Grounded, just won't fly

Disclaimer: The only part of Superman #700 I read was the free digital version of the Grounded prologue

Ahead there be Spoilers.

OK, first things first. The premise is good, Superman decided he needs to reconnect with the American People after abandoning them and running off with the Kryptonians. I am OK with this. It's a great angle for character development and any soul searching that doesn't end in a cape-toga works for me.

The part that first stuck in my craw though is the impetus of the story line. I woman slaps Supes cause he didn't save her husband and he died. Poor guy, was he killed my a rampaging Metallo? Oh was it Intergang? Hmm... Solomon Grundy? Earthquake? Damn? Nuclear Missile Land Grab scheme? Oh brain tumor... wait, WHAT? A brain tumor? She blames Supes because he didn't see the tumor with his x-ray vision, then didn't destroy it with his heat vision.

Did I miss something here? Is Supes in this ladies PPO network? Is it Blue Cross/ Red S in the DCU? That is why she was mad? Lady, don't blame Superman, blame House M.D.

Supes gets all melancholy because he didn't save a guy from a NATURAL CAUSE OF DEATH? Hey Supes, why are you around to keep my Grammy's heart pumping? J. Micheal Straczynski, that is STRIKE ONE.

Next, we find Supes and Dick Grayson up in the Ivory Tower... oh, I am sorry the Watchtower... I guess the metaphor was so see through I got confused. Next we find the Supes bothering the Flash, acting all Emo on him. I am going to assume the Flash was you know... doing something Heroic. So good idea stopping him like that, next time TEXT him the stupid question. STRIKIE TWO

Finally we got a good natured flashback to Pa Kent give some straight up home-spun. Remember folks the Kents are rural farmers from Kansas. I mean come on, you've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons.

So Supes lands in front of some kids playing stick ball in the park, (unseen is the apple pie eating contest and the Sara Palin speech) he gets his hands in the dirt and then walks off. You how stupid you look walking in tights and a cape. REALLY Stupid. STRIKE THREE.

Fact is if the set up for a story is this lame how can the rest not be?

Digital comics

DC announces today that its catching up with Marvel and going digital. For the longest time, I've wanted to see comics go digital. Especially DC. DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I'm a purest of sorts. I love holding the comic in my hand and thumbing through art and reading on my back patio on a cool Saturday morning, with a cup of coffee… MORE THAN ANYTHING. But I'm running out of space! That is the bottom line. Space. Do you know how much room 35 Long Boxes take up? Do you know how expensive it is to have bags and boards for some 10,000 comics? Do you know how hard it is to want a specific issue. And have to dig and pull boxes apart and thumb through page after page, just to find a specific picture? For me the bottom line to my long term enjoyment of the medium. I don’t want to get rid of my collection. I don't want to stop buying books or visiting stores. I don't see me not getting my favorite titles in hard copy form. Like Neal Adams said in a report I read, "Comics will evolve!" They aren't going away. What do you think?

Supes comes to the Big O

From the DC announcement:

Starting in July 2010, coinciding with the 700th issue of Superman, DC Comics
will be celebrating this remarkable anniversary of America's greatest hero with a historic journey…not to alien worlds or distant galaxies, but through the streets, roads, highways, homes, farms, suburbs, and inner cities of America.
[...] And America itself, in the person of those very real places, is invited to the party.
Beginning with the city of Philadelphia, Superman will walk
across America, a journey that is expected to take most of a year. He will pass through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington. Along the way, Superman will be passing through real towns, real cities, real neighborhoods.
And your town, your city, your neighborhood
may be among those chosen for his historic journey. Superman will literally pass
through your town as visualized in the pages of his book. [...] If your town is
within 50 miles of the line marking Superman's journey, then you are eligible to
participate.

Like Father, Like Ward

Having just re-read “Long Halloween” I had a realization on why I am enjoying Dick Grayson as Batman. Doubt.
Bruce Wayne in “Long Halloween” and “Year One” has doubt. He is new to the role of Batman, he hasn't seen it all and made countless contingency plans yet. So early in his career he is a man with a cape and a car... that and his wits and training. No OMAC, no Oracle for help. In the “Long Halloween” Batman is wrong. He makes mistakes, he falters. Bruce Wayne is very much human in those stories.

This brings me back to Dick. He has years more experience than Bruce had, plus he had Bruce. But slipping on the cowl is more than just making sure not to get hat-hair. Dick as Batman has his doubts too. He is finding himself. Much like Bruce in “Long Halloween” he is trying to get Jim Gordon to trust him.

Doubt isn't the only thing keeping Dick Grayson human. His lack of obsession helps. Dick is a return to a much more well rounded Batman, one that smiles but still doesn't have nipples or a dotting aunt.

That's my 2 cents at least.

Might Hastings Be Your New Comic Shop?

Reports from Bleeding Cool and other news/blog sites state that the chain of Hastings book/movie/music stores will be expanding their comic book operations and becoming members of the Direct Market. This is fantastic news for many who don't have a comic shop of their own but do have a local Hastings store.

Growing up in Norfolk, NE I had to rely on Hastings quite often for my comic fix, until we finally got our own comic shop shortly after I graduated high school. It was nice that Hastings was one of the few stores in town with a spinner rack but frustrating that they didn't get comics the same week they hit the direct market. Sometimes they'd be behind the direct market by a week, sometimes by 3 weeks. It was never consistent.

My Norfolk Hastings doesn't seem to be one of the launchpads for the new comics but folks who live in or near Kearney or Grand Island, NE will be delighted to find themselves with a convenient new way to buy comics or get introduced to them. I think a huge benefit here will be the fact that folks who may not even be aware of comic book specialty stores or who previously wouldn't be inclined to visit one may now have a book store atmosphere to investigate and explore comics that would require a little less cultureshock than some might experience in a specialty shop. I think this would be particularly helpful for women who are interested in comics but who may find themselves an awkward or unwanted presence in some comic stores.

I type that as a woman who was once told by a manager at an area comic store not to interact with one of the employees there becuase that man didn't believe that women belonged in comic shops. This revelation then led to me not attending that shop again for many years, out of discomfort. (for the record, that employee doesn't seem to work there anymore, so... good riddence)

I'm excited for this big move in making comic books more available to consumers. Particularly as the profile of the comic book industry seems to rise every year with blockbuster movies like Iron Man and The Dark Knight and the massive hype and intrigue around Scott Pilgrim. This could be very good for comics and, as such, very good for comic readers like us.

The real Avatar is coming this summer... I'm excited!

Robb:
My wife and I saw The Last Airbender toys... No Katara, momo or uncle, yet... And Aang is very White, but I like Saaka and Zuko!! My 2 favorite characters. Saka's wit makes the cartoon for me!Crystal and I have flown through all 3 books of Avatar Air Bender- cartoons in the last few weeks in anticipation of the movie.

Again... My favorite action cartoon of all time. Its so well done on every level!


Tracie:
I'm currently halfway through Book 2 of Avatar. I'd *like* to finish all 3 books by the time the movie hits, but we'll see if I manage that.
Really enjoying the character development with Prince Zuko. He's not just some 2-dimensional villain. The "Zuko Alone" episode was one of the last one's I saw and I was surprised how captivated I was with an episode that had nothing to do with Aang and his journey. Zuko has a lot of redemptive qualities and a lot of pain and it makes for a much more interesting character than I thought he'd be through most of Book 1.

Robb:
Oh, I think you've met Togh (spelling)? The Earth bender, who joins the team? Shes a great character too! Thats why i'm worried. its like the 'Lord of the rings' problem. There is so much that is good in these cartoons, there is no way they can shove it all in to the movie. I just hope they hit certain points. And for the record. Book 3 has the BEST character stories. The writers really cared about all of these kids. Villians included!

The WHY HAVEN'T YOU READ YOUNG AVENGERS Crusade

As this art from the upcoming AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE shows, Allan Heinberg & Jim Cheung's YOUNG AVENGERS comics continue to be the best-looking comics to ever comic a comic. Just look at these preview pages at Comic Book Resources and tell me Cheung doesn't just make sweet pencil-love to everything you love about Marvel Comics. One of Marvel's best-kept secrets is returning this summer in a new mini-series featuring the long-awaited return of the Scarlet Witch (for better or worse). If you've not read Heinberg & Cheung's YOUNG AVENGERS, I highly implore you to seek out one of the very handy trade paperbacks or hardcover collections of the series. It's gorgeous, fun, surprising and, at parts, touching. Most of all, it just oozes with love for Marvel Comics past, present and future and is a sparkling addition to that universe. With THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE dropping July 8th, now is the time to get caught up on (and thereby fall in love with) all things YOUNG AVENGERS.

(now where's my comission, Heinberg?)

