Dial H. #1 preview/discussion spoilers

[Ari Gold]

I could see abusing the dial as a potential arc for Nelson. Like drugs or steroids it allows him the opportunity to escape his out of shape self and transform into a strong and powerful completely different person.
Some of this is fixed by the fact that not every hero he turns into will be one he likes, also the fact that it runs out after a couple hours means he can't choose to stay that way permanently.

Also, having the dial in a public phone offers the possibility to have others stumble on it for 1-off stories along the way. Or what happens if somebody finds it and starts using can the dial affect multiple people at the same time, or would Nelson have to wait for it to wear off on the first guy before he'd have a chance to use it.

I don't know why I followed it up with a lot of guesses towards the future instead of simply enjoying what we have so far. It's a great title.

[The Greatest Hero]

I got it, and didn't know what the hell to expect. Captain Emo? I don't know what to think of this book.

[Dr. Hurt]

I really liked this. I like that Nelson isn't the typical handsome guy, I really enjoyed the Boy Chimney and Captain Lachrymose pages, thought they were really well-done. Another page I thought was awesome was the one where Nelson was trying to remember what he had dialed, it was both really well-written and illustrated/designed. It's little details like that that make a book great.

Dr. Hurt, the emo superhero was the second guy Nelson turned into.

No, it was pretty comprehensible.



?

The Dial turns 'the fat guy' into different super heroes when he dials "HERO". First Boy Chimney, then Captain Lachrymose. The 'guy' the mob boss hired was the old woman, I think, who had 'nothing inside of her'.

Ooooh now i get it. Thanks a lot!

[Zarquon]

Really enjoyed it, thought it nicely written and beautifully drawn - Boy Chimney was just awesome. Not to sure where it's headed though, will give a fair chance

[Den]

This was superheroes on acid meets the Twlight Zone, and I liked it. I'm very curious how the next issue will play out. I fear tragedy is in the wings, but I still have to look.

[El Sombrero]

I really liked this issue. It didn't completely floor me but I thought it was written really well and I really liked how the superheroes created were reflections of Nelson's inner turmoils or subconscious stuff, which others have noted. That gives them more significance and allows for really creative characterization. Both Boy Chimney and Captain Lachrymose are really creative, hilarious, and strikingly memorable, and give me a lot of optimism for where the series is headed and can go. Santoluoco's (sp) art is scratchy and looks a bit ugly in certain places but his storytelling and designs are super inspired and really sell the series. I liked the bizarre sense of humor throughout the title that permeates both the writing and art. Very good stuff.

[Desaad]

I'm very excited about the potential to do unique, allegorical character work via the nature of the transformations. It's something that Milligan did regularly on "Shade", and that I've long thought should be done on Green Lantern. If Mieville wrote THAT title, I'm sure it would be.

[El Sombrero]

I could see abusing the dial as a potential arc for Nelson. Like drugs or steroids it allows him the opportunity to escape his out of shape self and transform into a strong and powerful completely different person.
Some of this is fixed by the fact that not every hero he turns into will be one he likes, also the fact that it runs out after a couple hours means he can't choose to stay that way permanently.

Also, having the dial in a public phone offers the possibility to have others stumble on it for 1-off stories along the way. Or what happens if somebody finds it and starts using can the dial affect multiple people at the same time, or would Nelson have to wait for it to wear off on the first guy before he'd have a chance to use it.

I don't know why I followed it up with a lot of guesses towards the future instead of simply enjoying what we have so far. It's a great title.

I really like the "abuse" idea which would seem appropriate for the character and very sad and relevant for today's culture.

[El Sombrero]

I'm very excited about the potential to do unique, allegorical character work via the nature of the transformations. It's something that Milligan did regularly on "Shade", and that I've long thought should be done on Green Lantern. If Mieville wrote THAT title, I'm sure it would be.

That's a good point, I didn't notice that but this does have similarities to Shade.

How does this not make Resurrection Man look so lame in comparison? The concepts seem pretty similar, the dude is just accessing a phone booth instead of dying, but this seems so much more creative and fun and has way more potential.

[Desaad]

The real difference here is that the character isn't taking on powers, but personas. That is a concept with so much potential for psychological exploration.

Resurrection Man SHOULD concern itself, in my mind, with how the psyche of a man who CANNOT DIE would be changed. He's invincible, he knows he's invincible. I think that would make him severely unhinged, even if he's trying to do good. But that isn't really reflected in the book, and wasnt' ever reflected in the original, either.

[El Sombrero]

The real difference here is that the character isn't taking on powers, but personas. That is a concept with so much potential for psychological exploration.

Resurrection Man SHOULD concern itself, in my mind, with how the psyche of a man who CANNOT DIE would be changed. He's invincible, he knows he's invincible. I think that would make him severely unhinged, even if he's trying to do good. But that isn't really reflected in the book, and wasnt' ever reflected in the original, either.

Okay yeah, fair enough. I just think this is much cooler than Resurrection Man.

[HeroxMatt2.0]

I was confused by Chimney boy's talking and the fat guy talking while being in him or something. Was it meant to be incomprehensible nonsense?

The way I interpreted that scene was that he was recognising what he was doing as Chimney Boy, but at the same time, he couldn't comprehend it.

[custodes]

I personally think the whole 'different people' schtick was interesting for a bit, but it ultimately taught us as readers not to be too invested in the book. If the premise of that particular arc or issue seemed interesting, a pick up, but because there was no longitudinal character building and exploration there was no one to really get attached to, no reason for me to weather an arc that wasn't to my taste, because it wasn't as if anyone I cared about was being developed in any interesting way(s).

I guess I look at it this way; I'm reading a book like Swamp Thing, and there are one or two issues in the run that maybe aren't as exciting, as revelatory or conceptually dense as the others. But I weather them because at the very least I'm seeing a character I've grown to care about (hopefully) develop, make some hard, tough choices.

I agree. For continuity, which makes a book much more interesting than if every book was a solo story ( a la Twilight Zone.) Modern readers need characters they know and love besides just good writing. Hopefully these characters will grow mentally and spiritually (although, let's not make this a Campbellian Fetish like some at DC are appearing to do.....Hint all new 52) When something is good, don't chuck it for a trendy philosophy alone or because, you feel "out of ideas."

Oh and yes, I love this book. I see good things happening. Thanks China and friends. The main characters are like many comic readers. Makes it hit home. What would you do with the Dial?

[Theozilla]

Really loved this first issue. Great art and character work for just one issue. And the concept is fantastic, the idea of really exploring how the transformations are not just physical but also transform his persona. The set up is great for identity exploration. Love Den's description of it being "superheroes on acid meets the Twlight Zone" I agree the superheroics are very lucid dream-like.

[Zarquon]

Really loved this first issue. Great art and character work for just one issue. And the concept is fantastic, the idea of really exploring how the transformations are not just physical but also transform his persona. The set up is great for identity exploration. Love Den's description of it being "superheroes on acid meets the Twlight Zone" I agree the superheroics are very lucid dream-like.

Seconded, the lucid dream feel is perfect