Couple more years need to go by...this is our first anniversary.
Completely off-topic: I was talking with the dude at my comic shop today about Captain Britain's cancellation. His words: "I'm not surprised, you were the only one buying it here, pretty much". I'm also apparently the only customer all day to NOT buy Blackest Night, confirming my long-standing theory that I'm some sort of freak.
"Final Crisis" #1 was better than "Blackest Night" #1. But Blackest Night was a very good start to a summer event, and it didn't feel like merely 3 1/2 stars to me. It felt like a solid 4.
There's also the context factor. Blackest Night #1 is a 4-star comic right now, compared to what's generally out there for comics in the past few months. Last summer, up against Casanova #14, the last few issues of All-Star Superman, Morrison's Batman, and Final Crisis? Maybe it would have only been 3 1/2 stars then.
I don't know, though. For all of its faults, "Blackest Night" is a lot of fun in its twistedly savage way.
Zombie Elongated Man and Sue Dibny eviscerating the Hawkpeople? That's just summer thrill ride stuff. It's not going to have a whole lot of deep subtextual meaning.
But Zombie Elongated Man and Sue Dibny eviscerating the Hawkpeople pissed me off.
The Hawks died in Final Crisis. That was retconned. Ok, fine, but then they die again right away? That's frustrating.
Is it my fault for believing Johns when he hinted that there would be something on a subtextual level? He's dealing with death. That could've been serious.
You know, I recently saw an interview with Morrison where he said that Johns already did the great blockbuster event with Infinite Crisis. So, he tried something new with Final Crisis. And now we have Johns repeating himself?
Anyway, thanks for talking Tim. I know you're a busy guy.
It seems pretty clear that the Hawks were retconned back to life because Johns had already written this issue. Same thing with Aquaman's retconned death.
What was I thinking, getting married so close to SDCC? Now my anniversary will forever prevent me from going.
ReplyDeleteTime for a divorce!
My anniversary is ALWAYS during San Diego. Does that stop me from going? Nope. Does it make my wife want to punch me in the throat? Nope.
ReplyDeleteI suspect I'm merely a trophy husband for her.
Couple more years need to go by...this is our first anniversary.
ReplyDeleteCompletely off-topic: I was talking with the dude at my comic shop today about Captain Britain's cancellation. His words: "I'm not surprised, you were the only one buying it here, pretty much". I'm also apparently the only customer all day to NOT buy Blackest Night, confirming my long-standing theory that I'm some sort of freak.
Aren't you guy who doesn't like Northlanders?
ReplyDeleteYeah, freak is a good word.
Oh, and don't worry about Blackest Night.
Hey, Tim, what are your thoughts on Blackest Night? Are you as disappointed as I am?
Oh, and thanks for the Kevin Colden recommendation.
ReplyDeleteHe is good.
Our tastes are too similar, Callahan! Which one of us is Asterios and which is Ignazio?
I haven't read Blackest Night yet, since I was out of town on Wednesday. But I'll be getting it today and reviewing it for CBR.
ReplyDeleteOh, good. You know Doug Zawisza gave it five stars?
ReplyDeleteFirst Cry for Justice #1 and now this.
I ... I ... don't understand. If you know where he's going to be, why would you be stalking him????
ReplyDeleteMy puzzler hurts.
I'll see you there! We can talk about your inability to recognize good comics!
Yes! Like Moon Knight!
ReplyDeleteExactly! You're coming around!
ReplyDeleteJust read your Blackest Night review. Four stars? Damn it, Callahan! I was counting on you to bring the fire and brimstone.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've been too harsh, but I still think you were a bit too easy.
And you gave Final Crisis #1 four stars too!? C'mon, that was a better issue, right?
"Final Crisis" #1 was better than "Blackest Night" #1. But Blackest Night was a very good start to a summer event, and it didn't feel like merely 3 1/2 stars to me. It felt like a solid 4.
ReplyDeleteThere's also the context factor. Blackest Night #1 is a 4-star comic right now, compared to what's generally out there for comics in the past few months. Last summer, up against Casanova #14, the last few issues of All-Star Superman, Morrison's Batman, and Final Crisis? Maybe it would have only been 3 1/2 stars then.
I don't know, though. For all of its faults, "Blackest Night" is a lot of fun in its twistedly savage way.
So, it's not just me then? 2008 was a better year for comics? Except for Asterios Polyp! I'll thank you again for that!
ReplyDeleteOk, so Blackest Night is just about fun? Well, then, it's very possible that I will enjoy it more on a second reading.
The expectations are gone and the anger has subsided.
Zombie Elongated Man and Sue Dibny eviscerating the Hawkpeople? That's just summer thrill ride stuff. It's not going to have a whole lot of deep subtextual meaning.
ReplyDeleteBut Zombie Elongated Man and Sue Dibny eviscerating the Hawkpeople pissed me off.
ReplyDeleteThe Hawks died in Final Crisis. That was retconned. Ok, fine, but then they die again right away? That's frustrating.
Is it my fault for believing Johns when he hinted that there would be something on a subtextual level? He's dealing with death. That could've been serious.
You know, I recently saw an interview with Morrison where he said that Johns already did the great blockbuster event with Infinite Crisis. So, he tried something new with Final Crisis. And now we have Johns repeating himself?
Anyway, thanks for talking Tim. I know you're a busy guy.
It seems pretty clear that the Hawks were retconned back to life because Johns had already written this issue. Same thing with Aquaman's retconned death.
ReplyDeleteIt's still a bit upsetting.
ReplyDeleteAnd this happens so often with Morrison's work.