Jim: Lee was having a hard time getting into the Marvel books this month so I took the lead to pick out some titles. There is sameness with the super hero stuff and after awhile it becomes very predictable as I’m sure some of our commentary… maybe.
Lee: The problem isn’t the sameness to the stories, well only partially, it’s the interconnected-ness (is that a word?) of the Marvel Universe. Everything is in the latest super-stupendous event. If you started the event then this is just a future teaser. If you aren’t reading the event then Marvel literally offers you nothing.
SIEGE #3 (of 4)
Lee: The problem isn’t the sameness to the stories, well only partially, it’s the interconnected-ness (is that a word?) of the Marvel Universe. Everything is in the latest super-stupendous event. If you started the event then this is just a future teaser. If you aren’t reading the event then Marvel literally offers you nothing.
SIEGE #3 (of 4) (W) BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (A&C) OLIVIER COIPEL
In the halls of Asgard and on the streets of small town America the entire Universe is gripped in a the greatest battle ever seen: SIEGE!! Lives have been lost! Lines have been drawn! And the battle for Asgard is in full force. The moment for revelations and life-changing moves is here, and for some, this will be the last choice they ever make in this world. What happens next is so epic, so historic, that it changes the entire dynamic of the Marvel Universe. You're gonna want to be there for this one...trust us. 40 PGS …$3.99
In the halls of Asgard and on the streets of small town America the entire Universe is gripped in a the greatest battle ever seen: SIEGE!! Lives have been lost! Lines have been drawn! And the battle for Asgard is in full force. The moment for revelations and life-changing moves is here, and for some, this will be the last choice they ever make in this world. What happens next is so epic, so historic, that it changes the entire dynamic of the Marvel Universe. You're gonna want to be there for this one...trust us. 40 PGS …$3.99
Jim: Okay a minor point but the covers of these books constantly show Captain (Steve Rogers) America with his shield. We just had the one shot aftermath called “Who will wield the Shield” making a big deal over Cap giving it to Bucky Cap to carry. I know continuity does not have to be king, but geez at least make it last more then two panels after making a huge deal over it.
Lee: I’m not reading this story so I can’t comment directly but it seems that everyone is getting pretty riled up about the continuity gaffs in Siege. This is one of the problems with tightening up continuity, people want it more and more exact and it’s not that precise.
SIEGE #1 DIRECTOR’S CUT (W) BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (A&C) OLIVIER COIPEL
Get a behind the scenes look at Marvel’s premiere event of 2010! Beginning with the ravaging affects of Avengers Disassembled and following the aftermaths of House of M, Civil War and Secret Invasion, culminating with the evil Reign of Norman Osborn, the Marvel Universe has been left with its greatest villains holding more power and control than ever before. On the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid to take total control, targets the final obstacle in his mission…Asgard. Events are set in motion forcing our heroes to put aside the deep rifts that have grown over the past seven years. Opposing them stand a horde of evil that has begun to take down the gods of the Golden Realm! SIEGE will rock the foundations of every super hero, villain and team in the Marvel Universe. As an era ends, one word will ring above all others…”SIEGE.” This bonus edition reprints SIEGE #1 in its entirety – plus the SIEGE PROLOGUE, previously available only online, and other choice extras.48 PGS …$4.99
Get a behind the scenes look at Marvel’s premiere event of 2010! Beginning with the ravaging affects of Avengers Disassembled and following the aftermaths of House of M, Civil War and Secret Invasion, culminating with the evil Reign of Norman Osborn, the Marvel Universe has been left with its greatest villains holding more power and control than ever before. On the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid to take total control, targets the final obstacle in his mission…Asgard. Events are set in motion forcing our heroes to put aside the deep rifts that have grown over the past seven years. Opposing them stand a horde of evil that has begun to take down the gods of the Golden Realm! SIEGE will rock the foundations of every super hero, villain and team in the Marvel Universe. As an era ends, one word will ring above all others…”SIEGE.” This bonus edition reprints SIEGE #1 in its entirety – plus the SIEGE PROLOGUE, previously available only online, and other choice extras.48 PGS …$4.99
Jim: Marvel’s marketing arm is telling fans, look we got you to pay $4 for the book 2 months ago, now you can pay $5 for almost all the same material and some crap we put online that had no real impact to the story. This crap is ridiculous and insulting to the fans. This stuff can be added into a nice hard cover collection down the road, but trying to sell the same book twice in three months is pure greed.
