Wonder Woman is a movie that Inspires

I was feeling so many emotions as the credits rolled on the Wonder Woman Movie.  The most prominent was a renewed sense of hope.  After the US election in 2016 I felt lost.  A man I did not respect and who through his life showed himself to be the opposite of everything I believed in was President.  I saw in this man the opposite of everything I taught the youth and children that had been under my care over the years.  As a Christian Minister I felt like the Gospel message of Love had been stomped upon.

Watching Gal Gadot bring Wonder Woman to life helped me feel a sense of calmness.  I feel the inspiration that has been my guide for so long.  I teach how Love is the strongest thing there is in the universe.  As a Christian I hold to Love as a sacrifice that was made so people had the choice to choose a life of goodness.

I liked having that feeling.  I did understand as well why people had said they were tearing up and crying.  There are two very emotional scenes, well more, but two that affected me.  I felt that this film would have been great for Memorial Day.  While being a film that preaches peace, it never makes the soldiers look bad.  It shows the horrors of WWI.  The backdrop worked well for Diana's origin.

It is an origin that takes all the various incarnations and melds the best parts to give us a strong female to admire and love.  The story works on so many levels.  Patty Jenkins crafted the best film of the year.  She deserves to direct more of the DC movies.  Her take and sense of visuals would do well for DC in making us care more and connecting with non-comicbook people.

Go see this movie.  Take any young women and older girls.  Younger girls can see it safely I think, but it will take some maturation for them to appreciate fully just how special this story and Wonder Woman are.  Wonder Woman really delivers everything a movie should be.

BDS

DC Universe Rebirth: Aquaman #1 - #6

 I have come to realize that I like Aquaman.  I think much has been done to malign this character over the years.  It is strange because so very talented people have written some outstanding stories over the many years of his existence.  Recently I have seen a more cohesive stance taken on this character and his place in the DC Universe.  I liked it and have been following for a few years now.  The way we see Aquaman as a joke is used here to great effect in a confrontation with Superman.

With the restart of some stories in this Rebirth era it was nice to see some threads remain as Aquaman moved forward.  If you recall, Wally saw Arthur and Mera as a positive in a bleak world he was trying to return to and set right.  Mera remains a strong female character and in the first six issues shows her commitment to Arthur, but also that she will bust walls and heads to ensure the safety of the one she loves.  Her balance as a warrior queen and a surface "wife" works well for comedic tension.

The idea of an embassy on the surface was a carry over and was used in terrific manner as a means to set Aquaman up.  Black Manta attacks and the death toll rises.  This prompts the US Government to go all paranoid on Aquaman and Atlanteans.  The Patriot Act is used and Aquaman surrenders himself after being treated unfairly as a Dignitary on US soil.  This sets up a fantastic rescue by Mera and a run to the sea where the Army attacks and Aquaman tries not to kill anyone.

There are two great punches in Issue Six.  One is Aquaman laying Superman out.  It shows that he is one the power level of Superman and Wonder Woman.  We seem to forget that sometimes.  He is one powerful meta.  It also allows for him to explain to Clark how he is seen as a joke in the Justice League.  It is a slight that has been endured by this King.  There are many looks at how he commands respect from his people and he shows just how powerful he is as a King.

I mentioned two punches.  Mera knocks the Man of Steel for a loop as well.  It is a cool scene for a favorite character of mine.  It also serves as a reminder of the power in this character and the power that the two combined have.  The response by a military observer is priceless.

Want awesome story and cool adventure, then read Aquaman.  It has mystery and political intrigue as well.  Black Manta does something shocking in the end of the book as well.  It will be a problem waiting for Aquaman I am sure.

BDS

DC Universe Rebirth Green Lanterns #1 - #6

 I remain loyal to my Green Lantern Titles and hope they stay strong.  On Earth we add another person to the ever growing cadre of Green Lanterns.  Her name is Jessica Cruz, a person with some anxiety issues.  I have no idea what happened to her in apparently Justice League titles and dealings with the Forever Evil story-line.  She is a very messed up gal that suddenly is placed with the Green Lantern that has the biggest chip on his Shoulder, Simon Baz.  The first Muslim Green Lantern and mainstream DC hero I guess comes from the time before Rebirth.  He has a cool back story that I encourage you to get and read.  He is the opposite of Cruz, he has no problems with self assured and cocky confidence.

