tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post1431567816516311127..comments2023-09-05T09:06:09.136-05:00Comments on Atop the Fourth Wall: Rise of Arsenal #3 and 4Lewis Lovhaughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06724769374732321363noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-36815429478207529102012-01-27T22:37:10.074-06:002012-01-27T22:37:10.074-06:00That was one of my favorite "Previously on&qu...That was one of my favorite "Previously on" segments. I actually really enjoy watching them, if only because of how ridiculous they are. And yes, it would have made for a more far more interesting story than this trashy character derailment.<br /><br />I was actually kind of expecting a comparison between Zombie Ghost Skeleton Lian and Christabella, if only because it's a smart-mouth girl that is really just annoying, and Lian's case, more salt in the wound. It's a real shame that the reboot didn't bring Lian back.Phantom Roxasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-67236072694809440852011-09-12T12:55:22.631-05:002011-09-12T12:55:22.631-05:00Nice to see this country's still stuck in the ...Nice to see this country's still stuck in the 1940s when it comes to actual drug awareness. A book that completely fabricates side-effects, and in fact shows them as much MORE harmful, is given an award for accuracy.<br />I guess it's a good thing it wasn't the demon weed marihuana, or we might've seen Roy go completely insane and murder all those bums after JUST ONE PUFF! If only he'd just had a healthful cigarette or gotten blackout drunk at one of the many completely legal bars in Star City.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-46870815369342378622011-08-27T09:44:43.263-05:002011-08-27T09:44:43.263-05:00Alright, I'll agree this thing stinks BADLY, b...Alright, I'll agree this thing stinks BADLY, but some things did make sense. Yes, if they wanted him to bacome a dark antihero or become a villain or something they could have Lian alive to do it, but it would be easier with her dead. (if that's what they had planned.) <br /><br />Also, the zombie-ghost makes sense to me. Personally, by the end I think the grief, stress, and pain were taking their toll and he simply went through some kind of pschotic break. The fact that she looked and acted the way she did would be more painful to him than her being her normal self because he blames himself for her death to some extent I'm sure. Plus, its his freaking daughter telling him he failed her as a father, that hurts period. <br /><br />Yes the miniseries stunk, but mixed in with the sheer stupidity are small kernels of good plot points (VERY small) which could have been used to make a much better and believable comic in which we watch a once good character slowly lose his sanity and identity, becoming something we both hate and pity. Well, it could have been that, had it been done right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-50454323507977696832011-08-11T00:50:28.017-05:002011-08-11T00:50:28.017-05:00My problem with zombie!Lian is this...it's not...My problem with zombie!Lian is this...it's not consistently drawn...they later reveal on her 'tombstone' that she was 5 (sorry? and she's in elementary with him moving her every 6 months from city to city?!), but she's either drawn as a tiny child or at least 9 or 10, and speaking like a 12 or 13 year old. Huh? Also, when he burns down his house that she was mysteriously killed in (that's in the part tastefully not shown), she's miraculously whole and decidedly NOT ghostly as she's screaming at him in the flames as he walks away from the house that has to have the longest driveway in the history of suburbia...there is a SIDEWALK somewhere by his house. I distinctly remember seeing in JT Krul's excellent one shot story with Roy and Lian in pre-wtfbbq Titans.<br /><br />Also, no mentioned WHATSOEVER, Linkara, of Mia haring off & everyone defends her to Roy when he blames her for Lian's death? I was rather disappointed in you missing that point. If anyone else left a child under the age of 10 alone in a house in a city under threat of being blown to smithereens, that person in the costumed community would have been ripped to pieces and never trusted again.<br /><br />BTW, I so linked these two reviews on my fan website for the Roy Harper character. I wait, in vain, for the day when Roy's character becomes a hero again. I don't mind him being an anti-hero a la Catwoman but the current tragedy and upcoming questionable occupation in the reboot has me running, screaming for the hills to hide in a bunker until sanity returns.<br /><br />Anyone have any non-expiring ration packs? I'm gonna need 'em..<br /><br />Wolfie @ <a href="http://www.roytoys.org" rel="nofollow">RoyToys-The Unofficial Roy Harper Fan Site</a>Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04975206543118398624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-43858076752392508272011-08-08T00:34:14.477-05:002011-08-08T00:34:14.477-05:00You know this version of Arsenal actually has some...You know this version of Arsenal actually has some potential.<br /><br />Can you imagine a team up between him and Red Hood?<br /><br />Or even him talking to his dead zombie daughter and ghost dealer while fighting Joker or somebody.<br /><br />Lots of future laughs here. <br />Or even decent storylines if you can get a good writer.