tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post1823349504207855380..comments2024-01-13T13:40:31.385+00:00Comments on TOO DANGEROUS FOR A GIRL!: Superman #6 reviewMartin Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-26885052187099910592012-03-15T14:59:05.612+00:002012-03-15T14:59:05.612+00:00No, you're right. As written for Lois and Clar...No, you're right. As written for Lois and Clark, Cat was a one-dimensional tool.Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-40302500420619659592012-03-14T05:09:18.804+00:002012-03-14T05:09:18.804+00:00(Just caught up with this comment now!)
That'...(Just caught up with this comment now!)<br /><br />That's a great article on Cat Grant. To me, I think the turning point for Cat was Tracy Scoggins vamping her up on <i>Lois & Clark.</i> It was there, I think -- though I haven't seen those shows since they were first broadcast, so I could be misremembering -- when she went from a three-dimensional character to someone less relatable, and more of a plot device. Which is a real loss.Rob S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07331286524477806963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-32508567448604794662012-03-05T23:00:18.443+00:002012-03-05T23:00:18.443+00:00I missed whatever episode had Lois sleeping with t...I missed whatever episode had Lois sleeping with the boss. Presumably not Perry White? Then again, knowing Smallville Perry was possible a 20-year-old underwear model.Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-71553097647663167622012-03-05T22:57:30.889+00:002012-03-05T22:57:30.889+00:00Thanks Gina, it's good to hear comments from a...Thanks Gina, it's good to hear comments from another woman in the demographic that I'm so not a part of. And I agree.Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-57196361231936411722012-03-05T04:47:20.201+00:002012-03-05T04:47:20.201+00:00As a woman, I don't appreciate seeing the 1st ...As a woman, I don't appreciate seeing the 1st man of Action Comics, a man with Superman's gifts and brains come off as an insecure, moping man with half a brain. Lois is strong in the book. She's has a good career. She's actually in high position that is often given to males, she's confident in her personal relationship. She doesn't whine and mope like the so call hero of the book.Gina Morrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-29214904636110306082012-03-05T04:24:06.664+00:002012-03-05T04:24:06.664+00:00Please don't say Smallville had a huge impact ...Please don't say Smallville had a huge impact on your generation because I am part of that generation and it was a terrible represenatation of growing up and not accepting responsibilities. If DC was smart, they would ignore Smallville's influence of a grown man, who couldn't grow up, whose lack of taking responsibility had terrible consequences time and time again. <br /><br />Erica Durance was the worst Lois and a terrible representation of woman. She slept with her boss at the Daily Planet. What kind of respectful woman has an affair with her boss? Even Lois in the comics never did that. Not to mention she had a relationship with Green Arrow and put down Clark alot before she got with him. She was like a super hero groupie. Pathetic Smallville.Gina Morrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-58474103427439476462012-03-02T01:05:32.439+00:002012-03-02T01:05:32.439+00:00Oh darn, I love this sort of thing ... wonder if I...Oh darn, I love this sort of thing ... wonder if I can find them online.Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-7302912446783023292012-03-01T20:09:38.757+00:002012-03-01T20:09:38.757+00:00I read the TPB which had some excellent, insightfu...I read the TPB which had some excellent, insightful essays on the Superman mythos in the back, perhaps that was why I liked it so much...Mr. Whiskashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03838972390635828108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-41694694361193948982012-03-01T14:52:59.616+00:002012-03-01T14:52:59.616+00:00Ah Cat Grant. Possibly the only member of the Supe...Ah Cat Grant. Possibly the only member of the Superman supporting cast never to get temporary super-powers. I still think of her as a rebooted Lola Barnett, as Steve Bard became Steve Lombard. Maybe.<br /><br />Just found an interesting piece on Ms Grant: <br />http://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/1549078.htmlMartin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-714527006182322592012-03-01T14:44:03.499+00:002012-03-01T14:44:03.499+00:00New directions imposed too speedily, for one thing...New directions imposed too speedily, for one thing, Dan ... looking at Action and Superman together it seems DC have less idea of where to take Superman than they initially claimed.Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-78708559259672684312012-02-29T12:51:46.200+00:002012-02-29T12:51:46.200+00:00This book was one of the ones I was looking forwar...This book was one of the ones I was looking forward to most, but now it sits on the bottom of the stack each month... The only things that saved it was the fact Jurgens was coming aboard and that Superman is just someone I can't quit. <br /><br />Then I realise I was about to give up on a George Perez book and I wonder what's gone wrong with the world...IADWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08339648236279349271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-85535714523193171902012-02-27T23:36:45.614+00:002012-02-27T23:36:45.614+00:00Bring 'em on!
