Friday, March 23, 2007

Mark Waid Leaving the Legion

It's been almost a week since it was announced that Mark Waid and Barry Kitson were leaving the Legion of Super-Heroes with issue 31. Full story at the link.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

That alone is sad news. I'm a HUGE Legion fan! I've been collecting them since I started reading Comics. And as a long-time fan, I have to say I was liking the current incarnation of the Legion better than anything since the 5 Year Later period. While other creators had their takes on the Legion, I know I've enjoyed this version from Mark and Barry. The uniforms, the powers, even the reason for existing is slightly different than anything else that had been tried. And I thought it was working. I will miss Barry's art as well. I've been a fan of his from before his L.E.G.I.O.N. days!

But what makes me really sad is the comment from Mark Waid himself, saying how the internet would be applauding once the news hit. I thought his work was wonderful. This is a top-notch writer folks. He's one-fourth of the writing team responsible for the first ever weekly comic! His reverence for continuity is well-known. He was an editor before he wrote (or maybe he did both at the same time, I don't know).

He edited the Legend of Aquaman Special. It was that book that compelled me to write a letter. I had questions regarding Aquaman's continuity, where the first mini-series fit, and other things. It never got printed in a letter column because Aquaman didn't have an ongoing book at the time, but what I got was 10 times better! Mark Waid wrote me back – on real DC stationary! He responded to my questions, thanked me for purchasing the issue, and now that letter is tucked in with the comic. It was a special thing for a kid from Edmonton to get a response from the editor himself! The only other time I came close to being famous in a comic was the time my question to the Answer Man (Bob Rozakis) was answered in the Anniversary Issue of World's Finest (number 272, to be precise, great George Perez cover!). I could never make it to any of the conventions in the States because of the cost and most comic creators don't come to Edmonton, so you can see why getting something like that would be a special thing.

And then there was the time that Joanna Draper was working for DC and she asked for articles about comics in local papers be sent to her. At the time in was in University and the student paper had a huge article that I sent in. In return, she sent me an almost-complete set of Justice League Postcards (art by George Perez). I had never managed to get a set when they were originally released, but I appreciated the cards and they're still in my collection. Joanna's blog is something I read daily. Neat, huh?

Anyway, back to the point. Mark Waid did some really cool things with the Legion and he should be congratulated. Even though it looks like the Levitz era Legion is coming back in the pages of the Justice Society of America. I like Mark's version better than the 'Archie' Legion, Legion of the Damned, The Legion, and most other interpretations since the 5 Year Gap version.

Hopefully Mark and Barry's ideas and vision stick around. I liked their Legion.

Monday, March 19, 2007

First Thoughts...

Ok, the new comic previews are out and it looks like the Arthur Joseph Curry is getting a re-tooling. Please, please, please!!! It didn't work with 40 issues ago, what makes them think it's going to work out now?

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Seriously.

The book is just reaching 50 issues and Aquaman has been rebooted within his own series three - now four times! First was the debacle that began the current run of the book, Wil Pfeifer and his 'Aquaman is a King, King Arthur is a King - it's the Atlantean version of the Round Table' take on the character. Which was followed by the Sub Diego storyline. This was a return to the green and orange, but updated for the new millenium. A cool logo and insignia completed the look. It introduced a new Aquagirl and I was digging the new change. Then came the Sword of Atlantis phase (even the Sword of Atlantis part of the title bothers me), which is NOT Aquaman!!! And the horrible art. I've never cared for Butch Guice's artwork and I don't think he gained many fans while he was on the book. It looks muddy and unfinished and if I have trouble telling the difference between King Shark and AJC Aquaman, well, do I need to say anything further?? Aquaman is not Conan under the sea, no matter how many times people try to tell (or sell) us that. Arthur Joseph Curry will probably be revealed as a long-lost-2nd-cousin-on-his-father's-side relative of the REAL Aquaman. And now he's getting another revamp. Just bring back the REAL Aquaman and forget the rest.

I, for one, was hoping for a return of the pre-Infinite Crisis Atlantis of the DC Universe. (Try saying that 10 times fast). Call me weird, but I like the domed city of Atlantis, her sister city Tritonis, and all the water-breathers and surrounding areas... Shayeris, Thiera Na Oge, and more. Use Tempest (find a way to ditch Dolphin and the kid), Mera, and Vulko and start telling good underwater stories again!

I know I'm asking a lot, but even this loyal fan is considering not purchasing Aquaman comics until the original Arthur Curry is back.

Seriously DC. I have the 13 inch DC Direct Aquaman, Waterglobe, every other Action Figure (except for the harpoon version you got with the JLA set released last year) produced. I buy everything Aquaman. But I may not buy the comic in the near future.

It worries me, too.