End of January Nostalgic Moment

Someone posted this video clip on a message board:



Oh yes, I used to watch this one. Although I don't remember the rapping intro, or the 3D gimmick (which was later used by Medium, strangely enough). Weekend mornings, it was on. And I guess I still like the fact that it has robots in it...I love robots.

However, there are a disgusting amount of Zs on that program. Over the legal limit, which would get you a hefty fine in most countries. It's also incredibly lame, like the world is run by bees who somehow evolved to the point of learning english, thus combining it with their primitive bee noises. We can't let the world be overrun by bees, can we?

What the hell was I talking about?

Oh yeah, Bots Master. Okay, in the context of the show, the Zs are used because the main human loves to slip his initials into everything he makes. Still, it's going too far. It's like Mr. Fantastic (AKA Reed Richards) saying "No, you can't be the Human Torch...but you can be the HUMAN TORRCH!". And then he'd probably name Thing THINGRR, making it so you wouldn't need a civil war to break up the Fantastic Four.

Anyways, watching this again makes me wish I had better taste in animation. I wish I watched more shows like this:

Daily Grind: 1/30/07

Newest sidebar link: Tetsubo Productions, a politically-charged livejournal. It is in that particular section of the sidebar because we both discuss superhero nerd cards in the same place.

In other news, I have an uncanny 'stupid shit' memory. While basic, important things often evade me, I can pull out random factoids and accurate details about pointless things at the snap of a finger. A lot of it are movies and cartoons I watched as a kid, a couple of videogames as well, comic book stuff(that is more recent), and any obscure bits I pull off Wikipedia. I don't understand this uncanny gift God has given me, or whether or not I could even possibly use it for good or evil.

I can describe many cartoons from the early 90s/200s in ways usually reserved for war veterans. It scares me what I could tell you about things you've probably never heard of, like G.e.E.K.e.R (which aired on CBS). Why do I remember these things? What evolutionary purposes do these memories serve? Why Chuck D(arwin), why?

...And yet, I haven't written a single Wiki article about any of my memories. Partially because they've already been made, but also because I'm not that bored, yet. And I kinda prefer creating my own stuff.

And that concludes another edition of 'who gives a fuck?'

Daily Grind: 1/29/07

I'm struggling to bring you content. FURIOUSLY STRUGGLING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MANKIND. STRUGGLE. FOR. THE. FUTURE.

I bought some gum today. It's Bubblicious, which I haven't had for a while. It's also supposedly cotton candy flavored, although it tastes more like the kinds of marshmallow bits that come in cereals. It's okay, but the marshmallows taste alot better combined with IRISH OATS.

I downloaded Contra III for my Wii today. It has reminded me a very important thing in life, a thing I may have forgotten while exiting my youth: Contra games live to kick your ass. A lot.

As you move your soldier guy to the right, you are bombarded by enemy suckers. But they take only one shot, and you have a spreadgun. Clearly the advantage is yours. But your arrogance will be your downfall, for you too have only one hit to live by.

And in a hailfire of baseball-sized glowing orbs of pure DEATH, your body will have it's digital life stripped from it in only seconds. The bogeys who seemed so simple on first encounter suddenly swarm around you, becoming too much for even 'roided future commandos to bear. And then, when it looks like the coast is clear, you get killed by a mutant dog lurking in the background. Game Over, man, GAME FUCKING OVER.

Only the strong, the proud, the few make it to the end. And what lies at the end? A giant, vomiting turtle monster.

Oh, the horror, the horror.

I like to make fun of dumb people

Lookee here.

It happened early this month when he learned that one of his daughters would be watching "An Inconvenient Truth" in her seventh-grade science class.

"No, you will not teach or show that propagandist Al Gore video to my child, blaming our nation -- the greatest nation ever to exist on this planet -- for global warming," Hardiman wrote in an e-mail to the Federal Way School Board.

That's pretty bad. But then, no sooner than the next fucking paragraph:

The 43-year-old computer consultant is an evangelical Christian who said he believes that a warming planet is "one of the signs" of Jesus Christ's imminent return for Judgment Day.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

It's kinda scary that idiots like this exist in modern America, but it's also quite entertaining when they are involved in decidedly minor situations like this (or, for example, when they try to prove God's existence by jumping into a lion habitat.)

Oh, and the school compromised. Which is kinda bad, because they are bending over backwards for Evangelicals, who are insane. Thank the lord I live in good ol' secular Canada...the most backwater part not completely frozen all year or surrounded by fish, but I takes what I can gets.

Edit: It helps that the guy's name is 'Frosty'. Seriously.

Daily Grind: 1/28/07

Okay, let's review Neon Bible. It should be warned that this is a leak, so the final mix may be different (which is why I'm probably going to buy the disk when it comes out). Now, on to it...

First track is pretty strong. Lots of weird earthquake-esque noises.

Second track is a nice contrast to the last one, being a bit more up-beat and folky.

Third track: She gets a track to herself now. It's continuing the more upbeat sound from the last track, but it's considerably weirder. Oh, he comes back halfway through to bring everything down a notch in the levity factor. "Great black wave in the middle of the street"? Sounds...nice.

Onto number four...it's the title track. No weird noises in this one, it's pretty quiet. Violinin'! There's something I don't hear nearly enough. Of Maybe because there aren't nearly enough Arcade Fire albums coming out.

Five, and we get back to the weird noises. THUNDER! LIGHTNING! TECHNO! Techno is replaced by piano. Piano is accompanied by...I don't know what hell those are...submarine violins? Whales? I actually think they were violins.

Six, and we're getting a speed boost, plus that indomitable beat. Jingly ending.

Seven, and it's rockin'...atleast as rockin' as the Arcade Fire can get. The guitar is far more prominent in this one. It's catchy, but not in the normal sense, I guess. Yay! Clappin' to the beat! This is my third favorite so far.

Eight, and it goes quiet again, but there's some strumming. It's rising...and there it goes up a level. And then goes back down. And then it builds up again. Very interesting structure here.

Nine, and we're starting with some 'magical' noises and moving back into high-speed Arcade Fire. We get some of the weird instruments, and what sounds like a heavy metal guitar being muffled in the background at one point. It's a duet, too. And then we cap off with a joyous choir and noises.

Ten, and what a downbeat way to end the album. There's that organ, and someone banging another indeterminable object. I'm sure this is what Dracula likes to listen to when he's sad. Hm...I think it's a satisfactory conclusion.

I also got the single here too, and it starts with heavy organ playing. But it's a bit lighter. "You work for the church while your family dies"? Errrr....maybe scratch that light distinction...It does have chimes in it.

Overall, I like the album. It's a lot less 'explosive'(as in big, loud, maybe even ambitious) than Funeral was...but I still get my otherworldly instruments (yes, I consider violins 'otherworldly'. As I said, I don't hear them nearly enough) and all the other distinctions the Arcade Fire have. But it's downbeat, for sure. I'm not sure I like it as much as Funeral, but it's still a good album.

Something to chew on

So, I be listenin' to the the leaked Arcade Fire album. Is this good or bad? What say you, Ultron?



Whatever, man.

I think I'll wait 'til tomorrow to give you all a full-length review. I can tell, you, however, that it is a very somber affair. But that's what The Arcade Fire's good at, being all dark and stuff. That last song had a lot of organ playing.

Daily Grind: 1/27/07

I'm going to be lazy today!

Remember this?

Add this to it,

and you get this:

Samuel jackson is tha leada of tha mole thugz who have a secret plant ta create a giant baskin robbins T-H-to-tha-izzat wizzy tizzle every orthodox jew n shizzark wanna be gangsta into wooden wombats unless michae stipe, invada zim, n tha reincarnated heezee of george jefferson find tha golden tizzle pouch which when combined witta picture of a whale in tha sky, tha first issue of cat fancy, a steel roll'n pizzin, n tha book of mormon creates a giant robot in tha shape of a double shiznit oreo cookie who wizzy proceed ta fly into space, find tha nearest 7-11 n buy three bags of nachos n some old brownies, which he wizzy shiznit into a cracka on tha moon, thus summon'n tha digruntled spirit of fumanchu, who wizzay go on a rampage when he paints jimmy rappa fence bitch ass nigga. jimmy W-to-tha-izzill call fumanchu a pusha n will be turned into a ivory-billed woodpecka by tha ancient god of apple motherfucka n is banished ta tha liv'n island of krakatoa so he could wrestle in a ring mizzy out recycled tin cans n gizzle milk against ric romero, in whizzich tha victor W-to-tha-izzill acquire a laserdisc copy of eraserheezee which wizzle put in tha last jukebox friznom tha year 1972 wizzill create a field of cheese T-H-to-tha-izzat wiznill cause samuel jackson ta become addicted ta mcgrittles, gang bangin' tha mole peoples plans once n fo` all.

Daily Grind: 1/26/07

Oy, Friday night.

