A story of talking rocks, magic green train lanterns, and the man who could only be stopped by a stick!
Monday, November 21, 2011
All-American Comics #16
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101 comments:
I often think the best thing about your epic storylines is the nice, short episodes that follow. Like everyone else thats a TGWTG fan around here I love it when a reviewer rages against the cornucopia of crap out there, but these nice little breaks of good (or at least relatively good) comics are fun. A change of pace that makes the larger, all the more epic, storyline episodes more fun and interesting.
As for Alan Scott, I've always wondered how he fit into the more popular Green Lantern mythos. Or at least how he got his unique start. While the rest of the GL core is more widely know it's good to see you addressing this mostly forgotten character in the DC Universe, as I can't see him cropping up in the new DCU.
A nice review, thanks a lot. As for the last scene… Linksaino as an ally. Can't say I didn't see it coming, but I like the threat Linkara delivered. Not quite the sort of thing a classic hero would resort to.
Thomas
PS Something occurred to me, the first time I was introduced to the Alan Scott era weakness (wood) when I was reading a Marshal Law comic (by legendary 2000ad creative team Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill). Just wondering if you've ever read a copy? It's sort of a massive parody where a Judge Dredd Clone takes on all sorts of comic book heroes. If you get where it's coming from it is a massive satire of the whole industry.
I know what you mean about not knowing which version of the hero is the "true" one. I was confused with Hal Jordan Green Lantern, cause I watched Justice League as a kid and was used to Jonh Stewart.
Also, Dekker is ALWAYS an evil name. Power Rangers Samurai is proving it right now.
And, finally, your team now is made up of you, your girlfriend, a robot made of cardboard and dixie cups, a HAL-like computer, a guy stuck in the 90s, a guy stuck in the 50s, and a ninja. You have a weird crew
Nice review.
I was a bit confused by Alan Scott's wondering if he could move in the 4th Dimension. He's already moving in - the 4th Dimension is just time.
Great review Linkara, though I do want to go look up Alan Scott to see if he still has that weakness to wood today. XD Also, nice job on the Cybermat, it looked really good.
One more thing though, last year when you had Secret Origins month, at the end you said that you may one day explain your own secret origin, is that still going to happen? If so, I know it's probably not going to happen this year, due to Mechakara, but I can wait. :)
I'm actually related to Martin Nodell, he was my Grand Uncle on my Father's side. Never really knew him though.
Oh alan scott. Just this reminds me of the screw job you got last few years in JSA book and even JLA. Even what they did to his kids who are now probably erased like Wally West. DC given the one over again with returning you to Earth 2 because really that what going to save comic books. Trying to be silver age again.
By the way everyone have a safe and happy thanksgiving Linkara and everyone else.
Have you ever listened to the Graphic Audio Book Sleepers Book two? It has some plot holes that are picked up in book 3 of Sleepers but it is still a solid Alan Scott Story. I highly recommend it.
I am a sucker for the Golden Age and Silver Age of Comics. They are goofy but classics. Thanks for drawing attention to Alan Scott. I think he is an underrated character that deserves as much media attention as Hal, John Stewart, Guy, or Kyle. He has an interesting backstory, interesting villains, heck Vandal Savage was originally his villain as opposed to the JSA or JLA as most people believe. Thanks Lewis or Linkara. Thanks.
I was pretty torn up when I heard that he died in the final JSA issue, heck I imagined it to Gandalf's death music. He had a hard life. His girlfriend was unknowingly one of his worst enemies with a split personality. His son had that same mental instability and nearly destroyed a city with his power, his daughter died, and he was disrespected by a bunch of kids who shamelessly worked for Luthor for a time. (The Infinity Inc. jerks from 52 I mean).
Great review. To be honest, I don't know much of Alan Scott other than his few appearances on some of the modern DC comics but he's sounds interesting; I got to read some of his stories. Can't wait for your Captain America review.
P.S. Thanks for giving the heads up on the Teen Titans sale on Comixology this past weekend, I've been enjoying the comics, especially the ones from the 80s and the JlA/Titans series.
I have to disagree with your statement that if you have the last name, Kane, you are destined to be evil because of one source. This may just be because I love the show, but Lana Kane from Archer is the exact opposite of what you said. She's a badass agent and is the most competent and sympathetic character on the show. I'm sure you weren't thinking about it enough, but maybe you could look up the show on Netflix. In fact, the new season is coming out this January.
I think Linkara wasn't really going to exile Linksano, I think it was just a threat.
Linkara would never go that far
"So we're going to do him first." - Snerk.
Linksano?!? Are you mad? You can't trust him!
You missed a golden opportunity to play the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 character select song: Take You For a Ride! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPjjnfGKrPc
I can say that the reason why DC tries to say Hal Jordan is the most "iconic" Green Lantern is because THEY WANT HIM TO BE THAT WAY. As with so many other things that DC tries to pass off as being gospel and factual about their characters, IT'S A MARKETING PLOY. >_<
Anyway, quick question since I never see it in the end credits - what is the instrumental piece that you use as what I've dubbed the "Mechakara Foreshadowing Music"? Is it something you found, a Skitch composition, or something else? If it is in the end credits and I'm just not getting it, I apologize.
I will throw a theory right now. linksano will created a function toward comicron that will give it a megazord transformation. Then you will combine it with neutro to make one super megazord.
The "Super Neutronic Comcicron Omega Megazord."
