Happy Birthday, Fred Hembeck!

Dear Fred,

Best birthday wishes to a man who has helped corrupt many a youth (including myself), encouraging a great love of comics and graphic literature.

Thanks, and here's to many more.

Your pal,
Gordon

You Make Me Tag Along Run Into The Rent-A-Crowd

Things have been very busy this past week - a fund raising project and some temporary work have had me busy. So, in an attempt to bring all of you up to speed, here are some quick little bullet items for your perusal:

• Current favorite reads: Marvel, surprisingly, with The Twelve and Immortal Iron Fist. Both are more than willing to take some old school styles and give them some new school twists. Both series are highly recommended.
• Just finished the hardcover of Marvel Zombies. Good to know that a one-page premise could sustain a mini-series...but why?
• Shameless self-promotion: this Wednesday at 1:00 pm, I'll be doing an in-studio interview as pop culture-comic blogger/non-profit community mobilizer/Jack of All Trades. You can listen in the Chicago area on 89.5 FM, or click here (which may be a future host of the podcast) at that time for a streaming version.
• I'm loving the heck out of Facebook's "Virtual Bookshelf" application. You can check out my profile on the sidebar, and send me a note if interested.
• Thursday night, I'll be doing this networking event - if you're a young professional, and/or want to get involved in Chicago non-profits, please attend.
• I have also been asked to acquire sponsorships for a reggae/Jamaican music festival with health/educational themes - please e-mail me if you have contacts with an appropriate company.
• Finally, Robert Johnson - available for download now.
  

And now, as I always like to do, let's end with a song:

Animated Second Chances

(Yes, I know, I've been away awhile - luckily or unluckily, I've had some opportunities to work, and a big fund raising opportunity. So this is for those of you who missed reading new stuff on the blog)

It's ironic that the Fox Network - owned by Rupert Murdoch, one of the most conservative businessmen on the planet - is often one of the most out-of-the-box in terms of content. The network also seems to hire executives with little judgment, cancelling shows only to have them later revived. Such is the case with two animated shows: Matt Groening's Futurama and Seth McFarlane's Family Guy, due solely to DVD sales. McFarlane received a new order for a further series and spin-off; Groening, with The Simpsons had to settle for made-for-DVD versions of Futurama.

Groening got the better deal - Bender's Big Score is a well-written, remarkably taut movie that resembles the best of old school Futurama. (Can I even say that?) It's incredibly hard to write about without giving spoilers, but let's just say it involves Internet scammers from the nude beach planet, time travel, and a very well-placed slap at Fox executives. (Not the ones in the home video department, according to the producers' commentary, but the ones at the network). There's even a twist that, on first viewing, I didn't see coming...and no, I won't spoil it for you. This movie is so good, that I wish I could afford to buy all my blogger and podcast pals a copy. It also wears its geekiness on its sleeve - let's face it, any DVD that features both a live comic book reading and a math lecture by a fan is real hardcore. More hardcore than MC Chris. But the best part of the DVD...is a complete episode with this character.

But Blue Harvest, aka "The Family Guy Star Wars Special"? A complete and utter waste of time. Wow, what an original idea - retell the movie with Family Guy characters. (Want to see it done right? Check out the Robot Chicken Star Wars Special. Sharper jokes, smarter writing...it's worth it. Trust me)

In its first three, pre-cancelation seasons, Family Guy seemed to be moving towards a heady mix of raunch and story. However, Blue Harvest reveals that Jamie Weinman (one of my my favorite bloggers) hits every flaw of the show right on the nose). Now, in his arrogance, McFarlane and his crew seem to rely on the same formulas of random cutaways and it-will-be-so-wacky obvious targets (A talking dog! Fart jokes! A baby who talks like Rik Mayall! Ironic voice cameos!) that, much like current South Park, doesn't even try anymore, content to just coast because - let's face it - McFarlane "won", and what's the worst that will happen? Another fan-based DVD drive to get a second "reboot". Sorry, Seth, but laziness is no substitute for humor.

