Tim, now that Y, the Last Man is done, do you have any favorite memories, scenes or issues of the title?
There are so very many. The terrifying stillness of the opening chapters of the book, the first introduction of the Israeli army, the death of Yorick’s mom, the fate of the astronauts, Beth’s return, 355’s fate…man! What a great series!
Before we get to links it’s time for our semi annual question drive. This column needs your support. Your questions are what keeps this column going, we can’t do it without out. Without your questions, like who has Kyle hooked up with who hasn’t a horrible death, we wouldn’t have a column. So send your questions in. Send as many as you can. If you can only send two, that’s fine. If you want to send 100, we’ll be more than happy to take them.
Also, send candy. We like Reese’s peanut butter cups and York peppermint patties. As Mathan and I will it, it must be so!
Links!
And you should check out; The Comics Nexus Awards. Here’s the Intro and Part One: The Characters
Oh and Tim’s Fortune Telling Abilities makes for a mighty fine read.
Finally, Our DC Forum features love for Blue Beetle, optimism for Manhunter and Wally West as Reed Richards?
Tim, what are you linking this week?
I am linking some of the best news EVER! M.A.N.T.I.S. is coming to DVD!!!!! Come for the paralytic darts, stay for the flying car, please ignore the invisible T-Rex (you’ll see)! Oh happy day!
What I Read Last Week
Wonder Woman #16 – I’m digging Gail’s tweaking of the origin. Of course I who doesn’t love retconned Amazons? I sure do. The Amilitia totally rock with their hatred of Diana. But I really hope that they stay her enemies forever.
Gotham Underground #4 – What didn’t I love about this issue? Gotham got a new grotesque resident criminal. Batman beating up poor innocent nurses always excites me. Tobias Whale brutalizing masks impresses me. Oh yeah, I didn’t love the “Black folk/cold” line. But that’s about it. I especially liked how that JSA Classified story with Wildcat actually meant something.
Really, you didn’t find that line witty and/or urbane? Huh…strange that.
But yes, despite all reason, this series is fun. I won’t say anyone acts like they should, but, for some reason, it all is still working for me.
Countdown #14 – This comic is worse for the planet than SUVs.
As we all know, I no longer read the series, but Tim Sheridan, former staffer at the site, was nice enough to pass along his review of it to us. It follows in blue (please note that names have been changed to protect the privacy of others:
Anyways, I forgot to mention it the other day, but last week’s issue of Countdown was amazing. Not only did it (as usual) change the medium of comics, but it changed the way I thought about life. In fact, I gave it to my father to read, and now he’s gay.
I mailed a copy to Dorothy Sanders out in Hollywood, and she quit drugs because of it.
I’m handing copies out to clients now, in an effort to persuade them to invest more. So far, it’s working.
I’m going to see Duran Duran tonight at Up or On the Rocks. I’m going to give Simon a copy. I think it’ll change the band.
I gave the last 3 issues to Aaron, and now he’s moving back to CT.
I went with Harold to visit his mother’s grave, and we buried a copy of the last issue, and now she’s back. Yes, really.
This series has power. So much power.
It’s outstanding.
Thank you Mr. Sheridan!
Teen Titans #55 – I love mystery villains! I love seeing Wendy & Marvin (poor, poor dialogue-less Wendy & Marvin). I even liked the various Titan interactions, especially when Kara bounced on the team.
Whereas I was unimpressed with most everything except the promise of mystery villains. The interactions felt so forced I thought I was watching an episode of Smallville (hey ooooooooooooo!).
Blue Beetle #23 – What an action packed issue! The Scarab learns English. Jamie brings it to the Reach. And of course the great combination of Rogers and Albuquerque. What more could you ask for?
Nothing, really. This one was out of the park!
Legion of Super-heroes #38 – I used to love this book. I liked the bit with the new members. I liked Garth being in over his head. But that’s about it.
Crime Bible #4 – I’m really impressed by Diego Olmos’ art. I liked the trip to Hub City. I also liked the badge necklace. I’m really hoping that Rucka keeps Renee active.
I’ve gotta get me one of those necklaces, sure enough I do. I think the fella’s interpretation of Renee as murderer was a bit far fetched, but I otherwise dug it. The queasiness of seeing a good cop so affected by a near death experience that he completely embraces the doctrine of the Crime Bible was very well done.
Special Forces #2 – Baker is a great storyteller. His art really conveys movement and action. This issue read like an action flick. I’m loving this mini.
Before we get to the column, I’d like to take a minute to remind you about the quality answers that you receive, commercial free, via this column. Where else are you going to find people praising Crazy Quilt or get your dose of Aztek love? We provide a quality of comic book commentary found nowhere else on the web… by two guys named Mathan and Tim.
