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Post by Andy Turnbull on Mar 31, 2017 21:38:59 GMT
Did you book the Friday off work? |
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Post by The Doctor on Mar 31, 2017 21:50:03 GMT
I did and then checked my bank balance and forgot I had just paid off a few bills and am utterly skint.
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Apr 4, 2017 21:40:49 GMT
The important thing is you have the day off!
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 12, 2017 18:13:22 GMT
I decided to read the well-regarded 'The Once and Future King'. It is trying my patience though. 100 pages in and it is so twee. The tone just feels off. I am not sure it is for me. Debating whether to carry on (it's over 800 pages long) or throw in the towel.
-Ralph
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Post by Fortmax2020 on Jun 12, 2017 22:01:38 GMT
Reading The Stainless Steel Rat for the first time currently.
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 12, 2017 23:10:05 GMT
It is odd that the 2000AD Rat series is not in print.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 13, 2017 7:06:09 GMT
Rebellion have reprinted it..... ..... HOW MUCH  ? |
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Post by Fortmax2020 on Jun 13, 2017 9:26:01 GMT
Link?
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Post by blueshift on Aug 2, 2017 18:18:48 GMT
You know it's blown my mind how much of a hole modern Marvel is in (I'm 6 months behind as I read on the app but oh man I'm told it does not get better). Like DC they jettisoned a lot of what people liked for change for the sake of change, but unlike DC they've not realised their error yet. It's so weird, given that a few years ago it was DC in this horrible position.
I blame Secret Wars for being awful.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 2, 2017 18:40:26 GMT
The post secret war stuff has nuggets of gold in. Vision was amazing, Ms Marvel and Thor continue to be great and I've enjoyed Uncanny Avengers a lot. All New All Different Avengers isn't bad either. And the recent Avengers crossover Standoff event set a new record by getting to it's last issue before it all fell apart.
Against that Spider-Man's current situation is just not Spider-Man and feels more like an Iron Man rip off, X-Men isn't great and Cap...... Cap probably depends on ow they redeem him from it!
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Post by blueshift on Aug 2, 2017 18:52:26 GMT
I don't mind the whole Cap plot, but oh my god it should have been a six issue arc at most, not the status quo and huge event for like, two years. Madness.
It's absolutely insane that at the height of their popularity in public awareness and culture, Marvel Comics are doing everything they can to either get rid of or crap all over their popular, iconic characters. I mean sure people moan about how old the characters are and how it's "impossible" to do anything interesting with them... but the movies are doing it!
I'm stunned that they've not killed off all the Guardians of the Galaxy and replaced them with completely new characters yet, after all the films are really popular and have got people interested in the characters.
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 2, 2017 18:58:40 GMT
It's weird from my perspective because I've only been regularly reading a smattering of Marvel titles for a couple of years. I see all the new stories going by, enjoy reading them, but miss what you'd regard as the classic teams doing classic things. I guessed that was because it's all been done a million times and the legacy readers were bored with it, so Marvel are doing different things now. But I'd quite like to read an Avengers story of the modern era that's Cap, Iron Man and Thor doing good.
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Post by Shockprowl on Aug 2, 2017 20:10:33 GMT
Not read any Marvel since Avengers v X-Men. Just drifted out of it... mainly 'cos Sentry's not in it anymore....
Could some one spoiler eveeything that's been going on? (don't ask for much do I?).
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 2, 2017 20:35:00 GMT
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 3, 2017 17:38:25 GMT
Its frustrating because Hickmans Avengers run was fantastic, Ms Marvel is a breathe of fresh air for Marvel and Vison was something completely different too.
But most of those along with any XMen trade/collection Ive tried reading in the last couple of year have been ruined by unrelated crossovers. Those killed my interest in each XMen series I was reading, so much so I didn't even bother finishing the books I already had.
Avengers I plowed on with partly because I wound up with just enough of the crossover event to make some sense of some of what was happening, but mostly because I was too invested in the ongoing story to stop.
