We start today's TOT with another "Tony's Back Page" feature, a brief episode from my comics career. This one is from Comics Buyer's Guide #1637 and it's called:
"Whacko the Hockey Puck"
Every writer has had ideas and stories rejected by editors. It's something editors do when they run out of puppies to kick. But I don't think I ever had an idea shot down faster than my plan for a new nemesis for Doctor Doom.
1975. I was writing Super-Villain Team-Up, inheriting the title from creator Roy Thomas. I think my pal Len Wein was the editor-in-chief, but it might have been my other pal Marv Wolfman. I had many pals, as I was beloved even then.
The book starred Doom and the Sub-Mariner, uneasy allies who would, eventually and inevitably, turn on one another. I thought I could keep the suspense going for two years. One way to do that was with occasional solo stories.
After watching comedian Don Rickles on TV, I created Whacko the Hockey Puck. He was a Latverian freedom fighter with the most annoying, obnoxious personality in the universe. His powers were those of DC's Bouncing Boy, save that he didn't expand his hard-as-adamantium body. His modus operandi was to drive Doom absolutely freaking crazy, allowing other freedom fighters to complete various missions against their totalitarian ruler. Though Whacko's origin was draped in dark tragedy - "If I laugh at any mortal thing..." - he would have been the comedic bane of Doom's existence, reducing the armored dictator to utter exasperation.
I don't think Len/Marv let me get past the "Whacko the Hockey Punk" name before rejecting my idea. It was probably just as well. For several reasons, not really anybody's fault, I was finding Marvel Comics a lot less fun than when Roy was running the place. I was restless, thinking about moving back to Ohio, and considering offers from other publishers. I wrote but two issues of Super-Villain Team-Up and then handed it off to work on a trio of new series I had conceived: The Champions, Black Goliath, and Tigra.
Alas, poor Whacko, I never got to know him well.
******
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN
Here's your problem:
You have no more interest in reading Amazing Spider-Man after the most mind-numbingly stupid story in the entire history of the character was rammed down comicdom's throats by Joe Quesada, a gentleman usually far more intelligent that this astonishing lapse of judgment would indicate. However, you still like - really like - Spider-Man. What are you to do?
For seven years and well over a hundred issues, writer Brian Michael Bendis has been writing the adventures of a modern Spider-Man. While this Peter Parker might not be the wall-crawler of the official Marvel Universe - he's still in high school, to name one difference - he's a heck of a lot closer to the real deal than the Bizarro-Spidey who just abrogated all the responsibility he claimed to embrace to cut a deal with the devil.
With rare exceptions, Bendis has written pretty neat twists on classic Spider elements as he reintroduced them into Ultimate Spider-Man. The stories have been exciting, entertaining, and full of art. The art, first by Mark Bagley and currently by Stuart Immonen, has been exceptional in its storytelling and its depiction of the characters.
Ultimate Spider-Man #116 [Marvel; $2.99] is the latest issue of the title I've read. Because it's part of a still-ongoing story, I won't give you a blow-by-blow review of it. But I can and will tell you that it starts with Spidey in life-threatening peril, plays fair in rescuing him from that peril, has great interactions between our hero and other characters (like Kitty Pryde, assorted SHIELD agents, and the villain), and ends on a scary note that has me eager to see what comes next. On our usual scale, this issue is good for an impressive four out of five Tonys.
Over 100 issues of the title are currently available in trade paperback and hardcover collections with a new volume scheduled for mid-February. Look for discounts and that ten-spot you save by not buying the thrice-monthly Amazing Spider-Man will buy you at least one trade each month. I suspect you'll get a bigger and far more enjoyable chunk of Spider-Man than you will from the wreckage of Spider-Man: One More Day.
******
COMICS IN THE COMICS
Comic strips. I can't imagine a day going by without enjoying my favorites. I get an extra kick out of comic strips that feature characters from other strips and comic books...that play with the conventions of the art form...or indulge in self-referential humor. When I find them or when TOT readers send them to me, I save them for use in this feature.
I have two great examples for you today.
First up is Brooke McEldowney's 9 Chickweed Lane from January 6, 2008:
Then, also from January 6, 2008, we have Darrin Bell's funny and insightful Candorville:
Watch for more Comics in the Comics in future editions of TOT and on my message board:
New TONY POLLS questions were posted on Tuesday. In case you haven't checked them out yet, here are the various matters on which we're asking you to vote:
The questions will remain active until sometime after midnight on Tuesday, January 15, at which time they will be replaced by new questions. If you have suggestions for poll questions, feel free to send them to me at:
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
I review The Amazing Adventures of Nate Banks #1: Secret Identity Crisis, Secret Identity Crisis: Comic Books and the Unmasking of Cold War America and The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us.
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
Anything Goes Trivia
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