Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Son of AT4W Live!



What did Linkara review at MAGFest 2013? ‎

64 comments:

LucasChad said...

The ending of the comic makes Optimus' death in Revenge of the Fallen more reasonable by comparison!

Taylor said...

Call me crazy, but I actually can buy Optimus reason here. Sure, we can call it dumb since NPCs aren't real, but remember that Optimus is a robot. HE is a collection of 1s and 0s, so who's he to say what is or isn't a "real" innocent.

Call it stodgy absolutism or Lawful Stupid, but really, that's the point: He refuses to bend his principles, even faced with a situation where it's obvious to do so. That begins the slippery slope, wherein before long you're making other exceptions.

That's daring, and I think good moral message. You can't take shortcuts or rationalizations, you have to be responsible for what you do and hold yourself to your principles or they don't mean anything.

PopCultureOtaku said...

I was there and asked Jaws/Marvelle question at the end. It was fun and thanks for doing these as always. What was funny and said this autograph session after I worse Optimus Prime t-shirt that day. Didn't know what you be reviewing but everyone like TMNT t-shirt from the day before.
To the comic. I was groaning the moment I saw the cover. I knew what was coming. Being a G1 fan I can tell you this wasn't a favorite issue of mine or the fact that lead to grimlock being leader.

Alex Stritar said...

Man, who know Optimus Prime was so into role playing. I mean, he stayed completely in character the whole time with no meta gaming. That takes conviction.

Anonymous said...

What exactly WAS the Doctor Who panel at Magfest, and are you going to publish that?

ShadowWing Tronix said...

I want to agree with Taylor but even if Prime thinks that way, he didn't cheat, unless the artist forgot to show there were little guys in the pipes. And why didn't Ethan realize Megatron used the "Afterdeath" cheat. The Hydrothermocline isn't exactly big news so they must have had somebody spy on the place. And he could have told the Autobots after the Cons left that he had the back-up.

Of course the real reason, like the following issue, is the same reason Optimus and Megatron died in the movie: Hasbro didn't think they're toys were going to sell anymore and wanted to bring in new leaders. And the Decepticons got Shockwave out of the deal in the comics while the Autobots had Grimlock. (It should be noted that comic Grimlock was actually smart, unlike his cartoon counterpart, but in some ways thought like a Decepticon. Not a good time for the Autobots)

I'm thinking Budiansky realized that killing off the franchise's #1 icon was a bad idea and prepared for the day Hasbro wised up..although it took until the Powermasters subline and the smarter cartoon people to bring him back.

Unknown said...

Okay did check the other comments and as of now, this hasn't been asked yet, but was the comic being overly blue just from the projector? Or was it an astetic(sp) thing in the comic?

So, what are his bosses going to think of the tech who let the energy device be stolen because Megatron hacked the video game?

Are you going to have time in the near future to do a Q&A request/Vlog response on the website at all? It'll be years before I make it to MAGfest or anything like that.

Also, when you're caught up with storyline and have had a break from it, think it would be groovy to have a top 10 (or even 5) of favorite 90s Kid jokes.

Jeff Jacobson said...

Galvatron tried to choke Hot Rod to death in Transformers: The Movie, and there is at least one episode where smoke causes some Transformers to cough. So either they breathe or the writers keep forgetting that they're robots.

Jeff Jacobson said...

As a follow up to my last comment, there's a lot more of that kind of thing listed on TFWiki's Humanization article.

Anonymous said...

I can see Optimus' point, to some extent. For instance, when I used to play Civilization 2, I tried to be the best ruler that I could be. Some people would sell off all their buildings just before the end of the game (to earn extra points from the big cash reserve), but I didn't do it because it would be disastrous for the citizens in the longer term. That said, if I was personally in danger of death then I'd be willing to sacrifice the unreal characters.

Anonymous said...

A while back, Sluggy Freelance did a "Worlds of Warcraft" parody called "Years of Yarncraft". This strip and the 3 following ones are quite relevant. If you know that fictional puppies are being drowned, would you try to save them? And if it doesn't matter because they're not real then why bother playing the game at all? Again, it's a bit different for the Transformers because they had stakes outside the game, but in general I think it's reasonable to carry real-world ethics into a computer game.