Hal Jordan has placed them in charge of Earth.  You see Hal has taken off to find the rest of the Corps who disappeared and had their own wild adventures in the Universe before this one.  No time to train or teach the rookies teamwork so he comes up with a typical Hal solution.  He merges there power battery and now they must both be there to recharge.  No the best idea if you ask me, but Hal didn't.  The Justice League is their mentors and they are having a time of it over in that book.  Here in their book they are pushed into the deep in of the pool straight off.

Red Lanterns have returned.  Dex-Starr and Atrocious lead Bleedz and some I thought were Dead Reds to create something they call the Hell Tower on Earth.  The whole thing is a scary story with people becoming rage zombies and attacking anything that moves.  Our Greens are not immune either.  Family is caught up in the mess as Jessica's sister is infected.  Simon and Jessica fight to find an answer and we get plenty of back and forth from them as to why they dislike each other.  The thing is that to survive they will have to learn to trust each other.

There are some strange things happening to Simon as well.  He has developed new powers.  Some kind of healing effect through the green willpower is able to even break the rage of a Red Lantern and turn them back.  That was originally only possible by the ring of a Blue Lantern.  He also is having some kind of Green Vision where he can see the future or when someone is in trouble.  Both use tremendous energy and the levels spike when he taps into each.  

Add a rogue Guardian and the revelation of a new ring that is soon to be loosed on the Universe and this has been a great book so far.  It was a trill ride start and soon we should get some more action as things resolved but did not truly end.  They have a bunch of trouble ahead.  Both of them must learn how to work as a team and trust each other.  They have to watch each others backs.  Oh, and Jessica needs to figure out how to make constructs.

BDS

HEROES CONVENTION 2015: part 1

My posting for Heroes Con 2015 seems to have gone like my posting for this year, very poor.  I did get all my pictures posted on Google +.  I guess I didn't feel like it mattered since I never got included in the Heroes Con Blog report on sites with pics.  I did all kinds of stuff to get noticed, but I just did not have the energy and with my Blogging being so limited it did not seem to matter.  I think I suffered so depression during the trip.  If my friend Richard were not with me I believe I would have had a very bleak weekend.  I tried so hard to recapture the magic of the last few years, but it just felt off.  Some cool things happened, but i just felt lost a bit.

One thing was wanting to be CosPlaying.  I want to dress up so bad, but have just been behind in creativity and money for doing something.  I know whatever I do will look silly, but as long as I can make some people and kids smile it would be OK.  Knowing my body type is limited on the character I can play makes it challenging.  I want to at least attempt to look credible.  So I think that hampered me a great deal.

This was one of the biggest attendances in a long time.  Friday was especially busy this year.  It was hard to enjoy and get around on Friday and i got tired really fast.  The diabetes just sapped my strength.  It was different dealing with it this year.  Made me struggle to be able t stand around any length of time.  

I did get my three commissioned pieces set and agreed upon Friday.  They are awesome.  I held back mostly until Sunday for Prints.  One Liono print did come with me Friday.  I had to get it.  $5 trades was what I spent money on early.  This was the common early deal of the convention floor.  There was a crazy trend with customized Legos this year.  I never got a pic, seemed like those vendors would be the nit picky ones about pics.  

There were outstanding CosPlayers around.  Some of the costumes just blow your mind.  Lots of kids.  That was cool to see.  The number of future geeks.  It means that these kids will read and dream.  They will be the type to grow up with the type of hope where a man can fly or a tragic lose doesn't crush you.  

More later.

BDS

So A Lot Has Been Going On.....

Well, many things have been happening.  The biggest is that my substitute job has now turned into a second job.  It is before and after school care and that leaves me with a crazy schedule.  I hope that it helps with some of the money stress.  It has been an adjustment.  I also have been sick and dealing with the diabetes while this has happened.  All while still doing the primary job in the local church setting.