You know, the latest Castlevania hasn't been holding my attention like the last couple of games. It's probably because it really isn't all that different, despite the new ideas they have. I'm still enjoying it, but it doesn't feel as satisfactory.

They released the News Channel on the Wii channel today. It's there for the 'neat' factor, like the weather channel. Still, it's good to not have any blank spaces on my Wii menu.

And just to update you on something: yes, I do love me some Arctic Monkeys.

Wow, what a shitty entry.

Daily Grind: 1/25/07

Stupid sickness! I could be DOING THINGS. Can't do nothing about it, though, so I'll just post here early.

I've been really bad with not finishing things recently. It's mainly games, especially longer games. I just find myself not playing them after a while. It's a complete waste, I know, and I really should get back to playing them.

Okay...what else...uhhhh....well, I could tell you about an idea for a TV series I have. Well, it's not really an idea for the series itself, but for some concept any TV series could use. I'm sure you're totally interested, totally.

Basically, it goes like this: Have a show that lasts about 2 or 3 seasons with a certain story/cast of characters. And then, in the season after you've established those characters and stories firmly...have it star a bunch of brand new characters. You can eventually tie into the past series, or maybe even return to that concept after a while.

Doesn't it sound completely annoying? Especially in a TV show that apparently is popular enough to warrant staying on that long? That's the point, it would be loverly to see how the audience would react.

Some comic fans may recognize this as similar to the disastrous relaunch of Thunderbolts. I haven't read that storyline, so I don't think that inspired me. I honestly don't know where the idea came from...it might be from my speculation of what would happen in the second season of Venture Brothers, and then I just fell in love with the idea.

I never expect any sane television writer to attempt this. Which is fine, because it would be something I would like to attempt. This is dependent on me getting a writing gig on a television series (preferably something I created myself), but I'll probably attempt it. I do want to be a omni-scribe.

Speaking of writing, I heard it's one of the most horrible jobs one can attempt to get into. But then again, you don't know the knife is sharp until you cut yourself on it...right? Right?

Daily Grind: 1/24/07

Jeez, the movies coming out this year have been bringing the Internet stupid out of it's moldy shack of a prison. I can't remember seeing so much bithing and moaning over little things in many years (maybe even ever). However, even with the annoyance, it's brought some of the most entertainment I've had on these here tubes.

It really started last summer, when movies like Spider-Man 3 and Transformers first reared their heads for real and had firm premier dates. In particular, the Transformers movie has devoted fans coming out and decrying everything the creative team on the movie. When flame decals and actual humans doing things in the movie itself cause such a ruckus, I tend to mentally groan at the stupdity of it all.

Which is not to say they don't have anything to complain about. It is directed by Michael 'splosion' Bay, who at best can make a movie that is tolerable, and sometimes make some of the worst movies ever. I mean, if something I've obviously invested alot of love and time into was being directed by someone so dubious, I'd probably be pissed, too.

But, as has been brought up by others, the Bay is axtually perfect for the movie. The man loves his car chases and his explosions. Transforming robots that provide car chaes and explosions? It's like God made a concept specifically for him to adapt into a movie. That doesn't mean it'll go either way at this point, it's just a cookie to chew on (wha?)

But it doesn't matter to the fans. They must make a movie that adheres to every facet of the franchise, even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff. And this is what leads to the entertainment: when these fanboys venture out of their lairs to vent frustration, they sometimes come to legitimate film discussion boards. And they get torn to bits by the posters. If there's one thing that's a guaranteed good time, it's an old-fashioned e-argument.

Daily Grind: 1/23/07

Back when I wa younger, alot of free time was spent in hockey arenas. Not because I played hockey (I did, once), but because my siblings played hockey. I was dragged along, because you can't leave a 11-year-old at home by himself, I guess.

I would never actually watch the games, of course. I would...wander. Around the rink, around the food vendor just outside the rink, around the arena. Now that I think about it, how were my parents okay with this? I guess they thought I was smart enough not to lock myself into a boiler room or something.

One of my favorite wandering activities involved finding a patch of ice that leaked from the actual skating rink and just sliding along it. Without a care in the world. I could have easily fell and spilt my brain matter all over the cement floor...but it was worth. Was it? That's a good question actually.

It was on that ice that I continued my life of creative ideas that serve no purpose. And it was the most fun I could ever have at a hockey arena. Except when those hockey arenas had arcade games.

What does this all mean? I don't know.

In other news, here's a video for one of the most bizarre arcade games ever made:



(Beware, the sound is wonky.)

