redfiona99

(Mild spoilers for Thunderbolts and from that to Fantastic Four)

I have more skin in this game than I did for Superman (https://fulltimesportsfan.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/superman-the-new-one-some-scattergun-thoughts-about-comics-history-and-culture/). The coterie of comics fans I was in at high school were very much Marvel (and later 2000AD).

Fantastic Four was C's comic of choice - mine was X-Men (I am filled with trepidation about what Marvel will do to them because while the Fox films haven't been perfect, several of them have come pretty damn near).

I'm intrigued by the retro-futurism of the trailer for the new Fantastic Four, and amused by sudden unexpected Mark Gattiss appearing as I-can't-believe-it's-not Ed Sullivan.

There's a sinister uncurrent in the trailer, even before Galactus and the Silver Surfer turn up, that would have made it clear that it wasn't going end well, even before the bad guys do arrive. Also, Ben Grimm is somewhere where he is happy and beloved and they seem to be determined he will never get that for long *.

Given what we get in the Thunderbolts end credits teaser, I presume the end of Fantastic Four has them slingshotted over into our universe, which at least has precedent in the comics.

Part of me wants it to be "them slingshotted following abject failure to beat Galactus." but I don't think Marvel will go there, no one likes to see their heroes lose. Although they did go there for the Avengers: Infinity War cliffhanger.

What I think is more likely is that Reed Richards is going to have to make a choice, save the world and potentially doom the family, and luckily they end up over in MCU-main-verse.

But that leads to the question of why would they give that away in another film? Or am I just putting too much thought into it?

* Ben Grimm is my favourite in ways that words cannot explain.

Archaeology:

Archaeologists explore a rural field in Kansas, and a lost city emerges - https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-kansas-lost-city-20180819-htmlstory.html

Comics:

Legendary Comics Artist Bill Sienkiewicz Pens Scorching Rebuke of “Comicsgate”- https://www.themarysue.com/bill-sienkiewicz-comicsgate/ Article from 2018

Miscellaneous:

The Italian highlanders who may have Scottish roots - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-40865981

Politics:

How America Lost Its Mind - The nation’s current post-truth moment is the ultimate expression of mind-sets that have made America exceptional throughout its history. - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/how-america-lost-its-mind/534231 Article from 2017

Social Media:

Russian trolls 'spreading discord' over vaccine safety online - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/23/russian-trolls-spread-vaccine-misinformation-on-twitter?CMP=twt_gu Article from 2018

Sport:

Athletics:

WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017: SHOTPUTTER TOM WALSH WON WORLD TITLE WITH GROIN TEAR - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/athletics/world-championships/2017/world-athletics-championships-2017shotputter-tom-walsh-won-world-title-with-groin-tear_sto6284135/story.shtml Admirable stupidity, but stupidity nontheless.

Cycling:

BLAZIN' SADDLES: ADIEU ALBERTO – CONTADOR'S BEST MOMENTS - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/blazin-saddles-adieu-alberto-contador-s-best-moments_sto6284915/story.shtml From 2017

Football:

PREMIER LEAGUE IS WORLD'S RICHEST LEAGUE, BUT POVERTY OF THE FOOTBALL CANNOT BE DISGUISED - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2017-2018/premier-league-is-world-s-richest-league-but-poverty-of-the-football-cannot-be-disguised_sto6284062/story.shtml From 2017, and yes, Desmond Kane enjoys being a grumpy old man, but there's a certain truth to this, not just in light of this season's commitment to terrible defending.

Premier League at 25: 1992-1997 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/premier_league_25_1992_1997

Gymnastics:

A Full Revolution - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/30/simone-biles-is-the-best-gymnast-in-the-world Article from 2016, and is unnecessarily mean about North Korean vaulters.

Tennis:

WIMBLEDON 2017: ROGER FEDERER'S AMAZING CAREER, AND YEAR, IN NUMBERS - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/wimbledon/2017/wimbledon-2017-roger-federer-s-amazing-career-and-year-in-numbers_sto6255558/story.shtml

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1249176.html

Architecture:

England's youngest Grade I listed structures - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40628918

Comics:

Rob Liefeld Designs the Most Rob Liefeld Superhero Ever - https://www.cbr.com/rob-liefeld-pouch-superhero-sketch/ I will give Liefeld this, he has a sense of humour.

