Run for the hills! Tonight, I interview

BudPalmer!



A look at BudPalmer's profile (and sig line)tells us he's been lowering himself to the lowest common denominator since 2/5/03. BudPalmer is a 32 yr old, from the US whose occupation is to not hurthimself or other people around him at work.

So with that in mind, proceed with caution.

When did you start reading comic books?

BP: Around 1989. But purchased back issues that would make it as though I had been reading some comics since well before I was born.

What or who got you started?

BP: The son of a friend of the family, Greg, got me started on them (it was the summer of Atlantis Attacks). I was always a big fan of Spider-Man, Batman & the Super-Friends thanks to growing up with their various shows/cartoons while I was a kid. He had a bunch with him. I read through three and was hooked.

What do you like most about comic books?

BP: It a good escape from reality for while. I enjoy the characters.

Least?

BP: The hokey story-lines. Sometimes comics can be a little too “comic booky” if you get what I mean.

What is your favorite title? Why?

BP: "King of the World", because I hope to hold that title one day. Seriously though I am a huge fan of the first run of Excalibur. I liked that I didn't have to worry about any cross-overs and it starred a couple of my favorite X-Men. Plus the stories had great humor and the work of who would become one of my all-time favorite artists, Alan Davis.

Who is your favorite/least favorite comic character? Why?

BP: I tend to avoid things that bother me so I'm not sure I can pick a least favorite. My favorite is easily Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler was the character who really opened my eyes to the true meaning of not judging a book by its cover. My first contact with Kurt was on the classic, Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends. I remember how blown away I was that this guy, who looked like a demon, was a god guy. I even remember rushing to my mom in shock that the monster-looking guy was fighting for right. I made an attempt to relate my feelings to my mom but I was a kid and it was the 80's so mom just dismissed me so she could keep smoking. I rushed back to the TV and watched the rest of the episode. Later on down the road I read up on him and found him to be a pretty deep character.

If your favorite comic book character is a hero, who is your favorite villain? If it’s a villain, who’s your favorite hero? Why?

BP: My favorite Villain would have to be Dr. Doom. He's the man! He demands nothing short oft the universe bending to his will. He sees this as him saving the world. He can mix the greatest technology with the darkest of magic and still come out on top. Yet for his imense brillance, he still couldn't wait like an hour to put on his new shiny suit. The poor scarred genius. “I broke my yoke! Curse you, RICHARDS!!!!!!”


What is your favorite/least favorite hero team? Villain team? Why?

Favorite Hero Group

BP: The X-Men
(And By extension, New Mutants, X- Factor, Excalibur, X-Force, X-Statics, and the hundred other - you get the point). Yup, I was an awkward teenager and the poor downtrodden mutants spoke to me at the time. I came in at a bad time for X-Men, during the “Dissolution & Rebirth” storyline (right after Texas and everyone’s trip through the Siege Perilous). Before my ten year break, that hit around ‘92, I had managed to get back issues to issue 135 or so.

Least Favorite Hero Group

BP: The Invisibles
A buddy of mine lent me the first trade. I’ve been strugglin’ to finish it ever since. I guess I just can’t find the right combo of mind altering substances to make this story click. Just a resounding “ugh” from me on this book (sorry to any fans).

Favorite Villain Team

BP: Secret Six
What can I say? Gail Simone took a fat has-been and made him into an interesting arse-kicker. I liked what I had seen and heard of Deadshot too so it was an easy book to start. I still don’t get why this isn’t an ongoing series.

Least Favorite Villain Team

BP: The naked women-killing chicks from “Girls”
Are you reading this book? What the heck is going on? Why can’t I stop reading it? Anyway, these nekkid gals is bad news... that I can’t wait to see end.


Who is your favorite/least favorite comic writer? Why?

Favorite Writer

BP: Alan Moore
Hands down that creepy-looking mofo is one hell of a story teller. He’s written some of my favorite stories. No one puts more thought into their stories than this man.

Least Favorite Writer

BP: Chuck Austin
Another easy one. He made Nightcrawler’s dad a Devil Mutant from biblical times. What the hell?!? At least he brought us Sammy the freakin’ fish-boy! Yikes!

Who is your favorite comic artist? Why?

BP: Alan Davis.
It could be because he was the guy drawing Excalibur at the time I started reading but I think it’s because he’s a damn good artist. He’s got a very clean style and draws a mean Nightcrawler!


How many comics do you read on a monthly basis?

BP: More than ten less than twenty - I hope. (I read some in trade only)


How much do you spend on comics monthly?

BP: Somewhere in the $100.00 range


About how many comic books do you own?

BP: five or six thousand (I’m not counting them. This questionnaire is enough work! )


What is your favorite comic era- the Golden Age (1930’s-1950’s), the Silver Age (1950’s-1980’s), or the Bronze Age (1980’s to present)?

BP: I had most contact with the 1980's to present so I’ll have to go there.


What changes would you like to see in the comic book medium?

BP: I’d like to see more effort made to keep movie versions more true to the comics.


What is more important to you: good stories or continuity? Why?

BP: Good stories. A perfect example is the Ultimate line from Marvel. I know it is just rehashed stuff that has happened in the regular universe but the stories are well-written re-writes. I’ve always been a fan of What If’s and that’s all this is.


Do you only read comics from one company? If so which one and why?

