More Absolutes

I reviewed Absolute Batman vols. 1 and 2 around a month ago.  Needless to say it made quite an impression.  It remains my favorite of the Absolute comics that I've read so far.

I recently read more of the Absolute titles, and what you see below are my thoughts on each.  I've ranked these titles from most to least liked.  Here we go!

1. Absolute Wonder Woman vols. 1 and 2 by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman and Others.

Man, there are some great moments in this series.  There are things that bring a smile to your face, and things that feel gratifying.  I found myself very invested in this version of an oft over-complicated character, and I was glad they could give her a fresh start.

With Wonder Woman there are often uneasy compromises between Greek mythology, the modern world, modern attitudes, and a tendency to (over) sexualize the character.  Kelly Thompson obviates any such compromises by putting Diana solidly within Greco-Roman mythology, and by asserting her presence in the modern world as if it were a self-evident fact. 

Steve Trevor, however, seems like a character cut out from a rom-com.  Even so this is a small complaint, and moreover one that could be addressed in future issues.  He only needs some tiny flaw to make him more convincing.

There has been criticism that this title features too much exposition in its later issues.  I'd agree with that.  Some of these later issues do need a little less "tell" and a lot more "show."

2. Absolute Martian Manhunter vol. 1 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez and Others

Javier Rodriguez is, as of now, my favorite artist.  The story which unfolds in Absolute Martian Manhunter is a little confusing at times, but I suppose that was to some extent the point.  I really enjoyed the battle between the two heavies near the end, and the contrast between John Jones and his alien counterpart is very compelling.

I wonder, however, if the writer didn't paint himself into a corner with this one.  How would it continue?  How would this character/storyline blend with others?  As it is it seems more like a pocket universe within the larger Absolute continuity, and with vol. 1's tale told I'm not sure what more there is to say about the character.

3. Absolute Green Lantern vol. 1 by Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay and Others

I am not now nor have I ever been a big Green Lantern fan.  I always thought his (and it's usually a "his") powers were a little silly.  And don't get me started on all the different colors of the spectrum and the related nonsense.  To me all those differently colored lanterns are just a step removed from the Speed Force so often invoked in more recent Flash comics.

And yet I loved this series.  Volume 1 (I haven't yet read Volume 2) offers a great mythos on which to build future adventures, and even if Green Lantern's mythos isn't quite as good (or consistent) as Wonder Woman's it's still very well thought out and promises many good stories in the future.

I doubt Absolute Batman will be dethroned anytime soon, but I could see Absolute Green Lantern supplanting Absolute Wonder Woman a few issues down the line.  It replaces an old system of magic with a new one, sure, but the new system is WAY cooler.

4. Absolute Superman by...?

I've only read bits of this one online, but what I read seemed very political and heavy-handed.  I may return to it in the future.

I'm not a big fan of Jason Aaron though.  I doubt my opinion of this series will change much upon further readings.

5. Absolute Flash by...?

What a disappointment.  As in the case of Absolute Superman I've only read parts of this series, but nothing I've read has impressed me.  The Flash is my all-time favorite superhero, and I think the Absolute line let him down.

Part of my problem with Absolute Flash is that there is a definite hole in the Absolute line up that could have been filled by this title.  In Absolute Batman you've got VIOLENCE, in Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Green Lantern you've got magic, and in Absolute Martian Manhunter you've got a kind of surreal psychology that acts as a counterpoint to what's going on in Absolute Batman.  Absolute Flash could have rounded out this collection by being a more science-oriented title, crafting a more rational/scientific world around a character with impossible abilities.

But no, they didn't do that.  Not really.

Bonus points for NO Speed Force however, at least not yet.  That's a welcome change.

6. Absolute Catwoman by...?

Haven't read any of these.  Could be interesting.

7. Absolute Green Arrow by...?

Haven't read any of these either.  Cool costume though.  There's always something a little silly about heroes walking around with bows and arrows in a world full of machine guns, but hey, maybe the creators manage to make that particular trope convincing.

8. Other Titles

Again, haven't read any.  There are several one-shots and the DC All-In Special which inaugurated the line.

