I would go if I had bothing else to do. But I can’t think of anything he’s inked that has been particularly memorable.

Just read this and it was AWESOME so I’m reading vol. 2



Also this:



And this (I don’t believe the Oz reveal is legit... real reveal yet to come, IMO)

Sev, have you started White Knight yet? #1 came out last week.

I stopped "The War Of Jokes & Riddles" mid-way through and then had #32 spoiled for me which was sort of annoying but whatever. Gonna jump back into mainline Batman w/ #32 though since Joelle Jones is doing art and she's one of my absolute favorites right now.

White Knight! I knew I had forgotten something!

No, I haven’t but I will.

Fuck the War of Jokes and Riddles and its dumbass Kite-Man bullshit. What a whopping let-down. Didn’t finish that.

Hey if you’re not reading DARK NIGHTS METAL you are missing the fuck out.
It’s super Bat-centric (like, super Bat-centric[/i]), and it has ripped off 2000 AD/Judge Dredd’s “Deadworld” and “Judge Death” pretty blatantly, but MAN isit satisfying!!!

Here’s a quick checklist of what your ass needs to read:
• DARK DAYS: THE FORGE and THE CASTING
• Dark Nights Metal #1
• Dark Nights Metal #2
• DNM tie-in: THE RED DEATH
• DNM tie-in: MURDER MACHINE
• DNM tie-in: DAWNBREAKER
• Dark Nights Metal #3

...

Also Marvel Legacy looks pretty baller.

I’ve been reading a ton of comics lately

Read Legacy tonight actually. It was good.

White Knight #1 was good. Great art.

oh Sev, did you ever read The Vision series that Tom King did 2015-2016? There were only twelve issues total I believe. I've been reading them via the recent Director's Cut reprints, so I've read the first four issues so far and they are just, well, brilliant.

I mean it's not a superhero story - at all. The short version is that Vision decides he wants to have a family. So he synthesizes a wife and two kids and they move to the suburbs. And then it's this weird tragic story about... well. Things.

I don't really want to spoil anything. I can only say that I really can't even compare it to another comic book. It's really just incredible.

Hmm. Interesting! They have that at my local library and I’ve eyed it but never read it. Not really a Vision fan at all.

But I probably will now. Thanks!

Tom King is something special.
This Vision thing you’re talking about sounds similar in tone to his ABSOLITELY BEAUTIFUL and HILARIOUS and utterly tragic new “Mister Miracle” run. Seriously one of the most unique comics I’ve read in ages. Absolutely devastating and sad and funny, and very much NOT a superhero story.

Starts with “Mister Miracle”/Scott Free trying to complete the most epic “escape” of his career — an escape from death afteran attempted suicide. :( Then it gets really dark...I would recommend the living FUCK out of it.

Variant cover for Mister Miracle (2017-) #3



The second issue is, like, award-worthy. I swear. It’s just about perfect, and it’s getting tons of hype. I’ve never even really paid attention to this character until now, but WOW.

dude, when I saw Mister Miracle #1 I was like "hmm... that reminds me of the Vision comic." So yeah. I'll check it out gladly. I didn't even realize (or remember) that King was doing it so yeah it totally sounds like he's basically doing something similar for DC w/ this book that he did for Marvel a couple years back. Count me in!

If they hey Vision at your library - get it. Seriously. There are some comics where I'm like "hey you might like this." This isn't one of this. This is one where I'm saying "TRUST ME ON THIS ONE" y'know?

I believe you and I will check it out. I have total faith in Scott King right now. Funnily enough, his Batman work is actually his least impressive (except for that excellent Swamp Thung one shot in April).

The new Mister Miracle thing is just incredible. Newsarama (a comic book website of questionable editorial quality, but meh) has given every issue a 10/10. It’s a wonderful ode to Jack Kirby that embraces the cosmic epic weirdness of his characters as well as the deep personal and emotional elements, while still moving it forward and doing something *truly* new.

It’s a mystery, and Scott Free is obviously in the process of going insane on some level, but he can’t quite grasp it. It’s like what an intergalactic war story about demigods might look if it were written by Wes Anderson. And it’s haunting and hilarious, as I said.

It does sound like there’s some similar genre bending going on with the Vision comic you mentioned, so I will totally pick that up this week. Promise.

Cool cool. I really think you will like it. Wes Anderson doing American Beauty... With Robots is prob as close descriptor as I can give it.

I will plan to grab Mister Miracle next comic shop stop.

Funny that we both mentioned Wes Anderson. Dark Wes Anderson though. “Needle in the Hay” scene in Tennenbaums Wes Anderson.

Actually... that’s super accurate.

