my life, my own way , my crazy world

I LOVE U... FOREVER

2009-07-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

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Peace Out....

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CSI: New York S05E10

2009-07-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

A spinoff of Crime Scene Investigations set in New York City.

DOWNLOAD:

Top Chef S05E05

Posted by TREASURE MEDIA at 9:22 AM

Top Chef is a reality show unlike any other while it searches for the world’s next top chef. Each week this talented group of chefs, professionally trained and self-taught, will be challenged and judged by some of the best known chefs in the industry.

DOWNLOAD:

http://rapidshare.com/files/172317075/Top.Chef.S05E05._jocko_.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/172320001/Top.Chef.S05E05._jocko_.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/172322996/Top.Chef.S05E05._jocko_.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/172326070/Top.Chef.S05E05._jocko_.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/172328652/Top.Chef.S05E05._jocko_.part5.rar

The Duchess (2008) DVDRip

Posted by TREASURE MEDIA at 9:21 AM

WE WISH YOU A METAL CHRISTMAS AND A HEADBANGING NEW YEAR

Posted by TREASURE MEDIA at 1:00 AM

# 01By Various Artists We Wish You A Merry Xmas .mp3 11 Mb
# 02By Various Artists Run Rudolph Run .mp3 8 Mb
# 03By Various Artists Santa Claus is Coming to Town .mp3 10 Mb
# 04By Various Artists God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen .mp3 9 Mb
# 05By Various Artists Silver Bells .mp3 12 Mb
# 06By Various Artists Little Drummer Boy .mp3 11 Mb
# 07By Various Artists Santa Claus is Back In Town.mp3 9 Mb
# 08By Various Artists Silent Night .mp3 10 Mb
# 09By Various Artists Deck the Halls .mp3 10 Mb
# 10By Various Artists Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer .mp3 11 Mb
# 11By Various Artists Rocking Around the Xmas Tree .mp3 8 Mb
# 12By Various Artists Happy Xmas (War Is Over).mp3 10 Mb

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K30X98U7

Pirates - One Of The Expensive Porn Movie (Rmvb)

Posted by TREASURE MEDIA at 12:58 AM

Pirates (also known as Pirates XXX) is a 2005 pornographic film produced by Digital Playground and Adam & Eve. It stars Jesse Jane, Carmen Luvana, Janine Lindemulder, Devon, Jenaveve Jolie, and Evan Stone. The film was directed by Joone and features many references to the 2003 film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

The producer stated in an interview that Pirates was the most expensive pornographic film made to date, with a reported budget of over 1 million U.S. dollars and featuring unusually high production values for a pornographic film.

DOWNLOAD:

TapidShare

Code:

http://rapidshare.com/files/160271613/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/160277482/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/160563130/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/160557739/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/160559283/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part5.rar

MediaFire

Code:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/2ydjwomyzuo/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part1.rar
http://www.mediafire.com/file/k5zmwmom2u2/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part2.rar
http://www.mediafire.com/file/e1ajlz2zizk/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part3.rar
http://www.mediafire.com/file/xzmmug2zuhk/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part4.rar
http://www.mediafire.com/file/lzajwnwcdj2/Pirates_By_NagorBauL.part5.rar

Maska (2008) 320Kbps Original Cd Rips VBR - * AF *

Posted by TREASURE MEDIA at 12:56 AM

Cast :: Ram, Hansika Motwani, Sheela
Music :: Chakri
Director :: B Gopal
Producer :: M.S Raju

01 - (04:27) Hare Hare Rama - Singer(s): Suraj Jagan
02 - (05:12) Gunde Godarila - Singer(s): Zubin Garg, Kausalya
03 - (04:19) Kalloki Dilloki - Singer(s): Chakri
04 - (05:32) Kalagannana Kalagannana - Singer(s): Chakri, Kausalya
05 - (04:13) Aa Vaipunna Ee Vaipunna - Singer(s): Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam
06 - (04:27) Bhagdad Gajadongai Vasta - Singer(s): Ravi Varma, Sunidhi Chauh

DOWNLOAD:

http://depositfiles.com/files/kwirfwfd9

Stephen King's Novel

2009-06-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

THIS SECTION IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Carrie was the book that catapulted an unknown writer named Stephen King into fame. A teacher who wrote short stories for magazines out of love (and a need for cash), King began writing what eventually became Carrie, but found himself dissatisfied with the result. He liked neither the Carrie nor Sue characters, and felt as if he were in uncharted territory on "Planet Female," a terrain he was unfamiliar and uncomfortable with. As King said in his book, On Writing, "I couldn't see wasting two weeks, maybe even a month, creating a novella I didn't like and wouldn't be able to sell. So I threw it away."

Thankfully, his wife, Tabby fished the pages out of the trash and insisted that he finish the story. "You've got something here," she said. "I really think you do." Reluctantly, King finished the story for his wife... and the rest, as they say, is history.

While it wasn't an overnight sensation, King goes on to say that it was sort of forgotten about after it was first published, he initially saw a $2,500 advance... and was eventually sold to Signet Books for $400,000 (half of which, went to King).

Here's an excerpt of King's introduction to the audio book, where he gives a little more insight into the creation of the novel:

Two years after the book was first published, a film was made based on his novel. And the rest, as they say, is history... Although his name was misspelled "Steven" in many of the materials for the film, he became so well-known for CARRIE that he eventually became known as "the master of horror." Not bad for a novel that he originally intended to throw away!

Click here for a clip from a 2007 interview where King discusses writing the novel and it's origins.

The novel's been reprinted countless times over the years. Here's some different variations of the cover from around the world, many of which feature Sissy Spacek, since she's been synonymously linked with the character:

2009-06-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

Dakota Fanning as Jane of the Volturi New Moon Poster

June 4, 2009 · 60 Comments

in Jane, Poster

Here’s a pretty nice fanmade New Moon poster that shows Dakota Fanning as Jane of the Volturi. Although it doesn’t quite match up with the vision of Jane that we’ve seen a brief glimpse of from the set in Italy, it still looks pretty neat. It was sent in my NMM.org reader James.

{ 60 Comments }

New Moon Poster in Latest Issue of Twist Magazine

June 3, 2009 · 100 Comments

in Poster

Be sure to check out the latest issue of Twist Magazine for this custom made New Moon fold-out poster that is included! Check out the photograph for a look at what you can expect.

[thanks, Candace!]

{ 100 Comments }

New Moon Poster: Edward and Bella Embrace

June 2, 2009 · 136 Comments

in Poster

Here’s a pretty good fan-made New Moon poster which shows Edward Cullen in a white dress shirt and Bella Swan in a strapless dress in a romantic embrace under an Italian archway.

[New Moon Poster by Tinderbox210, thanks DarkAngel!]

{ 136 Comments }

Official New Moon Poster Analyzed [Video]

May 28, 2009 · 169 Comments

in Poster

Here’s a video from ClevverTV where they analyze the official New Moon poster and compare it to fan posters as well. What do you think–is the official poster your favorite, or is their a fanmade one that you prefer?

{ 169 Comments }

Edward Cullen vs Jacob Black Fan Poster

May 26, 2009 · 357 Comments

in Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, Poster

Check out this New Moon fan poster featuring edited versions of Jacob Black and Edward Cullen from the official New Moon poster. They are facing each other, with Bella Swan nowhere to be seen.

Thanks to Nikitajuice for sending in her creation!

{ 357 Comments }

Jacob, Bella and Wolf Pack New Moon Poster

May 23, 2009 · 239 Comments

in New Moon Wolf Pack, Poster

Those of you who are Team Wolf Pack will be sure to adore this take on the official New Moon posters, which leaves Edward completely out of the picture. Full res versions for desktop wallpapers can be found at the Mah Designs site.

{ 239 Comments }

Shirtless Edward Cullen New Moon Poster

May 23, 2009 · 422 Comments

in Poster

Sure, this doesn’t look absolutely perfect–there aren’t any real pics of Robert Pattinson without a shirt to go by–but Hazeena took a shot at delivering a New Moon poster starring a very sexy Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. Thoughts?

{ 422 Comments }

German New Moon Bizz zur Mittagsstunde Poster

May 23, 2009 · 99 Comments

in Poster

New Moon premieres in Germany on January 7th, 2010. Here’s the poster for New Moon: Biss zur Mittagsstunde in German.

[thanks, Mapi!]

{ 99 Comments }

Wolfpack and Jacob, Bella, Edward Official Posters Mix

May 22, 2009 · 110 Comments

in Poster

Here’s another go at mixing the two officially released posters from New Moon in order to make a desktop wallpaper. It combines the official New Moon poster and the shirtless wolf-pack poster.

Check out the high resolution version at EastCoastBabe’s DeviantArt page.

{ 110 Comments }

New Moon Poster for the Volturi, Official Poster Mashup

May 22, 2009 · 157 Comments

in Poster

There aren’t any official New Moon posters for the Voltur yeti, so NMM.org reader TalieX decided to give it a go. I think it’s a fresh and unique approach–what do you guys think?

Talie also sent in her mashup of the official New Moon posters with Bella, Edward, Jacob and the wolf pack joined together similar to the desktop wallpaper we saw a few days ago. Read on to see the poster. [click to continue…]

DRAMAS WILL BE RATED AS FOLLOWS

2009-06-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

Dramas are rated on the whole package and dramas I watched are based on who are the cast and storyline. How well it does in the ratings in Korea is the least of my concerns. I generally stay clear of melodramas nowadays!!!

Heavenly Kimchi: Top rated drama, amazing in every sense.
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama.
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama.
Bad Kimchi: Not enjoyable drama.
Smelly Kimchi: Really bad drama.

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KOREAN DRAMAS CURRENTLY WATCHING
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Queen Seon Duk (Lee Yo Won, Go Hyun Jung, Uhm Tae Woong, Park Ye Jin)

That Fool (Hwang Jung Min, Kim Ah Joong, Joo Sang Wook)

Ja Myung Go (Jung Ryeo Won, Park Min Young, Jung Kyung Ho)

Empress Chun Chu (Chae Si Ra, Kim Suk Hoon, Choi Jae Sung, Lee Duk Hwa)

=====================
KOREAN DRAMAS WATCHED
=====================

2009

Boys Before Flowers (Goo Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong)
Good Kimchi: Probably the most anticipated and hyped drama to begin 2009 with. Did it deliver? Well, it wasn’t perfect with good and bad points but overall it was an entertaining drama. Being the 3rd adaptation of the popular manga, there were still some refreshing plotlines to keep us entertained. Lee Min Ho, Kim Bum and Kim So Eun were the breakout stars I feel, especially for Lee Min Ho who must be thanking his lucky stars to have landed the role of Goo Joon Pyo. The love for the SoEul couple is legendary. For Goo Hye Sun, it was a mixed performance largely due to the somewhat imbalanced writing for her Jandi role, ranging from sassy to idiotic in the extreme range. Kim Hyun Joong, at times, he was awkward and I just felt it was best for him not to say anything. He was rather inconsistent especially for the emo scenes but expected since it was his first acting role. But much was expected from him. Music-wise, the insertion of music plus the tracks (Paradise, Lucky) in the first half was overplayed until it became an irritant. The music for season 2 was much more enjoyable. A notable mention for Lee Min Jung who I felt played a good potrayal of Ha Jae Kyung. The pacing of the whole drama did not lag too much despite it being 24 episodes which was a surprise. Certainly something worth rewatching. 4/5 stars.

2008

East of Eden (Song Seung Hun, Yun Jung Hoon, Park Hae Jin, Lee Da Hae, Lee Yeon Hee, Han Ji Hye, Jo Min Ki, Lee Mi Sook)
Okay Kimchi: I could write an essay but going to keep this short. Billed as one of the mega budget MBC drama of the year and with an impressive cast, it looks like nothing could go wrong for East of Eden especially at the early stages. But audiences soon grew tired of the repeating plotlines and numerous side-stories (which usually end up in dead-ends).

How many times did we see Dong Chul and Young Ran being kept apart? And it seems like kidnapping is a proven method for getting things done in East of Eden as there were over 10 kidnapping attempts in the drama. There were also many question marks over the side stories which remained unresolved by the time the drama ended. The script had too much inconsistencies and a change of scriptwriter in the middle only made things worst. Who was Kim Ji Hyun’s parents? Where did Janice go? Dong Wook’s marriage disappeared? The ending also seemed too rushed in my opinion and simply put, the writer wrote too much stories than the drama could possibly fit in.

Acting-wise, most of them did a really good job especially Han Ji Hye, Jo Min Ki, etc. There were also many negatives in that Lee Da Hae quit the drama mid-way while there was a farce at the 2008 MBC Drama Awards where everyone involved with the drama won an award. It also lost in the ratings after the entry of Boys Before Flowers. In summary, it was a drama that started strongly but finshed on a weak note. 3.5/5 stars.

Star’s Lover (Choi Ji Woo, Yoo Ji Tae, Lee Ki Woo, Cha Ye Ryun)
Bad Kimchi: I thought it would be different and interesting. It didn’t really start off well for me but gradually drew me in with the wonderful cinematography, witty dialouge and the chemistry between Yoo Ji Tae and Choi Ji Woo. Choi Ji Woo was awkward but improved as it went along. Yoo Ji Tae was the reason why I stuck to watching this. But it soon descended into slow-paced meandering scenes around the mid-way mark and I started to hate it. The continous let’s be together – let’s split storyline was simply irksome to watch. Perhaps having 20 episodes wasn’t a really wise choice in the 1st place. I officially stopped watching after 12 episodes. 2.5/5 stars.

Kingdom of the Winds (Song Il Gook, Jung Jin Young, Choi Jung Won)
Bad Kimchi: Had high expectations going into this because of 2 factors: Song Il Gook was the main protagonist here as Muhyul, no one plays a better king than him, it was a story set in early Goguryeo, a time where war was like eating everyday. But after a few episodes, I was left utterly disappointed with the way it was filmed, they could have done a better job at it. Apart from Song Il Gook who excelled as the king, there were a couple who were simply unsuitable for their roles. Or maybe it was the weak storytelling which simply did not captivate me. The war scenes were underwhelming and oversimplified as well without much tactics or thought put into it. If the director’s aim was to make it a family oriented drama, it was simply the wrong drama to apply it to. A wasted opportunity. 2.5/5 stars.

Tazza (Jang Hyuk, Han Ye Seul, Kim Min Joon, Kang Sung Yun)
Okay Kimchi: This was a pretty predictable linear gambling drama from how it had panned out in the beginning. Well, at least I got the ending correct. I thought Jang Hyuk was quite over in some scenes while Han Ye Seul was pretty much insignificant frankly. Kim Min Joon did a really good portrayal of his Young Min character and you gotta feel sorry for his fate at the end. Kim Gab Soo as Ah Gwi was once again awesome as the villain. Overall not too bad but my failure to understand Go Stop with Hwatu (flower cards) which was the centerpiece of the drama spolit the viewing pleasure somewhat. Moral of the story, gambling is the root of all evil! 3.5/5 stars.

Women of The Sun (Kim Ji Soo, Lee Ha Na, Han Jae Suk, Jung Gyu Woon)
Good Kimchi: The drama revolves around the fate of Do Young and Ji Young/Sa Wol which develops differently due to a wrong decision made by the earlier when they were children. It’s about learning to forgive, love and the courage to admit to your wrongdoings. Kim Ji Soo was excellent in her role whom you will hate but gradually feel that she is so pitiful and didn’t really meant for that. Lee Ha Na was good in some but not that good in some scenes. The climax of the drama must be the play enactment between Do Young and Sa Wol during the live broadcast of the Wonder Woman show. It really blew me away. Jung Gyu Woon as Cha Dong Woo who will give up everything for his love Do Young was admirable and something that would happen only in dramas. Wasn’t expecting much judging from my initial intepretation of the storyline. But it was really well-written. 4.5/5 stars.

Iljimae (Lee Jun Ki, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Young Ah, Park Shi Hoo)
Good Kimchi: The ending just gave me a deja vu feeling but luckily on second viewing, I realized that Yong/Iljimae was probably alive because he was hit by a dull sword and not a real sword. Plus the final double shoes scene gave it away. The ending wrapped up the series nicely I thought with everyone settled down quite nicely. It was just sad I felt that Eun Chae never ever realized Iljimae = Yong while Bong Soon never ended up with Yong. The series started slowly but picked up pace from episode 8 onwards and the character development was nicely done. All the secondary characters were really interesting and I will miss them. Very good action drama overall. The last 4 episodes were excellent like a movie. 4.5/5 stars.

When It’s At Night (Kim Sun Ah, Lee Dong Gun)
Bad Kimchi: Pretty dismal and dire storyline. Considering the genre, it could have been better explored. The side characters are downright boring and one-dimensional although Kang Jung Hwa do tickle me at times with her princess complex. Kim Sun Ah’s character is too serious for my liking. Decided to put myself of my misery early. 2/5 stars.

Spotlight (Ji Jin Hee, Son Ye Jin, Jo Yoon Hee, Jin Goo)
Bad Kimchi: Coming on the back of the successful On Air, this drama was suppose to be the equivalent focusing on how reporters gather their news. But in the end, it really amounted to nothing more than a documentary rather than a drama. There were far too many serious overtones in the entire drama and not even 1 likeable character that you can identify with. There wasn’t even a romance storyline. Drab, dull and listless. Only the first story involving the convict on the run, Jang Jin Gyu was interesting. 2/5 stars.

Unstoppable Marriage (Seo Do Young, Park Chae Kyung)
Good Kimchi: Daily sitcom that lasted eight months with less than desirable ratings and an ending that left many unsatisfied. But I for one was satisfied with the open-ended ending because this sitcom was never meant to be taken too seriously. Other than Kibaek and Miho who got married, all the other couples were left dangling in the air. The sitcom lost direction once Kibaek and Miho got married frankly but they were saved by the triangle relationship of Su Jeong, Ilbaek and Sambaek. I was entertained by almost every episode, bursting in laughter at their ridiculous antics. I like the fact that they did hint at the possibility of Ilbaek possibly getting hitched with a dorkier lookalike Su Jeong on the plane at the end.Mibaek couple, Chungdam-dong pigs, GuWangCha, the Hulk, bluff Chungjae, the childish Manager Cha, the 100% regulations Crab Manager, the expletives-laden Chairman Shim, etc, they will not be forgotten. 4/5 stars.
Read my Extended Coverage

On Air (Lee Bum Soo, Kim Ha Neul, Song Yoon Ah, Park Yong Ha)
Heavenly Kimchi: Came into this show with minimal expectations and just slightly attracted by the plot, big budget and the initial star cameos. Glad I stayed on for the show as I was treated to an excellent behind the scenes of how the entertainment industry operate (some was over the top) focusing on drama production. Great acting from the main leads and the rest of the cast, excellent soundtrack and the numerous star cameos. There wasn’t any redundant or lull scenes. My drama of the year thus far. 4.9/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review
Read my Extended Coverage

U-Turn (So Ji Sub, Lee Yeon Hee)
Okay Kimchi: 12 minute movie splitted into four episodes. The storyline didn’t amount to much as it looked more like a MV or commercial considering that it was sponsored by a automobile company. Just a vehicle to announce So Ji Sup return and introducing me to Lee Yeon Hee. Nice twist at the end although it was coming. Just filler stuff. 3.5/5 stars.

