Dr Dread
Staff
The Odious-1
Posts: 1,547
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Post by Dr Dread on Jan 2, 2007 21:40:03 GMT -5
Please let us know what you thought.
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Post by Romans Empire on Jan 3, 2007 3:13:13 GMT -5
David, Doc, and Charlie wrapped things up here very nicely. Roy, that cover just screamed Silver Age perfection!
Blending some of the various origins of Brainiac was cool. Bringing in the Bottle City of Kandor was even cooler.
Everything was wrapped up here but I am certain that the effects of this story will be felt for a while.
What will Jimmy do now?
Will Lois be convinced enough with what happened in Smallville or will her reporter instincts force to keep searching for the answer that is obvious to everyone else but her?
And poor Lana...
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Post by starlord on Jan 3, 2007 8:31:37 GMT -5
It was a very nice ending. I was also geeked to see "the bottle". And I'm very intrigued with Jimmy's situation. Great use of a secondary character (and my favorite in the Superman mythos). Hats off to both of you! Finally, Roy! Roy, Roy, Roy. I know people say it all the time, but this comes from the bottom of my heart. "This cover was FANTASTIC!!!" Truly one of the best you have done. And that is saying a lot.
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Post by Admin on Jan 3, 2007 11:17:16 GMT -5
I didn't read any of the preceding installments, so I was pleased to find that I could still follow this okay. I enjoyed it, liking all the recycling, and rejuvenating, of ideas from the past, and the method of defeating the villain seemed very silver agey (which is not meant as a criticism), as did Clark's deception at the end (although the way he giggled over deceiving Lois at the end, as opposed to feeling bad about it - while reminiscent of countless comic book tales I've read in the past - didn't work for me). I could moan about the mish-mash of verb tenses, but that would be churlish.
Also, a really great cover, Roy. It reminded me of Gil Kane's work.
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Post by HoM on Jan 3, 2007 13:04:14 GMT -5
Big hand to Doc and Roy for really pulling this together, and thanks to Dave for starting this arc!
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Dr Dread
Staff
The Odious-1
Posts: 1,547
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Post by Dr Dread on Jan 3, 2007 18:23:45 GMT -5
Okay, I have a few thanks to hand out.
First, thanks to Dave for a wonderful four part story.
Second, a very BIG thank you to Charlie. He picked up the ball, and did he ever run with it. He not only wrapped up a big storyline, he added to it and did it in record time. An exceptional feat by an exceptional writer.
Third, I thanked you before Roy, and I thank you again. That's a really great cover, if I had seen it at the comic shop, I would've bought the issue. It's good to be working with you again.
Fourth, thanks to all those who took time to read and respond to the story.
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Post by David on Jan 3, 2007 18:51:25 GMT -5
If it's Action Comics, it must mean another artistic masterpiece from Roy Flinchum! Wow, Roy, you keep rolling out these fantastic covers like a true pro! And what an image...! I really regret that I didn't write the issue this cover graced.
Speaking of the story... I received a plot credit on this issue, but the truth is this issue is all Charlie and Doc. Their's was the task of picking up a fumbled ball and running it the last critical yards into the endzone, which they did admirably.
While I offered no suggestions to how this story should have concluded, I think the writers here came very close to my original vision. In fact, eerily close in places (the appearance of Zor-El, the use of J'onn J'onzz to fool Lois). No doubt these two pulled off a tricky feat, and deserve a sincere tip of the hat.
Charlie has an epic run that begins next issue, and I know a little of what is coming. I will definately be around to see what he has planned!
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Post by goldk on Jan 3, 2007 22:56:19 GMT -5
This was awesome. Braniac was truly despicable. And I'm sure we'll see more of him. BTW where do you keep an unconsious coluan? Any one who knows me knows I have an afinity for the silver age, so I loved the little "trick" on Lois. I hope this doesn't put Lois off the idea though, I 'd like to see her continue to snoop and Clark thwart her plans. Thanks to everyone for their compliments on the cover. It's a good thing I'm at home cause my head won't be fitting out the door anytime soon.
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Post by batarang on Jan 4, 2007 10:24:52 GMT -5
Great wrap-up to this storyline, tying up all the previous threads and yet dangling a few more to come.
There was a great sense of Superman's history in this issue. As has been previously commented, the silver age feel to the story (especially the ending) was most welcome. Seeing Zor-El and Kandor made me feel warm and fuzzy.
The friends in Superman's life went through their own trials this arc as well. I'll be interested to see what happens to Lana, Lois and (especially) Jimmy in the future. Luthor. Always Luthor, isn't it?
Despite the fact that with a different writer(s) comes a different tone this issue ended David's arc admirably well. Kudos.
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Post by HoM on Jan 4, 2007 15:27:47 GMT -5
I would just like to say I hope you enjoy where Jimmy is going in upcoming issues!
