7 - 2006 | ***Dave Does the Blog

Rallying to the cause

I love rally racing. I love it conceptually. And I love to watch it. I mean, think of it. No mutant thoroughbred always-turning-left-around-a-circle Indy racer. Heck, even NASCAR is artificial…

I love rally racing. I love it conceptually. And I love to watch it.

I mean, think of it. No mutant thoroughbred always-turning-left-around-a-circle Indy racer. Heck, even NASCAR is artificial compared to taking cars and running them in time trials across back roads, doing real driving on real by-ways, making real turns and real jumps over real … stuff.

It’s real. Teams of mechanics aside.

Maybe that’s one reason I drive a Subaru. The company is famous in rally racing circles. Part of what makes them fun cars and all-wheel-drivey.

Rally racing isn’t big in the US like NASCAR. NASCAR is a lot easier to gather the rubes together and sell them lots of beer and put lots of ads up on the stadium walls. Rally racing is like bike races — brief glimpses of the contestants swooshing by, and then they’re gone. It works just fine for TV, as I noted on our last visit to the UK, but, for whatever reason, it’s not caught on in the US.

NPR had an article about it this afternoon. It was actually kind of patronizingin tone — “Oh, woe is me, no grandstands to sit and slurp my Bud upon” — but it was nice to see at least some publicity to the sport.

Heck, maybe I’ll check the DVR for rally events, now that I think about it.

As long as they don’t rename my parish, I’m cool with it

So when I started getting into the Episcopal Church thang, there was this undercurrent of distress amongst some of the assembled viz the “proper” shortname or acronym for the church….

So when I started getting into the Episcopal Church thang, there was this undercurrent of distress amongst some of the assembled viz the “proper” shortname or acronym for the church. At that time, it was ECUSA (Episcopal Church in the United States of America), which had some feathers ruffled because earlier it had been PECUSA (Protestant etc. etc.), as a shortened form of its full legal name, The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Some
folks had liked the “Protestant” bit, others had objected to it (and some thought it was confusing with the Presbyterians, PCUSA), and so ECUSA it was.

Except now that’s not any more, at least not semi-formally, as someone realized that there are non-US members of the US (for various reasons, including geopolitical and missionary). Indeed, there are Episcopal dioceses in 16 countries all told, including Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Haiti, and Taiwan.

So at General Convention came the announcement that now we’ll be referring to ourselves as TEC (The Episcopal Church), at least in formal (or informal) national church communications. A “branding” exercise,one might call it.

This makes nice for non-USA types, but may be confusing (or presumptuous) regarding some non-US-centered churches that call themselves Episcopal (e.g., the Scottish Episcopal Church). The Wikipedians have some discussion on the subject, as well as on ECUSA in general.

UPDATE: A very dissenting view.

Superman 2 Rev. 1

Evidently there’s a new version — not just a “director’s cut,” but an “original director’s version” — of Superman II being planned for a release for the holiday season…

Evidently there’s a new version — not just a “director’s cut,” but an “original director’s version” — of Superman II being planned for a release for the holiday season this year. It’s based on Richard Donner’s original work on the movie, prior to his being canned by the Salkinds and replaced by Richard

Lester, which (so it’s said) not only led to a near-revolt by the actors (Hackman refused to film any more) but to a movie with a much more humorous (even camp) tone to it.

Interesting.

(via kottke)

Shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

Babies! Breasts! The horror! I do hope that none of my readers here are Gravely Offended by the magazine coverto the right. I mean — it’s a baby, right?…

Babies! Breasts! The horror!

I do hope that none of my readers here are Gravely Offended by the magazine coverto the right. I mean — it’s a baby, right? And a breast. And a baby latched onto a breast. Which is a natural and non-sexual and good thing, right? And it’s on a magazine about babies, and illustrating an article about mothers and breastfeeding, right? And, heck, as far as you can actually tell from the picture, it’s really just an elbow, right?

So why are folks going so …crazily offended over this cover?

I’m … amazed.

Shocked to see a “giant breast” on a cover? It’s a magazine about babies! Turning the magazine face-down? Why? What are you seeing here that’s so offensive? Gross? What’s gross about it?

Well I’m glad it was only a quarter. But why was it inappropriate?

Um … a breast is a mammary gland, designed primarily for the feeding of babies. And in this context, it’s clearly being used for this purpose. Breasts are secondarily a “sexual thing.” And maybe your 13-year-old does in fact need to see this picture just to understand that.

And, as someone who’s both male and has had a healthy obsession over breasts for quite a number of years, I can guarantee that this is one of the least sexual pictures of breasts I’ve seen — and trivially sexual compared to any number of pictures of breast visible in any mainstream magazine. Really.

That particular comment just makes me shake my head.

Now this all ties into the issue of public breast feeding, though, to my mind, a bit tangentially — there’s a difference between what you see on a magazine cover and what you see in a restaurant, grocery store, or city park, regardless of the subject. To me, at least, there’s a distinction between photos and reality, between “live and Memorex.” So I can understand varying levels of comfort/discomfort with public breast feeding — I believe it can and should be legal, but that there are politeness and social
interaction issues (in both directions) that we’re all working through.

But as much as I am, as Margie says, a “boob man,”it’s clear that the American obsession (positive and negative) about breasts is out of hand (so to speak) when a magazine photo like this provokes such viscerally negative responses.

(via Les)

Does who wrote the music matter?

So I have iTunes. Could be some other MP3 software, doesn’t matter. Name of the tune Album it’s from Who’s performing it. Who wrote it. Most folks (by which I…

So I have iTunes. Could be some other MP3 software, doesn’t matter.

Name of the tune
Album it’s from
Who’s performing it.
Who wrote it.

Most folks (by which I mean, “people who create plug-ins for MP3 software to bring the play info over into a blog entry or something like that.” as well as, say, “people who write MP3 software”) would agree on #1-3. That’s the basics of what displays in the player itself in most cases, as well as what shows up in plugins for blogs (e.g., WMPtunelog, BlogTunes).
But the fourth item, who wrote it, gets short shrift.

That may make some sense in the world of pop music. After all, who pays attention to who wrote the latest bit from, say, the latest pop diva?

But that’s a very myopic view of music, IMO. And it falls apart on anything that’s more than ten or twenty years old (which, I realize, rules out probably 90% of the MP3 music listened to). First off, there are plenty of singer-songwriters out there in the 60s, 70s, etc., who it’s of value to recognize, even if someone else is covering their material. If Avril Lavigne is covering something by Bob Dylan, isn’t it nice to know that? Hell, isn’t that more important than the album name, as
far as that goes?

More importantly, though, in the areas of classical and soundtrack music, the Performer is secondary to the Composer. Joe-Bob Smith conducting the Hoboken Philharmonic is of secondary importance to knowing that the Symphony #3 in B-minor is by Mozart, vs. Handel. And is it more important to know that’s Suzy Creamcheese singing “Oh How I Do Love You” from the hit musical You Paid How Much to See This? or to know that the musical was written by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice?

In other words, in geekspeak, the important data elements vary based on the type of music being listened to. The assumption that the composer is trivial is not only wrong, it’s insulting to songwriters and shortchanges the people using these tools.

(I encountered this during my use of the media tags in ecto during the Blogathon. I don’t usually include that sort of info when blogging, for a variety of reasons, but I found it as irksome this year as I did last.)

Land of the living

I was crashed Sunday morning by 7 a.m., and slept until awakened (by arrangement) around 2. The rest of the day was sort of a lazy blur — I cleaned…

I was crashed Sunday morning by 7 a.m., and slept until awakened (by arrangement) around 2. The rest of the day was sort of a lazy blur — I cleaned up a couple of things, we went swimming, at some chicken wings, watched some Doctor Who, then I headed for an early bed.

How (if you missed it) can you read my scintillating Blogathon entries?

The Blogathon stuff will remain on the front page for at least today.
It’s accessible thereafter through the Blogathon category (assuming the pagination stuff works).
You can also get an excerpted list of entries by searching for “BT06.”
You can also read it post-by-post in sequence starting here.

It’s worth noting that the total raised by the Blogathon 2006 has risen to 100,339.49, which is mighty impressive in my mind.

It’s also worth noting that a late contribution (thanks, Kate!) pushed me up to $481, which is over $20/hr. It’s also a scosh over Les’s pledges, so nyaaaah.

Dunno how much blogging I’ll get done today (esp. since I don’t want to clear the page), but … life moves on. Thanks again for all your support.

BT06 – Good night, everyone!

And thanks for all the fish! this post enabled by airblogging.com….

And thanks for all the fish!

this post enabled by airblogging.com.

BT06 – When Ends the Blogathon!

Last year, the Blogathon had 219 participants, with 1,777 sponsors pledging over $55,000. This year, 285 participants for total pledges of $96,887.68. That’s pretty cool. Last year, I had seven fine sponsors,…

Last year, the Blogathon had 219 participants, with 1,777 sponsors pledging over $55,000. This year, 285 participants for total pledges of $96,887.68. That’s pretty cool.

Last year, I had seven fine sponsors, pledging $241. This year I have 12, pledging $457. Again with the Wow.

