One More Day – Commentary – The End

This subject is like a scab, in that you know you should leave it alone and it will heal and fall off on its own, but you continue to pick at it.

The interviews by Joe Quesada have been amusing and they can be seen here. It is in five parts and occasionally sounds sincere and often sounds inane. One of my favorite exchanges was this

“So, to get this straight, OMD doesn’t actually negate the previous 20 years of Spider-Man stories?
Exactly, that’s precisely what we wanted to avoid. What didn’t occur was the marriage. Peter and MJ were together, they loved each other -- they just didn’t pull the trigger on the wedding day. All the books count, all the stories count -- except in the minds of the people within the Marvel U, Peter and MJ were a couple, not a married couple. To me, that’s a much fairer thing to do to those of us who have been reading Spider-Man for all these years. Like I said, is it perfect? No. As far as we investigated, short of divorcing Peter, nothing really is.”

So Harry being alive, no one knows Peter’s identity, he has regular web shooters again, but no history changed? Yeah, that does not even make magical sense.

Next up we have JMS showing up on Newsarama to add his two cents to the whole debacle.
Unfortunately you need a lot of what he said to get the full effect of his complaint.

“But there are some vital omissions in the interview, including the primary reason I finally threw up my hands on the book, which had mainly to do with how the resolution was handled. To explain, here's the conversation I had with Marvel, in sum:
"So what does Mephisto do?" I ask.
"He makes everybody forget Peter's Spider-Man."
"Uh, huh. So Aunt May's still in the hospital --"
"No, he saves Aunt May."
"But if all he does is save her life and make everybody forget he's Spidey, she still has a scar on her midsection."
"No, he makes that go away too."
"Okay...:"Then he wakes up in her house."
"The house that was burned down?"
"Right."
"But how --"
"Mephisto undoes that as well."
"Okay. And the guys who shot at Peter and May and were killed, they're alive too? Mephisto can bring guys back from the dead?"
"It's all part of the spell."
"And Doc Strange can't tell?"
"No,"
"And the newspaper articles? News footage?"
"Joe, it's been forgotten."
"I'm just asking is that stuff there or not there?"
"Not there. And Peter's web shooters are back."
"Is this the same spell or a different spell?"
"Same spell."
"How does making people forget he's Spidey bring back his web shooters?"
"It's magic, okay?"
"I see. And Harry's back."
"Right."
"And Mephisto does this too."
"Yep."
"So is Harry back from the dead, or has he been alive? If they ask him, hey Harry, what did you do last summer, will he remember? And the year before? And the year before? If he says they all went on a picnic two years ago, will they remember it?"
"It's --"
"Because if he now has a life he remembers, if he's not back from the dead, then you've changed the continuity you said you didn't want to change. Those are your only options: he was brought back from the dead, and there's a grave, and people remember him dying --"
"Mephisto changes THEIR memories too."
"-- or he's effectively been alive as far as our characters know, so he's been alive all along, so either way as far as our characters are concerned, continuity's been violated going back to 1971. How do you explain that?"
"It's magic, we don't have to explain it."

And that's the part I had a real problem with, maybe the single biggest problem. There's this notion that magic fixes everything. It doesn't. "It's magic, we don't have to explain it." Well, actually, yes, you do. Magic has to have rules. And this is clearly not just a case of one spell making everybody forget he's Spidey...suddenly you're bringing back the dead, undoing wounds, erasing records, reinstating web shooters, on and on and on.”

Even the guy who was onboard for writing this “fix” can’t handle the way that Marvel fixed it.


From Mike Sterling’s Progressive Ruin (the King of Comic Blogs) comes his summation of the entire train wreck (see January 4th entry). I hope he is right that someone comes and fixes this thing soon.

I’m always an advocate for change and growth in characters. I actually preferred Connor being Green Arrow, because Ollie’s story had been told. Until Judd Winnick got on Green Arrow and cut loose with “One Year Later” I was not following Ollie as Green Arrow. I prefer Kyle as Green Lantern or move on past Kyle even. I was unimpressed with Hal as GL until the “Sinestro Corps War” but that has more to with the Green Lanterns then Hal.