Kirk wants to know who’s got the good PR
So pretty much all of the 52 characters got a pretty good “pop” in fame and notoriety after that series ended. With the comparative weakness of Countdown, which of the main characters do you think has the best shot of receiving a positive boost once the series wraps up, and who has become damaged goods as a result?
I’ll do you one better; I’ll actually give you my predictions about all of the leads in Countdown.
Donna Troy – This is a character who’s terribly tainted. While I’m really kind of looking forward to seeing what Judd does with her and the others with Titans, being on a team book, generally isn’t a sign of a “positive boost.” Ask Red Tornado. Don’t you think that he’d rather be in limbo than having lost his body (twice) since the JLA has reformed? Talk about lacking presence. Still, as impossible as it sounds considering how low comic fans think of Donna, Countdown has actually hurt her. That said, it wasn’t like she wasn’t damaged before it started.
And to think, there was a time I liked Donna. Poor, poor woman, what have they done to you?
Jason Todd – Jason has been damaged by Countdown. I’m pretty sure that it’s going to change his outlook on things and he’s going to try to be a “better hero.” After all, one doesn’t traverse the multiverse and return unchanged. Hopefully someone will remember how cool the Red Hood was and move him back to that persona. But Jason had his peak as a character prior to Infinite Crisis. Countdown isn’t “Bruce Jones writing OYL Nightwing” damaging to Jason Todd, but it’s certainly not helping him.
Bring back Amoeba Jason!
Ray Palmer – I can’t help but wonder if Ray’s going to make it out Countdown alive (but then again, I say the same thing about myself). He’s already gotten a replacement, and the DCU has gone on for, what, four years without him. His absence proves how expendable he is. And while I could see a scenario where he returns as Ray Palmer, but doesn’t resume his role as the Atom, that’s hardly a “boost.” I’ll give Ray a solid “push.”
Hey, at least he’s getting some sort of panel time. That’s something right?
Holly Robinson – Poor, poor Holly. She is to taken out of her element and put in the mess that is Countdown. And what’s worse is that Catwoman pretty much continued relatively smoothly without missing a beat. At this point, I’m reluctant to have Holly return, lest she bring the taint of Countdown with her to corrupt one of DC’s best titles (that’s Catwoman, available at your local comic shop.) But if anyone could save Holly and make it work, it’s Will Pfeifer, so I’ll say that Holly isn’t completely tainted.
She can be saved, but boy did DC waste her in a big way.
Harley Quinn – She’ll resume her life without skipping a beat.
I’d say this is another missed opportunity. Dini had done an interesting thing with her evolution and she’s just inert.
Jimmy Olsen – This guy’s pretty tainted. He’s experienced powers hooked up with a bug and traveled to the Fourth World. I don’t know if he can go back to being at the Daily Planet after this. That said, it wasn’t like Jimmy was ever going to get his own title or even star in a book (and no, Metropolis doesn’t count.) So while Jimmy is radioactive, he didn’t really have a shot at anything post-Countdown anyway, so he’s a push.
Please…this sort of bizarre change in character will be forgotten in a month by most.
Karate Kid – Why Karate Kid gets the props when Una is also exiled from the 31st Century is beyond me. I mean other than misogyny! Anyway, Karate Kid is from a book in the future with a sprawling cast, as poor as it is, Countdown is probably a step up for the guy. That said, he’s not going to get a mini afterward, if he even survives. I still can’t see Countdown helping him considering we don’t even know what future he’s from or going back to.
I…I can’t even pretend to care.
Trickster & Piper – Well Trickster’s dead, so that’s already a negative right there. Piper has the props of being a Rogue, but he’s missing out on bonding going on in Salvation Run so Countdown is actually hurting him. Plus being shackled to a corpse of comrade is never a good thing. Piper will never get back to the level of being Wally’s buddy in The Flash so any possible, less than likely, post-
Countdown boost will be moot. On the other hand Trickster is clearly the biggest victim of Countdown, excluding those reading it.
And this one just makes me too sad for words.
Mary Marvel – Her storyline show promise early, then tread water for months and now I can’t even remember the last time I cared about it. Still, I do think that Mary stands a good chance of getting a decent boost post Countdown. If someone were to pick up the thread of Mary Marvel trying to find her place in the DCU after tarnishing her name, I think it could make a compelling story. Believe me, I’m wouldn’t mind pretending that most of Countdown never happened, but I think that Mary’s got one of the more salvageable storylines there.
You know what…it’s been months since I heard anything about her storyline. Last item I was aware of was something having to do with her and Darkseid. Then…nothing. So, that can’t be good, right?
Tim, having bailed Countdown early on, perhaps you could provide some balance to my comments as a regular reader of Countdown.
