Collections: Alan Moore - Superman Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?

I've had this hard back collection of DC Universe by Alan Moore for quite a while now but haven't had a chance to read it until recently and I have to say, I'm super impressed.  Obviously Alan Moore is a HUGE name in comic books but outside of Watchmen I haven't really read much of his work.

This collection is mostly single or back to back issues that have self contained stories from Detective Comics, Green Lantern Corps, Phantom Stranger, Vigilante and more.  Each of these is unique and stand out from nearly any other comic plot you would have read in those particular titles at the time, which is what makes these SO good.  The stand out story for me though? Superman #423 and Action Comics #583: Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?

This was a very candid look at the Superman Mythos.  While some of it takes a more comical look at some of the more ridiculous aspects of the Superman story like his highly sophisticated disguise:

The story really digs into Superman's psyche when, along with all his enemies finally taking off the kid gloves, he gets an ominous visit from some friends from the future and he begins to realize that something more than the standard evil plot is afoot:

Can you imagine Superman crying?!?  This is something that, to me, does something it's very hard to do with Superman, it humanizes him.  Another thing that lends an amazing edge to this story is the fact that it's all coming from a newspaper interview between a Daily Planet writer and the one and only Lois Lane.  This fact allows for the perfect pacing, hitting all the highlights and moving the story forward without the reader feeling like they've missed too much detail in between.

Part two moves us back into the more typical feeling of Superman plots, which isn't to say it's less than part one but it moves us into the fight for Superman's life and the battle ensues!  Supe's is trapped under an impenetrable energy done (naturally) with only his friends.  So we see Jimmy and Lana power up and give us a flash back to some team ups from the past:

Next the most surprising of all the fight scenes, sweet Lana damn near karate chops Luther's head off!

However the victory is short lived and after the defeat of Jimmy and Lana, next we see the most courageous and saddest two panels ever:

First Superman is crying, now I'm crying!  How am I supposed to keep reading after this!?!  I don't remember how but somehow I wiped away the tears and pulled myself together enough to keep turning the pages.

Now after all the above amazingness the story ends with a bit of a cliche in my opinion.  We find out that the little funny midget from the 5th dimension is actually a super demon who's orchestrated this entire production...

 ...and to save his friends our hero is forced to murder the little bastard.  Now while you and I would do this with no shame and sleep like a baby afterwards, Superman cannot bear that he's taken a life and makes his decision to end it all:

So it seems we've seen the last of Superman.  Or have we?

So, after a spectacular story that examines the humanity of a super powered indestructible alien and his impact on his adopted homeland including the people he loved, the story falls a little flat in the end.  But all good things must come to an end (don't you hate that saying?!).  Don't take my word for it though, go find it in your local comic shop and see what you think.  I for one will be checking out some more of Alan Moore's work thanks to this collection.

(I couldn't decide which sign off to use so I'm writing them both and you can choose)

Praying that if I have children they can make diamonds out of coal,
or
Hoping that I never have to decide to trade my super powers for a porn stash,
~Steve

Jack Kirby's Forth World - The New Gods

Recently I've been reading some of the many stories that have come out of Jack Kirby's Forth World.  Stories of The New Gods!  I still don't really know where to rate many of these characters in the DC Universe since among the other more well known main stream characters some of them seem abstract at best but some of these stories are really great.  Darkseid is the most well known of the characters in these stories since he's been the big bad in many huge DC plots but some of these other lesser known characters like Big Barda, Orion & Mr. Miracle have really been amazing to read.  Anyways not much to really say here except if you haven't checked out any stories of the New Gods you definitely should, especially if you're a Kirby fan!  Here are some nod's to Kirby's work that can be found in a collection of art done by some other well known artists in dedication to Jack Kirby and his amazing work on these characters called Jack Kirby's Forth World Gallery:

As always wishing I could actually draw,
~Steve

Marvel Corner Box Variant Covers

I dig this idea!  Usually I couldn't care less about variant covers (unless they're done by Alex Ross) but this I can get into.  The corner box art seen on marvel comics of old is totally dismissed as insignificant when it comes to comic book covers but I've always disagreed and I'm glad to see that obviously others do too!

If you're wondering, "What's a cover box", here's what I'm talking about.  This is the cover box from Amazing Spider-Man #252:

So coming up this next February we should see some Variants coming out imitating and celebrating these little pieces of art so often overlooked!  Here's a couple previews:

 For a full list of comics that are going to include these variants, check out the CBR article Cover Box Variants!

