I'm working my way through Daredevil Season 2 right now. Currently five episodes in, so haven't hit the oversaturation of ninjas I remembering hearing about (and am kind of dreading since Daredevil vs. ninjas is not one of my favorite things). I have generally enjoyed the Punisher, although him opening fire inside a hospital was a little jarring. Ennis' hyper-competent, extremely methodical version had taken deeper root than I thought. I've definitely liked Foggy Nelson so far, trying to stand up for the right thing even while being terrified. And they aren't playing some triangle thing where he's jealous of Matt and Karen; rather he's working to help nudge them together.
But let's talk about shaving, or not shaving, since Matt doesn't seem to be on speaking terms with his razor. He was in the flashbacks with Elektra, but in the present day, looking kind of scruffy. Maybe that's my bias, I tend to think of people with the stubble or that are on their way to having a beard as being scruffy. Mostly because I let myself get that way all the time, and I know it's because I can't be bothered to shave more than once every 4 days. Matt has to appear in court occasionally, and I don't know if juries respond well to scruffy attorneys.
Then I considered that Matt might not shave because, with heightened senses, including presumably the sense of touch, shaving might be really unpleasant. I know it's generally portrayed that Matt has learned how to tune out a lot of what he perceives because otherwise he'd go nuts. But early in the morning, after a long night of jumping around rooftops punching people, he might not be able to focus as well, and the sensations would be much closer and harder to ignore. It's been a long time since I bothered to use aftershave, but it wasn't enjoyable when I did. There's razor burn, or actually cutting yourself if you aren't using an electric razor. Maybe the smell of shaving lotion is just too potent, makes him nauseous in the morning. Admittedly, Matt gets beat up, cut, or shot on an almost nightly basis, and New York is no fragrant rose, but he probably doesn't want to start the day with more unpleasantness. He's trying to pull himself together for another day of playing a mild-mannered, sightless lawyer.
Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Monday, October 07, 2013
The Last Outpost
My dad included one of those 10-packs of war movies. The kind that aren't good enough or well-known enough to merit their own release. There isn't much that looked promising, but The Last Outpost had Cary Grant and Claude Rains in a competition for better mustache, so it had more going for it than most.
I think Grant's is a little better, but I'm not a fan of mustaches that stop before the edges of your mouth. Rains' is more essential to his look, though. And that's enough of an excuse to use the hair tag. Twice in less than a week!
Grant plays British officer Andrews, captured during World War 1 in Kurdistan, and Rains is the British Intelligence officer Stevenson who rescues him by pretending to be a Turkish officer. They successfully move an entire village and their livestock across a mountain range to safety, though Andrews keeps raising Stevenson's ire by playing patty fingers with the village leader's wife.
Grant fractures his leg during all this, and is sent to a hospital in Cairo to recuperate, where he meets lovely nurse Rosemary Haydon (Gertrude Michael) he starts to woo. Stevenson returns to the field, providing intel that leads to a major British victory. As a reward, he gets six months' leave, and returns to Cairo to see his wife, who, to the surprise of no one, is Rosemary Haydon. She eventually confesses all this, and when she reveals the name of the man she's fallen for, well Stevenson is a bit cross. Rosemary and Andrews can be say they didn't know (she hadn't seen Stevenson in three years, thought he was dead), but he's seen how much a woman being married matters to Andrews, so he doesn't buy it. He sets out after Andrews, who has returned to active duty, and is trying to defend a fort from a large force of warriors. Given that the warriors were depicted as black men, most of them with shields and spears, I'm guessing Andrews was sent into sub-Saharan Africa. Stevenson finds him, but has to decide between revenge and duty, that sort of thing.
It's certainly not the best work Grant or Rains ever did. Grant doesn't get to do much other than alternate between flirtatious and gallant. Gertrude Michael had some potential in her character, but doesn't really get enough time (the movie is about 70 minutes) to do anything with it. She's a woman moved to Cairo then abandoned by her husband. He didn't do it willingly, but he did take off, and hasn't contacted her in three years. So she started working as a nurse, trying to cope with her loneliness, met a guy who charmed her, and then her husband comes back, and everything's changed. Except he doesn't really see it. But she's really only there for the middle of the story, and gets tossed aside once Rains sets off after Grant.
Rains gets a bit more depth, since you can tell he takes his work seriously. But it isn't so much about winning the war as saving lives. To that end he can be harsh and uncompromising, especially when faced with betrayal, but at his core, he wants to protect people if he can. The problem is when he gets to Cairo, he goes a bit overboard with regards to Rosemary. Some of it is making up for lost time, trying to pick up where they left off, but he also underestimates how strong she is. Doesn't recognize that she's grown from the woman he knew, I guess. When she passes out at the sight of him, and the matron of the hospital comments on the strain Rosemary seemed to be under until recently, he remarks that she should never have been working at all. Or perhaps she just needed to know you were still alive and thinking of her, Stevenson.
As unsympathetic as all that could make him seem, Rains is able to show a vulnerable core inside Stevenson, one that he's protected with stiff upper lip and thoughts of duty, but is in serious danger of cracking now that he's home. He really needs Rosemary, which adds a little something to her story because she feels that pull, that he could fall apart if he sees that he's lost her because of his work, but she can't change how she feels. So there was some narrative meat there, if the movie had given it more time to shine, but this wasn't the movie for that. Or for a more nuanced view of the non-white folk the British were fighting, for that matter.
I think Grant's is a little better, but I'm not a fan of mustaches that stop before the edges of your mouth. Rains' is more essential to his look, though. And that's enough of an excuse to use the hair tag. Twice in less than a week!
Grant plays British officer Andrews, captured during World War 1 in Kurdistan, and Rains is the British Intelligence officer Stevenson who rescues him by pretending to be a Turkish officer. They successfully move an entire village and their livestock across a mountain range to safety, though Andrews keeps raising Stevenson's ire by playing patty fingers with the village leader's wife.
Grant fractures his leg during all this, and is sent to a hospital in Cairo to recuperate, where he meets lovely nurse Rosemary Haydon (Gertrude Michael) he starts to woo. Stevenson returns to the field, providing intel that leads to a major British victory. As a reward, he gets six months' leave, and returns to Cairo to see his wife, who, to the surprise of no one, is Rosemary Haydon. She eventually confesses all this, and when she reveals the name of the man she's fallen for, well Stevenson is a bit cross. Rosemary and Andrews can be say they didn't know (she hadn't seen Stevenson in three years, thought he was dead), but he's seen how much a woman being married matters to Andrews, so he doesn't buy it. He sets out after Andrews, who has returned to active duty, and is trying to defend a fort from a large force of warriors. Given that the warriors were depicted as black men, most of them with shields and spears, I'm guessing Andrews was sent into sub-Saharan Africa. Stevenson finds him, but has to decide between revenge and duty, that sort of thing.
It's certainly not the best work Grant or Rains ever did. Grant doesn't get to do much other than alternate between flirtatious and gallant. Gertrude Michael had some potential in her character, but doesn't really get enough time (the movie is about 70 minutes) to do anything with it. She's a woman moved to Cairo then abandoned by her husband. He didn't do it willingly, but he did take off, and hasn't contacted her in three years. So she started working as a nurse, trying to cope with her loneliness, met a guy who charmed her, and then her husband comes back, and everything's changed. Except he doesn't really see it. But she's really only there for the middle of the story, and gets tossed aside once Rains sets off after Grant.
Rains gets a bit more depth, since you can tell he takes his work seriously. But it isn't so much about winning the war as saving lives. To that end he can be harsh and uncompromising, especially when faced with betrayal, but at his core, he wants to protect people if he can. The problem is when he gets to Cairo, he goes a bit overboard with regards to Rosemary. Some of it is making up for lost time, trying to pick up where they left off, but he also underestimates how strong she is. Doesn't recognize that she's grown from the woman he knew, I guess. When she passes out at the sight of him, and the matron of the hospital comments on the strain Rosemary seemed to be under until recently, he remarks that she should never have been working at all. Or perhaps she just needed to know you were still alive and thinking of her, Stevenson.
As unsympathetic as all that could make him seem, Rains is able to show a vulnerable core inside Stevenson, one that he's protected with stiff upper lip and thoughts of duty, but is in serious danger of cracking now that he's home. He really needs Rosemary, which adds a little something to her story because she feels that pull, that he could fall apart if he sees that he's lost her because of his work, but she can't change how she feels. So there was some narrative meat there, if the movie had given it more time to shine, but this wasn't the movie for that. Or for a more nuanced view of the non-white folk the British were fighting, for that matter.
Friday, October 04, 2013
Luthor's Hair, Or Lack Thereof
Lex Luthor shaves his head, right?
I know in the Silver Age, Lex famously lost his hair because Superboy zipped in to see him during some big experiment, disrupting everything and causing all his hair to fall out, but I doubt that's still in effect. Entirely too silly for current DC.
It just occurred to me that Lex is exactly the sort of person who would not want to be seen going bald, with thinning or receding hair. It would be a sign of weakness or imperfection, and Lex would probably feel that people with shaved heads are more respected than those with faltering hairlines (he'd probably conduct research to prove it).
But, this is Luthor we're talking about. Surely he could devise something that would restore his hair. Which leads to a few conclusions in my mind. One, Lex has been too distracted with destroying Superman. Eh, I can't see the hair thing being that time-consuming to Lex. Two, he actually prefers being shaved, thinks it makes him look sleek and aggressive. Three, he has developed it, but chooses not to use it, because he doesn't want anyone to know he did. Because if that becomes common knowledge, people will think he used it, and Luthor wouldn't want his vanity and ego to be so apparent as a sign of weakness. Lex wouldn't admit it as such, he'd decide he was holding it back because the masses didn't deserve it or something. Let them ask their Superman to restore their hair.
