Marijuana: the number one cause of people getting angry at funerals.
NOTE: Apparently it says PCP and not Pop. Blame it on my poor eyesight and the older scans of it.
Monday, May 14, 2012
The New Teen Titans Anti-Drug Giveaway #1
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151 comments:
it doesn't matter if rise of arsenal is out of continuity, the jokes about it are just hilarious xD.
Best line: "hey, why did you started taking crack?" "eh, no reason" xD.
Btw, what do you think of the reboot teen titans?
This is easily one of my favorite episodes to date. (I got a tad impatient and watched it on Blip directly.) If I have one complaint, however, it's that I wish you would've done something a little different with how you read Raven's dialogue.
I still wonder if you're planning on reviewing some of those other bad Titans stories in the future, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the cartoon sometime, too.
There was one question I've been curious about for ages, however. Do you have a favorite Titan? And if so, who is it?
100% on agree on the reboot, especially for Lian and the New Teen Titans run (pretty much my favourite run of all time).
Ok, you asked for a movie that glamorizes drugs and alcohol that could be seen by millions of people including children? Well, how about a scene from King Kong vs. Godzilla?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKgSUQ8yRBg
True it glamorizes normal cigarettes, but it fits the bill.
Okay, I still need to read Flashpoint and have only read a few of the new 52 books (Batman, Teen Titans, Animal Man, and some of Justice League), but based on what I've heard I thought the prior continuity still existed and they basically pulled a Star Trek '09 where a new continuity is now here but the old one is still out there living on. So Roy and Lian still existed, it's just that we won't see anymore of that Roy's story. Forgive me if I'm misinformed, but that's what I thought was going on (not counting the confusing decision around Batman and Green Lantern's continuities).
Also, nice MLP bit there at the end. :)
So, how are you going to integrate the first bits of your new storyline into one of these videos, since you said you'd be getting to it in May?
You know, as far as PSA stories...this actually wasn't too bad. It reminded me of the O'Neil/Adams drug story that starred Speedy. That story might have been preachy in places, and feel dated, but it actually felt honest and real and genuine like this one did. There's something of a genuine plot to be found in this story and decent artwork to boot.
It's like you said...there's a lot of heart to be found in this story. And that can go a long way in a comic.
THAT'S IT!!! Linkara are you a brony or not! I can never tell.
PS. Your buddy will has a cool name
PPS. I think Master the Creator should do an animated intro for you
PPPS. "Oh my god, Ravens tripping balls!" is going on the next "Favorite jokes list" OR the eyes close up
Oooh Slinky. Its movements are so hypnotic.... Why do I suddenly want to buy AT4W merchandise?
You own the Nitpickers guide? AWESOME!
Ah, I love kids. Having your friend die from drugs means they should do more drugs. Having someone tell them that they may not be able to have children convinces them that drugs are bad and that they should seek help.
Snowflame once again gives us excellent words to live by.
I really thought you were going to comment on how Starfire cares about the humans and their evil ways of killing now, but in the reboot, we are blurs to her 'greatly superior' self.
Also, Brony Snowflame? Ya know, somehow that does not suprise me much.
I was actually expecting to see the clip from Futurama where Bender says that smoking and drinking on TV make him look cool during the scene with Cyborg.
Personally, I got into the Teen Titans through the cartoon. Unlike the Justice League cartoon which I found boring(Except the Boster Gold episode), I had fun watching the Titans and found the cast to be awesome that it actually made me interested to explore more about the characters in comics.
As for the reboot, I got nothing against it(I'm enjoying a lot of titles) but I understand people's frustration about the changes it brought, especially the negative ones that ruin the history of certain characters.
Great review.
Loved this episode, however, there are a few joke opportunities I think you missed.
11: 30 Could've made a Superman #701 joke with the "setting up shop elsewhere" line
12: 41 Could've made a Christabella joke with the "everything she says is a curse line"
20: 03 Could've made a Metal Gear reference with the "Big Boss" line
I'm not trying to be a nitpicker, and if I come across that way, I'm sorry. Still, keep up the good work Linkara
P.S. Your episodes need more SNOWFLAME!!! Also, where is the storyline stuff by now.
Glancing at the list of Titan books you should at the end, I can't tell what one of them is. It's between the Teen Titans issue obviously drawn by Rob Liefield and the Titans #1 you reviewed a while back.
Anyhow, interesting and quite funny review.
By the way, noticing the Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 shown. Before you review it, you may need to read issues that follow because if you don't and don't mention them, I garantee you that people who did will start complaining and fill the comment sections with tons of replies to counter whatever argument you make. Prepare yourself for the future!
Brony Snowflame made my day today.
I am curious as to what Wolfman's original draft of the story was and what got changed.
Good review. Personally, I do not hate the reboot. I dislike it and the two monkeys that decided that it was a good idea, thank you very much Jim Lee and Dan Didio. Why isn't Geoff Johns in Jim Lee's position instead of that stupid "Creative Consultant" position? He is so much more qualified than that hack. Or Didio for that matter. I understand feeling sore. I lost my favorite team because of the reboot, the JSA. I am glad they are somewhat back in Earth 2, but they will never be the same.
so lets see if I understand this
Drugs are bad, M'kay
and just for the record Red Hood is not as bad as the first issues, oh it has bad issues and bad moments but great moments too specially with Jason Todd and Starfire
and the Teen Titans book is very good now
The Nitpicker's Guide! I haven't seen that in years!
Snowflame, the Brony Community welcomes you!! Always good to have another fellow Pinkie Pie fan
I own the original giveaway of this comic. I have to dig it out of my collection. I never thought to look it up before to see if it was worth anything. I just figured since it was a giveaway that it wouldn't be. I forgot all about it until I watched this video.
...those drug lords kinda remind me of Captain Cold and Captain Boomerang. Someone wanna warn the Flash?
Nice AVGN reference. I watched it all weekend and now every other word out of my mouth is either fuck or ass....
This was one of the funniest videos you've done, maaan! Snowflame's stinger was hilarious! I will love and tolerate the crap out of you!
The only thing that's might go wrong here is timing... since "49 headless bodies found in drug battle in Mexico" http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20120514/NEWS06/120514014 happened recently!
Wow this comic would be better and more realistic if they'd go back and change all the references to Weed to Meth or Crack! Pot isn't that bad! I've smoked it(What a shocker for you if you haven't seen my DA page!) and the worse thing it made me do was eat 2 cans of Hot Sauce flavored sardines and a pickled hot-dog!
I wonder if they'll bring the Protector back as a character!? They love doing that today taking obscure or forgotten or goofy old characters and turning them into more bad-ass versions of themselves!
Ok was that the most weirdly put together group of friends? The group of friends in Scooby-Doo was more believable and they constisted of a nerd girl, a jock, the head cheerleader type, and a stoner beatnik/hypster and his dog!
I'm shocked you didn't play the song, "Joker"! A perfect pot song that ties into the DCU!
I do kind of still want to own all these comics as I like the old 80s cheesiness!
Cthulhu, I still love that Snowflame ending! Snowflame's a Brony and a violent one! You need to give him more longer bits!
Also, Be glad THAT stupid story is no longer in canon.
I love the Snowflame Public Service Announcements! They should be some kind of running gag like Linksano's corrections.
I do have to ask what's your opinion on Titans cartoon from the early 00s (however you pronouce that).
Also, if I may, it seems that you really like stories about Nakamas and teamwork. Titans, JLA, etc. And not just in comic books, either, like in Power Rangers or Sailor Moon. Why is this, if you don't mind me asking.
