Who's who in the Comics Bulletin Universe - Update 2009
Who is... Michael A. Diaz?
Michael Diaz lives in Michigan, but don't hold that against him.
There he works as a Sys. Admin. while fostering dreams of one day becoming a "real" writer.
Most importantly, Michael is seriously addicted to comics, something that his wonderful wife tolerates with the patience of a saint.
He also writes this weekly column that people occasionally read.
"[O]ne of the most positive
and entertaining columns going."
- Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Villains United)
WLG #26: 1/2 Year Anniversary!
Can you believe What Looks Good has been here six months already?
Wow, that’s pretty cool, so I want to give a big THANK YOU to all of the readers out there, I appreciate it, I really do.
*tear*
OK, enough ass-kissing.
Remember how last week I was going on and on about how I thought that it was great that there wasn’t all that much coming out so that my wallet could take a break? Yeah, well, it didn’t happen. Nope, instead of saving money I decided to pick up Avengers/JLA #2 that I had missed the previous week as well as the BOP! – More Box Office Poison trade from a couple of weeks ago. The latter I kind of had to buy as my local shop had special ordered it for me, so that was an extra $10 right there.
The damage? $37.00 and some change.
You see, I mean it when I say that I am not getting any of these books for free. I am really just that obsessive about comics that I spend that much money on them when perhaps I should be spending money elsewhere.
These are the sacrifices that I make for you, the reader. See:
I love comics. I cannot help it.
So let’s dig in and see What Looks Good this week…
EMPIRE #4 (Of 6) (MR) $2.50 (Mark Waid / Barry Kitson)Yeah, I listed this last week, because as far as I could tell it was supposed to come out, but no, I was fooled once again, so instead of writing something new, well, thank you cut-and-paste.
Golgoth rules the planet with an iron fist, yet his Minister of War is secretly helping the rebellion, right under nose his own daughter is having an affair with another one of his ministers, and the secret of what the “Eucharist” is made from is slowly spreading amongst the other ministers.
Is everything coming to a head?
Yeah, I think so.
This is an excellent book that is readily apparent that the creators are having the time of their lives doing it.
FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE #5 (Of 6) $2.50 (Keith Giffen and J.M Dematteis / Kevin Maguire)OK, I LOVED this book in the 80’s and I love it just as much now. With all of the “realism” seen in comic books now it’s refreshing to read a comic that is hilarious, and in its own way, more real than books like The Ultimates could ever be. These heroes are more than flawed, they’re human. They fully recognize that running around in unflattering tights is not something that grown people should be doing, and yet, they do it anyway.
Plus, Manga Khan is back, here to cover the Earth is mauves and topes.
Even better? The funniest GL to ever exist! G’Nort is BACK!
YES!
I’m smiling already!
Y: THE LAST MAN #16 (RES) (MR) $2.95 (Brian K. Vaughan / Pia Guerra)So, one day you wake up and you’re the last living man on the face of the planet, literally. The U.S. government is protecting you with one of its secret agents while the Israelis are trying to hunt you down as well. Meanwhile, you’re traveling across country disguised as a woman with said special agent, a Dr. Mann who may have caused the whole incident, and a Russian special forces soldier. Why? Because on your way to a lab in California a Soyuz spacecraft is heading for Earth with the only other two human males known to exist. That is, until the craft lands and they are consumed in fire, leaving behind one pregnant astronaut who may carry the key to survival in her womb.
Now it’s just you, and your monkey, Ampersand, as the only living males on the planet.
Great stuff here, people, you should be reading it.
DARK DAYS #5 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99 (Steve Niles / Ben Templesmith)One of the few survivors of the vampire attack on Barrow, Alaska has released her book, 30 Days of Night, but it has been labeled as a work of fiction. She’s on a book signing tour while lecturing about the evil she witnessed, but few believe her. Soon, conspiring forces cut her tour short. Before she knows it her security entourage has been picked off and the vampires are closing in fast.
OK, I admit it, I am a sucker (pun!)for a good bloodsucker story, and though I liked 30 Days of Night, I thought that it moved a bit too quickly. I felt it could have been better had the creative team been allowed to more slowly roll the story out. Of course, being an unknown commodity I can see why IDW would be cautious. I’m just thankful that they’ve paced this book as well as they have. The story seems deeper, more nuanced that the original, and I like it. In geek-speak, this is the X2 to the original’s X-Men.
Hmmm…maybe I should check out some other releases by this creative team because I love what they’re doing on this book. More on that later…
POWERS #35 (MR) $2.95 (Brian Michael Bendis / Michael Avon Oeming)Here it is, the culmination of the storyline that has taken us from the beginning of man and raping apes, through the time of barbarians and Crouching Tiger-esque warriors, the story of the man who is Christian Walker is now told.
