NOTE: The individual opinions of each Roundtable contributor are their own, and is not representative of anybody but that contributor.
New Batman Begins trailer online. (Credit: Comic Book Resources)
Paul Sebert (Nexus reviewer): *Pauses a tear in his eye* It looks… Beautiful…
*Drops to his knees and prays* Please don’t let Warner Brothers screw this up, Please don’t let Warner Brothers screw this up…
Iain Burnside (your Roundtable host): Keep the faith, man. This is going to absolutely piss all over Burton’s films.
And no, nobody else has ever made any Batman movies. There were only ever two. Shut up.
Will Cooling (Nexus Evil Cold Victim): I still think they should’ve done a Batman musical!
Tim Stevens (Nexus reviewer and writer of DC News & Views: Your ideas make baby Jesus cry.
…
…
…
…No? Too inappropriate this close to Christmas?
Will Cooling: If that makes him cry then Christ (geddit?) knows what my magazine collection (ahem) makes him do!
“I still think they should’ve done a Batman musical!”
Ooooo, that’s asking for parody.
o/“ VIIIICKY – I just met a girl naaaamed Viiiickkkyyyyy
It’s her life that I must save,
How the hell’d she get inside the cave,
Vicky —
o/“ Vicky — I just saved a girl named Viiicky
It seems the Joker wants her dead –
Alfred let her in, what’s in his head
..Viicky
Man that Royal Rumble promo piece, really got to you didn’t it (btw, what was so good about it?)
Tim Stevens: And I officially have no idea what this man is talking about.
Will Cooling: Ah so you admit to not reading Jamie’s excellent debut on the wrestling zone? I mean how could you? Don’t cry Jamie, I read it and I’m sure everyone else on The Nexus did as well. It was only Tim who let the side down.
Hang your head in shame!
Tim Stevens: You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? Okay fine…here I go…in just a sec…
…
…
…
…I don’t really care for wrestling all that much.
There, I’ve said it.
Will Cooling: Then why do you write for a wrestling site? :) :)
Tim Stevens: I have never wanted to punch someone as much as I want to punch you right now. Ever.
Joshua Middleton’s first DC project will be a four-issue Captain Marvel/Superman mini-series, First Thunder, written by Judd Winick. (Credit: Newsarama
Paul Sebert: *Pauses a tear in his eyes* It looks… Beautiful…
Iain Burnside: Too true. I don’t even care about Captain Marvel and only marginally care about Superman but I’m tempted to pick this up for Middleton’s art – and I never buy books based solely on the art. If I was ever fortunate enough to be able to choose any artist in the world to work with, it would be him. Quesada deserves to be kicked on the shins – or at least prodded quite hard on the arm – for letting him go.
John Babos (Nexus reviewer): I’m so confused about DC’s handling of Captain Marvel.
While I appreciate getting two Cap offerings in 2005 – First Thunder and (hopefully) the long-awaited Jeff Smith one – it seems that Cap may also “benefit” from whatever rumoured “Crisis” is brewing for 2005. The two 2005 Cap project seems to be revisionist history. New continuity anyone?
Cap rivalled Superman in sales and popularity at one point (a long time ago). This is an iconic character and more relatable, in many ways, than Superman. He’s really a kid!
Kids (that often ignored demographic in comics) can totally relate to Cap. They don’t have to wait to grow up and be Superman; they can theoretically be Cap today. Geoff Johns has had the best interpretation of Cap for some time now, although some of his Stargirl moments, while making sense, bordered on creepy.
Can Judd Winick deliver a good Cap story? Well, IMHO Judd is a better team book writer, but I’ll give First Thunder a chance. Middleton’s art is the big selling point here.
Will Cooling: Warren Ellis actually wrote a kick ass synopsis to a Captain Marvel Jr. comic on one of his many Q&A threads over at Millarworld. Very, very cool and would be spot on perfect-it used Harry Potter as its inspiration and took it from there.
RUMOUR: – J. Michael Straczynski to write new Silver Surfer mini-series and to follow Mark Waid on Fantastic Four. (Credit: All the Rage)
Matt Morrison (Nexus reviewer and someone that really disliked Mark Millar’s Spider-Man): We can only hope this is true. As is, I’d love to see a JMS F4.
Nick Piers (Dude): Five’ll get ya JMS saw Waid’s Unthinkable story arc and thought: “Whoa! Reed using magic! And Dr. Strange was in it! Dude, I’m totally there.”
