"Oh. God. No. Muslim pandering, anyone? Thank you, Time Warner, for showing us whose side you're on. I guess we can add you to the list of traitorous companies who have forgotten 9/11..."
Another poster, calling himself "The Mighty Dixon" (!) wrote,
"This is just further evidence of my criticism of DC political agenda that has driven this company away from solid stories of of the adventures of readers favorite characters that they we have always, no matter what generation, come the the shelves of our respective stores to purchase comics for. You would not have seen any comics reflecting German heroes during or proceeding World War II."
Of course, we cannot judge the majority of Newsarama users for the opinions or actions of a few.
It's DC's right to fire people who think for themselves. People who think for themselves and have opinions can potentially work counter to the Greater Goal. It's far easier to edit writers who are passive, take a lot of bullshit, and are OK about having their stories and characters fucked with by people who don't know shit about storytelling.
Wow. DC took the writer of the legendary Justice League cartoon – which truly, in my circles, are considered legendary episodes – and couldn't even fucking work with him in a satisfactory manner. Whose fault is that? Is that Dwayne's fault? Obviously, Dwayne knew how to write Justice League stories. That point is not in question.
But Dwayne was and is an independent thinker, someone devoted to the quality of the story rather than just being a cog in a machine. It boils down to that, and that was something that in the end, some people in power absolutely could not process.
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."
"Anyway, at this point the one remaining major comics writer who has consistently clung to and through his work championed the cause of mad ideas is Grant Morrison, who packed FINAL CRISIS with more mad ideas per square inch than virtually all other "mad ideas" comics combined. Many of them are brilliant, in their context. But as I mentioned last week, it hits such a density it becomes a virtual black hole of mad ideas, with such a gravitational pull that story can barely escape it, and then only the edges of the story are visible. Story in FINAL CRISIS isn't story, as traditionally understood in western literature, and certainly not in comics; it's the event horizon of mad ideas."
"You know, the science fiction of this is much more fiction than science. Ultimately it’s actors acting differently, which is not that - Something you really need to see drawn. There is, however, CSI comic books. So I guess everything could be a comic book. But I don’t feel it lends itself in the same way that my other fictions have."
"I'm not going to spoil it for those of you who haven't read the graphic novel, but I can at least say that while Watchmen was all about miserable people dealing with their own personal crises, the game wisely takes place before the events of the book."
CBS is streaming classic Star Trek (that's SHATNER TREK to you, none of that Picardo stuff) in HD on their website. Episodes include Turnabout Intruder, The Trouble With Tribbles, and Mirror, Mirror.
Just to show that fan discontent transcends just comics, pro wrestling fan takes the WWE to task and tells them to Stop The Crap. An interesting point made in the post?
"Want some free promotion? Get with the times. Allow us to embed your videos!"
A look at JLA T-shirts through the ages, with a focus on Firestorm. Found on the Firestorm Fan site, of course. Finally, this Los Angeles promotional video from the 90s gives me hemorrhoids...and not in a good way!
I love the stuttering video effects in this. Made me want to smack that drink right out of Jack Wagner's hand.
How important is it to you that your Batman or Spider-man comic be in-continuity? Would you collect a monthly "stand alone" Batman or Spider-man series that was not in continuity?
What spurred this question on is an interview with new Brave and Bold writer J. Michael Straczynski on Newsarama. Brave and Bold has become a cause celebre as of late, with some bloggers asking why more people aren't picking up the title. I haven't been following Brave and Bold myself, but apparently -- at least according to the interview with Straczynski, the stories are either not in continuity or the continuity is not observed closely.
If you are a superhero comics fan, how important is continuity to you? If Brave and Bold features cool but not in-continuity stories, are you ok with that? Or do feel as if the stories "don't mean as much?"
Stand-alone stories or arcs relatively untouched by the continuity was the motivation behind the DC "Classified" books, which started with JLA. Originally, the stories in JLA Classified were supposed to be in the monthly series. The idea was that instead of running stories encumbered by the the continuity of the JLA-ers monthly solo books, several high-profile teams could create stand-alone arcs. These arcs could be worked on all at the same time, without worrying about continuity (or slow artists), and "banked" for future issues and arcs.
