Sperg about comic books here

[Prehistoric Jazz]

Hardcorps: Lapham art, strange color artifacts in printing, and Jim Lee did the foldout cover for the first issue. The tactical use of directed abilities in warfare has it's interesting points. I liked how Maniacs last moments weren't flashy. Big Boy bodies him through concrete, kills him, and the tech roasts his implants as a fail safe. This kinda feels like Stormwatch, but where that's a balance of GIJoe and XMen, this leans closer to Joe.

 

[jspit2.0]

I still can't get over series having a sudden art style change half way through a run, usually happens just as I'm getting used to the original to.

It's okay if they work to give the series an overall tone. Doug Manke for example blends well with Patrick Gleason.

Reading through the 2009 Power Girl and after getting to the art style change I just kind of lost interest on continuing because I'm not a big fan of the new art.

Wait, Amanda drew her run and then they creatively changed the title.

They got edgelord Judd Winnick to write and he's about as funny as aids. (I actually liked the new art, was it Basiri?)

I feel incredibly petty for it to be stopping me,

Your not

but it really bugs me coming from manga to have sudden shifts that aren't related to rushed chapters.

Tynion's Batman. One of my problems with it. Allot of good artists whose styles don't mesh doing the same storyline, hell the same issue.

I know it's typically due to them swapping out teams after a run, which seem to be around 12 - 13 issues, but it's still so weird.

It's unprofessional and disrupts the visual portion of the medium. A good counter is to keep the same inker/colorist. But artists have really become divas that can't handle that.

Noticed the same thing as I've gotten farther into the 2009 Harley Quinn series, but it weirdly will only last a single page or even panel before swapping back to the old (or at least similar to the old) art style.

Oh, they were desperate to have that succeed. And it did, for a year or two like Batburnsides did. Then people woke up and smelled the garbage.

this is off putting because sometimes it's a guest artist or sth like bill sienkewickz and i just roll with it if they're a good artist.

hate it when they switch to a crap one like liefeld tbh.

I'm the opposite. I loathe Bill Sienkewickz art.

Just dug through a long box I have of randoms, found a little over half of Hardcorps and Harbinger from Valiant's first pass, and 15 issues of the ketch Ghostrider. Glow in the dark cover + free carcinogens! Going to complete the valiant crap, I enjoyed the stuff on comixology.

Dave Lapham and Jim Shooter era? I feel like Harbinger never recovered after that.

the 90s valiant stuff is fun.

The stuff up until a year after Unity is gold. Shooter won his lifetime achievement award that time for a reason.

When he left it opened a major creative hole in his half of the line. Then they lost Barry Smith and that killed Archer & Armstrong/Eternal Warrior.

There's something from every era of 90s Valiant.

the valiant revival is hit or miss on a ton of stuff. it does QUantum and Woody decently though. And Armstrong/Archer is still fun.

Bob Vendetti's XO is solid but decompressed and fizzles out. I liked Q and A, but Archer/Armstrong was hit or miss for me.

The Faith Herbert shilling seems to be going nowhere and I find that funny.

Why would it go anywhere. She was a butt monkey in the classics

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

Wait, Amanda drew her run and then they creatively changed the title.

They got edgelord Judd Winnick to write and he's about as funny as aids. (I actually liked the new art, was it Basiri?)

It was Basari doing the art, which wasn't bad by any means, I just enjoyed the previous art more especially when it came to Power Girl herself. From your description of the writer I'll probably stick with not going any further.

It's also pretty funny reading how upset people get over Power Girls costume in particular specifically because of the boob window, disregarding that (at least the issues I've read) Power Girl takes shit from nobody. Definitely feels like a character that would cave in someones skull gorilla style if they actually tried to do anything, at least that's what the arc with Vartox got me thinking + the time that the bowl cut from Big Bang Bazinga hit on her (which made me do a double take).

The whole thing literally reminds me of the old Justice League cartoon regarding how Wonder Women dressed.

 

[Fromtheblackdepths]

Batman? Sure.

Wonder Woman? You have Cheetah, Circe, Ares, Doctor Psycho, Doctor Poison, Doctor Cyber, The Blue Snowman, and if you're counting the 50s, The Duke of Deception.

Forgot Giganta as well.

 

[jspit2.0]

It was Basari doing the art, which wasn't bad by any means, I just enjoyed the previous art more especially when it came to Power Girl herself.

She was tailor made for Amanda Conners. Did you read a collection? Because if so you may have missed the Terra mini, Supergirl #12, and the first PG mini that ties into it. All drawn by Amanda.

Speaking off. If you are an Amanda fanatic, you have to read her run and Vampirella. Woof. Sexy, funny, and gore.

From your description of the writer I'll probably stick with not going any further.