Plus, he’s going to re-imagine the Fantastic Four’s origin! Which came first, the radiation or the powers? Did the powers choose them or did they choose the powers?! Guest starring Dr. Strange! The Fantastic Four discover that Dormammu is breaking into our world through the Negative Zone… guest starring Dr. Strange!
Okay, all kidding aside (I love his Amazing Spider-Man run), I’m sure JMS will do great on this. He’s shown he can do very down-to-earth and relatable characters in Supreme Power. Whether he mixes the supernatural with the Fantastic Four is another question altogether.
Manolis Vamvounis (Writer of Leave Your Spandex @ the Door): JMS on FF can’t be bad. After all, they’ve already met with the advance-aged daughter of Sue and Dr Doom! I just hope no alien elemental totems are brought into play…
Iain Burnside: I love the fickle nature of the comic book fan. So far that’s three pairs of thumbs up for the JMS-on-FF rumour (four including me), and yet it was only a few weeks ago everyone seemed to be calling for JMS’ head on a stick. Brilliant. Shouldn’t Jesse be throwing in unnecessary swear words or something by this juncture?
Tim Stevens: Give it time, Iain. Give it time.
Jamie Hatton (Nexus reviewer and writer of Diner Talk): DAMMIT! The Silver Surfer is a “whatever” character for me, as I never understood the great fascination with him. The Fant Four news only bothers me because I was planning, quite happily to ditch the F4 after Waid left – he being the reason I picked it up in the first place. I assumed some mid-line guy would jump on the book, I could step away gracefully.
But NOOOOOOoooo – the guy who, as far as I’m concerned, redefined the
space-techy-drama with B5 is now taking on Marvel’s First Family. Bugger. And whereas JMS took a mystical approach to Spidey – I expect
a harder edge science fiction coming out of F4.
Tim Stevens: Danielle once told me, and I quote, “God, I do so hate Babylon 5 and Jamie talks about it all the time.”
Care to comment?
Jamie Hatton: Yes, ask her now – I’m sure you will find her new programmi– I mean… opinion is much more to my liking, and when I say ‘my liking’ I mean…. my liking.
Jesse Baker (Nexus reviewer): After putting up with JMS for three years on Amazing Spider-Man (ultimately giving up on the book after ASM #500), I declared I’d never read another comic put out by JMS so long as I could help it…
And as for Fantastic Four, the only time I ever cared for the Fantastic Four was the DeFalco run, when he killed Mr. Fantastic and had Ant Man, Lyja, and Namor on the team so as to make it the Fantastic Six instead of Fantastic Four….
So JMS writing FF means ZERO to me unless they put him on Ultimate FF and have the balls to declare everything in the series prior to JMS writing it was a trashy, B-Movie made about the Fantastic Four with his run opening with JMS having the FF basically spending four pages bashing Warren Ellis, Mark Millar, and Brian Bendis for writing such unreadable garbage and daring to claim it as the true story of the Fantastic Four….
Iain Burnside: Actually, I would mark the hell out for that. UFF has been a major letdown.
Will Cooling: It was destined to be crap the minute they let Bendis and Millar write it with a Kubert on art. At that moment you just realised that the age of innovation at Marvel was over and that now a new status quo had been established with a new set of safe pairs of hands getting all the key books by churning out the same old, same old. It looked like Ellis would be its saviour but his shoe-horning of his favourite stereotypes into the FF was just ugly (when the hell did Sue become Jenny Sparks?) and detracted from the very good elements of the rest of the book.
Personally, I think the Ultimate Universe has gone stagnant ever since they let Bendis do Ultimate X-Men, don’t get me wrong the books were good (at times very good) but in retrospect we can see that the universe needed new ideas and new writers looking at it. I think JMS as the launch guy could have been cool although personally I always wanted either Grant Morrison/Cameron Stewart or Kurt Busiek/Alan Davis.
That said I also think a major problem for the book is that it can’t really follow the Ultimates formula. The FF has no iconic stories that a casual fan (like me) knows and can identify with unlike the X-Men, Spider-Man or even the Avengers. One of the cool things about the other three books is seeing iconic stories done in a modern way but once you get past the origin and Doom what do you have left?
So in short let’s all burn Quesada at the stake for not accepting Morrison’s pitch.
