Star Sapphire Saturday: Doom Meeting of the Minds

I must admit, it has been a while. I'm hoping this will make up for it.

Star Sapphire Saturday!

So, tomorrow Justice League: Doom is available for download on XBox and PS3, and it is officially released next Tuesday for Blu-ray and other media types.  I will be buying my copy.

In the meantime, I was browsing the interwebs and while there are several pirated YouTube copies of the film in its entirety, I avoided them.  I want my virgin experience to be on the big screen in my darkened living room.

HOWEVER, I came across this one clip which teased my SS desires.  Enjoy!

Love conquers all with violet light!

Decisions, Decisions: Justice League and Green Arrow

Decisions, Decisions.  As I've said before, I'm giving each series three issues to WOW me.  Then I decide if they stay or go.  Due to the number of weeks I'm behind, I'm changing up my format. so here goes.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

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Issue #3

Justice League

So I based this decision of of issues 3 and 4, since I was pretty sure this was one I would keep.

Recap: Super-humans are still hated by society, but now they are trying to fight the invasion of winged demons sent by Darkseid.  A sword-wielding Wonder Woman is introduced to join the fight, Aquaman surfaces to drive the demons from the deep, and Cyborg's newly-downloaded knowledge has all the answers to WHY the demons are here.  It's an action-packed couple of issues.

Issue #4

What Soars: The humor, the characterization and the tension among all of these "strangers" is perfectly clear.  Johns does an amazing job with the story and with the character development.  Amidst it all, he even injects a TON of humor.  Green Lantern is hilarious! Yes, he's the cocky douche he's always been, and yes he has that bromance with Flash, but he is a hoot! Of course, Jim Lee is astounding with his artwork.  I can't say it enough.  And even Aquaman is kick-ass.  Isn't that hard to do?

What Crashes: Wonder Woman sounds like a complete idiot.  I guess you have to remember, she is fresh in the new world from her secluded upbringing on Paradise Island, but she still comes off a little "challenged." What she lacks in brains though, she makes up for in balls. This chick is NOT afraid of a fight.  And although I thought her sword was stupid at first, it's kind of growing on me.

Decision:  Definitely a keeper.  As I've said before, this is my team.  I've been with them for so long and with the re-boot, I feel like I've been with them from the beginning.

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Green Arrow

Issue #2

Green Arrow is the Star City Batman.  While I never really latched on to The Dark Knight, there was something I loved about the Emerald Archer.  Rich playboy.  No real powers, but enough money to have any cool gadgets he needs. I guess if you're a real person hoping to be a superhero, this is the closest you can aspire to in the DC world.

Recap: A gang of superhuman criminals, led by Rush, are causing crimes and streaming them live on the net.  Very Running Man / Hunger Games.  Their next target is Green Arrow and their goal is to kill him live online.  They bait GA by enticing a young, enamored super-fan, calling himself Alpha, killing him live online.  GA can't resist getting involved.  After a good fight and an inspiring "The More You Know" message to viewers, the super-gang is locked away.

Issue #3

What Soars: This is a solid 3-issue arc.  The action certainly picked up in issues 2 and three and there was a clean and clear resolution.  Of course, it ended with a cliffhanger to begin a new arc.  Very typical, very formula.

What Crashes: Queen Industries has become Q-Core, the leader in innovative technologies like the Q-Pad and the Q-Phone. Q-Lame.  There wasn't much explanation of "why" in this story arc,  but I don't think the writers cared.  This seemed like a grabber to get new people interested.  I hope it did.  Oliver deserves it.

Decision:  While Oliver Queen will always have a place in my heart, I think it's time to let go of this series.  It's had it's day and I'm not sure this new run wil ever match the good ole days of Oliver Queen.

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All images copyright DC Comics and used under guidelines of Fair Use

SS: DOOM!

I'm glad Star Sapphire is being featured more lately, even if it is in roles that may not be right for her.  Regardless, she's getting better known, and once again it's...

Star Sapphire Saturday!

So the trailer for the new Justice League: DOOM was previewed at CCNY last week and our favorite violet starlet is featured as GL's nemesis. This takes me back to those days as a kids watching the Challenge of the Superfriends. I always loved the episodes that dealt with the Legion of Doom.

Now, Going just from the trailer, I'm a little confused why the chose SS as GL's counterpart.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited to see her, especially sporting the slightly risque, modified, Ivan Reis-designed Blackest Night outfit. However, Sapphire's fight has always been motivated by, driven by, fueled by love.  I hardly see a monetary carrot being the appropriate bait for her to want to destroy GL and the rest of the Justice League.  This fight is more about hatred.  Maybe they should have called in Atrocitous instead.

Despite that, I'm glad she's getting out there into more mainstream venues.  Maybe someday she'll get a book or a movie of her own (yes, I keep saying that). Until next week...