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Absolute Batman Vols. 1 and 2 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta (2025 and 2026)

This Batman, described as a "genius of violence" by none other than this comic book universe's Alfred Pennyworth, is a lot more badass than the Batman you're probably used to.

Is he rich?  No, he was born poor, in Crime Alley, where he developed several lasting friendships with people who were, in "normal" DC continuity, his adversaries.

Does he have a chip on his shoulder?  Yes, he does, but for different reasons.  In the Absolute universe his father, a teacher, was killed during a school field trip, and his mother is still living.

Are bats relevant to his becoming a masked vigilante?  Yes, but not in the same way.  Instead of falling into a cave full of bats on his parents' estate, he gets pushed into the bat house during a shooting which leads to his father's death, and he never develops the same fixation on that animal.

Is he an unassuming, normal-looking guy outside of his costumed adventures?  In a way yes, in another way no.  He does work a regular job, but he's also a HUGE individual - hulking even - with an interest in things like poker and boxing.

Is he the world's greatest detective?  Not in the conventional sense, no.  This Batman is more of a strategist ready to get his hands dirty.  What he wages against Gotham's criminal element is more of a war with serious casualties, and he has zero qualms about taking lives in the process.

Does he have a Robin?  Lord I hope not.  The Wikipedia entry detailing his exploits in volume 3 (which I have yet to read) mentions that the Absolute Deathstroke makes an appearance with "an army of Robins" later on.  I sincerely hope Robin isn't introduced as part of a lame attempt to tone this character down and/or make him more "relatable."

How about his rogue's gallery?  Scott Snyder has, I think, made them all better.  Gone are the more cartoonish adversaries of yesteryear, to be replaced by truly terrifying individuals acting out nearly unimaginable levels of trauma.  The Bane of this series is SCARY, and even relatively minor villains such as Black Mask are very sinister.

By this point Absolute Batman represents over a third of the Absolute Universe's total revenue.  I totally get this.  I've read bits of Absolute Superman, Absolute Martian Manhunter and Absolute Flash, and Absolute Batman outshines them all in terms of consistency, attention to detail and sheer badassery.  

It should also be said that volume 2 far outshines volume 1 in terms of awesomeness.  If you've only read volume 1 and wondered what the big deal was, I highly encourage going back and reading volume 2 immediately.  Volume 2 is METAL, upping the ante considerably on all the weirdness hinted at in volume 1.

I plan on reading volume 3 later this summer.  For that matter I'd like to take another pass at Absolute Martian Manhunter (which I enjoyed) and track down Absolute Wonder Woman, which I haven't read yet.  At this point in time DC is BURYING Marvel in terms of comic book sales, and for evidence one need look no farther than the two trade paperbacks discussed here.

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Comic Book Interlude 1

Barring unforeseen baseball games, camping trips, concerts, and other such distractions I plan on reading A LOT of comic books in the next few weeks!

Bone: Rose

Magic, and dragons, and princesses.  The story is pretty dumb, but the art is just pretty.  Apparently this comic series has won awards, so maybe I just read the wrong part of the series.  As it is, this one is quite silly.

Battling Boy

A godlike boy descends to the world of mortals to do battle with monsters.  The story's rather uncomplicated, but I think the author might be building up to something good.  The art is very quirky - in a good way.

Captain America: Two Americas

Following the conclusion of Civil War, Bucky takes over as Captain America while Steve Rogers recovers from his "death" at the hands of the Red Skull.  Shortly thereafter Steve's doppelganger resurfaces in Idaho, at the head of a group of survivalists/insurgents.  It's a great comic - well drawn and well written.

Batman: Through the Looking Glass

A retelling of "Through the Looking Glass" (Alice in Wonderland) via Batman.  The Mad Hatter slips Bruce Wayne some 'shrooms at a dinner party, and the result is a surreal trip through Gotham's sewer system.  This one is pretty good.

Brightest Day - Birds of Prey: End Run

Not really sure what the purpose of this comic was.  For guys to stroke themselves over?  For people to read?  Despite writer Gail Simone being (gasp) a woman, the female characters in this comic book are incomprehensible.  They cry and have "girl feelings," but their emotional displays are either out of context or out of character.

