As you can tell from most of my latest posts, I have been on a Superman kick as of late. What can I say…I love Big Blue’s never ending fight against evil…his constant pursuit of freedom. I know he is a total black and white superhero with no grey areas, and that’s what I love about him. No matter what, he is going to do the right thing, come hell or high water. Despite his multitude of powers, at the end of the day, the only true way to test Superman is to attack his humanity (unless you happen to have Doomsday around…but even then Superman can kick some serious ass).
For the longest time, I have always figured that one of the best ways to get a great story line out of Supes would be having Lois Lane murdered at the hands of Lex Luthor.
Yeah yeah yeah….breaking up a combo that is as American as tantamount as apple pie and vanilla ice cream could be sacrilegious in the eyes of some people….but the drama and torment that could be drawn from that could bring a whole new edge to the Big Blue Boy scout.
I mean really, the storyline would be a great exploration of the mythos and psyche of Superman no matter which way it went (which, in my opinion, is only one of two ways).
Just think about it, you would have a Superman who is totally racked with the loss of his love…just completely torn apart and pushed to his breaking point having lost his one true connection to humanity at the hands of his greatest, yet ultimately, inferior foe. Pushed to the breaking point by his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor, Superman would have no super-power to counter this…only his humanity given to him by his folks in the heartland. Nature vs. nurture…the ultimate exploration of Superman’s powers and how much restraint he has when it comes to truly pulling his “punches”.
If he kills Luthor, he loses his one moral he has always remained true to: never, despite how much power he has, to kill. If he does that, not only will he compromise his integrity and values, he would lose the support of the world that has adopted him. People would fear him, and he would his drive to be their protector; the trust of the people is what gives Superman his greatest power: honor.
If he allows Luthor to get away with it, he would feel like a failure. Supe’s family is biggest piece of his indestructible heart, and the loss of Lois Lane would destroy him. To the world, he may still be Superman, but in his mind, his thoughts would be relegated to those solely of doubt. He would’ve failed the one he loved the most, and if he failed her, how could he protect the billions of others on the Earth.
This wouldn’t be the most action packed Superman story…not by a long shot. It would be a great exploration of his character, and more importantly, what makes him resonate with his readers. I think exploring his human side could be a great insight into exploring our own humanity.
(Also, before anyone points it out, I am well aware of the New 52 continuity and the current status of Clark and Lois’s relationship…it’d still be a great story though)
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Podcast: The Witcher 2 in 90 Seconds
Hey everyone, take a listen to my first attempt at a podcast, a super short review of The Witcher 2. It's short but sweet, and I hope you enjoy it! And, as usual, if you have any feedback....leave it below.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
A Great Article on Superman
I can't lie, I am an unabashed fan of Superman. I have loved Big Blue since the days when I would run through the house with my Superman PJs on and try to fly by leaping from the living room doorway towards the couch (which I was mostly unsuccessful at much to my grandmother's chagrin).
Some people thinks he's boring because he's all powerful, has no weaknesses, or too goody-goody. I think those folks are missing the point....it's not his powers or lack of weaknesses that can make him such an appealing character. It's that despite what goes on in the world around him, his convictions and morals are unwaviering. No matter what circumstances, he is the good guy. He always has been and always has be. His biggest weakness is his heart and the fact that he is the ultimate good guy.
This leads me to this post on www.ifanboy.com.
I think Mike Romo sums up a lot of the issues with current crop of Superman books quite well and I think it is a very good read that should be checked out.
Some people thinks he's boring because he's all powerful, has no weaknesses, or too goody-goody. I think those folks are missing the point....it's not his powers or lack of weaknesses that can make him such an appealing character. It's that despite what goes on in the world around him, his convictions and morals are unwaviering. No matter what circumstances, he is the good guy. He always has been and always has be. His biggest weakness is his heart and the fact that he is the ultimate good guy.
This leads me to this post on www.ifanboy.com.
I think Mike Romo sums up a lot of the issues with current crop of Superman books quite well and I think it is a very good read that should be checked out.