JB said...

So, basically, Optimus kills himself because he let Lemmings die ?
On the cover, it was really the first prototype of a dual analog stick. It didn't catch on.

Joshua Ford said...

Hmm so you're not liking Death of the Family? I really like it so far, personally I think the main storyline has been pretty good, with a rather high stakes situation and Joker at his most monstrous. But I will say that after Alfred's abduction, very little has actually happened. And in all fairness the tie-in books are ranging from good (Batgirl, Batman and Robin) to HORRIBLE! (Red Hood, Teen Titans, Suicide Squad).

Mitchell Martinez said...

"THAT'S NOT WHAT CHEATING IS, YOU STUPID TRUCK!" so simple, and so beautifully hillarious. That was your best joke in this live show :)

I hope you'll get invited to the next Power Morphicon. It was so awesome having you there in 2010.

DJ1107 said...

I generally find myself a Marvel fan so I have read most of the Marvel NOW! titles if your interested here's a list of what I think of the titles as well as recommendation (Don't worry I won't recommend Superior Spider-man)
A+X: meh decent mini-series
Red She-Hulk: it's ok
Captain Marvel: Great
Hawkeye: Great bro.
W&TXM: Damn fun & good. Only downside is the Hellfire brats.
Iron man: Depressingly the worst one. More or less because of Greg Land
Thor: Metal.
Captain America: pretty good so far.
Daredevil: Fantastic
Fantastic Four: Not as great as Hickmans run but still good
FF: Pretty good
Avengers Assemble: Major improvement.
All New X-men: really good
Uncanny Avengers: meh
Avengers: Godly
New Avengers: Great
Avengers Arena: Not as terrible when first announced but it's either a like it or hate it.
Indestructible Hulk: So far really good
Thunderbolts: meh
Deadpool: Buy it.
Cable & X-Force: Good enough
Morbius: meh
JitM: Good

Ming said...

DUMB! THIS IS DUMB! You can't be serious! Optimus Prime kills himself over a video game? This has got to be the dumbest Transformers idea ever thought of. Not even those bad movies from Michael Bey (especially Revenge of the Fallen) could hope to compete with the stupidity of this comic!

Shanethefilmmaker said...

Great Review. I am starting to like the live shows. Going off topic I just realized your name has a good meaning combo. Lewis Means Fame and War. In your case you're famous for your reviews and most of your storylines involve wars. Lovhaug means Leaf Hill. Put them together and it means "Famous Warrior on a Leaf Hill." And that sounds pretty badass.

Will said...

Well it seems the transformer comic predicted Steel Battalion http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Steel_Battalion_controllers.jpg

Anonymous said...

Saw the Live show at MAGfest and thought it was brilliant! Definitely one of my most favorite of your Live shows. Indeed, it was a weird comic.

Just one thing I wanted to ask: why do you rush to get the new AT4W episode done to show at your Live show? I saw on Twitter how rushed you seemed to write and film the new Kamandi episode as well as writing the Live show and working on your crossovers. Yes, it was fun to watch it a couple of days early at MAGfest but I really don't think it's necessary, especially when that means the Q&A is cut short. Personally, I'd rather have more time to hear you answer questions. Why not save yourself a little time, not have to rush the new episodes for a convention, and give more time for Q&A (especially when you only get an hour at MAGfest)? Just a thought...

Lewis Lovhaug said...

"Just one thing I wanted to ask: why do you rush to get the new AT4W episode done to show at your Live show? I saw on Twitter how rushed you seemed to write and film the new Kamandi episode as well as writing the Live show and working on your crossovers. Yes, it was fun to watch it a couple of days early at MAGfest but I really don't think it's necessary, especially when that means the Q&A is cut short. Personally, I'd rather have more time to hear you answer questions. Why not save yourself a little time, not have to rush the new episodes for a convention, and give more time for Q&A (especially when you only get an hour at MAGfest)? Just a thought..."

It's less for having it ready at MAGFest and more having it ready for the Monday. The show has a specific deadline that I do not waver from lest I allow my own laziness to take over. And since I rely on the income from episodes to, you know, live, I need to stick to the schedle. XD

As such, yeah, it's less that I want to have it at MAGFest and more that I need it ready before I come back.

kevmon1116 said...

