a book revealing the lost cultures of Zenn-La with the Surfer as philosopher talking about the pseudo-scientific composition of his silver skin.

I’d buy it.

I do agree, more generally, that Silver Surfer does not need to be an overly-serious book. I haven’t read Annihilation (although I plan on getting to it), but I think that’s been the big failing of the cosmic Marvel characters of late. They seem to run from, rather than embrace, their cracked-out origins. I think Peter David’s Captain Marvel was the last time I actually enjoyed a cosmic comic from Marvel.

Don’t know exactly what it was about Straczynski’s Spider-Man run, but I really enjoyed the early parts of it. Well that’s not entirely true, a big part of it was JRJR’s art, but I also enjoyed a lot the ideas he throwing around–including the Spider Totem bits. Thought it was pretty interesting, but can certainly understand why that’s a minority opinion.

Actually, while I grew to hate it later on, I wasn’t entirely against the Spider-Totem bits at first. Seemed like an interesting diversion. But like so much Straczynski stuff, it was good setup, poor payoff. Even Babylon 5, probably his strongest work, suffered from that in its fourth and fifth season. (Although you could blame a lot of that on network tinkering and not being sure if there was going to *be* a fifth season.)

You’re right, though, that the JRJR art was a big selling point. He also did amazing art on the Bruce Jones Hulk, which like JMS Spidey, turned out to be a horrible detour for the character that didn’t pay off its promising opening bits.

That being said, Squadron Supreme was an all around stronger comic. Wouldn’t want to have read it in floppies, as it’s a little too decompressed for my taste, but it did read well in the trades.

I agree, although unfortunately, it again is a case of strong start, then petering out into disappointment.

Buffy Omnibus - I’ve only read the Buffy GN Ring of Fire and I liked it a lot, I’m not sure it this omnibus is on the same level as RoF or the TV series. Anyone know if the insides of this omnibus is any good?

I’ve read the Vive Las Buffy and Slayer, Interrupted stories, with writing by Fabian Nicieza, and they’re good solid Buffy stories. I haven’t read Ring of Fire, although I know it’s well-regarded, so I can’t really compare quality on that level.

I’ll say that the stories generally aren’t up to the level of the TV series, or the stuff written by Whedon and crew like Fray, Tales of the Slayers and Buffy #1, but it’s pretty solid entertainment if you’re a fan of the characters.

To be more specific, Spidey going toe-to-toe with Morlun the first time is what brought me back to comics after not reading any for 5 years or so. I didn’t care for the totem story, but thought JMS really ‘got it’ when it came to Spider-Man’s determination and character.

Yeah, I dug that too. Still have the first hardcover of JMS’ Spidey, actually, and though the JRJR art is a big part of why I keep it, I’ll admit that there was a pretty decent throwdown between Spidey and Morlun. If only that had been the end of it, rather than JMS bringing the character back for a later (and lamer) story down the line.

Randy — what’s the story with Strange Embrace?

It’s been a couple years since I read it, but as I recall, it’s about a man who buys an African mask and finds it slowly starting to drive him insane. You’ll like it, I’m fairly sure.

To be more specific, Spidey going toe-to-toe with Morlun the first time is what brought me back to comics after not reading any for 5 years or so. I didn’t care for the totem story, but thought JMS really ‘got it’ when it came to Spider-Man’s determination and character.

Anyway . . .

Randy — what’s the story with Strange Embrace?

The ones that did make it on the list:

Buffy Omnibus - I’ve only read the Buffy GN Ring of Fire and I liked it a lot, I’m not sure it this omnibus is on the same level as RoF or the TV series. Anyone know if the insides of this omnibus is any good?

Civil War: Fallen Son one-shots - Sue me, but I like the artists, the characters and now and then Loeb delivers a good story.

Friendly and Sensational Spider-Man Annual’s - Peter David, Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca are names I like to see on Spider-Man comics. Although I haven’t been to pleased with Peter David’s Friendly…

Silverfish Hardcover - as a fan of David Lapham I just can’t let this pass me by, tough I’m sorry that we haven’t seen a new Stray Bullets for… What? A year and a half now?

That’s true in film or novels, but in comics? There really isn’t anything like Criminal, which is good solid noir, out there. Even 100 Bullets, probably the most successful of modern crime comics, is something quite different.

