Sucks to be a N00b: Marvel Floppies pt 1

Today, on this most auspicious afternoon, I popped my Marvel-floppies-cherry and picked up two titles of Marvel Now. I mentioned that I was complete novice back in my write-up about sucking at getting in to comics for the first time, but have since done some catching up…which is to say I read some events with wiki opened and scratched my head (The High Evolutionary? WHAT?). Still, despite not being entirely (or at all) caught up in the Marvel Universe(any of them, I’m still not entirely clear how their multi-verse works) I decided to give it a whirl. A few hours in and there have been a few hurdles in the path straying from the comforts of the Bat-family. Such as:

1) In which deadrabbit learns the difference between a relaunch and reboot

So when I decided I would begin this Marvel quest, I think I had thought Marvel Now would be a reboot, but not so. Now, I understand these are aggravating, I do. When you have more knowledge about a comic universe than history in a text book, the potential of erasing all of that is a punch to the gullet. I figured that out quickly after the New 52 “revealed” an absent Cass Cain and Stephanie Brown and caused subsequent hooplah and outrage. However, and I say this quietly and with the spirit of not wanting to get my head bit off, it is a way to get people in to comics and cut the intimidation factor considerably. There’s just so much material and to move past trades is a big leap for the un-inducted that a reboot provides some sort of starting point, for good or bad. Not that any of this matters because apparently Marvel Now is not a reboot, it’s a relaunch, which as I now understand it basically means some titles are being published as number ones with new creative teams and that’s it. Intimidation factor reinstated plus 2.

2) In which deadrabbit realizes how much more money she’ll be spending on comics a week.

I feel like one of those PSA or health channel films that warn you that there’s no such thing as “experimenting” with a drug, and I certainly think I’ve just committed myself to an expensive habit. When you’re pull list just consists of Batman and Saga(which has been on hiatus for the past two months), comic books are a minor indulgence really. If I end up giving only 10 titles a chance, that’s almost double what I read now, never mind having to go back and read Avengers vs Xmen at some point, and I’m incapable of even thinking about storage because I’m physically and mentally incapable of thinking about how much more room I may need in the future. That’s some genetically altered super-monkey to up and decide to have on your back.

3) In which deadrabbit quickly reviews the two titles she’s read so far.

This week I picked up Iron Man and Deadpool. I liked them both well enough, especially Iron Man because I’m not so familiar with the character besides having read him being a dick in Civil War. Come to think of it, I don’t believe I  even read his own Civil War tie-in, so I extra don’t have any idea what I’m talking about in concerns to Mr. Stark. I didn’t care too much for the coloring, which made most of the characters look like they had plastic barbie doll skin. Tony’s new portable goo-suit was cool, although a little unrealistic(which feels like a ridiculous opinion considering the subject matter), though obviously I’m not entirely sure how “new” it actually is since I’ve think I’ve read more about Norman Osborn as Iron Patriot than anything with Tony. The number 1 started off the relaunch well, from a n00b’s perspective. There was some good insight into Tony’s thoughts and feelings as well as some references to how he’s become Iron Man, plus a nod to past struggles with alcoholism. They managed to cram a lot of history and information into the issue, which I imagine was nice for the true newbies (not me, happily) who are really just starting with the character. Although it’s not a reboot, there is definitely enough foundation for the issue to be a jumping off point for new readers.

Deadpool had a few laughs and I appreciated the cover immensely (the cover featuring Deadpool vs. monster vs. kitties- I didn’t get the variants of either book). I may have found the story a little…well, dumb, but not too dumb and there were a few laughs, although some fell a little flat. The art was okay and I thought it fit the lightness of the title. Unlike Iron Man, Deadpool was less “friendly” to new readers, but I don’t think anyone will have a problem picking it up unless they’re totally unfamiliar with the character. I read a few books where he popped up and a few volumes of Uncanny X-Force, so I can proudly put a check next to “somewhat familiar with.”

Have any advice for me as I begin what will probably turn in to a horrible addiction? Leave it in the comments below. This is only the beginning of my n00b journey, so I’ll post an update in a few weeks to let everyone know if I’m a convert or not (because obviously the whole world lies in wait)