Loving a nod to the old school,
~Steve

Rant - Rewriting the US Tax Code

It's my personal belief that as a representing Geek it's my responsibility to constantly increase my knowledge in all things and to do that you have to read more than just comics (unfortunately).  Today the Wall Street Journal's article titled, "Years of Turmoil Forged Tax Plan" just sent me over the edge.  Here's how it starts:

"Republicans' race to rewrite the U.S. tax code on the heels of this month's election relies on years of work that is suddenly and quite unexpectedly poised to pay off.  A 2017 tax overhaul would be a case study in the benefits of dead ends and behind the scenes preparation.  Failure would show again how hard it is to reshape the U.S. tax system, even with rare political momentum and one-party control of government.  Republicans have long sought a rate-lowering, base-broadening revamp of the tax code, fusing differing business interests within the GOP coalition.  Corporation would get a rate cut and lighter taxes on foreign income.  So would small businesses, who report profits on their owners' individual tax returns.  Individuals would get those lower rates and simpler annual tax filing."

I read this and thought to myself, how can anyone read this and not be super frustrated?  To me this entire intro points to everything that is wrong with the party division currently in place in our government.  To this point I refer to one section:

"Republicans have long sought a rate-lowering, base-broadening revamp of the tax code, fusing differing business interests within the GOP coalition."  

This is why the government does not function.  The tax code applies to ALL Americans not just those in the GOP!  Look I'm Republican with a hard lean towards Libertarian and this just pisses me off.  How about approaching a problem from the aspect of the all the people of America?  Every single item being considered to become law these days has one common underlying theme; it greatly benefits the party backing it and spits in the face of the others.  Here is an idea, how about we begin writing laws that improve the lives of all American people?  Not just some, not just a minority group, not just a political party but the entire county.  No?  Too controversial?

Look I know it's not easy, in fact it's very difficult and of course I realize pretty much anything you put on the table will benefit one group of people while alienating another but my point is that things can be put in place to benefit the greater good and not shit on everyone else.  These two major parties are spending an immense amount of time and tax payer money wasting time developing legislature that only serves their interests and will never make it into law; and even though this tactic fails over and over we continue to keep doing the exact same thing.  Isn't that the definition of something?

I know there are many variables and things that need to be considered in this process that I'm not discussing here.  However, if the people running this government could just focus their energy into leading this country toward improving the social, financial and moral standing of all it's people and away from the self serving roots that poison the system and bring progress to a screeching halt, we could be on our way to actual change.

Hoping to one day see this change,
~Steve

New Justice League Dark Animated Film

Looks awesome!  And yeah, it's a cartoon.  Cartoons can be cool.  I swear!

Hoping I never grow out of a good cartoon,
~Steve

1991 Marvel Universe II Trading Cards

I was so stoked to see a list from CBR rating the best of the 1991 Marvel Universe Trading card sets!  I absolutely loved to collect these when I was a kid.  Remember this was before the craze of "collectible card games" hit the comic shop scene.  These days when someone says "Magic" in a comic shop you can be pretty sure they're talking about Magic The Gathering card game but in those days either someone was talking about a Dr. Strange comic or a dude making a living pulling a rabbit out of his hat at kids parties.

I remember it like it was yesterday (I know that is a common saying but now that I really think about it, as I recall this memory I'm VERY aware it was over two decades ago): saving my lunch money to buy a card pack next time I get to go to the comic shop, going through the box to try to pick the pack that for sure has the cards you don't already have, opening it to be overwhelmed by the smell of new cardboard and ink, rushing through the cards to see which new ones you got and then meticulously reading every word and carefully adding it to your collection making sure not to bend the corners as you put it in it's designated sleeve. *sigh* Good times.

This particular card set had a special detail added that was new: character power ratings!  Not only was it a cool new feature but these cards became the ultimate resource to consult when arguing with your buddies about who would beat who in a battle to the death between your favorite heroes and villains!  So when some jerk would come along and say Daredevil could totally beat up Spider-Man BAM!  Immediately race to the geek cave to consult the cards!  All these kids with their smart phones and tablets don't know what fun they're missing ;)

Check out the articles Marvel Trading Cards: 15 Greats from Marvel Universe II and Marvel Trading Cards: 15 Greats from Marvel Universe I for more info and pictures!

Am I ashamed of the fact that I own every single card in this series and the 1990 series?  NO!  But if you ask my wife she might give you a different answer.

Going home to flip through the collection and reminisce,
~Steve