It's not that Optimus thinks they're real, it's that he doesn't want to compromise his principles. He wants to prove that he could defeat Megatron without unnecessary loss of life, and he failed. It was a rule he created for himself based on the Autobot code of honor. Even if it's a simulation, he wouldn't sacrifice his principles to win. I'm not saying it's smart, but it's not that black and white either. Anyway, if you think about it, computerized AIs are probably more real to Prime than we are.

Gabriel Godinho said...

You know, considering how dumb Optimus was portrayed in this comic, I'm not surprised that his mind could fit in a diskette.

Wishes to remain Unknown said...

I wonder when you're going to run out of classic genre film modifiers for live shows. (I'm waiting for AT4W's Daughter as reference to the kinda wasted concept of the film Dracula's Daughter)

PontifexPrimus said...

While I can agree with the people who say that you should act as if the simulation you're put into is real, it really makes me wonder about what Optimus Prime must think: "So, you humans don't want us to fight in this world, where humans and human machinery could get damaged. I can understand that. So... you create a new world, filled with innocent bystanders, for us to fight in? With beasts and obstacles that are specifically designed to hurt our form in that world? Just so your world remains unharmed?"
That puts us humans on the same level as those god-like Star Trek villains that were so popular in TOS, doesn't it?

Mystic Mouse said...

i love these live shows

Frosty said...

"Son" of AT4W Live?
This doesn't have anything to do with Harvey, does it? :)

Also - you know you have watched too much AT4W when you haven't read a single Transformers comic ever, and still knew where this one was going from page 1... (and also were expecting the exact same answer for the "favourite character" question). :D

cosmicstallion said...

Wow you'd think that optimus prime's first comic book death would be in a story that emotional weight but it didn't Apart from that I like the Live Shows always makes me wonder why no Australian Conventions like Supernova or Armageddon don't invite you "Atop The 4th Wall Down Under" A man can dream

Jason Duerolo lol said...

Hey linkara I am a huge fan i play wow so you videos help some of the monotony, I have one question when did these comics come out the art stly doesnt seem like any ive seen on the past, and the talk of death multiple time ( did those car transformers trapped in the vines when they got shot?).
Also You aren't only reading a comic book about some on playing a video game you are reading a comic about some one WATCHING some on play a video game =) ( i know you approve comment please answer if you have the time i know you are busy )

DERU said...

nI just commented but this is you're most recent vid so ill do it here, have you seem the alt covers for marville? there's ones with giant gundam-esque robits

Anonymous said...

"It's less for having it ready at MAGFest and more having it ready for the Monday. The show has a specific deadline that I do not waver from lest I allow my own laziness to take over. And since I rely on the income from episodes to, you know, live, I need to stick to the schedle. XD

As such, yeah, it's less that I want to have it at MAGFest and more that I need it ready before I come back."

That makes sense... though couldn't you skip an official AT4W episode, post the Live show the Monday following a convention, and use that revenue, giving yourself a week's break? Though I guess the Live show is bonus revenue for you. I just know it's no fun to be already sleep deprived and stressed prior to a convention. But I shall leave it to you; you are the expert and you know what you can and can't handle. Good luck to you, Lewis!

Lewis Lovhaug said...

"That makes sense... though couldn't you skip an official AT4W episode, post the Live show the Monday following a convention, and use that revenue, giving yourself a week's break? Though I guess the Live show is bonus revenue for you. I just know it's no fun to be already sleep deprived and stressed prior to a convention. But I shall leave it to you; you are the expert and you know what you can and can't handle. Good luck to you, Lewis!"

It works better as a back-up in case something happens, like when the Entity storyline concluded and I didn't have the time or strength to write an episode before I left, but the following week I did a double-feature, instead.

The sad fact is that the live shows don't bring in as many views as a regular episode does (probably about half the normal amount). And most of the time that's fine since it's an extra video, but otherwise that's why it really can't take the place of a normal episode.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to go so badly :(, oh well maybe some other year

Tegan Dumpleton said...