Hey check this out this comment I made on the DA page of the title card art: http://comments.deviantart.com/1/301660539/2544159734
If at all possible I'd love to see some one take scenes from the cartoon shows and splice them together with the audio from this movie and make this scene! Like a Youtube video!
I've had an interesting relationship with the New Teen Titans. I got interested in them through the animated series and thus came in with those portrayals as a baseline. Consequently, when I actually read classic arcs like The Terror of Trigon and The Judas Contract, I found them rather underwhelming, especially the former. On the other hand, New Teen Titans: Games was one of the best superhero stories I've read in the past few years. It was fitting it came out just as the reboot washed away the previous Teen Titans. It made a good swan song at least.
This issue didn't seem so bad. The irrational anger the kids show here actually strikes me as pretty true to life from my own experiences with addicts.
There's a lot of films that portray pot and beer in a good light. American Pie movies, Cheech and Chong, Paul Rudd films. Seriously, there are a TON of movies that shows off pot and alcohol abuse in a good light.
Ah, another My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic reference Linkara, good job.
Say, did you actually watched the show? If you have, what did you think of it?
I know you get this a lot but I have to say: when your birthday coincides with a new AT4W, it's a good birthday =D.
I still think the best comic that handled drugs on some level was that issue of Amazing Spider-man (can't remember the number) in which Norman Osborn witnesses Harry going through turmoil thanks to his addiction. The look of horror on his face as he fights off the Goblin persona and the fact that he instantly flies to his son's side is really what makes it work for me and the story itself is one of my faves from the Spider-Man canon.
Also, regarding the reboot, though there have only been seven series I've been collecting on a regular basis (not that I have much choice with some of them), Batman and Detective Comics are the stand-outs. I only say this because it confirms one thing: the reboot probably wasn't the way to go, since the Batman stories work either way. As I said to a friend, the reason Batman's history was largely left untouched was because DC already knew what direction to take Batman in and the stories kept getting better and better, thanks in part to Grant Morrison.
But I'm sure you already knew why the Batman stories were working, lol. Anyway, another great ep! ^_^
Brilliant, utterly loved it! A lot of great jokes in this one, and the Snowflame stinger was great, "Love and tolerate the CRAP out of you!"
Talking about the Titans I was hoping to ask you something, I recall hearing you enjoyed the 2003 Teen Titans animated series (well, at least didn't hate them), have you read the comics based on that incarnation of the titans? If so, did they suck or were they any good?
Dang it Snowflame I was NOT expecting Ponies to be brought up. Nice surprise though.
This episode does make me wonder on what Linkara thought of the Titans Cartoon. I know it must have been mentioned in some episode, but my memory fails me.
Huh. So that's two members of the Titans that only exist because of behind-the-scenes snafus. Neat!
Re: Reboot madness- Mary Jane was my favorite Spider-Man love interest. No matter how much good stuff came after the OMD-reboot thing, I still miss the spider-marriage. I know right how you feel.
*Brofist o' solidarity*
I miss my Titans too.
Pot only hurts you if you smoke it heavily for 10 years. Casual users don't get anything bad form it.
The munchies don't exist either. You're only hungry after you smoke pot because you haven't eaten in a while before you smoke.
PS More Snow Flame please.
Actually The New Teen Titans supposedly DID happen as stated in Red Hood & The Outlaws. But I wouldn't know since I don't read that book. Sad to say DC is canceling JLI. By the way what were your thoughts on the "Wave 2" Books? I know you retired TAIS & I didn't want to ask you last week because I thought it would feel awkward Talking about DC books in a Marvel review. Out of the ones I read Earth 2 was the best one to me solely the fact that my favorite characters are coming back & I can read a good James Robinson story, World Finest was ok just could've use better art. Dial H was interesting & I forgot about G.I Combat.
How could you review a comic featuring starfire and not make a red hood & the outlaws joke? (showing the cover doesn't count)
there actualy was a teen titans team before the one we see in the comics in the new DCU. we see it inthe Red Hood and the outlaws serie (witch isn't THAT bad, it's not great but it isn't bad)
great review btw and sorry if my english isn't the best, it's not my first language
"I'm sorry your brother OD'ed, so let's make the pain go away with more DRUGS!" I think Marv Wolfman temporarily decided that all teenagers were assholes.
Great review, I hope PSA Hell Month has more like this one.
Btw, on the Titans in the reboot; it's pretty unclear, but I think the Wolfman/Perez Titans existed, but the Geoff Johns Titans didn't.
Great job. I've always liked the Titans as well, though my first exposure to them was the show and not the comic. Then I heard about the comic, found a few issues, and loved them. Also, glad to know all the psa episodes will be followed by Snowflame!
That drug counselor looks like Wilford Brimley to me.
Oh boy, Snowflame is a Brony now. And I thought he would talk about other things considering this issue was up his ally...I guess too much pot and not enough coke.
Really, this episode was wacky as dated as it was wit the issue. The whole idea as to why Robin was replaced was just weird but funny seeing Mr. Purple-Pants take his place...just because. Considering Speedy's history (and future), he was an obvious joke but I loved the whole bit about Starfire's hissy fit and the utter stupidity of the drug dealers...it felt like watching "License to Kill" all over again.
At least we all know at the end of the day what happened to one of Neutro's scientists, that was important.
That last bit with Snow Flame was awesome.
I kinda want to see what would happen if Snowflame met the Ultimate Warrior.
I can't think of any movies or shows off the top of my head that portray hard drugs sympathetically, but, without thinking too hard, I can think of James Bond and at least the earlier years of the TV show M*A*S*H that portray alcohol drinking as either glamorous or at least the characters doing it are sympathetic. I believe the Connery Bond also smokes.
Alcohol I guess has "fancy party" scenes with high end wine. Other drugs?... Yeah no clue.
Linkara, why did you stop doing That's All I'm Saying? It was a great show, and thank you for getting me interested in Demon Knights.
In answer to your question on movies that have portrayed drugs in a positive light, James Bond comes to mind. In all honesty the big four of sex, alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana have always had a positive portrayal in film. Sex has become the only way to express love, cigarettes are always smoked by the badass loner seeking the truth. and alcohol is the thing you need if you want to party. Look at all the pot comedies like Half Baked, Harold and Kumar, Pineapple Express, bad things happen but the leads always come out pretty good with at most the lesson being just moderate the usage a little bit. As far as other drugs go they have most often been negative, and I only say most because after seeing so many of Oancitizen's reviews, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that there is one.
"I think I hate the reboot."
I also think it sounds like a dumb idea. DC is trying to bring in younger readers, but most of their stuff isn't even aimed them. What good is trying to appeal to demographic your material isn't aimed at?
...I'm sorry, I really want to comment on the actual review, but I'm distracted by how you managed to wedge in a Pony joke at the end. O_O
For some reason you sound really evil when you say "I've read a lot of stories involving the members of the Titans". How do I know you are not a drug dealer, Linkara? How do I know?!
Being the one crazy person with no life to have read every issue of the New 52. I have to politely disagree with Batgirl being good. Over the years Barbra has grown and matured from being a ditzy fan girl into a strong intelligent woman capable of leading many heroes into battle. The Barbra in the 52 is really a step back, being petty, not really using any tech skills, and constant insecurity because of the fear that she might get crippled again. Look at Batgirl 9#, she got babied no other Bat got this kind of treatment (so far) from this Crossover event.
