the vynsane asylum

I don't understand the idea that secret identities are stupid. For some characters they work, for others they don't. Simple as that. It's not an outdated idea that a kid with powers and some really powerful enemies is going to hide who he is to protect his elderly aunt.

Every so often, someone drags Stan out of retirement to write a comic script or two. I understand the last time ("Imagine Stan Lee Creating the DC Universe," where he used only the names of major characters and came up with a totally new premise) had a few gems, but mostly duds. The last regular series he wrote, Ravage 2099, has a reputation for being one of the worst comics of all time. However, that reputation was (justifiably) earned after he left; the issues he did are quite good.

He's always been more showman than anything else, and will be the first person to tell you that. I think some of his startups could've done pretty well, had he been the one to come up with the ideas and write them and not merely stuck his name on everything for recognition. Then again, Stripperella?

I think since his lawsuit with Marvel a few years back, he's been mostly a ceremonial head figure. I read those Just Imagine... books. Stan is a master at setting up years of angst in his protagonist in just a few pages. Invariably, the main character loses a loved one in the book. The Green Lantern's was especially ironic because she women was a secret agent working for the bad guys, but she died and Green Lantern mourns her as if she was the love of his life, not knowing the whole story. That is a great idea.

When you think about the truly great comic characters, they are defined by tragedy. Peter Parker losing his Uncle. Bruce Wayne losing his parents. Kal-El losing everybody. This is why Wonder Woman sucks and always will. What is the great tragedy that defines her? Oh yeah, NOTHING. But I digress, as this is not the DCU topic...

Wonder Woman sucks for the same reason Thor sucks. It's confusing to have all these mythical gods and goddesses from different pantheons in a world with an ostensibly Judeo-Christian Heaven and Hell.

There could be ways to get around that, but neither company will do it. They like having their gods and godesses too much.

Wonder Woman in the Justice League cartoons is surprisingly cool, though.

Hawkman also gets the "sucks because there's no angst" award. Of course, no one knows at any time what the fuck is up with him and whether he's an alien this week or not.

As cliche as it sounds, the standard hero has to have tragedy, or a personal vendetta. A dead loved one is the most obvious way, but there are others. Like Superman, being the last of his kind.

Two recent Marvel Universe books bear mentioning.

1. Illuminati #5 leading into the Skrull thing.
Spoiler:BlackBolt is revealed to be a Skrull!End Spoiler.

A couple of other characters are "revealed" to be Skrulls, but I'm just confused by those two because I don't think they are the main Marvel characters for wheatever reason.


2. Astonishing X-Men. how fucking brilliant is this book? Read the "psychic conversation" the team has in the latest issue, then go back and read the same conversation from the previous issue. Same fucking panels. Exact same panels with new dialogue and it's just...WOW. Holy shit that's awesome. And of course, the ending.

"What else have you been lying about?!?"
FSHRAAAK!
"To me, my X-Men."

I pee myself with excitement. Thunderbolts is disturbingly cool, and Bendis' Avengers are great. But this is THE best Marvel book on the racks right now.

And only one more issue to go until it gets revamped - for better or for worse.

jjreason wrote:And only one more issue to go until it gets revamped - for better or for worse.

One more issue and Giant Sized issue to wrap it up. Huzzah!

Cool, I hadn't heard about GS5 (I guess it'll be 5 this time, they did 3 & 4 last year, right?)!

Or it's Astonishing Giant Sized number 1.

So apparently the big elephant in the Marvel room (the pending 2008 Mega-Event none of us can wait for) will be called SECRET INVASION (and yes, it's in all-caps at their website).

Can't wait, God knows these huge stories that I get to read 10% of are at an all-time high place on my list of favorite things about comics.

Oh, and isn't the 3rd part of ONE MORE DAY (those caps are mine) just a wee bit late? Fuck me, you'd think things like it and WWHulk would come out on time.

jjreason wrote:Oh, and isn't the 3rd part of ONE MORE DAY (those caps are mine) just a wee bit late?

http://www.wallcrawlersweb.com/news/article/123

been a while since you visited, eh?

Burn, he got you good bitch!

jjreason wrote:So apparently the big elephant in the Marvel room (the pending 2008 Mega-Event none of us can wait for) will be called SECRET INVASION (and yes, it's in all-caps at their website).

HEY DIRTBAG.

I CALLED THIS TWO MONTHS AGO. AND YOU WERE THE FIRST ONE TO RESPOND.


DOUCHE IS GONNA GIVE YOU YOURS, CANUCK.

i was just commenting on the name of the event - I never claimed to break the news that it was happening. If I had known the robots around here could actually take offense to things, I'd have been talking shit to them this whole time. I've missed out on a lot of name calling....

vynsane wrote:

jjreason wrote:Oh, and isn't the 3rd part of ONE MORE DAY (those caps are mine) just a wee bit late?

http://www.wallcrawlersweb.com/news/article/123

been a while since you visited, eh?

Oh, and I do click on that site, I read the new posts and continue on. I always feel bad about not doing my synopses, but I find the guilt leaves quicker if I go look at some porn for a couple of minutes.

jjreason wrote:i was just commenting on the name of the event - I never claimed to break the news that it was happening. If I had known the robots around here could actually take offense to things, I'd have been talking shit to them this whole time. I've missed out on a lot of name calling....

SO WAS I.

BUT IT'S OKAY. NOW I KNOW HOW YOU ROLL.

DON'T THINK I WON'T FORGET.

PS. I'LL GIVE YOU A NAME CALLING YOU WON'T SOON FORGET.

SOY PEPPER DILL MANIC FRUIT KUMQUAT JEFFERSON PIEHOLE DIRT MONKEY!


SO THERE.