Webcomic: Crossover and Major Events
This week’s webcomic is a homage to Comic Book Industry’s yearly traditon of “Major Comic Events!”
Included in this week’s strip are:
- One More Day
- Zero Hour
- Acts of Vengeance
- Invasion
- Crisis on Infinite Earths
- Secret Wars
- Our Worlds at War
- Annihilation
- Maximum Carnage
Check out the webcomic here:
http://www.spacebooger.com/index.php?comicID=41
Last Week In Comics: The Dream Team
The All New Atom #20 wraps up the majority of the story lines of the series thus far, including the villain behind all the weirdness in Ivy Town. Not only does it revel both Ryan’s wildest dreams we also get to see Ivy Town attacked by giant Godzilla rubber-suit like monsters… Seriously, what more could you want from a comic?
Amazing Spider-Man 549’s story was not as strong as the grip that Jackpot looks to have on Spidey’s rear.
Sticking to the really bad one liners:
Countdown #12 was not only weak in how it handled the side stories, but it also had the weakest punch ever!
Nightwing #141 was the BEST COMIC LAST WEEK!
I may have enjoyed Atom #20, but Nightwing 141 was everything I expect from a Comic Book, especially from a non super-powered hero. Many have said that the problem with Nightwing is that he is Batman-Lite. Because of this misconception I feel that many people have a hard time writing the character. Many writers tried to hard to do something totally different to avoid the “Batman-Lite” stigma; anyone remember Devon Grayson?
Starting last issue Peter Tomasi has began to handle Nightwing not as Batman-Lite, but as a hero who learned from and looked up to the Batman. Instead of approaching Nightwing as another Batman, Tomasi’s Nightwing is a homage to Batman - a Batman that the average person without powers and all that angst can relate too. This issue shows Nightwing studying New York so that he can patrol efficiently and even getting new gadegets, just like Batman. Also in this issue there is something that is nothing like Batman - Dick Grayson. In this issue we see Dick flirting and it seems natural and not as forced as Bruce Wayne. More importantly we see the rest of the DCU interact with Dick in a caring manner, as a person not just as a shadowy figure that they work with.
If you are in need of reading a good comic, a comic with a hero, a hero who is not full of angst, and a hero who is straight up likable then read Nightwing 141, it is the Best Comic of Last Week!
Batman Confidential 12 gives us the finale of yet another take on the origin of the Joker that is an enjoyable ending to fun story.
High Hopes in ‘08 for a Crisis Critic
Instead of doing my graduate work I was browsing over at Newsaram this morning and read three articles with Dan Didio regarding DC Comics in 2008. (one, two, three)
Before I share my opinion and speculation of DC Comics in 2008, let me share my opinion on the recent “big projects” of the DCU.
Infinite Crisis was met with mixed reviews, while I am not a big fan of giant crossovers I do enjoy reading them. The problem with company wide crossovers is that many times it breaks up the flow of the company’s regular issues. Infinite Crisis did not interfere with the the regulart titles too much, meaning that you had to read Infintie Crisis to understand what was going on in Superman’s regular title, or vice versa. After Infinite Crisis I was a big fan of the One Year Later (OYL) concept. One Year Later gave the writers a fresh start with continuity without giving up continuity. Some OYL titles were a huge improvement/success such as the Superman and Nightwing along with the great new characters and series such as the new Atom and Blue Beetle.
While the new series that came out of Infinite Crisis were very good the best byproduct was DC’s weekly series appropriately titled “52.” 52 proved to me that a comic publisher can have a huge universe wide event that did not interfere (for the most part) with the monthly titles. The success of 52 led DC to being a new weekly series almost immediately after its end, the Countdown to Final Crisis was not received as strong as its predecessor.
Countdown to Final Crisis is a comic that I have enjoyed, but I can easily say that it is not on par with 52’s writing, art, and appeal. Where Countdown went wrong was not the writing, art, or even appeal instead it was the fact that unlike 52 it directly tied into many of the regular ongoing monthly books. The direct tie broke the flow of the normal monthly books sometimes causing a story that seemed forced and out of place.
Looking into 2008’s future…
It seemes inevitable that DC will begin a new weekly sereies, and it has been reported that Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley will be helming the project. Possibly learning from DC’s sucess with 52 and the mistake of Countdown Dan Didio confirmed that the new weekly book, titled “Trinity”, will not be a direct link to the monthly titles but instead a stand alone book.