BP: Nah, I’ll give anyone a chance (Except Rob Liefeld)


Pitch 5 comic series, Graphic Novels, or trades to members of HCrealms.

BP: ******Some Spoilers*******

• Miracle Man *(series/TPB): What happens when a Super Hero with god-like powers suddenly remembers who he is after living for years as an ordinary man? He looks up his old friends and begins on his quest to save the world. Wait till you see what he does after that. There were some legal problems surrounding the reprints of this story but I hear they may have been resolved. Do yourself a favor and read this. This is another Alan Moore story when his ability to think outside the box shines.
  
• Wanted *(series/TPB): The bad news is your boss is an evil witch, your girlfriend is cheating on you with your best friend and the dad you never met just died. The good news is your dad was super-rich, super villain and you’re about to leave your bull-poopy life behind and take his place. The road won’t be easy, but being able to do whatever you want whenever you want, should take some effort.
  
• All Star Superman(series): Grant Morrison had some really great ideas for Superman and he gets to show them all in DC’s answer to Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. The stories have an old-timey feel with a modern bit of darkness. In the first issue Lex comes to terms with the fact that the only way Superman won’t outlive him is if Lex kills Superman. Does he do it? Well, we’re on issue 6 so I guess you know the answer to that... or do you?
  
• Marvel Team-Up(series/TPB): This was a book that flew in under the radar. Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Marvel Zombies, Walking Dead) is given free reign over the entire Marvel Universe. He’s put together a solid run of finely-woven tales. One of which will cause a few to take a second look some of Marvel’s D-Listers. This has been a book I haven’t even thought about dropping.
  
• Y: The Last Man*(series/TPB): Yorick’s going through an interesting time in his life. He’s feeling a bit lost but he’s got a beautiful girlfriend who he plans on proposing to once she gets back from Australia. He’s got a monkey he’s training to be a helper-monkey and his mom is a high-ranking public official. Unfortunately every animal of the male gender has suddenly up and died except for Yorick and his monkey. He quickly discovers being the last man on Earth isn’t nearly as much fun as he thought it would be.

What is your favorite comic-related movie to date?

BP: X2 (Spidey 2 a close second)


If you watch comic-related cartoons, which has been your favorite?

BP: Batman the animated series but JLU got real close at the end there.


What do you like about the comic forums of HCrealms? What do you dislike?

BP: I like the lively discussions. I love when the brain-trust gets together to give their theories of what’s going on and the gloating from those who were right (I’m rarely one of these people by the way).

I dislike people who mistake their opinion for fact.


How can HCrealms improve the comic forums, to better suit the needs of the comic book readers who used the site?

BP: I don’t really have any suggestions here. I like to talk about them.


What would you like HCrealms comic readers to know about you, in regards to you as a comic reader/collector?

BP: Nothing, now leave me alone!

Thanks BudPalmer! Despite all of the ribbing, Bud's one of the realmsers who has helped expand my horizons in the world of comics, and I really appreciate it.

Stay tuned for another interview! Coming soon! And you may want to give it a few mins, before you let your daughters out............

Go Nightcrawler!

I also remember Alan Davis' run on Excalibur. He is a truly underrated artist.
All-Star Superman is definitely one of the best out there right now. It took me a while to get used to Quitely's art, but it suits the book now. This is a good example of taking a modern twist on stories while still keeping that old-school feeling to them.
I remember reading my brother's Miracleman comics when they were first being republished in the States and I'm dying for them to be put out again in a nice trade format like they deserve. And I'd really like to read the end of Gaiman's storyline that was cut off when Eclipse when belly-up. Of course, when McFarlane is involved, who knows how long this could take to clear up in the courts.

And still no nazi-ish mentions to try to start some controversy? Damn. I was at least hoping he'd say that as a kid, he always wanted to grow up to be like either the Red Skull or Bradgelina (Same diff, no?).

Wanted? Seriously? Man, I was so pissed at the end.

"HAHA you paid good money for this ####! You are such a loser! Jackass!" Love Millar.

I bet you thought Civil War was awesome.

I felt the same about the ending of CW as you do about Wanted.

Except at the end of Wanted he actually flatout told you that you were a moron.

Yeah but be fair to Bud - he had great taste in cartoons as a kid (man, whenever they were in "reruns" for a season - before starting a new one - I was always crossing my fingers for either the X-Men one or the episode where all sorts of Marvel heroes - including Cap and Doc Strange - got trapped along with Spidey...okay, so maybe it's pathetic to miss cartoons that are older than, heck, kids in college come to think of it, but I do anyway ).

You mean everyone doesn't agree with my opinions? I'm so hurt!

Whereas with CW, you pretty much have to be a moron not to see that he's calling you one.

I miss cartoons that were made before I was born. And I'm well into my 30's, TYVM.

DarthSabre, I have to ask - is your .sig line supposed to be pointing out Geoff Johns' failure, or is it overlooking it?

The way it's worded, it suggests that Superman can identify with normal people, not the other way around.

--I apologize if I sound stupid here, I probably am.
wyld

Mayhap not even Darth knows the truth behind the words. For all we know, Johns goes home, puts on the tights and cape and thinks he's superman, and metropolis is a city made of Legos (not to be confused with Mega Blocks, which, as we all know, is what Gotham was built out of).
Anyhow, could be a coded message from Johns, proclaiming himself THE superman.

BudPalmer shot Capt America.

There's your controversy.