The Clow Context

Always get a mushroom!

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:02:49 -0700

Always get a mushroom!

can I just say how awesome that Superman Analogy / come back post !!! i am in love (with the post) I'm more of a Batman fan if you haven't guessed that already but i love superman too and I think you were on point with that !!! Great Work :D

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:58:41 -0700

Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad that you enjoyed it. Batman’s awesome, but I’m glad you know that Superman’s a pretty cool guy too. :)

New Geek Beat at MDC: Star Trek Underperforms? No Way.

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:50:56 -0700

New Geek Beat at MDC: Star Trek Underperforms? No Way.:

The new Geek Beat looks at the performance of Star Trek Into Darkness compared with previous franchise entries, and why an accusation of “underperformance” doesn’t seem very accurate.

Plus, I look at the end of Geoff Johns’ historic Green Lantern run in this week’s issue #20, and the impact it had on the medium in This Week’s Pick at the Comic Shop. Give it a look!

Your Superman commentary was flawless. I needed you to know that.

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:50:21 -0700

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

Dude thank you so much for you article you have no idea how sick I am of people bashing Superman for the most invalid of reasons. I know it shouldn't but it really hurts me as a fan seeing as how growing up Superman was the guy who got me into superheroes and looking back he is still the hero I admire the most.

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:58:18 -0700

My pleasure! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. I’m a bit sick of it too, but hopefully people will start to learn a bit more of the truth about him when the new movie hits next month. We can only hope!

Cheers on the awesome Superman read - he gets the short end of the stick far too often because he doesn't growl at his enemies or create giant green baseball bats with his willpower; glad someone is giving him a worthy defense! The more I read about him in the comics, having just finished Birthright, the more fascinated I am by his character and story.

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:23:58 -0700

Very glad to hear that you’ve found the real Man of Steel, instead of just a caricature that so many seem to be perpetuating. Welcome to metropolis, I think you’ll like it here. :)

Response to "10 Reasons Why Superman Isn't An Interesting Superhero"

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:14:00 -0700

I saw an article on WhatCulture that purported Superman to be the lamest thing since a plain rice dinner, and taking exception to that, this is a piece narrowly aimed at setting it’s author on a more correct course. I’m going to go through his piece point-by-point, and try and bring a bit more understanding of Superman to someone who has very little.

Prologue: You say that your intent with this is not to “bash” Superman, yet the title is making a normative, subjective judgment against the entire sum of his existence. It also appears that you are focusing solely on the cinematic portrayals of Superman, which is a serious fallacy, given the subject character who’s been around in multiple mediums for three-quarters of a century.

10) “He Has Too Many Powers”

You’re criticizing a superhero for winning all of his battles, which makes me think that you haven’t seen very many comic book films, nor have you read many comic books. This is an invalid criticism on your part because by-and-large, every superhero wins all of their battles. You also say that Superman has no handicaps, which is simply untrue in modern stories: whether it’s his emotions and/or loved ones, the strength of another villain he faces, his sense of duty to keep people the world over safe from harm, or his two highly-documented and prominent weaknesses.

Again, this appears to illustrate that you are completely ignoring every other story outside of his five major feature film appearances, which all had a characterization of Superman informed by the Silver Age, when most of these criticisms might have been considered valid.

Unfortunately, that was over thirty-five years ago.

9) “When You Take Away His Powers He Turns Into Any Other Superhero”

This is actually a reverse complaint that I’ve seen in the past, but again, you’re ignoring every major version of Superman’s origin story of at least the last thirty years. When you take his powers away and get to the core of his character, granted by his upbringing (as stories like The Man of Steel by John Byrne, Birthright by Mark Waid, Secret Origin by Geoff Johns, or Superman and the Men of Steel by Grant Morrison [Action Comics vol. 2 #1-8] have all demonstrated) you get a man whose compassion and care for his fellow man is unmatched.

Is his resolve to win similar to other heroes? Yes, but to equate a powerless Superman with a man like Bruce Wayne from both a physical and mental perspective is a disservice to Superman and to other superheroes. You also say that Superman lacks “a fear or obstacle” that defines him, when in fact he goes beyond one primary obstacle and has multiple. Superman, more than Cap, Batman, Iron Man, or Thor, has taken responsibility for the entire planet. Beyond that, you’ve again openly stated that Superman has not evolved, which anyone that’s picked up a Superman comic in the last thirty years knows is not true.

