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Jul. 24th, 2019 02:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. For the Steven's Universe Fans on my flist, you know who you are!
Steven's Universe - The Movie
2. Liked this Stan Lee Quote from 1968, which is reprinted in "House of X" issue #1.
The next time anyone puts you down for reading a comic mag, try hitting him with this little solioquy which I've used on various radio and TV guest appearances in the past few months.
Comic books are a medium of communication -- just as television and motion pictures are. All three employ words and pictures, and all must be judged on their individual merits. A story is a story, whether presented between two covers, or on a screen. If the words have dramatic impact, if the pictures are visually appealing, if the theme is emotionally relevant, then certainly it is worthy of a reader's attention. However, if quality is lacking, then it rats little consideration. Isn't this equally true of a TV program, a Broadway show, a motion picture, or any other form of entertainment?
The comic is interesting, mainly exposition -- the writer, Hickman, is doing a lot of world building. The artist and colorist are rather good. Also the comic requires critical thinking skills to figure out, so many fans may not be able to follow it?
It's definitely an adult comic. With some interesting themes and ideas -- more speculative science fiction.
The world-building is the most detailed that I've seen in comics for quite some time now.
The themes are topical -- basically tribalism and xenophobia and racism. The plot in this issue is that Professor Xavier has figured out a way to protect mutants, by forming an alliance with Krakoa, a living plant/biome that is also a mutant. Krakoa provides a sanctuary for mutants and prevents humans from entering it without permission. They are protected from the "human" race or "mankind" who is threatened by mutants and wants to destroy them outright or enslave them or weaponize them.
So nothing new here -- what is new is the how and the schematics. Also Xavier, realizing that the humans won't leave them alone once they discover the sanctuary, decides instead of hiding -- to stand tall and proud, and basically give an ultimatum of sorts -- "we have life-giving drugs, but in exchange for these cures to all your ailments, we request amnesty, and recognition of our island nation. And the agreement that you will not try to exterminate, enslave, or weaponize us for your own uses any longer." Humanity's response, fuck that, we won't be threatened. And they start building a doomsday project to take out the mutants. (Sigh. Unfortunately I think this is the realistic response. It's also clearly the writer reacting to our world. You really can't be a conservative or Trump supporter and be an X-men fan.)
The Fantastic Four make an appearance, and it is a good one. Their appearance throws in some ambiguity. Are the X-men's exclusionary tactics any different than humanity's? Also the issue is very much in the point of view or perspective of humanity, seeing mutants as a plausible evolutionary threat to their continued existence. X-men has always been big on biological sci-fi and anthropological sci-fi -- which is why I also like it. (Huge fan of both.)
What is new about it -- is that the mutants have joined together and are no longer working against each other. Magneto, Mystique, Toad, Sabretooth, etc have all form alliances with Xavier and the X-men -- one tribe, one family, one group. Working together to protect their resources, such as Omega mutants (those with an unlimited power) at all costs, and to protect their continued existence and home.
Ranged against them are the usual suspects: AIM, STRIKE, SHIELD (hence the reason I couldn't watch Marvel Agents of Shield for very long ...it irritated me. In the X-men comics - SHIELD is equivalent to TRUMP's ICE Squad. Whedon tried to separate it out a bit. MCU movie verse worked because the X-men aren't in it, yet.)
There is the scary bit -- about Magneto telling the humans to see them, the mutants as gods. Or "your gods have been replaced by us, we'll notice if you don't defer." Very Magneto -- and his critical flaw.
While Cyclops is far more diplomatic with the Richards family - stating "We're protecting our own. We haven't tried to exterminate, enslave or weaponize you. And we haven't declared WAR on you. Oh, and when you're son comes of age and feels he needs a safe place, let him know we'll always accept him." Franklin Richards is an Omega level mutant.
My quibble, so far, is how women are represented -- but that's also realistic. Jean Grey is once again Marvel Girl -- in the old Marvel Girl costume. But the woman do have and wield power on both sides. AND -- what the writer is doing right is providing the humans who want to end the mutants with a bit more depth, and also ambiguity -- they aren't one-dimensional bad guys like they were in the previous runs. Or all men. Here, we have Dr. Alia Gregor -- who is far more complex, and had originally been studying them for humanitarian reasons, until she realized that mutants were a major threat to her and her species continued existence. So, it's been made a bit more complicated and more layers.
Also, the writer is correct that in order to tell the story effectively, he needs to outline the parameters of it, the rules, guidelines, and world. You need to know the world you are in -- before proceeding. Particularly if you are taking a long-standing series and changing that world along with its parameters. Re-booting it.
My difficulty with the issue -- is well, it's lacking much in character interactions and relationships. (ie. the soapy aspects that I adore to pieces.) I really want a scene between Scott and Xavier, the man he killed while possessed by the Phoenix. OR Scott and Jean discussing it. OR how various characters got resurrected. But alas, that may or may not be forthcoming.
It is artistically well done, and well written. With an interesting design, if a somewhat difficult to read one. The print is very very tiny in places. Requiring a lot of manuevering on my Kindle Fire to enlarge digitally. I'm not sure what it looks like in the paper issue -- it may have the same problems.
This is an adult comic and an interesting one. I'm looking forward to the next issue. Very happy to see the X-men finally going in a new and interesting direction.
Also, per SDCC news, we may end up with a Fantastic Four film by 2022.
3. Rutger Hauer died at 75.
Damn. Why can't the Universe start killing the evil politicians in their 70s?
Universe: Because they are evil, and I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves and show that they are not evil and capable of doing good.
Me: And how's that going for you?
Universe: Eh...it's admittedly a work in progress. There's a lot involved here.
Me: Ugh.
Universe: Keep avoiding the news and focus on sunsets. Just a piece of advice.
4. Well, there's some interesting stuff popping out of comic con. Also, a lot of unnecessary movie sequels that make me wonder what Hollywood is thinking. Do we really need a sequel to Top Gun (with a 50 something Tom Cruise as Maverick)? OR a sequel to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back?
However, apparently cartoon fans are getting both a Rick and Morty movie (in the fall) and a Steven's Universe Movie.
And..we're getting several science fiction/fantasy series. Including oddly a prequel to The Dark Crystal, which is a fantasy with puppets that I saw as a kid on the big screen, way back in the 1980s. I loved it as a kid, not sure about now. It was odd. Now, it's being voiced by people like Lena Headly, Helena Bonham Carter, Tageron Eghart, etc.
Witcher -- which is Henry Cavill's new starring vehicle, about a fantasy world invaded by demons, and the Witcher's are the demon and monster hunters, based on the best-selling Polish fantasy novels (not the video games) and Netflix's answer to Game of Thrones.
Carnival -- which is the new Orlando Bloom vehicle -- basically a steampunk fantasy, takes place in Victorian times, with fairies.
The Watchmen -- which is not an adaptation of the Alan Moore series, but an extension or continuation. It's written by the creators of The Leftovers. And about a world where the police and criminals both wear masks. Stars Jean Smart, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Regina King, among others. - HBO.
His Dark Materials - which we already know about, starring Ruth Wilson (The Affair and Mrs. Wilson), James McAvoy (X-men, Split, and various other films), Lin Manuel Miranda, Morgan Freeman, and various others.
Stumptown is apparently based on a graphic novel -- a noirish story about female PI, who is suffering PTSD, among other things.
The Kitchen isn't a comedy, but a dark noirish crime drama featuring Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Moss, and Donnal Gleason.
Picard -- looks really good. But alas on CBS All Access. It's a serialized sci-fi series featuring him in retirement and being drug back into space.
Mother: We're watching the Mueller Hearings.
ME: I'm ignoring them.
Mother: There's nothing new.
Me: Yeah, I know. He's not going to say anything that isn't in the report. He told them that, they didn't believe him. So I'm ignoring it and focusing on entertainment items.
Steven's Universe - The Movie
2. Liked this Stan Lee Quote from 1968, which is reprinted in "House of X" issue #1.
The next time anyone puts you down for reading a comic mag, try hitting him with this little solioquy which I've used on various radio and TV guest appearances in the past few months.
