This Week In Comics: 08/18/2004

[Clayface]

Welcome to this week in comics! This is the place to talk about the books you purchased this week (August 18th - August 24th). Feel free to talk about anything you got, whether it be a brand new title or old back-issues. It's all fair game. Want to share your thoughts on any current news that's happening in the industry? You can mention it here too. All we ask is that you please use spoiler brackets in the event that your comments get too detailed concerning a particular storyline. This way the book won't be ruined for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

For a list of the new stuff shipping this week, please consult Diamond Comic's Shipping List.

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Highlights of the Week!





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[EJill34]

Hey Clayface, I was just wondering if maybe you could add the final issue of Batman Adventures to the Highlights of the Week? I know Ex-Machina rocks and I've heard Fallen Angel is good too, but if it would be possible, I thought maybe it would be a nice idea.

[Damien]

Picked up Welcome Back, Frank yesterday. So..I guess...that would count as last week..in comics. Good read, though.

[Jor-El]

Adventures of Superman 631

Batman Adventures 17 — The best Batman comic series ever ends on this issue. While I'm pleased that the series ended on such a high note, I'm displeased that the series is ending just to make way for Batman Strikes. This issue, featuring Joe Chill, may have been the highlight of the entire series. Five stars. I hope this creative team gets a hold of these characters in the future; they really nailed them all. Damn you, DC Comics, for canceling a truly excellent series.

DC Comics Presents The Atom 1

Hawkman 31

[KuwabaraTheMan]

X-Men: Decent issue, best issue of the arc, and Austen definitely improved with this issue, I'm going to miss him when he leaves the title in December.

Exiles: Ack! Bedard, what are you doing to this book? Six issues in, and I'm yet to be impressed. If I had known the new writer would make the book this bad, I wouldn't have renewed my subscription.

New X-Men: Another outstanding issue, my favorite book of the week. More character development in this one, especially from Kevin and Sofia.

Fantastic Four: Enjoyable issue, clearly setting up for things to come, looks to be a really epic arc, a huge step of from the last arc.

Batman: Gotham Knights: Another good issue in War Games, the story heats up, and everything is really flowing together and working well.

Robin: Best War Games issue yet, Tim is written really well, and the ending left me very worried about what happens next.

Batgirl: More goodness. Not quite on the level of Robin, but it definitely is working out, and there is some chilling stuff going on here with the level this is being taken too.

Birds of Prey: Great issue, man this title just keeps getting better, no way to describe it except awesome.

Ex Machina: READ THIS BOOK! It is amazing, and well written, and its nice to see such a great book focused on politics, and not preaching either. One of the best new books in a while.

[rggkjg1]

THE INVADERS #1

ROBIN #128 - great conclusion to the 3 part arc. spoiler being robin obviously didn't last as long as many have thought.

ROBIN #129 - war games, shmore games. another solid issue by bill willingham. tim is still not robin, yet. i'm glad that a super hero can star in his series when he quits being a super hero. through out war games i'll be glad to see tim drake as tim drake. super heros in their alter egos arent explored or used as much as the hero them selves. i am looking forward to the future issues of robin and his character development leading up to his return to the costume.

BATMAN THE 12 CENT ADVENTURE - nice companion to have with whats going on in the current bat books. i don't really care for the story line it self. im getting robin cause its a good series and it still comes out strong even in a cross over storyline. i have a feeling i don't need to read any of the other titles to know whats going on. if i stay with the title i choose, i should be fine. regardless, its a 12 cent comic. you have nothing to loose if you buy it.

BATMAN #243, 245, 248, 250 - good ebay week for me. got these all together for an incredible low price. nice bronze age addition to my batman collection, written by dennis o'neil and penciled by neal adams (the greatest batman creative team ever).

[Nick K.]

This week I got...

X-Men: The End #2 - Much better than the last issue. This story seems to tie in with many events in the several X Books, or so I've heard. I like that the Phoenix is in this more... a grade higher then what I gave #1 is what this gets...

Teen Titans #14 - I'm not into the whole BB thing... I do love the Conner/ Tim stuff going on. B+

Ultimate Spider-Man #64 - Nice conclusion...it was a little weird with the cloning stuff... his dad? wth? Anyways I'll give it an A-/ B+

& Finally IC#3 - I've yet to read...

