Nick Costanzo
Oct 8, 2007, 10:24 pm
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THREAD : COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Started at Dec 28, 2006 07:00 pm by raul grau
Visit at http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40991
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[Post 1]
Author : raul grau
Date : Dec 28, 2006 07:00 pm
Title : COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/comixfanpresents.gif" align=left border=0 hspace=10 alt="Comixfan Presents logo">The Top Ten Wildstorm Stories
By: Nick Costanzo, Anthony Devlin, Raul Grau, David Henry, Mike Sangregorio
Editor: Raul Grau
After examining the best Teams (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40867) and Characters (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40952) that Wildstorm has to offer, Comixfan now addresses the very situations that these teams and characters face. Without dynamic storytelling, readers would revolt... admit it, one issue of grocery shopping with Midnighter would be interesting, but an eight part arc crosses the line. Thankfully, Wildstorm is never lacking in terms of intelligent mind-candy, from the overthrow of the American executive branch to a little ditty 'bout Punchy and Duke... but which are truly the best?
The staff of Comixfan have read their pull lists, and checked them twice, so now you're gonna find out who's the Top Ten Wildstorm Stories, in our final present from the Ghost of Wildstorm Past (the holiday references were belated, but clearly intentional). With Alan Moore, Ed Brubaker, Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, James Robinson, and Joe Casey counted amongst the Wildstorm stable of writers, you can rely on two truths for the imprint overall: solid craftsmanship and rebelliousness aimed squarely at the quadrilateral shape of most comic fare. However, please remember that only those stories set in the Wildstorm Universe were under consideration, so even though Alan Moore left for ABC, our focus remains on the core titles. That said, some Wildstorm writers have been as prodigious as they are prolific, as you shall soon see.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/outerdark.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/outerdark.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="The Authority: Under New Management"></a>#10 Outer Dark
As chronicled in: The Authority #9-12
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Brian Hitch
Collected in: The Authority: Under New Management
Ellis and Hitch's rollercoaster, ‘blockbuster movie’ of comics reaches its thrilling conclusion and what can I say... God is not pleased! Can you blame it though? I mean, it creates the universe, takes the third planet from the sun to be its home, takes a holiday that lasts for a few million years, and returns to find that Earth has become infested with unwanted inhabitants.. Humans! No problem, this is God after all.. Well, usually I would agree, if it weren’t for the fact that this is Jenny’s world! Outer Dark isn't anything new. It's the same old ‘Earth is on the verge of annihilation, and only a group of heroes can save the day’. So, in that case, what’s the big song and dance about this arc? Well, the series has been called the comic equivalent of a big budget motion picture, and with very good reason. Everything is on a grand scale. Hitch creates wide-screen panels that read like the storyboard of a summer blockbuster, capturing the enormity of the battles with ease, and meshing superbly with Ellis’ all-action take on a modern, uncompromising super-team. Ellis leaves the book with the same adrenaline high that he started with, but with one bitter pill. He set the book up to be continued, even handpicked its next creative team, but he didn’t leave all of his toys behind. The Authority might have killed God, but Ellis killed their leader. He took with him the Spirit of the 20th Century, Jenny Sparks... but, he left the Spirit of the 21st Century, the baby Jenny Quantum (Quarx) in her place. Jenny is dead, long live Jenny.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsv3_18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsv3_18t.jpg" align=left hspace=10 alt="Wildcats 3.0 #18"></a>#9 Tilting the Axis of the World
As chronicled in: Wildcats 3.0 #13-18
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Dustin Nguyen, Francisco Ruiz Velasco, and Sean Phillips
If Wildcats 3.0 had not been canceled as the title entered its (what would turn out to be) final arc, then these six issues would have filled the third trade of this critically-acclaimed, though (obviously) under-selling series. Bridging the gap between Full Disclosure and the brewing Coda War, Casey continues his quest to change the face of comic book superheroics, just as Jack Marlowe and his compatriots seek to change the world through corporate capitalism. Interspersed throughout the resolution of the literal Agent Wax affair and the introduction of Ladytron 2.0 (Now with Extra Grifting) are commercials for the Halo brand cars, the next advancement from the Halo Corporation and an apparent indication that 3.0 is not your ordinary spandex fare. The Powers That Be fear the effects of rampant innovation, and Marlowe provides the non-confrontational confrontation to end all non-confrontational confrontations. These reformed heroes just want to elevate the human condition, but altruism can come with a price.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary8full.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary8thumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary #8"></a> #8 The Day the Earth Turned Slower
As chronicled in: Planetary #8
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Collected in: Planetary: The Fourth Man
Light on forward plot, but heavy on revelatory flashback, The Day The Earth Turned Slower is Ellis' captivating mood piece with heavy homage to the 1950s Red Scare and the sci-fi B-movies that ruled the day. The tale is told through a sympathetic figure named Allison, who invites the Planetary team to City Zero, an unmapped desert location whose B-unit buildings housed biological experiments on social dissidents. The tests were performed by Randall Dowling under the direction of Anna Hark. Though the Hark Corporation's affiliation with the Four Voyagers was a surprise, this chapter marks the first time that we learn of Artemis' other leanings besides sending the Four into space. More importantly, the establishment of City Zero, and the genetic mutates it produced, would later play strong roles in the origin of Ambrose Chase and the activation of Jim Wilder's shift ship in Planetary's final issue. When Allison – who was shot dead, resuscitated, and converted to a radioactive half-life – disperses into a cloud of ash, the story ends along with Planetary's foundation forming opening act. With the groundwork firmly set, the series would attain a higher gear the following arc, as the storyline's action and intrigue kicked into overdrive.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsvol2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsvol2.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt=""></a>#7 Serial Boxes
As chronicled in: Wildcats #14–19
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Sean Phillips
Collected in: Wildcats: Serial Boxes
The Wildcats had never been much for saving the world. They tried to keep the “evil Daemonites” from upsetting the way things are, but in the end they seemed to be more trouble then they were worth. This story from the second, more streamlined volume of the title has the team learning how to police its own. Joe Casey crafts a story of a progressive Wildcats team tying up loose ends and focusing on how to make the world better. After a series of people named Marlowe are viciously murdered, Voodoo, Grifter, and Spartan each try to discover the link to recently deceased/ascended Lord “Jacob Marlowe” Emp. In what serves as a pivotal story in the team’s mythology, Serial Boxes helps to bring these characters to the forefront of the Wildstorm world, and place them on the shelf next to their more overbearing contemporaries. Now that the team’s founder is gone and their reason for being has all but been put to bed, what do a bunch of ex-soldiers with powers, billions of dollars, and extraterrestrial technology do? Well as Emp told Spartan before he died, “don’t be afraid to be a hero, because this world needs one.”
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary1full.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary1thumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary #1"></a> #6 All Over The World
As chronicled in: Planetary #1
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Collected in: Planetary: All Over The World
The first issue of any series is typically considered setup. But with All Over The World, the opening installment of Warren Ellis' magnum opus Planetary, it really is a setup. When Jakita Wagner introduces a cranky, old desert bum named Elijah Snow into the Planetary organization – with its deep pockets, branded helicopters, mysterious Third and Fourth Men, shadowy corporate history, and offices all over the world – Mr. Snow and the reading audience immediately have something in common: we both are being had. Cleverly, Ellis captures us in his mystery within a mystery concerning the origin of Elijah Snow and Planetary itself. The deceptively frenetic pacing of Planetary's opening act introduces us to a variety of themes that would set the tone for the series: the necessity of a Planetary trinity, discovery and protection of the superunknown, and the snowflake of reality - the entrance to the multiverse, offering alternate earths and possibilities, a 196,833 faceted dimensional space, which would, in some shape or form, be referenced throughout the series. With its iconic closing statement – "It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way." – the first issue of Planetary left its indelible mark on the industry, drawing a line in the sand few comics would dare to cross.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary26full.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary26thumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary #26"></a> #5 (untitled)
As chronicled in: Planetary #26
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
It took 8 years for Warren Ellis, and his faithful fans, to reach the final chapter of Planetary. In that time, Elijah Snow, the series' central figure and most dynamic character, has undergone a transformation not unlike the mythic hero whose archetype he represents. We were introduced to Snow as a man lost in the desert wilderness, and it is in that desert wilderness that he comes full circle, outwitting and defeating the remainder of the Four, finally aware of his life's true purpose, a man found. As mystery archaeologists, the Planetary team discovers its biggest find. The shiftship, whose touchstone transformed Jim Wilder into its superhuman captain, is fully activated thanks to a full crew of City Zero descendants, who are no longer victims, instead triumphant in their assistance in defeating the Four and doing the right thing. Ironically, the last issue of the series is left untitled. What statement is made here? Perhaps Elijah Snow's quote near the end of the tale best echoes the sentiment of Ellis in writing the series' last official issue: "I feel like I've just tied off a wound that's bled for a hundred years." Having endured such a long and rewarding journey, Ellis hadn't the title to describe his own triumph.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetarybatmanfull.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetarybatmanthumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary/Batman"></a>#4 Night on Earth
As chronicled in: Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Collected in: Planetary: Crossing Worlds
Planetary are the most accomplished metahistorical archeologists in the Wildstorm Universe, and the lost treasure uncovered in this particular outing is the softer side of arguably the greatest hero from DC proper (though he fell just short in our countdown (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=32545)). Admittedly, Night on Earth is much more of a Batman tale than his second billing would indicate, but Snow and his compatriots provide the comic foil for the cowled one. Ellis takes the titular team on a tour of alternate Gothams, each one featuring its own caped crusader, including representatives of the camp 60s, grim 80s, and the far-flung future, but every iteration of Wayne shares two personality quirks: an all-consuming belief in justice, masking a profound sense of loss. Of course, veiled threats and sarcastic quips ensue, as both are synonymous with the modern Dark Knight, but following the frenetic fighting and foppish follies, Ellis reminds readers of the sensitive soul beneath the cowl. Planetary/Batman is a brilliant Batman story that could only be told against the backdrop of Wildstorm, making this one of the greatest offerings from any imprint.