People should really be checking out Supergirl, Birds of Prey, Demon Knights, Aquaman, Swamp Thing, Frankenstein, All-Star Westerns, and New Guardians for good comics.
Oh and please for the love of all that is Holy stay away from Red Lanterns, Death Stroke, and the Dark Knight, they are evil incarnate and will eat your children!
I was kind of worried about this one and I don't know if you caught my open letter yesterday, but I have no problems with this review. This is actually my favorite PSA, since I kind of grade them on a curve of sorts. Not that it always helps. I have one with Supergirl about seatbelt safety that's just weird. Then again trying to wake your boyfriend out of a coma by traveling into his dreams to convince him to wear a seatbelt so he can see that his sister isn't dead in the real world will do that.
This was also my first introduction to everyone except Cyborg (Super Powers Team) Wonder Girl and Speedy (the first Teen Titans cartoon). I also like the Protector: anti-drug superhero and wanted to see more him. Betting the Tiny Titans appearance will be the last we see of him and while I want to say that's sad, the New 52 Firestorm and Captain Marvel (I don't care if he names himself after his magic word now, I still call him Captain Marvel dang it!) make me glad he isn't. If you thought this costume was bad, imagine the Jim Lee version. Also, I think he's wearing one of those weightlifter belts or something.
There was also apparently an ad using the Super Powers Team animation style that might have led to a Teen Titans cartoon, but that never happened and I've never seen the ad. Just stills online.
This is the best episode in the PSA Hell Month series. Those references to the abominations that is Cry for Justice/Rise of Arsenal as well as take that's against some of the retcon changes following Flashpoint (we want a story that re-introduces Lian Harper into the DCNu soon . . .) sure make classic moments. Also loved the fake PSA message from Snowflame.
I'm surprised you didn't bring in Arsenal as a guest star in this episode (not the post-Cry for Justice psychopath version). Would have loved to see his reaction to the comic.
Can't wait for next week's PSA Hell and more of Will Wolfgram.
I'll never know how Snowflame has avoided showing up on WTFIWWY...
Hey, at least none of them were doing Bath Salts!
Linkara you goofed up.
1. The First girl that was given her Testimony was saying PCP not POP
2. The guys in the drug lab was wearing two piece suits not three piece. (an insult to all people who like to wear three piece suits)
Also how come in your title cards that you have long sideburns which in the video you clearly have none. It's been bothering me for a long time. It looks like you stepped out of the early mid 1800's.
Actually, a "Slinky" is when you mix cocaine into chocolate syrup and eat it over ice-cream.
Anyway, great episode, but I'm almost disappointed that so far the PSA comics aren't so bad. Here's hoping at least one comic this month is over the top insane!
"THAT'S IT!!! Linkara are you a brony or not! I can never tell."
I'm not. Will is. XD
"By the way, noticing the Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 shown. Before you review it, you may need to read issues that follow because if you don't and don't mention them, I garantee you that people who did will start complaining and fill the comment sections with tons of replies to counter whatever argument you make. Prepare yourself for the future!"
If you follow my Twitter, you'll see that I have.
I have now read the first eight issues.
They all suck.
I may not have read many comic books (American comic books, that is. I've read lots of manga), and especially from this time era (of which, I've read none), however, it seems to me like Raven is... should I say... too old to be in the "Teen" Titans. What I mean is Raven looks like she's like 30 or something and, correct me if I'm wrong but, that seems to be just a little bit old to be on a team of teenaged superheroes. 'Course, that's just how the art looks on her face (the part of her face that's visible, mind you). Just my two cents.
"and just for the record Red Hood is not as bad as the first issues, oh it has bad issues and bad moments but great moments too specially with Jason Todd and Starfire"
I have read every issue. I hate them all.
Mr. T, Tommy Wiseau, and Joe Friday - that would be one fucked up movie, but it makes for a hell of a funny review! I actually said "It's a crack baby, fool" when you mentioned the "young Mr. T."
Best part was the more subtle "I AM A MAN" joke. Took me a moment to catch it, and then, laughed for another half minute.
I do agree that the reboot has some problems. I don't like the erasure of a lot of the Justice League history, and how they're handling that book now. A five year jump ahead and there's no character development at all. Doesn't even seem to align with the characters in their solo books, from what I can tell. The Green Arrow / Justice League issue was the deal breaker for me. Erasing all history between Hal & Ollie soured me entirely. I can't understand how nearly all of Batman's history seems intact, but so much of everyone else's has been flushed away.
While I've never been a reader of the Titans, I think deleting their history is a negative mark. Dick Grayson's growth as a hero and leader must have been strongly rooted in his time with the Titans. And I am a BIG supporter of Dick Grayson. The current Nightwing book has been excellent as well as Snyder's Batman. I gave him a big round of appluase at C2E2 last month.
-NJM
Oh, and I loved the Nitpickers Guide showing up! I have a couple of the Trek ones and the X-Files edition. Cool stuff.
-NJM
"There's a lot of films that portray pot and beer in a good light. American Pie movies, Cheech and Chong, Paul Rudd films. Seriously, there are a TON of movies that shows off pot and alcohol abuse in a good light."
How many kids really saw Cheech and Chong movies? As for the Paul Rudd and American Pie movies, please explain how they show them in a good light, since I've never actually watched any of them. Simply having them drinking beer is not "showing them in a good light," it's people drinking beer and, based on the reputation of those movies without actually seeing them making asses of themselves.
I just think you need to take more of whatever you were on in this one, Linkara. The PSA and promotional comics generally don't interest me as much, but you were really on your game in this one. Like MST3K level riffing.
Is one of the reasons you hate those issues have to do with Jason Todd from WAAAAAY back in your "Top 15 worse heroes becoming villains" list?
Excellent review, good sir! Thank you for the comedy every week.
On a side note, Linkara, I am neither a conspiracy theorist nor a pessimist, but I can tell you from personal experience that the drug problem is just as bad inside Juvenile Hall as it is out here. There's a reason that 65% of those arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance get arrested for it more than once.
I'm proud to be clean and sober, but everyone should know that you can get just as drunk and/or high on either side of the bars.
I'm a little surprised there were no clips from Angels Revenge in there.
Re: Examples of the media making alcohol and drugs look sexy and glorious.
Honestly, the first example that comes to mind for me is Tony Stark in the Marvel cinematic universe. He downs booze like it's water, but he's still a sexy, hilarious, charismatic "genius billionaire playboy philanthropist." He's a hero, one who tries to make the world a better place, and who we're clearly meant to admire.
Now, some people can look at that and say, "Okay, we're obviously supposed to admire his desire to do good, not his alcoholism." But some people can't -- especially kids with low self-esteem or identity issues, or kids without better role models in their lives. They're inclined to see Tony's drinking as an inherent part of his playboy status and his riches and therefore something to be envied -- and to be fair, they're not exactly wrong. The image is part of our cultural consciousness. We picture Hugh Hefner sitting there in his luxurious robe with nearly nude women on all sides of him, swirling a glass of fancy old brandy in his hand.
Hell, even just the fact that alcohol is something for adults that children aren't supposed to touch inspires some kids to drink just so they can "be adult." It's irrational, but...you know, childhood tends to be an irrational time.
Of course, we can't swing in Tony's opposite direction and portray every single drinker as idiotic failures, because that's not true, but that's why it's a tricky issue. It ultimately comes down to the parents and teachers to impart the right lessons, but a lot of kids don't have adults in their lives who can do that. Even perfectly competent, well-meaning, educated parents can fail to reach their kids on some issues.
