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 #273: Filling Some Big Shoes!
By Jason Sacks
Hey there, my droogies. Jason Sacks here trying to fill the very big shoes of Michael Diaz. Michael's off enjoying the sun in Mexico, dreaming of margaritas and not Blackest Night (at least I hope!), so I'll do my level best to try to live up to Michael's high standards. Or at least I can try. The man really does have some big shoes. Size 14, at least to my eye.
So without further hesitation, let's see WHAT LOOKS GOOD (at least to me)...
BATMAN & ROBIN #3 $2.99 (Grant Morrison / Frank Quitely)
Is there a much better creative team out there right now than Morrison and Quitely? I don't think so. This team has such a terrific rapport with each other. Like a good quarterback and wide receiver, Grant Morrison keeps throwing long passes that catch Quitely right in mid-stride. (Umm... I guess I'm ready for football season. Go Seahawks!) Okay, it's a bit of a strained analogy, but really this team's been doing amazing work so far on this series, after they did brilliant work together on All-Star Superman.
The current Morrison/Quitely arc ends with part three of "Batman Reborn." This sequence has been sensationally spooky and interesting, with its depiction of avenging circus freaks and bizarre adventure.
Yeah, this is the good stuff.
WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 $2.99 (Various writers and artists)
I can't help but mention this Wednesday Comics, because I've really loved being part of the team that's been discussing this comic every week on CB. I've been totally delighted by how fun this series has been. I'm totally digging the format of this series, which has allowed a slew of terrific creators the chance to do really interesting work.
Paul Pope's "Strange Adventures" just kills me every week. Sigh.
DETECTIVE COMICS #856 $3.99 (Greg Rucka / JH Williams III / Cully Hamner)
Holy crap, that JH Williams art is gorgeous! I'm trying to cut down on my comics spending a bit by waiting for the trade on some series, but I can't resist Williams's beautiful art deco/surrealist style. I can't remember the last time I bought a comic just because the art blew me away so much, but honestly I sometimes sit there and stare at the comic and am amazed with the images that Williams comes up with.
That's not to say that I'm not enjoying Greg Rucka's story, 'cause I am. I'm really loving the way he portrays Batwoman. She's tough and confident, a good protector for Gotham, which is just what we want.
GREEN LANTERN #45 $2.99 (Geoff Johns / Doug Mahnke / Christian Alamy)
BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS #1 (OF 3) $2.99 (J.T. Krul / Ed Benes)
If this is "What Looks Good", there has to be a plug for Green Lantern and "Blackest Night." It's in the contract. If I didn't mention these comics, I would never be allowed to fill in for Michael.
Seriously, can you remember a crossover that was so good at giving readers what they want? "Blackest Night" has been the rarest of all rarities: a major company crossover that's receiving universal critical acclaim. And for good reason: this series has been a lot of fun.
So now we get John Stewart confronted by Katma Tui in one comic, and Black Lantern Terra coming back to steal Beast Boy's heart?
Be still my beating heart.
FANTASTIC FOUR #570 $3.99 (Jonathan Hickman / Dale Eaglesham)
Sorry if this is a bit "inside comics", so to speak, but we had something happen today on ComicsBulletin that never happens. We had four reviewers agree completely about a comic. Four very intelligent, critical, very independent minded thinkers gave the first issue of the new, Jonathan Hickman-written Fantastic Four a
review. I don't think that's ever happened in the whole history of this website. It's really kind of cool and interesting. Sounds like things will be going a little more normal now that Mark Millar has left the series, which makes me happy. I haven't really been reading this series since Waid left, though I did read one TPB of McDuffie's oddball run, but I absolutely love the characters of Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny. When they're done well, these four heroes are as good as comics get.
Which is why it's so exciting that Hickman seems to be taking these characters back to exactly the things that have made them real successes. Big-brained Reed wants to solve all the world's problems? Meanwhile we get widescreen sci-fi action and adventure? Oh yeah, this is the FF I love!
Hopefully Michael will be back next week, with talk of white sand beaches and beautiful bikini girls. Or at least more excitement over "Blackest Night." Meanwhile please let us know What Looks Good to you on the WLG message boards!
Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.