Also, I must be one of the few people whose first interpretation of the word "queer" as meaning "odd." It actually took me a moment to understand those two jokes.
Thanks to that peter pan joke I have an image of peter pan glowing green and wearing a green lantern mask and ring.
Lastly, what was the final verdict for the accusations toward Alan Scott?
thank you so much for this vid Linkara, this REALLY made my day, Alan Scott has always been my favourite comic character, and I just got some bad news for my doctor today so being able to see your review of him cheered me up a lot
Tomothius: Two things:
We as people do not see or move through the fourth dimension, to do so would mean we could occupy, see, and understand all points of time at once and move through it willingly to wherever we want to go, much like we do in the Third Dimension. We may be a PART of the Fourth Dimension but we don't really "move" through it. Also, in the comic, it is possible he was not talking about time as the fourth dimension but the fourth physical dimension.
Ah, good episode. I really like your sense of humor. It's just fun.
"what is the instrumental piece that you use as what I've dubbed the "Mechakara Foreshadowing Music"? Is it something you found, a Skitch composition, or something else?"
@The Mad Scientist:
It's something he found. If you've watched any episode of Ren & Stimpy or Sponebob Squarepants, it's very easy to recognize.
You can get it if you search for Ren and Stimpy Music, Soundtrack, OST, mass etc.
Someone has even posted the tracks on Youtube:
"Graveyard"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f-NEhj5oVk&feature=related
"thank you so much for this vid Linkara, this REALLY made my day, Alan Scott has always been my favourite comic character, and I just got some bad news for my doctor today so being able to see your review of him cheered me up a lot"
I hope it's not anything too serious. D=
Your cybermat is a-bloody-dorable. Is his name Bitey? Because it really should be.
And you are, as always, on top comedic form.
Corrupting and sort of enslaving the Corrupt.
Are you sure that still is Linkara and not the Entity disguised as Linkara to deceive us all ?
And thinking about that : is Mechakara really the bad guy in that story this time ? Well, that or maybe Lewis is reading comics from the 40's for too much time and their moral code and logic plot lines are starting to affect his writing, despite any advantages from keeping LinkaraSano in line looks like you Sir is being twisted one inch at the time towards the evil ways.
I hope i am not spoiling a plot twist and if is that the case please delete this post but if is really that the case ad you want to deceive everybody go ahead and posted.
We will never know the truth until we get all the way through the end.
No one ever thinks about what they'll do AFTER they conquer the world. That's twice you've beaten people with this logic Linkara. Good job;) Glad Linksano is an ally now.
Alan Scott has a weird first story. It's the 40s, what che gonna do? Wish I could go there just to see how things were.
I remember reading this years ago in some big compendium of old comic stories (sadly it's since disappeared from the library).
On another note, did you just say 'son of a b*tch'?
I remember hearing about how one of the reasons there were so many influential Jewish comic authors back in the early days of comics was because they weren't allowed into the mainstream.
That Alan Scott origin story is so interesting, it made me wonder how come Warner Bros. didn't use that for their Green Lantern movie instead of funny 'ol Hal Jordan. Maybe they thought that having a Green Lantern movie taking place in the 1940s and wearing a ridiculous costume would not work with modern audiences. But look at the recent Captain America movie. It has a hero in a ridiculous costume and it takes place in the 1940s, yet it still works.
You're getting really good at convincing people that their goals need changing in life. I'd say if the character ever retires from comic reviewing, or cuts back on it, there's great potential in being a guidance counselor or assigning jobs to the unemployed
Thank you for this review video Linkara, I didn't know much about the Green Lanterns other than John Stewart from the Justice League cartoon series.As for the plot element. I think that it's a good idea for Linksano to be apart of the group. As a badguy he's on the harmless side.Plus in my opinion the more crew members and allies the better for going up any returning or new foes. Good job with the negotiating and the threat was a nice touch. I don't think Linksano would go back to being a badguy anytime soon.
Joining in with comments on the word "queer." I doubt you've read "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett, but it uses the word constantly, with the meaning of "strange" or "odd."
The book was published in 1905, but between that and this 1940s comic book, I'm led to believe that the word was used quite a bit back in the day, and has only come to be associated with its current usage recently. That said, it may not be fair to criticize the comic for something like using the word "queer," when it wasn't a misuse back then - sort of how the nickname "Gay Paree" had nothing to do with sexuality.
The Green Guardsman from the Justice League cartoon was originally going to be this version of Green Lantern.
Kyle was my first and favorite. The cool Lantern of the 90s...*sigh* One of these days I need to have a drink with 90s Kid.
Also, what do we call Mechakara now that he is no longer in your image?
Hey Linkara, Great video as always :)
I also wanted to ask you, have you heard about Frank Miller's recent tirade agaisnt Occupy Wall Street? He apparently called them all rapists and murderers.
So Linksano isn't a villain anymore? Aww. I wonder if he still considers himself a villain.
It's nice that you gave Alan Scott some attention. I also like that you're able to poke fun at the Golden Age cheesiness without actually making fun of that style of comic book.
I know it's a 11th doctor thing, but are you going to call the cybermat Bitey?
