Power of Fishnets 2: Battle of the Bands

6 responses to “Power of Fishnets 2: Battle of the Bands”

1. Great reviews as always.

   I completely agree with you that the look and art of this book was its strongest element. If you ever want to show someone why comics is such a great medium, linking words and images, this is a book too give them. Innovative, intelligent, amazing. For a book built around music and sound there are a lot of ‘silent’ pages that still evoke just what the story tellers are trying to convey to us. I am so glad that Annie Wu got to do these issues because she brings her A-game. She must have been exhausted after them because there are so many inset panels, tiny panels, wild page layouts. But it all works wonderfully.

   DCYou might not have been a smash success. But this book does stand out as something different and fantastic. I’m sad to see it go away.

   Reply

2. I haven’t read a new comic in months, but I liked this Black Canary series from the DCYou preview and first couple of issues and will probably be picking it up in trade. I love the idea, and wow, that page with the musical notation rocks my world!

   It’s Black Canary as Scott Pilgrim, but DC’s dying cred and inability to market and support books has let to its demise despite that rockin’ premise. I guess it’s back to IDW’s Jem and the Holograms for us…

   Reply

3. I gotta give the creators credit for following this rock band premise to it’s natural conclusion. I followed your reviews of the series on Flowers & Fishnets, but it just occurred to me that this may be one of the few times in entertainment that a concept graft like this actually resulted in superior work. Josie and the Pussycats in Space, Giligan’s Planet, and even the last season of M.A.S.K. where suddenly they become NASCAR-like racers come to mind. All of those came off as pandering and desperate grabs at just doing something different, with little artistic merit (even for kids cartoons). This, on the other hand, is a high-concept reworking using Canary’s signature power as a hook.

   The artwork and color IS stunning, and novelty of sound defeating the monster must be commended. I think I’m going to have to look into this trade as well.

   Chris

   Reply

4. While I’m saddened by the news that Black Canary will be going away, I can’t say that I’m surprised. The vibe I get from DC is that they don’t see the value in niche appeal the way Marvel does with something like The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (a similarly atypical superhero story with a very unique look.) Though to be fair I don’t know the actual sales numbers of either book so I could just be talking out my b-hole.

   As I continue to suffer through reliving the 90s on my own podcast (90s Comics Retrial, subscribe to it as part of the Council of Geeks podcast feed, PLUG PLUG SHAMELESS PLUG!) I feel the need to point out that sound as weapons isn’t quite as unique as you’re painting it. I know this because I’ve had to watch both Venom and Carnage be repeatedly battled with or defeated by sonic and sound based weapons, including Carnage being taken down by the concert ready sound system of Madison Square Garden at the end of his original appearance. Of course, it wasn’t done with even a quarter of the visual style and flare that is on display here. But you know, I have to suffer having these things in my head and spreading the disease is almost like treating it.

   Overall another great episode, and I look forward to hearing more about Zatanna, as my knowledge of her fairly peripheral at the moment.

   Reply

5. Great review, I’m really enjoying this podcast so far. Black Canary and Zatanna are both characters that I’d really like to learn more about, as the most I’ve seen them on would be the Justice League Unlimited show and Bloodspell, which I picked up after your review.

   Also, I’m not sure if you have heard, but apparently a free album called Kicking and Screaming has been released online as a canon album by Black Canary. If its not unique, its certainly unusual, and the music has a similar feel to the comic itself. They even released a tour schedule!

   Back to the point, I’m looking forward to listening in the future, keep up the good work.

   Reply

   1. Thanks for writing in!

      Yeah, I’ve downloaded the Black Canary EP. It’s very cool!

      Reply