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The Dreaded Comic-Con Recap
By: Kurt AmackerDate: Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Greetings, Maniacs, and welcome to another calamitous edition of Comicscape! San Diego Comic Con wrapped on Sunday night after hosting over 125,000 attendees and selling out the Convention Center. I stayed home this year, rather than brave the crowds. Regardless, through the magic of the Internet, I can comment on those things I found most exciting from this year’s Con. Keep in mind that I can’t possibly cover everything worth writing about from San Diego. I dread the damn recap column all year round, because I have to just comment on a few things and write until my fingers go numb.
I nearly leapt out of my chair when I read that Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi will take over Astonishing X-Men for 24 issues, beginning next year. The series will retain the enumeration of the current series, but will run with a slightly modified title – Astonishing X-Men: Second Stage. The series will occur in the aftermath of October’s Messiah Complex crossover, which will reach most of the main X-Men titles (though not Astonishing, oddly enough). In interviews, Ellis emphasized that, like Whedon’s run on the title, the series will remain somewhat distant from the continuity of the X-Men line. It will not stand alone like Ultimate X-Men, but it will allow Ellis to write in peace. Over at Newsarama, he stated that he plans to spend his time on the series “Raping your childhoods, using my position to destroy everything you love, displaying opinions you may not agree with and writing with my own voice and personality.” If that doesn’t excite you, just remember that Simone Bianchi draws better than most comic artists on the planet.
Speaking of Messiah Complex – the series will open with a one-shot by Ed Brubaker and Marc Sylvestri before continuing as a crossover through Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, New X-Men, and plain old X-Men. This means that I will continue buying Uncanny, because Ed Brubaker writes it. Then when the Messiah Complex trade arrives, I’ll buy it, read it, and then continue on Uncanny X-Men. I don’t mind events that affect the continuity of the larger universe. You can even put a banner across the titles like The Initiative. But, crossovers with chapters spread across several titles look like a blatant money grab. I thought we were past all this, but apparently not.
DC announced that Grant Morrison will write the upcoming Final Crisis miniseries. The rumor mill once implicated Kurt Busiek, but it seems an equally capable writer will pen the series. It will run for seven oversized issues. Little concrete information – other than the odd teaser image – has emerged, though many suspect that the DC Universe may reboot to simplify its cluttered continuity. Keep in mind, though, that that stands as a rumor. Don’t quote me on it, either. I read the same websites as you guys. Regardless, DC will rename Countdown to Countdown to Final Crisis with issue #26. And, Countdown itself has exploded with a rash of spin-offs and crossovers. Our friends over at Newsarama estimated the cost of the entire line at $321.08, before taxes. Before you head to your comic shop and add “Countdown – All” to your pull list, take a deep breath. Think of how many hardcovers, Marvel Essentials, or DC Showcases you could buy with that money. Seriously, DC has driven off the road and into the Grand Canyon with the slew of convoluted crossovers and their innumerable tie-ins since Identity Crisis. Marvel has helped perpetuate this trend as well, but not to the same degree. I bought all of the Infinite Crisis countdowns, preludes, crossovers, tie-ins, aftermath issues, and so on, but I refuse to continue with Countdown. It seems like every time one of these mega-events concludes, I sell the entire run on E-Bay. For anyone that thinks I hate DC, I reacted similarly to the execrable House of M.
Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane finally revealed a bit more about their collaboration. You may remember that Kirkman asked McFarlane to work on a book with him at last year’s San Diego Comic Con during a panel. The two announced the series title – Haunt – and said that Kirkman will write it with McFarlane drawing the covers and providing story input. As I said, I’ve always preferred McFarlane’s art over his writing, so this comes as a somewhat welcome surprise. His hardcore fans can see new covers every month and I can read a new Robert Kirkman series. Sometimes, things just work out.
Jamie Delano will write a new Hellblazer hardcover, entitled Pandemonium. It shows John Constantine in Iraq. I think I can surmise the book’s intentions and you can, too. Delano actually wrote the first several issues of Hellblazer back in the 1980s and he’s returned to the series a couple of times since then, but never for very long. Vertigo editor Karen Berger announced a few other new series, including a Viking comic called Northlanders by Brian Wood, a new Madame Xanadu series by Matt Wagner, and The Un-Men by John Whalen – a series using characters from the old Swamp Thing series.