@Jesse and LinkaraSano
Things to Do After Conquering the World :
- kill half the population of the planet to keep the other half in line;
- legalize drugs, alcohol, cigars, casinos, prostitution for people of ALL AGES;
- made 10 years old the age of consent for sexual activity in the whole world and kill everybody over 18 years old except yourself of course;
- nuke every city with population above 100 thousand people;
- destroy every particle accelerator including the large hadron collidor to prevent any annoying kids from time travel back in time;
- build a global cloaking device able to hide Earth and the Moon from any curious good two shoes alien;
- build a minor Death Star Ray Gun device and erase the whole State of Israel, Meca, Medina, Bagda, Salt Lake City and any other significant religious city or country from the face of the Earth;
I can keep going on and on and on on this but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU A FW#%*CKING EVIL AND FINALLY CONQUER THE WHOLE WORLD AND EXTERMINATE YOUR ENEMIES THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS YOU CAN DO INSTEAD OF KEEPING THE WORLD GOING ON JUST THE WAY IT IS, DON'T PROCRASTINATE DAMN IT!
If i had conquer the world my plan is simple : kill the adults, enslave the kids and play God, can't be more complicated than that from a comic book logic point of view.
The Real World have enough evil people dealing with the Real Issues like the economy and religion already, please preserve and protect the brilliant evil minds of fiction from the sort of corruptions that exist in reality.
LinkaraSano is just a good evil boy who needs to be love, feared and respected by some insane group of scantly clad evil chick with huge breasts covered by tiny shinny little bikinis and a few million nuclear warheads and laser cannon satellites.
Please people support your world wide web Mad Scientist, someday he can finally save the world from it's own goodness.
RESIST THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE HOLODECK LINKARASANO, IS A COPYRIGHT INFRINGED PRODUCT PLACEMENT and by the way there is nothing porn on T&A in it, Star Trek programmers are prudes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD287m5rD7c
*at 26 seconds Linkara's mojo mades a cameo on this video.
I'm not an avid comics reader (I don't dislike comics at all, but there is only so much I can wring out of my stipend), but I look forward to your videos every week. The snark makes me laugh, and the storylines are really entertaining. Nice job with the end of The Entity. I'm curious where this current one is going.
Now back to writing my paper involving Doctor Who for graduate school.
Nice to see the origin of this guy, he's tied with John Stewart as my favorite human Lantern and really the most I know about him is from the Starman comics. I don't get the obsession about Hal either, I know fans of the Green Lantern Core and even they don't seem to like that character. Great review, interesting twist at the end, I can't wait to see more.
Lewis, your voice sounded a lot like Adam West when you made that "I have a big target on my chest!" line near the beginning. LOL
Linkara, you make me feel so old. I was a fan of Green Lantern way before Kyle Rainer. Hal Jordan was THE man. But I always liked Alan Scott too. This was a good video, I had forgotten all about that origin so this was like a refesher. Did you ever read the Secret Origins series they had in the 80's where they took the classic origin stories and tried to modernize them? Just wondering. Great episode!
I recognized the Seventh Doctor's question umbrella, but what's the gun beside it called?
Darn, you already have the Liefeld Galactica comics. Now how am I going to get rid of them once I'm finally done reviewing them? {Curses, foiled again.}
I grew up with Hal Jordan as GL, if only through Superfriends, and I still think Kyle is the best GL ever. When you have a ring that makes hard light constructs of anything you can think up, imagination is rather important and Kyle has that in spades. It was cool to see Alan's origin, though.
"I recognized the Seventh Doctor's question umbrella, but what's the gun beside it called?"
Phaser rifle. Liz used it back in October.
"Darn, you already have the Liefeld Galactica comics. Now how am I going to get rid of them once I'm finally done reviewing them? {Curses, foiled again.}"
Actually, I'm missing the first issue, so I'd still take them off your hands. XD
The only real reason Hal Jordan is considered the "iconic" Green Lantern is because he was lantern the longest. Alan was GL for about a dozen years or so before Ace the Wonder Dog took over his comic, and then Alan disappeared along with most other Golden Age superheroes. Hal, meanwhile, was GL since his introduction in the 60s, until his death in the 90s--barring a couple short stints where Guy Gardner or John Stewart were the lead; however, even then, Hal was always still around. Heck, even killing him didn't get rid of him for all that long. But anyway, that--and that alone--is why he's considered "iconic".
Anyway, funny story about Alan Scott's name:
It was originally supposed to be Alan Ladd, not Scott, sort of reminiscent of "Aladdin." but Martin Nodell was told to change it because no one would buy such a name. Cue a few years later, actually, later that year, IIRC, and guess who's the biggest box office draw in Hollywood? That's right, none other than the actor whose screen name was "Alan Ladd!"
AWESOME! I've been waiting for this review! I've never read much with the Alan Scott Green LAntern that was in the main DCU! I've read Alex Ross's Kingdom Come inwhich he was like the main Green Lantern and seemed to be a full flegded member of the Corps!
I do like Alan Scott and his goofy costume mostly because like that Blue(something or other) guy from Mystery Men movie his costume had very little of the primary color in his name on it! You gotta admit for a "GREEN" Lantern his costume is only like 10-20% green! It's more Red and Purple than anything! And speaking of his costume and that word that kept using in this comic... XD
For a Golden Age comic the origions of his powers, the Ring, the Lantern, the whole shabang is very complicated and weird all things concidering! To me it'd been much more easier to just say green meteor fell from the sky, some guy made it into a lamp and a lantern, it some how got lost and wound up in America or some how Alan Scott was visiting over seas, and he finds it! Pow, he's given superpowers by it la Thor's origion in the origional Marvel comics!
