Greetings Comic Vine! Welcome to the Comic Vine Roundtable User Discussion. What is that, you ask? This the most wonderful place on earth where wishes and dreams come true-- ahem, sorry I was confusing this with my other job...

Well you see, a couple of CV users virtually met up to talk comic books and other comic-related topics. That conversation has been posted here for you guys to see, read and enjoy. Be sure to comment below where you can submit your own opinions after reading ours. Also, go back and read our past conversations (Here) and share your thoughts. Even if you disagree with us, we like comments.

My name is Geo but my internet pseudonym is sora_thekey. I am to continue to be moderate this discussion and adding some insight along the way as I talk to the users who are sitting around this imaginary roundtable. Please welcome backxerox-kitty (X-k), The Dark Huntress (DH), danhimself (Dan) and jordama (Jor).

As you can probably tell by the title, we begun talking about the what happened comic book-wise in 2011 already. If you haven't yet, read CV's Roundtable User Discussion #23 first.

Previously in CV's Roundtable User Discussion: Nobody liked the Green Lantern movie. The Dark Huntress and xerox-kitty are tired of comic book events. Jordama and xerox-kitty agree to disagree on Generation Hope. Sora_thekey hated Transformers 3 while xerox-kitty hated Schism. We all loved the Thor movie except danhimself. We all liked Spider-Island. Jordama and sora_thekey played with toy Mjolnirs.

Q6: One of the biggest thing to happen last year was DC's New 52, what is your opinion on this HUGE moment in comic book history?

Dan: I'm digging it for the most part. There are a few elements that I'm not pleased with...mostly Superman's new suit. But for the most part I think that you could call the New 52 a pretty big success. The book that's really standing out for me though is the Huntress mini. I love it and can't wait for more!

Wait? What's wrong with Superman's new suit? (Do you miss the underwear?)

Dan: Yes that's the reason... I know a lot of people were glad to see it go but I was in the minority where I thought that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Superman's costume in the first place.

I haven't read a lot of the New 52 books but I do have to say that I am enjoying Myth-heavy Wonder Woman and Flash!

X-k: I'm afraid I've not bought or read any. Not because I prefer Marvel; far from it! It just didn't appeal to me, so I decided to save my money in the meantime and maybe pick up a few trades in the future. I've been reliving my love for older DC titles, so there's no room in my head (or home) for a whole new DC universe.

Dan: GET THE HUNTRESS MINI!!! YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!!!

Note to self: Add Huntress mini to pull list.

Dan: YES!! DO IT!!!!

Jor: I don't read DC but the concept really bothered me.

I think it bothered a lot of people!

DH: I was one of those crazy people who supported it from the very beginning. I know that there's a whole lot of controversy and a lot of opposing stances on this. Do I strictly think that it was necessary? No, absolutely not. Do I think that all the changes were for the better? No, absolutely not. But I think overall, what DC did here was a good thing. They have a seemingly set amount of ongoings and I think that's another thing that Marvel could use. Focus on what you have and what is and isn't working for you instead of just throwing so many things out there. Quality over quantity and I think that DC is beginning to exemplify that value.

Are you saying that Marvel should do something similar to New 52?

DH: Yes and no. Yes in that I'd like to see Marvel cut down their books. Do we really need eight X-Men books (plus three current X-related minis), Wolverine appearing in two of the X-Men books, his own solo, Wolverine: The Best There Is, plus Avengers titles, Spider-Man appearing in three? books (not counting Ultimate Universe). It's just crazy and oversaturaion. I think they could (and should) cut down to a definitive amount of books. Quality over quantity. So in that respect, yes, I do think they should do something similar to the DCnU. No, in the respect that I don't think Marvel should reboot - not at this point in time.

Q7: Is there anything outside of Marvel or DC (Dark Horse, Top Cow, Archaia, etc.) you would like to showcase that happened in comic books last year?

DH: Unfortunately not :( I'm pretty much strictly Marvel and DC with the exception of Witchblade.

Jor: The only none Marvel book I read for more than an Issue was Haunt, which I liked.

X-k: PIGS! It's vastly different from my usual superhero fare, but I've enjoyed the dark twists, turns & humour. It's written by two Funny guys with F--ked up imaginations (Nate Cosby & Ben McCool), and drawn by a really great newcomer (Breno Tamura) who I'm sure will go on to do great things in future. But I definitely wouldn't recommend it to kids ;)

Dan: It wouldn't be a Round Table if I didn't bring up The Walking Dead.

No it wouldn't.

X-k: Dan likes Walking Dead? Since when? Why didn't anyone tell me...? ;)

Dan: This book continues to be my favorite book on the shelves. So much happened over last year in the series and I don't want to spoil anything for the people who aren't caught up on it but you should definitely check out issue 83 it's by far my favorite issue of the series to date.

The television series has been pretty good too!

For me it's Vertigo's Daytripper is simply one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. I can't tell you what's it about otherwise I would spoil it.

Also, Image's Morning Glories is one of the most suspenseful, thrilling books I have ever laid eyes on. If you know what's good for you, you will read those two books!

Dan: Man I forgot about [...] Daytripper

Daytripper was one of my favorite series of all year. So different from what we are used to.

