Nevertheless, some had to go and here is where tough decisions had to be made.
Recently, I have been successful in getting myself a new job. Now, whilst this is cause for mucho celebration, and with it comes a higher salary, it does mean, that for the next 2-3 months, my finances will be stretched like never before.
Sadly this has meant I have looked at my monthly comic list in the hope I can reduce the number to something a bit more acceptable.
Before this attempted cull, my monthly list was around 35 however this doesn’t take into account that several of these were Marvel titles that are released every 2-3 weeks. With that in mind, I was probably nearer 40 a month. Nevertheless, some had to go and here is where tough decisions had to be made. Looking through my list, I realised I was hanging on to titles out of habit and had no real reason to hold on to them.
When I first started collecting comics, I only looked at DC titles. Thankfully, I eventually opened my eyes and now pick up many others, mainly from Marvel and Image. With my selection range widening, it does mean I have to be more selective in which ones I hold on to. For example, my intention is to hold on to only the mainstream DC / Marvel titles in order to keep up to speed on their top-level story arcs. With that in mind, there were some titles that were easier than others to cut.
Each of my comics made good arguments however the following are now gone.
X-MEN LEGACY – this has probably been one of the better Marvel NOW titles and has benefited from doing its own thing, not being too involved with the rest of the Marvel universe. However, that has also been its downfall in that it doesn’t feel like an ‘important’ title.
X-Men Legacy – This has probably been one of the better Marvel NOW titles and has benefited from doing its own thing
DETECTIVE COMICS – maybe more experienced readers could clear this up for me however I get the impression Detective is not held in as high regards as perhaps it once was. Whilst Snyder’s Batman has received deserved praise, it has resulted in Detective becoming almost insignificant in the grand scheme of things. In the New 52, none of the arcs have felt compelling and these have had to be paused for tie-in issues to Snyder’s Court of Owl / Joker storylines. Even with Snyder leaving present day Batman to concentrate on Zero Year, I’ve decided Justice League can fill the hole now left by Detective.
BATMAN AND ROBIN – this is the second time B&R has been dropped. With Robin’s death, I thought the constant changing of companion would create interesting pairings I hadn’t seen before, creating some intriguing new dynamics. Whilst this has been the case, I can only take so much of Batman moping around, acting depressed over his son’s death. Because of his loss, the tone of the title has been dragged down for too long. The ‘silent’ issue after Robin’s death was fantastic but it has gone on for too long.
Batman and Robin – I can only take so much of Batman moping around, acting depressed over his son’s death.
WORLDS FINEST – again, the second time this has been dropped. I have held on to this title waiting for the eventual coming together of Earth 1 & 2, expecting a great pay-off. Sadly, this has still to happen and I will hang on to Earth 2 to keep this part of the DC Universe in my collection. Plus, is it me or is Earth 2’s Supergirl far too arrogant and cocky to be a title character?
GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS – this was dropped a couple of weeks ago however it is back on my list after reading positive reviews of #21, the first issue under new writer Justin Jordan. It is still on shaky ground as the title has struggled to maintain any form of consistency with its direction. Team members come and go, the reason for their formation changing, it makes me forget how they all got together in the first place.
Green Lantern: New Guardians – Team members come and go, the reason for their formation changing, it makes me forget how they all got together in the first place.
SUICIDE RISK – I bought #1 of this title purely of its premise of police fighting a losing battle against super-powered villains. It was unlike anything else in my collection and all was going well until the last few pages reveal the lead cop be infused with super powers. In my opinion, this contradicted the basic selling point of the comic. The good guys were not supposed to have powers. It may seem like a minor complaint but I lost interest after that.
JIRNI – I can’t remember why I selected this in the first place. #1 was the re-telling of a generic fantasy story told a hundred times before. See ya!
Jirni – I can’t remember why I selected this in the first place.
Whilst I was quite happy with getting my list into the 20’s, the past few weeks have seen new additions in Image’s Sheltered and Lazarus. Image have an annoying habit of releasing a steady flow of new titles of high quality and, even though some people have criticised them given how many dystopian titles they have, this doesn’t concern me at all.
Yes, the likes of Walking Dead, East of West, Sheltered, and Lazarus have similarities however that has not prevented them from being highly creative titles that are of better quality than the majority of generic DC / Marvel titles.
Thankfully, some of my titles are mini-series (Thanos Rising / Storm Dogs) and they are due to end soon.
It was only with this recent financial clamp-down that I have seen the hard part of comic reading as the likes of crossovers and new titles make it extremely difficult to keep a lid on things.
The person I feel worst for is my comic book guy as I send him revised lists every few weeks which probably makes his life a living hell!
You can follow Stuart on twitter @Martel_79 or check out his website theonlywayisgeek.blogspot.co.uk/ for more comic news and views!
Posted on July 28th, 2013
Category: NEWS & VIEWS, THE ONLY WAY IS GEEK
Tags: Batman And Robin, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Detective Comics, Green Lantern New Guardians, Jirni, marvel comics, Stuart Ingram, Suicide Risk, Worlds Finest, X-Men Legacy
The title that has induced the most geek rage in me, ever since the re-boot in fact, was Green Arrow.
