Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creating his suit in IRON MAN(2008).
© Paramount Pictures
One Comicscape, Many Subjects
By: Kurt Amacker, ColumnistDate: Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Greetings, Maniacs, and welcome to another dive into the shallow end of Comicscape! Last week’s none-too-scientific analysis of the many 1990s throwbacks plaguing the industry generated a lot of comments, but little mail. I intended to run a letters column, but I only received one letter from a former colorist who enjoyed the column – or, at least, agreed with it. I don’t think anyone enjoys watching the industry walk towards a dark hole filled with sharpened bamboo spikes and worthless variant covers. Regardless, the comments section stole the thunder from my would-be letters column. Instead, I’ll treat you to a sampling of commentary on a few news items from the comic book world that caught my eye this week.
Fangirl Fury
If you haven’t seen the cover of the forthcoming February issue of Playboy, you might want to check it out – it’s tame, but probably not safe for work. For those of you reading this in a cubicle over your morning coffee, I’ll illustrate for you. Imagine the very attractive Tiffany Fallon wearing nothing but a layer of body paint depicting Wonder Woman’s outfit, along with red vinyl knee-high boots. She looks over her shoulder seductively and kindly, as if to say, “Yes, it’s just paint, sweetheart.” The blurb inside the issue describes her as a “modern day Lynda Carter,” while listing her television credits, including appearing on the Simple Life with Paris Hilton. The many female comic bloggers are not amused. But over at IGN, Fallon described her lifelong fascination with Wonder Woman, and her desire to play the character at some point.
To various degrees, DC has always portrayed Wonder Woman as sexually provocative. That doesn’t mean she’s a slut, but Dr. William Moulton Marston, her creator, developed her with a distinctly attractive quality. He intended her to combine Superman’s strength with “the allure of a good and beautiful woman.” She fights in little more than swimwear, for Christ’s sake. But, he always wrote her as strong and not as a sex kitten. You can read into the character however you want, and you can support almost any interpretation with her litany of appearances and incarnations. But, to deny the character’s sexual overtone overlooks the obvious. And, in some cases, DC and its artists have happily played that quality to the hilt. In the case of Ms. Fallon, we have an adult modeling as a character she enjoys for other adults. She’s doing so in a manner not far removed from some of the cheesecake-style images of the character that have appeared over the years. While some would argue that Ms. Fallon and Playboy somehow tarnish Wonder Woman or upset her status as a feminist icon, I think that the character’s sexuality has always coexisted with and been part of her strength. She’s one of the few characters that I would ever afford that distinction, unlike, say, Fathom or Witchblade. While I have no moral objection to pornography in and of itself, I’d say that Playboy ranks high on the scale of respect for women in the world of adult entertainment. It certainly wears a degree of playful sexism on its sleeve, but plumb the depth of pornography on the Internet and you’ll find things that make Playboy look like a coloring book. The Fallon image may push the envelope by portraying a character usually not seen in the nude as such (or close to it). But, for years, comic artists have effectively drawn heroines in the nude with formfitting costumes over them. This stands as a playfully controversial blip on the radar of the much larger issue of women in comics.
More Millar on Fantastic Four
Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch – the creative team behind The Ultimates and Ultimates 2 – will begin their run on Fantastic Four next month with issue #554. Originally, the two had a schedule of 12 monthly – one hopes – issues, but Marvel has extended that to 16. I like Millar’s writing a lot, but controversy follows his work for its lateness and perceived disregard for continuity and character history. Over at Newsarama, Millar assured everyone that he and Hitch have worked ahead on the series to curtail any delays. We’ll see. I’ll likely grab the 16 issues the two write on the book, but I have a sinking feeling that after about five of those, we might have another long stretch between issues. A few other fans take issue with the tone of Millar’s work, which may feel too dark for the Fantastic Four, at least in some readers’ minds. But, Millar speaks highly of the first 100 issues of the series by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, so he may deliver the tone most readers want from the characters. In this case, I have to agree with what I suspect to be the majority opinion on this one. The Fantastic Four should come with a degree of levity and optimism. That doesn’t mean I’ve changed my opinion of either of the execrable film adaptations, but the Four don’t need to be a dysfunctional family of alcoholic anti-heroes.