This cheered me up tonight XD I read the book when I was really young, and i love it for it's nostalgia and absolute stupid! I ended up laughing my head off at all the reactions from the poor unknowing crowd.

Anonymous said...

actually, stream of videogames are actually quite entertaining. especially with chat.

murderouscow said...

Love the live shows. Can't wait to attend one some day! Also just FYI the last s in chassis is silent.

Marc said...

@DJ1107 (Re: Marvel NOW recommendations)

I'm only following a select few titles, and I'd like to also offer my thoughts on such:

- Captain Marvel: By far my favorite new title of the past year or so, and with good reason. The writing is just impressing me very much.

- Jonathan Hickman's Avengers: It's got a great cinematic feel to it, and not just because the main Movie Six figure heavily into it.

- Captain America: It's definitely not the espionage thriller that's been at the core of Cap stories for the past few years or so, but this new direction is actually pretty good.

Avengers Assemble: It's fun as hell. (Being written by the same lady who writes Captain Marvel, Kelly Sue DeConnick, it's certainly no surprise.)

murderouscow said...

And that's what i get for commenting before the video is over... IGNORE THAT PREVIOUS COMMENT! Except for the praise, don't ignore that!

Anonymous said...

You know, I'm less concerned with Optimus Prime's decision making skills than I am with the writer's. "Hmm, so we're going to kill Optimus Prime. I want this event to have some sort of emotional weight. Should I have him sacrifice himself to save millions in a final desperate confrontation with Megatron? Take the place of an Autobot doomed to die? No, wait! I've got it! We'll have him commit suicide because he feels bad about accidentally killing NPCs in a video game! And for extra drama, we'll make the whole thing look like a filler episode until the ending! Now THERE'S a great story!"

I mean, wow. Forget Optimus's crazy reasoning, the real reason this comic sucks is because it killed off a major character in such an anticlimactic way. A main character's death in these types of comics or cartoons generally just annoys me since I know they'll most likely bring them back (They're not even trying to hide it with this story, are they?), but if you are going to kill a main character, at least make it an event instead of an afterthought. (Perhaps they thought to make it a shocking twist. Well, it certainly was shocking, but not in a good way.)I'm not even a Transformers fan, and I still think this probably ranks as one of the lamest character deaths ever.

Ellipsis Flood said...

Good show, and a funny audience too. I loved all the gaming references, both by you and them.

Also, as soon as the floppy disk was brought up, I knew it was that comic.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I do agree with you about Night of Owls being a better event than the Death of the Family, however I will also say that DotF has the better tie-ins
While I did love the tie-ins to NotO, they were mostly just the characters showing off their fighting skills in the face of a seemingly unstoppable enemy (the only exceptions being the Batgirl tie in for giving in interesting back-story to her Talon, and Red Hood, thanks to the fact that Jason was the only one to show compassion for his opponent)
The DotF tie-ins actually bring the character's pasts, and personalities into the mix, having them struggle mentally and emotionally, more than physically.
The Detective Comics tie-in seems to be the weakest so far, with the whole event being seemingly only an afterthought to the Penguin story-line (not following Decective Comics my self). The Catwoman one started off good, but then just ended abruptly. The Teen Titans tie-in is kinda weird, but it's at least interesting seeing the Joker use his ingenuity when facing someone who's clearly out of his league.
The other issues were awesome however. Enjoyed Batgirl, Suicide Squad, and Red Hood the most so far, mostly to just how personal you feel it is. If there's someone who seriously has a bone to pick with the joker, it's definitely Barbara, Jason, and Harley.

As far as Marvel recommendations go, you should give Deadpool (which you are probably already reading anyway), Thunderbolts, and Morbius a try.
So far the most engaging ongoings Marvel has to offer.

Also, the new Adventure Time spin-off "Fiona and Cake" by Boom is up to a great start, and IDW's MLP ongoing continues being awesome

C-Puff said...

Aww, I wish I could attend MAGfest and get a cybermen plushie D': South Africa is a little far though.

And yay! I've been waiting to hear about this comic ever since you mentioned it many years ago! and I'm excited for more Marville, having actually read a summary of the entire thing. I wanna hear your spin on it.