I know in the Silver Age, Lex famously lost his hair because Superboy zipped in to see him during some big experiment, disrupting everything and causing all his hair to fall out, but I doubt that's still in effect. Entirely too silly for current DC.
It just occurred to me that Lex is exactly the sort of person who would not want to be seen going bald, with thinning or receding hair. It would be a sign of weakness or imperfection, and Lex would probably feel that people with shaved heads are more respected than those with faltering hairlines (he'd probably conduct research to prove it).
But, this is Luthor we're talking about. Surely he could devise something that would restore his hair. Which leads to a few conclusions in my mind. One, Lex has been too distracted with destroying Superman. Eh, I can't see the hair thing being that time-consuming to Lex. Two, he actually prefers being shaved, thinks it makes him look sleek and aggressive. Three, he has developed it, but chooses not to use it, because he doesn't want anyone to know he did. Because if that becomes common knowledge, people will think he used it, and Luthor wouldn't want his vanity and ego to be so apparent as a sign of weakness. Lex wouldn't admit it as such, he'd decide he was holding it back because the masses didn't deserve it or something. Let them ask their Superman to restore their hair.
Monday, September 09, 2013
It Would Make Temporary Disguises Easier
On my second read through of X-Men #4, I noticed Rogue's hair changed color when she borrowed Psylocke's power. Not the skunk stripe, but all the brown hair turned purple. And the effect faded when Psylocke ran out of power to borrow, so by the time Storm rescued Rogue, she was back to brunette.
It struck me as a little strange. I mean, Rogue's hair didn't seem to go black from borrowing Northstar's speed for that train sequence. She hasn't sprouted a Mohawk in the past when she borrowed from Storm. But her skin does usually sprout fur when she swiped Nightcrawler's powers (check out the cover to Uncanny X-Men 194 sometime, I'm too lazy to post it here). But her hair didn't change color.
It's always been inconsistent, though. In X-Men Evolution she'd sprout considerable body hair if she touched Sabretooth, but not Nightcrawler. And she's never grown a tail like Kurt, even though that is a power of his. At least as much as Wolverine's (bone) claws are. Incidentally, if Rogue borrows only a certain portion of someone's abilities now, how does that work for something like claws? Do Logan's get shorter until she's done, then spontaneously grow a lot?
It's curious to me the change would be so specific. That it would only affect her brown hair, that her facial features or something else wouldn't shift as well.
It struck me as a little strange. I mean, Rogue's hair didn't seem to go black from borrowing Northstar's speed for that train sequence. She hasn't sprouted a Mohawk in the past when she borrowed from Storm. But her skin does usually sprout fur when she swiped Nightcrawler's powers (check out the cover to Uncanny X-Men 194 sometime, I'm too lazy to post it here). But her hair didn't change color.
It's always been inconsistent, though. In X-Men Evolution she'd sprout considerable body hair if she touched Sabretooth, but not Nightcrawler. And she's never grown a tail like Kurt, even though that is a power of his. At least as much as Wolverine's (bone) claws are. Incidentally, if Rogue borrows only a certain portion of someone's abilities now, how does that work for something like claws? Do Logan's get shorter until she's done, then spontaneously grow a lot?
It's curious to me the change would be so specific. That it would only affect her brown hair, that her facial features or something else wouldn't shift as well.
Monday, July 22, 2013
What I Bought 6/29/2013 - Part 8
It's another fine day for comic reviews, don't you agree? Of course you do! And if you don't, too bad..
X-Men #1 & 2, by Brian Wood (writer), Olivier Coipel (penciler, inker), Mark Morales (inker), Scott Hanna (inker #2 only), Laura Martin (colorist), Matt Milla and Christina Strain (colorists, #2 only), Joe Caramagna (letterer) - That baby looks really grumpy, but I'd be grumpy if someone dressed me in that, too. I mean, footy pajamas with a hood with ears? Yeesh. It's a good thing most of us don't remember things from that earlier, or we'd all want to take revenge on our parents.
Jubilee's headed for the Jean Grey School, baby in tow, with some mysterious fellow on her tail. Turns out he's John Sublime, which means nothing to me, but the X-Men recognize him when he shows up on their door. A few of them rescue Jubes and the baby when the train they're on gets out control. That turns out to have been caused by Sublime's sister, who was inhabiting the baby and can control machines. So she jumps to an inert body of an Omega Sentinel and wreaks havoc until Kitty damages her enough to force a withdrawal. Then Storm leads a team after the ancient, intelligent bacteria, but neglects to bring the one person who had some success against her, leaving Kitty behind to repair the School, and in all likelihood, keep the students from being killed by what appears to be a bomb.
I don't understand why Arkea (that'd be Sublime's sister) caused the train to get out of control. I can imagine she doesn't give a hoot about humans, but if the X-Men don't show up and the two trains collide, that kills the body she's using, and all the others around it, which I assume would be bad for her. There are a lot of little things that don't quite add up. How does Sublime know she has an affinity for possessing technology, given he supposedly ran her off a really long time ago? What was there for her to possess back then that let him make that determination? As far as we know, she'd only possessed a baby before she got to the school, so there's nothing there to suggest it. Why does Jubilee not appear to be a vampire any longer? How much has Wood downgraded Rachel's powers? I know she hasn't had the Phoenix Force since before War of Kings, but she seems practically useless. When Sublime shows up, Psylocke's asking Rachael if she wants them to go get some Omega-level telepaths. Well what is Rachel then? So far she seems to have been placed as the person who stays calm and talks, but nobody trusts her to handle things on her own.
On the plus side, Wood was able to provide enough clues for me to understand Sublime and what he is, when I had never even heard of him prior to this. Props for that. As it stands, I can't decide if these are deliberate things Wood's setting up to deal with later, or if it's some flaws in his story I'm just gonna have to roll with it.
Enough kvetching about the writing. Might as well discuss Coipel's art for the 5 minutes he's gonna be on the book. That last page of issue 1, the shot of Arkea in the up-and-running Omega Sentinel, it reminds me of Skottie Young's work. Some of it is how slim her arms seem, the swirl of the mist around her, and
the shading a little. Its the only page that gets that response from em, so I thought it was worth mentioning. I like it. The green and the black are striking, and shots of characters facing us with their eyes hidden are a way of making the scene feel ominous I really like. I always find that a little creepy, because it lets my imagination run wild about what I'd see if I could see their eyes.
Beyond that, I thought Coipel did some great work with the expressions and body language, especially on Jubilee. The middle panel when she's on the plane, as the baby cries and the stewardess checks on them in particular. There's exhaustion on her face, the strain of caring for this kid, but also embarrassment because she knows everyone's irritated (witness the guy next to her plugging his finger in his ear), and nobody likes having that scrutiny. Nice touch of the creative to have include the caption box stating 'alienation, shame, and seclusion' in that panel. All things I imagine Jubilee is either feeling, or wishing she could have right then. The smile he gives Arkea/Karima near the end of issue 2, when she leaves the school was appropriately creepy, though the coloring and shading in the eyes helps there. The blank look to the eyes makes a little smile more unsettling.
I will ask, is that what the Beast looks like now? Jeez, I thought the cat form that nobody could draw consistently for the last 10 years looked bad. His face is too small for his head, and his hair/fur looks like it's forming little Daredevil horns, which I think bothers me because it suggests a receding hairline. Not that heroes can't go bald, someone has to take up the mantle from Xavier, but it doesn't make a lot of sense on someone still covered head-to-toe with fur.
My overall impression is there's potential here, certainly some things I like, but I'm not convinced Wood thought this story out ahead of time. Maybe some of these things nagging at me will be resolved, but right now I can't be sure of that. Coipel's art is working well, but his aforementioned 5 minutes on the book are almost up, so I'm not sure it matters.
X-Men #1 & 2, by Brian Wood (writer), Olivier Coipel (penciler, inker), Mark Morales (inker), Scott Hanna (inker #2 only), Laura Martin (colorist), Matt Milla and Christina Strain (colorists, #2 only), Joe Caramagna (letterer) - That baby looks really grumpy, but I'd be grumpy if someone dressed me in that, too. I mean, footy pajamas with a hood with ears? Yeesh. It's a good thing most of us don't remember things from that earlier, or we'd all want to take revenge on our parents.Jubilee's headed for the Jean Grey School, baby in tow, with some mysterious fellow on her tail. Turns out he's John Sublime, which means nothing to me, but the X-Men recognize him when he shows up on their door. A few of them rescue Jubes and the baby when the train they're on gets out control. That turns out to have been caused by Sublime's sister, who was inhabiting the baby and can control machines. So she jumps to an inert body of an Omega Sentinel and wreaks havoc until Kitty damages her enough to force a withdrawal. Then Storm leads a team after the ancient, intelligent bacteria, but neglects to bring the one person who had some success against her, leaving Kitty behind to repair the School, and in all likelihood, keep the students from being killed by what appears to be a bomb.
I don't understand why Arkea (that'd be Sublime's sister) caused the train to get out of control. I can imagine she doesn't give a hoot about humans, but if the X-Men don't show up and the two trains collide, that kills the body she's using, and all the others around it, which I assume would be bad for her. There are a lot of little things that don't quite add up. How does Sublime know she has an affinity for possessing technology, given he supposedly ran her off a really long time ago? What was there for her to possess back then that let him make that determination? As far as we know, she'd only possessed a baby before she got to the school, so there's nothing there to suggest it. Why does Jubilee not appear to be a vampire any longer? How much has Wood downgraded Rachel's powers? I know she hasn't had the Phoenix Force since before War of Kings, but she seems practically useless. When Sublime shows up, Psylocke's asking Rachael if she wants them to go get some Omega-level telepaths. Well what is Rachel then? So far she seems to have been placed as the person who stays calm and talks, but nobody trusts her to handle things on her own.