The Number One Reason to own a Sony PS3

DC Comics online... is coming.

Oracle - New Thread

Tracie started this - "The Killing Joke" is an interesting one to add, particularly with the recent debate amongst Gail Simone and other creators on Twitter this past week about that story and the "fridging" of Barbara Gordon that took place in that story. You can't deny it's impact, though. I hadn't heard this before but apparently Alan Moore is not a fan of that story or the fact that it was made into canon. Thank goodness guys like John Ostrander stepped up to raise Barbara to be such a great character as Oracle, in what could've otherwise resulted in her disappearing into obscurity. (but that may be a discussion for another thread)

Thoughts?

Updated origins... annoying or Essential in Modern Comic Culture?

In anticipation of next Summer's Thor movie... We are getting a retelling, year one for the God of Thunder!

Thor: First Thunder from Bryan J.L. Glass (The Mice Templar) and artist Tan Eng Huat (Ghost Rider). My question to the general public... Are origins and year-ones overdone. In the last couple of years, we've had a Nightwing Year one, A retelling of Metal Men, Flash's Origin has been tweeked, Hell Wolverine has an Origin comicbook title. My favorite, Superman had Secret Origins come out over the last year.

I think telling and retelling heroic stories is part of American culture... if not HUMAN culture. We love knowing how things came to be. And with the landscape of comics in constant flux and characters getting deeper and richer stories, its only natural for writers and publishers to want to add some of that richness to their origin.

Sometimes the retelling is just a modernization. When Geoff Johns took over Green Lantern, the same basic story stayed, but we it took place in a more modern setting and allowed Johns to add some pieces of history that he'd later tap into in current comic timelines. Johns has been re-telling Superman's Origin and I'm sure this can be tricky. John's seems to be merging a few "origins" and adding bits of relevance to what is currently going on in his the Man of Steel's stories.

Thor is a mainstay Marvel character, that has been around since 1963. And in all honesty, is a really a flat personality. I think some of my favorite Thor stories have been out of the Main "Thor" title. "Thor, Son of Odin was the last time I really felt someone tried to go into the Thunder God's personality. His interaction with his friends and Loki are so well done. I think its what brought me back to Thor after the luke warm Dan Jurgen's years.

Ok, I've ranting and babbled enough... Needless to say, I'm a Thor fan, and I'm excited to see a modern re-telling of the Norse God!

I found where Bruce Wayne was sent after Darkseid hit him with the Omega Beam

Either Alfred is a fan of the CWS, and Omaha Baseball, or Dick Grayson has stock in Birkshire Hathaway... why else would the "World's Greatest Detective" be staying in the Big O? I also saw the Riddler and Jim Gordon sharing an omlet at the Perkin in the Hotel Lobby.

Brightest Day... opinions so far?

Tracie and myself have begun the debate. What's your take? How are Johns and Tomasi doing bringing back a handful of DC mainstays, and introducing some new friends. This discussion was sparked by this picture on the cover of next months previews. Thoughts?

Tiny Tracie Reviews

I'm actually regular-sized Tracie, but these are some tiny reviews I thought should find a home on our blog, rather than just being e-mailed between Robb and I as we giggle like schoolgirls.

RED HOOD: THE LOST DAYS #1 (DC) This mini's off to a great start! Judd Winick does a great job of getting me emotinally invested in the story and particularly with Talia Al Ghul. Also, spectacular art. I really miss seeing Pablo Raimondi on X-FACTOR but hopefully he gets some good exposure with this.

SERENITY: FLOAT OUT (Dark Horse) A decent read, though I expected more from Patton Oswalt. The ending made up for it a bit.

DARKSTAR AND THE WINTER GUARD #1 (Marvel) For having no prior interest in the "Russian Avengers," David Gallaher has done an excellent job in filling me in on just who these characters are and, most importantly, making me care about them. He also deserves huge kudos for introducing a female Crimson Dynamo in the preceeding HULK: WINTERGUARD one-shot, as she and the new Darkstar have become my favorite characters on the team. Also must mention the excellent art by Steve Ellis and the fact that Russia's Avengers have a giant bear, so... Suck it, America.

DEMO vol. 2 #5 (Vertigo) I am going to miss this series deeply once it concludes next issue. From Becky Cloonan's constant reinvention to Brian Wood's heart-wrenching stories involving the extra-ordinary, this Vertigo revival stands right up with the spectacular original series. I wish there were more comics as experimental as this.