Miscellaneous:

Tales from the new Silk Road - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/new_silk_road

Robin Hood overwhelmed by Maid Marian charity fund - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-40607573

India's gay prince opens his palace to LGBT people - 'I want to give people social and financial empowerment, so eventually people who want to come out won't be affected. They will have their own social security system,' says prince - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/prince-manvendra-singh-gohil-palace-lgbt-people-a8146491.html

From angel to monster: 'My son was groomed to sell drugs' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40605413

How an agoraphobic travels the world - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39970205

Acid attacks: What has led to the rise and how can they be stopped? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40559973

Sport:
Athletics:

World Para-athletics Championships: How Jonnie Peacock became main attraction - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/40627401 From 2017. It pleases me that one of the contributors pointed out 'also, he looks like that'.

Football:

'Rooney to China'?: The real impact of fake football news - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-40574049

Rugby League:

Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup: James Simpson eyes glory with England - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/get-inspired/40613449 From 2017

Tennis:

Wimbledon 2017: Roger Federer turns back clock against Marin Cilic - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40621182

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1223728.html

The two of the three big trailers from Comic Con have left me underwhelmed. I was worried that I was being impossible or nostalgia was blinding me, because the one I quite enjoyed is the one where I don't know anything about the source material but I don't think that's the case.

Let's start with that one I enjoyed. The Witcher looks like perfectly servicable nonsense. And let's be honest, they had me at "people with swords". I am a simple creature.

Cats does not look like perfectly servicable nonsense. I did wonder whether I felt that way because it didn't live up to my expectations but no, I think even a completely disinterested observer would go, "nah, that looks terrible."

It looks like someone has spent a lot of money on SFX that are not up to the job.* I know that the only way we will ever get SFX that are up to the job is through failures like this, but I'd much rather they'd fail on something I am not fond of.

Because I am fond of Cats. I went to see it for a birthday party when I was little, and will still happily belt out random bits of songs for no good reason. As someone who does like it, this looks godawful. None of the characters look right and I do not even want to know WTF they have done to my beloved magical Mr. Mistoffelees. He is supposed to look magical and mysterious, not like Charlie Chaplin Cat! I am sure Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench will be having all the fun in their roles so it does at least have that going for it.

I am somehow even less impressed by the new Watchmen trailer than I am by the Cats trailer.

It's not like Watchmen is my favourite Alan Moore comic. Promethea is (yes, I know). But I have long since given up on ever getting any film or TV version of Promethea (mostly because of the yes, I know).

But there is already an Alan Moore comic about a violent police state with people running around in masks. It's called V for Vendetta. But I can imagine it is hard to raise funds for a TV show where a fascist is brought to power with help from the religious right, and then puts people in cages. Obvs. too far-fetched (and yes, I know it's set in the UK).

Either which way, I have no interest in watching Damon Lindelhof's dark future AU fic of the Watchmen! Mostly OCs with a few canon characters appearing.

Not least of all because he suffers from JJ Abrams problem of "dude, I have seen the same films as you, that is not anything new!" For instance, I suspect we're supposed to be shocked, shocked I tell you that FBI lady is Laurie when we find out somewhere in episode 13-17.

If they do decide to give him any depth, Jeremy Irons will knock (possibly spoilery character) out of the park. Plus, he gets to practise his German again. I am intrigued, just a little, by how they will handle (spoilery character) because, yeah, I had problems with how the film did him. I have no idea if that's because I read the character differently to everyone else, or because the film decided to simplify his character, which ruined a lot of the glorious ambiguity of (spoiler) but either which way, (spoiler) is the only thing that interests me about it.

I would prefer to be thrilled by Comic Con trailers!

* There is a reason why everyone is posting that image from What We Do In The Shadows.

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1196521.html

(In case you're wondering why I'm posting this over here, it's to get opinions and to get shouted at if I'm horribly over-offensive.)

I get it, you're excited about shiny new comic X. And you want everyone else to read it because it is awesome. This is good. Please feel free to recommend shiny new comic X to me at all times.

But so many of you are doing it wrong.

The major mistake most of you are making is not telling me why it is good. Shouting at me and telling me it has a female writer, or artist or character (for female read also non-straight) doesn't tell me whether it's any good. It just tells me what's in it and who it's by.