X-Force: Edgy New Series or Return of the ‘90s?
In an almost eerie parallel to some of the back-to-the-90s trends that have come to light recently, Marvel recently announced a new X-Force series. The title will launch following the conclusion of the Messiah Complex crossover. Current New X-Men scribes Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost will write the series, with Clayton Crain providing digitally painted art. The series opens with Cyclops asking Wolverine to form a new black ops squad with Warpath, Wolfsbane, and X-23. Cyclops wants to secretly dispatch the team to permanently deal with the more enduring threats to mutant-kind. You’ve likely already seen the advertising blurb about how X-Men don’t kill, but these aren’t X-Men and all that. Effectively, it’s the X-Men taken in a very grim and gritty sort of direction. On its face, this looks like a very ‘90s play to show how very dark the X-Men can get. I like that idea in and of itself, but I’m worried about what it heralds. At the same time, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost thoroughly impressed me on both of their X-23 miniseries. I expected to the first one to come off as some kind of laughable Wolverine-as-a-girl story born of an editorial mandate. But, Kyle and Yost created a sensitive, haunting story that delicately touched on the ethical issues surrounding abortion, human cloning, and stem cell research. I don’t know that you’ll see much of that in a team book like this, but we can only hope. I think I’m going to check this out. If it smells like the ‘90s, I’ll be the first to let you all know.
Movie Mayhem
By the time you read this, we may know the future of the long-troubled Justice League film. According to Entertainment Weekly, Warner Brothers planned to either green-light the film or send it back into pre-production as of yesterday, January 15th. Apparently, the script needs major rewrites, but the strike by the Writers Guild of America prevents that. On top of that, more “sources” – informed or not; I’m repeating hearsay – suggest that Warner Brothers dislikes the cast selection. When I heard that neither Christian Bale nor Brandon Routh – Batman and Superman in their respective film franchises – would act in the film, my anticipation wavered. One would hope that Warner Brothers would at least release a Wonder Woman film before making Justice League to have “one in the can” for their three main cast members. I think it might serve the eventual film to wait a while, because rushing it out the door won’t do it any favors.
The WGA strike has similarly delayed production on Superman: The Man of Steel – the sequel to the 2006 film, Superman Returns. Currently, there are no screenwriters attached to the project. Because of the strike, no one can write a screenplay. Thus, according to Variety, the film won’t even see theaters until 2010. Officially, Bryan Singer will still direct the film. But, a lot has to happen for the film to even see production, so that may change. I should point out that I generally support the WGA on this strike, and I’m not laying the blame on them for the delays. But, the strike means no screenwriters, so delays will happen.
In happier news, the rumor mill suggests that Tony Stark may appear in the upcoming Incredible Hulk. At the same time, Samuel L. Jackson is confirmed as playing Nick Fury in Iron Man. It looks that since Marvel now has its own in-house studio, the company may maintain continuity between the films it produces. The next six films on the slate, including Hulk and Iron Man, all feature characters that have served in the Avengers. Following that, the Avengers film will hit theaters – tentatively – in 2011. Iron Man director Jon Favreau told MTV that Marvel plans to release The Avengers only after telling the origin stories of each character in their own film, and ideally using the same cast members. This is, without a doubt, the coolest thing ever to hit comic adaptations. But, with so many moving parts and variables, it could easily crash and burn. It could depend on the length of the WGA strike, the success of each individual film, and a host of other unforeseen factors.
That’s all I’ve got for this week, guys. Thanks for reading, and remember – only you can prevent variants.
