Justice League vs. Suicide Squad is a comic book mini-series done right. I approached this event with a bit of trepidation. With a Suicide Squad movie this last summer and a Justice League film coming soon, there was a part of me that suspected that this was a cynical, synergistic cash grab. But I was very happy to be wrong. In the story, the Justice League, the … [Read more...]
Comics and Philosophy, Episode #001: The Spider, the Symbiote, and the Id-Machine
Throughout charted geekdom, there are multiple instances of id-machines, from the mysterious planet in Tarkovsky’s Solaris (1972) to the Mirror of Erised in the Potterverse. Id-machines are instruments which grant a character the usually fleeting appearance of achieving their greatest desire, whether being reunited with a long-lost lover or with estranged parents or being able … [Read more...]
What’s the Score, Episode #002:
The original movie score for X-Men: First Class (2011) was composed by Henry Jackman (not to be confused with the Wolverine actor, Hugh Jackman), who is one of my favorite action movie composers. He’s also scored the music for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Kick-Ass. Despite the cinematic X-Men universe being exciting, action-packed, … [Read more...]
Off the Wall, Episode #001
The Cage, as one of my fave new customers refers to the shop, has a pretty basic set-up; as you come through the door, there’s a wall of comics to the right. First up, there’s all the new things for the week, starting with the small press stuff, like Image (though it’s hard to call them a small press these days), Archie, and Dynamite, then you have DC, and finally … [Read more...]
Comic Shop Woman, Episode #002: On Not Building Walls
A customer walks in the door. Stops. Blinks. Looks around. Spots me. “You took down the wall!” Their hand sweeps over the open area in the middle in the shop. As deadpan as possible I answer, “What are you talking about?” I’ve had this exchange with dozens of customers as they react to the new look of the store, and it always amuses me, at least. I can’t speak for the … [Read more...]