LAST JEDI first viewing. I'll need another

I saw The Last Jedi this morning.

I'll need to see it again.

I will reserve a fuller review for later, and will avoid spoilers here, but I have to be honest that I was jarred a little by it. While a solid action, sci-fi/fantasy film with all the elements you need to have a popcorn chewing good time, I am not 100% sure it felt like STAR WARS enough for me.

The film felt like a really good story arc from a comic book, novel, or fan fiction of STAR WARS. At least that was my take away from the first viewing. It was as if Rian Johnson had a little too much freedom in the telling of the story, and could have used some writing assist from Lawrence Kasdan, whose tone and dialogue made The Force Awakens feel seamless in the STAR WARS world. This time it felt like Johnson was the fanboy who made up the whole "what happens next" story that won the prize and was adapted to the next film, rather than a well-planned follow up.

Some of the comedy is too on the nose and tonally too far out of STAR WARS realm of humor.

There are a few choices that he made that I outright disagree with, especially given the powerful emotional weight of the final frames of TFA, the next moments through the Rian Johnson lens squander that powerful moment for a cheap visual gag. No spoilers though.

Johnson hits all the beats, but they never quite land with the impact they should have, save a handful of times. And Johnson's lack of a better adherence to the classic 3 act structure makes it feel out of balance (with the Force of STAR WARS storytelling.)

Laura Dern's character and the whole minor subplot that pops up around her in the middle of the movie is filler and needless on almost every level, and could have been streamlined to trim about 15 minutes out of the movie. Had that beat been left out, the final act of the movie would not have felt like it was just a bit too much in an already stuffed movie.

Princess Leia has a Force using moment that is WAY off base from everything we know about the Force and those who can use it.

In fact, Johnson plays fast a loose with the Force in ways that felt like they needed to be reigned in. Its a whole new take on the Force that feels too much like it comes from a playground scenario I would have had at age 9 with friends as we all speculated the next movie.

I guess it sounds like I'm not a fan of Rian Johnson's take on STAR WARS, doesn't it? Well, I think that is correct. While delivering a technically great movie that has plenty of flash and flare, I don't think he "gets" the deeper soul of STAR WARS, but understands the surface of it incredibly well. This is a surface STAR WARS movie. It lacks true depth and misses the chance to leave the viewer as shocked as we all were with EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, or as dazzled as we were with A NEW HOPE.

It does leave us and the characters in a darker place that they must overcome against all odds in the next film. But there was no real "holy crap" moment that left me feeling like I am on pins and needles to see how the next movie plays out. The stakes are high, but don't feel as significant as they should.

Perhaps upon a further viewing, I will feel differently. But it should not take a second viewing to "get it" when it comes to a STAR WARS movie.

My current ranking of the films lands this one in the middle of the pack:

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
A NEW HOPE
THE FORCE AWAKENS
RETURN OF THE JEDI
ROGUE ONE
THE LAST JEDI
REVENGE OF THE SITH
ATTACK OF THE CLONES
THE PHANTOM MENACE

It did make me feel one thing very strongly: I can't wait to see the Lawrence Kasdan scripted SOLO in May. Kasdan is a master and Johnson should beg him with the persistence of Rey to Luke, so that he might learn at the feet of the master.

I know it is popular to hate on TFA now, and decry it for being too formulaic and too much a NEW HOPE homage/rip off. But JJ Abrams was far better at tapping into the right tone and energy. He and Kasdan understood how to continue the universe while also recharging it. The task they had with that film was epic, and they succeeded on every level, in my opinion. Johnson simply furthers the plot a mere few paces, when he could have and should have taken it light years.

The CW hits the jackpot with Crisis on Earth X

I've seen it everywhere online, including from good friends (my old pal Donald messaged me one episode in to proclaim his love for it) that the CW crossover event, CRISIS ON EARTH X was a fun, comic book romp.

Mark Waid (comic writer/creator) took to Twitter to declare that it was perhaps his favorite comic book to film ever.

And I am happy to see such outpouring of love. This 4 part crossover was nothing short of pure joy to watch, start to finish. It was a comic book crossover come to life. No wonder they used the old JLA/JSA crossover concept to sell the event in the months leading up:

I used to love those regular team ups from across the multi-verse to tackle ultimate evil that only a collection of super teams could accomplish.

The CW likes doing these team ups each year, starting several years back with Arrow and The Flash, then continuing with The Flash and Supergirl, then last year with a (mostly) 4 show crossover with Legends of Tomorrow joining the fun. However, last year's INVASION felt a little smallish for such a big event. (Kind of like how empty that airport looked in CAPTAIN AMERICA CIVIL WAR in comparison to how it should have, and wanted to look and feel).

And how could you not love the idea of mad Nazis from a dark world getting punched and slain by super heroes?

Everything was perfect this time around. The humor was great, the action was choreographed to a cinematic scale, and the gravity of the situation was right out of the pages of classic comics.

Also, the emotional weight of several subplots threaded their way perfectly through the episodes without taking away from the overarching tale being told.

To have pulled this off on a TV budget is nothing short of miraculous. Of course, to save some money, they confined some actors and set pieces to the sidelines or to their own shows. The Atom, Steel, Black Canary, Mr Terrific, Wild Dog and others didn't get to come out and fully play for the whole crossover, but when they did arrive it made sense and they made it count.

In many ways I can't imagine how they could have done it any better. The bar has been raised, and the potential of them taking it even higher next season (and beyond) has me very excited.

Sure, it took me a few years to get used to the reality of the DC TV U, which is quite different from the comics or the movie worlds. But like the comics, once you embrace the TV U as its own thing, and stop looking for continuity that fits into the other worlds, it is a great ride. They have created quite a fun universe to play in, and they are holding true to it and building on it with interesting layers.

I have finally given up my discomfort with Oliver and Felicity, and stopped waiting for the Arrow and Canary to find their way together. I have finally realized that Booster and Beetle won't show up on Legends, because The Atom and Steel are essentially those personalities (with Rory as Guy Gardner). I have committed myself to not judging too harshly the unfolding Legion story on Supergirl, since they OBVIOUSLY are deviating wildly from what we have known and loved. But it is Earth 38 that Kara is on. So, we can all have our own versions secure in our hearts and let these also play out.

