So. I've been totally into this HP parody musical thing that was posted on Youtube. It's HILARIOUS. But it's been temporarily taken down because WB sucks. But it should be back up soon, and then I'll link you guys to it.

In other news, since my statement about Supergirl's scandalous shorts has caused such a sensation, I'd sorely sort of like to state a statement that simply swooped upon me a sum of two days ago.

(Edit: This is a reaction to the 'Rama article about Supergirl's shorts. I mean seriously. I am quoted by Jamal Igle. What is it with me attracting industry people's attention just by being my pushy feminist self? I suddenly turned the shorts in a a NEWSARAMA story just by bringing them up, what the hell. And Jamal quoted me!

Igle said that the negative reaction, thankfully, is in the minority, and he’s approached by female Supergirl fans at panels who thank him for the changes that he and Gates have brought to the book, noting how one woman at a recent panel at Heroes Con in North Carolina said that prior to his and Gates’ start on the book, she had tried to read the series, but with the costume, and her “bad girl” attitude, realized that the book wasn’t being written for the character’s female fans.

Yeah, that was me. WHAT THE HELL, first Jann Jones and now this. Here's the story: www.newsarama.com/comics/060926-Supergirl.html#comments)

I don't think the shorts are the biggest deal ever. My main concern is story telling. If Supergirl is about some flirtysexual dynamo of a character who gets off on showing guys her panties, clearly she wouldn't wear shorts. And I wouldn't read the book as that's not my thing. But others would enjoy it, and they could have all the T & A they desired. My main concern is good storytelling. I want the art to reflect the character, I want the art to reflect the story told. When Supergirl was a bratty, unlikable vixen-y 20 something in a 16 year olds body, the art, as hideous as it was, reflected that. It was a bad book, and I stayed away from it. And if someone had been drawing that book like it was drawn now, yet the character was still the same, I would still stay away from it. There would be a disparity between the art and writing.

The Supergirl that we have now is a confident but struggling young woman who is trying to pull her life together and make the right choice. She has a brain, and she's in the game to save lives, not have people stare up her skirt. Any girl with half a brain and a sense of modesty would not want to be flashing their panties (or lack of panties) while saving the world, if she wasn't focused on attracting people's stares.

This is what I'm getting into about storytelling. If the writing paints Supergirl this way, the art should reflect it. If the Supergirl we have now was constantly showing her knickers, I would not just be annoyed at the tastelessness of sexualizing an underage girl, I'd be PULLED OUT OF THE STORY. It would seem out of character and jarring. The story would be sending one message (Supergirl is strong, sensible and confident) and the art another (you should forget all that, and focus on her hot body. Also, Kara is an idiot who doesn't realize photographers are going to be running around under her trying to get upskirt shots). Mairrage of art and story is what makes a good comic book. Jamal Igle is sending the same message (Supergirl is strong, sensible and knows how the world works) that Sterling Gates is, by not focusing on cheesecake and instead focusing on storytelling.

This makes for a good comic and one that girls like me can relate too. It's just good storytelling. It allows us to focus on the character.

The case in point was at the Brave and Bold Panel- I saw a bit in Brave and Bold #4 where Supergirl tells Lobo: "Look up my skirt and I melt your face". And I was like "...If you don't want people to look up your skirt, why are you wearing it?" I'm not saying "Guys can't control their hormones" or it's Supergirl's fault Lobo's a skeez, I'm saying WHY. There's only one reason I think you'd go flying in a skirt- you want people to look up it. Because they will. Not even on purpose or because they want to. They'll look up, and they'll see your underwear. If you like that, fine. Go ahead. But if you don't...wear some goddamn shorts. Brave and Bold is a perfect example of my talk of art and storyytelling not working together. Supergirl is supposed to be powerful and sensible, and she doesn't want Lobo goggling her panties. Yet she wears a costume that guarantees everyone will goggle at her panties. Where is the logic here? How am I supposed to understand a character like that?

And finally, the shorts allow Jamal Igle to bring actual physics into his art. He doesn't have to do gymnastics to make sure the skirt stays down whatever posistion Kara's in. (On TV Tropes, they call it "Magic Skirt". tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicSkirt ) I  can only imagine what a relief that must be. Now he can focus on actual important things, like y'know...THE STORY.

Anj from Supergirl Comic Box Commentary reads my blog! I never knew!

For those of you don't know, SCBC is a very insightful and informative blog on Supergirl that does in depth reviews of all comics and news tidbits relating to her. I've been diligently linking his Supergirl posts of WFA (making it look like I have a Supergirl and Wonder Woman bias a lot of the time...which, well, I do, but I don't mean for my coverage to appear uneven, there's just a lot of news relating to those two as they're so prominent, and I know where to go to find it)

Anyway, he commented on my insights regarding the all important opus that is Supergirl's shorts. I would have never known anyone was complaining about the shorts if it wasn't for his blog relating that they were, honestly. The circles I travel in being generally anti-unnessecary sexualization of underage girls, and all. So when I saw Jamal, I thought I'd give him some encouragement on the matter. And when Jamal said he'd gotten angry email I was like "WUT"? They are SHORTS, people. Who honestly cares that much? If you want panty shots in your comics...you...you're weird. Go read a magazine devoted to panty shots!

And then everyone was all "ZOMG SHORTS" and I was like..."I didn't know it was so damn controversial. Damn."

And we had weird tattoo guy of course. I really don't want people telling me they want to see Supergirl's panties. Because they're basically telling a teen girl they fetishize teen girls. You want me to explain how that creeps me out?

