List for 2000
Englebert Lau
Hey folks!
Well, it's approaching the end of the year... so I'm curious. Who was
your:
Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
Favorite Batman story in 2000?
Personally, I'd give Greg Rucka the nod for best bat-writer (though I
haven't picked up 'TEC in a long time) 'cause I liked the NML novel... my
favorite bat-artist is Greg Land, but he'll be gone soon... and my
favorite Batman story was in the "Tower of Babel". I guess one could make
a "least favorite" list too...
- Eng
3.1415926535897932.....
>
> Well, it's approaching the end of the year... so I'm curious. Who was
> your:
>
> Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
Greg Rucka, partly for 'Tec, but quite a lot for Cry for Blood. Which,
I know, didn't have much Batman in it, but was still a Bat-book, and was
still Tres Cool.
> Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
Hmm... tough-ey. Tim Sale, Scott McDaniel, Rick Burchett, Paul Gulacy,
Marshall Rogers are all in the running... But I personally have to go
for Tim Levins. The animated books are truly the most consistently
brilliant books I pick up, and we've been enjoying some good stories at
good prices from them as well.
> Favorite Batman story in 2000?
Cry for Blood, definitely. If I'm not allowed that, then... Probably
Dark Victory. But I haven't finished reading Turning Points yet, so I
may be wrong.
> - Eng
__
/\thagoras
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Rev. Owen Allaway
<20001205....@stsm.demon.co.uk>:
>> Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
>
>Greg Rucka, partly for 'Tec, but quite a lot for Cry for Blood. Which,
>I know, didn't have much Batman in it, but was still a Bat-book, and was
>still Tres Cool.
Agreed. My thoughts exactly. Although Turning Points #5 puts Greg way over
the top, here. Honorable mentions to Devin and Ed. Outside the main Bat-
books I'd mention Kelley Puckett for Batgirl. Also, Chuck Dixon is as good
as ever.
Writer - Greg Rucka
>> Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
>
>Hmm... tough-ey. Tim Sale, Scott McDaniel, Rick Burchett, Paul Gulacy,
>Marshall Rogers are all in the running... But I personally have to go
>for Tim Levins. The animated books are truly the most consistently
>brilliant books I pick up, and we've been enjoying some good stories at
>good prices from them as well.
Almost agree. I like your list, but I'd put Tim Levins, Tim Sale and Scott
McD and their respective inkers in joint second slot and single out Rick
Burchett as this year's greatest Bat artist. Add in an honorable for the
art in Ego, too. If we're including non-Batman Bat-books I'd include the
Batgirl team.
Penciller - Burchett
Inker - Burchett / Beatty tie
>> Favorite Batman story in 2000?
>
>Cry for Blood, definitely. If I'm not allowed that, then... Probably
>Dark Victory. But I haven't finished reading Turning Points yet, so I
>may be wrong.
I'd really like to include a writer other than Greg somewhere, but I'd be
lying. There has been some really good Bat stuff this year, but Greg's
stuff has been the best of it.
Mini-series - Cry For Blood
Ongoing Series - TEC
Single Issue - Turning Points #5
Rabid Monkey Boy
Hmm...that's a tough one. For the Cry For Blood miniseries, it's got to go to
Greg Rucka, but for the Batman monthly it's good old Ed Brubaker all the way.
Best artist -
Damn you all to hell. That's right, you heard me. I think,
um...er...ee...aah...oh...oooh...I think...this one should probably go to
Scott McDaniel. Much as I love Greg Land and Butch Guice's work on Nightwing
and Birds of Prey respectively, Scott was actually the carrying hope through
the quagmire of Larry Hama's run.
Best Story -
No question hands down it was Orca.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Had you going there for a minute, didn't I? What was the best story?
Hmm...have Two-Face toss a coin between The Doom That Came to Gotham, Batman:
Ego, and Batman/Huntress: Cry For Blood. No wait, that's three, hmm...maybe
even good ol' Harv couldn't figure that one out.
d.
Matches Malone
<en...@ucalgary.ca> said
>Well, it's approaching the end of the year... so I'm curious. Who was
>your:
>
>Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
Tie between Rucka and oeb
>Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
Tim Sale. Martinbrough gets honorable mention.
>Favorite Batman story in 2000?
Dark Victory (#12 was the best single issue). Of the regular
series, DETECTIVE #742.
--
"Oh sure, like lawyers work in big skyscrapers and have secretaries.
Look at him. He's wearing a belt! That's Hollywood for you."
