QUASAR #3 - Preview

[Expletive Deleted]

From IGN (http://comics.ign.com/articles/817/817375p1.html).

I'm sorry, if you don't think this (http://media.comics.ign.com/media/888/888535/img_4847756.html) is awesome, there's not much hope left for you.

[Mysterio's Helmet]

Ok. I'll comment......


I read this and you know what I thought of first?


Clerks II: The donkey show.

Then I thought of Brisco County Jr. and Comet. (This is a compliment....of sorts.)



I love the idea of love knowing no boundaries (something we rarely get in comics) but this might be a big time stretch for me. So I'm betting on Moondragon biting it at the end of this mini OR at the end of the book proper just to keep things "formal".

[Will.S]

I'll admit, Quasar riding Moondragon does look pretty cool.

[Cayman]

Ok. I'll comment......


I read this and you know what I thought of first?


Clerks II: The donkey show.

Then I thought of Brisco County Jr. and Comet. (This is a compliment....of sorts.)



I love the idea of love knowing no boundaries (something we rarely get in comics) but this might be a big time stretch for me. So I'm betting on Moondragon biting it at the end of this mini OR at the end of the book proper just to keep things "formal".

Not in this mini, she's already been shown in the preview pages for Annihilation Conquest #1.

[Cayman]

From IGN (http://comics.ign.com/articles/817/817375p1.html).

I'm sorry, if you don't think this (http://media.comics.ign.com/media/888/888535/img_4847756.html) is awesome, there's not much hope left for you.

I do think it is awesome!

I'll admit, Quasar riding Moondragon does look pretty cool.

Naughty!

[Dr. Chaos]

I love the idea of love knowing no boundaries (something we rarely get in comics)
You're kidding right?

Trying to find homosexuals in comics today is like a game of Wheres Waldo for retards.

Oh wait...you're talking about the dragon thing...yeah, that is pretty weird.

[drwho]

Makes you wonder if marvel did that because of the same gender issues. That scene so reminds me of this.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/Dazee2k/Movies/neverendingstory3WinCE.jpg

[DaeJi]

.................................K................ ........ Yeah, the whole "Moondragon's a dragon-thing and can't turn back" is too much. Really, really too much. I'm hoping she finds a way back to human form soon, because.... yeah, it's too much and too weird and ruins the relationship.

[DaeJi]

Seriously, Marvel, if you're reading this.... there are ideas that look bad on paper and turn out great in print, and then there are ideas that are just bad. Having Moondragon as a dragon permanetly... is just a bad idea. Please, for the love of all that is holy, reconsider.

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

I love it! I mean, okay, I'll admit I'm still humanoid-centric enough to want her to return to her usual form (or at least gain the ability to switch back and forth), but for now - not that I think it will be permanent, but that Heather believes it is - I think it's a terrific, brave idea. Just look at how Phyla reacts, that was absolutely my wildest hope when I realised what direction they were going in.

Makes you wonder if marvel did that because of the same gender issues.
I'm inclined to think not - Phyla and Heather's relationship has been very prominent in AC: Quasar so far (and not in an exploitative, showy way - it's been validly fundamental to the story). It's been a really positive, unselfconscious portrayal of a lesbian relationship, it really didn't strike me as the kind of material - no matter what it was leading towards - that a company would produce if they were skittish about having lesbian characters in their books.

yeah, it's too much and too weird and ruins the relationship.
I don't think so - it's a lot, but I don't think it's too much. This is cosmic adventure, after all, it should be strange and alien and fascinating in how different it is. Too weird... possibly it is, I'm not really the best person to judge (I'm fascinated by 'weird', so Heather turning into a dragon is plain sailing for me). I don't think it's a bad thing for their relationship, though. If it really were permanent, yes, I can see that being an issue in terms of us as readers relating to them. As much as it makes sense that Heather, with her mental abilities, doesn't need a humanoid body to be intimate with Phyla, I think while it's interesting as a novelty, long-term it'd interfere with our ability to relate to their relationship - we don't have mental powers, so the imtinacy they share is now something that's an intellectual construct for us, not something we can directly understand. But I like that they think it's permanent - so far as their relationship goes, really, show me one scene they've had together that affirms how much Phyla loves Heather than the one where she looks at her, as a gigantic dragon, that so far as she know is the only form she'll ever have now, and still sees the woman she loves? That's great.