Friday, April 6, 2012
PAX East 2011....even though it's 2012
In the immortal words of Dante Hicks (go watch Clerks if you don't get it!!!), "I'm not even supposed to be here today."
I should actually be at the PAX East convention in Boston, MA this weekend, but alas here I am in Kansas enjoying the suprisingly nice weather. I won't go into why I am not there...it's all due to circumsances that were out of my control. Damned cirucmstances.
Luckily, I was able to go last year, so in honor of that faithful and fun trip, I have decided to post a slideshow of a few pictures of my trip from last year to give everyone an idea of what a videogame/tabletop gaming convention is about. Plus, there are few pictures of Boston in there as well. I had never been there before, and it was an amazing city to trek through. If any of you get the chance to go there, make sure to do walk the Freedom Trail. It is an awesome experience getting to see some of the sites that helped to give birth to the US.
Enjoy!
I should actually be at the PAX East convention in Boston, MA this weekend, but alas here I am in Kansas enjoying the suprisingly nice weather. I won't go into why I am not there...it's all due to circumsances that were out of my control. Damned cirucmstances.
Luckily, I was able to go last year, so in honor of that faithful and fun trip, I have decided to post a slideshow of a few pictures of my trip from last year to give everyone an idea of what a videogame/tabletop gaming convention is about. Plus, there are few pictures of Boston in there as well. I had never been there before, and it was an amazing city to trek through. If any of you get the chance to go there, make sure to do walk the Freedom Trail. It is an awesome experience getting to see some of the sites that helped to give birth to the US.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Importance of Iconography or Where Are Superman’s Red Underwear
So, as I have mentioned before, DC re-launched all of their comics last summer and brought about some changes. Titles were dropped, some backstories got retconned, some B-listers got their own books, and some costumes got a redesign. All in all, it was a success as it got new readers into shops and got long time readers interested titles they may have gave up on before.
Which is great…anything to grow the industry means more readers; more readers means
more competition; more competition means better books for all. What really got me, though, is where the hell did Superman’s underwear go.
I know they aren’t really underwear, but traditional Kryptonian wear. Not everyone is nerdy enough to know that so for arguments sake I will just go with the age old underwear
argument to simplify things.
Honestly, this post isn’t really influenced by Big Blue’s new costume. I have already had ample time to digest the fact that the classic costume is gone. Finally, the most powerful being in the DC
Universe (according to me anyways), has mastered the fine art of dressing himself. I can deal with that; I am not too fond of the new suit, but hey it’s still Superman so all is well (though
his upcoming Earth 2 costume is pretty bad ass and should have been his new costume for the main books).
What I am writing about is the changes made to the iconic S logo for next summer’s Superman movie, The Man of Steel. While I don’t mind the redesign of the logo very much either (how hard is it really to muck up an S in a diamond), how much artistic license can an artist take with a character that has been around for 74 years? Do you really need to tweak something that has been around for so long just to make it more modern or edgy? One of Superman’s main traits is that he isn’t edgy; his lack of edginess is a quintessential part of the character.
More importantly, how many people are going to see that new logo and immediately view it as Supe’s new logo and not replace it their mind with the traditional logo. I mean the differences aren’t really that jarring, but how much of an affect will it have on viewers. I know that when I look at it, I know it’s still the “S”, but somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder why in the hell would someone decide to change a logo that has become a huge pop-culture icon over
the years.
On totally related or unrelated side note, they also tweaked Spider-Man’s costume for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man flick, and I think it is sweet. The designers of that costume took another very traditional and iconic character and made it more modern while still keeping all of the elements that make suit uniquely identifiable as Spider-Man. Kudos to them!
Which is great…anything to grow the industry means more readers; more readers means
more competition; more competition means better books for all. What really got me, though, is where the hell did Superman’s underwear go.
I know they aren’t really underwear, but traditional Kryptonian wear. Not everyone is nerdy enough to know that so for arguments sake I will just go with the age old underwear
argument to simplify things.
