So I figured, since I've given my opinions, I'd tell you what my pull list is:
Wonder Woman
Aquaman
Fury of Firestorm
Green Lantern: New Guardians
Batgirl
Birds of Prey
Justice League Dark
Animal Man
Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion Lost
Teen Titans
Hawk and Dove
Stormwatch
All Star Western
Suicide Squad
Action Comics
Demon Knights
No clue what I'm keeping and what I'm not keeping. I'll let you know my thoughts of the titles I get once I get them. :) How is that?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
DC relaunch Overview
So DC has officially announced their entire 52 initial titles. Thus far we've got a crap ton of really ugly costumes, a bunch of men, black and white running around, and a few white women here and there. The majority of the teams seem to be run by men and we've got a bunch of really stupid decisions. Look does ANYONE think OMAC or Frankenstein Agent of Shade are going to be major titles? Seriously? I'm also struck by the fact that they've taken out the JSA. I mean DC's greatest team has been removed from their line up all together. That's very sad to me that they couldn't have found a place for them in the first run if they plan to do a JSA at all, but could find a place for throw away characters like Bat-Wing (Seriously, the character has appeared TWICE in comics and he gets a title over characters who have appeared for YEARS and have a huge fan base?).
From a lot of the titles that are sticking around, it just seems like a typical transfer from new writer and artist. Some they didn't even do that. They just shuffled. We'll see how different things actually are, but on the surface? Not a whole hell of a lot.
I have major mixed feelings about this Relaunch. I think some of it will be good, but I think there is just a LOT of wasted time and energy in this relaunch. There are a lot of wasted titles that just don't need to be around. Why are we giving losers like Blue Beetle, whose title has failed, getting another chance? And why is the line up relatively monochromatic? Why don't we have more Latino/Latina characters? and there appears to be only ONE Asian character in the whole batch and she may not even be Asian at all. Of course, there are only a couple female minorities at all in this new line up and women have not gained any new titles, just new directions (I'm thinking of Catwoman as a new direction for Gotham City Sirens btw).
The last thing is the insanely frustrating is the creative teams. I was all excited about Hawk and Dove for instance then I see Rob Liefeld is doing the art. Are they TRYING to kill this title? He's a horrible hack. I remember when he did Teen Titans with the new Hawk and Dove. Sales went up for the initial issue then drastically dropped below previous levels for the second issue only to return back to normal right after that. Gail Simone was the writer, so you know it wasn't about the writing. The issues were just about unreadable because Liefeld's art took away from the story and made it IMPOSSIBLE to figure out what was going on. Not to mention that Domino magically appeared as a DC villain. Then we give New Guardians to Tony Bedard, who cannot write interesting women to save his life. Every time he does a title with women, they come out flat and boring. then there is a lot of Vertigo writers suddenly doing Superhero titles, which could be good or bad and the most dreadful thing of all, Smallville writers. Smallville, one of the single worst TV shows ever and had NOTHING to do with comics, are going to be writing comics? So we'll get teen angsty drama for no real reason. Joy rapture and bliss. I don't want to read comic after comic of who Kara is sleeping with or dating. There is also a lot of title, I've never heard of, so I don't know if I want to read them or not.
I think this whole thing could be a massive failure and I don't think it is going to be a runaway success. It's mostly going to be a mixed bag and all the existing titles will return to their pre-change levels (except maybe Action b/c of Morrison writing it) and the new titles will settle down to somewhere in the middle to low end, just like a lot of other comics.
From a lot of the titles that are sticking around, it just seems like a typical transfer from new writer and artist. Some they didn't even do that. They just shuffled. We'll see how different things actually are, but on the surface? Not a whole hell of a lot.
I have major mixed feelings about this Relaunch. I think some of it will be good, but I think there is just a LOT of wasted time and energy in this relaunch. There are a lot of wasted titles that just don't need to be around. Why are we giving losers like Blue Beetle, whose title has failed, getting another chance? And why is the line up relatively monochromatic? Why don't we have more Latino/Latina characters? and there appears to be only ONE Asian character in the whole batch and she may not even be Asian at all. Of course, there are only a couple female minorities at all in this new line up and women have not gained any new titles, just new directions (I'm thinking of Catwoman as a new direction for Gotham City Sirens btw).
