Just finished reading Kaare Andrews' Spider-Man: Reign. It definitely had a large influence by Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, but also had its own identity by focusing on the way Peter deals with his pains.
It was very interesting to see the idea of how Peter would react long in the future, after losing all his loved ones and watching NYC become a despotic dystopia. He let go of power and responsibility and it hurt his life even further, but after being spurned forth by the actions of J. Jonah Jameson, of all people to cheer Spidey, albeit in his own abrasive ball-busting of ways, he seeks to make things right and stop his most vicious enemies.
My main problem with the story is the delusional Mayor Waters excuses and justifications for the way he has taken control of the city. Definitely had some commentary on the Patriot Act in the way it defined a city that was put into a police state and took all of its citizen's freedom in exchange for "safety." But Waters then allowing hundreds of people to be slaughtered as "sacrifice for protection" just didn't fit.
Lastly, it also played a little too vague with some of its characterizations. A sedated and starved Kingpin is wheeled out, but is not explained what reason Waters has to do this, nor is Fisk even named, it just seems to be Fisk based upon commentary. Some scenery seems peculiar as to if it is Peter hallucinating or if it is actually happening.
Regardless, I all-in-all enjoyed Reign. I liked a lot of the message, I loved the pain and struggle, I loved the reason Peter originally gave up being Spider-Man (man, it was a doozy! Sadness!), and I respected the ending.
Anyone else read this one?
@RobbyBevard:
Nah, I only go to the theaters for Pixar movies. I can wait the 4 months on anything else to hit dvd.
I'm a huge movie guy. I love going to the theater and catching the movie on the big screen with full sound. It has gotten pretty expensive, so for the most part, I basically only go to the before noon $6 shows or the student days on Thurs for $7.50 (thank goodness that midnight premieres go on student price!) But I find it worth the trip.
I have yet to see a Pixar movie in the theater. I'm going to see Brave since that is the first Pixar movie to look really entertaining from the very first trailer to me. Of the Pixar movies I have seen, I have only really enjoyed Incredibles for the fun, quotable movie that it is. I only own Incredibles and Finding Nemo, for that matter.
I'm not really a fan of their cg animation style and haven't been wowed by their stories. I still prefer standard Disney.
Speaking of Disney, I may be able to catch a special sneak premiere of John Carter of Mars tonight! Should be pretty awesome.