Marvel Legacy #1 was indeed good. Even if the word “legacy” was used about 1,000 times more than necessary. And even if it is just a big ass honking “DC Universe Rebirth” rip-off like cuh-rrraaaazy.

Eterrnals and Celestials instead of Watchmen and Manhattan, fucking with time and “legacies.”

Still very cool though. Never would have thought the “1,000,000,000 B.C. Avengers” would have done it for me, but they kinda did.

Yeah I thought that part was gonna be lame... But it somehow worked.

I mean, 1 million B.C.? That’s a fucking lot of B.C.. I thought it would be a lame pre-Thor Thor, but instead it was a semi-worthy Odin, which totally worked (and also seemed to cement the fact that Marvel is indeed and extension of Norse mythology, of Odin “created” Earth... meh). And an unnamed Black Panther type, ostensibly acting as the guardian of Wakanda (which is now, like, a cosmic thing?h”), and an O.G. Spirit of Vengeance riding a wooly mammoth. That was cool. I thought they were going to try to fit Cap and Iron Man in there (like, have some guy using tools from the Bronze Age, I guess? As early Iron Man? I dunno. Glad that didn’t happen.)

I want more Odinson.

MORE ODINSON.

Whole thing really is a flagrant rip of Rebirth though. Fer serious. I take no joy in saying that, but that’s what’s happening.

NR - I picked up the first two Vision books by Tom King at the library — “Little Worse than a Man” and “Little Better than a Beast.”

I can tell you right of the bat that the art is nowhere near as compelling or beautiful as that of “Mister Miracle,” which is truly every bit as top-notch as the writing. But I’m still excited to read these.

I also picked up the first two volumes of “new” Thor, which is now kind of old, but yeah.

I’ve read a bunch of crap lately. Alias Investigations on the MAX imprint, Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon, The New Avengers: Breakout, Deadpool’s Skrull war antics from 2009 or whatever, Captain America: the Winter Soldier, and Thor by J.Michael Straczynski. Also other stuff. There’s some decent free reading on Amazon Prime, btw.

I also read Teen Titans: Rebirth book 1 (“Damian Knows Best”) and god... bunch of other shit.

Dark Nights: Metal is still awesome. If you haven’t read that, you’re not into comics.

Those two Vision books are the only two Vision books man. The series was only 12 issues.

Art preference is well, preference of course. I find the Vision art super easy on the eyes. Soothing almost.

Re: Dark Nights Metal... I know you want me to be interested in it. But I can't seem to get myself to be. I think this is just one of those cases of "we have similar interests, but prefer different things within those interests." Of course we know that you're way more into DC than I am. And I can only juggle so many Bat-books at once. I'm planning to get back into the main series now that Joelle Jones is doing the art. And White Night looks really good.

Alias - YES! Both Alias and The Pulse are so so great. A million times better than the current JJ series which feels so aimless.

Astonishing Whedon X-Men is totally on my want-to-read list.

I do have Prime and I often download free stuff there... but then never read it. As convenient as tablet comics sound, I just never seem to actually read them and instead go over to my always growing pile of physical comic books that I still have unread.

I still keep my stupid little reading journal blog, but here's what I've read most recently:

The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #10
Astonishing X-Men (2017) #2
Hawkeye #9
Marvel Legacy #1
TMNT #73
Runaways (2017) #1
The Vision: Director's Cut #2 (issues 3&4)

Well, Dark Nights: Metal is not really a bathbook. Honestly, the tie-ins are all about alternate reality characters that are definitely NOT Batman, but are Dark Multiverse versions of Bruce Wayne. They’re about other characters, and new characters. I don’t love ALL of it, but it’s one of the most worth-reading major titles out there. For an “event” it’s surprisingly addictive and fun.

Batman hasn’t been in any books since the second issue.


Anyway...

Now reading the Vision series and you’re right, it’s blooody amazing.
I hear Tom King worked for the CIA before writing. Smart dude.
Strongly dislike the art, but the story is bumpin’ and creepy.

Mister Miracle... now! Do it! Read it now! Read Mister Miracle #1 you bastard! I can’t do all the leg work in this kinda friendship ;)

see you're still not selling me on Metal. I think I might kind of tired of 'events' lately anyway. I don't know. I'd probably be more interested if I didn't already have so much to read right now, and not enough time to read it. I'm playing catch-up on a lot of stuff that I love as it is.

The Vision art is obviously a taste thing. I really love it.

I'm totally picking up Mister Miracle #1 as soon as I can get to the comic shop. I may do that tomorrow if I have time. But yeah, next time I get there I'll pick it up, promise.

