5 Reasons I'm Enjoying "The Lightning Saga"

Unfortunately, I'm in the grips of a nasty hay fever/cold/severe sinus problem. But, since I need to blog, here are my five reasons why I am enjoying the JLA/JSA/Legion "Lightning Crossover" so much:

1. Sandman's Return - I know Sand was a pretty cool character, but it's nice that he's finally being allowed to "fulfill the legacy". Now, if JSA Classified would only feature a "One Year Later" arc featuring him. (Plus, I just frickin' love the Golden Age Sandman, and I guess Neil Gaiman is being generous in allowing DC to use the "Sandman" name)
2. A Legion "Revival" - OK, I admit it, I'm an old school Legion fan. (I even enjoyed the infamous SW6/5 Years later arc). It's good to see that if the current Legion book is part of the new multiverse, that the "original" Legion is somewhat still intact.
3. Playing fair - The reveal of the second character lost in time in JSA 5 was, I thought, the best use of playing fair. I even turned back the page - yes, the art reflected the reveal.
4. Superman's reminiscing about the Legion - I know Johns is, with Donner, integrating movie continuity; however, if these few pages don't reveal the human side of Superman, I don't know what does.
5. The Batman/Karate Kid fight - Ok, maybe for some fans this was weak, but it proved time and again why he's the g*****n Batman.

And now, I'm off to herbal tea, Doctor Who, and bed.

Filling In For Lefty's Friday Three Questions

Due to a loss in his immediate family, Lefty Brown has decided to take a short sabbatical from his blog. However, since one of the features of his blog is the Friday Three Questions, he has asked me to fill in and ask the "Friday Three".

Being that I was just canned from what should have been a long term temp assignment (long story short - they wanted someone who could stay, and I've had interview requests coming. It just wasn't meant to be), my questions are going to be about the wacky world of work. (My answers are in red)

1. What was the first job that you ever had - that is, your first encounter with the "real world". Paper routes count. My first job was working for a warehouse that filled orders for hardware stores. I was just out of my first year of college, and began earning some really good money - $20/hour, which even in 1986, was good money. Good enough for me to buy my own 13 inch television.
2. Have you had some extreme changes in your career, moving out of your primary area of interest and into a cool niche, and if so, what attracts you to it? I began as a substance abuse counselor, and ended up doing community work, as well as my current interest of policy and advocacy. I also moved from treatment to prevention, and have more of an overall public health focus. What attracts me to administration (i.e., being a "desk jockey"), is that as a counselor, I focus on one person for an hour, but as an administrator, I can insure that they get the best possible treatment.
3. Are you doing what you wanted to do as a kid when you grew up? Does this question make sense? I always had dreams of being a writer, which is part of the reason why I blog, and I've written grants, so kinda sorta. I have a draft of the Great American Novel on my laptop - however, it's missing one vital ingredient. Verbs.

Feel free to chime on in!

One Reason I'm Grateful to Have Moved Back to Chicago....

batman
Originally uploaded by Gordon D.

...is reading news like this


(Top that, Mr. Mike "Cheater Pants" Sterling)

What Would Gene Roddenberry Do?

Recently, I found myself reading the July solicitations for IDW Publishing
Glancing over the Star Trek comics, I came across this cover, which seems to be the Klingon version of Day of the Dove:

I wasn't sure if I was looking at it correctly, so I used my favorite image view for a close-up. Whereupon I discovered the female Klingon had Power Girl-esque proportions:



Now, I hadn't remembered this particular character being so, er, "top heavy", so I tried to track down a photo from the episode, since I do not have the technological ability for screen captures. However, I was able to find this picture on Walter Koenig.com:




Since it looks like the actress in the episode does not share the same proportions as her comic counterpart (and since I am - let's face it - a single fanboy with way too much free time), I have a few questions:

• Is this artistic license, or to paraphrase Heidi Meeley, is it gratuitous?
• Am I being too picky about this, or is this a way to sell Trek comics to reads who don't normally enjoy Trek?
• Are the authors suggesting that Klingons like to brag and exaggerate their physical qualities?
  
• Will the remastered version of this episode give the actress, er, the "endowments" of her Comic counterpart?

Anyway, times like this make me glad I'm more of a Doctor Who fan...

EDIT - A quick shout-out to a fellow comics blogger:


(Original image from Showcase # 22, for those of you keeping score at home)

Making (or Re-Making) History

It was the best birthday present I had purchased for myself...which is ironic, because the idea for this episode came to the producers arrived almost simultaneously with my arrival on this planet.