I have been able to catch up a bit on my reading of comicbooks and one thought crossed my mind.  What was the point of the FUTURE'S END stories from DC?  Aside from a few nice bits they really are not playing into the current plots for me.  I mean I figured that my books would jump forward and we would have a mini restart and that might be cool.  Add a few bits of tension and intrigue, but to have everything plodding along as is after reading what will be is just a marketing scheme, right?  My shop owner did have the non-steroid covers available for a switch or I would have not been buying the titles I collect.

TV has been cool with the Super Heroes of late.  I can't comment on Gotham as I cannot received the local FOX station over the airwaves and I have sworn off Hulu because their alliance with Facebook seems to screw with my access on my outdated computer.  But Flash is AWESOME!!!!!!!!  I love what they have done with the character and the way that they have the very accessible "Easter eggs" on display.  They really have done it right and it is the equal to Arrow in every way.  Constantine I like, but I figure it is a good thing that NBC is low in the ratings right now or it would be cut already.  They are doing it justice.  The thing I am wondering is if the Grimm folks are staying tuned and watching?

Trunk or Treat went well.  I was told I was the "coolest person ever" for giving out comics.  Had a mom at a local library praise me for making her little boy's Halloween.  Plus, it was cool seeing kids be dumbfounded when a comic was dropped in their trick or treat containers.

Well. gotta head to bed.  I hope to get back on track soon, but no promises.

BDS

Flashback Friday: Batgirl #53

I will be getting this one in just under the wire for Friday according to Eastern Standard Time.  I made up my mind at about 10:38 PM to do a Flashback Friday post, but my computer is not behaving well.  I think that Microsoft did an update to screw with Windows XP.  That is just a conspiracy theory, but why would I still get updates when they said I would no longer receive them?  Anyway, we have a tale of Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) and Robin (Stephanie Brown).  They will face off against the Penguin in this story.  

It is really just a nice action story that has much fighting and major damage.  They make the most of the martial arts and the ability of Robin to make an entrance.  The light-hearted aspect is balanced by a chilling twist that will place one little girl in the middle of the Gotham underworld.  It hits close to home for both heroines, Stephanie especially.

It is cool to see Stephanie and Barbara Gordon together and think of how one day there will be a Batgirl title for Steph and Oracle will be guiding her.  The plot is good and this is an issue that one can own and not need to have the preceding or following issues to understand things.  It stands alone.

BDS

Flashback Fridays: Justice League International Annual #2

Getting back into the swing of things with a JLI offering for you patient people.  Recently a great lady at church allowed me to purchase some old comics from her at a really great price.  I am giving her money from some that I sell, not because I have to, but because it just feels like the right thing to do.  The books were varied, but really cool.  This Annual from the quirky JLI series was one of them.  It is funny and just a great read.  Harkens (how many times do you get to use the word harkens in a sentence?) back to a simpler time of comics.  A time when all was not grim and reality based.  Sex sold in a subtle way and life was always wrapped up in nice packages in the end.

This issue has the Joker trying to assassinate the heroes of the Justice League International.  It is one blunder and dumb luck scenario after another.  The Joker is very dark, but in a dark humor way.  He makes the story move as we get a peak at the lives of part of the JLI.  Big Barda and Scott Free (Mister Miracle) are throwing a Bar B Que at their suburban home.  All the action will funnel to that area by the end.  Martian Manhunter and Rocket Red experience the Little Russia area of New York I assume.  Booster Gold and Blue Beetle become Repo Men.  This leads to them driving an experimental Tank to the gathering.  Yes, the Joker gets in the drivers seat eventually.  Ice Maiden shows up Fire on an audition for models.  It all runs smoothly into a look at their off adventure lives while a homicidal clown tries to off them without success.

The end has a moment that is so far removed from how we see Batman today that it is funny, yet odd to read for me.  Oh, forgot to mention Guy Gardner trying to help Scott with the grill, it is funny.  Light-hearted read with a strangely serious plot.  What comics lacks nowadays in many ways.

I hope to get some post lined up in the que, so keep an eye out.  Also thanks for reading.  It is nice to see that people check out these ramblings.

