tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post1227595556809269366..comments2023-09-05T09:06:09.136-05:00Comments on Atop the Fourth Wall: Action Comics #593Lewis Lovhaughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06724769374732321363noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-7435666211196752752012-03-30T17:41:04.647-05:002012-03-30T17:41:04.647-05:00John Byrne burn in hell, sick human being. Shame o...John Byrne burn in hell, sick human being. Shame of YouAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-58445670245354487222011-11-08T18:53:18.725-06:002011-11-08T18:53:18.725-06:00Does John Byrne really try to say it wasn't a ...Does John Byrne really try to say it wasn't a porno and our minds are in the gutter? Because if that's the case, I would really like to know what was really going on and what on Earth could possibly have inspired the kinds of reactions displayed by the characters that was not porn. All though it would be hilarious if Grossman was actually making them make a cheesy soap opera and everyone reacts so horrified because the acting is so bad. Even then, though, I'd say it was probably a pretty steamy soap opera/movie/totally not porn considering that whole bedroom set thing, so even if we take Byrne at his word and really believe nothing happened ... that's still pretty rapey. And I have no idea what else Barda's "solo act" could possibly be that would elicit such a horrified reaction from Oberon if not ... ugh. This whole thing is just covered in a thick layer of icky.TimeTravelerJessicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-60696717311292329402011-09-20T18:15:30.029-05:002011-09-20T18:15:30.029-05:00I just Dc execs had it out for Jack Kirby's wo...I just Dc execs had it out for Jack Kirby's work, just knowing that their universe had been tainted by the man who designed much of their main competitor's universe is just too much for DC execs who are die hard fans of their main commodities. If you compare the fourth world characters to the main DC characters, the fourth world heroes (Orion, Mister Miracle, and Big Barda) their costumes are complex and detail heavy, as opposed to DC's big three, who with the exception of Wonder Woman, are very simple in design to the point one can argue they even be seen as bland. Hell, DC's Kirby abuse is not just limited to his Fourth World characters, they also crapped on his pre-Captain America hero Golden Guardian.Damienx247https://www.blogger.com/profile/06476699057889224288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-28620210754385549502011-09-14T12:17:23.517-05:002011-09-14T12:17:23.517-05:00As usual, sexual assault is treated incorrectly in...As usual, sexual assault is treated incorrectly in a story. I have to agree with Jannet Jazz's points.enigmus20https://www.blogger.com/profile/07342398525612663696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-5035581635729526332011-04-08T21:17:32.496-05:002011-04-08T21:17:32.496-05:00This two-part story is terrible. If I wanted to s...This two-part story is terrible. If I wanted to see sexual assault in comics, I'd have read Identity Crisis. What the hell were they thinking when they came up with that idea, anyway?<br /><br />Action Comics 592 and 593 is the second-worst Superman story I've heard of. The only thing that actually surpasses this . . . sick and twisted and just plain wrong piece of trash is of course Superman at Earth's End.Mingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-86861738408914204642011-02-06T00:16:14.536-06:002011-02-06T00:16:14.536-06:00What, no flashback to "Linking Up With Linkar...What, no flashback to "Linking Up With Linkara"?Jesse Herndonhttp://www.morphylogeny.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-90646238349746817062010-12-06T23:34:28.911-06:002010-12-06T23:34:28.911-06:00I don't have a problem with the whole "Su...I don't have a problem with the whole "Superman and Big Barda are mind-controlled to have sex for a porn flick" idea because they are both good guys and friends and it would be kind of interesting to see how it would affect their relationships, considering neither of them was responsible. That being said the execution was just plain bad.<br />It would be logical if Sleez wanted to have two big-name superheroes do nasty just for kicks (after all, there are millions of people who would like to do the same) and profit. His plan to create an army with this money and take revenge on Darkseid, however, makes him a strong candidate for a name "Stupidest Supervillain Ever".