So next week, something's out that I didn't know was forthcoming--a Captain Marvel/Genis-Vell Omnibus, by PAD of course. It collects PAD's entire run in one $150 package, which I may be able to get as much as a 50% discount on--or very close to it.
I've never read the whole run. In fact, I dropped it at some point during the initial series and again shortly after the relaunched series started. The only runs of PAD's I can remember picking up and dropping were Spider-Man 2099 and his second run on X-Factor. One significant run of his I never really gave a chance was Young Justice. I later revisited X-Factor and learned that it was very worthy of the effort. 2099 and YJ are on my radar to pick up at some point. So what about his work with Genis-Vell? It's hella tempting, especially because it continues with Rick Jones and Marlo where PAD left off with them on his Hulk run. Otherwise.... ...especially because of Genis' overall unlikability and, well, what appeared to be a big time heel turn on his part, as a major element of his arc.
YJ definitely yes. I'm glad to hear you plan to pick it up.
Spider-Man 2099 I think is just okay, but I admit I've never read the full run. A lot of it is down to my dislike of Rick Leonardi's art style. I don't hate him, but he definitely turns me off. I don't think we've ever discussed him, so I don't know if you like him or not.
Genis Omnibus I have to say no. Especially because of the heel turn you already mentioned. To put it another way, that is the only extended PAD run that I got rid of. And that wasn't a decision that came lightly. If I'm generous, I can say there's two or three storylines that almost make the grade. But that's still not worth even 75 dollars, much less 150, in my opinion.
Same advice as above. The YJ run is just good irreverent fun, except when it has a few heavy moments, but PADs exploration of Genis never really worked for me, and I like the character (mainly from his Thunderbolts and Avengers Forever appearances).
YJ definitely yes. I'm glad to hear you plan to pick it up.
Spider-Man 2099 I think is just okay, but I admit I've never read the full run. A lot of it is down to my dislike of Rick Leonardi's art style. I don't hate him, but he definitely turns me off. I don't think we've ever discussed him, so I don't know if you like him or not.
Genis Omnibus I have to say no. Especially because of the heel turn you already mentioned. To put it another way, that is the only extended PAD run that I got rid of. And that wasn't a decision that came lightly. If I'm generous, I can say there's two or three storylines that almost make the grade. But that's still not worth even 75 dollars, much less 150, in my opinion.
Originally Posted by Set
Same advice as above. The YJ run is just good irreverent fun, except when it has a few heavy moments, but PADs exploration of Genis never really worked for me, and I like the character (mainly from his Thunderbolts and Avengers Forever appearances).
I think you two have helped slam the door on any crazy impulse I might've had to pick up the Genis Omnibus! I think, now, the only way I'll pick it up is if it ever gets discounted down to 70-80% down the road. We'll see.
I was hoping that because it ran so long between the two volumes, that the overall arc might redeem the heel turn and make it all make sense. I was enamored with the character when I met him in Avengers Forever, so I thought this might become a signature PAD series when it was announced. This seems like it was a real puzzler in PAD's portfolio, which matches my interaction with it.
Would anyone care to provide some Rick & Marlo spoilers from this run? I honestly don't know whatever became of Marlo during and after this series.
With YJ, I'm just waiting for an Omnibus or some other attractive collection to come along.
Spider-Man 2099 is getting renewed appeal from me because MIguel is a major character in Across the Spider-Verse, the second of the terrific Miles Morales movies that me and my sons both love. An Omnibus of PAD's Miguel stories was released earlier this year, and I've held off on it to this point. I remember liking Spidey 2099 at first. I can't remember whether I fell off because of disinterest or whether it coincided with the closing of my original CBS. I think the former, but I'm unsure.
RE: Rick and Marlo in the Genis-Vell Captain Marvel series, his adventuring absences put a strain on their relationship, and she left him for Moondragon. I think Marlo also ran a comic book store. That's all I remember off the top of my head.
And regarding YJ, I just had a quick look at the availability of the six volumes that were released a few years ago. They seem reasonably priced if you can find them, and they do collect the entire run.
Did anyone read the new Genis-Vell mini he wrote last year?
I read it, but I wish I hadn't. It's a downer.
Marlo becomes the new avatar of death or something like that. I suppose, given her long-form character arc, that it was a logical outcome, but it still left a bad taste. Poor Rick, he just can't seem to have anything go right for him.
Honestly, Marvel should just pay creators like David, Ann Nocenti, J.M. DeMatteis, what they're owed instead of assigning them to these nostalgia bait minis as a means for quick cash.
Of course in DeMatteis's case, everyone's now saying he should be on AMS instead of Zeb Wells.
Honestly, Marvel should just pay creators like David, Ann Nocenti, J.M. DeMatteis, what they're owed instead of assigning them to these nostalgia bait minis as a means for quick cash.