The last thing is the insanely frustrating is the creative teams. I was all excited about Hawk and Dove for instance then I see Rob Liefeld is doing the art. Are they TRYING to kill this title? He's a horrible hack. I remember when he did Teen Titans with the new Hawk and Dove. Sales went up for the initial issue then drastically dropped below previous levels for the second issue only to return back to normal right after that. Gail Simone was the writer, so you know it wasn't about the writing. The issues were just about unreadable because Liefeld's art took away from the story and made it IMPOSSIBLE to figure out what was going on. Not to mention that Domino magically appeared as a DC villain. Then we give New Guardians to Tony Bedard, who cannot write interesting women to save his life. Every time he does a title with women, they come out flat and boring. then there is a lot of Vertigo writers suddenly doing Superhero titles, which could be good or bad and the most dreadful thing of all, Smallville writers. Smallville, one of the single worst TV shows ever and had NOTHING to do with comics, are going to be writing comics? So we'll get teen angsty drama for no real reason. Joy rapture and bliss. I don't want to read comic after comic of who Kara is sleeping with or dating. There is also a lot of title, I've never heard of, so I don't know if I want to read them or not.
I think this whole thing could be a massive failure and I don't think it is going to be a runaway success. It's mostly going to be a mixed bag and all the existing titles will return to their pre-change levels (except maybe Action b/c of Morrison writing it) and the new titles will settle down to somewhere in the middle to low end, just like a lot of other comics.
DC Relaunch SuperFamily
Action Comics - So Grant Morrison is taking over as the scribe for Superman for a bit. Normally I'd run in the other direction from Grant Morrison, but his All-Star Superman was OK despite some really stupid things like the Willy Wonka of Science in his Technicolor Dream coat. Other than that, I'm interested. I'll definitely be picking up the first issue. I think this will be a comic that people will want so badly.
Superman, Man of Tomorrow - Um, yeah. I love George Perez and I'd like to see what they're gonna do with Supes to make him interesting and relevant, but I don't think I can get past that HIDEOUS costume. It's one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. It's hideous and he doesn't need armored footies. He's indestructible!
Supergirl - I like the new cape, but the costume as a whole is a little blah. I like the concept of Supergirl being different than Superman somehow, but this is pretty much the same Supergirl we saw and finally got rid of to get a Supergirl with personality. Add to the fact that we've got Smallville writers on this, yeah I'm going to look at this title, but I'm probably not buying it. I was really excited to see it, but re-reading it and looking at it again? I'm not adding it to my def list.
Superboy - You'd think because I was interested in Teen Titans, I'd pick up this one. Yeah, not going to happen. I like the cover, but that's about it. I like Kon-El, but I've never really dug his solo title except when he was mixing it up with Cassandra Cain. Their chemistry was AMAZING to me.
Superman, Man of Tomorrow - Um, yeah. I love George Perez and I'd like to see what they're gonna do with Supes to make him interesting and relevant, but I don't think I can get past that HIDEOUS costume. It's one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. It's hideous and he doesn't need armored footies. He's indestructible!
Supergirl - I like the new cape, but the costume as a whole is a little blah. I like the concept of Supergirl being different than Superman somehow, but this is pretty much the same Supergirl we saw and finally got rid of to get a Supergirl with personality. Add to the fact that we've got Smallville writers on this, yeah I'm going to look at this title, but I'm probably not buying it. I was really excited to see it, but re-reading it and looking at it again? I'm not adding it to my def list.
Superboy - You'd think because I was interested in Teen Titans, I'd pick up this one. Yeah, not going to happen. I like the cover, but that's about it. I like Kon-El, but I've never really dug his solo title except when he was mixing it up with Cassandra Cain. Their chemistry was AMAZING to me.
