Short Box Chronicles II

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I just bought a new short box at the comics shop this week and tossed in all the recently-unread single issues that have been piling up here at Pipeline World Headquarters. It's a full box already. ::sigh::

So in an attempt to work my way through it, I'll mark the time here as I read. Don't know if this one will get as detailed as the first Short Box Chronicles did, but we'll see what happens.

1. SPAWN #150: Yes, I read it so you don't have to. Don't. Wow, what a mess. It's a pile of images at the start, followed by a double-issue's worth of material that's completely incomprehensible or, even worse, the stuff of teenagers who listened to too much heavy metal and were drawn to stupid 80s "R" horror flicks and are now trying to pretend their deep. Awful awful awful.

2. DAREDEVIL #78: Very nice. I like the way this storyline is progressing, and that last page leaves one gasping for breath -- or at least the next issue.

3. SHAOLIN COWBOY #4: Another cool issue, although relying more on gross imagery than previous ones. I miss some of the wit, but the art is still great and that's what we're all buying this for, right?

4. THE GOON 25 CENT ISSUE: I want to like this book. Really, I do. The art is nice. But this issue left me cold and clueless. A 25 cent issue is supposed to fill new readers in on the situation. This one was sorely lacking. I'll give the book another shot someday, but this isn't the winner.

5. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #84: Bendis and Bagley return to form. Another great issue. This is the kind of story I love to read in this title.

[torippu]

Yay - the return of the Short Box Chronicles!

Thanks for taking one for the team and reading Spawn for us. I saw it on the stands this week and really couldn't believe that it has made it to issue #150.

I'd have to agree with you Augie, if it wasn't for Bendis & Bagley month in and month out on Ultimate Spider-man, I'd be really depressed that there was no Spidey book on my monthly pull list that gets me excited to read it first thing when I get home at night. Don't get me wrong though, I still read ASM but I can honestly say that I probably haven't enjoyed it since JR JR left. USM is still great (84 issues into this team's run) and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming arc with Silver Sable.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

6. WHEN MONSTERS PROWL #1: One of the Marvel Monsters books. Just as good as all the rest. If you liked the first book, I think you'll like this one. It's Hulk and Thing against a city full of monsters. Hilarious, with great art from Duncan Fegredo. Look for a slightly longer review in this week's column.

7. JLA CLASSIFIED #13: Suffers from being the middle of the storyline. Kind of a boring issue, although it's putting the pieces together for the big overwhelming thread that threatens to consume the league. That kinda thing. Even Butch Guice's art looked a little stiff this time around. He didn't have anything to draw but superheroes this time.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

It's Bendis week!

8. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #85: Cool conclusion to a very good story arc. All it needed was more Mary Jane, but the interplay between Black Cat and Spider-Man will have to be good enough for now.

9. MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #9: Pat Scherberger takes the month off, but the fill-in is Mike Norton, reunited with Sean McKeever and it feels so good. Lots of good wisecracking Spider-Man in what can best be described as a throwback story, as corny as they come but stilll entertaining.

10. HOUSE OF M #8: And so it ends. And begins. And there's not much story here. That's all supposed to be happening in the spin-off mini-series. I like the ominous foreboding nature of the whole thing. Too bad there's no real payoff to it.

11. POWERS #14: Loved the stand-up comedian's first page, talking about how kidsare in for a big disappointment. The rest of it reekend almost as being too meta-textual. Nice job by Ken Bruzenak in lettering the miniature character in a smaller font that's still easy to read. And the last three or four pages promise to put this series back on the storyline I want to see more of.

It's going to take a lot longer to get to 100 comics in this version of the Short Box Chronicles than the first batch. Ah, well.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

12. DEFENDERS #5: More great art, lotsa talking, and a hilarious Silver Surfer cameo. Sadly, the sniping and character snarkiness are getting lost in the movement of the plot. Imagine that -- Giffen and De Matteis have a plot in the midst of all the verbal sparring throughout the book.

-Augie

[torippu]

12. DEFENDERS #5: More great art, lotsa talking, and a hilarious Silver Surfer cameo. Sadly, the sniping and character snarkiness are getting lost in the movement of the plot. Imagine that -- Giffen and De Matteis have a plot in the midst of all the verbal sparring throughout the book.

