Comic Books and Graphic Novels

[TransWarpDrive]

This thread is for those of us who, like Kim's cousin Larry and Ned from Bueno Nacho, are comics fans. Feel free to post about your favorites, and discuss different aspects of the world of comics and graphic novels.
My favorite comics are, of course, Batman and the Fantastic Four. I was fascinated by Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" mini-series back in 1986, because it helped redefine Batman's character and gave sales of his various titles a boost. This storyline, along with his "Batman: Year One" series about a year or two later, had a profound influence on the making of some of the recent "Batman" movies. References to the fictional island of Corto Maltese, part of a sub-plot in "Dark Knight Returns," were made in the 1989 movie starring Michael Keaton. Also, characters and incidents from "Year One" were a big part in the screenplay of "Batman Begins."
I read "Batman" comics as a kid back in the 60's and the 70's (watched the campy TV show, too); bought the magazines regularly in the 80's and 90's. Haven't been reading them lately, though; as with the F.F. mags (see below), I've been unfortunately sidetracked by this thing called "Real Life." (Does anybody know what that's all about?:huh:)
I got into the F.F. on a regular basis in the early 70's, back when the minister of our church (the one that also sponsored Dad's Boy Scout troop) resigned and moved away to a new congregation. When they moved out, his two boys left behind several bags of comic books - Marvel, DC; Archie - that kind of stuff. I started reading the back issues of "Fantastic Four" and I was hooked - I went through those bags and claimed all those F.F.'s as mine! I still have them, stored away somewhere...*
I read them regularly during the 70's, although, as I graduated high school and went on to college, I kind of lost track of them. I picked it up again in the 80's and 90's, only to drift away once more as the new century dawned. Maybe I'll get back to them again one day...
Anyway, I loved the "Fantastic Four" movies - they got the individual characterizations and the F.F.'s group dynamics just right; Ben and Johnny squabbling all the time; Reed's absent-mindedness once he starts working on a project; even Sue's feeling like a beleaguered Den Mother with a pack of hyperactive Cub Scouts - the cast just nailed it! :thumbup: I loved Stan Lee's cameo in the first film as Willie Lumpkin, their mailman - ironically, Lee has aged to the point where he resembles Lumpkin the way Jack Kirby drew him back in the early sixties! :laugh:
I also enjoyed "Rise of the Silver Surfer," although I was disappointed by the way that film depicted Galactus. We never saw the character as a person; only as a huge cloud of dust and debris as it encircled the Earth prior to devouring all of its life energy. I really felt the filmmakers could have handled that better.
But enough from me - let's hear from the rest of you.
As Stan Lee used to say at the end of his columns:
Excelsior!
:D


*EDIT: Our Scout troop was among the volunteers from the church who helped renovate the parsonage for the new minister and his family. That's how we got hold of those comics; Dad brought them home one night shortly after the renovation project began.

[jeriddian]

I collected the Silver Age comics as a youngster. The pride of my collection are near mint collections of the silver age X-MEN starting with Giant Size #1, and Issue #94 going all the way through the new international team, the introduction of Wolverine, The Dark Phoenix saga, and aftewards, until about issue #250. I stopped there because I was already well into my graduate schooling and didn't have time, plus I didn't like Bill Sienkowicz's art style at all. I have several complete collections inclduing the New Teen Titans, the actual ones the cartoon is based on, plus a few others. Today I don't do much collecting. The only ones I stay with are Spidergirl and Usagi Yojimbo. (gotta love Stan Sakai's work.:))

[canuck31003]

I was more of a Marvel fan than DC. I used to collect X-Men, The Amazing Spiderman, and Wolverine comics. I'm still a fan, but I'm afraid I stopped purchasing comics about the time before I entered university, and I guess I'd been collecting for 5 years or so, trying to get all the back issues, too. I stopped collecting because I just got tired and depressed when reading them -- the main characters never seemed to achieve happiness for any length of time. Just when they reach a happy place everthing comes tumbling down - perhaps a characteristic of long running comics in order to try to keep things moving.

I felt the plots were too soap opera-like -- I got tired of the constant emotional up and downs. At one time in Spider-man there was a "who's the clone, Peter or Ben" story. They actually had a fan vote to decide. The Peter we'd been watching forever was the clone, and the comics then focused on Ben as the "real Spiderman" while Peter lost his powers and retired on the west coast never to be seen again -- it was billed as a huge event, with whole new story-possibilites opening up, a rejuvenation of the franchise, a whole new mythology about to be created. Except that apparently Ben-as-Spiderman didn't do too well, so oops... *Ben* was really a clone, and Peter is now the original et cetera. Oh yeah, and the Peter-MJ daughter kidnapping irked me, too.

