Some advice on Exiles

[Bill!]

So I've read the first two trades, dig it well enough, interested in getting the rest. Now, without spoiling anything for me, are the Austen trades absolutely necessary to understand the story? I've heard they are pretty awful and the only down moments in the series. Any thoughts?

[artimoff]

Austen's run wasn't bad at all. It's the only mainstream marvel book he did that I liked.

[Howlett]

Actually, I believe you have that mixed up with his X-Men. Austen's Exiles were actually pretty damn good, if not outright excellent in places.

Exiles is pretty consistantly strong throughout it's run. It slows down a bit during Bedards initial run, his first year or so (in fact, thats the slowest I ever remember Exiles being for any great length of time) but once you get to the end of his first big story, the slowness makes sense.

[Bill!]

Austen's run wasn't bad at all. It's the only mainstream marvel book he did that I liked.

Huh. Ok, maybe I'll give them a shot then.

[Mike Haseloff]

I think there were a couple of Austen issues I really enjoyed with Union Jack guest starring (among others). Had an artist I like, too.

[Haborym]

I fucking loathe Austen's X-Men run. I didn't like his Avengers work one bit either. One of the worst Marvel writers ever, in my opinion.

That said, you should read his Exiles stuff, it's not bad at all. If I'd only read his Exiles run, I'd have a much higher opinion of his work.

[Pat Loika]

Austen did some EXCELLENT work on this book, particularly involving Hyperion.

P.

[Joe Henderson]

Austen's Exiles stuff is highly skippable--I think it's looked on fondly by a lot of people because of how shitty everything else he wrote was. It's decent, don't get me wrong, but decent in the way that Episode 3 was decent (but considered good/great just because it didn't suck as much as episodes 1 and 2).

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

Ignore the Austen haters. His Exiles run was excellent, not his best work, but still the best run (or at least tied with Winick's) of this entire series. As a matter of fact, after reading Winicks run, and then Austen's run, you can just stop there. Bedard just took the book entirely somewhere else, it's not a HORRIBLE read, but it's not really a good one either, and the heart of the book just isn't there anymore.

[Joe Henderson]

Ignore the Austen haters. His Exiles run was excellent, not his best work, but still the best run (or at least tied with Winick's) of this entire series. As a matter of fact, after reading Winicks run, and then Austen's run, you can just stop there. Bedard just took the book entirely somewhere else, it's not a HORRIBLE read, but it's not really a good one either, and the heart of the book just isn't there anymore.

Bedard first couple of arcs were pretty bad, and Beak just didn't fit anywhere in the book. Still, ever since World Tour started, I've been enjoying the book again. Though it might just be because I have a nerd-boner for Spider-man 2099.

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

I like the addition of Spidey 2099, I think that's a decent choice. It's the writing itself that just does nothing for me, this book just doesn't feel right, it doesn't have the heart that it once did. I once cared about these characters, now I do not. Under Judd and Chuck they felt like a family, under Bedard, they feel like a generic team. Oh, and I quickly grew tired of new cast members being pre-exsisting characters, rather than new alternate reality versions of pre-exsisting characters.

[Petey Parker]

I pretty much can't stand Austen and even I liked his run on Exiles. Don't skip it.

[Randomus]

I haven't read the book since Bedard took over, but Austen's contributions to the run were okay.

[jadailyTCU]

I liked Austen's run on Exiles. And hell, I even liked his run on X-Men and Uncanny (though the Avengers run was pretty lackluster, imo). I think the entire Exiles series is worth checking out, and is still pretty good even today.

As for Bedard...I actually liked the first couple story arcs, but then I fell behind in reading around the time they went to the Age of Apocalypse. About a week or two ago, I went and got caught back up, and while trudging through the four-issue arc that put the team against Hyperion again was a little bit boring, after that I think the book started picking up again. I'm really, really enjoying World Tour, and I'm thankful I got the Marvel Handbook for the alternate universes (well, and for Wikipedia), since I've read very little 2099 and no New Universe.

I like so many members being pre-existing characters. I think Spider-Man 2099 was one of the damned coolest redesigns from the '90s. And maybe Longshot will actually be used well for once. And Morph is always welcome. Not too sure about adding Power Princess, though, and I really don't like Sabretooth being on the team. However, another good thing: Mimic's time was up. I think he started sucking the moment Blink left, and never stopped sucking, even after she returned.

Finally, I have a confession: I'm in love with Blink.

[Sir Erudite Gav]

Bedard first couple of arcs were pretty bad, and Beak just didn't fit anywhere in the book. Still, ever since World Tour started, I've been enjoying the book again. Though it might just be because I have a nerd-boner for Spider-man 2099.

Yup, I've just started picking it up as well for that very reason.

[Matt Jay]

Austen's run on Exiles sucked. Especially compared to Winnick. Apparently alot of people liked it, but for me, I nearly threw the trade away (the only time I've ever done that was the long, painted Echo story in a Daredevil trade). It felt like I was watching my nephew play with action figures. In the first issue of a Blink in Time, Magneto literally ends his monologue with .."so says MAGNETO." That pretty much set the tone.

[Evan the Shaggy]

Exiles was the hardest book ever for me to drop. Bedard's early run was just horrible in my opinion. The stories were mediocre and slow, and the art was extremely bland.

Considering the first couple of trades are some of my favorite superhero stories ever, It was heartbreaking for me.

As for Austen, I actually kind of dug his stuff. His writing actually WORKED for the Weapon X characters, which he predominantly wrote in his stories. I'd say give them a look at least.

[Matthew Brown]

I'm loving World Tour. Even Longshot has been nothing but badass since he showed up.

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

I really wish this book would get back on track. But honestly, I just don't think that's going to happen short of a complete creative team change.

[dEnny!]

I stopped buying this title when Winick left. Have considered picking up the trades from where I left off.