Well, there is a lot to wade through in Metal. Especially if you haven’t read Snyder and Capullo’s run on New 52 Batman (the “Court of Owls” arc, to which Metal is a long-delayed; and MUCh grander, follow-up). There are two rather dense prologue issues (The Forge and the Casting), both of which are kinda meh, and honestly didn’t really sell me on anything... they feature art by John Romita Jr., who is actually one of my favorite artists in comics, but I absolutely LOATHE the way he draws Batman. Not lithe or derailed enough... too blocky for the character, kind of like his equally off-base drawing of Spider-Man (characters he draws well include Thor, Daredevil, Superman, the Eternals, Hulk, etc.)

But... once Batman disappears from the whole thing (which happens near the end of Dark Nights: Metal #2 I think) and the tie-ins — single issues focusing on the various Dark Multiverse incarnations of Bats, how they came to be, andhow they were tracked down and recruited by the Batman Who Laughs (Joker-Batman) and his master, the dark cosmic deity Barbatos (basically Spectre-Batman, a creature older than time), it really gets good.

The issue that just came out for instance, Batman: The Drowned; is about the Batman/Awuaman character (who is a woman, so... kind of a Bat-Aqua-Man-Woman?) is just PHENOMENAL. A genuinely great story about a really intriguing character.

Ad next up is the Ares/Batman mashup, the Merciless. Then the Doomsday/Batman, the Devastator.

I think some of these characters might end up sticking around after Metal is over. The Drownedis VERY popular, and frankly it’s one of the best comics featuring Aquaman that I’ve ever read.

Anyhoo... you could probably skip the preludes and start with Dark Nights: Metal 1, and judt read the intro paragraph to catch up on those boring Romita-drawn issues.

But... Mister Miracle is really the best thing happening in DC right now. That and Action Comics, which is dealing with Mr. Oz, and swiftly moving toward the beginning of DOOMSDAY CLOCK, which is absolutely not something you’re going to want to miss.

I just picked up The Mighty Thor #700, which features the death of Jane Foster and Odinson’s return to the mantle of Thor. It’s 50 pages, and I haven’t started it yet, but it’s drawn by Walter Simonson, so I am so totally down. It’s part of the whole “Legacy” thing.


ALSO: Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan started this week. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s one I inagine you will be all over.

I will def read Doomsday Clock.

Thor 700 looks good.

Too many Deadpool miniseries to keep up with. Deadpool v Punisher was kind of meh. Think my fav Deadpool story this year was Til Death Do Us. That was pretty great.

Old Man Logan is great though. Honestly got me back into Wolverine. Not just the original book, but the current ongoing series.

The Deadpool stuff is gimmicky, but so is most of what Marvel does.
I never even read Edge of Venomverse. Is that still a thing? Eh. Who cares.

BTW: I’ve taken a several month break from SAGA because it’s SO good that I can’t stand reading a little pinch at a time. Gonna wait for the next TPB to come out.

Yeah Venomverse is still happening. Haven't read a page of it.

Neither have I. I am just not a Venom guy. Don’t give a fuck about him/it/blah. Some of the character designs for Venomized Marvel heroes were cool though. Others were nah.

see, I actually do "like" Venom, in that I think he (well, it) can be used rather interestingly. That said, I don't necessarily want Venom to be the star of a story. Rather I want Venom to a part of someone else's story.

Most recently the alien-goop took over MJ in Renew Your Vows and it was just a really interesting bit... that sadly was rushed through in just two issues where it could have been explored way better in like six. Oh well.

Yeah, I guess I like the symbiotes (what’s the main one’s name? Kvyntar? Some shit?) but I don’t care for most of the Venom-centric stories. Like when Venom rebooted last year, it was all about this totally ‘90s d-bag thug with slicked back hair who was an Afghanistan vet who wanted to use the symbiotic to take over the stupid Spider-Man underworld (run by fucking Black Cat of all lame asses), and it was just meathead bullshit. The cool stuff was when the symbiote had conversations with the dude, and fought him and eventually brought him down.

Then Eddi Brock re-entered the picture and I was like, “I officially do not give two fucks.”

I liked the Flash Thompson good-guy Venom who was with the Guardians of the Galaxy.

But... meh.

I can’t belive they’re really making a Venom movie. Starting the guy who played Bane. Seriously, is Tom Hardy the only guy with muscles who can also act? I think this bullshit is beneath him. The movie is going to suck nut. I honestly can’t even begin to understand why an actor of such exquisite taste and ability would take such a horrendous role.

Let Dwayne Johnson be Venom. That sounds perfectly stupid!

Just finished the first Vision book, NR.