King and I (Oh Man Suk, Goo Hye Sun, Jun Kwang Ryul, Jung Tae Woo)
Okay Kimchi: A saeguk drama that lasted for seven months. It can be summed up in one sentence, “Unbalanced script and poor storylines but saved by an excellent and intriguing cast. Despite its faults, you just want to keep watching every week because of the characters. 3.5/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review

Hong Gil Dong (Kang Ji Hwan, Sung Yuri, Jang Geun Suk)
Okay Kimchi: To rate this, you can just use Goong as a template. Started well and was really promising with it’s characters and storyline. But it faded towards the end with stale and boring melodramatic scenes. The ending leaves one scratching their heads. An underwhelming production. Kang Ji Hwan was on top of his game while Sung Yuri improved tremendously. Overall good production with lush bright scenes mostly. 3.5/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review

Robber (Jang Hyuk, Lee Da Hae)
Bad Kimchi: Not really a fan of depressing dramas and I am surprised at myself for thinking this wasn’t in the first place. It started pretty decent for me but then it subsequently got too heavy and melodramatic for me as the characters got darker and darker. Decided to stopped at Episode 12 after knowing that someone would eventually die. 2.5/5 stars.

2007

Lobbyist (Song Il Gook, Jang Jin Young, Han Jae Suk)
Bad Kimchi: Plot was really bad and unbelievably unrealistic. Humour was lacking and there were no interesting sub-characters to fall on at all, incredible. The acting generally leaves much to be desired. The only redeeming point must be the music which was really good. 2/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review

Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi (Bae Yong Joon, Lee Ji Ah, Moon So Ri, Yoon Tae Young)
Good Kimchi: The last episode really spoiled the rating for me. An underwhelming ending as the director seem to have taken the easy way out with a sloppy finale. Other than the piss-poor finale, the series were generally good with excellent acting and impressive CG. Cannot think of anyone other than Bae Yong Joon as Damdeok. 4/5 stars.
Read my Extended Coverage

Yi San – King Jeong Jo (Lee Seo Jin, Han Ji Min, Park Eun Hye, Lee Jong Soo)
Bad Kimchi: Things just keep repeating in this drama and I am pretty sick of it. There is little romance, little action and far more negatives than positives for me. Decided to drop this after 20 episodes. 2.5/5 stars

I’m Sam (Yang Dong Geun, Park Min Young, T.O.P, Son Tae Young)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review

Time of Dog and Wolf (Lee Jun Ki, Nam Sang Mi, Jung Kyung Ho)
Heavenly Kimchi: This was really a top-notch production, great acting, great storyline, excellent soundtrack. What more can you ask for? Maybe the romance portion wasn’t as strong, but the action and suspense more than made up for it! My drama of the year and the benchmark for future dramas in my eyes. Pity about the ratings in Korea. 5/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review

Capital Scandal (Kang Ji Hwan, Han Ji Min, Ryu Jin, Han Go Eun)
Heavenly Kimchi: Top rated drama, amazing in every sense. 5/5 stars.
Read my Extended Review

Coffee Prince (Yoon Eun Hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun Gyun, Chae Jung Ahn)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3.5/5 stars.

War of Money (Park Shin Yang, Park Jin Hee, Shin Dong Wook, Kim Jung Hwa)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4/5 stars.

Thank You (Jang Hyuk, Gong Hyo Jin, Shin Sung Rok, Kim Sung Eun)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3/5 stars.

If in Love, Like Them… (Lee Hyori, Lee Dong Gun, Jung Joon Ho)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3/5 stars.

2006

The Book of Three Han: The Chapter of Ju Mong (Han Hye Jin, Song Il Kook)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4/5 stars.

Pure 19 (Goo Hye Sun, Suh Ji Suk, Lee Min Woo, Lee Yoon Ji)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4.5/5 stars.

Couple of Fantasy (Oh Ji Ho, Han Ye Seul, Kim Sung Min, Park Han Byul)
Good Kimchi: Fantastic drama even though cliche storyline. The chemistry was great between the leads. Han Ye Seul was extremely good. Classic jajyungmian reference and her quote would always be remembered. The ending was a bit complex though. 4/5 stars.

Snow Queen (Hyun Bin, Sung Yuri, Im Ju Hwan, Yoo In Young)
Smelly Kimchi: This was really painful to watch, sleep-inducing and a total waste of time. Fast-forwarded it most of the time. 1/5 stars.

Bad Family (Nam Sang Mi, Kim Myung Min)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4.5/5 stars.

What Star Are You From? (Kim Rae Won, Jung Ryeo Won)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3.5/5 stars.

Goong/Princess Hours (Yoon Eun Hye, Joo Ji Hoon, Kim Jung Hoon, Song Ji Hyo)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3.5/5 stars.

Heaven’s Tree (Park Shin Hye, Lee Wan)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3/5 stars.

My Girl (Lee Da Hae, Lee Dong Wook, Park Si Yeon, Lee Jun Ki)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4.5/5 stars.

2005

Ballad of Seo Dong (Jo Hyun Jae, Lee Bo Young, Ryu Jin)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4.5/5 stars.

My Name is Kim Sam-soon (Kim Soon Ah, Hyun Bin, Ryeo Won, Daniel Henney)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3.5/5 stars.

Beautiful Life (Eugene, Kim Jae Won, Lee Ji Hoon, Han Eun Jung)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3/5 stars.

Sad Sonata (Kwon Sang Woo, Kim Hee Sun, Yeon Jung Hoon, Kim Yeon Joo)
Bad Kimchi: Not enjoyable drama. 2/5 stars.

2004

Full House (Song Hae Gyo, Rain, Han Jung Eun, Kim Sung Soo)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4/5 stars.

Lovers in Paris (Park Shin Yang, Kim Jung Eun, Lee Dong Gun)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4.5/5 stars.

Sorry, I Love You (So Ji Sup, Im Soo Jung, Jung Kyung Ho, Seo Ji Young)
Good Kimchi: Overall good production drama. 4.5/5 stars.

2003

Dae Jang Geum (Lee Young Ae, Ji Jin Hee, Park Eun Hye, Hong Ri Na)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3.5/5 stars.

Stairway to Heaven (Kwon Sang Woo, Choi Ji Woo, Kim Tae Hee)
Okay Kimchi: Sometimes good sometimes bad. Okay drama. 3/5 stars.

BBF

2009-06-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

Boys Before Flowers

It’s a drama that I got crazy before it broadcast. I can’t wait to watch this drama because of the cast. The cast are so gorgeous.

MAIN CAST

Koo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di

Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo

Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo

Kim Bum as So Yi Jung

Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin

Boys Before Flowers-F4 versi Korea

2009-06-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Oleh eviwidi pada Resensi Film, Yang Lagi Naik Daun. Tagged: Boys Before Flowers, drama korea, F4, Geum Jan Di, Goo Joon Pyo, Hana Yori Dango, Meteor garden, Tao Ming Tse. 59 Komentar

Masih ingat Meteor Garden? siapa sih yang gak tahu Tao Ming Tse Cs yang dulu sempet heboooohhhhhhh…..buangetzzz…

Sekarang yang juga bakalan heboh (atau sudah?!) adalah versi lain dari F4 yang akan segera tayang di salah satu tv swasta kita. Judulnya adalah Boys Before Flowers.

Dengan mengusung bintang-bintang segar nan muda, ganteng selangit…uhuy….(pakai acara operasi plastik gak ya?) Boys Before Flowers tampil lebih pol-polan. Pokoknya jet set abis dah…

Pakai scene naik jet, helicopter,balapan kuda,golf,pulau pribadi,mobil-mobil super keren yang kayaknya limited edition atau bahkan bisa jadi mobil itu eksklusive untuk drama seri ini.

Saya sudah menikmatinya hingga tamat (dapet pinjeman DVD punya temen..:P). Kalau yang versi Meteor Garden ada 19 seri, yang versi Korea ada 25 seri.

Jika di versi Meteor Garden yang jadi San cai cenderung ‘lemah gemulai’ dan terkesan ‘tidak bisa apa-apa’. Yang versi Korea ini, si rumput liar adalah gadis tomboy yang kuat. Secara karakter saya lebih menyukai yang versi Korea ini. Di sini Geum Jan Di (diperanin Koo Hye Sun) alias si rumput liar, lebih kuat, jago renang dan tubuhnya juga terlihat ‘tertempa’.

Sementara yang jadi ‘Hua Che Lei’ saya lebih suka Vick Zao alias versi Meteor Garden, lebih pas baik secara kegantengan dan karakter. Yang versi Korea malah terlalu ‘lemah gemulai’ bahkan kalo boleh dibilang sangat ‘kecewek-cewekan’.

Dan F4-nya diperanin:

Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo
Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo
Kim Bum as So Yi Jung
Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin

Secara akting, menurutku sih biasa-biasa saja, bahkan cenderung kurang. Kalau tidak karena ganteng dan ceritanya sudah begitu mengakar (mulai dari komik Hana Yori Dango, Meteor Garden) mungkin akting mereka bisa dibilang jelek. Salah satu aktrisnya dikabarkan bunuh diri, yang jadi Sunny salah satu anggota kelompok trio gadis pengganggu Jan Di di drama tersebut.

Tapi yang jelas selain menikmati wajah-wajah mereka yang so cute dan aduhai, kita akan menikmati atraksi balap mobil keren, tempat-tempat wisata yang bikin ngiler…

Bagi yang belum liat, silakan tunggu saja di tv swasta kita…:D

Koo Hye Sun (Geum Jan Di)

Lee Min Ho (Goo Joon Pyo)

Kim Hyun Joong (Yoon Ji Hoo)

Kim Bum (So Yi Jung)

Kim Joon (Song Woo Bin)

Boys Before Flower Again….

Posted by syipoh on May 24, 2009

Hoa, mungkin bagi para kpop lovers serial yang satu ini emang sinetron wajib yang kudu harus ditonton. Tau semua lah kalo serial ini emang top bgt dan keren banget. Meskipun sinetron nya stripping (beda sinetron stripping Indo ama Korea). Kini, mereka hadir di Indonesia. Tepatnya di salah satu stasiun tipi yang kalian so pasti uda pada tau dong? Yupz, serial ini bakalan tayang di stasiun tipi Indosiar yang mulai meninggalkan sinetron harry potter jadi-jadiannya dengan naga terbang mereka dan beralih dengan serial korea yang jelas-jelas lebih menguntungkan dari segi rating pemirsa. Dan akan ditayangkan setiap senin dan selasa tiap jam ½ 10 malam mulai 1 Juni! (pas tes pula!) Hwoa, jam malam lagi. Mentang-mentang baru keluar. Langsung kebagian jatah malam hari. But, it’s no problem. Buat para penicnta Korea abadi pasti nggak bakal ngelewatin. Soal cerita lengkapnya, kalian pasti udah lebih pinter dari syipoh untuk menjelaskan kepada teman-teman kalo pada tanya gimana ceritanya. But, yang bener-bener nggak tau (kebangetan!) daku ceritain deh…
Cerita bermula dari Jan Di (Gyo Hye Sun) yang naik sepeda ke sekolah Shinwa, tempat sekolah anak orang kaya sekaligus pemilik beberapa perusahaan vital negara. Nah, pas dia nyari seseorang yang dituding sebagai langganan Jandi’s Dry Cleaner alias tukang cuci made by Jandi’s family ada ribut-ribut gaco gitchu. Ternyata eh ternyata anak yang dicari adalah korban kekerasan dalam rumah tangga F4 dan sudah mau bundir alias bunuh diri. Pas mau loncat Jan Di dengan spontan langsung narik baju tu anak dan nggak jadi bundir. Jan Di pun jadi terkenal dan mendapat julukan wonder woman Korea. Hoho. Pimpinan grup Shinwa yang tak lain dan tak bukan adalah ibunya Goo Jun Pyo langsung masukin Jan Di ke sekolah Shinwa.

Awalnya nolak. Tapi gara-gara ada kolam renang nya dia masuk deh. Pertamanya sih biasa aja. Tapi ketika teman nya numpahin es krim ke Goo Jun Pyo mulai deh kehidupan nya sebagai pelampiasan F4. Mulai dari dilemparin telur, dijailin orang, kursi nya ilang, dan tetek bengek lainnya. Tapi, dasar Goo Jun Pyo mandan aneh. Dia malah ngira Jan Di menyukai dirinya. Halah ! cerita semakin menarik karena ada cinta segitiga antar Jun Pyo, Jan Di, da Ji Hoo. Nah, loh ?? Lanjutanya, udah tau dong.. Yang blom tau?? Lihat aja ndiri di Indosiar ato beli dvd bajakannya di toko obat jual cd langganan anda! Denger-denger boys before flower ini merupakan versi terakhir dari hanayori dango loh… Sebelumnya, ada kabar kalo mau ada bof versi China dan Filiphina. But, waktu diajuin di tolak gitu. Yang diterima malah yang versi Korea. Hebat, deh. Tapi, kayaknya masih hebat Indo deh. Ga bilang nggak apa uda tayang di tipi. Hoho.. Bonusan fotonya F4 baru !! Yuhu !!

Tomorrow’s Comics Today: May Previews for Books Shipping July 2009 or Later

2009-05-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

Order Problems

The Previews cancellation pages used to be full of reason codes 2 and 6. That’s “will resolicit” (which I usually took to mean “the creators are running later than we expected, but you’ll see the book eventually”) and “sold out” (never a bad reason). Now, it’s all 4s (”cancelled by publisher”, which sometimes means “we can’t afford to do it with those numbers”) and the dreaded 3s (”cancelled by Previews”). That last one means “we didn’t get enough orders to make Diamond enough profit”, and even knowing that they were cracking down this year, I had no idea it would grow this quickly.

Hope Falls
Buy this book

Take, for example, Hope Falls. The miniseries, written by Tony Lee, had a collection planned for release this year, but it fell victim to “not enough orders”. Yet Markosia is still publishing it — they’ll sell it through Amazon, Diamond UK, and direct themselves.

That’s just one of many. Rumor has it that Diamond’s in trouble, like most companies in this economy, and it’s understandable that they need to tighten up, but driving customers to other venues doesn’t do Diamond’s customers, the direct market comic shops, any good. And having to stay on top of the status of various projects individually in order to figure out who you’ll get it from and when … that’s no fun. It defeats the purpose of centralized orders, whether from retailer to Diamond or reader to retailer.

Another Stupid Wizard Article

Bwa ha ha! Wizard is plugging an article on “How to Get Your Girl to Read Comics”. Leaving aside the assumption that all of their readers are heterosexual males… I’m not sure I believe anyone immature enough to read Wizard magazine would *have* a girlfriend. But the picture shows her holding a huge stack of Marvel, DC, and Image collections. I don’t really think most women are going to be as interested in The Punisher, Invincible, and Green Lantern as they might be in something, oh, non-superheroish. What about indies? Art comics? Manga? Works in other genres, like science fiction or romance? Heck, if you must show superheroes, what about Birds of Prey or Wonder Woman? And if you’re going to be that terribly cliched, go with Sandman and Strangers in Paradise.

What I’m Looking Forward To

Eh, enough griping. Let’s go to things I’m positive about, starting with Venus Capriccio Volume 2. It surprises me no end that, just when I’m ready to give up on all DC publications, I’ve found a couple of their CMX manga series I really like, this one and The Name of the Flower.

Suspended in Language
Buy this book

If you haven’t read it before, be sure to check out Jim Ottaviani’s Suspended in Language (GT Labs), a true-science graphic biography of Niels Bohr, the father of quantum mechanics. The art is mostly by Leland Purvis with additional work by Jay Hosler, Roger Langridge, Steve Leialoha, Linda Medley, and Jeff Parker, talented artists all. It’s a fascinating example of just how wide-ranging comic storytelling can be.

I’m looking forward to The Big Kahn, by Neil Kleid and Nicholas Cinquegrani, from NBM. When a respected rabbi passes away, his family finds out that for 40 years, he’s been lying to everyone: he’s not even Jewish. It’s a story about grief and faith and family and finding one’s own way. An online preview is available.

My gracious, how the mighty have fallen. Tokyopop has two pages of Previews, that’s it, with 12 listings. It’s a far cry from the days where they’d have page after page, one or two books per.

The Surrogates: Flesh & Bone
Buy this book

Top Shelf is preparing for the late September debut of The Surrogates movie with a re-release of the graphic novel with a new cover; a new prequel story, Flesh & Bone; and a super-deluxe hardcover containing them both. Good for them!

The Middleman graphic novel The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse (Viper Comics) promises to serve as conclusion to the much-missed TV show. I want to read the comic, but it will only remind me of how much I miss the series.

Peter David’s book about Writing for Comics (Books section) is updated and revised. I don’t know about specific changes, but I thought the first one was pretty good, so I’ll still recommend this version.

What are you anticipating?

Late Night LinkBlogging

2009-05-15T01:49:00.000-07:00

(It’s late for ME, anyway.)

The Best of Simon and Kirby
Buy this book

My friend Steve Saffel would like you to know that The Best of Simon and Kirby is now out and “everyone who’s seen the book has raved”. Previews are available.

Gina Biggs has created a set of zodiac illustrations featuring bare-chested men in a manga-influenced style. What’s your sign?

New CBLDF President Chris Powell has resigned from the Board of Directors of ComicsPRO due to time conflicts. Calum Johnston, owner of Strange Adventures in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been added in his place. Johnston is the first non-U.S. director of the group.

You can now subscribe to this blog on the Kindle if you’re so inclined.

Not comics, but interesting to me: Via Journalista comes word that the San Jose Mercury News will begin charging for online content. I find this ironic. My first job out of a grad school was as a user interface developer and website designer for a newspaper database company. We were trying to sell our clients on the idea that we could help them put their newly computerized “morgues” online, and they could sell access to subscribers. (Bear in mind that this was back in the day where DIALOG access to certain online databases cost $60 an hour.) But few newspapers could make it work because papers like the Mercury News and the Raleigh-Durham News and Observer, located in tech-heavy areas, were doing amazing work online for free. Now, I can’t even find a NandO online site — it’s the flat newsobserver.com.

I don’t think trying to “make” customers pay for what they were used to getting for free is the way to go, because you’re not providing any additional value to justify them giving you money. I’d like to read more local news, myself, but the local paper keeps cutting what makes them special and unique in favor of protecting fat cats. Anyway, found it interesting to see San Jose’s paper try and reverse the effects of that decision made over 15 years ago.

Batman & Superman: World’s Finest

2009-05-09T02:35:00.001-07:00

The high concept of this book — 10 successive annual meetings between Superman and Batman, showing how their relationship has changed over the years — sounds wonderful until one realizes how many stories about the two have been written, and forgotten, over the years.

