Character Studies

Spoiler Edition

In Red Hood and the Outlaws 20, James Tynion IV delves deeper into Jason Todd's psyche, and therefore, deeper into his first story arc for the book. Having had his bad memories erased, Jason is a happy dude, but Roy isn't buying it, even after being shown the horrors of Jason's life, because as he says, they've all been through horrible times, which he's then reminded of by the little All-Caste memory stealing guy whose name is escaping me. Shown the memory of when Jason helped Roy out back in Jason's Robin days, Roy learns something new: that was the night Jason later learned his mother was alive, leading to the sequence of events resulting in Jason's brutal murder. But Tynion isn't done with stripping away the mental blocks our heroes have built up in their minds to protect themselves. Kori resists the attempt to reveal her secret, something apparently connected with her one-time relationship with Dick Grayson. But Roy does learn she'd been lying to him, that she wouldn't forget him if he wasn't there, that her emotions are even stronger than humans. And while Roy feels the one thing solid and dependable is falling apart, the team the three of them have become, we learn there is more going on than Jason denouncing his painful memories; the entire team is in deadly danger. Then Green Arrow is thrown into the mix, to lead into the RHATO Annual coming out in two weeks.

What I really liked about this, aside from Tynion's skill with dialogue and his feel for the characters, is how he's building on the earlier stories in the book. This might or might not be in any way similar to where Lobdell intended the book to go, but it fits, with one little hiccup. Ollie declares at the end that he needs to go rescue Roy again, but he didn't do a thing when Roy was about to be executed in Qurac. It was up to Jason, with Kori's help, to do the rescuing that time. I hope Tynion deals with that inconsistency in the annual. Why wouldn't Ollie help Roy then, but will try now?

Still, the transition from one creative team to the next is fairly seamless, which is how a change in creative team should be, and the art by Julius Gopez is lovely.

Nightwing 20 has Dick/Nightwing in Chicago, continuing in his hunt for the still alive Tony Zucco. Nightwing is not welcome in a city that has a serious distaste and distrust of costumed crimefighters, while Dick deals with some complications with the sublet he's staying in, introducing a new set of characters. It will be interesting to see if he ends up settling in Chicago for the long term or if he returns to Gotham City after this adventure. There isn't much character development here, mostly just continuing setup for the main action as Dick seeks info on where Zucco might be holed up. But it's a nice start for a change of direction for the book, while continuing with the theme of "it's personal" for Dick, first with the circus and Owls storylines, and now the hunt for Zucco, the man responsible for his parents' deaths.

Arrow (TV version)
Arrow ended its freshman season on a high note. This is a series that started strong, if not polished, slowly built up the tension and mythology, and despite a bit of slowdown to get in a lot of character bits and backstory, finished the season with a sorta cliffhanger finale that's as good as it gets in network TV.

The showdown between Arrow and Merlyn finally happened and it was a doozy. Malcolm Merlyn proved to be a formidable foe, both in archery and other physical skills, and his intelligent scheming. While Felicity Smoak talks Quentin Lance (why his name is Quentin is beyond me) through disarming the Merlyn's earthquake device, unknown to them, a second device is ready to go off. Which is does, leading to a death of a lead character (nope, I'm not gonna spoil that one), a death that should resonate through the second season.

The actors are an appealing bunch and the characters are fully realized. Merlyn isn't evil. He's just a man made bitter after his wife's murder who thinks his solution, to blow up the poor, unruly neighborhood called the Glades, is the only way to save the city he loves. That he's ruthless in that ambition, killing as he feels necessary, are acts he rationalizes with a cliched but plausible ends justifies the means defense. John Barrowman has been pitch perfect as Malcolm, oozing with charm and barking with anger as required, the emotion impossible to miss. Stephen Amell makes for a perfect Ollie despite not having blond hair, I can't imagine anyone playing Lance now other than the man brilliantly cast in the role -- Paul Blackthorne -- and Coltan Haynes as Roy Harper, despite not being a redhead, is wonderful. The rest of the cast shines, those playing characters from the comics and those playing original ones.

The show is told in two timeframes, Ollie's five years on the not-so-deserted island and current time. The first island year ends with Ollie killing with a bow and arrow for the first time, and the current year ends with the story threads being woven over the year coming to a head. Characters grow, change, and learn actions have consequences. And what the show was at the start, a story of Oliver Queen trying to right wrongs as per his father's last request, becomes something much more. As Ollie's mission changed, the show got stronger and more intricate. This is an Oliver Queen who could exist in real life.

What I most admire about the show is how they're showing respect for the fans of the Green Arrow comics while making the show fresh and exciting, with something for both fans and for newcomers to the character. Just the little references make the show fun, from Bludhaven to Ted Kord Industries. If you haven't given the show a try, and you love Green Arrow, you should. It's one of the best comics adaptations for TV, because it knows it's a TV show, not a comic or even a movie. The show embraces the format, working with TV's strengths to allow a long story to be told nearly in real time, while including shorter stories. For me, it's must-watch TV.

Waste of Time

I haven't been reading Batman and Robin, but with issue 20: Batman and Red Hood, I figured I should take a look, given that I've become a big Red Hood and the Outlaws fan. I shouldn't have bothered.

After the first scene during which Bruce behaves like a complete dickhead to Carrie Kelley, we get to the actual story involving Jason Todd. I foolishly believed that, given the re-bonding Jason and Bruce had done in the aftermath of the Joker's attacks, that this story would further that, with Jason helping Bruce through the difficult time following Damian's death. And for a while, that seems to be the case. Until the stubborn nature of both takes over.

