Tim, what is up with Nip/Tuck? The show is all over the place. Help me out; tell me how you feel about this season.
To be honest, I have not even watched the last two episodes. I work late on Tuesdays so I tape my TV for that day and those Nip/Tucks are just piling up. I’m sure I’ll get to them at some point (on a sick day or rainy day off or something), but after the first three episodes of the season, I’m in no rush.
As far as my opinion up to that point, as you can tell it is not overwhelming favorable. The Scientology storyline, though underdeveloped at this point, stinks of trying to be “topical”, but is about 6-8 months to late to achieve that goal. The story of Sean and Julia’s child has been largely DOA, perhaps due in part to the writers attempts to make the whole thing “sexier” by tossing in things like Lolita-esque nannies. What could have been an emotional storyline there is pretty much inert.
Finally, what is most off putting for me is Nip/Tuck bizarre attitude towards sex and sexuality. Be it the Cutter ending up as a bisexual eunuch who makes time with his sister, an almost post-operative transsexual as more or less the villain of season 2, a pre-operative transsexual being nearly beaten to death and, in the same season, tortured, or this season’s focus on Christian possible homosexuality, the show has, by increasing increments, become the most dissociative drama on television. It pushes boundaries with the amount of skin and sex that can be shown on a basic cable station and yet, anyone who chooses to engage in sex on the show is punished in some manner or another for that “sin”. This is not a look at the true nature of sexuality where everyone has dark secrets, etc, etc, it is brutal hypocrisy. It’s like an eighties horror flick sequel. All the gore and nudity is still there, but someone forgot that it was the personalities that sold the story.
Links
Broken Dial is indie-licous!
Beyond the Threshold is like a beautiful overcast day.
The DVD Lounge has tons of commentary and special features.
Inside Fights hits hard.
Machine Gun Funk; has reviews that you never thought you’d see. .
Moodspins has plenty of reasons to read. .
Not a True Ending isn’t about butting mashing.
Umm”¦what?
Popcorn Junkies has thoughts on Departed.
Primetime Pulse has spoilers.
Reality Dish has reality celebrities(?).
Retro Grading is a walk down memory lane. .
Tailgate Crashers cover Baseball and Football.
Also check our our DC Boards cover Wolfman on Nightwing and why everyone should be reading Outsiders.
My favorite blog Glyphs has moved and has given me a reason to be interested in the Iron Man flick.
Tim, what are you linking this week?
A shout out to my hometown, the Wu. First up is a link to a review of the excellent documentary When the Levees Broke. What’s the Newington connection you ask? Why that would be Brendan Loy class of ’99 (my class, by the by). He more or less kicks of the documentary in part one by talking about the advancing Katrina. He’s most excellent and was kind enough to make me a part of his wedding party when he got married last year.
Second is this “visual tribute” to Wu-ington that is really more of a tribute to commerce in my town, focusing almost entirely on the Berlin Turnpike and Main Street. Oddly enough, the Turnpike has 3 strip clubs and at least 2 adult bookstores within the Wu’s city limits and yet none of them show up in this video. Also odd is that my Grandfathe’s childhood home sits on Main Street and somehow gets skipped as well. It’s like this video was specifically avoiding everything cool about the Wu.
What I Read Last Week
52 Week Twenty-Two – I loved the cover. But I loved Will’s stuff even more.
Will is interesting, but what was the deal with the Sentinel attacking him on his front lawn. Is the big secret of 52 that it is an unofficial DC meets Marvel series. If so, AWESOME!
Nightwing #125 – I loved the stuff with Dick Grayson. But the Nightwing stuff was dull as dull can be. The art was acceptable, but I can’t wait for Jamal Igle to take over. Wolfman’s stuff is better than Jones’ but it’s not quite perfect. I am worried about the meta nature of this tale as it unfolds.
I thought Jones’ horrific run still had an issue left so I did not snag this off the stands last Wednesday. I guess I’ll have to grab it this week.
