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November 28, 2005

COMICS 101 is in Session

Ryan R. writes: Hey, Mr. Tipton. I was just reading the new Mail Shoot, and I think I know of the TV series Brad W is asking about. It was called "Once a Hero" and it aired in 1987. Marvel did a comic book tie-in called Captain Justice, the first issue of which I once got in a mail-order "comic book collection starter set."

Here's the IMDb plot summary, written by one Cynan Rees:

"The creator of comic superhero Captain Justice, Abner Bevis, is in a rut, repeating old storylines. The comic's owners want to kill the strip off due to falling sales, and children are losing interest in it. This transfers itself to the world of the comic strip, Pleasantville, where Justice realises his adventures are repeats, and the characters of the world are starting to fade. So Justice crosses into the real world. He finds he has lost his superpowers, but the comic's Gumshoe has followed him and is looking out for him. His antics create renewed interest in the strip. Bevis is inspired to make Justice more contemporary, and the owners agree not to cancel it."

Tipton: That's it! Thanks to Ryan and everyone else who came through with the info.

Mike B. writes: Been a while, but still reading every week and enjoying the column much as ever. I do have a real quickie though. I have been waiting for the JLU to start up again, but I seemed to have missed it. When does it play now? Used to be saturdays, but unless its not playing in California, i think I may have missed the starting gun. Please help!

Oh, by the way, any chance of them making a DVD collection of the Justice League series any time soon, or are we gonna be waiting for years like with the Batman dvds? Thanks again!

Tipton: JLU is off the schedule while they wait for new completed episodes to arrive. Why they decided to show the first four two at a time I have no idea.

No word yet on DVD sets.

Brian S. writes: I've never been into the Superman books really. They re-launch them every couple of years and start them off strong, but the they always seem to fall into a rut and I lose interest. Admittedly, I don't really follow Supes' solo adventures. Outside of Batman/Superman, JLA, and what I read in Wizard, I don't know what's going on in his books. So that brings me to my question: what the hell is going on with Lex Luthor these days? Last thing I knew he went apeshit trying to take down Batman and Superman and was publicly disgraced. Wayne Enterprises took ownership of the Lexcorp tower and then Lex blew it up. Then I pick up The Question (Veitch has hooked me with this book) and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (also a great book) and Lex is back in the tower, still hating on Supes, not batshit insane, doing his corporate thing. Ummm, wasn't he wanted not a few months back? Am I crazy, or did DC really pull some sloppy Marvel-style continuity wool over our eyes?

Would it be too much to tell Marvel to give Bendis a break? All his books are starting to seem the same to me. They've pretty much given him the entire Marvel Universe as his sandbox. I like some of his stuff, but jesus, how many people get to know who Spiderman's secret identity is? Or Daredevil's? And now this shit is trickling into other books. I really hope they reign this mofo in a bit. I was a big fan for a while, but truth be told I'm starting to really get sick of his writing style.

Thanks for the column, and thanks for responding so quickly last time. Hopefully we'll find out what happened to Tom Peyer soon. He is missed in this Bendis-saturated world Marvel has created. Peace out Prof...

Tipton: I think all the Luthor stuff is currently being straightened out in INFINITE CRISIS.

I agree, the Bendisization of the Marvel Universe is not a good trend...

Ryan F. writes: I have to say first of all that I greatly enjoy your column. I am no longer a regular comic collector, but I do try to stay abreast of all the major storylines affecting Marvel and D.C. I do have a quick question related to a storyline that was playing out in the Bat-books a little while back. I seem to recall that Lucious Fox hired a female bodyguard to protect Bruce Wayne, and that this bodyguard eventually discovered that he is Batman. I further recall that Batman began training the bodyguard as a vigilante, and that they may have begun to fall in love. However, as far as I know that storyline never really went anywhere. Could you fill me in on exactly what happened, and if there were any larger themes that the creative team(s) were going to tackle? Why did the storyline fizzle out so abruptly? Thanks.

Tipton: She wound up taking the fall when Bruce Wayne was framed for murder a while back, since she wouldn't divulge his identity as Batman. She was later recruited into the government's super-secret spy organization Checkmate, and she's played a big part in THE OMAC PROJECT.

George C. writes: I'm not the biggest Miller fan in the world -- I half-liked Dark Knight (until it became an exercise in bashing Superman), HATED DK2, and have no use for Daredevil in general --, but I DO like film noir and Sin City looks to be the closest thing to GOOD film noir in comics.

