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Post by Ms Boku on Dec 30, 2008 14:05:48 GMT -5
Warning!! Possible spoilers!!!! It's a quickie review but i think we all get the gist.  OK We start off by the cover. Not flashy and the cover says- Hey! I know that emblem! I guess there will be 2 different covers. (I am going to get the other too) I liked the artwork. the likenesses were great. On the first page they kept our little spider. The Very first star we see is yet again the first thing we see. Poor spider on frame 2. They kept some old lines as was mentioned before. So, as I see they are keeping true to the story with updates and a twist or two. Bill with a cell phone is funny. B.F.F. I loved it and am very excited about the next one. I think everyone is waiting on Ralph in the suit and his reactions to it and I am very excited about Bill's first flight with Ralph. I think we will see a bit more action in the next comic. Overall I give it major thumbs up! It is a long time in waiting and Chris and Wm are delivering! Kudos! |
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Post by mmderdekea on Dec 30, 2008 17:55:28 GMT -5
Oh, boy! FINALLY! Let's discuss the comic book!
Again, we do see numerous plot changes from the original pilot. Some we can understand we done, as I previously wrote, to speedily create character personalities, as comics must do many times. As Bill was the real focus of this issue we have to say that the writers did a great job with the many and oddly contrasting aspects to his complex personality. We saw in that small comic many aspects of Bill:
Anti-communism
Impatience with "juvenile delinquents"
Brashness and abrasive communication style
His extreme loyalty to his partner and concern for their well-being
His not being a racist, although he is opinionated
The fact that when folks work with him, they see how good a guy he really is, how dedicated and how committed they are towards protecting the country and his partner--that is the interpretation I put on John Plame saying it was an "honor" to work with Bill. I mean, come on, "Honor" is a strong word indicating a lot. I loved seeing them use that word.
We see his soft side as his grief and despair over his partner's death.
It's just AMAZING they got all of that in the comic book AND we start seeing parts of Ralph (literate, compassionate, committed to helping the kids), too AND we get a good insight into Tony's conundrum of acting like a "tough guy" but really not wanting grief from society AND we get the entrance of an evil plot based on cartoonish bad guys with idiotic scientific technology, so far. Just really well done and a tight, compact and efficient use of the pages.
I'm glad they took out Rhonda's crush on Ralph--I always felt that was unnecessary in the show, anyway, and I'm glad it seemingly died. Of course, you all know I HATED Kevin, and hated how Ralph was seen to be such an awful dad, so pulling him from the comic was a scream of "HALLELUYAH!" for me. ;-)))
Some of the other plot changes seemed just specious and unnecessary, such as changing John Mackie's name, putting a "Livestrong" bracelet on Bill (even this fan goes HUH?), appliances blowing up in the desert, forgetting to put blood stains on John Plame's shirt, and so forth. Why things like that happened, I'm not sure, but it doesn't really take away from the comic, a few of them didn't always seem "right" (Mackie's name change #1 for me and that Livestrong bracelet). But, there was more right in the establishment of personalities than in minor details like that.
Overall, as I said, a great big thumb's up to the comic and I do look forward to Ralph's pathetic attempts to use it and his and Bill's growing friendship in the succeeding book. Anyone who loves TGAH should buy this book. It's very promising for all Cannell and Co. hope to do this year in revitalizing the franchise.
Mona
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Post by Ms Boku on Dec 30, 2008 19:43:45 GMT -5
Well said. Katt and Folino did a great job getting the point across so we get to know the characters character. While I didn't mind the Rhonda crush on Ralph in the series (It happens where the student falls for the teacher. I did in the 6th grade) But it's not necessary here. I didn't have that big a beef with Kevin so when he faded...eh same thing. Um did I miss something? Livestrong bracelet? what is that? (I'm probably going to kick myself when I get the answer. ) |
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Post by mmderdekea on Dec 30, 2008 20:18:38 GMT -5
Oh, high, Ms Boku,
In the restaurant scene we see a yellow band bracelet on Bill's right wrist; we see the same thing on John Plame and we see Bill finding John's on the ground, broken.
The "Livestrong" yellow band bracelet was started by Lance Armstrong; his foundation "unites, inspires and empowers people with cancer." It caught on by almost everyone and folks wear the bracelets all the time. Then other organization found that a good way to spread their word and plastic wrist bracelets are worn by folks outside of Livestrong, but that's still the main one.
So, BILL MAXWELL wearing one? I DO NOT think so!