The Brave and the Bold - The Lords of Luck

A well-written comic by Mark Waid and George Perez.  Every time I see Perez's art I instantly feel about eight years old.  The dialogue is snappy and it's well plotted.  Sure, some of the time travel elements make no sense, but then again they rarely do.

Batman Vs. Superman, Superman Vs. Batman...

Anyone who's read this blog more than once probably recognizes my fondness for both superheroes and superhero films.  In this I am like many other guys my age.

Ever since Man of Steel came out, there's been talk of its sequel, which we now know will also feature Batman.  Who's in it, who's not in it, who's directing it, who's writing it, etc., etc., etc.  I've been doing my best to stay abreast of the rumors (and most of them are just that, rumors), and I have a few thoughts on the subject that I'd like to share.

1. The General Premise

So soon after Marvel's The Avengers, a Justice League movie would be too much to absorb.  We need an interim movie to bridge the gap.  If they can find a believable, interesting Batman to go with the Superman they've already created, we'll have a movie that very effectively leads us into the Justice League.  

As great as Christian Bale was in Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, I don't think his particular take on Batman would work in the context of Superman.  For "Batman Vs. Superman", we need the kind of Batman that created Brother Eye, the kind of Batman who keeps secret files on EVERYONE, and the kind of Batman who is smart enough to stay several steps ahead of everyone else.

2. How it Relates to Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns"

The earliest announcement of this movie featured a cast member from Man of Steel, quoting a line from Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns.  As comic book fans everywhere are aware, The Dark Knight Returns was perhaps the most celebrated comic book series of the 1980s, and moreover a series that redefined Batman as a character.  

The use of the quote leads one to think that Batman and Superman will be at each others' throats in some fashion, with an older Batman outsmarting Superman near the end.  While I would love a movie adaptation of one of my all-time favorite comic books, they are obviously going to adapt elements of Miller's story to the world already established in Man of Steel.  Miller has been called in to advise on this project, so I am hopeful that any elements from his comic book will be handled well.

3. Zack Snyder

Zack Snyder just isn't as consistent a film maker as Christopher Nolan.  This point should be fairly obvious.  I thought Watchmen was great, I liked the Dawn of the Dead remake, and I even thought 300 had certain points in its favor.  For all his decent films, however, there is Sucker Punch.

At his worst, he is all style and very little substance.  Man of Steel had a good first half, but the second half of the movie degenerated into a WWE Smackdown.  Altogether it was OK, but it could have been a lot better.  I think that if we get the careful "Watchmen Snyder" we'll get a good movie.  If we get the flashy "Sucker Punch Snyder" then this thing will be a disaster.

4. David Goyer

Yes, he wrote the Dark Knight Trilogy.  But yes, he's written a lot of bad films.  I think his presence is largely irrelevant.  If the director handles his script well, it will be good.  If the director handles his script badly....

5. Henry Cavill

He's a good actor, and a great Superman.  I'm happy he's coming back for the sequel.

6. Ben Affleck

My first thought was: "Really?  The guy from Daredevil?"  But he has directed and starred in some good films since, so maybe it won't be as bad as all that.  He's certainly a good actor, and if the story's solid I'm sure he will make a convincing Batman.  

I just find it strange that he's involved with this project.  After Daredevil bombed, wasn't he quoted as saying that he wouldn't even consider a project unless the script is solid?  This movie doesn't even have a script yet!

7. The Possibility of Robin Appearing

Please no.  Robin is a relic of a time when all superheroes needed to have younger sidekicks, or stand-ins for an adolescent readership.  Believing in a grown man who dresses up as a bat is hard enough.  But a younger boy at his side, dressed up as a bird?  In a pair of speedos?

8. Cameos by Other Superheroes

Some speculate that Wonder Woman might appear in this movie.  It would be difficult to make such a cameo work, and Wonder Woman is the one superhero(ine) who really, really deserves her own movie.  I'm hoping they don't waste her on this one.

If Warner Bros. is really going ahead with The Flash film, then it is also possible that he might appear in this movie as a teaser.  Given the Flash's alter-ego as "police scientist," this might be more in keeping with an attempt at realism.  Any display of his powers, however, would be distracting.

