Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 37

[Everlost_MI]

Welcome to week thirty-seven of Evil Avatar’s Weekly Comic Book Reviews.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week thirty-seven is Fantastic Four Iron Man: Big In Japan #2 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=13845&HS=1) courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week thirty-seven is Sunday, November 20th. The selection of the random winner for the November books will occur on Sunday November 27th. Click here (everlost_mi@evilavatar.com) to submit your entry and don’t forget to include your Evil Avatar screenname. Remember, you can submit one entry each week to increase your chances of winning.

The list of books that are going to be given away for the month of November are:

· Ultimate Secret #4
· Fantastic Four Iron Man: Big In Japan #2 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=13845&HS=1)

The month of December will mark a month full of signed copies of Athena Voltaire #1 being published by Speakeasy Comics (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/index.asp). For those unfamiliar with Athena Voltaire check out the following press release (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/news/news_72805b.html) and the official Athena Voltaire website. (http://www.athenavoltaire.com/) In honor of this BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) is offering an addition 10% off all Speakeasy comics until November 30th, bringing the total discount to 30% off! Use the code, EASPEAKEASY.

If you’re tired of missing out on your regular or new comics then you’re in need of a reliable comic book subscription provider. Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway provider, BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) offers comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 20% off of cover price, all issues are bagged and boarded PLUS free* shipping for orders over $14.99 and cheap* shipping for orders under $14.99 (*see BCBcomics’ website (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details).

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

[Everlost_MI]

Week Thirty-Seven:
Evil Avatar's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 37
By Everlost_MI (Brian K. Nichols), Editor in Chief

House of M: The Day After (One-shot)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Chris Claremont
Pencils: Randy Green & Aaron Lopresti
Inks: Rob Hunter, Norm Rapmund & Don Hillsman
Colors: Lare Molinar with Avalon
Lettering: Virtual Calligraphy
Editor: Mike Marts
Price: $3.99 US/$5.75 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/homtda.jpg

This issue bridges the end of the House of M series and the rest of the X-titles by showing how devastated the mutant community has become since the Scarlet Witch uttered her will of “No More Mutants.” While this command didn’t totally decimate the world’s population of mutants, it did reduce it significantly from a number in the millions to hundreds. To make matters worse, the Sentinels have been reactivated to “keep the peace” between the surviving mutants and the human race. The issue gives the audience a glimpse into Mutant Town, the reappearance of Quicksilver, the rebirth of Excalibur, and Wolverine’s changed perspective on the world and his life.

Chris Claremont who used to be the X-Men writer back in the day, did a decent job on this issue by focusing on the interpersonal relationships and reactions of the surviving mutants, especially the Blob, Emma Frost, Colossus and Jubilee. The artwork however was just ugly with poor layouts and inconsistent details and angles being used on characters and the environment.

Bottom Line:
Even if you’ve been following the House of M series, you can skip this issue. Not much truly happens story wise and the artwork is just horrible. Save your money.

Rating: 1 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e1.jpg


Infinite Crisis #2 (of 7)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Phil Jimenez
Inks: Andy Lanning, Jerry Ordway, Norm Rapmund, Marlo Alquiza & Lary Stucker
Colors: Jeromy Cox & Guy Major
Letters: Nick J. Napolitano
Cover artists: George Perez and Jim Lee & Sandra Hope
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Price: $3.99 US/$5.50 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/infcrisis2.jpg

Wow. This series continues to impress me as Geoff Johns is throwing everything into this story including the kitchen sink. From the little touches of Supergirl stating there is no word for escape in her native language to brining everyone up to speed with the synopsis of Crisis on Infinite Earths without boring long time fans or losing new readers in the process. There is not a page, let alone a panel that is wasted in this issue. Some of the highlights of the issue include the Joker’s violent integration of the Royal Flush Gang to the intrigue that Booster Gold has sparked with his search for Blue Beetle’s Scarab.

Geoff Johns is firing on all cylinders with a fantastic story that is chucked full of great dialogue, character development and constant action. Phil Jimenez provides gorgeous artwork in the midst of snappy layouts and frenzied battle scenes that accentuate John’s energetic script.

Bottom Line:
Buy this book. Even if you’re not a major DC fan, you need to pick this series up. This series to date provides an energetic and interesting story that won’t allow you to catch your breathe from page to page.

