A word about Wilburys...

I was thinking recently about one of my favorite bands of all time...

...The Traveling Wilburys.

Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Roy Orbison. 

Together. 

I've heard of musicians creating cover bands and playing hits, but just think of what you could do with this.

In my mind, I'm George, and we'd play not just Wilbury hits but also some singles...

"Rainy Day Women #12 and 35"

"Don't Bring Me Down"

""You're So Bad"

"All Those Years Ago"

and of course,

"Pretty Woman".

We'd might even get away with some Beatles stuff...

...maybe.

Then I started thinking: "Who else would could be a Wilbury?"

Definitely.

Absolutely.

Would have been awesome.

See, at first I thought yes...but he drinks alone, so no.

Then I thought: "What's the criteria?"

Well, Wilburys should be guitar players.

So that sadly means...

...nope...

...nope...

...and nope.

I would, however, include bass players. So...

...yes...

...and yes.

Okay, but what about...?

Not laid back enough.

Any other musicians?

Definitely.

Possibly.

Without question.

Absolutely.

The youngest of the bunch, but yes.

I could go on for days, but I think I'll just put in my old cassettes of Volumes 1 & 3...

...and start enjoying my vacation.

WTF? Fridays...10/4/2013

I really...really...want to love this show.

Really.

But after two episodes, I'm wondering when they're gonna get around to the "Marvel" part.

W...T...F...AoS?

I understand that you need to set things up,

and having Jackson show up opens the door for every other actor,

but I NEED MORE MARVEL!

I even gave you some ideas...

...and you have yet to deliver.

Well, Halloween's coming - 

so I thought I'd help you out even more with some possible characters to feature:

1) Blade

Now, here's a character you could do a lot with, but there's a problem...

once you introduce Blade, you acknowledge that vampires exist in the MMU.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but you have to commit.

And I don't think you're ready.

2) Zombie

This guy has potential.

'Cause Zombies are a thing.

And he's the only one.

So why don't we put this one in the 'maybe' pile.

3) Man-Thing

A nice swampy Louisiana story could work,

but we still have a lousy taste in our mouths from the last time you tried him...

4) Ghost Rider

On the upside, you've got the rights back,

and his movies did do better than Man-Thing's...

...but not that much.

5) Son of Satan

Now we're talking.

He's an occultist, 

literally the son of Satan,

and he fights demons!

This could work...

...and he could even lead to a spin-off series:

But whatever you guys decide to do...

...please...

...DO SOMETHING!!!

10 comic book couples who celebrate Valentine's...

Comics are essentially soap operas for boys. Yeah, they've got cool characters that have awesome powers, and bad-ass villains that you want to see beaten...

...but they've also got relationships. Some good, some great, some ridiculously sappy.

Accept it. I have.

So for Valentine's Day, I thought I'd mention some relationships I've seen develop - and in some cases disintegrate - over the years.

10) Sam Guthrie and Lila Cheney

This was a great relationship. Sam was a skinny kid wit...let's just say poor social skills with the ladies. Lila was a punk rocker with groupies.

There was some flirting, and some interesting dress choices, over the years, but this story, New Mutants #42, really brought their relationship to a new level. Sam brought Lila to Kentucky to meet his family. We meet his brother Josh (never mentioned again to my knowledge), and the rest of his brothers and sisters appear for all of like two panels. I'm sure Paige was there, but I don't think she was mentioned by name...

Anyway, Sam and Lila fight, break up, she gets in a plane crash, he saves her and they make up in time for dinner. It was stories - and relationships - like this that made me the die-hard New Mutants fan I still am today.

9) Kurt Wagner and Amanda Sefton

This is kinda weird. Kurt and Amanda grew up together in the circus and raised by the same woman. They knew they weren't related, but had a sort of "step-sibling" relationship in their youth.

Then they grew up.

This showed that love isn't skin deep. Kurt's been close with the ladies, but always felt an outsider because of his appearance. Amanda was good for him, and he for her. Shame it didn't last.

8) Oliver Queen and Dinah Laurel Lance

Now I admit that my knowledge of comics isn't as deep with DC as it is with Marvel, but even I know this is a messed-up relationship.

My first reading of this couple wasn't until Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters. He asked her to marry him, she turned him down, she went after a killer, got caught, he saved her.

These two really need each other and should be together forever, but the on-again/off-again/died/came back/imposter thing sounds a little familiar...

7) Scott Summers and Jean Grey

This is just a lesson in futility.

Forget every "twangsty" show on the CW. If you want to watch a relationship on a roller coaster ride...with vomiting... read about these guys.

Scott and Jean were childhood sweethearts with mutant powers.

Then things happened. Lots of things.

Message to comic writers: Quit It!

6) Tim Drake and Stephanie Brown

If I was 12 when these two met, I'd have read every issue they appeared in. Even the whole baby thing.

I've said before that Tim was one of the best written characters in the DC 'verse Post-Crisis.

This relationship was proof.