Hmm, I can see that. It’s still very redundant to me, and I wasn’t quite as blown away by it as Comic Pants seems to be.

And I mentioned this in your Drink and Draw review, but I’m not a fan of art/sketchbooks. BUT…I think I may have to get Intersections. Sounds pretty interesting, actually.

I’m on the fence about the Aliens Omnibus. Loved the movies, but never read the comics. Can anyone recommend it, or recommend against it? Opinions on the 9×6 format?

The first few Aliens mini-series were good fun and there was some lovely artwork in there particularly from Beauvais . The problems came when the film storylines diverged from those in the books and the comics became (from what I remember) very bland.

I’ll agree that Midnight Nation was probably JMS’s best comic work, I enjoyed the start of his Spidey run but the seemingly never ending run of pointless crossovers have made things drag for me. Depending on what happens in his final arc and who the next writer is I can see myself dropping Amazing Spiderman.

However, I returned to comics because of his writing for Top Cow, and I’ll hold Midnight Nation up to almost anything I’ve read since returning to comics, I enjoyed it that much. The first 8 issues of Rising Stars were excellent, but got derailed for many reasons. And while it was a MAX title, I really enjoyed Supreme Power (and even though he’s not involved in it, I’m quite liking the Hyperion vs. Nighthawk series right now).

Maybe it was just that I didn’t read Spidey regularly until JMS’s run, so I didn’t have a strong sense of the character otherwise.

That being said, Squadron Supreme was an all around stronger comic. Wouldn’t want to have read it in floppies, as it’s a little too decompressed for my taste, but it did read well in the trades.

It’s frequently suggested that writers like JMS would be better off creating new characters rather than messing with the status quo. Might well be the case–Civil War, for example, would’ve made a lot more sense in the Ultimate universe (or really anywhere outside of the mainstream marvel-verse).

Apologies if that was a bit scattered, it’s late/early where I am.

It’s easy to say “Well, if you don’t like that writer, don’t read their work” and I don’t

Woops, totally missed that. My bad :b

You’re right on both counts here, at least to a point. But I’ve seen more than one person on message boards basically using the “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it” argument to mean basically “And then shut the hell up about it.”

I never thought about it that way, but yeah, you’re absolutely right. And I see your points about JMS’ Spider-Man, especially with the “make Peter a high school teacher” idea. I think that particular idea could have really taken off if Stracynski had given Peter a strong supporting cast at the school to rival his great supporting cast at the Bugle. Less Spider-Totem, more interaction with the teachers and kids.

And don’t worry… you didn’t come off as rude, and I wasn’t offended.

Hurray!

And Randy, you give Criminal too much credit. It’s pretty good, but it’s nothing new or original.

That’s true in film or novels, but in comics? There really isn’t anything like Criminal, which is good solid noir, out there. Even 100 Bullets, probably the most successful of modern crime comics, is something quite different.

I definitely get where you’re coming from, but as the old saying goes, “you vote with your wallet.” Sure, you can express your disdain for it on Comic Pants, message boards, or other web sites, but the one thing comic companies (or at least, the Big Two) focus on the most is sales. I think.

I agree on all that stuff, but he has written some very good Spider-Man stories. I loved the issue where Aunt May confronted him about his secret identity, the issue where Peter and MJ got back together, and issue #500. The 9/11 issue wasn’t bad either, but there is no way Doctor Doom would cry at what happened that day.

You’re right on both counts here, at least to a point. But I’ve seen more than one person on message boards basically using the “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it” argument to mean basically “And then shut the hell up about it.” I can choose not to buy it and still not like it, for the reasons I outlined. You’re right that the important step for the companies is to vote with my wallet, but I shouldn’t have to pay my $3 to gripe about their creative choices, if past experience (or current flip-throughs) indicate that the stuff I’m not buying is still doing damage to characters I have an interest in buying.

As for Straczynski on Spidey… I like some of his ideas quite a bit. Making Peter a high school teacher is a genius move. Revealing his identity to Aunt May, also a great idea. But the follow-through on these ideas has generally been weak, and I’m not sure one or two good (maybe even great) issues make up for month upon month of awful ones.

