Vertigo's Announced DC character books- exciting or what?

[Tinmansstory]

While the convention isn't over, a lot of DC's panels haven't really interested me that much. I'm getting very tired of all the Crisis stuff as of late. But how does everyone feel about Madame Xanadu by Wagner, Unknown Soldier, and House of Mystery by Willingham? I'm really, really excited for these series coming out. It seems like Vertigo's DC related forays are really going to shine later in the year.

This is why I love comics.

http://www.newsarama.com/Comic-Con_07/DC/Xanadu.html
http://www.newsarama.com/Comic-Con_07/DC/HouseofMystery.html
http://www.newsarama.com/Comic-Con_07/DC/Unknown.html

[DWEarhart]

It is far from over, but thus far it's been a yawn fest, and I wish Hollywood would go away, but they're here and leeching everything in sight. But, if this helps push comics forward, I'll wait it out.

The only one I'm curious about is Madame Xanadu. I dig Phantom Stranger and Matt Wagner, so this one already has two positives for me. I don't care much for Willingham, though I do cherish my House of Mystery Showcase editions.

One thing I don't like is that Deadman is seemingly stuck in Vertigo, I didn't read Bruce Jones' series, but Didio's comments imply that he won't be going back to the DCU, or did I misinterpret that, or am I just tripping?

[stealthwise]

There are people who actually get excited about anything that Willingham does?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

There are people who actually get excited about anything that Willingham does?

Not after his actions a few years ago when he wrote a horrible arc in Batman and blamed the fans who asked questions about the characters acting well....outta character. When someone asked why Leslie Thompkins would allow murder he pushed that she broke her Doctor's oath. Which really...yeah we done read that genuis. We know she did....but why ? How could Thompkins who always was a decent supporting character in the Batman books do this and finally make this weird stand that Batman was endangering lives so Stephanie Brown had to die !

He couldn't answer it last I heard. Then he told fans how'd they like those apples. I never pulled another Fables TPB after it. Wrote him off as a sucktacular writer. I just hope DC never puts him on anything I pull.

[DWEarhart]

Not after his actions a few years ago when he wrote a horrible arc in Batman and blamed the fans who asked questions about the characters acting well....outta character. When someone asked why Leslie Thompkins would allow murder he pushed that she broke her Doctor's oath. Which really...yeah we done read that genuis. We know she did....but why ? How could Thompkins who always was a decent supporting character in the Batman books do this and finally make this weird stand that Batman was endangering lives so Stephanie Brown had to die !

He couldn't answer it last I heard. Then he told fans how'd they like those apples. I never pulled another Fables TPB after it. Wrote him off as a sucktacular writer. I just hope DC never puts him on anything I pull.

I can dislike a writer for acting like a jerk, but still enjoy his output, but that Leslie Thompkins character tweak - the way it was executed - was ridiculous.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I can dislike a writer for acting like a jerk, but still enjoy his output, but that Leslie Thompkins character tweak was ridiculous.

People are wondering when DC will retcon it and reveal it was all just a move to save Steph. Since it well...sucked. If he had at least seriously tried to answer the question and not did a fly by answer, I may have cared. But he didn't. Turned me off with how he treated the fans.

[The Adventurer]

I haven't heard about Unknown Soldier. But I'm sure I'll check it, and House of Mystery out. Me, I'm a Willingham fan. I could care less about some bad Batman continuity. I mean, Bats has a lot of that as it is. And Dollars to Donuts, what you guys are complaining about was probably an Editorial Decision in the first place. As are most bad superhero story ideas.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Even though I'm not a full-blown fan of either her or Phantom Stranger (though I liked the Alan Moore/Joe Orlando short piece), the Madame Xanadu project sounds the most interesting. For Unknown Soldier, I tried reading an issue of Dysart's Swamp Thing once and couldn't make myself continue on.

No real thoughts on House Of Mystery.

[Jack Zodiac]

Wagner? Matt Wagner? Writing a book about Madame Xanadu? Damn, that's awesome! And I think Willingham has the feel for it to write a book like House of Mystery. I mean, his Shadowpact has been on-and-off decent, but he definitely has a feel for supernatural stories, and I think with the leash off, working on a Vertigo title, he could do some great work.

An Unknown Soldier story, though? Eh, we'll see.

Man, this is a fuckin' shame. Cooke expresses interest in writing books about characters like The Phantom Stranger and Deadman while he's on his way out the door of DC, and they go and announce new Vertigo books for DC characters? Damn.

[K'Nort]

Is there a link with details on the front page yet? I'm not seeing it.

[matt levin]

Really enjoyed Mde. X; enough so that I bought (House of Mystery, was it?) the Kaluta-covers featuring her even when I thought the comic covered was boring. Enjoyed Marshall Rogers short turn with her, too. Wonder if Wagner will treat her right-- really like Mage, and the Hunter Rose Grendel (and the Pander Bros.--where ARE they now?) issues, but haven't much been impressed with other Wagner work.

