The Hype Machine...Comes Through?

I've enjoyed a good deal of Mark Millar's work, but his incessant hyping of it makes me less and less likely to try his new projects. The slowness with which they eek out is a deterrent, too, but it's really his endlessly hyping up his own abilities, successes and spinning of his shortcomings as wins that push me away.

But damn if it doesn't work for him.

I don't know how it happened, but somehow I've found up on e-mail alerts from The Hollywood Reporter throughout the day about any entertainment developments. Two of them today have included news about Hollywood Mark Millar:

Universal in Negotiations to Pick Up 'War Heroes' Comic Book Project (Exclusive)

&

'X-Men' Director Matthew Vaughn Developing Mark Millar Comics 'The Secret Service,' 'Superior'

Though, it is interesting to note, that the second THR article asserts that Vaughn co-created The Secret Service property, which makes this appear more like Millar is a hired hand in the process with Vaughn than the full-fledged creative force that he more often sells himself as. The appearance of this point, coupled with the article mentioning that Vaughn wants to get back more control from start-to-finish of his projects, seems to suggest that he may have played a large role in formulating the key points that the project launches from and then handed it off to Millar to flesh it out.

Regardless, success for comic book projects in other media still brings at least a modicum of attention back to the medium that was its source...and if War Heroes is a success, I'll be thrilled for the payday it might bring to Tony F___ing Harris, stand-up guy and outspoken workers' rights fella on Twitter.

Of Fanfic Published As Product...

I often read/hear people complaining that so many of today's super-hero comic books are just fanfic dressed up and published. Normally, I really don't see it at all. Sometimes, I see it...but don't get the problem.

Take OLD MAN LOGAN, for instance. So many of the elements in the story could have come from someone just throwing wild ass ideas out there that don't have to take the time to fill in all the blanks. There's a clunky moment or two where Millar has thugs spouting out Ashley's heritage, again, when that just seems unnecessary.

But overall? Those wild ass ideas are executed very well and accompanied with beautiful artwork to make (so far) a damn enjoyable story.

Maybe someone out there can tell me where the fanfic complaint comes into the super-hero comic book pastime? As far as I can tell, it's just a way of trying to say you don't like a story and dress it up more like a factual observation than one's singular opinion.

Random Comic Thoughts

• Man, people are making a stink about the new Newsarama boards. Some people are REALLY bent out of shape.
  
• I'm more thrown by Newsarama becoming more of an entertainment site than a comic book site and basically turning all of their articles into blogs, rather than leading into traditional message board discussion. Still, better than CBR's "hey...go find somewhere on our site to talk about it" style.
• Without giving spoilers, I'm not as sold on Trinity yet as others. Yeah, Busiek has the characters down cold. But some of the elements that they're building from scratch here (I'm being vague as possible) could backfire. Busiek was hit-or-miss on new elements he introduced in Superman (mostly miss from what I can remember). When he missed, it could only hurt an issue or an arc. Here, it looks like a majority of the series could very well hinge on how fans react to entirely new creations.
  
• I think Millar's Kick Ass is interesting, if not setting the world on fire for me. But I find my opinion of it is often negatively effected by the hype machine Millar rolls out for it. From quoting sycophant fans on the back of the book as if they were noteworthy critics to at least one quote whore I know reviewing the book just in hopes of being quoted.
• Secret Invasion #3: wasn't the most outlandish spoiler that Mr. Anonymous gave me, but it still qualifies as another "I told you so" moment. I'm wondering what's going on with the biggest bomb he said they'd be dropping on the readers, though.

In response to some of the stuff in the comments section:

• Yes, Bagley does, indeed, rule on Trinity. He does great work on the book. I'm just a bit of a cynic, which is why I focused on my fears for the book in the comment rather than the good stuff. I'm glad to see a strong start on the backup art with the choice of McDaniel, too.
• I've revealed the (potential) biggest bomb for Secret Invasion in the past, but it was via a vlog. I'll embed that vlog in the bottom of this blog shortly (update: rather than embed, here's the link). I haven't heard from Mr. Anonymous again since shortly after the release of the first issue. That's consistent with his stated motives, though. He made it clear to me that the reason why he was passing along the info was directly related to how much of an asshat "Marvel_b0y" was being.
  
