As much as I love the BAT, DC and its writers and editors, have twisted the Bat-clan into a family that scores very low in regards to respect to its females, (and no Batwoman doesn't count. She isn't a part of the family.)
- Leslie Thompkins: Killed Stephhanie Brown.
- Stephannie Brown: Check with Ex-Dr. Thompkins
- Barbara Gordon: What Ess went down on that front I don't even want to get into.
- Casandra Cain: Cassandra who? Oh, the 'crazy' one. Sorry, we needed another scapegoat and with all four mentioned above unavailble (Leslie destroyed, Steph dead, Babs wheeled away), it was Mr. Cain to the Bat-guillotine.
- Selina Kyle: Being in the Bat-mythos was 'stiffling/killing' her character, hampering her growth. So, we took her away and gave her kid instead. But don't fret, as and when we need next chump-killing, Baby Helana will be the top on our list.
And then there were,
- Vicki Vale: Uh, she left
- Silve St. Cloud: Ditto
- Vespar Fairchild: We pulled a Stephannie with her
- Amina Franklin: Don't worry, she too will get her time on the butchering table
- Shondra Kinsolving: She, uh, lost her mind.
...etc etc etc
FVCK IT.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
More of my rants at DC's Re-Silver Agifiied Post-IC status...
Posted in a discussion thread over at Silver Bullet Comicbooks (www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com)
Lets see,
Batman...got ninnified (i.e. turned into an incompetent noob that even Robin would feel ashamed being seen alongside with). And just because everyone in the Bat-side has to be slightly off-kilter, put in a punk (one drawn out from a RIGHTLY FORGOTTEN Elseworlds story) Title: Batman, Son of the Demon, Robin
Superman...lets make the comic version into a copy of "Superman Returns". Although, just because this is the *cleaner, brighter* Post-IC continuity, do away with the *bastard* in the son, and plunk in *adopted* in its place. As for those who don't like it (or that lousy movie). EFF YOU. Title: Action Comics
Wonder Woman....Take her, CUT away just about every single character development of the last TWENTY years i.e. return to those oh-so-missed days of Agent Diana Prince, PRINCESS of Themiscya and two bit lackey of a foreign power (i.e. the US government). In short, two words, BLUNDER BOOB-an. Title: I forget.
Flash...So what if we (TPTB at DC) can't get Barry, we can always get that other ALLEN. And as for Wally West...What/Who Wally West? Title: Flash: The Whiniest Man Alive
Green Lantern...start by taking out one, (Kyle Rayner), by having his girlfriend cheat on him (a forced/Editorial mandate). Then take the other and send him into *deep* undercover (my azz). And oh, just as we are at it, why not do away with that Parallax too. Voila, just like it never happened. Title: Green Lantern (v3, v4), Green Lantern: Rebirth, The Omega Men
Just FIVE, and the list goes on. Ladies and Gentlefreaks, presenting the Re-Silver Agified...ahem, NEW Earth. Everything old (and tired).
Lets see,
Batman...got ninnified (i.e. turned into an incompetent noob that even Robin would feel ashamed being seen alongside with). And just because everyone in the Bat-side has to be slightly off-kilter, put in a punk (one drawn out from a RIGHTLY FORGOTTEN Elseworlds story) Title: Batman, Son of the Demon, Robin
Superman...lets make the comic version into a copy of "Superman Returns". Although, just because this is the *cleaner, brighter* Post-IC continuity, do away with the *bastard* in the son, and plunk in *adopted* in its place. As for those who don't like it (or that lousy movie). EFF YOU. Title: Action Comics
Wonder Woman....Take her, CUT away just about every single character development of the last TWENTY years i.e. return to those oh-so-missed days of Agent Diana Prince, PRINCESS of Themiscya and two bit lackey of a foreign power (i.e. the US government). In short, two words, BLUNDER BOOB-an. Title: I forget.
Flash...So what if we (TPTB at DC) can't get Barry, we can always get that other ALLEN. And as for Wally West...What/Who Wally West? Title: Flash: The Whiniest Man Alive
Green Lantern...start by taking out one, (Kyle Rayner), by having his girlfriend cheat on him (a forced/Editorial mandate). Then take the other and send him into *deep* undercover (my azz). And oh, just as we are at it, why not do away with that Parallax too. Voila, just like it never happened. Title: Green Lantern (v3, v4), Green Lantern: Rebirth, The Omega Men
Just FIVE, and the list goes on. Ladies and Gentlefreaks, presenting the Re-Silver Agified...ahem, NEW Earth. Everything old (and tired).
Friday, November 24, 2006
Nothing much...
..but a simple quote/analogy that made in a response post to my REVIEW for 52, Week 29 (on Newsarama).
(Thread) LINK: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=91981
Analogy:
What DC is doing is akin to eating a scrumptious cake, digesting it, crapping it out and then trying to serve the crap (on a *NEW* silver platter i.e. NEW Earth) again.
-B-
(Thread) LINK: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=91981
Analogy:
What DC is doing is akin to eating a scrumptious cake, digesting it, crapping it out and then trying to serve the crap (on a *NEW* silver platter i.e. NEW Earth) again.
-B-
Sunday, October 29, 2006
How DC dropped the ball with OYL...
Just a few characters and my views on how DC fumbled and then 'lost' the impetus and history built by (either) Infinite Crisis (or) the whatever these characters grew/achieved since COIE (i.e. the First Crisis)
**********************************
Wonder Woman: Oh, lookie, she is one of three of DC's TRINITY. She's so important. Oooh, we are reinventing her.
BULLSH*T.
Not only has Wonder Woman lost just about everything her character acheived/developed in the last two decades, i.e. been reset her to Pre-COIE, I am an Amazon Princess, I used to be the Goddamn AMBASSADER to the U.N. and Oh, did I mention a FRIGGIN' PRINCESS, but now, I am back to being a two-bit lackey...sorrry, 'Secret Agent' for another country. Also, I am so good (or maybe the others are so dumb) that I don't even need to change my name, let alone get a respectable diguise. (The glasses work for Supes...and that too barely, but I sure as hell ain't buying them on 60s Throwback Woman.)
