The "Official" Superhero & Comic Book Thread!!!

[Mr. Shokoti]

I think we've talk about this before, but I'm not sure.
I don't really follow a lot of that, but all the convention stuff and videos I've seen have seemed ok.
Some pot shots, sure... but nothing overtly mean.
Do you have any examples handy? I'm sort of curious now. It's always seemed harmless to me.

I've never gone to a convention but DC is always trashed in the online videos & transcriptions. On the other hand, DC has even invited Marvel employees(one of them had actually abandoned the company for Marvel in the middle of 52) on stage for panels where they just discussed their love of comics. If you want examples, just read the weekly Marvel q&a on ComicBookResources or almost any convention video involving JoeyQ. I can't link to the interview JoeyQ did(I forget what the publication was) since it involves 4-letter words, but he basically asked what the **** did DC even mean(the name of the company) and then compared them to an impotent porn star. He also said he loved it when the fans got into fights about which company was better & refused to read the competition(there have always been aggressive fanboys but I blame him for the increase in the "them or us" mentality that so many have these days).

Ha, yeah... but that's business. If DC has a good idea, Marvels going to try to copy it.

DC does the same thing. And neither of them really do it very successfully, IMO.
It's not like Identity Disc took any of the attention away from Identity Crisis.
And Marvel is not even coming close to staying at $2.99.
DCs All Star line was sort of an attempt at an "ultimate universe", and it really didn't work.
It's all just trying to make a few bucks in a dying business, man.

Swamp Thing & Man-Thing, X-Men & Doom Patrol, and Avengers & JLA are examples of copying. Marvel often attempts to mislead dumb fans with things like releasing Venom:Flashpoint exactly when DC released Flashpoint. They even lied about their staying at $2.99(a few mini-series were released at that price point but everything that was already $3.99 stayed at it). Not only did they try to steal attention away from DC, they did it by lying to retailers & the fans(who they also blamed for "not understanding" their press release). They later said DC will fail & eventually go back to $3.99. So they misled people, never actually acted on their piggybacked announcement, blamed the fans for not understanding it, and then trashed DC again since they stuck with their $2.99 price point.

Should I also bring up how they mocked DC for dropping their books' page counts from 22 pages to 20(which they did to help keep the pricepoint at $2.99) but have now dropped the page number on a lot of their books(their books that still cost $3.99) to 20 pages as well? I love the Marvel Universe and, through much of my childhood, I preferred it to DC's. I refuse to ever buy another book from them as long as the current ethically challenged people are still in charge.

None of that stuff really matters to me, though.
I just want good comics no matter who's logo is on them.

While DC is still putting out a lot of crap(at least they are until September), I don't think they have writer as poor as Bendis who is in such a high profile position(Bendis doesn't have to answer to his editors or fellow writers who are sharing characters with him). While I have gone back & forth with dropping Marvel's books cold turkey, Bendis has made it a lot easier for me to stay honest.

Sorry Guitargod. This isn't my trying to attack you or make a case that DC Comics is the best company ever. I just get disgusted when I see what's been done with one of the favorite companies of my youth.

Does anyone know if British comics are worth anything here in the US? A co-worker wanted to know if the comic he has is worth anything. I told him probably not. The comic is Overkill #1 April 24th 1992. It has the lame characters that they tried to incorporate into the American Universe, Motormouth, Hell's Angel, Pendragon and Warhead.

I wish I could help, but I'm not sure. I just checked a free site I use(I use it as a checklist rather than as a priceguide)...

http://www.comicspriceguide.com/default.aspx

...and the only Overkill books listed is one from Image & one from Dark Horse Comics.

[guitargod694]

Sorry Guitargod. This isn't my trying to attack you or make a case that DC Comics is the best company ever. I just get disgusted when I see what's been done with one of the favorite companies of my youth.

No, it's ok. I certainly don't take it personally.
I like comics from both companies and certainly don't have any investment in one "side" or the other.

I just don't much care if someone at one company rips on the collective output of another.
It's a stupid thing to do, especially with how small this industry is, but it doesn't really phase me.
And the identity/flashpoint stuff... clearly they are banking on name recognition.
I really doubt that stuff works, though... again, kinda stupid, but whatever...
But I guess I can see how/why that stuff bothers you.

And I like Bendis ok. I understand your complaints, though.
My major one is that he writes, more or less, the same style for every book.
Even when it doesn't "work" there.
I thought Alias was awesome and enjoyed a lot of Ultimate Spider-Man.
But his dialog worked ok there... not quite as much for Avengers.
But, I liked his Avengers work ok for a while... it just got stretched too thin with too many titles.

