If you don't know about Phil Noto's Tumblr, you'd be wise to check it out. Some of the sweetest comic art around. Currently, he's been posting gorgeous drawings of the Game of Thrones characters. A lot of comics folks and comics fans are using Tumblr to nice effect.
I have my own pathetic little Tumblr, Random Shelly, which right now is mostly reblogs of my main blog, Cyber Chocolate.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Three Reviews
One from, uh, last week, I guess.
Batgirl 22
I loved this. Guest starring Squire of Knight and Squire, this was loads of fun. I really like Squire. Steph and Beryl made for a fun team dealing with a time problem which is just the appetizer. The real story starts next issue, and finishes in August, and this is just one more painful reminder of what we'll be losing come September: an all-out fun comic featuring a female lead. Gorgeous cover by Dustin Nguyen, too.
And this week...
Zatanna 14
Also fun. The cover by Hughes is gorgeous and the art by Igle and Sibal was nice, for the pages we got of it. The back part of the story was illo'ed by the inferior, as in ordinary, Moore and Dell, which was a disappointment. This was a cheery contained story featuring Zee and her cousin Zachary and the succubus Zach hooks up with. I'll actually miss this book in September.
Green Arrow 13
This wasn't bad. I was glad to see the end of the Brightest Day tie-ins, but my hopes to get back to the intrigue at Queen Industries, or whatever the company is called, were dashed. The story starts out okay, though I'm not enthralled with the villain. I did like the art by Padilla, and Federal Marshal Haley Donovan shows promise. But the highlight of the issue was the snarky responses in the lettercol. The way the absence of Connor, Mia, and Roy was flippantly dismissed really annoyed me and reminded me that caring about loyal readers is no longer on DC's agenda, if it ever was. feh
I got The Spirit, too, but I'm behind on reading it, so no review. Yet. I picked up only 3 comics today! Felt like a dress rehearsal for September.
Batgirl 22
I loved this. Guest starring Squire of Knight and Squire, this was loads of fun. I really like Squire. Steph and Beryl made for a fun team dealing with a time problem which is just the appetizer. The real story starts next issue, and finishes in August, and this is just one more painful reminder of what we'll be losing come September: an all-out fun comic featuring a female lead. Gorgeous cover by Dustin Nguyen, too.
And this week...
Zatanna 14
Also fun. The cover by Hughes is gorgeous and the art by Igle and Sibal was nice, for the pages we got of it. The back part of the story was illo'ed by the inferior, as in ordinary, Moore and Dell, which was a disappointment. This was a cheery contained story featuring Zee and her cousin Zachary and the succubus Zach hooks up with. I'll actually miss this book in September.
Green Arrow 13
This wasn't bad. I was glad to see the end of the Brightest Day tie-ins, but my hopes to get back to the intrigue at Queen Industries, or whatever the company is called, were dashed. The story starts out okay, though I'm not enthralled with the villain. I did like the art by Padilla, and Federal Marshal Haley Donovan shows promise. But the highlight of the issue was the snarky responses in the lettercol. The way the absence of Connor, Mia, and Roy was flippantly dismissed really annoyed me and reminded me that caring about loyal readers is no longer on DC's agenda, if it ever was. feh
I got The Spirit, too, but I'm behind on reading it, so no review. Yet. I picked up only 3 comics today! Felt like a dress rehearsal for September.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Superman and Lois Lane
I left this comment on this post, and thought I'd repeat it here.
And because it's Father's Day, the last time Roy and Lian were together...
This is how I remember them. This is always how I'll remember them. Roy Harper went through a lot in his life and it was discovering he was a father that finally gave him the purpose and stability he needed and craved. Here's to fathers everywhere, especially my own, on Father's Day.
