New Comic Series: My Opinion... What's Yours?
By
Adept,
Posted on: 2005-06-14 15:28 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
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Greetings all,
I just wanted to take a minute to let you all know that your voices are being heard.
We wanted to start the re-launch of the comic with a bang. Mark, Jack and I came up with the no mediport plotline together. We didn't force it on him and he didn't force it on us. Rest assured that the heroes will come through this test unified and changed. Issue #3 will end this arc. In Issue #4 Troy Hickman (of Common Grounds fame) will be telling a more classic super-team story. Starting in Issue #7 Dan Jurgens will write a story-arc that features the Back Alley Brawler as the main character. It will also introduce an upcoming gameplay feature.
We plan on showing a lot of different sides of Paragon City and the characters in it. Some of it will be dark, some of it less so, just like the stories we tell in the game.
As always, thanks for your interest and passion.
~M
PS More about Statesman's origin will be found...you know the rest! 
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Cool. We appreciate that you take our input seriously.
Can someone slip an Awaken to War Witch in the next issue? I bet she wouldn't tolerate this "no powers" stuff!
Ideally, the tank will die precisely as everyone else starts fighting, allowing aggro to be spread evenly among the blaster. -seebs, "How to Suck at CoH/CoV" Guide
Wow that's awesome, I should get some fan work in here, I've had the Paragon City Police Force running for the whole duration of COH now and still the cops are wimps! Time to make a difference for my community!
So far the story telling seems rather poor in the new comic. It's almost as though they shot the entire load on the first six pages of the first comic, then couldn't continue with that caliber so they're limping along on the rest.
My biggest gripe: the way the characters origins just get thrown out at us from nowhere. The characters are just having a discussion and suddenly, for no particularly compelling reason, someone decides to blurt out their origin. Geez. First it's hard to believe that these folks have worked together this long to not already know each other's backgrounds, but mostly it's just the poor manner that they're relayed to the reader.
Uhm. Seeing as I seem to be in the minority, in that I look at the comic for entertainment, I liked both series.
Admittedly, I like the 2nd one a little more, as I wan't a comic book collector all my life like some. I didn't even own any comic books will CoH.
I think people are putting too much thought into this. Just read the comic, and enjoy it for it's story, it's color, enjoy the comic for the visual art.
Ohh well.
Replying to Beerjitsu, 'cause I know him 
and he won't take too much offense.
What are you on?!?!
I found the Top Cow stories to be Hamidon to Blue King's Hellions. Just no comparison. Stories are not games, and shouldn't be beholden to each and every conceit of those games. A nod to game quirks here and there is sufficient.
The art is superior, the dialogue is terrific, and even though the main characters are under duress, we get glimpses of their true personas by how they act under that stress.
I don't care to refute every point made by the DOOM-sayers, but this is a *superior* product. Better production, better art, better writing, better BETTER.
What a fantastic post. I don't agree with everything you said, but talk about persuasive.
I never thought I would read a genuinely cogent post without capitals in it, but O Wonderful Internet!
Personally, I like the Manticore character in the new series. It is exactly how I felt while I was playing a blaster. I also like how Statesman has been portrayed since I have felt the same way while playing my tanker. I especially liked Manticore's solution to the Prometheus problem, sort a Spock sort of solution for the Trekkies out there.
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Greetings all,
I just wanted to take a minute to let you all know that your voices are being heard.
We wanted to start the re-launch of the comic with a bang. Mark, Jack and I came up with the no mediport plotline together. We didn't force it on him and he didn't force it on us. Rest assured that the heroes will come through this test unified and changed. Issue #3 will end this arc. In Issue #4 Troy Hickman (of Common Grounds fame) will be telling a more classic super-team story. Starting in Issue #7 Dan Jurgens will write a story-arc that features the Back Alley Brawler as the main character. It will also introduce an upcoming gameplay feature.
We plan on showing a lot of different sides of Paragon City and the characters in it. Some of it will be dark, some of it less so, just like the stories we tell in the game.
As always, thanks for your interest and passion.
~M
PS More about Statesman's origin will be found...you know the rest!
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I think it's interesting how in the comic the heroes are nerfed as they are in the game now. Hopefully when they get their powers back in the comic, we get them back in the game. 
