Weekly Reader, November 11, 2024

[Gay Titan]

Talked to my LCS buddy and today's holiday will NOT delay this week's comics.

[Perry]

Big DC week (for me) and who knows what goodness Hoopla will drop this week, so it may be a busy week.
I'm off to a good start though, reading wise. Not so much enjoyment wise...

ETA - Sorry for posting this twice. Rodney posted this thread while I was typing my list and reactions out in the other one. I didn't see it until now


Marvel Unlimited
Uncanny X-Men #2
Phoenix #2
Ultimate Black Panther #7
Mystic #8
Defenders #31 (1975)

DC Universe Ultra
Action Comics #1071
Worlds Finest #32
Allwinter #4
Green Lantern #16
Nightwing #18
Batman: Full Moon #1
Jenny Sparks #3
Legion of Super-Heroes #273

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan #5
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3
If You Find This... I'm Already dead (collects issues 1-3)
Redcoat #7

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

Redcoat - A melancholy end to an arc,

Spoiler

but did like how they showed Pure TRYING to be a better man, fighting the urge to drink. He did it, for now, similar to the way I stopped smoking all those years ago. Although I'm not 100% sure his intention was to test himself, maybe he was going to drink and he was almost tempted, but he was able to stare it down and walk away. Again, for now. I stopped smoking (after two packs a day for over 20 years) somewhat similarly, by placing a full, opened pack of cigarettes right in front of my desk monitor, and my eyes, to truly push my resolve. After a month of it being there, I was able to toss the pack and I haven't looked back. Of course it helped that I was taking Chantix, which aided my efforts considerably

(But honestly, every time I work on the car or do 'construction' type of work around the house, my mind wants me to smoke. Ha, I miss it a lot when I do those things still) 

[close]

Conan: Black Stone - It's nice to see some of the other Howard characters but I think this plot line has been going on a tad too long. I can appreciate it, but... yeah, time to move on. One more issue and maybe another Savage Sword crossover, and then we're done, so I can make it.


Ult Panther - I hate the way Panther mask doesn't cover his mouth. That is all I have to say for this issue

Phoenix -

Spoiler

Sorry, and I am far from being prudish (hahaha, if ever there was an opposite... I may be it in fact) but the Corsair in a towel thing was damn right creepy. Especially the way he sat. Who does that in front of his daughter-in-law? I mean, come on jack-hole!!! But then again, Hickman kind of opened the door with the whole Wolverine/Jean/Scott shared quarters thing so why not, lets get creepy  Also, there is some really cool stuff here, but one thing I hate, as everyone knows, is over powered characters and that is what really left me shrugging my shoulders at the end of the issue. It is set-up, very well actually, to leave us and our hero in jeopardy, but its the Phoenix... she can take care of that in a millisecond.

[close]

Still, not a bad comic from Phillips. A writer I haven't been too high on. I am still on for another issue, but this time I find myself... well... kinda excited for it 

Uncanny - Ugh, what the hell Gail?

Spoiler

Why would Logan be such an asshole to kids asking for help? I understand there is a history of heroes clashing when they first meet, but this, a stuttering child asking "please help" and he comes off this way? At first I thought it was excused because he "smelled decay" or rot, whatever it was, but that was from only one of the kids... again, KIDS... and I didn't like him being all "chest out" like that. But hey, I have the grand-baby today, so maybe the family and kids thing from these two X books are hitting me a little funny today?   One thing really worries me here, and that is that this is starting to feel like a MacKay book. I am starting to wonder "Do I care about this?"

[close]

I will also add that I am hating the way Marvel is putting F'n house ads in the middle of their damn digital books. Put it at the end, put it at the beginning, but stop putting them in the middle of the comic where it breaks the reading flow all to hell. Especially for us Panel to Panel readers! 

[Perry]

Oh boy, on a roll. Of course, this probably means I will not have another chance to read a single page for the rest of the week, now that I am off to such a head start.


