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Post by spiderwasp on Aug 11, 2014 19:44:46 GMT -5
The wife told me that she really didn't want to see Guardians. Most of the time, she's willing to watch the Marvel films, she has basic knowledge of the characters but something about Guardians just seems to turn her off. Of course, I told her, as usual, you don't have to have intimate prior knowledge of the team in order to enjoy the film. So I'm a little surprised and I kinda hate to see it without her. So I may end up taking my son to go see it or maybe go with my brother to watch it instead. Sorry to hear that the wife is making a big mistake. I've had multiple friends that had no knowledge of the Guardians that have loved the movie. The woman I saw it with had pretty much the same reaction as your wife when she first saw the previews but went to see it anyway because of the tie ins to the other movies. She loved it. From the reviews and comments I've read on line, I haven't seen anyone say anything bad about the movie. Marvel really nailed it with this one.
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Post by spiderwasp on Aug 6, 2014 15:46:13 GMT -5
HB, totally agree. The movie was awesome. It's not easy finding the right mix of hokey, campy fun and exciting high stakes action. You have to get somewhere between Fantastic Four and Man of Steel. Guardians did it brilliantly. Can't wait for the sequel. Also, I have to say... I tried to guess what might happen in the tag at the end of the credits. Had several good ideas too, however... none of them were what was there. Not even close.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jul 27, 2014 22:39:38 GMT -5
I agree that the action figure sounds cool, SF. However, for me personally, I collect mini-busts rather than action figures. Now I'm ready for you to announce that Bowen is doing a Starfox mini-bust. Oh, and a Captain Marvel/Photon/Spectrum (Or whatever you want to call Monica this week) bust would be awesome too. Okay, and while we're going, it's way past time for the Impossible Man to have one.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jul 20, 2014 16:24:37 GMT -5
Words fail me. If the PTB at Marvel set out to try to make me lose all interest in their product, they couldn't do a better job than this. I keep thinking they have hit rock bottom (Disassembled, One More Day, Superior Spider-man, etc) but they always find a way to make me less interested. Thank goodness for my collection of the old stuff. Currently reading Spidey from the beginning (Mostly through essentials for now.) I'm up to #40 right now. There's still years of good storytelling awaiting me until...well, Marvel Now.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jul 20, 2014 16:19:32 GMT -5
Haven't posted in a while but I'm back. Actually, I did a NY trip followed by Greece and Italy with students so I've been a bit busy. Anyway, I'm totally excited about this movie and the EW article just heightened that excitement. I didn't realize Vision would be there either. It just gets better and better. The only thing that would make me even happier is Ant-man and the Wasp. Oh wait, they're getting their own movie right after this. Okay, I'm good.
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Post by spiderwasp on May 29, 2014 19:19:46 GMT -5
Thanks pym
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Post by spiderwasp on Mar 13, 2014 22:30:27 GMT -5
Don't know if anyone else has picked up the first 2 issues of the Shulkie's new book, but I personally am enjoying it a lot. It's actually one of my favorite things I've read lately. It's got that fun feel that a She-Hulk book should have without being overly silly. The writer takes the book and the character seriously but still recognizes the tone that has made her great in the past. Of course, I've made no secret that I love Hell-cat too, so seeing in issue 2 that she's going to be a major supporting character just added to my joy. If you haven't picked up, I hope you'll do it. I'm sure it can use the love. If it's like her previous books, it won't be around long but I'm hoping it can find enough of audience to make it this time.
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Post by spiderwasp on Mar 13, 2014 22:24:31 GMT -5
Been kind of busy lately but finally weighing in. I, like many of you others, am a big fan of the Stern period. I love seeing the Avengers unified and fun. I particularly like that the first part of this story manages to carry on just fine without any of the big 3 involved. Don't get me wrong, I love Cap, Thor, and sometimes (Though not always) Ironman but I think the Avengers are big enough and strong enough to survive without them. I particularly loved the party scene and the guest appearance of She-Hulk, the interesting dynamics between Wanda and Vision, and the great scenes with Monica and her parents. I knew very little about the Eternals before this story and it was a nice introduction for me.
The main thing I didn't like was the covers. I don't like when covers depict scenes completely inaccurately and that was certainly the case with 247. Not only was Starfox NOT dragged into the Uni-mind, but when asked, he says he has no reservations. 248's "It's raining Eternals" was more accurate but goofy. It's no wonder that some people don't take this era as seriously as they might with covers that are tongue in cheek. 249 is better but a tad crowded feeling. I'm okay, though overwhelmed with the other 2. The stories here are so much better than the covers.