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<a href=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/stormwatch3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/stormwatch3.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="StormWatch: Change or Die"></a>#3 Change or Die
As chronicled in: Stormwatch #48-50
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Tom Raney
Collected in: StormWatch: Change or Die
The Justice Society of America was made from heroes marketable enough to be assembled into a team. What if they had actually set out with a purpose? What if they had actually tried to change the world? More importantly, who would be there to stop them? Why would they even try? These are some of the questions that Wildstorm architect Warren Ellis brought to bare in his seminal Change or Die storyline during the last arc of Stormwatch's first volume. To change the almighty status quo requires action that can not be restricted to just doing what everyone thinks is good. The "Changers", lead by the Nietzschian former pulp adventurer, the High, charged into our consciousness, took no prisoners, and attempted to make a finer world, regardless of whose toes they had to step on. They burned flags, broke down the traditional social structures, and completely detached people from their economic dependencies that keep the world in turmoil. When they inadvertently upset the plans of one Henry Bendix, their crusade died on the vine like the Nevada Gardens. What they could not accomplish as men they accomplished as ideas, spurring to action Jenny Sparks, and giving her the one thing she had given so many others - inspiration. They wanted to show the world their blueprints for a better way of being, but once again the staying power of the status quo was shown to reign supreme.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wchomecoming.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wchomecoming.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="WildCATS: Homecoming"></a>#2 Homecoming
As chronicled in: WildCATS #21-27
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Travis Charest and Kevin Maguire
Collected in: WildCATS: Homecoming
How do you destroy the Wildcats? Apparently, you just send them home. Alan Moore crafted the definitive story of the title’s first volume when he sent the original CATs, sans Grifter, inadvertently to Khera. While this serves as a trip home for some, it is an eye opener for all. Moore’s prose reads like poetry, complementing the cold truth of the ruthless Kheran social structure and the fallout of a war with Daemon that ended centuries before most of the team had been born. Alongside this is a tale of Mr. Majestic’s second Wildcats becoming a proactive superhero team. While flirting with silver age wackiness at times, both stories lay bare the fundamentals of the characters by forcing them to question the foundations of what they are fighting for. This elevated the team to a new level of storytelling, one with the potential to show as much self-doubt and character development as widescreen action. While the Bearded One also gives us future Sleeper villain Tao, it is Travis Charest who shows why he may just be the definitive Wildcats artist. Two years of battling villains such as Helspont and (I kid you not) the Gnome may have made them heroes, but Homecoming made them human.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsversion3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsversion3.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Wildcats 3.0 #1"></a>#1 Brand Building
As chronicled in: Wildcats 3.0 #1-6
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Collected in: Wildcats 3.0: Brand Building
If there's one underlying theme to the modern Wildstorm Universe, its the representation of super heroes in a different light. Costumes, if they exist, are streamlined and functional. Powers tend to be grandeous in scale, and yet unique in their execution. And above all, the line between good and evil, between our very notions of right and wrong, are blurred to the point where they are not only indistinguishable, they may well be irrelevant. So, honestly, what better story to present as our number one in all of Wildstorm's history, than what is arguably the most unique, and successful, attempt ever made by a "super hero" toward the making of a better world?
Jack Marlowe, the former Spartan of the former WildCATS, sets his plans in motion in Brand Building, the opening installment of Wildcats Version 3.0. And he uses a resource that, up until this point, has gone all but untapped in the history of Wildcats: Halo, Inc. itself. He buys out accounting firms, manufacturing facilities, and even mass media conglomerates for the sole purpose of integrating the Halo brand name into the hearts and minds of the American public. On top of that, he begins releasing products that will genuinely change the lives of the people who buy them. Batteries that never die, cars that will never die, cell phones that will never need recharging, and computers that will never need to be replaced, or even plugged in for that matter. All at a pace that is as staggering to the public, as it is to the reader itself. Humanity is understandably skeptical of what's happening, and yet at the same time there's a sense of wonder and excitement at what Jack may have in mind. This is a sentiment that, once again, seems to bleed off to the reader. One really starts to wish they could be part of this upcoming societal evolution, if only to get your hands on one of those cool gadgets. And yet, these innovations are really only the first step... Brand Building is the genesis of a truly unique and powerful look at a modern application of superheroics, far and away deserving of its number one spot.
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That brings a close to our look at the Top Ten Wildstorm Stories, ten titanic tales of derring do, in a universe that does not know the meaning of the word "don't". This also means the end of our season-long examination of all things Wildstorm, so even if you were not a StormWatcher at the start, we hope that you have enjoyed our presentations, and even learned a thing or three about this deserving imprint. In January, Comixfan will turn its unblinking eye to Vertigo, so use this brief respite to fill your bookshelf with Wildstorm wares, before we fill your head with earth elementals and Goth godlings.
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Planetary #1, Planetary #8, Planetary #26: David Henry
Stormwatch #48-50, WildCATs #21-27, Wildcats #14–19: Mike Sangregorio
Planetary/Batman, Wildcats 3.0 #13-18: Raul Grau
Wildcats 3.0 #1-6: Nick Costanzo
The Authority #9-12: Anthony Devlin
Contributors: Will Carper, James Groves, Dylan McKay, Joel Phillips, Kevin Williams
Image Assistance: Lia Brown
The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writers involved, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.
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[Post 2]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 28, 2006 07:56 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Interesting. As I huge fan of the Wildstorm universe I must agree with most of the choices.
I haven't had the luck to read neither WildC.A.T.s vol.3 (and I am going to atone for that thanks to the Public Council Libraries :worthy: ) nor Planetary's finale.
But stories such as Homecoming, demonstrated how a top-notch writer can twist and re-direct the cores and foundations of a series which started as a X-Men rip-off, insulating a sense of despair, tension and pathos to the characters.
Serial Boxes was also a great thriller with noir elements and wonderful art.
The Authority and Stormawatch had bigger-than-life, epic, cynical and edgy story-telling plus very good art, be it Tom Raney's stylish super-heroics or Brian Hitch super-cinematic style.
And Planetary has Cassady. I relish his astounding and beautiful visual imagination with detailed radioactive monsters, creatures from other worlds that can only be imagined by the author of a passé 50's pulp. A pure festival of the bizarre told in a grandiloquent style. :clap:
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[Post 3]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:26 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalisation it had long needed.. what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
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[Post 4]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:32 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalisation it had long needed.. what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
Yes. I did read the Authority: Revolution trades in a row. Great story that captured the best of Ellis and Millar's adding some new elements to the mythology of the Authority.
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[Post 5]
Author : David Henry
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:33 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Interesting. As I huge fan of the Wildstorm universe I must agree with most of the choices.
I haven't had the luck to read neither WildC.A.T.s vol.3 (and I am going to atone for that thanks to the Public Council Libraries :worthy: ) nor Planetary's finale.
But stories such as Homecoming, demonstrated how a top-notch writer can twist and re-direct the cores and foundations of a series which started as a X-Men rip-off, insulating a sense of despair, tension and pathos to the characters.
Serial Boxes was also a great thriller with noir elements and wonderful art.
The Authority and Stormawatch had bigger-than-life, epic, cynical and edgy story-telling plus very good art, be it Tom Raney's stylish super-heroics or Brian Hitch super-cinematic style.
And Planetary has Cassady. I relish his astounding and beautiful visual imagination with detailed radioactive monsters, creatures from other worlds that can only be imagined by the author of a passé 50's pulp. A pure festival of the bizarre told in a grandiloquent style. :clap:
I'm a huge Cassaday fan myself. His style really evolved tremendously during his run on Planetary. He started off as an okay artist on Planetary Preview and evolved to the art style we now see in Astonishing X-Men for Planetary #26.
In between is where he really flourished. His most beautiful artwork was seen in Planetary #17's Opak-Re, probably my favorite issue. Just drop-dead gorgeous artwork. Very much like his work on I Am Legion, where he uses more brushed inking and lighter lines.
All that said, I have to agree that top honors go to Casey's Wildcats 3.0 -- which is quite the feat, considering he was up against Ellis, Moore, Millar, Brubaker, and did I mention Ellis?!
All great writers, but Casey deserves it. And I love Dustin Nguyen's art on 3.0, as well.
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalisation it had long needed.. what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
Yeah, I agree with that. I don't know how Planetary/Batman made the list. I'm still mystified.
Brubaker's maxi-length run should have made the list. It's one of my all-time favorites, and is recent enough to gain attention. And Dustin Nguyen's artwork is even more refined than it was in Wildcats 3.0.
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[Post 6]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:41 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
In between is where he really flourished. His most beautiful artwork was seen in Planetary #17's Opak-Re, probably my favorite issue. Just drop-dead gorgeous artwork. Very much like his work on I Am Legion, where he uses more brushed inking and lighter lines.
This issue was plenty of exotism, outlandishness and sensuality and the colouring was also superb, a feast for my eyes. We shan't forget Planetary's homage covers, as well: always funny and iconic.
I so need to start reading WildC.A.Ts v3...now...
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[Post 7]
Author : AngelofDeath69
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:43 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I think Wildcats 3.0 remaining issues deserve the trade treatment. such a fine comic book. Joe Casey and Dustin Nguyen best work to date.
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[Post 8]
Author : David Henry
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:59 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
This issue was plenty of exotism, outlandishness and sensuality and the colouring was also superb, a feast for my eyes. We shan't forget Planetary's homage covers, as well: always funny and iconic.
I so need to start reading WildC.A.Ts v3...now...
My favorite quote from that issue: "That's just not right." (When the giant snake defeding the city sprouts legs so he can follow Elijah on land.)
Laura's colors were really on that issue, as well. And I loved that Jakita was born in an African-based "Krypton." For being the most stock character in the book, Jakita certainly had the best origin.
Yes, definitely read 3.0. I've used the library for many Wildstorm books, myself. I have about 20 tpb's from the library that I'll probably get around to this weekend since I'm snowed in. Everything from Busiek's Conan to Brubaker's Batman War Games to the complete run of Ellis' Transmetropolitan, which I've never read, as well as his Global Frequency.
I always point folks to the library for comics. These days, they tend to have tons of trades. My library is going to be hosting an On The Road Scroll exhibit, which shows the scroll on which Kerouac typed his famed novel. January is Kerouac month! I'm a huge fan.
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[Post 9]
Author : Kevin Sutton
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:04 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I didn't really get the chance to read Wildcats v. 30 while it was still running, and I've been put off of getting it due to the lack of collected editions and the (apparently) premature ending. But lately I did have an opportunity to go through much of it really quickly, and I had to slow down as it was quite enthralling.
