A number of us (including Alan Cowsill) are heading down to the Bristol comic con this weekend (hence slightly early update today) so if you’re down there we might bump into you.
Anyway, to kick this week’s update off, I’d like to put show you guys Drax the Destroyer and explain the choice of costume because I know it’s a little controversial.
We looked at all the options for Drax and after a lot of debate and a few e-mails back and forward to Marvel we went for the modern look. Essentially we decided that there were three looks to Drax: the original, the Infinity Watch and the modern. Straight away the Infinity Watch look had to be ruled out, as the character is over 7 feet tall in this incarnation – he looks a lot like the Hulk in a purple cape.
This left us with the classic and modern looks, each of which seemed to have a lot of support. After going through a lot of comics we noticed that the modern version of Drax appeared in more issues and had a lot more (and often better) artwork than the classic version. We also took in to consideration the comments we’ve had about putting more modern (and hence relevant to today’s readers) characters in to the collection. As Drax had a mini-series in this form, starred in a few major crossovers (Annihilation, Annihilation: Conquest) as well as Guardians of the Galaxy, and is likely to be back in Thanos Imperative, we thought this costume would be easily recognised.
We definitely considered the original costume. I thought it looked a little like Adam Warlock’s and personally I wasn’t too happy with the way the costume or figurine of Warlock turned out in our collection. I just also want to say that Dan’s comments about capes and saving money is out of context and at no point did we decide to go with the modern version because it might cost less. There are a number of factors that we must take into account to do with manufacturing cost (as I’m sure you expect) however Drax’s cape was not a big factor. Yes caped characters cost more to make but in the end it all balances out.
And as a side note, Dan himself actually championed the modern version in the office.
Anyway, with that aside I’d like to announce another character for the extension: Thunderbird.
This is a character we’ve wanted to include for a while and one that finishes the Giant-Size X-Men roster, which is one of the most important issues in the history of the X-Men. The reason he’s not been included so far is due to his height and also the fact he dies shortly after his debut. After looking through Marvel Handbooks and his first appearance we believe the character is just over 6’. According to numerous sources he’s 6’ 1 ½”. There has been some confusion in the past as in some modern handbooks he’s listed as 6’ 10”, which would make him too big. When it comes to the magazine we’ve decided to also include details on Warpath (the second Thunderbird). I know there were suggestions of doing them as a double pack but at the moment we have more important double packs to try and get through.
Lastly, here’s another sneak peek, an early stage sculpt of Hydroman.
Have a good weekend.
446 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 446 Newer› Newest»The trouble is production costs have gone up since the beginning of the collection. When the DC one started they had to go for £6.99 as opposed to Marvel's £5.99.
The guys at EM have been amazing for not whopping up the price of the regular figures to match the DC ones. But I guess the specials are something different.
To be honest I think £15 is a bit much but I will still pay it....I'll just grumble when the bank statement comes through.
I have to agree with LAWay here. 1st, there's the annoyance that I would have preferred Cloak and Dagger on seperate bases anyway... but a regular figure is $12 (USD) so two for $24. In the U.S., Cloak and Dagger sells for $32. I agree with LAWay that it should be cheaper as we're "buying in bulk," and with 1 less magazine, so what should be ~22 is now 32. Doesn't seem fair.
Of course, I would take an increase to Special prices over an increase to the regular line-up, so I guess I'm ooookayyyy with it...
As for Ka-Zar and Zabu, I have to agree with everyone else that it granted the price jump as Zabu is definitely a special. Hold him and one hand and a regular figurine in the other and tell me Zabu's not much heavier.
Speaking of Specials and large animals... I've been thinking about this all morning;
Is there any way EM could make Lockjaw hollow and sell him in the regular line-up as a regular? Lockjaw is one of those rare creatures that I'm sure would sell fine amoung all the humanoid figurines.
If not, EM, I have a big question for you. MANY collectors, if not the vast majority, want Lockjaw to complete the Inhuman Royal Family. (Personally, I feel it also needs Maximus, but still...) Are there any ways you are thinking about releasing him in the future? As a Special by himself? 2-Pack with Maximus the Mad? Maybe an animal pack with Howard and Rocket raccoon? Or could he work as a regular figurine?
John, I'm very keen to have Lockjaw and would be happy with your solution. There are loads of characters on the specials waiting list and this would help fit another out-sized character into the collection. (And, like you, I'd also like Maximum at some point down the line.)
As for the last eight slots, I've spent the afternoon rereading some old Thors. Skurge the Executioner is a great villain, I hope we get him. He's been around a loooong time (he appeared the same month as Daredevil #1), was one of the earliest Avengers adversaries, would compliment the Enchantress as they were often a pair, he's made a substantial 71 appearances (despite being "killed" in the 1980s) and has the best "death scene" in comicbook history. And he has a brilliant Kirby design, so he'd look fantastic, too.
I know we're getting Sif but there's just so many great Asgardians and Thor supporting characters waiting to be made - the Warriors Three of Fandrall, Hogun and Volstagg; Karnilla; Odin; Hela; Ulik; Heimdall; and of course, The Recorder (check 1977's Thors and you'll see him act like an unofficial Warriors Four member!). More Asgardians, please!
"Maximus" not "Maximum"!
Looking back, Prof X does have a big wheelchair and Zabu is quite big. Is the wheelchair lead though or something else? Anyway, I still issue my point, would they be specials by themselves? I dont think so, zabu especially, as I dont think he would sell by himself anyway.
And John, paying $8 more is ridiculous. That really needs to be sorted out as the figurine is not that much different from other specials. You could argue there is more lead in the £9.99 kingpin.
I have no problem paying more for 2-Packs over 2 regulars. Eaglemoss has kept the singles the same price for so long, regardless of production cost increases. If they have to raise the cost of specials, then so be it. We're already seeing with Kingpin and Ronan that they went from $20 to $24. If it helps support Eaglemoss' bottom line and keeps the collection I'm all for it.
As for comparing Thing to Xavier, there's a problem there. Thing was done near the start of the collection, before production cost increases. We've already heard that the production costs are so tight now, that until deciding to go with resin capes over lead, of that it was likely characters with capes would have to be avoided or dropped. So clearly costs are rising, but Eaglemoss are trying to avoid passing them on when possible.
I don't think $32 is too much for Xavier/Lilandra, Ka-Zar/Zabu, or Cloak & Dagger. And I'm sure that Sasquatch & Puck will probably be close to the $38.00 Mega Special price. And if that's what is required, then so be it. I don't think we should ever view multipacks as buying in bulk... cause that's not what we're doing. We're buying a special item. And in the collectible realm, multipacks are on occassion more expensive than the single counterparts. It's just how things work out. And hell, if paying a little bit more for 2-Packs makes them feasible for Eaglemoss, then so be it. Cause there's oodles I want to see made. Especially using the Special/Regular packout like Sasquatch and Puck.
Groot & Rocket Raccoon
Hulkling & Wiccan
Awesome Andy & Mad Thinker
Dr. Bong & Howard The Duck
Sugar Man & Holocasut
Ch'od w/ Cr+eee & Raza Longknife
Gorilla Man & M-11: The Human Robot
"Groot & Rocket Raccoon
Gorilla Man & M-11: The Human Robot
Hulkling & Wiccan
Awesome Andy & Mad Thinker"
I am ALL FOR these 4 double packs, ESPECIALLY the first two.
Let me just add in;
Mr. Hyde and Cobra
Bob, (sorry it took me so long to respond, i've been out of town)the GI Joe movie has very little to do with the comics imo. Even though i read somewhere the director said they got there inspiration from the comics. They change most of the back stories (Baroness and Cobra Commander probably the most),ethnicities and romantic interests. Despite all that i have to say, like you i enjoyed the movie. I've given up a long time ago on movies being accurate representations of the comics (although some do a pretty good job). I tell myself before i'm going to see any comic book movie, this is another medium therefore everything does not have to happen the same as in the comics. I'd love to know the website of Nick Fury with Cobra Commander you saw.
Bullseye,
The wbsite for the Nick Fury vs. Cobra Commander pic is
http://www.iconian.com/fury/gallery6.html
If that doesn't work, just Google 'Nick Fury/Cobra Commander, and it will come up on a number of sites. The original image is from Wizard Magazine I believe.
BD
maximus the mad + the seeker twin pack + lockjaw as a special on his own to complete the inhumans lineup please ?
G I Joe collection would be great , i love the characters , and remember collecting the toy figures as a kid , they were the same size as the star wars figures and if you look up on the internet you will see all of the different costumes and uniforms they wore , great stuff.
G I Joe + Cobra characters - excellent !!
So there's now only 8 slots left in the recent extension (Given of course that Northstar is in on his own and not with Aurora, which still hasn't been confirmed RICH :-p ....which would then leave 9 places).
1. With all the talk over the blogs surley AVALANCHE will land a spot.
2. MOONSTONE for me is a must, a great character with a long history that could easily fill a mag.
3. Just because I think he'd make an incredible sculpt TOMBSTONE. Surley he'd look fantastic in with the Spidey lot.
4. As would the loooong overdue ARACHNE.
5. News of a new character is also always floating about the forums, so for me it would have to be DUST.
6. Getting more cosmics in the collection would be great and I can't think of any better than VANCE ASTRO.
7. People keep saying theres not enough X-Enemies in this extension so how's about BLACK TOM CASSIDY.
8. And finally PHOTON (Monica Rambeau) as former leader of the Avengers has got to make it in surely??
Well I guess that's it unless of course that 9th spot does become available which I think will probably be taken by The Runaways member.
Why do we not have a Bucky version of Captain America yet?
Before anyone says, "It's not that different." So what? Iceman was just a white figure, Crimson Dynamo was a pure lump of red.
If you're gonna dig so far into the barrel that Thunderbird gets a figure...do a Bucky.
Also Toxin.
-The Mast
It's not really got anything to do with how a figure looks, Mast. Iceman is a distinct character, whereas James Buchanan Barnes has already appeared as the Winter Soldier. The collection is not just a figurine, it also has a magazine. What do you fill the magazine with when we've already done his life story and he's been Cap for about three minutes...?
That said, I'd like to see a classic Bucky. It would have a lot more history than the new Cap, although it would run into the same problem of character duplication. Hmm. A fudge? Rick Jones Bucky...?
We got a left-field character last time, so I think Rich will play safe this week.
So, I'm guessing one from a) Captain Marvel, b) Spider-Woman/ Arachne or c) Swordsman. (With Avalanche and Silver Samurai on the bench.)
I agree a Bucky New Cap should be made. Not only it is a great costume, but its a different character from Winter Solider, the brainwashed assassin.
Not only has Bucky done so much in Captain America series alone, but stuff in Avengers, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, Siege...its been 2 years.
I know a small ripple in the history of the character, but when you think that Bucky was dead for a long long time. Winter Solider covered the story of Bucky and Winter Solider, while a new figurines can tell us what happened next. Alot has gone on in the Marvel Universe since then.
Oh, and it Dongman and Howard the Duck or whatever they were called were to become a 2 pack, I may just call it a day on the collection if we are seriously scraping the barrel. Its the 'Classic collection', not the 'shoehorn every minor character collection'. Perhaps I'd collect back issues of the DC collection until EM regains some sense and remake the characters with difference costumes and better sculpts and paints.
As for the price issue, a two pack should only be special if it offers something special. WOuld yuou have paid extra if they put Spidey and Venom together with just 1 magazine? Would you really? Or would you feel slightly cheated? I am not talking of production costs, EM must be doing sort of well for themselves to be able to keep the collection going on minor characters. But with the paints not looking great on alot of figurines, unless these 2 packs looked stunning in the sculpt and paints, its just not worth it.
Looking at my Cloak & Dagger figurine, I could have painted it better. Simple base colours, no wash except on the hair on Dagger. Cloak looks abit decent, but again flat base colours on the cloak. A few extra details and care taken with the paints and I may feel it was justified. But like my example says, 2 characters just thrown together is not a special and shouldnt be charged extra. I dont care about the production costs raising and paying slightly more on the specials. If thats the case, dont give me a 2 pack as a special, I'll just take a normal big figure and save £5.
Okay... so I feel this collection should get to as many unique characters as possible, and to me that means it depends on the person under the costume. I love Marvel for its diversity and creativity amoung hundreds of creators over decades and I want to see that represented in this collection. I said if EM started doing resculpts of older characters or alternate costumes, I'd be done with the collection because I want a complete set but can't afford it for figurines I just don't want. I don't need 2 Norman Osbornes...
LAWay called me narrow minded and some other things (couldn't find the quotes) if I were to drop the collection when its only about 1 in 5 or so that would be resculpts.
"I may just call it a day on the collection if we are seriously scraping the barrel. Its the 'Classic collection', not the 'shoehorn every minor character collection'."
For me, its the minor characters that make this collection worth having, so that statement was really infuriating...
Seriously, everything that's said is always an insult (how bad the paint job is, what crappy choices the characters are, etc.) Why do you subscribe to this when you obviously hate so much of it?
Some strong opposing feelings starting to show here..guess that makes for exciting debate.
