1st issue Challenge
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Frank Castle
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Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9 - This first issue had almost no action, but plenty of humor. It's a great continuation of Season 8 but also does a pretty good job of explaining all you need to know to jump right in to this story. I'm a fan of the Buffy-verse and this fits in nicely. And of course we can all relate to the final page 
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Penguin: Pain and Prejudice - I will continue collecting this book until the mini-series completes. They're doing a great job of showing both how horrible the Penguin is, but also why he's that way. My only real complaint is that it feels really slow. The moody, almost monochromatic art is a really great fit for this story. It helps set the depressive tone of the book. If you're a fan of villains and want a better understanding of why Batman should waste his time with such a (seemingly) pathetic character like the Penguin I recommend this one. If you're really familiar with the Penguin as a character you may want to skip this one. I'm new to DC in general so everything's pretty new for me.
Huntress - My only exposure to Huntress was from the minor bit of crossover activity in Secret Six. She seems like an interesting character, but this story was rather cliche. I'll continue collecting this until the end of the mini-series in order to get a better feel for the character, but I'm not overly excited about the next issue.
.Penguin: Pain and Prejudice - I will continue collecting this book until the mini-series completes. They're doing a great job of showing both how horrible the Penguin is, but also why he's that way. My only real complaint is that it feels really slow. The moody, almost monochromatic art is a really great fit for this story. It helps set the depressive tone of the book. If you're a fan of villains and want a better understanding of why Batman should waste his time with such a (seemingly) pathetic character like the Penguin I recommend this one. If you're really familiar with the Penguin as a character you may want to skip this one. I'm new to DC in general so everything's pretty new for me.
Huntress - My only exposure to Huntress was from the minor bit of crossover activity in Secret Six. She seems like an interesting character, but this story was rather cliche. I'll continue collecting this until the end of the mini-series in order to get a better feel for the character, but I'm not overly excited about the next issue.
Okay, yes I am way late getting to my DC #1 thoughts, but I am one of those "once a month shipping" guys, so I live somewhat behind the 8 ball, when it comes to my reading (That has since been changed to twice a month shipping ... hooray).
Anywho, please excuse the tardiness and the, often, complete incoherent ramblings that are sure to follow, as I am just pounding the keyboard trying to get this out.
CATWOMAN #1 - (May contain spoilers, so if you haven't read the issue, please don't read this) Okay let me first say that the "situation" between Bat's and Cat did not anger some puritan belief I hold dear, nor did it upset any "comic values" that I may believe in ... well, except one. That "one" being Bruce's will power.
I have always held strongly to the fact that Bruce had the highest will power of any "hero" due in no small part to two factors:
1) He resisted the urge to kill the Joker
2) He resisted the urge to ... bed Catwoman
Those two factors are the base ideology that I have always liked about the character. To force himself to hold true to those two constants - "I am not a killer", no matter what, and to also deny himself the one person he really wanted.
That is what I really thought made the strength of Batman shine for me, throughout the years. I thought there was no way I could have resisted either and the fact that he always was able to, both infuriated me and made me realize how strong he actually is, mentally.
To me, that is now gone and I am a little upset about that.
That is not why I am giving up on this title. The truth is I thought the writing and art were fine, but ... okay, maybe deep down it IS the reason I am giving up on this title. I know it makes me petty. I am not proud of it.
BATGIRL #1 - The most 'un-Gail like' issue I have every read from Gail Simone. She normally grabs me pretty quick, but on this issue, I felt nothing. I think I am more upset that I didn't really like this comic as opposed to it was not well written. Expectations got the best of me. I am still on for a few, as it was my fault for having the expectations to begin with.
BIRDS OF PREY #1 - Yes. This one got me. Sure, it would have been nice to see a little more of the 'birds' actually inside of the cover, instead of just on it, but those time transitions (same pose, different local) and that ending really hooked me.
BATMAN #1 - Perhaps the best of the bunch ... so far. This is a grade "A" keeper for me. Love the art and Snyder is just one of those writers I can read and read and read and .... speaking of Snyder.
SWAMP THING #1 - Was never a huge Swampy fan, even through the Moore years (I know ... blasphemy!!!!) but I am really excited about this. Most chances just because of one word. Snyder.
BLACKHAWKS #1 - Really wanted to like this one. Really didn't like this one.
ACTION COMICS #1 - I HATE Superman. Always have. I was hoping Morrison would force me to at least give the character a chance again (Because I did really enjoy his ALL-STAR take on the characters). But alas, no. I just don't like super-pooper and not interested in this "googley-eye" take.
BLUE BEETLE #1 - Eh. I got this for one reason, Tony Bedard. NEGATION was the very first CrossGen book I bought and he wowed me so much on that series that I decided to give this title a shot. Ouch, another let down. Hoping for a connection to the character to come along or out it goes.
More coming as I can ... Peace
Anywho, please excuse the tardiness and the, often, complete incoherent ramblings that are sure to follow, as I am just pounding the keyboard trying to get this out.
CATWOMAN #1 - (May contain spoilers, so if you haven't read the issue, please don't read this) Okay let me first say that the "situation" between Bat's and Cat did not anger some puritan belief I hold dear, nor did it upset any "comic values" that I may believe in ... well, except one. That "one" being Bruce's will power.