Right, the point I had before was I am flattered SCBC mentioned me. It's a great blog, everyone should check it out:

comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/

And I fully echo his sentiments on telling Jamal and Sterling ya love their work if you ever see them. It can't be said enough, and Jamal for one is an awesome, friendly guy. And he actively tries to make his comics female friendly, and told me he knows lots of girls who don't seem like they would be comic fans, but are and he knows women are as geeky as guys, when I told him about Fuller and such. He's on our side!

Today has been rather depressed thanks to the situation with scans_daily. I did do a hard hitting expose for BSR on the subject: www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/4310

I also went to Book a Million and finished up Watchmen! As well as several art books and "Watching the Watchmen" and "Philosophy of Watchmen" and what not. I liked it. A bit depressing at parts (well, duh) but overall good. A lot of really nice lines, and concepts, and just all dark and enjoyable. I thought it would be funny if it turned out Silk Spectre I was behind it all. The thought occured to me when she was talking to Nite Owl I on the phone. If it was all a convoluted plan to get Laurie back in costume. Now what a twist that would have been! But the twist they actually used was good enough, I didn't see it coming.

But the most important news of the day is I got a response from Jann Jones! And it was a CARD!

An Astro-boy card, I believe!

( My card )
Isn't that sweet? A card and everything! I feel so listened too, even if the note was vague. I really like Jann. She's good people in my book. I'm setting the card on my shelf.

Anyway, it cheered me up, and I hope it cheered a few of you. Cass is confirmed to be in Streets of Gotham, and that's by Paul Dini, so she'll be in good hands. Looks bad for Babs though. : (

Oh well. They'll realize what a stupid decision it is eventually. As long as Cass doesn't suffer because of the stupidity, I'll stick with it.

Maybe I'll post this at the new noscans_daily place?

At k9feline 's urging (and a few others, including my Mom) I have written a letter to DC. I would like to see what you guys think before I send it. It's a little long,  but everything seems too important to cut.

The letter is dual addressed to Jann and Dan, since Jann is apparently Dan's mail reader or something, as I found out campaigning for TTG!

I'll also do one to Levitz, cutting out the paragraph that addresses Jann (I'm pretty sure Paul hates me because of how I pestered him over TTG, and never wants to get another letter from me, but oh well)

So, hereeee we go!

Dear Dan/Jann Jones,

 

Hi! It's me, Caitlin Donovan from the Heroes Con.

 

I'm very sorry to bother you, but I have been really distressed concerning DC comics and considering dropping them, and I thought I should tell you why, because perhaps you'd like to know, and at least I'll have a sense that my voice has been heard.

 

I especially hate to rail on you, Jann. You didn't respond to my thank you letter, and though I would consider this normal for any busy executive, you always responded to my letters in the past quite courteously. So I suspect the letter either got lost in the mail, or you decided to stop answering letters due to being busy or I offended you by including my doubts about the Batgirl miniseries in the note. If the latter is the case, I'm very sorry, but I hope you know I respect you and am grateful for the kindness you have shown me in the past. I also hope you'll hear me out.

 

A few weeks ago, I was very happy with my comics. I had my problems of course, especially since a lot of the titles I bought had been canceled, but that didn't dampen my enthusiasm and I was excited for the new direction.

 

Then, I became aware of the mounting pile of evidence that Barbara Gordon would regress to Batgirl. I want you to understand I have no problem with Babs changing, and developing. It's regression I have a problem with. Babs underwent incredible character development in the past twenty years, and it's been an amazing story of her overcoming incredible hardship and becoming independent. Ignoring all that and sticking her in the Batgirl suit again would be as disrespectful to the character as Dick Grayson becoming Robin again, and just plain demeaning. She's also in her late twenties/early thirties, so she wouldn't be calling herself “Girl”, especially since there's a Batwoman running around that has less experience than her. Deaging her would also me really degrading to the character in my opinion.

 

Of course, another big concern is what happens to Cassandra Cain. I really love the character, and I relayed in my previous letter, I predicted her series wouldn't sell well because it was entrusted to Adam Beechen, who is reviled by Batgirl fans. It didn't sell well, and I still believe that was the reason. If Cassandra is killed in order for Babs to regress, well, I think I would have to stop reading DC.

 

This is not a revenge thing. It's not a fit because I didn't get my way. It's just I know I can't invest money in comics that destroy the characters I love to return to the Silver Age. I like to see characters move forward,tell new stories, and putting Babs back into the Batgirl costume would be moving backward, retreading old stories, and disrespecting the character. And it would seem to reflect a larger trend in the DCU, one I am unwilling to buy into, because it isn't a comic aimed for me, a fan today. It's aimed for those who grew up in the sixties and seventies.

This, along with several comments at convention panels that made me uncomfortable (as a female fan), really saddened me, because I love your comics. I don't want to give them up. But I don't want to buy something that doesn't respect me as a customer. So, I am just writing you to say, if my worst fears happen, (Cassandra dies, Babs regresses) I will be giving up DC. I thought you'd like to know why. I hope I don't have to, and this will not come to pass. But thank you for listening to me.

 

Yours sincerely,

etc


So, whatcha think?

I realize in my best and worse Mcthing I forgot to include all the wonderful stuff that happened to me as a comic book fan! With links to pertinent posts!

Best


*I went to the Heroes Con, where I met Jann Jones, Dan Didio, Darwyn Cooke, Amanda Conner, Todd Dezago, Matthew Sturges annnnd Michell Poust, who did my lovely Steph commission.