For those of you who will post the "dude, you don't get it" comments, or tell me how wrong I am about Family Guy...Ok, I liked the hyperspace gag that led to this. But let's face it - Family Guy is about as cutting edge as Full House was in the 1980s. For McFarlane and his staff, Family Guy seems more like a job...but for the cast and crew of Bender's Big Score, it's a labor of love. And fortunately for them, it shows.

And to quote Bender, if you still disagree with me, you can bite my shiny metal ass. Or something.

Bender's Big Score: Highly Recommended.
Family Guy Presents Blue Harvest: Not Recommended

The Daughter of Alice Kramden

Recently, we have had an unusually large list of celebrity deaths - Allan Melvin (aka, "Sam the Butcher"), Brad Renfro, and most recently, Heath Ledger. As a comics blogger, it would be tempting - but extremely dishonest of me - to post about how Ledger's death moved me. It was extremely tragic - he leaves a two year old daughter behind - but the one passing that made its mark on me is for much more familiar reasons.

Other, smarter bloggers noted the passing of Suzanne Pleshette which, at first glance, seems relatively innocuous. After all, she was a "starlet" in the 1960s, moved onto television success, and then...well, the kind of relative obscurity that meets most celebrities of that time. However, for me, she was...well, how do I begin?

Growing up, one of my favorite shows was (and is) The Bob Newhart Show. In fact, several aspects of my life eerily parallel Mr. Newhart's - we both attended the same high school and college, had flirtations with comedy and psychology...only Mr. Newhart is a much funnier man than I am. Or ever will be.

But like many people my age, we were shaped by television - in that first grand cycle of syndication, receiving input from "classic" shows and then "new" shows, Emily Hartley was - and is - one of the most positive portrayals of working women on television. Her relationship with her husband, the creatively named "Bob", was one of mutual respect, admiration, and care...but without the somewhat treacly, almost overdone nature of most television relationships. It was one of the few relationships where you could see what the characters saw in each other (unlike, say, the Ricardos), and seemed almost ripped from real life (although I adore the Petries - especially Laura - they did seem a little too tv-ish. Yes, it was a different time, but still...)

In fact, in many ways Pleshette took a page from the Alice Kramden play book - a smart, capable woman dealing with the tribulations of her husband's life. However, where Alice dealt with her husband's gotta-get-out-of-this-dump schemes, Emily Hartley gently supported her husband as he dealt with his unusual clientèle and colleagues. Alice Kramden's husband repeatedly told her, "Baby, you're the greatest"; Emily Hartley's husband showed her she was a greatest. She's the kind of woman - smart, independent, and supportive - that I hope to get involved with someday.

Her career outside of Newhart is, well, better served by others; but to demonstrate how much she was loved by her audience...watch the Newhart series finale, and notice the applause when she makes her under-the-wire cameo. Listen to the enthusiasm of the studio audience.

She was - and is - loved. And she will be missed.

Make Mine Martello!

Yes, I know I've been away for a little bit - mostly recharging the old noggin. (Plus, here in Chicago it's colder than the collective hearts of all of my ex-paramours). However, since there hasn't been a lot that I've wanted to say, here are a few assorted items of note. Please read carefully:

• You know what America needs? More plate spinning on television. It's the perfect cure for the WGA strike...and I know just the guy to do it. Here's how you can help. (And Andy, check your e-mail box)
• Recently, at a Chicago bloggers' Meetup, I was introduced to Vocalo, which is a kind of blogging/podcast service for the Chicago area. Don't be too surprised if I move at least the non-Record You Should Own cast to this service.
• OK, Tony, I'll see your Stewie...and raise you Beck.
• Aside to the Coffee Junkee - just read the graphic novel 30 Days of Night, and it reads like an illustrated screenplay. It's also incredibly lame, and if the novel is any indication...it's as bad as you consider the movie to be.
• A moment of silence, since Sam the Butcher has passed. RIP, Allan Melvin.
• Happy birthday, Laura at Bloggity-Blog-Blog!
• Yes, you can learn valuable business lessons from reality tv.
• Shameless self-promotion: not only can you read the latest TV Party, but you can also discuss it here. That way, you'll provide Mike with some grist-for-his-blog quotes.
• Download and listen. Now.
• Near-twin Roger wonders what will be the legacy of George W. Bush. I've chimed in - now it's your turn.
• And finally, with stories like these, it's no wonder people are distrustful of religion. (And yes, I am working on either a podcast and/or post about the new "atheist chic"...just to foreshadow, let's just say that these are my favorite words ever written).

