Weekly Comics Spotlight #81

Skyhawke · Post by **Skyhawke** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:48 am

Reign in Hell - The whole point of the Reign in Hell series was to shake up the mystic realm of the DC Universe. And that served Marvel well when Keith Giffen did that with Annihilation and look where that is taken Marvel. Now I think it was a mistake for this to take place entirely on the Infernal planes with really pre-established setting for people to be familiar with (to my knowledge anyway). I will agree that Lobo should of not been entered in the story as a plot device, it wasn't needed. I was also disappointed that there wasn't more character development between Zatara and Zatanna.

Mouse Guard - The delay in printing has pretty much determined at this point that I will just buy this in hardcover from now on. I have a hard time discerning which mouse is which as well. My daughter does love this series though and can't wait for me to get another issue.

As far as future episodes, I have no problem with you all discussing what you like out of your respective buy piles. And it doesn't bother me if you start talking about the same title again in 3 or months. It been admirable that you been able to not do that for 6 months for as long as you have. Most shows don't try to do that. I would just ask that you still keep the podcast short if you can. One of the things I love about your show is that it runs 30 to 45 minute's long.

aSh · Post by **aSh** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:54 am

Great episode guys.

I have a bit of trouble with all of Giffen's newer work. It can be great, and sometimes.... well it can be a bit slow. Reign in Hell just did not move me.

As far as John's cut backs are concerned, why not do more Back issues spotlights and just do a monthly spot light (0r bi-weekly) for New issues. Or just talk about the same comics. I am good with that. More Back issue spotlights would be good no mater what they are or if they are in trade. Almost anything can be found in back issue bins or at mycomicshop.com so don't worry about only doing issues that are collected. Some stories that are not collected need to talked about so that someday they will be collected. (See the All-Star Squadron.)

I enjoy the comic talk the most. I like when your shows go off topic. I can live with whatever format changes you may make. I like to hear about older issues or books I don't read (to a point) so that I can learn something new. I haven't really been reading comics for longer than 3 years.

Keep up the great work. I love the shows.

Darth Kramer · Post by **Darth Kramer** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:56 am

I should have just skipped Reign in Hell and I would have been a whole lot happier. I knew going in that this was going to be the Giffen that quickly goes off the rails rather than the one that has a strong editorial presence and gets the job done well.

And I don't understand at all why Lobo was in the book either.

aSh · Post by **aSh** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:59 am

Darth Kramer wrote:
And I don't understand at all why Lobo was in the book either.

He is a Keith Giffen character.

Skyhawke · Post by **Skyhawke** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:05 am

Yes but most creators resist the urge to throw their own creations into any book they are working on. It was unnecessary and if Zatara had to die again there were many other ways with any dozen of Hell's power hitters to do the deed.

aSh · Post by **aSh** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:14 am

Skyhawke wrote:Yes but most creators resist the urge to throw their own creations into any book they are working on. It was unnecessary and if Zatara had to die again there were many other ways with any dozen of Hell's power hitters to do the deed.

Agreed. Lets just be happy that Keith used Lobo and not Ambush Bug... or maybe that would have better.... hmmm

But Lobo in Hell makes so little sense. DC Hell with Neron has had a bad taste in my mouth since that issue of Flash by Waid where all the Rogues came back from Hell and were killing people. That was just a bit off. ( It did bring the Rogues back, but.... yuck.)

Neron needs to be forgoten.

Darth Kramer · Post by **Darth Kramer** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:41 am

aSh wrote:
Neron needs to be forgoten.

I'm torn on Neron. In some circumstances he's an awesome character, but when he's just written as the stereotypical Satan analogue, he's boring as hell. My favorite Neron appearance was in Showcase '95 #12 where he came to The Shade to make him an offer.

comicm · Post by **comicm** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:55 am

I am behind in Reign in Hell. I think I read the first two issues but the others are still in a pile of to read comics.

As far as the format of the show you can do whatever you want. 8 comics a week is still a hell of a lot of comics to choose from. You might not have the same ones as Bob but you can talk about whatever you read. As long as you talk comics I will still listen.

HassanT · Post by **HassanT** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:07 pm

Bob,

Thanks for the call out on Mouse Guard for my daughters. I have been getting Mouse Guard since issue 1 and loved the first series, but I am way behind on the second series because of all the delays.

I haven't gotten Mouse Guard in a collected format but I need to. I have read the first issue of Mouse Guard to my daughters, along with the first color Bone book. Both are excellent books to read to your kids. In fact, one time my daughter asked for a stuffed Bone when she saw it at a LCS. But, I need to continue to read the rest of both series.

They are also into Supergirl: Adventures in the 8th Grade and Batman: the Brave and the Bold.

HassanT · Post by **HassanT** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:17 pm

As for a change in the "1 by DC, 1 by Marvel and 1 by Other" format, I say go for it. I think the most important thing is to hear what you guys think of the new comic books. If you have to repeat some books more often, I think that is ok.

BTW, I really love the end of each episode where you guys go into briefly everything you gotten and some very quick thoughts on those books.

IanG · Post by **IanG** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:58 pm

I haven't read any of the comics reviewed but I've been curious about The Incredible Hercules and Mouse Guard. I think I'll add those to my list of trades to look for at the next convention I go to.

As far as running out of titles to review without repeating I think that is OK. In my mind it's OK to repeat titles/characters or whatever because things change so much anyways. Creators sometimes change and also story arcs. Just my two cents. Thanks for the weekly episodes.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:54 am

John, do whatever format works and makes you smile. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying how much I respect you for continuing to put out episodes PERIOD at a time when you must have a lot of personal stress to work through. I know I would probably give up 11 O'C if I lost my job, just wouldn't be in the mood to discuss comics happily each week.

Bottom line, talk about what you're reading and have opinions on. I'm sure you'll be working your database magic at some Texas corporation soon enough and then you can get back to the regular 1/1/1 format.

stardog · Post by **stardog** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:46 am

Have to agree with everyone...talk about the same books, different books (from each other), whatever...I really enjoy the shows and a less formal format would be fine with me. Whatever works for you guys. Like Hassan, I really dig the end of the show with your weekly random thoughts, and expanding on that would be very cool.