Oh yeah, two notable things. Kalinara and I started a thing this weekend, and WFA did a titanic update today.
If I am by some strange twist of fate still the first place you look for steady women in superheroics commentary, may I suggest DC Women Kicking Ass and Fantastic Fangirls? Let me to draw your attention in particular to the recent Silver Age Women post on FF, and the Lois Lane tag on DCWKA. (And another nudge for the Most Memorable Moments poll.)
And as long as I'm linking, I wish I had more reading time because I badly want to go through the entire archive of this blog. This guy contrasted All-Star Superman with JMS's Earth One to throw light on Superman and his supporting cast. Then he tore into Second Coming like nobody's business and righteously battled the problematic undertones of Kingdom Come. And that's just the stuff I've had a chance to read, that blog looks packed with persuasive and potent ponderings.
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Marvelous thoughts
Courtesy of Brainfreeze:
If this is timed for July 4th, I might be able to keep my ice cream money.
And if we're reading this promotional stuff right, I hope Bucky goes back to being Winter Soldier rather than some silly new identity. Winter Soldier is actually a pretty good codename, considering the alternatives, and I absolutely adore that character design. Honestly, I wish he'd wear his Winter Soldier outfit and just use the shield more often.
~~~~~
A conversation on Twitter about X-Men merchandise led to the realization that Wolverine is the Lancelot of the X-Men. This probably isn't anything original, but those of you who haven't seen it come up should consider these three points:
-- Lancelot was added in the 12th Century to a mythos that dates back to the 5th Century.
-- Wolverine was added in the 70s to a franchise created in the 60s.
-- Lancelot's romantic plotline includes many women (most named Elaine), but revolves around a mutual attraction with Guinevere, who is married to the King.
-- Wolverine's romantic plotline includes many women, but revolves around a mutual attraction with Jean, who is married to the team leader.
-- Lancelot is a Frenchman in an English court.
-- Wolverine is a Canadian on a US team.
-- Lancelot periodically goes off wandering to avoid being tempted by the Queen. At least once he went crazy and lived in the woods like a wild animal.
-- Wolverine periodically goes off wandering into other people's books. At least once he went feral lived in the woods on the schoolyard grounds like a wild animal.
-- Lancelot is now such a central character that a King Arthur movie or book without Lancelot is almost unthinkable.
-- Wolverine is now such a central character that not only is an X-Men team without Wolverine is almost unthinkable, he has to guest-star in every comic Marvel publishes. Hell, they once did a whole month where everyone just fought Wolverine! He was in the fricking Invaders that month!
I'm certain we can find more if we tried.
~~~~~
And finally, I'm more extensively annoyed at Marvel over on Robot 6. Enjoy.
If this is timed for July 4th, I might be able to keep my ice cream money.
And if we're reading this promotional stuff right, I hope Bucky goes back to being Winter Soldier rather than some silly new identity. Winter Soldier is actually a pretty good codename, considering the alternatives, and I absolutely adore that character design. Honestly, I wish he'd wear his Winter Soldier outfit and just use the shield more often.
A conversation on Twitter about X-Men merchandise led to the realization that Wolverine is the Lancelot of the X-Men. This probably isn't anything original, but those of you who haven't seen it come up should consider these three points:
-- Lancelot was added in the 12th Century to a mythos that dates back to the 5th Century.
-- Wolverine was added in the 70s to a franchise created in the 60s.
-- Lancelot's romantic plotline includes many women (most named Elaine), but revolves around a mutual attraction with Guinevere, who is married to the King.
-- Wolverine's romantic plotline includes many women, but revolves around a mutual attraction with Jean, who is married to the team leader.
-- Lancelot is a Frenchman in an English court.
-- Wolverine is a Canadian on a US team.
-- Lancelot periodically goes off wandering to avoid being tempted by the Queen. At least once he went crazy and lived in the woods like a wild animal.
-- Wolverine periodically goes off wandering into other people's books. At least once he went feral lived in the woods on the schoolyard grounds like a wild animal.
-- Lancelot is now such a central character that a King Arthur movie or book without Lancelot is almost unthinkable.
-- Wolverine is now such a central character that not only is an X-Men team without Wolverine is almost unthinkable, he has to guest-star in every comic Marvel publishes. Hell, they once did a whole month where everyone just fought Wolverine! He was in the fricking Invaders that month!
I'm certain we can find more if we tried.
And finally, I'm more extensively annoyed at Marvel over on Robot 6. Enjoy.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Oh wow.
Chris is buying Tarot again, and I couldn't be happier. Check it out: The Stark, Existential Horror of Tarot #53
And since I'm linking, my first post at Robot6 is up: Just Past the Horizon: Heroic appeal
And since I'm linking, my first post at Robot6 is up: Just Past the Horizon: Heroic appeal
Friday, January 02, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Just thought I'd point this out.
Snell decided it was only fair to point out some of Gil Kane's placements in old Green Lantern after complaining about Ed Benes in JLA.
Take a look, and notice that Kane managed to do an awful lot of ass-shots without sacrificing the integrity of the story for it.
Take a look, and notice that Kane managed to do an awful lot of ass-shots without sacrificing the integrity of the story for it.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Okay...
Since I've been ranting about reactions to Amazons Attack, I may as well link one that made me laugh: Ragtime's Things I learned from Amazons Attack.
On #7: I would like to point out that through DC's shifting timeline Donna would be in the earliest part of the ADD generation (I really think we should just toss out the letter thing and do generations by most-commonly diagnosed childhood ailment anymore), and she was looking for Diana when Jason Todd showed up in a sidepanel. The next thing we all knew, she was hopping universes in Countdown.
So yeah, she got distracted and forgot about the war.
I wonder if the same thing'll happen to Kyle. The first Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer one-shot is due out this month, and the Sinestro Corps War crossover is not finished until December.
Can anyone else picture it? Kylelax raises his arm to throw an energy burst at a downed Hal, when just beyond his victim he sees an old girlfriend (and two other guys) appear out of nowhere.
"Hey Kyle! I found this guy who's taking us to alternate universes! We're looking for Professor Palmer! Wanna come?"
"Sure!" Kyle simply walks over to them, leaving a very confused giant yellow fearbug (from outer spaaace) where he was first standing. "Can we stop for coffee on the way?"
"Okay! He was just telling us about a universe where the guy who started up Starbucks is the Emperor of North America when I thought of you, actually..."
"Really? Do they still have the coffee bars there?"
"On every street corner," the Monitor assures him.
They disappear. Parallax is temporarily disabled because it just can't understand how it lost hold of that host. The other human host had had a normal attention span.
Unfortunately everyone else is also stunned by this turn of events for a combat round or two, so no advantage comes of it.
Its a good thing I'm not writing Sinestro Corps, isn't it?
On #7: I would like to point out that through DC's shifting timeline Donna would be in the earliest part of the ADD generation (I really think we should just toss out the letter thing and do generations by most-commonly diagnosed childhood ailment anymore), and she was looking for Diana when Jason Todd showed up in a sidepanel. The next thing we all knew, she was hopping universes in Countdown.
So yeah, she got distracted and forgot about the war.
I wonder if the same thing'll happen to Kyle. The first Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer one-shot is due out this month, and the Sinestro Corps War crossover is not finished until December.
Can anyone else picture it? Kylelax raises his arm to throw an energy burst at a downed Hal, when just beyond his victim he sees an old girlfriend (and two other guys) appear out of nowhere.
"Hey Kyle! I found this guy who's taking us to alternate universes! We're looking for Professor Palmer! Wanna come?"
"Sure!" Kyle simply walks over to them, leaving a very confused giant yellow fearbug (from outer spaaace) where he was first standing. "Can we stop for coffee on the way?"
"Okay! He was just telling us about a universe where the guy who started up Starbucks is the Emperor of North America when I thought of you, actually..."
"Really? Do they still have the coffee bars there?"
"On every street corner," the Monitor assures him.
