Board 8 > Board 8 Comic Book Club #1

(+) Yeah! (+)

Why are we glossing over that Gordon is a pig that was from the very moment assigned with Essen wanting to bang her and did repeatedly while his pregnant wife was at home?
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Corrik posted...

Why are we glossing over that Gordon is a pig that was from the very moment assigned with Essen wanting to bang her and did repeatedly while his pregnant wife was at home?

I'm probably just used to it at this point. It's a solid character flaw that I think highlights how Gotham corrupts everyone eventually in some way. And it's one of those "This is why Gordon isn't Batman and Bruce Wayne is" moments, too.

I mean, you aren't wrong. He's a totally ass for doing it. I'm probably just nonplussed by it on my umpteen millionth readthrough.

Never forget that if Gordon hadn't slept with Sarah Essen, his son wouldn't have grown up to be a murderous psychopath, and he wouldn't have married Sarah, which leads to her being murdered years later!
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Man, Year One is so, so good.
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scarletspeed7 posted...

Never forget that if Gordon hadn't slept with Sarah Essen, his son wouldn't have grown up to be a murderous psychopath, and he wouldn't have married Sarah, which leads to her being murdered years later!

Wait, isn't Bruce Wayne like thirty in this comic? If Gordon's son grows up to be a psychopath in the "modern day," wouldn't that mean current Batman is in his 50s?
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Comics is a sliding scale.
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2 chapters into Trinity and this seems like a pretty good barebones display of just who these characters quintessentially are.
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Although this story is irking me with yet another inconsistent depiction of how Bizarro talks. It drives my batty for irrational reasons.
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I'm not familiar at all with Bizarro but he's one of the best parts. Is his simplistic relationship with Racer Cool inconsistent as well or is it just the way he talks?
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Sometimes he does opposite words in place of the word he means to say, other times he does it sporadically, and here he really doesn't.
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I cant find Detective Comics #826 on DC Universe

What an awkward service
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Okay I feel really noobish

I figured oh Ill just buy it in that Comixology app people talk about but I dont see any way to actually buy comics here. Just browse them.

What am I missing?

Im on an iPad if that matters
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not sure if people just want to be good citizens or if they are more clueless than gamefaqs mods
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Okay I download the basic DC Comics app and bought it.

And yes I want to be a good citizen.
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Finished Slayride

Why were they on a boat in the flashback?

I like that you can both believe and disbelieve Jokers story that the kidnapping was a happy accident.

On the one hand, if you believe it was a setup, having the plan hinge on THE JOKER yelling for Robin to get in the car and him not noticing who it was is pretty flimsy.

On the other hand, he certainly seems well prepared for the encounter, even taking the time to plant a toy car, and the idea that he was out to run people down WITHOUT Robin (or anyone really) as a witness to who did it seems kind of ungrandiose for him.
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Jakyl25 posted...

Why were they on a boat in the flashback?

I think this was training that happened right after Club of Heroes. Bruce Wayne owns a yacht, so I imagine this is related to that, but it's not unusual for them to be in the Cave or under Wayne Enterprises or even elsewhere simply to brush up on skills.
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I like Superman's internal monologues where it gives his thoughts on what's going on. In Trinity, at least, he's not the type that says everything he's thinking. I've read little to no Superman outside of this, I'm almost entirely familiar with him from the animated shows, so I'm not used to seeing this side of him.

I also like the recurring joke where Batman does something unexpected and Superman is always "Like I couldn't see the sub following us." Like he's always just letting Batman enjoy his tricks or something.
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I read Trinity. I was surprised by how utterly smashed Wonder Woman was by Bizarro.
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Finished Year One. The art never grew on me but the story did. I wish Gordon was hinest with Barbra without being blackmailed, it would have fit his character better I think.

Seeing Selina living with the girl also made me more okay with that story too, Selina was protecting her as best she could.

Is Gordon being honest about being blind without his glasses or did he see Bruce there and let him go?