Anywhoo, although I stopped buying comics, I'm still a big fan of the characters.

[kyojikasshu]

I felt the plots were too soap opera-like -- I got tired of the constant emotional up and downs. At one time in Spider-man there was a "who's the clone, Peter or Ben" story. They actually had a fan vote to decide. The Peter we'd been watching forever was the clone, and the comics then focused on Ben as the "real Spiderman" while Peter lost his powers and retired on the west coast never to be seen again -- it was billed as a huge event, with whole new story-possibilites opening up, a rejuvenation of the franchise, a whole new mythology about to be created. Except that apparently Ben-as-Spiderman didn't do too well, so oops... *Ben* was really a clone, and Peter is now the original et cetera. Oh yeah, and the Peter-MJ daughter kidnapping irked me, too.

I wonder what you'd think of "One More Day" and the subsequent reboot, then.

My first superhero comic was Iron Man. Tony Stark was just getting back on his feet, Rhodey was wearing the classic armor, and the West Coast Avengers were just starting out. Rhodey went nuts (the result of the armor's cybernetic controls not being calibrated for him), forcing Tony to don a new prototype that externally resembled his original armor in order to stop Rhodey; they reconciled, fixed the armor, and had to deal with Dr. Demonicus, before Obadiah Stane, the man who had maneuvered Tony into the gutter, reared his ugly head again; Stane's actions caused Tony to don the newly-completed Silver Centurion armor to go after Stane, who opted to face Iron Man head-to-head as Iron Monger.

I stuck with Iron Man for a long, long time, through the Armor Wars, Tony getting shot by a psycho girlfriend, the revival of the Mandarin, the second Armor Wars (which was unrelated), the Dragon saga (which tied the Mandarin's origin to Fin Fang Foom), Operation: Galactic Storm (which marked the second rift formed between Tony and Captain America, the first occurring during the first Armor Wars), the debut of the Variable Threat Response Battlesuit, a.k.a. War Machine, Tony's faked death and subsequent revival, and the formation of Force Works. It began to lose me with "The Crossing", and really lost me with the alternate-timeline teen Tony. (It didn't help that the art on the book became increasingly inconsistent, either.) By Onslaught and Heroes Reborn, I'd lost interest.

I also followed Captain America for a while, but my favorite superhero book (aside from Iron Man) was Alpha Flight. It was actually because of Alpha Flight that I started following the X-Men family of books for a while, seeing as how the team had its origin in The Uncanny X-Men. Vindicator (Heather Hudson) and Box (Madison Jeffries) were my favorite characters, and I was disappointed when they resurrected James Hudson, effectively ending the relationship between Heather and Madison (and pairing Madison with ex-girlfriend and former criminal, Diamond Lil).

But, going back, my favorite series overall were Marvel's runs on G.I. Joe and The Transformers. The Joe stories were usually pretty top-notch, and generally better than the cartoon series. There was also a strong emphasis on Snake-Eyes, who turned out to be a major focal point for the origins of both the Joe team and Cobra. I could actually go on a really long diatribe about how I prefer the comics over the cartoon, but it'd make this post ten times longer than it already is - and it's long enough already! The Transformers series was okay, but it really picked up, IMHO, when Simon Furman came on board as writer beginning with issue 56.

[TransWarpDrive]

So, Rob, have you seen the new "Iron Man" movie yet? If so, how'd you like it?

[TransWarpDrive]

While book shopping at Borders today, I stopped in the aisle where they stock the books related to comic book heroes. I leafed through a copy of "The Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 6 (at least I think it was Vol.6)," which contains black & white reprints of the issues I bought back in the early 70's, when I first became a loyal F.F. fan. Seeing John Buscema's artwork in those issues reminded me how much I enjoyed buying those comics back when I was a boy; I also remembered how much of a crush I had on Sue Storm back then (what can I say? I was just entering adolescence at the time... :innocent:).