Issue 19: LOST and found

Having trouble? Click here:

LOST Finale, Warm up

Tonight it all ends. I plan to write a “Post Game” review but for now, some thoughts. Our own Tracie has pointed out before on Twitter, that she gets chills each time she sees the LOST Finale promo on television, amplified by the background music from the Doors, “The End”. This is the end… In all cheeziness, in all sincerity, I’m totally going to miss this show. The ending is going to be a true event, but the ride was a relationship forged over 6 seasons, hundreds of episodes, and a cast that I felt like I knew better than any other show before.

First off, How I got into LOST? I caught 2 random episodes from the first season. I had seen the commercials of Charlie saying, “Where are we?” But I was sure this was going to be an expensive modern telling of Gilligan’s Island. It was about Walt and his father Michael, but it was so out of context, I never watched another episode that season. Until, The following Christmas, my wife saw LOST Season 1 DVDs on sale and over 3 nights, I caught up in time to catch up on Season 2. Since then I have only missed one episode. (Jacks tattoo episode from season three, which I have since watched) Otherwise, I have seen each episode in order and on the day it came out. No DVR, No VHS, No Hulu. It became that engulfing.

LOST was also special to me, because it was the first “geeky” thing that my wife truly enjoyed, that we could share. Most of the time, she would tolerate my nerd movies, television, and cartoons. Smallville was interesting to her, but she started to be annoyed by it, long before I was. LOST was the first time her and I had to do something together, that was a long term commitment. Her and I would talk after each episode, and speculate “What the hell was going on?” or “Who was going to die?” It really turned into “Our thing”. Tonight, we’ve been invited to 2 LOST parties, but we’ve had to decline both. We want to watch this one the way we’ve each one, together. (Shut up, I know its cheezy!)

Ok, lastly… Stop the LOST hate. I’m serious when I say this. LOST has been such a fun ride, when turn on it now that its ending? I think many feel entitled that their answer didn’t get fulfilled in the way they wanted, or maybe the strings aren’t as tied up as they’d like. I kind of understand. I look at it this way. There are somethings that I have to know and there are some things I’d like to know. I don’t think this was the writer’s design from the very beginning. In fact I know for fact it wasn’t The DVD commentary said Jack was suppose to die in Episode one, and Kate was going to be the focus originally. But the story evolved. It took a live of its own. And I don’t feel like the answers have been rushed or put in, just because they fit. With each piece that’s been revealed, the story has become richer and it makes me want to know more. In the beginning, the Lost writers did lay out some crumbs… If anything, we should commend the writers. for following their own crumbs left 6 seasons ago, because I feel the wait has paid off. The ride has been worth it. If tonight’s episode was just a dog licking himself for 3 hours, its still a success! This show has kept me riveted for 6 seasons, I’m still happy. What I’m saying people. Sit back, enjoy watching television history. This isn’t the Superbowl of Sci-Fi drama’s, no that comes once a year. This is the Haley’s comet of Sci-Fi Dramas… once in a lifetime.

Defending my position (some spoilers)

I've received a few balks since giving Ironman 2 a grade of "B". Since the whole Comicbook Crossfire crew has seen the movie, I feel its time to elaborate my stand. The original "Ironman" is on my list of top 3 comic book movies of all time. It was intense, full of action, a perfect modern rendition of Tony's origin. Truly a great movie. The cast was spot on, and the movie left me wanting more. Ironman is a close 2nd to Dark Knight and followed by Spider-man 2 as the reigning comic flick royalty.

Ironman 2 is the first sequel made by Marvel Studios and it picks up where the previous movie left off, but seems slow to explain who the "villains" is and ramp up any true action. We are in Russia and watching a man die, and then his son (played frightenly well by Mickey Rourke) begins to build his own Ironman. Immediately I feel like didn't we have this already? If you take the rich, entrepreneur character Justin Hammer, that Sam Rockwell played and combined him with "Whiplash" you have Obadiah Stane, the same villains from Ironman1. I was really hoping for something of a greater and more diverse threat. I know, its Ironman, he takes on technology villains. But Whiplash could easily been replaced by Iron Monger. (Since having written this, I've done some research on who Hammer is, and my opinion is a little bit softer, but why not go with a villain like Mandarin or a villain that might help set up the Avenger movie? Someone backed by Hydra or something?)