(I'm eating my words now... I swore up and down after DK2 that I wasn't going to give Miller the time of day again OR my money after the way he shit all over fans and DC in general, but the bastard's come up with something that actually interests me. Oh well, this wouldn't be the first I bought something new from a pro that I thought was a royal pr*ck or @ss in real life. I still get the occasional comic from John Byrne and he's got one of the biggest egos in comics!

(The one consolation about DK2 is that I didn't buy any of the issues past number one!)

However, I don't like buying things twice in comics (TOO expensive!) and would prefer to get Sin City as hardcovers if they're available or scheduled to come out. Any news on that front?

I have heard about the new Watchman hardcover coming out later this year and plan to order through my usual outlet for hardcovers and maquettes, DCBS. It's just too expensive to buy some of the higher-cost items through comic shops although I'm trying to support the local shops by buying most of my trades and ALL the monthlies at the local shops.

The Watchman Absolute HC is something I'm definitely looking forward to. I missed out on the original Watchman HC and am pleased to hear the extras from that edition are being included in the new HC. I just got introduced to Watchman last year through the local city library and afterwards bought the TPB. I may go ahead and give that TPB away to some sucker that thinks comics are just for kids! LOL

(I'll probably end up buying ANOTHER TPB so that I don't mess up the HC after I get it...)

Tipton: I didn't like the ending of DK2, but I don't really hold it against him. He made a creative decision I thought was pretty dumb, but it's nothing to hold a grudge over.

The SIN CITY stuff, at present, is only slated for release in paperbacks. If the movie is a monster hit, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see hardcovers, though.

I was very pleased with "Absolute Watchmen."

Hagai J. writes: Since I'm not a follower of the "Power of Shazam" or the JSA, I don't really know the relation between Captain Marvel and Black Adam However, I did bump into Black Adam in several crossovers, and one time he Is a good guy with the JSA (Like in JLA:JSA - Virtue and Vice), and the other time around he is a badguy hanging out with the Luthor Evil sociopath company (or whatever they are called) like in the recent "Countdown to infinite crisis"

So, i'd appreciate if you could fill me in on whats up with the dude, if its even the same one.

Tipton: The current take on Black Adam is that he's a bad guy with good intentions, i.e., his goals are to protect his newly conquered ancestral homeland, and he'll do whatever it takes to achieve and maintain that goal. His time with the JSA allowed him to recruit the disenfranchised JSAers and JSA associates he needed to help him take over his country.

Sam J. writes: It was great to revisit Sin City on your moviepoopshot page. I cant believe how many comic features are in development. I remember being an avid reader of comics, and in the early 90s we were thinking "why hasnt their been a movie of X-Men?" Once Batman came out, that really started it. But seeing Spider-Man was amazing, too. What do you think fueled the phenomena? Obviously, revenue that the webbed one generated at the box office, but what made this genre so hot? I'm glad its still going, but I'm a little worried about comics. Maybe people will get back into comics and see that its an important imaginative medium, not just for kids.

Tipton: The only bad thing about how good SIN CITY was is that it makes you wonder why other comic-book movies can't be this faithful.

Jacob R. writes: Here's a question about Sin City: Josh Hartnett's character, "The Man", had a very brief part that bookended the movie. Was his story ever presented in the comics? He seems to have an important role in the series, but his part in the movie was too brief to have more than a six page story about him. Not to mention the ending sequence, which was totally out there. What's the deal?

Tipton: The first vignette was from one of the anthology books, but the epilogue was written especially for the film.

John Y. writes: Just wanted to drop a line and agree with you about the disturbing similarities between "New Justice League" and "New Avengers". When you mentioned that DC was trying to cash in on X-Men and New Teen Titans with troubled teen heroes, it gave me a thought. It's this; New Justice League/JLA Detroit was more editoral's choice, and Conway just ran with it; seeing it as a chance to put his own creations at the forefront of the DCU. (Your guess is as good as my as to the poor quality of the comics) Whereas New Avengers was Bendis' idea and Marvel wanted to please their biggest selling, most popular writer. As for your prediction that the real Avengers will return in 2016, I sadly doubt it. The way New Avengers is selling it may be around for a long time. Unless an old school writer/artist comes along and changes back sooner; one can only hope.

Tipton: Trust me: there's no way Bendis will be on that book for 11 years. If he gets past two or three I'll be impressed.

Kevin H. writes: Hi, my name is Kevin. I've been reading your column since almost the begining, and you have become my comic book guru. I was never a collecter of comics in my youth, as I did not have alot of money (to lazy to get a job), but I was always a big fan of the comics I did have and of the characters through other media such as movies, live action tv, and animation. One of my favorite comic memories is getting Secret Wars 4-6 in one of those pharmacy store grab bags. I was absoultely enthralled by the scope of the story, and it killed me for YEARS that I didn't know how it started or how it continued and ended. But thanks to your column, I found out more about this mystery that had haunted me, and I promptly went out to buy the TPB.