[jeriddian]

I've seen those reprint collections. I still have my silver age X-Men though, issues 94 to 250 from the 1970's and early 1980's.................:biggergrin:

[TransWarpDrive]

I was a little disappointed when I saw they were just black & white reprints, but then after thinking about it, I realized that a full-color collection would get rather expensive. At least they're reprinting all the stories, dating back to the very beginning in 1961...
Speaking of comic books, I just remembered something I read in the Chicago Tribune back in '98, when "Superman" was celebrating its 60th anniversary as a comic book. Back in 1963, DC Comics published an issue of "Superman" in which President Kennedy, who knew about Superman's dual identity for reasons of national security, was called upon to impersonate Clark Kent while the Man of Steel was off on a mission. The reason JFK was doing this was to preserve Superman's secret identity. Unfortunately, that particular issue hit the stands right about the time that Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22 of that year. The DC management tried to stop distribution of the issue, but it was too late. I remember the Trib article commemorating Superman's anniversary got the year wrong. They said the magazine screwup occurred in 1964, instead of '63. :thumbdown:

[lunchmeat]

I used to have a lot of Donald Duck Big Little Books......

[jeriddian]

I used to have a lot of Donald Duck Big Little Books......

Bet they might be worth something nowadays.

[TheGreenMagic]

Ah, comics... Certainly something I've possibly invested far too much time in. Big time Superman fan, but that should come as no surprise, considering my old Last Son online name. Like I said though... my interest in the actual comics themselves has dwindled over the last few years. I guess I could blame it on the amount of crossover events both DC and Marvel seem to love churning out lately. Crisis this, Civil War that... tiring and boring all rolled up into one package. At this point I'm much more interested in the stuff based off the comics than the actual source material themselves (movies, shows, etc.).

Though I still follow some titles... DC's weekly Trinity series is still a fun read right now. A series following Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman... with the writing handled by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, art handled primarily by Mark Bagley? Can't go wrong there, not at all.

I'm also still following DC's Birds of Prey, but that's more of out loyalty to the Huntress character then anything else right now. The title hasn't been the same since Gail Simone stopped writing the title.

As for Marvel... all I've really bothered with from that company for the longest time it he Spider-Girl series. Fun stuff, especially since it harkens back to the more fun days of comics. Best Spider-Man title on the market currently, and I greatly look forward to when the Hobgoblin makes his eventual return.

Still, my fondest comic book related memory has to be saving up the money as a kid to eventually purchase The Marvel/DC Collection trade paperback that I saw at my local comic shop. Oh, that book was a marvel to beyond back in they day. Oh, that was awesome, yes indeed. Superman teaming up with Spider-Man (not once, but twice), Batman meeting the Hulk, the X-Men teaming up with the Teen Titans in a story that had Darkseid resurrecting the Dark Phoenix (epic stuff right there). 'Course the second Superman/Spidey team up ending up standing out the most for me, if only for Superman and the Hulk throwing down, following up with Superman confronting Doctor Doom (easily my favorite comic book villain).

[TransWarpDrive]

Did anyone else catch that news report about the "Batman" story whose blacked-out dialogue profanities weren't blacked out enough, and people could actually read the swear words? :surprised:
DC's been trying to recall those issues from comics dealers, or asking them to destroy any copies they (the dealers) might have in stock. :blush:
It seems a printing error (not enough ink used in one stage of the printing process) was the cause of the dirty words being still visible. :innocent:

[Fireand'chutes77]

Did anyone else catch that news report about the "Batman" story whose blacked-out dialogue profanities weren't blacked out enough, and people could actually read the swear words?

Cool! :laugh: I'll bet those will go for a mint!

[TransWarpDrive]

Did anyone else catch that news report about the "Batman" story whose blacked-out dialogue profanities weren't blacked out enough, and people could actually read the swear words?

Cool! :laugh: I'll bet those will go for a mint!

Especially since someone's bound to save a few copies for that very reason... ;)

[jeriddian]

Ah, comics... Certainly something I've possibly invested far too much time in. Big time Superman fan, but that should come as no surprise, considering my old Last Son online name. Like I said though... my interest in the actual comics themselves has dwindled over the last few years. I guess I could blame it on the amount of crossover events both DC and Marvel seem to love churning out lately. Crisis this, Civil War that... tiring and boring all rolled up into one package. At this point I'm much more interested in the stuff based off the comics than the actual source material themselves (movies, shows, etc.).

Though I still follow some titles... DC's weekly Trinity series is still a fun read right now. A series following Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman... with the writing handled by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, art handled primarily by Mark Bagley? Can't go wrong there, not at all.

I'm also still following DC's Birds of Prey, but that's more of out loyalty to the Huntress character then anything else right now. The title hasn't been the same since Gail Simone stopped writing the title.