Lee: Yeah, but someone is buying it! And, I’m sure production costs are lower because it’s already been sent to the printer once. Do you want a second printing or do you want this?
GIRL COMICS #1 (of 3)(W) TRINA ROBBINS, DEVIN GRAYSON, ANN NOCENTI, G. WILLOW WILSON, VALERIE D’ORAZIO, LUCY KNISLEY, COLLEEN COOVER & MORE!
(A) STEPHANIE BUSCEMA, MING DOYLE, NIKKI COOK, MOLLY CRABAPPLE, LUCY KNISLEY, COLLEEN COOVER & MORE!
With the most controversial question in the Marvel Universe finally answered right on the cover, Marvel is proud to bring you a celebration of amazing women in comics with the first of a three issue anthology entirely created by the most talented and exciting women working in comics today, including Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Laura Martin (SECRET INVASION), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Devin Grayson (Nightwing), Stephanie Buscema (WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), and more! With stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, from the Punisher to Mary Jane, don’t miss what will be the one of the most talked about series of the year! (Please note: She-Hulk would totally win). 48 PGS …$4.99
With the most controversial question in the Marvel Universe finally answered right on the cover, Marvel is proud to bring you a celebration of amazing women in comics with the first of a three issue anthology entirely created by the most talented and exciting women working in comics today, including Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Laura Martin (SECRET INVASION), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Devin Grayson (Nightwing), Stephanie Buscema (WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), and more! With stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, from the Punisher to Mary Jane, don’t miss what will be the one of the most talked about series of the year! (Please note: She-Hulk would totally win). 48 PGS …$4.99
Jim: This is almost insulting I think. Where are the Jew Comics, Black Comics, Gay Comics, Senior Citizen Comics, White Hetro Male Comics, Right Wing Comics. I mean really many of these creators are very talented and do not need stuff that panders to them.
Lee: I know what you’re trying to say but I really think that you miss the point. This book is a chance for women to produce comics in a male dominated environment. I think it’s a great way to showcase female talent. And, I think it’s a great way to target a specific audience, ie the women that read comics.
Jim: Wow - Lee is being very PC.
SIF #1
SIF #1 (W) KELLY SUE DECONNICK (A) TBD (C) TRAVEL FOREMAN
The Asgardian warrior Sif was no stranger to battle; the heft of steel, the pitch of combat, the spray of an enemy's blood...she even craved it. But when Asgard and its people made their glorious return through the power of Thor, Sif's body was stolen and possessed by crafty Loki. Cowed by such defilement, Sif hasn't been her true self...until a former lover and mate in arms comes to her with a call to battle and blood-spattering adventure...Now Sif sets out with Beta Ray Bill to fight her way back to true warrior's glory! 32 PGS./One-Shot/ …$3.99
The Asgardian warrior Sif was no stranger to battle; the heft of steel, the pitch of combat, the spray of an enemy's blood...she even craved it. But when Asgard and its people made their glorious return through the power of Thor, Sif's body was stolen and possessed by crafty Loki. Cowed by such defilement, Sif hasn't been her true self...until a former lover and mate in arms comes to her with a call to battle and blood-spattering adventure...Now Sif sets out with Beta Ray Bill to fight her way back to true warrior's glory! 32 PGS./One-Shot/ …$3.99
X-23 #1
(W) MARJORIE LIU (A&C) ALINA URSOV
