Weekly Reader, February 10, 2025

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

[Perry]

Didn't see that Jeff beat me to starting this topic by two minutes, so....
I'll just transfer mine over

Not a huge week, yet, depending on Hoopla, though not small either. I am about done with the spectrum stuff from the Lantern side of things however, so hoping that is a quick little arc

Marvel Unlimited
Aliens Vs Avengers #2
Ultimates #6
Fantastic Four #181

DC Universe Ultra
Batman & Robin: Year one #4
World's Finest #35
GL: Fractured Spectrum #1
New Gods #2
Jenny Sparks #6
Hellblazer #43
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1

Hoopla/Other
Ribbon Queen #5

[Gay Titan]

I was checking out Lone Star Comics for this week's new releases. I can't believe that Absolute Batman #1 is on its 5th reprint. Wow!

EDIT:
Absolute WW is on its 4th and Absolute Supes is on its 2nd.

[Perry]

I was checking out Lone Star Comics for this week's new releases. I can't believe that Absolute Batman #1 is on its 5th reprint. Wow!

EDIT:
Absolute WW is on its 4th and Absolute Supes is on its 2nd.

Certainly deserving of it and I know they sold a butt load originally, but when you can no longer find actual sales numbers, reprint numbers fall short on telling us the whole story. 
Marvel used to do that tricky shit, and they were not alone, when they would sell 10k of an issue, sell it all out with promotions and dealer incentives, then "go back to print" all the time. 

That is not the same as here, but yeah, no-one knows sales numbers anymore for crap. Could have been only 100 copies printed of the second print run and we wouldn't know. Again, not saying that is what occurred here as the demand is obviously high, just saying you can no longer use the number of reprints as a true tell like you used to be able to. But yes, Absolute (and to a lesser degree, Ultimate line) are selling pretty well. Or higher than what has become the norm for floppy sales anyway. I know I don't have to worry about it, no-one cares what digital edition I read. Hahaha

 

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Aliens Vs Avengers #2
Ultimates #6
Fantastic Four #181

DC Universe Ultra
Batman & Robin: Year one #4
World's Finest #35
GL: Fractured Spectrum #1
New Gods #2
Jenny Sparks #6
Hellblazer #43
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1

Hoopla/Other
Ribbon Queen #5
Ribbon Queen #6 <- ADDED
Ribbon Queen #7 <- ADDED
Ribbon Queen #8 <- ADDED

********************************

Ribbon Queen - Good supernatural-revenge-mini, hard to stop once it got rollin' and really liked the "origin" story.

Hellblazer - For those that saw the Constantine movie... this is where it got most of its story/plot. In this issue we get reacquainted with the angel Gabriel. Knowing where this is going, it is still cool to read about it and the slight to vast differences also make it fun

F.F - Roy Thomas' last issue of the F.F. Love how Annihilus, trying to get the "real" Reed Richards to help him, calls fire "Scarlet Flower". We also see Sue, after kissing the alternate Reed, finally discover that her Reed is stuck in the Nuetral Zone while this Counter Earth Reed has stepped in to take his place. All that said, it is sad to see Roy Thomas go as it has been essentially Stan Lee and Roy Thomas as the main writers of this series for over 180 issues, counting the reprints, so odd knowing a new writer will soon take the helm. Not next issue though as it gets kind of crazy with four different plotters and writers (Bill Mantlo scripts the next issue, but Len Wein, Jim Shooter and Archie Goodwin all contribute plot points). Should be... interesting. Haha. At least we get Sal Buscema filling in for the injured (wrist) George Perez whose been gone for three issues now.

Ultimates - Very interesting combo going on with Ultimate Hulk, in so far as what other... character he is taking power/motivation from. Haha. Oh, and poor She-Hulk!! 

AvA - Really digging this alternate universe story. Esad Ribic just pleases my eyes, even with this god awful women's faces. Hahaha

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - More Hickman weirdness.  I haven't seen the latest Alien movies so this is leaving me somewhat confused.  But I like it!

ULTIMATES #6 - Great issue.  Love the villain team and the Big Bang-Bastic battle. And that cliff hanger!

X-Men #7 - I'm really enjoying this more and more each issue.  We get the background for Magneto's current state. And some plot progression that is interesting.

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

Something is Killing the Children 38 - Aaaargh!  I wasted a checkout on a book I've already read. Was still good (again)

Something is Killing the Children 39 - Another good issue.  I'm really loving these one shot stories.  Great peek into Erica's character as she deals with little issues on the road.

