you_will_forget

That's half the problem though - technically we should be paying £10 for a $20 toy (roughly), but we get charged £20. Toy companies seem to think that if you just swap the symbol, no-one will notice. The markup isn't quite as bad on comics, but it's still more than the exchange rate says it should be. Its why I buy all my Transformers from Japan - half the cost and I get it six months (or sometimes more) earlier than I could buy them here. And why I buy my 'mates through a board member - even after paying for postage, they're costing me a lot less than buying over here. Trouble is, I need to wait for them to get here. And we're in the middle of postage strikes. Whinging over for now, Jo

Waves 5-7 The Marvels - Captain Marvel is the champion of the Wizard Shazam (the status quo for the characters has changed recently, but that's not worth going into at the moment) and possesses the powers of 6 patrons, including speed, wisdom, strength and flight. His identity is Billy Batson, a young boy who transforms into the Cap by saying the wizard's name, with accompanying lightning bolt. Mary is Mary Batson, and has the same stuff Guy Gardner - another Green Lantern from Earth, would have been the first but Hal Jordan was closer. Belongs to the Green Lantern Corps (composed of 7200 Green Lanterns from different sectors of space). THis version is from the JLI era, when he was written as not too bright, in addition to his legendary lack of tact and enthusiasm. Certainly explains the bowl cut. Kilowog - In charge of training all the Green Lanterns. Red Tornado - sentient robot and air elemental, has power over wind. Not much fun to be in a lift with then. Ma Hunkel - First female hero in DC, and important part of the JSA's history. No powers, but dressed up in a costume to fight crime in her neighbourhood Cheetah - not sure, you'l have to get someone else to explain that one. Bizarro - a backwards version of Superman. Can fly, has super strength, artic vision and heat breath. Generally prety stupid, and works in a reverse logic way. Talks backwards. Supergirl - this version looks to be the standard one - Superman's cousin. Same powers as Superman. There was another one (Linda Danvers) who turned out to be some sort of elemental, but I'm not familiar with the story. Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. - Stripe is Pat Dugan, formerly known as Stripesy and adult sidekick to the teen superhero the Star Spangled Kid, back in the 40s. The Kid got killed, and Stripesy retired. He married Courtney (Whitmore, Stargirl) mum, then Courtney found the belt that gave the Kid his powers (flight, increased speed and strength and numbing star bolts) and took it out for a spin. Pat built STRIPE (a robotic suit) to keep an eye on her. The Staff is a variation on the Cosmic rod used by the original Starman, who modified it when his son Jack took over. Jack gifted the staff to Courtney when he left being a hero to look after his son. The staff also allows flight, can fire bolts and can fire a holding beam sorta thing. Sgt. Rock and Blackhawk - two WWII heroes, Rock the leader of Easy Company and BLackhawk the leader of the Blackhawks, a group of pilots. That's where my knowledge ends I'm afraid. Nightwing is former Robin Dick Grayson. No powers, just Batmany training Starfire is a princess from Tameran, and has the powers of flight, energy blasts, super strength and a very firey temper Clayface is a shapeshifter and can morph himself into anything or one Grodd is a renegade from Gorilla City, with mental abilities as well as being a gorilla Lobo is the last Czarnian, because he killed all the rest. He can regenerate from a single drop of blood and is otherwise extremely strong and tough. Ambush bug you've already been told about. Hope that helps, Jo

Happy birthday for me! I've been stuck in London all day at boring meetings, so a cotest that doesn't require me to be good at anything is just what I need I'll take 30, it's my birthday (as in 30th December) Thanks, Jo

OMAC - this version can download any powers necessary to beat the threat at hand Dr. Fate - think Dr. Strange, but working for order and guided by an ancient Egyptian sorceror (in the helmet) Blue Beetle - this one doesn't have the scarab (the first did, and the current one does). No powers, but lots of money and gadgets. Think a light hearted Batman Booster Gold - from the 25th century. No powers of his own, but stole a suit and other stuff, including a flight ring, that give him strength, resilience and other stuff. Skeets is an information bot with historical info to help him be a better hero (by cheating) Ares - Greek god of war, brother to Athena, Wonder Woman's patron. Has godlike powers. Ocean Master - dunno, sorry Spectre - The spirit of God's vengeance. Almost unlimited powers to punish the guilty. Has to be bonded to a human host to temper the judgements. Was Jim Corrigan, then Hal Jordan and now Crispus Allen Bane - Powered by vemon serum. As well as the expected physical stuff, he's a tactical genius, potentially on a match for Batman himself. Hope that helps, I'll leave it to others if you want more detail. Lemme know what character from other waves and I'll give it a shot. Jo

Yeah, I want them all. *sigh* there goes my promise to spend less and save more. Jo