In the "real" DCU, Lian is still alive and Roy is happily raising her. The current DCU is an alternate reality and the upcoming DCU is merely another alternate reality. I'd love to have this DCU back, but I know that['s probably impossible. I can hope only that a better DCU will be along in another year or so after the upcoming one crashes and burns. A gal can hope, right? ;)
One thing I love about Superman and Lois being married is that it shows a nice, happy marriage, which is a rare thing in comics. They're partners in every sense. The only other DC marriage that worked as well IMO is the one with the couple already married (and I sure do miss Ralph and Sue Dibny!) Even Barry and Iris doesn't have the dynamic that Superman and Lois have.
The other thing I love about Superman and Lois being married is that it fits perfectly with his ideals and with his upbringing. He grew up in a loving home with the Kents. He witnessed a near perfect marriage firsthand. It makes sense for him to want that and when he meets Lois, he finds his lifemate/soulmate. It makes sense for them to be married.
Marriage does not have to be a jump the shark event. It just takes good writers to write a loving partnership and the Superman writers for the most part have done a great job with it.
And because it's Father's Day, the last time Roy and Lian were together...
 |
| Roy and Lian |
In the "real" DCU, Lian is still alive and Roy is happily raising her. The current DCU is an alternate reality and the upcoming DCU is merely another alternate reality. I'd love to have this DCU back, but I know that['s probably impossible. I can hope only that a better DCU will be along in another year or so after the upcoming one crashes and burns. A gal can hope, right? ;)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Indifferent Reviews
Picked up this week's comics with a decided lack of enthusiasm. I still feel that rebooting the entire DCU from scratch makes more sense than tweaking some, rebooting others, some stuff's still in continuity, other stuff's not, yadda yadda yadda. And since I plan to read nearly none of it, reading the last few issues of the books currently on my pull list has a very "lame duck" vibe.
Supergirl 65 added a whole different vibe, that of a book meant for anyone younger than me. The story's somewhat intriguing, but the college students are too precious for words. And the art was nothing special. Why Gates and Igle couldn't stay on this book til the reboot is beyond me.
Batman 711 features the next chapter in a story focusing on Two-Face, the Riddler, and Two-Face's supposedly dead but seemingly alive wife Gilda. It's an enjoyable story, but if it's the last one I read for this book, it better have a boffo ending!
Supergirl 65 added a whole different vibe, that of a book meant for anyone younger than me. The story's somewhat intriguing, but the college students are too precious for words. And the art was nothing special. Why Gates and Igle couldn't stay on this book til the reboot is beyond me.
Batman 711 features the next chapter in a story focusing on Two-Face, the Riddler, and Two-Face's supposedly dead but seemingly alive wife Gilda. It's an enjoyable story, but if it's the last one I read for this book, it better have a boffo ending!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Counting Down to the DCU Reboot
Y'know what would've been cool? If DC had just started over. Everything. Wiped out all that's come before and rebooted the universe. They could've started with Superman arriving in Metropolis and feed us his origin in flashbacks over a few issues. And Batman would've just finished training as... well... being Batman and his origin could've been shown in flashbacks. Same for Wonder Woman. Or just do each origin as a one-shot origin issue, with all the tweaking a reboot would require. That would start the universe with the traditional trinity of the DCU.
Then slowly, over the next few months, more titles would get added, some with actual origin issues because the characters would be adults getting their powers, rather than starting with childhood events (Kal arriving on Earth as a baby, Bruce being orphaned young, Diana being formed out of clay). And the excitement would've built up over maybe 3-4 months as to what new comics would be added with what rebooted characters. And they'd all get to meet for the first time. It would be contemporary and traditional.
That's how I would've done it. And if that's how they would've done it, I wouldn't be drastically reducing my pull list.
Meanwhile, here's a review of a book getting canceled.
Secret Six 34 was everything Gail Simone does best. I thought I'd reviewed it already, but apparently not. The unlikely friendship of these characters, the depth of their emotions, would be hard to surpass. And Scandal Savage has become one of my favorite characters, a frightening mix of strength and vulnerability, with some brutality thrown in for good measure. Now she has to decide which of two lovers she loves more. I'll miss this book greatly.
