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Post by Cei-U! on Jun 28, 2019 16:56:38 GMT -5
I prefer Spider-Man before Ditko completely took over the plotting (up to about issue #28). When I reread the Amazing book, I tend to skip past the last five Ditkos and go straight to Romita's debut. Cei-U! His Dr. Strange, though, is good to the last drop! (A) I thought Ditko was the sole plotter earlier, like issue # 20? (20-28 is my favorite stretch.) (B) I... fine. I'll just say it. I'm not that huge on the 4-part "This Be My Destiny" either. DitkoSpidey works best for me when it mixes comedy, drama, and human interest, and the Doc Oc Master Planner issues were good, but they weren't funny, so they weren't "best of all time" level good. I'm not that big on it, either. There's the one justifiably celebrated scene of Spidey freeing himself, but much of the rest of that story is full of fight scenes that feel like padding. Ditto for #34-38.
Cei-U! I summon some meat for them bones!
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Post by spoon on Jun 30, 2019 18:31:31 GMT -5
I'm continued to read through a big run of the Incredible Hulk for the first time. I got the two issues I need to bridge the gap between the Essential TPBs and the Pardoned, Regression, and Crossroads TPBs. Now, I'm up to #265. A few issues ago, there was a big change as Bill Mantlo took over as writer. But also, around the same time, Sal Buscema started inking himself, and it looks very different. It's a lot better when others are inking him. When he does it himself, it looks rushed. Mantlo's scripting seemed a bit shaky the first couple of issues, but it's more solid where I'm at now.
As far as characterization goes, it's back to basics, but not necessarily in a good way. Over time, other writers had General Thunderbolt Ross evolve into a more three-dimensional figure, who had a more nuanced view of the Hulk and wanted to help him. Mantlo turns Ross (and Glenn Talbot, who I think was a good guy for the most part before) back to obsessed with stopping the Hulk. To be fair, there was a bit of work done in putting them both through the ringer to explain this regression, and some of that set up, particularly with Talbot, was done before Mantlo started. Also, he's brought Betty back in, and she had been basically written out for a while. Glenn and Betty have divorced, and it looks like it's being set up for Betty to be the love interest again.
Issue 254 is the first appearance of the U-Foes. It's a really interesting, tragic story. It's basically a one-off, with the U-Foes seemingly dying. I did not expect that, because I know they're recurring villains who I've in the 1990s during the David/Keown era.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,069
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Post by Confessor on Jul 3, 2019 5:45:20 GMT -5
I read the recently published Star Wars #108 comic last night, which was put out as part of Marvel's 80th Anniversary celebrations and which carries on from the final issue of the original Marvel series (#107). Entertaining stuff. Expect a full review in my Star Wars thread in the next few days.
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Post by beccabear67 on Jul 4, 2019 12:25:05 GMT -5
Reading the Strazewski & Parobeck illustrated Justice Society #1-8 and really enjoying it (#9 & 10 on their way). Nice to see an Alex Toth influence to the art including the Machlan inks! I think I will stay away from the 'Armageddon' event thing that preceded it as it's a much different style.
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Post by Graphic Autist on Jul 5, 2019 10:44:22 GMT -5
About 150 pages into the first Batman Golden Age Omnibus. Batman material from Detective Comics 27-37.
Fortunately, it’s been a much quicker read than I was expecting. And Batman has killed a lot of people so far...