Companies like DC have a habit of wanting to keep their characters ageless, which requires story erasures or history restarts every so often. As a result, no one knows how many adventures Superman has actually had, or whether a favorite Batman story officially happened, or how many years either of them have been adventuring. Thus, the impact of seeing the “first meeting” of these two heroes is lessened; it’s just another story that will later be overwritten by someone else’s attempt.

Batman & Superman:
World’s Finest
Buy this book

Dave Taylor draws a strangely skinny Superman in a generic world, missing the chance to better distinguish the characters’ homes of Metropolis and Gotham City. The key characters look like mannequins, and they’re given some truly odd poses that ruin dramatic moments.

Obvious parallels are drawn between the two heroes to make the similarities and distinctions stand out, even though the alert reader has already recognized most of them. Certainly, anyone drawn to this book for the premise is well familiar with the symbolism, not needing it spelled out in this clunky detail, and the in-jokes and revamped versions of obscure characters don’t make up for the writing.

The hostility between the two heroes is a slap in the face to anyone who remembers the much longer history of them working together and contrasts badly with the chapter that attempts to evoke the sillier aspects of the heroes’ histories. Light-hearted stories about magical imps from other dimensions need heroes with a sense of humor, not these grim sticks.

By the time all the stops are pulled out in the end, the reader’s likely to come away realizing the task was impossible (when they’re not wondering why Batman’s rogue’s gallery is so classic while Superman’s is so forgettable). The book works best as a record of how wrong DC has gone in trying to keep its flagship heroes relevant by using substitutes and spinoffs and having Superman kill and insisting people think Batman is an urban legend. It’s lost sight of the appeal of the world’s best known superheroes.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of May 9

2009-05-09T02:34:00.000-07:00

I’ve really been enjoying the Dr. Thirteen backup story in Tales of the Unexpected, and it concludes this week in issue #8. The skeptic and his motley band of misfits fight a group of empty superhero costumes (a rather lovely metaphor, from my point of view) before finally confronting the Architects in a setting that combines the Batcave, the Fortress of Solitude, and Captain Marvel’s subway tunnel.

Maybe I’m seeing connections just because I’m taking a larger view these days, but I thought the panel where Genius Jones makes a terrible pun, complete with character feet in the air, stunned by its awfulness, was a nice allusion to an older genre of comics, the gag panel. The characters seem a bit wackier in this final go-round, winking at each other and wisecracking, perhaps in a salute to the Silver Age of superhero battles. And I loved the button marked “plot device”. Of course, that’s what every fun team-up story needs.

I do wish a little more care had been taken in the details: The second caption box has a rather glaring typo (”heals” instead of “heels”) and later on, there’s a “hust” that should have been “must”. Overall, though, a triumph from Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. I strongly recommend purchasing the eventual collection just to read an involving story that takes the refreshingly big-picture view that “this too shall pass”. The unusual characters should be seen as an asset, not a liability to be eliminated. Plus, they’re fun on a more literal level, making for an involving team with distinctively unusual voices.

Tom Bondurant has a more in-depth analysis.

Also enjoyed this week: two Spider-Man comics, which is odd, because I normally don’t care for the character.

Spider-Man/Fantastic Four #2

I expected to like Spider-Man/Fantastic Four #2 because it’s written by the talented Jeff Parker. (Art is by Mike Wieringo with inks by Wade von Grawbadger and Andy Lanning.) What confirmed it for me, though, was the first page scene, when Peter’s Aunt May won’t let him go back out to fight the aliens until he has lunch. That’s what our loved ones are for, always looking out for us.

I like the way Parker so nicely sums up characters in short bits true to their personalities. The Fantastic Four have never been for me so much a family as when Sue and Reed, bailing out of their flying car ready for action, are also telling their kids who’ll be babysitting them and how many cartoons they get to watch.

It’s an Invasion of the Body Snatchers-type scenario, with the heroes needing to work together to stop and reverse alien possession. Since it’s part 2 of 4, by the end of the issue, things are looking grim, as Reed concludes they need more research to more intelligently fight the symbiotes. (And how refreshing that is, to see a measured, thoughtful response.)

Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1

My enjoyment of The Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1 can also be credited to the writer, superstar-to-be Matt Fraction. He’s created a nice done-in-one story that’s a great choice for movie fans to sample the characters while still nodding to current Marvel continuity and acknowledging the characters’ history.

Mary Jane’s talking with an old friend at the Coffee Bean, but there’s more to the reunion than meets the eye, given Peter’s status as a wanted criminal post-Civil War. The best part of the book for me was the way it demonstrated how cool a partner Mary Jane is for Spider-Man.

One of the reasons I don’t personally care much for the character is the discrepancy between his original concept (schlubby “normal guy” with big contrast between powers and his everyday life, which doesn’t go so well) and what he became (supermodel wife, well-known photographer). Much as I disliked what the Civil War crossover event became, I do like the way it gave Peter a new, valid excuse to complain: he made some bad decisions and is on the run.

Another big plus: no feeling left out. I got everything I needed to know to understand and, more importantly, enjoy the story IN the story. (And a giggle at them making fun of the classic “tiger/jackpot” line, which really is cheesy and unrealistic.) The dialogue’s both solid and creative, too, and Salvador Larocca’s art is classic comic book in an excellent way. It’s a wonderful portrait of what stands behind a solid marriage: belief in each other to rescue you.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of March 21

2009-05-09T02:33:00.001-07:00

I caught up on a month’s worth of superhero comics this afternoon, and boy, was that a mistake. Put me in a grumpy mood all evening. There’s just too much mediocrity out there, too much stuff that would have been satisfying in bigger chunks, too much trying to make meaning from connections to other titles instead of their own stories (or using characters other people made mean something as shortcuts to provide weight), too much disappointment from well-respected names who should have known better, too much navel-gazing.

X-Men: First Class #7

So what was good? First rule: look for Jeff Parker’s name. Even though it’s issue #7 of 8 of X-Men: First Class, he provides a story that means something on its own, without reference to previous issues. And it’s a classic type, one that most people can identify with, based on young love from opposite sides of a deep-seated divide.

It seems that Angel has been sneaking out of class to meet the Scarlet Witch. Her brother, the speedster Quicksilver, accidentally attacks the X-Men while looking for her, leading to misunderstandings and eventually a shared search. Meanwhile, the two dating heroes are in that “should this go any further?” phase of getting to know each other.

Through well-chosen scenes and bits of business, I was reminded of the characters’ personalities, motivations, and powers, such that I didn’t have to look elsewhere to put names with costumes. I know this seems like congratulating a master chef on making sure the salad’s cold and the entree’s hot, but you’d be amazed at how many comics come out from DC and Marvel where those basics aren’t established. Or worse yet, other comics can pay so much attention to emotional drama that they forget “hey, these kids have powers, maybe they should use them!”

Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #11

Artwise, I knew what was happening (again, covering the basics admirably), thanks to Roger Cruz. They seem like teens in their attitudes and dialogue, too. I think this title was meant to “fill in the blanks” around previously published stories, but I didn’t much care, because enough was happening “present day” that the occasional “remember when” didn’t bother me even though I didn’t.

I was also glad to see something to take away at the end I agreed with, when they address the issue of how controlling family members should be, even out of good intentions. I wanted to call up a friend of mine, one with a daughter about to graduate high school, and read it to him, because it was a message that could have important meaning in real life, too.

Also by Jeff Parker, the fun and even silly Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #11. How can you not have fun with such classic villains as It the Living Colossus and a bunch of guys with snakes? And I loved seeing Spidey say “Will anyone ever remember that I’m really, really smart?”

The Spirit #4

On the other side of the aisle, I’m still enjoying Darwyn Cooke’s Will Eisner’s The Spirit #4. He’s so creative in his updating — Silk Satin becomes a CIA agent chasing the terrorist Octopus. It’s pure comics: imagination and skill put down in words and lines. I can get lost in individual panels, marveling at their construction and subtleties.

(If you want to know more about his modern take on the classic character, be sure to find issue #3, which retells the Spirit’s origin.)

I never got the appeal of Eisner’s women — they were nicely drawn stereotypes, in many cases, and maybe it was surprising just seeing them be smart and devious in that era — but this one, in this version, I am with 100%. She’s tough, beautiful, and still a three-dimensional character. She even saves the day — just check out that cover! Bless you, Cooke.

Update: I see that this issue is getting plenty of blog attention just because Girl Hero Saves Day. Which is cool, but disheartening, that such a basic role reversal is still so unusual as to be worthy of widespread comment.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of June 2

2009-05-09T02:32:00.001-07:00

For turn-off-the-higher-brain-function action, The Brave and the Bold best fits the bill. The series seems to be plotted by lottery — and that’s not a crack on writer Mark Waid. It’s just that the teamup pairings are so loopy that they have that kind of random, anything-can-happen feel that characterizes the best superhero stories.

Issue #4 revolves around Supergirl and Lobo. He calls her a dumb blonde, she’s disgusted by his me-first drunken quest for money above all. Normally, I find Lobo a poor joke that’s been overplayed, but here, he’s in character and still funny. Mostly because he’s treated just like a redneck, complete with surprising bit of reassurance.

For me, the enjoyment is aided by the presence of old-fashioned Legion of Super-Heroes villains the Fatal Five. Batman has been merged with Tharok, the half-robot guy, leading to some impressive (and impressively detailed, of course) visuals by George Pérez. The images back up a significant reminder of what makes Batman an icon: his willpower.

There’s a lot of technobabble and exposition (at least two scenes’ worth) that I just skip over these days, because I won’t remember it anyway, and something of a convenient plot device scene change. I do hope all this running around the universe and superhero swap guest stars adds up to something eventually… nah, scratch that, it doesn’t matter so long as they can keep the plates in the air and spinning. Professional synergy, a wonder to behold. Next issue: the Legion! Woo hoo!

Speaking of that team, The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #3 (ridiculous title, that) is already resorting to tryouts and the Substitutes. It’s only issue #3! You really needed to reintroduce all of these oddball characters already? I mean, I love the Subs, but it strikes me as simultaneously overkill and desperation to bring them in so soon.

Scott Beatty writes, Sanford Greene pencils, and Nathan Massengill inks. The art team keeps the characters on-model (a shame, in my opinion, since I’m not a fan of the creepy looks, especially on the girls). This is something of an achievement, since the story’s about power swapping, and the introductory headshots mix up the team’s features (Lightning Lad has Bouncing Boy’s size, Superman has Saturn Girl’s insectoid eyebrows, and so on).

Sadly, the text isn’t as good. There’s a page where, to introduce everyone’s abilities to the reader, the writer has the team brag about how cool their powers are while putting down the losers who didn’t make their cut. It’s unpleasant to read. I kept going because this issue introduces Infectious Lass, one of my favorites. I always liked that she had such a creative power, one with much more possibilities than many people saw, and it wasn’t a traditional “girls stand back and don’t get their hands dirty” ability like telepathy.

In response to a challenge from Superboy (yeah, yeah, they can’t call him that), she whips up a power-switching virus (I know, goofy plot device, but that’s the problem with trying to figure out disease in the far future), and just as the symptoms take effect, bad guys show up. Conveniently, since all humans look alike to them, having each other’s abilities allow the team to save the day. After adventuring with them, she decides to be a Sub until she can (cue the cliché) “better wield [her] abilities”. I’ll miss her.

Also out this week, DC sent a copy of The Highwaymen #1. It’s a good caper film, political/spy/action thriller that involves two old guys, one white, one black, coming out of retirement to prevent some conspiracy. It’s written in a snappy fashion by magazine journalist Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman, with art by Lee Garbett doing a detailed Frank Quitely impression.

The whole time reading it, though, I kept thinking “why bother?” It’s a miniseries. If it continues to be good, there will be a collection. If I wait for the book, and unforeseen circumstances cause delays, I won’t be losing track of the story trying to remember the issues. (That’s a likely occurrence with me even if it comes out monthly.) If the ending tanks, then I won’t have wasted my money. The only thing I gain with serialization is getting part of the story more promptly … but I don’t get around to my comics in a timely fashion anyway. (Witness this column a week late.)

I probably wouldn’t follow it anyway unless more women got significant roles. The operative presenting her butt on the cover (and doing rhythmic gymnastics with what should be a supporting rope) gets blown away rather graphically. Yay for the woman president, but I’d like to see another female main character, please. I’m not saying that writers have to meet a certain quota or that’s there anything wrong with their choices, just that there are so many comics out there that I use this as one of my selection criteria. I choose to read those that include major female characters.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of Jan 4

2009-05-09T02:31:00.001-07:00

I’m trying to do a better job keeping up with the “pamphlets” — the issues can be such ephemeral things that there’s no point in leaving them to hang around.

Winter Soldier

Take, for instance, my comic of the week, Winter Soldier: Winter Kills. This was one of KC’s picks, and he recommended it to me. (Always nice to have a personalized source who knows your tastes well.) It was very good, although the reading experience was marred a bit by it being a Christmas comic. Being late wasn’t all my fault, though — Marvel shipped it on December 29.

I disagree with bringing Bucky back (just as I disagreed with bringing back Barry Allen or Uncle Ben or Jason Todd or any of the other “never say never” deadies who used to be sacrosanct). But now that he’s back, he seems to be a very interesting character … at least, as he’s portrayed here by Ed Brubaker and the variety of artists: Lee Weeks, Stefano Gaudiano, and Rick Hoberg.

He’s timelost in a way Captain America should be, but Cap is too prominent a hero for any writer to explore the cultural differences in depth. The flashbacks between Bucky’s Christmas in 1944, when he’s part of a group of heroes, taking time out from war to celebrate the holiday, and his more jaded solo Christmas now are poignant, and it makes his encounter with the Young Avengers (the real reason KC pointed this at me) all the more significant. Even if it’s only Patriot, Vision, and Hawkeye (as she’s apparently been officially named).

Between the war flashbacks and Bucky’s roguish charm, this issue reminded me in good ways of the introduction of Captain Jack to the new Doctor Who series, and that’s high praise. I’d like to see more of Bucky, especially in combination with the younger heroes.

Spider-Man and Power Pack #3

Also good from Marvel this week was Spider-Man and Power Pack #3 (by Marc Sumerak and Gurihiru). I’m a sucker for kids who act like kids.

The team goes to Fashion Week, where Mary Jane is modeling. I was impressed that they managed to use Venom in a way that was scary, but not too gross or intense for an all ages comic. The story is satisfying, but there’s a last-panel hint of next month’s issue, which implies Venom returns and puts one of the kids in danger. I’ll look for it.

Oh, and there’s a mini-Marvels take on Civil War, where little Spidey is trying to take the even mini-er Power Pack to play in Tony Stark’s playground. Sadly, setting up the conflict takes up two of the four pages (illustrating one of the problems with the premise), but the baby pack is cute, and I love the solution. “What’s a moo-tent?” Opting out of the whole thing seems sensible.

Update: You can read the short backup online.

On the other side of the traditional divide, DC put out two excellent Superman books this week.

Superman Confidential #3

Superman Confidential #3 (Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale) makes me happy because they finally show why Lois is such a terrific character that she’d last through the decades. This woman is accomplished, honest, talented, beautiful — you can see why a Superman would fall in love with her. She’s not willing to settle, and she does the right thing even at personal cost. She sees what he can’t (or won’t admit to) and expresses it powerfully.

The art (with coloring by Dave Stewart) is gorgeous, packed with emotion that shines through simplicity. The action and suspense are well-done, too. Finally, DC’s premier hero gets the kind of comic he deserves: one that makes him a fascinating three-dimensional character with challenges suited to him, one that avoids dumbing him down or ignoring him to concentrate on easier-to-write supporting cast or wallowing in nostalgia.

All-Star Superman #6

But if you’re looking for that nostalgia, All-Star Superman #6 is happy to provide it. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely start off with the joy between a boy and his dog… assuming they can romp in space.

The meat of the issue, though, involves time travel and alternate Supermen of the future and all those wacky high concepts that drove the title during the 50s and 60s. It’s leavened with one of the most significant elements of the Superman legend, the idea that with all his abilities, Superman can’t beat death and can’t save everyone. That’s the concept that humanizes the superhuman.

Meltdown #1

From Image, I wanted to briefly note a superhero comic from last month. Meltdown #1, with story by David Schwartz and art by Sean Wang, is one of those modern takes on the concept in which superheroes are treated as a business and a “realistic” approach to powers means angst and despair. In this case, the fire powers of Caliente (Cal for short) are going to burn him up, and as he faces death, he looks back at what brought him to this point. It’s part one of two, and I think it would have been more satisfying as a single graphic novel instead of a couple of over-sized $6 comics.

Anyway, even though I dislike this subgenre in general, I was interested enough to keep reading all the way through the preview galley. There’s a lot more skill here than I usually see in indy superhero attempts, and I admire Schwartz’s ambition in reaching for complicated themes and structure.

I was even more impressed by the art, and I wondered why Wang’s name sounded familiar. Turns out he self-published Runners, a science fiction series I’m still meaning to read. That experience clearly taught him a lot, because his work here is better than some of what DC and Marvel are publishing. He’s talented, able to draw action, cute characters, idealized figures, and emotion, and I hope he gets the career he deserves. See what I mean at the artist’s website.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of feb 4

2009-05-09T02:30:00.000-07:00

A lack of superhero comics to whole-heartedly recommend means I start off with a bit of complaining.

Fantastic Four #542

Dwayne McDuffie starts his writing run on the series with Fantastic Four #542. I love his character work, but I regret how often it’s used to prop up pointless or badly chosen continuities. I really want to read something by him that’s not tied into a bigger, inferior story, something where the story and character work is more important than the properties or the fictional “universe”.

In this case, we get a justification for why Reed Richards would act out of character by rabidly defending the Macguffin Registration Act, even to the extent of destroying his marriage. It seems that he’s so smart that he created magic equations that predict what will happen to society, and he knows that this is the least of all evils. It’s the supersmart guy equivalent of “shut up and trust me, I know better than you do.” I don’t find it compelling, not when put up against a 40-year (in real time) love story.

It is plausible, I suppose, within the bounds of a superhero universe, unless one suspects that the choices being propped up had external reasons, and whether or not they made sense in terms of fiction was irrelevant. For instance, I get the feeling that the marriage was ended because the current powers that be like single superheroes and seem to pathologically fear married characters. And that Reed’s “side” was determined by who wanted to write him and how someone wanted to build their team, as though trading baseball cards instead of considering character history and motivation.

The Spirit #2

In short, the quality of the character work doesn’t matter when it’s being used to support something so ludicrous. (That’s Civil War in a nutshell.) Art’s by Mike McKone with inks by Andy Lanning & Cam Smith, who make Reed in sweater and fishing hat look like my dad.

No She-Hulk for me this week — she’s gone all action as an agent of SHIELD fighting Hulk’s old rogues gallery, which doesn’t interest me. Birds of Prey has Oracle quaking in fear from the Spy Smasher and Lois Lane, of all people, which didn’t sit right with me either. So what was good? As usual, books not aimed at the typical reader.