Anyhoo.... My real question is this: will you do a more in depth column on Kingdom Come? A few weeks ago, you told a reader that you had covered this absolutely amazing work, but looking back in the archives, it was only a blurb at the end of your Captain Marvel column. Could you devote some more time and space to this work that, in my opinion, stands up to any other work of fiction I have ever read? I'm sure you have your own schedule to work and keep up with, but I would love to read your review.

And since I'm asking, I have one more request (why the hell not?!). With the last Star Wars movie looming upon us (ugh!), will you consider doing some sort of survey of Star Wars comics? I have friends that are fans of these series, but I have little knowledge and don't know where to start.

Thank you for a great column. I look forward to every Wednesday to read it.

Tipton: Plans for KC, definitely.

Jake writes: Love the column. I recently picked up the first DC: New Frontier trade, and it got me thinking. I know the Nick Fury column covered a little bit of it, but I was wondering if you have a column on the various World War II comics (Sgt. Rock, the Losers, whathaveyou).

Tipton: No, and I need to do that, especially Sgt. Rock. It's on the list.

David L. I suspect that you've heard this speculation elsewhere already. What with Blue Beetle definitely dead (as confirmed in a preview of OMAC), people are speculating that Ted Kord might become the new Spectre (which I think you covered very well in a previous Comics 101). I could empathise with Hal Jordan as the Spectre, as he did have a redemptive need - but Ted Kord?

On a more positive note, Green Lantern Rebirth #4 and 5 are out. What a great read! There are so many memorable moments in these two issues - Ollie finally using the ring, the last page of issue #4, the spectacular battle between the GL's and Sinestro in Issue #5. It proves that Geoff Johns can write some fantastic Silver Age-classic stories, when he has a mind to. It's a shame that they're going in this darker direction - didn't they try this before in the Mid-nineties, and we got Armageddon 2001? Green Lantern is one of the few remaining shining lights in DC nowadays - I hope it remains that way for some time to come.

Tipton: Agreed -- the new Green Lantern series is fantastic.

Michael C. writes: I loved the the article on the KooeyKooeyKooey era Justice League (I cheat and read your columns early). First a few things.

I'm a lapsed comic fan who recently started collecting again after almost 10 years away. Formerly Known as The Justice League was, along with the excellent JL:U animated show, the main reason I got back into comics and Countdown got me somewhat depressed. It wasn't what happened to Blue Beetle (who I really liked), or how the rest of the League treated him (which I believe will be addressed at some point) that bothered me, but it was how they butchered the Max Lord character that annoyed me the most. He went from being the best "shyster with the heart of gold" ever to a second rate Henry Peter Gyrich. I have a little faith that some of the odd decisions that have been made lately will be overturned upon appeal, but I think this one, the worst one, will unfortunately stick around for good.

On to the questions.

1) Your point about Blue Beetle being unavailable for JLU got me thinking about which other long time Leaguers were left out and the only ones I could come up with are:
Plastic Man (Whose rights are still locked up with the Wachkowski's) Captain Marvel (Who is getting his own episode later this spring) and Firestorm, who from a both a visual and power perspective is a very cool and unique character. Do you have any idea why they're keeping him out?

2) Are you planning to do an column on the copyright issues around Golden Age characters like Superman and Batman? I've only been able to find bits and pieces about it, but I was told that in 2009 DC's copyright on Superman will expire, opening him up to be used by anybody. While I doubt this is totally true, the situation seems fascinating.

3) Honestly, how many parts long did you think the Justice League series of columns would end up, and how long will it actually be?

Tipton: Yeah, having just re-read all the original Max appearances, the COUNTDOWN thing seems lamer than ever.

Your questions:

1. I don't think there was any specific reason why Firestorm was left out -- from my understanding, it just sort of happened that way.

2. No plans for pieces on copyright issues -- I'm not savvy enough about the law to do a proper job of it.

3. I figured it'd be pretty long, as the longest continually running superhero team book, but I had no ballpark number in mind. And we still have to go back for the Grant Morrison run.

TV RECOMMENDATIONS

ARRESTED DEVELOP-Laments

Justin R. writes: Probably not the only email you'll get with this topic but isn't it time for the "Let's get HBO to picking up Arrested campaign." As long as the continue to bleep the language...Ron Howard's "I can't believe we had to bleep that." was great

Just thought I'ld make a quick comment about "marketing" too. During the first season a bunch of friends and I we're getting drunk and playing cards on New years before going out, Fox had on a marathon of every ep up to that point hosted by George Bluth himself. Made fans of all of us.

Until Entoruage and Arrested Development air back to back on Sunday nites...Make Mine Moopshoot.

Cody M. writes: What are the chances that another network (like NBC or HBO or even Comedy Central) might pick up and produce new episodes of Arrested Development now that FOX has canceled it? I just can't see such a critically-acclaimed and award-winning show not being pounced on by someone. I know it's not out of the realm of historical possibility, but am I just being naive holding out hope for Arrested?

Ryall: There's been talk of it for a year now, Showtime or some other channel (and an upcoming December-airing episode of the show addresses this very thing). But I dunno... it's a pricey show with that cast, so I don't know if a cable channel could afford it. But hell, I used my gig at IDW to save Peter David's FALLEN ANGEL comic from DC's cancellation, so you never know. I really tend to doubt it but it's a nice thought. It'd be enough to get me to subscribe to Showtime, I know that.

Paulus writes: Ever thought the hype might generate enough interest to save the show? (let’s live in lottery ticket buying type denial)

Ryall: Well, I've certainly done what I could to hype the show and save it. But the thing I've seen is that network executives seem immune to hype. If the dollars aren't there to be made and to line their pockets, they're heartless and ruthless (as, I suppose, they have to be, to some degree). So it'd be nice if the love the show's been getting in the press helps it, but the love from the press has never been the problem. It's the country full of people who don't get or watch the show that's the problem...

Just think of it like the original star trek… it’s a loss, but the cult status, the reruns and DVD sales will keep them eating steak dinners for a few years.

Who knows in a few years there may be conventions and legions of fans dressing up as Bluths.

Luke D. writes: Something I found the other night:

http://www.petitiononline.com/Arrested/petition.html
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/arresteddev

These are the same types of things that kept Family Guy on the air (so you're sure to love it!!!)

I've also seen that the DVD sales are good, and that too was a major contributor to Family Guy staying on TV (even gave Seth a second show).

Ryall: Yeah, I'd say the DVDs were the big factorhere, especially when you weigh the cost of producing that show. Petitions... I've yet to see those really have any effect. Maybe Fiona Apple would argue that point, but I don't know.

Also, with Prison Break lasting no more than a season (oh god, I hope) and FOX having no shows starring people that are... well... good... Maybe AD will get yet another chance (or maybe we could have an all out laugh night... where we have 'The War at Home', they bring back 'Quintuplets', 'That 80's Show', and 'The Pitts') I CAN HARDLY WAIT

Ryall: PRISON BREAK will be at least two seasons, actually--they've got season 2 already figured out. I did see that MAD TV used my "Juvenile Hall" prequel idea in a skit recently, too. Not that they cribbed from me, just that we both had that same idea. Although mine was at least funny...

I miss Andy Richter, Undeclared and Greg The Bunny :( That would make for a great night of TV along with AD! You should talk to K. Smith about setting up a television network, and you can do the programming! (Pardon the Family Guy reference, but...) I can see it now... "Chris Ryall's Side Boob Hour"

Ryall: If you like adult-themed shows with bunnies, and a Poop Shoot tie-in, you might like some news that'll come... some day in the next year.

I agree that there should also be The Movie Poop Shoot Variety Half-Hour, too. I know we'd be much more entertaining than David Spade's lame show.

Rich S. writes: It's funny. Every time someone writes you with an idea for saving Arrested Development, and you hate the idea, I think it's classic. Remember Cousin Oliver? They're bound to use him now.

Ryall: You sold me on it before--I'd love to see that happen now.

I also think Alec Baldwin as narrator would be hilarious. Not permanently, but just for one show as contrast. Or, better still, they could get that "In a world..." guy. In fact, wouldn't it be great if, for the last couple of episodes, they start kitchen-sinking every "show saving" idea from every lame sitcome for the past couple decades? Henry Winkler could live over the Bluth's garage. Whole sections of the show could turn out to be dream sequences. Tobias could win Powerball. The possiblities are endless.

(P.S. If they've ever actually done any of this stuff and I missed it, like the jumping the shark thing, I apologize.)

Ryall: Yeah, maybe the show ending with a never-nude Tobias in his jean shorts in the shower, the entire three seasons being a hair glue-inspired delusion is just how this show needs to end...

Alfred A. writes: I think the real issue with AD is it's timeslot.

Since it is the weeknight and many people are coming home after a long day's work, many regular people do not want to have to think and so will watch shows like 'The war at home.' I know I did want to watch those kind of shows. That is probably why no good shows are actually on tv during the week.

let me know what you think.