Rating: 5 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e5.jpg

DMZ #1 (An ongoing series)
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Writer: Brian Wood
Artists/Creators: Riccardo Burchielli & Brian Wood
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Will Dennis
Price: $2.99 US/$4 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/dmz.jpg

This new series from Brian Wood, whose previous work includes Channel Zero, and Riccardo Burchielli is about Matthew Roth, an aspiring photojournalist who’s Dad pulled a few strings to get him on the same team as veteran war journalist. His first job is to be one of the first to venture in the DMZ in over five years since a recent ceasefire was agreed upon. However, the DMZ is Manhattan. Civil war has broken out between the U.S. government and anti-establishment militias five years prior. Without spoiling too much more, Roth knows he is clearly in over his head and things go bad fast as his crewmates and the helicopter he rode in are lost moments after crossing into the DMZ.

Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli have created more than a bleak future for their various creations to run around in but make some social and political comments while trying to explore the possibility of having civil war break out on U.S. soil again. Matthew Roth is a character that is easy to identify with, who can barely keep his head above the water in the events that drag him in. The story, dialogue and characterizations are excellent and it takes less than a few pages to become completely immersed in this world. The artwork is dark and moody with excellent detail to show how ugly the world, the DMZ is. The coloring by Jeromy Cox matched the artwork by blanketing the in world in dark or earth tones to add to the subdued atmosphere.

Bottom Line:
This issue is definitely worth the money if any of the follow piques your interest. This series is at least initially reminiscent of Frank Miller’s Give Me Liberty or Hard Boiled. This initial issue could be compared to Blackhawk Down but with more social/political focuses as it focuses on the life of someone who has been thrown head first into the trenches when the social and political issues have failed or succeeded.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 EvilEyes
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e4_5.jpg

What else is worth reading this week…
· The Walking Dead #23 – FIGHT!

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week thirty-seven is Fantastic Four Iron Man: Big In Japan #2 (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=13845&HS=1)courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week thirty-seven entry submissions is Sunday, November 20th.

The month of December will mark a month full of signed copies of Athena Voltaire #1 being published by Speakeasy Comics (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/index.asp). For those unfamiliar with Athena Voltaire check out the following press release (http://www.speakeasycomics.com/news/news_72805b.html) and the official Athena Voltaire website. (http://www.athenavoltaire.com/)
In honor of this BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) is offering an addition 10% off all Speakeasy comics until November 30th, bringing the total discount to 30% off! Use the code, EASPEAKEASY.

If you’re tired of missing out on your regular or new comics then you’re in need of a reliable comic book subscription provider. Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway provider, BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/) offers comic book subscriptions (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) with many fringe benefits including no hidden costs, 20% off of cover price, all issues are bagged and boarded PLUS free* shipping for orders over $14.99 and cheap* shipping for orders under $14.99 (*see BCBcomics’ website (http://www.bcbcomics.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=7
) for the details).

Click here (everlost_mi@evilavatar.com) to submit your entry and don’t forget to include your Evil Avatar screenname.

Remember, you can submit one entry per week to increase your chances of winning.

[Heretic Machine]

You know, I'm going to have to disagree with you. You've been pretty hard on House of M through the whole cross-over, and giving Infinite Crisis high marks on both issues. I've read Infinite Crisis, and I've read House of M... HoM has been better overall. I'm not sure I like what it has done to the universe, but the series itself was quite solid and entertaining.

[InstaPete]

Agreed on the first two, completely. I haven't been super-into the Infinite Crisis series so far, but man, Issue 2 knocked me on my ass. GREAT GREAT story. Johns has a great way of weaving together completely unrelated stories and elements into a new story that makes it seem like the connections were always there. For example, GL: Rebirth.

And of course the HoM "epilogue" sucked. Chris Claremont wrote it.

[Dr.Finger]

I liked HoM overall, but it still felt like the first act of a movie to me. That would be fine if it was a story arc, or a mini series, but it was pumped as THE event but seemed more like the lead-in to THE event. As I story, good, as an event, middling.

[Everlost_MI]

You know, I'm going to have to disagree with you. You've been pretty hard on House of M through the whole cross-over, and giving Infinite Crisis high marks on both issues. I've read Infinite Crisis, and I've read House of M... HoM has been better overall. I'm not sure I like what it has done to the universe, but the series itself was quite solid and entertaining.

