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Post by Hoosier X on Aug 22, 2015 19:30:04 GMT -5
I picked up The Essential Silver Surfer, Volume One, and The Wonder Woman Archives, Volume One, at the library yesterday.
I haven't had much time to do much more than flip through them. (I've read most of these stories before.) Such great art! The John Buscema art is just about the best ever!
I did take the time to read the Stranger story from Silver Surfer #5 before I went to sleep last night. So awesome! Such a great series!
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Post by Icctrombone on Aug 22, 2015 19:40:27 GMT -5
I never really enjoyed Moench’s time on Fantastic Four, and this issue pretty much cemented my feelings on that. However, there was a really nice back-up story (written by Moench and drawn by Tom Sutton) that shows Kristoff failing to maintain his newly liberated Latveria, and the ultimate resurrection of Dr Doom. A lot of nice ideas here about newly democratised people not really feeling the love for their new status quo. I think Kristoff came a hundred issues later. It was Zorba who was in charge of Latveria.
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Post by terence1965 on Aug 23, 2015 0:21:00 GMT -5
I never really enjoyed Moench’s time on Fantastic Four, and this issue pretty much cemented my feelings on that. However, there was a really nice back-up story (written by Moench and drawn by Tom Sutton) that shows Kristoff failing to maintain his newly liberated Latveria, and the ultimate resurrection of Dr Doom. A lot of nice ideas here about newly democratised people not really feeling the love for their new status quo. I think Kristoff came a hundred issues later. It was Zorba who was in charge of Latveria. That'll teach me to keep reference copies to hand while writing reviews; Kristoff was the kid! Thanks Icctrombone, I'll edit that.
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Post by wildfire2099 on Aug 23, 2015 16:47:04 GMT -5
Had a nice quiet day today... and had some time to read some comics! I had never thought about it before, but the Bomber Jacket era Avengers bare a great resemblance to the Detroit-era Justice League. Both teams abandoned the traditional line ups completely for C-list characters, hoping the name and a 'family' vibe could carry them. Both had a almost absent/wallpaperish leader (Aquaman and Black Widow), that seemed there only to make older fans a bit happier. I'm realizing now why I stuck with the West Coast book at the time
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Aug 24, 2015 5:33:28 GMT -5
Continuing to make my way through Lee and Kirby's Fantastic Four run. I've gotten through the first annual and just finished issue #22, which is the Return of the Mole Man. Story was okay with Sue getting some new powers in the process, but there was one big glaring plot hole I was surprised to find. Basically the Fantastic Four are looking to purchase an island off the coast of New Jersey to store some of their equipment after getting noise complaints from the surrounding community in New York. Reed Richards stumbles upon an ad in the newspaper with an offer to buy a cheap island. They travel there and soon learn it's a trap set up by the Mole Man to lure them there. Turns out he wasn't vanquished in the first issue. The Mole Man initially traps them in a chamber surrounded by a "radioactive" wall. This is where the narrative takes a nose dive with it's huge plot hole. The entire group acts like they can't get past this one obstacle set up by the Mole Man. They just sit there listening to the Mole Man taunt them from his throne talking about his sinister plot to use his technology to sink some of the world's biggest cities underground, which would cause a domino effect with the world powers assuming each other had something to do with the catastrophes, potentially leading to another World War. With the push of a remote control switch in his hand, Mole Man has the power to make this come to fruition. Reed seems stumped in terms of coming up with a plan to escape the wall and stop Mole Man. So as I was reading this I asked myself why doesn't Reed just stretch his hand over the wall and crab the controller/escape? Instead we have a contrived excuse to use Sue's new powers to help the team get out of the jam. A few pages of the team chasing the Mole Man and getting out his traps ensue (which was kind of fun), with Reed eventually turning the tables on Mole Man's plot and escaping the island with his team just in the nick of time.
All in all it was an okay tale like I said. It's just that one aspect really took me out of the story for a moment. I realize that these stories were made in the early 60's, and I've forgiving to a lot of things. I've gotten used to the writing format and the audience it's been aimed at primarily. Along with the sensibilities of the people involved at the time (the sexism is kind of unfortunate to sift through sometimes though). Definitely found a groove of what to expect. Still, even that mistake was a little hard to swallow. Overall the series has still been pretty enjoyable. Looking forward to the next issue.