They disappear. Parallax is temporarily disabled because it just can't understand how it lost hold of that host. The other human host had had a normal attention span.
Unfortunately everyone else is also stunned by this turn of events for a combat round or two, so no advantage comes of it.
Its a good thing I'm not writing Sinestro Corps, isn't it?
Friday, August 31, 2007
Friday, May 05, 2006
Linkblogging
I was putting off the linkblogging until I had a chance to read through everything, but it'll be a while. In the meantime, here's some intensive reading:
While I was out, I missed a few theme days:
Blog Against Disablism Day
Blog Against Heteronormativity Day
Blog To Raise Awareness About Sexual Violence Day
I missed a lot of Frank Miller hate and male objectification, both of which I greatly would have enjoyed participating in. T
I missed the Carnival of Feminists 13 but on the bright side, I made it back just in time to send my Making Assumptions post to Carnival of Feminists 14. 14's up right now, check it out (MetroKitty and the post about objectifying men made it too). Next one's at Self-Portraits if anyone's up for it.
Enjoy!
While I was out, I missed a few theme days:
Blog Against Disablism Day
Blog Against Heteronormativity Day
Blog To Raise Awareness About Sexual Violence Day
I missed a lot of Frank Miller hate and male objectification, both of which I greatly would have enjoyed participating in. T
I missed the Carnival of Feminists 13 but on the bright side, I made it back just in time to send my Making Assumptions post to Carnival of Feminists 14. 14's up right now, check it out (MetroKitty and the post about objectifying men made it too). Next one's at Self-Portraits if anyone's up for it.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Linkblogging (Been saving some of these)
Hmm.. some of these are old, but too good to pass up.
Click Here for More Links
Firstly, if anyone is still here from Jog's place looking for Seven Soldiers insights, I don't have any for Mister Miracle yet. I suggest you check my archives, and then head over to Melchior's. If you are so inclined, the Bulleteer #3 preview is up at PopCultureShock.
The Comic-Blog Legion -- I found out about this last week, but umm.. Well, better late than never. Check it out.
Now, a concept we really need to see more of in comics. I think it could help. Maybe we could petition the Dark Lord.
Some lovely discussion of Frank Miller.
Alan Scott's son comes out. Fans speculate on Alan's reaction.
They've got to be kidding.
I believe this one may be serious, though.
Here's an interesting Legion of Superheroes/Infinite Crisis Theory (Mild Spoilers)
Well, he's wierd but he has a point. Especially in lieu of this and this.
If you are particularly strong of heart -- Click at your own risk.
And last, but never least, the following people have blogged about Green Lantern (I'm not the only one!):
Mogo -- Kalinara
John Stewart -- Jer-El78, GlyphRich, and myself
Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner -- Kalinara, James Schmee, Mallet, Greywing, Chris of the Matter-Eater Blog, and Devon.
Hal Jordan -- Jerry tells us how to draw Hal. Scipio, Dave of the Longbox, and Marionette discuss Hal getting hit on the head. Sleestak tells us about Hal being stupid. Dave of YACB shows us Hal being badass (mind-controlled).
This all leads to the challenge of Zombie Mallet: Be nice to Hal this week. Mallet's got a head start on us, but I'll do you one better. Do an "I Love Hal" post before the end of February, link me to it in the comments, and I'll link all of them by the time Green Lantern #9 comes out, and then crosspost those links on a few Green Lantern message boards. So, give it a try. It'll get you some traffic...
Click Here for More Links
Firstly, if anyone is still here from Jog's place looking for Seven Soldiers insights, I don't have any for Mister Miracle yet. I suggest you check my archives, and then head over to Melchior's. If you are so inclined, the Bulleteer #3 preview is up at PopCultureShock.
The Comic-Blog Legion -- I found out about this last week, but umm.. Well, better late than never. Check it out.
Now, a concept we really need to see more of in comics. I think it could help. Maybe we could petition the Dark Lord.
Some lovely discussion of Frank Miller.
Alan Scott's son comes out. Fans speculate on Alan's reaction.
They've got to be kidding.
I believe this one may be serious, though.
Here's an interesting Legion of Superheroes/Infinite Crisis Theory (Mild Spoilers)
Well, he's wierd but he has a point. Especially in lieu of this and this.
If you are particularly strong of heart -- Click at your own risk.
And last, but never least, the following people have blogged about Green Lantern (I'm not the only one!):
Mogo -- Kalinara
John Stewart -- Jer-El78, GlyphRich, and myself
Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner -- Kalinara, James Schmee, Mallet, Greywing, Chris of the Matter-Eater Blog, and Devon.
Hal Jordan -- Jerry tells us how to draw Hal. Scipio, Dave of the Longbox, and Marionette discuss Hal getting hit on the head. Sleestak tells us about Hal being stupid. Dave of YACB shows us Hal being badass (mind-controlled).
This all leads to the challenge of Zombie Mallet: Be nice to Hal this week. Mallet's got a head start on us, but I'll do you one better. Do an "I Love Hal" post before the end of February, link me to it in the comments, and I'll link all of them by the time Green Lantern #9 comes out, and then crosspost those links on a few Green Lantern message boards. So, give it a try. It'll get you some traffic...
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Mild Linkblogging
After years of inactivity, T has started blogging again.
Ethan Van Sciver has finished Green Lantern #9 already. And it's still due out in the same month it was solicited for!
Geoff Johns is kind (or cruel) to entice us with preview art on Comic-Bloc. Here is a Pacheco page from Green Lantern #7 and some Ivan Reis art from Green Lantern #11. I think I may be in love. At least, until I actually see what Ivan looks like. Right now I picture him like he draws Kyle Rayner.
Another thread of interest on that board is the one speculating that Green Lantern Villains are based on Message Board Stereotypes.
Spencer Carnage points out a superhero with impeccable taste.
Deadline for the Carnival of Feminist 7 is set for 7AM EST Monday.
An excellent art blog. (Somewhere in this blog's archives is a picture of Cameron Stewart, the penciller of Manhattan Guardian, in a Firestorm costume)
Here's the Newsarama article the Reis art was snagged from. Some hints on Green Lantern, and Batman sounds good this year.
Newsarama also promises the April Solicits on Monday. They already have the cover and solicit for Infinite Crisis #7 up.
I noticed this only because he linked to me and I saw it on Technocrati, but Dan Jacobson wrote about the recent Mutant depowering at Marvel. Pretty good.
Zombie Mallet has an interesting theory about John Byrne.
This is a wierd site.
And finally, like Jon, I joined the mob and drew Batgirl. See my wretched scribblings on my rarely updated livejournal.
Ethan Van Sciver has finished Green Lantern #9 already. And it's still due out in the same month it was solicited for!
Geoff Johns is kind (or cruel) to entice us with preview art on Comic-Bloc. Here is a Pacheco page from Green Lantern #7 and some Ivan Reis art from Green Lantern #11. I think I may be in love. At least, until I actually see what Ivan looks like. Right now I picture him like he draws Kyle Rayner.
Another thread of interest on that board is the one speculating that Green Lantern Villains are based on Message Board Stereotypes.
Spencer Carnage points out a superhero with impeccable taste.
Deadline for the Carnival of Feminist 7 is set for 7AM EST Monday.
An excellent art blog. (Somewhere in this blog's archives is a picture of Cameron Stewart, the penciller of Manhattan Guardian, in a Firestorm costume)
Here's the Newsarama article the Reis art was snagged from. Some hints on Green Lantern, and Batman sounds good this year.
Newsarama also promises the April Solicits on Monday. They already have the cover and solicit for Infinite Crisis #7 up.
I noticed this only because he linked to me and I saw it on Technocrati, but Dan Jacobson wrote about the recent Mutant depowering at Marvel. Pretty good.
Zombie Mallet has an interesting theory about John Byrne.
This is a wierd site.
And finally, like Jon, I joined the mob and drew Batgirl. See my wretched scribblings on my rarely updated livejournal.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Cyberspace on All-Star Superman
He's the Goddamn Superman. (Bill of R)
CAUTION: STRONGER LANGUAGE THAN THIS AHEAD.