I've been pretty hard on the HoM because I expected more from Bendis, more from Marvel. Bendis has wrote some of the best Marvel comics that have been produced in awhile. For example, his run on Daredevil or his first 30 issues of Ultimate Spider-Man. Now, if Marvel released HoM and didn't make the same promises a sixteen year boy does to his girlfriend in an effort to get in her pants I wouldn't have room to bitch. But I've been around the block with Marvel and girls long enough to know a pattern when I see one. C'mon the whole Prof X going MIA again? It's a pattern they've used more than once and that's ok. Just don't act like it's the newest twist in storytelling. I don't expect the changes to be permanent but Marvel should at least acknowledge that they have reader base that have been collecting for longer than two years.

Also, do you really think they needed eight issues to tell the story in HoM? No, they could have gotten it done and done well in four or five issues. That's what I enjoy about Infinite Crisis, they are using every single panel and page to the tell the story so far.

In any case, if it's not obvious from my complaining I am a huge Marvel fan. If I didn't care, I wouldn't complain.

[mister_slim]

Ooh. Brian Wood comics.

By the way, he used to do graphic design for Rockstar, including some work on GTA.

[swiftdraw]

DMZ is looking good to me right now. I'm trying to get away from superhero comics for a bit and this looks like a good place to start. Now if I could only figure out where a friggin' comic book store is around these parts. And no, I can't order these things online.

[Heretic Machine]

I've been pretty hard on the HoM because I expected more from Bendis, more from Marvel. Bendis has wrote some of the best Marvel comics that have been produced in awhile. For example, his run on Daredevil or his first 30 issues of Ultimate Spider-Man. Now, if Marvel released HoM and didn't make the same promises a sixteen year boy does to his girlfriend in an effort to get in her pants I wouldn't have room to bitch. But I've been around the block with Marvel and girls long enough to know a pattern when I see one. C'mon the whole Prof X going MIA again? It's a pattern they've used more than once and that's ok. Just don't act like it's the newest twist in storytelling. I don't expect the changes to be permanent but Marvel should at least acknowledge that they have reader base that have been collecting for longer than two years.

Here is the problem: You are judging the comic on things that have nothing to do with the comic. If you approached it as if you never read Newsarama, then maybe your score would be higher. Most likely quite a bit higher.

Also, do you really think they needed eight issues to tell the story in HoM? No, they could have gotten it done and done well in four or five issues. That's what I enjoy about Infinite Crisis, they are using every single panel and page to the tell the story so far.

For me, HoM moved at just the right pace. Infinite Crisis moves too fast, feels jumpy. I don't need to rush through a story, I like detail and deapth, HoM supplied it. Also keep in mind that HoM was basically a new setting, and that setting needed to be explored. Infinite Crisis is just the DC Universe.

As well, a lot of people are complaining that House of M won't matter because the editors will just restore everything in a couple of years. But they go on to rave about Infinite Crisis, despite it being the retconning of an old DC event.

I dunno, I just think HoM gets WAY more flack than it deserves from the comic-reading public.

[Everlost_MI]

Here is the problem: You are judging the comic on things that have nothing to do with the comic. If you approached it as if you never read Newsarama, then maybe your score would be higher. Most likely quite a bit higher.

The review is just my opinion and personal experience with comics, and specifically in this case with Marvel. If I didn't have any experience with Marvel and their crossovers then I probably would have ranked it higher. However, there have been a few massive crossovers that created long lasting changed. For example, the Mutant Massacre in the massive X-Men/X-Factor/Power Pack/Thor/New Mutants/Daredevil where Angel lost his wings after having them severely damaged then amputated. Which led to Apocalypse turning him to Death and eventually Archangel due to amputation. Or the introduction of Venom in a more benign form when Spider-Man needed a new costume when stuck in on the world the Beyonder created during the Secret Wars. While on the other hand, the whole business of Wolverine losing his adamantium during the Fatal Attractions crossover didn't last very long or the whole Onslaught business was short lived.

With all that being said, I don't change my opinion or rating of the series but I appreciate what you're saying. I hope I am wrong about being cynical about the House of M and that in the short or long run the stories and characters are better because of it. In short, thanks for making this an interesting, intelligent argument. It's becoming harder to have one these days.


For me, HoM moved at just the right pace. Infinite Crisis moves too fast, feels jumpy. I don't need to rush through a story, I like detail and deapth, HoM supplied it. Also keep in mind that HoM was basically a new setting, and that setting needed to be explored. Infinite Crisis is just the DC Universe.

