Me Geek, You Geek

I can hear men screaming across the net.  They're all telling me not to ask this question.  But I must.  And I especially want to hear Cassandra's thoughts on this.

Let me set it up for you...

I was recently on vacation (the reason for no recent posts) and I went into the local comic book store (which was stellar) and found a copy of DC's: The Final Frontier Vol. 1.  A good read, which I am still enjoying.

Anyway, on the cover there is a very non-sexy picture of Wonder Woman.  And by non-sexy I'm not saying that Wondie should be sexy all the time, but just want you to know that she isn't drawn by Adam ("The Boob Man") Hughes. 

As I was flipping through it, a woman (who will remain nameless and I respect very much) walks by and says something to the akin of, "Niiiice", referring to the portrayal of a buxom Wondie on the cover. 

So this woman, who I respect dearly and who is not overly sensitive to media exploitation of woman, sees me holding a comic and on the cover notices one woman in a group of 15 other heroes, who doesn't even look that sexy and jumps to the conclusion that the woman character is just the product of sexist pig men drawing titillating pics of female characters.  She was actually disgusted by it.

So I flip the cover over to look at it and without thinking much about it say, "It's Wonder Woman."

To my surprise she immediately retracts her snide remark and accepts that it's okay, without even relooking at the cover.

So my question is...

Why does Wonder Woman get a pass? 

If it would have been a lesser known heroine (like say Power Girl, Witchblade, or Black Cat) the scoff would have continued.  And let's face it, most people know Wonder Woman from the old television show which was, to put it mildly, high in sexual UMPH. Just take a look at the picture above and you will notice Wondie's "cups runneth over".  Indeed.

So to all you woman out there, why does Wondie get a pass?

Labels: Comics, DC Comics

Posted by Jon at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

So I was browsing through some articles, catching up on some stuff I had missed the last couple days, and I came across a short little story that detailed and explored the new partnership between Marvel Comics, Crocs and Fruit of the Loom.

All this seems fine and dandy, in fact, seems wonderful.  The more comic book product we can flood the market with, the more comic book characters  enter the mainstream.  And what's more mainstream than being on kids skivvies and feet?

But I was reading through the article and came to this paragraph (source: Superherohype.com:)

Pursuant to the new multi-year licensing agreement, Fruit of the Loom will develop and manufacture children's underwear lines based on several premier Marvel character franchises. Fruit of the Loom will initially create product lines based on the upcoming Marvel Studios feature films Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. It has also obtained the rights to develop products inspired by a diverse range of Marvel heroes and villains including: Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America, Daredevil, Thor, Fantastic, Four Black Panther, Blade, Doctor Octopus, Dr. Strange, Elektra, Green Goblin, Nick Fury, Punisher, Silver Surfer, Venom and Sandman.

Daredevil, Blade, Elektra, and Punisher on kids undies?  Huh?  Daredevil I can deal with because he's my favorite, and well, he's a hero.  But I bet there will be some moms out there that think putting a devil (not knowing the character, or not liking Ben Affleck) in their son's pants is a bad idea, puberty comes fast enough.  And c'mon, the Punisher?  Toting guns and killin' folks?  Elektra (I assume they would be using Greg Horn art like they do with all other Elektra merchandise)?  Elektra, with her cleavage exposed on a 7 year olds underwear?  I can definitely see Spidey, Bats, Supes, maybe even Flash or the Hulk....but the Punisher or Elektra?  Yeah right.

And here's my request if they do Thor underwear. The image of him should be right on the back of the underwear so it's worn on the kids's derriere and the text should read, "Thor!  The Ass-Guardian!"

Perfection... 

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Graded "M" for "Meh".

Well, like everything else, the product doesn't live up the hype.  I was jazzed and pumped about World War Hulk beginning from the moment I heard about it.  Bart and I spent several shows talking about how great of a story this was gonna be.  I was ready, he was ready, you were ready.

And then it came out.

First of all, why in the world, if the Hulk was coming back as pissed as he is, why in the world would only Tony Stark go after him?  Why?  Because of his ego and his "this is my responsibility" attitude?  I'd send the entire freaking Marvel U at him and take it from there.  Or, as Bart and I talked about, throw the freaking Sentry at him.  The Hulk always calms down around the Sentry.  And while they talk about doing this, Iron Man still needs to take his "shot" at him first.

And what is with the continuity problems?  Is this not taking place during post Civil War times?  Spidey and the New Avengers gang is helping out S.H.I.E.L.D like it's no big thing.  They try to make this work by writing some dialogue about how since this is such a major event they won't be going after the unregistered heroes, but then the Hulk coming down doesn't end up being that major of an event.  Iron Man goes after him in the Hulk Buster armor that looks ridiculous....hrmmm.

I have to stop...disappointment is wearing me out.

House of M. Civil War. Back in Black. World War Hulk. 

Oh well...at least these storylines are getting mass media attention.  Tell me what you thought about this first issue.

Labels: Comic Book Reviews, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

So I was reading Brave and the Bold #1 from Mark Waid and George Perez (I know, I'm behind on some titles).  It's a good read, but what Mark Waid and George Perez book isn't? 

What I really thought was the ode to the "Atomic batteries to power.  Turbines to speed." line that was in the Batman TV show (yes the campy one...it was fun!).  What I really liked about it was that it made sense in the story...he remotely voice activated the Batmobile (it always sounds silly using that name for a car) to burn the face of a huge monstrosity that was holding the car.

