Identity Crisis - Speculation (Possible Spoilers)

Right now, I am mega-tired; lost a battle for some legislation in Ballwin that I was working on (I'll probably post more when I'm not being such a sore loser; right now, I'm wishing that I was back in Chicago to watch my all-time favorite cable access show, We're Geniuses in France), so please excuse the heavy tone. In light of Comic Treadmill's theory (and this article on locked-room comic mysteries), I would give my own personal "take" on the murderer's identity. (And no, it's not Ambush Bug, despite my previous posts to the contrary
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
P
A
C
E

Anyway, what we have, on the face of it, is

• an indiviual who can bypass security systems;
• someone with the ability to access information about our heroes (hence the ending of # 4)
• Someone with a perceived "grudge" against the Satellite era JL
• someone who has/can gain access to classified info on the Suicide Squad; and
• someone we've seen in the series so far (so no surprise Despero moves(

Although some people may suggest Captain Boomerang, I think he's being set up. By whom? I'm opting for a "conspiracy" between the Calculator and Merlyn.

Both of them have the most to gain - Calculator by becoming the Oracle of the criminal world; Merlyn by gaining the reputation as the "world's greatest assassin", or some title. (Calculator was pushing Boomerang to "meet" his son, if you will - I will have to reread issue 1, but Boomerang seems extremely reluctant to connect with his flesh and blood). In addition, keeping the criminal set "on edge" would allow them to gain superiority - after all, the best way to solve a crisis is to start it yourself. Here's how I'm seeing this work:

Calculator - gains information about various security systems (as Mr. Miracle stated, there are 17 ways to break in without a Mother Box); could put critical personal information together (like a UFO landing with a birth notice following); has pretty much set himself up as the go-to person for information (see issue # 1 - he had sent Bolt for the shipment in Opal City); could have set up surveillance in JL headquarters they same way it was set up (and countered) in the old Injustice League satellite; could possibly find information in hard-to-locate areas, and anti-hacking laws would not stop him (for Suicide Squad information).

Merlyn - has the "real" expertise in assassination; would be able to make it "look" like another criminal performed the murders; is telling his compatriots to "tone it down" (see # 4) yet benefits (a three grand job with the Fiddler); was present when Dr. Light "appeared" in issue 2; although primarily an archer, might be willing to "diversify".

Is this a perfect theory? Heck, no, and I'm more than willing to hear others' comments. (And just for the record - I am not related, nor have a relationship with Brad Meltzer, so if I'm right, it's purely through my own thinking). At the very least, it's a fun little distraction for me...at least, until I drive down to lovely, scenic Jefferson City MO tomorrow for a training.

Question Memes & Holy Clues

First, it's the blogging sensation sweeping the nation - it's all about the memes, kids. Ask me five questions - any five questions - and I will answer them. (Thanks to Yet Another Comics Blog for letting me plagiarize this idea).

Also, if you're looking for a great, easy, thought-provoking non comic-book to read, try Holy Clues by Stephen Kendrick. The subtitle is "The Gospel According to Sherlock Holmes". It's a very easy read (under 200 pages!), is extremely insightful, and makes all that time I spent reading "The Boys' Sherlock Holmes" as a kid worthwhile. (It's also tempting me to crack open the "Complete Sherlock Holmes" set an ex-girlfriend game me one Christmas to revisit those stories). Highly recommended.

New Blogroll Entries!

Just look along the right side of this blog - you'll find that I'm always adding and subtracting blogs, mostly to highlight stuff I enjoy reading, but mostly because I'm too lazy to bookmark stuff. Recent entries include:

Psychbloke - actually came across this site by accident; it's some really good reading, and is probably the closest I will find to a British version of me.

Yet Another Comics Blog - This has some excellent comics-related writing.

Tom The Dog's You Know What I Like - Yes, we do, thanks to this blog.

Brill Building - I love this guy's sense of humor. Plus, he posted a really sexy picture of Diana Rigg, so he deserves something for his efforts.

Something Old Nothing New - A strong mixture of pop and high culture. You owe it to yourself to read this.

But hey, just click on one of the links of the blogroll - you'll thank me for it later.