As well, a lot of people are complaining that House of M won't matter because the editors will just restore everything in a couple of years. But they go on to rave about Infinite Crisis, despite it being the retconning of an old DC event.

I dunno, I just think HoM gets WAY more flack than it deserves from the comic-reading public.

I don't disagree that the Infinite Crisis is an update retelling of The Crisis on Infinite Earths. I mean, they have an artist that is reminiscent of George Perez doing the artwork. However, I still found it damn enjoyable. In any case, your points as well as mine are valid.

[lpmiller]

I would sure hope krypton had a word for escape. I mean, superman escaped from the planet in his escape rocket, not in his running away rocket.

[TrackZero]

I finally got around to reading all of House of M. Wow, it's just...I wasn't expecting any of that. And for it to be official cannon just throws me for a complete loop. Though I did enjoy finding out Wolverine is officially a Torontonian. ;)

[Kefkataran]

But they go on to rave about Infinite Crisis, despite it being the retconning of an old DC event.

It's not a retcon so far. They haven't changed anything about what happened in any previous DC events, unless I completely missed something. It's partially based on and in the spirit of Crisis on Infinite Earths. But a retcon? Not at all.

[TrackZero]

Sometimes I really wish I didn't have to order my comics online, with the cheapest shipping I can get. It's hard to avoid spoilers when you don't get your comics for two weeks.

I agree that House of M could have been a lot better, but I still liked it quite a bit. The beginning was slow, but later on I couldn't wait to read the next issues. Although, my copy of #8 is still in the mail, so technically I havent finished reading it yet.

No local store where you are I take it?

[TrackZero]

There is a local store, but they aren't always very reliable. When I had to buy Serenity #2 off ebay (for a much higher price), because they never got it in like they said they would, I finally decided to start buying my comics in advance online. This way I'm at least guaranteed to eventually get them without having to pay a higher price, and I'm not screwed if I can't get to the comic shop on wednesday.

Another reason is that I save money by buying from bcbcomics. The comics are 15% off, there's no sales tax, and the shipping is free. I can end up saving as much as $20 a month, which can be a significant amount to a poor college student.

Ah yeah, I hate undependable stores like that. Thankfully whenever I visit my hometown, the local comic shop owner hunts things down and stores them away for me (for months at a time, even things I didn't ask for but he knows I'd dig). Though in the city, I'm lucky if I can find a store to bother ordering a popular TPB in for me.

[bardockkun]

Out of curiousity any guess on who destroyed the Watchtower and took Martian Manhunter in the last few panels of JLA: Crisis of Conscience? I mean after reading IC #2 is it too over the top to think that Earth-2 Superman might be responsible for it?

I mean things like Martian Manhunter thinking it was Superman on the watchtower and how the mystery person had a red cape and spoke "non-broken bizarro english." Since after reading how Earth-2 Superman basically said he needed to restart the Earth since he doesn't see this Earth as the one that shouldve survived, it wouldn't be too far fetched for him to destroy the Watchtower and take Martian Manhunter.

Though of course things like him being stuck in his perfect world at the time and Martian Manhunter and the "You!" Type face when he saw who it was don't exactly fit when everyone except for Psycho Pirate (meaning of ones before Earth-2 Superman and his group coming) remembering The Crisis.

[Kefkataran]

I mean after reading IC #2 is it too over the top to think that Earth-2 Superman might be responsible for it?

But timeline-wise, he wasn't there yet, right? Because he was still watching Batman/Wonder Woman/Superman fight in the destroyed watchtower... Still, it would make sense on some level. I'm not sure yet, but that's one mystery I'm waaaay psyched to see resolved. That final panel of JLA 119 was fucking spectacular.

[Kish]

Another reason is that I save money by buying from bcbcomics. The comics are 15% off, there's no sales tax, and the shipping is free. I can end up saving as much as $20 a month, which can be a significant amount to a poor college student.

I know somebody who is getting some free comics for the plug in his next shipment.

[Kefkataran]

I'd probably order of BCB if not for the nice employee discount I get at my local store (10% off, despite the fact I never work there any more). Once I'm out of college, though, that's probably my next choice.

[Heretic Machine]

Oh, SPOILERS here:




Is it just me, or is the whole premise of Infinite Crisis that Frank Miller caused the DC universe to go angsty, and that has pissed off Supes-2, who has now come back to replace the DC universe with Earth-2? I mean seriously, that's a bit screwed up.