Marvel Unlimited
Uncanny X-Men #2
Phoenix #2
Ultimate Black Panther #7
Mystic #8
Defenders #31 (1975)

DC Universe Ultra
Action Comics #1071
Worlds Finest #32
Allwinter #4
Green Lantern #16
Nightwing #18
Batman: Full Moon #1
Jenny Sparks #3
Legion of Super-Heroes #273

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan #5
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3
If You Find This... I'm Already dead (collects issues 1-3)
Redcoat #7

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

Spoilers abound for Legion and Defenders. Don't click until you have read the Legion issue. The issues are under one spoiler tag for a reason. My warning has been placed...

Spoiler

Legion - Okay, not the best written issue (it is still Conway after all), and while there are some major problems in the 'whys and wherefores' of this story, I am appreciative of DC editorial (or who knows, maybe Conway on his own) for "fixing" the Brainiac 5 was an insane murderer situation brought forth by Jim Starlin. That said, while it was ludicrous in its handling of how the reversal was resolved, with things like -
"Upon closer inspection that blast scarring on the floor wasn't from a legionaries blaster"? (You didn't bother to check all those months ago?)
not to mention how Brainiac does not seem to know the meaning of the term "temporary insanity" as, according to him -
"... it does not follow that the temporary insanity could have allowed me to forget the moral convictions of a lifetime"
ummm, yeah big-brain, that is kinda what the "temporary" and  "insanity" parts of temporary insanity mean... generally speaking I am still glad that they DID reverse it. I really did enjoy it the story when they had him go insane, I did, but if he is to continue as a Legionnaire, as he does (and should), this needed to be resolved. Yeah, glad they did it, but man... the reasoning defies. Also, I think they listed 15 or so of the Legionaries on the roll call yet I think only 6 or 7 ever said a word. The rest are just stand-ins. Cheap!! 
And joy of joys, next issue is back to Ditko!!


Defenders - I will not go into the story here, I only put this under the same spoiler tag as I was laughing at how I finished a DC comic that talked about its hero being insane and then I go to the Marvel side, open up my first Defenders issue of this run and see this...





Madness is the theme of the day it seems

[close]

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Avengers 17
Phoenix 2
Ultimate Black Panther 7
Uncanny X-Men 2
Wolverine Deep Cut 2

DC Universe Ultra
Brave & the Bold Vol 1: Lords of Luck - Halfway through this, just didn't quite get it done last week.  Will finish this first.
ACTION COMICS #1071
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #32
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #4 (OF 6)
GREEN LANTERN #16
JENNY SPARKS #3 (OF 6)
Titans 16
Legion of Super-Heroes 273

Hoopla
Geiger 7
Rook: Exodus 6
Redcoat 5
Redcoat 6

ComiXology
BRZRKR: Bloodlines Vol 1

———————————————————————————————

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Uncanny X-Men #2
Phoenix #2
Ultimate Black Panther #7
Mystic #8
Mystic #9 <- Added
Defenders #31 (1975)
Defenders #32 (1975) <- Added

DC Universe Ultra
Action Comics #1071
Worlds Finest #32
Allwinter #4
Green Lantern #16
Nightwing #18
Batman: Full Moon #1
Jenny Sparks #3
Legion of Super-Heroes #273

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan #5
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3
If You Find This... I'm Already dead (collects issues 1-3)
Redcoat #7

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

Savage Sword - This new King Conan story by Jason Aaron started really strong, but it sorta petered out around the halfway mark. It isn't terrible but I don't think the art by Isherwood helped. Though he has gotten better, less exaggerated (He was working on Doctor Strange and Avengers back when I started to pull away from comics in the early/mid 90's and his style was of that time back then), he is now a little too stiff. I think in the attempt to not be as "90's like", he pulled much of the freeness from his art. 
Oh, the last story... Conan in his youth... Sucked major balls. I forgot who wrote and who drew it, but I doubt I ever would have remembered anyway. 