Great episode, but it was the Snowflame PSA that got me all "crack"ed up! I swear, only you can make cocaine abuse this funny. My Little Snowflame, My Little Snowflame...
how about this scene from "the other guys" :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48_Eu28BqFU
it shows 'alcohol abuse' 'gun abuse' and 'listening to black eyed peas songs' all in a good light.
""There's a lot of films that portray pot and beer in a good light. American Pie movies, Cheech and Chong, Paul Rudd films. Seriously, there are a TON of movies that shows off pot and alcohol abuse in a good light."
How many kids really saw Cheech and Chong movies? As for the Paul Rudd and American Pie movies, please explain how they show them in a good light, since I've never actually watched any of them. Simply having them drinking beer is not "showing them in a good light," it's people drinking beer and, based on the reputation of those movies without actually seeing them making asses of themselves."
1st off my beliefs. Pot isn't bad and unless it the movies are promoting underage drinking it's not bad. And what I mean by promoting I mean saying they should go out and do it!
American Pie movies-The 1st one was aimed at older teenagers and there was underage drinking but if you paid attention bad stuff happened to most of them. After the 1st movie they were all legal adults they could do whatever they wanted and the target audience was college age crowd.
Cheech and Chong- Was made for adults! And during a time when pot wasn't as bad. The other harder drug stuff was slightly promoted but still bads stuff happens to them. Also, who really wanted to be the film Cheech and Chong?
Paul Rudd films- I hate this guy's movies so I hardly watch them but of them what I've seen is still basic fully grown adults drinking and smoking pot in a movie made for the adult audience!
In my personal favorite movie, Casablanca, Bogart drinks enough to supply the French Resistance for a year (bit of a exaggeration), but then again most of the major players point out how different he acts in this drunken spiral of pity and magically drying trench-coats.
I also feel some pain from the new 52, I miss Ted Grant - Wildcat.
And one question: I read "Holy Terror" today and i was wondering how do I make this unclean feeling go away?
"Actually The New Teen Titans supposedly DID happen as stated in Red Hood & The Outlaws."
Actually, no it apparently didn't.
Red Hood and the Outlaws just states that Roy, Starfire, and Dick worked together for an unspecified period of time. In the Teen Titans Annual, the Legion Lost declared that time is changing since the first group of Teen Titans isn't supposed to be formed FOR ANOTHER 40 YEARS. It's a reboot, plain and simple.
"Linkara, why did you stop doing That's All I'm Saying? It was a great show, and thank you for getting me interested in Demon Knights."
Really I just had nothing important left to say. It took time out of other stuff I could be doing and it was basically just "I like this!" and "I don't like this!" It made sense for the new 52, but after the first issues of that it just didn't seem like it had much point anymore.
Starfire: "On my planet, they care about family."
Really? Is that why your "loving" and "caring" family used you as a bargaining chip and sold you into slavery? Huh. Good to know.
And as a reader of the Teen Titans since their peak in the 1980's, I never cared for pre-reboot Roy Harper. He always struck me more as a device to stick on soap opera plot points onto than an fully fleshed character character.
Giving him a cute kid just struck me as a forced plot device. Never really felt it. It just seemed contrived to me.
It was just one of many events in the late 80's and early 90's that made me largely tune out from the Titans franchise.
But yeah, the Technis Imperative was pretty kickass.
But I love, Love, LOVE Red Hood and the Outlaws.It's one of my favorite new comics from ANY company right now. Love this Jason and Roy. I am totally digging the Butch and Sundance buddy thing they got going. And although it took awhile, I really like this new Kori.
I think this title has some great character bits with some truly sympathetic anti-heroes. Yes, the overall plot is a bit flabby, but I think it's a nice surprise from the Punisher clone stuff I was expecting.
Scott Lobdell has always been one of my favorites since Generation X back in the late 1990's
I'm truly sorry. You can call me a philistine or the embodiment of all that is wrong with the modern comic reader, or whatever, but I have to voice my disagreement on the Red Hood and the Outlaws thing.
"it shows 'alcohol abuse' 'gun abuse' and 'listening to black eyed peas songs' all in a good light."
...No, no it really doesn't. It makes them look like assholes who got drunk, abused their power, pissed on a pool table, and listened to a really crappy song.
"And one question: I read "Holy Terror" today and i was wondering how do I make this unclean feeling go away?"
Showers and fire. Both to the book, if you can.
"I'm truly sorry. You can call me a philistine or the embodiment of all that is wrong with the modern comic reader, or whatever, but I have to voice my disagreement on the Red Hood and the Outlaws thing."
If you like it, fine, but personally I find it to feature a bunch of unlikeable, unsympathetic jackasses who I have no desire to see succeed. The moments of genuine sympathy and emotion are counter-balanced by all the moments of asshattery and just idiotic plot points shoved in.
I gave the book a shot because people said it got better. I read eight issues back to back. In my opinion, it didn't.
"How many kids really saw Cheech and Chong movies?"
When I was a kid (around the time this comic book came out, the time that Cyborg was speaking of)I saw quite a few of the Cheech and Chong movies, and they did make pot seem cool, harmless and fun. I never did smoke pot or do any "recreational" drugs, though. And since we are talking early 80s, I'd like to add "Miami Vice" to that list of making drugs seem cool and chic. Today, that would be the Judd Apatow and Seth Rogan movies and rap acts like Method Man and Red Man, Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill that try to make drugs seem harmless and fun.
Even if I haven't gotten any of the comics from the New 52, JLI was one of the books I was hoping to check out, but it's already ending.
This is definitely one of my favorite episodes yet, although I think there was too much yelling, although it was hard to avoid that considering the characters.
I'm still looking forward to the Red Hood & The Outlaws review. Should we expect some of the other comics on that list that you haven't covered yet?
I'm loving these Snowflame PSAs at the end. I look forward to the others this month.
Nice comedic review, even with the continuous reminders of Speedy's past on your show.
All kidding aside love the review.
As for the Titans I know them through the cartoon.
And Snowflame twisted the message of Ponies. Amazing, plus if you see it, or it's community enough it will convert you.
Interesting I had taken the comment about Red Arrow, Starfire and Dick working together to mean that the original titans did exist, and didn't know about the Leigon Lost issue. If I remember correctly, Red Arrow does ask Kori about Garth and other members of the Titans in issue 1.
So even with the Leigon Lost comment it is possible that it was intended for the New Teen Titans to still take place if in somewhat of an altered form.
Honestly I know what you mean about the reboot... I'm enjoying Supergirl for example but even there, Sterling Gates built up a great relationship between her and Lana Lang... and now that's gone, and Clark and Lois' marriage... there's just alot of good stuff that's gone. I'm enjoying many of the books... but damn I miss what we used to have.
Hey Lewis, I noticed the evil Raven story up there! I remember you talked about in your good guys gone bad video, but I would really like to see a proper review of that one from you.
I made my own review of it actually... um, I'm not sure if this is going too far out of your way but would you mind... showing it to some people for me? Like letting people know I made it on your twitter or something? Maybe leave a comment? I'd love to hear your opinion... and get my review blog some traffic.
http://lagoonofthelizardman.blogspot.ca/2010/08/new-teen-titans-100.html
I just thought I would mention this since I thougt it was obvious, and no one else pointed this out...
But you made a rather stupid mistake right at the beginning of the review.
You said "Oh no, not POP!!"
That doesn't say POP, Linkara. If you look at it, that is clearly a C and it says "PCP".
You are aware what PCP is, right? Just wondering becuase that is clearly not an O at all, and I can't believe you would get that wrong.
