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Post by HoM on Aug 26, 2009 10:19:50 GMT -5
The first JSA/JLA Crossover continues! Let us know what you thought of this issue (and don't forget to rate the issue)!
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Post by HoM on Aug 26, 2009 10:38:09 GMT -5
Brilliant work, Dave! Lots of quotable lines, just like the best action-adventure, but the one that stuck out for me was this, from the mouth of Wildcat:
Lots of threads are coming together in a way that I love, and the world building of Earth-2, for the uninitiated, continues. I'm loving the separate groups and the way they interact, Jay, Barry, Ted and Hank are very fun to see, and then Zara was just a breath of fresh air in a very dark, suspense-filled story! Black Shazam is a threat that I'm still a bit ambivalent about, because he seems so poorly defined, but Captain Marvel versus Hawkman-- and yes, that was one hell of a reveal, and reminds me of the best kind of cliffhangers from my favourite books-- looks to be a battle one cannot miss. Parallax is a very curious opponent, especially due to his interaction with Alan, and I too was wondering what was going on with that set up... how is it possible?! And the hints about the Super Crisis were a delight...
... this entire arc has been you doing what you're good at, and it's been a thrill to read. The only flaw I could point out is that Black Shazam, for all your saying he's a multiversal threat, doesn't yet feel like it. He seems to be very two-dimensional, whilst all the other characters have become very developed. It's a shame, but not wholly distracting from the narrative.
I'll be back next issue for the next part! And before I leave, may I say that Alex's cover was very cool, and it's always brilliant to see the two generations together, even if they're at each other's throats!
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Post by Brandon on Aug 29, 2009 21:36:05 GMT -5
Another excellent installment, D. I'm enjoying this story immensely but then again it's right up my alley. ;D
And of course I have somewhat of a vested interest in the Earth-Two concept but you've made it your own and made it come to life so effectively that I feel like I'm reading about much of it for the first time.
Highlights would be the Fortress/Secret Citadel. Pure super-mythos fun. And Zara was irresistibly charming and innocently sweet. Very much of what I think the Supergirl character was originally imagined as, but has long since been lost in our age of pop princess divas. Great moments with Barry and more interesting perspectives on the current status of the Amazons. Parallax comes off as perplexing and I know Black Shazam has been taking a backseat slightly to the sheer amount of characters, story progression, and intros to new Earth-Two concepts, but I believe it will all come together in a great payoff as evidenced toward the end with the great scene with Dark Marvel and the invasion of the dimensionally compromised Rock of Eternity.
I'm also very excited to have been able to participate in some of the development of this story and the larger one it will eventually play into, especially knowing how much it will thread and connect the various worlds of the DC2 Omniverse into a tighter and more connected continuity. Awesome fun, sir! Can't wait for the next installment!
And once again, an amazing job by Alex on the cover!
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Post by UltimateDC on Aug 30, 2009 1:32:41 GMT -5
Another wonderful issue. More and more of E-2 is established, which is always great to read. I like seeing Zara and J'onn, and the Parallax fight was cool to read. Still unsure about Black Shazam and Evil Billy, but I am looking forward to him versus Hawkman.
So...yeah. Keep up the good work.