<br /><br />Though really; considering his obvious mental distress it seems odd the JLA didn't set up a permament watch to make sure he didn't hurt himself or others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-45850099105573242082011-07-24T03:50:01.319-05:002011-07-24T03:50:01.319-05:00To get more scientific on the hallucinations front...To get more scientific on the hallucinations front, It most likely wasn't because of the drugs that he was hallucinating, otherwise the good doctor there wouldn't have been bothering him until AFTER he got on the drugs again.<br /><br />It seems (through a quick wikipedia search) Extreme stress and psychological trauma can cause psychosis, which can have the symptom of hallucinations, and I imagine physical trauma can attribute to that as well. Add in the drugs, and it just allows your brain to run more free with an augmented reality overall, whether or not it's a stimulant rather than a depressant.<br /><br />Do yeah, the Dealer and the girl were probably both just bits of his subconscious.<br /><br />Short version: Arsenal wasn't a dick, he was just CRAZY.Tim Malearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14870326684173742844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-45343853019932621732011-07-21T01:31:31.331-05:002011-07-21T01:31:31.331-05:00Loved the previously on segment, featuring Diamand...Loved the previously on segment, featuring Diamanda, Oancitizen, That Sci Fi Guy, and Jesu Otaku. I'll tell you all these stories behind these scenes can make better stories than crap like Cry for Justice and Rise of Arsenal.<br /><br />I especially loved the beat-down against this hated series. They call this the worst comic ever written, especially after the dead cat image. Me, I still think Warrior is the worst comic ever written, but I will say this: this should have been better. This isn't a rise from the ashes story; it's more like the transformation of a hero into a psychopath maniac with the worst parts of the Punisher and Rorschach. It's the worst parts of the 90s all over again, and frankly, I'm surprised that 90s Kid didn't show up for this.<br /><br />I once predicted that they would do a storyline where the superhero community would launch a massive manhunt for Arsenal. However, with the upcoming relaunch for the DCU following Flashpoint, I don't think we will see this happen.<br /><br />However, I don't have to remind you that he's part of Deathstroke's Titans Villains for Hire (you should do the run sometime, starting with the prologue issue). If the current storyline, the Methuselah Imperative, is any indication, Arsenal will double-cross Deathstroke and his goons, maybe kill Cheshire in the process.<br /><br />A lot of people are expecting Cry for Justice and Rise of Arsenal to be removed after Flashpoint. I, on the other hand, am not holding my breath. I think they'll keep those two series in canon. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the heroes throw Harper into prison for life for all the murders he's committed, and Harper will spend his time killing off lifers and death row inmates.<br /><br />Even if through some miracle they bring Lian back, it still wouldn't make things OK, because Lian would have to live with the fact that her father has essentially become a murderer, one of the very people he once fought.Mingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-45403683080865063812011-07-20T17:48:07.593-05:002011-07-20T17:48:07.593-05:00That Miller article is interesting. Maybe I will r...That Miller article is interesting. Maybe I will read ASBAR...but only if they have it at the library.Volvagianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-49768780709555349562011-07-19T16:50:31.780-05:002011-07-19T16:50:31.780-05:00I wanna say that Lian was supposed to be in Mia...I wanna say that Lian was supposed to be in Mia's apartment in the city when she died, not at Roy's house. That's why he was pissed at Mia, she was supposed to be looking out for her at her apartment when the disaster struck, leaving Lian alone when the building collapsed. Or something like that..Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18153366186844574143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-11425536341784792882011-07-19T16:14:45.549-05:002011-07-19T16:14:45.549-05:00Linkara,
This admittedly has nothing to do with t...Linkara,<br /><br />This admittedly has nothing to do with the video, however, I'd like you to read this series of articles on frank Miller's Batman. I'm sure you'll find them to be a well written counterpoint to your own Millertime videos.<br /><br />http://www.4thletter.net/category/4thletter-exclusives/frank-miller-owns-batman/<br /><br />I'd also urge your readers to read through them too. This is why I'm posting them on the newest video, and not through private email.<br /><br />If you do read them, thank you.ShogunAssasinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-43570849644312890502011-07-19T14:08:37.753-05:002011-07-19T14:08:37.753-05:00My god... the stuff I have to sit through just to ...My god... the stuff I have to sit through just to get to the review. Painful... just painful...Enigma_2099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-37301688518475053262011-07-19T12:04:18.357-05:002011-07-19T12:04:18.357-05:00I have to agree with Terrorblades: the 4 minute in...I have to agree with Terrorblades: the 4 minute intro wasn't needed. Sure, you've done it before, but that no defense.