<br />I don't think that Big Barda was raped by Sleez. If that was the case, her reaction upon breaking mind control would be not " You'll pay for indignities you made me to suffer" but "I'LL KILL YOU, 'insert the biggest curse word you know'!!!" The worst I can think about is that he made her perform a solo act on a video, which is while humilating as hell is still not as horrific as outright rape. At least I want to think so, because alternative is too disgusting.<br />While Darkseid has always been a sadictic bastard, here he just looks kind of petty. Of course, it must be a pleasure for him to see Mr. Miracle's reaction at his wife being in porn video, but to personally deliver it just to gloat... especially, since it wasn't Darkseid behind this punch to his enemies... He isn't just a god of evil, he is a god of jackassness as well. And apparently he likes earthly porn. It would be much more plausible if this video was discovered by, for example, Jimmy Olsen.<br />I am surprised no one mentioned how bad Mr. Miracle looks in this issue. I mean: the man gets an X-rated tape with his wife for chrissake! Even if there wasn't anything more than her stripping down, his imagination should have told him right away what <i>else</i> they could do to her after turning off the camera. Here he doesn't look particularly worried about it and doesn't try to kill Sleez after bursting into the room instead of bragging how he escaped from his trap.<br />Oh yeah, and it is left totally unexplained just what the hell did these old dying people had to do with Sleez and where did that wierd radiation came from.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-8193775026162497632010-09-10T12:06:06.229-05:002010-09-10T12:06:06.229-05:00No, GreenJeans, actually, my opinion is NOT wrong....No, GreenJeans, actually, my opinion is NOT wrong.<br /><br />Exile: Completely different. He was going through a breakdown, turning into the vigilante Gangbuster. He was hurting others.<br /><br />The "he was doing it to save Kryptonians who were stranded on Krypton," excuse: I really don't remember him saying that in the film itself, but even if that were the case, it makes no sense. How could they survive for thirty years or more and if you have a good answer for that, maybe they don't need saving. Plus, was he just gonna fly them back in that tiny vessel? <br /><br />Oh. And wouldn't he tell Lois?<br /><br />The "Lois = Superbitch" stuff: The artist OPINED that "she was cheating with him... at-least in her mind," or something. And I also wouldn't be surprised if your definition of "verbal abuse," was being a stereotypical nagging wife.<br /><br />And WITH ALL THAT, a) the comics--given that this is still in the aftermath of a reboot--can get it wrong, and b) Superman "being the perpetual victim" is more in character than him being a deadbeat dad!<br /><br />Son of Superman: So because some non-canon graphic novel that I never read did something similar, that justifies SR? Give me a break! I call this the fallacy of the vague comic book precedent.<br /><br />Blah, blah, blah Kingdom Come:<br /><br />Same deal, though it has more prestige than SoS and was hinted at being the "future" of the DCU. I mean, it's slightly more justifiable in that it was after Lois died, but the idea that he runs away from everything is also OUT OF CHARACTER.<br /><br />Yes. I criticized Mark Waid. Ooogabooga!<br /><br />Superman Returns was a bad idea poorly executed.<br /><br />He shouldn't be a stalker.<br /><br />He shouldn't be gone so long.<br /><br />And he sure as Hell shouldn't be a deadbeat dad.Frankie Addiegohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07014900023283833838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-37312976597794304822010-09-07T02:09:35.515-05:002010-09-07T02:09:35.515-05:00........ I'd pay for a Booster Gold porno. <........... I'd pay for a Booster Gold porno. <_<CZnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-2883762006510100562010-09-05T14:35:20.812-05:002010-09-05T14:35:20.812-05:00Judging by how the "Death" and "Ret...Judging by how the "Death" and "Return of Superman" were written, it seems that constant monologues were a regular thing in 80s and 90s comics. Just goes to show that comic book writers were watching too many bloody soap operas!Jason Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388248383486104876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-21993393209501019992010-09-05T12:27:16.776-05:002010-09-05T12:27:16.776-05:00You're still wrong, Frankie.