The Spirit #2 is a terrific adventure romp. Darwyn Cooke (with J. Bone inks and Dave Stewart colors, which are essential to the mood and overall outstanding package) does wonderful expression and gesture. The femme fatale P’Gell is just as seductive and slinky as she needs to be to snare a foreign prince. The Spirit has to ditch Ellen in order to attend a formal party and foil her plans.

Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #9

This is high escapism in the classic mold, and Cooke is a valid choice for caretaker of the Eisner legacy. Everyone’s gorgeous, or at least gorgeously drawn. There’s exoticism and glamour and danger and tortured histories and a very handsome, rugged man in the middle of it all.

And for dessert, Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #9. You’ve likely already heard me or someone else online talking about it, because the concept — the team becomes MODOKs, giant floating heads — is just too giddy cool. The execution, by Jeff Parker, Juan Santacruz, and Raul Fernandez, lives up to the premise.

After the requisite team wisecracking (and actually funny), MODOC (this one’s for Conquest, because Killing’s bad for the kiddies) freezes the team so he can tell them his origin. That’s before his nefarious transformation plot. They all turn into big-headed floaty beings — they even get -Doc names! (Pretty cool changing machine, that even provides the flying chairs in everyone’s sizes.) Very enjoyable, even if it’s only temporary.

If you need another reason to read this, as Chris said, it’s “Nextwave for kids”.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of Marc 18

2009-05-09T02:29:00.000-07:00

Some slim pickings this week.

Wonder Man #2

I’m still not sure what I think about Wonder Man #2. The opening, with an immortal Wonder Man pondering the disappearance of everything he’s known, seems better suited for something goth-like from Vertigo of Slave Labor. The character of “Ladykiller” is much too grim for me to enjoy — she’s a Batgirl-like antihero raised to be an assassin, which is why Wonder Man and Hank McCoy (and Carol, whose superhero name I’ve forgotten) are trying to redeem her.

The art, by Andrew Currie and Drew Hennessy, is better left untalked about. It’s too cartoony, in my opinion, for the dark content, and the exaggerated style doesn’t work for me. So why am I talking about it? Because upon reflection, I think Ladykiller is perhaps the most honest portrayal of adolescence I’ve ever seen in superhero comics. She’s all questions and attitude, grumpy and lashing out and resentful.

The adults set up little traps for her. They’re almost Warner Bros-level, suited for Wil E. Coyote (an odd touch of humor, the funnier for being inappropriate to the rest of the story), and they show her how predictable her rebellion is, until she finally outsmarts herself.

Welcome to Tranquility #2

I can’t help wondering if writer Peter David is satirizing the current fad for dark, depressing, excessively morbid and violent superhero comics. Wonder Man and McCoy are going to redeem this rebellious teenager through checkers and caring, showing her a better, more mature way. Maybe Ladykiller is a stand-in for 52 and Civil War and all the others. Or maybe I’m just wishing hard for someone to make something sensible and meaningful out of that garbage.

Welcome to Tranquility #2 continues investigating last issue’s murder. I don’t have the attention span for comics like this, because I can’t remember enough of the details from last month. Really, all I remember is the dotty old lady pilot sadly wandering off after crashing her plane. Nice character bits, that’s what stick with me.

Tales of the Unexpected #4

Writer Gail Simone provides more of them this issue, with a throwback introduction of a character that’s later acknowledged in a completely different way. It’s a nice bit of synergy, with each piece doing what they need to and then providing even more taken together. The book’s appeal is character bits, really, with so many cameo characters and a whole town full of oddballs. Artist Neil Googe keeps up with the variety of people and periods and styles admirably.

I don’t read the lead story in Tales of the Unexpected #4, but I try to keep up with the backup because much as I want to ignore anything Brian Azzarello does, I do love Cliff Chiang’s artwork. So I’m reading about Dr. 13 trying to keep from having a nervous breakdown while fighting Nazi gorillas accompanied by a vampire and a Confederate ghost and a flying pirate ship… which I admit, is pretty amusing… and then…

Spoilers…

Infectious Lass shows up! She’s always been one of my favorites, because she so nicely breaks the mold of girls having quiet and polite powers, like telepathy. She has a messy ability with immense potential scope.

I also liked the way that the daughter, once rescued and untied, rips up her gown to make a headband to keep her hair out of her eyes. Chiang’s panel, with her hands pulling back her hair and her blazing eyes, is masterful.

Good Superhero Comics: Week of April 25

2009-05-09T02:28:00.002-07:00

DC wants me to talk about Justice Society of America #5 and Amazons Attack #1. At least, they sent me copies, and that’s my presumption as to why.

I don’t want to read them, though. I’ve raised my standards really high when it comes to superhero comics, because I’ve already read more than my life quota. I don’t expect to enjoy most of them … they’re not offering what I’m looking for, and I don’t like the work of any of DC’s current first-string team of writers. The characters don’t resemble those I knew, and I disagree with their treatments and motivations. I’m also dismayed by the increasing repugnance of what they consider appropriate content, with the raised levels of violence and sexism, far beyond what should be included in juvenile escapism.

Justice Society of America #5

Mostly, I just don’t care. They leave me cold, and it’s all pointless, subject to be reversed at the next event’s whim.

I’m sure DC would want me to mention, although they didn’t care enough to point it out on the cover, that Justice Society of America #5 is part two of a crossover with JLA that also involves the Legion of Super-Heroes. (The cover is a murky, boring Alex Ross painting of a character who appears for all of three pages. What a waste of an option to do a great, dynamic team shot.) As is typical of an early section, what’s here is explanation and setup, and most of it I already knew, since it revolves around explaining the Legion. I suppose that’s necessary, given how many times the story and the universe has been changed.

Amazons Attack #1

Speaking of which, Amazons Attack #1 has brought back the dead Hippolyta, Wonder Woman’s mother. I find this a bad choice. DC doesn’t know what to do with its best-known brunette in star-spangled swimsuit — why would they want two of them with little distinction in background or character?

See also previous remarks about too much violence. The story begins with the cliche of “oh, this is really serious, someone dies!” as the Amazons take over Washington. Fundamentally, though, this is not a story I want to read. I don’t want a group of female characters I always appreciated (for their sisterhood and the imagination of their private island) turned into cardboard villains. There aren’t enough good women in the DCU for so many of them to be thrown away this way. It’s a really bad idea, given how many stereotypes superhero comic writers use and rely on, to base a story on women vs. men — they just don’t know how to do it and they have no basis for the reader’s trust it’ll all turn out ok.

Then there’s Astro City #3… Kurt Busiek gets a lot more slack from me, but when I saw on page two the naked black woman calling the white guy master and having sex with him (although he got to keep his pants on) so he could get the power he needed, I just couldn’t cope with the symbolism. Even if Busiek is just replicating the power structures of the 70s comics he’s emulating, I don’t need to see it again.

X-Men First Class #8

So what was good? Best of the week was the final issue of the miniseries, X-Men First Class #8. (Thankfully, it’s been turned into a continuing series, so no need to fret over its loss.) I expected as much — Jeff Parker’s writing is classic, fun, and self-contained. The X-Men are heroes, and they have distinctive personalities and voices.

I have no idea if Gorilla Man is an old-fashioned Marvel character from history somewhere — I suspect he is — but I don’t need to. He works here well either way, especially as a foil for Beast. The two have a lot in common, with enough differences to remain distinct.

I’m harping on that because too many creators aren’t able to maintain it. They draw boys who look the same except for the color of their hair and underwear suits. Or all of their characters “sound” the same in dialogue. Parker’s skill is refreshing, even as he works further into the core of the superhero universe.

Oh, plot. Professor X is missing, so the team heads to Africa, the last place Jean had a psychic connection with him, to find him. Basic idea, well-executed, and (old-fashioned as it is to look for this) even a meaningful theme underneath it all. That’s something the reader can take away beyond the temporary enjoyment of the adventure.

Fantastic Four #545

Also good, although less focused and more continuity-hindered, is Fantastic Four #545. I didn’t care about half of it, but it was nice seeing Reed and Sue acting like a couple; a powerful Storm contributing to the fight; and an uber-competent Black Panther who’s not a jerk to his wife and everyone else around him. There’s a shot of him riding the Surfer’s board that really channels Jack Kirby; kudos, Paul Pelletier and Rick Magyar.

The big deal event here is the return of Gravity, killed a couple months ago in Beyond (also written by Dwayne McDuffie). Sadly, I fear he may be losing most of what I found appealing about him; he’s given some kind of cosmic power to make him a Quasar replacement. (Or maybe it’s just my natural antipathy to such stories; bigger is rarely better.)

While I’m being suspicious, I find it awfully convenient that there’s a storyline with Galactus and the Silver Surfer just as they’re starting up publicity for the movie that features the same two characters. Nothing wrong with that, only I’m not that interested in the pair as a reader — it feels to me like their story’s been done enough times already.

Mostly, the reason I didn’t enjoy this as much as I hoped was that it wasn’t a story, only a chapter of some larger attempt at an epic. Too much fighting, not enough of the other stuff that makes it meaningful. Some good chocolate chips, but in the wrong cookie for my taste.

Suburban Glamour #1-2

2009-05-09T02:28:00.001-07:00

Jamie McKelvie previously illustrated Long Hot Summer and Phonogram. Here, he writes his own story about a young rebel who discovers that magic is real.

Astrid is a suburban teen with a couple of friends, and all three are generally bored with school and the options available to them in town. The premise isn’t particularly unusual — outsider finds out that they really are special and their actions have global consequence — and it’s executed competently. What drew my attention here was the lovely art.

McKelvie’s clean linework and gorgeous people are quite attractive, and he draws realistic, complex expressions. His figures tend to look posed and static at times, but many talking panels make that into a strength. His dialogue is similarly plausible for the characters and their ages, so while there’s a lot of it, it’s enjoyable to read.

Guy Major’s colors are of particular note, with pastels and muted shades. It’s the furthest from the traditional solid four colors of comics you can get. He also gives dimension to McKelvie’s world through shading, beautifully supporting his strong design sense.

As the fantasy elements develop, they serve as tangible symbols of Astrid’s struggles growing up. She’s going to have to embrace her heritage in order to defeat the foes seeking her.

The first issue sold out, so look for the collection in May. Or read it online. The author has also been interviewed at PW.

Pictures of You

2009-05-09T02:27:00.001-07:00

Pictures of You is written by Damon Hurd, drawn by Tatiana Gill, and published by Alternative Comics. It’s a prequel to A Strange Day, by the same creators (with one more promised to come later to complete the trilogy).

Pictures of You
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In that comic, two teenagers skipped school to buy the new Cure CD. This story, set one year earlier, looks at what made them the characters we’ve already met.

Miles is jealous of his friend Sarah’s boyfriends, kids that aren’t as mopey as he is. He’s trying to maintain their relationship as close as it used to be, which is impossible, now that she has other people she cares about in a different way. But he’s always there for her, because that’s what she needs, regardless of what it does to him.

Anna’s parents are fighting terribly pre-divorce, and she’s looking for escape. When the music doesn’t work, she tries drinking, or the older, wannabe musician next door.

Hurd has always been skilled at storytelling through realistic dialogue, and here he continues to demonstrate that strength. Gill’s loose, black-lined art is an excellent choice for stories that depend on emotional resonance. During Anna’s fight with her mother, as tempers flare, so does the lettering, until the thick letters take over the panels the same way her hatred drives out the rest of their relationship.

It’s a story of moments, and the reader’s involvement will depend on how plausible they find the incidents, or even how much they’re reminded of something similar in their own lives.

This graphic novella is due out in September. It can be ordered from Diamond with code JUL07 3229.

Perhapanauts Annual

2009-05-09T02:26:00.001-07:00

I adore this series (and its creators), so I was thrilled to get an advance preview of the Annual, the first issue since the book moved from Dark Horse to Image. (Just to get my bias out of the way upfront.) It’s an extended 32-page story with no ads, due out February 20 to kick off the ongoing series to come.

The premise is the same, a group of paranormal investigators who are themselves paranormal. This time, they’re taking on the Jersey Devil, which under Craig’s pen looks like a horse-headed red dragon, quite impressive. Although he eats the doggie, boo. (I know, how predictable. There are at least eight people killed in the comic (not on-screen), but all I care to mention is the pet.)

I apologize, I don’t mean for this to devolve into a play-by-play, but that’s how this comic makes me feel. I am totally sucked in and along for the ride, enjoying the excitement and dying to find out what happens next.

I can’t wait to find out what MG’s story is — I have a weakness for the cute, strong, smart, silent type with a secret. I love Arisa, the telepathic team leader, because she’s a character that avoids the stereotypes that dog comics women. (And she makes a call-out to the WWF.) Molly’s a sweet ghost, Big’s a Buddhist sasquatch, Choopie’s a hoot… it’s a great mix of personalities and abilities.

Plus, it’s fun. I was laughing out loud at Choopie’s room — among the clutter is an Archie comic and a Skull Troll doll, which means it vaguely resembles my room. Except I throw my pizza boxes away when I’m done with them.

I was surprised at some of the secrets revealed among the characters this issue, but it also doesn’t stint on adventure. It felt like a really good episode of something like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, blending humor, action, characterization, horror, and astounding abilities into an entertaining, high-adrenaline read.

Find out more at the Perhapanauts website. An online copy for this review was provided by the publisher.

Max & Lily

2009-05-09T02:25:00.001-07:00

Boyish girl Max and girly boy Lily crack wise on anything and everything in their comic strips. The newer ones online are three horizontal panels, while the ones I started reading, originally in print collections — are based on a 12-panel grid.

These two good friends (who would be awfully neat people to meet) discuss current events, including society’s skewed priorities, sexuality, politics, and perceptions, as well as their personal lives. The overwhelming message is that we’re our own worst enemies.

Max & Lily:
Whatever They Are

Without the bite of the gestures and content, the distinctive art might be termed “cute”. The characters have dot eyes and simple angle noses. Even without eyes (for example, one strip has both characters wearing sunglasses), the well-observed gestures and body language keep the characters expressive. The simplification is needed to leave space for the text, since the strips are dialogue-driven. They’re also very realistic conversations, if you happen to know people this interesting and witty.

Dresen establishes setting very well. In the first strip, the two are talking over morning newspapers and coffee. One panel simply illustrates Max counting her change, an obvious but rarely-shown part of the process. The everyday tasks–like buying groceries, walking in the forest, or barbecuing–keep the subject matter in perspective. Even when the conversations range far and wide, the settings connect the concepts to regular life. More people should think about things like how history is taught (or not taught) in school, or the stereotypes around disease or weight, to give a couple of examples.

I worry that these cartoon characters are better aware and active than I am. Still, they’re not perfect, as when a strip complaining about the hypocrisy of politicians has the punchline of one of the characters not being registered to vote. There are also more personal concerns covered, like the pain of dating. Some are even poetic, like the strip that simply lists words that mean “female”.

This isn’t the comic for someone uncomfortable with views of the world outside the straight and narrow, because the ideas are refreshing and unrepentant. Max & Lily is thought-provoking, intense, light, and fun. The Max & Lily website features all these strips with the author’s comments. Additional comics can be found at Kris Dresen’s website. Dresen also illustrated the Manya series, written by Jen Benka.

Hexed #1

2009-05-09T02:24:00.001-07:00

Hexed is a four-issue miniseries beginning in December from Boom!, and they’re really pulling out the stops on this supernatural thriller comic. Great title, too.

Hexed Cover B (OCT08 3925)
by Joe Pekar

It’s the story of Lucifer, shown on the cover, a young thief who deals in the enchanted, such as stealing a pair of angel’s wings. She’s double-crossed a bad guy, a previous client who wants his revenge by making her obtain something impossible for him. That showdown scene strongly reminded me of a similar one in Joss Whedon’s Fray, but it’s a convention of the genre, where the protagonist gets put into the conflict situation by facing off bravely against someone who seems to have more power and control, a villain she will eventually defeat. There’s also a mentor/boss/surrogate mother figure, an older woman with a smart wit.

(The previous doublecross happened in Clarksville, so every time someone mentioned it, I was thrown from the underworld to a mental picture of four happy lads in matching shirts singing and playing guitars.)

Hexed Cover A (OCT08 3924)
by Emma Rios

Some of it tries too hard — like the precious name given to the main character. More significantly, much of the issue is told through internal monologue, and I didn’t believe that Lucifer would be that chatty with anyone, even herself. If she’s that into self-analysis, it doesn’t match up with the type she’s shown to be through her actions. Instead, it comes across as a quick way to dump lots of background and exposition on the reader. A thief that skilled shouldn’t need to explain her techniques to herself, but it does help out someone new to this world.

The art is well-suited for the character. It’s easy to read but slightly edgy. The neon colors, by Cris Peter, all deep pinks and aquas, give an appropriately sickly, unnatural look that works for both demons and the underworld. The storyline’s familiar, but the magic gives it a fresh coat of paint. Four issues is probably just long enough for this caper: a couple more issues of plot and counterplot, and then the wrapup.

There’s an eight-page preview running along with an interview with the creators conducted by Boom! Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid at Newsarama. It’s interesting to hear the artist talk about her European influences; you can see them through her settings and sense of place in her drawings. Both the writer and artist talk about horror, violence, and disgusting things, but I didn’t see too much of it in this issue. Maybe it’s still to come. (A complimentary online copy for this review was provided by the publisher.)

A Strange Day

2009-05-09T02:23:00.001-07:00

Miles is skipping school to buy the new Cure CD. He was supposed to go with best friend Sarah, but she’s had less time and attention for him lately. Instead, he heads off by himself only to meet Anna, on the same errand.

Anna’s the perfect outsider angel. In miniskirt, fishnets, and heavy boots, she breaks Miles out of his self-centered shell — joking and flirting with him, explaining things about himself to him, and sharing his secret places. It’s clearly his story, with his emotions serving as the focal point, and we’ve seen her type of character before, the first love who inspires the man inside the boy.

A Strange Day
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The creators describe the book as “a teenage love story … for the person you once were… the sixteen year old that fell in love at first sight and took themselves all too seriously.” It’s a good summary. These lonely, disaffected kids have the wonder of finding a new world through each other. Their magical day will be a life-changing experience, if only in the memory, while the more experienced reader realizes how universal their experiences are.

Gill’s thick line gives the characters weight, yet they’re strangely flat. Her art is loose and wavy around the edges, well-suited to a story about teens who are also existing on the edge. I would have liked a little better lettering, though — the frequently missing periods and commas made the dialogue sometimes hard to read.

I know little about the band that serves as the central macguffin, but the emotions are so understandable that it didn’t matter. I suspect that if I’d known the songs whose lyrics were used, they’d contribute additional depth to the scenes they feature in.

Following in the mold of Hurd’s My Uncle Jeff, this is a well-observed encounter that feels inspired by real life. At 48 pages, this graphic novella is just the right length for the story of a day’s friendship. It’s oddly old-fashioned, pulling the curtain and leaving us to draw our own conclusions at the end.

7 Days to Fame

2009-05-09T02:22:00.000-07:00

Writer Buddy Scalera was kind enough to give me copies of this miniseries at this year’s New York Con. I’d missed it when it first came out in late 2005, although I’d heard of its shocking premise.

