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Once more, welcome back! This month is going to be fun.
Why? Because of controversy, of course! I think thats the
theme for the month here at Collector Times. So what is my
controversy?
Why, I like the new X-Force comic. A lot.
Every time I have said that, Ive practically received death
threats. Even before the book came out, when I was unsure of
the concept and art, and said Ill wait and actually see an issue
of two before I decide how much crap it is.
This leads me to a rant, and something that is pissing me off
lately about comic fans. The prejudging of a book from a short
two line description of a comic written to hype a book, often by
way of getting your attention by trying to annoy you. All for a
book not coming out for months and one piece of promo art
that, quite often, is coloured wrong. How can you tell that a
book is going to be utter crap without having actually seen at
least a complete issue?
Now, dont get me wrong, I can understand simple
comments like, "That art isnt really my style," or "That doesnt
sound like something I want to read". Solicitations and promos
are supposed to allow you to decide if you want a comic, or
might even have some slight interest in it.
But to completely say the book is total crap, and the worst
comic ever written? Yes, I have seen both of these, and many
comments even worse.
Am I the only person that sees this as wrong? Hello?
And it gets even worse! Ive seen people saying the book is
utter crap for what it isnt. What do I mean? Ok, get this...
"This comic sucks because it doesnt have Cannonball or
any of the old X-Forcers in it!" Now, let us follow this logic,
shall we? War and Peace sucks, because Cannonball isnt in it.
Lord of the Rings sucks because it doesnt have Domino. The
Raven is a bad poem, because theres no Cable!
Now, I will admit this probably wasnt Marvels brightest
move. Ending the adventures of the old X-Force crew, and
giving the title and numbering to an entirely different team was
not all that smart. Its a new beginning, so should have at least
gotten a new number one, and probably a new title. All this did
was alienate many of the existing fans who couldnt deal with it.
Although, that happened anyway, as evidenced by the above.
A lot of the hate Ive heard for the book is because the old
fans just cant get over themselves. One of my personal
favourite complaints is that the codenames are stupid. Why yes!
And Cable makes so much sense for a telepath with a big gun
fetish!
Enough of the rant. Lets talk about the finished product.
First off, this comic is a sort of parody. Its serious, but its
spinning the popular media images of people and the hype found
there into a comic team. How would a mutant team fare if they
just totally sold out, went corporate, and just became media
stars? In the real world, you have hated (Or at least disliked)
minority people becoming huge stars and breaking through the
boundaries that exist, so why not the mutants in the comics?
The media aspect also explains the totally idiotic names. I
mean, really, how good of a "code name" is Eminem? P.
Diddy? U-Go Girl? Im sure you see the thread here. And
none of these characters like each other. Theyre bitchy, theyre
conniving, theyre in it for themselves. Just like real media stars!
This is definitely not a book for everyone, or the faint of
heart. You have to kind of get the joke, and be willing to run
with it, to really appreciate the stories. The art also is not for
everyone, since its coming from Mike Allred, someone whos
art definitely does not fit the modern "How many little lines can I
fit in this picture?" style of artist. His art is very reminiscent of
the Silver Age styles. Clean, strong lines, not a lot of detail
cluttering the page (Although he doesnt skimp on it either), and
realistic proportions, at least compared to most of the modern
artists, the majority of which are Jim Lee clones.
Allreds style is perfect for this comic. It gives you that false
sense of security, seeing nice happy simple art, from a goofy
time in comics, and then BAM! they hit you with exploding
heads, complete with flying eyeballs, exploded guts spewing all
over our characters, and portraying these characters in a realistic
way, producing contrast with that old-style art.
Personally, I am greatly enjoying this book. Im not saying
you have to either, but give it, and any other comic book, a fair
chance before you decide its plain crap. Your opinions are that
much more valid if theyre informed opinions and not knee-jerk
reactions. Something not fitting your tastes is one thing, but
hating it without reading it, or even letting those preconceptions
to colour how you would judge the book upon reading it, is just
ignorance.
That is all.
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