(Sponsors, you’ll be getting an e-mail or two from the Blogathon with a message from me and the link to the EFF’s Support page. There’s all sorts of ways you can do support stuff there, including a form you can download for using snail-mail if your of that sort of inclination.)

And now the Thank Yous.

Thanks to the Blogathon crew, including my monitor, Elegy. This couldn’t happen without all the volunteer time all y’all put in. It is appreciated.

Thanks to my commenters: the Mother-in-Law, Steve, Elegy, Kelson, Avocet, Mary, Mal, Margie, DOF, Kate, Travis, Mrs. SEB. Getting feedback is critical, and it helps, awfully much.

Thanks to Les, who put up with my Google Talk chatter. Having that connection at 2 in the morning helped me, and I hope it helped in return.

Thanks to my Sponsors. You guys make this pay off, literally. I believe that all of the following names were okay to disclose, and, if not, I apologize: Stephen, Mom, De, Lee, Margie, Mary, Amanda, the Mother-in-Law, and Randy. Plus three anonymous sponsors in there. $457 to a very worthy cause, people. You’ve done a little bit to support me, and, bread upon the waters, I trust it will come back to you in myriad ways.

Thanks to Katherine for being patient with Daddy being a bit cranky and a lot unavailable.

As always, biggest thanks to Margie. She was immediately supportive of my doing this, took care of all the logistics around me regarding it, and was an overall doll. I love you, honey.

And with that, I believe I am within the rules to count this as my final half-hour post, and to say good morning, and good night. The posts should be all below here for your Sunday perusal. I’ll be out of commission until early-mid afternoon.

See you in the funny papers.

BT06 – Penultimate Ex-Man

I finished up … well, much of my comic book box stack thing. All I’m doing tonight. A lot of bloggers have turned the ‘Thon into a meme-o-matic, asking questions…

I finished up … well, much of my comic book box stack thing. All I’m doing tonight.

A lot of bloggers have turned the ‘Thon into a meme-o-matic, asking questions like a giant Truth or Dare competition. But here are a few I’m willing to make up and answer Right Now:

Will you do this again next year? I think so. I mean, I made it, and it’s a good cause, and all that.
Will you sponsor the same organization next year? Maybe. I’m inclined to think so, but last year I would have said the same thing and I changed, so go figure. And assuming the EFF exists next year and hasn’t been outlawed or something.
Will you do the same schtick again? Well, it worked. I didn’t get to a lot of the things I was thinking about doing (scroll to the very first post — I’m too tired to link), so I have plenty of material. Or maybe I’ll think of something else that I can sustain for 24 hours.

I note, parenthetically, that the rules just say that I have to blog once every 30 minutes or so. Or once every thirty minute period. So there’s nothing that says that I can’t post my final post at 6:31a and call it quits. Is there?

I also note that, according to the front page, this year’s Blogathon had 291 blogs, with total pledges of $95,907.68. That’s really neat (and who the hell gave the 68 cents?) and I’m glad I had a part in it.

And that’s this post.

BT06 – Hey, Kids! Comics!

The sky is getting light. I find that depressing. I wish I were in a time zone when it would still be dark when I went to bed. Heck, on…

The sky is getting light. I find that depressing. I wish I were in a time zone when it would still be dark when I went to bed.

Heck, on a weekday, I’m leaving for the office now, rather than not-having-gone-to-sleep.

Buck up, Dave … you’re getting short.

Shadowpact #3 (DC) [4/3/3/3] (w. Bill Willingham; a. Cory Walker)

The SP break away from captivity and severely trounce their opposite numbers, freeing the town. Huzzah! Full of Willingham charm, satire, and twists. Good stuff, and the best thing to come out of the pre-Infinite Crisis thingie period.

Truth, Justin, and the American Way #3 (Image) [2/3/3/3] (w. Scott Kurtz, Aaron Williams; a. Giuseppe Ferrario)

How can two talented writers like this (Nodwick, PvP) come up with something so dreadful? I mean, part of the dreadfulness is intentional — a satire on 70s TV shows (most notably Greatest American Hero, but including others). But … really … so much of what’s meant to be funny … just … isn’t. Sadly so.

Wonder Woman #1 (DC) [4/5/3/1] (w. Allan Heinberg; a. Terry Dodson / Rachel Dodson)

And the new Wonder Woman is … Donna Troy. Makes absolute sense. But, then, why are some villains willing to kill to find the original WW? Who’s that Donna’s fighting? And who’s that new secret agent over there …

As far as I’m concerned, I’m fine with the new direction. That may change — probably will — but I’m more than happy to give it a chance.