Comp Day Thoughts

Today is comp day - my employer allows us to take time off if we work over a certain amount of time; luckily, today I can sit, drink a lot of coffee, and just blog some random thoughts, mostly comic related:

• If I didn't know better, I would swear that Avengers Disassembled was a parody of Bendis' writing...which is sad, because Bendis is writing it.
• Mike at Progressive Ruin noticed an in-continuity reference to a pre John Byrne Doom Patrol story. Here's something even better - check out Identity Crisis # 4, page 1, panel 2 - check the smaller headline in Persons magazine.
  I suspect that the John Byrne Doom Patrol is nothing more than a tax write-off for DC.
• Speaking of DC, why do I have the sneaking suspicion that the ending of the JSA: Strange Adventures storyline will suggest that the whole thing is a "story" by Johnny Thunder...which is then rejected by the pulps as being too "far-fetched". Or am I being needlessly cynical?
• Finally caught the Busiek CSA story in JLA Secret Files & Origins, and for some reason, really want to see the Crime Sydicate version of Aquaman. Now that would totally rock!
• Random thought - after seeing 8 Mile with Eminem, I can only conclude...that if Mystery Science Theater 3000 was still on the air, it would feature that film within five years
• After checking out the reviews on Laura's blog, I bit the bullet and downloaded Firefox. Finally, a browser that combines the best of Internet Explorer (namely, the menus) with the tabbing of Mozilla without the security problems of the former or the bloat of the latter. It's now my new default browser, and I can do more silly stuff online in less time. I'm sold!
  

That's it for today - I'm gearing up to work out, spend some time at the library, and just basically enjoy a three day weekend.

Yeah, it's cool being me - so what?

Byrne-d Himself

You know, I didn't realize how ironic my last post was until...

I always liked John Byrne - his runs on X-Men, Fantasic Four, Superman...heck, I even dug his Generations Elseworlds series. Sure, I think his recent writing is lacking (although his art still rocks), but like many other comic bloggers (including Dorian, Mike, and Ian), I found Mr. Byrne's recent comments about my future ex-wife, Jessica Alba, a little disconcerting.

(Ok, the "ex-wife" crack was in poor taste - my apologies. I just think she's gorgeous, regardless of her hair color)

Never mind the controversy about pulled posts from his message boards - there are just some times when you have to back away from the keyboard, think about what you are going to say, and consider whether it's worth putting out there. It's not PC to expect some intelligence and thought to go into comments - it's just good sense, especially in a debate.

My personal opinion - hey, if I don't like the idea of a multi-racial Fantastic Four movie, I can opt not to see it. I can always turn to the original comics(like James M. Cain once said, Hollywood hasn't ruined his books - they'll always be on the shelf, ready for the next reader), but don't modern times almost require a little outside-of-the-box thinking? It's not PC for our movies to push for diverse casting - it's just smart marketing sense.

Although the first idiot to suggest Pauly Shore as Willy Lumpkin will get a major - I mean major - pounding. Free of charge.

Wanna Rephrase That?

Thank God it wasn't a prostitute...

Cue Maniacal Laughter

Maybe it's the kind of week I've had - I've been going non-stop for the last eight days, including:

• Two, count 'em, two city council meetings (about 50 miles apart from each other);
• A two-day trip to Jefferson city for a training (where I saw Shrek 2 for free and caught the infamous "I'm Rick James, Bitch" episode of Chapelle Show;
• Last Wednesday's Cardinals game against the Astros (for work);
• A last-minute trek to Lincoln County;
• Various meetings;
• Winning second place at a Trivia Night;
• Working the beverage cart at a golf tournament for Boys & Girls Town;
• Attending a baseline training in Jefferson County; and
• Developing and writing workplans for my employer

However, today...something snapped. It was whilst online doing research (to break up the non-stop writing I've done) where a problem I've been dealing with...I found a solution.

It's clever - it may bring me ultimate power and success in one of my endeavors. I ran it past several colleagues, who gave me plenty of supporting evidence for it.

I'm psyched...and unfortunately, I won't be able to use the solution until Monday. I'll definitely blog in between, but Monday...if I pull this off, I will be more "da man" than I am now. I kid you not.

BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

That felt really good.

Public Service Intervention

Dear Mike,

Recently, I caught your posts on Progressive Ruin - you know the ones, featuring Swamp Thing Merchandise.

Now, many addictions start small - the bargain DVD, the old computer games, but it builds to crisis proportions, and you soon become out of control...

Well, Mike, as a trained substance abuse counselor/community prevention specialist, I've noticed that you've sunk to pencil sharpeners and chalk...this, as we say in the biz, is "crossing the line."

There is help. There are 12 Step groups to help you break the habit. Just say the word, take the first step, and I can help.