Atom #4 – My favorite cover of the week. Ryan is quickly becoming one of my favorite heroes in the DCU. I’m worried that the dean is Dwarfstar’s benefactor. As much as I enjoyed the issue, I felt that it lacked the supporting cast, which I’ve grown pretty fond of. Art wise Barrows took over without missing a beat. This was a really good issue.
I like Dwarfstar. Not sure what is deal is at all, but he’s appealing to me so far. The aliens’ speech pattern is driving my crazy though.
Detective Comics #824 – What a fun issue. I’ve never been a fan of the Penguin, but this issue made me one. His talk with Riddler was a nice touch. The stuff with Lois and Bruce was also fun to read. I hope that we see more of Ivar Loxias. I also hope that Kramer and Faucher land a steady gig, instead of a steady fill in gig.
Fun is the right word. Nothing mind blowing, just a genuinely entertaining issue.
I too like Krame’s work. I wonder why so many reviewers bag on him.
OMAC #4 – I’m enjoying this book much more than I thought I would have. The art is slick and the story keeps moving. The refurbished Brother Eye is way creepy. As are Mike’s dreams.
Mystery in Space #2 – Davis’ art is stellar. It’s so crisp and easy to look at. I hope that Shane gets a regular book at some point. I’m enjoying how Starlin is weaving in DC’s forgotten space characters. Seeing Star Hawkins was a nice touch, even if he did meet a horrible fate. The Weird stuff is probably going to wait for a marathon session, because it’s not fun to read. But I do enjoy Comet’s stuff, seeing him use his powers was pretty neat.
The Weird’s stuff is so expositionally dense, it is hard to read through. I like the idea of it, with its small but important connections to Comet’s storyline, but storywise it is not delivering.
My question is what is up with Comet dropping the “Captain”. He keeps mentioning that he’s done it, but there is no reason for it beyond Starlin wanted him to. I have no problem with it in theory, but it seems like change for change’s sake and a mighty inconsequential one at that.
Outsiders #41 – I’ve got to believe that Judd is just goading his haters at this point. I’ve got no problem with the hook up on these pages, but he had to know that there was going to be a backlash.
Fallen Angel #9 – I’m enjoying seeing Lee’s past come into play. The stuff with Jude and Jubal is really moving along nicely. I dig the rivalry. It was also cool that Lee made an appearance this issue too.
The American Way #7 & 8 – I’d really like to see these characters continue on in some way shape or form. Seeing the battle between the two factions was worth the wait, as was the pigheadedness of some of the characters. This was a really good mini.
Y The Last Man #50 – Pretty good issue. It was creepy to see Dr Mann’s sisters(?), but as usual the wait for the next issue will be tough. And with only ten issues left, I’m really savoring every issue. I really dug the flashback with Ming and Mann. This was a really good issue.
Infinite Crisis Hardcover – Pretty good. The conversation with the creators is the highlight. It’s kind of cool to see Uncle Sam and Deathstroke get beat down. The recolored pages from issue #7 do look much better and the two page spread of OYL characters looks much crisper. And the added church scene is way keen, but I’m kind of irked that they removed the SFX from the gun scene with Alex Luthor and Batman. Boo.
Not to blow my own horn or anything but I’ll be offering commentary on the changes in next week’s DC News & Views. Hope everyone can check it out.
Tim, it’s time for the column.
Oh thank God. I thought it’d never arrive.
Soak1313 loves cultural stereotyping. Absolutely LOVES it.
Has this Super-Chief from the newest issue of 52 ever shown up before? If so with all these mentions of Manitou does he have anything to do with Manitou Raven? Is this just another Apache Chief nod?
Well I think that we can rule out the last one, unless if by “Apache Chief nod” you mean “vulgar attempt to wedge an American Indian super hero character into a story”. If that’s what you mean though, then I’d agree with you.
Super-Chief does have a connection with Manitou Raven in that they both reference Manitou, an attribute used to describe far out powers from wacky places.