See someone play through the entire game here. Beware, it's almost an hour long.

Here's another arcade beat-'em-up, although it's a lot more generic. Even so, it's notable because the music is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.



Here's the entire game, by the same guy who played through the other game. This is 36 minutes long.

As you can see, I've been on a Watching-people-play-arcade-brawlers-on-Youtube kick. It's been going on for two months. I've now watched over a dozen beat-'em-ups from beginning to end, which is kinda...weird. Weirder still, they made one for Hook. And you could play as Rufio and the fat kid. C'mon, that completely makes you forget that I've been obsessively watching thugs getting beaten up for two months.

Daily Grind: 1/22/07

Okay, so I read the first trade paperback of Alan Moore's Promethea. As you may already know, I likes me some crazy bearded Brits. Especially when they are high on something, possibly drugs, possibly thought. High on thought? I should probably trademark that.

I love 'concept' stories. It doesn't matter if it's a comic, a movie, a book, or any other form of entertainment/art. They just delight me by making me consider new ways of looking at everything.

Promethea falls into that category like a gold-laced boulder (simile...is there anything it can't achieve?) In fact, it may be the most "concept-y" comic I've ever read. Even more so than my beloved Doom Patrol, possibly. It has concepts within concepts. That's brutally insane, so it automatically appeals to me.

In the TPB, my favorite story was the one where Promethea battled the pseudonym wizard. Just typing 'pseudonym wizard' fills me with glee. Alan Moore is a genius.

I've read X-Axis reviews of most of the series, which purportedly gets into downright impenetrable territory at some point. Since I haven't delved that far into the series, I don't really know what to expect. I will read the other two volumes available to me at this time and find out.

Now, if you've read Promethea, you probably want me to reference Weeping Gorilla at least once in this entry. That would be the easy thing to do, wouldn't it? I mean, Weeping Gorilla certainly does offer plenty of material. But am I really going to sink to the level of making an obvious reference? Hell yes.

"Why do bad things happen to good people?"

Damn you, Weeping Gorilla.

Daily Grind: 1/21/07

For interested folks, here's my top played artists of last week:


Don't laugh, Supertramp is a guilty pleasure.

So anyway, Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law is coming to an end. It's worth mentioning, because it has consistently been one of my favorite TV shows for a few years now. Lemme reminisce.

I first saw HB around 4 years ago...I think. I'm never too sure. I know it was a June, but I can never remember if it was 2003 or 2004. I'm leaning more towards 2003. What a complete waste of a paragraph.

Anyway, I guess the Canadian cartoon station decided to pick it up, and as luck had it they decided to play it while I was watching TV that night. The two episodes I saw got me hooked. And the rest is history.

I don't know what appeals to me the most on the show. I like silly humor, I like cartoon satire, and I guess I could find the legal jargon hilarious. I also like the characters, who are all amusing in their own ways. Now that I think about it...it all seems good.

My favorite episode is still "Death by Chocolate", the one with Boo Boo as the Unibomber. The ending of the episode...is a thing of beauty. It's easily one of the most perfect endings of all time.

But anyway, it is sad to see it go. But, it sounds like the creators have a new show coming out. If they can bring the same amount of comedy to that as they did to Birdman, I'm happy.

Goodbye, old friend ;_;

Daily Grind: 1/20/07

Wow, there's a whole lot of nothin' going on. This is what Saturday's without work are like? Pretty much.

I guess my friends and I are going to make a musical. No, we are not professional filmmakers, not in the slightest. You could hardly call it a musical, because we can't sing and the accompanying instruments will be played haphazardly (except possibly the guitar, which one of my friends actually knows how to play). I'm not responsible for writing the 'songs', but I've been assigned the job of scripting (which will be more of a suggestion than anything else).

This, and all the other movie projects we have pursued, exists only to amuse us. Hell, I'll probably never even post them on YouTube to frollick among the worthless prjects. However, the whole thing is composed entirely of in-jokes, so it's probably for the better.

I'm glad I'm getting a chance to write a script. Even if it doesn't mean anything in the long run (Us? Memorize things?), it would still give me some experience for later possibilities. If I am to be an all-purpose writing unit, I have to get some skill writing all sorts of things.

Daily Grind: 1/19/07

I'm so slow with music. I only recently started buying CDs on a regular basis and sampling new artists as much as I can. So I'm almost always playing catch-up with musical happenings, and I rarely know when new stuff is coming out (When The Information came out, I didn't even know it until someone posted it on a message board.)