I'm happy to hear you like doing 90s kid, because he's my favourite of the sidekick characters XD he's not the deepest character, but he always makes me laugh regardless of what he says. It's VERY hard to be aware that it's you playing him, which is pretty awesome.

And don't worry Optimus. I can't even be mean to NPCs in games... even when I'm SUPPOSE to. (Full Paragon over here). ...but you don't gotta KILL yourself dude. Seriously. Maybe you should switch to playing Farmville or something instead if you're that hung up about it.

Frosty said...

"I'm happy to hear you like doing 90s kid, because he's my favourite of the sidekick characters XD he's not the deepest character, but he always makes me laugh regardless of what he says. It's VERY hard to be aware that it's you playing him, which is pretty awesome."

I agree. Though it is also the easiest for him to differ with the altered voice AND the most covered up face. :)

By the way, it still amazes me how so many voices can come out of the same guy. That's very impressive!

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not, a lot of the Marvel Now stuff is actually incredibly well handled. Thunderbolts is the obvious stinker though. Avengers Arena is also a flip flopper where they handle the characters well that you care for them, but it's still murdering them. I hate it personally for who they kill. I also think the Spider-Man twist is cool.

But a lot of the other stuff is pretty well done.

In fact, I really recommend Young Avengers in 2 weeks as it's Kieron Gillen, who is THE MAN.

Preview in fact. I bet you these 4 pages will win you over.
http://liquidoctopus.tumblr.com/post/40203822205/young-avengers-1-preview

The other underdog title people want to do well is Fearless Defenders. It's a book that's assembling a 9 member all female team. It's not so much focused on making it a female niche but instead intends to use female characters that don't get the spotlight and bringing them to the spotlight.
And the premise isn't forced either. Valkyrie of Asgard has to find 8 mortals to asend to the rank of Valkyries, but she has waited too long and is now scrambling to get them together. So far only 3 have been assembled. The book promises to build the team slowly before they grow to their full size.

Not to mention awesome covers.
http://graphicpolicy.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/the-fearless-defenders-2.jpg

http://www.comicsblend.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/FearlessDefenders_3_Cover.jpg

That comes out next month too. I would recommend those two books of Marvel NOW most definately.

TimeTravelerJessica said...

I tried very, very hard to like Scott Snyder since everyone else does ... but I honestly just ... don't. The Court of Owls storyline just ... tried my patience. I see a lot of good elements in his writing and I feel like I should like it more, but certain aspects of his writing (his science is bad even by comic book standards) bug the heck out of me, and in the end it sort of balances out to where I feel "meh" about it.

But anyways, speaking of "Keep it classy, Marvel," I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the handling of Mockingbird's rape by Phantom Rider? Personally I thought it was a pretty shameless excuse to add drama to "the Hawkeye x Mockingbird soap opera" but maybe I'm being too harsh.

Anonymous said...

"But anyways, speaking of "Keep it classy, Marvel," I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the handling of Mockingbird's rape by Phantom Rider? Personally I thought it was a pretty shameless excuse to add drama to "the Hawkeye x Mockingbird soap opera" but maybe I'm being too harsh."

BTW, that was in the 80's/90's.

Just saying before anyway thinks they did another rape so soon.

Ozaline said...

I think the choke mechanism probably inhibits the flow of of Energon/Energy to the positronic net (or whatever the Transformer's equivalent is to Data's brain)... It's also possible that like Data they breath as part of their cooling system. (Obviously in a vacuum they don't do this).

Anonymous said...

Hey Linkara I have a name you can use for AT4W live show. "The father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate of Atop The 4th Wall LIVE!"

... Oh, also make sure you review a space comic when you do it.

-M4A

Anonymous said...

Hey man, I have a question. It's not about this video per say, it's about your whole AT4W series in general. But since you have comment moderation on, I'm guessing you'll see and respond to it, so I just figured I'd post this on your latest video. Sorry in advance if this is in the wrong place:

Okay, so. I've been watching AT4W for some time. I really like your reviewing style. But you just have so many episodes, so I decide to only watch the episodes about comics that are related to the franchises that I like. Coincidentally, this ended up being the ones that weren't part of the AT4W storyline. As such, I wasn't even aware that there was a storyline until I recently watched an episode that did.

