Monthly archives: September, 2007

Sep172007September 17, 2007September 17, 20073Commentsby Fin Fang Doom

Random Thoughts from 9/12/07

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JLA Wedding SpecialThe JLA Wedding Special has got to be the worst marketing idea in recent memory. First of all, nothing draws fanboys to a comic like having the word “Wedding” in the title, am I right? [No, I am not.] Second, DC Specials tend to be throwaway stories that are utterly avoidable, but this one wasn’t at all. Why DC would choose to make the first issue of Dwayne McDuffie’s run on JLA in anything but JLA #13 is beyond me, but I’m particularly confused as to why DC didn’t even bother to mention this was the first issue of McDuffie’s first arc. JLA #13, the first “official” issue of McDuffie’s run, is going to be part 2 of a story, and the vast majority of the readership probably won’t have read the Wedding Special. That makes absolutely no sense. This Special should have been JLA #13, if for no other reason that it would have sold a hell of a lot better.

Green Lanterns were all over the place this week, weren’t they? Alan Scott in Justice Society of America #9; Kyle Rayner in Countdown #33 and The Search for Ray Palmer: Wildstorm; Hal Jordan, John Stewart and Guy Gardner in JLA Wedding Special; Guy Gardner and Sinestro in Booster Gold #2; and of course everybody in Green Lantern #23. That’s well over two-thirds of the DC books I got this week.

Walking Dead 42Three issues of The Walking Dead in four weeks…it looks like Kirkman & Co. are finally back on track. TWD #42 was great, if only for the two-page spread of the townsfolk storming the prison. They’ve got a fracking tank! I had a feeling the Governor wasn’t dead, and even as gruesome as their previous encounters were, I can’t wait to see Michonne and The Governor go one more round.

I’ve got a feeling that this current arc on Superman would be a lot better if DC didn’t keep interrupting it with fill-in stories. Last issue was the special #666, which I hated, and before that we had the origin of Jimmy Olsen story. I didn’t realize that Superman’s been having the same problems that Action Comics has with interrupting the longer arcs with meaningless fill-ins. Those random changes is what made me drop Action, so I guess it’s a testament to the quality of the work that I’ve been able to overlook it (and up to this point, not even realize it) on Superman.

X-Factor #23 was the best book of the week. Imagine that. (more…)


Sep152007September 15, 2007January 12, 20093Commentsby Jean-Claude Van Doom

Book of Doom: Daredevil #100

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Huh, apparently the guys weren’t very excited about this (mildly) monumentous moment in Daredevil history, because only one other Doomer joined in for our collective review, and you won’t believe who it was. Since we didn’t have much contribution this week, how about you readers pipe in with some thoughts on the artistic mash-up that accompanied Ed Brubaker’s script?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketMy thoughts? Mainly, I was glad to get the Lee Bermejo cover. (no Michael Turner!) That was sort of counter-balanced by yet another $3.99 sticker tag. And for what? Some old crappy issues about Mr. Fear that are relevant to this current storyline but not necessary reading? I skimmed through it, but I would’ve gladly traded it in for a dollar, which I would’ve used to dry a load of clothes or something.

Extraneous junk aside, I thought the issue was pretty good and probably the best narrative handling of an anniversary issue artistic collaboration I’ve ever seen. Smart idea to use Matt’s poisoned nightmares as an excuse for each of the styles. And, for the most part, the styles worked out pretty well. It was especially nice to see Alex Maleev doing DD again, and he does as good a job as ever. I honestly really didn’t like the Gene Colan and Bill Sienkiewicz sections, though. They just seemed a bit rushed and rough.

As for the story, I said before that this was a big chance for Brubaker to rein in more readers to this series, since lots of people will pick up a big issue like #100 (although maybe $3.99 scared some off). And, while this was yet another strong entry in the DD series, I don’t think it did anything above what’s been going on in DD for years now: Shady behind the scenes characters plot to ruin Matt’s life. This book needs a change of direction from that, and something more substantial than a detour into Europe (though that was fun).

So, what’d the other guys think? Jim Doom had this to say:

“I haven’t been able to get to the comic store yet so I will not be able to participate in the book of doom.”