-UDC
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Post by David on Aug 31, 2009 7:01:18 GMT -5
Brilliant work, Dave! Lots of quotable lines, just like the best action-adventure, but the one that stuck out for me was this, from the mouth of Wildcat: Wildcat is always good for a laugh or two. Personally, I kinda liked the one where Jay told Barry Ted was a boxer so he was always looking for a fight, and Ted replied with something like "Not true, sometimes I'm looking for a beer. Or a dame. And not necessarily in that order." Sometimes these characters just write themselves and take me along for the ride  . My guideline for this arc has always been those old-fashioned pre-Crisis JLA/JSA team-ups I used to love as I kid; hopefully I am putting a new spin on it with this arc! There is a lot of mystery as to what is going on here: why was the JSA summoned to Earth-Two? Is Parallax really the big villain of the piece (or is it Black Shazam?) and if so, what is his deal? This arc has always been "Crisis on Two Earths!" and it was necessary to establish the Earth-Two bona fides first (and thus the threat represented by Parallax)--- but Earth-One is not getting off that easy, as you will see starting next issue, and perhaps Black Shazam will come into better focus then. Look for it to be the cover of next issue! I'm glad you asked! Not that I'm going to answer ;D, but thatnks for raising the question. Hm. Charlie "raising the question." An inside joke! Big story there. Brandon and I are very excited about getting there. I appreciate the honest feedback. But stick around, the story's not done yet, and we have yet to really dig into Black Shazam. You may indeed say! Alex has been turning in what I consider the finest artistic work of his career on the DC2, and he deserves the recognition. I have been very pleased to feature the Earth-Two art and character designs of Brandon Herren, and the awesome artistic feedback of Rik! It is a rare treat to do the things one most enjoys in the world, and these three artists have made it even more enjoyable. My sincere, heartfelt thanks to them! And thanks to you, too, Charlie, for reading and for the feedback! |
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Post by David on Sept 1, 2009 7:11:26 GMT -5
Another excellent installment, D. I'm enjoying this story immensely but then again it's right up my alley. ;D Thanks, Brandon! The closer we ourselves get to the age of the JSAers the more we enjoy their exploits! (That's what you meant, right ?) It has been very important to me with this arc to evoke that nostalgic Earth-Two feeling that always came with the work of folks like Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas, and that you captured so well with your original concepts and designs (it has occurred to me that I am doing fan fiction of fan fiction...? Second generation fan fiction?). Despite the fact that not a whole lot actually happens at the Citadel, those were some pretty important scenes, and proably the ones I'd been looking most forward to writing. Zara is fun and I love the super-goofiness of the Silver Age Fortress (re-imagined as the Citadel in another ironic Silver-to-Golden Age evolution that has becodme the hallmark of this arc), with the Interplanetary Zoo, the Super-Family statues, etc. Also, to those out there interested in such Behind-the-scenes trivia, Brandon's interior piece featuring the Earth-Two Superman and his daughter was done originally for JSA #8--- but it took me too long to get the JSAers to the Citadel, and thus it sat unused until this issue! But I've been bursting at the seams since January or February to share it with folks, as it is simply one of my all-time favorite depictions of Superman anywhere! I hope others enjoy it, as well, and will let Brandon know! I think everything will start coming together next issue, as far as Black Shazam and Parallax are concerned. We are in the thick of it now, folks, so expect some fireworks and perhaps a surprise or two! Thanks, Brandon! As any writer on the DC2 family of sites will tell you (and as you well know yourself) it is the feedback and excitement from others that makes each successive issue easier and more fun to write! (And I learned from Ellen's example long ago to take the time to respond in the lettercol whenever a reader pipes up!) Truly an awesome image! Take a bow Mr. Vasquez! ;D Thanks for reading, sir, and for the feedback! |
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Post by David on Sept 5, 2009 7:27:30 GMT -5
Another wonderful issue. More and more of E-2 is established, which is always great to read. I like seeing Zara and J'onn, and the Parallax fight was cool to read. Still unsure about Black Shazam and Evil Billy, but I am looking forward to him versus Hawkman. So...yeah. Keep up the good work. -UDC Thanks, UDC! Zara's personality comes straight from KSM's concept of her. She doesn't have a huge role in this arc, but I get the feeling we'll see her again somewhere  ! The action shifts to Earth-One for most of next issue, so I think you'll get exactly what you're looking for: Captain Marvel versus Hawkman and the madness of Black Shazam! Thanks for reading, and for the feedback, sir! |
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Post by arcalian on Sept 6, 2009 22:16:42 GMT -5
Playing catch up here, good stuff.
So what is the deal with Parallax, I wonder? Clearly he knows "our" Alan.
And Hawkman might be on his guard....Captain Marvel is not as he remembers him.
