I'm so hungry I could eat a universe

52 It ends here!
I liked this weekly series, but the ending was "eh" for me. Or, as happens with these multiverse, megaverse, parallel Earth storylines, more "huh?". I know they explained that 52 writers crafted stories on these B and C grade characters, but the World War III to fill in the actual One Year Later hole left by the big 3. Well, that bent the promise of what 52 was supposed to tell us. We did learn about what happened "in a world without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman", but I guess I thought we'd finally hear more from them near the end of the series-- not just that Bats was hiding in a cave or whatever. Not to stomp on those of you who love Booster Gold, but the "glory years" to come don't interest me much.

I love Ralph Dibny, and liked his storyline (until it was cut short). Renee, the Question, and Batwoman was another of the strongest. Infinity, Inc, Steel, serviceable story but not very thrilling after she realized Luthor was- shocker- a bad guy manipulating them. Black Adam was OK, but I can just hear the voice over "they killed his love, his wife, so revenge is his to take!"

In the end, I may not be the best person to analyze the series from the long range of putting back pieces from 1960's continuity. But I am a fan, and bought all 52 issues, so that's gotta hold some water.

X-23 5
I have enjoyed X-23 in this story arc (Target X), not having read the first round. Already up to 5 of a 6 part series, Laura is headed with the big finale fight with Wolverine, from the preview image. I think the art is very sharp and attractive, except in issue 5 it veers into too much boob territory with Kimura, her handler/nemesis and X23. Chris Yost and Craig Kyle have written here a girl you can't help but root for- a weapon used against her will who loses everyone who she cares about.

Since January I had the trade of Testament at work. I've finally started reading it-- but man, for a book that ties into the bible there is a lot of sex and nudity! Interesting even for a nonreligious person like myself. I don't see much of the blogosphere talk about this-- anyone out there try it?

Redhead RunnerGirl

I ran a 5K yesterday, with Shoreturtle, PhillyGirl and PhilliesGirl. It was a beautiful warm day, and I had a personal best on my run! Of course, shoreturtle blazed by all of us. We got bagels, ice cream, OJ, energy drinks, run T shirt. It was a well organized and good run. Then I was walloped for the day from getting up early and the all out run.

Have you checked out Twitter yet? My twitter profile: http://twitter.com/redheadfangirl
It asks one question: what are you doing? Dave is going to use his to post flash comic reviews.

Comic wise, I'm now only 1 issue behind in 52, reading up to 52/49. Batwoman captured, Nightwing and Renee- the new Question- go rescue her from Intergang. I'm so glad Didio and DC didn't kill off Nightwing as proposed. The science squad is a little confusing to me, but I understood Black Adam storming Oolong Island and their capture of him. The metal men, Professor Morrow, I just don't know their context. These last few issues have been big Blamo! fight scenes and captures.

Reading Dark Tower 3. The art is still without fault, and the story is unfolding, but why don't I love it? I'm sure if I read the source books.

Linkwise:
Friend johno thinks I should try out for the Spider-man musical.

Spider-Man week in NYC

Seth discusses the nudity on the cover of Mighty Avengers. When I had jury duty this week, I brought Buffy and Fell, to avoid the 'embarrassment in public' factor he discusses.

Fell 8 disappoints Andrew.

Review of Harley Quinn in Detective Comics. I was thrilled to see the return of Harley.

It's the final 'countdown'

Me at The Cloisters, NYC, praying that Marvel doesn't kill off Mary Jane.

When 52 is over, I will have spent $130 on every floppy issue. I'm reluctant to give Countdown that commitment-- I liked having a weekly book (although I was usually playing catch up with 3 issues at a time). At 2.99, this is $155. I like to be up on the DC universe, but $155-- that's ankle wrap sandals, a summer dress, peach lipstick...

My question to you:

Countdown - will you buy it? Did you buy 52? Every issue?

Mikester: I'm curious just how Countdown is going to do. I've been hearing quite a few customers saying that, while they followed and enjoyed 52, one year-long weekly series was enough, thank you, and that they'll probably pass on Countdown. A few have cited the price increase, from 52's $2.50 to the new series' $2.99, as a factor against the series as well. I'm guessing that at least some of these folks will probably cave, and sample the series anyway. I mean, if you're coming in every week for your funnybooks, you're going to see a new Countdown on the shelf, and it's just one more $2.99 book to add to the pile...it's not that big of a deal.

Non-comic things I'm currently into:

TV: The Deadliest Catch King Crab fisherman risk their lives for crab. The competition, strategy all make for great TV. The Shield began the new season with the continued showdown between Vic and Cavanaugh (Forrest Whittaker), and the writing and characters go far beyond the dirty cop concepts.

Music: The Shins Wincing the night away. Love the song 'Turn on me'.

Book: Then we came to the end Reminds me of the layoffs at my old ad agency. Not just a satire, but well developed characters at a workplace going down the tubes.

Random links-
Who cares about superheroes in a world of graphic novels?