Hmmm. Ellis with 6 out of the ten and Casey with 3. Not really surprising, both given both the 'local' tastes and general critical reception of Wildstorm. I've read most of these stories, although I didn't feel #10 or #6 was particularly special.
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[Post 10]
Author : Nick Costanzo
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:11 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
As far as 3.0's ending is concerned, I would say it had as fulfilling and ending as possible, given the circumstances. We dont get to see where Jack's plans were heading, but Coda War reached a very satisfying end, in my opinion.
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[Post 11]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 29, 2006 08:05 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
My favorite quote from that issue: "That's just not right." (When the giant snake defeding the city sprouts legs so he can follow Elijah on land.)
Laura's colors were really on that issue, as well. And I loved that Jakita was born in an African-based "Krypton." For being the most stock character in the book, Jakita certainly had the best origin.
Yes, definitely read 3.0. I've used the library for many Wildstorm books, myself. I have about 20 tpb's from the library that I'll probably get around to this weekend since I'm snowed in. Everything from Busiek's Conan to Brubaker's Batman War Games to the complete run of Ellis' Transmetropolitan, which I've never read, as well as his Global Frequency.
I always point folks to the library for comics. These days, they tend to have tons of trades. My library is going to be hosting an On The Road Scroll exhibit, which shows the scroll on which Kerouac typed his famed novel. January is Kerouac month! I'm a huge fan.
That lines was funny, and the issue itself was one of the most touching and emotives.
And you are right, I think public libraries (at least in Scotland and Spain) are offering a great catalogue of comic-books, thus being a very good way to bring comics closer to a wider audience, specially in this era of trades.
How many trades are there for WildC.A.Ts v3?
It's a pity we didn't get any Sleeper story, as well.
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[Post 12]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 08:23 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
How many trades are there for WildC.A.Ts v3?
Not that many. i think theres only two.. maybe three. for the latter part of the run you'll have to hunt the individual comics down, as WS has no plans to re-publish these in trade at the moment.. good news is that you'll prob pick them up fairly cheap.
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[Post 13]
Author : gnosis
Date : Dec 29, 2006 08:58 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Would have been nice to see a little love for Brubaker and Sleeper (I like Planetary and all, but 4 entries? Really?) Glad to see Wildcats 3.0 get the top spot. I was always impressed with how Casey took a team that seemed like a bad 90's joke to me (I didn't read the Moore run or the second volume so I know they evolved past that before 3.0, but I missed that) and turned them into my favorite team lineup for the WSU.
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[Post 14]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 09:04 am
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalization it had long needed…what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
Yeah, sorry, but if 12 issues of deconstructed stories and a complete retconning of Henry Bendix is what passed for "gripping and enthralling" then we mind as well have nominated the Dan Quayle as a Daemonite piece from the WildCATs opening salvo.
Night on Earth had Elijah Snow facing down the friggin' Dark Knight Batman :excited:
Would have been nice to see a little love for Brubaker and Sleeper (I like Planetary and all, but 4 entries? Really?) Glad to see Wildcats 3.0 get the top spot. I was always impressed with how Casey took a team that seemed like a bad 90's joke to me (I didn't read the Moore run or the second volume so I know they evolved past that before 3.0, but I missed that) and turned them into my favorite team lineup for the WSU.
Again, thank you. I have no idea how we actually nominated Planetary's individual issues as stories on their own. Clearly, we all like Planetary and now we left no room for other good stories like *cough* Team Achilles: Citizen Solider.
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[Post 15]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 10:03 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Would have been nice to see a little love for Brubaker and Sleeper (I like Planetary and all, but 4 entries? Really?) Glad to see Wildcats 3.0 get the top spot. I was always impressed with how Casey took a team that seemed like a bad 90's joke to me (I didn't read the Moore run or the second volume so I know they evolved past that before 3.0, but I missed that) and turned them into my favorite team lineup for the WSU.
When drawing up the Top-Ten lists, we don’t produce them on the grounds of equal representation. It’s done by a series of rounds were Staff members put forward nominations. These nominations eventually get us down to a definitive top-ten, which is representational of the people – staff – who took part. Not everyone is going to agree with the list we compiled, but will anyone ever agree on a list compiled? Everyone’s list is going to differ according to each owns personal taste and preference. Like i said above, i'd remove Planetary/Batman and replace it with Authority: Revolution without a second thought.
Yeah, sorry, but if 12 issues of deconstructed stories and a complete retconning of Henry Bendix is what passed for "gripping and enthralling" then we mind as well have nominated the Dan Quayle as a Daemonite piece from the WildCATs opening salvo.
What? Did we read the same thing? Revolution was an excellent step forward for the team. Not only did it show that they had finally realised that they had actually bitten of more than they could chew, it brought back to the forefront Bendix, who until that time was presumed dead anyway. If you want to see it as a rectonning of a character then fine, but of course, judging from your statement below, its clear we both have entirely different tastes in stories.
Night on Earth had Elijah Snow facing down the friggin' Dark Knight Batman :excited:
Sorry, but this was crap!.. just aint no other way to describe this story. I cant believe we actually have it as the highest ranking Planetary story, when in fact it a bloody Batman tale masquerading as Planetary.
Again, thank you. I have no idea how we actually nominated Planetary's individual issues as stories on their own. [/b][/i].
Yeah you do! You were involved within the nomination process like everybody else. So you know the reasons how and why Planetary was nominated on the merits of individual stories/issues. Hell if we are going to use the ‘planetary equates to one story’ point, then a similar argument could have been used for Version 3.0! That too had a continuing theme running through the entire run of the book, which was still emphasised in the individual story arcs, so overall isn’t to dissimilar to the approach Ellis took with Planetary.
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[Post 16]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 29, 2006 10:50 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Yeah, sorry, but if 12 issues of deconstructed stories and a complete retconning of Henry Bendix is what passed for "gripping and enthralling" then we mind as well have nominated the Dan Quayle as a Daemonite piece from the WildCATs opening salvo.
I don't think the story retconned Bendix at all, he was truer to his Stormwatch last appearences than in The Monarchy which was indeed a complete re-construction of the character and Jackson King.
The story had a very clear on-going plot, it could have been read as the last Authority story, the turning point when the team faced their hitting bottom, as they definitively cracked due to the mixture of different irreconcialable egos and the aknowledgement of their aimlesness and lack of real purpose.
Until new blood saved the team by giving something new to hit, and put the "family" back together.
Everything with great art, new characters, funny lines and the presence of the Jennys.
By the way, what happened to Ex-Machina stories like the "First Hundred Years" and "Tag" were really innovative and fascinating, I like the way Vaughan creates new contexts and new universes all by himself. And thanks to Tony Harris it reads like a movie or a tv series.
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[Post 17]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:00 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
By the way, what happened to Ex-Machina stories like the "First Hundred Years" and "Tag" were really innovative and fascinating, I like the way Vaughan creates new contexts and new universes all by himself. And thanks to Tony Harris it reads like a movie or a tv series.
Why do you hurt me so...these were not eligible because they were out of continuity, more to the point part of WS's Signature Series, though these were each full arc over the entirety of several issues.
Planetary should have been restricted, along with 3.0, in some way so as not to allow as many multiple entries as it did IMO.
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[Post 18]
Author : Nick Costanzo
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:07 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Planetary should have been restricted, along with 3.0, in some way so as not to allow as many multiple entries as it did IMO.If we were discussing individual books, then fine. Otherwise this makes no sense to me whatsoever.
And you're dead to me for that blasphemy you spoke about Revolution :P
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[Post 19]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:20 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Wow...
Hello, everyone! I'm the guy who did not like Authority Revolution. There are a variety of reasons for this beginning with having actually enjoyed Monarchy (or the apparent theory behind it anyway) and ending with the fact that I felt it did not build to anything and lacked the momentum that a good year long run should bring. Not to say I hated it all. I have all twelve issues and enjoyed some great moments (The Jennys' and the Doctors' mating social anyone?) but overall not a top ten story. That is not to say that I would not have understood it's placement on this list over a story such as Planetary 26 which at the very least is the first of a two-part story even if you don't consider it part 26 of a 27 part story.
My favorite in continuity story not written by Micah Ian Wright was Planetary/Batman primarily because it was a Batman story masquerading as a Planetary tale. It was a Wildstorm story showcasing the Gotham of a world without Batman and the Gotham Knights. Without a JLA or a Green Lantern Corps (Lamplight notwithstanding), the world is left to the noble endeaveurs of one Elijah Snow and his few friends.
I loved it for what it was and felt that really Revolution just diluted the Authority's mythos even more, though after the first issue of Morrison's tale I've dropped the franchise from my pull-list all together.
Maybe that's just me :)
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[Post 20]
Author : gnosis
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:28 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
When drawing up the Top-Ten lists, we don’t produce them on the grounds of equal representation. It’s done by a series of rounds were Staff members put forward nominations. These nominations eventually get us down to a definitive top-ten, which is representational of the people – staff – who took part. Not everyone is going to agree with the list we compiled, but will anyone ever agree on a list compiled? Everyone’s list is going to differ according to each owns personal taste and preference. Like i said above, i'd remove Planetary/Batman and replace it with Authority: Revolution without a second thought.
I see your point (and agree with you about Night on Earth). I guess when I'm considering a list like this in my head I don't always just look at quality but also the imapct the story has on the world it's told in. I see some of the entries fit that bill (Change or Die and brand Building for instance), but a lot of the Planetary stuff (which I do indeed like) doesn't make any sort of impact on the WSU, as oppsed to say Authority: Revolution and Sleeper which both changed some major parts of the Wildstorm Universe in some ways. However, I do understand that there is a balance between quality and impact. I mean Captain Atom: Armageddon had a huge impact on the Wildstorm Universe, but there is no way it belongs anywhere near that list.
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[Post 21]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:49 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Wow...
Hello, everyone! I'm the guy who did not like Authority Revolution. THere are a variety of reasons, beginning with my actually enjoying Monarchy (or the apparent theory behind it anyway) and ending with the fact that I felt it did not build to anything and lacked the momentum that a good year long run should bring.
How did it lack momentum thought? Bar the last few issues, which I personal felt were a touch crammed, I felt it flowed brilliantly. There was no feeling of filler issues at all; each issue had an important part in the overall story.
1) We saw Jack finally realise that not only is he not really cut out to lead the world, he also doubted his ability to lead them team.