Either way, I doubt that either character could be easily incorporated into the film.  Batman is so grounded in "realism," and bringing him into contact with a Superman will be a feat in itself.  Why complicate the issue with other superheroes?

9. Potential Villains (If There are Any)

Lex Luthor is inevitably mentioned.  But why?  In the presence of a supersmart Batman - the kind of Batman that this movie needs, Lex Luthor seems redundant.  

I can't see how a villain is necessary for this movie, and I think it would be better to let the audience take sides.  This element - moral ambiguity - is one element from the Nolan films that ought to be preserved.

10. How Successful it Might Be

That's the big question, isn't it?  I'm thinking that it will be moderately successful, but far from earth-shatteringly so.  The novelty is going to sell a lot of advanced screening tickets, but the script and especially the direction will need to be really, really good if we're going to see a blockbuster.  My guess is that it will enjoy a huge opening weekend, but lack the staying power that The Avengers is STILL enjoying.

11. What it Might Bode for the Future DC Cinematic Universe

Of course if it does moderately well we'll see that Justice League movie, possibly with Ben Affleck or Zack Snyder directing.  If it tanks?  I predict that The Flash will either be scaled down or disappear altogether, and that Warner Bros. might just decide that the superhero movie game is best left to Marvel, Fox, and Sony.  I hope it does well, just because I am dying to see a Flash movie.

12. Marvel, Fox's X-men, and Sony's Spider-man

Let us not forget the competition.  This movie is due out in 2015, when several other superheroes are also due to hit theaters.  By that time "Batman Vs. Superman" will be squaring off against The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, and a rebooted Fantastic Four... which, by the way, will exist in the same film universe as the X-men films.  Sony's Spider-man will sit 2015 out, though a third (sixth?) film is scheduled for 2016.

Which is not to mention the Star Wars sequel, a movie that will be rocking our worlds the same year. 2015 is a big year for movies, and "Batman Vs. Superman" will be facing some stiff competition.

"Superman [and] Batman: Public Enemies" by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

This limited series was recently adapted into an animated feature which I have yet to see.  Say what you like about Warner Bros. strategy for creating a "DC Cinematic Universe" - the fact remains that they've been working overtime when it comes to cartoons.  I saw the "Flashpoint Paradox" cartoon not long ago, and I was surprised by its level of quality.

In "Public Enemies," Superman and Batman team up to foil a plan by President Lex Luthor.  Jeph Loeb tries very hard to draw parallels between the two heroes, and to provide situations in which their abilities compliment one another.  Loeb certainly shows a lot of versatility as a comic book writer, and what one sees in "Public Enemies" is VERY different from Loeb's work on "Red Hulk" or "The Long Halloween."

I'm not a huge fan of Ed McGuinness's art.  He is obviously very competent, but I can't help but compare him to Tim Sale, who drew the introductory chapter to this series.  I realize that comparing Sale and McGuinness is like comparing apples to oranges, but I can't help but think that McGuinness sacrifices style for the sake of technique, where Sale is all about style.  In the long run, I think, style wins.

I'm also wondering if Zack Snyder has read this comic.  Given that "Batman Vs. Superman" is now (officially) in the works, series such as this one might well provide a template for any script based on the two characters.  The Justice League and supervillains could easily be excised from the plot, and what you'd be left with is a solid drama about two heroes learning to work together as a duo.  This, in turn, would set up the future "Justice League" quite nicely.

The DC Cinematic Univerise - July 2013

I'll begin by referring you to this article in The Huffington Post, which is just reiterating an earlier article in The Hollywood Reporter.

Thanks to the phenomenal success of "Man of Steel", it looks like plans for the DC Cinematic Universe are well underway.

Warner Bros. is now planning to feature Batman in the 2015 sequel to "Man of Steel".  As to whether the two heroes will be friends or adversaries remains to be seen, but Zack Snyder's use of a quote from Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" leads one to believe that the relationship between the two will be an ambiguous one.  While "World's Finest" is often mentioned as a possible title for this Superman/Batman sequel, I really hope the studio goes with something a bit more understated.

Better still, The Flash is set to appear in his own feature film in 2016.  I am very excited about this development, and I am eager to see what a (hopefully) good director and a good script can do for this character.  It is somewhat unfortunate that Quicksilver (Marvel's Flash clone) is likely to appear in Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and the next X-men film, but I'll take what I can get.  If Warner Bros. is on the ball, they will avoid making The Flash too similar to whatever Joss Whedon will be doing.

Then, in 2017, we should finally see the Justice League hit the big screen.  It seems a bit strange to do this in the absence of at least a Wonder Woman film, but I can understand their hurry.  Marvel Studios is already one film into its "Phase 2", and DC has only just started their own cinematic universe.

A Justice League Movie

At this point in time, any discussion of Warner Brother's Justice League movie is pure speculation.  Yes, they do seem to be moving towards a 2015 release date, and yes, they do have a guy writing the script, but neither of these facts add up to proof that the Justice League will hit theaters any time in the near future.  Those who doubt this claim need only look into the history of this project, and also of the failed Justice League TV pilot.  The future of any DC cinematic universe is far from certain, and will depend in large part upon how the Marvel movies fare in the near future.

I, for one, would love to see a Justice League movie.  But I grew up on DC comics, and the (Barry Allen) Flash has always been one of my favorite comic book characters.  I think it would be great to see the Superfriends finally hit the big screen, even if the odds of this project succeeding are LOW.  Again, one need only investigate George Miller's failed attempt to bring the JLA to theaters.  Up until the writer's strike, even that film - which would have preceded Marvel's Avengers by several years - seemed inevitable.

And then there is the oft-mentioned Batman Vs. Superman movie, an advertisement for which can be glimpsed in the movie I Am Legend.  That movie was also much closer to actual production, and would have been a much safer bet.  It also self-destructed.

 So I wouldn't count on a Justice League movie appearing any time soon, but this isn't to say it won't happen.  Maybe the people at Warner Bros. really will get their act together, and do this thing right - and soon.  But I won't count my chickens just yet.  The Man of Steel might well tank at the box office, or the Marvel movies might suffer from our collective "superhero fatigue."  In either event a Justice League movie will be less likely.

It's fun to speculate, however.  The field is still wide open as far as this movie is concerned, and at this point no one knows if Zack Snyder's Man of Steel will even tie into this film at all.  What follow are some points to consider.

1. "Dark" or humorous?

With the unsurprising success of Chris Nolan's "Dark Knight Rises," most people are betting that this movie will be "dark" and "gritty."  This would form a nice contrast with the humorous tone of The Avengers, though it is far from certain that this "darker" take on the Justice League would work.  "Darker" implies "more realistic," and while this tone would compliment the upcoming Man of Steel, one wonders just how "gritty" you can make a movie about a Kryptonian, an Amazon princess, and a guy who dresses up like a bat.  If they go for a Nolan-style Justice League, I think they're going to have to make heroes like Superman much less powerful, and also tone down elements of their back story.  The clash between Superman and Batman alone would be a difficult obstacle to overcome.

2. What characters will be in it?

I think most people would agree that it's not the Justice League without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.  Other characters are debatable, though you would definitely need more than three people to make a league.

The Flash seems like a no-brainer, but then there is the question of how powerful he ought to be.  The Barry Allen Flash, at the height of his power, could both run at the speed of light and vibrate his molecules through solid objects.  If he were that powerful, could even Superman touch him?

The Green Lantern also seems likely, but given the limited success of the Green Lantern film, it will be necessary to reinvent him.  I am all for going with the John Stewart version of the character.  We need to see more actors of color in these things, and I have always found John Stewart easier to relate to.

Other characters are open to debate.  I think Aquaman could be viable, but then you'd have to explain Atlantis.  He might work if the film had an "environmental" angle to it, but then again people might confuse him with Marvel's Namor.

For that matter, the Martian Manhunter would be even more problematic, in that you'd have two aliens on the same team, and both of them super-powerful to boot.  I've also never found the Manhunter to be an interesting character, and his vulnerability to fire is just lame.

