#1 was okay for me - I don't know much astrology, I'm more interested to see what Giffen can do with creating a whole new world and Doran's art seems suited to this fantasy story. And I guess I should mention Wiacek on inks, Workman on letters and Kindzierski on the rather pastel colors....
There seems to be an overabundance of grapes and grape-shapes, which annoyed me, just because they were everywhere.
The story was background establishment but gave us some insight into the world and, I guess, one of the leading characters. This guy was from the house of Virgo, and this is Virgo's month, so I wonder if each month 's issue will focus on the sign appropriate to it.
I wasn't faint with joy and excitement, but I'll buy Issue #2.
posted
Just finished reading it. Great art by Doran, much better than what I saw in Orbiter. I wasn't sure what you meant by the grapes until I got to the final few pages. It was a bit much.
Keith's story was a little drawn out I think. Maybe it could have been told in half the time and got us to the wedding to set up the next issue better.
I'll keep on reading and hope for a quicker paced book next time around. And I wasn't aware this was an on-going. I thought it was going to be a maxi.
From: Utah | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I laughed at the Virgan characters attitude - I have a Virgan "friend" who is SO similar it's frightening!!
Loved the art and colours too, their subtlety is a welcome change from my usual monthly IYF fare...
Giffen has started with a recap of this counter earth's history so I hope so he'll probably start really going for it next month.
I agree with you Cramer that it wasn't the most excitement I've read this month but as I'm a Giff fan so I'm on board next month.
From: home sweet home... unless i'm posting from work | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I'd better say this up-front but I was a wee bit dubious about this book. I'm not to keen on Astrology and the whole premise sounded well dodgy to me!
However the fact the Giffen was writing the book, and by claiming that Reign of the Zodiac was going to have even more depth to it than 5 Year Later he convinced me enough to for it to go onto my shopping list.
So #1 was a complete change of pace from usual comics I buy. Very wordy and initially hard to follow as on the first reading you don't know who as talking to who. I re-read it immediately and found that the second time it was easier to understand. I did expect a fair bit of exposition in #1, after all this isn't just story-telling this is a new world they're building.
Anyway I cannot fault the art, and I'm sure once the story shifts up a gear I'll appreciate Zodiac more fully.
So...good solid first issue with excellent art and the promise of lot's on intrigue and excitement to come. That's enough for me to pick it up for the first 4/5 months. I just hope that Reign of the Zodiac lives up to the potential it obviously has.
From: Kernow | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Although I am certainly on board b/c of Doran's art, b/c I trust Giffen and b/c I want to see the world they can create together, I was not terribly impressed with the first issue. I thought it was jarring to have that (constantly interrupted) conversation open the book, partly b/c the colors on the word balloons were very similar and I couldn't always figure out who was speaking. On the other hand, the fact that it was Virgos having such a conversation was kinda funny, b/c it reminded me of a Virgo ex-bf, so I guess they scored points there. I'm still eager to read more; just not as impressed with the first issue as I'd hoped.
-------------------- Why are you laughing at me? It's unkind, as well as puzzling!
From: City of Angels | Registered: Jul 2003
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I really enjoyed this, maybe because I didn't have many expectations when I read it as some others here. The art was gorgeous, and the story gave us quite a bit of background on the world as well as insight into two main, I assume, characters. I agree that the colouring on the naration boxes could have been better.
I wonder if this was at all inspired by Amethyst. The set up reminds me of that title, and Giffen was the last writer on it...
-------------------- arachne3003.deviantart.com Current Obsession: Birds of Prey/Secret Six
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I had been thinking about getting this because of the concept -- reminded me of Amethyst, though Keith certainly didn't do that character any favors. I couldn't care less about Keith, and the reason I initially decided to skip it was because Colleen Doran was drawing. Everything I'd ever seen of hers looked like the people had spiders for eyes because she seems to have an eyelash fetish, and I could barely tell her men from her women.
But then I was exploring a new comic shop while on break from jury duty, and I picked it up. Wow! The art was great. I couldn't believe it was her. So I went ahead and grabbed it. Unfortunately, I found it rather boring. And it didn't help that the narration boxes were so similarly colored and, in at least two panels, incorrectly colored, I'm pretty sure.
posted
Love the art and the concept, but also found it boring. I will pick up a couple more issues. With Giffen I know his writing can take several readings in context and then it either stinks or is amazing. I can also seeing need to hit the message board to pick up on astrology references with which I am not familiar.
He could have given us more first issue reasons to give a darn about the characters or the worlds.
I thought the dialog boring and uneven, switching between old earth and contemporary. Throwing in contemporary phrases such as "shock and awe" withdrew me from the world, which he was trying to create.
From: East Toledo | Registered: Jul 2003
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Admit to growing bored with the backstory-- it ended JUST in time-- and once I was made witness to the current reality of Meridian, I grew ashamed thatI had been bored earlier. Going to the present made me really appreciate the beautyof the past.
This book is gonna be D-E-N-S-E. And good, I think.
quote: and once I was made witness to the current reality of Meridian
It probably means nothing, but when I saw Meridian and his constant references to the guy as "Scion," all I could think of was Crossgen. I kept waiting for them to mention the Virgo Sigil. Obviously, Crossgen can't copyright those words, but they jumped out at me.
Eric
-------------------- Geek Watch
From: Standing beside you in Ferndale, MI | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I wonder if the next issue is going to mirror the Grev Mallor/Lady Memory marriage form the TMK era. The groom-to-be doesn't resemble Grev - he's smart, but a smart-ass; it's more the reluctance suggested, that it's just an arranged marriage that made me think of the other story.
Of course, there's lots of precedent in history and story-telling for strategic alliance marriages.
From: Café Cramer | Registered: Jul 2003
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