[Parallax]

Ultimate Spider-Man #64
Fables #28
DC Comics Presents: The Flash #1
Formeryly Known As The Justice League TPB

[PaQ]

Weirdest thing is that for the second week in a row, same amount of DC and Marvel Comics. Most new, only 2 back issues this week.

Superman #207 - An ok issue. The story lately hasn't been amazing. C+
Ultimate Fantastic Four #7 - Another great issue.. DR. DOOM!! A+
Adventures of Superman #631 - Whoa. Seeing the cover, I was expecting that ending, how tragic. The look on Superman greatly conveyed his emotions. A.
Nightwing #96 - An ok issue. Bats knows something is bugging Dick.. And I'm really disliking Tarantula. B-.
Ultimate Spiderman #64 - Good issue. B.
Robin #129 - Tim Drake doing hero things.. B+.
X-Men #160 - An ok resolution. C+.
New X-Men Academy X #4 - Another good issue, looks like love triangles are popping up everywhere. B+.

Thoughts Added.

[Nick K.]

Just though I'd mention I bought a Phoenix Marvel Legends action figure! She's awesome...

Does this belong in here?

[randomguy]

Just though I'd mention I bought a Phoenix Marvel Legends action figure! She's awesome...

Does this belong in here?

Eh, why not?

For what it's worth, I bought a Marvel Select Ultimate Iron Man figure earlier today. It, too, is awesome. I'm acting all nonchalant about it around friends, but yeah, when people are gone, I'm flying it around the room and making laser noises with my mouth.

[Nick K.]

Eh, why not?

For what it's worth, I bought a Marvel Select Ultimate Iron Man figure earlier today. It, too, is awesome. I'm acting all nonchalant about it around friends, but yeah, when people are gone, I'm flying it around the room and making laser noises with my mouth.

LOL... I tried shooting a montage video with the Phoenix and some killer music on my digital camera... oh no, I've lost my mind... =[

I also saw the Sinister Six and FF sets. They are beautiful... I will eventually get them!

Also, I saw a Red Skull figure that I wante dto get... since he's so rare and Cap needs a baddie to fight... but he was $75. Meh... that sucks.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Also, I saw a Red Skull figure that I wante dto get... since he's so rare and Cap needs a baddie to fight... but he was $75. Meh... that sucks.

Well, there's a few ways around that:

1. That's not a Thing or Human Torch figure -- that's the SUPER-SKRULL!!
2. DC Direct figs are the same scale and they have more villains. Soon you'll be able to do Cap vs. Deathstroke.
2a. Along the same lines, the Lord of the Rings figures work, too. Cap vs. Nazgul would be totally sweet.
3. Even if he is 12 inches tall, Cap can SO kick Ken's butt
4. You can try first part of the superhero team up story, where Cap and whoever else fight each other before realizing they've been misled.
5. Cap vs. Doom. 'Nuff said
6. Grab a big, blobby teddy bear and pretend it's the latest MODOK

-- Ed/Ace

[ArtificialIdiot]

I'd be careful messing with Ken. I mean, his girlfriend has her own personal army of clones.

Anyway, first time posting in here as I usually see these threads when it's too late (a week after I brought something) and I don't know if Judge Dredd magazine counts, but I did pick up something this week...

Superman: Red Son TPB

I also picked up two Tomb Raider comics and an Obergeist back issue (Just gotta love the 3 comics for a pound offer at the local bookshop )

[Nick K.]

Howdy,



Well, there's a few ways around that:

1. That's not a Thing or Human Torch figure -- that's the SUPER-SKRULL!!
2. DC Direct figs are the same scale and they have more villains. Soon you'll be able to do Cap vs. Deathstroke.
2a. Along the same lines, the Lord of the Rings figures work, too. Cap vs. Nazgul would be totally sweet.
3. Even if he is 12 inches tall, Cap can SO kick Ken's butt
4. You can try first part of the superhero team up story, where Cap and whoever else fight each other before realizing they've been misled.
5. Cap vs. Doom. 'Nuff said
6. Grab a big, blobby teddy bear and pretend it's the latest MODOK

-- Ed/Ace

Haha... Well Cap vs. Doom only works for so long... but I'll have plenty of villains after the Sinister Six Set...

EDIT- Today I bought an X-Men Classics Cyclops to go with my Phoenix and will be getting the Marve Legends X-Men Box set and Sinister Six set very soon... with the FF later on.

