Buying Fantastic Four 587?
One of the members of the Fantastic Four will die tomorrow. Given comic book characters’ propensity for reincarnation I wouldn’t weep too much.
The death issue is hitting comic shops on a Tuesday instead of the typical comic book Wednesday because issues like this tend to attract massive crowds of people who don’t read comics. If you’re one of those people, here’s my advice:
Don’t buy Fantastic Four #587.
I don’t want to be misunderstood. I think it’s great when non comic fans start reading comics, but that’s not what these media attention grabbing death issues are about. They are about cashing in on ignorant speculation. The demand for this issue will be huge, and for the next month or two, Fantastic Four #587 will fetch a price much higher than what it says on its cover. Then everyone will stop caring, there and there will be a glut of the issue in the secondary market for decades. This kind of stuff has been happening since the Death of Superman; and that comic isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
If you were thinking about buying Fantastic Four #587 do yourself a favor and go to your local comic shop and ask for a graphic novel like V for Vendetta, Watchmen, Y the Last Man, Sandman, Sin City, Kingdom Come, Pride of Baghdad, Superman: Red Son, or The Walking Dead.
There are so many amazing comics to read. Don’t waste your time and money buying a one-shot comic as an investment, I promise you it won’t be worth much a year from now (Unless you’re looking at a pre WWII comic).
Manufactured Social Distractions
Valerie D’Orazio of Occasional Superheroine and Valerie D’Orazio posted some great thoughts on our relationship with the media, and all of the micro scandals that should be insignificant, yet they dominate airtime and personal thought-time:
“The Way It Is” or “The Prejean Maneuver”
It’s interesting stuff, and she makes some of her points with Watchmen references – Bonus points!
Review: Tales of the Black Freighter
I picked up Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter/ Under the Hood and watched it this evening.
Honestly, I just cannot recommend this DVD.
First, Tales of the Black Freighter is 26 minutes long, and Under the Hood runs 38 minutes. There isn’t a lot of content on this disc and it costs anywhere between $13 and $21 depending on where you get it. That’s a lot of money for a little bit of content.
The second problem is that Tales of the Black Freighter is a comic within a comic in Watchmen. It runs concurrently with the main story of the Watchmen. Divorcing Tales of the Black Freighter from the main story just didn’t work for me. It felt hollow.
I enjoyed Under the Hood, but I am a comic historian and I love the back story that Alan Moore built for the Minutemen. The manner in which it parallels the real history and development of super hero comics from the 1930s through the 1960s is damn cool.
At the end of the day, if you are looking to experience the full story of the Watchmen, read the book – It is a better, more complete experience.
Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood Trailer
The Watchmen graphic novel includes a number of things that the movie does not. One is literally a comic within the comic called, Tales of the Black Freighter. In Watchmen, there is a kid reading the comic throughout the story. The Tales of the Black Freighter story should be told concurrently with the story of the Watchmen, but that isn’t really an option now is it?
There is a Tales of the Black Freighter animated movie that will be on sale starting March 24. Here is a trailer for it:
Additionally, the DVD will feature the stories from Under the Hood. Under the Hood is the tell-all book written about the first generation of costumed heroes written by the elder Night-Owl, Hollis Mason. Segments of the book are included at the end of some of the chapters of the Watchmen graphic novel. I am not sure what they will do with Under the Hood in the movie, but I am really curious to see it.
You can expect a review in a couple of weeks.
Watchmen Reviewed *Spoiler Free*
You only get to experience the Watchmen for the first time once.
The best way to experience the Watchmen for the first time is the graphic novel – by far. That being said, I really enjoyed the movie.
I see a good movie. What do you see?
They told the story well, the characters interacted properly, and their motivations were spot-on.
There are noticeable differences, but it is the story that I love made flesh.
What was lacking was context and backstory. Due to the difference in medium some things had to be cut on account of time or inability based upon the medium. A lot of the backstory, history, and metaphor (subtle and obvious) were missing. It didn’t killed the story, but it isn’t the ideal way to experience this epic for the first time.
There are two things that movies have that comics don’t, sound and motion. Both were used effectively. The voices were great, especially Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach and the song selection was great. Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin’, Jimi Hendrix’s All Along the Watchtower, Nena’s 99 Luftballoons (99 Red Balloons), and Ride of the Valkyries where perfectly placed, and strikingly loud. The songs actually told the story, which I found quite striking.
The acting and fight scenes felt like a natural interpretation of the Dave Gibbon’s artwork. The attention to detail in the scenery was also a nice a respectful touch. The fights did seem to suggest that these normal humans were something more than normal, but looking back at the graphic novel, I think it did too. Either way, it worked well.
