More positivity
Speaking of fine things coming out of Marvel(which I believe Amazing Spider-Man is def apart of) I picked Ultimates 3 # 2 with ASM today and I believe that was the best three dollars Ive spent in a while, i also submit a vote that Marvel have more random giving aways of said excellent collections(the new ones and old ones alike)

Posted by peterparker4907 on 2008-01-23 20:27:49
variety
I just wanted to mention that I enjoy the variety - nothing against New/Mighty Avengers - I just collect enough "similar" books, so I love stuff like:
-Dr. Strange: The Oath (which was basically a 40's/50's romantic comedy with magic)
-Marvel Illustrated (though I'm trade-waiting most of em)
-Iron Fist - a book about ninjas WITHOUT zombies or pirates in it!
-Incredible Hercules - fun stuff
-Franklin Richards
-X-Men: First Class
-Dead of Night
-Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane

and the other varied stuff you put out. Keep up the good work!

Posted by stuckinazkaban on 2008-01-23 22:25:23
Hulk and others
The Hulk has had one of the best run in years since Planet Hulk and I am loving this new incarnation of the Hulk. Cant wait to see where it goes. I am also excited to see that the Ultimates is on a regular schedule and cant wait to see this throw down with the brotherhood.

I never liked Captain America as long as I have been reading comics, until I picked up a few issues of Brubaker run. Now I invested in one of the best Omnibuses on the market, I really cant beleive how much that character grew on me and I hope Bucky stays Captain from now on, it was a great transition.

With the direction of ASM, I may no longer be interested in that title, but there is plenty of other stuff coming out to keep some marvel in my subscription box. Secret Invasion looks great too, just hope the Spider-man mind wipe does not mess up too much of the New Avengers (my favorite book) team dynamic.

But we are trying to stay positive so Go Hulk!

Posted by jefseg77 on 2008-01-23 22:34:16
great offerings except you know what.
Yeah, there are a lot of comics that im very interested of, and i read almost all of them. sadly ASM is no longer part of them.

Posted by mdshaman on 2008-01-23 23:49:44
you didn't mention CLAN DESTINE, don't you ?...

Posted by notapotatoe on 2008-01-24 02:14:21
Completely agree. I've been looking through all of Marvel solicitations and the only thing I'm not looking forward to is the huge gaping hole in my wallet where my money used to be.

Posted by doncorswhazie on 2008-01-24 03:07:47
Good
Keep it up!

Posted by PseudoSherlock on 2008-01-24 06:31:01
Digital Comics
The thing I am most looking forward to this year is the changes to the X-men titles. They are getting a badly needed overhaul. Cable is one of my favorite heroes and I am really looking forward to Warren Ellis on Astonishing. Warren tends to write comics that make people think.

The thing I am most hoping for is digital media is the emmergence of digital media as a major form of publishing for comic books.

I see digital media as the only hope of making comics affordable for the masses and I hope they prosper for this reason. Many people simply can't afford to spend $3+ to buy an issue. I sympathize as I spend several hundred dollars a month on comics and am mainly a story reader. These issues need to be at least a subset of new issues. Collectors love back issues but people thinking about reading comics want new content that addresses their generation.

The biggest benefit for me is the ability to access stories I want to read again. Sorting through stacks of comics to find stories I want to read (and keeping them organized) is hard work. Not to mention that most of the time it is impractical and old stories end up just collecting dust.

I also hope that digital media cues more people in on the marvel blog scene (integrates the two if possible). If you can create an online community around the publishing of new issues, feedback will increase and writers and editors will be able to better meet the community's needs. People will also feel like they can relate to the authors and editors and become more attached to the product making them more willing to buy it. If people can myspace in writers and artists and see some of what they are doing, maybe culture can help bring more people into comic collecting.


Posted by shaunbed on 2008-01-24 07:22:51
Proof Positive
Proof Positive

Alright, so when I was in the comic shop yesterday to pick up my double dose of old shell head (Iron Man and Ultimate Iron Man) and the store owner had me read the first three issues of Brand New Day. It was amazingly refreshing and I shall hence forth look back on the Spider Mugger Saga with great fondness.

I can't say enough about Captain America. If I could only read a single Marvel title it would easily be Cap. Since picking up the book I've always felt like it's given me the most for my money.

I think Marvel's been going in a great direction. The biggest indicator of this for me is that I simply don't have the money to keep up with all the titles I want, when I'm already buying seven. Thunderbolts, The Initiative, Omega the Unknown, Uncanny X-Men, New Avengers, and The Order are all titles I would love to be reading but just don't make the cut with my pseudo Yankee thrift.

Of course certain allowances will be made for Secret Invasion.

Posted by welleshadow on 2008-01-24 07:39:01
Positively good stuff
I too am jazzed by the previews I've seen coming out of Marvel. There seems to be a sea change (though a subtle one) going on throughout the books. While I enjoyed Civil War and the Initiative, I am happy to see that some of the books have moved on and are focusing on developing the characters with CW and CWI only as a backdrop.

Posted by tcbobcat on 2008-01-24 08:38:51
How could you not mention?
I agree there's some good stuff right now, but how can you leave out Iron First in that listing? It's just an amazing ride and it's gotten progressively better and better (Orson Rand Mini please!). If you're not reading it go check it out.

Posted by moral_d on 2008-01-24 08:44:50
I'm a huge fan of the oversized hardcovers. I own nearly every one of them.