Ms Marvel was least affected by Secret Wars, but honestly if you only read that comic a crossover like secret wars makes next to no sense and completely ruins the flow of the book.
Vison is the only book to excape any crossovers, but Ive only read vol.1 so that may change.
Crossovers put me off the books Im reading, they dont encourage me to read more. And Number 1s stopped me reading a few of the things from before Secret Wars (and other relaunch events).
Whats good about a book on issue 583, is that it means its been going for a very long time, on balance that probably means its maintained a degree of quality and will likely be around long enough to be worth investing time and money in to.
Why are Marvel so screwed up on this.
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Post by blueshift on Aug 6, 2017 9:37:41 GMT
Not read any Marvel since Avengers v X-Men. Just drifted out of it... mainly 'cos Sentry's not in it anymore.... Could some one spoiler eveeything that's been going on? (don't ask for much do I?). Okay Shockprowl, STRAP IN! So you're loving the Marvel movies and want to see what your FAVOURITE CHARACTERS are up to in the comics? Properly get in board the Marvel train? Well, let's update you!
Captain America
Okay, so Captain America got turned old (this was after he came back from being dead) and got replaced by THE FALCON. See, this is the sort of legacy replacement I'm okay with, as it's an established character who feels they've 'earned' it. But the problem with THE FALCON is that THE FALCON is really really boring. I actually preferred it when Bucky was Cap and Cap was dead. That was interesting.
Anyway, Captain America got deaged again but is now A NAZI VILLAIN.
So if you want to read comics about Captain America from the movies, you're either reading about THE FALCON or Captain Hitler. (I'm actually fine with the villain plot but it should have been a six issue arc at most, not like, years worth of story)
Iron Man
Okay so Iron Man got turned EVIL and was a VILLAIN even though he didn't actually do much villainous and seemed pretty reasonable. Then he died in the runup to Secret Wars but was ok afterwards. But then Captain Marvel BRUTALLY MURDERED him at the end of Civil War 2 because she's an awful human being.
In a bizarre twist, the new Iron Man is a 15 year old teenage girl called Riri Williams who just popped up out of nowhere. This is the bad sort of character replacement, because who the hell is this person and why are they replacing a beloved character? At the same time there is another Iron Man who is DOCTOR DOOM which is actually a neat idea. But he's not Tony Stark.
So if you really love Iron Man, one of Marvel's A lister characters, and want to read more Robery Downey Jr in print form, you can't. But you can read about some 15 year old kid.
Thor
We love Thor right? Marvel don't, he is no longer worthy and so Jane Foster is now Thor. I know Phil likes her but oh my god I find her such a boring non-character.
So if you really love Thor and want to start reading about him with the new movie out... you can't. Go pick up some old 80s trades instead.
The Hulk
So in Civil War 2, the Hulk was being the normal Hulk, so Hawkeye BRUTALLY MURDERED HIM. Thanks Hawkeye. The new Hulk is a kid called Amadeus Cho, who was a long term sidekick in the Hulk and Hercules books. I mean eeeeeeeeeeeeeh it should work but the book is called THE TOTALLY AWESOME HULK and eeeeeeh.
So if you really love Bruce Banner and think the Marvel films made him really interesting and want to read more about him, you can't because Hawkeye murdered him.
Nick Fury
Okay, so it turns out Nick Fury was secretly old and living on the moon and EVIL so they kill him and replace him with his son, NICK FURY JR who looks exactly like Samuel L Jackson. Eeh, see this is actually a change I agree more with as it's matching the comics more with the films, but it was amazingly cack-handed and really pissed all over the character who'd been beloved since the 50s. They should have just brought in Ultimate Nick Fury like they did with Spider Man. Because he did universe hop before. They didn't need to character assassinate Nick Fury to do it!
So if you want to read about Nick Fury... you can. But it's a bit cackhanded, and my dad will be really upset once he finds out what they did to the proper Nick Fury!