BDS

Aquaman and the Others #1

            Years ago the character of Aquaman was the punchline of so many jokes and even a TV Show that made fun of him.  The trouble with that has always been that when written correctly Aquaman is one of the toughest dudes DC Comics has and also has a great supporting cast.  How things have changed.  The New 52 has brought the King of Atlantis into a more popular status.  Now we have two Aquaman titles being produced.  Aquaman and the Others has the group introduced in the Aquaman comicbook.  Each person holds an ancient Atlantan artifact that gives them awesome power.  Some already had abilities and these items just enhance them and connect them to Aquaman.

            This team is going to be different.  They are multinational and each have strong personalities.  There should be plenty of tension and traits that can propel this comicbook.  Right now we have each member being targeted by high tech mercenaries.  They want the artifacts and they don't care about the health of the Others.  So we get very cool attack sequences.  Oh, the artifacts are losing power as well.

            I can't really write a bunch as it might give the comicbook away.  I can say that if you love the Aquqman book, then you should love this titles as well.

BDS

Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #18

            I have not been a fan of this title for the past few months.  Not only did the name change with the addition of “Trinity of Sin” screw up my pull box list as a new computer system was added to the checkout, but it really stunk.  Now it was not a case of bad writing or sucky art.  No, this was all about how the Forever Evil mega-crossover took control of The Phantom Stranger.  Thankfully all that is hopefully behind us.  I am so happy that it appears we will once again be following the story of Judas as he spends eternity making up for betraying Jesus.  It was that story that made me become interested in this new Stranger.

            This is a ghost story that involves the biggest of the bigs in the DCU.  Superman is being haunted and it is not having a good effect on the dimensional barriers.  The spirit of Dr. Light has decided that Superman should pay for his death and all the people he has never saved from anything that has ever occurred.  It is nice to see the Stranger and his power set interacting with Superman.  One awesome visual is of Supes smashing through the giant embodiment of the Stranger and it breaking into so many shards.

            Bringing the baddie they did into this ghost story is what has given me hope for this book to get back on track.  It was dangerously close to being dropped from my hold box.  That would have been sad for me.  I have really become taken with the character of The Phantom Stranger.  So for now I will keep reading.

BDS

Flashback Friday: Faces of Evil Deathstroke #1 (One Shot)

Was not sure I was going to make it tonight with a Flashback Friday.  Been baking cakes and getting ready to raise money for summer camp tomorrow, plus I have felt bad health-wise.  Still, I am making it.  I decided to discuss Slade Wilson this Friday.  He has always been linked in the past with the Teen Titans.  In his regular New 52 appearances i believe he has gotten to that point.  Not sure about all that as I will buy his book and the Teen Titans in trade form as I have cash to do so.  This One Shot combines the Titans and Slade with a ploy DC used to push the Final Crisis before it happened.  Evil was going to win and we needed a refresher course and a new beginning for many of the DC baddies.  Or maybe I have that timeline wrong, because the events of Final Crisis were occurring around the reason for Slade's incarceration.

Anyway, Slade Wilson is in a coma in Belle Reve Prison.  Geo Force had forced a final showdown and actually succeeded in besting Slade at his on manipulation game.  The result was a sword slicing Wilson's heart in half.  His regeneration abilities enabled him to survive and that allows for this story.  He comes back and then has a dying request as he seems suicidal.  They arrange for a visitor to see him as a last request.  He wants to see his daughter Rose Wilson, Ravager.

Pre-New 52 I really liked the Rose Wilson character.  She was much like Marvel's Wolverine, a clouded and disjointed past, trained as an assassin, could be sinner or saint, was actually trying to be a hero of sorts.  Her variety allowed for a great spectrum of stories.  Here she accepts the invitation, but is not surprised when as she tries to kill her Dad she discovers he is faking.  

A great fight and move by move strategy is shown here.  David Hine really understood these characters and the way the book ends in this section was just outstanding.  Rose was not beaten per se, but Slade definitely won.  He is still cut throat, but now he is going to decide who he kills.  A fresh start.  It would have lead to a creepy new beginning, but the reboot happened and we will never know what might have been.  Still, this is a great stand alone read of two awesome characters.

