DC's New 52: Reviews and Discussion (Spoilers welcolme and likely)

[OdoWanKenobi]

You know, I think I'm starting to get kinda glad that Morrison's Action Comics run is ending. With this issue, I think I've finally reached the breaking point of my tolerance for his complete disregard for anything resembling coherent narrative structure.

[Trekker4747]

OdoWanKenobi wrote:

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You know, I think I'm starting to get kinda glad that Morrison's Action Comics run is ending. With this issue, I think I've finally reached the breaking point of my tolerance for his complete disregard for anything resembling coherent narrative structure.

Thank you!

[Admiral_Young]

What exactly was incoherent about it? Once again Morrison is bringing things together that he has touched upon prior in the arc. Granted, it can throw you off at times, but I really enjoyed Action Comics #17. Just the sheer level of interference that Lord V (I can't spell his full name) has caused is staggering...and Morrison using the Legion to fix the damage is brilliant. I have agreed that this entire run has been erratic and disjointed. In many ways I would have preferred we just got the original opening arc as Grant planned.

The Sholly Fisch back up story with Jonathan and Clark was awesome. Fisch has been doing great work. He deserves a title of his own, with Sprouse on art.

[Trekker4747]

The biggest part for me is it's not very linear story telling. It's like someone got the script all jumbled up and just rolled with it. I'm still not entirely sure what's going on. But I'll just go on record as being not a huge fan of Morrison's work. I'm enjoy "Superman" a lot more than Action right now, but that's pretty much how it's been since The N52 started.

[OdoWanKenobi]

I've said before that Morrison's writing style is ill suited to a monthly publication format. The nature of comics being what they are, I should not have to go back and re-read the entire run to remember the tiniest minutia that he's touched on. A good comic can tell a lengthy story, but with Morrison's I come in every month thinking I've skipped an issue, or not remembering at all just what the heck was going on, and the issue does nothing to jog my memory. I do not have this problem with any other title that I read.

[Admiral_Young]

Non-Linear storytelling has never been something that has bothered me. Basically the gist of is that Lord V has controlled and manipulated Clark's entire history in order for certain events to happen. He pretty much explained this, the Legion are even just realizing it themselves. Mxy it would seem has been prevented from his role as Clark's "guardian" or stopping Lord V and some kind of big civil war happened in the Fifth Dimension with Lord V gaining power and control .

Remember these are beings from a species who admire Superman ( and Batman in Batmite's case)...Lord V is tainting that or wants that admiration for himself. Morrison even has included the Legion, because as we know, their formation is directly influenced by their admiration for Superman and his legend. In my understanding of the uber-arc...Morrison is actually paying ultimate homage to Superman and just exactly what he means to everyone. I don't know if anyone else has picked up on that, but that is what I've taken from this.

[OdoWanKenobi]

What I've taken from it is: I have no fucking clue what is going on or what any of this is about, but if I don't pretend that I do, all of the Morrison snobs will call me stupid.

One problem is that I think he's introduced far too many concepts, and as a result none of them get the proper development. Ok, we've got V who is the big bad, but then there were angels, and Metallo, and alternate-universe Superman, and Phantom Zone criminals, and more. I just don't feel like the through line has been presented well enough. Instead it just feels bloated and disjointed.

[Trekker4747]

Pretty much how I feel, Odo. Which is why the Superman book and the H'El story has been a lot more entertaining.

[Admiral_Young]

This is why I look forward to the trades when they're released. I agree with your in regards to Morrison's writing style. You get to see the full picture in the trades. When you read it month to month, it sometimes takes you out of the story and you have to go back and re-read stuff. I wouldn't consider myself a Morrison "Snob" but I think I've made my position on him pretty clear in the thread beforehand I'd consider myself more diplomatic than some of his hardcore fans are. I think I did a pretty good job of attempting to explain what's going on myself though

The grand finale is going to be huge and probably need to be read like a dozen times to understand it

[Trekker4747]

But you shouldn't have to read something a dozen times to understand it or re-read previous books to understand a story.

[Admiral_Young]

You shouldn't, but sometimes it's fun I will admit to be interested in what Diggle is bringing to the table. I'm willing to give him a chance. Sometimes though it's fun to get away from the more traditional story telling. That's another reason why I love Morrison so much.

[OdoWanKenobi]

Oh, I wasn't calling you, or anyone here in particular, a snob. You were trying to explain it and clear up my confusion. I appreciate that, but it doesn't really help me to appreciate the story any better. There are plenty of absolute die-hard fans of Morrison out there that will defend anything he does to their last breath and viciously berate anyone who says anything bad about him, though. Honestly, I don't hate all of his writing. I actually quite enjoy his Batman, even if R.I.P. and Return of Bruce Wayne did leave me scratching my head at a few points.

I've been sticking with Action hoping for some measure of clarity to come, for this to all start making sense. There have been some isolated moments I've enjoyed, like the Krypto issue. Overall though, it's just been a jumbled mess for me.

[Admiral_Young]

I totally get where you guys are coming from. I've friends that feel the same way about Morrison...speaking of Batman, I'm still nervous for Batman Incorporated #8 next week.

[OdoWanKenobi]

Yeah, same here. If the rumors are true, then I will not be a happy Bat-fan come next week.

[Admiral_Young]

I'm conflicted insanely about this. I've made no bones about how much I love Damian...but also am aware that Morrison wanted to kill him in the opening arc. It's gonna depend on how Grant handles this with me, but I really hope it doesn't happen, but unfortunately I think all the signs are pointing that it will.