I must admit John, when I first read LAWay's last post, it did make me see red for a moment. It sounded a little like a 'late-night rant' which we are all guilty of on occasion, after a glass or two...However, I don't think he was aiming his comments at anyone in particular, just letting off steam.
Personally, (and this might be because I'm well into my 40s and have been collecting for a hell of a long time), I would love this collection to go on producing the lesser known characters- the C, D, E Listers if you like- CBRBeast's idea of 'Howard the Duck and Doctor Bong' was genius IMO- it would be one of my most prized in my collection- but that's because I've grown up knowing and caring for these comic-book 'oddities'. This is NOT 'scraping the barrel', but is instead having a wide and eclectic view of what makes the MU excellent.
To balance this however, I do agree with SOME areas of LA's reasoning. There are a few (a VERY few IMO) characters who warrant a second sculpt at this stage- Perhaps because of a massive change in personality; a famous storyline, or a complete rename and costume change.
This would keep the collection 'current', which I think is what LA and a few others are most concerned about, and rightly so in many ways.
Such characters would include:
'Bucky' Cap
Iron Patriot
and Ronin (but this could be Echo's mag anyway)
We should all remember that the MU means different things to different people, and a lot of it is bases on one's very own 'Golden Age'- the time they first started collecting. This could be the 60s, 70's, 80, 90's or even the 00's(!?). Therefore EM have the 'wonderful' task of trying to please a very wide audience!
We should also remember however that this is a series for for 'Collectors' of the MU not a mass-market production, and certainly not a toy-line to appeal to the under 12's.
BD
This far into the collection it is hardly a bolt from the blue that we are well into the 3rd stringers and that is precisely why i love this collection so much, No other comparable collection would have given us the likes of Jack of Hearts, Gladiator, Impossible Man? and the countless others that would never be seen in most collections, I had never collected a figure of any kind in all my puff until this collection came along, 5 years ago i was looking at my first few figs on a solitary plinth thinking "oh a couple of them filled up will be just fine and dandy", I never would have believed all these years later i would be looking at such wonderfully diverse " curveballs" as FFF or Man Wolf and looking forward with mucho excitement to third raters like Klaw and Gorgon and Grim Reaper etc, etc .
Bring on Dr Bong and the Duck!
Heck! Bring on the Blood Brothers. :)
Amen to that Ted!
Brother Bob
How can two men, who usually talk so much sense, express any positive feelings about Howard and Dr. Bong?!?
Oh come on Rob!
What's not to love about The Duck and The Bongsmeister??
Next you'll be telling us you don't want to see The Kidney Lady, Mr. Fish, Forbush Man or even a Pet Avengers multipack!!?? :)
Dr.BD
ps. that's the first time I've done one of those weird face things...
Bob, you know I luvs ya like a brother and that I named my beloved pops after you but I need only say two words.
Gene.
Colan.
Ah, would that be Gene 'The Dean' Colan- The Messiah of Marvel? The Maestro of The Mallard?
Rob,I am intrigued (and perhaps honoured?), but what are your 'beloved pops'?
B The Dean D
"[P]ops", as in 'dad'. Surely, you've heard that before? I was joking of course. Dad is at least a year or two older than you and you'd be named after him.
And Colan makes me angry every time I see him take short-cuts and screw up another Marvel comic with his atrocious artwork...
So.. Rob,
I take it we wont be getting you 'The Collected Works of Gene Colan' or 'The Essential Howard the Duck' for Christmas then??
(dammit!...have to change the list again...!)
Santa Bob
Ps. Is your dad a Diamond Geezer too?
In terms of art styles, most of the time it's subjective. Windsor Amith or Adams? Romita senior or junior? Personal taste differs and there's no right answer, only personal preference. Not so with Colan.
When I was a kid I hated his artwork, although I wasn't sure why. Then in a moment of inspiration I showed it to my mum, who was a nurse, and she pointed out a seemingly never-ending number of anatomical reasons why it was crap. Extra joints. Impossible leg stances that involved either hip displacement or alien physiology. The list went on and on. (Mum, incidentally, pointed out a couple of errors in other artist's work but it was the odd detail and not chronic.)
Much later, I showed the artwork to an artist friend (I can't remember where he got his art degree) and he enumerated all the tricks that Obscene Gene employed to cut corners, particularly in terms of faces, hands and feet. He specialises in faces obscured through extreme camera angles, or blocked from view by arms, speed lines, clothing, shadow, objects of every type.
Basically, he's a disgrace to his profession.
Haha you got it spot on Bob, late night ranting after a bad day and no way intended or aimed at any one collector or meant to offend anyone in particular. Also, just posting and debating to give reason to keep coming back to this post until the guys update with a new blog post.
Why do I collect the CMFC? Simple, I love Marvel, superheroes and figurines. lol Its everything I love in a collection. But its annoying to me when it could be so much better. Some paintjobs are pretty bad you must admit, hardly like the promotional images. If an extra £1 on line with the DC figurines would improve the painting, I would gladly pay it.
Thing is, you have to challenge things with debate to get heard. We could all say we are happy with things and nothing will change, and as a customer you could even be taken advantage of. Not accusing EM of doing that, but just voicing my opinions incase they may get heard and thus getting something my way. Thats what we want as collectors right?
When I say minor characters, I mean real minor characters. They annoy me personally because I didnt grow up with these characters, so in my time of reading, for a character to never or rarely appear in a comic I have read, I feel the character isnt 'classic' as they have not aged well enough to be brought back into the marvel universe.
I look back at the collection and I must say there arent that many characters I am not happy with, although there are a few that I would gladly swap with bigger name characters. I mean, its great seeing a character like Hydro-man being made...but its about time. He is more iconic than man-wolf, and a better looking character too.
Of course its all personal tastes. Bob suggested something that I see the collection as. I dont want 2 norman osbournes, and I dont need 2 green goblins. Been an iron Patriot, totally different character and motives. Captain America Bucky is making his own history, totally different character to winter solider. Ronin isnt Hawkeye. Baron Zemo, Civilian V - new and old thunderbolts. Some costumes have even shaped storylines.
Maybe there is disagreement if those dont read modern comics and just know of the classic characters. I would never tire of new costumes though. Original X-Factor X-men? Yes Please. Jim Lee era X-men? Sign me up! Not everything character needs new costumes, especially if they are similar.
I love Marvel and its characters, but the main guys are iconic. Each costume is iconic. Alot of suggestions (not all) are a 'who are they?' of the marvel universe. Not iconic characters or designs with not much history. Thats what I want in my figurines, something to show off, rather than someone having to ask 'what character is that?' and 'Why did you waste your money on him?' (I get that at the moment already).
I understand EM needing to make diverse figurines, and I am happy that maybe 1 in 4 or 5 figurines I am happy with the character decision, when previously is was every figurines, then moved on to every other figurines. Thats where I am coming from. I am excited receiving my subscription parcel, but then slightly disappointed and always looking for who is coming next. We have some amazing characters and sculpts coming up in the future, but most recently Sunfire and Gladiator I could have done without (unless we are talking AoA sunfire, one of the best designs in marvel history)
While Howard the Duck is the biggest joke in Marvel history, he has history. Would I pay £5.99 for a 2 inch figurines? Hell no. Do I want/know anyone in his comic series? Hell no. Would he look awesome next to Spidey, Cap and Iron Man? Hell no. He would just look odd and taint the collection. I can understand some people want him, but no other character from his comic survived outside the comic did they? proof they are not classic.
Soz again guys, late night rant. I havent go on the internet much this week. :P
Ted,
wash your mouth out young man,
Enchantress and Beta Ray Bill, third raters??
and you mentioned the Duck??
tut tut, Ted, tut tut :)
You make some good points there.
I have to say I am quite forgiving when it comes to characters I don't know much about. I admit I don't have a big knowledge of the MU, I tend to stick to certain genre's and teams but I appreciate that there are iconic and classic characters to be made. Some however I wouldn't buy if I didn't have my subscription....Icaris, Gladiator (DD), Man Wolf and Shang Chi. Nothing against the characters but they just hold no interest with me even on an asthetic level.
The thing is I feel we have now gone through all the A-listers and made big headway in the B-listers. The characters we are picking now are the classic/older characters and also the newer fan favourites. There will sure to be some divisions of opinions as to who is more deservign to be in the collection. Just look at Thunderbird, even the Xmen fans are torn with that one.
The talk of redo's has been going on for years but at the moment I completely agree with EM in that there are still many original characters I want first.
As you have pointed out LAWay there are two types of redo's. 1) The characters who sculpts/costumes were incorrect ie Beast, Mystique and Captain Britain. and 2) Those characters who have had illustrious careers in a different costume/persona.
For example Angel and Archangel.....same man but very different looks and persona. Same goes for Bucky/Winter Soldier and Yellow Jacket/Giant Man.
I for one wouldn't mind some redo's of the 2) category. Give me an Archangel figure or a Bucky one and I certainly won't complain.
Yeah, I agree man.
Also, for apologies, a quick sketch of Howard the Duck since you all like him so much. ;)
http://lawaycartoons.blogspot.com/2010/06/153-howard-duck.html
Sorry LAWay. I was just annoyed that... we have a difference of opinion on where the collection should go, and when I said I'd drop the collection if it started redos (which you prefer) and you called me out on it, then you said you'd drop it for the third rate characters (which I prefer) it just really got to me. Late night for me too...
Nice picture of the duck, btw. ;)
Oops! PA, No way are Enchantress and Beta Ray third rate just a poor choice of words on my part. Classic characters who are usually overlooked by most toy/figurine collections ?
As i said,I never paid any attention to any figs or busts
( ok, you can stop sniggering now MT ) before this collection.
The only time i noticed Marvel Merchandise would be at Xmas Those ugly little figs slabbed in plastic featuring 47 different versions of Spidey or Wolverine.
Scuba Spidey, Robo Spidey etc,etc.
It is the likes of Beta Ray , Grim Reaper etc that makes me more excited about this collection than i was when it started.
Gene Colan " A disgrace to his profession?" Rob.. er? Harold Shipman could be described as that. But poor old Gene? A tad harsh methinks.
Ted, you really needed to pick up Marvel Legends or the newest series Marvel Universe. Beta Ray Bill had a figure, and I think Enchantress is coming up in Marvel Universe. The toys you mention I feel has a distinction, those are made for kids, while Marvel Legends and Marvel Universe are made for collectors.
There isnt a million spiderman figures or one every series. They havent done many of his costumes either in that range. If CMFC was more like that, it would be amazing. Catering for Marvel fans and collectors first and foremost, but also putting in a popular character with every series thats guaranteed sales for all the younger fans who only watch marvel through cartoons and film.
When you see how popular that toy range was, I think it should be used as an example to how to drive a marvel product to the masses.
At the risk of sounding fixated about Drax, I was reading some previews of upcoming comics earlier...and they hinted that Drax is changing again - to a variant of his original costume. If true, that makes the decision to have the recent, knives-and-jeans look even worse. Sigh...
After the slightly 'heated' debate on the pros and cons of dear old Gene Colan's artwork, I thought it would be interesting to spark a debate (in my usual list-like manner)on our favourite all-time Comic Artists.
Now, as well as being an avid collector of superhero-type comics(85% of which are Marvel, I would say), I have also been a big fan of the so-called Underground Comix of the 60's and 70's.
Therefore, two of my all-time greats would have to be Gilbert Shelton (Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, Wonder Warthog etc.)and The legendary Robert Crumb- God Father of all Underground Comix ( 'keep on truckin', Mr.Natural, Fritz The Cat etc.)
However, keeping basically to Marvel/ DC type Artists, this (I think) are my personal Top Ten. I'll put my main reasons for the choice next to the artist.
(The first 3 are my ultimate favs., after that there is no particular order.)
Barry Windsor-Smith (Conan, some Avengers and excellent independent work)
Paul Galacy (Master of Kung-Fu, Sabre, James Bond)
John Buscema (Avengers, Conan)
John Byrne (X-Men, Marvel Team-Up, FF)
George Perez (Avengers, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Sons of the Tiger!)
Jim Steranko (Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD)
Steve Dillon (Preacher, Punisher)
Sal Buscema (Marvel Team-up, some Avengers, Captain America)
Jim Starlin (Warlock, Captain Marvel, Dreadstar)
Frank Miller (Daredevil, Sin City, Dark Knight Returns)
Honourable mentions go to Jim Lee, Jack Kirby and Steve Epting.
OK guys, lets see your choices...
BD
Bob, my absolute favourite is Sal Buscema, when he's on pencils and inks (the only other inker who comes close is Ernie Colon - see the Hulks they did together in mid-70s). Other favourites are Andru on Spidey; J. Buscema on Thor and FF; Byrne on FF and MTU; Romita senior on Cap and Spidey; Starlin on Warlock (original run); Simonson, especially his second run on Thor; Kane; Kirby; Steranko; Adams on Avengers and (very briefly) Thor; early Miller; Romita jr., especially during his run on DD.
P.S. There are no 'pros' to Gene Colan's art. Go read the Weathermen story from the Avengers (issue #210-ish?). Or even just look at the cover to Iron Man (Vol.1) #1. Tony Stark must have elastic hips...
Of course, I meant Ernic CHAN, not Colon. I think Ernie Colon drew the (poor) Dreadstar limited series that Peter David wrote. Maybe that's what I was thinking of...