Oh, I wouldn't want you to do that. Judd is.... He's difficult. He's from the edgy era that gave us Identity Crisis and he liked to shove gay shit into things. His run suffers because its both more serious and it ties into JLI Lost, which as a Bwahahha fan I loathe with the fury of a billion suns.

Matt Sturges did issue 26-27 and those are more in line with what Amanda did.

It's also pretty funny reading how upset people get over Power Girls costume in particular specifically because of the boob window, disregarding that (at least the issues I've read) Power Girl takes shit from nobody. Definitely feels like a character that would cave in someones skull gorilla style if they actually tried to do anything, at least that's what the arc with Vartox got me thinking + the time that the bowl cut from Big Bang Bazinga hit on her (which made me do a double take).
View attachment 1830411

The whole thing literally reminds me of the old Justice League cartoon regarding how Wonder Women dressed.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=k4Vfzoueslw

Yeah, she was born in the feminist 70s. Back when feminism was body positive and a little more self aware.

Forgot Giganta as well.

There are others, Silver Swan, Dark Angel something or another, but top talent creators avoided Diana like the plague before George Perez came in. Even then, usually they came to the title with baggage.

Greg Rucka was a cuck fetishist who wanted her to be something she wasn't. Gail Simone wrote her like fanfiction. JMS, Grant Morrison, and Brian Azzerallo had interesting alternate takes. But that's the thing. No one just wanted a good, straightforward Wondy. None of the big name artists since the 90s have committed to just giving us Lynda Carter Wonder Woman straight.

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

She was tailor made for Amanda Conners. Did you read a collection? Because if so you may have missed the Terra mini, Supergirl #12, and the first PG mini that ties into it. All drawn by Amanda.

I just read issues #1-12 off of readcomiconline which has been my go to for finding stuff to read, never really blind buy anything unless it's cheap, so I'll read stuff there and then pick up what I liked. Though Power Girl looks like it'll be another one of those series I'll have to check the local comic shop for since the big chain here only seems to stock the latest stuff unless it's batman when it comes to DC.

Speaking off. If you are an Amanda fanatic, you have to read her run and Vampirella. Woof. Sexy, funny, and gore.

Will add Vampirella to my reading list, any specific starting point?

Oh, I wouldn't want you to do that. Judd is.... He's difficult. He's from the edgy era that gave us Identity Crisis and he liked to shove gay shit into things. His run suffers because its both more serious and it ties into JLI Lost, which as a Bwahahha fan I loathe with the fury of a billion suns.

Matt Sturges did issue 26-27 and those are more in line with what Amanda did.

Guess also I'll try out Judd's Power Girl and see if I don't mind it, not the biggest fan of edgy to be honest. I don't mind serious but I can't stand edgy for the sake of edgy.

 

[jspit2.0]

I just read issues #1-12 off of readcomiconline which has been my go to for finding stuff to read, never really blind buy anything unless it's cheap, so I'll read stuff there and then pick up what I liked. Though Power Girl looks like it'll be another one of those series I'll have to check the local comic shop for since the big chain here only seems to stock the latest stuff unless it's batman when it comes to DC.

Will add Vampirella to my reading list, any specific starting point?

Many, but for Amanda it goes

Vengeance of Vampirella #25
Vampirella Death and Destruction #1-3
All drawn by Amanda. Writing isn't as good as later.
Vampirella Lives 1-3 written by Warren Ellis with Amanda doing all the art.
Vampirella Monthly 1-9 written by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar. Amanda draws 1-3 and 7-9.
Vampirella: Halloween Trick & Treat Short story written and drawn by her
Vampirella: 25th anniversary special Short story drawn by her and written by Warren Ellis

All told she's drawn more Vampi than anyone else except Peeg.

Guess also I'll try out Judd's Power Girl and see if I don't mind it, not the biggest fan of edgy to be honest. I don't mind serious but I can't stand edgy for the sake of edgy.

Well, it might not be. I read it when it came out because I was hoping it'd be good. I dipped out after the JLI crossover and returned when Judd was gone. I remembered thinking it was light on the yuks.

The Vampi stuff is edgy, its the 90s. It's purposely over the top.

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

The Vampi stuff is edgy, its the 90s. It's purposely over the top.

If it's horror movie schlock over the top then I'll probably love it. I just hate edge written to be "deep" and super serious, one of the reasons I can't stand most Snyder DC films.

 

[Water-T]

I'm seconding Amanda Conners' work on Power Girl. Her art fit the tone of the series perfectly.

Definitely will check out her Vampi stuff.