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Post by beccabear67 on Jul 5, 2019 12:56:24 GMT -5
Batman has killed a lot of people so far... He was such a bad influence back then!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2019 3:32:11 GMT -5
Blackhawk Archives --- Blackhawk stories from Military Comics #1–17 Wonder Woman: The Amazon Princess Archives --- Wonder Woman #98–110
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Post by EdoBosnar on Jul 6, 2019 4:06:04 GMT -5
So I'm finally getting around to reading my two Deadman tpbs that collect, among other things, the short stories by Len Wein from Adventure Comics in the late '70s and the mini-series from the early 1980s (lots of lovely art by Aparo and Garcia Lopez, PBHN in these) and just read this one last night, which is the first story in the first of those tpbs: Holy crap! After I got through with that I was asking myself WTF I just read. I'm pretty familiar with Bob Haney's writing, esp. his often off-the-wall stories in Brave & the Bold, but everything in this one was jammed up to 11 (or maybe even 12). We've got Batman chasing a mad bomber in Gotham, and during the course of his pursuit he apparently breaks his leg and is in traction for a bit (but then he apparently gets better real quick) and then also sustains severe burns on both hands (so they're wrapped in bandages for a while). And his fate and fortunes are somehow tied to a bronze Batman statue in the UK which is set to be unveiled by the queen in London, but which then gets stolen so Sgt. Rock (yes, still in active duty the late '70s, still a sergeant and commanding an Easy Co. consisting mostly of raw recruits who are there for NATO maneuvers) is ordered to retrieve it. He chases the thieves up into Scotland, and occasionally gets help from Deadman, who repeatedly enters the body of Cpl. Bulldozer to give Rock advice and clues - Deadman, in turn, often gets help from none other than Sherlock Holmes, who may or may not be a ghost, it's never made entirely clear, although unlike everyone else, he can see and interact with Deadman. The bad guys, by the way, are actually the ghosts of Guy Fawkes, Emperor Nero, Bluebeard, Benedict Arnold, Jack the Ripper and - Hitler, all under the guidance of Lucifer himself (also the nickname adopted by the mad Gotham bomber). The Loch Ness monster also makes a single-panel appearance, because why the hell not? I wish I could say it was as entertaining as that summary makes it sound, but mostly I was just scratching my head after I got done with it...
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Post by Nowhere Man on Jul 6, 2019 11:22:51 GMT -5
Avengers #9 The introduction of Wonder Man and the first non-Kirby penciled issue, starting the Don Heck run on the series. While I'll never be a huge Heck fan, I have to admit that he's growing on me. I'm still biding my time till John Buscema arrives, but at least I can appreciate Heck now that I'm older and wiser. Overall a solid issue, though at this point the Masters of Evil are a bit too understaffed to be much of a threat to the Avengers. For all the evil Asgardian's sense of superiority, they don't seem all that threatening at this point. The Enchantress can affect Cap's mind a continent away, yet does basically nothing but causes a cloud of mist to form so they can escape once the fighting starts. I think Lee/Kirby and co. are still downplaying the superhuman feats at this point to contrast the Pre-Crisis DC universe, but at times the telling how powerful a character is, while underwhelmingly showing, grates. I'm a strong supporter of the Marvel "power creep" that starts to take place over the next few years since Marvel never got that out of hand with it. The opening scene of this issue is somewhat odd. In it, Cap is hallucinating a fight with Baron Zemo, making him seem unhinged and psychologically disturbed. I just chalk it up to "hibernation sickness" and a short hand way of showing how devoted Cap is to avenging Bucky's death. Early Marvel Universe pathos wasn't big on subtly. Wonder Man, of course, is the star of this issue. I can understand how this tragic character's story thrilled readers of this era who would never get this sort of shades of gray storytelling from a DC superhero comic. Even though the story is structurally compressed, you still feel for Simon Williams.