- Lionel Hutz, watching L.A. Law
Matches Malone
mat...@mindspring.com (Matches Malone) said
>>Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
>
> Tie between Rucka and oeb
D'oh! That's supposed to be Loeb, of course. I'm sure oeb is a
good writer, too, though.
Simon DelMonte
Englebert Lau <en...@ucalgary.ca> writes:
>Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
Rucka, by a bit. Grayson has had moments of brilliance not consistency. Dixon
has been good but not as good as previous years. Rucka hasn't been perfect -
the Ra's/Whisper story arc was not my favorite - but the Huntress miniseries
was great, as were several stories in 'Tec.
>Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
Guice, then Land, then McDaniel.
>Favorite Batman story in 2000?
The Montoya birthday story, then the Huntress mini, Rucka's first post-NML
story, and Nightwing 80 Page Giant 1.
Simon DelMonte
It's clearly Cam!
> Personally, I'd give Greg Rucka the nod for best bat-writer (though I
> haven't picked up 'TEC in a long time) 'cause I liked the NML novel...
I'd agree, Rucka is definitely the best consistent writer, honourable
mention for Chuck Dixon, although Robin seems to be floundering slightly
at the moment (*sob*), and Grayson has turned out some good solid
stories.
Least favourites slightly easier. Hama hands down. Although if we're
spreading out to the Bat-family, then (as hard as it is to admit it)
Catwoman's scribe (I want to say Carlton, but I've got a bad feeling
that's the artist) beats Hama hands down.
> my
> favorite bat-artist is Greg Land, but he'll be gone soon...
Definitely. Can't argue with this at all, although I do have a soft
spot for all the stuff going on in 'Tec, they're definitely doing
they're best to expand the field.
Least favourite . . . it would probably go to Catwoman again, not
ebcause the art was bad, in many ways it was brilliant, it's just I
never thought Catwoman looked sexy enough, that's all . . . minor point
I know, but all the bat-artists have been putting out good solid work
this year.
> and my
> favorite Batman story was in the "Tower of Babel". I guess one could make
> a "least favorite" list too...
Bit of a tie between Cry for Blood and the Hugo Strange storyline that's
just finished in GK for favourite. Both are well thought out, and
interesting (although I am missing one of the issues of CfB #3 I think
it is, which has obviously ruined my enjoyment a bit).
Least favourite . . . I don't really know, they've generally all been
good *stories* it's just been the interpretation of the character that I
hated. I guess I'd have to go for Orca, but only because I can't think
of anything else.
Cam
Josh Dull
> Hey folks!
>
> Well, it's approaching the end of the year... so I'm curious. Who was
> your:
Ed Brubaker
> Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
Scott McDaniels
> Favorite Batman story in 2000?
The issue of Batman dealing with the urban legend. It was just brilliant and
showed the whole ul in a new light.
Plus, it includes one of my all-time favorite Bat-moments. :)
Josh
Englebert Lau
On Wed, 6 Dec 2000, Matches Malone wrote:
> >Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
> Tim Sale. Martinbrough gets honorable mention.
Oh, I forgot about Sale... I still prefer Land, though. Is Martinbrough
TEC's regular penciller?
> >Favorite Batman story in 2000?
> Dark Victory (#12 was the best single issue). Of the regular
> series, DETECTIVE #742.
What was TEC #742 about? Was Dark Victory as good as Long Halloween?
- Eng
Loren Di Iorio
: Matches wrote:
:
: Is Martinbrough TEC's regular penciller?
That is correct.
: > Dark Victory (#12 was the best single issue). Of the regular
: > series, DETECTIVE #742.
:
: What was TEC #742 about?
It was Greg's first issue as official Tec writer, and it involved
a detective story with Batman and Jim, which got had them working
together. Awesome Stelfreeze cover, too.
: Was Dark Victory as good as Long Halloween?
Not as good, no, but still good.
...Loren
Comics and Loren, together at: http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com
Loren's country reviews: http://www.countrymusicforthefans.com/albums/
jaye...@my-deja.com
> Well, it's approaching the end of the year... so I'm
> curious. Who was your:
> Favorite Batman writer in 2000?
Greg Rucka by a wide margin. I'd have to agree with Matches
that Jeph Loeb is up there as well. But I've liked Greg's
NML finale ("Shellgame" and "Endgame" both squeak in at the
beginning of the year, if you go by cover dates) and his
regular run on 'TEC more than DARK VICTORY -- enough so to
give Greg the wide margin.
> Favorite Batman artist in 2000?
Tougher choice. I'm going to steal from Matches again, but
given Shawn Martinbrough the slight edge over Tim Sale
> Favorite Batman story in 2000?