"That doesn't say POP, Linkara. If you look at it, that is clearly a C and it says "PCP".
You are aware what PCP is, right? Just wondering becuase that is clearly not an O at all, and I can't believe you would get that wrong."
The reason no one mentioned it is because *I* mention it in the blog post.
Secondly, it looked like POP and not PCP to me. You say it was clearly not, but I saw it as an O and not a C. It happens. I don't wear my glasses when I'm reading and the comic's over twenty years old and I probably figured the text had faded.
Just curious Link, why is it that in every video, just after you leave the couch, there a slight blur of your green couch right before the credits. I thought it was an editing glitch at first but I'm realizing that it happens in every video. It is intentional?
Course now I have to wonder, why a GREEN couch anyway? Just like the color?
Hard drugs are usually portrayed pretty badly but lots of cool characters drink or smoke, especially in older films. I think several people mentioned James Bond. But how about every Clint Eastwood character ever?
Doesn't Indiana Jones do some drinking, too? I'm sure I could list many, many more if I wasn't lazy.
Now admittedly, when they're being cool and not self-destructive, the characters are being relatively moderate in their amount of drinking, but that might not be something that kids intuitively get.
Not that I think it's the only or even primary cause, but I'll play devil's advocate here.
I noticed you listed JLI as one of the new 52 you liked. Just curious if you'd heard it's ending after issue 12 with an annual issue to cap off the story?
If you hadn't, please don't shoot the messenger. I just got this shirt dry-cleaned.
Pot, hash, and hash oil are not the same thing, any more than codeine, morphine, and heroin are the same. In both cases, all three drugs are derived from the same plant (cannabis and the opium poppy respectively), but the later-listed ones are enormously more potent.
"Pot, hash, and hash oil are not the same thing, any more than codeine, morphine, and heroin are the same. In both cases, all three drugs are derived from the same plant (cannabis and the opium poppy respectively), but the later-listed ones are enormously more potent."
I refer you to @Philbuni on Twitter, my advisor in this situation.
Two things: 1) It's weird that the comic specifically implies that pot is more dangerous than alcohol. That's laughable/sad. Regardless of whether or not a person chooses to consume/use pot, it is easily one of the safest drugs in existence.
2) Lewis--you are correct that pot, hash, and hash oil are, fundamentally, the same thing. If you want a laypeople-friendly analogy, the three could be compared to beer, wine, and liquor--in the end, it's the same exact drug you're consuming, just in different formulations/concentration. Carl--codeine, morphine, and heroin are all different chemical compounds. They have similar effects and mechanisms of action, but they're different drugs.
I will admit, if I were reviewing something like this, the entire episode would be composed of references to "The Wire" (a far more realistic look at the complexities of why people use and sell drugs, and how the war on drugs can ruin good police). Which is probably why I'm not a reviewer, since that wouldn't be interesting. "The Wire" is rather depressing, but really recommend it.
Also, off topic, but I showed a bit of your first Power Rangers review to my skeptical student today, and she thought it was really interesting how it was adapted. She was surprised there were no little children in it, since the sentai shows she's seen have all featured little children as friends of the "rangers." It led to some good discussion, so thanks! :D
P.S. Reboots are the anti-life equation.
Oh, what happened to the Titans over the last ten years?
I was actually going to stand up for Red Hood and the Outlaws. I didn't think it was that bad--at first. But after tracking down Marv Wolfman's run on the book, along with the marks that Peter David and Devin Grayson made on it in the late 90s...I'm far more inclined to agree with you, Mr. Lovhaug.
That said, I'm pretty sure I dislike the book for a different reason. It just wastes potential. I can see why it made sense on paper: the writer is good, the artist is one of my favorite newcomers (just see his work on Paul Dini's Madame Mirage to see what I mean), and the premise actually had some decent and viable storytelling ideas. Which it then proceeded to completely ignore in favor of character mishandling and buying into DC's misguided attempt to bring the Nineties back.
To use a comparison, it reminds me of a much-reviled episode of the cartoon, "Troq," where an alien soldier who recruits the Titans acts like a racist jerk to Starfire the entire time. Again, it's an idea with potential. The Tameranians were seen in a previous episode to be...for lack of a better word, animalistic. Combine that with their culture based around passion, and you get the feeling that the soldier comes from a socially conservative people who look down upon them.
But nope. That's never addressed. Instead, we get the Titans acting pissy towards him, not even bothering to ask for an apology, and end on a heavy-handed metaphor. Gag me.
This reboot could have been so much better. But so much of it is wasted potential. Blue Beetle... Suicide Squad... Wonder Woman... Justice League...
...
Is it too late to have our old universe back?
Now Snowflame is a brony?! DAMN YOU PONIES! Will your plot to take over the world never cease?!
Great review Linkara, i always tend to enjoy your reviews that touch upon the canon of the various comic bokk universes.
But out of curiousity, did the protecter ever go on to do anything, or was he just put into to background of the dc universe and forgotten about?
I've always wondered: Did you make the PSA Hell intro video yourself, or did someone make it for you? Either way, it's REALLY good. The clips, while probably pretty innocuous on their own, become creepy as...well, creepy as Hell when played against that music and without their intended context.
"I've always wondered: Did you make the PSA Hell intro video yourself, or did someone make it for you? Either way, it's REALLY good. The clips, while probably pretty innocuous on their own, become creepy as...well, creepy as Hell when played against that music and without their intended context."
I did indeed make it myself. ^_^ If it helps, half the videos those clips are from are pretty creepy even WITH context. XD The laughing face, for example, comes from some kind of safety PSA.
Let's see movies that Glamorize Drugs: The Viewaskew series prior to Clerk's 2. Cheech and Chong series. Sure Jay and Silent Bob as well as Cheech and Chong go to jail for possession a couple of times, but they get out the very next day. Oh and there was that episode of 2 and a half men where Charlie was lighting up. It was medicinal, but the only consequence he faced was facing hallucinations of his past girlfriends. That's all I could think of for now. Never thought I would see Runaways on the list of references though I just read that comic a month ago. What got me into the comics was the cartoon, and then I found a copy of Judas Contract in my highschool library.
Snowflame is a brony? Oh come on, how much more awesome can he get?
The status of old Teen Titans canon is actually a rather murky one
For one, Red Hood and the Outlaws does acknowledged the old the stores
Starfire has flashbacks of the old Titans team, and even Jason Todd recalls his short stay with the team (alto he also claims that he never met Starfire before the events of this series)
Roy Harper is the most curious case however, as many of his dialogue, actions, and flashbacks indicate that "Cry for Justice" and "Rise of Arsenal" were fully intended to be canon for this series, but were very hastily removed at the very last moment.
There are still very heavy implications that some tragic and traumatizing incident happened to Roy in very recent past, sending him over the edge and causing him to do things he now regrets (including heavy drug abuse), and that now he just wants to have a fresh start (a desire he seems to share with Jason)
A word on China Cat and other silly drug names. Take it from someone with "knowledge" of drug culture due to family members with serious addiction problems and my own personal experience being young and reckless (more experience than I'm proud to admit. I usually don't post anonymously, but I am for this topic)
The reason drugs have silly names is because dealers and users give different drugs various codenames so that if anyone were to overhear them (especially law enforcement), the person listening in won't know what the hell they are talking about. Urban Dictionary is full of different slang terms for every drug in the book. Trust me, you never walk up to a dealer and say "excuse me kind sir, might you have any COCAINE for sale?" They'll assume you're an undercover cop and tell you to GTFO. Ask for something like powder, blow or yayo....then perhaps you're getting somewhere.