Another I'll miss because I won't be reading it in its upcoming version is Birds of Prey. Issue 13 brought the creepy story with Junior to a satisfying close. Huntress and Renee made a great duo, Catman had a nice cameo, and the artist, Diego Olmos, captured each character perfectly. I can't believe the book was restarted a year ago only to have the team broken up come September.
Booster Gold 44
I was thrilled to have Jurgens back, but I just skimmed this due to the Flashpoint storyline. I'd been looking forward to Flashpoint, but given what's coming with the reboot, I've lost interest in this. It's a damn shame.
Then slowly, over the next few months, more titles would get added, some with actual origin issues because the characters would be adults getting their powers, rather than starting with childhood events (Kal arriving on Earth as a baby, Bruce being orphaned young, Diana being formed out of clay). And the excitement would've built up over maybe 3-4 months as to what new comics would be added with what rebooted characters. And they'd all get to meet for the first time. It would be contemporary and traditional.
That's how I would've done it. And if that's how they would've done it, I wouldn't be drastically reducing my pull list.
Meanwhile, here's a review of a book getting canceled.
Secret Six 34 was everything Gail Simone does best. I thought I'd reviewed it already, but apparently not. The unlikely friendship of these characters, the depth of their emotions, would be hard to surpass. And Scandal Savage has become one of my favorite characters, a frightening mix of strength and vulnerability, with some brutality thrown in for good measure. Now she has to decide which of two lovers she loves more. I'll miss this book greatly.
Another I'll miss because I won't be reading it in its upcoming version is Birds of Prey. Issue 13 brought the creepy story with Junior to a satisfying close. Huntress and Renee made a great duo, Catman had a nice cameo, and the artist, Diego Olmos, captured each character perfectly. I can't believe the book was restarted a year ago only to have the team broken up come September.
Booster Gold 44
I was thrilled to have Jurgens back, but I just skimmed this due to the Flashpoint storyline. I'd been looking forward to Flashpoint, but given what's coming with the reboot, I've lost interest in this. It's a damn shame.
Calvin, Hobbes, and Bloom County
This PSA brought to by smiles.
I'm collecting the humongous volumes of Bloom County, and just got the Complete Calvin & Hobbes, which means I've got some trade pb collections of Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbes available to a good home. I hate trying to sell this sort of thing on eBay because it's a royal PIA to list 'em, and I don't want to just toss them into the recycling bin, so if anyone is interested or knows someone who would be, just leave a comment or email me at: shelly.s (at) gmail.com and we'll work something out for the price of shipping and maybe a few $$$ more.
I'm collecting the humongous volumes of Bloom County, and just got the Complete Calvin & Hobbes, which means I've got some trade pb collections of Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbes available to a good home. I hate trying to sell this sort of thing on eBay because it's a royal PIA to list 'em, and I don't want to just toss them into the recycling bin, so if anyone is interested or knows someone who would be, just leave a comment or email me at: shelly.s (at) gmail.com and we'll work something out for the price of shipping and maybe a few $$$ more.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Dick Grayson Gets No Respect
Picked up this week's comics, vented at manager a bit about DC's upcoming reboot, we'll purge my pull list in September and start over. He said he was thinking about putting together a "If you like X, you might like Y" list for DC titles for folks like me looking for something else to read other than mainstream DC. I told him I'll buy more toys there with the money I won't be spending on comics.
Still trying to wrap my mind around this whole mess, especially when related to my favorite characters.
Babs/Oracle has probably been the most blogged about. I've lost track of most of the posts, but, many folks feel as I do, that losing Babs as Oracle and getting her out of the chair means DC loses something special. There was a Batgirl before Babs -- Betty Kane -- and when Babs became Batgirl, I didn't know why Betty couldn't have been given a better, bigger role, but Babs won me over. I liked that she was a librarian, which I became! But I think Steph Brown is my favorite Batgirl. But there's only one Oracle and Babs created that persona. She earned that special place in the DCU and come September, that will be gone.