And there was once a Super-Chief in the DCU, he showed up way back in All-Star Western #117 (which is much better than All-Star Batman and almost as good as All-Star Superman.)
Just for you Soak1313, I’m going to tell you exactly what Who’s Who: The Definitive Director of the DC Universe #22 said in the entry for the original Super-Chief, nearly twenty years ago:
At a time before Columbus came to America, Flying Stag was the greatest warrior and hunter of the Wolf Clan of native Americans. On his way to compete for the title of Royaneh (Supreme Chief) of the Iroquois Nations, Flying Stag was trapped in a pit by rival clan chiefs.(So they had enough teamwork to trap him, but not enough to actually make sure he failed his competition? And if there was that much consensus that Flying Stag needed to be dealt with, why didn’t they exclude him or vote someone else in?) Flying Stag prayed to Manitou, the Great Spirit, and a meteor fell into the pit. Flying Stag, lying senseless for hours beside the radioactive meteorite, believed he heard Manitou tell him he would become the god’s servant, Saganowahna, or Super-Chief, and that the meteorite would give him super-powers. Wearing a buffalo head-mask to conceal his true identity (because clearly secret identities were necessary in a pre-Columbian North America) Super-Chief became Royaneh and used his powers to defend his people. (And with great success as there wasn’t genocide or anything.)
If only his superpowers included “a resistance to smallpox covered blankets”, think of how different history would be.
While sporting that nifty piece of radioactive ore Super-Chief can fly, run way fast and also possesses super strength, but only for an hour.
Maybe they should have called him Hour-Manitou?
Tim, isn’t Hour-Manitou a bit less corny (and offensive) than Super-Chief?
Well, since it couldn’t be any more corny/offensive, yes.
Also, I think there might be copyright infringement issues as Super Chief is also the name of a truck by Ford, a group of now retired trains, a light aircraft, and the nickname of former Yankees (and, oddly enough, Indians) pitcher Allie Reynolds.
Someone should give DC Legal a heads up.
Soak1313 cares not for HIPA laws protecting the privacy of mental health files.
Could I get a run down of Doc Magnus’ history? When exactly did he go crazy and how long did that last?
Well the character that Doc Magnus was referring to, the Plutonium Man, first appeared in Metal Men #45 way back in 1976. At the time Magnus was working with the US Government and under mental duress. The Plutonium Man did indeed go rogue.
I’m not sure I get the big deal about this Plutonium Man. He looks a little scâ€â€
Oh”¦trample, raze, annihilate…right. Now I understand.
Now when Magnus says “For a while I even thought I was a machine and you were all my flesh and blood friends”¦” he’s referring to the Metal Men miniseries that was written by Mike Carlin and featured the art of Dan Jurgens (or as they were billed “the team that killed Superman.”) That miniseries attempted to give the Metal Men an origin and resulted in Doc Magnus becoming a metal man himself; Veridium.
The mini was supposed to be a huge profile event, but it bombed. So Doc Magnus’ rambling was really just a retcon via exposition. That Metal Men mini never really happened.
Tim, do you think the recton was clever or cheap?
Well seeing as this is essentially a retcon of a retcon, it is a bit of grey area (How grey? Charcoal.). See, at first, the Metal Men’s personalities were created by responsometers (no, seriously). However, in the 90’s miniseries, it was revealed that their personalities were actually from real people. Those people? Magnus’s brother, his fiancée, a custodian, a couple of lab techs and, and this is my favorite, a pizza man. Why? Why not!
Personally, that whole “personalities from real people” thing sort of sucks in my opinion. I far prefer the responsometers because they are just as silly, but somehow silly in a way I find more acceptable. Also if Platinum has Magnus’s fiancée’s personality, why is he such a dick to her all the time? So retconning that retcon (as Magnus’s comments about the responsometers during “52” indicates has occurred) is a-okay with me.
