I'm Just Sayin'…#19

Columns, Top Story

First item of business: how cool is it that Duane Swierczynski commented on my column? I don’t even know how he found it; I tried Googling this once, and sad to admit there’s at least three other bloggers out there with the same exact title. And when I Google my name, my comedy stuff pops up. (Psst! Hey, Duane! Google my name! And tell your writer buddies, too! I’m really quite funny…)

The solicitations for October 2008 are up; from DC Comics, we have this one for ACTION COMICS #870. Now, the central storyline dealing with the truth about Braniac has been really intriguing, don’t get me wrong. Nonetheless, I just couldn’t help but notice…

My Daddy's gone...and I just gotta DANCE!
ACTION COMICS #870
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant cover by Andy Kubert
The “Brainiac” finale! It’s Superman versus Brainiac with everything at stake! No longer content to simply eradicate Superman, Brainiac is now determined to destroy Earth like so many other planets he’s left in his wake. But Brainiac’s ship is full of many bottles, inside of which some surprise guest-stars lurk! And while hope may blossom on Brainiac’s ship, there’s one life even the Man of Steel can’t save. (emboldened by me.)

And with that, it appears the assimilation of the Donnerverse into Superman’s canon proper is complete – at least, for Geoff Johns’ tenure anyway. Clark looks like Christopher Reeve? Check. Lois looks like Margo Kidder? Check. Pa Kent? Well…I don’t want to give anything away, but the foreshadowing’s been so heavy, you have to prove yourself worthy just to lift the comics themselves. But on the plus side, if you happen to toss them aside someplace, they come right back.

And then there’s Marvel, where apparently there’s been a big event gearing up over in their Ultimate universe, or something:

...so?
ULTIMATE ORIGINS #5 (of 5)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by BUTCH GUICE
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO & DEAN WHITE
50/50 Variant Cover by ALEX MALEEV
It all comes together in this climactic issue as we follow the twisted paths of Bruce Banner and Nick Fury as they approach their destinies. And at last–the Watchers speak! And what they have to say about the uncertain future of the Ultimate Universe is utterly terrifying. You must not miss this one! (once again…emboldened by me.)

Does anybody else find it a little hard to care that much about the events of the Ultimate universe, all-around? I mean I was into it for a while, and maybe it’s just the old-school Marvelite in me, but I feel like none of it really counts since basically it’s all in an alternate universe anyway. This is in part what I was talking about two columns ago, when I was discussing the need for a real sense of purpose for the Ultimate line. Oh look, here’s a solicit for ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #3:


ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #3
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover by MARK BROOKS & RICHARD ISANOVE
The relationship between Peter Parker and Mary Jane is one of the most iconic and popular romances in all of comics — and in this very special issue by series writer Brian Michael Bendis (SECRET INVASION), and red-hot artist David Lafuente (HELLCAT), that relationship delves into an area never before seen in any Spider-Man comic! Destined to be one of the most controversial issues of the year!

Never before seen, eh? Betcha they get married. And Mephisto performs the nuptuals. While holding Aunt May at gunpoint. What? None of this ever happened now, so it’s technically new!

So folks, I’m sure you’re all way ahead of me on this front, but I didn’t get to see THE DARK KNIGHT yet. I’m okay with that though, as I think I wound up watching AVATAR: SOZIN’S COMET some five or six times over the weekend. A season finale and apparent series finale, the story of Avatar Aang, the hundred-year war of the Fire Nation, the redemption of Prince Zuko…it all came to a close this Saturday and what a conclusion it was.

From

Far too often does a series overstay its welcome, and you can see it the instant the characters start losing the dimensions that attracted you in the first place. (FRIENDSTHAT 70s SHOW – I’m lookin’ in your direction…) AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER went out on the best note possible, and if we never see Aang, Katara, Sokka & co. in animated form again (word is a live-action movie is in the works for a 2010 release), they gave us one helluva farewell.

What else is going on…ooh: the theatrical trailer for Frank Miller’s adaptation of THE SPIRIT has been officially released. You’ve probably formed your opinion on this by now, but if not, feel free to click and judge for yourself. As for me…I dunno. I’m no scholar on the character, but from what I’ve been able to gather – thanks mostly to the efforts of Darwyn Cooke over the last two or three years – this doesn’t look quite right. Maybe it’s the changes to the Spirit’s outfit…

I dunno...could the black work?

…or the marketing focus on the various women that’re replete throughout the Spirit mythos…


…but something doesn’t quite fit. Y’know what it could be, though – I’ve heard from many different sources that Frank Miller drew a lot of inspiration from the Spirit when he left his indelible mark on DAREDEVIL back in the 80s. So perhaps on some level, Miller didn’t so much craft this movie with…

in mind, as opposed to say…

I dunno if that makes a lick of sense, but I guess we’ll have to wait til Christmas all the same. Besides, those of you still reading are probably thinking one of two things: (1)Ahh, you think too much, or (2)Mmm! Johansson-y goodness!

And this last bit of adaptation news, it was also reported recently that Justin Theroux will be scripting IRON MAN 2. I’m not sure how much this counts as news, if only because this might worry fans, as he was not a writer credited for the first, wildly successful film this summer.

I think it’s way too soon to start getting concerned, but if you’re worried this might amount to tampering with a successful formula – as some of us Marvelites have gotten a little too accustomed to over the last few years – be sure to remember two things: one, Jon Favreau is still directing, and two, the first was probably the strongest argument for collaborative effort anyway, so who knows – it may all work out. In general, I think it’s always better to hold off on being jaded when you can, and have a little faith…

…even if we’ve been burned before.

Just sayin’, is all.