Well, at least he was nice enough to send a note. Fin Fang Doom didn’t even bother with that. My good man Doom Deluise, however, made an unexpected plate appearance to save the day:

“Finally, a Book of Doom that I actually got around to reading before Saturday! I still haven’t gotten around to those issues of Iron Fist or Captain America: The Chosen or Thor or Sub-Mariner or Silver Surfer: Requiem. Oh well. Like I said, at least I got around to this one. (more…)


Sep142007September 14, 2007January 12, 2009NoCommentby Jean-Claude Van Doom

Worst to First: 9/12/07

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Every comic but one on the list this week falls in the same category: mostly good but held down by serious shortcomings. Not bad, in other words, but it could’ve been a lot better. Ain’t that just the way…

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketWorst: Green Lantern #23

It’s not that I didn’t like this book, it’s just that I didn’t like it nearly as much as I liked the Sinestro Corps special. As expected, that humdinger of a book (in which pretty much every major villain was trotted out) left a bar so high that even Giganta couldn’t reach it.

The problem is that these villains are sooooo tough, it’s impossible to believe they can’t just wipe out everything in the universe at will. It’s implausible for Hal and pals to storm the baddy base, free the captives and storm out. Especially since a stare-down with ol’ Anti-Monitor only netted one casualty??? C’mon.

What made the book still a worthy read (and hard to put so low) was Geoff Johns sticking to his thesis of fear corrupting power. Not only did this create Sinestro, it’s forcing weaknesses in the heroes (Hal putting on the yellow rings, the Oans rewriting the book and allowing lethal force). It’s an obvious parable to our current environment (the reaction to a threat causing more problems than the threat), but it reads better without attaching the political commentary.

Preachy: Thor #3

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketAs I said before, the image at left sold me on buying this book. Tony Stark’s comeuppance has almost made Civil War worthwhile, and it hasn’t been done any better than here. JMS’s Thor is eloquently harsh (and then just harsh) to the resident Marvel a-hole, and the story does a good job of delivering a climactic confrontation while still leaving loose ends.

The problem with this book continues to be the hollow way in which Gods return to life. They just… do. Granted, I’m never one to expect a great explanation for the ol’ Phoenix routine (and hasn’t that taken on a nice double meaning?), but I expect a bit more than this. Whatever this is. Also, the treacly exchange between Thor and the little girl sent throbs through my sweet tooth. Still, man that was a fun butt-whooping.

Bendis is back: The New Avengers #34

It’s probably been two years since I gave up all comics by Brian Michael Bendis. I did so for pretty much the same reason as everyone else (every issue written the same, Secret War, snail’s pace, etc.). At the urging of Jim Doom, I’ve been reading a bit of this book lately with the thought of giving it a try. This was the week. (more…)


Sep132007September 13, 2007January 12, 2009NoCommentby Jean-Claude Van Doom

Q&A: Percy Carey (writer of Sentences: the life of MF Grimm)

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Hip hop has always had a connection to comic books, with super hero references slipping into songs and the mini comic Outkast inserted in their ATLiens release. All the same, last week’s publication of Sentences (Vertigo, $19.99) marks a new level of relationship between the two.

A true hip hop autobiography, the book relates the life story of Percy Carey, better known as underground emcee legend MF Grimm, through the many trials and tribulations he faced. The book begins in 1994, as Carey and his brother were shot on the way to meet with record execs. Instead of a record deal, Carey ended up paralyzed. His brother died.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketCarey struggled for several more years, selling drugs and guns, finally ending up in prison. There, he decided to struggle to better himself and those around him. In a recent exclusive interview, we talked about the story behind the story.

Jean-Claude Van Doom: I guess we can safely call this the first hip hop autobiographical graphic novel. How did you come to decide to tell your story in that way?

Percy Carey: The credit goes to my editor [at Vertigo]. Casey Seijas spoke with me and gave me the ability to get it accomplished. He really knew my story already. He was a follower of my music. Took me step by step and taught me the format. It was done by him reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity.

For you to say it’s the first of its kind, that’s a blessing to me. A lot of my life is the first of its kind. Finally I’ve found something I’m capable of getting accomplished. I recently made and distributed the first independent triple CD, with 60 songs. Every time I’ve done something, it’s out of, I want to say desperation to a degree. Before I met Casey, I couldn’t see tomorrow. He’s extended my life. I see a great future in the comic book industry.

JCVD: Had you ever read graphic novels or comic books before?

PC: I grew up reading Superman, DC, Batman. I always had a fascination for the Hulk. I never assumed that that would be something I would one day do. I’m just happy to be part of that.