I’m also fine with the “once I thought I was a robot” comment provided we see at least a little of that someday. I’m pulling for this because a.)I think it’d be brilliant (sort of a reverse of the typical comic book plot of “it’s a robot who thinks like a man”) and b.) the current Veridium stuff that is on the books does not reflect this at all. As it stands, Magnus almost died (and Gold did) so Magnus transferred himself to a robot body (made of an alien metal”¦copout!) and took over leading the team. It needs a tweak (specifically to show Magnus thinking that the Metal Men are flesh, not metal), but as I said, I like the idea.
UnGajje wants you to come to the movies with him. Be sure and bring your protractor
Who are Film Freak and Angle Man? A little history, please?
Film Freak was a gent named Burt Weston who tried to make a name for himself as an actor by playing villainous roles. But he was never very successful. So when the plots failed he’d fake his death.
He later evolved into a guy who committed crimes based on crimes committed in films, which lead to him being dubbed Film Freak.
Angle Man is actually a tad more interesting. Y’see the original Angle Man, Angelo Bend, was a crook who was all about crimes that dealt with angles. He faced off against Wonder Woman but was beaten.
Later he showed up in Secret Society of Super-Villains as a costumed criminal with this Angler weapon which could warp time and space. He was a notable enough character that his death in Crisis on Infinite Earths #10 was actually supposed to have an impact.
In the Post Crisis DCU, Angelo Bend had his Angler absorbed by the Replicant, one of the few Flash villains who made less of an impact that Mota, and later developed crush on Donna Troy on the pages of Wonder Woman even though she foiled his attempt at crime.
Angelo also showed up Gotham working alongside Catwoman, who was pretending to be working with the Society. Angelo discovered her plan to cross the society and decided to take her out. But instead he attacked someone masquerading as Catwoman. The real Catwoman beat him senseless with a bat.
Ever since then he’s pretty much had a grudge against Selina Kyle.
Tim, are you happy? You’ve finally gotten your answers.
Sure, but it took long enough, didn’t it?
Dhaise just has to bring up a silly thing like mortality
Wasn’t Film Freak killed in Knightfall?
Why yes he was. He was being manipulated by the Mad Hatter in an attempt to spy on Bane. Bane found out and killed Film Freak.
Fortunately a new Film Freak sprung up on the pages of Catwoman OYL. This guy seems much more of a film fanatic, as he knows tons of movie trivia. But I guess that’s part of the course as he’s the host of a film show on television.
Personally I really dig the new Film Freak. He’s such an interesting character, and so well written.
Tim, have you gotten enough of your (film) freak on?
Will it ever be enough? I doubt it.
For now though, I’m satiated because the answer to this question reminded me of that moment in Knightfall that I had completely forgot: Film Freak getting his neck snapped while Batman can do nothing but listen to it happen through the receiver in Mad Hatte’s hat. Aided by Breyfogle art, it was a good moment.
Jason R. gives us the power of a mad god. A mad, vengeful god. Thanks, Jason.
If you were allowed to “retcon” reality and eliminate an entire comic line from existence, I mean completely and utterly wiped out and no one remembered it ever existing, what would it be? DIFFICULTY: you can’t say Titans to prevent yourself from experiencing the pain of “maybe it’ll turn around at some point” for so long.
Really I’m tempted to say the current Flash title. It’s not really good and it really brings me down. I mean it kills a bit of my soul every week. It’s so bad that I think that it’s possible that the writing team of Bruce Jones and Chuck Austen might be able to do a better job. Possibly.
Speaking of Bruce Jones, his run on Nightwing was like Abu Ghraib, probably torture and certainly inhumane. Still that’s not a complete series that I’d like to erase, as I really enjoyed most of both of Grayson’s and Dixon’s runs.
If I had to wipe an entire series from the record books I’d have to say that it’s going to be the dreadful title that featured Hal Jordan as The Spectre.
Let’s look at what this book had going for it; the previous Spectre title was nearly universally acclaimed. The Hal Jordan book featured art by Norm Breyfogle, Ryan Sook and Craig Hamilton. It featured a character that fans had been clamoring for. And in spite of all that the book stunk.
