Icons of Evil: Mer-Man [Official Talk Back] *Spoilers*

[Divia]

I haven't read IOE yet cause everyoen says they suck. I want to read Tri's and I hope it wont blow chunks. Also, I wanted to skim the merman issue, but my comic store didn't have it.

[Nightwing]

My comic shop didn't get it either. They said that they didn't receive a box. This happens occassionally. Did anyone else ask why their shop didn't have it in? This may be some problem with Diamond Distributors.

[DarthAmerica]

My copy has like the first two pages, and then the same two pages again, and at the end, the ad for he-man.org is duplicated on two pages. are they all like this or is mine just weird?

[Son of Thunder]

I wasn't thrilled with either of the IOE books. I'm considering not buying the other two.

While I like action (who doesn't?), I feel that it isn't well paced in these books. The action takes up a lot of page space, but doesn't really go anywhere.

This book needed Keldor. As with the Beast Man one-shot, I'm left with more questions than answers. How did Keldor meet Mer-Man? Why couldn't Mer-Man rebuild since he has loyal followers? What did Keldor do to break Mer-Man's will?

Here's hoping Trapjaw's book will break the trend. Third time's a charm...

SoT
(being honest isn't always easy)

[JonWes]

Yeah, I'll join the crowd with this one.

I didn't care for the story (or lack thereof) for Beastman, but I had higher hopes for this one - that maybe it was an isolate incident.

The artwork, again, is beautiful. I really liked it, and I thought it captured the water very well, except it did suffer where many comics set underwater somtimes suffer - it's hard to make the ocean interesting. However this was overcome on most occasions, and only popped up now and again. I thought everything was well done.

But after reading it, the ending did seem abrupt. It was just sort of there. I wanted more. Not in a good "wow that was cool I want more" sort of way but a "I paid $5 for this and I want more, dammit" sort of way. I mean... the price for these books just isn't really doing it for me. I want to support MVC and Val and everyone but I gotta tell you, I really won't be automatically picking up Trap-Jaw or Tri-Klops and will be pickier in future mini-series.

I understand that Mattel might be prohibitive. But what then is the point of IOE? What do we really learn from it? Are they just action stories that spotlight Skeletor' henchmen in the past? If so, then maybe it's my fault for thinking it was something else. I want more origin stuff. It's like we're getting the least interesting parts of the henchmen's lives.

Beast-man - we get when he met Keldor.
I want to know WHY he was an outcast to his people. How he got his rep, and all that. I want to know more about Beastman the character.

Mer-man - we get how he lost his kingdom.
This is just confusing. I thought he still had a kindgom. Or at least he commanded people. Did they not show that in the show? So some buildings got torn down - that doesn't really destroy his kingdom. I would love to have seen how he GOT his kingdom. What made him such a tyrant? How did he get to be so powerful amongst the mer-people?

Part of me thinks that the IOE books don't really have much of a reason to exist. Trap-Jaw sounds like it could be interesting, but so help me if they don't actually show how Kronis got his cyber implants I will scream! And if the story is just "Kronis defies Skeletor, gets hurt real bad, comes wimpering back to Skeletor" I will be really bored and upset. It needs to be cooler then that. And I hope we see why Tri-Klops has his helmet of many eyes.

And these books aren't doing Robert Kirkman any favors. The stories are done in a perfectly capable way, but Mer-man lacked even the spark of life that Kirkman interjected into Beastman in little doses here and there. I just can't help but feel anyone could have written Mer-man. And I do believe that maybe Kirkman wasn't allowed to do this and that, but part of me wonders if there wasn't some way of injecting these stories with a little more inventiveness. Everything happens exactly how I'd expect it to, and there' little to no surprises to be had here.

A dissapointment.

[LordDarkhan]

I cant give a full review of it, because i didn buy it. I went to buy it today, flipped through it, skimmed it, and said NO WAY ON GODS GREEN EARTH am i payin 5 bucks for this.....soooo i will just wait for issue 5 on the 30th, and buy the new elfquest 25th anniversary comic:-)...yay me

[Prometheus]

Alright, this was a little dissappointing. I was actually hoping for some more back story with Skeletor and the gang. It was cool to see how Merman was with his people and an opposing town, but that really wasn't worth $5.00 to me. Maybe for the price of a normal comic, but not that much. I liked the artwork as usual, but the story really wasn't what I was all that great.

laters

[motu77]

I agree with most, the lack of Keldor killed this story.

[Dr. Omega]

I really enjoyed it. The designs for Aquarus were a bit weak, but the story and are were great!

The crisp figures with the painted backgrounds gave a great feeling of watching an animated show. I really like that we didn't waste time having him meet Keldor. There is no need. In the end, he had destroyed his kingdom and most of his subjects are weary and battered, if not dead.

There is no need to show him meeting Keldor. He has no kingdom.. he wanders and meets Keldor, end of story. It's left to the imagination to extrapolate what went down afterward. This was the story of how he fell from grace.

Can't wait for Trappy and Tri-K!


Dr. Omega

[Caliban]

Phew. I'm glad I hadn't picked it up yet. Thanks for saving me from getting another $5.00 ripped away. Perhaps in a couple of years when it shows up in $1.99 bargain bin.

[Robert Kirkman]

I'm not coming on here to defend these things because I understand the gripes. You all read my reasons on Beastman and they're all the same on this one.

That said, I wasn't quite as held back on Trap Jaw and Tri-Klops... I got to do more with them.

These books were me working off pre-determined plots. I invite you all to go to www.imagecomics.com to read Invincible #1 online for FREE to see what I normally do.