7 Days to Fame #1

A TV host and his producer are going nowhere in late-night TV until a woman kills herself on their program. Suddenly, they’ve got the next great reality show concept (although they air it online instead of on TV, to avoid legal problems) — every week, someone with a fatal disease will explore their life over the series of the show, ending their seven days with suicide.

The three-issue length is just right. The first sets up the concept, its justification, and introduces the characters. Issue #2 works out the premise, demonstrates its potential for impact, and sets up a cliffhanger by involving a famous person. Issue #3 resolves the above and makes its statement about the disease of seeking fame and what’s wrong with the media that feed it. (Although obvious by that point, through its exaggeration.)

This is a dynamite concept in so many ways, and Scalera does an excellent job setting up the premise — making it plausible that characters we can sympathize with would do such a thing — and exploring different elements of it — how do they react to the fame? to the legal challenges? to the moral quandries?

Sadly, the art is terrible. Nick Diaz drew issue 1, and he isn’t ready yet for professional work. A lot of the story revolves around passionate conversations, which requires an ability to drew both people (especially faces) and entertaining talking scenes. He creates laughably gargoyle-esque expressions and misshapen heads, so much so that “just WHAT am I looking at?” risks becoming a distraction from the multi-layered material. Dennis Budd takes over for 2 and 3. He’s better than Diaz, but the work is still subject to distortions.

The concepts are solidly thought-provoking, but I almost wish that Scalera had written prose instead, because then I could have focused on the ideas without the distraction. I’m not sure why it was a comic, beyond Scalera knowing the field.

20th Century Boys Book 1 — Recommended

2009-05-09T02:21:00.000-07:00

Review by Ed Sizemore

When Kenji was nine years old, he dreamed of saving Japan from alien invaders and nuclear holocaust, but as a 37-year-old man, he runs the family convenience store. His days are now filled with stocking shelves, dealing with his cranky mother, and raising the baby his sister dropped off at his doorstep. Suddenly, strange things begin to happen around him. A loyal customer and his wife disappear. Next, a childhood friend dies under mysterious circumstances. Stranger still is that a symbol from his childhood seems to be tied to all these events. Kenji wants to solve these mysteries and find out how they’re connected to his youth.

20th Century Boys Book 1
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My first reaction after reading this book was, “This feels so American.” This is not a complaint, just an observation. It’s because the cultural references and Kenji’s experiences are typical of Americans his age. He talks about hearing the Rolling Stones for the first time and how obsessed he became with the song “Jumping Jack Flash”. How that song inspired him to learn guitar and fueled his desire to be in a rock band. Kenji remembers staying up all night hoping to see the moon landing on TV. The flashbacks to his youth reminded me of the film Stand by Me. As an adult, he visits the university campus, where two competing departments are playing a baseball game for bragging rights. So many details are similar to what you’d find in America that it just didn’t feel like the typical manga to me.

the literary excellence of this book completely caught me off guard.

20th Century Boys is a true graphic novel in the deepest sense of the term. It has all the characteristics of the best novels combined with excellent art. Perhaps it’s a sad comment on comics, both American and Japanese, but the literary excellence of this book completely caught me off guard. Here is a manga that is meticulously plotted with carefully crafted characters that come to life before your eyes. What makes these characters so real is their rich tapestry of emotions. You don’t just have the standard emotions of happiness, anger, and sadness. There’s also nostalgia, wistfulness, resignation, and regret. I’ve never read a manga with so much emotional complexity and subtlety. Urasawa brilliantly conveys these feelings powerfully, but indirectly.

These four panels are a perfect example of the power of comics.

Take, for example, Kenji’s unspoken regret about never getting to be a rock star. We’ve seen in flashbacks his love for the Rolling Stones, his learning guitar, and his skipping classes in college to hang out and play the instrument. An old friend comes by and asks if he still plays. He replies, “That old thing? I don’t even know where it is anymore. Look at these fingers. All soft and flabby!” His wistfulness can be seen in his posture, his facial expression, and heard in his words. These four panels are a perfect example of the power of comics. Each picture is worth a thousand words. It’s great to read a comic where the author has enough faith in this audience to understand what is going on without having to be spoon-fed.

Urasawa’s master storytelling is seen in the way he connects the flashbacks and the present. We aren’t shown idle remembrances from Kenji’s childhood; each episode from the past has some connection to the present. Sometimes you have to wait a couple of chapters for the full implications of how what we’ve seen fits. The interaction between the past and the present communicate poignantly that sense of nostalgia, even when Kenji himself isn’t aware of it. I like the way Urasawa strings the memories together. He really captures that stream-of-consciousness feel. Kenji’s memory about hearing the Stones leads to a memory of playing air guitar that leads to a memory of him buying his first guitar. Each episode tells us something further about Kenji and how the events are intertwined give a glimpse deep into his psyche. Urasawa has fashioned a tight narrative that rewards second and third readings.

I don’t want to paint this as a somber, humorless manga; it isn’t.

I don’t want to paint this as a somber, humorless manga; it isn’t. The first chapter starts out with great broad humor as we see Kenji and his mother together in the store bickering the way families do. Initially, Kenji comes off as a bit of a bumpkin, obsessed with running the convenience store. It’s a time-tested way to hook an audience, start with a joke. Slowly the manga settles into a more serious tone, but there is always a strand of humor running through the book. Urasawa doesn’t just use one style of humor either. Some of the jokes are very subtle, and if you’re not paying attention or reading too quickly, you’ll miss them.

It’s obvious by now that I like Kenji and find him a very sympathetic character. His most impressive characteristic is the ability to roll with the punches and disappointments in life most admirably. He didn’t get to save Japan from eminent danger or become a rock star, and he doesn’t wallow in bitterness over this. He runs the convenience store like that’s what he’s always wanted to do. His sister shows up, drops off her baby, and then disappears. He raises the child like she’s his own. He gives her all the love and care she needs without complaining about her being a burden. He’s a genuinely nice guy, and Urasawa doesn’t make fun of Kenji for being that.

Part of this probably comes from the fact that Kenji and his friends are only seven years older than I am. I was too young to remember the moon landing, but I lived in a world profoundly shaped by that event. My friends and I also grew up listening to the radio and getting excited by music we were hearing. Kenji’s thirty-seven in this manga, I’m forty-one, so I can relate to where’s he at in life.

This manga is drawn in a much more realistic style than usual for the medium. In the beginning, it reminded me a little of the house style of Mad magazine, especially because of the exaggerated expressions Kenji and his mother use when fighting. Of course, this added to the ‘American’ feel of the book. After the second chapter, the artwork seemed to slightly move away from this style. All the artwork is excellent, but Urasawa’s real gift is facial expressions. He’s able to communicate any emotion. It’s a pleasure just to flip through the book and look at the all the facial closeups. He also lays out the pages well. He does wonderful things with panel sizes and arrangement to capture the right mood or quicken the pace.

20th Century Boys had me hooked before I even finished the first chapter.

20th Century Boys had me hooked before I even finished the first chapter. This book is written for adults, and really only adults can fully appreciate it. To truly get inside the characters and the narrative you need to be past thirty and settling in what you’re most likely going to be doing for the rest of your life. It’s a masterpiece. It’s so rare to read a comic, or even a novel, with so many layers put together so adeptly. I’m already jittery with anticipation for the next volume. (This review was based on a galley provided by the publisher.)

Interview With Allen Gladfelter (Strongman)

2009-05-09T02:20:00.000-07:00

I spoke (via online chat) a few days ago with Allen Gladfelter, artist of Strongman, recently released by SLG Publishing. He talks about how he and writer Charles Soule work together, the importance of location research, an upcoming project with Joshua Dysart, and plans for a Strongman sequel.

Allen, Strongman is about a Mexican wrestler. Are you a wrestling fan?

I wasn’t so much before I started working on Strongman, but in the course of researching the Mexican Lucha Libre tradition, I came to appreciate it quite a bit.

How so?

Well, to be honest, I didn’t know a thing about Lucha Libre before I started working on Strongman. So I read a few books and got to thinking that I really need to see this for myself. I took a little side trip to Mexico and caught a Lucha Libre event live. It’s all REAL! The luchadores show up in their masks, the kids gape in awe, the people drink Tecate two at a time and munch on spicy snacks while the luchadores wage melodramatic battles of good versus evil. It’s a loud, close quarters, hilarious, and very entertaining scene. I can totally get the appeal.

Strongman

That sounds like a fun way to research! Is that level of involvement typical for your art?

For me it is. I mean, that’s how I want to approach my work. When I am faced with having to tell a story where the setting is a significant story element, then I think it’s important to go see that place for yourself if at all possible. It’s important to have something authentic to say about these places. For Strongman, I ventured to both Mexico and New York City because I needed to be able to get the sense of place correct. It makes the life that our hero, Tigre, is living all that much more real and believable.

How did you come to work on Strongman? Did you know the writer?

Charles Soule posted an ad on Digital Webbing, and I responded to it. He auditioned about a half dozen guys and decided that he liked my approach the best. While the other guys were just drawing wrestlers in superhero poses, I was drawing wrestlers walking down dark alleys with Eisner-type debris flying around in the wind. Charles has said that he thought my temperament would be better suited to the mood he was trying to achieve than any of the other guys.

Clever approach! Did you take a different tack based on information he provided?

Well, yes and no. Environment and mood have always been a primary interest of mine. My first published work was a story in Steve Buccellatto’s ComicCulture magazine written by Benjamin Raab called “The Lost Tribe”. That was a supernatural horror noir story set in a stygian kind of old Prague. I couldn’t go to Prague for that, but I worked hard trying to get a spooky, creepy feel for the place. So right from the start, environment and mood are evident as predominant artistic concerns. I think I simply have continued that approach in Strongman, and I intend to continue doing that.

Could you talk about how other examples of your work demonstrate that as well?

Like That

I did a short graphic novel called Like That, written by Patrick Rills, that is set in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We have our lovebirds (it’s a romance comic!) hanging out and walking around on the Louisiana State University campus.

I have been providing covers for the Disney/Pixar World of Cars comics coming out from BOOM! Studios. I lived for a time in that part of Arizona along Route 66 where Radiator Springs is supposed to be, and I have taken it upon myself to start taking in auto racing events whenever possible, and I think that helps.

I once did a comic called Transaction that took place during the 1999 WTO protests, which I witnessed first hand. (It was a peaceful protest until the police started lobbing tear gas cans into the crowd!)

I drew a comic written by Joshua Dysart that is set deep in the Louisiana Swamp, and I actually got in a swamp boat and got a tour of the cypress groves out there. That was called How It Gets In, and it hasn’t been published yet. It’s pretty weird and we’ll probably have to self-publish it one of these days.

What’s the premise?

This guy is sitting around his house, abusing himself with the news porn on the television, when a fly emerges from the TV set and he swallows it. He coughs, gags, and then gets up and ventures out into the swamp, that’s when he finds that he has become the victim and the carrier of all that war and filth that TV spews on us.

That’s Josh’s side. My take on it was more personal. For me it was also about how sadness, disappointment, and sickness can divert someone from the single-minded pursuit of art. Josh had something to say, so he wrote it all down. I read it and it spoke to me and I drew it. It was a personal thing, just for fun really. It’s a pure work of art, born into the world through vessels who can’t quite explain how it came to be. (Read it online at Josh’s site.) Josh is a mad man, you know.

He’s one of my oldest friends in comics. I met him shortly after reading his work on Violent Messiahs. He’s a really friendly, positive guy, a cinephile, jazzbo, voracious reader, and I feel a real affinity for his dedication to his work. Did you know that for his recent Vertigo series, Unknown Soldier, he actually went all the way to UGANDA to research the civil war there? And then he put it all into his comic book! That’s the way to do it, I’ll tell you what. I really admire him for his willingness to go half way around the world to make his comic book the best it can be. And Unknown Soldier is a fantastic book.

What else are you working on now?

I am currently finishing up my Bachelor of Fine Art in Illustration. It will be my second degree after my Bachelor of Science in Education.

I’m going to continue self-publishing my personal work, The Inspectre: The Ghost Who Solves Crime, created in collaboration with my writing buddy, Mark Cooper. (That link has some of the images, but the words aren’t posted yet. Sorry, Mark! We’ll have to get on that asap.) It’s actually quite a bit different than the rest of my work. Much more cartoony, in a way.

The art style is based more on expressionistic wood-block printing and the picture books of Lynd Ward. Lots of black, inky shadows and spooky stuff. It’s about a ghost detective archetype struggling to maintain a sense of identity in the afterworld where your habits can overtake you and you can forget who you are and just wind up trapped on a lonesome road or in the corner of a room in an old house. So he finds a mystery to solve, and it turns out that the double cross may be that his need to investigate may simply be the habit that traps him. We’re talking with some companies about publishing it, but we don’t have anything in writing yet, so I can’t say when that’s going to hit. But it will, you’ll see!

I have another project called Guns McMenamin that’s going to be premiered at San Diego this year. It’s an action/comedy series, something like The Dukes of Hazard crossed with The Fast and the Furious. And it’s set in Baton Rouge. I’ll be travelling to Baton Rouge to research the place and prepare for the major set pieces later this year.

And we are planning to do a sequel to Strongman that I’ll start drawing in June.

How do you work with Charles? You’re doing a sequel, so y’all must get along ok.

More than OK! Charles is a good collaborator. He’s challenging but not recalcitrant. Creative, energetic, a little bit gonzo, even. He has quite a few interesting projects that are going full steam ahead, and I think it won’t be long before he’s as out there as Bendis or Kirkman or Cebulski.

What method do you use? How much back-and-forth do you have?

We start with a plot synopsis. I read what he’s got in mind and then tell him if I think it works or not. Then we discuss it at length before he produces a full script. I read that and do thumbnail layouts to see how it all flows, then we have another lengthy discussion about how it’s all shaping up.

If I have a difference of opinion with Charles, then I better be able to explain myself pretty clearly, and sometimes he agrees with me, sometimes not. Eventually, we come to an agreement, and I go back and draw the pages as best as I can. I send pages to him in 20-page packets and move on to the next batch while he letters them and gets them ready for the book. I think our system works pretty well.

What can you tell me about the next book?

As the cloud of guilt and depression begins to lift from Tigre’s life, he decides that he needs to return to Mexico. He finds the place has not changed to his liking in the 30 years since he left. Poverty, violence, civil war. This would never have stood had Tigre remained in his country and continued fighting for truth and justice. Well, he’s back now, and those outlaw gangs and corrupt politicians better watch out!

I’m going to start drawing it in June, it will take about a year to complete, then about 3 or 4 months to produce and distribute…. So I guess it’ll be about late 2010.

Thanks very much for your time, Allen!

You’re welcome. I’d like to say that I’m really happy to speak to you, and I’d like to shout out to my friends and collaborators Mark Cooper, Charles Soule, Patrick Rills, Josh Dysart, and Steve Buccellatto. I’ve always appreciated their hard work and support. And if I don’t throw a word in to my mother and sister, I would be a bad son and brother. I couldn’t be a cartoonist without their support.

Marvel Donates Obama Comics to ComicsPRO

2009-05-09T02:19:00.002-07:00

ComicsPRO, the trade organization for direct market comic retailer, announced today that

Retailers who join ComicsPRO as Full Members can get a hand from Marvel. Marvel made available some first printing variant covers of Amazing Spider-Man #583, featuring President Barack Obama. This hot, sold-out issue has gone for more than $100 at auction, and retailers who join now can get one for free while supplies last!

Except that current prices, based on ebay sales finished today, range as low as $44, so it appears that this collectible may have peaked. Other copies offered starting at $25 and $50 closed with no bids. Given that Marvel did four or five reprints of the cover, everyone who wants one may have one.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice idea, that a retailer get back something to help offset their membership dues — heck, DC’s done that for years with exclusive RRP editions of comics given out at their invite-only retailer gatherings. I’m just a little tired, personally, of this “let’s exploit the President” approach to marketing. Plus, without knowing how many “some” are, it’s tough to know how generous Marvel is being. Although it is considerate that ComicsPRO isn’t leaving out existing members: “Existing Full Members can get a free Obama variant copy with an early
renewal of 2009-2010 dues.”

But wait! There’s more! Marvel is also discounting subscriptions to their Marvel Retailer Resource Center. According to Marvel, “The Marvel Retailer Resource Center enables retailers to create websites for their stores with up-to-the-minute news, artwork, catalog listings and changes, as well as maps and local happenings.” In other words, they’re selling branded web creation packages. It’s very difficult to find any concrete information on pricing online, but reportedly, it’s over $100 a year for this service. So this “extra $10 discount” is a gesture, but not very substantial. I suspect any store that knows they need a website already has one. Others may not want to be so locked into one vendor’s products.

The press release also says that ComicsPRO has “more than 140 members with more than 180 storefronts.” Given the usual estimate of about 3000 comic retailers, that’s 6% of stores, but I bet they’re the most active and involved ones.

Batman Movies Coming on Blu-Ray, Re-Released on DV

2009-05-09T02:19:00.001-07:00

The Batman Anthology, a collection of the four previous Batman movies, now out of print on DVD, has been announced for March 10. They’re pushing the announcement that this will be the first time the movies are available on Blu-Ray, but the regular editions will be coming back into print as well.

Batman Anthology
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Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin will be available in a Blu-Ray box set. Also included will be “over 18 hours of special features, including documentaries from directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, deleted scenes, and music videos”, plus a digital copy of Batman (The Movie) suitable for download to computer or iPod. (Note: I’m assuming that means the first film in the set, not the 60s campy version, but I might be wrong.) On Blu-Ray, these films are only available as a set at a list price of $130 US. (If you only want the good ones, wait a bit. I’m sure individual discs will follow.)

However, on regular DVD, you have a lot more choices. You can get single-disk editions of each movie for $13 or two-disc special editions at $27 apiece. Those are coming out on February 10, with a Collection following on March 10 for $80.

This announcement struck me as more evidence of how hard studios are pushing Blu-Ray now. That’s the focus of the piece, with the other discs mentioned as an afterthought, with no specific information on their content or special features. And looking at the prices, you can understand why — $50 more for an enhanced picture? I’m not interested, thanks.

It’s a shame that they didn’t do a fancy tin box with plenty of extras, like Superman got. Maybe that’s down the road for next holiday season.

Star Trek

2009-05-09T02:17:00.001-07:00

Just got back from seeing the new Star Trek movie, and I enjoyed it. Which surprised me, since I’d stopped watching the series a long time ago (both films and TV). This is really a Star Trek for this generation, providing much more depth to most of the characters while still acknowledging their classic roots. All the favorite elements — Vulcan neck pinch, “Dammit, I’m a doctor, not a physicist”, Kirk’s skirt-chasing, plenty more classic phrases — are here, but there’s more, too. Including a few too many scenes of a ship getting attacked, something blowing up, and bodies flying through the air for my taste.

Things I Liked

The movie looks like it cost a lot and it’s all on the screen. Visually impressive.

The use of silence to remind viewers space is soundless, as well as for dramatic effect.