Also I was really, really disappointed with the "goofy" feel that Sameul L. Jackson used to make Nick Fury. Why did his personality change from the original? In the first movie, when he came out of the shadow, he was scary and serious. Very harsh and militant. In Ironman2, he was too light at the diner with Black Widow sitting next to him. I kept waiting for him to order a "royal with cheese". Why did they evolve him in that direction? Mace Windu was more intimidating.

Lastly, the lack of alcoholism from Tony Stark bugs me. Really, this has been a defining role of Tony's and I'm disappointed it wasn't incorporated more. This is minor, and I understand this is, in many ways, a kid’s movie too. And we can't have Hang over Ironman action figures with real vomiting action. Also I know you can't wrap up alcoholism in a 2 hour movie and be "okay" by the end of it. So I guess this doesn't bother me as much as I thought.

I know I'm being critical, but Ironman 1 set the bar so high, this falls a bit short.

Let me be fair, and go into what I loved about this movie. I have no complaints about the acting, with the exception of how Nick Fury was written. Tony Stark is a womanizer, a genius, a playboy, and ultimately… a hero. Within moments of his appearance in the film, I truly stop seeing Robert Downey Jr., the actor and all I see is Tony. He embodies exactly what I want brought to life before my eyes. The wit, the thought processes, the ego. Perfect. Also, the addition of Don Cheadle as "Rhodie", works well. Scarlett Johansson made an awesome Black Widow. And Gwyneth Paltrow was made to play the ego deflating, Pepper Potts.

I really like that the American government went after Stark to get his technology. That is something that would happen in real life, if this private citizen made this weapon that could take out a country's army. Downey's bravado and temperament towards the questioning was hilarious and very in character for Stark. Felt lifted right from the source.

I was impressed by the "Ironman Suitcase" armor. That’s something I've wanted to see. How on earth does Tony keep that suit in a brief case, but they did it. Tony's sky dive from the plane into the "Stark Expo" was awesome, even if it lacked the commercial "You complete me" line to Pepper. As he landed in the Expo, I just needed to hear James Brown's Living in America, to complete the package.

The humor was great. The banter between Pepper Potts and Tony was so funny and spot on. You kept waiting for her to just punch Tony in the gut or just kiss him. Paltrow is such a great actress. Also Gary Shandling as the "opposed" Senator was so funny. I loved his role and how he comes full circle at the end to have to award a metal to Tony. They little missile bouncing off Whiplash was hilarious too!

And let me not forget the “Geek out” moments, because there were a few. War Machine looked bad ass. The big fight between Rhodie and Tony was awesome. I loved them tearing up the mansion and beating each other. Seeing the "Shield" of Captain America used as balance, cracked me up. Also having Tony rejected as an Avenger… whoa. What’s that mean? We all know, Tony will be an Avenger, but what do they have in mind? The Avenger's movie is picking up steam. And the big Easter egg after the credits… "WOW"! Wow. The camera pan, the huge crater, and then Mjöllnir is there, in all its glory. Yes, bring on Thor! It’s funny, because, it wasn't a long seen. Just a flash and bam you see the hammer and you think… THOR is coming!

Ok, all in all, Ironman is a really good movie. But, like I said, when the first one was near perfection, you want more in a sequel. Is it too much to expect an Empire Strikes back, Spider-man 2, X-men 2, or Dark Knight? If you watch Ironman 1 and 2 back to back… I don't know if you'd have the same critism. But as 2 separate movies, Ironman 1 did it better. I say solid "B". Good movie… go see it!

Robb's take on Ironman 2 (no spoliers either)

Solid "B" for my rating... What's your take.

Monty's IM2 Review (No spoilers)

Excited for Ironman 2!

Hopefully Tonight... I missed the midnight showing... I'm old, I work, and its not a Superman Movie. Cut me some slack. Oh, Monty is at the theatre now watching it... Did I mention, Monty sucks. No, well Monty sucks. BETTER NOT RUIN THE POST CREDIT EASTER EGG! I know where you live.

Free Comic Book Day!!!

So Saturday was great... My nephew has been infected and has the comic bug. (despite being scared and intimidated by the stormtroopers, War machines, and large sweaty comic nerds.) CBXF's very own Tracie was at Krypton, drawing for the masses and producing her usual awesome output! Hopefully she'll put up a pic or two! All in all, I was a little sad that I wasn't on the same side of the desk as Tracie, but lets face it... I'm super rusty. (working on it... working on it)

Well here are some pics of the event. Keep planting the comic seed.