Tim, I just started watching season four of Homicide: Life on the Street which introduces Mike Kellerman, which means his fall from grace is within sight. I’m pumped. Do you have any favorite episodes or moments from the show?
It has been so long since I’ve watched them in order, it is tough to remember. Certainly Pembleton’s stroke and the ensuing fallout is a highwater mark that I can recall instantly. (Although I understand a lot of people’s objections to it given whjo quickly he came out the other side of it.) “Crosetti†was an absolutely brilliant bit of work that I vaguely remember (and Wikipedia confirms) was spoiled by an earlier episode. The single room story that I think might have happened in the very short season 2 where everyone just sits around and sweats and chats it quite excellent as well, but then I love that sort of single room thing.
Man, I need to just bite the bullet and buy the complete series. I can’t believe how much I’ve forgotten about that show.
Links
Broken Dial has fun with Youtube.
Beyond the Threshold is consistent.
The DVD Lounge gives you multiples.
Inside Fights never takes a dive.
Machine Gun Funk sees the Swindle Sheet on Mondays?
Moodspins deals with “adult” topics.
Not a True Ending has a gamey musk.
Popcorn Junkies is for the theatre goer in you.
Primetime Pulse has their Top Ten Shows of 2006.
Retro Grading is like a trip down memory lane.
Tailgate Crashers is sporty.
Also check our our DC Boards which sees the return of BABOS!!
Tim, anything you want to link?
Not at this time.
What I Read Last Week
Outsiders #44 – First off Barberi and Thibert make a great team. I enjoyed seeing the team fall apart. And the stuff between Nightwing and Red Hood was fun. But it sucked to see Thunder so vulnerable.
I don’t typically read the book but the promise of Red Hood drew me in. It was pretty good stuff. Now do I bother to finish out the arc? That is the question.
Justice Society of America #2 – I loved the issue. I dug seeing more Kingdome Come cameos. The Buckeye stuff was kind of corny and I’m not looking forward to a return of the character, but beyond that I’m loving this book.
I got a kick out of the best nickname they could think up for the poor guy was “Buckeyeâ€. It would be like calling Armani Toomer Armani “Giant†Toomer. Actually, that would be even funnier. Giant Toomer. Say it out loud, it is funny stuff.
Anyway, the rest of the issue I quite enjoyed until the last page. The reveal only works, really, for 10-12 people. Everyone else (like me) was left thinking, “Yes, we know he is the Kingdom Come Starman. The costume gave that away. His face means nothing to me.†But I know Mathan must’ve loved it.
Green Lantern Corps #8 – Great cover. Gleason’s art always impresses. Champagne really managed to remain true to the aliens of the DCU. Champagne continues to impress with his writing. Oh and I hope that Guy’s really dead.
Welcome to Tranquility #2 – Another good issue. I’m digging out Simone is fleshing out the town with characters. I also appreciate how tensions are high and Zeke was hilarious.
Stormwatch PHD #3 – Gage is a genius. He packs so much characterization in his books that you come away with such a full read, yet it doesn’t feel dense. Plus it was in Vegas. But yeah, this is quietly becoming one of my favorite reads.
You finally convinced me to read this and I’m glad I am. Why I’d ever doubt Gage, I’ll never know. He is a rising talent (in comics) mark my words.
Tales of the Unexpected – I’ve only read the back up so far, but Azz and Chiang are still in top form. Planet of the Apes reference? Infectious Lass? Every time I think that this story can’t get any better it does.
Best Planet of the Apes reference ever! And it was pulled off with a Hitler statute. I can hardly believe it myself.
Justice #9 – I don’t see what the big deal about the armor is. It makes sense. The stuff with Captain Marvel was neat to see. And Lex always rocks. But I enjoyed the issue and don’t see why its detractors were to up in arms.
Superman Confidential #3 – Good tale, I’m actually digging Sale’s art. This book had plenty of good moments; Lois and Superman, Superman upstaging Lex. I’m digging this book.