X-Factor #9 (Marvel) [4/3/2/1] (w. Peter David a. Dennis Calero)

While everyone else is debating the Civil War, X-Factor’s debating Quicksilver’s ostensible power from his sister to grant mutant abilities. Except Madrox, who simply doesn’t want to have to make a decision. Except that by the time the issue is over Madrox, and X-Factor, in spite of the X-Men (or to spite them) will be taking a public stand against the Registration Act. David writes a dense but understandable plot, and each character we meet seems to have their own agenda on a deeper
level than cliches and catch phrases. A good book, and I hope it’s doing well in sales.

And, hey, look — I forgot to turn on my music …

BT06 – Comics? A Relief!

Slowing down even more … It’s 5 a.m., though. That means two hours. More importantly, that means four more posts (including this one). Three more, really, because the fourth is…

Slowing down even more …

It’s 5 a.m., though. That means two hours. More importantly, that means four more posts (including this one). Three more, really, because the fourth is the wrap-up, sum-up, thanks-for-all-the-fish post close to 7 a.m., but it will basically write itself.

Lucifer #75 (DC) [4/3/1/4] (w. Mike Carey; a. Peter Gross)

The end of the series — and, so far as can be ascertained, the character. He closes up accounts, does his reminscences, bids his farewells, has one last encounter with his Father, and then … leaves. “The ultimate freedom … the freedom to leave.”

A fitting, quiet ending, to an intricate and tumultuous series. Well done.

Ms. Marvel #5 (Marvel) [3/3/2/1] (w. Brian Reed; a. Roberto de la Torre / Jimmy Palmiotti)

Sharon deals with unexpected press interviews and an unexpectedly competent Traveller, now wielding the Wand of Watoomb. Not to mention a world-eating insect plague. And, by the end, she’s getting ready to deal with the toughest situation of all: the Registration Act, and Captain America at her door.

Nothing spectacular or special, which is a shame, because I’d really like to see the character succeed, and her prominence in the Civil War event is a great stepping stone to that.

Next Wave #6 (Marvel) [4/4/4/2] (w. Warren Ellis; a. Stuart Immonen)

Ellis’ stylish supergroup spy satire. The agents fight improbable robots and the full power of a SHIELD-like helicarrier-like HQ craft. Quirky fun with obscure characters and Ellis’ trademark surrealism.

Runaways #18 (Marvel) [4/4/2/3] (w. Brian Vaughan; a. Adrian Alphona / Craig Yeung)

“One of these Runaways is about to die,” the cover text says — and they’re telling the truth. Big stuff, poignant, the whole nine yards. This is not a safe comic. But it is good.

(listening to: “The Banana Splits” from Television’s Greatest Hits – V)
(listening to: Webber, Andrew Lloyd & Tim Rice, “Pilate’s Dream” from Jesus Christ Superstar)
(listening to: Debussy, “Reverie” from Wedding Album, The)
(listening to: Kilbride, Patrick, “Patrick” from Undocumented Dancing)
(listening to: Moscow Symphony Orchestra, “Oriental Spirit” from Outcast)
(listening to: Sting, “Mad about you” from The Soul Cages)

BT06 – Hot or Not?

If I’m reading the Blogathon Surf Ring frame properly, mine is a “Hot Spot.” Which is kind of weird, but also a bit gratifying. I’m not sure that’s defined, but…

If I’m reading the Blogathon Surf Ring frame properly, mine is a “Hot Spot.” Which is kind of weird, but also a bit gratifying. I’m not sure that’s defined, but … well … there it is.

Front Line #4 (Marvel) [4/4/3/2] (w/a. various)

This is another Civil War title, running several continuing stories in it, focusing on the “personal” aspects of what’s going on. Clever investigative reports are looking to find out cui bono with the act. Speedball survived the explosion, but is powerless and in the federal clink until he confesses to his “role” in the disaster (which he doesn’t see as his fault); he’s subjected there to repeated abuse by inmates and guards alike. And we continue to learn more about a sleeper cell of Atlanteans that
Namor had stashed ashore, for reasons to be made clear later, perhaps …

It’s an interesting series, reminiscent in tone and intent to DC’s 52, but somehow less successful — perhaps because what’s happening with the story isn’t yet as apparent.

Justice League of America #0 (DC) [4/3/3/1] (w. Brad Meltzer; a. various)

A disjointed recollection across time of the joining (and breaking) of various versions of the Justice League, focused on the actions and relationships of the Big Three — Bats, Supes, and WW — and their relationships in the past, present … and future? It’s an interesting collection, but it ends, with the decision to reestablish the JLA … though it’s not clear how time has healed the wounds from when it was broken.