Also seconded on what Judd Winick did in the JL: Generation Lost mini series. Why change Ice's backstory? Everyone in the JLI visited her Norse god family, and even fought against her brother, and yet none of that was explained after Tora's ""real" past was revealed? Did several Justice Leaguers just IMAGINE all of it? So dumb and pointless. Otherwise, I liked his work on Green lantern and Outsiders, and his "Pedro & Me" GN about his time on The Real World, where he met his wife and became friends with AIDS activist Pedro Zamora.

 

[jspit2.0]

I'm seconding Amanda Conners' work on Power Girl. Her art fit the rone of the series perfectly.

Definitely will check out her Vampi stuff.

Also seconded on what Judd Winick did in the JL: generation Lost mini series. Why change Ice's backstory? Everyone in the JLI visited her Norse god family, and even fought against her brother, and yet none of that was explained after Tora's ""real" past was revealed? Did several Justice Leaguers just IMAGINE all of it? So dumb and pointless. Otherwise, I liked his work on Green lantern and Outsiders, and his "Pedro & Me" GN about his time on The Real World, where he met his wife and became friends with AIDS activist Pedro Zamora.

If it's horror movie schlock over the top then I'll probably love it. I just hate edge written to be "deep" and super serious, one of the reasons I can't stand most Snyder DC films.

Let me know what you guys think or if your just interested in more Vampi. She's had a long history.

Yeah, I finished a reread through the two omnibuses they've made of that run and its insane how good it is. Perfect humor and drama. Artwork by top creators. Just great comics.

Then Dan Didio and Greg Rucka happened.

 

[Water-T]

If anyone is interested, the first slew of Future State books is on readcomics now.

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

Don't have any interest in most of the titles, but WW and Swamp Thing stood out to me enough that I'll probably read farther. The Harley Quinn one also seems like it might be interesting, though that's speaking as someone with a love of stuff like Silence of the Lambs and similar crime mysteries. Art for it is kind of weird for comics not that I think it's bad though, gives me strong Korean webtoon feels for some reason, however the focus blur is a bit much at times. Scarecrow is giving me strong Dr. Chilton vibes.

If I was to rank them I'd put WW at the top since it seems like it'll be the most fun and I like that they're trying something newish, Yara also seems fun with a lot of room to grow as a character (Swamp Thing and Harley basically share second place). There's this one face that Yara pulls and all I can think of is the bugs bunny face, hasn't left my head.

I've heard the Flash comic is incredibly depressing and continues to shit on Wally, the Superman one is meh to boring, and Batman I couldn't really get a coherent opinion through the level of shitposting but it also seemed meh. This was all just gathered through skimming the /co/ comic dumps for each, no interest in reading any of those myself.

 

[Quantum Diabetes]

I'm trying to watch the latest season of Marvel's Spider-Man on Disney plus. My complaints remain, they barrel thru storylines and introduce things and plot points so rapidly and never earn anything. The buildup to Miles Morales, Spider Gwen, etc was nonexistent just to assemble some toyetic hero combos. It makes me long for the subtlety of Ultimate Spiderpoolman instead.

 

[jspit2.0]

Don't have any interest in most of the titles, but WW and Swamp Thing stood out to me enough that I'll probably read farther. The Harley Quinn one also seems like it might be interesting, though that's speaking as someone with a love of stuff like Silence of the Lambs and similar crime mysteries. Art for it is kind of weird for comics not that I think it's bad though, gives me strong Korean webtoon feels for some reason, however the focus blur is a bit much at times. Scarecrow is giving me strong Dr. Chilton vibes.

If I was to rank them I'd put WW at the top since it seems like it'll be the most fun and I like that they're trying something newish, Yara also seems fun with a lot of room to grow as a character (Swamp Thing and Harley basically share second place). There's this one face that Yara pulls and all I can think of is the bugs bunny face, hasn't left my head.
View attachment 1831574View attachment 1831575
I've heard the Flash comic is incredibly depressing and continues to shit on Wally, the Superman one is meh to boring, and Batman I couldn't really get a coherent opinion through the level of shitposting but it also seemed meh. This was all just gathered through skimming the /co/ comic dumps for each, no interest in reading any of those myself.

Let me know if there is any cringe. I almost can't be bothered. My one flicker of interest is seeing how closely the rumors lined up with reality.

Edit
Damnit, I couldn't resist.

Spoiler: Flash is terrible

Bart is killed off immediately. Don't worry because chinaFlash survives
Wally is the villain...but not. He's a mind controlled puppet of 'famine.' who Barry can't save. The whole issue is that.

 

[Prehistoric Jazz]

West was the best flash in comics and out, the JLU version was great. Hell, his voice actor would be a great live action Wally. Fuck you DC editorial.

 

[kaien]

When he left it opened a major creative hole in his half of the line. Then they lost Barry Smith and that killed Archer & Armstrong/Eternal Warrior.

Mind, Shooter didn't leave exactly. He was run out of the company. It's a real bizarre story.

