Still Alive

It's been over a month since I last posted anything. Time just slips by, you know? Here's the quick updates:

1) Turned down by the police. Doesn't surprise me, even though I made the first cut. I didn't make the second cut, however, so I'm back to trying to get BLET and the general job search.

2) Comics have been slowly becoming decent it seems.

-The Flash hasn't been nearly as entertaining as I had hoped, and as much as I'm not real fond of Acuna's art he should at least be allowed to finish his story arch. Maybe deadlines were rushed or something, but I don't like style jumps that drastic. Nice jab at Batman.

-Countdown has been pretty crappy since it began, but I honestly feel like the stakes are actually appearing and growing....finally....it's only taken maybe 6 monthes? It's not poorly written, but it hasn't read like it is important. I also don't really care about the characters as much as I felt like the characters in 52 (and I didn't really know the characters in either story very well, so that's not the issue).

-Teen Titans feels like it is just treading on old stories now. And, like with Countdown, I'm sure something important is happeneing, but I don't feel like it is. Maybe the art is too light for the story it's trying to tell or something. It just doesn't have a kick.

- Action's recent Bizarro trilogy has been probably one of the best stories I've read in the DCU in a long time, except for maybe the Sinestro Corps arch in Green Lantern.

- Sinestro Corps has been absolutely solid and the first thing I grab out of my comics to purchase. It has been awesome since it began, until the recent Corps issue. Jumping around with the artists having different styles is a bad idea - and the plot didn't advance much at all. it felt like a classic 'we need to tie all the strings together, and this book isn't as important so we'll use it' script. When the Corps issues are collected together it will probably work if they are seperating the titles for the TPBs, but whatever.

- Conan still is a core title for me and it is absolutely amazing. Best hard fantasy title on the market.

- IDW still is pretty solid with their Transformer title, but I just with they didn't feel the need to mark their books a dollar higher than standard price. Nicer cover, sure, but there's no justification.

3) On my writing front I've slowly grinded back into writing, but due to sheer lack of time I haven't been able to make any real progress on any book. Maybe once some things work out I can give a better update solely on that topic...

Still alive!

Yes, I'm still alive. I've been sitting back reading other weblogs, but have not really taken the time to update my own. It's been well over a month and a lot has been going on. So much so I'll do what Kalinara does every one and a while and post things as bullet points.

Comics:

• Supergirl may finally be enjoayble for the quality rather than horidity. She is not fat. We are not being punished. Say hello to anatomy.
• Sinestro Corps is very enjoyable, much more so than Countdown is right now. I wish this to be the actual story of Kyle Rayner when it comes to continuity.
• I hope Countdown picks up speed soon.
• I am starting to really dislike Jimmy Olsen.
• I could care less right now about Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner, Jason Todd, and the Atom.
• I think the Atom is just tagging along for the ride, since he's only there to shrink the group.
• Monitors can't monitor every Monitor?
• Guess that's good and bad, since he's the one Monitor actually doing something. Sadly since they can't watch him none of the others can be inspired to leave the recap at the end of Countdown to act as well.
• Where are the rest of the Anti-Monitors?
• I do however get a kick out of the Trickster and Piper storyline. It's the only one I look forward to.
• Grant Morrison writes good Batman.
• Paul Dini writes great Detective.
• Filler writers are no where near either's quality.
• I'm sad that Conan is ending at 50.
• I'm happy it isn't cancelled. (just a name change/reboot)
• I am envious of Kalinara (and Ragnell) for attending Wizards in Chicago. I almost made it but had to pull out.

Life:

• Greatest Story Ever Told is not dead as was previously stated.
• I had a moment of genius, reworked it, and it does finally work.
• I have nearly 5 pages inked. Takes a while, but I feel good about it.
• My novels are sitting at about 140 pages, I think, splashed across 3 books.
• They are on hold, obviously, but will be finished eventually.
• Book 1 is nearly halfway finished.
• I have yet to hear back on job applications.
• I'm starting to shop around again for employment options.
• I'm not sure who to send my resume to when trying to apply for "Batman"

Tick-Tock.

Countdown issues

Is it just me, or does it feel like the writers of Countdown are not communicating with the other writing teams?

Personally, I find it annoying that the monitors are showing up everywhere with conflicting agendas. Maybe that's on purpose, but it isn't very smooth in any case. Nevermind the obviously inconsistancies with Black Adam.

Personally I would have taken him off the radar for several years, only to make a brief appearance during this new crisis - and then only after his upcoming miniseries. I mean, come on, I would have saved the return of his powerword to be the surprise twist ending of the mini. Here we are, spoiled as a silly plot device. I think it would have been better to bring out Eclipse, rather than have Mary joyride with Black Adam's lightning...

With 52 universes to watch over, the Monitors seem to be overly concerned with this earth. Why are they so worried about this Earth? Is Earth1 the hotspot for the multiverse's spring break and we need additional law enforcement or something?

Still, I can't be totally annoyed with DC over Countdown. I'm just annoyed that they seem to be in perpetual balance over what is good and bad. They let promising titles slide indo mediocrity, while the titles we like to laugh about actually gain promise - and the cycle repeats usually.

Justice League is actually decent now that it is crossing over with an already great title (Justice Society). 52 gave way to Countdown and lacks power, even with the awesome Dini driving it. Donner's Superman has practically vanished, while all-star batman is actually seen a new issue appear. Simone is moving from Birds of Prey to Wonder Woman, to bring that title out of a horrible slump - and hopefully BoP won't fall in quality...

At least I'm happy to say I'm through with Marvel. Only one thing could have tempted me back, but after hearing that DC maybe starting a norse comic I feel safe in saying Thor will not bring me back.

Norse Gods should not wear dinner plates as armor, nor should they be well groomed.