So I've been playing this Avengers Alliance game on Facebook...

...and it's okay, up to a point.

One of the main hooks in this game is that as you play, you "collect heroes" and add them to your team.

And I'm all over the idea of collecting heroes...

The problem comes with upgrades.

See, in order to train said heroes to fight better, you need money - which they practically throw at you in the form of silver coins - and what they call SHIELD Points.

These are a bitch to get...unless you spend money.

I'd like to blame Facebook for this, and not Marvel. They've gotten enough of my cash over the years...and will undoubtedly get more thanks to the CONTINUING SUCCESS of Marvel Studios.

Still, it's a fun way to kill a half hour...

Another fantastic day ahead...

Sorry I'm bitching about work so much lately...but I've just been too busy to do fun things like discussing upcoming events in 2013 or reminiscing over the events of 2012.


Tomorrow maybe?

Ever have one of those...weeks...?

Let me ask you something:

Would you stand at a crosswalk...

...while the sign blinks "DON'T WALK"...

...and there's no cars around...

...and wait for the "WALK" sign to change before crossing the damn street?

Neither would I.

So why do drivers in the great state of Maine insist on stopping at a red light located halfway up a hill...

...in a freakin' snowstorm...

...while there are absolutely no cars around...

...and wait for the light to change?

WHAT...

...THE EVER-LIVIN'...

F...?

Are you freakin' kidding me...?

I closed at work two days ago...and opened yesterday. Normally, that means I'd be getting out earlier than usual, but thanks to the storm and my boss' boss stopping by this morning I worked a ten hour day...then cleared the driveway when I got home. Now I have to close again tonight, open again tomorrow morning and work a full Sunday.

Not enough coffee man...not enough coffee...

Wait - what else is happening today...?

It was something important...

...a milestone of sorts...

...it's coming to me...

...Stan the Man is 90 today!

Everything's gonna be alright...

EXCELSIOR!!!

Hugh Jackman tells more about The Wolverine...

So - in a recent interview, Jackman let us know about the time in which The Wolverine takes place...
"...after X-Men: The Last Stand. My character is at his lowest. He is supposed to be able to heal himself, but he may encounter someone who has worked out a way to really hurt him."
Okay...so not only did X-Men: TLS actually happen, it happened before this film.

He goes on to say that there's "a cameo from one of the past X-Men in it". But this is old news, since we're convinced that Jean Grey returns...sort of.

What I want to know is where X-Men Origins: Wolverine lands in relation to everything else...if at all.

First Impressions: The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey

First of all, we saw this film in 2D, not 3D, and the 48 fps thing didn't bother me at all. 

This is the only Tolkien novel I've ever read cover to cover. So while I couldn't compare the LotR books to the films, I know my way around The Hobbit pretty well. 

What bothered me were the pacing of the story and all the extra stuff.

I was upset when I learned that Jackson was making the story a two-part film. After I calmed down and thought about it, I realized it was the right thing to do. My expectation was that Part One would end as Bilbo floated down the river with the barrels...

...then word came out this was going to be a trilogy.

How the heck was this simple story about a hobbit being dragged into an unwanted adventure going to be dragged out into three two-and-a-half-hour movies?

The pacing of the story, and the extra stuff.

I'll try to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but the book has been around for a while. You've been warned.

There were several key elements at the beginning of the movie that have absolutely nothing to do with the story, and in fact never happened in the book, but I must admit I kinda liked seeing. And right away, you can tell how Jackson plans on stretching things out. 

Remember when Lucas re-released the Original Trilogy in the late nineties with all that extra CGI stuff that may or may not have looked cool but added nothing to the story itself? That's what Jackson does here. He makes redundant connections between characters, times and places...and beats us over the heads with them throughout the film(s).

The difference is, where Lucas added needless crap, Jackson adds unnecessary crap.

And that makes all the difference.

This is a great film and a worthy addition to your DVD/Blu-ray collection of LotR...and don't think for one second they won't release a package after all three Hobbit films are out...but if you love the book - like Mrs. Adorkification and myself - be prepared for bloating, and repeating to yourself: "that never happened in the book". 

Because you'd be right. Jackson's merely stating that it could have.

How I plan on spending Christmas Day...

I'm "on call" at work, which means that if the alarm goes off at work I get to go in...hey, it was either today or Thanksgiving so...

But despite that, we plan on doing the following:

* Getting my Goblin Deck's ass kicked by Mrs. Adorkification's Sliver Deck.