For anyone here who's interested in comics industry stuff, it's REALLY long, but Shooter did a two-part interview with Comic Book Resources several years ago where he more or less recapped his entire career. Lots of good detail about Marvel in the '80s and the corporate backstabbing that knocked him out of Valiant. He also has some stuff to say about DC and its relationship with Warner that reads like prophecy nowadays.

 

[Cyber Bowling]

IMO, Future State ranges from fine to meh. I think the only one that I legitimately felt strongly enough to call bad is the Flash. It finally gives us the Speedsters back together again! Except they're all angsty and depressed because Wally went evil/is possessed by some four horseman shit and killed Wallace. Oh, and they all lost their speed somehow. And Bart dies. And Jay dies because his old heart can't handle all the stress he's been going through. Future State!

It also just further emphasis how this whole thing is really more of a "what if" 2-3 issue miniseries and not anything with much substance or weight. I have a feeling if anything is popular enough to stick around, it'll be rebooted to fit in with the general DC universe. I think that's another reason why the Flash comic stands out as being lackluster. I guess they could potentially focus on a new villain to introduce to the mainline, but most of the focus was on Barry.

I thought Batman was fairly bland and boring. We've seen the whole "police state cracks down on vigilantes" storyline so many times now. Including in previous Batman comics. Including the current batman comic, now that I think about it. I guess you could at least argue they're building off the existing story stuff, if you wanted to be generous.

 

[jspit2.0]

West was the best flash in comics and out, the JLU version was great. Hell, his voice actor would be a great live action Wally. Fuck you DC editorial.

Fuck them all. With a rusty ice pick. Why even bring him back damnit.

Mind, Shooter didn't leave exactly. He was run out of the company. It's a real bizarre story.

Oh, it is. Though, it bears in mind he's come from a place of his own perspective. He was in this as a creator who was smart enough to not want his properties owned by someone who didn't give a shit about making comics, in this case Acclaim.

The investors, ie the money people who didn't care about comics and wanted their investment to pan out differed. They got Bob Layton to be their patsy. Layton doesn't get enough hatred for essentially being a willing stooge and Fabian, who took over Valiant when Acclaim did exactly what Shooter said they'd do, gets too much.

For anyone here who's interested in comics industry stuff, it's REALLY long, but Shooter did a two-part interview with Comic Book Resources several years ago where he more or less recapped his entire career. Lots of good detail about Marvel in the '80s and the corporate backstabbing that knocked him out of Valiant. He also has some stuff to say about DC and its relationship with Warner that reads like prophecy nowadays.

Yeah. I remember. He's not a saint by any stretch. But he also had a pretty good eye for corporate culture.

IMO, Future State ranges from fine to meh. I think the only one that I legitimately felt strongly enough to call bad is the Flash. It finally gives us the Speedsters back together again! Except they're all angsty and depressed because Wally went evil/is possessed by some four horseman shit and killed Wallace. Oh, and they all lost their speed somehow. And Bart dies. And Jay dies because his old heart can't handle all the stress he's been going through. Future State!

I tried to avoid spoiling it. But yeah. I'd call Superman bad from what I saw. Batman, Harley, and Swamp Thing were undercooked and nothing really stood out as good though. You have, what? Six or seven books and none of them are good?

Wonder Woman was the best and it was allot of motion without substance.

It also just further emphasis how this whole thing is really more of a "what if" 2-3 issue miniseries and not anything with much substance or weight. I have a feeling if anything is popular enough to stick around, it'll be rebooted to fit in with the general DC universe. I think that's another reason why the Flash comic stands out as being lackluster. I guess they could potentially focus on a new villain to introduce to the mainline, but most of the focus was on Barry.

I saw nothing redeeming there.

I thought Batman was fairly bland and boring.

I'd put it on the undercooked stack. They give you Batman and you can do anything with it. This is it?

We've seen the whole "police state cracks down on vigilantes" storyline so many times now. Including in previous Batman comics. Including the current batman comic, now that I think about it. I guess you could at least argue they're building off the existing story stuff, if you wanted to be generous.

Why be generous? The current runs okay.

But these all read like television pitches.

 

[Prehistoric Jazz]

They've got Midnighter in this mess, so I'm watching to see how they ruin this opportunity. Remember Ladytron? Why not bring her back? Is a sociopathic Juliette Lewis in chrome blasting toasters for Gort woke enough for these cuttlefish?

 

[Tor Lugosi]

I like Jim Shooter a lot and think Marvel went to shit after he was booted but the guy does tend to view his past with heavy rose-tinted glasses. He has a blog where he talked about his history with comics. In it, every decision he made was the right one and anything that was objectively fucked up (e.g. New Universe failing) was due to other people (whereas everyone else involved with the project puts the blame on him).