Besides, if she is so important, so damn important that DC deems her EQUAL to Superman and Batman then why the hell did they hire a HACK who sh*t out two issues in the time there should have been SIX. This 'new' Wonder Woman is only part of the Trinity to give Bats and Supes lap dances, 'cause that is the only way one can define how and where she is spending her time...and wtf are those three doing the cave, sitting around with their thumbs up their behind.
Flash: As with all major 'names' the Flash too has been kicked back to his silver age version, only for him it was a bit different. Seeing as Barry got his a$$ disintegrated in COIE, and wasn't there to 'return to glory' (ala. Hal *Parallax* Jordon, or Green *Queen* Arrow), DC went in for the only other character carrying the ALLEN name, i.e. Bart. Not only did they pi$$ on all that Wally had come to have (first as Kid Flash and then as Flash), they even tossed Bart and his time as Impulse/Kid Flash into the gutter. And just in case the fans still has some part unburnt, they went that final step and gave Barty a girlfriend that 'in drawing' would remind that of Linda Park, which in turn would keeping on stoking the memory of Wally. As for their kids (son and daughter)...Fvck 'em. After all, who in hell misses those two runts, especially when we are giving one son each to both Batman and Superman.
Batman: Kicked back to Silver Age, in their endeavor to make a lighter, friendlier BAT, they've turned him into a goddamn pansy. The last issue of Robin is a clear example of what an emotional ninny he has become now. Either that, or he didn't/doesn't care about his elder son (Nightwing) as much as his new one (Robin). I can't wait until he starts with the CHUM talk. At least 'Tec and Batman (sort of) are good.
Superman: It's Movie and TV time for him. If its not Superman Returns or any of the first two movies (after all, no 'self respecting Supe fan' cares about the last two), then its Smallville. If only they would name the new kid 'Jason' and bring Chloe from Smallville into the comics. After all, its not like they can change comic Pete Ross or Brainiac into their Smallville version. Or can they. Also, introducing Chloe is such an great opportunity to add a 'love triangle' tension to the Lois and Clar marriage...espcially when it has NEVER been done before, with, oh let's say...LANA, LORI, MAXIMA or Wondy. Sorry again, the Pre-IC Wondy. Not this one. For this one, it's back to mooning over Twitty Trevor.
Green Lantern: Do away with all Green Lanterns, who don't have the first name of Hal or the last name of Jordon. Either send them away from earth, or deep, deep...deep undercover. So deep, that he (John Stewart) shows up in Omega Men.
OYL was a great opporunity for DC to try something new, whether from scratch or by just correcting the faults in the Pre-Crisis DCU. Instead, what do we get? The excreted remains of Pre-COIE DCU.
***************************************************
Part 2: The Silver Age and OYL!
The SA (Silver Age of Comics) was good...VERY good even, just as during it's time, was the 'Horse Drawn Carriage' (HDC), and just as the HDC retains its charm and is still enjoyable (once in a while), we wouldn't want to give up on gasoline/diesel/electrical powered vehicles and go back to it. At least I wouldn't. Same is the case with the Silver Age of Comics. It seems that in their endeavor to become 'Environment Friendly' (i.e. a 'Lighter DCU'), DC's TPTB have done/art trying to do, exactly that.
The result? The comic equivalent of Horse Crap (complete with its nauseating stench)
***************************************************
Part 3: Monthlies become Bi-Monthlies and are looking to go be Quartlies!!
Don't you mean 'their top talent can focus on their *bi-monthlies/quarterlies and in ASBMR's case, yearlies* more...or even a little.
Lets see, amone the LATER-lies...
Wonder Woman (After all, she is from the Trinity...hence first position in this list)
ASBMR (Well, about that I don't even care)
Teen Titans
Green LATE-ern
Supergirl
JLA
Brave & Bold (Didn't even reach launch)
Seven Soldiers (More like 'See ya Seven month later, Soldiers!')
Batman (Requires a 'fill-in' to keep to schedule)
Aquaman
Superman-Batman (That title was supposed to be the 'FLAGSHIP' of the DCU. More like tail dingy)
And these are just a few.
DC might have big plans for their Re-SILVERed Post-IC/OYL universe, but unless they tell the stories...IN TIME, the readers are going to get fed up and LEAVE. (As is clrear by the latest sales figures n' comparisons)
At this point in time, DC should give Wonder Woman a 'temporary' rest from the TRINITY and get Green Arrow (As much as I am not a fan of this character) in there. At least his title comes out on time.
Both of Geoff John's titles (GL, TT) have been have a famously delayed run, and now he's on Action Comics? And is slated to start on the JSA? Seeing as AC just HAS to be kept to schedule, one can only guess the 'once evey three months or so' fate that awaits the JSA? As it is, GL's already on his way there, with the Titans following his trail.
Seriously, all three titles (the previous ones), Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern, all three goddamn titles were punting along smoothly, coming about on time month after month (with only a few delays). Add to the the JLA too. Only to get the sales boost from the oh-so-shiny #1 issue did DC reboot/start anew, all four of them.
It would have been fine, if...
a) they would have gotten the right creative teams (currently NOT on either WW or the FLASH)
b) have those goddman coneheads...ahem, 'creators', sit down and actually do some creating...and that too on time.
It's like a company launches a 'new' better *BREAD*, one that not only tastes better, is more healthy, but also allows you to have a better dump. The public goes crazy after it. Only problem? After the first batch ships, the company starts stockpiling (for months) and then once the bread is all stale and moldy, they bring it to the market.
Not only will it have lost a major market interest/share, even those will buy it/consume it, will do so with a bad taste in their mouth.
On the plus side, the moldy bread will retain (and improve) on one thing...it will give the consumers a REALLY gooooooood and painful 'case of de loose motions'.
**********************************
Wonder Woman: Oh, lookie, she is one of three of DC's TRINITY. She's so important. Oooh, we are reinventing her.
BULLSH*T.
Not only has Wonder Woman lost just about everything her character acheived/developed in the last two decades, i.e. been reset her to Pre-COIE, I am an Amazon Princess, I used to be the Goddamn AMBASSADER to the U.N. and Oh, did I mention a FRIGGIN' PRINCESS, but now, I am back to being a two-bit lackey...sorrry, 'Secret Agent' for another country. Also, I am so good (or maybe the others are so dumb) that I don't even need to change my name, let alone get a respectable diguise. (The glasses work for Supes...and that too barely, but I sure as hell ain't buying them on 60s Throwback Woman.)