As for Marvel... all I've really bothered with from that company for the longest time it he Spider-Girl series. Fun stuff, especially since it harkens back to the more fun days of comics. Best Spider-Man title on the market currently, and I greatly look forward to when the Hobgoblin makes his eventual return.

Still, my fondest comic book related memory has to be saving up the money as a kid to eventually purchase The Marvel/DC Collection trade paperback that I saw at my local comic shop. Oh, that book was a marvel to beyond back in they day. Oh, that was awesome, yes indeed. Superman teaming up with Spider-Man (not once, but twice), Batman meeting the Hulk, the X-Men teaming up with the Teen Titans in a story that had Darkseid resurrecting the Dark Phoenix (epic stuff right there). 'Course the second Superman/Spidey team up ending up standing out the most for me, if only for Superman and the Hulk throwing down, following up with Superman confronting Doctor Doom (easily my favorite comic book villain).

I feel pretty much the same. I used to collect heavily, but it has worn off over time as well. Nowadays I only colloect or read two series. Like you, I couldn't connect in all that hodge-podge of cross-overs, alternate universes, etc. It just made it all too confusing. Also like you, the only thing from Marvel that I've bothered with is Spider-Girl. I've always liked the M2 universe thing, and I'm saddened that Spider-girl is the only surviving title. Besides that I only collect one other title, which is Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo from Dark Horse.

[TheGreenMagic]

I take it by now you've read the latest issue of Amazing Spider-Girl, right? I must say... that was quite the rollercoaster of a comic. The wait for the next issue is going to be rough...

Ah, right. Having read the latest issue of Birds of Prey... I think I'm going to stick with that series for a little while longer. This issue rocked, and it rocked hard. Huntress got some screentime at long last, Misfit wasn't nearly as annoying, and Tony Bedard writes a pretty chilling version of Joker, especially with how the ending paralleled The Killing Joke.

[jeriddian]

I take it by now you've read the latest issue of Amazing Spider-Girl, right? I must say... that was quite the rollercoaster of a comic. The wait for the next issue is going to be rough...


If you mean issue #23, yeah.... .......Can't wait. But I have to have my comics shipped to me from Dallas. So I get batches every three months, so I haven't seen beyond #23 at this point.

[Cody MacArthur Fett]

Ah, the first comic I ever bought. :rolleyes:

http://archive.sonic-hq.net/comics/images/covers/sonic/large/sonic138.jpg

The Sonic the Hedgehog series by Archie was the only comic series I subscribed to and I stayed on until issue 162, then . . . I simply didn't renew my subscription - lack of funds partially, lack of interest mostly. :ohwell:

I also bought a few of the Star Wars comics featuring the Gordon Frohman-like characters Tag & Bink. :laugh:

Oh yeah, and I've always been a big fan of classics like The Shield (America's first patriotic superhero!), Tintin, and Astrix and Obelisk, but that's a story for another day. :D

[Twila Starla]

Okay, I admit it, I'm a comic book crazed girl. ;)

I started reading them around two years ago, with some Batman Strikes, Superman, and a collection of Supergirl (the new one, Kara Zor-El) graphic novels.

These days, I read and collect nearly ten different monthly comics, with that list growing, including the ones I mentioned, as well as Batman, X-Men, Spider-Man, Knights of The Old Republic, Legacy, and Rebellion (the last three mentioned are Star Wars comics).

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:

Graphic novels are a weakness of mine. I own a bunch, and think I've barrowed every last one from our library (some twice). My favorite of all-time is the epic Emporer Joker (seriously, read this if you haven't :cool:).

[TheGreenMagic]

I take it by now you've read the latest issue of Amazing Spider-Girl, right? I must say... that was quite the rollercoaster of a comic. The wait for the next issue is going to be rough...


If you mean issue #23, yeah.... .......Can't wait. But I have to have my comics shipped to me from Dallas. So I get batches every three months, so I haven't seen beyond #23 at this point.
Oh, shoot. My apologies. I was referring to #24. Didn't know about you getting them in bulk.

Yeah, #23 itself was quite interesting. Much as he is on edge about the whole thing (and rightly so), you've got to feel bad for Peter. Norman Osborn just keeps messing with him, even in death.

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?