• I'll not delve into a Newsarama vs. CBR pissing match, but I've always thought that articles that go directly into a forum to discuss the news was one of the things that made fans flock to the 'Rama in larger numbers than CBR. I think the change takes some of the charm away, but how much remains to be seen.
• Peter Tomasi and crew are certainly kicking ass on Nightwing. I'll say, though, that I was a little disappointed to see how irregular Rags Morales has been in his contributions to the book. I wonder if he might have still been contributing a bit to the Batman Confidential arc he did with Tony Bedard. While I'm sure Rob might still lop off an appendage to be him, the number of times other artists have had to fill-in for him is making his timeliness look more Liefeldian with every passing day. Update: Ken B. mentions below that Rags explained on a Newsarama forum that the fill-ins on Nightwing have largely been necessary due to his commitment to aforementioned Batman Confidential arc.
  

Fourthman Reviews: Project Superpowers/RASL/Kick Ass

Project Superpowers #1
Published by Dynamite
Written by Jim Kruegner w/ Alex Ross
Pencils by Carlos Paul w/ Alex Ross

I really enjoyed the zero issue of this book. So much so that I became excited for the title. I did not enjoy Justice and after not enjoying The Twelve #1, I was dreading the release of this title. The #0 shipped and I read The Twelve #2, suddenly this book seemed like it could rock.

Wait a second, I had the same hopes for Justice... and then delays and a spotty story ruined that book for me. Here I find much the same as far as story is concerned. First of all, this is a #1 and I understand the whole idea of giving content not available elsewhere in the #0, but Jungle Girl and Black Summer, while enhanced by the #0 were not dependent on it. Here, you are thrust into the middle of the story and beyond it being impenetrable for new readers; the damn thing does not logically progress from the last issue. Instead, there is some new crap thrown at us, all of which makes very little sense. I assume this is still the distant future, but there is no indication in the book of its setting or time. Things just sort of happen and all of it requires that you have read the #0 to understand it, but even beyond that some of those things make no sense. Why were the Llama and Dynamic Man immune to the events of #0? How did Dynamic Man come to his position of power? These are things that hurt the narrative and need to be addressed now, not later.

The events in the end of the issue are just enough to make me read issue #2, but it has to wow. I am sure this will sell like hot cakes, hell Justice did, but this is not a good start. Issue #0 was a great story told through characters and actions and was a neat idea. Here everything that was good about #0 is either ignored (characterization) or used for convenience (the urn was merely a set up for random fights). It sucks that two issues in (and with the book on time), I am where I was at on issue 7 of Justice.

The art is better than the story, but not by much. The character designs are great, and Paul does a great job of adapting to Ross's style. This is something that is hard to do. I don't think Epting draws the new Cap costume very well in full view, but Paul seems to do okay with the designs here. Problem is the book flip flops between Alex Ross esque painted photo realism and absurdist out of place humor. There is too much emotion happening. This takes the characters out of the realm of serious comic book characters and into the realm of caricature. It is odd and lessens otherwise solid art.

I will check out issue #2, but this is based on the strength of the #0 and has almost nothing to do with what was read here.

"Ultimate Comics, we have more comics then your shop has!"

RASL #1
Published by Cartoon Books
Written and drawn by Jeff Smith

First off, let me get this out of the way. For the younger readers out there, this book has mild language. It is not as all ages friendly as Smith’s previous work. Parents will want to make the decision as to whether or not this book is appropriate. There is nothing you won’t see or hear on network TV, but fans of Bone and Shazam!: Monster Society of Evil may want to think twice.

Next onto the book itself. Much like Bone, the start of RASL puts us firmly into the action and seeds a mystery. I am sure much will be explained over the coming issues. For those curious as to what the book is about? Rasl is an art thief. He can travel through time and/or dimensions and this makes him very hard to catch. In this first issue, he ends up in a place that is not what it appears to be and he finds out something (that is not entirely clear) that leads him to believe that he may have people following him. There are problems with “the Drift”, his means of travel as well. The issue is very fast paced and well executed. Many intriguing ideas and scenarios are introduced. This is as good as first issues get. Smith brings his unique character designs to the table and his ability to tell a compelling story from the start is on full display.

There is no doubt that this is the beginning of something special. If you have never read Bone or Monster Society this is as good a place as any to start. While you are at the shop pick up the other two as well, they are superb comics.

"Ultimate Comics, we're doing it up right with a midnight opening for Dark Tower: The Long Road Home!"

Kick-Ass #1
Published by Icon
Written by Mark Millar
Pencils by John Romita, Jr.

The Millar hype machine went into overdrive for this book. The guy putting the Fantastic into Fantastic Four, the author of the smash Civil War, and the creator of this summer’s Wanted, wants to make sure when he does an Icon book, it sells. So a viral campaign, a poster campaign for retailers, and a spreading the word of mouth campaign later, how is the actual book?

