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Post by HoM on Jan 28, 2010 19:01:29 GMT -5
Please tell us what you thought of this issue!
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Post by ryokowerx on Jan 30, 2010 16:28:05 GMT -5
OK. Looks like I'll take the first shot again.
What a fantastic opening! I was fully prepared to have a continuation of the events from the first issue and you shifted gears on me to a story that dealt with a death in the family (so to speak) something slower paced and more personal. The pulp story passages were excellent counterpoints to the real Guardian and really shows off how Jim was idolized by Anthony and, to a lesser extent, the general public.
And the memories of Belle were really a blow. I always wondered why Jim had gotten so upset when she was killed back in the pages of Action (beyond the act of murder I mean) and now we know. You have to wonder how much self-control he had to have to not beat the hell out of Mindeater in the pages of SSoSV. He should be in traction and eating through a straw for year.
Nice character development, sir!
The weird inks (as well as the sudden re-issue of all of Rodriguez's books) was an odd twist. I can't wait to see what the scheme behind that is and who these two mysterious minions are.
I'm pretty sure I know who the "big bad" is now unless you're pulling a red herring on me.
Awesome issue, Charlie. Can't wait for the next one!
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Post by HoM on Jan 31, 2010 8:31:22 GMT -5
OK. Looks like I'll take the first shot again. And I appreciate it every time! What a fantastic opening! I was fully prepared to have a continuation of the events from the first issue and you shifted gears on me to a story that dealt with a death in the family (so to speak) something slower paced and more personal. The pulp story passages were excellent counterpoints to the real Guardian and really shows off how Jim was idolized by Anthony and, to a lesser extent, the general public. I was really struggling with the writing of this issue until the second half, and then it just flowed. I retroactively inserted all those pulp passages because it just made sense to the story, and I'm glad it worked for you. I've talked to Don about the direction of the series in comparison to where we went with Doctor Occult (if DO was Supernatural, this is more akin to Fringe) and I realised that I wanted every single story to be different, shifting gears to tell stories that you weren't expecting. Again, I'm glad it's working so far. And the memories of Belle were really a blow. I always wondered why Jim had gotten so upset when she was killed back in the pages of Action (beyond the act of murder I mean) and now we know. You have to wonder how much self-control he had to have to not beat the hell out of Mindeater in the pages of SSoSV. He should be in traction and eating through a straw for year. Yeah, this is one of those overarching plots that has been running since those early days of Action Comics, and I'm glad I'm getting a chance to tell the story that I've wanted to. The one problem I have with never really being away from the site (and, when I do want to be away I'm already three months ahead so it never really happens because my stuff will always be coming out) is that I never forget a story point I've written, or been part of! So yes, been great to follow these events through, and I'm glad it all ties together. Nice character development, sir! I try  James Harper has been a pet character for me since his first appearances, but I know I stumbled with him in those early days because my writing just wasn't up to par. Following up on him has been a delight. The weird inks (as well as the sudden re-issue of all of Rodriguez's books) was an odd twist. I can't wait to see what the scheme behind that is and who these two mysterious minions are. More on that next issue... I'm pretty sure I know who the "big bad" is now unless you're pulling a red herring on me. I must know who you think it is! Awesome issue, Charlie. Can't wait for the next one! Me too  |
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Post by ryokowerx on Jan 31, 2010 10:42:55 GMT -5
I must know who you think it is! Well, let's see what evidence we have so far: Exhibit One: an old arch-enemy.
Exhibit Two: we have the possibility of a "immortal" enemy who also isn't the subject to the ravages of time. Exhibit Three: And we have an admission of involvement on his behalf. Even if it isn't him per se, it is minions or a third-party operating under his principles or instructions left behind. Basically, I think the "big bad" is The End. Like I said, you may be pulling a red herring on me, but that's my beliefs based on what I've seen so far. |
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Post by HoM on Feb 1, 2010 6:29:22 GMT -5
You're going to love this  |
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Post by lissilambe on Feb 4, 2010 21:16:33 GMT -5
This issue was an amazing display of tugging heart strings and building an emotional resonance with the cast. The death of an old friend is tough, but never moreso then for an effective immortal, and we see it done so well here, from the blue-collar hero Guardian. Despite his James Bond/Steve Austin (the cyborg, not the wrestler) trappings, Jim Harper is a blue-collar super-hero, and his view of time moving on and leaving him alone is striking and heartfelt. The language used to portray his grieving present and pulp past is fantastic. The people in Jim's life, past and present, all reacting to what's going on around Jim is well done as well, and adds to the perspective.
The hints at a bigger story are quite intriguing, and just a little chilling, and it should be fun to see how this all builds up. But the heart of this story is the emotion and the quiet moments, and I'm just thrilled with how it came out. Take a big bow, Charlie, because this is how this kind of story is done, and I give it five stars.
Take care
don
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Post by HoM on Feb 7, 2010 20:27:38 GMT -5
This issue was an amazing display of tugging heart strings and building an emotional resonance with the cast. I'm so glad you thought so. This was an issue I had in mind to write since the first brainstorm about the series, and it just had to be done. I was worried that the readers wouldn't be invested in the characters so early on in the series for a story like this, but I'm so glad it's been received so well. This has to be, already, one of my favourite stories up on the site, and hopefully, by the end of the book, it'll be one of my favourite complete runs as well. The death of an old friend is tough, but never moreso then for an effective immortal, and we see it done so well here, from the blue-collar hero Guardian. Despite his James Bond/Steve Austin (the cyborg, not the wrestler) trappings, Jim Harper is a blue-collar super-hero, and his view of time moving on and leaving him alone is striking and heartfelt. Glad you thought so, Don. In our discussions about the series, I like how we've both come to the agreement that this series is about a man "stuck" in one point, and how he'll never change whilst the world does. He's the constant in the timeline, and men and women who are near and dear to him will die whilst he keeps moving forward. It's such a sad concept and it's wonderful to work on it. Not everyday you're able to do that with fan fiction. The language used to portray his grieving present and pulp past is fantastic. The people in Jim's life, past and present, all reacting to what's going on around Jim is well done as well, and adds to the perspective. Thank you again. As much as this is The Guardian's story, we're going to be building an entire cast (some from scratch, some from across the DC2) that will continue to interact with him, and build a whole new world within the DC2 universe. OH, and for those wondering (all of you!), I know exactly how this fits in with Green Lantern, and Chloe Sullivan's ongoing role in that title, and it's going to be fun revealing that, too. The hints at a bigger story are quite intriguing, and just a little chilling, and it should be fun to see how this all builds up. But the heart of this story is the emotion and the quiet moments, and I'm just thrilled with how it came out. Take a big bow, Charlie, because this is how this kind of story is done, and I give it five stars. Take care don Thank you so much fore the kind words, Don. I always say that it means a lot to see a peer compliment one's work, and this is no exception. I hope that more people read the series, as we're working hard to make this brilliant, and I'm thinking that it's someone of my best work on the site, and it would be a shame if it went to waste, ha! The ongoing story is one that's constantly forming, and I'm not writing ahead as much as I was DC2 Nemesis so the twists and turns will keep coming, and hopefully they'll be as fresh to you all as they are to me. I'm having fun! |
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Post by HoM on Mar 1, 2010 10:52:52 GMT -5
And for those of you interested, the cover to #2, by Ramon Villalobos:  |
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James Harper has been a pet character for me since his first appearances, but I know I stumbled with him in those early days because my writing just wasn't up to par. Following up on him has been a delight.