Ed Norton as the Incredible Hulk

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer images

SuperKitty

All: please wish good thoughts for my poor kitty, Fredo, now at the animal hospital. He has to stay a few days. He's just the best kitty.

I like seeing the comments to my previous post on where people get their comics. Comment if you haven't yet!

Worst. Cover. Ever part 9
A real eye-lemon from Liefeld at Mark Engblom's site.

Another insider comic blog
called ComicMix.com-- although it currently says "belted with gamma rays".
Comicsmix will offer "the latest talking points in the entertainment universe." He says the site's comics coverage will focus on how the medium is growing beyond the hardcore comics fan and attracting general readers.

Hey! Some actual reviews:
Just picked up 52 weeks 39 and 40, but did catch up to 37. Just did the math and realized by the end of 52, I will have spent $130 this year on this comic. There should be some trade in where I get one bound book for giving my 52 floppies in. Or DC should make a board of all of us who bought every issue. Issue 37 was the Supernova revealed! issue. Booster unravels the story from how the lab had clues everywhere to what was going on with Skeets. His arrogance was exaggerated, and jealousy at Supernova to misdirect. Huh. As we all know with comics, hang on and dead is never dead. Usually.

I also liked the Ollie and Dinah discussion that references her going "East to learn new skills", a tie-in to Shiva and Birds of Prey (and an insider conversation I understood! Yes!). And Animal Man was left behind, left for dead, but dead is never dead...

Birds of Prey 102
The Lois Lane and Barbara Gordon sit down was good, with Lois fishing for info, but leaving wtih "someone powerful seems to rather dislike you." Misfit Batgirl tries to run home base, and ends up just jumping wildly into the pic. Not sure what to think of her, but she does add comic relief. Manhunter is questioned. The team is just beginning, and I don't yet have a feel for all the characters. But Simone can make me root for them, I know it.

New Lost tonight.

second chance redheads

Redhead mom is visiting, a very busy day at the reference desk, and a holiday party for C's work made it a busy weekend.

New Heroes (cast at Golden Globes) tomorrow. EW had an article where it said Christopher Eggleston (Dr. Who) is joining the cast as Claude, an invisible man in New York. In Feb, a flashback episode where we learn "there was a whole generation of heroes and that thye had adventures of their own". Excited to resume the story, and see if Peter is the human bomb after all.

Shout-out to Gail Simone for this quote in Atom 7,not only does she quote Patton Oswalt (pain go bye-bye juice) and circus peanuts, but when Giganta approaches Ryan he says,
"Hey she said she was being mind controlled. Everyone deserves a second chance, especially redheads"

52, week 36
Last weeks 52, but capturing Renee at Charlie's bedside, while cancer eats him away, was very moving and real. The cancer, morphine, and unfairness of losing her friend. My half sisters are currently struggling with losing their father to bone cancer, so this story rings close to home.
"A month ago he was Charlie. He was funny. He was sweet. He was a royal pain in the ass. He was my best friend in the world."
The animal man story with Lobo, Osiris dealing with the Black Adam family, Skeets searching. With 15 weeks left, I tip my hat to the DC team for 52. It's been a good ride this year, and importantly, on time.

I bought the second issue of X-23, and have a stack of comics to catch up on.

70 titles per month from DC

DC Comics month to month sales figures

There are some really interesting tidbits on DC sales to ponder here- see if your DC or Vertigo titles get comments like "harsh drop" or "declining, due to fickleness" It's a different keyhole to peek through as a fan, but most of the numbers synch with our feelings on titles- delays cause lost interest (Wonder Woman), some restarts didn't work (The Flash).

'it can’t gloss over the fact that 52 and Justice League of America appear to be the only major successes in the publisher’s stable right now. Other recent relaunches, such as Wonder Woman and Flash: The Fastest Man Alive, are dropping down the chart at an alarming rate. New high-profile creative teams on Action Comics and Superman are commercial disappointments so far.'

Re: my favorite line Vertigo:
At Vertigo, the monthly direct market sales continue to look bleak. While Fables and Y: The Last Man remain as strong as ever and the spin-off Jack of Fables appears to be successfully establishing itself as a much-needed third flagship, shifting upwards of 20K every month, there’s not much else.

Teasing out some titles I read---
11/2006: 52 Week 30 — 102,576 (- 0.1%)

11/2006: Birds of Prey #100 — 34,607 (+13.9%)

11/2006: The Boys #5 — 26,842 (+ 8.0%)

11/2006: Mystery in Space #3 of 8 — 25,804 (-10.3%)

11/2006: Y: The Last Man #51 — 25,606 (-4.5%)

11/2006: The Creeper #4 of 6 — 18,492 (-12.5%)

11/2006: DMZ #13 — 14,228 (- 2.8%)

Nice to see this about The Exterminators, which I don't read, but friend of my MidJersey Comicon Mike Hawthorne is mentioned..
Holding level as guest artist Mike Hawthorne steps in. Issue #13 begins a four-part storyline, so The Exterminators should be safe until #16 at least.

This is a surprise to me:
11/2006: The All-New Atom #5 — 25,569 (-10.1%)
Another commercial disaster.