Comics Friendly Neighborhood Recommendations

[Nicko-Ray]

Hey Nicko. Glad to hear you're doing well.

I haven't been reading as much as I would've liked during this quarantine however I've been able to do a bunch of other things, i.e. home improvement, gaming, and getting back into art.

As for Spider-Man, I'm anxious to have Spidey meet Kindred and find out his/her identity. All gonna happen in the next 6 issues starting July 15th.

I've been gaming as well. What have you been playing? You've played SPIDER-MAN already, right? My gf and I finished a playthrough last month. I, also have been doing home things. Moved into a new place, etc. Let's see some of that art, man!

Dude...the JMS run is incredible...all the way up until Sins Past, then it sucks until Civil War, and then it's great until One More Day. All in all, he only had about 18 crap issues out of the however many he did, and 2 of the arcs were changed by editorial...so let that sink in.

ASM is decent...I'm hoping it picks up. I've just been buying back issues.

Sweet. I have the first 3 volumes to JMS's run. Boy, I haven't been back issue shopping in like 6+ years. Nothing like sifting through a long box...

 

[UltimateWebhead]

I've been gaming as well. What have you been playing? You've played SPIDER-MAN already, right? My gf and I finished a playthrough last month. I, also have been doing home things. Moved into a new place, etc. Let's see some of that art, man!


Sweet. I have the first 3 volumes to JMS's run. Boy, I haven't been back issue shopping in like 6+ years. Nothing like sifting through a long box...

Oh yes, I've played through Spider-Man several times and platinum-ed the game. I've also revisited RDR2 and I've played Last of Us 2 and will be getting Ghost of Tsushima within the next week.

Haha, I will share some art that I've done...soon. I'm a bit of a noob though, only been drawing consistently for about a year.

 

[Nicko-Ray]

Oh yes, I've played through Spider-Man several times and platinum-ed the game. I've also revisited RDR2 and I've played Last of Us 2 and will be getting Ghost of Tsushima within the next week.

Haha, I will share some art that I've done...soon. I'm a bit of a noob though, only been drawing consistently for about a year.

Several times, huh? Hah I guess I have, too. My gf and I are playing THE LAST OF US PART II right now. I’m a huge fan of the first and we’re about 6 hours in. Haven’t gotten to any “controversial” points in the game yet but it’s been very divided. What are your thoughts?

 

[shinlyle]

Several times, huh? Hah I guess I have, too. My gf and I are playing THE LAST OF US PART II right now. I’m a huge fan of the first and we’re about 6 hours in. Haven’t gotten to any “controversial” points in the game yet but it’s been very divided. What are your thoughts?

So, I'm not the only one burning up the games? Well...I'm just burning up Gears 5. I played through Spider-Man again. I don't allow the television to be on right now unless it's for games or movies or fun.

Also, I agree...we need to see some of UltimateWebHead's art!!!

 

[UltimateWebhead]

Several times, huh? Hah I guess I have, too. My gf and I are playing THE LAST OF US PART II right now. I’m a huge fan of the first and we’re about 6 hours in. Haven’t gotten to any “controversial” points in the game yet but it’s been very divided. What are your thoughts?

Lol, I'm nervous to look and see how many hours I've put into Spider-Man ps4. It's gotta be really high.

I finished LOU2 and I enjoyed it. Without spoilers, I didn't like it as much as the first game mostly because of the dynamic between Joel and Ellie. I wasn't really bothered by what they did with the second game but I can understand how those who are emotionally attached to the characters might feel upset. But I will say the story wasn't very engaging...it just didn't grab me.

So, I'm not the only one burning up the games? Well...I'm just burning up Gears 5. I played through Spider-Man again. I don't allow the television to be on right now unless it's for games or movies or fun.

Also, I agree...we need to see some of UltimateWebHead's art!!!

Lol. I promise I'll post something soon.

 

[Nicko-Ray]

So, I'm not the only one burning up the games? Well...I'm just burning up Gears 5. I played through Spider-Man again. I don't allow the television to be on right now unless it's for games or movies or fun.

Also, I agree...we need to see some of UltimateWebHead's art!!!

A buddy of mine were just talking about GEARS the other day. I'm a Sony guy for life but have been told that GEARS would be a game I'd play on the xbox. Idk though, tonally it looks too campy for my tastes.

Lol, I'm nervous to look and see how many hours I've put into Spider-Man ps4. It's gotta be really high.

I finished LOU2 and I enjoyed it. Without spoilers, I didn't like it as much as the first game mostly because of the dynamic between Joel and Ellie. I wasn't really bothered by what they did with the second game but I can understand how those who are emotionally attached to the characters might feel upset. But I will say the story wasn't very engaging...it just didn't grab me.

Lol. I promise I'll post something soon.

You and all of us, man. I've turned that game on just to put on different suits, swing around, and then turn it back off.