Animal Castle Vol Two 1 - Good start to the second volume of this story.  One small victory has made the animals confident.  I have a feeling this is not going to end well.

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Aliens Vs Avengers #2
Ultimates #6
Fantastic Four #181

DC Universe Ultra
Batman & Robin: Year one #4
World's Finest #35
GL: Fractured Spectrum #1
New Gods #2
Jenny Sparks #6
Hellblazer #43
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1

Hoopla/Other
Ribbon Queen #5
Ribbon Queen #6
Ribbon Queen #7
Ribbon Queen #8

********************************

Jenny Sparks - Another good issue, but

Spoiler

I think Superman could have said something a little different regarding why he is masked. I didn't mind it, but I don't buy that he could have carried Covid to people, anymore than he carries the flu, mumps, or any other communicable disease (although I am sure some writer may have done so in the past, I am not a Superman historian by any means, hahaha.) But I, personally, would have preferred him saying he is wearing a mask to be what he is... a symbol. To show others that it is the right thing to do. But that's just me. Not trying to bring up bad things for those that feel a totally different way about masking.

[close]

New Gods - Yep, being honest here, I felt totally, 100% lost in the first few pages. Far too many new names for me. Hahaha. Still, I liked the rest of the book and like how this is setting up and it is almost a must read if you are reading the Absolute line. Even though they are not "connected" 

GL: Fractured - Not bad, but man, I am over the spectrum stuff. Sorrow is a fine addition, don't get me wrong, and I like who it is and why, but...  yeah, it seems like this has been going on for 10 years now. Also didn't like how Hal looked like Kyle for most of the issue, until Kyle was beside him. haha

World's Finest - Blah. Skipping the next issue (or how ever many there are in this arc) and then hoping the issue after this will hit better for me. If not, I'm done with this title

Batman & Robin: Year One - Loved Samnee's art here, the composition is outstanding. Also loved the first few pages and how the silence and instruction was used/shown. Good stuff. Also loved the last reveal and Robins reaction to it. 

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

Legion of Super-Heroes 288 - Awesome end to the Projectra storyline.  I remember it well from back in the day.  Now she is Queen.  Definitely see the change with Giffen now onboard.

Legion of Super-Heroes 289 - Good issue and more hints toward the Darkness saga!

[Perry]

Okay, finished for the week.
Now I sit back and try to decide if I want to give another of Jeff's suggestions a go (as his Ribbon Queen hit at the right time), or do I want to venture forth elsewhere. Lots of stuff to read... titles that I need to either get back to or flippin' start, so who knows where I will end up. Guess I will see how my mood is tonight and go from there.


EDIT - Went ahead and added my older re-reads to the list this week. If I don't get to them or if I move to something else I will at least have a notation of what I need to read next week.


Marvel Unlimited
Aliens Vs Avengers #2
Ultimates #6
Fantastic Four #181
Fantastic Four #182 <-Added

DC Universe Ultra
Batman & Robin: Year one #4
World's Finest #35
GL: Fractured Spectrum #1
New Gods #2
Jenny Sparks #6
Hellblazer #43
Hellblazer #44 <-Added
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1
Legion of Super-Heroes #290 <-Added

Hoopla/Other
Ribbon Queen #5
Ribbon Queen #6
Ribbon Queen #7
Ribbon Queen #8

********************************

Legion Annual - Okay, not as "golden" as I remember, but still hit me as a pretty darn good issue, especially for an annual.

Spoiler

Lots of call backs to older foes, which was cool, but frustrating at the time. I remember not knowing anything about the two older villains mentioned/contained here when I first read this, and as there was no internet to be had at that time, it wasn't until years later I discovered more about Computo and understood why the Green Lanterns were banned from Earth. Haha I remember as a youngin' really being pissed that I didn't know why they were banned (Universo), I just always chalked it up to being something to do with The Darkstars. Hahaha.
I will say that I don't think Levitz has ever played nor seen a D&D campaign, though. I mean, when he has Sunboy say that "the game shouldn't take this long", ha, he obviously has never sat in on a 4 day excursion. hahaha. There are still times that the Legion reads a little rough, especially when the heart is involved. It is like reading a freaking 1950's romance comic when these folks talk about or show emotions, but trying to write "loving relationships" for a pre-teen or young teen, the primary readers of the time, can't be easy, so I give some leeway there. Even still, lots of stuff to like here, from the use of Blue pen for holographic images, to the use of pink outlines for shielding and other things, just really cool use of color, outside of the normal comic coloring form. Also, another good thing, really good thing, Cosmic Boy finally gets out of the bustier looking costume and gets one a little better.
Yeah, a good issue, probably my favorite so far of the re-reads  plus (and I can't stress the joy I felt in rediscovering this part) there are blueprints!!! Any issue that has blueprints or maps of a base, mansion, bat-cave, whatever, automatically gets a 2 point bonus!!