-Augie
Issue #5? Does this mean that you've read the end of the mini-series while the rest of us pleebs in the normal world are still only on issue #4?

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Nah, it most likely means I goofed. I do that a lot. =)

-Augie

[mgs]

I really liked the Goon 25 center. If you've been reading, it was a treat. Although I am not a die hard Goon fan, I definitely appreciate all that book gives to it's readers.

I'll agree with ya on the JLA Classified, Butch's art definitely is not up to par anymore, that's why I'm dropping this one. The story is also just not holding my interest.

Defenders is hysterical!! I love this mini! :)

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

13. RONIN HOOD OF THE 47 SAMURAI TPB: This is one of Beckett's books, now printed through Image Comics. They do a nice job in packaging the book to include a text page explaining the origins of the story and where it fits into the history. The story, itself, isn't all that edge-of-your-seat exciting, but it is solid work with a nice level of craft to it. You could do much worse for $10. Craig Rousseau and Wayne Faucher provide the beautiful art, brightly colored by Giulia Brusco. Script is by Jeff Amano.

I know I read one or two other things this weekend, but I can't seem to find the blasted comics right now. . . Crap.

-Augie

[pmpknface]

Speaking of the DEFENDERS, over on the Pulse:

There are plans for a second Defenders series with the same creative team.

I was also shocked to see:

Spider-Girl, for the first time in her history, is completely safe from cancellation. :D

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Wowzers. Miracles are breaking out all over. Happy about DEFENDERS. Good for SPIDER-GIRL. Not my thing, but I'm glad it's out there for people to find.

14. THE FACELESS: A TERRY SHARP STORY OGN. You ever tune into a TV show that's in the middle of a multi-part storyline and have no idea what's going on? And while it looks like a cool show and has some interesting ideas, there's never enough information to explain what it is you're watching. And then it just ends. You feel like you caught part 4 of a six part series, without a solid beginning or end. THAT'S how I felt about this book. Looks beautiful - sorta the old background styles from post-1947 animated shorts. But the story is sadly lacking in anything worth grabbing onto.

-Auige

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

15. SUNSET CITY: Utterly charming. At times, it seems more like a collection of ideas than a fine-tuned arrow of plot, but that's OK. I liked the characters and recognized a great many of them, if you know what I mean. I like the way Rob Osborne uses fake newspapers to fill in the gaps of the story. And I love the owner of the EZ Grab convenience store. He's my new hero.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

16. THE WICKED WEST: Another OGN, this time from Marvel, from the people who gave us THE BLACK FOREST. If there's one storytelling style I can't stand, it's the kind where two or three parallel events are intercut. In this book's case, we're following a grandfather taking his grandson to the movies, the events of the movie itself, and what happened when the grandpa was a kid (I think) fifty years earlier. I read the first thirty pages of this book, and finally put it down in frustration. I keep thinking there are supposed to be parallels between the past and the present stories, but I can't find them. I'm not sure where the boy fits in with the movie. Lots of things are happening, but I'm not sure what's real and what isn't. It's just a confusing mess.

Neil Vokes' art looks ten times better in THE BLACK FOREST. Here, the ink line looks different, the colors are flat, and the lettering is too large. On the bright side, his shot-from-the-pencils approach to the "movie" scenes look really nice.

I'm all for a zombie western (I liked DEAD WEST), but I'm not sure what this one is. Maybe I'll give it one more shot before committing to this review, but I somehow doubt it'll help. Pity.

More previews and whatnot: http://theblackforest.net/thewickedwest/

-Augie

[pmpknface]

16. THE WICKED WEST: Another OGN, this time from Marvel, from the people who gave us THE BLACK FOREST.

-Augie

Marvel put that out? Are you sure? I thought that may have been Image related... :confused:

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

It was an Image book. You're right. I don't know why I typed out Marvel. I should consider proofreading once in a while.

It came out a full year ago already, too. Wow

Sorry about that goof up. My brain is leaking lately.

