Time to talk about COMICS!
Heck yeah, comics!
Let's see:
Batman and Robin #9
This series is continuing to underwhelm me, but at the same time, every time I close the book, I feel like I have a reason to get the next one. I guess that's...if not good, at least very effective writing.
Morrison's always had fun with his dialects. One of the reasons MirrorMaster II was so memorable when he burst onto the scene was that Morrison decided to use his own Glasgowegian background to his best advantage, and as such, McCulloch's dialogue was barely decipherable, but completely delightful all the same.
This is not the case with most of his English characters. Even the more subdued ones are making me cringe. And the over-the-top ones are not just over-the-top--they are flat out wrong. I dunno, maybe I'm not as familiar with the accents and all, but I'm almost certain that even if you're going for blatantly sterotypical dialect, you're still not getting the actual sounds right.
I like the touch that Bruce Waynes memories inevitably drive anyone else made, even his own clones. I love the clone (with all of Batman's memories) telling Damian "U wer mi biggest mistake." Gosh, Damian, I hope that stings, you annoying little prick. Though it's hard to not grin at the boy's response. I dunno, Damian reminds me of Axel in tha he's a hard nut to crack. Does he actually feel anything in regards to how other people percieve him? Can he even be emotionally hurt? He gets on my nerves.
Set-up for the upcoming return of Batman is nice. I've really enjoyed Dick as Batman, though. It's not a role I think he should stick with, but that's why it's usually fun--because he's really not good at being Batman, and almost anyone with experience with the original can tell.
It' weird. Morrison's not hitting it out of the park for me, so much. It's not mind-blowingly cool, even if it is a little weird. It's just...there. But, y'know...I keep reading it.
Still not sure if I'll pick up next month's.
Blackest Night #7
I do love Reis' work on this, though props nee to be given to the inker and colorist as well. Probably especially to Sinclair the colorist, because this thing has to be a you-know-what to color. I'd get a headache doing one panel of all that light and lanterns stuff.
I feel sad about Ganthet because he was one of the few Guardians who actually had emotions and took accountability for his actions. Poor Sayd. Loved Crane's throw-away "FLY, MY MONKEYS!" line. Was kind of...bored, really, for Lex going nuts. I'm sorry, basically we're just seeing Lex's psyche laid bare and...it's nothing interesting. Lex is interesting when he's plotting, scheming, smiling, and often barely seen. His motives and desires are nothing new, and not even anything deep. Wonder Woman's response to his wanting to be Superman is pretty much anyone's response. Bored.
Splash page of all the various Lanterns is pretty sweet, especially since it fetures a sexy Guy Gardner right up front. (And to anyone who still thinks he's just a thug...gotta read the latest Green Lantern Corps with that manly hug and all. Bless, poor guy...)
The revelation of Life starting on Earth is...kinda weak. I've seen people praising Johns for shaking up the status quo of Earth always being the backward little hick planet, but that's because we're trying to stay at least slightly true to the world we all know. Whatever, it's just a bit medival is all. The Entity...um. I'm actually hoping Johns doesn't lay down any hard-and-fast rules with this stuff, because I'm thinkin' we're getting closer and closer to downright theology, and it's probably a bit better to play fast and lose in a shared universe like DC.
Aaand...White Lantern Sinestro.
So yeah, basically this issue was the big flash-bang fight scene that I usually get mildly bored with in a movie. It's not bad--it's gorgeous, still well-written and all. It just feels like...not so much.
Gotham City Sirens
HOH YEAH! Now that what I'm talkin' about!
Okay, first I guess I must make the obligatory comment of "This is supposed to be a book about the girls! Why are they relying on a guy to come in and help them!"
Except...heck, this is the most I've enjoyed this series since the last Eddie-centric issue. Let's face it, much as I love Harley, Ivy, and Selina, I love the Riddler so so so much more. He's an absolute delight. And there's something great about him being surrounded by three gorgeous, super-sexy womens, and still basically being a nerd. Some light banter, but mostly very business-oriented. ("And the body...?" with that little gesture. Heh, classic.) I love the almost dismissive "I had a bomb go off in my face" bit (and the way it ties into a convienient excuse for him to wear his mask). Reminds me of a concept someone on S_D was tossing around awhile back about Eddie and his secretary wearing gas-masks and playing cards while waiting for Tuesday's toxic gas from the Joker to dissapate.