[close]

[/color][/color]

[Gay Titan]

Absolute Batman #5
Aquaman #1, 2
Black Lightning #3, 4
One World Under Doom #1

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Aliens Vs Avengers #2
Ultimates #6
Fantastic Four #181
Fantastic Four #182
Fantastic Four #183 <-Added
Fantastic Four #184 <-Added

DC Universe Ultra
Batman & Robin: Year one #4
World's Finest #35
GL: Fractured Spectrum #1
New Gods #2
Jenny Sparks #6
Hellblazer #43
Hellblazer #44
Hellblazer #45 <-Added
Hellblazer #46 <-Added
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1
Legion of Super-Heroes #290 

Hoopla/Other
Ribbon Queen #5
Ribbon Queen #6
Ribbon Queen #7
Ribbon Queen #8

********************************

Hellblazer -

Spoiler

Continuing on with Constantine's battle with Cancer and the trip to Hell that is awaiting him, he gets his cure a little different here than in the movie (which I, again, thought was very underrated) this time by signing his soul over to three separate demons (Satan, Beelzebub and Azazel). Later, when all three arrive to make their claim for John's soul and with him being a mere seconds away from dying... which would have been hours, but John takes a blade to his wrist to speed the process... the demons discover the truth, that each on has the right to it. But the soul can only go to one, so to make the claim they would have to fight for each other for it... which would lead to an all out war in Hell, something none of the demons want as then God would jump at the chance to join in while they are fighting each other and take them all out. Infuriated, the Satan stops John from dying, by removing his Cancer, as painfully as he can, which was pretty rough, haha. Satan then tells John that he will have his soul at some point, and John reminds Satan that he actually should do his best to keep John alive, as once John dies the other demons will fight for his soul and Heaven will win. I like the movie version better actually, with Gabriel being a responsible party, and I am not sure why Satan didn't tell the other two demons to piss off as the soul was signed over to him first... so how could it be given away again? Ha. Even still, really enjoyed this story, as well as the brutal description of what John went through during the "curing process" 

[close]

F.F - Lots and lots of characters fill these two issues: Impossible Man is still doing his craziness (almost allows Sue to go splat on the pavement ), Thundra, Tigra, Mad Thinker (and his Android), The Brute, Annihilus, and of course the Four; but we also get more of Agatha Harkness (the old crone, the proper Agatha) as she tries to save young Franklin from an attack... which is leading into one of my all time favorite FF arcs next, and to top it all off, starting in the next issue, we get the return of Perez on pencils. Hot diggity-dog!! 

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1 - Very good issue that stood the test of time.

Spoiler

At the time I don't remember being too thrilled with the new Invisible Kid but he must have grown on me because I liked that his origin is tied to the original.

[close]

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12) - Another good issue. This remains one of DC's fun titles. Classic mobsters and classic Batman & Robin.

GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT) - Oooo. Is there a chance that this crossover gets rid of all these spectrums? That would be awesome! But probably too much to hope for.  I am looking forward to the two GL books next adventure.

THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12) - lot of unknown characters to me but a lot of familiar faces as well. An interesting web of intrigue is being spun here. 

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) - Hickman
ULTIMATES #6
X-Men #7

DC Universe Ultra
BATMAN AND ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4 (OF 12)
GREEN LANTERN: FRACTURED SPECTRUM #1 (ONE SHOT)
THE NEW GODS #2 (OF 12)
THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)
JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7)
THE NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #5 (OF 12)
Legion of Super-Heroes 288
Legion of Super-Heroes 289
Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (1982) #1

Hoopla
Something is Killing the Children 38
Something is Killing the Children 39

ComiXology
Animal Castle Vol Two 1

———————————————————————————————

THE QUESTION: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #3 (OF 6)  it's not so bad that I'd drop it yet but it's not that much fun either.  The ideas are ok just need some better execution.

JENNY SPARKS #6 (OF 7) - I'm glad we're down to the last issue.  This one has run too long and I've begun to lose interest.