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.

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

I may have to pick that one up, Rob. I'm a sucker for a good one-off, even if it IS in the New 52. (haha)

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

It's good stuff. It's disheartening to know that their work with Croc is apparently going to be scuttled, but it's definitely a worthwhile villain-centric issue. And even though it references past events, it tells you pretty much everything you need to know to enjoy it.

[Figserello]

Rucka mightn't have been flashy, but there was a depth and sincerity to his work on the character.  It was a sad day for Batwoman when he left the company.

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

Perfect!

I read the Batwoman issues where Wonder Woman guested, and found them to add to the WW story instead of compliment or even just co-exist with Wonder Woman. It felt like they mattered to the story of both of them. But that was before my mass exodus from DC.

Knowing that this book is self-contained makes me want to give it a try, though.

[Figserello]

It's disheartening to know that their work with Croc is apparently going to be scuttled

 

That old bugaboo continuity again?  This kind of thing makes me think they are training the readers not to give a toss about continuity.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Yeah, apparently someone else has plans for Croc, and they like those better, Or something. 

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

I like the idea of a shared universe, but I think it can go too far for my taste.

For instance, the Wonder Woman in her own book reflects a facet of her personality that is not portrayed in Justice League. I don't mind this, because think about how differently you act when you're around family, when you're around friends, college friends, friends from back home, when you're visiting your grandmother, etc. You're a different person when you're around different people, it's only natural.

As I was reading the latest two issues of Wonder Woman this morning, I was so happy that this book is in its own little world. Fantastic little segment of the DCU they've got there.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Definitely, The idea that the DC Universe is the same book, published 13 times a week, makes me want to throw up my hands and walk away. But individual gems like Wonder Woman and Flash remind me that things aren't *quite* that bad.

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

Careful, Rob. You're about to talk me into dipping my toe back into The Flash.

Right now, all I'm reading is Grant Morrison's Batman, Inc., Batman, and Wonder Woman when it comes to DC. The idea that Flash might live in his own little world too makes me think I could maybe live there once a month also.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

There've been precious few tie-ins with the rest of the DCU in Flash. (One's coming up this week, though, as he meets Bart from Teen Titans for the first time.) The only other DCU intrusion was a mild but entertaining one: At the end of one issue, Flash loses his powers inexplicably (they were stolen by the H Dial in Dial H -- another generally self-contained book!)... and the next issue he has to thwart a prison riot without them.  

The new Annual will feature a Flash/GL teamup (not a crossover, just the story of how they met), but in general, Flash tends to be off on his own adventures.

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

I finally gave up on Adventure Time. It's not for lack of quality; it's pretty much for lack of reading it. Luckily, my LCS manager told me to bring them back for store credit.

Likewise, awhile back I gave up on reading Bart Simpson and the other Simpsons comics, other than Simpsons Comics. There's only so much Simpsons I really have time to read. They're all high-quality and on awesome paper, but I just had so many issues stacking up unread that I had to let go of the other books.

I did keep the character one-shots, though. So far they've had Li'l Homer, The Malevolent Mr. Burns, Ralph Wiggum, Bart Simpson's Pal Milhouse, Maggie, and Dr. Frink. They all come with some kind of extra in the centerfold: Burns came with a Mr. Burns mask, Dr. Frink came with a pair of 3-D glasses to read part of his comic, and Milhouse came with a huge sticker in the style of Big Daddy Roth's artwork that says "THRILLHOUSE". I love that Bongo is so successful.

[Mark S. Ogilvie]

I think Adventure Time the comic can't quite match up to Adventure Time the cartoon.