Graphic novels are a weakness of mine. I own a bunch, and think I've barrowed every last one from our library (some twice). My favorite of all-time is the epic Emporer Joker (seriously, read this if you haven't :cool:).
Ah yes, I do so remember reading the individual issues back in 2000. Certainly took DC some time to release it in a collected format. But yes, Emperor Joker was quite the wild ride, especially when the fourth issue of the storyline actually revealed that it was Joker behind everything. That was quite the plot twist back... especially since it was the absolute last thing I was expecting in a Superman story.

I also have to hand it to Joe Kelly for his writing of that storyline's last issue. Especially in regards to how he wrote the Joker. That one moment between him and Harley was something else.

"But you see, Harl? I'm fixing everything. I'm leaving behind a clean, quiet universe. Where people like me... won't ever come into existence."

[jeriddian]

I take it by now you've read the latest issue of Amazing Spider-Girl, right? I must say... that was quite the rollercoaster of a comic. The wait for the next issue is going to be rough...


If you mean issue #23, yeah.... .......Can't wait. But I have to have my comics shipped to me from Dallas. So I get batches every three months, so I haven't seen beyond #23 at this point.
Oh, shoot. My apologies. I was referring to #24. Didn't know about you getting them in bulk.

No big. :)

Yeah, #23 itself was quite interesting. Much as he is on edge about the whole thing (and rightly so), you've got to feel bad for Peter. Norman Osborn just keeps messing with him, even in death.


Oh, yeah...............that's one nightmare of which Peter will probably never be able to rid himself. I'm just wondering when he finally will get his artificial leg working long enough (again) for one big battle side by side with his daughter, after which he will be retired again.........:rolleyes:......and will that girl EVER get her love life in order??.............sheesh!:confused::dubiety:

[Twila Starla]

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?



It's a prequel to the games, with references ranging everywhere from simple jabs to the appearence of an HK droid. ;)

My ex-boyfriend got me into the series while we were together, and I was too hooked on the stories to give up on them post-relationship.

I just love Zayne Carrack too much! :thumbup: :biggergrin: :P


Ah yes, I do so remember reading the individual issues back in 2000. Certainly took DC some time to release it in a collected format. But yes, Emperor Joker was quite the wild ride, especially when the fourth issue of the storyline actually revealed that it was Joker behind everything. That was quite the plot twist back... especially since it was the absolute last thing I was expecting in a Superman story.

I also have to hand it to Joe Kelly for his writing of that storyline's last issue. Especially in regards to how he wrote the Joker. That one moment between him and Harley was something else.

"But you see, Harl? I'm fixing everything. I'm leaving behind a clean, quiet universe. Where people like me... won't ever come into existence."

Oh, I love that quote! It was such a powerful moment, and coming from The Joker, it really surprised me.

[Cody MacArthur Fett]

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?



It's a prequel to the games, with references ranging everywhere from simple jabs to the appearence of an HK droid. ;)

My ex-boyfriend got me into the series while we were together, and I was too hooked on the stories to give up on them post-relationship.
Ex-boyfriend? Did I miss something, or am I just imagining things like I always do? :huh:


Anywho, I've been think about getting into the KOTOR series myself, but the whole format of comics these days is a little discouraging - they just seem like two minute shorts, there's not enough time to tell a story. :dubiety:

[Twila Starla]

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?



It's a prequel to the games, with references ranging everywhere from simple jabs to the appearence of an HK droid. ;)

My ex-boyfriend got me into the series while we were together, and I was too hooked on the stories to give up on them post-relationship.
Ex-boyfriend? Did I miss something, or am I just imagining things like I always do? :huh:



Darth_Comrade and I broke up about three months ago, toward the beginning of summer.



Anywho, I've been think about getting into the KOTOR series myself, but the whole format of comics these days is a little discouraging - they just seem like two minute shorts, there's not enough time to tell a story. :dubiety:

Yeah, I agree there, but the shorter issues often allow them longer story arcs. Also, Dark Horse, the company that sells KOTOR, tends to make thier monthly comics longer than most, at least in comparsion to DC Comics.

[Cody MacArthur Fett]

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?