This being the case, it is kinda necessary to watch all of the episodes, but earlier ones seem to not have a storyline. So my question to you is this: where should I begin? (After all, I do like your reviewing style, so having to watch more than just my interests is fine by me. :D)

Lewis Lovhaug said...

"This being the case, it is kinda necessary to watch all of the episodes, but earlier ones seem to not have a storyline. So my question to you is this: where should I begin? (After all, I do like your reviewing style, so having to watch more than just my interests is fine by me. :D)"

Yeah, the storyline OFFICIALLY begins with the Superman vs. the Terminator #1 video, but you can bring it all the way back to Neutro or the Uncanny X-Men two-parter considering the Dr. Insano stuff there.

If you want to look into every episode that has storyline bits, then the best place to go is the AT4W Plot Guide: http://at4wplotguide.tumblr.com

It lists off a summary of the plot stuff in every episode that has them as well as dividing it into each story arc. ^_^

Anonymous said...

So far the best series to come out of Marvel Now are Deadpool, Thor, and Thunderbolts

Deadpool is plain goofy fun
I mean, the story so far has the Merc with a mouth team-up with the ghost of Benjamin Franklin, to slay an army of evil zombie American presidents.
And they also get to mock Edward Edison!

Thor is an interesting mix
On one hand, the story is very unpleasant and bleak. On the other hand, it's incredibly captivating and full of truly awesome moments.
In this regard I'd compare it to DC's Animal Man or Swamp thing, even if not even nearly as good (but still very good)
At it's core it's a story of a hero being horrifically tormented by a deranged serial killer (not unlike The Silence of the Lambs). However said hero is Thor, and said killer is a seemingly immortal alien on a quest to cleanse the universe of all gods (a job he's VERY efficient at)
The series is choke full of nightmare fuel, in quick succession with numerous crowning moments of awesome
Also, gloriously drawn

Thunderbolts is allot like The Expendables / Inglorious Bastards with superpowers
General Thunderbolt Ross assembles a team consisting of The Punisher, Deadpool, Electra, and Venom (current host is Flash Thompson), who now all serve as "Freelance Revolutionaries," operating independently on the US government
Their first mission is to overthrow a dictator, who's implied to be secretly supported by the US government
Great character interaction. General T. Ross and the Punisher may as well be father and son, or long lost brothers (not sure how far they are from each other age wise, due to Marvel's sliding time-scale), Flash Thompson is trying to be the team's moral compass, calling the General out on some of his more questionable decisions, and Deadpool is fun as always (DEADPOOL VISION!). Electra is so far the least developed member, but she also got the least screen-time.
Also, Steve Dillon is without a doubt the best Punisher artist out there.
I also like how the story focuses more on General Ross as a soldier and military leader than the Red Hulk (and seriously, why the hell doesn't the Red Hulk have a mustache? It makes no sense!)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, but Thunderbolts is the WORST Marvel NOW title. Daniel Way misses the point of the characters completely.

Anonymous said...

no, Avengers Arena is the worst of the bunch so far

Anonymous said...

"no, Avengers Arena is the worst of the bunch so far"

Avengers Arena is a conundrum. The fact that they are killing characters in a disrespectful way is infuriating. But the characters' backstories and their character moments are really good. But again, they're killing off these characters.
If this was any other book that didn't revolve around killing, it would be a stellar book, but it's just really unfortunate that it's "Joke villain forces kids to kill each other".

Thunderbolts though, is just bad. There's no way around it. Take 5 characters, reduce them to "GRRRR, SHOOT EVERYTHING!" and that's it. The art is horrible, and it's just gratuitous.
I think it's the worst Marvel NOW book simply because I am such a diehard Thunderbolts fan before the relaunch. (SONGBIRD FOREVER!)

Tracey said...

At it's worst, Thunderbolts is plain actionsploitation

At it's best, Avengers Arena is a shining example of "Take complaints about last story-line as suggestions for next one"

You are essentially claiming that something that's basically just brainless fun is somehow a worse thing than a deliberate "F*ckyou!" by Marvel right into the fandom's face.