-Robert

[zodak74]

I think as usual, our gripes don't have so much to do with you, the creator, as they do with the limitations Mattel is enforcing. What is Mattel holding back for anyway? Are we going to get some great live-action trilogy that's going to explain everything and everybody's origins?
They really are stifling creativity here and killing off fan interest...

[BIG DADDY SINISTER]

Originally posted by Robert Kirkman
I'm not coming on here to defend these things because I understand the gripes.
These books were me working off pre-determined plots.

I feel your pain, Mr. Kirkman. I'd like to make clear that I understand the awkward position Mattel and the other PTB put you in. Anytime outside forces hover over a creative person's shoulder, telling them what they can or cannot do, where they can or cannot go in regards to story and/or plot development, creative juices will be stifled. I didn't totally despise this story (the bit with Mer-Man falling asleep on his throne, supposedly so "busy" cracked me up!), but like Beast Man before it, the void of development was there. yet you can only work with the tools they give you.

I still stand by my original opinion: Marvel cranked out some great Star Wars stories despite the governorship of Lucasfilm, but I can only conjecture that since Mattel is primarily in the business of making toys for children, they hobbled your creativity more than most (I picture you chained to a desk with a huge thug from Mattel looming menacingly over you with a giant "Barbie" hair brush, ready to whack you at the first sign of creative edginess...)

I just might give you the benefit of the doubt, Mr. Kirkman, and take a peek at Invincible. I want a sample of what you can really do.

Be well, and thanks for posting.

[Robert Kirkman]

Thanks, Big Daddy.

I just want to pop in here and say that while Mattel was pretty restrictive, they did let me get away with a lot of violence in Trap Jaw... I'm a little shocked looking at some of the final pages... so I hope you guys like that one... I think it lives up to the character.

Also, I should note that Val puts up with MUCH more than I did on these four one-shots and still ends up turning out some fantastic stories in the regular book. He knows the characters better than me, true... but I really admire what he's able to do in spite of Mattel.

I hope you all realize how lucky you are to have THAT guy writing the regular series. He's mastered the art of keeping both you and Mattel happy.

He-Man and company couldn't be in better hands.

-Robert

[The Comic Fanatic]

I liked Mer-Man, despite the fact that Keldor was nowhere to be seen. However, I strongly advice you to pick Mr. Kirkman's Invincible from Image! It is probably the BEST superhero comic book on the market today!!



As always, I remain...

[Meta Ray Mek]

I read it this morning and I really think Kirkman can do better when not restrained by a larger company. I haven't read 'Invincible', but 'Tech Jacket' is really good. If only the this and the 'Beast-Man' IOE were that good.... T_T;

[JVS3]

Wait until you see Trapjaw.
Robert tore it up.
Great stuff.

Beastman and Mer-Man are all about setting you up for the big bang.

[Meta Ray Mek]

Hmmm, Trapjaw huh? Okay then...

Look, I'm not trying to tear Robert apart and I'm certainly *not* calling him a hack-job of a writer. I just feel that the last two Icons of Evil are certainly below par, and that I think he can do a way better job; like the stuff he's done for Tech Jacket and Battle Pope. (I like Battle Pope, so nyah )

Granted, Mattel did limit what he could and could not do, so that more than likely contributed to the lackluster quality of the Beast-Man and Mer-Man IOEs. Which is why I'm hesitant to spend $5 on the TrapJaw IOE, when I could use that money to finally see 'Finding Nemo'.

[Son of Thunder]

To all,

Mattel has a property to protect. So does DC, Marvel, Hasbro, and more. And I believe all are dedicated to producing quality product featuring their properties.

I think it is unfair to say that Mattel is responsible for the IOE books to be substandard. The regular MOTU book is great, IMO. It is equally unfair to say Robert, or Jeremy is responsible. Both are very talented.

The quality of the book is the sum of all its parts, good or bad.

SoT
(again, my opinion)

[Meta Ray Mek]

Did I say that Mattel was responsible?

I said that it was 'more than likely' that their restrictions were part of the lackluster problem; I didn't say that they were the absolute cause.

Then again, maybe some of us fans have way too high of a standard set. T_T;

[Judith]

Man you guys are brutal!

The comic was set up with a different mind set then most American comics. There were pauses places where no dialogue was made and the background took center stage because it is a typical tool used in many asian style comics.

The only gripe is, it's too short. With the style of pacing they choose the book needed to be longer to allow more story line in. There were many lines that would have hinted or lead the reader to assume one thing, but with those leads dropped as soon as they were established it gave the comic a choppy feel for the story.

[Jukka]

Originally posted by JVS3
Wait until you see Trapjaw.
Robert tore it up.
Great stuff.

You had me already with the magnificent artwork and beautiful colours...

[Son of Thunder]

Originally posted by the parasite eve
Did I say that Mattel was responsible?

My post was addressed 'To all.' I did that because my post was not directed to you, Robert, JVS or anyone else, but everyone.

You mentioned in an earlier post that you

really think Kirkman can do better when not restrained by a larger company

So yes, you did say Mattel was responsible.

SoT
(nothing but good feelings here)

[RedBaron]

I think the creators s should have just dropped Beast Man and Mer-Man if they were so restricted by Mattel.

These are wastes of talent when they could be going towards something else. And therefore a waste of money.

If Trapjaw doesn't live up to the promises, I'm going to be pretty mad

[Rodimus75]

Icons of Evil: Beast Man = Strike One

Icons of Evil: Mer-Man = Strike Two

Icons of Evil: TrapJaw = Future Strike Three?!?

I sure as heck hope that's not the case! But both have been short, overpacked with ads for other books, all the flash was shown online in the preview pages of both issues, and nowhere near the cover price of $4.95!

:::takes a deep breath:::

Here's hoping that the TrapJaw issue can make a hit and get to first base!