At least DC moves on and tries to really move forward. There is nothing wrong with having new people as the heroes with the same name. JSA does a great job with that and I would rather read about the new Hourman and Liberty Belle, then the old. Also I would rather read about the new Batman and Wonder Woman. Still if a good story is told and advancement in the character can be made that is also fine, but often it is just undone by the next writer. Look what happened the death of Ras As Ghul. No one picked up that story line so they wiped away with his rather lame Resurrection. Again that does not negate so great stories to come; it is just that we are unwilling to give up the past.

Marvel is even worse in this respect. We have the exact same character still running around in almost every title. Spider-Man is still Peter Parker, The Fantastic Four is still Reed Richards, Sue Richards, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, Tony Stark I still Iron Man, Janet Van Dyne is still the Wasp, Bruce Banner is the Hulk and on and on and on.

The One More Day debacle is a problem on many levels. The screwed up continuity, which Marvel says is not screwed up it all happened, just not the way it happened I guess. Dead people are revived, Peter’s life is totally changed, but it is okay because we get to see Joe’s version of the perfect Spider-Man because magic fixes whatever they want to fix. The character is disrespected, the fans are disrespected and the growth that the character had achieved is wiped away.

Again that is not to say that we will not got some entertaining stories out of the Spider-Man books and I will try out a couple issues to see if it has readability, but I have no interest in every trying to invest in the character ever again. I tired to get interested in Spider-Man here and there and under JMS there were some stories I followed and the concept of a three times a month single story was appealing, but now I really could care.

I guess I’m grateful that I have my archives, Invincible, Blue Beetle, Dynamo 5 and some other great super hero books to look forward to, but the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man were the main characters I loved growing up as a child, and this is just a sad chapter in the history of the character and really is the worst story ever fostered on this character. The characters almost become alive after reading about them for so many years so it is sad when the reality that they are just really pictures on a page is made so evident when someone in power decides to radically change them and applies no logic to it.

NORTH WIND #1 (of 5) - For Free - Online

Seldom, if ever do I post press releases, but this is a very cool idea and the first issue is really worth a read. So check it out.

BOOM! STUDIOS AND MYSPACE COMIC BOOKS LAUNCH NORTH WIND

New Comic To Be Simultaneously Released In Stores And Online

LOS ANGELES- January 3rd, 2008 - MySpace, the world's most popular social network, and BOOM! Studios, a leader in comic book and graphic novel publishing, today announced a partnership to provide the MySpace Comic Book community with free digital downloads of BOOM! Studios' highly anticipated new comic book series, NORTH WIND. Beginning on January 3rd , MySpace users will be able to download the first issue of NORTH WIND for free exclusively on the MySpace Comic Books profile (http://myspace.com/comicbooks) the next day that issue will hit store shelves. Each subsequent issue will be available on MySpace Comic Books and in stores at the same time.

"NORTH WIND is a fantastic comic book with incredible art and an intense story. It's a huge project for us and a real stand-out title that deserves its own stand-out marketing program," said Tom Fassbender, VP of Publishing for BOOM! Studios. "We are huge fans of MySpace Comic Books and we are excited about working with them on simultaneously releasing each issue online."

Written by David DiGilio, best known for writing the film EIGHT BELOW and creating the ABC TV show TRAVELER, NORTH WIND is a five issue mini-series set in a future Los Angeles after a new ice age has covered the earth. NORTH WIND chronicles the rise of a new hero in a dystopian world where people burn books for fuel, and Skinrunners trade valuable pelts for rations and warmth. The first issue features a cover by Andrew Huerta with interior artwork by newcomer and soon to be fan-favorite, Alex Cal.

"I'm fired up to see NORTH WIND on MySpace Comic Books," writer and creator David DiGilio said. "Hopefully, fans will find NORTH WIND online, get hooked, and decide they need a hard copy of the book as well. And speaking of fans, what comic book creator doesn't want over 154,000 friends!? MySpace Comic Books equals Ultimate Online Comics Hang Out. It's a great hookup."

"Gone are the days where people worried about sales being negatively impacted when you put comic book content online for free," said Chip Mosher, BOOM! Studios' Marketing and Sales Director. "Look at DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. That book is a New York Times bestseller. It's the best-selling graphic novel of 2007. And you can read the whole thing for free online. Given David DiGilio's vast fan-base, putting every issue of NORTH WIND up online as it comes out is a no-brainer!"