On the plus side, Wood was able to provide enough clues for me to understand Sublime and what he is, when I had never even heard of him prior to this. Props for that. As it stands, I can't decide if these are deliberate things Wood's setting up to deal with later, or if it's some flaws in his story I'm just gonna have to roll with it.
Enough kvetching about the writing. Might as well discuss Coipel's art for the 5 minutes he's gonna be on the book. That last page of issue 1, the shot of Arkea in the up-and-running Omega Sentinel, it reminds me of Skottie Young's work. Some of it is how slim her arms seem, the swirl of the mist around her, and
the shading a little. Its the only page that gets that response from em, so I thought it was worth mentioning. I like it. The green and the black are striking, and shots of characters facing us with their eyes hidden are a way of making the scene feel ominous I really like. I always find that a little creepy, because it lets my imagination run wild about what I'd see if I could see their eyes.
Beyond that, I thought Coipel did some great work with the expressions and body language, especially on Jubilee. The middle panel when she's on the plane, as the baby cries and the stewardess checks on them in particular. There's exhaustion on her face, the strain of caring for this kid, but also embarrassment because she knows everyone's irritated (witness the guy next to her plugging his finger in his ear), and nobody likes having that scrutiny. Nice touch of the creative to have include the caption box stating 'alienation, shame, and seclusion' in that panel. All things I imagine Jubilee is either feeling, or wishing she could have right then. The smile he gives Arkea/Karima near the end of issue 2, when she leaves the school was appropriately creepy, though the coloring and shading in the eyes helps there. The blank look to the eyes makes a little smile more unsettling.
I will ask, is that what the Beast looks like now? Jeez, I thought the cat form that nobody could draw consistently for the last 10 years looked bad. His face is too small for his head, and his hair/fur looks like it's forming little Daredevil horns, which I think bothers me because it suggests a receding hairline. Not that heroes can't go bald, someone has to take up the mantle from Xavier, but it doesn't make a lot of sense on someone still covered head-to-toe with fur.
My overall impression is there's potential here, certainly some things I like, but I'm not convinced Wood thought this story out ahead of time. Maybe some of these things nagging at me will be resolved, but right now I can't be sure of that. Coipel's art is working well, but his aforementioned 5 minutes on the book are almost up, so I'm not sure it matters.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
It Saves Logan Money On Haircuts
How fast do you think Wolverine's hair grows? I made those crack about how abruptly his body when from shaggy to hairless on that Wolverine and Black Cat cover, and then Rol mentioned waxing in the comments and away my brain went.
His healing factor only kicks in when he's sick or injured, so I guess his hair wouldn't grow constantly. This would appear to be in contrast to Deadpool, whose healing factor works all the time, which is offset by his aggressive cancer*.
The question is, does merely cutting his hair qualify as an injury? I've seen it grow back when it gets burned off, but he's usually losing more than just hair in those circumstances, so it figures his healing factor would kick in. But I'm not certain a simple snip of the locks would trigger it. Waxing is another matter. That actually pulls the follicle out entirely, which I have to think his body would regard as an injury, albeit a minor one. It'd be a futile effort. The hair is plucked, it grows back.
Along those lines, do you think Logan sheds skin cells? Most people, we lose dead skin cells over the course of the day. it's OK though, because there are new cells waiting underneath to take their place. With his healing factor, would Logan's body operate the way ours do? or, barring massive injury, would he have the same skin cells for a much longer period, because his body keeps repairing the ones already in use?
* That's the impression I have from the Deadpool Secret Invasion tie-in. The Skrulls made Deadpool versions of themselves who eventually swelled up and popped because their healing factors were always on, even when there was no injury or cancer to fight.
His healing factor only kicks in when he's sick or injured, so I guess his hair wouldn't grow constantly. This would appear to be in contrast to Deadpool, whose healing factor works all the time, which is offset by his aggressive cancer*.
The question is, does merely cutting his hair qualify as an injury? I've seen it grow back when it gets burned off, but he's usually losing more than just hair in those circumstances, so it figures his healing factor would kick in. But I'm not certain a simple snip of the locks would trigger it. Waxing is another matter. That actually pulls the follicle out entirely, which I have to think his body would regard as an injury, albeit a minor one. It'd be a futile effort. The hair is plucked, it grows back.
Along those lines, do you think Logan sheds skin cells? Most people, we lose dead skin cells over the course of the day. it's OK though, because there are new cells waiting underneath to take their place. With his healing factor, would Logan's body operate the way ours do? or, barring massive injury, would he have the same skin cells for a much longer period, because his body keeps repairing the ones already in use?
* That's the impression I have from the Deadpool Secret Invasion tie-in. The Skrulls made Deadpool versions of themselves who eventually swelled up and popped because their healing factors were always on, even when there was no injury or cancer to fight.
Friday, August 19, 2011
What I Bought 8/10/2011 - Part 6
The end of the review line. No dumb comments about what type of day it is, but only because I can't think of a good one.
Secret Six #35, 36 - Bane, when you're actually frothing at the mouth with Venom to the extent it's coming out of his mouth, I think that means you're overdoing it. Why are there wisps of red trailing from your eyes?
Bane's learned something from his date with Spencer. Unfortunately, it isn't that what I'd call a life-affirming lesson. He's realized that to destroy Batman, you need to destroy the people he cares about, not his spine. The Six, for some reason, decide to go along with this, though Catman objects to hurting the Huntress. Aw, ain't that cute. They attack the Penguin, and force him into the group. Naturally Penguin betrays them, but when the hell did he get a subcutaneous transmitter? Is that something from Simone's Birds of Prey? All the heroes show up. Even Red Tornado! Oh, and some guy with an "S" on his chest. Not Wonder Woman, though. Still caught in JMS Hell, I suppose. The plan to destroy the Bat falls through, but Bane's secondary plan kicks in. He's now able to line up perfectly with what we'll see in the next Bat-movie. It's not a bad twist, I guess I hoped Bane was a wise enough man to recognize a better way.
I get why the guys go along, but I can't see what Scandal or Jeanette get out of it. It won't make them any bank, and they know what something like this will bring down on their heads. Also, when picking targets, why didn't Bane list Robin or Grayson Batman? I like Steph, but you can't tell me killing Grayson wouldn't be a bigger gut punch to Daddy Bats than Steph. Certainly more so than Huntress or Azrael. OK, fine, I'd just like to see King Shark devour Damien like he was going to do to Pengy's pets.
As for the art, it's Calafiore. It's solid, nothing spectacular, the big fight at the end was kind of a mess, and I didn't really get the sense the heroes 'got brutal' as Huntress suggests. What, because Captain Atom blasted Knockout in the face? She's not scarred as far as I can tell, and she's a denizen of Apokolips. They breed 'em tough there. Heck, John Stewart was involved in the brawl and didn't even blow any planets up. That's positively restrained for Johnny.
Wolverine and the Black Cat: Claws #1 - Looking at that cover, it's pretty impressive how Wolverine's body hair seems to stop at his elbows. Admittedly, I'm less hairy on my upper arms as well, but not with that abrupt a shift. He looks like he skinned a bear and wrapped it around his forearms, after waxing the rest of himself. I think I have to use the "hair" label for this post now.
There should be a "2" in that title, since this is the second mini-series by that name, but "Claws 2 #1" just looks silly. I don't know if I'll regret buying this, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Palmiotti and Gray (and why didn't Justin gray get his name on the cover? That's bull, Marvel) have some goodwill built up from Power Girl, and it has the Black Cat and Arcade, both of whom made the Top 10 Marvel characters list I submitted for the Comics Should Be Good poll.
Felicia and Logan are having a swanky dinner, while Arcade and the White Rabbit flee Savage Land natives and stumble across an alien ship. The pilot had come here intending to give Earth weapons to fend off an incoming invasion, but our villains knock her out and take the weapons for themselves. Including a little orb that can send you anywhere in time or space. So they crash the dinner, get beat up by our heroes, even get their device stolen. Oh wait, that was the plan. Welcome to a future where Mars conquered Earth, Felicia and Logan. Hope you survive the experience!
What? Don't look at me like that. I couldn't help it.
I know Wolverine has a staggering track record with women, but I'm still surprised Felicia would be interested in him. He strikes me as too gruff and rude. No style at all. Maybe it's just me. Having not read the previous mini-series, I'm not clear on why Arcade and the White Rabbit when after these two heroes, but Gray and Palmiotti did explain sort of why the heroes were having dinner in a high-class restaurant. I'm curious to see if the alien that Arcade stole the weapons from plays a bigger role in the story than simply "well-meaning patsy". As for Killraven, eh, we'll see how it goes. I can take or leave him.
Linsner's art is fine, definitely tends towards the cheesecake, but it's not photo-referenced, which is a huge plus in my book. I was looking at the preview for Rucka's Punisher series they put in the back of this issue, and one of the detectives couldn't have looked more like Morgan Freeman if I'd been watching Se7en on AMC, rather than reading a comic. It really irritated me, it just seems so cheap. I know, it isn't new, but I try to avoid artists who go to that well too much. Sorry, back to Linsner. His Arcade does have suitably scheming grins though. They aren't the huge smiles I'm used to, but they capture that evil mirth of his, so that's good.