Hyperion vs Nighthawk #1 – Guggenheim deserves some credit for brining attention to Darfur and putting his money where his mouth is. But the reality of the story kind of distracts from the enjoyment of it. But the cliffhanger was good.
Green Arrow #70 – Fun read. The stuff with Red Hood and Brick was pretty funny stuff. And Speedy’s comment about Jason’s penchant for surviving blasts was hilarity. Fun issue all around.
I’d concur.
New Avengers #22 – Ben Morse Monthly said this was the best issue of last year. And it was a good issue. But when I talked about it with my friend he agreed with me about my issues with Luke Cage’s portrayal. But it was a good issue.
I think you mean Wizard, Mathan. Otherwise, I feel you and I are on the same page when it comes to this issue.
52 Week Thirty-Six – Sad that I was right about Buddy. I’m hoping that he did “use his powers” and be reborn somehow. But it looks like he’s dead. I also feel sorry for Osiris, the kid’s going through a rough time. The stuff with Supernova and Rip Hunter certainly seems to lend credence to the “Ray Palmer” theory. Ooh and that looming Skeets was pretty creepy.
Although we all know Booster’ll be back, Animal Man has (temporarily) joined him in the pantheon of wholly underwhelming 52 deaths.
Civil War #6 – I can’t wait for #7! But I’m guessing that I’ll have to. And I’ll have to wait longer that I want to. I just hope it’s worth the wait.
Thankfully comics are released on a weekly basis to distract you from the interminable waiting.
Un Gajje deserves a lot more respect.
Remember those fifth week events DC used to do? What were they and which one was your personal favorite.
Great, it’s this guy again. Anyway, here are the ones that I can remember and my thoughts on them.
New Year’s Evil – This consisted of Dark Nemesis, Darkseid, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Body Doubles, The Rogues, Gog and Prometheus. I picked up those last four; the first two out of my allegiance to Resurrection Man and The Flash. The last two were actually the first appearances of those characters so I snatched them up like a good fanboy.
Scarecrow also got his own one shot as part of this “event†and it was written by Mr. Peter Milligan.
I didn’t read them all, but those four that I did read, I enjoyed.
Girlfrenzy – This one consisted of Lois Lane, The Ravens, Batgirl, Tomorrow Woman, Donna Troy, The Secret and The Mist. I actually picked up everything but the first two that I listed. I really enjoyed both The Mist and The Secret but the others were solid.
The Kingdom – Consisted of Kid Flash, Offspring, Son of the Bat, Nightstar, Planet Krypton as well as two bookends. This time I did buy everything. Kid Flash was cool and Offspring was fun (plus it had Frank Quietly art). Son of the Bat and Nightstar were both interesting but didn’t set my world on fire. Planet Krypton was very enjoyable, if only for the characters with cameos. The first bookend rocked, but the second one suffered from bad art.
Amalgam – This was a joint DC/Marvel deal with stories set in the Amalgamverse which featured composite characters from both companies. It was fun but didn’t really leave a lasting impact.
Tangent – We went over this last week. Basically; I loved it. It’s one of my faves.
Sins of Youth – This one was a doozy. It featured a Secret Files, Aquaboy/Lagoon Man, Batboy & Robin, JLA Jr, Kid Flash/Impluse, Secret/Deadboy, Wonder Girls, Superman Jr/Superboy Sr and Starwoman & the JSA. The whole “Freaky Friday” gimmick was fun and this was a very enjoyable event. I found it very well written.
Green Lantern: Circle of Fire – Five specials and bookends, including Green Lantern/Adam Strange, Green Lantern/Atom, Green Lantern/Firestorm, Green Lantern/Green Lantern, andGreen Lantern/Power Girl. Brian K Vaughan contributed tons to this event, which had a great plot, but ultimately it was disappointing.
Justice Society Returns – Two bookends and seven one-shots, this was probably my favorite of all the DCU fifth week events. It showcased the Justice Society fighting as a team in a story set in the Golden Age. The one-shots were; Adventure Comics, Smash Comics, All-American Comics, Star-Spangled Comics, National Comics, Thrilling Comics and Sensation Comics. Seriously this is my favorite DCU fifth week event.