But Babs isn't the only one being forced into a younger, less developed state. Think about poor Dick Grayson. With the character assassination done to poor Roy Harper (the only good from the reboot is that the damage done to Roy the last year or so will be undone, it seems, though I probably won't like what he'll be, either, in the new DCU), I refocused my comics character lust to Dick Grayson who'd been forced to play second to Roy in my heart. It's been clear for years that the PTB at DC don't like him. But finally, with Bruce supposedly dead, he got to become Batman, keeping the cowl warm til Bruce's return. And here's the thing...
If Dick had stayed Nightwing, I would be okay about him being Nightwing again in the reboot.
If Bruce had returned and Dick went back to being Nightwing, I would be okay about him being Nightwing again in the reboot.
But he did become Batman and Bruce did come back and let him stay on as Batman and coming up with the Batman Inc concept so there could be more than one Batman. Dick earned that cowl and he deserves to keep them.
So, two scenarios come to mind in the reboot: Dick goes back to being Nightwing, still a mature man in his 20s, very experienced, whether or not he's ever been Batman, and I'll get to read new Nightwing stories...
Or... Dick is Nightwing, having recently given up being Robin, and I'll have to read all over again about Dick finding his way on his own as this new hero called Nightwing. Sorry. Been there, done and read that. I want to read about a hero leaving his mentor and going out on his own, gaining experience, yadda yadda yadda, I'll find another character to read about.
The second option sucks. The first isn't much better because I preferred reading about Dick as Batman, mentoring Damian, than reading about Nightwing, a solitary hero with a mostly screwed up personal life because he keeps neglecting it to be a hero.
My LCS has a 5 title minimum for a pull list. So far, I've got:
The Lone Ranger
Zorro
Criminal
The Spirit (if it continues)
Doc Savage (if it continues)
Batwoman (because she's still new enough to the DCU to not be much affected by the reboot, I think/I hope)
At least, I've got the minimum covered, but a few extras, just in case, would be a good idea.
As for today's haul...
Nice ending on the BoP story (Birds of Prey 13), with a cameo appearance by Catman. I was happy to have something to read that isn't part of Flashpoint. Yet.
Batman and Robin 24 indicates this title will go out with a whimper, what with Jason Todd taking over, relegating Dick and Damian to guest roles in their own book. Have I mentioned how much I detest Jason? The main reason I don't want to read the coming title with Roy in it? Yeah, I figured I had.
Booster Gold 45 continues the Flashpoint storyline, which I've completely lost interest in now that the reboot's been announced. I guess this was okay. I felt pretty meh about it.
Still trying to wrap my mind around this whole mess, especially when related to my favorite characters.
Babs/Oracle has probably been the most blogged about. I've lost track of most of the posts, but, many folks feel as I do, that losing Babs as Oracle and getting her out of the chair means DC loses something special. There was a Batgirl before Babs -- Betty Kane -- and when Babs became Batgirl, I didn't know why Betty couldn't have been given a better, bigger role, but Babs won me over. I liked that she was a librarian, which I became! But I think Steph Brown is my favorite Batgirl. But there's only one Oracle and Babs created that persona. She earned that special place in the DCU and come September, that will be gone.
But Babs isn't the only one being forced into a younger, less developed state. Think about poor Dick Grayson. With the character assassination done to poor Roy Harper (the only good from the reboot is that the damage done to Roy the last year or so will be undone, it seems, though I probably won't like what he'll be, either, in the new DCU), I refocused my comics character lust to Dick Grayson who'd been forced to play second to Roy in my heart. It's been clear for years that the PTB at DC don't like him. But finally, with Bruce supposedly dead, he got to become Batman, keeping the cowl warm til Bruce's return. And here's the thing...
If Dick had stayed Nightwing, I would be okay about him being Nightwing again in the reboot.
If Bruce had returned and Dick went back to being Nightwing, I would be okay about him being Nightwing again in the reboot.
But he did become Batman and Bruce did come back and let him stay on as Batman and coming up with the Batman Inc concept so there could be more than one Batman. Dick earned that cowl and he deserves to keep them.