-Augie

[torippu]

13. RONIN HOOD OF THE 47 SAMURAI TPB: This is one of Beckett's books, now printed through Image Comics. They do a nice job in packaging the book to include a text page explaining the origins of the story and where it fits into the history. The story, itself, isn't all that edge-of-your-seat exciting, but it is solid work with a nice level of craft to it. You could do much worse for $10. Craig Rousseau and Wayne Faucher provide the beautiful art, brightly colored by Giulia Brusco. Script is by Jeff Amano.

-Augie
This OGN is still sitting on my reading pile. I missed out on the FCBD issue earlier this year but saw the solicit with Craig Rousseau art, a take of the 47 Ronin story and figured that this was a book for me. I've got an upcoming business trip to Japan and was thinking of saving it for that trip - it seemed appropriate.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

17. WALKING DEAD #23: Wow, the crap is hitting the fan now. Best issue in the past few, I think. Frustrations, secrets, and anger all collide for one tense story.

Kirkman mentions that yes, this issue is out two weeks after the previous one. And guess what? #24 is coming in two weeks, also. That's to get the hardcover out in time for Christmas.

-Augie

[mgs]

13. RONIN HOOD OF THE 47 SAMURAI TPB: This is one of Beckett's books, now printed through Image Comics. They do a nice job in packaging the book to include a text page explaining the origins of the story and where it fits into the history. The story, itself, isn't all that edge-of-your-seat exciting, but it is solid work with a nice level of craft to it. You could do much worse for $10. Craig Rousseau and Wayne Faucher provide the beautiful art, brightly colored by Giulia Brusco. Script is by Jeff Amano.

I know I read one or two other things this weekend, but I can't seem to find the blasted comics right now. . . Crap.

-Augie
I was having a hard time finding this book after all the hubub. I guess I'll look at Image's books now for this? It seemed interesting in the previews I read about the story.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

18. PENGUINS ON ICE. This is the new graphic novel from iBooks that fits into all of my buzzword categories. It's imported from Europe. It's filled with funny animals. It's funny. It's oversized, colorful, and charming. 46 pages of one-, two-, and three-page gags centered around a thriving colony of penguins, and some focusing on the local Eskimo boy. Besides one stretched out gag that required a global warming/anti-Bush subliminal message, the book is completely inoffensive and great fun. The only other complaint I could have is the ugly-as-sin MS Comics Sans font used on the back cover, complete with crossbar-I character. UGH.

$12.95, full color, iBooks. I mentioned this in Pipeline Previews not too long ago. I'm very happy to see it on shelves this week. If I had caught it earlier, it would have been in the Pipeline Podcast Top 10.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

19. PENG. This is the one shot from Corey Lewis at Oni Press. It is, in its own weird little way, a spin-off from SHARKNIFE, which I haven't read just yet. Don't worry - you don't need to read the first to get the second. These 72 pages are jam packed with a scary mixture of influences, techniques, and bombast. It's fairly skimpy (and obvious) on plot, but you'll never notice it beneath the razzle dazzle of the frenetic technique. This one has it all, including a double page spread of two people chatting, speedlines out the wazoo, hand-lettered sound effects that cover up half the page, characters so bizarre that it boggles the mind, and more. At its heart, though, it's a simple game of kickball -- on acid.

I love it, and I'll try to explain better why in a future column.

20. POLLY AND THE PIRATES #1: After reading this, I could only think one thing: "I need to go back and read COURTNEY CRUMRIN. The art in this book is beautiful, and the British accents read perfectly across the page without the need for bizarre abbreviations or contractions in the speech balloons. It's all very well mannered. Excellent book.

-Augie

[BronteJD]

20. POLLY AND THE PIRATES #1: After reading this, I could only think one thing: "I need to go back and read COURTNEY CRUMRIN. The art in this book is beautiful, and the British accents read perfectly across the page without the need for bizarre abbreviations or contractions in the speech balloons. It's all very well mannered. Excellent book.

-Augie


:: patient look::

I believe we tried to encourage you to read COURTNEY at more than one point. VERY different feel than POLLY, though.

But yes, POLLY is FANTASTIC. :)

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Yeah, you did. I'll definitely give it a second flip test now, though. We'll see.