Comic books are a medium of communication -- just as television and motion pictures are. All three employ words and pictures, and all must be judged on their individual merits. A story is a story, whether presented between two covers, or on a screen. If the words have dramatic impact, if the pictures are visually appealing, if the theme is emotionally relevant, then certainly it is worthy of a reader's attention. However, if quality is lacking, then it rats little consideration. Isn't this equally true of a TV program, a Broadway show, a motion picture, or any other form of entertainment?
The comic is interesting, mainly exposition -- the writer, Hickman, is doing a lot of world building. The artist and colorist are rather good. Also the comic requires critical thinking skills to figure out, so many fans may not be able to follow it?
It's definitely an adult comic. With some interesting themes and ideas -- more speculative science fiction.
The world-building is the most detailed that I've seen in comics for quite some time now.
The themes are topical -- basically tribalism and xenophobia and racism. The plot in this issue is that Professor Xavier has figured out a way to protect mutants, by forming an alliance with Krakoa, a living plant/biome that is also a mutant. Krakoa provides a sanctuary for mutants and prevents humans from entering it without permission. They are protected from the "human" race or "mankind" who is threatened by mutants and wants to destroy them outright or enslave them or weaponize them.
So nothing new here -- what is new is the how and the schematics. Also Xavier, realizing that the humans won't leave them alone once they discover the sanctuary, decides instead of hiding -- to stand tall and proud, and basically give an ultimatum of sorts -- "we have life-giving drugs, but in exchange for these cures to all your ailments, we request amnesty, and recognition of our island nation. And the agreement that you will not try to exterminate, enslave, or weaponize us for your own uses any longer." Humanity's response, fuck that, we won't be threatened. And they start building a doomsday project to take out the mutants. (Sigh. Unfortunately I think this is the realistic response. It's also clearly the writer reacting to our world. You really can't be a conservative or Trump supporter and be an X-men fan.)
The Fantastic Four make an appearance, and it is a good one. Their appearance throws in some ambiguity. Are the X-men's exclusionary tactics any different than humanity's? Also the issue is very much in the point of view or perspective of humanity, seeing mutants as a plausible evolutionary threat to their continued existence. X-men has always been big on biological sci-fi and anthropological sci-fi -- which is why I also like it. (Huge fan of both.)
What is new about it -- is that the mutants have joined together and are no longer working against each other. Magneto, Mystique, Toad, Sabretooth, etc have all form alliances with Xavier and the X-men -- one tribe, one family, one group. Working together to protect their resources, such as Omega mutants (those with an unlimited power) at all costs, and to protect their continued existence and home.
Ranged against them are the usual suspects: AIM, STRIKE, SHIELD (hence the reason I couldn't watch Marvel Agents of Shield for very long ...it irritated me. In the X-men comics - SHIELD is equivalent to TRUMP's ICE Squad. Whedon tried to separate it out a bit. MCU movie verse worked because the X-men aren't in it, yet.)
There is the scary bit -- about Magneto telling the humans to see them, the mutants as gods. Or "your gods have been replaced by us, we'll notice if you don't defer." Very Magneto -- and his critical flaw.
While Cyclops is far more diplomatic with the Richards family - stating "We're protecting our own. We haven't tried to exterminate, enslave or weaponize you. And we haven't declared WAR on you. Oh, and when you're son comes of age and feels he needs a safe place, let him know we'll always accept him." Franklin Richards is an Omega level mutant.
My quibble, so far, is how women are represented -- but that's also realistic. Jean Grey is once again Marvel Girl -- in the old Marvel Girl costume. But the woman do have and wield power on both sides. AND -- what the writer is doing right is providing the humans who want to end the mutants with a bit more depth, and also ambiguity -- they aren't one-dimensional bad guys like they were in the previous runs. Or all men. Here, we have Dr. Alia Gregor -- who is far more complex, and had originally been studying them for humanitarian reasons, until she realized that mutants were a major threat to her and her species continued existence. So, it's been made a bit more complicated and more layers.
