Black Terror # 4

[md62]

Due out May 20th....

finally!!!

[Ghornet2]

Due out May 20th....

finally!!!

We can only hope :)

[md62]

We can only hope :)

It's listed on Diamonds list for that week ;)

[Ghornet2]

It's listed on Diamonds list for that week ;)
That's a tentative list and I've seen a few books not make it so I don't want to get my hopes up.

[comixfan1980]

I need this ASAP, lol, I'm loving the series and I cannot wait to get my paws on BT#4!!! Plus I want to read it before I dive into PS v2, which is out next month, so it's important for me to finish the BT issues before hand. I am so excited for the PS universe this summer!!

[Ghornet2]

When I stopped by my LCS he told me to call on Friday to see if Terror #4 is on their invoice. I'll let everybody know. If I remember to call that is :D

[Ghornet2]

Just talked to my LCS and Black Terror was invoiced for this wednesday!!

[Ghornet2]

It wraps up the story arc nicely and sets up P:SP Volume 2. I don't want to go into any depth and spoil it. There are a couple of nice twists and a few interesting comments. I'd give it a 4 maybe a 4 1/2.

[jsf]

I think I'd have to give it a 2 1/2 or a 3 (out of 5).

It was okay, but some of the dialogue was really clunky, and the appearance of the Inheritors was just too coincidental. I think it kind of clarified for me what the problem of the P:SP books has been, and it's that they're too plot driven. Clearly Ross and Krueger have an outline of how they want these stories to unfold (3 chapters from what I've read) ... but it's beginning to hurt the stories in two ways: (1) minimal characterization (because there's no time to explore characters ... we've got to get from point A to point B); (2) some fairly cringe worthy dialogue (e.g. Boy King's quip as he crashed through the ceiling wasn't even a pun, while the earlier exchange between US Jones and BT was really contrived sounding). Honestly, they need to step back from the schedule of stories they've clearly got in hand, and let characterization start determining how this unfolds. Okay, so power corrupts is the motiff (apparently) for Chapter Two ... but let that be driven by the interaction of the characters and their personalities, not by what appears to be an outline of: issue 1 "X" happens; issue 2 "Y" happens; issue 3 "Z" happens, and issue 4 concludes things/springs us towards the next arc. I'm really finding it hard to be sympathetic to any of the characters here (or latch onto any of them), and it's beginning to become clear to me that this is the result of the way the stories are being told. Plot is overpowering storytelling.

And I have to say I was disappointed with the art. Lilly's a GREAT artist ... but again we've got that washed out coloring coupled with sketchy line work. Was there really any reason BT's eyes and mask couldn't be crisply drawn in the panel when he aims the gun at the reader ... or that the figures in the melee were so roughly done looking? I don't know if the lack of an inker is an issue, but it looks like these books are "pencils to colors" produced, and it just doesn't come off well.

Sorry for the monologue -- but I really want this line to succeed. It feels, however, like it's misfiring a bit -- like things are off here and there. Others may feel differently, though, and that's cool if they do.

[md62]

Totally agree with the above post....

[Ghornet2]

I didn't have a problem with the art, but I'm not that concious of art.

I do agree that there's not a lot of character growth and that the stories seem to plot driven and a little forced. It's something to work on.

As for the Inheritors showing up being 'contrived' that may be the point. don't forget were given a hint that Tim might not be Tim, but Dynamic Boy (Wizard 1/2). Maybe "Tim" was in the know and brought the Inheritors in at the right point. That could also be why he's staying with them and not the main group.

[comixfan1980]

I found the issue to be pretty good, not the best issue in the series but not the worst either, just a fun book. Hopefully this series continues back at #5 when PSv2 is over, I would like to see it picked up, maybe even with a new creative team, but I would be happy with the current crew regardless.

[captainzero]

I think I'd have to give it a 2 1/2 or a 3 (out of 5).

