Writing Official Comic Book Thread v3 [E]

[Semjaza]

I didn't see one of these around, so I figured what the hell. I know there are comic readers here and I could mention several offhand if I had to. Hopefully we'll all have something worth discussing... The first one went pretty well before it disappeared, the second thread just kind of died instantly.

[b][CENTER]Week of 1/20/2005[/CENTER][/b]

Normally these would be out today, but because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day it was pushed back to tomorrow (Thursday)... at least at my shop. If you want to know what is going to be in-store, check out the list [URL=http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/shipping_011905.txt]here[/URL].

Personally, I'm picking up:
[list]
[*]BOOKS OF MAGICK LIFE DURING WARTIME #7
[/list]

And well, that's actually it.

However, there is a trade paperback of Ex Machina being released that same day. If you don't already get the series, I highly recommend it. It's basically the story of a man given alien superpowers that eventually runs for mayor of New York City and wins. The comic details the various problems he and his admistration go through, some normal, some not so normal. Very well written and drawn.

Life During Wartime is one of my top comics right now. It follows Timothy Hunter, the young magic-wielding kid from the various Book of Magick series over the years. However, in this comic he's an adult, which obviously leads to some new problems. The comic is very hard to follow in the first few issues, but I think rereading it is pretty rewarding. The current issues (#6 and the upcoming #7) are dealing with the side characters, so it might be a good point to jump in on. Based on my experience every issue isn't too hard to find though.

Other than that I tend to pick up The Walking Dead (awesome, must buy), Marvel Knights Spider-Man (good, starting to get bored with it) and Astonishing X-Men (very good, although the last issue was mediocre and filler-ish). I plan on continuing to pick up Trigger as well, but it's still only on #1.

Anyone else?

[PWNED]

I am also a comic book collector, Although I will only state the hard cover ones otherwise it will take forever to state them all (I have a whole chest of comics) and have (In no particular order)

X-men (Essential collection 1-5)
The books of magic (The first on,Summoning, Transformations and another one)
Marvel 1602
Magic (The rites of Passage)
Essential Wolverine ( 1-3)
Marvel Graphic novel 4 (The one where the new mutants start up)
A few Sandman novels
Green Arrow- The longbow Hunmters
Blood
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ( Crash Test Demons, Ring of Fire, The Dust Waltz, The Origin, Uninvited guests)
Battle Chasers (A Gathering of Heroes)
Xena Warrior Princess (Slave)
Books of Faerie (The first one and Aurons tale)
Witchcraft
Preacher ( Multiple Novels)
Essential Doctor Savage
Essential Silver Surfer
The Crow.
The Names of Magic

That is about it for my Hard cover comic collection and my favourites of them all are the Neil Gaiman ones ( Sandman, Books of Magic) because they have excellent storys and pictures.

[Manic Webb]

Just the other day, I read the first volume of [i]Ultimate Elektra[/i]. I was happy they started this book where [i]Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra[/i] left off, because I was honestly was in need of some closure. One day, I'm reading UDD&E, then the next Elektra appears in [i]Ultimate Spider-Man[/i] as a hired mercenary. This book finally shows us how she ended up in the crime world. Although, I have to admit, I had to pause while reading in order to back-track on the paper trail, good guys, bad guys, and the less guilty bad guys. I get a little lost when I'm dealing with a mob story where everyone is essentially a criminal.

I recently picked up the first paperback volume of [i]Cable & Deadpool[/i]. I love it when you're dealing with masked comic book heroes/anti-heroes, and the book is packed with nothing but back-to-back jokes. First page, and we've already got an Olsen Twins joke. The story itself is also compelling, as we're dealing with Cable's "Jesus complex" that he's no doubt had to deal with since he was younger.

My local Borders stopped carrying [i]Runaways[/i], so I might have to have a few words with them about that. In other words, I'll see if I can order it.

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]This week is pretty sparse when it comes to comics.