8) “He Isn’t Relateable [sic]”

The word is actually spelled “relatable.”

Again, this is my primary problem with people who dismiss Superman as a character, because this is a blatant disregard of the work of hundreds of comics creators and even television writers and actors that have contributed to the legacy of Superman. People dismissing him as a paragon really haven’t taken the time to understand that, like Batman or Spider-Man, Superman is alienated from the rest of humanity, yet still chooses to put his energy into saving us.

Imagine growing up without having anyone like you, and learning that there never will be again (as a child, we know that he eventually meets some other Kryptonians). Couple that with an extraordinary desire to actually be human, something you can never do.

Now, imagine having exactly the right people in your life that teach you your differences don’t make you a freak or an outcast, but can allow you to help in a way no one else could. Superman’s ability to connect with people that take the time to get to know him stems from a desire to be like us. But since he can’t, instead he will protect the world and the people he holds most dear. The special thing about Superman is that he is a character to both relate to AND to aspire to, and if people aren’t taking the time to get to know him better than they are potentially cutting themselves off from a very rewarding reading/watching experience.

Beyond that, how many kids on Earth can relate to being in a family, but not being part of it by blood? Jonathan Kent assures him either way, in both Secret Origin and the third Man of Steel trailer, that “you ARE my son.” Some of the stuff you’re saying they CAN do is all stuff that they’ve ALREADY done. You, obviously, just haven’t seen it.

7) “He Has No Internal Conflict”

Again, this is basically the same point as above, and you seem shocked at the fact that the hero wins his battles. Even though, in every Batman film and the vast majority of his comics stories, he defeats the villain and wins. The same with the Avengers, with Deadpool, and with the Punisher. If you’re looking for stories where the bad guys will win, then you’re in the wrong genre.

Superman is good, yes, but not “just because he’s good” as you think. He was taught why being true is a value unto itself, and because he sees that as its own reward, you mistake that for having no conflict. Superman has been confronted many times over his life as a character with having to make choices that aren’t morally cut-and-dry, as most superheroes existing in the modern age have had to do. Don’t assume that just because you haven’t seen it that it hasn’t happened. I would really recommend reading Joe Kelly’s “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?” story found in Action Comics #775, which you can get on ComiXology. It was also adapted as an animated movie called Superman vs. The Elite, which is streaming on Netflix (though the issue was better).

6) “His Story Arcs Are Too Predictable”

You give this point a listing of its own, yet you have made it several times in the preceding points that you were attempting to make. Given Superman’s status as a hero in the world, his guilt is never just about not saving one life: it’s about not being able to save everyone. Although Superman Returns was a flawed film, one facet that it did get right was the fact that he hears “everything.” He mourns every life lost while he is on Earth, and that’s why his resolve as a character is far more profound than most other comics characters.

Although, it seems that the stakes of the entire planet aren’t enough for some. He has to choose who he is going to save every second he’s around, that’s always been Superman’s burden.

5) “He Doesn’t Represent Anything”

This is, by far, the single weakest point of a series of rather weak points, and is another retread of your #7 point. Even not looking at his stories, the ideals that Superman represents are visible in our own world. One time, I was walking down the street with my brother, who said something very similar. I told him that the S-shield for many is a symbol of power, and for many other still it’s a symbol of hope. He rebuffed me, and said that this was “bullshit.”

At that very moment, a truck drove in front of us and stopped, and the driver had his arm hanging out of the window. Right there on his arm was a tattoo of the S-shield. I looked at my brother, he said, “don’t say anything.” I told him that I didn’t have to.

Power, hope, heroism, flight, and justice are all things you can see when you see the S-shield, and several of those things are what Superman fights for with varying reasons. The S-shield didn’t become the second most identifiable symbol on Earth next to the Christian cross because it didn’t stand for anything.

4) “He Has No Weaknesses”

It’s curious that the heading image for this point on the original article is of Superman battling Doomsday, a character who quite literally beat him to death with his sheer strength.