X-23 has spent her short life being used by those in power, from the military to the X-Men. But when she is forced to confront a being who can control her life with nothing but a thought, will X-23 finally learn how to fight -- not for others, but herself? Guest-starring NYX! 48 PGS./One-Shot/ …$3.99
X-23 has spent her short life being used by those in power, from the military to the X-Men. But when she is forced to confront a being who can control her life with nothing but a thought, will X-23 finally learn how to fight -- not for others, but herself? Guest-starring NYX! 48 PGS./One-Shot/ …$3.99
SHE-HULK: SENSATIONAL
(W) PETER DAVID & BRIAN REED (A&C) IBAN COELLO & TBA (C) GARY FRANK
You NEVER ask a woman her age…especially when she can bench press tractor trailers! But She-Hulk’s big secret is out, because Marvel’s celebrating 30 years of the jade giantess and you’re invited to the party! Join acclaimed Shulkie scribe Peter David for an anniversary tale unlike any other! And if you’re still feeling savage, writer Brian Reed (MS. MARVEL) and artist Iban Coello are hosting an after party in honor of the buff bombshell and her most fabulous friends! With a classic John Byrne She-Hulk reprint as the nightcap, you’re guaranteed to have a gamma-gamma good time! 80 PGS./One-Shot/ …$4.99
You NEVER ask a woman her age…especially when she can bench press tractor trailers! But She-Hulk’s big secret is out, because Marvel’s celebrating 30 years of the jade giantess and you’re invited to the party! Join acclaimed Shulkie scribe Peter David for an anniversary tale unlike any other! And if you’re still feeling savage, writer Brian Reed (MS. MARVEL) and artist Iban Coello are hosting an after party in honor of the buff bombshell and her most fabulous friends! With a classic John Byrne She-Hulk reprint as the nightcap, you’re guaranteed to have a gamma-gamma good time! 80 PGS./One-Shot/ …$4.99
Jim: This is all such pandering it kills me and wait a minute Peter David and Brian Reed are guys, why are they writing anything. It all smacks of the PC crowd trying to force something as opposed to just letting it occur in a more organic fashion. Still if they can generate more female fans it will have to help get some of the fan boys out of the basement of Mom and Dad’s house.
Lee: You were way too angry when you made these comments! This is a great tie in to Girl Comics and will load the stands up with female characters for at least one month. It’s not pc, just smart business acumen.
Jim: We will see when the sales numbers come out.
PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #1 - #5 (of 5)
PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #1 - #5 (of 5) (W) VICTOR GISCHLER
(A) ROB LIEFELD (ISSUE #1), WHILCE PORTACIO (ISSUE #2), PHILIP BOND (ISSUE #3), PACO MEDINA (ISSUE #4), & KYLE BAKER (ISSUE #5)
Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he’s going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they’re, well, kind of messed up, but together, they’re the unstoppable force know as DPC. Issue #1 40 PGS./ …$3.99 Issue #2-#5 32 PGS./ …$2.99
Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he’s going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they’re, well, kind of messed up, but together, they’re the unstoppable force know as DPC. Issue #1 40 PGS./ …$3.99 Issue #2-#5 32 PGS./ …$2.99
Jim: I continued to be amazed at how popular Deadpool is for Marvel. Obviously sales and order numbers support doing more and more with him but it really reminds me of how Lobo was handled by DC. Eventually we all OD’ed on him.
Lee: Every 10 or so years there is a minor character that gets beaten into the ground. There was Punisher in the late 80’s, Venom in the 90’s, Lobo in the 90’s, and now Deadpool. I ready for this particular character fade to be over.
