Found via Subway Squawkers:



That would never have happened if he was still married to MJ.

I was about to make another unread post about Robert F. Kennedy when I scanned my profile and noticed this:

scans_daily

Even though I stopped frequenting that community when the quality of commentary went downhill and Peter stopped loving MJ I was glad to know that if I ever wondered what was going on with Hal Jordan or if I wanted news on when the Power Girl series was going to finally come out or what Darwyn Cooke was drawing now or curious to see what new Mini Marvels silliness could brighten my day--well, I could just search the tags and find comics joy.

I know it's active on another journal host but the fact that it's been removed from LJ says quite a bit, especially about how far s_d has moved from its founders' dreams.

Farewell, LJ scans_daily! Your archives will be dearly missed!



In brighter news, this would be the best Marvel marketing ploy EVER!

This is for my darling octopedingenue and her sore back and her newfound love for Jaime!Blue Beetle.

First of all: I am loving the new Blue Beetle writer, Matt Sturges. He gets Jaime, the scarab, the cast, and the sense of humor that marks the series out as so special. If my scanner wasn't still just a hunk of junk sitting uselessly in my room because HP hides their power adapters from me I would scan the scene where Jaime tries an intimidation tactic Batman told him about. Or his victory over magnetically powered hoodlums that he finishes up with "And nerds of the earth, take note--I did it...with science!"

But what I do have is scans from Tiny Titans, an all-ages comic focused on (wait for it...) Titans' members from all decades! Blue Beetle made his debut in issue 6.

( Prepare yourself for utter cuteness. )

Tiny Titans is a good read for any Blue Beetle fans, or fans of adorable squishy things. On the other hand, only masochists who enjoy wasting money should buy Teen Titans.

I wish I could use my scanner tonight. Oh, how I wish! Because today a big damn comic came out. "Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds: This Time It's Triangular: Get Your Kryptonian On: Saturn Girl Is My Girlfriend"* #1 to be exact.

Superboy-Prime gets warped to the 31st century and fights history! And I quote:

31st Century Superman Museum Tour Guide: Oh, that loser is barely worth mentioning.
Superboy-Prime: WHAT?
Guide: That's Superboy-Prime. He was a Kryptonian kid, a Clark Kent from a parallel earth long dead. He was always whining about how our earth wasn't as "perfect" as his. Kid Flash kicked his face in the dirt when Prime tried to tear up the Teen Titans.
Prime: Kid Fla-Flash? Bart Allen cheated. He had all the Fla-Flashes gang up on me!**
Guide: Conner Kent stopped one of his tantrums before he could do any real damage.
Prime: Hey! Hey, that's not what happened! I showed that stupid clone who the real superb-
Guide: And then there was Sodam Yat, the most powerful of the Green Lanterns. He kicked Prime around too.
Prime: This isn't how anything happened!

And then Prime eviscerated a whole planet. *sigh* I love that kid!

*Not complete title.

**Prime is scared of the Flashes, the least imposing heroes in the entire DCU.

Geoff Johns writes the perfect Clark Kent. And Gary Frank draws the perfect Superman.

Together, they create....ACTION COMICS!

( In this week's issue, a look into the new crack team at the Daily Planet )

In all seriousness, I think this is going to be one of greatest eras for Superman comics. Geoff Johns and James Robinson are both incredible writers who plan to keep their titles in alignment with each other and recreate the Superman Family feeling (they've both said they want to build up Supergirl again and she's already solicited to guest star in Action Comics and Superman). The Daily Planet staff is going to be varied and entertaining. Jimmy Olsen is there! (I love Jimmy.) Superman's childhood pals, the Legion, have already been reintroduced. And the regular artists are Gary Frank and Renato Guedes. In case you don't know, they be good.

My moment of zen for the week:



And then Booster and Ted got married and made the Justice League cool again and brought the heroic dead back to life and convinced Dinah Lance to leave Green Arrow for Oracle (though not, sadly, to send them a videotape) and also cured cancer.

They had a good run and later in life they died heroes. Dressed as a dung beetle and a Fabergé Egg.

(D-don't break my heart, DC. Please don't do it.)

autophanous and I were discussing Iron Man--of all things!--and what reading material there is out there for the discerning fangirl who doesn't want the high to end and Matt Fraction is coming out with a new series this week and being an author with indy and pop culture sensibilities it's going to be pretty rad I am sure. I also had to bring up The Order, a super hero team who is led by the man who in the past played Tony Stark in the Marvel Universe's Iron Man TV show.

Yeah, I love comics.

