What I read this week (30 Mar)

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Read SUPERMAN FOR TOMORROW Volume 1 last night. Have heard nothing but awful things about it.

While it does begin to veer wildly off course in the last chapter of this book, I think a lot of people are missing what Azz and Lee are trying for here. This is a European graphic novel. Lee's art is insanely detailed, with lush architectural details, crowded crowd scenes (imagine that!), and dramatic layouts. Azz's story is less a superhero beat-em-up than it is a meditation on the essence of Superman. And rather than using the cliched shrink, he uses a priest. Ane he goes six solid issues without making a sexual abuse scandal crack! For that alone, Azz deserves an Eisner.

Now, some of the things I've heard about the second half of this story would point to a complete collapse of the story. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Right now, I'd call this first volume a qualified success. Complaints about how people don't want to read a story about Superman talking with a priest are from people who miss the point, or who are looking for a different story. They're not getting it here off the bat; tough.

-Augie

[pmpknface]

I've been reading this monthly. Now, while I have NO complaints about Jim Lee's art skills and I bet this reads better in a collected edition I still am quite unimpressed with Azz's story.

Personally I have no issue with the priest as a character and yes, the lack of sexual abuse cracks should be applauded. :) But, can you tell me what we learned in those 6 issues? Can you even tell me what's going on or how the plot has advanced in 6 issues? If this is a "meditation on Superman" what have we learned about him?

It seemed to me that Azz gets so close to advancing the story and then just... doesn't. It is as if all the characters know what's going and don't bother lettiing you in on it.

The average reader would have spent $13.50 on those 6 issues, and I'd say they got robbed. If they were buying an art book that's one thing, but that isn't what they/we bargined for.

[De Carabas]

With all the negative posting about Countdown I needed to post this one:

Spider-Man/ Human Torch #3
LMAO!!! :D This series has been alot of fun and this issue is no exception. The big joke may not work for some of the more serious readers, but it had me in stitches, fondly remembering the issues of my childhood.

It won't win an Eisner and it's not getting media blitzed as the series that will change everything. But it is the work of people who grew up loving comics and want to tell stories that show that love.

EM, off in search of a Hostess fruit pie

[pmpknface]

Oh yeah, the Spidey/Torch book is fantastic! I went from praying it was going to be good to eagerly awating the next installment! Did you see the digest tpb of this is gonna me called "I'm with Stupid?" :D

[UniqueFrequency]

With all the negative posting about Countdown I needed to post this one:

Spider-Man/ Human Torch #3
LMAO!!! :D This series has been alot of fun and this issue is no exception. The big joke may not work for some of the more serious readers, but it had me in stitches, fondly remembering the issues of my childhood.

It won't win an Eisner and it's not getting media blitzed as the series that will change everything. But it is the work of people who grew up loving comics and want to tell stories that show that love.

EM, off in search of a Hostess fruit pie

damn i really should pick this up. i wanted to wait for the trade, but the trade's gonna be in digest format, which i don't think i'd like very much. i like full sized comics

[Sabrina_Fried]

Oddly enough, the only thing I read this week was Rurouni Kenshin #13, which wasn't even on the diamond ship list for this week but arrived early (gasp! an EARLY comic? )

Good stuff. The series had a natual slump because of some background stuff it had to do in the last issue or two, but now its getting to one of my favourite parts of the series :)

Sabrina