2) Meltdown of the relationship between Midnighter and Apollo, and Apollo’s decision to remove himself and Jenny from the Carrier in order to try and bring a sense of normality to Jenny life.
3) The Death of a Doctor, and emergency of a new Doctor.
4) Jenny Quantum’s coming of age, something the book has seriously lacked since Sparks demise at the end of Ellis’ run.. A Jenny.
5) Re-introduction of Bendix – the only person I feel could have pulled the Revolution of and made it believable - and Rose, although I would have preferred Rose to have remained the Spirit of Murder.
6) And while all of this was going on we got what the book really needed. It was taken back to its roots! Back to when they weren’t global rulers, but a heavy handed big brother who watched the world, and would move every-so-often to bring about change, but also appreciated the fact you cant enforce dramatic change.
These are just some of the reasons why it made for such a gripping and enthralling yearlong arc. And why it should be on the list, more so than Planetary/Batman.
I loved it for what it was and felt that really Revolution just diluted the Authority's mythos even more, though after the first issue of Morrison's tale I've dropped the franchise from my pull-list all together.
How did it? If anything the team was more inline with how Ellis left them at the end of Revolution. So how is returning a book to its roots diluting them?
And how anyone can’t right a book off after one issue is beyond me, I’ve never been able to grasp this kind of mentality. GM promised he would give us something we haven’t seen in the Authority before, and so far he’s delivered. His first issue was excellent, if for anything, he gave us what we weren’t expecting, and left us wanting more. Personally, I cant wait for the next issue.
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[Post 22]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:06 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
the problem with the lack of variety is that the wildstorm uni is still comparatively young compared to other uni's. and there are only a few decent wsu comic franchises (let alone stories) that stuff can be picked from. the batman/planetary entry is just random though compared to the other stories in this list.
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[Post 23]
Author : M-Angel
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:21 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if they want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
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[Post 24]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:30 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if you want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
it was A god. and it was a crap god at that. there's no emotional attachment to the alien thingamajig that sparks electrocuted.
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[Post 25]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:31 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
And how anyone can’t right a book off after one issue is beyond me, I’ve never been able to grasp this kind of mentality. GM promised he would give us something we haven’t seen in the Authority before, and so far he’s delivered. His first issue was excellent, if for anything, he gave us what we weren’t expecting, and left us wanting more. Personally, I cant wait for the next issue.
I don't want to read a story that wastes an issue like I feel that did. Maybe it will be something new but it is not so far something I want to read.
We're having two different arguments. The story and what it did to continuity is not the issue. I thought some that was stupid but my point is that Brubaker's pacing over the entirerty of the title was poor. Ellis and more so Millar told you a story, not a bunch of scenes that kinda share some characters and explosions. Ellis and Hitch made widescreen cinema out of a comic book and I feel that Brubaker's stroytelling is well found in Daredevil and Sleeper but not in Authoirty and for that matter not in Uncanny X-Men.
the problem with the lack of variety is that the wildstorm uni is still comparatively young compared to other uni's. and there are only a few decent wsu comic franchises (let alone stories) that stuff can be picked from.
Right, exactly, which is why we should not have nominated individual issues of the same book.
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if you want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
You sir are my new personal hero :)
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[Post 26]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:52 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Right, exactly, which is why we should not have nominated individual issues of the same book.
were the stories in those individual issues self-contained?
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[Post 27]
Author : David Henry
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:59 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
were the stories in those individual issues self-contained?
With Planetary, they typically were.
Our lists have turned out pretty fine. I agree that a few fo the stories could have been tossed for Authority: Revolution, which I thought was not decompresed and added a spark, shall we say, the team desperately needed.
I also would not have listed Planetary as the best team, though I do agree Elijah Snow is the best character and that Planetary is the best book/series.
I think Planetary should have been the No. 3 team behind Wildcats at No. 2 and Authority as No. 1. I feel the Authority have the most cohesiveness.
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[Post 28]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:02 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
were the stories in those individual issues self-contained?
Yes.
I'm not questioning that, and you know that. I'm questioning why multiple single issue storiess from the same story need to be included when that limits representation from other corners of the published work. I mean, most of the entires were Ellis penned and Planetary was him getting ahead of the curve and writing the continuity as he went. Each issue was a little bright light that shined from the top of my weekly pile, but if the story had been nominated a la 3.0 as one large story (Planetary/Batman notwithstanding) we would have given the story it's due without filling the ten choices with the same book.
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[Post 29]
Author : gnosis
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:17 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
GM promised he would give us something we haven’t seen in the Authority before, and so far he’s delivered.
True. I don't recall ever seeing the Authority not appear in an issue of the Authority.
it was A god. and it was a crap god at that. there's no emotional attachment to the alien thingamajig that sparks electrocuted.
Well, clearly you have never heard of the Unified Church of the Alien Thingamajig (Thingamajigism for short). :P
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[Post 30]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:54 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if you want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
Do you even have any idea what Ellis was doing by Removing Sparks? Probably not! Do you even realise what Hitch and Ellis was doing with the book? Probably not! Is there any point in my trying to explain it.. Probably not!
it was A god. and it was a crap god at that. there's no emotional attachment to the alien thingamajig that sparks electrocuted.
It was the God responsible for the creation of the WSU - so that’s God enough for me.
I don't want to read a story that wastes an issue like I feel that did. Maybe it will be something new but it is not so far something I want to read.
so basically you enjoy comics that are spelt out for you? What issue one was doing was achieving as sense of reality, his whole take on the mundane of the real world wouldn’t work otherwise. Why is this such a hard concept for people to grasp? For a story to truly work, you have to set the groundwork up. For us to believe this is our world, we need to be convinced of this. Had we have seen all-out-action from the word go, this wouldn’t have been achieved.
I We're having two different arguments.
The story and what it did to continuity is not the issue.
You just said it diluted the mythos of the Authority, if that isn’t a dig at the story then I don’t know what is.
I I thought some that was stupid but my point is that Brubaker's pacing over the entirerty of the title was poor. Ellis and more so Millar told you a story, not a bunch of scenes that kinda share some characters and explosions.
I’m sorry, but what are you going on about? Did you actually read the story, or simply look at the pictures on display? Brubaker crafted a well pace epic tale; that in fact I feel should have had an oversized final as I felt the final issue was rushed.
I Ellis and Hitch made widescreen cinema out of a comic book and I feel that Brubaker's stroytelling is well found in Daredevil and Sleeper but not in Authoirty and for that matter not in Uncanny X-Men.
You really don’t get the Authority do you? If everyone simply mimicked Ellis and Hitches approached, this book would never have lasted 12 months past the point of their departure. What this book is a brilliant example of is that you can tell a story that stays within its own continuity, and still put your own spin on it.
I'm not questioning that, and you know that. I'm questioning why multiple single issue storiess from the same story need to be included when that limits representation from other corners of the published work. I mean, most of the entires were Ellis penned and Planetary was him getting ahead of the curve and writing the continuity as he went. Each issue was a little bright light that shined from the top of my weekly pile, but if the story had been nominated a la 3.0 as one large story (Planetary/Batman notwithstanding) we would have given the story it's due without filling the ten choices with the same book.
What. So basically we come up with a list of top-ten stories we don’t actually agree on, just so we can give equal representation to other stories. That’s not how this list works, and was explained in full as to why we were not going to call Planetary as on continual story. At the end of the day a story is a story. What we have is 10 of the best (Planetary/Batman notwithstanding) WS stories.
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[Post 31]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:57 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Do you even have any idea what Ellis was doing by Removing Sparks? Probably not! Do you even realise what Hitch and Ellis was doing with the book? Probably not! Is there any point in my trying to explain it.. Probably not!
Wow, someone is getting a might testy!
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[Post 32]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 02:02 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
It was the God responsible for the creation of the WSU - so that’s God enough for me.
you're easily pleased. big generic alien thingy doesn't really grab me by my emotional roots.
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[Post 33]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 02:03 pm
Wow, someone is getting a might testy!
If you personally think Outer Dark got voted on the basis 'god died' then you've actually missed the point of the story.
you're easily pleased. big generic alien thingy doesn't really grab me by my emotional roots.
This is the final chaper of Ellis and Hitches comic book movie. of course they are going to end it on something big.. can we get bigger than god? you dont need to be attached to it, to appreciate its reason for being there.
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[Post 34]
Author : Dylan McKay
Date : Dec 29, 2006 05:57 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I maintain that the lack of Adam Warren Gen-13 stories is a glaring ommision.
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[Post 35]
Author : Will Carper
Date : Dec 29, 2006 06:19 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Needed more Sleeper, less Batman. Other than that, great list.
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[Post 36]
Author : M-Angel
Date : Dec 29, 2006 06:37 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
With all due respect Mr. Devlin. what I got out of the "Outer Dark" storyline was the following:
I believe that with this story Ellis was "fleshing out" a famous quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsch.
"God's dead, it is the age of the super men"
This would also explain the quote "The Earth is under new management" by Jenny Sparks. The dead of God truly represented the start of a new management. The management of the Super men represented in the archetypes that are..The Authority.
Also like every other thing in the world this is subject to personal perception therefore the way we view this story can change from person to person.
Thanks for reading
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[Post 37]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 07:37 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
actually, jenny said "this is my world" but thats not the point. God was only ever the major threat, which all summer movies have.
edit:
I believe that with this story Ellis was "fleshing out" a famous quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsch.
"God's dead, it is the age of the super men"
i never saw it that way before.. which to a degree makes sense. but when u make reference to Jean Greys death, :yawnL then im sorry for taking the piss.. but honestly, how else could i take it?
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[Post 38]
Author : Nick Costanzo
Date : Dec 29, 2006 10:34 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Needed more Sleeper, less Batman. Other than that, great list.Cheers :)
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The messages has been download from Comixfan Forums at http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums at 05.10.2007 08:28:56
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THREAD : COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Started at Dec 28, 2006 07:00 pm by raul grau
Visit at http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40991
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[Post 1]
Author : raul grau
Date : Dec 28, 2006 07:00 pm
Title : COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/comixfanpresents.gif" align=left border=0 hspace=10 alt="Comixfan Presents logo">The Top Ten Wildstorm Stories
By: Nick Costanzo, Anthony Devlin, Raul Grau, David Henry, Mike Sangregorio
Editor: Raul Grau
After examining the best Teams (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40867) and Characters (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40952) that Wildstorm has to offer, Comixfan now addresses the very situations that these teams and characters face. Without dynamic storytelling, readers would revolt... admit it, one issue of grocery shopping with Midnighter would be interesting, but an eight part arc crosses the line. Thankfully, Wildstorm is never lacking in terms of intelligent mind-candy, from the overthrow of the American executive branch to a little ditty 'bout Punchy and Duke... but which are truly the best?