Imagine, if you will, a children's show that is in dire need of change, and is in danger of cancellation. Actors, production staff, are all rushed, and are literally stuck in a studio for the majority of the time. In addition, years afterward, two of the episodes are junked, and the remainder of the episodes are in poor quality.

It's amazing that The Invasion is being released on DVD - part of it is that it was a "pilot" for changes in Doctor Who (which came to fruition beginning with Spearhead from Space. Pulling from its Nigel Kneale/Quartermass roots, The Invasion is not so much an "instant classic" as much as "a pretty good Doctor Who" story.

Initially, I had owned the VHS version of this story - with Nicholas Courtney provided some swift links between episodes. However, having the two "missing" episodes animated - and the remaining ones with their soundtracks cleaned up and using VidFire to fix the picture - improves the story incredibly. However...at eight episodes, it is a bit too long. Think of it as two four parters - one focusing on who are the invaders (ultimately, it's the Second Doctor's most consistent enemy the Cybermen), and the other four about the actual nature of the invasion - and it works. However, some trimming and tightening of the plot would have resulted in a taut six parter, rather than a slightly padded eight parter. It could have been a easy contrast (the free-for-all swinging 60's London vs. a more technological, rigid Cyberfuture), but the pacing leaves something to be desired.

The performances are relatively solid, and help move the story forward. Kevin Stoney's performance as Tobias Vaughn - the human "ally" of the Cyberman - hits all the right tones, just barely reaching the top (rather than going over it). The Wendy Padbury/Sally Faulkner roles - not just as simple female companions, but as instigators and major role players - kind of foreshadows some of the more assertive/smarter companions (take that, Barry Letts!). Plus, having the cooperation of local armed units, and a smart yet economical directing style from Douglas Camfield, help to solidify the story.

When this DVD was announced, the "Age of Steel/Rise of the Cybermen" two-parter was being shown on the recent revival of Who. What made the recent story so flat was a lack of the very thing that "The Invasion" has - a sense of presence, and a sense of reality. Perhaps it is here when the "magic of Who" began, and the "magical things happening just outside your window" aspect began to emerge. Plus, having something happen in the "real world" gives it more menace - "Age/Rise" gave us a parallel world, with characters that were a little less than well drawn.

Ok, the real question - how do the animated episodes compare, and should the BBC animate further "missing episodes". The animated episodes (done in Flash) are simply OK - a lot of work went into them, and short of using CGI, help provide a great compliment to the remaining episodes. (Plus, there are two Easter Eggs/revisions in the first episode). In terms of "missing" episodes - should there be a complete "Dalek Master Plan?" "The Reign of Terror" Or filling in part four of "The Tenth Planet"?

At the risk of starting controversy...no. "The Invasion" benefits because only two episodes were missing, and even the two animated episodes stick out slightly. Restoring and animating other or full stories would be tricky, and reviewing the Doctor Who - Lost in Time Collection compilation, perhaps some stories ("Underwater Menace", anyone? Or even "Space Pirates"?) are best left lost.

Still, though, the restored "Invasion" is not an instant classic...but it is a pretty decent tale, well told.

And in the end, isn't that what Doctor Who is all about?

Postscript - a recent live revival of The Quatermass Experiment featured this slight in-joke/tribute. Enjoy.

You Know It's Coming, Folks.....

dcnextwave
Originally uploaded by Gordon D.

...this is the result of too little sleep, a wee bit of stress, overall cynicism about the comics industry, and overwork. I used MS Paint, which explains why it's a bit cheap looking.

By the way, I start a temp position on Tuesday.

(Be sure to click it to make it more readable. Darn you, Flickr! Darn you to heck!)

Random Thoughts

Just some things that are on my mind, that may not be necessarily worth a full post.

• DC's World War III...stunk. Just a note to DC's writers - next time, give us a plot and story. Don't just have people draw the white board notes of everything you missed. (One good thing about WW3 - I can use it to line my cat's litter pan.
• The script to the "Smith and Jones" episode of Doctor Who is now online - I wonder if this means that I should send in my Sensorites/Krotons crossover episode?
• Mini-review of Stephen King's Cell: starts off with a bang, ends with a whimper.
  
• Note to Dan DiDio: OK, so you have one major DC Character take on aspects of his Vertigo counterpart, and who makes reference to "Alec Holland levels of power." Doesn't that automatically oblige you to bring back Swamp Thing into the mainstream DC universe? And therefore make your previous "Swamp Thing won't come back" quote full of hot gas? (Yes, Mike, I'm kinda sorta agreeing with you)
• Mini-Review of Happy Accidents: mix indie relationship drama, time travel, and Vincent D'Onofrio, and you have one of his coolest performances in a "chick flick for guys" since The Whole Wide World
• Gail Simone on Wonder Woman: About frickin' time... But this doesn't forgive DiDio for WW3. Or Swamp Thing
• I liked The Prestige, but Christopher Nolan's tendency towards "this-movie-isn't-what-you-think-it-is" is starting to get annoying. Luckily, he does the occasional straightforward drama, so he's not approaching M. Night Shamaylan territory...but The Prestige rocks.
• May's Record You Should Own will be podcast...and you guys are gonna like it. Trust me. Honestly.
  