So, one of the new bands I've been enjoying as of late is those wacky fellows in Grandaddy. And guess what? Last year, they released their last album. I jump on the ship while it lays on the bottom on the ocean. Well, at least it'll be easier to get all their stuff.

Next thing I'm interested in listening to is the Arctic Monkeys. They've gotten thumbs up from two of my trusted sources (one being good ol' Scotsman Paul O'Brien), plus they sound like the type of band I'd enjoy. This is one boat I'm hopping on while it's docked.

FOOM!

I don't get much Heroclix stuff anymore (no stores carry it around here anymore ;_;), but I still pay attention to it (which I have mentioned several times). And so, today, I discovered that they announced one of the things I've wanted to see for quite a while:


FIN! FANG! FOOM!

Amazing.

Review: Wario Ware Smooth Moves (+ Apology)

Oh my crap, I completely forgot to do the Daily Grind yesterday. That defeats the whole purpose. To make up for this injustice to anyone who may be reading, I will post my recently written newspaper review for the new Wario Ware, plus more later! Enjoy.

***********************************
Part of the genius of the Wario Ware series is that no matter what new gimmick is foisted upon every new iteration of the series, it is able to make it work, and work well. I can say for sure that Smooth Moves continues the tradition, making the weirdest use of your Wii Remote you could possibly think of. There are actually several uses, but we’ll get to that shortly.

For those unfamiliar, Wario Ware is a collection of ‘microgames’ that usually last only a few seconds and are played in succession at rapid-fire speed, testing your reflexes. You get the one to three word instructions for each game (Collect! Shoot! Dance Monkey Dance!) flashed briefly before it starts, so you only have a miniscule time to figure out what you’re doing. However, it really doesn’t take long for you to get into it, and when you get into it, things seem to come naturally.

This Wii edition, of course, takes advantage of the remote and all its motion sensing goodness. The series’ humour meshes well with this, as it forces you to hold the remote like a weight, a pencil, a handlebar, and even atop your head (all the various forms are explained to you in hilariously serene vignettes). Believe me; you will look insane playing this game, which increases your enjoyment, especially in a group setting.

The single player, which follows the surreal adventures of the Wario and his cohorts, is fairly short. But even after initially completing the game, you’ll want to go back and beat your best scores while simultaneously discovering every one of the around 200 games, and unlocking some longer mini-games (including a shooting gallery and an endless tower you must bounce a ball up). After beating the single player you also unlock the multiplayer mode, which allows you to share the insanity with up to 11 other people (alternating with one remote). These modes run from basic elimination to frantic contests that might actually serve as the highlight of the whole game when you gather together with peers.

I’m a big fan of the series, so there was already a guarantee that I would enjoy this. Like all the others, I recommend this to anyone who looks for someone simple and addicting, or to anyone looking for another great Wii game for parties. If you do not enjoy shoving fingers into 3D noses…play it anyway, because I said so.

Daily Grind: 1/17/07

The following are a list of supehero and supervillain names I find amusing:

Beta Ray Bill
Living Laser
Mr. Mind
Max Mercury
Major Victory
Blastaar
Human Torch
Count Nefaria
Baron Blood
Sunfire
Silver Sorceress
Quasar
Metamorpho
Dr. Destiny
Gorilla Man
Overmind
Zzzax
Puffball Collective
Maestro
Graviton
Manos
Validus
Arnim Zola
Kurse
Super Skrull
Golden Eagle

Daily Grind: 1/16/07

You know what? I liked the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. I honestly believe it was one of the best Saturday morning cartoons in years (albeit, it's not the competition is fierce.) I'm not saying it's some sort of animation benchmark, but it did things I never expected from it's type.

I like the fact that it had ongoing plots. I liked the fact that it had some semblance of character development. I also like how it did some direct adaptations of Eastman & Laird's original comic (toned down, of course. It is a kids show.)

I agree that since this is a kids show with ambition, when it falls, it falls harder than the 80s version, which was really content with being an 80s SA.M. show (bad animation and dialogue aplenty, although I still have affection for it.) And I found the first season to be kinda boring. Once they started introducing more Sci-Fi elements, and even later when they brought in the government agency subplot, the show really started to pick up, though. The Battle Nexus stuff was super duper awesome.

So there. The new TMNT is good. If you're watching Yu-Gi-Oh! rather than it, I want to punch you. GRRRRR CARTOONS ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS!

In other news...