Love conquers all with violet light!

Reviews: JL#2 and GLC#2

As we get closer to the holidays, my comic reading keeps piling up.  In my week off, I'll try to catch up on some much needed reviews.

It's New Comic Book Wednesday!

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Justice League #2

 When we last left this series, we were in the middle of the cover art scene.  Superman was kicking the pants of the Bats.  Remember, Superheroes don't know each other at this point, and they certainly aren't a team.  They are feared by civilians and operating in the shadows of their own little superhero closets, trying to discover the origin of these crazy aliens and the mysterious little boxes they leave behind.

SPOILER ALERT:  This issue introduces two new characters to the mix (OK, three if you count a reference  to a bad guy).  GL calls in good old friend Barry West (yes, Flash for those of you not in the know) to come aid in the struggle against Supes. It becomes clear that superhumans are feared since Flash is being investigated by Central City PD.  In another part of Metropolis, a team of scientists led by Dr. Stone are analyzing another of the "little boxes" trying to discover their purpose.  In a simultaneous event, both boxes become inter-dimensional portals transporting alien armies with the battle-cry "For Darkseid!" causing, in one location, the horrific disfiguration of teenager Victor Stone (way to set up the Cyborg).

Johns' story line is pretty simplistic.  Trying to reinvent/reintroduce the most well known team on the planet (OK, the DC Planet) can't be easy, so keeping the storyline simple helps aid that process, provides some character development and lets the noob reader find the character they like best.  I understand this process, but for the tried and true devoted fan, it's a bit sssssllllllooooooowwwww. Especially for $3.99.  Really?  You draw the line at $2.99 for everything but this title and you make it so basal?  You're lucky the story and artwork are so good, otherwise I might be offended.

Nice glutes, Supes

The artwork by Jim Lee continues to impress.  He captures the tension of the action as clearly as that in the muscles in the bodies he sculpts, and he can draw scenes effectively from so many different perspectives.  While the S.T.A.R. Labs scene is so "Hallmark after-school special," it's still great to see the lab from above and the attack from below.  As a reader, I don't think I ever question where I am, but I also get the feeling that I can be anywhere and everywhere.

He's also executed the costume design quite nicely.  While the re-design has lost Superman's red undies and yellow trim, Lee certainly gives us multiple chances to see those "buns of steel." And who can resist those baby blues?  Take note, Mahnke, this is how faces should be drawn.  Maybe Lee can sit down with you for a lesson or two.

Will he, won't he. Barry
can't resist Hal's call.

I've always wondered about the Flash/Lantern relationship. I know that it's quite the bromance, but I can't help feeling there's some underlying homo-eroticism there.  Or Hal is taking advantage of the man-crush Barry has on him. Or I'm wishful thinking.  Regardless, in this issue, Barry has every excuse in the book NOT to help Hal, but comes running anyway.  When he learns the fight is over, like a good mo, he starts cleaning up. Party's over! WTF is up with that?

In spite of it all, this is MY TEAM.  While quite remedial, I feel like I'm living it from the beginning, almost as if I'm becoming part of the team as it slowly forms.  Next month, the teaser promises we meet Wonder Woman, so I'm excited to get the testosterone-infused estrogen in the mix.  See you in November.

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Green Lantern Corps #2

As a follow-up to the pretty graphically violent first issue, GLC #2 follows suit with another action-packed, graphic issue.  This mysterious enemy that is decimating worlds is doing so in an effort to rebuild their own.  Led by what we can assume is some sort of rogue Green Lantern, this army seems to be collecting necessary elements from other worlds (oceans, vegetation, etc.) to rebuild their own dying planet, and killing Green Lanterns along the way as the lanterns fight forces that seem impervious to their lantern energy.

Like the Red Lantern series, this arc seems to carry a pretty strong message (both political and environmental).  At one point, the "unknown, cloaked, green-eyed, lantern holding villain" makes reference to "You don't know what you have until it's gone" as he's replenishing his world's oceans, stolen from another.  As I watch, it makes me think about the resources we are using up all too quickly on this planet.  It also makes me afraid of the attitude I know will come, that attitude of "Let's take what we need from others, no matter the cost."  I'm not fooled that the leaders of this world are any less violent, selfish or greedy as this un-named villain.

Cat got your tongue, Issy? You're a
lizard.  Won't your limbs grow back?

The art in this issue is some pretty graphic stuff.  I've never quite seen so much blood, guts and dismemberment. SPOILER ALERT: Toward the end of the issue, Isamot, realizing their rings are powerless against these foes, sacrifices himself to close the portal. He lives, and returns, but bloody, limbless and holding onto his ring only with his tongue.  Now that's fighting with everything you've got.  When he comes back, you can see the severed bone and bleeding organs hanging from his body.  It's pretty gruesome.