[earthworm48]

Huh Wuh? I've missed something, how did Frank Miller get involved?

[bardockkun]

Oh, SPOILERS here:




Is it just me, or is the whole premise of Infinite Crisis that Frank Miller caused the DC universe to go angsty, and that has pissed off Supes-2, who has now come back to replace the DC universe with Earth-2? I mean seriously, that's a bit screwed up.
I'd hardly blame Frank Miller (since i figure youre saying something like the Dark Knight Returns is responsible) for causing all the angst in the DC Universe. I mean if you want to blame all of those events that caused Earth-2 Supes to berserk, i'd say better off blaming DC trying to sell some comics. Though i'd hardly call the time in the late 80's and 90's to just be angst filled.

[MosBen]

Perigon, that's both a funny and, I'd say, accurate post. Good job!

As to Frank Miller, I'd say it's not really blame since what he did was so revolutionary and fantastic. It was, however, a big turning point for the DC universe and is something that a lot of DC books have had in the background for a while now. The one that springs to mind first is Kevin Smith's Sounds of Violence TPB from his run on Green Arrow. There's a discussion where GA is talking about the difference between the old days (where the worst you could expect is being tied to the keys of a giant typewriter) and the present day (where people shoot at your head (!) with a gun (!!) ).

Is the DCU going to get any less angsty post-Crisis? I doubt it, the lid is off that can of worms and the characters are a lot better off for it, on the whole. Still, clashing the two outlooks is really interesting. Much more interesting, in my opinion of course, than whatever House of M is doing and that's coming from someone that predominantly a Marvel fan. Just my opinion of course.

[Cupelix]

Actually, to be even more meta than the Frank Miller reference, I think what Superman is saying is "Hey now, this is a little too much like Earth 616." Did anyone else read the Avengers/JLA crossover series? The beginning thrust of that was how dark and dreary the Marvel U seemed to the characters of the JLA, and how astonished the Avengers were at the idolization of heroes in the DC Universe.

I agree that the "lid is off that can of worms" for the characters of the DC Universe. I can't see them going back to the more happy, flowery tone in an age where the readers are much more cynical than they used to be. That tone seems so "unrealistic" that I doubt many modern readers would be accepting of it.

[Kefkataran]

Is it just me, or is the whole premise of Infinite Crisis that Frank Miller caused the DC universe to go angsty, and that has pissed off Supes-2, who has now come back to replace the DC universe with Earth-2? I mean seriously, that's a bit screwed up.

Not exactly, although minus Frank Miller you're mostly right. I think it's a killer concept. The world Superman-2 lived in was completely different from the one that exists now.

Is the DCU going to get any less angsty post-Crisis? I doubt it, the lid is off that can of worms and the characters are a lot better off for it, on the whole. Still, clashing the two outlooks is really interesting. Much more interesting, in my opinion of course, than whatever House of M is doing and that's coming from someone that predominantly a Marvel fan. Just my opinion of course.

Well, from the sounds of it the DCU will get more diverse. Some angst will surely still exist, but there'll be a nice mix of other stuff depending on which comic you're reading.

Big rumor: the JLA post-crisis will actually be the JLI -- Booster, reborn/new Blue Beetle, etc. That would fucking rule so hard.

[mister_slim]

Is it just me, or is the whole premise of Infinite Crisis that Frank Miller caused the DC universe to go angsty, and that has pissed off Supes-2, who has now come back to replace the DC universe with Earth-2? I mean seriously, that's a bit screwed up.
I'm not reading IC or HoM, but if Grant Morrison is running IC you're probably right and if he's doing HoM I'd guess you're wrong.

[Kefkataran]

I'm not reading IC or HoM, but if Grant Morrison is running IC you're probably right and if he's doing HoM I'd guess you're wrong.

Grant Morrison is nowhere near running IC. It's assumed that he has some feedback, but the only thing we know for sure is that Morrison will be in charge of keeping continuity in order in the post Infinite Crisis DC Universe.

[Heretic Machine]

Well guys, actually naming Frank Miller was meant to be funny. I wasn't saying he is the guy who is entirely responsible for the DCU being angsty these days. It's just a joke <.<

[bardockkun]

Well guys, actually naming Frank Miller was meant to be funny. I wasn't saying he is the guy who is entirely responsible for the DCU being angsty these days. It's just a joke <.<
A joke? In a talk about comic books?! Blasphamous! Things like this can get you killed in a comic book gang war.