Stephanie Brown
I've never been a fan of the chick named Spoiler. She's been shown for 10+ years to be completely incompetent, but she doesn't give up so that somehow makes her amazing? People are all upset that the chick who was FORCED by editorially mandate into the Batgirl costume is somehow losing a mantle she never earned to begin with. I just don't understand this. Stephanie has never EARNED a single one of her mantles. She's just gotten them all by default.
She got the Robin mantle because Bruce was pissed at Tim at the moment. Steph saw Tim flirting with another girl, so she went to try to steal the mantle and hurt him and Bruce wanted to punish him as well. The man that has consistently told Stephanie to give up crime fighting suddenly decides she's the perfect match for his replacement sidekick? I'm sorry if I'm not sold on her being the best Robin ever and she deserves to be remembered as a great Robin and she was so amazing and all this other rubbish.
Fast forward a few years, she got killed, comes back to life, and learns absolutely nothing from her experience as Robin where she failed so miserably.. Cass is standing there and suddenly for no reason anyone can explain that makes ANY sense, throws off the Batgirl costume to Stephanie and disappears supposedly forever. So Stephanie becomes Batgirl by default just because Cass didn't want to be it anymore? Seriously? That makes her a great character? I just don't understand that.
So, she has fans, great. I don't understand it, I don't get how she is this amazing character. She's never gotten anywhere on her own, she's never earned a title, she's just been handed them and often times because someone at DC loves her. It's funny that this same guy hates a strong powerful woman like Linda Danvers (and apparently Cassandra Cain), but he loves this whiney, childish little girl who can't earn her own way, it has to be given to her. Amazing character!
She got the Robin mantle because Bruce was pissed at Tim at the moment. Steph saw Tim flirting with another girl, so she went to try to steal the mantle and hurt him and Bruce wanted to punish him as well. The man that has consistently told Stephanie to give up crime fighting suddenly decides she's the perfect match for his replacement sidekick? I'm sorry if I'm not sold on her being the best Robin ever and she deserves to be remembered as a great Robin and she was so amazing and all this other rubbish.
Fast forward a few years, she got killed, comes back to life, and learns absolutely nothing from her experience as Robin where she failed so miserably.. Cass is standing there and suddenly for no reason anyone can explain that makes ANY sense, throws off the Batgirl costume to Stephanie and disappears supposedly forever. So Stephanie becomes Batgirl by default just because Cass didn't want to be it anymore? Seriously? That makes her a great character? I just don't understand that.
So, she has fans, great. I don't understand it, I don't get how she is this amazing character. She's never gotten anywhere on her own, she's never earned a title, she's just been handed them and often times because someone at DC loves her. It's funny that this same guy hates a strong powerful woman like Linda Danvers (and apparently Cassandra Cain), but he loves this whiney, childish little girl who can't earn her own way, it has to be given to her. Amazing character!
DC Relaunch the Lanterns
Green Lantern - Same thing we've already been reading with a new "Shake up". We needed a relaunch to get a new artist and writer? Seriously?
Green Lantern Corps - See above except this time it's now about Jon Stewart and Guy Gardner. It's just a shuffle again. Don't see the need for a relaunch for this.
New Guardians - I'm excited about the New Guardians getting their own title. The problem is that this title is probably going to be all about the Kyle and Atrocitus even though they have other venues to tell their stories. That means that all the other Guardians be in the background except Indigo and Carol Ferris since Tony Bedard is writing them, they'll be boring background characters. He's not good at writing women. That makes me sad about this title. Before Bedard took over GLC, Soranik Natu was one of the major characters. She was strong, powerful and just an amazing character. Bedard took over and she is Kyle's gf, Sinestro's daughter, and she's a major background character. She has not come to life at all. I'm sad to see what happens to Carol and Indigo.
Red Lantern - Not sure how you're going to have a whole title about people overcome with rage and have no real personality other than Atrocitus. Most of them just filled with blind rage and can't really talk. I'm not sure about this. I'm really not sure about this.
Green Lantern Corps - See above except this time it's now about Jon Stewart and Guy Gardner. It's just a shuffle again. Don't see the need for a relaunch for this.
