Every week I do a column full of comic book reviews as I've done since March 2003 and currently published at Comic Book Resources. Then, after the reviews post, I try to come over to Komplicated and expand on the thoughts and ideas listed there. Why talk about stuff at some other site? Oh, like you've never done any private projects when you're at work! Sometimes things get profound, sometimes it's gibberish, but it's always about comics … let's see what we get this week!
What? This week's reviews …
A LITTLE BIT MORE: So, I'm surprised to say that I'm enjoying a lot more of the New 52 than I expected. From Wonder Woman's sparse mysticality to Batman's comfortable, familiar feeling, there's new thrills like Mister Terrific and even stuff like Animal Man or Action is worth watching.
The ones that don't work often do so for the same reason — all these $2.99 books now have 20 pages of content instead of the former standard of 22. It abbreviates about 85% of them, making them feel incomplete. I understand the economic rationales, but as a reader, I miss those two pages, almost every step of the way. Allows for the significant little moments to breathe. Hash tag eye jay ess.
THE WHORIFICATION OF KORIAND'R AND SELINA KYLE: Sorry, before I start [SPOILER ALERT!!!!]
… still here?
We'll wait a bit more
… okay, let's go.
Once upon a time, Starfire was a powerful warrior princess from a far off planet, struggling with relating to the more fragile human race but ultimately noble. Now?
… what the world wide hell was that?
Then, Catwoman — admittedly a woman with some moral flexibility — goes full on fetishist in the pages of a book that didn't seem rated "mature" …
There's a brilliant commentary about this on Comics Alliance, breaking down the images and so on, and we'll cover some of this in the webcast on Sunday night, but it was weird for me especially. I'm a guy, I like cheesecake, sure … but I have two daughters, ones who I'd like to grow up loving comics like I did. These aren't the most kid friendly titles, admittedly, but this is a "hostile work environment" sort of thing, creating an atmosphere for festishization and objectification for the female gender that — frankly — I'd like to leave to legitimate porn. If you wanna see how to keep a character classy while still being sexy, check this week's issue of Heroes for Hire.
Like I said, more of that on the webcast on Sunday night (and recapped/reposted on Monday). Not cool, DC, not cool.
THAT'S THE NEWS, AND I AM OUTTA HERE: Troy Davis, y'all. I'm out.
Playing (Music): "Baby Come To Me" by Regina Belle
[Source: Comic Book Resources, Scans Daily, Comics Alliance]