Posted by wishlish on 2008-01-24 08:59:06
Positivity !
Tom,

I am looking foward to Young Avengers Presents #1-6; Millar & Hitch on the FF, the ongoing Annihilation Conquest saga, Guardians of the Galaxy, as always Ed & Steve's Captain America, JMS' Thor, Casey's Last Defenders, Secret Invasion, and Iron Man: Legacy of Doom, just to mention a few current and upcoming titles.
Lots of enjoyable regulars with new excitement being generated! Thanks for your involvement in all of this!

Monday Morning Lunatic !

PS: Looking forward to your online comments about "Women and Clothing?"

Posted by Mon Morn Lunatic on 2008-01-24 08:59:46
Will the Future Ever Come?
It’s just a bit ironic that “Messiah CompleX” features a dystopian alternate future for mutants, and that Cable and Bishop, stars in the storyline, are both from alternate futures, when Marvel’s stated reasons for Spider-Man’s OMD and BND storylines included preserving the character for the enjoyment of future generations of readers. In other words, the alternate futures that the X-books have relied on so heavily for story material are probably never going to arrive.

I’d like to note that it’s possible to write a story that provides a reason and rationale for Marvel’s sliding timeline and the non-aging of the heroes and other characters, and to have the heroes react appropriately to the discovery of their true surroundings, and make informed choices about how they want their lives to progress--all using the powers of characters already present. I don’t know how fans would react to such a storyline, though.

SRS


Posted by Steven R. Stahl on 2008-01-24 09:11:15
And don't forget...
... The ANNIHILATION sagas! They are redefining the cosmic landscape of the Marvel U! :)

Posted by pmpknface on 2008-01-24 10:20:56
FAT COBRA!!!
Tom,
I can't say I dug Hulk #1 like you did (I actually thought it was kinda weak) so on my list I would replace that listing with IRON FIST. Bru and Fraction have made a punch-line character into a really fascinating read. I dig this book!

Really interested in the FF run, too.



Posted by bigdaddyhub2 on 2008-01-24 10:23:39
The people who won't allow themselves to enjoy Amazing Spider-Man are really missing out. It's the book I'm most excited to read!

Posted by Fetsur on 2008-01-24 10:26:47
AMEN
Fetsur is wise. Listen to him.

Posted by bigdaddyhub2 on 2008-01-24 14:26:49
Go Marvel Comics Group!
Bulk up! Load up! Gear up! Move em out! Saddle up! Lock it down! Rawhide (Kid). (I can't get anymore Marvel Positive except to start wearing Marvel character pajamas!) Imperius Rex!

Posted by N.Mackenzie on 2008-01-24 15:04:31
Several months ago I might not have agreed with Tom. But now. I'm still reading Iron Man, Captain America, both Avengers books, and all of the Initiative books. Whodathunkit?

Posted by Tom Reed on 2008-01-24 16:09:41
FF: Isla De La Muerta
I do, by and large, enjoy most of Marvel's output nowadays, but I wanted to comment on the recent FF special, Isla De La Muerta. I thought Tom Beland perfectly caught the spirit and tone of the classic FF comics, had the voices of the characters perfect, and it was a fun little one off story. I love True Stories Swear to God, so I was picking this up regardless, but it was really a lot of fun. And the art was fantastic - energetic, expressive, interesting. I'd like to see more from both of them, on FF or something else.

Michael

Posted by mcross76 on 2008-01-24 17:39:17
Marvel's Art Is The Best In Comic's History?
The art and the production values at Marvel just blow me away! Lots to be excited about. Probably 80% of what Marvel is doing is excellent.

Posted by Dusty. on 2008-01-24 17:47:02
I do love Daredevil and the Ms MArvel Sotoryline. She hulk is fuun to. And Iron man is keeping me on my toes. And Damn brubaker for keeping me hooked on cap. I miss steve put I hope sharon's baby is okay.

And where is that solo spiderwoman comic I was promised?

Posted by Seru1 on 2008-01-24 20:17:18
And least I forget Mighty Avengers!! Cho Is soo the man. I eat up mighty avengers

Posted by Seru1 on 2008-01-24 20:19:40
what, no digital comics?
come on Tom...what are we, chopped liver?

Posted by pete on 2008-01-24 21:23:39
Can't wait for Secret Invasion! Punisher War Journal has been great, as has Nova.

I have to disagree with Daredevil though. It seems to have fallen flat after Bru's first arc.


Posted by c3schmidt on 2008-01-24 22:35:24
Looking forward to the rest of 2008
There do SEEM to be a lot of good things coming up but more likely it will be another year of disappointed fans screaming on the internet about perceived mishandling of long standing characters as
the PTBs at Marvel just point to sell outs, shrug their shoulders, and get on with doing their jobs.

In other words if you are looking for a pat on the back or enthusiasm from the internet community, you are in the wrong place. Oh, and tell Dan Slott to quit wasting his time dueling over at the Newsarama forums. Every second he spends there is time he could be spending creatively doing positive stuff that makes him happy.

Don't let yourselves be nibbled to death by ducks.



Posted by izzatrix on 2008-01-25 09:42:16
Crying
My wallet is so empty, but the comics are so good. I am so excited about what is coming for the X-Men. Waiting another week for the issues to come out hurts. You are right about Daredevil, it hasn't missed a beat since Bru took over from Bendis. One book that didn't get mention, that most definitely should is Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. What a great book. The art is fantastic, and the Knaufs are really hitting their stride with Shellhead.

Posted by ZacGoyette on 2008-01-25 13:11:59