(listening to: Williams, John, & the London Symphony, “Brother of the Cruciform Sword” from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade)
(listening to: Ravenscroft, Thurl, & Disney, “Grim Grinning Ghosts” from Disneyland/Disney World Official Album)
(listening to: “Shared Dig” from Unreal)
(listening to: Copeland, Stewart, “Liberté” from Rhythmatist)
(listening to: Badelt, Klaus & H. Zimmer, “Skull And Crossbones” from Pirates of the Caribbean – Curse of the Black Pearl)
(listening to: Carl Stalling Project, “Medley: Dinner Music For a Pack of Hungry Cannibals (1941-1950)” from Music from Warner Bros. Cartoons 1936)
(listening to: TV, “Jarry Goldsmith / Barnaby Jones” from Television’s Greatest Hits 70’s & 80’s)
(listening to: Baez, Joan, “Lonesome Road” from Volume 2)

BT06 – Sunday Morning Comics (Ha!)

Slogging along. So tired. Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?] Hellblazer #222 (Vertigo) [2/3/2/3] (w. Denise Mina; Leonardo Manco)…

Slogging along. So tired.

Hellblazer #222 (Vertigo) [2/3/2/3] (w. Denise Mina; Leonardo Manco)

I am really tired of this story line. Just … stop. John’s not behaving in a way that makes sense. The long monastic conspiracy thing has had glimmers of interest, but … I’m this far from dropping this title. Really.

Invincible #33 (Image) [4/3/2/2] (w. Robert Kirkman; a. Ryan Ottley)

Angstrom Levy has captured Mark’s mom and baby brother. And beat them up. And now he’s transporting Mark into one universe after another, looking for one that can kill him. And he’s finally pushed Mark too far, which, with even a half-Viltrumite is dangerous.

Oh, yeah, and there’s a cameo by some zombies.

Still a greatly fun comic.

JLA Classified #24 (DC) [2/3/1/1] (w. Steve Englehart; a. Tom Derenick / Mark Farmer)

I’m sure someone thought that a flashback story of the “Detroit” Justice League (Vibe, Gypsy, Vixin, Steel, Martian Manhunter) would be an interesting “blast from the past.” They might have been right, but a five-part story? Against losers like the Royal Flush Gang? With really bad internal dialog for one of the heroes per issue? You know what, I’m glad Steel is long dead, because he does nothing here but whine. Ditto for Vibe. So there.

JSA #87 (DC) [3/3/2/1] (w. Paul Levitz; a. various)

JSA has been one of the most consistently popular titles DC has produced for the last several years. So, of course, it makes sense that they’re canceling it — so that they can create a new JSA title (at #1) in the fall? Feh.

This final issue has been coming for several issues, tied around a Gentleman Ghost tale. Which has kind of been more than a bit mediocre, compared to some of the things that JSA has done even recently.

JSA Classified #13 (DC) [3/2/1/1] (w. Stuart Moore; a. Paul Gulacy)

The end of Vandal Savage. Not sure we’ve needed four parts of tale to give us the character’s history. Especially poorly. Especially since it’s not actually the end. *sigh*

(listening to: Wainwright III, Loudon, “Tonya’s Twirls (Live)” from So Damn Happy)
(listening to: Giacchino, Michael and Tim Simonec, “New and Improved” from Incredibles)
(listening to: Battlefield Band, “Carnlough Bay” from On The Rise)
(listening to: Fitzpatrick, James & Prague Philharmonic & Chorus, “QB VII – Kaddish for the Six Million” from Jerry Goldsmith – 40 Years of Film Music)
(listening to: Chad, J. Pat O’Malley, Lord Tim Hudson, Digby Wolfe, Thurl Ravenscroft, Bruce Reitherman, “That’s What Friends Are For (The Vulture Song)” from Jungle Book)
(listening to: Lauper, Cyndi, “When You Were Mine” from She’s So Unusual)
(listening to: Nylons, “I Can’t Go for That” from Fabric of Life)
(listening to: Mamas & the Papas, “Too Late” from All the Leaves Are Brown)

BT06 – Comics Reviews. Imagine That.

It’s amazing how much a comment can perk you up. Thanks, Elegy! Now, on with the show! Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new…

It’s amazing how much a comment can perk you up. Thanks, Elegy!

Now, on with the show!

First Family #5 of 6 (Marvel) [3/3/2/1] (w. Joe Casey; a. Chris Weston / Gary Erskine)

Odd retelling of the first days and weeks after the FF were created. The artwork is passable, but too realistic. Casey is his usual brutal self, imaginative and unpleasant.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #10 (Marvel) [3/3/3/1] (w. Peter David; a. Mike Wieringo)

I really want to like this — I enjoy both the writer and the artist. But the whole Spider-Man / Green Goblin of 2211 story line has left me cold, even if it has also left a Ben Parker wandering the streets is kind of interesting, even if the last panel confused me.