Thanks for readin',
Gordon

(P.S. I am a trained professional, kids - don't try this at home. Drink lots of high-sugar, high caffeine cola instead)

(P.P.S. For those who are humor-challenged, please do not flame me. This is, as we say in the biz, a joke, kind of like my theory about the killer in Identity Crisis

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Sometimes, a movie comes along that looks like it will follow one track, you hear some positive word-of-mouth, and then when you see it, you are knocked back by its charm, its grace, and...well, you're surprised how good it is.

Admittedly, I only saw The Girl Next Door for one reason, and one reason alone - Elisha Cuthbert. However, my expectations about this movie, especially its premise - "good guy falls in love with porn star next door" - were raised when it quickly became the Risky Business for the Generation Y set. I kid you not.

It hits all of the same points - good guy, bad girl with a heart of gold, well-meaning friends, seedy guy with interest in bad girl, questionable business venture - but instead of taking these and turning them into another teen comedy, Luke Greenfield turns it into a solid coming-of-age film.

Granted, it does have its cheap laughs - for example, Mitchell's two friends are porn-loving Eli and a guy named "Klitz". (I am not making that up, folks) However, this movie very cleverly straddles the line between comedy and drama. There are serious consequences, and there's no last minute reprises. (A crucial scene late in the movie - and the aftereffects - were extremely convincing). This movie ultimately asks whether taking huge interpersonal risks - mostly for love, but mainly in general - is worth the ultimate rewards. In other words, is the juice worth the squeeze?

A somewhat sentimental proposition in this time of moral relativism, but it does suggest that great risks are worth great rewards.

In other words, squeeze this, pal, and see for yourself.

Teenage Kicks

It starts off with guitars simultaneously grungy and gorgeous, over a seemingly easy-to-play riff. Then, a voice, shimmering and boyish, begins singing,

"Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?
Every time she walks down the street,
Another girl in the neighborhood,
Wish she was mine - she looks so good"

That's how Teenage Kicks - the song by and the DVD documentary about the Undertones begins.

The Undertones are probably one of the greatest pop-punk bands you never heard of - their first single was released in 1978, followed by three (or four) albums of sheer brilliance: The Undertones, Hypnotized, Positive Touch, and The Sin of Pride. (I own the first three albums, but have never heard # 4). Teenage Kicks, the documentary, follows the band from their modest roots in Ireland to pop stardom to their recent semi-reunion. It seems almost like a bad version of VH-1's Behind the Music.
However, thanks to the band members' down-to-earth attitudes (and slightly tongue-in-cheek humor), it comes across as an excellent good-band-does-great story).

Documentaries should serve several purposes: education, enlightenment, entertainment, or even just showing perspectives in a new light. This documentary does that - admittedly, I came across the Undertones via their Rykodisc reissues (thanks to The Big Takeover fanzine), so I had missed them "the first time around". However, once I purchased the greatest hits (What was the Bruce McCullough line about greatest hits albums - anyone?), I immersed myself into the three albums (I didn't like the Sin of Pride tracks, but, thanks to this DVD, will give it a listen).

The Undertones' albums provide excellent nuggets (or, in their terms, "rocking humdingers") - from the all-out sound of "Teenage Kicks" (the favorite of BBC DJ John Peel to the rockin' romance of "Here Comes the Summer"; from pure pop brilliance ("Here Comes the Summer", "Jimmy Jimmy", "Tearproof", "Wednesday Week", "It's Going to Happen") to aggressive-yet-sweet songs ("Mars Bar", "You've Got My Number", "Family Entertainment", "When Saturday Comes"), the Undertones proved themselves more than just "dumb entertainment".

The biggest compliment I can give this documentary (which contains a half hour of "extended interviews" - mostly stuff they cut out, as well as videos) is that I'm planning on listening to all three albums this weekend, just to revisit and recapture the magic.

Teenage kicks all through the night, indeed.

Here Are 25 Reasons

...why you should purchase Futurama on DVD

What Peanuts Character Are You?

Yeah, I like quizzes, so what?


You are Charlie Brown!


Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Three Years Ago Today

I was working for the Salvation Army, heading a program that provided substance abuse assessments for homeless residents in St. Louis County. It was promising to be an uneventful Tuesday - paperwork, then sponsor a training on substance abuse, followed by attending a history of pop culture in St. Louis sponsored by the (now defunct) Metropolis Forum. Nothing to suggest anything other than another ordinary day.

At about 9:45 am, it all changed. Our administrative assistant announced that she had heard over the radio that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Thinking that it was (most likely) a Buddy Holly special crashing into the roof, I went onto my work.

