Greetings, human and alien alike.
This is a tiny update to let everyone know that my internet/computer has been a complete bastard and died on me.
It should be fixed soon enough and I will commense onward with The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom.
I apologise SO much for this, but stick around and we'll be right back!
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Monday, 23 August 2010
The Mast Blogs: Welcome to the Mast's 100th Post!
Greetings!
I really didn't mean to skip out without doing a post yesterday. The problem is that I didn't want my 100th post to go to waste, so I couldn't post anything until I had done my 100th post.
I decided that I wouldn't do anything too elaborate, but I'd say what honestly needs to be said.
The reason I started this blog was because I love comics. Pure and simply, I love comics. I love reading them, reading about them and talking about them. They've been a monumental part of my life since I was six years old. Unfortunately, I hate feeling like I'm talking to myself, as good a conversationalist as I am. On my first few posts, for a long time, I was getting NO commments or any feedback. It's hard enough getting my blog out there NOW, much less back then.
Welcome to the Mast began in November as, I suppose, part service and part vanity project. I love the knowledge I have and as arrogant as it may seem, I love reading my own posts. I guess it's like George Lucas said about Star Wars; his main aim was to make a movie everyone would copy, so that he could relax and watch the copies. It wasn't all arrogance, though, because I also started this site so that I could educate people on what I like and what comics are about.
With the current wave of comic book movies, people are gaining more and more interest in these characters, however fleeting it may be. Seemingly people lose interest once they leave the cinema, but this blog is here for the opposite reason. If people wish to know what is going on and how to get into comics, I like to think that I can provide all that info, as a fan.
The very fact that I've introduced at least a few people to comics is enough for me to know what I'm doing is good. The comments are coming in on a way more frequent basis, and I'm starting to feel as though people really are getting to know my blog (If you read this and have a blog yourself, please, shout mine out).
On top of that, Welcome to the Mast has afforded me the opportunity to promote something. It was due to me promoting my site that I met Iyare of Direct Edition fame, and as a result, I am on the regular broadcasting team for that show now.
Not only that, but I've done interviews with comic creators such as Fred Van Lente, Kieron Gillen, Bryan Lee O'Malley. I also got the opportunity to interview one of my favourite hip hop MCs of all time, and huge comics fan, Vast Aire. None of this would've occured if I didn't just make the leap of faith and start this blog.
I don't want to act like this whole situation is bigger than it is, but in November I was starting a comic blog with no idea if I'd even be continuing it into the next few months. Now, I'm sitting here having done in-person, filmed comics journalism with real comic creators. It's a big deal to ME.
To be honest, I never imagined this would be happening and I hope that it can only get bigger. Iyare and I have some legitimately large, progressive plans for both our individual and collective selves, and I will reveal them if and when they materialise. It feels like it's going somewhere, and if it doesn't, I had a blast at least.
Sometimes, due to keeping myself fairly rigid on time, I know my posts may seem rushed or phoned-in. I guess I can't help that. Sometimes you're having a bad or tiring day, busy days even, and I just can't find the time or effort to post something on time AND have it come across as totally enthusiastic. Thanks for being understanding about that, though.
All in all, that's what I've got. I don't have anything super special, just a tremendous, immense and heartfelt thank you to every single person who has viewed this blog, left a comment or commented to me elsewhere.
I really, really cannot thank any of you enough. I never expected 100 posts, but here we are.
Stick around, because I hope things will only get better.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
I really didn't mean to skip out without doing a post yesterday. The problem is that I didn't want my 100th post to go to waste, so I couldn't post anything until I had done my 100th post.
I decided that I wouldn't do anything too elaborate, but I'd say what honestly needs to be said.
The reason I started this blog was because I love comics. Pure and simply, I love comics. I love reading them, reading about them and talking about them. They've been a monumental part of my life since I was six years old. Unfortunately, I hate feeling like I'm talking to myself, as good a conversationalist as I am. On my first few posts, for a long time, I was getting NO commments or any feedback. It's hard enough getting my blog out there NOW, much less back then.
Welcome to the Mast began in November as, I suppose, part service and part vanity project. I love the knowledge I have and as arrogant as it may seem, I love reading my own posts. I guess it's like George Lucas said about Star Wars; his main aim was to make a movie everyone would copy, so that he could relax and watch the copies. It wasn't all arrogance, though, because I also started this site so that I could educate people on what I like and what comics are about.
With the current wave of comic book movies, people are gaining more and more interest in these characters, however fleeting it may be. Seemingly people lose interest once they leave the cinema, but this blog is here for the opposite reason. If people wish to know what is going on and how to get into comics, I like to think that I can provide all that info, as a fan.
The very fact that I've introduced at least a few people to comics is enough for me to know what I'm doing is good. The comments are coming in on a way more frequent basis, and I'm starting to feel as though people really are getting to know my blog (If you read this and have a blog yourself, please, shout mine out).
On top of that, Welcome to the Mast has afforded me the opportunity to promote something. It was due to me promoting my site that I met Iyare of Direct Edition fame, and as a result, I am on the regular broadcasting team for that show now.
Not only that, but I've done interviews with comic creators such as Fred Van Lente, Kieron Gillen, Bryan Lee O'Malley. I also got the opportunity to interview one of my favourite hip hop MCs of all time, and huge comics fan, Vast Aire. None of this would've occured if I didn't just make the leap of faith and start this blog.
I don't want to act like this whole situation is bigger than it is, but in November I was starting a comic blog with no idea if I'd even be continuing it into the next few months. Now, I'm sitting here having done in-person, filmed comics journalism with real comic creators. It's a big deal to ME.
To be honest, I never imagined this would be happening and I hope that it can only get bigger. Iyare and I have some legitimately large, progressive plans for both our individual and collective selves, and I will reveal them if and when they materialise. It feels like it's going somewhere, and if it doesn't, I had a blast at least.
Sometimes, due to keeping myself fairly rigid on time, I know my posts may seem rushed or phoned-in. I guess I can't help that. Sometimes you're having a bad or tiring day, busy days even, and I just can't find the time or effort to post something on time AND have it come across as totally enthusiastic. Thanks for being understanding about that, though.
All in all, that's what I've got. I don't have anything super special, just a tremendous, immense and heartfelt thank you to every single person who has viewed this blog, left a comment or commented to me elsewhere.
I really, really cannot thank any of you enough. I never expected 100 posts, but here we are.