Like you, I will definitely pick up Life During Wartime. I had a horrible time finding this comic initially, however, since I get one of the clerks at my comic shops to pull my books every week, I am guaranteed a copy (I also have to give eBay a shout out for issues and 2). Sean Phillips is doing the artwork in this issue and I dig his stuff so it should be quite nifty.

Madrox #5 is also on my list for this week. I really like how this mini-series is panning out. It is nice to see how Marvel has revamped the character of Multiple Man. I guess this issue should wrap up the series, which is nice. I think Pablo Raimondi?s artwork really fit this comic, although I could have done without the Rahne subplot (although maybe it will wrap together with the main plot in this issue).

I think that is it for this week. There are a ton of other books that I am picking through, though the staple comics haven?t really changed since the last comic thread was made. I am still getting Marvel Knights: Spiderman, Astonishing X-Men, and a few other books quite regularly.

One comic that you should take a look at is the Intimates. It is kind of like the Real World meets the New Mutants and it is a pretty fun read. The books design and artwork are really interesting and modern and the characters are really bizarre and well thought out.
[/color]

edit

[quote]
My local Borders stopped carrying Runaways, so I might have to have a few words with them about that. In other words, I'll see if I can order it.[/quote]

[color=indigo]Runaways ended when the previous story arc ended. They are starting over with Runaways #1 in February. It looks like it will include the same cast and they are still using the fabulous painted covers. Hopefully your Borders will start carrying it once it comes back out.[/color]

[Doukeshi]

[COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1]Well, I sorted out all my comics yesterday into neat and tidy boxes and I found some issues I didn't even know I had. They all seem to be [B]Robin[/B] ones that I don't remember buying, I'm wondering now if I'm buying them in my sleep and my subconcious is trying to tell me something heh.

I couldn't tell you the most recent ones I've bought since I'm busy sifting through the huge pile of stuff I bought from a dealer market I went to the other day. Boy was that fun, boxes and boxes of stuff you want but you know you can't afford, man.

Anyway, these are the issues I primarily collect, that is, the ones I have on standing order:

[b]Batman[/b] [i](ah, good old Bats)[/i]
[b]Batman: Gotham Knights
Birds of Prey
Nightwing
Superman/Batman
Wonder Woman
Catwoman[/b] [i](though I've only just started on that one)[/i]
[b]Gambit[/b]

I also have random [b]Batgirl[/b], [b]JLA[/b] and [b]Thundercats[/b] titles, cause I end up being attracted to the cover heh heh. I take a look at [b]Outsiders[/b] now and again but it doesn't really hold my attention much these days.

I think its safe to say that [b]Birds of Prey[/b] is easily my favourite, I just love the interaction between Oracle and Black Canary, its great. I've only just started collecting Catwoman due to the [I]'War Games' [/I] story arc involving quite a few Gotham centered comic names (including Robin!) and also because I really like her new costume in comparison to the others.

My hardcovers include [B]Batman[/B] titles such as [i]No Man's Land[/i] and [i] The Killing Joke[/i], but its mostly comprised of one offs and [b]Elseworld[/b] titles. I just love [b]Elseworld[/b] ones, normal characters stuck into different situations and scenarios. I think its great ^_^.

Speaking of the [i]War Games[/i] story arc, what did you guys think of it? I thought there were some really powerful moments, though what with it being spread over so many different titles I kind of missed bits, which is annoying, so I'm trying to back track.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Shy]

[quote name='doukeshi03][COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1]Speaking of the [i]War Games[/i] story arc, what did you guys think of it? I thought there were some really powerful moments, though what with it being spread over so many different titles I kind of missed bits, which is annoying, so I'm trying to back track.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]
[size=1]I must admit that I only followed small bits and pieces of the War Games crossover, but from what I understand it had some major repurcussions for the Batman status quo.

[spoiler]The death of Spoiler was very tragic if you ask me, since I always felt like she was an interesting character who never got the recognition she deserved. It's a shame that people will remember her more for her short stint as Robin than for the decades (in real years) that she served as the Spoiler.