The Cure for Lazy Blogger Syndrome

First, the greatest video ever made:



Second, you, too, can download an MP3 of the Constitution being read. That way, you can actually speak from experience when discussing "freedom of speech" or "separation of church and state".

More real content forthcoming - just been one heckuva week.

Controversial Comics Post # 437

You know, with all the brouhaha over the Wonder Woman Playboy cover, or the "Brand New Day" storyline in Amazing Spider-Man, it's easy to lose sight over stories that may be more disconcerting - in fact, two stories that could have a definite impact over the future of comics have been relatively ignored.

(And to be fair - in terms of the Playboy cover, I would take it more seriously if 1) it wasn't a magazine that regularly featured women in provocative poses, and 2) whose cover model was the first firing from Celebrity Apprentice. And I've podcast this before, and I'll say it again: Amazing Spider-Man is a crappy comic).

Late last year, a European torrent tracker was asked by both Marvel and DC to stop providing access for comics torrents. (And by "asked", I mean "sent cease-and-desist" letters on their attorney's stationary"). In addition, The Pirate Bay - a tracker in Sweden - has also had multiple software, hacking, and legal issues, with their sole defense being, "We're in Sweden - we're not subject to American copyright laws".

I'm blogging about this because while perusing the blogsophere, I encountered another blogger who basically asserted that they would not purchase one particular company's comics, and that the "DL community" should fight back against poor comics. I performed a quick Google and Ask search on "DL Community" and could find no solid answer, meaning that 1) it more than likely means "download" and/or 2) it's an unusual intimate practice known only by a few individuals...and Andy Martello. Given that Marvel and DC are attempting to enter the online comics game, and are meeting with mixed results, my advice is...how about a torrent subscription service?

Granted, setting a service like that up would be complicated, as you would require people to seed your files, converting all comics into electronic formats, and most importantly - paying a fair wage to current artists and writers, and appropriately compensation past artists and writers . (Taking my cue from a caller to a recent episode of Sound Opinions, I'm trying to avoid the issues that led to the WGA Strike). Given the decreasing quality of their books, Marvel and DC should consider alternative means of distribution, since traditional comic sales are fluctuating.

Now, of course, the more cynical amongst you are saying, "Gee, tough talk for a guy sitting behind a keyboard - how do we lay the groundwork? You say you got a real solution, well, you know...we'd all love to see the plan." To which I say, "What makes me so different than the rest of the comics blogosphere?" Traditional media is realigning, confused by the emergence of digital distribution, the rules are changing, and instead of focusing on how to adapt to this paradigm shift (and I hate that phrase)...we're worried about Wonder Woman with body paint...and writing on Spider-Man that would have been par-for-the-course back in the early 1970s.

I understand - women should not be objectified. We should have well-written comics instead of sales-increasing stunts. But quite frankly, as someone who loves graphic literature...I think we're losing sight of some critical issues, most notably, that the way in which information and product is distributed is changing. Music, movies, and even comics are moving towards a more digital domain, and instead of focusing on how to capitalize on that...we're worried because Wonder Woman is semi-naked (and the woman posing is compared to Lynda Carter).

Enough of this tempest in a teapot - and now, back to life as usual.

Revisiting The Golden Age

The Twelve # 1
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

J. Michael Straczynski must have mixed feelings right now.

First, dealing with his semi-public differences with Joe Quesada over the Spider-Man "One More Day" storyline. The current Hollywood writer's strike. Shifting (and I wish I could find the article) from doing monthly series to limited series' projects. I'm a middling fan when it comes to JMS - I liked Babylon 5, thought Jeremiah, despite studio interference, was relatively lackluster, but loved his work on the 1980s Twilight Zone revival.