But even better: NEW characters...Bring 'em on!<br /><br />But even better: NEW characters. Cat Grant breathed some life into the Byrne-era Superman books. Any time a new, non-powered supporting character is introduced in a superhero comic, an angel gets its wings.Rob S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07331286524477806963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-88513760495851037662012-02-27T23:07:21.268+00:002012-02-27T23:07:21.268+00:00So you'd be happy with Sally and Luma and Lori...So you'd be happy with Sally and Luma and Lori too!Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-65384558532339845702012-02-27T23:02:56.334+00:002012-02-27T23:02:56.334+00:00Oh Lordy, the Cackhawks are in there too?
Too har...Oh Lordy, the Cackhawks are in there too?<br /><br />Too harsh? I'm a big Blackhawks fan, but the first issue of the new series was enough for me. What a mess!<br /><br />I liked Birthright well enough at the time but can't remember anything about it other than Clark wandering the world and seeing vegetable auras. Or something!Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-34276292786528431052012-02-27T17:17:33.050+00:002012-02-27T17:17:33.050+00:00If Idelson is trying to sideline Lois, he's do...If Idelson is trying to sideline Lois, he's doing it all wrong. She's central to the book.<br /><br />I'm fine with a married Superman and a single Superman, but currently more intrigued by a single Superman, since I don't know exactly where they're going with it. All roads lead to Lois, but the length of those roads and the side-trips along the way interest me... and their potential is part of what has kept me interested in the book. This first storyline never really popped, and were it not for the soap opera nature of the changes (not just their marriage, but Lois's new job and the conflicts that brings), I likely would have bailed after issue 3 or 4.<br /><br />It's great that all those versions of Superman have ended up married: I want Superman and Lois to get that happy ending, or even happy middle. But I think it's also worth noting that none of them have started that way.Rob S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07331286524477806963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-73510687599538617492012-02-27T00:35:54.543+00:002012-02-27T00:35:54.543+00:00Oh, and I tried mightily to get into Smallville to...Oh, and I tried mightily to get into Smallville too, but just could not take the first season's weekly "Kryptonite falls out of somewhere/Clark is incapacitated by it/Kryptonite is removed/Clark takes care of business" formula.Mr. Whiskashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03838972390635828108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-46018281261801419842012-02-27T00:33:32.290+00:002012-02-27T00:33:32.290+00:00I'm very sad to see Perez go. I agree the exp...I'm very sad to see Perez go. I agree the exposition during the fight was forced, but man, if you like to spend time reading, and I mean reading, as in reading words as opposed to the art, Perez is the man. He gives you your $2.99 worth (and the extra pages during his run were nice, kind of the opposite of the filler often presented in JLA and Action).<br /><br />I don't hold it against them that they tied this in to the Collector of Worlds storyline in Action; it was pretty tangential (the nanites hitched a ride back with Supes when he wrapped that challenge up, then presented an all new challenge Perez wrote). I liked the continuity given it was not in any real way critical to the storyline itself.<br /><br />But yes, I see very little reason to get Superman involved in the Grifter/Voodoo/Blackhawks storyline. Yuck.<br /><br />Oh, and while we are noting strong Superman writers of the past let me put my plug in for Waid. His Birthright was one of the best Superman comics I've ever read...Mr. Whiskashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03838972390635828108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-68533214132273577472012-02-25T22:28:41.356+00:002012-02-25T22:28:41.356+00:00That's a really interesting point about Clark ...That's a really interesting point about Clark and Lois ending all three previous closed-off continuities as man and wife. It's rather heartwarming. <br /><br />And I'd not heard that bit about Matt Idelson deliberately trying to sideline Lois. Didn't work - her character comes through anyway. And she's going to be back on the streets soon!Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-90944214952940444132012-02-25T22:09:42.104+00:002012-02-25T22:09:42.104+00:00Yeah, the specific Reply business is very spotty, ...Yeah, the specific Reply business is very spotty, which is annoying. Thanks for the patience. <br /><br />Anonymous two posts up: thanks for going into detail about the development of the romance on the telly. I won't go back looking to catch up, though - I've generally seen about two eps per season and while I like Chloe, the Kents and Green Arrow, and the JSA bits, well, I've told you what I reckon to Clark and Lana. And Erica Durance's Lois is too cheerleader for me. Just personal taste. <br /><br />Also, I want to smash the set every time the Jor-El thing turns up. How the heck can a hologram be programmed to converse with people decades after its maker died? And why does everyone pay attention to the arrogant thing?Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-40994917856887487042012-02-25T22:00:27.130+00:002012-02-25T22:00:27.130+00:00I hope the book's great, it certainly has a go...I hope the book's great, it certainly has a good writer and artist. At some point, of course, they'll try for romantic intrigue by breaking Lois and Clark up for awhile ... but hang on in there!Martin Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09574149543260175962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-33653925567595334642012-02-25T03:00:55.925+00:002012-02-25T03:00:55.925+00:00I can't seem to answer your posts seperately, ...I can't seem to answer your posts seperately, but the site doesn't seem to let me do that or maybe it's just my stupidity. Who knows.<br /><br />Martin Gray.<br /><br />I can understand your desire for strong female characters. I've felt that in plenty of other shows I've watched. The women either being kidnapped, beaten, or some other embarrasing thing until the man comes and rescue them. Trust me , I share the same desire. But it's only issue #6 and we haven't seen a lot of Lois yet, so we might get to see her character more in the future. As for the bruised feelings, hey it's not like you can please everybody.<br /><br />Anonymous.<br /><br />I saw the connection between Lois and Clark when they first met, but don't forget in Smallville, it took eight seasons (and some of season nine) for them to get together. Seeing them as a couple was fun, but the progression in their relationship from when they first met was also fun and something I really enjoyed. I'm just trying to enjoy their relationship now in the comics, and they'll possibly fall in love again later in the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-22048690282172750132012-02-24T18:39:51.218+00:002012-02-24T18:39:51.218+00:00Well, they were "real" in the sense that...Well, they were "real" in the sense that that was the Golden Age canon. I think people forget that sometimes. It's why it bugs me when people say that Lois and Clark were "only married" in the modern age.<br /><br />First off, they got engaged in 1990. So it wasn't just the 15 year marriage when that was on the table. It was over 20 years of that plotline.<br /><br />Second, the Earth 2 marriage is supposed to be the Golden Age continuity. So the Golden Age ended with them married too.<br /><br />If you consider the fact that "whatever happened to the man of tomorrow" was written to be the "farewell/ending" story to the pre-crisis/Silver/Bronze Age Superman then it stands to reason that they've actually ended each age of comics married. Not just the modern canon.<br /><br />But I agree! Great fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-83354766913377029062012-02-24T18:36:36.885+00:002012-02-24T18:36:36.885+00:00If you don't understand why Lois fell in love ...If you don't understand why Lois fell in love with Clark on Smallville...then you need to rewatch their scenes on the show.<br /><br />Because it was more than clear to me why. Their connection was established from the first day. <br /><br />Lois loved Clark because he was kind and because he was the only man in her life to truly make her feel like she was valued and special. She also loved him because ultimately Lois believed in the concept of heroism and of hope above all else and she looked for that goodness in romantic partners. It was well established on the show that Lois had felt that her father's duty to the world was more important than she was. She went through the same thing with Oliver. Oliver didn't love her enough to truly make her feel valued.<br /><br />Clark treated her like an equal. Not an object or a burden. He showed her kindness when other men left her and he made her laugh. He was a different man around her than he was around other people--able to take her jokes and run with them and joke back.<br /><br />Lois loved Clark for the same reason Lois always loves Clark in canon---because Lois has been taught that all men will betray her and leave her---and yet Clark proves her wrong.<br /><br />I'm really not trying to be argumentative. I just think your opinion about Clark/Lois on Smallville isn't supported by the show.<br /><br />I love Cain and Hatcher a lot. <br /><br />But I don't think you are being fair to Clark on Smallville at all. Particularly in the later seasons. There was a lot of joy to be had between Lois and Clark whenever they were together. They were, imo, the best part of the show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-24446029750743743752012-02-24T18:30:46.533+00:002012-02-24T18:30:46.533+00:00I think Perez has tried to be fair to Lois within ...I think Perez has tried to be fair to Lois within the constraints of what he's been given. I agre with that.