I actually do feel a little apprehensive about Eddie's fate, which is good writing. I guess that given the Rogues and all, I'm feeling a wee bit jumpy about my favorite bad guys. But I loved seeing inside his head--I mean, heck we villian fangirls love a bit of inner angst, and he's apparently got plenty. It does worry me a bit too, though. Is it remorse? Is it the beginnings of relapse? I really hope it's the former, though I'm not thrilled with Dini having Eddie refer to himself as a "murdering rat." There's probably been collateral damage that I've forgotten about, but the Riddler's never been as big on killing people as most Gotham villians. (In fact, he seems very dismayed that the Joker does in Gaiman's classic "When Is a Door.") And it's a fine line to walk, because Eddie is supposed to be all about the smug arrogance, and if he's thinking of himself in such negative terms, well...that's a bit strange. And what the heck was the deal with that dagger?
Still. Loving it. I'm hoping he will stick around, whatever people say. He has a good vibe with the girls, even if he can occassionally overpower them. Harley was adorable (as was Eddie's dwindling patience), and it was pretty cool learning that Ivy can control her appearance to that degree. I'm sure she's up to something, but I'm kinda hoping that maybe it is--for now--as simple as wanting a purpose in life. Supervillians trying to live like civs always makes me smile.
Still not really a fan of this artist, though. He's...okay. I mean, he's good. He's doing things well for the most part, but there are wierd bits, like the pen and the dagger that just confuse me and throw me out of the story for a bit. Dunno. But it's still making me excited to get the next issue.
Boo-sha. Man, I feel in a Riddler-y mood now. Plus Rogues. The Rogues-comm has been crazy-awesome this past week or so.
Unrelated to recent comics, I finally picked up the first trade of Gotham Central today, and I think it's my sweet spot for the week. Pretty much everything I've been wanting in a Gotham-book. Well, everything I've been wanting and not getting (because I always want Riddler and Harley in my Gotham). But it's perfect. It's Homicide: Life on the Streets, but where the cops have to deal with Gotham's level of crazy. And we actually get to see the fall-out and it's effect on normal people. It's fascinating, and the art is just gorgeous. Little dark and gritty without going overboard, fitting the dark humor of the precinct, working absolutely perfectly with the story. Love it.
WEEKEND!
Let's see:
Batman and Robin #9
This series is continuing to underwhelm me, but at the same time, every time I close the book, I feel like I have a reason to get the next one. I guess that's...if not good, at least very effective writing.
Morrison's always had fun with his dialects. One of the reasons MirrorMaster II was so memorable when he burst onto the scene was that Morrison decided to use his own Glasgowegian background to his best advantage, and as such, McCulloch's dialogue was barely decipherable, but completely delightful all the same.
This is not the case with most of his English characters. Even the more subdued ones are making me cringe. And the over-the-top ones are not just over-the-top--they are flat out wrong. I dunno, maybe I'm not as familiar with the accents and all, but I'm almost certain that even if you're going for blatantly sterotypical dialect, you're still not getting the actual sounds right.
I like the touch that Bruce Waynes memories inevitably drive anyone else made, even his own clones. I love the clone (with all of Batman's memories) telling Damian "U wer mi biggest mistake." Gosh, Damian, I hope that stings, you annoying little prick. Though it's hard to not grin at the boy's response. I dunno, Damian reminds me of Axel in tha he's a hard nut to crack. Does he actually feel anything in regards to how other people percieve him? Can he even be emotionally hurt? He gets on my nerves.
Set-up for the upcoming return of Batman is nice. I've really enjoyed Dick as Batman, though. It's not a role I think he should stick with, but that's why it's usually fun--because he's really not good at being Batman, and almost anyone with experience with the original can tell.
It' weird. Morrison's not hitting it out of the park for me, so much. It's not mind-blowingly cool, even if it is a little weird. It's just...there. But, y'know...I keep reading it.
Still not sure if I'll pick up next month's.
Blackest Night #7
I do love Reis' work on this, though props nee to be given to the inker and colorist as well. Probably especially to Sinclair the colorist, because this thing has to be a you-know-what to color. I'd get a headache doing one panel of all that light and lanterns stuff.
