JLA: The Lightning Saga, Superman: New Krypton Special, and Why: Must Comic Titles Always Include Colons? October 27, 2008

There will be no feelings this week, just comics.

Unless, of course, I’m feeling about comics. Then it’s alright.

Let’s see… I read JLA: The Lightning Saga ( If you are reading that in your head, I think the voice you should use should be that of James Earl Jones. Can’t you just imagine him saying that? !”THE LIGHTNING SAGA”! I don’t know if writing it like that helps you imagine a deep voice, but I thought I’d give it a try… I’m silly, I know). Anyway…

I read JLA: The Lightning Saga this week (You read it in James Earl Jones’ voice didn’t you?) and it was pretty good. It was a bit confusing at times, I don’t know if this was because Geoff Johns and Brad Meltzer traded off writing it or what. Not that it wasn’t interesting or that I didn’t enjoy it, it just didn’t always seem linear. I don’t know, maybe I was just tired when I read it.

The artwork, however, was fantastic. I loved the colors and I especially liked the two page spreads. The first of which gorillas of all things are riding on dinosaurs, raptors to be specific, and then the one where all the superheroes are fighting with the computer octopus thing. It was eye candy all the way through. I’m a visual person, so when you have these complicated drawings with ten different things going on at the same time it drives I crazy (pardon the pun), in a good way.

But let’s step away from JLA: The Lightning Saga (The voice happened again, didn’t it? “Luke, I am…”) and turn to other comics.

This week Superman: New Krypton Special was released. I mention this because A) I had the pleasure of meeting one of the writers, Sterling Gates, since this weekend he was doing a signing at the local comic store, and B) because it’s a really good comic. Supergirl, who I’ve written about before, was featured in it and it served to help continue her story, which was cool.

It also presented this huge dilemma for her and Superman. Basically, for reasons that I’m not going to take the time to explain, there are 100,000 kryptonians now on earth. All of whom have super powers.

So it begs the question: What makes Superman and Supergirl special?

With all these people out there with the ability to save (or destroy, but the writers haven’t gotten that far yet) what sets Superman and Supergirl apart?

Now, people might be upset with this. They may say things like “Aren’t there enough superheroes already?” or “We like to read about them because they are special, one of a kind, not because they are one in one hundred thousand.”

But I do not concur with these dissenters (although they may be completely imaginary), I think this problem creates an interesting dynamic. It will show that there is more to being a superhero than just having powers. It takes gumption (yes I use that word), compassion, time etc., to do what a superhero does, not just the fact that the sunlight makes them strong, or allows them to fly, or zap people with their eyeballs.

Oh, switching topics here like the true ADD wannabe that I am, I have to say that whoever decided to put the whale in the comic , thank you. It made me giggle. . . like a girl.

There are some silly people over there at DC and I must say I like it.

Although, I’m not sure how Superman and Supergirl could have left it on the balcony like that. How could they go into dinner with the smell of rotting whale right outside the open window? There is no way that the stench would not ruin anyone’s dinner, I don’t care how superhuman you are. Dead fish stink. And dead whale… well you can imagine.

No Comics, Some Comedy, and a Lot of Thoughts October 19, 2008

Okay, confession, I’m not going to talk about a specific comic book this week.

This is not because I didn’t read one, I did. I read the Batman: RIP series thus far, and several Batman issues leading up to RIP. It’s not laziness. It’s not time mismanagement.

It’s just that I don’t really feel like writing about it.

First of all, because I already did a review of the series for my University’s newspaper, and secondly because I just don’t feel like it.

I hate the “I don’t feel like it” excuse. I “feel” like it’s a cop out. For me, usually, I’m am of the opinion “What does it matter what you feel? It matters what you do. Get off your ass and go do what needs to be done.”

That being said, I’m just not up for it. I probably could, but I won’t.

My best friend is moving away this week. Far, far away. Not to some other galaxy, thankfully, but it may as well be.

I know it won’t be the last time I see her, and I’ll still talk to her and stuff. I am actually going over spring break to visit her, which is going to be absolutely awesome. Better than awesome, actually. And it’s not that I’m really that sad, I’m not. Yes, I’m going to miss her, but it’s not even just that, because I know that people move on and that life is cyclical. So I know our paths will cross and, if not, it will be okay.