Secret Six #35, 36 - Bane, when you're actually frothing at the mouth with Venom to the extent it's coming out of his mouth, I think that means you're overdoing it. Why are there wisps of red trailing from your eyes?
Bane's learned something from his date with Spencer. Unfortunately, it isn't that what I'd call a life-affirming lesson. He's realized that to destroy Batman, you need to destroy the people he cares about, not his spine. The Six, for some reason, decide to go along with this, though Catman objects to hurting the Huntress. Aw, ain't that cute. They attack the Penguin, and force him into the group. Naturally Penguin betrays them, but when the hell did he get a subcutaneous transmitter? Is that something from Simone's Birds of Prey? All the heroes show up. Even Red Tornado! Oh, and some guy with an "S" on his chest. Not Wonder Woman, though. Still caught in JMS Hell, I suppose. The plan to destroy the Bat falls through, but Bane's secondary plan kicks in. He's now able to line up perfectly with what we'll see in the next Bat-movie. It's not a bad twist, I guess I hoped Bane was a wise enough man to recognize a better way.
I get why the guys go along, but I can't see what Scandal or Jeanette get out of it. It won't make them any bank, and they know what something like this will bring down on their heads. Also, when picking targets, why didn't Bane list Robin or Grayson Batman? I like Steph, but you can't tell me killing Grayson wouldn't be a bigger gut punch to Daddy Bats than Steph. Certainly more so than Huntress or Azrael. OK, fine, I'd just like to see King Shark devour Damien like he was going to do to Pengy's pets.
As for the art, it's Calafiore. It's solid, nothing spectacular, the big fight at the end was kind of a mess, and I didn't really get the sense the heroes 'got brutal' as Huntress suggests. What, because Captain Atom blasted Knockout in the face? She's not scarred as far as I can tell, and she's a denizen of Apokolips. They breed 'em tough there. Heck, John Stewart was involved in the brawl and didn't even blow any planets up. That's positively restrained for Johnny.
Wolverine and the Black Cat: Claws #1 - Looking at that cover, it's pretty impressive how Wolverine's body hair seems to stop at his elbows. Admittedly, I'm less hairy on my upper arms as well, but not with that abrupt a shift. He looks like he skinned a bear and wrapped it around his forearms, after waxing the rest of himself. I think I have to use the "hair" label for this post now.
There should be a "2" in that title, since this is the second mini-series by that name, but "Claws 2 #1" just looks silly. I don't know if I'll regret buying this, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Palmiotti and Gray (and why didn't Justin gray get his name on the cover? That's bull, Marvel) have some goodwill built up from Power Girl, and it has the Black Cat and Arcade, both of whom made the Top 10 Marvel characters list I submitted for the Comics Should Be Good poll.
Felicia and Logan are having a swanky dinner, while Arcade and the White Rabbit flee Savage Land natives and stumble across an alien ship. The pilot had come here intending to give Earth weapons to fend off an incoming invasion, but our villains knock her out and take the weapons for themselves. Including a little orb that can send you anywhere in time or space. So they crash the dinner, get beat up by our heroes, even get their device stolen. Oh wait, that was the plan. Welcome to a future where Mars conquered Earth, Felicia and Logan. Hope you survive the experience!
What? Don't look at me like that. I couldn't help it.
I know Wolverine has a staggering track record with women, but I'm still surprised Felicia would be interested in him. He strikes me as too gruff and rude. No style at all. Maybe it's just me. Having not read the previous mini-series, I'm not clear on why Arcade and the White Rabbit when after these two heroes, but Gray and Palmiotti did explain sort of why the heroes were having dinner in a high-class restaurant. I'm curious to see if the alien that Arcade stole the weapons from plays a bigger role in the story than simply "well-meaning patsy". As for Killraven, eh, we'll see how it goes. I can take or leave him.
Linsner's art is fine, definitely tends towards the cheesecake, but it's not photo-referenced, which is a huge plus in my book. I was looking at the preview for Rucka's Punisher series they put in the back of this issue, and one of the detectives couldn't have looked more like Morgan Freeman if I'd been watching Se7en on AMC, rather than reading a comic. It really irritated me, it just seems so cheap. I know, it isn't new, but I try to avoid artists who go to that well too much. Sorry, back to Linsner. His Arcade does have suitably scheming grins though. They aren't the huge smiles I'm used to, but they capture that evil mirth of his, so that's good.
Friday, May 27, 2011
What I Bought 5/23/2011 - Part 3
I'm not sure whether a declawed cat trying to scratch a chair is sad, or hilarious. My money's on hilarious. I'm using a slow library computer so for now, no images. Plus, I only have an hour on the computer, so more bare bones than usual.
Heroes for Hire #7 - Spider-Man finds himself in the middle of a big mess, including Batroc, Scorpion, dinosaurs, and demon ammunition. Paladin struggles with his self-respect and how he believes he's viewed by heroes who don't work for money. Misty realizes she's not the sort to sit on the the sidelines forever.
So at least we know why the Puppet Master was targeting those specific operations. Perhaps we'll learn who he was working for. Or maybe that person will duck capture and remain a shadowy thorn in H4H's hide.
Tim Seeley's the artist for this issue, so Brad Walker's return was about as temporary as it could be. Seeley's fine, though he doesn't have Walker's page layout skill. He occasionally give Spidey a chicken neck, which is fine. It reminds me of former 49ers free safety Merton Hanks. I liked him. Well, I liked anyone on any team that was trying to stand in the Cowboys' path to more titles during the '90s. In one of those little details I care about more than I probably should, Seeley draws Misty's hair mostly the same as Walker did last issue. He does draw it as more of a solid mass, while Walker had some tufts coming off the - is it an afro? - while Seeley makes it appear she added some hair spray or something to keep it down.
Rocketeer Adventures #1 - I bought the complete collection hardcover last fall, and I always enjoy the movie, so it seemed like a good idea. It wasn't bad, but the Cassaday story was the only one I really enjoyed. Because we got to see some of the action. Allred's was filling in between the last story that was in the hardcover and I guess some of the stories we'll be seeing in this mini-series. Nothing really happened in it, other than I guess Cliff made a decision about how he'll live his life. But when we're talking about the Rocketeer, I'm looking for action!
Busiek and Kaluta's story chose to focus on what Betty was up to while Cliff's fighting in World War 2 (with some little snapshots inset showing what Cliff's up against). I can't believe Cliff would let some flyboys paint a picture of his girl on the plane. Some random actress girl, sure, but your girlfriend (wearing very little)? Well, I can believe it, I just think it's poor judgment, which is a trademark of Cliff's.
Secret Six #33 - The team tries to decide whether to leave Hell, or accept Ragdoll's offer to rule with him. Deadshot renders it moot by doing what he usually does. Scandal temporarily ditches the team to run off with her first tall, redheaded girlfriend. She has a change of heart, though. Meanwhile, the rest of the team are experiencing various torments, either things they already experienced, or things they fear. Scandal tries to challenge Lady Blaze, who I'm guessing rules Hell currently, and Catman returns from visiting his father. Now, Scandal will have to choose which of her redhead girlfriends, past or present, ends up in Hell. I don't know why that's the case other than Hell is run by jerks, which I suppose is reason enough.
It's an alright issue. I kind of think the team was able to overcome the horrors Hell threw at them a little too easily, but they've demonstrated before they won't be anyone's lapdog, though I'd expect Hell to know how to turn that determination against them. I can't decide which way Scandal will go, because I can really see it both ways. The bit with Catman's mother was disturbing, though her obvious love for her son was kind of touching. Which sums this title up pretty well.
Heroes for Hire #7 - Spider-Man finds himself in the middle of a big mess, including Batroc, Scorpion, dinosaurs, and demon ammunition. Paladin struggles with his self-respect and how he believes he's viewed by heroes who don't work for money. Misty realizes she's not the sort to sit on the the sidelines forever.So at least we know why the Puppet Master was targeting those specific operations. Perhaps we'll learn who he was working for. Or maybe that person will duck capture and remain a shadowy thorn in H4H's hide.
Tim Seeley's the artist for this issue, so Brad Walker's return was about as temporary as it could be. Seeley's fine, though he doesn't have Walker's page layout skill. He occasionally give Spidey a chicken neck, which is fine. It reminds me of former 49ers free safety Merton Hanks. I liked him. Well, I liked anyone on any team that was trying to stand in the Cowboys' path to more titles during the '90s. In one of those little details I care about more than I probably should, Seeley draws Misty's hair mostly the same as Walker did last issue. He does draw it as more of a solid mass, while Walker had some tufts coming off the - is it an afro? - while Seeley makes it appear she added some hair spray or something to keep it down.
Rocketeer Adventures #1 - I bought the complete collection hardcover last fall, and I always enjoy the movie, so it seemed like a good idea. It wasn't bad, but the Cassaday story was the only one I really enjoyed. Because we got to see some of the action. Allred's was filling in between the last story that was in the hardcover and I guess some of the stories we'll be seeing in this mini-series. Nothing really happened in it, other than I guess Cliff made a decision about how he'll live his life. But when we're talking about the Rocketeer, I'm looking for action!Busiek and Kaluta's story chose to focus on what Betty was up to while Cliff's fighting in World War 2 (with some little snapshots inset showing what Cliff's up against). I can't believe Cliff would let some flyboys paint a picture of his girl on the plane. Some random actress girl, sure, but your girlfriend (wearing very little)? Well, I can believe it, I just think it's poor judgment, which is a trademark of Cliff's.