Removing Spoiler, Oracle (mostly) and the other Gotham heroes is a smart move in the long run, though. Gotham City has become too overrun with heroes if you ask me. Although I enjoy the legacy of the Bat-Family, I feel like it draws away from Batman's personal mission when too many other characters are involved. It just doesn't feel right to me. I firmly believe that Huntress is going to be out of Gotham soon as well; whether she moves to another city (Keystone could use a decent vigilante presence) or leaves in a body bad remains to be seen.[/spoiler]

Also, does anyone know if the JSA still has their headquarters in Gotham?

Moving on, I only plan on buying two comics this week. The first is a surprising choice (if you know me at all) and that's [b]Wolverine[/b]. Mark Millar has taken over writing duties with John Romita Jr. providing the artwork and it's [strike]one of[/strike] the best comic book featuring Wolverine than I have ever read. Part of me wants to boycott the book because the character is terribly overexposed and not very interesting in the first place, but I can't. This storyline just kicks all sorts of butt. [spoiler]Wolverine, controlled by The Hand, is sent on missions to kill some of the major figures in the Marvel Universe. The Hand plans on resurrecting these heroes and exacting control over them. Nick Fury learns this plan and along with Elektra the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. unite to stop Wolverine before he kills the likes of Daredevil, and the Fantastic Four.[/spoiler]

This is a quality package overall, and I can't even begin to stress how good it is. Somehow the writing manages to keep things fun, clever and edgy without it falling into a bunch of cliches. Wolverine is so insanely popular that they tend to overpower him. It's nice to see him in fights against Marvel Legends that aren't one-sided. He's been kicking kicked around for the better part of four issues now. Definitely pick up the "Enemy of the State" story-arc when it is eventually published as a trade paperback.

My second choice is a first-time selection, and I've never read this comic before. [b]Gotham Knights[/b] is a monthly Bat-Book which deals with his rogue's gallery in some detail, and has darker themes and storylines than the main title usually does. They are starting a new storyline with this week's issue, dealing with Poison Ivy, and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

That's all I [i]plan[/i] on getting, but something always catches my eye when I physically walk down there. We'll see what happens...

What is everyone's thoughts on Identity Crisis?

-Shy[/size]

[Doukeshi]

[COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1][QUOTE=Shy][size=1]I must admit that I only followed small bits and pieces of the War Games crossover, but from what I understand it had some major repurcussions for the Batman status quo.

[spoiler]I firmly believe that Huntress is going to be out of Gotham soon as well; whether she moves to another city (Keystone could use a decent vigilante presence) or leaves in a body bad remains to be seen.[/spoiler]
[/size][/QUOTE]

Well, if they keep up with the [b]Birds of Prey[/b] plot and keep it in continuity with the rest of the DCU [spoiler]Huntress has already left, she left with Oracle.[/spoiler]

I never really knew Spoiler very well. In fact, other than her stint as Robin I knew very little of her except her name. It's a shame really that she wasn't developed to her full potential, but I can see what you mean when you talk about cutting down on the bat-family, it was getting a bit too complex.

As for Identity Crisis, boy was that a turnaround, though I don't really see what got Batman so angry in the first place. It makes you think though, there is a whole lot more going on that you don't even realise.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]I thought that [b]Identity Crisis[/b] was a brilliant mini-series. The comic was interesting and intricate and gave the reader a good glimpse at the personalities of the lesser known heroes and how their ideals are much more realistic than the heavy hitters like Superman and Batman. The story was full of twists and turns and heartaches ([spoiler]I was on the edge of my seat when Batman was rushing Robin back home to save his father[/spoiler]) and the ending caught me completely off guard.