Power Surge – This was the launching pad for Power Company and the one-shots each featured a member of the team. Bork, Skyrocket, Witchfire, Josiah Power, Manhunter, Striker Z and Sapphire were all showcased. I dug most of the books. I enjoyed both Bork and Josiah’s spotlights. But I didn’t dig it enough to actually pick up the ongoing.
Justice League of ? – Four one-shots and two book ends. I never picked this one up. I can’t judge it, though you can perhaps infer something from my reluctance to read it. It consisted of Justice League of Aliens, Justice League of Amazons, Justice League of Arkham and Justice League of Atlantis.
Silver Age – Eh, I didn’t really dig this one. It wasn’t fun, though it wanted to be. It felt bloated (Brave and the Bold, Green Lantern, Justice League of America, Showcase, Flash, Dial H for Hero, Challengers of the Unknown, Doom Patrol, Teen Titans, plus a Secret Files). I bet it was fun to create and for the creators involved, but as a reader it didn’t click with me.
V2K – This is my favorite fifth week event ever. And it’s Vertigo’s only fifth week event. It came out just before Y2K and it rocked. It wasn’t completely one-shots as three minis were launched, but I loved it all the same. Brave Old World was a mini that saw civilization return back to 1900 instead of just computers, and the scientists who tried to right things. I Die at Midnight was about a guy who takes poison when his girlfriend leaves him, but when she comes back he’s got to find an antidote. Four Horsemen was about the Horsemen who find that in the modern world they aren’t as scary as they used to be. Pulp Fantastic was like a future noir type affair. And finally Totems was like the Vertigo JLA where Robotman, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Black Orchid, Shade and John Constantine teamed up to save the world, at a party.
Tim, did I miss any events and which happened to be your fave?
I think you got them all. In fact, you picked up a few I forgot about (JL? for example) and one I don’t think I never knew about (V2K) which I find both surprising and disappointing.
As far as personal faves, I don’t think any fifth week event has ever been a complete homerun for me. I love villains, but I didn’t give much of a damn about Darkseid, Mr. Mxyzptlk, or Dark Nemesis so I did not bother with them; I was late to the Resurrection Man table so I actually bought the Body Doubles one for who they were facing off against (Deadshot, Merlyn, etc) more than them. So, as a cohesive event it was a bit of a nonstarter although I did enjoy the chapters I read.
Girlfrenzy was a similar tale with me buying even fewer of them.
I bought all of The Kingdom but it fell victim to too high expectations and that awful, awful Hypertime.
I hate Amalgam. HATE IT!
As stated last week, I largely missed Tangent.
Sins of Youth was fun, but I can’t remember a thing about it besides that. Light, fluffy reading.
Circle of Fire is another I bought all of, but I accidentally read a review that spoiled the last part for me. I still liked it, but it was lacking something once I knew what was coming. I completely forgot (or never knew) Vaughan had a hand in those proceedings.
Justice Society Returns was perhaps the most consistent of the fifth week events for me. I bought it on a lark at the time and remain very pleased that I did.
I dodged Power Surge, JL?, and Silver Age and have never regretted it.
Thus, I guess I have to declare the JSA fifth weaker as my favorite.