So it was with that spirit that I approached The Twelve # 1, a limited series featuring little-known Marvel Golden Age heroes. As someone who loves DC for the way it integrates its earlier history into its current one - as well as loving the pulp/WW II era in general - I approached this book with curiosity, as well as some trepidation.

The verdict - a very intelligently written comic that builds upon the past in a unique way.

It would have been easy to do an Invaders/All Winners Squad-style book. Taking these little known characters and moving them to current times...also might have seemed a little cliche. But Straczynski attempts to really tell a tale about shifts in time, about readjusting to a world that thinks differently.

It begins in 1945, shortly before the fall of Berlin. In a final push, Marvel's Golden Age heroes seize the city, and help begin bringing about the end of the war. Twelve heroes (including super powered individuals as well as more pulp-influenced "tourists") find themselves trapped by the Nazis in an attempt to "prepare" for the inevitable return of the Third Reich. (Luckily, this involves cryogenics - Marvel has enough problems with time travel).

Thankfully, the cryogenic tubes are discovered during the course of construction...and that's when the story kicks into gear. Narrated by the Phantom Reporter, we soon learn how the heroes initially discover where - and when - they are revived (which is one of the best parts of this book), and in a post Civil War universe, become drafted in an attempt to provide a lost sense of heroism.

And it's in that approach that Straczynski succeeds - it would have been easy to use public domain characters - the fact that three current projects have done so demonstrates the ease. However, using owned-but-barely-recognizable characters gives the story a slight lift, much like Alan Moore using Charlton characters as the basis for Watchmen. In addition, the comic has a less manic, Mickey Spillane-esque quality to it - you can't wait to get to the last page (and the last page...without spoiling it, really begins to kick off the story proper).

The art by Chris Weston...is also quite good. It has a good, semi-realistic quality. Too cartoony, and the book would have been seen as campy. Too realistic, and it might have been seen as campy. Even given the slightly (self-admittedly) absurb nature of our 1940's heroes, Weston could have gone for easy emulation of 1940's art styles...but his pencils really give the characters some weight. There are a few narrative blips (repeated reading helped me differentiate between two main characters), but otherwise, this is a solid series.

The last Marvel book I enjoyed was Agents of Atlas, which took lesser known characters and cast them in an intelligent story. The Twelve, I think, may serve as a great companion piece...and tell another intelligent story in its own right.

And JMS can smile, because if losing the battle over Spider-Man means he has more time to tell this story...it will be worth it.

Highly recommended.

Blog THIS Pal!'s Greatest Hits - 2007 Edition

First, for those of you who came here through Comic Related - welcome!

I did this last year - it's based on a meme/suggestion proposed by Greg (who, like Roger, is one of the smartest people on the Internet). It's simple, really - you go back through your blog, randomly choose a distinctive quote, and post and link back.

So get on board the WABAC Machine, and look at the glory days of 2007 as posted on this blog.

(NOTE: I have a tendency to be....oh, how should I put it...a bit of a jerk at times. So some posts may seem, ah, a bit abrasive):

January - In many ways, Terrence Dicks is like the William Shatner of Doctor Who writers - no matter what he does, he will always be linked to the show. The sad thing is, that title cuts both ways - he will always be linked - and be trapped - in the show's past.

February - Also, if all you blog about is hating comics, or complaining about comics, consider taking up a new hobby. Or get a pet. I hear hamsters are nice.

March - I'm sure there are big plans for Cap to come back in a mega-ultra-crossover, "Captain America: Back from the Dead And Not Happy About It". It will feature 20 issues of Mark Millar writing Cap verbally abusing Iron Man

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

May - (To the companies involved - if you use one of my ideas, I deserve a finder's fee. A huge one)

June - And of course, to finish off the tour, a perusal of the singular piece of genius known as Puppet Bike.

July - But anyway, thanks for the wild ride, and remember: if you need anyone to be "roughed up", or need some professional "enforcers", please let me know, and I'll arrange it. I live in Chicago, now, you know.

August - You sure didn't see this on The Mod Squad, that's for sure.

September - The great thing is that most great art endures despite - not because - of great mystery

October - First, a partially converted Cyberwoman is a great concept...but not in a costume that would have seemed over the top for an old Batman episode.