POLLY is just too cute. =)

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

21. LOVE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, Volume 4 (Oni): Read straight through this one in record time. It may have been a quick read, but I think it's the best installment in the series thus far. Special credit goes to the art team, who added in all the best toning and dotting effects to really make this one shine. Best art of the series, easiest to follow stories, cutest punchlines, and a blossoming romance. Good stuff.

22 - 24. BURGLAR BILL #1 - 3 (Image): I like Paul Grist's stuff, just because it reminds me of Dave Sim's. The lettering is a clear descendant. The storytelling styles and layouts are often similar. But there's no rampant misogyny and talking aardvarks to throw people off. A lot of this work is now more than a decade old, and the short backup stories are obscure and possibly older. (I'd have to double check that -- don't have the issues in front of me.) But it holds up pleasantly. The first issue was a little confusing as Grist introduces all the characters in a slightly weird situation, but once I caught up, it was all good.

The whole thing reminds me of Rowan Atkinson's THIN BLUE LINE TV series -- similar level of absurdity and humor, though the TV show clearly came years after BURGLAR BILL debuted. It also doesn't help that that Brit-com is the only reference I have for British police styles/tactics.

I'm just blabbering on and on again, aren't I?

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

25. ACTION COMICS #832: This one wraps up a storyline that was started I think about a decade ago, when I last read the Superman titles regularly. Abnett and Lanning come in for a fill-in issue to clear that deck, long after most people forgot about it. John Byrne and Nelson stay aboard for the art, which looks as good as it always does on this title. The story isn't all that exciting. Superman is an incidental character and doesn't influence the plot a whole heck of a lot. It's like the plot was unfolding, and the reader is stuck on the sidelines watching it happen without every worrying about too much drama being injected into it. Eh.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

26. FEAR AGENT #1:Great book. If Don Rosa worshipped Wally Wood instead of Carl Barks, this is likely the book he would have created. Lots of cool stuff in there. Beautiful art from Tony Moore, colored by the vastly underrated Lee Loughridge. Rick Remender's script throws you into a new world without overwhelming you with too much information, like so many other writers like to do. This one lives up to the hype.

27. BURGLAR BILL #4: I think it's cute that Bill hasn't robbed anyone or anything yet. I did figure out what bothers me so much about this book, though: It's scattershot. There's a large cast of characters with interweaving plots. It's too much, with not enough attention going to one plot. You never know which the dominating story of the issue is supposed to be until it's over. It's awkward that way.

I still love Paul Grist's artwork, though. And lettering. And layout. And comic tricks. All good stuff.

28. SOLO - Mike Allred: It's OK. At the risk of being the heretic -- I'm not a big Mike Allred fan, nor am I nostalgic for Silver Age DC comics. That eliminates 3/4 of this book from being in my wheelhouse. I can appreciate the art put into it, but it's not my thing. The Batman story is cute, although I suppose it's supposed to be "scathing" in a day and age of "Infinite" everything. Eh.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I've slacked off in updating this. Must come back to this soon and catch up on some of the books I haven't mentioned here. In the meantime:

29. THE WALKING DEAD #24: Good issue. This is the "Rick's Monologue" issue, and you'll see why when you get it. Not much plot to give away, but it is a dramatic and at times disturbing issue. Kirkman shows some chops for writing Straczynski-esque/Claremontian dialogue in this one, while still mixing in his own sense of humor and rhythm. Hopefully, you'll understand what I mean a little better when you get your grubby hands on a copy.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

30. INVINCIBLE #whatever-this-week's issue is: Another very talky Kirkman book this week, as he's setting up the Big Kerfuffle next issue, even after starting this issue with a big kerfuffle. It's still talky, but it's complemented by some of Ottley's best art, and Crabtree's finest coloring. It's a beautiful book, but I'm starting to get lost. Can't keep track of all the characters anymore. I might need to go back and reread the series. CAPES returns in the back of the book, also.

