Hi folks, Evin here with Blog post # 1. Not sure if this officially makes me a “blogger”, but let’s see if this grows and to where. This is also the launch of my website, and I gotta say, this is all TERRIFYING! Writing up reviews and reading orders are one thing but inviting others to “Hey! Take a look at this thing I wrote!” is very intimidating. And lets be honest, there’s a lot of shit out there. A lot of noise. A lot of abandoned websites. There is that daunting challenge to be original and entertaining. And relevant. So I guess I’m working off faith. I have an enormous amount of love for comics, a genuine passion. If I can add a voice, even a small squeak, as an advocate for this medium and this inspiring community of creatives I’ll be happy with my small lot in cyberspace.
My first comic was Batman # 440, the story that sends Tim Drake on the road to being Robin. It also sent me on the road of a decades long comic collecting journey. For me it was a lonely love. Growing up, comic books were a childish pursuit, at best a novelty that will pass, at worst a complete waste of time and money. But these stories and characters had me hooked, and I wanted to know everything. All the details of their long history and every corner of each universe within every title on the shelf. I became embarrassed and shameful of the growing volume of comics I was storing away and the amount of money spent on them. Over time, and only not too long ago, I recognised that comics are an integral part of my identity, that there are many others out there like me and I’m not alone amongst this wider culture and community. I started wearing my heart on my sleeve, representing with t-shirts, socks and hats of familiar characters and logos. I wasn’t hiding anymore. As I’d tell my friends who would see me now with a pleasant smirk on their faces, “I’m leaning into it”.
So I’m out here in Geelong, Australia, a comic book enthusiast and I know I’m not alone. I guess this is me finally reaching out, introducing myself to the rest of pop culturedom. I have a website now that tells you as much. I have a blog I invite you to read and a community that I’d like to show you all around. So heres some comic-related news that I’ve found interesting these few weeks. Heres whats happening in your community, heres what I’ve enjoyed reading, watching or listening to lately and I’d love to know whats making you happy in your corner of our community.
Thanks for stopping by!
Comic News
Casting News! Always exciting.
Details of Superman: Legacy are trickling through and we have some new cast members announced. Isabela Merced will be Hawk Girl
Edi Gathegi will be Mr Terrific
James Gunn favourite Nathan Fillion will be Green Lantern Guy Gardner! (Ideally with the bowl cut).
No easing in for Superman, we’re being thrown in the deep end of the DC Cast of characters from every corner of the galaxy. This news comes after recent announcements of Superman and Lois castings of David Corenswet is Superman / Clark Kent
Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane
Some trailers!
Blue Beetle
The Marvels
Ahsoka
Bit more on the Eisner Awards and San Diago Comic Con in general next time. News of an animated Crisis on Infinite Earths movie has also been revealed and I have a lot of thoughts on that…
So, what’s goin’ on?
Metro Comic Con in Melbourne has just been and gone. I decided to go along on the Saturday and check it out. There was a great turn out, I pulled some cool back issues I was after picked up some local stuff to try. I also caught Tom Taylor and Nicola Scott on a panel which was fun. It’s always comfortable being amongst my tribe. 😊
Nothing in my neck of the woods coming up, next for me will be the Box Hill Fair August 13th and the Giant-Sized Toy Fair at Caulfield Racecourse. Two fairs on the same day?? Crazy!
But coming up this weekend in WA:
July 29 to 30 – Fuyu Anime Market – Claremont, WA
https://foodandwine.events/event/17784252-a/fuyu-anime-market
Spotlight On…
Lets take a look at a corner of our comic book culture: Comic professional profile, moment in history, landmark character or issue, etc
Hugo Hercules – The First Super-Hero
Lets start at the VERY start. First appearing in the Chicago Tribune in 1902, Hugo Hercules is widely regarded as the first ‘Super-Hero’. No costume or cape, Hugo got around in civvies, going about his way and helping out when the need crossed his path.
He only lasted 5 short months, but was briefly re-introduced in Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Below are some quick articles that help understand this helpful stranger:
https://thepatronsaintofsuperheroes.wordpress.com/tag/hugo-hercules/
https://the-armijo-signal.com/23142/current-theme/superhero-comic-throwback-1902s-hugo-hercules/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Hercules
Read My Mind
Comics I’ve read recently, what I’ve bought, what I’m currently reading (comics and books) and what I’m looking forward to.
I’ve just finished reading Andy Weir’s Project: Hail Mary which the wife absolutely loved and I plan to review. A movie is in development, with Ryan Gosling apparently. A great read, I highly recommend. Great Hook. A man wakes up from a coma on a spaceship with amnesia, two dead crewmen and a vital mission to save humanity that he can’t remember. Really easy read that pushes you to keep reading well past your bed time.