Stick around, because I hope things will only get better.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Saturday, 21 August 2010
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 13): What Is Your Least Favourite Event?
You dumb bastard! It's not a schooner, it's a sailboat!
This is my 99th POST! Tomorrow, I am putting off The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom in favour of doing something rather special for my 100th post. I've no idea what I'll do and such, but I want it to be special.
I have an idea, but we'll see what feels right.
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 13): What Is Your Least Favourite Event?
If you know me well, or if you've watched this week's episode of Direct Edition, you may guess what the winner of this category would be. I was going to pick War of the Supermen, which I was thoroughly let-down by, but there's only one winner really. My LEAST favourite event of all time is...
One More Day.
Absolute...garbage.
I think Spider-Man revealing his identity in Civil War was needed. It needed to happen for the event to gain the weight it did. They pulled this deus ex machina as a means of re-setting the consciousness of Marvel's inhabitants. It was Marvel's way of making his identity a secret again.
What happened? Well, because I know some who haven't read Civil War, I will say it like this. Something happens that makes Spider-Man desperate. In his desperation, he and Mary-Jane make a deal with Mephisto in order to rectify the desperate situation. In exchange for this, Spider-Man and Mary-Jane's marriage will be erased from history, consciousness and memory. It'll be like they've never even met.
This caused mass amounts of historical continuity errors and, among other things, a tidal wave of scathing fan backlash.
I think that such a deus ex machina was needed because Spidey couldn't go on with a public identity. My issue concerned the fact of how it was done. There are probably a million and one ways to reset the man's secret rather than the way they did it.
People, believe it or not, love Mary-Jane and Peter being together. Their wedding issue is famous for good reason, it's an excellent and memorable piece. In the chaotic world of superheroism, it was a big step for Parker to take.
So...all of that was gone and fucked out the window.
It was followed by Brand New Day, the continuation of Spidey's new status quo. That was also terrible. As it stands, there's an event occuring called One Moment in Time. It's written by Joe Quesada (Marvel's Editor in Chief and man responsible for O.M.D. and B.N.D.) and looks to reset Spidey and Mary-Jane back to how they were, I believe.
It's about time, but it smacks of Marvel giving the nod to say that they fucked up with One More Day. I don't think Quesada deserve the abuse and reactionary idiocy that has been levelled, though. He made a mistake and shit happens.
It really is just a terrible, awful story in premise and execution. The last time Marvel messed up this big was with The Clone Saga. It wasn't as bad in terms of being out of the blue or continuity ruination, but it was dire in terms of plot. It, too, was a Spider-Man story. None touch One More Day, though. That is why it's my least favourite event.
---
As I head into my centennial post, I want to say that I appreciate every one of you who has ever browsed my blog, commented or given me feedback. Constructively negative or positive, I appreciate it.
Thank you, very much.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
This is my 99th POST! Tomorrow, I am putting off The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom in favour of doing something rather special for my 100th post. I've no idea what I'll do and such, but I want it to be special.
I have an idea, but we'll see what feels right.
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 13): What Is Your Least Favourite Event?
If you know me well, or if you've watched this week's episode of Direct Edition, you may guess what the winner of this category would be. I was going to pick War of the Supermen, which I was thoroughly let-down by, but there's only one winner really. My LEAST favourite event of all time is...
One More Day.
Absolute...garbage.
I think Spider-Man revealing his identity in Civil War was needed. It needed to happen for the event to gain the weight it did. They pulled this deus ex machina as a means of re-setting the consciousness of Marvel's inhabitants. It was Marvel's way of making his identity a secret again.
What happened? Well, because I know some who haven't read Civil War, I will say it like this. Something happens that makes Spider-Man desperate. In his desperation, he and Mary-Jane make a deal with Mephisto in order to rectify the desperate situation. In exchange for this, Spider-Man and Mary-Jane's marriage will be erased from history, consciousness and memory. It'll be like they've never even met.
This caused mass amounts of historical continuity errors and, among other things, a tidal wave of scathing fan backlash.
I think that such a deus ex machina was needed because Spidey couldn't go on with a public identity. My issue concerned the fact of how it was done. There are probably a million and one ways to reset the man's secret rather than the way they did it.
People, believe it or not, love Mary-Jane and Peter being together. Their wedding issue is famous for good reason, it's an excellent and memorable piece. In the chaotic world of superheroism, it was a big step for Parker to take.
So...all of that was gone and fucked out the window.
It was followed by Brand New Day, the continuation of Spidey's new status quo. That was also terrible. As it stands, there's an event occuring called One Moment in Time. It's written by Joe Quesada (Marvel's Editor in Chief and man responsible for O.M.D. and B.N.D.) and looks to reset Spidey and Mary-Jane back to how they were, I believe.
It's about time, but it smacks of Marvel giving the nod to say that they fucked up with One More Day. I don't think Quesada deserve the abuse and reactionary idiocy that has been levelled, though. He made a mistake and shit happens.
It really is just a terrible, awful story in premise and execution. The last time Marvel messed up this big was with The Clone Saga. It wasn't as bad in terms of being out of the blue or continuity ruination, but it was dire in terms of plot. It, too, was a Spider-Man story. None touch One More Day, though. That is why it's my least favourite event.
---
As I head into my centennial post, I want to say that I appreciate every one of you who has ever browsed my blog, commented or given me feedback. Constructively negative or positive, I appreciate it.
Thank you, very much.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Friday, 20 August 2010
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 12): Who Is Your Least Favourite Character?
You're afraid of noise!
Welcome! Welcome to the Mast, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry for the belatedness of this post, but I was at the movies watching The Expendables.
Today we get nasty, we get into who I dislike above all else.
Do ya wanna know who it is? DO YA, PUNK?! I've been waiting to rip this dude, and Andrew should dig this also.
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 12): Who Is Your Least Favourite Character?
This guy needs no introduction, but I'll give him one...
Gambit.
Where do I start? Let's make a list!
I hate his face. I hate his pathetic, stupid, not-cool-in-any-sense accent. I hate how he manages to stand out for all the wrong reasons in ANY comic book he's in.
Can you tell I don't like Gambit?
I actually think Gambit is one of the reasons I never really enjoyed The X-Men for extended periods throughout the '90s. It's hard to put my finger on, but I hear he is consistently voted as one of the very worst characters of all time.