Besides, if she is so important, so damn important that DC deems her EQUAL to Superman and Batman then why the hell did they hire a HACK who sh*t out two issues in the time there should have been SIX. This 'new' Wonder Woman is only part of the Trinity to give Bats and Supes lap dances, 'cause that is the only way one can define how and where she is spending her time...and wtf are those three doing the cave, sitting around with their thumbs up their behind.
Flash: As with all major 'names' the Flash too has been kicked back to his silver age version, only for him it was a bit different. Seeing as Barry got his a$$ disintegrated in COIE, and wasn't there to 'return to glory' (ala. Hal *Parallax* Jordon, or Green *Queen* Arrow), DC went in for the only other character carrying the ALLEN name, i.e. Bart. Not only did they pi$$ on all that Wally had come to have (first as Kid Flash and then as Flash), they even tossed Bart and his time as Impulse/Kid Flash into the gutter. And just in case the fans still has some part unburnt, they went that final step and gave Barty a girlfriend that 'in drawing' would remind that of Linda Park, which in turn would keeping on stoking the memory of Wally. As for their kids (son and daughter)...Fvck 'em. After all, who in hell misses those two runts, especially when we are giving one son each to both Batman and Superman.
Batman: Kicked back to Silver Age, in their endeavor to make a lighter, friendlier BAT, they've turned him into a goddamn pansy. The last issue of Robin is a clear example of what an emotional ninny he has become now. Either that, or he didn't/doesn't care about his elder son (Nightwing) as much as his new one (Robin). I can't wait until he starts with the CHUM talk. At least 'Tec and Batman (sort of) are good.
Superman: It's Movie and TV time for him. If its not Superman Returns or any of the first two movies (after all, no 'self respecting Supe fan' cares about the last two), then its Smallville. If only they would name the new kid 'Jason' and bring Chloe from Smallville into the comics. After all, its not like they can change comic Pete Ross or Brainiac into their Smallville version. Or can they. Also, introducing Chloe is such an great opportunity to add a 'love triangle' tension to the Lois and Clar marriage...espcially when it has NEVER been done before, with, oh let's say...LANA, LORI, MAXIMA or Wondy. Sorry again, the Pre-IC Wondy. Not this one. For this one, it's back to mooning over Twitty Trevor.
Green Lantern: Do away with all Green Lanterns, who don't have the first name of Hal or the last name of Jordon. Either send them away from earth, or deep, deep...deep undercover. So deep, that he (John Stewart) shows up in Omega Men.
OYL was a great opporunity for DC to try something new, whether from scratch or by just correcting the faults in the Pre-Crisis DCU. Instead, what do we get? The excreted remains of Pre-COIE DCU.
***************************************************
Part 2: The Silver Age and OYL!
The SA (Silver Age of Comics) was good...VERY good even, just as during it's time, was the 'Horse Drawn Carriage' (HDC), and just as the HDC retains its charm and is still enjoyable (once in a while), we wouldn't want to give up on gasoline/diesel/electrical powered vehicles and go back to it. At least I wouldn't. Same is the case with the Silver Age of Comics. It seems that in their endeavor to become 'Environment Friendly' (i.e. a 'Lighter DCU'), DC's TPTB have done/art trying to do, exactly that.
The result? The comic equivalent of Horse Crap (complete with its nauseating stench)
***************************************************
Part 3: Monthlies become Bi-Monthlies and are looking to go be Quartlies!!
Don't you mean 'their top talent can focus on their *bi-monthlies/quarterlies and in ASBMR's case, yearlies* more...or even a little.
Lets see, amone the LATER-lies...
Wonder Woman (After all, she is from the Trinity...hence first position in this list)
ASBMR (Well, about that I don't even care)
Teen Titans
Green LATE-ern
Supergirl
JLA
Brave & Bold (Didn't even reach launch)
Seven Soldiers (More like 'See ya Seven month later, Soldiers!')
Batman (Requires a 'fill-in' to keep to schedule)
Aquaman
Superman-Batman (That title was supposed to be the 'FLAGSHIP' of the DCU. More like tail dingy)
And these are just a few.
DC might have big plans for their Re-SILVERed Post-IC/OYL universe, but unless they tell the stories...IN TIME, the readers are going to get fed up and LEAVE. (As is clrear by the latest sales figures n' comparisons)
At this point in time, DC should give Wonder Woman a 'temporary' rest from the TRINITY and get Green Arrow (As much as I am not a fan of this character) in there. At least his title comes out on time.
Both of Geoff John's titles (GL, TT) have been have a famously delayed run, and now he's on Action Comics? And is slated to start on the JSA? Seeing as AC just HAS to be kept to schedule, one can only guess the 'once evey three months or so' fate that awaits the JSA? As it is, GL's already on his way there, with the Titans following his trail.
Seriously, all three titles (the previous ones), Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern, all three goddamn titles were punting along smoothly, coming about on time month after month (with only a few delays). Add to the the JLA too. Only to get the sales boost from the oh-so-shiny #1 issue did DC reboot/start anew, all four of them.
It would have been fine, if...
a) they would have gotten the right creative teams (currently NOT on either WW or the FLASH)
b) have those goddman coneheads...ahem, 'creators', sit down and actually do some creating...and that too on time.
It's like a company launches a 'new' better *BREAD*, one that not only tastes better, is more healthy, but also allows you to have a better dump. The public goes crazy after it. Only problem? After the first batch ships, the company starts stockpiling (for months) and then once the bread is all stale and moldy, they bring it to the market.
Not only will it have lost a major market interest/share, even those will buy it/consume it, will do so with a bad taste in their mouth.
On the plus side, the moldy bread will retain (and improve) on one thing...it will give the consumers a REALLY gooooooood and painful 'case of de loose motions'.
The 'TRINITY': What it means.
The first 'Fresh' post of this new blog: This was part of a discussion thread on Newsarama where the opening poster put up the following question....
*******************************************
Title: Why isn't Spider-Man in the comic book trinity?
