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 #255: Back on the Attack!
Yes, after three weeks I am back, uninhibited by the day job or Celtic libations, and ready to jump straight into What Looks Good, only, before I do that, a hearty thanks to Paul Brian McCoy for jumping in like the champ that he is. Seriously, I was in a pinch, and the PBM helped, and I really appreciate it. I'll have to remember to drink on Tuesdays more often from now on.
I kid!
And now, What Looks Good...
AUTHORITY #9 $2.99 (Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning / Simon Coleby)Don't get me wrong, I am having all kinds of fun taking in the Authority with this creative team, but the thing that has me salivating the most about this issue is seeing the StormWatch: Team Achilles team again. That was a book that I loved DEARLY, but sadly, the sales numbers just weren't there. Also, the fact that the author of the book lied about being an Army Ranger brought WildStorm/DC some negative press, so the book died with a final issue that never saw the light of day.
But now the team is appearing in backup features in WildStorm titles.
I couldn't be happier.
THE FLASH: REBIRTH #1 (OF 5) $3.99 (Geoff Johns / Ethan Van Sciver)I have to admit, I really had no desire to see Barry Allen come back. For me, there are certain things in comics that just should not change. Obviously over the years some of those things HAZE changed, but there are still some things out there that I would like to stay the same. For me, that pretty much boils down to people who die. It's just my personal opinion that these characters should never come back to life: Gwen Stacy, Bucky, and Barry Allen.
As we already know, both Barry Allen and Bucky (from Marvel) are very much back from the dead. Gwen Stacy? Yes, she's still dead, and really, I would prefer that it stay that way, but with "Brand New Day" and all of that noise who knows what is going to happen.
Likewise we could get into a huge discussion/debate/argument over whether or not Bucky should have come back from the dead. I haven't followed Captain America all that closely over the last couple of years so I can't say that I read about his return (though I realize that he is the new Cap now). From what I hear as far as bringing people back that probably shouldn't have come back Brubaker did it right. Like I said, I haven't actually read the book myself, but the fan uproar seems to have been minimal as from what I have heard the story was pretty good.
So no, I'm not automatically against a character being brought back from the dead. I mean, how many times has Colossus been dead now? At least twice that I can think of. And for me, really, I would have preferred to see his most recent death (when he injected himself with the Legacy Virus in order to cure all other mutants that had it, something he could not do for his sister who had it and died, but later came back to life, but that's another story). For me Colossus made the ultimate sacrifice; it made sense, though, because Peter has always been a hero.
Obviously he's come back now as well, and really, I liked how Whedon brought him back and used him.
Far be it from me to be critical of a character coming back from the dead as long as the story is good.
Which brings us to Barry Allen. The dude died over 20 years ago now in the massive "Crisis..." and his death, while tragic, was noble and heroic. It also allowed DC to pass the Flash torch over to Wally West, who I have to admit I have liked as the Flash all of these years. True. Wally tried to give it up, but his replacement was killed, so Wally had to come back. Well, it looks like Wally gets to hang up the crimson tights again as Barry is coming back.
Just so we're clear, I'm against this.
But, like I said above, if the story is good, well, why NOT bring the character back?
In this case I know that the story is being written by Geoff Johns, who I have a massive fanboy crush on right now simply because of the work he's doing on Green Lantern and the coming war of "Blackest Night." Also, from I'm hearing from fans of his (one of whom is Mike Ring of Bridge City Comics in Portland; check'em out!) that his Superman work is just just as good as the work he's doing with the Green Lanterns. Being as obsessed with the Green Lanterns as I am as of late, that's high praise.
So no, I'm not particularly keen on seeing Barry Allen return as The Flash, but if DC simply has to do it, well, I can think of no better team than that of Geoff Johns and Evan Van Sciver.
NOBLE CAUSES #40 $3.50 (Jay Faerber / Yildiray Cinar)I have enjoyed this book since the very first mini-series. I haven't mentioned here too much as of late simply because, well, I got behind on the series and was doing some serious catching up.
And now it is leaving us.
I feel a touch guilty about that. Not that I have any delusions about my column; it's not like I think that if I had mentioned it a bit more the boot would still be coming out, but still, I am sorry that I didn't mention this book more.
It was a fun, original take on a superhero family and the celebrity that came along with their powers.
It's leaving us much too soon and I will miss it.
Sad Michael is sad.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #12 $2.99 (Matt Fraction / Salvador Larroca)Yes.
Seriously, that's what I think when I read this book.
The art is AMAZING, of course, because Larroca does wonderful and beautiful things with a pencil. I still love his work from Xtreme X-Men, so I am happy to see him on another excellent title drawing all kinds of wonderful things.
What kind of things?
Well, how about Iron Man taking on War Machine with plenty of "asplosions" as Pepper Potts tries out the new suit that Tony Left just for her?
I'd say that this book is just so much eye candy, but that would imply that it's all image and no substance, like an Image book from the early 90's, and that's simply NOT the case. I mean, I realize that this book was created to capitalize on the success of the movie, which it does quite nicely by tying in Tony, Rhodey, and Pepper, but it also ties into the continuity of the Marvel Universe proper. In short, if ever there was a book that was intended to bring in new readers while appeasing long time fans this is it.
Fo'rizzle.
'Nuff said!
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.