It's not a perfect system. This one time in my youth (roughly 10 years ago) a guess asked me if I wanted to buy some "bananas?" To this day I'm not sure what the hell he was talking about.
So it's not a perfect system, and yeah, I'm pretty sure china cat is a very outdated term for heroin anyway. However, the term was more commonly used during the original run of Green Arrow books from the 70s when Speedy first developed the problem, so I kind of found him using the term as a clever callback.
Anyway Linkara, if you were interested, I could give you my contact information in case you ever needed someone with knowledge of this particular culture when researching any future episodes. Just leave me a comment and I'll shoot you my e-mail or Twitter.
I have a question for you, Lewis:
What is your LEAST favorite superhero team?
J.A.P.
"
To use a comparison, it reminds me of a much-reviled episode of the cartoon, "Troq," where an alien soldier who recruits the Titans acts like a racist jerk to Starfire the entire time. Again, it's an idea with potential. The Tameranians were seen in a previous episode to be...for lack of a better word, animalistic. Combine that with their culture based around passion, and you get the feeling that the soldier comes from a socially conservative people who look down upon them.
But nope. That's never addressed. Instead, we get the Titans acting pissy towards him, not even bothering to ask for an apology, and end on a heavy-handed metaphor. Gag me."
Not to mention, they know he's a racist, yet they go along with his plan to exterminate those other aliens, which, for all we know, weren't all that bad. That bit basically breaks said heavy-handed metaphor into tiny pieces.
@Brazilboyblue
Actually, Red Lanterns was pretty good for the first few issues, where Atrocitus trying to figure out what it means to be a hero (especially issue 2, where he starts doubting his methods)
Then it went down hill with the Red Lantern civil war that emerged after Atrocitus granted his followers free will and a clear mind, catapulting Bleez into the post of a leader of a rebellion.
It was however still nice seeing how the more idealistic Red Lanterns gathering behind Atrocitus, while the thugs and psychos joining Bleez.
The series is currently starting to get interesting again however, as the Reds are forced to work together again, since their Corps was targeted for extermination, and they have to fight for their survival
Great Review as always Linkara. And I'm not sure if this comic is good or bad either. It probably could have been better without the governmental interference but who knows?
I loved the bit with you acting out the conversation between Starfire and Speedy. And all the parts where you painfully bring up his drug filled past.
Actually I don't think that the drug cartel and bosses in this comic were unrealistic. The major cartels bring in tens of millions of dollars anualy and are able to employ all sorts of hardware to insure their product makes it to the street. Besides the classic high speed boats the South American Drug cartels also use tanks that can be attached onto the hulls of comercial shipping vessels. Semi-submersible boats and barges, and recently fully working custom build submarines. And yes all these things were build in the middle of the jungle.
Mexican drug cartels have build elaborate tunnel systems with working rail cars to trasport their drugs across the boarder. They also use catapults, collapsable bridges, ultra light aircraft, and even used a crane to lift vehicles filled with drugs over the fence. They get away with it because Boarder patrol can not monitor every foot of the boarder fence 100% of the time.
And of coarse there are the all the military grade guns and weapons.
And yes they don't care if a couple people die from overdoes or bad shipments, there are always more users. These are the same people who boldly kill people in broad daylight just for slightly inconveniencing them.
The main thing that draws my attention is Starfire's hair. Seriously, it's like ten times the size of her head! Man, the eighties were strange.
I don't blame you for thinking PCP was "POP." The comic is pretty old, and the C already looks pretty worn down--and hell, if "china cat" is a thing, who's to say there isn't a drug called pop? There are, unfortunately, dumber names for things.
I'm curious--are you ever going to review those other issues of the Titans? Y'know, continuing from the #1 you reviewed back in the day, when your lighting was incredibly poor?
"For one, Red Hood and the Outlaws does acknowledged the old the stores
Starfire has flashbacks of the old Titans team, and even Jason Todd recalls his short stay with the team (alto he also claims that he never met Starfire before the events of this series)
Roy Harper is the most curious case however, as many of his dialogue, actions, and flashbacks indicate that "Cry for Justice" and "Rise of Arsenal" were fully intended to be canon for this series, but were very hastily removed at the very last moment."
I have to keep repeating this because unfortunately, DC refuses to make it clear:
The only thing, the ONLY thing we know is that Roy, Dick, and Kori worked together for a period of time. I have read all eight issues of the book - that one panel flashback of the three together is all we get to acknowledge that they spent any time together, but we don't know what it actually WAS and never once is the word "Titans" used.
"I have a question for you, Lewis:
What is your LEAST favorite superhero team?"
Probably Youngblood. Possibly Red Hood and the Outlaws. It varies from day to day.
"I'm curious--are you ever going to review those other issues of the Titans? Y'know, continuing from the #1 you reviewed back in the day, when your lighting was incredibly poor?"
I've thought about it. I probably should, really, but even when it was that bad I compare it to what we have now and I just sigh. When Winick was on a leash, he actually can write decent stories and issue 5 proved that.
"Probably Youngblood. Possibly Red Hood and the Outlaws. It varies from day to day"
I could have sworn it was Green Lanterns and Green Arrows dumbass Justice league form Cry For Justice. I am sorry you hate Red Hood and the Outlaws differnt strokes for different folks huh? But hey could be worse it could either have been Batman: The dark knight or Rob liefeld writeing Deathstroke.
Question: How does one want to send you a comic or comic volume.
Also when are u going cut ur sideburns
"Probably Youngblood. Possibly Red Hood and the Outlaws. It varies from day to day."
Huh. And they're coming out within a week from one another.
I am totally serious.
I know you've most likely heard about ol' Rob's recent attempt to "revitalize" his...well, least embarassing titles over at Image. I decided to check them out, and most of them are pretty readable. Our old pal Prophet has been recast as Conan in Space (a route they should have taken with Starfire, IMHO); Glory has been beefed up into a mountain of a woman who actually wears clothes instead of the angular abomination she was under Rob; Bloodstrike #26 is many times better a first issue to the series than its actual first issue; Erik Larsen has the reigns of Supreme after drawing Alan Moore's last scripted issue...
But next week comes Youngblood #71. Joe McLaughlin on writing duty, and either Rob or one of his ghost artists on art. I believe that we all have reason to dread the outcome. Let's just say that Athena wasn't the only comic to capitalize on Barack Obama. *shudders*
(Also? The preview of the book that came out in January didn't have dialogue. With the artwork being what it is, making up your own is quite amusing. xP)
About the "drinking and drugs are cool" stuff in tv...
At first I didn't found any example as well. Nothing more then "ok, he drinks" which isn't really considered "cool" in my opinion, since hey - your parents (speaking to kids here, not to you in person) are drinking too from time to time. It's nothing unusual.
But then I found an example.
Drunken Boxing.
I know it were a topic in several Jackie Chan movies, fair said though it were more older movies and who knows if they were shown in the US at that time - or if kids were interested in watching them. But it's a real example for making drinking seem extremly cool and awesome.
Drugs, including pot, not so much though. Pot is brought up as something cool and funny in a lot of movies, but not really kid-friendly ones to begin with... or so stupid ones you can't take them seriously.