Alright lets talk about what we did like. I'm sure there were tons of comic books, movies, video games and animated features you all liked that we can talk about from 2011.

Q8: Some really good comic book movies came out last year, any favorites?

Jor: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Certainly the biggest surprise of the year when it came to comic book movies.

Jor: I think a lot of people thought it was going to bomb, which made it so much better. Unlike the movie that everyone thought was going to be great, that actually did bomb. ;)

X-k: BEARDY THOR!!!

DH: Thor, by far. And no, it's not just because of Sexy, Beardy, Thor <__< My only gripe with that movie was Jane. I felt that she was kind of there just to be there as the romantic interest. I understand that she had an important role in the movie, but I dunno. I didn't feel that the romantic spin was necessary.

B-but! Jane is pretty n_n!

DH: She totally is, and Natalie Portman is awesome. I just felt that the romance angle wasn't integral.

X-k: I thought it was funny; a way to a man's heart is to drive badly & hit him with your car a couple of times! I can understand why they changed Jane Foster, but I can't help but wonder if I'd have been able to connect with her more if she had stayed a nurse? Instead I found myself associating more with made-for-the-movie Darcy.

Dan: Captain America would be my favorite. It was really well done in my eyes. It may not have been perfect but it was really enjoyable and left me excited for the Avengers movie.

Q9: 2011 was also the year of some sad comic book moments like the death of Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four #588 or the death of Ultimate Spider-Man in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160. Yet these moments were wonderfully crafted, care to mention your favorite?

X-k: Sorry, I don't read any Ultimate titles or the Fantastic Four, so it really didn't have an impact on me.

Dan: Out of the 2 listed? I'd have to go with the death of Ultimate Spider-man. Bendis may not be the best writer in the 616 universe but man he sure does know how to write Ultimate Spider-man!

I agree there! My favorite is still Death of Spider-Man.

Jor: Sad moment, hmmm...... That's tough, Maybe when Guido died in X-Factor, or the Marvel Girl First class one Shot.

I loved the Marvel Girl One-Shot! That book certainly didn't get enough praise.

Jor: I think that is because so many people just really hate Jean now and were not willing to give the one shot a chance.

GIVE IT A CHANCE PEOPLE!

DH: The deaths of Nightcrawler and Cable in Second Coming, by far. I just wish it actually meant something, you know? It's sad, but I'm surprised they've kept the Elf dead this long. Marvel, and comics in general, have this terrible thing of killing a character off during some heroic display and then several years later, bringing them back. Either as something evil, or out for vengeance or oh hey, they were never dead to begin with (see, Bucky Barne, Ariel, Cable, Batman, Thor etc). It's a cheap cop out and it completely takes away the emotional impact. Dead characters should stay dead, it's as simple as that.

I was about to correct you and tell you that Nightcrawler and Cable died back in 2010 but I just remembered that you read everything in trade from. So yeah, the book came out in 2011... Once again you find a loophole to my questions.

DH: I am known for my loopholes xD

Yes you are!

Q10: Is there a particular issue or series you were fond of throughout the whole year?

X-k: The Speedball story in Fear Itself: The Home Front felt like a much overdue apology for how Civil War warped him for many years. Yet, I want to give an honourable mention for the Alpha Flight limited series. The title that was meant to turn into an ongoing, but was pulled back into just a mini series. It has been an absolute breath of fresh air to read, really capturing the spirit of the 80's team with a sexy modern approach. I only tried the #0.1 issue as a taster and have loved every single issue since.

Jor: Because of the horrendous issue 9 of Gen Hope, I will say X-Factor is always consistently amazing.

Dan: Other than The Walking Dead and the Huntress mini which I've be gushing over this entire time? I'd say that people should get over the first issue of Red Hood and The Outlaws and give that a shot again. I'm also really enjoying Teen Titans, Superboy, Amazing Spider-man, and Invincible. How could I forget Uncanny X-Force?? It was probably the best Marvel book of the year and I would recommend it to anyone.

I just bought the Uncanny X-Force Vol. 1 HC. I want to know what is the big deal about this series which makes everybody talk about it...

Dan: Don't let it get spoiled for you either. You're going to love it!!

For me it's probably the Ultimate Fallout mini. It had the best moments in comic book history: Aunt May gets a hug, Miles Morales' first appearance, Nick Fury comes to Mary Jane's doorstep, Aunt May slaps Captain America, etc.

DH: Secret Six, which was sadly one of the casualties of the reboot. Although, there was poetic and extreme closure in the final issue. Which was something I actually really appreciated that DC did - on books that were not continuing, you did get a good sense of closure. At least with the books that I was reading.

_____

There is so much 2011 to cover that it doesn't even fit in two RTs! Be sure to come back to read "2011 in Review" Part 3 (of 3) and read Part 1! (Although it'd be dumb if you were to read Part 1 after Part 2. I mean it would be like watching Season 2 of Lost before Season 1. I mean c'mon people I linked the first part at the beginning of the post and.... Y'know what? I'm just gonna shut up now.)

TO BE CONTINUED! (Part 3)

-- Geo (sora_thekey) 24/7 geek! -- Follow me on Twitter: @sora_thekey