It's a prequel to the games, with references ranging everywhere from simple jabs to the appearence of an HK droid. ;)

My ex-boyfriend got me into the series while we were together, and I was too hooked on the stories to give up on them post-relationship.
Ex-boyfriend? Did I miss something, or am I just imagining things like I always do? :huh:



Darth_Comrade and I broke up about three months ago, toward the beginning of summer.
Oh . . . frak. There's no right way to answer that is there? :confused:



Anywho, I've been think about getting into the KOTOR series myself, but the whole format of comics these days is a little discouraging - they just seem like two minute shorts, there's not enough time to tell a story. :dubiety:Yeah, I agree there, but the shorter issues often allow them longer story arcs. Also, Dark Horse, the company that sells KOTOR, tends to make thier monthly comics longer than most, at least in comparsion to DC Comics.
Or Archie Comics for that matter. OK then, I'll give them a shot, just as soon as I get the funds. :rolleyes:

[Twila Starla]

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?



It's a prequel to the games, with references ranging everywhere from simple jabs to the appearence of an HK droid. ;)

My ex-boyfriend got me into the series while we were together, and I was too hooked on the stories to give up on them post-relationship.
Ex-boyfriend? Did I miss something, or am I just imagining things like I always do? :huh:



Darth_Comrade and I broke up about three months ago, toward the beginning of summer.
Oh . . . frak. There's no right way to answer that is there? :confused:



It's okay. I'm so over it, it's not even funny.


Or Archie Comics for that matter. OK then, I'll give them a shot, just as soon as I get the funds. :rolleyes:

Coolness! Hope you like 'em! :thumbup:

[TransWarpDrive]

My personal favorites remain Superman, KOTOR, and Supergirl! :thumbup:
Wait, a Knights of the Old Republic comic? That series wouldn't happen to have any connections to the game of the same name would it?



It's a prequel to the games, with references ranging everywhere from simple jabs to the appearence of an HK droid. ;)

My ex-boyfriend got me into the series while we were together, and I was too hooked on the stories to give up on them post-relationship.
Ex-boyfriend? Did I miss something, or am I just imagining things like I always do? :huh:



Darth_Comrade and I broke up about three months ago, toward the beginning of summer.
Oh . . . frak. There's no right way to answer that is there? :confused:



It's okay. I'm so over it, it's not even funny.


Or Archie Comics for that matter. OK then, I'll give them a shot, just as soon as I get the funds. :rolleyes:

Coolness! Hope you like 'em! :thumbup:
It's been years since I read an Archie comic. Archie and Marvel did a very odd crossover back in 1994 by publishing a one-shot issue titled "Archie Meets the Punisher." Rather interesting concept - a grim, dramatic character like the Punisher in Riverdale, interacting with Archie Andrews and the gang while tracking a criminal kingpin who resembles Archie. Seeing the Punisher in the benign, cheery Archie "universe" lends the story an unreal quality; yet for some reason, I found the whole thing worked once I suspended my disbelief (probably because they played it "straight," and didn't go for too many laughs). I've got that issue somewhere, I know it - just don't remember where right now...:hmm:

[kyojikasshu]

So, Rob, have you seen the new "Iron Man" movie yet? If so, how'd you like it?

Completely missed this when it was posted, but hey, the movie's just out on DVD today, so it's kinda relevant again...

I enjoyed the movie enough that I saw it twice in as many days when it came out. And while I'm not immediately rushing out for the DVD, I'm definitely looking forward to getting it soon enough. (Hey, there's just a couple more months until Christmas and my birthday; I should show a little restraint!)

[TransWarpDrive]

So, Rob, have you seen the new "Iron Man" movie yet? If so, how'd you like it?

Completely missed this when it was posted, but hey, the movie's just out on DVD today, so it's kinda relevant again...

I enjoyed the movie enough that I saw it twice in as many days when it came out. And while I'm not immediately rushing out for the DVD, I'm definitely looking forward to getting it soon enough. (Hey, there's just a couple more months until Christmas and my birthday; I should show a little restraint!)
I couldn't wait. I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and bought the "Ultimate 2-Disc Edition." In fact, after watching the White Sox clinch the American League Central Division Championship tonight, I watched "Iron Man" for the second time. :thumbup:

[Twila Starla]

So, Rob, have you seen the new "Iron Man" movie yet? If so, how'd you like it?

Completely missed this when it was posted, but hey, the movie's just out on DVD today, so it's kinda relevant again...

I enjoyed the movie enough that I saw it twice in as many days when it came out. And while I'm not immediately rushing out for the DVD, I'm definitely looking forward to getting it soon enough. (Hey, there's just a couple more months until Christmas and my birthday; I should show a little restraint!)
I couldn't wait. I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and bought the "Ultimate 2-Disc Edition." In fact, after watching the White Sox clinch the American League Central Division Championship tonight, I watched "Iron Man" for the second time. :thumbup:


I'll probably check it out. I missed seeing it at the theatre, but my birthday is in eight days, so I'll probably wait until then. ;)

[lunchmeat]

Wonder when they'll make a Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers film.....