Soon afterward, the assistant returned, informing me that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. That grabbed my attention - my cousin Rick and his (then) 4 year old daughter lived shortly outside Washington, DC. Immediately, I went to our administrator's office - partly to make copies, but mostly to hear the news over the radio.

It had a sense of unreality about it - passenger planes used to crash the World Trade Center? A crash near the Pentagon? Another crash nowhere near civilization, due to heroic efforts on the part of the passengers? I didn't want to hear the news, didn't want to believe what was happening...but it did happen. Our country was attacked in the worst, ugliest possible way. The Forum event was canceled, no one attended the training, I went home at 3:00 pm and called my family. My aunt had died two months earlier, and we were already sharing grief; this was our way to begin building anew, in the light of further tragedy.

In the days that followed, it was almost impossible to avoid the coverage on television, so I stopped watching television. Thankfully, the newspaper was my way of gathering details - a nice, digestible version of trauma that allowed me to process while proceeding. In the days that followed, the one image that sticks in my mind is Paul Simon singing "Bridge Over Troubled Waters", his voice cracking, trying to find strength in what happened to his city, his home, reminding everyone that the only real strength we have is in our common struggle. After that special, I consistently played "Peace, Love, and Understanding" by Elvis Costello. Although slightly pessimistic in tone, this verse somehow struck a chord:

And as I walked on,
Through troubled times,
My spirit gets so downhearted, sometimes,
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony, sweet harmony?

As time progressed, it seemed like we, as a country, were coming together with a renewed promise, the same promise that brought my ancestors to this country, a promise of inclusion, warmth, and hope. (I had lived in Springfield, OR during a series of school shootings, so I wasn't a stranger to such things). Regardless of the struggle, we would prevail, and become a stronger nation as a result. Naive, perhaps, but hopeful.

Smash cut to the present: we are now in the midst of a presidential campaign that is venomous, destructive, and vindictive on both sides. Gradually, we have had our freedoms eroded in the name of "security". Everything from banning smoking in restaurants to pop culture have become life-and-death struggles - it's not enough to disagree, somebody has to win. Hate of a specific religion - and region - have asserted themselves in insidious ways. Instead of living up to the promise, America is degenerating into its own worst nightmare. That verse seems even more, not less despondent.

In these times of fragmentation and despair, of divisivness and bitterness, there is only one frightening conclusion I have, and I desperately hope that I am wrong:

"Maybe, just maybe, the terrorists have won after all..."

Be A Coffee Achiever!

This has been a very accelerated week - even in thinking about this blog, it was tempting to focus on one or two separate mini-blogs, but hey, what's a little ranting/stream-of-consciousness between friends?

First, things that I'm thinking about include:

• Like Mike at Progressive Ruin, I wonder if we really need a Superman movie;


• Does Paris Hilton exist only to help Pauly Shore feel better about being at the bottom of the celebrity chain?; and


• Thank god the first season of Columbo is on DVD.

Now, this week has been a challenge - a regular coalition meeting Tuesday night, attending a Ballwin working committee meeting Wednesday night, and St. Peters Thursday night. The latter two were, as you may know, job-related; part of my job is policy development. It's one of the few times where I feel like a geniune Superfriend, only I don't have to share a plate with Matter-Eater Lad. (I was going to make an Aquaman joke, but it might be offensive to some people). Yes, when you need to legislate, just call Gordon, Advocacy Boy!

Of course, it was the same event - people claiming that their constitutional rights were being denied, (Leading to the conclusion that "They Who Freely Quote Their Constitutional Rights Have Probably Never Read It"); portrayals of activitists as being "crusaders" or "zealots"...it reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend Monday night, who said, "Why don't some people get it?"

It's easy to demonize or insult people who do not agree with your beliefs - ranging from comics to television to politics, there are feelings on various issues. The hardest thing (which I had to do Wednesday night) was to let an opponent spew venom and not spew back, but to listen, and gently agree to disagree.

Is "my" side going to win? I don't know, and quite frankly, if we didn't, all it means is that we have learned our lesson and can move on. If we don't learn from history, we won't have history.

My agenda for this afternoon: take some comp time from work, pick up my comics from the Fantasy Shop, go home, and take a nap. Maybe even catch Trekkies 2 from Netflix.

I realize this may sound hurried - hopefully, I've made sense somewhere.

Identity Crisis Covers & Theories

First, Brad Meltzer has posted the covers for all of the issues of Identity Crisis.

