Join us at talkshoe.com to discuss DC Comics, mostly Superman in all his incarnations and media.
G2 FACTOR REVIEWS ALL 8 ACTION COMICS
G2 Factor reviewed each issue of Grant Morrison’s and Rags Morales premiere story arc for the new 52 Action Comic series. Until some changes are made we’re done with this one.
Action # 1 times two (1938 vs 2011)
Action #8 vs SMALLVILLE SEASON 11, Chapter 1
This is what happens when DC Editorial concentrates on the writer’s rep and not the character’s development. We persisted trying to find Superman through these eight issues. That’s what Clark Kent or Lois Lane would do — but it was not to be. Ha la la to the elitist puzzle called “storytelling” with missing pieces and no heart or soul or hopeful spirit. Red boot strategically placed to shove you out the door. Adios! No bueno!
Superman’s back and it ain’t in Action.
G2FACTOR: CATWOMAN 7 & TINY TITANS 50
SUNDAY, March 25th at 5 pm EDT/4pm CDT, G2Factor will discuss Catwoman 7 and the final issue of Tiny Titans #50 on talkshoe. Yes, we do it all from sexy Selina Kyle to the charming kids within the pages of Tiny Titans. We highly recommend Tiny Titans to anyone of any age. This book even gives you a guide as to who the players are, that’s more than you get in Action. This Eisner Award winning series is also available in trade paperbacks and chapter books.
In May, the Tiny Titans’ creative team will be producing Superman Family Adventures. People of all ages are looking forward to its debut. It just may be one of the few examples of a positive view of Superman and his cast of characters in this very dark and hopeless new 52 continuity.
In DCnU news, Wonder Woman fans were rocked with the new origination story presented in issue #7. The Amazons (who will be dead in Robinson’s Earth 2 series) are no longer a benevolent, independent, empowered female tribe. The new 52 continues its onslaught of putting female and female influence in a bad light (that’s putting it nicely) within their 14-to-34-year-old male target audience books.
New 52 Amazons maintain their female tribe by boarding ships, having sex with male pirates and killing the sperm donors. But their treachery and selfishness doesn’t stop there. Nine months later, the female children are kept and the male children are traded with Haephestus for the weapons of mass destruction he and the Amazon ‘failures’ (males) construct. It is Haephestus (male god of technology and craftsmen) who informs Wonder Woman of this centuries long aberration. It is through his perspective (male) that we see the demonization of the Amazons.
Wonder Woman is rated TEEN. As a parent, would you want your 14-to-18-year-old sons exposed to this concept of females/women/girls? Would you want your daughter/sister/mother to read this? The lack of nobility in the new 52 continues. (Majesty should never be solely conveyed in the collar of a costume.)
Interviews with Bryan Q. Miller, writer of Smallville Season 11, this week. Remember this premiere digital-first issue will be available on Friday, April 13th, not the usual Wednesday for comic fans, but the usual Friday for Smallville fans. And if you’re interested in the print compilation (4 issues), May 2nd is the date to mark on your calendar. Keep in mind, if you purchase a digital issue on your device app, you can read it on the web on Comixology.com. For those without smartphones, ipods or other such devices, you can register and ‘download’ on Comixology.com to read your digital issues. If you have a device app but also want to access on the web, it might be a good idea to keep your login name and password the same on the device app account and Comixology account for ease of use.
May 5th (a Saturday) is Free Comic Book Day. But if you want that Smallville Season 11 print, you better go on that Wednesday before they’re sold out. Oh, what the heck, go both days!
A special thank you to Marv Wolfman (author of Crisis on Infinite Earths), who brought DCU Online Legends to a satisfactory end. Lois lives! (as well as millions of others) Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see her alive in Superman’s arms (or at all) in the final issue, #26. Good series despite Lois getting fridged. Still wondering if the writers’ retreat in 2009 said, “Make Lex the star!” After Cornell’s run in Action and this series, it makes you wonder.
June 12th, Joe Kelly’s Superman vs the Elite will be released. Based on Action v1 #775’s “What’s so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way?”, this is a quintessential Superman story. Experience why Superman doesn’t work as an anti-hero especially when the new 52 is shoving anti-heroism upon their icons. All Superman fans will enjoy this truly noble Man of Steel story.
Should be a lively discussion with all the comics and DCnU news. Join us on Sunday. Downloads available on iTunes and talkshoe. Live chat and streaming on talkshoe.
Enjoy!
SUNDAY! February 5th at 5 PM ET/4 PM CT, G2Factor will try to guide listeners through the whacky mindset waters of yet another Morrison comic. For a guy who professed to research the Golden Age of Superman, he’s got an awfully lot of Silver Age stuff in his story arc.