Also, I hate to play McNitpick but the dead dude's name was Jimmy in that pannel you said "Jay", but no biggy just thought I'd say, and if some other 200 people have alredy said it or pointed it out I'm sorry for the trouble! :D
This makes me really want to read some old Golden Age comics I like their cheesy good style. I've been getting the Showcase(s) of the Silver Age(Hal Jordon) comics! Those big phone book sized collections of stories!
Also, is it just me or does the artwork in here make Alan's dead friend Jimmy look a lot like the early Superman from Action Comics!? It might just be the whole early comics artstyle but they look a lot a like. The would early years of Youngblood's Desiece with the no eyes ot they're just always squenting really hard like they're stearing into the sun!
Linksano is going to blind that computer with all the horrible debotchery in that Holodeck! So, you're now openly admitting to leaving a guy abandoned in a place even though he's now concidered harmless with out his reason to be evil?! :D
I do like that you gave the evil Pollo/Mechakara a blue glow to him/it! I kind of tried that idea in my design!
PS: Nice use of Kermit's Green Song! :D
Also, what was with the Donkey Kong theme to the titlecard? I didn't get the referince in the show or comic if there was one!?
Mountain King said...
"PS Something occurred to me, the first time I was introduced to the Alan Scott era weakness (wood) when I was reading a Marshal Law comic (by legendary 2000ad creative team Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill). Just wondering if you've ever read a copy? It's sort of a massive parody where a Judge Dredd Clone takes on all sorts of comic book heroes. If you get where it's coming from it is a massive satire of the whole industry."
I've been asking that myself for awhile, but from what I've gathered from his comments in the past Linkara doesn't care for these kinds of comics. It's a lot like the Boys by Garth Ennis but less serious it's openly mocking mainstream comics. I do like their parody of the GLC in the Gangreen and Suiciba!
Joseph said...
"Thanks to that peter pan joke I have an image of peter pan glowing green and wearing a green lantern mask and ring."
Quick DeviantArt search and over 200 images found for that description!
You'd actually be surprised at how few images there are for Gollum form LOTR as an Orange LAntern there are!
The Comic: I'll admit I'm MUCH more familiar with the more modern take on the Green Lantern, the movie did help me with some details like it or not, but this was an interesting enough origin for somebody who didn't get his powers the normal way. As for writing choices... It was written in the 40's some there's bound to be some... oddities... from our POV.
Your Arc: Bought off by an off to work fo0r you instead of trying to get rid of you... I'd have Nimue watch him 24/7 if I were you. After all, he may not get what he wants right... 99% of the time... He may try something with Mechakara.
Fiery Little One
" LucasChad said...
That Alan Scott origin story is so interesting, it made me wonder how come Warner Bros. didn't use that for their Green Lantern movie instead of funny 'ol Hal Jordan. Maybe they thought that having a Green Lantern movie taking place in the 1940s and wearing a ridiculous costume would not work with modern audiences. But look at the recent Captain America movie. It has a hero in a ridiculous costume and it takes place in the 1940s, yet it still works.
November 21, 2011 6:21 PM"
Fun Fact: Alan Scott was suppose to be in the recent Green Lantern movie along side Amanda Waller as a member of Checkmate. They were basically ripping off Marvel's Avengers movie idea with this by him basically playing Nick Fury's role and Checkmate standing in for SHIELD! I'd still loved it if they did this but WB didn't want any hints or what not of previous Green Lanterns or superheroes! Which is even more confusing!
Alan Scott and Jay Garrick are really cool characters. They're why I'm really looking forward to DC starting a new JSA comic.
Linkara,
Would I be correct in assuming that you probably gravitate more towards "New Guardians" out of the four GL titles?
Alan Scott is my favorite Green Lantern. I agree that he's a more interesting character than Hal Jordan.
My problem with the GL Corps is that they're just overpowered. 3000 soldiers/policemen with nearly unlimited power? Who can stand against this force? They could defeat Darkseid's armies and eliminate him as a threat! Why don't they?
Plus, it really takes a lot away from the uniqueness of the individual characters. Alan Scott is one of a kind. Jordan/Kilowog/Rayner/Stewart etc. are one of 3000.
(This is also one of the reasons why I think the Carter Hall Hawkman is a more interesting character than the Katar Hol Hawkman, who is one of thousands of policemen/soldiers.)
Granted, this is only my opinion about what I personally think makes a good character based on what I personally prefer to read. There's really no right or wrong.
Ironic: you use "Bein' Green" and yet the Muppet movie is coming out this week. Would have expected it when we got to the Hulk tribute but...hey, he starts gray so no such luck.
With that said...yeah, Alan Scott kills a lot of people. Otherwise, interesting ideas that showed that comic book writers were really thinking of novel ideas even in the Golden Age, even though they would be reinterpreted a bit later for something people consider more iconic. Scott may not have the costume but he does have the means of being a hero...and a hot green daughter but that's something else altogether. (Jade and Shulkie really need to meet...just saying)
Reminds me of when I got heckled on a bus for carrying the very large collection of the "Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz" and had to sit some kids down and explain the eytomology of the term to them.
Anyway this was very interesting, I've read quite a few comics with Scott but never read his origin... in a lot of ways it's similar to Hal's... there's a crash, then he finds out he's the chosen one and then ADVENTURE!
Also did the comics I sent arrive yet?