5) Kal-El and Lois Lane

Here's an example of how a relationship that's supposed to work ends up being boring.

These two are the quintessential example of a love that is meant to be, but once these two get together there's nothing to write about.

The pursuit is more important than the goal, which is sad really - because in life, isn't the goal the reason for the pursuit?

Reminds me of the Moonlighting show, and another relationship on this list.

4) Reed and Sue

Here's a happy couple. 

They've seen it all, and have lasted (how long now?).

A true testament to love, the ups and downs of a marriage, and is still interesting to read!

3) Barry Allen and Iris West

I don't care what's going on nowadays.

Again, I don't know as much about DC relationships, but this one was cool.

2) Ralph and Sue

Identity Crisis was my first reading of either of these characters.

I cried...

Then I read 52, and cried some more. Only this time they were tears of joy. 

Like all the other couples on this list, these two don't deserve each other, they belong together.

But not quite as much as couple #1...

1) Peter Parker and Mary Jane

This couple gave me hope. 

What teenage boy growing up in the eighties didn't identify with Peter?

Geek...Dork...Nerd...

...Super-Hero...with a hot wife.

A. Hot. Wife.

'Nuff Said.

Happy Valentine's Day!

10 WTF? Castings...

I came across another list on whatculture.com about "Insane Castings That Almost Ruined Comic Book Movies" and felt obliged to offer my thoughts...

10) Bill Murray as Batman.

This was during the Burton years, and I never heard this rumor, but picturing him in the mask alone makes me scratch my head never mind the costume.

On a side note, David Duchovny was considered for the role somewhere between Batman Returns and Batman & Robin.

9) Madonna as Harley Quinn.

This is news to me. Guess there was a plan to follow up B&R with another Schumacher film featuring Harley.

Director aside, I'm not against a Harley film, and I think Madonna could have done a decent job (check out her work in Dick Tracy)...back in the eighties.

8) Dougray Scott as Wolverine.

This one I heard about, and now we bring alternate realities to the table. If it wasn't for an injury caused during Mission Impossible's filming, this would have happened, and we never would have heard of Hugh Jackman.

Better or worse...it sure would have been different.

7) Tom Cruise as Iron Man.

First reaction? No F**kin' Way!

Then I thought about it. Before RDJ owned the role, I could see Cruise's name on the list...for the film, and the Iron Man franchise. But the entire MMU?

No F**king Way!

6) Sylvester Stallone as Superman.

Okay. I know RDJ can't be Tony Stark forever anymore than Christopher Reeve could be Clark Kent. But Goddamn!

I will say that Stallone would have made a decent Kent (Tango and Cash anyone?), but Superman?
 
No F**king Way!

5) John Krasinski as Captain America.

No. Just...no.

4) Nic Cage as Scarecrow.

This actually makes some kind of weird sense to me.

It would have happened in the same film Madonna played Harley, and that would've been one wacky-ass film.

3) Neil Diamond as Superman.

WTF? If the Salkinds were doing the musical, maybe. (HUGE maybe), but apparently Diamond pushed hard for the role.

Talk about wacky-ass films...

2) Willem Dafoe as Batman.

This is just s#!t. Burton thought about it, and realized that he just didn't fit.

My opinion? He's still got potential for a good role in a superhero film (his Green Goblin was good, not phenom) but I'll have to get back to you on who...

1) Nic Cage as Superman.

You knew this was coming...

In a nutshell - you can't recast a role done to perfection with a similar looking actor ( i.e. Superman Returns) because script aside there's too much similarity to what's been done before.

You have to go different.

Whomever replaces Jackman, RDJ, and Stewart (to name just a few) will have a hard enough time without the added stress of looking like the actor(s) being replaced. They'll need to make the role(s) their own, while still remaining true to the character(s).

James Bond is a great example of this. Moviegoers knew when the actor was being replaced, and if you look at the films and the men involved, the least popular was On Her Majesty's Secret Service, not because of the story - where (spoiler) Bond gets married...and widowed...in the same film, and not because of the supporting cast - Diana Rigg played the doomed Teresa di Vicenzo. I think it's because lead actor George Lazenby looked (and played it) too darned much like Sean Connery.

So, while Cage as Superman isn't the right choice...it was definitely the right direction...

Any thoughts?

WTF? Friday...2/1/13

I wasn't sure what to talk about today when I came across this article from www.complex.com about "The 25 Comics You Should read Before You Die".

Here's my comments...

25) The Punisher (MAX)

Never read it. This series came out after The Punisher: Purgatory four-part mini that resurrected Frank as an angel of vengeance. I stopped reading after Suicide Run...

24) I Killed Adolf Hitler (Fantagraphics Books)

Again, never read it, although I did read Part One of Maus a while back...

23) The Invisibles (DC/Vertigo)

Nope, haven't read it. Although from what I've heard, Grant Morrison's writing is very hit-or-miss. Gotta put Animal Man on my bucket list though...