Plus, its all made up stuff anyway. Let it be what it is, and enjoy it as such.

Major kudos to William Katt (The Greatest American Hero) for a tiny role as the priest on the crossover, and it was a great little hint that has Legion fans going nuts to see what they think could be XS as a waitress at the wedding. (She is a 31st century relative of Barry Allen who is part of the reboot Legion). Clearly she has more to do, since they cast Jessica Parker Kennedy of Black Sails in the role, and it seems like there's something going on with her deliberate interaction with Barry.

Let me take some time to also commend the creative forces behind the shows for continuing to be pro-LGBT and to approach it without a heavy hand. The Sarah and Alex hook up and ripples from it were deftly done. As was the arrival of The Ray in a concentration camp for being gay on Earth X, and his relationship with a decidedly delightful turn on Captain Cold.

Everyone got to shine during the run of episodes, including Iris and Felicity teaming up as the non-hero girlfriends who have to fend off the baddies.

And who doesn't love the good guys turned evil from another world takes that Stephen Amell and Melissa Benoist got to deliver as dark Arrow and Ubergirl! Plus we get Tom Cavennagh back as Reverse Flash.

A major character death and the fallout from it in the final episode was heart-wrenching, and packed more of a punch than you might have expected as well.

All in all, this was simply the most fun time you could want to have with these super heroes. They were all at their finest and the fact that the actors clearly relished the material and brought their A games to it helped to make this a comic book fan's dream come true.

Now, if only the shows will still be airing in 2024, when they have hinted at:

Final seasons for The Flash and Supergirl, no doubt. Well, if they stick to continuity....

Justice for Justice League

I saw Justice League today. I really, really liked it. Yes. I really did.

Did I love it? No. But I don't "love" a lot of movies. Of course it was not perfect. It is hard to find a movie that is.

First, here are a couple of quibbles:

The 2 hour run time made it feel like there were some things left out that we would have benefited from seeing. (I'm eager to see an Extended Cut release)

The world felt small, and for a world shattering event like the one unfolding, there was very little sense of the outside world and its reaction to what was going on. This was disappointing, as the world wide peril would have been massive, and the initial minutes of the movie set a perfect tone to propel this notion. I can only imagine that it was due to trimming and tone changes between the more earthy Snyder and the more airy Whedon.

SPOILER: Bringing back Superman felt odd and lacked some serious set up and it felt like it was kind of shoe-horned into the whole thing.

Joss Whedon's ham-fisted humor landed with thud more often than it hit. Sure, the Flash quips worked, but what was up with that odd dude reporter who randomly interrupts Lois and Martha to talk about basically nothing for a minute of valuable screen time that could have been better used elsewhere.

The Russian family and their little journey under the Steppenwolf dome was useless to the overall script and story.

Martha Kent, Commissioner Gordon and Mera felt like thow away roles.

Ben Affleck seemed to be too self-aware in his acting at times, as if he were really tense about fan reaction and timid to do anything that would draw their hair-triggered ire.

Surfer dude Aquaman takes some getting used to, but was not something that made or broke the film for me. And the Atlanteans felt like they were way undersold in the film. Maybe saving for the solo outing.

Now, for the positives:

The opening 10 minutes were fantastic. The tone and the street level perspective gives this movie something that Marvel movies miss (a sense of what real people feel and see in the shadow of super heroes)

Despite its variation to the real origin story, Barry/The Flash was a nice bit of youthful levity amid the more stoic proceedings. I was ready to hate him because of my affection for the TV Barry, but Ezra Miller made it his own, and made it feel right in the mix.

Wonder Woman continues to bring smiles.

The drama between Bruce and Diana and their growing friendship and trust felt really sincere and solid. I believe in the relationship, and in their struggle with Superman's death and its aftermath. The writing was spot on in the moments where there was needed emotional weight between them, as well as Lois and Clark (except for a handful of dumbass Whedon jokes wedged in there awkwardly).

The Amazons continue to kick ass.

Cyborg and Flash bonding was nice, though Cyborg did feel under-used overall.


All in all, this movie was a great joy to watch. The bonus scene of The Flash wanting to race Superman was perfect fan service, while fitting for their characters. The Luthor and Deathstroke bonus scene, hinting at The Legion Of Doom, was awesome. And it should be a priority for DC to make THAT the next JL movie. And they should do all they can do the get Affleck to stay on for one more or two more flicks. JL 2: Legion of Doom and JL 3: Darkseid.

There is no reason that Justice League should not be a massive hit, and secure a long and healthy future for DC's heroes. This movie out classes many of the Marvel movies easily. It is better than Avengers 2, both of the first two Thor movies, Iron Man 2, Civil War (yes, I said it), and it can't be compared evenly with Ant Man, Guardians or Doctor Stange (which are all in their own separate kind of movie spaces). I liked BvS a bit better (thanks to its more consistent tone and storytelling) and I think JL does a good job following Wonder Woman. I hated Suicide Squad after a promising first half hour. (So I'm not in the bag for DC, lest anyone wants to accuse.)

However, I do think that DC and Warner's (like Affleck in the role of Batman) were WAY too self-conscious about the so-called critical backlash to BvS, and they allowed that to get into their heads too much. Forcing quips and jokes and tone shifts into the movie in several places just distracted and stood out to me. It was like they were trying too hard to say "hey, look, we're doing what you all say you want, and want you to love us and give us credit for catering to your whims and sacrificing our overall story at the alter of your fanboy outrage and bitchery." But I digress.

In fact, long-whispered rumors that some sort of thumbs on the scales fix was in with Rotten Tomatoes and other outlets, reared its head over the weekend, when several prominent critics noted that they were being cited on Rotten Tomatoes site as negative reviews, when in fact they had not given negative reviews.

Petty Disney and Marvel attempts to somehow hobble DC and Warner's seem to be closer to being proven true, which is really disappointing.

Add to that, the notion that nearing $100 million domestically is somehow a failure, and I think there is a conspiracy of some sort to taint the DC movie Universe and sow some sort of dissent that derails them from making that Legion Of Doom movie.

There is enough room for both. And notions that somehow "fans" will chose to not see JL just because they saw Thor 2 weeks ago, or that they are going to only stay home to watch Punisher on Netflix, is offensive to me and other fans who CAN do more than one thing in the course of their daily and weekly lives as geeks and fans.

It is saddening and sickening that Executives who don't know jack shit or give a shit about fans and fandom in general, think so little of the very people they are "selling" product to.

Sadder still is that I see too many "fans" fall for their corporate talking points and believe that one product is inferior to the other because they have been told so by a website that suddenly has god-level powers to raise up or condemn a film on a whim.

The Rotten Tomatoes "fix" was in a full day before general audiences even saw the movie. It was already declared to be somehow lesser before folks could make up their own minds. And some of the weaker of those minds bought it without finding out for themselves.

Shame on them. All of them. Shame on deceivers and on those who are all too easily willing to be deceived.

Justice League is a good movie. It would have been better had they trusted themselves to tell the story they wanted to tell.  DC is on a good path. Wonder Woman broke new ground. JL held that ground, and the universe is established. Let's hope they don't throw it away based on all the odd little deceptions that are at play trying to sew seeds of doubt.

I'll see it again, in theatres. Half out of spite to the whole suspicious thing going on around it.

I hope to see Affleck back in a couple year in JL 2. I look forward to Wonder Woman 2, The Flash, Aquman, and whatever else comes from this shared universe. It is worth keeping going.

And Justice League IS worth seeing. Go. You may have fun. You may like it. But for goodness sake, don't let someone or some site that thinks you're a gullible geek in your mom's basement keep you from at least finding out for yourself.

NC Comicon Bull City Con wrap up

I needed that. Yes, I did. I needed the lone road trip to get my batteries recharged creatively. I love taking road trips. Load up the Ipod and hit the road. I spend a lot of time in my head, and use the drive as a meditative experience.

I also needed the nurturing I got at NC Comicon's Bull City Con over this past weekend!

First, I was pleased to see that it was not too big, as Cons go. It was small enough, but had more than enough guests and dealers to be perfect. Of course, I was there to meet the one and only Howard Chaykin (see my previous blog post about that) and get a couple of head sketches and hopefully a good chat out of him.

Mission accomplished. And Chaykin could not have been nicer. Sure, he's not one to censor himself. He tells you what he thinks and is not shy about it. But the notion that he is a grouch or overly cranky is greatly exaggerated. He is warm and welcoming at his table, inviting folks to come close and treat it like a pub, where we're all hanging out chatting it up. There's no shortage of tales to tell, and opinions to share. He's a natural performer and he loves his audience.

To say that I enjoyed meeting him is understatement. I am very happy to have met him.

My old high school pal Donald, who lives in Durham, planned to join me at the Con on Saturday. We had gone to Heroes Cons together in the late 1980s, and we both cut our teeth on Chaykin's American Flagg! back in the day.

I think it is safe to say that Donald and I were both very pleasantly surprised, and honored to spend time with Chaykin as he held court. In fact, we both felt like he kept us at his table extra long, because he was enjoying the chat. Others came up to get him to sign books, which he did, as he kept talking to us. Those who wanted to stay were welcome to. And when we departed, Chaykin said to us something like "Come back and see me when you get bored. And you will get bored."

In fact, the highlight of the weekend may have been the dressings down we witnessed Chaykin give to a few folks who had him sign Star Wars issues. He was happy to sign them, but was also freely giving his opinion. We heard his opinion of Neal Adams, and we heard him describe how he has no hope for Hollywood and his works.We even got TV recommendations out of him. No topic was off the table, and he didn't circle back for you if you couldn't keep up. But this one kid (maybe 15 years old) came up with Star Wars issues. Chaykin signed them, and quickly told the kid that they were complete crap and that he should seek out other works of his. The flustered kid was brave enough to try and engage Chaykin in reply, but was in WAY over his head.

Of course, all this happened, perfectly timed, with Chaykin stating that a big problem in comics is that they are being written by 50 year old men, and read by 50 year old men. Then he proceeded to terrorize a teenager who was eagerly approaching him.

Donald and I got a photo with Chaykin to end the day, and once I saw it, I stated that it was pure poetry. (See it below)

I picked up some great deals and I had Chaykin do a couple of sketches for me. One of Indiana Jones:

And one of Black Canary:

                                    (No one tell my wife: this is a gift for her for Christmas)

When I asked him about it, he said he was happy to, often telling folks, "I'm here for you. Whatever you like, I'll sign it or draw it." But funnily enough, He had no paper, so I had to go find some for him to draw on.

Klaus Janson was nice as well, and gave a great panel with Cully Hamner about drawing Batman.

I'm also happy that Darrin and Ruth Sutherland dropped by on Saturday and we got to visit for a while, catching up and snapping a few photos. Two nicer people you could not find, in podcasting (listen the their RaD Network of shows on Mike Grell, Ron Randall and Mark Schultz) or in the world. Such a  great couple, and true fans and friends. I saw that they too had a great time with Chaykin at his table.

All in all, it was a great weekend, at a great Con. And it reminds me again of how great the geek culture is. So much positive energy in the building, so much love and celebration. 

Are Hickman and Bendis the start of a Marvel Exodus to DC?

Big news erupted when Brian Michael Bendis announced the end of his nearly 20 year run at Marvel comics (making Dan Slott the new champion over at Marvel as far are longevity goes). This sent ripples across Geekdom, and Legion of Super Heroes fans have been going nuts wanting the news to be followed soon by an announcement that he is going to be picking up the long-absent LSH book in "Rebirth" or otherwise.

Of course, DC has teased a planned return of the Legion ever since Rebirth came along. Saturn Girl has turned up in Arkham Asylum, and we've all been waiting for a pay off ever since.

Now, here's a little bit of insider info that may make the Bendis dreams fade:

I have been assisting with an upcoming book from Two Morrows Publishing about Mike Grell. As such, the book focuses on his many years and works (Legion included). As a part of the book, I interviewed a few of Grell's collaborators, including Dan Jurgens. Jurgens was super nice, and when I asked him what he might like to see Grell come back and do at DC, he was particularly fanboying out on the notion of Grell doing Legion again. Jurgens then said that DC had plans for the Legion that were in the works already, and such a throwback series would not really be in the offing.