Mystic - This is fine, but it really suffers, to me, in being the only title in a universe that depends, was made, to be an overarching (sometimes overreaching) broader story. We get small hints here though, and again, its fine, I just want the rest to drop so I can go back and forth through the universe, instead of staying on one part of it. One title can get a little boring after awhile. Now while I'm not over this title (I am a magic lover), I do need a break from the repetitive nature that a solo book brings and would like to see more "outside" of this one small corner. Reading even one more title from this company would help me quite a bit I think. That said, Giselle does look very nice at times

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Avengers 17
Phoenix 2
Ultimate Black Panther 7
Uncanny X-Men 2
Wolverine Deep Cut 2

DC Universe Ultra
Brave & the Bold Vol 1: Lords of Luck
ACTION COMICS #1071
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #32
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #4 (OF 6)
GREEN LANTERN #16
JENNY SPARKS #3 (OF 6)
Titans 16
Legion of Super-Heroes 273

Hoopla
Geiger 7
Rook: Exodus 6
Redcoat 5
Redcoat 6

ComiXology
BRZRKR: Bloodlines Vol 1

———————————————————————————————

Brave & the Bold Vol 1: Lords of Luck - This was a fun read.  I liked the use of all the different heroes; Batman, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Blue Beetle, Lobo, Adam Strange, and the Legion of Suprer-Heroes (the Mark Waid version from 2007).  George Perez's art is still good but you can start to see that it's not the same as his younger years. I imagine his sight had started degrading by this time.  But he could still draw the heck out of Supergirl.  Also loved seeing the Fatale Five drawn by Perez.  I doubt I'll read the rest of the series but I'd recommend this trade for some nostalgic fun.

[Perry]

Been up all night... thought I would at least try and be productive.

Marvel Unlimited
Uncanny X-Men #2
Phoenix #2
Ultimate Black Panther #7
Mystic #8
Mystic #9
Defenders #31 (1975)
Defenders #32 (1975)

DC Universe Ultra
Action Comics #1071
Worlds Finest #32
Allwinter #4
Green Lantern #16
Nightwing #18
Batman: Full Moon #1
Jenny Sparks #3
Legion of Super-Heroes #273

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan #5
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3
If You Find This... I'm Already dead (collects issues 1-3)
Redcoat #7

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

Action -Enjoyed this quite a bit.

Spoiler

I am not at all familiar with the Phantom King, but really liked his look. Looks kind of like a Hush/Freeze hybrid but for Superman  Of course I am always happy to see Mon-El  And yes, I am not a fan of baseball, by any means, but I always enjoy the "let's play ball" pages in comics for some strange reason and thought it was cool (and appropriate) having a robot ump slow down the action so everyone could see it. I also liked that Supes had to get a battery bracelet from Dr. Gordon (yes, I know who he is ), as solar power 'no seem to worky too gude in dat thar Zone-a-ma-bob' 
Oh, I forgot to say this last issue, and the feeling hit even stronger this time, but damn the Supergirl antagonist looks far too similar to a certain Saga character  although this one seems a hell of a lot faster!!!   

[close]

Worlds Finest - Okay, there is nothing truly "wrong" with this. It is a decent enough story and the art is done well, but... BUT...

Spoiler

I have never been an Eclispo fan (ahem) and it is hard for me to see this comic now without Mora on art. Is it as bad as when Perez left Avengers at issue #202 and my eyes had to deal with Carmine Infantino? No, not at all (and luckily that only lasted an issue I think, but I was off the book soon after anyway) but it is going to take some time for me to get used to, I just wish Eclipso was not the baddie. 

[close]

Green Lantern - Fun issue and I am wanting to find out

Spoiler

how the Thanagarian thing works out (really cool opening page), but I am also ready to move on from the Durlan takeover plot.

[close]

Nightwing - In like a lion, out like a lamb   Great to see Redondo back on this title and I will be following him to the next project, but this was just okay. It did have one fantastic image of Batgirl with her arms folded, nothing special about it and she was sharing the panel, but I loved it. I would love to see Bruno draw her in Birds of Prey or something similar. Make it happen DC

Batman Full Moon - Issue of the week!!! Love the painted art style, love the brooding, dimly lit nature of this book, which matched the subject matter and, of course, loved the creature, his size, his destructive nature shown beautifully.

Spoiler

Also loved seeing a certain Kurt Langstrom... in both iterations 

[close]

Yes, this was a very good issue. Just what these tired eyes needed. This title will be on my proverbial 'top of the stack' next month. Loved it.