( Scans inside of Henry Hellrung, proving yet again that Tony Stark has the best boyfriends. )

Reading the last two pages of this week's Green Lantern, I spent about five minutes covering my face in shame. "Oh my god, it's so cliché. And...silly. And, well, utterly insane." Then I shook the comic to make sure I hadn't missed a page. Then I read the ending again. And then...

I REALIZED HOW MUCH I FREAKING ADORE THIS COMIC. Dear heavens above, Geoff Johns would have a fantastic career in shoujo manga if DC ever goes bankrupt. Financially bankrupt, that is.

( I had a knife and I still couldn't cut this damn sexual tension. )

FILL IN THE BLANK TIME!



Than Casanova?

Than James Bond?

Than The Doctor?

Than Hal Jordan?

Than Oracle?

...

Answer me, Kon!

(Panel made all the more amusing if you assume that Superboy read The Flash letter columns too.)

Over the weekend I watched a film that failed to develop a fairly prominent plot point tying into the characterization of a main character and then the very next day I read a book that managed to acknowledge the same dilemma and begin presenting its resolution in volume 1!

I love when things work out that way.

THE FILM:



I didn't hate this movie because I am not capable of hating any movie that presents a universe full of wonder and oddities and pushes people to live outside of the box and have fun doing it. But I really would have liked to be part of the editing process...when the screenplay was being written. The loose ends are driving me crazy! Because the young boy character who has cute, big ears just like my brother--his whole deal is that he can't make friends his own age. By the end of the film, he still doesn't have a friend. He hasn't had a conversation with another kid. Or even had another kid wipe their buggers on him.

If I had watched this film as an impressionable child I would have given up hope. And started stalking accountants. (Yes, I laughed every time they called Jason Bateman a mutant. It was FUNNY.)

THE BOOK:



This is the story of a girl, her purple pet monster dragon, and the boy at school who likes carrots so much he can see you from a mile away*.

Already in the first volume we see Portia meet and brave these obstacles:
- Fear of following purple dragon monsters who are very hungry and want you to take them home
- Leaving your comfort zone to stop bullies bullying other people
- Cryptic hobos
- Being lonely and needing a friend

Sometimes the simplest challenges can be retold so powerfully and that's exactly what Kean Soo does in Jellaby. His protagonist, Portia, is a fantastic heroine--one that I'd love any boy or girl to read about and emulate.

It's lovely and fun and surprisingly wistful. Oh, and freaking adorable. Also, Jeff Smith says you should read it on the back cover. So do!

*Okay, no, that's not actually in the book.

You know what happens when Reed and Sue Richards take time away from the Fantastic Four and wars and evil clones and tyrants and underwater loveshacks to work on their marriage?

THIS is what happens.

And that...that is awesome.

Disclaimer: Marvel would like to take this moment to point out that no comic actually endorces the idea that the two events (Reed and Sue macking, Doom and Namor shacking) are causal-effectual and that "The end...?" does not necessarily mean the actions Doom and Namor then took off panel were too adult for our publisher to release. Thank you.

If you want to blame someone for this post, blame autophanous.

For various and sundry reasons I decided to check out DC's recent reboot of the Justice Society of America. It happened to be a really good idea. There are many glorious and squee-worthy things to say about the series but today we've got just enough energy to cover one. Incidentally, it's the reason due overwhelmingly to hormones. Business as usual!


This is Ted Grant, aka Wildcat, aka boxer and crime fighter and tough guy who will kick your ass no matter how old he is. This guy taught Batman how to punch people in the face.

Hi, Ted!


This is Tom, Ted's son and recipient of his REALLY HOT GENES. Oh, and Ted didn't know he existed until moments before this panel.

Hi, Ted's genes!

( Come inside for awkward father-son bonding, HOT HOT GENES, and the development that caused Riddering to flail a comic book clear across the room. Warning--lots of images. )

Well, there was a wizard.


(Click the pic for Giant Size.)

Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil #4 came out last week so I re-read the series yesterday for full gratification of the conclusion of the adventures of Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, and Talky Tawny.

Final verdict: cute, cute, cute, with a side helping of Captain Marvel punching giant robots and the back covers fitting together in a really neat image that pretty much shows you all you need to know about the series and Jeff Smith's fantastic art. Okay, well, there's this too--



Captain Marvel: he does it for justice, but hot dogs too.

Like with any good story, I absolutely hate putting it on my bookshelf once I'm done. It's almost a crime to put away something that has taken me on an adventure, abandoning it until who knows when. So I'm not going to do that this time. I've decided I'm loaning this one out so it can be enjoyed further. octopedingenue? autophanous? hecatehatesthat? scoured? Bueller?