Love your take on the origin tale of Green Lantern Alan Scott.
Can't wait to see how Secret Origins month ends.
For next year's Secret Origins Month, please consider the following:
- Justice League of America (both first appearance in The Brave and the Bold and origin story in Justice League of America #9)
- The Flash/Jay Garrick (Flash Comics #1)
- Iron Man (Tales of Suspense #39)
- Robin/Dick Grayson (Detective Comics #38)
- Green Lantern/Hal Jordan (Showcase #22)
You've done Secret Origins Month for various heroes. Have you considered doing Secret Origins Month for the bad guys?
Good video, Linkara, but it made me think that it would be an interesting idea to do a Secret Origins month for major villains. I think it would be extremely interesting to see the first appearances of Lex Luthor, Doctor Doom, The Joker, etc. talked about in the same way as the heroes you've mentioned here. Obviously Magneto is out since he was in X-Men #1 but there are a plethora of villains to choose from with the X-Men.
Just a suggestion, keep up the reviews.
I am rather new to mainstream comics. How new, you might ask? I got into DC Comics around Blackest Night and Marvel Comics halfway through the MAX Punisher. As such, whenever someone asks me who the first Green Lantern is (or most iconic) I just say "Alan Scott"
"Scott Tibbs has left a new comment on the post "All-American Comics #16":
My problem with the GL Corps is that they're just overpowered. 3000 soldiers/policemen with nearly unlimited power? Who can stand against this force? They could defeat Darkseid's armies and eliminate him as a threat! Why don't they?
Plus, it really takes a lot away from the uniqueness of the individual characters. Alan Scott is one of a kind. Jordan/Kilowog/Rayner/Stewart etc. are one of 3000."
Well, the reason the GLC doesn't just stop Darkseid is because of some rule they got. It's more or less a civil thing. They can't get involved in wars between 2 groups. They can stop warlords and conquorers because they are an invading force that are attacking weaker worlds but if it's 2 worlds at war with each other they can't tke sides. Basically they're an allpowerful army, but still have beaurocrocy like any large organization!
Also, Kyle Reyner was the only Green Lantern for a good while there, but the Corps always comes back!
I just love that you deconstructed the whole concept of "taking over the world". It seems Linkara's greatest power as a hero is making villains realize their goals just make no sense.
Anyway, I was always curious about the Golden-Age Green Lantern's origin, because I knew the "space-cop" thing didn't show up until the silver age. So, thank you.
Now, I'm wondering if Alan Scott has ever existed in the same continuity as the other lanterns, and if so how. I'll admit I'm a bigger fan of the DC Animated Universe than the actual DC Universe (which is why Jon Stewart is my GL of choice) so I don't know all the DC continuity nuances.
Heck, why not bring Linksano on board as an ally? Just don't send him into the same dimension as Lord Vyce if he misbehaves. But then again, if you program the holodeck just right, he'll never want to leave, no matter what...
Linkara you monster, you'd actually be willing to send another soul to the desolate, forbidden planet of Minnesota?!?!?
MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL!!!!!!
"Tetsu Deinonychus has left a new comment on the post "All-American Comics #16":
Anyway, I was always curious about the Golden-Age Green Lantern's origin, because I knew the "space-cop" thing didn't show up until the silver age. So, thank you.
Now, I'm wondering if Alan Scott has ever existed in the same continuity as the other lanterns, and if so how. I'll admit I'm a bigger fan of the DC Animated Universe than the actual DC Universe (which is why Jon Stewart is my GL of choice) so I don't know all the DC continuity nuances."
To answer your 1st question yes he is part of the mainstream DCU... well, not anymore but he was before Flashpoint!
As for how there are like 2-3 different ways they've tried to shoehorn how he's in the mainstream universe. The 1st one is he's kind of is and kind of isn't in the Corp and that's explained as his Ring and Lantern(power battery) are actually a sort of proto-Lantern given to the actual 1st human to become a Green Lantern a Chinese man in like the 13th centry or something like that who wound up abusing his power and became an emporer and took over ancient China so the Gaurdian of the Universe put a failsafe in the LAntern and ring to where it would be weak to organic matterial aka Wood. So this technically 1st human lantern barer was over thrown and killed and the ALntern was passed down threw time and some how Alan Scott came to own it.
The 2nd and better version to most is it's the Starheart an alternate green power sorce and basically the same story as was shown here in this comic. Very little is tyed directly to the Corp, just it was made into a Lantern and power ring and was given a simular name to the group.
As for how he was still in the continuity as he would be really old in the modern setting is that of 2 possiblities. The power of the rin gis keeping him in a prime shape and age and the othe ris something about an anti-age formula given to him and other members of the JSA.
Dark evil things cannot stand the light... except for General Zod and the evil Kryptonians, who will only grow stronger when exposed to more light. Parasite does that too, and Solaris the Tyrant Sun, and Neutron, and the Sun Eater, and Dr. Light, and Evil Star, and Fernus, and Amazo, and Poison Ivy.
I want to see LinkaraSano came to his senses and rebel against this nonsensical job offer.
Mad Scientists DON'T HAVE JOBS, be mad and with your mind dedicated to "SCIENCE!!!" is already a full time job, why be a technical adviser when you can conquer the world and do the right things for the wrong reasons because you are right and have "SCIENCE!!!" at your side ?