I did a bit of that above, in an irreverent (and I’d venture, unhelpful) way, so I’ll be straight with my responses here:
Donna: Actually a boost, I think
Jason: Hurt
Ray: Boost
Holly: Big Hurt
Harley: Push/Slight Hurt
Jimmy: Push (the guy’s bulletproof, let’s be honest)
Karate Kid: Slight Boost
Trickster: Hurt (well, dead, really)
Piper: Hurt
Mary Marvel: Slight Hurt
And thus have I written and so it will be echoed throughout the halls of history.
Somehow Soak1313 missed Bruce Jones’ Vigilante miniseries. Poor guy.
There are 2 characters in the newest issue of Gotham Underground that I don’t recognize, 1st being the guy with the stitched up face and 2nd the sniper guy with the red V helmet. Who are these guys?
How do you not recognize Johnny Stitches? He’s the sniper guy with the red V helmet. And the guy with the skin pastiche for a face is Vigilante. Or maybe I’ve got that mixed up. In fact I’m pretty sure I do.
Anyway Johnny Stitches is the guys that Babs and Tim were talking about in Gotham Underground #3, the previous issue. He used to be Johnny Denetto, and was part of Tobias Whale’s 100 crew. At least that’s what Babs says.
Sexy is…Johnny.
However now he’s Johnny Stitches and I’ve got to say that I dig the guy. He raises all sorts of cool questions;
What kind of moisturizer does he use, and how often? Does he use is evenly all over his face or do some patches require more?
Does someone stitch him up, or is he a self made man? Obviously he’s got a bit of stubble, but would he be opposed to facial hair? Would he need symmetry or could he have one long sideburn and one short one?
What about eyebrows? Was he looking for comparable eyebrows or did thickness and length not matter?
Does he have any sensitivity on his face? I mean would he know if he had a big glob of mayo on his cheek from a delicious sandwich he was enjoying?
What about piercings or tattoos? Were they something he actively avoided? Are they something he’s interested in?
Does he kiss his mother with that mouth? And if yes, whose mouth is it?
I need those questions answered and I demand a Johnny Stitches 12 issue miniseries.
As for the Vigilante, consider yourself glad that you don’t know who he is. The last two Vigilantes have been horrible.
Y’see way back in 2003 DC had big plans for Superman in the next 12 months. All three books were going to get new creative teams. Furthermore, there would be three interlinked miniseries The Question, Lex Luthor: Man of Steel and Vigilante. These minis were going to have creators from Wildstorm and the mini event was dubbed Superstorm.
The first two of those minis were released, eventually. But Vigilante got pushed back and retooled after the Micah Ian Wright debacle (he was supposed to write the mini.) Instead we got a Vigilante mini that had zero ties to The Question and Lex Luthor and barely and link to Superman, other than it was supposedly set in Metropolis. That mini was written by Bruce Jones.
And to spare any of you curious suckers from picking THE OBVIOUS CHOICE FOR VIGILANTE IS INDEED VIGILANTE the book up. That’s right, that mini was so disappointing that I interrupted my own train of thought to spoil it for you.
As if that weren’t bad enough, to add insult to injury Marv Wolfman introduced a new Vigilante during his wincefest/snorefest of a run on Nightwing. I think that Marv was trying to build suspense and intrigue about the identity of the new Vigilante, but the only suspense and intrigue came from wonder when he was leaving the book and who was taking over for him.
Rumor has it that Vigilante was getting his own spin off book. But then again Black Lighting was supposed to have a Year One and both Terra and Raven were supposed to have minis out by now, so take it for what it’s worth.
It is going to happen! Honest!
And that’s who the new Vigilante is. Who cares? So long as he doesn’t stink up the book and suck the life out of it like he did to Nightwing I don’t really care. Really, given the number of characters in this title, I can’t see Vigilante getting too much screen time. But so help me if he kills Johnny Stitches before he answers my questions, I’ll completely lose it.
Tim, any thoughts on Johnny Stitches or any of the various Vigilantes?
It helps me not to think about that Vigilante miniseries. So, I will simply shrug and move on.
Coren will make a BoP reader out of Mathan yet
On that big 4 page splash, in BoP 108, can you name everyone? In particular, the man in the black mask near Metamorpho, the lady in black and white, and the lady in green (is that Rose/Thorn?)
Every time I see a page like that I kind of cringe a little and it completely takes me out of the comic, because I know that I’ve got a question in my future asking me about the identity of “character x, the one in the green thong.” I seriously can’t enjoy those pages and I silently curse the creators for putting them in, because for me it means tons of research and tracking down leads.
And I’m going to use this four page spread as my latest excuse for why I don’t read Birds of Prey.
Ok, let’s get all of the obvious people out of the way first; Huntress, Vixen, Catwoman, Manhunter, Metamorpho, Nightwing, Power Girl, Wildcat, the Green Arrows, Big Barda, Hawkgirl. If you can’t pick those folks out of that line up, you must have stumbled into this column after doing a google search for “random awesomeness.”