What is there to the guy? Honestly, if you're a Gambit fan, please tell me what draws you to the character. I really don't understand it. It's not as if I haven't tried, I have! You know what really made me hate him recently? Second Coming: Hellbound.
The New Mutants went to Limbo to rescue Magik, Gambit went with them and ended up getting possessed, then trying to kill them. Why take the douchebag in the first place?!
Grrr. NO time for Gambit, at all. This is turning into a bit of a hate post! I apologise.
---
My word, these recent posts have been kind of short, huh?! I guess that's why the comments have momentarily stopped. I do apologise for that, but some of these questions are real barrel-scrapers, you know?
If you haven't done so, go check out Direct Edition on YouTube!
I'm co-hosting this week. LAST week's delayed news episode will hopefully be up this weekend, and don't you DARE forget to check back on Monday. Why? FOR THE SCOTT PILGRIM NEWS SPECIAL, OF COURSE! It's also your chance to see my very FIRST, filmed, one-on-one interview with Mr. Bryan Lee O'Malley!
Again, I truly apologise for the lack of depth to some of these, but I've scouted the list and there are definitely some incredibly nice questions to run through. It IS only Day 12 after all.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Welcome! Welcome to the Mast, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry for the belatedness of this post, but I was at the movies watching The Expendables.
Today we get nasty, we get into who I dislike above all else.
Do ya wanna know who it is? DO YA, PUNK?! I've been waiting to rip this dude, and Andrew should dig this also.
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 12): Who Is Your Least Favourite Character?
This guy needs no introduction, but I'll give him one...
Gambit.
Where do I start? Let's make a list!
I hate his face. I hate his pathetic, stupid, not-cool-in-any-sense accent. I hate how he manages to stand out for all the wrong reasons in ANY comic book he's in.
Can you tell I don't like Gambit?
I actually think Gambit is one of the reasons I never really enjoyed The X-Men for extended periods throughout the '90s. It's hard to put my finger on, but I hear he is consistently voted as one of the very worst characters of all time.
What is there to the guy? Honestly, if you're a Gambit fan, please tell me what draws you to the character. I really don't understand it. It's not as if I haven't tried, I have! You know what really made me hate him recently? Second Coming: Hellbound.
The New Mutants went to Limbo to rescue Magik, Gambit went with them and ended up getting possessed, then trying to kill them. Why take the douchebag in the first place?!
Grrr. NO time for Gambit, at all. This is turning into a bit of a hate post! I apologise.
---
My word, these recent posts have been kind of short, huh?! I guess that's why the comments have momentarily stopped. I do apologise for that, but some of these questions are real barrel-scrapers, you know?
If you haven't done so, go check out Direct Edition on YouTube!
I'm co-hosting this week. LAST week's delayed news episode will hopefully be up this weekend, and don't you DARE forget to check back on Monday. Why? FOR THE SCOTT PILGRIM NEWS SPECIAL, OF COURSE! It's also your chance to see my very FIRST, filmed, one-on-one interview with Mr. Bryan Lee O'Malley!
Again, I truly apologise for the lack of depth to some of these, but I've scouted the list and there are definitely some incredibly nice questions to run through. It IS only Day 12 after all.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Thursday, 19 August 2010
The Mast Blogs/Reviews: A Rather Hefty Announcement & Thursday's Comics (19/8/2010).
BANG! I'm James Bond.
So, as promised, I have a rather chunkadelic announcement to make. Not only did I once again co-host Direct Edition this week, BUT I actually did a one-on-one mini-interview with Scott Pilgrim creator, Bryan Lee O'Malley!
Granted, the traffic was murderously loud and we snagged him on his way to a signing, but for an interview that lasted all of two or three questions, it was pretty good! Cutthroat reporting, yo.
He's a terribly nice guy and, whether the movie's good or not, you should buy the books. They're not Watchmen, but they're fun reads.
So, yes, don't forget to check out Direct Edition on YouTube. I know the review portion is up today, but the interview/Scott Pilgrim news special will be out on M-M-Monday.
Today's edition of Thursday's Comics is very Avenger-centric, so I am very sorry if you don't give a shit about them. Out of the nine comics I bought this week, I can honestly only say four were worth reviewing.
Thursday's Comics.
Shadowland: Daughters of the Shadow #1 of 3.
Here's my problem with how Shadowland is largely playing out, just to be clear.
Shadowland involves everyone, but the tie-ins are specific to certain other involved characters. That'd be totally cool with me if Daredevil's actual series was about Daredevil. My problem is that we're not seeing into his mind enough. It's why I'm not reviewing the Shadowland: Power Man or Shadowland: Blood on the Streets four-parters. I'll just fill in the gaps if anything big happens.
Aside from that, this first issue does appear to develop things a bit. Colleen Wing, former partner of Misty Knight, busts open this massage parlour to release the girls the hold there. She's taken away and the cops, presumably corrupt, tell her their hands are tied.
In her apartment, while she's sleeping, The Hand's ninjas leave her a message that counts as a veiled invitation to go to Shadowland. This is where the bulk of the interesting things happen.
I'm not the biggest fan of Colleen Wing, so this reveal was more exciting just because of how far Daredevil is going to secure the iron grip of The Hand. He reveals that her grandfather (The guy who raised/trained her in Japan) trained her mother, whom she knows next to nothing about. This backfired when her mother joined The Hand's elite group of female assassins, cheesily called The Nail.
He brings out a group of females and basically tells her that it's her destiny to be by his side and lead them like her mother did.
It's cool to see the corruption of New York, by The Hand, start to grow ever wider. I think it'd be quite a big deal for Matt to land a hero-for-hire and get her to work for him, but we'll see.
I can't recommend this to anybody who isn't already into either the arc, the characters or both. It's a tie-in in every sense of the word.
Secret Avengers #4.
This issue is one I have a problem with, as well as The New Avengers, but this one more so.
Nova is the fucking man. Let me start out by saying that. I love Nova, Nova is amazing. So, as excited as I was for him being on a team I loved, written and drawn by a writer/artist team I love, I was still a bit wary of how he'd be used. He's a powerhouse, way too powerful for this team or for Earth troubles.
I loved how this story kicked off, but I felt like Nova's role could've been anybody. Now, Brubaker has committed a crime that many can often fall for.
Captain Rogers is an out-and-out hero. He is to be respected above perhaps any other. However, his presense is no excuse to write him like that in the presense of someone way more powerful. Does Nova have the experience Rogers does? In a way, no, but in a way, kind of. Nova has been through two massive cosmic wars and is in the process of a third. Why is he being written like a starstruck kid while Rogers pulls rank on him?
What happens is this. Captain Rogers puts on Nova's helmet and Worldmind helps him defeat the evil, thorny-crowned Nova. I can swallow him being able to handle the Nova Force simply because he has handled the power of Thor before and not succumbed to warrior madness.
What I cannot swallow is Nova almost meekly asking Rogers for his helmet back afterward. What is this? Generally the dialogue is all pretty awesome and the art is bang on from Deodato, as always. Deodato has a great way, specifically, of lighting and darkening his characters.
Toward the end of the issue they're heading back to Earth and it's revealed to them that Nick Fury is a part of The Shadow Empire. What I gained from this is that Nova will no longer be a member. It's happening early on, but surely Brubaker realised that Nova had no place in this book to begin with.
I mean, they give the excuse of Nova having to fly off and deal with a cosmic emergency (The Fault War), thus them not being sure if he'll be available as a resource in future. I'm glad, but I think he could've just been left out.
Hopefully, now, we can get back to a more espionage-based feel like there was in the first two issues.
I'd still definitely recommend this series to anybody. Get on it while you can!
The New Avengers #3.
I liked this issue more than Secret Avengers #4, but I have major problems with this one too.
As most of you know, I had Bendis's back throughout Dark Reign. The way he carried that saga on his back and into Siege was amazing to me. Not only that, but he churned out multiple great titles.
Now, on both The Avengers and The New Avengers, I feel as if he's losing track of what he's doing. The way he writes Spider-Man is magical, it's so brilliant. The way he is writing everyone else, that being like Spider-Man, is not ok.
Packed with thrilling magical and practical in-your-face combat, sprawled across Central Park and New York City, this is a dangerously fun issue. Lots of characters have immense moments of badass showtime, and what can be said about Stuart Immonen that isn't being said by everyone with half a brain cell? The man's art is delicious.
I am torn between loving the banter and finding it to be over-egged. Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel and The Thing having a discussion about Ghostbusters, mid-demon battle, was hilarious. Seeing how riddled with disbelief they were at Ms. Marvel not having seen it was truly funny, especially with The Thing mentioning it again later. I just feel as though it was a bit much at times. Ms. Marvel serves as a good foil for the Spider-Man and The Thing. She's not above humour, but she IS seen to be taking care of business.
I love her and I'm glad she's in a main on-going.
My problem is that, again, I feel Wolverine and Spider-Man really need to be in one or the other, especially since Bendis is writing them both in The Avengers, too. The New Avengers spent 60+ issues being a really great series, building up certain characters. Now I feel like they're just kind of tossing that away in hopes it will sell mega issues.
I also have an issue with Bendis's grasp of magical rules, although I'll see how he plays this out.
Daimon Hellstrom is a much needed character in the midst of Dr. Strange and Dr. Voodoo (Is he even Dr. Voodoo anymore now that he lost The Aye of Agamotto?), simply because he's the non-straight man. That said, his constant bickering with Dr. Voodoo COULD get old fast.
My favourite scenes were the ones with Iron Fist. Trapped in some kind of magical limbo, he is being spoken to by the two unseen magical abstracts that are causing all this trouble. One recognises the symbol on his chest and realises he's protected. Though offering to let him go, Iron Fist pushes his luck and tries to keep the eye.
The reveal that none other than The Ancient One (Dr. Strange's former master) is partially behind all this is a very nice one, but therein lies my other issue. Surely there are so many more magical characters, with potential and underused, that they could've picked.
You can't argue that they'd be unknown, because who knows The Ancient One besides actual fans? I don't know.
The issue seems to be picking up and I enjoyed it greatly, I just have gripes about Bendis right now.
In many ways I can see this series as a good jump-on point, but in others I can't say. I guess pick the first three issues up if you want to and let me know where you stand.
Avengers Academy #3.
If you're not reading this, you're a terrible person.
The entire cast of new characters was a risk that Marvel were prepared to run. Why should we care about NEW characters? Christos Gage took this title and MADE me care. If the buzz is anything to go by, the same happened to many people. Gage does SO much right with this issue and I will tell you why.
This issue is half continuation, half origin story. To my delight, this issue is Hazmat's origin story. I've taken a liking to Hazmat, immensely so. She's such a confrontational bitch, but not in that mistaken way either. She's a genuine bitch in that she says things to hurt people. It's totally a defense mechanism, cliched, but workable.
Let me put on my movie trailer voice...
Jennifer Takeda was a normal teenager. She had everything she could want and her financially wealthy parents saw that this remained the case. At age 16, she had a platinum card with a four figure limit. A model student, she was seemingly breezing through life without a care in the world, accompanied by her boyfriend, Greg. Then, things...went...wrong!
In all seriousness, it is quite a tragic tale. Comparisons have been drawn to Rogue, being that Hazmat's powers manifested during a make-out session with her man, but I don't feel too bad about that. Mike McKone really draws this whole scene, and series, well. Greg falling to the floor and going white-eyed/foaming at the mouth is just very impactful.
Turns out that she visited various Roxxon plants/labs with her parents and was "exposed to something" that caused her powers. Again, very cliched, but she's so well developed even now that I really don't mind. This is where the tragedy gets greater for her than it did for Rogue. Jennifer gained the ability to radiate any and all kinds of radiation, but she does so constantly. Becoming Hazmat (HAZardous MATerial), she has to live the rest of her life inside a radiation suit, or others around her have to be wearing one for her to be out of hers.
They even have to train with wooden swords so that her suit can't be cut. I do think this part would be remedied by someone like Reed Richards making her a suit, though. They can't send her into battle with a tearable suit.
I wish we'd gotten a bit more of Hazmat's origins, but I liked it very much and it really whet my appetite for more development to come.
The issue itself revolves around what you should expect at this stage; various training sessions occur, with varying results and guest instructors. Iron Fist faces off against the supremely arrogant Finesse, and it ends with her in a demonstrated chokehold. I loved that.
The interaction between all of these characters really works well. If you've been through school, you'll find the humour and dynamics both relatable and funny. Mettle is establishing himself as a fan favourite due to his combination of humility and shyness, despite being a gigantic, red, skeletal looking superhero-in-training. Others like Striker and Reptil are less developed, but I guess they will come into their own.