[TransWarpDrive]

Wonder when they'll make a Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers film.....

It'd be interesting to see someone translate that comic to the big screen, but given its overall theme and today's socio-political climate, I seriously doubt any rational director would even consider tackling a "Freak Brothers" project.

[jeriddian]

Wonder when they'll make a Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers film.....

It'd be interesting to see someone translate that comic to the big screen, but given its overall theme and today's socio-political climate, I seriously doubt any rational director would even consider tackling a "Freak Brothers" project.

However, there are plenty of irrational ones out there perfectly willing to take it on, so it might not be out of the realm of possibility.......:errr::confused::dubiety:

[lunchmeat]

There's always Wonder Warthog.......

[TransWarpDrive]

There's always Wonder Warthog.......

Interestingly enough, author Steven L. Thompson used that character's name as a nickname for an advanced A-10 ground attack fighter, which was forced down in East Germany in the beginning of his 1980 novel, Recovery. This aircraft was so nicknamed because of its supersecret electronics, which the Soviets desperately wanted to get their hands on. Thompson also makes a reference to the comic-book character, and his mild-mannered alter-ego, Philbert Desenex, in the novel.

[TransWarpDrive]

A reminder: This Tuesday, they're releasing this summer's "Incredible Hulk" film starring Edward Norton on a 3-disc DVD set. Looks intriguing....

[jeriddian]

A reminder: This Tuesday, they're releasing this summer's "Incredible Hulk" film starring Edward Norton on a 3-disc DVD set. Looks intriguing....

Yeah, I think I'm going to get that one too.:)

[TheGreenMagic]

'Tis not a good day for comics... for me anyway. On one hand I won't have to worry about buying anything from DC Comics for the foreseeable future, since I just found out they're canceling Birds of Prey real soon. Perhaps I should write them so as to issue a 'thank you' for saving me some cash?

And apparently Amazing Spider-Girl is also up on the chopping block, though apparently May's adventures will continue in some series called Amazing Spider-Man Family. Peter's kid has more than lives than a cat, though I'm not complaining.

[TransWarpDrive]

Man, it's been so long since I've bought any of my favorite comics that I've completely lost track of their storylines, as well as any major changes that may have taken place since I last read them. I just haven't found (or taken) the time to go catch up on them. Plus, my budget's been rather tight lately...

[TransWarpDrive]

The other day, I realized something. Our new VP for finance bears an uncanny resemblance to Norman Osborn, the crazed millionaire who was secretly the Green Goblin in the "Spider-Man" comic books. The resemblance is especially strong because of our VP's hair - it looks exactly like ol' Norman's did....
Talk about life imitating art! :laugh:

(...Hope I'm not gravedigging here; it's not quite a full month since we last posted in this thread, and I just had to insert my comment while I remembered it. If I am indeed gravedigging, I apologize profusely.)

[jeriddian]

You're well within the 30 day limit.:)

[lunchmeat]

There's always Wonder Warthog.......

.....Philbert Desenex......

Hmmm, now that would make for an interesting KP crossover........

[stringcheese]

I enjoy going to my local comic shop every Wednesday and picking a fresh new set of books...

I'm not gigantically into Marvel, other I have enjoyed the 1st Marvel Zombies series, and I am currently hooked on Deadpool which is a very fun and hilarious read.

I primarily collect DC comics, although I haven't been to thrilled or pleased with Final Crisis or Batman RIP. Sadly, a lot of books I have been collecting are either being canceled (Simon Dark/Robin) or are losing their appeal (Trinity/Teen Titans)

Lately, I have been exploring the Indy scene and have been tremendous success in finding good books. I was a huge "Strangers In Paradise" fan, so I really have been enjoying Terry Moore's latest work entitled "Echo." I have also been thrilled with Michael Kingston's book "Headlocked," which satisfies the pro-wrestling fan in me. Other titles I have been enjoying are "Invincible" which reminds me a little bit of Kim Possible, and the new Terminator series.

However, the best book I have been collecting (when it's released) is entitled "Optic Nerve" which is written by Adrian Tomine. The book usually acts a story per issue, which is nice considering how infrequent a new issue comes out.