Honestly, this post isn’t really influenced by Big Blue’s new costume. I have already had ample time to digest the fact that the classic costume is gone. Finally, the most powerful being in the DC
Universe (according to me anyways), has mastered the fine art of dressing himself. I can deal with that; I am not too fond of the new suit, but hey it’s still Superman so all is well (though
his upcoming Earth 2 costume is pretty bad ass and should have been his new costume for the main books).
What I am writing about is the changes made to the iconic S logo for next summer’s Superman movie, The Man of Steel. While I don’t mind the redesign of the logo very much either (how hard is it really to muck up an S in a diamond), how much artistic license can an artist take with a character that has been around for 74 years? Do you really need to tweak something that has been around for so long just to make it more modern or edgy? One of Superman’s main traits is that he isn’t edgy; his lack of edginess is a quintessential part of the character.
More importantly, how many people are going to see that new logo and immediately view it as Supe’s new logo and not replace it their mind with the traditional logo. I mean the differences aren’t really that jarring, but how much of an affect will it have on viewers. I know that when I look at it, I know it’s still the “S”, but somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder why in the hell would someone decide to change a logo that has become a huge pop-culture icon over
the years.
On totally related or unrelated side note, they also tweaked Spider-Man’s costume for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man flick, and I think it is sweet. The designers of that costume took another very traditional and iconic character and made it more modern while still keeping all of the elements that make suit uniquely identifiable as Spider-Man. Kudos to them!
Oh and just to cover my ass, the picture of the Superman logo is property of Warner Bros.
Friday, March 30, 2012
So for those who don’t know (which I am pretty sure is everyone who looks at my blog), the first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day.
Basically, it’s a chance to head to your local comic book store and pick up some free comic books. A lot of publishers put out books for this day, and it’s a good chance to get your feet wet in the comic world without dropping any cash.
So, if you’re out and about on May 5th, take a trip over to Gatekeeper Hobbies. It’s not only the lone comic book store in Topeka; it’s the best one I have ever shopped in. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and they are more than willing to help you find a title that will pique your interests, and if you are looking for a certain book, they will go out of their way to get it for you.
So May 5th is not only a great chance to score some free comics, it’s also a great opportunity to support the local economy.
And for those of you who can't find Gatekeeper, here is a handy map courtesy of Google:
View Larger Map
Basically, it’s a chance to head to your local comic book store and pick up some free comic books. A lot of publishers put out books for this day, and it’s a good chance to get your feet wet in the comic world without dropping any cash.
So, if you’re out and about on May 5th, take a trip over to Gatekeeper Hobbies. It’s not only the lone comic book store in Topeka; it’s the best one I have ever shopped in. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and they are more than willing to help you find a title that will pique your interests, and if you are looking for a certain book, they will go out of their way to get it for you.
So May 5th is not only a great chance to score some free comics, it’s also a great opportunity to support the local economy.
And for those of you who can't find Gatekeeper, here is a handy map courtesy of Google:
View Larger Map
Post 4: Digital vs. Print
It is official…the digital age is upon us and it has been for some time. Just about every consumable for of mass media has went digital.
From music to newspapers, everything someone wants is just a click away.
While it has taken a while, comics have finally gone full
force into the digital age. Though e-comics have been available for quite a while in limited numbers, DC Comics brought digital distribution to the forefront with their “re-launch” last summer. No longer would you have to wait a month or two to find a digital copy of your
favorite book; digital comics would be available the same day as print
editions. Nor would you have to wait for the local comic shop to backorder a title for you that they were out of…you can just snag a copy of it on the internet, load it on your e-reader of
choice, and you’re set…convenience at its best. It’s certainly working as the big two publishers (DC and Marvel) both support that model.
It sounds pretty good, and for some people, I’m sure it is. For some reason, though, I just can’t
get into it. I go digital for just about everything from books to music to games, but for some reason, I still prefer to head to Gatekeeper every Wednesday and pick my books up. I even based my purchase of an e-reader on which one had the best comic book support, but I still buy them at the store every week.