**WARNING: MORRISON RANT COMING**
Did he just read Siegel and Shuster’s Action #1 (one issue) and skip to the 1950′s stories? Is he depending on his Silver Age research for All Star Superman? He tosses out names like we’re supposed to know who these people/beings are (we don’t, so surely new readers won’t have a clue) and then he never names Smarmy Guy — is he supposed to be Mxy? This isn’t a mystery as much as it is holding back by the author and pummeling us with ubiquitous red herrings supposedly for that big final finish. Do we seriously believe Morrison will tie up all the loose ends?
This issue had two titles. The second was unnecessary since young Clark Kent flying was never the center of the story. Also how did The Collector’s old ship become young Superman’s Fortress of Solitude after he fought the Terminauts if he was still leaping tall buildings in a single bound? Did he leap into space to get there? Really? Since this issue had the second title involving flying, wouldn’t he have flown there? And if so, when did he start flying on his own (without a Legion ring)? THESE are the things we want to know especially in a supposed ‘origins story’ which should become foundational continuity. It isn’t. It’s about Morrison and his ideas more than it is about establishing Superman as a character. Maybe Grant should go out and find another cosplayer to talk to — this time, one who understands Clark Kent and Lois Lane as well as Superman.
**SORRY, THIS RANT WILL NEVER BE OVER **
Big thanks to Andy Kubert’s art giving us some good emotional moments.
So … Sholly Fisch gave us another terrific story with heart about Clark’s past. Can’t he write the main story? He did a fantastic job with the Superman Adventures.
Also this Sunday, we will be discussing Superman’s role in the DCnU, the triangle for two and how it’s changed, and whatever else strikes our fancy.
Join G2 Factor on talkshoe in the live chatroom or listen on live streaming. Downloads available on iTunes and talkshoe.
Hope to see you there!
Question of the week (almost every week): Is the true villain of the Superman stories DC editorial/management?
Other question of the week: Does Rags Morales have to come back as artist?
SUNDAY, January 29th at 5pm ET/4pm CT, G2Factor will talk about this penultimate issue of George Perez’s story arc. Great cliffhanger at the end to make us excited for Superman #6. Hopefully some things will be resolved.
What is up with the bugs? Bugs in Action Comics in Superman’s past and now bugs in his present. Apparently there will be even more bugs in his future when Giffen and Jurgens take over writing and drawing the Superman comic.
G2Factor would like to encourage listeners to find a local comic shop (if you haven’t already) and buy back issues of Superman’s story. Find out when your LCS has sales on their back issues. You may find you can get some great comics for pennies on the dollar. Why would you want to buy old comic books? Because you just might find the Superman/Clark Kent you’ve always loved.
Live chatroom and live streaming available. Downloads available on iTunes and talkshoe.
Superman also appeared in Justice League #5 this week. We’ll talk a bit about that, too. As well as … DCnU news!!! Most of it bad with a glimmer of hope (with some fanwanking, maybe). The more we hear about editorial, the worse it gets. Does DC stand for Disinformation Central?
Talk should be lively.
Enjoy!
SUPERMAN #2 & DCnU News
SATURDAY! SATURDAY! SATURDAY! SATURDAY! SATURDAY! Night’s alright!
While Superman fights yet another monster with dubious origins (no, it’s not Grant Morrison, darnit), G2Factor will be talking about Superman #2. THIS IS A SUPERMAN STORY! And that’s a damn good thing. George Perez and Jesus Merino give us more story in 25 pages then all the Action panels do in 40.
With one framed picture, Perez reveals how BS-Superman meets Lois Lane and she writes the story of the century. All smiles and loving who they are is captured in that moment — and this is a prop that Lois shows to Clark Kent. Oh yea, Clark Kent is in this book, too. Not Harry Potter Clark either. The real deal.
After reading this issue, I reread Superman #1 (which was the 5th best selling comic in September & got a 2nd printing this month). There is a cohesive story going on. So many clues to follow in the mystery of these monsters showing up in Metropolis. We’re intrigued.
Watch Superman be the “damsel in distress” whom Lois assists in saving him and Metropolis.
Such a well constructed, written, drawn book!!! A must read! Full of heart and hope — a true Superman story.
So join us on Saturday, October 29th at 6 pm EDT. G2Factor has live chat room and streaming as well as downloads on iTunes and talkshoe.
Hope to see you there!
SUPERGIRL, JL2, & CATWOMAN, TOO
SUNDAY!!! October 23rd at 6pm ET, G2Factor will take on these three issues. Kal-El meets his cousin Kara who thinks he’s still an infant. Superman meets Batman, Green Lantern, and the Flash while taking care of business. Bats and Cats enjoy each other’s company as Bruce Wayne catches Selina Kyle’s eye and mobster massacre. (since Clark and Lois can’t get intimate, this is the best the DCnU can do.) We’ll take on these issues as well as the current news from the DCnU. Sunday on talkshoe. Live streaming and chat available. Aftershow. Downloads on iTunes and talkshoe. How are you feeling about the new 52? Are you enjoying the direction it is taking? Let us know! tiny Superman and tiny Batman have a new friend. Plush Catwoman! Watch for them on twitter!
