tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post814203510189988132..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: Return of the King: Machine Man 1Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-76218364716896433732012-11-28T19:27:31.443-06:002012-11-28T19:27:31.443-06:00It was because of Kirby's 2001 Tresury Edition...It was because of Kirby's 2001 Tresury Edition that I finally understood the final scenes in 2001: A Space Odyssey. I didn't understand that the astronaut, Dave Bowman, was experiencing an environment that was manufactured by the aliens. When he "evolved" into a higher form of life ..all that went over my way of understanding things as a 12 year old child. The Kirby book spelled it out for me in a way I could understand. <br /><br />But I digress, Machine Man was one of my favorites, as a far as Kirby's art was concerned. Again, if you ignore the writing, the art is astounding. It was never duplicated by Ditko or Winsor Smith. I did read the graphic novel MM mini series in paperback long ago. It was good and I was hoping the art would be in the Kirby style. However Windsor Smith has a differnt version of the character. It's ironic that Kirby's books were labeled "failures", yet Marvel went back to his source material to develop more comics......Fantastic Four Fan 4evernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-76392849041531321302012-11-27T17:03:45.913-06:002012-11-27T17:03:45.913-06:00"Karen: At some point I want to get ahold of ..."Karen: At some point I want to get ahold of his Black Panther Although I fear it will lower his batting average even more in my eyes!"<br /><br />Karen read the Black Panther is fun! Read it, but don't read it hoping to find continuity, racial tensions or political messages, is virtually Indiana Jones 5 years in advance. It's nice also the first book but my favorites are the ones with the "cousins Pantera".Mariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09278530419051214156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-82427972000430073712012-11-26T19:16:04.978-06:002012-11-26T19:16:04.978-06:00I know I had this issue; I can't recall if I h...I know I had this issue; I can't recall if I had some subsequent ones. I will say that the Kirby/Royer combo looked much better on this character than on Cap. (Kirby couldn't even get the eyes right on cap. He looked ridiculous. Only Black Panther looked worse.)William Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07896164917625191919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-36947960020267727202012-11-26T17:29:34.879-06:002012-11-26T17:29:34.879-06:00That's funny, I just posted on the AA boards a...That's funny, I just posted on the AA boards about how I picked up a random new comic, Red She-Hulk #49, because the cover featured Machine Man AND it also had WORD BUBBLES on the cover. Yes, X-51 was SPEAKING on the cover, giving insight to the content of that very comic book. I really miss old-school covers, not the "posing" covers they churn out nowadays.<br /><br />I always thought X-51 made a pretty good Avenger, kind of a Plastic Man, goofy type, but a useful member. But having him on a line-up with the Vision might be one too many robots, IMO.<br /><br />Also, it was a great comic, with an Avengers appearance to boot!<br /><br />starfoxxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-39376339679578046852012-11-26T13:12:18.684-06:002012-11-26T13:12:18.684-06:00The only issue I read of Machine Man was the final...The only issue I read of Machine Man was the final one, which had him facing off against Jack O'Lantern, a typically fun Ditko villain who later became a regular in Amazing Spider-Man (ironic, given Ditko's estrangement from the title). <br /><br />Ditko's version of Kirby's character was pretty good. He was able to convey the loneliness and angst of the hero fairly without overdoing it either.<br /><br />Then, of course, Marvel up and canceled the series. I remember that particular issue had a banner that said something to the effect of: "A Complete Your Collection Classic! (Or Guess Which Mag Won't Have a 20th Issue)" Inkstained Wretchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-38348221174108483062012-11-26T12:44:52.429-06:002012-11-26T12:44:52.429-06:00So, Kirby invented Inspector Gadget? "Go go, ...So, Kirby invented Inspector Gadget? "Go go, Machine Man legs!"<br /><br />Seriously though, I have always liked Machine Man myself. But I liked the Doom Patrol's Robot Man as well. Hmmm, I seem to have a soft spot for sentient robot characters.