I also liked seeing Bruce and Alfred playing up his lifestyle to fool the cops.
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scarletspeed7 posted...

Never forget that if Gordon hadn't slept with Sarah Essen, his son wouldn't have grown up to be a murderous psychopath, and he wouldn't have married Sarah, which leads to her being murdered years later!

What
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TotallyNotMI posted...

Is Gordon being honest about being blind without his glasses or did he see Bruce there and let him go?

There are two phenomenal moments in comics with similar moments, and this is one. Gordon can't see at the moment, but the point is that he's also not making an effort to see. He knows who this is, he's connected the dots, and he thinks the better part of valor here is to not immediately search out his glasses because, if he does, he has to refer it to his investigation. It's such a great little touch.
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One thing I'm bumping on in Trinity is that Ra's al Ghul, an arrogant traditionalist and stickler for deference, isn't making a real push to correct the Racer Cool situation. I love the humor, but I'm trying not to think too deeply on it.
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Corrik posted...

I read Trinity. I was surprised by how utterly smashed Wonder Woman was by Bizarro.

Bizarro #1
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Year One

Gordon's confrontation with Flass in Batman #404 is probably my favourite Gordon moment of all-time. Those final two panels on page 18 almost give me goosebumps whenever I read them. You know that Gordon is a badass, but you don't get to see that in action in very many books, at least that I've read, and that line, "Even so -- he deserves a handicap", is great stuff.

I feel like I haven't read enough Batman stories that deal with Gotham in a way Year One does. As you said, Scarlet, this is a Gotham that exists before the super-villains take the spotlight from the organized crime, but there's something about the dark, gritty, stories that show the awful sides of Gotham that I really enjoy, and that's one of the reasons I like this story as much as I do.
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davidponte posted...

Year One

Gordon's confrontation with Flass in Batman #404 is probably my favourite Gordon moment of all-time. Those final two panels on page 18 almost give me goosebumps whenever I read them. You know that Gordon is a badass, but you don't get to see that in action in very many books, at least that I've read, and that line, "Even so -- he deserves a handicap", is great stuff.

I feel like I haven't read enough Batman stories that deal with Gotham in a way Year One does. As you said, Scarlet, this is a Gotham that exists before the super-villains take the spotlight from the organized crime, but there's something about the dark, gritty, stories that show the awful sides of Gotham that I really enjoy, and that's one of the reasons I like this story as much as I do.

I'll make note of it and make sure we get to some other "organized crime is the scourge of Gotham" stories sooner rather than later.
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Jakyl25 posted...

Okay I feel really noobish

I figured oh Ill just buy it in that Comixology app people talk about but I dont see any way to actually buy comics here. Just browse them.

What am I missing?

Im on an iPad if that matters

Since this wasn't answered, shortly after Amazon bought Comixology, Amazon removed the option to buy comics directly through the app because they didn't want to give Apple a cut on sales. You have to buy it through a browser. It's very dumb.

If you want to get further into digital comics, the DC Universe app isn't great. The number of issues on it is very limited, and will rotate in and out on a regular basis. The Marvel Universe app is much better. The library of old comics is more comprehensive, and new issues are added on a six month delay. They also give away free months like candy, usually around major conventions or movie releases. There might be a NYCC code floating around right now? Not quite sure.

BTW, people are sleeping on the discord! It's been pretty active in there this week.
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Slayride

I'm sure someone has seen me in a comics topic complain about Joker fatigue and how I'd like to see anybody but Joker in new stories, and that's still something I complain about to friends, but every once in awhile, despite that mindset, I'll read a Joker story and I'll really like it, like this one.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm just tired of mediocre Joker stories, and with the way he's constantly pushed, those seem to happen a lot more often than with other characters. It's why I don't want to see the Joker in the movies anymore, and it's why I don't care about random Joker story #867 in a book that I'm reading that isn't being written by King or Snyder or someone I trust. I feel like in those cases, the Joker is being used just to use him, but in cases like Doomsday Clock, or the new Justice League, where he isn't the focal point, he can be good.