22) Daredevil: Born Again (Marvel)

Finally, something familiar. Frank Miller did a fantastic job retelling DD's origin and filling in some blanks with pizzazz. Do yourselves a favor - own this, and skip the five-part Miller-written Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. It reads like the 1999 Special Edition release of Star Wars in that there's too much unnecessary filler crap. Born Again came first and is lean and mean. Good Stuff!

21)  Fables (DC/Vertigo)

I made the mistake of trying Grimm Fairy Tales by Zenoscope first. Total crap, and that put me off all fairy tale themed stuff. If I get a chance to snag a trade at a convention, I'll give it a try.

20) Y: The Last Man (DC/Vertigo)

I've heard many a good thing about this series, and there was rumor at one time about this becoming a television/cable series. Haven't read an issue, but I'd give the show a shot.

19) Bone (Cartoon Books, Image, Scholastic)

Nope. Reminds me too much of Cerebus, and I'm not sure why. But I will say that anything comic-book related that gets a nod from Scholastic is okay with me. Kids need to read comics. Period.

18) The Killing Joke (DC)

Yesssss. I'm sure this is just one of Alan Moore's masterpieces to make this list, but it's a damned good one. The Joker's Post-Crisis origin told for the first time. This is one of those books I want Adorkette to read...but am uncomfortable with her reading, if that makes any sense.

17) Daytripper (DC/Vertigo)

Don't know a thing about it. Can't help ya. Movin' on...

16) Sin City (Dark Horse)

See, here's the problem with lists like this. You've got single issue stories, storylines within a series, and entire series on the same list. But this isn't my list, so I'll shut up. Sin City is Miller's masterpiece. His stories, told his way, drawn by him. I haven't read them all yet, but definitely worth the time.

15) All-Star Superman (DC)

 Haven't read it. The whole All-Star thing just put me off thanks to...yes...Miller.

14) X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills

This is the second Marvel Graphic Novel I ever read...after The Death of Captain Marvel...and it reads like a Bryan Singer movie. I've got an original printing of this, with the smaller image above as the cover. It's all bent to hell...and I'm never giving it up.

13) Swamp Thing (DC/Vertigo)

Haven't read an issue...of Alan Moore's run, but I do have his first appearance in DC's Showcase Pressents: House of Secrets. The bucket list grows...

12) Essex County (Top Shelf Productions)

Nope. Can't help you.

11) Marvels (Marvel)

This was my introduction to Alex Ross. Holy S#!T is this guy good. When I die, if I find myself in this version of the Marvel Universe, I'd be okay with it...

10) Hellblazer (DC/Vertigo)

What is it with DC/Vertigo? Anyway, I haven't read much of this series - maybe one trade last summer. It was okay, but this seems like a series that needs to be read from the beginning. There's nothing wrong with that, but it makes trying new titles difficult. Especially at the local library. (By the way, tell me that image doesn't look like Malcolm McDowell...)

9) American Splendor (self-published, Dark Horse, DC)

Haven't read any and not really interested to be honest, but I acknowledge Pekar's genius, talent and impact. Not my cup of tea, but rightfully deserves to be on this list.

8) Ghost World (Fantagraphics Books)

Another important work that I haven't read. I've read Generation X (the novel by Douglas Coupland) and lived through it, so I don't feel a need to read this. However, the film version had Scarlett Johansson in it so, there's that.

7) V for Vendetta (Quality Comics, DC/Vertigo)

I read this series last summer. I saw the film years ago. I understand what Moore was saying, but this didn't do anything for me. You have to be in the right frame of mind to truly get this story and I guess I just wasn't. Admittedly, the same can be said for Watchmen, but the difference there is that I wanted to re-read Watchmen and therefore found more on subsequent reads. I'm sure that's true here, but my desire to re-read V is non-existent.

6) Transmetropolitan (DC/Vertigo/Helix)

Warren Ellis, like Grant Morrison, is a hit-or-miss writer to me. Here, Ellis didn't hit just "hit", he smacked the s#!t out of it, picked it up, threw it in the air...and smacked the s#!t out of it again. This is the one series I started reading recently and will go out of my way to buy every single issue of. Okay, maybe trades instead of issues, but I am hooked! You will be too.

5) Preacher (DC/Vertigo)

This is another series I started last summer. It's good, but just not good enough for me to continue reading. I'm sure I'd like something by Garth Ennis, but this isn't it.

4) The Dark Knight Returns (DC)

Another Miller masterpiece, but again do yourself a favor and skip The Dark Knight Comes Back...or whatever the sequel's called.

3) Sandman (DC/Vertigo)

Neil Gaiman. Wow. My one gripe is that I hated the end of the series. Not how I wanted it to end. At all.

2) Watchmen (DC/Vertigo)

Buy it. Read it. Re-read it. Repeat.

1) Maus (Raw, Pantheon Books)

This is The Diary of Anne Frank of comics. A harsh...at times graphic...look at this time in history. Powerful. Emotional. So much so I could only read the first volume.

Again, not my list but a respectable one.