<br /><br />But Matt Idelson has admitted on the Superman homepage that Lois was put behind a desk in order to sort of get her out of the competition with Clark.<br /><br />She was put behind the desk to put distance between them so they could try to destroy the sexual tension. <br /><br />To me, Lois was written as a very reactive player in Superman. Yes, she was still strong and compassionate and wise and all the things we love about Lois. But instead of acting...she was reacting. Instead of going out and doing something...she was talking about it after the fact. <br /><br />It was an editorial choice to try and push her to the side to create distance between Lois and Clark in order to be able to push new love interests.<br /><br />And, as a woman, I don't really appreciate seeing the 1st woman of Action Comics basically shoved behind a desk to make it easier for the main character to date around. Lois deserves better than that. And I miss the professional relationship between Lois and Clark as much as I miss the marriage.<br /><br />I like Perez. But I'm sorry guys..I just can't agree that the relaunch has been good to her. I think Perez did the best he could. But I don't like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392489189136721402.post-74486366125314420542012-02-24T18:25:55.741+00:002012-02-24T18:25:55.741+00:00I don't share your opinion about Smallville, b...I don't share your opinion about Smallville, but that's ok. I actually think people are way too hard on the show and I think the opinion that Clark was "joyless" and only ever "whined" is not really backed up by what transpired on the show year after year. I think that the middle seasons 5-7 were "dark" years for the character where the writing for him was very poor but I thought he had a lot of really good moments in other seasons.<br /><br />I think the show had a lot of problems. But one of the things that I liked about the show was that I thought it did a good job of presenting Clark Kent as a real man with flaws and anger and a temper and emotions in a way that felt very real.<br /><br />And I certainly don't want to insinuate that I think your age had something to do with it because I know several older people who loved the show. (My Dad is over 50 and he liked it.)<br /><br />But I do think that the show managed to get the heart of my generation (I'm in my 20's) in a way that was important to the growth and survival of the character.<br /><br />And I really don't think it's fair to say that Clark was "joyless" at all. I actually think that the relationship between Lois and Clark was filled with joy and humor and fun which is why i liked it.<br /><br />I loved the Cain/Hatcher show too. But it's not really a good comparison. The Clark Kent on that show was very much the John Bryne Clark. Despite feeling alone until he met Lois, he had a pretty good life. Both of his parents were alive. He was a popular kid in school. He played college football. He explored the world. He didn't even know he was an alien until he was 27 years old.<br /><br />Whereas, the Clark on Smallville was more a mixture of different eras. He learned of his alien heritage at a much younger age. He lost his father when he was 17. He suffered people dying around him and being hurt around him for years. He was betrayed by his best friend etc. <br /><br />I'm not saying one is better than the other. At heart, I think both versions are very similar in their humanity. But I do think you can't really compare the two without recognizing that Smallville was a more tragic narrative wherein Superman faced a lot more tragedy at a much younger age. Smallville's Clark had more challenges to overcome as a child than L&C's Clark did. I'm not saying one is better than the other....but it does make Smallville Clark's hesitation more understandable when you consider the different life circumstances.<br /><br />Personally, I like them both for different reasons and I relate to both on a human level for different reasons.<br /><br />I love Teri Hatcher. But, personally, I think Erica captured the "raw" nature of Lois a little bit better and by the end of the series had transformed into a nice mix of the raw/rough around the edges of Margot Kidder and the humor and kindness of Teri's Lois. <br /><br />I like all the Superman properties for different reasons.<br /><br />Either way, Smallville had a huge impact on my generation. Certainly much more than comics did. It would be unwise for DC to ignore that impact going forward as we should be the future of the industry if the industry is going to survive.<br /><br />(This is Anon#1 btw) Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com