I take that to mean that DC already has someone on Legion and at work. At least I hope. If there's no work being done yet, and Bendis is the guy to write it, we're still a LONG time away from seeing it on shelves. And I personally think the sooner the better.

Which brings me to that Jim Lee Tweet that came out a few months back that hinted that he was courting Jonathon Hickman to come to DC from Marvel too. This was before the Bendis talk, but Hickman's name has come back up after the Bendis announcement.

Legion fans went ape over the idea of  a Hickman Legion, and if those parts have been in motion for a while, that means we're closer to a Legion return, which I am all for.

So I'm team Hickman on this.

I loved Bendis's work at Marvel, which was saying something since Marvel has been consistently a mess for the past 8 or so years. His recent Iron Man was the only worthy book they had going (outside of the Star Wars line).

DC has not been all that great either, but they have pulled out of the downward spiral that was New 52, Convergence, and DC You (Eww). New 52 was to be a fresh start. It didn't have much shelf life though. A short flirtation of old dudes pretending to be hip and up with the cool kids gave us DC You (Eww) which was a smoldering pile of dung.

Then Rebirth. And all is finally right with the DC U.

Quietly  Marvel relaunched a ton of titles around that time too. Uncanny Avengers was OK, and I picked up several series, which I quickly lost interest in. In his time there Hickman took passes at the Fantastic Four, as well as Avengers and spear-headed the latest Secret Wars.

Marvel is now trying to course correct again, and are having little success. They seem too busy making movies to focus on the source material. DC is making movies too, but for whatever reason, they are having a harder time getting off the launch pad. However, in the publishing end, they are hitting it out of the part (finally.)

So, it only makes sense that as Marvel's publishing ship is listing, the top talent over there are getting a little woozy and looking to jump ship and swim for safe shores. I can't blame them really. DC Comics is where its at these days for creators. Marvel is trying to figure out what they want to be it seems, and are throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. Classic numbering is following DC doing the same on their big titles, hoping to suddenly cash in on "legacy" fans as opposed to trying to constantly attract new kids with shiny issues one.

When the likes of Bendis and Hickman leave Marvel does it start a major exodus of others? (Of course John Romita Jr jumped to DC a while back and that created some major fandom ripples).

Is this on the level of Jim Shooter going to Marvel? Carmine Infantino going to Marvel? John Byrne going to DC?

I feel like this has similar potential of being another industry "scandal" of talent jumping.

Who is next?

Will anyone from DC be lured to Marvel? Can you imagine Geoff Johns suddenly forsaking DC for Marvel?

What could Marvel do to fix their creative problems? Are they speed dialing Byrne or Chris Claremont? Frank Miller returns to Daredevil? Mike Grell gets his bucket list title and does Captain America? Howard Chaykin taking on the depravity of Tony Stark in Iron Man?

Of course, those suggestions are backward looking, while DC is firmly pointed forward. Rebirth would indicate new life, while Marvel's "Legacy" approach seems to be about looking backward, which would allow for such moves.

Maybe they should hire me to help them sort this stuff out. I'd put John Byrne back on Fantastic Four, give Grell Cap, and have Frank Miller return to Daredevil in a heartbeat.

Nuff said.

And I would buy all those books. Something I can't say about Marvel, nor have been able to say for about 5 years.

Perhaps it is long past time for shake ups and shifts between the "Big Two."

And honestly, short of Dan Jurgens actually getting Mike Grell to draw a Legion re-launch in disco Legion attire, I couldn't be more excited to hear the Legion getting shoved to the front of the speculation line as high-calibre names are bandied about.

Just get to it already!

Welcome Hickman and Bendis. DC is going to be a great home for you both. The Legion awaits, Justice Society awaits, and both could be well-served by two such writers taking the reigns.

Behind the scenes Q and A with BULL CITY CON

Bull City Con, brought to you by NCComicon is happening November 10 - 12, with many great guests and fun events. I'll be there! I know many friends who will be there too.

Thanks to Brockton Mckinney, I got to ask a few questions to the folks heading up the Con, and here they are:

1: NC Comicon seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Are you planning to take over the world of Comic Cons one city at a time?

Yes. Absolutely. It was always the plan. Stay tuned for crazy announcements!

2: Oak City, Bull City, and now a recent con in Greensboro. Can we expect to eventually see NC Comicon Wilmington or Asheville?

You never know! We have been looking at new locations...

3: How long have you been around?

Show turns 8 years old this year.

4: Who are some of your guests this year? 

We've got some amazing comic book industry pros and some super media guests that we think fans are gonna go crazy for! Full list here:  http://nccomicon.com/bull-city/guests/ 

5: Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin seem to like coming to your cons. Do you see yourselves building a regular guest family, who return year to year?

We certainly feel like a family, and we are always ecstatic to see our favorite guests return.

6: A lot seems to happen outside the Convention floor. What are some of the cool events that are running alongside the Con?

We have an after-hours event each day! Friday is the 'High into the Stars' Concert, Saturday is the 'Guardians of the Gala', and Sunday is our Cosplay Contest! Full deets here: http://nccomicon.com/bull-city/events/ 

7: What do people need to know and what can they expect from Bull City Con?

Comics books, fun from every fandoms, and an all-inclusive event that welcomes EVERYONE!

DC non-Rebirth gives new life

DC has slipped in a few non-Rebirth books in the past year and a half. Sure, there have been those Hanna-Barbara books, and the odd WB cartoon character crossovers with all sorts of DC standard bearers (like my beloved Legion of Super Heroes). But I'm talking about the regular DC characters who many may have forgotten over the years. And for the most part, the results have been a success.

Here's a look at 3 of the most recent ones:

Deadman # 1 (out yesterday)

Neal Adams. Sigh. Neal Adams really loves Neal Adams. Thinks he's a genius on all fronts. And DC seem to give him anything he wants, no matter what. Maybe he knows where some bodies are buried. Maybe he was mobbed up with Vinnie Colletta and Carmine Infantino back in the day. Who knows?

I will admit that I have a bad impression of Adams from my first encounter with him a few years back at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC. It was the first time I had gone to Heroes in over 20 years, and I was taking my 10 year old son to his first Con.