But, I think somewhere along the line DC got cold feet on the concept, and decided to put the stories in their own title. Thus leaving the monthly JLA title to be the continuity-heavy title it currently is.
But would you even be interested in JLA stories that didn't reflect or change the status quo? Or is simply having a good story more important?
Note: I realize that both Brave and Bold & JLA Classified are supposed to take place in a "fuzzy" continuity area -- with the stories in Classified supposedly taking place in the JLA's past. But my question remains. If you see a JLA story not reflecting the current status quo, but referencing an undefined past, are you okay with that? Case in point: The New Frontier. Not exactly "canon." But enjoyable, right?
Then again, I always felt that everything in comics eventually comes around again. It's just part of that "it's a small world after all" thing.
I loved the art on the new "X-Force," but spiritually I find it the sibling of the Liefeld orginal. It's all about fight!fight!fight!fight!cool!cool!cool!cool!
We can criticize certain comics, but look at the numbers.
The best-selling DC comic is All-Star Batman and Robin. We can laugh at it all we want, but the fact is that many many comic book fans are buying this comic, and most probably a lot of people who do not classify themselves as fans. The top selling comics, I have to believe, attract readers outside of the fandom.
Why All-Star Batman and Robin is a top-selling book: a) It's a Batman book not tied up in continuity b) Jim Lee has name cachet c) Frank Miller has name cachet beyond comics
Again, we can criticize books like ASBAR and JLA, but they are bringing in the cash for DC.
Which brings me to DC's newly-announced 2nd JLA book, Justice League.
Two Justice Leagues sort of apes Marvel's new Avengers -- but then again, DC did this successfully (at least for a while) in the late 80s.
There was also the attempt to extend the JLA franchise with Justice League Elite, which I think failed because its desire to be so very "different" from the regular book, with a lack of iconic characters outside of Green Arrow and Flash. The issues that became another JLA spin-off book, JLA Classified, were originally assigned as arcs for the regular title.
I think having James Robinson pen this new JLA book is interesting, given his work on Starman, but it is hardly a slam-dunk. Starman was an awesome book but came out some time ago. The question becomes: can he bring that magic to Justice League, and will the mass market who have propelled ASBAR and JLA to such heights cotton to his direction on the title?
As for the inciting incident that helps form this new team:
Meanwhile, the Marvel/Stephen King cash cow continues with an adaptation of The Stand. Remember how Marvel used to adapt all that Clive Barker stuff and it really didn't seem to make much of a splash What happened? With books like Dark Tower, Anita Blake, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and World of Warcraft, licensed material seems to have made a strong comeback.
Back when Northstar "came out" in the early 90s, retailers, at least in Brooklyn, did the same thing. "Teh gay book, it might be worth money some day, come buy it!" You know, except Northstar didn't have any gay sex in that book, because gay male characters aren't allowed to have that in comics (only hot women).
Notice how almost all the male figures have messenger bags? And Claire lacks the traditional "purse" female accessory?
I remember back in the old days when men who wore those prototype messenger bags were made fun of for wearing "handbags." Part of this was because those bags looked less like contemporary messenger bags and more like handbags.
Hell, at least Claire doesn't have a pom-pom accessory! (Sylar does have a severed brain accessory, tho)
"Justice League" Movie On Hold/Cancelled? Is the "Justice League" movie on hold/cancelled?
I think that the idea of casting a Superman & Batman separate from the current movie franchises for the characters was a terrible one. People watching the "JLA" film will be like, "that's not Christian Bale! That's a fake Batman!"
