posted
Which ones would I drop? This was hard because I've just recently started picking up some new titles, many of which I haven't read any or enough of to form a decisive opinion, yet. So I tried to limit my choices to titles I've at least read three to five issues of.....
1) Runaways: Cheating a bit here because I picked up my last issue last week. But what a horrible disappointment this was! I'd heard many good things about Moore, and I'd enjoyed Ramos's art in the past--but UGH! I really miss Vaughn & Alphona.
2) Action Comics: NOT excited about the exits of Johns and Kal-El and the entrance of a new Nightwing and Flamebird. Who knows--it could be a fan-favorite run, but I don't know if I'm willing to take that chance.
3) Invincible Iron Man: There's absolutely nothing wrong with this title--it's very well-written and drawn, but I'm just not a big Tony Stark fan. If I were in a pinch or if Matt Fraction jumped off, I'd have no trouble dropping it. It's a good, good comic, though. Weird, huh?
4) Booster Gold: This is probably a knee-jerk reaction to an 4 awful issues of fill-ins after Johns and Katz left, and I haven't read the first Jurgens-written issue yet--but this title is in huge danger of running off the tracks. I'm hopeful that Jurgens can right the ship, but four issues of barfy fill-ins was a mistake!
5) Angel: After the Fall: They're really dragging out the "LA in Hell" storyline. Recent issues have had very little progress in the story. To me it's obvious Joss Whedon's hand is not as firm here as it is on Buffy's title. It's had his moments, but I can't help but think the story could've been told better in 10-12 issues.
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
It's tough to say... comics I would drop I usually do. There have been books I've held on too long. Case in point:
1: Green Arrow/Black Canary Winnick's work has been hot and cold before our heroes got married. Since then, it's been just meh. I hope the new writer can make it work.
2: GLC I put this on my faves list because Kyle Rayner is in it, and he's a favourite character. If he left the book, so would I.
3: RASL Jeff Smith has me very interested in the story. But the 6 months between issues makes me forget it's even on my reading list. I could drop it and collect in trade years from now and not feel like I missed something.
4: X-Factor PAD is giving me a good story, but the art is in constant flux. If Marvel doesn't care about the book, why should I?
5: The Authority The Wildstorm books get bad rap from their history. With the recent World End storyline, they've really taken a chance. That said, when DnA leave (left already) the book, I think this could be the weakest of the relaunches.
[ February 03, 2009, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: CJ Taylor ]
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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1) Morrison/Quietley Batman As much as I liked RIP, I'm skipping Battle for the Cowl as it seems irrelevant, but if the rumours are true about Grant & Frank taking on Batman, I'll be there for that.
2) Hellblazer - Peter Milligan is consistently one of my favourite writers and if he can bring some of his old Vertigo magic back for this title, I'll be very happy.
3) Madame Xanadu - This has been a great read, and an interesting take on the character. Plus it's got that old Swamp Thing vibe, where DCU elements are blended in quite nicely with the adult storytelling.
4) Secret Six - while the first storyline is losing a bit of steam for me, I have faith Gail bring this title back up to it's awful goodness.
I'm at a loss for the fifth one. I'd Say Ambush Bug or Sub-Mariner, but those are both ending soon. I'm really on the fence about Willingham writing JSA, and may wait for the trade on Superman: Secret Origin.
From: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I'm going to pass on this round. As I'm in school now, I recently dropped almost all my titles until I start working again (plan on buying back issues when I start working again). So all told I dropped about 20 titles, maybe more.
From: Fort McMurray | Registered: Nov 2004
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TINY TITANS (it's cute and all, but if I had to...)
GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY... I can follow Dinah in JLA...
SHE-HULK... It just isn't the same post-Slott...
Hmmm... I may need to go check my pulls... BOOSTER GOLD is too fun to drop, JLA is a good way to keep track of many characters... BOP is already cancelled... it's likely between TITANS and TEEN TITANS... I'll go with...
TEEN TITANS... that damned 80s nostalgia keeps me with plain-TITANS...
So, changing subjects...what is currently the best creative team on a title you enjoy that's currently being published? Please give us some insight about why you think so and how it might compare to other past creative teams you hold in high regard.
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Even though they've only been a team for two issues, I have to say Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre, because Thunderbolts # 127 was one of those history-making great issues where words and pictures are so perfectly synchronized that it seems almost magical. They give the printed page the kind of excitement that I felt my early days of superhero comics from teams like Peter David & Dale Keown on Hulk or Bob Harras & Steve Epting on Avengers or, more recently, Peter David & Pablo Raimondi on the Madrox mini-series and (all-too-briefly) on X-Factor or DnA and Paul Pelletier on Guardians of the Galaxy. When writer(s) and artist are so in tune with each other you would think they're sharing one mind when they work, even though you know that they probably don't socialize with each other and might not have even met face-to-face.