Also, the writer is correct that in order to tell the story effectively, he needs to outline the parameters of it, the rules, guidelines, and world. You need to know the world you are in -- before proceeding. Particularly if you are taking a long-standing series and changing that world along with its parameters. Re-booting it.
My difficulty with the issue -- is well, it's lacking much in character interactions and relationships. (ie. the soapy aspects that I adore to pieces.) I really want a scene between Scott and Xavier, the man he killed while possessed by the Phoenix. OR Scott and Jean discussing it. OR how various characters got resurrected. But alas, that may or may not be forthcoming.
It is artistically well done, and well written. With an interesting design, if a somewhat difficult to read one. The print is very very tiny in places. Requiring a lot of manuevering on my Kindle Fire to enlarge digitally. I'm not sure what it looks like in the paper issue -- it may have the same problems.
This is an adult comic and an interesting one. I'm looking forward to the next issue. Very happy to see the X-men finally going in a new and interesting direction.
Also, per SDCC news, we may end up with a Fantastic Four film by 2022.
3. Rutger Hauer died at 75.
Damn. Why can't the Universe start killing the evil politicians in their 70s?
Universe: Because they are evil, and I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves and show that they are not evil and capable of doing good.
Me: And how's that going for you?
Universe: Eh...it's admittedly a work in progress. There's a lot involved here.
Me: Ugh.
Universe: Keep avoiding the news and focus on sunsets. Just a piece of advice.
4. Well, there's some interesting stuff popping out of comic con. Also, a lot of unnecessary movie sequels that make me wonder what Hollywood is thinking. Do we really need a sequel to Top Gun (with a 50 something Tom Cruise as Maverick)? OR a sequel to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back?
However, apparently cartoon fans are getting both a Rick and Morty movie (in the fall) and a Steven's Universe Movie.
And..we're getting several science fiction/fantasy series. Including oddly a prequel to The Dark Crystal, which is a fantasy with puppets that I saw as a kid on the big screen, way back in the 1980s. I loved it as a kid, not sure about now. It was odd. Now, it's being voiced by people like Lena Headly, Helena Bonham Carter, Tageron Eghart, etc.
Witcher -- which is Henry Cavill's new starring vehicle, about a fantasy world invaded by demons, and the Witcher's are the demon and monster hunters, based on the best-selling Polish fantasy novels (not the video games) and Netflix's answer to Game of Thrones.
Carnival -- which is the new Orlando Bloom vehicle -- basically a steampunk fantasy, takes place in Victorian times, with fairies.
The Watchmen -- which is not an adaptation of the Alan Moore series, but an extension or continuation. It's written by the creators of The Leftovers. And about a world where the police and criminals both wear masks. Stars Jean Smart, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Regina King, among others. - HBO.
His Dark Materials - which we already know about, starring Ruth Wilson (The Affair and Mrs. Wilson), James McAvoy (X-men, Split, and various other films), Lin Manuel Miranda, Morgan Freeman, and various others.
Stumptown is apparently based on a graphic novel -- a noirish story about female PI, who is suffering PTSD, among other things.
The Kitchen isn't a comedy, but a dark noirish crime drama featuring Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Moss, and Donnal Gleason.
Picard -- looks really good. But alas on CBS All Access. It's a serialized sci-fi series featuring him in retirement and being drug back into space.
Mother: We're watching the Mueller Hearings.
ME: I'm ignoring them.
Mother: There's nothing new.
Me: Yeah, I know. He's not going to say anything that isn't in the report. He told them that, they didn't believe him. So I'm ignoring it and focusing on entertainment items.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-25 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-25 02:22 am (UTC)Yeah, that was my thoughts. Except, according to the trailer he's not really playing Tom Skerrit's part, he's playing his own but as a 50 something version of it -- you'd think the character would have evolved or changed or something?
My difficulty with it -- is I liked everyone else in the movie more than Cruise. Kelly McGillis, Skerrit, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer.
What's with all this 80s nostaglia? Ugh. Also, young people are buying 1970s furniture and fashion styles...I kid you not. Apparently taste is ageless.