A “Super-misstep”! Superman Is NOT A Political Weapon!

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The so-called “Death of Superman” a few years ago was a complete joke (He was back by the end of the summer. What a shock!) and now the Man of Steel is a punchline once again.

This time the joke is “How do you set off a political firestorm from a non-issue?”

The answer, of course, is to have the symbol of “Truth, Justice and the American Way” renounce his U.S citizenship and became fodder for every political pundit with an axe to grind.

And brother, that’s all of them.

In a back-up story in Action Comics #900, Superman is scolded by a member of the president’s security staff for appearing at a protest in Iran, suggesting Superman’s actions reflect the positions of US government as a whole. As a result, Superman chooses to renounce his US citizenship, rather than become a  symbol for a particular party.

In a Fox News article on Superman’s proclamation, “GOP activist” Angie Meyer is quoted saying, “Besides being riddled with a blatant lack of patriotism, and respect for our country, Superman’s current creators are belittling the United States as a whole. By denouncing his citizenship, Superman becomes an eerie metaphor for the current economic and power status the country holds worldwide.”

 The same piece quotes Wired‘s Scott Thill, saying, “Superman has always been bigger than the United States. In an age rife with immigration paranoia, it’s refreshing to see an alien refugee tell the United States that it’s as important to him as any other country on Earth — which, in turn, is as important to Superman as any other planet in the multiverse.”

What everyone seems to forget is..SUPERMAN ISN’T REAL!

Sure, his fictional activities affect real people on an emotional level, but he was never intended to become a symbol of the U.S government. He was created by two Canucks for God’s sake!

Sure, one of them was half-American, but the point is, Superman can fly anywhere, but he was never meant to fly into the political arena.

 Related Articles

• Superman Renounces His U.S. Citizenship (dwainwellington.wordpress.com)

The Royal Wedding? More Like A Royal Pain In The @#$!

Image by AN HONORABLE GERMAN via Flickr

I don’t know about you, but my ears are bleeding from the repeated mind-****ing I’ve been receiving from the media’s obsession with all things Royal.

It’s bad enough they expect you to get up at the crack of dawn to watch two overprivileged strangers wed into a life of luxury and outdated ceremony, they actually expect you to believe the world is going to be a better place as a result!

Japan is teetering on the brink of nuclear destruction. The oil companies are giving us rectal exams every single day. Even grocery stores are following the airlines’ example and raising prices just to push us to the edge of insanity!

And we’re supposed to care about the Royal Family‘s plan to make themselves relevant again? I mean, singer Morrissey has felt compelled to speak out against the Royals and one of their own guards even went as far as to slam Kate Middleton on Facebook!

Besides, The Hook wsn’t invited but Mr. Elton (Look! I bought meself a baby!) John, is?

Call me when the Royal Divorce proceedings start. That event I’ll happily watch.

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Comic Crossovers Can Be Terrible!

Comic book crossovers are great – in theory.

The epic storylines, the gathering of heroes - it just doesn’t get much better for hardcore fans. Of course, the promise of “Nothing will ever be the same again” never comes true, but no one really cares if the ride is wild enough.

But after the obligatory announcements have been made and the anticipation has risen to a fevered pitch, the other superhero boot drops and reality sets in.

And considering the cost of crossovers these days – reality bites!

Flashpoint titles shipping in May:

FLASHPOINT #1
BOOSTER GOLD #44 (FLASHPOINT)
FLASH #13 (FLASHPOINT)
FLASH #12 (FLASHPOINT)

Flashpoint titles shipping in June:

FLASHPOINT #2
FLASHPOINT BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT SECRET SEVEN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT ABIN SUR THE GREEN LANTERN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT DEATHSTROKE THE CURSE OF RAVAGER #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT FRANKENSTEIN CREATURES OT UNKNOWN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT CITIZEN COLD #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT LEGION OF DOOM #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT THE OUTSIDER #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT KID FLASH LOST #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT PROJECT SUPERMAN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT HAL JORDAN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT GRODD OF WAR #1
FLASHPOINT THE REVERSE FLASH #1
FLASHPOINT GREEN ARROW INDUSTRIES #1
FLASHPOINT THE CANTERBURY CRICKET #1

That was Month One of DC Comic‘s Flashpoint crossover event. Focussed on the Flash (Natch!), the story centres on a DC Universe which has been altered by dark forces and is on the verge of destruction. In order to “properly showcase” the changes in their various characters, DC has designed over fifteen mini-series to tie-in with the main book.

Fifteen? In addition to the core book?

Now let’s look at the other ”Big Boy” comic publisher out there, Marvel Comics, and their Fear Itself crossover, shall we?