Green Lantern #12 (DC) [3/3/1/1] (w. Geoff Johns; a. Ivan Reis)

Oh, boy — the Cyborg Superman. I really dislike that villain. Mix in Manhunters and GLs that hate Hal Jordan, and you have … well, kind of a cluttered mess. Not one of John’s better efforts.

Green Lantern Corps #1 (DC) [3/2/2/1] (w. David Gibons; a. Patrick Gleason / Prentis Rollins)

I don’t care about any of these characters, despite several months of previews trying to get me to. Way too many of them seem too unpleasant to be Green Lanterns. Bleah.

Green Arrow #64 (DC) [3/3/1/1] (w. Judd Winick; a. Scott McDaniel / Andy Owens)

GA is mayor of Star City, but he’s also dealing with mysterious goings-on in the walled-in portion of town. Slade Wilson is in prison, and evidently wants to stay there. Getting tired of this title, too.

Hmmm. Maybe this isn’t a good time of night to be doing reviews. “Tired” seems to be entering into too many of them.

Hawkgirl #54 (DC) [3/4/1/1] (w. Walter Simonson; a. Howard Chaykin)

Shayera nearly beats the bad guy to death for killing a cop. The Stonechat Museum is still being sought after for purchase. Zombies are wandering the streets. And someone is turning himself into Hawkman. Maybe. Not sure what’s going on here, Walt, and you’re usually a much clearer writer. Chaykin’s art is well done, not surprisingly — but it makes me wonder why he’s not writing …

(listening to: Slovak Phil., “Etude in E, Op. 10,3 – Lento ma non troppo” (Chopin) from Great Piano Moments)
(listening to: -Various Game, “Mineshaft Madness” from Beyond Good and Evil)
(listening to: Raitt, Bonnie, “What Is Success” from Bonnie Raitt Collection, The)

BT06 – I got those “It’s 3 in the Frelling Morning” Blues

Feeling very tired and easily distracted. I keep having those equivalent of the “don’t fall asleep in the snow” moments. I need to get up and stretch some more. Some…

Feeling very tired and easily distracted. I keep having those equivalent of the “don’t fall asleep in the snow” moments. I need to get up and stretch some more.

Some good news: I got another pledge, for $457. The bad news, Les got one that pushed him up to $474.50.

Know what? That’s not bad news. It’s cool. ‘Cause Les is cool and his cause is cool and it’s all cool and any moment now I’m going to sound like I’m smoking pot, which I’m not (and which, to be utter blunt — ha! — I’ve never).

Yes, the mind is wandering.

But the evening passes quickly. Soon enough to bed.

But not yet. Time for a break. Snooze amongst yourselves.

BT06 – Yet More Comics Reviews

Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?] Dark Horse 20 Years (Dark Horse) [x/4/x/x] A short one-shot, celebrating two…

Dark Horse 20 Years (Dark Horse) [x/4/x/x]

A short one-shot, celebrating two decades of Dark Horse goodness. The cover, by Mignola, has every single significant character produced by DH over its years, and it’s amazing how many of them I recognize. It would make a nice poster.

Inside, each page is a major DH-published character … by someone other than the usual artist. So there’s Hellboy drawn by Adam Hughes, whose character Ghost is on the next page drawn by Art Adams, whose characters Monkeyman & O’Brien are on the next page drawn by Doug Mahnke, whose character the Mask is on the next page drawn by …. and so it goes, with some odd, charming, and/or amusing results (Stan Sakai drawing Sin City is pretty cool, transposed with Frank Miller drawing Usagi Yojimbo …)

Daredevil #87 (Marvel) [4/4/2/1] (w. Ed Brubaker; a. Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano)

The mysteries around DD’s incarceration — and who’s been imitating DD on the outside, and why — begin to unravel, even as the Shock Ending of the Issue really makes things interesting. While the book has gotten a lot less wordy since Bendis left, I’m not sure how long I’m going to keep up here. There needs to be a direction they’re pushing the character, and it sure feels like he’s being backed into a creative corner if someone doesn’t put on their comic writers thinking cap Real Soon Now.

Daughters of the Dragon #6 of 6 (Marvel) [2/2/1/2] (w. Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmioti; a. Khari Evans)

What a waste of ink, paper, and two characters — Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Bleah. The comedic timing is off, and parts that one would think would be played straight are handled jokingly, and sometimes vice-versa. Very strange, and way to consciously hip. It needed to lose the Kill Bill vibe about it.