Jenny... I LOVE YOU, JENNY!!!   - Okay, so this was a close second to issue of the week (so was Action actually, which considering all my love for Supes, should've pushed that to the top?). Yes, this was good. I really enjoyed that mini that DC did with Wildsotrm a few years back where Captain Atom was sent to the Wildstorm universe (I forgot how or why ) but I do remember really enjoying that. This is that turned up to 11. Maybe I am just in a brutal mood?   

Spoiler

I am wondering what the end game or outcome of the Tic-Tac-Toe game will be and for the love of god, can someone get Jenny a damn light?

[close]

[Perry]

Okay, knocked out all my DC already? Wow, I need to see what else I can accomplish after only getting an hour or so worth of sleep. Did I find a new way to be productive? How much more reading cou... could I get... done... ZZZZzzzzzz


Marvel Unlimited
Uncanny X-Men #2
Phoenix #2
Ultimate Black Panther #7
Mystic #8
Mystic #9
Defenders #31 (1975)
Defenders #32 (1975)

DC Universe Ultra
Action Comics #1071
Worlds Finest #32
Allwinter #4
Green Lantern #16
Nightwing #18
Batman: Full Moon #1
Jenny Sparks #3
Legion of Super-Heroes #273
Legion of Super-Heroes #274 <- Added

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan #5
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3
If You Find This... I'm Already dead (collects issues 1-3)
Redcoat #7

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

Allwinter - HA!!

Spoiler

Of course it would all be because of him, yeah? Winter - Freeze - "Fries". I mean, yeah!!! Another good story and fantastic reveal.

[close]

Back-up story is losing me, just a tad. It feels somewhat less engaging for me than it did at first, but still, all in all, a good collective package

Legion - So Jeff forced me to read this. He said I was a #&$# if I didn't read two Legion issues this week, so...   
This was yet another great Gerry Conway issue... if, that is, I read it on Bizzaro world. What an utter piece of shit this was.

Spoiler

Ditko didn't help, for sure, but last issue Stargrave hit Cos with so much power he flew through space, a great distant mind you, lost his memory, and that same force melted his flight ring? And why... at least on my digital copy... why are the Legionaries green at times? Problem at the printer with the 'Caucasian' color I assume  It looks funny, but it made me think I missed something at first. Bad story, bad characterization (why would Saturn Girl keep the information quiet?) and bad art equate to bad times continuing for this title.

[close]

Countdown to Conway leaving - 2 more issues! (Although he has his hands in two more issues after those two, so I suppose I should say 4 more issues, just to be safe)

[Gay Titan]

Not my usual haul but curious about some newer material.

Absolute Batman #2
Action Comics #1075
Batman & Robin #15
Black Lightning #1
GI Joe #1

[Jimmy T]

Carrying forward...World's Finest 31, Jenny Sparks 1-2, Allwinter 2-3,  Batman & Robin 14, finish Legion 272 that I had started   Hyde Street 1, Savage Sword of Conan 4(-6?, Battle of the Black Stone 1-3(4?), TMNT 1 (-3?)

MARVEL UNLIMITED
To read Uncanny X-men 2...
...maybe I'll open Avengers 17

DC ULTRA
OH boy! 8 books here!

ACTION 1071 - part 1 rah rah love carries forth to part 2 (although, the other artist doing Superboy and Super-Man wasn't my favorite. But Phantom Zone stuff is GOOD. Love the old criminals that are properly mentioned by Waid, and the ending..!..! Supergirl part 2 felt a bit stalled, but I like the art

Worlds Finest 31 & 32 - If, IF, the inker didn't more of his own style on the pencils, I would like the art a lot. I actually dug it's styling, but the crayola marker flat up and down coloring/inking bars was not the greatest look. Also, why are all the fists so small?!!

Nightwing  118 - Don't know why this felt rushed -because it did. Felt simple to get to the final action -but that part was great to me!! I I truly enjoyed this whole run, and now...as I think...did this get cut down to meet the DC All In new dress/trade new teams starting? Maybe. But this is a run of books that I would like to have on my bookshelf, if I did that kind of thing still.

Legion of Superheroes 273-274 -almost where Paul Levitz returns and Gerry Conway is DONE. And soon no more Ditko art! Blech!

