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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 1:07:30 GMT -5
Because, well we need more review threads...
I had been considering doing this one for a while, but unlike Shaxper, I cannot juggle multiple review threads and I had the From the Sorcerer's Scroll going, so kept putting it off, but new forum, new review thread.
I will start with the first Micronauts series from Marvel and see where we go from there-the X-Men x-over mini? the 2nd Marvel series? The DDP stuff? The Image series? I have all of them, let's see how long this goes and what kind of reception it gets.
As a reminder...
What the ratings mean:
10/10: Superior, near flawless, outstanding. Nothing is perfect but this comes close.
9/10: Excellent, possible minor quibbles but nothing to mar enjoyment of the story or art
8/10: Very good; no major complaints but enough minor quibbles to keep it from the upper echelon
7/10: Above average, enjoyable but may have noticeable flaws, however they can be overlooked and still enjoy the book.
6/10: Acceptable average work, warts and all
5/10: Almost but not quite good, enough flaws to hinder enjoyment of the overall work
4/10: A failed attempt. There may be quality elements here or there, but not enough to save the book or make it worthwhile
1-3/10: Abysmal failures all
First issue coming as soon as I finish writing the review...
-M
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 1:23:28 GMT -5
MICRONAUTS #1 Cover Date: January 1979
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciller/Co-plotter: Michael Golden
Inker: Josef Rubinstein
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Cover: Dave Cockrum & Al Milgrom
Editor: Al Milgrom
Homeworld! (17 pages; color)
Synopsis: Homeworld is in revolt led by Baron Karza, who promises people immortality through his body banks. The royal family tries to escape but only Princess Mari survives. Meanwhile, Commander Arcturus Rand returns from a 1000 year voyage of exploration and is taken prisoner. The underground helps Rand, Princess Mari and a handful of others (the desposed prince of the Acroyears, Bug, and Microtron, Mari's personal droid) escape with the aid of the enigmatic Time Traveler. Aboard Rann's ship they pierce the fringes of the microverse to escape pursuit.
Ratings
Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
Comments: Golden's art is gorgeous, and Rubinstein generally does a good job of inking him, the only downfall is in some of the military equipment. Golden tries to capture the look and feel of some of the toys, which featured over-sized rubber nubs on projectiles for child safety reasons, but in a comic page it doesn't quite read as believable or even functional. However, the character designs, the panel to panel storytelling and page to page storytelling are all mostly top notch.
Mantlo does a decent job of getting us into the story with an in medias res start and manages to establish the conflict and the major players well. Some of the exposition and dialogue were a bit of a slog, but not bad overall. It's a decent start and sets up a lot of interesting conflicts and dynamics that will hopefully be explored as the series progresses.
-M
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Post by Aaron King on May 1, 2014 1:43:12 GMT -5
Even though I tried to kick off the review threads, I could not be more happy to be beaten to the first actual review. I've tried to get into Micronauts a few times over the years, but I always end up finding odd groupings of issues or not quite getting the right price.
Great start to a thread, and I'm looking forward to more!
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on May 1, 2014 8:10:33 GMT -5
I've been meaning to read this for a while now, so I will be quietly following with interest! And cover scans and an explanation of your grading system? Are you trying to ruin me??  There will be more reviews threads. I'm going to move Master of Kung Fu over, post by post, tonight, get a sense for how exhausting the process turns out to be, and then determine if that's a viable way of moving the other threads over. I'll also explore archiving options. We're currently discussing this in the Help Desk. |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 9:10:04 GMT -5
I've been meaning to read this for a while now, so I will be quietly following with interest! And cover scans and an explanation of your grading system? Are you trying to ruin me?? There will be more reviews threads. I'm going to move Master of Kung Fu over, post by post, tonight, get a sense for how exhausting the process turns out to be, and then determine if that's a viable way of moving the other threads over. I'll also explore archiving options. We're currently discussing this in the Help Desk. I did cover pics and had an explanation of the grading system in From the Sorcerer's Scroll and you seemed to survive just fine Shax..... -M |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on May 1, 2014 9:22:38 GMT -5
Actually...you're right.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on May 1, 2014 9:41:26 GMT -5
I've never read a Micronauts comic.