I got Wario Ware: Smooth Moves today. Fun so far, and it really does make you look like you're fighting invisible demons crawling all over your skin. Yes, even more than most Wii games. I can't wait to play it in a group.

I've spent the last couple of days typing out synopses for some of my comic book ideas I'd love to pursue some day. It's enjoyable for me, as I pool together all those ideas that I've been developing for years now. Now, to get an artist that can draw things that don't suck...

Edit: I also don't like the 'preview' still of yesterday's video.

Daily Grind: 1/15/07

One of the many things that amuse me in this world is the patented 'Anti-Grizzly' armor, pictured above. If you watch a lot of newsmagazine shows or timeslots on Discovery not taken up by sharks, pyramids, or welding goons, you've probably seen the men who make and test out these behemoth suits. They often show off videos of their pals smashing them mallets and heavier objects, and even setting them on fire. All, atleast to my knowledge, being completely resisted by the suit's thick hide.

For the most part, it's amusing to me because "Hey, it's like a real-life War Machine! Or, at the very least, Iron Monger." I love robots, and also have some sort of affinity for robotic suits, I guess. So seeing what is the closest thing to real-life robotic suits (despite not being robotic at all, and possibly being constructed out of duct tape and car parts) just makes me feel all tingly.

What's odd about it all, though, is the fact that these seemingly invincible contraptions are made to ward of bear attacks. Isn't that weird? When someone makes an advance in technology (which this isn't, but I'm calling it that just because), it's usually to fight in a war, or to go out into space. But no, someone makes impervious battlesuits so that he doesn't get sacked by an angry mama grizzly. Maybe I'm underestimating the power of a large ursine, but even so, I must ask: when did bears start breathing fire?

(As an aside, I love saying the name 'Iron Monger'. It is an excellently entertaining name to say. Iron Monger, Iron Monger, Iron Monger [Rule of three!])

My hat is AWESOME!!!!

Sorry, just saw this and thought I'd share it. It's like...the kind of show I would make.

Daily Grind: 1/14/07

It's easily one of the most beaten dead horses in history: The Family Circus is unfunny. But I still feel like taking it apart, like a million other nerds on the Internet. Maybe I'll say something original.

The funniest thing about TFC is how completely unfunny it can be. It's jarring sometimes, how anyone would think that one of it's 'jokes' is amusing in any way. They're not even jokes half the time, they more like observations. If horrifically stupid children misunderstanding basic concepts or mispronouncing words somehow brings humor into your life, I have a large stick that would love to meet your head.

One time, when I was working outside at my grocery store job, someone I didn't particularly like drove up to me with some buddies in his pickup and yelled "Got a new job?", immediately speeding away while laughing hysterically. This perplexed me. Was that supposed to be an insult? It seemed like a normal question to me.

So there, I guess I found a Family Circus reader.

Daily Grind: 1/13/07

Because I don't think I'm writing enough here, I now will make sure I write a short observation/ramble ever day under the 'Daily Grind' banner. I'm sure all three of you are thrilled.

Today: Death of Animal Man.

Haven't read that issue of 52 yet, but I'm sad all the same. Grant Morrison's run on Animal Man remains one of my favorite comics, not just because it combined the expected surrealism and metafiction themes with a less expected social conscience, but also because, dammit, I cared about the characters. I identified with Buddy Baker, and it enhanced the stories. Albeit, Grant's Doom Patrol still remains my favorite comic series, but Animal Man might have more resonance.

I know, these deaths are almost always for shock value. Grant Morrison being on the writing team kinda helps give it more meaning, as he defined the character and might've been part of the decision to kill him off at all (although, after 'certain comments' he has made, that may not be the case). And there's also the sense that the character was not being used at all, and there were probably no plans of making any use of him outside of 52 anyway, so it really isn't hurting anything to have him go into 'retirement' in a blaze of glory. That's a pretty cold philosophy, and it isn't looking much to the future. But then again, this is superhero fiction. They could always resurrect him if someone comes along with a decent pitch. It'll make killing him off even more worthless in retrospect, but...


...I got nothing.

Incredible Crash Test Monkeys!

Sorry for the lack of posts, I just got some teeth removed and thus lost my ability to chew gum for a bit. I am thoroughly depressed now :<

In other news:
Trauma Centre: You expect me to draw that star? Like Hell, it took me 20 minutes to draw it three times, you asshole!

Wario Ware: Two weeks more, two weeks more...

Message Board loonies: Always great fun. Always.

Welcome to the Now!

Slightly late, but let's start 2007 with a punch to Hitler's face!