As well written as the plot was, the artwork is what truly made this comic special. Rags Morales did a beautiful job of capturing the expressions and body language of all the characters. The common posturing and posing was omitted from this magazine and it definitely added to the sense of humanity and vulnerability that Brad Metzler?s story was angling for.[/color]

[quote] though I don't really see what got Batman so angry in the first place [/quote]

[color=indigo]Really? I thought one of the most captivating angles of this story was the relationship between Superman and Batman with the rest of the heroes. Both Superman and Batman are uncompromising heroes, [spoiler]Batman would have never willingly allow the group to mind wipe Dr. Light. The others knew that the Justice League would be finished if Batman and Superman both knew what had occurred, so they made sure he wouldn?t remember.

However, like Ollie stated, Batman could have figured out what had happened if he wanted to. He is Batman. But, if you really look at the character of Bruce Wayne, a man whose surrogate family is the super hero community, you know that he would remain in denial. I think that is why Metzler made Bruce so angry. His denial directly contributed to the death of Tim Drake?s father.

Speaking of Tim Drake, his character now has so much potential it is amazing. The successive deaths of Spoiler and his father really leave a grey cloud over what path Tim Drake will take, especially with the inevitable re-emergence of Jason Todd.[/spoiler][/color]

[Doukeshi]

[COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1][QUOTE=Heaven's Cloud][color=indigo] [spoiler]
Speaking of Tim Drake, his character now has so much potential it is amazing. The successive deaths of Spoiler and his father really leave a grey cloud over what path Tim Drake will take, especially with the inevitable re-emergence of Jason Todd.[/spoiler][/color][/QUOTE]

Very true, Batman is reliant on the family he has created around him in the superhero world. [spoiler]The moment when Bruce holds Tim and we see the flash back through the different points at which someone has had to say sorry for the death of a parent, it was heart wrenching. At which point we also get to see the caring side of Bruce that we are rarely privvy to[/spoiler]

There is also some ambiguity over the whole 'Jason Todd' idea. it was initally brought forward as an idea in Hush [spoiler] though that was crushed when we found out it was clayface[/spoiler]. However, there have been a few clues here and there that leaves us wondering. Also, what with the appearance of this Red Mask character in the recent Batman issue #635, who knows.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Shy]

[quote name='Heaven's Cloud][spoiler']Speaking of Tim Drake, his character now has so much potential it is amazing. The successive deaths of Spoiler and his father really leave a grey cloud over what path Tim Drake will take, especially with the inevitable re-emergence of Jason Todd.[/spoiler][/quote]
[size=1][spoiler]I also agree that Tim Drake's journey from Robin into whatever the heck he'll become is going to be a fascinating one. In a recent Teen Titans storyline the group is transported ten years into the future and meets older and much darker versions of themselves. Tim Drake took over the role of Batman, and it was really unsettling to see someone other than Bruce Wayne being Batman, and doing it well. I can only imagine what they have planned for this kid in the future, but no matter what it is you know he's going to be a major player.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]As for the return of Jason Todd. With Spoiler dead the Bat-Family has another token "they died for the mission" character, making Jason's sacrifice seem much less significant. This way it will be easier to bring him back from the dead, whether it be from the Lazarus Pit, or some other supernatural means. I'm very interested to see how it effects the Bat-family as a whole, seeing as things have been terribly shaken up over the past year and a half.[/spoiler]

We're all in the same boat when we expect Jason to come back as a villain of some sort, right?

-Shy[/size]

[Heaven's Cloud]

[quote]
We're all in the same boat when we expect Jason to come back as a villain of some sort, right? [/quote]

[color=indigo][spoiler]I recently read a Batman comic (I am not sure which) where Hush had Tommy (the Doctor that is supposedly Hush) locked away on a boat. Obviously I think there is a connection to Hush and Jason Todd and if Todd isn?t Hush he is at least backing him.

I also read that Titans series with Drake as the cold and calculating Batman. That dark characteristic and ruthlessness wouldn?t be far fetched, especially since Drake could easily have blamed Batman for his father?s death. Until the Tower of Babel incident few other heroes knew that Tim Drake was Robin, Batman compromised that when he let the JLA know who he, Robin, and Oracle were.
[/spoiler][/color]

[Semjaza]

I honestly pay little to no attention to Batman at this point. I've spent so much time trying to figure out what Vertigo, Image and Marvel comics to pick up that I've mostly ignored the DC universe (I did get Outsiders for about six issues though, plus some Catwoman way back).

