This week's (7/14) trip to the comic store

[Jan]

Ah, life is good...Didn't really expect to have anything waiting for me today and when I got there I had Amazing Spider-Man #521, Fantastic Four #528 and #1 of the Serenity (Firefly) mini waiting for me.

First - off topic, let me say that the Serenity comic did capture the 'feel' of the TV show. No surprise since Joss Whedon wrote it. Thankfully, the drawings of the characters was also good. I think it'll be a nice ramp-up to the movie though I wouldn't recommend it for folks completely new to the show/universe.

Then I read Fantastic Four. Now, I haven't read FF for... well, a LOT of years. Probably never really read that many issues even back then (my allowance was only a quarter after all). This is just JMS's second issue but already I feel like I'm getting a handle on the characters and I *care* about them-especially Ben, the Thing. I don't know if it was JMS sussing out the characters and taking us along as he did it or if it's what he already knew about them and just was demonstrating for those of us just joining but I like it.

Third was Spidey. Hey, JMS has been writing him for a while now, right? Shouldn't be any real surprises, right? Well, let me just mention that I suddenly saw what I think *he* saw in superheroes as he was growing up. In just a few panels of Peter talking to Steve Rogers (Captain America), I saw a hero who'd faced an opponent who truly believed in his cause and who hoped never to face that again. This from a character who's not even a main character in the book??

Even knowing a few of the things that happened in advance from attending the Q&A at the Wizard Philly convention didn't spoil anything for me. As usual, it's the journey that matters, not the spoilers.

It was a really nice lunch hour.

Jan

[Joansie]

To day was only my 3rd visit to one my local comic book stores. I purchased the #258 of FF and then bought #'s 5 and 6 of Strange. My question is, should I wait for my copies of #'s 1, 2, 3 & 4 of Strange before I read 5 & 6? I have also put in my request for Supreme Powers and am looking forward to reading that.

I did buy Midnight Nation and liked the story very much and wish there were more.

JMS is really very versitile in his writing and I have enjoyed eveything so far that I have read including his novels.

[Jan]

My question is, should I wait for my copies of #'s 1, 2, 3 & 4 of Strange before I read 5 & 6?

My advice would be to wait. Since there's only 6 issues, it's really one story.

I have also put in my request for Supreme Powers and am looking forward to reading that.

Let us know what you think. JMS is doing something unusual in that he's not using any 'thought bubbles' for the SP characters. We have to judge them by what they say and do without knowing what's really going through their minds.

I did buy Midnight Nation and liked the story very much and wish there were more.

He said recently that his upcoming Book of Lost Souls has much of the flavor of Midnight Nation so I'm really looking forward to that.

JMS is really very versitile in his writing and I have enjoyed eveything so far that I have read including his novels.

I have to admit to being fonder of his TV and comic work but it's been a long time since I read those so maybe I should give them another try. Sometimes I 'gulp' a book too quickly which isn't fair to it.

How do you like Fantastic Four so far?

Jan

[Joansie]

I like FF but think I should have read a few of the previous issues. I will continue to read it. I am so use to getting a book that has a beginning and an ending and am finding it hard to wait for the next issues to come out.

I too am looking forward to the Book of Lost Souls and lets not forget "But in Purple I'm Stunning". I can hardly wait for that one.

Thanks for the feedback Jan.