Captain America #38, Wonder Woman #20, Incredible Hercules #117, and Viewer Mailbag

I actually think that in the big picture is how better the world is, how darker the media. It's like this: when the night falls, you want a lantern. When the sun shines, you want sunglasses.

HAHAHA

man theres some long ass comments here. things appear darker now because we have access to video footage of every bad thing immediately, and it would be foolish to pretend in a grown up comic that you really can solve all the worlds problems by having superpowers steaming in and blowing stuff up. however, as louis armstrong said, its a wonderful world, and he hadnt forgotten about the lynchings and murders, he sang about that too, he just knew there was room to talk about all sides of human experience. likewise comics can reflect both dark and light. man.

comics being darker has alot to do with Frank Miller's excelent batman and Allen Moores reality driven superheroes aswell and as much as it does to the buetifully rendered and realized E.C. horror/sci-fi/pirate comics. know your role and your history. If you don't you will repeat much like todays darker story lines. That being said there are still dark plot lines not touched upon that can be explored and exploited for entertainment/artistic purposes (abuse, modern slavery, fascist dictatorships, and all sorts of extremism) pardon the spellin' dytigaf?

WHO LIKES IRON MAN

I personally don't see comics being any darker than they were in the mid to late 80's.

Hilarious ending ! I love that every once in awhile this show hits you with an ending that gives you a great laugh. In fact I think my favorite part of the show recently has been you guys messing around after you've answered the viewer mail.

Loved this episode. Improv comics must find it hard to stand in one place and talk to one camera. I understand how it must feel for them to break the shackles of the static camera shot. Alex - dont over intellectualize the darkness issue. The Punisher screaming as he shoots two gigantic machine guns has sold any are era happy or sad. We as a nation love (and understand) violence. Justin: You did give ol Petey the brushoff now and then! Pete: If you are gonna step to the front of the shot have something more substantial to say. he he

Funny show guys! Glad someone finally noticed Justins' penchant for turning completely to face the current speaker. ;) Btw, it's comfusing when you review books out of order, i.e. Wonder Woman. It would be nice if the reviews were current to what was coming up for that week only.

BEST. ENDING. EVER.

I feel the need to jump to Pete’s defense. Pete’s reaction speaks to the significance of Cap’s death and how well Brubaker handled it. Any story that would take away from its importance is insulting to readers who know and love Steve Rogers. That said, I don’t feel this issue strayed into the ridiculous. The overall mood was compelling not hokey.

I think the guys must skim more than read the comics, in Wonder Woman #20, I think we are seeing a new thread in the story in which the Wonder Woman's of other Earths, perhaps as a way to tie into or capitalize on the ideas that will be put forth in Final Crisis, as the Wonder Woman we see battling Beowulf is apparently not the same Wonder Woman we are familiar with on New Earth. Not time, but dimensional travel. Of course, I could be wrong...

Ok... that could be the funniest ending of all time.

i have nothing to say other than that the Stack is hilarious. whether i agree with the reviews or not, its always entertaining. keep it up boys.

Some interesting thoughts about the darkness in comics. I personally agree with both the idea that the world we live in is darker and the idea that the rules of comic writing got changed. By that last part, I mean that when things like Watchmen and Dark Knight came out, they sold well. So some people were probably saying, "Wow! This is so different! It's great!" Others were probably saying "Look at how the violence sells! Let's do more!" and still others were saying, "At last! I don't have to hold back back in my writing or art!" No matter how you look at it, the door got opened and how do you go back once through? Especially in a day and age where violence and scandal are as close as your computer? (And no, I'm not referring to the Stack!)

That's funny, you're always welcome to post as often as you like. Thank you for your comments.

Hope you guys don't mind me posting again so soon, but I've just read Mauro's post and found it interesting on how comics have gotten "darker" in recent years. For one thing, part of the reason (I think) is due to Alan Moore and Frank Miller. Their work on Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns really examplified that comics could be done in a serious and even provocative way. These were 2 books that evolved the storytelling in this medium. Yet, these same two books also "killed" a sense of innocence and naivete' that has since been missing in the medium. Plus, as Pete said, it's also a sign of the times that we live in. Comics have always changed and adapted with the times that we live in. One last thing. Since 2001 I've noticed something (maybe it's just me): I've noticed that since September 11th. 2001, comics have gotten a lot more realistic when it comes to depicting destruction (i.e. collapsed and destroyed buildings, etc...). As an artist, one of the main practices is that you draw from life in your work. Over the years before 9/11 we've seen destruction over the news for ages, but when 9/11 occured it was "in our own back yard". In light of that, I've gone through my collection of comics (3,837 comics and counting) and found an interesting occurance. In many of the comics that predate 9/11, whenever destruction is depicted in the books, it was rendered in a great and powerful way. Then I'd noticed that in a great majority of the comics that postdate 9/11, the renderings of carnage, destruction, chaos, and mayhem have become a hell of a lot more starkly realistic. Like I stated above, artists draw from life. And so too do comic books. How do the rest of you feel on what I've written. I'd also be interested in hearing what you pulp secret guys think. Especially you, Pete, Justin, and Alex. If one (or all 3) of you could put a response on this comments section, I'd greatly appreciate it and would love to read your views. Sorry to take up so much space, but the topic got me very interested.