Secret Six #33 - The team tries to decide whether to leave Hell, or accept Ragdoll's offer to rule with him. Deadshot renders it moot by doing what he usually does. Scandal temporarily ditches the team to run off with her first tall, redheaded girlfriend. She has a change of heart, though. Meanwhile, the rest of the team are experiencing various torments, either things they already experienced, or things they fear. Scandal tries to challenge Lady Blaze, who I'm guessing rules Hell currently, and Catman returns from visiting his father. Now, Scandal will have to choose which of her redhead girlfriends, past or present, ends up in Hell. I don't know why that's the case other than Hell is run by jerks, which I suppose is reason enough.It's an alright issue. I kind of think the team was able to overcome the horrors Hell threw at them a little too easily, but they've demonstrated before they won't be anyone's lapdog, though I'd expect Hell to know how to turn that determination against them. I can't decide which way Scandal will go, because I can really see it both ways. The bit with Catman's mother was disturbing, though her obvious love for her son was kind of touching. Which sums this title up pretty well.
Monday, March 21, 2011
I'm Overthinking Barber Shops Now
I was watching Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes again last night. This time it was the introduction of Wonder Man, out for Tony Stark's head, a goal I can get behind. There was also a lot of Thor and the Wasp making fun of MODOC's, shall we say, unusual, proportions?
The bit that sent my brain off and running was when Nick Fury brings Captain America to a SHIELD facility set under a barber shop. The ride the chairs down to the facility so Fury can give Cap his motorcycle from WWII back. I'm pretty sure this was a part of SHIELD's set-up back in the '60s comics, and one that carried over to at least the '80s*. This raised some questions for me.
Does it operate as a regular barber shop? When they entered there was only one customer, and he was actually an agent, since after they sat in the chairs, he got up, put on his shades, and went to stand in front of the door. Could I walk in, ask for a haircut, and get one, or would they pretend they were booked solid? Obviously, they can't send any agents down if there are civilians in the store, but how do you keep average folks from randomly walking in cause they need a trim? Does SHIELD hire barbers, or do they train their agents to be able to pass as barbers? Do they just send them to barber college for that, or are there people in SHIELD who teach them? There's weapons training, code-breaking, and how to use a straight razor.
Are all SHIELD agents required to use their barbers for haircuts, or can they go where they please (assuming their haircut meets whatever sort of standards Fury sets). If they use SHIELD barbers, do they have to pay, or is it complimentary? Can retired SHIELD agents still get their hair cut there**, and do they get a discount as well? If the shop has non-agent customers, does the money earned count towards their annual budget? If so, would Fury encourage them to get more customers, so they'd have more funds in case of government cutbacks, or does he want less, so they can request more from said government?
Since I'm sure HYDRA knows where SHIELD keeps its bases, have they ever tried setting up a competitive location across the street, to draw away customers? It lets them keep an eye on SHIELD, if SHIELD does use revenue from the shop towards their work, it hurts that effort, and if HYDRA can avoid doing anything evil, SHIELD can't touch them, so it's a bit of mockery. Naturally, HYDRA wouldn't be able to resist implementing a mind control conditioner scheme, and the next thing you know, Fury smashes through the window blasting stuff with laser pistols, but it'd be nice while it lasted.
* There was an issue of West Coast Avengers where Mockingbird wanted to see Fury and visited such a place. Though it was more of an upscale boutique than a barber shop by that point.
** Assuming any SHIELD agent actually survives to retirement.
The bit that sent my brain off and running was when Nick Fury brings Captain America to a SHIELD facility set under a barber shop. The ride the chairs down to the facility so Fury can give Cap his motorcycle from WWII back. I'm pretty sure this was a part of SHIELD's set-up back in the '60s comics, and one that carried over to at least the '80s*. This raised some questions for me.
Does it operate as a regular barber shop? When they entered there was only one customer, and he was actually an agent, since after they sat in the chairs, he got up, put on his shades, and went to stand in front of the door. Could I walk in, ask for a haircut, and get one, or would they pretend they were booked solid? Obviously, they can't send any agents down if there are civilians in the store, but how do you keep average folks from randomly walking in cause they need a trim? Does SHIELD hire barbers, or do they train their agents to be able to pass as barbers? Do they just send them to barber college for that, or are there people in SHIELD who teach them? There's weapons training, code-breaking, and how to use a straight razor.
Are all SHIELD agents required to use their barbers for haircuts, or can they go where they please (assuming their haircut meets whatever sort of standards Fury sets). If they use SHIELD barbers, do they have to pay, or is it complimentary? Can retired SHIELD agents still get their hair cut there**, and do they get a discount as well? If the shop has non-agent customers, does the money earned count towards their annual budget? If so, would Fury encourage them to get more customers, so they'd have more funds in case of government cutbacks, or does he want less, so they can request more from said government?
Since I'm sure HYDRA knows where SHIELD keeps its bases, have they ever tried setting up a competitive location across the street, to draw away customers? It lets them keep an eye on SHIELD, if SHIELD does use revenue from the shop towards their work, it hurts that effort, and if HYDRA can avoid doing anything evil, SHIELD can't touch them, so it's a bit of mockery. Naturally, HYDRA wouldn't be able to resist implementing a mind control conditioner scheme, and the next thing you know, Fury smashes through the window blasting stuff with laser pistols, but it'd be nice while it lasted.
* There was an issue of West Coast Avengers where Mockingbird wanted to see Fury and visited such a place. Though it was more of an upscale boutique than a barber shop by that point.
** Assuming any SHIELD agent actually survives to retirement.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Some Thoughts About A Cover
I like the cover for Young Allies #6. Really, it's Emma Frost that I like, because the way Emma Rios drew Frost sums her up perfectly to me. She's calm, confident, she's provoking a reaction in someone else while remaining in control herself, and of course, she's looking down her nose at Firestar. Arrogance, composure, mind games? That's pretty much Ethe White Queen to me. I know there's more than that, but those have been the dominant traits in most of her appearances I've read, besides "evil" and/or "inexplicably attracted to Cyclops".Maybe it's just me, but her face is drawn more sharply than Firestar's. Certainly in the noses, Emma's comes to a point, while Angelica's is more rounded. Someone who didn't know the characters might not read it this way, but the fact Frost's nose looks like it could stab an eye out works for a character who is very good at cutting with words. OK, "cut" and "stab" aren't precisely the same, but they're both methods of hurting others. Even though Firestar's the one who looks ready to attack, Emma Frost is the one who seems more dangerous. She's unfazed by Firestar's anger, standing there waiting for something to happen. She's daring Angelica to try something, because she's got things in hand, and that gives her control because she'll use that to her advantage. There's a hardened edge to her that Firestar lacks.
Also, I like that both characters' hair is blowing backwards. It implies the clash of their personalities, the conflict between them creating a noticeable blowback.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What I Bought 7/15/09
Another Wednesday, another comic reviewing post here at Reporting on Marvels and Legends. Marvels and Legends itself has moved to a new (old) location, right across the street. I say it's both new and old because Ken had moved the shop over to that same place for a time, before deciding to move back to the place he'd been before. Now Former Customer and Current Owner Jack has moved the store back to the place it was before. Anyway, in addition to my regular comics, I also grabbed a trade of Joe Kelly's I Kill Giants, on the strength of all the nice reviews I read. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure I'll discuss it here when I do. Until then, comics.
Agents of Atlas #8 - Another month, another two issues of Agents of Atlas. I wonder why they're taking that tactic. I also wonder why Leinil Yu has the Hulk is rocking the Moe Howard haircut on the cover. Or would that be the "Guy Gardner, based on Ernie, General Glory's sidekick" haircut?
The Agents are continuing to check up on the Atlas Foundation's various enterprises, and today they go to check a 'biological study lab', which really means 'we kidnap drifters and combine them into creations straight out of Silent Hill games'. Unfortunately (or fortunately), their most recent drifter happened to be the Hulk, who I did not realize had resumed his aimless drifting through the world. Anway, the crew manages to placate the Hulk, and remove the scientists from their employ, while Jimmy and M-11 find out what Suwan has been up to. The answer, predictably, is not good news for them.
I'm curious to find out what the "Jade Claw" has been up to all these years. She runs an organization roughly the size of Atlas, so how has she been using it? Pagulayan's art is still pretty, though I think I'm a little disappointed his Hulk didn't look more monstrous. Could have been because of all the lab-created freaks around him though. A big green guy can look mighty tame in comparison.
Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2 - That's a pretty nice cover, though the amount of blood on the hammer seems out of proportion to what's around the Surfer's face. Regardless, I wonder why Patrick Zircher can't land a regular penciling gig on a nice, high-selling title. I think he's a fine artist, and his stint on Cable/Deadpool demonstrated the man can hit his deadlines.
Bill fights with the Surfer for a few pages, then learns the I'thians can put a decent fight themselves. Unfortunately, that's gone to their heads, and Bill is forced to be rather underhanded to get them to abandon their new world, since Galactus is on his way again. However, as always, actions have consequences, and it appears Odin isn't a believer in the ends justifying the means, which is bad news for everyone's favorite bio-mechanical equine Thor.
I'm really enjoying this. The internal struggle between Bill's desire to triumph through battle (which I think is fueled by desire for revenge), and his desire to protect life (which is why he really ought to be trying to stop Galactus). The Surfer being a mopey, indecisive sort, which is what he does best after all. Kano's art can appropriately convey the scope of the challenge our hero faces, and the toll it takes.
