Who's who in the Comics Bulletin Universe - Update 2008
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 #173: Unable To Wave Goodbye!
I seem to be the guy with excuses as of late, but honestly, they’re not excuses, they’re reasons. I LOVE this column, after all, I’ve been doing it for three years, yet the last few weeks seem to have been cut short on content.
Some of you like this, and that’s cool, but I do feel like I am cheating out most of my readers.
Anyway, I hurt my wrist over the weekend. Nothing major, and it’s not carpal tunnel, but it hurts enough that typing is not so much fun. I try to type of a bit, rub my wrist and massage it for a while, and then type some more. I figured I could get the column done this way but the more that I write the less that I see actually getting written.
In other words, another Spartan column. Again, I’m sorry, but these things happen.
And yes, I considered finding some free voice recognition software to help me but that didn’t pan out either.
Another short and sweet column it is then, but first, this:
AMERICAN WAY #8 (OF 8) $2.99 (John Ridley / Georges Jeanty)There’s a lot of great stuff coming out this week so it was hard to pick one book that particularly caught my fancy, but I have to say that this one was definitely up there. There might only be about four of us buying this title, but for me it has been one of the bright spots on WildStorm's release schedule.
Civil Defence has been torn in two as the Southern heroes have been hunting down one of the CD's own just because he's a black men. Meanwhile, the remaining heroes have been hemming and hawing trying to decide where their place lies before they're reminded that they're supposed to be heroes, so why haven't they been acting like it?
This issue should prove to be explosive, almost quite literally, as the U.S. Government is seriously considering a very real “nuclear option.”
Great book. I only wish more people had given it a chance. Maybe we'll get lucky and there will be a trade.
BATMAN #657 $2.99 (Grant Morrison / Andy Kubert)-----spoiler warning if you didn’t read the last issue-----
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Batman fighting against Talia: not so surprising. Finding out that Bats and Talia had a son and she’s hidden him all of these years? OK, considering me surprised, almost shocked even. It’s such a simple idea and yet it is stunning as well.
You know, there were some fans out there that we thinking that Morrison might infuse this title with his own brand of weird, myself included, but as it turns out Morrison and Kubert are instead bringing back some of the old school fun to this title.
Right now, I have to say I’m digging it.
Does that mean that I really believe that this is truly Batman’s offspring? Nope. I am sure that somewhere along the line it will be revealed that this boy is in fact a clone, of either Bruce Wayne, Ra’s Al Ghul, or some amalgamation therein, but that doesn’t mean that exploring the idea of Batman having a child isn’t fun.
ETERNALS #4 (OF 6) $3.99 (Neil Gaiman / John Romita Jr.)Rich, dynamic, and fully engrossing; a great feat considering I cared nothing for the characters prior to this series.
Mental note: quit being an idiot; go out and read as much Gaiman as possible.
Consider me a convert.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #100 $3.99 (Brian Michael Bendis / Mark Bagley)Bravo to Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley for reaching a truly milestone issue. I am impressed that they've made this far going for as strong and as fast as they have. And to think that they're still gunning for the Lee and Kirby's record.
Personally, I can't think of many other comics that have been as consistently good issue to issue. Sure, there are some other great comics out there, no question, but when it comes to hitting the nail on the head time after time without a misstep, well, I have to stand up and applaud these two.
Well done guys!
ULTIMATES 2 #12 $3.99 (Mark Millar / Bryan Hitch)What fanboy in his right mind would pass up a chance to see Bryan Hitch drawn each and every character from the Ultimate Universe?
This issue to going to make me smile from ear to ear; I already know this and anticipate the fanboy lust that is soon to follow.
Millar and Hitch won't disappoint, I'm sure, though it will be a touch sad to see them leave this tile.
Adios, boys, it's been one heck of a ride.
Was there something that did it for you this week? If so, stop by the What Looks Good message boards (see link below) and spread the love, my friend.
Until then,
Peace!
-Diaz
Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.