On a related topic, there's stuff I feel like giving away permanently. ( FREE STUFF! GET IT HERE! Comics, dvds, pretzels shaped like Elvis... )

...this has all been a rather embarrassing trip through fandom memory lane. Oh my. First come, first serve. Have at it!

Okay, all the people out there on my friends list who read or once upon a time did peruse the series Cable & Deadpool and appreciated the unconventional but ultimately irresistible psyche of Deadpool? Get yourself to a local comic shop or godless torrent and buy/download the Deadpool/GLI: Summer Fun Spectacular one shot.

All those people on my list who were conceived in love and enjoy the finer things in life such as laughing yourself silly? YOU! ALSO GO!

It has Deadpool! Squirrel Girl! Dr. Doom! Send-ups of Civil War that continue Marvel's tradition of mocking themselves! This comic even has Dionysus of the Greek Pantheon!

( If you're still not convinced, see here, my fine fellows. )

When I made it to the comic store this week, I had this conversation while ringing up my enormous stack...of comics:

Non-Regular Comic Book Supplier Man: I've read all but one of the comics you're getting and I approve of your choices!
Me: Fantastic...but, what don't you read?
N-R CBSM: Nova. He's Marvel's Green Lantern and I already read Green Lantern so...
Me: You say 'Marvel's Green Lantern' like it's a bad thing!
N-R CBSM: Well I am more of a DC guy.
Me: Hmmmmm.

Needless to say, I remain with a policy that there can't be enough powerful and attractive men fighting evil in space. And Nova is not Green Lantern Lite, infidels! This week's issue was fantastic, which is now just part and parcel of the entire Annihilation cosmic mega-crossover event tradition. The ending of issue 4 has prompted me to consider invading Latveria for a time machine so I can have the next issue now. I may also have chewed off a few fingers in my frenzy of suspense but it's okay. Don't worry about me.

I realize it's been quite a while since I updated this journal so I might as well let you all know--I STILL DON'T HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB. *blows kazoo* I've been out of college for more than half a year and nothing has turn up yet and why is this? It's because Michigan is the worst place to be right now if you're looking for a job or to sell your house--which means I have 50% awful luck but the other half is not too bad considering my mother's been trying to sell the house I am still inhabiting. Glass, not half full. But I can get a few drops out if I tip my head way back. My new strategy is going to be looking for part-time work in addition to continuing a full-time job search so if something part-time comes up I can at least *feel* like I'm working full-time, with two jobs.

If that fails, I'm ditching this state and someone out there is going to rent out couch or air mattress space to me. OR ELSE.

I've also been seeing more movies this summer than normal and most of them I've really enjoyed. Hot Fuzz is still the movie that brought me the most joy this year but Ratatouille invaded my soul with heartbreaking beauty and a reminder of the thrill that life can be...so, a close second.

I need an Anton Ego icon with the text, "It is tolerable, I suppose, but not delicious enough to tempt me!" Ego: he's like Mr. Darcy in a way?

That's enough from me. Now the rest of you have to answer two questions of mine.

1. What is, in your opinion, the greatest internet meme ever created? Answers should include links or examples of the meme.
2. Should we compile the results from Question #1 and have an internet meme battle to see which one can outwit, outcrack, and outlast above all others?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"I also think Bucky is really the argument for why no one else can be Cap either because if anyone else puts on that costume and tries to be the new Captain America...Bucky's going to beat the crap out of him! [laughs]"

From an interview with Ed Brubaker, posted here.

I don't flap my hands very often. Really, it's exertion beyond what I feel my wrists are capable of and, plus, I like keeping those things to myself.

But, you know, sometimes...sometimes I am reading Astonishing X-Men 21 that just came out today and I flap my hands like a swarm of killer bugs is coming my way and the air produced from between my fingers becomes unto a thing like RAID.

( Someone pinch me so I know this issue is real. )

I've been MIA for most LJ and chat-buddy activity since last week. I'm hoping to catch up soon but life continues to be crazy.

For me, there are few moments in life more bittersweet than finishing a really good story.

"There will be other books," I tell myself. "Good books, better books, better characters, books with chicks that kick ass!" But it doesn't do me any good now, not when I've just read the last page of the story of these characters.

*mopes*

+ If there's ever another crossover between the Justice League of America and the Avengers, I'm pulling for Rick Jones and Jimmy Olsen to become boyfriends.

+ Last night I dreamed that the first Bond was played by Elvis. Best part of his role was the chase sequence in which he ran around a residential neighborhood very similar to the one where I live and while doing so he sang "Hound Dog".