Behind Huntress is Gypsy, a former JLAer, from the lamest era (alongside Vixen.)
Katana’s got a fierce look and a sword.
Savant’s the dude with the shades and outdated hairstyle. Behind him in the tux (and in love with him) is Creote.
Now we come to the characters that were giving you such trouble. The chap behind Nightwing is Militia. He’s Joe Gardner, a clone of Guy (because that’s just what the world need.) The mystery woman next to him is Honey his partner, who also worked with the previous Militia, Mace Gardner, Guy’s brother. Phew.
In front of Honey is Judomaster. Next to Judomaster is Misfit. Behind Misfit is, as you correctly identified, Thorn.
Then we jump all the way to Shiva, who’s standing next to Barda. And the final character that some people may not be familiar with is Zinda Blake, Lady Blackhawk.
Tim, were there any Birds who you thought should have made an appearance?
Ted Kord…apparently, he’s too much of a bigshot to help out old friends though. Dick.
UnGajje wears clothes that flatter his physique
I know you don’t read it, but in BoP there is a female character called Infinity. Ever heard of her? What’s her deal?
Who hasn’t heard of Infinity? Infinity made a cameo in “Figure 8” on Schoolhouse Rock. Perhaps you’re familiar with some of the other stuff Infinity has been associated with, for instance the gauntlet? How about the war or the crusade?
Now I don’t want you to confuse Infinity with Infiniti, which is a car manufacturer. It’s possible to be familiar with Infiniti, but not Infinity. Also don’t confuse Infinity the character with Infinity the concept, which has apparently be incorporated, much like the Kids.
And since I’ve run that bit into the ground, I’ll confess, I don’t know much about Infinity other than that Birds of Prey #114 was her first appearance. But that seems to bode well for the character, no?
Tim, do you have an affinity for Infinity?
I don’t know Mathan. I mean, she seems like a nice girl, but we’ve only just met. I’ve got no problem hanging out with her for now, but it seems too soon to say I have an affinity for her.
I will say this though, have you seen her body? Totally translucent. Translucent is so the new tight and well proportioned.
What’s that I smell?
Updog?
It’s the first Temporary Mainstay of the year!
Oh…yay!!!
Coren gets another go round
Ok Mathan, in Birds of Prey 100, Oracle sends out notes to at least 14 women who we see on page. I think I know them all (Dr. Light, Skyrocket, Janissary, Firehawk, Jessie Quick Grace, Arcata, Madame Xanadu, Hawkgirl, Bumblebee, Wonder Woman, Rose/Thorn, Phantom Lady, and Power Girl). There’s also obviously other people who weren’t pictured, 7(like Judomaster, Manhunter and Barda). Who else do you think would make a good fit for the Birds right now? Who else might Barbara have asked?
Well, if there’s one thing that I learned about Congress in the past few years it’s that people with no brain activity can be subpoenaed to testify before Congress. So if they can do that, what else can they do?
That’s why I think that Connor Hawke should get the chance to hook up with the Birds again. If Connor Hawke and the shards of Amazing Man II were part of the Birds of Prey I think it’d be a revolutionary comic. Sure there wouldn’t be much activity, brain or otherwise, but it could completely alter the way we think about what a super team is and does. And just as Babs serves as an example of what people who have lost the use of their legs can do, Connor can show those lacking brain activity that their perpetual dreaming can become reality.
Here’s another suggestion; have Babs get Supergirl to join to get back at Power Girl. Then Babs could “accidently” calls Power Girl and be all “Oh, I’m sorry, I mean to call the other Kara. My bad.” Then Power Girl could retaliate by forming a partnership with Batgirl and sparks would fly.
And don’t tell me women aren’t petty like that; I’ve got friends who are married and I went to high school! (If only I’d graduated.).
Anyway, those are my picks for the BoP this week.
Tim, who’d you like to see join the team this week?
You know what? How about she just calls Batman? I mean, come on. She’s got his number and he’s Batman. Why bother making all those other phone calls, you know?
Barring that, she totally needs to drop a line to Coagula because there is nothing DC needs more in a non-mature book than a character who got her superpowers from sexual contact. Fun for all-ages! Plus, the possibilities for “a very special installment of Birds of Prey” are endless. Everyone wins. Except the readers. And DC. And Warner Brothers. Otherwise though, all winners.
I am so sorry I’m not making her up…I really am.
Darn, we’ve run out of time.
But don’t fret, we shall return next week. Maybe we’ll talk about replacing Batman, or some GL stuff. Who knows, we may possibly answer a question you email me or post in our message board thread.
Before I go here’s my question to you; Secret identities, are they obsolete or vital for comics and the characters?
“This time of year, you always disappear. You tell me not to call, you tell me not to call.”