I like issue #2 of this new series much better than I did #1, though overall, I liked the old series over the new.
As for the 'diversity' debate raging here: I can see both points. Scion is correct to an extent, but so is the fella feeling left out because he can't identify with someone in the story. That's how modern society is, atm---at least how I see it in everyday people.
We're getting along much better, but we still tend to feel excluded from activities if none of our own people seem to be part of the action. Perhaps one day, we can look at a movie, a rally, a game or sporting event and see only people, regardless of race or gender, and feel perfect inclusion. We're getting there, despite the efforts of the extremist factions in our society (though I admit they are slowing us down).
Anyway, back to the point: why wasn't the BAB included in this story arc? He is, apparently, part of the team---or am I wrong in this? If he's part of the team, then his omission from the story seems strange and the OP has legitimate cause to wonder er WHY?
So, to sum up: better story, better art--still not as good as the old series. And, er, why isn't BAB in the Story??
Cal2
I love the new comic.....Is it dark? Yep Does it show the hero's less than attractive side? Yep but that is what makes it so memorable....I enjoyed the simple kid like quality of the first series but it was a bit "happy" for me....I guess I enjoy the darker more compelling storyline in this series so far...Other than the "Lvl 15 Scrapper looking for team!" from that last page of the prior series...can you remember how each of those comics ended and did you wonder what would happen in the next issue?
I like the new series better. the old one did have more "coh gameplay feel" with the crazy pickup group thing, but overall it felt way too bubble-gum for me.
some people want "everybody's the perfect hero always no matter what!" fairy tale kind of super story, and that's ok. I do prefer the comic stories where it starts with a fantastic premise (superpowers exist) and then proceeds naturally from there. it feels more believable and is more immersive to me.
So watching these heroes totally fall apart when the core identifying aspect of themselves gets taken away makes it all seem more real, and improves the "superpowers are impossible" part. Yeah synapse aint a perfect-smile posterboi, but dammit I can see that happening. I DO see that happening.
Perhaps I'm just tired of the Sunshine Superhero stories and prefer a darker, grittier tale (hellooo batman).
I dont envy the writers since different people have wholly different ideas as to what the comic is supposed to be doing (is it supposed to be a good story on it's own? is it supposed to reflect coh gameplay exactly? is it supposed to be the Hero's Hero Diary of the Light?). there's no real answer to that.
the old series was OK but to be honest I didnt really care if I received the next issue. I dont even remember what happened in it really. But now I cant wait for the next issue!
I can understand that some people are not very happy with the new comic... There are still some issues with it, that may not have been done as well as we'd like.
But overall, I think the new series is much better then the Blue King run.
Some people have indicated that they think the old series better represented the "game" we played. But every time they tried to do that, it seemed so forced that it broke my suspension of disbelief.
In the span of what, 12 comics, our trio fights as many as 5 or 6 Archvillans. Assuming they are whatever "level" they needed to be, I found it highly wrong to see them hande Archvillans so easily. The Carnie AV kicked them around, but reading the last issue, and watching them take out THREE 5th Column AV's, all at the same time??
To me, the problem was that it was a comic series about "nothing", with little more then some light romantic play hinted at for two of the leads. They take down baddies, and they call it a day. The Juror two part was more of a story, but it had no depth to why Malta was doing what they were doing.
I enjoy the new stories, because the characters themselves feel more human. I think I can suspend disbelief long enough to say that, as people used to being super-powered, they would be horribly humbled by the loss of said powers.
Not so sure that "all crime" has stopped, but at least super-powered crime has stopped. The police still exist, mind you.
The "God" connections with Zeus and Prom. is not the direction I expected at all, but I'll stay tuned to learn more.
So write on, and I'll be waiting for Issue 3.
Thanks for bringing a note of moderation to what has become, as it always does, and extremely immoderate topic. Your tone gives me hope, but one thing you said made me sad:
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We're getting along much better, but we still tend to feel excluded from activities if none of our own people seem to be part of the action.
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I don't even have the heart to say why. If I put in in print, it would look as hokey as a Cap. America monologue. Or like I was trying to be MLK, Jr. and coming off as a cheap imitator. But it has to do with the phrase "our own people".