I think it stems from the fact that I like to have a tactile product in my hands. I like being able
to hold my comics as I read them, the mundane ritual of boarding and bagging each issue, and watching my collection grow as they get forever stashed in my white comic box, only to be brought out and read again when the urge hits me. Plus, I like being able to support a local
business by giving them my business on a weekly basis.
Or maybe, just maybe, I’m a hoarder and I don’t even know it.
From music to newspapers, everything someone wants is just a click away.
While it has taken a while, comics have finally gone full
force into the digital age. Though e-comics have been available for quite a while in limited numbers, DC Comics brought digital distribution to the forefront with their “re-launch” last summer. No longer would you have to wait a month or two to find a digital copy of your
favorite book; digital comics would be available the same day as print
editions. Nor would you have to wait for the local comic shop to backorder a title for you that they were out of…you can just snag a copy of it on the internet, load it on your e-reader of
choice, and you’re set…convenience at its best. It’s certainly working as the big two publishers (DC and Marvel) both support that model.
It sounds pretty good, and for some people, I’m sure it is. For some reason, though, I just can’t
get into it. I go digital for just about everything from books to music to games, but for some reason, I still prefer to head to Gatekeeper every Wednesday and pick my books up. I even based my purchase of an e-reader on which one had the best comic book support, but I still buy them at the store every week.
I think it stems from the fact that I like to have a tactile product in my hands. I like being able
to hold my comics as I read them, the mundane ritual of boarding and bagging each issue, and watching my collection grow as they get forever stashed in my white comic box, only to be brought out and read again when the urge hits me. Plus, I like being able to support a local
business by giving them my business on a weekly basis.
Or maybe, just maybe, I’m a hoarder and I don’t even know it.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Post 3, Justice League: Doom
So to change things up this week, I am writing up a review of Justice League: Doom, the new DC animated movie that released this week.
Justice League: Doom is roughly based on the Tower of Babel storyline by Mark Waid that was published in Justice League America issues #43-46 in 2000. The premise of Tower of
Babel is that Batman has developed “fail safes” in case any of the Justice League members go rouge and they need to be brought down. Inadvertently, these plans are stolen and used by Vandal Savage to take out the Justice League while he launches a nefarious plan for world domination.
Justice League: Doom follows the same basic recipe, while not being a carbon copy ofTower of Babel. First off, it is written by the late, great Dwayne McDuffie. He did a fantastic job of adapting and streamlining the storyline for the small screen.
Second, Doom tweaks the cast of the Justice League for this adventure. The Justice League of America in this movie is Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and
the Martian Manhunter. Also featured is Cyborg, who is not a member of the JLA during the movie, is featured prominently and he eventually joins them at the end which mirrors his status in the new Justice League comic.
As far as the movie itself goes, it holds up great to the level quality that has become standard for DC animated movies. The voice acting is fantastic, the story is great and is fully fleshed out in its 77 minute running time, and the animation is top notch as always. I have to give props to the animators for carrying over character designs from other DC movies as it makes the animated DC Universe feel more cohesive.
Not only does the movie rock, it comes with a whole slew of bonus materials on the disc. It has a “memorium” feature in Dwayne McDuffie that has interviews with friends, family, and colleagues and helps to chronicle his life in comics. Justice League: Doom also features a making of short, a short animated piece about how Batman gathered all of the intel for his failsafe plans, two episodes of the Justice League Unlimited cartoon, and as a nifty little bonus it also includes a digital copy of the JLA storyline, Tower of Babel.
I think Justice League: Doom is a great package for comic fans and anyone who enjoys a good tale about heroes in tights. The movie is a great romp for super hero fans and the added bonuses on the Blu-Ray help to expand on the movie and its backstory. The animation is great, the acting is great, and the story is a blast.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Post 2, On being a Fanboy...
So, I’m a fanboy…I admit it.
In recent times, that term draws the ire of people who are fans of a certain company and its products and forsake all others, but I can come to grips with it…I am a sucker for DC Comics. Every Wednesday when I go to the comic shop, my entire pull list is DC Comic titles…Batman, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern….thoseare the books I read; the heroes I love. Even when I peruse the shelves for something that catches my eye, I make a beeline to the DC shelves, completely forsaking any other publisher, and possibly robbing myself of other worlds to explore and invest myself in.