Got Allwinter 2-4, Jenny Sparks 1-4, Titans, GL, & WW All In starts.
Maybe that Batman Full Moon

[Gay Titan]

The Titans didn't really have much of a tie-in to All In, except getting a secondary base of operations. It did give

Spoiler

Clock King

[close]

some new abilities.

[Gay Titan]

Absolute Batman #2
Action Comics #1075
Batman & Robin #15
Black Lightning #1
GI Joe #1

Action Comics #1075... I haven't read any S titles in a few years. Didn't really know the stories. A couple of them were decent with good art. I really enjoyed the Perry White parts.

Black Lightning #1... it feels like I just finished watching these characters on the CW. LOL. Great premise and I love this post "All In" vibe. I'm gonna give the next few issues a try and see where it goes.

[Perry]

Finished this morning! Yay! Everything else is just a bonus now


Marvel Unlimited
Uncanny X-Men #2
Phoenix #2
Ultimate Black Panther #7
Mystic #8
Mystic #9
Defenders #31 (1975)
 Defenders #32 (1975)
Defenders #33 (1975) <- Added

DC Universe Ultra
Action Comics #1071
Worlds Finest #32
Allwinter #4
Green Lantern #16
Nightwing #18
Batman: Full Moon #1
Jenny Sparks #3
Legion of Super-Heroes #273
Legion of Super-Heroes #274
Legion of Super-Heroes #275 <- Added

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan #5
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3
If You Find This... I'm Already dead (collects issues 1-3)
Redcoat #7


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

If you find this - A decent, but non-spectacular alien worlds mini. I am not a giant monster or Kiaju fan, but they were pretty cool looking, for the short amount of time we spent with them

Defenders - The origin of Nighthawk AKA Kyle "just a horrible Bruce Wayne" Richmond   While I am not a fan of the villainous team known as the Head-Men, I do love the character Ruby Thursday and this is her first appearance.

  
 

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Avengers 17
Phoenix 2
Ultimate Black Panther 7
Uncanny X-Men 2
Wolverine Deep Cut 2

DC Universe Ultra
Brave & the Bold Vol 1: Lords of Luck
ACTION COMICS #1071
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #32
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #4 (OF 6)
GREEN LANTERN #16
JENNY SPARKS #3 (OF 6)
Titans 16
Legion of Super-Heroes 273

Hoopla
Geiger 7
Rook: Exodus 6
Redcoat 5
Redcoat 6

ComiXology
BRZRKR: Bloodlines Vol 1

———————————————————————————————

Legion of Super-Heroes 273 - Story had a lot of flaws in it but they at least fix the flaw from a previous story.  Nice to see the issue with Brainiac 5 wasn't swept under the rug.

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Avengers 17
Phoenix 2
Ultimate Black Panther 7
Uncanny X-Men 2
Wolverine Deep Cut 2

DC Universe Ultra
Brave & the Bold Vol 1: Lords of Luck
ACTION COMICS #1071
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #32
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #4 (OF 6)
GREEN LANTERN #16
JENNY SPARKS #3 (OF 6)
Titans 16
Legion of Super-Heroes 273
ADD: Legion of Super-Heroes 274
ADD: Batman Full Moon 1 - Perry talked me into adding this one.

Hoopla
Geiger 7
Rook: Exodus 6
Redcoat 5
Redcoat 6

ComiXology
BRZRKR: Bloodlines Vol 1

———————————————————————————————

ACTION COMICS #1071 - Ah! I liked the cliffhanger ending more than the actual progression on the main story. Even the Supergirl backup story felt like slow progression.  But that's ok. It's the buildup. 

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #32 - Loved seeing the old League and Justice Society in this issue!  Unlike Perry I've a,ways been a fan of Eclipso as a villain.  Enjoyed the heck out of this issue.

DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #4 (OF 6) - Another great issue that doesn't disappoint.  Learning the identity of the true villain is awesome and I can't wait to see what a final battle will look like!

JENNY SPARKS #3 (OF 6) - Brutal! King has another hit brewing here.  So much I'd love to praise but I don't want to spoil this for anyone!

Titans 16 - A bit of a clunky start to this start of a new arc with new creative team and a shift in members.  Has potential though and the villain's (no spoiler) new powers will be interesting to explore.