Post: I mean it's not like he didn't earn it. I say that he should replace Wonder Woman! What do you think?
*******************************************
To me it seemed that either this poster did not have a grasp of what the 'Trinity' stands for in comics (especially DC) or maybe he was just trying to be funny or even more so, sarcastic, both of which are
My response to it...
The 'TRINITY' is a *DC only* thing and came so much into vogue after a three issue AU/Elseworlds style mini (Batman-Superman-Wonder Woman: Trinity) published a few years back (2003). It has nothing to do with Spider-Man or for that matter any character from any comic publisher other than DC.
Note: There was another 'Trinity' mini (1993) published by DC, but that was during that whole Parallax, Controllers etc etc whatever.
The term Trinity has also been used in various religions/cultures. While in Christianity it's the the three aspects of God (the father, the son and the holy spirit/ghost), in Hinduism, the Trinity (or as it is known there *TRIMURTI*) are the three top-gods, Brahma, Vishu and Mahes/Shiva. Brahma is the 'creator or the source', Vishnu, the 'Preserver or Life' and Shiva, the 'transformer or destroyer'. And so and so forth in various other beliefs.
In the same way, Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman are the three cornerstones within which the DCU is built/resides.
As for me, I like to think Bats and Supes are the other far sides of the DC 'Weighing Scale' with Wondy being the hold/fulcrum that marks the 'BALANCE'. The IDEAL setting.
Even their *cities* make up the far corners, with Gotham (Dark and foreboding) on one side and Metropolis (Bright and welcoming) on the other. While cities such as Star City fall the bat-side of the balance, those like Coast City (used to) on the Super-side. The twins, Keystone and Central (one blue collar, one white) are the ones which are/were closest to the middle. As for the Ideal in that case too...what else, but 'Paradise' (Themiscyra), or at least what it used to be.
*******************************************
Title: Why isn't Spider-Man in the comic book trinity?
Post: I mean it's not like he didn't earn it. I say that he should replace Wonder Woman! What do you think?
*******************************************
To me it seemed that either this poster did not have a grasp of what the 'Trinity' stands for in comics (especially DC) or maybe he was just trying to be funny or even more so, sarcastic, both of which are
My response to it...
The 'TRINITY' is a *DC only* thing and came so much into vogue after a three issue AU/Elseworlds style mini (Batman-Superman-Wonder Woman: Trinity) published a few years back (2003). It has nothing to do with Spider-Man or for that matter any character from any comic publisher other than DC.
Note: There was another 'Trinity' mini (1993) published by DC, but that was during that whole Parallax, Controllers etc etc whatever.
The term Trinity has also been used in various religions/cultures. While in Christianity it's the the three aspects of God (the father, the son and the holy spirit/ghost), in Hinduism, the Trinity (or as it is known there *TRIMURTI*) are the three top-gods, Brahma, Vishu and Mahes/Shiva. Brahma is the 'creator or the source', Vishnu, the 'Preserver or Life' and Shiva, the 'transformer or destroyer'. And so and so forth in various other beliefs.
In the same way, Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman are the three cornerstones within which the DCU is built/resides.
As for me, I like to think Bats and Supes are the other far sides of the DC 'Weighing Scale' with Wondy being the hold/fulcrum that marks the 'BALANCE'. The IDEAL setting.
Even their *cities* make up the far corners, with Gotham (Dark and foreboding) on one side and Metropolis (Bright and welcoming) on the other. While cities such as Star City fall the bat-side of the balance, those like Coast City (used to) on the Super-side. The twins, Keystone and Central (one blue collar, one white) are the ones which are/were closest to the middle. As for the Ideal in that case too...what else, but 'Paradise' (Themiscyra), or at least what it used to be.
Feb'2006 (Marvel Comics Sales Figures)
Original Post Date: 03/20/2006
Finally, the Ranking (with the sales figures) are out. Here they are:
(Among #1 to #100)
(Rank - Title - sales)
In the bracket are the sales for the previous month (Jan'2006):
01 - ASTONISHING X-MEN #13 - 140,655 (No Issue)
02 - NEW AVENGERS #16 - 121,492 (121,758)
06 - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #529 - 90,414 (95,415)
10 - UNCANNY X-MEN #469 - 79,039 (79,808)
11 - X-MEN #182 - 78,653 (X-Men #181 - 74,094)
12 - X-MEN #183 - 76,454 (See Above to X-Men #181)
17 - WOLVERINE #39 - 72,248 (70,944)
24 - SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #23 - 59,051 ()
26 - YOUNG AVENGERS #10 - 56,347 ()
29 - DAREDEVIL #82 - 53,058 (44,252)
32 - X-FACTOR #3 - 48,307 ()
35 - NEW EXCALIBUR #4 - 45,071 (47,196)
36 - FANTASTIC FOUR #534 - 44,573 ()
37 - CAPTAIN AMERICA #14 - 44,041 ()
38 - CAPTAIN AMERICA #15 - 43,350 ()
40 - FANTASTIC FOUR #535 - 43,124 (See Above to #534)
41 - NEW X-MEN #23 - 41,463 (42,923)
47 - INCREDIBLE HULK #92 - 39,224 (35,980)
60 - EXILES #77 - 32,998 (#75 - 33,485, #76 - 32,843)
61 - STORM #1 (Of 6) - 32,831 ()
75 - SHE-HULK 2 #5 - 27,183 (28,214)
80 - BLACK PANTHER #13 - 26,054 (27,933)
82 - X-MEN UNLTD #13 - 25,257 ()
95 - CABLE DEADPOOL #25 - 22,918 (23,542)
99 - THING #4 - 21,190 (21,839)
For complete list: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8384.html
My Comments:
This is not an all inclusive list and is limited to the Marvel (616) mainline universe, and except for 'Storm #1' mini-series have not been included.
There don't seem to be any major change in the series ranking among the top twenty (including Wolverine), a trend that is pretty much set (as clear from past figures).
Going down the list, the only major gainer in the 21-50 ranks is 'Daredevil #82'. That can be attributed to the major change in the status quo both with DD's time in jail starting, and his long time partner and friend Foggy Nelson getting stabbed in the gut.