I’ve been listening to Jay & Miles X-plain the X-Men podcast and reading along with their thoughts on each X-Men chapter. I recently read the X-Men / Alpha Flight 2 part mini-series. The X-Men meet, fight then team up with Alpha Flight to confront Loki and his warped desire to improve the world. The Paul Smith pencils are fantastic.
Next up from the X-Men pile: New mutants Summer Special & X-Men Annual 9 (more Loki / Asgard adventures) and the Longshot miniseries which I only recently managed to get my hands on.
Finally got around to reading Aquaman: Deadly Waters trade, collecting early 70’s Aquaman. Steve Skeates takes Aquaman into some weeeeeird places! Great Jim Aparo and Neal Adams Art.
Speaking of Neal Adams, I’ve wanted to read the Classic Avengers story The Kree / Skrull War and I read it in style. I finally picked up the Gallery edition I’ve had my eye on for a few months now and I do love these giant-sized editions. The main standout is the colours. Avengers comics are all strong, primary colours, particularly during this late 70’s early 80’s era and this edition makes the art really pop. The story has 3 different artists but Neal Adams art is a real standout. He had an amazing grasp on perception and gave the reader some really unique and stylistic angles of our favourite characters. The story by Roy Thomas was fine. A little underwhelming, but a great set up for many Kree vs Skrull stories for many years. I am now very keen to get my hands on a Green Lantern-Green Arrow collection and check out these classic stories and more Neal Adams art.
Enter… The Watcher!!
Movies and TV I’ve watched, currently watching and looking forward to.
I recently watch the 1982 Wes Craven directed Swamp Thing for the first time. And the last time. But I’m glad I can now say I’ve seen it. Watching some poor guy stumble about the swamps in a Swamp Thing styled wetsuit was somewhere between laughable and cringeworthy. But yes, I do plan on watching the Return of the Swamp Thing. It couldn’t possibly be worse could it…?
The entire Swamp Thing movie is available for free on Youtube if you’re interested:
I’m binging The Expanse at the moment and LOVING IT! I’m late to the party, but it is great stuff. Reminded me of Game of Thrones early, different factions, lots of characters whom I couldn’t remember the names of and favourite characters that could be killed off at any moment. But once the main characters find their rhythm it’s a wild ride as they get thrown from one drama to the next.
Just finished watching Season 1 of Severance. It’s a little slow, very grey and depressing but completely fascinating at the same time. A great mystery to unravel and a great cliffhanger. Heavy themes on cults, corporate culture and that desire for corporations to instil their personality on their employees. Looking forward to Season 2.
Watching Marvels Secret Invasion. I was very hyped for this and I want to love it but it’s making it hard to. Not yet living up to expectations. It could have been grander. It could have said something, weaved in some social commentary. It could have been clever and more suspenseful. I wanted Andor but got a fresh, standard Marvel product. It has an episode left to surprise me. I’m still enjoying it, believe it or not, but I think my expectations were too high. I have a lot of love for these characters so I’m invested and as always, optimistic.
I can’t not mention Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. I do love the Star Trek universe and I’m all in for this series. Great fun and the highlight of my tv viewing week.
Comic Book Showcase
As mentioned, I’m listening to Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men. I’ve gone back to the beginning and been reading along (as much as I’m able) with their reviewing. I love their breakdowns and insights. Those guys have a great understanding of the meaning behind the stories and the viewpoints of the characters and what draws us to these particular stories more so than other Super-Hero fare.
The other main podcast that has my attention is Wizards! The podcast guide to comics. I was never a regular Wizards reader, I picked up maybe two issues in my comic reading life, but this is both a nostalgic, fun look back at what comics where exciting at the time and some terrific, interesting, insightful history into the comics industry as a whole. Besides being well amused I also learn some things. Which is why I’ve decided to be a Patreon supporter for the first time for these guys. I’ve absorbed so much content they deserve a few of my bucks regularly for a while.
Comics Presents…
Tales of interest from the corners of the internet
Found this article on Twitter that I quite enjoyed.
“Pizza With All the X-Tras”: The Story Behind the X-Men x Pizza Hut Promotion, 30 Years Later
Who could forget this comic book add in every Marvel Comic for the most part of 1993? I was always a tad jealous this promotion never made it to Australian shores. Great article (below) about the promotion that succeeded as well as a Weapon X program and the marketing campaign with that X-Factor (Ugh. God, I don’t even know who I am anymore…!)
The Story Behind the X-Men Pizza Hut Promotion
Fanfare Featuring…
I reviewed a thing or two.
Crisis on Infinite Earths! You will believe a multiverse can die. My in-depth look at a comic event classic.
Star Trek: Mission to Horatius walks where others can run. Well, more like shuffles. With a limp. My review of the first original Star Trek adventure outside of the TV Series.
Evin Bryant 27/07/2023