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 #248: Yes, I Did It!
Just a quick note: though I noted that I was NOT going to buy that comic about Bishop last week I did.
Why?
Because even though it was showing online that the artist was Larry "Strohman" when I picked up the issue it was indeed credited to Larry "Stroman"; yes, the very artist that worked on so many issues of my beloved Alien Legion. I HAD to pick it up simply because I had not seen Stroman's work in years.
I'd love to see Alien Legion come back.
Sigh....
Anyway, even though I am not happy with myself, Marvel once again got me to spend $3.99 on a single comic book.
I'm such a stupid fanboy.
And now, let's see What Looks Good...
BATMAN #686 $3.99 (Neil Gaiman / Andy Kubert)It's no secret whatsoever that I really didn't follow "Batman R.I.P." all that closely; sure, I read it, but it just wasn't the story that I was hoping for. Now, I think we all know that Bruce Wayne/Batman will show up once again; anyone that believes any different is kidding themselves.
But, that doesn't we can't have some fun with it now, right?
So yeah, I wasn't a fan of "...RIP" but I do like where DC is going with his book, or rather, these two issues in particular. They're borrowing from Alan Moore's take on Superman, in the story "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" , and really, if they're going to steal, who better from? Think of things this way: if you consider the aforementioned Superman story, The Watchmen, the "Blackest Night" & Sodam Yat prophecy running through Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps right now, as well as the work Moore did with Wildcats years ago, what idea of his in the past 20 years ISN'T affecting the DC Universe somehow?
Go ahead and emulate Alan Moore; it certainly makes all kinds of sense.
And better yet, why not get Neil Gaiman, the king of dark, well-crafted stories, to write it. Let's face it, Alan Moore is about as good as it gets, but Gaiman isn't even CLOSE to being a slouch. Remember that these two also worked on Mister Marvel (aka Mister Miracle here in the U.S.) back in the day as well, some seminal comic books that are now (sadly) out of print, where even old trade paperbacks score mucho dinero online.
When it comes to elegies I don't think there's a comic book writer out there I would trust more than Neil Gaiman; being that this is the elegy of the Batman, it seems to be to be a perfect fit.
Oh, and did I mention Andy Kubert's pencils?
This one is an easy decision, hands down. I'm salivating already.
GREEN ARROW / BLACK CANARY #17 $2.99 (Andrew Kreisberg / Mike Norton)I have to note that over the last couple of issues I found myself missing Judd Winick more and more; I try not to decide things too quickly when a new creative team takes on a book. I know that all writers bring their own strengths to the table, and that at one point in time everyone was a newcomer. There was a time when Bendis, Winick, Waid, Kirkman, and yes, even Claremont were new to comics, so you never know who the next big thing is going to be.
That said, the last issue left me a little (not a lot) cold, other than the appearance of this new villain/stalker. I know nothing about this woman other than she REALLY seems to like Green Arrow, enough so that she took one of his arrows and, well, you can see what she did there on the cover. Though stalkers are nothing new, nor are celebrity stalkers, I confess that seeing the creation of a new "villain" was interesting. This was someone that was not a criminal trying to make a buck or trying to overtake the world. Rather, this is someone that loves, or thinks she loves, Green Arrow, to the point of unhealthy obsession.
I think that's a very interesting take on things, so with Valentine's Day this week I'm very curious to see how this issue goes. Consider my interest piqued.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #33 $2.99 (Peter J. Tomasi / Patrick Gleason)I'm keep it short: FINALLY things seem to be ramping up to the "Blackest Night" story that is going to affect the entire DC Universe.
Yeah, forget "Infinite Crisis" (which I actually liked), "Final Crisis", or Marvels "Secret Invasion": THIS is the event that I am MOST excited about.
Which I am sure you all know because I have been going on about it for a year, or longer.
But come on, Mongul, with Yellow Ring, and maybe a Red Ring soon?
Look at that cover! How sweet it is that?
OK, I'll shut up now....
What comics did you get geeked out about this week? Just stop by the WLG message boards (see link below) and share!
See you next week!
Peace!
-Diaz
Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.