A lot of that stinking probably had to do with some of the heady topics that seemed more suited for a Vertigo book than something set firmly in the DCU. While I found some of the concepts interesting, they didn’t make for a fun comic book, which is never a good thing.
Even if it meant Hal going straight from being dead to being Green Lantern again, I’d prefer that than anyone else suffer though that title again. But that’s not really likely as nothing that happened in that book has been referenced since.
Still I do miss Monsieur Stigmonous, he was the one bright point of the book. He was so visually captivating.
Tim, don’t you agree that the Spectre should go, and what are you putting on the chopping block?
I would support the elimination of that Spectre series, particularly if it could take the mini that spawned it, Day of Judgment with it. That book read like the greatest hits of past and future DC crossovers as performed by a cover band not up for the task.
As far as what series I’d like to cut out of reality like a cancerous tumor from healthy muscle tissue (ooh, I’m so witty with the wordplay today), I’d have to nominate the current Hawkgirl series (the name change, even with keeping the numbering, makes it a different series than Hawkman) and Superman/Batman. I’m sure most of us are onboard with the former, so I’ll cut right to explaining the latter. Despite all the talent, all the sales, all the hype, and all the cool characters, it is just a bad book. It consistently fails to meet even what are, by now, my very low expectations. With the exception of the two Superboy/Robin stories, there is not a single issue that I would recommend someone read. If we remove the whole thing from reality, maybe DC can give it another shot and get it right this time.
Ooh, one more miniseries for expulsion from this universe: Genesis. If I have to explain to you why then maybe you and I just aren’t meant to be friends, dear reader.
UnGajje is sort of like the Spirit of America. Just don’t ask how.
Didn’t Ostander introduce a new Uncle Sam character in the pages of Spectre? Or am I crazy? Who was he/she and did she/he ever show up anywhere else.
Yes Tim, you are crazy. However you’re equally right. The Patriot was the latest incarnation of the Spirit of America. It encompassed various aspects of the American Way of life, society and culture. The Patriot showed up as part of the JSA reserves in the JSA Our Worlds At War Special. However since then the Patriot reverted back to Uncle Sam.
But on the bright side; Uncle Sam never had an act named after him, unlike a certain Patriot. Of course that act did go on to pervert the American Way, but really aren’t we all the safer for it? Sort of?
Tim, don’t you think that politics and comics are kind of dangerous together?
Only to those who do not have an open mind enough to read stories in which characters may, god forbid, believe in different things or espouse different ideas than what you disagree with.
That said, I best not see anyone putting Ann Coulte’s words in a comic characte’s mouth unless it is ironic. Even for the open minded, there are things that go too far.
And look, here’s another Patriot pic because we are running light on images this week. Yay!
JT asks a question and Mathan loses his damn fool mind about it
What’s the deal with Ambush Bug? Just remember reading an old comic about
him and him being really annoying.
How dare you, good sir! I don’t even believe how appalled I am. In fact, I’m actually going to cut and paste from the last time I was this appalled beyond belief.
Have you no knowledge of the single most important and influential comic book that Keith Giffen ever worked on; Ambush Bug?
Have you never encountered the Hukka Anti Defamation League? Haven’t you ever dealt with Peabody, Dicker & Pending? Aren’t you familiar with Jonni DC: Continuity Cop? Don’t tell me you never grew to love Cheeks, the Toy Wonder?
Haven’t you ever cowered in fear of Quentin Quantis or thrilled at the exploits of Mitsu Bishi? You’ve never listened to the amazing TV Theme renditions performed by A. Bug and the Schwabettes or perhaps the even the musical styling of The Interferer?
You’ve never met the man behind the scenes of numerous origins – Mopee? I refuse to believe that you’ve never read Combat Cheeks – Frontline Medic or Zonky Comics. Is possible that you are completely unfamiliar with the Amber Butane Corps and The Uh-Oh Squad? You seriously don’t know Argh!Yle! or Brum-El of Schwab?
