tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4885210312043715299.post7192495085605229335..comments2024-01-16T03:54:50.384-05:00Comments on With Great Power: Review: Superman: Earth OneMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10558378521891430225noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4885210312043715299.post-22472110875147249302011-02-22T04:52:57.797-05:002011-02-22T04:52:57.797-05:00For the first twenty or thirty issues, JMS's A...For the first twenty or thirty issues, JMS's Amazing Spider-Man is primarily driven by characters rather than plot. It was only after editorial got involved and he was forced to tie into Civil War that the book became concerned with plot points, really. His issues with John Romita Jr., at the very least, are well worth reading.<br /><br />I kind of gave the art the short shrift in this review, but it's actually very, very good; Davis's style reminds me a lot of Bryan Hitch. Check out the second image for a nice-looking fight scene that JMS was wise enough not to clutter up with words. I think the villain especially is pretty cool-looking (even if, like I mentioned, he does look like he belongs in an emo band).Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10558378521891430225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4885210312043715299.post-25679898764046387192011-02-22T04:26:25.318-05:002011-02-22T04:26:25.318-05:00yeah, I've heard a lot about JMS and how upset...yeah, I've heard a lot about JMS and how upset he was with editorial direction (especially concerning his planned endings.)<br /><br />I've just watched all five seasons of Babylon 5 and I have to say that I'm pretty amazed that it all turned out so satisfying. I haven't seen the post season 5 stuff yet, but as far as the main story with not so good actors and terrible effects, the actual writing wasn't bad. Well.. the character driven stuff as great, the plot elements were sometimes a little stupid-scifi. <br /><br />His comic work has seemed similar to me, but I've always read/watched/etc for characters not cool plot points. though they help!<br /><br />In any case, I haven't been completely sold on the art for this book, and not many people seem to talk about it as much as the writing.Ian @ Trade Reading Orderhttp://www.tradereadingorder.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4885210312043715299.post-5156680639854181762011-02-22T03:52:18.796-05:002011-02-22T03:52:18.796-05:00Thanks for the comment, Matt, and I can totally sy...Thanks for the comment, Matt, and I can totally sympathize. I actually got back into comics through his Amazing Spider-Man after a couple years away, so the disastrous way that all ended up was pretty frustrating for me. I followed Supreme Power too, and was disappointed when that was demoted to a Marvel Knights table, only to have JMS leave completely not long afterward.<br /><br />In both cases, I think editorial conflicts had a lot to do with the way things turned out. I'm not saying one side was right or wrong, just that the root of the problem had to do with JMS wanting to do things his editors didn't want him to do. In that sense, the fact that Superman: Earth One is an alternate-universe story may be good for its longevity. With more freedom to do what he wants, it seems likely to me that JMS will be more content with this gig over the long haul than he has been with other projects.<br /><br />In my opinion, though, none of that actually matters in regard to this book. If JMS announced today that he wasn't doing any more Earth One books, my opinion of this one wouldn't change a bit. It works perfectly as a done-in-one story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end both to Clark's character arc and the actual plot itself (that is, it doesn't end with any kind of cliffhanger or anything).<br /><br />Whether future volumes in this series will be as self-contained is impossible to say at this point. If they are, I think this will make a great line of original graphic novels for DC; if not, then yes, we run the risk of getting burned once again by "JMS Syndrome." For now, though, I don't think there's anything to worry about, since Superman: Earth One stands perfectly on its own.Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10558378521891430225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4885210312043715299.post-53554132387632393382011-02-22T03:25:50.374-05:002011-02-22T03:25:50.374-05:00I had this conversation with a buddy of mine about...I had this conversation with a buddy of mine about Straczynski and his inability to give me a satisfying ending. Like, I really dug his Spider-Man - as a matter of fact, he's the reason I started reading Spidey again - but he never really delivered on the awesome stuff he was setting up throughout.<br /><br />Same goes with Supreme Power. That series is such an amazing slow burn and that last trade sets up this fantastic second half to the series. Except that it never happened and I was left in the lurch by JMS again.<br /><br />So, when it comes to Earth One, I'm intrigued but I'm worried I'll get burned again. I have no doubt that he writes a fantastic Clark - he does great characters - but I'm worried that he'll start to hint at thing and then just lose interest in delivering.<br /><br />My question to you is twofold: Can this book stand on it's own as an awesome done-in-one story? And how worried are you that he won't finish what he's started?Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04546900229885548577noreply@blogger.com