The Comic Book Thread

[SpaceBooger]

I'm in complete agreement about New 52. Most of it has been a mess. Everything is just so damn dark and gloomy in the DC Universe anymore. And most of the characters are a shadow of their former versions. I have noticed that at least the Superman books seem to be veering back to the old feel it had, in the last few storylines. Superman is becoming more like Superman and less like a vigilante.

I do like the New 52 because it's read that or don't read new DC Comic stories. Love it or hate it DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns is considered the "architect" of the New 52 and DC seems to be sticking with it. Two years later, why are we still calling it the "New" 52?

In regards to Superman being more like his old self - according to Jon Bogdanove, when he was commissioned to draw a New 52 Superman cover he was mandated to not draw the s-curl or the cleft chin. Because of the specifics of the design he insinuated that this new version of Superman copyright 2011 in case they loose the copyright this year WB and DC can fall back on the new version. I did ask him if WB was able to keep the copyright and it didn't fall into public domain would DC bring back the s-curl, dimple, and anything the was created before DC bought the character for $100? He didn't have an answer but did say that movies and toys bring in more $ than comics, and money would be the big motivator not copyright.

[Gamerforlife]

I'm in complete agreement about New 52. Most of it has been a mess. Everything is just so damn dark and gloomy in the DC Universe anymore. And most of the characters are a shadow of their former versions. I have noticed that at least the Superman books seem to be veering back to the old feel it had, in the last few storylines. Superman is becoming more like Superman and less like a vigilante.

I do like the New 52 because it's read that or don't read new DC Comic stories. Love it or hate it DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns is considered the "architect" of the New 52 and DC seems to be sticking with it. Two years later, why are we still calling it the "New" 52?

Frankly, I was just happy to have a jumping on point with the DC Universe so I love the New 52. I wish Marvel would do something similar. As a Batman fan, it's been all good in my neck of the woods as the New 52 didn't hurt him at all. Hell, Scott Snyder has delivered some kickass Batman stories, and I like Tomasi's work, as well as Simone's Batgirl. I selfishly don't give a crap about what the New 52's done to other DC characters if I'm being completely honest. DC could kill off every single DC super hero and as long as the Bat family is still kicking, I'm a happy reader

[samsonlonghair]

I don't think this one has been mentioned yet:



Habibi by Craig Thompson is beautiful, challenging, fantastical, yet somehow true to life, and epic in the original sense of the word. This story raises issues of literacy, slavery, sex, class, water rights, puberty, environment, shame, religion, abortion, rape, survival, and the origins of world religions. At the same time, Craig Thompson manages to tell a compelling, heartwarming story out of chronological order with relatable characters you can't help loving. The gorgeous Illustrations invoke Arab calligraphy and the architecture of the Al-hambra.

One cannot create such a story without invoking controversy. Depending on which critics you listen to, Habibi has been called either feminist or misogynist; either humanist or racist; either islamaphobic or anti-islamaphobic; either divine or disgusting.

A lot has been said about comics shedding their "childish" reputation. If you truly believe comics are a medium for adults, pick up Habibi by Craig Thompson.

[o.pwuaioc]

Maus killed the notion that the comic format was only for kids.

[Luke]

I don't think this one has been mentioned yet:



Habibi by Craig Thompson is beautiful, challenging, fantastical, yet somehow true to life, and epic in the original sense of the word. This story raises issues of literacy, slavery, sex, class, water rights, puberty, environment, shame, religion, abortion, rape, survival, and the origins of world religions. At the same time, Craig Thompson manages to tell a compelling, heartwarming story out of chronological order with relatable characters you can't help loving. The gorgeous Illustrations invoke Arab calligraphy and the architecture of the Al-hambra.

One cannot create such a story without invoking controversy. Depending on which critics you listen to, Habibi has been called either feminist or misogynist; either humanist or racist; either islamaphobic or anti-islamaphobic; either divine or disgusting.

A lot has been said about comics shedding their "childish" reputation. If you truly believe comics are a medium for adults, pick up Habibi by Craig Thompson.

You would LOOOOOOOOOVE Larry Gonick.

The Cartoon History of the Universe/World/etc. are something else.

[Sload Soap]

I don't think this one has been mentioned yet:

I'll have to give this one a shot. And I agree Maus along with people like Joe Sacco, David Clowes and Chris Ware drastically changed what I thought could be done with comics. Jimmy Corrigan is still one of my favourites, and I don't mean the Spectre.

[marurun]

So, all this talk of the New 52 reminded me. I recently got a book from the library. It turns out DC released a hardbound with the first issue of each of the New 52 lines. Monster-honkin' book. I wasn't impressed by most of it, but I did really like The Court of Owls (I ended up reading the GNs), Aquaman (read the first GN as a result), and Animal Man. Not happy with rebooting Constantine as part of Justice League Dark, but I can understand. Constantine was getting a bit aged. Still, I'm not sure merging the DCU with Wildstorm and Vertigo was really a good idea. Sometimes it's freeing to have a separate space for your authors to write in that doesn't endanger your cash cow.

I am going back and reading Saga of the Swamp thing, starting with Alan Moore, and Hellblazer from the beginning. I'm about 3 or 4 GNs into both and I'm really liking it. Early Moore is a joy, and Delano is fantastic. It's almost like a horror anthology, Constantine, and Swamp Thing is Moore thinking big thoughts, but not totally gone over into crazy-land like some of his later stuff.

[SpaceBooger]

So, all this talk of the New 52 reminded me. I recently got a book from the library. It turns out DC released a hardbound with the first issue of each of the New 52 lines. Monster-honkin' book. I wasn't impressed by most of it, but I did really like The Court of Owls (I ended up reading the GNs), Aquaman (read the first GN as a result), and Animal Man. Not happy with rebooting Constantine as part of Justice League Dark, but I can understand. Constantine was getting a bit aged. Still, I'm not sure merging the DCU with Wildstorm and Vertigo was really a good idea. Sometimes it's freeing to have a separate space for your authors to write in that doesn't endanger your cash cow.

I am going back and reading Saga of the Swamp thing, starting with Alan Moore, and Hellblazer from the beginning. I'm about 3 or 4 GNs into both and I'm really liking it. Early Moore is a joy, and Delano is fantastic. It's almost like a horror anthology, Constantine, and Swamp Thing is Moore thinking big thoughts, but not totally gone over into crazy-land like some of his later stuff.

My favorite New 52 #1 was O.M.A.C.

It was just as crazy and Jack Kirby like with a touch of Keith Giffen. Even though I have all the single issues, I got the GN for this one.
Anyone else digging that one, even though it was canceled quickly?

[BurningDoom]

Two years later, why are we still calling it the "New" 52?

Because this is plain old "52":

[SpaceBooger]

Two years later, why are we still calling it the "New" 52?

Because this is plain old "52":

That makes sense.
52 was an awesome weekly series, too bad Countdown wasn't as sucessfull - I was digging the weekly comic idea.