<br /><br />It's not that it wasn't funny...at first. But making it 4 minutes long just made it drag and drag. I honestly skipped right past it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-55401871143024829372011-07-19T11:24:08.720-05:002011-07-19T11:24:08.720-05:00I have to say that I loved the "Random Plot t...I have to say that I loved the "Random Plot twist" opening, that was a work of art to fit them all in.Kelvarinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-18761433544366418032011-07-19T09:52:20.817-05:002011-07-19T09:52:20.817-05:00http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Chi...http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=China%20Catboooratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10590994147343396522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-2100642210540716712011-07-19T08:54:21.221-05:002011-07-19T08:54:21.221-05:00"I have to say great review liked it allot......"I have to say great review liked it allot... I did on the other hand hate the 4 minuet intro of people i don't know or care about! Watching that almost made my close the video and stop watching... but i knew that if there is something like this... the episode better be worth it... it was but still hated waiting with all these people with all that crap... Ugh please no more of that..."<br /><br />You do realize that this is the fifth time I've done a Previously On segment, right? XDLewis Lovhaughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724769374732321363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-50425788189314290572011-07-19T08:48:28.917-05:002011-07-19T08:48:28.917-05:00I have to say great review liked it allot... I did...I have to say great review liked it allot... I did on the other hand hate the 4 minuet intro of people i don't know or care about! Watching that almost made my close the video and stop watching... but i knew that if there is something like this... the episode better be worth it... it was but still hated waiting with all these people with all that crap... Ugh please no more of that...Terrorbladeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02984447927110374557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-63403038589026962011-07-19T07:37:54.645-05:002011-07-19T07:37:54.645-05:00It’s a shame, I actually like Roy's character ...It’s a shame, I actually like Roy's character arc (learned about through your videos I haven't read any titans stuff) learning about his relationship with his daughter and the struggle of juggling two lives seems like something that other companies as well as DC should be exploring.<br /><br />To be honest during the reboot, i hope they try this story again (not with Roy another character, maybe black canary) and do it right. <br /><br />There's glimmers of good writing in here and sparks of the real emotions churning around in Roy's head, as you said some of his outbursts are understandable he lost his only daughter after all. The rest of the comic ruins it though, I would much rather have seen Roy retire for a bit and focus on the psychological aspect of his pain for four issues before he accepts what happened and comes back triumphant.<br /><br />Still wishful thinking.<br /><br />Nice reviewGuitarZero183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-90155332380340499532011-07-19T06:20:39.456-05:002011-07-19T06:20:39.456-05:00I guess the zombie part is guilt over her death or...I guess the zombie part is guilt over her death or something?<br />But what the heck did the Electrocutioner have to do with her death?<br />Revenge? For what? Wasn't that all Prometheus?<br />And he burns his house? What?<br />I just... words fail.<br />Also, nice lecture on other people being addicted to power and control when you're using beating them up in order to satisfy your sexual frustrations... because that never got resolved.shikome kido mihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11081507123236685452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-40903898665424178192011-07-19T04:33:35.305-05:002011-07-19T04:33:35.305-05:00Brilliant 'Previously On' segment. I laugh...Brilliant 'Previously On' segment. I laughed all the way through it.<br /><br />After the first part of the review I almost thought that this was going to turn into some kind of PSA. Now I almost wish it did. 'Zombie Ghost Lian'? What the Hell? I can believe that his behaviour would be erratic, and that maybe he'd fall into drugs or something like that after the death of his daugther, but they handled it so completely... strangely... that it's difficult to take a single page of the comic seriously enough for it to get whatever message it was trying to say across.