Little known fact, Dave wanted to kill him during the IXE.
LUCKILY he "settled" for Pa Kent.
*sigh*
The word in which we live, eh?
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Post by Brandon on Jan 13, 2007 5:33:37 GMT -5
Actually I remember trying to talk him out of killing Jimmy, Pa, and Ma Kent. Thankfully he went the more traditional route of having only Pa's passing for Clark to deal with. Great cover, Roy! I love the Bottle City part of the Superman mythos maybe the most so I really enjoyed seeing this scene rendered from such a true Superman fan. Charlie, fun story! I didn't read the lead-in stories but that didn't diminish the action here or stop me from picking up on it. Those poor Smallville folk. They really need mind-control clauses in their insurance plans or something. I really enjoyed seeing Kandor, Argo, and Zor-el. The assimilated Brainiac origin was great too. And I don't know if the revised Fortress of Solitude has shown up before this, but if not then bravo for bringing in the classic version. The tesseract silliness never packed the same effect for me and I'm happy to see original concept used here. All inclusive and well put together concepts in an action packed tale. Now, typos and grammar errors are in no short supply on the site despite our best efforts and much to the chagrin of English language structure enthusiasts here I'm sure, so I normally just overlook them but there was an example in this story I had to point out, the opening description of 'how Argo came to be' contained a crazy long run-on sentence, um, much like this sentence is. I enjoyed the humor here as well. Jimmy's misplaced enthusiasm at Perry's possible approval made me smile, but the K-Fed joke made me laugh right out loud. Plus, I enjoyed the Superdickery at the end. Ha. I actually like the fun character plays from Lois and Clark over his secret identity, so after only seeing it used recently to bounce angst all over the place between Lana and Clark on Smallville, this was a welcome change. It is something that has been sorely missing from the regular Superman titles in my opinion. Again, great job to all involved. This was a fun and true to form Superman classic.
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Post by HoM on Jan 15, 2007 16:00:55 GMT -5
Actually I remember trying to talk him out of killing Jimmy, Pa, and Ma Kent. Thankfully he went the more traditional route of having only Pa's passing for Clark to deal with. I MISS PA! Great cover, Roy! I love the Bottle City part of the Superman mythos maybe the most so I really enjoyed seeing this scene rendered from such a true Superman fan. Thing with this issue, we already had a cover before Dave leapt overboard! So really, my esteemed partner in crime Doc and I had to write this story around this astounding cover, in a total panic, and I think it came out pretty well! I mean, it's awesome! Look at it! LOOK! Charlie, fun story! I didn't read the lead-in stories but that didn't diminish the action here or stop me from picking up on it. Those poor Smallville folk. They really need mind-control clauses in their insurance plans or something. I think Max Lord tried pushing that on them before he became president. Some back water hockum me thinks, but that's a story for another time (Adventures of Superman #-1!) As always, Dave's return to this book was amazing, and if you've not read the follow ins to this conclusion, I strongly suggest you do in the future, especially with what's happening in the next two months! Big stuff people, big, evil, hand breaking stuff! Not only was "Return To Smallville" a stellar story arc before hand, it was one of the well written things on site, taking everyones expectations for a rollercoaster ride! I mean, every final scene was like "IN YOUR FACE WITH THIS MASSIVE SURPRISE REVEAL!" And this was every bloody time! I really enjoyed seeing Kandor, Argo, and Zor-el. The assimilated Brainiac origin was great too. And I don't know if the revised Fortress of Solitude has shown up before this, but if not then bravo for bringing in the classic version. The tesseract silliness never packed the same effect for me and I'm happy to see original concept used here. All inclusive and well put together concepts in an action packed tale. I love the original Fortress of Solitude (no, I don't mean a bloody treehouse) all MASSIVE GOLD DOOR and ARROW, but I wasn't allowed the arrow, so I incorporated the key from All Star, which I think is one of the most clever things Morrison did with that issue. I don't pick it up on a... Bimonthly basis... So I don't know what's going on, but really, pretty cool. Gotta hand it to my co-scribe Doc with the origin bit, he really, literally, pulled that together to make a cohesive bit of back story and really do the story justice! Now, typos and grammar errors are in no short supply on the site despite our best efforts and much to the chagrin of English language structure enthusiasts here I'm sure, so I normally just overlook them but there was an example in this story I had to point out, the opening description of 'how Argo came to be' contained a crazy long run-on sentence, um, much like this sentence is. Screw you! I enjoyed the humor here as well. Jimmy's misplaced enthusiasm at Perry's possible approval made me smile, but the K-Fed joke made me laugh right out loud. Plus, I enjoyed the Superdickery at the end. Ha. I actually like the fun character plays from Lois and Clark over his secret identity, so after only seeing it used recently to bounce angst all over the place between Lana and Clark on Smallville, this was a welcome change. It is something that has been sorely missing from the regular Superman titles in my opinion. Perry's emotions are coming to the forefront in the next two issues, as Lois Lane returns to Metropolis, and gets assigned a new partner... But who? The K-Fed was obviously Doc, and, y'know, all the MAIN laughs. I don't write for funny, I write for EMOTION Again, great job to all involved. This was a fun and true to form Superman classic. Thanks for taking the time Brand.