We met Jim Steranko first thing as we wandered the long rows. It just happened that we ran across his table first. And I told my son that we had to stop at the table and meet a true legend of the business. We bought a couple of prints (Indiana Jones concept art, which Steranko signed to my son) and we chatted with him. What a great guy. Super friendly, and eager to talk. It felt great to meet him, despite my never having been a giant fan of his comic work.

As the day moved along, we stumbled upon Neal Adams (then modest) mini-mall booth set up. I thought that it would be worth meeting him. And the line was pretty long. Still, we had all day, and this guy was a serious legend too. So we got in line. I perused the prints on display at the tables, and I picked out one that I really liked (a Green Arrow black and white one). I noted that there was a slight discount for buying 3 or more prints, but I was trying to be good and not over do it. And one was plenty.

When we arrived at the head of the line, Adams smiled and greeted us. I chatted briefly, telling him what an honor it was to meet a real legend. I made sure to tell my son that he was a major creator, who helped revolutionize the industry. He didn't say thanks, or anything like it. He looked down at the print in my hand, and began to push me to buy two more to save on the pricing. I politely said that I really just wanted to get this one, but might come back around later for more later in the day. He insisted that the deal was only good now, and I should take advantage. I declined and got him to sign the one I had, which he did in a somewhat dismissive manner, as if he thought I were a fool for not buying 3 prints and saving $5 in doing so.

And that was that. I now had a negative impression of Neal Adams because he was less interested in fans and more interested in making sales.

I'm sure others have had better experiences with him. But it did taint my impression.

Now... Deadman #1, with its glow in the dark cover:

Written, drawn and colored by Adams, the book has the makings of a great re-introduction of the character in the modern DC universe setting. Instead it is oddly disjointed and written in a manner that betrays the personalities of characters like Commissioner Gordon (what is he doing as an Ambassador inspecting Japan's nuclear arsenal??) and Batman/Bruce Wayne. Boston Brand comes off as twitchy and a bit of a dick. I much preferred the more Gothic take on the character back in the 90s.

I wanted to like this book. Really, I did. But Adams should not be allowed to write comics. He is a great artist still, but his writing is just plain bad, especially the dialogue. The plot isn't bad, but it is just so poorly executed that it was almost laughable at times, reading it. I am still curious about where the plot is going. I may pick up #2, but am doubtful I'll be on board for the full 6 issue run.

Rating: 5 out o10

RAGMAN #1:

Ragman gets extra props after the great use of the character on TV's ARROW last season. I loved the way they handled it, and I paid more attention to this mostly lost character from the 1970s (I remember seeing the first series back then) than ever before. I think he would be a great part of some DC team of weirdos (like Creeper, Phantom Stranger and others).

The new series is very modern/real world-esque and takes Rory and places him as a recent war vet who mysteriously survived his unit getting wiped out while they were raiding an ancient site. The mystical aspects don't come into heavy play in #1, but his journey to sort out his PTSD and figure out what happened that allowed him to survive do. Spoiler: it's the Ragman rags.

Ray Fawkes does a great job writing the book, giving us a more grounded background. This could exist inside or outside of the DC continuity, and it wouldn't matter either way. In fact, keeping it out of the Rebirth may give Fawkes more room to grow the character and story, without worrying about Doomsday Clocks and buttons and whatnot.

I was unfamiliar with Inanki Miranda's art before this book, but really enjoy it. It is the right amount of realistic mixed with the other worldly.

I'm getting the next issues eagerly.

Rating: 8 out of 10

MISTER MIRACLE #1 -3

This was a hot book on day one. Mitch Gerads' art and Tom King's writing were getting a lot of early positive talk. In fact, I ended up not getting it, as all of the local shops were sold out on day one. I did eventually get a second printing of #1, along with #2 and #3 (on the day of its release).

I have never been a Fourth World fan. I did like Mister Miracle, Big Barda and Oberon in Justice League International back in the day, and enjoyed how they fit in with that band of misfits. I will always have a soft spot for anyone from that JLI era.

It felt like those characters from page one, yet with a clearly darker turn or two in their lives that have nudged them toward something very jarring. We see Scott Free, in #1, dealing with having tried to kill himself. He says it is a trick. He was just trying to escape death. But clearly, something more is going on.

He is having odd memories and being haunted by things from the past, including an old friend (I won't spoil it, but it was a truly sad moment that moved me - rare in comics these days) as he tries to sort out whatever it is that is the root of his pain.

It doesn't help that there is a war with Darkseid that pulls Scott and Barda back to the Fourth World for a major war that will unfold over the 12 issues.

The writing is as good as you could wish for in comics. Better than most. Reading it made me feel like I did back in the mid-1980s when I read Watchmen or Dark Knight Returns. There's a depth here that is too often lacking. There's an emotional tether that pulls the reader along. And the art is evocative while being rather simple, with creative flourishes that give it a look that is wholly unique. Gerads rises beyond his already great potential, and lands firmly in the top shelf of current talent. I've liked his work previously, but this one is above and beyond.

The first issue was riveting, start to finish. It is simply the best comic I've read all year.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Barenaked Supergirl and the Legion?

Supergirl, season 3, episode 3 had a moment that got my attention. Perhaps not everyone would have perked up at hearing this sly little musical inside "joke," but I did.

The band is Barenaked Ladies. The song is "It's All Been Done." Now, what got my attention, at first was the fact that the song is nearly 20 years old at this point, so it was an odd addition to a CW show, where you expect to hear trendy new songs. Never mind that Britany Spears's "Hit Me Baby One More Time" turned up later in the episode.

Instantly I knew that the Barenaked Ladies song was a possible Legion of Super Heroes reference, which was a subtle trolling of Legion fans who happen to also know Barenaked Ladies songs from the late 1990s. Perhaps a small group.

Here's a late-in-the-song lyric:

Alone and bored on a thirtieth-century night
Will I see you on The Price Is Right?
Will I cry? Will I smile?
As you run down the aisle?

It's all been done
It's all been done
It's all been done before

                                                             (Live on Conan from 1999)

Now, since I knew the song, I remembered the 30th century lyric, because at the time I first heard it, I made a mental connection to the Legion, being a Legion fan.