* Watching some holiday-themed film on Netflix.

* Getting to the theatre and seeing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.







and most importantly...

* Getting some sleep - to gear up for the post-Christmas "shake-and-bake" at work, where we clean up from the holidays and re-set the store back to "normal".

It's Christmas Eve, 2012...

...so enjoy the day. If you must go out shopping today, be kind. If you're traveling, be safe.

Happy Holidays!

More intel about Hugh's presence in X-Men: DoFP

So - Jackman sends this tweet...

...and it looks like he will indeed appear in X-Men: DoFP.

This doesn't surprise me at all.

What would surprise me is if they make an active effort to connect The Wolverine to it.

My guess? There's going to be something in the end credits bridging that gap.

More to come I'm sure...

I'm not ready for the season...

I had a horrendous day yesterday at work, and I'm so not looking forward to today.

But I have to remind myself...

There's always someone worse off.

Check out this poster...

Awesome tagline...

May 3rd can not come soon enough!!!

A Special WTF? Friday...12/21/12

I want to talk about the event that happened last Friday in Newton, CT...

Being a father (of a now 13-year old), I don't mind saying that it scared the hell out of me.

I grew up not far from Newton, and my sister's best friend is a teacher in the Newton School District...
but that's not what I want to talk about.

I want to talk about the fact that...as a parent...nowhere is safe.

Not a school, not a movie theater, not a gas station, not a parking lot, not an airplane or a building in the middle of a city.

And certainly not the internet.

I get the urge to keep Adorkette inside. Seal the doors and windows. Turn everything off. Stay low. Stay quiet. But then I think...

...what if Bilbo never left Bag End...
...what if Jor-El didn't try to save his son...
...what if Tony Stark just built the weapon...
...what if Thomas and Martha Wayne stayed in that night...
...what if we let the zombies win...


...so I fight it. With every fiber of my being.

I'm still scared, and I spend a little of every day fearing the worst. Then I remind myself that by depriving her of living her life, the bastards have already won.

So - the bubble has burst and she's well aware of what's out there, both Good and Evil.

People are going to comment and argue about gun control and the mentally ill until Doomsday (which, by the way, is today).

I'm going to just let them, because in the end...

...nowhere is safe.

Today in Dork History...

...Adorkette was born...

...thriteen years ago...

...that's right. I've got a thirteen year old daughter on my hands.

Not only that - but she's a big fan of 30Rock...and The Avengers of course...

...so I'm looking at a future son-in-law somewhere between John Francis Donaghy -

and Loki -

 Aww MAN...

Robin III Part 35: Batman #469 (Late September, 1991)

Tim breaks the rules…and saves Bruce’s life.

I have this issue.

Tim’s having trouble with his Chemistry homework when Alfred tells him that Bruce has gone out for the evening. At the butler’s suggestion, Tim accesses the Bat-computer to help with his equations and stumbles on some data that proves Dorrance is back in Gotham. He suits up, and talks Alfred into taking him to where Bruce is…Gotham’s docks.

He arrives to find Dorrance defeated at Batman’s feet – and Lynx aiming a rifle at Batman’s head.

Tim disarms her, but she gets away. Batman gets there and reprimands Robin for disobeying him, saying that the boy’s life is more important than his own.

Notes of Interest:

1) We learn this issue that Tim has a secret door in his room behind which he keeps his Robin suit.

2) Tim still needs to prove to Bruce that he’s no Jason Todd.

WTF? Moment: We know Tim’s smart, especially with computers. We also know that that he’s used the Bat-computer for less than important things. In my head, it makes perfect sense for him to be able to access Batman’s data remotely – but for homework? Plus, the thought of all that information available through Tim’s laptop just scares the crap out of me.

WTF? Moment #2: Okay, Tim can access Batman’s computer and suit up without leaving his room - but still needs Alfred to get to Gotham. That…my friends…is funny!

WTF? Moment #3: Gotta bring out the bull-s#!tometer here. I understand that Lynx is street tough, and that shot to the face would knock Tim back. But he’s wearing a special Kevlar-weave body suit. There is no way she’d be able to knock the wind out of him with her fist. That’s straight up B.S. right there.

Today in Dork History...

I always liked those postcards you find in bookstores that have the year you were born and list certain things from that year - like the price of a gallon of milk, how much a new car costs, the top ten songs and the like.

But those are generally for the year...and some for the...week of one's birth.

So, being my 41st birthday today, I thought it would be rather fun to see what went on today - December 18th - in Dork History...