+ I have watched the New Who Episode. I'm very happy with it. The spirit that first drew me to the show is back--that sense of adventure, mystery, and potential within the universe and each individual person and the giddiness of pursuing life throughout all its seasons. It, and the doctor, is so infectious--to companions and to viewers. Love this show.

+ Finally, I made my way to the theater and saw Amazing Grace. I had high expectations and they were all exceeded by the reality of the film. It's the action film of the year...where the idea of the pen being mightier than the sword and the earth-shattering power of *words* are brought to realization with such power. Truly: oratory, idealism, and politics > explosions.

And I'm glad that my estimation of Ioan Gruffudd, since I first watched Horatio Hornblower as a high schooler, is still justified. I have such love for his nose and his voice.

( More movie talk, text and layers and stories like onions. )

Read the first trade paperbacks of two comic series this week, one that has been canceled and one that has avoided the dreaded pit of cancellation twice and which I will suggest everyone start reading so it can boost itself up into a "no idea of canceling again" zone.

NEXTWAVE Vol. 1: "If you like anything, you will love NEXTWAVE." You know what? Truer words have never been placed onto the back of a book. This is the kind of series where all I needed to do was look at the shiny, shiny cover and I knew I was going to adore everything about the comic in a way that would remind my heart of true & pure love. The art is gorgeous and character designs fun, funky, and refreshing. The writing is heartlessly heartful and full of parody that WORKS. Instead of having a 'too-cool' tone, Dirk Anger and the glimpses of Cable, the Avengers, and the Celestials sneak into the story like ninjas of the night, stealing all habits to take the referenced characters too seriously, and then those same ninjas make sweet sweet love to your nubile senses of humor.

There's not one character or moment in this book that didn't hit its intended bullseye. (In that way, for me, this is the Firefly of comic books--and also because I didn't about either until after they got axed. IT'S NOT MY FAULT WHY GOD WHY.) I spent an entire day reading this book, on and off, because I kept staring at the art and screaming to myself over the funnies. Also, I want to have a lesbian love affair with Elsa.

So. *sniff* I don't know whether to go buy the back issues or wait for TPB #2 to come out. *sniffsniff*

Manhunter Vol. 1: I, uh, officially broke my DC hymen and I fear there's no going back.

Kate Spencer (Manhunter) is the female comic character I have dreamed about, made into reality. The reality of comics, that is. The author of this series puts it best in his intro when he says: "This book contains a female protagonist. Who smokes. Who is divorced. Who has slightly better maternal skills than Mrs. Bates. Who resides not in Gotham or Metropolis, but Los Angeles. Who isn't afraid to kill in the name of justice. And most shocking of all for a super-heroine, she doesn't wear a metal bra, stripper heels, or a T-back thong while fighting crime."

(FYI, that doesn't mean she isn't an incredibly and believably attractive crime-fighter and woman. /shallow)

All of that impresses me but the facet of her character that really sucked me in most of all is the realistic relationship she has with her son. After all, this is a woman who juggles a legal profession in the day and then decides to take on the nightly practice of hunting down dangerous, superhuman criminals that the system couldn't deal with adequately. In my experience with comic books, I was expecting this series to throw out the "but somehow she's a great mother!" to garner instant sympathy but pigeonhole her femininity at the expense of characterization. Instead, she is shown as failing in keeping up with her custody schedule as well as being at a loss on the exact how of shaping up her role as a mother, even though she knows that she's falling behind in that area. (You know all those movies about dads trying to keep up with the standards their ex-wives expect in child-rearing? Finally, the chick gets the chance to be the parent who needs work.)

Moments like Kate trying and failing to maintain a meaningful conversation with her young son, jumping roofs and barely making it even with the help of claw-like gauntlets, or ruling out dignity in favor of a cigarette by lighting one with a gas stove when she can't find a lighter are what make me connect sharply with her character. I'm just so damn happy to have found a superhero comic with a female main character that doesn't annoy me in any aspect. That, and the supporting character who so far are very appealing (pretty and gay co-council! ex-tech-guy to the baddies who is neat and also constantly pwned by strong women!) and plot that keeps me interested and appearances by regular DC heroes that don't bug me. And, perhaps most important of all, consistent and quality art throughout the series--a rare thing for little-comics-that-could.

There's two trade paperbacks out for these series and I plan to pick up the next one and catch up on back issues so I can buy the current issues and do my little part to make sure this more than worthy series continues. Yes, I find this a noble cause. Shush, you. Fall in line behind me instead! Later on in the series, there is Kate-Wonder Woman subtext of the Amazonian justice variety. And an appealing, canon, romantic relationship between two adult men, thus trumping Marvel where only teenagers can be gay apparently. Now doesn't that sound like something worth reading?