From: bxp1628@hertz.njit.edu (Brian Perler)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics
Subject: Re: Guardians (was Re: Marvel 2099)
Date: 17 Aug 92 22:11:48 GMT
Organization: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J.

In article <1992Aug17.190255.16713@morgan.ucs.mun.ca> cwelsh@morgan.ucs.mun.ca (Craig Welsh  8823239) writes:
>In article <1992Aug17.132513.15087@njitgw.njit.edu> bxp1628@hertz.njit.edu (Brian Perler) writes:
>>Oh, please.  Valentino did that in Guardians of the Galaxy.  And it 
>>sucked big time (just like the majority of his run on that book - and
>>Shadowhawk isn't much better).  Of course, he's off the book as of the
>>recent issue (#28 or #29, I'm not sure).  Maybe they'll get someone
>>to write it who doesn't feel the need to change every character every
>>five issues for no apparent reason.  But knowing Marvel, I doubt it.
>
>Actually, I rather like Guardians. I felt it was one one of the better
>Marvels out there (along with the Hulk, New Warriors, and X-Factor).
>Nice art, good storyline and Valenteno obviously new where he was going
>with the story. To bad Marvel felt they had to punish someone for the
>mass defections to Image. If the last issue or two of Guadians without
>Valenteno art is any indication, the title may end up on my cancel list
>soon.

I liked Guardians at first.  However, when Valentino started making major
changes in all the characters (i.e., "Dark Starhawk," "Major Victory,"
etc.), and putting in all the "big-selling" characters (i.e. Ghost
Rider, Punisher, Wolverine), the series (IMO) took a major nosedive.

Was he really fired?  I had assumed so, since he said he had plots
ready up until at least issue #50, which, obviously, he didn't reach.
>
>BTW, I haven't read Shadowhawk yet. It gets here tomorrow, hopefully.
>It's reaaly that bad? I reaaly thought it might be the savior of the
>Image titles. At least Valenteno can write. Now it looks like
>WildC.A.T.S, may be their only hope. At least until Claremont's new
>title is released.

The problem I have with Shadowhawk is that there isn't much there.
Potentially, it could be good, but I don't see much in it to save it.
(I liked Spawn after the first issue, and haven't been very
disappointed in it yet, but also recognized that Youngblood was pure
and utter crap)  One major problem I have is the fact that we have
no idea when (if ever) they're going to reveal who Shadowhawk really
is, just give suspects.  Personally, I think that if they plan on
keeping this bit of information from us, it will be harder to
identify with the character, and this will make it harder to enjoy
the series.  We have no idea why Shadowhawk does what he (or, possibly,
she) does, so he (or she) is just another violent comics character.

Overall, since you seem to like Valentino's work, I'd have to say that
the odds of you liking Shadowhawk are greater than they were for me.
After a few issues, especially if we find out SH's secret identity,
I might actually enjoy it (well, if it becomes a regular series).
Valentino isn't screwing around with characters with histories, like
in GotG, and Image doesn't have "hot" characters of the magnitude of
Marvel's (yet).  Unlike Youngblood, I might actually pick up #2 of this
series.
Xref: sparky rec.arts.comics:22176 alt.sex:26940 talk.bizarre:26400