WLG #195: In Full Effect, Y'all!

By Michael A. Diaz

I really don't know how it has happened but at some point I noticed that I was starting to become one of those Joss Whedon fans.

You know who I'm talking about, especially if you happen to be one of them. These are the people that adore Buffy... in all its incarnations, watching Angel through until the end, and cursed Fox when it killed Firefly before its time.

Mind you, I'm not quite to those levels yet. I have never seen an episode of Angel and the only episode of Buffy... that I really love is “Once More With Feeling” from season five, then again I really haven't seen many as it is.

However, I did buy the Firefly DVDs the other day. I've been hearing the hype for years now and had always intended to check the show out at some point. Last week I noticed that they were on sale and said “eh, for $17.99 why not?” I watched the first episode, the originally intended pilot, and thought that the show was decent, but still wasn't completely sold on it yet. Then, at the end of the second episode there is a scene where the Mal (Nathan Fillion) is trying to convince a crime lord's henchman to take some money back to his master and to leave him and his crew alone. The result of this exchange was surprising (well, to me) and outright hilarious. I still can't believe that I didn't wake up my fiancée who was sleeping downstairs as I laughed loudly to myself around two in the morning.

It was at THAT exact moment that I was sold on the show. I've still got about 10 more episodes to watch, but if they're partially as good as that one scene I think that I will be more than happy.

But before I get too ahead of myself I should probably throw in this:

Standard Disclaimer: For those of you new to the WLG experience, here's how it works: Every week I check out the release schedule from the Diamond Comics Shipping List and decide which comics that I am going to spend my hard-earned money on. Yep, my money. That's good, because it helps to maintain my objectivity. If I spend money on a comic book and it turns out to be crap I'm going to be upset.Now, I realize that Firefly doesn't have a whole lot to do with comic books, but its creator, Joss Whedon, does. Right now the guy is writing TWO of my favorite books out there. All this fanboy love is really starting to make me think that maybe I should take the time to check out some of this other works, like Buffy... and such.

We'll, see, though. I already have enough geek obsession as it is.

One more thing: is anyone else here geeked about Spider-Man 3? I personally can't wait, but some of the early reviews have me troubled. I absolutely loved the first two films but I'm almost afraid that this one can't stand up to the hype.

I hope I'm wrong.

But enough about movies; let's get back to comics and see What Looks Good...

DC

MIDNIGHTER #7 $2.99 (Brian K. Vaughan / Darick Robertson)

Like the previous issue this one is another standalone issue, which normally wouldn't make the issue particularly noteworthy, but this one is written by my current favorite comic book writer: Brian K. Vaughan.

Seriously, I have yet to read something by Vaughan that was bad. I admit that I was not a huge fan of The Hood but that rates only as low as “pretty good” whereas most of this stuff ranks up there with “AWESOME.” Just look at some his hits: Runaways, Ex Machina, Pride of Baghdad and Y: The Last Man. This guy is consistently hitting balls out of the park, and now he's taking a stab at the Midnighter, one of my recent favorites?

What more could a fanboy want?


MARVEL

ASTONISHING X-MEN #21 $2.99 (Joss Whedon / John Cassaday)

The X-Men, lost on an alien world taking on an army on a planet that Colossus is supposedly destined to destroy.

Come on, how SWEET is that?

I love this comic. I love Joss Whedon.

When exactly did that happen?






LONERS #2 (OF 6) $2.99 (C.B. Cebulski / Karl Moline)

OK, somehow I missed the first issue of this series (and am now desperately trying to get my local comic shop to order a copy in for me) but I VERY much want to see what is going on with this non-team team of former superheroes.

For those of you that missed it this group was originally known as “Excelsior” when they first appeared within the pages of Runaways; originally they were a superhero support group mean to help young adults wrestle with their addiction to capes and power. Apparently that didn't work all that well because here they are working as a team, but not really, but kind of yes.

Confused?

Well, that's half the fun.

RUNAWAYS #26 $2.99 (Josh Whedon / Michael Ryan)

So Whedon has been on this title for exactly ONE issue now and already I'm impressed. I was worried what this book would be like with Vaughan moving on but IMMEDIATELY Vaughan set my mind at ease; ditto for artist Michael Ryan.

True, the book feels a touch different, but at its core it is the same book that I have grown to love.

Now the team is in NYC and they run into the Punisher of all people?

Color me curious...

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Hey, an actual FULL column this week.

Who knew?

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

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Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.

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