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September 12, 2005

COMICS 101 is in Session

Sometimes people have questions, and sometimes they have questions. Case in point:

Jonathan S. writes: This one's kind of long, so bear with me...

Tipton: Okay, let's do this.

When you did your "Who's Who in the JLU" column, a while back, you forgot to include two characters:

Dr. Midnight shows up in cameo in episode 3x10, as does one of my favorite DC characters, RAY!!! Probably because Owlsley/Priest did such a wonderful job creating wonderfully, seriously screwed up characters (another one being Triumph). But there they are! And Ray shows up again a full year later in episode 4x10.

Tipton: Well, I didn't forget them -- when I wrote it, they hadn't appeared yet.

And, oh, yeah, did you catch the Swamp Thing cameo in the second season episode "Comfort and Joy"? Fast forward to 11:54, and you'll see him walk past GL and Hawkgirl on the street!

Tipton: Actually, I did see that.

You didn't mention Aquaman either, now that I think about it, but that's probably because he's a more recent member of Grant Morrison's JLA, and he had appeared in both Superman and the original series (before it became Unlimited).

Tipton: Again, he hadn't appeared in JLU yet.

In episode 3x07, Plastic Man is REFERRED to as being a member, but we have never yet seen him.

Tipton: True.

Questions/Comments:
In seasons 1 and 2: Why is Superman such a Pussy? Everything seems to hurt him!

Tipton: Early on, there was some underplaying of Superman, because he can be tricky to use in a team environment without overshadowing everyone else.

Why does Etrigan not speak in rhyme nor generate flames from his chyme?

Tipton: The rhyming has come and gone in the comics, so I don't see the problem in not using it.

Since when has Etrigan had the power to freeze?

Tipton: Since right before they showed him do it.

Why is J'onn not afraid of fire?

Tipton: I don't recall this happening. Example?

Have the producers mentioned why they felt it necessary to change the origins of J'onn and Diana?

Tipton: To tell an engaging story and fit them into the series' continuity. All that's really changed is a few of the details. Nothing that matters.

Snapper Carr as a reporter is okay, he was always annoying anyway.

Tipton: Annoying? He's ginchy!

Since when has Hawkgirl's mace conducted electricity?

Tipton: Look, by definition this is a different character than Shayera Hol, so there's no point in nitpicking every little difference. As long as they play consistently by their own rules, which they do, I'm happy.

Why do the villains and heros often behave stupidly? This hearkens back to the Superhero cartoons of my youth, which were often embarassing to watch.

Tipton: This is pretty subjective, as I don't recall this happening. Example?

Continuity is sometimes really bad. Characters are holding, then aren't, then are, objects.

Tipton: Again, this isn't so big a problem that I've ever noticed it. Example?

Why has Etrigan's origin has been changed?

Tipton: I don't think it has. Maybe a few minor tweaks, but the important stuff is all as I remember it.

Why can't Flash just vibrate through things? Like ice, tar, walls, etc.? He was able to when he appeared in Superman: The Animated Series.

Tipton: You've got to allow the creatives some leeway if you're gonna use Flash on a regualr basis. If he could do that, then nothing could ever stop him. Instead they saved him using that power for when it was really important, like in this season's finale againt Brainiac.

In Legend, (originally) why can't Ray continue to live his fantasy? Just send the JLers home! And what does Hawkgirl intend to do by trying to hit Ray in the head with a spiked MACE???

Tipton: Take his head off, obviously. She's a warrior and soldier by instinct, and doesn't always play by the same rules as Superman and Flash. As for Ray, he had illusion powers, but certainly didn't have the power to return the Justice League to their own dimension.

Usually Batman takes samples by HAND, but in Metamorphosis, he (wisely) uses a Q-Tip. If he's supposed to be the world's greatest detective, his forensics should be less shoddy.

Tipton: Okay.

Chemical reactions DO NOT stop at subzero temps, they stop at absolute zero, a temperature which is actually impossible to reach.

Tipton: Okay.

As John Stewart was an architect, he should be using his ring more creatively...he doesn't do so until "Starcrossed".

Tipton: Actually, in the cartoon, it's only been established that John Stewart is a former Marine, which is why his use of the ring is simple and deliberate -- rays, cutting beams and shields. A decision made by the prodcuers early on. Not everything from the comics applies.

