Violence--like sex, drug-use, snappy patter, profound moments, spectacle, and any other element that can be used to tell a story--becomes too much when it's being used as a crutch to avoid telling a well-rounded story. It's fine if it's the point (as it is in an action movie) but watching only the action scenes in Die Hard without knowing their context would be about as boring as watching every one-liner in a Marx Bros. movie without their setups. It's all about context, and whether the violence, or whatever else, works well with the tone that's established in the story.

That's my opinion, anyway.

What do you guys think of the direction of DC comics with the Final Crisis coming out? I got the DC Universe #0 and hate it. I was confuse. I have not brought a DC comic in two years. This makes me think i was right. I was totally confuse. I did not know what was going on. Do you think it was a good idea?

violence in a comic is fine with me but i agree with pete that once you start getting creepy and pushing boundaries is a little uncomfortable like in millar's the ultimates when the giant man beets the shit out of his wife or how in bendis' new avengers tigra gets beet up by the hood. i gotta say those scenes were a lil uncomfortable.

The Boy Who Could Fly is a 1986 film written and directed by Nick Castle. This film was produced by Lorimar Productions for 20th Century Fox, and originally released to movie theatres in August 14, 1986.

this doesnt have to do with anything, but why doesnt justin or pete ever do the intro or closing of the show?

I think I make a distinction between Action, Violence, and being excessively dark. Action is like the Hulk or Indiana Jones, where it makes for an exciting and fun time. Violence I think is more in lines with the Punisher, where the whole thing is about killing. Being excessively dark for the sake of it or even just the cartoony violence that serves no purpose is not worth my time. I'd rather have a pointed story than just gratuitous death. That being said, I'd totally be down for a gay kiss too.

I heard Monster was good, I just hope it doesnt turn into a bad anime like Death Note was...which btw, I anit a fan of Death Note. Arye Force sounds over the top and like it was endorsed by Stephen Colbert! Justin is also the weakest of the flyers....you need more practice boy.

Violence in comics never bother me, it only bothers me when it's only used just for the fact and there is no story. Punisher is very violent, especially the Max print, but since it has a great writer on board then it's okay to show the violence. I cant think of an example, but if you just have a comic with mostly violence and no substance, then I'll throw the comic away.

Frank Miller has (or was) been good at showing huge violent moments, but kept an intriuging story to not care about it...Like Sin City, so much NC-17 stuff in there, but people dont really notice it and care for the story. That's where violence in comics work.

Here's my definition of where violence crosses the line:
Thriller films are the perfect analogy. Take films like the Final Destination series, where the premise is these people escaped death because of a psychic warning, and now death stalks them one by one killing them in the most outrageously gruesaome and graphic way possible. This is fine, because there is a premise and reason behind it.

Then you have Rob Zombie's films, like House of 1000 corpses and Devils Rejects, where the violence is taken way too far, and is more sadistic and sick, and random.

I've never liked when thriller films cross over into the slasher category. Alien, Terminator, and their sequels were great thrillers that kept you glued to the screen. Jason, Halloween, and their sequels were just too much about violence for violence's sake.

Great show, guys. Hmm... I'll have to hunt down Monster now. It looks really good. Also, what is a FANTASTIC read to me is Gantz. I LOVE that series. Very intense and fascinating to read. I siad to myself "I'm just going to read the first page". 15 *Volumes* later I was still reading it... and loving every minute of it. It rekindled my love of comics and made me feel like a kid again. Gantz = Great stuff.

In regard to the violence in comics, I think that enouhg to tell the story is fine, but once it starts to be violence for violence sake... it just gets stupid to me. Or, it's its done in a really interesting and fun way like in Kill Bill Vol. 1., it's great.

Anyway, again... great show, guys. PEACE

Ha... ha... ha..........was that suppose to be funny?

Wow that`s cool! DOES anyone have a taco?

Loved the flying bit. Although Justin looked more like a cobra being charmed out of a basket.
As for Monster, I've had limited and little interest in manga.
Ayre Force just seems to forced and contrived. The term "vanity project" was very fitting.
Bizarre New World seems to be the standout of the 3 titles.
The artwork looks amazing and from what you guys said of it, it looks as if it is a nice change of pace. Yet, another title for me to look at.

As for violence in comics, it's never really been a big factor to me. Although there have been some books that stand out in the violence arena that spring to mind. I remember back when I first read Watchmen and I came to the part where The Comedian killed the vietnamese woman he impregnated. And later on in the book when Ozymandius' "did what he did" (don't wanna spoil it for the only 1 or 2 people left who haven't read it). That scene of the aftermath of it gave me chills. This was around the time I was in jr. high and I'd yet to see a book like it beforehand.
What I'm saying is that so long as the story calls for it violence is appropriate to the tale. When it becomes gratuitous and done for shock value, that's where the line becomes blurred and the violence is excessive, but to each their own. For some, that's what floats their individual boats.

the violence issue that comes with mainstream comics is so apart of American comics (golden age show stopping fights and E.C. horror spectaculars) that not only is it almost inseperable from from the mediam but conversely it lends itself to exploration and parody of societies views on morality and other dicey related issues. It should be explored in all aspects and if it makes you feel uncomfortable it is a weakness or stunted brain problem in the reader. Take it for what it's,30 years of exploitation cinema and gore movies have dealt with issues and ideas that hollywood still can not even mention.keep freedom of speech in my comics em-effer.

If the story calls for violence , then violence it shall be.

I hate reading comics that don't depict "over the Top".. the idea is to 'go to a place unlike our own and have experiences that we otherwise don't experience on a day to day.. " .. . violent encounters are like "Wow.. Im glad Im not that guy". slashers/murders/blood/guts/over the top kills/ nakedness ect. Comic-Book Violence is GOOD! as long as its creative and 'justified' .

To whom it may concern: Stop babying people from cool stuff. Comic Violence is one of a few last outlets people have to express / experience and get involved with ideas of the fantastic. so, Why not make it over the top? (let us get it all out in graphic novel format with out repercussions and legal action).

Cus as soon as comics stop showing this stuff - we are going to turn the 10'o'clock news on.

good show guys monster looks good bizzrre looks good too peace

As an adult, I have no problems with comic book violence, be it millitaristic, gory, serious, over-the-top, whatever.

As a PARENT, I have some issues with the level of violence (and even sex) in some of the flagship series of DC and Marvel.

Case in point, how about the new JLA series' "The Tornado's Path" arc where Solomon Grundy graphically rips off Red's arm and (like any good zombie) begins to eat it. I have no issues with this scene being aimed at older teen readers or adults like me. But there is no "mature audience" warning on the comic. There probably should be - it would have freaked the hell out of my 8 year old, if I had let him read it!

Likewise, I have had to censor Teen Titans for the sexuality. The Superboy/Wonder-Girl hookup was subtle enough to let go, I guess. But the scene in Teen Titans/Outsiders with Dick Grayson in bed with Starfire - condoms visible on the bed - again that probably should have a mature readers warning.

JUSTIN. I seen ur ass on Cash Cab with some burley lookin dude. AND YOU BLEW IT. stick to the comics and not general knowledge. down with the stack!

pete has butchers polio

all three books look worth picking up, i'll count my pennies...

as for violence - context is everything, personally, if its part of the dramatic arsenal, I'm fine with it, if its an end in itself, less so, but never say never, I say.