The odd thing is that it has always been that way for me, choosing one publisher over the other. When I was younger, it was all Marvel for me. Other than Superman and Batman, all I wanted was Marvel books. I was such a huge fan of Spider-Man that I got him emblazoned on my leg for the rest of my life.
I don’t know why I do this. Is it some necessity to feel like I am part of some special clique that only delves into the titles of one universe? Is the quality of the books that different from publisher to publisher? I don’t know why I do it; it’s just some strange compulsion. But recently, I managed to overcome it.
I picked up The Amazing Spider-Man 679 and 679.1 and it was great. It was like going back to a long lost friend (and it totally justifies my tattoo). I went back to a world that was a staple of my childhood, and I realized that there is space in my pull list for tales from another world.
Maybe this is the beginning of a trend for me. Maybe my pull list will begin to meld
tales of Superman and Batman with stories of Daredevil and Spider-Man. I mean really, the only drawback of getting titles from another publisher is my wallet will be a little lighter on Wednesdays.
In recent times, that term draws the ire of people who are fans of a certain company and its products and forsake all others, but I can come to grips with it…I am a sucker for DC Comics. Every Wednesday when I go to the comic shop, my entire pull list is DC Comic titles…Batman, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern….thoseare the books I read; the heroes I love. Even when I peruse the shelves for something that catches my eye, I make a beeline to the DC shelves, completely forsaking any other publisher, and possibly robbing myself of other worlds to explore and invest myself in.
The odd thing is that it has always been that way for me, choosing one publisher over the other. When I was younger, it was all Marvel for me. Other than Superman and Batman, all I wanted was Marvel books. I was such a huge fan of Spider-Man that I got him emblazoned on my leg for the rest of my life.
I don’t know why I do this. Is it some necessity to feel like I am part of some special clique that only delves into the titles of one universe? Is the quality of the books that different from publisher to publisher? I don’t know why I do it; it’s just some strange compulsion. But recently, I managed to overcome it.
I picked up The Amazing Spider-Man 679 and 679.1 and it was great. It was like going back to a long lost friend (and it totally justifies my tattoo). I went back to a world that was a staple of my childhood, and I realized that there is space in my pull list for tales from another world.
Maybe this is the beginning of a trend for me. Maybe my pull list will begin to meld
tales of Superman and Batman with stories of Daredevil and Spider-Man. I mean really, the only drawback of getting titles from another publisher is my wallet will be a little lighter on Wednesdays.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Post 1, Before Watchmen
Hi everyone and welcome to the first of many posts on The Fortress of Geekitude!
Weekly, I will be commentating on the comic book world and its happenings. So kick back, enjoy my wit, and pick up a comic!
On to my post this week, DC Comics has decided to release a set of Watchmen prequel books titled Before Watchmen this summer.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the title, Watchmen is one of the most lauded and revered books in all of comicdom. When writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons put this title together in 1985/86, it threw the comic book world for a spin. Prior to the release of Watchmen, comics tended to stick to a structure that appealed to younger readers, avoiding any grey areas.
While they still consisted of the heroes we still know and love today, not much was done to touch on the psychological personal struggles those superheroes must have surely gone through. Watchmen changed all of that. Thanks to a great story that was influenced by the public’s tension over the Cold War, Moore and Gibbons showed that superheroes as just as fucked up as the rest of us. Nite Owl, Rorschach, Ozymandias, The Comedian, Silk Spectre, and Dr. Manhattan were taken by Moore and Gibbons and deconstructed down to their individual essences, and comic fans loved it. This book showed that the medium wasn’t just for kids and that it could be used to convey a deep and dark story for adults. Watchmen set a precedent for deeper and darker stories, and really opened the door for other creators to follow in its footsteps.