BDS

#Deathstroke  #SladeWilson  #TeenTitans  #Ravager #RoseWilson  #FlashbackFridays

Flashback Friday: Grilfrenzy! Superman: Lois Lane #1

DC used to love to do what was called a Fifth Week Event.  There are a slew of these collections of special and themed comics out in the Universe that were produced when a month had five weeks.  The Girlfrenzy! event is no big surprise, focused on female characters.  Some were newbies that were being introduced or fleshed out more as a character, some were like the lead in this book, old stalwarts of the DC Universe.  This is a great solo tale of Lois Lane.

One of the great things about this story is that Lois sees her love Superman in the very start of the book, but he leaves and the adventure is all hers.  It is good to see this intrepid reporter excel at the craft she practices.  It has been easy over the many years of stories with Lois and Superman in them to see her as the "damsel in distress" all to often.  Here we are reminded that the character could anchor her own title.

In the Arctic Wilds we have Lois awaiting a source that never appears.  This has her striking out on her own with the local sheriff and a woman that takes an interest in the polar bears that are missing.  Seems some kids are missing as well.  It turns into a freakish corporate experiment when Lois infiltrates and discovers the secrets of a research station on the ice.  This is a good story and there is a surprise guest that I will not name.  I will hint that it is a secondary DC character.  Lois still controls the spotlight throughout the tale.

This is a must for any Lois Lane fan.  It also is a good comic that you could give to a young female reader to enjoy.  It has a strong female lead and the testosterone fueled art is left off the radar in this one.  A good back issue find if you come across it sometime.

BDS

Earth 2 #16

 It has been a rough few weeks for me health-wise and that has curtailed my posting.  I was doing so well for a bit there too.  I did want to give you something to read and decided it was time again to sing the praises of Earth-2.  This to me is one of the bright gems of the DCnU or The New 52.  It has taken old characters with massive histories and retooled them for today.  They feel familiar while also new.  It has been an interesting and fun read so far.

James Robinson finishes his run as of this issue.  Maybe he left because of editorial messing, maybe he just finished his part of the story.  I don't read the gossip sites or news sites anymore, so I don't know and don't care really.  I do care that he has crafted the foundation for a book I hope to enjoy for a long time to come.

Nicola Scott has been a fantastic artist on this title.  She has rocked the look and feel of this alternate Earth and it has been absolutely terrific seeing her diverse ability shine.  I first saw her work on the old Birds Of Prey.  She was good there on that title, but with Earth-2 she was able to bring more to the table.  She as much as Robinson shaped the Earth-2 foundation.  She was called upon to draw romance, war, espionage, magic, apocalyptic destruction, and natural landscapes.  She has proven herself to be one of the best artist working at DC Comics.

We get a big shocker in this issue.  The big bad is victorious, but also killed very violently to give us a new ruler.  The reveal I think will be a fake.  I have an idea on who this really might be, but to even make my guess ruins the shock ending.  I have placed the death of Steppenwolf here.  There is much in this defeat of the One World Army.  

Green Lantern may be dead as well.  I doubt it, but he took a beating to end all beatings.  The wonders all came together and pulled survivors out.  We still have two side stories going.  They don't get time this issue.  There is Hawkgirl and the new Batman on a search and the Barda and Mr. Miracle quest.  Each is just as high octane as this issue.  I am eager to see what the new writer does with the foundation that has been laid.  I also hope Nicola Scott remains on the book.

BDS

Demon Knights #23

Ah, The Demon Knights have come to an end.  I must say that overall I enjoyed this book very much.  It had its bumpy period with the Vampire story.  The Vandal Savage torture of Jason Blood also helped meander the tale a bit.  The last arc however sealed the book up with a nice neat bow.  We have that Black Diamond used and resolved as a plot device that never really did anything in this book until now.  Sir Ystin is healed of the vampiric taint and has secured the Holy Grail.  Horsewoman can now walk so DC is making a statement about the handicapped I guess.  Maybe the Internets has blown up with outrage that another redhead got the use of her legs back.  It did make sense in terms of showing the amazing powers of the Holy Grail.