• Almost forgot - if you want to leave me comments on the blog, but don't want your internet traced, you can call and leave a message and/or fax me at 206-202-3384. If you're lucky, I may even use it as part of a podcast. So, feel free to leave a message with your thoughts. Go on. It's OK.

Finally, a video so geeky I'm almost ashamed to post it online...but I will.

A Lot Less Time But A Lot More Care...

I think I'm getting the hang of this podcasting thing - however, a brief note: I made a slight error and mistakenly referred to When Fangirls Attack as "Women in Comics."

My apologies.

Click here to get your own player.



If the above player doesn't work, head here.

Also, if you would like more information about the topics covered in our podcast, Blog This, Pal! encourages you to click on the links and read more about it!

Librivox

Internet Archive (Home Page)

Internet Archive (78 rpm archive)

Public Domain 4 U

Folded Space Entry on Public Domain mp3s

(If you would like to leave a voice message, please do so at 206-202-3384. Appropriate call costs apply. Not like I'm ripping off Andy and Golfwidow or anything...)

Bloggers Are Crazy....for Dr. Tran!

As many of you may be aware, Chicago won its bid to host the 2016 Olympic games.

Not only am I proud of that fact, I'm also rather smug about it.

Anyway, in that spirit, I would like to present to you the Internet's (relatively) newest tough guy - Dr. Tran.

(Many of these links are NSFW, but let's face it - work safe's for wussies, grandparents, and Mike Sterling. For them, we offer pictures of kittens. That's about as intense as they can handle).

For everyone else, prepare for the ride of a lifetime!

The original "Here Comes Dr. Tran" Short

Dr. Tran's Roybertito's Commercial

Dr. Tran's Peanut Butter Square Hula Quest

Dr. Tran's Summer Splash

Dr. Tran's Quiet Log Time

Dr. Tran & the Toy Cack

Dr. Tran's Myspace Page

Dr. Tran's site

Lone Sausage (which produces Dr. Tran)

and finally

Dr. Tran's Yahoo Group!

April's Record You Should Own

Originally, I was going to write this on April Fool's Day...but that would have been disrespectful.

Besides, in an age where a guy like Sanjaya is considered worthy of media coverage, you have to give the Monkees their props. Originally designed as a Beatles knock-off, these four gentlemen decided to take their musical futures in their own hands. Their previous album was the first where they played their own instruments; however, this month's Record You Should Own easily stands toe-to-toe with other great 1967 albums, like Forever Changes or Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

That's right - Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones Ltd is that good. If Rhino Handmade really loved us, they would put out a limited edition boxed set of these sessions.

Much of it comes through the stylistic diversity of the album - PACJ hits on country ("Salesman", "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?"), teenybopper pop ("She Hangs Out"), sheer psychedelic freakout (check the end of "Pleasant Valley Sunday"), psychedelia ("Words", "Daily Nightly"). For that alone - coming from four guys juggling a hit television show, touring, and recording - should be enough.

Part of the genius of this album is that, sonically, it is nothing like its contemporaries. This is the first use of the Moog Synthesizer in pop music, giving several songs a slightly unearthly quality (check "Daily Nightly" or "Star Collector"'s malevolent middle). Plus, several times backing vocals are used almost as a fifth instrument (the end of "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Words", and the creepy mix of Micky Dolenz' and Mike Nesmith's voices on "Love is Only Sleeping"), giving the album a slightly ominous air. If you're looking for flower power cliche's, this is definitely not your album.

Finally, this happens to show a much darker side to the Monkee's music (which is probably why most oldies stations only play "Pleasant Valley Sunday." Lyrically, the songcrafters who wrote the Monkees' fare have given some nice little lyrical clues - maybe everyone was having enough of the grind, but what other so-called bubblegum band would dare use lines like:

"Then she turned away and said/Once I loved but love is dead..."

"My thoughts all seem to stray/to places far away/I need a change of scenery..."

"And mountainsides put arms around/the unsuspecting city"

"Well I guess your chances come but once/and boy, I sure missed mine..."

"How can I love her/when I just don't respect her?"