(Of course, if you are a fan of profanity, check this out, too)
This weekend I have been tirelessly perusing cyberspace for people and places to amuse me. This is what comes of being on the off shifts. I greatly enjoyed All Star Superman #1 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely this week, so I looked at how everyone else reacted. I found some entertaining views, and figured that, since I am tired and preparing for a trip, I'd share some of the better ones with you. (And I am still not rampaging.)
First, Highlights from the Anticipation of All-Star Superman as seen on Barbelith Underground which was closed before the book ever hit stands because it "derailed into madness after new info on the title stopped appearing." (Hector The Friendly Vortex, 21:01/08.10.05)
One of these days, I'm going to start writing comics under the pen name "Enlis" and really fuck people up. (diztopian vision of the future,16:02/22.12.04)
Miserable. Old. Bastard. (Boboss, 19:14/22.12.04)
COMICS CREATORS IN "DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB" SHOCKER
Fans Spunk Selves Anticipating Light, Disposable Entertainment (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 21:29/22.12.04)
GRUMPY MAN MISSES POINT - NO ONE SURPRISED (MacReady, 22:00/22.12.04)
UPSTART FICTIONSUIT STEALS TRADEMARK GAG
Can Expect A Good Kicking Behind Bike Sheds This Afternoon (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 22:26/22.12.04)
...we get Morrison writing Bizarro World, for God's sake. How can you *not* love that? (Bill of R, 00:22/23.12.04)
Its going to have Solaris in it. Words cannot express how happy that makes me. (Brett E, 08:54/23.12.04)
This reminds me of the "Superman Vs Jesus" thread I started once upon a time. It's probably still buried in the recesses of the Conversation forum. (Adam forgets how to count, 12:32 / 01.01.05)
It makes me want to kill myself. (Alex is 'Paranoid Writer', 04:18 / 20.02.05)
But I feel confident Morrison has never had Superman say "yeah" and never will. (FinderWolf, 04:53/30.12.04)
(Also, Superman would not say "Yeah," but neither would he use the formal "Yes"--as a Jimmy Stewart/Gary Cooper solid midwestern type, it would be "Yep.") (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 02:01/01.01.05)
He'd probably say "yeah", though. (Emily Triplets,19:26/20.02.05)
The Man of Steel would opt for a stolid 'yes', every time, Triplets.
If you don't know that, you probably don't know anything. (Duncan, CEO Falcon Corp,20:05/20.02.05)
Whereas Batman would always go 'hhn'. Flash is more of a 'yeah' man. Perhaps Wonder Woman and Aquaman a regal 'indeed'. (MacReady, 20:26 / 20.02.05)
J'Onn wouldn't say 'yeah' either. So that's that sorted. (Duncan, CEO Falcon Corp,20:32 / 20.02.05)
J'onn would say "Agreed" or "I concur", like Brent Spinner. Get it right. (Emily Triplets, 21:11/20.02.05)
I won't read Byrne's forum yet, don't want my brain to melt this early. (Hector The Friendly Vortex, 06:56/24.02.05)
Oh man that thread makes me realise:
1) I want to kiss Ethan Van
2) That cover is an inspired change of pace (I'm Rick Jones, bitch, 15:43/24.02.05)
There is NO better acronym than ASS. For anything. (Stoatie- NOW WITH TROUSERPRESS, 14:14 / 04.10.05)
BASTARD! You're on The List, now.
You don't fuck with The Morrison, man. He's got powers. Madjyxyzptlkal power (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 18:44 / 06.10.05)
Now look what you've done Grant, you've derailed the fucking Superman thread! (eon, 10:35 / 07.10.05)
Right. When can I look at Grant's ASS, then? (v for velvetvandal, 21:57/07.10.05)
So, how did everyone react once the actual book was released? Well, from all over:
More, please. (PeterCool)
(On Morrison himself) I can't understand how can people hate this guy. (Gylocke)
Of course, the last several years' worth of Superman stories have been small-scale, almost claustrophobic ant farms of Oprah-fied navel-gazing....so Morrison flinging open the shutters to big ideas was a real Mormon Tabernacle Choir "Halleluja" moment. From Superman's rescue in the heart of the sun to the bioengineered "Photosynthetic Giants", a sense of epic adventure and sci-fi spectacle was undeniably back. (Bizarromark)
Quietly is to Morrison what Johnny Depp is to Tim Burton. (Beastbone)
That image of Superman masturbating is going to stay with me all day. Cheers Quitely! (ghadis)
It will be the prettiest thing ever printed. (Yotsuba & Benjamin!)
This issue was so amazingly brilliant that after I read it I fell to me knees and wept. It was THAT good! (Lex)
This seems more like the superman I have been waiting for since DC stopped publishing him 20 years ago.(carmine007)
Where's Lois' chin?
Dammit, Quitely, I need more chin! (John Brown)
(On Lex Luthor) Drama Queen. (Papers lit-up supersuit)
Welcome back, Lex. (Bizarromark)
Sorry, Lex STILL sounds like a dork. (CapeandCowl)
(No accoutning for taste) Oh, I got the Adams cover!! (Astroape2000)
(No excusing taste, either) ...but I am going to stay right off I think All Star Batman & Robin is better. (CapeandCowl)
Boil WATCHMEN down to two sentences, and tell it to a stranger. You'll feel like an idiot. (allanf)
The thing is... Watchmen DOES have an idiotic plot. (PeterCool)
I want a super-watch. (Mario)
CAUTION: STRONGER LANGUAGE THAN THIS AHEAD.
(Of course, if you are a fan of profanity, check this out, too)
This weekend I have been tirelessly perusing cyberspace for people and places to amuse me. This is what comes of being on the off shifts. I greatly enjoyed All Star Superman #1 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely this week, so I looked at how everyone else reacted. I found some entertaining views, and figured that, since I am tired and preparing for a trip, I'd share some of the better ones with you. (And I am still not rampaging.)
First, Highlights from the Anticipation of All-Star Superman as seen on Barbelith Underground which was closed before the book ever hit stands because it "derailed into madness after new info on the title stopped appearing." (Hector The Friendly Vortex, 21:01/08.10.05)
One of these days, I'm going to start writing comics under the pen name "Enlis" and really fuck people up. (diztopian vision of the future,16:02/22.12.04)
Miserable. Old. Bastard. (Boboss, 19:14/22.12.04)
COMICS CREATORS IN "DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB" SHOCKER
Fans Spunk Selves Anticipating Light, Disposable Entertainment (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 21:29/22.12.04)
GRUMPY MAN MISSES POINT - NO ONE SURPRISED (MacReady, 22:00/22.12.04)
UPSTART FICTIONSUIT STEALS TRADEMARK GAG
Can Expect A Good Kicking Behind Bike Sheds This Afternoon (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 22:26/22.12.04)
...we get Morrison writing Bizarro World, for God's sake. How can you *not* love that? (Bill of R, 00:22/23.12.04)
Its going to have Solaris in it. Words cannot express how happy that makes me. (Brett E, 08:54/23.12.04)
This reminds me of the "Superman Vs Jesus" thread I started once upon a time. It's probably still buried in the recesses of the Conversation forum. (Adam forgets how to count, 12:32 / 01.01.05)
It makes me want to kill myself. (Alex is 'Paranoid Writer', 04:18 / 20.02.05)
But I feel confident Morrison has never had Superman say "yeah" and never will. (FinderWolf, 04:53/30.12.04)
(Also, Superman would not say "Yeah," but neither would he use the formal "Yes"--as a Jimmy Stewart/Gary Cooper solid midwestern type, it would be "Yep.") (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 02:01/01.01.05)
He'd probably say "yeah", though. (Emily Triplets,19:26/20.02.05)
The Man of Steel would opt for a stolid 'yes', every time, Triplets.
