Wednesday, September 19, 2007

What I Bought 9/19/07

Non-Comics Reviews Digression The First: I do not like the old guys who come on campus trying to hand out Bibles. I don't have anything against whatever particular sect of Christianity they belong to, but my rule about religion is that it's fine - as long as it stays the hell away from me. If I'm interested, I will seek it out, not vice versa.

Non-Comics Reviews Digression The Second: Well, there was going to be a second digression, but it keeps growing to the point I think it needs a separate post. So, tomorrow then. Reviews now! Spoilers, everywhere!

Annihilation: Conquest - Quasar #3 - I finally think I have a bead on this series. It's supposed to a knight's quest story, which Phyla's frequent use of the Quantum Bands to make swords should have made clear to me, but it took a dragon instead. I'm slow.

Anyway, Quasar and the Moondragon continue to track the Savior, but the Super-Adaptoid got there first, which gives it time to prepare for their arrival, which it does. By the end of the issue, things look dire for our heroes, as well as the rest of the galaxy, though Phyla did put on quite the impressive display near the end there.

I'm enjoying Gage's dialogue, because he does such a nice job of giving Phyla and Heather different voices. I know that is the sort of thing that ought to be a given, but I still want to give credit. Heather comes off as mostly more level-headed, but she's also much more serious. Phyla's prone to exaggeration, and letting her emotions get the best of her, but she also has a knack for lightening the mood when it's need, which was the case early in this issue.

One thing I'm trying to figure out art-wise, is why Mike Lilly seems to enjoy diagonal panels so much. It's not every page, but frequently the panels are at around a 45-degree angle. I smell an art-themed future post. It's a decent enough issue, though I didn't think it was great. For some reason, the last panel, the statement of doom doesn't do much for me. I suppose I just figure Phyla will find a way to overcome this difficulty. We'll have to wait and see. 3.4 out of 5.

Suicide Squad: Raise the Something #1 - Because I'm confused as to what the actual title is, that's why. Yes, Shadowpact is gone, which means it's probably about to get really good (not this week's issue, though). You laugh, but remember that Blue Beetle got really good shortly after #11, which was the last issue I purchased. But has one happy Blue Beetle fan thanked me for making the sacrifice of not buying that title? No. Ungrateful louts.

Anyway, I was wondering how the Squad was going to rescue a presumed dead Rick Flag in this issue that took place in the past, considering he abruptly appeared in Checkmate a while back. Turns out that won't be an issue. As to the actual issue, it wasn't bad. My unfamiliarity with Suicide Squad (excluding what I've learned thanks to the blogowhatchamafloogle) meant it probably didn't resonate as much as one might hope.

That being said, I enjoyed it. Deadshot slapped that annoying Captain Boomerang. I liked that. I'm always a fan of the situation where the big guy is bear-hugging the good guy to death, and the good guy smacks the big guys ears and that stops him. Does that actually work? Perhaps I should go fight a bear to test that theory? This is the same Nightshade that's in Shadowpact, I'm assuming, because she's a bit creepier in this. Which is cool. Creepy works, though I'm not so sure that costume does. What's with those giant bubble goggles? '80s fashion frightens me.

So in conclusion, not bad, I might buy the next issue, I'll certainly give it a look, to see if I can get into it a little bit more. 3.1 out of 5.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I have a similar issue with Christians, but primarily from the viewpoint that I am one.

I mean, okay, you give someone a Bible. What next?

I feel similarly about Christians who show up in populated places - campuses, sides of the road - with bloated pictures of aborted fetuses.

Sigh. Sometimes I'm mildly embarrassed to be a Christian.

-M

Seth T. Hahne said...

Free Bibles? I'm always up for free books. Even if I don't think it's my bag. If someone was handing out free copies of Identity Crisis, I'd happily stuff it in my backpack. Maybe I'd read it or maybe it'd collect dust, but hey, at least it was free.

CalvinPitt said...

matt: Bloated pictures of aborted fetuses? I'm glad there hasn't been any of that on campus (that I've noticed).

the dane: I'm usually distrustful of people giving out free stuff, unless it's free food (I am a starving grad student after all). I always wonder what the catch is, that they give this out for free. I think you've definitely got the better outlook.

Unknown said...

Bloated pictures of aborted fetuses? I'm glad there hasn't been any of that on campus (that I've noticed).

Yep. I think it was on the most recent anniversary of Roe vs. Waid, a church group stood outside with enormous posters. I've also seen church groups stand on the side of major roads in my town.

I always wonder what the catch is, that they give this out for free. I think you've definitely got the better outlook.

In a lot of cases, I think churches are just trying to get the word out there on whatever it is. They might ask you if you want some kind of mailer, but if you say no, they usually don't keep the Bible from you.

...except for Mormons. Nothing against Mormons, really, but if you want a copy of the Book of Mormon from them you're pretty much agreeing to let them into your home. I found out that one the hard way.

-M

SallyP said...

I have always wanted to walk up to the people who protest abortion, and take their names down,and get them to each promise to adopt, raise and put those fetuses through college personally.

But then, I'm a troublemaker at heart. But you must admit it would be a practical solution.

Anonymous said...

SallyP, will you marry me? ;-)

The best episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was "Charlie Needs an Abortion", where the gang cruises clinic protesters.

One of them actually vaults over the fence because the pro-lifers are hotter.

This does not go well.