New Guardians - I'm excited about the New Guardians getting their own title. The problem is that this title is probably going to be all about the Kyle and Atrocitus even though they have other venues to tell their stories. That means that all the other Guardians be in the background except Indigo and Carol Ferris since Tony Bedard is writing them, they'll be boring background characters. He's not good at writing women. That makes me sad about this title. Before Bedard took over GLC, Soranik Natu was one of the major characters. She was strong, powerful and just an amazing character. Bedard took over and she is Kyle's gf, Sinestro's daughter, and she's a major background character. She has not come to life at all. I'm sad to see what happens to Carol and Indigo.
Red Lantern - Not sure how you're going to have a whole title about people overcome with rage and have no real personality other than Atrocitus. Most of them just filled with blind rage and can't really talk. I'm not sure about this. I'm really not sure about this.
DC relaunch the Bat-Titles (or rather the massive 12 issue line up)
Detective Comics, Batman, Batman and Robin, and Dark Knight - Forgive me for lumping these 4 titles together, but I do not see how you cannot. No other character is getting 4 titles and well it's all about Bruce. They'll sell because Batman sells. Honestly, all that's really happened is that they've got new numbering and the regular switch of artist/writer. There really is nothing bold and new about this at all except that Bruce will have to deal with his own brat for a bit.
Batwoman - the long awaited title is finally comes to life. I've made it rather clear I'm not a fan of Kate Kane. I wish the team the best, but I have no desire to read this comic. It will sell like crazy since straight boys like lesbians, but this is not a surprise to anyone.
Batgirl - I've stated my opinions on this title already. The few rabid fans will be excited and happy and it has a good staff, but it's pissed off a lot of fans, so..
Catwoman - Selina is back in her own title. Yeah! Then Judd Winick is writing it, so.. that means Selina will be having sex with everyone and anyone for countless issues. Are we thrilled? Not particularly. Look I love Selina, but this team is a horrible idea. Selina's title will sell and it will hopefully survive the initial bad writing. Then again, some people absolutely love Winick.
Birds of Prey - New writer, that I don't know all that much about, new team that looks interesting except for the hideous Black Canary costume.. this could be a great comic. I'm on a wait and see on this one. I'm going to collect it, going to read it, but the actual series is all about the writing and how well Canary, Ivy, and the other two that nobody is 100% sure who they are. Like I said, this title can be a great comic or a failure. Let's hope for Dinah's sake that it is a solid title.
Nightwing - Dick Grayson is back as Nightwing! That's the good news. The Bad news? His costume looks evil and menacing. I hate his red eyes. I just hate that. The cover is very red. It'll be interesting to see Bruce, Damien, Selina, Kate, and Dick all running around in Gotham. I think it'd be HILARIOUS to see them all on the same case and stepping all over each other.
Red Hood and the Outlaws - Hate Jason Todd, hate Red Hood. I still do not understand how Under the Red Hood was a huge success. Jason so angry that Bruce broke up with him was gaggy and crappy. I honestly cannot stand it. I'm glad to see Roy has both his arms back and Starfire is on this team. I'm sure Jason Todd and Kory are going to hook up just to make it work. Yeah! This looks like a really bad attempt at Outsiders. I'm totally skipping.
Bat-Mite - I don't understand this. I'd have much rather seen Orpheus get his own title. This character has only appeared what two times and he's suddenly popular enough to get his own title? I don't understand that at all. I also don't know how well this will sell completely separated from the rest of the DCU. Maybe he could have appeared in JLI instead? I want to say this will fail, but it's a Bat-title, so.. it'll be strangely popular.
Batwoman - the long awaited title is finally comes to life. I've made it rather clear I'm not a fan of Kate Kane. I wish the team the best, but I have no desire to read this comic. It will sell like crazy since straight boys like lesbians, but this is not a surprise to anyone.
Batgirl - I've stated my opinions on this title already. The few rabid fans will be excited and happy and it has a good staff, but it's pissed off a lot of fans, so..
Catwoman - Selina is back in her own title. Yeah! Then Judd Winick is writing it, so.. that means Selina will be having sex with everyone and anyone for countless issues. Are we thrilled? Not particularly. Look I love Selina, but this team is a horrible idea. Selina's title will sell and it will hopefully survive the initial bad writing. Then again, some people absolutely love Winick.