Hmmm .That's a tuffy Bob, My top ten artists would probably change as regularly as my top ten wants for this collection.
Any auld who, here goes
Gil Kane the greatest most dynamic artist ever to grace the medium, I used to buy horror, cowboy or sci fi anything that had a Kane cover.
John Buscema His Silver Surfer series is still one of the most beautiful collections you could ever wish to see, His conan even out shines my next fav
Barry Smith Not a huge volume of Marvel work but i loved conan and his avengers and his kirbyesque Daredevil. That cover from the Conan Treasury edition is a fav childhood memory
Three fillipino artists Alfredo Alcala, Alex Nino and Rudy d Nebres all bloody ignored geniuses
Not to mention Tony DE Zuniga Ernie Chan and so many other wonderfull Fillipino artists
More recently i have become a huge fan of Bryan Hitch Mike Deadato and the wonderfull Steve McNiven.
Err! i've lost count, but heck there are dozens of top tens i could make up. ( Don't panic ,i won't )
Hey Rich.....since we have gone two weeks without a announcement why not give us two names tomorrow. I have the perfect name/s......Captain Marvel!!!
That's right you can give us both Captain Marvel/Photon/Pulsar and Captain Mar-vell.
Photon is a big name we need in and Mar-vell is a must considering he truely is an iconic and classic character.
Great idea or what?
You all seen the new concept art for Captain America and Thor films? I did a mock up of the Avengers line-up - http://lawaycartoons.blogspot.com/2010/06/avengers-movie-concept-art.html
My fave artists? Hard to put in order, so I will just list some of my fave artists:
1)Stever McNiven
2)Adam Hughes
3)Frank Cho
4)Bruce Timm
5)Olivier Coipel
6)Adi Granov
7)Bryan Hitch
8)Alex Ross
9)Stefano Caselli
10)Ariel Olivetti
Tough call to make though.
Its too hard to decide... I got 10, but I don't know. I like different ones for different reasons.
Paco Medina
Stever McNiven
Terry Dotson
J. Scott Campbell
Stefano Caselli (Avengers: Initiative)
Clayton Henry (Mostly for Alpha Flight vol. 3)
Humberto Ramos
Jamie Snell
John Romita Jr.
Mike Weiringo :(
excellent script
No update?
Gutted...no update today
Arrggghhh....
I know we shouldn't complain but it's very disappointing to miss another Friday update. Hopefully, we will get one on Monday. With two reveals.
One way to get a Bucky-Cap is to pair him with Iron Patriot. Then the magazine could be all about Dark Reign and Siege, and could have a feature on characters who've had multiple identities. Hawkeye as Ronin and Goliath, for example.
It sucks about no update, though. Oh well. Maybe we'll just get a nice big update later.
Just saw some concept art for the Thor costume and he looks like he's wearing biker leathers, especially the trousers. My wife described it as looking "cheap and plasticy". God, I hope that's not how he'll look in the film. I was practicaly levitating with excitement after Iron Man II...
Fanboy,
Well done!
That is a perfect answer to a problem that has been discussed at length here.
Iron Patriot and Bucky Cap together, and a mag that features all the recent events in the MU- Genius!!
Now Rob...
I know you feel very passionate about the whole Gene Colan thing, and he wasn't even in my own 'Top 10'(he would be in my Top 20), but I just wanted to state a few things about his work.
I agree with you that most of his main-stream superhero work didn't really do it for me, particularly as a child.
However, and I think I've said this before, his work on Tomb of Dracula, Dr. Strange and ..The Duck were masterpieces, and will always earn him legendary status. His work is by no means for everyone, but like Kirby or Steranko, his style is truely unique and represented the times perfectly.
Anyway...difference of opinion...makes the world interesting.
Now, who would I really like as a reveal (if we get one)...?
Has to be-
Swordsman (orig.),
White Tiger (orig.)
or
Mantis!
BD
Although I can't see her appearing before Swordsman, Spider-Woman/ Arachne or Captain Marvel, I'd love a Mantis figure, Bob. When she first appeared in the Avengers she was a great character. Yeh, she was jumping on the Kung Fu craze at the time, nevertheless that doesn't take away from her being an interesting and different character with a distinctive look.
It's just a pity Englehart then arsed the whole thing up by having her marry a tree and become a Celestial Madonna (whatever the hell that is). Much later, Englehart wrote an LS that focused on her son, Quoi, and he STILL hadn't realised he was mishandling the character badly. She should have been a regular Avenger, one that was spoken about in terms almost comparable to Vision and Hawkeye. She had soooooooooo much potential.
P.S. Bob, I can see why Colan would be better suited to horror. His artwork is frightful.
P.S. Ted, my wonderful wife bought me a T-shirt this week. A classic Gil Kane cover, Iron Man #47.
And now for something completely different...
I've been thinking lately about the qualities that make a particular storyline 'Classic'. That is, classic in the sense that it will be remembered as a truely unique and relevant point in the MU timeline.
As a bit of an old-timer on here, I can look back on the stories that have stood out amongst the thousands around them and know for definite that, that 'one' is a true masterpiece and an historic moment etc. etc.
Such stories have been-
The Kree/Skrull War
The Korvac Saga
The Dark Pheonix Saga
The Warlock/ Magus/ Thanos Epic
The Daredevil/ Electra Tragedy
The Avengers/ Kang/ Squadron Sinister/ Invaders Epic
..and many more obviously,
Now, my point I'm trying to get to is...how many truely Epic, historical, unique etc. story-lines have there been in the last 10 years; The kind that could stand-up with those mentioned above?
We have had a lot of Mega-sized crossover events in recent years- Seige, Dark Reign, Annihilation, Planet Hulk, House of M, Civil War etc.
But just because they are big and brash (and Expensive), does that make them Classic??
It sounds as if I'm knocking the current work, I'm not at all, I actually think that there has been a wealth of amazing stuff coming out of the MU in the last few years, some of the best ever- but it's not all Classic in the true sense...
...However these are a couple of 'gems' that I think will stand the test of time-
The Garth Ennis 'Punisher' run.
The Winter Soldier/ Cap/ Red Skull/ Reborn Epic
(a few years back now)
The original Thunderbolts as Masters of Evil Reveal storyline.
There's loads more obviously, so come on guys and girls
...tell us what particular story-lines, arcs, runs etc. you would say are truely worthy of the term 'Classic' from the last decade or so.
BD
Lucky you Rob your wife has great taste, I think you would have loved a cover image of # 46 you old guardsman fan you :)
wtf ?
2wks , still no update ?
last one was 2wks late too , but this one is later than ever.
sneak peaks please and 2 reveals please richie rich
Bob, my two favourite storylines are a dead tie: the Starlin Warlocks you mentioned and Simonson's second run on Thor (when he was writer and artist). After that, the Conway-Kane-Romita "Death of Gwen Stacy" story and the Panther Jungle Actions spring to mind. In more modern times, I though Civil War was great, although Secret Invasion was disappointing and had no real direction, House of M was confusing when you only read bits of it, Siege and Dark Reign were enjoyable. The WORST storyline ever is "Sins Past" from Spidey. The only story that's made me so angry that I quit a title for good.
Ted. I know the cover you mean very well. It's one of Kane's most popular covers. Another classic. Damn, the man could draw!
Have to agree with MT about two reveals. I appreciate that Rich does this off his own back and we're lucky to get any updates. Regardless, we'll have to stop calling them "weekly" updates at this rate...
"The WORST storyline ever is "Sins Past" from Spidey."
Here, Here!!!
Civil War is definitely a classic and really did change the landscape of the MU.
The only point of House of M happened on 1 page and only really effects the X-Men... I'm glad I read all 8 issues of fake story...
Disassembled though really brought life back to the Avengers characters and helped to shake up the trust among Marvel's heroes (which Civil War pushed to the extreme.)
I was just thinking of this... why is no one asking for the Beyonder? Since I discovered the collection back in October last year, I've only heard a handful of people ever mention him.
Just, all things considered, he's a very important character to Marvel lore, very large profile character, classic look (if Donny Osmond is classic,) from a number of classic stories that every Marvel fan knows at least the general idea behind.
Just seems weird to me.
Brilliant comparison - the Beyonder and Donny Osmond. Spot on, John! I reread the original Secret Wars storyline late last year and it's pretty ho-hum. The art is very disappointing. And the Beyonder is just Steve Rogers with a bad 80s do and jumpsuit. Not an interesting look even if he is an important character.
As for House of M, I don't read any X-Men titles so it was a bit perplexing. All of sudden Hulk was Oz, etc. What?
And glad I am not alone in condemning "Sins Past". I thought the idea that Gwen and Pete never had sex stretched credibility and THEN it's revealed that she slept with Norman Osborne AND THEN she had twins AND THEN then the twins have been speed-aged!!!!! Apart from that being too fantastic for words, even for comicbooks, the whole idea that Gwen would betray Pete is just such an appalling character assassination that couldn't be justified by any of her actions in her past appearances. The poor woman dies young and then people cannot let her lie in peace without ruining her character and reputation. Disgusting. I cannot believe Marvel okayed that story.
Instead of the Beyonder,I would be very happy to see the Grandmaster.
He is a cosmic entity, one of the Elders of the Universe, who can be a standard figurine because he has often manifested himself in normal human size.
I love his iconic, vintage looks - blue skin, yellow tunic - and he's been involved in so many amazing sagas, the magazine would be great.
As for Gwen Stacy is 'Sins Past',
I'm sure there will be a retcon,
ie. she was a Skrull or a clone,
not the real Gwen.
Wow!...Got to say, I never knew any of that- thanks for the synopsis Rob.
It's strange, as a 'beginner' back in the early 70's, I read Spidey all the time- in the British reprints (the only Spiderman title to come over from The States was Marvel Team-Up, which I occasionally brought with the good ol' pocket money..).
After that, I kind of lost touch with his regular history. Perhaps it's because of his association with Marvel Team-Up, but I always think Spiderman works better when contrasted against other heroes than on his own.
He was also the first character to go 'Super- Big' in terms of multiple titles, which is a big turn-off for casual readers I think.
Strangely enough, a few years back I got a CD-ROM package containing the first 500 issues of Amazing Spiderman! But it's finding the time to read them- and on a computer-which is a bit weird anyway.
BTW- have you read the 3/4 parter MTU with Spidey, Black Widow, Nick Fury and Shang-Chi up against Viper and the Silver Samurai? -Comic book Heaven!!
Now, 'Cat-amongst-the-pigeons' time...
In the first issue of 'The Thanos Imperative', Drax the Destroyer is wearing a cool 'new' costume heavily based on the excellent original one. Therefore, the recent 'tattoos and knives' look is no longer the current one; AND the original costume is actually closer to the newest look! (and would make an excellent figurine).
Comments anyone?
BD
DRAXtic comments...
the 'jeans & knives' look of Drax should clearly have been seen as a temporary variation. Nothing but a fluke, just like Spider-Man's iron suit. A costume with an expiry date, limited to the duration of a specific saga.
It did not truly deserve to be used for the first Drax in the CMFC. Alas, now ve've got that.
End of the story.
GOLDEN AGE special packs.
I hope the Drax incident will give Eaglemoss and CMFC fans an opportunity to push for special packs dedicated to characters in their Golden Age costume (for example, the Bucky incarnation of the Winter Soldier) or at least the inclusion of Golden Age variants in the main CMFC every now and then, like we see in the DC collection. I, for one, would love this.
Bob, the story you mentioned is a classic MTU four-parter. Sal on pencils! Lovely inks - was it MacLeod or Janson, I forget? I think Claremont wrote it? Damn my memory. There was a time I would remember all this without any problems!
As for Drax, classic, classic, classic, classic, classic, classic, classic, classic, and, um, classic...
Isn't Drax for from being released? We saw a pic of a final sculpt, but since it wont be released for a few months, surely EM can do a new sculpt and hold him back from release until later.
I guess its harder with the lesser characters (as in not the main marvel characters) as you can never know what sticks and how long their comic will even be running. It would look have looked awfully bad if Drax wasnt just redesigned shortly before the new figure release, but if his comic was canceled. That to me does not warrant a classic figurine as it would show the character as not popular enough.
No update in 2 weeks though?
Rob,
It was certainly Claremont who wrote it, as for inking- it could well have been Janson because I remember it had more of an edgier, gritty look than a lot of comics at the time.
As for Drax...perhaps EM could just put some clothes on him? (including that thing that starts with a 'C, ends with an 'E', and has 'AP' in the middle).
Everyone would be happy then! (or not...)
BD
Ps. my 'word verification' is 'unsub'- very 'Criminal Minds'!
Bob, it was MTU #82-85 (1979). Claremont was indeed the writer. The inker was Steve Leiloha, who did the inking on one or two Warlocks, as I recall. Purely on this four-parter, I'd welcome the Silver Samurai in the collection.
P.S. Back when #82 came out, which would be summer '79, I remember looking at the cover and thinking what a pity it was that they had coloured the puddle of blood around the Widow as water. It looked as if Miss Romanov had tiddled herself...
Blimey Rob!, you have got a good memory!
Some kind of mutant power perhaps?
Anyway...
