.

NRAMA: Sounds like it was a tough decision to make.

SM: It was, because I have a lot of friends at Marvel. And like I said, I enjoy the characters there. But no, Gravity -- I learned about Gravity's death actually the day after I decided to take the exclusive. [laughs]

NRAMA: Oh! Great timing, huh?

SM: Yeah. And I said, "OK, well, it's not so tough now." [laughs]

NRAMA: But at least, if it was the next day, they didn't make the decision to kill off Gravity after you took the exclusive. That would have hurt, almost like they did it on purpose.

SM: No! That would have been pretty quick to get to the printers by then. No, that was actually something that was planned out in advance. I knew it was on the table that they might kill Gravity. Based on something that was going to happen that I was going to be involved in, I was aware it was being considered. But the thing was going to involve me fell by the wayside, but then, they obviously decided to kill him anyway. And I guess they're doing some stuff with him in Fantastic Four or something.