The new Dr. Strange animated DVD also premiered in San Diego, to – from what I’ve read – positive reactions. As with most of the recent spate of animated adaptations, the movie changes some of the details of Stephen Strange’s origin. But the trailer looks impressive and more, I don’t know, epic than the first two Ultimate Avengers DVDs. I’ve yet to see The Invincible Iron Man, so I can’t comment on that. However, DC’s The Death of Superman premiered to – again, from what I’ve read – a less enthusiastic response. It seems to deviate pretty significantly from the comic, though that certainly won’t stop me from seeing it. I really hope that DC and Warner Bros. Follow their mandate to adapt contained storylines and brings us an animated The Dark Knight Returns. If you want to start an out-of-control rumor about that, forcing DC and Warner to cave into fan pressure, feel free.
That’s just a taste of the controlled fan riot that San Diego hosted last week. The announcements and fallout from Comic Con will set the stage for the comic book industry for the next year, so look forward to further thoughts from me here. That’s it for this week, guys. Take care, and thanks for reading.
The Spinner Rack
By Ben Johnson and Kurt Amacker
DARK HORSE COMICS
Conan & The Midnight God #5 (Of 5) $2.99
Ben: In a moment of honesty I will surely regret, I admit this is the first Conan comic I’ve read, and it kicked so much ass I pooped blood.
Kurt: See what happens when you listen to me? You sh-t blood. That’s what happens. Let that be a lesson.
Eden Vol 8 Its An Endless World TP (MR) $12.95
Old Boy Vol 7 TP (MR) $12.95
Predator Omnibus Vol 1 TP $24.95
Kurt: You know, even a couple of years ago I would’ve wept tears of joy at the sight of this book. But, after rereading some of Dark Horse’s licensed comics from the ‘80s recently, now not so much.
Stationery Set Sanjay Patel Goddesses $4.99
DC COMICS
Action Comics #853 (CD) $2.99
Ben: I’m putting my foot down, drawing a line in the sand and saying hell no to anymore Countdown crossovers.
Kurt: You hear that, Dan Didio? Ben Johnson is putting his foot down. That’s $321.08 you won’t see from that reader! Now, go cry!
All New Atom #14 (CD) $2.99
American Virgin #17 (MR) $2.99
Birds Of Prey Blood And Circuits TP $17.99
Black Canary #3 (Of 4) $2.99
Countdown 39 $2.99
Ben: I’d like to say this series is declining into irrelevancy, but the entire DC universe is going with it.
Kurt: Dude, if you keep saying stuff like this, the DC fans are going to call us Marvel Zombies and then it’s going to get all Warriors up in here. I think I’ll do a column about the strengths and weaknesses of both publishers.
Detective Comics #835 $2.99
Kurt: This is the first of two parts by John Rozum.
Exterminators #20 (MR) $2.99
Faker #2 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99
Ben: My wife says this book is about her. I guess I don’t get the reference.
Kurt: We laugh about you when you’re not around.
Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Special 3rd Ptg #1 $4.99
Green Lantern Wanted Hal Jordan HC $19.99
Jonah Hex #22 $2.99
Justice League Unlimited #36 $2.25
Justice Society Of America #8 $2.99
Ben: Now that the JLA crossover is done this is the best team book in comics again.
Justice Society Of America Var Ed #8 $2.99
King Of Cards Vol 1 $9.99
Looney Tunes #153 $2.25
Metal Men #1 (Of 8) $2.99
Ben: Metal based hilarity. I hope I’m not the only one who thinks that sounds dumb.
Kurt: Starring James Hetfield, Dani Filth, Isahn, Abbath Doom Occulta, and Nathan Explosion. I’m so there.
Midnighter #10 $2.99
Ben: The story of the most brutal gay Batman ever continues.
Kurt: Were their other brutal gay Batmen to create a basis for comparison?
Nightwing #135 $2.99
Omukae Desu Vol 5 $9.99
Outsiders Five Of A Kind Week 1 Nightwing Boomerang $2.99
Scalped #8 (MR) $2.99
Scalped Vol 1 Indian Country TP (MR) $9.99
Ben: Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It will show you a side of our nation you never knew existed.
