May 28th, 2003: What Did You Get This Week?

[Clayface]

Welcome to the What did you get this week? thread for May 28th - June 3rd, 2003.

For those who are new: Every week there is a thread titled "What did you get this week?" in the Comics Forum. You come here to list and discuss the comics (and related stuff...) you got this week and even make some short reviews if you like (Including Comic Books, Clothes, HeroClix, and anything else related to Comics). The discussion in this thread will be spoiler free, with seperate 'spoiler' threads dedicated to certain issues if the poster chooses.



http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2003-05/marvel/t-inhumans01.jpghttp://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2003-05/batman/t-batman615.jpg
Picks of the Week!
Forgot what's out this week? No problem! Just click here (http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/shipping_052903.txt).

So...what did you get this week?

[Clayface]

I got:

BATMAN #615: As usual with this run, gorgeous art, but not enough story to satify me. The ending had some decent twists, but nothing that got me too terribly excited. 3/5.

BATTLE OF THE PLANETS #10: Issue #10 of the 12 issue "maxi-series", and one that I enjoyed immensely. A character we haven't seen since issue #3 makes an appearance, and complicates matters for the team, Tomak and Anderson meet and have an interesting talk about origin of Spectra, and Mark goes all Batman on us. The storyline presented in this series interests me 100 times more than anything presented in the old show, and I'm loving the style and atmosphere of the interior artwork. That kick-butt Alex Ross cover doesn't hurt any either. I'm giving this one 4 out of 5.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #10

CATWOMAN #19

CSI CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION #5 (Of 5)

FUTURAMA #13: This issue seemed strangely familiar to me. It starts with Bender wanting to be a better chef. In order to make his dishes more exciting, he purchases some illegal spices, which ends up, through a very convoluted story, getting Bender involved in Robot Hell again (one of my favorite locations from the show). Bender eventually ends up as the new Robot Satan, and whackiness ensues. But I swear this was done before in the show - maybe i'm just imagining it. Anyway, this issue was decent, but not as good as some of the previious issues by Eric Rogers. I'll give it 3/5.

HELLBLAZER #184: This almost felt like it was written by Brian Azzarello - something about the characters, the story content and style. In this issue, John pays a visit to Swamp Thing, and then gets himself into a card game with the highest possible personal stakes. How that card game is resolved was very satisfying, and the set-up for the next issue looks incredibly intriguing. Can't wait to see what happens next! I'm giving this one 4 1/2 out of 5.

MYSTIQUE #2: Mystique gets herself into trouble when she's surrounded by government agents, and very surprising person comes to her rescue! Some interesting plot twists make for a good read with this issue, and the ending was disconcerting yet very cool. The story was maybe a little short, and the interior art was ok, but not spectacular. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the entire mini-series after I read the first issue, but now I've decided to stick round and see what happens. I'm giving this 3 1/2 out of 5

THE PATH #15: I got to meet Ron Marz and Matthew Smith at the Wizard World East 2003 Con this weekend, and got both of them to sign this issue. I've gotta say, Matthew Smith's work is quickly becoming one of my favorites (his work on The Clock Maker is stunning), and after talking to him, I've found him to be an incredibly down-to-earth and friendly guy. Anyway, in this issue, the monk Obo-San confronts his once dead brother in a battle for the Weapon of Heaven. Cool action, interesting character interaction, and a bitter-sweet story all around. A very interesting cliffhanger ending as well, and of course, superb art by Smith. A very satisfying and entertaining issue. I give it 4 out of 5.

PUNISHER #27: Frank Castle meets a woman after his own heart: Elektra! An entertainign issue, though the reasoning behind having Elektra there was almost sort of predictable. Other than that, I got some chuckles out of it, and it had plenty of carnage, which is always a good thing in a Punisher issue. I'll give it 3 1/2 out of 5.

THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS

TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE OFFICIAL GUIDE #2 (Of 8): Tech specs and bios for another group of the TFs. I always loved this sort of thing when I was a kid, and I still love it now. 4/5.

UNCANNY X-MEN #424: Blah. One minute I'm loving Austen's run, the next I'm hating it. This issue was just a mess - killer communial wafers, psycho religious zealots, elements bviously lifted from X2, and just plain silliness all around. And the art isn't that great either. 1/5.

