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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Every Tuesday, I post new Tony Polls questions for your voting entertainment. Two weeks ago, you were asked:
What news from Comic-Con International in San Diego was the most exciting for you?
Here are the results:
Watchmen movie.....16.48%
Neil Gaiman writing Batman story.....15.38%
Archie super-heroes in the DC Universe.....13.19%
Legion of Super-Heroes on "Smallville".....13.19%
Milestone characters join the DC Universe.....10.99%
Darwyn Cooke to adapt "Parker" novels at IDW.....9.89%
Mike Grell returns to the Warlord.....8.79%
More John Byrne Star Trek from IDW.....5.49%
Black Panther animated series.....2.20%
Wonder Woman animated feature.....2.20%
New Aronofsky-directed Robocop movie.....1.10%
Robert Kirkman becomes Image Comics partner.....1.10%
Aliens and Predator return to Dark Horse.....0%
Comic-book biographies of Obama and McCain.....0%
Martha Washington Omnibus from Dark Horse.....0%
Marvel: End of the "Ultimate Universe".....0%
Spirit movie directed by Frank Miller.....0%
Stephen King, Marvel team for "N".....0%
Superman: "New Krypton".....0%
Other.....0%
I voted for the Watchmen movie because I was impressed by what I saw and heard of the movie via G4's coverage of Comic-Con International. Much as I like Neil Gaiman's work, I can't work up too much enthusiasm for any Batman story, even one I expect will be excellent, while DC Comics continues to get the character wrong far more often than it gets him right.
I'm cautiously interested in the arrivals of the Archie super-heroes and the Milestone characters to the DCU. The Archie heroes always had great potential that was only fleetingly achieved here and there. The Milestone characters were much more successful from a creative standpoint, but my lack of confidence in DC makes me a bit concerned for their integrity. Essentially, I have great faith in Dwayne McDuffie to keep DC honest, but it's balanced against my utter mistrust of DC. Some old wounds never heal.
A few other items caught my interest. Geoff Johns writing an episode of Smallville introducing the Legion of Super-Heroes to the TV series will have me watching the otherwise moribund show for the first time in years. I'm delighted to see Mike Grell back on The Warlord because, when creators are able and willing to return to their creations, the publishers should do all they can to make that happen. Old wounds...
The Black Panther animated series interests me, but, unless my cable provider adds BET to our package - which I've requested on a number of occasions - I'll have to go to extreme lengths to see it. Maybe I can score review copies.
I think it's very cool that Robert Kirkman has been named an Image Comics partner. When Image launched, a few of its founding members spouted anti-writer rhetoric. They got off that particular talking point quickly, but it still stuck in my craw all these many years. Adding the talented Kirkman to their partnership gives me closure on that long-ago trash-talking.
No one voted for "comic-book biographies of Obama and McCain," but I think it's worth noting that's the story the mainstream press has embraced. I've seen articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as some on-the-air mentions. I expect I'll see more when the two comic books are published.
This week's questions are on sports and sports comics. These questions will likely ensure the worst voter turnout in the history of the Tony Polls. Blame it on Olympic fever.
You can cast your votes here:
www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/poll
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 08/18/2008 | 08/19/2008 | 08/20/2008 >>
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Tony's Online Tips, P.O. Box 1502, Medina, OH 44258
Recent Columns:
| TODAY'S! | I review House of M: Avengers, Nixon's Pals, and The Misadventures of a Roving Cartoonist: The Lone Ranger's Secret Sidekick. |
| 01/02/2009 | I review Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko and The Question: Poisoned Ground. |
| 01/01/2009 | 2009. Another chance to get it right... |
| 09/08/2008 | As I have been working on my book, I came to realize a number of things. I'll share them with you. |
| 08/21/2008 | I review The Batman Chronicles Volume 5, Batman and the Outsiders #6, and Batman Confidential #16. |
| 08/20/2008 | I review Batman Gotham Knight. |
| 08/19/2008 | The Tony Poll results for: What news from Comic-Con International in San Diego was the most exciting for you? |
| 08/18/2008 | Some random opening remarks. Then I review Drawing Heroes in the Backyard: Tim Sale: Black and White, Witchblade Volume 1-3, Strip for Murder, Justice League Unlimited: The Ties That Bind, and Leader's High!. |
| 08/15/2008 | I review 100 Bullets #90, The All-New Atom#23, and American Splendor Vol. 2 #2. |
| 08/14/2008 | I discuss my work on Iron Fist and his foe, Steel Serpent. Comics in the Comics features Funky Winkerbean. |
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
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P.O. Box 1502
Medina, OH 44258
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