Been a while...now with comics!

Been a while since I last posted anything. So here's a few random thoughts.

Marvel kills Captain America after throwing good guy against good guy in an attempt to shake of a share of fans, and DC brings back Mr. America. Marvel responds by turning the Hulk red and more zombies covers.

Northlanders was okay. I've been waiting for a Norse/Viking comic for a long time. Thor doesn't count, because my god of thunder and rain doesn't sew dinner plates to his chest. I was excited when I first heard about this comic, but something didn't quite sit well with me after I read the issue. The art is fine, but I think it's the fact that it reads like a modern story (modern cursing included) that just pulls you out of the atmosphere.

Countdown is actually becoming decent now that it isn't mired in all the crossovers it once was. About time DC realized it wasn't working, and it only took them....6 monthes? I really do want Jimmy Olsen to die, and I'm still confused about the rest of the cast.

Arena was interesting, but plese tell me that wasn't our Nightshade from Shadowpact that was disarmed. I liked her as a character in the book, so maybe that's why the book has felt a little off for a while. Interesting abilities and an old school looking costume. It's like they changed outfits to update the characters, but she was one of only 2 or 3 that kept their old outfit (hate Enchantress' current outfit - older one was much better, and Detective Chimp does not need spandex). Figured Red Rain Batman would win since he is, after all, undead. I still don't get Monarch - is he supposed to be written like a mary sue character?

I think Supergirl is finally on the right track. I think that is also a scary thought.

Heroes Con 2007

This weekend I'll be at Heores Con down in Charlotte, NC!

Afterwards I'll post a write up summerizing the more interesting parts, or as the case may be, what I happen to remember over the weekend.

If anyone out there is going, and perchance wants to hunt me down, I can be found with the Klingons there, as well as wondering around the floor. Saturday I'll be wearing my grey NC Gamers Alliance shirt - it has dice on it and stuff. Good luck finding me...

Oh - and just so you know, don't do anything stupid - the Klingons like me better than you.

^_^

Countdown issues

Is it just me, or does it feel like the writers of Countdown are not communicating with the other writing teams?

Personally, I find it annoying that the monitors are showing up everywhere with conflicting agendas. Maybe that's on purpose, but it isn't very smooth in any case. Nevermind the obviously inconsistancies with Black Adam.

Personally I would have taken him off the radar for several years, only to make a brief appearance during this new crisis - and then only after his upcoming miniseries. I mean, come on, I would have saved the return of his powerword to be the surprise twist ending of the mini. Here we are, spoiled as a silly plot device. I think it would have been better to bring out Eclipse, rather than have Mary joyride with Black Adam's lightning...

With 52 universes to watch over, the Monitors seem to be overly concerned with this earth. Why are they so worried about this Earth? Is Earth1 the hotspot for the multiverse's spring break and we need additional law enforcement or something?

Still, I can't be totally annoyed with DC over Countdown. I'm just annoyed that they seem to be in perpetual balance over what is good and bad. They let promising titles slide indo mediocrity, while the titles we like to laugh about actually gain promise - and the cycle repeats usually.

Justice League is actually decent now that it is crossing over with an already great title (Justice Society). 52 gave way to Countdown and lacks power, even with the awesome Dini driving it. Donner's Superman has practically vanished, while all-star batman is actually seen a new issue appear. Simone is moving from Birds of Prey to Wonder Woman, to bring that title out of a horrible slump - and hopefully BoP won't fall in quality...

At least I'm happy to say I'm through with Marvel. Only one thing could have tempted me back, but after hearing that DC maybe starting a norse comic I feel safe in saying Thor will not bring me back.

Norse Gods should not wear dinner plates as armor, nor should they be well groomed.

Something to note about the new Hulk movie

First of all, as many who know me would know, I loved the Hulk movie directed by Ang Lee. I have no clue how accurate it is to the comics, but I love the way the movie plays out the character drama.

As many people on the internet would know by now I'm sure, there is a new Hulk movie in the works with Edward Norton and Liv Tyler. I fear for this movie, firstly, because the director is the same guy who directed The Transporter. I didn't particularly care for this movie, but it did have style. Before people get too hyped, however, know that he also directed Dead or Alive.

Behold, Dead or Alive:


Also: Poor Devon Aoki. She just can't seem to break out of being typecasted.

About this statue thing...

WIth so much flak being shot around from so many sides on this MJ statue thing I feel like I should at least say something about my whole take. Everyone is doing it, so why not? I mean, there is something to this issue, otherwise I don't think the mass media would have even registered it.

First of all, Adam Hughes is not to blame. Marvel hired him to create the concept art the statue is based on, and he drew it. That isn't the issue. Hughes drew a decent pic, and how much of the controversy is that image causing? Hughes takes his liberties with anatomy, but at least his art shows he understands anatomy.

The sculpture holds most of the blame. Hughes made his image of MJ becuase he was paid to produce it, and then it was handed off to the sculpture to turn it into a 3d piece. They took liberties as they translated the work. Liberties that included a ripped seat in the jeans and the removal of MJ's gastro-intestinal tract.