JCVD: How did Casey approach you with the idea?

PC: He asked me to write about my life. My life, I found it very boring. He said, “No, it’s not boring. You just got to sit down and do exactly like you do with your music.” I realized there’s a lot of similarities. It became easy to get it done. But the true magic is to edit.

JCVD: What did you think of it once it was finished? What did you think of the art?

PC: The artwork is amazing. It lived up. I’m very proud. I’m proud to be part of Verigo. I’m very happy to still be alive today to teach others not to make mistakes I made. My arrogance. My ignorance.

JCVD: Your story is a hard one. There’s a lot of bad stuff in this book, both bad things happening to you and you doing bad things yourself. Was it hard to be that forthcoming about what you’ve been through?

PC: It became easier to go through it. One of the reasons I’m still on the planet is to learn humility. Being vain and arrogant, it will cloud your vision. It was a process I needed to go through. It was more therapeutic to express all the trials and tribulations I’ve gone through. (more…)


Sep132007September 13, 2007September 13, 200710Commentsby Jim Doom

$3.99

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It’s been happening for a few months now – more and more comics are getting nudged up to that $3.99 price tag. I could go on about how comics were only a buck when I started reading, but the point of this is not just nostalgia – can the comics market really sustain $3.99 cover prices?

I have opted out of series like “Silver Surfer: Requiem” and Jeff Smith’s Captain Marvel because of the cover price. I’m sorry, but I buy comics because I like reading them. Even if the pages are glossy and the cover is thicker, it’s still just a comic book, and so if I don’t have a good reason to pay $3.99, I don’t.

It appears to be indicative of a new age of speculation – attempting to impose an intrinsic value onto comics with nicer paper, multiple covers, special incentive editions. Each new gimmick designed to sell tends to only make me leave it on the shelf, and I imagine that I’m not the only one.

To make sure that I wasn’t just imagining things and getting grumpy, I went through the solicitations going back to the beginning of August 2007 to see how many comics were rising above the $2.99 cover price.
(more…)


Sep122007September 12, 2007September 12, 20073Commentsby Doom DeLuise

Countdown Presents the Search for Ray Palmer: Wildstorm

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countdown presents the search for ray palmerIf you’re still buying Countdown, I’d be willing to bet you’re either a) a masochist, b) a fan of watching slow motion car crash videos, c) illiterate, or d) highly delusional of the comic’s worth. It has none. However, if you still are buying Countdown, my guess is that you’re not enjoying it enough to buy all of the tie-in serieseses, like this one, the first issue of a multi-part presentation, coming from the pages of Countdown, titled, “The Search for Ray Palmer.” Ray Palmer, is, obviously, the former Atom, who left the scene a couple years ago after finding out that his ex-wife, Jean Loring, was the person responsible for the murder of Sue Dibny, wife of Ralph Dibny aka the Elongated Man, at the close of the stellar mini-series Identity Crisis (which was an amazing story, but, unfortunately presented other future storyline possibilities, most of which led directly into the Infinite Crisis, a fact so forward-thinking and well-planned that it knocks the book down to a solid C+). Anyway, after Ray disappeared, we didn’t hear of him again until the beginning of Countdown, when Bob the Monitor came to the Sourcewall (not exactly sure what that is) and it told him of a Great Disaster that’s on its way, which can only be stopped with the aid of Ray Palmer. Thus, the Search. (more…)


Sep122007September 12, 2007September 12, 20075Commentsby Doom DeLuise

Countdown: Thirty-Three

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countdown 33Welcome back, everybody. Just twelve hours later, sporting one wicked hangover, I’m back and ready to talk about this week’s issue of Countdown, which, for those of you keeping track, is the Countdown equivalent to “52’s” Week Nineteen, the week that Skeets made his full-fledged heel-turn and everything started going crazy. Has Countdown reached the same level of interest by this point? Has a clear-cut supervillain emerged from the pack to draw the story toward an end point? Is there a decent story being told here, at the very least? No, no, and not at all. Before we get too far into things, though, I’d like to take this time to bestow a very special award upon Mr. Carlos Magno, the penciller for this particular issue of Countdown. With all proper pomp and circumstance, allow me to present him the very first annual Award for Most Disproportionate, Sloppy, Confusing, and Otherwise Pathetically Amateurish Art, with special recognition for showing either clear definition of nipples or full-on ass-crack or camel toe when depicting Mary Marvel, in eight of the eleven panels in which she appears. It must take a lot of work to incorporate all of those boner-inducing, pre-pubescent snatch shots. Way to go, man! That’s what I call talent! (more…)