I think the problem is that I feel left behind. I want to go with her.

For the first time in my life I wish I had been raised by the cirque du soleil people (I probably misspelled that). If I had, then right about now I’d have my body contorted into some ridiculous pretzel shape and have it fitted neatly into her suitcase. I’ve always wanted to go, to leave this place behind. She is, and I can’t, not just yet.

I know I will, once I’ve finished this school thing. But, right now, it feels so far away and I’m afraid the longer I wait the more likely it is that I will never leave. I need to leave. But I also need to finish what I started. I need to graduate.

So here I am, not stuck, just transitioning. Not trapped, just not where I ultimately want to be.  Right now, I really just want to read a comic book, or an old fiction favorite, or maybe a new novel love. I want to hang out in my apartment, alone, listen to my records and curl up in my papasan chair.

But I can’t.

I can’t, because it doesn’t matter what you feel, it matters what you do. And because I believe this I’m going to get off my ass and go do what needs to be done. Mainly, I’m going to go write my stupid lit paper.

And then (I’m about to sound really really pitiful, which I’ll probably regret later because I really just think I’m annoying when I whine), after a sleepless night and lots of coffee and energy drinks, after I go to class and go to work, I’m going to go study for my Shakespeare midterm.

It really is just awesome. And, having written this, I now feel really ridiculous because I should have never have shared this. But, (ready yourself for more pitiful) I have to write this blog for a grade. I have to.

Well, I guess I don’t have to, but I do. So, here is my “feelin’ sorry for molly party,” and I think the party is just about over. I’ve just had my green tea latte, it was quite delicious, and I think I feel a second wind coming on.

So I’m going to go, but before I do, I’m going to recite all of the most ridiculous and awesome pieces of advice I am privy to. Not because they pertain to my life, or the situations I find myself in, but just because they make me smile.

So, here it goes…

Don’t take yourself so damn seriously.

It’s like putting a bull in a china closet, it’s either going to break all the dishes or shit on the floor.

Whatever blows your skirt up or your hair back.

Always follow the three S’s of hygiene. Shave, shit, shower. In that order.

(When referring to a guy with large protruding ears) It’s like watching a taxi cab go down the street with the back doors open. (This really isn’t a saying, but it’s still funny).

No matter how bad you think it’s going to be, just remember, they can’t take away your birthday. – said by a friend who I shall miss dearly.

JSA: Just Stay Awesome…. or Justice Society of America, whichever. October 12, 2008

It seems that I am expanding my horizons, comic character wise, again this week. Thanks to a concerned comic citizen I was introduced to the Justice Society of America: The New Age. A comic which, because of its array of many characters, reminds you before each segment who each character is. (I must admit I’m glad they did this. Sometimes Stargirl and Liberty Belle just look too similar. They’ve both got the long blond hair thing going on.)

I didn’t realize that so many super individuals with all these powers could coexist so peacefully. I kept thinking that at some point someone was going to push someone else too far and then all hell would break loose. Actually, I’ll confess, I kind of wanted to see this.

I wanted it to be costume laundry day. I wanted to see all these characters standing around, clothed I hope, taking turns putting their costumes in the spin cycle. Wouldn’t that be a great dynamic?

Can’t you just imagine one of the guys putting a red sock in the cycle with Supergirl’s (Kara Zor-L, the other one from an alternate universe,  not Kara Zor-El) white spandex ensemble? I’m thinking that somebody would be buried up to their neck in skyscrapers at that point if she was forced to wear a pink outfit instead.

And, I bet the only person who doesn’t botch up the washing job is Starman. Because he is insane it would make sense that he is the only one who gets “the washing” right. Also, his costume is all black and you’d be hard pressed to harm black clothing.

This is probably unrealistic. Not because of the fact that they are all fictional characters, or anything like that , but because if you were them and you had saving the world on your mind all the time, you’d probably just have your laundry sent out. And you would most likely have more than one costume so you wouldn’t be forced to wear the one turned pink because of a little red sock.

Anyway, washing aside, I liked the story and the character interaction. I’m used to the mono-superhero; the guy, or girl, who is all about the soliloquy, the monologue, the inner dialogue. Basically, I’m used to reading about the self-reflecting, “It’s all about me,” Hamlet type of character.