It was okay, but some of the dialogue was really clunky, and the appearance of the Inheritors was just too coincidental. I think it kind of clarified for me what the problem of the P:SP books has been, and it's that they're too plot driven. Clearly Ross and Krueger have an outline of how they want these stories to unfold (3 chapters from what I've read) ... but it's beginning to hurt the stories in two ways: (1) minimal characterization (because there's no time to explore characters ... we've got to get from point A to point B); (2) some fairly cringe worthy dialogue (e.g. Boy King's quip as he crashed through the ceiling wasn't even a pun, while the earlier exchange between US Jones and BT was really contrived sounding). Honestly, they need to step back from the schedule of stories they've clearly got in hand, and let characterization start determining how this unfolds. Okay, so power corrupts is the motiff (apparently) for Chapter Two ... but let that be driven by the interaction of the characters and their personalities, not by what appears to be an outline of: issue 1 "X" happens; issue 2 "Y" happens; issue 3 "Z" happens, and issue 4 concludes things/springs us towards the next arc. I'm really finding it hard to be sympathetic to any of the characters here (or latch onto any of them), and it's beginning to become clear to me that this is the result of the way the stories are being told. Plot is overpowering storytelling.

And I have to say I was disappointed with the art. Lilly's a GREAT artist ... but again we've got that washed out coloring coupled with sketchy line work. Was there really any reason BT's eyes and mask couldn't be crisply drawn in the panel when he aims the gun at the reader ... or that the figures in the melee were so roughly done looking? I don't know if the lack of an inker is an issue, but it looks like these books are "pencils to colors" produced, and it just doesn't come off well.

Sorry for the monologue -- but I really want this line to succeed. It feels, however, like it's misfiring a bit -- like things are off here and there. Others may feel differently, though, and that's cool if they do.

It's not a monologue...I think what we are trying to do is give "constructive criticism"... or a "critique" ...to these comics that we love and care about...so, please don't feel you should apologize..... and I agree with many of your points.
Thanks for sharing.
If we don't give our honest "feedback"... how will they ever get better.!?

[captainzero]

I really like the Black Terror... and I want the book to succeed ...and I would like to see the book get increasingly better, too.
For me, it wasn't a particularly strong issue...I thought it wasn't written very well.


It got a little messy during the battle.
I wasn't sure about all the participants. I'm still not sure what happened to the Police Corp.!!??
I was a bit disappointed in the meeting between Black Terror and Tim...
but I did like the ..."I don't have to, Bob, you're here." ...exchange.

I, too, thought the dialogue a bit clunky.... and I think the above post covered a number of the points I would try to make ....well.

I DID like the Liberator jumping between West's shot... and The Black Terror.
It should have been him... and I'm glad it was.!! For "old times sake".

I'm unhappy with this series...but maybe it's going to get better now.
I'm hanging on ...to see.
I love these guys... and I'm still glad they're back!! ;)

[Ghornet2]

I just re read BT#4 and I am revising my opinion.
Again they tried to do to much in a short space. A problem with a set number of issues. The story/plot should determine the length of the story arc. At least once Astro City bumped a story because the previous issue needed the room.
I think this might continue to be a problem until the off shoots aren't tied tight to the 'main series', and allowed to take their own route and pacing. I think DE needs to set down the basic character personalities, bring in a few creators and allow them to take a character or group and give them free rein.

[captainzero]

I just re read BT#4 and I am revising my opinion.
Again they tried to do to much in a short space. A problem with a set number of issues. The story/plot should determine the length of the story arc. At least once Astro City bumped a story because the previous issue needed the room.
I think this might continue to be a problem until the off shoots aren't tied tight to the 'main series', and allowed to take their own route and pacing. I think DE needs to set down the basic character personalities, bring in a few creators and allow them to take a character or group and give them free rein.
Yes, maybe you're right about the trying to do too much in too short a space.
There has been, seemingly, a lot to do in what seems a "too limited" amount of space,... so I agree with you about some of the problems, Ghornet.
Even for DE to set down the basic character personalities... would help the reader to see more than just costumes and powers.
I agree that it would be a good idea to bring in a "few creators" ...and allow them to take a character or group ...and develop them. We NEED some creators, ...experienced creators to develop the personalities of these heroes so we CAN better identify with them.
It's not as much fun when we really don't know these characters very well.

If I can just go from there,.... sometimes I just don't like some of the writing.
Some of the things said,.... the way it's said... and sometimes I'm not exactly sure what they are trying to get said.

