tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197609722024-03-21T17:57:48.113-05:00Title UndeterminedCommentary, Reviews, and InsanityDiamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.comBlogger1223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-50958871633240282542011-12-22T08:37:00.002-06:002011-12-22T08:43:03.344-06:00One Last RideReading the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Leviathan Strikes!</span> one-shot was bittersweet. It has the distinction of being the very last book to be published under the old continuity. I found certain stories in the book to be quite entertaining, and there were others that (like a lot of Grant Morrison's stuff) I didn't understand at all.<br /><br />But the book mostly reminded me how much I loved Stephanie Brown's Batgirl. And Barbara Gordon as Oracle. And as I was reading the book I realized that this would be the last <span style="font-style: italic;">new</span> story about these characters. I would never get to read about them again.<br /><br />And that makes me sad. By and large I've been a supporter of the "New 52." Some of the books have been hits and others misses. But on a whole I think it was a good idea. Plus, if they can keep sales up it may be a good thing for the comic industry as a whole.<br /><br />I'll still miss those characters. I'll miss the history built up for them over the decades. Those stories are still there, but in some sense they don't <span style="font-style: italic;">mean</span> quite as much now that they're disconnected from the present.<br /><br />I suppose I'll have to hang on tight and hope that this new continuity can build a history that means as much as the old one did. It's not impossible. But it still won't be the same.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-24466539839225847282011-12-21T06:49:00.004-06:002011-12-21T07:08:35.678-06:00Permission to DieA word of fair warning to you all: I'm going to talk about the recent trailer for <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Dark Knight Rises</span>. If you don't want to hear that or are worried about spoilers, now is the time to depart.<br /><br />With that out of the way, let's start with the character that is (so far) arguably at the hear of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dark Knight Rises</span> stuff we've seen so far: Bane. I think it's safe to say that Bane is a controversial character. It's hard to say that he's <span style="font-style: italic;">popular</span>, but there's no question that he's unpopular in a lot of ways. Having been created in the 1990's, Bane is lacking a lot of the pedigree you get from long term Batman villains like Two-Face or the Joker.<br /><br />But being chosen as the main villain of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rises</span> shows that despite his contemporary creation, Bane has cemented himself as an important part of the modern Batman mythos. Whether you like it or not, Bane has taken over a position that has been filled with numerous characters over the years in comics: the role of the anti-Batman.<br /><br />It's easy to forget that that's what Bane was meant to be in the very beginning. Too often Bane has been employed as a simple, brutish thug (due in large part to his extreme musculature and luchadore look). But when Bane was first introduced he was more than simply a physical match for Batman: he was his intellectual equal as well.<br /><br />Batman has had no shortage of intellectual adversaries. In fact, you can make the argument that <span style="font-style: italic;">most</span> of Batman's villains are designed largely to test his mental and psychological strength. And there have been a few physical adversaries as well (Killer Croc being the most notable example).<br /><br />But Bane was created as someone who could take on Batman in both the physical and mental arenas and succeed. In this sense, he's one in a long line of anti-Batmans. Even his origin is a dark, twisted mirror image of Batman's own. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rises</span> seems to be playing this up.<br /><br />We get a glimpse of what is (presumably) the prison where Bane was raised (assuming, of course, that his origin hasn't been radically tweaked). But the most telling is the image of the camo tumbler: it's safe to assume that Bane has his own -- dare I say it? -- <span style="font-style: italic;">Banemobile.</span><br /><br />In <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Dark Knight</span> we had a villain who "just wanted to see the world burn" in the form of the Joker. Bane unquestionably wants to see Gotham in ashes. But it seems that he doesn't want to do so <span style="font-style: italic;">purely</span> to do so. Bane is <span style="font-style: italic;">driven</span>. It's obvious that he has an agenda and perhaps even one that many people in this "Occupy Wall Street" world might find appealing.<br /><br />This is all speculation, of course. And I'm admittedly running on speculation here. But I think we're going to see a Gotham City that on the surface is doing well: crime is down and people (at least the people at the top) are prospering.<br /><br />But beneath the surface the city continues to rot. And if Bane is half the strategist he is in the comics he will exploit that for his own purposes.<br /><br />I've wondered quite a bit why Nolan and co. decided to change Bane's look from his classic comic look. I think it's because of what I'd alluded to earlier. That look makes Bane seem like just another thug in a long line of thugs. And while it's effective for the pages of the comics, this current mask lets us see his <span style="font-style: italic;">eyes</span>. And while his voice may be difficult to understand, his message is clear. I don't know yet what it means, but July 20 can't come soon enough.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-47094070344809331162011-12-15T05:16:00.002-06:002011-12-15T05:20:54.684-06:00Rebooted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/21454234"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 0pt 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 75px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/39/120663520_efc8086ad2_s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Well, it looks like I got rebooted after all. It took a while to kick in, but here we are. I can't believe they bothered.<br /><br />Not that a whole lot is different... I think I'm about five years younger. Which is nice, I guess. I'm still old enough to drink. But I'm a bit of a teetotaler anyway, so...<br /><br />One that that's changed is my costume. It's got a lot of extra lines and seams for some reason. Wasn't my costume already busy <i>enough?</i> And you should see these new boots. They're pretty ridiculous.<br /><br />Well, I spent the last three months basically reliving the whole <b>Sword of Azrael</b> miniseries, because every time they give some a new origin they have to retell it again and again. I just wish they'd left the apes out this time...Azraelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10267545419436081518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-34364593593030083582011-12-14T05:36:00.002-06:002011-12-14T05:49:11.746-06:00America<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/21454169"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 0pt 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 75px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/48/120663519_567087829d_s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I, Doctor Polaris, <i>have returned.</i> You may be wondering, loyal readers, where I have been all this time. Listen well and perhaps you may even <i>learn</i> something.<br /><br />Not long after the coming of the "New 52" I felt a sense of <i>unease</i>. I had not been rebooted, that much was true. But the coming of a self-described momentous event such as the relaunch should have brought with it <i>real</i> change.<br /><br />And what did we find? Hal Jordan is still around and still an idiot. The only difference is his new, unflattering costume. And what of me, Doctor Polaris? I didn't feel that I had changed. Perhaps, I thought, I needed to change <i>myself.</i><br /><br />It was then and there that I made a decision: I would walk across America and reacquaint myself with its good, simple people. And so I began what I expected would be a journey from Coast City to Metropolis. I made my way through Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas, interacting with ordinary Americans.<br /><br />Then I got to Saint Louis and realized that it's a <i>terrible</i> city and that I <i>hate</i> good, simple Americans. So I destroyed the Gateway Arch and flew back to to sunny Southern California.<br /><br />And what about the adventures I had over these past few months? I will tell you this: there is not a whole lot to tell. For as Geoff Johns' <b>Justice League</b> has shown, three months can pass with absolutely <i>nothing</i> happening.Doctor Polarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06579584615444914274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-55756163177985051612011-12-13T05:29:00.003-06:002011-12-13T05:46:39.996-06:00Grand ReopeningNo, your eyes do not deceive you. Of course, by saying that I make the dangerous assumption that there <i>are</i> any eyes to see. I have been gone a long time.<br /><br />And before I go any further let me say: <b>I am sorry.</b> It was not right of me to up and leave the blog for three months without saying so much as a word or giving an explanation. But to make up for it I'm going to give you an explanation <span style="font-style: italic;">right now</span>. Even if it means coming <i>dangerously</i> close to revealing my secret identity.<br /><br />As some of you already know, I've been a graduate student for these past few years. You know I study Japan and some of you may even know that I'm in Japan <i>right now.</i> These things are all puzzle pieces in the reasons why I haven't been blogging. Here are the specifics, in bullet points:<br /><ul><li>First of all, when I moved to Japan at the end of August my apartment didn't have the Internet. The building is really old (which is why the doorways are all too low and I keep hitting my head) so it wasn't easy to get it set up. Finally it happened, but the damage was already done: <i>I got used to not blogging.</i></li></ul><ul><li>Secondly, I am currently attending an <i>extremely</i> intensive Japanese language program. This is the kind of thing that barely gives you any free time. Hell, if I didn't <i>find</i> the time to sleep I wouldn't get any of that. Still, I would've had time for blogging if it hadn't been for...</li></ul><ul><li>The third problem. See, I'm currently between my MA and PhD degree. Originally I'd planned on staying at my current institution. But a few weeks before I left Japan my academic adviser dropped a bombshell on me: he was retiring. Which meant <i>I</i> had to apply to other schools. While in a super-intensive Japanese language program. In Japan.</li></ul><p>So you can probably see why I haven't been around <i>at all.</i> But here's the thing: the applications are due on December 15, but I finished them <i>today.</i> Which means aside from the crippling homework I am <i>free!</i> <b><i>Gloriously free!</i></b></p><p>You may also be interested to know that today, December 13, is this blog's <b>Sixth Anniversary.</b> All things considered, I'll hope you'll forgive me for a three month recess out of pretty continuous posting for six years.</p><p>What I'm saying is: I'm back. I probably won't be able to post every day, and maybe not more than twice or three times a week while the program is on. But I <i>will</i> post. Again, thanks to everyone who has stuck with me over the past six years. You can't imagine how much it means to have people read my writing and sometimes even comment on it. I hope to keep this up for a <span style="font-style: italic;">long</span> time to come.<br /></p><p>Oh, and as for my co-bloggers? I don't really have any idea what <i>they've</i> been up to over the past three months. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they show up soon...<br /></p>Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-56982300583684522022011-09-14T00:04:00.004-05:002011-09-14T00:35:00.839-05:00The New 14-26Since I can actually post on the week of a batch of new number ones coming out I thought it might be fun to rundown all the new comics and give my general expectations for them (and yes, I am at least <i>trying</i> all the new comics). While it may be Wednesday here, that doesn't mean I can read my comics early. You all will probably see them long before I will.<br /><br /><b>Batman and Robin #1:</b> Since the Batman world wasn't much upset by the relaunch, I don't anticipate seeing much of a change in the quality of <b>Batman and Robin</b>. Tomasi can still write, and we all know Patrick Gleason can <i>draw.</i> The big question is whether or not father and son will work well as Batman and Robin.<br /><br /><b>Batwoman #1:</b> Many people have been waiting for this book for a long time. Assuming it keeps up with the pretty art and brings along a decent story to go with it, <b>Batwoman</b> should do fine.<br /><br /><b>Deathstroke #1:</b> I can already tell you that I probably won't stick with this one for every long. I've never been a big fan of Deathstroke, even as an "anti-hero." I understand why they're giving the book a shot, and I applaud them for continuing to try and diversify their offerings. If nothing else, Joe Bennett can also <i>draw.</i><br /><br /><b>Demon Knights #1:</b> This is one of the new books I've been most excited about. I love the idea of exploring the DCU in different times and places, and when better than Medieval Europe? If Paul Cornell brings his a-game this will be a fantastic book.<br /><br /><b>Frankenstein #1:</b> I love Lemire's Flashpoint Frankenstein mini, but the preview for <b>Agent of S. H. A. D. E.</b> makes me wary. We're not being given the same characters and the art isn't half as good. But Lemire usually seems to know what he's doing, and I'll still give it a try.<br /><br /><b>Green Lantern #1:</b> See <b>Batman and Robin</b> above. DC does seem to be operating on a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. (and what does that tell us about everything outside of the Batman and GL books?) Geoff Johns' Green Lantern saga continues, for better or worse.<br /><br /><b>Grifter #1:</b> This book is one of the biggest wild cards for me. I don't know anything about the character or the writer. So all I know is that the book will be beautiful. Funnily enough, this sense of <i>not knowing</i> makes me pretty excited to read this book. As well as I know the DCU, that's a rare experience.<br /><br /><b>Legion Lost #1:</b> I'm actually really looking forward to this book. I'm very much intrigued to see how the members of the Legion deal with living in the present. They clearly won't fit in, even among the super-hero contingent. A good fish out of water story can be a lot of fun.<br /><br /><b>Mister Terrific #1:</b> Here's another book that's a bit of a cipher. We know who Michael Holt was, but we don't really know who this Michael Holt <i>is.</i> Still, I think it's a great idea to get him out of the JSA's shadow and let the man shine on his own. The character has a lot of potential.<br /><br /><b>Red Lanterns #1:</b> Peter Milligan writes some weird stuff. The Red Lanterns are kind of weird. I don't know what else to say about this book.<br /><br /><b>Resurrection Man #1:</b> I never thought I'd see another <b>Resurrection Man #1</b>. As my <a href="http://diamondrock.blogspot.com/2006/07/gone-but-not-forgotten.html">affection for Resurrection Man is well known,</a> I'm very much looking forward to this comic. If the team can capture at least a fraction of what made the original comic so good it will be a winner.<br /><br /><b>Suicide Squad #1:</b> I'm not really expecting much from this book, honestly. It could turn out to be a nice surprise or it could end up being one of the first books cancelled. It's anyone's guess.<br /><br /><b>Superboy #1:</b> Superboy is apparently being completely rebooted with a new history and everything. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I've never ready anything by Scott Lobdell so I have no idea what to expect. I did like the preview, though.<br /><br />Whew, that's a lot of books! DC really is cranking them out. I wonder how many will survive past the six month mark?Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-31711613849797852152011-09-13T01:19:00.002-05:002011-09-13T01:31:15.557-05:00New is Old AgainYesterday I talked about my favorite book of the relaunch. But what was my least favorite? That might be too easy... While there were certainly going to be good books there was no question that there would be <i>some</i> bad comics in the relaunch. It's a bit more fair if I discuss the comics that were the most <i>disappointing</i>.<br /><br />I think that answer to that is, sadly, <b>Batgirl</b>. Now, you know I love Gail Simone <i>deeply</i>, and it pains me terribly to say that. I don't thing it's a <i>bad</i> book by any stretch of the imagination. But I just don't think it's what I wanted from a <b>Batgirl</b> book.<br /><br />The first <b>Batgirl</b> comic starred Cassandra Cain, and it was about her trying to figure out how she could fit into a world that she wasn't trained for while at the same time trying to create a family out of the misfits that inhabit Batman's world.<br /><br />The second <b>Batgirl</b> comic starred Stephanie Brown, and it was about putting a girl in a batsuit and letting her have as much fun as you possible can while dressed like that. And boy, if we didn't get that. I still think the most recent run of <b>Batgirl</b> was one of the best (and most overlooked) books DC was publishing prior to the New 52, and it's a real shame that Bryan Q. Miller isn't writing anything for DC now.<br /><br />So what is this third <b>Batgirl</b> comic about? I'm not entirely sure yet, and I think that's some of the problem. This version of Barbara Gordon doesn't really seem to be having any fun yet, though she is certainly dealing with a number of issues. Indeed, right now <b>The Killing Joke</b> is looming large over everything that happens in the book.<br /><br />That may simply be because this is the first issue. But honestly, we didn't see this much of a focus on <b>The Killing Joke</b> in Barbara's entire stint as Oracle in <b>Birds of Prey</b>. It was made clear that it happened and then everybody moved on.<br /><br />I have enough faith in Gail Simone to expect that the book <i>will</i> improve. She's undoubtedly got to get some of this stuff out of the way so she can move forward with the story. But if this comic becomes a lot of looking backward at bad Alan Moore stories, then I may have to drop a Gail Simone comic for the first time ever.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-7596814792219798992011-09-12T00:55:00.005-05:002011-09-12T01:07:06.927-05:00Old is New AgainMy favorite comic of the relaunch so far? No contest: it's <b>Action Comics #1</b><br /><br />What we're seeing here is a <i>real</i> return to a character's roots. We're always hearing writers say they are taking so and so back to his or her roots by stripping away their supporting characters or wiping their memories of whatever.<br /><br />But Grant Morrison is really doing it. He's taken us back to the Superman of the 1930's. How exactly has he done that? By giving us the Superman of the 2010's.<br /><br />This is a Superman who is fed up with the establishment. He doesn't care what the corrupt cops or greedy businessmen say or do. He's going to take them out because it's the right thing to do. It highly effective during the Great Depression when people were losing their jobs and homes while the rich and powerful walked away with bags full of money. And it's equally effective during the "Great Recession" where people are losing their jobs and homes while the rich and powerful walk away with bags full of money.<br /><br />So who are the villains? In this <b>Action Comics #1</b> the villains are the establishment. Superman doesn't fight to defend the bullies and the crooks. He fights to defend the little guy, the person who -- and this is key -- <i>has nobody else standing up for him.</i><br /><br />This was at the heart of Superman in the beginning and I'm glad to see it back. We hear that woman cried every night because she was being beaten by her husband. What did Superman do? He did what nobody else would. Neighbors probably heard her crying. The cops probably knew what was going on. But nobody did anything. Not because they <i>couldn't</i> but because they <i>wouldn't</i>.<br /><br />But Superman can. And more importantly he <i>does</i>. He's not invincible, this Superman. But that doesn't mean he's afraid. He stands up for the oppressed and forgotten. The never-ending battle continues.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-35231869157753235522011-09-08T23:34:00.005-05:002011-09-08T23:38:20.513-05:00I Might Not Exist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/21454234"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 0pt 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 75px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/39/120663520_efc8086ad2_s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I'm beginning to think that maybe I don't exist.<br /><br />They say that most of Batman's history is still intact, but what about the <i>Knightfall</i> storyline? I have a hard time believing that it no longer exists, consider it introduces Bane and he's apparently going to be in a movie next year. So I hear. They didn't ask me to appear.<br /><br />But there seem to be a lot of situations where characters still exist while at the same time stories don't. And vice versa. So do I exist or not? I'm beginning to think that if I do, I'm still never going to be mentioned ever again.<br /><br />That doesn't really seem fair, because after all I <i>was</i> Batman and I <i>did</i> beat Bane. How many people have really beaten Bane? It's just not fair to retcon that out.<br /><br />I guess it doesn't matter, though. No matter how the DC Universe changes they <i>still</i> can't take away the fact that I once starred in a comic that lasted for 100 issues. Not many people can say that.Azraelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10267545419436081518noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-89074583353763324992011-09-08T00:16:00.004-05:002011-09-08T00:26:58.606-05:00Broadened HorizonsI have largely remained in the confines of super-hero comics for as long as I've been reading comics. This is not because I am particularly <i>opposed</i> to non-super-hero comics (though they <i>are</i> my preferred genre). The reason why I've not ventured much outside of super-heroics is that I <i>like</i> immersing myself in a shared universe. I enjoy the DC Universe as a whole and so have stayed within its borders (though there have been the occasional exceptions, such as <b>Jonah Hex</b>).<br /><br />But things seem to be changing with the "New 52." Or perhaps, as <a href="http://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2011/08/wonder-woman-versus-indigenous-genre.html">Scipio has noted</a>, they are going back to their roots in the Golden Age. Rather than trying to ghettoize non super-hero stories in the <i>Wildstorm</i> or <i>Vertigo</i> imprints, for example, they are now firmly in the DC Universe. A year ago <b>Men of War</b> would have been a <i>Wildstorm</i> book, while <b>Swamp Thing</b> most certainly would have been in <i>Vertigo</i>.<br /><br />But now that they're in the DC Universe, for good or ill I feel <i>safe</i> giving them a try. And that's a good thing, as they're both very entertaining books (<b>Swamp Thing</b>, incidentally, is probably the scariest thing I've read in years).<br /><br />Will this diversity of genres help DC sell more books? I sure hope so. I do know that for every person out there with an iPad there has to be at least <i>one</i> DC Universe book that speaks to their interests. DC just has to make sure they know that.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-78046482871319177292011-09-07T00:23:00.002-05:002011-09-07T00:35:39.035-05:00In Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/21454169"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 0pt 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 75px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/48/120663519_567087829d_s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I can already see the surprise on your faces. You thought you were rid of me? You believed that the dawning of the "New 52" meant that Doctor Polaris had been wiped from the pages of history? Any who believed that I count as fools of <i>Hal Jordan's</i> caliber.<br /><br />As I have discussed before, certain things have and always will remain constant. A reboot cannot take away the things that really matter. After all, has it not always been the case that Barry Allen is pathetic, single, and lonely? To imagine him in a stable relationship -- let alone a <i>marriage</i> -- is sheer folly.<br /><br /><i><b>Ha!</b></i> For a moment I had you convinced, didn't I? You truly believed that I -- <i>Doctor Polaris</i> -- had succumbed to the same mind altering effects of the Flashpoint as the other villains and heroes. I am not so easily duped. I can only surmise that I retain a memory of the previous timeline due to the residual magnetic chronal resonance in my bloodstream. Or whatever other form of pseudo-scientific claptrap the Flash might decide to think up.<br /><br />But I digress. What I am trying to tell you is that after a point you begin to <i>forget</i> that things were changed to begin with. Some may bemoan Superman's portrayal as an orphaned socialist crusader who cannot fly. They are indeed fools, for they are ignorant of the earliest history of the Man of Steel.<br /><br />Change is constant, but after a while it stops <i>feeling</i> like a change. You will get used to Superman being a bachelor in the same way you got used to him being married. In time.Doctor Polarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06579584615444914274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-14668447715398991562011-09-04T22:51:00.002-05:002011-09-04T22:56:46.107-05:00It Lives!No my friends, your eyes do <i>not</i> deceive you. I am indeed here, alive, and blogging. It has been exactly a month since I posted on the blog here and oh, an eventful month it has been.
<br />
<br />I had the trouble of moving out of my old apartment and into temporary lodgings while preparing for the more long stay in Japan (which I am at this very moment). All of this (plus the temporary interruption of my comics) has led to a bit of a whirlwind.
<br />
<br /><i><b>That said,</i></b> I do hope to be able to continue blogging here. I should be able to get comics again very soon, but right now I don't have the Internet at home (never mind the secret location from which I now transmit this message). But I may only be able to post once, twice, or mayhap <i>three</i> times a week.
<br />
<br />So watch this space, friends. I suppose that the advent of a new era of DC comics is an appropriate time for me to get back into the swing of things again here.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-91307966620219642612011-08-05T22:32:00.002-05:002011-08-05T22:39:58.770-05:00Endings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/6013027889_a23d5ca1f8_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/6013027889_a23d5ca1f8_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Of all the things I will miss about this version of the DCU I think I will miss <b>Secret Six</b> most of all.<br /><br />There was something sadistically charming about that series -- and by extension the characters therein. Gail Simone and her collaborators should be commended for creating something fresh and different in an environment where all too often writers and artist go with the easy or safe thing.<br /><br />The violence in <b>Secret Six</b> never seemed gratuitous to me, either. Sure, it was seriously violent. But it just felt like it <i>had</i> to be. These were violent, messed up people. But they were still <i>people</i>, and we got to see that even super-villains are human beings too (unless, of course, they are shark-men).<br /><br />But for me the most remarkable thing was the strange journey of Bane. Indeed, in some ways this volume of <b>Secret Six</b> is Bane's story as much as anyone's. He joined the Six in issue one and the last issue ended with him destroying it.<br /><br />I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to where Bane goes from here. But I <i>can't</i> say that, as I have no idea if Bane is going anywhere. I don't know what his place will be in the new DCU you. I hope he'll find a place -- and he hope he finds his kingdom.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-40627677977394388592011-08-02T23:41:00.002-05:002011-08-02T23:45:13.779-05:00PantsIt seems that after a brief flirtation with pants on Wonder Woman DC has decided against it. It's kind of sad, actually. I'd really started to <i>like</i> the pants.<br /><br />Now I'm not one to say that Wonder Woman wearing the swimsuit style costume is a bad thing. But I do think trousers on the woman was a <i>good</i> thing. If DC was looking to make her appear more "modern" and "hip" the pants did that.<br /><br />Then again, the decision to <i>not</i> use the long pants may come from screaming from certain segments of the fan base. I can't say who these people might be, but I can only assume that they are male and receive the majority of their female companionship from <b>Wonder Woman</b> comics.<br /><br />Okay, that might be taking it a step too far. But really, the pants looked <i>good</i>. I liked them, and for the life of my I can't figure out why they decided to backpedal on that particular costume change. Does it have to do with the JMS <b>Wonder Woman</b> storyline? Because I'm pretty sure that's going to stay out of continuity...Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-2138875184985699882011-08-01T22:20:00.003-05:002011-08-01T22:30:28.022-05:00The End of AquamanLet's try and get this thing going again, shall we?<br /><br />Try not to be too surprised by the title of this post. I don't mean the end of Aquaman. I mean the end of "Aquaman." The end of the popular conception of him as a dork, a loser, and a joke. Because that's what I think is coming.<br /><br />You've probably already seen the <a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/07/27/preview-first-four-pages-of-aquaman-1/">first few pages</a> of <b>Aquaman #1</b>. Say what you will about Geoff Johns, but he does a pretty good job in those four pages of dispensing with a number of the popular misconceptions about Aquaman.<br /><br />From the very beginning it's set up that people don't take Aquaman seriously -- the cops and the criminals both treat him as a joke. He's a guy who talks to fish! What can he possibly do in <i>land?</i><br /><br />And we get to see what he can do. We see Aquaman quickly and efficiently deal with the bad guys and show everyone that he's not someone to be trifled with. We're shown that Aquaman is a force to be reckoned with. And I assume we're off to the races.<br /><br />We'll have to wait for the actual full comic to find out if Geoff Johns does as good of a job of rehabilitating Aquaman's reputation as he has with Hal Jordan's. Personally, I think things are looking good.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-78477374438778405502011-07-20T22:41:00.002-05:002011-07-20T22:49:40.975-05:00Five Years LaterI honestly have no idea how DC expects their new timeline to work without a total reboot of the universe. The idea that super-heroes only appeared five years ago is certainly workable for most characters. There's no difficulty, for instance, in saying that the Flash, Superman, or Wonder Woman only appeared five years ago. It's pretty easy to streamline out most of their histories.<br /><br />The problem, as usual, is Batman. Batman wouldn't be a problem if DC was <i>really</i> rebooting their universe. But according to DC all the Batman characters are still canonical: Dick Grayson was the first Robin, Jason Todd the second, and so on.<br /><br />How exactly is that going to work? How are they going to fit all of that into five years? And the problem of Damien just raises <i>further</i> questions.<br /><br />I don't know if they'll try to come up with a convoluted, not terribly convincing explanation or just go the <b>Infinite Crisis</b> route and hand wave it away with a "Superboy-Prime punched a wall!" Either way, I look forward to seeing the frothing Internet masses explode in rage and indignation.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-17616259907415475902011-07-18T23:17:00.004-05:002011-07-18T23:25:48.602-05:00Volume 2, Number 1I have no idea what DC is doing with Superman. They say they're going to make him "edgy" and "brooding." I guess that sort of thing has its place. And maybe there are some people who will enjoy that kind of Superman. After all, there is no single Superman. Since 1938 there have been dozens of different iterations of the character, and I suppose any one is as valid as any other.<br /><br />But the Superman they're talking about for the new <b>Action Comics</b> isn't the kind of Superman I think I want to read about. That leads to the question: is it the sort of Superman that <i>other</i> people want to read about? Because everything DC has said indicates that they're trying to bring in new people with this relaunch. Is a solitary, brooding Superman what the general public wants?<br /><br />Maybe it is. After all, Batman is arguably DC's most popular character. And people seem to think that he's a solitary, brooding character. Even though he's not <i>really</i> solitary. I mean, the man has a butler, four sons, police allies, a love interest who dresses as a cat, and is best friends with Superman.<br /><br />Well, he <i>used</i> to be, anyway. Maybe isolating Superman and putting a spotlight on his alien origins will make him be a more popular character. Because putting him in a t-shirt <i>isn't</i> going to do it...Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-62216344398356430482011-07-13T23:54:00.003-05:002011-07-13T23:59:54.344-05:00SinestroIt's safe to say that I did not expect the "War of the Green Lanterns" story to end the way that it did. We often talk about "shaking up the status quo" when it comes to comics. I think it's safe to say that Geoff Johns has done just that.<br /><br />Sinestro is an interesting character. When he started out he wasn't really anybody. He was just a Green Lantern villain with a yellow ring, a ridiculous mustache, and an absurd set of clothes.<br /><br />But over time he really has matured into a nuanced character. I'd even say that Sinestro is a <i>more</i> interesting and <i>more</i> complex character than Hal Jordan. And that's what makes giving Sinestro the starring role in the relaunched <b>Green Lantern</b>.<br /><br />Sinestro vs. the Sinestro Corps. How is it that we're only getting this now?Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-18426375982096164152011-07-11T23:19:00.002-05:002011-07-11T23:30:19.310-05:00ColoringAll right. I'm back. I finished my MA exam and presumably now a Master of the Universe. I won't know for sure until I get the results back.<br /><br />Now, while I was supposed to be thinking about the foundations of the Tokugawa Shogunate I was instead thinking about very silly things. Like Jason Todd's hair.<br /><br />Here's the thing: it seems to change color every few years. Here's the timeline as far as I can tell:<br /><br /><b>Pre-Crisis:</b> Jason's hair is blond; he dies it black to be Robin.<br /><br /><b>Post-Crisis:</b> Jason's hair is actually black.<br /><br /><b>Hush:</b> Jason's hair is black with a white streak.<br /><br /><b>Under the Hood:</b> Jason's hair is just black again.<br /><br /><b>Batman and Robin:</b> Jason's hair is red with a white streak.<br /><br /><b>Currently:</b> Jason's hair is just red.<br /><br />Now, I understand that editors have more important things to worry about that what color hair Jason Todd has. I mean, there's that whole relaunch and everything. I get it. But maybe, just <i>maybe</i> we could pick one and stick with it when we hit the New 52 era? Please?Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-25958893252204122122011-06-29T16:19:00.003-05:002011-06-29T16:33:13.123-05:00Ignorance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/21454169"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 0pt 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 75px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/48/120663519_567087829d_s.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I find <a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/06/fans-plan-protest-at-comic-con-against-dc-relaunch/">news such as this</a> to be <i>delightfully</i> entertaining.<br /><br />It appears that a series of DC fans -- currently amounting to a staggering <i>130</i> persons -- intend to stage a protest against the DC relaunch at the San Diego Comic-Con. They have the following to say:<br /><br /><i>"Are you utterly baffled, disappointed and just <b>ANGRY</b> to see how DC ruins your favorite character’s design and wipes decades of comic history out of the mainstream universe?"</i><br /><br />Give me a moment to suppress raucous laughter. Then I will tell you that these people are <i>complete and utter fools</i> who have little to no understanding of DC's "decades of comic history."<br /><br />The DC relaunch is by no means unprecedented. The history of the universe is tweaked regularly, like clockwork. It is true that some of these relaunches alter things to a greater degree than others -- see the first <b>Crisis</b> or <b>Zero Hour</b> -- but there are <i>always</i> changes being made.<br /><br />I was front and center during <b>Crisis on Infinite Earths</b> and I can tell you that <i>not a lot has actually changed</i>. Batman's parents were still murdered, Krypton still exploded, and Hal Jordan remains an idiot of inconceivable proportions.<br /><br />Keep in mind as well that the only <i>true</i> reboot in DC's history was astonishingly successful. I am speaking, of course, of the advent of the Silver Age which brought us -- among other things -- a new Flash, a new Green Lantern, and <i><b>yours truly</b></i>.<br /><br />Perhaps the 130 do not realize this. It would not surprise me. Ignorance of history is common enough among the modern populace. Still, I am truly disappointed. I expect as much from the <i>Marvel</i> fans. But I had hoped for better from DC readers.Doctor Polarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06579584615444914274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-24042203054884017812011-06-27T21:09:00.004-05:002011-06-27T21:26:13.035-05:00Green Lantern the MovieI went to see the Green Lantern movie yesterday. I'd heard a <i>lot</i> about the movie going in. Mostly I was hearing bad things. People saying the movie was "terrible" or some such nonsense.<br /><br />It should come as not surprise to all of you that I greatly enjoyed the Green Lantern movie. Was it the apex of humankind's cinematic achievement? No. Was it the best comic book move ever made? Certainly not. But it was exactly what a comic book movie <i>should</i> be: <b>entertaining.</b><br /><br />I had a lot of fun watching the movie. It was a little slow in the middle but mostly I had a blast. The special effects were beautiful and I felt that the casting was mostly very, very good. Mark Strong nailed Sinestro, Peter Sarsgaard was <i>perfectly</i> creepy as Hector Hammond.<br /><br />And Ryan Reynolds? Reynolds got the role just right. He was cocky and a bit of an asshole which is <i>exactly</i> what Hal Jordan needs to be. But he also managed to add aspects to Hal Jordan that we rarely get to see.<br /><br />There was a seen in the film -- I don't remember exactly where -- Hal was up against a major villain. He was gritting his teeth and wielding his ring and he recited the Green Lantern oath as he did it. I remember saying aloud (without thinking about it): <i>"That's Hal Jordan."</i> And I'd never felt that a comic character was so effectively portrayed on screen as he was at that moment.<br /><br />I'm pleased to see that despite lackluster reviews and lower than hoped for box office receipts we'll probably get a sequel. There's a lot of territory to explore. Let's hope this film helps opens up a whole universe -- specifically the <i>DC Universe</i> -- to the movie going public.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-84994736531888065722011-06-22T22:47:00.002-05:002011-06-22T22:49:55.520-05:00No Time!I have my MA exam two weeks from tomorrow, so it shouldn't surprise you all that I haven't had much time for posting.<br /><br />Plus, I've been mulling over this whole "relaunch" thing and have been having some disturbing thoughts. Among them was this: <i>"Wouldn't this be a good opportunity to give the whole thing up?"</i><br /><br />I pushed that thought away, of course. I couldn't give the comics up <i>entirely</i>. But part of me wants to save the money and the effort. After all, I won't be able to visit a comic book store for a whole year once I leave for Japan in September. And why should I spend the money on the floppies when I can't even <i>read</i> them?<br /><br />Am I drifting towards digital? I'm not really sure. I'm not really sure <i>what</i> is going to happen. And I don't know if the new DCU is a good thing... Or a bad thing.Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-36115527958866593252011-06-16T23:59:00.004-05:002011-06-17T00:02:33.834-05:00Thursday Night Thinking #187<b>Thursday Night Thinking</b>, once again! Take it away, Superman!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5841567960_1bd7b006b7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5841567960_1bd7b006b7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>You know, I'm actually glad they're doing away with the Lois/Clark marriage. Maybe we'll see more stories like this...Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-68207176871128140772011-06-15T23:09:00.003-05:002011-06-15T23:12:10.105-05:00ExpectationsI'm more than a little concerned about what's going to happen when the Green Lantern movie is released. I've high hopes, and some of the preliminary reviews trickling out aren't particularly glowing.<br /><br />That doesn't mean the movie won't be successful, of course. Lots of bad films go on to make enormous amounts of money. But I really wanted to see a film that's both good <i>and</i> successful. A good, successful film based on one of DC's second tier properties would bode well for future films based on characters like Wonder Woman and the Flash.<br /><br />What do you all think? Are you going to see the Green Lantern film? And does it really matter if it's good of successful?Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19760972.post-14360337158433359542011-06-14T23:31:00.002-05:002011-06-14T23:48:11.553-05:00Progress?Despite the loss of Oracle as a character, it is somewhat heartening to see the DCU diversifying in the new book line-up.<br /><br />We've got at least three books starring characters of African heritage and a number starring women. Of particular note is the introduction of Apollo and Midnighter to the DCU in Paul Cornell's <b>Stormwatch</b>.<br /><br />This is noteworthy because DC has suffered from a dearth of gay male characters. And a complete lack of them in any form of headlining role. It's somewhat puzzling considering the proliferation lesbians in DC's comics in recent years.<br /><br />I suppose it's not particularly surprising, however. Though troubling, there is no doubt that a majority straight male audience finds homosexual female characters more palatable than homosexual male characters.<br /><br />This is something that has bothered me for a long time. As good as it is to have characters like Batwoman, the Question, and Scandal Savage diversifying the DCU, it's problematic when your only gay man is occasional JSA guest star Obsidian.<br /><br />Apollo and Midnighter taking a central position in the DCU is a step in the right direction. It's not far enough, but it sure as hell is better than having nothing but Extraño...Diamondrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.com1