Well,
There went my hopes for a long and engaging storyline.
I've loved the first two comics by Mark Waid.. I'd rather see more of that than changing writers every three comics.
w00t Radio
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My main concern is that my worst fear has been realized. Similar to DC and Marvel, and with no offense intended to anyone, Top Cow basically removed any black character. So with Horus gone, no story arc with the Brawler, CoH comic is now just like the mainstream comics, devoid of anyone of African descent. So while playing the game is great in that it allows for diversity, the same cannot be said of the comic.
While it is free, I'll just be using it for fireplace fodder unless I see some changes...
And for what its worth, I thought the first story arc in the initial comic book held truer to the game.
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*Looks at this post
*shakes head
Oh man. Isn't this a racist comment or something? SHould I be taking offence to this as a caucasion? I don't even know anymore. How about we keep the whole "I'm not reading this if theres no black people in it" at the door?
I like the story so far. I'm content with it, as its free and a good read to me. I was a little dissapointed in the whole "Zeus" thing with States, bit of a letdown for me, but its Jack's Character, so....do what you will. I was kind of hoping for something with his helmet or something.
I liked the old series well enough but I'm really enjoying the new series. The art, the writing, everything... it's all very good and I'm pleased.
I never read that much in comics, so I'm having a blast reading these, I think they are very excellent. I think those who dislike the comics are mainly ones who know a lot about superhero lore and have read comics all their life, or just plain simply actually read. But since I'm neither of those, man what a great comic!
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Starting in Issue #7 Dan Jurgens will write a story-arc that features the Back Alley Brawler as the main character. It will also introduce an upcoming gameplay feature.
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He gets to party with the Winthrop U cheerleaders? 
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Anyway, back to the point: why wasn't the BAB included in this story arc? He is, apparently, part of the team---or am I wrong in this? If he's part of the team, then his omission from the story seems strange and the OP has legitimate cause to wonder er WHY?
So, to sum up: better story, better art--still not as good as the old series. And, er, why isn't BAB in the Story??
Cal2
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The Back Alley Brawler is primarily associated with the group he used to lead, the Regulators. He worked with the Freedom Phalanx during the Rikti War but has been in semi-retirement for some time.
As I said in my previous post however, the Brawler will be the main character of a story-arc that will start in issue #7. A specific threat will force him to get more actively involved.
[ QUOTE ]
Greetings all,
I just wanted to take a minute to let you all know that your voices are being heard.
We wanted to start the re-launch of the comic with a bang. Mark, Jack and I came up with the no mediport plotline together. We didn't force it on him and he didn't force it on us. Rest assured that the heroes will come through this test unified and changed. Issue #3 will end this arc. In Issue #4 Troy Hickman (of Common Grounds fame) will be telling a more classic super-team story. Starting in Issue #7 Dan Jurgens will write a story-arc that features the Back Alley Brawler as the main character. It will also introduce an upcoming gameplay feature.
We plan on showing a lot of different sides of Paragon City and the characters in it. Some of it will be dark, some of it less so, just like the stories we tell in the game.
As always, thanks for your interest and passion.
~M
PS More about Statesman's origin will be found...you know the rest!
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6 more months before we hear about the new feature?! 
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As I said in my previous post however, the Brawler will be the main character of a story-arc that will start in issue #7. A specific threat will force him to get more actively involved.
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My money's still on the cheerleaders.
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As I said in my previous post however, the Brawler will be the main character of a story-arc that will start in issue #7. A specific threat will force him to get more actively involved.
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If there was a mission that you fought side by side with Brawler would be pretty cool.
Formerly Fx_10
It's like someone taped two ninjas together to make a giant ninja!
Founder of Team Awesome!
Official Justice Chairperson of Awesomeness
Any plans to show a bit more of Numina in the comic anytime soon?
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a story-arc that features the Back Alley Brawler as the main character. It will also introduce an upcoming gameplay feature.
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OOooo .. C'mon .. Give us a Hint at least .. lest we start Speculating .. :-)
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
"The tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, its true purpose is sinister." The Question
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PS More about Statesman's origin will be found...you know the rest!
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Evil Devs are teh best!
Fastasitc write up Mockingbird_V. 5 stars.