Rising Stars # 24

[Working Class Hero]

It's been six years since issue one -- now the final issue is finally out. What did everyone think? It was a pretty cool ending, I thought. This wasn't my favorite comic series by any means, or even my favorite JMS comic, but I was satisfied. I won't post spoilers yet, since it just came out today.

Talk amongst yourselves.

[Sigma]

I have read much praise about RS vol1 (issues 1-8), many people even say that it's the best JMS comic. Did quality drop after first 8 issues? Are vol2 and vol3 on par with vol1?

[Jan]

Just got it and read it a bit ago. GOOD story and satisfying ending. Kudos to Top Cow for doing it without 'commercial interruption', too. Now I need to go back and read it all from start to finish to get the full impact.

There's an 'extra' in the back, too, showing how they brought part of the story from script to book. That was fun.

Sigma, I enjoyed the entire thing. I don't have the patience to wait for the trade paperbacks, though.

Jan

[Radhil]

Sigma, I enjoyed the entire thing. I don't have the patience to wait for the trade paperbacks, though.

Speaking of which though - anyone know when the last TPB will hit?

[Jan]

Speaking of which though - anyone know when the last TPB will hit?

Soon, I think. After the story in the comic was a bonus section that showed pieces of JMS's script and how some of the art came to be. The last page of that section showed a thumbnail sketch that wasn't used and then announced:

For more behind the scenes material, sketches and unseen designs from Rising Stars, pick up the Vol.3 trade paperback sollectin issues #17-24, hitting stores in March 05. Also be on the lookou for the Rising Stars deluxe hardcover edition collecting issues #1-24, #0, #1/2 and the Prelude, hitting stores later this year.

Jan

[AaronB]

Soon, I think. After the story in the comic was a bonus section that showed pieces of JMS's script and how some of the art came to be. The last page of that section showed a thumbnail sketch that wasn't used and then announced:



Jan

What would the expected price be for the hardcover?

[Jan]

What would the expected price be for the hardcover?

Here's the Amazon.com listing:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1582404887/qid=1110327900/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl14/104-0035610-6624712?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Jan

[AaronB]

Here's the Amazon.com listing:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1582404887/qid=1110327900/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl14/104-0035610-6624712?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Jan

D'oh! It would be as simple as looking on amazon, wouldn't it? Thanks for the link Jan. It's now on my wish list.

[David Panzer]

Deluxe hardcover?! And I've been patiently waiting for the third tradeback??? If I knew at the time I purchased the first Rising Stars tradeback (pulls out copy of Rising Stars Volume 1.....looks at fine print on inside cover that no one reads....November 2000) that the series would be an all-in-one thing, I'dve held off. Stupid comic companies and their multiple releases of tradebacks....grumbles off down the hall and stubs toe....

[Garibaldi's Hair]

Interesting post here from JMS on Rising Stars ...

JMS talks about his disappointment with Rising Stars

I have to say I am tempted to agree with him. The first 8 issue story totally kicked butt, and re-kindled my long dead interest in comics, but it did seem to lose its way somewhat in the middle act. I just thought it was me ...

I still cared enough to want to see it finished, and am pleased that we now have the complete story, but that first act did promise something more than we got - a more thoughtful and less cliched take on the whole super-hero thing. And if you have the writer saying that he felt he lost control of the story for 4 issues (which is a pretty big chunk when the whole thing is only 24 issues long), then it is easy to see how it happened.

Nevertheless, I know some people have been extremely disappointed by the ending, but I was reasonably happy with it, although I think #24 stretched the point a bit too far, as the last 2 issues really could, and IMO should, have been condensed into one slightly longer issue.

The ending we got did, however, round out the story and make sense in the context of everything that had gone before. BUT ... [spoiler follows]

... aliens in baseball caps - for goodness sake!

The parallel with the Pederson kids playing baseball in the street in #1 was a nice idea, but it just looked ridiculous. Sorry, but it totally spoiled the very last page of the story for me.

Cheers,

[Radhil]

I still can't find a Volume 3 trade for Rising Stars. Just the useless novelization, and the full deluxe Hardcover. Which I suppose I could shell out for when it hits next month, but I kinda wanted to know if the ending of the story would be worth it first.

Any help? It's been a while - thought I could find it by now.

[David Panzer]

I'm in Memphis Radhil, so this may or may not help you. I called the comic store I usually purchase my tradebacks from, Comics and Collectibles, last week and asked if they had a copy of the latest Rising Stars tradeback which I think is titled "Fire and Ash". They said it would come in the next day, which I believe was Wednesday.

I'm not sure exactly where in the States you're at if you live in the States. Anyway, give your local comic book shop a call. That's the best bet.

Edit: I just got back from checking my local comic book store. They sold out of Rising Stars Volume 3. In next Tuesday's delivery, they'll receive more. I also called Borders, and they've not received any yet. I've not seen any available on ebay, but I've found an online comic book store, X-world Comics. Here's the link- http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtual...d.asp?id=14923

[Jan]

It looks like you can order the trade paperback directly from Top Cow:

http://www.topcow.com/store/product.php?productid=676&cat=0&page=5

I also saw one for sale on Ebay.

Jan

[David Panzer]

Thanks Jan. I've obtained the necessary funds. Now it's just a matter of waiting for Tuesday to roll around. If I only had a time machine in my closet...

[Radhil]

I found it. Took a 40 minute drive to a decent comic shop, but I found it.

It was worth it.