Comics Alliance has an excellent piece up right now, The 15 Worst Comics of the Decade. I have to say, I agree with almost all of it (93.3%, in fact). It’s well-written, and the Jemas years at Marvel are given their appropriate due.
The one book on the list I take issue with, though, is John Parker’s review of Image United, especially since only one issue has come out so far. It’s no secret that I’ve been enamored with this book, but I think there are too many pre-suppositions to make this a fair and objective review. The only people looking forward to this book are men in their 30′s who still read superhero comics? Like the writers of this piece? (And yes, me.)
Considering I haven’t read books by most of the Image Founders (Liefeld excluded) in 10+ years, I’m surprised that I’m playing the Image apologist, but just like you can’t blame a Terminator movie for not having enough character moments, you can’t blame an Image jam book for having 6 different art styles and a bunch of splash pages. You pay your $4, take in the spectacle, and hope you get a fun ride. So far Image United looks to be doing better than Terminator Salvation.
Sure, it’s not Art (though the art IS purty), but it is pop mayhem, and there’s a place in comics for that, too. I don’t care about Dennis the Menace, but Fantagraphics is putting out collections like they’re illuminated manuscripts. And that’s okay. What’s the harm in looking back, and why is it different for Image than for Hank Ketchum or Ernie Bushmiller?
Sure, Robert Kirkman is basically just there to set scenes, put words in mouths, and get out of the way. And yes, sometimes styles clash (especially Larsen’s). But that’s the whole point of this book.
It is obvious to see how self indulgent Image was back then. And some of that definitely applies now, but I still maintain that this is a decent, readable comic. I’m not completely blinded by my love of the past, because I paid good money for the recent Youngblood hardcover with the all-new coloring and Joe Casey script. Casey even reordered pages to make a coherent plot out of the thing and it was still a mess.
Every single one of Parker’s points is valid. And I’m willing to be completely wrong about every point I’ve made. I just think there are better choices for a “worst of” list than a book that’s only seen one issue. Every other story had a chance to wrap up, I’m just saying let’s wait the 3 years for issue 6 to come out and evaluate it then.
Agreed! I’ve gotten back into Image over the last few years. At first from nostalgia, but then b/c of fun stuff like this. As this list points out, there’s been some bad stories from Marvel/DC and Spider-man is ruined to me. So, there is a need for alternatives and these characters are not all knock-offs like a-holes want to proclaim. Everything is derivative anyway, but that’s another story.
This is a fun read, and I think it’s good for comics to have these creators engaged and attempting to make this a cohesive universe going forward. It’s needed, there just aren’t any more Superman stories to tell.
And while I’m that mentioned generation, I have grown up, and have a list of books read, ideas considered and degrees achieved. But I have a heart too and it’s invested in this. I need to have fun and seeing the same hackneyed heroes at Marvel/DC doesn’t do anything for me. It’s fun to me, and I take issue with saying I haven’t evolved. Shows what the reviewer knows. If anything I need this b/c I have grown up and would like to remember where I cam from.
Thanks! I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way.
If Grant Morrison can go back and tell Silver Age Superman stories with a bit more cohesion in All-Star, why can’t the Image founders?
It’s not just us, I think the vitriolic Cyber-geeks have really spewed hate over the ‘net enough to just keep us away. I mostly avoid the net due to this. Don’t understand the disdain out there.
And to be honest, Image was the last time something new and/or innovative was done. There aren’t new characters out there in the headlines, it’s all retreads.
What’s defined comics over the last 10 years are movies, and I guess Marvel Legends toys. Everything became ‘real’ and if it couldn’t seem real, then it didn’t meet standards. before then anything could happen and comics were a true escape. Now, it’s bounded by realism and Image was explosive fun. I’ll be around as long as they re, but not if I’m just left with Big 2 stories over and over….sorry for the long posts.
No worries, we’re happy for the conversation. I agree that it’s a sad state of affairs when we force comics to be like to movies and not the other way around.
I hope you read more to see what else we’re reading. We try really hard to focus on the cool stuff that’s out there; there’s a million other blogs that talk about the junk.
[...] #2 came out. Issue two, and the reprint of the IU buildup as Issue #0 have dramatically reduced the enjoyment I took from #1 as I’ve gotten used to the by-the-number Image-style superheroics. But I’m still [...]