Cynicism in Comics

Hello fellow readers. This looks to be my final issue for the year. No worries, I’ll be back next semester with volume two of "Mr. Comic Book". But since it’s my last issue for the year, I figured I would talk about something that has bothered me as long as I have been reading comics. And that is the cynicism that fans feel towards new news.

What made me want to write about this topic was when IGN released the first few covers for the new volume of “Avengers” by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr.. a couple of months ago. People almost instantly had posted numerous comments about how this is going to be terrible strictly based on the fact that Romita Jr. was the artist. Now, to each his own with opinions about artists (I personally think John Romita Jr. is one of the best comic book pencilers of all time), but it really struck me how much comic fans dismiss stuff so early before it’s released.

This happened again with all the news from the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). Marvel is releasing a ton of new #1s with series (“Wolverine,” “X-Men,” and “New X-Force” to name a few), and many complained they won’t read Marvel because of this. Wow, that is just stunning. Not reading a publisher because of a market strategy and trying to bring in new readers to a hobby that is very hard to bring new people into.

Now, this is something that won’t go away, but if I can give any words of wisdom to comic book readers, give stuff a chance. Even if a new series is being written by a writer I don’t like or an artist I don’t prefer, if it’s about a character I like, I’ll give it a shot. How are we to grow as readers if we don’t occasionally experience new things? I remember when I first read some Daniel Way issues (writer of “Deadpool” and “Wolverine: Origins”). I told myself I would avoid the guy at all costs. But look at my pull list now, I read “Deadpool,” “Wolverine: Origins,” and “Dark Wolverine.”

While people can have their own opinions, all I say is, give stuff a chance. You might end up liking the stuff you use to despise.

Movie Time

I know this was reported a while ago, but Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) is directing “The Avengers.” I love this choice, as this guy knows comics. He use to write “Astonishing X-Men,” and has worked on Buffy comics. Reports say he is going to rewrite “The Avengers” and possibly rewrite “The First Avenger: Captain America”

The first photo of Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex was released, and he looks just like he does in the comics.

We might see some news on a sequel to “Ghost Rider” soon. If production on a sequel isn’t started by 11/14/2010, the rights revert back to Marvel. This means Disney would get the rights. Some have reported they might go on without Nicolas Cage, as the veteran actor is very busy. Reboot anyone?

Edgar Wright is reportedly getting back to work on an Ant-Man movie once he is done promoting “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” It would be released after “The Avengers” in 2012, but production would start early next year

Trade/Series for Newcomers

For the final issue of the year, I’m going with one of my most frequently read trades. “The Immortal Iron Fist” is Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction at their best. Also helps that David Aja knocks the book out of the park with his art. And lucky for you, the omnibus was just released.

Here is the link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Iron-Fist-Omnibus/dp/0785138196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272328506&sr=8-1

Highlights for 4/28

DC

-Superman #699. It’s the final issue before J. Michael Straczynski takes over, and finally the end of all these ridiculous New Krypton stories.

-Wonder Woman #43. Gail Simone has really brought back the greatness that use to be Wonder Woman. She is leaving at #600 (also handing the reigns to J. Michael Straczynski), so enjoy the end of her legendary run.

Marvel

-Fantastic Four #578. Annihilus is back. I’m interested to see how John Hickman spins this, as the villain died a few years back. I’m guessing it’s the baby Annihilus that was shown at the end of the “War of the Kings: Ascension.”

-Invincible Iron Man #25. It’s a big issue, and looks to bring back Rockwell Industries, just in time for Justin Rockwell (Sam Rockwell) makes his appearance in “Iron Man 2.” But anyways, Matt Fraction seems to know every little personality trait of Tony Stark, and he is one of the best Iron Man writers to come along in a few decades.

-Marvel Zombies 5 #2. Fred Van Lente knows that zombies can be funny. So why not have them be killed by a duck? A surprisingly fresh look on a not so fresh topic, Van Lente keeps me wanting to read about Machine Man and Howard the Duck killing zombies.

-Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #1. The ending to the first story arc really keeps me wondering where Mark Miller is going with this book. He is bringing back Ultimate Punisher with this arc, and has Leinil Francis Yu (“Secret Invasion”) on pencils.