Same thing that happened with Green Lantern.
They took one successful title and turned it into three (or four, or whatever)
I understand it... there's an audience, they want to do more of what sells.
But it turns me off the story when things get too diluted like that.

I find I'm much happier with more "indy" titles these days.
Criminal, GØDLAND, Scalped, etc...

Does anyone know if British comics are worth anything here in the US? A co-worker wanted to know if the comic he has is worth anything. I told him probably not. The comic is Overkill #1 April 24th 1992. It has the lame characters that they tried to incorporate into the American Universe, Motormouth, Hell's Angel, Pendragon and Warhead.

I really don't know, but my first impulse is to say anything from 1992 isn't worth all that much.

[Mr. Shokoti]

And I like Bendis ok. I understand your complaints, though.
My major one is that he writes, more or less, the same style for every book.
Even when it doesn't "work" there.
I thought Alias was awesome and enjoyed a lot of Ultimate Spider-Man.
But his dialog worked ok there... not quite as much for Avengers.
But, I liked his Avengers work ok for a while... it just got stretched too thin with too many titles.

I'm not going to lie. I really liked Bendis at one point. He's either gone downhill due to having too many books on his plate(at least imo) or his flaws stick out more when he's either writing books where his snappy noir-like delivery don't fit or he doesn't seem to have a good feel for the characters. I liked his creator owned stuff and Daredevil & Ultimate Spidey in the beginning. I don't think anyone is above assistance from an editor(not even Alan Moore or Grant Morrison), but, based on things I've read, it seems that even longtime Marvel employees like Tom Brevoort(who seems to be Rain Man when it comes to knowledge of the Marvel Universe) don't want to step on the toes of Marvel's most popular writer.

Same thing that happened with Green Lantern.
They took one successful title and turned it into three (or four, or whatever)
I understand it... there's an audience, they want to do more of what sells.
But it turns me off the story when things get too diluted like that.

I agree with you about Green Lantern and would also add Batman, Wolverine, and Deadpool to the list.

[wyldman11]

Bendis to me was like Loeb reading him the first time was good, but after awhile it all just seemed some variation on the exact same story just with Bendis it's the same characters different costumes.

About Quesada, I don't mind friendly banter but based on what he says there, other things he has said, and the way he has handled things it's mean spirited and he comes off as a bully and a few other things.

[guitargod694]

I'm not going to lie. I really liked Bendis at one point. He's either gone downhill due to having too many books on his plate(at least imo) or his flaws stick out more when he's either writing books where his snappy noir-like delivery don't fit or he doesn't seem to have a good feel for the characters. I liked his creator owned stuff and Daredevil & Ultimate Spidey in the beginning. I don't think anyone is above assistance from an editor(not even Alan Moore or Grant Morrison), but, based on things I've read, it seems that even longtime Marvel employees like Tom Brevoort(who seems to be Rain Man when it comes to knowledge of the Marvel Universe) don't want to step on the toes of Marvel's most popular writer.

Yeah, I think the only thing I've read of his recently is Scarlet.
It's not mind-blowing or revolutionary... but I like it a lot.
I kind of go in phases with some writers.
Warren Ellis, for example, I feel like two or three years ago I was reading a ton of his stuff.
Now? Nothing. But maybe that's because none of his work has actually come out in the past couple years.

Anyway, I'd probably still be reading Avengers if they hadn't relauched all the titles last year.
I don't know why that bothers me so much... but it does.
It was more about them having too many books, though. I think they have/had four or five avengers titles all start at the same time.
And they put JRJr on the "main" title. Yuck.
I know, I know.. everyone loves him. But his stuff, especially lately, really hurts me to look at.

I agree with you about Green Lantern and would also add Batman, Wolverine, and Deadpool to the list.

Dude, I am soooo glad that Deadpool thing is starting to die out.
I love Deadpool... I think he's hilarious and fun.
But he can support one book. Two is stretching it. For a while they had 6 or 7 going.
Insane.

There have always been waaaay too many Batman books. Superman too. But not as bad.
But hey, people buy them... whatchagonnado?

Bendis to me was like Loeb reading him the first time was good, but after awhile it all just seemed some variation on the exact same story just with Bendis it's the same characters different costumes.

Man, don't even get me started on Loeb!
I loved a bunch of his comics. Basically everything with Sale that I've read is awesome.
And I liked his Superman/Batman work.
But since he moved to Marvel this last time, man that stuff has been bad.