Got it. I just encountered my first shambler so I'm still really in the first act of the game. Would like to see how I feel when I finish it re: Joel and Ellie dynamic.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

A buddy of mine were just talking about GEARS the other day. I'm a Sony guy for life but have been told that GEARS would be a game I'd play on the xbox. Idk though, tonally it looks too campy for my tastes.


You and all of us, man. I've turned that game on just to put on different suits, swing around, and then turn it back off.

Got it. I just encountered my first shambler so I'm still really in the first act of the game. Would like to see how I feel when I finish it re: Joel and Ellie dynamic.

Just to be clear, it was Joel and Ellie's dynamic from the first game that made me love that game more than the 2nd. Based on what you wrote I wasn't sure if I made that point well enough.

 

[shinlyle]

A buddy of mine were just talking about GEARS the other day. I'm a Sony guy for life but have been told that GEARS would be a game I'd play on the xbox. Idk though, tonally it looks too campy for my tastes.

Nah...any camp is balanced out by the sheer gore and the weight of things that happen. The first 3 Gears games are incredible. 3 will rip out your heart. HARD. Judgement is a wretched and inconsequential abortion of a game. Part 4 is just there to shows you that everyone you love from part 3 is old or dead, and part 5, against all odds, is AMAZING, and...well...rips your heart out again. Twice. All the camp comes from the executions and on-line stuff. Story-wise, there is no real camp.

 

[Nicko-Ray]

Just to be clear, it was Joel and Ellie's dynamic from the first game that made me love that game more than the 2nd. Based on what you wrote I wasn't sure if I made that point well enough.

No right, I got that. Same here. When you play THOSE sections of the game in LOU2 (you know which ones I'm talking about)...it emphasizes that even more. I'm about 40% in on the game right now and my thoughts are starting to come about.

Nah...any camp is balanced out by the sheer gore and the weight of things that happen. The first 3 Gears games are incredible. 3 will rip out your heart. HARD. Judgement is a wretched and inconsequential abortion of a game. Part 4 is just there to shows you that everyone you love from part 3 is old or dead, and part 5, against all odds, is AMAZING, and...well...rips your heart out again. Twice. All the camp comes from the executions and on-line stuff. Story-wise, there is no real camp.

I see. I believe it. I will not get an xbox console anytime soon though ;]

 

[shinlyle]

I see. I believe it. I will not get an xbox console anytime soon though ;]

I understand. I have a PS4...but I use it to play Spider-Man and watch Netflix. The rest of the time...it sits there. I'm still on the fence about the next gen...both sides have made their consoles as physically unattractive as possible. It's like they bred Rosie O'Donnell and Andy Dick, and then they made their children into gaming consoles. Either way, I don't buy consoles at launch. Too many red rings (360) and flashing red lights (PS2) in my past...

 

[Nicko-Ray]

So I read JMS's first issue to his run yesterday. I really liked Peter's voice but one thing I felt a little odd about was Ezekiel. I've done my research -- I know he eventually introduces the concept of the spider-totem, I just didn't think it'd happen in the first issue. And the end of the issue teases Morlun -- again, done my research and know what that entails, but I guess my question is, are these just your typical planting of the seeds for both Ezekiel and Morlun and their events will occur later? I was under the impression that all that crazy stuff happens sorta later down the line of this run. Would feel odd to me to "wanna get the character back to its heartfelt roots" if you get down and dirty right away with concepts that are arguably controversial / a bit "other worldly" for the character.

 

[Ben_Reilly]

Yeah, they were long gestating plotlines.
Introduced early, payoff later.

Spoiler

One thing I hate about this kind of storytelling, is that, it is mostly just random stuff that occurs or is introduced with no previous basis.
It'd be fine with a new character, but not for one that's been around for a long time.
On the flip-side, if JMS had taken an issue or two to SHOW in flashback that Ezekiel had been shadowing Pete for quite a while, it wouldn't feel so forced.

I liked the Pre-

Spoiler

Other

JMS stuff, but once it hit that point, it started going downhill for me.
It seems like 3/4 years is all anyone can really do before the quality drops off.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

I understand. I have a PS4...but I use it to play Spider-Man and watch Netflix. The rest of the time...it sits there. I'm still on the fence about the next gen...both sides have made their consoles as physically unattractive as possible. It's like they bred Rosie O'Donnell and Andy Dick, and then they made their children into gaming consoles. Either way, I don't buy consoles at launch. Too many red rings (360) and flashing red lights (PS2) in my past...

Same. Imo, buying launch consoles isn't worth it. But... I'm not a huge gamer either not like some folks anyway. Imo it makes sense to wait not only for those pesky production issues but waiting a year or more there's usually a decent price drop, better versions of the console i.e. larger memory, and most of the good games come out after a year or two anyway.