ACTION #2 & the DCnU
Morrison straps Superman down so Lex can talk even more! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! Yep, we’re changing the day this week. On October 9th at 6pm ET (5pm CT)G2Factor will be discussing the new Action #2. Written by Grant Morrison with pencils by Rags Morales and additional pencils by Brent Anderson. This issue featured behind the scene interviews with Morrison, Morales and Gene Ha, who will be doing the Kryptonian scenes in the next issue. More get-the-red-out-needs-Visine guy AKA tortured Superman with a new power. At least he talked to Lois. Also we may even talk about DCU Online Legends #15. Very sad issue. Remember this deals with the previous incarnation of Superman. He and Lois are married. G2Factor is so excited. A tiny celebrity will be joining us this week. He’s a very special guest. tiny Superman! The latest sensation! He makes us smile. He couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s been saving Superman fans from the icky DCnU monster. And has been inspiring hope with all he comes in contact. A true Superman!!! So remember we’re on Sunday this week! Live streaming and chat. Aftershow. Downloads are available on iTunes and talkshoe. So join us. Enjoy!
Superman #1 & WTH is DC doing?
Out with the old … Superman #1 (v3) came out this week. Written by George Perez with art by Jesus Merino. Set in present DCnU time, Clark has been in Metropolis for 5.5 years but apparently hasn’t inspired the citizenry of Metropolis or dated Lois Lane. Many aspects of this book were better than Action, but this reboot leaves a whole lot to be desired even if we’ve only seen the first issues. G2Factor will discuss this issue and how the DCnU is going generally. Plus we may toss in some comments regarding the 1998 Superman 2000 pitch which has played out in different Superman stories and Spiderman stories. We have questions. Is DC so callous as to rip away Superman’s marriage and iconic relationship with Lois Lane and not give us any relationship at all, even after these characters have been in the same city for 5.5 years? We’re still not sure Lois has met Clark or Superman in Action and we saw no interaction between Lois and Superman in this issue. Clark is a character with great heart, unfortunately we are not seeing that in this DCnU Superman. He seems petulant even after 5 years of saves in Metropolis. Has he not matured? No lessons learned? What is Superman’s motivation or inspiration if he has no heart for people or Lois Lane in particular? Being edgy all the time gets boring after a while. Introducing new readers to this DCnU Superman may be fine and dandy for sales initially, but can loyal buying fans of the character keep swallowing this bitter pill of changes? Especially when DC has gone out of its way to destroy the Kent marriage, Clark’s heart, Ma & Pa Kent and the Daily Planet? Was sacrificing Clark’s hope and inspiration on the altar of new readers really a wise decision? Join us October 1st at 6pm ET on talkshoe as we ask these and other questions. Live streaming and chat. Aftershow. Downloads on iTunes and talkshoe. Enjoy!
FEELING SUPERMAN DEPRIVED? CALL IN SHOW
Who would you believe in? Whether you’re a Smallville fan without a show to watch or a comic reader without a Superman with kindness and humility, Saturday, September 17th at 6 pm EDT will give you an opportunity to share your views on Superman, his marriage, Smallville Clark Kent, and the new DCnU Superman. G2Factor on talkshoe is doing a call in show. We’ll be talking about the end of Smallville, our favorite Superman, live action or comic, the new DCnU Superman and Clark Kent …er or should we say Harry Potter with his Guy Gardner haired best bud, Jimmy Olsen. And what about Lois Lane? How do you feel about this chain of events? We’d like to know. Join Holli, Kimmie, Tasha and Chris in discussing our favorite subjects.
Join us on Saturday, September 10th as we discuss the classic 1938 Action Comics #1, the issue that started a multi million dollar industry and America’s most recognizable icon worldwide. We will compare it to Grant Morrison’s 2011 version seeing how their tone, stories, and characters are similar and different. Are current times indicative of the late 30′s? Does the history of the Superman character since that time demand some acknowledgement? Is Superman more than an alien with superpowers and a secret identity? Does he catalyst people to aspire to be better than they are? To be all that they can be? Is cynicism a valid portrayal of maturity? Does might make right? Should that question be brought up in a story involving Clark Kent? DCnU version Should Lex Luthor be drinking hyper caffeine drinks? Lois Lane, has she met Superman face to face? Has she met Clark Kent face to face? Jimmy Olsen is now friends with Clark but not Superman? Is General Sam Lane like his Post Crisis self or more like his Ironside/Flashpoint self? And who is this mystery woman that the DCnU has appearing in multiple #1 issues? Did you spot her? Swamp Thing #1n And why are we talking about Swamp Thing #1? Despite the fact Dan Didio said there would be no crossovers, Superman complete with Kryptonian armor shows up to speak to Alec Holland. Yes, the mystery woman shows up in it, too Press on this link G2Factor and check out the live streaming and chat. Downloads on talkshoe & iTunes after the show. Enjoy!
