#142: Being Human…

We tend to forget Clark Kent is a writer.

Okay, he’s actually a journalist, but you get the point; he’s a creative individual. Not only that, he’s the Ultimate Creative Genius; able to write at superhuman speed while still finding time to leap tall buildings in a single bound!

I do not possess super-speed. I cannot formulate a blog post in my Kryptonian brain while foiling Lex Luthor’s latest scheme. My tiny human brain has found itself overwhelmed of late by my many challenges. Such as…

• Working full-time carting luggage around for ungrateful tourists.
• Supporting – and occasionally enjoying – a family.
• Writing  and maintaining You’ve been Hooked!
• Writing and maintaining The Book of Terrible.
• Creating and launching weekly column for Bullet News Niagara.
• Launching and promoting my first – and hopefully not last – book, The Bellman Chronicles.
• And finally, attending a movie and comic convention here and there!

If I was concealing a tenth of Mr. Kent’s awesome power, maybe I’d have a shot at maintaining all of the responsibilities I’ve chosen to shoulder. However,  I am but a  mere mortal – I know, it saddens my wife, she was hoping to land a vampire – who has been forced to concede defeat.

As you are well aware, my productivity has taken a hit of late and it does not appear the situation is going to improve any time soon. To say the very least. I’m certain many of you have reached this conclusion in regards to your own hectic schedules; there simply aren’t enough hours in a single day to do it all.

Tom Welling as Superman/Clark Kent. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Whether it’s a dream or a loved one, something always suffers when we take on a foe outside our power set.

Sorry, the comic book analogies just come so naturally, I can’t resist.

At any rate, while I have not thrown in the proverbial, blogging towel just yet I have found myself forced to scale back my WordPress activities… for a little while, at least. Ironically, it was my blogs that inspired me to write a book and pursue an online column in the first place.

To wrap this rambling mess up, I’ll still be around folks; just in small doses. And as always, I’ll pop up occasionally on other blogs. keep in touch, okay?

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#170: Companies That Don’t Do THIS Often Enough…

Let’s face it, in these trying – to say the least – economic times most of us are trying to do more with much less, right?

Not Big Business.

Oh sure, they cry poor all…  the… time, but the reality is a different story entirely.

• Major players still make billions from brand loyalty and the public’s obsession with “Keeping up with the Joneses”. Or is it the Kardashians these days?
• Upper management still accepts ridiculously huge bonuses and stock options – no matter what shape the company is in.
• If the bottom line is in  jeopardy, the first cuts are made at ground level. The “little guy” can afford the cut, right?
• Big Business has one goal: advance the profit margin at all costs. A “slow year” will simply not be accepted!

So where am I going with this? I want to show you how one powerhouse corporation is giving back. I wanted to establish just how extraordinary it is for a North American company to do so when most of them seem driven to protect their own necks at all costs.

Take a look at this and then we’ll talk.

 Here’s part of the official press release from DC. I know it’s “Corporate America dreck”, but at least they’re trying. This is proof  you can direct your marketing campaigns in a direction that’s beneficial to others – if you really try.

 

 DC ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES “WE CAN BE HEROES,”
AN UNPRECEDENTED GIVING CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT
THE HUNGER CRISIS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

 Featuring Iconic Justice League Characters, Multilayered Campaign
To Leverage All Time Warner Advertising Platforms
Generating Significant Awareness of the Crisis

Multi-Million-Dollar Commitment Will Support
Three Aid Groups Working in Africa:
Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps

The current hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.is all too real: the region is suffering its worst drought and famine in over 60 years, with 13 million in need of critical assistance and 250,000 facing starvation in Somalia alone. 

 

From the  DC press release, We Can Be Heroes will be supported via promotional exposure across all of Time Warner’s divisional advertising platforms (Warner Bros., Turner Broadcasting, Time Inc., HBO), generating millions of consumer impressions and creating crucially needed awareness of this crisis worldwide.  Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps will equally share a corporate donation of at least $2 million over the next two years comprised of cash donations, employee matching funds and consumer matching funds. 

