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tilly_stratfordThis is a continuation of my previous list of Five Comic Book Characters That Intrigue Me For Silly Reasons (and its recap), but I decided I had to rephrase it this time. "These are characters I'd like to check out" doesn't necessarily work when I've already encountered them in big comic book events or crossovers. Still, some of these titles are listed only because some character intrigues me for silly reasons, but not all. Some just seem like genuinely good reads.
Anyway, enough with the explenations, here we go.
STARMAN
In particular: Starman II by James Robinson, #0-80.
Who? The original Golden Age Starman, Ted Knight, had a cosmic rod (hurr hurr) with which he could fly and manipulate energy. His son David then took over the mantle, but when he was killed, Jack, David's brother, reluctantly became the new Starman. He refused to wear a costume though.
Why? He looks pretty darn cool with his goggles and lack of spandex. Furthermore, I've picked up on the buzz that the comic was intensely awesome and won an Eisner award.
X-FORCE
In particular: Uncanny X-Force.
Who? X-Force was a team led by Cable, dealing with wrongdoers more brutally than the X-Men do. It was then shut down by Cyclops, but continued without his knowledge. The members vary, but Wolverine, Archangel, Deadpool and Deathlok have all been part of its roster.
Why? I suffer from Deadpool saturation. He became too popular, and too many writers ignored character development in favour of MONKEY CHEESE HAHA SO RANDOM humour. I've been told X-Force dials it back a bit and that it's the most interesting thing Marvel has done with Deadpool in years.
SUICIDE SQUAD
In particular: Suicide Squad Vol. 1 (1987-1992) to begin with.
Who? A covert black ops government strike team, Suicide Squad let imprisoned supervillains perform high-risk strikes for full pardons. Led by the formidable Amanda Waller, the original Suicide Squad had a high death count.
Why? I've always felt DC have had fewer bright ideas on how to use their supervillains than Marvel, so Suicide Squad intrigues me just for being something out of the ordinary. Besides, Amanda Waller is awesome.
PLASTIC MAN
In particular: Kyle Bakers' Plastic Man (2004-2006)
Who? Eel O'Brian was originally a burglar, but was at some point doused with experimental chemicals (that happens alarmingly often in comic book land) and acquired stretchy powers. In a mountain retreat a monk made him see the light and he became the reformed superhero Plastic Man (with only occasional moral lapses). Also he's got a screwball sense of humour.
Why? It was Batman: The Brave and the Bold that first introduced me to Plastic Man - and he immediately became my second favourite stretchy superhero ever. I then read some excerpts from the Kyle Baker run (which, yes, won an Eisner Award) and almost had an aneurism from laughing so hard. I need to read it all!
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN
In particular: Peter Milligan's Shade, the Changing Man #1-19.
Who? Like Starman, the original Shade was a spandexed superhero - an alien who could change size, created by Steve Ditko. Later, the character was reinvented as a lovelorn alien with a Madness Vest that can warp reality. Every time Shade dies he returns in another body with a different personality.
Why? As much as I'm getting into superhero comics, DC's Vertigo-imprint (where darker, more sophisticated DC comics are printed) will always be dearest to my heart, as it was my introduction to comic books (outside of Disney) all those years ago. I first heard of Shade when he became a supporting character to John Constantine in Hellblazer, but everything about Milligan's reinvention appeals to me. Like Doctor Who but with a slightly more pathetic main character, tackling serious issues.
ANIMAL MAN
In particular: Grant Morrison's run, but pretty much everything from 1980 onward.
Who? Buddy Baker was too close to an exploding U.F.O. and acquired the ability to temporarily borrow animals' abilities, like cheetas' speed and birds' flight. He became Animal Man, championing animal rights and vegetarianism. At some point he also became aware that he is a fictional comic book character (whoa).
Why? I admit my own ignorance at first seeing Animal Man and thinking "Wow I bet this guy's a Booster Gold ripoff" (hint: He predates Booster Gold). While I'm curious about his knowledge of being in a comic book, it's the little, relatable things that really appeal to me: He's got a wife and kid, he started wearing a (faux-leather) jacket because his spandex suit didn't have pockets, he jus seems like a lovable guy.
For the record I hear good things about the ongoing Hawekeye series, but I haven't really put in enough research to see if it'll suit me. Also I was thinking about listing the old Elongated Man comics, but he has become so familiar to me through Justice League Europe he didn't seem to fit the list somehow.
Anyway, enough with the explenations, here we go.
STARMAN
In particular: Starman II by James Robinson, #0-80.
Who? The original Golden Age Starman, Ted Knight, had a cosmic rod (hurr hurr) with which he could fly and manipulate energy. His son David then took over the mantle, but when he was killed, Jack, David's brother, reluctantly became the new Starman. He refused to wear a costume though.