Juan Francisco Gutierrez Santiago has the longest question EVER
After reading the last JSA Classified, I was shocked to see the death of Ice Maiden, who was a favorite of mine (I like all ice-based characters). After writing about the DCU’s “woman in the fridge” issues, it made me so sad to see a female (& bisexual) heroine die like that. I mean, had she died in Infinite Crisis, it wouldn’t have shocked me like that, but she died for such a petty reason (another woman wanted her skin for vanity purposes) that it did. Of course, considering she was delivered by Warp, who works closely with Mallah and the Brain, she could have been a clone like those shown in Outsiders; she could even have survived, after all, what they wanted was her skin. But still, those are only a fanboy illusions. Anyway, my question is, which are the most pathetic and gruesome deaths of super-heroes and/or villains? Which ones would be your top ten? I don’t mean heroic deaths which served a greater purpose (like Ted Kord), or deaths which simply were part of something bigger (like those guys that died fighting each other when Roulette appeared in JSA). I mean deaths which were graphic or hinted to be extremely painful or bloody, and which really don’t serve a greater purpose. Aside from this one, maybe something along the lines of what Black Adam regularly did (in the graphic sense, I mean. Somehow, the deaths he caused, seemed to me more than simply a “vanity” issue),
I don’t think that it’s been officially stated that Ice Maiden is dead. Sure she’s been skinned, but she could survive that, probably. But here’s my list of characters whose deaths I really disliked (in no particular order)
Orpheus – This chap died during the much reviled War Games. If you looked up “wasted opportunity” in a dictionary you’d find this guy’s mug. He was barely developed enough for his death to have an impact in Gotham, yet he died just the same. I think he died just so that Black Mask could have a mask to hide behind.
One of the many reasons I hated War Games/Crimes. Spoiler (see below) got the raw end of the deal, no doubt, with her ten issues worth of torture, but Orpheus’s demise was so perfunctory it left me practically enraged. The whole thing, the ruse, the over before you could blink fight, just reeked of “well, someone should die here†planning and left a unique Gotham hero looking like a chump.
Spoiler – She also died during War Games. Her death was drawn out and brutal. It also caused plenty of fans to cry misogyny. To add insult to injury there’s barely a mention of her in Gotham. She died to show how bad Black Mask was.
I could have been fine with her dying during War Games, but the protracted torture-a-thon causes me to cringe every time I think about it. I’ve come to hate all the “think of the children†rally cries against violence in comics but this one made me think that maybe they had a point.
Amazing Man – I wrote a piece about how I felt about his death (and lack of resurrection) a while back. Basically he was killed in a fashion that he could have easily been resurrected and all of his peers are either still alive or have successors. He died so that The Mist could look like a totally ruthless killer.
Blok – Yeah, I’m still lamenting the death of this guy from the 5YG Legion, but it was brutal. Seeing Roxxas dismember Blok with bombs was horrifying. All the more so because Blok wasn’t really coherent as it happened.
Tarantula – This guy was blown up in a building in Bludhaven in an attempt to hurt Dick Grayson. The man was in his 70’s. And a building collapsed on him. He’s a member of the All Star Squadron, he deserved better than this.
I totally forgot this one…yeah, that does not seem quite right.
Max Mercury – I don’t even know when Max Mercury died. Last time I saw the guy he was just being possessed by Rival. But lately all signs point to Max being in the Speed Force for good. And given that Rival is an evil super-speedster, I can’t see Max’s death being anything less than painful and dragged out.
Clock King – I always tease JLI fans for their whining, but now I’m getting into my whining mode. I loved the Justice League of Antarctica. It was hilarious. I also loved Clock King’s appearance in Chase. Yet the man was devoured by ants in the most recent Suicide Squad title. He deserved better than that.
Tim Sheridan and I used to joke with an old DC Bat editor back in the day (we are talking pre-No Man’s Land here) and our most constant request was “more Clock Kingâ€. Of course, we were begging for the Animated Series version, but still, we are with you in spirit, Mathan.
And devoured by ants? BEAT!
Major Disaster – J’onn included him in his shrine in 52 so I guess the guy’s dead. It really sucks because he was one of the most fun characters in Justice League Elite. I’m a sucker for a villain who becomes a reluctant hero. Again, I’m sure exactly how he died, but I can’t imagine it was peaceful.
Off panel deaths are tough. Off panel not mentioned deaths are worse.
Koryak – Koryak could have been so much more than just another Infinite Crisis death. It would have been great to have a bit of Peter David’s run on Aquaman around, but it was not to be. Sadly he was killed when the Spectre attacked Atlantis. Boo.
Punch – Punch and Jewelee were a great team. Furthermore they were a fun couple of criminals who also happened to be raising a child together. But now that fun is over, and for what? We’ve lost a unique relationship for a cheap death. Congrats DC.