Another great facet of this series is how the humour is placed. Seeing Valkyrie talk to Hazmat, Veil and Finesse about feminism...IN A KITCHEN...when she's meant to be teaching them combat was just brilliantly timed. It highlighted both the need for females to feel independent, and the inherent ridiculousness that comes with blind feminism. The speech itself consisted of Valk telling them than society is "phallocentric" and dominated by men, men that will let them down sexually and intellectually. She's even goes so far as telling them not to worry about the former due to "inventions" that mortals have created.
In case you're that dense, she means vibrators.
It's really just a terrifically well done scene that could've made Valkyrie look stupid, but it didn't.
The main aim of this issue is two things, which I'll break down.
The first was the students going on a field trip to The Raft (This being maximum security super-prison that The Thunderbolts operate out of) and Hazmat's desire to pay a visit to Norman Osborn (For those reading at home, he's the guy who made a lot of these kids worse) while there. Reluctantly, she seems to have dragged Mettle and Veil along for the ride.
Luke Cage shows them around and it's all very stark. Such a contrast between dark and light tones doesn't disrupt the series, it enhances it. Seeing Crossbones muzzled so that, as Cage says, "he can't use his teeth as projectiles", really does hit home what The Raft is. The teeth thing would've been nice if Bullseye hadn't done it first, but it's good.
There's a few funny parts (Reptil asking Juggernaut to say his catchphrase is a good one), but it ends with Hazmat knocking the power out, showing she can use electrical impulses, and escaping to Osborn's cell. Once there, she states her intent to kill him.
Whilst that scene brings the issue to a close, I want to draw attention to the second plot thread. Despite the constant bickering of the instructors on how to deal with the students, one such instructor is still seen as a liability. Robbie Baldwin, formerly known as Speedball and the man who became Penance during Civil War, is Speedball again.
Praiseworthy, sure, but the other teachers really aren't sure that he has any place teaching people. Some think he's perfectly placed, conversely. I'd agree with both, to be fair. He's been through shit, but he also knows, better than anyone, what it's like to have your powers misused or go out of control. His powers as Penance stemmed from his own physical pain, and he took to wearing a sado-masochistic suit that hurt him in repentance for the death of all those in Stamford (See: Civil War #1/Trade).
It's revealed in this issue that he is a cutter, not so much out of cliched angst, but because he is secretly Penance, still. This isn't entirely clear in the comic, and it does come off as angsty, but Christos Gage apologised for this on C.B.R. Forums and cleared up why he's doing it.
It's all brought out in the open by Moonstone during the visit to The Raft. She asks why he's threatening her with the blue kinetic energy he used as Penance, and I suppose that'll be dealt with next issue.
Seriously, guys, this shit is fucking amazing. It's really such a good issue, way better than Avengers: The Initiative (Which was decent). I do miss the way Dan Slott characterised Hank Pym in The Mighty Avengers, and I'm not terribly fond of how Gage writes him, but it's a small price to pay for what is CLEAAARLY the best Avengers-centric title on the market.
Join The Academy and get your education, people.
---
That's about all I've got time for right now, I'm afraid.
I'll be back again later with today's installment of The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom, or I may save it for tomorrow, just to prevent overload and so this doesn't get pushed down the page. Actually, I'll probably do just that.
So, on that note, I'll see you tomorrow! Keep the comments coming and keep advertising my blog or shouting it out where you can.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
So, as promised, I have a rather chunkadelic announcement to make. Not only did I once again co-host Direct Edition this week, BUT I actually did a one-on-one mini-interview with Scott Pilgrim creator, Bryan Lee O'Malley!
Granted, the traffic was murderously loud and we snagged him on his way to a signing, but for an interview that lasted all of two or three questions, it was pretty good! Cutthroat reporting, yo.
He's a terribly nice guy and, whether the movie's good or not, you should buy the books. They're not Watchmen, but they're fun reads.
So, yes, don't forget to check out Direct Edition on YouTube. I know the review portion is up today, but the interview/Scott Pilgrim news special will be out on M-M-Monday.
Today's edition of Thursday's Comics is very Avenger-centric, so I am very sorry if you don't give a shit about them. Out of the nine comics I bought this week, I can honestly only say four were worth reviewing.
Thursday's Comics.
Shadowland: Daughters of the Shadow #1 of 3.
Here's my problem with how Shadowland is largely playing out, just to be clear.
Shadowland involves everyone, but the tie-ins are specific to certain other involved characters. That'd be totally cool with me if Daredevil's actual series was about Daredevil. My problem is that we're not seeing into his mind enough. It's why I'm not reviewing the Shadowland: Power Man or Shadowland: Blood on the Streets four-parters. I'll just fill in the gaps if anything big happens.
Aside from that, this first issue does appear to develop things a bit. Colleen Wing, former partner of Misty Knight, busts open this massage parlour to release the girls the hold there. She's taken away and the cops, presumably corrupt, tell her their hands are tied.
In her apartment, while she's sleeping, The Hand's ninjas leave her a message that counts as a veiled invitation to go to Shadowland. This is where the bulk of the interesting things happen.
I'm not the biggest fan of Colleen Wing, so this reveal was more exciting just because of how far Daredevil is going to secure the iron grip of The Hand. He reveals that her grandfather (The guy who raised/trained her in Japan) trained her mother, whom she knows next to nothing about. This backfired when her mother joined The Hand's elite group of female assassins, cheesily called The Nail.
He brings out a group of females and basically tells her that it's her destiny to be by his side and lead them like her mother did.
It's cool to see the corruption of New York, by The Hand, start to grow ever wider. I think it'd be quite a big deal for Matt to land a hero-for-hire and get her to work for him, but we'll see.
I can't recommend this to anybody who isn't already into either the arc, the characters or both. It's a tie-in in every sense of the word.
Secret Avengers #4.
This issue is one I have a problem with, as well as The New Avengers, but this one more so.
Nova is the fucking man. Let me start out by saying that. I love Nova, Nova is amazing. So, as excited as I was for him being on a team I loved, written and drawn by a writer/artist team I love, I was still a bit wary of how he'd be used. He's a powerhouse, way too powerful for this team or for Earth troubles.
I loved how this story kicked off, but I felt like Nova's role could've been anybody. Now, Brubaker has committed a crime that many can often fall for.