My complaints center mostly on the loss of some key character development across the board, but especially when it comes to the whole impotence thing. If you’ve read the graphic novel, I think you will know what I mean. It was a big part of the psychology of one of the main characters.
Probably my biggest problem actually came in the credits (I think this is the first time I have had a problem with the credits in a movie). Malin Akerman (Laurie Jupiter/ Silk Spectre II) was given top billing, not Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach). This bugs me for two reasons. First and foremost, Rorschach may not be the protagonist, but I think he is the primary vehicle for telling the story. The second reason is simply that Haley steals the show. The man was the perfect Rorschach. Don’t get me wrong, Akerman played a great Laurie Jupiter. She nailed the part on every level, but she just can’t compete with the brilliance of Haley’s performance.
All-in-all, Zack Snyder & co. did good work. They capitalized on the strengths of cinema while limiting a lot of the damage that a comic-to-film translation usually entails. It is extremely difficult to handle such a revered series, and they did it with grace.
Tips
- Read the graphic novel first! If you go back and experience the graphic novel after seeing the movie, I just don’t think it will be as special. You can buy it online, or preferably visit your friendly neighborhood comic shop – They have stocked piled copies of this legendary book just for you.
- The movie is quite long – two hours and 43 minutes long. You probably won’t want to drink much before or during the movie.
- Remember that there is nothing “feel good” about this story. I wouldn’t recommend it as a date movie.
For more Geek Whisperer coverage, click here.
Big Blue
This post is not about about IBM, although I am aware that another tech post is long overdue.
As I browsed my new favorite blog, Occasional Superheroine, I was kind of shocked (not an easy feat) by her latest post – Watchmen Condom “Sexist?”
It seems that the upcoming movie, the Watchmen is now being shock-marketed with blue condoms that say, “We’re society’s only protection” on the packaging.
Why blue condoms you ask?
Because main character Dr. Manhattan is both blue and nude… you can’t really argue with the cleverness.
He's omnipotent. No need for modesty.
Is it sexist? Feel free to check out Occasional Superheroine’s post for that one. I am going to make a different point.
A few days ago I wrote about the appropriateness of the advertisements and merchandizing of Watchmen. Namely, I’ve been bothered by the kid friendly marketing and merchandise for what will be a very kid-unfriendly movie.
At least the use of condoms appeal to a more mature audience. I think it is more honest marketing.
… and that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
Getting Apprehensive About Watchmen
When I first heard about a Watchmen movie, I thought it was a terrible idea.
Then I came around and was merely apprehensive.
I read some interviews with director Zack Snyder and felt at ease.
Then the media blitz happened… and now I am feeling apprehensive again.
I know that Snyder has taken some creative liberties with the story. Some are mundane and don’t matter much, others like changing the way the end plays out are big, but from what I’ve read, make sense to me.
However there are aspects to the story that will only work in comics; I am prepared to watch the movie knowing that. So, don’t expect to hear me rant about those as I think many of my geek brethren will.
What is making me apprehensive are the ads and merchandizing.
Either Snyder has really changed the core characters (which I don’t think he has), or the ads and merchandizing are exceptionally misleading. Allow me to demonstrate:
During my visit to NYC to see BB King & Buddy Guy I met my friend Jackie at the Borders bookstore next to Penn Station.
As I approached the store, I saw a big display for the Watchmen graphic novel (I was inspired by Mark from JerseyStyle Photography to carry my camera with me more often).
Then I walked into the store and saw the latest Entertainment Weekly on the racks.
Then I found this table in the center of the store.
The table has “art of Watchmen” books, the graphic novel, doomsday clock t-shirts,and little Rorschach bookmarks.
The Rorschach bookmarks are what really trouble me.
Complete with a cute little beaded string!
Here’s what bothers me about this…
ALL OF THIS CRAP IS MISLEADING!!!
This is not a kid friendly story. It’s “Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language.”
Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with violence, sex, nudity or foul language, but I do think that the advertisements are making the movie look like something it isn’t.
This is not kid friendly. The only people who should be buying Rorschach bookmarks are people who know how ironic this product is. He looks like a friendly hero in that picture… He’s not!
Rorschach is an ultra-violent and deeply disturbed individual.
If you thought that the Dark Knight was dark, scary, and a movie that you shouldn’t take your kids to, Watchmen should be 100 times worse.
Something is off here, the ads/ merchandising or the story. I really hope it’s the former.
If they stay true to the story it should be a thrilling ride… just not one to bring children on.
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