If only Vandal Savage could have been shown in his blown to bits status.  Still, it was a funny bit of story to see him blown up after the Demon Etrigan had faked out a Giant and set his huge gag looking bomb a flame.  It was a slapstick moment as the lit fuse went down.  It all really did show the ability of this early team and as I said wrapped the entire series up in a nice neat bow.

One thought I had was to have a series of Demon Kinights one-shots.  Each would highlight characters like Horsewoman, Ystin, Al Jabar, and Exoristos.  It would be neat to see some of their solo adventures.  I doubt that it will ever come to pass as this book was always a tie to what was happening in the current time of the New 52.  I sense that in some ways these characters will be seen as throw away characters now that the book has ended.  Still, in some future year a writer might dust these heroes off and give us one more ride of the Demon Knights.

Good run, but glad for the drop in one title from my pull box as the wallet is hurting right now after Trinity War.

BDS

Flashback Fridays: Action Comics #665

Here is an oddity for you this Flashback Friday.  I bought a four pack of comics at a store called Five Below and had some great mixture of books in there when buying for really only one that I knew I wanted.  This book will probably go into the sale box, but it did give a great story of Lois Lane and her strengths as a character.  It also has a great back-up photo album and remembrances by Ma and Pa Kent.

This must have occurred as the romance that would lead up to the wedding was happening.  We have Clark and Lois supposedly on a date to meet the Kents as a way for Clark to realize Lois might be in trouble.  Seems Lois has gotten a break on a story about stolen military equipment and she makes a decision to jump on a moving truck to follow the story.  It means she never shows for the date.  While we see Lois as the cool reporter it highlights some things that are cool about Clark and his alter-ego Superman.

Clark is able as Supes to read a scribble indention about a person Lois was meeting.  As Clark he interrogates the guy and soon learns what the story is about.  We watch Superman use his powers in interesting ways to find Lois.  He is using heat vision to see the after effects of heat residue.  We watch as he is a CSI unit unto himself.  Of course Lois is eventually out-gunned and out-numbered in the hidden base she has been lead to at the end of the truck ride.  Needless to say that Superman shows up and kicks butt, although Lois stealthily takes the bad guy's gun away when Superman provides a diversion.

This is a cool little story.  The back-up pages are sweet and look at Clark's life through scrapbook pictures.  The talk of the pictures they could not have was endearing as they were shown.  

BDS

Flashback Friday: DC Comics Presents Lobo 100 Page Spectacular

This week's Flashback Friday would go in a file folder titled "What was I thinking?"  I really do not like the character Lobo.  I think he is a vile creation and really just do not care for the guy.  In my loyal only to Marvel days I would have called him a poor man's cosmic Wolverine.  So, why may you ask did I buy this book?  I can tell you one thing, I didn't pay the $7.99 cover price.

No, this was a fifty cent book that I bought on impulse during one of my local shop's special events.  I saw Superman on the cover and figured he was beating the tar out of Lobo inside and gave it a chance.  I figured it could always go in my yard sale box and make the fifty cents back.

The book in question has three stories in it.  Two are long mini series type tales while the third is a short and comical piece.  Let us go in reverse order discussing the adventures.  The third story is one where a group of villains are swapping stories and the like.  The evil gal Phobia relates her run in with Lobo as she was stealing from S.T.A.R. Labs.  In this tale we see Phobia able to conjure the one thing in all the Universe able to frighten Lobo.  Kinda funny, but really short.

Second and in the middle we have a team up tale with the Demon Etrigan.  It is crass and vulgar as one would expect when these two characters are involved.  Plot goes as such; Angel hires the two for a job retrieving Heaven's One Trillionth Soul.  The dude has been accidentally sent to Hell.  They go, they fight and fight and fight and fight and fight.  Like an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon.  The Heavenly Soul is corrupting Hell and all around it.  Is a weird story with one scene that has a dream of God smiting Lobo over and over again.  Twist at the end and we can move on to Superman fighting Lobo.

Our comicbook begins with a cosmic corporate Hedge fund type group wanting Earth's water for an addictive drug.  Seems the pollution has made it very addictive and valuable.  Superman foils the deal and they sic Lobo on him.  Big action ensues and a betrayal makes Lobo turn and we do not get to see Superman pound on him any more.  Really good Superman story.