Captain Rogers is an out-and-out hero. He is to be respected above perhaps any other. However, his presense is no excuse to write him like that in the presense of someone way more powerful. Does Nova have the experience Rogers does? In a way, no, but in a way, kind of. Nova has been through two massive cosmic wars and is in the process of a third. Why is he being written like a starstruck kid while Rogers pulls rank on him?
What happens is this. Captain Rogers puts on Nova's helmet and Worldmind helps him defeat the evil, thorny-crowned Nova. I can swallow him being able to handle the Nova Force simply because he has handled the power of Thor before and not succumbed to warrior madness.
What I cannot swallow is Nova almost meekly asking Rogers for his helmet back afterward. What is this? Generally the dialogue is all pretty awesome and the art is bang on from Deodato, as always. Deodato has a great way, specifically, of lighting and darkening his characters.
Toward the end of the issue they're heading back to Earth and it's revealed to them that Nick Fury is a part of The Shadow Empire. What I gained from this is that Nova will no longer be a member. It's happening early on, but surely Brubaker realised that Nova had no place in this book to begin with.
I mean, they give the excuse of Nova having to fly off and deal with a cosmic emergency (The Fault War), thus them not being sure if he'll be available as a resource in future. I'm glad, but I think he could've just been left out.
Hopefully, now, we can get back to a more espionage-based feel like there was in the first two issues.
I'd still definitely recommend this series to anybody. Get on it while you can!
The New Avengers #3.
I liked this issue more than Secret Avengers #4, but I have major problems with this one too.
As most of you know, I had Bendis's back throughout Dark Reign. The way he carried that saga on his back and into Siege was amazing to me. Not only that, but he churned out multiple great titles.
Now, on both The Avengers and The New Avengers, I feel as if he's losing track of what he's doing. The way he writes Spider-Man is magical, it's so brilliant. The way he is writing everyone else, that being like Spider-Man, is not ok.
Packed with thrilling magical and practical in-your-face combat, sprawled across Central Park and New York City, this is a dangerously fun issue. Lots of characters have immense moments of badass showtime, and what can be said about Stuart Immonen that isn't being said by everyone with half a brain cell? The man's art is delicious.
I am torn between loving the banter and finding it to be over-egged. Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel and The Thing having a discussion about Ghostbusters, mid-demon battle, was hilarious. Seeing how riddled with disbelief they were at Ms. Marvel not having seen it was truly funny, especially with The Thing mentioning it again later. I just feel as though it was a bit much at times. Ms. Marvel serves as a good foil for the Spider-Man and The Thing. She's not above humour, but she IS seen to be taking care of business.
I love her and I'm glad she's in a main on-going.
My problem is that, again, I feel Wolverine and Spider-Man really need to be in one or the other, especially since Bendis is writing them both in The Avengers, too. The New Avengers spent 60+ issues being a really great series, building up certain characters. Now I feel like they're just kind of tossing that away in hopes it will sell mega issues.
I also have an issue with Bendis's grasp of magical rules, although I'll see how he plays this out.
Daimon Hellstrom is a much needed character in the midst of Dr. Strange and Dr. Voodoo (Is he even Dr. Voodoo anymore now that he lost The Aye of Agamotto?), simply because he's the non-straight man. That said, his constant bickering with Dr. Voodoo COULD get old fast.
My favourite scenes were the ones with Iron Fist. Trapped in some kind of magical limbo, he is being spoken to by the two unseen magical abstracts that are causing all this trouble. One recognises the symbol on his chest and realises he's protected. Though offering to let him go, Iron Fist pushes his luck and tries to keep the eye.
The reveal that none other than The Ancient One (Dr. Strange's former master) is partially behind all this is a very nice one, but therein lies my other issue. Surely there are so many more magical characters, with potential and underused, that they could've picked.
You can't argue that they'd be unknown, because who knows The Ancient One besides actual fans? I don't know.
The issue seems to be picking up and I enjoyed it greatly, I just have gripes about Bendis right now.
In many ways I can see this series as a good jump-on point, but in others I can't say. I guess pick the first three issues up if you want to and let me know where you stand.
Avengers Academy #3.
If you're not reading this, you're a terrible person.
The entire cast of new characters was a risk that Marvel were prepared to run. Why should we care about NEW characters? Christos Gage took this title and MADE me care. If the buzz is anything to go by, the same happened to many people. Gage does SO much right with this issue and I will tell you why.
This issue is half continuation, half origin story. To my delight, this issue is Hazmat's origin story. I've taken a liking to Hazmat, immensely so. She's such a confrontational bitch, but not in that mistaken way either. She's a genuine bitch in that she says things to hurt people. It's totally a defense mechanism, cliched, but workable.
Let me put on my movie trailer voice...
Jennifer Takeda was a normal teenager. She had everything she could want and her financially wealthy parents saw that this remained the case. At age 16, she had a platinum card with a four figure limit. A model student, she was seemingly breezing through life without a care in the world, accompanied by her boyfriend, Greg. Then, things...went...wrong!
In all seriousness, it is quite a tragic tale. Comparisons have been drawn to Rogue, being that Hazmat's powers manifested during a make-out session with her man, but I don't feel too bad about that. Mike McKone really draws this whole scene, and series, well. Greg falling to the floor and going white-eyed/foaming at the mouth is just very impactful.
Turns out that she visited various Roxxon plants/labs with her parents and was "exposed to something" that caused her powers. Again, very cliched, but she's so well developed even now that I really don't mind. This is where the tragedy gets greater for her than it did for Rogue. Jennifer gained the ability to radiate any and all kinds of radiation, but she does so constantly. Becoming Hazmat (HAZardous MATerial), she has to live the rest of her life inside a radiation suit, or others around her have to be wearing one for her to be out of hers.
They even have to train with wooden swords so that her suit can't be cut. I do think this part would be remedied by someone like Reed Richards making her a suit, though. They can't send her into battle with a tearable suit.
I wish we'd gotten a bit more of Hazmat's origins, but I liked it very much and it really whet my appetite for more development to come.
The issue itself revolves around what you should expect at this stage; various training sessions occur, with varying results and guest instructors. Iron Fist faces off against the supremely arrogant Finesse, and it ends with her in a demonstrated chokehold. I loved that.