VOLTRON DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE #1 (Of 5): I really don't remember much about the original Voltron cartoon. I wasn't a big fan of it when I was kid, which is odd since I loved giant robots back then. Anyway, I picked this up because my girlfriend is a huge Voltron fan, and her excitement spread to me. And I've gotta say, I'm enjoying this series so far. I don't know if the cartoon was anything like this, but this was a fun read, the art is cool, and I loved the last page. I managed to get this signed by Dan Jolley, Mike Norton, Clint Hilinski, Clayton Brown, and Kaare Andrews at the Wizard World East 2003 Con this last weekend as well, which is a bonus. I'm going to give this one 4 out of 5.

X-TREME X-MEN #26: This whole storyline is starting to smell of a cash-in on X2. I recently read the original "God Loves, Man Kills" TPB, and this sequel story just doesn't seem to fit. This isn't the same world presented in that original storyline, and these aren't the same characters. And unfortunately, they don't seem to have changed for the better. The plot twist with Lady Deathstrike was interesting, and a bit disturbing, but not enough to make this issue any better than average. I'll give it 3/5.

X-TREME X-MEN VOL 2 TP: Eh. Not terribly impressed with the storyline presented in this volume. The first TPB had some interesting ideas, and though it bored me at time, it was unique enough to make me want to come back for more. Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed with the follow-up. The whole invaders from another dimension storyline really turned me off, and I don't think I'm going to bother picking up the next TPB.

Previews Magazine

[Rand]

I'm getting...

Ruse #20 - The title hasn't been the same since Mark Waid left, but Scott Beatty is -finally- picking things up. Last month's Key Issue was the best that Ruse has been in ages, and in this issue, Simon Archard himself becomes the suspect in a murder case! Will he be able to clear his name, or will the rival detective team of Iain and Charity do him in?

Global Frequency #8 - Not sure why I keep buying this book. I love the concept, but I don't like the rotating artists. Ah, well. The concept is really neat, a 'cell' of 1001 members who act similar to terrorists, but with a completely opposite agenda.

Batman #615 - It's Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb. Doing Nightwing. Do I really need any other reason to buy this?

Fantastic Four #69 - Mark Waid really rocks the house with Dr. Doom going wild and crazy with his magic on the Fantastic Family. Last issue, Dr. Doom did something completely crazy, freaky and unexpected, and he's supposed to continue on that thread in this issue! Reviewed here (http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/critiques/052603/fantasticfour69.shtml) on the TheFourthRail.com

Inhumans #1 - A return to the characters from Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee's series, but the younger generation, not the royal family. Reviewed here (http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/critiques/052603/inhumans1.shtml) and here (http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/snapjudgments/052603/inhumans1.shtml) on the TheFourthRail.com

Namor #2 - Namor is a cool character. Don't know if this book is any good, but it doesn't hurt to follow it for a while. *sings* Under the sea...

I might get Mystique #2 (Reviewed here (http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/snapjudgments/052603/mystique2.shtml) on the TheFourthRail.com), but only if I can get my hands on #1 as well.

[JohnCrichton]

I can't believe neither of you picked up The Ultimates #10.

[Rand]

I just read it. It used to be on Marvel's dotComics regularly... but I simply ran out of the money to pick up yet -another- alternate universe.

[Animation Otaku]

I'm getting:
Avengers #67
Uncanny X-Men #424
X-Treme X-Men #26

[Clayface]

I can't believe neither of you picked up The Ultimates #10.

I haven't really heard anything about The Ultimates that's made me want to pick it up. But, since you recommend it, I'm going to go check it out over on Marvel's DotComics section.

[Clayface]

Grrr. I just got back form my comic shop - new comics aren't coming in until tomorrow thanks to Memorial Day. I'm aggravated because I specifically asked them last week if comics were coming in a day late because of the holiday, and they assured me they'd be coming in on time. So I ended up making a trip out there for nothing. Well, not really for nothing - because they told everyone comics would be in on time, and becasue people were now coming in for thier comics that weren't there today, they decided to have a one day only sale to make it up to us. 20% off of all back issues, TPBs and supplies. So I picked up some supplies I needed, and the X-Treme X-Men Vol. 2 TPB.

[JohnCrichton]

I haven't really heard anything about The Ultimates that's made me want to pick it up. But, since you recommend it, I'm going to go check it out over on Marvel's DotComics section.

:eek:

I thought word had spread far and wide that The Ultimates was not much short of mind blowing.

I could pretty much care less about Captain America, but after reading the first TPB(which you absolutely need) I went out and bought myself a Captain America t-shirt. No lie! :D

Yeah.. definately find and buy.

[Cogliostro]

Hey Clayface you never posted your thoughts on Criminal Macabre #1 yet, well I dont think you did. What did you think of it? I haven't had time to pick up my comics lately :(

[Clayface]

:eek:

I thought word had spread far and wide that The Ultimates was not much short of mind blowing.