From No.51 and below, it is pretty much unimpressive, with all of the series losing sales figures, including, Marvel's (Joe Q) favorite, Black Panther, who from Nov'2005 (31,987) to Feb'2006 (26,054) lost almost 6000 sales (and 18 in rankings). I used Nov'2005, cause BP #10 came out that month and was the issue after the X-Men (Wild Kingdom) Crossover.
As for Storm's miniseries, can't say much about it, not until atleast two issues are out there. But one thing is there, it is atleast better than Ororo: BtS, which started around 28k for the first issue. Hopefully, unlike that, this series' sales won't fall to half by the time it reaches #4 (and even lower after that for #5 and #6)
BW
Finally, the Ranking (with the sales figures) are out. Here they are:
(Among #1 to #100)
(Rank - Title - sales)
In the bracket are the sales for the previous month (Jan'2006):
01 - ASTONISHING X-MEN #13 - 140,655 (No Issue)
02 - NEW AVENGERS #16 - 121,492 (121,758)
06 - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #529 - 90,414 (95,415)
10 - UNCANNY X-MEN #469 - 79,039 (79,808)
11 - X-MEN #182 - 78,653 (X-Men #181 - 74,094)
12 - X-MEN #183 - 76,454 (See Above to X-Men #181)
17 - WOLVERINE #39 - 72,248 (70,944)
24 - SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #23 - 59,051 ()
26 - YOUNG AVENGERS #10 - 56,347 ()
29 - DAREDEVIL #82 - 53,058 (44,252)
32 - X-FACTOR #3 - 48,307 ()
35 - NEW EXCALIBUR #4 - 45,071 (47,196)
36 - FANTASTIC FOUR #534 - 44,573 ()
37 - CAPTAIN AMERICA #14 - 44,041 ()
38 - CAPTAIN AMERICA #15 - 43,350 ()
40 - FANTASTIC FOUR #535 - 43,124 (See Above to #534)
41 - NEW X-MEN #23 - 41,463 (42,923)
47 - INCREDIBLE HULK #92 - 39,224 (35,980)
60 - EXILES #77 - 32,998 (#75 - 33,485, #76 - 32,843)
61 - STORM #1 (Of 6) - 32,831 ()
75 - SHE-HULK 2 #5 - 27,183 (28,214)
80 - BLACK PANTHER #13 - 26,054 (27,933)
82 - X-MEN UNLTD #13 - 25,257 ()
95 - CABLE DEADPOOL #25 - 22,918 (23,542)
99 - THING #4 - 21,190 (21,839)
For complete list: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8384.html
My Comments:
This is not an all inclusive list and is limited to the Marvel (616) mainline universe, and except for 'Storm #1' mini-series have not been included.
There don't seem to be any major change in the series ranking among the top twenty (including Wolverine), a trend that is pretty much set (as clear from past figures).
Going down the list, the only major gainer in the 21-50 ranks is 'Daredevil #82'. That can be attributed to the major change in the status quo both with DD's time in jail starting, and his long time partner and friend Foggy Nelson getting stabbed in the gut.
From No.51 and below, it is pretty much unimpressive, with all of the series losing sales figures, including, Marvel's (Joe Q) favorite, Black Panther, who from Nov'2005 (31,987) to Feb'2006 (26,054) lost almost 6000 sales (and 18 in rankings). I used Nov'2005, cause BP #10 came out that month and was the issue after the X-Men (Wild Kingdom) Crossover.
As for Storm's miniseries, can't say much about it, not until atleast two issues are out there. But one thing is there, it is atleast better than Ororo: BtS, which started around 28k for the first issue. Hopefully, unlike that, this series' sales won't fall to half by the time it reaches #4 (and even lower after that for #5 and #6)
BW
Marvel (June 2006) Solicitations
Original Post Date: 03/14/2006
Marvel has come out with its June 2006 Solicitations and you can check 'em out here:
http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Jun06/solicitations.html
and the discussion (on Newsarama) here: 'Newsarama Discussion on Marvel June 2006 Solicitations'
I really thought that by now (June) there would be more of (possibly) clearer picture as to what was happening in the MU. Nope!!
With the extent of the events (and I say events, cause there are more than one) Marvel seems to be matching (or trying to match) what DC is doing (done) with its whole Infinite Crisis shindig.
Lets match 'em!! (DC - Marvel)
1. Infinite Crisis - Civil War
2. Rann/Thangar War & Return of Donna Troy - Annihilation (and all its minis)
3. Day of Vengance - The Apocalypse thing (whatisname!!)
4. Villains United - Can't think of anything yet but to name something, lets put....TWO sides (forming) for the CW (including possible allainces b/w Heroes and Villains supporting their side)
5. OMAC Project - (weak match) Sentinel O*N*E
However, while Alex Luthor (and his lackey SB Prime) were able to tie in the R/T War to the events on earth, there doesn't seem to any such thing b/w Annihilation and CW. Is there??
Moreover, even though I was never (and still am not) a big fan of Apocalypse, it just doesn't feel right that a character of his stature is desinated to a (for all purposes) sideline plot-line.
Finally coming to the....ahem, 'Wedding of the Century', no one (from the discussion on Newsarama) was in the least bit (let alone) impressed/excited/looking forward to it. We can put that down to that the PR train not catching speed, or we can face it for what it is....a plot that just isn't coming in the radar of the readers. Then again, maybe all those readers/posters don't come in Marvel's 'Target Audience' and hence don't know about the 'Universe Reverberating' consequences of the wedding.
And as for a last point, Who The F**k drew Storm on that cover of BP #17...oh, yeah JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER. Please, that easily scores among the worst 'Storms' I have seen in quite sometime....maybe ever!!
BW
Marvel has come out with its June 2006 Solicitations and you can check 'em out here:
http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Jun06/solicitations.html
and the discussion (on Newsarama) here: 'Newsarama Discussion on Marvel June 2006 Solicitations'
I really thought that by now (June) there would be more of (possibly) clearer picture as to what was happening in the MU. Nope!!
With the extent of the events (and I say events, cause there are more than one) Marvel seems to be matching (or trying to match) what DC is doing (done) with its whole Infinite Crisis shindig.