Now that's what I call,
"Giving him the finger."

One thing that really makes me wonder, I'm not quite sure where they are going with, is this whole "finger" thing.  I can understand the need to cut the finger off to get the ring, but this villain isn't after rings.  I know some serial killers take mementos of their kills, but I can't imagine, this is what is going on here, although the villain refers to it as an act that will reverberate throughout the corps.  Hmmm.

There's enough mystery and intrigue in this story arc, especially with this unknown villain, the genocide and the slaughter of lanterns that will keep me occupied.  I can't wait until November.

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Watch out for this week's mini-digis: I think I've lost track there are so many.  Let's add Red Hood #2, Superboy #2, WonderWoman #2, Batgirl #2, Nightwing #2...

Next week:  Green Lantern: New Guardians #2, Teen Titans #2

All images copyright DC Comics and used under guidelines of Fair Use

The Hard Reboot

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am a huge comic book geek, specifically loving The Green Lantern, but also the entire DC Universe.  Since I was a kid first discovering "The Superfriends," I felt like I had discovered a world that would take me places.  Superheroes challenged my creativity and helped me to imagine worlds that didn't already exist.  And comic books made me believe. In heroes.

And now, the DC Universe is going through a relaunch.  As a technology geek too, I'd refer to it as a hard reboot.  As a gamer, a reset.  Whatever you call it, they are calling a "do-over" and starting from scratch.  Reinventing every character.  Some have different story lines, costumes have been tweaked and they get to make things up all over again.  How many  times have I wished I could do this in my own life?  Start with a clean slate.

Wednesday, the relaunch started with the release of Justice League #1. I picked it up, in print, to see what DC and Geoff Johns would do with a clean slate.

"NOT-SO-MUCH-OF-A-SPOILER" ALERT: I'm sure anyone who truly cares has already read this, but I hate when people ruin things for me so...

One thing I love is that the slate truly is clean.  You enter the DC Universe with the local law enforcement pursuing Batman.  Super beings are not seen as "heroes" and even better, they do not know each other.  In this issue, Green Lantern comes to investigate the disturbance in Gotham, discovers Batman, the madman who has no actual superpowers (but can steal the ring right off of his finger) and sets off with his questionable new ally to find the alien Superman who must have ties to the alien villain in Gotham.  Distrust lurks in every cell of this book.

Justice League #1 oozes with the old familiar superhero-as-distrusted-outcast flavor that is the basic foundation of all things X-Men.  But introducing characters that have to build the trust of others accomplishes two goals. First, it helps build that characterization from the beginning, not only letting you get to know the character from the start, but helping you to identify with the characters on your own.  So many readers look for something to identify with when they read and this is a way to do so. Second, DC really allows readers to enter not only a storyline, but also a universe without any need for background.  What a great way to entice new readers.  In a world where the comic industry seems to be losing readers by the minute, introducing a new "old" title can get new folks reading both new and old issues.

Now, costume redesign can be HUGE to some purists, including cosplayers who have to make entirely new outfits. I've been to ComicCon.  I understand. When the WonderWoman pilot was being shot for NBC and Adrianne Palicki appeared in jeggings, it was nearly the fall of Themyscira for sure. Some net pics had WW in pants on the cover of JL#1 but thankfully, she's dons something a little more classic.  Sure, the gold has turned to silver, she has an armband and a choker, but she's still the chesty Amazon princess I fell in love with as a kid.  As for the others, they're all mostly the same with minor tweaks and a little more of an "armor" appearance.  In fact, I don't even know if I'd have noticed the "collars" and "kneepads" were it not for this funny YouTube video I saw a few weeks ago.

The artwork is actually pretty great.  Although I'm not an expert at line work by any means, I know what I like and what I don't.  When I look at comic art, I judge it by how "tat-worthy" it is.  Is it good enough to commit to my skin forever?  While it may not be etched in skin yet, Jim Lee does a great job with characters he has been working with for awhile. We shall see.  I might be convinced.  Another exciting element of this issue, I saw Scott Williams doing a demo at ComicCon where he inked one of the cells from this book.  An AMAZING and arduous process for sure.

I have neglected my collection and have stacks of back issues to read, but I'm going  to commit myself to updates on the New 52 (no, not all, just the ones I read) and other current releases (along with my opinions on anything I like tv, movie, comic, and sci-fi related).

I know you're dying to hear my thoughts on digital v. print comics and the every expensive cost of this hobby. I spend more on comics than I did when I was smoking.  I'm also looking forward to a new series from DC called Stormwatch including some characters brought up from the minors.  Altogether, I'm hopeful for what's to come.

And when Jim Lee pens Star Sapphire, I'll let you know if he's truly a tat-worthy artist. We already know Ivan Reis is.