Why? He looks pretty darn cool with his goggles and lack of spandex. Furthermore, I've picked up on the buzz that the comic was intensely awesome and won an Eisner award.
X-FORCE
In particular: Uncanny X-Force.
Who? X-Force was a team led by Cable, dealing with wrongdoers more brutally than the X-Men do. It was then shut down by Cyclops, but continued without his knowledge. The members vary, but Wolverine, Archangel, Deadpool and Deathlok have all been part of its roster.
Why? I suffer from Deadpool saturation. He became too popular, and too many writers ignored character development in favour of MONKEY CHEESE HAHA SO RANDOM humour. I've been told X-Force dials it back a bit and that it's the most interesting thing Marvel has done with Deadpool in years.
SUICIDE SQUAD
In particular: Suicide Squad Vol. 1 (1987-1992) to begin with.
Who? A covert black ops government strike team, Suicide Squad let imprisoned supervillains perform high-risk strikes for full pardons. Led by the formidable Amanda Waller, the original Suicide Squad had a high death count.
Why? I've always felt DC have had fewer bright ideas on how to use their supervillains than Marvel, so Suicide Squad intrigues me just for being something out of the ordinary. Besides, Amanda Waller is awesome.
PLASTIC MAN
In particular: Kyle Bakers' Plastic Man (2004-2006)
Who? Eel O'Brian was originally a burglar, but was at some point doused with experimental chemicals (that happens alarmingly often in comic book land) and acquired stretchy powers. In a mountain retreat a monk made him see the light and he became the reformed superhero Plastic Man (with only occasional moral lapses). Also he's got a screwball sense of humour.
Why? It was Batman: The Brave and the Bold that first introduced me to Plastic Man - and he immediately became my second favourite stretchy superhero ever. I then read some excerpts from the Kyle Baker run (which, yes, won an Eisner Award) and almost had an aneurism from laughing so hard. I need to read it all!
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN
In particular: Peter Milligan's Shade, the Changing Man #1-19.
Who? Like Starman, the original Shade was a spandexed superhero - an alien who could change size, created by Steve Ditko. Later, the character was reinvented as a lovelorn alien with a Madness Vest that can warp reality. Every time Shade dies he returns in another body with a different personality.
Why? As much as I'm getting into superhero comics, DC's Vertigo-imprint (where darker, more sophisticated DC comics are printed) will always be dearest to my heart, as it was my introduction to comic books (outside of Disney) all those years ago. I first heard of Shade when he became a supporting character to John Constantine in Hellblazer, but everything about Milligan's reinvention appeals to me. Like Doctor Who but with a slightly more pathetic main character, tackling serious issues.
ANIMAL MAN
In particular: Grant Morrison's run, but pretty much everything from 1980 onward.
Who? Buddy Baker was too close to an exploding U.F.O. and acquired the ability to temporarily borrow animals' abilities, like cheetas' speed and birds' flight. He became Animal Man, championing animal rights and vegetarianism. At some point he also became aware that he is a fictional comic book character (whoa).
Why? I admit my own ignorance at first seeing Animal Man and thinking "Wow I bet this guy's a Booster Gold ripoff" (hint: He predates Booster Gold). While I'm curious about his knowledge of being in a comic book, it's the little, relatable things that really appeal to me: He's got a wife and kid, he started wearing a (faux-leather) jacket because his spandex suit didn't have pockets, he jus seems like a lovable guy.
For the record I hear good things about the ongoing Hawekeye series, but I haven't really put in enough research to see if it'll suit me. Also I was thinking about listing the old Elongated Man comics, but he has become so familiar to me through Justice League Europe he didn't seem to fit the list somehow.
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no subject
Date: 2013-01-24 07:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-01-25 06:02 pm (UTC)Yeah, I started with Green Lantern: Rebirth and finally started caring about Lanterns :-) (A lot of comic fans seem to really hate Geoff John's writing, but I've really liked what I've read so far)
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Date: 2013-01-26 04:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-01-26 12:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-01-30 08:54 am (UTC)And Batwoman: Hydrology is an absolute must. I would recommend reading Batwoman Elegy first. The artwork alone is insanely gorgeous. The storyline is interesting, it has a nice dark supernatural kick the regular Batworld rarely has. I believe the first 17 issues are one large arc.
Have you read Batman: The Black Mirror TPB? One of my faves. It has Dick Greyson acting as Batman and James Gordon's son. I really liked Dick as Batman, he has such a different personality. I don't remember which comic but Gordon is talking to him but mostly to himself and is surprised when he turns around "Batman" is still there.
There's a part in I believe Court of Owls where the bat family ALL leave and he is like great he's taught them all that lol
no subject
Date: 2013-01-30 06:37 pm (UTC)There's a part in I believe Court of Owls where the bat family ALL leave and he is like great he's taught them all that lol
XD