<br /><br />Also, they left Roy Harper, a Superhero, in a drug rehab clinic for Villains? Do they want him to get killed or what?Sharilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-68843152033872243972011-07-19T04:00:18.234-05:002011-07-19T04:00:18.234-05:00Not saying the way he lost Lian or his arm was rig...Not saying the way he lost Lian or his arm was right or even that this story is good, just if someone did put in this type of position(Say Lian is given to the state until she's 18 due to Roy's super hero life cutting in to his responsibilities as a father.) again I'd like to see someone tell the story of him back on drugs and cracking and falling further and further basically not being trusted by his fellow Titans even but still at the end saving peoples lives and doing what he feels right.Wishes to remain Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06270499653765780425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-63528970702218371562011-07-19T03:20:31.265-05:002011-07-19T03:20:31.265-05:00Some Trades have the main big issue cover as a cov...Some Trades have the main big issue cover as a cover...just saying anyway Lewis you need to take a break, do another origins month and this time don't cut off the damn JL theme half way through! just let it fade out....<br /><br />NOW! the review was meh as you basically said a man losing his arm and child in a 24 hour period was something he shouldn't whine about. Also, the hallucinations could be the result of his fragile mental state as we saw through this comic he's kinda stuck the rage state of grief and him seeing Lian's could be his way of bargaining. The point is not everyone deals with this the same. <br /><br />Also this brings up a point not pushed much in DC the fact that some heroes can't deal with personal life pressure and don't triumphantly recover but fall further to the point no one recognizes them. Roy isn't correctly thinking period, he fell hard and fell fast, he's acting irrational and opinionated but , that's him being a human being. <br /><br />I'd actually like to see that explored more then him being happy single dad or the recovered druggie since they put him in a position where he has lost so much.Wishes to remain Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06270499653765780425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-16348863580539791842011-07-19T03:17:06.086-05:002011-07-19T03:17:06.086-05:00To my understanding, 'China Cat' might act...To my understanding, 'China Cat' might actually be a name for heroin (albeit not a common one).<br /><br />As for Zombie!Lian I'm guessing it's supposed to be his own guilt. Of course I'm a bit bored with writers relying on hallucinations of things like dead family to convey an emotion. A few well written words can convey more than a tired cliche ever could.Gyrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11139372297929361578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-69048170165193863042011-07-19T02:57:24.986-05:002011-07-19T02:57:24.986-05:00Yes, this is definitely the best "Previously ...Yes, this is definitely the best "Previously On..." segment you've had yet. I especially like that you featured some of the newer* (and consequently less well known) reviewers.<br /><br />I'm reasonably certain that this series is going to be undone by the revamp, but I honestly have no idea where Roy (or the rest of that set of Titans!) will be at as a character afterwards. Apparently the heroic age of DC 3.0 will be five years old. I look forward to the inevitable "Who Is Donna Troy?" story. Who knows? Maybe the answer will stick this time!<br /><br />*-- I know Suede's not exactly new, but he was only on the site for a few months before he left, and he only came back with SK, so I feel that counts.libraryguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041828383577194830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-78650202086650276672011-07-19T01:18:21.235-05:002011-07-19T01:18:21.235-05:00I missed the non-relevant ‘Previously On’s. Glad t...I missed the non-relevant ‘Previously On’s. Glad to see them back. ^^ <br /><br />Wow, this just… wow. Starting with serious drama and character development and ending with zombies ghosts is just… so very sad in how terrible a writing move that is- can it even be called a move? Like, it’s such a far stretch, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be surprised if they were just throwing darts at a dartboard to get their ideas (though, now that I think about it, Paw seems to be doing fine with that method for Music Movies, so that means their process was <i>even worse</i>, if that’s even possible). I just… I don’t even know what to say in response to the idea. Writers, you go back to your rooms until you learn to how write better.<br /><br />And yes, I shall kick all my friends in the head to make sure they don’t take a wrong path with drugs. Thank you, Linkara! Your lesson shall surely save many a children from suffering.Wave Makernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-78315548967070259082011-07-19T00:42:44.759-05:002011-07-19T00:42:44.759-05:00"When you read from the trades, why DON'T..."When you read from the trades, why DON'T you look at the covers? I get that they aren't as important for trades since they are meant to grab your attention and make you want to buy the book, and that the trade will have its OWN cover for that, but since individual issues did have their own cover at one point, it just feels weird to me that you don't comment on them like you do in other reviews."<br /><br />You pretty much nailed it on the head why I don't do it for the trades. XD They may have had their own covers at one point, but since the version that I'm reading from comes from the trade, I just don't see any need to evaluate covers that aren't there.Lewis Lovhaughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724769374732321363noreply@blogger.com