And in geek news...

[angelophile]

Local comic shop didn't have the latest issue of Uncanny X-men because apparently a huge batch only came with one staple, so they went back as the issues were falling apart. I've been denied half-naked Scott and Emma romping in the Savage Land. I feel hard done by.

I did pick up the first issue of X-Force, just to see if it defied expectations. It didn't. All grim and gritty and people being slashed up. The writers are talented, but there simply wasn't enough of an emotional hook in it to draw me in. It was too much emo and violence for me to give a damn. And sorry, but what is it with killer Cyclops? I can understand him clearing X-Force as a wetworks team for extreme circumstances but an interview in X-Force with the new writer of Young X-men reveals he puts together that team to hunt down and kill the new Brotherhood, who appear to be old New X-men/New Mutants characters. Aye? Really, guys, I know it appears to be a shock to some of you that Cyclops is badass, but honestly, there's more to badass than killkillkill. In fact, Scott's more badass by killing all his enemies, ya know. He's stronger than that shit.

Transformers is still... eh. A couple of years ago I was excited for Simon Furman taking the reins on an ongoing Transformers series. Unfortunately his stuff's been very average at best. There's been some solid one-shots in the form of the Spotlights series, with an issue focusing on individual characters and in a format where he's had to have a beginning, middle and end within a single issue, Furman's done okay. But nothing's excited me about his IDW work. The six issue arc doesn't suit him at all and I always feel short changed storywise when I pick up an issue. This latest issue of Devastation is no different, although finally it seems like Grimlock will be coming into play. Furman's crticised for overusing Grimlock, but he writes the character so well I'd much rather see him cropping up than any other.

Meanwhile, Peter David's X-Factor should be the textbook example of great pacing. Catching up after Messiah Complex the issue managed a vignette on each character in the book, juggling various plotines expertly - Theresa at confession, Rahne telling Jamie she was leaving X-Factor, Rictor playing the tough guy, the pregnant team member revealed, Guido showing his colours, the fall out from Layla's disappearance, Rictor confiding in Jamie, Monet and Rahne sharing a moment (in Monet's unique way), Jamie taking on the Purifiers, Terry and Monet and even time to set up cliffhangers and future plotlines. The fact that all this happened in one single issue shows what a master David is and why I love this book. Stuff happens. I never feel ripped off when I pick up THIS book. Others take note.

And finally, Paul Cornell's New New Excalibur appears to have been finally announced. Except it's called Captain Britain and MI:13. A mistake in my view. I don't consider Brian to be as marketable as anything with the X banner, although I guess the book's taking a different direction under his pen. Less a "mutants in Britain" group and more a "British superhero team" book, which is certainly welcomed. From the cover it looks like it's a blend of canonical favourites (Captain Britain, Black Knight, Pete Wisdom, Alistaire Stuart, possibly Spitfire) alongside characters from Cornell's Wisdom miniseries. Yep, it looks like the Skrull Beatles are back. John the Skrull, at least. And the whole Secret Invasion thing ties into the launch of the book as the Skrull try and take on Blighty.

I'm looking forward to the blend of tradecraft, a snarky sense of humor and superheroics and one thing I got from Cornell's Wisdom series is that he both understands characters and is more than willing to put them through the wringer. But with love.

I'm not gonna be flagwaving for an apparently nearly entirely British superhero team but I will be flagwaving for Cornell being a bloody good writer, as anyone who saw his Doctor Who two parter or has read any of his other work will attest.

And speaking of Doctor Who, there's an interview with Freema in DW magazine this month implies that her new role in the series, following on from her Torchwood eps, is as medical officier to U.N.I.T., basically becoming a regular guest star and UNIT liason to the Doctor. I guess the guys are back in force. Now, who's the new Brig?

Oh, and apparently Gambit's been cast in the Wolverine movie. And possibly Deadpool. I'll believe both when I see them.

Comments

[distractedone.livejournal.com]

Oh, hope you had a happy birthday yesterday!

And that sucks about Uncanny X-Men. =( It was such a good issue. :P

Gambit and Deadpool being cast in the Wolverine movie? ....Too bad they couldn't have cast them in the right movies, which would have been the X-Men movies. I still really wish they would drop the Magneto and Wolverine movies and go for an X-Men 4...and then have Scott and Emma.

Of course, that would never happen.

[angelophile.livejournal.com]

Well, the rumors of a New Mutants/Generation X movie still persist, so you never know... Maybe Emma will have her moment.

Just be thankful Singer's plans for villainous Emma with Sigourney Weaver in the role never came off.