Category Archives: Comics

by | March 2, 2015 · 8:59 pm

Editorial | Greek Mythology in Popular Culture

Several months ago, I wrote a blog post discussing the ubiquitous references to Norse mythology in modern day pop culture, but Scandinavian folklore certainly does not have the market cornered. The wise King Solomon once said, “There is nothing new under the sun,” and it certainly seems that way sometimes in media and entertainment. Tired rom-com plot lines are trotted out every year—sometimes with the same dialogue—and Adam Sandler doesn’t seem to be able to create an original story to save his life. However, Greek myths have a life all their own, and when incorporated correctly, they appeal to an ancient tradition that really enhances the story.

In comics, as with most entertainment, there are two ways to incorporate myths: either the artist can harken directly back to Greek stories by incorporating members of the pantheon directly into the cast of characters. Examples of this are Hades from the Lady Pendragon comics, various appearances of Artemis and Aphrodite in all manner of comics, or even Hercules as a member of the Marvel Avengers team. Alternatively, comic creators can sneakily refer to Greek myths or just steal inspiration without giving direct credit. A good example is in Aquaman, the not-quite-Poseidon character about whom Marvel is in the process of creating a movie.

Jason-Momoa-Aquaman

Jason Momoa as Aquaman in the upcoming film.

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by | February 21, 2015 · 12:37 pm

Saturday Review: Batgirl #39

Batgirl 1Batgirl (DC)
Written by Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher
Art by Babs Tarr

I have mentioned before that while the new iteration of Batgirl is very well done, I wasn’t particularly enjoying it. It had a bit too much of a hipster feel, I thought it was trying a little too hard when it came to Barbara’s personality. I also didn’t really care for the whole spat between Batgirl and Black Canary, and in general the book felt like it was forcing its premise. Having said all of that, I’ve stuck with the book because there were certain aspects that still intrigued me, and I liked the art. Now, at issue #39, this book is finally starting to click for me.

Until the last issue, Batgirl had been embracing her new role as “Batgirl of Burnside,” fighting crime in her local neighborhood much like Daredevil does in Hell’s Kitchen. Last issue, however, the residents began to turn on their beloved new heroine, and this issue starts as Batgirl finds herself being pursued by an angry mob carrying those angry mob standards such as a rolling pin, pipe, and bat with nails in it. (I was disappointed there were no torches or pitchforks.) As the issue progresses, readers find out that there has been a massive bounty placed on Batgirl’s head by the same entity that has been hounding her since she moved to Burnside. Continue reading →

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by | February 20, 2015 · 11:00 am

Around the Web February 20, 2015

Starting off this week’s Around the Web is something I am super excited about. Fox has confirmed that there will be a new Alien movie and it will be directed by Neill Blomkamp! For those who remember, a few months ago, Blomkamp had posted some amazing concept art with the regrettable caption that it looked like the project was off. It’s thought that this was due in large part to the lackluster performance of Prometheus, the semi-Alien prequel. I am super excited for this news as I was really disappointed that Blomkamp’s previous announcement had indicated that there would be no Alien project with him. Also, given his success with other, less conventional science fiction stories like District 9, I’m exceptionally optimistic that this will be a stellar film. Let’s face it, there is no possible way on Earth, or any other planet, that it could be worse than Alien3 .

I want this soooooo bad!

I want this soooooo bad!

This might have been the best news I’ve heard all 2015.

Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most badass motherf!@#ers in pop culture–just ask him! (I would personally ask just because I want to hear him say motherf!@#er.) Recently, Mr. Jackson told MTV that he couldn’t figure out why DC has been unable to energize it’s fans as much as Marvel has. I’m a huge Batman fan and I like 95% of Man of Steel, but I have to admit that I agree with Sam on this one. Marvel has done an overall better job at making their cinematic universe accessible to the masses. They take place in the same cities we live in and their heroes are flawed and more relate-able, on a personal level. This is of course one of the time honored arguments in the Marvel Vs. DC debate, but at least when it comes to movies, Marvel is winning this one.

RASPUTIN

Motherf!@#er!

Now on to a front that DC has definitely had the lead in for quite some time:  television. Fox has announced that they will be creating a pilot for Lucifer. A spin off of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Lucifer follows the ruler of hell after he abandons his post and decides to move to Los Angeles. While many people have been particularly hard on Fox’s current DC based show Gotham (which personally I quite enjoy), there is hope for this one as there is an all-star production team on board, including veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Californication writer Tom Kapinos. I’m not exactly sure what made DC choose this particular story, especially given the rough start that their other supernatural show, Constantine, has had. Whatever the case may be, I will certainly give the show a try and do my best to judge it on it’s own merits.

lucifer16

There is something fitting about Lucifer moving to LA. I mean it’s basically hell on Earth already. 😉

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by | February 14, 2015 · 5:24 pm

Saturday Review: Darth Vader #1

darth vader 1Darth Vader (Marvel)
Written by Kieron Gillien
Art by Salvador Larroca

Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, is now the focus of his very own comic from Marvel. While this is only the first issue, I am pretty pleased and am looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series is going.

The comic picks up shortly after the events of Star Wars #2 and not long after A New Hope, with Vader trying to enforce the Emperor’s will after the destruction of the Death Star. The book opens with Vader paying a visit to the notorious gangster Jabba the Hutt on behalf of the Emperor, after Jabba’s emissary was intercepted and replaced by Han Solo in Star Wars. Vader is a day early, however, and has a personal matter which he would like to address with the Hutt gangster. Kieron Gillen seems to understand Vader’s character much more than Jason Aaron does with Star Wars.  Vader acts and talks exactly the way I would expect him to. In a franchise series like this, where the characters are so well known, it really stands out when characters act and sound contrary to the established norms and it really takes away from the story for fans. The reason that fans buy comics like this is that we want further adventures of our favorite characters.  In order for that to work, they need to be recognizable. Continue reading →

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