November - Thanks for visiting, dear readers, and always remember - a "sonic screwdriver" is not Seven-Up and orange juice.

December - She's smart. She's attractive. She's a redhead. If she weren't already spoken for - and she also loved Doctor Who - I would so write embarrassingly gushing blog posts about her.

Thanks for reading, and start saving your pennies for this year's Bogie Birthday on 12/25!

January's Record You Should Own

A record that I had always meant to cover, but never got around to it...until now. Consider this one New Year's Resolution that I've completed.

If the player doesn't work, you can always download it here. (If anyone has good recommendations for podcast hosts, just leave them in comments or e-mail me)

Also, besides the links listed below the player...I'm also starting another page on the online store. Enjoy!



Click here to get your own player.

Happy Birthday, William Hartnell!

William Hartnell
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Yes, it's his 100th...and he doesn't look a day over 350.

Outpost Gallifrey article

Wikipedia Article

IMDB Entry

Hartnell Story Recommendations

(Yes, there was another post in this space. I replaced it with this more important - and timely - one. My apologies)

A Burning Rage to Live

Walk Hard
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Let me start with the end of this blog post: Get Up And See Walk Hard - Right Now. We'll still be here. We'll even wait.

---

Welcome back!

Anyway, it's surprising that this movie hasn't done better business...because it's one of the sharpest, most effective musical satires since Spinal Tap. (Or even, in more recent years, other pop culture satires like Galaxy Quest). The brainchild of Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan, this satire of the musical biopic has one major weapon up its sleeve: it is a movie that is fully aware that it is a satire.

It is tempting to view the form the movie takes as satirical - for example, the traumatic childhood loss; the rapid rise; the mediocre middle years, and triumphant comeback are all grist for the mill. (There's even an end-of-the-credits "cameo" by the "real" Dewey Cox) However, the genius of the film (driven by current fave Judd Apatow and directed by Jake Kasdan) is that, even within the film, there is a great reflexiveness. We're introduced to Reilly as Cox...playing with "fellow" fourteen year olds. At one point, Cox's wife warns him, "Don't you dare write a song while we're arguing!". But ultimately, the satire reaches its self-reflexive genius not only with Cox remarking on the famous people he's meeting, but also in the casting of key cameos (Jack Black as Paul McCartney! The Malcolm in the Middle kid as Buddy Holly! Opie's dad as a preacher!). Reilly is able to channel a good, aw-shucks attitude in making a guy who acts incredibly selfishly...seem real and likable.

Kudos also have to be given to near-triplet Jenna Fischer (born within a few days of myself and near-twin Roger) as Darlene, the rather prim young backup singer who finds herself involved with Cox. This would have been an easy role to play broadly...but even within a comedic context, there is a real sweetness and solidity to Fischer's performance. And the music in the movie - Cox's "hit parade" - also serves less as pastiche and more as solid songs. It's no wonder that, by the end of the movie, we like Cox - if the songs had shown a little less effort, the movie would have been way off the mark.

There are some missteps - for example, we get it! The father thought the wrong son died! - but other than that, this is one of the best, funniest movies to come out in a long time. It's a shame, though, that crap like Meet the Spartans is going to be a better financial success. (If you want my less-than-ten-word opinion - and/or you want to check out a cool movie blog - click here).

So please see Walk Hard. Or see it again. You'll thank me later.

Highly recommended

Of Pythons and 'Placements

As long time readers of this blog are aware, when I'm not engaging in useless pursuits (like stalking Bill Corbett), I enjoy reading good books. Although I was sorely tempted to nominate this recent read as best non-fiction book of 2007, there are two books - both of which are first person accounts, and whose work I have featured back in 2006 - that really deserve the attention - and the title - of the Blog This, Pal Best Nonfiction Books of 2007.