"Happy Birthday Two You..." in 'TEC #747.
A close second might be Joe Kelly's ACTION COMICS #766, in
which Batman helps the Kryptonite-poisoned Superman search
for the missing Lois Lane.
Least favorites:
Writer: Larry Hama. If extending it to the entire Batman
Family, then Bronwyn Carlton steals the prize for her
ghastly run on CATWOMAN.
Artist: Hmmm...nothing really stands out as being obviously
the worst. Of the "regular" Bat-artists, though (and I may
get slammed for this) I care less for Scott McDaniel's
work than that of any other.
Story: Any of the stories in the Talia/Shiva/Spoiler issue
of THE BATMAN CHRONICLES. What a lot of potential, what a
lot of wasted potential. Honorable mentions: OUTLAWS and
HAUNTED GOTHAM.
Most disappointing (i.e. I really expected better):
Writer: Doug Moench. I've never been quite as fond of his
90s Batman work as I was of his 80s Batman work. But simply
for the aforementioned OUTLAWS and HAUNTED GOTHAM, he's
takes this prize this year. Dixon takes second place for
ROBIN -- I agree with Cam that this title, which has been
among my favorites in the DC line for a good long while,
has been floundering lately.
Artist: Rick Burchett. Don't get me wrong, I usually like
this guy's work a lot, but his artwork in CRY FOR BLOOD
just didn't quite do it for me.
Story: "Hunt for Oracle". Great idea. Potentially, suspense
up the wazoo. Ho-hum execution.
--- jayembee (Jerry.B...@eds.com)
"You say that you want to go back to this place, Earth. A
place that you tell me has so much disease and suffering."
"Well, you guys don't have chocolate."
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Matches Malone
<en...@ucalgary.ca> said
>On Wed, 6 Dec 2000, Matches Malone wrote:
>
>TEC's regular penciller?
Yep. I like Land a lot, too. I think I liked him better on BoP
than NIGHTWING, though. I miss McDaniel on NIGHTWING.
>> >Favorite Batman story in 2000?
>What was TEC #742 about? Was Dark Victory as good as Long Halloween?
TEC 742 was the first post-NML issue, showing Gordon dealing with
his grief while investigating a cop-killing. IMO it worked out really
well.
IMO DV is not as good as TLH. But it's darn close.
Matches Malone
jaye...@my-deja.com said
>A close second might be Joe Kelly's ACTION COMICS #766, in
>which Batman helps the Kryptonite-poisoned Superman search
>for the missing Lois Lane.
I've gotta pick this one up. My first exposure to Kelly's writing
was the last part of "Emperor Joker", an issue which IMO salvaged an
otherwise mediocre storyline.
>Least favorites:
>
>Writer: Larry Hama. If extending it to the entire Batman
>Family, then Bronwyn Carlton steals the prize for her
>ghastly run on CATWOMAN.
Agreed, on both counts.
>Artist: Hmmm...nothing really stands out as being obviously
>the worst. Of the "regular" Bat-artists, though (and I may
>get slammed for this) I care less for Scott McDaniel's
>work than that of any other.
Staz Johnson. How could this guy's work look so good on DETECTIVE
a few years ago and so bad on CATWOMAN?
>Story: Any of the stories in the Talia/Shiva/Spoiler issue
>of THE BATMAN CHRONICLES. What a lot of potential, what a
>lot of wasted potential. Honorable mentions: OUTLAWS and
>HAUNTED GOTHAM.
GK #6 was pretty lame. So was BATMAN #578. If mini's count, "It's
Joker Time".
3.1415926535897932.....
jaye...@my-deja.com (you) wrote:
> Most disappointing (i.e. I really expected better):
>
> Artist: Rick Burchett. Don't get me wrong, I usually like this guy's
> work a lot, but his artwork in CRY FOR BLOOD just didn't quite do it
> for me.
You amaze me! Cry for Blood definitely comes high on my list of
favourite bat-projects this year, and in no small part due to Rick's
contribution. Particularly his depiction of Batman (human, yet
powerful) and The Question (just cool, although this was my first real
exposure to the character).
What about that page in, I think, issue #3 or #4, with Helena going
through a Tai-Chi kata in one panel, while Richard glides gently through
it for the rest of the double-page spread? FANTASTIC! :-)
> --- jayembee (Jerry.B...@eds.com)
What you say about everything else I can relate to. I'm a bit suprised
by Shawn Martinborough for favourite penciller though. The guy's good,
his art is solid and enjoyable, and works very well with the
colour-scheme. But him above Tim Sale, Scott McDaniel and Dale
Eaglesham (sp)? Really?