Eh - I'm not one that buys into hype too easily. (Just look at all the hype the current Loeb run on Batman is getting - every indication is that's its one of the best books on the market, and I couldn't disagree more.) I've heard plenty of people ranting about The Ultimates, but I've not seen any good reviews that made me interested in checking out the title for myself. I did head over to Marvel's DotComics, but so far I've only read the first issue. It was ok, but didn't really make me excited or interested in purchasing the title. Then again, its just the first issue, with lots of set-up - it may get better. I'll check out the remainging issues they have up there, and post more later on it.


Hey Clayface you never posted your thoughts on Criminal Macabre #1 yet, well I dont think you did. What did you think of it? I haven't had time to pick up my comics lately :(

Yeah, unfortunately I didn't get around to posting comments for half of my comics from last week. So, let me do so here. I thought this first issue was very good. Only Niles and Templesmith can bring together vampires, werewolves, ghouls, monsters, and crime drama in such a darkly humorous and entertaining way. The entire issue has a fantastic feel of a murder mystery novel crossed with horror flick, and of course Templesmith's moody and murky art is the perfect compliment to Niles' writing. This book has its' disturbing (and gorey) moments, so the feint of heart be warned. But I definitely recommend this title to anyone that's up for the ride.

[Hatter]

Picked up this week...

The Ultimates #10 - About freakin' time! I've been waiting for this ish for months, and it didn't dissapoint. It was great seeing more of Cap's WWII heroics, and the last few pages shocked the hell outta me.
One question, though... are we supposed to recognize the man on the last page?
Uncanny X-Men #424 - Well, an exciting, if confusing, read. Probably the best issue of Uncanny in months. While I'm still no fan of Garney's art, it was passable this time (new inkers?). My main complaint would be that it was a little tough going through the first time, what with all of the biblical quotes being thrown around for no good reason.
I'm just glad Garney will be departing very soon... I'm dangerously close to dropping this book, but Philip Tan's pencils should be enough to justify it on my list.

And Namor #2 - I really, really want this book to be good... I love the setting, character and concept, but the dialogue NEEDS to be changed. It's simply unacceptable to believe that people were saying stuff like "this sucks octopus tentacles" in the 1930s (and in a completely alien underwater civilization, I might add.)
Give the dialogue some dignity and grace, and this would be an excellent read. But I don't want to hear about Namor's surfer punk days.



I WOULD have picked up Fantastic Four #69, which I have been awaiting with bated breath, but my shop didn't have any! So I'll have to settle for picking it up tomorrow... I'll post my comments as soon as I get it.

[Reed Richards]

why did some people get their comics today when my shop is a day behind because of memorial day?

[RockItShipper]

why did some people get their comics today when my shop is a day behind because of memorial day?

I think it might have to do with Hatter living in Canada, not the US.

[Rand]

why did some people get their comics today when my shop is a day behind because of memorial day?

*points at Hatter's icon* He's got the power of an anomaly in the Matrix! That's why! :p

[Joker85]

I got:
Batman #615
Catwoman #19

[czyznyck99]

Ultimates 10
Batman 615
Uncanny X-Men 424
X-Men Phoenix 1
X-Treme X-Men 26

Later.

[JohnCrichton]

Eh - I'm not one that buys into hype too easily. (Just look at all the hype the current Loeb run on Batman is getting - every indication is that's its one of the best books on the market, and I couldn't disagree more.) I've heard plenty of people ranting about The Ultimates, but I've not seen any good reviews that made me interested in checking out the title for myself. I did head over to Marvel's DotComics, but so far I've only read the first issue. It was ok, but didn't really make me excited or interested in purchasing the title.

To each his own.... Personally on a more or less bi-monthy basis I'm unable to keep my socks on my feet, cuz the Ultimates continue to knock them off on a pretty consistant bais.. :D

What's this... DotComics, you speak of? 0_o

[Reed Richards]

MY GOD MY GOD

Ultimates 10 and Fan 4 69 WERE TWO OF THE BEST ISSUES OF COMICS IVE EVER READ

and DCs Age Of Wonder didnt end that badly either.