Yes, the image is sexist and was made for male fans. How do I know this? I'm no expert, but I would think that in order to maintain balance in that type of pose she would have had to bend her knees ever so slightly. She isn't, and therefore presenting herself to the curious fan that figures out how to turn the statue around. To those who would suggest it wasn't intentional, I return to the point that the sculture has a rip in the seat of her jeans. It's a bonus, right?

Marvel should hire people to be a little more accurate with their 3d art. Take notes from the Women of DC busts that Hughes designed. Sure they're sexy, but in a good way - if that's possible. What I mean by that is that they retain the "good girl pinup" feel that Hughe's art tends to be known and admired for.

At least that's the unedited opinion of a male artist that feels he knows what he knows fairly well.

Spiderman 3

Firstly, I'll say that while I didn't think it was bad enough to want my money back, I will say it is likely the weakest of the three.

I won't spoil the movie, but know that about halway through it drops any character motivation/development to go full force into action. The action was good, but it did actually take away from the plot.

Venom? Looks good, but under developed. Should have probably been in a movie by himself, though the dynamic with Sandman did mesh well as presented.

Finally, the one thing that really took me out of the movie? Peter Parker spontaniously dancing everywhere while wearing the black suit. Too strange for my tastes...

I'd give it a solid C+

It's been a month now...

...since I've posted here. What's new? Well, I've been sick this week - on top of fatigue and exhaustion from work. I haven't been getting much done lately, and have barely written 2 pages on my novel.

Yes, I have been reading comics, and wondering if DC has noticed a slip in the quality of their print. The main titles barely stick to schedules, and the side titles are very average at best. I'm put off from Batman thanks to that Grotesk storyline and confedential fels very cookie-cutter and I dislike the art in it. Manhunter's been recanceled, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman might come out in a month. Where's Action Comics? Is Legends of the Dark Knight really ending?

Spawn wasn't too great this past week either, retconning in a craptastic reason why Al can't go home after remaking the world at his command.

Don't even get me started on Marvel...

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but seriously, things are not looking too bright this year. There's possible hope for Cassandra Cain, but with some of the choices DC's made recently have not reflected too well.

Two very different things to mention briefly

First: What the heck did Yahoo do to their front page? It looks horrible with all the extra graphics tossed in. It's highly confusing and requires a while to load. The new lay out is a terrible mess of everything that a front service page should not be. I'm just glad they gave an option at the bottom to reset back to the text-friendly old page. Not everything should copy an OS look. I like my no-nonsense text when I read my news.

Second: Screw you, Marvel, for releasing all their second prints at the same time and multiple variant covers for Civil War. You bumped my single day comic purchase record far above its previous level, and makes me want to drop titles. It's almost assured I will not be reading Marvel for a long time after Civil War ends. I hope eBay can help me make up lost cash.

(Also, a big thank you to Israel for jump starting World War 3. )

Comics! cont.

Superman #654 - The dynamic of Clark and Lois was central in the issue, and I don't remember it being so well handled. Superman was sidelined, and it worked. Electrified Popcorn, science police, and giant villain that talks too much. I'm really curious about Lana taking over Lexcorp. Though it was well written, the issue felt really long. 7/10

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #208 - Part two is on equal grounds as part one. It's not exceptional, but it isn't terrible. The art is realistic enough to hold your interest generally, though sometimes it doesn't quite work. Specifically, I don't like how the Penguin looks. I'm a fan of the 'human' Penguin, not the creepy looking one. I also don't like his entry into the strip club business - It's just not him. However, I do like the story being told. It feels slightly reused, but so far it works. It has a very dark feel. I would go so far as to call it a gothic tale, and that is only helped by many stylistic choices with the art. I will admit that this story is a bit rough to get through. 6/10

Thunderbolts #104 - This is only the second issue I've read of the series, since I'm only reading it for the Civil War tie-in. I still have no idea what is really happening, but I do understand that this Zemo guy is gaining control over the supervillains to form a 3rd party in this whole Civil War mess. There is the possibility that Zemo holds the key to the tide of the war, depending which side he fights alongside more. Also, I'm not fond of a vast majority of Marvel villains. 6/10

Civil War: Frontline #3 - Opps, there goes another neighborhood. That can't be good for the side against the registration. Also, the Baxter Building has potentially the longest escalator, making me wonder if an elivator would have been quicker. Even if it was quicker, Reed wouldn't have had the extra time to keep talking. Multiple storylines make it a little jumpy, but they are seperated into chapters. She-Hulk has another case that isn't cooperating, who is also in total denial of any wrong doing. Still wondering why they haven't nailed him with trespassing. I mean come on, they were. 6.5/10

whew.

Notes on the Civil War so far...