 

 A key launch element of We Can Be Heroes is the campaign’s website, WeCanBeHeroes.org.  Here, consumers can make donations which DC Entertainment will match 100 percent (up to $1 million in donations), purchase specially branded merchandise, with 50 percent of the purchase price going to fight the hunger crisis via We Can Be Heroes,  sign up for newsletters and updates, and join the We Can Be Heroes online community.  The site will also feature information on each of the partner organizations and updates on current conditions in the Horn of Africa. 

 

 

 For fanboys this is an opportunity to score some cool swag while actually contributing something of value to the world – all from the comfort of their parents’ basement.

 

 

 

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#176: DC Comics “New Coke” Approach To Their Logo!

 

First they overhauled their entire universe and launched the “New 52″.

This has actually worked out – so far – and sales are very  healthy so enough said.

Now however, they’ve redesigned their company logo and set off a division in their fan base.

I can see what they’re going for here; there’s a Watchmen inspired logo and  Green Lantern emerald power logo but the rest have me stumped. Still, it’s their company, they can do what they like with their logo. I just hope they don’t pull a “New Coke” and piss off their fans before returning to the status quo a few months later.

Image via Wikipedia

 

 Take a close look at the DC logos below: you can see a smooth evolution between designs through the years, something that is now missing. The new looks suggest the “D” is peeling back from the funky “C”.

Some observers are suggesting the new logos are symbolic of a regime change at the comic book giant, I hope this isn’t the case; company politics shouldn’t spill over to the finished product… ever. Parent company Warner Bros. may be sending a message to their #1 competitor, Marvel Comics owners Disney.

If the boys in suits want Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse want to duke it out, fine. Just keep it in the funny pages, won’t you, boys?

Other observers are suggesting someone simply fell asleep at the switch and forgot that a comic book company’s logo should reflect their fun and creative attitude.

Personally, I love this one…

 

 

 

 

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#6: When Your Instincts Land You In The Doghouse!

Specifically, a man’s “Cleavage Vision”!

Not to be confused with Superman’s enhanced vision, I’m referring to a man’s innate ability to spot a woman’s chest area from a mile away. It’s hardwired into our DNA; we really have no control and thus should not be held responsible for simply responding to our body’s natural instincts.

If you’re not buying this, you’re in good company. My wife was not amused last week when I spotted one of her childhood friends at the local community centre. The friend in question had chosen a red – a color proven to draw attention regardless of gender  - workout top with a PLUNGING neckline that mere words cannot do justice!

This was entrapment, of that I am certain. Most women would have checked her out, never mind the men! And believe me, the outfit choice was deliberate; when the time came to leave she zipped up her coat – to be clear, it was cold out that night – but stopped precisely where the “action” was, so to speak!

Nevertheless, I received a MAJOR ribbing from my spouse for the rest of the night and she even sold me out to my father-in-law! Fortunately, he was true to the “Guy Code”.

“I noticed her last week when she said hello to me. That girl is built!”

I told you so.

#16: When You Try To Channel Your Inner Hero!

When my brother-in-law was a wee lad he decided to strike terror into the criminal element by adopting a new masked identity.

Actually, he didn’t have a mask. Or for that matter, a utility belt or any of the required conventions of the superhero mythos, so he made some adjustments…

• He donned  his best cape – a light blue flannel blanket.
• He scaled the highest building - his dresser.
• He extended his grappling hook – reached for the chandelier…
• And he swung out across the city to fight for justice!

And he nearly died when confronted with the inescapable laws of gravity which plague all “real superheroes”.

He then realized Adam West was a fraud.

I don’t have access to exact figures, but it’s safe to say most adults at one time or another in their childhood decided to take the superhero fantasy one step further and become homegrown versions of Superman or Wonder Woman. I know a lot of adults are still indulging that fantasy.

Bat-Image by Wikipedia!

But I digress.

There is a certain measure of fearlessness that accompanies childhood; we’ve all been invincible for an all-too brief period, and it’s a great sensation. It’s a shame we can’t capture that feeling and relive it from time to time.

Wait a minute… some of us do that every weekend, don’t we? It’s called a bender.

DC Comics Wants To Change New Comic Book Day Forever!

Superman’s creators are bored and have decided to kill him.

Again.

This time around though, they’re taking out their entire universe! Don’t worry, the DCU will be resurrected and rebooted into a different yet recognizable form. And if all goes according to the company’s plan, your local comic book outlet will undergo some changes as well.

In addition to over 50 new #1 titles in September, DC will be unveiling same-day digital publishing which many believe will signal the death kneel of the comic book store as we know it.

Or will it?

Will Store Like This Soon Vanish?

According to some retailers, readers will still have to physically travel to a store to download their titles! The retailer will have a series of cards or codes the customer will have to pay for before swiping or downloading.

Confused? Join the club.

The coming months will hopefully bring some enlightenment, but until then, there is going to be a lot of fanboy head scratching going on.

 THE NEW JLA: HEROES FOR A DIGITAL AGE?

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Look, Up In The Sky, It’s….. A Fashion-forward Man Of Steel?

Quality control has always been Superman’s real kryptonite.

A integral component of DC Comics‘ realunch campaign for September appears to be updated looks for their iconic characters. Case in point, a streamlined look for the Last Son of Krypton.

 

There will  be a lot of print and cyber space devoted to the examination of this decision prior to the launch, but personally, only one phrase comes to mind.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

A gripping story and dynamic artwork is all a comic book needs, never mind flashy threads for your hero. A guy in a suit can be just as interesting as someone right off the catwalk.

In the right hands.

The Second Half Of Supes' New Look. What Do YOU Think?

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Bizarro Week, Day 7: Getting Lucky!

Let’s end with a bang, shall we?

Contentment is hard to come by, we spend most of our time wishing we were Brad Pitt, Donald Trump or Tiger Woods.

They may have fame (and Angelina!) boatloads of money, and athletic prowess, but there is one instance during which we are all equals.

Between the sheets, we are all Superman and Wonder Woman!

Admit it, while encased in post-coital bliss, NOTHING  can touch you!

ONE FINAL POSITIVE NOTE:

Get out there and see Green Lantern this weekend! It’s sure to be a thrill ride of intergalactic porportions!

The Hook Am Very Happy To Not Tell You About…Bizarro Week!

Image via Wikipedia

Let’s face it, we live in a topsy-turvy world.

Greed is good - apparently.

Eccentric cult members can become acting demigods and bounce on the couches of power-hungry talk show hosts and be rewarded with even more fame and power.

And you can make millions pointing out life’s little joys.

So why can’t The Hook answer his critics and write something positive for a week?

No reason whatsoever, I say.

So get ready to enjoy the awe-, I mean the terrific things in life!

Since Friday is Monday’s polar opposite, we’ll start today, or technically, tomorrow.

See you then!

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A Potential Misstep Of Super Proportions – The DC Universe Will Be Reborn In September!

Image via Wikipedia

But as what exactly?

To the uninitiated,  in fanboy-speak, a reboot of the DC Comics family of titles, (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, etc.) essentially means over 50 established titles will undergo a revamp of their oft-rewritten 76 year-plus history of shared continuity.

In other words, the names and faces will stay the same, but when it comes to just about everything else after August 31st, all bets are off.

With  over 50 new #1 issues, a Geoff Johns-Jim Lee (they’re HUGELY popular comic writers/artists)  Justice League, and a plan to fully embrace “same-day” digital distribution (The first major publisher to do so) the Warner Bros. owned company is taking a MAJOR gamble with their market share.

Or are they?

DC is one of the “Big Two”, (Disney-owned Marvel Comics being the other, ‘natch!) and their fans are nothing if not loyal. Not to mention they’re backed by a monster company who won’t let their Golden Goose fail.

I use the term because in addition to monthly comic book titles, DC’s characters appear in novels, video games, clothing and literally thousands of other products.

Warner Bros can’t afford let the DCU reboot fail. Even the timing of the announcement has been calculated to coincide with the release of the second issue of Flashpoint, the DC mini-series focussing on a world on the brink of destruction, the result of  a timeline-altering villain.

The biggest change so far? Dr. Thomas Wayne survives the famour robbery  and becomes Batman to avenge the murder of his wife and son!

 

Now that readers know just what the final outcome of Flashpoint will be, sales should fly higher than you-know-who! Of course, if readers decide to resent DC for tinkering with established continuity once again, this reboot will become the comic book equivalent of New Coke!

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