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Post by starlord on Sept 15, 2009 21:13:15 GMT -5
I'm not sure Parallax knows our Alan or "it" knows the power of the starheart. I'm on the fence with that!
In the long run what matters is that once again this is the series that makes you hang on every word. Compelling is an understatement!
We have some of the best fanfiction on this site and I love reading all of them. The JSA book, like the team itsself, is the guiding light (no, not the soap) in this world, to me. It's the one I look for guidance in form, character, and delivery.
Wildcat! David has such a fun grasp on this guy. "Sometimes I'm looking for a beer. Or a Dame. And not necessarily in that order." I laughed out loud at that.
The tag team attack with Wonder Woman and Aquaman was an excellent fight scene that shows how their years of working together has honed them into one great fighting force.
The mystery of Alan is compelling and riveting. Why Alan? And I'm thinking Parallax is perhaps but a Bishop or Rook to the real Chess Master of this piece?
But the most powerful scene for me was that unspoken moment where J'onn informs Diana and Arthur that Barry is alive. It takes a gifted writer to beable to convey that moment without actually using dialogue.
Then you follow that up with my favorite line in the whole issue: they raised their fists (and--- this being New York--- their fingers) to the sky... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA moment.
And to cap off this emotional and action packed issue, we get Hawkman's entrance at the end. If this had been a part of a movie, the geek in me would have made me stand up and shout, "OH YEAH!!!"
5 stars for story and cover. As always, I'm awed.
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Post by David on Sept 17, 2009 6:57:32 GMT -5
Playing catch up here, good stuff. So what is the deal with Parallax, I wonder? Clearly he knows "our" Alan. He does indeed. But how can that be? Have they, perhaps, crossed paths before...? Hee hee ;D! Very true, as well. He is all kinds of messed up right now. And can anyone stand against the World's Mightiest Mortal in all his rage...? (Check in next issue to find out!) Thanks for reading, Jay, and for the feedback! |
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Post by David on Sept 17, 2009 7:16:21 GMT -5
I'm not sure Parallax knows our Alan or "it" knows the power of the starheart. I'm on the fence with that! Good point, Brian! I will say that Parallax and Alan Scott are absolutely acquainted, and the exact nature of that acquaintance has to do with why the JSA were tricked into coming to Earth-Two... Remember, the cybermechs in Gotham mentioned Jay by name as well! Thank you, buddy! You know, I think you hit the nail on the head here: the fun and instructive thing about this site is that not only do we get to exercise our cretive muscles, but that we get to learn from other very talented writers (and artists!)--- I know I am a better writer for reading the works of my favorite DC2 titles! Ted has been a revelation to me. I had no idea I was going to enjoy writing him so much. They were the Justice League of America. 'Nuff said. You are on the right track... Let's just say, the true scope of villainy has yet to be revealed! I re-wrote that scene twice actually--- sometimes less is more! ;D Sweet! The two chairmen of the JSA go at it pretty hard next issue--- right at the top, a brutal, no-holds barred, knockdown, drag-out slugfest! Earth-One is in deadly peril! Thanks so much for reading, Brian! Really appreciate the feedback! Another wonderful issue. More and more of E-2 is established, This is the fun part of this arc, UDC! Getting to explore this exciting new world and the familiar characters that inhabit it... Earth-Two is (and should be) the closest to our DC2 Earth-One, but evolved slightly differently. Coupla my favorites, too. I've always had a soft spot for the Martian Manhunter and would love to do something more in depth with him one day (his Earth-One version, that is); as for Zara Kal-El--- I can only give credit to her creator, Brandon Herren! (She is pretty adorable, though!) Then next issue should be right up your alley! Will do! Thanks for reading sir, and for the feedback! |
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Post by Alex on Sept 21, 2009 5:05:18 GMT -5
I'm going to comment on both issues 9 & 10 since I'm woefully behind on my feedback.
One of Dave's strengths as a writer, and the thing that always has me in awe of his ability, is his attention to detail, while not necessary to tell a good story, are necessary for a great one. Dave's description of little things like the batcave steps, the types of monitors used for the batcave computers, the names of the themescaryan temples (I think they are names) are just a few of the many intricate details that just bring this story to life and make you feel like you've been there yourself.