[Mattashell]

Here's what I got, comments to come later:

Batman #615
Fantastic Four #69
The Flash #198
Green Lantern #165
Inhumans #1
JLA #81
MAD Magazine #430 Last time I read MAD it was a disgrace to its legacy, however I bought this particular issue for personal reasons. I probably won't review it here.
Namor #2
Snake Plissken Chronicles #1 Okay, I wouldn't think I would have bought a Snake Plissken comic book, but I just watched Escape From New York last night. When I saw this book on the shelf today, I took it as a sign that I had to buy it.
Uncanny X-Men #424
Voltron #1

[Jor-El]

FLASH 198 — This is why I buy this title. This is why Geoff Johns is the greatest writer out there. Plus, some of the single best moments of Jay Garrick I remember seeing in AGES. A+++

BATMAN 615 — Some of you may remember my complete and utter DISDAIN for Batman 614. This made up for that issue and every single other issue. Now THIS is the kind of stuff that Jeph Loeb can really accomplish. A

SUPERMAN 193 — Crap, crap, crap. I don't know why I continue buying this title. GREEN LANTERN is probably more exciting right now. D-

[Rand]

What's this... DotComics, you speak of? 0_o

http://dotcomics.marvel.com/menu_flash.htm

Y'need Macromedia Flash Player to run it.

[Zebi]

This week I got:

Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special #1
Ultimate Spider-Man TPB, Volume 3: Double Trouble
Spider-Man: Funeral for an Octopus #2
Raijin Comics, Issue 0

[Hatter]

Er, If anyone's wondering how I got my comics on Wednesday, well, I live in Canada. :) Our Memorial Day is in November...


Today, I managed to snag my ish of Fantastic Four #69 at the other comic shop in my area.... holy crap! "Unthinkable" finally kicks into high gear after two months. I'm glad that Weiringo has sharpened his usually rounded style somewhat to suit the darker story tone. And the guest appearance by Doctor Strange sure was unexpected! Glad to see some of that Stan Lee character interaction that makes Marvel great. Although I was somewhat puzzled - was Strange currently being attacked by Doom's demonic creations? He seemed to infer this from the conversation. However, he didn't seem particuarly threatened. And why would the demon be helping him with his phone if it was attacking him?

The classic action was great. Although I was a little dissapointed they took out the letters page in favour of the preview of Ultimate X-Men (although I never mind getting free Finch artwork.)
Can't WAIT for next month!

[Cyber E.]

Stupid lack of money. Today I wasn't able to get Ultimates #10, Mystique #2 or Avengers #67. MCDAMNIT, I LIKE EM TOO.

I did manage to get:
-Arkham Asylum: Living Hell #1
-Batman #615
-Green Lantern #165
-Fantastic Four #69
-The Flash #198
-Superman #181 (Trying to get as much of the Loeb/McGunniess run as possible)
-Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #2

As always, comments later...
-aJb

[Baltofan]

The X Men 2 comic

[Mattashell]

Here's what I got, comments to come later:

Batman #615
Fantastic Four #69
The Flash #198
Green Lantern #165
Inhumans #1
JLA #81
MAD Magazine #430 Last time I read MAD it was a disgrace to its legacy, however I bought this particular issue for personal reasons. I probably won't review it here.
Namor #2
Snake Plissken Chronicles #1 Okay, I wouldn't think I would have bought a Snake Plissken comic book, but I just watched Escape From New York last night. When I saw this book on the shelf today, I took it as a sign that I had to buy it.
Uncanny X-Men #424
Voltron #1
Batman #615: I wasn't thinking much of it untill I got to the art on the page with all the Batmobiles in the Batcave's garage. I add a star just for the art on this page. After that point the story actually gets really good, bringing changes sorely needed in Batman's character, and the book in general. The panel design on the last few pages is great, with events on the panels on the left in Arkham Assylum, and the panels on the left in the Gotham Zoo, with similar events on both sides. Great surprises at the end. I take away one star for the Riddler getting shafted again. ****

Fantastic Four #69: Man, I can't believe how good Fantastic Four is. This could be a standard to measure comics by. Doom is just about as evil a villain as I've ever seen. Absolutely ruthless. ****1/2

Flash #198: First I would like to say, if you want to get someone new into The Flash show thim this issue. It would make a great jumping on point, as it showcases Flash's powers, how they work and where they came from. It explains why this book is about Wally and what happened to Barry for those who may have a slight knowledge of old school but may be out of the loop. And it also introduces any new reader to the supporting cast including speedsters; Jessie Quick, Impulse and Jay Garrick: The Golden Age Flash. In addition to this it has a really cool representation of the new Professor Zoom. His powers are out of control and he's so fast The Flash can't see him at full speed. I love Zooms dialogue, from his perspective he's probably taking hours to form each sylable, but Flash hears it so fast he can hardly make out what he's saying. Kudos. ****1/2