I kind of went on a rant there, but what I'm trying to say is that this story is an example of a great Joker. The shock value is there, but it isn't bad, and this is an entirely "believable" thing the Joker would do just for the hell of it. I'm pretty sure he knew that Tim would eventually get out there, but that's all part of the joke, and it was a good one here.
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I understand what you mean. I tend to feel this way about characters like Magneto, Doctor Doom, Joker and Lex Luthor.
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iiicon posted...

The Marvel Universe app is much better. The library of old comics is more comprehensive, and new issues are added on a six month delay. They also give away free months like candy, usually around major conventions or movie releases. There might be a NYCC code floating around right now? Not quite sure.

Oh yeah I subscribe to Marvel Unlimited already. Ive always been a Marvel guy first and foremost
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The DC app feels like it wants to have a little bit of everything on there, but it fails because it doesn't have enough of those aspects to be worth it. Hopefully they're listening to the feedback and improve it, because I'd love to pay for a full comic backlog
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Request for future weeks:

Arcs dealing with Big Bads on the Arrowverse shows this season. (Cicada, Agent Liberty, Longbow Hunters )
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Why are they so hesitant to do a true Marvel Unlimited style service? I mean the short answer would have to be that they think theyll make more profit selling them piecemeal and cycling in and out samples on DC Universe to entice, right?
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Jakyl25 posted...

Why are they so hesitant to do a true Marvel Unlimited style service? I mean the short answer would have to be that they think theyll make more profit selling them piecemeal and cycling in and out samples on DC Universe to entice, right?

I think they'll move towards that as time goes by.
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TotallyNotMI posted...

Request for future weeks:

Arcs dealing with Big Bads on the Arrowverse shows this season. (Cicada, Agent Liberty, Longbow Hunters )

I'll put them on the list. They won't be right away, but I'll make them a priority.
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I didnt answer the questionnaire in the first Topic

My history with comics is that of a kid reaching his preteens in the early 90s. I loved the Fox X-Men and Spider-Man series, and Batman TAS, and when I found a local comic shop I started to try the comics.

This was the time where the big things happening were Age of Apocalypse, the Clone Saga, and Zero Hour.

I found DC nearly impenetrable jumping in at that point and soon dropped them

I followed the Spidey and X books for awhile after, but the Onslaught saga wore on me and I just could not get into Heroes Reborn, so I faded out

The MCU has resparked my interest.

Also Ive read Watchmen in college and really enjoyed it, and as a kid was a loyal subscriber to the Archie TMNT series. I collected the entire run. Do people still get comics through the mail? Seems antiquated now!
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Jakyl25 posted...

I found DC nearly impenetrable jumping in at that point and soon dropped them

Hopefully you won't find that to be the case with the stories I'll pick out for these topics. I want to ease the group into heavy continuity stuff if we get that far.
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scarletspeed7 posted...

TotallyNotMI posted...

Request for future weeks:

Arcs dealing with Big Bads on the Arrowverse shows this season. (Cicada, Agent Liberty, Longbow Hunters )

I'll put them on the list. They won't be right away, but I'll make them a priority.

No rush! I have no knowledge of any of them so think it would be cool to see similarities and differences in the comics and the shows.
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Jakyl25 posted...

Why are they so hesitant to do a true Marvel Unlimited style service? I mean the short answer would have to be that they think theyll make more profit selling them piecemeal and cycling in and out samples on DC Universe to entice, right?

Honestly, I think it's because they believe it'll kill their trade sales. DC has a number of books that sell year after year. It's reliable income, and something that sets them apart from Marvel. Marvel might be able to get their foot in the door at other retailers with MCU related books, or Ultimate Spider-man, but nothing compares to DC's catalogue. Here's their 10 best selling trades of the last 5 years.