I'm totally with you, Kirlianeyes (are you going to tell us where that comes from BTW?), we NEED The Grandmaster in the collection, and I've been campaigning for his inclusion myself in the past.
This guy has Master Manipulator written all over him, and has been central to a host of major Epics over the years- far more than most super-villains.
A few of his story-lines-
The amazing Kang/ Avengers/ Invaders/ Squadron Sinister Epic that I mentioned recently.
My all-time favourite Avengers story (Sal Buscema on art, Rob!)
Defenders Giant-size, and Avengers Annuals
Marvels very first limited series- 'Contest of Champions'.
The recent Defenders/ Offenders battle in The Hulk.
The incredible Avengers/JLA cross-over.
You don't get much more major than that!
He also looks cool and unique (far more tha his boring 'brother', The Collector).
BD
Bob, my memory is not that great. I had to google the exact numbers and the inker's name. I had an idea it was the low 80s but wasn't sure. I had completely forgotten who the inker was, but, like you, remembered that it was pretty hard-edged. It was a cracking story and had guys I really like in it... Shang-Chi, Nick Fury, the Widow... and the Silver Samurai was a dangerous adversary. Claremont's stuff on MTU is much more enjoyable that X-Men, although I would guess I'm on my own with that statement. Actually, I think I'll dig them out and read them again later while the wife watches that appalling nonsense called Britain's Got Talent...
Rob,
Silver Samurai was a bit of a recurring villain in the old MTU comic from what I remember- did he start off there?
One classic with him was an 'oddity' when Spidey teamed-up with 'The Not Ready For Prime-Time Players' from Saturday Night Live. There's old Spidey side-by-side with the late John Belushi against The Silver Samurai, who wants some magical ring from JB. Stan Lee is in the audience!
Weird but brilliant!
Loved the John Byrne ones with Yellow Jacket and The Wasp, and The Iron Fist/ Daughters of The Dragon stories too.
BD
Yeh, SS was also in an MTU issue with the Black Widow as well as the issues you mentioned. I have no idea if he first appeared there but it's certainly the earliest appearances of his that I saw.
The NRFPT issue made no sense to me as a kid. I had never heard of the programme or any of the people in it like Belushi and was fairly convinced it was all invented. It was a bit of an in-joke for folk who watched the programme and it seemed rather self-indulgent and pointless at the time.
Bob, Silver Samurai's first appearance was in Daredevil #111 (July 1974).
My DD collection is patchy around early and mid-1970s, so I don't have that issue (which explains why I don't recall this at all).
Kirlian Eyes - secret origins.
The first chapter.
Hey BobDiamond, to answer your question.... You may already know that 'Kirlian photography' is a technique for capturing electromagnetic images of the aura of living beings. Discovered in Russia in 1939, and the subject of many studies ever since. To have Kirlian eyes, therefore, means to be able to see the aura with the naked eye, a very cool super power that I'd like to be endowed with. Whether or not I really have that
power is often the subject of many jokes and gossips among my friends.
Kirlianeyes that is such a cool backstory. where as, i am named after a man who was transformed into a living pile of shite n twigs
Just spent a very enjoyable hour rereading the Marvel Team-Up story we were talking about earlier, Bob. I know it backwards, of course, but still great fun. If you have the issues I'd recommend you going back and reading them yourself. (Anyone who hasn't read them, they're MTU at its best.)
Honestly, why the '70s get a bad rep is beyond me...
Hey BobDiamond, what's your name's backstory? Are you made of or you turn into diamond? You'd be in the same league as Martinex, Emma Frost and also the Vision!
i think its 'cos his name is Bob and hes a Diamond Geeza!
Hi, PA!
Since you were on, what caused you to sail the seven seas? Uncle shot down by a robber you could have stopped? Your dad sent you off to learn humility?
I'm really interested in the cosmic origins and hierarchy of the MU, so I'd really like to see some of the big cosmic entities in the collection.
Beyonder (who I already mentioned,) and Grandmaster would be great. Grandmaster played a role in the New Thunderbolts that I really enjoyed (just before the title turned all dark and decompressed...) But I'd also really like to see Death, Oblivion, Eternity, and Infinity. Death and Eternity mostly.
I'd place Death right next to Thanos, of course.
And how many others of you think a Mega of Eternity would be good? I can't think of a more deserving character left for a Mega. How about that as a new game while we wait for next Friday (or hopefully Monday,)
Name the character you feel is most deserving to be the next Mega!
I totally agree that Eternity would be a perfect mega special.
I've seen amazing Eternity figures on several websites. I'm sure EM would be able to produce an awesome sculpt, but then they would need a team of talented and meticulous painters, or opt for a print technique. The beauty of the character is all in the pattern of stars, planets and galaxies which decorate his ethereal body.
If they could make a work of art like Fin Fang Foom, I'm sure they could make Eternity.
Okay, I just want to take a moment here and really congratulate EM on the FFF figurine. Damages among shipping aside, this was truely a beautifully crafted figurine, in pose, detail and paint.
My word verification is "cower," which is what I'd do if I ever actually saw Foom.
eternity = not my cup of rosey
next mega special ?
atlas
giant man
goliath
dreadknight on horseback
mojo
madame web
Eternity, while could be nice due to a good paintjob, I cant see him being a great figurine.
The paints would make this figurine. It will need rich colours, a spray paint type effect blending into the black. I dont think EM is capable of it.
I've never actually read much with the character in, so I wouldnt be too bothered adding him to my collection. Would prefer a hulkbuster iron man.
I still hold to the belief that size-changers should be represented as normal size. For 2 simple reasons;
1. If Henry Pym, THE size changer in he MU is regular size, why should Stature, Atlas, etc. be given the special treatment, let alone the Mega treatment?
2. I have the biggest list of Specials wants (as I'm sure most of us have.) If the CAN be a regular, let them be a regular. I still want Blastaar, Madame Web, MODOK, etc. etc. etc.
Speaking of Madame Web, I am in full support of her in her chair as a Special but I can't see people shelling out the cost of a Mega for "The Ultimate Madame Web Figurine!" There is no way she could be made a Mega. ;)
Mojo I'll give you. I'd prefer him as a Special if possible, as X-characters always take away slots for the other groups, and they already have a Sentinel and a bunch of Specials coming up... but if that were the only way to do him right, I'd except that.
Kirlianeyes, did you just join the forum? Nice to see you on there! I'm Wingless Wizard. :)
Possible Megas:
Eternity
Mojo
Devil Dinosaur and Moonboy?
They have quite a history, but remain fairly obscure. What do you guys think about the red T-Rex with Moon Boy on his back? I'm not sure myself...
Not sure if you've read any Devil Dinosaur stories, John. Kirby or not, it's awful stuff. So, a no from me on that one.
As for the question of whether to have size-changers as specials, I'm all for it. My number one special is Goliath. I already have a Giant-Man figure from another collection standing with my CMFC figures. He's four times as big, a bit bigger than I want, but still, I like the idea of his power being manifested.
hey John, yes I joined the forum a few weeks ago and now I've started to contibute some posts.
ETERNITY
In terms of significance, the character is definitely THE most deserving mega special because of its supreme position in the cosmic hierarchy of the Marvel Universe.
In terms of shape and pose, in my opinion it would make a beautiful sculpt. I'd be happy if EM opted for a print technique to guarantee that the metaphysical pattern of galaxies and astral bodies can be applied to the sculpt. The result would be absolutely superb.
Obscure? Sorry, but when you say obscure, my mind switches to 'undeserving'. We shouldnt have to struggle to know who the character is for the collection, not yet anyway.
As for what John said, its a good point. It would be making megas for megas sake and to get money from us. Hank Pym deserved a mega being THE big guy. Yellow jacket, giantman, whatever you want to call him, he should be the mega, not goliath or stature. The only giant goliath stature should be him getting killed by clone thor, as its the only time I remember him even existing.
I would welcome a giantman special to the collection. Like I have stated before, we had a movie iron man. People may state it didnt go down well, but thats because it was just ugly and didnt really deserve special status.
I know alot of people will comment on not wanting repeats of characters, even something on this scale of special with someone as this important in a different costume, even threatening to quit if EM did decide to honour some of marvels greatest characters further to please the fans. To them, I say you aint fans. You should be loving all things marvel. You say you want to complete teams, but you will never complete the original avengers line-up, THE super team of marvel.
I wont stop making this point, especially when obscure characters are brought up and you compare the possibilities with someone not just classis, but iconic.
Good point LAWAY . We have Thunderbird to complete the iconic Xmen line up, And the Avengers are no less deserving Original red and blue outfit or the yellow and blue duds with the funny yellow bug eye specs?
"We shouldn't have to struggle to know who the character is."
Who is "we", LAWay? You (and perhaps other folk your age) might not know Bill Foster. However, older readers who started reading earlier than you know perfectly well who he is from his own title and appearances in other comics.
And sometimes an awareness of characters can just be about what corner/s of the MU you read. I was reading comics a long time before you were born and my ignorance of the X-universe is pretty bad. Just because I don't know someone is no argument to oppose their inclusion. Obscure to you (or me) is not obscure to others.
I'm not trying to start an argument with you (you know how much I appreciated the drawing you did for One-of-Three) but you have to take more care with blanket statements.
I know Bill Foster mainly because of the Civil War storyline, granted. But someone mentioned 'obscure' characters themselves.
I was stating Bill Foster shouldnt be a mega as why should we get a special of him when we didnt of Hank Pym, who above all who change sizes surely deserved that.
So if they are size changers, they may as well just be in line with the other figurines scale because poor ol pym got that treatment.
The obscure character was Moonboy and Devil Dinosaur.
My main point though is if these characters are important, marvel would keep reminding us of their importance, no matter how old or new they are. Some old characters havent resurfaced since the 70s or 80s, while some new characters comics get canceled. To me, these are failed attempts, throwing stuff on the wall and seeing what sticks.
The collection should be characters everyone wants to see. If you dont want to see some of the new characters and I dont want to see some of the ancient characters, neither should be made. Not every character deserves a spot in this collection. Its just a shame that the iconic characters that have a wealth of history and looks that have put marvel or some of the storylines on the map get overlooked.
Moonboy & Devil Dinosaur, or a giant man Mega special...which would everyone seriously prefer. Personally I do love the diversity of marvel characters, but I dont want poor & ugly characters on my shelves. When we are all strapped for cash, figurines like the obscure ones will be the first to be sold on ebay.
"but you will never complete the original avengers line-up, THE super team of marvel."
I don't understand. Yellowjacket, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor have been made and Wasp is coming up. Unless you're atlking about the ORIGINAL original Avengers, the Agents of Atlas! In which case I think EM should get started ;)
And by obscure, I just mean "Doesn't find their way into any titles outside their own." I think of the original Guardians of the Galaxy as obscure because they don't really affect anyone else, but in the forums, everybody's clamoring for Vance Astro. Blink is obscure. Man-Thing's obscure. In North America, few people know anything about Captain Britain.
Or think of it this way; you've said before that you'd have preferred if Sunfire were based on the AoA story. I have no idea what that looks like as I've never read it. That was a design from 1 story. I'm talking about a character that had his own title and was created by Jack "King" Kirby.
The question to everybody was more, "Can we get behind this history that this character has/represents," same as asking if we could get behind FFF or Man-Thing.
i think the next mega will be a celestial. it's been bandied around for some time now. the important question is which one will it be to represent the group? the most likely imo are
the dreaming celestial
arishem the judge
the one above all
"I was stating Bill Foster shouldn't be a mega as why should we get a special of him when we didnt of Hank Pym, who above all who change sizes surely deserved that.
So if they are size changers, they may as well just be in line with the other figurines scale because poor ol pym got that treatment."
Exactly.
I didn't think the One Above All was a Celestial. And I also didn't know it had a unique form. Interesting..
Ok, good point John.
Yeh, I was talking original avengers. The collection will be without antman. Can you believe it? Unless we eventually get palmed off with an antman2 or antman3, which just isnt the same. People would have been ticked if we didnt get eddie brock venom but mac gargon, or Xorn instead of Magneto.
These characters and their different personas and costumes live together in the universe and should all be represented. I aint a big Beast fan, but I would love the more popular blue beast and 1st appearence beast.
People complain they dont want these extra costumes, but then complain that they couldnt get hold of repaint specials. I just dont understand it.
there are 2 one above alls. one is the leader of the celestials and the other is the god-like most powerful being in the marvel multiverse
Well I don't post as much as I used to for various reasons to complicated to go into right now,but a couple of old issues have resurfaced and I'd like to add my two bits to them.
First of all should size changers be megas? I believe they should be since it wold be displaying their powers that they are known for. I mean a guy called Giant-Man or Goliath displayed average height?
Second issue; I totally agree with LAWay that just because EM made a figurine of Yellow Jacket doesn't mean one of Giant-Man and/or Goliath cannot be made. They may all be the same person under the mask but they are totally different characters with enough individual history to merit their own inclusion in this collection!
Third point costume choices: I saw some pics of future magazines for some of the figurines to be made and I wasn't to pleased with some of them,specifficly Radioactive Man. How come polls are held for choosing the looks of some characters that have had more than one look and not held for others? I would prefer Dr. Chen in his classic Masters Of Evil costume.