There goes an inspirational song for him, and always remember : doesn't matter how much the babes inside the holodeck can be hot and subservient "THEY ARE A HOLODECK CROWD YOU IDIOT, WHAT'S THE FUN ENSLAVING MERE HOLOGRAPHIC DOLLS WHEN YOU CAN ENSLAVE THE WORLD !!!!" Holographic people do what you order than to do because they are programmed to do it as you said, Slaves on the other hand do what they are ordered to do because they FEARED AND THEREFORE RESPECTED YOU BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T YOU CAN AND WILL DO EVIL THINGS ON THEM !
Did i really need to lecture about the deeds of evil doers Lewis ?
And here is the song When You're Evil by Voltaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlkLfJkbI9k
Please Lewis stop corrupting any evil fictional mad scientists, the poor child is already corrupted enough....with "SCIENCE!!!"
again...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdOoz_5io5o&feature=related
Ah, okay.
Thank you, Boorat. That clears a lot up for me.
Anything from the Black Eyed Peas could have worked for a "horrible voice."
Loved the Dragnet reference in the credits, by the way.
I'd say that the most iconic Lantern is John Stewart, thanks to the DCAU. There have been reports of non-comics people wondering why the movie GL was white.
Cutting Linksano A Check is a good idea, but there are a couple of problems with it. First, there's Nimue. She can't keep Linksano in check if she turns on you (though admittedly Linksano would be the least of your worries if that happens). Second is Linksano himself. He is of questionable competence, and you could easily end up wanting him to stop helping you.
Say, if Linksano's working for the side of good here, then does that mean his Mirror Universe counterpart is now helping do evil?
My only thought on the issue: Alan Scott refuses to take little blue pills, because the last thing he wants is to get wood.
Dear LinkaraSano
In behalf of The Greatest Evil Society of Evil and Redundant Deeds i come through this to inform you our most deeply collective disapproval of your latest career development.
If you think we are going to allowed a former mad scientist turned into a caged pet into our ranks FORGET IT!!! You became a shame and a disgrace to yourself and those of your kind, as a Master Race we reject vehemently any sort of blend with good (chaotic, lawful or otherwise) that's is not meant to be degraded into betrayal, shame and dishonor.
Evil shall always prevail or at least get closer to that at each attempt doesn't matter how many times you fail.
With saying no more have a nice day Boy - if you don't puke in disgust of yourself first.
Dear Linkara,
In behalf of The Greatest Evil Society of Evil and Redundant Deeds i come through this to inform you our most deeply collective approval of your latest career achievement.
If you succeed at getting an actual mad scientist and turn him into a caged pet inside your space ship THANKS GOD FOR THAT!!! You made the first step into a larger world by providing for that CLOWN the perfect environment where he will never make any of the real evil mad scientist ashamed anymore - he is a disgrace and a embarrassment for those of his kind, and as a Master Race we reject vehemently any sort of blend with failure (chaotic, lawful, comic relief or otherwise) that's is not meant to be degraded into sadistic punishment, humiliation and pain.
Good shall always temporarily prevail in order to get twisted a little bit more at each time evil evolves through the land doesn't matter how many times you achieve success.
With saying no more have a nice day Sir - we expect you to join our ranks sooner or later in the next spring if you are not helpless corrupted already - we can feel the conflict in you.
Maniac Evil Laughs at the expense of the Hamster Boy and His New Master.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrWxPUSJoeg
"I hope it's not anything too serious. D="
they don't have it pinned down yet but they are not ruling out the C word, so we're hoping for the best and preparing for the worst
Dear Sake Mangusto
You have made not one, not two, but THREE comments on the same damn subject.
Knock it off or I'll treat it as spam.
Sincerely
The guy who runs the blog and reads every comment.
Ok, think about that subject with care please.
Meanwhile, Don't you think Allan Scott attitude as a crime fighter looks a lot like what Grant Morrison is making Superman do it in Action Comics ? Both superheroes could end up in jail easily.
P.S.: i still think Linkara's attitude is being affected after reading so many comics, new and old ones, on a regular basis. I my point of view he is doing a slow curve into the evil side of the spectrum and that means trouble.
"P.S.: i still think Linkara's attitude is being affected after reading so many comics, new and old ones, on a regular basis. I my point of view he is doing a slow curve into the evil side of the spectrum and that means trouble."
And if that is happening, rest assured I'm doing it deliberately and for a reason.
Great review, I always wanted to know how the Lantern saga started. Now, onto a silly question, is there an chance you'll be using Hulk Hogan's old ring music "Real American" for the outro for the Captain America reveiw?
Hey, Spoiler Alert PLEASE, don't made me look like if i'm right.
Now about Alan Scott, the guy looks like something coming from Irish folklore and that scary for some people i guess, some cultural nightmares can be very colorful you know ?
And it's obvious where Grant Morrison goes to drink when looking for some inspiration for New 52's Action Comics, the only problem is the anachronistic line of thought on that : one comes from the 40's and early 50's, the other barely fits a 21st century comic book with an iconic character.
Have a nice day and enjoy the snow, God knows how much i could use some of that right now.
I really got a kick out of the way you convinced Linksano to quit while he was ahead. :-D
However, it did feel kind of like the final encounter with the Entity. I actually had an entirely rationale run through my head.
"You want to just loaf around and play with science? You already DO that! You've won! You don't NEED the responsibility of ruling the world. You're already living the dream! Now work for me, and live the dream some more."
That ending was awesome. I can't wait to see what developments future episodes hold.
