[Comics General]

[webhead 519]

So I saw this article about all the events coming from Marvel in 2019 and then as I read through saw something really cool.  Hickman is coming back to do an X-Men event!

 

https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-unveils-publishing-slate-for-2019

https://www.cbr.com/marvel-jonathan-hickman-x-men-house-of-x-powers-of-x/

https://www.newsarama.com/44443-house-of-x-and-powers-of-x-bring-mutant-mayhem-this-july.html

 

I am psyched.  If you're not aware, he's the guy that wrote one of the best runs of Fantastic Four, Avengers, and the new Secret Wars event a few years back.

 

Spoiler

HICKMAN IS COMING

 

[MT 920]

I'm not really digging what's going on with the X-Men at the moment, the whole Age of X-Man thing. It's not terrible, but I just want things back to the way they used to be already.

[webhead 519]

I haven't really gotten into that at all yet.  I'm way the fuck behind.  I really should be reading my comics instead of dicking around on the computer reading Reddit.

[Psycho666Soldier 291]

I have this awful problem where I can not get into something without starting from the beginning.  Unfortunately, as much as I've always loved comics, I didn't read them faithfully until I hit my teens, so I have some series I've read from issue 1, and others I've read certain runs, but for the most part, anything after 96 is mystery to me.

 

I've been thinking about just picking up where the series' are right now and just running with it.  Any suggestions for what's running well right now?

[MT 920]

The Immortal Hulk has been interesting, if a bit weird. Lots of body horror shit. I've been enjoying the current Uncanny X-Men, but it takes place after a rather large X-Men centric event, so it may not be for you.

[webhead 519]

What characters are you interested in?

[Psycho666Soldier 291]

Been a huge X-Men fan practically since birth.  Super basic in loving Wolverine, but most X-Men-derived characters are up my alley.  Other than them, I like Hulk, Daredevil, Spider-Man, and I grew up loving Punisher and Ghost Rider, but I don't even know if either are doing anything relevant these days as I never hear about them.

[webhead 519]

You really like Daredevil, you should pick out some good runs.  I just went on Daredevil spree a couple years ago.

 

• Frank Miller run
• Bendis
• Brubaker
• Waid

 

Then the new stuff after that looks decent.  Skip Diggle's run because that goes into Shadowland and that's a steaming pile of shit.  Daredevil right this moment is in a weird place I believe so you may want to catch up with the run before it (Soule).

 

Spider-Man had a very polarizing run recently after they finally ended Brand New Day and moved into Big Time where it was solely Dan Slott writing.  I honestly enjoyed the Slott run (especially Superior Spider-Man) because he did new things with the character.  The current run with Nick Spencer just started though and looks to be a more traditional Spidey book.

 

For Punisher, the best runs I believe are the older ones by Garth Ennis.  I bought the omnibuses for that and still need to get to them but I hear they're the pinnacle of Punisher.

 

That's the stuff I'd recommend right now.  If you want want to jump into something new, the current volume of Amazing Spider-Man is probably your best bet and Uncanny X-Men is the start of a totally different direction for the X-Men I think, so that's probably a good place to jump on as well for jumping into new stuff right now.

[MT 920]

I will wholeheartedly second Superior Spider-Man. It's one of the few runs i've gone back and bought the trade when it came out. Same with Fraction's Hawkeye. If you've never read that, you're missing out.

[Galeigh 308]

Honestly, you should check Gwenpool. 

[MT 920]

I can't believe I completely forgot about the Remender run of Uncanny X-Force. Love that shit.

[webhead 519]

Yes that run was fucking fantastic.  Rick Remender is general is really good.  Also anything by Hickman.  Just shut up and read it.

[MT 920]

The first issue of House of X came out today and it's...interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet, but I am curious to see where it goes. The X-Men are probably my favorite group of comic heroes, so i'm definitely looking forward to reading more.

 

Wasn't really sure if the man in the X helmet is Xavier or The Maker. I originally thought it was Maker because his first words were in upper and lower case, which in the past was used specifically for the Ultimate universe, but then I saw the rest of the text in the issue is the same way, so I imagine that makes it Xavier. Although last I read/saw anything of him, he wanted to just go by X (as his consciousness had been put into a Fantomex clone if I remember right), so I really don't know what to think. Also, a lot of what happened in this issue is weird, considering I don't really know how long after the Age of X-Man stuff it takes place. I imagine the talk about six months, five months, etc. in the beginning of House of X is supposed to mean that it's about 6 months after? It all just seems real sudden to make such huge changes to the world, but I guess that's how this Krakatoa thing works.

[Psycho666Soldier 291]

Been getting back on my X-Men chronological run. I had the Epic Collection volume for the Brood Saga for the better part of a year before I finally read it. Absolutely loved it. Maybe my favorite X-Men story so far, both in the existential themes and just some of the most stellar art. I think it was #162 where it's all Wolverine surviving the wilderness of The Brood's base planet and I was enthralled the whole time.

 

This inspired me to watch X-Men '97 finally, which then inspired me to read the rest of my collection of comics (I've had 168-199 in individual issues just waiting for me to catch up) and am now up to 193. Kinda funny how that just so happened to be the run of comics that covers a lot of the stuff X-Men '97 does(Lifedeath, the introduction of Valerie Cooper and what I assume will eventually lead to Bastion, Madelyne Pryor). One of my favorite parts of Claremont's run has been Storm's introspective moments, and everything post-Brood up to Lifedeath is a goldmine for that stuff.

 

Have really enjoyed Rogue's introduction. The way she's been thrust in situations to prove herself willing to put her life on the line for the team, her realizing she actually wants to save people, seeing the X-Men individually start to accept her. Finally seeing the follow-up to #173(Logan's wedding) after having that issue randomly for years.

 

Also, the art evolution from Cockrum to Paul Smith to Romita Jr./Dan Green is incredible. No shade to John Byrne as I think his art style works for the horror-leaning stuff, but his faces always look off to me. Cockrum feels like he designed the true spirit of X-Men's art style, and then Smith and especially Romita Jr. soar with it. 

[webhead 519]

You know I think they've now collected all of Claremont in omnis at this point.  I may have to step into this soon because you know, that is why I've been buying those omnis lol.