* I got a lovely Steph commission.

(nevermore999.livejournal.com/17353.html#cutid1)

*And a less lovely, but okay one. And a cute chibi Tim sticker. nevermore999.livejournal.com/17760.html#cutid  

* Jann complimented me in her DC Nation column. (nevermore999.livejournal.com/22551.html )

*This blog took off, and I made a bunch of nifty internet friends. ( nevermore999.livejournal.com/14085.html )

*Looking at that post, I remember Gail Simone commented on a couple posts! That was so AWESOME.

*Also I got tagged several times on WFA. ( nevermore999.livejournal.com/tag/when+fangirls+attack )

*My Steph wiki expanded and is now ridiculously  comprehensive, despite the fact I had to do 99% of it all by my lonesome. That's the power of obsession, folks. And someone even added it as a source on Steph's actual wikipedia page! Without any prompting from me! So I did wikipedia a favor and kindly linked them back. (stephaniebrown.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page ) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Brown_(comics) )

* I got hired for Big Shiny Robot! ( nevermore999.livejournal.com/29332.html )

*I scored an interview with Fabian Nicieza! (nevermore999.livejournal.com/39539.html ) ( nevermore999.livejournal.com/43386.html )

Worst

Hardly any worsts, my comic fan existence has been super cool. But here's two, minor, minor things.

*Jann Jones never answered my letter. I'm worried she's mad at me for slying saying Adam Beechen sucks in my thank you note.

*Various internet arguments, whether at Comic Bloc, Superdickery or Scans_daily, have annoyed me. Oh, Internet.


Now that the year is totally in review...Reviews!

Teen Titans #66

It's a flipping miracle.

I enjoyed this issue of Teen Titans.

OH EM GEE.

Forced to pick it up because Spoiler is in it, I was pleased to see not only did nothing horrible happen to her, she got to be kind of  cool. First, of all, she sparred with Traci 13 and they became friends. Steph is awesome, and Traci is awesome and together they are almost too awesome for the world to handle. Which is why I want them to team up more. Now they have a precedent!

And the scene was neat in general, characterwise. Steph was nice enough to hold back on Traci, but once Traci says "Show me what you can do" she roundly kicks her ass...or bruises it, rather. A nice display of skill (and of course, as always, Steph goes for the face kick) even though, as said, Traci isn't an expert, relying more on magic and awesome than martial arts.

And Traci laughs and says nice one! And Steph helps her up all nice! Clearly, they like each other. This makes me happy. Steph must guest star in Blue- crap, I forgot...curse you cancellations! *sigh* My heart would stop if that happened anyway, from sheer joy, so maybe it's just as well.

And then Bombshell comes in and is all jerkish. She really annoys me, just another example of Teen Titans thinking DRAMA and CONFLICT is someone on the team being a jackass and others inexplicably putting up with it.

But I kinda loved Steph tensing up for the fight, ready to take on a girl with quantum skin. (She could win if she convinced Amy to depower, by calling her chicken a lot. And then, two seconds later, fight over) And then Misfit teleports in. Oh Misfit. I'm disappointed a little she didn't go all "Hey, saw your autopsy photos!" to Steph.

And I liked Wonder Girl being nice to Steph. Some read it as passive agressiveness, but I didn't see it. It was awkward, all right, but how could it not be? She seemes to really be trying.

In fact, I liked Wonder Girl in this issue a lot. It seems McKeever's sticking to this whole "the lasso made her a horrible person, now she's nice again" business.  And she's going to get to be leader! Oh, YJ flashbacks.

Tim bringing Steph along for "moral support"  for when he quits is weird. What KIND of moral support? This was partly why, when I looked back on Steph coming out of Tim's room and realized he was in his undies when Cassie came in, I was all "Wait. Did they have sex or something?"

But I doubt it. Tim is an eternal virgin. He just seems to like talking to his ex girlfriends in his underwear.

....

Okay, moving on. Jaime was cool this ish, despite his inexplicable not wanting Traci to join the team (probably he doesn't want her to die. I know, Jaime, I know). So was Kid Devil. And it is HILARIOUS no one wants to join the Titans. Because why would you? It's a death sentence!

Oh, and also hilarity in how Tim's quitting speech was essentially "This team sucks. A lot. So I'm quitting. Because...um, Batman's missing? You can handle it Cassie kthnxbye."

So....*drumroll*...I think I'll actually pick up this title again. Mostly to see how NewandImproved!Cassie does as leader. I'll drop it like a hot potato when/if it gets bad again tho.

Complaints though: Cassie's new costume is ludicrous. She's an Amazon without bracelets. Why? And how does she expect to deflect bullets and lasers and whathaveyou? And HOW does she move her arms with that metal thing? Come ON. Change costume now please.

The art in general sucked actually. Eddy Barrows cannot leave soon enough. His spines are made of silly putty, his anatomy is off, the girls lips look like they've been pumped with collagen and had glue like lipstick applied, and his boobs are all the same-perfectly round and moving as a seperate organism from the body. Also, the girls have a weird square pelvis thing going, especially apparent on Cassie in the old Titans picture. Oh, and all his clothes are impossibly tight. Not just the spandex, Cassie's outfit and Misfit's and Traci's too. AND, finally, the abdomens are impossibly concave and painful looking.

Yeah. Well.

