Fell Is The Loneliest Comic!

By Michael Diaz

OK, I can speak a touch more authoritatively this week. I know I should just let a dead horse lie, but I have just a little more to say on the subject.

I'm talking about what Marvel has done to Spider-Man. I've finished reading "One More Day" and read the first issue of "Brand New Day" and I've come to this conclusion: I don't like it.

Now, I'm not going to stage a protest or pulp my collection of Spider-Man comics, but I will let it be known that I didn't like it. For me "Brand New Day" didn't seem fresh, it just felt like Spider-Man from 20 years ago, which for me was too bad. You see, it took me years before I started collecting a Spider-Man title but over the last few years both Amazing Spider-Man and Ultimate Spider-Man had become favorites of mine. Like I said, I'm not going to go on at length about this (well, not anymore; two weeks of this is enough for me) but I liked the two books for different reasons. In one I could see Spider-Man still learning who he is, and the other I can see an adult Spider-Man still struggling with that journey. It was nice, because I could remember being a teen, but now that I'm older I had a Spider-Man that I could still relate to because he was closer to my age.

Now that's gone and it feels like the past 20 years worth of stories are gone.

I feel cheated.

Again, I'm not going to launch a campaign to change things back. Sales dictate this industry and if the sales are there, well, that means more people like the new direction and if I don't, well, tough. If the sales drop off, well, things will change back and I'll come back too.

The short version: Michael doesn't like the new Spider-Man direction so for me this journey is done (but I still have the Ultimate version).

There, I'm done.

Now 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.The sad thing this week is that there isn't a lot that is really making me geek out this week. I considered faking it, seeing as this is the first column on Comics Bulletin, but really, that goes against not only the nature of this column, but my nature as well.

Yes, I am happy to have this sweet new site, it's just bad timing that this week has so little that's exciting.

There's still SOMETHING though, so let's see What Looks Good…

IMAGE

FELL #9 $1.99 (Warren Ellis / Ben Templesmith)

I have to give Ellis and Templesmith credit here; they've tried something different with this book, they took a gamble and dang if it doesn't work.

I like this book. It's different. By different I don't just mean the art, though, truth be told it's hard not to recognize that Templesmith has a unique style and talent.

This title is dark and foreboding, like the city around which the stories are told. This issue should be no different as it follows the protagonist detective as he negotiates with kidnappers to release some hostages. There are sure to be plenty of surprises, as well as twists and turns, over before you know it.

Quick, but never simple, Ellis and Templesmith have created something new and familiar with this book.

Good stuff.

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This was a VERY small week for me, so I am curious as to what is getting others excited. Are there books that you're particularly excited about this week? Do you like the new direction of Spider-Man? Your thoughts on anything else to do with comics? Share them! Just check out theWhat Looks Good message boards (see link below) and spread the love, my friend, spread the love.

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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