So there you have my tale of impulse buying.  Have a great weekend.

BDS

MAN OF STEEL (SPOILER ALERT) Comments

SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT  SPOILER ALERT There, you should be duly warned.  I want to speak openly about what I liked about this movie and to do that I have to say things about the movie.  So if you have not seen it and you read this and I spoil it for you, THEN why on earth did you read it after I warned you?  Now on to my delayed comments about MAN OF STEEL.  Had a bit of kidney stone issues and felt ooky so I did not get my Saturday comments posted as I wanted.

The first thing I liked was Amy Adams as Lois Lane.  She really made the character her own.  I liked the cute Lois that was still a no-nonsense daredevil reporter.  She held her own in this film with some strong male actors that she had to basically faced down as Lois.  The fact that she tracks down Clark as the mysterious man from her adventure in an alien ship was a great way to refresh this well known story.  It gave her not only smarts, but when the aliens attack and the FBI is wanting to know who the mystery guy is she shows her character by not revealing the info.  Her other big moment comes at the end when Superman kills Zod.  To see Superman kill was a powerful thing, but the aftermath where he is screaming because he has taken a life was perfection.  That perfection was capped off by having Lois appear and cradle the vulnerable man we all know she has come to love.  That was one of the best moments.

I also liked the small flashbacks used in a way to tell the origin without losing the action of the current time.  Each one gave Clark a depth of spirit that endured through Henry Cavill's portrayal.  He looked like the most recent incarnation of Clark Kent (Tom Welling in Smallville) without seeming like a clone.  I loved the way he carried humor in the most simple of ways.  That understated humor allowed for the movie to remain dramatic.  His not being Clark Kent the reporter until the end was just a great way to setup the franchise I am hoping for.  He was a great casting choice.

Letting the action build was a big plus.  It was a problem in SUPERMAN RETURNS.  Here we get the action in two separate ending sequences that both are high powered.  A battle against a Terra-forming device and then the battle royal with Zod.  All this after small action build ups.  It really was a cool movie to just enjoy for the action alone.

My one gripe is with the media who want to always make Superman out to be Messianic in nature.  I never have understood the need they have to try and make every film have the character be Jesus.  Clark shows the fact that he is not by breaking from the chant of Jor-El and going to his Pastor in Smallville to seek advice on what to do when Zod has asked he be delivered or dire consequences will ensue.  I know that there was a big play up on how he was the hope for Krypton, but that does not translate to the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth.  It is more a showing of how a person can be called upon to follow the teachings of Jesus.

This film made me love seeing Superman on the big screen.  Even in that terrible looking suit.  I loved it.

BDS

Flashback Friday: The Brave and the Bold #169

I have been working to present a Flashback Friday at least each week.  Here is that promised column now.  I picked this book up last fall at the local shop's toy and comic show.  There were some great long box finds.  I got this issue for Zatanna.  She is a character I like a great deal.

Brave and the Bold was and has been a series that would combine some characters for an adventure tale.  Batman was a favorite of the writers and is the anchor hero here in this story.  Most readers today would not recognize this Batman.  He is personable and not the grim and gritty Dark Knight.  He does strike fear in this issue and it has consequences.

Zatanna is in her "superhero" costume.  It is the variation on the cape and spandex costume that would occasionally be used.  Here we get to see her use her spells to turn bullets into flowers and make objects attack the bad guys.  It is a good look at her as a fighter.  She really holds her own in the action.  The cover would have her seem the damsel in distress.  She is not that at all.  Alfred's comments on her behavior is priceless.

Batman is great as the main detective.  He uses Bruce Wayne in a great way to get the fingerprints of a suspect.  He gets taken and put in a coffin that ends up being the place he needs to be to aid Zatanna and the woman that is being used and abused in the story.  Batman literally scares a guy to death.  The circumstances need to remain secret to preserve the story.

This is a great Flashback Friday book.  It also includes a back-up short tale that stars Nemesis.  It is the lead up to the next issue where Nemesis will team up with Batman.  That was a great short.  It was complete and served to pique interest.  If I see it in a back issue bin I will probably buy it.