Captain Marvel might work, and might be an interesting contrast to Superman.  He could even start the movie as the villain, or at least an ambiguous presence.  Putting the "insane" Captain Marvel from DC's "52" into a Justice League movie could work wonders.  This would also be an opportunity to introduce Black Adam.

Captain Atom might work even better, especially if you were trying to make this movie more "scientific."  Captain Atom opens the door to many quantum explanations of what is going on.  Anyone who fails to see this should see the movie Watchmen.  Dr. Manhattan is a direct adaptation of Captain Atom.

Other characters?  Well the Green Arrow is out.  He would just remind people of Hawkeye from The Avengers, and the Black Canary will just remind people of Black Widow.  Cyborg might be an interesting and slightly more believable alternative, even if I'm tired of "black" superheroes getting hidden behind CGI or prostheses.  Hawkman would probably be the worst choice - it would be hard to get those wings right.

3. What will the plot look like?

If I was the world's mightiest mortal, or at least the guy writing the script, I'd avoid bogging the thing down with origin stories.  It would be exceptionally hard to tell anyone's origin story in a new and exciting way, and our suspension of disbelief will be greater if we are placed right in the thick of the action.

I would suggest a cast of characters that already know of one another's existence, with origins alluded to through dialogue.  Nothing would ruin a movie like this faster than trying to explain everything.  Marvel took five whole movies just to build up to The Avengers, and that movie wouldn't have worked half as well if The Avengers had come out before Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man II, Thor, and Captain America.  What Warner Bros. needs to do is cut to the chase, and perhaps leave some details to future movies.  This would also enhance interest in the plot, in that leaving the audience with a few questions always makes a film deeper.

As for any general plot outline, I wouldn't try that here.  I do think there are a few examples from the comics that might work well in a movie.  One is DC's Kingdom Come, in which an aging Superman emerges from retirement.  Another is Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, which also features several members of the Justice League.

A third option would be "The Flash of Two Worlds" storyline from The Flash comic books.  This is the storyline that originated the "DC multiverse" concept, and it would be a fascinating idea to explore in a film.  Each member of the Justice League might originate in a parallel universe, with different versions of the same character coexisting in the same multiverse.  I think this could be a lot of fun, and more importantly, it would differentiate the DC properties from what Marvel is doing.

Just imagine!  Not only do we get the "new" Batman, but also the Michael Keaton version!  Or the Adam West version!  Or the Brandon Routh version of Superman, alongside the Henry Cavill version!  You wouldn't even need the same actors, though that would certainly make it more fun.

4. Who will direct it?

There have been rumors to the effect that both Ben Affleck and the Wachowskis have been approached.  I think Affleck is too new to directing, and I wouldn't want anyone associated with the Daredevil fiasco directing the Justice League.

The Wachowskis, while responsible for the disastrous Speed Racer, might not be a bad choice.  They have one of the most-imitated sci-fi/action movies of all time to their credit, and they definitely know how to do this kind of movie.

5. Name actors or unknowns?

I think name actors would be a distraction.  Marvel has had great success casting relative unknowns in starring roles, and I see no reason why DC shouldn't follow suit.  Besides, a Justice League movie starring the likes of Dicaprio or Will Smith is likely to break the bank.

I still think, however, that Ryan Reynolds would have made a great Flash.  Unfortunately he has already been Green Lantern and Deadpool.  High time to drop his name from consideration.

6. The villain?

This all depends on how powerful they're going to make the Justice League.  Judging by the Man of Steel trailers, Superman can at least fly at supersonic speed, so any adversary or adversaries they face off against would have to be fairly powerful.  Darkseid is an easy, obvious choice, but he might be too similar to The Avenger's Thanos.   An interesting approach might be to have a League member start off as the adversary, with perhaps a still greater threat waiting in the wings.

This is a tough one for me, especially considering that my favorite DC villain is Superboy Prime!

7. How much do most people really want to see this film?

That, I think, is the billion-dollar question.  It all depends on how Snyder's Man of Steel does at the local multiplex.  If it upstages or even approaches the success of The Avengers, then I think the anticipation behind this one will be quite high.  It might even be that people are tired of the Marvel cinematic universe by the time Avengers 2 rolls around, and the Justice League will be a welcome alternative.