Tell me that the art is pretty, that it's well-written, that I'll love the characters because of whatever reason, tell me not to worry that the first two issues are a bit wobbly because it hits its stride in issue 4, give me details.

Because it's details as to why something is good that I'm after, because I do not have the time, money or effort to waste on bad comics*.

The other major mistake I see is the following opening gambit - "It's better than Batman".

Now, it's entirely possible that this is true, but again, no proof is given and it's going to get the back up of any Bat-fan in the vicinity. And I am a Bat-fan. I have been batty about Bats since before I can remember. I can remember the first time I read a Sherlock Holmes or heard about Doctor Who but not the first time I saw anything Batman-related. That puts him in some rarefied company with Postman Pat, Fireman Sam and Thomas the Tank Engine. So why are you dissing my mate Bruce?

It's a really poor sales strategy. Be confident in the product you are advertising, do not mention the opposition (unless it's in a, "if you liked storyline x, you might like this" way).

You'll probably be able to get more people reading shiny new comic X with these two tips, and that's the aim, isn't it.

* I cannot speak of crack but I have it on good authority that four or five years ago in the UK, heroin was cheaper than a Marvel habit.

Just ignore that it's March.

~~~~

joanne_c asked for "anything about the MCU" and I've been wanting to post something about where I think DC are going wrong so this fulfills both of those aims.

It's not as though all the Marvel films have been good, I'm thinking of the Fantastic 4 films in particular that were not good, but they seem to understand their target audience a lot better. Quite often, Marvel've gone back to basics, so lots of origin stories and very simple plots. And it works.

DC, meanwhile, seem to want to over-complicate things.

Marvel seem to trust to their characters, obviously changes have been made, I'm thinking of a distinct lack of Donald Blake, but Iron Man is Iron Man, Pepper is Pepper and so on. They've cleared out some of the continuity clutter (no bad thing, IMO) but you can tell who everyone is.

DC meanwhile, seem to be making mish-mashes of their characters. Like with Green Lantern, they've given us a character with Hal Jordan's name and his background, but Kyle Rayner's personality and storyline. And all the Hal Jordan fans I know don't like it, the Kyle Rayner fans are equally miffed, and as a John Stewart fan I was really annoyed that they didn't make my Latern the Lantern.

That's why I'm so very "hmm" about the new Batman vs Superman film, because they'll try to do something clever, and this is not the medium to say clever things about comic book heroes in. Because most of it has already been said by The Incredibles.

I know that this is the film version of the "deconstruction" era but how many of those comics are still held in high esteem, compared to the large number that are now seen as being dark for the sake of being dark (Marvel is just as guilty of this as DC, and, comics-wise, is probably worse. If there's another Crisis-style crossover again within the next 5 years then it'll be way too soon.). You need very good writers to pull it off, and I don't think Zack Synder is that guy and I know David Goyer really isn't it.

Thanks to

nwhyte I do the Librarything and Goodreads thing (I'm this name over on Librarything and my rl name over on Goodreads) and there's one thing I don't get, not in the "it's a bad thing" way, just in the "huh?" way.

I don't get how you (plural you) can compare books and comics using the same rating scale and system. Because with books you just have to like or dislike the writing, whereas with a comic the pictures matter almost as much.

For example, I am sure that Code Geass is fantastically interesting, but I can't tell two of the characters apart so I didn't carry on after the first volume. Meanwhile, I like the art in Trigun, and I've been told the story is interesting, but it didn't go anywhere within the first three volumes so I dropped that too.

When it's a comic adaptation of a book, I have the same problem. For instance, the 2000AD adaptation of a couple of the Stainless Steel Rat books do a reasonably good summary of the stories in terms of the text and the dialogue, but much though I love Carlos Ezquerra's art, I know what Jim Di Griz looks like and that's not it and it throws me out of stories something chronic, although I doubt it would be a problem if I hadn't read the books first (all hail my high school library). I bought myself the adaptation with my ill-gotten birthdaymas gains and I was thinking of reviewing it but I realised all I was talking about was the art and not the story and I felt weird putting that up on Librarything which is about books.

To me, they're just two too different media to be compared.

thedevilchicken needs your help:

As I'm sure I've mentioned at some point or another, I'm doing a part-time French degree. For one of the modules, I have an extended essay to write on a topic of my choice; basically, I'm writing about female homosexuality (and representations thereof) in francophone comics/graphic novels.

So... nothing to do with French, particularly, but I'm wondering if my lovely, lovely flist could do me a favour and answer a couple of questions! It would really help, and I promise I'll be eternally grateful.

1) Are there any well-known, widespread stereotypes of lesbians/female bisexuals that you can think of? Examples are fantastic, if you have them!

2) In terms of comics/graphic novels, are there any lesbianish characters/themes/etc. that you can think of? Any ideas on comics' presentation of women in general?

3) Any thoughts on media (comics or anything else!) portrayals of lesbianism/bisexuality/women?

All help appreciated.

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Mr. and Mrs. Beaver all the way. With Gwen and Rhys (Torchwood) and Aunt May and Uncle Ben as possible substitutes.

Mansize Tissues

I have nothing against their existance, in fact, right now, I am very glad of it. It's the name I object to. I mean, there is nothing mansized about my nose, it is small and delicate and to scale with the rest of my five foot four body. Cease casting aspersions upon it, tissue industry. Also, please start making your balm tissues in larger sizes, they're lovely, but they're just not big enough.

The Green Lantern

My problems start with my Green Lantern looking like this

So mostly I'm confused as to why he's suddenly white, and before anyone points out that the other two Green Lanterns were white, I know, but you know what they say about the first version of a character you see being the one that sticks.

Other than that, the Green Lantern was my uncle's favourite superhero, and to this day he tells a fantastic story about how he waited with baited breath for the release of "The Trial of the Green Lantern" where all the other Green Lantern's stood in judgement on Earth's Human Lantern. Green Lantern means a lot to people and I refuse to believe they couldn't have gotten anyone better than Ryan Reynolds to play him, mostly on the principle that anyone would be better than Ryan Reynolds (why yes, I have seen Blade:Trinity and Wolverine:Origins).

The Green Hornet

The point about you imprinting on the first version goes for this too. I don't think I can overstate how gaga I was over the Adam West Batman when I was little. I'm sure my Mum and Nan can tell you horror stories if you asked them.

On one occasion, a new crimefighter appeared, who was on the Caped Crusader's side, eventually. Later on, I discovered that this Green Hornet fellow had his own show. You can imagine my excitement.

Of course, the best thing about the Green Hornet was Kato, who was awesome, and I have to admit I did end up calling it the show with the kung fu butler.

I have every hope that Jay Chou will be at least half decent, it's more the director I worry about. I worry about excessive jump-cuts and unneccesary artiness.

day 01 | a song
day 02 | a picture
day 03 | a book/ebook/fanfic
day 04 | a site
day 05 | a youtube clip
day 06 | a quote
day 07 | whatever tickles your fancy

The site is http://www.phdcomics.com/ which is the archive for PhD Comics also known as Piled Higher and Deeper. It's a webcomic about PhD students and is the truest thing about the situation you will ever read. It skews slightly towards to sciences, but at least one character is a social scientist.

The first strip is here http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1 and it's interesting to see the characters grow up (it's been going since 1997). It's written by Jorge Cham who a physics professor (at Stamford I think).

If you know anyone think of doing a PhD, make them read this.

The rules were ask me my fannish Top Five [Whatevers]. Any top fives. Doesn't matter what, really! And I will answer them all in a new post.

And

wishtheworst asked for my top 5 non-human characters.

( Some of these may not be the expected )

Which is long.

I feel I should point out that I enjoyed myself immensely. And that there will be almost no criticism of the film. Mostly because it really was a comic book come to life so there was none of this logic plot nonsense, and it gets by on rule of cool. Which is fine, because that is the fuel that comic books run on. It had less to say than Watchmen did, but said it concisely and didn't let the occasional moralising get in the way of the plot.

The best thing I can say is that the film didn't disappoint me, which given how excited I was for it is a big thing. I haven't been so excited since Lord of the Rings.

( In which there be spoilers )

Onto a more general topic of whether or not the film is comic canon consistent, well, I'm not sure the comics are comic canon consistent anymore. Certainly Logan's powers and origin match up with his most recent set of origins (as per the Wolverine:Origins comic which