Tim, are there any deaths that really get your goat?
Well, Orpheus and Spoiler are sort of my go-to choices when this sort of thing pops up and you snagged those already. Besides them, I’d have to say…
Breach – I still don’t totally accept this guy’s death on the basis that it seemed more like he was warped off somewhere else. Plus if he is Earth-whatever’s (8 is it?) Captain Atom equivalent, it means that when he does he really just leaps forward into the future. Still, it is a death for the time being and it was beat. Months of telling us that Breach was “important†in Infinite Crisis culminated in being taken out by a single burst of heat vision. Lousy. Worse, he took out a couple of C-listers with him (Looker and Technocrat I think) that did not even get name checked. Not every hero needs a Flash sized death, but they should at least be acknowledged as something more than cannon fodder.
Booster Gold and Animal Man – It is not even that they died. I don’t care for Booster and I was prepared for Animal Man’s passing. I can live with that. Also, they did die heroically, so no one can be faulted there. However, they both died in such a quick underwhelming way that I couldn’t help but be left with a bad taste in my mouth followed immediately by the thought, “oh, they’re so going to be back.†Superman’s death did a better job of trying to convince me of its permanence.
Firebrand – No one cares about this guy but me (possibly including me) but the way he went down to a random Checkmate soldier in Roulette’s gladiator ring always kind of bothered me.
The Majority of Force of July (or whatever they were called in Battle for Bludhaven) – I didn’t like the book and the characters were pretty lousy, but so much time was wasted on introducing them and talking about them in interviews and such that there deaths in the first issue infuriated me. Don’t bother trotting out a goofy/fun concept if you have no real intention of using it. Just make up a team and call them “Sacrificial Lambs†or something.
Un Gajje asks a very good question
So…should I recognize the face under the mask on the last page?
Soak1313 rides Gajje’s coattails…again.
So does the name Kenz Nuhor, which the new Starman says in the newest JSA mean anything? Is it an established character?
Wow, what a treat…for 12 people!
Since these two questions are completely intertwined I decided to lump them together.
First off that face on the last page of Justice Society of America #2 belongs to none other than Thom Kallor, the Star Boy of the Pre-Zero Hour Legion of Super Heroes. In the Silver Age he wore a gaudy cape costume ensemble but later he adopted a uniform that looked identical to the that worn by the Starman in Kingdom Come, only sans the mask. That’s what made the reveal so powerful; he went from Kingdom Come Starman to LSH Star Boy in a panel.
As for Kenz Nuhor it’s basically a confirmation that the guy is indeed Thom Kallor. Way back in Adventure Comics #342 fellow Legionnaire Dream Girl spurned Kenz Nuhor a guy who was courting her. Nuhor was irate and attacked Star Boy trying to kill him. Star Boy, acting to protect both himself and Dream Girl, killed Kenz Nuhor.
While Star Boy was cleared of charges by the Science Police the Legion held him to a higher standard and put him on trial for the death. When the vote was held Star Boy was expelled from the Legion “10 votes to 9.”
There are plenty of theories abound about how and why Starman is in the present. Some think that he contains the Pre Zero Hour LSH inside him (which would explain his mental problems and his power fluctuation). Other think that his Legion is the Legion from the future of the yet to be discovered Earth 2.
Myself, I can’t call it. But I know that I’m eager to find out.
Tim, I know you hate the Legion, but might this development interest you?
I don’t hate the Legion. I just don’t love them. And to follow them, you have to love them.
Anyway, I’m liking the book and Starman so I’m looking forward to revelations about him. I just hope they don’t devolve into continuity porn.
Kirk is all about outing superheroes.
A question about J’onn J’onnz, inspired by the recent “Words of Questionable Wisdom”. With Obsidian and Batwoman being put out there as gay characters, do you think somebody might hit a similar story with J’onn. I’m not implying that he is gay, but let’s face it – he’s on a foreign planet with people that he wouldn’t be attracted to like he would a Martian and the one thing that would probably attract him to a person, more than anything, would be their mind, not their body or sex. So I guess I’m asking A) has J’onn ever been put in that situation and B) could you see it happening?