The Spinner Rack
By Ben Johnson and Kurt Amacker
DARK HORSE COMICS
Dark Horse Heroes Omnibus TP $24.95
Kurt: This is a collection of Dark Horse’s superhero stuff from the 1990s. That includes Barb Wire. Everybody cheer.
Doctor Grordborts Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory HC $12.95
Ben: Further proof that all the good names are taken, although this one gets a pass for obvious absurdity.
Fear Agent #18 Hatchet Job (Pt 2 Of 5) $2.99
Grendel Behold The Devil #3 (Of 8) $3.50
Kurt: I behold the Devil all the time – every time I look in the mirror. MUHAHAHAHAHA!
Groo Hell On Earth #3 (Of 4) $2.99
Ben: In this issue he gets married and has kids.
Kurt: Does your wife know how much you complain about your marriage here?
Umbrella Academy Apocalypse Suite #5 (Of 6) $2.99
WTP Peek A Pooh Ser 15 Gacha Capsule School Pi
Ben: I always do this before I flush.
DC COMICS
100 Bullets #87 (MR) $2.99
American Virgin #22 (MR) $2.99
Ben: Isn’t this crap done yet?
Kurt: Ben, please die. There’s one issue left. I don’t get where the hate comes from.
Birds Of Prey #114 $2.99
Booster Gold #6 $2.99
Catwoman #75 $2.99
Catwoman #75 Var Ed $2.99
Checkmate #22 $2.99
Cipher Vol 10 $9.99
Countdown Special The New Gods $4.99
Countdown To Final Crisis 15 $2.99
Ben: Or “15 Weeks Until I Do An Editorial On This”. We’ll see how many I piss off with that one.
Kurt: All right, since Ben said it already, I’ll give it up. I can’t do it. Ben’s writing the Countdown column. I can’t read this dreck, so I’m dropping the book and selling my run on E-Bay. I need to prune my pull list, so this is the first to go.
DMZ #27 (MR) $2.99
Ben: Still totally rad.
Doom Patrol TP Vol 06 Planet Love $19.99
Kurt: I should actually read Doom Patrol one of these days.
Fight For Tomorrow TP (MR) $14.99
Flash #236 $2.99
Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash #1 (Of 6) 2nd Ptg $2.99
Ben: If you are stupid (me usually, not this time) or were in a third world country when this came out the first time, now’s your chance to enjoy this awesomeness!
Kurt: I’m waiting for the trade.
Harley Quinn Preludes And Knock Knock Jokes HC $24.99
I Hate You More Than Anyone Vol 03 $9.99
Ben: My wife’s debut comic about our marriage continues.
Kurt: I can’t help but think she’s going to print out your last few Spinner Racks and bring them to divorce court with her.
Justice League Of America #17 $2.99
Kurt: Read about them, because you won’t see them at the movies any time soon!
Legion Of Super Heroes In The 31st Century #10 $2.25
Programme #7 (Of 12) $2.99
Robin #170 $2.99
Scooby Doo #128 $2.25
Shadowpact #21 $2.99
Wildstorm Revelations #2 (Of 6) $2.99
Ben: The story that has rocked the comic world… to sleep.
World Of Warcraft #3 $2.99
Ben: Hey nerds! This one’s for you.
IMAGE COMICS
76 #1 (Of 8) $2.99
Ben: Two stories set in the time of afros, lava lamps and melted cheese (did you know that in the 70’s newlyweds could expect 2.3 fondue pots as wedding gifts).
Amory Wars #5 (Of 5) $2.99
Cemetery Blues #1 $3.50
Ben: Kurt, if this sucks I’m sending you a bill for $3.50.
Kurt: I’ll be sure to light a series of fine cigars with it.
Fell #9 $1.99
Ben: Finally! Love this one!
Graveslinger #3 (Of 4) $3.50
Hawaiian Dick #2 $2.99
Ben: Joe Quesada on vacation.
Kurt: There goes your future at Marvel.
Spawn #174 $2.95
Ben: I’m always amazed by how long this series has continued.