And what really sucks for me is that he keeps working with my favorite artists!
Let Sale and McGuinness and Adams work with someone else, damnit!

[wyldman11]

And at least with Green Lantern, it's other Green Lanterns or other colored Lanterns so there is a different person(s) in the book.

But I think comic companies need to realize the idea of leave them wanting more instead of giving them more because most people do get tired of it.

[guitargod694]

And at least with Green Lantern, it's other Green Lanterns or other colored Lanterns so there is a different person(s) in the book.

True, but with cross-overs every 6 months or so, it's still taxing.
Plus they all still utilize the same themes and supporting characters so it starts to feel redundant.

But I think comic companies need to realize the idea of leave them wanting more instead of giving them more because most people do get tired of it.

Absolutely! We don't need three ongoing X-Men titles, four Batman titles, etc..
Not every successful book needs to be turned into a "franchise".
I genuinely feel if they just keep publishing good stories with a more limited number of titles,
they'd do a lot better long term than they will oversaturating and relaunching trying to milk all the dollars they can out of a particular audience.

[Mr. Shokoti]

Bendis to me was like Loeb reading him the first time was good, but after awhile it all just seemed some variation on the exact same story just with Bendis it's the same characters different costumes.

Loeb is definitely another writer whose popularity surprises me. I know a lot of people say it's only because he's paired with popular artists, but that can't be the only reason. I can't speak for all of his Marvel work, but I'm not a fan of Red Hulk or his making Wolverine a member of a wolf family(especially when some of the members were cat-based characters like Feral). I liked a lot of his work in the past but it really doesn't hold up very well due to plot holes and a lack of closure. Even The Long Halloween is extremely flawed when I gave it a second read. I think Superman For All Seasons is the only thing he's written that I would willingly reread. Although, I can't completely hate him since he not only brought back Krypto(who will probably be gone again after the "reboot"), he was also involved with Teen Wolf & Commando.

[guitargod694]

I know a lot of people say it's only because he's paired with popular artists, but that can't be the only reason.

It's the only reason I read all of Hulk.
After the first couple issues I knew this was going nowhere, but I loves me some Ed McGuinness.

[wyldman11]

True, but with cross-overs every 6 months or so, it's still taxing.
Plus they all still utilize the same themes and supporting characters so it starts to feel redundant.

Was just giving a positive, kind of like several years ago now the various Batman comics were focusing on a different aspect of the character one was more crime fighting, one was more detective, the other more general superhero related.

And about Loeb, he can surprise, I remember reading his issue of Buffy season 8 and I didn't realize he wrote it till after someone told me. I then went back and read it again and was still kind of surprised at that. I still noticed his touch on the second read through though.

I think part of the problem with Loeb is editorial, Marvel seems to be a bit more lax about it which is why his DC work was better but I would only a bit as in the plot holes were still there.

Basically my point though is if I were to hand a new reader comics I would hand a story from both Bendis and Loeb then tell them to never read anything from them again.

[Mr. Shokoti]

After the first couple issues I knew this was going nowhere, but I loves me some Ed McGuinness.

So do I. That was one of the few Marvel exclusives that hurt me. DC was stupid for letting him go.

[guitargod694]

Was just giving a positive, kind of like several years ago now the various Batman comics were focusing on a different aspect of the character one was more crime fighting, one was more detective, the other more general superhero related.

True, it's nice when at least the titles have their own purpose or direction.
And certainly there are fans that want all of these titles... I'm just not one of them.

So do I. That was one of the few Marvel exclusives that hurt me. DC was stupid for letting him go.

Agreed. I wish he'd stayed at DC. Or that Loeb had.
I just want to see him do something with a different writer.

[MegaGearMax]

Loeb is definitely another writer whose popularity surprises me. I know a lot of people say it's only because he's paired with popular artists, but that can't be the only reason. I can't speak for all of his Marvel work, but I'm not a fan of Red Hulk or his making Wolverine a member of a wolf family(especially when some of the members were cat-based characters like Feral). I liked a lot of his work in the past but it really doesn't hold up very well due to plot holes and a lack of closure. Even The Long Halloween is extremely flawed when I gave it a second read. I think Superman For All Seasons is the only thing he's written that I would willingly reread. Although, I can't completely hate him since he not only brought back Krypto(who will probably be gone again after the "reboot"), he was also involved with Teen Wolf & Commando.

I think the artists is the reason his books sell so well.

Ultimate X: Art Adams
Ultimatum: David Finch
Ultimates 3: Joe Madueria
Wolverine: Simone Bianchi
Red Hulk: Ed McGuiness, Art Adams, Frank Cho

[guitargod694]

I think the artists is the reason his books sell so well.

