Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Comic Review: Daredevil #65 (445)

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Daredevil, Marvel has released a double sized issue featuring different artists like Greg Horn, Chris Bachalo, P. Craig Russell, Michael Golden, with pin-ups by Jae Lee, David Finch, and Frank Quitely and a typical cover by Greg Land.

The story is a typical slow-pace story by current series writer Brian Bendis, focusing on the reactions of various super-heroes over the last year of developments in Matt Murdock's life including his recent secret identity troubles. Matt encounters Nick Fury, Spider-Man, Captain America, the Punisher, and Doctor Strange, who all give him advice and support (well, not the Punisher because, you know, he's homocidal.) in his time of crisis.

There are some fine art here by Russell and Bachalo as well as Golden whose interior art I haven't seen for some time now. But looking at Greg Horn's art I am reminded why I don't like CG-characters: the more "real" they try to make it look, the more inhuman and unrealistic it will look to me. But maybe that's just me.

Also, why are there no art from past Daredevil artists, like Scott McDaniel, Ron Wagner, or Cary Nord? (It was after all Nord's detailed art that drew me to Dardevil all those years ago.)

As for the story, it's well-written and up to standards, but having already read the last year or so of Daredevil issues, I wish that this had moved along the story in some way instead of this retrospective view of events that have already happened.

So, the anniversary issue really covers no new ground for DD fans, but it has a nicely written story with some cool, and not-so-cool, art. I guess it just depends if you want to shell out the $3.99.

Monday, September 27, 2004

Character Profile: Christine Adler

It is said that her birth was one of the worst in 1863. Not only did her mother die while in childbirth, but also two nurses as well. Rumors persist that it was her father, Her Majesty's Royal Gene-Doctor Essex Adler, who personally slit their wrists in an attempt to keep his beloved wife alive.

Essex was disappointed that his gene-charts were wrong and didn't get the perfect son he wanted, but was left with a highly-flawed daughter. Christine was born with a very rare eye condition, so rare that there was no name for it. Her red-veined eyes were very sensitive to the light, but in the dark she could see twice as good, making out clear outlines that others could not.

Because of her disposition, she is rarely seen in social circles, and is often working with her father in his gene-labeling. Her skin is a pale flesh color, because of the amount of time she spends in her father's darken laboratory, drawing out long lines of genetic heritage.

Now, as the New Century approaches and the Ripper stalks the weak, Essex forced Christine to cut her copper hair and wear a man's frock. Her father believes that the Ripper seeks to execute the distant female descendants of people like Alexander the Great and Julius Ceasar, and that his daughter, the latest in the long line of great Adlers, will be one of his targets.

Christine Adler will be the main character in the new non-linear sequel to the popular, yet unpublished, Adler short story: "God is Dead." She will face a creature of the New Century and try to answer the question: Whatever happened to Detective First Class Scott Adler of the 21st Century?

Novel Update

I've just finished some more of my novel last week: an interlude, chapter six, and chapter seven. (Though 7 might be added into chapter six) Now, I'm looking over these new additions with some friends to get some feedback and corrections.

I also submitted one of my short stories, the first of the Adler series, to "Fresh Boiled Peanuts" a relatively new magazine that might increase my chances of getting published. One of my friends, who patiently re-reads all of my Sara stuff, also sent in one of his poems. So, the best of luck to both of us.

Saturday, September 25, 2004

Fantastic Four movie

The first photos of the cast from the new Fantastic Four movie have started to circulate throughout the web. I was a little unsure at first when I heard about the cast: Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Susan Storm, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm. Julian McMahon has supposedly been cast as Doc Doom but no image as been released yet of what he'll look like.

But looking at them in their navy costumes, well, they do look like the Fantastic Four, except that Johnny's apparently not going to be blonde. Gruffudd looks the most like his comic alter-ego straight down to the graying temples, while Alba looks more super-model than super-hero. And for all you anti-computer generated Hulk people, it looks like Chiklis will be wearing a Thing suit.

Of course, I haven't seen anything yet about how their powers will turn out on the big screen, or even the plot, but this seems to be a promising beginning. Supposedly, the overall feel of the movie is based more the updated "Ultimate FF" than the regular long-standing series. The movie's should be coming out summer 2005, and you can check out the pictures yourself at either Comics Continuum or Super Hero Hype.

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Comic Review: Astonishing X-Men #5

I didn't know that the "ratings" were so bad that Whedon had to resort to resurrecting an X-Men to get people to read his not-quite-above-average series. The only thing that has stand out in the new series so far is John Cassaday's near perfect pencils.

