The Marvel Takeover

In all honesty, I have very little of interest to say about the acquisition of Marvel by Disney. Since I don't read anything Marvel produces and have very little interest in their movies or other properties.

That said, I hope this will finally put to rest the tired old canard trotted out by some Marvel zombies that Marvel is somehow more "pure" than DC because it isn't (or rather wasn't) owned by a bigger corporation.

Of course, they'll probably find a way anyway..

Relative Importance

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #2 is the most important comic you didn't read this week.

That is, of course, assuming you didn't read it. If you did, you know what I'm talking about.

If you read it you know that there were stunning revelations, the return of characters long unseen, references to old series that almost nobody read (I, of course, have the complete run). There's all that and a death on the last page. The death of one of the most important characters in the history of DC Comics.

Of course, I doubt the aforementioned dead person is really dead. You know how these things go. Still, most of my points still stand. There is a lot in SPJOS #2 (quite a mouthful) that sets up even more important things for the future.

If you've been following the current ongoing Superman event and didn't read that comic you need to run to your LCS immediately. Go now. I'll wait.

Thursday Night Thinking #112

This is Thursday Night Thinking. And there's something you should really know about Barry Allen:

He's not as dignified as you think he is...

Wait a Second

Hey all,

My apologies for not getting a post up last night. Some serious issues have arisen in the world of schooling that needed my attention and it totally slipped my mind. Know, of course, that these aren't the typical things that need attention (like writing a paper or studying for an exam). I wouldn't have allowed those things to interfere.

Hopefully things will get resolved today, but whether they do or not Thursday Night Thinking will appear this evening just as it always does. See you then.

Substitute Haikuseday

In writing a paper this evening about the Japanese poet Bashō, I was filled with the urge to write haiku. I decided to choose as my topic tomorrow which is Wednesday that most delectable of days.

明日の昼
すごいヒーロー
見つけるよ

In romaji:

asu no hiru
sugoi hiirou
mitsukeruyo

And finally in English:

tomorrow's midday
the astonishing heroes
they can be found

A New Direction

I'm sure you've all heard that I won't be showing up in the new Azrael series. To top it off, they seem to be leaving my status as far as "alive" or "dead" pretty vague. So I probably won't be in Blackest Night: Batman either.

Know that I've had to consider my various options. After much reflection and prayer to St. Dumas I've decided that my best option is to try and go back to school!

After all, it's worked for the host of this blog as for good old Stephanie Brown as well. If they can pull it off, so can I!

Currently I've got a semester at Gotham U. as a Computer Science major under my belt. I've got a few introductory computer classes taken care of and I think I did my Earth Science gen ed. I've still got to deal with the PHIL480 requirement, but I think I can pull it off.

I don't know if I want to go back for computers, though. It's awfully hard to type with these three-fingered gauntlets. I'm thinking maybe... Religious Studies?

So Here's How It Is...

So. I think I've figured out what the hell is going on in the Superman books right now.

Rather, I figured it out quite a while ago and now I'm going to share it with you in case anybody out there is still confused.

Here's the deal: as we all know General Lane (wasn't he of considerably lower rank before) faked his death. He did this to get involved with the ridiculously named "Project 7734." Now maybe he started it and maybe he didn't. That doesn't matter.

What does matter is that somebody in the United States government (and specifically the military) managed to gain access to the Multiverse. In the process they undoubtedly came upon the drifting, comatose Captain Atom in the Bleed which separates the universes (as you may recall, we last saw Captain Atom a Monarch during Countdown).

Project 7734 accessed multiple worlds, mostly magical in nature. Remember the satellite "doors" that blasted Superman and Krypto during Robinson's initial Atlas arc? Those were obviously gateways to various magical worlds. Why else would they be called doors?

Speaking of Atlas, Lane and the rest got him from one of the other Multiversal worlds. He's working with them now for his own purposes, possibly to get home or find a new world to conquer.

Where do the mysterious tattoo-faced sorceress and the thuggish green monsters come in? Simple: Project 7734 eventually came upon a world where the established government and military were having troubles with uprisings. Problem was, their world was magic-based and they needed something with raw power. Convenient, considering in our world General Lane and Project 7734 were up against raw power (Kryptonians) and needed some magic to fight them.

And so, as nations have many times done a swap was agreed to. Mirabi (the above mentioned sorceress and apparently a princess of her world) was loaned out to the U. S. Military to deal with the Kryptonians. And Project 7734 was more than happy to loan a brainwashed Captain Atom (how much more powerful can you get?) to Mirabi's people.

That, of course, leads up to where we are now. We've got dangerous military organizations on both sides of the Bleed. On our side, Superman is going to have to clean things up. And it looks like Captain Atom is going to take point (having divested himself of mental control) on the other side.

Should be fun all around.

Thursday Night Thinking #111

We return once again to Thursday Night Thinking! In doing so, we also return to one of the most prolific thinkers of the current comic era: Mon-El.

Personally, I think you should keep shooting heat vision into the flying Nazi.

Just a thought.

The Web

Y'know, it's funny... Of all the Red Circle characters I thought for sure I was going to like The Web the least. I wasn't sure about his costume or his motives. I didn't think I would hate the Web... I just thought it would be fair to middlin'.

But things have a way of surprising you. I know that's happened with me and the Web. When I started reading the story I felt exactly how I thought I'd feel (and certainly exactly the was JMS wanted me to). I didn't like the Web much nor did I particularly care.