Going back to Giant-Man,maybe we can have an unofficial poll here. Should Giant-man be included in this collection? And should size changers be done mega size? I vote yes for both!
The size changer issue has been around for a long time and has provided some great debates/arguments on the forum. I would like them showing their powers personally so give me a special or mega special size changer. The below results were of a poll we set up.
Regular = 34.39%
Special = 65.61%
As for the size changer in particluar I would opt for ATLAS. We already have Hank Pym as Yellowjacket and Scott Lang as Ant-Man (who looks exactly like the Hank Pym Ant-Man). So lets go for Atlas first and then if the collection goes on long enough get the Hank Pym version in.
There are a few candidate for the next mega special but I agree it might be time for a Celestial representative. Individually they have little history but if you have the magazine dedicated to Celestials in general then it would work brilliantly.
Other megas could be Ego the Living Planet, Mojo and MODOK.
Glad to have some backing Thor8.
I would love an Atlas figure. I dont particularly care if he is giant or small, but guess would prefer him tall rather than stature and goliath. Then again, a giant stature may actually make a decent feminine female figurine for a change.
Have we had an antman? Didnt realize that we did. It was slightly different to his giantman costume though wasnt it, and then he had his yellow and blue outfit too. Hell, I would love the yellowjacket costume as a giant figure.
Its a shame that there is no real representation of what the fans want for the market research. We have no clue how many collectors there are, but there are maybe 20 on this blog at the most...dunno about the forums, maybe the same, maybe 50? While the blog is easier to find due to the main website, the forums are not promoted anywhere and not even official are they?
Something needs to be done via emails or with the actual magazine to ask the collectors what they really want. I know there is problems logistically with times and expenses, whatever, but we need a real insight to what everyone is thinking, not the diehard bloggers and forum members. It would also be interesting to see what shop sellers want as well as they know what are selling.
Just read Thor8's comments. (Good to hear from you again, by the way.) What costume is Radioactive Man going to be wearing? I had assumed it would be the classic kilt-and-vest outfit and now I'm worried...
LAWay, Ant-Man has still to be released. It won't be too long till we see him, though. And, yes, it's Scott Lang, although you can't tell it's not the original.
Thanos the Mad God, a creature who once wiped out half the living beings in the multiverse, wielder of the Cosmic Cube and later the Infinity Gems, a being who defeats god-like entities like the In-Betweener. In conclusion, arguably the greatest threat to life the Marvel Universe has ever seen.
In the 1970s it took the Avengers (including Thor, Iron Man and Captain America), Spider-Man, the Thing, Drax, Captain Marvel and Warlock to stop him.
In the 1990s it needed the might of the X-Men, Avengers, Surfer, Spider-Man, Warlock, the Titans, Drax and many others to defeat him.
2010. Chip 'n Dale's lost brother stops him strangling Starlord.
What the hell is going on? Am I the only one who thinks that's ridiculous? What a heap of sh*te.
So Robert, would this be a bad time to enlist your support for a rocket Racoon/Howard the Duck double pack? :)
Ted, my first instinct was to joke back and then I thought, "Hell, no! They shouldn't get away with such outrageous characterisation! Why are they determined to undermine one of the great Marvel villains? "Undermine"! What am I talking about? They're ridiculing him! A creature who in one battle alone has defeated Galactus, the Stranger, Eon, Lord Chaos, Master Order, Eternity, all the cosmic beings as well as Galactian heralds like the Surfer and Firelord, all the greatest heroes of Earth like Iron Man, the Sub-Mariner, the X-Men and Avengers, an Asgardian god in the person of Thor, a master of the mystic arts in Dr. Strange and cosmic heroes like Warlock, Drax, Starfox, ach, the list goes on and on.
And what are we to believe now? That's he's not a match for a nut-collecting rodent that doesn't come up to his knee??!!
Jim Starlin must be horrified. They are undoing all his great work over decades.
I'm still fizzing!!
I don't have a problem with ret-conning if it's done well. And post-moderism and metafiction in comicbooks is fine, too, as long as you don't go overboard. (See later issues of the Incredible Hercules for the worst examples of that.) What I cannot abide is characterisation that contradicts what has gone before. JMS's "Sins Past" is without doubt the worst case of that. In the Thanos Imperative there seems to have been such wholesale changes in the way people behave, speak and look as to make them almost unrecognisable. If they were not addressing each other by name I'd have been struggling to recognise Mantis and Gamora, for instance. Was it really necessary to ditch so much of what went before? I love these characters, Warlock is my favourite character alongside Captain America, and it is rotten to have to skip a series they are in because I cannot recognise them any more. I have enjoyed these characters pretty much since they first appeared and I'd really like to be enjoying their adventures today as well. Damn damn damn damn damn.
Rob, i am not taking the pish but your righteous indignation produce some of the funniest posts i have ever read.
And you are right making a mockery of the most dangerous villain in marveldom is indeed taking the pish!
No offence taken, Ted. My wife sometimes laughs when I go off on one too, and I guess I should expect the same here. I can't believe that a) they get away with this preposterous garbage and b) it's popular!! Stop the bus! I need to get off!
Basically, what this story is saying is that Davy Crockett was the most powerful entity that ever lived. I mean, if he was turning these Disney characters into rather silly hatwear, and Thanos is no match for one little raccoon with no sense of self-preservation, then goodness help the Avengers if Kang goes back in time and recruits Crockett for his next devious scheme! Sounds daft? That's because it is. Daft as a (tail) brush. The crazies are running the asylum...
Rob, i finished ( kinda) my mosaic today, just have to clean and grout it . Hopefully my tribute to the greatest marvel hero can at least tempoarily asuage your rage :) have a wee look see
I'm starting to calm down now, Ted...
Anyway, very impressive. My wife was sitting in my lap when I put it up. (She thinks hugs cure everything, including comic-related hypertension.)
Me: "Wow. That's look great!"
Wife: "I hope he did that outside. What a mess he's made!"
Wimmin!
Thinking about the mosaid...
1) What gave you the idea? (I believe the Spidey one was your first, right?)
2) Where are you going to put it?
Your wife is correct Rob, i did make a bitofa mess but i made it on the rug my dear wife had spilled a 5 litre can of emulsion on!
My inspiration for it was pretty simple. I have had huge affection for the character since childhood.
It's going to be situated at the front of our house next to Spidey
Robert, I read a preview of the incident with Thanos you're talking about. Rocket says, as he's doing it, that the only reason he can stop Thanos is because of his weakened state. He'd just come back to life and was INCREDIBLY weak.
Here's the page:
http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album_view.php?gid=2057&page=16
I love Cap, too. What a guy!
Actually, now that I think about it, aren't Abnett and Lanning bringing out a one-shot where the dumb raccoon beats the Super-Soldier in hand-to-hand combat? The same issue also reveals that he slept with Gwen Stacy and they had mutant raccoon babies called Dale and Chip...
Hey, I think I could get a job at Marvel! I am totally on their wavelength!
God that Raccoon is an ugly waste of pencil. You guys seriously want a figurine of that?
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!
Having a size changer as any kind of special is simply a waste of a coveted special slot.
when we have so many characters left that can only be made as a special why waste it on a person who can easily be done as a regular?
Hi Thor8, good to hear from you buddy
PA
I know what you're saying, John, but it's still plain daft for two reasons.
1. Talking animals and Thanos are an awkward mix. It's like Disney meets Friday the 13th. What next? Will the Guardians recruit Skippy the bush kangaroo to take out Ronan?
2. He's Thanos, for crying out loud. Weakened or not he operates on a god-like power level comparable to Thor. No one should be knocking him down unless they are seriously super-powered.
I'm sorry if it's a series you enjoy but this is not the Thanos I've known since the mid-1970s.
LAWay, I have no issue with people being a fan of Rocket. Let them have a limited series if they want. We can't all like the same things.
Just keep the hairball out of comics with Thanos, Warlock, Gamora, Moondragon, et al.!
Just noticed that Cosmo, the spacesuit wearing pooch, adds his "powers" to Mantis's and Moondragon's to stun Thanos.
I can't take any more.
Good night.
I'll see you on here tomorrow.
Robert would you please explain the Thanos and Racoon scenario, i must have missed somthing
PA
I think it's probably best if we let Rob sleep it off,Having to see your favourite super villain become a nut nibbling rodents bitch must be prettty traumatic
lets face it ted, rob has a point, Thanos would crush the little furball with a bout of flatulence
PA
Cosmo and Rocket Raccoon are cool. They may sound like naff characters but they are actually quite funny and deeper characters than you may give them credit for.
I would love them in the collection but I would want Gamora, Mar-vell, Starlord, Deathbird, Firelord and Vance Astro first.
Wow, a lot can happen in a very short space of time on this blog...
Right, firstly the 'Mega' debate-
My personal choice would also be Eternity, as I've stated before here. To me he represents the whole MU, and therefore needs to be made.
As for the 'Size-changers'...In two minds on this.
I would love to have an original Giant-man, even though his is probably the corniest, ugliest costume ever conceived- exactly the reason it didn't last long, dispite Jack and the gang trying to change bits of it all the time.
However, it's still iconic, and would be great to see.
On the other hand, as we already have Hank Pym as Yellowjacket, and to get a different and very deserving character made, I would choose Atlas.
He has a great costume and would look stunning as a mega-sized sculpt. He also has a complex and interesting back-story that goes all the way back to the original Baron Zemo.
Now, I will tactfully avoid The Raccoon controversy....
And finally, Kirlianeyes-
Thanks for the info on your name- very interesting and unique. Strangely, about 4 days ago I was talking to a friend, who was telling me all about the ability to see auras, and how we all have different coloured ones. Fascinating stuff.
Unfortunatly, my name is just taken from a character in The Sons of The Tiger. I've bored everyone on here enough about this lot, as I'm sure they will agree! (Cool group though- check 'em out!)
BD
About this hatred for Rocket and Cosmo, I just wanted to point out some of the craziness that exists in the MU.
Groot is the tree monarch of Planet X (and created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.)
We've got Foom, who's a dragon from space.
Man-Thing, the swamp creature that protects the Nexus of all Realities.
The Mojo-Verse is all about television ratings.
Dinosaurs live in Antarctica.
All the silly characters that exist like Frog-Man, the Walrus, ...Razorback. And characters that weren't suppose to be jokes like Big Wheel.
I just don't understand when a scientist can make a suit with stilts to rob tall buildings, and people love him, and then...
Or how about this; with all the different planets and dimensions, why do we accept some things and despise others?
Or looking at the High Evolutionary's experiments, or how the Red Ghost has 3 super-intelligent talking apes; I'd say that Rocket Raccoon fits in perfectly in the MU.
I just pulled this off wikipedia. It explains the origins;
"Rocket Raccoon comes from Halfworld, in the Keystone Quadrant, an abandoned colony for the mentally ill where the animal companions were genetically manipulated to grant them human level intelligence and bipedal body construction for many to become caretakers of the inmates."
I'm not fighting for people to like him or desire his inclusion. Just to except that he's in fitting with the Marvel Universe. And if your next statement is that he has no place taking down Thanos, weakened or not, I bring up that Steve Ditko had Squirrel Girl defeat Dr. Doom. Right or not, it's consistent with the lay of the land.
Or, just to show the flip of the coin, keep in mind that everyone likes different characters for different reasons.
I have ZERO desire to ever see Forge make this collection. I find him incredibly uninteresting and poorly designed. But knowing that he has his fans and I've been told has his history in the MU, I wouldn't be AGAINST his inclusion. I'd be pissed, but happy for his fans.
Robert, mi gran amigo,I know exactly how you feel about this Thanos and Rocky Raccoon situation. I also know how disgusted many of you were with the sins past story also. For some time now I've been observing how Marvel's history and continuity has been going down the drain. There was a time when the smallest of details and mistakes were explained and corrected in such a way that every little fact would fit into Marvel's history without contradictions. An example of this would be Hulk's alter ego who started out as being called Bruce Banner,but in an early issue of Avengers Rick Jones mistakenly refers to him as "BOB" Banner some fans wrote in signaling out the mistake and asking for a no-prize. Some years later Bruce was now Dr."Robert" Bruce Banner! Today many changes are being done with characters that have been icons for ages without explanations or much logic and no one seems to give a dam. Norman Osborn was dead for years,then he shows up alive again and we're told he didn't really die because his "healing factor" kicked in! Where and when in the world did he get a healing factor? Did he purchase it at Kmart? Thor had always been one of,if not the mightiest of all Marvel's heroes and now everybody this side of Aunt May and Jarvis are kicking his butt.Asgard has fought against The mightiest beings and races in the cosmos and have come out victorious and now they get devastated by a bunch of 4th rate villains a handful of bogus Avengers and some wannabe shield agents? Give me a break! Enough is enough,Marvel should pause,take a look back and correct the messes they have recently made. Sure we need changes and new and fresh material,but let's have it done without destroying what was set before.
Oh and Robert, The cover for The Radioactive Man figurine mag I saw showed him wearing that Radiation containment suit he had been wearing lately. I don't know if this is official or if it's just a mock up or if the figurine itself will be the classic version regardless of what the cover shows. I just hope we get The MOE version with glow in the dark paint!
