before watchmen – Longbox Review

RandoMonday: Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2

Image January 6, 2014January 5, 2020Eric P. I.Leave a comment

Here’s a comic chosen at random from my collection.

Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2 by Amanda Conner & Darwyn Cooke (w), Amanda Conner (a), Paul Mounts (c), Carlos M. Mangual (l), and Joshua Middleton (cover) (I actually have this cover, but I like the Middleton variant better.)

I really enjoyed this series (and no, I have no desire to get into the whole DC fucked over Moore and Gibbons debate). This issue has Laurie out on her own, away from her domineering mother, but still managing to take after her in her nocturnal Silk Spectre activities. The issue ends with Laurie having been drugged and in the “lair” of the bad guy she was hunting.

This was one of the better Before Watchmen series, mostly because of Cooke’s hand in the storytelling (his Minutemen series was the best of the bunch) and Conner’s art. She can make distinctive looking people and creative panel progression at times, though I got lost at times when the focus was on action sequences (but that may be more my fault than Conner’s). I don’t know if the Silk Spectre costume design was Conner’s (and is much better than the one we see in Watchmen), but she beautifully rendered it in this issue. I’d love to see more comics featuring her as artist.

Podcast Episode 44: Alpha and Omega

March 20, 2013June 17, 2013Eric P. I.Leave a comment

I read some first issues and final issues of some comics, and wanted to share my thoughts about them with you.

Alpha:

Age of Ultron #1
Ame-Comi Girls #1
Helheim #1
Sex #1

Omega:

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #4
Buffy: Willow: Wonderland #5
Superman #17 (H’El on Earth)
Swamp Thing/Animal Man #18 (Rotworld)

Finally, I talk a bit about the Green Lantern and Young Justice finales (and end with a brief discussion with a special guest).

Please send your comments to longboxreview@gmail.com, or leave voicemail at 208-953-1841. You can also visit the Feedback page.

Thanks for listening!

Direct Download (35:29)

What I’m looking forward to on New Comics Wednesday!

November 28, 2012January 4, 2020Eric P. I.Leave a comment

Masks #1 by Chris Roberson and Alex Ross

I’m not usually one to buy a comic just for the art–the story and character is the primary draw. But when Alex Ross is involved with a comic, it’s for the art. I know he’s only painting the first issue, but still, this is a must-buy for me.

Also, Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #4 by Darwyn Cooke & Amanda Conner

While I am enjoying the story quite a bit, this title is also mainly about the beautiful Amanda Conner art.

The rest of what I’m getting this week is listed here.

Pull List Quick Thoughts: 2nd Half of October, 2012

November 21, 2012November 21, 2012Eric P. I.Leave a comment

I’m gonna try something a little different (and admittedly a little lazy) and present my quick thoughts (Twitter style!) on the comics I read for the second half of October, 2012.
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Pull List Review: Week 3, June 2012

July 22, 2012Eric P. I.Leave a comment

Here are some thoughts about the comics I read that were released during the third week of June, 2012.

Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 by Brian Azzarello (w), J.G. Jones (a), Alex Sinclair (c), Clem Robbins (l), & Will Dennis (e)

The Comedian was my least favorite character in Watchmen. He was a plot point, a commentary, but not without some depth–his “relationship” with Sally Jupiter and the reason for his confessional to Moloch made him less than a cardboard cutout, a parody of a costumed adventurer (I almost typed “superhero”, but Comedian was never that)–but I never cared for him as a character. This comic has changed that. I know a lot of people out there bitched about how DC was screwing Alan Moore and making a money grab and how they were abandoning DC for publishing Before Watchmen, but take all of that out and you have an intriguing, well-written character piece about a guy who believed in something beyond himself, at least for a while. I never thought I would like the Comedian, and yet, thanks to the creators of this book, I do now.

Daredevil #15 by Mark Waid (w), Chris Samnee (a), Javier Rodriguez (c), Joe Caramagna (l), & Stephen Wacker (e)

I have always felt that Daredevil was a big cheat. While Matt can’t see in the traditional sense, he had four other supersenses and his radar, perhaps more than making up for his loss of sight. But what happens if you take those other senses away from him, one by one? Can you imagine the isolation, the looming panic? For me at least, this is what I felt for Matt in this issue. Plus, that ending where Matt thinks he’s escaped? Gut wrenching. Once again, Mark Waid shows his immense talent and forte for writing Daredevil. I love the Bendis era on this character, but Waid is a worthy (and dare I say, better?) successor. Time will tell, but Waid is off to a fantastic start (Daredevil did win the Eisner for Best Continuing Series this year).

Saga #4 by Brian K. Vaughan (w), Fiona Staples (a), Fonografiks (l), & Eric Stephenson (coordinator)

Omg, that splash page (and subsequent images of the “hostesses”) freaked me out (and still does)! The Will continues to be my favorite character of this series, even more so than Alana and Marko (but it’s oh so very close). This issue just makes him simultaneously a little less and a little more of a monster than what we’ve seen so far, and that just makes him a potentially great character. Also, if you aren’t, you should be reading the back matter pages (“To Be Continued”). This issue, we are told that an 81 year-old is reading Saga. I hope I’m reading comics when I’m in my 80s! Finally, I respect anyone (looking at you Mr. Vaughan) who mentions Raymond Carver in a favorable light.

I also read: