Those Wednesdays

Closing

2008-04-21T16:40:00.003-05:00

Dear Crazy 88's-

It is with a heavy heart that I end my run as the writer of Those Wednesdays. It has been a blast but I realize that things aren't what they used to be.

It is with a soaring heart that I announce that I am part of a new blog. With the minds behind Seven Hells, Facedown in the Gutters and Are You Feelin' Big Mike, I am now part of

SECOND PRINTING

This much excitement kind of tastes like a marshmallow fluff sandwich.

Uhh...

2008-04-06T16:40:00.001-05:00

I have problems with people who put video on their blog and then follow it up with something like, "What the hell is this?!" But:

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!

Guest Post

2008-03-31T10:06:00.003-05:00

Today we have a guest writer - Mike P., formerly of the Are You Feelin' Big Mike blog. That blog is now unfortunately closed but I invited Mike P. to share some of his thoughts about our mutual love for Blue Beetle. I am not even going to talk about how great I think Mike P.'s writing is - I am just going to let you love it as well.

Fanboy Entitlement From a Blue Beetle Fan

By Mike P.

I remember it like it was yesterday: My dear friend Ben screaming in my face, “Mike P., why aren’t you reading Blue Beetle?!?!?!” Now, Ben screams a lot, so it would be easy for this moment to fade away like any other. But I took it seriously and grabbed the first trade of the current Blue Beetle series.

“Holy crap, Ben Hatton!!!!” I screamed in his face shortly thereafter. “Blue Beetle is the jump off!” What a comic! Great characters, clever dialogue, solid balance of comedy and tragedy, respect for the old with an eye towards the new… basically, Blue Beetle is everything a good DC comic should be. But you already knew that, otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to tolerate Ben’s blog for long. And as a Crazy 88, you also already knew that there is a creative change afoot in the Beetleverse and that Will Pfeifer will be taking the reigns from John Rogers.

Will Pfieffer has done a great job on Catwoman, so I don’t doubt his abilities for even a hot second. But Blue Beetle is no ordinary comic. Writing this series, in my humble opinion, requires for a writer to defy many of the instincts he or she may have developed while reading and writing comics. The formula for Blue Beetle seems simple on the surface, but upon further analysis, we see that it is a well-executed subversion of comic book clichés and a refreshing take on the teen superhero story. So, in a rare exercise of fanboy entitlement, Big Mike is going to give his $.02 about some of the pitfalls he sees for the creator inheriting the best comic on the shelf.

Firstly, Jaime Reyes is a teen, but he’s not Peter Parker. He’s not angsty or self-involved. Jaime listens to his parents and has a strong relationship with his friends. From the very start, he’s smart enough to know that he can’t carry the burden of the Scarab alone, so he enlists the help of those who love him. He has humility without self-loathing. He has wit without cockiness. He garners support without becoming weak. In short, Jaime Reyes is a good kid who comes from a good family. Taking away these pillars would be an easy way to introduce new and potentially interesting conflict, but it could, in the long run, diminish the character’s nobility and appeal.

On that same note, Blue Beetle may be the main character in the story, but he’s certainly not the only hero. In fact, I would argue that Blue Beetle is a book about a community of heroes coming together around one central character. Together, the cast is the body of the American hero: Paco is the muscle, Brenda is the brain, Peacemaker is the guts, Mr. and Mrs. Reyes are the conscience, and Jaime, of course, is the beating heart of the whole thing. Jaime doesn’t just give his best. He brings out the best in those around him, and it’s literally inspiring.

Finally, I believe that Pfeifer should bear in mind that Jaime is a legacy hero who carries a proud, if at times unappreciated, name and history. Rogers’ arc for Jaime has been a long form explanation of how a good kid finds heroism within himself. His interactions with Guy Gardner and Superman have shown time and again that it isn’t the Scarab that makes him special. It’s his heart. The creator should be mindful that the space rock Jaime carries inside him was meant as a tool for conquest and destruction, but it’s proximity to a certain young man subverted its purpose and made it a tool for good. As Jaime himself said of the Blue Beetles, ‘We don’t need no stinking powers.’ What he does need is the moral compass of his friends, family, his heroic legacy, and his own sense of right and wrong. Though he began as a reluctant kid, Jaime is an honorable man apart, even among the noble heroes of the DCU. Among the most compelling journeys for Jaime Reyes is and should continue to be the unending discovery of what it means to carry the mantle of the Blue Beetle. Good luck, Will. Don’t let me down.

A simple one

2008-03-27T09:05:00.002-05:00

Alright 88s-

This will be a simple post.

Reactions? Comments? Who is that dude in the red with the wings?

Justice Be Done: Freaking Finally

2008-03-18T10:03:00.003-05:00

I am going to come right out and say it – I have not been enjoying Dwayne McDuffie’s run on Justice League of America. It’s boring. I mean who cares about The Key? Who cares if Tangent Flash has made her way into the DCU? Not me. Vixen's powers are out of whack? Totally lame. When McDuffie first took over and I started griping I heard a lot of: “It’s so great! Way better than Meltzer’s.” The second part of that is correct; McDuffie is doing a better job than Meltzer. That doesn’t make it great, just better. Getting punched in the arm is better than getting hit in the stomach, both still hurt though.

In some ways it’s not McDuffie’s fault. He is not a bad writer: his Firestorm and Fantastic Four were both awesome. It is hard to take the preeminent super team in DC Comics and come up with threats that are difficult for them. That’s why Morrison had them fight angels and Kelly sent them back in time. These are characters who on their own should be able to take down large forces of baddies, figuring out a crisis that could tie up the team and not destroy is tough. I have said it before and I will say it again – a hero is only as good as his or her villains. The new Suicide Squad is not worth the Justice League’s time.

Yet, there is something more to the comic than simply high quality bad guys. That something is purpose and purpose is what the JLA have lacked for two years now. Some of that is probably editorial fingers in the pies, but the write has to be responsible on some level. A reader of DC comics should feel the Justice League’s presence everywhere, yes a guest spot in Green Arrow is great or a major role in Amazon’s Attack is fine, but the reader should really feel it in the team’s title. I say again this is THE super team; they should be out solving problems. They should not be getting inklings, ideas, or clues as to the larger goings on. The editors and the writer need to allow the characters to be at the forefront of the events.

Yes, I am for B, C and D-list characters getting their moment to shine. You want Booster Gold to go in there and mix it up? No problem. You want Jimmy Olsen to save the day? Do it. But do not let these things happen at the expense of a solid JLA book. If Giffen and DeMatteis did the “Bwa-ha-ha” League, Meltzer/McDuffie have done the “What’s Going On” League. Their title is where things are introduced (Lightning Saga) only to be solved in other books (Countdown). The line-up right now is too powerful for this to be the case.

So now James Robinson is taking over and shifting things around. Hal Jordan is leading and putting together a “pro-active” team of big names (Green Arrow), well-knowns (Captain Marvel Jr.) and the brand new (an old man named Bill). Their goal is to go out, stopping villainy across space and time. While this feels a little like the Outsiders’ mission statement, I am hopeful. Robinson is one of my all-time tope five and I have faith. I have faith that someday we are going to see a group worthy of being called the Justice League of America. Or maybe I am being set up for a kick in the nuts.

Zoinks

2008-03-11T08:20:00.003-05:00

Wow, so I got five comments about my last post and I checked my site traffic for the first time in weeks and I still average twenty hits a day – that is crazy! I mean, super awesome but still crazy, I would have given up on this blog ages ago. It’s nice to know that you guys and gals aren’t as fickle as I am. Super props to all you Crazy 88s that have stuck around.

As I said in my last post there were a few comics that have kept me going, that I have kept reading. Blue Beetle (obviously, but we aren’t here to talk about that), Action Comics, The Boys, the return of Scud (which I might write a post about) and a handful of others. These comics are like grand slams in the middle of a losing streak, those few moments of shining hope that say, “Don’t give up on us yet.”

There have been so many of those comics in my time as a reader: Matt Wagner’s Mage, Kevin Smith’s Green Arrow (nuts to you people who don’t like it), and James Robinson’s Starman. I was just reading Starman the other day. Now I have gone through the entire series in trades but I only own three issues (I plan on some day getting all the singles, but money is tight). I was just rereaing issue #29, the introduction of Jake “Bobo” Benetti. What a great issue.

I know there are a lot of people out there who think Starman was kind of lame duck series. They say it was slowly paced. They say it spent too much time on pointless dialogues about popular culture. They say it was an indulgence piece. I say they are wrong.

Starman was different. Starman was one of the first comics to have what felt like a plan. It was an ongoing, monthly that progressed logically. It was about a hero’s journey, about one man’s search to come into his own as a man. And what happens when he finds it? He contentedly moves on, the series ends. That is freaking beautiful.

Moreover it paid homage to all the characters who had donned the Starman costume before. Robinson did his research, knew his character and his character’s history. Then he melded it together, created the interconnectivity that an icon can have. He paid homage to what everyone else had done with the character while opening so many more doors for the character to go through. It was what made the book a great read for all.

This exactly why Blue Beetle is so great right now. So I lied about this post not being about Jaime Reyes. I haven’t kept up my end of the bargain. You know, a guy who starts a bandwagon better keep it going. But I have not been keeping up my bandwagon of Blue Beetle love even though I got it moving in the first place. The title does everything that Starman did. It creates connections between the character and his family and friends. Things that were set up in early issues come back in fantastic ways. With Jaime’s “Khaji Da” we know that Rogers respects all of what has gone before in the Blue Beetle-verse but is not afraid to add to that mythos.

I know there are a people out there who are bummed out that Rogers is taking a hiatus from the book. While I disagree with the writer saying that McKeever is doing an excellent job with the character in Teen Titans, I am o.k .with him leaving. He has told a great story, one that has had a fantastic beginning, middle and end. Now, like a teary Jack Knight leaving Opal City, he taking off and that’s fine, because he accomplished his goals to tell a great story and is passing the torch on to someone else. It’s better than sticking around and letting his writing get stale.

And I know, Chris, that I am not great about e-mails. But I am still listening.

So it’s been a bit…

2008-03-05T08:04:00.001-05:00

O.k. I don’t even know how many people are reading this anymore, how many of the Crazy 88s are still being crazy for me. Did I just make a Madonna reference? Completely unintentional, I promise. So what happened? Why did I just drop off the face of the blogsphere? Here is my moment of explanation.

The simple explanation: I stopped reading comics and thus had nothing to blog about.

The not so simple explanation: As all my readers came from either The Absorbascon or Seven Hells! I am taking for granted the fact that you guys know well enough about the unfortunate happenings at Big Monkey. Without going into details and or anything, it sucked. It sucked to be in that environment and it was very, very stressful. Every time I picked up a comic I got the same stressed out, knotted up shoulder feeling. So I stopped reading comics. I did not stop buying comics, mind you. I have three foot-high stacks of unread titles that my wife is starting to get on me about bagging and boarding. I did stop reading, with the exception of a few books. So there it is. Not reading comics leads to not having much to say.

That brings us to now. For all of you who have sent me messages asking about a new podcast, I will say nothing is impossible. It will not be the same line up (for obvious reasons) but it may just happen again. As for me and my blogging, well I have started catching up on my weeklies, started cleaning my house, started getting excited again. Except for Secret Invasion, that still looks like some crap.

And I can say that there is something awesome in the works, something very, very awesome. So stay tuned.

Sweet Mama Pajama

2007-11-12T08:49:00.000-05:00

Um...Hell Yeah!

Don’t Call It A Comeback

2007-11-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

Hooray! My schoolwork is in and I am one signature away from having a Master’s Degree. Oooh-la-la. I think I might start sporting ties or some such nonsense. To celebrate we’re getting ready to record the much-delayed Big Monkey Podcast. So send those Lightning Round Questions and Dramatic Readings to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com.

Also, because I know you’ve missed it, here is some wild speculation. Now, Devon over at Seven Hells has a pretty good theory on who the Big Bad of the “They Kingdom Come” storyline currently running through Justice Society of America.

It is most likely Gog being all evil and nasty. But what if it is not? I’m just going to throw a theory out there. What if the killer is…

I mean who else could truly claim deity like power?

Boo Book Learnin’

2007-11-02T10:47:00.001-05:00

Dear 88s-
I know I have not been posting recently but get ready. As of Monday the last of the work for my Masters will be turned in and I will be able to devote more time to this blog. So you just stick around until next week for my return.

I have no idea what this picture is from but it pops up when you type in “Book Learning Comics” into Google image search.

I've Been Pondering

2007-10-26T09:56:00.000-05:00

So Oni has Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together slated for a November 7th release. At this point I will believe it is released when I hold the comic in my hands. However, being a mere two weeks from the most recent street date, I started thinking . I have toyed with the idea of getting custom Scott Pilgrim heroclix made. However, I can never settle on what dials to use, what powers to give them.

I'm thinking only making clix that have seen actual fighting: Scott, Ramona, Knives, Todd, and Envy for sure. Then maybe Matthew Pattel, Lucas Lee (yes, I know he went down skateboarding not fighting) and Crash and the Boys on a Duo base (yes, I know there are three of them). Maybe Wallace Wells on a base with Support and Perplex.

So here is the question of the day - which pre-existing dials would you use for which character? If there isn't a dial already that fits, what powers would you give the characters?

I'm Mr. Podcast - Podcasts Pop Out Of My Mouth

2007-10-23T09:42:00.000-05:00

HERE IT IS! The twelfth Big Monkey Podcast. It's the battle of the baldies as we talk Brian Michael Bendis and Grant Morrison. Listen as we go at it over Ultimate Spider-man and JLA. Tune in as I make Scip concede - but not about Green Arrow. Hear Jon Brooks of Jon Hex Lives do...well...Jonah Hex. I'm talking tons of fun. I'm talking tons of tears. I'm talking tons of podcast. That's right, a ton. That's heavy.

The New Hotness

2007-10-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

Click here for the Newsarama article.

O.k. so I am sad that Bedard is off the book and all, but look at this line-up.

Dixon you had me at, “Hello.” Well, that and Oliver Queen.

Choosy Moms Choose Podcast

2007-10-16T13:35:00.000-05:00

Hey 88s –

Another sweet evening of podcast recording is coming upon us. The topics have been chosen, the wits have been sharpened and we just need a few last things. What are those things you ask? Lightning Round Questions and Dramatic Readings. So break out those mics and old comics, come up with something clever to ask and send them to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com.

Also, let’s not forget the ongoing contests.

THEME SONG – A song that we can play after the introduction. It can be anything: glam rock, beat box, monk’s chanting our name, even spoken word put to music.

PICTURE THIS – Ever imagine what goes on during podcasting? Ever imagine what we look like (Hint: I’m only 4’6”)? Well now is you chance to let us know. Simply draw, collage, paint, print, whatever what you think a recording session looks like (Extra Hint: I’m not really 4’ 6”).

The rewards for both contests are sweet Big Monkey schwag. Your choice, just check it out. You can also send those entries to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com

It Must Be Velcro

2007-10-13T07:49:00.000-05:00

So this quote comes from the CBR article on Captain America's new design:

"...the most vocal reactions were to the addition of a utility belt..."

WHERE IS THE BELT? I just see floating pouches. How are they staying up?

It's like the great scientific minds of Reed Richards and Tony Stark have nothing better to do than find a way to make accesories hang around your waist without the need of that pesky strap. Maybe they should be spending their time figuring out how to detect Skrulls.

Maybe that is why the costume is shiny and made of metal. They are using magnets.

A Picture Says A Thousand

2007-10-12T07:24:00.000-05:00

So I would say it is safe to say that most of the 88s out there have listened to Big Monkey Podcast at least once. At least I hope it is safe to say that. Anyway, we were hanging around the Podcast cave (i.e. the comic shop), and one of our customers said, “You know you should hold a drawing contest. Not just any contest but one where the listeners draw renditions of you guys and what they think things look like while recording.” He didn’t use those words exactly, I’m paraphrasing.

Anyway, I think that’s a perfect idea. So here is the call out to the 88s, draw me and the four guys who know way more about comic than I do. I will personally buy the best drawing a Big Monkey item of their choice. That's right you could get a hoodie or bag out of me or a coffee mug. So get out your pencils, pens, laptops, whatever and draw Scip in his smoking jacket, Brooks hi-fiving Namor, Devon seducing the ladies and Carey running from Marv Wolfman and the state of Wisconsin. I will also accept stick figures with arrows pointing to them with our names.

If you Google image search “big monkey” and come up with the image to the right – I’ll accept that as well.

Simply send the drawings, images, whatever to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com.

Hooray art.

Least Favorite Plot Devices: She’s Having a Baby

2007-10-10T09:50:00.000-05:00

Spoiler Alert: There are a few spoilers here about Catwoman— if you are waiting for the trade, or just have a couple issues stacked-up, you should probably stop reading.

I have some worries about this month’s Catwoman. When last we saw Selina Kyle she had faked her own death, with the help of Batman, in order to throw off the villains that have been after her and her baby. However, she couldn’t get rid of them and the issue ends with her calling Bruce for “one more favor.”

What image does the cover of this month’s sport? Zatanna. My heart sinks at the thought that Wil Pfeifer is going to end his arc with Selina wiping her memory about ever having a baby. I hated it at the end of Angel Season 4 (he wiped everybody else’s mind) and I hate it now.

I was talking to my fellow podcasters during recording last week. One of them said, “It is the only logical conclusion to the arc.” I disagree with that. It is the most expected conclusion to the arc, but not the most logical. It is the laziest. Selina faking her death was the most logical conclusion (for a comic), but getting rid of the baby is not. It turns the baby and parenthood into story arc as opposed to a stage in character development.

As readers, we shouldn’t get the sense that Pfiefer invented Selina’s pregnancy just so that there were two years worth of stories to tell and, now that he’s run out of stories to tell, it’s time for the baby to go away. I don’t mean to sound like I am only harping on Catwoman. I had beef with Power Girl getting pregnant just so her baby could age fast and save the world before disappearing. That was ridiculous. And we are not even going to talk about Ms. Marvel’s baby storyline—that was just disgusting.

Having a baby should change a character— at least, it should on some level. Ignoring the change is sloppy writing. It makes characters come across as callous and unfeeling. (“For the greater good my baby must never know…” blah blah blah.) If a story has a character that decides that he or she is not ready for a baby, that’s one thing. I have no problem with that, as long as were set up to believe this, and the story line is intelligent and well written. But to have a character that has to fight for the safety of her baby, time and time again, for like five story arcs, suddenly go, “Yo, this is too hard.” It’s weak writing.

Why do babies come and go as much as they do? I think the reason that babies are so disposable is to have two years worth of “what if Mary Jane was pregnant” storylines. I think there are two reasons that writers have a hard time with the baby plotline:

It’s hard to write a character with a baby.

There are so many things to take care of— diaper changing, breast-feeding, and what-if-the-baby-has-a-fever, and so on. But who cares if it’s hard? Or more importantly, just don’t write those scenes. We do not see a lot of characters using the bathroom or doing laundry so we do not need to see burping scenes. Who will watch the baby? That’s what sitters are for or robots named L-Ron.

Well, maybe the character wouldn’t go out and fight crime if they had a baby. Um…police officers do their job when they have children, so do fire fighters and doctors. The only thing a baby can do to the writing is make a rounder, deeper character. If it’s done well, that is.

A baby ages a character.

That I don’t get. Somehow, writers think that with a baby in the story they have to age a character in real time. Well, a baby will have to take its first steps and have its first word and so on. Sure. But eventually, Bruce Wayne will have to turn 36 as well. If we, as readers, are okay with Peter Parker being somewhere around his late 20s for two decades, I think we can be okay with a baby being ambiguously 20 months for two decades. I mean, Franklin Richards has been like ten since the 70s. Also, Selina’s child, who was based on DC time since the One Year Later jump, is like six months old, maybe seven. That is a walking, talking six month-old. If they just left the child in a crib for two years there would be no worries.

I’m not saying that characters shouldn’t have babies, but that it should be handled in such a way that it creates character development. A pregnancy shouldn’t feel like check-off on a list of character events. Character has baby? Check. Character loses baby? Check. Character takes up crime as a result? Check. Ten years later new writer brings baby back as a villain? Check.

Boo.

Kicking It Off

2007-10-09T06:34:00.000-05:00

Hey 88s-

First things first - he eleventh Big Monkey Podcast is up. It brings the fun in. There are lots of poignant and intelligent comments made on Blue Beetle mixed in with a fair amount of laughing. Plus our guilty pleasures. Click on over.

So now a slight confession, I lied when I said “Hey 88s.” The 88s have become the 75s. Seems like I’ve lost some readers. Not that I blame them, I have been kind of phoning it in for the last few weeks. You know thesis and all that. BUT NO MORE!! I’m back and I’ve got some plans. So stayed tuned for the “Those Wednesdays Week of Worst Plot Devices” kicking off tomorrow. I’ll then wrap everything up with the “Six Degrees of Darkseid” post. You’ll para-dig it so don’t change that channel.

The Podcast Bit My Bottom, Now My Bottom’s Big

2007-10-02T07:12:00.000-05:00

So we took an unexpected extra week break between podcasts this time but we’re back. We’re well rested, tanned, and, in one case, covered in baby oil. I’ll let you guess which one. Hint: It’s not me.

Anyway, we’re recording this Thursday and so you guys and gals know what that means. Please send in Lightning Round questions and Dramatic Readings. Simply e-mail them to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com. Hooray podcast.

I Call Foul

2007-09-29T08:58:00.000-05:00

O.k., so you guys know me, and you know that I love comics. I especially love DC Comics. There is something about the characters and world and the Multiverse that just lends itself to good storytelling. I’m not saying that everything DC does is gold but ultimately I really respect their goals for the comics and their company. I defend the five-year, three act plan. I honestly believe, for the most part, that what we are seeing on the page is part of some larger scheme. Hell, I even defend Countdown. For all its flaws and weaknesses I have enjoyed the series week in and week out.

However, it’s crap like this that makes me start to wonder. That makes me worried that DC is just winging it. That makes me worry that there is not inter-company communication going on, that this big plan is going to fall apart.

What is the crap am I talking about?

If you click here and head over to DC Arena site you’ll notice the ballot for the Wonder Woman choices. You have Wonder Woman of Earth-21, Wonder Woman of Earth-18 (that’s the one I voted for) and then you have the Wonder Woman of Earth-34.

Um…Earth-34 isn’t that the Forerunner Earth? Let’s go over to Monitor Muttonchops to make sure.

Yep, I’m right. Sure it is a very little thing. However, the sort of crossover and world readjustment that DC is attempting requires an A-game. These sorts of mess-ups are not indicative of a group of people who are on the ball.

Good Writing vs. Good Business: Shared Universes

2007-09-27T08:36:00.000-05:00

Now comics are tricky things to write. Actually, writing anything, prose, poetry or otherwise, is tricky. Good writing is a mix of excellent characterization and rising conflict, both in personal drama and plot. This is tough and becomes even tougher once the writers enter into shared universes like DC and Marvel. Then it is not just one writer trying to raise the conflict/drama/plot of their titles but twenty who are trying to raise the conflict/drama/plot of the shared world.

Why do it? Why risk bad storytelling? Because the payoff is totally worth it, because there is nothing like when a crossover works and you can go week by week from this comic to that comic and see the overarching story unfold. It is the best that the industry has to offer. Actually, it is some of the best storytelling you can get, in or outside of comics. Also, as collectors will be buying more titles, it is good business.

Of course, this process is almost doomed from the start. You know what they say about too many bakers? Once you have dozens of writers, even more editors, not to mention all the people who do the visuals, someone along the way is going to get sick, have an off month creatively, wrap their story quickly, or simply screw up. It’s human nature – we cannot keep our A-game forever. There seems to be two answers to this problem when it arises.

The DC Answer – Just keep putting out comics. So Countdown comes after the events of the “Sinestro War,” we know this because Dan Didio said so. However, in the pages of Countdown it is revealed the Kyle Rayner is basically back to his old self, that Hal Jordan is flying around o.k, and so on. In fact, the threat of Sinestro and his army has been squished so much that it isn’t even a mention in the overall story of the DCU. DC robbed the Green Lantern story of its suspense. Sure, everyone will keep reading because the writing and the art are both fantastic but there is no heavy drama anymore.

Here is another example. In the Justice League of America Wedding Special, Dwayne McDuffie set up this very tense storyline. Half the JLA were taken prisoner by the ILU and the other half were getting suiting up to do some rescuing. Then came out last week’s Black Canary/Green Arrow Wedding Special, which showed…um…the wedding. If McDuffie’s storyline kicked off during the bachelor and bacherlorette parties, his first storyline will take place during the days directly following these parties. When the second wedding special showed all the JLA present we know that everything works out A-OK. Not only that, when the bad guys attack the wedding Sivana and Deathstroke have to gather bad guys. This means that the ILU falls apart right at the end of the first arc. Well, it should if the editors are worth their salt.

Problem: DC is giving away story beats for the sake of production schedule.

The Marvel Answer – hold things back until the story can match up.

I take us to last summer and Civil War. The main storyline was falling behind and so Marvel made the choice to delay all the titles that directly tied in. They wanted to preserve the mystery and suspense within the arc as a whole. While this made sure the story beats and outcome was not ruined it did leave Marvel with a shortage of titles to put out. With the core story six, seven, eight weeks delayed, the company needed something. So they created a bunch of hastily thrown together one-shots and specials to keep the readers attention. Now some of these stories were actually interesting but for the most part they were filler. The fans knew this and got angry, some losing interest entirely.

Problem: Marvel was ruining story flow for the sake of productions schedule.

So here are the questions of the post. What is worse for business: Revealed Stories or Delayed Stories? What is worse for the writing?

Mike Pellegrino Might Be the Smartest Person Ever

2007-09-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

THERE STILL ARE SPOILERS HERE! I’ll stop tomorrow.

I wish I could take credit for this. I wish I had thought of it. Heck, I should have thought about it. So I was talking to Mike P of Feelin Big Mike after he read my last post (see below) and this was his response:

you know...

there is something that could rob people of their free will

anti

life

equation

Holy crap. The ALE. Holy crap. It was so obvious. Of course you are thinking, why would someone armed with the ALE, like say Darkseid, want Green Arrow to attack Black Canary? The answer: he probably doesn’t. However, if you remember the presence to the ALE in the universe has caused many different reactions in many different people. This is where I got out the old comics and started my searching.

Let’s go back to Jim Starlin’s Cosmic Odyssey. Yes, I know it is not the most in-continuity story ever but still. Remember what happened when the ALE had a foothold on the plant Rann. No? Well check this out.

Out of the mouth of Lightray. So the ALE causes people to attack each out of simple rage and mania.

Let’s jump forward just a hair to John Byrne’s Genesis, in which the Source Wall exploded. Now thanks to the back ups in Countdown we know the Source Wall protects each universe from pure Anti-Life Energy. So when the Source Wall started to crumble in Genesis what happened?

That’s right mobs of crazed people attacking each other.

I’m not saying I like what happened to the Green Arrow but I’m starting to come around to it. Again assuming these theories are true and my boy pulls through in the end.

It’s All In The Eyes

2007-09-20T07:48:00.000-05:00

So if you haven’t read Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special #1 stop reading. Come back when you have because I need to vent and that means spoilers. So to keep all you people who don’t want to know from seeing something you don’t want to see, I’m putting up this photo I found after a yahoo image search for “spoiler alert.”

Pretty funny right? Anyway, it is obvious I’m pretty torked about what happened to my boy Oliver Queen. We all knew his absence on the covers of the upcoming Black Canary/Green Arrow meant some sort of terrible fate would befall him. But come on! To attack Black Canary on their wedding night was more than I even thought was going to happen. It is sensationalism at its worst. I pledged yesterday that if the cause of Ollie's madness is something as lame as during the fight Deathstroke got in a mind control chip that I would swear off of DC Comics. That is still true. If that is the case I’m done with DC. I’ll take the bite on the neck and come back all undead as a Marvel Zombie. Well, maybe not a Marvel Zombie but I’ll only read small press books. That is how much I love the Green Arrow character.

But then this morning, upon rereading it, I noticed something that kind of bolstered my spirits. It made me think Green Arrow’s attack is some how linked to the larger threat that is looming over the cosmos, over the DCU. As the title says it is all in the eyes.

Either Ollie was smoking the herb after the wedding or he has come down with a case of the same Space Anger that has befallen Cliff Baker and Steven Hazard. Maybe, I’m just being optimistic though. Whatever the answer is, DC is keeping me reading…for now.

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a podcast

2007-09-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay, but the 10th Big Monkey Podcast is UP! Hooray. This very special podcast covers such topics as Spider-Man's "One More Day" and the DCU going all soapy. Click here to hear guest panelist Mike Pellegrino call himself a "skirt." Click here to hear Devon promote Batman and the Outsiders. Click here to hear me talk about how I would go out with style. If your ears could taste this week's Big Monkey Podcast would be delicious.

Almond Joy Has Podcasts, Mounds Don’t

2007-09-12T06:31:00.000-05:00

So tomorrow night we’re recording the tenth Big Monkey Podcast (even it if is really the ninth because of the Podcast that shall not be named). It is very exciting and we have some solid topics picked out. Of course, there is one thing I need from you guys and gals. That’s right, Lightning Round questions and dramatic readings.

Go ahead and send them to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com. Thanks and keep listening.

Shana Tova

Clix Ahoy (It's like Chips Ahoy but not)

2007-09-11T08:01:00.000-05:00

So in yesterday’s DC Retailer summit there were some cool announcements made: The Titans East, a hardcover for The Killing Joke, and so on. However, none were cooler than this:

Prior to the DC presentation, WizKids announced that HeroClix Crisis, a Crisis on Infinite Earths booster set will be released for the game in February of 2008, with the next large-scale HeroClix slated to be the Anti-Monitor, which will be as large as the HeroClix Sentinel.

WizKids will also launch a HeroClix line based on NBC’s Heroes in 2008.

A Crisis set – get out of here. I can already see the set list: a new Blue Beetle, a new Ronnie Raymond, maybe a good guy Killer Frost, a true Earth-2 Superman, Earth-2 Robin and Huntress. It’s going to be sweet. I’ll finally be able to have a game where I KO Pariah with a Con Artist. Hooray.

Now the Heroes is going to be sweet. I’ll be able to do my very own “Save the Cheerleader, save the world!” scenario. It also creates a brilliant precedent. I mean to have clix based on television shows. You know what that means, right? I want a double-based, transpoter General Lee with a special Incapacitate power based on everyone getting drunk on moonshine. Oh and Leap/Climb. I mean look at this.

This raises a good question though. What television property would you turn into a clix set? What clix would be in that set? What special powers would they have?

Thoughts on the Con: Panels

2007-09-10T08:12:00.000-05:00

So Baltimore is over and I would say it was pretty successful. I got comics signed, picked up a couple small press books, some Starman issues I was missing, and was gifted with a sweet Buffy sketch by Georges Jeanty. Even though my goal of the con, a Scud: The Disposable Assassin #1 First Printing, eluded me, I walked yesterday afternoon pretty happy. However, finding back issues and getting signatures are not really why I go to cons. I go for the solidarity with other fans, the shared experience of a group of people appreciating a single hobby. It is the same reason people go to sports events rather than just watching them on television.

There is no better example of this than the panels.

At this point I think I have hit my fifth or sixth DC panel of this con season not mentioning the ones I went to last year. I have had some revelations about why I go to so many. It is not about getting inside information or secrets because the tidbits that are revealed are cleverly and purposely placed. It is not about having the few reveals that are discussed first because before you can call your buddy the information has hit the Internet. I go to witness the staged show that are the panels.

It is like seeing your favorite band in concert and knowing what songs they’re going to play. In DC, you have the golden oldies called “Spoiler’s Case in the Batcave” and “Where is Barry Allen.” There is Bob Wayne’s “Swing by the DC booth and I’ll cut down your comic list.” There is a certain level of comfort in knowing that these moments will come up, in laughing when they do. Sure, the stage banter changes year to year: the Alpaca talk, herpes as a gag, Cully Hamner singing (sorry I didn’t know the words or I would have sung along), but ultimately they are pretty much the same. It is Didio and company leading us on with hints, teases and jokes.

You know what, though? I will continue going because they are what cons are all about.

Screw Someday! I'm a Real Boy Now

2007-09-07T09:52:00.000-05:00

Dear Crazy 88's -

Taking a cue from Devon, I just want to say I'll be at the Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend, easily spotable sporting the Big Monkey T-Shirts.

If you read this blog please come up and say hey.

Also, after seeing them in the fabric, if you decide you dig the shirts you can pick them up at our cafe press shop.

Hope to see some of you this weekend.

I Hate Advertising

2007-09-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

So Marvel.com has this to say about the "One More Day storyline":

The most controversial storyline in Marvel history begins today, as Amazing Spider-Man #544 marks the first chapter of One More Day! As Aunt May lies in a coma, and Peter remains a fugitive from justice, the wall-crawler will face the hardest decision of his life. How far do you go to save the ones you love? What's the cost of doing the right thing?

My question is: how can the arc be the most “controversial storyline” before it has even completed? It’s like calling something an instant classic; the thing about a classic is that it does not last only an instant. Furthermore, who is Marvel to tell me what is the most controversial thing? If Aunt May slips into a coma and then Peter decides to take her off of life support, which in turn causes Mary Jane to leave him, then I’ll call that a pretty controversial storyline. Then you’re talking social and political issues, things that we deal with in our own lives. So it better be on this level or I’m calling foul.

Why can't a compnay just let a story speak for itself? After all, I think half our problems as readers come from expectations that are not met.

The Greatest Idea I’ve Ever Had

2007-09-04T07:57:00.000-05:00

So not to ruin any part of the ninth podcast for you guys but while we were talking about properties being licensed into comics I said I would really like to see a Dukes of Hazard comic. I love that show, I think it’s the welded doors on the General Lee. There was a time in my life when I tried to enter cars through open windows.

I hit my head a lot.

Anyway, I see this new comic as a later on in life Dukes story. In it Bo Duke (the blonde one) has left the South, moved to New York and become an advertising exec, keeping secret his previous days of outrunning cops and jumping bridges in an orange car named after a Confederate General. One morning, he is in his office when Luke Duke (the brown haired one) shows up and says they’ve been invited to participate in the underground “Moonshine Mile Cross Country Race” where in the greatest moonshiners must bring a trunk full of their libations from one cost to the other. So it’s a drinking and driving comic. Hosting the race are the Alistairs, two British brothers with a penchant for bathtub whiskey and illegal car races. Luke is very excited but the catch is that Bo has to compete as well. Of course, being a New York businessman now, Bo says no. The two get into an argument, words are said and the two cousins part angrily.

The Alistairs are displeased to hear this and kidnap Uncle Jesse and Daisy. Now Bo and Luke must compete or their family will be killed. The Dukes will have to contend with the other drivers, who will a mixture of stereotypes and archetypes, as well as Boss Hogg and Roscoe, who are looking for revenge now that the cousins are back together. This, of course, is all second seat to the main storyline which is Bo refinding his way. I see it as a cross between Sweet Home Alabama and Cannonball Run.

Now, I know this story sounds amazing but you haven’t even heard the kicker yet. See I’m thinking the art would be photo realistic and “star” real actors, like when John Walsh made a cameo in Outsiders or Bruce Campbell was the driver in The Hire series that Dark Horse put out. Now, I see the Dukes being played by Matthew “Nicest Southerner in Film” McConaughey and Nathan “The Matthew McConaughey of the small screen” Fillion. With modern drawing technology being what it is today, we could even have actors who are deceased in the comic. So joining Christopher Lee as one of the Alistairs would be Vincent Price. How about that for a slice-fried gold?

This post brought to you by my need to take a break from my thesis but not having enough time to write a real post.

Dagnabit!

2007-09-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

So, as one can see from the banner I'm a huge Scott Pilgrim fan. It one of the best things going in the comic book industry right now. It's suepr funny yet it possesses true moments of touching emotion. Anyway, for a long, long time (most of the summer) Amazon had the fourth volume of Scott Pilgrim listed with a September 19 release date. BUT NO MORE! Now, the website reads October sometime and Amazon just says pre-order. WHY! Why must my comic love be stalled and foresaken. I'm going to go sit in my bathtub and cry.

This moment of sadness and frustration brought to you by every indie comic I read.

I could have been a podcast

2007-09-01T10:38:00.000-05:00

Hey, hey folks.

The podcast is up and boy is it super duper. Devon opens up with some smooth jazz before Scip goes into a four part harmony - ALL BY HIMSELF! Then Brooks and Carey spin plates and juggle. If that isn't skill I don't know what is. Unfortunately, due to sound issues all that got lost. Instead you'll here us talking about Teen Titans, the ever growing wonder that is Geek Culture, and how Scip would have the single greatest superhero costume of all time.

Click here and check it out.

You've Been Annihilated

2007-08-30T11:32:00.000-05:00

So for this week's podcast I wanted to discuss Marvel's Annihilation, both the old storyline and Conquest. Unfortunately, out of the five podcasters, only one had read it all the way through (Brooks) and one had read parts of it (me). When I thought about this, it seemed like we mimicked the ratio the shop's customers. Few read it all, few read some of it, but most everyone lets it slide by them. The question for me is: why?

Why is a series-- one that has been going on for over a year and half and spawned accolades and hardcover collections-- getting such little acknowledgement for being cool? The Marvel Marketing Machine turned Illuminati, one big six-issue retcon, into sellouts. Why not something that is good?

I don't think that it's simply because the story takes place in space. After all, Marvel has always tried to make space stories important in their Universe. There was the Kree-Skrull War, Operation Galactic Storm, not to mention the never-ending cosmic events involving the Infinity Gems. Hell, Secret Wars showed the impact of cosmic beings on the Marvel U and toy sales. Heh.

I think it's a question of the type of story that is being told. You have Marvel taking a bunch of D-list heroes and making them cool again. The writers are adding powers and creating legacies while fighting cosmic level threats from bad guys. You have a series on minis leading into one huge self-contained story, which then spawns other minis and self-contained stories.

Marvel space is a dynamic place where there are beings of god-like power fighting for dominance in the great beyond. These characters have children (Drax and Moon Dragon) and familial relationships (Starfox and Thanos). There is a sense of interconnectivity and of legacy. To top it off, these characters are not prone to angst and complaining, although Adam Warlock did brood a lot.

Marvel Space, and as a result Annihilation, is like a DC crossover event. I mean, look who created half of those characters: Mr. DC-space himself, Jim Stralin. Look who penned Annihilation: Keith Giffen! Marvel could easily have connected Planet Hulk into the storyline, and could have easily used the events of House of M and Civil War to make Earth's heroes unprepared for the Annihilation Wave. There are ways to make everything connected, and to make the series impact.

But Marvel didn't. They let it be its own self-contained space opera and thus easily ignored by readers who are only paying money for things that tie together.

My name is Ben and I'm a podcastaholic

2007-08-28T10:07:00.000-05:00

Alright loyal listeners-

Tis that time again. That's right, it's time for another Big Monk Podcast. So I'm making my customary call out for dramatic readings and Lightning Round questions. If you guys listened last episode we had some great readings and questions sent in, so I know you can do it. So send the best of your best to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com. Super sweet.

Thanks,

Ben

And just so you know that clock is available for purchase at our cafe press shop.

Calling Out

2007-08-27T14:37:00.000-05:00

For almost a year now I’ve been writing reviews for the Big Monkey Website. Every Wednesday (with the exception of three) I have commented on one comic that was hitting the stands. Due to some coding issues you can only read the four most recent, but that’s not what this post is about.

As someone who knows people trying to break into the industry, I understand that it can be tough just getting someone to read your comics. So here’s what I’m saying. If you, or someone you know, have published a comic or you have a webcomic and you want someone to review it, I’d be more than willing to. That’s a whole 88 people who will read my review of your work and that is better than nothing.

So if you are interested and have a comic go ahead and mail it to

Ben (Those Wednesdays)
C/O Big Monkey Comics
1722-B 14th St. NW
Washington, DC 20009

If you have a webcomic just e-mail the address to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com.

Tomorrow (hopefully) you'll be able to read my analysis of Rip Hunter's new chalkboard.

And that picture has nothing to do with the post. I'm just a big Tank Girl fan.

The Crazy 88s

2007-08-25T16:45:00.000-05:00

So, I've been writing this blog for about a year and a half now. Not continuously, of course. There has been more than one extended absence. I would say I've done it pretty much non-stop for 6 months - 26 weeks - 180 or so days. It has been pretty exhausting at times. I mean it's tough being creative enough to come up with a post where I talk about bubble hands (scroll down it's at the bottom).

What do I have to show for this commitment? 88 average hits a day.

That's awesome.

For real.

I might not get the most hits in the world but the fact that 88 people (or 44 people checking twice a day, or 11 people checking four times a day, or one person who is just clicking like mad) visit my blog is pretty great. As a wiser man than I said, "Ben, if you were a business and you had the same 88 customers coming in every day to buy what you were selling you would be doing pretty well." He's absolutely right. I feel like John Grisham.

So thanks to you dedicated and crazy 88 readers that take the time out of your day to read my random thoughts and opinions.

It's Cool To Be A Robot

2007-08-23T23:19:00.000-05:00

So I've been holding onto this post for a little bit, ever since San Diego in fact, but I've found some time to actually do it. So here goes. As I said in the 8/2/2007 podcast edition, my favorite bit of news to come out of the SDCC was this:

Rob Schrab is returning to finish the story of Scud: The Disposable Assassin , and much like Girls, there are plans to publish it all in one book - or as Larsen called it, "one gigantic, mind-numbingly big volume."

So I combed through Internetland and came up with more links, a Newsarama interview and stuff from Rob Schrab's on website. Not to go into too much detail (because you can find out from the links), but the series left off with a cliffhanger, one that has stuck with me for about a decade now. Maybe because I followed from Scud from its inception, I enjoyed it immensely. When the comic suddenly stopped it was like a good friend walking out with a goodbye. Or maybe because I'm a completist at heart, it kills me to know that there is one issue left undone.

The big question, of course, is what is it about Scud that made it so great in the first place?

I was thirteen or fourteen when the first issue hit the stands, during a tumultuous time in my comic reading. It was the start of a two or three year period when I swore off of comics as a whole. With the let downs that were "Maximum Carnage" and "X-Cutioner's Song," Marvel had become passé in my book (yeah I was the type of teenager to think things passe'). In 1995, Oliver Queen was killed so I stopped reading DC in protest. By 1996, even Image, which I had deemed comics for cool kids, had burned me out with "Fire From Heaven." Scud was one of the last comics that I was reading. Although, I would think that Battle Chasers and Crimson were the bee's knees shortly.

Scud appealed to me in the most juvenile way, I was fifteen after all. It was one of the first comics that I remember reading that used swear words, that treated gratuitous violence with humor and zaniness. Schrab recommended a page by page soundtrack and voice casting. It was a comic that said, "Don't take me seriously. Just have fun." The main character fought a robotic zombie dinosaur. It was amazing.

Maybe two years back I dug out the old issues and reread them. What I found was not what I remembered. Sure all the craziness and fun art was still present, but there was a level to the story that I did appreciate at the time. Hidden underneath Voodoo Ben Franklin and the werewolf arm, Scud is an exploration of character and, in some sense, maturity. Here is a being, a modern day Pinocchio (who has no desire to be a real boy), who has been designed for one thing: to kill and then die. Yet, he chooses not to and instead forms relationships and friendships, saves the world and travel realities. As the series progresses, Scud's life became more difficult, more complex. Just like real life as it progresses. It is a classic search for purpose, it just happens to use dialogue like, "That's cool. Can you not poop on me anymore?"

The most interesting part of the series, to me, is that by the end Schrab really hated the comic. He called the last issue "thrown together" and "fatalistic." That his "private life was echoing his art." Wouldn't it be the other way around though? Wouldn't the protagonist's search be a reflection of the writer's search? As someone in his mid-twenties, the same as Schrab when the series was coming out, who is still figuring out my path, this search speaks to me. Its questioning, its search is really very poigniant. I think Schrab really summed up the series best with this panel from issue 13:

Ain't that the truth? I really look forward to issue #21 because maybe, the character will get it.

Countdown to Adventure, GO!

2007-08-23T09:45:00.000-05:00

So Newsarama put up preview pages of Countdown to Adventure.

Look at that. I love me some jetpack action. I'm excited. Aren't you exited? If not, why?

I’ve Been Boosted

2007-08-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

So there have been a lot of reviews talking about how great Booster Gold #1 was. I should know, I wrote one. The story moved swiftly, the characterization was spot on and there was a ton of humor. But you know what my favorite moment in the whole comic was? This panel:

What’s so great about it? Well right under the words, “Late City Final” we have this sentence,“Little Tiny Type Of No Consequence. Really. You Shouldn’t Even Waste Your Time Trying To Make It Out.” I felt like Geoff Johns reached out from the page and slapped my geek self in the face. Now, I’m posting it on the Internet. I think there might be some irony here, but I was never good with that.

When I laughingly showed this to my co-workers I got this, “Man, your glasses must be working overtime. I can’t read that at all.”

So for all those other people who can’t see that small print, the newspaper second from the left reads, “Friday, November 23 2007” and “ Fake weather report: rain, snow, typhoon, hurricanes, blizzards, cyclones and hail, clearing towards evening.

Raiding the (Story)Arc: Justice League of America #0-12

2007-08-21T08:58:00.000-05:00

The last issue of Brad Meltzer’s Justice League of America hit the shelves this past Wednesday and boy were people happy that the writer is leaving. To hear people’s reaction you would have thought that I had stumbled into the magical land of Oz and some witch had been crushed by a house. I mean there were whoops and cheers and lots of “Don’t buy it. Just wait a month.” I was baffled. I couldn’t understand why everyone was getting ready to take to the streets, make like sailors and kiss some nurses. I mean, it did not work but it was not the worst thing I’ve ever read in comics.

So I asked.

This was Scipio’s reply, “As a writer, Ben, you should be the most offended.”

Before we go on let’s clarify one thing: I’m only kind of a writer. I mean I’m just a thesis away (due in October!) from an MFA in Creative Writing but I haven’t been published or anything. Still Scip’s comments to me felt like a challenge to try and approach Meltzer’s run as I would approaching a more literary piece of work in my studies.

Before I start I want to say, aside from this moment, you will not see me mention that the Leaguers call each other by their first names, nor will you see me use the words, “It’s just not the JLA.” Yes, I believe the spirit of a book is very important but there have been so many iterations with so many vibes *ahem* who can really say what the “League” is. The Satellite League had some ridiculous adventures. The Bwa-Ha-Ha League had some ridiculous moments and the Detroit League was just ridiculous. However, all the teams showed respect to the title Justice League of America. If there is one thing that Meltzer has done correctly in his time as writer it is to show proper reverence for that which has gone before. With that respect in mind, he set out to create the best contemporary league possible.

He failed. Yet, not for the reasons you think.

Meltzer ends his first issue with the following lines: “This is a story about history and destiny. And love and coming-of-age. And friendship and passion. And my name is Red Tor—My name is John Smith. And this is the story of my life.”

Inherent in these few not-so-complete sentences is the weakness that plagued the comic, kept it from being all it could be. Justice League is a team book but Meltzer wrote it like a series of interlocking mini-series. The pages about Vixen was the Vixen story, the pages about Black Lightning was the Black Lightning story, and so on. It was always someone’s story and never the League’s story. This lack of cohesion, of separate storylines going at their own pace, is the same thing that bothers people about Countdown. However, Countdown never claimed to be a team book.

Exacerbating this issue is the fact that not every character had a storyline to plot out. Some characters felt simply stuck on because they were. Red Arrow and Geo-Force got so much page time because Meltzer obviously had something to say about them. He had no idea what to do with Black Canary. Thus she was again reverted to a supporting role to an archer, same thing for Green Lantern. Wonder Woman and Superman did little more than punch things and Batman became the voice of exposition. If a team book is going to be driven by individuals then every person had better be important. It is the danger in doing a team book this way.

Finally, Meltzer failed to pace his character progression correctly or realistically. Comic readers can suspend belief about people flying or punching through walls; they have a harder time suspending belief about how characters act. Red Tornado wants to be human so badly. When Meltzer writes him as a robot during the flashbacks he still acts pretty human. The “proper gander” sequence is a good example of this. After his spirit is returned to the robotic body he has less personality than Data from Star Trek. When did his chest open up? Similarly, the Red Arrow and Hawkgirl arc stayed pretty much “playful banter” until the pages of issue 12 when she finds out he has a daughter. Then she can’t wait to get into bed with him. If the writer is going to make the team book driven by the individuals, all their development had better be authentic.

This lack of the individual supporting the team is why Meltzer wrote in so many splash pages of the characters as a team or shaking hands or gearing up. It is why he devoted so much time to the team standing with each other, thus slowing the overall stories. It is why he ended his run with “ –for all its changes—the league never really changes.” Not only does this sentence not really work, but also it is Meltzer forcing the idea of a cohesive team on us because we do not see it occur naturally on the page. To phrase it differently, Meltzer is telling us the group is the JLA rather showing it. At a time when, thanks the One Year Later reboot, the League should have been at the center of the DCU, the title was floundering to find its own footing.

There are a couple other missteps throughout the thirteen issues: a flat joke, a poorly paced scene, and some repetitive dialogue. These are issues that most writers have from time to time but if the core of the comic is not strong enough then every other problem becomes that much worse. I am not doing backflips over the fact that Meltzer is off the book. I like the author, I think his run on Green Arrow was awesome and enjoyed Identity Crisis. I also think there were good moments in his run. It is a shame that his ideas were so poorly executed and so publicly. Perhaps given more time he would have found his stride but he did not get it. So let’s all take it for what it was and look forward to McDuffie’s upcoming run.

I Love The Smell Of Podcast In The Morning

2007-08-19T08:23:00.000-05:00

Hey, Hey Folks-

The latest edition of the Big Monkey Podcast is up. It's full of thrills, chills and near spills. We even have a heart warming moment where Devon believes in love. So come join the joy and fun that is the BMP. Tech Guy Brian is getting ready to leave us so I did all the sound editing this week. Please let me know how I did so I can work toward perfecting the art of equalizing.

Thanks all

Note: Big Mike has put an excellent post about superheroes and America. Read It!

Doing It Write: There Are No Crappy Characters (Well Maybe A Few)

2007-08-18T22:33:00.000-05:00

Working in a comic shop I hear a lot of complaining. It seems that the thing that makes we readers the happiest also makes us the most frustrated. I’m married I should know.

One of the things I hear the most gripes about is character. This character does not work on this team. This character does not deserve his or her own book. This character is stupid and awful while that character is awesome and amazing. I have heard about it for every character from Superman to Wolverine to Painkiller Jane. I have no problem with this; I do it all the time. I was baffled when they brought Pete Wisdom back for a MAX title. I am still flabbergasted that Terror, Inc. has hit shelves again. So I say, complain away.

My problem is that somewhere in all the negative noise it becomes apparent that the criticizer believes that the character is without worth: that the character is terrible no matter who is writing them. Most recently I have heard this about Geo-Force.

I have beef with this belief that there are irredeemable characters . How many of you thought that Blue Beetle was a jokey goof until Johns, Rucka and Winnick wrote him dying heroically? How many of you thought that Iron Fist was just a ridiculous dude in green and yellow pajamas with a popped collar until Brubaker and Fraction made him seriously awesome? Comicdom is awash with examples of revitalized characters: Black Canary, Bucky (Winter Soldier), Moon Knight, and Catman.

In the hands of a competent writer any character can take on complexities and traits that make them interesting to see in and out of comics. Wisdom was a great read, with a tragic ending that brilliantly rolled back into the Marvel mythos. Not bad for a comic centered on a character that had his first appearance in the pages of Excalibur.

That is why it’s frustrating when people blame the Justice League's recent failure on the lineup. There is nothing implicitly wrong with the roster; it could have worked. It just was not written in a way that ended up working. Hopefully, I'll have a post about that up shortly. Say what you will about Vixen, Black Lightning and even Geo-Force but in some cleverer hands the team could have be given the opportunity to come together. It just did not happen, but it is not Roy Harper’ s fault.

This is not say there aren’t characters that are easier to work with than others. It obviously takes less skill to write a good Batman story over a good Sportsmaster story because Batman is a better character. This post is not about ease; this post is about capacity. Every character has the potential to be awesome.

Of course there is a pitfall somewhere in this potential. Sometimes in an effort to make a character interesting the writer makes too many changes and the original character is lost. Instead you have a hero or villain with the same name with similar powers but not really the same character. I point to Dr. Light, the mean one, and the revamped Catman. These characters are definitely not the characters they were before their on panel jumpstart. However, the border between “further developing a character” and “might as well be creating an entirely new person” is blurry with much land disputes. Ultimately, I say if there is a precedent and it works within the context of the tale being told then it is o.k.

So, the next time you are complaining that this character is stupid or that character is dumb remember in a decade, when a different writer is making them the coolest cat around, you might be eating those words.

A Banner Day

2007-08-16T07:43:00.000-05:00

My new banner is finally up. Hooray. As I am not the most competent at HTML, I am still trying to get rid of the “Those Wednesdays” in white letters but it will happen. Anyway, I am giving mad props to the Xanax filled mind of reader baal for the tag line suggestion. Thanks a lot.

On a different note, we are recording another podcast tonight. We have our topics chosen but still need Lightning Round questions. So get those puzzlers puzzling and come up with some quick queries for the podcast panelists.

That’s right I can do alliteration.

Sad News

2007-08-14T07:24:00.000-05:00

The amazing comic creator, Mike Wieringo, passed away this weekend.

May the next step in your journey be a peaceful one.

An Offer

2007-08-13T07:43:00.000-05:00

Do you want to know what Devon thinks about Vertigo characters being off limits to the DCU? How about what Scipio thinks on the subject of Marvel in the 70’s? How about what Brooks and Carey think of the Image years? Now is your chance to ask.

This Thursday we’re recording Big Monkey Podcast #8 (I think that’s what we’re up to) and I’m calling out to all you people in Internetland to give us the topics. It’s like the Lightning Round only longer. If there is some subject that you wish the five of us were talking about well submit it.

A couple things to remember:

1) The topic should be broad enough that we can talk about it for twelve to fifteen minutes. “What do you think of Animal Man?” might be interesting but probably wouldn’t get picked. We’d run out of steam after “I like him.” Now “What do you of writers who use comic characters to preach social issues i.e. Animal Man and the environment?” would stand a better chance.

2) The format of the show is DC topic, Marvel topic, miscellaneous topic so try to keep that in your mind when coming up with a suggestion.

For the sake of giving me enough time to create questions about the topics please have all suggestions submitted by Tuesday, August 13 at 8:00 pm EST.

Finally, if you don’t have a topic but want to submit a Lightning Round question or have a dramatic reading feel free to do that as well. Go ahead and send those to thosewednesdays@gmail.com

Thanks

Cover Story

2007-08-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

So the best cover artists in the business use their drawings to tell a story. Just like poems and novels, comics can have titles that do work within the story, a working cover in some ways. These types of cover can enhance the story, setting mood and tone for what will unfold within. It can also give a hint as to what type of story will is going to be told. Look at any of the recent Detective Comics covers and you will see that tell you up front, in the beginning who the bad guy is going to be. It’s pretty great.

If a comic is going to tell a story then it should obey all the laws of storytelling, like correct characterization. If that’s the case, and I think it is, then what is going on with the cover for Countdown #38.

I understand Robin’s stance, kind of a checking his watch sort of thing like, “When is this joker going to get out of here?” No one else makes any sense. Take Kid Devil, the youngest and most jovial of the Titans members. He’s looking on confused but stoically. The oldest Titan, who should be handling it the most maturely, is leaning over and clutching his side like he’s saying, “Awwwww shit, son.” The Titan who has gone through some of the worst events of her life: loosing her first love, seeing her mother interned, etc. well she’s fanning her face and clutching her legs together like an airhead who just found out that I got my wedding tuxedo on sale at a thrift store and now she's going to pee herself. I did actually do that, get my tuxedo at a thrift store that is.

Anyway, the cover doesn't make any sense.

Doing It Write: Dialogue

2007-08-10T09:07:00.000-05:00

So there are a lot of people out there that say there are no rules when it comes to writing. Other than remembering where the commas and colons go if a writer can make it stick on the page then it works. I’m here to say that is a load of bull. I’m here to say that there are indeed rules to writing and while they may be bent, when they are broken half the time it turns the crap.

So today I’m going to discuss two rules of dialogue.

Rule #1: Keep It Short

Comics are a visual medium and therefore the visuals should do more work than the dialogue. An angry expression works more wonders than someone pontificating about how angry they are. If you can say it in two lines say it in one. If you can say it in one line say it in none.

Now, I know there are a lot of readers who miss the Silver Age villains walking around being all chatty. I know there are a lot of readers who loved Kryptonite Man in the pages of Action Comics when he did stuff like this:

I did not. You could say that it is genre specific dialogue; this is how people talk in comics so it’s cool. Noir characters saying “dame” and “roscoe” is genre specific dialogue, someone spouting, “You think that’s genius works, you smug nincompoop?” is not. Sure it would be appropriate for a villain in a James Bond movie to say something like this, but Bond villains sound stupid as well. That’s why so many people make fun of them.

I understand that dialogue in writing is not how real people talk, but it should be a clever impersonation of how real people talk. No one talks like the Kryptonite Man or old school Ultra Humanite, not even the podcast guys when they take to monocle dusting.

So writers should cut their dialogue down and let the visuals do more work than some flapping gums. I never thought I would use a Bendis comic as an example of good dialogue but look at this page from New Avengers #33.

That’s how you write some comic dialogue. It’s twenty-three words and three glances and you get a whole, whole lot.

Rule #2: Make Sure What Your Character Says Is Appropriate.

I don’t mean that the characters don’t swear or anything because sometimes there are characters who say some socially unacceptable things. What I mean by appropriate is that the words that come out of a character’s mouth are actually words that would come out of a character’s mouth. Sure this sounds like a no brainer but how often do you see a character say something and are like, “Batman wouldn’t say that.” I do it all the time. Look at this panel from Cosmic Odyssey:

Darkseid’s numbers “check out,” isn’t that a little colloquial for a god? Shouldn’t he be saying something along the lines of, “I have conducted my own evaluations of Darkseid’s findings. I concur with his conclusion.” That sounds a little more Highfather to me. I know that you're thinking that's just Starlin's writing or something like that. If you want a more contemporary example look at Tomasi’s writing in Black Adam #1. For the most part he nails the dialogue but early on in the comic he has this:

“That’s the spirit.” This from a person who just told someone should have been aborted. He wouldn’t say, “That’s the spirit.” Little League coaches say that after their star pitcher rockets one over the plate and it is usually followed by, “Way to put the pepper on that ball.” Or something, I never played little league.

And speaking of things that Batman wouldn’t say.

While I might admit to that fact, Batman never would.

This Is Pretty

2007-08-09T21:36:00.000-05:00

So, I'm a big fan of covers and not just for comics. I frequently buy books, magazines, heck even CDs and videos if the cover gets to me. I think it's some avian part of my brain or something that is attracted to bright colors and shiny objects. Man, I miss chromium. Anyway, I think this week's Fables cover is just about one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I mean look at this!

It's awesome.

Podcast? You Can't Handle the Podcast!

2007-08-09T06:45:00.000-05:00

Hey Folks-

It's that time again for a Big Monkey Podcast. I would like to say all the wonderful things that happened, all those amazing topics we discussed. To tell you the truth though I was so sleep deprived from working on my thesis that I have no idea what we said. It'll be a surprise for us all. So click over and listen to all the zany fun.

Who Isn't a Bad Guy Here?

2007-08-06T10:43:00.000-05:00

So everyone knows Countdown is building up to something huge, something like Final Crisis. With a name like that the villain or villains better be something amazing. Well, DC isn’t skimping when it comes to possible threats and is setting up a slew of villains. So let’s take the time and look at the list:

The Monitors
Originally the singular Monitor seemed to be the good guy, the protector of the DCU against the evils of the Anti-Monitor. Yes, at times his schemes seemed a little Machiavellian, but you (or at least I) never doubted his intentions were intended for good. After all, he did choose the heroes the infinite Earths to champion his cause.

But that was back in the day. The "Brotherhood" of Monitors don't seem so righteous as the previous character to bear that name. I mean in their quest to uphold the sanctity of Earths they are willing to kill and obliterate using the darkest of beings the Universe holds. With only one Monitor striking out for a peaceful solution, Monitor Muttonchops (I'm not calling him Bob), I would say as a whole these look-a-likes are not our good guys.

Captain Atom
It’s been a little while since Nathan Adam was supposed to assume the role as a would-be conqueror. Everyone knows the story, all this set up had been done to making him the big bad of Armageddon 2001 but when the surprise was blown, DC changed it at the last minute. Thus, Nathan Adam: Monarch was put away until the Battle of Bludhaven, where he made his explosive return.

Well, better late than never I always say. The Bleed residing, universe-hopping warlord is out to stop the Monitors. Now, based on what I’ve said these guys seem like the need stopping. However, any time you go about protecting reality by building a secret armada trained by a being that used to be your enemy’s secret weapon…well that can’t be a good thing. We’ve haven’t exactly seen his plans but some how I doubt that they will be rolling in Han Solo style to destroy The Monitors’ ship at the last moment.

Darkseid
The ruler of Apokolips was out of the picture for a good long time, having been thrown into the Source Wall. With the Wall being the thing that holds the 52 worlds apart who knows what knowledge he came out with. Also, Darkseid wasn’t out of the Wall long before two things happened: he mastered the Anti-Life Equation and he got caught up with Mr. Mxyzptlk (see my I’ve Got A Theory post for more on that). All in all, Darkseid is just as big a threat as ever.

In the pages of Countdown, we’ve seen Darkseid play some Heroclix and build an army. Rarely, when a domineering overlord builds an army is it a good thing. If you read my previous post you will notice I have other theories on his relation with the Monitors. There is one thing that kind of sticks in my paw. At the end of Firestorm, Darkseid grabbed Dr. Martin Stein who was close to discovering the Life Equation, which could be used to counter the ALE. Now this would make him and his Shadow Demons unstoppable. Wouldn’t that mean it would also stop the Monitors army of Shadow Demons? Could Darkseid’s goals actually be towards the greater good?

Probably not.

Sinestro Corps
Writer Geoff Johns has said that the Sinestro storyline will not be seen in the pages of Countdown. Well, that be true but I don’t believe for a second that it won’t be intersecting with Final Crisis. The Monitors, the Bleed, the Source Wall, reality itself is going to be tied up in this thing and with the Anti-Monitor and Hank Henshaw (who has been one with the Source and crossed universes) being a part of the machinations there is just no way that this fear-powered corps will not be coming in swinging.

There are also certain movers and shakers that haven’t been really looked at. The Gods of Olympus are making their presence known, there is also that unworldly voice that relocated the Titans (issue #47) and tried to kill Sleez in Countdown. With all these things stacking against them, with all these fronts being attacked, do the heroes even stand a chance?

A Big Reveal

2007-08-05T08:14:00.000-05:00

So not to ruin Countdown 39 for you is you haven’t read but this post is going to be about what was revealed during the “History of the Multiverse” backup storyline. I’m actually going to only write about two panels because they felt like pretty crucial panels. Look here…

I don’t know about you guys but when I read those two panels I nearly lost it. There are so many questions and possibilities that are raised from those two panels because the last time those Shadow Demons made an appearance it was in the pages of my second favorite now cancelled series –

FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN

That’s right, my boy Jason Rusch went toe-to-toe with these nasties in the last few issues of his series. They weren’t called Shadow Demons though, they were called Parademons and they were working for Darkseid. Whoa man, beings of pure Anti-Life Equation working for the ruler of Apokolips, if we didn’t believe that Darkseid had mastered the ALE before we better believe it now. However, something about these two panels has been getting to me.

Look what Monitor Lincoln Beard says in the second panel. “Nothing can stop them save our calling them back.” Well, didn’t we see months ago that Darkseid is capable of calling them back? Shouldn’t he have said, “ Nothing can stop them save a few beings capable of calling them back,” or something like that? Since the statement is worded in the way that it is we have four options.

1) The Monitors don’t know that Darkseid has control of the Shadow Demons.
2) The Monitors don’t think that Darkseid’s control of the Shadow Demons is worth mention.
3) The Monitors are working in conjunction with Darkseid.
4) Jurgens was never told or forgot what happened in the pages of Firestorm.

Options 1 and 2 are unlikely and if either are the answer, I’d say it would be a mischaracterization of the Monitors and their powers. The Monitors can supposedly see every place but the Bleed and there is no indication that Darkseid is operating there. Also, one would think that the Monitors would notice (and comment on) another being taking control of their ultimate weapons.

Option 3 would explain what Lincoln Beard said. The Monitors don’t mention anyone else having control of the Shadow Demons because no one else does, they sent the creatures to aid Kalibak. In fact, I would love to have it be Option 3. It would add a new level of threat to the heroes of New Earth. All seeing beings in an uneasy alliance with the cruelest villain in the DCU, that would be sweet. Of course if the Monitors were working with Darkseid it would lead me to ask, “Who’s The Good Guy Here?” Which, interestingly enough, is the title of the post that will come tomorrow, Tuesday at the latest.

As much as I would like Option 3 to be the answer, my guess is that really it is Option 4. There is a lot going on at DC right now and I’m sure the editors there are super taxed and can’t keep up on everything. Maybe the tidbit about someone else controlling the Shadow Demons just missed being past onto Jurgens and thus he didn’t write the Monitors saying it.

Which option do you think?

Oh, on an entirely different subject, Sin in the Black Canary mini-series isn’t dead. The whole boat/Speedy/Green Arrow thing was just a ploy to make the League of Assassins think the little girl was killed so they wouldn’t keep trying to kidnap her. You know it’s a whole fake your own death thing.

Calling Out For Questions

2007-08-02T06:42:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone out there in Internet land it is that time again. It is time for me to make a plea to get questions for the Lightning Round and Dramatic Readings. We’re recording another Big Monkey Podcast tonight and so far we’ve had no questions sent in. So I ask you, nay beg you, please send questions to ben@bigmonkeycomics.com so we may answer them on tonight’s show. Please have them submitted by 6 PM EST. Thank you for your continued support of the Big Monkey Podcast.

Big Monkey Podcast #6 Is Up!!

2007-07-30T18:28:00.000-05:00

That’s right, as promised we had a one-week turn around on the podcast. ONE WEEK! Click here to listen special guest panelist Tori Tyree talk about Black Canary. Click here to listen to Devon’s interview with Mike Carey. Click here to listen to Scipio talk about the first comic he ever read. Click here to listen to me beg for a new theme song. By the way all the “click here”s lead to the same place. Oh and it’s all in mp3 format. Moving on up.

And as a special treat, we are recording another podcast this Thursday. I know what you’re thinking, “HOLY CRAP. They’ve gone weekly.” Well, almost Anyway, send your questions, comments or dramatic readings to thosewednesdays@gmail.com by 6 pm Thursday.

Are They Even Trying Anymore?

2007-07-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

O.k. so I’ve been a little underwhelmed by the announcements that have been coming out from DC this year at San Diego. Marvel has been rolling out with these amazing announcements and exclusives. It’s making DC seem second rate by comparison. But that is a post for another time. What this post is about is the new Salvation Run mini-series that DC has just announced with writer Bill Willingham and artist Sean Chen.

I won’t go into it all that much, I mean Newsarama just wrote an article about it. Basically, the idea is that somewhere in the universe there is going to be a prison planet where all the villains are going to be put. Does it seem like a good idea to put the smartest, most evil minds in one place? No, it does not. These aren’t horse thieves and pickpockets on some island in the Pacific. These are geniuses and inventors. Of course it is pretty obvious that it’s not the good guys behind this idea. For my guess who is behind it all let’s go to the second teaser image:

Ah. It’s not such a far leap to see the Earth that the Evil is inheriting is this Salvation Run planet. It is also not such a leap to see that it is Luthor who will be controlling the planet, for at least a while, before things are done. After all, the passage “blessed be the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth” comes from Matthew Book 5. It is in this book that Jesus walks around gathering followers, building his reputation, preaching his word. Thus we can assume from the Last Supper allusion that Luthor (in the Jesus position) is going to walk around trying to get everyone to follow him.

Of course, he isn’t the person behind it all. Look at what is coming out of the ground in the teaser image, look at the sky, and then take a look at the Salvation Run image.

It’s Darkseid’s planet, apparently policed by Parademons in funny hats. Then if you think about who has been rounding up the villains it kind of makes sense. It’s members of the Suicide Squad, which suggests Amanda Waller is in cahoots with someone who is taking orders from Darkseid if not Darkseid himself. However, there is also some overlap between the Suicide Squad and the Secret Six. Who is on the Secret Six? Knockout, former resident of Apokolips. I say the new member of the Secret Six is either another female fury or Mary Marvel, having fallen under the thrall of Granny Goodness. Look at the teaser image for that possible connection.

My main complaint is that drawing these conclusions wasn’t that hard. What good is a surprise if you can figure it out? DC has given us a present but we shake the box and figure out what’s inside. There still are plenty of surprises; we don’t know the brand or all the moving parts or whatever. However, we have a pretty good idea of what’s going on.

With such a lackluster SDCC, with so few announcements, do we think DC has stopped trying? Are they just taking us for granted, forcing more stuff down our throat that they want to sell rather than what we want to read? Have I become too jaded and cynical? I hope not but I’m concerned that this is the case.

The Big One Zero Zero

2007-07-26T09:51:00.000-05:00

So I’ve hit 100 posts, which I guess is not that huge an accomplishment. At a post a day that’s not even a third of a year. However, with the start-stop-start pace this blog has had, 100 feels like a big deal. So I want to say thanks to everyone who consistently makes comments, that’s what keeps me doing this. Well that and I like to read my own words.

I had big plans for this post. Things like finally putting up that Battle of Metropolis post that I’ve been working on. Unfortunately, a chunk of my thesis is coming due and I haven’t had a moment to take my notes from the battle and make it into a coherent read. So instead I open with a contest.

I’m finally going to get a banner for this site. I’ve been told by other bloggers that a banner really adds something to a blog. I’m not sure what that something is but by golly I want it. So I’ve been trying to come up with a catchy slogan, a line that really says, “That’s what Those Wednesdays is all about.” I had this:

WHERE MAN-CHILDREN COME TO PLAY!

However, that made me worry that people would take the blog as some sort of NAMBLA affiliate. So if you can come up with a snappy Those Wednesdays slogan that would be awesome. The winner will get mad props and see their catchphrase every time they visit this site.

Also, on an unrelated note, we’re recording another podcast tonight with special guest panelist, Tori Tyree of the Big Monkey Comics Women’s Discussion group. I still need Lightning Round Questions and a Dramatic Reading or two. So if you’ve got them, send to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com by 6:00 PM EST.

Radio-Ga-Ga

2007-07-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

WATCH OUT! Big Monkey Podcast Number #5 is up. It is full of the super awesome. Listen and love guys and gals, listen and love. I really do mean what I offer at the end of the show, by the way. If you can create a theme song for the Big Monkey Podcast of thirty seconds to a minute in length, I will personally buy you one of the Big Monkey shirts available at Cafe Press.

Also we are recording again this Thursday night. We’re talking Black Canary and what it means to be a New Reader. Also we will have our first ever – INTERVIEW. Hear Devon talk to Mike Carey, writer of Ultimate Fantastic Four, Re-Gifters and Lucifer, to name just a few. We’re moving up in the world.

So if you have any questions, comments or dramatic readings you go ahead and send them to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com by 6 PM Thursday night. Thanks and happy listening.

My Name In Print

2007-07-22T20:02:00.000-05:00

The following has nothing to do with comics.

So last Friday night I went to the "Buffy Musical Big Screen Interactive Extravaganza." It was really fun. So I got there a little early, you know because I’m really paranoid about time. As someone who never got his driver’s license, my life pretty much is decided by bus schedules and Metro trains. I’ve grown accustomed to delays and breakdowns. Thus, I tend to plan these into my schedule and when said calamities do not occur I get to places thirty to forty-five minutes early. Call me paranoid and neurotic.

Anyway that’s kind of beside the point. Since I was first in line I got interviewed by the Washington Post. My name opens the article. It’s kind of dope. So here is the opening excerpt.

Ben Hatton is not, like, the biggest "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fan ever.

Yes, he might have arrived three hours early to score the first spot in line for "The Buffy Musical Big Screen Interactive Extravaganza" at the Avalon Theatre on Friday at midnight. Yes, he might have downloaded all of the songs to said extravaganza, and he might have memorized them, and his wife might be sitting on a park bench 20 feet away because she is embarrassed he made them come so early.

But compared with the other 427 wannabe slayers who advance-purchased their tickets for Friday's sold-out show and formed a queue stretching around the corner, Hatton swears his fanship is relatively puny. "I didn't wear a costume or anything," said the stocky 26-year-old video store clerk. "I'm not going to be that fat dude dressed as Angel."

Here is the link to the rest of the article. Sorry for tooting my own horn. I just couldn’t help it.

I Should Have Seen It Coming

2007-07-22T10:09:00.000-05:00

So in the podcast we recorded on Thursday (hopefully it will be up today) we talked about the Green Arrow. I, for one, love the character. In fact I would go so far to say that he is my favorite character in the DC Universe. I won’t defend my reasons for this Green Arrow love, you’ll have to listen to the podcast for that, but I will say that I’ve got a bone to pick with DC.

They are having the character willingly accept semi-retirement. He decided not to join the JLA; he gave Roy the Red Arrow costume. It is like the writers are having him step down to do something else. However, they haven’t given us that something else. I need to be able to buy a characters motivation, the choices he or she makes. The writing around Oliver Queen’s choices to no longer be the DCU’s foremost archer are sloppy and unbelievable. What Winick has done with Green Arrow’s emotional growth has been great, but no longer fighting the good fight does not click in with that growth.

What’s even more frustrating is that no one seems to care. I say that Green Arrow is my favorite character and people look at me like I’m daft. Oliver Queen’s character has changed over the years and that has made him an engaging read. He went from knock off to liberal to working towards emotional maturity. I like reading comics where a man-child gets together within the context of fighting demons. It’s fun read those stories; I connect better with them. I feel the same way about Hugh Grant. But you try to explain this stuff to other comic fans and they just blow you off with a, “Meh.”

I shouldn’t be surprised though. No matter how engaging the character is, no matter how many times he’s come through (the man shot Parralax!), DC will always give him second class treatment. How do I know this? Well I recently saved a Justice League of America Monopoly game from the trash. Who did they stick in the Baltic/Mediterranean spots? Whose face is on the one-dollar bill?

Yeah, my boy, Green Arrow.

Something Is Not Right

2007-07-20T07:46:00.001-05:00

In fact, in the immortal words of a French nun, “Something is quite wrong.” I was reading this week’s Brave and the Bold #5 and something is definitely amiss in the DCU. This is the second time in a few months that Batman has fought Karate Kid.

The screwy part is Batman’s reaction, he gives no indication that he has ever done this before. Yes, I know that it is not the Karate Kid he took on in the pages of Justice League of America but wouldn’t Batman then say, “You’re not Karate Kid. I’ve fought Val Armor. His collar is bigger.” Of course, it is a comic so maybe by the end of this arc everyone goes back to their respective timelines with memories erased. It happens all the time. But something still wasn’t sitting right with me. Look at this excerpt from the “Lighting Saga.”

Batman is finding out about the Legion of Superheroes from the Fortress of Solitude’s computer. Given his nightly activities and study habits, my guess is that this isn’t the first time he has looked at those files. That should mean when he goes toe-to-toe with Val Armor in Brave and The Bold, even if it happened before Justice League or there was a memory wipe, he should say, “I have read about you. You aren’t the Karate Kid I know. His collar was bigger.” But he does not say this. Instead it is Tharok that fills him in on the Legion. This suggests that Superman never went into the future, that the characters in the “present” don’t know about them.

Also to further screw things up, in Action Comics #850 Supergirl is in the future with a different Legion, with a different Karate Kid who has not fought Batman…yet. So what does this mean?

I’ve got two theories. The first one is that the Earth of Brave and The Bold is not New Earth. It might be an Earth that closely resembles New Earth but with slight differences, a sort of Pre-Infinite Crisis Earth (Earth-1 maybe?) with New Earth characters like Blue Beetle. It isn’t too far fetched, look how together Supergirl is in the comic. That could just be equated to inconsistent character writing but it could suggest that this world is not the main one. Hey, maybe the heroes find out in the Book of Destiny that their world is not New Earth. That would be cool. This, of course, raises the question as to which title is on which Earth.

The second theory is that New Earth is in constant flux, that elements from different planets are seeping in and out all the time. The histories and futures of each character change constantly without anyone noticing. Maybe one month it’s Golden Age history and future, the next Zero Hour time. The chances of this are less likely as writing something like that would be terrible and hard to coordinate. However, it could be a way to show that Earth are bleeding into each other, that the walls between the realities are weakening so much that different futures are occurring at all times.

What was your take?

Tis That Time Again

2007-07-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

So we're recording another Big Monkey Podcast tonight. For real. And it, fingers crossed, will work. For real. So this is my standard call for Lightning Round questions and Dramatic Readings. If you have anything you would like to make it on to tonight's show please have them e-mailed to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com by 6 PM EST. Thanks and have a good one

Holy Solicitations/Teaser, Batman!

2007-07-18T12:12:00.000-05:00

So yesterday Newsarama put up the Final Crisis Teaser.

I am kind of in love with this poster. Heroes representing all the major teams with the exception of Teen Titans are present, striking valiant poses. Behind them is the swirling vortex that has become as synonymous with a DC Crisis, all it needs is the hands of Alex Luthor or Krona or perhaps be made out of shadow demons.

I have a concern though. If you look at the teaser the image there is one of the characters that stands out, one of the characters that is not like the others. No, it's not Hawkman. He deserves to be there representing the JSA (thumbs up to Seven Hells). It's Batman. He's the only character that has not died and returned to life.

I got the worries that Batman is going to buy the farm and I'm not talking Bruce getting a vacation home.

Look at the tag, "Heroes Die." That's a pretty definitive statement and it seems to apply to everyone on the teaser. They could have used the "Fall" because the feeling would have been very similar. It would suggest that heroes are defeated but still carry on. By using the word "Die," there is a promise made and the only character has not filled that promise. Batman, I think your days are numbered.

O.k. so I have talked up Blue Beetle. I have explained why it is wonderful on some many levels using many different mediums. Yet, no matter how great I believe the comic is, people keep turning up their nose at me when I say, "Hey, you should grab the first two trades." What else can I do? Nothing. It was up to DC to somehow make it so that you non-Beetle fans had to read this issue.

Well HELLO OCTOBER!

Sinestro visits El Paso and takes on Blue Beetle. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Coming Soon

2007-07-16T22:27:00.000-05:00

"The Battle of Metropolis," a Heroclix reenactment.

Keep Those Ears Glued

2007-07-11T14:19:00.000-05:00

I know there have been promises another edition of the Big Monkey Podcast. I also know it's been awhile since we recorded it last week. Here is the truth of the matter; due to some equipment difficulties the recording came out wicked corrupted. Brian, our very helpful sound guy, said it was like hearing a thousand bees when he tried to listen to it. Since we are committed to giving you only a top quality podcast we had no choice but to scrap the recording.

It’s a shame, too. We started recording later than usual so by the end all five of us were really loopy and ridiculous. Lost as a result of the sound difficulties are:

A) Jon Carey stating he wanted to see, “a Skrull internment camp” and claiming, “the use of mental powers cause autism.”

B) Me opening with the line, “In an artic base furnitured by spooky statues of our friends…”

C) Jon Carey performing while reeking of his “Jonsmopolitan,” a combination of a screwdriver and a gin and tonic.

D) Devon claiming himself “Black Jesus.”

E) Jon Brooks, so annoyed that Tony Stark isn't dead after wrestling the Hulk, decided to swear off of all Marvel books forever.

F) Scipio professing love of a Marvel comic idea.

G) Everyone forming the belief that when Scipio laughs an angel gets his wings, with a wingspan of nine feet or more.

H) Scipio stealing my recommendation of Blue Beetle as comic to read. That jerk. I mean really, who steals a recommendation?

I) Jon Brooks professing his love for Scott Pilgrim over and over.

J) Devon riling up Scip so much during an interchange that Scip threw a pencil at him. Scip’s aim was off and the pencil flew well over Devon head. However, in flinching Devon knocked over his soda, which landed in his lap. Devon had to record the whole thing looking like he peed his pants. It was a topic of many jokes.

K) Everyone making fun of me for liking "girl comics." It was mentioned at least a dozen times.

Unfortunately, all this is lost to annals of history. We will be recording another podcast early next week with brand new, professional grade equipment. We're moving on up.

Just so you know. Some of the mentioned above events didn’t happen. Can you guess which?

How You Feeling?

2007-07-09T07:14:00.000-05:00

So I’ve finally caught up with my backlog of unread comics. I’m finally up to date with the who’s and what’s, of course I’m still puzzling out the why’s. But that is the fun of reading.

I’ll admit it, for the last few months I haven’t been super jazzed about reading. When I’ve brought home my purchases I’ve kind of dragged my feet in getting to them. Yeah, I’ve thought this issue has been cool or that issue has been interesting but overall it’s felt like the industry has just kind of been spinning it’s wheels. But then last week I was talking to Devon (of Seven Hells fame) and realized something:

I’m excited about comics.

I’m stoked about what’s going on from all companies, The Big Two to the smaller presses. I like being able to say, “It was a good week,” and then have someone respond with, “It was a great week.” How long it will be able to hold this level is the big question, but right now I’m happy to have things being “great.”

So here are ten things I’m excited about, in no particular order.

1. The continuing adventures of Jamie Reyes in Blue Beetle. Of course this is a obvious first choice for me but the comic is just super good.

2. “The Good Prince” storyline in Fables. Best arc since “Homelands.”

3. The Sinestro Corps. It’s going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

4. Black Canary’s mini-series. We know what her answer is going to be, but damn I’m looking forward to seeing how she gets there.

5. The Skrull question. Who is really a wrinkled alien?

6. World War Hulk. He's back and angry. Hilk smash for the next five months, how can you not love that. Iron Man and the rest of the Illuminati are going to get theirs.

7. New Warriors. For some reason I’m digging the heck out of this series. Like The Initiative it feels like Marvel have big plans for these characters.

8. Checkmate. The comic never ceases to impress me. With cameos and guest-stars galore in some ways the title feels like a center of what’s going on. Which is what a global police force run by the U.N. should feel like. Amanda Waller is gonna get hers.

9. The search for Ray Palmer. Not only will it span the whole Multiverse but it’s amazing that the smallest character in the DCU is the one that will have the biggest impact.

10. Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together, I’m totally bummed that Oni pushed the release date back to 9/19. You know what they say about things and those who wait.

What are you excited about?

Still More Words of Wisdom...

2007-07-07T07:57:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you just don't feel your best and that is o.k.

Parenting Tips From Jack Monroe: Nomad!

2007-07-06T08:06:00.000-05:00

When last we left Jack he was trying to figure out the meaning of behind his existence. When philosophy didn’t work out he tried fatherhood. After all what brings more significance than having a child? So armed with parenting manual, our wayward Nomad set out to follow rules to the letter.

Tip #1: There are many people who have experience with children. Listen to their advice.

Tip #2: Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Make sure to change your child when he or she needs it.

…Even if it is the table at a bar.

Tip #3: It is important your child learns to resolve fights without fists.

Tip #4: However, if an altercation is unavoidable it is important that you think of the baby’s safety first.

Tip #5: It is important that your child meets many people, to visit many places.

Tip #6: Sometimes you will not be able pick your child up from daycare or whatnot. Make sure to have a good group of friends you can count on…

Just make sure that to iron out all the logistics so there is no confusion.

Tip #7: In this day and age custody disputes are common. Try to keep an a level head when these situations occur.

Blackest Night

2007-07-04T08:10:00.000-05:00

If you haven’t read the Sinestro Corps (but you are intending to) you should stop reading this post because there will be SPOILERS. I’m sorry to for two posts in a row talking about reveals but yesterday was catch up and today I just had to write about the Sinestro Corps #1, had to. Tomorrow there will be a post that doesn’t give so much away – promise.

So just a day shy of being a week behind, I read finally read the comic. Whoah. There was so much there, so much that guides and explains and reveals, that I’m having trouble getting my head around it. So let’s start from the very beginning.

Remember back in Brave New World when the newly revealed Monitor said this?

I sure do and for months I’ve been questioning what he meant, why New Earth was so important. Well, now Geoff Johns has showed us why.

New Earth is the linchpin around which the other 51 survive. If it goes so does everything else. It’s kind of great the layers of importance that DC is building into this new crisis. The universe needs New Earth and New Earth needs Ray Palmer and Ray Palmer needs to be found by the very anomalies that are threatening the existence of everything. Layers upon layers.

Next we come to this panel.

A boy lost in a field. In a Newsarama interview the other day Ron Marz was quoted as such when talking about the Parralax one-shot:

“Yeah it’s a very internal story…yeah. I guess I’ll leave it at that—it’s there for the audience to see what Kyle is going through. By that extension it’s kind of what Hal went through as well when he was Parallax. I kind of liken it to being on a trip that’s entirely on auto-pilot. Kyle isn’t in control of where he is going or what is happening—all he can do is watch… The Parallax one shot is really more of a chance, very literally, to be inside Kyle’s mind as he’s going through all this stuff.”

Five dollars says his mind takes the form of a boy lost in a field. Now, I did my whole Internet searching thing for the painting that might have been the impetus for the painting that Kyle was talking about. I came up with this painting by Monet.

A boy lost in a field, waving to someone unseen. The essay I was reading about it described the painting as “whimsical” but I’m not sure that is right. The kid looks really lonely to me and for all we know he is waving at nothing. There is another painting by Monet with a similar title as this one.

Now a new boy in a new field has a mother. Here is my second five-dollar bet. Kyle Rayner, lost in his own subconscious, will be freed by his mother. Her appearance will give him the willpower to reject the Parralax parasite, to take that floating space whale back into his body, become Ion and whoop some yellow ring powered ass.

At least I hope so. With Bart Allen’s death, DC might be starting on the path of killing the third generation heroes. Once you get started on that path it seems pretty easy to keep it going. I like Kyle; I hope he sticks around.

Next we get to the big splash page of all the Sinestro Corps. Van Sciver did a freaking number on this one; let me tell you. It is just awesome, all the aliens standing around, looking mean. But then in the corner there is this guy.

Oh man! Santa Claus went and got ripped. Ho Ho Ho.

Finally, we get to this page, the biggest reveal of them all.

The Anti-Monitor, Guardian of the Sinestro Corp. There have been a few people who have scoffed at my claim that since the Monitors are back so must be the Anti-Monitor. To those people I say:

Told you so.

Even though it felt like every panel put me on my ass, there was one sequence that totally knocked me out. It was like in Die Hard when Bruce Willis wraps that chain around a chain around Karl (the Fabio looking dude) and slams him into a wall. You just kind of jump out of your chair.

John Stewart. Yippie-Kay-Yay Motherfucker.

She Kind Of Looks Like

2007-07-03T06:01:00.000-05:00

O.k. so it’s been a few week since the big reveal at the end of New Avengers #31 and just in case you haven’t read the issue I want to preface this post with I will be talking about it. So this is my SPOILER WARNING.

Elektra is a Skrull. I’m not sure when this happened because back when Millar was doing the “Wolverine: Enemy of the State” storyline and had her take the pointy end of a sword (how many times can this woman be stabbed) she was still a normal person. Well, a person at least.

We should have this coming. In fact some people did. More than one customer and as well as a co-worker (Devon of Seven Hells fame) pointed to the end of Illuminati #1 where the Skrull king vows revenge for the destruction of his city and said to me, “The Skrulls have replaced heroes.” As that comic took place chronologically decades ago, the Skrulls could have been infiltrating for a very long time.

Of course this leads us to ask which other heroes and villains have been replaced by a green, wrinkly imposter. Was it Iron Man and that is why he was so eager to kill fellow heroes, to imprison them, to get rid of their inalienable rights? Was it Captain America and that is why he so quickly rejected the notion of the Registration Act, creating the schism in the hero community? We did see the body shrinking and shriveling in the last issue of his comic. Maybe he is not dead, just on some spaceship somewhere.

God, I hope not.

This sort of thing would be an easy out and would cheapen what Marvel is attempting to do with their comics. It would be bad writing. What I would rather see is Skrulls impersonating characters that have now have influences over key players. Maria Hill is a great example.

But I have one guess, one crazy speculation as to who is a Skrull. This woman:

Mrs. Sharpe. The crying mother who came out of the crowd to spit in Tony Stark’s face, to push him towards Registration. She still has his ear at the end of the series. She walks the Helicarrier as his guest. She would be an awesome Skrull.

I'm a pretty big fan of this development. It raises suspense and tension in the Marvel Universe, where, thanks to the Hulk's invasion, things are already pretty crazy. I could only find one panel that really sums up my feelings over this revelation.

I couldn’t have put it better myself, Tony.

More Words Of Wisdom...

2007-07-02T21:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the simplest comebacks are the best.

I'm Back

2007-07-02T06:26:00.000-05:00

Hey All-

So I've been in Boston for the last ten days where I spent the time honing my craft as a writer (I'm in a Low-Residency MFA Program.) Sorry, the class schedule didn't allow me to update at all. But now I'm back. So this week you can look forward to:

What's A Monitor With You Part II
A Reaction to Sinestro Corps (once I get to read it)
Parenting Tips From Nomad
And many more aluminum hat conspiracy posts!

Since I’ve been out of the loop for a little bit I’ve got a couple outdated questions but here they are.

1) What did you guys and gals think of Big Monkey Podcast Three? After a month and half of listening what changes or improvements would you like to see? What are we doing right? What topics would you like discussed?

2) Who the heck is this person running with Karate Kid?

Is it Sensor Girl who leapt out of the shrinking portal? Or a new Legion member that Brainiac sent back to aid Val?

Words of Wisdom...

2007-06-21T10:29:00.000-05:00

From the mouth of Scud, the greatest robot ever to grace the pages of an Indie comic.

The Creature From The Big Monkey Podcast

2007-06-20T07:14:00.000-05:00

Hello Internetland-

It's that time again, time to twist and shout, time to roll and bounce, time to record a third Big Monkey Podcast. As before I'm taking submissions for the Lightning Round. If you are interested in asking questions, airing grievances or simply getting your named mentioned on the Podcast send your query to ThoseWednesdays@gmail.com. Please, try to keep them to the subject of comics.

Thanks and keep an ear out for the Podcast later this week.

All Hands On Deck

2007-06-19T08:25:00.001-05:00

So we know that starting August the Outsiders are going to go through some changes. We have a new writer and a new team. That’s right Batman is back and he’s shaking things up. The Dark Knight is implementing these changes by conducting a month long series of try-outs. Here is a list of the one-shots that we’ll be seeing:

August 1 – Nightwing and Boomerang
August 8 – Katana and Shazam
August 15 – Thunder and Martian Manhunter
August 22 – Metamorpho and Aquaman (the new one)
August 29 – Grave and Wonder Woman

Based on the outcomes of these trials, we’ll have a tougher, stronger group of Outsiders. I, for one, am all for it. The series has been stagnant for a while; in fact it took a crossover with Checkmate to make me pick up the title again. So change away.

Well, with yesterday’s reveal of the Outsiders #50 cover, we have an idea of who makes the grade. It’s an interesting lineup to say the least. Here is the picture (I added the numbers obviously.)

Arms 4 (Grace), 5 (Thunder), and 7 (Katana) reveal no surprises. The Outsiders are still kind of a B-list team, despite previous rosters, and there is no way Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, or Shazam would stick around. I see their one-shots as more a training for the characters who are going to stay.

Arms 1 (Aquaman) and 2 (Metamorpho) reveal that at the end of their one-shot both heroes will be jumping on the Outsiders train. I’m pretty stoked with this. I have no problem with the new Arthur Curry, as long as he isn’t the only Arthur Curry out there. Perhaps, his shift to this book will allow the original back into the regular monthly and, hopefully, back onto the Justice League. Do you hear me Mr. McDuffie?

Now Arm 6 (Boomerang) is a big one. With Boomer present, it means that Nightwing is out. Again, we shouldn’t be surprised. Dick Grayson has had such a hard time finding his footing since the One Year Later jump, it might be nice to allow him a break so he can regroup. Also, let’s not forget that he was supposed to bite it in Infinite Crisis so his leaving could suggest a more prominent role in the events of Countdown. I look forward to the conversation where Batman kicks him out, though. Or maybe he does get the vote but leaves willingly, since his role as leader has led him to make darker decisions than he's wanted to.

Arm 3 is the big mystery. I can only think of one pink-armed character in the DCU: Parasite. As we last saw him frozen with one appendage removed, I am interested in seeing how the writers pull this off. Although, his going “good” does point more towards Arion’s possible future from the “Camelot Falls” storyline in Superman. I kind of wish the arm was green and it would be Frankenstein joining the team. That would be super sweet.

Finally, we come to Arm 8. Batman’s fist of power brings everything together with a crack of lightning. Hey, maybe Shazam does join.

I'll be picking up at least the first arc. What about you guys and gals?

Is That Number Ever Meaningless?

2007-06-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

Hide yourself in a bunker; put on your tin foil cap, it’s time for more conspiracy theories.

So I was combing Internetland for information on Hank Henshaw (post to come tomorrow, hopefully) when I came across this gem.

It’s a cover from the 2nd run of Green Lantern back in 1967. In this story Sinestro steals the central battery from Oa and uses it to make rings. He gives these rings to common thugs and criminals and forms the “Evil Green Lanterns.” They fly through the universe doing bad deeds, powered by their slightly different oath.

"In brightest day, in blackest night, no justice shall escape my sight. Let those who worship justice's might, beware my power, Evil Green Lantern's light!"

It’s kind of brilliant.

In the end, the villains’ willpower is no match for the real Green Lantern Corps and they are defeated. The whole reason I noticed the cover in the first place was because its startling similarity to August’s Green Lantern #22.

Oh, and just to make it slightly eerier, the number to that old Green Lantern comic was 52.

Minxing It Up

2007-06-14T07:39:00.000-05:00

So I know I talk a lot about working at a comic shop, about how much fun it is, how I really dig it and so on, but I do have another job. I work a video store. Not that much different if you think about it. Anyway, I’ve been at the video store for about seven years now (on and off) and the other day I was talking this mother. She was lamenting over how hard it was to find videos to show her daughters that had positive messages. She stopped showing Disney films after the Little Mermaid said it was o.k. to run off with the first guy you meet and marry them when you’re only a teenager. The Mary Kate and Ashley line, not the most progressive in message to begin with, became taboo when starting at the age of twelve the girls started pursuing boys for 80 minutes. So I did what I always do, recommended Princess Bride and the films of Miyazaki.

Well, it’s not a movie but if I see that mother again I’ll tell her to purchase the comics going out under the Minx line, DC comic’s newest imprint aimed at young women. I must admit that at first I was a little concerned about the line. With their digest format, it seemed the DC was simply trying to market towards a fan base that purchases more manga in America than almost everyone else. In my experience, which is limited, the only thing that manga teaches a young woman is that a mini-skirt is the best outfit for demon fighting. However, the graphic novels coming out from Minx are about as far from manga as possible and nowhere do you see a panty shot.

With two titles out, P.L.A.I.N Janes and Re-Gifters, the line succeeds in getting across messages of self-reliance, maturity, finding purpose, and friendship. Yes, relationships and crushes do figure into the equation, but these are stories aimed at teenagers and teenagers think do think about that topic a lot. What’s nice about the message in this regards is when the puppy love feelings are not reciprocated the young women are not crushed, are not devastated, they move on with their lives.

What’s even better about the line is that just because it’s aimed at females between the ages of 8 and 14 doesn’t mean it misses the mark with other audiences. I’m a twenty-six year old male and I’ve really enjoyed both books. They are thoughtful and honestly written by A-list talent like Cecil Castellucci and Mike Carey. Unless you’re only reading comics to see some gianormous breasts held in place by a push-up bra and some spandex, you will able to appreciate the graphic novels as solid storytelling. I know this blog doesn’t exactly hit tons of readers or anything like that, but for those few who take the time out of their day to read it, support the Minx line so that DC will continue producing it.

I Love Rivalries

2007-06-12T07:28:00.000-05:00

Stay with me for just a minute.

When I was young, my father and I went up to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies play the Dodgers. Now, I don’t know how much about baseball everyone knows, but the Phillies have the greatest mascot ever: The Philly Fanatic. He’s kind of like this annoying, spastic, bird muppet on a four-wheeler. Now, in this particular game the Fanatic took a bunch of canisters of Ultra Slim-Fast, featuring Dodger coach Tommy Lasorda, and smashed them with a giant mallet. I don’t think anyone cheered louder than me that day.
I love rivalries, the taunts, teases, and jibes.

Fast forward to today and the rivalry between DC and Marvel. It’s fun to watch the two companies poke at each other. Loeb has Superman and Batman take on a version of the Marvel heroes and so on. It’s Marvel Zombies vs. the DC Nation. Most recently in Superman we had this panel.

A bunch of teenage New Gods building headquarters on top of Metropolis skyscrapers. You know who else built a base on top of a tower?

The Sentry. Ah, Marvel’s resident superpower compared to a bunch of petulant, childish cosmic beings. Zing!

A Couple Links

2007-06-11T06:38:00.000-05:00

Say hey folks-

Just thought I would throw out a couple places you should be checking out there in the Internetland.

First, the second Big Monkey Podcast is up. This time we spend our hour jibber-jabbering about Countdown, the Ultimates Line and the sad fact that comics aren't for kids.

Just click here and you will get all the wonder, all the joy, all the tears.

Or you can just head over to iTunes and download it directly to you computer.

Second, I have added another link to the sidebar. If you got a moment, jump over to Are You Feelin Big Mike? He's got some good things to say about Joe Kelly's Supergirl, Civil War and Comic Feminism. Totally good stuff.

Remind You of Someone

2007-06-10T07:11:00.000-05:00

So I was thinking. Have you ever noticed how the Green Arrow/Black Canary relationship is very similar to a real life high-powered couple? I mean you have an intense liberal with some past womanizing issues, a man who used to be a member of the elite group of powerful people. However, he has lost some of that responsibility and now he pursues humanitarian goals on a smaller level. Then you have his significant other, a woman who climbed the ladder with him. Yes, she had a keen intellect, powers and leadership abilities, but for years she was considered a second stringer. In recent years, though, she has come into her own and now leads the same organization that he was once a part of. Does this sound like anyone to you? That’s right…

Black Canary and Green Arrow

Are the Hillary and Bill Clinton of the DCU.

More Podcast Fun

2007-06-05T09:53:00.000-05:00

Hey All-

So tomorrow the guys behind the "First Ever Big Monkey Podcast" are recording the "Second Ever Big Monkey Podcast." Starting in this show is the Lighting Round of Questions, where I will ask a question of panelists and they will respond with super fast, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants answers. Here's hoping for hilarity.

If anyone out there in Internetland is interested in asking a question of the panel, simply e-mail them to thosewednesdays@gmail.com. Also, we're still taking mp3 files of dramatic readings, so send those along as well. Thanks in advance.

PILGRIM POWER!

2007-06-04T07:52:00.000-05:00

So this year’s Harvey Award Nominations are out and you know what? Bryan Lee O’Malley's Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness got three nominations! That ties him with Bryan K. Vaughn’s work for nominations. While this isn’t the most, Uncle Scrooge really cleaned up, I would say this is huge.

Now I know you can’t vote unless you’re “involved in a creative capacity within the comics field” which keeps me out of the whole thing. Which is a shame but totally understandable. You know, I respect the SAG awards more than the Oscars because the people in the industry choose them; same thing goes for the Harveys. So until this MFA in Creative Writing pays off, I’ll just say if you can vote, really throw down for this comic. It’s funny and meaningful with tons of quirks, insights, and nerdy references. Pride of Baghdad and American Born Chinese are also awesome nominations in the Best Graphic Album – Original category, but I’m a Scott Slave to the core. Besides, he didn’t win anything when he was nominated in 2005, so I say give the man his due.

Also, with this many nominations perhaps O’Malley will come to Baltimore this year and I’ll be able to fulfill my dream of buying him a beer, or at least shaking his hand. Course, then I couldn’t wash my hand ever again. Hey, what’s a little hygiene issue when it comes to meeting one of your idols?

Also I’d like to throw in two other votes.

Matthew Loux for Sidescrollers in the Best New Talent category.

The comic is just downright fun. About three friends trying to keep the new girl from going out on a date with a jerky jock, the comic is a John Hughes film with semantic discussion, Street Fighter talk and devil cats. Big thumbs up.

In the Best Anthology category, I’m going to say Flight Vol. 3.

I picked it up last week and it’s gorgeous. I mean look at this.

How freaking adorable is that? Also it’s one of the few book that I actually had to fight from wife's hands. For getting her to read a comic it should win automatically.

10 Things I Learned at C-Mart

2007-06-02T08:25:00.000-05:00

So C-Mart, an overstock store twenty miles of Baltimore, has a lot of comics – a lot of comics. Something like 90,000 and they selling them all for a buck a piece. We’re talking early 70’s through early 90’s. I went by last Sunday and grabbed a stack. Now, these comics are chock full of useful tidbits and information. Here are just a few things I have learned.

1) There is no one colder about death than Karate Kid.

2) Except maybe Geo-Force

3) Big Barda: So Scampish

4) If the Marvel heroes would have been saved a lot of grief if they had just listened to Blue Beetle.

5) Not all pets are bad.

6) Booster Gold is one heck of a progressive thinker.

7) Should I ever become a villain, I know what not to name myself.

8) Speaking of villains, Halo’s are the dastardliest.

9) Sometimes Blackhawk asks a little too much of his men.

10) The best time to have a “man chat” about past relationships is when you’re half naked doing yoga.

PODCAST FUN

2007-05-29T21:32:00.000-05:00

Hello out there in Internetland-

So I know I haven't posted a lot recently, you know the whole wedding thing. Also, there has been one other thing that has occupied my time, editing the Big Monkey Podcast. That's right, fifty-one minutes and eleven seconds of pure comic talk fun.

Click here to listen.

As soon as I can figure out how to set up an RSS feed it will be available on iTunes as well.

The contributers, other than my stammering self, as follows:

Devon Sanders of Seven Hells
Scipio Garling of The Absorbascon
Jon Brooks of Jon Hex Lives
Jon Carey of Face Down in the Gutters

It was total fun to do and we have another one scheduled to record this Thursday so expect an update sometime this weekend.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks for listening

A Bulletin

2007-05-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

We interrupt this week’s Marvel Monday for a special report.

CRIPES! The Reds are coming.

Special bonus points if you can identify the comic these panels came from.

What’s A Monitor With You?

2007-05-25T10:35:00.000-05:00

So the Fraternal Order of Monitors is up to something, something fiendish, something Megaverse saving, maybe both. I’m going to take some time to chart the actions of these enigmatic characters since their return to the DCU.

Last summer Brave New World re-introduced the Monitors.

The writing here is brilliant, it gave away all the mysteries of 52 but you only realize it retroactively. The Multiverse is dead with only the Megaverse left. There aren’t infinite possibilities just a few planets left. If you look even closer you see some hint towards the Third Act. When the Monitor says, “…this planet’s survival” we can assume he is referring to New Earth, thus for the 52 planets to continue in their existence New Earth must survive. So we’re left thinking, “Holy crap! The Monitor is back.” But it’s not just one monitor but a whole slew.

Look who are up front, the two most prominent Monitor characters: Monitor Muttonchops and Monitor Lincoln-beard. Right in the beginning the writers are saying that these two guys are going to be important. Of course, the Monitor is only one side of a coin, the other being the Anti-Monitor. Well look in the background. Whose armor does this look like?

Yeah, it looks like that to me as well.

So, for the last year the Monitors have been popping up here and there, with the characterization staying constant. Monitor Muttonchops is the violent one, Monitor Lincoln-beard being the voice of reason.

Here are some panels from Ion.

We have some others getting panel time; Monitor No Beard is a good example.

Then comes Countdown #51 where the roles of Muttonchops and Lincoln-beard are reversed. Lincoln-beard kills and Muttonchops broods and it seems that their dichotomy will be one of the heaviest threads through the series. See that’s what I think what we’re counting down to, a Monitor War.

In Countdown #49, these new roles are even further cemented.

Why is Muttonchops the angry accuser and Lincoln-beard the violent murderer? Is reality changing at all times or somewhere along the way did an artist make a mistake?

Finally, I just want to say that we should have seen before that Monitor Muttonchops was going to be a big deal; his facial hair was a total tip off. It is the same style that the original Monitor sported.

A Bit of Sentimentality

2007-05-22T07:41:00.000-05:00

So this past Saturday I got married. It was awesome: beautiful weather, tons of friends and family, delicious food, just perfect. This, of course, has left me a bit behind in my comic reading. So to get back into the posting swing I thought I would put up one of the drawings that I received. Hannah loved this one; laughed so hard she almost peed. O.k. I added the peeing part; but she did laugh her ass off.

And because I think of you guys and gals who put in time to check my blog as friends, here is a picture from the actual day.

That's me reading my vows. I only got choked up one...o.k. two...o.k. a few times. But that is some emotinal stuff right there.

Who’s That Girl?

2007-05-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

I’m not sure if you guys remember or not but at the end of my “I’ve Got A Theory” post I said, “All I’m saying is if Countdown turns out to be a heroclix game between Darkseid and Mister Mxyzptlk I’m done.” Well, right in the opening pages of the series we got this:

Am I done? Of course not. Who was I kidding? There were a couple things that struck me about the board: Killer Croc and Sleez of course. However, the thing that really got me was this:

A red head wearing a long jacket and a scarf? Right smack dab in the middle of the board no less. I have no idea who that girl is…but I’ve got a theory. In fact it was kind of staring me in the face the whole time. Look at the cover for the first issue of Booster Gold, which we know will have major resonance for Countdown.

Now, on the Eight of Diamonds you will see a red head with a very similar hair cut but sporting a very different outfit. That woman is none other than Trixie Collins, Booster’s one time assistant and bearer of the Goldstar mantle. Eventually, Trixie would pass the suit over to Michelle Carter, Booster’s sister, and leave his employment. Since that time, Trixie has been seen managing Metropolis’ nightclubs but for the most part stayed off the superhero radar. However, with the ripples of Countdown affecting even the most minor of characters, with Booster taken a front and center role, it is not inconceivable that Trixie will play an important part as things unfold.

I for one am all for it. I mean just look at this chutzpah.

What do you think?

Marvel Mondays: The Many Philosophies of Jack Monroe

2007-05-14T08:32:00.000-05:00

The early 90’s were a time of great change: The Cold War ended, the country went from being led by a red to a blue, and Too Legit To Quit went triple platinum. In the midst of all this confusion one man stepped into the light, a man searching for meaning in his own life. That man was Jack Monroe, better known as Nomad. The former Bucky had hung up his blue spandex for a popped collar and a shotgun. He was on a quest; one could say a philosophical search, and in this search he tried a little bit of everything.

Nomad the Nominalist

William of Ockham, armed with his razor of rhetoric, believed that the simplest solution or answer was always the best. Nomad tried to live the simple

It just didn’t stick

Nomad the Epicurean

Greek philosopher, Epicurus, believed that good life was obtained by enjoying moderate pleasures and cultivating friendships. Nomad was good with the moderate pleasures.

But not the friendships.

Captain America doesn’t look too happy about the shot to the no-no place.

Nomad the Taoist

With Western philosophy and tried his hand at a more Eastern thought. Lao Tzu wrote, “Tao is empty/yet it fills every vessel with endless supply/Tao is hidden/yet it shines in every corner of the universe.”

It kind of blew his mind.

Nomad the Hedonist

This philosophical ideal believes that one should act in a way that causes the most pleasure with the least pain. Unfortunately for Nomad...

These two concepts were mutually exclusive, at least he has manners about it though.

And so his search continued.

Armed with a ninja suit and a baby he might just find it.

Wait A Second…

2007-05-10T07:13:00.000-05:00

O.k. so we’ve known for a little more than a month now that Booster Gold was going to get his own series again. Now that 52 is over we know what it is going to be about. Booster is going to have to travel through time and realities in order to set things right, to make sure things that are supposed to happen do happen. All the while he has to pretend that he is an idiot. So let’s see, a doofus jumping around time while playing even dumber. Sounds like something else to me…

That’s right. Booster Gold has become the Scott Bakula of the DCU and I couldn’t be more excited. I freaking loved Quantum Leap, the premise allowed for just about anything to happen. Maybe Booster will accidentally wind up as a chimpanzee or become a pregnant woman and have to give birth (both which were Leap storylines.) It’ll be hysterical. Even more hysterical is that one of the elements of the show, Al and Ziggy, is present in the new comic, just reversed. This time the human, Rip Hunter, is making the missions and the robot, Skeets, is the aid. Fingers crossed that just once in the comic, somewhere, Skeets says, “Rip says there is a 33% that you’re here to win the boxing match prize money and save the church.”

Marvel Mondays (Just Barely): World War Hulk

2007-05-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

It’s that time again. That’s right, it’s MARVEL MONDAYS. I am going to write about the 616, the Ultimate, etc. At three weeks this is the most consistent post I’ve done. Sorry, DC.

Anyway, this Monday it’s all about World War Hulk. Now, I don’t know how man people out there read Incredible Hulk #106 or World War hulk Prologue: Worldbreaker (read my review here) but I thought both issued were excellent. Besides catchy dialogue (I love that Amadeus Cho) and sweet action, both issues did a superb job in seeding emotional arcs that will most likely have an impact on the event. I just want to touch on a couple things, of course full of speculation and guessing.

Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk Will Be A Big Deal

Featured in both issues, Jen is set up to be a main player in the storyline because she is the only who hasn’t taken a side. In a world where everyone else has decided to with or against the Hulk, Jennifer is left undecided. She’s had family betrayed, she’s been depowered yet this isn’t enough to push her from notion of justice, the notion of right. She can see both sides to the argument and it keeps her inactive. A character, changed, a decision made, these are interesting plots to watch over the course of the summer and you know Pak will draw it out for as long as possible.

In the end, I think Jennifer is going to side with the Earth against her cousin. Mostly because of this panel:

Watching the Hulk tear apart anything and anyone to get his revenge will convince her that Doc Samson is correct. I see a Hulk against She-Hulk fight, with each side getting angrier, each side getting stronger. Ultimately, Hulk will win and She-Hulk will revert to her human form. That’s when the true x factor of this tale will come in, Bruce Banner.

Bruce Banner Will Show Up.

The doomed scientist has only popped up a couple times in the last few months. Who knows what he has been doing while trapped on the inside. As of late control of the body has been portrayed as a struggle between the two. Maybe Banner has been muscling up mentally. Perhaps, he has been biding his time to jump into dominance. However, I'm not so sure that if he does resurface we'll see him siding with the Earth. The aliens were just as kind to the notion of the Bruce Banner as they were to the Hulk. This could suggest that Banner still sides with the invaders. An army of super strong aliens led by an angry scientist could be even more formidable.

The Hulk Will Be Betrayed.

Both Pak and David worked in the notion of the Hulk as the lonely anti-hero. Seems like every time he manages to form a meaningful friendship or relatonship it inevitably ends with pain and sadness. The Hulk will always walk off into the sunset alone…or be blasted into space. The fact that he is bringing back a group of people who are bonded; who are pledged will make this predicted treachery even worse. I figure there are two candidates.

Elloe: The former leader of rebellion has had her own issues with the monsters of Sakaar. There is a clear division between the stone men and bugs versus the almost human “pinkies.” In fact, Hulk had to make both monster and alien defend themselves against his wrath to create peace. Seeing Hulk and his creature pals tearing up a world inhabited by beings almost like her could be too much. After all, “two hands” stick together.

Miek: This is where my money is. Miek has already openly rebelled against Hulk on more than one occasion. His character arc was to go from Jar Jar Binks-esque comedic support to a terrifying leader in his own right. Angry about Hulk’s calmness and peace loving ways, Miek tried to stir up all of his ire by showing the video of the Illuminati’s betrayal. This didn’t work and Miek was forced to sulk off. Could he have, would he have sabotaged Reed Richard’s spaceship insight Hulk’s lust for violence? See, I’m betting on this; the returned Bruce Banner realizes that Reed Richards would not build an engine that, even damaged, could cause that much destruction. Then Banner will get all pissed off, Hulk out, and end up destroying his friends. It would be beautiful and there are enough hints to suggest that it could happen.

I got two more guesses:

1) Iron Man will, somehow, redeem himself as the Judas superhero. I'm thinking he takes a hit for Spider-Man or Luke Cage. Something, so that the rest of the heroes might still hate him, but will at least respect him for his heroic actions.

2) Hulk is going to be a total douche to Amadeus Cho. The boy genius is too idealistic about the hero. I see the Hulk treating him in such a way that this will be crushed and that Cho will become a wicked Hulk villain. That is all.

Least Effective Advertisement Ever

2007-05-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

I don’t know about you guys, but I love the advertisements in the middle of comics. It’s fascinating to see not only what marketers think they can sell to us comic readers, but also the best way to get us interested. Now, I can’t remember off the top of my head any instance where I have seen an add and been like, “Holy cow, I need to buy that.” I can, however, remember instances where an advertisement has not worked. The most recent would be this taken from the pages of The All-New Atom:

Apparently, Hunger, with it’s muscle man arm, wants to remove a hot dog that you have already eaten from your stomach and make you eat it again. Hunger is a bastard. Hunger is a jerk. Just to spite Hunger, I will never eat a hot dog again. No matter how many chain wallets I may have or how stoned I look. That is all.

Reaching Your Limit: Spider-Man 3

2007-05-04T12:03:00.000-05:00

So I was contemplating not writing this. I am a firm believer, especially with movies, in letting a person form an opinion without too much of my views interfering. I mean, I can tell you guys out there in Internetland that I didn’t enjoy my movie going experience without laying on why. But the Spider-Man 3 really riled me up so I’m going to have to. I’m going to start this whole thing with a simple fact. Daredevil was better. Whoa, right? I know.

People tend to judge their movies by genre. You can get away with things in a mystery that you can’t and vice versa. That’s why we have genres to help us in our expectations. However, on all levels the movie does not work. First let’s look at how the movie is just as a movie.

The acting is terrible. I hear the bill for this catastrophe was somewhere around five-hundred million dollars, bet you three-fourths of that went to eye drops. Truly, there was more crying in this movie than in Identity Crisis, Superman/Batman and Civil War combined. I bet Raimi said, “And now you’re crying” so many times that it was like his mantra for the film. He also chose to represent Parker’s descent with a hairstyle. In fact, they wasted precious film time just to show Peter pushing his hair down in front of his eyes. I half expected him to start singing “Screaming Infidelities.”

Clocking in at over two hours the movie was in serious need of some editing, say seventy-five percent of that movie could have been taken out. There was another walking sequence, there was an omelet making sequence, which led into one of the two dance sequences. Two dance sequences! When did Peter Parker learn to play the piano and swing like he was Jim Carey in The Mask? The fight sequences were something else, all the computerized jumps and swings and punches but I couldn’t focus on anything. Yes, I know that is how it would be in real life, confusing and hard to follow. This is a movie though; so slow it down so we can see how cool the moves are. If not you just get a headache causing blur.

Now, you are probably saying, “But Ben, this is a comic movie so we can deal with some bad movie making.” I’ll agree to that. Fantastic Four was a poorly acted, poorly written flick but I thought it true to the characters from the book. See, that’s what you need from a comic movie: a true representation of the character. You can change Dr. Doom’s origin, you can give Batman nipples, and you can even have Billy Zane shooting the swords out of pirate’s hands as long as you hold true to the core of the hero. Peter Parker is anything but a hero in this film. Before he puts on the symbiote he is a douche, an uncaring, self-centered narcissist who can’t see past his mirror. Now it’s been a while since I’ve consistently read any monthly Spider titles but he has always struck me as the type of character that, when he is home, always has time for his family and friends. Not so in this flick. It’s all about him. Give him organic webshooters, no problem. Let Flint Marko be responsible for Uncle Ben’s death, sure. But don’t take away the character’s center, don’t take away his ability to be a hero.

You know who is the true hero in this movie? Harry Osborn. His arc is the most engaging, the most human. He falls into madness and then climbs, rung by rung, back up. There is no excuse of an evil space parasite, just one man coming to terms with his past. And even then Harry’s loving butler had to tell him to be good. Anytime, a secondary comes across as more heroic than your protagonist you’ve got some writing issues. Just look at James Marsden in Superman Returns.

As I was walking out of the theater at 2:30 this morning, I heard some behind me say that it was a B- film. When his buddy said that it was more like a C-, the guy responded with, “It’s a kids’ film.” That’s wrong, you don’t make a PG-13 movie with scary, big-teeth villains for kids. Also, there are great movies for children out there, movies that have fun plots, excellent characters, humor and hope. Toy Story, Shrek, the damn Goonies are great examples. Don’t let a perceived intended audience be an excuse for a film.

Finally, just as we were about to go out the front doors I heard another person say, “If they had just edited out everything and made a forty-five minute fight between everyone that would have been awesome.” Maybe, but that isn’t a movie. That is a boxing match. There were a lot of things they could have done to make the movie better. They just chose not to do any of them.

Look, even Spidey is hanging his head in shame.

Andy Diggle Is My New Favorite

2007-05-02T07:40:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday I was going along my mornign routine of checking blogs and Newsarama. I says to myself, "Oooh, preview pages for the Black Canary comic and Green Arrow: Year One." They both look amazing but then I landed on this:

A freaking Buckarro Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension reference. Now, I knew I was an Andy Diggle fan from his Loser comic, but this seals the deal. I only ask just once for there to be a scene, maybe while on the cruiseline. There is a woman in distress, maybe a little chilly.
Ollie turns to his buddy and goes, "Give her your jacket."
The buddy responds, "Why?"
"Because your perfect."

Just once. Please.

Thank you for taking this moment and bearing with me while I geeked out.

Marvel Mondays: Compliments and Complaints

2007-04-30T21:35:00.000-05:00

I thought I would take the opportunity to say something nice and then something not so nice that I thought about Marvel during this last week in comics. Let’s start off with the good things; it always makes the bad medicine go down better.

I do not know about anyone else out there but I freaking love the Wisdom mini-series. Crabby British street magician, colorful characters, Shang Chi and weird creatures, it’s like a Constantine story set in the Marvel Universe’s continuity. Two issues ago, Pete Wisdom fought an army of Jack the Rippers. This issue, Martians, straight out of War of the Worlds, invaded England. Superb stuff.

So here is what I’ve got nice to say. Marvel does a heck of a job with mini-series. They use the opportunities that six issues or eight issues presents to tell a quick, fun, almost out of continuity story. Look at the Loners, look at NextWave (cut unfortunately short) and you’ll understand. Freed from the nonsense of Civil Wars and Houses of M, the 616 Universe is full of interesting stories that can take place. If only editors could steer the rest of the tales with such skill. I mean just look at this page:

Hippie Skrulls about to put the hurt on someone, that rocks hard.

Unfortunately, the moment a comic seems to slip into “Big Picture,” Marvel does whatever it can to take the story down eight levels and bumps up the sleaziness of their marketing up fifteen levels. I’m not saying that other companies don’t have some crappy marketing schemes but Marvel is just more blatant about, less apologetic.

I will use the example of last Wednesday’s release of the Illuminati: Secret History #1. What is so amazing that they had to do a one-shot for a mini-series that wasn’t even finished? Nothing. The comic just collects the first two issues. I thought the “Camelot Falls” trade was a little thin, but two issues. That is a little much for me to stomach. The problem is that they know people are going to buy this. They know that people are going to own the first two issues and this one as well because it has a new title, it has a number one. It is abusing the trust we put in our companies to look out for our interest as a reader.

A couple weeks back now I was walking to work and I heard feet quickly approaching me from behind. I started to turn and then a teenager sucker punched me in the face. His buddy came, punched me again and stole my phone. The one thought that went through my head, other than “How did they both manage to hit the same spot?” was “Why didn’t they just stick me up for it? Why the sucker punches?” That’s what Illuminati: Secret History feels like, a sucker punch. If you’re going to take the money at least just say you’re collecting the first two issues. No reason to use flashy covers and a couple words after a semicolon to beguile us. What’s next? The Marvel marketing staff out on a street cornet, playing organs while trained monkeys pick our pockets?

It Really Brings the Room Together

2007-04-28T17:42:00.000-05:00

O.k. so I have a confession to make. I don’t hate the lineup on Meltzer’s Justice League. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that I kind of like the new roster. I like Vixen. I like Black Lightning. I like Arsenal…I mean Red Arrow. By the way Geo-Force, despite his many appearances, has not been asked to join the League. Even if he were, I’d be o.k. with that, too. These are an interesting mix of personalities and powers that could be a great team. It is not the characters’ fault that the team is falling short of feeling like the Justice League. It is something else in the writing. It is something else that I have not been able to put my finger on until a couple days ago.

Let’s go back a few years to the “Obsidian Age.” Without going into too much detail, the arc dealt with the JLA being sucked backwards in time. Just before they disappeared Batman yells out, “Omega Gabriel Alpha.” Suddenly, superheroes all over were being recruited as replacements. Look, at whom Batman chose. Green Arrow, the Atom, and Nightwing are understandable. I can even buy Batman calling on Firestorm and Hawkgirl. But Fade, Jason Blood, and Major Disaster? Come on now. If this is a team that can be called the JLA, then our current roster can bear the same name.

I bought this replacement team for two reasons.

1) These were Batman’s recruits and if Batman says that they are League material, then they are.

2) Because they acted like how the League should act, though not from the start. The first time they sit down at the Big Table they start bickering and acting petty. Then Nightwing comes in and says this.

See Nightwing gets it. Well, Nightwing speaking on behalf of writer Joe Kelly. When you enter the room, when you sit at the table you have to be more than your secret identity, you have to be the damn Justice League of America. In his run, Meltzer has yet to have the characters sit down and act they belong there. The table is so much more than furniture; it is a symbol to the members on how they should act.

See a group of superheroes; living together; working out in a holographic training room; talking about their worries and doubts is not a JLA comic. It is a X-Men comic. That is not meant as a slight. I love the X-Men, heck; through “Executioner’s Song” they were my favorite team. But the X-Men are the X-Men and the tone of their book does not work for the number one team in the DCU.

Sure, I miss Flash and Aquaman in the League but characters do not make the team. It’s a frame of mind, a way of living and of acting. Meltzer's lineup possess the potential fill the bill. Really, I think it is in every character he has chosen. They just need to be written that way. They have to be written at that table.

Crossover Power

2007-04-26T20:32:00.001-05:00

So I’m back at it again. Piecing together puzzles, pondering the ponderable – hey that could be a word. Today, I’m turning my eyes to the JLA/JSA crossover that has just started. Not to give too much away but the “Lightning Saga” reveals that five of the Legion of Superheroes have been trapped in the modern DCU. Here’s the rub. These aren’t the current members of the Waid/Kitson Legion. No, these are the original Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths Legionnaires and they aren’t supposed to exist. However, it should be noted that following Crisis, the LSH existed in a “pocket universe.” It wasn’t until Zero Hour that their continuity ceased. What if they didn't cease though?

Anyway, there are three things I would like to bring up in regards to the crossover.

1) What the Interlac is he saying.

So I’m reading along in JLA # 8, and I get to this panel.

Then it same two words were said in JSA #5 here

And here:

So what is this keyword that triggers everyone back to normal? Well, I don’t know about any of you guys but I don’t speak Interlac. So I hopped on my trusty iBook and found an Interlac alphabet. And the phrase is:

LIGHTNING LAD

Why would the code name of Garth Ranzz be the thing that snaps the displaced Legion members back to consciousness? Answer: I have no idea. Of course, being called Lightning Saga it kind of makes sense that he would be important. It should also be noted that a diabolical evil was responsible for turning Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl’s son into Validus. Yeah, it was Darkseid. Maybe the ruler of Apokolis is doing a Lightning Lad/Saturn Girl blackmailing.

2) I’m ready for my close-up.

If you think about it, this whole series is really tied up in Pre-Crisis Supeman mythos. The Legionaires, of course, are important but there is something more. Who was the supervillain that Superman ever faced? The Answer: Ultra-Humanite. When his original body was on the verge of death he jumped into the body of a movie actress, the body of Dolores Winters.

Now this panel here makes sense.

They are talking about the Ultra-Humanite inside Winter’s body. Now, the Ultra-Humanite has advanced mental capabilities. He could absolutely erase memories, put Legionnaires in stasis, drive them insance. Hell, he blinded Guy Gardner and Jamie Reyes (you should be reading Blue Beetle) using only his thoughts. Also, there are two sets of feet. Lightning Lad? Saturn Girl?

3) Absolute Power

My favorite panel in the whole thing so far is this one.

What do these three do when they grow up? Well, if you are Jeph Loeb and you're writing Superman/Batman, you say they jump back in time and raise Superman and Batman into planet controlling despots.

Hmm. Alternate worlds? Hmm. Time hopping members of the Legion of Superheroes? Sounds a bit too far fetched for me. Right?

A Thank You and a Theme

2007-04-25T09:16:00.000-05:00

First off, I want to thank Blog@Newsarama for linking to the request for “Chick with Hat” drawings. I appreciate it greatly. Also, thanks to those people who have already sent pictures. They’re awesome. My fiancé is totally going to love them.

Now, the Absorbascon has been putting up a bunch of Heroclix theme teams. A couple weeks back it was the Crying for Canary team, you know characters who have slept with and then been rejected by Dinah Lance. Well, in response I’m putting up “Manwhores of Comics.” One from each universe, who will battle it out to see just who has the bigger…um…libido.

DC (446 pts)

Veteran Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) (167 pts)
Veteran Green Arrow (50 pts) + Trick Shot (25 pts)
Veteran Arsenal (62 Pts)
Experienced Nightwing (53 Pts) + Pounce (15 pts)
Veteran Wildcat (74 pts)

Marvel (450 pts)

Unique Iron Man (Supernova) (160 pts)
Veteran Cage (109 pts)
Veteran Cyclops (Universe) (78 pts)
Experienced Hawkeye (Fantastic Forces) (71 pts)
Experienced Multiple Man (32 pts) – Don’t believe this one? Read X-Factor

It’s interesting to note that, aside for the exception of Luke Cage and Wildcat, the lotharios of comics are mostly ranged attackers: they keep both their enemies and their lovers at a safe distance.

Something New

2007-04-23T14:01:00.000-05:00

So I've decided that I need to spend so more time on Marvel. Thus, I am introducing MARVEL MONDAYS! From now on we will start the week with posts oriented towards the company headed by Joe Quesada.

I am fan of simple beginnings, so I'll start off this with one page.

Some days it is so fun reading comics. Not as much fun as Jeff Parker probably had writing this.

Reaching Your Limit: Retcon

2007-04-22T15:36:00.000-05:00

Now, one of my jobs is working at a comic store. I enjoy my job; it gives me the chance to hear others’ complaints and praises for a medium I hold so dear. Not to mention the conversations. For instance, over the last few weeks there has been much talk about if the new Penance is the most “emo” superhero ever created. Seriously. Although, after World War III, I think Martian Manhunter may take the prize.

This past Wednesday, the subject of Jefferson Pierce, Black Lightning, came up. Seems some people are not happy with all the recent changes to the character’s history. Why create an unmentioned niece just to get her killed? More importantly, when did he get a daughter? And not just a daughter, but one old enough to graduate from college. It changes the character, ages him, and so on. I’ve heard similar complaints about Hush. Suddenly, Bruce Wayne’s closest childhood friend, who had never been mentioned in over half a century worth of comics, shows up and he’s a bad guy.

How are these changes possible? Retroactive Continuity. A writer sees some flexibility in a character’s history and, with a tweak and a wink, bam – Green Arrow knew the whole time about Conner. Bam – Parralax was an evil fear entity. Bam – Aunt May knew the whole time that Peter Parker was Spider-man. Let’s a take a look at some of it’s classical uses.

Retcon and Beginnings

When Dan Garret was bouncing around as Blue Beetle during the Fox/Charleton years, the Scarab was simply a mystical artifact found during a dig in Egypt. When Ted Kord was flying around as Blue Beetle, the Scarab was merely a memento left to him by his uncle. Well, weren’t we all in for a surprise when it turned out to be an alien artifact left on Earth. Now, a certain level of global technology reached, the Scarab has revealed powers that neither the two previous owners, nor their writers, could have possibly imagined.

There have been countless changes to a character’s origins, each trying to be the “origin” that everyone else will use. Power Girl and Hawkman are great examples of the ever-changing background. There are so many reasons behind these changes and usually, since they deal with the character’s very foundations, they are accepted without too much complaint.

Retcon And Death

I remember when Moon Knight died. Now, I wasn’t reading the comic then but I remember the top ten list that Wizard put out that month; the top ten thing overheard at Moon Knight’s funeral. Number Two was, “Oh my god! They killed Space Ghost. I can’t…Moon Knight? Who the heck is Moon Knight?” Remember, when Wizard used to be funny. However, Charlie Huston and David Finch say the Moon Knight never bought it saving the world from Seth. Instead, he wound up crippled from a fight with Bushwacker.

In some ways the retconning of death has become the most acceptable usage. Jean Grey’s body got shunted into Jamaica Bay. Hal Jordan recreated Oliver Queen’s body. This goes on and on. In some ways the ability to change a character’s final reckoning has made death, which should be so permanent, just another plot point.

Retcon and Everything In-Between

There is a lot of off panel time during a hero or villain’s career. It is this space, after the first time a character put on a cape and cowl but before the ion bomb disintegrated them, that some of the most controversial retcons occur. For instance, the above mentioned creation of Anissa Pierce falls into this category but there are other great family history changes. Barbara Gordon, the Pre-Crisis- daughter of Commissioner James Gordon. After the little jump it turns out that he never had a daughter, rather son. So where does Barbara come in? Oh, well the future Batgirl/Oracle is actually his niece, whom he adopted after her parents died. The son lives in Chicago with his mother, the Commissioner and his wife having divorced. Wait there is more. Turns out that Barbara may in fact be James’ daughter because of suddenly revealed, a.k.a retconned, affair with his brother’s wife. She’s had more parental changes than a Maurie Povitch episode.

Relationships can spring up left and right. Storm, the weather-controlling mutant, and Black Panther, the ruler of the nation of Wakanda, have been around for a while, 1975 and 1966 respectively. Now, in those many decades there have been two hints that two had a mutual past. Once in 1980’s Marvel Team-Up #100 and then twenty years later in Priest’s run on Black Panther. However, no where ever was it suggested that the two were actually childhood sweethearts whose love for each other had never died. I think Forge especially might have something to say on that subject. Still, Marvel wanted a 2005 wedding and so it was written. Lost love is a great motivation and so Elektra gets thrown into Matt Murdock’s college years.

So this bears the question: when does retcon stop working? When does it hit that point where a reader cannot accept it anymore? I think it’s a question of plausibility and precedent, and if either are broken then a retcon does not work. One of the most basic requirement of comics is a suspension of disbelief. We have to say, “Sure that person can ride clouds.” We are already in the mindset to believe things simply by opening the cover. So when it turns out that Validus is the son of Saturn Girl sent into the past, it might not be our favorite storyline but we are o.k. with the retcon.

Changes made to a character outside of the superhero world, such as could Jefferson Pierce have an off-comic daughter, are less plausible for us to just accept. We expect our heroes and villains to act like people, just people with powers. Jefferson Pierce, as he was written for a long, is not written like a man who has a child. Therefore, the creation of a daughter requires us to suspend our beliefs on in how he is as a person. After all, to buy him being married with a daughter, just once we would need to see him mention a family. Something he never does.

This brings me to precedence. There are traits and actions that lead us to accept certain revisions to a character’s history. Connor Hawke is a great example. Oliver Queen was established as a promiscuous man and one who could obviously have an illegitimate son. So when Connor shows up, I see no problems with this. When Brad Meltzer, during his “Archer’s Quest” arc, changed it so Ollie was thee for Connor’s birth, it was also believable. There has to be something in a character’s past, whether it’s actions or simply a single panel that establishes a change in a character’s continuity.

Retconning is kind of a great tool for the writer. It allows them to throw in story elements that they’ve always wanted to be there, to tell stories they’ve always wanted to tell. However, it is such a thin tightrope that it is easy to slip and fall. A writer has to be careful because, let me tell you, readers do not readily accept these changes. Lord knows I've heard about it.

Good Writing vs. Well...Bad Writing

2007-04-20T07:18:00.000-05:00

I want to point out that I don’t hate Marvel. I’m not sure why I feel the need to preface all my Marvel oriented posts this way, but I do. Perhaps, it’s some deep-seated guilt about all the 616 bashing I do outside of the Internet. So, despite what you may think, I don’t hate Marvel. I’m just a little more critical of them.

This brings us to the recent split of a singular title into two: New Avengers and Mighty Avengers. The former is written by Brian Michael Bendis, pencils by Leinil Yu; the latter is written by Brian Michael Bendis, pencils by Frank Cho. The former works; the latter does not.

It’s been two months since the first team of Marvel fractured. It’s enough time for two issues of each title to his the stands; to see Luke Cage lead his team of outlaws on the beginnings of a great journey; to see Iron Man’s team fall apart as a group and as a comic. So how can two titles with the same core, written by the same guy, wind up as polar opposites? The answer is in the writing.

Now we know that when Bendis is on, he can craft a story: Jinx, Alias, Powers, the first two or three years of Ultimate Spider-man. With New Avengers, he is bringing his A-game. The dialogue is snappy, the action pops, the plots moves with thought and reason. The characters, the team has a purpose for being, a solid goal.

This is where Mighty Avengers fails. There is no center to the team, no reason they have to be Avengers. Hell, half the first issue is Iron Man picking his line up. With no motivation, a character is going to be found lacking. As a result the story will be found lacking. This is why the tone of the comic is so incongruous with the rest of the 616 Universe. This is why the book doesn’t feel cohesive, with far too much time spent on unfunny thought balloons and the monologues of a naked villainess.

At its very heart, New Avengers is a story about a group of heroes doing the best they can under terrible conditions. Bendis writes it this way. At its very heart Mighty Avengers is a comic because Bendis wanted an Avengers team that could face cosmic level threats and because Iron Man wanted a “Thor”, a “Wolverine”, and a “ninja.”