Birds of Prey - New writer, that I don't know all that much about, new team that looks interesting except for the hideous Black Canary costume.. this could be a great comic. I'm on a wait and see on this one. I'm going to collect it, going to read it, but the actual series is all about the writing and how well Canary, Ivy, and the other two that nobody is 100% sure who they are. Like I said, this title can be a great comic or a failure. Let's hope for Dinah's sake that it is a solid title.
Nightwing - Dick Grayson is back as Nightwing! That's the good news. The Bad news? His costume looks evil and menacing. I hate his red eyes. I just hate that. The cover is very red. It'll be interesting to see Bruce, Damien, Selina, Kate, and Dick all running around in Gotham. I think it'd be HILARIOUS to see them all on the same case and stepping all over each other.
Red Hood and the Outlaws - Hate Jason Todd, hate Red Hood. I still do not understand how Under the Red Hood was a huge success. Jason so angry that Bruce broke up with him was gaggy and crappy. I honestly cannot stand it. I'm glad to see Roy has both his arms back and Starfire is on this team. I'm sure Jason Todd and Kory are going to hook up just to make it work. Yeah! This looks like a really bad attempt at Outsiders. I'm totally skipping.
Bat-Mite - I don't understand this. I'd have much rather seen Orpheus get his own title. This character has only appeared what two times and he's suddenly popular enough to get his own title? I don't understand that at all. I also don't know how well this will sell completely separated from the rest of the DCU. Maybe he could have appeared in JLI instead? I want to say this will fail, but it's a Bat-title, so.. it'll be strangely popular.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
DC Relaunch Welcome to the Edge
Stormwatch - So DC is bringing Stormwatch into the DC universe. I am totally not sure about this title, but.. It has Martian Manhunter, a character I have grown to love in teams. The biggest reason for me picking up this title is Midnighter and Apollo. Not a fan of some of the sketches I've seen of Apollo's costume, but that's not a final design and not by the actual artist, so things can change! I'm just hoping they don't make the two of them straight, but Paul Cornell is writing it and I've loved his team titles. I have faith in this title, I really do, but I do question the need of another globe trotting team dealing with international superheroes. We have Justice League, JLI, Stormwatch and JLD. It may be a tad much.
Blackhawks - Umm.. yeah. I just don't know what to say about this title. The big thing is that Zinda hasn't been mentioned at all in the promo. We have been told that Zinda will potentially appear, but if she's not in the first issue, ANYTHING can change and the series can be cancelled before that ever happens. So without Zinda CONFIRMED as a part of this series, I'm DEFINITELY not buying. Not to mention the whole concept of a highly trained army of flying mercs doesn't really work for me.
Sgt Rock and the Men of War - Totally skipping this comic. I'm not a fan of military stuff and a whole military comic all about war? Sounds insanely boring to me. I'm sure this will satisfy some small niche, but I doubt this will be a long running title.
All-Star Western - All I have to say is Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. That is the reason you HAVE to read this comic. Not only do we get their Jonah Hex, but we get to see them handle countless other western heroes. The best thing? This title has been a solid seller for a long time, so this relaunch will keep the title alive and hopefully get new people, like myself, on board. Now I'm NOT a fan of westerns, but these two amazing writers have proved themselves time and time again to me, so I HAVE to give them a chance. I have to!
Deathstroke - I figured based on Frankenstein getting his own title, that Deathstroke would be getting his own! I was hoping they'd keep Palmiotti on the title since that would have made it AWESOME, but they didn't. I was excited about this title until I saw it. Now I'm just NOT sure. The costume is hideous and it could be a hit or miss thing. It's either going to be great or a massive failure. We shall see. I will look at it at least. I doubt I'm going to be buying this one.
Grifter - Yeah! the Wildstorm Wolverine/Batman gets his own title! JOY! How many months until he gets 20 bazillion titles like Deadpool? I've never really gotten into Grifter, wasn't a fan of WildC.A.T.S., so yeah, I'm not that sure about it.