Question is: who is it on Supergirl that also knows the song, and wanted to slide it into the episode to see if anyone picked up on the connection? It can't have been just a coincidence, since the song is an odd choice to have on the show unless it served an Easter Egg type purpose.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I don't think I am. I think someone did it on purpose, and I sussed it out. I'm sure others did too, but I posted it within seconds of the moment on the show last night, so I will claim that I was the first person to catch this little hidden gem.

Now, if I am calling it, I would say that the lyrics may hint that Mon-El will return, with some futuristic friends in time to spoil the wedding of Kara's sis, Alex to Maggie.

The Walking Dead at 100

Season 8 of THE WALKING DEAD arrived last night, celebrating the 100th episode of the enduring show. 100 episodes is no small feat, for sure. A lot of shows can only dream of reaching that number. It is all the more impressive that TWD reached it because the show is not a mainstream network show, and each season has been 16 episodes (or less in the case of seasons 1 and 2), requiring more seasons to reach the number than the shows that get 22 episodes per season.

I saw a post this morning on Facebook with someone saying simply: "Walking Dead. I'm done."

I cheekily replied: "Is this one of those 1 year ago today posts, or is this a new annual TWD tradition?"

Yes, fans like to get worked up over the show. They like to "quit" it in very loud and public ways. They like to claim some level of mental, emotional or physical grief being leveled upon them.

I like to roll my eyes at these complaining drama queens and kings.

And speaking of queens and kings: last year I posted a blog and recorded a podcast where I took some of the complainers to task over their cries of outrage at the panel by panel, pitch perfect recreation of the death of Glen on the show's season 7 opener. People were beside themselves with disgust at the scene and declared that TWD had gone too far.

Then they returned to posting endlessly about how eager they were for Game Of Thrones (with all of its incest, castration, rape, torture and gore of gratuitous degrees) to return.

Sigh.

Well, here we are again. A new season. A new series of wounded snowflakes who can't stand to watch the show any longer.

Melt snowflake! Melt!

I'm still watching. And I'm still enjoying it. Sure, I think that the writers are chronically lazy when they slow the pace of storytelling and split up the core cast to drag out the seasons at times. That's a creative complaint. They are crafting it for binge watching and not week-to-week. Such is the trend.

But when they are firing on all cylinders, the show is still quite exhilarating to watch. I love the characters and the evolution we've seen since the beginning. I even love FEAR THE WALKING DEAD (which had a mostly horrible first season, but has made up for it in seasons 2 and 3). I like the universe and the darkness of humanity that it explores.

I like the show.

I'm not fickle enough to abandon it over some minor complaints. Over all they keep delivering, and I keep enjoying it. AND... I don't take it so seriously that one little nudge in any direction crushes me emotionally. Anyone who does should probably seeks some sort of help. It's just a TV show. You either like it or you don't. Don't book a parade route to declare some sort of offense that you feel has been heaped upon you personally because of a plot point.

To quote William Shatner: "Get a life!"

Season 8 is off and running, and it is full of action and continued evolution of the characters. War is here, and it looks like we're in for a long stretch of action. I would be disappointed (but not shocked) if next week we suddenly find ourselves in a solo episode of what happened to Heath for an hour.

#WheresHeath?

TWD has done so much more than just achieve 100 episodes. It has created a larger geek community surrounding the worlds they have created. Walker Stalker Cons are great fun, and bring tremendous joy to people who attend. My wife and I went to one last year, and loved it.

As a comic book fan, who has gone to many Cons, I get it. It is a world and a culture that fans can feel safe and find community. How can one not applaud and respect that passion?

Klaus Janson is coming to town (for Bull City Con!)

If you've read comics over the past 40 years, you know who Klaus Janson is. He's one of the most famous second fiddles in the pencil and ink biz. Rarely up front, and drawing books himself, Janson is perhaps one of only a few major superstars among the inking world.

That may have to do with a guy named Frank Miller and a little book called The Dark Knight Returns. You may recall, it set the entire industry on its ear and recreated comics as we know them in the mid 1980s. Of course, he and Miller did a stint on Daredevil too, which is pretty well regarded by many. But it was Dark Knight that made Klaus a household name. He is as much a part of the DKR legend as Frank Miller and colorist Lynn Varley at this point. And Miller has kept going back to Klaus to back him up.

(Yes, of course I will get him to sign my TPB of this!)

Now, I know a number of folks who would call it sacrilege, but I have other things I think of when I think of Klaus and his work. First, I recall his stellar turn as inker for Marvel's Battlestar  Galactica in the late 1970s. He was teamed - mostly  - with legendary Walt Simonson, who wrote and penciled many of those great tales. Some are so great that Dynamite Entertainment is releasing a deluxe Artists Edition soon, showcasing those issues. (I already pre-ordered it, and hope it is brought to me by another Claus this Christmas!)

Klaus also inked Sal Buscema on the Marvel Raiders Of The Lost Ark adaptation. I was all over that book, and the movie is still my all time favorite. I have the Marvel Super Special edition (under a Howard Chaykin cover) to get signed at Bull City Con in early November.

I'm even debating on getting a sketch from Klaus of either Indiana Jones of Lt. Starbuck. Silly, I know, but those were the heroes who captured my heart as a kid, and his art was all over the comics that bore those names. I can't help myself! While others will be drooling over Batman, Daredevil, Punisher and others, I'll be stunning him with talk of BSG and Indy.

In recent times, we've lost some great creators from the comic world of our childhoods, and I have been inspired to go on a mission to get books signed by as many of those who are still around as possible. I missed Bernie Wrightson, Len Wein and others that I could have seen and met, but missed. No more. Denny O'Neil, Jim Steranko, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, Paul Gulacy and others have signed books of mine this past year, and I will continue to seek out those comic book heroes behind the heroes, to meet and chat with, and to get signatures and sketches from.

So, Klaus, get ready! I'm coming to see you with some odd books and even odder requests!

Don't miss the great NC Comicon Bull City Con, November 10 - 12, in Durham, NC!

http://nccomicon.com/bull-city/

Why is Howard Chaykin so bitter?

NC Comicon's Bull City Con comes to Durham, NC on November 10 - 12, and Geek Brain plans to be there for the celebration! We even hope we can get well-known grump Howard Chaykin to crack a joke or smile. We won't hold our breath, but here's hoping.