Those are the main ones, I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. Honestly, Marvel seems to be doing everything they can to chase away any interest from people who want to watch the comics after seeing the movies. It's crazy. People will say that "oh the audience isn't the same" but come on, if you can't sell a boatload of comics based on THE top media franchise of the decade, you should probably be firing all your writers and editors before getting rid of the characters who are popular.
For some reason, Marvel are fixated on the idea that people like the concept of the character rather than the character. That it doesn't really matter who is in the Iron Man armour. Well, there's a reason people love the Iron Man films, and that reason is Robery Downey Jr, not a flashy metal suit. This sort of 'lets get rid of all our old characters and start again' is something a company does when they're at the lowest ebb of relevance, not when these characters are literally the most popular they've ever been. If writers can't find something interesting to do with them, get new writers.
Unfortunately any debate on this seems to be shut down with the 'don't be racist' argument. Look, diversity is great and should be lauded. But at the same time, getting rid of all your iconic characters at the height of their popularity is stupid.
(I'd honestly not mind Bucky still being Cap and Cap being dead though.)
Marvel's only good comic at the moment is Squirrel Girl. I'm sure at some point if she gets too popular, they'll reveal she's been skinning squirrels alive and replace her.
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Post by Jaymz on Aug 6, 2017 10:48:11 GMT
It's not in the regular timeline, but do give the mini 'X-Men: Worst X-Man Ever' a read. First series that felt like X-Men in a long time to me.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 6, 2017 10:49:16 GMT
I might give that a go then.
I miss the X-Men.
Did you see the Ed Piskor thing that was announced?
Andy
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Post by Jaymz on Aug 6, 2017 10:50:31 GMT
Yeah, looking forward to that!
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 6, 2017 11:01:04 GMT
Found the issues cheap on ebay, so chucked some bids in.
Andy
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 6, 2017 12:12:43 GMT
I've taken a notion recently to do wordsearches. Something to do on work breaks and travel at work. Jings. There are so many different wordsearch magazines! I found a dozen different titles alone in Asdaland. Who knew!
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 6, 2017 12:15:24 GMT
Blueshift's spoiler tag rant has given me much joy. Such rage!
-Ralph
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Post by blueshift on Aug 6, 2017 12:16:32 GMT
Blueshift's spoiler tag rant has given me much joy. Such rage! -Ralph  |
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 6, 2017 13:17:04 GMT
Blueshift for president. Or world ruler generally. We would all benefit.
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Post by legios on Aug 6, 2017 15:51:13 GMT
I've taken a notion recently to do wordsearches. Something to do on work breaks and travel at work. Jings. There are so many different wordsearch magazines! I found a dozen different titles alone in Asdaland. Who knew! -Ralph Yeah, there are a lot of them about. I'm not a wordsearch person myself, but they tend to be shelved next to the Arrowword collections, which I similarly use to pass the time on trains, hotels and whatnot when I am travelling. (I developed an Arrowword habit from doing them at Christmases down at my parents place. Mum actually cut them out and sent them to me in batches when I was really ill a few years back - gave me something to focus on during the days when I couldn't leave the house). Karl |
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Post by Shockprowl on Aug 6, 2017 18:26:16 GMT
Not read any Marvel since Avengers v X-Men. Just drifted out of it... mainly 'cos Sentry's not in it anymore.... Could some one spoiler eveeything that's been going on? (don't ask for much do I?). Okay Shockprowl, STRAP IN! So you're loving the Marvel movies and want to see what your FAVOURITE CHARACTERS are up to in the comics? Properly get in board the Marvel train? Well, let's update you!
Captain America
Okay, so Captain America got turned old (this was after he came back from being dead) and got replaced by THE FALCON. See, this is the sort of legacy replacement I'm okay with, as it's an established character who feels they've 'earned' it. But the problem with THE FALCON is that THE FALCON is really really boring. I actually preferred it when Bucky was Cap and Cap was dead. That was interesting.
Anyway, Captain America got deaged again but is now A NAZI VILLAIN.