Sep122007September 12, 2007September 12, 2007NoCommentby Fin Fang Doom

A Public Service Announcement from Doomkopf.com

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The_More_You_KnowJustice League of America Wedding Special #1 is not a throw-away one-shot. It is in fact the first issue of Dwayne McDuffie’s run on Justice League of America, part one of “Unlimited,” starring the Injustice League. If you plan to read Dwayne McDuffie’s Justice League, you need to get this issue. Plus, it’s damn good. When was the last time that was true about a Justice League comic?


Sep122007September 12, 2007January 12, 20091Commentby Jean-Claude Van Doom

Book of Doom: Daredevil #100

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Who doesn’t love an anniversary? My oh my, it’s already been a cool hundred issues since… uh… since Marvel last rebooted Daredevil. Woop-i-dee-doo! Well, the alternative choices for Book of Doom this week were the Black Canary wedding special (not that I’m against a female-oriented book, but man does that sound stupid) and the new Suicide Squad. I would’ve gone that route, but the art looks horrendous and I’m sure Dave Campbell will break out of his a-post-every-other-week habit to lay the Suicide Squad on extra thick this week.

Jeez, do I sound bitter or what? I’m just waiting to see if I get stuck with the Michael Turner ass smearage cover. See below.

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Man, who doesn’t love a guy in red tights who thrusts out his package and has shoulders twice as wide as his hips? Cruelty to idiots aside, this is a fairly big moment for ol’ DD and a major issue for writer Ed Brubaker, in my mind. Since taking over for Bendis, Bru has kept up the high standard of this title. A lot of casual readers could use this as a jumping on point. Can Bru keep it going? Where’s the next surprise coming from? How can Matt escape Mister Fear? Will I be willing to pay $3.99 for yet another comic book?

Here’s what those money grubbing bastards at Marvel have to say for themselves:

COVER BY: MARKO DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: ED BRUBAKER
PENCILS: MICHAEL LARK
JOHN ROMITA SR.
GENE COLAN
LEE BERMEJO
ALEX MALEEV
MARKO DJURDJEVIC
INKS: STEFANO GAUDIANO
COLORED BY: MATT HOLLINGSWORTH
LETTERED BY: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS

THE STORY:
Daredevil fights for his life, facing his own worst nightmares come true! In a star-studded, triple-sized 100th issue, a red-hot roster of guest artists joins penciler Michael Lark to bring Matt Murdock’s history as the Man Without Fear to life, while DD struggles against that which he fears most! Don’t miss the first chapter of the groundbreaking third arc by the award-winning team of Brubaker and Lark–”Without Fear” begins with a bang! Featuring guest artists John Romita Sr., Gene Colan, Lee Bermejo, Alex Maleev, Marko Djurdjevic and more!!
104 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99


Sep122007September 12, 2007September 12, 20074Commentsby Doom DeLuise

Countdown: Thirty-Four

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countdown 34Hello, boys and girls. Are you ready for this week’s issue of the dreadfully awful series “Countdown?” Let’s hope so, because this is the fucking review of it. Let’s begin at the beginning. To start, Piper and Trickster are strung upside down by the side of a building, for Batman to find, by Poison Ivy and Deathstroke, I’d guess. Only, before he can do anything, Batman loses their control to Flash (Wally West), and that’s the end of that shit. Were they in league? They’d certainly seem…

…To be. And then, we’re sent off to that storyline about Jimmy Olsen. John Henry Irons is trying to figure out what’s wrong with Jimmy, to no avail, and yet, we find that he knows way more than he has…

…Any right to know. Jimmy has quite a bit of knowlege that he shouldn’t know. But his brain just seems to be growing and growing, in spite of the fact that the villains around Bart Allen’s grave are shrinking. That may seem lame, but it brings us to the Palmerverse, where we, fuck it. Let’s recap.

Queen Belthera is worthlessly annoying, Mary Marvel has nothing to say, those Amazon bitches don’t have a bit to talk about, Karate Kid is infected with the OMAC virus (so, so stupid), and that’s probably all.

Refer to the Doomino Effect, if you will, to see how these jerk Rogues are actually responsible for Flash’s death. That’s all I’ve got. I’m drunk as shit