So, two scenarios come to mind in the reboot: Dick goes back to being Nightwing, still a mature man in his 20s, very experienced, whether or not he's ever been Batman, and I'll get to read new Nightwing stories...
Or... Dick is Nightwing, having recently given up being Robin, and I'll have to read all over again about Dick finding his way on his own as this new hero called Nightwing. Sorry. Been there, done and read that. I want to read about a hero leaving his mentor and going out on his own, gaining experience, yadda yadda yadda, I'll find another character to read about.
The second option sucks. The first isn't much better because I preferred reading about Dick as Batman, mentoring Damian, than reading about Nightwing, a solitary hero with a mostly screwed up personal life because he keeps neglecting it to be a hero.
My LCS has a 5 title minimum for a pull list. So far, I've got:
The Lone Ranger
Zorro
Criminal
The Spirit (if it continues)
Doc Savage (if it continues)
Batwoman (because she's still new enough to the DCU to not be much affected by the reboot, I think/I hope)
At least, I've got the minimum covered, but a few extras, just in case, would be a good idea.
As for today's haul...
Nice ending on the BoP story (Birds of Prey 13), with a cameo appearance by Catman. I was happy to have something to read that isn't part of Flashpoint. Yet.
Batman and Robin 24 indicates this title will go out with a whimper, what with Jason Todd taking over, relegating Dick and Damian to guest roles in their own book. Have I mentioned how much I detest Jason? The main reason I don't want to read the coming title with Roy in it? Yeah, I figured I had.
Booster Gold 45 continues the Flashpoint storyline, which I've completely lost interest in now that the reboot's been announced. I guess this was okay. I felt pretty meh about it.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Oracle vs Batgirl
Comments on this post over at Has Boobs, Reads Comics led to these comments of mine, long enough to warrant a post here methinks:
I'm heartsick about many of the changes, including Dick becoming Nightwing again, but this has me besides myself. I work with blind and visually impaired people and others who can't read standard print, including quadriplegics. I know how powerful a symbol and role model Babs as Oracle is and I know how so many people don't just get to start over or leave that wheelchair behind. I hate that DC is going backward. Just. Hate. It.And then:
I'm not defining Oracle by her disability. I think people need role models and she's one of the very few who are positive role models for disabled people. She's a shining example of overcoming adversity and doing something special with her life, even more than when she was Batgirl. I don't want her to be a BatGIRL. I want her to be what she's been: a fully realized awesome WOMAN who has played a vital role for the DC Superhero community. Anyone can be Batgirl; after all, there have been others besides Babs (the first one I knew was Betty Kane) and Steph Brown has filled the role admirably and capably and her costume is awesome! In fact, the current Batgirl is one of the most fun comics DC publishes. And Babs, as Oracle, has been the amazing anchor of Birds of Prey. Why anyone wants to go backward from that is beyond me. Well beyond me.Finally, Barbara Gordon has been many things over the decades: librarian, congresswoman, Batgirl, Oracle, daughter of Commissioner Gordon, girlfriend of Dick Grayson, friend to Black Canary and Huntress and Zinda, mentor to many young female characters from Misfit and Cass Cain to Stephanie Brown and Wendy/Proxy. Babs in her personal life and as Oracle has touched the lives of most of the characters in the DCU. No Batgirl has ever been able to say that. Batgirl is just another costumed crimefighter. Oracle has been so much more. That's what DC is giving up and they should be ashamed of themselves.
Bat Books
No. Just. No.
Not gonna be reading the new Bat books, except Batwoman, unless it relies too much on the new Bat order of things and starts to annoy me, and possibly Catwoman, unless it makes Selina too much of a villain and then, no to that, too.
I wasn't reading Batman and Detective until Dick became Batman and now I have no reason to continue with them. Nor do I care to read about Bruce and Damian as Batman and Robin. That's father and son more than mentor and mentee. I love reading the Dick and Damian team and I will treasure their wonderful run, but I can't go backward. For that reason, I can't bring myself to read Dick as Nightwing once more and that costume! Ugh. The red on the black just looks ridiculous.
