On the Chopping Block

[Alan M.]

Even though issues 1 and 2 didn't overly impress me, I was planning on sticking with Flash: Rebirth out of faith that Geoff Johns would ultimately give me a good story. But issue three today convinced me that...yeah, I'm just not digging this book.

At the same time, Wonder Woman and Runaways remain on the verge for me, dependent on a new storyline and a new creative team, respectively.

I guess, given that I have something like three or four titles I want to find a space for, this could be worse news, but I'm disappointed that I'm not enjoying all these titles more.

[Randy Jackson]

I would say Marvel is doing one hell of a lot better in terms of "fun" books these days. Lots of quality titles, new talent, fun ideas. Yes, the so-called standard bearers are kind of moribund, but there's definitely stuff worth looking at. Outside of Wonder Woman, there's little at DC that seems of the slightest interest to me. I had hopes for Greg Pak on Action Comics (and for the most part it's been good) but now it's getting dragged into the crossover murk.


Mark S. Ogilvie said:

At least they aren't marvel.

[Mark S. Ogilvie]

The Illuminati are blowing up worlds. Real heroic. Cyclops killed Prof X. The government has snatched the kids in the FF title (or at least evicted Reed and the rest from their home, but given that Maria Hill was in charge of that I'm sure at the very least blood samples were taken for future cloning experiments) and while things can be dark in the DCU at least the JLA isn't welcoming Lex with open arms. DC also has World's Finest which features a really good relationship between two female stars. in Uncanny Avengers Rogue would just as soon plant a knife in Wanda's back as look at her.

Batwoman started out strong but what made the title strong for me, from the art to the storylines has faded since the original authors left. I'll give it a bit more time, but unless there is some improvement I'll drop it from the subscription list and just go on a title by title basis.

[Randy Jackson]

Daredevil. Hawkeye. She-Hulk. Loki. Mighty Avengers. Hulk. Even Doop. Maybe not Marvel's top selling or top-promoted titles, but all fun, all quality.  I wouldn't complain about DC's output if they had books of this quality. 

It's easy to dwell on the negative, and both companies have plenty of that, no question.  Still, there's usually some quality out there, sometimes you just have to look for it.

[Mark S. Ogilvie]

If you are so inclined yes, Catwoman, Justice League Dark, probably just as good. But I'd trust a DC writer over a marvel writer to have a character do the right for the right reason. I've observed over the past few years that most marvel characters will only do the right thing when they have no other choice and what ever wrong they do vanishes in the goldfish level memories of the writers.

[Mark S. Ogilvie]

To clarify and because Safari won't let me edit, Before this becomes a DC versus Marvel thread. In my opinion the general tone of DC is far better for the characters since I feel marvel is far more interested in writing heroes as villains than heroes as heroes, despite that there may be some bright and ok single titles such as the ones you mentioned, the overall theme of the mu has been hero goes bad/crazy does something horrible, cries, repents, redeems and everyone forgets by next issue and I've grown very tired of that to the point where I just have no affection and mostly only disdain for the characters and writers at marvel. They have one story for these big events and that's the only story that they have for these big events, they just vary it a little. When they can go more than six months or so without a big event where the heroes act like villains I'll take another look, until then I try not to pay attention. Until then if I want to read a marvel character I like I go to the long boxes in the cellar where I have many thousands.
Not trying to be difficult, merely stating the way I feel.

[ClarkKent_DC]

Mark S. Ogilvie said:

To clarify and because Safari won't let me edit, Before this becomes a DC versus Marvel thread. In my opinion the general tone of DC is far better for the characters since I feel marvel is far more interested in writing heroes as villains than heroes as heroes, despite that there may be some bright and ok single titles such as the ones you mentioned, the overall theme of the mu has been hero goes bad/crazy does something horrible, cries, repents, redeems and everyone forgets by next issue and I've grown very tired of that to the point where I just have no affection and mostly only disdain for the characters and writers at marvel. They have one story for these big events and that's the only story that they have for these big events, they just vary it a little. When they can go more than six months or so without a big event where the heroes act like villains I'll take another look, until then I try not to pay attention. Until then if I want to read a marvel character I like I go to the long boxes in the cellar where I have many thousands.
Not trying to be difficult, merely stating the way I feel.

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

I recently dropped Adventure Time monthly. I'm going to just read it in hardback collections from here on.

[Mark S. Ogilvie]

You started it.



ClarkKent_DC said:

Mark S. Ogilvie said:

To clarify and because Safari won't let me edit, Before this becomes a DC versus Marvel thread. In my opinion the general tone of DC is far better for the characters since I feel marvel is far more interested in writing heroes as villains than heroes as heroes, despite that there may be some bright and ok single titles such as the ones you mentioned, the overall theme of the mu has been hero goes bad/crazy does something horrible, cries, repents, redeems and everyone forgets by next issue and I've grown very tired of that to the point where I just have no affection and mostly only disdain for the characters and writers at marvel. They have one story for these big events and that's the only story that they have for these big events, they just vary it a little. When they can go more than six months or so without a big event where the heroes act like villains I'll take another look, until then I try not to pay attention. Until then if I want to read a marvel character I like I go to the long boxes in the cellar where I have many thousands.
Not trying to be difficult, merely stating the way I feel.

[PowerBook Pete, the Mad Mod]

If you don't like Marvel, quit reading Marvel.

[Mark S. Ogilvie]

Indeed and I have. Shouldn't that apply to Randy and DC as well?

[PowerBook Pete, the Mad Mod]

Sure, and he all but says he has, but Randy's also offering up positives among the negatives.

[ClarkKent_DC]

Did I? I said several books I liked are ending.

Mark S. Ogilvie said:

You started it.



ClarkKent_DC said:

Mark S. Ogilvie said:

To clarify and because Safari won't let me edit, Before this becomes a DC versus Marvel thread. In my opinion the general tone of DC is far better for the characters since I feel marvel is far more interested in writing heroes as villains than heroes as heroes, despite that there may be some bright and ok single titles such as the ones you mentioned, the overall theme of the mu has been hero goes bad/crazy does something horrible, cries, repents, redeems and everyone forgets by next issue and I've grown very tired of that to the point where I just have no affection and mostly only disdain for the characters and writers at marvel. They have one story for these big events and that's the only story that they have for these big events, they just vary it a little. When they can go more than six months or so without a big event where the heroes act like villains I'll take another look, until then I try not to pay attention. Until then if I want to read a marvel character I like I go to the long boxes in the cellar where I have many thousands.
Not trying to be difficult, merely stating the way I feel.