Love or hate Millar, he likes to give us big ideas. It would seem that a book about a lonely and miserable teenager becoming a vigilante would have already happened. Who knows? It may have, as there are a lot of comics I have yet to read. I am fairly sure this is the first one to happen in the “real” world. Told as an issue long flashback that gives us the origin of our hero, Dave Lizewski, this issue lets us in on something other than just the beginning of Dave’s story, it also lets us know that many, many people have taken up his idea and run with it. Between a throwaway phrase from Dave and the opening sequence, things may get out of control for more than just our young protagonist.

The rest of the book focuses on why this young man chooses to put on a mask and a wetsuit to take up crime fighting. It is an interesting character study into the mind of the isolated teenager. The lonely kid, who in this world all too often turns to gun play in cafeterias. I almost wish that some read this book and go this route. It would lead to more tragic stories, of course, but less body bags of innocent children. Millar handles it all with a keen eye on the voice of the “geeky” teenage kid. I am sure that his message board has been great research for this project. That’s right kiddies, brother eye is watching and being inspired.

This is not the only book to sport pencils by John Romita, Jr, this week, but unlike X-Men Legacy, this book sports not only good work by JRJR, but the emergence of a different style. Oh, the lines are the same, but he is going for a more realistic character design and I like it. Dean White’s colors give it all a nice tone and it works well.

If this book continues to be a meditation on the consequences of “real life” vigilantism, then we may have something special here. We already have a special #1.

Lee Newman works at Ultimate Comics, where they'll be participating in the Marvel midnight offering of the new Stephen King project, DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD HOME, at 12am on March 5th.

Who Is THE PAINTED DOLL?!?!?

I don't know how many of you might recall this, but...as Civil War was unfolding...an apparent mole at Marvel was revealing many secrets of the mini-series before they hit the stands.

Its Spider-Man that gets unmasked in Civil War. He does it willingly on live TV. Thor comes back as a clone/cyborg created by Richards and Stark and Sue leaves the FF with Black Panther and Storm filling in for her and a mortally wounded Human Torch. And Namor's still a prick.

Discuss amongest yourselves.

The Painted Doll | 04.24.06 - 5:34 pm

No one realized how spot-on this guy was. He clarified later that the mortally wounded was based on Torch's injury in the first issue, which Marvel apparently went in a different direction with.

He has more along the way, though, in a post directed at Rich Johnston (on 09-26-2006) in his LitG forum:

What's up with the lack of Spoilers? Civil War is in full force and you aren't dropping hints on anything.

Like, who's gonna be on the new Fantastic Four?

Will Tony and Reed be able to control their Clone Thor?

Is it true that the Winter Soldier will be wearing Cap's costume when this is all said and done?

What's up with the mutants leaving the mansion, and how does the world's first mutant play into that?

Who is Hulk bringing back with him when he comes back in World War Hulk?

Is everyone's favorite scottish writer really taking over after whedon leaves the house that Xavier built?

And most importantly, how much is Marvel paying you to keep your mouth shut? Inquiring minds want to know.

He hits Blog@Newsarama to drop a hint:

Tigra’s a double agent. Wait, I mean….Spider-man unmasks on TV. No, what I meant to say is that Punisher kills two v-, no, no, actually Cap is really le-, ah forget it.

Comment by The Painted Doll — December 13, 2006

In January 2007, he shares the following on a CBR thread:

That Amazon review is bogus.

Cap gives up in issue 7. During the big super hero slugfest (which ends in the streets of NY), civilians jump to Iron Man's defense, making Cap realize the error of his ways. CW ends with his ass in jail. As for what makes them kiss and make up.....go reread the end of Watchmen for your answer to that question.

Toddles.

So...the question remains...who is THE PAINTED DOLL? A Marvel staffer? A Marvel writer? Rich Johnston, alluding to being paid off in some manner for not reporting it himself, but still getting the info out there? All one knows for sure is that this person had amazing resources or contact within Marvel editorial and appears to have been a fan of Alan Moore/Promethea.

Maybe they are still out there?

SCHWAPP!!! Comics Week 21.1: Fantastic Four #554

Marvel launches the Millar/Hitch era on Fantastic Four with issue 554. Is it good? Sure. Is it great? Don't drink the Kool-Aid just yet. Do keep it handy, because signs point to it being worthwhile to drink it in a few months.

Anyone else miss MJ and Peter...