And don’t worry… you didn’t come off as rude, and I wasn’t offended.

Sure, you can express your disdain for it on Comic Pants, message boards, or other web sites, but the one thing comic companies (or at least, the Big Two) focus on the most is sales. I think.

Sorry if this came off as rude; definitely not my intent.

Even though I’ve been enjoying 52, I’m still a bit leery of Countdown. I’m sure it will sell well enough, but it seems to me like an awfully short sighted sales strategy DC’s part. How many times do they think they can go back to the weekly series well before fans get fed up? In the meantime, several of their ongoing books are withering on the vine.

I’m no huge fan of JMS, but I have to agree that his best work is on books that are either his own creation or ones where he’s basically free to reinvent the concepts from scratch. Both Midnight Nation and Supreme Power/Squadron Supreme are solid reads and Rising Stars started out on a promising note even if it didn’t end that way.

I’m now considering the Damned TPB, Silverfish by Lapham and Gutsville, due to the Frazer Irving art. I’d also love to buy some Hama GI Joe… but the art has to be at least readable, which it often isnt, in my opinion.

Overall, looks like a solid month.

And Randy, you give Criminal too much credit. It’s pretty good, but it’s nothing new or original. And good choice - Punisher MAX reads so much better as a trade. It’s a good book; it’s just a shame Lewis Larosa (the guy who did the art on the first arc of the book) hasn’t been around. What happened to him?

See, the problem with “If you don’t like it, just don’t buy it” is that he’s in control of some of the characters I do like. Same with Bendis and Avengers. It’s easy to say “Well, if you don’t like that writer, don’t read their work” and I don’t, but it pains me to see some of my favorite characters in the hands of people whose writing I just can’t stand. Especially when, in the case of characters like Silver Surfer, it’s likely to be the only place we can see the character and the writer is known for making sweeping changes in their origins/characterization that will affect them for years to come.

I definitely get where you’re coming from, but as the old saying goes, “you vote with your wallet.” Sure, you can express your disdain for it on Comic Pants, message boards, or other web sites, but the one thing comic companies (or at least, the Big Two) focus on the most is sales. I think.

I’d say Straczynski’s comics career has mostly been missteps. Sins Past, the whole Ezekiel/spider totem thing, the revelation that the FF essentially caused their own origin, that godawful revision of Dr. Strange into a boring Matrix retread… out of curiosity, what have his high points been?

I agree on all that stuff, but he has written some very good Spider-Man stories. I loved the issue where Aunt May confronted him about his secret identity, the issue where Peter and MJ got back together, and issue #500. The 9/11 issue wasn’t bad either, but there is no way Doctor Doom would cry at what happened that day.

The thing that has me somewhat excited about Countdown is that Sean McKeever will be writing every fourth issue. At Marvel McKeever wrote the fantastic Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, a phenomenal Inhumans drama, and the entertaining two minis Sentinel. What all these series have demonstrated is that McKeever handles characterization better than just about every other comic writer out there. It’ll be interesting to see that quality characterization for DC characters.

I was prepared not to be interested in Countdown at all. But DC sucked me in with some excellent writers. Dini, McKeever, Adam Beechen, Tony Bedard and Palmiotti & Gray. That’s a good team of writers.

Btw, sorry if this sounds accusatory, I really don’t mean it to be… I’m legitimately curious what would make Straczynski a favorite, beyond his having written a pretty solid sci-fi epic with Babylon 5.

You know, I have my own problems with Stracynski as well, especially with his superhero stuff for mainly the same reasons that Randy has mentioned. I don’t like his take on many of the characters that he writes (i.e. the whole Green Goblin/Gwen Stacey debacle), as they clash with what I want in a superhero book. My problem, I know, but there it is.

That said, what doesn’t work in mainstream books, works in his others. I’m a big fan of Midnight Nation and a partial fan of both Supreme Power and Rising Stars. In those books, since the characters are his own creations, I don’t mind the wonkiness and uber-darkness.

Oh, and if I’m not mistaken, didn’t Stracynski write for the Real Ghostbusters cartoon? Those were cool (and god, I’m dating myself with that one). Also, sign me up for a Tom Scioli and Joe Casey Silver Surfer. That right there would be comic book gold.