Supergirl #20 (AA) $2.99
Supergirl: Hello, my name is Supergirl and… Wait a minute, where the hell are Robin and Wonder Woman?
Kurt: They’re at the bar.
Supernatural Origins #4 $2.99
Welcome To Tranquility #9 $2.99
Ben: This is what I think every time my new baby finally falls asleep.
Kurt: Then it’s your turn to cry.
IMAGE COMICS
Elephantmen Vol 1 Wounded Animals HC $24.99
Elephantmen: We are not wounded aaaaannnniiiimmmaallllss!
First Born Sejic Cvr B #1 (Of 3) $2.99
First Born Silvestri Cvr A #1 (Of 3) $2.99
Godland Celestial Ed HC $34.99
Gutsville (New Ptg) #1 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99
Spawn Godslayer #3 $2.99
MARVEL COMICS
Daredevil Battlin Jack Murdock #3 (Of 4) $3.99
Dark Tower Gunslinger Born #7 (Of 7) $3.99
Ben: Despite the last issue coming out I have a feeling the wheel of ka will continue, especially with the hype this book has gotten, do it please ya, sai.
Dark Tower Gunslinger Born Coipel Var #7 (Of 7) $3.99
Dark Tower Gunslinger Born Jae Lee Sketch Var #7 (Of 7) $3.99
Fantastic Four #548 CWI $2.99
Fantastic Four And Power Pack #2 (Of 4) $2.99
Ben: Electric Bugaloo.
Kurt: Don’t start. I’ll resign thee to the fiery pits of the Ain’t He Huge News Talkbacks.
Irredeemable Ant-Man #11 $2.99
Ben: Well, I hope all you people that didn’t pick up one of the funniest books ever are happy, cause this ride is about to come to an end. Jerks.
Kurt: Just remember that Kurt still loves you, no matter what. It’s Ben that hates you. Still, I wish this book wasn’t getting the axe.
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #30 $2.99
Marvel Illustrated Last Of The Mohicans #3 (Of 6) $2.99
Marvel Spotlight World War Hulk $2.99
Marvel Tarot $3.99
Marvel Two-In-One #2 $4.99
Ben: Electric Bugaloo
Kurt: Please die.
Ms Marvel #18 $2.99
New Avengers Illuminati #4 (Of 5) $2.99
New Avengers Vol 5 Civil War TP $14.99
New Warriors #3 CWI $2.99
Punisher #50 (MR) $3.99
Kurt: Barracuda’s back, after having possibly eaten a whole porn star aboard a life raft.
Shanna She-Devil Survival Of The Fittest #1 (Of 4) $2.99
She-Hulk 2 #20 $2.99
Spider-Man Fantastic Four #4 (Of 4) $2.99
Ben: This one has been weird.
Spider-Man Red Sonja #1 (Of 5) $2.99
Ben: Are you serious.
Kurt: It’s not the first time they’ve met.
Thor #2 $2.99
Ben: In which Thor decides to begin rebuilding Asgaard… In Oklahoma.
Kurt: Will he rebuild it with song?
Thunderbolts Presents Zemo Born Better TP $10.99
Kurt: No Warren Ellis and no thanks.
Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection Vol 2 TP $24.99
Uncanny X-Men #489 $2.99
Kurt: Getting a new Ed Brubaker book every month is kind of like getting Christmas all year round.
Wisdom Rudiments Of Wisdom TP $21.99
Ben: I read most Max imprint books but missed this one. How was it?
World War Hulk #3 (Of 5) WWH $3.99
Ben: That was really fast.
World War Hulk Romita Jr Var #3 (Of 5) $3.99
Ben: Romita should not be doing the variants on this. He’s the freaking artist on the book.
X-Factor Vol 2 Life And Death Matters TP $14.99
Kurt: I wholeheartedly agree. But, so does sleep. I’m out of here.
I hate the name change on Astonishing X-Men. Unnecessary. I also hate that it sounds like Astonishing will continue to not acknowledge the rest of the Marvel Universe.