So, yeah, I think it'll be reversed or 'undone' sooner or later. I hope not by Heather's death, because I really like them as a couple, that's something they have that a lot of superheroes don't, at least not in such a fundamental way. If the dragon is a temporary thing, and she's destined to go back to being 'just human', I'm okay with that - just in these five pages, it's already produced a really powerful affirmation of their relationship, so it's not that it would just have been a pointless subplot. But I'm wondering if it's not going to be so easy, and if Phyla and Heather's immediate destiny - at least, until Marvel has another idea down the road - is a kind of Ladyhawke thing, with Heather perhaps only occasionally able to transform back into herself under specific circumstances, and the rest of the time stuck as a dragon. One of those high-fantasy star-crossed romance things. I could live with that, provided it's written well.

[Kyle R]

.................................K................ ........ Yeah, the whole "Moondragon's a dragon-thing and can't turn back" is too much. Really, really too much. I'm hoping she finds a way back to human form soon, because.... yeah, it's too much and too weird and ruins the relationship.
I would tend to agree.

Maybe not so much with regards to a humanoid cosmic super-person shacking up with a telepathic dragon. That sort of thing isn't completely unheard of in sci-fi/fantasy and has it's roots in various mythologys, so that's all well and good in so far as it goes.

However, turning Heather into a dragon seems to be very out of left-field, especially when it isn't exactly obvious what bearing it has on the direction of the story being told, and obviously changes the dynamic of the relationship between herself and Phyla. Not just as lovers but as a cosmic superhero duo.

Phyla having to cart Heather around and look out for her, while concerned about running out of Quantum band power was an interesting aspect of the story, especially when it's Moondragon playing the role of mentor. Now, with Moondragon appearing to be nearly as powerful--if not on the same level or beyond--as Phyla, that dynamic is lost.

Ah well. I guess it might be a good idea to see how the rest of the issue, and the rest of the mini plays out, but my initial reaction to the concept is not very positive.

[DaeJi]

It's definitly a different concept, and it shows how deeply Phyla cares for Heather, and yes there's the mental aspect of it all, but having Moondragon being a permanet dragon (which, after having time to think about it, seems so very unlikely) robs them both of the intimate aspect of their relationship. They can't be physically together, and as fulfilled as they are with the mental intimacy there'll always be that one area where they cannot connect. Plus the whole "she's in love with a dragon" thing is, for lack of a better term, slightly disturbing.

Thinking it over I don't see this being permanet, not really. Heck, I don't see it lasting past Conquest; This might be this round's "Super-Skrull dies."

[Kyle R]

Indeed.

It should be interesting to see how the other characters react.

"This is Moondragon; she's a dragon now."
"...'kay. How do you guys...uhm.... On second thought, the less I know, the better."

[sephirothskiller]

It's been a really positive, unselfconscious portrayal of a lesbian relationship,

While positive, I do not think that the portrayal in any way has been unselfconscious. Personally, I find it a rather hamfisted portrayal, and if the characters were a man and a woman I believe that the amount of romantic/sexual content in the book would be broadly received as over stated.

That said, I like the "permanent dragon" thing and hope she stays that way. Its cool when people have a relationship based on telepathy and there's no mutants involved.

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

It's definitly a different concept, and it shows how deeply Phyla cares for Heather, and yes there's the mental aspect of it all, but having Moondragon being a permanet dragon (which, after having time to think about it, seems so very unlikely) robs them both of the intimate aspect of their relationship. They can't be physically together, and as fulfilled as they are with the mental intimacy there'll always be that one area where they cannot connect.
Agreed; I'm quite happy with the notion that, for Phyla and Heather, telepathic intimacy is just peachy and they don't feel they're missing out (after all, we do okay with just the physical stuff - each to their own), I think it's important for us as readers to have something easier to relate to, in such an important facet as how they touch each other. There's a lot about a character you can abstract and explore in interesting, non-standard ways, but physical contact between lovers is pretty basic - I don't think it can be abstracted without losing something.

Plus the whole "she's in love with a dragon" thing is, for lack of a better term, slightly disturbing.
Well, if no-one else is going to say it, I will: Heather's tongue is now four feet long. C'mon, you were all thinking it... :p

While positive, I do not think that the portrayal in any way has been unselfconscious. Personally, I find it a rather hamfisted portrayal, and if the characters were a man and a woman I believe that the amount of romantic/sexual content in the book would be broadly received as over stated.
I don't agree - if a relationship were shown like that under all circumstances, yes, it'd be overstated (not that lesbians couldn't use a bit of overstatement, to make up for decades of the opposite). But so far we've only seen Phyla and Heather in very difficult, isolating circumstances - the Prologue began with Heather unsure of herself, her powers, and whether she deserved to wear the mantle that had been put on her shoulders, and in short order a galactic conquest was dropped on top of her. Of course she's going to reach out to Heather, much more overtly than might be the case if, say, they were just wandering down to the shops to pick up some groceries and a DVD to watch - the whole galaxy (or at least, a significant portion thereof) is falling apart around them. I'd be confused if she and Heather weren't suddenly supremely interested in affirming their bond at every opportunity.

[Bryson the Red]

Why does it have to be about sex? I mean really. If say Janet were to turn into a dragon when she was married to Hank, my first reason would not be "Oh no, how are they going to do it?!?". Maybe thats just me though. My reaction is "Whoa thats crazy. I wonder how and when she will change back". I mean, thats not even my second, third or fourth thought on the matter. Who cares if comic book characters are having sex anyway? Save it for MAX or Ultimate U.

On re-reading this, I don't want it to sound like I'm picking on anyone or trying to be rude, but I can't think of a much better way to phrase my point, so I'll leave it as is.

[sdman619]

I'm sorry but I'm hating this. I could have accepted Moondragon being able to change back and forth but now this whole she is stuck as a dragon is really lame . And is really going to ruin the dynamic between the characters IMO. Also Moondragon is a character with a much more storied background than Phyla. In my opinion she should of been the one starring in her own series. Ugh. big thumbs down.

[DaeJi]

Why does it have to be about sex? I mean really. If say Janet were to turn into a dragon when she was married to Hank, my first reason would not be "Oh no, how are they going to do it?!?". Maybe thats just me though. My reaction is "Whoa thats crazy. I wonder how and when she will change back". I mean, thats not even my second, third or fourth thought on the matter. Who cares if comic book characters are having sex anyway? Save it for MAX or Ultimate U.

Naw, it's not about sex, because as Miss Kitty Fantastico so scaringly pointed out they can still have sex. Just, uh, try to not think about that.

Physical intimacy is soooo much more than sex though. Silly things like the simple act of holding hands while walking down the street can be amazingly intimate and carry with it a high degree of satisfaction. Laying down side by side, kissing, face rubbing, tickling, hugging, holding, just the feel of another person there... it's unbelievable at times. And while the emotional and mental aspects are, for the moment, enough for Quasar and Moondragon they do live in a physical world and have that need to be close physically to someone.

[Deus ex Chris]

I had high hopes for this mini and for Gage in particular, but he just hasn't wowed me here. He hasn't even entertained me slightly. In fact, I find myself liking him less and less with each successive project. His Union Jack was great. Where's that magic? It's not in ridiculous transformations into dragons, that's for sure. Color me disappointed.

[Enigmanaut]

Man, I hate seeing the letters "IGN" when looking at a preview. They never arrange their previews particularly well, and (since my work blocks them, I need to use a proxy) every proxy I use fails to open the image links with them and noone else.

At any rate, Heather being a dragon permanantly... not really gonna happen. She's human on the cover of the main series.

[BooCoo]

IGN preview nice, takes about an hour to upload one lousy image.

*bursts liver laughing on floor*

Man, is this book gone silly or what? :confused: I guess I'll go get my PAGEMASTER tape out now. Or maybe TALES OF KING ARTHUR.

Where's the short, stumpy sidekick for comedy relief? We need a couple of Smurfs to go with the set...or a silver elf...go get GANDOLF!!!

Anyway, I doubt this is permanent. I'd like to know how a human woman suddenly is transmuted this way...if it were still the influence of the original Moon Dragon, it should have shown up LOOONG before now. Although her cousin Sundragon is a mutant I believe (they barely know each other).

