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Post by Drake on Oct 14, 2014 21:35:52 GMT -5
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Post by Drake on Oct 14, 2014 21:37:37 GMT -5
FYI, issue 1 will be a good jumping on point. While you'll get the full experience if you read Jordan's Ultimate Batman, Wachter's 'Haven vol 1, and my 'Haven vol 2, you can just jump right in. I'll try to make it as new reader friendly as possible.
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Post by Drake on Nov 2, 2014 17:41:34 GMT -5
Issue 1 is up! The epic begins!
Note: From now on, Adrini will have a more substantial role in writing the chapters. The full portioning will be disclosed soon.
Note 2: Sorry for the messiness in the board. I'm hoping the admins will fix it soon.
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Post by Drake on Nov 2, 2014 17:52:20 GMT -5
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Post by adrini on Nov 2, 2014 21:36:04 GMT -5
Hey I got the opening. That's not nothing.
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Post by Drake on Nov 2, 2014 22:15:16 GMT -5
Hey I got the opening. That's not nothing. Absolutely! I never said that. All I meant was you'll have a bigger role writing in the future.
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Post by adrini on Nov 2, 2014 22:24:57 GMT -5
Yep. Speaking of outlines sooner rather then later are best. More time to work with. I love the chapter!
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Post by Drake on Nov 3, 2014 9:48:59 GMT -5
I'll get to it tonight
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Post by cross on Nov 3, 2014 22:31:31 GMT -5
I feel that Ultimate Batman is going to be weighed down by the previous run of issues. Luckily you both are my favorite writers on the site and this issue really hammers home the proof of it. You remind the reader that yes the previous run of batman is in continuity whether we like it or not, then you pretty much get over it and it doesn't harm the story one bit. I really enjoyed this issue. I have always loved the bat family and this book seems like it's going to show that side of Batman off which I am happy to see.
I like the start of Bane. It's different for now and I'm okay with that. I am still waiting for Ultimate Joker but I understand that the Joker is no easy feat to write considering the pressure. Not much action but this issue didn't need it and it wasn't boring by any means. Excited to finally get to the freaking owls!!!
Keep up the good work.
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Post by Drake on Nov 4, 2014 8:50:26 GMT -5
I'm really, really glad you liked it! We've put a lot of effort into this series and have something truly epic planned for you.
And Joker is coming. Oh boy, he's coming....Just keep reading.
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Post by Stardrifter on Nov 16, 2014 9:23:53 GMT -5
Not a bad start. Even if Bruce reading that book was groan inducing. Some of the dialogue was a bit clunky. The exposition put in in a way that didn't feel natural. Not horrible, but it was noticeable.
Otherwise it was fine. There's obviously a lot of history here. I worry that You guys won't be able to balance all the characters. Keep em coming.
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Post by Drake on Nov 16, 2014 19:12:42 GMT -5
Yeah, I wasn't sure if I was trying too hard with the book scene. Still, it's important you pick up on the Tale of Two Cities analogy now because (at least) my planned story will mirror it. I literally have a page on Word detailing who each of the analogous characters are in ATTofTC and Knights.
The exposition was there because it's a first issue with a lot of past continuity and I'm trying to make it new reader friendly. I'd like to think it's not all that unnatural, considering people do speak in exposition a lot when they're talking about the past (especially if someone's missed a lot i.e. Dick).
Thanks for reviewing! And yeah, that's my greatest fear too. There's a lot of characters. Hopefully we can give everyone at least one moment.
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Post by ericthepilot on Dec 18, 2014 22:03:22 GMT -5
I thought this was a good first issue, it really helps to draw the reader in and convey the sense of history between the characters without really bogging things down with an overwhelming amount of detail. I admit to not having gotten to read everything yet – the take on Batman used previously didn't exactly grab me the way that the Bludhaven centered stories did, so it was nice to have something here that established the status quo. It served well as an excellent jumping on point.
The sequence with Bane, especially the way you introduced him prior to the introduction of the venom was really well done. He's clearly a threat with or without it, and that definitely establishes him as a big time danger going forward. It was also good that you got the “break you” homage out of the way early, but it was a nice touch.
Barbara and Dick's storyline was a little more difficult to get into, but that certainly seems to be a consequence of the stories that came before – and I'm looking forward to seeing the continued payoff of what is clearly a complex relationship. You did manage to keep the characters all feeling real and their reactions were logical based on what seems to have come before. I wouldn't want to read a lot of this kind of drama, but it works effectively here.
I'll be looking forward to the next one.
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Post by Drake on Dec 18, 2014 22:09:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind review! Adrini and I have been working hard on this.
There won't be a lot of "CW" drama in Knights, but Dick and Babs' relationship will have some of it. It'll pass though. Also, the previous runs established nothing in this reality (you'd get it if you read it) other than a psychology for Batman. Truth be told, Jordan's Batman is a dream. I didn't retcon it, but decided to stick with the retcon because it let me tell this story.
I'm glad you like Bane! He's really fun to write! I will warn you that that might not be the last time Bane breaks someone...
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Post by Drake on Dec 24, 2014 12:10:30 GMT -5
#2 is up, and oh boy, is it a long one!
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Post by Drake on Dec 24, 2014 17:31:09 GMT -5
Ultimate Outlaws vol. 2: The Lost Outlaw is up on the 'Haven board! READ IT! It's super important and is a fun holiday special!
Also, I'd recommend reading Ultimate Outlaws: Nightjay. That'll introduce you to Aaron Langstrom, who will have a supporting role in Knights.
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Post by Drake on Dec 24, 2014 17:39:59 GMT -5
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Post by ericthepilot on Dec 26, 2014 0:09:40 GMT -5
Another really sharp issue, one I greatly enjoyed.
The best part of this one was the way you were able to structure each of the three storylines in parallel to one another and keep them all equally engaging.
It's a very difficult skill to be able to tell gripping tales in the past, where you're able to make the reader feel the triumphs and heartaches of the characters who's stories we at least know to a certain extent. We know where they stand now (for better or worse) but you still buy into every moment of the journey.
This was definitely a bold choice to spend the first two issues of the series looking backwards as much as forwards, but I think it serves the story you're trying to tell well - even without knowing the full scope of the Bludhaven stories, these two issues give a new reader a lot of what they need to know about how the primary characters work in this universe, but they remain just as good to a reader that's been on the whole journey the whole time (or in my case managed to binge read the whole thing in a day or two).
Definitely excited to see where this is headed next. This promises to be a grand adventure indeed.
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Post by Drake on Dec 26, 2014 11:38:27 GMT -5
Thanks again for such a kind review!
I knew it would be a risk taking the first two issues at such a slow pace with a focus on, as you said, the past as opposed to the present and future. I'm glad it's paid off! This title--hopefully--will be an incredibly long, incredibly fun (in all the twisted Batman-y ways it can be) adventure.
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Post by cross on Dec 26, 2014 19:48:40 GMT -5
Lots of backstory with this one and I don't mind at all. Very cool to see how the birds met and how the court brought the dynamic duo together. I like your portrayal of Nightwing. He's always been my favorite DC character and it's good to see him pretty faithful here. Babs story was standard. I'm more interested in her turn into batgirl and then the paralization and then the return but this is a great "first" encounter.
JIM GORDAN!
This is the Batman series the Ultimate universe has been needing. Banes past was eh for me. I still like him and his ferocity but it was a so-so story in my mind. I think I'm more ready for the Bane and the Bat encounter. Overall this was a great issue. Keep it up you both are really doing wonders for Gotham, Bludhaven, and Star City.
Also thanks for the updated "yearbook".
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