If you don't know that, you probably don't know anything. (Duncan, CEO Falcon Corp,20:05/20.02.05)
Whereas Batman would always go 'hhn'. Flash is more of a 'yeah' man. Perhaps Wonder Woman and Aquaman a regal 'indeed'. (MacReady, 20:26 / 20.02.05)
J'Onn wouldn't say 'yeah' either. So that's that sorted. (Duncan, CEO Falcon Corp,20:32 / 20.02.05)
J'onn would say "Agreed" or "I concur", like Brent Spinner. Get it right. (Emily Triplets, 21:11/20.02.05)
I won't read Byrne's forum yet, don't want my brain to melt this early. (Hector The Friendly Vortex, 06:56/24.02.05)
Oh man that thread makes me realise:
1) I want to kiss Ethan Van
2) That cover is an inspired change of pace (I'm Rick Jones, bitch, 15:43/24.02.05)
There is NO better acronym than ASS. For anything. (Stoatie- NOW WITH TROUSERPRESS, 14:14 / 04.10.05)
BASTARD! You're on The List, now.
You don't fuck with The Morrison, man. He's got powers. Madjyxyzptlkal power (The Deadly Hands Of Jack Fear, 18:44 / 06.10.05)
Now look what you've done Grant, you've derailed the fucking Superman thread! (eon, 10:35 / 07.10.05)
Right. When can I look at Grant's ASS, then? (v for velvetvandal, 21:57/07.10.05)
So, how did everyone react once the actual book was released? Well, from all over:
More, please. (PeterCool)
(On Morrison himself) I can't understand how can people hate this guy. (Gylocke)
Of course, the last several years' worth of Superman stories have been small-scale, almost claustrophobic ant farms of Oprah-fied navel-gazing....so Morrison flinging open the shutters to big ideas was a real Mormon Tabernacle Choir "Halleluja" moment. From Superman's rescue in the heart of the sun to the bioengineered "Photosynthetic Giants", a sense of epic adventure and sci-fi spectacle was undeniably back. (Bizarromark)
Quietly is to Morrison what Johnny Depp is to Tim Burton. (Beastbone)
That image of Superman masturbating is going to stay with me all day. Cheers Quitely! (ghadis)
It will be the prettiest thing ever printed. (Yotsuba & Benjamin!)
This issue was so amazingly brilliant that after I read it I fell to me knees and wept. It was THAT good! (Lex)
This seems more like the superman I have been waiting for since DC stopped publishing him 20 years ago.(carmine007)
Where's Lois' chin?
Dammit, Quitely, I need more chin! (John Brown)
(On Lex Luthor) Drama Queen. (Papers lit-up supersuit)
Welcome back, Lex. (Bizarromark)
Sorry, Lex STILL sounds like a dork. (CapeandCowl)
(No accoutning for taste) Oh, I got the Adams cover!! (Astroape2000)
(No excusing taste, either) ...but I am going to stay right off I think All Star Batman & Robin is better. (CapeandCowl)
Boil WATCHMEN down to two sentences, and tell it to a stranger. You'll feel like an idiot. (allanf)
The thing is... Watchmen DOES have an idiotic plot. (PeterCool)
I want a super-watch. (Mario)
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Observations From Across Cyberspace-time
Now, I wouldn't dream of rampaging, but I thought I'd share some findings with you:
"After this whole crisis is over I don't think Batman will trust pretty much anybody...except probably Superman...and maybe Wonder Woman."
(Symphony of Six, April 15th 2005, 03:02 PM)
Other observations about Batman: "... an arrogant sociopathic arse whose not tougher than Hal Jordan or Rich Dragon in a real fight." (Cappadonna, April 23rd 2005, 11:54 AM)
"I am not for one second suggesting that the JLA are perfect but....bugger it I've talked myself into not buying it anymore..."
(Aidy, July 13th 2005, 8:08 AM)
Why is Sinestro beyond redemption? "Sinestro has a flamboyantly evil mustache. And a funny shaped head. And the first three letters of his name are S-I-N." (Gingold, November 15th 2005, 2:13 AM)
The fight depicted on the Infinite Crisis #5 Cover: "I want Superman to win" (Dave Anthony Tomaine, November 14th 2005, 5:07 PM)
"How many teams does space need in the DCU anyway?
That's what the old Crisis was for, it killed off all these crazy things. Then they hired Geoff Johns and he brought them all back. Honestly, the last 2-4years have pretty much undone everything that Crisis accomplished, aside from bringing back "old Superman" from Earth 2." (Ogul, September 27 2005, 11:04 PM)
"After this whole crisis is over I don't think Batman will trust pretty much anybody...except probably Superman...and maybe Wonder Woman."
(Symphony of Six, April 15th 2005, 03:02 PM)
Other observations about Batman: "... an arrogant sociopathic arse whose not tougher than Hal Jordan or Rich Dragon in a real fight." (Cappadonna, April 23rd 2005, 11:54 AM)
"I am not for one second suggesting that the JLA are perfect but....bugger it I've talked myself into not buying it anymore..."
(Aidy, July 13th 2005, 8:08 AM)
Why is Sinestro beyond redemption? "Sinestro has a flamboyantly evil mustache. And a funny shaped head. And the first three letters of his name are S-I-N." (Gingold, November 15th 2005, 2:13 AM)
The fight depicted on the Infinite Crisis #5 Cover: "I want Superman to win" (Dave Anthony Tomaine, November 14th 2005, 5:07 PM)
"How many teams does space need in the DCU anyway?
That's what the old Crisis was for, it killed off all these crazy things. Then they hired Geoff Johns and he brought them all back. Honestly, the last 2-4years have pretty much undone everything that Crisis accomplished, aside from bringing back "old Superman" from Earth 2." (Ogul, September 27 2005, 11:04 PM)
Monday, October 31, 2005
Recovering from Mom
It's been an interesting few days. Mom and Aunt Marilee were in town, and they are perfect stereotypical Middle-Aged American Tourists. They insisted upon running all over the city looking for sites to see and they just had to eat at Toby Keith's restauraunt. I still have three styrofoam containers full of food leftover from lunch yesterday. It could have been worse. Last time she was in town, Mom made me drive down to his ranch to take pictures of the gates. I wouldn't let her out of the car, for fear she'd jump the fence! I think I'm seeing the beginnings of a Elvis-level obsession here. Twenty years after his death, Mom will call me from Shady Pines to tell me how she saw him at the park with Bigfoot and Ghandi. *Shudder*
Anyway, they both left early this morning, and I had to wake up to see them off. So, I've had the entire day to waste as I see fit.
So, why am I only now posting on my Blog, at 11:30 this evening? I was extraordinarily busy today -- reading comics, reading blogs, reading message boards, etc...
Anyway, I had some time to wander, and peruse the archives, and I have some lovely new links for everyone.
Firstly, James Meeley of The Comics Asylum has a review of Flash #227 up that mirrors my own feelings fairly well. He's also a self-professed Kyle Rayner fan, and looking through his archives I can see he likes space-Kyle and laid out DC's coverage plan for Green Lantern as far back as February, which is pretty impressive, actually.
Then we have Bully, the little stuffed bull of Bully Says: Comics Oughta Be Fun! I can't help but imagine a squeaky, child voice when I read his writing, but he's still worth checking out simply because of this post.
Somebody linked me to "Dr. Doom's Top Ten Euphemisms for Sex" (Posted October 9th, if you're willing to search the archives) on Progressive Ruin and it was hilarious, but I can't remember who or find the link again. Whoever it was, thank you.
And, because such a thing is a rare find: Snark Free Waters Yes, a non-snarky blog. Wow. They're doing a fun clone game right now.
On the message baords, I found a worthwhile interview -- Dave Gibbons gives a few behind-the-scenes hints about Rann-Thanagar War and a bit of teasing about the Green Lantern Corps ongoing.
Same site also has a very fun imaginary dialogue for anyone who has read the JLA: Tower of Babel storyline.
I also took some of the online quizzes everyone links to, but the answer codes won't instantly work, and I don't feel up to manipulating them so that they do.