[Kefkataran]

I wasn't saying he is the guy who is entirely responsible for the DCU being angsty these days. It's just a joke <.<

Then huzzah!

Also: comic book gang war, commence!

[bardockkun]

Out of curiousity anyone get their hands on All Star Superman? I just finished reading it, some parts i didn't get (though i figure some part of silver age Superman). Though still a damn good read and the pacing actually moves straight and rather quick to the action. Just curious to know everyone elses opinion.

[Kefkataran]

I picked it up, Bard. Haven't got a chance to read it yet, though. Was a busy Wednesday! I'm very much looking forward to it this weekend. It's Morrison! It'll be great.

(Curious side note: First Morrison single I've ever purchased.)

I wonder if Everlost will review it next week.

[Everlost_MI]

Yup, All Star Superman is going to be reviewed next week.

[Kefkataran]

Woot. Everlost always picks the ones we want. Keep up the good work, guy.

[AspectVoid]

I had been out of comics since the early 90s when I was a kid and would save left over lunch money to buy them. I used House of M to pull me back into Marvel comics, and it did a great job of that. I have no idea what's been happening in the Marvel universe before M, but I understand clearly where its at right now, and it pulled me into X-men, Spider-man, and the New Avengers, so it did its job.

I'm attempting to use Infinate Crisis to pull me into DC comics. So far, its failed. There is so much going on with so many characters that I have no fucking clue as to what is happening in the DC Universe. It seems, so far, to be a very bad series to pull new fans into the comics. None of the characters are really getting enough time for me to care about them. It's really rather annoying, really.

[Kefkataran]

I'm attempting to use Infinate Crisis to pull me into DC comics. So far, its failed. There is so much going on with so many characters that I have no fucking clue as to what is happening in the DC Universe.

Really? I've been using IC as my in for DC comics (and comics in general) also, and it's worked spectacularly. Although I had jumped on already six months ago with the Countdown one-shot. Maybe after they release the Countdown minis you can grab them and it'll be easier to catch up?

[Everlost_MI]

Woot. Everlost always picks the ones we want. Keep up the good work, guy.

Danke. And I do take requests.

[Kefkataran]

Free Bird!

[bardockkun]

Free Bird!

THIS BIRD CANT BE CHAINED!

Honestly i understand how people can not get into IC because so much of the events and characters revolve around Crisis on Infinite Earths. Like no one understands things like Earth-2 Superman or Earth Prime Superboy. Let alone understand the signifance of Power Girl and her muddled origin (though everyone gets a good view of those *ahem* "sweater puppies" ).

Let alone the one shot, all the mini series, and the tie in issues. Since people trying to get into DC well most likely not know who the hell Max Lord is or why Batman created Brother Eye.

HoM works because all that's there is Avengers Disassembled for people to catch up on. Also not really rewritting history as much as IC. I want to say in a sense not as much of an impact compared to IC and how much they plan to do.

[AspectVoid]

Actually, what helped HoM get me back into Marvel was the fact that the first page gave a nice little summary of the important things that had recently happened. It made it nice and easy to understand what and why everything was going bad. If DC had given me three 5 sentence paragraphs to get me caught up on what had caused the DC world to go to hell, I'd probably be in far better shape for understanding what and why things were happening.

[Cupelix]

Actually, what helped HoM get me back into Marvel was the fact that the first page gave a nice little summary of the important things that had recently happened. It made it nice and easy to understand what and why everything was going bad. If DC had given me three 5 sentence paragraphs to get me caught up on what had caused the DC world to go to hell, I'd probably be in far better shape for understanding what and why things were happening.
I agree that this was a fundamental difference between how HoM and IC each started. However, I feel that its not really fair to compare the two events. HoM as a crossover introduced essentially one major change to the world (which affects a fair number of characters). IC is supposedly attempting to "reboot" the DCU again, which is so much larger in scope. Because of that, I can give them some slack with regard to how many intro stories there were to IC and such. I didn't read any of the Countdown books, but I am reading IC to see how the universe changes (I'm not a huge DC fan, but curiousity is enough for me to buy the core IC books). Do I understand every nuance? Probably not. Am I enjoying it anyway? Certainly. It helps to browse around some news sites (particularly Newsarama) which have some guides to understanding everything that's going on.

