Transformers is a property that, surprisingly, hasn't been mined too often here at McSoss. That's about to change. Prepare over the next couple weeks for some Transformers content. Does this have anything to do with the introduction of Dinobots in Michael Bay's Transformers 4? No, it does not.
Michael Bay's Transformers movies are so sacreligious to us here at McSoss that we barely broach the subject of them in the strips, podcast or just general talk amongst us. They've been defiled so thoroughly, they are unrecognizable husks of what we love.
So, Dinobots in Transformers 4? No, we don't care, and no, we still won't see it. But if you propose a Generation 1 Transformers and Scooby-Doo team-up? Yes. I am 100% interested.
-Gint
Ah nothing like a quick 2-book week. Easy on the reviewer and easy on the wallet.
Second Place:
X-Men #10
Seems the only constant on this book is writer Brian Wood. There are two different artists on this issue, Kristopher Anka and someone whose last name is Mann. Marvel apparently didn't find him important enough to put his full name in the book.
The confusion around this issue is the giant #1 on the cover, that denotes the first issue of this ARC. The book picks up right after last issue's cliffhanger, so... I don't really know what Marvel thinks their pulling these days.
I still like the story and Kristopher Anka's art was good. He's not Terry Dodson. He's got a little hint of John Romita, Jr. in him. The mysterious Mann's art was much more interesting though a huge departure from the Dodson's style. A shame because he only got to draw 5 pages.
First Place:
Forever Evil #5
What a great event this has been. Geoff Johns and David Finch get me more invested with each issue. How they write Sinestro into the book isn't even that far out of left field. It makes sense if you want it to.
I believe if these characters are written properly, its not hard to hear Kevin Conroy in Batman's word balloons, or Clancy Brown's in Lex Luthor's. Johns knows how these characters are supposed to talk. Dialog, cadence and all. A pleasant surprise is hearing Manu Bennett's (Slade from Arrow) voice when I read Deathstroke. The actor has apparently left a mark on my comic psyche.
This book has been great, almost in spite of artist David Finch, who has been all over the board with this series. Some panels will be impeccable, followed by one that looks like he drew it blindfolded... with his foot. But when he nails it, he nails it. And he's nailed it enough for this to be my the most enjoyable DC event in a long time.
Panel of the Week:
An interesting choice by David Finch to just show a sliver of the side of Batman's head here. I think this space could have been used better. Armchair Quarterback. I know.
-Gint
Acceptance is a rare bird. Acceptance of adapted comic book properties is an even rarer bird. I'd like to think that someday I'll have the moral fiber to not lose my shit over a beloved property of mine being adapted to movies or TV.
Arrow has been outstanding. The Walking Dead, for its ups and down, continues to bring me back week after week. Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and a Seth Rogen-produced Preacher on AMC? Lord give me strength.
I came to my own strange acceptance over some properties right around the time I was reading this post about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The author, Tom Lynch, would prefer all of the disparate Ninja Turtles variations to all line up into one cohesive universe. While that's an ambitious dream, its highly unlikely. The same goes for most properties. The Superman you read in the comics will be different from Henry Cavill in Man of Steel who will be different from whatever DC Animated Universe title currently out there.
There are so many different creators who have different visions that its healthier for us all to look upon a new take and say, "lets see what this creator does with the property," while still appreciating your own personal favorite.
Until we get to write the properties, none of it will be perfect. (Except Batman: The Animated Series of course.)
-Gint