Lets match 'em!! (DC - Marvel)
1. Infinite Crisis - Civil War
2. Rann/Thangar War & Return of Donna Troy - Annihilation (and all its minis)
3. Day of Vengance - The Apocalypse thing (whatisname!!)
4. Villains United - Can't think of anything yet but to name something, lets put....TWO sides (forming) for the CW (including possible allainces b/w Heroes and Villains supporting their side)
5. OMAC Project - (weak match) Sentinel O*N*E
However, while Alex Luthor (and his lackey SB Prime) were able to tie in the R/T War to the events on earth, there doesn't seem to any such thing b/w Annihilation and CW. Is there??
Moreover, even though I was never (and still am not) a big fan of Apocalypse, it just doesn't feel right that a character of his stature is desinated to a (for all purposes) sideline plot-line.
Finally coming to the....ahem, 'Wedding of the Century', no one (from the discussion on Newsarama) was in the least bit (let alone) impressed/excited/looking forward to it. We can put that down to that the PR train not catching speed, or we can face it for what it is....a plot that just isn't coming in the radar of the readers. Then again, maybe all those readers/posters don't come in Marvel's 'Target Audience' and hence don't know about the 'Universe Reverberating' consequences of the wedding.
And as for a last point, Who The F**k drew Storm on that cover of BP #17...oh, yeah JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER. Please, that easily scores among the worst 'Storms' I have seen in quite sometime....maybe ever!!
BW
Joe Q and his Bachelor Parties!!
Original Post Date: 02/27/2006
Lets get this out of the way first!!
**“What I love about weddings are bachelor parties,” Quesada said earlier in the panel about the upcoming Black Panther/Storm Wedding storyline, “and T'Challa will be having bachelor party, and if I'm not mistaken it's being thrown by Luke Cage and Wolverine.
“I can only tell you, if I was having a bachelor party, I would want Wolverine to throw it. He knows people.”**
And now this....
Link: http://www.newsarama.com/NYCC/Marvel/Cup_O_Joe/report.htm
Marvel should seriously consider changing its name from Marvel Comics to 'Wolverine Comics', 'cause there dont' seem to be even half a dozen (remotely respectable) series where Wolverine isn't making an appearance every month.....and this, hosting the bachelor party for the guy he can't stand (Wild Kingdom x-over) has to be the cherry on the proverbial cake.
Lets see, Wolverine, Uncanny X-Men, Ashtonishing X-Men, "Adjectiveless" X-Men, New X-Men, New Avengers, Runaways, B.P., Spider-Man (all of this current timeline series)...recently, anything HoM (before and after), upcoming anything Civil War, lets just forget
the miniseries (Deadly Genesis, Colossus: Bloodline, Jubilee, Nightcrawler...Oh, give me a break-Mystique)...
...They just don't stop. And now on top of all this, Wolverine: Origin.
I mean, come on, he is supposed to be the best at what he does, but nowadays the only thing he seems to be doing is jumping around all over the planet...ok, for his past, but to give any and every god-damn series the 'claw' touch.
And now, both him and Luke, they are going to become glorified 'pimps'. Luke Cage was the first African American hero to get his own comic series (way back in 1972) and this is how Marvel is using his potential!! Even in the New Avengers he comes across more as 'eye candy' than anything else. I remember reading him going against Spidey (atleast I think it was him) during the early days of his career, when he had the whole 'Angry Young Man' thing going for him....and although the previews of Civil War seem to present an interesting take on his situation as a 'family man', this whole bachelor party thing is going a bit (a lot) overboard.
Yeah, they are heroes (super-heroes) and the whole world is going to the crapper around them (civil war) and what are they going to do? Down shots and ogle at grinding babes (and hopefully throw up later)....Oooh, they must really be tense!!
Am I the only one who seems to think that Joe Q's 'bachelor party' mentions are a joke gone too
far...especially in keeping track with the current situation in the MU at that time?
Lets get this out of the way first!!
**“What I love about weddings are bachelor parties,” Quesada said earlier in the panel about the upcoming Black Panther/Storm Wedding storyline, “and T'Challa will be having bachelor party, and if I'm not mistaken it's being thrown by Luke Cage and Wolverine.
“I can only tell you, if I was having a bachelor party, I would want Wolverine to throw it. He knows people.”**
And now this....
Link: http://www.newsarama.com/NYCC/Marvel/Cup_O_Joe/report.htm
Marvel should seriously consider changing its name from Marvel Comics to 'Wolverine Comics', 'cause there dont' seem to be even half a dozen (remotely respectable) series where Wolverine isn't making an appearance every month.....and this, hosting the bachelor party for the guy he can't stand (Wild Kingdom x-over) has to be the cherry on the proverbial cake.
Lets see, Wolverine, Uncanny X-Men, Ashtonishing X-Men, "Adjectiveless" X-Men, New X-Men, New Avengers, Runaways, B.P., Spider-Man (all of this current timeline series)...recently, anything HoM (before and after), upcoming anything Civil War, lets just forget
the miniseries (Deadly Genesis, Colossus: Bloodline, Jubilee, Nightcrawler...Oh, give me a break-Mystique)...
...They just don't stop. And now on top of all this, Wolverine: Origin.
I mean, come on, he is supposed to be the best at what he does, but nowadays the only thing he seems to be doing is jumping around all over the planet...ok, for his past, but to give any and every god-damn series the 'claw' touch.
And now, both him and Luke, they are going to become glorified 'pimps'. Luke Cage was the first African American hero to get his own comic series (way back in 1972) and this is how Marvel is using his potential!! Even in the New Avengers he comes across more as 'eye candy' than anything else. I remember reading him going against Spidey (atleast I think it was him) during the early days of his career, when he had the whole 'Angry Young Man' thing going for him....and although the previews of Civil War seem to present an interesting take on his situation as a 'family man', this whole bachelor party thing is going a bit (a lot) overboard.
Yeah, they are heroes (super-heroes) and the whole world is going to the crapper around them (civil war) and what are they going to do? Down shots and ogle at grinding babes (and hopefully throw up later)....Oooh, they must really be tense!!
Am I the only one who seems to think that Joe Q's 'bachelor party' mentions are a joke gone too
far...especially in keeping track with the current situation in the MU at that time?
Marvel's Wedding, Continuity and their C-King!!