So if you want to read comics about Captain America from the movies, you're either reading about THE FALCON or Captain Hitler. (I'm actually fine with the villain plot but it should have been a six issue arc at most, not like, years worth of story)
Iron Man
Okay so Iron Man got turned EVIL and was a VILLAIN even though he didn't actually do much villainous and seemed pretty reasonable. Then he died in the runup to Secret Wars but was ok afterwards. But then Captain Marvel BRUTALLY MURDERED him at the end of Civil War 2 because she's an awful human being.
In a bizarre twist, the new Iron Man is a 15 year old teenage girl called Riri Williams who just popped up out of nowhere. This is the bad sort of character replacement, because who the hell is this person and why are they replacing a beloved character? At the same time there is another Iron Man who is DOCTOR DOOM which is actually a neat idea. But he's not Tony Stark.
So if you really love Iron Man, one of Marvel's A lister characters, and want to read more Robery Downey Jr in print form, you can't. But you can read about some 15 year old kid.
Thor
We love Thor right? Marvel don't, he is no longer worthy and so Jane Foster is now Thor. I know Phil likes her but oh my god I find her such a boring non-character.
So if you really love Thor and want to start reading about him with the new movie out... you can't. Go pick up some old 80s trades instead.
The Hulk
So in Civil War 2, the Hulk was being the normal Hulk, so Hawkeye BRUTALLY MURDERED HIM. Thanks Hawkeye. The new Hulk is a kid called Amadeus Cho, who was a long term sidekick in the Hulk and Hercules books. I mean eeeeeeeeeeeeeh it should work but the book is called THE TOTALLY AWESOME HULK and eeeeeeh.
So if you really love Bruce Banner and think the Marvel films made him really interesting and want to read more about him, you can't because Hawkeye murdered him.
Nick Fury
Okay, so it turns out Nick Fury was secretly old and living on the moon and EVIL so they kill him and replace him with his son, NICK FURY JR who looks exactly like Samuel L Jackson. Eeh, see this is actually a change I agree more with as it's matching the comics more with the films, but it was amazingly cack-handed and really pissed all over the character who'd been beloved since the 50s. They should have just brought in Ultimate Nick Fury like they did with Spider Man. Because he did universe hop before. They didn't need to character assassinate Nick Fury to do it!
So if you want to read about Nick Fury... you can. But it's a bit cackhanded, and my dad will be really upset once he finds out what they did to the proper Nick Fury!
Those are the main ones, I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. Honestly, Marvel seems to be doing everything they can to chase away any interest from people who want to watch the comics after seeing the movies. It's crazy. People will say that "oh the audience isn't the same" but come on, if you can't sell a boatload of comics based on THE top media franchise of the decade, you should probably be firing all your writers and editors before getting rid of the characters who are popular.
For some reason, Marvel are fixated on the idea that people like the concept of the character rather than the character. That it doesn't really matter who is in the Iron Man armour. Well, there's a reason people love the Iron Man films, and that reason is Robery Downey Jr, not a flashy metal suit. This sort of 'lets get rid of all our old characters and start again' is something a company does when they're at the lowest ebb of relevance, not when these characters are literally the most popular they've ever been. If writers can't find something interesting to do with them, get new writers.
Unfortunately any debate on this seems to be shut down with the 'don't be racist' argument. Look, diversity is great and should be lauded. But at the same time, getting rid of all your iconic characters at the height of their popularity is stupid.
(I'd honestly not mind Bucky still being Cap and Cap being dead though.)
Marvel's only good comic at the moment is Squirrel Girl. I'm sure at some point if she gets too popular, they'll reveal she's been skinning squirrels alive and replace her.
HOLY SHIT Blue', I should thank you for your effort and wit... but.... HOLY SHIT! {Spoiler} {Spoiler} {Spoiler}It all sounds like a right bloody mess!!!
