Episode 1610 Talkback - Off the Racks: Black Panther #1, Bloodlines #1, and Micronauts #1
Adam_Murdough
Posts: 506
Get set for '70s-style space-opera (IDW's Micronauts #1), '90s-style sci-fi/horror (DC's Bloodlines #1), and an ultra-contemporary take on 'jungle action' (Marvel's Black Panther #1) in this edition of Off the Racks! Plus bonus reviews, including Chris Eberle's thoughts on DCU: Rebirth #1! (1:16:41)
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Also, while I enjoyed the old Micronauts series, and my brother had a couple of the figures, my favorite characters were the ones created by Marvel, so I had very little interest in this new series. It sounds like I made the right call.
I did, however, buy and read Black Panther #1. As I've said on other threads, it's a buy for me. Everything I liked about it was pretty well covered on the show, so I won’t reiterate. That being said, I can certainly see Murd’s point of view as well. This wasn’t typical superhero fare. But I wasn’t looking for typical superhero fare. Given the writer’s background, I was looking for something that addressed societal and cultural issues, and that’s what I got. As a first issue, perhaps the excitement level wasn’t quite where it needed to be—something, despite Chris’ disdain for Hudlin’s run, that Hudlin and Romita Jr.’s first issue delivered in full.
I stand by my earlier statements that Hudlin’s first issue of Black Panther was a fantastic first issue. It completely hooked me, and made me excited for what was to come. That series never quite lived up to those expectations I had after reading that first issue, but it was a good series for the first year, year-and-a-half.
Coates and Stelfreeze’s first issue of Black Panther has me excited in a different way. Whereas Hudlin/Romita Jr. excited me on a more visceral level, Coates/Stelfreeze have me excited on a more thoughtful/intellectual level. Yes, they’re juggling a lot of plot points that take some of the spotlight off of T’Challa, but I think it will be very satisfying once those plot points start colliding.
And Dani’s raving over the design of the issue had the designer side of me cracking up.
I also dig Mark Waid’s Archie! Really good stuff.
Prescient and prophetic, as he often is.
...and this horrifying Hornetroid vehicle:
...but man, did I get *hours and hours of joy* playing with them, and creating my own names and backstories for them. Such fond memories.
As soon as CGS mentioned this new Micronauts series in a Previews episode, I was curious to hear if it would make for a good comic... so yeah, I am pleased as punch to hear Murd and Dani (and even Chris) say that it is not junk. Now I very much look forward to reading it myself.
Bloodlines - PANTS - Read it and don't even remember any of it. That's how memorable it was...
Micronauts - LOW BUY - I guess I was intrigued by it. I remember having a issue of Micronauts #1 (original series) but not following up on it. The same will probably happen here.
Black Panther -another LOW BUY - Actually, I wasn't too crazy about either the art or the story. Art-wise - well, I didn't notice any Stelfreeze covers before, but his style kinda reminded me of a George Tuska, which I didn't like when he subbed for John Buscema on the Avengers in the 60's. I guess I just thought the Panther should be sleeker and more powerful-looking. Story-wise, I just liked it better when T'challa had his kingdom under control (pre-Priest). And I agree with nweathington: I remember liking Hudlin's early issues of Black Panther.
Thanks!
Pants - Congrats on snagging some Rebirth artwork!
Black Panther was the only 1 of the 3 that I read. Guess I give it borrow. It was "okay." Nothing special. Artwork was nice but the story/writing didn't really grab me.
I too was completely unfamiliar with Micronauts. I had heard of them, and seem to recall them as a toy line, but that's about it. When Murd mentioned "Bug" though, I was surprised to find from using my Google machine that it's the same "Bug" from the Guardians of the Galaxy team from Annihilation: Conquest.
Really enjoyed this episode. I always like OTR episodes, especially when I've read most of the issues. My reviews follow:
Micronauts - buy-row. I've been a tangential fan of the Micronauts since I was a wee lad flipping through the Michael Golden rendered books from the late 70's. A real master artist, Golden had the 'midas touch'. I also loved his work on The 'Nam & Batman Family. Another great title he left way too soon. While this iteration of the Micronauts doesn't quite reach those lofty heights, I think this was an enjoyable read and may be a lot of fun in collected trade, as @Dani suggested. There were six variants of the Microanuts #1 cover with the main one being done by David Baldéon. But the variants by Butch Guice and one by Michael Golden are sublime.
Bloodlines - wasn't interested, so I didn't pick it up, but from the reviews, I doubt I would even borrow it.
Black Panther - borrow. As I've said elsewhere here, the first issue kicked off with lots and lots of exposition. I suspect since this is Choates first foray into comics, his writing will be more refined by the second arc, but for a first issue, well, nothing happened for me. It did not do much for me and I feel like a five-dollar comic should "grab" me. As @Adam_Murdough said, this book is "technically" proficient, and I agree. But I also think it was rather mediocre. After picking up issue #2, I began to wonder if this book could use an audience surrogate since T’Challa is somewhat of a distancing persona(?), because it's still not doing much for me. I'm disappointed.
Star Wars C-3PO Special - strong buy. Art and writing was excellent on every level. The book surprised me in several ways. It was never predictable or boring at all. Once you can accept a cast of droids having personal conversations, you've slipped into this world and it's wonderful, in spite of the cover price.
Congrats to Lee Markowitz on Muddling-the-Murd! Nice baseball theme.