...in the great Mark Millar/Terry & Rachel Dodson run in MK Spider-Man? It was amazing!

(pic from Brian Peck, art collector and fan of the Dodson's)

What Wine Goes With Superman Cape, Mr. Millar?

Mark Millar recently stated in an interview (that Kevin Melrose covered over at Blog@Newsarama) that Civil War was the best selling comic in the last 15 years.

When people called him on the hyperbole that ignored the facts, he got cranky. I don't necessarily blame him, because you can't expect him to research everything he might say in an interview. The point that it was an amazing sales success is true. This is the sort of thing that only obsessed comic book fans would gripe about.

But...

In his crankiness, he said the following:

Groan.

If someone can show me another monthly comic series published in the American market that has outsold Civil War then I will eat my Superman cape. You can go all the way back to the collapse in 1994.

This is truly pathetic and pedantic, but typical of some aspects of the Internet, unfortunately.

MM

Oh my. You should really not put a challenge out like that. While you should be able to speak extemporaneously in an interview without being expected to have researched every bit of what you say, there's really no excuse for sitting at your computer and not doing a bit of research before making a bold statement, fueled largely by thin skin and thick ego. Sorry, Mr. Millar, but as much as you can do some great work, you certainly make sure no one forgets it and rail against any who don't tend to agree.

Courtesy of MyComicShop.com:

X-Men (1991-) 42
Published July 1995
Original cover price: $1.95

Deluxe edition on glossy paper. "Heaven Can Wait." Script by Fabian Nicieza, pencils by Paul Smith, inks by Matt Ryan. Statement of ownership--average print run 800,625; average paid circulation 614,075. Andy Kubert/Ryan cover.

Let's see. July 1995 actually came out in May. The statement of ownership would then go back into May of 1994, I believe. (Edit: It has been pointed out to me that the likely period covered by the statement of ownership is January 1994 to December 1994, still within Millar's range)

The lesson today, boys and girls, is to quit while you're behind and just admit a mistake when you make one instead of getting into a pissing match with people that have more free time than you and know how to work a Google search properly.

FourthMan Reviews: Fantastic Four #554

On SCHWAPP, I'm endeavoring to open things up to allow others to be part of the blog. Someone I've always respected the reviews of would be Lee Newman aka FourthMan at Newsarama. He's, also, part of the team over at Ultimate Comics.

Fantastic Four #554
Published by Marvel Comics
Written by Mark Millar
Pencils by Bryan Hitch

When Jack Kirby and Stan Lee first brought us the Fantastic Four way back in 1961, the book was pretty simple. You had four good friends who had recently acquired super powers fighting Earth threatening evils. Like many comics, somewhere along the way the book became convoluted, but more importantly it lost a good bit of its fun. Marriages and galactic evils complicated things until the book stopped being a best seller. Not even JMS could get the book to sustain some kind of success. McDuffie’s recent run was fun, but wildly uneven and mired by poor art.

Enter Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. Like Millar or not, he does know how to write an opening issue (Civil War #1 and Wanted #1 are more than proof enough for this. Heck, my understanding is that Wanted was optioned for a movie off of the first issue alone). He brings all his skills to this issue. From and opening sequence that reminds one of Back To The Future III to an honest portrayal of what the Baxter building must be like on a day to day basis. The fun is brimming from the get go. Millar also doesn’t ignore recent events, with Sue still wanting to be independent, going so far as to form her own super hero team. And the marriage problems are referenced not only in the dialogue of non team members, but in the look in Sue’s eye when Mrs. Fantastic shows up.

Really much of the issue is a breather. It is cleansing of the palate if you will, but the last four pages bring something that Jack and Stan would have done. There are big ideas brought up. Really big ones that left my jaw on the floor, especially given the teaser of next issue’s cover.

A lot of that jaw hanging has to do with Hitch. He is one of the greats, there is no doubt. The coloring is a little washed out for his pencils; I remember the penciled previews looking much strong then the actual issue. My other criticism is that Johnny looks a little odd, but when he flames on, who cares. That look in Sue’s eye I mentioned previously was certainly part of the script, but Hitch is the guy who executes it. Really, the issue is impressive in the art, but for me the real kicker is the two page spread on 21 and 22. This is the Hitch I love. I have not seen art that detailed from him since the early issues of The Authority. The page literally seems to go on forever. Simply breathtaking.

Millar and Hitch bring the fun, the big ideas, and still manage to bring a family dynamic and soap opera to the book. If the first issue is any indication, then the next year of the Fantastic Four should be some kind of run.