A trailer for NORTH WIND will be released on MySpaceTV to help promote this special event. The trailer, cut by Craig Kennedy at CK Creative, can be seen here: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=25270023

To meet demand, NORTH WIND will be overshipped to retailers and BOOM! Studios will also be offering retailers an additional 3% reorder incentive.

MySpace Comic Books (http://myspace.com/comicbooks) is a community dedicated to the best in comics, manga, and graphic novels. Launched in March 2007, MySpace Comic Books provides the online community with the latest comic book news and interviews and spotlights the most exciting projects, creators and events in the industry. With more than 145,000 friends, and growing, MySpace continues to see significant interest from its members in the comic book arena.

NORTH WIND Trailer

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The Bill of Rights: A Transcription

As promised a while back ago - I want to put these out on the blog in hopes everyone will read them as our government seems intent on reducing this rights in subtle and not so subtle ways.

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights
Congress of the United Statesbegun and held at the City of New-York, onWednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

All italics were added by me.

This week-end and next week should be back to the comic book oriented material.

General Question About Society

Here's a question to ponder... Are we really a global society? Are we really the big happy village the pundits always call us. I ask the question because I really wonder.

I wonder how happy everyone is.

I wonder if things are as good as 'they' say.

If we are a big happy village then why do we, as a society, allow some of the bad things that happen to happen? Why don't we stop them?

For example, why does society have a perverse fascination with serial killers. There are more and more movies made about them everyday. Every time one appears and shoots up a school, or a mall, or a church they become instantly famous. Why do we as a society allow this happen?

In the original serial killer movie, 1931's "M" by Fritz Lang, the village bands together to stop the evil. All the townspeople, both rich and poor, even police and criminal, gather together to stop the cancer within their village. In today's movies, the killer not only gets away but he gets sequel after sequel after sequel. There are websites dedicated to Hannibal Lector and Jason from Friday the 13th.

Today's village is much larger, but are we really a village? Do you know your neighbor? How is it that you can't walk in your backyard without being seen by 5 people, but Jeffery Dahmer can use power tools in the middle of the night and no one notices anything?

Are we a society or just a really big group of self absorbed, narcissistic, consumers who think of nothing but purchasing the lastest instant gratification fad?

It is just a question.

Best to Worst of Last Week

So I really only ended up missing one Best to Worse column, which is not bad at all. For the record last week Grendel was the best and I guess since I cancelled She-Hulk it has to be the worst. Not that She-Hulk is a poorly produced book; it is just that Peter David has not caught the right vibe on the book to bring me back into it. Ever since Dan Slott was either told to drag it into Civil War or decided it was a good idea the book lost its charm.