Wow, my mind is blown. I honestly never pondered the possibility.
Given that I didn’t really pick up too many issue of his solo title I can’t say for certain, but I don’t think that that area has been addressed with his character. But it makes all the sense in the world. Of all the characters J’onn would be more concerned someone’s mind and not the physical.
I guess the argument against it happening is that J’onn has pretty much completely acclimated to American culture. He sees the roles that each gender plays and acts accordingly. Since he’s the equivalent of a male on Mars, he’s adopted the role of “male” here on Earth. I think that’d be the argument for why it’s not come up before. Up until recently J’onn’s been all about fitting in.
However now that he’s adopted a new look as a result of his becoming more assertive (and why his new look includes less skin is beyond me) there’s a chance this could be addressed. I don’t think it’ll be anything overt, like J’onn tonguing down another male, but I could see something subtle like him choosing to spend time with a particular male or complimenting a male on his mind.
I don’t think that DC is ready for that step. Many people regard J’onn as the first Silver Age character and he’s received a higher profile as a result of Justice League Unlimited, which means that DC is less likely to stir things up with the guy.
But I do think that of all of DC’s established character it would make the most sense for J’onn to do some experimenting.
Tim, what do you think about this idea?
It is certainly interesting and I too am surprised I’ve never heard it brought up before. It kind of reminds me of the Skrull in Runaways whose “natural†human state is a black man, but has changed himself to a woman to satisfy his betrothed because she is a lesbian.
However, buying into the “homosexuality is not choice†theory (which I do), I don’t think J’onn is going to turn out to be gay. See, Green Martians don’t look like people, exactly, but, from the brief amount of time we’ve seen of J’onn in his native habitat, they are analogous and involve themselves in similar relationships. J’onn was a male who looked comparable to a human male (except green, a bit thinner, and rocking an elongated head) who was married to a female who looked comparable to an earth female (again, except for skin tone and skull shape) so a heterosexuality has always been his norm. Thus, while I think J’onn would probably be the most tolerant of superheroes when it comes to race, gender, or sexual identity, I don’t think that means he would embark on a homosexual relationship.
Of course, for all I know, Mars was like Rome and it was not beyond the pale to have a female and male lover. But if that’s the case, we haven’t seen it yet.
Questioning his sexuality? Fine. Stealing his cookies? Not cool man, not cool.
Dave Z
Projects get announced in the fan press or at conventions all the time that never come to fruition (for any of a number of reasons). I’m thinking about things like the Wolfman/Perez Titans OGN, or the Robinson/Harris “Jack-in-the-Orient” Starman story, to name two examples. So of all the possibilities available, which of these projects would you be most anxious to see completed?
There are a few but first on that list is Kid Amazo.
So close, yet still, so far away.
This book was supposed to come in 2004. Actually here’s how it was listed;
What if everything you thought you knew about yourself was a lie? What if instead of an ordinary student, you were the secret son of JLA super-villain Amazo?
JLA: KID AMAZO is a stunning new 96-page hardcover graphic novel written by the super-hot Peter Milligan (HUMAN TARGET, X-Statix) and illustrated by cutting-edge artist Rob Haynes (Daredevil: Ninja, JLA-Z) answering these questions by shining a light on Pete Halloran, one of the JLA’s newest — and strangest — adversaries!
When Pete discovers to his horror that he is really the “son†of the android Amazo — and hard-wired to fight his “father’s†sworn enemies, the JLA — his life is turned upside-down. At first, he resists his violent destiny. But will his bizarre cyborg nature win out over the stability of his everyday life? And what happens when the JLA must confront not just one but two adversaries who possess all their powers?
This project is supported with a 6-page preview in an upcoming DC Horizon, trade and house ads.
JLA: KID AMAZO is a 96-page original hardcover graphic novel edited by Mike Carlin. It is advance-solicited to arrive in comic-book stores on May 5 with a cover price of $24.95 U.S.
