Talkback: Cup Of Decaf: Reviews!

[Doug Smith]

So, as I write this, the C.O.D. entitled "Confessions" is just going live. Which means that most of you are probably tired of hearing me talk about myself, and are ready to talk about comics!

So, here we go: reviews!

Continue reading "Cup of Decaf" (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=75638)

[Jin Kazama]

While I admittedly don't read alot of the comics mentioned (so I can't comment on them), the ones I do read seemed to be reviewed perfectly.

The one that instantly pops into my mind was the review of Captain America. Aside from that review, I've yet to see someone that has knocked the series. Then again, no one ever really talks about it, and that could be why. But I agree that the tales are very boring, go by too quick ("The Extremist" could have easily been done in two or three issues without all the filler), and complicate things way too much.

Same goes with the praise for Hawkman, a great book I see no one reading. Glad to see it get the praise it deserves.

Yet another great read. I really like the variety in the comics mentioned. Kind of gives it a feel of covering all the grounds.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

In general, I think "decompressed" storytelling works better in bigger chunks than 22-page monthly comics. I also think it's getting overused as a substitute for lack of plot or story development (just like "bullet time" got overused in movies after the Matrix).

First off, THANK YOU for giving some much needed attention to Hawaiian Dick! I flipped through it the first day it appeared, put it down, and then went back and got it the next week. DEFINITELY a good decision -- it's one of my favorite books so far this year (actually, I think from last year, but who's counting?) and definitely warrants more attention than it got. The TPB is coming soon (August, I think) with DVD extras and other stuff that's on the Image website but hasn't ever seen print before.

Your Astro City review was spot on. Busiek himself has acknowledged that he is kind of schizophrenic in his writing, and that AC is a far more difficult comic to write than his monthly stuff. His medical problems of the past several years weren't helping matters any, either.

That said, I actually think Busiek did quite well on Power Company and even on the Avengers, but I think I'm decidedly in the minority there. I thought PC#15, a one-shot showdown between the Power Company's Manhunter and Batman in the rainy streets of Gotham, was truly great, from the inspired Will Eisner-tribute splash page, all the way to the twist finish that introduces a new reason why two heroes are trying to beat each other up and simultaneously undermines the whole "Batman is Omnipotent" thing that too many writers seem to rely on these days.

It's a shame about Cap, but I think there are actually a couple of books out there that could use some revamping (Iron Man and Thor specifically), surviving only due to corporate brand loyalty than any real artistic merit of their own. Not that they're bad concepts, but they're badly in need of some attention (and not the kind that Michael Medved was kind enough to grant Cap a while ago :)).

-- Ed/Ace

[Jor-El]

Doug,

Right on about the title Hawkman. I think it's disgusting that while Kendra has been in the DCU for 2 years before Carter reappeared and actually helped resurrect Carter, the solo book only credits Carter as being of anything of importance. The book focuses on them both; if anything, there's much more of a focus on Kendra as she finds herself and deals with her grief and confusion whereas Carter is comfortable and knows who he is.

[The Detective]

Right on about Cap. I was a loyal reader of the series before the MK relaunch and I enjoyed it though it did start to drag towards the end. But I don't care for the MK relaunch at all. Half the book is Cap preaching about what is going on around him and I didn't even make it through the first arc before I dumped the title.

I agree with your Batman review I'm getting real sick of HUSH and wish it would pick up.

I don't read any of the other titles so I can't comment on that. Even though I may have to pick up Flash sometime. I will say that I can't wait until next week it should be interesting.

~DK~

[wonderfly]

Right on about Cap. I was a loyal reader of the series before the MK relaunch and I enjoyed it though it did start to drag towards the end. But I don't care for the MK relaunch at all. Half the book is Cap preaching about what is going on around him and I didn't even make it through the first arc before I dumped the title.



~DK~


And if it's not Cap preaching, it's everyone around him preaching about how evil America is...it gets really depressing after a while....

[Clayface]

And if it's not Cap preaching, it's everyone around him preaching about how evil America is...it gets really depressing after a while....

Actually, the point has been made time and again in the book that its not America that is evil, but rather some of the men in power in America. The point has also been made that those men themselves aren't "true" Americans because they don't embody what America is all about. Rather than bashing America and its systems as a whole, this comic points out the abuses that can and do occur within the system by "evil" men, and how these abuses are not what America is all about. Personally, I find that refreshing rather than depressing.

[Animation Otaku]

I'm going to take up this chance to defend the Uncanny X-Men. I have to say that I have been loving Chuck's run on the series very much. Dominant Species was admittedly weak, but it was still somewhat enjoyable. But I thought that Rules of Engagement and Holy War were both excellent, and I'm looking forward to the marriage two parter coming up. Chuck has stated that by issue 431 the team will be trimmed down to 8 characters(he hasn't specified if this includes Wolverine or not), and I like how he's brought back characters such as Jubilee and Husk rather than just introducing new characters and leaving interesting ones in limbo.