Diana's lasso is supposed to be unbreakable, so why does it keep getting broken when she's knocked out?

Tipton: Don't recall this happening. Example?

Why doesn't Jonn ever use his heat vision?

Tipton: Actually, it's "Martian Vision," and come on -- he barely ever used that in the comics.

Why does Ten grab his head when Supes headbutts him? Why does he grunt and scream whenever he gets hit? I thought he felt no pain?

Tipton: Dude, it's Superman -- he hits you, you're gonna feel it.

In "For the Man who Has Everything" (3x02) Batman refers to Superman having told him about Mongul...but neither the Superman series nor JL series had ever introduced or even mentioned Mongul prior to this. (Great adaptation of Alan Moore's story, though.)

Tipton: Not true. The League had encountered Mongul in the first-season episode "Warworld."

In episode 4x01, apart from the Atomic Skull, who are all of the other competitors that we see in the Meta Brawl arena?

Tipton: I'd have to go back and look on that one...

In episode 4x02, Arte Johnson voices Vermin Vunderbarr and says "Very interesting...but futile". His character on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In used to say "verry interesting...but STUPID!"

Tipton: True enough.

In episode 4x06, the Question uses the word Wherefore incorrectly.

Tipton: Didn't sound like it to me. Besides, even if he did, he's nuts.

Who are Supes and Bats fighting in episode 4x07?

Tipton: What episode is that, "Clash"? You mean the Parasite, at the episode's beginning?

Episode 4x08 is significant in that it marks the first time that Nathan Fillion and Gina Torres had worked together since Firefly. I think it might be interesting if some personal relationship were allowed to develop between their characters.

Tipton: I think they'll be too busy dealing with the Vixen/John Stewart/Shayera triangle.

In episode 4x09, files that Question does not open would reveal the connection between Aztek and Luthor.

Tipton: Yes, I saw that.

The dialogue in episode 4x10 doesn't make sense to me: GA says he's an old lefty, but that the government must do for people what they can't do for themselves?

Tipton: Ollie is admitting the contradiction in his feelings: that as a liberal, he should be for more freedom from government interference and intrusion, but he also feels it's the government's role to protect the common man from superbeings like the League.

Also, in this episode, Gypsy is portrayed as having phasing capability, but all she is SUPPOSED to have is chameleoning ability. It is a pretty useless ability I guess, and since they included her in the JLU cast, they must have had to make her useful somehow.

Tipton: Exactly.

Where did the idea for a Power Girl type clone named Galatea come from? I looked, but I haven't been able to find anything of this sort in older comics.

Tipton: Nope, it's a new take on Power Girl.

Some characters haven't received voice credits: Red Tornado (3x05), Crimson Avenger (3x05), Hal Jordan (3x13), Shining Knight (4x04), Aztek (4x09). Who did these voices?

Why doesn't Michael Dorn still do the voice of Steel II? He still does Kalibak!?! Why was George Eads replaced as the voice of Captain Atom? I liked his voice much better for the character than Chris Cox's. Michael T. Weiss doesn't do a very good British accent. Why don't they use Billy Zane who played Jason Blood in Batman: Gotham Knights? ("The Demon Within") Otherwise, the casting is excellent!

Tipton: A lot of times, it doesn't make financial sense to call in the actors to do a single line for an episode with 20 or so parts, so they'll have someone else pick it up. Other times the original actors simply aren't available.

There you go. Hope that helped. I’m gonna go lie down now…

Brett H. writes: Was there ever any reason why Supergirl's Kryptonian name was Kara Zor-El, and Superman's was just Kal-El and not Kal Jor-El?

Tipton: According to Kryptonian societal tradition, "El" is the family name, carried on by the male members of the family like Kal-El, Jor-El and Zor-El. Kryptonian women take their father's full name as their surname, such as Kara Zor-El, or Superman's mother Lara Lor-Van.

And how sad is it that I knew that off the top of my head?

Jesse L. writes: First off great column. Secondly, I just wanted to let you know that you gave me the "courage" to break from the collectors mentality and stop reading JMS' run on Amazing. Your column on the Thunderbolts was also a big influence on my picking up the new series.

And now on with the questions. Do you have any thoughts on the new Thunderbolts?

Have you picked up the new Captain America run, and do you plan to? I was also wondering if you remembered the most recent way in which the Red Skull came back from the dead. In the current run they have made references to the Skull being a clone of Cap (a plot, that I'm sure you know, was originated by the great Mark Gruenwald). Since then he was blown up by an exploding cosmic cube and somehow reformed himself, only to get stabbed in the back (literally) by Cap. This was during the whole Watcher/Kang/Korvac saga, and I stopped reading after the skull died. So I was just wondering if you recalled how he came back that time.

Tipton: Enjoying new T-Bolts so far. A nice counterpoint to NEW AVENGERS, which, I must admit, has improved by leaps and bounds in recent months. Brubaker's CAP is good, too. I think the Skull came back after I stopped reading the last time, so I'm not sure how he returned.

Charles L. writes: Long-time reader, first-time writing in. Just wanted to drop a quick line.

My Dad used to tell me "fashion changes all the time, but style lasts a lifetime." For some reason that phrase popped into my head reading your most recent column about the "stability" of the JLA line-up over the decades. It has stayed the same and has thusly been a comfort to generations of fans.

You mentioned the Avengers as being on the flip-side of that coin (they're the quintessential Marvel team so I see why you picked them). Personally I'd pick the X-Men as having the most blatant "revolving door" membership. I haven't read and of the X-books in a while but when I glance the covers every now and then it looks as though Xavier's membership practices haven't changed. When I was a big X fan, I was afraid to stop reading any of the books, even for a single issue, for fear that when I picked it up again the line-up would have changed beyond my recognition.

Anyway, keep up the great work on your column. Your pieces on Paul Dini & Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series are my favourite thus far.

Tipton: Thanks, man. Glad you're enjoying the column.

Yeah, the early to mid 90s were especially bad for X-Men roster changes. You could skip the books for six months and come back and it'd be like a different series...

Ciaran D. writes: Just checked out a review of Starman: Grand Guignol on Silver Bullet Comic Books and the reviewer stressed the importance of getting the whole Starman story leading up to this. Specifically he mentioned “Times Past” issues not included in the trade books, The Shade mini-series, Showcase ‘95 #12 and Showcase ’96 #4-5. Are these essential and do you know if DC has any plans to collect them all together once 'Sons of the Father', last in James Robinson's Starman back catalogue, is released? If not should I be checking out back catalogues to pick them up? I have all of the trades to date and have enjoyed it too much to miss out on even the smallest piece of the story. What do you reckon?

Tipton: While not essential to the overall story, they are all quite good, and provide lots of nuance and subtext to the big picture. I haven't heard of any plans to collect them. Grab them when you see them, but don't let it disrupt your enjoyment of the STARMAN experience until then -- you're not missing anything crucial.

Thomas M. writes: On the November 12th 2003 column you show panels from when the masters of evil attacked the mansion. The pictures are titled Jarvis, and Jarvis 2. Which books are they from? I ask because I used to have them and my original comic collection got thrown out by my mother when I was a kid, I had thousands, the original space family robinson comics, lone rangers, everything, and I'm trying to reassmble them from memory, and I remember those panels.

Tipton: That's from Roger Stern's "AVENGERS: UNDER SIEGE" storyline, which was published in AVENGERS #270-#277. You can also buy it collected as a trade paperback. Any comic-book retailer will be able to order it for you.

Lou W. writes: This has been nagging me for years. In a early 80s issue, JLA #206, the JLA fights the Demons Three. The framing device is a father in the future (30th century?) taking his son to a super-hero museum. At the end of the story, after the JLA wins, the father tells his son that he knows the story because he is a descendant of one of the JLA'ers who fought in the battle. I no longer have the comic so I don't know what the kids name was, but for some reason I've been curious for 22 years about who the kid was descended from and if he ever showed up again. Does that ring any bells?

Tipton: Based on my research, it looks like the kid never showed up again and his ancestor was never revealed.

BP writes: just wondering if Firestar of 'Spider-Man and his Amazing friends' fame ever made an appearance in the official marvel universe? are there any plans for this fondly remembered animated series to make it to dvd? I remember one where the crazy teens took on Pac-Man, who was chomping up Queens. Also, it was pretty funny how May's house would turn inside out into a super hero HQ. Or did i imagine that?

