Comics are Awesome II

[138 Scourge]

Yeah, you don't like Damien now, but just wait. He'll grow on you. I didn't like him either at first, but he went from being "Oh, dumb idea Robin" to "character I don't mind" to "Favorite Robin" pretty quickly. I don't know if the new guy can make him as entertaining as Morrison did, but the character's pretty cool when he's done well.

Well, I find him interesting even if I don't like him. He makes for good storytelling and drama, so my dislike won't make me drop the book or anything. I guess I'm just a fan of Tim Drake as Robin, and how level-headed and dependable he was. The pint-sized assassin just doesn't compare.

Pint-sized would-be assassin. It's been a little bit since I read Morrison's Batman and Robin, but Damien felt more like...a really smart kid that was really well trained, and he's trying to be incredibly hardcore, but then, he is still just a ten year old kid. And I like that despite ten years of training by the League of Assassins, he still tells his mom that he wants to stay with Dad after just a few months with Bruce. Maybe I just liked Batman's surrogate son working with his biological son? Crazy sibling rivalry in a way.

Hey anderson, did you happen to pick up that Brave and the Bold issue I talked about last month? The team-up issue with all the Robins? Seriously, get that, man. It's just a fun single-issue superhero book on it's own, and if it doesn't make you a Damien fan, then I dunno. Plus, I figure that kind of thing's gotta appeal to anyone that likes the Parobeck JSA series, and I think you were the other guy that liked that book, right?

[Dominic]

Hey, didn't Jason Todd nail Talia at one point?


Dom
-now that is something that need not be brought up in the comics themselves.

[Shockwave]

I'm given to understand that DC would probably fully show that in graphic detail with their "new direction".

Shockwave
-DC = Bow chicka wow wow.

[andersonh1]

Hey anderson, did you happen to pick up that Brave and the Bold issue I talked about last month? The team-up issue with all the Robins? Seriously, get that, man. It's just a fun single-issue superhero book on it's own, and if it doesn't make you a Damien fan, then I dunno. Plus, I figure that kind of thing's gotta appeal to anyone that likes the Parobeck JSA series, and I think you were the other guy that liked that book, right?

No, I didn't. I'll have to try and remember to pick it up on my Wednesday comic run. Yeah, I loved the Parobeck JSA series. Got every issue except the first, and I don't know how I missed that one. Still need to track one down.

[andersonh1]

Today's comics:

Justice League #4
I'm still not a fan of Cyborg, and this issue hasn't changed that. And I still don't like Superman's new costume. Otherwise, the issue moves right along with the plot, and Aquaman gets to show off a lot as he makes an army of sharks eat some Parademons. Darkseid shows up in person at the end of the issue, and some hints are given as to just what he's up to with his invasion of Earth. This is one story that will definitely read better in trade format, since the individual issues fly by but it feels like it's taking forever to get through the story. One of the perils of monthly comics I suppose, like we were just discussing.

Batman #4
Still mid-story here, but unlike the four-month old storyline in Justice League, this one unfolds at a better pace and gives more information per issue. Batman is still investigating the Court of Owls, who seem to actually exist despite being an old legend with nothing to corroborate it up to this point. Bruce still doesn't believe they exist, despite finding hideouts all over Gotham and despite being attacked by their assassin, Talon. Who catches up with him again in the end, in yet another good cliffhanger ending.

If I were to compare the two books, I'd say Scott Snyder is far better at writing a storyline that covers six months and keeping it interesting and well-paced. Geoff Johns is writing an action movie, full of spectacle but light on exposition. Batman is the exact opposite, a mystery that unfolds a bit at a time as Batman digs into it. Definitely the more satisfying read of the two.

[138 Scourge]

Oh, yeah. We were talking about whether comics could pull off single-issue stories or not, weren't we?

Well, Daredevil #7 is a damn good single-issue story this week. So is Amazing Spider-Man #677.

Guess it can be done!

[andersonh1]

Oh, yeah. We were talking about whether comics could pull off single-issue stories or not, weren't we?

Well, Daredevil #7 is a damn good single-issue story this week. So is Amazing Spider-Man #677.

Guess it can be done!

Picked up Daredevil too, but haven't had time to read it yet. Glad to hear it's good, but that's been the case for every issue so far.

[Dominic]

Captain America #606:
From the bag of random comics.... The Buchanan Captain America is wrestling with survivor guilt. Zemo is a bad guy again...some stuff happens.
It is not a bad read if you can get past the fact that Buchanan is alive at all and Zemo is a bad guy again. But, it is not especially great either.
Grade: C


Dom
-needs to catch up on this week's comics.

[Dominic]

And, this is proably the last review I post this year:

Ultimate Spiderman #5:
it is kind of surreal seeing Morales, (who Bendis consistently manages to make sound like a kid), on the same page as Ultimate Ironman and Hawkeye. Scenes with Morales seem to be santized "kid's POV scenes" while scenes that he is not in, such as Electtro breaking out, are less sanitized. There is no rule that says having a young main character requires a writer to make a book kid-friendly. But, it does seem to be a lost opportunity. On another note, Morales gets the new costume this issue.
Grade: B

[Sparky Prime]

such as Electtro breaking out, are less sanitized.

Waitaminute.... Didn't Aunt May shoot Electro 3 times in the chest during the Death of Spider-Man story? And then his energy basically exploded? How is he still alive?