The staff of Comixfan have read their pull lists, and checked them twice, so now you're gonna find out who's the Top Ten Wildstorm Stories, in our final present from the Ghost of Wildstorm Past (the holiday references were belated, but clearly intentional). With Alan Moore, Ed Brubaker, Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, James Robinson, and Joe Casey counted amongst the Wildstorm stable of writers, you can rely on two truths for the imprint overall: solid craftsmanship and rebelliousness aimed squarely at the quadrilateral shape of most comic fare. However, please remember that only those stories set in the Wildstorm Universe were under consideration, so even though Alan Moore left for ABC, our focus remains on the core titles. That said, some Wildstorm writers have been as prodigious as they are prolific, as you shall soon see.
<center><hr width=75%></center>
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/outerdark.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/outerdark.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="The Authority: Under New Management"></a>#10 Outer Dark
As chronicled in: The Authority #9-12
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Brian Hitch
Collected in: The Authority: Under New Management
Ellis and Hitch's rollercoaster, ‘blockbuster movie’ of comics reaches its thrilling conclusion and what can I say... God is not pleased! Can you blame it though? I mean, it creates the universe, takes the third planet from the sun to be its home, takes a holiday that lasts for a few million years, and returns to find that Earth has become infested with unwanted inhabitants.. Humans! No problem, this is God after all.. Well, usually I would agree, if it weren’t for the fact that this is Jenny’s world! Outer Dark isn't anything new. It's the same old ‘Earth is on the verge of annihilation, and only a group of heroes can save the day’. So, in that case, what’s the big song and dance about this arc? Well, the series has been called the comic equivalent of a big budget motion picture, and with very good reason. Everything is on a grand scale. Hitch creates wide-screen panels that read like the storyboard of a summer blockbuster, capturing the enormity of the battles with ease, and meshing superbly with Ellis’ all-action take on a modern, uncompromising super-team. Ellis leaves the book with the same adrenaline high that he started with, but with one bitter pill. He set the book up to be continued, even handpicked its next creative team, but he didn’t leave all of his toys behind. The Authority might have killed God, but Ellis killed their leader. He took with him the Spirit of the 20th Century, Jenny Sparks... but, he left the Spirit of the 21st Century, the baby Jenny Quantum (Quarx) in her place. Jenny is dead, long live Jenny.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsv3_18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsv3_18t.jpg" align=left hspace=10 alt="Wildcats 3.0 #18"></a>#9 Tilting the Axis of the World
As chronicled in: Wildcats 3.0 #13-18
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Dustin Nguyen, Francisco Ruiz Velasco, and Sean Phillips
If Wildcats 3.0 had not been canceled as the title entered its (what would turn out to be) final arc, then these six issues would have filled the third trade of this critically-acclaimed, though (obviously) under-selling series. Bridging the gap between Full Disclosure and the brewing Coda War, Casey continues his quest to change the face of comic book superheroics, just as Jack Marlowe and his compatriots seek to change the world through corporate capitalism. Interspersed throughout the resolution of the literal Agent Wax affair and the introduction of Ladytron 2.0 (Now with Extra Grifting) are commercials for the Halo brand cars, the next advancement from the Halo Corporation and an apparent indication that 3.0 is not your ordinary spandex fare. The Powers That Be fear the effects of rampant innovation, and Marlowe provides the non-confrontational confrontation to end all non-confrontational confrontations. These reformed heroes just want to elevate the human condition, but altruism can come with a price.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary8full.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary8thumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary #8"></a> #8 The Day the Earth Turned Slower
As chronicled in: Planetary #8
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Collected in: Planetary: The Fourth Man
Light on forward plot, but heavy on revelatory flashback, The Day The Earth Turned Slower is Ellis' captivating mood piece with heavy homage to the 1950s Red Scare and the sci-fi B-movies that ruled the day. The tale is told through a sympathetic figure named Allison, who invites the Planetary team to City Zero, an unmapped desert location whose B-unit buildings housed biological experiments on social dissidents. The tests were performed by Randall Dowling under the direction of Anna Hark. Though the Hark Corporation's affiliation with the Four Voyagers was a surprise, this chapter marks the first time that we learn of Artemis' other leanings besides sending the Four into space. More importantly, the establishment of City Zero, and the genetic mutates it produced, would later play strong roles in the origin of Ambrose Chase and the activation of Jim Wilder's shift ship in Planetary's final issue. When Allison – who was shot dead, resuscitated, and converted to a radioactive half-life – disperses into a cloud of ash, the story ends along with Planetary's foundation forming opening act. With the groundwork firmly set, the series would attain a higher gear the following arc, as the storyline's action and intrigue kicked into overdrive.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsvol2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsvol2.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt=""></a>#7 Serial Boxes
As chronicled in: Wildcats #14–19
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Sean Phillips
Collected in: Wildcats: Serial Boxes
The Wildcats had never been much for saving the world. They tried to keep the “evil Daemonites” from upsetting the way things are, but in the end they seemed to be more trouble then they were worth. This story from the second, more streamlined volume of the title has the team learning how to police its own. Joe Casey crafts a story of a progressive Wildcats team tying up loose ends and focusing on how to make the world better. After a series of people named Marlowe are viciously murdered, Voodoo, Grifter, and Spartan each try to discover the link to recently deceased/ascended Lord “Jacob Marlowe” Emp. In what serves as a pivotal story in the team’s mythology, Serial Boxes helps to bring these characters to the forefront of the Wildstorm world, and place them on the shelf next to their more overbearing contemporaries. Now that the team’s founder is gone and their reason for being has all but been put to bed, what do a bunch of ex-soldiers with powers, billions of dollars, and extraterrestrial technology do? Well as Emp told Spartan before he died, “don’t be afraid to be a hero, because this world needs one.”
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary1full.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary1thumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary #1"></a> #6 All Over The World
As chronicled in: Planetary #1
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Collected in: Planetary: All Over The World
The first issue of any series is typically considered setup. But with All Over The World, the opening installment of Warren Ellis' magnum opus Planetary, it really is a setup. When Jakita Wagner introduces a cranky, old desert bum named Elijah Snow into the Planetary organization – with its deep pockets, branded helicopters, mysterious Third and Fourth Men, shadowy corporate history, and offices all over the world – Mr. Snow and the reading audience immediately have something in common: we both are being had. Cleverly, Ellis captures us in his mystery within a mystery concerning the origin of Elijah Snow and Planetary itself. The deceptively frenetic pacing of Planetary's opening act introduces us to a variety of themes that would set the tone for the series: the necessity of a Planetary trinity, discovery and protection of the superunknown, and the snowflake of reality - the entrance to the multiverse, offering alternate earths and possibilities, a 196,833 faceted dimensional space, which would, in some shape or form, be referenced throughout the series. With its iconic closing statement – "It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way." – the first issue of Planetary left its indelible mark on the industry, drawing a line in the sand few comics would dare to cross.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary26full.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetary26thumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary #26"></a> #5 (untitled)
As chronicled in: Planetary #26
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
It took 8 years for Warren Ellis, and his faithful fans, to reach the final chapter of Planetary. In that time, Elijah Snow, the series' central figure and most dynamic character, has undergone a transformation not unlike the mythic hero whose archetype he represents. We were introduced to Snow as a man lost in the desert wilderness, and it is in that desert wilderness that he comes full circle, outwitting and defeating the remainder of the Four, finally aware of his life's true purpose, a man found. As mystery archaeologists, the Planetary team discovers its biggest find. The shiftship, whose touchstone transformed Jim Wilder into its superhuman captain, is fully activated thanks to a full crew of City Zero descendants, who are no longer victims, instead triumphant in their assistance in defeating the Four and doing the right thing. Ironically, the last issue of the series is left untitled. What statement is made here? Perhaps Elijah Snow's quote near the end of the tale best echoes the sentiment of Ellis in writing the series' last official issue: "I feel like I've just tied off a wound that's bled for a hundred years." Having endured such a long and rewarding journey, Ellis hadn't the title to describe his own triumph.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetarybatmanfull.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/planetarybatmanthumb.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Planetary/Batman"></a>#4 Night on Earth
As chronicled in: Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Collected in: Planetary: Crossing Worlds
Planetary are the most accomplished metahistorical archeologists in the Wildstorm Universe, and the lost treasure uncovered in this particular outing is the softer side of arguably the greatest hero from DC proper (though he fell just short in our countdown (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=32545)). Admittedly, Night on Earth is much more of a Batman tale than his second billing would indicate, but Snow and his compatriots provide the comic foil for the cowled one. Ellis takes the titular team on a tour of alternate Gothams, each one featuring its own caped crusader, including representatives of the camp 60s, grim 80s, and the far-flung future, but every iteration of Wayne shares two personality quirks: an all-consuming belief in justice, masking a profound sense of loss. Of course, veiled threats and sarcastic quips ensue, as both are synonymous with the modern Dark Knight, but following the frenetic fighting and foppish follies, Ellis reminds readers of the sensitive soul beneath the cowl. Planetary/Batman is a brilliant Batman story that could only be told against the backdrop of Wildstorm, making this one of the greatest offerings from any imprint.