Jim Walsh's All Over But the Shouting serves as a great first book about the Replacements, who were featured in a very early pre-podcast Record You Should Own. I've spoken about how the band had an influence on me (they're one of the few bands whose worst stuff is still listenable), and it is tempting to admit bias. However, this book is a warts-and-all examination of the band through friends, loved ones, and former members. (Westerberg, Stinson and Mars are represented through press quotes). Unlike most "you-should-have-been-there" efforts, this book seems to capture the quality that endeared the Replacements to their fans - the dual dynamic of wanting success, but also turning and running away. (Or as Westerberg so eloquently put it, "if bein' afraid is a crime, we hang side by side"). There is a certain amount of local scene gossip (including suggestions of a feud with Husker Du), but that isn't what makes the book remarkable.
Two things Walsh does lifts All Over But the Shouting up - first, he demystifies and gives us a greater sense of Bob Stinson as a human being. It was easy to see Stinson as representative of the 'Mats get-drunk-and-mess-up school of rock; it's much harder - and his early demise is much more deeply felt - as the result of reading these memories. But more importantly, Walsh seems to provide a great rationale and end to the Replacements' story. Although there was a kinda sorta reunion for a Rhino compilation, in many ways, this book encapsulates the appeal of the Replacements enough...to make a reunion meaningless. If any band deserved this book as an epitaph, it would be the Replacements.

The other book that made a definite impact is Michael Palin's Python Diaries - Palin has always been my personal favorite Python member. His sense of visual whimsy and gentle humor helped provide an excellent counterpoint to the more cerebral John Cleese...or the verbal Eric Idle. This is not a warts-and-all examination of the inner workings of the original show...but even in its all-too-brief excerpts, Palin provides an excellent memoir of the working life of a television writer balancing the vagaries of show-business with a growing family.

(One point of note - in a recent episode of her most excellent podcast, Lene of I Read Comics mentioned that she felt a lot of Palin's family life seemed left out of the book...that Palin may not have thought to write about it. Given some of the jumps in diary entries - and the fact that his children are now adults - Palin may have chosen to give them their privacy. The focus of the book is mostly on Palin's business/creative life - although his family life would be just as interesting, he does have the right to maintain some boundaries.)

What makes this book interesting is the matter-of-fact examination of the dynamics of writing and performing in Monty Python. (Reading about how each of the members interact with each other - and how Palin regards them - makes for fascinating reading). Unlike most modern behind-the-scenes featurettes, the stories behind Holy Grail and Life of Brian are especially revelatory and given a certain more weight. (Example - Mr. Palin describing how a church actually commended the troupe on Brian as an excellent tool for teaching independent thought). It's a long book that - much like All Over But the Shouting - is a total page-turner from start to finish. (And to mimic Terry Jones, "At 600 pages, it bloody well ought to be").

But both books do what the best non-fiction does - illuminate, enlighten, and at the same time, make an experience seem real. And both books are the best of 2007.

Both are highly recommended.

Obligatory Comics Meme - First for 2008!

Via Ragnell & Johnny Bacardi's Livejournal:

Which Power Ring would come to you?

You have the ability to overcome great fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps. Your ring will guide you to Oa where you will be instructed in the proper use of your newfound powers as Green Lantern of sector 2814.
Take this quiz!








Quizilla

Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

It's 2007 In 30 Minutes or Less

Yes, I've put together my "2007 Year in Review" podcast - just a few items of note:

1. About twenty seconds in...it's not a glitch, it's a mashup.
2. I've been fighting a cold - hence, not only do I sound more congested as the podcast moves on, but my editing is kinda sloppy.
3. As of now, there's a new title for the podcast - listen and learn.
4. I've also begun integrating various sounds, which I think you'll enjoy, especially since it means less talking for me.
5. In the last two minutes, there's a trailer for the Record You Should Own. Please don't e-mail me and say, "why don't you feature this record" because - let's face it - it's my podcast, and my choice.
   
6. If the player doesn't work, you can download it here.
   

Click here to get your own player.

Happy 2008, Everyone!

davros3
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Yes, I'm back from my mini-break (although starting to develop a little bit of a cold...actually, more like hanging on to my Christmas cold.

However, I wanted to wish everyone a happy new year, and that you can expect, in the next few days, to see on this blog:

• my 2007 in review podcast, with the brand new podcast title
• the January "Record You Should Own"
• the best two non-fiction books of 2007, and
• various assorted things

.

Hope 2008 brings everyone health, happiness, and good times.