Now, this comic had elements of that, but it wouldn’t just be focused on one person. Rather, it would switch between the characters. They would take turns reflecting and focusing on what was going on. It was nice because you could see the story from different sides.

This didn’t occur with all the characters. Although, I’m sure as the comic continues (A fact the person who loaned it to me failed to mention. Now I’m wondering what happens next in the story!!) the other characters are explored as well.

My main problem is that I don’t know how it ends. What’s with the creepy “skeletore” guy at the end and the chained girl??? (Besides the fact that it’s trying to be sexually appealing to its mass male readership). And, how in the world does a guy with no powers, I’m talking about wildcat, end up having a son that transforms into a big kitty cat? These questions need to be answered and soon. I’m not an extremely patient person.

Ah well, I guess I’ll just have to bother what’s-his-face until he lends me the next one in the installment. I think I’m starting to get somewhat attached to these characters.

The Supergirl October 4, 2008

I was introduced to a new superhero this week.

Her name, emphasis on the her part, is Kara Zor-El, more better known as Supergirl. A lady, well young lady, who has all of the powers of Superman, but who’s missing those years of training and experience Superman had the chance to gain while growing up on Earth.

I was excited about reading this comic for two reasons. 1) It’s always exciting to me to read about female super heroes, the ones who are actually heroes and not just sexualized additions to male dominated comics. And 2) I had the opportunity to speak with the comics author, Sterling Gates, before the comic was released for sale.

My teacher in one of my classes thought it would be a great idea if I interviewed Sterling for my school’s newspaper, seeing as the comic was being released soon and Sterling was a friend of his, as well as a graduate of the school I now attend. It was pretty cool I must admit, chatting with him about the character and where the story was going.

If only I could do this with every comic I read. How fun would it be to call up Jeph Loeb after reading The Long Halloween? Allow me to imagine for a moment what that would be like:

[Sample of Pseudo conversation with Mr. Loeb. Note: He probably doesn't actually talk like this, but lets pretend for a moment.]

Me: Hey Jeph, how’s life?

Jeph: How did you get this number. . . . again?

Me: Ah well, you know me.

Jeph: No, I don’t.

Me: So. . . that scene in The Long Halloween.

Jeph: What about it?

Me: It was. . . .

Jeph: Conceptual?

Me: Mmmm, no.

Jeph: Intelligent?

Me: No.

Jeph: Ambiguous?

Me: No.

Jeph: Subtle in its complexities but at the same time accessible to a mass audience?

Me: I was going to say well drawn.

Jeph: Oh. . . . I’ll give you Tim Sale’s number.

Okay, so maybe calling up all authors after reading their comics isn’t the best idea ever. Plus, I don’t know if I’d ever actually want to talk to someone like, let’s say, Alan Moore. Although I am somewhat morbidly curious to see if he is indeed as crazy as people claim him to be. Perhaps, he’s just misunderstood, or perhaps he’s just really, really cranky. I don’t know. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Anyway, it was fun to talk to Supergirl’s author. Which, reminds me, I haven’t even discussed the comic yet.

I am easily pushed off track.

So. . . Supergirl. What does a girl, a teenager mind you, do with all those powers? Especially, when she isn’t of yet as disciplined as she should be with how she uses those powers. I mean, planting a semi-truck in the middle of a baseball field in order to quiet a wailing banshee is a bit over the top, althought quite entertaining if you weren’t in the crowd which was previously watching the baseball game.

There are other ways. Which, I guess, is part of her appeal. She’s not perfect. She’s still new to the whole superhero gig and has to adjust accordingly. In that regards she is the same as any other person, although any other person can’t take a leisurely lap about the earth each morning before starting their day, but that’s why it’s more exciting. If she makes a mistake it could have big implications.

For example: Let’s say that Timmy, five years old and trusting, asks Supergirl to heat up his lunch. Supergirl, using her heat vision believes she is equal to the task, but ends up over doing it and has to deliver Timmy’s ashes to his mother, Margaret. She is then sued by Margaret, as well as the Hot Pockets brand (this was the essence of Timmy’s lunch) because they experienced a drop in sales due to Timmy’s untimely end. No kids are in the mood to eat a Pizza Pocket that may end in their deaths.

Now, would this ever actually happen? Probably not. But it’s fun to conjecture, and it will be even more fun to see what trouble/or not that Supergirl experiences in upcoming issues.