4/5

Blue Beetle #34

AWESOME. As usual. I absolutely LOVE it. The Scarab's "Oops" and subsequent resuscitation, Jaime's one liners: ("Don't you guys ever stay dead?" "Not traditionally!"), attack of the immigrants, Brenda and Paco being awesome, Brenda being snarky, Jaime's family tackle hugging him and finally, an surprisingly nice resolution to the immigration issue, where Jaime finally gets to speak up and says he's not being dragged into the Border Patrol because he's supposed to be a hero for everyone, but he will follow the laws. And then, the most awesome afterthought "And all this? Caused by a rich white guy. Just sayin'." Oh, Jaime. MARRY ME.

Matt Sturges really has gotten his groove. I knew he would, he was nice to me at a comic convention!

They can't cancel this title. Whhhhyyy.

*cries*

5/5

Wonder Woman #27

A really enjoyable issue. Donna was awesomesauce, Genocide gets more threatening, Cassie was caring, and I LIKED Tom. Whoa.

Pretty art too. Excited for the next, as always.

4.5/5


Superman #683

Hi, Zatanna! Pretty art, but not much happening. Poor Kara, though. The punching page was pretty powerful. And nice fragment monologues from supporting heroes. (I could've done with one from Wondy, though).

3.5/5

Whew! Ending this post with a picture I did of Supergirl, Batgirl and Wonder Girl!

( I kinda like it, too. )
Also, did a review for a Marvel mini I really like, NYX, on BSR! It's written by a woman too! Yay, more women in comics!

www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/3308

My interview with Nicieza at BSR! is up!

www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/3091

I asked questions about "Created Equal" that y'all (My Carolinaness slips out!) might be interested in.

His answers. Well. Um. He sort of says the whole focusing on two men in a story supposedly about women wasn't his intention, but...he seriously thinks if women rules the world it would be a paradise with no war? Has he ever MET a woman? I don't mean to sound nasty since I'm very grateful he agreed to interview and gave such lovely answers to the questions, and I'm essentially talking behind his back BUT. Testosterone makes humans more agressive, this is true. This doesn't mean women aren't violent or angry. I myself am capable of GREAT anger. And violence. We're not perfect little pixies who live in eternal harmony. I honestly think saying that is almost as damaging as saying women are inferior. We're all human after all.

Fabian should really read Y:The Last Man.

Also:

I also think Clark and Lois being married, though as logical story a story progression in its own way as the marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane was, hasn’t worked for either Clark or Lois as characters (just like it made things harder for Spider-Man writers).

I think the character loses more than he gains by being married. We’re actually bringing that up as a story element of Trinity in the upcoming issues, just from the standpoint of “metacommentary,” not that we’re changing the status quo or anything.

Let's just say I disagree. Mairrage doesn't close any doors to a character. If you're a good writer, it opens them.

Also also:

BSR!: On the DC message boards, back when the fanbase was not aware Robin was ending, you acted like you would be on the book a while, hinting at things like wanting to fit in a Batgirl and Spoiler reunion. Was that just to throw us off the scent because you were told to keep the cancellation confidential, or is there more for Tim to do post Battle for the Cowl?

FN: Yes and no. The truth is the final issue was coming, but which issue would be was not yet set in stone. There were discussions that varied from ending it with #182 and the conclusion of Search for a Hero or as high as #185 or #186. Within THAT context, I would have had a Batgirl/Spoiler meeting. As it stands, that didn’t work out, though I will continue to develop Spoiler’s story in Gotham Gazette a series of two one-shot issues that comes out during “Battle for the Cowl.

DAMN YOU DC! If you'd kept Robin going a little longer, I could have had my reunion!


Anyway, school out, hooray! I'm going to do reviews tomorrow. They might be pretty long, especially the one for the holiday special, because I absolutely LOVED it.

Edit: Since I really did feel like I was talking behind Fabian's back, I included these comments in my email sending the link, only nicer. Behold:


A few comments on you answers, mostly because, as you might have noticed, I just can't keep my yap shut. Or my fingers from typing, in this case.

...I really can't keep my mouth shut. If I wasn't me, I'd hate me.

I did include this though:

Fabian has accepted my interview offer! MWAHAHAHAHA! He'll never know what hit 'im!


*melts* Awwww, that is so sweet.

I now feel bad for my declaration of war, even though it is obviously a joke.

Anyway, peeps, any questions you want answered? I'm here for you.

Also, I forgot to mention last post, but I scored some extra Batgirl comics at my store, the issues were half off. #12, #43 and #44. All were fairly "meh", though I really liked the art in #12. And apparently Catwoman treats people who break into her house with deadly deathtraps AND a marathon of Scooby Doo! That villianess!

The reason my mood is nauseated is my stomach is cramping like hell.

I'm back from vacation and all comiced up! I will hit the reviews tomorrow. I've just published a much more polished version of my "settling" rant at Big Shiny Robot at Swank Mo Tron's request, so now the world can know of my love for Nala! It has pictures too. www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/2835

Also, as my ultimate acts of War against him, I plan to the hit Fabian up for an interview on BSR's behalf tomorrow. If he deflects this, I may have to launch a nuclear attack! Wish me luck!

S'all. Turning in my graduation project tomorrow. Back to the grind of school.

Before I get into reviews, I should note that I am very happy to find the Stephanie Brown Database linked on Steph's actual wikipedia article.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Brown_(comics) And I didn't even do it! Some other person did! I feel important.

And now, my reviews:

Robin #180:

Remind me to post an in depth analysis of some of the pro's and con's of Fabian's Steph sometime. For now, I'll just say this was a good issue.  I'm mostly happy that Stephanie didn't think of the stupid "Put Robin Under Pressure to Make Him a Better Robin" plan on her own, that Batman, in his RIP crazy, ordered her to do it. It still strikes me as OOC but at least I can rationalize she'd be paranoid about not listening to Batman after War Games, no matter how ridiculous his orders were. Of course, either way, it will lead to more pointless Drama!!!111 between Tim and Steph, I just hope Stephanie gets a chance to defend herself instead of the "Tim condemns her as worst person ever, Steph is ashamed" stuff Fabian seems to be fond of.

Anyway, a good issue. I especially loved Steph's hesitant inner monologue and "I don't need help!" when Tim grabbed her. Oh, Steph, you're so stubborn, I love you. And Tim's use of fear gas is interesting. I especially liked Freddie's splash page that followed it, very striking. Freddie's art has improved, Tim still looks awful with his Elvis sideburns, but Steph looks a lot better.

The General is Red Robin surprise surprise. I guessed that last issue. And Tim gets blowed up by Anarky, oh noes (according to scans_daily, Anarky blowing up stuff randomly is OOC)

4/5

Supergirl #35

Another excellent issue. Though I'm dissapointed we didn't get a reaction to Jonathan Kent's death from Kara, the conflict between her and her parents is very interesting. And we got a quick, believable yet hilarious clean up to all her different personalities and convoluted origins! Kryptonite poisoning, ha. I demand that be the fix to Cass and Donna Troy's respective situations. I don't care if it doesn't make sense for them. It does make sense for Kara, who was trapped in the stuff when Batman found her.

Also, I love the art. It's very expressive, and the design for Superwoman is lovely. I've already guessed who Superwoman probably is (Thara Ak Var, Kara's friend...you could tell because she was in Kandor and had brown hair) but never mind. It could be a red herring. (Oh, how I'd love it if it was Linda. Unless Linda's Flamebird, because that would be good too.)

Very good issue, I'm optimistic about the new team.

5/5

Terra #2

Oh, Amanda Conner. Your art is so cheesecakey, but I don't mind cuz it's fun. And this was a fun comic. The Power Girl/Terra team up was cool, and Terra showed more of a personality (Extremely private and standoffish, but also sarcastic and good at manipulating people) and the plot thickens with the random origin talk and Geoforce. Even if it didn't, I'd keep buying, because Amanda Conner's art is so cute!

3.5/5

BatO #13

What the HELL is this shit? Spoiler, still with random invisibility powers? Frank Tieri, I don't know what canon you're inhabiting, but STEPH IS NOT INVISIBLE and NO ONE CARES ABOUT GOTHAM UNDERGROUND. And the worst part is, Cass and Steph were in the same place and didn't even HUG or TALK or anything. AGGGGGGGGHHHH NOT CANON NOT MY CANON.

I want a proper reunion dammit! Where are the editors? Couldn't someone have said to Tieri "BTW Cass and Steph are bff's and haven't been reunited yet, and Spoiler isn't invisible?"

And the art. I can only hypothesize the reason Spoiler is invisible is that there is an alien with no internal organs and a spine made out of silly putty wearing her costume. Cass noticed, which is why she didn't say hi, and is off to tell the real Steph. Together they will defeat this alien menace.

Til then, this is not canon. I demand someone else write a proper Batgirl/Spoiler reunion. NOW.

Oh, other stuff happened too but it was boring and Cass is better written here than by Beechen, but that isn't saying much. At all.

1/5


Annnnddd tha-tha-that's all folks. I have today off, it's a snow day except not really, yay!
 

The good:

There's going to be a Oracle mini! They have no idea who the writer is, but, um, well...Oracle!

Battle for the Cowl is not written by Judd Winick, which means I may actually buy it! Also, I like Tony Daniel's art, though I have no idea how his writing will be.

Wonder Woman may get a second series!

Paul Levitz totally mentioned me in his Newsarama article:


In the TEEN TITANS GO! Campaign, we got an extraordinary batch of letters from young people, often complete with their drawings of the characters. They were passionate, individual, and many made interesting cases about how the title was a good springboard for a lifetime of reading comics.

He is totally talking about me and the people I convinced. I started the "save Teen Titans Go" through character art and comics, encouraged people to send art with their letter, and provided Paul's address and reviewed letters for several Teen Titans boards. I basically started the movement, getting recognition from even J. Torres for my fanaticism (he said nice things to meeee!)

I was the one who sent Paul the most letters, always with shittily drawn fancomics. We had a long correspondense, I argued with him and he sighed in exasperation until finally going "You know, you are very smart and passionate. NOW SHUT UP AND LEAVE ME ALONE GOD." (I'm paraphrasing, clearly.)

So yeah, it was totally me he was talking about. *swells with pride sort of*

Though as he said, despite my AMAZING EFFORT, TTG only got a seven ish estension.




The Bad:

BoP, Robin and Nightwing are still canceled, and this is still distressing. Tim, Dick and Babs sound like they'll be fine BUT WHAT ABOUT STEPH? I NEED MY STEPH! Also, Huntress and Misfit and Zinda! I need them too! Why, DC, why, why do you take my titles away for whatever stupid new direction you want to go in!

Blue Beetle is canceled. I saw it coming. But...*sigh* Oh well. Maybe I'll try my letter writing magic...




The Schweeeeeeeeetttt:

A comic book store has opened three minutes away from where I live! No more long gas-wasting trips to Pastimes! And they have all the stuff I need! Plus stray cats (they won't come near me, but I will eventually win their favor. Or get tetanus. One has a grody eye, this worries me.)

I still feel loyal to my old comic book store tho, so I think I'll drop by there once a month. The guy who runs the store, Chris, has serious social problems (he gets angry about weird things. ALSO WE CANNOT TOUCH THE COMICS BEFORE WE BUY THEM OMG YOU MIGHT BEND IT OR SOMETHING!) but he's always been super nice to me and occasionally gives me issues and trades free.


So yeah, I feel very...mixed. Goddamit, is Blue Beetle and Robin and BoP weren't canceled I'd be so happy.

WHY DC WHY

And on Blue Beetle's behalf: WHY FANS WHY DIDN'T YOU BUY MORE BLUE BEETLE YOU ASSHOLES IT WAS GOOD.

I am now a member of http://www.bigshinyrobot.com.

The purpose of the site is to provide "nerd news and reviews" , but not with a "corporate" overtone, like newsarama.  They needed a young fangirl (they already have two female members, but their areas of expertise are not comics)
darth_swank  read some of the blog and thought I fit the bill.

Well, you know me, I'm always willing to share the fangirliness.

This is really new to me and I might fail at it, but I want to give it a try. So I jumped right into it, impulsively and what not. I'll try my best at it, and hopefully that will be enough.

I chose the robot name CyberNev (that's what I was asking for a robot name about, I didn't make it clear it was supposed to be me) because I'm uncreative.

I'll probably start by posting a review. Secret Six, I suppose, since I don't want my first review to be negative (we'll save that for later!). It will be a lot more restrained and professional than the ones on this blog.

Like for instance, on this blog a Robin review would contain a lot of nonsensical squeeing or rage about Steph. One on that site would be more thorough, focus on all chars, and I'd be really restrained in the Stephlove.

So, um, yeah. That's it! Hopefully this turns out well,.
Awesome.

Apparently I could be getting a weekly column or something soon for this website! And even get to do roundtable discussions! With professionals even! Maybe. They need an incredibly dedicated young fangirl and I fit the bill.

It's not set in stone yet, so I'm not going to be any more specific. In fact, I'm friends-locking this. I'm paranoid.

I'd even get to see Marvel comics a week before they come out! I think for free! Which is great, because who wouldn't want that? And I really need to read more Marvel.

People are asking me to do stuff!

I'm going places!

Next, a Spoiler miniseries!

THEN THE WORLD!

I may be getting a little ahead of myself.

For your consideration:

Dear Jann Jones,

Thank you so much for mentioning me in the DC Nation. I have to admit, it was incredibly shocking. Here I am, flipping to the back of Supergirl and my name is in the column! I screamed in the middle of the library, and the librarian was concerned for my health.

The things you said about me were extremely kind, and I am so flattered you remembered my name, much less spelled it right (a feat not even my extended family is capable of). I really enjoyed meeting you at the convention and thought you were incredibly smart, funny and articulate.

I’m enjoying a great deal of DC’s output right now, but I feel obligated to mention in this letter that I really support the character of Cassandra Cain, but the feeling I get from my friends and people I talk with is that there is a negative attitude towards her miniseries.The fans have completely lost trust in Adam Beechen, not only because of how he treated Cassandra in Robin but in Teen Titans as well. I purchased the first issue myself, and I wasn’t very impressed with it, though it wasn’t horrible. I don’t think it has anything to do with the character, but rather the lukewarm quality of the writing. That seems to be the general feeling as well with my friends, and indeed, the plan was to buy the first issue of the miniseries to support Cassandra not being evil and to give it a fair shot, but if we found the writing to be subpar (which many did) to not purchase the rest of the series and write to DC to tell them why.

My point is, if this miniseries doesn’t sell well, I think it’s more of a reflection on the quality of writing and distrust of Adam Beechen (whether unfair or not) than the popularity of Cassandra as a character.

Sorry to unload this on you, I just felt obligated to write it, so I could let someone at DC know my feelings on the matter, and you seem very receptive and open.

Thank you for working so hard to produce nice comics (Ambush Bug and Billy Batson look to be great reads, and the promise of Spoiler appearing may have sold me on Tiny Titans. I’m looking forward to the children’s Supergirl series, as well as the new direction of the main title) and for listening and remembering me!

Sincerely yours (and still hoping for a Spoiler miniseries),

Caitlin.

(Seriously, I’ll even write it myself. For free. And draw it!) (Hey, what about a Batgirl/Spoiler ongoing?) (Okay, I’ll stop. Thanks again for listening to me ramble.)

---

Think that should do it?

I would be willing to write a Spoiler miniseries for free.

I WOULD. And it would be EPIC. I would put my heart and soul into it and love and...

PICK ME, DC! : P

WHOA. I am flattered Jann remembered me, much less remembered my NAME, much less reminded her why we work every day to the best comics possible

(I have no idea what my smart questions were, besides "Is there gonna be a Spoiler miniseries?")

Maybe that is smart! Maybe asking a question to do with Spoiler makes you smart!

I flip to the back of a REALLY MEDIOCRE Supergirl comic in the library today after devouring Robin and find THIS. It was so WEIRD.  I went over to Dad like zombie and showed him it. (He says the librarian was concerned for me)

Just wow.

For the record, I have no idea how I was the highlight of the Sunday Conversation panel. I basically said two things:

DiDio: What is the first comic you ever read?

Me: My Dad used to get my Archie comics when I was little.

