As I'll elaborate momentarily, Lobo just popped back on my radar, and reminded me that despite previous assertions, I hadn't really finished posting scans of all the Martian Manhunter related villains from this Underworld Unleashed tie-in card set. Besides the 'Bo here, and previously noted omissions like Silver Banshee and the Demon Etrigan (still too big a reach for me,) there's a chase card subset featuring Doomsday, Darkseid and Mongul in a nine panel image I'll have to do something with. I'd just knock the whole thing out, but I'm missing a panel (stupid Joker!) and I don't need three individual posts (as least for now.)
As for the card itself, it's painted by Lobo's most popular artist, Simon Bisley. The Biz always lent Lobo a heavy metal look, but the star spangled stretch pants strike me as a tad more David Lee Roth than James Hetfield. Then again, one of the reasons I continue to find Lobo amusing is that he's so clearly a poseur, this fashion faux pas just strikes me as another winky "tell."
Exactly! Like most loud mouthed "Alpha Males" in any social group, Lobo clearly is A)unaware how stupid/uncool he is and B) compensating for something. I really like the Alan Grant stuff. Lobo is the Unholy fool, a linchpin for all kinds of violent/hilarious circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI could never get into the Alan Grant solo stuff, but then I dislike Grant's work in general. Giffen was more sly with his satire, while the constraints of L.E.G.I.O.N. reined in most of Grant's worst instincts with the character. I need someone reasonable for Lobo to play off of, which the solo series sorely lacked in. It seemed like pure exploitation, while still trying to retain credibility as a parody.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on Alan Grant's Batman stuff? I feel it's the best take on the character, possibly barnone, but then he does have Norm Breyfogle for the bulk of it. I've only read sporadic pieces of L.E.G.I.O.N., and most of those didn't feature Lobo, but knowing Giffen, I think you're probably right that it's superiour. Giffen seems to fit Lobo into the shared universe better. I just like Grants stuff for it's gonzo nature.
ReplyDeleteI have issues with Batman, but if I'm going to read him, I can do loads worse than Grant & Breyfogle. They at least remembered the "detective" part, and they tried to use new villains, which I appreciated.
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