Friday – 16 March 2007
And so, another work week comes to an end. The day wasn’t bad… of course, it started off with frozen mocha goodness, so how bad could it be? Things were fairly quiet in the southern compound. I made up for missing yesterday’s workout at lunch this afternoon. Back and triceps again. It was a good workout – my arms were tight and the muscles burned by the time I was done. Back on the ranch, I handled a couple of projects and called it a day.
On the way home, Dad called to tell me that it was snowing in Baltimore. Turnabout is fair play, I guess. I made it home and he called again. He had forgotten to tell me something the past couple of times that we’ve talked: One of the teachers at my high school died last week. I didn’t have him for any academic classes, but he was one of the faculty members who supervised – and played in – my phys ed basketball class a few trimesters. His obituary says that he “…could be intimidating at first.” They’re right. But, once you got to know him, he really was a great guy. He will be missed.
Then… Clitorati. Small turnout, but fun group. I started work on another drawing tonight:
Source:
Drawing (unfinished):
A gentleman in the cafè came over and asked if I drew professionally; I told him that it was just a hobby. He complimented me on the work and detail. That made me smile.
Four-Color Coverage
It’s been a while since I’ve done it, but let’s take a look at some of the things that have been distracting me for the past couple of days:
- 52: Weeks Forty-Four and Forty-Five – At the end of Week Forty-Three, Osiris gave up his power and was eaten by his “companion,” Sobek. Turns out that Sobek was actually one of the Four Horsemen of Apokolips, specifically: Famine. When Black Adam and Isis discover this, they confront Sobek. But, he isn’t fighting alone – the other Horsemen show up and it’s “Game On.” Adam and Isis take down Famine, War and Pestilence, but not before Pestilence and Death deal a fatal blow to Isis… and Death escapes. The one thing that you do not want to do is piss off Black Adam. And just what effect do you think that killing his family will have? You got it. Things go from “Game On” to “Game Over” just like that. After burying his wife and brother-in-law (and a brief conversation with Renee Montoya, doing her best Carmen Sandiego impression), Adam heads to Bialya – where Death has gone to ground – and does his level best to turn it into a smoking crater. He does a good job of it, too. The estimated death toll was in the millions. But, here’s the rub: What happens when you kill that many people in the presence of Death? Yep, you guessed it: Death gets stronger. Too bad it wasn’t strong enough. Adam methodically – and very painfully – destroys death. The last panel of Week Forty-Five shows Adam in flight, on the trail of those who created and unleashed the Horsemen. And he didn’t look very happy.
- Superman #660 – This was a Prankster issue. And, while it was a nominally interesting story, it could have served better as a back-up feature. Yes, Superman was in the issue, but not very much. There was a bit of character development to The Prankster, but I don’t feel that it was necessarily Kurt Busiek’s best work.
- Superman-Batman #32 – This issue is part five of a six-part “alien invasion” storyline. Superman has been corrupted by the approaching alien fleet and has turned his back on humanity. What chance does Batman have of stopping him? Come on… we’re talking about Batman. He’s got Alfred. He’s got the wealth of Wayne Enterprises at his disposal. He’s got a utility belt. I’d say his chances are pretty good. Or are they…?
- Green Lantern Corps #10 – Guy Gardner gets in trouble with the brass. Kilowog sets up two new Lanterns – who aren’t exactly fond of each other – as partners. And, Mogo puts in an appearance. This issue was pretty much a return to the norm for this title.
- Dynamo 5 #1 – What happens when a deceased superhero’s widow tracks down and brings together his five illegitimate children – none of whom were aware of the others and each of whom has one of their father’s powers – to fight crime? You can find out here. It was an interesting and auspicious start for this title. It makes me want to check back next month and see how this dysfunctional “family” deals with each other and the challenges of being a hero team.