Also, you obviously didn't grow-up reading the pure awesomeness that was Garth Ennis' and Steve Dillon's Punisher (trans-sexual Russian cyborg mobster!), otherwise you'd appreciate how great the artwork is

Oliver said...

Wanna know what makes this story even more infuriating? Putting it into a larger context, especially if you read the TF UK comics. See, prior to Prime's death by video game, the UK comic had this huge story about Prime supposedly dying and coming back. The Autobots on Earth believed Prime dead and even held a sort of funeral for him. In truth, Prime had been on Cybertron, leading the Autobot resistance against the Decepticon regime. Eventually, Prime decided he needed to return to Earth, so he did, showing up at his own funeral. A triumphant return and a cool conclusion to a good story. Which was followed by THIS, and that must have been pretty awkward back in the day. >_>

Anonymous said...

"At it's worst, Thunderbolts is plain actionsploitation

At it's best, Avengers Arena is a shining example of "Take complaints about last story-line as suggestions for next one"

You are essentially claiming that something that's basically just brainless fun is somehow a worse thing than a deliberate "F*ckyou!" by Marvel right into the fandom's face.

Also, you obviously didn't grow-up reading the pure awesomeness that was Garth Ennis' and Steve Dillon's Punisher (trans-sexual Russian cyborg mobster!), otherwise you'd appreciate how great the artwork is"

Oh, Arena is a huge fuck you to fans. Especially to Avengers Academy fans who they blow up one character in the first issue and it looks like they're making Hazmat the villain to the new characters who are shown in a cutesy light. It's really maddening. But the character backstories are good. But it's still a book forcing you to love these kids and then watch them die.

But yeah, you're right. Thunderbolts may be bad, but it's harmless compared to what Arena is doing. I'm just saying, as an old Thunderbolts fan, it's really annoying seeing a team go from "Villains trying to become heroes" to "Watch these overrated jackasses go trigger happy."

But the art is terrible. Like, REALLY terrible. Laughable even. "Frank Castle is the Human Race".

God, Arena is going to drive me mad.

Anonymous said...

oh look an Earthbound Reference in the Title Card

Tracey said...

If it makes you feel better
I say that the team is named after General Thunderbolt Ross, and therefore does not need to have connection to the original team

In fact, a bit like the New Guardians

Tracey said...

and if you are referencing they way Dillon draws faces, I think it's pretty neat
http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/images/scowlymen.jpg

JerryScott said...

Oh boy, Optimus, Optimus, Optimus... That was a dumbass move. Good show Lewis.

JerryScott said...

Hey, Lewis. A question just popped into my head. How does ad revenue from your videos work, exactly? Is it that the more a video is viewed the more money you make? Like if someone clicks on the video, then the ad money is put into some sort of account or something? Just asking.

TheFlyingPhoton said...

It's the son of Atop the fourth wall
Where bad comics smolder
Linkara's gonna teach you all
A lesson you might learn
Brodsky, you're an asshat
Liefeld, you're apparentlyareallynicepersonbutyou'renotverytalentedwhichisashamesinceyournameisbasicallyapunchline... hat
If you've made a bad comic that's not bad because it's boring
It could be your turn

Linkara!
He is a man! Punch! Look at that teddy bear!
Linkara!
He has a magic gun! It has its own back-story
Linkara!
Space ships, robots, ninjas, and crooners
Linkara!
This comic is weeeeeird!
Linkaraaaaaaaa!

Anonymous said...

Sorry I just can't watch any of these live episodes. Thanks to who ever the annoying female in the audience. Her laughter and constant interruption screeches every thing to a halt. It was the same in the other live video. Thanks

DriveByPoster said...

Games which require two joysticks:
Battlezone
Robotron 2084
Raiders of the Lost Arc for the Atari 2600

I read this when it came out and found it vaguely disturbing. First, while Optimus may hold himself to some higher standard there is no reason why the human should have. It's his work, after all, that Megatron is trying to steal. I would have detonated Megatron and told Optimus he can kill himself on his own time. Second, I do not like the idea in science fiction that a mind can be copied like a computer file. It is the soul (or spark) that makes us who we are, not merely the information stored in our brain. THAT cannot be simply copy/pasted.