I have always held strongly to the fact that Bruce had the highest will power of any "hero" due in no small part to two factors:
1) He resisted the urge to kill the Joker
2) He resisted the urge to ... bed Catwoman
Those two factors are the base ideology that I have always liked about the character. To force himself to hold true to those two constants - "I am not a killer", no matter what, and to also deny himself the one person he really wanted.
That is what I really thought made the strength of Batman shine for me, throughout the years. I thought there was no way I could have resisted either and the fact that he always was able to, both infuriated me and made me realize how strong he actually is, mentally.
To me, that is now gone and I am a little upset about that.
That is not why I am giving up on this title. The truth is I thought the writing and art were fine, but ... okay, maybe deep down it IS the reason I am giving up on this title. I know it makes me petty. I am not proud of it.
BATGIRL #1 - The most 'un-Gail like' issue I have every read from Gail Simone. She normally grabs me pretty quick, but on this issue, I felt nothing. I think I am more upset that I didn't really like this comic as opposed to it was not well written. Expectations got the best of me. I am still on for a few, as it was my fault for having the expectations to begin with.
BIRDS OF PREY #1 - Yes. This one got me. Sure, it would have been nice to see a little more of the 'birds' actually inside of the cover, instead of just on it, but those time transitions (same pose, different local) and that ending really hooked me.
BATMAN #1 - Perhaps the best of the bunch ... so far. This is a grade "A" keeper for me. Love the art and Snyder is just one of those writers I can read and read and read and .... speaking of Snyder.
SWAMP THING #1 - Was never a huge Swampy fan, even through the Moore years (I know ... blasphemy!!!!) but I am really excited about this. Most chances just because of one word. Snyder.
BLACKHAWKS #1 - Really wanted to like this one. Really didn't like this one.
ACTION COMICS #1 - I HATE Superman. Always have. I was hoping Morrison would force me to at least give the character a chance again (Because I did really enjoy his ALL-STAR take on the characters). But alas, no. I just don't like super-pooper and not interested in this "googley-eye" take.
BLUE BEETLE #1 - Eh. I got this for one reason, Tony Bedard. NEGATION was the very first CrossGen book I bought and he wowed me so much on that series that I decided to give this title a shot. Ouch, another let down. Hoping for a connection to the character to come along or out it goes.
More coming as I can ... Peace
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BobBretall
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Sadly (though perhaps not after your description here) I did not buy that one. Another of my petty, childlike pouts revolve around this 'team' Firestorm. Firestorm, in my eyes, was Ronnie and the Professor and only Ronnie and the Professor.BobBretall wrote: I'll be curious if this holds true for you after you read Firestorm (IF you read Firestorm)......
That's the book that holds the "most un-Gail-like" distinction for me.
I fell in love with the character (one of the few DC characters I liked at the time) back when Broderick (whom I grew to love in Micronauts) brought me to the title back in the early 80's (? ... I think).
There are only a handful of writers that could pull me into this Firestorm. Not sure who exactly would be on that list, off hand however
But I can't wait to hear your take of it on PUBLISHERS SPOTLIGHT.
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BobBretall
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ANIMAL-MAN #1 - I'll be honest, PREVIEWS saved this book. It was off my pull after reading this issue. It was going to get the dreaded 'red' highlight color.
I knew going in that this was a 'maybe' book, as I had not been a fan of Foreman's IMMORTAL IRON FIST run, but I was surprised when the preview art of issue 1 didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, so I ordered the first two issues.
The art did bother me, however, and I was going to cancel it off my pull.
But thanks to PREVIEWS being delayed this month ... again
... my monthly shipment was delayed a week. This delay allowed DCBS to include all of the next weeks books (First week of the DC issue 2's) and so having pre-ordered, I received my issue of ANIMAL-MAN #2. I decided - "What the heck? Issue 2 is right here, may as well read it".
Well, long story longer ... issue 2 wowed me so much, that it turned issue 1 from red to green and it is now a definite buy.
Is that allowed?
FRANKENSTIEN and blah blah #1 - This was bad. I know a lot of people had trouble with the art, and I can understand why, but for some reason the art was not an issue for me. The sketchiness kinda fit the tone ... for me.
The writing however ... ugh. Waaay too much exposition. bad dialog and 'creatures' who's voice didn't resonate with me at all.
BATWOMAN #1 - Lets be honest, the art is the draw here, and it deserves all the accolades it receives, but the story, for me, was kinda on the soft side. This title I came in 'cold', having read only one issue of the DETECTIVE COMICS run with Batwoman, so that maybe the reason I am not connecting.
What is with the white color? How can this be good to hide an identity? - "Hey, you have white skin, Batwoman has white skin ... wait a minute ..."
More opinions as I can get to them
I knew going in that this was a 'maybe' book, as I had not been a fan of Foreman's IMMORTAL IRON FIST run, but I was surprised when the preview art of issue 1 didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, so I ordered the first two issues.
The art did bother me, however, and I was going to cancel it off my pull.