Here's the proof in case you missed it.

Classic.

Labels: Comics, DC Comics

Posted by Jon at 9:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

If you aren't reading this title you should be.  It's The Immortal Iron Fist by Ed Brubaker (Cap killer), Matt Fraction and art by David Aja.  David is the reason for this short and sweet little post.  Check out this page of Issue #3.

Now that my geeky brethren is sequential storytelling!

Click on the image for a bigger, better version.

And since I am a DD fan, here is some of David's art on old Hornhead:

For more of his art, check out the David Aja website!

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I guess everything and everyone has to grow up.  I guess it's just something that we have to learn to deal with.

I just always assumed Mary Marvel (from the Captain Marvel family...SHAZAM!) would stay looking like this:

But upon reading the recent issue of DC's Countdown (which is a pretty darn good read so far) Mary now looks like this:

Sigh...

And if you thought the above picture sported a short skirt, wait until you see this gem I found on this fad they call the internet:

Is nothing sacred?!

Me Geek, You Geek Tip of The Year: If you go online and type in "Mary Marvel" into Google, make sure the filth filters are on (or at least no one is looking over your shoulder).  My heavens this is a strange world we live in.

Labels: Comics

Posted by Jon at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I was just watching the old boob tube (that's television, not some XXX rated website...nowadays you have to be specific) and saw the new Circuit City commercial for Father's Day.

In this commercial, a father, his wife and his daughter are standing in front of their overturned car.  It's scorched and destroyed.  He says, "Let me get this straight.  There was a silver guy on a surfer board, soaring through the air being chased by fire?"

Funny.

Many, many comic book fans like to rip on these comic book movies (Ahem.  Bart...I'm talking to you) and I'll admit I'm usually right there with them. 

But, as I was watching Sportscenter, which I would assume is not the same population that goes into the comic shops on Wednesday (although they have their own geekiness when it comes to Fantasy Leagues, etc).  But here they are, being shown a commercial (and upcoming movie) featuring characters that you and I have been reading for years.  Forget Spider-Man, Superman and Bats, everyone knows them.  But now people know about Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four, Elektra, and Silver Surfer (geesh...catch up DC...no one remembers Steel).  And while I admit that most of these lesser known movies weren't the greatest, hell, weren't that good at all, they continue to flood the "normal" population with our favorite characters! 

After all, that is a good thing.

BTW, Ghost Rider comes out on DVD soon...go preorder it be following the link:

Posted by Jon at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I have been a pretty vocal critic of J. Michael Straczynski and his writing on Amazing Spider-Man and his stint on Fantastic Four.  I loved Midnight Nation and Rising Stars (at least the first dozen or so issues).  But what he did with Spider-Man (Green Goblin and Gwen getting it on and having kids, the whole mythology crap that made Peter destined to become Spidey, etc.) had me pretty terse regarding his work in the Marvel U.

So it was with some trepidation that I ordered his Silver Surfer: Requiem and his upcoming Thor relaunch.  I don't know why I give him more chances, but in this case I'm glad I did.

This four issue mini has an interesting premise to it.  The Surfer, who has just realized, with the help of Reed Richards, that his cosmic power is fading and he is dying, comes to earth to spend his time with the earthlings who helped him regain his nobility. At the end of the issue he says he is going back to Zenn-La, but the cover of #2...

...has him spending some quality time with Spidey, so it appears that he is sticking around on the 3rd rock from the sun.

What really got me hooked in this first issue is the art.  Esad Ribic has been brilliant on many Marvel covers, but working on something as sleek and stylish as the Surfer seems to be a perfect fit for his talent.  His art brings the majesty that Alex Ross brought to "Marvels" so many years ago.  I am eagerly anticipating the Silver Surfer's run in with Spidey (although Spidey is in a bit of a funk right now in his own books).

Anyway, this is a must read so get your hands on a copy, if for nothing else then the art work.

Here's another gorgeous shot for you to look at...

And here are the Surfer books you should be reading.  I just have started re-reading the first volume of Stan's work and it holds up better than any of his other works, Spidey and FF included.  Indulge yourself in the trade.  Go on...

Posted by Jon at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Kiki's Delivery Service.  My Neighbor Totoro.  Porco Rosso.  Whisper of the Heart.  The Cat Returns.  And of course, Spirited Away. 

All classic anime films (and I'm not an anime buff by any means).

While I was reading through one of Cassandra's posts I saw she linked to some sites with some Studio Ghibli products.  I have been looking all over for some of these products for my daughter (she's a bigger fan than me...Kiki's being her favorite).  So it was great to come across this site called Jbox.com.

Time to get out the credit card....

Look at some of these great products.

For more on Studio Ghibli check out their site.

Posted by Jon at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I just got done reading Shazam #4 from DC comics, circa 1973.  I was thoroughly enjoying the issue until I came upon the page I scanned in below.  Now grant it, when we read this 1973 page in the year 2007, we're bound to be more cynical.  We're bound to look at this and say, "What the #*@&!"  And I'm not saying that's a good thing, I'm just saying...

Well, see for yourself.

"Hey look Billy, in the magic mirror...I see you and I driving away in my car?  Where to you ask?  Don't worry about it Billy."

"Hey Billy, I can see into the future.  But only when I'm touching you.  How would you like to be my partner?  In what you ask?  In "various things."  Let's go somewhere and celebrate."

Man I wish the world was such an innocent place that I could read something like this and not think twice about it.

But alas I cannot. 

Posted by Jon at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post