You’re also solely focusing on Kryptonite, when magic is also one of Superman’s two most documented weaknesses. Even the word “magic” is so broad in the field of storytelling that it allows for hundreds, if not thousands of very credible battles that Superman can fight in. In the DC Universe alone, characters like Zatanna, Zatara, John Constantine, Raven, Trigon, Dr. Fate, the Spectre, the Phantom Stranger, and others all qualify as characters that can hurt, or even kill him.

Beyond this, though, you’re also glossing over the fact that DC has significantly depowered Superman’s physical strength and invulnerability since the Silver Age, so much so that he was beaten to near death several times, and was even knocked unconscious by a train in the first issue of the New 52’s Action Comics. So, respectfully, you’re way off here.

3) “He Has No Personality”

“The personification of everything nice and that’s as far as his character development goes?” In what story, if any, is that true outside of the golden age when comics were only for kids? You speak this point as if it’s a “no-brainer,” yet you don’t provide any examples or sources of where this is true. I think I’ve previously addressed where his link to humanity is, and again, you’re simply retreading your incorrect perception of Superman being little more than a paragon.

Again, while he is definitely a good man, a central theme of many modern stories has been the struggle he undertakes in keeping people safe while still standing up to the responsibilities he has always had with his immense ability.

2) “There Are No Stakes In Any Of His Battles”

This is another point that you’ve made previously, but the most telling sign is that you’re discussing this in terms of film, which is evident of how many Superman stories you’ve consciously exposed yourself to.

The most problematic point from the title of this section is how general it is. Can you REALLY say that for a character who’s been in continuous publication for 75 years? Have you read every comic, heard every radio show, seen every cartoon, and read every novel? It smacks of hyperbole unbecoming of a real examination of the point you’re trying to make, and it does a disservice to that point.

But, on the point itself, it is blatantly and categorically untrue. For instance, the Imperiex War had interplanetary stakes and heavy loss in Superman’s hometown, giving a lot of emotional weight to the story told. In The Death of Superman, he would’ve lost a great portion of his city, his people, his friends, and his country if Doomsday continued his rampage.

In “Last Son” (where you can read the first issue for FREE at the link) he had to try and stop some of his own people from laying waste to the Earth and subjugating it. In “Brainiac” the planet was in danger, as was the free will of every living thing on Earth. And these were all stories from the last 20 years alone, many of them within the last 7! Lois figured into the full stakes of those stories very little as well, if at all.

Are the stakes similar to ones that you’ve exposed yourself to, in films like The Dark Knight? No. They’re bigger, broader, and worthy of the chief character championing them. That makes them different, not nonexistant.

1) “He Has No Enemies Who Are Worthy Of Him”

I’m not sure what Zod stories you’ve seen, even including Superman II, because the General is not weaker than Superman. Beyond this, your point, which I assume is mostly discussing physical might, makes no mention of Brainiac, the Parasite, Metallo, Mongul, Bizarro, Kalibak, Despero, or even Doomsday and Darkseid.

You’re also making mention of the erroneous characterization Lex Luthor has had in his film appearances, when Luthor has become one of the single most fascinating comics villains of the last twenty years, with his ambition bred by sadism, jealousy, anger, and intellect. Luthor is a mere mortal, yes, but through his inventiveness and brilliance he has become the arch enemy of the most powerful being on Earth, and I think that says an enormous amount about Luthor’s viability as a character.

0) Epilogue:

So, in conclusion, it’s very apparent that you’ve not exposed yourself to very many Superman stories to give yourself enough credibility to make such a claim. I’d heartily encourage you to read stories like Birthright, Secret Origin, Last Son of Krypton (by Geoff Johns), Superman: For All Seasons (by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, the same team behind The Long Halloween which highly influenced The Dark Knight Trilogy and the story which would heavily influence Smallville) and the definitive All Star Superman by Grant Morrison to give yourself a more well-rounded perspective on one of the greatest ideas ever had by the human race (according to Grant Morrison himself).

If you truly aren’t aiming to bash Superman, then learn more about him. I’d bet if you check out some of his more celebrated stories, you’d see that you were rather mistaken about him, and might see how much the character has evolved and changed. Many of your preconceived notions are rooted in a forty-year old conception of who Superman was. Join us in 2013, because if you took the time to get to know him, something tells me that you’ll be glad that you did.