Action Comics #860 – My best writer of 2007 finished on an up note with this book. It has the feeling of a solid old time Legion of Super Heroes adventure and for a diehard old time Legion fan this book hits all the right buttons. Gary Frank is a top flight artist, but the garish faces on some of the characters is a little off-putting.
Brave and Bold #9 – Mark Waid is doing a masterful job of weaving so many player in and out of this book and tying the entire run together with the “Book of Destiny” that every issue is a great read. By having George Perez do the art work and you have the making of one of the best rendered super hero books on the market. This issue we got the Metal Men, Blackhawks, Atom, Hawkman and more.
Crossing Midnight #14 - Another really well done issue and the ending is the cliff hanger I have been waiting for as brother and sister finally meet again. I can not wait for next issue. This is a terrific series and deserves your patronage.
Uncle Sam and The Freedom Fighters #4 (of 8) - I wish DC would make this an ongoing series. That being said the whole “Red Bee” saga has been a roller coaster ride for me. First she was a waste of a character, then her new powers were very cool and now she wants to help the world by turning us all into part of her hive mind. Wonderful series.
Death of the New Gods #4 (of 8) – This was an excellent issue. Scott Free going off the deep end as his wife has died, Orion and Superman coming to a truce, Metron searching for the killer. This book feels like a bigger tie-in to Final Crisis then even Countdown. Now the killer’s face has been revealed to a couple people in the cast, I would also like to know who it is.
Batman #672 – The steroid Batmen return and Batman goes down in a fight and is apparently dying of a heart attack when Bat-Mite shows up. This Bane like Batmen have been floating in and out of Morrison’s run on this book and I think we are moving towards a resolution of that story line. Bat-Mite showing up was just very odd, but totally a Grant Morrison moment. Tony Daniels is doing a great job on the art and this title is in good hands at the moment.
Blue Beetle #22 - This issue is why I consider this to be one of the best series from 2007. We are starting an arc called Endgame – where it appears Jamie is trying to stop the Reach once and for all. John Rogers (writer) has Jamie’s voice down so well and the supporting cast is also great. Rafael Albuquerque (artist) appears to still be learning his craft and is weak on backgrounds at times, but he conveys the action and emotions of the story very well.
Proof #3 - Fast becoming one of my favorite series, my only disappointment was that I’m not getting enough of this book, the main story was only 16 pages, and then we had some additional background material and a nice 3 page foreshadowing of events to come. Grecian, Rossmo and Jenkins have a winner with this book and appear to love doing it.
Hellblazer #239 – What a really well done opening chapter into a major arc for John Constantine. He only appears in the last panel, but the sense of danger was built up very well and the bad guy was very bad and horrifying.
Crime Bible The Five Lessons of Blood #3 (of 5) - Another good issue as Renee is driven further down the path of evil as she learns the lesson of greed. Greg Rucka is writing a great story about the new “Question”. Also I’m enjoying a new artist for every chapter so far and this issue it was Matthew Clark providing a good job on the art side.
Legion of Super Heroes #37 - Nice start to Jim Shooter’s run on this book. We get a new danger, we have teams spread put, and we have Lighting Lad over his head trying to run the place. A lot going on for one book, well paced and reads very well. Welcome back Jim Shooter. Never heard of Francis Manapul before, but he does a terrific job on the art and the colors are brighter which I believe fit the Legion best.
Pax Romana #1 (of 4) – This is a cool concept, the Vatican in the future sends people back in time to create a new future. Looking forward to the rest of this and Jonathan Hickman states he has many stories to tell of Pax Romana if this series does well.
X-Men First Class #7 - Another wonderful issue that mixes the history of the X-Men while making its own additions along the way. Really nice touch showing Jean liked having “ultimate” power. Jeff Parker (writer) and Roger Cruz (artist) have a winning book.
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Ultimate Spider-Man #117 - A fitting ending to the Green Goblin sage, Norman in a rage kills his son and then asks to be killed and Carol Danvers obliges. The best Spider-Man book on the market, but even though I have not followed for a long time and have followed it for a couple of years it is annoying to see how much life experience has piled up on someone still in high school.
Conan #47 - Strong issue and a good beginning for the new artist Tomas Giorello. This arc leads to the end of the current Conan series and it appears this will be the bridge between his days as a thief and moving to be a warrior.
Iron Man #24 - Really well done, but the pacing on this story as with many Marvel books lately is too damn slow. Butch Guice’s artwork was well done and I’m enjoying the Knauf’s brother’s writing.
Authority Prime #3 (of 6) - This has been a good mini-series with a solid reason for a super-hero fight. The battles have been well done and now a common enemy has come forth in the nature of cloned versions of the old Stormwatch team. Gage (writer) is joined by Darrick Robertson who is doing terrific work right now and between his DC work and the boys must be drawing 18 plus books a year right now.
Countdown to Final Crisis #18 – This was one of the better issues of Countdown. We finally get the scoop on where Ray Palmer has been and then we ratchet up the anticipation with a good cliff-hanger. Now what hurt this issue was Ray was on this Earth for years and “Bob” the monitor could never find him. The overall construction of the “Final Crisis” seems very poorly planned out and Didio seems to have great ideas and then just does a poor job of structuring everything around it. If “Final Crisis” is indeed as contained as they are advertising that will be a good thing.
Daredevil #103 - A good story, but boy is this taking forever to get anywhere. Ed Brubaker needs to speed up his story telling. Lark / Azaceta & Gaudiano did another good job on the art.
Captain Marvel #2 (of 5) - A good issue. I’m starting to enjoy this series and once the mystery of why Marvel is reviewing this painting is revealed (I think he sees a skrull in it), then we will see why they revived him. Nice to see Lee Weeks pencils again.
Gotham Underground #3 (of 9) - This is a very enjoyable series. We have Bruce in disguise fighting Zsasz in jail, Robin and Oracle trying to figure out how all the pieces come together, Spoiler showing up and a new bad guy group. Frank Tieri (writer) and Jim Califore are doing a really nice job with this book.