Ex Machina #20 (Wildstorm) [4/4/2/3] (w. Brian Vaughan; a. Tony Harris)

Mayor Hundred takes a personal role in figuring out the terror plot stalking the city — which takes one final victim. This book is a unique blend of personal, political, and heroic, that I feel justified in saying there’s nothing else like it out there. I’m not so enamoured that I’m buying the trades — but I’m definitely buying the individual issues.

Exiles #84 (Marvel) [3/3/1/1] (w. Tony Bedard; a. J. Calafiore, Mark McKenna)

On Heather Hudson’s near-“normal” world, the team is taking a break — and a mission. But the timekeepers are becoming irked at how the other deteriorating dimensions are being neglected, and are planning to take action themselves.

I keep thinking I should drop this title. But there’s something very fun about it, when it’s on its stride, and I still like all the alternate dimensions. We’ll see.

(listening to: Whites, “Sandy Land” from Down from the Mountain)
(listening to: Barry, John, “Mujahadin And Opium” from Living Daylights, The)
(listening to: Poddany, Eugene, “Let Us All Sing” from Cat In The Hat Songbook)
(listening to: TV, “HBO Feature Presentation” from Television’s Greatest Hits – VII)
(listening to: Beach Boys, “Do You Wanna Dance?” from Capitol Years, The)
(listening to: McCreary, Bear, “Battlestar Muzaktica” from Battlestar Galactica: Season 1)

(listening to: Dora The Explorer, “Backpack Song” from Nick Jr – Dance and Sing!)

(listening to: Simpsons, “The Simpsons End Credits Theme (“Hill Street Blues” Homage)” from Songs in the Key of Springfield)
(listening to: Birmingham, “Sym No. 6 in F, Op. 68 (Pastoral) – Andante molto mosso” from Beethoven – Complete Symphonies – Vol. II)

BT06 – Comics on Review

Okay, I’m going to be a bit more selective about titles I’m blogging on — largely because I think I’m going to run out of time. And there are ones…

Okay, I’m going to be a bit more selective about titles I’m blogging on — largely because I think I’m going to run out of time. And there are ones that I want to be sure to blog on.

Jack of Fables #1 (Vertigo) [4/3/5/4] (w. Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges; a. Tony Akins, Andrew Pepoy)

A spin-off of Fables, Jack is the Jack from the fables — Beanstalk Climber, Giant-Killer, Candlestick Leaper. He’d left the Fables community some time back to move to Hollywood, where he’d used embezzled funds to open a movie studio run by and starring himself. The Fables have put the kibosh on that, and now he’s on his own …

… and captured to someplace that resembles the Prisoner’s Village, a place where the Editor keeps Fables locked up until they’re forgotten (though never explicitly named, Sambo is clearly one of these). Will Jack meet his match, or does he have another trick up his sleeve.

If this book is half as good as its parent, I’ll be happy. The art’s not quite as well done, though it’s serviceable. And part of what makes Fables work is the ensemble. How much Jack remains on center stage might affect the outcome here.

Strangers in Paradise #83 (Abstract) [4/4/1/5] (w/a. Terry Moore)

This title wandered a more than a bit for a few years. It’s regained its focus in the last year or so, as the countdown to the final issue (7 more to go) continues, and Moore masterfully cleans up the threads he’s scattered over a decade of storytelling. I’ll be sorry to see it go, but it is time.

The Flash #2 (DC) [3/3/3/1] (w. Danny Bilson, Paul DeMeo; a. Ken Lashley)

So Bart Allen is the new Flash — and the only person in the world who controls the Speed Force. Except he doesn’t want to be, and he’s afraid the Speed Force is as much a danger as a boon to him.

Um, ho-hum. This title is going to have a very short time to prove itself. Really.

Fantastic Four #538 (Marvel) [4/4/3/2] (w. Joe Straczynski; a. Mike McKone)

Ben’s feeling more than a might conflicted over the Registration Act in this “Civil War” cross-over. But he’s more conflicted over the disagreements he sees between Reed and Sue, and even all that’s overwhelmed by his concern for the still-comatose Johnny. A walk that turns out on Yancy Street and a long chat with the denizens there who are none too happy with the Act …

Meanwhile, who’s that who just cut in line and grabbed Thor’s hammer from the Oklahoma wastes …?

Not a great issue, but a fairly thoughtful one.

Fallen Angel #6 (IDW) [4/3/4/3] (w. Peter David; J.K. Woodward)

The newly-fallen angel is amongst Bedouins, revered as a possible goddess or incarnation of the founder of their tribe. When she pursues the treasure of her newly adopted people, she returns to find the village nearly destroyed — and she decides to take even more direct action.