- Fantastic Four #543 – This is a Civil
Bore War epilogue issue. Johnny and Ben babysit Franklin and Valeria while Reed and Sue try to figure out how to heal the emotional bruises they gained in Civil War. The solution: Take a leave of absence and try to work things out. But “Fantastic Two” doesn’t have the same ring to it. Reed, being the highly-intelligent man that he is, has a plan: He has a couple of people lined up to take his and Sue’s place. The King and Queen of Wakanda – The Black Panther and Storm. There are a couple of back-up stories in this issue, too: A Human Torch – Spider-Man story (*mediocre*) and a Stan Lee-written story (*weak*).
- newuniversal #4 – Starbrand. Nightmask. Justice. And… a character who’s being called “a Cipher,” but I suspect will be known as “Spitfire,” before all is said and done. I am still enjoying this reinvention of Marvel’s New Universe. Warren Ellis has done a good job of creating a comic book world/universe that is close enough to be “the real world” in most ways… but introducing a healthy dose of science fiction and turning things just enough off-center to be set apart.
- The New Avengers #28 – This is the first post-Civil War issue of TNA. The team is still underground because they refuse to register, per Civil War’s Superhuman Registration Act. Then, they get wind that the supposedly-dead Captain America is still (barely) alive and being held on The Raft. When they go to get him, they instead find themselves face-to-face with Tony Stark – in full Iron Man armor – along with a newly-formed, government-sanctioned Avengers team. Another part of the story takes place in Japan, with appearances by the Silver Samurai, Echo/Ronin… and Elektra. This issue jumped around a bit much for my taste and I found Leinil Yu’s art to be a bit distracting.
- The Mighty Avengers #1 – Newly minted Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark, sets up Ms. Marvel as the team leader and together they set out to “…pick the greatest roster ever.” New team. New direction. Lots of action. This book seems to be the classic motif of brightly-garbed heroes beating the snot out of brightly-garbed (and even drearily-garbed) villains. I’ll hold off judgment and bear out this title for a few issues, to see if I can determine where it’s headed.
- Uncanny X-Men #484 – Yet another chapter in the twelve-issue-long soap opera in space. This issue had lots of action. A dash of political intrigue. A dangerous romance. A possible rekindled romance. And the Starjammers – every Marvel fan’s favorite space pirates!
- Justice League of America #6 – This is the one we’ve been waiting for: The conclusion to “Tornado’s Path,” the Red Tornado’s quest to become human. The arc started off slowly, but this issue made it worthwhile. There was triumph and loss. The JLA acted the way longtime fans expect them to act – like a team (for a change). The Red Tornado showed what it meant to act heroically… and selflessly. The whole is best summed up nicely by the Tornado’s last captions:
This is a story about history and destiny. And love. And passion. And friendship. And coming-of-age.
This is the story of my life. And my death.
But this isn’t the story of my defeat.
My face is so swollen, she can barely get the mask off.
The worst part isn’t her expression when she sees me…
…or the snag in her voice as she tries to look strong…
…or even the clear disappointment as she realizes that everything we gained is now lost.
The worst part is that I tasted it. I felt it. Even if it was never meant to work… for those precious days, I was truly alive. And now, for the rest of my life, I know what I missed.
All-in-all, despite my bemoaning the slow, dragging start to the arc, this was a good opening volley for what will hopefully be a long and successful run for this title.
Stray Toasters
- I posted a link to the typography demo that used the “What does Marcellus Wallace look like?” scene a few days ago. Here’s a video clip of that scene from the movie.
- Fly away, sweet bird of prey…
- Is there anything that George Lucas can’t get his hands on? Case in point: R2-D2 Replaces Mail Collection Boxes
- and Carmen apparently have… dopplegangers. Bizarre.
- From Slate: The genius of film noir.
- 336 – 410 – 317
- When I see this picture, I want to replace it with an image of Famke Jenssen from X-Men III: The Last Stand and put “Jean Grey” underneath it:
…although, given the name that’s already there, you could put a picture of Patrick Stewart there and call it good.
- Spider-Man 3 Minimates
And… that’s good for now.
Namaste.
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