<br /><br />I never read the Jack Kirby series though. I mostly was exposed to the character through his guest appearances in other comics. I did read the BWS mini when it came out, and I must not have liked it all that much because I don't really remember any details of it. If I'm not mistaken, it takes place in the future, (and I'm not a fan "future" stories all that much). However, I think it involves Machine Man being reactivated and features sort of an evil future version of Iron Man as well. Don't hold me to any of this, as I'm going off memory because I no longer own the comics themselves.<br /><br />As for Jack's version of Machine Man, it looks like something I might have actually liked, at least in concept. Again, Kirby draws metal objects very well, so the character was right up his alley. But let's face it folks, as much as we all have a fondness for "The King", he really should have just stuck to drawing. Writing was definitely not his thing. I mean, the man wrote worse dialogue than George Lucas. (And that's saying something). "Meesa tinks so, anyway."<br /><br />For example:<br /><br />"I suppose this MUST be the fate of all innovations that jolt and threaten the security of the IGNORANT!"<br /><br />Huh?<br /><br />Oh BTW, you guys didn't mention that the character Dr. Broadhurst also had the funkiest eyebrows in comics history as well. They looked like Namor's ankle wings.Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988016825582035390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-29468232500050794932012-11-26T11:47:51.351-06:002012-11-26T11:47:51.351-06:00Thanks for the note, Bruce -- and be sure to come ...Thanks for the note, Bruce -- and be sure to come back tomorrow for a special announcement. You may want to leave lurkerville more often!<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-46858871285539045742012-11-26T11:32:11.650-06:002012-11-26T11:32:11.650-06:00Another great in-depth review, guys. I don't c...Another great in-depth review, guys. I don't comment very often, but I really enjoy reading your posts.<br /><br />Like Edo said, I liked the Ditko/Wolfman take on Machine Man better than Kirby's version. In Kirby's version, the central question was "Am I man or machine?" The Ditko/Wolfman version asked "How does a man of principle fit into society?" They dropped Kirby's sci fi trappings and made Machine Man more of a traditional superhero.Bruce Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-77075438010815125052012-11-26T10:54:02.453-06:002012-11-26T10:54:02.453-06:00Like the other Kirby offerings upon returning to M...Like the other Kirby offerings upon returning to Marvel, he distinctively worked 'outside the groove' of the then-current continuity. Almost like that loveable kid who's in his own groove, ignorant of all around him, almost 'Kramer-esque' from 'Seinfeld'.<br /><br />I can't wait to read the 'Untold Story' book to find out more scoop on his ultimate release from Marvel.<br /><br />Imagine for a spell if they would have given him other properties Marvel was soon to acquire, like.., hmmm:<br /><br />'Star Wars'<br /><br />What a trip THAT would have been.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-74649004570319940302012-11-26T10:13:39.762-06:002012-11-26T10:13:39.762-06:00Like Richard, I have the '80s mini-series (in ...Like Richard, I have the '80s mini-series (in TPB), but have yet to read it.<br />Unlike Richard, I kind of liked the resumed series with Ditko doing the art. Granted, it's been ages since I read any of it, but I recall it being a pretty solid series - nothing like the choppy, off-kilter storytelling you've described here.<br />Anyway, based on your description, I doubt I'll being going out of my way to seek out any of this earlier Machine Man material by Kirby.Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-37078452822867416312012-11-26T07:45:48.368-06:002012-11-26T07:45:48.368-06:00I’m struggling to remember if MM made any sense (c...I’m struggling to remember if MM made any sense (continuity) with his origins in the 2001 comic. I think he was brought to life by the Monolith, which is completely non-canonical with the rest of Marvel, so I guess all that was conveniently overlooked. Obviously, the Monolith was crowbarred in to give Kirby a (very thin) excuse to do whatever he felt like and call it 2001 related, so the actual MM comic is more the real intention. <br /><br />You are correct about not reading on Karen, it didn’t get any better. Then they cancelled it and resurrected it with Wolfman & Ditko and it got worse still. At least Kirby’s highly reflective and blocky style look mechanistic. <br /><br />I believe however, Doug, that the Smith mini-series is much, much better. I have it, but haven’t read it yet. At this rate it, it will probably be a few years. I just completed Am Adv’s so I’m over my head in tripods at the moment. <br /><br />Richard<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com