I'd go into more details about the bits I'd like but the words "all of it" describe my thoughts so much quicker and say pretty much the same thing that an actual analysis would.
Ah, Alan Scott
he'll always be the one true Green Lantern to me
Alto I always thought he was based of Aladdin
I suppose if I had already taken over the world, I would probably already have a sizable-enough force to crush rebellions wherever they sprout, or more preferably powerful mind control devices - powerful enough to make the people of the world think I am worthy of being their ruler. If they're good enough to take care of that then they're certainly good enough to prevent dissent, let alone just take it on headfirst.
After that point I would probably have a genius (but still mind-controlled) council help me sort out finances, and also arrange the mergings of all countries into one super-country. After all, if they're all mind-controlled to obey me, then they have no reason to fight when a chance to lay aside their differences and join me in peaceful servitude is at hand. And then war is completely eliminated, meaning I can direct all use of weapons to the newly-appointed Anti-Alien Defence League, in case a violent alien species decides to take the Earth at its most 'fragile'.
And then together me and my advisors could sort out even distribution of currency, foodstuffs and materials all over the globe so as to eliminate the concept of poverty.
Not all of my reasons for taking over the earth have to be evil.
This is up there with my favourite single part episodes. After a couple of so-so episodes and the missing no reveal and defeat which I didn't like (great build up, terrible pay off), it's good to see you bounce back with a great episode.
As someone indifferent about the story stuff, I think if it's going to become more of a focus, it might be worth splitting the shows up.
I think the reason why DC is pushing Hal Jordan as the iconic Green Lantern (besides the obvious fact that he's the Lantern they grew-up with) is because all the Lanterns that came afterwards were derived directly from him.
Guy Gardner and John Stewart were his supporting characters, while Kyle Rayner was his direct successor.
Not to mention he's the first one with connections to the Green Lantern Corps.
Alan Scott pretty much did his own thing, and besides the concept, and some later retcons, has very little connection to the rest of the GL franchise
Similar with Barry Allan
So quick question: Do you honestly expect Linksano to work for you when you threaten him with what is essentially death? I mean, he knows you don't trust him and that you dislike him, so he has no real claim of loyalty except his own skin, which to be fair and considering his genius, might find a way to prevent getting toasted by Vyse. I'm thinking kinda Starscream from Transformers, but because Megatron was more of a douche than you clearly are being the nice guy you seem to be.
Just wondering if Linkara expects him to become loyal and eventually develop trust, or always keep the good doctor at arms' length.
Missed a golden opportunity for the flashback with "I've got a rock" other than that nice as always
Couldn't Linksano make his own holodeck? Bumming off Linkara's is like Luthor trying to borrow Superman's particle accelerator instead of making his own "superior" version.
*laughs*
Okay, I like, that Linkara is trying to do the same chain of logic with Linksano as he did with the entity. And it worked.
It is a bit like "Keep your friends near, but your enemies more so." After all, one can profit from Linksanos genius, but also has him under surveilance. Quite Clever.
"I think the reason why DC is pushing Hal Jordan as the iconic Green Lantern (besides the obvious fact that he's the Lantern they grew-up with) is because all the Lanterns that came afterwards were derived directly from him.
Guy Gardner and John Stewart were his supporting characters, while Kyle Rayner was his direct successor.
Not to mention he's the first one with connections to the Green Lantern Corps.
Alan Scott pretty much did his own thing, and besides the concept, and some later retcons, has very little connection to the rest of the GL franchise
Similar with Barry Allan"
I think the closest that Alan had connection to the GLC is with Jade, but technically she's a spin-off character. He would still need to probably exist if she were to emerge in the New 52 but...who knows how if they want to treat it like "nothing existed prior to Hal Jordan meeting Abin Sur". It's just one of those screwed up things about comics: there are concepts that work, but people keep needing to find ways to bring them in whenever there's a reset...that pretty much explains all the various confusion with characters like Power Girl or Donna Troy. (and if Jade does return, her too)
I never understood why it's such a huge problem for DC to have Superman be the world's first superhero AND the Justice Society being the first superhero team
Why does it always have to be one or the other?
Can anyone explain this to me?
Loved it... only knowing of Green Lantern by name, this was quite educational for me. I love origin stories, whether good or evil, so I look forward to more of them. Having "come to the party late", I do hope that you get around to doing your own origin story at some point. As for hiring the good doctor to work as your technical/scientific advisor... were none of Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, or Matt Smith available??? (Or Even Billy Cranston???)
Oh well, I guess the expression "keep your friends close and your enemies even closer" still applies.
If I've misread anything, I do apologize. As I said in my other review, I watched all the other AT4W in one sitting, so some of the characters and their histories are still a little jumbled up. Look forward to the next review and as they say on my home world... kick ass and die rockin'!
What was the song used for the 'Ageless, Toneless Voice' penetrating into Linkara's consciousness?
"What was the song used for the 'Ageless, Toneless Voice' penetrating into Linkara's consciousness?"
It's in the credits - the Nightcat song.
Nightcat`? From that crappy comic, you once reviewed?
Linkara kind of does bring up a good point about mad scientists as villains, aside from the ones who’s tinkering around with universal forces etc....are the threat itself.
That aside from "Mad Sciencery", why would they want to take over the world?
A decent amount has good looking henchwomen sorts. They don't particularly seem to care about power in general, or they would have sold some inventions along the way, made a butt load of money and enjoyed pushing people around while trying to conquer in the mean time.