Invincible Presents Atom Eve #1 (of 2 )- I love the idea of giving us Atom Eve’s back story as she becomes prominent in Invincible. The story itself is well told, but the art was all wrong for this book. The artist has the ability to tell a good story, but his “underground” type style does not lend itself to depicting Atom Eve as the beautiful women she is shown as on the cover and in Invincible.
Captain America #33 - Brubaker’s story is suffering from the same problem as his DD book, the story is taking forever to get anywhere. The battle between Bucky and Tony was going to only end one way with a stalemate. The floating arm was too much. Now Bucky is going to be the new Captain America and go after the Red Skrull which is fine, but we could have been here 4/5 issues ago. Still well written, just poorly paced saved in many ways by the solid art of Epting and Guice (on inks- wow).
Flash #235 – This has been a long arc reintroducing Wally back into the DCU and the story is good, but I think it was a mistake as far as a re-launch. Still Waid writes a good story and Freddie Williams is an appealing artist. That being said as much as I love Wally I was ready to move forward with Bart as the Flash.
Thor # 5 - So Snore actually has some stuff happen. We see Loki (as a girl now) played Thor to free the bad guys of Asgard and is in league with Dr. Doom. The book is well done, but it is building oh so slowly that a trade or hard cover collection maybe the way to go on this book.
Dan Dare #2 (of 7) - Good issue. I’m enjoying this story of Dan Dare coming out of retirement to save the day and the ultimate bad guy has many plans going on all at once. Gary Erskine’s art is stretched a little beyond his limits in my opinion as the monsters just don’t work on some level, but still a decent job.
Green Lantern #26 – This was a solid issue, but an epilogue to last issue and a prelude to the next story line. The Alpha Lanterns appears to have the power batteries actually implanted into them, so I guess they always stay charged.
Hulk vs. Fin Fang Foom One Shot - Wonderful old time story by Peter David (writer) and Jorge Lucas (pencils), Robert Campanella (inks) and Brad Anderson (colors). Read like a good old Marvel comic and had a cool battle between Hulk and Foom. What I did not like is it was 22 pages and $4 which was justified by a reprint of Fin Fang Foom in it.
X-Men #206 - I guess the how this series ends will make it or break it, but the series has gone on too long and we are not getting any resolution points along the way. Bachalo’s art looked better this issue and the coloring was also better, but the sense of urgency is gone.
Drafted #4 - A decent issue. Still getting used to artist Chris Lie’s work, it is decent and conveys the story, but is lacking in a strong sense of drama and at times is a little off. The overall story is a slow build, but we are developing the ongoing story and getting background on our main casts, so this book will take time to build, but writer Mark Powers is keeping me interested. Finally I believe this book will pay off the deeper we get into the series.
Teen Titans #54 - An okay opening arc from Sean McKeever, but the Titans still lack a solid direction. Still all said and done I like the first ending, the second ending not so much.
JLA Classified #49 - Excellent one and done about the way the heroes loved ones feel when they are fighting a major menace. Paulo Siqueira’s art is great and he should have a regular book. Nice story from Andew Kreisberg and nice to see some new names in DC writing credits.
JSA Classified #33 – Solid story about the Golden Age GL and how much of a hero he is. Really well done and heart warming story about his love for his daughter.
52 Aftermath The Four Horsemen #5 (of 6) – This series benefits from low expectations and a great writing job by Keith Giffen. I went into this series expecting to drop it, but have been pleasantly surprised by some of Giffen’s great character moments and the art by Oliffe has been well done. This has certainly not been an “important” series, but has been entertaining.
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House of M Avengers #3 (of 5) - This was a good issue and is setting up a good confrontation between Luke and Thunderbird. It is fun to read alternative universe stories because you can actually have stuff happen.
Jack of Fables #18 - This issue fell flat for me as this issue was very much a middle chapter of a longer arc. Still even an okay issue of this series is good as this series continue to grow into a very good series.
Zombie Simon Garth #2 (of 4) - Kyle Hotz is having fun with his revival of “The Living Zombie” Simon Garth. Still it is his art that carry’s the book as many of his bits in the story are derivative of other horror movies and or comics.
Wildstorm Armageddon #1 - So all the other Armageddon books just were wasted lead-ins to this one which is a lead-in to a mini-series. I should be so aggravated as to not getting the mini-series, but my curiosity has the better of me know. Christos Gage delivered a good script and Talent Caldwell provided a good art job, but we still never get to know the secret of what caused the Armageddon and are now directed to a 6 part mini-series. Arghh!
Countdown to Adventure #5 (of 8) – Animal Man & Starfire on Earth find a cure for the plaque, Adam Strange is still in trouble on Rann and overall the story is only marginally entertaining. The Forerunner back up has started to lose me, especially considering her job was apparently not needed as Monarch in “Arena” gathered his own troops.
Ultimate Power #9 (of 9) – Pointless series and apparently all a set-up to move Princess Power into the Ultimate Universe I guess and get rid of Nick Fury for awhile. Greg Land does solid work and draws beautiful women with photo referenced faces, but still always solid art.
Countdown Arena #4 (of 4) – As just a pure fun and forgettable read, this book was okay, but it is suppose to be part of the overall structure of what is building up with countdown and Final Crisis. As a piece of the puzzle it made no sense, Monarch has Forerunner gathering members, but then he gathers members and he is so powerful why does he need an army.
Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Secret Files #1 – A lot of work went into this book and for people who are into the detailed history of characters or want to know who all the GLs are this is a well done book. For me it is not as important, but still okay to flip through and had a good origin of the grave keeper GL.
Giant-Sized Avengers #1 - An okay conglomeration of stories. Still nothing worth the $5 cover price. Also I get tired of Marvel adding extra $1 to the price tag and add a random reprint to justify it.
Amazing Spider-Man #545 – This was my easiest choice of the week and if you follow this blog at all this choice is not a surprise.