Fast forward 26 years later, and Watchmen is still loved just as much. Hell, you could even say it is a sacred cow to some fans, which is why so many folks are up in arms about DC’s decision to publish prequel books for each of the main characters and the Minutemen. Way too many people are bitching that the story has already been told; that Alan Moore’s creation should be left alone (I won’t even go into how Alan Moore actually “tweaked” characters from Charlton Comics to create Watchmen, that’s a post for another day); that Watchmen holds an untouchable spot since
it changed the industry so much. I have to go against all the naysayers on this one.
I think it is a great idea. I feel in love with the characters in Watchmen. Since each character was torn down brick by brick in front my very eyes while I was reading it, I developed a great sense of connection to them. What came with that connection was a desire to learn more about what made them tick; what did they achieve that allowed to them to even earn the title of “superhero”. There are a few snippets here and there in the original series that alludes to the background of the characters, with a few like the Comedian’s back story receiving a lot of attention. I want more than that though. I want to see Rorschach and Nite Owl taking down organized crime. I want to see more of the Comedian’s black bag exploits for the US government.
Expanding on a created universe is never a bad thing. When anyone writes a piece of fiction that is well received and as loved as Watchmen, people are naturally going to want more. I think that shows how successful a work is when people clamor for more, and Watchmen has been successful in spades.
So naysayers get off of your high horse and enjoy these stories for what they: an expansion on characters that you love enough to bitch about them getting prequel stories. Even if the prequels end up being a letdown, it will not change a thing in the copy of Watchmen sitting on your bookshelf.
Weekly, I will be commentating on the comic book world and its happenings. So kick back, enjoy my wit, and pick up a comic!
On to my post this week, DC Comics has decided to release a set of Watchmen prequel books titled Before Watchmen this summer.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the title, Watchmen is one of the most lauded and revered books in all of comicdom. When writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons put this title together in 1985/86, it threw the comic book world for a spin. Prior to the release of Watchmen, comics tended to stick to a structure that appealed to younger readers, avoiding any grey areas.
While they still consisted of the heroes we still know and love today, not much was done to touch on the psychological personal struggles those superheroes must have surely gone through. Watchmen changed all of that. Thanks to a great story that was influenced by the public’s tension over the Cold War, Moore and Gibbons showed that superheroes as just as fucked up as the rest of us. Nite Owl, Rorschach, Ozymandias, The Comedian, Silk Spectre, and Dr. Manhattan were taken by Moore and Gibbons and deconstructed down to their individual essences, and comic fans loved it. This book showed that the medium wasn’t just for kids and that it could be used to convey a deep and dark story for adults. Watchmen set a precedent for deeper and darker stories, and really opened the door for other creators to follow in its footsteps.
Fast forward 26 years later, and Watchmen is still loved just as much. Hell, you could even say it is a sacred cow to some fans, which is why so many folks are up in arms about DC’s decision to publish prequel books for each of the main characters and the Minutemen. Way too many people are bitching that the story has already been told; that Alan Moore’s creation should be left alone (I won’t even go into how Alan Moore actually “tweaked” characters from Charlton Comics to create Watchmen, that’s a post for another day); that Watchmen holds an untouchable spot since
it changed the industry so much. I have to go against all the naysayers on this one.
I think it is a great idea. I feel in love with the characters in Watchmen. Since each character was torn down brick by brick in front my very eyes while I was reading it, I developed a great sense of connection to them. What came with that connection was a desire to learn more about what made them tick; what did they achieve that allowed to them to even earn the title of “superhero”. There are a few snippets here and there in the original series that alludes to the background of the characters, with a few like the Comedian’s back story receiving a lot of attention. I want more than that though. I want to see Rorschach and Nite Owl taking down organized crime. I want to see more of the Comedian’s black bag exploits for the US government.
Expanding on a created universe is never a bad thing. When anyone writes a piece of fiction that is well received and as loved as Watchmen, people are naturally going to want more. I think that shows how successful a work is when people clamor for more, and Watchmen has been successful in spades.
So naysayers get off of your high horse and enjoy these stories for what they: an expansion on characters that you love enough to bitch about them getting prequel stories. Even if the prequels end up being a letdown, it will not change a thing in the copy of Watchmen sitting on your bookshelf.
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