Johannas Capsules: Batgirl, 21 Down, Aria, Betty, PVP, Ultimates, more

The ellipsis between issues #5 and #6 where the whole destroy the universe thing actually took place really put me off. I know that wasn't the point of the story arc, but still. Just why did Entropy need Genis in the first place? I know he has cosmic awareness and superduper photonic powers and all but how did that help in killing Eternity and squashing him like a bug? It came across as a big don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain set-up with PAD conspicuously pulling the levers.

Ciao,

I thought that Genis provided the spark to get Entropy to finally act. Lots of people have the potential to do things without the impetus. Now, I don't know if this was clear or not in the book, since I wasn't paying attention that closely to the whole arc, but I don't think I just made it up.

Sounds interesting... I really liked this concept when it started years back, but the lateness, and changing artist at the last minute bugged me. Maybe I should give it another try?

Is this a series of miniseries or just a four part limited series? Your reviews have me intrigued about it, so I may look for a collection of it if one is made.

(Offers Johanna a consoling hug) 80 games? Wow I didn't know there were that many different ones.

No real comment on the issue itself as I'm with you in not getting gaming terminology. (I tried D&D when I was 10 but didn't get it.) I am amazed at how many comics there are that deal with this genre though. There is Dork Tower, this, Knights of the Dinner Table, and others that I know I'm forgetting.

Yeah it's kind of become the Madonna or Dennis Rodman of comics these days. At first it was interesting because it was so shocking, but now readers have to go in expecting everything to turn out bad and so it's lost its impact.

Jay Ancleto (sp?), whose work was gorgeous but very slow, is now only doing covers. The new guy doesn't seem to have as much of a schedule problem, so if that was what kept you away, you might try it again.

I haven't heard of any plans to follow up this miniseries, but I'd like to see more.

Oh, yeah. Some of the mechanisms repeat, but ... yeah. I did a lot of yard-saling to find all of them.

Hey, if there's an audience, more power to them. I just like my comic strips to be funny (or insightful or something!). Someone else said that this is like Liberty Meadows in more ways in just the format

On the other hand, Entropy had no problem finding the initiative to drive Genis bonkers and prevent Rick from doing anything about it.

Ciao,

I love the way you describe this. It explains perfectly why I can't buy into the title. I have been checking out the issues in the store, but always put them back.

B. Martin

That's too bad

: Story: Mark Millar : Pencils: Bryan Hitch : Inks: Paul Neary : Marvel Comics, 32 color pages, $2.25

: I wonder about the kind of person who looks at old superhero team books : and thinks 'hey, this would be so much better if, instead of fighting : bad guys, the heroes spent all their time beating on each OTHER!' That : seems to be the guiding principle behind this oh-so-modern revamp. It's : gloriously illustrated, but it's got too much self-loathing for my : taste. Once you think you've outgrown superhero comics, leave them to : those who haven't and find things more to your taste. Warping them into : degenerates may be cute for a few issues, but it's not the grounds for a : long-term success. It's also a trick that quickly loses its potency.

I'm enjoying this series more and more with each issue, really wondering how far Millar will go with the characters. I like the different take on the Mutant/Avenger angle with Wasp, and I like the cinematic nature of the enterprise. It's doing what Authority did, filling a similar niche in my reading.

Maybe that's why there's more than one version of the characters, so you can read the one that appeals to you?

In article

Except, the depictions don't seem as superheroes. Yes, they are superpowered but my perusals of the issues indicate to me that the characters are not heroic. The above quote from the origin post captured it for me: 'degenerates' and I am just not interested enough to spend any money on these characters.

I atually am quite enjoying Johns' depictions of the Avengers.

B. Martin

That's only true if you have an excruciatingly narrow view of what a 'superhero' is.

They're very human characters, with everything that implies. I reject idealized notions of a 'hero' which divorce the concept from humanity. Marvel always has, as well

In article

Possibly, but I don't find abusers heroic by any definition. The actions of Captain America and Hank Pym are clearly excessive and abusive.

Sorry, I don't find these characterizations as 'very human.' They are beyond the scale. Not simply flawed, but degenerate.

B. Martin