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Post by String on Jul 7, 2019 11:46:25 GMT -5
Two recent finds from the back issues bins of a con: After visiting Jay Garrick on Earth-2, Barry Allen inadvertently sets off a dimensional trap meant for Jay placed by the Shade. Some great fun by Bates & Norvick. I've read very little of Deadman however Aparo's great art here bolsters Wein's continuing story of Deadman helping solve a murder mystery at his brother's circus (His brother's name is Cleveland, really?) Again, read very little of Bronze Age Aquaman as Kupperberg has Arthur tangle with a big game hunter/diver whose been illegally hunting whales. Newton's art is gorgeous here especially the underwater fight scenes (though the hunter meets a rather grim fate) Cary Burkett & Joe Stanton details the escape of the alien wizard Myrwhydden from Hal's power ring and his subsequent trap meant to destroy Hal (to no avail of course) Jack C Harris with Jack Abel show that Steve Trevor (or is it Steve Howard?) is really dead and Wonder Woman travels to Hel literally to fight for the recovery of his soul only to learn that Zeus had gifted his soul with an eternal gift. A really engaging story that shows the strength of Diana's love for Steve and her own resolve, even like Aphrodite's tiara with a heart on it and her heart-shaped earrings. However, most surprised by the conclusion of the (then) latest New Gods story by Conway and Newton. I never knew they continued the series at this point till now. Conway certainly tries to deliver on the epic scale, featuring a Darkseid who engages in the most physical actions/attacks here than I've ever seen him do. Newton's art is as gorgeous here as it is in the Aquaman segment. I may have to track down their issues of New Gods to read this whole arc, very interesting. Bates and Don Heck give us an unusual side effect of Barry dealing with dual sonic booms, a heist gang with a very unusual hiding spot for their scores and the unexpected help from dolphins that helps solve it all. Wacky fun here, loved it. Deadman becomes embroiled in a war vet's efforts to combat the extortion schemes of local criminals affecting the neighborhood's businesses (including the vet's). I liked this story better than the previous one with most of the cast completely unaware of Deadman's involvement. Garcia Lopez's art was equally up to the strong level of this story, great job. Bob Rozakis details Aquaman's encounter with a hidden Nazi sect deep within Antarctica. They still strive to improve the overall nature and quality of the human race (most notable examples being their hidden lair engineered into a lush jungle, their own aquatic genetic modifications and advanced holograms). However, they wish to expand their insights and plans to include Atlantis (whether Arthur agrees or not). A clash ensues. Newton's art is top notch here. I really liked both Aquaman stories in these issues although judging by some of the letter writers' responses in these two issues, some seem to take favor with Arthur's more vigilante style motif as it seems to counter his previous attitudes. I can't really comment on that opinion other than to say I liked Arthur here with a bit more edge to him. Last, the JSA race against time to find a deadly poison capsule (which was stolen of course) from breaking open after a certain time limit and thus poisoning Gotham City. Levitz gives ample room and space to show the team's differing methods of trying to track down this danger. I especially liked the pairing of Power Girl with Huntress as their efforts contribute just as much as Green Lantern and Flash's efforts does towards ending this threat. Although it takes a near showdown between Hawkman and Fate for the menace to be quelled. Stanton's art was quite good. I'm surprised though, the ending has Mister Terrific show up because the JSA invited him to their next annual meeting with the JLA which if I'm not mistaken, occurs in JLA #171-172 which are among my favorite JLA stories. I love it whenever I find little connecting bits between titles and stories like this.
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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 7, 2019 11:51:31 GMT -5
I read two awesome Legion of Super-Heroes stories. First, LOSH Annual #1. Very good story, with the introduction of Invisible Kid 2 (Jacques Foccart) and the return of Computo. I've always liked Jacques. He seemed more human to me than most other super heroes, like a regular guy thrust into the role of Legionnaire. LOSH #290 is the beginning of the Great Darkness Saga, though actually there have been some lead-ins to it in previous issues. Great buildup of the so far mysterious threat.
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Post by beccabear67 on Jul 7, 2019 14:08:52 GMT -5
I really liked the Deadmans in those, and there were some nice Aquamans as well. I also liked the tie-in/set-up with the original Mr. Terrific, and I did have some other comics from that time with an ad for those JLAs. First death I knew of in comics (having not seen the Adventure with the Earth-2 Batman).
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Post by EdoBosnar on Jul 7, 2019 14:39:26 GMT -5
Man, I loved that all-too-brief period when Adventure was a dollar comic. So much fun and/or good stuff in there - the Deadman stories were a stand-out for me.
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Post by urrutiap on Jul 7, 2019 16:59:37 GMT -5
I havent read them yet since Im busy reading Wheel of Time Eye of the World, some old NOW Comics back issues of Ghostbusters I just bought from the comic book shop. Issues 1, 2, 5 and 28. Going to look through them checking out the old classic NOW Comics artwork. Then ill be reading them tonight or tomorrow
I miss the good old days of NOW Comics where Ghostbusters, Fright Night, Terminator and Speed Racer were popular titles from NOW Comics back then in the mid 1980s
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2019 11:55:55 GMT -5
Marvel Masterworks
Inhumans: Vol. 1-2 The Avengers: Vol. 17
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