Deadpool #12 - Bullseye wakes up, which is pretty surprising considering Deadpool rammed a meat hook through his chest last month. More surprising, he wakes in a hospital he was delivered to by Deadpool. Actually, considering this is Deadpool I'm talking about, describing anything as surprising is probably a mistake. To wit: Later in the issue, Deadpool, frustrated because Bullseye has not reappeared to continue their battle, says '{4-letter expletive deleted} tacos.' At which point he vows that for making Wade hurt those he loves (the tacos) Bullseye will pay.
So the battle is (eventually) rejoined, and involves, rocket launchers, monster trucks, the threat of chainsawing, and random civilians. Oh, and Bullseye pleading for his life. Because he's a loser. Ha! Go Deadpool! Except victory be not sweet, and peace be not pleasant, or something poetic. Either way, the last page was kind of surprising, even for Deadpool.
I can't say that the stories Daniel Way's been writing have been densely plotted, but for the most part I've been entertained. They're kind of wacky, and Deadpool's thought processes are written as random enough to get a laugh. Or maybe they remind me of myself. I think the key will be to see what Way does next. The consistent theme of the first 12 issues has been Wade's quest for money (and respect). Well, he's got more money than probably even he can spend, and he kicked Bullseye's hind end, so that ought to cover respect, so what now? What's the new conflict that will challenge him?
Agents of Atlas #8 - Another month, another two issues of Agents of Atlas. I wonder why they're taking that tactic. I also wonder why Leinil Yu has the Hulk is rocking the Moe Howard haircut on the cover. Or would that be the "Guy Gardner, based on Ernie, General Glory's sidekick" haircut?The Agents are continuing to check up on the Atlas Foundation's various enterprises, and today they go to check a 'biological study lab', which really means 'we kidnap drifters and combine them into creations straight out of Silent Hill games'. Unfortunately (or fortunately), their most recent drifter happened to be the Hulk, who I did not realize had resumed his aimless drifting through the world. Anway, the crew manages to placate the Hulk, and remove the scientists from their employ, while Jimmy and M-11 find out what Suwan has been up to. The answer, predictably, is not good news for them.
I'm curious to find out what the "Jade Claw" has been up to all these years. She runs an organization roughly the size of Atlas, so how has she been using it? Pagulayan's art is still pretty, though I think I'm a little disappointed his Hulk didn't look more monstrous. Could have been because of all the lab-created freaks around him though. A big green guy can look mighty tame in comparison.
Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2 - That's a pretty nice cover, though the amount of blood on the hammer seems out of proportion to what's around the Surfer's face. Regardless, I wonder why Patrick Zircher can't land a regular penciling gig on a nice, high-selling title. I think he's a fine artist, and his stint on Cable/Deadpool demonstrated the man can hit his deadlines.Bill fights with the Surfer for a few pages, then learns the I'thians can put a decent fight themselves. Unfortunately, that's gone to their heads, and Bill is forced to be rather underhanded to get them to abandon their new world, since Galactus is on his way again. However, as always, actions have consequences, and it appears Odin isn't a believer in the ends justifying the means, which is bad news for everyone's favorite bio-mechanical equine Thor.
I'm really enjoying this. The internal struggle between Bill's desire to triumph through battle (which I think is fueled by desire for revenge), and his desire to protect life (which is why he really ought to be trying to stop Galactus). The Surfer being a mopey, indecisive sort, which is what he does best after all. Kano's art can appropriately convey the scope of the challenge our hero faces, and the toll it takes.
Deadpool #12 - Bullseye wakes up, which is pretty surprising considering Deadpool rammed a meat hook through his chest last month. More surprising, he wakes in a hospital he was delivered to by Deadpool. Actually, considering this is Deadpool I'm talking about, describing anything as surprising is probably a mistake. To wit: Later in the issue, Deadpool, frustrated because Bullseye has not reappeared to continue their battle, says '{4-letter expletive deleted} tacos.' At which point he vows that for making Wade hurt those he loves (the tacos) Bullseye will pay.So the battle is (eventually) rejoined, and involves, rocket launchers, monster trucks, the threat of chainsawing, and random civilians. Oh, and Bullseye pleading for his life. Because he's a loser. Ha! Go Deadpool! Except victory be not sweet, and peace be not pleasant, or something poetic. Either way, the last page was kind of surprising, even for Deadpool.
I can't say that the stories Daniel Way's been writing have been densely plotted, but for the most part I've been entertained. They're kind of wacky, and Deadpool's thought processes are written as random enough to get a laugh. Or maybe they remind me of myself. I think the key will be to see what Way does next. The consistent theme of the first 12 issues has been Wade's quest for money (and respect). Well, he's got more money than probably even he can spend, and he kicked Bullseye's hind end, so that ought to cover respect, so what now? What's the new conflict that will challenge him?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Something I Learned From Adventure Comics #354
Superman travels to the future and meets up with the Legion when they're adults, to help them with someone attacking them who, gasp, seems to know all their secrets! Who could it be? No, it's not Superman paying them back for all the tricks they used to play on him. He takes out that repressed anger on Jimmy and Lois, remember?The story mostly reveals which members will marry, or lose their powers, or whatever. So at least the cover was telling the truth, which I wasn't aware of since the copy I was reading has no cover.
The thing I learned, at least the thing I found amusing, was that as an adult, Brainiac 5 smokes a pipe. Not during battle*, but when the group is just standing around talking or planning, yeah, he's usually puffing away. As best I can tell, Curt Swan drew the issue, so maybe he just really wanted to draw Perry White and figured Brainiac 5 could be a green Perry White. Brainy has the receding hair to go with it.
Actually, most of the guy Legionnaires - active or retired - have receding hairlines. Except Colossal Boy, who can't actually change size anymore, but he did grow a beard, so he's got that going for him. Oh, and Bouncing Boy had really slimmed down. I wonder if that had something to do with not having his powers anymore?
* Which would be kind of cool. Brainiac 5, chilling behind his force field while he comes up with some ingenuous device to help, just puffing away, enjoying his fine space-tobacco. I'm sure it's engineered to clean your teeth, freshen your breath, and give your lung cillia a good scrubbing. The future is amazing!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Odd Little Quick Post
So here's one for you. Have you ever known someone whose eyelashes turned white or gray?
It can happen to the hair on top, the beard and mustaches, the eyebrows, the hair in various locations elsewhere, but I can't recall ever seeing anyone with eyelashes that naturally turned those colors. Of course, they might have been coloring them (can you do that, or would there be too great a risk of getting the stuff in your eyes?), but it was something that I thought of yesterday..
I'll just let you mull that over.
It can happen to the hair on top, the beard and mustaches, the eyebrows, the hair in various locations elsewhere, but I can't recall ever seeing anyone with eyelashes that naturally turned those colors. Of course, they might have been coloring them (can you do that, or would there be too great a risk of getting the stuff in your eyes?), but it was something that I thought of yesterday..
I'll just let you mull that over.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
I Know It Can't Be Easy, But Still
OK, so yesterday was dealing with the source of frustration by screaming about it. Today shall be dealing with a source of frustration by mocking it.
See, there's this panel where Jarvis tells Stark that he'll quit if Tony lets Tigra back onto the Avengers. Actually, Jarvis tacks a four-letter expletive on after her name, unknown which one, but regardless, what the hell? What could be so bad about Tigra that her presence would cause Jarvis to quit, where getting tortured by Mr. Hyde did not? Sure, Tigra probably sheds, or leaves hairballs laying around, and she might use the furniture as scratching posts, but consider the other people Jarvis has had to look after:
Hank Pym: When not having nervous breakdowns, unleashes killer robots on the team. Unless he's unleashing killer robots while in the throes of a nervous breakdown. Also, leaks Pym Particles allover the place, making things shrink without warning. Jarvis must constantly order new furniture because someone steps on the miniaturized couch.
Scott Lang: The Pym Particles thing goes for him too.
Hawkeye: Tied up Jarvis the first time they met. Freed him by shooting arrows at him. Probably used fine china for target practice. Made inappropriate comments about Jarvis' sort of niece, Silverclaw.
Beast: Larger than Tigra, and just as covered in fur, ergo he sheds even more than Tigra, and does so while hanging from chandeliers, meaning it gets in all sorts of hard to clean places, like on top of bookshelves. Disturbs Jarvis' sleep by making lots of noise when coming in from partying with Wonder Man.
Wonder Man: Out carousing with Beast, makes lots of noise on returning to the mansion. Also probably comes home with many floozies, leading Jarvis to have burn lots of sheets.
Moondragon: Generally unpleasant to be around. Cold, unfriendly, unfairly critical, rude.
Hercules: Also parties a lot. Comes home drunk, can't master the intricacies of the doorknob, so knocks down walls to enter mansion. Leaves giant casks laying around.
Deathcry, Black Widow, Jessica Drew, Wolverine: All of questionable moralities and allegiances. Not beyond the realm of possibility they could have hidden triggers that would cause them to kill Jarvis for some Byzantine purpose, orchestrated by a shadowy mastermind. Also, Wolverine and Deathcry shed too {Edit: As pointed out by Lurkerwithout, Deathcry probably molted, rather than shed. I forgot the Shi'ar were avian descended}. Especially Logan.
Ares: Might kill Jarvis just because. Hey, every other thought this guy has is about how he could have his way with the female teammates, I'm not putting murder out of the realm of possibility. Also sheds, but only when he bathes, which is rare. Once a month, tops, but seriously clogs the drain.
Scarlet Witch: Unstable hex powers constantly causing things to show up in the last place you would expect them. Like when the good silverware wound up in Hawkeye's underwear drawer, or when the vacuum was in the Quinjet, or the Christmas turkey was in the dishwasher. . .
Quicksilver: Slipstream from super-speed throws everything into disarray.