"don't ...You're still wrong, Frankie.<br /><br />"don't think it was in character for Superman to fly off for five years."<br /><br />1989's "Exile," from the comic books, had Superman flying away from Earth never to return because he didn't want to live with the responsibility of killing an alternate universe General Zod and was convinced he was "too dangerous" to live among humans. The entire story was built around Superman running away from his responsibilities and eventually getting called on it. In SUPERMAN RETURNS? He gets word of possible Kryptonian survivors and goes looking for them, and in prior comic books and comics went exploring Krypton's ruins for survivors. Further, he locked himself away in the Fortress for over 10 years in KINGDOM COME when humanity decided they liked bloodthirsty antiheroes better, so vanishing for years on end is nothing new.<br /><br />Sorry but Superman's actions in the film were completely in character. I would expect him to go looking for surviving Kryptonians if given reason to believe they were out there. If anything, "Exile" was the story that was out of character for him. <br /><br />"I also don't think the whole, 'hey, he found out he knocked Lois up,' was very in-character."<br /><br />SON OF SUPERMAN, anyone? Same thing. It's been done, and was cited by many as the obvious source of the movie main plot point.<br /><br />You want to talk out of character? How about Lois cheating on him with Jeb Friedman in the mid-'90s (confirmed by then-artist Ron Frenz at the 2009 Motor City Con) and emotionally abusing him on and off for years on end in the comics to the point where fans took to calling her "Lois Lane: Superbitch"? Or Superman being such a weak-willed doormat that he takes the abuse without even a peep, and flies into hysterical blubbering fits whenever a bad guy kidnaps Lois ("Infestation," from 2001)? Or Superman being incapable of even zipping his boots without having Lois around? This is stuff the comics have devoted years to, and I can't imagine anything being more out of character than Superman being a perpetual victim.<br /><br />Again, SUPERMAN RETURNS failed in execution, not in concept. The comics have desecrated and humiliated him far worse, anyone who says otherwise is either lying or hasn't been reading them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-22946836582007824042010-09-04T22:38:21.281-05:002010-09-04T22:38:21.281-05:00Well this was an interesting issue. Oddly... I enj...Well this was an interesting issue. Oddly... I enjoyed it.Probably cause I like porn, but also cause that producer guy was funny. <br /><br />I never liked Barda, and seeing ehr brought donw a MUCH needed peg probably helped too.<br /><br />Still though, while I never liked Barda I have to admit she didn't deserve this. <br /><br />Can't wait till Monday, and hopefully the comics I want to see get ripped on aren't on your list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-63170602124915093652010-09-04T02:27:58.065-05:002010-09-04T02:27:58.065-05:00Bow chicka wow (POW) ouch! :(
seriously though ho...Bow chicka wow (POW) ouch! :(<br /><br />seriously though how THE HELL DID THIS gotten published?<br /><br />and john bryne if you come up with some BS excuse I've got a few words for a bryne.<br /><br />SHUT....THE HEEEEELLLLL....UP!!<br /><br />good review linkara.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07966605203635936448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-84574850504701763102010-09-02T14:31:39.805-05:002010-09-02T14:31:39.805-05:00Okay, I'll admit it. I had heard of there bein...Okay, I'll admit it. I had heard of there being this story of Superman and Big Barda doing..ahem..."adult entertainment" together. I never recalled ever actually reading the comic, though, and I half-believed it to be something along the lines of the "Cow Level" in the original Diablo.<br /><br />Now I know it is real, and I have to confess, I'm a little ashamed of the cavalier attitude I've had toward the "story idea" these issues use.<br /><br />When I first heard of this tale, it sounded more like a fan-fic than something that would actually make it into an actual issue (much less stretch through two). It still does. What I am really sorry about is how casually I reacted to the concept. I thought of it in terms of something along the lines of badly-done fan-service.<br /><br />Instead, you have shown that, looking closer, this is down-right wrong on many levels, the greatest being the way in down-plays the level of physical, mental, and emotional assault on both Superman and, especially, Big Barda.<br /><br />John Byrne has done some great things, such as Man of Steel. Unfortunately, it appears he can slip badly. I seem to recall stories of him retaliating against an editorial decision while on "Avengers" by drawing a page with the Scarlet Witch forcing herself graphically upon a helpless Wonder Man. I am beginning to wonder if there is perhaps a pattern, though I don't think I have the stomach to find out.