So I read JMS's first issue to his run yesterday. I really liked Peter's voice but one thing I felt a little odd about was Ezekiel. I've done my research -- I know he eventually introduces the concept of the spider-totem, I just didn't think it'd happen in the first issue. And the end of the issue teases Morlun -- again, done my research and know what that entails, but I guess my question is, are these just your typical planting of the seeds for both Ezekiel and Morlun and their events will occur later? I was under the impression that all that crazy stuff happens sorta later down the line of this run. Would feel odd to me to "wanna get the character back to its heartfelt roots" if you get down and dirty right away with concepts that are arguably controversial / a bit "other worldly" for the character.

Yes. It's the 'Other' type stuff that really brings down JMS' run. I never cared for it.

 

[shinlyle]

Same. Imo, buying launch consoles isn't worth it. But... I'm not a huge gamer either not like some folks anyway. Imo it makes sense to wait not only for those pesky production issues but waiting a year or more there's usually a decent price drop, better versions of the console i.e. larger memory, and most of the good games come out after a year or two anyway.



Yes. It's the 'Other' type stuff that really brings down JMS' run. I never cared for it.

Totally. I'll wait a year and get s better version minus the bugs plus games. Winning!

I went through my comic closet the other day, and I saw that storyline sitting there...ugh. Such wasted potential! The art was great for 2/3 of it (Sensational had such crappy art then). It didn't help that he proceeded it with the Sins Past and Skin Deep arcs, which were hot garbage. Still, for the most part, it was a good run. And it was leagues better than anything we got for the first 3 to 4 years of the Brand New Day era.
3 issues of Amazing a month to try and put as much distance between One More day and the present..like we wouldn't figure it out. We got such gems like...ANTI-VENOM....and MENACE...and....Jackpot...yikes.

 

[Nicko-Ray]

Okay guys. Quick q. I'm not a Slott fan BUT I always loved the issues I read with Horizon Labs. I really do love that addition to the mythos -- the idea that an adult Peter would work there, creating innovative inventions, etc. ANd i love Max Modell, Uatu, etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong -- BIG TIME was the start of this whole thing, right? I figure I check out the whole run and wanted your guys' thoughts on it. I don't think I've read the whole thing. And trust me, I KNOW it's Ramos. So uh...I'm gonna have to suck that part up...

 

[UltimateWebhead]

Okay guys. Quick q. I'm not a Slott fan BUT I always loved the issues I read with Horizon Labs. I really do love that addition to the mythos -- the idea that an adult Peter would work there, creating innovative inventions, etc. ANd i love Max Modell, Uatu, etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong -- BIG TIME was the start of this whole thing, right? I figure I check out the whole run and wanted your guys' thoughts on it. I don't think I've read the whole thing. And trust me, I KNOW it's Ramos. So uh...I'm gonna have to suck that part up...

Hey brother. To answer your question, yes.

Horizon Labs did first appear in Big Time. I think it was around issue 640 something and Big Time runs for about 10 issues so 640 to 650-ish.

I've not read it in a long time but what I recall, it was decent. In the grand scope of Slott's work it's definitely some of his better stuff. Though Ramos brings it down a peg, per his usual.

 

[Nicko-Ray]

Hey brother. To answer your question, yes.

Horizon Labs did first appear in Big Time. I think it was around issue 640 something and Big Time runs for about 10 issues so 640 to 650-ish.

I've not read it in a long time but what I recall, it was decent. In the grand scope of Slott's work it's definitely some of his better stuff. Though Ramos brings it down a peg, per his usual.

Thanks dude. Seems like it’s OOP I think and my best bet is eBay. Also looks like in terms of the bigger volumes that collect it, there’s two. Coincidentally, around 654ish...around ENDS OF THE EARTH was when I started reading again in my more adult life. I definitely strongly dislike Slott, especially for SSM and ANAD...but yes, his BIG TIME stuff I can get behind. I also remember a lot of Camuncoli and Caselli on pencils. I prefer Camuncoli of the two and there was some fun stuff there..

 

[UltimateWebhead]

Not exactly Spider-Man but...anyone been reading the King in Black event?

I haven't. I think maybe I've just been so burned out on events over the past 10 years or so that I'm kinda meh when it comes to them. But I've also heard good things about it so far.

 

[shinlyle]

Not exactly Spider-Man but...anyone been reading the King in Black event?

I haven't. I think maybe I've just been so burned out on events over the past 10 years or so that I'm kinda meh when it comes to them. But I've also heard good things about it so far.

I'm enjoying it! I only ever read the main books for events, but I've been reading Cates's Venom run since the beginning, and it's been solid. I recommend King in Black. Been rocking pretty hard.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

I'm enjoying it! I only ever read the main books for events, but I've been reading Cates's Venom run since the beginning, and it's been solid. I recommend King in Black. Been rocking pretty hard.

I was kinda hoping you'd say it was bad. Now I have more comics to buy, lol. My poor wallet.