[bardockkun]

Actually, what helped HoM get me back into Marvel was the fact that the first page gave a nice little summary of the important things that had recently happened. It made it nice and easy to understand what and why everything was going bad. If DC had given me three 5 sentence paragraphs to get me caught up on what had caused the DC world to go to hell, I'd probably be in far better shape for understanding what and why things were happening.
Issue #2 of IC i thought gave a good rundown of all thats happend in the DC Universe. Though that's my opinion since ive been keeping track of most of the events.

Still i agree that IC and HoM are different, though i'd hardly consider it a reboot. Something as epic as destroying abunch of the universes in Crisis of Infinte Earth's and having most of the heroes start with new origins, is what i consider a reboot. This is more so just taking the DC Universe in a new direction.

[Cupelix]

Still i agree that IC and HoM are different, though i'd hardly consider it a reboot. Something as epic as destroying abunch of the universes in Crisis of Infinte Earth's and having most of the heroes start with new origins, is what i consider a reboot. This is more so just taking the DC Universe in a new direction.
Some of the implication is that Kal-L is attempting to bring his happy sunshine Earth back. I wouldn't expect the changes to be as sweeping as the original Crisis - but I expect that they'll be large enough that taking the universe in a "new direction" will make sense according to the events of the story.

[earthworm48]

I finally got HoM 1 - 8 today. Wasn't too impressed. Everything was basically in the last 2 issues. It was better than Marvel comics were a few years back when I gave up following them, and it has helped me back in since the rebooting of like every strip which put me off getting back into Marvel titles.

[bardockkun]

Honestly is there any series that doesn't feel like it's going on too damn long in this day and age? Everything seems to be filler more and more from people's complaints. Like i love Garth Ennis's Punisher but every arc of his seems be 6 parts long and so unnecessary.

Infinte Crisis so far has the right amount of pacing in setting something so huge up, but as much as i love it, put me in the camp of it starting to pay off next issue. The pieces are in place so something drastic better start happening next issue.

[AspectVoid]

Issue #2 of IC i thought gave a good rundown of all thats happend in the DC Universe. Though that's my opinion since ive been keeping track of most of the events.

I think that by the end of IC I'll have an understanding of what's going on, but its not all there right now. I have a decent idea as to what the heroes are up to, but no clue at all what the villains are doing. The massive amount of characters that they show hurts too.

I'd like to know, for instance, what happened to Nightwing as he was at the center of the OMAC gathering at one point. Then all of a sudden they were all attacking the Amazon island. What the hell was the change between being at Nightwing in that one city (Bloodhaven I beleive) and all of a sudden all of the OMACs attacking Wonder Woman at her home?

[bardockkun]

I think that by the end of IC I'll have an understanding of what's going on, but its not all there right now. I have a decent idea as to what the heroes are up to, but no clue at all what the villains are doing. The massive amount of characters that they show hurts too.

I'd like to know, for instance, what happened to Nightwing as he was at the center of the OMAC gathering at one point. Then all of a sudden they were all attacking the Amazon island. What the hell was the change between being at Nightwing in that one city (Bloodhaven I beleive) and all of a sudden all of the OMACs attacking Wonder Woman at her home?
Bluehaven, but close enough. From my understanding theyre attacking Amazon island because Wonder Woman killed their other master Maxwell Lord and Wonder Woman pretty much exiled herself there. Also because so many meta-humans are there too (meaning more so the Amazons).

I think that's close enough to a good answer, if you have any other questions just go ahead and ask. Honestly I'm sure alot of people want other fans to enjoy IC as much as they do, since such a huge event and all.

[AspectVoid]

Bluehaven, but close enough. From my understanding theyre attacking Amazon island because Wonder Woman killed their other master Maxwell Lord and Wonder Woman pretty much exiled herself there. Also because so many meta-humans are there too (meaning more so the Amazons).

I think that's close enough to a good answer, if you have any other questions just go ahead and ask. Honestly I'm sure alot of people want other fans to enjoy IC as much as they do, since such a huge event and all.

Right, I got that point. The thing is, though, that all of the OMACs are gathering around Nightwing in issue 1 in Bluehaven (around page 10 or so) and that's the last we see of them until they're all attacking Wonder Woman near the end of issue 2. What the hell happened between those two points? I don't really see them giving Nightwing a wave, treating him to a cup of coffee, and then catching a Delta flight to Amazon land.