[TwoPossums]

Batman Adv 17: Holy Crap!!! What an excelent end to an amazing series. I was blown away with who was in this issue and how things were handled. No spoliers here but this one hits not close to but at the very heart of the Batman mythos. Wow. Just wow. Ty. Dan. Rick....thank you guys. I hope you all get to team up again on some book somewhere.
One minor gripe. Maybe my english grammer isn't the best but Batman says that the doctors underestimated Croc's injuries so he got away. If they underistemated them wouldn't they have been worse and thusly he wouldn't have been able to get away. Shouldn't it be that they overestimated them?

Fallen Angel 14: I enjoyed this issue but I don't know how much you would like it if you haven't been reading the series. Seeds are planted here and you see the results of things that have already happened. Nothing really for a new commer. But I enjoyed it.

JSA Strange Adventures 1: Ah yes. Finally a JSA adventure I can get into. I've stated in the past that I really want to like the regular JSA book. The team intregues me but usually falls flat. The creative team on that book needs to take a gander at this. A little steampunk, pulp action and a friggin' zepplin' make for fine reading in my book. Good stuff. Can't wait for the next issue to find out who Lord Dynamo is. Dun dun duunnnnn. Heh. Also an interesting consept of using the Spear of Destiny as the reason heroes didn't just go into Germany and stop Hitler in WWII.

She Hulk: Ok. I love this book. Dan Slott in the last year or 2 has become one of my fav writers. I always enjoy his stuff. Lots of laughs in this one and a few open mouth moments when you realize who all he has pulled to show up in this book. 2nd, 3rd even 4th teir villians. And holly crud is that Damage Control. Hah.

Terra Obscura 01T: More good pulp action. Another team that should get a crack at the regular JSA title. I enjoyed this. Don't really know who any of these characters are but I'll be back for more.

Ultimate Spider-Man 64: Oooo. Just when you think its over.....it ain't over. Carnage will live again. Yeah this was good stuff. Not the bang out best stuff you can get from Bendis most times but a good issue. Wraps up (sorta) the Carnage story line.

Astro City Supersonic: Been awhile since I read an Astro City tale and this one was good. Took me a bit to get into it but then I loved it. I think that is always the way with me and these books at first I'm not sure it is a good one and then somewhere along I don't want it to end.

FF 517: Woah. Cool issue. Again I've been out of the loop so I have no idea why people don't like the FF. Last I saw the side of Reed's face was messed up that seems to have healed. I like the angle that the FF needs money and the population doesn't have much faith in them. The FF have had it too easy for too long. Plus Waid's writting is always good and ya got Wieringo back. Love this guy. I stopped reading FF when he left. Now he's back and so am I.

Batgirl 55: Ok issue. This story arc isn't as bad as I thought. At least in this title. Artwork is kinda cool.

Robin 129: Really liked this issue. How Tim talked to the crowd and handled everything was true hero style for me. If Tim puts the mask back on or not I'm here all in for this series.

Ex Machina 3: Another good issue. Really enjoy this new series. Looks like things are just warming up.

Plasticman 9 : Is it me or is Baker's art getting worse every month. And this title keeps getting more and more stupid. Bums me out. Baker was an idol of mine. I die at Midnight and You are Here are both great books. What happened?

The Moth 4: Love Rude's artwork. Man I hope this comic keeps going for awhile.

All in all a good week.

TwoPossums

[Nick K.]

Today I jumped on and started JLA from issue 101, and the Pain of the Gods arc.

I bought JLA #s 101, 102 & 103... comments as I read them... I also bought Powerless #2.

EDIT - I also bought Batman the 12 cent adventure...

[Condiment King]