Some of it .... I just don't like.
It seems like there are no "heroes"... just "Power blocks" ...that are trying watch and balance each other.
Just "Power Blocks" keeping each other in check.
Is THIS how Krueger and Ross see our 4-Colored World.????
No real "good guy" heroes... no really bad...or evil "bad guys"??

Here's another thing: I've been really waiting to see The Black Terror and Tim ...reunited.

Tim didn't seem like he has very much respect ...or caring.. for Bob.
He seems self-centered and disrespectful.... especially in light of how Bob was so concerned for him(Tim), his ward.

After all the years ...and battles... and concerns... Tim sounds like he needs a good kick in the pants.

I really didn't care for what the Boy King had to say to the The Project team, either. The Boy King makes everything sound like it's ALL about POWER.
And he seems like he's almost threatening the Project team that these young "heroes" are going to "be a check and balance" to the Project.

Man, ... where does he get off saying something like that to these heroes who have fought for GOOD ... for God and Country...for the American Way of life, and saved the WORLD..... in the fight against the Nazis, fascist Italy, and Imperialist Japan, ....against criminals, black marketeers, killers, .... and a host of evil, villainous types....

and these young "Inheritors" ... teen side-kicks, ...many of whom have learned to fight against evil and a host of "bad guys"... and learned how to fight for Good at the side of these very heroes... these "KIDS"..... are threatening these heroes who have trained, loved, and nutured many of these kids.... in their fight against evil... to have them talk like that. :confused: Have they no shame!! All of them.?? Any of them???

I don't know. Maybe it's the Boy King who needs a good swift kick in the pants... and Tim just needs a good spanking. The gall!!!! :mad:
The disrespect.!!

And The Black Terror responding by saying: "Good boy. I would hope so." "When we're doing something you think is "bad" in your eyes, you should come in and check our power.!!" (Really Stupid.!!)

It's like there is no "objective good" here. That all there is ... is POWER to be CHECKED.!!!!

This is the kind of writing from... well, I won't say it. I may be asked to leave the site. But this kind of stuff is really disturbing to me.

My brain begs me to not buy another issue of this crap... but my heart won't agree.

I still love these heroes... no matter what the writers are doing to them.

Jim Krueger and Alex Ross will live in comicbook infamy for what they are doing to the PSP Universe (in the writing...not on the covers.)
Someone will come along a break down this stuff...and it won't be pretty.

Until then... Let the show go on!!! :mad:

[comixfan1980]

While something about this issue felt a bit "off", I did enjoy the art as per usual, and I liked the fight scenes and plot. While it may have been the weakest issue of BT thus far, it still took me in and didn't let me go for a good 20 minutes or so.

[Ghornet2]

The Black Terror responding by saying: "Good boy. I would hope so." "When we're doing something you think is "bad" in your eyes, you should come in and check our power.!!" (Really Stupid.!!)

STUPID?? Because in a world that to him seems to be out of control he's glad to know there's a group out there that will step in if he gets out of control? Sounds to me like he's making good sense.

[captainzero]

STUPID?? Because in a world that to him seems to be out of control he's glad to know there's a group out there that will step in if he gets out of control? Sounds to me like he's making good sense.

Well, maybe, Ghornet.
But I thought he was a "hero".... that had a bit of a record for doing good.
I thought he was a World War II hero... and beyond. A "Good Guy"...from 1940-1949... or something. One of the MOST outstanding heroes from (Standard) his group of heroes.

This is his teen-sidekick talking to him like..."Yea, Bob, the Boy King is right, ... if you get out of "control"(whatever that may mean)... we will step in to check or stop you from what you're doing."

The Boy King had just said.."You're taking Power from them every time you face them."
(Isn't he talking about President West... who I thought was with THE SUPREMACY.)
(And isn't THE SUPREMACY made up of (As we know as Readers) Dynamic Man, Clownco, Emperor Seng II, The American Crusaders Army, The Mad Magi, Mrs. Octopus, The Black Baron and a couple of other "bad guys".)

The PSP heroes have fought Dynamic Man(who's allegiance seems to be with The Supremacy), the army of American Crusaders, The Armored Police Corp,
the "Frankenstein Army",...and now THE PATRIOTS!!

And The Boy King continues by saying: "The same power that CORRUPTED them is now growing in your hands."

Or is he just talking about THE PATRIOTS??