Iain Burnside: Whoa, whoa, whoa…. Morrison made a pitch? What?
Jesse Baker: Actually it was the other way around, as JQ was said to have pestered Morrison non-stop during the early days of the Ultimate line to do UFF but Grant kept rejecting JQ’s requests…
That being said, the Ultimate line turned to crap when they gave Ultimate Avengers to Millar, which was an admission basically that the Ultimate Marvel Universe was Bendis and Millar’s exclusive sandlot and that no one else would be allowed to have any major say over how the characters are conceived for the line…
Will Cooling: I remember him saying in one of his many end of NXM interviews that he had a more light-hearted take on UFF that was rejected by Joe Quesada. Might have imagined/wished it though.
I kinda agree with you on Ultimates; personally I think putting Millar on X-Men was a huge mistake as the man has obviously next to no idea about the characters or what makes them tick. I mean look at the second arc where he reduces two of the best bad guys in X-Men history-Juggernaut and Sabretooth to boring fodder. I think he was quite a good fit for Ultimates although sometimes I think he’s taken the violence and sarcasm to a level where it makes the whole ult. universe incoherent.
Manolis Vamvounis: The FF doesn’t have iconic stories? What are you going on about, Will? (Welcome back, by the way)
So far we’ve only seen 6 issues of Mole Man, and 6 more issues of Dr Doom. Those were just 2 issues of the 100-issue Lee-Kirby run. Remember Puppet Master, the Inhumans, the sub-Mariner, the Silver Surfer, freakin’ GALACTUS, the Watcher, the Black Panther, Annihillus and so on and so forth… I do think most everything done with the Fantastic Four since Kirby and Lee left has been a rehash of those magical first 100 or so issues, though.
Jamie Hatton: What a great batch of information to react to first thing in the morning, bless coffee. Iain, you have a blast organizing this.
[Iain says: I hate you all.]
On Bendis Ult. X-Run: Yes, by far the weakest of the lot. This doesn’t mean though that the Ultimate Universe has gone to hell already. Ult. FF has been lame at best – but Ultimate Spidey has been consistently enjoyable, and Brian Vaughan has single-handedly made Ultimate X-Men one of my must read books.
Millar’s first run on Ultimate X-Men was better than Bendis’s by far, and I think a few of you are missing the point that the Ultimate Universe is supposed to be a different world. This isn’t a perfect recreation of Stan and Jack’s world. To take six issues to explain Doom is exactly what we’ve gotten out of the Ultimate-verse,
decompressed storytelling. It’s the same reason why you don’t see
Ult. Peter Parker wear his costume until issue #5 or #6. So to have
Juggy or Sabretooth be sub-par villains… eh, brush it off – some lamer villain from the past might end up being the Mecca of destruction.
The Ultimate-verse is about updating and revising, playing with and
tweaking. Bendis’s voice is perfect for Ultimate Spidey – Vaughan has
an amazing voice for Ult. X-Men, Millar on Ult. Avengers is a fun
book, and it comes down to that we haven’t seen someone who can do it
right to the Ult. FF.
But if you feel the problem with the Ultimateverse is that they are
taking to long to tell stories that used to be told in one ish…
you’re kind of missing the point of the Ultimateverse to begin with.
DC March 2005 solicitations released. (Credit: Comics Continuum)
John Babos: A few comments…
Batman #638:
In the stunning conclusion of “Under the Hood,” the Red Hood is revealed!
Hush, Part II? Another person from Batman’s life becomes a villain? Hmm. Been there. Done that.
Superman #215:
…in this thrilling final issue of the year-long storyline, nothing can prepare the Man of Steel for the deadly foe he must face — and destroy!
I hope the pay off is worth it. Beyond Jim Lee’s art, this arc has been forgettable.
Superman: For Tomorrow Vol. 1 HC
Two words: Cash Grab.
Action Comics #825:
…the true origin of Gog is revealed.
More revisionist history. Rebirth unveiled the “true origin” of Parallax and now Gog is “not the character we knew”. How many more clichés can DC deliver? Sometimes things don’t need to be… revised. Hopefully this’ll be “in-continuity”.
Adventures Of Superman #638:
Mr. Mxyzptlk returns
Even though Greg-my-politics-seep-into-my-work-Rucka is
writing this, it appears at its surface to be a fun romp. Hopefully it’ll deliver. It has a classic Supes’ villain in it. Cool.