<br /><br />In any case, thanks for the thought-provoking couple of episodes.Patch O'Blackhttp://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DF447047E3E3DED6noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-24796533348345604882010-09-02T11:33:58.278-05:002010-09-02T11:33:58.278-05:00"The fundamental difference being that SUPERM..."The fundamental difference being that SUPERMAN RETURNS was 100% in character for most involved (the damn thing took all its plot and design point from all over the mythology -- including Elseworlds) and was handled ineptly, whereas nothing whatsoever in this comic was remotely in character for anybody and was morally bankrupt."<br /><br />I don't think it was in character for Superman to fly off for five years. I also don't think the whole, "hey, he found out he knocked Lois up," was very in-character. "Oh, but they slept together in Superman II." I didn't think THAT was so in-character either, especially when he wiped her mind clean. Superman Returns is worse, though, because whether or not we're supposed to think that the spooning scene in SII was where Jason was conceived; they didn't have to go there, and could've written a better story.<br /><br />I'm sorry, but at the end of the day, this was all the product of mind-control and in Superman Returns, we're supposed to take that as what the character would do, even as he was advertised as a "Christ figure." In both cases, the lurid subtext comes from the writers (apparently) just not thinking.Frankie Addiegohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07014900023283833838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-86980058541722423852010-09-02T11:28:59.609-05:002010-09-02T11:28:59.609-05:00"The fundamental difference being that SUPERM..."The fundamental difference being that SUPERMAN RETURNS was 100% in character for most involved (the damn thing took all its plot and design point from all over the mythology -- including Elseworlds) and was handled ineptly, whereas nothing whatsoever in this comic was remotely in character for anybody and was morally bankrupt."<br /><br />No, I don't think it was in characterFrankie Addiegohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07014900023283833838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-6406360776030571872010-09-02T06:44:05.010-05:002010-09-02T06:44:05.010-05:00"I've yet to actually read any John Byrne..."I've yet to actually read any John Byrne stuff, but if this is how he routinely treats his female characters... I'm not sure I want to."<br /><br />Don't do it. There's a site out there that documents in well-researched detail about how Byrne can only write women as either flighty or evil and has a thing for torturing pregnant women. And that's not touching the fact that his art has become increasingly crappy.Melahttp://melashaan.livejournal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-43804826454434297512010-09-02T00:08:22.449-05:002010-09-02T00:08:22.449-05:00Wow. That was disturbing indeed.
I've yet to a...Wow. That was disturbing indeed.<br />I've yet to actually read any John Byrne stuff, but if this is how he routinely treats his female characters... I'm not sure I want to.<br /><br />But again, Linkara... your criticism of "Darkseid sitting on a couch what the hell" is just waaaaaaaaaaaaay off. Even back when Kirby was writing him, Darkseid was always doing things like that.<br />I have in my hands the fifth issue of the Super Powers mini-series, written and drawn by the King himself. Do you know what Darkseid does in it? Casually ride down a public elevator, even sharing it with a meek DC Comics inker who's complaining about his workload. And he doesn't even Omega Beam the poor fella, he just gives him a curious stare.<br />Here's Darkseid under Jack Kirby's penmanship, working at McDonald's:<br />http://www.currion.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/McDarkseid.png<br />And again, Kirby's Darkseid... allows himself to be mugged just for the heck of it:<br />http://img230.imageshack.us/f/322507497acbded9ff7olj0.jpg/<br /><br />And here's Darkseid chilling on an armchair, reading Mein Kamph:<br />http://team-bates.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/darkseidchillsout.jpg<br /><br />So yeah... you really need to cut back on the "DARKSEID DOESN'T SIT ON COUCHES RAAAAGE". It's totally in character for him to do so.Detourhttp://tfwiki.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-788918140625871552010-09-01T22:29:42.454-05:002010-09-01T22:29:42.454-05:00Well, at least this comic very indirectly led to s...Well, at least this comic very indirectly led to something good: I've finally found a couple DC characters who actually intrigue me, in Miracle Man and Big Barda. (Not saying "ZOMG THEY SOUND LIKE THE BEST SUPERHEROES EVER," but they at least sound like they're worth looking into.) Well, okay, admittedly I'm interested in Blue Beetle too, since you recommended that -- but I can't find it in the shops around here. Boo!<br /><br />Other than that, this comic is absolutely terrible, but you are awesome. <br /><br />Also, love the return of "Darksyde sitting on someone's couch" -- for some reason, I like thinking of him as a guy who goes around chilling out on superheroes' couches for fun. That's probably because I haven't read any DC comics yet, and thus don't know him as a serious character, haha.Token Fembothttp://twitter.com/TokenFembotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-1783113740544181712010-09-01T19:39:48.130-05:002010-09-01T19:39:48.130-05:00It was great, but I must say,