Get Thunderbolts # 127 off the racks or as a back issue! Give it a chance!
posted
Stealth, those are pretty big words considering just the two issues. Lotsa variables, including whether or not they will be together longterm. In this day and age, it's hard to keep a writer and artist together even for a whole story arc. Hopefully, Diggle and De La Torre will be one of those, going by your enthusiasm. Maybe I'll check 'em out....
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
There are definitely some good candidates out there on current or recent projects that I read: Geoff Johns has terrific collaborations with Ivan Reis on Green Lantern, Gary Frank on Action Comics and the upcoming Superman: Secret Origin, Scott Kolins on Flash, Rogues Revenge and the Solomon Grundy one-shot and George Perez on Legion of Three Worlds. Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera are making some magic on Scalped. Robert Kirkman has awesome collaborations with Charlie Adlard on Walking Dead and Ryan Ottley on Invincible.
Honestly, there are a lot more great teams out there than I thought there were. But it comes down to Ed Brubaker's books for me and how all three projects he's currently working on are instant classics borne of a special synergy with his artists. Who can dispute what he and Steve Epting have done on Captain America? And he has a long history with Michael Lark, dating back to Gotham Central and currently bearing fruit for us on a gripping run on Daredevil.
But it's Brubaker and Sean Philips who I think set the bar for other creative teams in the industry. From Sleeper to Criminal and now to Incognito, this duo has produced about 44 issues of some of the very best comics I've ever read. I'd never been a huge fan of "gritty" art before I encountered Sleeper, but their collaborations have really opened my eyes in appreciation. Their words and pictures complement each other perfectly. Sure, they've never done a straight superhero comic, but I bet if they did it would kick some serious ASS! Brubaker and Philips set the bar in a way that compares favorably to the best collaborations Frank Miller & Klaus Janson. I'd say they're the Miller and Janson of this era and could probably teach Frank and Klaus a few tricks!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I tend to follow writers more than teams, but anything by Brubaker and Philips is going to get my attention (and quite likely my money) simply because they've captivated me with everything they've done so far. At first, I didn't like Philips' art, but it's grown on me and it has a distinctive style. I don't think Brubaker's crime stories would have the same feeling drawn by anyone else at this point.
Another team that makes me sit up and take notice is Morrison and Quitely. I haven't chased down everything they've done, but All Star Superman, We3, Flex Mentallo stand out from the crowd.
posted
I can't think of a writer/artist team I follow, but Simone and Scott are making me take notice. They were great on BOP and are amazing on Secret Six. Given time, these two will be a force to know in the comics world. Simone writes characters from iconic to twisted, funny through romantic, and Nicola Scott has managed to draw it all.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Like FC, I tend to follow writers more than teams, though some artists will get me to buy their books too. In fact, I'd say the Darwyn Cooke/Darywn Cooke team is probably my favorite
But to answer the question, probably right now I'd say DnA with Paul Pelletier. I've always liked DnA a real lot (and hey, I was one of the original posters who named them DnA in the first place!), but I don't think their Legion run was the greatest thing ever like some people--I'd call it 'great' but not 'one of the greatest'. Well, with everything they've done at Marvel in the last 3-4 years, I can now throw that notion away, because what they are doing now is some of the greatest stuff they've ever done, some of the greatest stuff in comics in general, and some of the greatest science-fiction space opera ever in comics. They are peaking right now, and have hit a level where they're just firing on all cylinders. Everything from pacing, to dialogue, to grand plots, to small character moments, to using very different characters interactin to their advantage is just so good I can't help but eat it up. And I especially like how they balance a solo title (Nova) with a team book (Guardians of the Galaxy), and I think War of Kings has the potential to be incredible.
Paul Pelletier is their partner on GotG, and he's an artist I've followed for years, since the mid-90's. His runs on Flash, Green Lantern (with Kyle) and the 90's Outsiders book (which hey, I thought was pretty groovy) were awesome because of his art. Then he went through a phase where it seemed like he wasn't really doing much, but then suddenly popped up at Crossgen with Negation and reminded everyone why he's an A-lister artist. Now he's made it over to Marvel and with DnA giving him a wide range of charaters and situations, he's really showing what a tremendous talent he is.
So in effect you have probably the best science-fiction team of authors in comics teaming up with one of the best science-fiction artists in comics, and they're just knocking it out of the park. While War of Kings is running, Pelletier is joining DnA there while another artist fills in for him on GotG, but that's cool with me, because I'm buying both and I'd like to see him draw the Inhumans and the Vulcan/Shi'ar characters along with everyone else.
Its a little hard to find a comparison that I really think works, because I won't be obvious and say something like Stan Lee/Jack Kirby, which this team is nothing like. Because DnA are so specific and almost clinical in their delivery of every bit of the story, they remind me slightly of the greats Edmond Hamilton or John Broome who were masters at story-telling, pacing and using science-fiction to the stories advantage. Meanwhile, Pelletier's art is explosive and adds a lot of 'oomph' and action to some low level action sequences, giving the book a charge of energy even during dialogue sequences, so in that respect he does have hints of that Kirby style that Walt Simonsin, Neal Adams or even Todd McFarlane have. Not that his art looks anything like theirs, which it doesn't, but it has that same type of high-energy to it. In fact, his art is very pleasing on the eyes, while all those other guys don't always have that...Pelletier makes his characters full of emotion and yet also very atractive, which is a very modern combination of past styles.