The best part of the issue is in the letters column where Kirkman announces a second hardcover collecting the second year of the title. That should be in the spring, I believe.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

31 - 36. GIRLS #1-6: The Luna Bros' latest series starts out as a comedy, morphs into an action flic, and then switched to horror. Somewhere along the way, some weird sort of sexual satire is mixed in. They're smart enough to shift gears just as they threaten to become too dull or talky or boring. That kept my interest up, and the ending really made me interested in what's going to happen next. (And the seventh issue, as it would happen, hit the stands at the same time as the trade collecting 1 - 6. Yay.)

There are a couple of trouble spots in the book. First, there's nobody to root for. I don't like any of the characters in the book, nor dislike any enough to have a rooting interest. Second, it's another book set in a small backwards town filled with secrets and perversity, despite appearing like a Normal Rockwell idealic town. I'm sick of those. There are, after all, some viable small towns out there that aren't the cover for wretched hives of scum and villainy. But I guess those stories are just more boring.

I like the Luna Bros. art style, incorporating color techniques from manga/anime, particularly with blurry backgrounds and monochromatic (at time) color keys. After a while, though, it loses a little of its uniqueness, but that's all right. It's a natural progression. They have the storytelling skills to back up their flashiness.

37. THE THING #1: Fun fun fun. Just what you'd expect from Dan Slott, but this time with an added heaping of social satire. I don't want to give anything away, but you'll recognize a couple of characters in this book that you just have to be sick and tired of thinking about. One is there just for the sake of a great pun line. I loved that, in particular.

38. DAREDEVIL #79: Another long-though forgotten Marvel character from the early 90s/late 80s returns in a surprise appearance. Loved it. Also loved Kingpin's power play there.

39 - 40. PERHAPANAUTS #1 - 2. Yes, I got to read a preview copy of the complete second issue. It's very clever, like this series as a whole. Choopie threatens to overtake Doop for best mascot character in comics. I'll have more to say about this one in the column this week, I hope.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

41. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #86: Ah, Damage Control. . . I'd cover this with a spoiler warning, but they're right there on the first story page, so screw it. Another great issue. I love having Silver Sable back, too.

-Augie

[torippu]

41. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #86: Ah, Damage Control. . . I'd cover this with a spoiler warning, but they're right there on the first story page, so screw it. Another great issue. I love having Silver Sable back, too.

-Augie
Is it me or has the art on the last couple of issues looked really fantastic? For a while there, it looked like the shipping schedule for the book was catching up to Bagley - his art looked rushed and not as finished as before. I'd be a bit sad, but if it helped the art, I'd be willing to only read this book on a monthly basis.

That being said, I don't look back too fondly on Omega Red from the early 90s boom time, but I liked what Bendis & Bagley did to him in this issue.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

They changed colorists recently, so maybe that's affecting your opinion of the art, too. It's a slightly darker and more detailed coloring style.

I like the fact that the "new generation" of comic book creators came from the same time frame of comics as I did -- all of the revivals of characters are from my earlist comics reading days. Kirkman turns out to be a Jubilee fan. Characters like Omega Red and Silver Sable are showing up again. Bendis snuck in another character from that era in DAREDEVIL last week. etc. etc.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

42. FEAR AGENT #2: It's been recalled because of lousy paperstock. The cover and all the interior pages are a slightly flimsier glossy stock than normal. There should be a separate harder cover stock and heavier interior stock, too. It doesn't affect the issue's readability, though, but you'll see corrected copies in stores in a couple of weeks.

But I wouldn't wait if I were you. This is the most promising new title of the year, I think. FELL is great for the formatting as well as the story. THE PERHAPANAUTS is a fun favorite. But this one is just perfect on EVERY level -- writing, art, coloring, and lettering. I kid you not. I enjoyed every aspect of this book.

Furthermore, I think it looks more like a European comic than an American one. Tony Moore's art is the best of his relatively young career. Every page is packed to the gills with detail. Full backgrounds. Expressive characters that are just slightly cartoony enough to carry that kind of expressiveness. (That's an awful sentence, but it's how I feel.) Rick Remender's script is filled with sharp dialogue, fantastic situations, and a nice, measured pace. Lee Loughridge has always been a favorite colorist of mine, and the color-keyed pages here are right up there with the likes of Laura Martin. Just bright, colorful, fun work. This would look great in an oversized hardcover format. If it ever sells to a French publisher, I'd love to see how it looks at their album size.