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<a href=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/stormwatch3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src=" http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/stormwatch3.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="StormWatch: Change or Die"></a>#3 Change or Die
As chronicled in: Stormwatch #48-50
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Tom Raney
Collected in: StormWatch: Change or Die
The Justice Society of America was made from heroes marketable enough to be assembled into a team. What if they had actually set out with a purpose? What if they had actually tried to change the world? More importantly, who would be there to stop them? Why would they even try? These are some of the questions that Wildstorm architect Warren Ellis brought to bare in his seminal Change or Die storyline during the last arc of Stormwatch's first volume. To change the almighty status quo requires action that can not be restricted to just doing what everyone thinks is good. The "Changers", lead by the Nietzschian former pulp adventurer, the High, charged into our consciousness, took no prisoners, and attempted to make a finer world, regardless of whose toes they had to step on. They burned flags, broke down the traditional social structures, and completely detached people from their economic dependencies that keep the world in turmoil. When they inadvertently upset the plans of one Henry Bendix, their crusade died on the vine like the Nevada Gardens. What they could not accomplish as men they accomplished as ideas, spurring to action Jenny Sparks, and giving her the one thing she had given so many others - inspiration. They wanted to show the world their blueprints for a better way of being, but once again the staying power of the status quo was shown to reign supreme.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wchomecoming.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wchomecoming.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="WildCATS: Homecoming"></a>#2 Homecoming
As chronicled in: WildCATS #21-27
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Travis Charest and Kevin Maguire
Collected in: WildCATS: Homecoming
How do you destroy the Wildcats? Apparently, you just send them home. Alan Moore crafted the definitive story of the title’s first volume when he sent the original CATs, sans Grifter, inadvertently to Khera. While this serves as a trip home for some, it is an eye opener for all. Moore’s prose reads like poetry, complementing the cold truth of the ruthless Kheran social structure and the fallout of a war with Daemon that ended centuries before most of the team had been born. Alongside this is a tale of Mr. Majestic’s second Wildcats becoming a proactive superhero team. While flirting with silver age wackiness at times, both stories lay bare the fundamentals of the characters by forcing them to question the foundations of what they are fighting for. This elevated the team to a new level of storytelling, one with the potential to show as much self-doubt and character development as widescreen action. While the Bearded One also gives us future Sleeper villain Tao, it is Travis Charest who shows why he may just be the definitive Wildcats artist. Two years of battling villains such as Helspont and (I kid you not) the Gnome may have made them heroes, but Homecoming made them human.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsversion3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/dc/wildstorm/wildcatsversion3.gif" align=left hspace=10 alt="Wildcats 3.0 #1"></a>#1 Brand Building
As chronicled in: Wildcats 3.0 #1-6
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Collected in: Wildcats 3.0: Brand Building
If there's one underlying theme to the modern Wildstorm Universe, its the representation of super heroes in a different light. Costumes, if they exist, are streamlined and functional. Powers tend to be grandeous in scale, and yet unique in their execution. And above all, the line between good and evil, between our very notions of right and wrong, are blurred to the point where they are not only indistinguishable, they may well be irrelevant. So, honestly, what better story to present as our number one in all of Wildstorm's history, than what is arguably the most unique, and successful, attempt ever made by a "super hero" toward the making of a better world?
Jack Marlowe, the former Spartan of the former WildCATS, sets his plans in motion in Brand Building, the opening installment of Wildcats Version 3.0. And he uses a resource that, up until this point, has gone all but untapped in the history of Wildcats: Halo, Inc. itself. He buys out accounting firms, manufacturing facilities, and even mass media conglomerates for the sole purpose of integrating the Halo brand name into the hearts and minds of the American public. On top of that, he begins releasing products that will genuinely change the lives of the people who buy them. Batteries that never die, cars that will never die, cell phones that will never need recharging, and computers that will never need to be replaced, or even plugged in for that matter. All at a pace that is as staggering to the public, as it is to the reader itself. Humanity is understandably skeptical of what's happening, and yet at the same time there's a sense of wonder and excitement at what Jack may have in mind. This is a sentiment that, once again, seems to bleed off to the reader. One really starts to wish they could be part of this upcoming societal evolution, if only to get your hands on one of those cool gadgets. And yet, these innovations are really only the first step... Brand Building is the genesis of a truly unique and powerful look at a modern application of superheroics, far and away deserving of its number one spot.
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That brings a close to our look at the Top Ten Wildstorm Stories, ten titanic tales of derring do, in a universe that does not know the meaning of the word "don't". This also means the end of our season-long examination of all things Wildstorm, so even if you were not a StormWatcher at the start, we hope that you have enjoyed our presentations, and even learned a thing or three about this deserving imprint. In January, Comixfan will turn its unblinking eye to Vertigo, so use this brief respite to fill your bookshelf with Wildstorm wares, before we fill your head with earth elementals and Goth godlings.
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Planetary #1, Planetary #8, Planetary #26: David Henry
Stormwatch #48-50, WildCATs #21-27, Wildcats #14–19: Mike Sangregorio
Planetary/Batman, Wildcats 3.0 #13-18: Raul Grau
Wildcats 3.0 #1-6: Nick Costanzo
The Authority #9-12: Anthony Devlin
Contributors: Will Carper, James Groves, Dylan McKay, Joel Phillips, Kevin Williams
Image Assistance: Lia Brown
The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writers involved, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.
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[Post 2]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 28, 2006 07:56 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Interesting. As I huge fan of the Wildstorm universe I must agree with most of the choices.
I haven't had the luck to read neither WildC.A.T.s vol.3 (and I am going to atone for that thanks to the Public Council Libraries :worthy: ) nor Planetary's finale.
But stories such as Homecoming, demonstrated how a top-notch writer can twist and re-direct the cores and foundations of a series which started as a X-Men rip-off, insulating a sense of despair, tension and pathos to the characters.
Serial Boxes was also a great thriller with noir elements and wonderful art.
The Authority and Stormawatch had bigger-than-life, epic, cynical and edgy story-telling plus very good art, be it Tom Raney's stylish super-heroics or Brian Hitch super-cinematic style.
And Planetary has Cassady. I relish his astounding and beautiful visual imagination with detailed radioactive monsters, creatures from other worlds that can only be imagined by the author of a passé 50's pulp. A pure festival of the bizarre told in a grandiloquent style. :clap:
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[Post 3]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:26 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalisation it had long needed.. what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
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[Post 4]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:32 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalisation it had long needed.. what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
Yes. I did read the Authority: Revolution trades in a row. Great story that captured the best of Ellis and Millar's adding some new elements to the mythology of the Authority.
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[Post 5]
Author : David Henry
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:33 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Interesting. As I huge fan of the Wildstorm universe I must agree with most of the choices.
I haven't had the luck to read neither WildC.A.T.s vol.3 (and I am going to atone for that thanks to the Public Council Libraries :worthy: ) nor Planetary's finale.
But stories such as Homecoming, demonstrated how a top-notch writer can twist and re-direct the cores and foundations of a series which started as a X-Men rip-off, insulating a sense of despair, tension and pathos to the characters.
Serial Boxes was also a great thriller with noir elements and wonderful art.
The Authority and Stormawatch had bigger-than-life, epic, cynical and edgy story-telling plus very good art, be it Tom Raney's stylish super-heroics or Brian Hitch super-cinematic style.
And Planetary has Cassady. I relish his astounding and beautiful visual imagination with detailed radioactive monsters, creatures from other worlds that can only be imagined by the author of a passé 50's pulp. A pure festival of the bizarre told in a grandiloquent style. :clap:
I'm a huge Cassaday fan myself. His style really evolved tremendously during his run on Planetary. He started off as an okay artist on Planetary Preview and evolved to the art style we now see in Astonishing X-Men for Planetary #26.
In between is where he really flourished. His most beautiful artwork was seen in Planetary #17's Opak-Re, probably my favorite issue. Just drop-dead gorgeous artwork. Very much like his work on I Am Legion, where he uses more brushed inking and lighter lines.
All that said, I have to agree that top honors go to Casey's Wildcats 3.0 -- which is quite the feat, considering he was up against Ellis, Moore, Millar, Brubaker, and did I mention Ellis?!
All great writers, but Casey deserves it. And I love Dustin Nguyen's art on 3.0, as well.
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalisation it had long needed.. what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
Yeah, I agree with that. I don't know how Planetary/Batman made the list. I'm still mystified.
Brubaker's maxi-length run should have made the list. It's one of my all-time favorites, and is recent enough to gain attention. And Dustin Nguyen's artwork is even more refined than it was in Wildcats 3.0.
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[Post 6]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:41 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
In between is where he really flourished. His most beautiful artwork was seen in Planetary #17's Opak-Re, probably my favorite issue. Just drop-dead gorgeous artwork. Very much like his work on I Am Legion, where he uses more brushed inking and lighter lines.
This issue was plenty of exotism, outlandishness and sensuality and the colouring was also superb, a feast for my eyes. We shan't forget Planetary's homage covers, as well: always funny and iconic.
I so need to start reading WildC.A.Ts v3...now...
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[Post 7]
Author : AngelofDeath69
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:43 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I think Wildcats 3.0 remaining issues deserve the trade treatment. such a fine comic book. Joe Casey and Dustin Nguyen best work to date.
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[Post 8]
Author : David Henry
Date : Dec 28, 2006 08:59 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
This issue was plenty of exotism, outlandishness and sensuality and the colouring was also superb, a feast for my eyes. We shan't forget Planetary's homage covers, as well: always funny and iconic.
I so need to start reading WildC.A.Ts v3...now...
My favorite quote from that issue: "That's just not right." (When the giant snake defeding the city sprouts legs so he can follow Elijah on land.)
Laura's colors were really on that issue, as well. And I loved that Jakita was born in an African-based "Krypton." For being the most stock character in the book, Jakita certainly had the best origin.
Yes, definitely read 3.0. I've used the library for many Wildstorm books, myself. I have about 20 tpb's from the library that I'll probably get around to this weekend since I'm snowed in. Everything from Busiek's Conan to Brubaker's Batman War Games to the complete run of Ellis' Transmetropolitan, which I've never read, as well as his Global Frequency.
I always point folks to the library for comics. These days, they tend to have tons of trades. My library is going to be hosting an On The Road Scroll exhibit, which shows the scroll on which Kerouac typed his famed novel. January is Kerouac month! I'm a huge fan.
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[Post 9]
Author : Kevin Sutton
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:04 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I didn't really get the chance to read Wildcats v. 30 while it was still running, and I've been put off of getting it due to the lack of collected editions and the (apparently) premature ending. But lately I did have an opportunity to go through much of it really quickly, and I had to slow down as it was quite enthralling.
Hmmm. Ellis with 6 out of the ten and Casey with 3. Not really surprising, both given both the 'local' tastes and general critical reception of Wildstorm. I've read most of these stories, although I didn't feel #10 or #6 was particularly special.
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[Post 10]
Author : Nick Costanzo
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:11 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
As far as 3.0's ending is concerned, I would say it had as fulfilling and ending as possible, given the circumstances. We dont get to see where Jack's plans were heading, but Coda War reached a very satisfying end, in my opinion.