I’m warming to the art, as I think it works for the story. It’s oddly reminiscent of certain illustrated children’s/young adult books in the ‘90s. Like... kinda dark and fucked up ones. I can’t remember any of the names of these books, but they involved scary stories and cautionary tales. Maybe it’s the same guy/gal drawing?

Anyway, I definitely don’t think this book would have worked with, like, Jim Lee art, or anything resembling the shiny, idealized “superhero” stuff from the big books.

I’m in awe of Tom King’s writing. Just in absolute awe.

Moving onto book 2 now.

HOW’S MISTER MIRACLE COMING ALONG?!?!?!?!

been sick all weekend, so catching up on all your responses now haha.


I mean, I'm gonna see it because it's interesting to me that it's even being made. But yeah the casting felt weird to me because well, he's already Bane. I just feel like putting him in another comic book movie as someone else I'm gonna be sitting there like "why is Bane Venom now?" instead of just getting lost in it.

The Rock would have been awesome actually. Haha. The dude is highly entertaining and kind of a perfect fit for such a character.


hey glad you're enjoying it man. I still need to pick up Director's Cut #3 (which is issues 5 and 6) to finish the first book myself.

I had planned to get to the comic shop this weekend, but being sick knocked me on my ass. Trust, I have quite the lengthy shopping list at this point...


Anyway, I read a few things while lying around feeling like crap. I finally read through the Batman/Aliens collection that I have. (Also known simply as DC & Dark Horse Aliens). The book consists of: Batman/Aliens, Batman/Aliens II, Superman & Batman Vs Aliens & Predator, and WildCATS/Aliens.

Honestly, it was mostly bad. The best stuff was the straight up Batman/Aliens stuff. The second story was seemingly the better until the end when it gets so GD silly. Art was nice. The Supes/Bats story was crap, though. Boring writing, lifeless art.

Overall, not a book I'd recommend. And you know that I'm the type to say "sure, yeah, through a Xenomorph into anything and I'll be into it."

hey dude, this article makes King's use of Kite Man actually pretty friggin interesting...

https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/19/1...ng-bill-finger

Yeah, I *get* it dude. It’s smart, it’s potent, it’s just the right mix of kitschy and serious... but goddammit, I don’t care! I wanted to see the Joker eat the Riddler’s family. I wanted some shit to Go. The Fuck. Down. I wanted a great crime saga to unfold, and ultimately I wanted Batman to be a supporting character in story about villains. I did not want a Charles the-fuck-Brown interlude and a bunch of other bullshit.

I’ve been sick too.
Really fucking sick actually.

Most of my reading this year has been graphic novels through digital comics. The last non-graphic novel I read was Joe Hill's The Fireman, this year I've bought books 3&4 of Locke & Key, Vol.1-2 from American Vampire, and 3 volumes of Saga of The Swamp Thing.

DOOMSDAY CLOCK IS OUT (since Nov. 22) AND FUCKING AWESOME

DARK KNIGHTS METAL #4 JUST CAME OUT AND IS FUCKING AWESOME

I kinda feel like I’m the only one who reads comics enough to talk about them regularly here.

Oh, NR, there’s a new BATMAN/TMNT crossover out now, and they’re going up against Bane. Looks ok.

there's a graphic novel made out of Nick Cave! It's a very free form biography, based more on his songs and reputation than on his actual life. I have it, but haven't read it yet. The fonts are too freaking small, I'm getting old and should need glasses apparently. But it looks very cool.

The author is Reinhard Kleist, the title is Mercy On Me. Original language is German, but there's an English translation as well.


(P.S.: sorry Sev for stealing your thread ;) )

What were the year’s best titles in comics?

Hmm.

Single-issue wise, I’d have trouble deciding between Batman #23 (Swamp Thing one-shot), Marvel Legacy #1, The Mighty Thor #700, Doomsday Clock #1, The Batman’s who Laughs #1, and any (literally... any) of the issues of Mister Miracle written this year.

Series-wise, SAGA of course, Mister Miracle... probably one of those two. Also Dark Knights Metal, Black Bolt, Monstress... I dunno. Worth thinking about, maybe.

What? Which one? The best new/most anticipated albums?

Yeah you should be you fucker!

Couldn’t even think of a new name! I am grudgin’ on you big time. Consider my only making THIS big a deal of it an act of great kindness and friendship.

My brother has been gifting me with some sweet comics lately, as if I wasn't juggling enough between Locke & Key(which I just bought book 5)Saga of Swamp Thing, and American Vampire, he went and gave me Spawn Volume 1, Book 1 of The Dark Tower comic, and book one of The Stand comic.