• Fear Itself # 1 – 7

Mini Series/ Tie-Ins:

• Fear Itself: Sins Past (one shot)
• Fear Itself: Spotlight (one shot)
• Fear Itself: Home Front # 1- 7
• Fear Itself: Spider-Man # 1 – 3
• Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt # 1-6

And that’s not counting the dozens of regular monthly titles Marvel produces, most of which will tie-in with the main book for months!  

To their credit, Marvel has decided to add to the story, which tells of The Worthy, eight powerful men and women — made even more powerful by mythical hammers — that attempt to lay waste to civilization at the urging of an all-powerful being known as the Serpent.

Starting Today, the Fear Itself: The Worthy digital series will be available for free download on the Marvel Comics app for iPhone and iPad, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited and Marvel Comics on Chrome.

A new member of the Worthy, the group of people who have been empowered by the reawakened Serpent, will be featured each Tuesday for eight weeks with a four-page origin-type story. Still, even with the addition of the free digital content, the story is going to take a deep bite out of fans’ pocketbooks.

If my last name was Trump then I would have no problem with this marketing strategy. However, I am but a lowly bellman who has supported both of these companies for most of my 41 years.

And this is the thanks I get? A blow to the wallet worthy of the Hulk?

Related Articles

• “Flashpoint” and “Fear Itself”: Adding Up the Tie-Ins (techland.time.com)
• Will Marvel’s Fear Itself Really Change Anything? (geeksyndicate.wordpress.com)
• “Geoff Johns Cancels Flash As Part Of Flashpoint? What’s Next For Barry?” and related posts (insidepulse.com)

Has Bree Olson Checked Out Of Sober Valley Lodge For Real This Time?

According to published reports, Charlie Sheen is down one “Goddess” – again.

News outlets like USA Today and TMZ.com are reporting Bree Olson has dumped Sheen’s ass like a prom night baby. For the second time apparently. The first incident played out over a few hours, but this one has gone on for over a day, so maybe it’s for real this time. 

At any rate, Sheen told reporters at a FT. Lauderdale stop of his tour that Olson dumped him via text message!

Of course, Mr. Tiger Blood had little else to add, thus igniting a firestorm of mystery surrounding the straw that broke the porn star’s extremely flexible back.

At least he still has Natalie Kenly, the Goddess without the fallback career. She’s not going anywhere.

Related Articles

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Smallville’s “Blue and Gold” Easter Egg To Fans!

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Well, the highly-anticipated “Booster” episode of Smallville aired last night.

And you know what? It wasn’t terrible!

Sixty-minute story short, “Booster” focused on Metropolis‘ newest hero, Booster Gold and his plan to become the “World’s Greatest Hero“. Of course, this plan doesn’t sit right with the “Blur“, our friend Clark Kent.

Thrown into the mix is a teenage boy named Jaime Reyes, who became the latest version of DC Comics hero Blue Beetle.

CAN YOU GUESS WHICH IS WHICH?

Booster’s portrayer, Eric Martsolf has built-in fan base from his soap opera work and his day job definitely paid off when it came to portraying the seemingly-shallow failed football hero from the future with aspirations of usurping Clark Kent’s heroic destiny.

Written in part by comics super-scribe Geoff Johns, the episode was bursting at the seams with “Easter Eggs” for fans…

• The proper pronounciation of Jaime Reyes first name.
• The partial use of every incarnation of the Blue Beetle.
• The preservation of Booster’s comic book  history, including his cybernetic sidekick, Skeets and his Legion of Superheroes flight ring.
• The mention of Superman supprting cast members Steve Lombard and Ron Troupe.
• Booster’s suggestion for a new code-name for Clark, “You need something more…Super!”

There were many more, but I’ve got my geek on enough for one post! My only real problem with the episode which debuted two new characters was, ironically, enough, the treatment of the main one!

After ten seasons showcasing a strong, confident Clark Kent, we get an episode that undoes everything in one fell swoop! Lois convinces Clark to distance himself from the Blur (Worst superhero name ever!) by acting like a bumbling clod.

Seriously? The comics  haven’t shown us a Clark Kent like that since the 1980s! Smallville has demonstrated that a hero doesn’t need to hide the best qualities of himself when ”off-duty”. 

Still, we got to see the classic “phone booth change” and the ridiculous, but iconic glasses, so at least the bad was mixed with the good.
 

 

Related Articles

• Smallville: ‘Booster’ Spoilers Discussion (screenrant.com)
• ‘Smallville’: Eric Martsolf helps usher in the era of Booster Gold (herocomplex.latimes.com)

Justin Beaver Is Coming! (Seriously.)

TERRIBLE DISCLAIMER: Terrible Flashback Fridays are temporarily suspended, but the concept I’m about to introduce will be a terrible flashback – someday! Trust me.

Meet the single worst idea to hit comics since..ever!

Justin Beaver.

I’m not joking, here. A character named Justin Beaver is going to be introduced to an unsuspecting world via Archie Comics. This was inevitable I suppose.

Be afraid, people.

There is really nothing more to say, except I just lost a little respect for the Archie universe. Of course, my daughter is a big fan and they get her money every month, so I’m sure they don’t care.

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Not A Snowball’s Chance For “Sonny With A Chance”!

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What’s the deal with The Walt Disney Company and their female idols? Have they all been mentored by Charlie Sheen?

Demi Lovato, fallen idol and star of the Disney tween comedy Sonny With A Chance has  decided not to return to the show that made her a star in the first place.

Lovato made headlines for all the wrong reasons last year when she did the Hollywood thing and entered a treatment facility for three months for “emotional and physical issues”.

These issues have been revealed as self-mutilation (cuts on her forearms) and bi-polar disorder. Lovato’s world came crashing down while she toured with ex-squeeze Joe Jonas (Tremendously bad idea!) and he decided to bring along his new squeeze Ashley Greene of Twilight fame!

Not surprisingly, Lovato snapped under the pressure and assaulted one of her backup singers.

Now she’s back, but Disney claims she wishes to focus on her career and “not immediately” return to acting. Apparently Lovato told People magazine that returning  to the show “wouldn’t be healthy for her recovery and that she wants to make music her priority“.

Yeah, Demi, the music industry doesn’t have the rampant drug or other harmful abuses use you find in the acting biz.

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God’s Gift To Hackers: Vanessa Hudgens!

Raven hair, a perky smile and a teenybopper voice make for a great Disney product. A penchant for nude self-portraits and poor firewalls, not so much. Vanessa was the cute little mathlete in Walt Disney’s High School Musical series,  but … Continue reading →

Ed Norton “Hulks Out” on Marvel Studios!

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Attention security guards at Marvel Studios HQ, if you see a man with glowing green approaching the building, pull the fire alarm and head for the hills!

Actor Edward Norton is STILL ticked at Marvel’s decision to replace him as the Jade Giant in Joss Whedon‘s crown jewel The Avengers.  In a recent interview with the U.K’s Independent,  the Incredible Hulk actor shared his disgust and resentment with the studios’ decision.

“I found it a cheap and unnecessary representation that it was about things other than money,” sighs Norton. “They came to me avidly to talk about it and then at the end of the day it was just flat out a business decision.”

Marvel claims Norton’s replacement, Mark Ruffalo, is a superior player because he is someone “who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members.”

At the end of the day, Norton’s comments don’t serve his cause, they just give Marvel’s PR department a break. You know what they say, any publicity, even if it’s from a disgruntled actor, is good publicity.

Let’s face it, the fans are still going to stand in line to watch the Avengers Assemble no matter who’s on the team.

Image by Boogeyman13 via Flickr

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The World’s First 3-D Porn? From China?

Who says the Chinese are too busy building a superior industrial complex to have any fun?

The Chinese, perhaps in a attempt to prove they can have more than a little fun, released  3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy in theaters this week. And a  sequel to China’s, (and if you believe the filmmakers, the world’s!) first 3D erotic film is already in the works.

Produced on a HK$20 million ($3.2 million) budget, this potentially classic piece of cinema is loosely based on a piece of classical Chinese erotic literature. It features orgies, swinging and some very graphic sex scenes.

AT LEAST THE POSTER IS CLASSY!

Despite rumors and the wishes of fans, Godzilla did not make a cameo in the film.

Nevertheless, the AFP reports that the Cantonese-language movie opened in Hong Kong to packed houses and long lines filled with citizens from all walks of life, including office workers, retirees and students, on April 14.

 According to The Hollywood Reporter, producer Stephen Shiu Jr. says pre-production on the follow-up has already begun.

“It depends on the box office of 3D Sex and Zen, but we’re hoping the sequel will start production as soon as the end of 2011, with an all-new cast.”

Speaking of Godzilla, producers had originally hoped to screen 3D Sex and Zen in IMAX theaters, but were turned down by the company due to the raciness of the movie’s scintillating scenes.

Boy, that’s a surprise, isn’t it?

‘Imax has rejected our film because of the subject matter and content,’ Shiu Jr. says, ‘but for our premiere in Taiwan, we will show the film in an IMAX 3D theater using their 3D screening equipment.’

So there is hope for Godzilla to burst onto the big screen in his erotic film debut! And you just know the Americans are watching and ready to launch their own 3-D franchise.

 Why. it could even star you-know-who?

            Our favorite “Goddess”, Bree Olson!                         Image. by Wikipedia

 IMAGINE THIS IN 3-D!

 Related Articles

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