Who IS he talking about ...who is the "them" ...that are corrupted by the same power that The PSP heroes are taking every time they face them??

Is he talking about the PSP heroes... and Black Terror, specifically, ..."taking power from" THE PATRIOTS and is he warning Terror that he may become corrupted??"

BOY KING is doing a bit of lecturing to Black Terror and the PSP heroes about "that same power that CORRUPTED THEM is now growing in your hands."

Ghornet, ...you may be right. I'm, I'll admit, a little confused by the whole deal.

But for me, I thought(and I'll admit I sure might not have this thing clear)... it's a little like, ...Robin telling Batman...and the Justice League of America:
" You'd better watch your step... you'd better not step out of line... or become corrupted ...by the same power that corrupted The Secret Society of Super-Villains... or the Teen Titans will step in and stop you."

And Batman saying: "Good boy, Robin. I would hope you would do that. Come in and stop the JLA... if you think we're corrupted."(But, Ghornet, ... you could be right about this...because the JLA hasn't spent time in the Urn.)

I just thought it was a bit presumptuous of The Boy King to say that to the PSP heroes and Black Terror... and Tim, (who Bob feels is almost like the son he's never had) agrees with The Boy King... and lets The Black Terror know he'll(Tim) be right there ...siding against Bob... if The Inheritors think the PSP heroes are out of line.

And Bob says: "Good boy. I would hope so."

Ghornet,... maybe you are right.!!
Maybe Bob sees this as Tim's "growing up"... and separating from The Terror Twins... as a real good thing.
Tim's step into young adult hood.

AND... like you said, ...
Because in a world that, to him, seems to be out of control,-- The Black Terror is glad to know there's a group out there that will step in if he gets out of control!! Sounds to me like he's making good sense.

Yea, maybe his time in the Urn... has made him a lot less stable.!!... and he COULD possibly get out of control....and maybe he feels it. Maybe He feels less stable... and as though he COULD loose control.

You're probably right.!! Maybe he's not "stupid" in saying what he did.!! ;)

Awwww, I guess I had hoped The Black Terror ...wasn't 'on the edge' of losing control... that he was a strong, reasonably "connected", kick-butt hero ...but, hey,... 60 years in a magical urn could make a guy from the corner pharmacy... a little closer to the "edge". Right.!?? :D

[TheTerror]

I thought the Black Terror series was damn good, and issue 4 was a solid way to end this arc. Hopefully in the future though we get more Black Terror mini series' or they continue this series starting back at #5 which I think they said they were going to do. Captainzero, you need to be not so nit picky and realize it's a comicbook and it's not going to be perfect

[leonmallett]

Overall I enjoyed the issue. I felt the action was not particularly well realised, however the ending was satisfying since it positions BT and Tim (or is it Tim?) neatly within the ider P:S world.

Black Terror is a hero, but he recognises he has been changed by his time in the urn. We can see the cosmetic changes, but he will perhaps only realise what personal changes he has undergone with time which is what I think was being alluded to with his satisfaction that the Inheritors will also offer a check or balance.

I look forward to re-reading the series in the next few days.

[TheTerror]

Overall I enjoyed the issue. I felt the action was not particularly well realised, however the ending was satisfying since it positions BT and Tim (or is it Tim?) neatly within the ider P:S world.

Black Terror is a hero, but he recognises he has been changed by his time in the urn. We can see the cosmetic changes, but he will perhaps only realise what personal changes he has undergone with time which is what I think was being alluded to with his satisfaction that the Inheritors will also offer a check or balance.

I look forward to re-reading the series in the next few days.

I'm going to say that I don't think it is tim, I think it's a ruse by supremecy.

[comixfan1980]

I just reread the issue and I thought it was a better read the 2nd time around. There were some epic moments, such as Lama and team showing up to help out Terror, the fight was pretty good and the break from captivity was done well, overall I felt it was a great way to cap off the mini-series. I still hope DE decides to start it back up at issue #5 like they said they would originally, I feel like BT is Dynamites top hero and should definatly star in his own series, I feel the way for DDD as well. All in all I was glad to see that Tim is okay, the Inheritors are a cool group and it looks as if they plan on keep a close eye on Lama and company, which creates another good "check" in balance.