[....Incoming transmission on behalf of Deadpool...]
Inconsistencies you say ....
Let me guess why Marvel is disappearing down the proverbial "Rabbit Hole" .....
DISNEY... that's why.
Disney has sucked the soul from Marvel.
Stan and the rest of the Marvel Men are no longer in control.
Timelines and histories are being fiddled with to give credibility to cutesy characters in preparation for the "My Little Ponyfying" of the marvel universe.
DC moguls must be rolling around laughing at the demise of their great rival.
PS Deadpool wants to know why there hasn't been an update.
Also he has plans to take a couple of Nightwing DC character models (when I remember to order them for him ...oops) and make Northstar and Bucky-Cap when he returns.
[..End of Transmission ....]
I know that as I write these words most of you are cuddled up in bed with your favorite stuffed marvel character dreaming of your most wanted figurine being approved. it's 10:45 pm here in the Carribean while over in UK it's about 3:45 am.
I'm watching the NBA finals and writing these words between plays.
DP; I don't know how much of an influence Disney has had in changes in the MU since they purchased it,but to be quite frank about it,I have noticed radical changes being done way before Disney. Continuity and character integrity are things of the past. It seems as though if a writer wishes to write that Flash Thompson is in reality Peter's brother and Marvel believes sales will soar,they will give the green light and OK it.
It's just as my friend Roberto states,characters we could recognize a mile away with our eyes closed are very difficult to recognize now both physically and character wise.One of the main features that made Marvel great was how every action,every saga that went on in one particular book would eventually be interwoven into the MU without it being necessarily to buy 20 different titles in order to get the whole picture.What I mean is that something that was said or done in a Thor book could be referred to in a Dare Devil mag months or years later and the writer (and editor) would make sure that all the pieces fit in perfectly.Now you can have Wolverine acting one way in the Avengers another way in The X-Men and still another way in his own series,and nobody seems to give a hoot about it.That my friends is simply pathetic.
Something I just remembered about Dr. Chen; maybe the containment suit will be used for the cover of the magazine, but he's definitely going to be in his classic look. Remember how EM was talking about the glow in the dark paint? Can't see that in the full suit, so I think we're safe.
And let me add how excited I am about Radioactive Man. And with Beetle and Songbird coming up, Baron Zemo already out... I'm hoping for Fixer and Atlas soon (not Too soon. I have quite a list of wants ahead of them) but I'm still excited to put together a Thunderbolts team.
With Marvel's comics, lets not forget that with every writer that disregards continuity, we've got a plethora of writers who do an amazing job creating amazing comics. Deadpool has never been better, period. I haven't read Spider-Man this good in a decade. Civil War was amazing. We've had Roberto A-S and Mark Waid on FF. MODOK's 11. Really just a BUNCH... the great majority, of comics are still great.
Its all preference though, of course. Just stay away from JMS and Bendis and you'll be fine. :)
Not that I'm trying to keep an argument going, John, but I want to address some of the points you make. (And ,um, having calmed down, I will use more restrained language today!)
You said that the MU is full of alien races and diverse characters, John. You're right, of course. What I disagree with is inappropriateness. A cute tree-living critter, gun or no gun, is not going to stop a mad god. It's plain crazy.
Yes, there are other weird characters. However, for various reasons I don't feel they are comparable.
You mentioned Groot. Stan and Jack never intended him to be part of the MU. I'm pretty sure his first appearance predates the FF, Spidey, etc. and it was later writers who inserted him into the MU.
Yes, we also have spaceborne dragons (FFF) and dinosaurs in the Savage Land but that's not exactly comparable either. Dragons and T-Rexs, you must admit, have a threatening, menacing appearance. I submit that if you saw a huge dragon in your street you'd run off, possibly screaming: if you see a sqirrel, raccoon or a similar critter you smile and go "Awwwwwww!".
I don't hate Rocket. I hate the idea of him in a comic with Thanos. And REALLY hate the idea of him threatening the mad Titan and that Thanos backs down rather than turning him into 'coon soup.
Honestly, I am happy that there are comics that have zombie, pet and ape versions of the Marvel characters. Not my cup of tea but hey ho. If I was being so small-minded to only want my taste I'd be calling for the exclusion of X-Men on the grounds that I don't read their comics.
Thor8 is right. Norman Osborn is dead; I saw him spiked through the heart as a child and can't really believe he was off in Europe all that time. I'm enjoying Bucky being back but it's completely implausible to me also. I have an issue with the impermanence of death in comics nowadays; yeh, the inventive explanation for an apparent death is comic tradition. Sometimes, though, resurrections are too fantastic even for comics and if no one stays dead then you have removed all threat and danger in the MU.
Change in the MU is inevitable and necessary to avoid stagnation. I accept that (although the sooner the Assemblers get back to the mansion the better) I just think you have to watch that you don't reimagine the world and it becomes something different. That includes stupid, wrong-headed plots in the past like Sqirrel Girl beating Dr. Doom (missed that one, John) or Black Cat beating Sabretooth or a healing factor repairing a punctured heart. Just because writers have made mistakes in the past, that shouldn't be used to defend mistakes in the present.
Sorry if I'm still ranting and slavering, guys. Thanos is one of my three favourite villains (alongside Doom and Galactus). I'm kind of upset.
i totaly agree with Rob and Thor8
Thanos without the gauntlet or cube is still badass enough to go toe to toe with the mightiest heros Marvel has to offer. the thought of a Racoon giving him more than an itch makes me shudder, i'm not saying Rocket is a bad character but to put him against Thanos??? REALY???
and as for the whole Siege saga...while i enjoyed the read, how was Thor taken down by a lesser powered IronMan (Osborn) and a bunch of third rate villains only to 5 mins later go toe to toe with the worst character and apparently one of the most powerful in the MU, the Sentry.
i would just like a bit of consistncy in the comics i read.
PA
Sorry, Pirate Adam, just noticed that you asked for an explanation of the issue I was complaining about. Here goes.
Thanos of Titan has been captured but escapes (so far, so good). He's choking the life out of Starlord (yep, that's the mad god we all know). Then Rocket Raccoon appears and says, "Let Starlord go, Thanos. Let him go NOW." (This is the point where Thanos would fry the speaker for their suicidal rudeness. No, wait, the raccoon's still alive?!) Raccoon again: "I SAID, drop him. That's right. You may be a little SLOW ON THE UPTAKE, but you understand well enough, don-cha?" - Wait a second, he insulted Thanos and he's STILL alive??? - "This is a RAMPART ARMS PHASIC CANNON. Cold fusion. The twenty megawatt range" - Hang on. He's still talking??! Thanos is listening?? What?!?? - "Powerful enough to melt your face off." Thanos is still holding Starlord and groaning, "Nrhhh!", which is not his normal diction but apparently due to his weakened state. The Raccoon goes on a bit more in his threatening tone, ending with "Let. Him. Go."; it's rather ridiculous because Rocket should be long dead by now and the only sounds coming from him should be the crackling of his scorched carcass. Then Mantis, Moondragon and Pluto zap him with their mental powers.
In the next part Thor loses a battle to a hamster with a bionic arm and Iron Man is defeated by a fern bush accidentally exposed to radioactive rays at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Glad to have you back, PA. The blog isn't the same without you, or our resident thunder god.
You'll all be glad to know I will be out this afternoon. Court date.
No, not to stand trial! Jury duty!
Gee, you'd think I'd been on here ranting and raving and hollering about talking animals and mad gods.
Ah. I see what you mean...
Disney have nothing to do creatively with the stories of Marvel DP. Everyone was so worried when Disney bought them, but Disney own alot of properties that are not cutesy things aimed at kids. I'm sure Disney is just happy with all the animated shows it is able to produce from the quality A list characters and dont give a toss about Thanos and rocket raccoon.
well , i am quite surprised we still have no update , sometimes we get a mega update on a monday if the friday update is late.
i hope rich will do us proud with something spectacular as we've been waiting 2wks +
The huge update will be the revealing of a new sister publication that will feature on the best marvel characters and moments capturing different costumes and scenarios in glorious figurines.
I can dream cant I? :P
I wasn't selected for the jury.
If I had been, I'd've revealed that I was unfit for jury duty on the grounds of raccoon-related instability.
Mind you, if LAWay's idea comes about, I would have been unfit to serve on the grounds of such forgiving cheerfulness that I would have dismissed Jack the Ripper's crimes as youthful exhuberance...
Maybe Rich will tell us about that top secret project he mentioned a while back. THAT would make up for such a long wait between, ahem, "weekly" updates.
Oh yeh...the top secret project! Forgot all about that.
They definitely have to let us know now after dropping the ball recently. it will be the only thing that can do it. Unless the secret project is what I already mentioned.
Either way I will be happy.
Unless their secret project was to slowly recruit us on some sort of secret jury...
The 'Secret Project' is obviously 'The variant Howard the Duck Gnome-sized' collection that I suggested a few months back...and that you thought was such a good idea Rob.
(I may have got that last bit wrong..)
After all it is Summer, and what would look better than Lobo The Duck, Killmallard, Master of Quack-Fu, Iron Duck etc. etc. decorating your front lawn in a Gnomey-styly way?
B the D
Ps. Rocket Raccoon would also look good Gnome-sized I feel...armed with a great big F**k-off Thanos-Busting Gun.
PPs. Please don't kill me Rob.
I couldn't hurt you, Bob.
Now, stay where you are. I have to make a call to the authorities about, um, someone else with the initials "BD".
Oh, Bob, if you hear sirens it's just the, err, ice-cream van. Yeh, yeh, that's it, the ice-cream van. Their jingle machine is broken and all they could get at short notice was an old police siren. Just ignore it.
And, the loud thumping at the door that sounds almost like a battering ram? That's those scallywags at numer 43 playing chappie. Kids will be kids, eh? Carry on with what you're doing. Nothing to concern your pretty little head about.
P.S. My word verification is "colin". Honestly!
Er that will be the monday update theory hooped.
Rich being a footy fan will also have the distraction of some tournament that is apparently taking place in South Africa. So i wouldn't be holding out for too many updates in the coming weeks.
Just had a thought: is Dan the Man reading all this? He sometimes posts here with answers to questions.
So, Dan, if you are out there, can you let us know when we might see another post from Rich...?
Rob,
Those nice friends of yours turned-up in their white van, and gave me a brand new jacket.
Bit tight though, and I can't seem to move my arms......
BD
On the plus side, you can give yourself a great B-I-G hug...
I was thinking, Bob, if you take a codename based on your new outfit and call yourself Whitejacket, would you be a normal-sized figure or a special?
Word verification is "photte". Cool. A Scots accent!
I'm actually more of a Mega-size really....
BD
You saucy devil! And to think we complained about the tacky "Fanny or Tranny" competition that Mad Thinker proposed.
Ahh...Good old British smut, nothing quite like it...it's what made us great!
Anyway...to talk about comics for a minute or two...
A few posts ago I asked everyone what great/ 'Classic' stories had come out of Marvel in the last 10 or so years. I was thinking more of the standard/ normal-type storyline rather than the 'blockbuster maga-bucks crossovers'.
There was some response from you Rob, and a few others, but I'd still like to hear from the assembled fan-base we have here, on what they consider the Marvel Masterpieces have been of late.
For instance,
I was thinking about the contrast in style, writing, artwork, team dynamic etc between the Avengers reboot under Busiek/ Perez from about 8 yrs ago, compared to The whole Avengers Disassembled/ New Avengers etc etc thing with Bendis at the helm.
To me, although it is still comparatively recent in Marvel history, The Busiek/ Perez run was responsible for a string of classics-
The Morgana Le Fay Epic (where they all get changed into Dark Age versions of themselves)
The Ultron Story, where he wipes out a small country and has an amazing knock-down, drag-out fight with Hank Pym.
The Kang/ Master of the World/ Scarlet Centurion/ Washington gets destroyed Epic.
and The 12 part Avengers Forever saga. A Masterpiece.
Now, I've found everything since very interesting, different and perhaps a little more adult in theme etc.
However..I don't think it has been as good (for me at least) as the stuff that was just before. They had a real Classic Avenger vibe going on, which i think the stories since have lacked.
Comments from other Avenger fans out there?
BD- 'The Whitejacket'
I thought Mark Miller's run on Marvel Knights Spider-Man truly felt epic to me. The balancing of all those power players, to match each individuals tone. A great story. Connecting stongly to continuity before and after (This depicts Norman Osborne JUST after being sent to jail, and this is the story where Eddie Brock finally turns things around and Gargan gets the symbiote, a story piece that's still holding.)
The only flaw, I felt, was the lack of that epic fight that everyone wanted to see between Spidey's biggest foes, GG and Ock. But damn if some of those moments weren't astounding!
Still no update. How busy are you guys? I'll gladly take over the blog if you want to send pics my way. ;)
Anyway, what do you guys do with your collection? What sort of collector are you?
Do you just open everything and display the figurines on a shelf?
Do you open the packet but leave the figurine in its box?
Or do you leave everything unopened to be as mint as possible?
I just open everything. I enjoy reading the mag and displaying the figurines on my shelves.
what's that ? bob diamond + robert the same person ? never !!
and i thought that i was mad , but talking to yourself ? that really does take the biscuit !!