Dan: (gives me a weird look) Uh huh, and superhero comics? (Well, he SAID first comic. Not first superhero comic! Be specific Dan!)


Me: Oh, I got into comics via the Teen Titans animated show. I thought it was cool, so I went to a comic book store and got Robin #102. I was really surprised at how well written it was and how much I liked the characters.

And later:

Dan: The weirdest comic you ever read?

Me: A silver age Superman story where Jimmy Olsen was trying to report on this club of bearded men, only really they had a plot to give everyone in the world beards using this beard tonic and...it was just weird.

Dan:...okay.

Mark Waid: Hey, I know that comic! *insert comic # here*

Yeah, so. Well. I think I can write to Jann now. Before I was afraid because she'd think I was harassing her about TTG being canceled again, but now she'll think it's about the column. I will thank her for saying such nice things, but then I will subtly say that I support the character of Cassandra Cain, and so do many of my friends, but if the mini doesn't sell well, it's probably because Beechen is writing it, and has lost the fans trust regarding the handling of that character.

Yeah!

So, I'll review later.

So apparently there's been quite a kerfuffle over this Fan History wiki thing. Kalinara wrote about it here: http://kalinara.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html

SO I went there, and put various user names in the Search Engine on mine, not expecting to be on there...

...But I am.

http://www.fanhistory.com/wiki/Bookwormwithanattitude

Apparently a ROBOT put me on there.

nevermore999 brings up nothing, which is fortunate because it means that my first name isn't posted on there anywhere.

...I'm slightly tempted to edit it to include Prized Possessions and correct some stuff. I'm not sure the dates are right unless I went insane in 2006 and wrote three fanfics on the same day. Maybe I did. I can't remember that far back.

I'm just freaked out a robot put me on this wiki. ROBOTS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD.

Scary.

Oh well.

Rumors Dan DiDio may be fired.

It's the Internet, so I take it with a grain of salt.

I have a feeling my vow of being nice to DiDio is going to be hard to keep because my first though "Oooh, maybe Chuck Dixon can come back if that happens!"

...I suck as a person.

Though objectively, DC is floundering behind Marvel. Objectively, this man still made all those rude comments about Steph. Objectively, there's Countdown.

And that quote at State of the Industry? Wow. I didn't get to go to that panel. It was on Friday.

All in all, I will feel horrible if he's fired. It's always sad if someone loses their job, and because I met him, he's a person to me now and not a force of great evil.

I have no idea what goes on behind the scenes, or how the comic industry works. We could very well get someone WORSE than DiDio. And of course, it's a matter of perspective.

But DC isn't doing well, as a business. And the firing of Dixon, the kill happy-ness etc annoys me as a customer.

I don't know what I want to happen, but from my uneducated, fan entitlement filled perspective, change is needed. What kind of change, I can't say, but DC is falling apart a bit.

Also, I have been quoted on newsarama (not word for word, but...) so I feel important again.

More tomorrow, just had to sort out my feelings a bit.

Sorry about that freakout last night ladies and gents- the news was just very unexpected, and you know how I get about Steph...

It really torques me off that it appears Chuck didn't leave but someone forced him too. Short of mooning DC, I don't think he could have done anything to deserve that (some people are all "oh the liberal thought police got on him because of his views!" Right. DC was never very liberal, and they wouldn't have hired Dixon in the first place if they were afraid of that little snafu. DC doesn't give a crap about a writers politics. Which, for the record, I VEHEMENTLY disagree with said views, but still like Chuck as a writer, especially since they rarely poke through his work [Sometimes they do, though, but more subtly than most at least *sigh*])

Now, let's pretend my opinion matters and say the only people I would trust to write Robin and/or a Spoiler mini (Do you think that will get canned or someone else will write it?) besides Dixon:

People I would absolutely trust

Jon Lewis
Kelley Puckett
Anderson Gabrych


People I might trust

Peter Tomasi
Brandon Thomas

People who I would trust but would never do either title except in my wildest dreams

Gail Simone

If these people get the title I will cry and listen to emo music

Adam Beechen
Frank Tieri
Judd Winick
Sean Mckeever

...My emo list is longer than any of my others. :(

Okay, lets get onto reviews.

*Sigh*

Wonder Woman #21:

A home run, as usual. I heart Gail's Wondy so. I love her outfits too. I also love Aaron Lopresti's art, the giant Gorilla's, Nemesis referencing Schoolhouse Rock, swordfights, "We prefer to be called trollops, Diana finally being called on abandoning her gods, giant clam vehicles, Alkyone apparently alive and she killed a giant shark (megadon. Or whatever), More Hyppy and the whole epic feel to the arc in general.

I just love this book.

...Did anyone else get a Babs vibe from that oracle lady? Red hair and can't use her legs?

And of course they called her the Oracle.

5/5

Booster Gold #11

Teeeeddd!

Okay, I have to admit it, that last scene was totally gay and I loved it.

I MEAN COME ON THEY WERE LOOKING LIKE THAT AT EACH OTHER THRU THE GLASS LIKE THAT....usually I don't go for subtext in everything and turning friendships into romantic relationships unless they're otherwise hinted at...however, Ted and Mike are an exception after this scene. I won't dwell on it too much though.

(I also want Babs and Dinah to get together solely so Dinah can not be Ollie's sidekick anymore)

(Other than that, I never ship unless the relationship is established in canon)

Also, Ted stepped on Mr. Mind. That is hilarious. Mr. Mind was unexpected too. I liked the whiteout effect in the last few pages.