Old "Hulk," New "Hulk," Red Hulk, Blue Hulk
Doesn't this shot from the new "Incredible Hulk" movie look like something from the old Bill Bixby TV series? Didn't they have a shot just like this in the TV series? Lets see...
yes, exactly like the TV series! (which makes sense since the director said the movie's an homage to the show)
Did women in New Hampshire only vote for Hillary Clinton because she cried? Did Hillary really cry, or was this blown out of all proportion by the media? Was the perception that Hillary cried something promoted by her own PR people, in an attempt to make her more "human?" Do strong women need to show they can cry in order to seem more "likeable?" Should strong women ever cry? What about that classic 1962 Four Seasons song "Big Girls Don't Cry?" Do you know where I'm going with this? Do you? Do you really?:
She-Hulk #22 Writer: Peter David Artists: Shawn Moll & Victor Olazaba Publisher: Marvel Comics Peter David's take on the emerald giantess starts off not that unsimilar from previous writer Dan Slott's run...quirky criminals & a quirky, self-effacing narrative by Jen Walters (tinted green in the caption boxes, natch). Then it takes a sharp left-turn somewhere in David Lynch territory, and the sudden ending -- reminiscent of the "Sopranos" finale -- will leave you guessing. I literally turned my comic book upside down and shook it to find the missing page that I assumed followed the blackout. Then I checked my cable box. Art by Shawn Moll & Victor Olazaba is effective & dynamic and makes Jen/She-Hulk attractive without making her look like an underwear model. Rating: A
Justice League of America #14 Writer: Dwayne McDuffie Artists: Ed Benes & Sandra Hope I want to love this new era for the series as much as the next person, but please don't flame me for saying that this and the last issue have been a little on the "thin" side. The narrative -- regarding the new Injustice League -- is starting to drag out in that decompressed way that makes you feel as if you've missed something at the end of the issue...or that the story should have been completed by now. Considering the textured and well-written McDuffie "Justice League Unlimited" animated episodes, I don't know what the problem is here. In the old days, a story like this could have been done in one issue. It makes me wonder if the arc has been artificially prolonged to match up with some "Countdown" endpoint. Plus: an extended role for Black Lightning & more excessive Geo Force abuse. So it's not all bad. Rating: B-
Breathers Book One Writer & Artist: Justin Madson Publisher: Just Mad Books Hey, I don't even know this Justin Madson guy; this isn't a shill or nothin.' Just found this in BF's pile of goodies from SPX. The story is about a dystopia unsettlingly familiar to our own world where people are forced to wear breathing masks outside. There is a quiet ticking desperation about the characters and their lives that is both captivating and really sad. Madson's one of these guys that you know will be "indie hotness of the month" before too long, so catch him before he gets famous so you can say you discovered him. Rating: A You can purchase "Breathers" here...for only $5! $7 if you include #0! More with shipping! Eeep!
Uzumaki: Viz Signature Edition Writer & Artist: Junji Ito Publisher: Viz Media This classic horror manga -- released in a smart new "signature edition" -- just about made me vomit on the subway train, it was so creepy. That's my roundabout way of saying, "I heartily recommend it." The story is about a small town whose inhabitants are going crazy because of a "spiral-obsession." This obsession drives them to, among other things, engage in really bizarre forms of body modification. It's like that one scene in "Nightmare on Elm Street" with the tongue coming out of the phone, for the entire book. By the way, if you're looking for this edition in the stores, it's an all-black cover with red lettering and art in a varnished outline. Rating: A+