Spock is to Kirk as Batman is to Superman. This is Spock’s movie — Zachary Quinto gives him the most shading and diversity, and much of the plot revolves around him. This shouldn’t be surprising, since Leonard Nimoy is also in the film (and significantly so, a wonderful addition I really appreciated). Quinto’s portrayal is excellent, too, capturing the essentials of the original character while bringing his own spin to it. His storyline provides almost all of the depth of the film.

Anton Yelchin as Chekov. I already liked him from Charlie Bartlett, but he does a great job as the math prodigy (and putting echoes of the much-despised Wesley into the character was clever!). The actor is also Russian by birth, a nice touch in casting, which makes the accent more palatable.

Simon Pegg as Engineer Montgomery Scott. He provides some needed humor and “normal people” behavior late in the film.

Simon Pegg as Scotty, Karl Urban as Bones, and John Cho as Sulu

Karl Urban as McCoy. His cantankerous nature fit well and balanced the other, younger, starry-eyed characters.

In general, all of the cast were well-done, especially Bruce Greenwood as Captain Pike, who played leader and teacher while still seeming active and powerful. I was overall meh, though, about Christopher Pine’s Kirk. He wasn’t quite as “lovable in spite of being a jerk” as he should have been.

Things I didn’t like so much

The Romulan threat. Another “so evil” ranting bad guy who lives in a muck pit. What, bad guys can’t like light?

Time travel and Spock as deus ex machina. The transporter becomes even more of one. It’s treated as a super plot device, which is something that will need to be addressed if this becomes a series again.

What was the point of the young Kirk scene? The best I could come up with was that it provided something before he turns up at the bar, so it shows he was troubled, not just a lush. My second guess: someone really liked the sports car.

A bit too much typical SBU action movie (S**t Blows Up) at times. I know it’s competing with Wolverine, Terminator, etc. this summer, but I preferred the more impressive, more unusual space effects.

Worst of all for me was the treatment of women. I should have known, once the academy students showed up with the females still wearing short skirts. But even with a more modern Uhura, the four women (only) with significant speaking roles (most minor) are all primarily defined by their relationships to men: wife, mother, girlfriend. But I guess with so much focus on Kirk-Spock bonding, that shouldn’t surprise me.

Overall, on the summer movie scale (”did it provide an enjoyable escape for a few hours?”), it was quite successful. I hope to see more in the series to come.

Centennial Collection: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

2009-05-07T23:22:00.000-07:00

As part of the Paramount Centennial Collection, two beloved Audrey Hepburn films have new two-disc special edition DVD sets out. (The previous films in the series were two earlier Hepburn movies, Roman Holiday and Sabrina, plus Sunset Boulevard.) I’ll be talking about Funny Face in another post.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s
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Watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s again now, I’d forgotten how dated some of it is. (It was released in 1961.) Mickey Rooney’s racist portrayal of the upstairs Japanese photographer, with fake buck teeth and kamikaze headband, is horrendous, of course, but more subtly, there’s Hepburn’s streaked beehives, adding at least four inches to her height. (This is particularly noticeable when she’s spying in upstairs neighbor George Peppard’s window and has to duck out of sight.) The jeweled tiaras don’t help.

The stylized acting showcases outsized behavior that’s much more engrossing to watch than realism.

But those clothes! Gorgeous little black dresses. A bathrobe that Hepburn wears like a gown. Seriously huge costume jewelry. Even more ridiculous hats. The overstuffed cafe society apartment party. Calling everyone “darling”. The idea that it’s tacky to wear impressive diamonds before you’re 40. How polite the Tiffany’s salesman is, even though what they ask him is ridiculous. The etiquette of smoking. The stylized acting showcases outsized behavior that’s much more engrossing to watch than realism.

Many people don’t realize that her profession is “call girl” because of Hepburn’s elegance and class.

It’s amazing how much of the subtext I didn’t notice when I was younger. For instance, Holly Golightly buzzes the upstairs neighbor (Rooney) early in the morning to get into their building because she never has her key. He yells, but she calms him down with, “If you promise not to be angry, I might let you take those pictures we mentioned.” Just what kind of snaps would those be, hmmm? And why does she have a man’s tuxedo shirt lying around to use as pajamas? Then there’s all the “money for the powder room” mentions … she goes out with men for cash, while Peppard plays a writer/kept man. (Many people don’t realize that her profession is “call girl” because of Hepburn’s elegance and class.) Both are running away from either who they were or what they’ve become, hampered by others’ expectations of them.

Although on one level this is the most stylish, impressive, influential movie ever made about a hooker, it’s really about disappointed people learning not to lie to themselves. You can’t love someone else until you learn to love, or at least accept, yourself. I also found it astounding how many different things you can get out of this movie at different times in your life.

The special edition packaging is deluxe, as expected. There’s a slipcase with an iconic image from the film on the front, and an eight-page booklet with photos and a short essay. The first disc contains the movie and a producer’s commentary. The second is all special features:

A reminiscence about the cocktail party that reunites many of the extras and actors from the scene.
A featurette on Henry Mancini’s music, including “Moon River”, of course, featuring his family.

A discussion of the “yellowface” Rooney character from an Asian perspective

A discussion of the “yellowface” Rooney character from an Asian perspective, which expands into a history of Asian portrayals in film. (KC wandered through when they were discussing George Takei’s Star Trek role as a breakthrough, and he said, “I don’t remember the starship scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”) This is the most interesting piece because it distinctly adds to an understanding of the movie and its time. The one thing lacking is that they don’t talk to Rooney about his opinion or why he took the role. Then again, I don’t know if he’d want to participate.
A quick tour of the Paramount studio lot.
A making-of that includes comments from director Blake Edwards.
A short piece about fashion and Audrey’s appearance.
Coverage of Tiffany’s history, plus a copy of a letter Hepburn wrote about the store.
The original trailer.

These are not fluffy five-minute bits included just to put something on the back of the DVD case. In some cases, I thought they could have used some editing — the new features go on quite a while covering their subjects in copious detail.

From the making-of down in that list, those extras were brought over from the Anniversary Collector’s Edition (2006). The commentary dates from that edition as well. That’s to be applauded, that the producers didn’t pick and choose to make the question of whether to upgrade difficult. This has become the definitive edition. (A complimentary copy for this review was provided by the studio.)

Deception

2009-05-07T23:21:00.001-07:00

My mom and I decided to watch Deception this afternoon. We’d seen a trailer for it when it was briefly in theaters in April, and it stars Hugh Jackman (who was also one of the six producers). We’re both big fans of his.

Deception
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Ewan McGregor plays a corporate auditor who gets corrupted by Jackman, a high-powered lawyer. This is completely unbelievable. For example, shortly after they meet, knowing nothing about each other, Jackman’s character is handing McGregor a joint. Giggling together becomes shorthand for bonding. I also found it a little hard accepting McGregor as a shy nerd after seeing so much of him rocking out in Velvet Goldmine.

It commits the cardinal sin of an erotic thriller: there’s no passion to it.

It’s a thriller with attractive people, but it’s so slow-paced that it had trouble keeping my attention, and for all the promise of the premise, about exploring sex clubs and boundaries, it’s very surface-based and cold. Everything’s filmed in darks and greys, and over a third of the way into it, nothing much had happened. It commits the cardinal sin of an erotic thriller: there’s no passion to it. No one gets hot and bothered, not on-screen, not off. It’s boring.

After the two guys accidentally switch cell phones (if you stop to ask, “does anyone really do that?”, you will not enjoy this movie, which is built on predictable coincidence; my mother reacted to one incident with, “why would he do that? that’s just dumb”), McGregor finds himself getting Jackman’s no-names-shared booty calls as part of “The List”, a way for high-powered rich people to hook up with no strings. Jackman does slick a little too well, meaning the viewer will find him suspicious from the start.

This is the director’s first feature after a career doing commercials, and that background matches the glossy montage of sex scenes. Michelle Williams (”that girl from Dawson’s Creek“, as we refer to her) is lovely as the femme fatale but isn’t called upon to do much other than look pretty so McGregor can fall for her. This movie probably would have been better watched in a theater than a living room. There, I wouldn’t have kept looking around thinking, “oh, it would be more interesting to watch that instead of this” or find something to read. I don’t mind a guilty pleasure watch, but this is just dull. And predictable.

For special features, the DVD has a director commentary, a making-of featurette, a “Club Sexy” featurette (an excuse to show clips from the film and have a therapist assert the existence of real-life sex clubs), and deleted scenes, including an alternate ending, with more commentary by the director. (A complimentary copy of this movie was provided by the studio.)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

2009-05-07T23:19:00.001-07:00

I saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull today, and my general reaction was that it was OK. It felt very much like the first movie, very familiar. There’s nothing wrong with consistency and following a successful formula, but I expected a bit more excitement, something a little new, something to get the adrenaline going. It’s very over-the-top, especially when it comes to “they survived what?” but in a way consistent with its history.

The only thing that surprised me was the very ending, and that only in a quiet, “that’s nice” kind of way. Everyone did a great job — Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood was my favorite — but it all felt a little tired. And the titular crystal skull, well, instead of awe at its introduction, I found myself thinking “what was that made of, plastic stuffed with tinfoil?” Shia LaBeouf did a decent job, although his role as written seemed like he should have been younger, due to all the “what’s that?” questioning, but then he couldn’t have driven the motorbike in a slow-feeling chase sequence. Cate Blanchett was wasted as a Communist Russian psychic scientist over-achiever.

I could predict when an action sequence was coming up, as things felt draggy up to then, and most of the thrill-chasing made me think, “that was written for either the video game or the theme park ride.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perfectly good way to spend a summer afternoon. It’s not annoying, hard to follow, pain-inducing, or borderline offensive, as many blockbusters risk becoming. That shouldn’t need to be said, but not falling into those categories sadly sets a movie apart positively.

It’s just, like its star, a little older and slower. And aggressively authentic: look, we’re really in the 50s! Look how much work we did in costume and hair and set direction and props! Look how hard we’re trying! Of course, they couldn’t get rid of the huge level of expectation they were facing, with 19 years gone and all — maybe this is what the fans want. It’s just not very believable — all those guns going at Indy running away in the first major chase sequence, and no one pegs him in his well-lit ass? What was with the groundhogs? And the monkeys with Shia playing Tarzan?

It should have been called “and the Lost City of Gold”, though — more in keeping with the whole franchise. And I still want to know what superpowers Indy got after that big boom.

Don’t get me wrong, I think if you’re at all interested, you should go see it. There are a lot worse ways to spend your movie ticket. On the movie scale, it’s not as good as Iron Man, but I wasn’t expecting it to be.

Swingtown

2009-05-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

I really liked Swingtown. I’m not particularly nostalgic for the 70s, especially not the chemically created clothing fabrics, but I enjoyed the characters and their interactions, and for a show that included wife-swapping, the messages were surprisingly positive.

Swingtown
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But before I get to those, the basics: Swingtown ran from June through September 2008 on CBS. It featured three couples in the summer of 1976:

The Millers, played by Molly Parker and Jack Davenport. They married young, just out of high school (with the later implication that it was because of an unexpected pregnancy), and as the show opens, they’re moving into a new, more upscale neighborhood. They have two children, a boy and a girl. Laurie, the older, is finishing up high school.
The Deckers, played by Lana Parrilla and Grant Show. The Millers’ new neighbors, a pilot and his former stewardess, have an open marriage and tend to throw parties where various combinations of people wind up making out in the pool or the basement “rec room”.
The Thompsons, played by Miriam Shor and Josh Hopkins. The Millers’ former neighbors are somewhat resentful of being left behind, and their more conservative take on life brings them into conflict with the Deckers.

The Thompsons, Deckers, and Millers enjoy the pool.

The situations feature the expected period locations and events — a disco, the Playboy club, a family lake cabin, a fondue party, pot brownies, visiting a therapist — and some impressive set dressing and costuming to capture the feel of the era. The soundtrack was pretty nifty, too, guaranteed to evoke memories from anyone who lived through the period.

The point of the show, though, was a bit deeper. The Deckers were shown as happy not because they slept around (joining the Millers in the pilot) but because they valued communication. Their lifestyle only worked because they put each other first and were honest about what they were feeling and what they wanted. When they made assumptions or forgot to check with each other, that’s when trouble occurred.

The Millers, on the other hand, were fascinated by the idea of another option. They’d done what they were supposed to all these years, and the question, “are you happy?” was something they’d ignored to make it work. They still loved each other, and choosing each other from more options reiterated that.

I was attracted to the idea that it’s ok to try different things, safely, if it made you happy and you were honest with your loved ones. The time period was one where previously outrageous ideas and changing times were working their way into the mainstream, as shown by the solid family suburbanites considering jobs for the wives. When the world around you is changing, it makes sense to reconsider what you’ve always taken for granted. The result is a greater sense of personal freedom and making the decisions that are right for you regardless of what others are doing.

That doesn’t necessarily have to be sexual. Janet Thompson, the perfect housewife, found herself supporting free speech at a fundraiser for Deep Throat’s Harry Reems and impressing a high-powered women’s group before starting her own career as an advice columnist. Later, she had to consider how her burgeoning career might conflict with her husband’s.

It wasn’t all sunbeams and nostalgia, either. The Millers’ son made friends with the new girl next door, a troubled child due to her mother overdoing all the classics: too many drugs, too much drink, and too many meaningless flings. Some may not like the idea shown that, for example, drug use on its own isn’t bad — it’s how you manage it that matters. Not everyone handles freedom responsibly, and making these kinds of choices maturely is more difficult than it looks.

I liked how the show was driven by the female characters, talking with each other about their wants and desires and fears. And I haven’t mentioned Laurie yet. It’s rare to see such a smart young woman on TV pursuing her own wants. She’s never told she needs to be prettier or more typical, and she finds a way to make a non-traditional relationship work out. She’s intense and driven but still enjoyable to watch.

This New York Times review also makes some great points.

Laurie Miller played by Shanna Collins

The first season DVD set (what optimistic labeling!) contains 13 episodes on four discs, plus these special features:

Commentary by Mike Kelley (Creator/Writer/Executive Producer) and Alan Poul (Director/Executive Producer) on the first and last episodes
Deleted scenes from four episodes
The Spirit of ‘76: The Making of Swingtown (23 min.), which explores the origin of the show, including how they dealt with the subject matter on network TV (since the show was originally intended for pay cable)
Have a Nice Revolution: Sex & Morality in 1970s America (12 min.)
Gag reel (5 min.)

I would love to see more of this series, but a continuation seems unlikely at this point. However, while the last episode did raise some open-ended questions — will one of the couples move for a job? how will another handle a new child? is the third cheating on each other? — I was satisfied with the amount of story we got and I consider this set pretty complete. I highly recommend it for some great storytelling set in a fascinating time period. (A complimentary copy for this review was provided by the studio.)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

2009-05-07T23:15:00.001-07:00

I saw X-Men Origins: Wolverine today, and overall, I enjoyed it. But then, I didn’t have very high expectations. As I jokingly Twittered, I got to see naked Hugh butt, so my time was well-spent.

I was a bit surprised that it was so much a straightforward action movie, without much of the humor and characterization that makes a film more attractive outside the core young male target audience. The action set pieces were well-done, but after a while, they almost became boring because there wasn’t enough other stuff to balance it.

To talk about it in more depth requires spoilers, after the break.

For instance, the history of Logan and Victor is all about “and then they fought in this war”. Didn’t they ever do anything else? There have been peaceful times in the world, right? Hugh did look terrific as a WWII grunt, though. And with so much experience, why did they always stay regular soldiers? Didn’t want the job of leadership?

About 45 minutes or more into the movie, I suddenly realized that we hadn’t seen any major character who didn’t have some kind of superpower. (With Stryker (Danny Huston), I rationalized that although he didn’t have powers, he was so much an evil mastermind that he fit right in.) So there wasn’t much balance with the lives of “normal” people. It made the characters more remote.

Similarly, there were only three women with lines (and only one at a time) until very near the end. I took that as another sign it was intended as a boy’s movie. I missed the more meaty female roles from the X-Men movies proper.

My friends had to tell me to stop giggling during the supposedly serious bits, but some of them… when Stryker tries to tell Logan to come back, and he responds with something about “you wanted the animal, now you’ve got him” and vows to come after him, it was straight out of a Rambo-esque 80s action thriller. Plus, it amused me that there were a few too many loving shots of the claws slowly extending. Symbolism much?

Given mutations, how can you have similar abilities run in a family? And I really didn’t need to see the mid-1850s “James Howlett” origin — it looked even dumber on-screen than it did on paper.

I liked seeing Gambit (Taylor Kitsch), but his presence was too often plot convenient instead of logical.

I found myself wondering about the mutants I’d never heard of before. John Wraith? Bolt? Was the Blob’s origin similar in the comics? Although I really liked Daniel Henney’s portrayal, I thought Agent Zero was the same as Deadpool. (I’d also really like to see Ryan Reynolds return in that role.) Oh, and was the kid with multi-color eyes anyone special?

Wolverine’s leather jacket got its own origin story, which was pretty unnecessary, but since they made such a big deal out of it … how does he get it back at the end, when he’s forgotten it ever existed?

I thought Hugh Jackman did a very decent job bringing some subtlety to the points where he’s doing more than being grumpy (most of the character as written). Every time Liev Schreiber (Sabretooth) was on-screen, I hated him, which suggests he was also doing his job well.

Afterwards, I went home and watched the first X-Men movie again, and it’s hard buying Wolverine as a small-town Alaska brawler after seeing him take down a nuclear plant tower. The scale of the films, having to be bigger and better as each movie comes out, doesn’t match the chronological order of the events within.

A Treasury of Victorian Murder — Recommended Series

2009-05-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

This graphic novel series presents the details of famous murder cases from long-ago eras, several of which are unsolved or contain a number of questions still unanswered. Because the mysteries are so old, instead of seeming creepy, the situations feel quaint, and the reader is flattered by having their interest assumed to be historical instead of prurient. Still, the motives are universal, and human nature no different from then to now. Think of this as a literary CSI.

A Treasury of Victorian Murder

A Treasury of Victorian Murder
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This anthology starts the series with three stories, as well as providing brief background on the era and its prominent personalities. The first story presents the unsolved Ryan murders, in which a quiet-living brother and sister are found with their throats cut. After that comes the longest piece, about Dr. Pritchard, arrested for poisoning his wife and mother-in-law. He appears to be a braggart and a fake, incompetent but too egotistical to realize it. The last story deals with a murderous widow seemingly driven mad by lust.

Jack the Ripper

Jack the Ripper
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Next, the series begins focusing on one case per volume, starting with the best-known unsolved series of Victorian murders. They’re presented in faux journal form, putting the emphasis on facts and details, including maps and the societal context of the region and the time. Specific attention is paid to the activities of the police and other officials.

All the various theories and possibilities are noted, with none particular deemed the correct one. This book is a handy primer to the case, even though all we have left this many years later is speculation.