Original post date: 02/25/2006
This is my first post in this blog...well, my first post ever in any blog. Have been thinking of trying my hand at this for quite sometime, if nothing else just as an extension of my site. This particular post is from one I made on a forum and is built up from that.
Have my fingers crossed!!
Here goes....
In case you were wondering, the C-King is for BP's 'offical' standing as King of Wakanda, and the 'C' is for his 'fan' standing....not to mention his record-breaking sales...Yeah, like that is going to
happen!! EVER!!
Stan Lee formed his characters with a 'real' life base....meaning, unlike 'billionaire' Batman or 'happy, honest, reporter' Superman, who have/had an idyllic life, characters like Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk etc. has a lot going wrong in their 'personal lives'.
It seems that in following the same philosophy, the future writers, have shoved one middle finger up 'continuity's' a$ while the second one, up, 'proper power definition's'.
That explains how they can propose a C-list character, whose previous history has been 'officially' annulled, gets a new series, and only after the first seven issues, either start with specials or crossovers....and now he is going to be married to an A-list character, with just the hope that he will become atleast a 'B-' if not 'B'.....and they propose to set him akin their topmost star (above the rating).
If anyone was confused, let me clarify. Black Panther is the character, and his new series started by totally dumping whatever the old one had accomplished...'offically'. Just after the first arc
(+1 other issue), issue #07 was 'House of Lost Marbles' (HoM) special, #8 and 9 had the X-Men crossover, while the next ones have Blade, Luke Cage, ninjas and Who the Fu** cares who else.
And from #14 onwards, he goes on a world wide 'sniffing' quest just so they can somehow cover five issues to correspond with Storm's miniseries. Even the freakin' wedding, is not going to his show (and its HIS series...or atleast its supposed to be). He is just supposed to appear there and get hitched onto the Storm and through her the X-Men and maybe the Avengers bandwagon. I mean, come on, is the series called 'Black Panther' or 'Marvel Team-Up with a side dish of Black Panther dumped on whichever poor soul we an get our hands on' Series.
I mean, come on, they are already telling you that he is going to marry her, then WTF are those filler issues for? Just in case yor run out of toilet paper while on the cra**er?
Moreover, if the previous BP history was really dumped, how can they quote two issues (not even a dozen pages) to sell this Goddess and Dump wedding? Even the supposed 'target audience' stunt, is only to generate racial publicity, with one side saying its a good thing that minority characters are getting their due attention, while the other saying its pure PR. I whole heartedly agree with the 'get the due' point, if in fact it were so. I mean DC has a Black Green
Lantern, and now even the 'Spectre' is of the same race. Even though not strictly an A list character, the Spectre has a lot of clout in the DC universe.
All this because Marvel knows, at the end of the day, even white boys (n' gals) and other race readers (I come in the 'other' category) will get drawn into the conterversy and more or less end up buying it.
Get a clue, Joe Q says that marriage harmed Spider-Man's character....yeah, real harm. He fell from being the most famous, most selling Marvel character to....oh, sorry, he didn't fall anywhere. In fact, he has had not one but two 'sh** your pants' money making movies, not to mention the video games attached with them. Now Mr. Queseda is going to work his wonder with a 'on life support' character/series like BP and make him the next Spider-Man. Yeah, not even when pigs sprout wings and get MIT/Harward/Wharton degrees. Even after forty years,
all BP has to show for himself...NOW, is a dozen issues, because frankly, the rest DIDN'T HAPPEN. But, then they go into the garbage bin where they chucked that fan-favored history into and draw up whatever they find to their liking.
Even the Legendary, Epic, Universe shaking....give as many names, but no one (ok, a handful people) cares romance...is being retconned in. And what about that little bird known as 'CONTINUITY'. Oh, just blow it away with a 'selling' cannon such as E.J.Dickie. I am just waiting for the retcon by which BP single handedly saved the entire universe from the Brood, the Shi'ar, Galactus, Thanos, Dark Phoenix....all at the same time, all while wiping the floor with wimps such as Magneto and Apocalypse.....and lets not forget, mutant monkeys from Niganda.
At one time, Marvel's faithfulness to continuity used by leagues better than DC's and the people at DC knew it...just as did the readers. Even those turn of the 15th century villains in the 'wild kingdom' crossover, they were totally out of it (continuity). That doctor/scientist stealing mutant powers. He was from Genosha, got out before the sentinel attack and worked in a mutant hating/enslaving government atmosphere. Meaning that whole bull cr** with Magneto never happened?
So, as the situation goes, I myself am really looking forward to what's in store for Storm. 'Cause if marriage harms a character such as Spider-Man, it should naturally do wonders for Storm...after all she is the opposite sex. (emphasis on opposite...N-S polarity). And with BP being the next Marvel top-shot, she will automatically rise up with him. With the hints of a kid, that will happen faster than you can say 'Fat Fu*****g Chance'. With the whole family thing, they are simply trying to create a second Reed-Sue-Frankin-and-Valeria Richards, and in true Joe Q fashion, instead of the decades long history of the originals, the V2.0 family with be formed in a matter of months. Hey, its the e-mail age.
Just hope they don't complete the nine month long pregnancy in 9 days....
...even that will have a horde of crossovers.
Now with Storm #1 out and BP #14 on its way, its only a matter of time before the P.R. bridge is put into high gear in an effort to make the general (Marvel) comic fanbase actually give a care about this unlikeliest of unions.
Oh, they are perfect for each other. Why? Just because they just happen to share the same (general) skin color and race. They want us to believe, that in a continent of more than 800 million people, in countries so far apart, these two met as KIDS and now they are just perfect for each other. Meaning, the Forges, Mistys and what nots, are just fillers.....just to get the practice 'humping' done before they move onto the main dish.
Its simply cheapening...not to mention putting off. As of Jan 2006 I am not buying any Marvel comics (except for Wolverine, Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Spider-Man) and won't be for the forseeable future.
Thank you very much Mr. Qlueless. You just lost a reader.....with all my 'freed' funds going into DC's 52 series.
This is my first post in this blog...well, my first post ever in any blog. Have been thinking of trying my hand at this for quite sometime, if nothing else just as an extension of my site. This particular post is from one I made on a forum and is built up from that.