Penance: Relentless #2 Writer: Paul Jenkins Artist: Paul Gulacy and Thunderbolts #117 Writer: Warren Ellis Artist: Mike Deodato Publisher: Marvel Comics Non-stop emo action with everybody's favorite "cutter," Robbie Baldwin. To me, the sheer Grand Guignol DeSadian excess of Penance's self-mutilation overshadows everything else about his solo miniseries, with the possible exception of Paul Gulacy's artwork. Take the 16-page "grid" panel of Penance putting on his "Iron Maiden" (dude! Iron Maiden!) outfit. Geez-Louise. Next up, in "Thunderbolts," Doc Samson (who apparently has issues of his own), has a man-to-boy talk with Penance, outlining the "cutter" philosophy for the readers at home in great detail. As they are apparently setting up Penance/Robbie to be the next "key player" in the Marvel Universe, for some reason I kept thinking of Jimmy Olsen. Jimmy with nipple-clamps. Rating:Penance: BThunderbolts: A Robin #167 Writer: Brandon Thomas Artist: Freddie Williams III Publisher: DC Comics This fill-in by writer Brandon Thomas ("Fantastic Four Adventures," "Shatterstar") is a poignant character study of Robin and why he does what he does. He's gets beaten to a bloody pulp quite a bit in this issue (alert "Scans Daily"), but recovers just in time to have a touching scene at his father's grave. Batman makes a rare non-goddamn appearance and wraps up the issue nicely. Rating: A
The Professor's Daughter
Writer: Joann Sfar Artist: Emmanuel Guibert Publisher: First Second This is a lovely little graphic novel that has that "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen" charm without the martians or fatal buggery. A museum mummy with impeccible manners and a proper Englishwoman form a unlikely romance. Despite the murder mystery plot and potential for darkness, always keeps a cheerful stiff upper lip to the very end of the volume. The perfect graphic novel for yourself or to buy for a girlfriend/wife/mom who might not be too impressed with your "Sinestro Corps" collection. Rating: A
101. The Superboy Prime reality punch. 100. Green Arrow making Black Canary believe her new foster daughter is dead 99. Amazons Attack 98. Having to wait for Hitman/JLA 97. The constant Superman retcons 96. Tim Drake having been ruined since Identity Crisis 95. Wonder Woman is now a bimbo who came from a society of barbaric murderesses. 94. Cassandra Cain being turned into a villain. 93. Jason trying to get with Donna Troy. *vomit*
at this point, the board starts to erupt in furious quibbling:
92. Superboy getting killed (and from what? getting thrown into a wall or something?) 91. Bart Allen dying so soon after becoming Flash. 90. The Trials of Shazam 89. Bringing back Ice, but not having a reunion scene with Guy Gardner. 88. Getting Grant Morrison to write yet another Crisis in an already long line of Crises. 87. Fill in teams on the Paul Dini Detective run. 86. Lack of artistic diversity on mainstream DC books. 85. Wonder Woman having no clear sense of direction since her relaunch. 84. Tie Ins to countdown 83. Lack of Adventures of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane book. 82. No Batmite anywhere to be seen 81. A real Adventures of Batman and Robin (Tim Drake) villain of the week book that isn't All Star. What's the point of having a sidekick if he's just arm candy and nothing more?
I have to stop here and say that the idea of Robin as "arm-candy" for Bats is, well...
80. Slowly killing or otherwise ruining Young Justice characters 79. Geoff Johns still writes for them. 78. Grant Morrison is still obsessed with all that Robert Anton Wilson stuff he used in The Invisibles, and he keeps shoehorning it into superhero comics. 77. Batman's evil ninja son Damien 76. Citizen Steel 75. Robin trying to clone Kon-El 74. Supergirl panty shots
I could go on, but you really ought to go to the DC Message Boards and read the rest for yourself. While you're there, look around a little. Read the previews. Make yourself comfortable. Vote on the Elseworld Batman that you think is the coolest. Drink a smoothie.
Recently I made a post where I had a one-off throwaway line regarding my antipathy for the Kyle Rayner Green Lantern "crab mask."
The public spoke, and spoke loudly: "We love the crab mask!"
Well, after much debate, I have decided to spill the secret origin of why I hate this particular mask.
The story starts some five years ago, when I was an assistant at DC Comics and working for the "JLA office."
We had a big metal art file in the office, and it was crammed to the gills with half-drawn or mostly complete old JLA miniseries & specials that never saw the light of day and the majority of which were started before I was even hired.
When Dan Didio came on board, he inquired as to what was in that big metal art file.
And thus several miniseries that had been started years before but never published were pulled out of the file.
The dictate?
"Get these @&#$@$ books into production!"
But because the books in question were relatively "old," they featured Kyle with the crab mask, not the redesigned Jim Lee costume. So I was told to go over every page with Post-It notes and find all the crab masks so they could be patched by the inker.
This was a long process, and over time I learned to hate the crab mask.