STEVE ROGERS HAS BEEN EVIL ALL ALONG?!?! Aaaaaand no Sentry then....? |
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 6, 2017 21:25:50 GMT
The thing is, Marvel went through a mad period of returning their comics to the usual status quo just in time for their movies while also pumping out minis that could be collected in trades just in time for the movies too so all would reflect them. Sales did not magically jump each time. The vast majority of people who watch the Marvel movies have zero interest or even awareness that comics currently exist. The content doesn't matter so really you can't blame Marvel Comics for trying to freshen up their core named characters with new ideas. Have you ever seen an ad for the comics before the films in cinema? Nope. These ads just exist. But you'll see ads for tie-in toys, video games and other tat.
Walk into a Disney store. You'll never see a Marvel comic or book there but you'll find Marvel toys.
-Ralph
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Post by blueshift on Aug 6, 2017 22:52:31 GMT
The thing is, Marvel went through a mad period of returning their comics to the usual status quo just in time for their movies while also pumping out minis that could be collected in trades just in time for the movies too so all would reflect them. Sales did not magically jump each time. The vast majority of people who watch the Marvel movies have zero interest or even awareness that comics currently exist. The content doesn't matter so really you can't blame Marvel Comics for trying to freshen up their core named characters with new ideas. Have you ever seen an ad for the comics before the films in cinema? Nope. These ads just exist. But you'll see ads for tie-in toys, video games and other tat. Walk into a Disney store. You'll never see a Marvel comic or book there but you'll find Marvel toys. -Ralph That's really conflating two issues with two audiences though, and Marvel getting the completely 100% wrong answer out of it. Namely: You've got two populations. People who don't buy comics not being inspired to buy comics, and your current audience who does buy comics. Marvel seem to think that if they change their characters to make them more accessable or whatever silly reasoning, then this will make the people who don't buy comics want to. But their characters are already accessable. They're more accessable and popular than they've ever been. The problem isn't this larger market not liking the characters, it's them not liking the really difficult direct market model. Meanwhile their solution involves getting rid of all the characters their current audience loves (evidence - the total nosediving of Marvel sales recently vs the really strong DC sales). It's clear none of their audience wants this. Marvel are chasing an audience that doesn't exist - the sort of person who knows that comics and comic shops exist, but haven't been buying comics for the reason that they hate the characters (the... characters who are at the head of the most popular media franchise in the last few decades). Who are these people, apart from a handful of randoms? And are these people who do like this stuff and blog about it the same people who would actually buy the issues? Is this really worth sacrificing their current fanbase? In marketing terms, does this demographic outnumber the rest? Again sales say no! And they're sacrificing their current audience in an attempt to gain this imaginary one! Elsewhere you honestly see a ton of threads from people saying "boy I love the Marvel movies and really want to get into the comics, where shall I start to get into Captain America and Iron Man" and the inevitable "well you can't with the current stuff" responses. It's mad. Mad. I'm sure Marvel did some stuff back in 2008. But this is nearly ten years later (I know, I know!) Their problem, like DCs, is that they're still stuck in the 70s model. Comic book shops are still a massive barrier. Really, really expensive issues are a massive barrier. Huge story arcs and complex continuity and events that mean you need to read everything are a massive barrier. It's offputting to new readers even if they can work out where to buy them and can afford them. Marvel actually have the germ of the right idea with their reading app (which I use) as normal people know more about apps than comic book stores, but I don't think they go far enough. Even digital issues (which are consigned to their own sites... where's the Amazon integration (though I heard they were in talks with DC?) are still aping physical copies. On a plus note, an example of this done right is the introduction of Miles Morales. Peter Parker is still about. He's not dead or a villain. They can do it. You don't have to completely smash up what you have if you want to put something new in! |
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Post by blueshift on Aug 6, 2017 22:54:41 GMT
(And actually, I take back what I said about Dr Doom as Iron Man. I just finished reading up to issue 4 and... he hasn't really done anything. Four issues in. Madness!) |
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 6, 2017 23:25:12 GMT
{Spoiler}Well it is a Bendis book. They do have a tendency to meander and go nowhere. |
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