The thing is that the book never came out. I saw the house ad for the book and was excited to read it. I’ve seen some of the pages that Rob Haynes illustrated for it. Yet the project never materialized.
Then last year it was announced as a story running in JLA Classified. I got my hopes up again. And again it was pulled.
But according to Tim’s latest column this story will see the light of day again in JLA Classified. However Haynes isn’t attached, it’s Carlos D’anda. Which makes me wonder what happened to the original art? I mean the book was three months from being released and DC was still promoting it, so it must have been finished, right? So what happened to the original product?
Another story that I’d like to see is the return of Christopher Chance. When Human Target was canceled, Peter Milligan hinted that Christopher could return but in a graphic novel like Final Cut. There are so many things that I’d happily sacrifice to get my hands on a Milligan written Human Target project.
Allow me to mirror your desire for “Jack in the Orient” Starman tale. I’m a huge fan of Starman and while I’m sad the book ended I’m glad it ended on its own terms. But I’d love to revisit Jack with Tony and James in tow. It’d be like the greatest reunion ever.
Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo are supposed to be collaborating on another iconic villain miniseries. This time around it’s the Joker and I can’t wait for it to come out. I loved their Lex Luthor collaboration and I’m sure this one will be just as amazing.
I’ve heard rumors about something called All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder #5 but it might just be an urban myth like “classic Fate fans” and unicorns.
Those are my top picks. Tim, are there any rumored projects that you’d love to have in your hands?
My problem is that I often forget about projects when they don’t materialize and will only recall them weeks/months/years later when someone says something like, “Hey, does anyone know what happened to the ________ project.†So, I’ll probably miss a bunch here.
To agree with you, first off, I’ve been jonesing for Kid Amazo for quite sometime. I think it was one of the first columns I ever wrote, if not the actual first, where I linked to a Milligan interview that talked about the project and I expressed my excitement back then. Now, three years later (almost to the shipping date) we are finally getting it. Maybe. You never know, right?
As for Haynes art, I seem to recall that he had about half done before the project was stopped. But I could be wrong on that.
Similarly, the promise of another Milligan Human Target story does occasionally keep me up late at night.
Also disappointing to me is the Miller/Simonson Daredevil arc or graphic novel that never got made. But that’s from those other guys.
Jumping back to the DC side, it is sort of sad that Busiek never got his full ongoing run on JLA. In retrospect though, given my response to his first arc, maybe that was for the best.
The never realized (or close to reality, really) Batman/Daredevil story Brubaker and Bendis were cooking up that was derailed by inter-company politics could’ve been a thing of beauty.
The face of possibilities…dashed
Finally, and this is sort of an odd one, Alex Ross announced, back in the day, that we was going to do a “Faces of Evil†book (or something like that) that was going to be painted depictions of some of DC’s best villains with short bios. It would’ve more or less been a poster book, I expect. Anyway, it was announced shortly after Marvels and Kingdom Come so I knew the man’s work, but before all his interviews and things like the Earth X saga so I didn’t know his opinions or that his stuff would soon saturate the market. Man, did I want that book. DESPERATELY! Sadly, it never came to be and given my semi-tepid feelings towards him and his work these days perhaps that is for the best. Still…it would’ve been cool.
Jag opens our eyes to the beauty of dichotomy
I like $5000 suit Lex Luthor. After that Man of Steel miniseries, it was awesome to see a different dynamic of him rather than the loony green armor guy. Also, rivalry between Superman and Lex was touched upon as Lex sees himself as a champion of humanity and Superman is a risk to the idea of the power of human potential.
But it got me thinking…what about Bruce Wayne?
His appearance in that miniseries was ok but if I look at him in the DCU comics, he’s similar to Lex in a lot of ways. Batman is usually portrayed two ways in DC: He’s the loner dark vigilante in the cesspool that is Gotham but when he’s with other heroes, he has that arrogance about himself that says, “yeah, you all can run very fast or shoot eyebeams or read minds, but when it comes down to it, I’m smarter than each and everyone of you”, which is almost a Lex Luthor-like kind of mentality. I look at Bruce Wayne as also considering himself a champion of humanity as much of his appeal is the fact that he is the ultimate in human achievement and feel that Bruce and Lex are almost kin in the sense of their place in the world, where they look at superhumans as a threat. (although there are marked differences as well, of course).
What do you guys think, where DC’s most endearing hero and villain aren’t super-powered and have a lot of similarities? Am I off on this?
Nope you’re completely right. Both of these guys are rich and orphans. Both of these guys strove to get where they are in the world at great personal sacrifice. Both recognize the threat that those with powers hold.
I think that one of the best things that came out of the Post-Crisis Superman revamp was the reimagining of Lex Luthor. He wasn’t a child super genius with a grudge, he was a guy that anyone could be, provided they were ruthless enough. He wasn’t a guy that you couldn’t relate to, he was a guy that was far too easy to relate to; we can all understand jealousy.
In many regards Lex Luthor, like Batman, was the character that everyone wished they could be. I’d like to think that had I actually applied myself in school that I could have gotten perfect grades and become as successful as Lex (though not gotten my hands nearly as dirty.)
But those similarities is what made the first issue of Batman Confidential so disappointing; I expected much more from Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor in the same room at the same time.
Tim, don’t you think that Lex and Bruce are two sides of the same coin?
In many ways, yes. I think the big difference is that Lex tells himself he is doing what he does for humanity but when push comes to shove he’ll always act in his best interests first. Bruce, meanwhile, has a tendency to make things all about him but when the chips are done always chooses helping humanity over his own selfishness.
Batman also differs in that he has the capacity for self reflection. It might take him forever to get there, but he can look at himself and acknowledge when he’s made mistakes. Lex rarely, if ever, is that candid with himself.
Kevin Wong makes everything into a competition.
I’m assuming that Batman and Luthor are the first and second smartest person in the DCU (in some order). Mister Terrific is third (which I suppose means that Sasha Bordeaux likes really smart guys), so who is number four?
“Let’s see you be smarter than Lex Luthor or Batman,†an enraged Mr. Terrific shouted today while pointing at random strangers.
Man, I usually get the question “who are the ten smartest people” and I can bebop and scat all over that list. But having to nail down who’s #4 is kind of hard. Now we’ll exclude the future so no Brainiac 5. And technically we’re talking about the Earth, so no Vril Dox II. I like Dylan (from the recently canceled Manhunter) but I don’t know if I’d turn to him in a time of need.
Wait a minute, since Mr. Terrific is just a skim-Batman all I have to do is think of a skim-Lex and I’m home free. And there he is; Thaddeus Sivana. He rivals Lex in the intelligence factor so I’m going to say that he’s #4 in the world.
Tim, who do you think is #4 in the world?
Ray Palmer. Or Will Magnus. Or Albert Einstein.
What, he exists in the DCU, right?
“I don’t think you’re ready for this, punk,†a defiant Einstein responded to Terrific’s bellowing.
As a side note, don’t you think it is just a matter of time before Terrific loses his ever loving mind and develops an inferiority complex from being identified as “the third smartest man of Earth†all the time? I can totally picture him destroying the corkboard in issue #1 while shouting, “Why can’t I just be “smart†Alan?! Why can’t I just be good enough for you Jay?! When will appreciate me for me and stop asking me to be someone I never can be?!!!!!!†And then he’d run to his room, slam the door, and cry while watching Full House reruns.
At least, that’s how it happened when my grandparents kept calling my cousin Eric “our third smartest grandchild.â€
I think this is a fine place to end the column. But of course next week will be tons of fun. Provided that you send me some questions. You can either email me your questions or you can post them our thread which features plenty of feedback. It’s easy and painless to register. Plus you can join in on the fun.
Before I go here’s my question to you what long-rumored comic projects can you not wait to see the light of day?
“People think that I’m crazy just cause I want to be alone.”