ULTIMATE COMICS NEW ULTIMATES #1 (W) JEPH LOEB (P&C) FRANK CHO
If only a few super heroes survived the Ultimatum -- who is left to become the next super powered team to be reckoned with? The NEW Ultimates! With Thor gone, Loki takes his revenge unleashing the worst of Asgard on Earth. Iron Man must gather the heroes for their biggest Ultimates adventure yet. But who has made the final cut? And who can’t be trusted? The Ultimates face evil once again and you’ll never guess the new enemies they’ll find…or should we say old friends? Superstar creators, JEPH LOEB and FRANK CHO (in his Ultimate Comics debut!) bring you the new face of the Ultimate line in NEW ULTIMATES: THOR REBORN! 32 PGS …$3.99
If only a few super heroes survived the Ultimatum -- who is left to become the next super powered team to be reckoned with? The NEW Ultimates! With Thor gone, Loki takes his revenge unleashing the worst of Asgard on Earth. Iron Man must gather the heroes for their biggest Ultimates adventure yet. But who has made the final cut? And who can’t be trusted? The Ultimates face evil once again and you’ll never guess the new enemies they’ll find…or should we say old friends? Superstar creators, JEPH LOEB and FRANK CHO (in his Ultimate Comics debut!) bring you the new face of the Ultimate line in NEW ULTIMATES: THOR REBORN! 32 PGS …$3.99
Jim: Jeph Loeb and Frank Cho together on a book. Now I will pass as I no longer want to read anything by Loeb, but add Frank Cho on it and you might as well book getting the first arc in a trade on Dec 21, 2012.
Lee: I’m not sure what you’re complaining about! I think this will be great. The author will write a story that may or may not be comprehensible. The artist will draw whatever he wants to anyway without regard to the script. AND, it will be in continuity so we have to buy it. What’s not to love?
CLOAK AND DAGGER #1 (W) STUART MOORE (A&C) MARK BROOKS
Marvel’s most-requested duo return in this all-new one-shot, spinning out of X-MEN: NATION X! Cloak -- dark, brooding teleporter. Dagger -- deadly, shining mistress of light. Having quit the Dark X-Men, Cloak and Dagger find their partnership strained as they struggle to fit in among the mutants of Utopia. But when a new menace targets Cloak, Dagger must make a fateful choice for both of them. Guest-starring the X-Men, and written by Stuart Moore (WOLVERINE NOIR) with stunning art by Mark Brooks (YOUNG AVENGERS). 40 PGS./One-Shot/ …$3.99
Marvel’s most-requested duo return in this all-new one-shot, spinning out of X-MEN: NATION X! Cloak -- dark, brooding teleporter. Dagger -- deadly, shining mistress of light. Having quit the Dark X-Men, Cloak and Dagger find their partnership strained as they struggle to fit in among the mutants of Utopia. But when a new menace targets Cloak, Dagger must make a fateful choice for both of them. Guest-starring the X-Men, and written by Stuart Moore (WOLVERINE NOIR) with stunning art by Mark Brooks (YOUNG AVENGERS). 40 PGS./One-Shot/ …$3.99
Jim: Cloak & Dagger just never worked for me, but I know a lot of people who loved them. I’ll pass on this as I’m almost 100% “X” free now, but Stuart Moore is a decent writer.
Lee: I’m a Cloak & Dagger fan from way, way back but that’s mostly because of Leonadi’s art in the first series. I still don’t understand the point of this issue. Seriously, a one-shot? This will have marginal sales at best because it’s second string characters. This is nothing more than Marvel trying to force other books off the shelves.
DOOMWAR #2 (of 6) (W) JONATHAN MABERRY (A) SCOT EATON (C) JOHN ROMITA JR.
Doctor Doom's latest power play has the Marvel Universe up in arms. Wakanda has been conquered and Storm faces execution in the next 48 hours -- unless the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the two Black Panthers can rally to the rescue! With Doom only minutes away from stealing enough Vibranium to help him conquer the world, T’Challa faces the most dreadful decision possible: let Doom win…or let Storm die!32 PGS …$3.99
Lee: So, here’s the question… as an artist, is it ok to swipe yourself? Don’t believe me? Check out this cover to Uncanny X-men #197. Seems awfully similar if you ask me.
Jim: This seems to be a stand alone kind of series, not sure why Marvel is even making it. At least to celebrate woman’s month we have a nice violence against woman cover.
Doctor Doom's latest power play has the Marvel Universe up in arms. Wakanda has been conquered and Storm faces execution in the next 48 hours -- unless the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the two Black Panthers can rally to the rescue! With Doom only minutes away from stealing enough Vibranium to help him conquer the world, T’Challa faces the most dreadful decision possible: let Doom win…or let Storm die!32 PGS …$3.99
Lee: So, here’s the question… as an artist, is it ok to swipe yourself? Don’t believe me? Check out this cover to Uncanny X-men #197. Seems awfully similar if you ask me.