And Rus Wooton's letteringhas elements of John Workman's in it without being completely derivative (his sound effects are much more restrained), making it an easy to read book.

I love everything about this book.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

43 - 48: CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME #1 - 6: I can forgive a multitude of sins when Tim Sale breaks out the ink washes on a project. This book is beautiful, thanks to the washes and the coloring from master colorist, Dave Stewart. Jeph Loeb's story is one that does make me have to forgive any of those sins for Sale's art, if you know what I mean. I enjoyed it a lot, mostly as a light romance/adventure/comedy. The Riddler's role throughout the early portions of the book is wonderfully lighthearted. Selina maintains something of a sense of humor herself, where appropriate. And then things change for the end to convey the proper gravitas. I enjoyed the book, even as light as it is compared to the other Loeb/Sale Batman works.

49. FELL #3: My favorite issues to date. It might be because I'd adjusted my expectations of the book to what I've read in the first two issues now, but I think that's underselling the work Ellis and Templesmith are doing here. I love nine panel grids. I like the way Ellis' dialogue snaps right along across the page. He has a lot of panels to play with, but without much room to stuff words in. It forces an economy of dialogue that makes for great snappy patter.

So, yeah, it's another book I enjoyed reading a lot. I haven't been too wildly disappointed in anything lately, have I? That's not a bad thing.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

50 - 55. WOLVERINE #26 - 31: (i.e. ENEMY OF THE STATE 2) This is big stupid superhero fun. And I loved it. Mark Millar's script has some cute moments, but his biggest success is in capturing the over-the-top joy of superhero comics let loose. John Romita's art may not have ever looked better. He gets a lot of fun stuff to draw here, with tons of great big fight scenes and melodramatic moments. It's a visual spectacle, this book. And I loved it.

-Augie

[pmpknface]

I'm with you on the Wolvie! I really liked that run by Romita Jr. and Millar. I'd love to see what you thought of #32, as that may be my fav single issue of the year.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Is that the Holocaust issue? Didn't I include that in the first Short Box Chronicles? It must have been between the two threads, I bet. I guess I need to reread it to have an informed opinion. I remember liking it in a TWILIGHT ZONE sort of way, but I also know I read the black and white version. Now I can see it in color. . .

-Augie

[pmpknface]

Yeah... that's the one. Sorry if you already took a look at it. I was just thinking you'd read them in order. I loved the story about Eisner at the end too. :)

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Nah, I don't remember if I did or not. And since they were so kind as to put it at the end of the latest hardcover, I have it easily at hand. =)

Something else I read last night:

56. GIANT MONSTER #2: Steve Niles knows what the people want -- Giant Monster versus Nazi Robot. It's a fun conclusion to the book.

I really need to catch up on BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, though.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

57. ASTERIX AND THE FALLING SKY: Albert Uderzo attempts painfully to make some sort of statement about les Bandes Desinees in the face of Disney Comics (insanely popular in Europe) and Manga (growing in popularity in Europe.) The problem is, the comparisons are strained, the story feels completely empty, and the thing falls flat. I'll give Uderzo this -- his art still shines. There are pages that feel like cheating, though I'm sure the argument could be made that he's aping manga's four-panel pages in one instance, but his stuff still looks good on a series almost forty years after he started drawing it. That's impressive.

The story, sadly, is not. Why, there's even an attempt to bring contemporary politics into it. Trust me -- the last thing I want to read is a French cartoonist lecturing me on American politics. But I never got the chance to get pissed off at him, since he never really follows up on it, nor does he ever establish it all that well.

I did have one great big laugh, though. He might be well established in Asterix continuity, but it's the first time I've come across him. The village weapons maker's name is "Fulliautomatix." Not subtle, but hilarious.

If you want to read ASTERIX, go pick up one of the first 30 volumes. Skip this one.

-Augie

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

58. ROCK 'N' ROLL: This is the Image import from Brazil, featuring early work from Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon. And I just don't get it. There are some roughs in there, a cute girl, some rock and roll stuff. The Ramones. But it does nothing for me. Oh, well.