What would be considered worth picking up at this point? Batman and otherwise?

Anyway, my one comic shop got nothing, but the one I prefer (Chicago Comics) had theirs. Don't ask me. I wound up getting last weeks Marvel Knights Spider-Man (I really enjoyed it, particularly the end) and Trigger #2 in addition to Life During Wartime.

Seemingly no one else here bothers with Trigger, but it seems promising. #2 seemed a bit less impressive than #1 in writing and art. Maybe the artist is different, but the women in #2 had very angular, masculine features. Bothered me.

[Heaven's Cloud]

[QUOTE=Semjaza Azazel]I honestly pay little to no attention to Batman at this point. I've spent so much time trying to figure out what Vertigo, Image and Marvel comics to pick up that I've mostly ignored the DC universe (I did get Outsiders for about six issues though, plus some Catwoman way back).

What would be considered worth picking up at this point? Batman and otherwise?
[/QUOTE]

[color=indigo]I am sure everyone else will have a different opinion, but I wouldn?t buy any of the Batman comics right now. There are intriguing possibilities for characters but, at this point in the series, I wouldn?t bother to pick it up if I couldn?t read it for free occasionally at Borders. Out of all of them though, plain old Batman is the best.

As far as MK: Spiderman, I am really digging the series. [spoiler]I really enjoy the idea that the government manufactured super villains to balance the power of the heroes. It is a good concept and one that I hope will be revisited within the Marvel universe. I also am interested in a) what is going to happen to Peter now that the villains know who he is and b) how the Scorpion is going to function as the new Venom. The authors really left us readers with quite a cliff hanger![/spoiler]
[/color]

[Semjaza]

[quote name='Heaven's Cloud][color=indigo']I am sure everyone else will have a different opinion, but I wouldn?t buy any of the Batman comics right now.[/color][/quote]

How about other series then? All I am unwilling to bother with is pretty much just Superman.

The last issue really got me interested in it again. At some point it was just starting to get annoying... It kept tossing the same few problems for Spider-Man back and forth over and over again. Yet, now that they came up with [spoiler]the Sinister Twelve (not original, but I thought it was fun to see lol),[/spoiler] I feel like some of the ideas presented are finally really coming together.

[Doukeshi]

[COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1][QUOTE=Heaven's Cloud][color=indigo]I am sure everyone else will have a different opinion, but I wouldn?t buy any of the Batman comics right now. There are intriguing possibilities for characters but, at this point in the series, I wouldn?t bother to pick it up if I couldn?t read it for free occasionally at Borders. Out of all of them though, plain old Batman is the best.
[/color][/QUOTE]

Mur...I dunno about that. Of course it will be a little confusing if you dive into the bat-end at the minute what with all the changes and goings on, but I still think there's some exciting developments happening. Though, as I have said before, I'm still sticking with [b]Birds of Prey[/b] ^_~.

What DC are also planning on doing is creating a sort of 'Allstars' section within the DCU, much like what Marvel has done with the 'Ultimates'. If you see concept art of whats going to be happening with Batman Allstars its looking pretty nifty (the art for the first issue will be done by Jim Lee, can't beat that I'm afraid heh). Its a 'return to the roots' sort of thing, with the defining essence of Batman and Robin being brought to the fore, with Dick Grayson returning as the original Robin, without the 60s cheese.

If you check out the latest edition of [i]Previews[/i] there's some wonderful stuff to be looking forward to in the DCU.