I feel sad about Ganthet because he was one of the few Guardians who actually had emotions and took accountability for his actions. Poor Sayd. Loved Crane's throw-away "FLY, MY MONKEYS!" line. Was kind of...bored, really, for Lex going nuts. I'm sorry, basically we're just seeing Lex's psyche laid bare and...it's nothing interesting. Lex is interesting when he's plotting, scheming, smiling, and often barely seen. His motives and desires are nothing new, and not even anything deep. Wonder Woman's response to his wanting to be Superman is pretty much anyone's response. Bored.
Splash page of all the various Lanterns is pretty sweet, especially since it fetures a sexy Guy Gardner right up front. (And to anyone who still thinks he's just a thug...gotta read the latest Green Lantern Corps with that manly hug and all. Bless, poor guy...)
The revelation of Life starting on Earth is...kinda weak. I've seen people praising Johns for shaking up the status quo of Earth always being the backward little hick planet, but that's because we're trying to stay at least slightly true to the world we all know. Whatever, it's just a bit medival is all. The Entity...um. I'm actually hoping Johns doesn't lay down any hard-and-fast rules with this stuff, because I'm thinkin' we're getting closer and closer to downright theology, and it's probably a bit better to play fast and lose in a shared universe like DC.
Aaand...White Lantern Sinestro.
So yeah, basically this issue was the big flash-bang fight scene that I usually get mildly bored with in a movie. It's not bad--it's gorgeous, still well-written and all. It just feels like...not so much.
Gotham City Sirens
HOH YEAH! Now that what I'm talkin' about!
Okay, first I guess I must make the obligatory comment of "This is supposed to be a book about the girls! Why are they relying on a guy to come in and help them!"
Except...heck, this is the most I've enjoyed this series since the last Eddie-centric issue. Let's face it, much as I love Harley, Ivy, and Selina, I love the Riddler so so so much more. He's an absolute delight. And there's something great about him being surrounded by three gorgeous, super-sexy womens, and still basically being a nerd. Some light banter, but mostly very business-oriented. ("And the body...?" with that little gesture. Heh, classic.) I love the almost dismissive "I had a bomb go off in my face" bit (and the way it ties into a convienient excuse for him to wear his mask). Reminds me of a concept someone on S_D was tossing around awhile back about Eddie and his secretary wearing gas-masks and playing cards while waiting for Tuesday's toxic gas from the Joker to dissapate.
I actually do feel a little apprehensive about Eddie's fate, which is good writing. I guess that given the Rogues and all, I'm feeling a wee bit jumpy about my favorite bad guys. But I loved seeing inside his head--I mean, heck we villian fangirls love a bit of inner angst, and he's apparently got plenty. It does worry me a bit too, though. Is it remorse? Is it the beginnings of relapse? I really hope it's the former, though I'm not thrilled with Dini having Eddie refer to himself as a "murdering rat." There's probably been collateral damage that I've forgotten about, but the Riddler's never been as big on killing people as most Gotham villians. (In fact, he seems very dismayed that the Joker does in Gaiman's classic "When Is a Door.") And it's a fine line to walk, because Eddie is supposed to be all about the smug arrogance, and if he's thinking of himself in such negative terms, well...that's a bit strange. And what the heck was the deal with that dagger?
Still. Loving it. I'm hoping he will stick around, whatever people say. He has a good vibe with the girls, even if he can occassionally overpower them. Harley was adorable (as was Eddie's dwindling patience), and it was pretty cool learning that Ivy can control her appearance to that degree. I'm sure she's up to something, but I'm kinda hoping that maybe it is--for now--as simple as wanting a purpose in life. Supervillians trying to live like civs always makes me smile.
Still not really a fan of this artist, though. He's...okay. I mean, he's good. He's doing things well for the most part, but there are wierd bits, like the pen and the dagger that just confuse me and throw me out of the story for a bit. Dunno. But it's still making me excited to get the next issue.
Boo-sha. Man, I feel in a Riddler-y mood now. Plus Rogues. The Rogues-comm has been crazy-awesome this past week or so.
Unrelated to recent comics, I finally picked up the first trade of Gotham Central today, and I think it's my sweet spot for the week. Pretty much everything I've been wanting in a Gotham-book. Well, everything I've been wanting and not getting (because I always want Riddler and Harley in my Gotham). But it's perfect. It's Homicide: Life on the Streets, but where the cops have to deal with Gotham's level of crazy. And we actually get to see the fall-out and it's effect on normal people. It's fascinating, and the art is just gorgeous. Little dark and gritty without going overboard, fitting the dark humor of the precinct, working absolutely perfectly with the story. Love it.
WEEKEND!