In movies, I share my birthday with: Brad Pitt (Ocean's Eleven), Steven Spielberg (E.T., the Indiana Jones Trilogy, and too many others to list here), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins), Roger E. Mosley (Magnum P.I.) Ray Liotta (Field of Dreams), Robson Green (Wire in the Blood), Josh Dallas (Thor) and the legendary Betty Grable.

Plus, Toys (with Robin Williams) came out December 18, 1992. If you haven't seen it, do so. It's holiday-related...and one of Williams' less comical roles...but still worth a watch.

In music, there's Christina Aguilera (who's gotten better over the years) and Keith Richards (who's awesome).

In comics, Artist Bill Neville was born today as well. Check out his stuff...

Not sure what to talk about today...

...I could talk about how there's roughly six inches of snow on the ground right now but Adorkette's still got school today...

...I could talk about how crazy people are for going out in a snowstorm to shop...

...I could talk about the 3-D conversion on the next Star Trek film's a stupid idea...

...I could talk about the Pats' loss to San Francisco...

...or I could go back to bed...

...G'night.

Post-poned today...

I closed last night and am opening today...so this is exactly how I feel right now...

The Wolverine...new pics...

We know that The Wolverine takes place (mostly) in Japan, and follows the story written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.

We know that Silver Samurai is in it...(along with Jean Grey).

But this...looks...COOL!

WTF? Friday...12/14/12

Writer Gail Simone (one of the best writers in comics right now...and also one of like six professional female writers in the business) has been let go from DC's ongoing Batgirl series.

WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS?

J. J. Abrams...who still needs to explain Lost to me...remains in the dark over the identity of this man: played by Sherlock Holmes. If Holmes were alive today, he'd have figured this out last week...but would still be working out why Sherlock won't return to our screens until 2014 - in addition to the point behind Lost.



AND THIS WEEK'S WTFN? AWARD GOES TO...

...DC Collectibles.

Because despite being part of a comic company that can't keep their universe straight (after several reboots) and has many failed attempts to give fans a movie they rightfully deserve under its belt, they've got a good eye for what's hot. And if Injustice: Gods Among Us is even half as good a game as it looks, these figures will sell out quickly.

More please...

So...Man of Steel Trailer #2...

Let me say that despite my growing up a Marvel Zombie and my trust in all things Marvel Studios,

I really, REALLY want this movie to do well, but after seeing this trailer, I don't know.

Here's why:
1) It's another retelling of the origin. Going back to the well of Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie is cinematic suicide as far as I'm concerned. That film was perfection. It didn't raise the bar. It didn't set the bar.
It BUILT the bar. And placed it on the stand...which it ALSO built.

2) It's another attempt to reboot the Superman franchise. Bryan Singer tried it...and failed. Is it wise to try again?

3) The only way this film could work (taking 1 and 2 into consideration) is if DC and Warner planned on using this film to reboot not only the Superman franchise, but the entire DC Cinematic Universe...

...which they're not.

As an aside, that beam we see destroying part of Earth? That's either from The Eradicator, Braniac or both.

'Nuff said.

A word about continuity....

...is it me, or has Hollywood just stumbled upon the new "thing" (which comics have dropped since the late nineties)?

Robin III Part 34: Batman #468 (Early September, 1991)

Robin gets sidelined…and Tim knows why.

I have this issue.

Tim’s practicing his tennis moves on the court at Wayne Manor when Bruce arrives and tells him that in order to improve his school work, Robin will be taking the next few nights off. Tim argues the decision by saying that since the Ghost Dragons are around, Bruce could use all the help he could get. Bruce tells him that his schoolwork takes priority and walks off, while Tim guesses the real reason behind the grounding.

That night, Bruce returns to the cave wounded. And as Alfred patches him up, Tim comes in dressed as Robin. He tells Bruce that he knows the truth – King Snake may still be alive, and Bruce is trying to protect him. He also tells his mentor that Batman becomes reckless on the streets without Robin to look after. Bruce tells Tim to trust him, and that until they know more about what’s going on with the Dragons the best play is to keep Robin off the streets.

Tim agrees, but makes Bruce promise to stay in the rest of the night and heal up.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim really cares for Bruce, and worries not only for his safety, but for his obsession as well.

2) Alfred is impressed by his ability to tell Bruce what to do…and have him actually do it.