One of the advantages of my laptop sadly being out of commission for the past few weeks is that it has given me a chance to look back on DC’s #0 month as a whole.
Like most DC fans, I was looking forward to an easy entry into titles not previously read, as well as reading up on the back stories of my regular pull list. I was also hoping it would breathe new life into titles I’ve cancelled over the last twelve months.
Whilst it is safe to say the reception has been mixed, I would say it has been for a variety of reasons, with no single factor to blame for its possible failure. Undoubtedly, some titles were plain not very good, however that had to be expected when we were dealing with over 50 titles. Even the most die-hard of DC fans must have thought that! My first problem though, after reading over 20 issues, was whether all titles actually required a #0 origin tale in the first place?
My first problem though, after reading over 20 issues, was whether all titles actually required a #0 origin tale in the first place?
Personally, it got to the point where many titles merged into one and became very predictable as they followed a standard storyline. Two generic plot templates emerged with the main character either experiencing a tragic event in their early years or being responsible for such an event through reckless behaviour. Through these events, their new persona is used for either vengeance or a form of redemption.
I have no problem in DC using this as an excuse to pull in new readers, using the #0 issue as an accessible entry way into a title, however was there honestly a need for four Batman #0’s (Batman, Detective, Batman & Robin, Dark Knight)? Granted, they concentrated on different aspects of Bruce’s early days and they were all personal high-points for Zero month, but still unnecessary. Additionally, a number of titles had concluded their arc with #12 anyway so the next issue could well be seen as a potential jumping on point for new readers.
Was there honestly a need for four Batman #0’s (Batman, Detective, Batman & Robin, Dark Knight)?
The titles that would likely benefit the most from Zero month would be those that started back in September 2011 where the sales figures have been steadily falling. Two titles where the #0 issue has been detrimental would be World’s Finest and Earth 2. After only four issues released prior to this September, both titles were still finding their way, introducing new characters, and building a solid fan base. I think it was bad timing here for both titles to go on a two month break before their stories could resume. Staying with World’s Finest, one criticism of its #0 issue would be in the art department. For a comic that deals with the sudden loss of a parent, there was far too much of a cartoony feel which was completely out of context with what was actually going on.
Two titles where the #0 issue has been detrimental would be World’s Finest and Earth 2.
The title that has induced the most geek rage in me, ever since the re-boot in fact, was Green Arrow. As mentioned earlier, it is the feature of some titles for the main character to be on a quest of redemption for their past ill activities, however in my two years of reading comics, I’ve never seen such an unlikeable character as this interpretation of Oliver Queen as he shows no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
When comparing him to the Oli Queen from Identity Crisis, an ageing cynical man looking to reconnect with his wife and children, it’s almost painful to read this re-booted version and it is a title that was quickly removed from my monthly list. It seems to be a homage to the Queen seen in Smallville which doesn’t sound like a bad idea on paper, however the transition to the comic book has just not worked. The #0 issue, showing him to be a rich playboy at fault for a large explosion and the possible death of a friend, was a bad choice as that’s not the kind of act someone can hope to come back from.
In my two years of reading comics, I’ve never seen such an unlikeable character as this interpretation of Oliver Queen as he shows no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Aside from the Batman titles, I found Batgirl, Swamp Thing, and Talon to be good reads but not enough to get the next issue although, with the Joker storyline featuring heavily in Batgirl over the next few months, I may quickly reverse that decision.
Perhaps the most striking point is my favourite #0 issue turned out to be Green Lantern: New Guardians and that wasn’t an origin issue, instead more of a reforming of the team prior to the Rise of the Third Army story.
Perhaps the most striking point is my favourite #0 issue turned out to be Green Lantern: New Guardians and that wasn’t an origin issue!
On a side note, I have, over the past couple of months and done the unthinkable in reading a few Marvel titles in Avengers vs. X-Men, Gambit, and Hawkeye. As reluctant as I was, I have noted a considerable improvement in terms of character and general dialogue. From these early issues, it appears Marvel are more comfortable with their creations, developing characters without betraying their origins. This is compared where many DC titles just seem too forced in putting across their point and not giving their storylines enough time to flourish. As an example, poor old Superman has had a rough time since the reboot as he continues to find a worthwhile arc.
In conclusion, the effect of Zero month has been for me to take up some Marvel titles as well as some upcoming Image comics that are released in November so, personally, I suppose it hasn’t worked. I hope that DC looks to Batman’s Court of Owl’s storyline and see, when given plenty of time to develop, a title is more likely to succeed and I hope that happens over the next 12 months.
Follow Stuart on twitter @Martel_79 or check out his website theonlywayisgeek.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted on November 3rd, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, THE ONLY WAY IS GEEK
Tags: #0 month, Aquaman, Arrow, Batman, Batman: The Dark Knight, DC Comics, DC Zero Month Review, earth 2, Green Arrow, Green Lantern New Guardians, Oliver Queen, Stuart Ingram, The Only Way Is Geek, Worlds Finest
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