Superbabes: She-Hulk Is So Hot

As much as I think She-Hulk is the dumbest idea ever, she is a friggin hottie!!  This cover is from She-Hulk #7

Spider-Man Reeboot Video Parody

You know, there's a lot of truth in this video.  In case you didn't know, Marvel is doing a reboot of the entire Spider-Man franchise.  Whole new cast, whole new approach, etc etc.  There's a lot of good things about that, but a lot more bad things too.  Hopefully, Marvel will get the picture and not just produce some piece of crap that no one is going to like.  What should they do?  Keep the same spirit that made the first 3 Spidey films a success, but bring a much more serious tone to the reboot.  But don't make it a teeny boper film, PLEASE!!  Use good actors and actresses, get a director who can do this stori justice, and don't allow it to become a reason for making money...give the audience what they really want.

Mirror Images: The Unoriginality Of Avatar

The following is an article written by Jared Crawford, a fellow blogger, movie buff, film historian and expert of contemporary sociological issues.  He write this article a week after the film Avatar was released and has requested I post it here on my blog.

Mirror Images

The Unoriginality And Theft Of James Cameron's Avatar

A completely new and original idea is rare these days.  How many of us can claim to have had a truly original idea, thought, action, dream, etc.?  The answer is no one; those idealists have lived their lives and past on.  We now live in an age of Xeroxed ideas, stories, films and dreams that are constantly being recycled by the everyday, hardworking man and woman, all the way to the prestigious millionaires of the world.  Nothing is new, and everything has been done.  So when it comes to film one must ask, how do you create something that’s already be done?  That of course is the wrong question to ask; rather we should ask how does one make what’s already be done their own?

I of course am focusing all my literary efforts on the hit film Avatar which has taken theaters by storm and will eventually go down in history as the most watch film in movie history.  To be completely honest, I appreciate so much of what I saw on screen.  It was one of the more visually appealing movies I’ve had the pleasure of seeing.  Avatar is without a doubt the new foundation for special effects movies for years to come.  But to whom does Avatar owe the success it has achieved in such a short time?  Who should James Cameron be bowing down too in thanks for the inspiration of this film?  After all, I’ve already established that there are no original ideas; that they come from somewhere else, correct?  Two words, Fern Gulley.  Yes, the early 90’s animated feature about saving the rain forest is where Mr. Cameron not only was inspired to make Avatar, but literally stole the plot and inserted it into his flashy , over the top, predictable film.

There is not a single spot in Avatar that can’t be found in the cartoon classic.  First, let me begin by examining the obvious plagiarism of Cameron in the world of both films.  Fern Gulley contains a race of natives who are bounded to the Earth in a deep, emotional and physical way.  Every step of the way through this forest becomes a bright, colorful place that glows in the dark and lights up wherever it is touched, stepped on, or caressed.  Even the religious aspect of the movie is a persistent theme.  The fairies, towards the climax of the movie, gather together as one to call upon the spirits power to protect them in their time of need.  The fairies even communicate with the forest and feel its pain, crying whenever a tree is destroyed.  Tell me, where are these aspects not found in Avatar?

Secondly, the plot devices between the two films are absolutely identical.  There is a princess who is betroved to another male within the tribe.  That is interrupted by the introduction of an outsider out seems strangely American.  This stranger was also involved with the destruction of the woodland area and attempts to keep that hidden from the natives, with whom has become just alike.  Through a series of trials and tribulations, this male learns to love his new found friends and feels guilty for lying to them, which of course leads him to spilling the beans.  At this point, the entire tribe hates and shuns him (except for the mother of course) until our hero decides to sacrifice himself and save the day, in which case he is reaccepted into the tribe.  Included in this reflection is the intimate moment where the outsider and the princess share together away from everyone else, the similar and memorable characters that practically carbon copies of one another, and the big fucking machine designed to destroy tress in the blink of an eye.

All in all, the two films are virtually identical.  The only difference is the conclusion where one must go back in order to stop deforestation for the sake of industrial advancement; the other becomes a part of the tribe through spiritual and supernatural means.  My opinion?  Bill Kroyer and the rest of the Fern Gulley team should sue James Cameron for ripping off their idea.  And thank Pocahontas, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, and a conglomeration of other films in which Avatar steals from.  No argument can be made that this film is the most unoriginal movie to have ever been made.

Comic Book Review: Suicide Squad #67

Book Information

Written by Gail Simone & John Ostrander

Art by J. Calafiore

Plot

DC Comics has resurrected many of the popular classic titles from back in the day.  The month of January brings us the best selling title, The Suicide Squad.  With the Amanda Waller at the fore front of the Squad, their mission is to seek out their old comrade, Deadshot, and bring him back into their ranks.  In addition, the Fiddler has risen from the dead and seeks revenge on Deadshot for murdering him all those years ago.  It’s a jam packed issue filled with familiar faces and moving dialogue.

My Thoughts

As much as I love Simone and Ostrander, I’m rather disappointed with this issue.  It contains a lot of fun and adventurous moments, but lacks a certain substance that has defined the Simone Ostrander team for so long.  One thing is for sure, this issue isn’t a shining moment for DC comics and the two writers.

Simone and Ostrander write their typical quality storyline involving great humor, angst driven plot devices, and wonderful character development.  Bane acting the scary, over-protective father figure towards Scandal couldn’t be funnier.  Asking Liana about her sex life before meeting Scandal was ridiculously funny, along with Ragdoll’s inappropriate and ill-timed side comments.  The moments leading up to the fight between the Six and the Squad were very moving and “Secret Sixish,” filled with wisecracks and character appropriate dialogue.

However, one thing that threw me was the shifting from narrator or narrator.  The issue starts off with the Fiddler’s inner monologue and switches to Yasmine’s.  Maybe it’s just me and I’m weird, but typically I prefer to have just one narrator so the story has more focus and drive to a comprehensible conclusion.  Like every Blackest Night tie-in, Suicide Squad #67 starts off with a reminiscent scene by a central character important to the story.  As already stated, the Fiddler tells his story at the beginning, which causes me to believe the stories foundation is centered around the him.  But then midway, Yasmine’s inner Monologue is seen which shifts the focus from the Fiddler to Yasmine.  It then reverts back to the Fiddler towards the end, and by the time I’ve finished the book, I have no idea who the central character was for this story.

In addition, having the two titles on one book is rather deceiving.  The Suicide Squad appears for less than 40% of their own book, and any appearance made by Black Lanterns is less than 10%.  After finishing this book, I came to the conclusion that DC had no real purpose in resurrecting the Suicide Squad except for the mere sake of Slapping the name on a book in addition to the story arc title “Blackest Night” to boost theirs sales.  The plot development from the perspective of the Squad doesn’t exist in this book, and their appearance and confrontation with the Six is rather abrupt and strangely transitioned.

Overall

I’m rather disappointed in this issue, Simone and Ostrander are two of my favorite writers in comics and this issue makes me think they are no more talented than the over rated Grant Morrison.  Granted, this is the first issue I’ve ever read by Simone or Ostrander that I felt was very bad, but it’s still a blow to the crotch.

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars

Comic Book Review: Green Lantern Corps #44

Book Information

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Patrick Gleeson & Rebecca Buchman

Plot

Black Lanterns relentlessly attack the GL power battery, and the Corps is helpless against them.  The only thing keeping the Zombies at bay is the newly inducted Red Lantern, Guy Gardner.  While The Green Lanterns pray that Guy’s continuing rampage against the Black Lantern Corps will be successful, Mogo comes on board with and delivers coup de grace on the Zombies that, quite frankly, leaves them a little hot under the gills.

My Thoughts

The Green Lantern Corps has never impressed to the point where find myself awestruck and flabbergasted.  That state of being frozen with surprise usually is saved for stories written by Gail Simon, Neil Gaiman, or Alan Moore.  However, Tomasi proved to the world that he has just as much talent in his writing skills that the other heavy hitting writers have.

The plot itself goes beyond my expectations, utilizing the element of surprise to its fullest degree.  I’ve never seen a point in Mogo’s character, why induct a planet into the corps when all it’s able to do is idle in space and make other Lanterns feel good about themselves?  It never occurred to me that Mogo could actually become a valuable asset to the corps.  With the ability to draw in any organic life form is one thing, but to push the Black Lanterns into Mogo’s hot, molten core was a stroke of genius.  With this tactic, the Green Lanterns don’t have to worry about destroying them since they will constantly be melting and burning forever.  That is the type of ending that vivaciously engages your excitement and keeps your interests alive.  Two thumbs up for Tomasi for his intelligence and originality.

Guy Gardner as a Red Lantern is a lot more exciting than I initially thought.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think he had it in him, even with HIS temper, to take on an entire race of creatures single handedly without a scratch.  But what caught my attention the most was the love he portrayed for his friend and alley, Kyle Rayner.  As Kyle approached through the horde of Zombies, Guy’s rage tone down almost completely with the relief that Rayner wasn’t dead.  But as suddenly as that happened, Guy reverted back to his angry state of mind and began attacking Rayner as if her were his arch nemesis.  It didn’t matter that Rayner was still alive, it didn’t matter that he risked his life forcing himself through the clutter of Black Lanterns to see Guy, all that matter with Gardner was the rage within him.  Guy even stated he enjoys the Rage, as if it were clearer and more enjoyable than anything else he’s ever experienced.  This shows me that deep down inside, Guy Gardner really has nothing in his heart except rage.  Hopefully his girl, Ice, will be coming into the picture soon to help calm him down and find peace yet again.

Patrick Gleeson is an interesting artist.  He has a way of making his strange artistic style connect with me in many ways.  I’m very picky when it comes to art.  Give me clean lines, realistic expressions, interesting usage of colors and lighting and you have me hooked; Gleeson hardly has any of that in my mind.  Yet for reasons I can’t explain, I love his art work.  Maybe it’s the flashy attitude he puts into every page, maybe it’s the detailed work he puts in the background, or maybe his style is just different enough to me that I find it incredible to look at that makes me enjoy anything he does.  Whatever the case, Gleeson creates art that is undeniably top quality and I couldn’t ask him for better.

Overall

Fantastic issue!  I’m torn between this and the current issue of Batman that Tony Daniels delivered this month for the best of January.  One thing is for sure, this issue will be the best or second best comic of the month.  But with the Black Lantern crisis averted, how will the GL Corps deal with red ring bearing maniac Guy Gardner?

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 17^th, 2010

The battle for the Green Lantern Battery on Oa comes to a bloody end as the new fron in the War of Light emergis!

Top Ten DC Comic Books Of 2009

10. Supergirl #43

Supergirl has always been a title I refused to pick up on purpose.  It wasn't until Sterling Gates came on board when I found Supergirl to have potential at being one of the better comic titles being sold on DC's repertoire.  This particular issue focuses on Kara with coming to terms with her mother whom has only been reacquainted with for a short time.  With the small mystery and new realizations that Kara discovers about herself and her mother, this issue took Supergirl to a whole new level.

9. Supergirl Annual #1

This issue takes two comics and staples them together to form a fantastic epic.  Two separate stories, yet they still act as one.  One story gives a fantastic commentary on the prejudice of people and shows how one person's good intentions can lead to another person's torment and despair.  The second story goes back in time to explain the origin of Superwoman, also know as Lucy Lane, sister to Lois Lane.  This issue was a emotionally packed story and very intelligently written with art that kept you turning the page wanting more.

8. Wonder Woman #38

While the common person would allow the fact that the world was coming to an end to tear away at our soul and weaken them, Wonder Woman stands firm and fights back.  Gail Simone shows over and over again that Wonder Woman is not your average comic book anymore.  This issue gives an image of wonder woman as the most powerful force on planet earth as she defies all odds and takes on the evil placed before her.

7. Action Comics Annual #12

The reason why I'm a nut case for DC Comics is due to their mythological approach to most storylines and origins.  This book puts in place the origin of the old/new mythological heroes of Krypton, Nightwing and Flamebird.  But what makes this book different from the rest is how the two origin stories start out as completely separate entities, but become one towards the end.  Greg Rucka shows that the religious significance of the two will have a huge impact on the DC Universe sooner or later.  Flamebird and Nightwing and slowly taking charge of Action Comics and I hope it stays that way.

6. Batman: Cacophony #3

When this min-series began, I was unimpressed.  The first two issues were slow and unengaging.  But this third and final issue was a nice surprise to an unsatisfying mini-series.  In the same degree that Alan Moore took the Joker with his story "The Killing Joke," Kevin Smith humanizes the Joker in a way no one has done before.  It's funny to think that a person can hate you, respect you, and sympathize with you all at the same time.  The Joker's apology to Batman was such a powerful piece of oratory that I almost put this book in the top five.  Kevin Smith, while not the best story arc writer, truly knows how to get at the heart of a character.

5. Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1

I wasn't sure if any of the Blackest Night tie-ins were ever going to meet the standards that Geoff Johns has set.  The Superman and Batman tie-ins were pretty worthless and uninspiring.  But leave it to Greg Rucka to make anything worth reading.  Diana's approach in dealing with the risen Maxwell Lord was equally terrifying as it was amazing.  The torment Diana was obviously going through in having to face the man she brutally murdered was very interesting and emotional.  With her stoic and wooden body while fighting Lord and his army was a work of genius, this issue is definitely worthy of a placing in the top five for the year.

4. Batman #686

When I heard Neil Gaiman was enlisted to write two issue of Batman, my joy was indescribable.  I've never read anything by Neil Gaiman that I didn't absolutely love, and Gaiman certainly doesn't disappoint.  Inspired by Alan Moore's story arc "What Ever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow," Gaiman takes the title and replaces "Man of Tomorrow" with "Caped Crusader."  However, this is nothing like Moore's masterpiece.  Gaiman uses his master science fiction story telling approach and completely reconstructs the world Batman we thought we knew into something strange, yet satisfying.  And as Gaiman always does, he leaves us wanting more.

3. Secret Six #15

Having John Ostrander back writing for Deadshot was a smart move on DC's part.  Having been the mastermind behind the Suicide Squad for so long, it only made sense to give Simone a break and let someone as equally qualified to write a chilling psychological profile on one of DC's most notoriously lovable villains.  The conclusions the story comes to is this, he’s a lunatic who has a sense of humanity to him, but has no love for people in general, is conflicted with his traumatic family past, couldn't give a rats ass if he lives or dies, but hopes to God that he does die.  Confused?  Well when you read it like that, yeah.  But Ostrander makes this confusing story make so much sense (in a twisted way) that you put the book down, but pick it back up and read it again.

2. Wonder Woman #33

I wanted so badly to put this issue in the top #1 spot, that's how good this issue is.  Fighting against all odds, shunning your people, lashing out against those whom have given you their love all your life, and turning your back on your religious upbringing is all right here in this issue.  Nothing bad can be said about this final chapter in Simone's "Rise of an Olympian" story arc both in the writing and the art; this issue shows just how good comic books can be.  The story and art are so equally powerful that I can't see how anyone could disagree that Wonder Woman #33 does not rightfully deserve a second place finish in the best comics of 2009 contest.  Gail Simone, you are my hero.

1. Detective Comics #853

Well of course I'm going to give this issue the top spot, it was written by Neil Gaiman.  Call me biased but the only comic book writer who can come close to beating out Gaiman would be the esteemed Alan Moore.  No thanks to Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman justly explains the Dark Knight's death in his typical, outlandish way filled with science fiction, horror, love and humanity.  I would have never even considered using his mother as a guiding light for Bruce Wayne, but it's one of the more logical and creative ideas I've ever seen.  It's true for all of us right?  Our mothers are typically the ones the children go to when needing that nurturing and loving care we all crave many times in our lives.  This is not only something we, as readers can relate too very easily, but it helps to humanize a character that has been viewed as a God in the DC Universe.

But as Neil Gaiman always does, he puts an unsettling taste in my mouth, leaving me with the knowledge that Bruce Wayne will always be cursed with the Cape and Cowl.  The story showed the different flashback scenes as being different and unique from the other, like each one was a part of a different world and time.  Gaiman was trying to show that Bruce Wayne is reborn over and over again as Batman.  But this also means that Bruce constantly has to relive that horrifying day when his parents are shot in that alley way right in front of him.  This defies the typical comic book storyline where the hero saves the day and everyone is happy.  Bruce Wayne dies in this issue, but is he really dead?  No, he has to live with the fact that he will rise again to become Batman and all the pain and torment that comes with it.  

It was this fact of the story which gives me full confidence that I chose the right book as the best comic of 2009.

Comic Book Review: Secret Six #17

Book Information

Written by Gail Simone & John Ostrander

Art by J. Calafiore

Plot

The Suicide Squad takes on the Secret Six in a fight to the death.  The Squad’s main target is The Six’s trigger happy ally, Deadshot.  While the Squad fights the Six in an attempt to reclaim Deadshot and bring him back into their ranks, the Lanterns of death make a unwelcome surprise and begin to trash and rip the hearts out of the inmates of the Belle Reve Jail.  Now, the two super villain teams must worked together to escape the clutches of the blood thirsty Black Lantern Corps.

My Thoughts

Like all the Blackest Night tie-ins, Secret Six #17 begins with a flash back by a character who has a distinct, yet distant connection to the book, Yasemin, who was killed by Deadshot earlier in this story.  She has risen from the dead and seeks vengeance against our bullet crazy fiend.  Having not read Suicide Squad #67, I was a little confused by what was going on.  This only means I’ll need to go to the comic book store tomorrow and pick up my own copy and play catch up.  It was an interesting inner recapping monologue however, in the sense that her death only happened last issue, yet she’s acting like this vengeance has been a long time coming.  It makes for an angst driven an intense introduction to this issue, but it seemed a bit contrived and strange to me.

Aside from that minor defect in the story, Simone and Ostrander deliver an exceptional issue that goes beyond what the typical comic book story does.  We have three super villain teams going at each other tooth and nail, The Secret Six, The Suicide Squad, and the Black Lantern Corps.  This approach to a story shouldn’t work, yet these two heavy hitting writers take it on as if it were the most natural thing in the world.  What’s satisfying about these match ups are how Simone makes the odd fights work very well in the literature.  While Catman and Bronze Tiger seem the most obvious brawl, Bane punching it up with Nightshade and Vertigo seems like a very unlikely fight, yet it’s written so smoothly and effortlessly; shows the unending versatility and intelligence that Simone and Ostrander have as writers.

Calafiore, while still a great artist, doesn’t hold a candle to Nicola Scott.  At first I thought Calafiore was going to transition into this title quite well, but he instead displays a lack of artistry that has been visualized so perfectly by Mrs. Scott.  The close up shots were intense and had crispness to them; the distant panels, like the fight scenes between Bane, Nightshade and Vertigo for example, were very stone like and frozen and it became a distracting feature of the book.  Many of the panels where someone landed a punch, the illusion of forward motion, and images where the fist makes contact are almost non-existent.  The art was a real disappointment for me as I know I’ve seen better coming from Calafiore.

As far as the tie-in to Blackest Night is concerned, I don’t think it did the job well.  It was a tie-in, yes, but it didn’t really do anything to progress the story.  Everything that happened in this issue has already occurred with every other tie-in.  It’s as if DC just wanted an excuse for including Blackest Night into one of its more popular selling titles and didn’t care if it helped boost the story in the least.  DC just wanted to slap Blackest Night at the top of the cover and call it good.  That’s quite the cop out if you ask me.

Overall

Had some flaws, but mainly consisted with the art and the less than satisfactory Blackest Night tie-in.  Still, it’s a fun read; all attributed to the writing team of Simone and Ostrander.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 10^th, 2010

It's the exciting conclusion of John Ostrander and Gail Simone's epic team-up! The Black Lanterns have both the Suicide Squad and the Secret Six up against the wall. But Amanda Waller always has a plan. That plan: Manhunter! Plus, Deadshot is forced to make the decision of his life!

Comic Book Review: Actions Comics #885

Book Information

Written by Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann

Art by Pere Perez

Plot

Earth and New Krypton’s relationship is dangled in front of us in an enormous spread of storylines and plot devices.  Nightwing and Flamebird go on the hunt for Zod’s sleeper agents, but run into trouble when the Science Police, accompanied by Mon-El, corner them.  Can the two so-called mythological heroes of New Krypton convince the Guardian and Mon-El about the oncoming danger that within Metropolis?  And will General Lane finally be put in his place by the one closest to him?

My Thoughts

Rucka, overall, has done a great job with Nightwing and Flamebird; things seem to actually be coming to a successful resolution and tie-in with the New Krypton story.  In this particular issue we are given a few minor plot deviations along with the main one which involves our two headline heroes searching for the sleeper agents of Zods.  How interesting to find out that at least two of those agents have been in our heroes sights the whole time.  I figured it out with Doctor Pillings; however officer Romundi was a complete twist for me.  I commend Rucka for providing a pleasant surprise as most of the plot twists and turns in this arc have been fairly predictable, but not annoyingly so.

I did find myself in a suspended state when Lois Lane decides to confront her father to show him the error of his ways.  It was very short and only consisted of five panels on one page, but it’s still a very powerful moment.  To address one’s parents in a moment of corrective teaching is not the easiest thing in the world to do for a son or daughter.  But, as we all know, Lois Lane is no push over, and neither is her father.  It was a short, yet powerfully moving.

A lesser aspect of the story was the sudden change in loyalty portrayed by the Guardian.  He goes from thinking Nightwing and Flamebird are untrustworthy enemies of Earth, (displayed in his response to Flamebird’s promise to not fight back, “Your word, whatever that’s worth) to trusting them 100% and fighting against General Lane and his band of soldiers.  I’m not sure I entirely buy into the sudden side change, but it was minor flaw that didn’t detract me from the story very much.

I did enjoy the fact that there were only two one paged ads in this book.  This installment is literally jam packed with dialogue and story; very unorthodox for your contemporary comic book these days, a nice little refreshing change.  Maybe this trend will catch on in DC Comics sooner rather than later.

The art has very little flaws.  Perez does an amazing job with the pencils, but his colorists could improve on the color scheme of the book.  Its light tinted tone leaves very little to look at and creates a boring and wooden feel in every page turn.

Overall

Not too shabby of an issue.  Overall, the plot is great; it really pushes the story forward which will help the issue with New Krypton.  However, the art and a few tiny story defects have some effect on the enjoyability of the issue in its entirety.

Rating: 5.5 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 10^th, 2010

Nightwing and Flamebird race the clock to capture Jax-Ur, the most dangerous of Zod's sleeper agents. 

And in the Captain Atom co-feature, our hero explores the horrors of his past with the help of Mon-El and Starfire!

2010 Golden Globes: The Awards

Here are the results from the Golden Globes which aired last night...

Best Supporting film/mini-series Actor for TV: John Lithgow - Dexter (Showtime)
Best Supporting film/mini-series Actress for TV: Chloe Sevigny - Big Love (HBO)
Best film/miniseries Actor for TV: Kevin Bacon - Taking Chance (HBO)
Best film/mini-series Actress For TV: Drew Barrymore - Grey Gardens (HBO)
Best TV film/mini-series: Grey Gardens (HBO)
Best Actor for a TV Series (comedy or musical): Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock (NBC)
Best Actress for a TV Series (comedy or musical): Toni Colette - United States of Tara (Showtime)
Best TV Series: Glee (Fox)
Best Actor for TV Series (drama): Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Best Actress for TV Series (drama): Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife (CBS)

Best TV Series (drama): Mad Men (ABC)
Best Original Song: The Weary Kind - Crazy Heart
Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino - Up!
Best Original Screenplay: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - Up In The Air
Best Film Director: James Cameron - Avatar
Best Foreign Language Film: Das Weisse Band (German)
Best Animated Film: Up! (Pixar Animation Studios; Disney Motion Picture Studios)
Best Supporting Film Actor: Christopher Waltz - Inglorious Bastards
Best Supporting Film Actress: Mo'Nique - Precious
Best Comedy or Musical Film Actor: Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes
Best Comedy or Musical Film Actress: Meryl Streep - Julia & Julia

Best Comedy or Musical Film: The Hangover (Warner Bros.)
Best Drama Film Actor: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
Best Drama Film Actress: Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
Best Drama Film: Avatar (Fox)


As I don't necessarily agree with a lot of the picks, I do always have to remind myself that this is the olden Globes and really doesn't reflect the truth.  But I am glad to see that the evil Twentieth Century Fox Network only received two awards, even if one of those awards was the BIG prize.

I am happy to see Mo'Nique take the Best Supporting Actress award as she undoubtedly deserved it, as well as Meryl Streep in her superb interpretation of Julia Styles.  However, I don't agree with the decision of giving Sandra Bullock an award when the other nominated actresses were superbly better with exception of Gabourey Sidibe.

All in all, the Golden Globes are more for the people who feel the Academy awards are wrong 90% of the time.  The Golden Globes are fun, but geez, they really aren't worth much except to hand out awards to those who probably wont win anything in the academy awards.  The Golden Globes only focus one the obvious like music, acting, and the actual film.  No awards go out to the film editors, art directors, and other talents that are hidden behind the screen.  The exceptions are the truly phenomenal ones like Mo'Nique, Up!, and other great films and performances.

Comic Book Review: Batman #695

Book Information

Written & Drawn by Tony Daniel

Inks by Sandu Florea

Plot

Both Batman and the Penguin must fight as allies in order to defeat their newest and biggest problem, the Black Mask.  His slow rise to power and control over the city of Gotham is throwing Batman for a loop, but he will stop at nothing to bring the murderer to justice.  However, an old adversary returns to stop the Caped Crusader and finally have his revenge.  Will Batman defeat his powerful nemesis or will his blade pierce the heart of Batman causing a chorus of cheers from every crook and murderer in Gotham to echo throughout the dark city streets?

My Thoughts

Finally!  Dick Grayson finally takes his rightfully earned place as the heir to the cape and cowl.  I had my doubts as whether or not Dick Grayson could ever live up to Wayne’s legacy of merciless and unrelenting crime fighting.  He’s hanging criminals by their ankles from ropes, burning down crime lord’s houses, chucking himself head first into the villains, Grayson is holding nothing back and doing all he can to bring Black Mask behind bars.  Tony Daniels did a bang up job with this issue and I applaud his masterful storytelling skills in the way he progressed through this book.

Daniel’s artwork has been continually growing on me, but this book locked me in as a Daniels fan.  The lines are crisp and clear and have incredible shadows following every character.  I usually hate it when a hired freelancer does both the writing and the artwork, typically because it’s too much of a daunting task to put on one person.  But Daniels is not disappointing me and I certainly hope fans realize that Daniels is “bringing it” with this issue.

Of course, every great story has to have one tiny flaw.  With this issue, it’s the idiotic choice Grayson makes in entering the house of mirrors.  Now aside from the fact that the house of mirrors is an overused plot device in the world of Batman, to knowingly enter into such a confusing and brain twisting place feels like a bad choice to make since I’m sure Grayson knew the bad guy would have the upper hand.  It was in this moment where Grayson deviated from his training and acted the fool.  “Someone ran into the fun house.  No doubt they’re expecting me to follow…I won’t disappoint.”  That quote made me slap myself in the face in embarrassment for Batman.  And it makes me wonder why, in that moment, I’ve suddenly become smarter than the Dark Knight.  But really, if that’s the only faulty aspect of the story, I can accept it as a needed twist in the plot.

Overall

A fantastic issue, best comic I’ve read this month so far.  It was nice to see the Riddler back in action.  Sometimes these newer villains get too much panel time and DC forgets to keep the classic villains alive and fresh.  The Falcone family struggle and mystery is increasingly getting better and Dick Grayson as Batman is getting more intense as the months push forward.  Tony Daniel can keep writing for Batman as far as I’m concerned.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 17^th, 2010

Batman at the mercy of Black Mask! While trapped in the crime lord's headquarters, The Dark Knight must find a way to escape before all of Gotham City falls prey to the Mask's lethal toxins. Guest-starring Catwoman, Penguin, Robin and the Reaper!

2010 Golden Globes: Does Avatar Deserve A Golden Globe?

It's a shame I don't get cable where I can watch the Golden Globes at the comfort of my own home.  However, I am keeping the website up to help keep track of the awards as they come out.  And while it's fun to see Up!, Inglorious Bastards and other great films get some awesome awards, I can't get away from the best picture nominations.

As I'm sure you all know, the nominated films are as follows...


1. Avatar
2. The Hurt Locker
3. Inglorious Bastards
4. Precious
5. Up in the Air

Having not seen two of these films nominated films, The Hurt Locker & Inglorious Bastards, I can't really speak for them.  However, the other three nominations I have had the pleasure of seeing.  While Precious and Up in the Air are completely deserving of this highly acclaimed award, Avatar truly disappoints me in making the nominations.  A film such as Avatar truly does redefine the art of movie making as far as the special effects are concerned, but to put in the category one of the best films of 2009, I tilt my head in wonder.

There are many things that make a good movie, effects, music, editing, scenery, art direction, script, direction, acting, and so on and so forth.  However, the script and story are what make the movie what it is.  Precious and Up in the Air are truly great films in the fact that they create truly original story lines in an innovative way.  Along with top notch acting performances, those two film are very "human" stories written in an intelligent way.  In my opinion, the two said films are both very deserving of best picture.

Avatar, on the other hand, finds a new way of being one of the most unoriginal films I've ever seen when it comes to the story.  Every single event that takes place in the film is predictable and contains no originality.  Along with it's blatant racist undertones when dealing with American Indians and English colonists, the film's script and story are equal to that of Fern Gully, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, Pocahontas, Aladdin, and other like stories.   If it hadn't of been for the films amazing special effects, it would have been another cheesy Disney "feel-good" movie, not worthy of Best Picture Award.

As I await the results of Best Picture, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the more deserving films beat out the average Avatar.  My top 5 best films (In no specific order) of 2009 would be these...


1. Up In The Air
2. Precious
3. Up!
4. Nine
5. Coraline

Of course keep in mind I haven't seen EVERY film that's come out last, including the two nominees Inglorious Bastards and The Hurt Locker.  But Expect they could replace a few films that I have in my five, as well as the Road.  Their are so many good films out there, and Avatar, a second rate story line makes the nominations.  I certainly hope America grows up a little and figures out that Avatar, while being a visual masterpiece, is nothing compared to truly amazing films.

Comic Book Review: JSA All-Stars #2

Book Information

Written by Matthew Sturges &

Co-Feature written by Jen Van-Meter

Art by Freddie Williams II

Co-Feature art by Travis Moore and Dan Green

Plot

Stargirl has been kidnapped and the JSA All-Stars frantically go on the search for their missing comrade.  But instead of finding the teenaged hero, they run into a team of their villain counter-parts, the Injustice Society.  As the JSA fights to free Stargirl, power struggles between Power Girl and Magog steadily increase, and team discover a secret beyond comprehension involving the mystery behind Stargirl.

My Thoughts

This issue is a little less compelling than last months JSA All-Stars #1.  Last month, Sturges was taking the time to develop the characters as apart of this new extension of the JSA, but this issue dives more into the mystery of Stargirl and why no villains dared attack her.  It makes for an interesting read, but does lack some of the qualities #1 had.

One of the most annoying aspects of the Justice League was the other counter-part team, the Injustice League.  Now, after a very long hiatus comes the return of the Injustice Society.  It worked in the beginning, but how can Matthew Sturges have this overly used plot device in his JSA run and not burst into laughter at the ridiculous nature of it?  I can only hope that the Injustice Society is short lived and forgotten about, never to be brought back again.

Mr. Sturges is, however, appealing to my twisted nature with his pedophile main villain, Johnny Sorrow.  The sweet sixteen hero, Stargirl, find herself in the midst of the adult villain, professing his love to her.  This creepy and seedy plot twist adds to the already conflicted storyline of a splintered team trying to find its stride in the crime fighting world.  Johnny Sorrow is a very interesting character addition to the JSA title and it would be nice to see him as a consistent villain for the JSA; he has everything a good villain should have, lust, a power hungry attitude, and a twisted way of getting what he wants.

However, like most of the issues in the JSA for the past three months, this issue is nothing more than one big fist fight for 30 pages, under the leadership of our annoying friend Mr. Magog.  With his constant disagreement of their tactile methods and moral judgments, I’m beginning to wonder why the heck he’s even on the JSA.  Further more, because everyone else seems to disagree with virtually everything Magog commands, I wonder why they decide to leave the regular JSA and side with him in the first place?  I feel a lot more confused about this spilt up now that it’s happened.  Something has to change in order for the All-Stars to maintain some sense of team unity and loyalty.  And based on the cover of issue #3, we may see just that.

The art is no different from issue #1, over the top muscle definition, very well endowed women, and unproportional body types.  Power Girl’s boobs are still shooting right out at my face, which causes me to loose focus on the story and just stare in utter amazement at the size of her mountains.  It’s as if Freddie Williams II told himself “I’m going to see how big I can make her boobs and get away with it.”  Well, he certainly is doing just that, as well as ever so slightly increasing the size of Stargirl’s boobs.  I’m so happy Sturges is NOT doing the art for Wonder Woman right now; he would completely ruin her in every possible way. 

Even with Sturges’ obsession with PeeGee’s boobs, the energy within his art is undeniably strong.  The action in every panel is powerful and moving and causes me to get even more engrossed into the art work.  Sturges is good with the energy, but needs to tone down the “boobage” just a bit.

Overall

This issue is entertaining, however a couple of notches down in quality from last months issue.  I certainly hope the tension between Power Girl and Magog is resolved next month because I know everyone is waiting for that inevitable PeeGee punch to the jaw of Magog.  And seeing how no comic book readers are true Magog fans, there will be a congregational cry around the world on February 10^th, where every comic book junkie will cry out “Hallelujah” and praise Power Girl for being the completely awesome hero she is.

Rating:  5 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 10^th, 2010

Co-feature art by Travis Moore and Dan Green Cover by Freddie Williams II
In "Constellations" part 2, the All-Stars are on the trail of the villains who've kidnapped one of their own while internal turmoil creates drama in the ranks! And after what went down in the JSA ANNUAL this month, it looks like Magog won't be on the team much longer!

In the co-feature, Liberty Belle and Hourman trek to Venice alongside Icicle and Tigress in an amazing race to learn the secret of the ancient Staff of Legends

Top Ten Comics For December, 2009

10. Justice League of America #40
James Robinson finally brings a quality Justice League book to JLA fans.  It's very moving and undeniably worthy of a top ten spot for December

9. Blackest Night: JSA #1
This book has a lot of fun moments in it as well as keeping it emotionally exciting

8. Supergirl #48
Supergirl whines a lot, yet the mystery set within this story is getting really good!

7. Secret Six #16
What can I say about Gail Simone except that she is the best writer with DC right now.  This issue rocks!

6. Power Girl #7
Exceptionally corny, yet quite original.  You'll laugh with every page turn.

5. Batman #694
Tony Daniels is truly keeping us on our toes with this edition of Batman.

4. Blackest Night #6
I definitely didn't see that one coming.  Nice job and shocking the crap out of us Mr. Geoff Johns.

3. Green Lantern #49
It was nice to see John Stewart get a whole book dedicated to him after so long.  This was a much needed issue.

2. Wonder Woman #39
While I was confused with a portion of the story, this issue really did bring down the house for me.  After reading it I said "yeah, this is definitely in my top 5 for December."

1. Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1
Yes, Wonder Woman takes the top two spots, and reasonably so with Rucka and Simone writing at the helm.  This first issue of Wonder Woman's Blackest Night tie-in was truly incredible.  The emotions stemming through her could have brought down the mightiest mortal, but not her.  Wonder Woman also found a new way of killing the Black Lanterns, with her love.  It burned so bright that it singed the zombies to nothing but piles of ash.  Another clue that Wonder Woman has a big role to play in this series.

And one cannot complain about Nicola Scott's amazing artwork.  She is equaled with artists like Ed Benes and Jim Lee.  This was a perfect comic book.

TV News: Dollhouse Gets The Shaft

As expected, Fox Networks treatment of Joss Whedon is shown once again in the cancellation of what could have been another great show.  The final installment of the short lived show aired yesterday, but will air again on January 29th.  Joss claims he loved doing the show and will miss it and only regrets not having the opportunity to flesh his show out even more.

Whedon also states that, even with the incredible fan reaction to Dollhouse, a comic continuation of the TV series will be unlikely.  Fans continually pick up his Buffy comics, which is what caused them to also asked if Dollhouse would continue on the comic book stands.  But sadly, even with the incredible fan reaction to Dollhouse, a comic continuation of the TV series will be unlikely,

"I don't think it's a comic. It's a TV show...apparently not a Fox show, but it is a TV show. There are themes in it and ideas that could work in a comic, but for me to spend the amount of time it would take keeping the comic true to what's already out there when I'm already doing that with 'Buffy' would be a ridiculous waste of my time. And ultimately that would net me a piece of something that belongs to Fox. It just makes no sense to do a comic with 'Dollhouse.' I don't get it, and I'm not sure I'd read it. And in the amount of time it would take, I intend to do more comics, but I intend to do new comics. I'd like to throw some new ideas. And I'd like to continue 'Buffy' and make sure we don't flip there and we really keep it coming."


I hope this will be a wake up call for Whedon.  He needs to realize that Fox will never give him the respect he deserves.  Fans love what he does, but Fox constantly puts him in bad situations. At least go with Warner Bros., they will at least put you in the right time slots and give you the best chance to grow.  Good luck in the future Whedon!

Comic News: Birds of Prey Relaunches with Simone and Benes at the Helm...

Gail Simone and Ed Benes will be returning to the famed "Birds of Prey" title with an all new relaunching.  Simone redefined what it means to be a female in comics and still keeps that thread going.  No writer in history has ever brought women in comics to life as much as Simone has, and now she's going in full force with the return of the ground breaking title.

I had never read the previous run of Birds of Prey but I heard rave reviews about it.  I'm happy to see it's coming back so I can get a taste of what Simone brought to the table a few years back.  However, it sounds like Simone is going to take an all new approach with the woman super team,

"Even if you've read every previous BoP issue multiple times, I think you're going to really feel the ground shift a little with this. It's going to be a blast," Simone tells Comics Alliance. "It's Black Canary putting her boot in bad guys' faces and the Huntress taking no *&^% from anyone and Oracle being smarter than anyone else in Gotham. That's what I loved about the book in the first place.  It's classic Birds of Prey but maybe just a little tougher and a little naughtier. I've been given some really surprising approvals and I think long-time readers and newbies will find it quite unlike any other comic on the stands. I've always said the secret of the book is that it's a female buddy cop story, basically, and that is a surprisingly rare thing in all media."

The relaunching will come to comic book stores this Spring with the returning cast, and possibly some new additions.  Whatever happens, I know that with Simone and Benes running the show, this will a quality run.  I'm not sure I can wait until Spring!

Comic Book Review: Justice League #40

Book Information
Written by James Robinson

Art by Mark Bagely & Rob Hunter

Plot

Dr. Light, Vixen, Gypsy and Zatanna face their past which comes to them as risen Black Lanterns.  With hope down and the Black Lanterns taking them on at full force, The four women must now find their strength within themselves to counter the attack before they fall at the zombies hands.  But how can they defeat those who are already dead?

My Thoughts
James Robinson throws me for a loop all the time.  I cannot for the life of me keep up with him.  50% of the time he writes awfully planed stories, and the other 50% is top quality writing.  There is no real set pattern with Robinson; he’s up and down with me all the time and I find myself unsure how to rate him in my mind.  This recent issue of Justice League was a vast improvement from last few months.  It’s not perfect, however, but is still very entertainment and enjoyable to read.

The emotional strain on the Dr. Light, Vixen, Gypsy and Zatanna is very interesting.  Granted, it took the Black Lantern threatening each of them with something very personal, but this trend is beginning to show up a lot in the Blackest Night tie-ins.  The heroes are starting to become a little fed up with all of the emotional attacks and are firing back with a vengeance.  In the case of Dr. Light, the Black Lantern Dr. Light threatens her children, in which case she severs the connection the black ring had with a burst of white light, defeating the risen Lantern.  The Black Lanterns seem to be able to handle a few emotions coming from one person, but when a full array of emotions are coming from one person, the Black Lanterns are easily defeated.  The ending of Blackest Night might not come down to combining the different lights in the emotional spectrum; rather harnessing the power of the emotional spectrum into a single force that Nekron won’t be able to counter.

Mark Bagely is really growing on me as of late.  When I first started seeing his artwork, I wasn’t sure what to think.  But now that he’s consistently doing more stuff in comics, I’m becoming a real fan of his style.  The fight scenes between each of the Black Lanterns were amazingly detailed and full of color.  Dr. Light’s powerfully destructive white light beam was almost blinding it was so real.  I’m not too familiar to with Rob Turner’s art work but he seems to compliment Bagely very well.  At times the panels seem cluttered with chaos, but it serves this issue and its purpose quite well.

I am worried about Robinson completely wiping out the league and starting fresh with a whole new cast.  Vixen has been one of my favorite league members and to not have her on the team is a huge disappointment for me.  However, it looks like the new line-up will be starting next month, but I don’t feel the transition into the new league will be smooth enough to work.  I can only keep my fingers crossed.

Overall
A very enjoyable installment of the Justice League title.  I worry about the coming issues seeing as how Robinson is not consistent enough for me to trust him to always deliver, but I will still anxiously await the formation of the new League.

Rating:  8.5 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming January 27th, 2010

Be here for the start of a new Justice League era! The JLA have been getting a pounding in the last couple of months, but NO MORE! The team regroups with a new roster that will transcend time and space! Make way for the World's Greatest Heroes – Batman, Green Lantern, the Atom, Green Arrow, Donna Troy, the Guardian, Cyborg, Mon-El, Starfire, Dr. Light and, yes, Congorilla! 

This issue features two covers by Mark Bagley which are separately orderable. Cover a features Green Lantern and Green Arrow; Cover B features Batman and Mon-El. The cover images will be revealed online before the issue's Final Order Cutoff date.