Red Hood and the Outlaws sounds even worse. I never liked Jason Todd. Never. I'm one of the readers who voted for the Joker to blow him up. To have Roy teamed with him and Kory? No. Just. No. I don't care that he's got his arm back. I don't care that that cover is pretty. I'm sure he won't have a daughter, but even if Lian is there, this is just wrong. Roy and Jason? I'd read it only if Roy can beat the shit out of Jason every issue. That would be worth the price. However, this makes me feel ill:
I think I need to rest and eat some chocolate before I have a fit.
So, I pose a question, to anyone who still reads this blog: Given how infrequently I post while reading 15-20 books a month, and how fewer posts I'll be putting up here when I'm reading 5-10 titles per month, will anyone stick around and keep reading this humble blog?
Not gonna be reading the new Bat books, except Batwoman, unless it relies too much on the new Bat order of things and starts to annoy me, and possibly Catwoman, unless it makes Selina too much of a villain and then, no to that, too.
I wasn't reading Batman and Detective until Dick became Batman and now I have no reason to continue with them. Nor do I care to read about Bruce and Damian as Batman and Robin. That's father and son more than mentor and mentee. I love reading the Dick and Damian team and I will treasure their wonderful run, but I can't go backward. For that reason, I can't bring myself to read Dick as Nightwing once more and that costume! Ugh. The red on the black just looks ridiculous.
Red Hood and the Outlaws sounds even worse. I never liked Jason Todd. Never. I'm one of the readers who voted for the Joker to blow him up. To have Roy teamed with him and Kory? No. Just. No. I don't care that he's got his arm back. I don't care that that cover is pretty. I'm sure he won't have a daughter, but even if Lian is there, this is just wrong. Roy and Jason? I'd read it only if Roy can beat the shit out of Jason every issue. That would be worth the price. However, this makes me feel ill:
Jason Todd finds himself as a leader of a team of antiheroes – including "Green Arrow's rejected sidekick Arsenal and Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war."Ollie rejected Roy? Ignored him, yes. Tossed him out when he caught him shooting up? Yes. But rejected him? Give me an f'in break. We've finally gotten to the point where Roy and Ollie had reconciled, never mind that crap after Lian was killed. And I don't like Roy called an anti-hero. He was always a hero. A very flawed, very human hero, but a hero none the less.
I think I need to rest and eat some chocolate before I have a fit.
So, I pose a question, to anyone who still reads this blog: Given how infrequently I post while reading 15-20 books a month, and how fewer posts I'll be putting up here when I'm reading 5-10 titles per month, will anyone stick around and keep reading this humble blog?
Considering My Pull List
Come September, I'm thinking it'll be something like this....
The Lone Ranger
Zorro
The Death of Zorro (I'm not sure when this wraps up.)
Criminal
Unwritten (if it continues)
Batwoman (She's fairly new, so except for some bumps if any other Bat characters show up and they're not what I expect/want, this should be fine.)
The Spirit (Assuming it'll still be published.)
It gets a bit murky at this point. There are some books I'm reading (well, accumulating for future reading) that I could get in monthlies and keep up that way, then buy the trades. These include, assuming they'll still be published:
Air
Scalped
Ummmmm.....
I'm taking a wait and see who the heck is behind the cowl with:
Batman
Detective
Batman and Robin
If it's not Dick Grayson, I won't be getting these. Similarly, I don't want to read about Babs as Batgirl. Been there, read that, decades ago and in a lot of stories. And Dick and Damian form the best Dynamic Duo. I like 'em even better than Bruce and Dick in the old days.
Batgirl... Again, keeping to my feelings about the Bat family, if not Steph, I'm not going to read it.
A Catwoman title? Well, that depends, too. If this version of Selina hasn't had a daughter she gave up, if she doesn't know Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are both Batman, if she hasn't been through all she's been through, if she reverts back to just being a cat burglar, than no, thanks.
Supergirl? Uh, not sure at all. Kara's gone through a lot thanks to Sterling Gates and she's become an awesome version of SG. I would hate hate hate to have her regress to an earlier version.