59. POWERS #15: I talked about this in the podcast today. To recap: It might become a victim of PURGE II, although I'd miss the letters column horribly. I'm just not enthused for it every month anymore. I don't even remember what's going on from issue to issue, and the story is moving veeeeery slowly this time, for some reason.

60. THE ULTIMATES 2 #9: See my comments about POWERS. It's very similar. The delay in getting issues out has affected my enjoyment of the title, at last. I just don't remember what's happening from month to month, and that's compounded by a big climactic scene in this book that completely confused me. There's some crashing going on, but I had no idea what was hitting what from where until it was all over. Not a good sign.

Plus, Millar looks like he's itching his political muscles on this one, and I just don't think that's going to wind up in a good spot.

61. GIRLS #7: I like this book. Yes, there are a couple of problems with it, but I like the way it changes from issue to issue. This month, we're looking at a WALKING DEAD scenario, as the town must protect its own after being cut off. Things go wonky, people die, strangeness ensues. No, not WATCHMEN, but an interesting curiosity, nonetheless.

62. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #87: I'm still liking it. We get Mary Jane talking to Peter again in this issue, which is sure to spark some threats of the Scorpibees. And Kitty Pryde finally shows up.

63: A Marvel Christmas Title I'm going to review on Tuesday. It's a little bit of fun.

-Augie

[pmpknface]

I read the Marvel X-Mas issue yesterday, and it's gotta be the best one they've ever put out. Now, that may not be saying too much, but I really thought this ish was a LOT of fun!

So was the Amazing Fantasy #15 that I'm just finishing up right now! :D

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

The truth is, I forgot to update this last month. So, we'll just pick back up where we left off:

64. DAREDEVIL #80: Ah, glorious Bendis Daredevil. How I will miss thee, like a Summer day in January. Good issue. Bendis brings all his players together for this one, but Daredevil steals the show, of course. Can't wait to see how this all wraps up in the next issue. I might drop the book when Brubaker comes on to just wait for the hardcovers, though. We'll see if I have that level of intestinal fortitude.

65. ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #3: Well, that's just a bizarre issue, isn't it? I need to look at the last couple of issues, but there are pages of this that remind me strongly of times in the past when Scott Williams was doing finishes over Jim Lee. And all those full page splashes? There is no pacing in this comic. Wasting a half issue to give us a new origin for Black Canary? Interesting idea, but it does seem like a gigantic waste of space. Didn't like this one much, no. I didn't mind the first two issues, though, so this isn't just another knee jerk hateful review.

-Augie

[Maukingbird]

I have to say that I am SOOOOO THRILLED with Justin Ponsor on colors in Ultimate Spider-Man! J.D. Smith's coloring was SO WRONG for the book and really threw the art off for me. Too much orange, made the book seem to drab to be about an exhuberant teenage superpowered youth! Works okay for Wolverine, moreso than Spidey. I'm glad they finally changed it! USM is absolutely GORGEOUS right now!

And I know it's wrong... but I like Kitty! ^_^; Probably just because I know that MJ will work herself back into the picture. ...But... but it's Bendis's fault for making her so cute when she's with Peter! And I like the idea of Spidey dating another superhero. They never got to explore that in the regular continuity. (Black Cat doesn't count... she was semi-villain and I don't buy the "luck" powers)

[pmpknface]

And I know it's wrong... but I like Kitty! ^_^; Probably just because I know that MJ will work herself back into the picture. ...But... but it's Bendis's fault for making her so cute when she's with Peter! And I like the idea of Spidey dating another superhero. They never got to explore that in the regular continuity. (Black Cat doesn't count... she was semi-villain and I don't buy the "luck" powers)

How could you NOT like Kitty? :) I'm wondering if MJ's gonna get a new <3 of her own and maybe Peter will be jeaolus. MR Raxton perhaps??? :eek:

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I really like the Kitty dynamic, too, and hope that Bendis finds a way to blend it in without resorting to a long distance phone relationship or a "Kitty and Spidey team up" thing every few issues.

I think MJ needs to go back to exploring her inner goth. ;-)

-Augie