My Review for 'Star Trek Into Darkness' at MDC

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:21:38 -0700

My Review for 'Star Trek Into Darkness' at MDC:

Culminating my coverage of the Star Trek sequel comes my review for the film itself, to be found at Movies.com. Give it a look, let me know what you think, and beware spoilers!

I Now Blog for The Huffington Post

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:33:00 -0700

I Now Blog for The Huffington Post:

My first piece as an official blogger for The Huffington Post has just gone live, and I’m thrilled beyond words about being able to contribute to such a far-reaching site. This first post details why now is the best time to jump into superhero comics in about thirty years, and I really hope you enjoy it!

If you’ve ever been interested in the ongoing adventures of Batman or Iron Man, of the Avengers or the Justice League, then as a geek and a comic book peddler I can tell you: now is the time.

New Geek Beat at MDC Looks At WB's New Marketing Push for 'Justice League'

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:22:56 -0700

New Geek Beat at MDC Looks At WB's New Marketing Push for 'Justice League':

Is WB preparing for a new marketing push for Justice League? Take a look at some of the evidence in the newest Geek Beat at Movies.com!

From GeekNation, a Look at Awesome Cosplay Weddings

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:19:41 -0700

From GeekNation, a Look at Awesome Cosplay Weddings:

Today at GeekNation, an AWESOME Batgirl/Nightwing-inspired wedding made me look at the concept of geeky weddings. I hope you like it!

Celebratory feast after Star Wars trivia victory!

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:32:03 -0700

Celebratory feast after Star Wars trivia victory!

Wow. I’m in a program.

Sat, 11 May 2013 09:53:38 -0700

Wow. I’m in a program.

Got my panelist’s badge!

Sat, 11 May 2013 09:37:20 -0700

Got my panelist’s badge!

FINAL 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Countdown at MDC

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:33:52 -0700

FINAL 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Countdown at MDC:

For my last Countdown article for Star Trek Into Darkness, I decided to look at what JJ Abrams truly brought to the Star Trek franchise, and I think the biggest accomplishment in that regard was that he brought a lot more people in.

Give it a read, and look for my review of the film next week!

Review at GeekNation - Superman: Unbound

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:15:42 -0700

Review at GeekNation - Superman: Unbound:

My review for the latest DC Universe Animated Original Movie is LIVE at GeekNation! Check it out, and let me know what you think!

News Item on MDC: Superman vs. Thor, and Feige Offers Advice on 'Justice League'

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:13:47 -0700

News Item on MDC: Superman vs. Thor, and Feige Offers Advice on 'Justice League':

Check out a very impressive fan-made fight between Superman and Thor, and read about the Marvel Studios President of Production’s word to the wise about adapting DC characters to the silver screen!

News Item on GeekNation: Paramount Advances Release of 'Star Trek Into Darkness'

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:11:00 -0700

News Item on GeekNation: Paramount Advances Release of 'Star Trek Into Darkness':

Paramount is moving up the release date of the latest Star Trek film in the US! Check the link for details!

New Geek Beat at MDC: Do ALL Comics Fans Hate the Twist in 'Iron Man 3'?

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:19:51 -0700

New Geek Beat at MDC: Do ALL Comics Fans Hate the Twist in 'Iron Man 3'?:

As a comic book fan, I tend to get annoyed when people tend to lump us all into a pathetic stereotype that’s be more concerned with “precious continuity” than bodily hygiene, or in this case, clever storytelling. This week on the Geek Beat, I try and illustrate that all comics fans are FAR from hating the twist in the new Marvel film. Give it a read!

Latest from GeekNation Talks Greg Rucka, Superman, and 'Man of Steel'

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:26:57 -0700

Latest from GeekNation Talks Greg Rucka, Superman, and 'Man of Steel':

I love Superman, and I think writer Greg Rucka’s work on him is some of the best on the character I’ve ever read. Recently, Mr. Rucka wrote an op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter about his worries for the upcoming Man of Steel film, and I do my best to put his mind at ease in a new piece at GeekNation. Give it a look!