I'm not going to publicly speculate - I have some theories about the killer; however, I would rather not spoil the plot for anyone, including myself. However, in the interests of a cheap laugh, I will post the following theory:

The Identity Crisis Killer's identity can be found here

The Best Kept Secret(s) In the West

Like many others, I spent this Labor Day...getting some well-earned rest and relaxation. It was also one of those days where I wanted to do something really unnecessary. Maybe, for academic interest, watch Animal House and Old School and compare and contrast. Not wanting to exert myself that much, I decided to just chill with some old favorites...and some new ones.

First, the new - in terms of comic blogs, check out Polite Dissent and Brill Building. Although neither one is the greatest comics blog in the multiverse, they come rather close. Polite Dissent (which I had featured in a previous post) is a medically-oriented blog, alternating between comics reviews and demystifying medical matters in comics. (Just the way my uncle John took all the romance out of ER, since he is a real-life emergency room specialist). Brill Building has a slightly humorous tone, and you gotta read it if only for Ian's suggested post-Avengers 500 lineup.

Anyway, the first thing I did was crank up Passion is No Ordinary Word, Rhino's 1991 Graham Parker anthology. It's funny - I can't remember how I got into his music in high school, but I was amazed at how well his music stands up. Alternatively angry, biting, yet with an intelligence that surpasses many of his contemporaries (and, in all fairness, the last album I heard was Acid Bubblegum. In an age where Joe Jackson's hitting the oldies circuit, and Elvis Costello has become an "artiste", it's nice to hear from a man who may have lost his youth, but has regained a much sharper bark and bite.

Lunch was reading time, and I chose a book which I was first introduced to at the bargain in at the old Kroch's & Brentano's bookstore on Wabash in Chicago. (It's now a pair of high-priced perfume and soap stores). The Killer Inside Me is Jim Thompson's masterpiece - a gripping tale about a sociopathic sherrif. It's one of those books that you just can't put down once you begin - kind of like Mickey Spillane's books. Trust me, you'll dig this book.

Finally, I ended the day on a much lighthearted note - season one of the Kids in the Hall on DVD. I am a rabid KITH fan - so much so that I went to Toronto with a friend of mine to see some of their final tapings. (Be sure to head to her blog and annoy her for me). Anyway, it's great to see a young troupe begin to stretch themselves - within five years, they would have reshaped tv comedy. For now, enjoy them gradually bending the rules.

By the way, if you have never sampled anything listed above, please do. These are not the most popular, nor do they get the most attention (although, thankfully, there will be a season two KITH DVD boxed set). Dive on in - you won't be disappointed.

Rules of Rock

Pretty self-explanatory

The Love of the Fans...

Ok, now that I have a little free time before jumping back into real life....

Fan fiction is always a hit-or-miss deal, and I speak from experience. (Just Google my name and you can see real evidence). At worst, it's non-creative, slavish, and not worth the time and effort; at best, it can be creative, provide fresh insights, and allow new talent to develop.

Two great examples are from Sandy Collora, a filmmaker who made a World's Finest trailer and Batman: Dead End. The only bad thing about these films...is that they're trailers. If there was any justice in this world, Mr. Collora would be handed either franchise (although, rumor has it he has received a directoral assignment, although I could be reading Screen Rant incorrectly).

Another one is Star Trek - even in the midst of doubts about the franchise, some of the best work is done by fans. My personal favorite - Star Trek: Renaissance, which takes place in the Federation's "future". Written as teleplays, provided in PDF form, this is Trek at its finest.

Case in point: after a really rough few weeks, I came home to "read" the episode Shadows of a New Dawn. (They even have a primer for newbies). This is probably one of the best pieces of writing (never mind television writing - or Trek Writing) that I have come across in a long time:

the only thing we truly know about the undiscovered country
is that we know nothing at all. And the worst of those dangers we face, the ones that in the end are the only ones to have the power to destroy us, are those that we face within ourselves, our own personal demons. The hardest fought battles that lie ahead are those for our hearts, and for our souls. It is how we face up to these challenges, and whether we can dig deep within ourselves and find the courage and resolve needed to overcome them, that will ultimately decide our destiny. (By Rob Jelley & James Sampson)

All in all, several conclusions come to mind:

• You know you're in trouble when any body of work is called a franchise;


• Someone who loves a body of work should be encouraged to add to that work; and


• I really need to finish that Doctor Who/Marx Brothers/Dark Shadows crossover novel...

Spider Man Reviews Crayons

I found this link at Bloggity-Bloggity-Blog

Just had my performance review, spent yesterday in lovely Jefferson County (with my keys locked in the car!), and am heading to Wentzville and Chesterfield this afternoon (work related). My head is spinnin', folks.

Lata, playas....