Not that they aren't in character. They are. Too much so. They're both very stubborn men. But recent developments in RHATO has shown a more mature, less angry Jason, one who is working through the pain in his life and I just don't buy that he and Bruce would still act like hurt children. The story read like its only intent was to reestablish Jason's anger toward Bruce and vice versa, rather than continue their character development/growth. Which makes me incredibly sad.

Yeah, Bruce misleads Jason re: his intent in asking for Jason's help, bringing him to the site of Jason's death, a very painful thing for Jason, something he doesn't want to remember, all in the hopes Jason will recall something of his resurrection that might help Bruce bring back Damian. And here's where things go awry, because IMO, Jason has gotten past his own pain to forgive. He might not be happy, but he'd understand why Bruce did it. He, too, would want to bring Damian back if he could. It's taking the easy way out, storywise, for them to duke it out like spoiled brats who aren't getting their way.

So we go through all that just to get back to an antagonistic relationship between Bruce and Jason and I'm going to choose to ignore it. Maybe it'll carry over into RHATO, and that will be annoying, but that can't be helped. I just don't want this waste of paper sitting in my comics collection. It added nothing beyond insulting my intelligence and compassion as a reader for these characters. If I felt this was a natural progression of their story, I could accept it, but it felt no way natural. It felt manipulative and nasty. Peter Tomasi is a writer I've mostly liked, but not this time.

What I've Read This Week

I managed to read three of my week's stash on the subway ride home today. Yeah, I got them a day late due to needing to visit the doctor yesterday. Apparently, while I can play with cats, I can't live with them. Spending a week with a friend who has three cats has given me a severe case of congestion akin to an asthmatic reaction. So, no cat ownership in my future.

World's Finest with Huntress and Power Girl 12
I've never been a big New Gods fan, other than Mr. Miracle and Big Barda, but I'll forgive the appearance of Desaad posing as Michael Holt because PG is back in her iconic costume. The art team, and there were plenty of artists working on this book, continues to do a nice job, and the story continues to entertain.

Miss Fury 2
I doubt time travel has ever been more confusing, thanks perhaps to the abrupt back and forth of the storytelling, but I'm still intrigued by the Nazis in 2013 plot and the art... wow, I just love the art. It's like painting or even photos in its realism and detail. Jack Herbert, along with colorist Ivan Nunes, deserve kudos for the look of this book.

The Movement 1
The latest book by Gail Simone, with art by Freddie Williams II. A lot is going on in this book. Gail throws a lot at us, but focusing on a group of self-styled heroes trying to help their down and out neighborhood without police intervention. The police are not welcome in the 'Tweens, named for the range of streets that form the neighborhood. The art is nice and messy and the story has potential. I can't wait to see where Gail takes it.

Comics Alliance RIP

I don't know why the "Angry Hitler" memes are so funny, but this one about the closing of Comics Alliance is particularly hilarious, though I disagree that Red Hood and the Outlaws is sexist. But yeah, I'll miss Comics Alliance, too.

Three Reviews and a WooHoo!

Batwoman 19
A lot of little things add up to setup for the next issue and, I suppose, beyond. Nice byplay between Bette and Kate. But, like Bette, I am getting very tired of the DEO and Bones.

Nightwing 19
I wasn't sure how I felt about Tony Zucco being alive and Dick going to Chicago to hunt him down, but so far, this is going well, as in not at all well for Dick in a city as corrupt or moreso than Gotham and where costumed crimefighters are suspect at best. Dick is usually at his best when pushed to his limits and beyond, but really, the guy deserves a break or two, maybe even a relaxing vacation.

Red Hood and the Outlaws 19
Oh boy.James Tynion IV takes over the writing with this issue in what he promises is the beginning of a story arc that will threaten to pull the team apart and deal with some heavy issues in their lives and I'm happy to say this issue, one half of a two-issue story and setup for what's to come, really delivers. Still reeling from being kidnapped and tormented by the Joker and Damian's death, Jason returns to the home of the All-Caste and makes a decision that, well, let's just say that when Kori and Roy show up -- because no way they're leaving Jason on his own -- they're in for a real shock. Roy gets to expresses his fears early on re: Jason's importance in his life:

"These last few months working with the two of you... ...It's the first time in years my life has been worth living. We're good together. It can't be over. I won't let it be."

Now, seriously, this is the writing of someone who gets Roy, in any reality, because at his core, for all his surface confidence, even arrogance, Roy has big self-esteem issues and insecurities. I am really looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds over the next few months.

And now the WooHoo. From reading many other comics blogs today, I learned it was the 75th anniversary of Action Comics 1, the legendary comic that brought Superman and Lois Lane into the world. Lois was one of my first favorite comic book characters, all the way back to 1960 when I became a regular comics reader. Here's to another 75 years and I hope she and Clark/Superman get together in the current reality, even if I'm not reading it.

Harry Palmer

I never read any of the Harry Palmer comics, but this Kickstarter campaign for Harry Palmer: Starstruck - or "Old Proldiers Never Die", which has reached its base funding level, is worth supporting. They're trying to get funds for a full color version. I'm not familiar with Elaine Lee's worth, but I'm a longtime fan of Michael Kaluta's art, and this looks really good. So, if you haven't supported the project, why not go ahead and do so because I really would love this book to be in color. :)

Now This is Funny

A little superhero humor from The Flying McCoys. You're welcome. :)