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[Post 11]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 29, 2006 08:05 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
My favorite quote from that issue: "That's just not right." (When the giant snake defeding the city sprouts legs so he can follow Elijah on land.)
Laura's colors were really on that issue, as well. And I loved that Jakita was born in an African-based "Krypton." For being the most stock character in the book, Jakita certainly had the best origin.
Yes, definitely read 3.0. I've used the library for many Wildstorm books, myself. I have about 20 tpb's from the library that I'll probably get around to this weekend since I'm snowed in. Everything from Busiek's Conan to Brubaker's Batman War Games to the complete run of Ellis' Transmetropolitan, which I've never read, as well as his Global Frequency.
I always point folks to the library for comics. These days, they tend to have tons of trades. My library is going to be hosting an On The Road Scroll exhibit, which shows the scroll on which Kerouac typed his famed novel. January is Kerouac month! I'm a huge fan.
That lines was funny, and the issue itself was one of the most touching and emotives.
And you are right, I think public libraries (at least in Scotland and Spain) are offering a great catalogue of comic-books, thus being a very good way to bring comics closer to a wider audience, specially in this era of trades.
How many trades are there for WildC.A.Ts v3?
It's a pity we didn't get any Sleeper story, as well.
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[Post 12]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 08:23 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
How many trades are there for WildC.A.Ts v3?
Not that many. i think theres only two.. maybe three. for the latter part of the run you'll have to hunt the individual comics down, as WS has no plans to re-publish these in trade at the moment.. good news is that you'll prob pick them up fairly cheap.
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[Post 13]
Author : gnosis
Date : Dec 29, 2006 08:58 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Would have been nice to see a little love for Brubaker and Sleeper (I like Planetary and all, but 4 entries? Really?) Glad to see Wildcats 3.0 get the top spot. I was always impressed with how Casey took a team that seemed like a bad 90's joke to me (I didn't read the Moore run or the second volume so I know they evolved past that before 3.0, but I missed that) and turned them into my favorite team lineup for the WSU.
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[Post 14]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 09:04 am
I’d have liked to have seen Authority: Revolution on the list; if for nothing more than to show a story can be told over the course of 12 months and still be as gripping and enthralling each month, as say a short story arc. That, and I felt it gave the Authority the much need revitalization it had long needed…what would I replace it with? Easy! Planetary/Batman.
Yeah, sorry, but if 12 issues of deconstructed stories and a complete retconning of Henry Bendix is what passed for "gripping and enthralling" then we mind as well have nominated the Dan Quayle as a Daemonite piece from the WildCATs opening salvo.
Night on Earth had Elijah Snow facing down the friggin' Dark Knight Batman :excited:
Would have been nice to see a little love for Brubaker and Sleeper (I like Planetary and all, but 4 entries? Really?) Glad to see Wildcats 3.0 get the top spot. I was always impressed with how Casey took a team that seemed like a bad 90's joke to me (I didn't read the Moore run or the second volume so I know they evolved past that before 3.0, but I missed that) and turned them into my favorite team lineup for the WSU.
Again, thank you. I have no idea how we actually nominated Planetary's individual issues as stories on their own. Clearly, we all like Planetary and now we left no room for other good stories like *cough* Team Achilles: Citizen Solider.
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[Post 15]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 10:03 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Would have been nice to see a little love for Brubaker and Sleeper (I like Planetary and all, but 4 entries? Really?) Glad to see Wildcats 3.0 get the top spot. I was always impressed with how Casey took a team that seemed like a bad 90's joke to me (I didn't read the Moore run or the second volume so I know they evolved past that before 3.0, but I missed that) and turned them into my favorite team lineup for the WSU.
When drawing up the Top-Ten lists, we don’t produce them on the grounds of equal representation. It’s done by a series of rounds were Staff members put forward nominations. These nominations eventually get us down to a definitive top-ten, which is representational of the people – staff – who took part. Not everyone is going to agree with the list we compiled, but will anyone ever agree on a list compiled? Everyone’s list is going to differ according to each owns personal taste and preference. Like i said above, i'd remove Planetary/Batman and replace it with Authority: Revolution without a second thought.
Yeah, sorry, but if 12 issues of deconstructed stories and a complete retconning of Henry Bendix is what passed for "gripping and enthralling" then we mind as well have nominated the Dan Quayle as a Daemonite piece from the WildCATs opening salvo.
What? Did we read the same thing? Revolution was an excellent step forward for the team. Not only did it show that they had finally realised that they had actually bitten of more than they could chew, it brought back to the forefront Bendix, who until that time was presumed dead anyway. If you want to see it as a rectonning of a character then fine, but of course, judging from your statement below, its clear we both have entirely different tastes in stories.
Night on Earth had Elijah Snow facing down the friggin' Dark Knight Batman :excited:
Sorry, but this was crap!.. just aint no other way to describe this story. I cant believe we actually have it as the highest ranking Planetary story, when in fact it a bloody Batman tale masquerading as Planetary.
Again, thank you. I have no idea how we actually nominated Planetary's individual issues as stories on their own. [/b][/i].
Yeah you do! You were involved within the nomination process like everybody else. So you know the reasons how and why Planetary was nominated on the merits of individual stories/issues. Hell if we are going to use the ‘planetary equates to one story’ point, then a similar argument could have been used for Version 3.0! That too had a continuing theme running through the entire run of the book, which was still emphasised in the individual story arcs, so overall isn’t to dissimilar to the approach Ellis took with Planetary.
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[Post 16]
Author : Jorge Ramiro
Date : Dec 29, 2006 10:50 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Yeah, sorry, but if 12 issues of deconstructed stories and a complete retconning of Henry Bendix is what passed for "gripping and enthralling" then we mind as well have nominated the Dan Quayle as a Daemonite piece from the WildCATs opening salvo.
I don't think the story retconned Bendix at all, he was truer to his Stormwatch last appearences than in The Monarchy which was indeed a complete re-construction of the character and Jackson King.
The story had a very clear on-going plot, it could have been read as the last Authority story, the turning point when the team faced their hitting bottom, as they definitively cracked due to the mixture of different irreconcialable egos and the aknowledgement of their aimlesness and lack of real purpose.
Until new blood saved the team by giving something new to hit, and put the "family" back together.
Everything with great art, new characters, funny lines and the presence of the Jennys.
By the way, what happened to Ex-Machina stories like the "First Hundred Years" and "Tag" were really innovative and fascinating, I like the way Vaughan creates new contexts and new universes all by himself. And thanks to Tony Harris it reads like a movie or a tv series.
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[Post 17]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:00 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
By the way, what happened to Ex-Machina stories like the "First Hundred Years" and "Tag" were really innovative and fascinating, I like the way Vaughan creates new contexts and new universes all by himself. And thanks to Tony Harris it reads like a movie or a tv series.
Why do you hurt me so...these were not eligible because they were out of continuity, more to the point part of WS's Signature Series, though these were each full arc over the entirety of several issues.
Planetary should have been restricted, along with 3.0, in some way so as not to allow as many multiple entries as it did IMO.
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[Post 18]
Author : Nick Costanzo
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:07 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Planetary should have been restricted, along with 3.0, in some way so as not to allow as many multiple entries as it did IMO.If we were discussing individual books, then fine. Otherwise this makes no sense to me whatsoever.
And you're dead to me for that blasphemy you spoke about Revolution :P
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[Post 19]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:20 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Wow...
Hello, everyone! I'm the guy who did not like Authority Revolution. There are a variety of reasons for this beginning with having actually enjoyed Monarchy (or the apparent theory behind it anyway) and ending with the fact that I felt it did not build to anything and lacked the momentum that a good year long run should bring. Not to say I hated it all. I have all twelve issues and enjoyed some great moments (The Jennys' and the Doctors' mating social anyone?) but overall not a top ten story. That is not to say that I would not have understood it's placement on this list over a story such as Planetary 26 which at the very least is the first of a two-part story even if you don't consider it part 26 of a 27 part story.
My favorite in continuity story not written by Micah Ian Wright was Planetary/Batman primarily because it was a Batman story masquerading as a Planetary tale. It was a Wildstorm story showcasing the Gotham of a world without Batman and the Gotham Knights. Without a JLA or a Green Lantern Corps (Lamplight notwithstanding), the world is left to the noble endeaveurs of one Elijah Snow and his few friends.
I loved it for what it was and felt that really Revolution just diluted the Authority's mythos even more, though after the first issue of Morrison's tale I've dropped the franchise from my pull-list all together.
Maybe that's just me :)
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[Post 20]
Author : gnosis
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:28 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
When drawing up the Top-Ten lists, we don’t produce them on the grounds of equal representation. It’s done by a series of rounds were Staff members put forward nominations. These nominations eventually get us down to a definitive top-ten, which is representational of the people – staff – who took part. Not everyone is going to agree with the list we compiled, but will anyone ever agree on a list compiled? Everyone’s list is going to differ according to each owns personal taste and preference. Like i said above, i'd remove Planetary/Batman and replace it with Authority: Revolution without a second thought.
I see your point (and agree with you about Night on Earth). I guess when I'm considering a list like this in my head I don't always just look at quality but also the imapct the story has on the world it's told in. I see some of the entries fit that bill (Change or Die and brand Building for instance), but a lot of the Planetary stuff (which I do indeed like) doesn't make any sort of impact on the WSU, as oppsed to say Authority: Revolution and Sleeper which both changed some major parts of the Wildstorm Universe in some ways. However, I do understand that there is a balance between quality and impact. I mean Captain Atom: Armageddon had a huge impact on the Wildstorm Universe, but there is no way it belongs anywhere near that list.
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[Post 21]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 11:49 am
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Wow...
Hello, everyone! I'm the guy who did not like Authority Revolution. THere are a variety of reasons, beginning with my actually enjoying Monarchy (or the apparent theory behind it anyway) and ending with the fact that I felt it did not build to anything and lacked the momentum that a good year long run should bring.
How did it lack momentum thought? Bar the last few issues, which I personal felt were a touch crammed, I felt it flowed brilliantly. There was no feeling of filler issues at all; each issue had an important part in the overall story.
1) We saw Jack finally realise that not only is he not really cut out to lead the world, he also doubted his ability to lead them team.