There’s always a danger in revealing your mysterious character’s backstory. So far it’s working. It will be interesting to see how far David can take it.

Fables #51 (Vertigo) [4/3/4/4] (w. Bill Willingham; a. Shawn McManus)

A one-shot episode showing the trials and tribulations of Cinderella trying to negotiate a peace treaty with the giants in the clouds (whose realms overlook both the Earth and the Homelands, and thus are of incalculable strategic importance in the war against the Adversary). Not much to it, and the guest art is somewhat disappointing — but there are hints that echoes of this issue will have a future effect.

Eternals #2 of 6 (Marvel) [4/4/3/3] (w. Neil Gaiman; a. John Romita Jr.)

The plot thickens, as the various amnesiac Eternals begin to recover their identities. But who’s plotting against them, singularly and collectively, and will they all remember in time? Gaiman’s doing a nice reboot of the property, though I wonder where things may go after this (is this actually considered Marvel continuity any more?). Romita provides a blocky grandeur that recalls Kirby without imitating him. Good stuff — not spectacular so far, but worth the read.

Conan #30 (Dark Horse) [4/5/4/4] (w. Mike Mignola; a. Cary Nord)

Not surprisingly, Mignola’s tale is Lovecraftean horror tale mixed with a thieving raid on a temple. Nord’s art is more Frazettaesque than usual, and the whole is only missing Conan and Hellboy running into each other in a shadow-shrouded corridor to make it complete. Just kidding.

(listening to: Barenaked Ladies, “Shoe Box” from Born on a Pirate Ship)
(listening to: Horn, Shirley , “It’s Easy To Remember” from Rodgers & Hart Songbooks, Vol 2 – My Funny Valentine)
(listening to: O’Brian, Richard, “Science Fiction Double Feature” from Rocky Horror Picture Show)
(listening to: Isaak, Chris, “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” from Forever Blue)
(listening to: Enya, “Pax Deorum” from Memory of Trees)
(listening to: Sting, “One World (Not Three) — Love is the Seventh Wave” from Bring On the Night)

BT06 – The Blogging Dead

Beginning to fade a tad. this post enabled by airblogging.com….

Beginning to fade a tad.

this post enabled by airblogging.com.

BT06 – Let’s Go Out to the Sidewalk …

I am going to take a walk around the block. I just discovered that my attention is being waaaaaay to easily distracted by stuff, and I’d like to get some…

I am going to take a walk around the block. I just discovered that my attention is being waaaaaay to easily distracted by stuff, and I’d like to get some blood flowing here.

BT06 – And There Shall Come … an Ending … to That Stack

Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?] The Walking Dead: Heart’s Desire (Vol. 4) (Image) [5/4/3/4] (collects #19-24)…

The Walking Dead: Heart’s Desire (Vol. 4) (Image) [5/4/3/4] (collects #19-24)
w. Robert Kirkman; a. Charlie Adlard

If Robert Kirkman seems strongly associated with zombies, it’s because this series of his continues so strongly and so well. It’s the standard bit — one day, the dead walk, eating the living. Civilization collapses, and the survivors have to figure out how to keep being survivors. How much violence is necessary to protect themselves from the zombies, from other living — and from each other? What are the rules that keep each other from each other’s throats? Physical, emotional, and sexual
tension continue to rise, and the question is not who will crack first, but who won’t crack.

It’s not a pretty book. But it’s a good one.

Wonder Woman: Destiny Calling (Vol. 4) (DC) [4/4/3/2] (collects #20-24, Annual #1)
w. George Perez; a. George Perez

Continuing the groundbreaking run by Perez in the late 80s, this volume includes the death of Myndi Mayer, the opening of Thymiscara, and Hermes’ decision to live as a god on Earth. Good stuff, and if there’s now a bit of a whiff of melodrama about it all, it’s still nicely drawn and — further dicking around with the whole WW mythos by subsequent writers notwithstanding — foundational stuff for the Wonder Woman we have today.

And that, friends, completes the stack of TPBs I had to go through. Woot.

(listening to: Giacchino, Michael and Tim Simonec, “Saving Metroville” from Incredibles)
(listening to: “Peter Gunn” from Television’s Greatest Hits – II)
(listening to: Symphonic Cast, “Look Down” from Les Misérables (Symphonic))

(listening to: Benson, Jodi, “Part of Your World” from Disney’s Greatest Vol. 3)
(listening to: Denver, John, “Follow Me” from John Denver – Greatest Hits)

(listening to: Slatkin, Leonard, “The Nutcracker, Op.71a, No. 3: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy” from Smart Symphonies)
(listening to: Proclaimers, “A Long Long Long Time Ago” from Hit The Highway)