[bardockkun]

Right, I got that point. The thing is, though, that all of the OMACs are gathering around Nightwing in issue 1 in Bluehaven (around page 10 or so) and that's the last we see of them until they're all attacking Wonder Woman near the end of issue 2. What the hell happened between those two points? I don't really see them giving Nightwing a wave, treating him to a cup of coffee, and then catching a Delta flight to Amazon land.
You mean as to why they all went for Amazon Island as oppose to all obliterating Nightwing?

[Gitaroomaan]

You're both wrong. It's Bludhaven.

[AspectVoid]

You mean as to why they all went for Amazon Island as oppose to all obliterating Nightwing?

No, I believe that's because Nightwing doesn't go around killing people on TV. At least, I haven't heard that he does that. Actually, it's more of a question as to why the OMAC encountering Nightwing caused the program to change from randomly taking over people on the street and killing super-people to specificly trying to kill Wonder Woman.

Also, why did they go from gathering at Nightwing to attacking wonder woman. I would think that when the program changes, they would all individually head straight after WW as oppossed to gathering at Nightwing and then heading over. And what the hell did Nightwing do when they left? Did he just wave goodbye and ask them to send him a post card or did he follow?

Hell, can he even follow? I assume he could borrow one of Bruce's planes (he has to have a few of them lying around) but who knows?

[bardockkun]

No, I believe that's because Nightwing doesn't go around killing people on TV. At least, I haven't heard that he does that. Actually, it's more of a question as to why the OMAC encountering Nightwing caused the program to change from randomly taking over people on the street and killing super-people to specificly trying to kill Wonder Woman.

Also, why did they go from gathering at Nightwing to attacking wonder woman. I would think that when the program changes, they would all individually head straight after WW as oppossed to gathering at Nightwing and then heading over. And what the hell did Nightwing do when they left? Did he just wave goodbye and ask them to send him a post card or did he follow?

Hell, can he even follow? I assume he could borrow one of Bruce's planes (he has to have a few of them lying around) but who knows?
Nightwing more so tries to rely on the resources he has, especially since he quit The Outsiders. So not like he can follow them unless Amazon Island is a few towns away.

More so i figure Amazon Island was not part of the program, because somehow it was avoided until then. Since according to the OMAC's their program has been overridden and now are all being sent straight to Amazon Island now.

As for what Nightwing will be doing with them gone, most likely be helping other people since the world seems to be falling apart with all the villians united and destruction OMAC's have caused.

*EDIT* Oh touche GitarooMan, touche.

[Kefkataran]

Right, I got that point. The thing is, though, that all of the OMACs are gathering around Nightwing in issue 1 in Bluehaven (around page 10 or so) and that's the last we see of them until they're all attacking Wonder Woman near the end of issue 2. What the hell happened between those two points? I don't really see them giving Nightwing a wave, treating him to a cup of coffee, and then catching a Delta flight to Amazon land.

I think the basic idea is that, actually -- they basically started gathering in large groups and completely ignoring any other heroes in order to head towards their goal: the destruction of Wonder Woman.

EDIT: Read the other posts now. :p Yeah, I'm curious as to why this time for the program to be overwritten as well. Perhaps all shall be revealed?

[bardockkun]

I think the basic idea is that, actually -- they basically started gathering in large groups and completely ignoring any other heroes in order to head towards their goal: the destruction of Wonder Woman.

EDIT: Read the other posts now. :p Yeah, I'm curious as to why this time for the program to be overwritten as well. Perhaps all shall be revealed?
I'll figure Earth-2 Superman and Alexander Luthor. Since their protocol is "Truth and Justice," and no swifter justice for this Earth then ridding it of the old. Also so they can establish them as somewhat villains and honestly think they'll do away with the characters and further ask questions of what would happen if Superman just went on a rampage type thing, except it'll be old school Superman vs. the DC Universe.

[Kefkataran]

I'll figure Earth-2 Superman and Alexander Luthor. Since their protocol is "Truth and Justice," and no swifter justice for this Earth then ridding it of the old. Also so they can establish them as somewhat villains and honestly think they'll do away with the characters and further ask questions of what would happen if Superman just went on a rampage type thing, except it'll be old school Superman vs. the DC Universe.

That doesn't really work continuity-wise, though. I mean Superman-2 and company were still trapped in their pocket universe and watching the events on Earth unfold when the Truth and Justice protocol took over.