(These were, ironically, the same sessions which gave us "Daydream Believer")

Anyway, if there's one really killer track, it's Davy Jones singing "Star Collector". Personally, I believe that if you replaced the organ and Moog with a fuzzy guitar, and gave Davy more of a Cockney accent, you would have a killer Sex Pistols cover. Of course, for many, you would think of Peter Tork riding around a flying saucer control room on a motorcycle. But trust me, this is one killer track on a great album.

There's bad news and good news when it comes to this album - according to Amazon.com, it's out of print. However, you should be able to find it on Rhapsody, or ITunes. (Rhino has a non-MP3 version available for direct download for $10. You can't beat that price, folks).

Or better yet - head down to your local indie record store. They have a lot of great music available, may sell used CDs, and quite frankly - it's a great place to learn how to be a musical guru.

I'm a Podcastin' Fool

First, thanks to everyone who's shared their comments on my inaugural effort - yes, I will need to get a better microphone (or learn how to use Audacity), but just wait a few months...

...but while you're waiting, why not check out one of these finer podcasts, by people who actually know what they're doing.

First, as always, is Podcrapular - even though Andy is on location in Vegas (I think he's undercover as a showgirl, or something), it's still funny as get out. Please show Golfwidow your blogger love and listen.

Through them, I now truly believe that Food is Not Love - it's a podcast about all sorts of cool stuff (check out their episode featuring Ed Brubacker, or David Mack), but it's also fun. In this recent episode, one co-host featured recordings of his 8 year old nephew talking smack about Brangelina's kids. (Remember: children + profanity = comedy gold) It's like eavesdropping on two friends who share similar interests...only they've recorded it for your pleasure. Plus, his female co-host is kind of cute. At least, her accent's cute.

On the strictly-comics related tip, check out I Read Comics - it's one of my definite must-listens. As a white male, I really appreciate the fact that Lene (the hostess) provides a much needed, much different perspective...and it's done in a straightforward manner. For those of you who are going to complain about it being "feminist" or "high strung", let me say this - I came across another comics related podcast (whose URL I conveniently lost) consisting of two guys who were joking about the "rape potential" of various Justice League members. Compared to that, IRC is a pleasant diversion...and a well-needed perspective.

(Plus, Lene co-hosts another podcast focusing on William Shatner. Suggestion: if you get really desperate for material, watch and review the Columbo episode which features Shatner. Disc One, Columbo - The Complete Sixth and Seventh Seasons I defy you not to think "bad hair day".)

Finally, for the Doctor Who fans out there, there's Doctor Who: Podshock. Two Americans. One Brit. Doctor Who. It is devastingly awesome. It will change your life. I guarantee it.

(Oh, and Roger? To belatedly answer your question about my ideal woman - here she is. Classy, intelligent, and won't take guff from nobody).

I Always Follow Through on Threats, er, I Mean, Promises

Here's my inaugural podcast - be sure to listen to episode # 2: it's really episode one. (Lesson learned: never upload a podcast from a Flash Drive)

blogthispal's podcast





Click here to get your own player.

EDIT - No, your eyes are not deceiving you; the poll overwhelmingly said that people thought the old template was hard to read, so I changed it. I also went back to Blogger's comments, as Haloscan acted wonky. Cleaned up the code a little bit, and...well, here's the new, improved blog!

While You're Waiting....

I'm working on answering your questions - first, though, some assorted stuff.

First, I'm polling everyone on an important issue - this blog's appearance. If you read this blog, chime on in.

Secondly, go vote for Freakazoid in this poll.

Thirdly, in our "obligatory shout-out to I Can Haz Cheezburger":

Finally, to (kind of) answer another one of Roger's many questions, here's my second favorite Monkees song:

Thanks, Roger, for spoiling April's Record You Should Own (which the rest of you will see next week). You've just taken away the surprise for everyone else. =)

Doctor On the Rebound

When last we left our intrepid Time Lord, he had barely enough time to recover from losing his assistant - no, she didn't die, she just went to a parallel universe. In a very ironic way, both of them went back to their "former" lives - one with her family, the other with his travels. Of course, as traumatized as he was, he found a new companion pop up suddenly in his TARDIS...

...and so begins The Runaway Bride which is Russell T. Davies' 2006 Christmas special. Unfortunately, it's like getting a big lump of coal in your stocking. Catherine Tate...no, sorry, way too shrill. Every dumb cliche you would expect in this episode happens. Not much worth writing about. Better left forgotten.

However, Smith and Jones gets Series Three kicking into high gear. Thankfully, much of it is due to the introduction of Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones, a med student who - quite frankly - steps up as an assertive, almost cheeky counterpoint to Tennant's Doctor. Just take this exchange:

Doctor:"(I'm a) Time Lord"
Martha: Nothing pompous about that...