You’ve never had Lobo Brand Tuna or Your Very Own Call From Al? Haven’t you ever gained assistance from one of Julie’s Helpful Hints? You really don’t know who Julie Lad and Brownout – Eclipso’s third cousin, twice removed are? And what about Jerry Mathers as The Cleaver?
Ok, I’ve regained my composure. In order to fully appreciate Ambush Bug you’re really got to begin with his first miniseries Ambush Bug. His appearances up to that point are pretty funny, but this is where he comes into this own as a character and concept. Ambush Bug is easily one of the funniest characters in the DCU. If the JLI stuff is Friends or even Seinfeld then Ambush Bug is Arrested Development. It’s that funny.
Tim, I’m going to make it my life’s mission to get DC to put out an Absolute Ambush Bug, because not character is more deserving of the Absolute treatment, than Ambush Bug. You’re down for the cause, right?
Harassing a multinational corporation for a production that very few people want? You’re damn right I’m down for the cause!
UnGajje cannot stop swimming”¦ or asking questions
There’s another question for the fans: Who is Great White and what’s his deal?
Well first off I can tell you that he’s nowhere near as entertaining as Ambush Bug. But since you seem to want more I’ll be happy to spill the beans.
Warren “Great White Shark” White was a great investor. But he was also great at bilking folks out of loot. He was a fraud. When he was brought up on charges he had the bright idea of pleading insanity to try to get a lighter sentence. His problem was that he was in Gotham and ended up being sent to Arkham Asylum.
While there he had a tough go. He ran up against Two-Face and almost became a victim of Jane Doe. As a result of Jane’s plot, she locked White a freezer. While there his skin became frostbitten and turned pale white. He also lost his nose and lips to the cold, which caused him to resemble his namesake a bit more. Warren was eventually driven over the edge, to the point where he became content to stay in Arkham and “fix” things from the inside.
Warren White, pre-freezer incident.
Tim, are you happy that Great White Shark seems to have a bigger profile in the DCU?
I suppose I’m not unhappy about it. Still, to be truly happy, I’ll have to see how he’s utilized from now on. I do like the prospect of Batman gaining new villain with some staying power. When’s the last time that happened? Bane?
Jag never met an immortal caveman he didn’t like.
Can you give a bit of a background on Vandal Savage? Not only in terms of his supervillain feats but also his interaction with other characters such as the DC Big Three and Alan Scott?
Well Vandal and Alan go way back, all the way back to his first appearance. Green Lantern #10 was the first appearance of Vandal Savage. He also had a long running feud with The Flash as he made his first Silver Age appearance in Flash #137. He also provided a bookend to the Wally West’s run as the Flash; he was the foe in Wally’s first arc and his final (and pretty bad) one as well.
Vandal spends most of his time battle folks he’s had trouble with in the past; the JSA, The Flash. He had some appearances in Justice League Task Force and was a major part of DC One Million.
Ladies love that windswept, “I’m an immortal who feasts on the organs of his descendants” look.
It turns out that Arsenal is a descendant of Vandal Savage, so he’s on Vandal’s radar. Especially since part of Vandal’s longevity involves eating organs of his descendants.
Vandal played a role in Wonder Woman #107-108 and in Action Comics #760 but generally Vandal shies away from the big guns.
Currently Vandal’s playing a pivotal role in Secret Six and what he’s cooking up isn’t pretty.
Tim, would you accept an invitation to dine with Vandal Savage?
I don’t know. My fathe’s cousin Christian Schultz makes up a pretty mean pan-fried Grundy in Thai curry, so I’m not really sure what else Savage could possibly entice me with. Plus, there’s the chance that I’m related to him and then, there go my organs.
On that note I’m going to call it a column. I’ve been up for about 20 hours and I need some sleep. But don’t worry we’ll have more questions and answers next week, provided you send some questions my way (or post them on our thread!).
Before I go it’s your turn to answer a question from me; Are you excited about Super-Chief?
“Coast and away he rolled, just a rebel to the world with no place to go.”