Didio also discussed another book, DC Universe #0, and dropped hints of what to expect from Final Crisis. DC Universe is a bridge that will take readers from Countdown and the monthly comics directly into the event that is Final Crisis. DC Universe, according to Didio, will not just connect Countdown to Final Crisis it will also lay hints to where the montly books will take readers. 
It has been rumored that Batman will die, some even thought he would become a God, Braniac and the Legion of Super-Heroes will play a larger role in the DCU. I have to say that even if I am against a company wide crossover, I seem to be magnetically drawn to them no matter how horrid I think they are, i.e. Civil War.
I know that I will be purchasing, reading, and ranting about Final Crisis, yet I do not think they will be too negative. I have renewed faith based off what has happened, and seems to be still happening, with the Superman and the Justice League’s Legion of Super-Heroes storyline. It seems that DC has learned to write great individual stories and arcs for monthly books that tie into the larger picture.
Didio and DC bring on the Final Crisis I am looking forward to it with high hopes, I am tired of being a Crisis Critic.
Some Ill Links
Sorry for the lack of an update yesterday. As you may have noticed on my Twitter that I was not feeling well yesterday, and today is no different…
Instead of a post yesterday today is a Double Post Friday: Breaking Links now, and Friday Night Fights later in the evening.
FOX News.com is reporting that the Joker may have claimed his first real life victim: Heath Ledger.
The FOX News website has quotes from someone who was close to the late Heath Ledger who said that the preparation and the role of the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie The Dark Knight may have lead to the prescriptions that the actor accidentally overdosed on.
“He said that ever since filming ‘Batman,’ he was having massive sleeping issues,” the friend said. “He became so into that role that it really messed with his head, on top of what he had to go through in terms of the paparazzi and missing [his daughter] Matilda. He just kept saying that nothing he tried helped him sleep and it was stressing him out like crazy. But I really feel like it was ‘Batman’ that tipped him over the edge.”
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329270,00.html
Some Space Ghost Love
Nick was the only person who took a guess about the origin of the Booger, and was wrong by guessing “Space Ghost.”
Since Nick is practically the only person who posts here here is some Space Ghost Love:
Last Week In Comics: Aquaman Talks to SuperFish!
In Superman Batman #45, our two favorite heroes continue their quest to rid the planet of Kryptonite. While excavating a large chunk of k-rock from the ocean Aquaman shows up fights Superman and gives him a guilt trip on doing “as they will.”
In Gotham Underground #4 we see Matches Malone (a.k.a. Batman) do his best Macgyver impersonation. This mini series is a lot of fun and a great read that is only enhanced by BatGyver.
Gotham Underground #4 is the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK!
The Question apologizes for a kick to the head in Crime Bible #4. I think what Renee means is that she is sorry that the series waited until now to pay homage to Vic Sage’s supporting cast. If you haven’t been reading this one wait for the trade, you won’t be disappointed.
Quick Reviews
Amazing Spider-Man 584: Lets see…
- Spidey saves a bunch of children by looking like a terrorist.
- Spidey trades a sample of his blood for a child’s life.
- Spidey’s blood will be used as a chemical weapon that will only affect his blood relatives.
- Spidey’s new enemy is close to Aunt May.
- Spidey retrieves his web-shooter from the recently deceased Spider-Mugger just as the police arrive to catch him “robbing” the dead body.
Blue Beetle 23: Jamie and his adventures against the Reach continues with less jokes and one hell of a good plan. With a plan as technical and detailed as the one used to infiltrate the Reach’s ship, there is no way he is as screwed as it looks at the end of the issue.
Countdown 14: In issue 13 we saw Donna take out her alternate self. Donna masquerades as…. herself… to take over an army of Belthera’s bugs. Now that the there is an army to join Kyle, Donna, and Ray to battle both the Monitors and Monarch’s army… Jason Todd is the only one left out of the action. Like predicted (and then discussed here) Jason Todd suits up again as Robin, Red Robin.