Jim: This seems to be a stand alone kind of series, not sure why Marvel is even making it. At least to celebrate woman’s month we have a nice violence against woman cover.
More tomorrow...
Why isn't Gwen writing on this one? You guys are painful to read talking about the titles aimed at women. Jim has his usual PC fixation, as anything aimed at, or considering the sensitivites of, the non-white or non-male is PC. It may be very good stories. It may be crap. But just because it's aimed at women doesn't make it bad, any more than the fact that most superhero titles are normally aimed at men makes them bad. You can't be "anti-PC", which inherently requires a recognition that men and women are different, and then complain when producers of goods make products designed to exploit those differences.
ReplyDeleteLee hits the other end of the spectrum with the Doomwar comment about violence against women. Just how is Doom holding a limp woman under her shoulders violence against a woman? He's not molesting her or beating on her. By that implied standard the mere touching of a woman would be violence against her. Now that's PC, in the most pejorative of senses.
RedDog-
ReplyDeleteDid you read the post? Because I never made any comments about violence against women.
THE COMMENT was "can an artist swipe himself" because he did.
And, my comments have always been about violence in general. Never towards one particular group such as women.
Keep throwing stones like this and your glass house is going to break.
My bad. I had gotten into the pattern of Jim being the first one in the comments. He was the one making the comment about the Doomwar cover being violence against women. That's worse, actually, because he's contradicting himself, but whatever.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why you're referencing stones. All I'm doing is commenting a different perspective on the comments. Did I call anyone names? I think not.
Red Dog - So showing Doom strangling the Black Panther (who is now a female) is not violence against women? I'm confused.
ReplyDeleteAnd you initial comment is imposing your viewpoint of my views, don't assume that you know my thoughts. What I'm saying is this type of marketing stunt (which is all that it is) is pure pandering. We have many wonderful and talented women creators in comics and this smacks of almost being insulting.
"Jim: This is almost insulting I think. Where are the Jew Comics, Black Comics, Gay Comics, Senior Citizen Comics, White Hetro Male Comics, Right Wing Comics. I mean really many of these creators are very talented and do not need stuff that panders to them.
ReplyDeleteLee: I know what you’re trying to say but I really think that you miss the point. This book is a chance for women to produce comics in a male dominated environment. I think it’s a great way to showcase female talent. And, I think it’s a great way to target a specific audience, ie the women that read comics.
Jim: Wow - Lee is being very PC.
Jim: This is all such pandering it kills me and wait a minute Peter David and Brian Reed are guys, why are they writing anything. It all smacks of the PC crowd trying to force something as opposed to just letting it occur in a more organic fashion. Still if they can generate more female fans it will have to help get some of the fan boys out of the basement of Mom and Dad’s house."
I'm not assuming anything (not wanting to make an ass of you or me). You directly stated that these books are PC stunts and implied therefrom that the works were crap. All I'm saying is that your bias against what you perceive to be PC marketing is coloring your view of the product. I have no idea if the product is any good, and considering that I'm not buying any Marvel titles now, I don't really care.
As to the picture, I'll give you that one. I just looked at the little picture as it appears in the post, which to my getting middle aged eyes looks like Doom is just holding her up. I enlarged it now and can see that he's got her by the throat. I still don't see this as a mysoginistic portrayal, though. He's fighting a whole bunch of guys at the same time, not just targeting women. Now, if Doom only attacked women, and only fought men because they were defending women, you'd have something, but Doom fights everyone equally. He's a very equal opportunity villain.
Boy, you guys are touchy today.
For the record we were touchy yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAs for the quality of the product, I'm making an educated guess that it will be crap based on my decades of experience with comics and reading solicitations (at one time as a retailer).
Also the whole point of the post is for Lee and I to decide what we may like or not like.