Total Film vs Empire

[whitezombie]

Hi all,

I'm just trying to promote some general discussion/argument about both publications, including, if you like, their respective websites.

Personally, I've always been a TF reader, though my purchases of the magazine are sporadic. I tend to buy it only if something in the magazine interests me (e.g. an article on Horror/Sci-Fi, etc).

I've bought the odd Empire issue, and have put the recent Special Edition - 500 5 Star Movies on my Christmas list.

Also, don't Total Film normally have some kind of Special Edition out around this time of year?

In all honesty, it's been a fair while since I've bought an issue of either, so I can't really compare them directly in terms of the quality of writing/accuracy of reviews, new etc.

[jaykays hat]

I used to buy Empire before Total Film came about and only really buy TF now. I have bought a couple of Empires since but only if it has something of interest to me. I prefer the layout of TF.

[Jeffbiscuits]

I haven't bought empire in years. TF is by far the more enjoyable and easier to read of the two. The main things that put me off empire were
the big film releases a few years ago. When the star wars prequels and the Lotr films came out, they were so far up Lucas and Jackson's arses it was painful to read at times. Since then I've stuck with my TF subscription. I still miss the montage though. That was a good time waster many an afternoon in the pub. The Christmas edition of Radio Times has completely ripped it off though.

[Ancient One]

I subscribe to TF and buy Empire. They both have good and bad points. TF on the whole is better and their web site and of course forum is far better. I actually got banned from the Empire forum so im a bit biased there.
I do think however that TF could do a few more in depth interviews and critiques of older stuff. Something that Empire is good at.
PS the whole we love George lucas thing has gone now.

[Jeffbiscuits]

Originally Posted by Ancient One

PS the whole we love George lucas thing has gone now.

That will never go away for me. It was like the wicker man, except this wicker man had a beard and a dodgy shirt. I can't forgive them for that.

[Colly]

I have never brought Empire magazine! always read Total Film! But I am curious about Empire might have to take a peek at it!! Like the look of the Sc Fi Now magazine going to check it out its got true blood season 3 preview in it!!

[Porkchopexpress]

I sometimes buy both, sometimes just TF, I used to find Empire a little pompous and Total Film a bit more tongue in cheek, although Empire has had some very good retrospectives on stuff over the year.

Just depends on what the content is of Empire, as Total Film Film is released first and Empire sahres a similare line of features for the month, I'll save my money and just stay with what I know.

I do read SFX over Sci-Fi now, just prefer the layout and format, although I rarely buy it, mostly because most sci-fi magazines have a retarded fascination with the low budget offal that passes for sci-fi entertainment on terrestrial TV.

'Doctor Who', 'Merlin', 'Primeval'? Seriously, I wonder if anyone has actually watched this shit. I particularly find the reverence afforded to 'Doctor Who' and it's numerous spin offs galling to say the least.

[Jeffbiscuits]

For a sci fi mag, SFX is really good and not too geeky. It also avoided the phase a few years ago where loads of sci fi mags just became specialist lads mags, focussing far too much on the ladies in sci fi shows
and films. I've read a couple of issues of the quarterly about comics (might be called Comic Heroes or something similar). It's been very interesting already having had features on Sandman and Nemesis the Warlock. Definitely worth a read if you have an interest in comics.

[Porkchopexpress]

Originally Posted by Jeffbiscuits

(might be called Comic Heroes or something similar). It's been very interesting already having had features on Sandman and Nemesis the Warlock. Definitely worth a read if you have an interest in comics.

I bought the first issue thinking it was a new monthly only to be flabbergasted by the £8.99 price, only on later inspection to realise it was once every two months type deal. Didn't buy it again.

SFX has a broad enough appeal to show my own limited comic interest, they had an awesome feature on Grant Morrison's 'Zenith' not long back, shame it's hog tied in legal shenanigans, could do with a bumper re-issue.

2000 AD had a real golden period in the 80s, 'ABC Warriors' 'Bad Kompany', 'Strontium Dog', 'Rogue Trooper' all great strips. 'Halo Jones' too!

I keep meaning to pick up all of the Rebellion collected trades, Pat Mills is a legend.

Certainly shits on all the one thousand inter weaving stories of today featuring either straight laced serious superheroes, or 'ironic' ones.

Give me a talking bag that throws grenades any day!

[Jeffbiscuits]

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

2000 AD had a real golden period in the 80s, 'ABC Warriors' 'Bad Kompany', 'Strontium Dog', 'Rogue Trooper' all great strips. 'Halo Jones' too!


Give me a talking bag that throws grenades any day!

Judge Dredd was always my main reason for buying 2000AD. Don't get me wrong, I loved Nemesis, Strontium Dog, Bad Kompany and Robo Hunter. The 90s brought Slaine, The Horned God and the revamp of Rogue Trooper which was bloody outstanding in my opinion and something I need to find in collected form. The original run of Rogue Trooper is available in two collections now. From what I remember the first half is near comic book perfection with Rogues search for the Traitor General actually truly gripping stuff but the second half really drops in quality and it's like it was actually written by a child. I seem to remember Gunnar or Bagman being regened then getting married! It went completely off the rails. I found the first prog of 2000AD I ever bought just last year. It was dated 1986. I was 7.

Just realised that Zombies original thread has been slightly subverted...sorry.