But it's not just places and things that Dave has the magic touch, but it's also the way he manages the emotions of the characters. I find myself feeling that same sense of mystery with the characters, wondering why they are here, but also a feeling of discovery and wonderment when we get to see all of the differences between the two worlds. The scene that really struck me was the Amazon's. That was heart wrenching and the cutting of there hair to remember... That's the good stuff...
The concept of the DC2's Earth 2 is something I find fascinating and credit also has to go to Brandon Herren, Riz, and company for creating and executing it.
My only complaint is the same as Charlie's regarding Black Shazam, but things look like they are going to pick up with that. That and the absence of the Young All-Stars backup feature. Hopefully we get that back once this arc is over (and I'm looking forward to drawn them once again).
Also, kudos to Brandon and Rik on their interior art. They add great touch to the story and it's an honor to have my work featured along side their amazing work. Brandon's redesigns are always on point and I always find myself in awe of his amazing gift. I hope we see more in the next installment.
This arc has been a pleasure to read and a pleasure to work on. Can't wait for what's next.
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Susan Hillwig
Staff 
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Sept 29, 2009 1:28:48 GMT -5
First, I want to say I loved Brandon's rendition of Earth-2 Superman...great coloring too! Manoman, I wish you were still doing regular work around here!  Story's proceeding at a good pace. Lots of moments that gave me pre-Crisis deja vu, and the truth about a certain someone is on the cusp of being revealed! Plus, Parallax with a mad-on! Gives me chills remembering when Hal was full-on evil and not just "possessed by a giant fear bug". |
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Post by David on Oct 8, 2009 7:25:38 GMT -5
First, I want to say I loved Brandon's rendition of Earth-2 Superman...great coloring too! Manoman, I wish you were still doing regular work around here! Brandon's particiaption is one of the highlights of this arc for me, Susan. I simply can't lose with the high quality stuff Alex is bringing in month after month and the interior pieces by Brandon... The effect of that kind of synergy on the creative team cannot be overestimated! Perhaps Brandon can be persuaded to do another piece for the finale of this arc...? Glad you think so! These things always take on a life of their own, but the crossover will wrap up with issue #13, making it a seven-parter (whew!); thanks for sticking with it! Glad you noticed! I haven't made it terribly obvious (intentionally), but you are 100% correct. We may still have a twist up our sleeve, though  ! Sorry to say, there is no giant fear bug revelation forthcoming. But by the end of this arc, the fate of Earth-Two Hal Jordan will be revealed and resolved... Thanks for reading, Susie! I appreciate the feedback! |
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Post by David on Oct 8, 2009 18:25:45 GMT -5
I'm going to comment on both issues 9 & 10 since I'm woefully behind on my feedback. One of Dave's strengths as a writer, and the thing that always has me in awe of his ability, is his attention to detail, while not necessary to tell a good story, are necessary for a great one. Dave's description of little things like the batcave steps, the types of monitors used for the batcave computers, the names of the themescaryan temples (I think they are names) are just a few of the many intricate details that just bring this story to life and make you feel like you've been there yourself. Hey, thanks, Alex! I really appreciate that feedback. I think you hit on what makes this sort of thing fun to me. I'm glad others enjoy it as well. Again, thank you sir! Nothing enthralls like a good mystery, so hopefully I can dole out the revelations to match the questions! As for the plight of the Amazons, that is the brainchild of Earth-Two's godfather, Riz. He has crafted a sad but compelling backstory, and I am privileged to help expand it. Young All-Stars coming right up! See next issue (out now ;D)! This process is totally symbiotic: my work is just as much inspired by the gracious work of yourself, Rik, Riz and Brandon, as anything I might do for them. Without that, or the feedback, I'm not sure I would bother (okay, I might, because I love writing JSA, but the book definitely would be the poorer with out the artisitic participation). Thanks for the feedback, partner! |
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