Yes, I'm a DC fanboy reading Civil War. Maybe you think I'm a curiosity that needs attention, but more than likely you'll just turn away with a snort of your nose. Massive world changing events hold my interest, and Civil War has so far proven to be a few shades more gripping than Infinite Crisis.

Two things really stuck out in my mind as I read.

1) Reed Richards is working on some super secret project, that he passes off as too complex for anyone else to understand as a cover up. The disk that all the digital records of this project is labeled '42.' I'm not really sure what this means, but given my vast amount of useless information I have to bring this to light: 42 is the answer to life, the Universe, and everything. This is an important plot point, becuase this is obviously what he is working on since in Civil War #1 we saw that wierd guy that looked like a giant Guardian watching over the super hero rave in the Baxter Building.

2) Aunt May patched up the old Spider-Man outfit for Parker to wear at the press conference. This is one way to make it easier to take his mask off for the public to see, rather than trying to will only part of his outfit invisable. Of course the public will recognize the old outfit, and not so much the new one due to how recently it was given to him. This is helpful in two ways, first it gives furthor heavy support to the registration act, and second it allows a convenient back step for Parker.

See, everyone knows the original Spier-Man - the one that revealed himself to the world. No one really knows who the new Spider-Man is. Parker can simply deny it's him, and boom. Secret identity restored. Afterall, the way the suit works is way different than the original (mainly becuase the original suit didn't do anything if I remember right).

Well, thats about it for now. Oh yeah, Wolverine 42 had an obvious analogy for United Flight 93, but it was a good issue that aside.

Hulk 2 news and worry

I read a short while ago that Hulk 2 is progressing towards production, despite what everyone is warning. Apparently the villian this time will be Abomination. The article describes him as some kind of 900 pound spy that has the strngth to match up with Hulk. This is where I scratch my head in wonder.

The acticle also claims that the first movie lacked a primal element, which this movie will make up for. I read that as "first movie was boring, this one is going to be all action. Nonstop Abomination vs Hulk action!"

Personally, I don't want to see this sequel as it seems to be building up to. I was one of those few that saw Hulk in theatre and absolutely loved it. I even saw it in theatre multiple times.

Ok, so Hulk is a Marvel property and I've never read an issue - I'll admit that. Maybe I'm missing this primal element mentioned, and maybe that is what fans of Hulk were up in arms over with the first movie. I liked the bursts of action with a lot of story and character development. The action was intense, but it served a purpose. Mindless action is just that - mindless.

To me, I like the Hulk as a character due to the split nature of Banner and Hulk. It is the same reason I like Jekyll and Hyde, and the two stories I see as very much the same. Except, of course, that Hulk isn't a psychopathic incarnation of evil, instead he is being of pure emotion that is made into a villain out of misunderstanding.

My point is, I suppose, is that I fear Hulk 2 will lack the heart of the first and will cause the franchise to go the way of say, Batman when Schumacher took over.

Comic Book Movies

In "honor" of V for Vendetta being a success in my mind, I thought about typing list of my top 10 favorite comic book adaptations. I'll list them in order from best to next to best.

1) Batman Begins
2) Hulk
3) Superman & Superman 2
4) V for Vendetta
5) X2: X-Men United
6) Batman Returns
7) Spiderman 2
8) Batman '89
9) Road to Perdition
10) X-Men

The tricky thing is that this list is limited to American comic movies only. If extended this list out to manga adaptations to movies the list would be larger and more competative in my mind (Japanese movies, mind you. I'm still waiting on preproduction of James Cameron's Battle Angel).

Some people would be quick to point out that Sin City is surprisingly absent from my list. While I really enjoyed the movie, and think it is probably the best thing Frank Miller has made in his genre, the movie wasn't an adaptation. What Sin City in fact was, in my mind, was a direct translation of media. For that, the movie is in a category all its own.

X-Men 3 trailer reactions

So yeah, the first actual trailer for X-Men 3 came out. I must say that it is looking quite average. I should also add what that means.

See, I'm with the camp that has serious doubts of Ratner living up to the legacy of the films set up by Singer. Though the make up jobs have looks fairly good, I have read spoilers about the story. Becuase of that, I have had serious worries about the movie and the plot points they are going with in the movie.

For the most part I have had a somewhat poor impression of how it will turn out. Sure, the action in the teaser looked good. The special effects are obviously cg to me, which kind of turns me off. The Beast was obviously being pulled by wires when he jumped, if that was him.

Juggernaught is a point many people are ticked off with. He's a favorite of mine along with Magneto, Mistique, Nightcrawler, and Rogue. I personally like the fact that he is made "normal" size, but I am really worried about how effective he will be in the movie. I have seen shots of his wrinkly muscle suit, but I'm thinking it won't be as noticible the Thing's suit. I have more issues with the effect of the walls crumbling in the trailer as he's chasing (shadowcat?).

Most of what I know about X-Men comes from these movies and the two animated shows, so I'm likely more open to this movie than actual fans that read the comics. The trailer does promise to be a really intense action movie, but I'm still worried it won't have the "heart" that was present in the first two.