For what it's worth, I actually enjoy this era more than the Kree/Skrull War too. I've always thought it was okay and important for its scope but a bit overrated. Go ahead. Let the stoning begin.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 23, 2014 1:31:15 GMT -5
Long Live Bomber Jackets and Red Safari Jackets! Okay, the red Safari jacket - that's different. I liked that.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 21, 2014 18:08:34 GMT -5
Well, and there IS a completely unjustifiable bias against bomber-jackets. . . Dude, I can't believe you like the bomber-jackets! But it's okay, we like you anyway. And he's right TCG, welcome aboard.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 15, 2014 0:40:08 GMT -5
Oh yeah, and I just realized I should also include Christos Gage. He's fairly new but is the best discovery Marvel has had in over a decade. This favorite writer category is proving to be the most difficult one yet for me.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 14, 2014 12:08:03 GMT -5
I love how this thread and the site in general has taken off recently. Lots of great activity.
Nice additions Pym.
Artist: George Perez John Romita Sr Jack Kirby Alex Ross
Writers: Stan Lee Mark Gruenwald Steve Englehart Kurt Busiek (Really don't want to leave Roy Thomas out so I'm throwing in a 5th)
Covers may require a little more thought.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 13, 2014 14:12:50 GMT -5
Yep, good call on that novel. Am I remembering that Frankenstein (the novel) also uses that device? That we open the book up in the Arctic? Or is that one of the many film versions? The more I think of films that use it, the more I come up with mysteries, or films that at least have a "mystery" structure. Even CITIZEN KANE was ostensibly about tracking down who exactly "Rosebud" was. What can goof it up is that, unless the film-maker is VERY careful, he can give his whole film away. USUAL SUSPECTS? The moment Kaiser Sose'(sp?) first appears on-screen "in disguise" (no spoilers), it's clear that it cannot be anyone else from specific details in that opening. Similarly with the Dennis Quaid re-make of DOA, an inexplicable, passing reaction from a supporting character early in the film gives away the whodunit, which may have contributed to the tedium of what seemed like an otherwise decent film. HB Good memory, HB. I believe Frankenstein is also told in the form of letters, and starts in the Arctic, or thereabouts. You're also right about those films, which is why I wish they'd generally stay away from it. That's sort of what I meant when I said that it kills the dramatic tension. I just watched Sunset Blvd. and it does the same thing but in a slightly different way. I had never seen the movie before and really liked except for that one aspect. I didn't want to know that the narrator was going to wind up dead and floating in the pool within the first minute of the movie. There was absolutely no shock or emotional reaction when it actually occurred because I'd known it was coming all along. I was also confused as to how he was telling the story since he was dead but that's another matter. I thought Byrne handled the device reasonably well in this story but I would still rather the convention be retired altogether. There are exceptions. I don't mind when you are given a teaser of information and then we see how we get to it and what it all means. "Breaking Bad" did that very well MOST of the time. If it's a teaser, it can add to the story. If it's a spoiler, it doesn't.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 12, 2014 17:30:13 GMT -5
the whole Heroes Reborn affair. I refuse to consider it cannon. Nope, it never happened... . Doc, you just summed up the very reason I didn't include this in my list. I never read it and it ceased to exist just as soon as Busiek came on board with his wonderful relaunch. Of course, I also consider that One More Day never happened either and that the Spider-verse just ceased to exist that day and may still someday return and yet I included it so I guess I'm not terribly consistent.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 12, 2014 13:39:03 GMT -5
Bong, I didn't even think about Marilla. I loved her. She and Jarvis gave the book some much needed comic relief and lightheartedness at a really rough period. Her death is just one of the reasons that I consider The Crossing to be one of the worst comic stories ever.
I like the non-powered list HB so here goes: Mary Jane Watson Parker J Jonah Jameson May Parker Jarvis
I suppose the reason I was used to be such a Spider-man fan (Again, pre One More Day) was because of the rich supporting characters. 3 of my 4 come from this book and Joe Robertson, Gwen Stacy, George Stacy, Flash Thompson, and several more continued to make this book rich and fulfilling.
Actually, the mention of Gwen and The Crossing makes me think of another list. The four best stories and the four worst ever. For me:
The best: Squadron Supreme LS The Korvac Saga Avengers Forever The Seige of Avengers Mansion by the Masters of Evil
The worst: The Crossing The Gwen Stacy had Norman Osborne's babies story(Don't remember the actual name) One More Day Secret Invasion
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 12, 2014 1:15:53 GMT -5
Fun. I always love this sort of stuff for some reason.
Heroines: Wasp She-Hulk Hell-cat Spectrum (Captain Marvel, Photon, whatever)
Heroes Spider-man (Pre One More Day) Human Torch Thing Quicksilver
Teams Avengers Squadron Supreme Fantastic Four Defenders
Villains Sandman (Although I actually did like him as a converted hero) Grim Reaper Ultron Kang (Mostly because of his involvement with many of my favorite storylines - Celestial Madonna, Avengers in the Old West, Young Avengers LS, Avengers Forever)
Here's my extra list to add: Characters you can't quite categorize but you love them anyway - Impossible Man Howard the Duck Madcap Forbush Man
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 2, 2014 22:17:56 GMT -5
Okay, I read the FF issues (Thanks Shiryu) and the timing was interesting. Just a couple of weeks ago, I read the Heralds LS which revisited Frankie Raye. As I read it, I thought "I don't really remember the details of how Frankie became Nova anyway." I guess that's because I'd never actually read them. I knew it happened from later tales, just hadn't read the original.
It was a pretty good story. The Avengers weren't all that important and Spider-man and Daredevil were even less so, but I kind of like them all being there anyway. So often, big events occur that no one else in the city seems to notice. It seems more logical that any heroes in NY would be aware, even if they weren't key players in the events.
I thought that Frankie becoming the Herald to Galactus seemed a little forced and out of the blue. Having her just step up and say "I'll do it" was a tad convenient. I know I often criticize today's books because a story can take 8 issues to tell when 2 would suffice but I actually think this one was the opposite. I would have liked to have seen a little more soul searching on Frankie's part, a little more effort from the FF to stop her, and a little more convincing Galactus that she could do it. Maybe she could have had to prove herself in some way. It wouldn't go down on my list of the all-time great Marvel stories, but it was pretty good and I really enjoyed filling in this gap in my knowledge of the history of the MU.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 2, 2014 22:05:24 GMT -5
I went to Austin Books last week and it was a sea of titles screaming "INHUMANITY" and I bought five of them. I have no clue how any of them fit together, what to read first (or second for that matter) but I do know this: I didn't think any of them was any good with the exception of the main book. "Inhumanity" didn't need to be 500 comics and I am starting to resent Marvel for trying to force me into buying tons of mediocre books. . I'm with you. I've bought a few of the books too and it seems like an okay storyline. However, that's all it is; a storyline. It doesn't seem big enough to constitute the number of titles Marvel is using. But then, that seems to be the trend. I gave up long ago on trying to worry about being a completionist. Back in the 80s-90s, I would buy every title connected to what I was reading but Marvel has made that impossible.
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Post by spiderwasp on Feb 1, 2014 14:54:03 GMT -5
I actually started reading Avengers in 1996, with the Onslaught crossover. I can see why this would give you a different perspective. The whole year or so before Onslaught (Especially Crossing) and the Heroes Reborn mess would be the only Avengers period I can think of that would make Bendis look good to me. I came on board circa #120 with the Zodiac Cartel and headed straight into the Celestial Madonna/ origin of the Vision stuff. That set my expectations pretty high. I'm just glad you stuck around long enough to discover the great run of Busiek. I'm not sure I would have if I had shared that original experience.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 29, 2014 14:36:00 GMT -5
Yeah, Bong - I agree. That's why I pointed out that it's not a criticism. It's just ironic that it's usually the rest of us disliking change.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 28, 2014 22:40:48 GMT -5
I don't like change. lol - this is not meant as a criticism, just as a humorous observation but it's funny to hear this from the one person here who likes "New Marvel". It's usually the rest of us that say that.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 28, 2014 12:42:17 GMT -5
Okay, snow day here in NC today and could possibly be the same tomorrow. It would be a perfect day for the next installment. What should I go back and read? The Unabridged "Encyclopaedia Poppupiana"...? Impossible
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 28, 2014 9:04:15 GMT -5
Okay, snow day here in NC today and could possibly be the same tomorrow. It would be a perfect day for the next installment. What should I go back and read?
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 28, 2014 9:01:29 GMT -5
I'll have to get that LS one of these days. An investment you won't regret. Do it sooner than later and then let us know what you think.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 25, 2014 13:40:28 GMT -5
So a quick question: which group do you find more interesting or compelling: the Squadron Sinister or the Squadron Supreme? I guess my previous comment about the LS being my favorite comic book story ever makes this an obvious answer for me. I thought the Squadron Sinister was just another ordinary group of villains - nothing special except for their similarity to the JLA. The Squadron Supreme was sort of that way too until the LS when Gruenwald gave them each their own personalities and turned them into something much greater. I think it's because he could go anywhere with the story that he was able to write something really great. Nothing would make me happier than to see someone else be able to take this group and bring them back to that kind of quality but I doubt it will ever happen. On a side note, but also related, one of my favorite lines ever was in the Avengers/JLA crossover when Hawkeye referred to the JLA as a bunch of "Squadron Supreme Wanna-bes". Brilliant.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 22, 2014 16:18:04 GMT -5
First off, anything with the Squadron Supreme has got to be good. Not to be argumentative, but this was actually the Squadron Sinister, not Supreme. I love the Squadron Supreme though, so I agree with your statement. I've even said before that the Squadron Supreme limited series is my all-time favorite comic book story. The whole Sinister/Supreme thing still confuses me though. However, this story had an interesting connection to that limited series though, in my mind. In that story, the Squadron has a plan and Nighthawk is the only member that is opposed. He pulls out and gets help to resist what the rest of the team is trying to do. Here, this Nighthawk does the same thing. It shows a nice consistency in the character of Kyle Richmond. No matter what Earh he's from or whether he's linked with heroes or villains, he remains an independent thinker. I am actually in the camp that liked Namor's costume. It looked liked something a prince might wear. I've always thought it was strange that the other Atlanteans wore more clothes and Namor just stuck to a bathing suit - a surface world expectation of what someone would wear to swim. Never thought that was a proper look for someone with his importance and nobility. I've always been amused at the amount of dialogue people manage to say in an incredibly short time. In #13, Namor throws the Whizzer and then says "Eh? The Speedster twists his body in mid-air --negating the force of my throw--and now rushes towards me at blinding speed" to which Whizzer replies "And when I reach you Fish-man -- you're not gonna have time to regret it." For Pete's sake, if Whizzer is as fast as he's supposed to be, all there should have been time for was "Eh?" If there was this much time, Namor should have been able to move out of the way. This happened frequently in comics and always annoyed me. Overall, I enjoyed this story and the Defenders in general. I wish the team could make a successful resurgence.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 15, 2014 21:14:38 GMT -5
I'm in as soon as my ripped purple pants get back from the cleaners. Seems they're always dirty but then again, it's the only thing I wear for some reason. (And no, this is not a reference to the purple outfit worn by my beloved avatar who really needs to be used more. I love that little Poppupian)
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 13, 2014 16:55:21 GMT -5
Just read the first issue. Not bad but I doubt that I'll stick with it for long just because Hickman's writing style is always so convoluted and rambling that I can't make any sense out of it. I followed this one okay but, if his usual pattern happens, the next will just seem like gobblygook to me. Also, it really is too many characters for one book.
I stopped reading the other Avengers title a while back so I don't know if any explanation has been given regarding Hyperion being on the team. I love the Squadron Supreme and would love to know what happened to them and to their world that led to this. Can anyone fill me in?
Also, to weigh in on the number of titles: I don't really mind if there are a lot of titles IF they are good. There are certainly enough Avengers to merit several books with several different teams. The problem, for me, is that there aren't several different teams. The characters from the movie are in too many different titles. If each book had its own separate identity and reason for existing, and the quality was high, I wouldn't mind a dozen titles (My wallet might mind but I wouldn't). As it stands now, there's a lot of clutter and very little quality.
Oh, and bobc, Avengers Arena, A+X, and Young Avengers are all gone. YA ended this month, thankfully. Maybe it can get another reboot. This one was awful. Never heard of Avengers Undercover.
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Post by spiderwasp on Jan 13, 2014 16:34:11 GMT -5
I also remember an issue where Hellcat helped out and Tigra acted very, well, catty towards her. Hey, catty, I get it! I remember that well. It was in Avengers 305 (Cover date July 1988) when all existing members gathered (They could all fit in one room back then. Now they can barely fit in one building) and Tigra treated Patsy like crap, referring to her as the new kid. I could possibly buy that if it had not just been very recent (WCA 16, Jan 1987) that the two characters had worked together and then hung out for a day of boating and relaxing. They were clearly very friendly and Patsy had Tigra's complete approval for wearing the costume. What happened in those 2 1/2 years to change the tone? Not a darn thing. Just lousy writing. And yes, I do look those issues up. I don't just have all the cover dates memorized. lol
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Post by spiderwasp on Dec 13, 2013 16:16:18 GMT -5
One of my favorite periods in Avengers history.
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