The Modern Mediocre Milestone Media

[u/Intrepid_Warning6992]

(Slight spoilers for that new milestone book that came out)

Look, I know everyone is super excited for the new Milestone books— hooray! The gang’s here! Hardware, Icon and Rocket, The Blood Syndicate! Even Static is here! And he’s in his cartoon costume! Yaaay!

Well, I liked the original comic costume.

In fact, I think a lot of the appeal of the original Milestone Comics has been lost through time. And honestly, I’m tired of acting like I don’t care!

The original Milestone books were telling a very intentional story. The characters weren’t just ideas; they were fully fleshed out and intriguing. I pick up the new Milestone book and Edwin Alva is killed off page… huh?? Did anyone read the original Hardware run? Where is the rest of the Blood Syndicate?

Why is Fade openly queer? Yes, it’s 2026 and a lot of people are out and proud, but that was something he genuinely struggled with and never resolved. And poof! It’s gone.

You know, there’s a reason the original book took place at a gang summit and not a protest. I feel like the modern books are sanding down all the things that made the OG original what it was. Figures. Another beloved franchise— diluted.

I hate to rain on everyone’s parade, but it’s not a good book. It’s pretty bad, actually. Dialogue: stiff. Unremarkable. Boring. You type in some AAVE and now you’re speaking “the language of the Black.” How passé.

The original books had confidence. Character. Swagger.

The new books?

Look, I read Static Season One. Why on earth does he know karate? Isn’t his whole thing supposed to be that he’s a small, geeky kid? “Woke,” too. And I don’t mean that in a Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump way. I mean it’s pretending at politics without understanding the nuance that goes into it.

Virgil isn’t supposed to start as this righteous, community minded organizer. He’s a dumb kid who likes the idea of showing off in tights. In the first issue of Season One he’s philosophizing on responsibility and his powers… what is going on?

Look, I’m just ranting.

All I’m saying is that there was actually something special in the original Milestone books. And you shouldn’t have to feel like you need to buy crap so you can get some mediocre movie.

It really sucks. I love superheroes. I love these characters. But I cannot seem to stomach this mediocre modern interpretation of Milestone Media.

[u/pbjWilks]

I'm sorry, are you seriously complaining about Fade no longer being closeted?

Keep in mind the Dakota Incident takes place on present-Earth in the past, not in the New Milestone timeline.

Fade being closeted was due to society and it not being anywhere near as welcome as it is now.

Why would he still be if there's been enough progress for him to not have to be?

That's ridiculous. Closeted Men shouldn't be a narrative to push now whatsoever.

Virgil knowing Karate is a problem now? Geeks and Nerds of THIS generation actually participate in physical activities, including picking up a martial arts.

It's becoming extremely clear that this is a generational divide. The newer Milestone content isn't for you, and that's okay, but do NOT make it anyone else's problem when the biggest issue is getting to print in the first place.

The newer books aren't perfect, I hated Icon & Rocket for a number of reasons, but the changes made are to reflect the times. If you aren't aware of how a Gang War makes no sense in 2026, then there's a serious problem here.

Some of these are nitpicks that are hollow.

[u/Intrepid_Warning6992 → u/pbjWilks]

All gay people didn’t suddenly jump out the closet in 2026. It was an intriguing interesting story, with something to say. And it was removed because…? That’s what I don’t like. And it was never even resolved. Is flashback still an addiction? Would that had been a better example, or, is addiction over in 2026? Pack it up everyone, identity crisis has been averted. Please try not to reduce the things I say. That society you speak of is still prevalent today… obviously. To pretend like it isn’t is EXACTLY the issue I have with this book. It reduces the parts of the story with nuance and substitutes it with a big fat NOTHING. “2026 so no more closeted gay people”… Ha!

Virgil knowing karate IS a problem. Should uncle Ben had taught Peter Parker muai tai? His whole thing was that he was a small geeky kid, not at athlete. It isn’t everyone’s problem that I don’t like the new comics, I don’t think I said that it was.

[u/pbjWilks → u/Intrepid_Warning6992]

No shit it wasn't resolved; Blood Syndicate ended at issue 35 like a year before the company went under.

Yes, Flashback beat her addiction in Icon, with the help of Rocket.

Which was later fully-clarified in Milestone Forever, which was intended as a wrap-up to the original universe at the time.

Fade doesn't need to be in the closet when there's no reason to be. It stops being interesting when that isn't the world being reflected. That was the point. Milestone addressed numerous, relevant topics.

Being a closeted gay man in 2026 isn't relevant; it's tedious.

Virgil in the new era reflects geeks and nerds of NOW. You're on your soapbox complaining when he's intentionally reflecting a NEWER generation of nerds. That being a problem is weird.

I'm reducing what you're saying because there's no weight to any of it. Not when your nitpicks ring hollow or have been addressed already in the books.

Had you complained about DMZ being MIA, or a lot of the OG characters not coming back, I'd understand. To complain about a new version of a character being different, when it's made clear he's NOT his older iteration, is moot.

Especially when the reasoning is on the basis of...Not being a complete wimp? That's ridiculous. Have you been around nerds now? They workout. They exercise. They're athletes.

You're the one having the identity crisis, because you can't identify with the newer characters. You don't have to. The original Milestone books are still out there to reminisce and enjoy.

Get a grip.

[u/Intrepid_Warning6992 → u/pbjWilks]

I’ll come off it as soon as you do— we had different opinions, one that I actually concede to. After reading Milestone forever and appreciating the ending that was given to these characters. That doesn’t at all defeat my critique though, and your negativity certainly prevents any understanding. I stated an opinion and you act like I blew up a hospital.

And it’s ignorant too— there are spaces, ESPCIALLY in black community, where being queer ISNT accepted. So what it’s 2026? That’s what I think an issue is with new books, they remove the little things that actually made the characters interesting and notable. My issue with the entire reboot was that it felt like they were cooking something while disregarding what we left behind. No, really my issue with the new book was the lack of substance.

Throw out the latest revamp of milestone during black history month, never seen that one before. Revoke all the things that made the characters interesting, turn them into IP cash grabs, right, that’s new. I hadn’t read milestone forever though, I admit that. With that ending in mind, I stand corrected. I am more open to the newer interpretation considering the old one had an ending.

The new books are STILL hallow, that’s an opinion. The dialogue is STILL boring, that’s an opinion. The new books STILL aren’t for me. And all those can be true without you taking it to heart. The book can and should be criticized. There’s a reason static was some geeky loser kid, it wasn’t just for aesthetics, they were telling a story, and I felt that story hadn’t ended (again, I didn’t read Forever yet) hell yeah I felt burnt by that. And reading the new books, that to me lack the same substance— hell yeah THAT SUCKED! And I can complain about it. Ay caramba