Is he truly an immortal? Are all of the “powers?” And if so, how is it that he lost his powers? How does one go from being a god to becoming a mere mortal in the blink of an eye, and more importantly, how does someone deal with that type of dramatic change?
I don’t know if all the answers will be in this issue, in fact, there may just be more questions, but considering the bizarre beginnings of this arc it seems like everything is coming to fruition.
One of the most consistently good books out there and a marvel to read from month-to-month.
ALIAS #28 (MR) $2.99 (Brian Michael Bendis / Michael Gaydos)The Purple Man, not only one of the most powerful villains, but also one of the most heinous. The crimes he commits violate his victims wholly and completely, physically and mentally. He’s the Purple Man, and he can make you do anything that he wants you to do and everything that you don’t want to do.
Jessica Jones knows. For over a year he, trapped and forced to satiate his every whim, held her captive. Eventually she was rescued, but the damage was done. Immediately thereafter she hung up her cape and no longer answered to the name “Jewel.”
Since then the Purple Man has been captured and imprisoned in a super powered prison. His victims many, the survivors reach out to Jessica, hoping to garner some kind of closure by asking him to admit to the crimes he has committed in order to atone for them. Jessica visits her nemesis in prison, not getting the confession nor admission of fault that she and his victims desired. Shortly thereafter, he escaped.
This has been an amazing, riveting arc, a fitting cap to one of the finest, grittiest books to ever come out. If you want an example of how great comics can be, get this book.
EXILES #37 $2.99 (Judd Winick / Clayton Henry)The third part of “Fantastic Voyage” where the team has encountered the Fantastic Four before they’ve actually become fantastic. Ben Grimm, in full “Thing”-mode is running rampant through the city and may have to be put down if his rage cannot be contained. Still, he’s the Thing, and new to his power or not, he’s a major force to be reckoned with.
Also, I’m just happy to see Clayton Henry’s work on this book again. Other than McKone who’s over at DC now, I really feel that his style fits this book.
Fun! That’s all I can say about this book. Fun!
Oh, and dude, check out that cover. NICE!
SUPREME POWER #4 (MR) $2.99 (J. Michael Straczynski / Gary Frank)OK, maybe you’re thinking that you’ve seen this before, that maybe the Squadron Supreme is just Marvel’s knock-off version of DC’s Justice League. You could say that, and you’d be right, but only to a degree.
Straczynksi and Frank have taken this entirely unoriginal team concept and infused it with a very dark and real look at a world where super powered beings are more powerful than any nuclear arsenal.
This is the Justice League done with a stark realism that is meant for adults, but it also turns out to be one of the best comic books out there.
Still waiting for those Rising Stars issues to come out? Don’t hold your breath. Instead, take your $2.99 and slap it down for this book. It’s just as good if not better and at least you know it’s going to come out once a month.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #49 $2.25 (Brian Michael Bendis / Mark Bagley) Spider-Man, a teen just trying to do what’s right, has to learn that sometimes evil people can and do get away with murder if they have enough money. The Kingpin, who was seen on video murdering someone, has successfully beat the murder rap brought against him. Now it’s business as usual, right after eliminating a certain friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man.
Does the Kingpin know who Spider-Man truly is? Will Peter get his job back at the Daily Bugle? Who knows, but whatever the answer, I’m sure that it will be entirely wonderful read full of twists and turns.
I love this book.
WOLVERINE #7 $2.25 (Greg Rucka / Darick Robertson)Wolverine in Mexico taking out his own special brand of revenge by one of the best creative teams to ever touch the character.
Sold!
Why aren’t you reading this book? Claremont and Hama both had some great runs with Logan, but when all is said and done I honestly think that Rucka’s name will be up there as well.
Great stuff!
WOLVERINE THE END #1 (Of 6) $2.99 (Paul Jenkins / Claudio Castellini)I liked Origin even if it was just a peak into the deep and storied past of mutantdom’s favorite loner. Now Jenkins is going in the other direction and examining the last Wolverine story ever told. The runt that has survived insurmountable wounds and battles finally passes on.
I have not idea what’s going to happen, but like I said, I enjoyed Origin and look forward to Jenkins take on Logan/Wolverine’s ultimate demise.
Here I am, looking over the column before I post it online and I notice a trend this week: almost every book that I have picked this week is a “Mature Readers” title.
I didn’t plan on focusing on “MR” titles, but inadvertently, I have.
Good. That gives me some more message board fodder. Yeah, that’s right, now I want to know what people think are the best “MR” books out there. I would say to tell me your absolute favorite, but I know that some people won’t be able to resist telling me more than one, so it’s OK, let loose. Stop by Looking Good message boards (see link below) and let me know what your favorite “MR” titles are.
I can name mine just like “that.” Want to know what it is? Well, I’ll see you on the message boards.
And seriously, THANK YOU to all of the readers of this column. It honestly wouldn’t be a success without you. THANKS!
Until then,
Peace!
-Diaz
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