DC/Warner Bros. will just have to roll the dice on this one.  If they are seriously aiming for a 2015 release, then this movie will have to enter production before the Man of Steel hits theaters.  This would be a big gamble.  Marvel was very careful about building up the connections between its films, and DC would only have one movie on which to build something just as big - if not bigger.

"Batman: Fortunate Son" by Gerard Jones and Gene Ha

As far as I'm concerned, any Batman comic that also features Robin has a mark against it.  Is there any "superhero" sillier than Robin?  Forget the innuendo, the very idea of Robin is so in-your-face, straight-out-of-the-closet GAY that no further debate is required.  He runs around in a pair of green BRIEFS for God's sake.  OF COURSE Batman, by mere association with him, is a pedophile.

So from the start, I knew I wasn't going to like this one.  To make matters worse, the writer of this comic book makes Batman into some kind of prude who doesn't even allow Robin to listen to rock music.  I guess Robin was getting tired of hearing Batman's well-worn Judy Garland recordings.  Maybe he was also tired of all the Yanni.  And the COCK.

"Fortunate Son" tries very hard to make a point about the role of rock music in our culture, but doesn't quite succeed.  It doesn't succeed because the Batman and Robin featured in "Fortunate Son" are downright ridiculous.  Robin is just a whiny sex toy that can't kick anyone's ass, and Batman is a stuck-up prude who spends all of his time in the daylight, looking less than scary.

This comic book sucks.  Just like Robin.  Every day.  On command.

It's not that I have a problem with gay comic book characters.  I think that a storyline involving Batman coming out of the closet could be riveting.  My complaint about Robin is that he is a cheap attempt to make Batman "human" or "vulnerable."

I can understand the need for Robin back in the Golden Age, when every hero needed a sidekick to act as every kid's stand-in, but the need for this sidekick has long since passed away.  Kids (and let's face it, an increasing number of adults) don't need a sidekick to relate to Batman.  If he is too dark, then there are any number of other human relationships that could be used to tone him down.  How about a girlfriend?  A wife?  Or even the Joker?

Back in the 90s they made an attempt to kill off Robin.  I wish he had stayed dead.  It is unfortunate that DC is unable to stick by any character even after they have revamped it.  This is just as true for Superman, The Flash, or Wonder Woman as it is for Robin.  You think maybe they have finally changed a character for good, but then the sales figures aren't favorable and they bring back the same retarded characters, just because they have that brand recognition that gives the people at DC confidence.

I hope that one day DC realizes the pointlessness of Robin.  Maybe then we can see Batman comics better than "Fortunate Son."

The Avengers

I am dying to see "The Avengers" next year.  Given my fondness for comic books this is to be expected.

I've seen all the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) films at least twice, and if you'll excuse my language, I can't fucking wait for this one.  What?  Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and the Hulk in the same movie?  Fuck... YEAH!

As far as the MCU films go, I'd have to say that Captain America was the best of them all.  The Incredible Hulk was a close second, and Iron Man 1 and 2 a distant 3rd. 

I thought Thor was just OK.  It could have been a much better movie, if directed by a less Shakespearean director.  When I heard they were making a Thor movie, "Conan the Barbarian" was the first film that popped into my head.  "Yeah," I thought, "If they just make it like Conan, that will kick ass!"  Unfortunately for me, Kenneth Branagh was thinking of King Lear.

As matters now stand, we have about four months to wait for "The Avengers."  You can be damn sure that I'll be seeing it on the first weekend it appears in Taiwan.  The last movie I was in a rush to see was "Tron Legacy," and what a disappointment that was.  Compared to that disaster, "The Avengers" HAS to be better.

A lot of people are comparing this film to the next big DC film, "The Dark Knight Rises," but for me that's just apples and oranges.  The recent Batman films are going for a gritty realism that Marvel would be wise not to imitate.  It works for Batman, but not as well for a big green angry man and a Norse deity. 

Besides, the next Batman will be a film that critics love, but which most moveigoers will only see once.  "The Avengers," if made well, will be the movie we want to see over and over again.