They don't seem to actually care about interacting with people and ruling even without threats to your power means dealing with people.
If its science well; excepting for special materials they clearly already have the resources and means for that.
Beyond that; why was Alan Scott wearing air plane pilot pants? Was it a style at the time? I mean the guy was a train engineer....who was riding a train; there was just no call for those pants.
You know I just realized that if you ever decide you need one, this episode gives you a perfect explanation for your collection of anachronistic technology.
You don't need Dr.Who, Star Trek, et al. to exist in the same universe; you just need lots of geeky mad scientists to make working reproductions.
"Have faith in yourself or I'll take away your magic powers."
Damn straight. I agree with that more than E=MC^2.
Yo Linkara
Due to recent massive changes in circumstances I'm rather behind on your show, which is why this comment is so late. (On the plus side, it means I get to watch a whole bunch of your videos in quick succession, which is awesome.)
Anyway, I'd like to point out that there's a character named Dekker in Judge Dredd who not only managed to impress Dredd himself in her final qualification exam, but was never bribed, currupted, or rempted from the path of justice. (OK, Garth Ennis killed her and a bunch of other supporting characters in Judgement Day, but still, she wasn't evil in any way other than propping up the Judge system.)
Woah woah woah woah woah... I'm a little confused here... So fictional characters like the Barbi Twins in comics are inherently bad because it's a sexist portrayal of women who had no free will and thus no ability to refuse to portray the unrealistic characters... but living out sadistic sexist fantasies on a holodeck is A-OK?
Is this plot point just a bluff? Or is Linkara sacrificing his feminine ideals in a small, mostly-harmless way in order to bring the dangerous mad scientist over to his side?
Because the way this was written and performed, Linkara in this scene sounds perfectly okay with the mad scientist enjoying the illusion of revenge, dominance and unrestrained sexual fulfillment, just so long as he keeps it within the confines of his own personal holodeck.
Why, then, would he make the argument that ordinary people who don't pose a massive global threat should be denied the same privileges of harmless escapist fantasy?
Don't get me wrong, I can see you not wanting it in a mainstream comic book like Wonder Woman or Catwoman, who are presented as super-human role-models, especially when it butchers a previously-established character by completely changing their personality with no explanation for the changes...
But come on, the Barbi Twins? How much moral fiber can you expect from a comic book that was literally based on a porn mag centerfold!?
"But come on, the Barbi Twins? How much moral fiber can you expect from a comic book that was literally based on a porn mag centerfold!?"
Consumable media vs. private fantasies. What you do in the privacy of your own home (or holodeck) is no one's concern, but when an item is created for mass consumption, it is open to critique, analysis, and review. And because it's based on actual individuals, you basically are presented with the writer and artists' perception of these real-life people.
It's still part of the same issue of presenting these women (who in Barbi Twin Adventures were supposed to be secret agents or the like) as incompetent bimbos and the goal only to show T&A in a book that is not presented as a T&A book. And if it was supposed to be, perhaps it should not have been made by Topps, a company that does not produce pornographic material. Or, as I've said before, if you wanted to make a porno, why the hell didn't you just make a porno?
I'm not sure what the hell the intent of Barbi Twin Adventures was, to be frank, but that's what I've got for you in response to your question about the difference between offering Linksano a holographic fantasy vs. media designed for a wide audience.
I totally understand what you say about DC considering Hal the "most iconic" green lantern. My introduction to the concept was John Stewart in the Justice League cartoon--the few episodes I was able to catch back in the day, anyway, I was bad with schedules as a kid--and for a long, long time I thought he was the ONLY Green Lantern. In fact, when I first saw the trailer for the Green Lantern movie, I was thinking, "Hey, why isn't he black?"
Ahhh, Alan - always my favorite Green Lantern! It is sort of true that the source of his powers was (very loosely) inspired by Aladdin - Nodell underlined that point by making the lantern's original form look typically "Aladdin-style". (Nodell's train lantern idea resulted in its "modern" form.) But Nodell never intended to call him anything but "Alan Scott".
Once he was teamed up with Bill Finger, Finger may have had - and tried to talk up - the idea of changing his name to more explicitly reference the Aladdin story, but either Nodell wouldn't budge or DC (Shelley Mayer?) shot it down. In later years, Finger would repeat the story as if it had been intended from the get-go (it wasn't) and for one reason or another "Scott" became a "fall-back" (it wasn't).
It had nothing to do with the actor, who wouldn't hit the big time until just about two years after All-American #16 hit the newsstands.
Nodell went on to create another iconic character: the Pillsbury Doughboy.
All the heroes played a lot rougher in the 1940's - it was an accepted pulp convention that you could defend yourself or someone else with lethal force if the situation required it, and you didn't have to try to save the villains from the consequences of their own violent actions. And if you tried bullying scare tactics on someone you didn't know had a weak heart, you weren't responsible if they keeled over.
The Comics Code changed all that, to such an extent that it was shocking when Steve Ditko, at Charlton, tried to reintroduce '40's attitudes in late-'60's comics...and apparently it still does shock some people. (I'd have less trouble with it if it weren't so often linked with Gorn (Gore-Porn). The '40's hardly ever did that.)
Very very very late, but I still feel the need to mention this:
Deckard Cain
Super-good deus-ex-machina type character from Diablo series.
Probably the only exception, but still!
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