BDS

Flashback Friday: Aztek The Ultimate Man #2

As promised the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) fueled Flashback Friday begins.  This is the first and only Aztek comic I have bought or owned.  As I was going through the Fifty Cent long boxes on FCBD I saw the Green Lantern Symbol and what looked like Major Force.  Those that know Kyle Rayner's story as Green Lantern know why this caught my attention.  Major Force is probably Kyle's number one adversary.  He killed and stuffed the GL's fiancee into a refrigerator and forever gave us the term "Women in Refrigerators" as a term for how women are treated in comics.  The two have history and I thought it could be a neat buy.

I knew a bit about Aztek as I have read a few JLA issues with him in a supporting role.  Here was a glimpse of his beginnings.  Sadly, it didn't grab me all that much.  I found it showing a flat character.  Really, GL being in the book was its saving grace.  The art was really off-putting for me as well.

It has a neat idea for a plot.  The use of Major Force was a good way to have the team up.  There is a secret about the Major that would ruin the read if you ever found yourself with this book in your hands.  I said it felt flat, that was as an overall book.  The story itself was really quite good.  I just had no desire to add this to a group of books to own the complete series.  That might sound at odds to some readers of my Blog, but for me it makes sense.

Aztek is named here in this issue and there is a cool registration form for being a superhero that Aztek has filled out in the back of the issue.  All in all it is a neat Green Lantern side tale and a miss as for my wanting to add Aztek to my collection.  Wonder if he made it into the DCnU?

BDS   

ART AUCTION FOR PETER DAVID!!!!!

Starting today you have the opportunity to help the wonderful Writer of so many diverse characters and worlds, Peter David.  Most of you should know that Mr. David had a stroke recently.  This auction has been put together by J.K. Woodward over on his Blog.  Several people have generously done original pieces and put some other things up to help.  All information is yours by going to the following link:

J.K. Woodward Gallery

Please check out this auction.  Please share the fact that it is going on.  

BDS

Earth 2

I am slowly working to post regularly again.  I need to get back to a schedule and help myself break the depressive funk I have been under for a bit now.  In doing that I wanted to talk about one of the DCnU titles that has been intriguing and just good reads month after month.  EARTH 2 has become one of the books where old characters have returned and some characters are reintroduced to readers.  I see that this is and has become the Justice Society of America part of the DCnU.  The Flash, Atom, Hawkgirl, Dr. Fate, Mr. Terrific, and others can be traced to that book.  It lies in a world where things are just not the same, similar, but not the same.

This is an Earth that has a BIG history.  Darksied invaded and nearly took over the planet.  It took the might and sacrifice of this Earth's Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to stop that threat and give a new life to the world.  In the defeat of the forces of Apokilips, not only did the Trinity die, but the daughter of Batman and Catwoman and her friend Supergirl were transport to another Earth.  This connects to one of my other favorite books right now, WORLD'S FINEST.  That book has the adventures of Earth 2's Robin (Huntress) and Supergirl (Power Girl) in the main DCnU Earth.

Darksied's general is stuck on Earth 2 and has apparently taken Wonder Woman's daughter under his control.  That was scary to see.  When this duo encounters the new "Wonders" of this world it should be explosive.  DC had a major press blip with this title as well.  Alan Scott, Green Lantern is gay in this incarnation.  His love dies and is the spark for the ring and the focus of his new power.  It was a small bit of the overall story, but the mainstream press latched on and had a bit of excitement.  This Green Lantern is powerful and the incarnation of Solomon Grundy he fought was as well.

What I think attracts me to the book is the newness of ages old characters.  They have the familiarity of the namesakes, but they are new and just finding out there place in the Universe.  An added part is that there is a major deal of EVIL coming down the road for this Earth.  We know that the coming together of the forces and people we are introduced to is of great importance.  This has brought a bunch of enjoyment to me as I read.  

Earth 2 is a book for lovers of great stories and those wanting something new to read.  Plus it has the outstanding artwork of Nicola Scott.  She is one of the treasures that DC Comics has working for them currently.  Her people have a great look to them and they are just awesome to look at.  Her backgrounds are so vivid.  Just buy the book for her art and I bet that James Robinson will hook you with the stories.

BDS