Batman Adventures 17: Fear Itself
- Excellent ending to a great book. It wasn't quite the best ending possible, but it was a very strong ending. ****
Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure: War Games Prelude: No Help
- Not bad for a promotional book to get you to read the monster sized War Games arc. I won't be doing that, but I will say this was pretty good. I'm also in favor of the deconstruction of the Batman family, but not Robin. ***
Daredevil 63: The Widow Part Three
Daredevil Vol. 4: Underboss
DC Comics Presents: The Flash 1: The Fastest Man-- DEAD! / Flashback
- Who couldn't love Loeb/McGuinness doing Flash? That was a great story with a nice quirky ending. I liked how both stories incorporated the cover into the story. Flashback was the most direct homage imaginable. *****
Fantastic Four [disassembled] 517: Fourtitude
- I love Mike Weiringo. He has got to be one of my favorite artists in the comic industry today [along with Hester and McGuinness]. Thank goodness for his return to FF. It seems like when he is gone, Mark Waid is off. For an Avengers Disassembled tie-in [another big storyline I'm not reading], I enjoyed this very much. ****
Ultimate Spider-Man 63 & 64: Carnage Parts Four and Five
- The arc started strong and turned both bizarre and off. Changes are being made in the book that I don't think I'll like all that well. Almost like the book is conforming. ***

[Clayface]

This week's issue of Fallen Angel was yet another excellent one. We learn something about Lee's powers, and we get a big surprise at the end of the issue. Man I love this book! For anyone interested in learning a little more, I'd recommend heading over to Peter David's weblog and reading the mostly-spoiler-free Fallen Angel #14 talkback thread they have up. There's some interesting discussion on why people think the book isn't selling well, some personal insights from readers that do and don't like the book, and some big teasers from David about what's coming up (apparently we're getting some big revelations by and in issue #18). I really like this particular quote:

"See, I don't know about you guys, but I think Lee's almost on a quest for punishment. She punishes herself every day, doesn't feel that she deserves happiness, and yet paradoxically, still has some residual urge to do what's right, even if it comes out twisted sometimes. She's in denial of almost everything she is, like a, shall we say, supergirl who has failed in everything she's tried to do, and yet tries anyway. She says she doesn't care about anything. Yet she tries to make a difference, even though it seems at times that she's setting herself up to fail or to do something she knows is wrong - i.e. torturing Mariah to get the Shard. She knew she was doing something reprehensible and didn't care. At least on the surface. It's almost as though, for every act of good she does, she tries to make herself do something horrible, because she doesn't feel she deserves to be heroic, doesn't feel she's worthy of the mantle of a hero. She's in constant flux in her own beliefs. She's as fallen a hero, as fallen an angel, as one can be. She's given up. She doesn't try to be a hero because it's the right thing to do. I think she tries to be a hero because it's the only thing she knows how to do. I get the sense of Lee being almost on autopilot in her life. Reminds me a lot of Season Six-era Buffy, actually (or even of Apropos at the end of "Tong Lashing"). Nothing makes sense to her, her life doesn't make sense, but she goes on ahead with what she does because it's all she has left. She's so devoid of feeling and yet so full of emotion. I love Lee. She's the best character in almost any medium and she's such a self-made paradox. Psychoanalyzing her is delicious."

Trust a woman to completely and totally get it right.

That last line ("Psychoanalyzing her is delicious.") really sums up one of the major reasons I find this book so fascinating. I also like this quote by David on the complaints from some readers about the character being too enigmatic:

"Hm. I have to wonder if comic readers really do demand that character motivations have to be more explicit that what FALLEN ANGEL's."

You know, I almost wonder--I can't be sure, mind you, but I almost wonder--if it's gender related.

I mean, fans knew nothing concrete about Wolverine's background, or Cable's for that matter, for years on end. The question of motivation was the mystery of the entire "Prisoner" TV series, it was never answered, and people have been cheerily debating it for years. We know Bruce Wayne's career as Batman was triggered by what he saw in the alley, but what really makes him tick? Is it vengeance? Is it altruism? It is a secret death wish, that he's really hoping to join his parents and this is the best way he can think of to do it without just committing suicide? Lots of ways to go, lots of possibilities. Lots of guys.

But introduce an enigmatic female character, and suddenly readers complain because I don't spell out everything about her by issue #2. I mean, Lee's breakdown in #9 and her talk with Dolf in #10 tells you everything you need to know to grasp her motivation, and guys are still left scratching their heads. But a FEMALE fan, she connected with no problem. Totally got it.

The simple fact is this: To most guys, women are a mystery. They don't know why women do what they do, and they get frustrated over it. So here's a heroine who acts like a real woman rather than a man with breasts, and maybe guys figure...I dunno...maybe they figure, "If I want to spend time with a female I don't understand, I'll talk to my girlfriend."

Good stuff.

[Damien]

I'm sorry, but is anyone carrying Punisher comics anymore? I've been to two stores now that don't seem to have them on the shelves.