Superman/Batman #19:
…This issue is the starting point of an incredible journey that will lead to bigger things for Supergirl.
More DC revisionist continuity-ignoring history. The big change? A crop top! Misogynistic storytelling at its finest. Blech. The non-Supergirl issues of Superman/Batman were entertaining, revisionism aside. Decent artists on this title though, again excepting the Supergirl arc.
Blood Of The Demon #1:
You may have thought Jason Blood was a man possessed by Etrigan the Demon, but Blood Of The Demon — the new ongoing monthly series — reveals a whole lot more about their “blood bond” than anyone ever realized.
Revisionism, but in-continuity! I’ll try this. Byrne still is a great plotter and penciller. A different scripter and inker are in the mix. This could surpass his Doom Patrol work… a series that sputtered in the beginning, but is finding its legs.
Bloodhound #9:
The Bat-villain Zeiss faces Clevenger while a town catches fire around them! With a reckless sheriff hunting for the source of the mysterious fires, and the super-powered mercenary on the same trail as the hound, who will find the source of the trouble?
Bloodhound is one of DC’s two must-read books! The other one? Keep reading.
DC Countdown #1:
….a story that follows a member of the JLA through a mystery that touches on nearly every character in the DCU… DC Countdown is an essential project that features nearly every major character operating in the DC Universe. It’s a project that will resonate for
months to come and is a perfect jumping-on point for readers who’ve been wondering where the people who helped deliver Identity Crisis could possibly be going next. And the clock is ticking…
Identity Crisis undelivered so far. Hopefully the “2005 event” DC is building to will be better. Another mystery? I think I’m mysteried-out.
Doom Patrol #10:
Guest-starring Metamorpho! Plus, the startling origin of Grunt.
This book gets better with each issue… although I’m all “startling origined-out”.
Firestorm #11:
With the threat of Killer Frost eliminated, Ronnie Raymond — the original Firestorm — joins current Firestorm Jason Rusch just in time for an attack by Multiplex and Typhoon.
Hunh? Wha?
Manhunter #8:
A surprise witness aids Kate Spencer¹s case against the Shadow Thief! But a familiar team of assassins and a nosy reporter are about to hand Manhunter her biggest challenge yet.
This is DC’s other must-read book. Every issue has rocked!!! You should be reading this title!!!
JLA #112, JSA #71, and Teen Titans #22:
3 of DC’s best ongoing series right now. They’re not “underdogs” like Bloodhound and Manhunter, but you know that with Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns on the respective books they’ll be solid reads!!!
Iain Burnside: Well, here’s what I’ll be picking up:
Adam Strange #7
Just picked up the first three issues a couple of days ago. How good is this??? Screw Magneto, somebody should adapt this story for the big screen…
Batman Chronicles Vol. 1 TPB
It was very tempting to get the cut-price Dark Knight Archives vol. 1 last week but let’s face it – they’re never going to offer the entire line at that price, or at least not for several more years. So yeah, it’s a shame it isn’t hardback but it’s an interesting idea and I wouldn’t mind exploring more early Bat-books – although I’m betting they’ll make it to the third volume before screwing up the chronology and then ditching the series…
Batman: Year One Deluxe HC
Well, if I have the money for it. I’m still after the Arkham Asylum 15th Anniversary HC too. I own both in TPB form but something about the lovely shininess of a nice HC, complete with annotated script, appeals immensely to me.
DC Countdown #1
Well, duh.
Ex Machina #9
This has officially taken over from Y as Vaughan’s best work as of issue #6. There’s just nothing else like it on the market. Brilliance.
Green Lantern: Rebirth #6
This ends one week, Countdown is out the next, while Rann and Thanagar are on the verge of war over in Adam Strange… and somehow they all apparently connect…
The Intimates #5
The only bit of this I don’t like is the Jim Lee comic that occasionally crops up. It just takes me out of the moment whereas everything else about the comic I’m loving. The kids, the teachers, the school, the concept, the irreverent captioning, even the little information bars that everyone else seems to hate. I love it. If Marvel tried to make New Mutants or whatever the hell it’s called as cool as this then maybe people would actually care about the new breed of X-Men and Wolverine wouldn’t have to be around as much in ten years time…
JLA: Classified #5
– Giffen. DeMatteis. Beetle. Booster. GARDNER. Word.