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Post by dbutler69 on Aug 24, 2015 7:25:10 GMT -5
I'm going through Elson's Presents DC Superheroes, which is a repackaging of DC's comics with a January, 1981 cover date. So far, my favorite story there is the one that is, of course, a two parter. Action Comics #516 starts with Vandal Savage emperor of the earth, Superman and Lex Luthor his loyal servants, and Jimmy Olsen leader of the resistance movement!! On top of that, we're assured that it's no an elseworlds tale or a hoax. How awesome is that? Unfortunately, I don't have Action Comics #516, so I'm going to have to get a hold of it somehow. Luckily, all of the other stories I've read so far are done-on-ones, so I haven't had to worry about that problem otherwise. That is one nice thing about Silver and Bronze Age DC's.
I'm also reading through most of my old "funny comics" from the 70's- Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Richie Rich, etc.
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Post by The Cheat on Aug 24, 2015 16:09:28 GMT -5
Moon Knight Epic done and dusted. A bit of a hodge podge of a collection, most of which I found pretty bland. It definitely picks up at the end with the first four issues of the solo series though, enough of an improvement that I'll pick up volume 2. I guess Moench was willing to invest a bit more into the character once he had the security of a regular series. Some nice Sienkiewicz art throughout.
Next Epic on the pile - Star Wars: Old Republic.
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Post by pinkfloydsound17 on Aug 24, 2015 20:44:49 GMT -5
Reading Batman Dark Knight from Miller. I finally have all 4 issues to read together in one sitting and just finished the second book.
Looking at the last picture in Dark Knight Triumphant, Bruce reminds me of an older Nick Fury in the way he looks. Personally, outside of Batman and Daredevil, Miller's work has been hit/miss for me. But I do think he would have done well on a Nick Fury book or even a Punisher book for Marvel back in the day. Today, I don't know though but back then man...I think he could have done great things with those characters.
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Post by fanboystranger on Aug 24, 2015 21:32:05 GMT -5
Moon Knight Epic done and dusted. A bit of a hodge podge of a collection, most of which I found pretty bland. It definitely picks up at the end with the first four issues of the solo series though, enough of an improvement that I'll pick up volume 2. I guess Moench was willing to invest a bit more into the character once he had the security of a regular series. Some nice Sienkiewicz art throughout. Next Epic on the pile - Star Wars: Old Republic. The second year of the Moon Knight series is where it really turns into something special because that's where Sienkiewicz becomes Sienkiewicz. A lot of people will point to the experimental story "Hit It!" in MK 27 as the point where Sink became one of the most challenging and interesting artists in comics history, but I'd actually point to the Morpheus storyline that precedes it by a few issues. So, yeah, pick up the second Epic.
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Post by DubipR on Aug 25, 2015 8:37:33 GMT -5
Coming out this week at your local comic shop Fans of E-Man, this one's for you.
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Post by The Captain on Aug 25, 2015 8:49:07 GMT -5
Moon Knight Epic done and dusted. A bit of a hodge podge of a collection, most of which I found pretty bland. It definitely picks up at the end with the first four issues of the solo series though, enough of an improvement that I'll pick up volume 2. I guess Moench was willing to invest a bit more into the character once he had the security of a regular series. Some nice Sienkiewicz art throughout. Next Epic on the pile - Star Wars: Old Republic. The second year of the Moon Knight series is where it really turns into something special because that's where Sienkiewicz becomes Sienkiewicz. A lot of people will point to the experimental story "Hit It!" in MK 27 as the point where Sink became one of the most challenging and interesting artists in comics history, but I'd actually point to the Morpheus storyline that precedes it by a few issues. So, yeah, pick up the second Epic. Seconded. I read the entire Moon Knight catalog earlier this year and cannot recommend these books enough.
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Post by fanboystranger on Aug 25, 2015 11:36:51 GMT -5
The second year of the Moon Knight series is where it really turns into something special because that's where Sienkiewicz becomes Sienkiewicz. A lot of people will point to the experimental story "Hit It!" in MK 27 as the point where Sink became one of the most challenging and interesting artists in comics history, but I'd actually point to the Morpheus storyline that precedes it by a few issues. So, yeah, pick up the second Epic. Seconded. I read the entire Moon Knight catalog earlier this year and cannot recommend these books enough. And I recommend continuing on with the Kevin Nowlan issues, which are as good as the Sienkiewicz run. (If they collect them in an Epic, that is.)