Anyway, they both left early this morning, and I had to wake up to see them off. So, I've had the entire day to waste as I see fit.
So, why am I only now posting on my Blog, at 11:30 this evening? I was extraordinarily busy today -- reading comics, reading blogs, reading message boards, etc...
Anyway, I had some time to wander, and peruse the archives, and I have some lovely new links for everyone.
Firstly, James Meeley of The Comics Asylum has a review of Flash #227 up that mirrors my own feelings fairly well. He's also a self-professed Kyle Rayner fan, and looking through his archives I can see he likes space-Kyle and laid out DC's coverage plan for Green Lantern as far back as February, which is pretty impressive, actually.
Then we have Bully, the little stuffed bull of Bully Says: Comics Oughta Be Fun! I can't help but imagine a squeaky, child voice when I read his writing, but he's still worth checking out simply because of this post.
Somebody linked me to "Dr. Doom's Top Ten Euphemisms for Sex" (Posted October 9th, if you're willing to search the archives) on Progressive Ruin and it was hilarious, but I can't remember who or find the link again. Whoever it was, thank you.
And, because such a thing is a rare find: Snark Free Waters Yes, a non-snarky blog. Wow. They're doing a fun clone game right now.
On the message baords, I found a worthwhile interview -- Dave Gibbons gives a few behind-the-scenes hints about Rann-Thanagar War and a bit of teasing about the Green Lantern Corps ongoing.
Same site also has a very fun imaginary dialogue for anyone who has read the JLA: Tower of Babel storyline.
I also took some of the online quizzes everyone links to, but the answer codes won't instantly work, and I don't feel up to manipulating them so that they do.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
I'd Rather Be Defending Dave Gibbons.
Tom over at the Fortress of Soliloquy has finally posted that massive Infinite Crisis post he promised. It was worth reading, but massive. He goes from the start of Countdown and ties it all together, though. Very impressive.
Anyway, because between Summatives (Finals) and Mom visiting I don't have time to analyze and defend Rann-Thanagar War (Yes, I know I'm the only one who liked it!), I thought I'd just acknowledge having read Fortress of Soliloquy by adopting the term "Blogohedron" over "Blogosphere."
That's all. Now I must clean furiously, and hide all of the things my mother disapproves of. (I'll put the comic book boxes in front of my "special closet." She'll never look behind them!)
Anyway, because between Summatives (Finals) and Mom visiting I don't have time to analyze and defend Rann-Thanagar War (Yes, I know I'm the only one who liked it!), I thought I'd just acknowledge having read Fortress of Soliloquy by adopting the term "Blogohedron" over "Blogosphere."
That's all. Now I must clean furiously, and hide all of the things my mother disapproves of. (I'll put the comic book boxes in front of my "special closet." She'll never look behind them!)
Saturday, October 22, 2005
"Hey! Waddya know... Ragnell wants to socialize!"
I must confess, I'm a little nervous about Netiquette. Particularly links. So, I put off showing my local blogiverse explorations with the Internet at large, worried that I might be impolite. I figured I'd just ask before posting any links.
I only asked one person -- Scipio at The Absorbascon -- because his humor is absolutely irresistible. If you read comics, or used to read comics, and want a laugh, visit him. He is very reliable in this area.
Anyway, when I was making my regular rounds and saw the Fortress of Soliloquy today, I noticed something. He linked to me. I did a double-take. Somebody actually linked to me. Somebody actually liked me enough to do that. It felt pretty cool. Now, I'm not sure what I did to deserve this honor (Probably the Donna Troy post. That went over fairly well), but I figure one good link deserves a few more. After all, that's how I find all of my blogs, by linking, then linking again, then linking again. Hitchhiking the Internet, I suppose. And it's a public service, now that Fanboy Rampage is closing down. Thus today's expanded sidebar.
Perhaps a quick tour is in order. So, without further ado, the Wonders of the Comic Book Blogiverse (I'm not fond of the term Blogosphere either) for less than thirty dollars a day:
Scipio at the Absorbascon is currently doing a beautiful series on the unintentional humor of Crisis on Infinite Earths. I've found some real gems in his archives, too. A fine place to waste an evening. He's a huge Thanagar supporter, but he's funny so we can forgive him.
Comics Ate My Brain caught my attention with some good Green Lantern posts. Now, granted, he's not nearly as obsessed as I am right now (Rest assured, when a better comic comes along I will begin to obsess over that -- I couldn't stop talking about Wonder Woman over the Summer. Autumn must be Lantern Season). He also has the most endearing nickname for his spouse.
Comics Should Be Good is hit and miss for me, mainly because of opinion differences, but they have some good features sometimes.
Marionette of Dance of the Puppets knows more about Wonder Woman than I can ever dream.
Double Articulation -- This man validates my sanity. Never have I seen anyone who reads more symbolism into comics than I do. This is a good site to get lost in.
Facedown in the Gutters is light on the Lanterns, but still highly enjoyable. He writes series posts. He just finished reviewing a box of random comics, and if you check the archives you can find his Costumes critiques. He also has similar music tastes to mine.
Tom Foss over at the Fortress of Soliloquy is still writing his Infinite Crisis #1 review, but in the meantime he nearly has me convinced to pick up Superman: Shadow of Apokolips. And he's the first Rann supporter I regularly visit. In fact, I envy his Rann posters. I haven't worked up the courage to ask to link to them yet. "Science over Savagery!"
"Seven Hells!" is another Thanagarian support site. Devon is some sort of Seer, evidenced by the accurate prediction of Infinite Crisis a year beforehand.
Shadow of the Written World is a LiveJournal written by the Earth-2 version of me, Morchades. I needed an alternate universe self to comment on my sister's journal (she only exists on Earth-2 and Earth-4), and the name Ragnell was used over there. I started using it for non-comics stuff, and it works out nicely. But the writing style is the same, and that's what matters. I included this link because, in honor of the upcoming holiday, I wrote the Scariest LiveJournal Entry Ever Written (for US citizens, at least) and I'm rather proud of it. I felt it should be shared with as many people as possible.
Tales to Mildly Astonish is not just comics, but a wide variety of oddness. I saw the subtitle and felt compeled to bookmark it. Worth it just for the Star Trek IV post
Two Guys Buying Comics is one I always check, even if I don't agree with some of the reviews. We're on the same page for Green Lantern, though.
What WERE They Thinking? is one of the most fun sites online. Warning: Some of those panels are Just. Plain. Wrong.
Your Moment of Kim is a peek into my older sister's twisted mind. She has stopped reading comics, so no reviews here. Enter at your own risk.
The Zeta-Beam is written by another Rann-Man. He won me over with his Legion of Super-Mullets post.
And there you have it: a tour of the Comic Book Blogiverse with access to plenty of back roads I myself haven't explored, should you choose a strange direction. Enjoy!
I only asked one person -- Scipio at The Absorbascon -- because his humor is absolutely irresistible. If you read comics, or used to read comics, and want a laugh, visit him. He is very reliable in this area.
Anyway, when I was making my regular rounds and saw the Fortress of Soliloquy today, I noticed something. He linked to me. I did a double-take. Somebody actually linked to me. Somebody actually liked me enough to do that. It felt pretty cool. Now, I'm not sure what I did to deserve this honor (Probably the Donna Troy post. That went over fairly well), but I figure one good link deserves a few more. After all, that's how I find all of my blogs, by linking, then linking again, then linking again. Hitchhiking the Internet, I suppose. And it's a public service, now that Fanboy Rampage is closing down. Thus today's expanded sidebar.
Perhaps a quick tour is in order. So, without further ado, the Wonders of the Comic Book Blogiverse (I'm not fond of the term Blogosphere either) for less than thirty dollars a day:
Scipio at the Absorbascon is currently doing a beautiful series on the unintentional humor of Crisis on Infinite Earths. I've found some real gems in his archives, too. A fine place to waste an evening. He's a huge Thanagar supporter, but he's funny so we can forgive him.