The story is more of the same from last issue: The X-Men have infriltrated this facility where a "cure" for mutants is being made. Cyclops is still been shot, and doesn't do much except lay on the floor and talk some. But the issue makes up for that with four smashing panels of Wolverine kicking butt. It all ends with Colossus, fresh from the dead, beating up the alien villain who seems like a carbon copy of everyone who's come before.

I guess this is THE issue for Colossus fans, since he's back even as just a lame publicity stunt. If you've liked the last issue then you'll like this one just as much. As for me, with next month being the end of the first "story-arc" I hope that means John Cassaday will be going back to do some Planetary issues, and then I can spend my money on something better. Sorry Whedon. You're no Morrison, but if it makes you feel better, you're at least more entertaining than Chris Claremont.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Book Review: Thuvia, Maid of Mars

Being the fourth book of the John Carter of Mars, Edgar Rice Burroughs changed direction and had the story focused on Carthoris, son of John Carter, while the hero of the first three novels was barely in three paragraphs of the whole books.

The story is about Carthoris' undying love for Thuvia, princess of Ptarth, who was betrothed to another, but before you can say "soap opera" the blackguard Astok kidnaps the princess and frames Carthoris. Now, Carthoris must find Thuvia to clear his name, stop impeding war between their countries, and declare his love even though she might not return it.

A good deal of the book is spent with Carthoris and Thuvia in the lost city of Lothar. There ERB introduces the reader to the very interesting theories of the etherealist and the realist. I'd go more into this, but I'd probably ruin the mystery of the phantom bowmen. There's many tight spots and valiant battles that lead up to a happy ending as usual.

While there is no John Carter or Dejah Thoris, Carthoris is very similar his father and being a supporting character in previous books, it's nice to see him in the spotlight. Besides being kidnapped frequently, Thuvia is still an intelligent, independent woman just like many other ERB women. While it didn't give me same page-turning obsession of the past books, it's still a fun book to read on a Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, September 18, 2004

FBI Warning of Doom

Today the Federal Bureau of Investigation has demanded that every citizen in the United States bring all of their CDs, DVDs, and other media products to the nearest FBI building to have each of them stamped with the new FBI anti-piracy seal.

Recently, CDs and DVDs now bear the FBI's seal against piracy to ward teens who read labels away from the evils of Napster. But this wasn't enough for the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"We were very proud with the design and quick to put it on all new DVDs and CDs, even including film scores that no one buys," remarked the Director at the press conference held this morning.

"But we ran into a problem. We were informed by the NSA that there's literally hundreds of CDs alone that have been previously released without our seal." So, the FBI requires that all US citizens bring in all of their CDs and DVDs that bear no FBI seal to be stamped at once.

"This is to ensure that these digital pirates get the message that corpor- er, our government does not tolerate this kind of free spirited capitalism," stated the Director. "If placing a large seal that serves no practical purpose other than to ruin the overall design scheme of CD or DVD will detract criminal activities, then so be it."

The FBI Director had one more statement to address America's youth, "Remember kids. Downloading music to avoid paying over-inflated prices is wrong. To continue to do so, will certainly lead to an impending victory for Terrorism."

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Comic Review: X-Men #161

I forget how refreshing Chuck Austen's run on "X-Men" really is until I dive into the newest issue. Austen took over writing "X-Men" after Grant Morrison finished his grand "New X-Men" saga, and what a task that would be if Austen hadn't already been writing "Uncanny X-Men" during Grant's run on the sibling series.

"Heroes and Villians Part One of Four" starts off introducing a brand new Brotherhood of Mutants featuring Exodus in new duds, Sabretooth in old duds, Avalanche from wherever he's been for the last four years, Mammomax who's either new or really obscure, Noctune who I'm assuming is a Nightcrawler "clone" from that whole Draco thing, and Black Tom in all his mossyness.

Thus begins the story with a bang as the X-Men fight off the Brotherhood, saving innocent bystanders as usual. The fight was good, but I felt that it was nothing really different than any other slugfest Austen has written so far. Having driven the Brotherhood off, the X-Men return to base to resume their complex relationships and angst-driven lives.

Here is where I think Austen excels. He writes the X-Men as humans, regular people. Juggernaut's gotten more depth in the three years Austen has written him than, well, ever. I enjoy watching them interact with none of Chris Claremont's staleness and drone-like dialogue. One thing I think Austen should watch out for is Gambit. I'm getting sick of him whining about being blind and blaming Rogue for it. This seems out of character for him.

Salvador Larroca has drawn another excellent issue with his flair for details and clean art. Though sometimes I worry that Larroca will cross the line, like Greg Horn and Greg Land, when some day everyone he draws will look like airbrushed super models.