Ryall: I think the show worked better on Sundays, following a like-minded show like THE SIMPSONS, but I don't agree that people only want stupid, mindless shows during the week. There've always been hits on every night of the week, and not all are as inane as, say, TWO AND A HALF MEN. I don't know what kind of hard labor people are doing where their day job is so mentally taxing that they just want to sit like a lox in front of a mindless show and zone out.

Eric R. writes: just wanted to add my lament for the loss of this amazing show. You know, it takes little to remind us of just how great this show can be. Even off-hand reminders of moments from the show can make me laugh harder than most TV today. The following line from the mail shoot today:

"They have more to film, so I expect to at least see some insane final episodes. How you top things like a blown-up photo of a character's balls or a giant mole fighting a guy with a jet pack, I dunno, but I'm sure they will." was enough to make me laugh out loud at my desk, just remembering the brilliance of those moments. Thanks for loudly championing this show, and we can always hope that somebody else has the decency (and brains) to give another show like this a chance in the future. Maybe a new upstart network can bring us the kinds of risky shows that Fox brought about back in its glory days, and nurture them into the classics we remember from that time. Keep asking; somebody may be listening.

Ryall: I certainly hope so... hope this doesn't discourage people from trying to stretch the boundaries of sitcoms and do something a little bit smarter than the norm.

Gino E. writes: You just totally dissed King of Queens. I just wanted to say, King of Queens is pretty damned sweet, even though it's fluff. There is no reason that you should be comparing this to Yes Dear or Two And A Half Men. Fucking bastard.

Sorry, love the poopshoot... keep up the good work...

Ryall: Are you trying to tell me that KINS OF QUEENS is different than YES DEAR? YES DEAR is just a more amateur version of the exact same show. And neither one is good.

Miscellani

Matt Mont. writes: Here's some miscellaneous comments, including the requisite blowjob for Tipton.

  1) OMG! Comics 101 is the greatest thing since Del tha Funkee Homosapien! No, seriously, Scott, keep up the good work.

  2) Arrested Development is probably the best new sitcom I've seen in a decade. And somehow I'm surprised that it was cancelled. I got the second season for my birthday, and I was burning through one disc a day. I'd finish an episode and yell at my dog, "This show is just too damn clever! It makes me feel stupid!" My dog would just put her head back down and then flinch when I laughed raucously at Tobias' witticisms. It's just too clever. For example, the episode in which Tobias stars as George on the ScandalMakers TV show, and Ron Howard comments on the narrator of the ScandalMakers. "Arrested D", as my social circle calls it, is the most metafiction show since Seinfeld. It's too clever.

  Ryall: Unfortunately, you're right, though--it WAS too clever for most. Dammit.

3) Hostel. Damn. Anybody know when that delicious gem is going to hit the screens? I frigging love Eli Roth. I am hankering for some Hostel bad. I'm jonesing, man. Jonesing.

  Ryall: Yeah, it opens on January 13th.

4) Clive Barker's The Great And Secrect Show. Congrats on getting Clive's well wishes. I have high hopes for this adaptation. My only suggestion: don't do Everville. I really disliked Everville. It felt like some fanfic sequel. It didn't feel like Clive to me. But that's my opinion - I don't present this as fact. So far, in the samples you've given us, the art looks fantastic. As well, I think you've got a good handle on the material and I look forward to buying it.

Ryall: I decided not to read that one at all until after TGASS is all done, so the two stories didn't blur together for me. I'm not sure when or if we'd end up doing that one, anyway. Got other new Clive things to do instead after TGASS.

  5) I gotta bone to pick with the From Print to Screen article. It's a good article except for the past year. Here's how he does this: a look at the source material, then hypothesis about the movie. Come on! Why not wait a frigging week and then give us analysis of the adaptation versus the original instead of random postulating? This article would be better served by a review specific to the art of adaptation. But that's my two cents.

Ryall: He actually addressed that before--he said he's much more into looking at a movie's potential, based on the pedigree of the talent involved, than he is just comparing the movie version to the source material.

  6) Whatever happened to  The Good, The Bad & The Ugly ? Bring that back.

Ryall: As you saw, it was back this past Wednesday, in fact. Matt's been working for IFC and the Village Voice lately, but will still be around to do his column when he can.

  7) Print more incohernt e-mails in the  Mail Shoot  and then make more snarky comments. That's the highlight of the Mail Shoot. Other than the pics of course.

Ryall: Does this one count? I kid, kid... the incoherent ones don't seem to happen all that often. I'll run every one that comes my way, though.

  8) Anyway, keep up the good work, and keep poopshooting the movies (whatever that means)

Ryall: Um... yes!

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