Have my fingers crossed!!
Here goes....
In case you were wondering, the C-King is for BP's 'offical' standing as King of Wakanda, and the 'C' is for his 'fan' standing....not to mention his record-breaking sales...Yeah, like that is going to
happen!! EVER!!
Stan Lee formed his characters with a 'real' life base....meaning, unlike 'billionaire' Batman or 'happy, honest, reporter' Superman, who have/had an idyllic life, characters like Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk etc. has a lot going wrong in their 'personal lives'.
It seems that in following the same philosophy, the future writers, have shoved one middle finger up 'continuity's' a$ while the second one, up, 'proper power definition's'.
That explains how they can propose a C-list character, whose previous history has been 'officially' annulled, gets a new series, and only after the first seven issues, either start with specials or crossovers....and now he is going to be married to an A-list character, with just the hope that he will become atleast a 'B-' if not 'B'.....and they propose to set him akin their topmost star (above the rating).
If anyone was confused, let me clarify. Black Panther is the character, and his new series started by totally dumping whatever the old one had accomplished...'offically'. Just after the first arc
(+1 other issue), issue #07 was 'House of Lost Marbles' (HoM) special, #8 and 9 had the X-Men crossover, while the next ones have Blade, Luke Cage, ninjas and Who the Fu** cares who else.
And from #14 onwards, he goes on a world wide 'sniffing' quest just so they can somehow cover five issues to correspond with Storm's miniseries. Even the freakin' wedding, is not going to his show (and its HIS series...or atleast its supposed to be). He is just supposed to appear there and get hitched onto the Storm and through her the X-Men and maybe the Avengers bandwagon. I mean, come on, is the series called 'Black Panther' or 'Marvel Team-Up with a side dish of Black Panther dumped on whichever poor soul we an get our hands on' Series.
I mean, come on, they are already telling you that he is going to marry her, then WTF are those filler issues for? Just in case yor run out of toilet paper while on the cra**er?
Moreover, if the previous BP history was really dumped, how can they quote two issues (not even a dozen pages) to sell this Goddess and Dump wedding? Even the supposed 'target audience' stunt, is only to generate racial publicity, with one side saying its a good thing that minority characters are getting their due attention, while the other saying its pure PR. I whole heartedly agree with the 'get the due' point, if in fact it were so. I mean DC has a Black Green
Lantern, and now even the 'Spectre' is of the same race. Even though not strictly an A list character, the Spectre has a lot of clout in the DC universe.
All this because Marvel knows, at the end of the day, even white boys (n' gals) and other race readers (I come in the 'other' category) will get drawn into the conterversy and more or less end up buying it.
Get a clue, Joe Q says that marriage harmed Spider-Man's character....yeah, real harm. He fell from being the most famous, most selling Marvel character to....oh, sorry, he didn't fall anywhere. In fact, he has had not one but two 'sh** your pants' money making movies, not to mention the video games attached with them. Now Mr. Queseda is going to work his wonder with a 'on life support' character/series like BP and make him the next Spider-Man. Yeah, not even when pigs sprout wings and get MIT/Harward/Wharton degrees. Even after forty years,
all BP has to show for himself...NOW, is a dozen issues, because frankly, the rest DIDN'T HAPPEN. But, then they go into the garbage bin where they chucked that fan-favored history into and draw up whatever they find to their liking.
Even the Legendary, Epic, Universe shaking....give as many names, but no one (ok, a handful people) cares romance...is being retconned in. And what about that little bird known as 'CONTINUITY'. Oh, just blow it away with a 'selling' cannon such as E.J.Dickie. I am just waiting for the retcon by which BP single handedly saved the entire universe from the Brood, the Shi'ar, Galactus, Thanos, Dark Phoenix....all at the same time, all while wiping the floor with wimps such as Magneto and Apocalypse.....and lets not forget, mutant monkeys from Niganda.
At one time, Marvel's faithfulness to continuity used by leagues better than DC's and the people at DC knew it...just as did the readers. Even those turn of the 15th century villains in the 'wild kingdom' crossover, they were totally out of it (continuity). That doctor/scientist stealing mutant powers. He was from Genosha, got out before the sentinel attack and worked in a mutant hating/enslaving government atmosphere. Meaning that whole bull cr** with Magneto never happened?
So, as the situation goes, I myself am really looking forward to what's in store for Storm. 'Cause if marriage harms a character such as Spider-Man, it should naturally do wonders for Storm...after all she is the opposite sex. (emphasis on opposite...N-S polarity). And with BP being the next Marvel top-shot, she will automatically rise up with him. With the hints of a kid, that will happen faster than you can say 'Fat Fu*****g Chance'. With the whole family thing, they are simply trying to create a second Reed-Sue-Frankin-and-Valeria Richards, and in true Joe Q fashion, instead of the decades long history of the originals, the V2.0 family with be formed in a matter of months. Hey, its the e-mail age.
Just hope they don't complete the nine month long pregnancy in 9 days....
...even that will have a horde of crossovers.
Now with Storm #1 out and BP #14 on its way, its only a matter of time before the P.R. bridge is put into high gear in an effort to make the general (Marvel) comic fanbase actually give a care about this unlikeliest of unions.
Oh, they are perfect for each other. Why? Just because they just happen to share the same (general) skin color and race. They want us to believe, that in a continent of more than 800 million people, in countries so far apart, these two met as KIDS and now they are just perfect for each other. Meaning, the Forges, Mistys and what nots, are just fillers.....just to get the practice 'humping' done before they move onto the main dish.
Its simply cheapening...not to mention putting off. As of Jan 2006 I am not buying any Marvel comics (except for Wolverine, Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Spider-Man) and won't be for the forseeable future.
Thank you very much Mr. Qlueless. You just lost a reader.....with all my 'freed' funds going into DC's 52 series.
Archiving the Past!
As part of moving (a few of) my old posts from my previous stillborn blog (or as I like to call it, my 'trial run' blog), I will be posting them here. Shouldn't be more than half a dozen...at most, after which will start with the 'current/new' ones.
Hope this blog works out better and has a longer life than its predecessor.
So, here goes nothing.
BW
Hope this blog works out better and has a longer life than its predecessor.
So, here goes nothing.
BW
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