So no book got cancelled this week, but I did pretty much rake Amazing over the coals all week long. To change things a little I’m adding a little color to the groupings. The top group will be in red and these are books that I considered to be the best of the week and really excellent efforts on an individual series. The second grouping will be in green and this group is the books that were good and I’m glad I did not miss, but not “A” level. The final group is in blue and is not that these are bad books, it is just that they are the books that either I could have missed and would not have cared, a bad chapter in an otherwise fine series, a lousy book or one that hit the wrong week and looked meek by comparison.

One More Post on One More Day

A quote from Joe Q.

"In the end, knowing what that story was going to be is what allowed us to go ahead with the unmasking of Spider-Man in "Civil War" -- we had our "way out" ahead of time, it was a great place to be. "

This one quote speaks volumes about the way Marvel has handled things. A major revelation and a stunning surprise that was advertised as changing the status quo of a major character was a total lie. They knew from day one that they were going to fix it.

Disingenuous has been taken to a new level. We are fans and we enjoy some of the surprises and want to be shocked by what happens to the characters we love, but when you make it blatantly obvious that you are f**king with us just because you can, it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

It no longer seems that the fans or the characters are really respected by Marvel and at times I think DC has done a poor job also with the numerous re-launches and letting a "named" writer change a character in anyway to satisfy that writer.

The Spider-Man debacle is an all time low. The fans were disrespected and manipulated, the characters are not even a shadow of the characters that I had grown to love.

You can see from my list of "What I Get" where I have been voting my dollars and with Marvel it has been to trades and collections of past work. More and more of the new stuff I try and bail out on. If Ed Brubaker left Marvel almost all of the books I really enjoy from Marvel would lose their writer.

From Loeb's horrible Ultimates Volume 3 #1, to his new "Red" Hulk pulling Greg Pak away from what I think was his story with Hulk, to Bendis' horrible showing with New and Mighty Avengers, to this farce with Spider-Man, it is hard for me to believe this was the company that made me such a comics fan.

Nuff said!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

From Pops, Sparky & Princess (aka Jim, Lee & Gwen).