[net.comics] Still more SECRET WAR Flames

ncoss@abnjh.UUCP (D. Neiswander) (01/13/84)

Again I feel it necessary to write about the SECRET WAR.  I don't think of
myself as being masochistic but for some odd reason I re-read SW #1. The 
first time I felt totally unsatisfied with it but couldn't quite pin down
why.  (Also I had about 15 other comics to read so I went through SW #1 at
warp speed.)

Now I know why.  As both OZ and Beta Ray Dan have stated, the characters were
two-dimensional and almost unbeleivable.  The "hotheaded" heroes were almost
psychotic about not trusting anybody.  In his mini-series, Hawkeye was getting
even-tempered and actually thinking clearly.  Then Shooter has him ready to
fight Cyclops beacuse "you mutants really stick together".  C'mon, this was
the guy falling in love with the Scarlet Witch.  Didn't shooter READ anything
he edited in the last six years????

Now, the part I love best.  How I think the characters should be handled.
Don't worry, I won't do them all.
Spider-Man.  During the Thanos/Death of Adam Warlock series, Spider was scared
to death.  Remember, he said that he was a "street hero" meaning that he best
handled thiefs, mobsters, and the like.  When he was on the space ship with
aliens and ray guns and other "cosmic" things going on, he flipped.  I think
that when he saw a galaxy wiped out, he would have reacted very strongly 
(maybe even panic).  Instead, throughout SW #1, he continues with the usual
flippant remarks and really only speaks two or three times.
Cyclops.  He's my favorite X-man and so I watch out for him.  First of all,
how the heck did he get there?  In the X-men, he was up in Alaska with his new
bride.  There was no mention of him at all when the X-Men walked (even Prof X!)
into the transporter.  Anyway,  I thought that after the X-Men Graphic Novel
that Cyclops would understand Magneto and try to determine why he was with the
Heroes and not the Villans.  But no, he was ready to fight anyone that disagreed
with him.
Villans.  My first complaint was the line up.  Some of those selected have no
reason to be there.  The Wrecking Crew?  The Lizard? and why only one woman?
I would think that The New Brotherhood of Evil Mutants would make things much
more interesting.  I think Shooter is just playing with his favorites.  All in
all, Shooter treats the villans as if they have no brains at all and ignores any
personal development made in the last few years.

Sorry I flamed so long.  Didn't realize I had that much anger inside caused by
one comic.  I would be very interested in replies or arguments about my opinions
and questions.

By some miracle, does anyone have a strong connection to Marvel to get answers?
Just a thought.


Scott Allen
AT&T Information Systems
Orlando, Florida