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orangeboxen · 08-21-2011, 08:07 AM

(08-21-2011 02:38 AM)Sorano Wrote: I just finished reading Ex Machina. And hum, wow, just wow.

Simply put: I could not have predicted anything resembling what I saw. It is just perplexing from both plot and just pure storytelling perspective.

I think I'll have to re-read the entire series to wrap my head around it.

I think, much like 30 Rock, that Ex Machina will lose its punch very quickly. The political issues some arcs hinge on could be interesting in years to come as a mid 00's snapshot, but the finale in particular will lose a lot of resonance in a few years.

Having said that, I love the political-super genre they played in and I think Tony Harris is fantastic. I've only read Y,Ex Machina and that Wolverine mini so I've yet to meet a Vaughn comic I didn't like.

**Koltreg** · 08-21-2011, 08:34 AM

I finished reading
Ultimate Spider-man and Ultimate X-men and Ultimatum.

Spider-man is an almost perfectly solid run that shows the benefit of having one talented writer on a series. The Kingpin might be one of the best characters in the series playing this intense game of morality and I sort of sided with his mafia rule.
X-men meanwhile also had some really cool stuff. The worst of it though was the last writer before Ultimatum after Kirkman (though Kirkman started to falter too at the end killing off Apocalypse in an instant). Aron Coeleite though, I'd be happy to never read something by him again. I mean Ultimatum was bad but the last writer on the series seriously almost made me stop reading. Also, Pyro was the best character in the series and they turned Bishop into Shepherd Book. Yes.

In the end, Ultimatum was a story about suffering when it should have been a story about heroes. That's why I read comics, to see people doing what is right. Sure they can't always win but that sort of inanity to the loses, that glorification of pointless destruction had less meaning behind it than anything.
Also they killed off Nightcrawler. :|

winnr · 08-21-2011, 12:34 PM

(08-21-2011 08:34 AM)Koltreg Wrote: Ultimate Spider-man is an almost perfectly solid run that shows the benefit of having one talented writer on a series.

I am such a huge fan of Ultimate Spider-Man. A lot of Bendis' stuff is hit or miss for me, particularly his Avengers/Marvel U stuff, but Ultimate Spider-Man is incredible. And it really isn't perfect either, it has it's slumps, it has it's flaws, but I'll stick with it until the very end. Ultimate Peter Parker is probably the fictional character I care about the most, followed by Scott Pilgrim, and his supporting cast is just incredible. As fantastic as this book is, there's almost always a better book on the stands but it's still my favourite.

And I'm really excited that they've brought Hickman in to do Ultimates and Spencer for X-Men (even though his Marvel stuff has been pretty disappointing, especially coming off of Morning Glories and Jimmy Olsen), but I think he can maybe bring it back with X-Men. I'm really excited about this new Ultimate Universe.

**BIGREDROBOT** · 08-21-2011, 01:11 PM

Just scored the Essential Howard the Duck collection. So I'll be re-reading that like a mammajamma.

**Koltreg** · 08-21-2011, 01:13 PM

I am reading through Morrison's new X-men and there is some interesting stuff going on but I am really not caring for it. I mean it has the pieces that X-men have but it feels weird and disjointed.
On the other hand, Fantomex.

**BIGREDROBOT** · 08-21-2011, 03:43 PM

(08-21-2011 01:13 PM)Koltreg Wrote: I am reading through Morrison's new X-men and there is some interesting stuff going on but I am really not caring for it. I mean it has the pieces that X-men have but it feels weird and disjointed.
On the other hand, Fantomex.

Koltreg: Wrongest wronger in Wrongville, ladies & gents.

**Koltreg** · 08-21-2011, 03:47 PM

(08-21-2011 03:43 PM)bigredrobot Wrote:
(08-21-2011 01:13 PM)Koltreg Wrote: I am reading through Morrison's new X-men and there is some interesting stuff going on but I am really not caring for it. I mean it has the pieces that X-men have but it feels weird and disjointed.
On the other hand, Fantomex.

Koltreg: Wrongest wronger in Wrongville, ladies & gents.

It isn't as fun as Morrison's other stuff to me though I am getting off reading Ultimate X-men.

winnr · 08-21-2011, 06:42 PM

(08-21-2011 03:47 PM)Koltreg Wrote:
(08-21-2011 03:43 PM)bigredrobot Wrote:
(08-21-2011 01:13 PM)Koltreg Wrote: I am reading through Morrison's new X-men and there is some interesting stuff going on but I am really not caring for it. I mean it has the pieces that X-men have but it feels weird and disjointed.
On the other hand, Fantomex.

Koltreg: Wrongest wronger in Wrongville, ladies & gents.

It isn't as fun as Morrison's other stuff to me though I am getting off reading Ultimate X-men.

Whedon's Astonishing is my favourite X-book by far, and Morrison's New X-Men is the only X-book that came close to it for me. Remender's Uncanny X-Force has cemented itself in third place with the Dark Angel Saga.

My only problem with New X-Men is the inconsistent art after Quitely leaves the book. There are some horrific shots of Emma in those comics.

themonkeybar · 08-22-2011, 10:47 AM

I found Morrison's X-men run recycled a lot of ideas from previous X-men arcs adding his usual spin on things as he went. I absolutely love how he handled Jean and really let her blossom which I think is why I was so disappointed with how lack-lustre the ending to that character arc was. It seemed very much like he wanted to make his mark before he left but he just couldn't be bothered putting any effort into it.

Whedon's run, however, left me completely cold. The best arc was Torn and he interrupted that to go back to that ridiculous alien plot, ending it with the most hideous idea I've ever seen in a comic. >_< For me his run is entirely over rated. I wish it could have all been like Torn but he seemed distracted with 'cool' ideas that seem more laughable the more you think about them.

Aside from all that, I really want to catch up on Hellboy and have to finish reading Ex Machina. I might also reread Abnett and Lanning's entire run on Legion because IMO it's the best run on a superhero team book by any creative teams. It's just fun with big ideas and big pay offs but gets little or no love from DC and should really, really be available for all to enjoy in trades.

jason1749 · 08-22-2011, 10:55 AM

(08-21-2011 03:43 PM)bigredrobot Wrote:
(08-21-2011 01:13 PM)Koltreg Wrote: I am reading through Morrison's new X-men and there is some interesting stuff going on but I am really not caring for it. I mean it has the pieces that X-men have but it feels weird and disjointed.
On the other hand, Fantomex.

Koltreg: Wrongest wronger in Wrongville, ladies & gents.

A lot of Morrison's run felt like ideas he had for The Invisibles that he shoe-horned the X-Men into. On top of that, inconsistent art stopped it from being a favorite. There's flashes of greatness there, but that's about it for me.