[quote name='Semjaza Azazel']How about other series then? All I am unwilling to bother with is pretty much just Superman.[/quote]

Actually, I used to think that way too but I was recently attracted to the Man of Steel by the Jim Lee artwork in the current issues of [b]Superman[/b] (not the Adventures of, or anything like that) and what I found was gritty and dealt with a whole new side of Superman that I didn't think existed. He isn't just a big ol' boy scout in blue, if you actually read some of the recent stuff it's pretty good.
[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Heaven's Cloud]

[QUOTE=Semjaza Azazel]How about other series then? All I am unwilling to bother with is pretty much just Superman.
[/QUOTE]

[COLOR=INDIGO]Y'know what DC Comic hero I have really found interesting lately? The Green Arrow. I always thought he was a pretty stupid idea for a hero, but this comic is really well written. I got drawn in during issue #43 due to an HIV story line tie in which was just written so well.

The writer, Judd Winick, really found his stride in this magazine (I wasn't a big fan of his work on the Outsiders) and right now Phil Hester is doing a lot of what I call "contemporary comic" (a lot of modern design techniques like X-Statix) art and it really helps the mood of the comic. I also think Brad Metzler does some writing for this book, which is a good thing. You should at least pick it up and give it a read.[/color]

[Semjaza]

Thanks for the response on Batman-ish stuff.

I was going to bump this last week, but not a single thing worth purchasing (at least to me) was released. Saved it for this week.

[URL=http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/shipping_020205.txt]*click* Comic List for 1/2/2005 *click*[/URL]

The big thing I expect every one to buy is the trade paperback of Books of Magick: Life During Wartime. It collects the first six issues for only ten bucks! Just buy it and if you hate it, you didn't waste much money.

I also heard that Black Panther #1 was quite good, so I'm interested in picking that one up. It's always nice when a character comes back. Well, not always, but in this case.

I also want to see what MORA #1 is... maybe someone knows and can save me the time of looking.

[Heaven's Cloud]

I was wondering when someone would bump this. Today was a crappy comic book day. I picked up the new Intimates, which is good because the first potential villain has been introduced.

I was also supposed to receive New Avengers 3 but the guy at the comic store forgot to pick it for me and it was already sold out. I wasn?t all that upset because it is only an okay series.

Obviously I also bought the Life During Wartime TPB, not because I needed it, but because it will allow me to reread the series without screwing with my actual books. Like Semjaza said, it is only ten bucks.

[Shy]

[quote name='Semjaza Azazel']I also heard that Black Panther #1 was quite good, so I'm interested in picking that one up. It's always nice when a character comes back. Well, not always, but in this case.[/quote]
[size=1]John Romita Jr. is a fantastic artist, and the only reason I would consider picking up Black Panther. The last BP series was cancelled less than two years ago, so I don't find it neccessary to relaunch the title right now. More importantly, I don't find the character terribly interesting, and can't even think of single time where I've felt anything more than indifference for the guy. His personality comes across as very generic in the comics I have read; although most of what I know about him comes from old Avengers comics. In those days everyone on the team was pretty generic, so maybe I should give him a chance.

Either way, I saw it in the store and didn't bother with it. In fact, this was the first time in a while that I had left my local comic book shop without purchasing anything. They have undergone new management, and simply don't seem to be ordering as many issues as they used to. I went in a while ago for the latest issue of ''Manhunter,' and I was told that the shop isn't going to bother carrying the title anymore. Bah, next thing you know they'll stop carrying 'Gotham Central."

Nothing very special about this week's comics as far as I'm concerned. I feel guilty for not purchasing the latest issue of 'The Question' mini-series. The artwork on that one is a beautiful thing, although the plot and dialogue don't make much sense. I'll probably get it next week, when the latest 'Gotham Central' comes out.

There's only a handful of titles I'm bothering with these days, although 'Batman: Gotham Knights' turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Go check out that one if you get a chance; this is the best Poison Ivy story I have ever seen in the comics.

-Shy[/size]

[Semjaza]

I don't expect Black Panther to become special in any sense, but I enjoyed it enough to spend the few bucks. I'll probably hold on for a few issues and see what happens. I think there is potential with the character, but who knows. So much depends on the team.

I'm probably going to pick up this Gotham Nights comic. I have stacks of older Batman comics and graphic novels... it would be nice to see what's going on currently. Is the regular Batman comic decent?