The interaction between all of these characters really works well. If you've been through school, you'll find the humour and dynamics both relatable and funny. Mettle is establishing himself as a fan favourite due to his combination of humility and shyness, despite being a gigantic, red, skeletal looking superhero-in-training. Others like Striker and Reptil are less developed, but I guess they will come into their own.
Another great facet of this series is how the humour is placed. Seeing Valkyrie talk to Hazmat, Veil and Finesse about feminism...IN A KITCHEN...when she's meant to be teaching them combat was just brilliantly timed. It highlighted both the need for females to feel independent, and the inherent ridiculousness that comes with blind feminism. The speech itself consisted of Valk telling them than society is "phallocentric" and dominated by men, men that will let them down sexually and intellectually. She's even goes so far as telling them not to worry about the former due to "inventions" that mortals have created.
In case you're that dense, she means vibrators.
It's really just a terrifically well done scene that could've made Valkyrie look stupid, but it didn't.
The main aim of this issue is two things, which I'll break down.
The first was the students going on a field trip to The Raft (This being maximum security super-prison that The Thunderbolts operate out of) and Hazmat's desire to pay a visit to Norman Osborn (For those reading at home, he's the guy who made a lot of these kids worse) while there. Reluctantly, she seems to have dragged Mettle and Veil along for the ride.
Luke Cage shows them around and it's all very stark. Such a contrast between dark and light tones doesn't disrupt the series, it enhances it. Seeing Crossbones muzzled so that, as Cage says, "he can't use his teeth as projectiles", really does hit home what The Raft is. The teeth thing would've been nice if Bullseye hadn't done it first, but it's good.
There's a few funny parts (Reptil asking Juggernaut to say his catchphrase is a good one), but it ends with Hazmat knocking the power out, showing she can use electrical impulses, and escaping to Osborn's cell. Once there, she states her intent to kill him.
Whilst that scene brings the issue to a close, I want to draw attention to the second plot thread. Despite the constant bickering of the instructors on how to deal with the students, one such instructor is still seen as a liability. Robbie Baldwin, formerly known as Speedball and the man who became Penance during Civil War, is Speedball again.
Praiseworthy, sure, but the other teachers really aren't sure that he has any place teaching people. Some think he's perfectly placed, conversely. I'd agree with both, to be fair. He's been through shit, but he also knows, better than anyone, what it's like to have your powers misused or go out of control. His powers as Penance stemmed from his own physical pain, and he took to wearing a sado-masochistic suit that hurt him in repentance for the death of all those in Stamford (See: Civil War #1/Trade).
It's revealed in this issue that he is a cutter, not so much out of cliched angst, but because he is secretly Penance, still. This isn't entirely clear in the comic, and it does come off as angsty, but Christos Gage apologised for this on C.B.R. Forums and cleared up why he's doing it.
It's all brought out in the open by Moonstone during the visit to The Raft. She asks why he's threatening her with the blue kinetic energy he used as Penance, and I suppose that'll be dealt with next issue.
Seriously, guys, this shit is fucking amazing. It's really such a good issue, way better than Avengers: The Initiative (Which was decent). I do miss the way Dan Slott characterised Hank Pym in The Mighty Avengers, and I'm not terribly fond of how Gage writes him, but it's a small price to pay for what is CLEAAARLY the best Avengers-centric title on the market.
Join The Academy and get your education, people.
---
That's about all I've got time for right now, I'm afraid.
I'll be back again later with today's installment of The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom, or I may save it for tomorrow, just to prevent overload and so this doesn't get pushed down the page. Actually, I'll probably do just that.
So, on that note, I'll see you tomorrow! Keep the comments coming and keep advertising my blog or shouting it out where you can.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 11): What Is Your Favourite Power?
You think that because a guy reads comics that he can't start some shit?!
Before I get into this, I just want to give a very simple piece of information out to my readers, however many there may be.
Tomorrow (At latest, Friday) there will be an EPIC post. Just keep your eyes peeled.
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 11): What Is Your Favourite Power?
Do you think you guessed what this one is?
Total and Complete Control of...Everything.
Yes, that's right!
I didn't pick a ring that affords the wearer special powers, I didn't pick someone who is blind and can see via echolation, nor a man with the ability to shoot webbing from his hands.
My favourite power, if you can call it such, is the ability that all comic abstracts possess. You know, whether it's in D.C. or Marvel, Vertigo or wherever else, that if cosmic abstracts show up, shit is serious.
It's a hard concept to wrap your head around unless you find this kind of thing interesting, but just imagine being able to do ANYTHING. Yes, flying would be awesome, so would super strength. Imagine the ability to make your very thought come true, become real and materialise as you think of it. Just consider that you have the ability to perceive and control time itself. Trippy, huh? Past, present and future or all three at once, yours to bend and command.
The possibilities are, quite literally, endless. Such users of these abilities include most of the Marvel and D.C. abstracts, Dr. Manhattan and The Beyonder etc.
I suppose that if I had to pick a fairer power, I would go with the likes of Superman. I'd like the ability to do everything on SOME level. Either a cosmic or minor scale, really. I'm a megalomaniacal control freak at heart, what can I say?
---
Sorry that this one is a bit short, but it IS an abstract power!
What would you choose? Let me know in a comment! Thank you for reading and prepare for the epicness of post-al announcements tomorrow!
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Before I get into this, I just want to give a very simple piece of information out to my readers, however many there may be.
Tomorrow (At latest, Friday) there will be an EPIC post. Just keep your eyes peeled.
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 11): What Is Your Favourite Power?
Do you think you guessed what this one is?
Total and Complete Control of...Everything.
Yes, that's right!
I didn't pick a ring that affords the wearer special powers, I didn't pick someone who is blind and can see via echolation, nor a man with the ability to shoot webbing from his hands.
My favourite power, if you can call it such, is the ability that all comic abstracts possess. You know, whether it's in D.C. or Marvel, Vertigo or wherever else, that if cosmic abstracts show up, shit is serious.
It's a hard concept to wrap your head around unless you find this kind of thing interesting, but just imagine being able to do ANYTHING. Yes, flying would be awesome, so would super strength. Imagine the ability to make your very thought come true, become real and materialise as you think of it. Just consider that you have the ability to perceive and control time itself. Trippy, huh? Past, present and future or all three at once, yours to bend and command.
The possibilities are, quite literally, endless. Such users of these abilities include most of the Marvel and D.C. abstracts, Dr. Manhattan and The Beyonder etc.