2017:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Watchmen
Batman, Volume 1: Awakening
The Flash, Volume 1: Lightning
V for Vendetta
Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 4, Volume 1
Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race
Batman/The Flash: The Button
Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes

2016:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman vs. Superman: The Greatest Battles
Watchmen
Harley Quinn, Volume 1: Hot in the City
Preacher: Book One
DC Super Hero Girls: Final Crisis
Suicide Squad: Kicked in the Teeth
V for Vendetta
Batman: The Court of Owls
Batman: Hush

2015:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Watchmen
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Sandman: Overture
Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 1
Batman: Year One
Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 2
Suicide Squad: Kicked in the Teeth
V for Vendetta
Batman: Hush

2014:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 1
Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 2
V for Vendetta
Batman: Year One
Batman: Hush
Justice League: Origin
Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes
Batman: Death of the Family

(There were three editions of Watchmen tracked this year that combined would put it in the top spot)

2013:
Watchmen
Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 1
V for Vendetta
Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 2
Justice League: Origin
Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes
Batman: Death of the Family
Batman: Hush

You can see that they've diversified as of late thanks to a strong reception to their latest line wide relaunch (Rebirth) and smart titles aimed at other audiences (DC Super Hero Girls), but people keep buying the same books year after year. Comic companies are inherently conservative. They'll take reliable money over risky ventures any day.

This post is also a good answer to anyone wondering "why do DC make so many Batman books?"
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Year One only kept me reminded that we watched it for DCAU as gauntlet crew. Not much to comment on so I kinda skipped out on doing so already.

Trinity was nice though, got me to see a bit more Racer Cool and Bizarro. Didn't really know Artemis, but also dunno if she gets a warm welcome home or not. Doesn't matter that much to me. I enjoyed it, especially the trio page nearing the end of the run, just going through each person and how they view the events that occurred.
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Ras Al Ghul was like super lame in Trinity.
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Enjoyed the Batman-Superman-WW action. The biggest problem was that it never felt like R'as could conquer Themiskyra without Bizarro. It seemed completely beyond him.
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Remember that this is very early in the careers of all three. Ra's doesn't necessarily know what he's getting into yet.
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scarletspeed7 posted...

Remember that this is very early in the careers of all three. Ra's doesn't necessarily know what he's getting into yet.

But Ras came off as a freaking vampire party guest and not a Mastermind assassin. He was lame. Bizarro was cooler. Too bad he got nerfed with Batman's bs eye attack before he got to do some real fighting. Wonder woman was pretty great. Despite again getting wrecked. Batman was hella a dick. Lol
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I guess that's a good point, scarlet, and I know the real point of the comic was to introduce the heroes to each other.

I also enjoyed Aquaman's cameo.
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Anagram posted...

I know the real point of the comic was to introduce the heroes to each other.

Yeah, and I think too much of a threat probably diminishes the importance of something that is effectively one of the most important moments in their respective careers, so maybe that's why Wagner didn't make this too dire.
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Anagram posted...

I also enjoyed Aquaman's cameo.

Yup, that was hilarious.
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Some other things.

1. How was Ras so easily able to control Bizarro when supposedly Luther couldn't figure out how to? Like, this seriously confused me.

2. How was Bizarro even created anyways? Like how could you possibly have created him?

3. A suggestion for something down the road. Could never happen or be any time soon. But, I was just thinking, I have always wanted to read the Star Wars Comics from Dark Horse? Where Palpatines clone comes back. It was referenced in the EU and apparently was Canon. So always been interested in it.

Just a comic idea for down the road.
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I really hated Trinity's narration.

I didn't mind the story so much, although it was my least favorite of the three reads this week.
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Finished Trinity. It was solid but didn't necessarily wow me in any way either. Did a good job of showing the personality of all three heroes, especially with hownthey regard and view each other. "Racer Cool" was amazing and while I knew of the character if Bizarro this was my first exposure to him.

Artemis was obnoxious but I wouldn't mind seeing how she grows and develops.
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I guess this is as good a time as any to point out that I was going to do Public Enemies, but Snake convinced me to do Trinity instead. We're doing Public Enemies in two weeks instead.
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Corrik posted...

2. How was Bizarro even created anyways? Like how could you possibly have created him?

Cloning
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