JLA Classified 51: This issue is a flashback issue to a flashback issue. Since JLA Classified takes place in the past and this issue is a flashback issue related to the previous issue, wouldn’t it be a flashback to a flashback? Anyways… In this issue we learn half of the back-story of the “God” from issue 50. Other than some good character moments this issue was not even as exciting as me trying to explain the whole flashback to a flashback stuff.
Legion of Super Heroes 38: Jim Shooter’s return to the Legion feels comfortable. I like the character moments and the background story more than the action in this issue. I have faith in Shooter and what may seem slow now will pay off in the end.
A History of Senseless Violence
Yes children, senseless violence is so good you need more of it.
Use this link as a reference: Wikipedia’s List of Dead DC Comic Heroes
Last Week In Comics: God takes out the Justice League
Teen Titans Lost Annual #1 read like a classic Teen Titans comic with the “new car” scent.
Many throwback, or retro, issues seemed forced, but this issue read like an old comic purchased from Ebay instead of the new release rack.
After 3 hours issues with villains stranded in a strange place, Salvation Run finally makes a Gilligan’s Island joke.
I always pictured God (any religion’s god) to look different than the one in JLA Classified 50.
If this is God, I pity those who do not fear the devil.
Quick Reviews
Countdown 16: After an explanatory issue and betrayal of our favorite Monitor, Bob, this issue seems to fall short on story. Jimmy’s powers are reviled as a link to the New Gods who have recently passed, and Jason Todd confronts a Batman who thinks like him… a.k.a. this Batman kills.
Green Arrow and Black Canary 4: In the last issue Connor was shot while the cast was escaping Paradise Island. This month’s issue begins where the last left off. It is a real emotional issue that is well written and even better drawn. Ollie shows his emotional side while the resulting reaction of every character in this book is perfect.
Green Lantern Corps 20: Laughing and a “Bwah Ha Ha” showing a real chemistry between Guy and Kyle. Kyle and Guy decide to move permanently to Oa, leaving Earth under Hal and John’s care. Mongul learns how the Sinestro Corps ring works while the Guardians talk.
Nightwing 140: I was confused, and still am, in regards to the beginning of this book. In the first couple of pages Batman tells Nightwing that he is to make the cave his base of operations, yet in the next scene Dick is back in New York.
That confusing stuff aside, Nightwing begins to study and learn New York inside and out so he can be effective in fighting the good fight. Along the way he stops a grave robbery and gets carried by what looked like the zombie corpse of the original Captain Boomerang. Needless to say good stuff.Superman 672: Bah… The bug that kidnapped Lana last issue is laying millions of eggs on the moon waiting to take over the Earth. The only good part of this issue was the interaction between Chris and Lois. Over the past couple issues I have become quite fond of Chris. He is kind of like Krypto in the fact that the idea seems silly at first but in the hands of a good writer it works.
The Amazing Spider-Man 546: I already wrote about this issue, you can read it here.
Last Week In Comics: A Serious Story Involving Aliens Enslaving the Human Race
First off: “O-H”…
I have read every issue of Countdown. Within the last couple of weeks the story is starting to work and become interesting enough to be one of my first reads of the week. In Countdown 17 we see Bob’s true motivation.
(Oh, and while looking at my Crisis DC Direct action figure I realized today that Bob looks exactly like the original Monitor… I may be late on this one but I was amused anyway.)
Underground Puritans, or Amish, or Zombie, or whatever… All New Atom 19 stays true to form as being one of the better comics each month.
The humor mixed with serious plot* in Blue Beetle 22 makes it my second favorite book right now after Booster Gold.
*as serious as a plot involving an alien scarab fused to a teenager’s spinal cord attempting to stop an alien race from enslaving all the people on Earth.
Can there ever be too many Ninja?
Batman believes so in Detective Comics 840 where we finally see an end to an action packed plot letdown that was the “Resurrection of Ra’s al Gul.”
…”I-O!”
Sunday Sales: One of a Kind… until Target finds out
Did anyone other than me notice that the person running from Supes (in the bottom left corner) is different on both shirts… Makes me wonder how “handsome” of a reproduction the shirt actually is.
I have it all wrong I have been getting all my Comic related “throwback” t-shirts at Target and Steve and Barry’s. For only $2.25 I could have ordered a one-of-a-kind t-shirt with the cover to Action Comics #1!
Damn those large corporations making me pay around $10 each!
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