Lex Luthor: Man Of Steel #1
I’ll probably wait for the trade, but then I did say that about Rebirth and Adam Strange too. I’m just on a major DC kick at the moment. One thing’s for sure – Azz is far better suited to writing Luthor than he is to writing Superman. Should be mildly interesting at worst and bloody great at best.
Seven Soldiers: Guardian #1
Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1
Damn, I was hoping that each mini would run individually… Ah well, I’m still signed up for the ride.
And as far as Superman/Batman #19 goes, I’m still hoping for a Supergirl: Stupid Spoiled Whore one-shot from Trey Parker & Matt Stone.
With a Greg Horn cover, naitch.
Nick Piers: Countdown! Where there’s a full paragraph solicitation that says absolutely nothing!!
A new (and final?) Starman trade. But shouldn’t there be another Times Past trade? And where’s the Shade mini-series? See also: Hitman, ball and dropped. In no particular order. I’m really surprised there hasn’t been a Suicide Squad series of trades. I know I’d kill for those.
Orson Scott Card & Andy Kubert to do the Ultimate Iron Man mini-series. (Credit: Newsarama)
Nick Piers: Woo. I’m in.
Tim Stevens: I almost didn’t comment on this because it was one of those, “eh, okay” stories to me, but then I noticed this, “The first issue will reportedly have a foil cover.”
Can I get a “what, what!” for the return of foil covers?!
Iain Burnside: You can get an entire Stone Cold Steve Austin promo’s worth of WHAT? for it.
Since you’re such a big wrestling fan and all ;)
Jamie Hatton: This week – on a very special Roundtable – watch as Tim Stevens’ sanity is slowly swept away in a pro-wrestling hazing.
Paul Sebert: I said it before, I’ll say it again, as long as it doesn’t jack the price up, or force me to buy multiple copies of the same thing, I’ve got no problem with gimmick covers. If a little shiny foil, or glow-in-the-dark ink helps a book stand out on the shelves… well more power to it.
I was excited about this when I first heard about it, but it seems
that in addition to being the author of Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card has written a few ring-wing-nut essays displaying views that make John Byrne seem like a fairly reasonable human being.
Tom Spurgeon’s excellent Comics Reporter blog has pretty good rundown and links to his essays, which include such gems as “The hypocrites of homosexuality.”
No I’m not asking anyone to boycott this book as, well every time some fans publicly boycott a book its sales go up. And I know that Mr. Card has a right to his own views (which probably weren’t taken into account when he got the gig), but I have a right to not buy this book.
Wizard confirms (kinda) Morrison & Quitely on Superman… (Credit: Millarworld)
Nick Piers: Hmm. I’m not a big fan of Quitely’s art, honestly. If anything, I would love to see Busiek and Immonen (a.k.a.: the guys behind Secret Identity) on a Super title. Then put Mark Waid on another title. And keep Rucka on Adventures.
Morrison, though? Color me intrigued but wary. We all saw what happened when expectations were high for Azzarello and Lee.
Marvel March 2005 solicitations leaked. (Credit: Here)
Nick Piers: Nothing much there I’m interested in. A second Avengers HC makes me wonder if anyone would like to buy my Avengers trades. Then I’d use the money to buy the first two HCs.
Ooh, and Age of Apocalypse. Considering that was one of the few X-Men stories I absolutely loved (probably since it was my first X-Men story ever), I’m excited to see these trades. The Exiles issues sound like a blast and the new tie-in stuff might be kinda cool. Count me in.
Jamie Hatton: Yay! Age of Apocalypse! Booo! Akira Yoshida! Yay! Chris Bachalo! Booo! One month cross-over that will make me rip my pockets to shreds even though I guarantee personal enjoyment out of it.
Either way that AOA trade is SOooooo mine.
Mary Jane: Homecoming #1 (of 4)
Once again, the Marvel machine proves that from time to time they get
it right, even though it’s a 4 ish miniseries that will hopefully not end on a cliff-hanger this time.
Daredevil #71
“DECALOGUE” Part 1 (of 6)
The wait is over! Exactly what happened during Daredevil’s year-long
reign as the new Kingpin? His historic cleaning of Hell’s Kitchen will finally be revealed in bloody detail. Framed around the Ten Commandments, this epic story-arc is like nothing you’ve seen before! Retailer Alert: A bold, new story demands a bold new cover approach. This new “look” will showcase the monthly Daredevil title for the length of this story-arc.