Ditto later on for Aquaman's harpoon-hand.
No, perhaps it is not a legitimate reason to disdain an admittedly stylish bit of Lantern Corp sartorial flair.
I've been racking my brains over here trying to figure out how to organize my material better & bring it to you in more efficient peanut-buttery bite-sized pieces. So I've come up with a schedule:
Monday: "Occasional Previews" Here is where I talk about what books I'm looking forward to this week. It will have commentary, previews, some shilling, some praise, just a lot of cool stuff.
Tuesday: I was going to make this one of three things: a) New Talent Spotlight b) Guest-blogger c) Gossip column Or maybe all three.
Wednesday: "Occasional Interviews" I'll use my sweet connections in the biz to provide you with exclusive interviews. I'll ask the hard questions (really).
Thursday: "Occasional Reviews" I review all the books I dropped my money on the day before.
Friday: "Fangirl Fridays" I bitch about the previous week.
Saturday & Sunday: Sweet Freedom Also, probably some stuff.
I'll still have my usual postings throughout the week, probably 3-5 each day.
It's a little ambitious, I know, but it could woik.
First thing to do is remove the "I Love Dexter" button from SDCC.
Do I have everything?
Laptop? check.
Tape-recorder? check.
Blackberry? check.
Cute Snoopy shirt? check.
Unlike San Diego, I'm entering this Con with no preconceived notions, plans, ambitions, or work schedule.
I find such an approach yields the most interesting results.
I can't promise I'll be providing coverage, photos, interviews, late-breaking news, whisperings from drunken getogethers at the hotels, or any of somesuch nonsense. But I just might, rabbit. I just might.
Psychedelic Craigslist Nightmare Romp: "Kelly"
Dan Goldman's "Kelly" is like a psychedelic Craigslist nightmare romp across a landscape of neo-nazis, weird-ass roommates, and generally messed-up shit.
This comic book artist answers a Craigslist ad for a share, and this really skanky dude Kelly is the guy with the apartment. Of course, no good can come of this.
"Please tell me he doesn't wipe his ass with paper towels."
The art and color is frenetic and crackles with nervous energy, painting a portrait of a man whose life has just taken a sharp left turn into the bizarre. "Kelly" the character looks and acts as if he has stepped out of a John Waters movie, a Loki-esque trickster of sleaze prepared to lead the comparitively normal Max down the rabbit hole. So to speak. Recommended.
Goldman, of the webcomic collective ACT-I-VATE, is the co-creator of the Eisner-nominated "Shooting War."
Also, if you are so inclined, you can meet Dan & some of the ACT-I-VATE crew at the following two NYC venues (this weekend & next week):
Paul Gulacy Week!
Yes! One of my favorite artists ever, the master PAUL GULACY will be the focus of the week of the 17th to celebrate the release of his "Penance" book for Marvel.
We'll be doing a retrospective on his classic work on "Master of Kung-Fu" and the graphic novel "Sabre," and looking at more recent projects like the much underrated "The Grackle" and his "Catwoman" run.
Plus an exclusive interview!
Be there!
Relflections On The First Preview Pages Of Dwayne McDuffie's "Justice League"
1) McKone/Lanning art is solid. Are they doing the regular book? I wish they were doing the regular book. I'm tired of Benes for now.
2) Cheetah on Dr. Light: "He's a rapist & a murderer!" McDuffie had to address it. We were all thinking it, and he had to address it. Lex says basically "well we are all scumbags anyway, we can't be choosy." But there is reg scumbags and then there is rapist murderer scumbags.
3) "Injustice League Unlimited" crack: McDuffie's way of saying "this isn't teh old sucky JLA, this is teh good JLA written by teh guy who does that awesome cartoon."
All-in-all, it augurs well for his regular "JLA" run. Though my money is on either/both Black Canary & GA biting the big one and replaced with Mia and Connor. And you can flame me all you want about it, that's what I think & I'm stickin' to it! :-D
Well, that's all the time we have today for "Fangirl Fridays" --
I'll leave you with a trailer for yet another upcoming Frank Miller comic book movie:
