Pax Romana #2 (spoilers & discussion)

[BrikHed21]

OK, I know there were the debates about issue #1 and Hickman being true evil down to his core. The fact that he tried to assassinate the Pope at one point and likes to sacrifice goats in his spare time were not points that were brought up but rather just the fact that he has written an incredible story about the Catholic church sending soldiers back to ancient Rome to change the future..........well enough of that let's talk about issue #2

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We end issue #1 with the soldiers killing the Cardinal that went back with them to oversee the operations. This issue finds the soldiers planning out how they pan to act in the past and what type of future they want to create. They decide that they don't want to make a few minor changes to protect the church but rather holistic changes to improve society.

This is a great issue that deals with their political strategy to make Constantine the Emperor of Rome and how they plan to help him. We get to see the planning and the plotting not to mention a battle scene that lasts all of about 4 sentences (which for Hickman is typically a single discussion balloon). What do you expect when soldiers from the future bring tanks, trucks, and helicopters against Roman's in skirts.

The highlight of the book is Fabio offering to marry Constantine's sister (the subtle humor of the moment is classic). There are other funny moments (the child Emperor of he future talking about putting soldiers in time out for example). The art is incredible and Hickman knocks it out of the park again. If I have one complaint it is the delay between issues (and let's face it **** happens)

I have said it before but if Hickman is writing it I am buying it. Loving Pax and really hope that this universe is expanded past this 4 issue mini. Have Transhuman on Red Mass on the pull list already and I am intrigued by the ongoing series he talked about on the Image Comics blog.

If you are not reading this or have yet to pick up anything by Hickman I would encourage you to do so. I would also caution you to only try his stuff if you are prepared to think a little and read a lot.

Pax #3 cannot arrive soon enough for me.

[the goddamn batman]

Really looking forward to PLUS, even if Jonathan kills goats... I mean, what a grown man wants to do with livestock in the privacy of his own home is really none of my business.;)

[BrikHed21]

I am also looking forward to PLUS the story about the Christians looking for the Garden of Eden really intrigues me. I am not sure if this is a single issue story or one of the ones that will be carried on but I really like the concept.

Unfortunately we have only gotten to see 6 issues of The Nightly News and 2 issues of Pax Romana to judge Hickman. I know it is a little premature but there really is not another writer out there doing the things that Hickman is doing. He is showing the creativity of Morrison, Miller, Millar, and Ellis but seems to care about his characters as much as Kirkman. I am enjoying his work to this point but I really have to think in the next couple of years he will be right there at the top. It is just a matter of which on of the BIG TWO are going to entice him with the $$$$ to take over a major book.

[the goddamn batman]

I'm just excited to see the variety of stories and art Jonathan will do in PLUS.

Also, he's already working for Marvel... on what? I don't know, but on something.

[BrikHed21]

Also, he's already working for Marvel... on what? I don't know, but on something.


I know he did that Mummy story for Marvel but I have not heard anything "official" yet.

[the goddamn batman]

No official announcements yet, but he's refered to his "editor at Marvel". You don't have one of those unless you're working for them.

I seem to remember Jonathan mentioning a project at Marvel that he couldn't talk about yet...?:confused:

[BrikHed21]

No official announcements yet, but he's refered to his "editor at Marvel". You don't have one of those unless you're working for them.

Everyone doesn't have one of those? For Christmas I asked for a marvelous new music editor program for my computer but darn granny has bad hearing and got me a Marvel editor.... sold him on eBay cheap after One More Day.

I seem to remember Jonathan mentioning a project at Marvel that he couldn't talk about yet...?:confused:

He has said that he has a few things out there right now that he cannot discuss openly to this point.

[LungerTony]

I eagerly look forward to this trade. I am too strapped right now to buy in the individuals.
I am glad to hear though the second issue was as awesome as the first.

[BrikHed21]

I am also looking forward to the trade, and I am buying the current run. I typically am just an issue guy but Hickman's stuff reads really well like a well written novel and lends itself to the trade format.

I can assure you that from what I have read to this point you will not be disappointed.

[BrikHed21]

Apparenty all of the Catholic-hating that Hickman was accussed of potraying either turned off or tuned out all readers because I have not seen too much discussion on issue #2 which was just as incredible as issue #1.

[Notahiro]

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of #1 in stock? I think I've gone to 20 different online stores and even ebay! It's like the book has vanished into the aether!

[BrikHed21]

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of #1 in stock? I think I've gone to 20 different online stores and even ebay! It's like the book has vanished into the aether!

Good luck with that - I think it is impossible to find. In the meantime if you have not read it you can go to Hickman's website and he has issue #1 posted for free - truly something that I would encourage all to check out. Below is a link.

http://www.pronea.com/samples/PR1sample.html

Jonathan you are the man by putting this out there for all of the good people to enjoy.

[Notahiro]

Good luck with that - I think it is impossible to find. In the meantime if you have not read it you can go to Hickman's website and he has issue #1 posted for free - truly something that I would encourage all to check out. Below is a link.

http://www.pronea.com/samples/PR1sample.html



That's awsome - thanks!

[BrikHed21]

That's awsome - thanks!

No problem - if you liked that then check out Transhuman, it will be out on 03/26/08 and looks to be just as incredible as the rest of Hickman's work to this point. Below is a 5 page preview of Transhuman...

http://www.pronea.com/samples/TH1_preview.pdf

I know that Hickman has been sighted lurking and posting in here before as well as Ringuet (the artist for Transhuman) so show them some love and pickup the book.

JH - I am out here pimping the books and spreading the Overlord's love.... remember me when you are running the world (and feel free to send free stuff until that time)

[J.R. LeMar]

Hmmm...perhaps Hickman was on to something....

Vatican official: Muslims outnumber Catholics
VATICAN CITY - Islam has surpassed Roman Catholicism as the world's largest religion, the Vatican newspaper said Sunday.

"For the first time in history, we are no longer at the top: Muslims have overtaken us," Monsignor Vittorio Formenti said in an interview with the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano. Formenti compiles the Vatican's yearbook.

He said that Catholics accounted for 17.4 percent of the world population — a stable percentage — while Muslims were at 19.2 percent.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23885015/

[BrikHed21]

Hmmm...perhaps Hickman was on to something....

Vatican official: Muslims outnumber Catholics


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23885015/

Oh he knows things - he can even predict the future... that Hickman is a crazy prophet like that.