The Borden Tragedy

The Borden Tragedy
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This book retells the slaying of Lizzie Borden’s parents, when a stifling Massachusetts summer was punctuated by the brutal double murder, with the story narrated by a hypothetical town inhabitant and friend of Lizzie. The contrast between the violence of the act and the reserve of a Sunday school-teaching spinster, combined with a number of mysterious happenings before the tragedy, add to the air of confusion surrounding the event.

After a list of questions that remain unanswered to this day, the book concludes with reproductions of newspaper articles from the time and a copy of Borden’s indictment. The back cover draws a number of parallels between this case and that of O.J. Simpson.

The Fatal Bullet

Subtitled “a true account of the assassination, lingering pain, death, and burial of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States, also including the inglorious life and career of the despised assassin Guiteau.” After that mouthful, what more to say?

The Fatal Bullet
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How about the contrast Geary draws between the two? Both were born in the Midwest, with strong strains of religious thought affecting them. Both dreamt of a larger role for themselves on a national stage. Garfield worked hard, studied, and served his community in government and in the Civil War. Guiteau griped, ran out on debts, cheated others, and mistreated the women who cared for him.

Guiteau eventually became a hanger-on, buttonholing Republican officials and boasting of his non-existent prospects. He pestered anyone he could find. Clearly, his opinion of himself was extremely out of sync with reality. (I would have found it unbelievable if I hadn’t met people like that, people convinced that their two-sentence conversation with (say) Joe Quesada made them a candidate to become the next big comic book writer.) After a revelation that the president was the only one standing in his way, Guiteau bought a gun and stalked Garfield for a month. The president suffered for over two months after the shooting before finally passing away.

The Mystery of Mary Rogers

The Mystery of Mary Rogers
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This 1841 unsolved murder inspired Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Mystery of Mary Roget”. Mary Rogers was a popular cigar salesgirl in New York City who had many suitors, some jealous. Her body was found floating off the Jersey shore; she’d disappeared a week before.

Official mistakes began early, with delays and odd omissions in collecting basic evidence. New York and New Jersey argued over who should handle the investigation, and the newspapers took up the case, fighting for sensational coverage. It wasn’t until a private reward was offered two weeks later that officials were goaded into beginning a proper investigation, which raised rumors of rape or a possible botched abortion.

If the reader wants an easy solution to the mystery, they will find this book (and series) frustrating. The concluding chapter sums up the many unanswered questions left sixteen decades later, and while several promising theories are presented, none is definitely shown as true. We’ll never know what happened to Mary Rogers; not all true-life stories have a conclusion or moral.

The Beast of Chicago

The Beast of Chicago
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H.H. Holmes, popularly known as America’s first serial killer, ran a rooming house that was a kind of murder factory during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. It’s still unknown exactly how many people he killed.

He started as a druggist in a Chicago suburb before constructing an unusual building, full of trap doors, air-tight windowless rooms, and a basement with a huge furnace. His “castle” had shops on the first floor, with offices and rooms for rent above. He was flirtatious, involving himself with a variety of women who were either working for his businesses as secretaries or renting rooms while visiting the exposition. Many of them disappeared after pressuring him or otherwise becoming annoying; others seem to have been experiments or sold as cadavers.

It’s disturbing to realize that such selfish destruction and mass murder schemes have a longer history than previously thought.

The Murder of Abraham Lincoln

The Murder of Abraham Lincoln
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Like Jack the Ripper, this is another extremely well-known case where people think they already know the history but likely aren’t aware of the details. Geary covers two months in 1865 during which a conspiracy was hatched, Lincoln was shot, the assassin was pursued, and the funeral train traveled through the country.

The book begins on March 4, 1865, when Lincoln was inaugurated into his second term as President and the Civil War was drawing to a close. The details Geary provides as context to the time are fascinating, a catalog of missed opportunities and “what if”s, and his retelling of Lincoln’s prophetic dream of his own assassination is chilling in its matter-of-fact presentation. Events unspool rapidly, with a number of unanswered questions summed up at the end, as is typical of the series.

The Case of Madeleine Smith

The Case of Madeleine Smith
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In 1857 Glasgow, Scotland, the 21-year-old Madeleine Smith was arrested for the arsenic poisoning death of Emile L’Anglier. She was a proper young lady, born into a well-off family and a graduate of a respected finishing school. She was also, apparently, bored with her lot in life, which basically consisted of waiting to be married to someone of the correct position.

Thus, she began a flirtation with Emile. The two caught each other’s eye while shopping in a fashionable district. An introduction was contrived, and soon they were sending letters and sneaking meetings after dark. He was only a clerk with a string of passionate but failed romances behind him, and a foreigner, too, which made him completely inappropriate for her.

In public, she was seen often with a much more respectable choice of fiancé. The assumption is that she became tired of Emile’s insistance on making their relationship public and decided to dispose of him, but history is undecided, and events take a surprising turn before the book ends.

The Saga of the Bloody Benders

The Saga of the Bloody Benders
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The subtitle tells us that the Benders were “the infamous homicidal family of Labette County, Kansas”, so the stage is set for creepy frontier murders. Suspense is unnecessary — we know what happens, we only want to learn how, how many, and why.

After opening with a brief history of Kansas statehood and homesteading, the crime is introduced: travelers through the area have been disappearing, and their absences gain attention in the media of the time. The Benders are four, representing themselves as mother, father, son, and lovely daughter. They run an inn and grocery store along a popular trail.

The details of meals, home-building, social events, and the like that make up daily life in the 1870s Midwest are what make the story chilling. Daughter Katie represents herself as a spiritualist and healer, but she seems more mentally ill than her potential patients.

Due to the neighborly tendency to think the best of people, it’s not until much later that everyone puts together the hints and odd behavior to realize the truth and discover the murdered bodies. (Although I have to wonder how many of the later “oh, that almost happened to me” stories were plausible and how many were exaggerated by those who wanted their share of the reflected infamy. Human nature doesn’t change that much over time, and I’ve seen what happens to a town where a normal-seeming person is revealed to be a serial killer.) Finally, mob justice runs rampant, with curious onlookers destroying the property for souvenirs and the family vanishing into history, leaving behind only skeletons and rumors.

The Series Overall

Geary’s unique, speckled art style looks like an old-fashioned pen-and-ink drawing, with thick lines and dark details. There’s no shading on the pages, just crosshatching to add weight to the settings and characters and lots and lots of lines to fill the shapes. The details make the stories real to the reader, and the people are often distinctive caricatures. The historical appearance echoes the content. His hand-done text is immediately recognizable, with slightly ball-tipped letters.

All the books in this series are well-researched, complete with bibliographies and hand-drawn maps. They provide fascinating views of different times and places, revealed through the worst of events. Geary also makes note of the surrounding culture, including popular entertainments and news of the day. Although lifestyles may have drastically changed, human passions remain timeless.

The NBM website has more information on this series. Geary created another historical comic series, Blanche Goes to New York, Blanche Goes to Hollywood (both from Dark Horse), and Blanche Goes to Paris (published by Headless Shakespeare Press). Geary also illustrated Cravan, about the life of a con artist, poet, and boxer who vanished in 1918.

Call for MOCCA Coverage

2009-05-07T23:10:00.001-07:00

I’m going to MoCCA for the first time!

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art is proud to announce MoCCA Festival 2009 will be held June 6th and 7th at the 69th Regiment Armory at Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in New York City.

Saturday only, but I’m looking forward to it!

If you or someone whose work you enjoy are exhibiting there, please let me know in the comments to this post! I’m making my list of people I must make sure to see.

Interview With Gina Biggs (Red String)

2009-05-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

I spoke recently via email with Gina Biggs, creator of Red String, a teenage love story set in Japan.

Congratulations on reaching your sixth anniversary creating Red String! When you started, did you expect to be going so long?

GB: Thank you so much! Honestly, no, but the more I would write for the planned story, the more the world of these characters opened up to me. I think it’s more that the characters lead me at this point. Late last year, I ended up expanding the planned story by one more volume (seven chapters) in order to flesh out a part of the story that really called for more attention.

How much longer do you plan to work on this story? Your website says 15 chapters to go, but how does that translate to months/years?

GB: Each chapter of the story takes about two months to complete on the site. I believe it works out to approximately two and a half more years of Red String, give or take. There might be a few side stories that pop up at some point, but not much else. I could keep going with the story, but one of the things I really appreciate in any form of literature is a beginning and an ending to a story.

What spurred your choice of this story? This format?

GB: I would have to say it started with my love of mythology. I am always reading up on folklore of other cultures. At the time, I was reading up on Japanese myths and the Red String of Fate caught my attention. It was just about this time that the TokyoPop RSOM contest was going on, so I created a story out of it. When I continued the story, it started to shift from a simple romance to a story about all forms of love.

Why do you think you’ve been able to continue so long? What do readers like about the comic?

GB: I think it’s continued so long for a good many reasons. It’s a story I have remained enthusiastic about after all this time, and I really enjoy writing the characters. Fan support has definitely helped keep me going as well. The thing I hear most from new readers is that they enjoy the realistic touch to the story, and they can really relate to the characters. There are a good handful of coincidences, but considering it’s a work of romantic fiction about fate, there are bound to be some of those. Otherwise, I try to write the story with the constant question of “could that really happen?” or “would that character really react that way?” on my mind. I like to think it helps keep the story grounded.

Your first three collections were published by Dark Horse, but you’re self-publishing the fourth. Why?

GB: First, I want to say that Dark Horse and I parted on excellent terms. The folks there are good people. The first volume’s sales performed on target, which is why they contracted me for the second and third volume. Unfortunately, sales of those volumes being what they were, a fourth volume was unlikely. I had also come to the conclusion that Red String would make enough money for me, but not enough for me AND a big publishing company.

Red String Volume 4 is due out this month, just in time for Animazement in Durham, NC. I will have copies with me at the convention, but you can also pick one up at my website.

Does the comic support you?

GB: I am making at least the same or a little more than when I was working retail, though not all of it comes directly from Red String. I do commissions occasionally and sell a good number of t-shirts and buttons unrelated to Red String at conventions.

Do you have a particular favorite page that you’ve done? Why is it your favorite?

GB: That’s a tough call! There are quite a few pages that stand out to me as favorites either for artists or emotional reasons, but I think it all comes down to love prevailing over everything else. In this instance, I’m not talking about romantic love. Miharu and her cousin have been at odds for quite a while in the series and this scene was something that really struck emotionally for me. Things may never be quite the same for the girls, they have overcome their problems and come together as family.

Did you get started doing Red String?

GB: Red String was not my first comic, but definitely my longest. I put together an anthology series titled Fractured Kisses, though admittedly, the art and writing is so dated at this point. Love of Sausage remains one of my most emotional pieces I have written as it is an autobiographical piece about my mini dachshunds, one who is sadly no longer with me. Aside from Red String, I am also currently working on a series titled Erstwhile. It is comic version of the lesser known fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.

What do you plan to do after Red String concludes?

GB: I am developing a few different story ideas at the moment. One of which is a fantasy tale and another is an American high school romance. I haven’t decided which will be my next webcomic, but I am excited about both ideas.

My thanks to Gina for her time!

2009-05-07T23:06:00.000-07:00

Aquaman 2-12 (1992)

The second and final year of this on-going Aquaman series had a largely consistent creative team, Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper and Bob Dvorak (with artist Vince Giarrano stepping in for one two-parter and Chris Schenck for the finale). And the stories were consistently sound.

As a whole though, the series is vanilla. Middle ground. Averagely average. Pick your cliche. The stories lacked the dynamic narrative and visual flair that great super-hero comics have. But McLaughlin told a variety of story types and generally avoided the excesses of bad Aquaman stories that had defined the character for nearly 15 years by this point.

The large, and never resolved, plot arc of the series was the war between the surface country of Oumland and Atlantis. Aquaman had the role of peacekeeper while characters in both countries tried to manipulate events to their advantage.

Although there are scenes of emotional impact, there just isn’t enough of the intangible “oomph” in the drama to raise the series to a level that makes it stick with the reader. When rereading the issues, I often found my mind wandering from the story.

Most of the lack of dynamic atmosphere is McLaughlin’s storytelling style, which isn’t frantic enough for a mainstream super-hero comic. The pacing is too often dry (pun completely unintended, I swear). And McLaughlin points the reader’s attention in too many directions at times. For example, when Black Manta attacks Atlantis in issue 6, McLaughlin takes readers to see what is happening from six different viewpoints - Aquaman’s Black Manta’s, Vulko’s, King Thesily, Tritonis army soldiers and an Atlantean family. All of that occurs in three pages. As the story was about Aquaman and Black Manta, not the extras, a more streamlined focus would have done wonders for the scene.

The art contributes to the laid-back atmosphere. Ironically, the techniques that made the art seem like realistic underwater scenes, also contributed to the overall lack of energy in the series. Though aesthetically pleasing, Hooper and Dvorak’s art lacked the flow an action scene requires to get a reader’s blood pumping. The subdued coloring also contributed to the paradoxically mellow atmosphere of a war saga.

There was also a fair amount of emphasis on the political machinations of Atlantis. That hoary plot is never looked upon with favor here at the Comic Treadmill. It’s an underwater kingdom. Embrace its fantastic aspects. Don’t give me a story of City Hall corruption that I can get from the local news.

It may seem like I’m dwelling on the negative, so let me make it clear that these were the first serial Aquaman stories I didn’t loathe since the late 1970’s. For the most part, McLaughlin treated the character of Aquaman with respect not as a Sub-Mariner clone or hothead whose temper could help create conflict that a writer would otherwise need to develop more subtly. And for that I commend McLaughlin.

There were some interesting characters tossed into the mix too. I don’t usually enjoy Atlantis-oriented stories, but the overall theme of Atlantis at war with a surface city was a good one, which would be revisited later in a subsequent Aquaman series. The issues which pushed the war into the background were the best of the bunch though, including a one-part land-based thriller with a Batman foe, an environmental-themed two-parter guest starring the Sea Devils and the finale, an off-beat tale featuring a reformed Scavenger and a terminally ill kid. The latter is justly treasured by many Aqua-fans.

And perhaps it’s just the Moby Dick fan in me, but I truly enjoyed the brief role that the otherwise throw-away villain Queequeg had in the story even if Aquaman defeated him without working up an underwater sweat. And how cool is it that McLaughlin intended to reveal Queequeq as a minion of a new O.G.R.E.? I'll field that one. It was Super Aqua-cool.

A quick Black Manta origin is also given for the first time, one which I believe has since been contradicted, which is okay, because all this origin entailed was establishing that Black Manta had been shanghaied as a boy on the Baltimore docks. Not overly inspiring.

Had McLaughlin been allowed time and given more editorial help (relations between McLaughlin and the editorial powers were shaky), it is likely that his pacing and flow skills would have matured and the plots would have stood out more clearly. But, that was not to be.

Here’s a link to an interesting interview the Aquaman Shrine had with McLaughlin about the behind the scenes thought process for these stories. The Unofficial Aquaman Website also has McLaughlin's thwarted plans for the series.

One of the many pieces of baggage that comes with being a fan of a fictional serialized adventure character is a personal list of foes that one either unreasonably thrills to see appear (I’m looking at you Fisherman) or whose presence ruins an entire issue. Thanatos is an example of the latter for me. And when he shows up in issue 7, I abandoned all hope for that month. And, personal bias included, this is the worst issue of the 13 in this run. It is a rote hero gets visited by the ghosts of his past. Dull, predictable and a pothole in the journey the series had been making.

The Thanatos story was Mera's only appearance in this run. I’m a tremendous fan of the Mera character, but her backstory is now so convoluted, that like Hawkman, the only thing to be done is explicitly pretend that 90% of it has never happened and move forward with the appealing aspects of the character.

The point of the Thanatos story was admirable - to resolve Aquaman’s anger and grieving issues once and for all. However, this has become an obligatory story for every Aquaman writer to tell. Aquaman rages, he repents and then by the next writer is back to raging again. Although writers may feel compelled to keep trying to get this one right, speaking for readers, I’d like you guys to show Aquaman isn’t a hot-headed jerk by example, not by an “afternoon special” one-shot that is forgotten by the next issue.

For another view on these issues, check out this page at The Unofficial Aquaman Website.

Finally, here are the Finny Friends from these issues. There aren’t many, but there is a newcomer as Moses Sole join the club. A fish that secretes shark repellent? Another contribution to my education by comic books.

Moses Sole – Secrete shark repellent to prevent rogue sharks from attacking Atlanteans during a time when the dome had been shattered (Aq 3 -1992)

Octopi – Grab underwater soliders (Aq 2 – 1992)

Squids, Giant – use tentacles to grab submarines attacking Atlantis (Aq 2 – 1992)

Surgeon Fish – Cut Black Manta’s suit open (Aq 6 – 1992)

Whales – Swamp beach fortification (Aq 2 – 1992)
-Attack Black Manta’s ship (Aq 6 – 1992)

Previous Aquaman Entries

Adventure Comics 124 (1948)

Adventure Comics 201 (1954)

Adventure Comics 203 (1954)

Adventure Comics 220, 222 (1956)

Adventure Comics 247-248 (1958)

Adventure Comics 251 (1958)

Adventure Comics 252, 254 (1958)

Adventure Comics 257, 262, 264 (1959)

Adventure Comics 266

Adventure Comics 268, 274, 279 (1960)

Adventure Comics 272 (1960)

Aquaman Archives - Adventure Comics 260-280, 282(2003)

Showcase 30 (1961)

Showcase 30-31

Aquaman 1-2 (1962)

Aquaman 3-6 (1962)

Aquaman 7-12 (1963)

Aquaman 13-15 (1964)

Aquaman 16-18 (1964)

Aquaman 19-21 (1965)

Aquaman 22-24 (1965)

Aquaman 25-27 (1966)

Aquaman 28-30 (1966)

Aquaman 31 (1967)

Aquaman 32 (1967)

Aquaman 33 (1967)

Aquaman 34-36 (1967)

Aquaman 37-39 (1968)

Aquaman 40-42 (1968)

Aquaman 43-45 (1969)

Aquaman 46-48 (1969)

Aquaman 49-52 (1970)

Aquaman 53 (1970)

Aquaman 54-56 (1970-71)

Adventure Comics 435-437 (1974-75)

Adventure Comics 441-442 (1975)

Adventure Comics 443-445 (1976)

Adventure Comics 446-448 (1976)

Adventure Comics 449-452 (1977)

Aquaman 57-58 (1977)

DC Special 28 (1977)

5-Star Super-Hero Spectacular (1977)

Aquaman 59-60 (Mera Back-Up) (1978)

Aquaman 59-61 (1978)

Aquaman 62-63 (1978)

Adventure Comics 460-463 (1979)

Adventure Comics 464-466 (1979)

World’s Finest 262-264 (1980)

Adventure Comics 475-478 (1980)

Action Comics 517-520 (1981)

Action Comics 527-530 (1982)

Aquaman 1 (1986)

Aquaman 2-4 (1986)

Aquaman Special (1988)

Aquaman Special & Aquaman 1-5 (1989)

Aquaman 1 (1991)

Aquaman 16-27 (1996)

Aquaman 50-62 (1998-1999)

Aquaman 20-27 (2004-2005)

Aquaman 29 (2005)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis 40 (2006)

Aquaman : Sword of Atlantis 41 (2006)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis 42-44 (2006)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis 40-49 (2006-07)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis 50-51 (2007)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis 52 (2007)

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis 57 (2007)

Aquaman Chronicles (2004)

Aquaman Chronicles, The 11 (2004)

The ridiculous and the sublime

2009-05-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

In reverse order:

Sublime:

Agents of Atlas

The top ten reasons why Agents of Atlas was the best miniseries - no, the best comic - of 2006:

10. It has a spy, a spaceman, a goddess, a mermaid, a robot, and a gorilla - all on the same team.
9. Dum Dum Dugan played by Sam Elliot.