LAway, i have left my figs in the boxes for safety, but i open and read the mags and i put the figs on 5 shelves stacked on top of each other (need another shelf now though). how do people display there figs? i.e. number order, by favourite, by team?
i put mine into 5 catergories
Villains,
X-Men (have ther own shelf 'cos there so damn many of them),
Avengers and FF4,
MU Elite (everyone who scores more than 2 sevens in powers),
Everyone else.
very basic i know but can you imagine how many different teams and displays you could come up with, makes my head hurt.
I have a shelf of fave characters and megas.
A shelf for xmen...there are so many.
A shelf for spiderman related characters, quite a few there too.
All other figures are behind the spidey figures or on their own shelf as they dont look that good.
All the better looking sculpts brought to the front, everything else at the back.
UPDATE!!!! IM DYING HERE!
I painted a beyonder backgroung and and filled a shelf with about 50 random Marvel and DC figs a kinda marvel/DC secret wars bigass crossover type theme. I try not to do anal, can't be arsed dividing them into teams ,affiliations , powers etc etc
I think i will give the next shelf full a civil war theme
"I don't do anal, i can't be arsed"
Graham Norton eat yer heart out :)
Ted...er...
theres a difference from BEING anal and DOING it...
whatever helps deciding what goes on your shelves I guess. :P
Are you jealous because we were discussing comicbooks, Mad Thinker? You must feel really out of it when we mention storylines and characters and creators and, well, anything that would demand some knowledge of where the figurines actually come from. God forbid, you ever found yourself in a comic shop or at a mart. You might actually read one!!
Probably best you don't, though, just to be on the safe side. You have the intellectual capacity of a tupperware dish and reading a comic might break something in the old noggin.
Displaying these wonderful items is getting a little difficult- at the moment.
I've got 2 Ikea glass cabinets full of 'em, but then I do collect (boo, hiss etc. ) the DC line as well...
At the moment they are basically displayed like this:
FF and Cosmics together.
X-Men Bad Guys and General Bad Guys sharing an area.
Spidey and his Rogues Gallery together.
Street types/Marvel Knights.
Horror (quite small group)
Avengers- obviously.
X-Men.
Defenders.
Loners!
Alternative Paint Jobs.
Batman, friends and foes.
justice League
DC odds n sods
I think that's about it...
Anyway, Mad Thinker-
Where exactly did this occurence happen where Rob, me or possibly both of us were/ was talking to ourselves??
You are indeed, truely and correctly named Sir!
BD
PS. Word Verification:- brule !!
Robert E Howard Fans must surely remember King Kull's faithful side-kick, Brule The Spear-carrier?
Bob, my figures are along the front edges of shelves lined with comics and Masterworks. (Mad Thinker: Masterworks are reprints of old comics. And comics are stories told with pictures and words printed onto paper.) The Avengers are together, FF, X-Men (surprised?), Spidey villains and misc. villains. I never had to sort them as I just placed themed characters together as I got them. However, I recently started a "Gods and Deities" selection with Thor, Loki, Herc, Enchantress, Dormammu, Mephisto and Ikaris. It looks pretty good. And will look even better when I get Balder and Sif!
Bob, just reread a previous post of yours about classic stories. I completely agree that the Heroes Return stuff, especially the Avengers was very good; you are right to say the Ultron and Kang stories were highlights of the Busiek-Perez run. You're also right to applaud Avengers Forever; it is brilliantly detailed and probably no one but Busiek (or maybe Stern) could have pulled off such an ambitious tale. And I'm reminded of your admiration of Starlin's Warlock and other issues from past posts.
What I'm leading up to is this: you said some time back that you hadn't read the Simonson Thors. Our tastes are very similar and of all the 1000s of comics I've read I consider Simonson's Thors to be equalled only by Starlin's early Warlocks. It's that good. You really should get your hands on the TPs.
Hey Bob and Rob;All your talk about great comic stories past and present activated my nostalgic Norse spirit,and I started to dig up my old Thor collection and have begun to re-read them once again. To tell the truth some of the very early issues seem quite lame or silly right now,but I know things will start to pick up steam and depth as I move onward. I can hardly wait till I reach the Neil Addams' and the Simonson's eras. I'm also re-reading my Avengers collection.
As for how I display my figurine collection LAWay(how do you pronounce your nom de guerre)I vary it from time to time in order to keep it interesting. Sometimes I arrange them by teams or groups. Other times villains on one side heroes on the other. I also enjoy placing all of The Avengers figurines in front of their corresponding Bowen Designs Bust!
I'll soon have a couple of custom designed display shelves finished where they will be stored in all their glory.
Ahh, the power of advertising, or in this case well-informed recommendation...
You see Rob, I've just invested my hard-earned shekels(?) on the first 3 volumes of 'Thor Visionaires- Walter Simonson', due to your passionate backing of this legendary run.
Might take a few weeks to arrive from FP (1/3rd off BTW), but they should be well worth waiting for!
Hi Thor8- are those original copies of the Neal Adams' Thors you have? Must be worth a bob or two...
Now to a few 'Bronze-Age' recommendations of my own...
Deathlok The Demolisher (Astonishing Tales) by Rich Buckler- an excellent on-going saga and very much before it's time.
Manwolf/ Stargod from Creatures on the Loose and Marvel Premiere. One of the best space-opera dramas ever, with excellent art from George Perez. A true 'lost' classic.
The Project Pegasus saga from MTIO with The Thing, Giantman(BF), Deathlok, The Aquarian etc. Epic 70's at it's best!
Killraven from Amazing Adventures. Outstanding art- P. Craig Russell and others, and again, way before it's time. 'Adult without trying to be adult'- like a lot of the best stuff from the 70s.
Anyway, enough nostalgia for now..
Goodnight,
BD
My name is Leigh.
My user name is simply my initials.
L. A. Way
Simple as that.
Wow, i miss coming on the blog for a few days and a whole bunch of great topics come up. Forgive me because i'm going to bring up a few topics from awhile back.
KIRLIANEYES (cool name by the way) asked if the comics we collect matches the figurines we want to see produced (sorry if my paraprharsing is incorrect)
Absolutely, but since i collect a wide variety of Marvel Comics i have a wide variety of wants. Aesthetics have very little to do with who i'd like to see make the collection (although that may be why i started to like the character in the first place). I try not to use aesthetics as a reason for inclusion because it is subjective from person to person. Take the Beyonder for example, i've heard lots of people say he wouldn't look good in one way or another (which i disagree with), but i think he should make the collection based on his history and significance. The Secret Wars was a blockbuster event that for the first time brought together a larger collection of super heroes and super villains than had ever been done before (correct me if i'm wrong), and the Beyonder was the catalyst. Even though i don't think it was particulary good, i still recognize it's impact. Without it i don't think we'd have all the big crossover events that we do nowdays, not to mention black costume Spidey (which leads to Venom, Carnage and so on), Julia Carpenter, Titania...
Any villain /hero who is the catalyst for a giant crossover i think deserves to be made (High Evolutionary and Onslaught to name a couple). I would prefer characters like Hammerhead, Marrow or Yondu and i think they'd probably make better looking figs than the Beyonder, but i can't say they are more deserving. There's probably about 50 characters i want ahead of the Beyonder but if/when he finally does get confirmed i will be very happy. The same goes for Photon, even though i hate the character, i think she has the history and significance to warrant inclusion (i think she's a lock to get in from the polls if EM doesn't include her, just look at how many people bring her up)
I've never been bothered by the price of the figurines. As a matter of fact i was at Toys R Us the other day and was looking at the Super Hero Squad toys and noticed they cost pretty much the same amount as the CMFC, the difference in quality is astounding. I'm quite happy with the quality we receive in comparison to the price. If Specials/double packs come in slightly higher i have no problem paying the difference.
Which leads me to my third point. If specials of any size come out 4-5 times per year, i cannot support double packs of two regular size figs with a few exceptions. Simply because there are so many great Special size characters left. My view on this might change once we get about 20 more regular and mega size specials. I do like when they include a larger character with a regular or smaller character because it's like getting the best of both worlds (as long as there is a connection between the 2). At present i'm very happy with each of the doublepacks EM has released, and am a little surprised they didn't sell better. However, i would love to see Northstar and Aurora together, but would be just as happy if they were both in the regular lineup (preferably in succesion of one another and released together). If multipacks are not a feasable idea at this point i think EM could use a simular approach for the Warriors Three. Include Hogun and Fandral in the regular lineup and Volstagg as a Special, just plan ahead so they all get released together (i think they could easily fill 3 mags, what do you guys think?)
As far as artists go most of my favs have been mentioned with a few exceptions. I don't remember anyone mentioning Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby and some more recent ones like Mark Bagley and Stever McNiven (forgive me if i'm wrong).
Sins Past was amazing who knew Marvel could destroy one of their most beloved characters reps in only 6 issues. I remember at the time considering taking out a hit on Straczynski for this atrocity. Damn you all for bringing this up, it was almost completely out of my memory where it belongs...lol
Civil War on the other hand i thought was amazing. I honestly cannot remember the last time i was that excited while reading comics. Although, i have to admit with the return of Cap (which we all knew would happen at some point, and was way too soon imo, which led to me cancelling Captain America) and Spidey's reveal to the world never actually happening. I can't help but feel this epic has been cheapened somewhat.
I've been on a bit of a Thor kick lately, in honour of such an event. I give you my Top ten Asgardians yet to be immortalized in lead, and the order i want them in.
1) Odin
2) Hela
3) Heimdall
4) Executioner
5) Volstagg
6) Hogun
7) Fandrall
8) Destroyer
9) Ymir
10) Tyr
With honourable mentions to: Surtur, Ulik, Lorelei, Kurse, Bor and Fenris (i'm sure i'm forgetting a few)
Notice how many would need to be Specials, and this is only for Thor...lol
Sorry for my novel of a post
You won't regret it, Bob. (I have to admit on first look back in the 1980s I was undecided. Growing up on the Buscema brothers etc., Simonson's style was very different. It didn't take long to love it, though.)
As for the Neal Adams' Thors, you can pick them up for £10-£15 each in very good condition. Not as bad as you'd think, eh, Bob?
P.S. I read the Deathlok issues in Masterwork form recently, and reread the Project Pegasus stuff, too, a couple of months back (I have all but the first half dozen MTIOs). Not convinced it's as good as the other comicbooks you mentioned in a previous post.
i'll join Bullseye81 in some Thor appreciation (i was gonna say Thor lovin but thats just ammo for Deadpool) my top 10 in fav order
1- Odin (of course the Big Daddy)
2- Hela (female worthy of special)
3- Heimdall (Great character)
4\
5- Warriors 3 (Triple pack)
6/
7- Destroyer (Awsome Sculpt)
8- Surtur (Mega special)
9- Skurge (Enchantress needs him)
10- Ulik or Mangog
i would have included Bor, but i already have him HEHEHE
PA
hey Bullseye81, just to clarify, I am the biggest supporter of the criteria of SIGNIFICANCE. Like I said in previous posts, I see the CMFC as a veritable study on the Marvel Universe, in fact the best such study ever attempted. While of course I enjoy Marvel comics as a form of entertainment, I also see the MU as a mythos of great artistic, literary and philosophical importance in modern culture.
In my post on FIGURINE CHOICES vs. COMIC BOOK CHOICES, I wanted to understand the point of view of collectors who buy a figurine if the character is in a comic series they buy, and who are unwilling to buy characters who appear in comics they don't buy. My view is that every Marvel character is amazing - for the idea that it embodies, and for its design (the visual manifestation of the idea).
If the character has not appeared in great stories, it's a separate matter. It's a matter of storytelling and character development, popularity trends, marketing push, etc.
You may not read the Eternals, for example. The fact remains that Ajak is an amazing character, the idea being that he is the living conduit between Celestials and Eternals. As such, I'd like him to be in the CMFC. For those who don't like or read the Eternals, my point was then purely aesthetic: they still make awesome figurines! Let's have them as soon as possible!
PS. My word verification is 'squali', which is Italian for sharks.
roberto darling , that comment was rude and uncalled for.
how dare you assume that i have the intellectual capacity of a tupperware dish !!
you know nothing about me , so how dare you make comments like that about me.
i could slag you off right now , but i'm not going to sink to your level.
just wanted to let you know that i am not happy about the way you treat me.
anyway , now i've got that off of my chest - time for a new game.
which marvel character/s or teams would you like to see brought to the big screen as a movie with real life actors/actresses ?
we've had x-men 1,2,3
wolverine
punisher x3 movies
daredevil
elektra
man thing
fantastic four 1+2
iron man 1+2
hulk 1+2
blade 1+2+3
am i forgetting any ?
on the way =
spiderman 4
magneto
captain america
ant man
thor
avengers
here's my ideas :
wolverine 2 featuring alpha flight.
silver surfer in his own movie.
x men 4 - age of apocolypse.
namor - submariner.
doctor strange.
hulk 3 with characters like she-hulk + doc samson + absorbing man being included.
fantastic four 3 with the inhumans included.
ideas anyone ?