2) Meltdown of the relationship between Midnighter and Apollo, and Apollo’s decision to remove himself and Jenny from the Carrier in order to try and bring a sense of normality to Jenny life.
3) The Death of a Doctor, and emergency of a new Doctor.
4) Jenny Quantum’s coming of age, something the book has seriously lacked since Sparks demise at the end of Ellis’ run.. A Jenny.
5) Re-introduction of Bendix – the only person I feel could have pulled the Revolution of and made it believable - and Rose, although I would have preferred Rose to have remained the Spirit of Murder.
6) And while all of this was going on we got what the book really needed. It was taken back to its roots! Back to when they weren’t global rulers, but a heavy handed big brother who watched the world, and would move every-so-often to bring about change, but also appreciated the fact you cant enforce dramatic change.
These are just some of the reasons why it made for such a gripping and enthralling yearlong arc. And why it should be on the list, more so than Planetary/Batman.
I loved it for what it was and felt that really Revolution just diluted the Authority's mythos even more, though after the first issue of Morrison's tale I've dropped the franchise from my pull-list all together.
How did it? If anything the team was more inline with how Ellis left them at the end of Revolution. So how is returning a book to its roots diluting them?
And how anyone can’t right a book off after one issue is beyond me, I’ve never been able to grasp this kind of mentality. GM promised he would give us something we haven’t seen in the Authority before, and so far he’s delivered. His first issue was excellent, if for anything, he gave us what we weren’t expecting, and left us wanting more. Personally, I cant wait for the next issue.
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[Post 22]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:06 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
the problem with the lack of variety is that the wildstorm uni is still comparatively young compared to other uni's. and there are only a few decent wsu comic franchises (let alone stories) that stuff can be picked from. the batman/planetary entry is just random though compared to the other stories in this list.
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[Post 23]
Author : M-Angel
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:21 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if they want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
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[Post 24]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:30 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if you want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
it was A god. and it was a crap god at that. there's no emotional attachment to the alien thingamajig that sparks electrocuted.
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[Post 25]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:31 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
And how anyone can’t right a book off after one issue is beyond me, I’ve never been able to grasp this kind of mentality. GM promised he would give us something we haven’t seen in the Authority before, and so far he’s delivered. His first issue was excellent, if for anything, he gave us what we weren’t expecting, and left us wanting more. Personally, I cant wait for the next issue.
I don't want to read a story that wastes an issue like I feel that did. Maybe it will be something new but it is not so far something I want to read.
We're having two different arguments. The story and what it did to continuity is not the issue. I thought some that was stupid but my point is that Brubaker's pacing over the entirerty of the title was poor. Ellis and more so Millar told you a story, not a bunch of scenes that kinda share some characters and explosions. Ellis and Hitch made widescreen cinema out of a comic book and I feel that Brubaker's stroytelling is well found in Daredevil and Sleeper but not in Authoirty and for that matter not in Uncanny X-Men.
the problem with the lack of variety is that the wildstorm uni is still comparatively young compared to other uni's. and there are only a few decent wsu comic franchises (let alone stories) that stuff can be picked from.
Right, exactly, which is why we should not have nominated individual issues of the same book.
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if you want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
You sir are my new personal hero :)
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[Post 26]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:52 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Right, exactly, which is why we should not have nominated individual issues of the same book.
were the stories in those individual issues self-contained?
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[Post 27]
Author : David Henry
Date : Dec 29, 2006 12:59 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
were the stories in those individual issues self-contained?
With Planetary, they typically were.
Our lists have turned out pretty fine. I agree that a few fo the stories could have been tossed for Authority: Revolution, which I thought was not decompresed and added a spark, shall we say, the team desperately needed.
I also would not have listed Planetary as the best team, though I do agree Elijah Snow is the best character and that Planetary is the best book/series.
I think Planetary should have been the No. 3 team behind Wildcats at No. 2 and Authority as No. 1. I feel the Authority have the most cohesiveness.
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[Post 28]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:02 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
were the stories in those individual issues self-contained?
Yes.
I'm not questioning that, and you know that. I'm questioning why multiple single issue storiess from the same story need to be included when that limits representation from other corners of the published work. I mean, most of the entires were Ellis penned and Planetary was him getting ahead of the curve and writing the continuity as he went. Each issue was a little bright light that shined from the top of my weekly pile, but if the story had been nominated a la 3.0 as one large story (Planetary/Batman notwithstanding) we would have given the story it's due without filling the ten choices with the same book.
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[Post 29]
Author : gnosis
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:17 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
GM promised he would give us something we haven’t seen in the Authority before, and so far he’s delivered.
True. I don't recall ever seeing the Authority not appear in an issue of the Authority.
it was A god. and it was a crap god at that. there's no emotional attachment to the alien thingamajig that sparks electrocuted.
Well, clearly you have never heard of the Unified Church of the Alien Thingamajig (Thingamajigism for short). :P
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[Post 30]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:54 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
You can kill Jean Grey and nobody would care.
You can make people call a 900 number just to know if you want Jason Todd dead.
But you kill GOD and it only ranks #10 in the list...that's just silly
Do you even have any idea what Ellis was doing by Removing Sparks? Probably not! Do you even realise what Hitch and Ellis was doing with the book? Probably not! Is there any point in my trying to explain it.. Probably not!
it was A god. and it was a crap god at that. there's no emotional attachment to the alien thingamajig that sparks electrocuted.
It was the God responsible for the creation of the WSU - so that’s God enough for me.
I don't want to read a story that wastes an issue like I feel that did. Maybe it will be something new but it is not so far something I want to read.
so basically you enjoy comics that are spelt out for you? What issue one was doing was achieving as sense of reality, his whole take on the mundane of the real world wouldn’t work otherwise. Why is this such a hard concept for people to grasp? For a story to truly work, you have to set the groundwork up. For us to believe this is our world, we need to be convinced of this. Had we have seen all-out-action from the word go, this wouldn’t have been achieved.
I We're having two different arguments.
The story and what it did to continuity is not the issue.
You just said it diluted the mythos of the Authority, if that isn’t a dig at the story then I don’t know what is.
I I thought some that was stupid but my point is that Brubaker's pacing over the entirerty of the title was poor. Ellis and more so Millar told you a story, not a bunch of scenes that kinda share some characters and explosions.
I’m sorry, but what are you going on about? Did you actually read the story, or simply look at the pictures on display? Brubaker crafted a well pace epic tale; that in fact I feel should have had an oversized final as I felt the final issue was rushed.
I Ellis and Hitch made widescreen cinema out of a comic book and I feel that Brubaker's stroytelling is well found in Daredevil and Sleeper but not in Authoirty and for that matter not in Uncanny X-Men.
You really don’t get the Authority do you? If everyone simply mimicked Ellis and Hitches approached, this book would never have lasted 12 months past the point of their departure. What this book is a brilliant example of is that you can tell a story that stays within its own continuity, and still put your own spin on it.
I'm not questioning that, and you know that. I'm questioning why multiple single issue storiess from the same story need to be included when that limits representation from other corners of the published work. I mean, most of the entires were Ellis penned and Planetary was him getting ahead of the curve and writing the continuity as he went. Each issue was a little bright light that shined from the top of my weekly pile, but if the story had been nominated a la 3.0 as one large story (Planetary/Batman notwithstanding) we would have given the story it's due without filling the ten choices with the same book.
What. So basically we come up with a list of top-ten stories we don’t actually agree on, just so we can give equal representation to other stories. That’s not how this list works, and was explained in full as to why we were not going to call Planetary as on continual story. At the end of the day a story is a story. What we have is 10 of the best (Planetary/Batman notwithstanding) WS stories.
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[Post 31]
Author : Mike Sangregorio
Date : Dec 29, 2006 01:57 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Do you even have any idea what Ellis was doing by Removing Sparks? Probably not! Do you even realise what Hitch and Ellis was doing with the book? Probably not! Is there any point in my trying to explain it.. Probably not!
Wow, someone is getting a might testy!
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[Post 32]
Author : James Groves
Date : Dec 29, 2006 02:02 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
It was the God responsible for the creation of the WSU - so that’s God enough for me.
you're easily pleased. big generic alien thingy doesn't really grab me by my emotional roots.
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[Post 33]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 02:03 pm
Wow, someone is getting a might testy!
If you personally think Outer Dark got voted on the basis 'god died' then you've actually missed the point of the story.
you're easily pleased. big generic alien thingy doesn't really grab me by my emotional roots.
This is the final chaper of Ellis and Hitches comic book movie. of course they are going to end it on something big.. can we get bigger than god? you dont need to be attached to it, to appreciate its reason for being there.
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[Post 34]
Author : Dylan McKay
Date : Dec 29, 2006 05:57 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
I maintain that the lack of Adam Warren Gen-13 stories is a glaring ommision.
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[Post 35]
Author : Will Carper
Date : Dec 29, 2006 06:19 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Needed more Sleeper, less Batman. Other than that, great list.
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[Post 36]
Author : M-Angel
Date : Dec 29, 2006 06:37 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
With all due respect Mr. Devlin. what I got out of the "Outer Dark" storyline was the following:
I believe that with this story Ellis was "fleshing out" a famous quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsch.
"God's dead, it is the age of the super men"
This would also explain the quote "The Earth is under new management" by Jenny Sparks. The dead of God truly represented the start of a new management. The management of the Super men represented in the archetypes that are..The Authority.
Also like every other thing in the world this is subject to personal perception therefore the way we view this story can change from person to person.
Thanks for reading
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[Post 37]
Author : Anthony Devlin
Date : Dec 29, 2006 07:37 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
actually, jenny said "this is my world" but thats not the point. God was only ever the major threat, which all summer movies have.
edit:
I believe that with this story Ellis was "fleshing out" a famous quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsch.
"God's dead, it is the age of the super men"
i never saw it that way before.. which to a degree makes sense. but when u make reference to Jean Greys death, :yawnL then im sorry for taking the piss.. but honestly, how else could i take it?
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[Post 38]
Author : Nick Costanzo
Date : Dec 29, 2006 10:34 pm
Title : Re: COMIXFAN PRESENTS... THE TOP TEN WILDSTORM STORIES
Needed more Sleeper, less Batman. Other than that, great list.Cheers :)
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The messages has been download from Comixfan Forums at http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums at 05.10.2007 08:28:56