I don't read other Superman titles, so I doubt I'll start with any in September.
Legion of Super Heroes? What? Another reboot? Are they doing this? I have no clue what to do if this continues.
Green Lantern and Green Arrow? Well, again, it depends. GA has gotten boring, and to be honest, GL has gotten way too complicated for someone who reads only the GL book and not the other Lantern books. I'm thinking of dropping it.
Aquaman.... This holds appeal because I do like the character and he's been rebooted so many times, I actually lost track enough to not be bothered by another reboot. Plus, I didn't read all the versions and many of what I did read sucked. So, I might be enticed to try this.
Secret Six? Birds of Prey? I'm almost afraid to look at them after August. I'd hate to see them ruined. Is Secret Six even continuing? I did read about a new team on BoP and given the changes coming for Babs, this is definitely questionable for me.
Wonder Woman? Hell, I stopped reading it a year ago and I see no reason to start again in September. Ditto JLA and JSA which I stopped reading even before that. I am a bit intrigued by Mr. Terrific, but if no Checkmate and Sasha, then I don't think it'll make me happy.
Nothing else sounds interesting. I'm seriously going to have to look at independents. I don't like reading black and white pages, though. That's fine for 3-4 panel strips, but in a book, it's really tough for me at times to differentiate characters and read the dialogue and text because it all kinda blends in on me. So, I'll need to seek out some fun color comics. Any suggestions? And not Marvel. I've read various Marvel titles over the years, but I can't really get into the Marvel Universe.
The big thing that bugs me about this, because really, DC can do what it wants and I don't mind saving some money to spend on other things, is that there will be a lot of female lead books I won't be supporting, and they might be great, just simply things I don't want to read. And I feel bad about that. But DC clearly doesn't want me as a reader, so that's that.
The Lone Ranger
Zorro
The Death of Zorro (I'm not sure when this wraps up.)
Criminal
Unwritten (if it continues)
Batwoman (She's fairly new, so except for some bumps if any other Bat characters show up and they're not what I expect/want, this should be fine.)
The Spirit (Assuming it'll still be published.)
It gets a bit murky at this point. There are some books I'm reading (well, accumulating for future reading) that I could get in monthlies and keep up that way, then buy the trades. These include, assuming they'll still be published:
Air
Scalped
Ummmmm.....
I'm taking a wait and see who the heck is behind the cowl with:
Batman
Detective
Batman and Robin
If it's not Dick Grayson, I won't be getting these. Similarly, I don't want to read about Babs as Batgirl. Been there, read that, decades ago and in a lot of stories. And Dick and Damian form the best Dynamic Duo. I like 'em even better than Bruce and Dick in the old days.
Batgirl... Again, keeping to my feelings about the Bat family, if not Steph, I'm not going to read it.
A Catwoman title? Well, that depends, too. If this version of Selina hasn't had a daughter she gave up, if she doesn't know Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are both Batman, if she hasn't been through all she's been through, if she reverts back to just being a cat burglar, than no, thanks.
Supergirl? Uh, not sure at all. Kara's gone through a lot thanks to Sterling Gates and she's become an awesome version of SG. I would hate hate hate to have her regress to an earlier version.
I don't read other Superman titles, so I doubt I'll start with any in September.
Legion of Super Heroes? What? Another reboot? Are they doing this? I have no clue what to do if this continues.
Green Lantern and Green Arrow? Well, again, it depends. GA has gotten boring, and to be honest, GL has gotten way too complicated for someone who reads only the GL book and not the other Lantern books. I'm thinking of dropping it.
Aquaman.... This holds appeal because I do like the character and he's been rebooted so many times, I actually lost track enough to not be bothered by another reboot. Plus, I didn't read all the versions and many of what I did read sucked. So, I might be enticed to try this.
Secret Six? Birds of Prey? I'm almost afraid to look at them after August. I'd hate to see them ruined. Is Secret Six even continuing? I did read about a new team on BoP and given the changes coming for Babs, this is definitely questionable for me.