__
/\thagoras
--
... Is it time for your medication or mine?
Loren Di Iorio
: A close second might be Joe Kelly's ACTION COMICS #766, in
: which Batman helps the Kryptonite-poisoned Superman search
: for the missing Lois Lane.
I just scanned that one again today. Great stuff!
: Least favorites - Writer: Larry Hama.
He got better. :)
: Most disappointing (i.e. I really expected better):
: Writer: Doug Moench. I've never been quite as fond of his
: 90s Batman work as I was of his 80s Batman work. But simply
: for the aforementioned OUTLAWS and HAUNTED GOTHAM, he takes
: this prize this year.
The latest LotDK arc, written by Moench, has been "Terror"ific!
The second part came out this week, and as bad as Outlaws was,
Terror has been oppositely great.
: Story: "Hunt for Oracle". Great idea. Potentially, suspense
: up the wazoo. Ho-hum execution.
I'd say zero execution, myself... :)
jaye...@my-deja.com
> jaye...@my-deja.com (you) wrote:
>> Most disappointing (i.e. I really expected better):
>> Artist: Rick Burchett. Don't get me wrong, I usually
>> like this guy's work a lot, but his artwork in CRY
>> FOR BLOOD just didn't quite do it for me.
> You amaze me! Cry for Blood definitely comes high on
> my list of favourite bat-projects this year, and in
> no small part due to Rick's contribution. [...]
I can't quite put my finger on what didn't work for me.
I was excited by the prospect of Burchett drawing the
series -- I *loved* his run on BLACKHAWK (starting with
the stories in ACTION COMICS WEEKLY) -- but this just
didn't seem to zing. *shrug*
> What you say about everything else I can relate to.
> I'm a bit suprised by Shawn Martinborough for favourite
> penciller though. The guy's good, his art is solid and
> enjoyable, and works very well with the colour-scheme.
> But him above Tim Sale, Scott McDaniel and Dale
> Eaglesham (sp)? Really?
Really and truly. It does more to push the envelope of
what comic art can look like than the others. It has
more mood per line than just about any other mainstream
comic art I've seen this year. There's just the right
of Expressionist style in it.
Tim Sale is up there. As I said, he's in a very close
second place, with Martinbrough just edging him out.
Dale Eaglesham is also very, very good.
Scott McDaniel...as I said earlier, I just don't like
his work. It's too busy, too cluttered, too dizzying.
I think I can understand why people like it, especially
on NIGHTWING -- the "dizzying" part, especially, works
for that character -- but I often find it a chore to
get through a story that he's drawn.
Josh Dull
"Loren Di Iorio" <yu21...@yorku.ca> wrote
> The latest LotDK arc, written by Moench, has been "Terror"ific!
> The second part came out this week, and as bad as Outlaws was,
> Terror has been oppositely great.
>
But how can you go wrong with Hugo Strange?
That's the sole reason I bought part one this Thursday.
And I was very glad I did when I finished it. :)
Josh
sta...@my-deja.com
>
> >Least favorites:
> >
> >Writer: Larry Hama. If extending it to the entire Batman
> >Family, then Bronwyn Carlton steals the prize for her
> >ghastly run on CATWOMAN.
>
> Agreed, on both counts.
Same here. In fact it might be necessary to invent some new categories
for Bronwyn Carlton's Catwoman. Worst of the year doesn't cover it.
Worst possible maybe.
> >Artist: >
> Staz Johnson. How could this guy's work look so good on DETECTIVE
> a few years ago and so bad on CATWOMAN?
I've wondered about that too, his DETECTIVE run was that good.
Wondering if it could be tied to the previous award. Ms. Carlton's
material gave him so very much to live down to.
jaye...@my-deja.com
>>> Least favorites:
>>> Writer: Larry Hama. If extending it to the entire
>>> Batman Family, then Bronwyn Carlton steals the
>>> prize for her ghastly run on CATWOMAN.
>> Agreed, on both counts.
> Same here. In fact it might be necessary to invent some
> new categories for Bronwyn Carlton's Catwoman. Worst of
> the year doesn't cover it. Worst possible maybe.
The thing is...she's really not a bad writer. I thought
her BOOKS OF FAERIE minis were pretty good (even if not
exceptional). But she just seems to have no clue about
the character of Catwoman.
--- jayembee (Jerry.B...@eds.com)
"You say that you want to go back to this place, Earth. A
place that you tell me has so much disease and suffering."