But thanks to PREVIEWS being delayed this month ... again
... my monthly shipment was delayed a week. This delay allowed DCBS to include all of the next weeks books (First week of the DC issue 2's) and so having pre-ordered, I received my issue of ANIMAL-MAN #2. I decided - "What the heck? Issue 2 is right here, may as well read it".Well, long story longer ... issue 2 wowed me so much, that it turned issue 1 from red to green and it is now a definite buy.
Is that allowed?
FRANKENSTIEN and blah blah #1 - This was bad. I know a lot of people had trouble with the art, and I can understand why, but for some reason the art was not an issue for me. The sketchiness kinda fit the tone ... for me.
The writing however ... ugh. Waaay too much exposition. bad dialog and 'creatures' who's voice didn't resonate with me at all.
BATWOMAN #1 - Lets be honest, the art is the draw here, and it deserves all the accolades it receives, but the story, for me, was kinda on the soft side. This title I came in 'cold', having read only one issue of the DETECTIVE COMICS run with Batwoman, so that maybe the reason I am not connecting.
What is with the white color? How can this be good to hide an identity? - "Hey, you have white skin, Batwoman has white skin ... wait a minute ..."
More opinions as I can get to them
Well that will help you in the long run, trying to gain control on your pull list.BobBretall wrote:John liked it.....I, as you may have guessed, did not.Perry wrote: But I can't wait to hear your take of it on PUBLISHERS SPOTLIGHT.
(I know this DC 52 has certainly set you back ... and with good cause)-
Frank Castle
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I feel the same way, and so did a review I read of this book from another site. The white skin really stands out in a bad way because while redheads usually have fair complexions, they're not that shade of white ... that's corpse paint.Perry wrote: What is with the white color? How can this be good to hide an identity? - "Hey, you have white skin, Batwoman has white skin ... wait a minute ..."
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BobBretall
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I don't think I'll come out too bad on my cutting back. I went up a few titles net in DC (I will probably end up around 30-32 DC books), nowhere near the full 52 and I should still be able to get to my goal number of 125 by year end.Perry wrote: Well that will help you in the long run, trying to gain control on your pull list.
Heck, maybe even under 100 if you can get to a 30,30 and 30 area. (of each Marvel, DC and others). But hey, if you can even get down to 125, I say good job, sir. Cutting is the hardest part of reading comics, I find.BobBretall wrote:... I should still be able to get to my goal number of 125 by year end.
Though sometimes, we get a little help ...
STORMWATCH #1 - I really like Cornell's writing, or at least I did on the superman-less ACTION COMICS, and I may have liked it here as well, but I just couldn't get past the art. Just not to my liking. (And I never was a fan of Martian Manhunter, so him being on this 'team' also lessens the appeal to me.
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 - With this book, we have the reverse. I really like Lopresti's art. It is not very stylized, but it has its merits. However the writing on this issue was, to me, less than stellar. An easy drop.
GREEN LANTERN CORP #1 - This gets a green from me because ... because ... well. it wasn't a bad issue and I am intrigued by what is going on. I really can't put a finger on 'why' I like this issue, but I just do.
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT #1 - I am really on the fence with this title. Issue one didn't wow me, but it didn't disgust me either. Well, other than the last page. Not a fan of that ... direction. Giving this one more issue to grab me. A decent next issue just will not do, I need to be blown away to keep this one on the pull.
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 - Surprise of the month. I didn't expect to like this, as I am, more often than not, left wanting when it comes to most 'magic' books. They almost always have than damnable Ex Machina type ending that I despise.
"Oh no. How can we possibly escape?"
"Hocus bipolar pocus"
"Wow, that was easy"
But I took a chance on this and I am very glad I did. I really liked this book. But then again, we haven't seen the escape yet ...
NIGHTWING #1 - Another 'Bat-title' to make my pull. I really enjoyed this book for art, pacing and writing, save one very poorly done section.
Spoiler below .....
When Dick leaves the battle ... to go change clothes
and leaves the cops to fight the bad guy, which of course leads to their deaths , his response to that was very similar to "Oh, my bad" 
"That was on me"
Ya think, ya idiot?
Other than that pretty bad part, I liked this easily enough.
Near Death #1 (Image Comics) A hit-man is shot, and while battling for his life he has a vision of all the people he has killed. The vision makes him want to turn his life around. The book is a solid read with art which fits the story.
Faerber is the kind of writer that excels at building worlds so hopefully he will use that expertise in this title as well. The main character does not come off as all that likeable at first, but that is sort of the point so bringing in an interesting support cast could make this title shine.
Faerber is the kind of writer that excels at building worlds so hopefully he will use that expertise in this title as well. The main character does not come off as all that likeable at first, but that is sort of the point so bringing in an interesting support cast could make this title shine.
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BobBretall
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Art aside (which I'd give a 3/5) the story was AWESOME.... 5/5, this is on my pull list.GABE! wrote:Last of The Greats Intense story that reminds me a lot of Rising Stars and Irredeemable with a twist ending. The art though, looked very rushed and unfinished. I think I only noticed 5 backgrounds and everything else was really bad colored blue space. I'll keep getting this in hopes the art sharpens up.
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BobBretall
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