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Post by wildfire2099 on May 1, 2014 10:10:05 GMT -5
I've been meaning to read this for a while now, so I will be quietly following with interest! And cover scans and an explanation of your grading system? Are you trying to ruin me?? There will be more reviews threads. I'm going to move Master of Kung Fu over, post by post, tonight, get a sense for how exhausting the process turns out to be, and then determine if that's a viable way of moving the other threads over. I'll also explore archiving options. We're currently discussing this in the Help Desk. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I might just have to up my game some when I bring my stuff over  Micronauts isn't something I've ever had on my radar, so I'm interested to see if it's something I'd read. |
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Post by clarkie on May 1, 2014 18:33:41 GMT -5
I would love to re-discover the Micronauts, I remember being about 6 or 7 and reading UK reprints.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2014 1:15:11 GMT -5
MICRONAUTS #2 Cover Date: February 1979 Publisher: Marvel Comics Writer: Bill Mantlo Penciller/Co-plotter: Michael Golden Inker: Josef Rubinstein Letterer: John Costanza Colorist: F. Mouly Cover: Golden & Rubinstein Editor: Al Milgrom "Earth!" (17 pages; color) Synopsis: The Endeavor breaches the walls of the fringe with the aid of the Time Traveler and the ship and its crew wind up in Florida in our world. They begin to explore, but Karza's forces seek them out, led by Prince Shaitan, Acroyear's traitorous brother. Meanwhile Karza reveals Price Argon, Mari's brother is alive, and will be spared, but only to be the subject of Karza's experiments. With the aid of an adolescent boy they meet at their crash site, Rann and his intrepid band escape the Acroyear pursuit forces and teleport away. Ratings
Story: 8/10 Art: 8/10 Overall: 8/10 Comments: Golden's art looked a little rushed in places, still great, but not quite on par with last issue. The quirky toy look is gone from the equipment though, so that's a plus. I do like the way Mantlo handled the Micronouts discovering they were on a world of giants, very reminiscent of some classic sci-fi moments in other media I have seen here and there through the years, but still feeling organic and appropriate for this situation, not a forced homage or hack copying. Mantlo is also introducing some tension between Mari and Rann, that is probably meant to lead to romantic tension, but right now, however, it does feel forced and hackneyed. There are some interesting character bits being showcased though...the camaraderie of Bug and Acroyer, the inferiority complex of Biotron, and the fierce streak of independence and cold desire for revenge in Mari all work well so far. -M |
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Post by gmiller on May 2, 2014 3:13:54 GMT -5
I approve of this thread!! Excellent choice on a series here!
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2014 20:34:11 GMT -5
Great pick for a review thread MRP. I own the full run of Micronauts, but I've only read about half of them completely out of order. This might get me into reading the rest of the pile.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2014 21:27:50 GMT -5
Unfortunately my desktop died this morning.I am currently checking in on my wife's laptop, but I won't be posting much until I get the desktop fixed or replaced. I will continue the review thread once I get my computing access set, but until then, there will be a bit of a hiatus for a couple of days while things sort themselves out.
-M
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Post by Ozymandias on May 3, 2014 13:08:25 GMT -5
Unfortunately my desktop died this morning.I am currently checking in on my wife's laptop, but I won't be posting much until I get the desktop fixed or replaced. I will continue the review thread once I get my computing access set, but until then, there will be a bit of a hiatus for a couple of days while things sort themselves out. -M What do you people do with PCs? I have six desktops home, four of them overclocked and another one with its disabled cores working. They endure. When the machines rise against us, don't blame them. BTW, I have fond memories of the X-Men mini. |
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Roquefort Raider
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Post by Roquefort Raider on May 3, 2014 17:28:53 GMT -5
Excellent thread idea!
My first Micronauts issue was #3, but I quickly found issues 1 and 2 and then was a subscriber until the end. The first twelve issues are among the very best comics ever made, and the rest try to replicate that success with vastly different levels of success.
Issue number one floored me. Michael Golden's art was like nothing I had seen at the time; the scene where the Endeavour lands was my main artistic influence for a decade or more thereafter! While not trying for a photorealistic approach, he made everything look so real!
Anyhoo. I oook forward to more of yiur reviews!
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