But honestly, something that I didn't see mentioning once in the review (and I think it counts for the comic as well therefor) are normal cigarettes. But (I think) they're mostly the first thing to try out if you "wanna be cool". And Smokey is portrait extremly cool and awesome in many kid shows, even today. Ok, One Piece in Japan isn't directed at such a young audience (or they just don't care that much about violence in kid shows), but even though they censored all the blood and heavy violence for US (and germany too), Sanji still smokes his cigarettes in every single episode he's in. And he's one of the most favorite characters of the show. That's just one example of many. Make your character looking extra cool and rebel? Let him smoke. I can't even count how many characters in movies or series are considered as cool and have a scene of "oh damn, everything went bad again, I'll light a cigarette - oh damn, the lighter doesn't work/it's too wet/etc I have to do it without, it's worse now." This even appears in comics, at least if Hellboy smokes as heavily as he does in his movies.
So... I have to admit that I kinda get the point here... ^^;
I've learned not to let my mind wander during the post credit endings... I was thinking about drugs, and that lead me to thinking about sniffing glue, which lead me to horse-glue, which lead me to question whether sniffing Rainbow Dash-glue would make you hallucinate.
"Question: How does one want to send you a comic or comic volume."
You e-mail me describing what you'd want to send me (maximum 3 comics) and if I'm interested, I give you the PO Box address to mail it to.
Pfft mountain dew, you lightweight, everyone knows the cool kids do Gatorade! : p joke.
Sorry I know I have just posted but after watching the rest of the video I wanted to say that Lianne Harper never having being born is a good thing. If she was never born she never died, which means that there is nothing to stop her reintroduction at a later date.
"Sorry I know I have just posted but after watching the rest of the video I wanted to say that Lianne Harper never having being born is a good thing. If she was never born she never died, which means that there is nothing to stop her reintroduction at a later date."
Except, of course, that my favorite run of the Titans, my favorite comic of all time, and the books that got me into comics to begin with never existed. Goody.
Anonymous said:
"And one question: I read "Holy Terror" today and i was wondering how do I make this unclean feeling go away?"
Read the Batman: Holy Terror Elsworlds from the 90s. It's actually good and has nothing to do with so-called "arab terrorism."
I liked the video Linkara
I am curious, are you still picking up the relaunched teen titans comic, if so how has it been thus far, and if not, at what issue did you decide to drop it and for what reasons?
I thought that Lianne being removed from continuity and the removal of the Titans were seperate problems, my apologies.
I hope that another writer does something with the rebooted series that you like as much, I know I would have hated it if something similar had happened to Batman or Green Lantern.
seeing how people are asking you to bring back TAIS, I may as well join in and ask you to do at least one episode on the Second Wave
Even if it's just "I like this, I don't like this" , it could still be helpful to the potential readers
Especially seeing how the second wave isn't even nearly as well advertised as the New 52 was
It's really just 6 titles per month, and they do deserve a fair chance
I must say that at the moment, I'm enjoying Red Hood and the Outlaws much more that Justice League International, which I'm seriously considering to drop.
Despite all the flaws that Red Hood suffers from, I'm actually genuinely invested in the characters.
I find my self not giving a damn about most of the characters in JLI, especially now that one of the only two characters I genuinely cared about got killed-off in a completely pointless and stupid manner.
The death didn't even help to move the plot along in any meaningful way, as the same events could be told without it
(just look at Batwoman, merely putting Flamebird in hospital was enough to achieve the desired goal, alto I still do have my objections)
They freaking pulled a second Lian Harper!
Red Hood had one or two moments that made me cringe, but it NEVER made me fly into such enormous rage as this one did.
I used to like JLI for two things, the cosmic plot (love the "planet strip-mining" concept, also used in Dead Space and Warhammer 40000), and the banter between Rocket Red and August General in Iron
Now with one of the duo dead, and the team down fighting regular boring super-villains, the only thing holding me is O.M.A.C. guest-starring in the current issues.
Once he's gone...
Seriously, at least Suicide Squad makes it perfectly clear when some character is mere canon-fodder, and even made it somewhat of a running joke how the "new guy" always gets it
(and then puled an awesome brick-joke, by revealing that one of them is actually alive, and running free, since he faked his death, and no-one bothered to check)
And let's be fair, as far as asshole protagonists go, Vandal Savage, Madame Xanadu, and Etrigan in Demon Knights (a series we both seem to adore) have committed acts much more vile in the past few issues
"I am curious, are you still picking up the relaunched teen titans comic, if so how has it been thus far, and if not, at what issue did you decide to drop it and for what reasons?"
Still reading it. I'm still waiting for something to start making this team look like the Titans, but it isn't bad enough to make me want to drop it. Enjoyable in its own right, but I really want this stupid Culling storyline over with.
I must admit, most of my knowledge of the Titans comes from the Animated Series that aired on Cartoon Network. Great review, but the one I've been waiting for will be next week! :)
Forgot to mention that you could have taken that "China Cat" joke and made another reference to the "Porcelain Bunny". Slinky Joke was still funny though.
The reboot could have been a good thing for people like me - new fans who used to just casually watch the movies or cartoons and got into comics themselves just recently. It's so badly thought out, though, that it leads to even more confusion continuity-wise and character personality-wise.
I'm highly amused at how the comments turned into complaining about RHatO :D I'm usually one to say it did get a little bit better over time, but it is still very far from being a good comic (and I'm not really an expert on Roy and Kory yet, but I can tell one thing for sure - that guy that's with them is not the Jason Todd I became a fan of and dug into Batman comics in the first place). Which saddens me greatly because there is so much wasted potential in this team-up.
As to this Teen Titans issue it definitely has the classic art going for it :) Often the comics you review have eye-stabbingly bad visuals, but this one was a treat to look at.
And it's true you can see a lot of heart behind it. I think even Starfire getting mad like that had some sense. I don't know her that well yet, but she's supposed to be very emotional, right? So maybe in this case the emotions clouded her judgement on the matter of evidence and such.
Wow, Starfire really is devoted to children! I bet her next stop is Central Africa* to go after the warlords who use child soldier- wait, what's that? The Titans can only be bothered to go after criminals in the U.S.? Huh, what a bunch of useless twits.
And golly, what a great informational comic about what causes controlled substances to be sold! Economic conditions, broken homes and general lack of respect for the criminal justice system? A need for money to continue guerrilla wars? Who needs to hear about that!
*The region, not the nation (yes there really is a Central African Republic).
Is PSA Hell presided over by Bennett the PSAge?
As someone who studies media, positive portrayals of alcohal are consistently common
It is so common that seeing it doesn't even register.
When James Bond orders a vodka martini, that is clearly promoting the use of alcohol. On of the first things anyone thinks about when they think james bond is his signature drink.It is that sort of normalization that promotes alcohol in all ages
Alcohol advertising itself is primarily based on selling a lifestyle as opposed to a product. Want to be fun? or cool? Get laid a lot? Well drink bud, or coors, or what have you, and it will happen. This is a message that is just as appealing to children as adults, if not more so.
Drugs, or at least pot, is usually a symbol of rebellion and a counter culture, and this does come out in movies. Unlike Alcohol, it isn't normalized, but it can be appealing to young people wanting to "stick it to the man". Especially those from poor backgrounds who have a lot of reason to hate authority.
seeing how you seem to despise RHatO (hm, Rhato, sounds cool), I may as well point you towards issue 9
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/17/red-hood-and-the-outlaws-9-review
Seeing how this is the last issue taking place on earth, you may as well have some closure
at least before the series shifts gears INTO SPACE!