Comics Ate My Brain caught my attention with some good Green Lantern posts. Now, granted, he's not nearly as obsessed as I am right now (Rest assured, when a better comic comes along I will begin to obsess over that -- I couldn't stop talking about Wonder Woman over the Summer. Autumn must be Lantern Season). He also has the most endearing nickname for his spouse.
Comics Should Be Good is hit and miss for me, mainly because of opinion differences, but they have some good features sometimes.
Marionette of Dance of the Puppets knows more about Wonder Woman than I can ever dream.
Double Articulation -- This man validates my sanity. Never have I seen anyone who reads more symbolism into comics than I do. This is a good site to get lost in.
Facedown in the Gutters is light on the Lanterns, but still highly enjoyable. He writes series posts. He just finished reviewing a box of random comics, and if you check the archives you can find his Costumes critiques. He also has similar music tastes to mine.
Tom Foss over at the Fortress of Soliloquy is still writing his Infinite Crisis #1 review, but in the meantime he nearly has me convinced to pick up Superman: Shadow of Apokolips. And he's the first Rann supporter I regularly visit. In fact, I envy his Rann posters. I haven't worked up the courage to ask to link to them yet. "Science over Savagery!"
"Seven Hells!" is another Thanagarian support site. Devon is some sort of Seer, evidenced by the accurate prediction of Infinite Crisis a year beforehand.
Shadow of the Written World is a LiveJournal written by the Earth-2 version of me, Morchades. I needed an alternate universe self to comment on my sister's journal (she only exists on Earth-2 and Earth-4), and the name Ragnell was used over there. I started using it for non-comics stuff, and it works out nicely. But the writing style is the same, and that's what matters. I included this link because, in honor of the upcoming holiday, I wrote the Scariest LiveJournal Entry Ever Written (for US citizens, at least) and I'm rather proud of it. I felt it should be shared with as many people as possible.
Tales to Mildly Astonish is not just comics, but a wide variety of oddness. I saw the subtitle and felt compeled to bookmark it. Worth it just for the Star Trek IV post
Two Guys Buying Comics is one I always check, even if I don't agree with some of the reviews. We're on the same page for Green Lantern, though.
What WERE They Thinking? is one of the most fun sites online. Warning: Some of those panels are Just. Plain. Wrong.
Your Moment of Kim is a peek into my older sister's twisted mind. She has stopped reading comics, so no reviews here. Enter at your own risk.
The Zeta-Beam is written by another Rann-Man. He won me over with his Legion of Super-Mullets post.
And there you have it: a tour of the Comic Book Blogiverse with access to plenty of back roads I myself haven't explored, should you choose a strange direction. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
As long as I'm still hopped up on Care Bear Happy Tummy Rays...
This made me laugh today, so I will share the goodness and politely thank Scipio from Absorbascon.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Why I Hate Donna Troy
I must confess, I picked up her miniseries in hopes of a Wonder Woman appearance, and discovered my true feelings for Donna Troy. I now continue to read out of morbid curiosity, and in the hopes that they will give her a personality. I am a fool. But at least I get to see Jade act in-character during it, and Starfire's pretty likeable there.
Anyway, due to the solicitation for Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #2 (First issue was a work of beauty, Kim -- Rest assured, Kyle remains Kyle!) and it's implications, I felt a need to outline my feelings about Donna Troy, who is scheduled to invade my regular reading more often than I'd like this fall. So, on with the Bile!
Mild Spoilers for JSA #77 below
1) Even less personality, on average, than Wonder Woman herself. Seriously, at least under certain writers, Diana leaps off the page. Even badly written, you have an idea of what she will do in a given situation. Mark Waid outright admitted he didn't understand the character, but he still managed to inject her with personality. With Donna, even writers who claim to love her can only manage to give us an overly emotional twit with watercolor substance, at best. Wonder Woman may have an inconsistently complex personality, but at least she has her interesting portrayals -- Wonder Girl/Troia is consistently vapid and weepy.
2) Her creation was a big mistake, and this is not simply my opinion. A DC Editor saw Wonder Girl on the cover of Wonder Woman and actually thought she was Wonder Woman's teen sidekick, when in fact she was just a teenaged version of Wonder Woman. From there, they had to create a distinctive personality. They seem to have failed miserably.
3) Gaudy Moon-shaped earrings. Yuck. I'm sorry, I am against jewelry on a superheroine (and yes, this includes Wonder Woman's star earrings, which, most artists mercifully leave out. Her bracelets are actually bracers, and a kind of armor, so they are acceptable), particularly stupid dangly jewelry, and Donna was decked out in JSA #77. They should've stuck with the armor on the cover of Return of Donna Troy #3, that looks cool.
4) Poor Choice of Pantheon -- The Titans as opposed to the Romans or Olympians. Anyone who hasn't read the Greek stories is totally unfamiliar with her Pantheon (unlike Wonder Woman's, which most people at least know some names from) and anyone who's read the old Greek stories know that Titans were the bad guys.
5) Depressing. Donna's natural state is weeping. Every time I've seen her spotlighted, it's a tragedy fest. Everytime she speaks, she's so firkin' serious! She smiles sweetly, but never cracks a joke! She's like some dreadfully melancholy Mary Tyler Moore. Please! Just because you're in the Greek-influenced Wonder-family doesn't mean you have to walk around like Antigone! No, I'm being unfair -- to Antigone. That play was much more optimistic than any Donna Troy comic I've read lately.
I suspect the only way the writers could think to add depth was with depression and darkness, forgetting that the best characters punctuate their angst with a sense of humor and optimism.
6) Her miniseries is late. Yes, I blame the character for this, because somehow she's attracted a large enough fanbase that DC believed this would work better as a miniseries than an Outsiders/Teen Titans crossover. As part of of an ongoing crossover, I believe it would be on time and I wouldn't be seeing the results of the mini-series before the resolution.
7) She's going to play a large role in Infinite Crisis. Crap.
8) Donna Troy was singlehandedly responsible for the FUBAR Wonder Woman continuity. If no one had insisted on keeping Donna in the Teen Titans, there would not have been a Wonder Girl who predated Wonder Woman! That would mean no need for a Golden Age Wonder Woman to inspire Wonder Girl. This removes any need for Byrne retcons, because Wonder Woman continuity would be streamlined according to the Perez reboot.
9) The above continuity situation led to the untimely death of Queen Hippolyta, whom Byrne retconned as the time-traveling, Wildcat-boinking, fun-loving Golden Age Wonder Woman! Hippolyta was the best character in all of Wonder-dom at the time, and due to an excess of Wonder-females, TPTB declared that one needed to die senselessly in a stupid crossover -- Of course, the one with the most actual personality gets the axe! And of course, the one with the least actual personality (Donna) gets resurrected while Hippolyta remains dead!
10) She is currently powered above Wonder Woman. This is unacceptable, UNACCEPTABLE! Donna must always be subordinate to Diana.
11) Whenever she appears, she robs valuable panel-time from far better female characters (Wonder Woman, Hippolyta, Wonder Girl/Cassie, Starfire, Raven, Jade, Maura Rayner) and adds nothing of value with her presence.
12) Hypocrisy in JSA #77. Donna spends 3 issues under mental memory manipulation that causes her to attack the Teen Titans and the Outsiders, and attempt genocide on a peaceful, innocent, technologically backwards race. She meets Hal Jordan in JSA#77 and despite the fact that he is very obviously Green Lantern again, and Alan Scott is at his side vouching for him, she still gives him attitude about having been Parallax. Okay, much fun as Rebirth was, Batman has the right to give him crap. Kyle Rayner certainly has the right to give him crap. Wonder Woman has the right to give him crap. Superman no longer has the right to give him crap, but he won't! The Flash has the right to give him crap. Hawkman has the right to give him crap. Green Arrow has the right to give him crap. Donna, fresh off of mind-control herself, has absolutely no right to give him crap about things he did while not in possession of his full senses! I really hope Kyle rips her a new one for this in GLC: Recharge #2 (if it is indeed her that is being referred to in the solicitations -- Jade is still running around, after all, and if Jason Todd can come back, so can Alex DeWitt!)