Tipton: No, that actually happened. I think they later explained it as a gift from Tony Stark.

SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS is currently airing on Toon Disney, by the way. No DVD plans I know of.

Firestar was introduced to the Marvel Universe as a member of Emma Frost's Hellions, one of her students at the Massachusetts Academy. She later went on to membership in both the New Warriors and the Avengers.

Patricky writes: just wanted to drop you a line to let you know your column is great stuff. Ever since I discovered it it's been a regular wendnesday morning read, as well as a regular source of online comics reference.

I'm sure you're aware of the Grant Morrison helmed 7 soldiers project DC is launching this spring. With that in mind I'm hoping you might offer up a retrospective to the original concept and charactors to accompany this new set of series.

Tipton: I might, but the original Seven Soldiers stories aren't that good, so I dunno if they warrant a full column. They did get a little coverage in one of my JLA columns, though.

Mike writes: I don't know if you were watching last night, but the new JL Unlimited had a great ending, and it looks like one of your readers called it. I don't remember the exact date, but recently someone wrote in speculating that the Hawkman of the future might be John Stewart and Shayera Hall's son...last night he was proven right.

Also during the show, Static Shock made an appearance, the future Static, which kind of surprised me. I knew he and the Justice League had a run in, and him and Bats and GL have also crossed paths once or twice, but I didn't think he would be added into the new series. I actually kinda like the Static show, it has a charm if nothing else, so it would be kinda fun if he was around more. Any thoughts? Is this Warner Bros. flexing their rights with the license, or do you think maybe he'll just be a one shot use?

One more quickie...I've been out of touch recently and missed the whole War Games crossover, but I caught something at the end and now Tim Drake is in Bludhaven. What happened? Where is Nightwing? And is Spoiler dead? Thanks for any answers you have!

Tipton: I doubt you'll see Static in JLU for more than this appearance. There was talk a while back of using him in the TITANS comic book, but that seems to have fallen through. You didn't miss much with WAR GAMES. Spoiler is dead, Robin and Batgirl are covering Bludhaven, Oracle is now traveling the world with the Birds of Prey on "Aerie One" and a guilt-ridden Nightwing attempted to turn himself in for the murder of Blockbuster ( which he didn't commit, but didn't stop, either), but was turned away by his former associates on the police department.

Andy writes: I came across your columns recently, and they are absolutely captivating. I really like the depths you go into to provide backgrounds on characters and the page scans you provide.

I was wondering if you were planning on writing about the following topics:

* the Watchmen
* Astro City
* the Infinity Gauntlet
* Rob Liefeld -- surely there's a lesson or two to be learned about how he went from being the wunderkind to someone who turns everything he touches to poop.

Also, with Alan Moore's "V for Vendetta" and "The Watchmen" in the movie production mill, where can I find out if/when they'll come out with new printings of the respective maxi-series? I'd hate to acquire the individual books on eBay, only to find out they're going to put out spankin'-new hardcover editions with additional material...

Tipton: Yes to all the topics you mention, and yes to your question about the Moore books currently being planned for hardcover reissue. Both V FOR VENDETTA and WATCHMEN are slated for new hardcover editions.

TV RECOMMENDATIONS

Twins:

Ramon V. writes: Hello, first off I wanted to say I really like your column and i was wondering if you knew anything about the upcoming WB show Twins. I thought Sara Gilbert was funny in Roseanne and when I saw she was gonna be in this I was a bit curious. I'm not a big fan of the WB programming so I was wondering what you thought or if you had heard something about it.

Ryall: Yeahhh... all I can say is, you should watch it this week, because, based on the pilot, it might not make it far past the pilot.

Rock Star:

Theron N. writes: Okay, I watched tonight's episode, Chris, and I still stand by my predictions: Mig as winner; Suzie as runner-up (and rightful winner).

Ryall: Think I concur, although freaky Marty is still a potential. I still think JD is the best choice for the band's music, but the last thing this faceless band wants is another arrogant asshole lead singer to steal all attention from them. The bass player wants his, dammit!

Jordis really tanked, eh? But, hey, give her ten years and she'll be great.

Ryall: Yeah, she seemed over her head. Her Gap commercial should be decent--that's got to be in her future.