Leaving the relationship and sexual stuff out, its just plain goofy. But again, I'll wait and see where this is all going. I'm also thinking there's a reason Heather changed like that.

And no, I'm not interested in doomed, anthromorphic love...see porn movies of people and horses on the 'farm' if your mind is similarly bent. :mad:

Of course, maybe this 'Heather' was a dragon all along and not the real Heather. Or a Skrull.

[Will.S]

Most likely it's not a permanent thing.

She's on the cover to the Annihilation book and I just can't see Marvel keeping her that way. Her turning into a dragon as part of her powers now maybe but there's no way this is permanent.

[DaeJi]

Most likely it's not a permanent thing.

She's on the cover to the Annihilation book and I just can't see Marvel keeping her that way. Her turning into a dragon as part of her powers now maybe but there's no way this is permanent.

Yeah, I'm thinking at the end of it all she turns back; actually, with all that has been happening I'm thinking the real Dragon of the Moon may show up in conquest, and we a knight (Quasar) vs. dragon (Dragon of the Moon) fight!

[stingerman]

Seriously, Marvel, if you're reading this.... there are ideas that look bad on paper and turn out great in print, and then there are ideas that are just bad. Having Moondragon as a dragon permanetly... is just a bad idea. Please, for the love of all that is holy, reconsider.

I agree. Marvel isnt promoting beastiality are they? :eek:

[stingerman]

From IGN (http://comics.ign.com/articles/817/817375p1.html).

I'm sorry, if you don't think this (http://media.comics.ign.com/media/888/888535/img_4847756.html) is awesome, there's not much hope left for you.


sarcasm? I hope so!

[Bryson the Red]

sarcasm? I hope so!

What's not cool about a super-babe riding a dragon through space with a lightsaber? I think I had that poster in highschool.

[Baltho08]

What's not cool about a super-babe riding a dragon through space with a lightsaber? I think I had that poster in highschool.

Ha! I had that poster too...

http://www.technofile.com/images/heavy_metal.jpg
Peace.

[Brandon McKinnis]

I'll admit, Quasar riding Moondragon does look pretty cool.

This comment is awesome on so many levels....well ok two levels.

[Expletive Deleted]

sarcasm? I hope so!

What's not cool about a super-babe riding a dragon through space with a lightsaber? I think I had that poster in highschool.

What he said.

[stingerman]

What he said.

I was into dungeons and dragons too. I dont know. I didnt think this was gonna turn into a fantasy based comic.

[DaeJi]

I was into dungeons and dragons too. I dont know. I didnt think this was gonna turn into a fantasy based comic.

Ah.... they kinda been hyping the whole Joan of Arc/fantasy angle since the mini was announced. In fact they basically say it every single time Quasar is talked about.

And yes, Quasar riding Moondragon is cool.

[Cosmic Book Fan]

This is just heart-breakingly pathetic on so many levels...

First of all, the art is awful. It doesn't matter how well it's drawn, it's just stupid...

The concept is stupid....stupid....

Maybe someday I'll have enough energy to elaborate, but I wouldn't think anyone with any taste, or good sense would need it.

[stingerman]

Ah.... they kinda been hyping the whole Joan of Arc/fantasy angle since the mini was announced. In fact they basically say it every single time Quasar is talked about.

Oh, ok.

And yes, Quasar riding Moondragon is cool.

Yes IT is! ;)

[BooCoo]

I'm going down into the basement now. Burn a little incense, turn on the strobe light and peer into my crystal ball.

Le Crack.


I remember that Heavy Metal Movie, vaguely...it was boring and dumb.

[Brandon McKinnis]

I'm going down into the basement now. Burn a little incense, turn on the strobe light and peer into my crystal ball.

Le Crack.


I remember that Heavy Metal Movie, vaguely...it was boring and dumb.

Wizards, Fritz the Cat, and American Pop were so much cooler. I don't think Heavy Metal was a Bakshi movie..but still those flicks were way way better.

[Cosmic Book Fan]

speaking of the basement this whole damn story sounds like something that was cooked up around the table on 'That 70's Show'

Dude, Outer Space Lesbians...

Sweet, and one has a glowing eye and sword....

Dude and then the other one turns into a dragon,

but she's still all...hey I still love you...

DUUUUDDDDE!


what a load of crap this is.