And yet another comment disappears into the bowels of the spam filter...

I think comic books are getting darker and more "real" for two reasons. The first reason is that comic books and comic book movies are reflecting the mood society is in because of the war, and the recession we've slowly been falling into since Bush(es) came into power. People aren't in a happy-go-lucky mood lately. People are either pissed off or depressed for some reason or another, and they want their heroes to be real people who are fucked up emotionally taking matters into their own hands and kicking ass. Case and point, IronMan and Batman... and almost all the characters in Heroes. The second reason is that Hollywood has been knocking on comic book creator's doors in droves lately, and what's more sellable? Heroes and heroines dealing with criminals without any mental/emotional repercussions, or a hero/heroine dealing with criminals and then their own mental problems in a real world situation. Alan Moore cornered the market on heroes in the real world. The Ultimates is all about heroes in the real world. And Grant Morrison is bringing that into "Batman R.I.P.". But in the end, it all boils down to what sells better.

Hey Justin! Lay off of the wacky tabacky a little, man!!! ha! ha! It was really good to see Pete get fed up with Justin and Alex' little "Boys Gone Wild" love fest. TAKE THAT CONTROL, PETE!!! I really like Captain America and it is truly one of the best books out there now. The writing is excellent and the art by Steve Epting is beyond amazing. My 2 favorite issues thus far have been The Death Of Captain America and The Return Of (Bucky) Captain America. Love Alex Ross' cover on that one and his new design for the hero. Still, I cannot wait to see where this all goes and am anxiously awaiting the return of Steve Rogers, eventually. Just so long as they don't try and pull a "Spider-Man: One More Day-esque" retcon!!! The art on Incredible Herc looks great. GEEZ, YOU GUYS!!! I'M TRYIN' TO KEEP A BUDGET HERE, BUT YOU KEEP ON SHOWIN' ME ALL THESE GREAT TITLES THAT ARE OUT THERE!!! GIVE ME A LITTLE AIR TO BREATHE, MAN!!! ha! ha! In the same vein, the same goes for Wonder Woman. I recently canceled it from my pull list for the same reasons of budget (that and I was only picking it up for the art of Terry and Rachel Dodson---I'm a comic artist). This is YET ANOTHER BOOK I WANT TO LOOK INTO. The shot you guys showed from the Wonder Woman issue of her stabbing one of the wolves with the spear reminded me of the comic (and movie) 300. Did anyone else catch that? By the way, I love the show and watch all the time as I work on my pages. I especially loved the fact that the ending of this episode got WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY OUT OF HAND... ...TOO MUCH OF PETE'S HIPPY-JUICE, I GUESS!!!

BATMAN OUT OF BAGDAD NOW !

FINALLY! Pete had the right idea there. When Justin & Alex start flirting with each other, TALK TO THE CAMERA!

Friends don't let friends get wasted then review comics.

Pete says dont pick up Captain America?....Jesus Christ your a fucking idiot Pete. No one listen to him, he obviously doesnt know classic stories like this, or Sinestro Corps War as well. Wonder Woman has gotten better, let me put that out of the way....But I still dont feel it has made Wonder Woman a 'top' figure in DC yet. I know she's used a lot in major stories, but I just dont see a reason why she is considered part of the Trinity. Thinking of DC Women I think of Power Girl, Catwoman, and Barbara Gorden before I think of Wonder Woman. You should've reviewed Titans #2, so that way we can hatw on Judd Winick some more. My god GA/BC is so bad right now....we're suppose to care about finding Connor's 'killer' right? So then why is this comic so upbeat and why does it just seem like Green Arrow doesnt care at all that his son died. Plus Walking Dead was a big slow, but still well written. If any of the teaser cover art I saw for #50 is any indication...then it becomes a bloodbath again next issue.

I don't know what Pete is talking about, I think thats a great Reveal in Captain America and this book is consistently the best one that I read. Fan-Tastic. Also really looking forward to Sacred Invasion, so much more than Secret Invasion.