Again, J.D. seems to have a voice, but he doesn't seem to know what to do with it. His posturing (vocal and physical) are so fucking off-putting.

And Marty seems to want to be Eddie Vedder, but with a pop sensibility. I wasn't that impressed with "Trees," but my wife seemed to think it sounded like a "real" radio pop song. If that's true - yikes!

Ryall: I kinda liked it, actually, other than its completely banal lyrics.

Mig's a perfect fit. He's kind of bland, but he's a good performer.

Suzie McNeil = class, talent, long-term career.

Lord help me, I voted for Suzie about a dozen times. Also, was it me or did Brooke actually seem to be trying to emote tonight ("trying" being the operative word here)?

Ryall: I've decided that Brooke can do anything she wants...

Rome on the History Channel:

Rob L. writes: Dude, right on with going back to the bad old days of nazi tv. I just wanted to add that the directors of the rome week should lay off the Guy Ritchie; hell I didn’t know if I was watching a documentary or a cross between snatch, lock stock and 2 smoking barrels, and sparticus!

Ryall: Can't go wrong with Nazis... not sure how the History Channel forgot this rule.

Foyle's War III

Mick C. writes: But were you being droll or winging it in ignorance when you wrote about Foyle's WAR III? This is just for future reference, so I know if maybe sometimes you don't always watch stuff. Because I'm not being droll when I tell you, who really could. The III as you likely know, refers to the series chronology. The war is WW2 & you're right Foyle was/is on the right side. Who knows what will happen in FW IV. ...

Ryall: A mix of droll and ignorance... I didn't know a thing about the show, and that was the best I could muster without actually giving it any thought.

You Look MARVELous

Jimmie B. writes: i just read about marvel enterprises 10 movie concepts. a few interest me, capt. america, dr. strange, nick fury, and the avengers. But Ant Man. come on. whos going to watch that. the trailer had be pretty darn amazing. i love comics but i don't see AntMan as the center of a movie. it sounds like a bad "honey i shrunk the kids" spoof. my question was, who is hawkeye. he sounds really familiar. has he been around lately? one thing i do know is that the comic cover you have posted with him on it is funny. it says *Solo *Adventures stariing *Hawkeye And mockingbird.*

Ryall: You actually nailed it--I was talking to one of the screenwriters for Ant Man, and what Marvel told him they wanted was "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" with superheroes. Or else Ant Man as a private eye. Either way, ugh.

But... you've never heard of Hawkeye? Hawkeye's great. He used to be an Iron Man villain, way back when, but has been an Avenger longer than any of us have been alive, he had his own miniseries, led a couple teams... Marvel recently killed him off and then brought him back, not that I'm reading the mess of a comic that saw him return. There're a few mentions in these COMICS 101 columns--scroll down to the parts about the purple archer...

http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/comics101/37.html
http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/comics101/38.html
http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/comics101/88.html

TV PILOT REVIEW

Johnny G. writes: Your a fucking bitch, you know that. You wouldn't know a good show if it gave you a blow job then fucked you. Which by the way i'm sure Julie M. already has. You both suck. Fastlane is a great show. The actors have a great chemistry and you suck at life, so go on living theat worthless life. You really need to just relax and enjoy, don't try and think too much you might hurt yourself.

Ryall: I look forward to your timely FAMILY GUY hate mail in a year or two from now. Then again, anyone who liked FASTLANE is a good year or two behind the rest of the world anyway.

Incidentally, "Julie M." is now my wife, so your comment is more prescient than it is insulting.

Relief

Scott M. writes: Since you guys like comics and don't like hurricanes I thought I'd let you know there's going to be a webcomic hurricane relief telethon at webcomictelethon.com on Sept 13th and 14th, so maybe you could mention it in the mailshoot or something. I have nothing to do with it, (well I'll probably send a comic) but anything where people read comics and help hurricane victims can't be bad.

Ryall: Concur. IDW had some good luck with our auction as well, and I even came away from it with a nice piece of art for my donation, too. Every little bit helps.

Photos of the Week

Ryall: Another photo from SUPERMAN RETURNS... I think. Either that or it's RUSHMORE 2's Max Fischer, now out of college and working for a great metropolitan newspaper...

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