I'm dissapointe...It was great, but I must say, <br />I'm dissapointed<br />Not a single mexican Carwash Joke?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-55523164892477875002010-09-01T19:25:23.952-05:002010-09-01T19:25:23.952-05:00was there a point to all this? was there a reason ...was there a point to all this? was there a reason why the writer had to do this to three established characters?<br /><br />...other than sheer malice, I mean.KRoddnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-22740130486277104682010-09-01T04:29:57.864-05:002010-09-01T04:29:57.864-05:00Great review Linkara. Also, awesome Tom Servo gif...Great review Linkara. Also, awesome Tom Servo gift. Lucky dawg.<br /><br />I'm surprised at how many people keep asking why this story happened. The answer to that is pretty simple; because it can.<br /><br />We've been reading comics about these characters for a LONG time, so sometimes storylines get really dry. Every once in a while authors will try something new.<br />Sometimes it works out, like how Spawn did the hero thing a little differently.<br />Sometimes, like in this comic, it just doesn't pan out. Too many plot holes and ill conceived ideas.<br /><br />I'm also surprised at how many people are upset over something that is implied.<br />Never in the comic(from what was shown in the review; i haven't read the comic) do they say that rape or sex ever happened.<br />Barda's "days of indignity" is such a broad statement because we don't really know what might hurt her dignity. For all we know she was forced to sing for 2 days, or even dance and that dancing is a no-no in her culture.<br />But, because of how she is dressed, and the way things are presented, we assume it's sexual.<br /><br />And nothing happened between sups and barda beyond a little making out. The director and Miracle Man saw to that.<br /><br />That being said, I don't fault anyone for the way they feel on the subject because it's a sensitive topic. As I said, I'm just a little surprised at the reaction and wanted to state that.<br /><br />Cheers!Draxennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03868762908705455904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-32788248461196373112010-09-01T02:15:46.192-05:002010-09-01T02:15:46.192-05:00"they could have handle the thing better"..."they could have handle the thing better"<br /><br />Ah, then we agree on the main point then: it could have been handled better. That's all I've been saying.<br /><br />You can feature rape. But you need to handle it realistically and with a mind on consequences.<br /><br />He wakes up crying....so? What else? What about the other universal features of post-traumatic stress?<br /><br />I'm not saying it was bad movie. Heck, any film that shows the consequences of blind hate is god in my book. But the fact is, it simply presented an element, and then tossed it away.<br /><br />"People talking about it would find it funny, I know that it shouldn't be and that is childish, but it can't be helped."<br /><br />Yes, it can be helped. Empathy, understanding the pain of others and the horrible consequences of being a victim of such trauma. Like I said, read the book I recommended. <br /><br />Maybe you'll change your mind. Maybe you won't. But at the very least, you'll understand why people like me who work with victims (as well as the victims themselves) get so tense about it. <br /><br />As for Berserk,<br /><br />I'll grant you that Guts' adverse reaction to intimate contact and his crying may be Miura's attempt to explore his past as a victim of sexual trauma. But that's the thing: is it? If you lived in a world whose basic message is, "Life sucks and then you get killed for five panels", if you lived in a world where EVERYBODY is a raging prick, where EVERYTHING wants you dead (and/or wants to do unspeakable things to your corpse), a world where no matter what demographic you fall in, most EVERYONE in your cohort wants to perform acts of unspeakable evil...in such a world, wouldn't you be just tad nervous about getting close to anyone?Jannet_Jazznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-19588582217294232032010-09-01T01:27:38.827-05:002010-09-01T01:27:38.827-05:00Huh. You know, I was honestly surprised you did no...Huh. You know, I was honestly surprised you did not make the "Angels do not need Comfy Chairs/I got him to say COMFY CHAIR!" joke.The House of C.R.Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07436064243630022524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809126056034906096.post-90559155104932432132010-09-01T01:21:47.778-05:002010-09-01T01:21:47.778-05:00" built my own Servo about six years ago and ..." built my own Servo about six years ago and he's been a fun conversation piece ever since."<br /><br />Hey, yours looks absolutely awesome and I give you a heck of a lot more credit - you actually BUILT your Servo. While I'm fond of the one my brother bought for me, you still deserve a lot of credit for actually putting together the pieces and making it, so immense kudos to you and Tom Blake!Lewis Lovhaughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724769374732321363noreply@blogger.com