WTF? Moment: You’d think the tennis ball machine would come with a remote to turn it off wouldn’t you…but then how else would Tim be able to knock it over from across the court? Use one of the balls already on the ground by his feet? Nah…

Another useless movie connection made...

If you've got the time, try this film/TV series combo...

...followed by...

True, both are written/created by Aaron Sorkin.

Both deal with American Politics as well as life in general at the White House.

But there's more...
* The American President has Michael J. Fox - who's cool.
* The West Wing has Dule Hill - who's cool.
* Both have Martin Sheen, who gets promoted.
* Both have a character named Leo.
* Both have female Press Secretaries - Anna Deavere Smith (who appeared in West Wing as Secretary of State) in President, Allison Janney in West Wing (who's character's name is C.J....versus Sheen's character A.J. in President).
* Both have otherwise useless speechwriter characters...Lewis Rothschild in President (played by Fox) and Sam Seaborn in West Wing (played by Rob Lowe)...who were too cool to lose.
* Both share Congressmen's names, like Stackhouse and Clark.
* If you pay close attention, you'll even recognize specific lines...("We don't have time to do things one at a time.")

Yeah...I need to get out of the house more...

A question about comics...and music

I've heard people talk about what they listen to while reading comics.

I've also seen album covers featuring comic characters.

But what I'm discussing here is different -

Which characters do I think of...when I hear specific artists?

Here's four examples off the top of my head, and I'm sure I'll bring it up again as more connections are made.

Billy Joel. You have to understand that I grew up in the 70's and 80's, so I'm talking his Piano Man days all the way through to Storm Front. This guy captured the distinctive New York Sound. Which comic character do I think of?

No question. I mean just listening to The Stranger takes me back to Peter Parker's life in the mid-seventies struggling to get by and do the right thing. And "She's Always A Woman"? You know that's about Mary Jane.

Then there's U2...

...forget their politics (and connections to certain Broadway musicals). I'm just talking about their music.

Specifically, The Edge's signature guitar (at least from War to The Joshua Tree).

How awesome is that sound? No one did it before, and everyone's tried to do it since.

Who do I think of? This one's easy...

Wally West is my personal choice, but any Flash would do.

I can hear you say: "What about "Run Like Hell" by Pink Floyd?" That's a good point, but I'm talking about artists here, not specific songs - which is another discussion entirely. Every song U2 did on those four albums make me feel either like running fast ("(Pride) In the Name of Love") or trying to run fast but forced to slow down ("With or Without You").

And of course, Elvis

There can be only one...

And then there's The Beatles.

Another no-brainer...

Let the debate of "who's most like who" commence...

Robin III Part 33: Batman #467 (Late August, 1991)

Tim’s past adventure returns to the present and onto Gotham’s streets.

I have this issue.

Batman and Robin break up a warehouse robbery and find Ghost Dragons attempting to take a large amount of high quality weapons. Tim suggests that King Snake survived the fall (from Robin Mini-Series #5) but Bruce dismisses the idea because Shiva was involved.

Commissioner Gordon tells the duo that the Ghost Dragons are moving into Chinatown with plans for expansion. They track down the previous Chinatown leader and learn that the Dragons are led by a blind white man. Tim brings up Dorrance again, and Bruce tells him that no matter who’s leading the Dragons, they’re not connected to the Triads…who are already in Gotham and will want to deal with this newcomer themselves…and innocent Gothamites would be caught in the crossfire.

Tim and Bruce learn that the Dragons plan to steal their weapons back, but arrive too late to prevent it. The gang drops a fire escape onto the Batmobile and get away. Tim tells Bruce he recognizes their leader – Lynx.

Back at the Manor, Tim talks with Alfred about how the accomplished butler manages to keep sane and persevere amidst all the madness and reveals that he’s convinced King Snake is alive. Alfred advises him to act on his instincts…but cautiously.

Notes of Interest:

1) It’s been at least a few months since the events of the Robin mini-series.

2) This is the first time Tim uses the ninja “disappearing trick” on Gordon.

WTF? Moment: Tim’s gotten more comfortable working side-by-side with the Dark Knight, and Bruce acknowledges this, but the teaching continues as the boy learns that sometimes it’s better to let someone go to spread the word.

WTF? Moment #2: The relationship between Tim and Alfred deepens, as we see their discussion about dealing with the constant insanity surrounding Batman. Tim shows some fear regarding Dorrance’s return, and Alfred gives him the confidence he needs…as Alfred often does…to persevere.

WTF? Moment #3: I liked Gordon’s comment regarding Tim’s “trick”.