Sorry to quote the whole thing there, but let’s break this down for a
moment. First off, I’m not sure whether I’m ok with them finally telling the tale of what he did for the past year and a half or so. What have they been telling now?!?!? Odd – although I do appreciate
that it is in a religious framework as Bendis really hasn’t touched on that aspect of DD very much.
Now the other point of note… what the hell is this bold new cover
approach?! Are they going with that weird ‘CINESCOPE’ again? Are
they going to have you read the books upside down? What in the sam
hill o’ beans can this mean that they feel the need to warn you?! “BOOKS INDUCE VOMITING! DO NOT STARE AT COVER”
Runaways #2
The book that WIZARD calls “the best original concept from Marvel in
thirty years”
Heh, he’s only been there a month and they’re already quoting Ben.
Iain Burnside: Things Iain Wants:
Astonishing X-Men #10
Why is the current issue delayed? Why is Angel cancelled? Why is Buffy cancelled? Why is Serenity delayed? Why is Buffy the Animated Series delayed? Why can’t I have more Whedon??
Inhumans Vol. 1 – Culture Shock Digest
Only managed to pick up the first 2 issues of this series in the back-issue bins but I was quite impressed. Good to see McKeever’s wish is finally being granted with this digest getting printed. Even better to see Mary Jane back, although I suppose anything more than 4 new issues would be too much to hope for….?
Madrox – Multiple Choice TPB
Yes! Now, is there any truth to the rumours of a second series?
Marvel Team-Up #6
Although Astonishing X-Men and Supreme Power are better books, this is the best “Marvel” book Marvel have made in a long time. It probably won’t sell particularly well though, so I urge you all to give it a shot. It’s like bathing in purest nostalgia streams.
Secret War #4
Otherwise known as “The Avengers Do Latveria!! Read Pulse!!”
Spider-Girl Vol. 3 – Avenging Allies Digest
Just started the second volume today, actually. Good stuff. Also
good to see they’re keeping up with the quick release schedule of the
digests.
Supreme Power #16
What happened to the HC that was due in March?
X-Men – The Complete Age Of Apocalypse Epic Book One
I have no idea what this thing was like as I never read it, but
certain people have persuaded me to check it out through constant
nagging. Piers, if it’s bad, you’re gonna refund me :)
Jesse Baker: I would be very, very wary about this volume. They are collecting all of the prequel material that takes place before the official start of the AOA storyline into this TPB. Which means that you won’t get any of the actual stories, just a bunch of one-shots of extremely questionable quality released years after the actual story, so be prepared to be very disappointed…
Iain Burnside: Well, if the actual main story is good then I’m prepared to wade through the introductory stuff. I’m actually pleased to see a publisher doing this for a major crossover. I’d like to see DC release a collection of all the introductory Crisis stories as part of the 20th Anniversary, but chance would be a fine thing…
Jesse Baker: To be fair, only X-Men Chronicles #1 is actually required reading and even then you don’t miss that much. That being said, the stuff collected in Volume 1 would have better been served being collected as the final TPB since the contents of this trade are stuff only über-die hard fans would be interested in….
RUMOUR – Joss Whedon to direct Wonder Woman movie for summer 2006. (Credit: Ain’t it Cool News)
Nick Piers: Whoa. If anyone could do Diana justice, it would be Joss. As long as J-Lo isn’t involved, we’re good.
Jamie Hatton: But it does lend some credence to Charisma Carpenter doing it, doesn’t it.
Two words: NIIIIII – IIIICE
Iain Burnside: Not if the rumours circulating about the rapidly frosting Whedon/Carpenter relationship during the final two seasons of Angel are anything to go by…
Besides, Carpenter’s no great shakes as an actress and I doubt Warner would want a former Playboy centrefold to portray one of the greatest female icons in the world today in an suitable-for-all-ages-and-all-currencies movie…
I would like to see Chyna audition for the role, though. I don’t want her to get it, I just want to see them put it on the DVD so we can all have a good laugh…
Tim Stevens does not appreciate that reference…. :)
Tim Stevens: I get the reference, I do. I am not completely unaware of the world of
wrestling. I just kind of wish I was (oh, I kid, I kid).
As for Charisma, doesn’t it strike anyone else as silly that Lynda Carter got all sorts of naked in a movie or two (and these were not arty pictures either) before becoming Wonder Woman, but that was cool. Now, nearly 30 years later, the thought of a woman who posed naked once
getting the job is outrageous for some reason.