Steve Niles Strange Cases #3 $2.50
Ben: A giant guitar case for hiding bazookas.
Kurt: I’m going to ask Steve about that, because it can’t be legal.
Strange Embrace #8 (Of 8) (MR) $3.50
Sword #4 (MR) $2.99
Ben: I don’t give the Luna Brothers enough props here. Luna Brothers – Props ahoy!
Witchblade Basri Cvr B #113 $2.99
Witchblade Choi & Oback Cvr A #113 $2.99
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Girl #16 $2.99
Amazing Spider-Man #547 BND $2.99
Ben: Actually not poorly written or (at least last issue) poorly drawn, but this isn’t MY Spider-Man.
Kurt: The last one wasn’t poorly drawn at all, but the writing was just decent.
Avengers Classic #8 $2.99
Cable Deadpool #49 $2.99
Essential Captain America TP Vol 01 New Ptg $16.99
Essential Marvel Saga TP Vol 01 $16.99
Fantastic Four And Power Pack Digest TP $7.99
Ben: Despite how fast toilet paper breaks down Mr. Fantastic can stretch his digestive system to make this last for hours.
Heroes For Hire TP Vol 03 World War Hulk $13.99
House Of M HC $29.99
Kurt: Relive the craptacularity! Wallow in an editorial mandate stretched out for 8 f—king issues!
Hulk Prem HC The End $19.99
Hulk Prem HC The End Dm Ed Vol 8 $19.99
Immortal Iron Fist #12 $2.99
Ben: I just love this.
Kurt: It’s the Bru and the Frac, writing together. What’s not to love?
Incredible Hercules #113 $2.99
Ben: Not so much.
Incredible Hercules #113 Var (Pp #796) $2.99
Iron Man Power Pack #3 (Of 4) $2.99
Kabuki Reflections #9 (MR) $5.99
Sgt. Kabukiman: My makeup is slipping!
Marvel Adventures Avengers #20 $2.99
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #35 $2.99
Marvel Adventures Two-In-One #7 $4.99
Marvel Comics Presents #5 $3.99
Marvel Illustrated Iliad #2 (Of 8) $2.99
New Exiles #1 $2.99
Ben: Because no one asked for it.
New Exiles #1 Golden Var $2.99
New Warriors #8 $2.99
New X-Men #46 MC $2.99
Ben: Holy crap, this goes up there with Annihilation, and Sinestro Corps.
Kurt: I repeat: waiting for the trade. Too many comics.
Penance Relentless #4 (Of 5) $2.99
Ben: Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace, Hail Mary full of grace…
Thunderbolts By Ellis Vol 1 Faith In Monsters TP $19.99
Ultimates 3 #1 (Of 5) 2nd Ptg Wraparound Var (Pp #796) $2.99
Ben: Don’t encourage them.
Kurt: When I run out of firewood, I’m grabbing my copy of this.
Uncanny X-Men #493 2nd Ptg Var $2.99
Wolverine Origins #21 $2.99
World War Hulk Aftersmash Warbound #2 (Of 5) $2.99
X-Factor Prem HC Madrox Multiple Choice $19.99
X-Men #205 2nd Ptg Var $2.99
Kurt: Right, yeah. This is the end.
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@mania.com.
The idea they have for the Avengers movie is and these crossover scenes in all the different Marvel movies is a great idea. Its an idea that pretty much every comic book fan has had ever since the first comic book adaption came out. Its about time that they are doing it. I would of preferred the original Nick Fury, because I don`t want them going the Ultimates route for the Avengers movie, but I`ll take it, because SLJ is the man and they did base the version on him.
I was watching the Doctor Strange animated movie last night and there is a quick scene in the hospital where Strange works where they page "Doctor Donald Blake" and you see him walking across the hall with his cane. It did nothing to add to the story, but having that little scene in it was cool as hell. It wll be the same for the Hulk and Iron Man movies, seeing Fury.