@MadThinker
Like the Marvel Figurine Collection, not every character or team needs to be made into a movie. (see how I keep linking back to old arguments? :P)
That being said, not so much based of characters but films based off classic stories in Marvel universe. I know with characters tied to different studios its difficult, but thats what I would like to see.
Some comics and story arcs act out like mini movies that hollywood should just rip them off instead of trying to come up with their own lackluster ideas.
There was talk a while back about an Iron Fist movie starring Ray (Darth Maul) Park, which would be cool. If you haven't seen the Man-Thing one (which I picked up on DVD for £2) don't bother as it's pants.
see, i had no interest, like many, in man-thing, so not surprised it sucked. Also, Ray Park as Iron Fist. I remember those talks, and hopefully his appearance in heroes has killed that project.
The man cant act and doesnt do enough cool stuff. he is short and stocky, not how iron fist is at all. They have to be lean.
To be honest, I am not interested in an Iron Fist movie either, but I havent read his comics. Meant to read the ones by the guys who made daredevil a success, but never got around to it.
Mad Thinker, I reread my previous post and, even though I was responding to another accusation from you that I suffer from some sort of identity problem, I have decided to withdraw my previous comment. I accept that I was wrong to say what I did and issue an unreserved apology for my comment. It was wrong, inaccurate and I was mistaken. What I should have said was that you have the intellectual capacity of a toilet brush.
P.S. Please decide on which side of the fence your feelings for me lie. Honestly, you send out such mixed signals. One minute I'm your "nemesis", the next you're making kissy faces and calling me "darling". I'd like to help but I'm busy, my wife is the jealous type and, anyway, there's professionals only a phone call away. Just call the appropriate Helpline and you'll get all the support you need to overcome the obvious mental and emotional difficulties you have in your life.
i'm not even going to respond to those remarks.
i'm getting tired of Robert's bully tactics so i don't think i'll be on here again.
shame really , cos although i may not read comics i should still be allowed to express my views and ideas on here.
bye folks
Isnt it obvious? Robert is infact The Mad Thinker.
Makes perfect sense.
Rob,
You really shouldn't be so hard on The Mad One, as he is after all quite.. er, Mad, AND he has come up with a new game to play- which is a big improvement on 'Trannies and Fannies'
(ahh...Trannies and Fannies...I wipe a nostalgic tear from the corner of my eye...)
Anyway...Marvel Movies that I'd like to see...
SHIELD - done big budget this time. It would be COOL!!
Killraven/ War of The Worlds. Marvel-style Post-Apocalyptic = Mind-blowing!!
Shang-Chi MOKF. MI6/ Fu-Manchu...what's not to love??!
Planet Hulk -I know they made a cartoon of this already, but as live action, this would be EPIC.
Barry BD
PS. I loved the last Punisher movie, dispite the panning it got from the critics. Recommended.
i'm hoping the runaways movie is still in the pipeline. last i heard there's a tentative 2011 release with joss whedon directing
I think SHIELD is getting made. Sam L Jackson was contracted for like 8 films...and 1 of them is Nick Fury/SHIELD based.
Like I said, base the films off comics and story arcs. I think they are too caught up in making trilogies and continuous storylines, when they could be like James Bond and change the actor and make them unrelated to each other in narrative.
one last comment before i depart :
a tv series would be good too
i'd love to see a spiderman series with all the different characters he's done battle with included.
even if they used the 90's animated series and just recreated episodes using real people.
imagine seeing the likes of -vulture , hydroman , kraven , tombstone , rhino , shocker etc brought to life using real actors.
it would be great to see all of the spidey villains included over the course of many episodes.
that would be so cool !!
they could do something similar to smallville but use marvel characters instead.
what do you guys think ?
list your tv/film ideas here using your favourite marvel characters !!
bye bye all
@MadThinker
I agree and something I have wanted myself. The cartoons are such well written and laid out stories that often stretched over a couple of episodes that they would make great films.
I also think Spiderman would make a great smallville. He is in school, so you have the school angst and relationships which save budget, and now and then him struggling with being spiderman. It would be great.
and as the next series of smallville is likely the last then there's an ideal gap in the tv scheduling
LAWay, in a weird sort of way I love the idea that you are right (that I'm the Mad Thinker) and that Mad Thinker is also right (by saying that I'm Bob).
If true, it would mean I was agreeing with myself (as Bob and Rob), then arguing with myself (as Rob and MT), then telling myself not to be so hard on myself (as Bob and Rob), then refusing to come on here to argue with myself (as MT and Rob)! Actually, that's pretty much what Slapstick and Mad Thinker were doing a while ago...
Anyhoo, I don't believe for a minute that MT has gone. He'll definitely come back, possibly as alias number 4, or is it 5?
Mr. Smith, you deserve some sort of award for the Eaglemoss Investigations comment a few weeks ago. I think you should stay but, as you will think that is some sort of reverse pyschology, I wonder if I should tell you to go?
Arrrrrgh! Who mentioned the Man-Thing movie? only Elektra keeps that beauty from the " biggest load of shite ever made,EVER! award"
Deathlok was and is one of the best things mMrvel did in the seventies Rich Bucklers art was fabulous this was a decade before Robopoops , Sperminators etc. Not remotely interested in him now . The original is so good they should have left well enough alone. Ab it like that truly awful "Prisoner" remake on itv
Rocket Raccoon is awesome.
That is all.
Other Marvel Films that would look cool and awe-inspiring would be those where CGI could be used effectively in backgrounds etc.
EG. a film set in the Savage Land- not necessarily a Ka-Zar movie, cold be X-Men or even Ironman...as long as there's basically loads of dinosaurs!
Wakanda also has dinosaurs and amazing sites etc, so a Black Panther movie would be great if done well...(just copy the 'Jungle Action' saga from the 70s- can't get better than that.)
The Eternals might work as a movie- wonderful costumes, cities, the Uni-Mind effect and of course...CELESTIALS!!
I'd personally love to see a TV series of the old 70s 'Skull The Slayer' comic- it would make an excellent mini-series- The Bermuda Triangle, Dinosaurs (I like Dinosaurs!), Robot Black Knights, Aliens =Brilliant!
BD
Ps...and of course we could have the Marvel answer to 'Sex and the City'- 'Trannies or Fannies'!, where every week She-Hulk and her up-town super-powered girl-friends have to decide if they are...Tranny or..Fanny!! Much hilarity ensues etc....
John, you were talking about Mark Millar a few days back and I thought I'd pass on a story my wife told me tonight.
I won't go into specifics for obvious reasons, but Mark Millar's daughter attends a school not far from me. As part of a story-telling week, Mark Millar went in and spoke to the children in his daughter's school. How cool is that? He always comes across well in interviews and it seems he really is as nice as he seems on telly and internet interviews.
I wonder if he told them about Kick-Ass? Hmm. Probably not...
Hopefully, last game before a post on Friday from Rich...
Recommended reading this summer.
1. Black Panther Masterwork (reprints the classic Jungle Action issues)
2. Thor: If Asgard Should Perish TP (reprints classic Thor & Warriors Three vs Time Twisters)
3. Stainless Steel Rat TP (not Marvel but wonderful; if you don't know who Carlos Ezquerra is, have a look)
4. Harlem Heroes TP (not Marvel but very, very good)
Would be interested what the likes of Bob, Ted, Thor8, PA, SinisterVenom, Gremlin, CBRBeast, Jacadoo, etc. would recommend. You guys all know your stuff and any recommendations would be welcome.
Have you read Millar's newest work Nemesis I think its called.
I think the plan was to get it straight into a movie when the comic is done, but its pretty damn brutal.
Robert is also me. Or I am him.
[Incoming transmission from Deadpool .... not him but some words from him]
He was just told about some required reading for the summer that either Law or Robert suggested.
The Deadpool required reading list is: -
Breakheart Pass - Alistair Maclean
The Gor series of books by John
Norman - they would make some great films - DP loves the idea of the slave girls but I am not overly impressed.
The Elric books by Michael Moorcock and if you like those then look at Corum and Hawkmoon too.
I personally like the David Eddings fantasy books and Dean Koontz.
All of the Elric characters would make a great figure collection in their own right.
DP also likes Judge Dredd too which would make great figures too.
This is the Shi-Devil signing out after catching up on another one of Deadpool's many chores ... sigh.
[End of Deadpool transmission for today]
Reading material? Hmmm...
Well, 5 Comics You Should Be Reading:
1. Atlas - Jeff Parker's continuing series featuring classic Timely/Atlas characters from before it became Marvel. One of the best books on the market right now. And hopefully one day we'll see characters from it in the CMFC line. Gorilla Man and M-11: The Human Robot especially.
2. X-Men Forever - I have been increasingly turned off by the current X-Books. Most of the characters I used to love have become unlikeable shells of their former selves. This book, written by Claremont, picks up after X-Men #3 in 1991 and is actually entertaining with likeable X-Men.
3. Secret Avengers - While Bendis does an ok Avengers book, Brubaker's Secret Avengers looks to be headed in the right direction. The cast is interesting and the storylines look to be interesting. Plus it rescued Beast from the X-Ghetto and Fuhrer Cyclops. So that's a good thing.
4. Thunderbolts - Yeah, it's another Jeff Parker book. But he's really been doing some great stuff with the book. And the new 'Heroic Age' team with Ghost, Juggernaut, Moonstone, Crossbones, and Man-Thing is awesome so far. Plus it has a non-Bendis written Luke Cage. So yeah, it's just cool all around. We really need Ghost in the CMFC.
5. Gorilla Man (Mini-Series) - My last suggestion was a tough one. So many books I read, but so few that really are remarkable and worth mentioning. And yep, it's another Jeff Parker book. But Gorilla Man is the best member of the Agents of Atlas, and this Miniseries is really looking fantastic so far. So can't wait.
Honorable Mention to Guardians Of The Galaxy. Hopefully it will return after the whole Thanos Imperative crossover wraps up. And hopefully the rumors of Loeb writing the cosmic titles is just that, an unfounded rumor.
Reading material? Hmmm...
Well, 5 Comics You Should Be Reading:
1. Atlas - Jeff Parker's continuing series featuring classic Timely/Atlas characters from before it became Marvel. One of the best books on the market right now. And hopefully one day we'll see characters from it in the CMFC line. Gorilla Man and M-11: The Human Robot especially.
2. X-Men Forever - I have been increasingly turned off by the current X-Books. Most of the characters I used to love have become unlikeable shells of their former selves. This book, written by Claremont, picks up after X-Men #3 in 1991 and is actually entertaining with likeable X-Men.
3. Secret Avengers - While Bendis does an ok Avengers book, Brubaker's Secret Avengers looks to be headed in the right direction. The cast is interesting and the storylines look to be interesting. Plus it rescued Beast from the X-Ghetto and Fuhrer Cyclops. So that's a good thing.
4. Thunderbolts - Yeah, it's another Jeff Parker book. But he's really been doing some great stuff with the book. And the new 'Heroic Age' team with Ghost, Juggernaut, Moonstone, Crossbones, and Man-Thing is awesome so far. Plus it has a non-Bendis written Luke Cage. So yeah, it's just cool all around. We really need Ghost in the CMFC.
5. Gorilla Man (Mini-Series) - My last suggestion was a tough one. So many books I read, but so few that really are remarkable and worth mentioning. And yep, it's another Jeff Parker book. But Gorilla Man is the best member of the Agents of Atlas, and this Miniseries is really looking fantastic so far. So can't wait.
Honorable Mention to Guardians Of The Galaxy. Hopefully it will return after the whole Thanos Imperative crossover wraps up. And hopefully the rumors of Loeb writing the cosmic titles is just that, an unfounded rumor.
Recommended reading list....here are some non-Marvel gems:
DC's Suicide Squad-
A truely outstanding Classic run.
DC's Secret Six-
The current version. Some of the best characterisation in comics today.
The Fabulous Furry Freak Bros. TP
This seems fresh every time it's read - amazing stuff.
Dynamite's The Boys-
Garth Ennis's best work at the moment.
Blast from the past time-
DC's 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' TP.
They keep trying to match this, but never get close .('Final Crisis' was bollocks!). Still an amazingly complex piece, without getting confusing or tedious. Wolfman/ Perez at their best.
That's it for now...
Goodnight,
BD
DC Sucks! :D
Thanks, guys, for your suggestions. I was impressed and excited by the TPs coming out this summer and that's why I asked. All four on my list are out soon.
Intrigued by CBRBeast's list as I don't read any on it expect for Secret Avengers (which is off to a good start; Brubaker's writing is much better than Bendis', in my humble opinion). Wish I had more money and more space so I could read everything Marvel bring out...
Also glad to see CBRBeast boo Not Brand Echh. And I have to agree with your lack of enthusuasim with Bendis and misgivings about Loeb, CBRBeast. I have yet to read anything by Loeb I liked, and that includes the Heroes Reborn debacle back in, what, '96? The mess in the Hulk titles at the moment is beyond belief, too. Easily one of the worst car crashes in a Marvel comic that I have ever seen.
As for you, Bob: a DC list? I can't belive you have done this to your family. After all we have done for you. You have broken your poor mother's heart. Please just take your jacket and go. I disown you. Don't come back. I have no son.
Post a Comment