13)Current Taste in Men -- and this is the one I think Diana needs to beat some sense into her over!
Fiction is wish-fulfillment. It is the only way for women to get certain ideal types of men. You know, men who never appear in real life. There are several archetypes, for example, that women are attracted to, hoping to scratch the surface and find another archetype underneath -- a two-in-one deal. One of these is the introspective artist. Most women I know, when attracted to the introspective artist, are secretly hoping that he will turn out to be a masculine solar-hero archetype underneath his introverted outer self. Not in a deceitful way, mind you, but simply hidden strength. In my experience, most introspective artists have the emotional/moral fortitude of a shaved hamster. So, we turn to the comic books and books for our idealized men -- your rogue with a heart of gold, your sensitive hero, your vulnerable tough-guy...etc.. The only way to be assured of a decent man.
Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern, is the introspective artist who shows the hero when you scratch the surface. The man (as written by Morrison or Johns) is selfless, virtuous, kind, funny, has a will of cold iron at his core, surrounded by this incredibly romantic dreamer exterior that is just as much a part of who he is as his hidden qualities. He's really cute with coal-black hair and tree green eyes. He can paint a beautiful picture of you, and fight off an alien armada with his mind. He can make glowing green flowers out of thin air. I mean, even when he's written as really stupid, he's actually quite a catch -- especially for vain women like me who like to see themselves as inspiration for art!
And Donna Troy dumped him.
For Roy Harper.
Roy Harper.
Those of you who don't follow DC will be unfamiliar with Roy Harper, aka Arsenal aka Speedy (Green Arrow's sidekick. Let me reiterate -- Green Arrow's sidekick). He's a single father -- her mother is a supervillain, who nuked an entire country -- who irresponsibly continues to be a non-powered vigilante despite his daughter constantly being used to manipulate him or her mother. He's the sole parent and provider, but does very little to preserve his own life. He doesn't really even have the ability to plan for the future, which was a huge joke when he started dating Donna. Rather than stay with the baby, he frequents a strip joint often enough to know everybody's name. He thinks he's a total hotshot, when I'm sure Connor Hawke is actually a much better fighter. He never shaves and has an ugly red goatee. His hair is basically red stubble. I don't believe he showers. He's sleezy. He's easy. He makes me feel queasy.
And Donna dumped gentle, introspective, humble Kyle for this loser.
Who dumps a guy like Kyle "Custom Designed for a Romantic Relationship" Rayner for Roy "Nice boots, let's knock them!" Harper?
Who dumps any Green Lantern for that matter? That franchise has everything you'd be looking for in a man! Artistic Romantic? We've got Kyle Rayner, just waiting for someone. You want a responsible, moral father-figure? We have John Stewart. Looking for a one-night stand? Hal Jordan. Inexplicably attracted to Neanderthals, but wish for one who is loyal good-natured under the rough exterior? Yes, there's actually Guy Gardner (who, while he may be a jerk externally, was actually a pretty loyal and faithful boyfriend to Ice).
Jade, I can forgive -- Kyle flaked out and she got lonely. With Donna, he was right there. She left. And don't tell me was an editorial mandate, it's always editorial mandate, she's a fictional character! But, we have to take all behavior that is not explained away by mind control into account when considering the character -- and to have her run into Roy's arms when she just told Kyle she wasn't up for romance -- Yuck! Donna is so stupid.
People on certain message boards are supporting a resurrection of this failed romance, but the idea sickens me. She is unworthy of any Green Lantern -- even Guy Gardner! Hell, especially Guy Gardner, because he at least has enough class not to move in on a girl who's been totally mind-whacked after losing her entire family! In fact, I hope Guy Gardner kicks her ass in Recharge for putting Kyle's recently rebuilt heart in a blender and pressing the puree` button! He can be pretty protective, y'know.
Come to think of it, the last person in the DCU I'd want to get on the bad side of is Kyle Rayner, given the Guardian's treatment of him in GLC: Recharge #1. He's a big man at Oa right now, and the Green Lantern Corps is swelling to about 7200 members to be the police force of the universe. And we all know how ex-girlfriends of cops get treated when they get pulled over. "Ma'am, it looks like you have a broken *SMASH* taillight on your spacestation. 100 Deneb-buck fine"
I hope she hooks up with Roy instead, and runs off with him to Outsiders obscurity so I never have to see either stupid character again!
Or, she can become a Green Lantern villainess. Why not? She's already conflicted with the two lead characters of the franchise! And she was able to smash through Jennie Hayden and Hal Jordan's constructs easily. Though, I think Kyle would be the one to come up with a way around that.
Hmm... According to Phil Jiminez interviews, she is getting some new, important role in the DCU during Infinite Crisis that separates her from the Wonder Woman Mythos -- and Geoff Johns helped come up with it! Maybe she will be a new Green Lantern villainess after the dust settles. Donna Troy, Inter-galactic Outlaw! I think I could grow to like her evil. She'd at least have personality, if only evil personality!
And, now, as a reward for reading through that, some funny stuff:
Kyle Rayner Fans, try here, here, and here.
I feel incredibly guilty for laughing at this. If you are of a conservative political bent, I suggest you scroll to the Green Section before turning away in disgust.
I actually don't feel guilty for laughing at this at all.
Memorable Quotes from JLA.
Guy Gardner actually comes off pretty nicely in this 1998 Fan-fiction.
Aquaman comes off as impressive in the last JLA.
Anyway, due to the solicitation for Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #2 (First issue was a work of beauty, Kim -- Rest assured, Kyle remains Kyle!) and it's implications, I felt a need to outline my feelings about Donna Troy, who is scheduled to invade my regular reading more often than I'd like this fall. So, on with the Bile!
Mild Spoilers for JSA #77 below
1) Even less personality, on average, than Wonder Woman herself. Seriously, at least under certain writers, Diana leaps off the page. Even badly written, you have an idea of what she will do in a given situation. Mark Waid outright admitted he didn't understand the character, but he still managed to inject her with personality. With Donna, even writers who claim to love her can only manage to give us an overly emotional twit with watercolor substance, at best. Wonder Woman may have an inconsistently complex personality, but at least she has her interesting portrayals -- Wonder Girl/Troia is consistently vapid and weepy.
2) Her creation was a big mistake, and this is not simply my opinion. A DC Editor saw Wonder Girl on the cover of Wonder Woman and actually thought she was Wonder Woman's teen sidekick, when in fact she was just a teenaged version of Wonder Woman. From there, they had to create a distinctive personality. They seem to have failed miserably.
3) Gaudy Moon-shaped earrings. Yuck. I'm sorry, I am against jewelry on a superheroine (and yes, this includes Wonder Woman's star earrings, which, most artists mercifully leave out. Her bracelets are actually bracers, and a kind of armor, so they are acceptable), particularly stupid dangly jewelry, and Donna was decked out in JSA #77. They should've stuck with the armor on the cover of Return of Donna Troy #3, that looks cool.
4) Poor Choice of Pantheon -- The Titans as opposed to the Romans or Olympians. Anyone who hasn't read the Greek stories is totally unfamiliar with her Pantheon (unlike Wonder Woman's, which most people at least know some names from) and anyone who's read the old Greek stories know that Titans were the bad guys.
5) Depressing. Donna's natural state is weeping. Every time I've seen her spotlighted, it's a tragedy fest. Everytime she speaks, she's so firkin' serious! She smiles sweetly, but never cracks a joke! She's like some dreadfully melancholy Mary Tyler Moore. Please! Just because you're in the Greek-influenced Wonder-family doesn't mean you have to walk around like Antigone! No, I'm being unfair -- to Antigone. That play was much more optimistic than any Donna Troy comic I've read lately.
I suspect the only way the writers could think to add depth was with depression and darkness, forgetting that the best characters punctuate their angst with a sense of humor and optimism.