Actually, Chaykin holds a very special place for me. As a child, one of my first obsessions in comic books was STAR WARS. I mean, I was 7 when I saw it, and we didn't have home video options to see it again and again. You had to go to the movies to see it. I remember the revolutionary moment when HBO aired it in the mid-80s, and how excited people were. Then came VHS, and the rest is history. Now we all get to keep the movies we love (and many we hate) forever, within months of seeing them in movie theatres. In my childhood, we could only dream of such things.

But I'm not bitter. I don't want to be like one of my comic book heroes, Howard Chaykin. At least not that much!

I collected STAR WARS obsessively. It was the only way to have the film on a repeat viewing level in some form.

I even got my start as a writer (and would-be artist) back in the day, when I elected to adapt the movie (and others) in a short novelization with illustrations by me. I still have STAR WARS and EMPIRE in my personal collection from those adaptations. (Lost to time, or deep storage at my parents's home are BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, JEDI and a handful of originals of my own doing).

But back to Howard and his grumpiness.

When I was 13, I discovered the Comics Buyers Guide and Amazing Heroes. Within those pages, I learned about First Comics and the projects of Mike Grell (Jon Sable) and Howard Chaykin (American Flagg!). Both Grell and Chaykin were the heroes of my childhood who drew those books I loved, and seeing these obviously "Adult" books from them, sent my 13 year old mind into overdrive. From the dealers' ads I ordered some back issues through the mail, sending a money order along to pay for the books. That first round of comics that arrived included a number of First Comics standard bearers like JSFreelance #6, #7, #11, #12, FLAGG! #3, #4, #5 and Mars #1, as well as Ms. Tree #1 -3 from Eclipse.

I felt like I was getting away with something at 13. All the grown ups around me thought they were just "funny books" for kids and had no idea that Howard Chaykin was teaching me about sex and dystopian futures. Grell taught me about Africa in the 1970s, as well as the 1972 Olympics and gritty crime drama. They were my teachers!

I've met Grell, and I've been personal friends with him since 2011. He's such a nice guy, and so much fun to hang out with.

I'm about to meet Chaykin in a few weeks, and I'm trying to set my bar low. By all accounts, he's not a nice guy, and he's even less fun to hang out with. I have a feeling a budding friendship is not in the offing at Bull City Con. But you never know.

I do know that I have things for him to sign. American Flagg! #1 chief among them. Also, the Marvel Super Specials for Raiders of The Lost Ark (he did the cover and fellow Bull City Con guest Klaus Janson did art in the book) and For Your Eyes Only, Black Kiss TPB (oh, what he taught me about sex in my late teens!) and a few others. I also plan to get a couple of sketches from him. Maybe Reuben Flagg, maybe Indiana Jones. And I'm thinking about getting a sexy Black Canary from him for my wife.

I'll be happy meeting him. I hope he will be too meeting me.

I've followed his career over the years, and he continues to be prolific in his work. Every time you look up, he's got something new on shelves. He swings for the fences constantly. Sure, many of those attempts falter, but he never lets it slow him. He's got a hot new book out from Image, called the Divided States of Hysteria, which is perhaps his best work since FLAGG! He did a 4 issue Buck Rogers book a few years ago that was cool. Less successfully, he has done books like American Century and Power And Glory. He brought Blackhawk back for DC in the 80s, and he has collaborated on many Elseworlds Batman books, and Twighlight, which he wrote with Jose Luis Garcia Lopez (I got Lopez to sign #1 at Heroes Con this past Summer).

Chaykin, unlike many of his contemporaries, jumped to TV writing in the late 80s and early 90s, with scripting credits on the 1990 The Flash, as well as the short lived (first) Human Target series starring Rick Springfield.

In recent weeks, EuropaCorp purchased the rights to make American Flagg! into a TV series, which has me pretty excited!

Chaykin never quits. Maybe his grumpiness is what fuels his passion. Maybe we should stop hoping for a shiny happy Chaykin, and realize that his surly ways are part of what makes him so damned lovable.

Maybe.

I'll let you know after I meet him at NC Comicon's Bull City Con!

http://nccomicon.com/bull-city/

New season of heroes on the TV

A new season is here for Super Hero goodness on TV. Specifically, the CW network where hosts of DC heroes take to the streets and skies for action every week.

Here's a quick round up on the shows so far:

Supergirl: Still a charming delight of a show (and my step daughter's favorite of them all). Love Melissa Benoist in the role and the ensemble around her. Naturally, I am hoping for a major Legion of Super Heroes appearance (or multiple) this year with Mon-El lost in space and time, and Saturn Girl scheduled to appear at some point this year!

The Flash: I don't know. I'm getting a little weary of the overly soapy angst that has entered the show. Last season ended with a massively shoe-horned in there cliff hanger, which was resolved quickly in the new seasons's first episode. Too quickly, for my taste. Plus, it feels too much like old Star Trek Next Gen season cliffhangers that seemed impossible to overcome that were somehow simply resolved in the next season, making the whole thing anti-climactic (except "Mr. Worf: Fire!" for the Borg one).

Legends of Tomorrow: I really enjoy that this show is the light-hearted and goofier of the shows. It really reminds me of the Justice League International of the 1980s (see the Omnibus out today!). In fact, I've been hoping for Booster Gold and Blue Beetle to show up, but I found a few moments in the new season's first episode made me realize that they are doing that duo, but letting Steel and The Atom play those parts. While I love the dynamic, I hate that it will likely prevent the Blue and Gold from making the team. Still, I love this rowdy ride of a show, even when they have a few off the mark episodes.

Arrow: After a great cliffhanger last season, the show chose to not pick up after it, but pick up months later and show, in flash back (hey - they said they were quitting that this season!), how each person was effected by the island blowing up. Black Siren is back, and the convoluted Laurel/Dinah Lance/Drake Canary conundrum that the writers put themselves into with Laurel's death is still a drag on the show. Still... Arrow was better last season than the one before, and I have high hopes for this season too. Just stop with Oliver and Felicity romance shipping already.