Manolis Vamvounis: I would prefer to see Sarah Michelle Gellar get the Wonder Woman part. But then they’d need to cast the entire movie with midgets to make up for her… -ahem- shortcomings.
Frank Quitely exclusive to DC for 2 years. (Credit: Newsarama)
Manolis Vamvounis: More or less just making it official. I haven’t seen him to do anything with Marvel since Morrison’s X-Men run.
Chuck Austen off Action Comics for good. (Credit: Newsarama)
Jamie Hatton: Is it seriously mean of me to wanna sing ‘Nanana Hey Hey, Goodbye’? Well, I guess it’s mean since I’ve never read a page of his DC work, but I can assume it was the same rehashed crap that he gave us over here in X-Land.
Maybe his hypnosis spell finally ended, or Jupiter fell out of alignment with Planet Stupid-writer… lord only knows, but I bet we
see Austin working on his own title in a few months with Image. And
you know what; I bet it will be better than everything he’s done before… I have faith that he’s not the worst writer ever, Eternals was pretty good.
Manolis Vamvounis: And there was much rejoicing. Yay!
He had Lana Lang declaring her love for Clark and how she had settled for Pete Ross and that Clark should run away with her because Lois never loved him like her.
Now I know jack and all about Superman history and have read maybe 20 issues of the last ten years worth of Superman books, and even I know that is royally Out of Character. But Lois finding a pair of Lana’s underwear in their apartment after Lana came over to take care of Clark while she was out of town… ooh, that’s so steamy and interesting who cares if it flies in the face of 15 years of history and characterization?
So yeah. Austen made the same mess of Superman that he did X-Men.
Nick Piers: I have to say, out of the three new creative teams, Greg Rucka has been the one I’ve heard the least complaints about. Of course, he wasn’t the disappointment that Azzarello has been to some. And Austen? Well, in the words of a great philosopher: Nuff said.
Honestly, I didn’t mind some of Austen’s early issues. But then he brought in Gog with no explanation, background or anything. Plus, Doomsday was mentioned in the first issue and never really brought back to a head. You’d think that a being of pure destruction would be a little less…I don’t know…incognito?
Austen’s ideas work well in theory but not so well in execution. The funny thing is, I could really see him doing a title of his own (Image or something) and see it really take off for some reason.
Paul Sebert: Really while I’m looking forward to Winick’s upcoming run on the book, this news kind of makes me sad. While I’ve never really been a fan of Austen’s work, in his interviews Chuck’s always come across as a guy who clearly enjoys his work, regardless of how some fans paint him as the anti-Christ.
That and I mean, the guy created a Husband/Wife Supervillain team named Sodom and Gomorrah who had the power to TURN YOU INTO SALT! How awesome is that?
Nick Piers: Well, it’s like I said before. Good ideas in theory. Not so good in execution.
Manolis Vamvounis: I really can’t see Superman working in a soap-opera setting though. Maybe if they launched a Lois & Clark comic adaptation, he would have been ideal for it!
In any case, Chuck has now been officially booted off every major mainstream comics project he was working on, it seems like his star has faded. Maybe if he hadn’t spread himself so thin and accepted every single damn project they threw on his lap he wouldn’t have earned such a bad rep…
Image March 2005 solicitations released. (Credit: Comic Book Resources)
Paul Sebert: Say does anyone have any idea what happened to David & Goliath?
Anyway you know something really freaking incredible happened to Image in the past few years? I mean when the company first started who would have thought the company would be publishing such wonderful eclectic books as Burglar Bill, Lions, Tigers, & Bears, and Walking Dead?
Nick Piers: Am I the only one who is unbearably interested in The Imaginaries?
Paul Sebert: It sounds to me like a pretty damn great concept to me. I mean dude… its like “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” but with butt kickin’.
Manolis Vamvounis: It seems like a cross between Fables and Books of Magic (a recurring theme was Tim meeting up with his imaginary childhood friends who had come to life on their own after being abandoned/forgotten by him). The art alone makes me cringe.
Jamie Hatton: I had initially commented on it, and figured it would seem silly to just write about one book on the solicitation – but yes. This is the kind of book that this industry needs more of. We’ll see how it’s pulled off, because I’ve been snubbed before on great concepts turning into crap books. Initial reaction to it is that I’ll be ordering it with hope.