But when I read the Web's final broadcast:

"There's been a slight change in plans for summontheweb.com. If your problems can be solved easily, if you have your own money, your own resources, or your own fame... Don't use that website. Use it if your situation is hopeless. If there's something so awful, so terrible that you can't even tell your own... Your own family. If you're afraid in the dark, if the shadows are closing in on you, and there's nowhere else to turn... Go to the Web. Go to the Web. I'll be waiting."

And that did it for me. If the ongoing can hit me in the gut in the same way even half the time then I'll pick up every issue.

Really, when it comes to comics this is the best feeling in the world. There's nothing like picking up something you don't expect to like... And being blown away.

Off With Their Heads

The most recent issue of Green Lantern Corps was, by and large, excellent.

But I have one bone to pick. Behold: the panel that was, simultaneously, best and worst of the issue:

Now, I have no issue with Guy's choice of date spot. He's right, after all: the Friendly Confines are great at night. The ivy is indeed spectacular.

But I nonetheless call out writer Peter Tomasi and editor Adam Schlagman: It's Wrigley Field!

Now, this is not a mistake Guy (odious Yankees fan though he may be) would make. This grievous error is squarely on the shoulders of the writer and editor. Or maybe the letterer.

My point is, somebody has to be held accountable. I await the news of resignations. Somebody's head oughta roll...

A Return

Now this, my friends: I have returned.

It's been a pretty hectic week, but I think things should get more or less back to normal now. As you may notice from the sidebar I am no longer "Currently Unemployed" but rather a "Graduate Student."

Now, technically classes don't start until a week from today. But I figured this was an opportune time to add it to the sidebar and make it official. I'm back to doing something with my life.

That said, this is not one of those sad posts where I lament the changes in my life that have forced me to give up blogging. I don't really get that. Why would I give up doing something that I love when it really doesn't take up much of my time? No, this blogging will continue.

In closing: regular posting begins to tomorrow and I was so right about the big bad in Blackest Night.

Thursday Night Thinking #110

This... Is Thursday Night Thinking!

No time for anything but three quick thoughts from Barry Allen --- A. K. A. The Flash!

I Haven't Much TIme

I managed to escape my imprisonment by the Master of Magnetism. But that doesn't mean I'm free and clear. I'm currently on the run. I won't tell you where I'm hiding, but I'll tell you that it's a tad better than the basement.

I've got a little bit of Internet access at inopportune times. So you may see short posts but not much else. At least the food here is good...

Reinvigoration

I am enraged. Once the name of Doctor Polaris was feared. Now? Now, taken as it has been by an usurper, the name has been relegated to a laughing stock.

I am sorely displeased.

As loyal reader Jake pointed out I have been employed in many mighty crossovers. Whenever a suitably powerful opponent was needed they came to me. Did not Perry White -- editor-in-chief of major metropolitan newspaper The Daily Planet -- once call me "one of the most powerful metahumans on the planet"? He did.

Mark my words: I shall not rest until the name of Doctor Polaris is returned to its former glory. Before long my name will once again be whispered in the dark places of the earth with reverence. With fear.

Consider This

I am at an impasse, loyal readers. Consider: the pages of Justice League: Cry For Justice. Within those pages we find my enemy and yours Hal Jordan standing over the broken body of my dubious doppelganger Mister Polaris.

There, Jordan decries him as "second-best" as Green Arrow calls him "b-list." The question is this: should I direct my considerable rage towards Jordan for daring to denigrate the man who -- deserved or not -- bears my name? Or should I direct my rage towards the pitiful, broken fool who has shamed the good name of Doctor Polaris with his ineptitude?

It is a question I will spend time musing on over the course of the weekend...

Doctor Polaris Presents Thursday Night Thinking

Welcome again loyal readers to what would normally be called Thursday Night Thinking #109. Today it will be Doctor Polaris Presents Thursday Night Thinking!

As you all know, your normal host has been consigned to the cellar until such time as I see fit. Until that time I shall undertake all actions necessary to keep this blog running smoothly. This means that I shall prepare the thoughts for this regular feature.

Behold: a thought chosen by Doctor Polaris:

Punishment

Know this, loyal readers: I have once again seized control of this blog.

After last evening's grievous continuity lapse I have put our host in a place where he cannot make a further fool of himself. Indeed, you might say that I have had him "confined to quarters for the duration of this voyage."

No longer will he be allowed to dash off quick blog posts at night regarding topics about which he is not fully informed. Until he learns to take the time to do it right he will be incarcerated in the basement. There is no Internet access in the basement.

Instead, you will bask in the glorious light of Doctor Polaris for the foreseeable future. You need not thank me; I do this for the benefit of all humankind.

Question:

How long before DC brings The Element Woman into continuity?

Edit: I have been informed that this character was created in 1967. Also, I am a fool.

Thanks guys!

Sorting

Today I began the arduous work of organizing my comic books. Since I returned form Japan over a year ago they've been, quite frankly, a mess. I really need to get these things in order before my move.

Oh, what's that? I haven't let any of you faithful readers know about my move? Apologies all around. You should know that since I returned from Japan I've been staying with my parents in a small town in Illinois where I grew up. I needed the downtime to reacclimate myself to American life. I'd hoped to do more travelling, but that will come in time.

On Saturday I'm picking up again and moving to Champaign-Urbana (or Urbana-Champaign if you prefer). Some of you may know those cities as home to the University of Illinois. It is there that I shall -- like a comic with lagging sales -- undertake a bold new direction for my life.

Really, it's not that big of a deal. But I've still got to get my comics sorted before I go...