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 #264: June 10th Didn't Exist!
No going on about comics long gone this week; instead we're just going to jump right into What Looks Good...
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #1 $3.99 (Paul Dini / Dustin Nguyen)In my mind there are two types of people: there are Superman people and there are Batman people. True, someone can like them both, but if forced to choose people will often fall on one side of the other.
My brother, he's a Superman person. I don't know how many t-shirts emblazoned with the "S" logo he's had over the years.
Me, I'm a Batman person through and through. I could go into why I like him better than Supes, but really, the appeal isn't all that surprising: Batman is darker and I dig that.
The question, though, is whether or not I am going to like THIS incarnation of Batman. If you've been living in cave for the last several months, well, I hate to break it to you, but Bruce Wayne is no longer wearing the cowl for various reasons (if you really don't know how this happened you can look it up online; I don't want to spoil too much).
Now there's a different person wearing the costume, someone that is dark but not nearly as dark as one beloved playboy millionaire. How is this Batman going to be different?
Of course, one of the biggest draws of this book for me is the art of Dustin Nguyen. Yes, I have a big fanboy crush on all that Dustin touches. It's awesome that he's working on top-tiered titles like this because if ever there was anyone that has deserved that kind of attention it's definitely Dustin. His work on The Authority, Wildcats: Version 3.0, and Manifest Eternity was always nothing short of brilliant. A few years back he did an arc with Judd Winick on one of the Bat-books and I wouldn't be surprised if it was that work that scored him this gig because, as always, his work was top-notch.
I'm expecting more of the same on this title.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #14 $2.99 (Matt Fraction / Salvador Larroca) This book, right now, is simply awesome.
I don't how they've done it, but they took Tony Stark, whose side WON the "Civil War" event, made him into a major hero and the head of SHIELD, and then, because of said organizations inability to predict the coming Skrull invasion he is now a wanted man with no friends and no country to speak of. Whereas before he always had the biggest, baddest armor, he's not relegated to finding whatever old technology he has stashed away somewhere in order to keep moving, with HAMMER (SHIELD's replacement) getting closer and closer all of the time. We're not seeing the billionaire with the money, the women, and the power dictating policy as he sees fit; no, instead we're seeing one of the most brilliant technological minds in the world forced to use that mind to keep him from getting caught. Stark is like a mental Jason Bourne, but how much longer can he keep running?
Honestly, I don't know, and THAT is why I am digging this book so much.
It doesn't hurt that Fraction is spinning one heck of a tale and that Larroca is one of the best artists in the business right now.
If you're not reading this book I couldn't endorse it more.
PUNISHER #6 $3.99 (Rick Remender / Tan Eng Huat)Though I have been enjoying seeing the Marvel Universe-proper version of the Punisher back in action taking on criminals, I have to admit that the reason that I am especially geeked this week is because I saw the name "Tan Eng Huat."
Perhaps Tan Eng Huat is not a household name to you, but for me he was the bee's knees back when he was handling the art chores on the relaunch of The Doom Patrol (vol. 3) a few years back, the one that included Robotman and a new team of misfits. I mentioned that book a few weeks back when I was getting all geeked over John Arcudi, who wrote that book.
Really, that's it, I loved his work back then and I am excited to see his work again.
Glee!
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.