8. There's no mention of Civil War.
7. The heroes drive an Edsel and a flying saucer.
6. Text pages!
5. The Yellow Claw stopped being a Fu Manchu ripoff and became a compelling character.
4. The whole series shows how you can do retconning while keeping the spirit of the characters and avoiding grim 'n' gritty for its own sake.
3. Kirk and Justice are wonderful storytellers as well as excellent draftsmen .
2. Jeff Parker has written the tightest and tidiest plot I have encountered since Body Heat.
1. It has a spy, a spaceman, a goddess, a mermaid, a robot, and a gorilla! No, I mean it, really - all on the same team!

Ridiculous:

Here's clip of the cover of Charlton Bullseye #1, the ill-considered 1981 attempt at a revival of Blue Beetle and The Question, and perhaps the worst comic of all time.

Yep, that's Vic Sage, fighting a robot shark.* Holy inappropriate adventures, Batman!

Anyway, I had to fly this weekend, and I saw this in the in-flight catalog, the one with travel alarms and automatic garden hose winders and wine racks shaped like French waiters:

Life imitates art! You could get a JLU action figure and recreate this stunning scene in all its, um, glory. (Heck, it'll probably be on YouTube next week.)

*Update: Chris Sims used to feature an interior clip from this comic on his front page.
I was going to provide a link as part of the post, but he no longer uses the picture.
Here's a link to Chris's Invincible Super-Blog anyway

Five-star review:

2009-05-07T23:02:00.001-07:00

Justice League: The new Frontier Special #1
by Darwyn Cooke, J. Bone, and David Bullock

1. This is not so much a review as a love letter. Darwyn Cooke just gets superheroes better than anyone else at DC and has a design sensibility and visual elan than I just can't get enough of.

2. Cooke's fight between Superman and Batman in the main story makes you realize just how silly and self-indulgent Frank Miller can be, and was even back in The Dark Knight Returns. Cooke, on the other hand, provides a slam-bang action story without sacrificing any character consistency. Cool beans, indeed.

3. I grow more and more in love with Cooke's Wonder Woman. Man-o-man, wotta woman!

4. The Robin and Kid Flash team-up tale was everything that I had hoped The Teen Titans Lost Annual was going to be, and wasn't. Haney's magic didn't survive him, and that post-mortem concoction just fell flat. This story, however, is an hommage, not a reproduction, and it positively zings; can you dig it, daddy-o?

5. The rest of the issue was full of more fun: a pitch-perfect Rip Hunter intro; a frothy, funny Wonder Woman-Black Canary-Gloria Steinem (!) team-up; some behind the scenes art from the New Frontier DVD; and the hidden jewel of the piece: a National Comics in-house ad from an Elseworld where John Henry and Martian Manhunter had their own ten-cent comics alongside Green Lantern.

Compare and contrast

I went to see the Persepolis movie today.

Y'know, I have to say that I was never a big fan of the book. It was the Seattle Public Library's "Everybody Reads" pick a few years back, and I even gave a talk on "How to Read a Graphic Novel" in conjunction with that event that used the memoir as its centerpiece, but I never really thought it was that good. Marjane Satrapi clearly has a compelling story to tell; I just don't think that she is that accomplished as a storyteller. The book doesn't really exploit the potential of the form, the art doesn't captivate me, and the story seems to just chug along without much momentum. Maybe I'm missing something, but I never quite got what all the fuss was about.

The film, on the other hand, has some magical moments, is beautifully visualized, and has condensed the story into a tighter narrative arc that moves briskly. It was not a great film, but surely a good one. When I came home, I took another look at the books, and realized that the parts that seemed to work the best for me on the screen were those parts that deviated the most from Satrapi's original vision on the page. I don't know if she just had wonderful collaborators or if film is her true medium, but the movie is so much better than the comic that it is hard to figure out. I'll have to give this a lot more thought (and maybe ask my students!).

Meta

It seems this little corner of the blogoverse must have passed some sort of threshold, because I am starting to get some solicitations for reviews, which has never happened before. This really isn't primarily a "new stuff" blog, so I don't think I'll be going that way, but I wanted to share a piece of the latest request I got, verbatim:

I was wondering if you would be interested in reading it and perhaps giving it a review on your "internet web-log."

So, is that the subtlest irony ever or genuine? Posted by Walaka at 6:00 PM 1 comments

2009-05-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Giant-Size Incredible Hulk #1
Marvel: July, 2008
Roger Stern, Writer;
Zach Howard & Cory Hamscher, Artists

I was killing a little time in the LCS the other day when I saw this book on the rack; the cover was compelling. I hadn't read any Hulk books in at least a decade, but here he was, on the front of a comic, beautifully drawn (by cover artist Gary Frank), and in classic form. I had seen covers and illustrations of Hulk over the past few years in a t-shirt, a tuxedo, a gladiator outfit, and who knows what-all. To see him in the traditional ripped purple pants, thooming his way through what could easily be Monument Valley, brought back fond memories, and the book didn't seem to be part of any bigger saga (it even said "one-shot" on the cover). I flipped through it: the art didn't suck and there was a reprint in the back. I bought it, even at $3.99

It was totally cool.

I don't know if this is some kind of under-the-radar tie-in to the new movie or what, but the story is an episodic overview of Greenskin's career and would completely fill a new reader in on the character; for me, it was more of a refresher course and a current-continuity-check. I don't know how much they're left out, but it sure reads like 1978 wasn't thirty years ago.

Stern, who was a Hulk writer back in the day, gives us a framing sequence courtesy of Fred Sloan, an ex-hippie writer who was apparently a temporary part-time Hulk sidekick at some point when I wasn't reading the series. While researching his second book on the Hulk, Sloan encounters minor characters from Hulk's past adventures, each one providing a different perspective on both the myth and reality of the Green-skinned Goliath. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner is having his own current adventure, hulking out during a restaurant robbery and encountering plenty more action afterwards. Stern ties the two threads together very satisfactorily and gives us a final scene that captures the essence of what the Hulk TV series did best: portray the haunted journey of Bruce Banner. The narration from the three final panels is as touching and apt a description of that Jekyll-Hyde relationship as any I have ever read.

But as textured as the writing is, Stern doesn't leave out that all important Hulk Smash! action. In the present day, we get to see Hulk make quick work of armed robbers, scare a bear, smack a Winnebago, destroy a logging operation, punch a van, and leapfrog from the mountains to the California coast; in flashbacks, he smashes a statue, smashes a jeep, fights a bunch of soldiers, saves a school bus, and beats up some rednecks.

Through it all, Hulk displays the personality I remember best: not too bright, generally good-willed, but proud, easily annoyed, and quick to anger.

The art by Howard and Hamscher can be a little dicey at times, with some odd proportions and perspectives, but they have a great design sense: the flashback scenes are not only colored differently (kudos to Lovern Kindzierski) but also rendered differently, with thicker outlines and some Kirbyesque touches that evoke the Silver Age source material perfectly.

All that would have been enough to make me happy for my four bucks, but I also got to read a Stern & Byrne Champions-era Hulk story, guest-starring two members of that team, Iceman and Angel. However competent a story this is (and it is), it was really nothing but a nostalgia-wallow for me, getting to see Warren Worthington with his gold chain and suave moves, Bobby Drake feeling and acting awkward, Doc Samson with Hulk on the couch, Hulk pounding Samson into the ground like a tent peg, Jim Wilson calming Hulk down, and all the heroes taking on a Sentinel (after the ol' get-Hulk-involved-by-pissing-him-off ploy).

As much as the back-up was a trip down memory lane for me, I really do think I enjoyed the main story on its own merits and not just for its evocation of the "the way things were when I liked them," although I am willing to admit to a strong bias in that direction. Nonetheless, I can state categorically that this is one of the few mainstream comics that I have looked at lately that I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen reading: there's no gratuitously graphic violence, no objectification or T&A, no hard-ass grittiness to prove how "adult" the material is. And most of the people in the stories are regular folks - this isn't a cape-fest. It was just good funnybook material.

Incredible, indeed.

POSTER JIPLAKAN!!!

2009-05-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

Kata siapa film Indonesia udah maju? Emang sih, secara kuantitas saat ini film Indonesia lebih banyak daripada 10 tahun yang lalu. Tapi secara kualitas? Haduh, mending pikir2 dulu deh.... Kayak yang ini nih. Bikin poster aja ampe jiplak sama film luar. Malu dong... Pokoknya mirip banget... Gak pecaya? Nih buktinya...

ternyata bukan hanya poster yang mirip or ngejiplak
film film and sinetron banyak juga loh yang nyontek...
nih list nya...

1.12 Lilin=High School Musical (Disney’s Movie)
2.Anakku bukan Anakku=Lakorn (Thai serieal)
3.Atas Nama Cinta=Stair Way to Heaven (K-drama)
4.Azizah=Maria Cinta yang Hilang (Telenovela)
5.Baby Doll=Love Strom (T-drama)
6.Balikin Body Gue Donk!(FTV)=Wish Upon a Star (Hollywood Movies)
7.Bawang Putih,Bawang Merah=Hana yori dango (J-dorama)50% jiplak
8.Bawa Aku ke Surga=Fly me To Polaris(T-Movie)
9.Benci Bilang Cinta=Princess Hours (K-drama)
10.Benci jadi Cinta=My Girl (K-drama)
11.Benar-benar Cinta=Devil Besides You (T-drama)
12.Beruntung, Gue banget!=Just My Luck (Hollywood Movie)
13.Bias-Bias Kasih (1996)=Silk / Cinta Selembut Sutra (Singapore series)
14.Bintang=Princess Pearl (T-drama)
15.Bodyguard Jatuh Cinta=A Love to Kill (K-drama)
16.Bukan Diriku=Anything for You (J-dorama)
17.Buku Harian Nayla=1 Litre of Tears (J-dorama)
18.Bumbu-Bumbu Cinta=Corner With Love (T-drama)
19.Bunga Jomblo Forever(FTV)=Never Been Kissed (Hollywood Movie)
20.Cahaya=Yokohama (Manga karya Waki Yamato)
21.Candy=Candy-Candy (anime manga)
22.Cewekku Jutek=My Sassy Girl (K-Movie)
23.Cewek Gue Norak Sekali!(FTV)=My Dream Girl (T-Movie)
24.Cincin=Beautiful Days (K-drama)
25.Cinderella Boy=Hanazakarino Kimitachihe (T-drama & J-dorama)
26.Cintaku Kau dan Mama=The Classic (K-Movie)
27.Cintaku tipe B=My Boyfriend is Tipe B (K-Movie)
28.Cinta 100 hari=100 Days with Mr. Arrogan (K-drama)
29.Cinta 117kg=200 Pouds Beauty (K-Movie)
30.Cinta Bunga=Maria Mercedess
31.Cinta Fitri=Pure Of Love 19 (K-drama)
32.Cinta Gak Kemana (FTV)=(Bollywood Movie)
33.Cinta Itu Gak Buta=Love Needs Miracle (K-drama)
34.Cinta Kelas Atas=The OC (Hollywood series)
35.Cinta Mutiara=Ashita No Nadja (Anime)
36.Cinta Rasa Mocca=Beauty&the Beast (K-drama)
37.Cinta Remaja=Sassy Girl Chunhyang (K-drama)
38.Cinta Untuk Cinta=Just Like Heaven (Hollywood Movie)
39.Ciuman Pertama=Itazura Na Kiss (J-dorama)
40.Cowok Impian=It Started with a Kiss (T-drama)
41.Cucu Menantu=Golden Era of Daughter in Law (K-drama)
42.Darling=My Name Is Kim Sam soon (K-drama)
43.Demi Cinta=Endless Love (K-drama)
44.Dewi..diramal mati=Beyond The Sea (Manga)
45.Diva=Esmeralda (Telenovela)
46.De Nany=The Nany (Hollywood)
47.Dua Hati=Snow Angle (T-drama)
48.Dua Hati Satu Cinta=Romance In The Rain (T-drama)
49.Eneng=Doraemon (anime)
50.Fajar=Hello God (K-drama)
51.Good Boy vs Good Girl (FTV)=Karekano (Anime)
52.Guruku Jagoan=Gokusen (Manga)
53.Hari Potret=Harry Potter (Movie)
54.Idola=High School Musical (Disney’s Movie)
55.Impian Cinderella=Prince Who Turned Into a Frog (T-drama)
56.Inikah Cinta=Meteor Garden (T-drama)
57.Intan=Be Strong Geum Soon (K-drama)
58.I Love U, Bos!=Bright Girl’s Success story (K-drama)
59.Jangan Rebut Suamiku(1997)=Romance (Singapore series)
60.Jangan Pisahkan Kami=Endless Love (K-drama)
61.Janji=Terms of Endea-gement (K-drama)
62.Janji Jaya=My Name Is Kim Sam soon (K-drama)
63.Jelita=Rosalinda (Telenovela)
64.Jodoh Romantis=Romance (K-drama)
65.Jonathan Mulya dan Alyyssa Soebandono(Judul Lupa)(FTV)=A Walk To Remember (Hollywood Movie)
66.Juwita Jadi Putri=Princess Diary (Hollywood Movies)
67.Kacang panjang&Kurcaci=Lovely Complex (J-Movie)
68.Kakak ipar ku 17thn=My Sister in Law is 19 (K-drama)
69.Kalau Cinta Suka Kamu=Orange Boys (T-drama)
70.Kasih=person I love (K-drama)
71.Katakan Kau Mencintaiku=Sad Love Song (K-drama)
72.Kau Masih Kekasihku=At The Dolphine Bay (T-drama)
73.Kekasih=East Of Eden/Could Stair Way (K-drama)
74.Kenapa Gue Gak Boleh Jatuh Cinta=Lovely Rival’s(k-m0vie)
75.Ksatria Banjaran=Mulan (Disney’s Movie)
76.Kugapai Cintamu=Stairway to Heaven (K-drama)
77.Ku tak bisa jauh darimu=Tadakimi Wo Aishiteru (Manga)
78.Ku Tunggu Kau di Pasar Minggu(FTV)=Love me If you dare(French Movie)
79.Legenda Putri Ayu Kencana=Star Dust
80.Liontin=Glass Shoes(K-drama)
81.Love=The Outsiders (T-drama)
82.Luna&Aina=Popcorn (Manga/Anime)
83.Mamamia (FTV)=Because I Sad so (Hollywood Movie)
84.Mata Setan=The Eye (Thai Movie)
85.Mawar=One Million Rosses (K-drama)
86.Melati untuk Marfel=I Hate U But it’s Fine (K-drama)
87.Menanti Keajaiban Cinta=Silent (T-drama)
88.Mencari Tari (FTV)=Serendipty (Western Movie)
89.Mendadak Kawin=Wonderful Life (K-drama)
90.Mini=Min-Min (Manga)
91.Miracle=Final Destination (Hollywood Movie)
92.Museum Spooky=Night at The Museum (Hollywood Movie)
93.Mutiara=Popcorn (Manga/Anime)
94.Mutiara Hati=Carita de Angel (Telenovela)
95.Nona=Pure Love of 19 (K-Drama)
96.Nona Dewa=Lady Oscar (Manga)
97.Olivia=She’s The Man (Hollywood Movie)
98.Opera SMU=Great Teacher Naomi (J-dorama)
99.Pacarin Gue Kalo Berani=My Tutor Friend (K-Movie)
100.Pacarku Besar Sekali=My Name Is Kim Sam soon (K-drama)
101.Pacarku Bukan Istriku=Come back Soo Ae (K-drama)
102.Pacarku miliyader(FTV)=Marrying a Millionaire (K-drama)
103.Pacarku Pendek Sekali=Lovely Complex (J-Movie)
104.Pacar Pilihan=Lovers In Paris (K-drama)
105.Pacar untuk calon kakak iparku (FTV)=10 Things I Hate About You (Hollywood Movie)
106.Pangeran Penggoda=Devil Besides You (T-drama)
(mnurut Leo (produser) Pangeran Penggoda & Penyihir Cinta memiliki izin resmi)
107.Pasangan Heboh=Fantastic Couple (K-drama)
108.Patah Hati? Capek deh!=John Thucker must die (Cookies)
109.Pelangi di matamu I=Hoshi No Kinka (J-dorama)
110.Pelangi di matamu II=Kamisama Mou Sukoshidake (J-dorama)
111.Peluk Aku 3 menit(Cookies)=Millionaire’s First Love (K-drama)
112.Pembantu Milliader=Fantasy Couple (K-drama)
113.Pengantin Remaja=My Little Bride (K-drama)
114.Penyihir Cinta=Magician Of Love (T-drama)
115.Pura-pura Kawin=Full House (K-drama)
116.Putri Kembar=Twin/100 Senorita (T-drama)
117.Putri Yang Terbuang=Putri Bunga Persik (Classic Chinese Series)
118.Radit dan Jani=Bonnie and Clyde (Hollywood Movie)
119.Rahasiaku=Kalhoonahoo (Bollywood)
120.Rahasia Pelangi=Love a part a moment (T-drama)
121.Ratu=Snow Queen (K-drama)
122.Romantika Remaja=John Tucker must die (Hollywood Movie)
123.Safira=Florecita Cinta yang Hilang (Telenovela)
124.Sekar=Golden Bride (K-drama)
125.Siapa Takut Jatuh Cinta=Meteor Garden 1 (T-drama)
126.Sissy Putri Duyung=Aqua Marine (Hollywood Movie)
127.So what gitu loch!=FRIENDS (Hollywood series)
128.Sujudku=Rosalinda (Telenovela)50% jiplak
129.Sumpah Gue Sayang Lo!=Smiling Pasta (T-drama)
130.Tabir Asmara(FTV)=What Lies Beneath (Hollywood Movie)
131.Terpikat=Kuch Kuch Hotahae (Bollywood)
132.Tiara=Kabut Cinta/Qing shen2 you meng2 (China)
133.Wulan=Yellow Handkerchief (K-drama)
134.Legenda Ular putih=White snake Legend (T-drama)
135.Istri untuk suamiku=chori" chupke" (bollywo0d series)
136.Suci=oshin (j-d0rama)
137.Nikita=Your My dEstiny (k-drama)
138.Vj ram0n&revalina (jdul Lupa)(ftV)=secret L0ve (j-dorama)
139.CokLat strawberRy=strawberRy n c0kLat (sPanish)
140.naDia vega (jdul Lupa)(Ftv)=what a Girl want (h0llyw0od m0vie)