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Post by The Cheat on Aug 25, 2015 15:59:06 GMT -5
Cool, I'll look forward to picking up the second volume then The release schedule for the Epics seems to have gone crazy lately. So much material, so little time...
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Post by dbutler69 on Aug 27, 2015 6:39:41 GMT -5
I had to go out and get Action Comics #516 (conclusion to the story started in Action Comics #515). It was a decent story overall, but part 2 had too much questionable Silver/Bronze Age comic book science, with Vandal Savages time bombs acting as a dues ex machina. I wish Marv Wolfman had spent a little more effort making the explanation seem plausible. The conclusion also seemed a bit rushed. If they'd had the extra pages devoted to the Atom backup story, this might not have been the case. Still, and enjoyable story overall.
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Aug 28, 2015 1:56:28 GMT -5
Just got finished reading this as I continue my trek through Fantastic Four from the beginning. There have been some good stories thus far, but this has been Lee and Kirby's finest hour up to this point in my opinion. Really good approach here. The Hulk returns and squares off against the Thing once again. They first met a little over 10 issues back (#14 I think?). From what I remember that encounter wasn't that exciting and only a couple of pages of conflict. This time feels like it should have been the first time. The issues starts with The Thing and Reed Richards having an argument over a potion Reed had created that could change Ben back to his normal self permanently. Ben refuses to take it though because he thinks his blind girlfriend Alicia may not love him the same way anymore if he's different. Reed desperately tries to convince Ben that he stumbled upon this "cure" by happenstance and he doesn't know if he'll be able to replicate it again. Ben smashes the test tube containing the potion. Meanwhile, The Hulk is on the run after escaping the clutches of the Avengers, a tale that is expanded upon in Avengers #3. At this point he's just bumming around trying to stay in seclusion. The Hulk reads a newspaper finds out that Captain America has replaced him as a member. He takes it as a slight against him and suddenly wants to crush the Avengers. He heads for New York in search of the group, while at the same time the Avengers continue their search south of New York. The Fantastic Four get wind that the Hulk is present in the city causing mayhem in a fit of rage. We catch up with the Fantastic Four. Reed Richards has inexplicably become ill from some unknown virus. He's essentially bedridden at this point. Johnny Storm goes to find a doctor for help. The word of the Hulk striking the city has start to spread though. Johnny catches the Hulk in the flesh causing destruction in the city and immediately tries to help. He's almost defeated instantly. The Thing and Sue Storm see this on the TV, and are compelled to assist their friend. Reed wants to help, but can't. He urges Ben and Sue to go help save Johnny, but to be careful. He warns Ben that The Hulk has unknown strength levels, but Ben doesn't. When Ben and Sue arrive, Johnny tries to stand his ground, but can't even ignite his flame at this point. Sue uses her new found powers of generating shields to try and protect Johnny, but this doesn't last long. She faints from exhaustion. It's then up to Ben to try and stop the Hulk himself. For the first few pages, The Thing shows true grit with the city (Yancy Street Gang) and military in his corner in spirit hoping against hope he'll be able to slow the Hulk down. For a few pages this works with The Thing using his brain to ensnare the The Hulk in various traps. But after a while brute strength kicks in and the Thing is defeated. Now The Hulk proceeds in his quest to find The Avengers. Will he be stopped? So yes, this is my first time reading this issue. It was great. I was reading the Marvel Masterworks edition, which is nice because all of Kirby's art is cleaned up. The last few issues I've done that actually. I'm not sure what it is, but this might be Kirby's best work I've seen up to this point. Even with the few issues of The Avengers, X-Men, and all of Fantastic Four up until this point including the Annual. Kirby just dominates here. There is even a huge panel of the Hulk towards the end which was cool and something that hadn't been seen before up to this point. I also really liked Lee's writing here. Took me a while to get used to, but I'd say from around issue 17 or 18 onward it went from a mix bag to mostly good story after good story. This really feels like the culmination of the hot streak this team has been on from this run up to this point. The Thing finally gets a ton of page time and is in most of the panels. The scenario set up makes it feel like he's the last man standing, and the city's only hope. He might be my favorite character thus far in the series. I still go back and forth between him and Richards. Speaking of Reed, he's actually shown some backbone the last three or four issues, and not afraid to back down from a verbal confrontation. I'm anxious to see what happens in the next issue. All good so far.
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