In a way, she helps ground Tennant's performance...and this is an opening that simply crackles. She becomes attracted to the Doctor, but in a slightly different way - the viewer almost expects that she truly is attracted to his mind, rather than his looks. This episode has a much different tone, different pace than the first two series...and even though I expected the Sontarans, I like the concept of the Judoon (aka "police for hire"). Every time RTD strikes out, he comes back twice as hard. Now, if we could only have him put out consistently good scripts...

...like Gareth Roberts' Shakespeare Code. This episode reminds me of late Hinchcliffe/early Williams Who - witty, engaging, and providing plenty of in-jokes about Shakespeare. Mixing various ideas featured in Shakespeare's plays - and life - it's just a great, solid episode with a nice, twist ending. It's a clever idea that I'm sure has been used on Who before, but this is just...there's so much to love about this episode. The shout out to Dylan Thomas. The Doctor's review of the upcoming Harry Potter novel. The revelation about Shakespeare's "Dark Lady". This is, quite simply, a great episode. Almost City of Death level great. I loved this episode.

Hopefully, this is only the beginning.

Early Easter Eggs

As many of you know, I extended the deadline for your questions until the 8th...and since it's Easter, I thought I would provide some lovely Easter Eggs, in the form of the brilliant, short-lived, why-in-tarnation-isn't-this-on-dvd cartoon known as Freakazoid!

For more background information, check out Wikipedia and Jamie J. Weinman's article.

(All of these clips are safe for work - just a heads up. However, for those of you with more delicate constitutions, click here. Your system can't handle Freakazoid. Seriously)

Opening credits are always important.

Enjoy the two-part adventure, "Mission: Freakazoid"

Here's a clip that Scott can enjoy.

Here's a clip especially for Mike Sterling.

One of the first uses of Scream-O-Vision

Can your system handle the excitement?

A test of the emergency broadcast system.

A lesson in French you'll never forget.

Infinite Crisis was never this fun.

And finally, this one's for the ladies.

Happy Easter, everyone!

A Meme and Note to Roger

Roger - to answer one of your voluminous questions, click here.

Also, because I have, well, no self-will (but plenty of sleep), I have engaged in Brandon's new meme.
Check it out!

Back in Business!

Ok, now I have the most important thing set up in my new apartment - my computer. Had to get a new phone jack installed in the second bedroom (or the "office", or even the "love shack"), but now I can catch up on blogging, thanks to Orac (the pet name for my computer).

First, the deadline for questions is April 8th (this Sunday), but only because somebody decided to monopolize it.

Secondly, I received an e-mail from Tammy Caplain, who directed the fan film Fartman: Caught in a Tight Ass, and she asked me to review it. Here goes:

For some people - like myself - Howard Stern's sense of humor is an acquired taste. However, you don't need to be a fan to enjoy Fartman: Caught in A Tight Ass. Yes, it's seven minutes of fart and poop jokes...but these are clever fart and poop jokes. (The baseball bat gag itself is worth the time). Plus, there are some clever uses of multiple frames (like on 24), the acting is appropriately tongue-in-cheek, and this film is well-made and will, at the very least, bring a goofy smile to your face. Personally, I'm hoping the sequel sees Fartman team up with Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo. Although I would recommend watching this at home, only because some employers have more rigid senses of humor. Recommended.

Reason I'm glad I moved back - guess who's returning to Channel 11 on Sunday nights? (God, it's like being back in high school)

Finally, to celebrate my becoming more settled, a video - for you!

A Plea For Andy

Everyone,

Ok, my lame April Fool's joke didn't go over well...but I would like to take some time to encourage you to send some positive thoughts and prayers to a fellow blogger.

This past weekend, the Chicago area was hit with some severe storms. One of them - or, more accurately, a microburst - hit the home of Andy Martello: blogger, juggler, plate spinner, podcaster, and all around swell guy.

Unfortunately, his home suffered severe damage as the result of our weather, so I am asking the blogosphere please pray and/or make sacrifice to whatever deity/pagan god/higher power you believe in and wish him well.

And if Penn and/or Teller are reading this, please hire this guy as your opening act. You won't be disappointed.

A Note for April 1st

Everyone,

It is with a slightly heavy heart that I announce that...this is my last blog entry. I'm leaving.

That's right - my last post was my 666th post, and I'm afraid the Antichrist will soon rear his or her ugly head.

In addition, I put out a call for questions, and only Roger - who seems to have either snapped or has switched to decaf - has posted questions.

So, I bid all of you adieu, and leave to take up residence with my lovely new wife, Morgan Fairchild.