shebit recommended on

fileg's LJ) but I can remember a time not too long ago (so about 8-10 years ago in my comic reading prime) when there was a huge debate as to whether or not the comics had been right to give Logan bone claws when he had his adamantium removed by whoever the bad guy du jour was. Because at that time, Wolverine's power was the healing factor, not the claws, and it was a major retcon and there was the boy comic geek equivalent of them screaming that they'd turned Wolverine into a Mary Sue. So yeah, as long as it hit the right major notes (which it did) the minor details are less important.

( Onto the acting, well mostly me fangirling over Liev Schreiber )

Short thoughts, full length ones probably tomorrow evening.

Wolverine is a comic book film, not an adaptation of a comic book.
I like comics so I enjoyed it immensely.
The critics do not like comics, so they did not.

Just back from seeing it, and well, it may presently be challenging the Fantastic Four for comic book adaptation I like least. More comments on why one I know why, presently still going on feeling. It's not that it wasn't awesome in sections, but it was not awesome in sections too.

I'm putting a lot of the blame on Zack Snyder, which annoys me because I was wanting to enjoy a film of his without yelling 'that's not a phalanx' at inopportune moments.

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I wish to second Twig's vote for Brimstone, made even worse by 1) cancelling it just as it got interesting and 2) the existance of Reaper, a series which badly uses the same motifs. I miss Zeke Stone.

I would like to nominate Strange (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312209/), a show so well written that at various points it convinced ( spoilers )

Also the Dubik and the Banshee episodes, they were wonderfully creepy.

Damn it, BBC, you promised us a second series.

Firefly at least got a film and the comics, even if it's being drawn by the same people who draw the Buffy and Angel comics who have all the artistic abilities of highly evolved worms. Yes, I really do hate the art style in those comics that much.

Apologies for any typing errors, I'm having to type left-handed. Damn tendonitis.

Finally got to see Iron Man (the finally is a long story all of its own).

But first the trailers. Prince Caspian is filled with do not want. Seriously, there's only one scene from the trailers that I remember from the book. And I fear what they will do to Reepacheep. Do not mess with my favourite mouse.

Dark Knight Returns (or whatever it's called) yup, so totally going to be scared out of my wits.

The whole Summer 2008 trailer bit, Penzy and I both now totally know we're not going to be leaving the cinema that much this summer.

( On to Iron Man itself )

( Still spoilery but more about the superhero mythos, particularly in US comic books )

Of course, taking about people who are just men in suits (and about ( Spoiler ) I am always brought back to my beloved Bat. Mostly, because as me and Penzy were leaving we were talking about it being a majorly cool suit, and Batman doesn't have a metal suit, it's just kevlar, and given that the fencing kit has kevlar weaved in, so I know it doesn't stop everything and that's why I loved that scene in Batman Begins where his ribs hurt. And, of course, why I spend half my time wanting to hug Batman.

In which I bring photos from the new Incredible Hulk film - http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7143

In particular, photos 3, 4, 18, 23 and 25. 25 might well be the coolest film poster in quite some time, and 23 makes me go wibble.

And also photos from the Watchmen, which looks pretty if nothing else - http://www.superherohype.com/news/watchmennews.php?id=6887

In which there are spoilers for Torchwood, Doctor Who, the Spiderman films, Marvel comics in general and 2000 AD comics.

( Did I mention that there are spoilers )

( Some Captain Jack related thoughts )

Torchwood ( A Day in the Death )

Then the Punisher was on. The Thomas Jane one. I missed the first half hour but the rest was good. I love that they got the whole thing that Frank Castle really didn't live there anymore. But yes, very well done ( Spoilers )

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redfiona99

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Entries tagged with comics

Some equally scattershot thoughts about Fantastic Four, the new one

Links

Links

The three big trailers from Comic Con have not sparked joy

To People Recommending Comics on Tumblr

That December Posting Meme - Comparing and Contrasting the DC films vs the Marvel films

On Books vs Comics/Manga

Passing Stuff on For A Friend

Writer's Block: Arms wide open

Three Rants

Sharing Meme Day 4

Belated Answer to the Top 5 Meme

Wolverine Review

Wolverine

Watchmen

Writer's Block: Gone but Not Forgotten

Iron Man

Comic Books film squeaky geekery

Further Torchwood Thinkage

Torchwood and the Punisher