And the scarab appearing out of nowhere makes me think it's not quite over...because the cliched "I must die" ticks me off, it it wasn't over it would save it from being cliched, please don't be over...

4/5

Gotham Underground

Huh.

I like Frank Tieri's Penguin.

And his Riddler.

WEIRD.

Maybe he should just do a series called "The Amazing Adventures of Ozzie and Eddie" and there are no other characters and it is just the Penguin and Riddler getting drunk and recounting old tales of silly villainy.

Because that's the only thing I'd ever buy again written by him.

Why did the Spoiler leave a note saying she was sorry to the Penguin? How does any of this fit into continuity? NO SENSE IT MAKES.

Though Robin's note was kind of cute, but Jim Gordon was so OOC it didn't matter.

Well. It's over.

And now he's going to write Outsiders. *head desk*

3/5

Huntress Year One #3

This is so awesome. Yay, Sal is alive! Yay, more overt feminism! And the art remains beautiful. I really like the little flashback panels, like when Helena hugged Sal. And "I need to be dressed to kill." Oh Helena. You rock.

Ivory Madison needs a Huntress ongoing. Like now. She is perfect for Helena.

5/5

Teen Titans Go #55

The final issue, that is so sa- HOLY SHIT WHAT IS MY LETTER DOING IN THAT LETTER COLUMN.

I WROTE THAT SIX MONTHS AGO THE FIRST TIME TTG WAS THREATENED WITH CANCELLATION.

Hey, they only printed part of it. The semi sarcastic part. So it sounds like I'm serious when I say if TTG is canceled all hope is lost. In fact I sound really whiny.

Let's see if the whole thing is still on my hard drive...

....GodDAMN I wrote a lot of letters to DC about TTG. They must have though I was friggin' INSANE. Which I am. The only one I didn't appear to save (or I just can't find it) was the one I wrote to Johnny DC.

So you'll just have to trust me when I say it's not as pathetic as I sound.

Johnny DC replies that he is sorry, and publishing the comic just doesn't make sense and I should read Tiny Titans (NO. Not unless there is a tiny Spoiler. Then you will have won me over) or Robin (Already do. Though I would like some STABILITY in the writers PLEASE) or regular Teen Titans (Hahahahaha NO) and I could soothe my broken comic book heart by writing my own comic.

...FINE THEN.

Actually, it was pretty nice. You could tell he was sorry the comic was canceled.

Onto the actual issue, which was really good and made me sadder it was the last. I seriously did not guess Phobia was behind everything until we got to the splash that had everything in dream bubbles and I was like "Waitwait Torres said in an interview he was going to use Phobia..."

BB's and Starfire's phobias were really sad, especially the way  BB was all like "...Mom?" to Rita. And "Don't you guys leave me TOO!" And Starfire's whole "I AM NOT going to get captured by the Gordanians again"

And poor Robin, so completely lost without his fellow team mates.

BUT SILKIE THE SILKWORM SAVES THE DAY! No really he does. That's what's so awesome about TTG.

Especially the way Starfire waved Silkie on the screen!

Robin: We "fear" your plans have been foiled.

Starfire: By my adorable bumgorf! Hee Hee!

Brotherhood of Evil: ....

And then the kids reassure each other. And unlike the (ugh) current Titans book, you really believe these kids are family and love each other. Like Raven's playful ribbing of Beast Boy

Raven: No, Trigon the Terrible is not returning. The only terror we have to worry about here is the green one.
Beast Boy: Hey, take that back or I won't invite you to the Dayton barbeque!

See, Judd Winick? If you're trying to imitate animated Raven, get that she actually likes her friends, and just happens to have a dry wit. Pleezthnx. It's clear when she teases BB here she's doing it out of fun, and she really does consider him her friend.

Aw, TTG. The show you're based is what got me into comics, and both it and this comic were of top quality. I'll miss you. *sniff*

5/5

Jaap on Superdickery was kind enough (heh...Jaap...kind...I do like him though, he entertains me) to point out Blograma quoted me.

http://blog.newsarama.com/2008/05/24/variations-on-a-theme-40/#more-8289

I am torn between my anger towards anything related to Newsarama since they totally covered up that interviewer insulting Muslims (http://blurredproductions.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/ah-racism/) and being flattered I was quoted by such a prominent source on the net.

Plus, I still kind of visit Newsarama, so I'm a hypocrite.

Of couse, apparently I'm a nobody too.

, but there are approximately 50,000,000 very accessible message boards to read for anyone who wants to see pseudonymous nobodies blow their fanboy/fangirl stacks every time they don’t get their way, or in this case when they DO get their way.

Hey, I never denied I do that! I did not ASK to be quoted, whatever your user name is..."A Pseudonymous Nobody".

They understand the irony of their posistion but posted anyway.

Why is this damn thing stuck on italics?

Whatever.

Anyway, this comment did no offend me because I never expected to get any attention from...anybody. Hell, I came into this thing thinking I would get no comments. And now WFA's linking me, Gail freakin' Simone commented on my Oracle post and Ami Angelwings actually thinks I'm cool...it boggles the mind. I've made a lot of cool internet buddies here, and it gives me a place to rant about Spoiler and review comics to my hearts content. It's pretty damn amazing.

So, thanks, peoples who comment. You all rock and make my experience as an Internet comics geek that much richer.

Edit: I suspected this was Kalinara's column that quoted me, but was no postive. Now that this has been confirmed, I'm not conflicted at all, because Kalinara is awesome and hated what happened at N-rama.