July 2, 2009
Why would he call it "macaroni"?
As we get ready for Independence Day here in the U.S., I wonder just how many U.S. patriotic-themed characters there are in comics.
July 1, 2009
All in a day's work
The first issue of Gotham City Sirens introduced us to The Broker, real estate agent to the criminal mastermind. Previews of Marvel Divas shows that there are now matchmaking services for the single superheroine.
This, of course, adds to the list of everyday services that comics has trotted out over the years. The Rogues went to Paul Gambi for their duds, and many Marvel heroes went to Janet van Dyne. Physicians like the Crime Doctor provides (usually villains) the medical care they need. Inventors like the Tinkerer provide equipment and custom gadgets to the super crowd (often villains). Both Oracle and Calculator provide significant IT and data mining services. Damage Control does extensive clean up and repairs after battles. Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg, and Holliway provides legal services to superhumans. Batman has, at times, had outside contractors design and build him Batmobiles. The Mighty has an entire support team. There have also been multiple news sites, blogs, e-zines, and television tabloids covering the super community, and at least one reality show (which ultimately resulted in the Marvel Civil War kicking off).
My question to you is twofold. First, what other everyday services have we seen that I've neglected to mention (I'm sure there are lots)? Second, what are some other possibilities we haven't seen yet? I've got my own take on the latter question after the break.
June 28, 2009
June 27, 2009
Justice League of Still Blitheringly Idiotic Editors
I just read Justice League of America #31.
It is truly remarkable. I don't know that I've seen a book, a book which should be the flagship of the DC universe, destroyed so thoroughly so quickly by outside editorial interference. At this point, I would advocate the summary dismissal of the entire editorial staff responsible.
- Martian Manhunter: Since the mid-80s, the heart of the team; shuffled off-screen around a year ago, killed like a punk in Final Crisis
- Batman: "Killed" in Final Crisis.
- Flash: Resigned because of family and Titans obligations.
- Superman: Resigned because of something apparently called "New Krypton".
- Wonder Woman: Resigned because -- I have no idea.
- Green Lantern (Hal): Resigned to found his own "pro-active" Justice League. Note: the comic actually lampshades the inanity of forming "pro-active" Justice League; the term has a miserable history in team comics. Henry's Law: "When the characters themselves are complaining about the plot, you know something's wrong."
- Hawkgirl: Injured in some other comic somewhere.
- Speedy, or whatever name he's using now: Because Hawkgirl was injured, or something.
- Black Lightning: Taking over the Outsiders.
- Hawkman: Who knows? Apparently he wasn't even a member, and he's still not one.
I have no words to express the degree to which my jaw dropped at how comprehensively this book was dismantled. There is a foul taste in my mouth. They've just driven this book back to the depths it was before Waid's Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare and then Grant Morrison revived the book as DC's legitimate "World's Greatest Heroes", and for the same spine-crushingly stupid reasons.
Plus, page one panel 4 clearly shows Diana, Wonder Woman, but Zatanna is addressing Dinah, Black Canary.
Also, Dinah engages in spousal abuse, which has its own special kind of distaste.
Bah.
I were Dwayne McDuffie, I'd be disappointed, but ultimately not unhappy at being fired from such a weak second sister destined to be clusterfucked.
I were DC, I'd start getting my resume in order.
June 25, 2009
And a Henchman to be Named Later
So I'm reading the latest Essential Thor volume and the first story has Thor going off to meet Galactus and it occurs to me -- during the classic Lee/Kirby days, I think Galactus appeared in Thor more often than he did in the Fantastic Four. It's not something I'd swear to -- I haven't gone back and counted the issues -- but I think there were two Lee/Kirby FF/Galactus stories and 3 or 4 Thor/Galactus stories.
June 23, 2009
Survey time!
Let's say you're sitting at home, minding your own business when your phone rings. It's Dan DiDio and Joe Quesada.
June 22, 2009
Administrivia Question for Our Readers
If we enabled comment whitelisting through TypeKey, would you be able to take advantage of it?
June 21, 2009
Blind Items
Unlike Jerry, I didn't make it to Wizard World Philadelphia this weekend. But I do hear things. Hypothetically speaking, of course. Things that might make you ask yourself questions like:
- Which Spider-Man writer punched Dan DiDio in the face at an industry-only party?
- Which Superman writer got caught by his editor talking to Joe Quesada about signing an exclusive deal with Marvel?
- Which popular writer is working on a Vertigo-style revival of Power Pack for Marvel?
- Which Marvel editor showed up late to a panel because he was in bed with three different women?
- Which Image creator treated several dozen fans to dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse?
- Which member of the "Dark Reign" Avengers is going to become a bona-fide hero before the end of the year?
- Which member of the Teen Titans is going to get a Green Lantern ring?
- Which popular license is moving from Dark Horse to IDW?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Five Random Thoughts
I had intended to write a con report for Wizard World Philly this weekend, but the flu knocked me out of action. I can tell you, given my approximate 2 hours actively wandering the con floor before nearly passing out on Friday, that attendance was more sparse this year and that the dealers seemed to put emphasis on clearing out excess stock, whether it was the mountain of John McCain action figures going for a dollar or the table full of those "sold-out" Cap 600s going for $2.
So instead of a con report, let me try out a new format that I hope will actually get me to be a more regular contributor to this site.
Sunday Song Lyric
So this one is kind of long but has a very interesting backstory.
June 19, 2009
Appearance Lass and Popular Lad
Not counting the two obvious answers (Superboy and Supergirl, of course), which member of the Legion of Super-Heroes do you suppose has had the most appearances? Has anyone actually counted? Given the dedication that many people have to the Legion, it would not surprise me if somebody has counted.
June 18, 2009
If you leave your house now ...
You can make it to Manny's in Chicago in time for our monthly Curmudgeons Con -- this month on Saturday, June 20 at 1:00. The food is delicious, the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, and it's not like you have anything better to do with your weekend than make a cross-country drive or a trans-oceanic flight.
Hilarity Ensues
Somebody at Marvel PR has taken to writing comedy. Here's the first line of the press release announcing that Captain America #600 is going back for a second printing:
This week, there's no bigger super hero than Captain America and mainstream media frenzy caused CAPTAIN AMERICA #600 to sell out immediately (though copies may be available at the retail level).
I must lead a more sheltered life than I realized, because I completely missed the media frenzy on this. It's good to know, though, that despite CAP #600 apparently being the only thing they were talking about on the cable news shows, and despite its instantaneous sell out, you shouldn't have any trouble finding it available in actual stores.
Comics I Miss
I really miss Leave it to Chance. What a great comic. How come it wasn't more popular?
June 16, 2009
Tanned, Rested, and Ready
So for a variety of reasons, I sort of fell off the blogging wagon for a while. For the sake of my fragile ego, let's assume you all noticed and missed me terribly. Anyway, partly I was busy, and partly I didn't have much to say about comics, and partly blogging seemed to much like work and not enough like fun.
A couple of thoughts on recent comics goings-on after the jump, and then let's make this an open thread.