So in other words, they are rocking right now, and definitely on my radar as one hell of a combination. I picked up the War of Kings mini-series entirely on the basis of their involvement.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
When I think of Pelletier, the main artist that leaps in my mind for comparison's sake would be Alan Davis. I'm not saying at all that Pelletier is an Alan Davis knockoff, but their styles remind me of each other in a way. A very clean, yet dynamic style that harkens back to Perez and Byrne while simultaneously having a modern, progressive feel to it.
I'm happy for Paul and how he's finally getting his due. Yes, he got some attention for Negation specifically, but being the artist on a big Marvel event is certainly a big step up. And certainly Guardians has to be one of the very biggest "buzz" books in all of comics.
And, wow, DnA! In the past few weeks I've read their entire run to date on Nova (including the Annihilation mini), and I am beyond impressed. I never gave a lick one way or another about the character before, but now, I'm a fan because of this great writing team and a number of talented artists they've worked with.
Guardians, I've only read the first two issues, but own all the rest except, frustratingly, issue three (the second printing copy I obtained of issue three had the contents of an issue of Ultimates 3 inside instead--YUCK! ), so I'm waiting to fill that one-issue gap before I proceed further. But those two issues sure are groovy!
I, too, am buying War of Kings because of DnA's (and Paul's) involvement. As good as their Legion work was, they've MAJORLY outdone themselves with their recent work at Marvel!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
If we're talking writers... I would follow DnA anywhere. From ForceWorks to Legion to Shadowman to GotG, they manage to make each book distinct. They defined USAgent and Monstress, brought creepy to Legion and Shadowman; they know how to tailor a book and make it distinct.
For that matter, GrayPal are of similar caliber. They made Hawkman soar after Geoff Johns left. They knock it out of the park each month with Jonah Hex. Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti have written some of the best characters in some of the lesser known books at both Marvel and DC.
I'd follow either team to any book they write.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Hm, one topic I'm interesting in is what current non-superhero comics are people reading that they're really digging. Anyone whose paid attention to my posts on Legion World in the last (6) months has seen I've gone out of my way to pick up things like different war comics, pure science-fiction comics like Dan Dare, and I'm a huge supporter of Jonah Hex and a large portion of the entire Vertigo line.
Don’t get me wrong, I love superhero comic books. In fact, I buy most of the DC and Marvel superhero titles and always have. Know my Dad and I buy at least 50 superhero comics from Marvel and DC alone. But lately I feel that so many creators, particularly at DC, are just getting the superhero genre all wrong, and so I’m enjoying a further branchout into other genres.
In fact, I’d say the current non-superhero comics I’m buying are (likely I’ll leave something out):
Vertigo House of Mystery Fables Scalped (in trades) Madame Xanadu Unknown Soldier Haunted Tank Young Liars Northlanders – trying it out
DC Jonah Hex SGT Rock
Icon / Marvel Criminal Incognito Powers Dark Tower comics
Dynamite Entertainment Battlefields: The Night Witches (and will get other Garth Ennis war comics)
Image Waking Dead Four Eyes Mice Templar Armed Forces
Dark Horse Umbrella Academy? – this might count as a superhero comic
IDW Fallen Angel (PAD’s masterpiece)
Other Atomic Robo – I will get to this in the thread once I read it. Lets say I came late to the party and plan to rectify the situation. Less Pov come down to casa de Cobalt and give me a spanking.
I’m also drawn lately to comics that are more ‘something else’ than superheroes. For example, DnA’s Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy are far more science-fiction than superhero books and that’s why they’re so good lately. I wish the Legion would get back to that slightly (hell, I wish Superman would get back to that). The Spirit is a crime comic, pure and simple, but I have to admit its been pretty lackluster since Cooke left. Marvel seems to have really gone all out in making some of their traditional superhero comics more outside the superhero genre: Thor, Incredible Hercules, Agents of Atlas, the aforementioned Nova & Guardians of the Galaxy, Skaar Son of Hulk and a few others are all able to stand apart from the typical superhero fair and give us something different. Captain America is basically a spy book and Daredevil is essentially a crime comic, so those have a nice niche too.
I’ve also picked up some random things: (1) Chuck Dixon’s war comic by Wildstorm, but I’m not sure if I’ll finish the series as it was ‘okay’ thus far; (2) Dan Dare, which was a blast but is currently over (and may now resume at IDW), (3) Skaar, Son of Hulk, which was pretty good but I don’t know if I’ll go back for more. Maybe, as I bought more than half the series.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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), so I'm waiting to fill that one-issue gap before I proceed further. But those two issues sure are groovy!