On other networks I have finally tuned out Gotham (it never really worked for me) and Agents of SHIELD is no longer on my radar too. Marvel's Inhumans had a laughable pilot episode filled with slow motion sequences that only made the episode about 20 minutes longer than it could have been, and that horrible old trope of police camera footage that is shot for shot a match to the filmed sequences we saw already. Sigh. They really are trying to cheap out on Inhumans. Aside from a premise that is a bit overwrought, I kind of like the show now that its gotten going. Too bad it was already canceled for season two before we saw the first episode.

I can't figure out if The Orville is a geeky, loving send up for ST Next Gen, or an updated attempt at the old show Quark. Most episodes are pretty lame, but the most recent one was pretty good. So who knows?

Star Trek Discovery had a great pilot. I'll be watching the rest of them once they all air and I get a free preview month of the CBS Ap. So, stay tuned.

Get ready for a Bwhaha good time! Tomorrow the JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL Omnibus Volume 1 hits shelves.

This is the 1987 team that brought a wonderful sense of relationships and comedy to the comic book world, thanks to Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire (and many others along the way). The writing was sharp, the characterizations were interesting and deeper in spite of all the jokes, and the art work was revolutionary!

Characters that were mostly discarded by DC, found new life and a home in this title. Booster Gold and Blue Beetle had not lived up to the high hopes of their solo books, which lasted about 2 years each. Guy Gardner was the loud mouth jerk of the Green Lantern Corps and was the perfect Frank Burns to Booster and Beetle as the Hawkeye and Trapper/BJ of the team. J'onn Jones was great as the moral core of the team, and additions of Fire and Ice as well as Mister Miracle and Big Barda gave the team some interesting dynamics. A rotating cast that included Dr Fate, Batman, Black Canary, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Captain Atom and more, kept it interesting. And who can forget Maxwell Lord?

But the core team were what made this book work.

The Omnibus collects around 30 plus issues of the main book, annuals, and the spin off Justice League Europe (which featured The Flash, Powergirl, Elongated man among its core). It is over 1000 pages of content in high quality! I love that DC and Marvel are rolling out these massive tomes (I have Legion of Super Heroes Silver Age Vol 1, Marvel's Star Wars and am getting some John Byrne Fantastic Four soon!)

Amazon has it for around $66 now (I paid $55 by pre-ordering it and getting the lowest price while waiting for release, which is a great way to save big $$).

https://www.amazon.com/Justice-League-International-Omnibus-Vol/dp/1401273866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508186286&sr=8-1&keywords=justice+league+international+omnibus

With any luck, we will get Volume 2 sooner than later, which should contain a big chunk of JLE as well as the debut of Adama Hughes as the JL artist who would follow best in Maguire's footsteps.

One of the best books of the mid-80s (which was full of greatness all around), this collection is a must for fans of great storytelling!

Bwhahaha indeed!

Last Jedi Trailer Thoughts

The Last Jedi Trailer (finally) arrived. And it was chocked full of goodness. Here are some thoughts:

Rey is a badass. We kind of suspected that already, but Luke confirms that she is an exceptional Force user, and it scares him. Especially after ignoring that nagging voice in his head that told him to be worried about Ben Solo's tendencies.

Kylo is tempted to shoot down his mom, after killing dad last time around.

Chewie doesn't look quite right, but I'll forgive it. Peter Mayhew has finally passed the torch, and we have to get used to a new Chewie from here on. Plus, Chewie is buddies with a Porg.

Let's talk about Porgs. Cute, cuddly little "fuck you's" to all the skivvy twisted uptight fans who bitch first and enjoy second these days. Not since Ewoks have we seen something this cute, and ready for Christmas sales. (I already ordered one for my step daughter). I could care less. In our real world we have a crap ton of cute cuddly creatures that we hang out with. Why can't they have them in Star Wars too?

Snoke in the melty flesh using some massive Force to torment Rey means a few things: He isn't Darth Plageous or Tarkin. Could be Ezra Bridger from SW Rebels. That would mean that the upcoming season 4 of the cartoon will bridge(r) that gap for us. I can't think of too many who like Ezra, and the whole existence of him in that timeline does not make much sense unless there's a deep dark secret coming. Still, would they incorporate a cartoon into the main canon? Maybe.

I have another theory: Qui Gon Jinn. He didn't go "poof!" like Obi Wan or Yoda, who became one with the Force upon their deaths. He was torched on a pyre. Sure, later he got down with the Force, and was apparently so powerful that he taught Obi Wan and Yoda from beyond the grave. What if he found a way to get his body back, but it was damaged? He was the one who tapped Anakin Skywalker and pushed to train him, fulfilling a prophecy. Count Dooku once noted that if Jinn had lived, he would be on his side and not the Jedi in the Clone Wars. Maybe he is still trying to work to fulfill some prophecy.

There are a lot worse theories out there.

Finn and Phasma tangle big time. Poe takes to his X-Wing. Rey trains.

Who is piloting the Falcon with Chewie and Porgy? Rey? Luke?

Of course, the sequences in the trailer are not in chronological order, so we don't know what happens when in the movie. Though I have some thoughts:

We know these films follow a three act structure, and mirror previous entries. This one will be similar to Empire and Attack. It will have a cliffhanger ending (perhaps Rey or Luke submitting to the Dark Side and looking like they have chosen to cross over. More on that in a bit). Rey may get a hand chopped off.

Benicio Del Torro is a Lando-eque character, and instead of Bespin, Finn and Rose visit a casino type world, probably only to betrayed and lead into Phasma's hands.

The Hoth battle gets a VERY obvious homage with the new Giant Walkers doing battle on that red dust planet. Maybe early in the film as the Resistance scrambles to fend off a rallying First Order, evacuating a key location/base. Perhaps leading to the Kylo flying and thinking of killing Leia.

The giant space battle could conclude the movie though, coinciding with a battle to save Rey from Snoke, that may lead Luke to surrender himself to Snoke and Kylo to save Rey. "No! She's my daughter!" With the film ending with Leia, Rey, Finn and Poe vowing to go get Luke back and stop Snoke once and for all.

The ending that looks like Rey is getting an offer of training from Kylo has been speculated to be a trick of editing, and that those two shots are not part of the same scene. It is crafted to head fake the fans, when in reality, it will be Luke who Kylo is offering a hand to in order to spare Rey and Leia.

So those are my thoughts and theories. Take them for what you will. I don't know anything more than the rest of you. I'm just trying to suss it out.