Hey Folks, it's been awhile! For those who don't know, I've been directing and shooting a film for the last several months, which is why there hasn't been a new weekly report in a LONG TIME! Go to www.youtube.com/dynamarcfilms and check the weekly webisode series called FU MANCHU'S WEAPON OF EVIL.
So, instead of my original plans, I'm going to spew some opinions on what's good and bad in comics lately. Ah, where to begin?
How about the JUSTICE SOCIETY? I'm surprised that I'm loving the series since the departure of uber-writer Geoff Johns. Point of fact, the series has been completely refreshed! Yes, it has been prey to some standard comic book-isms, but there's been a level of danger and excitement that has kept me comig back. How about that new Doctor Fate? My money is on the theory that this new version of Kent Nelson will turn out to be the original one, somehow mystically recreated. Time will tell.
Over in BATMAN, surprisngly artist Tony Daniels has turned out to be one of the better writers of the new Bat-status quo. In fact, I'll take his work over the mind-f--cking that's being done in BATMAN AND ROBIN by overrated hack, Grant Morrison (c'mon, you saw that coming).
X-MEN lately has been slowly but surely getting back to being the powerhouse series of books that they were in the past. Loving Chris Claremont's trip back into memory lane with X-MEN FOREVER, and even Scott Gray has started getting the hang of the past X-Men with UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS. How about Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez on ASTONISHING X-MEN? Outstanding, to say the least. Even the regular X-books are gearing up for some major excitement. Hey, YOU BETTER BE BRINGING BACK PHOENIX/JEAN GREY!
The SPIDER-MAN books are still a mess despite attempts to reintroduce the classic villains. Too many writers equals too many voices on the book that do not make a cohesive whole, and like some of the X-books, The CLONE SAGA mini, which is telling stories of what was supposed to originally happen with that story, is better than what's going on in present in-continuity storylines.
The SUPERMAN books have been great, but I insist that the story could have been told without the need to separate Superman from his books and shunting him into WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON. If that story could have been contained in SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS, and shortened, it would be even better. As for the new SECRET ORIGINS book, uh-uh; writer Geoff Johns wants to recreate SUPERMAN THE MOVIE into the comic book continuity. So many things that have been well thought out since CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS are being left by the wayside here.
GREEN LANTERN and BLACKEST NIGHT have been superb. Geoff Johns again knows how to write an event! However, it's a great story but character bits don't seem to stick on Hal Jordan. It's a good thing Johns knows how to create story-driven epics because his characterization falls a bit short. Even FLASH: REBIRTH needs some character work amidst what is turning out to be an excellent stroy. Did you read issue #5? Why didn't anyone ever think of things like that before?? I won't spoil it, just read it. It was simply brilliant despite some reviewers bitching about the fact that the book was so delayed.
The negativity continues to abound over on the WONDER WOMAN section of the DC MESSAGE BOARDS, as expected because they are turning on writer Gail Simone, who in my opinion finally has created a relatable protagonist in Diana. So what's the complaint? People don't like the fact that Diana isn't "perfect" anymore. Oh, perish the though that Wonder Woman may have a little angst in her life and come across as a fully realized "human" character when instead she can be the automaton of the Gods!! Grow up people! WONDER WOMAN under the guidance of Simone and the beautiful art of Aaron Lopresti, continues to be one of DC's best reads from month to month... except when fill-in artist Bernard Chang on occassion draws Diana into the crapper.
And that's it for now- GO READ SOME COMICS!