Ah well, it was worth a try. Jo

So you should be. Now send me all your minimates to make up for it. Jo

Pretty standard stuff for me: The mighty Dragonforce Nightwish Within Temptation The Divine Comedy NOFX Billy Talent Lacuna Coil The Wildhearts The Darkness Darling Violetta All that sort of stuff - usually mixed up on teh iPod. Jo

Series = Birds of Prey Team = Stormwatch PHD Limited Series = The Winter Men (if we ever get the last issue) or Top 10 Needs an ongoing = Secret six Honourable mentions: The Boys Tom Strong Gen 13 Green Arrow Green Lantern Corps (I prefer it to the main Green Lantern title - I'm not really old enough to appreciate Hal Jordan) Planetary (another "if we ever get the last issue" - we waited 2 year between 13 and 14) Lots more Jo

Can someone do me a favour? Put Spectre's hood on Green Arrow for the "Seattle" look. Dunno if it would work, so if someone would care to take a picture I'd be grateful. Thanks, Jo

My friend once made fun of my long hair by asking if I took two bottles into the shower. 'course, he's going bald now. Do I get extra points for remembering wash'n'go?

I'd love an Atom Smasher or Giganta, though I'd prefer the JLU cartoon version of her. Rita Farr would be good as well. Jo

Not necessarily a DC question - it just looks like one Will DST have any input into the DC minimates now that they own Art Asylum? How does that relationship now work? (in other words, does DCD just interact directly with Art Asylum or go throughyou first) Now that a zombie Giant Man and Wasp (kinda) are coming out, are we likely to see still-living versions? Have you made the Wasp already and she's just too small to see? Will we see more Ultimate versions of characters? I'm thinking mostly of ones I'd like to see, such as Iron Man, Thor andRhino Thanks again, Jo

I was going to, but I can't fit hardcovers on my Marvel shelf. The sehlves that can fit hardcovers are taken up by DC and Vertigo stuff. Now there's a lame excuse for you Jo

I enjoy playing with Power Girl... But for teams I usually go with my X-3 team, including new X-men Cyclops and Shadowcat, with Rogue made from a de-caped Storm (head and hair swap and white hands) and Iceman (Wolverine with swapped head and hands). Otherwise, I like posing Deathstroke. Jo

Yup, like I said - no offence intended if that's your natural size. But too many women these days equate bones-on-show with glamour. It's not healthy and it certainly isn't attractive Jo P.S. can someone give me a hand? I'm having trouble getting off this soapbox

Oh, and another one: size 0 (or 4 in this country). Women should have curves, dammit - the "ribbed condom" look is not attractive. No offence meant there for women and girls who are naturally that size. Jo

Apologies for people I seem to have offended. I ain't saying we're any better - look at English people abroad. I do hate the assumption that I drink and do drugs because I'm a long-haired Yorkshireman. I've had that a lot. Jo

I hate how so many comics and films are all "God Bless America!!!" There are other countries in the world, and America isn't that popular a country among many of them. Have a clue. Sorry to all you Americans on here, that's not a dig at any of you. Jo

What's it like on the PC? I've been told its similar to Diablo, any thoughts? Jo

One of many unforgettable lines: The Tick: "Arthur, I believe in you! I always have! That's why I'm here! Destiny dressed you this morning, my friend, and now Fear is trying to pull off your pants. If you give up, if you give in... you'll end up naked, with Fear just standing there laughing at your dangling unmentionables!" Jo

Personally, I replace monthlies with trades when they're available and sell the monthlies on ebay. Don't usually make much, but it offsets some of the costs. WIth 52 I'll probably wait for all 4 trades to come out, then sell them in a bulk lot. With other stuff, it tends to just stay on the bookshelf. Occasionally I have a clearout and get rid of stuff I know I'm really never going to bother with again. Still piling up though... Jo

Is it big enough to read? I've got a couple of roleplay books on my PDA (a Tungsten E) and they're a little too difficult, due to having to zoom in and move the page around. Hmmm. Jo

Dan, just out of interest, why are you having difficulty getting them? I might be able to help. Jo

Full standing order list (currently): Wildcats (if it ever comes out) Wetworks Gen 13 The Authority (see Wildcats) Deathblow Stormwatch PHD Midnighter Welcome to Tranquility Grifter and Midnighter (though mostly for completions sake - it's not very well written at all) Desolation Jones The Boys Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes Countdown New transformers stuff Trades: Marvel Ultimate stuff Nearly everything mainline DC She-Hulk WIldstorm trades (I tend to replace issues with trades when they become available) Verigo trades As far as icomics, it depends on your reading habits. I read in bed and on the bus, so they're no use to me. I can see the appeal though. Jo