Wonder Woman? Hell, I stopped reading it a year ago and I see no reason to start again in September. Ditto JLA and JSA which I stopped reading even before that. I am a bit intrigued by Mr. Terrific, but if no Checkmate and Sasha, then I don't think it'll make me happy.
Nothing else sounds interesting. I'm seriously going to have to look at independents. I don't like reading black and white pages, though. That's fine for 3-4 panel strips, but in a book, it's really tough for me at times to differentiate characters and read the dialogue and text because it all kinda blends in on me. So, I'll need to seek out some fun color comics. Any suggestions? And not Marvel. I've read various Marvel titles over the years, but I can't really get into the Marvel Universe.
The big thing that bugs me about this, because really, DC can do what it wants and I don't mind saving some money to spend on other things, is that there will be a lot of female lead books I won't be supporting, and they might be great, just simply things I don't want to read. And I feel bad about that. But DC clearly doesn't want me as a reader, so that's that.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
My Comment on this DC Universe The Source Post
Because comments are closed there, I'm commenting here, and virtually sticking my tongue out at them, so there. Yeah, I can be mature when I want to be. ;)
They say they hate secrets. Well, I hate having to start over again at age 58. Seriously. I've been reading DC Comics since I was 7. That's over half a century, people. I've been through reboots. I adjusted. Of course, there was my boycott in the '80s after the original Supergirl died in the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, not that DC noticed. And I'm sure they won't notice when my pull list of DC titles shrinks come September. Because I'm pretty sure it will.
Here's where they're at:
I didn't even mind when Bruce came back because Dick has still been Batman, just one of a few now. And Barry being back is okay as long as Wally can continue as the Flash. But if come September, reading DC comics will feel like reading an alternate universe version of the characters I've come to know and love, well, I'm not sure that's what I want.
I'm just getting too old for this crap. I put up with the big events even if they fizzled somewhat after 52, which was, IMO, the best of the bunch. Even Brightest Day, with its wonderful art and nice start, fizzled in some of the storylines and restoring a status quo of sorts, with the newly undead mostly being dead again, save for Swamp Thing, which was a nice surprise, but really, did we need to drag this out for a year?!
So forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm. But then, I'm not the right demographic, anyway, am I?
They say they hate secrets. Well, I hate having to start over again at age 58. Seriously. I've been reading DC Comics since I was 7. That's over half a century, people. I've been through reboots. I adjusted. Of course, there was my boycott in the '80s after the original Supergirl died in the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, not that DC noticed. And I'm sure they won't notice when my pull list of DC titles shrinks come September. Because I'm pretty sure it will.
Here's where they're at:
"Yesterday was just the beginning. After all, we don’t want to spoil the many surprises we have up our sleeves. It’s so important to us to make sure you maintain those feelings of excitement and unexpectedness when you pick up a new issue of our books."And here's where I'm at: I like being surprised. Truly. But I also like familiar and comfortable. Reading about characters I know and love in surprising and entertaining stories is what I want from DC. Reading about interesting and exciting new characters and new versions of older characters who are truly new, is what I want. Jaime Reyes and the new Blue Beetle and Ryan Choi as the new Atom. Seeing characters grow and mature into new roles, such as Dick Grayson becoming Batman and Wally West becoming the Flash.
I didn't even mind when Bruce came back because Dick has still been Batman, just one of a few now. And Barry being back is okay as long as Wally can continue as the Flash. But if come September, reading DC comics will feel like reading an alternate universe version of the characters I've come to know and love, well, I'm not sure that's what I want.
I'm just getting too old for this crap. I put up with the big events even if they fizzled somewhat after 52, which was, IMO, the best of the bunch. Even Brightest Day, with its wonderful art and nice start, fizzled in some of the storylines and restoring a status quo of sorts, with the newly undead mostly being dead again, save for Swamp Thing, which was a nice surprise, but really, did we need to drag this out for a year?!
So forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm. But then, I'm not the right demographic, anyway, am I?
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