6) Her miniseries is late. Yes, I blame the character for this, because somehow she's attracted a large enough fanbase that DC believed this would work better as a miniseries than an Outsiders/Teen Titans crossover. As part of of an ongoing crossover, I believe it would be on time and I wouldn't be seeing the results of the mini-series before the resolution.
7) She's going to play a large role in Infinite Crisis. Crap.
8) Donna Troy was singlehandedly responsible for the FUBAR Wonder Woman continuity. If no one had insisted on keeping Donna in the Teen Titans, there would not have been a Wonder Girl who predated Wonder Woman! That would mean no need for a Golden Age Wonder Woman to inspire Wonder Girl. This removes any need for Byrne retcons, because Wonder Woman continuity would be streamlined according to the Perez reboot.
9) The above continuity situation led to the untimely death of Queen Hippolyta, whom Byrne retconned as the time-traveling, Wildcat-boinking, fun-loving Golden Age Wonder Woman! Hippolyta was the best character in all of Wonder-dom at the time, and due to an excess of Wonder-females, TPTB declared that one needed to die senselessly in a stupid crossover -- Of course, the one with the most actual personality gets the axe! And of course, the one with the least actual personality (Donna) gets resurrected while Hippolyta remains dead!
10) She is currently powered above Wonder Woman. This is unacceptable, UNACCEPTABLE! Donna must always be subordinate to Diana.
11) Whenever she appears, she robs valuable panel-time from far better female characters (Wonder Woman, Hippolyta, Wonder Girl/Cassie, Starfire, Raven, Jade, Maura Rayner) and adds nothing of value with her presence.
12) Hypocrisy in JSA #77. Donna spends 3 issues under mental memory manipulation that causes her to attack the Teen Titans and the Outsiders, and attempt genocide on a peaceful, innocent, technologically backwards race. She meets Hal Jordan in JSA#77 and despite the fact that he is very obviously Green Lantern again, and Alan Scott is at his side vouching for him, she still gives him attitude about having been Parallax. Okay, much fun as Rebirth was, Batman has the right to give him crap. Kyle Rayner certainly has the right to give him crap. Wonder Woman has the right to give him crap. Superman no longer has the right to give him crap, but he won't! The Flash has the right to give him crap. Hawkman has the right to give him crap. Green Arrow has the right to give him crap. Donna, fresh off of mind-control herself, has absolutely no right to give him crap about things he did while not in possession of his full senses! I really hope Kyle rips her a new one for this in GLC: Recharge #2 (if it is indeed her that is being referred to in the solicitations -- Jade is still running around, after all, and if Jason Todd can come back, so can Alex DeWitt!)
13)Current Taste in Men -- and this is the one I think Diana needs to beat some sense into her over!
Fiction is wish-fulfillment. It is the only way for women to get certain ideal types of men. You know, men who never appear in real life. There are several archetypes, for example, that women are attracted to, hoping to scratch the surface and find another archetype underneath -- a two-in-one deal. One of these is the introspective artist. Most women I know, when attracted to the introspective artist, are secretly hoping that he will turn out to be a masculine solar-hero archetype underneath his introverted outer self. Not in a deceitful way, mind you, but simply hidden strength. In my experience, most introspective artists have the emotional/moral fortitude of a shaved hamster. So, we turn to the comic books and books for our idealized men -- your rogue with a heart of gold, your sensitive hero, your vulnerable tough-guy...etc.. The only way to be assured of a decent man.
Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern, is the introspective artist who shows the hero when you scratch the surface. The man (as written by Morrison or Johns) is selfless, virtuous, kind, funny, has a will of cold iron at his core, surrounded by this incredibly romantic dreamer exterior that is just as much a part of who he is as his hidden qualities. He's really cute with coal-black hair and tree green eyes. He can paint a beautiful picture of you, and fight off an alien armada with his mind. He can make glowing green flowers out of thin air. I mean, even when he's written as really stupid, he's actually quite a catch -- especially for vain women like me who like to see themselves as inspiration for art!
And Donna Troy dumped him.
For Roy Harper.
Roy Harper.
Those of you who don't follow DC will be unfamiliar with Roy Harper, aka Arsenal aka Speedy (Green Arrow's sidekick. Let me reiterate -- Green Arrow's sidekick). He's a single father -- her mother is a supervillain, who nuked an entire country -- who irresponsibly continues to be a non-powered vigilante despite his daughter constantly being used to manipulate him or her mother. He's the sole parent and provider, but does very little to preserve his own life. He doesn't really even have the ability to plan for the future, which was a huge joke when he started dating Donna. Rather than stay with the baby, he frequents a strip joint often enough to know everybody's name. He thinks he's a total hotshot, when I'm sure Connor Hawke is actually a much better fighter. He never shaves and has an ugly red goatee. His hair is basically red stubble. I don't believe he showers. He's sleezy. He's easy. He makes me feel queasy.
And Donna dumped gentle, introspective, humble Kyle for this loser.
Who dumps a guy like Kyle "Custom Designed for a Romantic Relationship" Rayner for Roy "Nice boots, let's knock them!" Harper?
Who dumps any Green Lantern for that matter? That franchise has everything you'd be looking for in a man! Artistic Romantic? We've got Kyle Rayner, just waiting for someone. You want a responsible, moral father-figure? We have John Stewart. Looking for a one-night stand? Hal Jordan. Inexplicably attracted to Neanderthals, but wish for one who is loyal good-natured under the rough exterior? Yes, there's actually Guy Gardner (who, while he may be a jerk externally, was actually a pretty loyal and faithful boyfriend to Ice).
Jade, I can forgive -- Kyle flaked out and she got lonely. With Donna, he was right there. She left. And don't tell me was an editorial mandate, it's always editorial mandate, she's a fictional character! But, we have to take all behavior that is not explained away by mind control into account when considering the character -- and to have her run into Roy's arms when she just told Kyle she wasn't up for romance -- Yuck! Donna is so stupid.
People on certain message boards are supporting a resurrection of this failed romance, but the idea sickens me. She is unworthy of any Green Lantern -- even Guy Gardner! Hell, especially Guy Gardner, because he at least has enough class not to move in on a girl who's been totally mind-whacked after losing her entire family! In fact, I hope Guy Gardner kicks her ass in Recharge for putting Kyle's recently rebuilt heart in a blender and pressing the puree` button! He can be pretty protective, y'know.
Come to think of it, the last person in the DCU I'd want to get on the bad side of is Kyle Rayner, given the Guardian's treatment of him in GLC: Recharge #1. He's a big man at Oa right now, and the Green Lantern Corps is swelling to about 7200 members to be the police force of the universe. And we all know how ex-girlfriends of cops get treated when they get pulled over. "Ma'am, it looks like you have a broken *SMASH* taillight on your spacestation. 100 Deneb-buck fine"
I hope she hooks up with Roy instead, and runs off with him to Outsiders obscurity so I never have to see either stupid character again!
Or, she can become a Green Lantern villainess. Why not? She's already conflicted with the two lead characters of the franchise! And she was able to smash through Jennie Hayden and Hal Jordan's constructs easily. Though, I think Kyle would be the one to come up with a way around that.
Hmm... According to Phil Jiminez interviews, she is getting some new, important role in the DCU during Infinite Crisis that separates her from the Wonder Woman Mythos -- and Geoff Johns helped come up with it! Maybe she will be a new Green Lantern villainess after the dust settles. Donna Troy, Inter-galactic Outlaw! I think I could grow to like her evil. She'd at least have personality, if only evil personality!
And, now, as a reward for reading through that, some funny stuff:
Kyle Rayner Fans, try here, here, and here.
I feel incredibly guilty for laughing at this. If you are of a conservative political bent, I suggest you scroll to the Green Section before turning away in disgust.
I actually don't feel guilty for laughing at this at all.
Memorable Quotes from JLA.
Guy Gardner actually comes off pretty nicely in this 1998 Fan-fiction.
Aquaman comes off as impressive in the last JLA.
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