Mona
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Post by Ms Boku on Dec 30, 2008 20:24:32 GMT -5
Oh, high, Ms Boku, In the restaurant scene we see a yellow band bracelet on Bill's right wrist; we see the same thing on John Plame and we see Bill finding John's on the ground, broken. The "Livestrong" yellow band bracelet was started by Lance Armstrong; his foundation "unites, inspires and empowers people with cancer." It caught on by almost everyone and folks wear the bracelets all the time. Then other organization found that a good way to spread their word and plastic wrist bracelets are worn by folks outside of Livestrong, but that's still the main one. So, BILL MAXWELL wearing one? I DO NOT think so! Mona Well I hope he's wearing it for support. |
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Post by MissDavidson on Dec 30, 2008 23:23:10 GMT -5
I must protest ONE thing I found in the comic book. The Nazi chick's name is Sarah. This is unnecessary, uncalled for, and I'm writing a strongly worded letter to the writers. ;D |
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Post by mmderdekea on Dec 31, 2008 11:19:21 GMT -5
Of course, the famous "Plame" person politically astute news-readers will remember is Valerie Plame, the CIA agent illegally "outed" by the Bush Administration after her husband stood up against labelling Iraq a weapons of mass destruction threat based on African "yellowcake". I'm still confused as to why change Mackie to Plame--some hidden reference to anti-Bushism? Is Katt is liberal Democrat? Culp ABSOLUTELY is. Goofing around, Mona |
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Post by MelMac on Dec 31, 2008 14:22:15 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300] Note: this is Speculation on my part, as I cannot verify my claims, but can only guess.[/glow] I personally think the name change happened because the name "Mackie" is a trademark now: Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MackieAnd as Wiki is not a totally valid resource, this was also confirmed via AOL search: aim.search.aol.com/search/search?&query=Mackie&invocationType=tb50trie7So, there's the odd risk of copyright infringment claims if someone from that company read it. It does sound odd, but I remember reading that for "Star Trek" names had to be cleared before use for legal reasons. That said, this is speculation on my part because it could be revealed in a future comic why the name change. ******************** I'm not sure of Katt's political affiliation (I would guess liberal), but in an interview, WK said he chose to make the president in the comic book liberal instead of conservative. And, in my opinion after reading the ashcan - Bill Maxwell's comments and opinions reflect some of the conservative thinking going on present day as far as dealing with a liberal president. So, if nothing else, IMHO they chose to update the comic to reflect the political thinking of the United States. |
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Post by Ms Boku on Jan 4, 2009 10:29:33 GMT -5
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Post by MissDavidson on Jan 4, 2009 13:00:19 GMT -5
How awesome!
Thanks for the find, Ms B!
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Post by MST3Claye on Jan 4, 2009 17:08:20 GMT -5
Looks like that's Issue 3, no? It also says available in March. I figure they would release an issue (maybe the second?) between now and February. EDIT: That indeed is the case.. Issue #2 is due out January 28, 2009 Here's the cover for it. www.tfaw.com/Profile/Greatest-American-Hero-2-(of-3)___335566Nothing really special, looks like the same cover as the first issue. Hope you didn't mind, Ms_B. This comes from being a comic book reader. Great cover for Issue 3 though. |
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Post by Ms Boku on Jan 4, 2009 18:51:59 GMT -5
Oh...um.. oopsie.
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Post by Ms Boku on Jan 4, 2009 22:02:09 GMT -5
I'm not sure that's an official cover though. Looking into it.
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Post by MelMac on Jan 5, 2009 0:00:54 GMT -5
I'm not sure that's an official cover though. Looking into it. The cover I'm seeing for Book Three (with Ralph), I'm leaning toward it not being an official cover. In this case, Ralph is a caricature of Katt instead of a lifelike interpretation (i.e. the ashcan). Also, the cape has ribbon ties instead of button - you can see the ribbon dangles, and though the cape doesn't have the red trim all the way around the edge. And, if you look REALLY closely after clicking on it for a larger image, you can see white dots where the cape and arms meet, making it look like a cut and paste. I don't think that a layout person would (or from experience should) even let that tiny amount of white show on a black cover - it would make it look cheap, and that can be bad for business. One other thing to consider: If this is an official cover, why would they use a caricature of Ralph for the cover instead of the more lifelike version of Katt we've seen in the ashcan? Doing this turns Ralph - and quite possibly Bill, Pam and the others - into a cartoon instead humans, when what we've seen (and read in reviews of the first comic) would counter the wonderful artwork so far. Of course, I'm assuming things haven't changed from the ashcan to the first comment - hence the speculation comment on my part.  |
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Post by Ms Boku on Jan 5, 2009 8:05:14 GMT -5
I'm not sure that's an official cover though. Looking into it. The cover I'm seeing for Book Three (with Ralph), I'm leaning toward it not being an official cover. In this case, Ralph is a caricature of Katt instead of a lifelike interpretation (i.e. the ashcan). Also, the cape has ribbon ties instead of button - you can see the ribbon dangles, and though the cape doesn't have the red trim all the way around the edge. And, if you look REALLY closely after clicking on it for a larger image, you can see white dots where the cape and arms meet, making it look like a cut and paste. I don't think that a layout person would (or from experience should) even let that tiny amount of white show on a black cover - it would make it look cheap, and that can be bad for business. One other thing to consider: If this is an official cover, why would they use a caricature of Ralph for the cover instead of the more lifelike version of Katt we've seen in the ashcan? Doing this turns Ralph - and quite possibly Bill, Pam and the others - into a cartoon instead humans, when what we've seen (and read in reviews of the first comic) would counter the wonderful artwork so far. Of course, I'm assuming things haven't changed from the ashcan to the first comment - hence the speculation comment on my part. I don't think it is either. I have passed it on and was told it wasn't from the catastrophic camp. I just found it. I was tired so I didn't think about it being a maybe fan drawing until after the fact. If it was an official cover it could be just to not give anything away. Like a teaser. But seeing as I was told as above, I think I'll go with it not being an official cover. |
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Post by Ms Boku on Jan 5, 2009 13:40:04 GMT -5
OK I need a trout slap! GAH 2 will be out in mid Feb!
I have no idea what that site is but I should know better.
TROUT SLAP PLEASE!
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Post by MelMac on Jan 5, 2009 13:42:53 GMT -5
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Post by Ms Boku on Jan 5, 2009 20:26:50 GMT -5
OOh! ow! oow! ah! ee! Thanks! I needed that! |
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Post by Lauren on Jan 5, 2009 20:46:02 GMT -5
That's the thing about comic books is that the cover more often than not will be a different style from the book itself. Some books will have a completely different artist just to do the cover.
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Post by givedaddy5 on Jan 13, 2009 14:17:41 GMT -5
When does volume 2 come out?
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"FOUR?!"
