Comic Book Notes (LJ) Oct 2003

10/05/03

I read a few CrossGen comic books and a few DC over the past few days.

Empire # 2 - Good, really good. I like how this is developing. No heroes just bad guys. It kinda disturbed me at first, but now I am getting into it.

Extinction Event #2 - Possibly the worst buy I have made all year. I am referring to the whole mini-series, and not just the first issue.

Brath # 6 - Not a great issue. The regular artist has either moved on or was taking off this issue. The art was ok, but the story for the most part was background on the upper levels of the government which has captured Brath.

Negation # 18 - Bit by bit I am getting caught up. This was a really good issue. I liked the improbable pairing of Lizard Lady and Westin. Lizard Lady in particular hasn't gotten much screen time in recent issues. Westin now knows her secret: how she interrogates by devouring her subjects. Also got more detail on Westin's power.

Mark of Charon # 3 - More background on the Lawbringers. Javi knows it all now, or at least considerably more. I can't wait to see how he uses the information he has gotten, how far those bearing the mark of Charon will go along with him, his confrontation with Apollyon, and what his angle is.

My next shipment of comics is on it's way and it's a big one. I'm still working my way through Generations 2 and Thor Visionaries Vol. 2, and haven't even started on Batman: The Cult or Maxx Vol. 1.

10/18/03

I was in such a bad mood yesterday that I completely ignored the monthly shipment of new comics that arrived and didn't even turn on the tube to watch Game 7 of the ALCS. It a little late to watch the game, but I did open the box of comics. I got a lot this time, but still not as much as I was expecting. One of these months my bill is just going to be huge.

This month's was the biggest so far in the 10 months that I have been buying new comics through Mile High. I only got one more TPB (Hawaiian Dick: Byrd of Paradise from Image), but there were also a couple of prestige books in the mix (Superman: Blood of my Ancestors from DC, Tigress Journey to Caldathera from Antimatter).

What else? Well, the last issue of the Lee/Loeb run on Batman, #619. The last issue of Solus that I am going to get, #6. Along with a number of other comics.

Which one excites me the most? Probably Thanos #1 (from Marvel) by Jim Starlin. Always an interesting character, the fact that he is going to be written and drawn by the artist who has done the best work on him only adds to my heightened sense of anticipation.

The latest installment of Empire, #3 also looks to be a good one.

I also got the first couple issues of a new story arc in Hulk, #60 and 61. I'm only planning on collecting this arc, but if I like it enough I may stick with it.

There was plenty more including Brath #7, Captain Marvel #14, Fallen Angel #3, JLA #87 and 88...

10/21/03

What else? Hmmm...as far as inconsequential things go I finally got back to reading volume to of Walt Simonson' Visionaries: Thor. I'm not a big fan of the thunder god, but I have to say the stories are good. I have one more chapter to go in the battle with Surtur.

10/24/03

I read the Fallen Angel # 2 and Captain Marvel # 13 the other night. Both are written by Peter David. Fallen Angel didn't do much for me. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was the fact that it felt a bit forced. The storyline just wasn't all that compelling. Captain Marvel I enjoyed. The art work was a big improvement over the art work in the previous four issues. It was a self-contained single issue story. It wasn't completely original. I mean there have been plenty of Captain Marvel stories about him trying to teach other lessons with his amazing powers and quirky/malevolent sense of humor. Still, I enjoyed this one.

I also read Mark of Charon # 4 earlier this week. It was okay. Not good or great, just ok. It does provide a lot background information of Charon and Appolyon. Kind of like the Negation Lawbringer one-shot, it is required reading for any Negation fans out there.

10/25/03

Upon discovering the following I have decided to reread the first issue of 1602. I have yet to read the second or third issues. I do have issue 2.

Mystery and Conundrums: The Mysteries of Neil Gaiman's 1602 Issue 1 by Jason Pomerantz.

There are a couple other essays out these on Neil Gaiman's 1602:

Notes on 1602 #1 by Jess Nevins

and

Annotations to Marvel 1602 by Julian Darius.

10/28/03

A couple non-mainstream comics from smaller publishers that look cool to me.

FARO KORBIT #1 (of 4)
by Baron, Rubi, Feeney & De La Cruz

Ancient evil never dies... It waits on the other side of the curtain for humanity to stumble. Faro Korbit is an immortal mystic, sole defender against a Lovecraftian menace. As the forces of evil gather in the Nevada desert, Faro recruits an odd assortment of allies: a cocktail waitress, a grand prix driver, and a dancer. Unless they succeed, humanity will be scoured from the earth like a billiard ball in a clothes washer.

www.apcomics.com

RUULE: GANGLORDS OF CHINATOWN #2 (Ongoing)
by Brandon, Hawthorne, Remender, & Brusco
Chinatown has found its hero. A young teenage boy named Gid, who just days before was looked upon as an outcast by his own people. But now, speaking with a newfound power and authority inspired by his mysterious visions, Gid has urged his followers to strike back against the marauding Ganglords. But Gid knows that no matter how brave they are, it will take more than inspiration to defeat their rulers. It will take a war.

beckettcomics.com/Ruule/index.html

10/29/03

I read Hulk # 60 last night. It is the first issue in a five (or six) issue arc that I have decided to buy. The writing is ok, the art is good, but not great. I don't think it was a mistake to buy it, but I doubt that I will continue to buy it after this story arc.

I got my notification that Mile High shipped my latest batch of comics today. The list looked a little light. The total, dollar wise came to less than half of what I was expecting it to be. They really are starting to make me wonder now. A couple of the books (which I won't be getting in this shipment) I was expecting to get last month. Oh well.

10/30/03

I also read a couple comics (Brath #7 and chapter 7 of Generations II).