(and seriously, the teaser art for this arc looks gorgeous to say the least http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/comic-covers/2012/05/RHOODO_Cv12.jpg )
But on another note
While we have our differences (like the above series), we do seem to agree on more than we disagree on (like our love for Demon Knights and Animal Man)
Which is why I'm heavily recommending you to pick up the following 3 issue story-arc of "DC Universe Presents" by James Robinson, starring Vandal Savage (modern incarnation) and his daughter in the main roles
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/6/66037/2345425-1_ad08a8d8a2_super.jpeg
The first issue is already out, and so far it's bee an awesome homage to Manhunter and Silence of the Lambs, with great promise of things to come
It'll only be 3 issues, so there's no real reason to be insecure about this one
Also, Dial H
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/3/31566/2321561-dial_h_1_super.jpg
If you like Animal Man, you'll most likely love it
Kinda like Ben 10 for mature readers (as in Animal Man or Sandman mature that is)
(and yes, I know Ben 10 was based of the Silver Age Dial H for Hero and Ultra the Multi-Alien)
Can't blame you entirely for hating the reboot considering what was lost, and what they've done to characters like Captain Marvel, but there does at least seem to have been as much good come out of it as bad. At least they didn't retcon away every development which ever took place over the past few years.
Anyway, this was a fairly good review on the whole but you've done better. There wasn't anything bad about this, certainly some good jokes, but it felt at times you were using it as an excuse to rant on subjects. Then again that's where half the interesting stuff on ATFW seems to come from.
Oh, one thing. If you think some of the previous drug lables were bad, there's ones with names like "Romulan" out there.
Hey Linkara, what do you think of Thunderbolts?
The series just "ended" (it's actually being renamed to Dark Avengers, go figure), and I'm just wondering if you ever read any of that series.
Brief history of the Thunderbolts.
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/thunderbolts-through-the-ages.html#
I'm just curious if you're familiar with the series. I know you read Avengers Forever, which has Songbird in it, who is the most popular Thunderbolt, so I was just wondering what you think.
I read the first five issues each of Teen Titans, Supergirl, and Superboy (post-reboot), and between those fifteen issues the good guys attempted exactly two acts of heroism - freeing a town from mind control and stopping some spree killers.
One of them failed.
Mostly, what they fought was each other.
I stopped reading.
'Being angry is what marijuana does to you'; having seen a stoner get mad (for a bad reason) and put his hand through a window, um, yes, it does.
Interesting use of Hell is for Children, since it's about a completely different kind of abuse.
Here's an off-the-top-of-my-head list of shows and movies (not necessarily aimed at kids) that portray marijuana or alcohol as not a big deal, or even show them making you a better person / the life of the party:
ARTHUR !!! (Dudley Moore) It's the whole frikken' premise!
The Friends solve problems through alcohol. Iron Man 2, Family Guy, The Simpsons, CHEERS, The Last Airbender (I know I wanted to get nice & drunk after seeign it, anyway); Brecken Meyer in Clueless and Freddy's Dead...
...
The Wayne's World and Bill & Ted movies have been described as stoner movies, and I can see what people mean by that.
The Mask and smoking.
That's just a few things I thought of in a few minutes.
"I read the first five issues each of Teen Titans, Supergirl, and Superboy (post-reboot), and between those fifteen issues the good guys attempted exactly two acts of heroism - freeing a town from mind control and stopping some spree killers.
One of them failed.
Mostly, what they fought was each other.
I stopped reading."
...said Le Messor (May 18, 2012 6:55 PM)
The main problem with Supergirl is just that it takes too long to get to the point. Between issues 6 & 7, she does do something heroic in fighting off the worldkillers of Kryptonian legend, and does so smartly as well, even if it isn't the most innovative solution in the grand scheme of things. It's a fine series to read, albeit weak, and I see no problem in following it, barring time/money costs of course.
glorifying drugs?
Does South Park and Futurama count?
"'Being angry is what marijuana does to you'; having seen a stoner get mad (for a bad reason) and put his hand through a window, um, yes, it does."
Yes, and having a fancy hat turns you into an internet reviewer. You've seen Linkara, it must be true for everyone and totally be caused by the hat. Correlation vs. Causation.
And while I don't know all the examples you talked about, I raised an eyebrow at the Simpsons. Barney Gumble or any other person in Moe's as an example of how great being alcoholic is? Yeah right.
You mentioned Mr.T twice and no Shaz 8 reference? I am disappoint. :P
Say, Lewis, just to let you know, Lian technically still exists again.
Take a Look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9iPyFgY-Tg&feature=channel&list=UL
Interestingly, no one has commented how Starfire's costume was altered to not offend the community standards of the general public that would be reading this issue.
"The main problem with Supergirl is just that it takes too long to get to the point. Between issues 6 & 7, she does do something heroic in fighting off the worldkillers of Kryptonian legend,"
If I hadn't rambled on too long already, I might've mentioned that by the end of #5 it was clear she was about to attempt heroism.
So yeah.
"Interestingly, no one has commented how Starfire's costume was altered to not offend the community standards of the general public that would be reading this issue."
Actually, according to Perez, it was self-censorship. Knowing the people they were dealing with and all the other governmental stuff they would be dealing with, they decided, without prompting, to alter her outfit, reduce her bust, and reduce Wonder Girl's cleavage.
They figured it would be a hassle they didn't want to have to deal with.
seeing you'r hatred towards Rob Liefeld, what do you think about this incident?
http://anyauribe.deviantart.com/journal/Poor-Rob-Liefield-303156121
do you think the haters were in the right, or do you think they went too far?
And do you feel guilty for potentially initiating this?
Late comment is late, but as a fellow Titans fan, I just wanted to voice my agreement about the lingering bitterness toward everything Rise of Arsenal-related. Which is why I'd advise you to stay the heck away from the "Young Justice" cartoon. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but it... hasn't been kind to Roy Harper fans...
Snowflame continues to be awesome, however. And this review was
one of your best in a while (not saying the others were bad, but this one really shone).
"The Friends solve problems through alcohol. Iron Man 2, Family Guy, The Simpsons, CHEERS, The Last Airbender (I know I wanted to get nice & drunk after seeign it, anyway); Brecken Meyer in Clueless and Freddy's Dead..."
Actually, Iron Man 2 makes it VERY clear that Tony getting drunk is a bad thing, given that he's getting drunk while WEARING HIS IRON MAN SUIT AND BLASTING WATERMELONS WITH IT. WHILE DRUNK.
Linara this is the best/funniest review you've done in quite a while. Awesome stuff.
"Actually, Iron Man 2 makes it VERY clear that Tony getting drunk is a bad thing,"
I'll give you that that one's a grey area - it does say it's a bad thing.
But it also plays it as harmless fun. At the same time.
Somehow.
Then they play Queen, so it's all cool.
Come to think of it I was just as surprised as you are when I first found out what China Cat was. I didn't find it out from this video though. After watching Rise of Arsenal, I decided out of boredom to watch the old 21 Jumpstreet show. On the second half of the Pilot Episode, Depp himself mentioned the Slang. "10 CCs of China Speedballing with pure flake? Waxer was trying to kill you man." I later found out that Speedballing with Pure flake meant mixing the herion with pure Cocaine. It's amazing that comics still use slang from the 80s. Just goes to show you can take DC out of the 80s, but you can't take the 80s out of DC. Before that I just assumed it was a fictional narcotic like Venom Slappers or Deathsticks.
Here's a TV show for you that portrays drugs and alcohol as cool: Star Trek. Every other episode Kirk and McCoy and Scotty get drunk, and drugs are often the answer to their problems.
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