Ultimate X: Art Adams
Ultimatum: David Finch
Ultimates 3: Joe Madueria
Wolverine: Simone Bianchi
Red Hulk: Ed McGuiness, Art Adams, Frank Cho

Yep... the only thing you're missing there since he came back to marvel is his Onslaught work.
That had Rob Leifeld on it... how'd that sell again?

[wyldman11]

I think the artists is the reason his books sell so well.

Ultimate X: Art Adams
Ultimatum: David Finch
Ultimates 3: Joe Madueria
Wolverine: Simone Bianchi
Red Hulk: Ed McGuiness, Art Adams, Frank Cho

Don't forget a lot of comic fans seem to be rubberneckers.
Also Marvel seems to have a lot of readers who will buy anything the company puts out, except if it's certain characters (mainly females).

[guitargod694]

Don't forget a lot of comic fans seem to be rubberneckers.

Haha, I know that's true...
I bought all five issues of Ultimates 3.

Also Marvel seems to have a lot of readers who will buy anything the company puts out, except if it's certain characters (mainly females).

I hear of these people, I know the exist. I know there are some for DC, too.
I just can't imagine that. These companies put out soooo many books every month.
It seems unrealistic to me to even follow every X-Men title, nevermind a whole company.

[wyldman11]

I was direct subbed for Ultimates when it flipped and my sub ran out I think one issue after Volume 3.

I just hear more people who read Marvel seem to buy more total comics than those who read DC. I hear DC has those also but it seems DC readers tend to be pickier.

I was coming back in to edit, why are we debating why Loeb's comics sell well. I have said before and will say it again, Loeb is the Michael Bay of comics, just substitute car chase with cameo.

[guitargod694]

I was coming back in to edit, why are we debating why Loeb's comics sell well. I have said before and will say it again, Loeb is the Michael Bay of comics, just substitute car chase with cameo.

Ha, true story. Hulk punching the Watcher = explosions and car crashes.

[Monkeyboy Prime]

Loeb deserves a lot of the scorn he gets but I still love Long Halloween and hear good things about Superman for All Seasons.

I don't know about you guys but I rarely follow an artist. Writer yeah, characters yeah, but very rarely artists.

Are there any books that you guys would recommend that don't get enough attention? I know I've mentioned it before but Skull Kickers is a book I love that I don't hear about much. The newest issue is very funny in a violent way.

[wyldman11]

Typically there really are only artists or writers I try to avoid, unfortunately they tended to take over or guest stinted on books I was direct subbed to. And I will even drop a character I like for those types.

To me it's a bit more about characters but being written fairly well that it's fun to read. I don't need the greatest story every time I pick up a comic, to me then your standards get too high and might not enjoy a just good story.

[Mr. Shokoti]

As a kid I'd follow a character(s). As I got a little older, I'd follow an artist. These days, if I follow anyone, it's going to be a writer.



I loved Milestone Comics as a kid, but I never watched the Static Shock cartoon. If any of you have, was his name changed from Static to Static Shock for it or was that just the name of the TV show?

[MegaGearMax]

As a kid I'd follow a character(s). As I got a little older, I'd follow an artist. These days, if I follow anyone, it's going to be a writer.

For me, it's characters (if it's a team) and artists. An artist I like could have me collecting a book I would never collect. And if I really like the team, I'll endure bad art or writing.

The character is Static, the show was Static Shock.

[Mr. Shokoti]

The character is Static, the show was Static Shock.

Thanks! I thought that's how it was, but now that the upcoming Static book is called Static Shock, I wasn't sure. Maybe it's so they could trademark it and Static was too generic for that.

[Predabot]

Personally, it's a little bit character, and a lot of writer and then lastly artist.

Used to be only character, but as I grew older I started noting how some comics with my fav' characters were actually unreadable. ( mainly the 90's comics)

So these days, it's probably 80% writer, 10% artist, and 10% character. There's so many cool characters out there, so I don't see how anyone can even STAND to be a completist.

Being a hardcore fan, and only reading Superman, Batman, X-men or whatever, comics, is a really silly thing to do.

I actually think the entire industry would be better off without Completists... basically, they ADD NOTHING. They're just aggravating some of the problems the industry has, by buying everything out of habit.

[wolfsfang]

I follow character more than anything else.

Well I did until the Death of Spider-Man totally destroyed my love of superhero comics and made me loathe Marvel with every fibre of my being

so now I don't follow anything unless it is called Naruto or One Piece