Warbird: Got into drinking contests with Herc and Stark. Drank up expensive bottle of Chateaus La'Tour from 1876 Jarvis was saving for special dinner with Aunt May. Replaced it with bottle of cheap stuff from corner liquor market.
Namor: Do I really need to explain this? Fine. Imagine having to meet Namor's specifications for living arrangements. "These sheets are not of fine enough silk! You call this caviar?! The water in the bathtub is loaded with mineral deposits! I demand a bath of fine mountain spring water, if you foolish surface dwellers haven't defiled it all!" And on and on.
The Hulk: I don't have to explain this one, right? "Coffee too hot! Hulk Smash!"
The Sentry: Batshit insane. Look, he can bring people back from the dead. It only stands to reason, therefore, that Superman Jesus (trademark: somebody else) can make that work in reverse as well. And who knows what would set him off? He could get terribly depressed from watching an episode of Animal Cops for cripes' sake!
USAgent: I don't think he was ever part of the East Coat branch, though he did help them in the last issue of Busiek's Avengers run. But they must have interacted at some point, and since we're talking USAgent here, there's no way it was pleasant.
Jack of Hearts: Leaks radiation. Leaves Jarvis concerned about cancer, or radiation poisoning in general.
Sandman: Tracks sand everywhere. Duh.
That's what I've got, just off the top of my head. I'm sure there's other heroes with other reasons, but it does seem odd the cat girl would be the one Jarvis vehemently opposes having around. Hmm, maybe he's a dog person? Either way, I feel better. Ah, cleansing the soul.
See, there's this panel where Jarvis tells Stark that he'll quit if Tony lets Tigra back onto the Avengers. Actually, Jarvis tacks a four-letter expletive on after her name, unknown which one, but regardless, what the hell? What could be so bad about Tigra that her presence would cause Jarvis to quit, where getting tortured by Mr. Hyde did not? Sure, Tigra probably sheds, or leaves hairballs laying around, and she might use the furniture as scratching posts, but consider the other people Jarvis has had to look after:
Hank Pym: When not having nervous breakdowns, unleashes killer robots on the team. Unless he's unleashing killer robots while in the throes of a nervous breakdown. Also, leaks Pym Particles allover the place, making things shrink without warning. Jarvis must constantly order new furniture because someone steps on the miniaturized couch.
Scott Lang: The Pym Particles thing goes for him too.
Hawkeye: Tied up Jarvis the first time they met. Freed him by shooting arrows at him. Probably used fine china for target practice. Made inappropriate comments about Jarvis' sort of niece, Silverclaw.
Beast: Larger than Tigra, and just as covered in fur, ergo he sheds even more than Tigra, and does so while hanging from chandeliers, meaning it gets in all sorts of hard to clean places, like on top of bookshelves. Disturbs Jarvis' sleep by making lots of noise when coming in from partying with Wonder Man.
Wonder Man: Out carousing with Beast, makes lots of noise on returning to the mansion. Also probably comes home with many floozies, leading Jarvis to have burn lots of sheets.
Moondragon: Generally unpleasant to be around. Cold, unfriendly, unfairly critical, rude.
Hercules: Also parties a lot. Comes home drunk, can't master the intricacies of the doorknob, so knocks down walls to enter mansion. Leaves giant casks laying around.
Deathcry, Black Widow, Jessica Drew, Wolverine: All of questionable moralities and allegiances. Not beyond the realm of possibility they could have hidden triggers that would cause them to kill Jarvis for some Byzantine purpose, orchestrated by a shadowy mastermind. Also, Wolverine and Deathcry shed too {Edit: As pointed out by Lurkerwithout, Deathcry probably molted, rather than shed. I forgot the Shi'ar were avian descended}. Especially Logan.
Ares: Might kill Jarvis just because. Hey, every other thought this guy has is about how he could have his way with the female teammates, I'm not putting murder out of the realm of possibility. Also sheds, but only when he bathes, which is rare. Once a month, tops, but seriously clogs the drain.
Scarlet Witch: Unstable hex powers constantly causing things to show up in the last place you would expect them. Like when the good silverware wound up in Hawkeye's underwear drawer, or when the vacuum was in the Quinjet, or the Christmas turkey was in the dishwasher. . .
Quicksilver: Slipstream from super-speed throws everything into disarray.
Warbird: Got into drinking contests with Herc and Stark. Drank up expensive bottle of Chateaus La'Tour from 1876 Jarvis was saving for special dinner with Aunt May. Replaced it with bottle of cheap stuff from corner liquor market.
Namor: Do I really need to explain this? Fine. Imagine having to meet Namor's specifications for living arrangements. "These sheets are not of fine enough silk! You call this caviar?! The water in the bathtub is loaded with mineral deposits! I demand a bath of fine mountain spring water, if you foolish surface dwellers haven't defiled it all!" And on and on.
The Hulk: I don't have to explain this one, right? "Coffee too hot! Hulk Smash!"
The Sentry: Batshit insane. Look, he can bring people back from the dead. It only stands to reason, therefore, that Superman Jesus (trademark: somebody else) can make that work in reverse as well. And who knows what would set him off? He could get terribly depressed from watching an episode of Animal Cops for cripes' sake!
USAgent: I don't think he was ever part of the East Coat branch, though he did help them in the last issue of Busiek's Avengers run. But they must have interacted at some point, and since we're talking USAgent here, there's no way it was pleasant.
Jack of Hearts: Leaks radiation. Leaves Jarvis concerned about cancer, or radiation poisoning in general.
Sandman: Tracks sand everywhere. Duh.
That's what I've got, just off the top of my head. I'm sure there's other heroes with other reasons, but it does seem odd the cat girl would be the one Jarvis vehemently opposes having around. Hmm, maybe he's a dog person? Either way, I feel better. Ah, cleansing the soul.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
The Drains Must Be Hell To Clean
Quick thought today. Who sheds more at the X-Mansion/Reservation, Wolverine or Beast?
Or is it Archangel's feathers (I really miss those metal wings. They were so kewl)?
Nightcrawler's furry isn't he? If he is, it's thinner fur, probably smaller hairs, which is harder to get out of the carpet.
I wonder if that rock guy in the current New X-Men book sheds rocks sometimes? That wouldn't be too bad, just need a broom and dustpan. Or maybe a shovel.
Or is it Archangel's feathers (I really miss those metal wings. They were so kewl)?
Nightcrawler's furry isn't he? If he is, it's thinner fur, probably smaller hairs, which is harder to get out of the carpet.
I wonder if that rock guy in the current New X-Men book sheds rocks sometimes? That wouldn't be too bad, just need a broom and dustpan. Or maybe a shovel.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Obviously, It's All Part Of A Devious Ploy
I want to sort of go back to something I got into here.
When I was reading Amazing Spider-Man #535, I noticed that Reed's sporting some stubble, suggesting he's been really busy, and there's no one around to remind him to shave. Between that, his story about his uncle, and his mentions of Ben being on a 'leave of absence', it actually went a ways towards humanizing him, showing that what they're doing is starting to get to him, even if it's only because he's losing the people closest to him, as they do what they think is best, and it isn't in agreement with him.
Of course, after his story about his uncle, followed by his assertion that you need to obey the law, no matter how lousy it is, didn't help, portraying him as someone too gutless to do what he believes in, which doesn't jibe with his past history (as noted by an anonymous commenter on Wednesdays' post). So Reed clearly lacks a backbone in the metaphorical sense, and if he's anything like his Ultimate counterpart, in the literal sense as well.
And this lead me to wonder whether it's possible for Reed to grow a beard. If he does lack internal organs, then I think that his body is sort of locked into the state that it was in when he got hit with those cosmic rays. Honestly, I'm just not sure how he can function without any noticeable internal structures. He obviously has something to pass for a nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory, circulatory, etc., but what, and where?
Reed could actually be like Plastic Man, to the point where it would be nearly impossible to kill him. With the way his body can change size and shape, he must be able to go through millions of mitotic divisions at will. Or else he's stretching the same cells out to crazy sizes, which would give him low elasticity (since the cells would be stretched more thinly, and break easier), which isn't the case. To go through all those mitotic divisions, should be leading to a considerable amount of early cell death, and significantly shortening Reed's life, but there hasn't been any sign of that so far, right? To be fair, I'm not sure how old Reed was when he stole his own ship, but it's been ten years of stretching and changing since then, so he ought to be showing some signs. But no, which suggests his body has some sort of additional feature that corrects for that problem. What, I couldn't guess. Maybe when he goes back to his default size and shape, all those extra cells recombine and it's as if no divisions occurred at all.
I just really wonder if Reed's body works the same as your average, Joe Schmoe, human being. In fact, to heck with whether Reed can grow a beard or not, do you think he can grow one at will? Gasp! That dastardly fiend! He intentionally made his normal facial hair stretch to resemble a couple days' old stubble, so we'd think he was worn down and underestimate him. He was probably trying to make Peter think he'd found someone else with doubts he could confide in, to set Pete up.
Say it with Doctor Doom now people: Accursed Richards!
When I was reading Amazing Spider-Man #535, I noticed that Reed's sporting some stubble, suggesting he's been really busy, and there's no one around to remind him to shave. Between that, his story about his uncle, and his mentions of Ben being on a 'leave of absence', it actually went a ways towards humanizing him, showing that what they're doing is starting to get to him, even if it's only because he's losing the people closest to him, as they do what they think is best, and it isn't in agreement with him.