"Well, you guys don't have chocolate."
sta...@my-deja.com
> Most disappointing (i.e. I really expected better):
>
> Writer: Doug Moench. I've never been quite as fond of his
> 90s Batman work as I was of his 80s Batman work.
Same here. Moench is a perfect illustration of the importance of an
editor: Under Len Wein: A+ material, you could stake your life on it.
Under Denny, anything from a B+ down to a D
Loren Di Iorio
: Loren wrote:
:
: > The latest LotDK arc, written by Moench, has been "Terror"ific!
: > The second part came out this week, and as bad as Outlaws was,
: > Terror has been oppositely great.
: But how can you go wrong with Hugo Strange?
Read the most recent GK arc, and you'll see; YMMV.
: That's the sole reason I bought part one this Thursday.
What about part two...? :)
: And I was very glad I did when I finished it. :)
Yes, part one was superb!
Matches Malone
sta...@my-deja.com said
>> >Artist: >
>> Staz Johnson. How could this guy's work look so good on DETECTIVE
>> a few years ago and so bad on CATWOMAN?
>
>I've wondered about that too, his DETECTIVE run was that good.
>Wondering if it could be tied to the previous award. Ms. Carlton's
>material gave him so very much to live down to.
Carlton and Johnson were mismatched on the book IMO. Carlton was
trying (unsuccessfully, but she was trying) to do edgier, creepy stuff
with Selina. But Johnson's artwork doesn't fit that mood at all; it's
the same pseudo-realistic-Image style that Balent used - it's just not
as good as Balent's. I'm at a loss to explain why they ran Balent off
the book just to replace him with someone who basically draws the same
way.
sta...@my-deja.com
> > Same here. In fact it might be necessary to invent some
> > new categories for Bronwyn Carlton's Catwoman. Worst of
> > the year doesn't cover it. Worst possible maybe.
>
> The thing is...she's really not a bad writer. I thought
> her BOOKS OF FAERIE minis were pretty good (even if not
> exceptional). But she just seems to have no clue about
> the character of Catwoman.
I had heard that, and you're right, sometimes the writer-character
chemistry just isn't there. Hell sometimes the artist-character
chemistry isn't there, as we'd just said almost the same thing about
Staz Johnson - Dynamite on 'Tec, and wholly uninspired on CW.
For my money, for writers, I'd like to see Devin Grayson have another
go without NML restrictions. Her initial forays in the title w/ Joker
& Scarecrow were some of the best the title has seen. It was only when
they did that whole Manhattan-Mayor thing that the bottom dropped out.
Josh Dull
I forgot about that. It could have been better but seemed to fall short.
> What about part two...? :)
Have to wait 'til next month.
Everything comes to this region a month after everyone else. :(
> Yes, part one was superb!
>
> ...Loren
Indeed it was. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this arc.
Josh
It's clearly Cam!
I'd disagree, I's say the whole Manhatten-Mayor thing was well done, I
nearly found myself in tears by the end of the last issue, and I don't
cry that easily. I enjoyed the whole, I've been pushed too far, and now
I'm going to push back ina big way idea to it, and the fact that we all
know pretty much every city official is corrupt, but Catwoman was
corrupt from the start . . .
Cam
Loren Di Iorio
: Loren wrote:
:
: > Read the most recent GK arc, and you'll see; YMMV.
:
: I forgot about that. It could have been better but seemed to fall short.
*Thank* you! I thought I was the only one who thought the same. I hope
to review part or all of the arc before long.
: > What about part two...? :)
:
: Have to wait 'til next month. Everything comes to this region a month
: after everyone else. :(
That bites the big banana. :I It's worth the wait, though.
sta...@my-deja.com
> sta...@my-deja.com wrote:
> > For my money, for writers, I'd like to see Devin Grayson have
another
> > go without NML restrictions. Her initial forays in the title w/
Joker
> > & Scarecrow were some of the best the title has seen. It was only
when
> > they did that whole Manhattan-Mayor thing that the bottom dropped
out.
"It's clearly Cam!" <cds...@york.ac.uk> wrote:
> I'd disagree, I's say the whole Manhatten-Mayor thing was well done, I
> nearly found myself in tears by the end of the last issue, and I don't
> cry that easily. I enjoyed the whole, I've been pushed too far, and
now
> I'm going to push back ina big way idea to it
Manhatten just wasn't my cup of tea compared to the earlier stuff,
since to my mind, she was forced into it when NML made it impossible
for her to write the kind of CW wanted. But it was still well-worth
the read. I've often said that I'd prefer Devin on her worst day to
some of these clowns on their best.