Friday, December 14, 2007

Comics Out December 12, 2007

Punisher. I like the art here -- Wegener does comedy well, which is weirdly necessary in a Punisher book. The light touches -- Frank gritting his teeth behind the hot dog guy, Frank hearing someone getting his attention with little "attention" lines -- are great fun. And the whiplash vomit. Gotta love the whiplash vomit. The dialog between the Vulture and the Rhino is spot on as well. It is a light book, but light is a relief from self-serious comic events.

In comics news, Newsarama did an interview with Geoff Johns that almost makes me want to pick up his Green Lantern trades (Sinestro Corps War in particular), and the vile Ultimates 3 is being justly ripped apart on the message boards.

Recommend, discuss, and review this week's comics and comics news.

9 comments:

Marc Caputo said...

Come over to the Johns side, Luke, come over to the Johns side...

Geoff - start with the tpb of Green Lantern: Rebirth. It's entry level for GL noobs and payoff a'plenty for longtime fans. Van Sciver's art is heroic and the whole storyline just cooks. Issue 4 stands as an example of a perfect superhero comic.

After the reboot, 1-6 is a bit dodgy and series kind of limped to OYL. After that (issue 10 and up), however, the book has been the best DC ongoing out there.

The guy who reviewed 25 on Newsarama took some flak for saying (in effect) - If you don't like this, you shouldn't be reading superhero comics. Not the best way to review a book, but he's got a point. Johns isn't a Morrison or a Moore or a Miller, where he elevates the form (or tries to) each time out. But he's doing a more important job, and a somewhat harder one to a degree - he's maintaining the artform, acting as a steward of what it means/takes to write GOOD COMICS. We all started with superheroes, no matter where we've gone since. A Johns book makes you remember those days even if you're reading him for the first time.

Geoff Klock said...

well I think I will just wait for the Sinestro corps war trade, and get rebirth if I get bored.

It is a good point your raise, and worth discussing.

Anonymous said...

Johns is at his best when he has a lot of Mythology to play around with (Flash, JSA, GL). It's interesting that he's doing the All Star Batgirl since that lines whole point is free the creators from the mythology and work outside the bounds of continuity.

Totally off topic: I was just watching the old 60s Batman show and, just a note on how times have changed. At one point, they are need to find and address and Robin goes to look up on the Bat-Computer and Batman stops him and says "I think there are some things we can do the old fashioned way" To which Robin responds by saying "You're right Batman, I'll use the phonebook" (presumaby the Bat-phonebook) and then admonishes himself by saying "I must be getting lazy"

I wonder how many of my students even realize that you can find addresses in the phonebook.

Jeremy said...

Dude, I second reading the Sinestro Corp War as a trade, so long as the special that kicked it off is included -- that was the shizz.

I was a green lantern reader for a few months; now that it's over I think I'll drop it again (BUDGET). But, damn, it was fun, accessable, and awesome space drama/opera.

Mitch said...

Scott- Haha about Batman. I never get why people don't like that show. It is INSANE! Not so much a comment about super hero comics, but super hero comics commenting about 60's go-go culture. ZOWIE!

Mitch said...

Scott- Haha about Batman. I never get why people don't like that show. It is INSANE! Not so much a comment about super hero comics, but super hero comics commenting about 60's go-go culture. ZOWIE!

Marc Caputo said...

Thanks, Geoff. I do think that Rebirth should go first, though. For one thing, it's out now. Beyond that and the other plot points that are paid off, you see how all the secondary elements of the story (Coast City, Jordan's family - especially his father) are set up.

Plus I can't wait for next year for you to read this stuff!

Anonymous said...

DARK KNIGHT trailer out! EH?! Heath defies everyone's expectations! Aaron Eckhart is (mostly) absent! And something explodes!

James said...

I plan to get Rebirth and the Sinestro Corps trades (TRADES, those 6-issue hardcovers drive me crazy) at some point too. I've liked some of the Geoff Johns stuff I've read, and I'm sure his huge crazy GL mythology plans are huge and crazy and awesome, but "BLACK LANTERN CORPS, COMING IN 2009"? Really? Are the villain of the month issues you have planned between then and now really that important?