[jeriddian]

Yeah, I could never get into the DC crisis series thing too much. It was too confusing to follow. I mostly collected Marvel when I was younger, mostly in the '70's and '80's (and yes I have all the Silver Age X-Men of the era....:biggergrin:...from Giant Size X-Men #1 and issue #94 to about #250 (in the '80's. I was getting too busy then to collect, and I couldn't stand Bill sienkowicz's art of that era.) I also have the complete New Teen Titans series, all the issues of the very first New Teen Titan group, which is the one the cartoon series is based on.

But that was a long time ago. I rally don't have time for that with my work. But I still collect a little. however, the only thing I coolect is SpiderGirl (I really like the M2 Universe concept. I wish they would continue it), and Usagi Yojimbo of Dark Horse Comics (Stan Sakai rocks!:thumbup:). Likewise I have every issue of those two series ever put out, including the pre Dark Horse issues of UY.

[stringcheese]

But that was a long time ago. I rally don't have time for that with my work. But I still collect a little. however, the only thing I coolect is SpiderGirl (I really like the M2 Universe concept. I wish they would continue it), and Usagi Yojimbo of Dark Horse Comics (Stan Sakai rocks!:thumbup:). Likewise I have every issue of those two series ever put out, including the pre Dark Horse issues of UY.

I'm pretty sure, that some of the old issues of Usagi Yojimbo are fetching for quite some coin now...

[jeriddian]

But that was a long time ago. I rally don't have time for that with my work. But I still collect a little. however, the only thing I coolect is SpiderGirl (I really like the M2 Universe concept. I wish they would continue it), and Usagi Yojimbo of Dark Horse Comics (Stan Sakai rocks!:thumbup:). Likewise I have every issue of those two series ever put out, including the pre Dark Horse issues of UY.

I'm pretty sure, that some of the old issues of Usagi Yojimbo are fetching for quite some coin now...

Oh, yeah....:biggergrin:.......but I ain't selling....;)

[TransWarpDrive]

I mostly collected Marvels in the 70's - specifically, the Fantastic Four. Exactly how I got hooked on the F.F. is a rather interesting story:
In the fall of 1971, the church sponsoring my dad's Scout troop received, well, a rude surprise: Our minister tendered his resignation. He apparently was asked to join a new church elsewhere, and accepted that job. When he and his family moved out of the parsonage (the house next door to the church where they lived), his two teen-aged sons left behind several grocery bags full of comic books (the standard brown-paper kind; plastic grocery bags hadn't yet been invented).
Since my dad was not only Scoutmaster but also on the church's Men's Committee, he was part of the group who organized the volunteer work parties (including our Scout troop) that cleaned up and repainted the parsonage for our new minister. One evening on his way home from work, Dad stopped at the parsonage to inspect its condition after our old minister & family moved out. He spotted the bags of comics, and loaded them into his car to bring home for me & my two brothers. Naturally, we went through them and sorted out our favorites. I was intrigued by the F.F. issues, and the Marvels in general. After a while, I staked a claim on those particular comics, proclaiming them to be "mine" while agreeing to share the rest with my brothers.
In addition to the Marvels, we had issues of DC comics, Archie mags, Harvey comics (Casper the ghost & friends); not to mention a bunch of Disney, Gold Key and "Dennis the Menace" books.
I read those F.F. comics - heck, I devoured them - and came to love that magazine and its characters. The Fantastic Four became my boyhood heroes, alongside such real-life idols as the Apollo astronauts. I was just starting junior high school then, and found myself fantasizing about having Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) as a teacher in one of my classes. Now he's one teacher I'd have listened to - very closely!
In fact, those comics actually take me back to that time in my life: early 1972, when I was striving not only to succeed academically, but socially as well - we'd just moved to that suburb about two years earlier; and I was having a dickens of a time making friends. The Fantastic Four was not only an entertaining line of comic books, they were a welcome "escape" from the trials and tribulations of daily life for one thirteen-year-old boy (namely, me).

[kyojikasshu]

I pulled out my Transformers comic collection recently, so that my nephew John could read the entire original Marvel series. I never had issues 1-3 of the original miniseries, though (except in digest form, which I wore out years ago). Of course, issue 3 remains that bizarre anomaly in the series, as it features a certain web-slinging alien symbiote-clad photographer in a gratuitous appearance...

It seems, though, that we've come full circle in 2008, with the release of the Marvel Crossover Transformers toys, including Spider-Man (in both classic and black versions). I actually got the Iron Man figure for Christmas.