[Doukeshi]

[COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1][QUOTE=Semjaza Azazel]
I'm probably going to pick up this Gotham Nights comic. I have stacks of older Batman comics and graphic novels... it would be nice to see what's going on currently. Is the regular Batman comic decent?[/QUOTE]

I love the way they're showing Poison Ivy in this storyline for GK, it makes her seem so much more human than previous interpretations. It also links newer readers back to 'No Man's Land' which is an integral part of Gotham's history now.

The regular Batman has been slightly lacking for a couple of months after the whole 'War Games' scenario, but with the introduction of 'The Red Hood' it seems that it could pick up. I haven't had a chance to see if the new issue has come in yet so I don't actually know who the Red Hood actually is but from the expression on Batman's face it doesn't look too good from his perspective.

I'm still looking forward to the Allstars myself. That anticipation is going to keep me for a good while yet ^_~.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Manic Webb]

Can someone care to explain what exactly the Identity Crisis story was about, what happened, and how it ended? For what little I've found online, I think it has something to do with secret identities, and that it's some kind of big mystery. And after reading some of these spoilers, I'm curious as to how it affected the Bat-family. I actually liked Spoiler, especially after reading a trade paperback Batgirl.

[Semjaza]

I forgot to grab Gotham Nights this week. Oh well. I did pick up Majestic #1 and #2, which is pretty strange for me as I'm usually not into those types of superheroes. It opens up with him and Superman working together, which was interesting (apparently he is in some DC Superman comics too, I wouldn't know much about that). Not bad, I enjoy the art.

This week's Walking Dead was phenominal though. Such an awesome comic. I think more happened in this one than the last few put together. Both in terms of character development and actual horrific events. Too bad we have to wait another month to figure out what the hell that last panel was all about.

[Doukeshi]

[COLOR=DimGray][SIZE=1][quote name='Manic Webb']Can someone care to explain what exactly the Identity Crisis story was about, what happened, and how it ended? For what little I've found online, I think it has something to do with secret identities, and that it's some kind of big mystery.[/quote]

I got quite confused myself actually Manic, and I read the thing lol. I guess I'm going to have to re-read it and then I'll get back to you ^_~. I never really knew Spoiler as a character but the effect her death has had on both Tim and Bruce is truly emotional. I think it's sent Tim off on one if you ask me, though i don't keep tabs on him much so I'm not the best person to judge.

I was disappointed with the Batman issue this month. In the previous issue there was a great cliffhanger where the red hood took off his helmet and Bruce was stunned:

"Oh my God."

I think that's what he said. Anyway, I was really looking forward to the next issue to see who it was but this month's went on like no such confrontation had happened, it was like some sort of continuity distortion it was weird. So I do hope they return to that scene and actually give me some sort of revelation.

What else have I bought? Oh yeah, Superman/Batman. This story arc, with Batman and Superman flitting through time, different scenarios etc etc, I don't really like. It all seems rather rushed to me, everything is all so appropriatley placed and all the plot twists and character interactions go past in the blink of an eye. It all very loosely put together in my opinion and there is any real explanations given. It ends next month so then maybe I can get into the next story a bit better.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Semjaza]

I picked up Batman: Gotham Nights #61, Intimates #2 to #4 and MK Spider-Man something or other. Spider-Man was enjoyable, largely because of the events, but it honestly seems like the quality of the writing is slipping. Is it just me?

I've not read Intimates yet.

I did read Gotham Nights, however, and I wound up with a pretty big "meh" feeling. This is likely because of the fact that I have no real idea what has led up to the events in the arc... but I'm not holding it against it and plan on getting the next issue as well.

I also picked up the Walking Dead Vol. 1 TPB. Finally I can read the first two issues... I've not since my copies are autographed lol. It's strange seeing the original artist's work again. I miss it and I don't. On one hand, he was far more detailed and it was easier to differentiate between the characters. On the other, I feel like the current artist just fits the series better. It's a tie.