I'm enjoying Willingham's Fables and Jack of Fables, but not Shadowpact, which is too bad as it features several characters I like.

so? guess we'll have to wait and sample and see.

Matt

[henryfish]

I was under the impression that House of Mystery would be mostly Matthew Sturges, with the "inset" anthology stories, for now at least, done by Willingham.

[Cayman]

I'm interested in Madame Xanadu, Un-Men, House Of Mystery, and The Vinyl Underground.

Definitely not interested in anything by Wood or Dysart.

[DubipR]

Madame Xanadu definitely is the most exciting news from the Con. Not only is it Matt Wagner, its Madame Xanadu! I've loved that character ever since her one-shot years back. As long as they don't associate that stupid making her blind in the comic, I'll be happy.

Other items that look interesting to me are Northlanders. I'm enjoying DMZ, so I think I can get into Vikings. Also the Vinyl Underground; it sounds like fun.

But House of Secrets? Do we need yet another series of this? This is what, the 4th attempt at it? I liked the Seagle/Kristinsian (sp) one, as it was different but was pretty cool. I'm not the biggest Willingham fan, but like most Vertigo stuff, I'll give the first 3 issues a shot.
Unknown Solider....eh, not to sure about this one. I was one of the few that liked Dysart's Swamp Thing, but if there' no American hero aspect of the Soldier, I'm gonna drop it.

[vazel]

haha wow look at all this Willingham dislike. Comes as a great shock to me seeing as how I consider Fables the best comic book series to ever grace us; a masterpiece. Although I haven't read any of his stuff outside of Fables and Jack of Fables. Didn't know he was the one that wrote Leslie Thompkins allowing Spoiler to die, yea that sucks but we can't all be immaculate. And as The Adventurer noted he may have just been following orders, like Joel Shumacher following orders to make Batman & Robin really campy.

[ultramandingo]

......... haw. remember those " elementals: sex special " things willingham did ( 90/91 ?) ? or the "elemental sexy lingerie special". i guess he grew out of that phase - or vertigo said ixnay to the "fables sexy lingerie special"

[Charles Reed]

......... haw. remember those " elementals: sex special " things willingham did ( 90/91 ?) ? or the "elemental sexy lingerie special". i guess he grew out of that phase - or vertigo said ixnay to the "fables sexy lingerie special"
Actually, according to Bill in this post (http://www.fabletown.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5904#5904) on the Fabletown message board, Bill had nothing to do with the various sex specials. In the post, Bill provides a complete synopsis of his involvement with Elementals in its various incarnations, with most of his work being done on volumes 1 and 2 of the book.

Charles

[Charles Reed]

There are people who actually get excited about anything that Willingham does?
Not so much the DCU stuff, because I just don't want to take the time (and spend the money) to really get into that world. But his Vertigo work is very much something I'm interested in. I'd much rather read a writer writing his own book anyway than a franchise book.

But I think House of Mystery is going to mainly be Matthew Sturges's book. From what I understand, Matt's controlling the framing sequence that will continue from book to book, with the interior stand-alone stories, at least in the beginning, being written by Bill. I'm pretty sure there will be other writers taking over those "stand-alone" duties as the book continues.

Charles

[dancj]

Bill Willingham's output from Vertigo has ranged from good to excellent so I'm fine with anything he does there.

The one who writes for DC seems to be a different writer completely so I won't hold that against him. And I couldn't give two hoots whether a writer acts like a dick-head.

[king mob]

Bill Willingham's output from Vertigo has ranged from good to excellent so I'm fine with anything he does there.

Very much so, which considering he's been a pretty rubbish writer since he kicked off on the Elementals (which was considered quite a hot book for some reason for a time) is really saying something.

The one who writes for DC seems to be a different writer completely so I won't hold that against him. And I couldn't give two hoots whether a writer acts like a dick-head.

I've read little of his mainstream DC work so can't judge: considering I find most mainstream DC titles infantile drivel this isn't surprising. However if a writer/artist is a tosser then that doesn't affect my opinion of their work if that work is good.

I know of several creators who I've met over the years who are utter wankers, but whose work I've enjoyed lots.

[Charles Reed]

However if a writer/artist is a tosser then that doesn't affect my opinion of their work if that work is good.

I know of several creators who I've met over the years who are utter wankers, but whose work I've enjoyed lots.
Agreed.

But every interaction I've had with Bill (over on Fabletown.com and meeting him in person about a month ago in Dallas) has been very pleasant. He seemed like a genuinely good guy -- and a genuinely funny guy as well -- who was extremely passionate about his books. I know you can't really tell a lot about a person by chatting with them for an hour or so in a comic book store, but my first impression was very, very favorable. Of course, that doesn't say anything one way or the other about the quality of his work, but there you go.

Charles

[CBikle]

I'm going to try Madame Xanadu. I'm not a fan of manga or most Vertigo, but I like the work Wagner did on Sandman Mystery Theater and this sounds similar to it.

Plus the art that I've seen only seems vaguely manga.