OMAC - Did this title sell the FIRST TIME? Let's relaunch it and make it ridiculous. I mean, seriously? Even with Jack Kirby's name behind the original series, this didn't sell. this has been tried a couple times now and it just hasn't worked, so why do we keep doing it? I just don't understand the thought behind this title. I just think this is going to be an amazing failure.
Blue Beetle - Another failed title, getting a second chance for really no reason. So we've finally gotten another minority in the DCU other than a black male, but once again he's a guy and I just don't see why we're rehashing Blue Beetle again. The series just didn't work and it wasn't a major seller even with Giffen backing it. Throw Tony Bedard behind it who is a so-so writer. I just don't understand this.
Suicide Squad - I like Suicide Squad, but this means the death of one of the greatest titles DC has, the Secret Six. I like that Deathstroke and King Shark are sticking around and Harley Quinn is an interesting X Factor, but I hope other characters join in and I hope it is half as good as Secret Six, though it has MASSIVE shoes to fill. This is going to be by far the most bittersweet title for me and if it sucks, well.. I'm going to be so pissed. I mean DC cancelling a decent selling title for a shitty one? Yeah.
Blackhawks - Umm.. yeah. I just don't know what to say about this title. The big thing is that Zinda hasn't been mentioned at all in the promo. We have been told that Zinda will potentially appear, but if she's not in the first issue, ANYTHING can change and the series can be cancelled before that ever happens. So without Zinda CONFIRMED as a part of this series, I'm DEFINITELY not buying. Not to mention the whole concept of a highly trained army of flying mercs doesn't really work for me.
Sgt Rock and the Men of War - Totally skipping this comic. I'm not a fan of military stuff and a whole military comic all about war? Sounds insanely boring to me. I'm sure this will satisfy some small niche, but I doubt this will be a long running title.
All-Star Western - All I have to say is Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. That is the reason you HAVE to read this comic. Not only do we get their Jonah Hex, but we get to see them handle countless other western heroes. The best thing? This title has been a solid seller for a long time, so this relaunch will keep the title alive and hopefully get new people, like myself, on board. Now I'm NOT a fan of westerns, but these two amazing writers have proved themselves time and time again to me, so I HAVE to give them a chance. I have to!
Deathstroke - I figured based on Frankenstein getting his own title, that Deathstroke would be getting his own! I was hoping they'd keep Palmiotti on the title since that would have made it AWESOME, but they didn't. I was excited about this title until I saw it. Now I'm just NOT sure. The costume is hideous and it could be a hit or miss thing. It's either going to be great or a massive failure. We shall see. I will look at it at least. I doubt I'm going to be buying this one.
Grifter - Yeah! the Wildstorm Wolverine/Batman gets his own title! JOY! How many months until he gets 20 bazillion titles like Deadpool? I've never really gotten into Grifter, wasn't a fan of WildC.A.T.S., so yeah, I'm not that sure about it.
OMAC - Did this title sell the FIRST TIME? Let's relaunch it and make it ridiculous. I mean, seriously? Even with Jack Kirby's name behind the original series, this didn't sell. this has been tried a couple times now and it just hasn't worked, so why do we keep doing it? I just don't understand the thought behind this title. I just think this is going to be an amazing failure.
Blue Beetle - Another failed title, getting a second chance for really no reason. So we've finally gotten another minority in the DCU other than a black male, but once again he's a guy and I just don't see why we're rehashing Blue Beetle again. The series just didn't work and it wasn't a major seller even with Giffen backing it. Throw Tony Bedard behind it who is a so-so writer. I just don't understand this.
Suicide Squad - I like Suicide Squad, but this means the death of one of the greatest titles DC has, the Secret Six. I like that Deathstroke and King Shark are sticking around and Harley Quinn is an interesting X Factor, but I hope other characters join in and I hope it is half as good as Secret Six, though it has MASSIVE shoes to fill. This is going to be by far the most bittersweet title for me and if it sucks, well.. I'm going to be so pissed. I mean DC cancelling a decent selling title for a shitty one? Yeah.
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