I suppose that if I had to pick a fairer power, I would go with the likes of Superman. I'd like the ability to do everything on SOME level. Either a cosmic or minor scale, really. I'm a megalomaniacal control freak at heart, what can I say?
---
Sorry that this one is a bit short, but it IS an abstract power!
What would you choose? Let me know in a comment! Thank you for reading and prepare for the epicness of post-al announcements tomorrow!
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 10): What Is Your Favourite Costume?
Is Pinocchio said, "My nose will not grow now!", what would happen?
Paradox aside, welcome!
Today's installment of The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom is presented to you by me, The Mast. It probably won't be that deep or that amazing, but it's a fun question that nobody really needs to think too much about. A surprisingly hard category, though, considering I'd never really thought of it before!
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 10): What Is Your Favourite Costume?
Costumes, nowadays at least, seem to be significantly less extravagant than they were back in the day. How do you judge a costume? I opted to go for looks, practicality and how well it reflects the person and their intentions when wearing the suit.
I was going to go with Bullseye, simply because his outfit says it all. Then I was going to go with Ms. Marvel, simply because her outfit is a mixture of superhero and femininity. Simple, but memorable.
One costume, throughout comicdom, stands out as a total exhibition of character, though. Therefore, my favourite costume is...
Batman's Costume.
Many, MANY artists have drawn Batman and depicted him in different ways. So that's something I took into account when weighing up the ideas for what costume to pick.
The picture you see above is Jim Lee's take on Batman and one of the reasons I chose to pick The Dark Knight's attire above all others.
When you see Batman in that costume, or most of his costumes bar the extremely campy, ridiculous ones...you KNOW exactly what he is about. The way the cape flows, the colours, the symbol and the way the cowl is often moulded into a frown, all these things just exude the essense of what Batman is and what he represents.
As intimidating as it is sleek, and accompanied with Batman's infamous utility belt, known for carrying more gadgets than a lesbian slumber party, it's instantly recognisable. Not only that, but it is culturally known as being Batman's costume. The very symbol on his chest is legendary, even forgetting the man wearing it.
What's so captivating is that Batman is a good guy. Good guys, especially around the time Batman came out, AND for ages after, typically wore much lighter colours in order to inspire hope among a city's citizens. Batman doesn't care about being an inspirational dresser. He puts on the suit, goes out at night and threatens criminals into stopping their criminal ways. He's one of the first superhero vigilantes who actually started seeking the crime out as opposed to just waiting for it to happen.
That's why he's The Dark Knight. A shadowy figure protecting Gotham City, and his costume reflects that. A lot of people always ask why Batman has white eyes when he has the cowl on, and the same for many superhero outfits. I've always maintained that they were built in lenses that stopped bystanders or onlookers from recognising someone by their eyes.
You could be wearing a full face mask and someone you know could pin your identity on your eyes.
Besides, it gives Batman such a vacant look. An empty fury that, to sound cliche, really does strike terror into the hearts of most criminals.
Only in fully appreciating what a scary motherfucker Batman is (A character I do truly love when done right) can one truly appreciate The Joker. Look at Batman and tell me that this is someone who you would opt to terrorise and antagonise.
The is no more fitting costume, in my opinion, in the entire comic universe than Batman. Hence why it is my favourite costume.
---
Tomorrow's installment is where things get REALLY interesting. I predict many of you will definitely have your own take on THAT one, so I look forward to it.
Thank you very much, again, for reading.
Take care of yourselves.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Paradox aside, welcome!
Today's installment of The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom is presented to you by me, The Mast. It probably won't be that deep or that amazing, but it's a fun question that nobody really needs to think too much about. A surprisingly hard category, though, considering I'd never really thought of it before!
The Mast's 30 Days of Comicdom (Day 10): What Is Your Favourite Costume?
Costumes, nowadays at least, seem to be significantly less extravagant than they were back in the day. How do you judge a costume? I opted to go for looks, practicality and how well it reflects the person and their intentions when wearing the suit.
I was going to go with Bullseye, simply because his outfit says it all. Then I was going to go with Ms. Marvel, simply because her outfit is a mixture of superhero and femininity. Simple, but memorable.
One costume, throughout comicdom, stands out as a total exhibition of character, though. Therefore, my favourite costume is...
Batman's Costume.
Many, MANY artists have drawn Batman and depicted him in different ways. So that's something I took into account when weighing up the ideas for what costume to pick.
The picture you see above is Jim Lee's take on Batman and one of the reasons I chose to pick The Dark Knight's attire above all others.
When you see Batman in that costume, or most of his costumes bar the extremely campy, ridiculous ones...you KNOW exactly what he is about. The way the cape flows, the colours, the symbol and the way the cowl is often moulded into a frown, all these things just exude the essense of what Batman is and what he represents.
As intimidating as it is sleek, and accompanied with Batman's infamous utility belt, known for carrying more gadgets than a lesbian slumber party, it's instantly recognisable. Not only that, but it is culturally known as being Batman's costume. The very symbol on his chest is legendary, even forgetting the man wearing it.
What's so captivating is that Batman is a good guy. Good guys, especially around the time Batman came out, AND for ages after, typically wore much lighter colours in order to inspire hope among a city's citizens. Batman doesn't care about being an inspirational dresser. He puts on the suit, goes out at night and threatens criminals into stopping their criminal ways. He's one of the first superhero vigilantes who actually started seeking the crime out as opposed to just waiting for it to happen.
That's why he's The Dark Knight. A shadowy figure protecting Gotham City, and his costume reflects that. A lot of people always ask why Batman has white eyes when he has the cowl on, and the same for many superhero outfits. I've always maintained that they were built in lenses that stopped bystanders or onlookers from recognising someone by their eyes.
You could be wearing a full face mask and someone you know could pin your identity on your eyes.
Besides, it gives Batman such a vacant look. An empty fury that, to sound cliche, really does strike terror into the hearts of most criminals.
Only in fully appreciating what a scary motherfucker Batman is (A character I do truly love when done right) can one truly appreciate The Joker. Look at Batman and tell me that this is someone who you would opt to terrorise and antagonise.
The is no more fitting costume, in my opinion, in the entire comic universe than Batman. Hence why it is my favourite costume.
---
Tomorrow's installment is where things get REALLY interesting. I predict many of you will definitely have your own take on THAT one, so I look forward to it.
Thank you very much, again, for reading.
Take care of yourselves.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
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