|
Author
|
Topic: Roamin' Empire (May 2001)
|
Dave Thomer
Guardian of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy
|
posted 05-09-2001 04:57 PM
   
This month's Comics update is now online. |
Pattie Gillett
True Believer
|
posted 05-15-2001 03:24 PM
Let me say that this is terrific news to me because it would have been a crime if BK and company never got to tell the rest of the Empire story. It's just a great premise. Also, you can definitely tell how much Kitson cares about the quality of his art and about pushing the envelope layout-wise. The ending of the last issue was just beyond weird, though. If Empire had ended for good, it would have been doubly worse for ending there. Eek, I still get the heebie-jeebies. (It's a bit jarring to re-read old Empire issues now after I've spent the last weeks reading B&W comics like Torso and Fortune & Glory. It's like, whoa, why is it so bright in here?) I enjoyed his work on LEGION but I've got to admit I got lost in the continuity after a while and gave up. (I'm actually surprised Dave didn't divorce me right then and there.)
I wonder if that happens to many people? It usually doesn't bother me (I still read Titans and they're on, what, their eight thousandth Donna Troy origin?) with other superhero books but LSH just seems to be continuity hell at times. I hope BK knows that he is now a permanent member of my "Da Men" list saying Batman is his favorite character. Yeah, baby. [This message has been edited by Pattie Gillett (edited 05-15-2001).] |
Dave Thomer
Guardian of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy
|
posted 05-15-2001 03:44 PM
quote:
(It's a bit jarring to re-read old Empire issues now after I've spent the last weeks reading B&W comics like Torso. It's like, whoa, why is it so bright in here?)
Kitson makes that effect even more jarring because he has a very clean, open style, and he usually works with colorists who use a wide range of shades -- even though Powers is color, it has a much more muted range. I kind of wondered at first how Kitson's art would work with a dark story, but I think the contrast can be pretty effective -- You have this bright, shiny, hi-tech kind of operation, but it has a dark underbelly, as several scenes in the first few issues show. Plus, I later remembered that LEGION itself wasn't exactly a shiny, happy book much of the time, either. I gotta get around to doing a run of back issue reviews on that title . . . one of these days. And I figured you'd get a kick out of his Batman comments.  |
Brian Thomer
One of the Regulars
|
posted 05-16-2001 11:41 AM
Well the premise of EMPIRE has always (And by always I mean the two issues published...) been right up my alley: Heroes gettin' their asses kicked and dying! Wars have casualities people and they ain't just the bad guys. And it's about time there was a story that wasn't a complete let down at the end (or is that the beginning since we've never actually seen his rise to power.). Anyway, three cheers from me on the fact that Empire will be published.Okay grnated I've only read like 20 issues, but I don't see the weird continuity problems of LEGION. And the only real connection I can think of at the moment to the LSH is that Phantom Lady (I think it was her.) was once a member of LEGION and was time displaced to the time of LSH. And Kitson definitely comes off as a stand up guy. Kudos to him and his love of the business and his dedication to his work. |
Dave Thomer
Guardian of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy
|
posted 05-16-2001 12:30 PM
The LEGION/LSH links were a lot stronger in the early part of the run, probably because they were trying to pull LSH fans in. Two LEGION members are ancestors of future LSH members, another member actually winds up trading places with Phase/Phantom Girl and becomes a pretty crucial part of the LSH storyline, Valor/Lar Gand/Mon-El shows up for a little while, and one of LEGION's first cases involves the Emerald Eye, which is a big part of LSH continuity. But I think once you get past the first year of the book, it stands on its own merits, and even that first year is pretty self-contained.And you're right, Bri, Kitson deserves much praise for his enthusiasm, dedication and craft. It's nice to see one of the good guys come out ahead every once in a while. |
Dave Thomer
Guardian of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy
|
posted 05-20-2001 02:14 PM
Y'know, speaking of Barry Kitson and Titans, as it turns out, that's the ongoing series gig he alluded to in the interview -- he'll take over the pencilling duties around January. I'm looking forward to seeing his Nightwing, that's for sure.(Thanks for the precognitive segue there, Pattie -- you da woman.) |
Brian Thomer
One of the Regulars
|
posted 02-26-2003 06:09 PM
While Kitson's run on Titans may have just concluded; he has some other great stuff in the works. The aforementioned Empire (still waiting on a solicit for that), he's doing one of the issues of the upcoming JSA All-Stars mini-series (starting in May), and even though this is a ways away he's begun work on a L.E.G.I.O.N. revival. I'm looking forward to all three, particularly L.E.G.I.O.N. Hopefully, once his schedule calms down a bit, he and Mark Waid can get to work on JLA: Year Two.  |
Brian Thomer
One of the Regulars
|
posted 02-27-2003 07:38 PM
Well I asked and I received. Looks like the previously released Empire issues will be repackaged and re-released as a special "zero" issue in June with a new mini-series starting in July. Well how ya like them apples?Read more here: The Return of Empire |
Dave Thomer
Guardian of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy
|
posted 03-11-2003 05:36 AM
I'm trying to get confirmation of exactly when that zero issue will ship, but you can see the pencils for the cover at Barry's website.More info soon. |
This Is Not News Forums
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