Of course, after his story about his uncle, followed by his assertion that you need to obey the law, no matter how lousy it is, didn't help, portraying him as someone too gutless to do what he believes in, which doesn't jibe with his past history (as noted by an anonymous commenter on Wednesdays' post). So Reed clearly lacks a backbone in the metaphorical sense, and if he's anything like his Ultimate counterpart, in the literal sense as well.
And this lead me to wonder whether it's possible for Reed to grow a beard. If he does lack internal organs, then I think that his body is sort of locked into the state that it was in when he got hit with those cosmic rays. Honestly, I'm just not sure how he can function without any noticeable internal structures. He obviously has something to pass for a nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory, circulatory, etc., but what, and where?
Reed could actually be like Plastic Man, to the point where it would be nearly impossible to kill him. With the way his body can change size and shape, he must be able to go through millions of mitotic divisions at will. Or else he's stretching the same cells out to crazy sizes, which would give him low elasticity (since the cells would be stretched more thinly, and break easier), which isn't the case. To go through all those mitotic divisions, should be leading to a considerable amount of early cell death, and significantly shortening Reed's life, but there hasn't been any sign of that so far, right? To be fair, I'm not sure how old Reed was when he stole his own ship, but it's been ten years of stretching and changing since then, so he ought to be showing some signs. But no, which suggests his body has some sort of additional feature that corrects for that problem. What, I couldn't guess. Maybe when he goes back to his default size and shape, all those extra cells recombine and it's as if no divisions occurred at all.
I just really wonder if Reed's body works the same as your average, Joe Schmoe, human being. In fact, to heck with whether Reed can grow a beard or not, do you think he can grow one at will? Gasp! That dastardly fiend! He intentionally made his normal facial hair stretch to resemble a couple days' old stubble, so we'd think he was worn down and underestimate him. He was probably trying to make Peter think he'd found someone else with doubts he could confide in, to set Pete up.
Say it with Doctor Doom now people: Accursed Richards!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Yet Another Thing I Never Thought I'd Be Discussing
But first, permit me a slight digression. This occurred to me last night, and I have to spit it out, or it's going to bounce around inside my noggin like Speedball, driving me insane. Here's the thought: In the current DC Universe, Deadshot - 2nd best assassin on the planet, behind only Deathstroke - is closer to being considered a hero - or at least an anti-hero - than Cassandra Cain, who spent at least six years (our time) as a successful, crime-fighting Batgirl. This boggles my mind, and now, I'll drop it. Moving to other subjects, namely, hair.
Specifically, Osborn hair.
Take a look at Harry's hair. Now I ask you, what exactly is the deal with the striping pattern? I admit, I don't get out much. I'm not hip, I'm not down with what's cool. Heck, I don't even own a comb. But what is the deal with the black-then auburn-then black hair?
Norman Osborn has it. Harry Osborn had it. Little Normie didn't have it when he was a child (back when his dad was alive but his grandpa wasn't), but he does in Spider-Girl.
Is it some sort of genetic trait inherent to Osborns? Would it be limited to the men, something they gain upon reaching puberty, the point at which their pumpkin bombs dropped?
I can't believe I just tried that as a joke. *shakes head*
It can't be as a result of being exposed to the serum that gives Goblins super-powers, as I don't recall Roderick Kingsley having that hair, while Normie was never exposed to the chemical.
The only way I can figure you get hair that looks like that is by lighting up a barbecue grill, and doing a headstand on in it. You'd have to rotate your head forward and back a bit to get the complete effect, but it could work.
I don't have sufficient materials in front of me to check it, but I wonder if the ratio of auburn to black would be representative of how evil they were at any given point? Looking through Spider-Girl #100, and going off the assumption that Normie isn't a bad guy any more, it would seem like auburn, which is in the minority, would be the color of evil. That would jibe with Harry's death scene in Spectacular Spider-Man #200, where his hair was almost totally black after he'd overcome his, I'd say dementia, and saved Peter from a bomb he'd planted himself. The true person within emerges, and overwhelms his father's influence.
Unfortunately, I don't really have much in front of me to compare with, but Norman at least seems to have a bit more auburn than his descendants. So maybe auburn represents a greater amount of inner fire, which can be twisted in all sorts of bad ways. Which is why Norman is such a dangerous enemy, he's got too much fire. He can't simply reach a point where he decides that trying to harass, ruin, and destroy Peter Parker is no longer worth the trouble.
It'd be an interesting way for the artists to convey the character's intentions, if it did actually hold true.
Specifically, Osborn hair.Take a look at Harry's hair. Now I ask you, what exactly is the deal with the striping pattern? I admit, I don't get out much. I'm not hip, I'm not down with what's cool. Heck, I don't even own a comb. But what is the deal with the black-then auburn-then black hair?
Norman Osborn has it. Harry Osborn had it. Little Normie didn't have it when he was a child (back when his dad was alive but his grandpa wasn't), but he does in Spider-Girl.
Is it some sort of genetic trait inherent to Osborns? Would it be limited to the men, something they gain upon reaching puberty, the point at which their pumpkin bombs dropped?
I can't believe I just tried that as a joke. *shakes head*
It can't be as a result of being exposed to the serum that gives Goblins super-powers, as I don't recall Roderick Kingsley having that hair, while Normie was never exposed to the chemical.
The only way I can figure you get hair that looks like that is by lighting up a barbecue grill, and doing a headstand on in it. You'd have to rotate your head forward and back a bit to get the complete effect, but it could work.
I don't have sufficient materials in front of me to check it, but I wonder if the ratio of auburn to black would be representative of how evil they were at any given point? Looking through Spider-Girl #100, and going off the assumption that Normie isn't a bad guy any more, it would seem like auburn, which is in the minority, would be the color of evil. That would jibe with Harry's death scene in Spectacular Spider-Man #200, where his hair was almost totally black after he'd overcome his, I'd say dementia, and saved Peter from a bomb he'd planted himself. The true person within emerges, and overwhelms his father's influence.
Unfortunately, I don't really have much in front of me to compare with, but Norman at least seems to have a bit more auburn than his descendants. So maybe auburn represents a greater amount of inner fire, which can be twisted in all sorts of bad ways. Which is why Norman is such a dangerous enemy, he's got too much fire. He can't simply reach a point where he decides that trying to harass, ruin, and destroy Peter Parker is no longer worth the trouble.
It'd be an interesting way for the artists to convey the character's intentions, if it did actually hold true.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Reflections on March 1st Buys #1
Starting it off with Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #5, my first question is, when a person with red hair reaches senescence (old age), what color does their hair typically turn?
I'm looking at the ending scenes of the issue, the confrontation between "Spider-Man is stalking me" Woman and Spidey's Widow. Most of the time, the widow's hair is just gray, but there are a couple of panels where it's blondish, just a little darker than the hair Vanna had at the start of the issue. Which of course, set off my panic button. "Holy crap, that's not Mary Jane! They're going to have them break up! Please tell me he didn't wind up with Gwen Stacy's daughter, who happens to look just like Gwen!" OK, so I'm overreacting to what was probably a colorist error, what of it? I've heard things about Quesada. That he doesn't think Peter should be married. And after House of M, I'm a little concerned.
Between Peter realizing his "perfect" life is with Gwen Stacy and not Mary Jane, his "death" and what happened in the hospital just prior to it, and this blood oath with Stark (which I think MJ has more misgivings about than Peter. She doesn't seem to trust Stark as much as Peter does, which I figure could be traced back to the problems with her father. Peter may gravitate towards father figures, I think MJ tends to distrust them. Which is the right instinct here), there seems like there's going to be more stress than normal in the Parker family. Even with Aunt May's influence, this could get rocky. I can even see Peter and MJ getting into it over whether to stay at Stark Tower (Peter) or get their own place (Mary Jane and Aunt May).
Granted, they've tried to get rid of Mary Jane before, with a airplane disaster, and before JMS came to Amazing Spider-Man they sent her to Los Angeles. Ultimately, I'd say fan response overrode both, and she was back. But Joey Q strikes me as a stubborn man. If he wants Mary Jane gone, I doubt he'll stop trying.
Or maybe I'm nuts.
I'm looking at the ending scenes of the issue, the confrontation between "Spider-Man is stalking me" Woman and Spidey's Widow. Most of the time, the widow's hair is just gray, but there are a couple of panels where it's blondish, just a little darker than the hair Vanna had at the start of the issue. Which of course, set off my panic button. "Holy crap, that's not Mary Jane! They're going to have them break up! Please tell me he didn't wind up with Gwen Stacy's daughter, who happens to look just like Gwen!" OK, so I'm overreacting to what was probably a colorist error, what of it? I've heard things about Quesada. That he doesn't think Peter should be married. And after House of M, I'm a little concerned.
Between Peter realizing his "perfect" life is with Gwen Stacy and not Mary Jane, his "death" and what happened in the hospital just prior to it, and this blood oath with Stark (which I think MJ has more misgivings about than Peter. She doesn't seem to trust Stark as much as Peter does, which I figure could be traced back to the problems with her father. Peter may gravitate towards father figures, I think MJ tends to distrust them. Which is the right instinct here), there seems like there's going to be more stress than normal in the Parker family. Even with Aunt May's influence, this could get rocky. I can even see Peter and MJ getting into it over whether to stay at Stark Tower (Peter) or get their own place (Mary Jane and Aunt May).
Granted, they've tried to get rid of Mary Jane before, with a airplane disaster, and before JMS came to Amazing Spider-Man they sent her to Los Angeles. Ultimately, I'd say fan response overrode both, and she was back. But Joey Q strikes me as a stubborn man. If he wants Mary Jane gone, I doubt he'll stop trying.
Or maybe I'm nuts.
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