Overall, it's more greatness from the team of Austen and Larroca. I can't wait for the next issue what with one of the X-Men being a traitor and all. But have faith, I don't think that things are exactly what it seems.

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Coolest Actor Ever

Tim Daly rocks.

I'm sure that I can say that with the utter most confidence, because who doesn't like the "Wings" alumni? Sure, Tony Shalhoub's the one with the new, successful series (which Tim Daly did guest star on!) but Daly has been doing movies like the (ahem) highly acclaimed "Basic" with John Travolta and award-winning "Against the Ropes" with Shalhoub and someone called Meg Ryan...

And don't you remember awhile back when he guest starred on "Judging Amy" where Tim got to work with his sister Tyne Daly? Or "Wilder Days" with Peter Falk? Then, there was the short lived "Fugitive" series, which I really liked, which was canceled by CBS in favor of some show called CSI.

Nowadays, he's starring (and co-directing) in "Bereft" which showed at the Tribeca Film Festival. More importantly, he's returning to TV in the new ABC series "Eyes" coming out sometime in the next year...

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Tim Daly rocks. And hopefully will continue to rock for a long time.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Character Profile: Deputy Rian

Rian was born on a farm-state on the planet Nagosti. He worked hard on the farm while his father taught him ways of the trade as his mother educated him with manners and speech. When he was of the right age, he was to go the nearest Initiative Center where he would chose a career and undergo the ritual to be bonded with the tegarei of his choice.
But his choice was soon made for him. Shortly before he left, a group of disorderly off-worlders had wandered onto the farm and accidently caused the destruction of the farm. While no one was harmed, he decided to become a Security Officer, rather than a farmer. And after a year of training, he returned from the ancient Ritual of Destiny, bearing the crimson tegarei of the Security Branch.
Soon after, Security Chief Violeen would retire and promote her deputy Keann to fill the position. This made her the third most powerful Nagostian on the planet, after Mother, leader of all, and the newly initated Sara, Ambassador of Harmony and the only honorary Nagostian. Some say that Keann was resentful that if Sara had undergone her own Ritual of Destiny weeks later, then Keann would have been Mother's favorite.
But what really matters is that Keann had to appoint a new deputy as her second. She searched through all of the academies. None of the candidates pleased her, no matter how experienced they were. It was only a matter of chance that Keann would stumble upon Rian. Rian had been called in to subdue some rioting off-worlders, protesting about Nagostian policy of neutrality.
No one knows why she offered him the position after seeing him in action. Her only response to questions refering to the moment were vague like, "He seemed to have potential."
Now, Rian is the deputy officer answering only to Keann herself. His youth sometimes clouds his judgements, but his instincts are a hundred percent accurate. Oddly enough, he is very friendly with Sara's human friend, Zoey and is happy to find that not all off-worlders are as bad as he thought.

Thursday, September 02, 2004

Dear Chris Claremont...

Why does Marvel keep bringing you back to X-Men time after time? Sure, your seven year run on X-Men is "highly acclaimed" even though halfway through that run you started recycling plotlines. And the Brood? Barely disguised "Alien" rip-offs, complete with a queen Brood and the whole implanting eggs thing.

Why do I bring this up? Because I have just read the current issue of Uncanny X-Men (#448) with your usually snappy title of "Guess Who's Back in Town?" While it lacks your traditional over-explanation of everything, it's reeks of old plots. You brought back Murderworld, (notice how other X-Scribes don't actually use Murderworld while this is like the tenth time you've used it) but wait! It's owned by Viper now. How original!

And what's your deranged obsession with Viper, complete with new, skimpy outfit. Your convoluted four issue run on Wolverine (#125-128) where your uninspiring cliffhanger was that Wolvie was married to Viper. It took me years of therapy to forget about those four issues. The only good thing about that run was that somehow Wolvie's brown costume got resurrected for two issues...

And what's your obsession with marrying off Wolverine? (See Wolverine/Witchblade crossover) Anyway, we all know that you won't kill off Sage either. You don't have the guts to kill off your protege mentat-mutant, who you've been grooming for a spot on the X-Roster for thirty years.

I personally am only reading your issues, because Alan Davis' beautiful art is simply irrestible. God knows how I've tried to stop, what with your barely exciting four-parter that shames Alan Moore's creation, the Fury. At least, you haven't started using your typical opening whereas villain of the month "kills" the X-Men, only to be revealed that they were robots. Wow, gripping stuff!

In conclusion, you're just like Stephen King: You haven't written something original since 1992. Just go away and live off the royalities, while some young writers get a chance to write for Marvel's mutants. Please, for the sake of the children.