Green Lantern #165: I liked it. I think the new writer is starting off right away by establishing what he intends to do with this book, and I'm happy to say it does not involve chewing the fat in a coffee shop or going to a class reunion. Kyle is just now learning to deal with being a drifter and facing solitude in the name of heroism. He deals with this by forming the goal to reform the Green Lantern Corps, and I imagine we can all agree that is a good thing. But its not going to be an overnite thing. Getting there will hopefully make for good comic. We get a good going over of what a Green Lantern does as well. The subplot involving Terry and David, however does not look as promising. ***

Inhumans #1: I loved it. The story was a beutiful fable about learning to deal with limitation and finding strength. I really like the art too. I will definitely continue with this book. ****1/2

JLA #81: Average, definitely not bad. I wish JLA would establish some recurring villains instead of the throwing us a new generic loser evry arc. I like the stuff with J'onn alot though. Manitou Raven is really growing on me as well. ***

Namor #2:
It's simply unacceptable to believe that people were saying stuff like "this sucks octopus tentacles" in the 1930s (and in a completely alien underwater civilization, I might add.) What? I thought it was brilliant the way this bit of dialogue actually discribes itself. :D Not only is the surfer talk a problem, but the excessive use of underwater puns, which I don't have the nerve to repeat here, has to go as well. The problem is such that I was sure I was finished with this series half way through, but since I'm a sucker (of octopus guts) for a love story, I'll give it one more chance. *

Snake Plissken Chronicles #1: The problem with this book is that it attempts to portray cinematic action in comic form. A car chase can be exciting or engrossing in a movie, but it doesn't work out in still illustrations, and if it does, this artist doesn't have the talent to pull it off. However, the voice in my head tells me to have faith in this book's ability to improve. I'll stick with it a while. **

Uncanny X-Men #424: I don't know, there was a lot of action, but it somehow failed to interest me. I didn't dig how they tried to use characters and situations from the movie, X2. It seems they were just trying to capitalise, but it didn't really work out. **1/2

Voltron #1: Wow! I am such a Voltron fanboy, and I am in love with this reimagining of the classic origin episode. New life is breathed into characters that were once somewhat flat, and I can see Pidge and Hunk's "Big-Brother" relationship forming before my eyes. One problem is an indication that Keith and Alura are clearly atracted to eachother in one panel as they make eye-contact. I don't mind re-imagining, but some things shouldn't be changed. Originally, all five of the Voltron Force were atracted to the Princess, but clearly Lance was the one she was atracted back to, and the only one who's atraction had any substance. Maybe a love triangle is in store for us? I like that Zarkon's empire are called the "Drules" here, a cute nod to the "other" less popular "Team" Voltron. (And don't you dare call him "Car-Voltron"! He is NOT made of cars!) Also, I have to work on not hearing the cheesey voices from the cartoon while reading the dialogue. (At least it's not the Thundercats' voices. :p)****1/2

Five great comics this week, Batman, Fantastic Four, The Flash, Inhumans and Voltron. Three Middle-of-the-road books, Green Lantern, JLA and Uncanny X-Men. and two stinkers, Namor and Snake Plissken Chronicles. Over all a **** week.

[Parallax]

Amazing Spider-Man #494
Nightwing #81

[Lonestarr]

Liberty Meadows - #31
PvP - Player vs. Player - #2

[Toon Capone]

Masters Of The Universe Vol. 2 # 3
Voltron # 1

[Clayface]

What's this... DotComics, you speak of? 0_o

Head over to www.marvel.com. Across the top you'll see a banner for dotComics (there's a link to the section in the top menu bar) - Marvel puts a bunch of their monthly comics up online for people to read, for free! They have a section that anyone can enter, and then a section for "members" only. But becoming a member is free, and all you have to do is make up a username and password. In the "Free Section" hey have issues from the Avengers, Captain America, Capain Marvel, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, New X-Men, Punisher, most if not all of the Ultimate titles, Uncanny X-men, Wolverine, and a bunch of others. In the members section they have issues of Amazing Spider-Man, and The Ultimates. It's a great way to check out title from Marvel without having to pay a cent.

On a completely unrelated note: while at the Wizard World Philadelphia 2003 Comic Convention, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Dan Slott of Batman Adventures and Arkham Asylum fame. He was good enough to provide me with an advance copy of the Arkham Asylum #2, which comes out later this week. I haven't read it yet, but I hope to get to it tonight. If I do, I'll be posting some spoiler-free comments about it ASAP.

[Clayface]

Edited my first post with comments on most of the issues.