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Post by oblique on Apr 27, 2020 8:37:14 GMT -5
"Some of us have to change the world one person at a time."
What a lovely run! I don't know if anyone will ever read this (letter I mean), but it's a dark time in the world right now in 2020, and I'm going back through old issues and really enjoying them. The Superman Family always remind me of the world we want to live in. I loved Lois and the scene with the bank robbers earlier in the run. Overall, the emotional notes were fraught and I was on tenterhooks! I was worried about Connor and glad about the computer chips--explaining Lana's behaviour. Then Brainiac appears! He's a tough villain to write (as an AI/genius), but this was an interesting fusion of origin stories and a great battle sequence. I loved the scenes with Lois, and her insights and intelligence being rewarded the most, and struggled with Clark keeping too much a secret (for now?) Thanks as always to the writers who contributed so much to this site. It's still a pleasure to read.
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Post by HoM on Apr 27, 2020 10:51:22 GMT -5
"Some of us have to change the world one person at a time." What a lovely run! I don't know if anyone will ever read this (letter I mean), but it's a dark time in the world right now in 2020, and I'm going back through old issues and really enjoying them. The Superman Family always remind me of the world we want to live in. I loved Lois and the scene with the bank robbers earlier in the run. Overall, the emotional notes were fraught and I was on tenterhooks! I was worried about Connor and glad about the computer chips--explaining Lana's behaviour. Then Brainiac appears! He's a tough villain to write (as an AI/genius), but this was an interesting fusion of origin stories and a great battle sequence. I loved the scenes with Lois, and her insights and intelligence being rewarded the most, and struggled with Clark keeping too much a secret (for now?) Thanks as always to the writers who contributed so much to this site. It's still a pleasure to read. David writes a great Superman. There's something really heartfelt and genuine about his take on the character, and I find myself enjoying that aspect of Superman more and more the older I get. Doc's take is feels like it leans more into the sheer majesty of the character, brought to life via the comedy he injects into the stories. I love both these twin takes on the character! Also, I was there. Ha. As with most things, Grant Morrison helped make the character click with me through his work on All-Star Superman, but also from how he wrote the character in JLA. How could anyone dislike Superman as a character? I've seen all the arguments, and they're boring and unfounded. It's the same as "Bruce Wayne dresses up as a bat to beat up mentally ill people", completely ignoring everything else the character does for Gotham City. It's so cynical and reductive.
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Post by oblique on Apr 27, 2020 17:36:01 GMT -5
"Some of us have to change the world one person at a time." What a lovely run! I don't know if anyone will ever read this (letter I mean), but it's a dark time in the world right now in 2020, and I'm going back through old issues and really enjoying them. The Superman Family always remind me of the world we want to live in. I loved Lois and the scene with the bank robbers earlier in the run. Overall, the emotional notes were fraught and I was on tenterhooks! I was worried about Connor and glad about the computer chips--explaining Lana's behaviour. Then Brainiac appears! He's a tough villain to write (as an AI/genius), but this was an interesting fusion of origin stories and a great battle sequence. I loved the scenes with Lois, and her insights and intelligence being rewarded the most, and struggled with Clark keeping too much a secret (for now?) Thanks as always to the writers who contributed so much to this site. It's still a pleasure to read. David writes a great Superman. There's something really heartfelt and genuine about his take on the character, and I find myself enjoying that aspect of Superman more and more the older I get. Doc's take is feels like it leans more into the sheer majesty of the character, brought to life via the comedy he injects into the stories. I love both these twin takes on the character! Also, I was there. Ha. As with most things, Grant Morrison helped make the character click with me through his work on All-Star Superman, but also from how he wrote the character in JLA. How could anyone dislike Superman as a character? I've seen all the arguments, and they're boring and unfounded. It's the same as "Bruce Wayne dresses up as a bat to beat up mentally ill people", completely ignoring everything else the character does for Gotham City. It's so cynical and reductive. I have Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman, probably my favourite single Superman story, and his collected run on Batman. He really helped crystallize what those characters represented and the 'human' aspects behind the costume. Superman and Batman, among a few others, really draw out the cynics, the people I think who are still a little ashamed of liking comics and insisted they were "graphic novels" for a while, as opposed to embracing the mythoepic qualities of the genre. I love the heartfelt renditions this site brought to these characters.
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