WLG #277: Independently Super!

By Michael A. Diaz

Hey all!

I’ve noticed the past few months that the message boards have been quiet. I realize that a portion of that is my fault as I have not been hitting the boards as often as I should. Also, I know that my own interest in comics waxes and wanes. Well, not my interest in comics, but rather, my interest in some of the trends going on in the comic book world. There are usually a few titles that I continue to love and get geeked about, but there are times when only one or two comics are doing it for me, but then a few months later I get all excited about a dozen titles again.

one thing that was suggested was that I highlight some non-mainstream comics, which honestly, is a good idea, and one that I would like to tackle. Like I said, most of you are not hitting the message boards, so this is an exchange that got me thinking about this:

romerostokes:

Any chance of some, uh, non-mainstream reviews Mike? C'mon, I dare you!

me:
I would LOVE to cover some non-mainstream books, but I don't find myself reading a lot of them right now.

I mean, I very eagerly awaiting Craig Thompson's latest work that we might see in a year or so. I guess I could fill in some of the time by finally buying and reading Good-bye, Chunky Rice.

Also, I wonder if Alex Robinson has anything new in the works....

There are non-mainstream books I like, but those tend to come out in massive collections or graphic novels, like Persepolis, another book that I loved and was sad to see end.

Likewise, I am a freak for anything Chynna Clugston does, only, she doesn't appear to be doing much comic work right now. She hasn't touched Blue Monday in a while, and after Scooter Girl she did an issue of Strangetown but I don't think a second issue ever materialized.

If you have some suggestions I would certainly love some indie and other non-mainstream books to take a look at.

That goes to anyone and everyone that read this column; if there’s a non-mainstream book that you think I should be checking out then please, let me know, because I am always game to check something out that is good and new.

You have your marching orders people, so let’s jump into What Looks Good…

DC

BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #2 (OF 3) $2.99 (James Robinson / Eddy Barrows)

You know I love this and you know why. By now either you love it too, or you're sick of hearing about it.

'Nuff said.











SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1 (OF 6) $3.99 (Geoff Johns / Gary Frank)

Do we really need ANOTHER origin story for Superman?

Honestly, no.

He was revamped in the 80's by John Byrne with The Man of Steel which hass pretty much existed as canon from 1986 until recently. Then, a few years ago Mark Waid was given the opportunity to tell the tale of Superman's origin, which he did with Leinil Francis Yu in Superman: Birthright, a book that came out only five years ago.

But you see, Man of Steel was written post-Crisis, and later, as those comic book writers that grew up loving everything from the Silver Age began taking over positions of control in the comic book industry there was a desire to write the origin again with some more Silver Age inclusions.

So why another one now?

Well, the DC Universe is not post-"Infinite Crisis", so everything that was canon before simply cannot be, so of course it has to be retold yet again.

Personally, as a child of the 80's I'm a fan of the Man of Steel canon, though I admit that I never bothered with Birthright. Then again, I'm not a huge Superman fan either, though I think when done well he can be excellent; case in point: Morrison and Quitely's All Star Superman.

So no, I don't really think he needs another origin story, but when I consider that it is being written by Geoff Johns, who has already done an excellent job of bringing back not only Hawkman but also Green Lanter (specifically Hal Jordan, and well, the concept of the GL Corps) and the Flash (Barry Allen). Based on those characters alone I know that Superman is in good hands. Once you throw Gary Frank into the mix, well, you don't have to say anything more. I am a sucker for just about anything that Gary does, with his work on Midnight Nation and Supreme Power being two of my most prized possessions.

In all honesty Superman does NOT need another origin story told, but when you've got a creative team this good, well, how can't you just sit back and enjoy the show?


MARVEL

UNCANNY X-MEN #515 $2.99 (Matt Fraction / Greg Land)

What?

Dr. McCoy, the Beast, is leaving the X-Men?

I am NOT happy about that.

Nope. Not one bit.

See, there you go Matt Fraction, you pulled me into the "Dark Avengers/X-Men Utopia" storyline and BAM! just like that I actually CARE about that the X-Men again. For me, that's saying something, because if you check out the past few years of columns I can't say that I've gotten all that geeked about the X-Men all that much. True, I love (and loved) Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men and I'm digging Warren Ellis on the title now as well, but other than that bright spot I've been pretty much mum on the core X-Men titles. Heck, even "Messiah Complex" didn't generate too much interest in me.

So yeah, I care about the X-Men again, even if I do not like the fact that the Beast is leaving the team I'm sure that there has to be a good reason behind it, which of course I will find out because I back to regularly following this book.

Note to self: Matt Fraction is quickly becoming one of my favorite comic book writers.

WOLVERINE: GIANT-SIZE OLD MAN LOGAN #1 $4.99 (Mark Millar / Steve McNiven)

Finally, the conclusion to the Mark Millar/Steve McNiven awesome-fest that is, and was, "Old Man Logan."

I've been waiting to see how this thing wraps up for a few months now, so I can't WAIT to dig into this book.

Good stuff!!!!

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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

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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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