Agreed. All three (among many others) have contributed so much that, not only should they be financially compensated, they should be allowed to publish creator-owned projects with Marvel promoting them. I so wish PAD could find a new venue for Fallen Angel!
Originally Posted by Sarky
Of course in DeMatteis's case, everyone's now saying he should be on AMS instead of Zeb Wells.
I was going to add, "and PAD should be on Fantastic Four instead of Ryan North," but then I remembered that I hate the F4 because of what Jonathan Hickman did with them.
I just finished rereading PAD's Green Lantern feature in Action Comics Weekly 608-621 and was surprised by how little I liked it despite it have an interesting premise - Hal learns he has never really been fearless and suddenly has to cope with fear while doing his duty. It could be the 8-page serialized format; although, other features were good and made good use of it. Or maybe it's that I generally find Earth-bound GL adventures underwhelming. If anyone else has read this, I'd be interested in their thoughts.
Can't help you there, Rob. Sorry. PAD's Green Lantern has always been one of those "I'll read it someday" things to me. It's not just that I have misgivings about it, some of which are reflected in your review -- the other problem I have is that, to my knowledge, PAD has never discussed his GL run, on his old blog or anywhere. And he's usually forthcoming about his past runs, even the ones which were not pleasant experiences...which leads me to imagine it must have been a really bad experience, maybe even his worst.
I honestly forgot that PAD wrote the GL feature, at least for part of its run on ACW. I was certainly aware of him by then, so that's surprising. I remember that though GL was one of my favorite features, I hated Katma Tui's violent slashing death by Star Sapphire. Was that PAD's script, or had that already happened when he took over?
Lardy, I hated Katma Tui's death, too. Thankfully, it wasn't PAD's script; it was Christopher Priest under editorial pressure from Denny O'Neil, who I would like to think was also under pressure from those he answered to, because I like Denny. Whatever the true circumstances, it was a very unfortunate event.
Fun Fact: PAD's artist on GL was Tod Smith, who would go on to do what I consider some very underrated work on issues 26 through 50 of Marvel's Darkhawk.
Lardy, I hated Katma Tui's death, too. Thankfully, it wasn't PAD's script; it was Christopher Priest under editorial pressure from Denny O'Neil, who I would like to think was also under pressure from those he answered to, because I like Denny. Whatever the true circumstances, it was a very unfortunate event.
Fun Fact: PAD's artist on GL was Tod Smith, who would go on to do what I consider some very underrated work on issues 26 through 50 of Marvel's Darkhawk.
Years later, when Johns took over GL, he slightly retconned Katma Tui's death by saying she was killed by *A* Star Sapphire but not Carol Ferris.
The Christopher Priest (then James Owsley) GL bookends around PAD's Action Comics Weekly run weren't particularly good either. It really felt like no one knew what to do with Hal but DC felt they needed to publish some GL stories.
On a side note, Mark Bright drew some of those Priest GL stories. I remember liking Bright's art but I didn't remember his style being so reminiscent of John Byrne.
...On a side note, Mark Bright drew some of those Priest GL stories. I remember liking Bright's art but I didn't remember his style being so reminiscent of John Byrne.
A further aside, Byrne worked with Bright on a FF Annual...I distinctly remember the cover being signed "Byrning Bright".
I have to admit to being a little jealous of your Peter David Hulk run collection. I picked up a few of those at the time and they were great reads that I appreciate more now in retrospect.
I have to admit to being a little jealous of your Peter David Hulk run collection. I picked up a few of those at the time and they were great reads that I appreciate more now in retrospect.
Thanks, Stile.
Yes, that run is quite an accomplishment. And I've said this a couple times before in other threads, but it bears repeating here: one of the reasons it was so good was that Peter was not a Hulk fan before he started his run. So he had the all-important distance that I think a writer needs for such an assignment. Total fearlessness to explore, and a lack of sentimental attachment to any tropes.
Also, Marvel has done an unusually good job in piecing together the run for consumers. The Hulk Epic Collection trades are now close to collecting the entire run.
Y'know, it's weird to me that the Aquaman Omnibus by PAD, which is described as "complete" in its descriptive blurb, does NOT include the terrific Atlantis Chronicles mini by him and Esteban Maroto. Sure, it would be another 300+ pages to an already stuffed omnibus, but a lot of the mythology within it informs PAD's subsequent run. I guess because Arthur/Orin only gets a cameo, it was deemed unnecessary? Frankly, I'd rather have it split into two volumes than for such a great and essential story be left out.
I agree with you, Lardy. The Atlantis Chronicles enriches and enhances the stories in the Aquaman series proper. It's also a good resource, like the Atlantis equivalent of the Secrets of the Legion of Super-Heroes miniseries from the early 80s.
...especially because of Genis' overall unlikability and, well, what appeared to be a big time heel turn on his part, as a major element of his arc.
